alternet--2020-11-27--Trump raises alarm by retweeting post calling the assassination of Iranian scientist a ‘major’ blow

Amid swirling questions over what , if any , role the United States played in the assassination of top Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh , President Donald Trump on Friday amplified to his 88 million followers a Twitter post describing the killing as a `` major psychological and professional blow '' to Iran .
Sina Toossi , a senior research analyst at the National Iranian American Council ( NIAC ) , characterized the U.S. president 's move as an `` implicit approval if there ever was one . ''
The president also retweeted a New York Times report on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was traveling by car in northern Iran .
As of this writing , Trump—who ordered the killing of top Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani earlier this year—has not otherwise responded to the assassination , which is drawing widespread condemnation from anti-war groups and Iranian officials .
It remains unclear who was behind the Fakhrizadeh killing , but some—including Iran 's top diplomat , Javad Zarif—have said they believe Israel , the top U.S. ally in the region , may be responsible , noting its history of carrying out such attacks .
`` Terrorists murdered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Zarif .
`` This cowardice—with serious indications of Israeli role—shows desperate warmongering of perpetrators . ''
Given that the move came in the wake of reports that Trump recently requested options for a military strike on Iran and news that Israel has been preparing for such an attack for weeks , suspicions that the U.S. or Israel—or both—played a role in the killing are hardly fantastical .
As the New York Times reported , `` Mr. Fakhrizadeh had long been the No .
1 target of the Mossad , Israel 's intelligence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be behind a series of assassinations of scientists a decade ago that included some of Mr. Fakhrizadeh 's deputies . ''
Win Without War , an anti-war advocacy group , tweeted Friday that `` if the U.S. was involved with this assassination , it will be further evidence on top of the already heaping pile that Trump , Pompeo , and the other war hawks will do everything in their power to prevent the Biden admin from succeeding at diplomacy with Iran . ''
Paul Kawika Martin , senior director of policy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the international community `` should condemn assassinations , especially those with apparent U.S. complicity to provoke war or block efforts by a new administration to revive the nuclear agreement that made the world safer . ''

Amid swirling questions over what, if any, role the United States played in the assassination of top Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, President Donald Trump on Friday amplified to his 88 million followers a Twitter post describing the killing as a "major psychological and professional blow" to Iran.
Sina Toossi, a senior research analyst at the National Iranian American Council (NIAC), characterized the U.S. president's move as an "implicit approval if there ever was one." The president also retweeted a New York Times report on the killing, which took place as Fakhrizadeh was traveling by car in northern Iran.
As of this writing, Trump—who ordered the killing of top Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani earlier this year—has not otherwise responded to the assassination, which is drawing widespread condemnation from anti-war groups and Iranian officials.
It remains unclear who was behind the Fakhrizadeh killing, but some—including Iran's top diplomat, Javad Zarif—have said they believe Israel, the top U.S. ally in the region, may be responsible, noting its history of carrying out such attacks.
"Terrorists murdered an eminent Iranian scientist today," said Zarif. "This cowardice—with serious indications of Israeli role—shows desperate warmongering of perpetrators."
Given that the move came in the wake of reports that Trump recently requested options for a military strike on Iran and news that Israel has been preparing for such an attack for weeks, suspicions that the U.S. or Israel—or both—played a role in the killing are hardly fantastical.
As the New York Timesreported, "Mr. Fakhrizadeh had long been the No. 1 target of the Mossad, Israel's intelligence service, which is widely believed to be behind a series of assassinations of scientists a decade ago that included some of Mr. Fakhrizadeh's deputies."
Win Without War, an anti-war advocacy group, tweeted Friday that "if the U.S. was involved with this assassination, it will be further evidence on top of the already heaping pile that Trump, Pompeo, and the other war hawks will do everything in their power to prevent the Biden admin from succeeding at diplomacy with Iran."
Paul Kawika Martin, senior director of policy and political affairs at Peace Action, added that the international community "should condemn assassinations, especially those with apparent U.S. complicity to provoke war or block efforts by a new administration to revive the nuclear agreement that made the world safer."


alternet--2020-11-27--COVID-19 breathalyzer could be a game-changer for coronavirus detection

As more Americans are having to take COVID-19 tests due to the rapid acceleration of coronavirus cases across the United States , many will welcome a new form of technology that could revolutionize the country 's pandemic response .
According to NBC-DFW , a new state-of-the-art breathalyzer device has been developed to detect COVID-19 in approximately 15 seconds to one minute , solid .
Dave Copps , CEO of Worlds Inc. , an artificial intelligence firm , released a statement about the revolutionary device known as `` Protect . ''
He also discussed the device 's capability .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to blow into a machine rather than have a swab stuck up their nose , '' Copps said .
`` You simply breath into Protect and receive results in about 15 seconds , in less than a minute . ''
He also highlighted what makes the device special and how it differs from standard COVID-19 testing .
Protect can be used to determine whether or not a person should be tested for the virus which could ultimately save time and money for those trying to decide whether or not they should be tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it does n't directly detect the virus but rather the body 's unique chemical reaction to the virus , '' Copps said .
According to Copps , the results from the Protect kiosk device have a level of accuracy that is comparable to PCR nasal swab tests .
`` For us , we 're doing this because we want to help .
We think we have the people and the technology to do that .
So we 're running as fast as we can with great partners to see if we can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas A & M System helps develop new COVID-19 breathalyzer kiosk with results in seconds The development of the Protect device comes the United States battles an alarming uptick in coronavirus cases , reporting nearly 200,000 cases each day over the last week .
As of Friday , Nov. 27 , the United States has confirmed more than 13.2 million coronavirus cases .
The country 's death toll now stands at 269,802 .

As more Americans are having to take COVID-19 tests due to the rapid acceleration of coronavirus cases across the United States, many will welcome a new form of technology that could revolutionize the country's pandemic response.
According to NBC-DFW, a new state-of-the-art breathalyzer device has been developed to detect COVID-19 in approximately 15 seconds to one minute, solid. Dave Copps, CEO of Worlds Inc., an artificial intelligence firm, released a statement about the revolutionary device known as "Protect." He also discussed the device's capability.
"It's a welcome change when people have to blow into a machine rather than have a swab stuck up their nose," Copps said. "You simply breath into Protect and receive results in about 15 seconds, in less than a minute."
He also highlighted what makes the device special and how it differs from standard COVID-19 testing. Protect can be used to determine whether or not a person should be tested for the virus which could ultimately save time and money for those trying to decide whether or not they should be tested.
"What makes Protect unique is that it doesn't directly detect the virus but rather the body's unique chemical reaction to the virus," Copps said.
According to Copps, the results from the Protect kiosk device have a level of accuracy that is comparable to PCR nasal swab tests.
"For us, we're doing this because we want to help. We think we have the people and the technology to do that. So we're running as fast as we can with great partners to see if we can get there," Copps said.
Texas A&M System helps develop new COVID-19 breathalyzer kiosk with results in seconds www.youtube.com
The development of the Protect device comes the United States battles an alarming uptick in coronavirus cases, reporting nearly 200,000 cases each day over the last week. As of Friday, Nov. 27, the United States has confirmed more than 13.2 million coronavirus cases. The country's death toll now stands at 269,802.


alternet--2020-11-27--'Communist': Far-right extremists explode in anger after Pope Francis applauds life-saving COVID res

'Communist': Far-right extremists explode in anger after Pope Francis applauds life-saving COVID restrictions

In an op-ed published by the New York Times on Thanksgiving , Pope Francis defended some of the social distancing restrictions that have been enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic — applauding governments that have been `` acting decisively to protect health and to save lives '' by `` imposing strict measures to contain the outbreak . ''
And some right-wingers have responded by slamming the Pope as a `` socialist '' or a `` communist . ''
The Pope explains , `` Most governments acted responsibly , imposing strict measures to contain the outbreak .
Yet some groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , marching against travel restrictions — as if measures that governments must impose for the good of their people constitute some kind of political assault on autonomy or personal freedom !
Looking to the common good is much more than the sum of what is good for individuals .
It means having a regard for all citizens and seeking to respond effectively to the needs of the least fortunate . ''
According to The Pope , `` If we are to come out of this crisis less selfish than when we went in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touched by others ' pain . ''
And practicing social distancing , he writes , is one way to look after the wellbeing of others . ''
Some on the far right have been furious : The Daily Beast 's Molly Jong-Fast noted how unhinged the responses from the far right have been : And others have been rising to the Pope 's defense :

