usatoday--2020-09-05--She lost her father to COVID-19. 'Awful' Facebook users are telling her to 'suck it up.'

REDDING , Calif. – In the months since her father died from coronavirus , a Redding woman said she 's been called everything from a liar to a sensationalist perpetuating a misinformation campaign .
When Mark Neal lost his battle with the virus in April , his 21-year-old daughter Alex Neal posted on social media and told people in person he had died .
Since that time , calls and comments from those who believe the virus is a hoax have made dealing with her grief more difficult .
People told me to my face he didn ’ t really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It has been pretty awful .
If he had died of cancer , I think people would have said a lot more nicer things to me.
” Negative comments she received are often politically-charged reactions to her telling people her father died as a result of the coronavirus , and to her plea on social media for people to wear masks — an act she said might have saved her father had people known to wear them back in February .
She wrote on Facebook on Aug. 7 : `` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it up ; 'hospitals get paid to put COVID on death certificates ; ' 'stop being a sheeple ; ' 'stop being a zombie ; ' 'if he ate like this ( diet ) then he would n't have died ; ' 'everyone dies eventually ; ' and so much more . ''
Politicizing the pandemic makes no sense to her , she said .
“ In the real world , COVID doesn ’ t care if you ’ re political or not .
Wearing a mask doesn ’ t take your rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t take someone they love dying to convince ( people ) the virus is real.
” At first , he sounded disoriented Mark David Neal , a 62-year-old art photographer , kicked off 2020 the way he did most years : Trips to Mt .
Shasta Ski Park and daily 10-mile bike rides .
Alex Neal said she had a little trouble keeping up with her athletic dad at the ski park .
“ He was doing jumps ahead of me.
” On Feb. 28 , the Chico State University student got a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Redding .
He sounded disoriented , she said .
Normally tech savvy , he couldn ’ t figure out how to make an online doctor ’ s appointment .
When Alex Neal got to her father ’ s house , she said he looked very sick .
“ We went to an urgent care and they said to go to the ER . ''
Coronavirus in California : Two students in Anderson school district test positive for COVID-19 Staff at Mercy Medical Center diagnosed Neal with pneumonia , prescribed antibiotics and told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Alex Neal said .
Mercy Medical Center would not confirm Neal 's diagnosis , citing patient confidentiality , Dignity Health North State spokeswoman Allison Hendrickson said .
By March 7 , Mark Neal felt well enough to take a short bike ride , but had to return home to rest .
Days later , doctors found a pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis in his ankle .
“ He ’ d never had them before , ” Alex Neal said .
On March 11 , Mark Neal was admitted to Mercy Medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the UC Davis Medical Center 's oncology unit .
“ Things went downhill really quick , ” Alex Neal said .
`` He couldn ’ t see .
He couldn ’ t breathe .
His temperature dropped to 94 degrees .
His blood pressure was 85 over 50.
” Medical staff told Neal her father had had a stroke .
“ About 20 doctors came into the room .
I was standing in the corner .
They didn ’ t have time to push me out because they were trying to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the ICU .
Again he recovered a bit and could speak .
“ I walked in and said , ‘ Good morning , Dad.
’ He said good morning , and mumbled something back to me .
The right side of his face began to droop.
” It was the last time he would speak .
Alex Neal borrowed her mother 's and step-father ’ s trailer , and moved into a Sacramento RV park to be closer to her dad 's hospital bed .
She and her brother , Luke , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed to enter his room .
She played phone messages for her father , left by his friends .
“ He had a lot of friends , ” she said .
Testing on her dad continued .
Two bone marrow tests came back negative for leukemia , but because of his symptoms , doctors were still not sure her father didn ’ t have it , Alex Neal said .
They placed him on a ventilator and gave him chemotherapy .
Could it be COVID-19 ?
Still , Alex Neal said she asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be tested for COVID-19 .
She said she was told he didn ’ t meet the qualifications .
Doctors gradually are learning more about the virus and the unusual symptoms that may emerge , like how patients can lose their sense of taste or smell , develop inflammatory conditions and other neurological problems .
Health officials only confirmed in late spring that blood clots and strokes could result from the coronavirus , according to The Associated Press .
For many people , the virus causes mild or moderate illness , such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ache , fatigue and sore throat that clears up in two to three weeks .
But in some cases , especially in older adults and people with underlying medical conditions , the disease can cause more serious complications , such as pneumonia , and even death .
Mark Neal was n't the only one denied a test .
In March , a paucity of test kits and long wait times to get a result meant medical staffs across the United States had to screen patients based on what symptoms they knew the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mid-March , COVID-19 testing was extremely limited and conducted by public health labs operated by the CDC , state of California and counties , '' said Karen Finney , senior public information representative at UC Davis Health .
`` UC Davis Medical Center was not cleared by public health authorities to begin more widely testing of patients with our own in-house lab testing until March 18 . ''
That was the same date Mark Neal 's doctors announced no visitors would be allowed into his room anymore .
Alex and Luke Neal stayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then said goodbye .
The next morning , Alex Neal said she was allowed back in to visit her father , an exception , but was told to leave permanently on March 26 .
By then , Mark Neal had developed sepsis and more blood clots in his legs . '
I was able to hold his hand' When Mark Neal 's COVID-19 test came back positive , doctors told Alex Neal the chemo probably prolonged her father 's life .
The chemo compromised his immune system , so his body could n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she said .
Placed in quarantine , Alex Neal wasn ’ t allowed to see her father again until the day he died , April 4 .
“ I got a call at 1 a.m .
They didn ’ t know if they could keep him alive until I got there to say goodbye.
” When she arrived with her mother at the hospital , she begged staff to let her see her father in person .
“ They fully suited me up .
I was able to hold his hand .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that much ; he looked like my dad.
” Mark Neal died 30 minutes after she entered the room , at 2:25 p.m. Alex Neal said she feels lucky .
“ A lot of people don ’ t get to see their loved ones ( with the coronavirus ) in the hospital.
” In quarantine again after entering his hospital room , Alex Neal said she reflected on the what-ifs .
`` You never know if what you say will be the last thing you say to someone .
No matter what has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be kind and tell them how you feel .
I learned that from my dad.
” Months later , it ’ s painful to hear people say the virus is a hoax , or refuse to wear a mask `` to protect others , '' she said .
“ Everything that happened to my dad was COVID related .
( The cause of death on his death certificate from UC Davis says ) he died of COVID .
It ’ s hard to relive that experience every day .
I hope people can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward each other . ''

