alternet--2020-10-07--Trump still faces COVID-19 health risk — may not be 'out of the woods' till next week: medical exper

Trump still faces COVID-19 health risk — may not be 'out of the woods' till next week: medical experts

Despite being diagnosed with COVID-19 just last week , President Donald Trump was discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Monday after a long weekend stay .
Yet medical experts who spoke with Salon agreed on two things : He is n't out of the woods yet , health-wise , and by working while ill , he is putting the people around him at risk for contracting coronavirus .
To understand why , one only need to look at the timeline for coronavirus infections .
( A note on nomenclature : while one gets infected with the novel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can cause is known as COVID-19 . )
A study by the World Health Organization found that a common order of symptoms for COVID-19 sufferers goes like this : first , a fever , then coughing and muscle pain , then nausea or vomiting , and then diarrhea .
Trump is reported to have exhibited symptoms including coughing , congestion , fever and fatigue .
`` When you get exposed , the incubation periods for the virus is about 14 days , '' Dr. Russell Medford , Chairman of the Center for Global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center , told Salon .
`` That 's why we have the 14 day quarantine period , the median time it takes to actually show symptoms after being exposed , where the virus has to grow and develop a sufficient concentration to develops symptoms .
It 's about four to five days to symptoms onset .
So if you 're infected , roughly four to five days from that infection is when you start developing symptoms . ''
That timeline implies that Trump would still be quite infectious at this point .
Medford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elderly and overweight male , he is in a higher risk category than many other patients who get sick with COVID-19 .
`` For somebody like the president in his risk category , we 're looking at eight to 12 days of observation in which symptoms may progress in a waxing and waning pattern , '' Medford explained .
`` Waxing and waning means a characteristic of the disease is , you tend to do better , and then the next day you can do worse , depending on the individual and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'd say somewhere around eight to 12 days from the onset of symptoms is where you 'll see progression . ''
Medford speculated that observers would be able to better gauge whether the president is `` probably out of the woods '' early next week .
As Tim O'Brien , a columnist who wrote a biography of Trump , noted on Twitter , former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain tested positive for COVID-19 on July 2 and — despite repeatedly claiming that he was getting better — died four weeks later .
Yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he is unquestionably putting other people in danger , from the Secret Service who follow him when he is in public to the staffers who are discouraged from wearing masks around him .
`` He 's potentially infectious to the people around him .
It is no different than a patient in the hospital , '' Dr. Carlos del Rio , Distinguished Professor of Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine , told Salon .
`` I sit in a room in isolation , but when I have to go in to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask and my goggles and my gown and my gloves so I do n't get infected . ''
`` The people around him need to protect themselves , '' Del Rio added .
Del Rio emphasized that Trump himself is not in unusual danger , despite leaving the hospital .
`` This guy is in the White House with doctors , with nurses , with people continuously watching him , '' Del Rio told Salon .
`` He might as well be in the hospital .
The White House , I 'm sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of him , so he 's in no danger .
And if they see him getting a little worse , he 's got a pretty good helicopter to take him right back to the hospital . ''
Del Rio 's point , however , was that the people around him need to take precautions `` so they do n't get infected .
It 's irresponsible of him not to be in isolation .
It 's selfish of him to have to wear a mask and not to be in isolation .
It shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He added , `` Then again , that 's him . ''

Despite being diagnosed with COVID-19 just last week, President Donald Trump was discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Monday after a long weekend stay. Yet medical experts who spoke with Salon agreed on two things: He isn't out of the woods yet, health-wise, and by working while ill, he is putting the people around him at risk for contracting coronavirus.
To understand why, one only need to look at the timeline for coronavirus infections. (A note on nomenclature: while one gets infected with the novel coronavirus, the disease that the virus can cause is known as COVID-19.) A study by the World Health Organization found that a common order of symptoms for COVID-19 sufferers goes like this: first, a fever, then coughing and muscle pain, then nausea or vomiting, and then diarrhea. Trump is reported to have exhibited symptoms including coughing, congestion, fever and fatigue.
"When you get exposed, the incubation periods for the virus is about 14 days," Dr. Russell Medford, Chairman of the Center for Global Health Innovation and Global Health Crisis Coordination Center, told Salon. "That's why we have the 14 day quarantine period, the median time it takes to actually show symptoms after being exposed, where the virus has to grow and develop a sufficient concentration to develops symptoms. It's about four to five days to symptoms onset. So if you're infected, roughly four to five days from that infection is when you start developing symptoms."
That timeline implies that Trump would still be quite infectious at this point.
Medford added that, because Trump is an elderly and overweight male, he is in a higher risk category than many other patients who get sick with COVID-19.
"For somebody like the president in his risk category, we're looking at eight to 12 days of observation in which symptoms may progress in a waxing and waning pattern," Medford explained. "Waxing and waning means a characteristic of the disease is, you tend to do better, and then the next day you can do worse, depending on the individual and the risk factors going forward. So I'd say somewhere around eight to 12 days from the onset of symptoms is where you'll see progression."
Medford speculated that observers would be able to better gauge whether the president is "probably out of the woods" early next week.
As Tim O'Brien, a columnist who wrote a biography of Trump, noted on Twitter, former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain tested positive for COVID-19 on July 2 and — despite repeatedly claiming that he was getting better — died four weeks later.
Yet regardless of whether Trump winds up recovering, he is unquestionably putting other people in danger, from the Secret Service who follow him when he is in public to the staffers who are discouraged from wearing masks around him.
"He's potentially infectious to the people around him. It is no different than a patient in the hospital," Dr. Carlos del Rio, Distinguished Professor of Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine, told Salon. "I sit in a room in isolation, but when I have to go in to see a patient, I wear my mask and my goggles and my gown and my gloves so I don't get infected."
"The people around him need to protect themselves," Del Rio added.
Del Rio emphasized that Trump himself is not in unusual danger, despite leaving the hospital.
"This guy is in the White House with doctors, with nurses, with people continuously watching him," Del Rio told Salon. "He might as well be in the hospital. The White House, I'm sure, has full medical staff on top of him, so he's in no danger. And if they see him getting a little worse, he's got a pretty good helicopter to take him right back to the hospital." Del Rio's point, however, was that the people around him need to take precautions "so they don't get infected. It's irresponsible of him not to be in isolation. It's selfish of him to have to wear a mask and not to be in isolation. It shows little respect for other people."
He added, "Then again, that's him."


alternet--2020-10-07--Fed chairman says more stimulus crucial to avoid even more 'unnecessary hardship'

