alternet--2020-10-10--The week Donald Trump lost the election

The week Donald Trump lost the election

After the debate , he could n't hide what an asshole he is .
After he got sick , he could n't hide how weak he is .
Trump was already down in the polls , both nationally and in many swing states , and after his unhinged performance in the debate with Joe Biden last week , his people knew he would lose more ground .
Sure enough , two days later , an had Biden up by 14 points , 53 % to 39 % , among registered voters .
Biden 's margin among women was 20 points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he led by 27 , 60 % to 33 % .
A CNN poll conducted at the same time , and largely after Trump first tested positive for the COVID virus , had Biden up over Trump by 16 points , 57 % to 41 % .
Women in the CNN poll , who a month ago favored Biden by 20 points , now favored him by 34 points , 66 % to 32 % .
By last weekend , Trump was tanking in the polls , he was sick with COVID @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So what did he do ?
Almost immediately after leaving Walter Reed Medical Center and making his mock-Mussolini triumphant return to the White House , he tweeted an end to any possible new stimulus package for COVID relief , calling off negotiations with Democrats .
There are more than 213,000 dead from the virus , new coronavirus cases are averaging 45,000 a day over the last week , and there were 53,000 new cases on Thursday alone .
, `` the virus is spreading uncontrollably '' in the Midwest , new cases are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths are still hovering around 900 to 1000 a day . ''
Schools are shutting down in some places after reopening in August and September , some cities are closing bars and restaurants , and there were 840,000 new claims for unemployment last week .
This is the COVID election , folks .
But Trump has treated the virus with disdain and `` played it down '' from the beginning .
First , he denied it was a problem at all and tried to wish it away .
On Feb. 26 , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , and the 15 within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero , that 's a pretty good job we 've done . ''
Thirty-four times , Trump has said the virus was going to `` go away '' or `` disappear . ''
He and members of his administration , including Vice President Mike Pence , outright refused to wear masks to protect themselves and others around them , most recently at the infamous `` super-spreader '' Rose Garden announcement of Amy Coney Barrett 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own family flouted the mask rule at the debate with Joe Biden .
Now , with more than 30 people in his own White House testing positive for COVID , including himself , Trump is trying to play down the virus 's ability to kill .
In a bizarre video made at the White House just after his release from Walter Reed , Trump told people `` do n't be afraid '' of the virus , and `` do n't let it dominate you . ''
It was pure , unadulterated macho posturing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appearance over reality , a version of `` strength '' in quotes that he seems to have absorbed from Cold War era dictators and Lone Ranger-style go-your-own-way westerns .
You have the feeling that every day he wakes up and sees himself as George C. Scott in `` Patton , '' standing alone in front of a gigantic American flag , growling a bunch of macho nonsense .
But think about it : He had a perfect opportunity to pivot and put himself on a course to win this election going away .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House and saluting God-only-knows-what , Trump could have used the occasion of his COVID infection to change his tone .
and , He could have kept his mask on and made a short video in which he told his fellow Americans , OK .
I get it .
I caught the virus , and it 's a really bad thing , and here 's what we can do together to put this thing away for good .
Instead of goading his base to follow him over a cliff , he could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sympathy and support .
He could have looked into the eye of the camera and said that getting sick with the virus has made him understand how tough it 's been on everyone .
I realize that I 've had the privilege of the best health care in America at Walter Reed , treatments that are not normally available .
And for that reason , from now on , we 're going to cover COVID for everyone .
All testing for the virus will be free , and the federal government will cover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone who comes down with the virus .
Vaccines , when available , will be given for free , and every new drug developed to treat the virus will be provided to patients for free .
Then he could have announced that he was going to pick up the phone and make a deal for $ 3 trillion to help his fellow Americans cope with the fallout from the virus .
He could have agreed to restart supplemental unemployment payments , provide help to state and local governments to make up for reduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to every taxpayer for another $ 1,200 , include help for the airlines , provide tax relief and send cash to small business owners to get them through the next few months until a vaccine can begin to reopen normal business for everyone .
He could even have included a couple hundred billion specifically ear-marked for child care to make a direct appeal to the women whose support he has sand-blasted away from himself every time he opens his mouth .
Sure , it would have blown up the deficit , but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deficit has already been exploded not once but twice , with his only-for-the zillionaires tax cut and the last stimulus bill .
Republicans facing re-election battles at least as tough as Trump 's , or worse , would have embraced his Big Giveaway with open arms .
It would have been like dropping trillions of dollars into the campaign chest of the Republican Party .
Democrats , who have already passed a $ 2.2 trillion bill in the House , would have been forced to go along with it .
Trump could have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Biden would have been left to endorse a plan he knew would benefit his opponent far more than himself and his fellow Democrats .
That 's the way Trump could have turned his illness into his October surprise .
Instead of running from reality , he could have embraced it .
He could have confronted the virus he has lied about for nine months and transformed a hit on himself into help for everyone else .
Instead , he 's troweling on the pancake makeup and telling lies about how long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many more White House staffers have tested positive , and now he 's refusing to debate Joe Biden in front of 80 million voters he absolutely needs to pull himself out of the hole he 's dug .
With only three weeks to go , this is the one we 'll look back on as the week Donald Trump lost the election .