Jessica Skropanic, Redding Record Searchlight

She lost her father to COVID-19: 'Awful' Facebook users are telling her to 'suck it up'
Show Caption Hide Caption Woman tells of experience battling new COVID-19 symptom If you thought COVID-19 symptoms couldn't get worse, doctors say a new symptom has emerged. Hallucinations. USA TODAY
REDDING, Calif. – In the months since her father died from coronavirus, a Redding woman said she's been called everything from a liar to a sensationalist perpetuating a misinformation campaign.
When Mark Neal lost his battle with the virus in April, his 21-year-old daughter Alex Neal posted on social media and told people in person he had died. Since that time, calls and comments from those who believe the virus is a hoax have made dealing with her grief more difficult.
People told me to my face he didn’t really die of the coronavirus, she said. “It has been pretty awful. If he had died of cancer, I think people would have said a lot more nicer things to me.”
Negative comments she received are often politically-charged reactions to her telling people her father died as a result of the coronavirus, and to her plea on social media for people to wear masks – an act she said might have saved her father had people known to wear them back in February.
She wrote on Facebook on Aug. 7: "I have had people tell me to suck it up; 'hospitals get paid to put COVID on death certificates;' 'stop being a sheeple;' 'stop being a zombie;' 'if he ate like this (diet) then he wouldn't have died;' 'everyone dies eventually;' and so much more."
Politicizing the pandemic makes no sense to her, she said.
“In the real world, COVID doesn’t care if you’re political or not. Wearing a mask doesn’t take your rights away. I hope it doesn’t take someone they love dying to convince (people) the virus is real.”
At first, he sounded disoriented
Mark David Neal, a 62-year-old art photographer, kicked off 2020 the way he did most years: Trips to Mt. Shasta Ski Park and daily 10-mile bike rides.
Alex Neal said she had a little trouble keeping up with her athletic dad at the ski park. “He was doing jumps ahead of me.”
On Feb. 28, the Chico State University student got a call from her father while driving home to Redding. He sounded disoriented, she said. Normally tech-savvy, he couldn’t figure out how to make an online doctor’s appointment.
When Alex Neal got to her father’s house, she said he looked very sick. “We went to an urgent care and they said to go to the ER."
Coronavirus in California: Two students in Anderson school district test positive for COVID-19
Staff at Mercy Medical Center diagnosed Neal with pneumonia, prescribed antibiotics and told him to follow up with his physician, Alex Neal said.
Mercy Medical Center would not confirm Neal's diagnosis, citing patient confidentiality, Dignity Health North State spokeswoman Allison Hendrickson said.
Mystery illnesses show up
By March 7, Mark Neal felt well enough to take a short bike ride but had to return home to rest. Days later, doctors found a pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis in his ankle. “He’d never had them before,” Alex Neal said.
On March 11, Mark Neal was admitted to Mercy Medical Center with a leukemia diagnosis and airlifted to the UC Davis Medical Center's oncology unit.
“Things went downhill really quick,” Alex Neal said. "He couldn’t see. He couldn’t breathe. His temperature dropped to 94 degrees. His blood pressure was 85 over 50.”
Medical staff told Neal her father had had a stroke.
“About 20 doctors came into the room. I was standing in the corner. They didn’t have time to push me out because they were trying to keep him alive.”
Mark Neal was moved to the ICU. Again he recovered a bit and could speak.
He suffered another stroke on March 15.
“I walked in and said, ‘Good morning, Dad.’ He said good morning and mumbled something back to me. The right side of his face began to droop.” It was the last time he would speak.
Alex Neal borrowed her mother's and step-father’s trailer and moved into a Sacramento RV park to be closer to her dad's hospital bed. She and her brother, Luke, then 19, were the only ones allowed to enter his room. She played phone messages for her father, left by his friends. “He had a lot of friends,” she said.
Testing on her dad continued. Two bone marrow tests came back negative for leukemia, but because of his symptoms, doctors were still not sure her father didn’t have it, Alex Neal said. They placed him on a ventilator and gave him chemotherapy.
Could it be COVID-19?
Still, Alex Neal said she asked UC Davis medical staff if her father could be tested for COVID-19. She said she was told he didn’t meet the qualifications.
Doctors gradually are learning more about the virus and the unusual symptoms that may emerge, like how patients can lose their sense of taste or smell, develop inflammatory conditions and other neurological problems.
Health officials only confirmed in late spring that blood clots and strokes could result from the coronavirus, according to The Associated Press.
For many people, the virus causes mild or moderate illness, such as fever or chills, muscle or body ache, fatigue and sore throat that clears up in two to three weeks. But in some cases, especially in older adults and people with underlying medical conditions, the disease can cause more serious complications, such as pneumonia, and even death.
Mark Neal wasn't the only one denied a test. In March, a paucity of test kits and long wait times to get a result meant medical staffs across the United States had to screen patients based on what symptoms they knew the virus caused at that time.
"Until mid-March, COVID-19 testing was extremely limited and conducted by public health labs operated by the CDC, state of California and counties," said Karen Finney, senior public information representative at UC Davis Health. "UC Davis Medical Center was not cleared by public health authorities to begin more widely testing of patients with our own in-house lab testing until March 18."
That was the same date Mark Neal's doctors announced no visitors would be allowed into his room anymore. Alex and Luke Neal stayed with their father until closing time, then said goodbye.
The next morning, Alex Neal said she was allowed back in to visit her father, an exception, but was told to leave permanently on March 26. By then, Mark Neal had developed sepsis and more blood clots in his legs.
'I was able to hold his hand'
When Mark Neal's COVID-19 test came back positive, doctors told Alex Neal the chemo probably prolonged her father's life. The chemo compromised his immune system, so his body couldn't create the inflammatory effect the coronavirus causes, she said.
Placed in quarantine, Alex Neal wasn’t allowed to see her father again until the day he died, April 4. “I got a call at 1 a.m. They didn’t know if they could keep him alive until I got there to say goodbye.”
When she arrived with her mother at the hospital, she begged staff to let her see her father in person. “They fully suited me up. I was able to hold his hand. Physically, he hadn’t changed that much; he looked like my dad.”
Mark Neal died 30 minutes after she entered the room.
Alex Neal said she feels lucky. “A lot of people don’t get to see their loved ones (with the coronavirus) in the hospital.”
In quarantine again after entering his hospital room, Alex Neal said she reflected on the what-ifs.
"You never know if what you say will be the last thing you say to someone. No matter what has happened, it’s better to be kind and tell them how you feel. I learned that from my dad.”
Months later, it’s painful to hear people say the virus is a hoax, or refuse to wear a mask "to protect others," she said.
“Everything that happened to my dad was COVID related. (The cause of death on his death certificate from UC Davis says) he died of COVID. It’s hard to relive that experience every day. I hope people can grow to show more empathy and kindness toward each other."
Follow Jessica Skropanic on Twitter: @RS_JSkropanic.


usatoday--2020-09-05--Deshaun Watson agrees to huge four-year contract extension with Houston Texans

The Houston Texans and quarterback Deshaun Watson agreed Saturday to a four-year extension , a person with knowledge of the deal confirmed to USA TODAY Sports .
The person was not authorized to speak publicly about the deal because the team had yet to announce it .
Watson will turn 25 on Sept. 14 , four days after he and the Texans face Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs for the NFL 's season opener — a rematch of last year 's AFC Divisional Round playoff game .
The average annual salary over the four years is $ 39 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 27 million bonus .
It 's not the first time Houston has invested in Watson 's future and potential .
The Texans traded a pair of first round picks to move up and select Watson 12th overall in the 2017 NFL draft , months after he led the Clemson Tigers to a national championship .
JONES SHIFTS TONE : Cowboys owner says players need help from America '' I could n't be more honored and humbled to sign a long-term deal in Houston , the city that I 've grown to love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Watson said in a social media post .
`` Thanks to Cal , Janice , the entire McNair family , Coach O'Brien , Jack Easterby and the whole Texans ' organization for helping to make my dream a reality .
Special thank you to all my teammates , past and present , for believing in me and helping me grow as both a player and person . ''
The Georgia native also took time to express gratitude toward his mother , Deann .
`` She instilled in me at an early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obstacles you must endure and keep going , '' Watson said .
`` Thank you to my brothers and my sister who have seen the worst times and the best times with me and never lost hope . ''
An ACL injury suffered during his rookie season cut his promising start short , but he 's bounced back to lead the Houston Texans to back-to-back AFC South division titles .
Watson earned Pro Bowl nods each of those seasons and has completed 67.8 % of his passes for more than 8,000 yards and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Watson also adds an element to the Texans ' run game , as he rushed 99 times for 551 yards in 2018 and took off 82 times for 413 yards last season .
Watson 's new deal will make him the second-highest paid quarterback , behind Mahomes , who agreed to a record-breaking $ 503 million contract extension earlier this summer .

Deshaun Watson agrees to huge four-year contract extension with Houston Texans
Show Caption Hide Caption Erin Andrews on FOX's NFL coverage: Expect fake crowd noise, don't expect watered down product SportsPulse: Mackenzie Salmon connected with Erin Andrews to see how Fox is planning on broadcasting NFL games this fall and how she will adapt to not being allowed on sidelines for games. USA TODAY
The Houston Texans and quarterback Deshaun Watson agreed Saturday to a four-year extension, a person with knowledge of the deal confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person was not authorized to speak publicly about the deal because the team had yet to announce it.
Watson will turn 25 on Sept. 14, four days after he and the Texans face Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs for the NFL's season opener — a rematch of last year's AFC Divisional Round playoff game.
The average annual salary over the four years is $39 million, and the agreement contains a $27 million bonus.
It's not the first time Houston has invested in Watson's future and potential. The Texans traded a pair of first round picks to move up and select Watson 12th overall in the 2017 NFL draft, months after he led the Clemson Tigers to a national championship.
CUT TRACKER: Which notable veterans aren't making 53-man squads?
JONES SHIFTS TONE: Cowboys owner says players need help from America
"I couldn't be more honored and humbled to sign a long-term deal in Houston, the city that I've grown to love so much and now call my home," Watson said in a social media post. "Thanks to Cal, Janice, the entire McNair family, Coach O'Brien, Jack Easterby and the whole Texans' organization for helping to make my dream a reality. Special thank you to all my teammates, past and present, for believing in me and helping me grow as both a player and person."
The Georgia native also took time to express gratitude toward his mother, Deann.
"She instilled in me at an early age that no matter the circumstances and obstacles you must endure and keep going," Watson said. "Thank you to my brothers and my sister who have seen the worst times and the best times with me and never lost hope."
An ACL injury suffered during his rookie season cut his promising start short, but he's bounced back to lead the Houston Texans to back-to-back AFC South division titles. Watson earned Pro Bowl nods each of those seasons and has completed 67.8% of his passes for more than 8,000 yards and 52 touchdowns (21 interceptions).
Yessirrrrrrrr!!!!
We’re lucky to have this one in Houston.
A very well-deserved payday my friend!
Can’t wait for the world to see what the future holds. @deshaunwatson pic.twitter.com/OkGCDziyON — JJ Watt (@JJWatt) September 5, 2020
Watson also adds an element to the Texans' run game, as he rushed 99 times for 551 yards in 2018 and took off 82 times for 413 yards last season.
Watson's new deal will make him the second-highest paid quarterback, behind Mahomes, who agreed to a record-breaking $503 million contract extension earlier this summer.


usatoday--2020-09-05--Mississippi AG drops case against Curtis Flowers, a Black man who was tried 6 times for same crime