Bolstering progressive demands for policymakers to provide greater stimulus to avoid worsening the already catastrophic economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic , Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned Tuesday that insufficient government intervention `` would lead to a weak recovery , creating unnecessary hardship for households and businesses . ''
In a speech delivered virtually at the annual meeting of the National Association for Business Economics , Powell said that public support and financial aid has helped soften some of the negative impacts of the coronavirus crisis on households and businesses , with the `` infusion of funds '' preventing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead to still lower demand , and subsequent additional layoffs . ''
While the unemployment rate has fallen from nearly 15 % in April to just under 8 % now , Powell explained that a `` broader measure that better captures current labor market conditions—by adjusting for mistaken characterizations of job status , and for the decline in labor force participation since February—is running around 11 percent , '' signaling the `` need for further support . ''
`` The burdens of the downturn have not been evenly shared , '' Powell said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most heavily on lower-wage workers in service industries facing the public—job categories in which minorities and women are overrepresented .
In August , employment of those in the bottom quartile of the wage distribution was still 21 % below its February level , while it was only 4 % lower for other workers . ''
`` Combined with the disproportionate effects of Covid-19 on communities of color , and the overwhelming burden of child care during quarantine and distance learning , which has fallen mostly on women , '' Powell said , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wealth and economic mobility . ''
Powell explained that when the Covid-19 relief programs contained in the CARES Act were passed in March , legislators were responding to a `` disaster hitting a healthy economy , '' but now , the U.S. economy has severe weaknesses that make it extremely vulnerable to a `` tragic '' intensification of inequalities .
The Fed chair insisted that the ongoing economic recovery process is a fragile , uphill battle and that too little federal support for a robust recovery is a genuine risk whereas strong state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , downsides .
`` The risks of policy intervention are still asymmetric , '' Powell said .
`` Too little support would lead to a weak recovery , creating unnecessary hardship for households and businesses .
Over time , household insolvencies and business bankruptcies would rise , harming the productive capacity of the economy , and holding back wage growth . ''
`` By contrast , the risks of overdoing it seem , for now , to be smaller , '' he continued .
`` Even if policy actions ultimately prove to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go to waste .
The recovery will be stronger and move faster if monetary policy and fiscal policy continue to work side by side to provide support to the economy until it is clearly out of the woods . ''
Chye-Ching Huang , senior director for economic policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities , tweeted in support of Powell 's pleas for increased federal spending .
`` The stakes—even more human suffering and long-run damage to people and the health of the economy—are high , '' she said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ devastating effects are becoming more acute as time progresses .
While an overwhelming majority of voters want Congress to focus on approving economic relief , Senate Republicans are instead prioritizing the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett , President Donald Trump 's nominee to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the U.S. Supreme Court , despite a Covid-19 outbreak in the White House and on Capitol Hill and with Election Day less than one month away.On social media , Washington Post economics reporter Jeff Stein shared a scenario that he called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which no additional stimulus is passed before November 3 , after which a lame-duck Trump administration refuses to engage with lawmakers—meaning that no deals can be reached before Inauguration Day even as both the pandemic and its corresponding economic damage intensify this winter .

Bolstering progressive demands for policymakers to provide greater stimulus to avoid worsening the already catastrophic economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned Tuesday that insufficient government intervention "would lead to a weak recovery, creating unnecessary hardship for households and businesses."
In a speech delivered virtually at the annual meeting of the National Association for Business Economics, Powell said that public support and financial aid has helped soften some of the negative impacts of the coronavirus crisis on households and businesses, with the "infusion of funds" preventing "a downward spiral in which layoffs lead to still lower demand, and subsequent additional layoffs."
While the unemployment rate has fallen from nearly 15% in April to just under 8% now, Powell explained that a "broader measure that better captures current labor market conditions—by adjusting for mistaken characterizations of job status, and for the decline in labor force participation since February—is running around 11 percent," signaling the "need for further support."
"The burdens of the downturn have not been evenly shared," Powell said. "The initial job losses fell most heavily on lower-wage workers in service industries facing the public—job categories in which minorities and women are overrepresented. In August, employment of those in the bottom quartile of the wage distribution was still 21% below its February level, while it was only 4% lower for other workers."
"Combined with the disproportionate effects of Covid-19 on communities of color, and the overwhelming burden of child care during quarantine and distance learning, which has fallen mostly on women," Powell said, "the pandemic is further widening divides in wealth and economic mobility."
Powell explained that when the Covid-19 relief programs contained in the CARES Act were passed in March, legislators were responding to a "disaster hitting a healthy economy," but now, the U.S. economy has severe weaknesses that make it extremely vulnerable to a "tragic" intensification of inequalities.
The Fed chair insisted that the ongoing economic recovery process is a fragile, uphill battle and that too little federal support for a robust recovery is a genuine risk whereas strong state intervention comes with few, if any, downsides.
"The risks of policy intervention are still asymmetric," Powell said. "Too little support would lead to a weak recovery, creating unnecessary hardship for households and businesses. Over time, household insolvencies and business bankruptcies would rise, harming the productive capacity of the economy, and holding back wage growth."
"By contrast, the risks of overdoing it seem, for now, to be smaller," he continued. "Even if policy actions ultimately prove to be greater than needed, they will not go to waste. The recovery will be stronger and move faster if monetary policy and fiscal policy continue to work side by side to provide support to the economy until it is clearly out of the woods."
Chye-Ching Huang, senior director for economic policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, tweeted in support of Powell's pleas for increased federal spending. "The stakes—even more human suffering and long-run damage to people and the health of the economy—are high," she said.
The threat of a prolonged recession and its devastating effects are becoming more acute as time progresses. While an overwhelming majority of voters want Congress to focus on approving economic relief , Senate Republicans are instead prioritizing the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett , President Donald Trump's nominee to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the U.S. Supreme Court, despite a Covid-19 outbreak in the White House and on Capitol Hill and with Election Day less than one month away.On social media, Washington Post economics reporter Jeff Stein shared a scenario that he called "bleak but possible," in which no additional stimulus is passed before November 3, after which a lame-duck Trump administration refuses to engage with lawmakers—meaning that no deals can be reached before Inauguration Day even as both the pandemic and its corresponding economic damage intensify this winter.


alternet--2020-10-07--Conservative asks why Trump’s Twitter was ‘extra-deranged’ Tuesday —and the replies are illuminating

President Donald Trump spent his Tuesday evening in a Twitter meltdown , writing or retweeted more than 40 messages after @ @ @ @ @ writer Charlie Sykes wondered what was going on .
Sykes received a number of submissions @ @ @ @ @ the suggestions he received :

Understand the importance of honest news ?
So do we.
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We’ve covered everything thrown at us this past year and will continue to do so with your support. We’ve always understood the importance of calling out corruption, regardless of political affiliation.
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alternet--2020-10-07--Will Republican cultists die for their dear leader?