After the debate, he couldn't hide what an asshole he is. After he got sick, he couldn't hide how weak he is.
Trump was already down in the polls, both nationally and in many swing states, and after his unhinged performance in the debate with Joe Biden last week, his people knew he would lose more ground. Sure enough, two days later, an NBC/Wall Street Journal national poll had Biden up by 14 points, 53% to 39%, among registered voters. Biden's margin among women was 20 points last month; in the new poll, he led by 27, 60% to 33%.
A CNN poll conducted at the same time , and largely after Trump first tested positive for the COVID virus, had Biden up over Trump by 16 points, 57% to 41%. Women in the CNN poll, who a month ago favored Biden by 20 points, now favored him by 34 points, 66% to 32%.
By last weekend, Trump was tanking in the polls, he was sick with COVID and he was in the hospital. So what did he do? Almost immediately after leaving Walter Reed Medical Center and making his mock-Mussolini triumphant return to the White House, he tweeted an end to any possible new stimulus package for COVID relief, calling off negotiations with Democrats.
There are more than 213,000 dead from the virus, new coronavirus cases are averaging 45,000 a day over the last week, and there were 53,000 new cases on Thursday alone. According to National Geographic , "the virus is spreading uncontrollably" in the Midwest, new cases are up in 15 states, and "deaths are still hovering around 900 to 1000 a day."
Schools are shutting down in some places after reopening in August and September, some cities are closing bars and restaurants, and there were 840,000 new claims for unemployment last week.
This is the COVID election, folks.
But Trump has treated the virus with disdain and "played it down" from the beginning. First, he denied it was a problem at all and tried to wish it away. On Feb. 26, he said, "When you have 15 people, and the 15 within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero, that's a pretty good job we've done." Thirty-four times, Trump has said the virus was going to "go away" or "disappear." He and members of his administration, including Vice President Mike Pence, outright refused to wear masks to protect themselves and others around them, most recently at the infamous "super-spreader" Rose Garden announcement of Amy Coney Barrett's nomination to the Supreme Court. His own family flouted the mask rule at the debate with Joe Biden.
Now, with more than 30 people in his own White House testing positive for COVID, including himself, Trump is trying to play down the virus's ability to kill.
In a bizarre video made at the White House just after his release from Walter Reed, Trump told people "don't be afraid" of the virus, and "don't let it dominate you." It was pure, unadulterated macho posturing and angry denialism, an obsession with appearance over reality, a version of "strength" in quotes that he seems to have absorbed from Cold War era dictators and Lone Ranger-style go-your-own-way westerns. You have the feeling that every day he wakes up and sees himself as George C. Scott in "Patton," standing alone in front of a gigantic American flag, growling a bunch of macho nonsense.
But think about it: He had a perfect opportunity to pivot and put himself on a course to win this election going away. Instead of standing on the balcony of the White House and saluting God-only-knows-what, Trump could have used the occasion of his COVID infection to change his tone. and, He could have kept his mask on and made a short video in which he told his fellow Americans, OK. I get it. I caught the virus, and it's a really bad thing, and here's what we can do together to put this thing away for good.
Instead of goading his base to follow him over a cliff, he could have sought out and doubtlessly received their sympathy and support. He could have looked into the eye of the camera and said that getting sick with the virus has made him understand how tough it's been on everyone. I realize that I've had the privilege of the best health care in America at Walter Reed, treatments that are not normally available. And for that reason, from now on, we're going to cover COVID for everyone. All testing for the virus will be free, and the federal government will cover 100 percent of the cost of treating everyone who comes down with the virus. Vaccines, when available, will be given for free, and every new drug developed to treat the virus will be provided to patients for free.
Then he could have announced that he was going to pick up the phone and make a deal for $3 trillion to help his fellow Americans cope with the fallout from the virus. He could have agreed to restart supplemental unemployment payments, provide help to state and local governments to make up for reduced tax revenues, send out new checks to every taxpayer for another $1,200, include help for the airlines, provide tax relief and send cash to small business owners to get them through the next few months until a vaccine can begin to reopen normal business for everyone. He could even have included a couple hundred billion specifically ear-marked for child care to make a direct appeal to the women whose support he has sand-blasted away from himself every time he opens his mouth.
Sure, it would have blown up the deficit, but it's not his money, and the deficit has already been exploded not once but twice, with his only-for-the zillionaires tax cut and the last stimulus bill. Republicans facing re-election battles at least as tough as Trump's, or worse, would have embraced his Big Giveaway with open arms. It would have been like dropping trillions of dollars into the campaign chest of the Republican Party. Democrats, who have already passed a $2.2 trillion bill in the House, would have been forced to go along with it. Trump could have put his name on the whole thing, and Biden would have been left to endorse a plan he knew would benefit his opponent far more than himself and his fellow Democrats.
That's the way Trump could have turned his illness into his October surprise. Instead of running from reality, he could have embraced it. He could have confronted the virus he has lied about for nine months and transformed a hit on himself into help for everyone else.
Instead, he's troweling on the pancake makeup and telling lies about how long he's had the virus and how many more White House staffers have tested positive, and now he's refusing to debate Joe Biden in front of 80 million voters he absolutely needs to pull himself out of the hole he's dug. With only three weeks to go, this is the one we'll look back on as the week Donald Trump lost the election.


alternet--2020-10-10--Radicalized right-wingers uniting online -- many inspired by Trump -- threaten democracy overseas