JACKSON , Miss .
– The Mississippi Attorney General 's Office is dropping its case against Curtis Flowers , a Black man who was tried six times for the same crime by a white prosecutor .
The case drew national attention last year as it went before the U.S. Supreme Court after it was the subject of `` In The Dark , '' a popular investigative podcast .
Flowers , accused of killing four people at a furniture store in Winona in 1996 , has maintained his innocence for more than two decades as his case went through an unprecedented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ modern U.S. history .
“ Today I am finally free from the injustice that left me locked in a box for nearly 23 years , ” Flowers , 50 , said Friday in a statement .
“ I ’ ve been asked if I ever thought this day would come .
I have been blessed with a family that never gave up on me and with them by my side , I knew it would.
” One of Flowers ' attorneys noted the significance that the dismissal came as protesters demonstrate in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killings of Black people .
The dismissal `` adds one more important proof that 145 years after the Civil Rights Act of 1875 , a recalcitrant demagogue will no longer be able to stop the forces of transformation in Mississippi and nationally , calling for racial equity to replace white supremacy as our justice system 's organizing principle , '' attorney Henderson Hill said .
'Unprecedented ' number of trials caused by mistrials and prosecutor misconduct The prosecutor , Fifth Circuit District Attorney Doug Evans , tried Flowers multiple times as he failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guilt and failed to make convictions stick .
Two trials ended in hung juries and four convictions were overturned because higher courts found evidence of prosecutorial misconduct .
June 2019 : Supreme Court overturns conviction of Curtis Flowers , tried 6 times for murder , citing racism in jury selection In June 2019 , the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Flowers ' most recent conviction in 2010 after finding that Evans deliberately worked to prevent prospective Black jurors from serving during jury selection .
In December , Flowers was allowed to walk free on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first time in two decades as they waited to see if he would face trial a seventh time .
Flowers ' attorneys sought to remove Evans from the case .
The prosecutor quietly withdrew in January in the face of opposition and Flowers ' case went to Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch 's office for review .
Fitch filed a motion to dismiss Flower 's indictment on Friday and it was approved by Judge Joseph Loper .
“ The case against Curtis Flowers never made sense , ” said Flowers ’ attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Justice .
“ He was 26 years old with no criminal record and nothing in his history to suggest he would commit a crime like this .
As time went by , even more evidence emerged to corroborate his innocence .
This prosecution was flawed from the beginning and was tainted throughout by racial discrimination .
It should never have occurred and lasted far too long , but we are glad it is finally over.
” Vangela Wade , president and CEO of the Mississippi Center for Justice , said district attorneys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bail , plea bargaining , trial and sentencing .
Wade called for a `` deeper fight against racism '' in the state 's criminal justice system .
`` Mississippi must reform our criminal justice system from the bottom up , starting with rooting out racial bias in prosecutorial discretion , '' Wade said .
Why did the AG decide to drop charges ?
Fitch filed a motion on Friday to dismiss the indictment against Flowers , citing a lack of witnesses and the existence of alternate suspects .
In court filings , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key witnesses that had testified against Flowers in the past had either died or made conflicting statements on the record .
“ …The only witness who offered direct evidence of guilt recanted his prior testimony , admitting that he was lying when he said Mr .
Flowers made a jailhouse confession to the murders . ''
Much of the new evidence of Flowers ' innocence stemmed from the investigation by `` In the Dark , '' Flowers ' attorneys said .
On the morning of July 16 , 1996 , Tardy Furniture 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the head execution-style .
The victims were Bertha Tardy , 59 ; Carmen Rigby , 45 ; Roberty Golden , 42 ; and 16-year-old Derrick Stewart , who was known as `` Bobo . ''
All were dead at the scene except Derrick , who fought for his life for several days until he succumbed to his injuries .
The evidence investigators gathered at the scene included a bloody footprint and bullets .
Nearly $ 400 was missing from the cash drawer .
Police arrested Flowers several months later .
He was indicted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flowers had worked at the store for a short time before being fired , and prosecutors had portrayed Flowers as a disgruntled employee who was out for revenge .

Mississippi AG drops case against Curtis Flowers, a Black man who was tried 6 times for same crime
Show Caption Hide Caption Curtis Flowers case dropped by Mississippi AG's office The Mississippi Attorney General's Office announced Friday it would drop the case against Curtis Flowers, ending an unprecedented string of trials. Staff Report, Wochit
JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Attorney General's Office is dropping its case against Curtis Flowers, a Black man who was tried six times for the same crime by a white prosecutor.
The case drew national attention last year as it went before the U.S. Supreme Court after it was the subject of "In The Dark," a popular investigative podcast.
Flowers, accused of killing four people at a furniture store in Winona in 1996, has maintained his innocence for more than two decades as his case went through an unprecedented number of trials, the most in modern U.S. history.
“Today I am finally free from the injustice that left me locked in a box for nearly 23 years,” Flowers, 50, said Friday in a statement. “I’ve been asked if I ever thought this day would come. I have been blessed with a family that never gave up on me and with them by my side, I knew it would.”
One of Flowers' attorneys noted the significance that the dismissal came as protesters demonstrate in the U.S. and around the world against police killings of Black people.
The dismissal "adds one more important proof that 145 years after the Civil Rights Act of 1875, a recalcitrant demagogue will no longer be able to stop the forces of transformation in Mississippi and nationally, calling for racial equity to replace white supremacy as our justice system's organizing principle," attorney Henderson Hill said.
'Unprecedented' number of trials caused by mistrials and prosecutor misconduct
The prosecutor, Fifth Circuit District Attorney Doug Evans, tried Flowers multiple times as he failed to convince the juries of Flowers' guilt and failed to make convictions stick. Two trials ended in hung juries and four convictions were overturned because higher courts found evidence of prosecutorial misconduct.
June 2019: Curtis Flowers' conviction overturned: Family, lawyer elated
June 2019: Supreme Court overturns conviction of Curtis Flowers, tried 6 times for murder, citing racism in jury selection
In June 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Flowers' most recent conviction in 2010 after finding that Evans deliberately worked to prevent prospective Black jurors from serving during jury selection.
In December, Flowers was allowed to walk free on bond and return to his family for the first time in two decades as they waited to see if he would face trial a seventh time.
Flowers' attorneys sought to remove Evans from the case. The prosecutor quietly withdrew in January in the face of opposition and Flowers' case went to Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch's office for review.
Fitch filed a motion to dismiss Flower's indictment on Friday and it was approved by Judge Joseph Loper.
“The case against Curtis Flowers never made sense,” said Flowers’ attorney, Rob McDuff of the Mississippi Center for Justice. “He was 26 years old with no criminal record and nothing in his history to suggest he would commit a crime like this. As time went by, even more evidence emerged to corroborate his innocence. This prosecution was flawed from the beginning and was tainted throughout by racial discrimination. It should never have occurred and lasted far too long, but we are glad it is finally over.”
Vangela Wade, president and CEO of the Mississippi Center for Justice, said district attorneys hold much power in charging decisions, bail, plea bargaining, trial and sentencing.
Wade called for a "deeper fight against racism" in the state's criminal justice system.
"Mississippi must reform our criminal justice system from the bottom up, starting with rooting out racial bias in prosecutorial discretion," Wade said.
Why did the AG decide to drop charges?
Fitch filed a motion on Friday to dismiss the indictment against Flowers, citing a lack of witnesses and the existence of alternate suspects.
In court filings, the Attorney General’s office said all key witnesses that had testified against Flowers in the past had either died or made conflicting statements on the record.
“…The only witness who offered direct evidence of guilt recanted his prior testimony, admitting that he was lying when he said Mr. Flowers made a jailhouse confession to the murders."
Much of the new evidence of Flowers' innocence stemmed from the investigation by "In the Dark," Flowers' attorneys said.
The Tardy Furniture murders: What happened?
On the morning of July 16, 1996, Tardy Furniture's owner and three employees were shot in the head execution-style.
The victims were Bertha Tardy, 59; Carmen Rigby, 45; Roberty Golden, 42; and 16-year-old Derrick Stewart, who was known as "Bobo." All were dead at the scene except Derrick, who fought for his life for several days until he succumbed to his injuries.
The evidence investigators gathered at the scene included a bloody footprint and bullets. Nearly $400 was missing from the cash drawer.
Police arrested Flowers several months later. He was indicted on four counts of capital murder.
Flowers had worked at the store for a short time before being fired, and prosecutors had portrayed Flowers as a disgruntled employee who was out for revenge.
Follow Alissa Ahu on Twitter: @AlissaZhu


usatoday--2020-09-05--The 2020 March on Washington introduces young students to a new civil rights movement