In an op-ed published by the New York Times on Thanksgiving, Pope Francis defended some of the social distancing restrictions that have been enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic — applauding governments that have been "acting decisively to protect health and to save lives" by "imposing strict measures to contain the outbreak." And some right-wingers have responded by slamming the Pope as a "socialist" or a "communist."
The Pope explains, "Most governments acted responsibly, imposing strict measures to contain the outbreak. Yet some groups protested, refusing to keep their distance, marching against travel restrictions — as if measures that governments must impose for the good of their people constitute some kind of political assault on autonomy or personal freedom! Looking to the common good is much more than the sum of what is good for individuals. It means having a regard for all citizens and seeking to respond effectively to the needs of the least fortunate."
According to The Pope, "If we are to come out of this crisis less selfish than when we went in, we have to let ourselves be touched by others' pain." And practicing social distancing, he writes, is one way to look after the wellbeing of others."
Some on the far right have been furious:
The Daily Beast's Molly Jong-Fast noted how unhinged the responses from the far right have been:
And others have been rising to the Pope's defense:


alternet--2020-11-27--Dominion Voting Systems employees face 'death threats' and 'stalking' from Sidney Powell’s voter fra

Dominion Voting Systems employees face 'death threats' and 'stalking' from Sidney Powell’s voter fraud claims

Sidney Powell is among the conspiracy theorists claiming , without evidence , that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from President Donald Trump because of widespread voter fraud — and Powell has accused Dominion Voting Systems of helping Democrats and the campaign of President-elect Joe Biden pull that off .
With employees of Dominion having suffered death threats and stalking , the company is holding Powell partly responsible .
In a press release that Dominion published on Thanksgiving , the company said , `` Sidney Powell 's wild and reckless allegations are not only demonstrably false , they have led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Dominion employees .
This criminal activity has been duly reported to the appropriate law enforcement agencies , and we intend to hold Ms. Powell , and those aiding and abetting her fraudulent actions , accountable for any harm that may occur as a result . ''
Powell managed to involve Venezuela in her anti-Dominion conspiracy theory , claiming that Dominion helped leftist President Hugo Chavez ( who died of cancer in 2013 ) .
But Dominion , in its press release , explained , `` Dominion has no ties to the Venezuelan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including China and Iran .
Dominion has never participated in any elections in Venezuela and has no connection or relationship with the now deceased former Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez .
Other companies have serviced elections in Venezuela , but Dominion is not one of them . ''
Dominion , in its press release , also explained , `` in Powell 's error-filled document , she repeats a number of baseless allegations about Dominion Voting Systems , which she has made in public since Election Day .
The allegations about DVS most relevant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that votes tallied on a Dominion vote tabulator were somehow manipulated on a statewide basis to elevate the count in favor of the Democratic presidential candidate .
It is important to understand that this is not possible — not on a machine-by-machine basis , not by alleged hacking , not by manipulating software , and not by imagined ways of 'sending ' votes to overseas locations .
But even if it were possible , it would have been discovered in the statewide hand count of votes . ''
Law & Crime reporter Adam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her over-the-top antics , has even managed to alienate Trump 's campaign .
Klasfeld notes , `` The Trump campaign distanced itself from Powell just eight days after the president praised her on Twitter .
Reportedly too unhinged even for a legal team led by Rudy Giuliani — who had hair dye streaming down his face at a press conference — Powell has bandied about multiple iterations of a lawsuit challenging the now-certified results of Georgia 's presidential election . ''

Sidney Powell is among the conspiracy theorists claiming, without evidence, that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from President Donald Trump because of widespread voter fraud — and Powell has accused Dominion Voting Systems of helping Democrats and the campaign of President-elect Joe Biden pull that off. With employees of Dominion having suffered death threats and stalking, the company is holding Powell partly responsible.
In a press release that Dominion published on Thanksgiving, the company said, "Sidney Powell's wild and reckless allegations are not only demonstrably false, they have led to stalking, harassment and death threats to Dominion employees. This criminal activity has been duly reported to the appropriate law enforcement agencies, and we intend to hold Ms. Powell, and those aiding and abetting her fraudulent actions, accountable for any harm that may occur as a result."
Powell managed to involve Venezuela in her anti-Dominion conspiracy theory, claiming that Dominion helped leftist President Hugo Chavez (who died of cancer in 2013). But Dominion, in its press release, explained, "Dominion has no ties to the Venezuelan government, nor any other foreign government, including China and Iran. Dominion has never participated in any elections in Venezuela and has no connection or relationship with the now deceased former Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez. Other companies have serviced elections in Venezuela, but Dominion is not one of them."
Dominion, in its press release, also explained, "in Powell's error-filled document, she repeats a number of baseless allegations about Dominion Voting Systems, which she has made in public since Election Day. The allegations about DVS most relevant to the election outcome in Georgia are that votes tallied on a Dominion vote tabulator were somehow manipulated on a statewide basis to elevate the count in favor of the Democratic presidential candidate. It is important to understand that this is not possible — not on a machine-by-machine basis, not by alleged hacking, not by manipulating software, and not by imagined ways of 'sending' votes to overseas locations. But even if it were possible, it would have been discovered in the statewide hand count of votes."
Law & Crime reporter Adam Klasfeld points out that Powell, with her over-the-top antics, has even managed to alienate Trump's campaign.
Klasfeld notes, "The Trump campaign distanced itself from Powell just eight days after the president praised her on Twitter. Reportedly too unhinged even for a legal team led by Rudy Giuliani — who had hair dye streaming down his face at a press conference — Powell has bandied about multiple iterations of a lawsuit challenging the now-certified results of Georgia's presidential election."


alternet--2020-11-27--Gorsuch questions law at the legal root of abortions in concurrence blocking limit on religious gath

Gorsuch questions law at the legal root of abortions in concurrence blocking limit on religious gatherings

On the night before Thanksgiving , as the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo 's ( D ) COVID-19 executive orders to prohibit large church gatherings amid the pandemic , Justice Neil Gorsuch weighed in with a conservative stance condemning a number of key laws that do not align with his beliefs .
According to Law and Crime , Gorsuch 's choice of words centered on a column of constitutional law — a passage highlighting `` implied right to 'bodily integrity . ''
Gorsuch opted to draw a major distinction between `` rights explicitly granted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ First Amendment rights to speech and religion ) and rights presumably read between the lines of the Constitution 's text , '' per the publication .
Here is an excerpt of the statements in which Gorsuch referred to Jacobson v. Massachusetts to explain his logic : Mr. Jacobson claimed that he possessed an implied `` substantive due process '' right to `` bodily integrity '' that emanated from the Fourteenth Amendment and allowed him to avoid not only the vaccine but also the $ 5 fine ( about $ 140 today ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an exemption .
This Court disagreed .
But what does that have to do with our circumstances ?
Even if judges may impose emergency restrictions on rights that some of them have found hiding in the Constitution 's penumbras , it does not follow that the same fate should befall the textually explicit right to religious exercise .
Finally , consider the different nature of the restriction .
In Jacobson , individuals could accept the vaccine , pay the fine , or identify a basis for exemption .
The imposition on Mr. Jacobson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thus , was avoidable and relatively modest .
Gorsuch also criticized Chief Justice Roberts and Cuomo .
He said , `` Government is not free to disregard the First Amendment in times of crisis . ''
`` Governor has chosen to impose no capacity restrictions on certain businesses he considers 'essential , ' '' Gorsuch said , adding , `` And it turns out the businesses the Governor considers essential include hardware stores , acupuncturists , and liquor stores .
Bicycle repair shops , certain signage companies , accountants , lawyers , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' He went on to offer a poor comparison of church gatherings to running into a store to buy alcohol and other items disregarding the real circumstances and technicalities that set both events apart .
Legal experts and observers quickly weighed in with critical remarks in response to Gorsuch 's arguments .
Justice Stephen G. Breyer , along with Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan , also argued that now is not the time to be lenient as the coronavirus ' accelerated spread continues .
`` The number of new confirmed cases per day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been , '' Breyer said .
He added , `` The nature of the epidemic , the spikes , the uncertainties , and the need for quick action , taken together , mean that the State has countervailing arguments based upon health , safety , and administrative considerations that must be balanced against the applicants ' First Amendment challenges . ''