Australian researchers published a study this week mapping the online activity of right-wing extremists in New South Wales , concluding such individuals—many of them inspired by U.S. President Donald Trump—pose an `` insidious '' threat to the country 's democracy .
The study , Mapping Networks and Narratives of Online Right-Wing Extremists in New South Wales , was conducted by researchers at Macquarie University and Victoria University , who analyzed the Facebook pages of 30 extreme right-wing groups and tens of thousands of tweets from over 3,300 users in the southeastern state .
The researchers found that on numerous social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Gab , 4chan , and 8chan/kun—communities of mostly young men are uniting over `` the theme of white identity under threat . ''
Anti-semitism , Islamophobia , and far-right conspiracy theories like QAnon are common narratives used to engage and recruit young men into extremist groups , the study found .
Trump plays a significant role in the conversation , according to Macquarie University researcher Julian Droogan .
`` Trump is really held up as an example of a defender of white identity by many in this extreme subculture , '' Droogan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we also see it being presented in a distinctly Australian way . ''
The researchers found that right-wing extremism fueled by social media poses a serious threat to Australian democracy .
`` The propagation of extremist narratives online serves to polarize political debate , and to undermine trust in institutions and democracy , '' the study asserts .
`` Social media is playing a key role in the rise of right-wing violent extremism . ''
As an example , the authors cite the Christchurch terror attack , in which a Trump-supporting Australian white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worshipping in a New Zealand mosque last March .
The researchers call on Australian leaders to work to safeguard the nation 's political system `` from these very insidious and ongoing threats . ''
The rise in right-wing extremism is reflected in statements from the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation , Australia 's domestic spy agency , which recently revealed that up to 40 % of its counter-terrorism cases now involve far-right extremism .

Australian researchers published a study this week mapping the online activity of right-wing extremists in New South Wales, concluding such individuals—many of them inspired by U.S. President Donald Trump—pose an "insidious" threat to the country's democracy.
The study, Mapping Networks and Narratives of Online Right-Wing Extremists in New South Wales, was conducted by researchers at Macquarie University and Victoria University, who analyzed the Facebook pages of 30 extreme right-wing groups and tens of thousands of tweets from over 3,300 users in the southeastern state.
The researchers found that on numerous social media platforms—including Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, Gab, 4chan, and 8chan/kun—communities of mostly young men are uniting over "the theme of white identity under threat."
Anti-semitism, Islamophobia, and far-right conspiracy theories like QAnon are common narratives used to engage and recruit young men into extremist groups, the study found. Trump plays a significant role in the conversation, according to Macquarie University researcher Julian Droogan.
"Trump is really held up as an example of a defender of white identity by many in this extreme subculture," Droogan toldThe Guardian. "However, we also see it being presented in a distinctly Australian way."
The researchers found that right-wing extremism fueled by social media poses a serious threat to Australian democracy.
"The propagation of extremist narratives online serves to polarize political debate, and to undermine trust in institutions and democracy," the study asserts. "Social media is playing a key role in the rise of right-wing violent extremism."
As an example, the authors cite the Christchurch terror attack, in which a Trump-supporting Australian white supremacist livestreamed his massacre of 51 Muslims worshipping in a New Zealand mosque last March.
The researchers call on Australian leaders to work to safeguard the nation's political system "from these very insidious and ongoing threats."
The rise in right-wing extremism is reflected in statements from the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation, Australia's domestic spy agency, which recently revealed that up to 40% of its counter-terrorism cases now involve far-right extremism.


alternet--2020-10-10--The Squad questions why death threats against Republican lives are taken more seriously than theirs

Tweets hoping that Donald Trump dies have been circulating on Twitter since last Friday , after Trump tweeted confirming he tested positive for COVID-19 on Oct. 2 .
But instead of ignoring them , as Twitter does for many comments and threats directed at people of color , the social media giant retweeted a post mentioning that tweets referencing death wishes are against its policies .
`` Tweets that wish or hope for death , serious bodily harm or fatal disease against *anyone* are not allowed and will need to be removed , '' the post said .
The post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter of having a double standard when it comes to threats affecting white individuals and people of color .
Democratic Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , Ilhan Omar , Ayanna Pressley , and Rashida Tlaib—known as 'The Squad'—joined the conversation to express their views on the issue as well .
All four women of color serving in the House have faced a number of threats due to their identity and ideology .
`` So ... you mean to tell us you could 've done this the whole time ? ''
New York Rep. Ocasio-Cortez tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rep. Omar , who has received countless threats as the first hijab-wearing member of Congress , replied to the same announcement with a gif that read , `` Excuse me ? ''
Omar has made headlines throughout her fledgling career in Congress for being targeted by Trump , his supporters , and other Republicans for not being American enough .
False tweets have consistently been aimed at her , in which she has been depicted not only as burning the American flag but as a perpetrator of the Sept. 11 attacks .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should report it immediately in order for it to be addressed , according to The Hill , Omar has repeatedly taken to Twitter to share death threats , including one in August 2019 .
The policy is not new and death threats have always fallen under the category of abuse behavior policy on the site .
However , disparities are clear when it comes to which posts get removed and flagged , and how often .
`` We hear the voices who feel that we 're enforcing some policies inconsistently .
We agree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are working together inside to do so , '' Twitter 's Safety account noted .
Additionally , Trump has repeatedly called for Omar and other members of the squad to `` go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came '' in his history of racist and xenophobic tweets .
Yet no action has come as a result of his and his supporters ' repeated racist attacks , nasty language , and threats .
Although it should not matter , while Rep. Omar came to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pressley , Tlaib , and Ocasio-Cortez were all born in the U.S.—meaning the 'disastrous ' country Trump would like them to return to is his own .
`` Seriously though , this is messed up , '' Michigan Rep. Tlaib said in her own response .
`` The death threats towards us should have been taking [ sic ] more seriously by @ TwitterComms . ''
According to CNN , a quick search on Twitter still results in tweets from users calling for the death of the four congresswomen , with a majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I hope you both hang for TREASON ! ''
one tweet said .
Members of the Squad were n't the only ones noticing the difference in how the social media site responded to alleged threats against Trump .
`` Does this also go for Black and Brown women who have long been and continue to be harassed and threatened with assault and death on this platform or nah ?
I think no .
Because I see those same accounts still up .
Still causing harm .
Your *anyone* is disingenuous , '' filmmaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesperson for Twitter addressed the criticism to CNN and said : `` At Twitter , it is our top priority to improve the health of the public conversation , and that includes ensuring the safety of people who use our service .
Abuse and harassment have no place on Twitter . ''
Additionally , they said their policies `` do not tolerate content that wishes , hopes or expresses a desire for death , serious bodily harm or fatal disease against an individual or group of people .
If we identify accounts that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement action . ''
Funny how a quick search on Twitter finds abuse against the congresswomen easily , but the social media site claims that such content is removed when seen .
Twitter clearly has a double standard .
If that were n't true , content about the Proud Boys and other hate groups would also violate their terms and conditions .
Violence is n't tolerated in most spaces—until it comes to Black and brown lives .
Twitter needs to do better .
We , as America , need to do better .