This story was published in partnership with The 19th , a nonprofit , nonpartisan newsroom reporting on gender , politics and policy .
Rev .
Al Sharpton ’ s words rode the heat waves over Washington , D.C. , hitting Brigette Brantley with the force of six months of pain , a lifetime of inequality .
Sharpton addressed tens of thousands of protesters on Friday from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial , the same spot where , 57 years earlier , Martin Luther King Jr. had delivered his “ I Have A Dream ” speech .
But his words @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We need to have a conversation about your racism , about your bigotry , about your hate , about how you would put your knee on our neck while we cried for our lives.
” In the audience , tears spilled from Brantley ’ s eyes .
The social studies teacher from the Bronx organized two buses to travel from her neighborhood with 38 students and parents four hours to D.C. to stand here , shoulder to shoulder with them , and watch history unfold .
Her heart pounded in her chest as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Brantley speaking to a local reporter during a Black Lives Matter protest in June went viral , she has collected more than $ 55,000 in donations to travel across the country to witness the protests herself .
But coronavirus got in the way of those plans , so Brantley put her energy into planning this trip to D.C. , the first time many of the children would be visiting the capital .
It was one of the few things that kept her going after her teaching contract wasn ’ t renewed for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how she ’ d feed her 8-year-old son or the times when the anxiety paralyzed her .
When Friday finally came , the assembled group set out early in the morning , before the sun peeked through the buildings in New York , all of them wearing gray shirts with the logo of a fist in the air and the name of Brantley ’ s organization , “ Da People ’ s Assembly.
” Brantley , 30 , started the organization this summer to provide community activities for children of color who were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some of them were young , elementary school-age kids who looked at the trip as a chance to leave New York .
They marveled at the Washington Monument because it was bigger , they said , than it looked in the Spider-Man movie from three summers ago .
They carried bright pink posters with “ MY LIFE MATTERS ” spelled out in marker and glitter .
As they walked through the throng of people , her son , Jesiah , asked , “ Why can ’ t they understand we just want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ march ?
Why do we have to make signs ?
Why can ’ t they just do what they ’ re supposed to do ?
” Brantley didn ’ t have an answer right away .
But another man walking by piped in : “ You know why they don ’ t have the answer yet ?
Because you ’ re not up to the White House yet.
” The interaction was why Brantley had come to D.C. She wanted to feel hopeful again .
As she watched the kids spread out and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brantley tuned out the voices and took it in .
The kids were making TikToks and cleaning after themselves .
They were using teacher call-outs — “ If you hear me , clap once !
” — and chatting about what they ’ d do next time they were in town .
“ It gave me that classroom experience I ’ ve been missing the last couple of months , ” she said .
After sending applications out all summer , she has three job interviews this week for teaching and tutoring positions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used to make teaching middle school social studies , but it ’ s a start .
On the drive home , the energy in the bus was different .
Something had clicked for the kids .
They spent the drive listing all the things they wanted do next : A fashion show fundraiser for Black Lives Matter , a trip to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in D.C. , a promotional video done in the style of Marvel ’ s Avengers .
Brantley could stand in the middle , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Da People ’ s Assembly assemble , ” just like in the movie .
She laughed and promised to write down their ideas .
Before they arrived home , the group stopped at a rest stop on Interstate 95 named for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden — the Biden Welcome Center , near Newark in Delaware .
In line for Popeyes , Brantley spotted a face she had only ever seen before on TV : Korey Wise , one of the exonerated Central Park Five .
Wise , who spent 14 years in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commit , is now a civil rights activist .
He had been at the march earlier that day .
“ I know you ’ ve been asked to take a lot of pictures , ” she said , “ you and I know how us New Yorkers are , once we get our cameras out , we ready to go.
” He smiled at her from under a black New York Yankees cap .
“ Where are you from ?
” The Bronx , she told him .
“ I could tell , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ photo .
Brantley then told him how her father and uncles had watched his case unfold .
She told him she was a social studies teacher — “ the real social studies , where I ’ m telling it from our perspective , our history.
” And she introduced him to her activism work , to the group whose name she had printed on her shirt .
They were still “ babies in the social activism world , ” she said , but he seemed pleased .
Then her nephew Jarrid walked up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ but I could have been a Korey Wise .
”

The 2020 March on Washington introduces young students to a new civil rights movement
This story was published in partnership with The 19th, a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom reporting on gender, politics and policy.
Rev. Al Sharpton’s words rode the heat waves over Washington, D.C., hitting Brigette Brantley with the force of six months of pain, a lifetime of inequality.
Sharpton addressed tens of thousands of protesters on Friday from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, the same spot where, 57 years earlier, Martin Luther King Jr. had delivered his “I Have A Dream” speech. But his words were meant for all Americans.
“We need to have a conversation about your racism, about your bigotry, about your hate, about how you would put your knee on our neck while we cried for our lives.”
In the audience, tears spilled from Brantley’s eyes.
The social studies teacher from the Bronx organized two buses to travel from her neighborhood with 38 students and parents four hours to D.C. to stand here, shoulder to shoulder with them, and watch history unfold.
Her heart pounded in her chest as she listened.
Sharpton leads March on Washington, demands change Commemorating the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton, delivered a keynote address calling for policing reforms. "Demonstration without legislation will not lead to change,” Sharpton said. (Aug. 28) AP
Ever since a video of Brantley speaking to a local reporter during a Black Lives Matter protest in June went viral, she has collected more than $55,000 in donations to travel across the country to witness the protests herself. But coronavirus got in the way of those plans, so Brantley put her energy into planning this trip to D.C., the first time many of the children would be visiting the capital.
It was one of the few things that kept her going after her teaching contract wasn’t renewed for another school year, while she wondered how she’d feed her 8-year-old son or the times when the anxiety paralyzed her.
When Friday finally came, the assembled group set out early in the morning, before the sun peeked through the buildings in New York, all of them wearing gray shirts with the logo of a fist in the air and the name of Brantley’s organization, “Da People’s Assembly.” Brantley, 30, started the organization this summer to provide community activities for children of color who were interested in learning about social justice.
Some of them were young, elementary school-age kids who looked at the trip as a chance to leave New York. They marveled at the Washington Monument because it was bigger, they said, than it looked in the Spider-Man movie from three summers ago. They carried bright pink posters with “MY LIFE MATTERS” spelled out in marker and glitter.
As they walked through the throng of people, her son, Jesiah, asked, “Why can’t they understand we just want to live? Why do we have to march? Why do we have to make signs? Why can’t they just do what they’re supposed to do?”
Brantley didn’t have an answer right away. But another man walking by piped in: “You know why they don’t have the answer yet? Because you’re not up to the White House yet.”
The interaction was why Brantley had come to D.C. She wanted to feel hopeful again.
As she watched the kids spread out and eat their lunch on the lawn, Brantley tuned out the voices and took it in. The kids were making TikToks and cleaning after themselves. They were using teacher call-outs — “If you hear me, clap once!” — and chatting about what they’d do next time they were in town.
“It gave me that classroom experience I’ve been missing the last couple of months,” she said.
After sending applications out all summer, she has three job interviews this week for teaching and tutoring positions. It’s less than she used to make teaching middle school social studies, but it’s a start.
On the drive home, the energy in the bus was different. Something had clicked for the kids.
They spent the drive listing all the things they wanted do next: A fashion show fundraiser for Black Lives Matter, a trip to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in D.C., a promotional video done in the style of Marvel’s Avengers. Brantley could stand in the middle, they told her, and say “Da People’s Assembly assemble,” just like in the movie.
She laughed and promised to write down their ideas.
Before they arrived home, the group stopped at a rest stop on Interstate 95 named for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden — the Biden Welcome Center, near Newark in Delaware. In line for Popeyes, Brantley spotted a face she had only ever seen before on TV: Korey Wise, one of the exonerated Central Park Five.
Wise, who spent 14 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, is now a civil rights activist. He had been at the march earlier that day.
“Mr. Korey Wise,” Brantley said, approaching him.
“I know you’ve been asked to take a lot of pictures,” she said, “you and I know how us New Yorkers are, once we get our cameras out, we ready to go.”
He smiled at her from under a black New York Yankees cap. “Where are you from?”
The Bronx, she told him.
“I could tell,” he said, agreeing to the photo.
Brantley then told him how her father and uncles had watched his case unfold. She told him she was a social studies teacher — “the real social studies, where I’m telling it from our perspective, our history.” And she introduced him to her activism work, to the group whose name she had printed on her shirt.
They were still “babies in the social activism world,” she said, but he seemed pleased.
Then her nephew Jarrid walked up.
“Are you Korey Wise?” the 13-year-old asked.
Wise and Brantley exchanged a look.
“Are you Korey Wise?” Wise responded.
“No,” Jarrid said, “but I could have been a Korey Wise.”


usatoday--2020-09-06--Dozens rescued by helicopter from California campground amid fast-moving wildfires

VISALIA , Calif. – In less than 24 hours , a wildfire burned through thousands of acres of California ’ s Sierra National Forest on Saturday , trapping campers and forcing other people to evacuate .
The wildfire covering 56 square miles was burning on both sides of the San Joaquin River near Mammoth River and the communities of Shaver Lake , Big Creek and Huntington Lake .
Roughly 150 people were trapped and 10 were injured at a Mammoth Pool campground after flames blocked the only road out of the area .
Madera County deputies were mounting a rescue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ falling trees and fierce flames .
Sheriff 's officials advised people at the campsite to shelter in place and jump into Mammoth Pool Reservoir , if necessary .
The Fresno Fire Department tweeted late Saturday night that 63 people were rescued from the campground by military helicopters .
Two of those rescued were severely injured , 10 were moderately injured and 51 others had minor or no injuries .
`` Aircraft are returning to continue rescue operations , ” the agency wrote .
`` Unknown how many more . ''
Earlier Saturday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ northeast of Fresno told local news stations they were safe .
The fire is burning so quickly and intensely that climatologist Daniel Swain said a `` pyrotornado may have occurred '' following a `` massive pyrocumulus cloud indicative of extreme fire behavior . ''
Evacuation orders have been issued to residents in Camp Sierra and Big Creek in eastern Fresno County .
An evacuation warning is also in effect for all visitors and residents of Shaver Lake .
Access to Shaver Lake is completely closed to the public , Fresno County Sheriff 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fire was sparked Friday night and grew exponentially on Saturday .
The blaze is 0 % contained , according to U.S. Forest Service officials .
So far , 450 firefighters have responded to the incident .
The cause of this fire is under investigation .
A record-breaking 117 degrees was recorded in Los Angeles ’ San Fernando Valley on Saturday and temperatures in the Central Valley are expected to be in the triple digits until Thursday .
Extreme heat is cause for concern for firefighters battling the Creek Fire as well as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Southern California , a fire in the foothills of Yucaipa has prompted evacuation orders for eastern portions of the city of 54,000 along with several communities , including Oak Glen , Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls .
Cal Fire ’ s San Bernardino unit said the fire scorched at least 1 1/2 square miles and was burning at a “ moderate to dangerous ” rate of spread .
A portion of the San Gorgonio Wilderness was closed , and hikers were urged to immediately leave .
In eastern San Diego County , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was burning at a “ dangerous rate of speed ” after spreading to 400 acres within an hour .
A small community south of Alpine in the Cleveland National Forest was ordered to leave .
The heat wave was expected to spread triple-digit temperatures over much of California through Monday as a high pressure system perches over the Western United States .
Officials urged people to conserve electricity to ease strain on the state ’ s power grid and to follow social distancing and mask requirements when they hit recreational areas .