On the night before Thanksgiving, as the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's (D) COVID-19 executive orders to prohibit large church gatherings amid the pandemic, Justice Neil Gorsuch weighed in with a conservative stance condemning a number of key laws that do not align with his beliefs.
According to Law and Crime, Gorsuch's choice of words centered on a column of constitutional law — a passage highlighting "implied right to 'bodily integrity." Gorsuch opted to draw a major distinction between "rights explicitly granted by the Constitution (e.g., the First Amendment rights to speech and religion) and rights presumably read between the lines of the Constitution's text," per the publication.
Here is an excerpt of the statements in which Gorsuch referred to Jacobson v. Massachusettsto explain his logic:
Mr. Jacobson claimed that he possessed an implied "substantive due process" right to "bodily integrity" that emanated from the Fourteenth Amendment and allowed him to avoid not only the vaccine but also the $5 fine (about $140 today) and the need to show he qualified for an exemption. This Court disagreed. But what does that have to do with our circumstances? Even if judges may impose emergency restrictions on rights that some of them have found hiding in the Constitution's penumbras, it does not follow that the same fate should befall the textually explicit right to religious exercise. Finally, consider the different nature of the restriction. In Jacobson, individuals could accept the vaccine, pay the fine, or identify a basis for exemption. The imposition on Mr. Jacobson's claimed right to bodily integrity, thus, was avoidable and relatively modest.
Gorsuch also criticized Chief Justice Roberts and Cuomo. He said, "Government is not free to disregard the First Amendment in times of crisis."
"Governor has chosen to impose no capacity restrictions on certain businesses he considers 'essential,'" Gorsuch said, adding, "And it turns out the businesses the Governor considers essential include hardware stores, acupuncturists, and liquor stores. Bicycle repair shops, certain signage companies, accountants, lawyers, and insurance agents are all essential too."
He went on to offer a poor comparison of church gatherings to running into a store to buy alcohol and other items disregarding the real circumstances and technicalities that set both events apart.
"So, at least according to the Governor, it may be unsafe to go to church, but it is always fine to pick up another bottle of wine, shop for a new bike, or spend the afternoon exploring your distal points and meridians. Who knew public health would so perfectly align with secular convenience?"
Legal experts and observers quickly weighed in with critical remarks in response to Gorsuch's arguments.
Justice Stephen G. Breyer, along with Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, also argued that now is not the time to be lenient as the coronavirus' accelerated spread continues. "The number of new confirmed cases per day is now higher than it has ever been," Breyer said.
He added, "The nature of the epidemic, the spikes, the uncertainties, and the need for quick action, taken together, mean that the State has countervailing arguments based upon health, safety, and administrative considerations that must be balanced against the applicants' First Amendment challenges."


alternet--2020-11-27--'No merit’: Trump-appointed judge rejects campaign’s PA lawsuit — and makes the president foot state

'No merit’: Trump-appointed judge rejects campaign’s PA lawsuit — and makes the president foot state’s bill

President Donald Trump 's reelection campaign has suffered yet another legal setback , with the Third Circuit Court of Appeals @ @ @ @ @ in Pennsylvania challenging the 2020 election results .
The Third Circuit was emphatic in its @ @ @ @ @ free , fair elections are the lifeblood of our democracy .
Charges of unfairness are @ @ @ @ @ election unfair does not make it so .
Charges require specific allegations and then proof @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Trump 's campaign and attorney Rudy Giuliani have claimed , without evidence , @ @ @ @ @ committed in Pennsylvania .
But the Third Circuit Court of Appeals clearly saw no merit @ @ @ @ @ .
Here is some more legal analysis of the Third Circuit 's decision :

President Donald Trump's reelection campaign has suffered yet another legal setback, with the Third Circuit Court of Appeals rejecting one of its lawsuits in Pennsylvania challenging the 2020 election results.
The Third Circuit was emphatic in its decision, saying, "free, fair elections are the lifeblood of our democracy. Charges of unfairness are serious. But calling an election unfair does not make it so. Charges require specific allegations and then proof. We have neither here."
Trump's campaign and attorney Rudy Giuliani have claimed, without evidence, that widespread voter fraud was committed in Pennsylvania. But the Third Circuit Court of Appeals clearly saw no merit in Team Trump's arguments.
Reuters' Brad Heath, reporting on the ruling, tweeted:
Here is some more legal analysis of the Third Circuit's decision:


alternet--2020-11-27--'Blackmail': Trump 'blindsided' officials with list of 7 demands for World Health Organization. 'It

'Blackmail': Trump 'blindsided' officials with list of 7 demands for World Health Organization. 'It was an enormous backfire'

In the early days of the pandemic , President Donald Trump tried to handle the World Health Organization ( W.H.O . )
as if were just another business transaction — but he likely did not bank on Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus ' refusal to comply with his wishes .
According to The New York Times , Trump had Andrew Bremberg , the American ambassador in Geneva , to deliver a list of seven demands to Tedros .
He reportedly was not pleased when Tedros refused to negotiate .
Bremberg also released a statement criticizing the W.H.O .
and placing blame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` rebuild trust among some of its critical member states . ''
`` At a critical moment when the W.H.O .
leadership had the opportunity to rebuild trust among some of its critical member states , it chose a path that did the very opposite and demonstrated its lack of independence from the Chinese Communist Party , '' Mr. Bremberg , the American ambassador in Geneva , said in a statement .
But , instead of the moment becoming an opportunity to discuss ways both sides could improve their overall handling of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced during a Rose Garden press briefing , that the United States would be severing ties with the health agency .
Now , in the aftermath of Trump 's split from the W.H.O.
, experts are weighing in on the collapse and how it could impact President-elect Joe Biden as he attempts to salvage the United States ' decades-long relationship with the global health agency the country helped to establish .
However , experts do understand why Tedros was not willing to negotiate with Trump .
According to Gostin , Trump 's demands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposed to a form of negotiation .
Lawrence Gostin , a Georgetown University law professor and longtime W.H.O .
adviser , shared his opinion of the strained relationship between both parties after reviewing Trump 's list of demands .
`` It was an enormous backfire , and it was bound to be , '' Gostin said .
`` It was n't a negotiation .
It was blackmail . ''

In the early days of the pandemic, President Donald Trump tried to handle the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) as if were just another business transaction — but he likely did not bank on Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus' refusal to comply with his wishes.
According to The New York Times, Trump had Andrew Bremberg, the American ambassador in Geneva, to deliver a list of seven demands to Tedros. He reportedly was not pleased when Tedros refused to negotiate.
Bremberg also released a statement criticizing the W.H.O. and placing blame on the organization for its failure to "rebuild trust among some of its critical member states."
"At a critical moment when the W.H.O. leadership had the opportunity to rebuild trust among some of its critical member states, it chose a path that did the very opposite and demonstrated its lack of independence from the Chinese Communist Party," Mr. Bremberg, the American ambassador in Geneva, said in a statement.
But, instead of the moment becoming an opportunity to discuss ways both sides could improve their overall handling of the pandemic, hours later, Trump impulsively announced during a Rose Garden press briefing, that the United States would be severing ties with the health agency.
Now, in the aftermath of Trump's split from the W.H.O., experts are weighing in on the collapse and how it could impact President-elect Joe Biden as he attempts to salvage the United States' decades-long relationship with the global health agency the country helped to establish. However, experts do understand why Tedros was not willing to negotiate with Trump.
According to Gostin, Trump's demands were more like "blackmail" as opposed to a form of negotiation.
Lawrence Gostin, a Georgetown University law professor and longtime W.H.O. adviser, shared his opinion of the strained relationship between both parties after reviewing Trump's list of demands. "It was an enormous backfire, and it was bound to be," Gostin said. "It wasn't a negotiation. It was blackmail."


alternet--2020-11-27--President posts 2-year-old supercut of Sinclair anchors 'parroting Trump talking points' to complain

President posts 2-year-old supercut of Sinclair anchors 'parroting Trump talking points' to complain 'freedom of the press is gone'

President Donald Trump is promo0ting a 2018 video designed to expose a major network of TV stations whose anchors are forced to read identical scripts from their corporate bosses , word for word , promoting President Trump 's agenda .
The video was created by the website Deadspin , accompanying an article titled , `` How America 's Largest Local TV Owner Turned Its News Anchors Into Soldiers In Trump 's War On The Media . ''
`` Anchors at Sinclair-owned local news station parrot a script pushing Trump talking points and 'the troubling trend of irresponsible , one sided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Deadspin writes on the YouTube video .
Sinclair Broadcast Group is a right-wing media conglomerate that owns nearly two hundred TV stations in over 100 markets across the country , reaching 40 percent of American households .
While local stations , they are all affiliated with the major networks , including ABC , CBS , NBC , and Fox .
Local stations are more trusted by Americans than the major networks , making it easier for Sinclair to spread disinformation .
Trump clearly did n't read the article Friday morning when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications and Director of Social Media .
Here 's the video Deadspin tweeted back in March of 2018 : Here 's Trump 's tweet , where he thinks he 's mocking `` Big Tech and the Fake News Media , '' when in fact they are among his greatest tools .
Georgetown University professor of public policy Don Moynihan points out that `` Trump waived regulations to allow [ Sinclair to ] take over the local news market , and which forced local stations to @ @ @ @ @