Donald Trump is covering up just how he and 18 White House aides and supporters got the coronavirus , the latest proof that he does n't care about you or anyone else .
Instead of shooting someone on Fifth Avenue , spraying lead bullets out of a gun , Trump sprayed the deadly coronavirus with every word coming out of his unmasked mouth .
Among those whose lives are now at risk – the seven children of Judge Amy Coney Barrett , who sat mask-less in the Rose Garden on Sept. 26 when Trump announced their mother was his Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ atrocious judgment bringing children to a crowded event during a pandemic and not masking them should be enough to establish that Barrett is unfit to sit on any bench .
Then there 's the infected Kellyanne Conway , who said that she quit the White House to be with her troubled teenage daughter .
And what about the 11-month-old baby of Kayleigh McEnany , Trump 's press secretary .
She has tested positive after again and again showing her fealty to the imaged great leader by going mask-less .
Does anyone doubt that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brown woman—or a Jew or Muslim in a Bible Belt county—that child protective services would be investigating whether to remove the infant Blake for her own safety ?
This is what happens when a cult arises .
The leader is special and believers most demonstrate without even being asked that the messages the leader conveys have been internalized .
And if he uses tricks and deceits to fool the public you must go along to remain in his good graces even if it exposes you and your newborn to sickness , lifelong health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , rationality , and civil debate envisioned by our Founders and Framers have no place in Trump 's anti-democratic cult .
All that matters is loyalty to the leader , a loyalty that runs only one way .
As for lies , it 's hard to top what Trump tweeted Monday before his skillfully timed departure from Walter Reed hospital , a staged event that consumed the entire evening news broadcasts of ABC , CBS and NBC .
`` Do n't be afraid of COVID , '' Trump tweeted before the brilliantly staged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as his single most irresponsible advice during the pandemic that has claimed more American lives than combat in World War I , Korea , Vietnam , Afghanistan , and Iraq .
That tweet , the flags and dramatic lighting at the White House as the sun set while Trump , his face and hair professionally pampered , posed triumphantly were all part of a propaganda pageant slicker than any event staged by Il Duce , Adolf or Trump 's personal heroes , Putin and Kim .
When it comes to using images to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has outdone even Leni Riefenstahl .
Hitler , incidentally , at least had the smidgen of decency to not expose his beloved propaganda filmmaker to the risk of death by virus , as Trump did his photographer and videographer , among others , at the White House Monday evening .
The Trump virus spreading coverup can be seen in the highly restricted contract tracing being undertaken by the White House medical staff .
Trump has coronavirus tracers looking only for who was within death shot of his breath , but only since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the Tuesday night debate in Cleveland where Trump and his family arrived late , were not tested , and sat mask-less .
Did they do it because they knew or had reason to suspect that at least one of them was infected ?
We do n't know because the Trumps are n't talking about it , but eventually , we will find out .
We do know that , so far , Joe Biden and his family have tested negative .
Trump 's reckless disregard in exposing Biden to the virus is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And what about Trump 's rally in Duluth on Wednesday where he pumped up a crowd of mask-less fans ?
Minnesota Public Health Department officials are telling the 3,000 attendees to self-quarantine if they were near the president .
State Sen. Paul Gazelka , the majority leader , State Rep. Kurt Daudt , the House minority leader , are in quarantine .
The My Pillow guy , who spoke at the rally , said he was never close to Trump that night .
Three Minnesota Congressmen , Republicans all , flew back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One and then returned to the Gopher state on Delta Airlines in apparent violation of its rules for those exposed to the coronavirus .
This is how disregard for the sanctity of human life spreads like waves from a rock dropped in a pond or , worse , that sinks after skipping across the surface like a candidate touching down for campaign rallies .
Oops , not rallies .
Trump says his gatherings of fans are better described as protests against mask-wearing .
But he is using his departure from the hospital , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a crass appeal to raise money while discouraging people from following the well-established science of how to stop spreading the virus , knowledge that dates to the mid 19th Century .
That letter is the drugs talking .
The powerful steroids Trump was given can make you rage with emotions and feel invincible for a time .
I know because it happened to me a dozen years ago , a terrible side effect that afflicts some people given steroids for sound medical reasons .
Trump draws crowds because the majority of Americans have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ written about for decades including these recent DCReport pieces .
Indeed , Trump ran for office using many of the phrases he heard me say on television about how Washington policies hurt 90 % of Americans .
While he pledged in his inaugural address that `` the forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer '' his actions documented by DCReport show that he never gave them a thought .
Trump also pledged that `` at the center of this movement is a crucial conviction : that a nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` this American carnage stops right here and stops right now . ''
Trump does n't care about the health of the nearly 100 White House household staff , many men and women of color , who served loyally one president and his family after another .
He does n't care about the Secret Service agents he made ride in an SUV so he could wave at his fans outside the hospital .
When each Secret Service agent pledged to forfeit their own life it was to defend a president under assault , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They are to him what you are , not a human being but an object to be used , abused and when conveniently cast aside or literally buried .
When he took office , Trump expressed a belief that `` we are one nation – and their pain is our pain .
Their dreams are our dreams ; and their success will be our success .
We share one heart , one home , and one glorious destiny . ''
Trump 's lack of regard , lack of decency , and rejection of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but it will be anything but glorious now that coronavirus cases have moved back up to 43,000 a day and rising .
`` From this day forward , a new vision will govern our land , '' Trump proclaimed when he took office .
`` From this moment on , it 's going to be America First . ''
And it is now first .
It 's America first in coronavirus deaths , in needless pain , in unnecessary economic suffering , and especially Trump has made America first in unwanted death @