Vongni Yang, Sheyanne N Romero and Joshua Yeager, Visalia Times-Delta

Dozens rescued by helicopter from California campground amid fast-moving wildfires
Show Caption Hide Caption Trapped California campers rescued by helicopters amid wildfires Authorities say around 150 people were trapped and 10 were injured at a Mammoth Pool campground after flames blocked the only road out of the area. Wochit
VISALIA, Calif. – In less than 24 hours, a wildfire burned through thousands of acres of California’s Sierra National Forest on Saturday, trapping campers and forcing other people to evacuate.
The wildfire covering 56 square miles was burning on both sides of the San Joaquin River near Mammoth River and the communities of Shaver Lake, Big Creek and Huntington Lake.
Roughly 150 people were trapped and 10 were injured at a Mammoth Pool campground after flames blocked the only road out of the area. Madera County deputies were mounting a rescue, but those efforts are complicated by falling trees and fierce flames. Sheriff's officials advised people at the campsite to shelter in place and jump into Mammoth Pool Reservoir, if necessary.
The Fresno Fire Department tweeted late Saturday night that 63 people were rescued from the campground by military helicopters. Two of those rescued were severely injured, 10 were moderately injured and 51 others had minor or no injuries.
"Aircraft are returning to continue rescue operations,” the agency wrote. "Unknown how many more."
Earlier Saturday, people near the reservoir about 45 minutes northeast of Fresno told local news stations they were safe.
There are 3,000 structures threatened.
The fire is burning so quickly and intensely that climatologist Daniel Swain said a "pyrotornado may have occurred" following a "massive pyrocumulus cloud indicative of extreme fire behavior."
Evacuation orders have been issued to residents in Camp Sierra and Big Creek in eastern Fresno County. An evacuation warning is also in effect for all visitors and residents of Shaver Lake.
Access to Shaver Lake is completely closed to the public, Fresno County Sheriff's Department announced on Saturday.
The Creek Fire was sparked Friday night and grew exponentially on Saturday. The blaze is 0% contained, according to U.S. Forest Service officials.
So far, 450 firefighters have responded to the incident. The cause of this fire is under investigation.
A record-breaking 117 degrees was recorded in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley on Saturday and temperatures in the Central Valley are expected to be in the triple digits until Thursday. Extreme heat is cause for concern for firefighters battling the Creek Fire as well as the SQF Complex in Tulare County.
In Southern California, a fire in the foothills of Yucaipa has prompted evacuation orders for eastern portions of the city of 54,000 along with several communities, including Oak Glen, Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls. Cal Fire’s San Bernardino unit said the fire scorched at least 1 1/2 square miles and was burning at a “moderate to dangerous” rate of spread.
A portion of the San Gorgonio Wilderness was closed, and hikers were urged to immediately leave.
In eastern San Diego County, fire officials warned a fire near Alpine was burning at a “dangerous rate of speed” after spreading to 400 acres within an hour. A small community south of Alpine in the Cleveland National Forest was ordered to leave.
The heat wave was expected to spread triple-digit temperatures over much of California through Monday as a high pressure system perches over the Western United States. Officials urged people to conserve electricity to ease strain on the state’s power grid and to follow social distancing and mask requirements when they hit recreational areas.
Contributing: The Associated Press


usatoday--2020-09-06--Several boats sink in pro-Trump boat parade in Texas that drew hundreds of supporters

AUSTIN , Texas – Multiple boats participating in a parade in support of President Donald Trump ’ s reelection campaign sunk Saturday on Lake Travis , located west of Austin , according to the Travis County Sheriff 's Office .
Multiple small boats needed rescue after they began sinking due to choppy water conditions as the boats travled together on the lake , according to the office .
No one was injured as a result of those incidents , according to Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services officials .
The lake is known for being difficult to navigate at times , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday ’ s boat parade .
Travis County Sheriff 's Office `` responded to multiple calls involving boats in distress during the Trump parade on Lake Travis .
Several boats did sink , '' the office tweeted Saturday .
Numerous boat parades have been held by Trump supporters around the nation , and Saturday ’ s event on Lake Travis drew hundreds — they took to the lake in pontoon boats , sailboats and yachts flying “ Trump 2020 ” flags .
Traveling in a large caravan across the water , the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ horns and waved to other boaters in solidarity .
Such political rallies on water have gained traction across the country , with Trump supporters holding boat parades in Florida , California , Illinois , New Jersey , and now , in Texas .
The occasional airplane carrying Trump banners also could be seen flying above the gathering .
During one point of the parade , five people made a parachute jump over the lake .
It was not the first time that the boat parades have turned dangerous .
In Portland , Oregon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sank last month as a Trump boat parade passed by .
Buck Henderson , a resident of Lakeway , said Saturday ’ s boat parade was significant in size compared to other events he has seen in the past .
“ I think it ’ s great to show support for our president , ” Henderson said .
Pacey Chynow , who began organizing the event in June , said her “ motivation for doing this is that I have a child , and I am fighting for her .
This is my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I want for her to inherit .
”

Hojun Choi and Joel Shannon, USA TODAY NETWORK

Several boats sink in pro-Trump boat parade in Texas that drew hundreds of supporters
Show Caption Hide Caption Boats sink at Texas pro-Trump boat parade due to choppy conditions Police say multiple small boats needed rescue after they began sinking due to choppy water conditions as the boats traveled together on the lake. USA TODAY, Wochit
AUSTIN, Texas – Multiple boats participating in a parade in support of President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign sank Saturday on Lake Travis, located west of Austin, according to the Travis County Sheriff's Office.
Multiple small boats needed rescue after they began sinking due to choppy water conditions as the boats traveled together on the lake, according to the office. No one was injured as a result of those incidents, according to Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services officials.
Five boats sank, three of which were removed from the water, the sheriff's office said in a Sunday release. Two boats remained submerged, it said.
The office responded to 15 distress calls related to the parade Saturday afternoon and all were resolved without injuries or loss of life.
The lake is known for being difficult to navigate at times, and large wakes could be seen during Saturday’s boat parade.
Numerous boat parades have been held by Trump supporters around the nation, and Saturday’s event on Lake Travis drew hundreds — they took to the lake in pontoon boats, sailboats and yachts flying “Trump 2020” flags.
Traveling in a large caravan across the water, the president’s backers greeted each other with horns and waved to other boaters in solidarity.
Such political rallies on water have gained traction across the country, with Trump supporters holding boat parades in Florida, California, Illinois, New Jersey, and now, in Texas.
The occasional airplane carrying Trump banners also could be seen flying above the gathering. During one point of the parade, five people made a parachute jump over the lake.
It was not the first time that the boat parades have turned dangerous. In Portland, Oregon, a boat on the Willamette River sank last month as a Trump boat parade passed by.
Buck Henderson, a resident of Lakeway, said Saturday’s boat parade was significant in size compared to other events he has seen in the past.
“I think it’s great to show support for our president,” Henderson said.
Pacey Chynow, who began organizing the event in June, said her “motivation for doing this is that I have a child, and I am fighting for her. This is my way of saying this is the future that I want for her to inherit.”
Contributing: Jay Cannon, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-09-06--'Strangest Derby ever': An inside look at the sparsely attended 146th Kentucky Derby