President Donald Trump is promo0ting a 2018 video designed to expose a major network of TV stations whose anchors are forced to read identical scripts from their corporate bosses, word for word, promoting President Trump's agenda.
The video was created by the website Deadspin, accompanying an article titled, "How America's Largest Local TV Owner Turned Its News Anchors Into Soldiers In Trump's War On The Media."
"Anchors at Sinclair-owned local news station parrot a script pushing Trump talking points and 'the troubling trend of irresponsible, one sided news stories plaguing our country,'" Deadspin writes on the YouTube video.
Sinclair Broadcast Group is a right-wing media conglomerate that owns nearly two hundred TV stations in over 100 markets across the country, reaching 40 percent of American households. While local stations, they are all affiliated with the major networks, including ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox. Local stations are more trusted by Americans than the major networks, making it easier for Sinclair to spread disinformation.
Trump clearly didn't read the article Friday morning when he retweeted a tweet from Dan Scavino, his White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications and Director of Social Media.
Here's the video Deadspin tweeted back in March of 2018:
Here's Trump's tweet, where he thinks he's mocking "Big Tech and the Fake News Media," when in fact they are among his greatest tools.
Georgetown University professor of public policy Don Moynihan points out that "Trump waived regulations to allow [Sinclair to] take over the local news market, and which forced local stations to run pro-Trump commentaries."


alternet--2020-11-27--Parler brings together mainstream conservatives and white supremacists as millions of Trump supporte

Parler brings together mainstream conservatives and white supremacists as millions of Trump supporters join platform

Since the 2020 U.S. presidential election , Parler has caught on among right-wing politicians and “ influencers '' – people with large online followings – as a social media platform where they can share and promote ideas without worrying about the company blocking or flagging their posts for being dangerous or misleading .
However , the website has become a haven for far-right extremists and conspiracy theorists who are now interacting with the mainstream conservatives flocking to the platform .
As the three highest-profile social media companies – YouTube , Facebook and Twitter – continue to take action to mitigate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parler has welcomed the ensuing exodus of right-wing users .
It has exploded in popularity , doubling its members to 10 million during the month of November – although it is still dwarfed by Twitter 's roughly 330 million monthly active users .
With its newfound success , the site is contributing to the widening gap between the different perceptions of reality held by the polarized public .
On mainstream social media , Joe Biden and Kamala Harris won the presidential election , and theories alleging crimes by the Biden campaign and Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Donald Trump won in a landslide , only to have his victory stolen by a wide-ranging alliance of evildoers , including Democrats and the so-called “ deep state . ''
While it 's too early to tell if Parler is here to stay , it has already achieved a reputation and level of engagement that has overtaken other alternative platforms .
But along with its success comes the reality that extremist movements like QAnon and the Boogalooers have thrived in the platform 's unregulated chaos .
Parler was launched in 2018 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ catering to right-wing users who ran afoul of content moderation on Facebook , Twitter and YouTube .
Its user base remained small – fewer than 1 million users – until early 2020 .
Other primarily right-wing platforms , especially Gab , had housed fringe and violent ideologues and groups for much longer than Parler .
These included violent far-right militias and the mass shooter Robert Bowers .
Parler , in contrast , gained a reputation for catering to mainstream conservatives thanks to a handful of high-profile early adopters like Brad Parscale , Candace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a result , in 2020 when Twitter began labeling misleading Trump tweets about possible fraud in absentee and mail-in voting , politicians like Ted Cruz embraced Parler as the next bastion for conservative speech .
In the weeks before the Nov. 3 election , the big social media sites took steps to mitigate election-related extremism and disinformation .
Twitter rolled out labels for all mail-in ballot misinformation and put a prompt on tweeted articles to encourage people to read them before retweeting .
Facebook blocked QAnon groups and , later , restricted QAnon-adjacent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Facebook also began prohibiting holocaust denial posts .
YouTube labeled and blocked advertising for election-related fake information , though it left in place many conspiracy theory-promoting videos .
These actions continued in the wake of the election , especially as mainstream conservative politicians and Trump pushed the false claim that Biden and the Democrats committed large-scale voter fraud to steal the election .
Consequently , millions of users migrated to alternative platforms : Gab , MeWe and , in particular , Parler .
Users flocked there because of the promise of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and would n't ban the creation of extremist communities .
But they also moved because Republican politicians and well-known elites signaled that Parler was the new home for conservative speech .
These include commentator Mark Levin and Fox host Sean Hannity .
Parler has only two community guidelines : It does not knowingly allow criminal activity , and it does not allow spam or bots on its platform .
The lack of guidelines on hate speech has allowed racism and anti-Semitism to flourish on Parler .
My research center has spent several years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and slang , covering niche topics from the spectrum of white supremacist , neo-fascist and anti-state movements .
We have studied the ways that far-right language evolves alongside content moderation efforts from mainstream platforms , and how slang and memes are often used to evade regulations .
We have monitored far-right communities on Parler since March and have found frequent use of both obvious white supremacist terms and more implicit , evasive memes and slang .
For example , among other explicit white supremacist content , Parler allows usernames referencing the Atomwaffen Division @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the theory that Jews are descended from Satan , and hashtags such as “ HitlerWasRight . ''
In addition , it is easy to find the the implicit bigotry and violence that eventually caused Facebook to ban movements like QAnon .
For example , QAnon 's version of the “ blood libel '' theory – the centuries-old conspiracy theory the Jewish people murder Christians and use their blood for rituals – has spread widely on the platform .
Thousands of posts also use QAnon hashtags and promote the false claim that global elites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alternative platforms , Parler stands out because white supremacists , QAnon adherents and mainstream conservatives exist in close proximity .
This results in comment threads on politicians ' posts that are a melting pot of far-right beliefs , such as a response to Donald Trump Jr. 's unfounded allegations of election crimes that states , “ Civil war is the only way to drain the swamp . ''
Parler 's ownership is still kept largely secret .
However , the few pieces of information that have come to light make Parler 's spike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example , Dan Bongino , the highly popular right-wing commentator who published a book about the “ deep state '' conspiracy theory and frequently publishes unverified information , has at least a small ownership stake in the company .
CEO John Matze has said that the ownership is composed of himself and “ a small group of close friends and employees . ''
Notably , conservative billionaire Robert Mercer and his daughter , Rebekah , are investors in the platform .
Rebekah Mercer helped co-found it with Matze .
The Mercers are well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ causes , including Nigel Farage 's Brexit campaign , Breitbart News and Cambridge Analytica .
The connection to Cambridge Analytica has , in particular , alarmed experts , who worry that Parler may harvest unnecessary data from unwitting users .
Parler 's privacy policy does n't put to rest concerns about user privacy , either : The policy says that Parler has permission to collect a vast amount of personal information , and gives its members much less control than mainstream platforms over what that data can be used for .
Parler 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do over the next few months .
Will the company be able to capitalize on the influx of new users , or will its members slowly trickle back to the larger platforms ?
A major factor is how Trump himself reacts , and whether he eventually creates an account on Parler .
Having catered to a right-wing audience and allowed hate speech to thrive on its platform , Parler is also at the whims of its user base .
Parler 's main competitor , Gab , similarly attempted to capitalize on concerns about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gab 's expansion came to a halt after Bowers ' mass shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh .
Bowers had been posting anti-Semitic and violent content on the platform , and the revelation resulted in PayPal , GoDaddy and Medium banning Gab from their services .
[ Deep knowledge , daily .
Sign up for The Conversation 's newsletter . ]
Online extremism and hate can lead to real-world violence by legitimizing extreme actions .
Parler 's tolerance of hate , bigotry and affiliation with violent movements opens the possibility that , like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members will commit acts of violence .
Although it 's hard to know how Parler will grow in the future , my research suggests that the extremism among its user base will persist for months to come .
Alex Newhouse , Research Lead , Center on Terrorism , Extremism , and Counterterrorism , Middlebury Institute of International Studies This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read the original article .