Donald Trump is covering up just how he and 18 White House aides and supporters got the coronavirus, the latest proof that he doesn't care about you or anyone else.
Instead of shooting someone on Fifth Avenue, spraying lead bullets out of a gun, Trump sprayed the deadly coronavirus with every word coming out of his unmasked mouth.
Among those whose lives are now at risk – the seven children of Judge Amy Coney Barrett, who sat mask-less in the Rose Garden on Sept. 26 when Trump announced their mother was his Supreme Court nominee. As an exercise in atrocious judgment bringing children to a crowded event during a pandemic and not masking them should be enough to establish that Barrett is unfit to sit on any bench.
Trump doesn't care about the health of the nearly 100 White House household staffers, many men and women of color, who have served loyally one president and his family after another.
Then there's the infected Kellyanne Conway, who said that she quit the White House to be with her troubled teenage daughter.
And what about the 11-month-old baby of Kayleigh McEnany, Trump's press secretary. She has tested positive after again and again showing her fealty to the imaged great leader by going mask-less. Does anyone doubt that if McEnany were a poor black or brown woman—or a Jew or Muslim in a Bible Belt county—that child protective services would be investigating whether to remove the infant Blake for her own safety?
Accepting Sickness
This is what happens when a cult arises. The leader is special and believers most demonstrate without even being asked that the messages the leader conveys have been internalized. And if he uses tricks and deceits to fool the public you must go along to remain in his good graces even if it exposes you and your newborn to sickness, lifelong health problems and even death.
The reason, rationality, and civil debate envisioned by our Founders and Framers have no place in Trump's anti-democratic cult. All that matters is loyalty to the leader, a loyalty that runs only one way.
As for lies, it's hard to top what Trump tweeted Monday before his skillfully timed departure from Walter Reed hospital, a staged event that consumed the entire evening news broadcasts of ABC, CBS and NBC.
Irresponsible
"Don't be afraid of COVID," Trump tweeted before the brilliantly staged pageantry began in what may go down as his single most irresponsible advice during the pandemic that has claimed more American lives than combat in World War I, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq.
That tweet, the flags and dramatic lighting at the White House as the sun set while Trump, his face and hair professionally pampered, posed triumphantly were all part of a propaganda pageant slicker than any event staged by Il Duce, Adolf or Trump's personal heroes, Putin and Kim.
When it comes to using images to kill rationality and stir cultish emotions, Trump has outdone even Leni Riefenstahl. Hitler, incidentally, at least had the smidgen of decency to not expose his beloved propaganda filmmaker to the risk of death by virus, as Trump did his photographer and videographer, among others, at the White House Monday evening.
Coverup
The Trump virus spreading coverup can be seen in the highly restricted contract tracing being undertaken by the White House medical staff. Trump has coronavirus tracers looking only for who was within death shot of his breath, but only since Thursday, Oct. 1.
That's after the Tuesday night debate in Cleveland where Trump and his family arrived late, were not tested, and sat mask-less. Did they do it because they knew or had reason to suspect that at least one of them was infected? We don't know because the Trumps aren't talking about it, but eventually, we will find out.
We do know that, so far, Joe Biden and his family have tested negative. Trump's reckless disregard in exposing Biden to the virus is morally indefensible and verges on the criminal.
And what about Trump's rally in Duluth on Wednesday where he pumped up a crowd of mask-less fans?
Minnesota Public Health Department officials are telling the 3,000 attendees to self-quarantine if they were near the president. State Sen. Paul Gazelka, the majority leader, State Rep. Kurt Daudt, the House minority leader, are in quarantine. The My Pillow guy, who spoke at the rally, said he was never close to Trump that night.
Careless Trump Believers
Three Minnesota Congressmen, Republicans all, flew back to Washington with Trump on Air Force One and then returned to the Gopher state on Delta Airlines in apparent violation of its rules for those exposed to the coronavirus. This is how disregard for the sanctity of human life spreads like waves from a rock dropped in a pond or, worse, that sinks after skipping across the surface like a candidate touching down for campaign rallies.
Oops, not rallies. Trump says his gatherings of fans are better described as protests against mask-wearing.
But he is using his departure from the hospital, no doubt against medical advice, in a crass appeal to raise money while discouraging people from following the well-established science of how to stop spreading the virus, knowledge that dates to the mid 19th Century.
That letter is the drugs talking. The powerful steroids Trump was given can make you rage with emotions and feel invincible for a time. I know because it happened to me a dozen years ago, a terrible side effect that afflicts some people given steroids for sound medical reasons.
Trump draws crowds because the majority of Americans have real economic grievances, as I've written about for decades including these recent DCReport pieces. Indeed, Trump ran for office using many of the phrases he heard me say on television about how Washington policies hurt 90% of Americans.
While he pledged in his inaugural address that "the forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer" his actions documented by DCReport show that he never gave them a thought.
Household Staff At Risk
Trump also pledged that "at the center of this movement is a crucial conviction: that a nation exists to serve its citizens" and "this American carnage stops right here and stops right now."
Trump doesn't care about the health of the nearly 100 White House household staff, many men and women of color, who served loyally one president and his family after another. He doesn't care about the Secret Service agents he made ride in an SUV so he could wave at his fans outside the hospital. When each Secret Service agent pledged to forfeit their own life it was to defend a president under assault, not preening for the television cameras. They are to him what you are, not a human being but an object to be used, abused and when conveniently cast aside or literally buried.
When he took office, Trump expressed a belief that "we are one nation – and their pain is our pain. Their dreams are our dreams; and their success will be our success. We share one heart, one home, and one glorious destiny."
Trump's lack of regard, lack of decency, and rejection of medical science may give us one destiny, but it will be anything but glorious now that coronavirus cases have moved back up to 43,000 a day and rising.
"From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land," Trump proclaimed when he took office. "From this moment on, it's going to be America First."
And it is now first. It's America first in coronavirus deaths, in needless pain, in unnecessary economic suffering, and especially Trump has made America first in unwanted death.


alternet--2020-10-07--EPA chief issues 'straight up racist' order for workers to return to offices