On a balcony high atop Churchill Downs , where the moneyed and well-heeled are usually found swilling mint juleps on Kentucky Derby Day , the view couldn ’ t have been stranger .
In one direction , a tiny smattering of owner-connected attendees , who stood amid empty tables , looked out over acres of empty seats and a sprawling infield devoid of revelers .
In the other was a maze of chain-link fencing , beyond them National Guard Humvees awaiting demonstrators protesting the Kentucky Derby as a symbol of inequality in a time of national tumult over police shootings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever , ” said one man who , like some others , declined to give his name as he juggled a racing program and scrolled through news reports as protesters and armed groups gathered in Louisville .
Delayed from its usual first-Saturday-in-May running , Saturday ’ s September Derby was the first ever run without fans after Churchill Downs shut it down in late August due to the coronavirus pandemic .
And inside the historic racetrack , it indeed felt like no other — amid a mood made somber by both COVID-19and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 100 days of protests have taken place in Louisville over the police shooting of Breonna Tayor , an unarmed Black woman who was shot and killed in her home on March 13 .
No lines at betting windows .
No outrageous infield Derby outfits .
No cheering crowds .
No red carpet celebrities .
No hawkers with trays of icy drinks .
No impromptu barbecue stands and drink-sellers in nearby neighborhoods , or sidewalk buskers and preachers .
There was little of the traffic that accompanies a race drawing as many as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a funeral , '' said Evelyn Bahena , explaining the take of her father , who works for trainer Dale Romans , as she stood next to the track to watch a race .
`` And they 're off , '' the loudspeaker barked during a midafternoon race , an announcement that typically sends fans cheering , met with a jarring silence .
NO PARTY SCENE : At-home parties are the somber norm for 2020 Derby An hour before the race , dozens of black-clad , armed members from the Not F****** Around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , stood across Central Avenue from the track , blocked by a line of riot police and an armored assault truck .
Protesters who want to see more accountability for the officers involved in the shooting of Taylor said the Kentucky Derby was an opportunity to have their concerns amplified before a national audience .
Others said it was an event with a long history of exclusion .
Fifteen minutes before the call to the post , a plane flew over the track with a banner that read : `` Arrest the cops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the race neared and protesters who sought to shut down the race chanted outside , the track announced a moment of silence meant to `` recognize the inequities that many in our nation still face . ''
Inside the track , when Churchill Downs ' longtime bugler Steve Buttleman performed `` My Old Kentucky Home '' minutes before the 146th Kentucky Derby race , the words were not shown on the big board , a noticeable change in tradition .
The song , which was written in 1853 by Stephen Foster , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sold down the river .
For years some have expressed concerns over the anthem and say Churchill Downs should not play it , especially this year against a backdrop of protests over social injustice .
MORE : What Frederick Douglass said about 'My Old Kentucky Home ' song All the changes did n't stop some from partaking in tradition .
In the Stakes Lounge near Millionaire ’ s Row sat 82-year-old Bob Weihe , who attended his 74th-straight Kentucky Derby on Saturday .
He nearly broke his streak when Churchill Downs decided last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before he bought a small fan stake in Derby horse Max Player .
The horse 's primary owners heard his story and invited him and his son to join .
“ We ’ ve been coming to the Derby since 1947 , ” said Weihe , who first came with his mother when he was a young boy .
“ Now I haven ’ t missed any .
...
They saved us.
” Weihe said his wife had been concerned about protests before Churchill Downs decided to have no fans after the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I sympathize with the protesters 100 % ” on racial justice issues , said his son , Mark Weihe .
But he said was glad the race was being held — his 51st — in part because of its history with his family , despite its weird feel .
“ My grandfather when I was young would bring me on Mondays .
There would be 200 people here .
That ’ s what it sort of feels like , going back to when I was 9 years old , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` These are the two minutes we have needed all year , '' the sparse crowd of owners and others cheered as the smallest field of horses in years thundered to the finish line , with Authentic crossing first .
When the race was over , Gov .
Andy Beshear was n't in attendance to congratulate the winners in person .
He stayed home because of the coronavirus .
But all the changes and weirdness of the day could n't prevent Authentic 's owners from celebrating .
They hugged one another next to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Reach Chris Kenning at ckenning @ gannett.com , or follow on Twitter at @ chris_kenning .

Chris Kenning, Louisville Courier Journal

'Strangest Derby ever': An inside look at the sparsely attended 146th Kentucky Derby
Show Caption Hide Caption Kentucky Derby 2020: Behind the scenes of Churchill Downs on race day Courier Journal's Dominique Yates and Kirby Adams give you a behind the scenes look at what Chuchill Downs is like on the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby. Dominique Yates, Louisville Courier Journal
On a balcony high atop Churchill Downs, where the moneyed and well-heeled are usually found swilling mint juleps on Kentucky Derby Day, the view couldn’t have been stranger.
In one direction, a tiny smattering of owner-connected attendees, who stood amid empty tables, looked out over acres of empty seats and a sprawling infield devoid of revelers.
In the other was a maze of chain-link fencing, beyond them National Guard Humvees awaiting demonstrators protesting the Kentucky Derby as a symbol of inequality in a time of national tumult over police shootings and racial injustice.
"Strangest Derby ever,” said one man who, like some others, declined to give his name as he juggled a racing program and scrolled through news reports as protesters and armed groups gathered in Louisville.
Delayed from its usual first-Saturday-in-May running, Saturday’s September Derby was the first ever run without fans after Churchill Downs shut it down in late August due to the coronavirus pandemic.
WINNER: Authentic edges Tiz the Law to win 146th Kentucky Derby
And inside the historic racetrack, it indeed felt like no other — amid a mood made somber by both COVID-19 and the city’s racial reckoning. More than 100 days of protests have taken place in Louisville over the police shooting of Breonna Tayor, an unarmed Black woman who was shot and killed in her home on March 13.
No lines at betting windows. No outrageous infield Derby outfits. No cheering crowds. No red carpet celebrities. No hawkers with trays of icy drinks. No impromptu barbecue stands and drink-sellers in nearby neighborhoods, or sidewalk buskers and preachers. There was little of the traffic that accompanies a race drawing as many as 170,000 fans.
"It's like a funeral," said Evelyn Bahena, explaining the take of her father, who works for trainer Dale Romans, as she stood next to the track to watch a race.
"And they're off," the loudspeaker barked during a midafternoon race, an announcement that typically sends fans cheering, met with a jarring silence.
NO PARTY SCENE: At-home parties are the somber norm for 2020 Derby
An hour before the race, dozens of black-clad, armed members from the Not F****** Around Coalition, a Georgia-based Black armed group, stood across Central Avenue from the track, blocked by a line of riot police and an armored assault truck.
Protesters who want to see more accountability for the officers involved in the shooting of Taylor said the Kentucky Derby was an opportunity to have their concerns amplified before a national audience. Others said it was an event with a long history of exclusion.
Fifteen minutes before the call to the post, a plane flew over the track with a banner that read: "Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor."
DERBY PROTESTS: Hundreds demand justice for Breonna Taylor at Churchill Downs
As the race neared and protesters who sought to shut down the race chanted outside, the track announced a moment of silence meant to "recognize the inequities that many in our nation still face."
Inside the track, when Churchill Downs' longtime bugler Steve Buttleman performed "My Old Kentucky Home" minutes before the 146th Kentucky Derby race, the words were not shown on the big board, a noticeable change in tradition.
The song, which was written in 1853 by Stephen Foster, is a Kentucky slave's lament about being sold down the river. For years some have expressed concerns over the anthem and say Churchill Downs should not play it, especially this year against a backdrop of protests over social injustice.
MORE: What Frederick Douglass said about 'My Old Kentucky Home' song
All the changes didn't stop some from partaking in tradition. In the Stakes Lounge near Millionaire’s Row sat 82-year-old Bob Weihe, who attended his 74th-straight Kentucky Derby on Saturday.
He nearly broke his streak when Churchill Downs decided last month to run the race without fans before he bought a small fan stake in Derby horse Max Player. The horse's primary owners heard his story and invited him and his son to join.
“We’ve been coming to the Derby since 1947,” said Weihe, who first came with his mother when he was a young boy. “Now I haven’t missed any. ... They saved us.”
Weihe said his wife had been concerned about protests before Churchill Downs decided to have no fans after the state's coronavirus numbers went up this summer.
“I sympathize with the protesters 100%” on racial justice issues, said his son, Mark Weihe. But he said was glad the race was being held — his 51st — in part because of its history with his family, despite its weird feel.
“My grandfather when I was young would bring me on Mondays. There would be 200 people here. That’s what it sort of feels like, going back to when I was 9 years old,” he said.
With the announcer saying, "These are the two minutes we have needed all year," the sparse crowd of owners and others cheered as the smallest field of horses in years thundered to the finish line, with Authentic crossing first.
When the race was over, Gov. Andy Beshear wasn't in attendance to congratulate the winners in person. He stayed home because of the coronavirus.
But all the changes and weirdness of the day couldn't prevent Authentic's owners from celebrating. They hugged one another next to the track, as protests continued outside.
Reach Chris Kenning at ckenning@gannett.com, or follow on Twitter at @chris_kenning.


usatoday--2020-09-06--College football is back: Five things we learned from Week 1 of the 2020 season