Alex Newhouse, Middlebury Institute of International Studies
Since the 2020 U.S. presidential election, Parler has caught on among right-wing politicians and “influencers" – people with large online followings – as a social media platform where they can share and promote ideas without worrying about the company blocking or flagging their posts for being dangerous or misleading. However, the website has become a haven for far-right extremists and conspiracy theorists who are now interacting with the mainstream conservatives flocking to the platform.
As the three highest-profile social media companies – YouTube, Facebook and Twitter – continue to take action to mitigate the spread of extremism and disinformation, Parler has welcomed the ensuing exodus of right-wing users. It has exploded in popularity, doubling its members to 10 million during the month of November – although it is still dwarfed by Twitter's roughly 330 million monthly active users.
With its newfound success, the site is contributing to the widening gap between the different perceptions of reality held by the polarized public. On mainstream social media, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris won the presidential election, and theories alleging crimes by the Biden campaign and Democrats are flagged as misinformation. On Parler, Donald Trump won in a landslide, only to have his victory stolen by a wide-ranging alliance of evildoers, including Democrats and the so-called “deep state."
While it's too early to tell if Parler is here to stay, it has already achieved a reputation and level of engagement that has overtaken other alternative platforms. But along with its success comes the reality that extremist movements like QAnon and the Boogalooers have thrived in the platform's unregulated chaos.
Parler's origins
Parler was launched in 2018 and found its place as another niche platform catering to right-wing users who ran afoul of content moderation on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Its user base remained small – fewer than 1 million users – until early 2020.
Other primarily right-wing platforms, especially Gab, had housed fringe and violent ideologues and groups for much longer than Parler. These included violent far-right militias and the mass shooter Robert Bowers.
Parler, in contrast, gained a reputation for catering to mainstream conservatives thanks to a handful of high-profile early adopters like Brad Parscale, Candace Owens and Sen. Mike Lee. As a result, in 2020 when Twitter began labeling misleading Trump tweets about possible fraud in absentee and mail-in voting, politicians like Ted Cruz embraced Parler as the next bastion for conservative speech.
The 2020 election
In the weeks before the Nov. 3 election, the big social media sites took steps to mitigate election-related extremism and disinformation. Twitter rolled out labels for all mail-in ballot misinformation and put a prompt on tweeted articles to encourage people to read them before retweeting. Facebook blocked QAnon groups and, later, restricted QAnon-adjacent accounts pushing “SaveTheChildren" conspiracy theories. Facebook also began prohibiting holocaust denial posts. YouTube labeled and blocked advertising for election-related fake information, though it left in place many conspiracy theory-promoting videos.
These actions continued in the wake of the election, especially as mainstream conservative politicians and Trump pushed the false claim that Biden and the Democrats committed large-scale voter fraud to steal the election. Consequently, millions of users migrated to alternative platforms: Gab, MeWe and, in particular, Parler.
Users flocked there because of the promise of a site that wouldn't label false information and wouldn't ban the creation of extremist communities. But they also moved because Republican politicians and well-known elites signaled that Parler was the new home for conservative speech. These include commentator Mark Levin and Fox host Sean Hannity.
Promoting racism, anti-Semitism and violence
Parler has only two community guidelines: It does not knowingly allow criminal activity, and it does not allow spam or bots on its platform. The lack of guidelines on hate speech has allowed racism and anti-Semitism to flourish on Parler.
My research center has spent several years building an extensive encyclopedia of far-right terminology and slang, covering niche topics from the spectrum of white supremacist, neo-fascist and anti-state movements. We have studied the ways that far-right language evolves alongside content moderation efforts from mainstream platforms, and how slang and memes are often used to evade regulations.
We have monitored far-right communities on Parler since March and have found frequent use of both obvious white supremacist terms and more implicit, evasive memes and slang. For example, among other explicit white supremacist content, Parler allows usernames referencing the Atomwaffen Division's violentlty anti-Semitic slogan, posts spreading the theory that Jews are descended from Satan, and hashtags such as “HitlerWasRight."
In addition, it is easy to find the the implicit bigotry and violence that eventually caused Facebook to ban movements like QAnon. For example, QAnon's version of the “blood libel" theory – the centuries-old conspiracy theory the Jewish people murder Christians and use their blood for rituals – has spread widely on the platform. Thousands of posts also use QAnon hashtags and promote the false claim that global elites are literally eating children.
Among the alternative platforms, Parler stands out because white supremacists, QAnon adherents and mainstream conservatives exist in close proximity. This results in comment threads on politicians' posts that are a melting pot of far-right beliefs, such as a response to Donald Trump Jr.'s unfounded allegations of election crimes that states, “Civil war is the only way to drain the swamp."
Behind the scenes
Parler's ownership is still kept largely secret. However, the few pieces of information that have come to light make Parler's spike in popularity even more concerning.
For example, Dan Bongino, the highly popular right-wing commentator who published a book about the “deep state" conspiracy theory and frequently publishes unverified information, has at least a small ownership stake in the company. CEO John Matze has said that the ownership is composed of himself and “a small group of close friends and employees."
Notably, conservative billionaire Robert Mercer and his daughter, Rebekah, are investors in the platform. Rebekah Mercer helped co-found it with Matze. The Mercers are well known for their investments in other conservative causes, including Nigel Farage's Brexit campaign, Breitbart News and Cambridge Analytica. The connection to Cambridge Analytica has, in particular, alarmed experts, who worry that Parler may harvest unnecessary data from unwitting users.
Parler's privacy policy doesn't put to rest concerns about user privacy, either: The policy says that Parler has permission to collect a vast amount of personal information, and gives its members much less control than mainstream platforms over what that data can be used for.
Parler's future
Parler's fate will hinge on what its members do over the next few months. Will the company be able to capitalize on the influx of new users, or will its members slowly trickle back to the larger platforms? A major factor is how Trump himself reacts, and whether he eventually creates an account on Parler.
Having catered to a right-wing audience and allowed hate speech to thrive on its platform, Parler is also at the whims of its user base. Parler's main competitor, Gab, similarly attempted to capitalize on concerns about unfair moderation against conservatives. However, Gab's expansion came to a halt after Bowers' mass shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh. Bowers had been posting anti-Semitic and violent content on the platform, and the revelation resulted in PayPal, GoDaddy and Medium banning Gab from their services.
[Deep knowledge, daily.Sign up for The Conversation's newsletter.]
Online extremism and hate can lead to real-world violence by legitimizing extreme actions. Parler's tolerance of hate, bigotry and affiliation with violent movements opens the possibility that, like Gab, one or more of its members will commit acts of violence.
Although it's hard to know how Parler will grow in the future, my research suggests that the extremism among its user base will persist for months to come.
Alex Newhouse, Research Lead, Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism, Middlebury Institute of International Studies
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.


alternet--2020-11-27--Here's why Trump’s willingness to let his hair go gray betrays his hardline political rhetoric

Journalist Rhonda Garelick , in an article for New York Magazine , observes that there has been a major change in President Donald Trump 's physical appearance in recent weeks : he has let his hair go naturally gray and is no longer coloring it .
This change , Garelick argues , offers insight on what Trump is thinking politically — and it amounts to an `` admission of electoral defeat . ''
In her article , humorously headlined `` Trump Has Lost the Will to Be Blond , '' Garelick explains , `` Yes , Donald Trump has stopped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Earlier this month , the 45th president appeared at a press conference about the administration 's vaccine-development efforts with an entirely silver mane — not an orange streak in sight .
The news ricocheted through the press and social media .
Thus far , the silver looks to be permanent .
Trump seems done with dye . ''
Trump 's hair was a topic of conversation long before he was elected president in 2016 .
Back in 2004 — during a `` Weekend Update '' segment on NBC 's long-running `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hammond , playing Trump , chastised Jimmy Fallon for having an inferior hairstyle and recommended he go to a hair stylist in Queens in order to make his hair more Trump-like .
And Trump 's hair , according to Garelick , reflects the outgoing president 's arrogance , brashness and garishness .
Trump is still refusing to concede to President-elect Joe Biden and has vowed to keep fighting the election results in court .
However , Trump said , this week , that he will voluntarily leave the White House on January 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden 's victory in December .
And Garelick believes that Trump has admitted that he is a lame duck despite his claims that the election was stolen from him .
`` There is a parallel between the hair and this admission of electoral defeat : Trump was letting truth creep back into both his hair and his words , '' Garelick writes .
`` The self-applied hair color faded away right along with the refusal to acknowledge Biden 's win .
Was it intentional ?
Will it continue ?
Clearly , not in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ careen between conceding loss and claiming election fraud .
But that hardly matters . ''
Garelick continues , `` On Monday , the ( Trump ) Administration at last acknowledged Biden 's transition .
And this admission was augured by the abandonment of presidential hair coloring .
This signals a sea change : Trump is loosening his grip , slowly letting go of the elaborate , theatrical pageant of his presidency . ''
Garelick points out that although Trump is hardly the only older male politician who colors his gray hair , others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example , Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah .
`` Now , though , ( Trump 's ) hair is reverting to its natural color , more plainly speaking truth , '' Garelick writes .
`` Perhaps next , that pouf on top will deflate — or the orange makeup will disappear .
Time will tell . ''