Hundreds of telecommuting employees at the Environmental Protection Agency are in open revolt .
Agency head Andrew R. Wheeler this week drew their ire for what they say is a deadly and racist order to return to federal buildings despite the COVID-19 pandemic .
They refused Monday to be bullied back into a much higher risk of contracting COVID-19 just to buttress the president 's foolish behavior .
And they noted that such dangerous directives appear aimed only at the EPA , an agency whose mission Trump loathes .
On Monday , as Trump made a dramatic show of returning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ propaganda films , the union representing many EPA employees declared its support for science and listening to doctors .
American Federation of Government Employees ( AFGE ) Council 238 held a no-confidence vote on EPA Administrator Wheeler , an action one step short of a strike , which federal law prohibits .
The Council 238 members voted 695 to 56 against Wheeler .
That 's an overwhelming 93 % expressing no confidence .
Those voting included scientists , public health professionals and other people with enough education and sound judgment to recognize that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unsafe environment is worse than foolhardy , it 's inhumane and potentially lethal .
Union leaders said that midlevel managers who by law can not be in a union share their views that the Wheeler directive is not just unwise , it 's likely to result in the deaths of some EPA employees or their loved ones .
Trump originally tapped Wheeler — a former coal industry lobbyist and climate change denier — for EPA leadership back in 2017 , before ultimately succeeding in installing him as permanent administrator in February 2019 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ night to announce the no-confidence vote resultsunion leaders reminded members of their lack of protections from deadly workplace conditions .
Loreen Targos of Local 704 noted that federal employees can not legally strike , then added that federal employees `` have a right to fight for our lives . ''
Gary Morton , president of AFGE Council 238 , emphasized telecommuting 's effectiveness against COVID-19 's spread .
He told the council 's 9,000 members that they should not return to their EPA offices until a safe and effective vaccine against the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is widely available .
The unionists have been working remotely since March 15 without issue , the union says .
But forcing them back into office spaces where mask-wearing would not be enforced and measures to ensure social distancing in hallways and elevators have not been taken is a threat to workers ' lives .
Just one infected worker who models Trump 's mask-less behavior could make a whole building sick .
COVID-19 is expected to cause lifelong health problems in some of those affected .
Infected workers can spread the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whom may be vulnerable due to age , pre-existing conditions and other factors not yet fully understood Joyce Howell , a Local 3631 leader who has negotiated with management , called hypocrisy on the Trump administration .
`` They [ administrators ] always say your health and safety is our priority — [ but ] if you spend 15 minutes at the bargaining table , you know that that 's not true , '' Howell said .
`` I have no confidence employee health and safety are being considered during the reopening .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ into traditional , and confined , office spaces where tiny droplets of moisture laced with the virus can spread disease is especially suspect to other union leaders .
No other federal agency is being subjected to similar `` phase three '' return to federal buildings , they said .
`` Seems like they are lining us up to push us over the cliff into phase three , '' President Bethany Dreyfus of Local 1236 said .
`` This whole time they were using us to make a political point . ''
AFGE Local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wheeler 's plan to force employees back into traditional office spaces fails to consider COVID-19 's disproportionate impact on black and brown people .
Chase called Wheeler 's directive `` straight-up racist . ''
The requirement for workers to return to their offices could come as early as Thursday evening with compliance expected Tuesday , Oct. 13 , according to AFGE Council 238 members .
Eddie Guster , the council 's sergeant-at-arms , said Trump 's continuing dismissal of the deadly effects of COVID-19 and his returning to the White House while infectious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Because of the disease , `` some of my friends lost parents , '' Guster said .
`` We have a president who does n't care if you live or die .
Even our mid-level management is with us on this . ''
Targos remains defiant while reminding rank and file EPA employees that solidarity has enabled them to confound Wheeler and Trump for this long .
`` They have no idea what we 're capable of , '' in resisting the dangerous order Targos said .
`` They have n't seen @ @ @ @ @ @

Hundreds of telecommuting employees at the Environmental Protection Agency are in open revolt. Agency head Andrew R. Wheeler this week drew their ire for what they say is a deadly and racist order to return to federal buildings despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
They refused Monday to be bullied back into a much higher risk of contracting COVID-19 just to buttress the president's foolish behavior. And they noted that such dangerous directives appear aimed only at the EPA, an agency whose mission Trump loathes.
On Monday, as Trump made a dramatic show of returning to the White House and posing for propaganda films, the union representing many EPA employees declared its support for science and listening to doctors.
We have a president who doesn't care if you live or die. Even our mid-level management is with us on this.
American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Council 238 held a no-confidence vote on EPA Administrator Wheeler, an action one step short of a strike, which federal law prohibits.
The Council 238 members voted 695 to 56 against Wheeler. That's an overwhelming 93% expressing no confidence.
Inhuman, Lethal Order
Those voting included scientists, public health professionals and other people with enough education and sound judgment to recognize that Wheeler's order to work in an unsafe environment is worse than foolhardy, it's inhumane and potentially lethal.
Union leaders said that midlevel managers who by law cannot be in a union share their views that the Wheeler directive is not just unwise, it's likely to result in the deaths of some EPA employees or their loved ones.
Trump originally tapped Wheeler — a former coal industry lobbyist and climate change denier — for EPA leadership back in 2017, before ultimately succeeding in installing him as permanent administrator in February 2019.
During an online union hall meeting Monday night to announce the no-confidence vote resultsunion leaders reminded members of their lack of protections from deadly workplace conditions.
Loreen Targos of Local 704 noted that federal employees cannot legally strike, then added that federal employees "have a right to fight for our lives."
Union Says Don't Return
Gary Morton, president of AFGE Council 238, emphasized telecommuting's effectiveness against COVID-19's spread. He told the council's 9,000 members that they should not return to their EPA offices until a safe and effective vaccine against the virus is developed, they get it and it is widely available.
The unionists have been working remotely since March 15 without issue, the union says.
But forcing them back into office spaces where mask-wearing would not be enforced and measures to ensure social distancing in hallways and elevators have not been taken is a threat to workers' lives.
Just one infected worker who models Trump's mask-less behavior could make a whole building sick. COVID-19 is expected to cause lifelong health problems in some of those affected. Infected workers can spread the disease to their family members, some of whom may be vulnerable due to age, pre-existing conditions and other factors not yet fully understood
Administration Hypocrisy
Joyce Howell, a Local 3631 leader who has negotiated with management, called hypocrisy on the Trump administration.
"They [administrators] always say your health and safety is our priority — [but] if you spend 15 minutes at the bargaining table, you know that that's not true," Howell said. "I have no confidence employee health and safety are being considered during the reopening."
Wheeler's drive to pack bodies into traditional, and confined, office spaces where tiny droplets of moisture laced with the virus can spread disease is especially suspect to other union leaders. No other federal agency is being subjected to similar "phase three" return to federal buildings, they said.
"Seems like they are lining us up to push us over the cliff into phase three," President Bethany Dreyfus of Local 1236 said. "This whole time they were using us to make a political point."
AFGE Local 704's Felicia Chase further insists that Wheeler's plan to force employees back into traditional office spaces fails to consider COVID-19's disproportionate impact on black and brown people. Chase called Wheeler's directive "straight-up racist."
Compliance Next Week
The requirement for workers to return to their offices could come as early as Thursday evening with compliance expected Tuesday, Oct. 13, according to AFGE Council 238 members.
Eddie Guster, the council's sergeant-at-arms, said Trump's continuing dismissal of the deadly effects of COVID-19 and his returning to the White House while infectious is both "infuriating" and reckless.
Because of the disease, "some of my friends lost parents," Guster said. "We have a president who doesn't care if you live or die. Even our mid-level management is with us on this."
Targos remains defiant while reminding rank and file EPA employees that solidarity has enabled them to confound Wheeler and Trump for this long.
"They have no idea what we're capable of," in resisting the dangerous order Targos said. "They haven't seen nothing, so far."


