alternet--2020-10-04--Tens of millions in PPP loans went to corporate polluters after  companies were fined $52 million: a

Tens of millions in PPP loans went to corporate polluters after  companies were fined $52 million: analysis

I remember as a kid watching President Nixon 's resignation speech on a black-and-white television .
That was a simpler and more innocent time .
After burglars were caught red-handed breaking into the DNC headquarters at the Watergate Office Complex , Nixon resigned rather than face almost certain removal by the Senate for covering up the crime .
A blatant attempt to cheat in the presidential election , the Watergate scandal shocked the nation , but Watergate today looks positively quaint when compared to the graft and corruption of Trumpgate .
What makes Trumpgate far worse than Watergate is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sacred democratic elections .
First Donald Trump did it with Russia , and when he skated on that , he tried to extort Ukraine .
He then even tried to recruit Communist China 's help .
Americans should be outraged by this treachery .
No less alarming is Donald Trump 's fawning fondness for murderous thugs and dictators and his voracious lust for power .
Every patriot should be horrified by Trump 's unpatriotic attacks on democracy itself ; on our elections , on the U.S. Constitution , on the separation of powers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and on bedrock values and principles we hold dear as Americans : honesty , integrity , equality , justice and respect for the rule of law .
Our nation is being pushed to the breaking point by an endless cascade of calculated assaults on the truth designed to distract , divide and conquer – attacks on reality that threaten not only the freedoms our Founders risked their lives for , but the freedoms countless veterans fought and died for .
America only exists today because we defied a king to form a government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people .
Freedom is exercising our right to kneel in support of racial justice , not kneeling before a King Donald .
Those who enabled Trumpgate – Donald 's inner circle and his spineless sycophants in Congress – will go down in history as those who knowingly chose a would-be tyrant over duty to country .
Slicker than a snake oil salesman , Donald Trump got elected by promising to drain the swamp , only to fill his cabinet with more millionaires and billionaires than any president in history .
Because Trump treats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now teeming with scandals .
The guy has hutzpah – I 'll give him that – but I do n't think most Americans are OK with President Trump and his clique of elites personally profiting off of the presidency .
Trump & Co. are so arrogant they seem to not even care if they are caught .
Maybe this is because people of pampered privilege know how to buy their way out of trouble .
Ask yourself why Donald Trump is the only president since Richard Nixon to refuse to release his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind of bottomless greed makes a president sink to hawking government stays at his golf resorts and hotels just to turn a quick buck .
How much mammon is enough ?
The office of the president is so much greater than any individual who occupies it , yet that institution has been daily defiled by a president who puts his personal interests ahead of the national interest .
I am saddened for him , and horrified for my country , to be witnessing a United States president as the shouting , pouting personification @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reminds me of the character `` Gollum '' in J. R. R. Tolkien 's The Lord of the Rings , warped by his all-consuming lust for the ring of power .
In my darker moments , I see President Trump refusing to leave office if he loses in November , for he has telegraphed his thinking on this again and again and again .
Trump has made it clear he will do almost anything to maintain his weakening grip on power .
Like the tin pot dictator he aspires to become , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he will accept November 's election results .
It is not hard to imagine him declaring martial law and refusing to step down .
Nor is it hard to imagine him using the fiction of election fraud to have himself declared the victor in defiance of the will of the voters , for he has already suggested illegally delaying the election ( darkly described by Public Citizen as `` a coup in the making '' ) .
Former President Barack Obama , during his stirring eulogy of civil rights icon John Lewis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing their darnedest to discourage people from voting – by closing polling locations , and targeting minorities and students with restrictive ID laws , and attacking our voting rights with surgical precision , even undermining the postal service in the run-up to an election that is going to be dependent on mailed-in ballots so people do n't get sick . ''
Obama is right to assert with growing alarm that the Trump administration is `` more concerned with suppressing the vote than suppressing a virus . ''
This is not the American way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to undermine the election – or subvert its results – must be systematically resisted .
We the people can not , and will not , let our beloved democracy die .
Of course , democracy 's best defense is a tidal wave of voters that sweeps Donald Trump and his enablers out of office on November 3 .
If Biden wins , Trump must then exit stage left just like every other defeated president has done before him – in a peaceful transfer of power – because that is how America rolls .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We are not going to have another one because a petulant president living in fear of the long arm of the law has a twitter temper tantrum meltdown for not getting to declare himself dictator-for-life of the USA .
On this much at least , Donald Trump and I agree : `` The future of our country and indeed our civilization is at stake on Nov .
3 . ''
Trump 's relentless attacks on the Constitution make him an existential threat to the Republic .
I have been to the Dachau @ @ @ @ @ @ @ horrifying echoes of where all of this could lead .
That Lady Liberty is still standing after years of aggravated assaults by the most dangerous president in our history is thanks in no small part to Trump 's impulsiveness and his fortunate inability to maintain disciplined focus .
But it is thanks even more to the determined resistance of millions of patriots who have courageously refused to be intimidated and silenced .
Trumpgate is forcing a national reckoning on whether we want the great American experiment to continue .
If `` eternal vigilance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defending democracy from despotism requires such unwavering vigilance now .
Lady Liberty is calling all freedom-loving Americans to stand up and speak out in defense of her sacred honor .
Will you answer her call ?