Tweets hoping that Donald Trump dies have been circulating on Twitter since last Friday, after Trump tweeted confirming he tested positive for COVID-19 on Oct. 2. But instead of ignoring them, as Twitter does for many comments and threats directed at people of color, the social media giant retweeted a post mentioning that tweets referencing death wishes are against its policies. "Tweets that wish or hope for death, serious bodily harm or fatal disease against *anyone* are not allowed and will need to be removed," the post said.
The post quickly garnered criticism, with many accusing Twitter of having a double standard when it comes to threats affecting white individuals and people of color. Democratic Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, and Rashida Tlaib—known as 'The Squad'—joined the conversation to express their views on the issue as well. All four women of color serving in the House have faced a number of threats due to their identity and ideology. "So... you mean to tell us you could've done this the whole time?" New York Rep. Ocasio-Cortez tweeted in reply to the announcement.
Minnesota Rep. Omar, who has received countless threats as the first hijab-wearing member of Congress, replied to the same announcement with a gif that read, "Excuse me?" Omar has made headlines throughout her fledgling career in Congress for being targeted by Trump, his supporters, and other Republicans for not being American enough. False tweets have consistently been aimed at her, in which she has been depicted not only as burning the American flag but as a perpetrator of the Sept. 11 attacks.
While Twitter claims that anyone who encounters abuse should report it immediately in order for it to be addressed, according to The Hill, Omar has repeatedly taken to Twitter to share death threats, including one in August 2019. The policy is not new and death threats have always fallen under the category of abuse behavior policy on the site. However, disparities are clear when it comes to which posts get removed and flagged, and how often. "We hear the voices who feel that we're enforcing some policies inconsistently. We agree we must do better, and we are working together inside to do so," Twitter's Safety account noted.
Additionally, Trump has repeatedly called for Omar and other members of the squad to "go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came" in his history of racist and xenophobic tweets. Yet no action has come as a result of his and his supporters' repeated racist attacks, nasty language, and threats. Although it should not matter, while Rep. Omar came to the U.S. as a young refugee, Reps Pressley, Tlaib, and Ocasio-Cortez were all born in the U.S.—meaning the 'disastrous' country Trump would like them to return to is his own.
"Seriously though, this is messed up," Michigan Rep. Tlaib said in her own response. "The death threats towards us should have been taking [sic] more seriously by @TwitterComms."
According to CNN, a quick search on Twitter still results in tweets from users calling for the death of the four congresswomen, with a majority specifically addressing Tlaib and Omar. "I hope you both hang for TREASON!" one tweet said.
Members of the Squad weren't the only ones noticing the difference in how the social media site responded to alleged threats against Trump. "Does this also go for Black and Brown women who have long been and continue to be harassed and threatened with assault and death on this platform or nah? I think no. Because I see those same accounts still up. Still causing harm. Your *anyone* is disingenuous," filmmaker Ava DuVernay said on Twitter.
A spokesperson for Twitter addressed the criticism to CNN and said: "At Twitter, it is our top priority to improve the health of the public conversation, and that includes ensuring the safety of people who use our service. Abuse and harassment have no place on Twitter." Additionally, they said their policies "do not tolerate content that wishes, hopes or expresses a desire for death, serious bodily harm or fatal disease against an individual or group of people. If we identify accounts that violate these rules, we will take enforcement action."
Funny how a quick search on Twitter finds abuse against the congresswomen easily, but the social media site claims that such content is removed when seen. Twitter clearly has a double standard. If that weren't true, content about the Proud Boys and other hate groups would also violate their terms and conditions. Violence isn't tolerated in most spaces—until it comes to Black and brown lives. Twitter needs to do better. We, as America, need to do better.


alternet--2020-10-10--John Lennon’s brilliant 'Gimme Some Truth' is an urgent plea for 2020, too