In the fourth quarter of Saturday afternoon ’ s 42-0 win against Middle Tennessee State , Army finished a 19-play , 99-yard touchdown drive that took 12 minutes , 26 seconds .
In all , the Black Knights attempted two passes and ran the ball 64 times , with seven players rushing for somewhere between 28 and 91 yards .
College football is back .
All that ’ s different : no fans , quiet whistles , face masks ( and facemasks ) and fewer games , period .
Under normal circumstances , Week 1 of the 2020 season would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 130-member Bowl Subdivision .
Instead , the first full Saturday of the season had just six games , only half of which included opponents from the FBS .
( The remaining three pitted FBS against teams from the Championship Subdivision . )
HERBSTREIT : ESPN analyst breaks down during message on racial injustice Of the teams in action , only one , Memphis , received votes in the preseason Amway Coaches Poll .
As a gauge of how the season will play out , Saturday 's slate provided the first real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wo n't help settle arguments over which teams will reach the College Football Playoff .
Here are five things we learned from Week 1 : The games are a different sort of spectacle The stands are n't completely empty : Memphis had about 4,500 fans in attendance on Saturday night , while earlier games at Marshall and Army featured similarly capped crowds — Army 's attendance consisted entirely of about 4,300 cadets spread out through Michie Stadium .
Still , the backdrop stood in contrast to the pomp of a normal college football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stood along a larger stretch of the sideline , thanks to an NCAA rule change that allowed teams to stand from one 15-yard line to the other .
( That space typically exists between the two 25-yard lines . )
Even the whistles are different , replaced due to concerns that your standard refereeing whistle would spray droplets .
Instead , referees used electronic whistles attached to their waists , which proved difficult to hear even during games with limited crowd noise .
Unfortunately , the inability to hear the blast of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ annoyance — it 's also a potential safety issue , as some players may hear the whistle and stop while others continue as if the play has n't been blown dead .
It 's something to watch during a larger list of games next weekend .
Arkansas State is probably going to end up again as one of the best teams in the Sun Belt , which makes the Red Wolves a good barometer to measure Memphis as a contender for a New Year 's Six bowl .
Led by quarterback Brady White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tigers beat Arkansas State 37-24 in the debut of coach Ryan Silverfield , the former offensive line assistant who replaced new Florida State coach Mike Norvell .
Memphis joins UCF and Cincinnati atop the American Athletic Conference , with the conference champion the heavy favorite to reach a January bowl .
For SMU , last September ’ s 47-17 win against Texas State was one of eight in a row to start the year and one of 10 overall in a breakthrough season under coach Sonny Dykes .
Anxiety-inducing in comparison , Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might set off early alarms about the Mustangs ' odds of approaching last year 's success .
Texas State is definitely better .
The Bobcats seem to have found a running game after ranking at the bottom of the Sun Belt and near the cellar of the FBS last season , gaining 189 yards on 38 carries after only once topping 155 yards in a game in 2019 .
Like most teams , as we 'll see through much of September , SMU 's timing and general execution suffered from the inability to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarterback Shane Buechele completed 26 of 36 attempts for 367 yards and a touchdown , showing why he might be the top returning starter in the American .
Tough to prepare for Army ( and maybe Navy ) Defensive coordinators groan at the thought of quickly preparing for games against the triple-option offense used by Army and Navy .
Normally , teams would much rather face one of the service academies in the opener , since that would give the defense several weeks to slowly get a sense of the offensive scheme .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ teams playing catch-up all August .
That Army has run a similar system for years could benefit the Black Knights all season .
Army 's effectiveness on offense against Middle Tennessee could be a sign of what 's to come on Monday night , when Navy hosts Brigham Young in one of the year 's top non-conference games .
BYU 's next opponent after the Midshipmen ?
That would be Army , on Sept. 19 .
With four Conference USA teams in action — Middle Tennessee , Marshall , North Texas and UTEP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Group of Five conference .
( The conference favorite , UAB , won 45-35 against Central Arkansas on Thursday night . )
Of this group , UTEP has been pegged as one of the weaker teams in the FBS , while North Texas looks to improve on last year 's four-win finish while replacing one of the most prolific passers in school history in Mason Fine .
In matchups against the FCS , North Texas beat Houston Baptist 57-31 and UTEP topped Sam Houston State 24-14 .
Marshall looked the part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win against Eastern Kentucky .
Freshman quarterback Grant Wells set a new program record for passing yards ( 307 ) and tied the program record for touchdowns ( four ) tossed by a quarterback in his debut start .

College football is back: Five things we learned from Week 1 of the 2020 season
Show Caption Hide Caption What to expect from college football this season Sports Pulse: With everything changing in the sports world how will it affect college football this season SportsPulse, USA TODAY
In the fourth quarter of Saturday afternoon’s 42-0 win against Middle Tennessee State, Army finished a 19-play, 99-yard touchdown drive that took 12 minutes, 26 seconds. In all, the Black Knights attempted two passes and ran the ball 64 times, with seven players rushing for somewhere between 28 and 91 yards.
College football is back. All that’s different: no fans, quiet whistles, face masks (and facemasks) and fewer games, period.
Under normal circumstances, Week 1 of the 2020 season would’ve featured just about every team in the 130-member Bowl Subdivision. Instead, the first full Saturday of the season had just six games, only half of which included opponents from the FBS. (The remaining three pitted FBS against teams from the Championship Subdivision.)
TENNESSEE: Scrimmage canceled with 44 players unavailable to practice
HERBSTREIT: ESPN analyst breaks down during message on racial injustice
Of the teams in action, only one, Memphis, received votes in the preseason Amway Coaches Poll.
As a gauge of how the season will play out, Saturday's slate provided the first real glimpse at football amid a pandemic but won't help settle arguments over which teams will reach the College Football Playoff. Here are five things we learned from Week 1:
The games are a different sort of spectacle
The stands aren't completely empty: Memphis had about 4,500 fans in attendance on Saturday night, while earlier games at Marshall and Army featured similarly capped crowds — Army's attendance consisted entirely of about 4,300 cadets spread out through Michie Stadium.
Still, the backdrop stood in contrast to the pomp of a normal college football Saturday. Coaches wore masks. Players stood along a larger stretch of the sideline, thanks to an NCAA rule change that allowed teams to stand from one 15-yard line to the other. (That space typically exists between the two 25-yard lines.)
Even the whistles are different, replaced due to concerns that your standard refereeing whistle would spray droplets. Instead, referees used electronic whistles attached to their waists, which proved difficult to hear even during games with limited crowd noise.
Unfortunately, the inability to hear the blast of a referee's whistle isn't just an annoyance — it's also a potential safety issue, as some players may hear the whistle and stop while others continue as if the play hasn't been blown dead. It's something to watch during a larger list of games next weekend.
Memphis wins in Saturday's biggest game
Arkansas State is probably going to end up again as one of the best teams in the Sun Belt, which makes the Red Wolves a good barometer to measure Memphis as a contender for a New Year's Six bowl.
Led by quarterback Brady White, who tossed four touchdowns, the Tigers beat Arkansas State 37-24 in the debut of coach Ryan Silverfield, the former offensive line assistant who replaced new Florida State coach Mike Norvell.
Memphis joins UCF and Cincinnati atop the American Athletic Conference, with the conference champion the heavy favorite to reach a January bowl.
.@MemphisFB opens up the season with a 37-24 win over Arkansas State behind 4 passing touchdowns from @BradyWhite223. #AmericanPow6r pic.twitter.com/9fiGfjOgWC — The American (@American_Conf) September 6, 2020
Takeaways from SMU beating Texas State
For SMU, last September’s 47-17 win against Texas State was one of eight in a row to start the year and one of 10 overall in a breakthrough season under coach Sonny Dykes. Anxiety-inducing in comparison, Saturday's 31-24 road win against the Bobcats might set off early alarms about the Mustangs' odds of approaching last year's success.
Texas State is definitely better. The Bobcats seem to have found a running game after ranking at the bottom of the Sun Belt and near the cellar of the FBS last season, gaining 189 yards on 38 carries after only once topping 155 yards in a game in 2019.
Like most teams, as we'll see through much of September, SMU's timing and general execution suffered from the inability to conduct a normal offseason. Still, quarterback Shane Buechele completed 26 of 36 attempts for 367 yards and a touchdown, showing why he might be the top returning starter in the American.
Tough to prepare for Army (and maybe Navy)
Defensive coordinators groan at the thought of quickly preparing for games against the triple-option offense used by Army and Navy. Normally, teams would much rather face one of the service academies in the opener, since that would give the defense several weeks to slowly get a sense of the offensive scheme.
The flow of this offseason had most teams playing catch-up all August. That Army has run a similar system for years could benefit the Black Knights all season.
Army's effectiveness on offense against Middle Tennessee could be a sign of what's to come on Monday night, when Navy hosts Brigham Young in one of the year's top non-conference games. BYU's next opponent after the Midshipmen? That would be Army, on Sept. 19.
An early preview of Conference USA
With four Conference USA teams in action — Middle Tennessee, Marshall, North Texas and UTEP — Saturday gave a deeper preview of the Group of Five conference. (The conference favorite, UAB, won 45-35 against Central Arkansas on Thursday night.)
Of this group, UTEP has been pegged as one of the weaker teams in the FBS, while North Texas looks to improve on last year's four-win finish while replacing one of the most prolific passers in school history in Mason Fine. In matchups against the FCS, North Texas beat Houston Baptist 57-31 and UTEP topped Stephen F. A24-14.
Marshall looked the part of an East division contender with its 59-0 win against Eastern Kentucky. Freshman quarterback Grant Wells set a new program record for passing yards (307) and tied the program record for touchdowns (four) tossed by a quarterback in his debut start.
Follow Paul Myerberg on Twitter @PaulMyerberg.