alternet--2020-10-07--An expert in rhetoric explains how Trump uses his words to manipulate

As America chaotically careens toward election day with President Donald Trump fighting a COVID-19 infection , we should stop and ask : Just why and how do Trump 's words work ?
And how does the recent confusion sown by his doctors at Walter Reed Medical Center amplify that work ?
Perhaps more importantly : What can we do about it ?
These questions strike at the core of a deep and persistent misunderstanding about communication .
Too often people assume that communication is a matter of transmitting information from one place to another and that words simply carry meaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's words function as a conduit from his head to everyone listening .
With this president , we have all become accustomed to the concept of “ misinformation , '' whereby we recognize that intentionally false or misleading information is transmitted to the listener , and how it 's had a devastating impact during the COVID-19 pandemic .
We 've also been awed by his use of Twitter to communicate that misinformation .
The transmission model of communications describes the technical movement of a signal over a channel and across a distance .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential rhetoric .
Too often we think that the complex , human task of communication is the same as the technical process of transmission .
We worry whether someone “ gets '' our suggestions .
When the president 's doctors update us on his health status , we assume that they 're just “ giving '' us information .
“ Giving '' and “ getting '' are verbs of transmission .
Parsing the information transmitted by a president , determining whether it 's true or false or what 's really going on , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's words actually achieve .
It does n't matter whether the information he transmits is accurate or inaccurate , and we make a mistake when we focus too much on accuracy and inaccuracy .
Then what to focus on ?
What I and many others call the “ rhetorical model of communication '' suggests that words have impact , and that meaning is an outcome of the effects words produce .
About 2,400 years ago , Gorgias , the famous sophist and democratic theorist , argued that words had a similar effect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Athenian soothsayers would speak to the wounds of soldiers in battle in hopes that their words would heal .
So instead of asking whether a president 's rhetoric is true or false , instead of trying to interpret the information presented in order to receive an accurate sense of what Trump is really saying , we ought to start asking : What effect do the president 's words have on us ?
For example , what is the impact of his anti-mask mockery on his followers and on public health efforts to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for wearing a mask during a news conference , courtesy of The Independent .
Trump 's words are aimed at producing strong reactions .
When he mocks mask-wearing , he knows that he 'll evoke a strong reaction from both the media and his followers , and he does n't seem to care about the accuracy of the information he 's transmitting .
He knows that elections are not won or lost on policy ideas or rational voters making informed choices .
They are won or lost on the basis of the effects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those effects drive us to the polls and motivate us to act and reason in specific ways .
I 've taught rhetoric and communication classes for 20 years , and in almost every class , I begin by telling my students to pay more attention to the effects their words have on others and not the information they wish to convey .
This president has surely mastered that lesson .
He speaks with the intent of producing the strongest possible impact and cares not at all about the information transmitted .
There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president 's rhetoric .
He aims to create feelings of resentment , distrust and suspicion .
Mapping the world in terms of “ us '' and “ them '' creates conflict ( and is perhaps the cornerstone of fascist rhetoric ) .
Conflict with those we resent and distrust drives attention — this is the ethos of the entertainment industry , reality television and thousands of years of theatre .
Making us feel uncertain , anxious , fearful — this is what Trump 's words do , regardless of the information they transmit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Walter Reed served this same function — they attracted attention via uncertainty .
The feelings Trump targets draw us in , make us pay attention to all of his transgressions and affect our relations with others who share our space .
Attention is persuasion , because meaning is in the way we react to his words , not in the information he transmits .
Every time CNN or Fox News broadcasts the president 's news conferences , they amplify the effects by spreading them to larger audiences .
Trump knows this , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let it happen .
Because dramatic tension fuels attention , and Trump 's words work to generate tension , anxiety , conflict and therefore attention .
We could parse the rhetorical tactics that typically generate the strongest reactions and easily see them in Trump 's words ( hyperbole , reification , ad hominem attacks , ambiguity ) .
But we ought to focus more on how we react in order to limit his ability to persuade .
The president 's words right now are affecting all of us ; they are driving us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the plot of a good drama .
Where are our soothsayers ?
Who will speak to our wounds in hopes of having the same affects as drugs on our bodies , like Gorgias believed ?
Resistance to Trump requires changes in the way we react to his words .
Like a parent who does not react to their children 's tantrums ( which are designed to generate attention ) , we must react with neutrality and objectivity , not more insults or hyperbole .
To put it more succinctly : Saving democracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ differently from what they typically prescribe or intend .
We need to react with civility , care and calm to undo the cycle of attention and persuasion .
Robert Danisch , Associate Professor , Communications & Chair of Department of Communication Arts , University of Waterloo This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read the original article .