It may be the latest in a long line of compilation packages devoted to the former Beatle , but John Lennon 's `` Gim me Some Truth '' picks up where 2018 's impressive `` Imagine '' box set left off in terms of high-quality mixes and supplemental materials .
In the multi-disc album 's title track , Lennon 's searing indictment of self-serving politicians and all around anti-humanists could n't be any more timely as 2020 slouches towards a ( hopefully ) merciful end .
`` I 'm sick and tired of hearing things , '' John sings in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` from uptight , short-sighted , narrow-minded hypocritics / All I want is the truth / Just give me some truth . ''
On its face , Lennon 's plea for honesty seems ineluctably simple .
But as decade after decade pile up in the years since his senseless murder , Lennon 's dictum seems even more prescient .
As the `` Gim me Some Truth '' collection demonstrates so emphatically , Lennon 's rage for authenticity typified much of his solo output , ranging from 1970 's `` Plastic Ono Band '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) and the posthumous `` Milk and Honey '' ( 1984 ) .
Curated by Yoko and Sean Lennon , `` Gim me Some Truth '' offers a wide array of the legendary songwriter 's standout tracks — hits and non-hits alike .
As with recent installments in the Beatles and solo Beatles remixes , `` Gim me Some Truth '' benefits from contemporary technology 's capacity for creating greater separation among the original recordings .
Take `` Nobody Told Me , '' for instance .
Listeners will marvel at the quality of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remix .
The same can be said for the quasi-rock spiritual `` God , '' which screeches and pops like never before as Lennon excoriates his Beatles past .
From early entries like `` Instant Karma '' and `` Love '' through selections from `` Double Fantasy , '' `` Gim me Some Truth '' provides a top-flight audio experience , particularly in the age of earbuds and all their attendant ubiquity .
`` Gim me Some Truth '' deserves special marks for its top-drawer commemorative book and liner notes , which place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ context .
Again , as with the `` Imagine '' deluxe edition , the present compilation takes great pains to elevate Lennon 's life and work—not as staid museum pieces , but rather , as vital cultural artifacts that continue to resonate even decades later as powerfully and refreshingly as they did all those years ago .

It may be the latest in a long line of compilation packages devoted to the former Beatle, but John Lennon's "Gimme Some Truth" picks up where 2018's impressive "Imagine" box set left off in terms of high-quality mixes and supplemental materials.
In the multi-disc album's title track, Lennon's searing indictment of self-serving politicians and all around anti-humanists couldn't be any more timely as 2020 slouches towards a (hopefully) merciful end. "I'm sick and tired of hearing things," John sings in "Gimme Some Truth," "from uptight, short-sighted, narrow-minded hypocritics / All I want is the truth / Just give me some truth." On its face, Lennon's plea for honesty seems ineluctably simple. But as decade after decade pile up in the years since his senseless murder, Lennon's dictum seems even more prescient.
As the "Gimme Some Truth" collection demonstrates so emphatically, Lennon's rage for authenticity typified much of his solo output, ranging from 1970's "Plastic Ono Band" through "Double Fantasy" (1980) and the posthumous "Milk and Honey" (1984). Curated by Yoko and Sean Lennon, "Gimme Some Truth" offers a wide array of the legendary songwriter's standout tracks — hits and non-hits alike. As with recent installments in the Beatles and solo Beatles remixes, "Gimme Some Truth" benefits from contemporary technology's capacity for creating greater separation among the original recordings.
Take "Nobody Told Me," for instance. Listeners will marvel at the quality of instrumental definition afforded by the edition's remix. The same can be said for the quasi-rock spiritual "God," which screeches and pops like never before as Lennon excoriates his Beatles past. From early entries like "Instant Karma" and "Love" through selections from "Double Fantasy," "Gimme Some Truth" provides a top-flight audio experience, particularly in the age of earbuds and all their attendant ubiquity.
"Gimme Some Truth" deserves special marks for its top-drawer commemorative book and liner notes, which place the 36 tracks in a valuable historical context. Again, as with the "Imagine" deluxe edition, the present compilation takes great pains to elevate Lennon's life and work—not as staid museum pieces, but rather, as vital cultural artifacts that continue to resonate even decades later as powerfully and refreshingly as they did all those years ago.


alternet--2020-10-11--Trump secured massive windfall then poured millions into 2016 campaign: Times report

The New York Times continued its explosive reporting on President Donald Trump 's tax records on Friday by divulging that he engineered an eight-figure windfall shortly before contributing $ 10 million to his `` self-funded '' 2016 presidential campaign—which sparked fresh calls for probing the president 's tax and business practices .
`` The more we learn about what Trump is hiding in his tax returns , the worse it looks , '' Tax March tweeted Friday with a link to the report .
The group is leading a coalition of progressive organizations behind the # WePaidMore campaign to raise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rigged '' tax system , as demonstrated by Trump 's actions .
The latest piece for the Times ' investigation into Trump tax documents obtained by the newspaper—which kicked off last month with a bombshell exposé detailing how he paid little-to-no federal income taxes in the years leading up to his presidency—generated concerns the president illegally funded his campaign with a business loan .
Times journalists Susanne Craig , Mike McIntire , and Russ Buettner report that as Trump struggled to raise money for his White House run in 2016 , he secured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what experts describe as highly unusual one-off payments from the Las Vegas hotel he owns with his friend the casino mogul Phil Ruffin . ''
As the trio of journalists detail : The report raises concerns about potential legal problems related to both claiming the tax deduction and whether the payments are technically campaign contributions .
Just weeks before the 2016 election , `` the Trump-Ruffin partnership borrowed $ 30 million from City National Bank in Los Angeles , '' according to the Times .
`` Mr. Trump signed the loan documents in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show that Mr. Ruffin personally guaranteed nearly the entire amount , should the company ever be unable to pay . ''
`` The partnership was not required to disclose on its tax returns how the borrowed money would be spent , '' the reporters note .
`` But the timing of the loan , combined with the partnership 's lack of available cash that year , strongly suggests that the loan funded the millions of dollars in payments to Mr .
Trump . ''
Campaign Legal Center ( CLC ) president and former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trevor Potter said in a statement Friday that `` if Trump took out a bank loan in the LLC 's name for the purpose of financing his election , then the Trump campaign violated its legal reporting requirements by failing to disclose the loan , and failing to disclose that Trump 's Vegas property was used as collateral . ''
`` If Trump secretly financed his 2016 campaign using an undisclosed bank loan backed by a billionaire developer , then voters have been illegally deprived of important information about the true sources of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` Additionally , if the LLC took a tax deduction for the payments to Trump , it would mean that Trump secretly relied on taxpayers to help subsidize his 2016 campaign . ''
`` Disclosure to voters in 2016 would have been important , since Trump 's claim that he was self-financing his campaign was central to his campaign message , and created a veneer of credibility for him to accuse rivals of being beholden to wealthy special interests , '' Potter added .
`` Voters had a right to know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his campaign . ''
The Times report goes on to detail Ruffin 's friendship with the president and years serving as a `` wingman for Mr. Trump 's political ambitions . ''
Jennifer Renzelman , a spokesperson for Ruffin , told the newspaper that the 85-year-old was not involved in the day-to-day operations of the hotel in question and that `` all tax statements go to the people who work on his taxes . ''
White House spokesperson Judd Deere called the report `` yet another politically motivated hit piece inaccurately smearing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that `` during his years as a successful businessman , Donald Trump was longtime partners with Phil Ruffin and earned whatever payments he received . ''
Meanwhile , tax and campaign finance experts , reporters , and other political commentators highlighted the legal concerns raised and called for further investigation :