usatoday--2020-09-06--To stop Trump, we need to vote in person, even if you have to crawl through broken glass

My friend John Nelson is horrified by what President Donald Trump has done to the country .
He tells me , “ I ’ ll crawl through broken glass to vote if I have to.
” Right there with you , Johnny — especially after the Republican convention .
To make sure my vote counts , I will vote in person at my neighborhood polling place on Election Day , coronavirus or not .
Not to slight voting by mail , which for many health-compromised Americans is the only option as the virus continues to menace .
We the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , whether mailed or cast in person — even if doing so takes a few days ( or longer ) and deprives us of the instant gratification of a declared winner on election night .
Do n't let Trump appear to be ahead To allow space and time for that , Trump must be denied the advantage of appearing to be ahead as midnight nears on Nov. 3 .
As Jamelle Bouie and other election analysts have argued , a first-day edge will put Trump in a stronger position to declare victory and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election debacle of our nightmares .
If Pennsylvania is any indication , this specter is real .
A Franklin and Marshall poll finds a huge divergence in intended voting modes in that state , with fewer than half of Democrats planning to vote in person and a whopping 84 % of Republicans intending to show up at their polling place .
As many protectors of democracy as possible must mask up and show up at the polls on Election Day .
We must not to be deterred by lines , or by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump threatens to deploy ( because deterring us is the main reason for this legally fanciful bluster ) .
We must not , as Barack Obama puts it , let them take our power away .
To state the obvious , people should vote by mail if they have the virus .
You ’ ll be making it safer for those who are buying time for your mailed ballot to count .
And you don ’ t deserve anyone ’ s scorn if you can not vote in person because of challenging logistics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or the like .
But , please , if you ’ re able to exert extra effort to get someone to watch your kid or persuade your boss to let you arrive late or leave early , exert it .
You have a role to play in history .
Tory Burch : Do n't take anything for granted .
Voting now is as important as it was 100 years ago It ’ s only politics , some will say .
Do you really want to risk your health and mess up your day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a vote in an ocean of ballots ?
Hell yes .
And if the reason weren ’ t already clear , it ’ s case closed after the Trump convention .
His vision , and the vision of a Trump-owned Republican party , have nothing remotely useful to offer to a future that ’ s arriving like a bullet train whether the GOP acknowledges it or not .
While Trump and his sycophants used the convention to spin tall tales about his wondrous “ leadership , ” storms of two varieties ravaged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and more ferocious by climate change : a powerful hurricane on the Gulf Coast and historically destructive wildfires in California .
Meanwhile , protests churned over yet another police shooting of a Black man — the latest in a series of violent acts made more likely by a “ climate ” of racism that America is beginning to seriously confront .
Trump ’ s refusal to face the climate crisis , let alone do anything about it , is itself disqualifying .
As is the convention ’ s baleful engagement with the racism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Black Americans , the convention furnished Trump ’ s pugnacious invocations of “ law and order ” and Rudy Giuliani ’ s taunt that “ all lives matter.
” These can only be taken as knees on the neck of an African American community pleading for acknowledgement that their Black lives matter when so much evidence suggests otherwise .
Add in the president ’ s strenuous attempts to undermine November ’ s vote even before it happens , and you have a crisis in government — one that would probably worsen in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fear that we are witnessing the end of American democracy , ” says Harvard psychologist Joshua Greene .
But it is not too late to prevent the worst from happening .
We must vote — by any means necessary .
If you can not brave your polling place , take heart in knowing there is still great value in voting by mail .
This is true whether you ’ re in a swing state , where your vote counts extra , or whether you live in a state where a Trump victory or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : I never thought I would leave the Republican Party , but I 'm voting Biden-Harris this fall Although the popular vote does not determine the president , it ’ s important to “ run up the score ” in that tally to make a statement of public will .
For Democrats — and for the sake of a healthier future for the Republican Party — this election result has to take on the appearance of a tsunami , a roaring repudiation of Trump misrule and abuses and the dysfunctional political culture that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s undeniable strategic value in our showing up in person , whether at our polling places or in the mass protests that might be necessary in the days and weeks that follow — even during a pandemic made worse by the administration ’ s maladroit response .
Some risks are worth taking .
So if you can vote in person , do vote in person .
I certainly will , even if I have to go on hands and knees through that broken glass that my friend John vows to brave .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Contributors , Tom Krattenmaker writes on religion and values in public life .
His most recent book is Confessions of a Secular Jesus Follower .
Follow him on Twitter at @ tkrattenmaker

To stop Trump, we need to vote in person, even if it means crawling through broken glass Trump is planning to declare victory on election night before mail-in votes are counted. He must be denied the advantage of appearing to be ahead.
Show Caption Hide Caption Elections 2020: Mail-in voting could decide next president Many states are planning on drastically different elections this year and mail-in ballots could be a big game changer. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
My friend John Nelson is horrified by what President Donald Trump has done to the country. He tells me, “I’ll crawl through broken glass to vote if I have to.”
Right there with you, Johnny — especially after the Republican convention. To make sure my vote counts, I will vote in person at my neighborhood polling place on Election Day, coronavirus or not.
Not to slight voting by mail, which for many health-compromised Americans is the only option as the virus continues to menace. We the public must insist that all ballots are counted, whether mailed or cast in person — even if doing so takes a few days (or longer) and deprives us of the instant gratification of a declared winner on election night.
Don't let Trump appear to be ahead
To allow space and time for that, Trump must be denied the advantage of appearing to be ahead as midnight nears on Nov. 3. As Jamelle Bouie and other election analysts have argued, a first-day edge will put Trump in a stronger position to declare victory and clamp down on further counting, creating the election debacle of our nightmares.
If Pennsylvania is any indication, this specter is real. A Franklin and Marshall poll finds a huge divergence in intended voting modes in that state, with fewer than half of Democrats planning to vote in person and a whopping 84% of Republicans intending to show up at their polling place.
As many protectors of democracy as possible must mask up and show up at the polls on Election Day. We must not to be deterred by lines, or by the “sheriffs” and other poll-watchers Trump threatens to deploy (because deterring us is the main reason for this legally fanciful bluster). We must not, as Barack Obama puts it, let them take our power away.
To state the obvious, people should vote by mail if they have the virus. You’ll be making it safer for those who are buying time for your mailed ballot to count. And you don’t deserve anyone’s scorn if you cannot vote in person because of challenging logistics, like childcare, unyielding works schedules or the like.
But, please, if you’re able to exert extra effort to get someone to watch your kid or persuade your boss to let you arrive late or leave early, exert it. You have a role to play in history.
Tory Burch: Don't take anything for granted. Voting now is as important as it was 100 years ago
It’s only politics, some will say. Do you really want to risk your health and mess up your day for the sake of one tiny drop of a vote in an ocean of ballots?
Hell yes. And if the reason weren’t already clear, it’s case closed after the Trump convention.
Trump's America
His vision, and the vision of a Trump-owned Republican party, have nothing remotely useful to offer to a future that’s arriving like a bullet train whether the GOP acknowledges it or not.
While Trump and his sycophants used the convention to spin tall tales about his wondrous “leadership,” storms of two varieties ravaged the country, both made more likely and more ferocious by climate change: a powerful hurricane on the Gulf Coast and historically destructive wildfires in California. Meanwhile, protests churned over yet another police shooting of a Black man — the latest in a series of violent acts made more likely by a “climate” of racism that America is beginning to seriously confront.
Trump’s refusal to face the climate crisis, let alone do anything about it, is itself disqualifying. As is the convention’s baleful engagement with the racism crisis. In response to the pain of Black Americans, the convention furnished Trump’s pugnacious invocations of “law and order” and Rudy Giuliani’s taunt that “all lives matter.” These can only be taken as knees on the neck of an African American community pleading for acknowledgement that their Black lives matter when so much evidence suggests otherwise.
Add in the president’s strenuous attempts to undermine November’s vote even before it happens, and you have a crisis in government — one that would probably worsen in a second Trump term.
“I fear that we are witnessing the end of American democracy,” says Harvard psychologist Joshua Greene. But it is not too late to prevent the worst from happening.
We must vote — by any means necessary. If you cannot brave your polling place, take heart in knowing there is still great value in voting by mail. This is true whether you’re in a swing state, where your vote counts extra, or whether you live in a state where a Trump victory or defeat is a foregone conclusion.
COLUMN: I never thought I would leave the Republican Party, but I'm voting Biden-Harris this fall
Although the popular vote does not determine the president, it’s important to “run up the score” in that tally to make a statement of public will. For Democrats — and for the sake of a healthier future for the Republican Party — this election result has to take on the appearance of a tsunami, a roaring repudiation of Trump misrule and abuses and the dysfunctional political culture that paved the way.
But there’s undeniable strategic value in our showing up in person, whether at our polling places or in the mass protests that might be necessary in the days and weeks that follow — even during a pandemic made worse by the administration’s maladroit response. Some risks are worth taking.
So if you can vote in person, do vote in person. I certainly will, even if I have to go on hands and knees through that broken glass that my friend John vows to brave.
A member of USA Today’s Board of Contributors, Tom Krattenmaker writes on religion and values in public life. His most recent book is Confessions of a Secular Jesus Follower. Follow him on Twitter at @tkrattenmaker