by Robert Danisch, University of Waterloo
As America chaotically careens toward election day with President Donald Trump fighting a COVID-19 infection, we should stop and ask: Just why and how do Trump's words work? And how does the recent confusion sown by his doctors at Walter Reed Medical Center amplify that work?
Perhaps more importantly: What can we do about it?
These questions strike at the core of a deep and persistent misunderstanding about communication. Too often people assume that communication is a matter of transmitting information from one place to another and that words simply carry meaning.
From this perspective, the president's words function as a conduit from his head to everyone listening. With this president, we have all become accustomed to the concept of “misinformation," whereby we recognize that intentionally false or misleading information is transmitted to the listener, and how it's had a devastating impact during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We've also been awed by his use of Twitter to communicate that misinformation.
Trump rhetoric
The transmission model of communications describes the technical movement of a signal over a channel and across a distance. But this is a poor description of presidential rhetoric.
Too often we think that the complex, human task of communication is the same as the technical process of transmission. We worry whether someone “gets" our suggestions. When the president's doctors update us on his health status, we assume that they're just “giving" us information. “Giving" and “getting" are verbs of transmission.
Parsing the information transmitted by a president, determining whether it's true or false or what's really going on, is an ineffective way to understand what Trump's words actually achieve. It doesn't matter whether the information he transmits is accurate or inaccurate, and we make a mistake when we focus too much on accuracy and inaccuracy.
Then what to focus on?
What I and many others call the “rhetorical model of communication" suggests that words have impact, and that meaning is an outcome of the effects words produce. About 2,400 years ago, Gorgias, the famous sophist and democratic theorist, argued that words had a similar effect as drugs on the body. Ancient Athenian soothsayers would speak to the wounds of soldiers in battle in hopes that their words would heal.
So instead of asking whether a president's rhetoric is true or false, instead of trying to interpret the information presented in order to receive an accurate sense of what Trump is really saying, we ought to start asking: What effect do the president's words have on us? For example, what is the impact of his anti-mask mockery on his followers and on public health efforts to keep citizens safe?
Trump mocks a reporter for wearing a mask during a news conference, courtesy of The Independent.
Evoke strong reactions
Trump's words are aimed at producing strong reactions. When he mocks mask-wearing, he knows that he'll evoke a strong reaction from both the media and his followers, and he doesn't seem to care about the accuracy of the information he's transmitting. He knows that elections are not won or lost on policy ideas or rational voters making informed choices. They are won or lost on the basis of the effects produced by the candidate's words.
Those effects drive us to the polls and motivate us to act and reason in specific ways.
I've taught rhetoric and communication classes for 20 years, and in almost every class, I begin by telling my students to pay more attention to the effects their words have on others and not the information they wish to convey. This president has surely mastered that lesson. He speaks with the intent of producing the strongest possible impact and cares not at all about the information transmitted.
There is no mistaking the intended effects of this president's rhetoric. He aims to create feelings of resentment, distrust and suspicion. Mapping the world in terms of “us" and “them" creates conflict (and is perhaps the cornerstone of fascist rhetoric).
Conflict with those we resent and distrust drives attention — this is the ethos of the entertainment industry, reality television and thousands of years of theatre. Making us feel uncertain, anxious, fearful — this is what Trump's words do, regardless of the information they transmit. The uncertainty created by his doctors at Walter Reed served this same function — they attracted attention via uncertainty.
The feelings Trump targets draw us in, make us pay attention to all of his transgressions and affect our relations with others who share our space. Attention is persuasion, because meaning is in the way we react to his words, not in the information he transmits.
Amplifying Trump's rhetoric
Every time CNN or Fox News broadcasts the president's news conferences, they amplify the effects by spreading them to larger audiences. Trump knows this, and yet our news outlets continue to let it happen.
Why?
Because dramatic tension fuels attention, and Trump's words work to generate tension, anxiety, conflict and therefore attention. We could parse the rhetorical tactics that typically generate the strongest reactions and easily see them in Trump's words (hyperbole, reification, ad hominem attacks, ambiguity). But we ought to focus more on how we react in order to limit his ability to persuade.
The president's words right now are affecting all of us; they are driving us from one another and creating battle lines like the plot of a good drama.
Where are our soothsayers? Who will speak to our wounds in hopes of having the same affects as drugs on our bodies, like Gorgias believed?
Resistance to Trump requires changes in the way we react to his words. Like a parent who does not react to their children's tantrums (which are designed to generate attention), we must react with neutrality and objectivity, not more insults or hyperbole.
To put it more succinctly: Saving democracy requires defying Trump's words by reacting differently from what they typically prescribe or intend. We need to react with civility, care and calm to undo the cycle of attention and persuasion.
Robert Danisch, Associate Professor, Communications & Chair of Department of Communication Arts, University of Waterloo
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.


alternet--2020-10-07--Why Senate Democrats need to go to war over the Supreme Court

The latest Daily Kos/Civiqs poll shows an electorate that is increasingly pessimistic about ever having a `` normal '' life again , that believes Donald Trump supports white supremacists , and that thinks Trump 's presidency has been worse than they expected .
It 's an electorate that does n't want him to have a Supreme Court choice—particularly Democrats , who have finally placed as much importance on the Supreme Court as Republicans do .
That means one thing : Senate Democrats have to fight with everything they have to delay a confirmation vote until after the election .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate away from McConnell , we need to see them fighting for us , starting next week when Sen. Lindsey Graham is going to begin confirmation hearings .
By a seven-point margin—52-45—voters want the winner of the 2020 election and the new Senate to fill the Supreme Court vacancy left by Ruth Bader Ginsburg 's death .
That includes 90 % of Democrats and 50 % of independents .
Not surprisingly , 91 % of Republicans want this seat to go to Trump .
But the key here is Democrats feels as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's a recognition of the importance of the Supreme Court that we have n't always had on the Democratic side .
Even in 2016 , after Republicans stole a Supreme Court seat from President Barack Obama , Republicans were eight points likelier to say the court is a `` very important '' issue that Democrats , in Pew 's polling .
They see a flip this year , with Biden supporters five points likelier to call it `` very important . ''
This is with voters not being all that tuned into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barrett , is .
Whether or not she 's a good choice for the seat is locked in at 43 % , though Republicans are predictably lemmings in nearly unanimously calling her good—90 % .
With 14 % unsure , including 18 % of independents , Democrats have room to define her as dangerous , which she is .
They have room to fight this nomination with everything they 've got without having to worry about being labeled obstructionists .
Not that the label should make any difference—Democrats would cheer Sen. Chuck Schumer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down to stop this travesty .
We want the Democrats to obstruct— '' we '' being every base voter and every person who sees this as a basic issue of fairness and democracy .
It would only energize the base and it could very well help Democrats increase their new majority for 2021 .
Even more importantly , it could save the Supreme Court .
It could give the new Senate Democratic majority and White House some time to make a plan to save the courts , to undo the Trump damage .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tools Democrats have available to delay , delay , delay .
They must commit now to using them all , and to figuring out what they can do in the Senate Judiciary in the meantime .