The New York Times continued its explosive reporting on President Donald Trump's tax records on Friday by divulging that he engineered an eight-figure windfall shortly before contributing $10 million to his "self-funded" 2016 presidential campaign—which sparked fresh calls for probing the president's tax and business practices.
"The more we learn about what Trump is hiding in his tax returns, the worse it looks," Tax March tweeted Friday with a link to the report. The group is leading a coalition of progressive organizations behind the #WePaidMore campaign to raise awareness about the country's "utterly rigged" tax system, as demonstrated by Trump's actions.
The latest piece for the Times' investigation into Trump tax documents obtained by the newspaper—which kicked off last month with a bombshell exposé detailing how he paid little-to-no federal income taxes in the years leading up to his presidency—generated concerns the president illegally funded his campaign with a business loan.
Times journalists Susanne Craig, Mike McIntire, and Russ Buettner report that as Trump struggled to raise money for his White House run in 2016, he secured "more than $21 million in what experts describe as highly unusual one-off payments from the Las Vegas hotel he owns with his friend the casino mogul Phil Ruffin."
As the trio of journalists detail:
The tax records, by their nature, do not specify whether the more than $21 million in payments from the Trump-Ruffin hotel helped prop up Mr. Trump's campaign, his businesses, or both. But they do show how the cash flowed, in a chain of transactions, to several Trump-controlled companies and then directly to Mr. Trump himself.
The bulk of the money went through a company called Trump Las Vegas Sales and Marketing that had little previous income, no clear business purpose and no employees. The Trump-Ruffin joint venture wrote it all off as a business expense.
The report raises concerns about potential legal problems related to both claiming the tax deduction and whether the payments are technically campaign contributions.
Just weeks before the 2016 election, "the Trump-Ruffin partnership borrowed $30 million from City National Bank in Los Angeles," according to the Times. "Mr. Trump signed the loan documents in New York City, but tax records show that Mr. Ruffin personally guaranteed nearly the entire amount, should the company ever be unable to pay."
"The partnership was not required to disclose on its tax returns how the borrowed money would be spent," the reporters note. "But the timing of the loan, combined with the partnership's lack of available cash that year, strongly suggests that the loan funded the millions of dollars in payments to Mr. Trump."
Campaign Legal Center (CLC) president and former Republican chairman of the Federal Election Commission Trevor Potter said in a statement Friday that "if Trump took out a bank loan in the LLC's name for the purpose of financing his election, then the Trump campaign violated its legal reporting requirements by failing to disclose the loan, and failing to disclose that Trump's Vegas property was used as collateral."
"If Trump secretly financed his 2016 campaign using an undisclosed bank loan backed by a billionaire developer, then voters have been illegally deprived of important information about the true sources of Trump's financial support," he said. "Additionally, if the LLC took a tax deduction for the payments to Trump, it would mean that Trump secretly relied on taxpayers to help subsidize his 2016 campaign."
"Disclosure to voters in 2016 would have been important, since Trump's claim that he was self-financing his campaign was central to his campaign message, and created a veneer of credibility for him to accuse rivals of being beholden to wealthy special interests," Potter added. "Voters had a right to know where Trump was getting the money for his campaign."
The Times report goes on to detail Ruffin's friendship with the president and years serving as a "wingman for Mr. Trump's political ambitions." Jennifer Renzelman, a spokesperson for Ruffin, told the newspaper that the 85-year-old was not involved in the day-to-day operations of the hotel in question and that "all tax statements go to the people who work on his taxes."
White House spokesperson Judd Deere called the report "yet another politically motivated hit piece inaccurately smearing a standard business deal," and said that "during his years as a successful businessman, Donald Trump was longtime partners with Phil Ruffin and earned whatever payments he received."
Meanwhile, tax and campaign finance experts, reporters, and other political commentators highlighted the legal concerns raised and called for further investigation:


alternet--2020-10-11--Donald Trump is not 'over' COVID-19. He's facing the most critical point in the disease right now