Journalist Rhonda Garelick, in an article for New York Magazine, observes that there has been a major change in President Donald Trump's physical appearance in recent weeks: he has let his hair go naturally gray and is no longer coloring it. This change, Garelick argues, offers insight on what Trump is thinking politically — and it amounts to an "admission of electoral defeat."
In her article, humorously headlined "Trump Has Lost the Will to Be Blond," Garelick explains, "Yes, Donald Trump has stopped dying his hair," Garelick explains. "Earlier this month, the 45th president appeared at a press conference about the administration's vaccine-development efforts with an entirely silver mane — not an orange streak in sight. The news ricocheted through the press and social media. Thus far, the silver looks to be permanent. Trump seems done with dye."
Trump's hair was a topic of conversation long before he was elected president in 2016. Back in 2004 — during a "Weekend Update" segment on NBC's long-running "Saturday Night Live" — comedian Darryl Hammond, playing Trump, chastised Jimmy Fallon for having an inferior hairstyle and recommended he go to a hair stylist in Queens in order to make his hair more Trump-like. And Trump's hair, according to Garelick, reflects the outgoing president's arrogance, brashness and garishness.
Trump is still refusing to concede to President-elect Joe Biden and has vowed to keep fighting the election results in court. However, Trump said, this week, that he will voluntarily leave the White House on January 20, 2021 if the Electoral College confirms Biden's victory in December. And Garelick believes that Trump has admitted that he is a lame duck despite his claims that the election was stolen from him.
"There is a parallel between the hair and this admission of electoral defeat: Trump was letting truth creep back into both his hair and his words," Garelick writes. "The self-applied hair color faded away right along with the refusal to acknowledge Biden's win. Was it intentional? Will it continue? Clearly, not in any steady fashion — Trump continues to careen between conceding loss and claiming election fraud. But that hardly matters."
Garelick continues, "On Monday, the (Trump) Administration at last acknowledged Biden's transition. And this admission was augured by the abandonment of presidential hair coloring. This signals a sea change: Trump is loosening his grip, slowly letting go of the elaborate, theatrical pageant of his presidency."
Garelick points out that although Trump is hardly the only older male politician who colors his gray hair, others "do so discreetly" — for example, Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah.
"Now, though, (Trump's) hair is reverting to its natural color, more plainly speaking truth," Garelick writes. "Perhaps next, that pouf on top will deflate — or the orange makeup will disappear. Time will tell."


alternet--2020-11-27--How a decade of the GOP's 'war on...' rhetoric finally destroyed Thanksgiving

It is Thanksgiving .
Like every holiday in the world , individuals and families celebrate it or do n't celebrate it in their own way .
Christmas is similar—you may celebrate it , or you may not .
But one thing is for sure : Whichever holidays you and yours celebrate together or apart , you do it differently than everybody else .
This fundamental fact has always been the basic flaw in the conservative narrative that liberals were waging some kind of cultural war on Thanksgiving .
The irony , like everything with the conservative movement in this country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement in our country that has led to Thanksgiving being ruined for millions of Americans .
However , this year is different .
We are in the middle of an out-of-control pandemic that could have been mitigated at any point if the Republican Party could have seen its way to doing the most basic of leadership jobs .
Now , having done nothing except throw up their hands , the White House is telling Americans to prepare for their `` last Thanksgiving . ''
It 's important to note that if at any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and soon-to-be former president Donald Trump had just allowed their hearts to grow a couple sizes larger for a week or so , and sent out meaningful stimulus that did n't just line the wealthiest sectors of society 's pockets , Donald Trump would likely still be president for the next four years .
Let 's talk about Thanksgiving , and why the only `` war '' that could ever be `` waged '' against it is a Republican-enabled pandemic .
Some people look upon it as a day of mourning : a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost as Europeans , fleeing their own political oppression , visited their violence and bigotries on the Native American communities they encountered .
For others in our country it is a time to take an audit of friends and family .
Some people cook a big turkey .
For some it means a big ham .
For others it means trying out new dishes and experimenting with recipes usually deemed too ambitious to try otherwise .
Some people travel long distances .
For many it means cleaning up one 's living space in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are n't living in chaos .
For some it means seeing people they see but once or twice a year .
It can be potluck , and you will be forced to eat that side dish you loathe that is made by that relative you love .
It can be the one time of year that your grandmother , your mother , your cousin , or your father makes that one dish you love so much .
It might be the one time all of your parents ' siblings are in the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time that you get to eat 1,000 different kinds of pies .
It may be the biggest cheat day in your diet .
Maybe it 's the time of year where you have that drink you do n't normally have any more .
Maybe it 's all about watching football on television , or it 's about starting a new tradition with your new family and your new friends and your new community .
Maybe it 's a day off from work .
Maybe it 's a long weekend trip for you .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those things .
Instead , it 's a pandemic .
Every one of us will celebrate it or not celebrate it in our own way—in many cases , a different way than previous years .
But every American will definitely do one thing on Thanksgiving Day this year , and that is hope that next year is different and better and safer , and that the loved ones we are unable to see now will still be with us when the post COVID-19 pandemic celebrations begin .

It is Thanksgiving. Like every holiday in the world, individuals and families celebrate it or don't celebrate it in their own way. Christmas is similar—you may celebrate it, or you may not. But one thing is for sure: Whichever holidays you and yours celebrate together or apart, you do it differently than everybody else. This fundamental fact has always been the basic flaw in the conservative narrative that liberals were waging some kind of cultural war on Thanksgiving. The irony, like everything with the conservative movement in this country, is that it's the conservative movement in our country that has led to Thanksgiving being ruined for millions of Americans.
However, this year is different. We are in the middle of an out-of-control pandemic that could have been mitigated at any point if the Republican Party could have seen its way to doing the most basic of leadership jobs. Now, having done nothing except throw up their hands, the White House is telling Americans to prepare for their "last Thanksgiving." It's important to note that if at any time, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and soon-to-be former president Donald Trump had just allowed their hearts to grow a couple sizes larger for a week or so, and sent out meaningful stimulus that didn't just line the wealthiest sectors of society's pockets, Donald Trump would likely still be president for the next four years.
Let's talk about Thanksgiving, and why the only "war" that could ever be "waged" against it is a Republican-enabled pandemic. Some people look upon it as a day of mourning: a time to remember the lives and culture lost as Europeans, fleeing their own political oppression, visited their violence and bigotries on the Native American communities they encountered. For others in our country it is a time to take an audit of friends and family.
Some people cook a big turkey. For some it means a big ham. For others it means trying out new dishes and experimenting with recipes usually deemed too ambitious to try otherwise. Some people travel long distances. For many it means cleaning up one's living space in order to give the impression that you aren't living in chaos. For some it means seeing people they see but once or twice a year. It can be potluck, and you will be forced to eat that side dish you loathe that is made by that relative you love. It can be the one time of year that your grandmother, your mother, your cousin, or your father makes that one dish you love so much.
It might be the one time all of your parents' siblings are in the same space. It may be the one time that you get to eat 1,000 different kinds of pies. It may be the biggest cheat day in your diet. Maybe it's the time of year where you have that drink you don't normally have any more. Maybe it's all about watching football on television, or it's about starting a new tradition with your new family and your new friends and your new community.
Maybe it's a day off from work. Maybe it's a long weekend trip for you.
This year, it isn't any of those things. Instead, it's a pandemic. Every one of us will celebrate it or not celebrate it in our own way—in many cases, a different way than previous years. But every American will definitely do one thing on Thanksgiving Day this year, and that is hope that next year is different and better and safer, and that the loved ones we are unable to see now will still be with us when the post COVID-19 pandemic celebrations begin.


alternet--2020-11-27--Here’s how Democrats can break through the GOP's 'impenetrable red curtain over rural America'