The latest Daily Kos/Civiqs poll shows an electorate that is increasingly pessimistic about ever having a "normal" life again, that believes Donald Trump supports white supremacists, and that thinks Trump's presidency has been worse than they expected. It's an electorate that doesn't want him to have a Supreme Court choice—particularly Democrats, who have finally placed as much importance on the Supreme Court as Republicans do. That means one thing: Senate Democrats have to fight with everything they have to delay a confirmation vote until after the election. If we're going to vote to wrest the Senate away from McConnell, we need to see them fighting for us, starting next week when Sen. Lindsey Graham is going to begin confirmation hearings.
By a seven-point margin—52-45—voters want the winner of the 2020 election and the new Senate to fill the Supreme Court vacancy left by Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death. That includes 90% of Democrats and 50% of independents. Not surprisingly, 91% of Republicans want this seat to go to Trump. But the key here is Democrats feels as strongly as Republicans on the issue. It's a recognition of the importance of the Supreme Court that we haven't always had on the Democratic side. Even in 2016, after Republicans stole a Supreme Court seat from President Barack Obama, Republicans were eight points likelier to say the court is a "very important" issue that Democrats, in Pew's polling. They see a flip this year, with Biden supporters five points likelier to call it "very important."
This is with voters not being all that tuned into who Trump's nominee, Amy Coney Barrett, is. Whether or not she's a good choice for the seat is locked in at 43%, though Republicans are predictably lemmings in nearly unanimously calling her good—90%. With 14% unsure, including 18% of independents, Democrats have room to define her as dangerous, which she is. They have room to fight this nomination with everything they've got without having to worry about being labeled obstructionists.
Not that the label should make any difference—Democrats would cheer Sen. Chuck Schumer and team trying to burn the Senate down to stop this travesty. We want the Democrats to obstruct—"we" being every base voter and every person who sees this as a basic issue of fairness and democracy. It would only energize the base and it could very well help Democrats increase their new majority for 2021.
Even more importantly, it could save the Supreme Court. It could give the new Senate Democratic majority and White House some time to make a plan to save the courts, to undo the Trump damage. We've been through the various procedural tools Democrats have available to delay, delay, delay. They must commit now to using them all, and to figuring out what they can do in the Senate Judiciary in the meantime.


alternet--2020-10-07--New report reveals devastating details of the DOJ's cruel role in child separations

As attorney general under President Donald Trump in 2018 , Jeff Sessions ordered the separation of migrant children from their parents and even other siblings .
Rod Rosenstein , who would go on to gain a high profile under the Mueller Russia probe , was a complicit partner in that project .
`` We need to take away children , '' Attorney General Sessions told five federal prosecutors who were `` deeply concerned '' about the child separations , The New York Times reports .
`` One added in shorthand : 'If care about kids , do n't bring them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people with kids . '
'' Rod Rosenstein , the the deputy attorney general at the time , `` went even further in a second call about a week later , telling the five prosecutors that it did not matter how young the children were .
He said that government lawyers should not have refused to prosecute two cases simply because the children were barely more than infants . ''
According to The Times , Sessions and Rosenstein `` were ' a driving force ' behind the policy that spurred the separation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fleeing violence in Central America and seeking asylum in the United States , before Mr. Trump abandoned it amid global outrage , according to a draft report of the results of the investigation by Michael E. Horowitz , the department 's inspector general . ''
That was behind the scenes .
Sessions , who recently lost a primary bid to retake his old Alabama Senate seat , was only too happy to allow Homeland Security Secretary Kristjen Nielsen to take the brunt of the international outrage .
The Times reporting is based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ review of an a 86-page draft Inspector General 's report .
`` Mr. Rosenstein told the inspector general that Mr .
Sessions 'understood what the consequences were . '
'' `` The A.G. 's goal , '' Rosenstein said , `` was to create a more effective deterrent so that everybody would believe that they had a risk of being prosecuted . ''

As attorney general under President Donald Trump in 2018, Jeff Sessions ordered the separation of migrant children from their parents and even other siblings. Rod Rosenstein, who would go on to gain a high profile under the Mueller Russia probe, was a complicit partner in that project.
"We need to take away children," Attorney General Sessions told five federal prosecutors who were "deeply concerned" about the child separations, The New York Times reports.
"One added in shorthand: 'If care about kids, don't bring them in. Won't give amnesty to people with kids.'"
Rod Rosenstein, the the deputy attorney general at the time, "went even further in a second call about a week later, telling the five prosecutors that it did not matter how young the children were. He said that government lawyers should not have refused to prosecute two cases simply because the children were barely more than infants."
According to The Times, Sessions and Rosenstein "were 'a driving force' behind the policy that spurred the separation of thousands of families, many of them fleeing violence in Central America and seeking asylum in the United States, before Mr. Trump abandoned it amid global outrage, according to a draft report of the results of the investigation by Michael E. Horowitz, the department's inspector general."
That was behind the scenes. Sessions, who recently lost a primary bid to retake his old Alabama Senate seat, was only too happy to allow Homeland Security Secretary Kristjen Nielsen to take the brunt of the international outrage.
The Times reporting is based on interviews with federal government officials and a review of an a 86-page draft Inspector General's report.
"Mr. Rosenstein told the inspector general that Mr. Sessions 'understood what the consequences were.'"
"The A.G.'s goal," Rosenstein said, "was to create a more effective deterrent so that everybody would believe that they had a risk of being prosecuted."
Read the entire Times report here.


alternet--2020-10-07--Trump ‘might be dragging down’ Mitch McConnell’s Senate majority with him: Election forecaster

The last two weeks have been disastrous for President Donald Trump , as he 's faced damning reports detailing his shady personal finances , a widely panned debate performance , and a COVID-19 infection that has burned through the president and several of his close allies .
The president is now trailing Democratic rival Joe Biden by an average of roughly nine points , according to polling averages from both FiveThirtyEight and Real Clear Politics .
And it may not just be the president who 's taking political damage .
G. Elliott Morris , an elections forecaster and data journalist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ model 's polling estimates now give Democrats a 71 percent chance of winning control of the Senate , which is their best result so far of the entire 2020 election cycle .
`` Trump might be dragging down Republicans ' chances of holding the Senate with him , '' Morris comments .
While it 's true that Democrat Hillary Clinton also had a polling lead over Trump at this point in the 2016 campaign , her polling lead was n't as strong or durable as Biden 's has been throughout 2020 .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average Real Clear Politics lead over Trump was just 4.1 points , compared to the 9.2-point advantage currently owned by Biden .

The last two weeks have been disastrous for President Donald Trump, as he's faced damning reports detailing his shady personal finances, a widely panned debate performance, and a COVID-19 infection that has burned through the president and several of his close allies.
The president is now trailing Democratic rival Joe Biden by an average of roughly nine points, according to polling averages from both FiveThirtyEight and Real Clear Politics.
And it may not just be the president who's taking political damage.
G. Elliott Morris, an elections forecaster and data journalist for The Economist, notes that his model's polling estimates now give Democrats a 71 percent chance of winning control of the Senate, which is their best result so far of the entire 2020 election cycle."Trump might be dragging down Republicans' chances of holding the Senate with him," Morris comments.
While it's true that Democrat Hillary Clinton also had a polling lead over Trump at this point in the 2016 campaign, her polling lead wasn't as strong or durable as Biden's has been throughout 2020.
On October 6th in 2016, Clinton's average Real Clear Politics lead over Trump was just 4.1 points, compared to the 9.2-point advantage currently owned by Biden.