On Saturday morning , former governor and expert on how to torture people who stutter , Chris Christie , announced that he was leaving Morristown Medical Center after being hospitalized for seven nights .
Combined with Donald Trump 's release from Walter Reed Medical Center Monday evening , it seems that COVID-19 can bypass even people with highly evident co-morbidities , given that those people are given inordinate levels of medical care and mass doses of experimental drugs that are unavailable to ordinary Americans .
Or … does it ?
Assuming that Donald Trump is giving an accurate account of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is , admittedly , a yuge assumption , he first tested positive on Thursday , Oct. 1 after feeling ill on Wednesday , Sept. 30 .
For Christie , that positive test came on Saturday , Oct. 3 .
With both of them now checked out of their respective hospitals—and , in Trump 's case , diligently returning to the work of subverting democracy by repressing votes , lying about election fraud , and threatening to have political opponents arrested—it may seem they 're out of the woods .
They 're not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , doctors understand that COVID-19 tends to follow a pattern , especially in patients who have more than an asymptomatic case .
That pattern suggests that the critical moment for Trump is … pretty much right now .
As Scientific American explains , Trump has by no means `` beaten '' COVID-19 at this point .
Instead , his course of infection is at a `` crucial stage , '' with the next few days likely to either see him on a path to recovery , or crashing down a slope toward serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together a kind of COVID-19 timeline that reflects how the infection operates .
Starting with the initial exposure , it can take anywhere from two days to two weeks for the virus to incubate in someone 's system to the point where they become contagious in turn .
It 's not clear where Trump became exposed .
If it was at the Rose Garden super spreader intro of Amy Coney Barrett—where 150 Republican leaders were gathered closely together , mostly without masks , and mostly without any attempt at social distancing—then Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days .
Trump 's refusal to release any negative test results before that date suggests he may have been infected sooner , while changes in precautions at the White House , including the use of two widely-separated podiums for Trump and Mike Pence on Monday following the Barrett event , suggest that he was known to have been exposed by that point .
A person infected with COVID-19 becomes contagious before showing symptoms , which is part of what makes fighting this disease so difficult .
However , symptoms ( which can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diarrhea , or a seemingly endless list , including that weird pink eye thing Pence was displaying at his debate ) usually begin around the fifth day .
That also marks pretty much `` peak contagious , '' so anyone who was around Trump in that last Wednesday through Friday period was getting a maximum dose of Filet-o-Fish-scented virus .
It also means that Trump was , almost certainly , highly contagious at the time of his Tuesday debate with Joe Biden .
On Thursday , Oct. 1 , Trump had difficulty breathing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also let slip that he had been given the steroid dexamethasone because he had `` swelling '' in his lungs .
This further confuses his timeline , because it 's genuinely odd for a patient to go downhill from onset of symptoms to difficulty breathing , hospitalization , and lung involvement in a single day .
In any case , all that was a week ago .
Since then , Trump has gone joyriding with the Secret Service , made a panting appearance on a White House balcony , engaged in an unusually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand-in for Rush Limbaugh .
So … does that mean the danger is all in his rearview ?
Not at all .
A week to 10 days after the onset of symptoms is the critical point for most people infected with COVID-19 .
That 's the point where the immune system has had time to mount a response against the invading virus .
It 's also the point where some people mount too vigorous a response , throwing them into the infamous `` cytokine storm . ''
The result can be sudden return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condition where the immune system begins to attack , not the virus , but the person 's own cells .
This is the point where people suffer abrupt organ failure .
This is the point—not one day after testing positive—when many people end up on oxygen , or even on a ventilator .
This , not last week , is the dangerous point for Trump .
Checking out of the hospital after being infected with COVID-19 is n't an all-clear signal .
Because a significant number of people check back in , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system the first time .
As BBC News points out , the timing of events around Trump 's illness are extremely confusing thanks to the lack of transparency , and obvious attempts to cover-up basic information—from when Trump was exposed to when he began displaying symptoms .
There is also a problem of Trump 's treatment , none of which follows anything like the normal pattern .
Not only was Trump given a massive dose of experimental antibodies—four times the dose people are being given in trials—he also received multiple treatments with dexamethasone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a more severe response at just about this time in their treatment , because the steroid is used to limit the immune response and tamp down the possibility of a cytokine storm . '
That Trump received dexamethasone so early , suggests that the official timeline of his illness might be off by as much as a week .
It could be that what Trump experienced back on Oct. 2 was not his first onset of symptoms , but that `` crossroads '' moment that can set in a week later .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ obfuscated information makes it impossible to tell .
But if the White House timeline is anything like accurate , then it 's this weekend , not last , when Trump faces the real test .
This is the point where , according to Dr. Abraar Karan of Brigham and Women 's Hospital , people who earlier checked out feeling fine , `` come back feeling much sicker , with even worse oxygen levels and possibly other harm to the body 's organs . ''
Patients who go down that fork in the road @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump and Chris Christie may be out of the hospital , but it does n't mean that either of them is out of the woods .
The next few days will tell whether their treatment has helped put them on the road to recovery … or somewhere else .
It may be worth noting that , as of this writing , Trump appears to have skipped his usual morning `` executive time '' and issued no tweets .
Author 's note : None of this should be read as a wish for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him awake , alert , and without an excuse when he loses the election in three weeks .
But he should also not be allowed to use his own apparent recovery to suggest that , a week after testing positive for COVID-19 , all is well .
That assumption is as dangerous as any of the other misinformation Trump has spread .