The Democratic National Committee was hoping the 2020 election would be so vehement a repudiation of Trumpism that Democrats would recapture the U.S. Senate and substantially increase their majority in the U.S. House of Representatives .
But that blue tsunami did n't materialize .
Although President-elect Biden enjoyed a decisive victory — winning 306 electoral votes and defeating President Donald Trump by more than 6 million in the popular vote — the Democratic House majority shrunk , and the future of the Senate is still up in the air ( depending on what happens in two Senate runoffs in Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ronald Brownstein , in an article published on November 27 , argues that Democrats ' majority in the House has become shaky and outlines some things he believes they need to do to prevent Republicans from retaking the House in 2022 .
`` Joe Biden marked an unexpected and unwanted milestone this month when he won a clear popular-vote majority in the presidential election but saw his party suffer substantial losses in the House of Representatives , '' Brownstein explains .
`` That unusual combination of results — the first time it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crystallizes the core challenge Democrats face in translating their consistent victories in the popular vote into congressional power . ''
Although the GOP slightly increased its Senate majority in 2018 , Democrats enjoyed a blue tsunami in the House that year with a net gain of 40 seats .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been overseeing a very big tent in 2019 and 2020 — one ranging from centrists like Rep. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia to staunch progressives such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York City , Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Brownstein describes the Democratic coalition in the House as `` deep but narrow '' in `` geographic terms . ''
`` The ( Democratic ) Party has consolidated its hold on the nation 's largest metropolitan centers , which allows it to amass substantial popular-vote victories , '' Brownstein notes .
`` But it has systematically declined in the smaller places beyond them — a dynamic that 's intensified during Donald Trump 's polarizing presidency . ''
Moreover , Brownstein warns , `` the GOP 's red curtain over Rural America looks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Atlantic senior editor observes , `` While Democrats will still run the House ( in 2021 ) , Republicans ' unanticipated gains there underscore how the growing concentration of the Democrats ' political support into a few large places threatens their position in that chamber as well .
With three House seats still to be decided — one each in California , Iowa and New York — Republicans have substantially narrowed the majority that the Democrats amassed in their 2018 sweep .
So far , Democrats will control 222 House seats and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the balance was 232 Democrats to 197 Republicans , with one libertarian and five vacancies . ''
Brownstein points out that although Democrats `` have now won the popular vote in seven of the past eight presidential elections , '' their `` support in exurban , small-town , and rural regions has collapsed . ''
And he wraps up his piece by emphasizing that if Democrats want to keep the House in 2022 , they will need to work extra hard in `` newly blue suburban areas '' and try to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which will be challenging .
`` For Democrats , the surest way to defend their House majority may be to rebuild their capacity to compete in at least a few more small-town and rural districts , '' Brownstein argues .
`` That proved impossible with Trump polarizing the electorate so sharply along cultural lines .
The future of the House Democratic majority may depend on whether Biden succeeds in his uphill quest to lower the temperature of partisan conflict and narrow the nation 's gaping political divides . ''

The Democratic National Committee was hoping the 2020 election would be so vehement a repudiation of Trumpism that Democrats would recapture the U.S. Senate and substantially increase their majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. But that blue tsunami didn't materialize. Although President-elect Biden enjoyed a decisive victory — winning 306 electoral votes and defeating President Donald Trump by more than 6 million in the popular vote — the Democratic House majority shrunk, and the future of the Senate is still up in the air (depending on what happens in two Senate runoffs in Georgia in January). The Atlantic's Ronald Brownstein, in an article published on November 27, argues that Democrats' majority in the House has become shaky and outlines some things he believes they need to do to prevent Republicans from retaking the House in 2022.
"Joe Biden marked an unexpected and unwanted milestone this month when he won a clear popular-vote majority in the presidential election but saw his party suffer substantial losses in the House of Representatives," Brownstein explains. "That unusual combination of results — the first time it's happened in more than 120 years — crystallizes the core challenge Democrats face in translating their consistent victories in the popular vote into congressional power."
Although the GOP slightly increased its Senate majority in 2018, Democrats enjoyed a blue tsunami in the House that year with a net gain of 40 seats. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been overseeing a very big tent in 2019 and 2020 — one ranging from centrists like Rep. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia to staunch progressives such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York City, Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington State and Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota.
Brownstein describes the Democratic coalition in the House as "deep but narrow" in "geographic terms."
"The (Democratic) Party has consolidated its hold on the nation's largest metropolitan centers, which allows it to amass substantial popular-vote victories," Brownstein notes. "But it has systematically declined in the smaller places beyond them — a dynamic that's intensified during Donald Trump's polarizing presidency."
Moreover, Brownstein warns, "the GOP's red curtain over Rural America looks almost impenetrable at this point."
The Atlantic senior editor observes, "While Democrats will still run the House (in 2021), Republicans' unanticipated gains there underscore how the growing concentration of the Democrats' political support into a few large places threatens their position in that chamber as well. With three House seats still to be decided — one each in California, Iowa and New York — Republicans have substantially narrowed the majority that the Democrats amassed in their 2018 sweep. So far, Democrats will control 222 House seats and Republicans 210; immediately before the election, the balance was 232 Democrats to 197 Republicans, with one libertarian and five vacancies."
Brownstein points out that although Democrats "have now won the popular vote in seven of the past eight presidential elections," their "support in exurban, small-town, and rural regions has collapsed." And he wraps up his piece by emphasizing that if Democrats want to keep the House in 2022, they will need to work extra hard in "newly blue suburban areas" and try to make inroads in rural areas as well — which will be challenging.
"For Democrats, the surest way to defend their House majority may be to rebuild their capacity to compete in at least a few more small-town and rural districts," Brownstein argues. "That proved impossible with Trump polarizing the electorate so sharply along cultural lines. The future of the House Democratic majority may depend on whether Biden succeeds in his uphill quest to lower the temperature of partisan conflict and narrow the nation's gaping political divides."


alternet--2020-11-27--Americans angered about footing the bill after photo shows Trump kids at Camp David 'on the taxpayer

Americans angered about footing the bill after photo shows Trump kids at Camp David 'on the taxpayer dime'

Many Americans are responding with anger over a photo tweeted out late Thanksgiving night of President Donald Trump 's adult children and their spouses sitting around a fire at Camp David , while the president was at the White House .
Since 1942 Camp David has served as a presidential retreat , and is a military installation staffed mostly by members of the Navy and Marines .
The Trump children vacationing there requires more service members to work that day .
The photo was tweeted by Dan Scavino , a close associate to the president who first worked for Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Today he is the White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications and Director of Social Media .
In the photo are Donald Trump , Jr. , who recently tested positive for coronavirus .
He appears to be accompanied by his girlfriend , Kimberly Guilfoyle , who battled the virus over the summer .
Also present are Ivanka Trump and husband Jared Kushner , Eric Trump and wife Lara Trump , and Tiffany Trump .
Two other men are also seated by the fire .
Here 's how some are responding to the @ @ @

Many Americans are responding with anger over a photo tweeted out late Thanksgiving night of President Donald Trump's adult children and their spouses sitting around a fire at Camp David, while the president was at the White House.
Since 1942 Camp David has served as a presidential retreat, and is a military installation staffed mostly by members of the Navy and Marines. The Trump children vacationing there requires more service members to work that day.
The photo was tweeted by Dan Scavino, a close associate to the president who first worked for Trump as a caddy, in 1992. Today he is the White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications and Director of Social Media.
In the photo are Donald Trump, Jr., who recently tested positive for coronavirus. He appears to be accompanied by his girlfriend, Kimberly Guilfoyle, who battled the virus over the summer. Also present are Ivanka Trump and husband Jared Kushner, Eric Trump and wife Lara Trump, and Tiffany Trump. Two other men are also seated by the fire.
Here's how some are responding to the Thanksgiving photo.


alternet--2020-11-27--Biden's win was just a sugar high. Here's why we need to take Trump's coup seriously

Is Donald Trump still attempting a coup with the intention of remaining in power indefinitely ?
Yes .
`` I quit '' is a phrase that does not appear in the authoritarian 's handbook .
Trump has announced his coup in public , which is a major reason why most people are not taking it seriously .
The president has repeatedly stated that the 2020 presidential election is illegitimate , and should be disregarded because he is not the winner .
Given that he is a compulsive liar , on that one matter Trump has been remarkably consistent .
Moreover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his intent to engage in a coup , and other extralegal or illegal efforts to subvert any election where he does not win .
Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump by more than 6 million votes , and has also received 306 votes to Trump 's 232 in the Electoral College .
Both outcomes are a mandate from the American people that the Age of Trump is over and its leader should be left on the ash-heap of history , a nightmare to be awakened from .
In response , Trump 's agents and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuits on Trump 's behalf claiming that he lost because of `` voter fraud , '' `` fake ballots '' and other conspiracies , They have threatened violence and an `` uprising '' against Biden and the Democrats .
Trump has not conceded defeat and under legal pressure is now only begrudgingly offering assistance in the transition of power .
He is creating an overall environment of political instability , putting his most stalwart loyalists in key national security positions .
As befits a political strongman and neofascist , Trump continues punishing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's economy and literally killing thousands of people each day through a campaign of negligence and sabotage in response to the coronavirus pandemic .
As the Age of Trump shambles toward its conclusion , the United States has again shown itself to be far from exceptional .
Trump 's coup attempt has put the country and its democracy in a state of limbo and `` zombie politics . ''
In a new essay at the New York Review of Books , Fintan O'Toole explains : In response to these events , the American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the most part , are continuing with the same errors in analysis and narrative that helped to elect Trump in 2016 and then normalized his assaults on democracy and the rule of law for the next four years .
They are mocking Trump 's defeats in the courts and describing them as though they are sporting events with a running tally of wins and losses .
It is assumed to be a fait accompli that Biden is taking office in January .
Trump is said to be `` flailing '' and `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is `` pathetic '' and `` embarrassing . ''
Trump 's coup attempt is `` disorganized , '' as are his supporters with their supposed `` low morale . ''
The possibility that Trump and his agents could find some way to alter the vote count and the assigned electors in key states such as Pennsylvania and Michigan is treated as an absurdity : `` The law '' and `` the courts '' would never allow such an outcome .
This is a form of political comfort food or sugar high , feeding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media , the political class and the American people for a return to normalcy .
But on some basic level they must know that Trump 's attacks on democracy are abnormal and very dangerous .
Denial helped to birth Trumpism ; failure to confront that denial means Trumpism will continue in America long after the man himself is gone .
In reality , Donald Trump , his Republican Party and their allies are playing a different game , one entirely outside of `` normal politics '' and the `` folk theories of democracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other political elites worship like a religion .
Donald Trump and his movement 's real goal is to make invalid any future election where Republicans do not win .
The attacks on the 2020 election are also part of a strategy which has shown itself to be successful in the extreme .
Republican voters are being conditioned to view the Biden administration as having no legal authority because Trump was `` betrayed . ''
The net effect will be to encourage political violence and other acts of resistance by Trump 's supporters and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essay for Medium , Indi Samarajiva reflects on his experience with the attempted coup in Sri Lanka in 2018 and issues a warning : American democracy is very sick .
The jubilance and celebration at Trump 's apparent defeat on Election Day were highly premature .
Biden 's victory was a drug that temporarily masked the pain of a democracy in critical condition .
The patient can live `` normally '' until the high of the drug wears off .
The crash will be extreme and horrible , almost beyond imagination , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The truth of what Trump and his neofascist movement have revealed about America 's failures and vulnerabilities must be confronted if that civic disease is to be purged from the country 's body politic .
The reckoning must also include an assessment of the character and behavior of the tens of millions of Americans who voted for Trump and continue to support him .
On these questions of healing and what comes next after the Age of Trump , Ruth Ben-Ghiat , a leading historian of fascism , had this to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , American neofascism as mainstreamed by Donald Trump and his followers is a slow-acting poison .
Trump 's coup attempt is one more sign that it is working .