On Saturday morning, former governor and expert on how to torture people who stutter, Chris Christie, announced that he was leaving Morristown Medical Center after being hospitalized for seven nights. Combined with Donald Trump's release from Walter Reed Medical Center Monday evening, it seems that COVID-19 can bypass even people with highly evident co-morbidities, given that those people are given inordinate levels of medical care and mass doses of experimental drugs that are unavailable to ordinary Americans. Or … does it?
Assuming that Donald Trump is giving an accurate account of the chronology of his COVID-19 infection, which is, admittedly, a yuge assumption, he first tested positive on Thursday, Oct. 1 after feeling ill on Wednesday, Sept. 30. For Christie, that positive test came on Saturday, Oct. 3. With both of them now checked out of their respective hospitals—and, in Trump's case, diligently returning to the work of subverting democracy by repressing votes, lying about election fraud, and threatening to have political opponents arrested—it may seem they're out of the woods.
They're not. Because nine months into this pandemic, doctors understand that COVID-19 tends to follow a pattern, especially in patients who have more than an asymptomatic case. That pattern suggests that the critical moment for Trump is … pretty much right now.
AsScientific American explains, Trump has by no means "beaten" COVID-19 at this point. Instead, his course of infection is at a "crucial stage," with the next few days likely to either see him on a path to recovery, or crashing down a slope toward serious relapse.
Doctors and researchers have put together a kind of COVID-19 timeline that reflects how the infection operates. Starting with the initial exposure, it can take anywhere from two days to two weeks for the virus to incubate in someone's system to the point where they become contagious in turn. It's not clear where Trump became exposed. If it was at the Rose Garden super spreader intro of Amy Coney Barrett—where 150 Republican leaders were gathered closely together, mostly without masks, and mostly without any attempt at social distancing—then Trump's incubation period was a fairly typical five days. Trump's refusal to release any negative test results before that date suggests he may have been infected sooner, while changes in precautions at the White House, including the use of two widely-separated podiums for Trump and Mike Pence on Monday following the Barrett event, suggest that he was known to have been exposed by that point.
A person infected with COVID-19 becomes contagious before showing symptoms, which is part of what makes fighting this disease so difficult. However, symptoms (which can be a cough, fever, aches, diarrhea, or a seemingly endless list, including that weird pink eye thing Pence was displaying at his debate) usually begin around the fifth day. That also marks pretty much "peak contagious," so anyone who was around Trump in that last Wednesday through Friday period was getting a maximum dose of Filet-o-Fish-scented virus. It also means that Trump was, almost certainly, highly contagious at the time of his Tuesday debate with Joe Biden.
On Thursday, Oct. 1, Trump had difficulty breathing and was treated with oxygen. Trump also let slip that he had been given the steroid dexamethasone because he had "swelling" in his lungs. This further confuses his timeline, because it's genuinely odd for a patient to go downhill from onset of symptoms to difficulty breathing, hospitalization, and lung involvement in a single day.
In any case, all that was a week ago. Since then, Trump has gone joyriding with the Secret Service, made a panting appearance on a White House balcony, engaged in an unusually explosive bout of Twitterhea, and played stand-in for Rush Limbaugh. So … does that mean the danger is all in his rearview? Not at all.
A week to 10 days after the onset of symptoms is the critical point for most people infected with COVID-19. That's the point where the immune system has had time to mount a response against the invading virus. It's also the point where some people mount too vigorous a response, throwing them into the infamous "cytokine storm." The result can be sudden return of a high fever, and a condition where the immune system begins to attack, not the virus, but the person's own cells. This is the point where people suffer abrupt organ failure. This is the point—not one day after testing positive—when many people end up on oxygen, or even on a ventilator. This, not last week, is the dangerous point for Trump.
Checking out of the hospital after being infected with COVID-19 isn't an all-clear signal. Because a significant number of people check back in, in worse condition than they went through the system the first time.
As BBC News points out, the timing of events around Trump's illness are extremely confusing thanks to the lack of transparency, and obvious attempts to cover-up basic information—from when Trump was exposed to when he began displaying symptoms. There is also a problem of Trump's treatment, none of which follows anything like the normal pattern. Not only was Trump given a massive dose of experimental antibodies—four times the dose people are being given in trials—he also received multiple treatments with dexamethasone, which is usually given to patients with a more severe response at just about this time in their treatment, because the steroid is used to limit the immune response and tamp down the possibility of a cytokine storm.'
That Trump received dexamethasone so early, suggests that the official timeline of his illness might be off by as much as a week. It could be that what Trump experienced back on Oct. 2 was not his first onset of symptoms, but that "crossroads" moment that can set in a week later. The combination of kitchen-sink treatment and deliberately obfuscated information makes it impossible to tell.
But if the White House timeline is anything like accurate, then it's this weekend, not last, when Trump faces the real test. This is the point where, according to Dr. Abraar Karan of Brigham and Women's Hospital, people who earlier checked out feeling fine, "come back feeling much sicker, with even worse oxygen levels and possibly other harm to the body's organs." Patients who go down that fork in the road, can face genuinely serious threats.
Donald Trump and Chris Christie may be out of the hospital, but it doesn't mean that either of them is out of the woods. The next few days will tell whether their treatment has helped put them on the road to recovery … or somewhere else.
It may be worth noting that, as of this writing, Trump appears to have skipped his usual morning "executive time" and issued no tweets.
Author's note: None of this should be read as a wish for Trump to be ill. I want him awake, alert, and without an excuse when he loses the election in three weeks. But he should also not be allowed to use his own apparent recovery to suggest that, a week after testing positive for COVID-19, all is well. That assumption is as dangerous as any of the other misinformation Trump has spread.