Is Donald Trump still attempting a coup with the intention of remaining in power indefinitely?
Yes. "I quit" is a phrase that does not appear in the authoritarian's handbook.
Trump has announced his coup in public, which is a major reason why most people are not taking it seriously.
The president has repeatedly stated that the 2020 presidential election is illegitimate, and should be disregarded because he is not the winner. Given that he is a compulsive liar, on that one matter Trump has been remarkably consistent. Moreover, he signaled as early as 2016 his intent to engage in a coup, and other extralegal or illegal efforts to subvert any election where he does not win.
Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump by more than 6 million votes, and has also received 306 votes to Trump's 232 in the Electoral College. Both outcomes are a mandate from the American people that the Age of Trump is over and its leader should be left on the ash-heap of history, a nightmare to be awakened from.
In response, Trump's agents and followers are staging public protests, filing lawsuits on Trump's behalf claiming that he lost because of "voter fraud," "fake ballots" and other conspiracies, They have threatened violence and an "uprising" against Biden and the Democrats. Trump has not conceded defeat and under legal pressure is now only begrudgingly offering assistance in the transition of power. He is creating an overall environment of political instability, putting his most stalwart loyalists in key national security positions. As befits a political strongman and neofascist, Trump continues punishing the American people by further damaging the nation's economy and literally killing thousands of people each day through a campaign of negligence and sabotage in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
As the Age of Trump shambles toward its conclusion, the United States has again shown itself to be far from exceptional. Trump's coup attempt has put the country and its democracy in a state of limbo and "zombie politics."
In a new essay at the New York Review of Books, Fintan O'Toole explains:
It is impossible not to think, in this in-between moment, of Antonio Gramsci: "The crisis consists precisely in the fact that the old is dying and the new cannot be born; in this interregnum a great variety of morbid symptoms appear." Something is dying, but we do not yet know what. Is it the basic idea of majority rule or is it the most coherent attempt to destroy that idea since the secession of the Confederacy? Something is trying to be born, but we cannot yet say what it is either. Is it an American version of the "managed democracy" or "electoral autocracy" that is the most rapidly expanding political form around the world? Or is it a radically renewed republic that can finally deal with the unfinished business of its history? The old is in a state of suspended animation; the new stands at a threshold it cannot yet cross. …
If Trump is eventually removed from the Oval Office, the study of revenge and immortal hate, not sober self-criticism, will be the response in Trumpworld. There will be no chastening, just a further injection of resentment and conspiracy-mongering.
This is zombie politics — the life-after-death of a former conservative party. And as Gothic stories tell us, it is very hard to kill the undead. One half of a two-party system has passed over into a post-democratic state.
In response to these events, the American mainstream news media and the commentariat, for the most part, are continuing with the same errors in analysis and narrative that helped to elect Trump in 2016 and then normalized his assaults on democracy and the rule of law for the next four years.
They are mocking Trump's defeats in the courts and describing them as though they are sporting events with a running tally of wins and losses. It is assumed to be a fait accompli that Biden is taking office in January. Trump is said to be "flailing" and "throwing tantrums"; and his behavior is "pathetic" and "embarrassing." Trump's coup attempt is "disorganized," as are his supporters with their supposed "low morale."
The possibility that Trump and his agents could find some way to alter the vote count and the assigned electors in key states such as Pennsylvania and Michigan is treated as an absurdity: "The law" and "the courts" would never allow such an outcome.
This is a form of political comfort food or sugar high, feeding a desperate hunger from the mainstream news media, the political class and the American people for a return to normalcy. But on some basic level they must know that Trump's attacks on democracy are abnormal and very dangerous.
Denial helped to birth Trumpism; failure to confront that denial means Trumpism will continue in America long after the man himself is gone.
In reality, Donald Trump, his Republican Party and their allies are playing a different game, one entirely outside of "normal politics" and the "folk theories of democracy" that the Fourth Estate and many other political elites worship like a religion.
Donald Trump and his movement's real goal is to make invalid any future election where Republicans do not win.
The attacks on the 2020 election are also part of a strategy which has shown itself to be successful in the extreme. Republican voters are being conditioned to view the Biden administration as having no legal authority because Trump was "betrayed." The net effect will be to encourage political violence and other acts of resistance by Trump's supporters and other Republican voters.
In a new essay for Medium, Indi Samarajiva reflects on his experience with the attempted coup in Sri Lanka in 2018 and issues a warning:
The tragic thing which you do not understand — which you cannot understand — is that you've already lost. You cannot know exactly what — that's the nature of chaos — but know this. You will lose more than you can bear.
We lost our children, playing at church. We lost our friends, sitting down to brunch. Muslims lost their dignity and rights. Your Republicans have set forces into play they cannot possibly understand and certainly cannot control. And they don't even want to. To them, chaos is a ladder. …
What I can tell you — what anyone who's experienced this can tell you — is that it's going to be bad. I didn't know that churches and hotels would blow up on Easter Sunday, but I know now. I'm trying to tell you in advance. You've opened up a Pandora's box of instability. All kinds of demons come out.
I have lived through a coup. It felt like what you're feeling now. Like watching something stupid and just waiting for it to go away. But it doesn't go away. You can forget about it, but it doesn't go away.
There's a ticking bomb at the heart of your democracy now. Your government, the very idea of governance is fatally wounded. Chaos has been planted at its heart. I don't know what this chaos will grow into, but I can promise you this. It won't be good.
American democracy is very sick. The jubilance and celebration at Trump's apparent defeat on Election Day were highly premature. Biden's victory was a drug that temporarily masked the pain of a democracy in critical condition. The patient can live "normally" until the high of the drug wears off. The crash will be extreme and horrible, almost beyond imagination, because the underlying disease has not been addressed.
The truth of what Trump and his neofascist movement have revealed about America's failures and vulnerabilities must be confronted if that civic disease is to be purged from the country's body politic. The reckoning must also include an assessment of the character and behavior of the tens of millions of Americans who voted for Trump and continue to support him.
On these questions of healing and what comes next after the Age of Trump, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a leading historian of fascism, had this to say in a recent phone conversation:
We are going to need a lot of grassroots education to help people understand what nefarious influence they were under with Trump. One of the saddest truths is that these men despise the people who love them. They disdain them for giving them their power. Many of us have been amazed that with the pandemic it's been very obvious he doesn't care if they die. He truly doesn't care if you live or die. Helping people to see that will be important to getting them back to the cause of good government, government that cares about public welfare. That's very different than building bridges to forgive people and saying, "OK, well we'll just put your racism behind us." That's not at all what I advocate.
Ultimately, American neofascism as mainstreamed by Donald Trump and his followers is a slow-acting poison. Trump's coup attempt is one more sign that it is working.