I remember as a kid watching President Nixon's resignation speech on a black-and-white television. That was a simpler and more innocent time. After burglars were caught red-handed breaking into the DNC headquarters at the Watergate Office Complex, Nixon resigned rather than face almost certain removal by the Senate for covering up the crime. A blatant attempt to cheat in the presidential election, the Watergate scandal shocked the nation, but Watergate today looks positively quaint when compared to the graft and corruption of Trumpgate.
What makes Trumpgate far worse than Watergate is the act of encouraging foreign interference in our sacred democratic elections. First Donald Trump did it with Russia, and when he skated on that, he tried to extort Ukraine. He then even tried to recruit Communist China's help. Americans should be outraged by this treachery.
No less alarming is Donald Trump's fawning fondness for murderous thugs and dictators and his voracious lust for power. Every patriot should be horrified by Trump's unpatriotic attacks on democracy itself; on our elections, on the U.S. Constitution, on the separation of powers, on freedom of the press, and on bedrock values and principles we hold dear as Americans: honesty, integrity, equality, justice and respect for the rule of law. Our nation is being pushed to the breaking point by an endless cascade of calculated assaults on the truth designed to distract, divide and conquer – attacks on reality that threaten not only the freedoms our Founders risked their lives for, but the freedoms countless veterans fought and died for. America only exists today because we defied a king to form a government of, by, and for the people. Freedom is exercising our right to kneel in support of racial justice, not kneeling before a King Donald.
Those who enabled Trumpgate – Donald's inner circle and his spineless sycophants in Congress – will go down in history as those who knowingly chose a would-be tyrant over duty to country.
Slicker than a snake oil salesman, Donald Trump got elected by promising to drain the swamp, only to fill his cabinet with more millionaires and billionaires than any president in history. Because Trump treats everything like a transaction, the swamp is now teeming with scandals. The guy has hutzpah – I'll give him that – but I don't think most Americans are OK with President Trump and his clique of elites personally profiting off of the presidency. Trump & Co. are so arrogant they seem to not even care if they are caught. Maybe this is because people of pampered privilege know how to buy their way out of trouble. Ask yourself why Donald Trump is the only president since Richard Nixon to refuse to release his tax returns. Then ask yourself what kind of bottomless greed makes a president sink to hawking government stays at his golf resorts and hotels just to turn a quick buck. How much mammon is enough? The office of the president is so much greater than any individual who occupies it, yet that institution has been daily defiled by a president who puts his personal interests ahead of the national interest.
I am saddened for him, and horrified for my country, to be witnessing a United States president as the shouting, pouting personification of humanity's worst impulses. He reminds me of the character "Gollum" in J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, warped by his all-consuming lust for the ring of power. In my darker moments, I see President Trump refusing to leave office if he loses in November, for he has telegraphed his thinking on this again and again and again.
Trump has made it clear he will do almost anything to maintain his weakening grip on power. Like the tin pot dictator he aspires to become, Trump has refused time and again to say he will accept November's election results. It is not hard to imagine him declaring martial law and refusing to step down. Nor is it hard to imagine him using the fiction of election fraud to have himself declared the victor in defiance of the will of the voters, for he has already suggested illegally delaying the election (darkly described by Public Citizen as "a coup in the making").
Former President Barack Obama, during his stirring eulogy of civil rights icon John Lewis, warned that "those in power are doing their darnedest to discourage people from voting – by closing polling locations, and targeting minorities and students with restrictive ID laws, and attacking our voting rights with surgical precision, even undermining the postal service in the run-up to an election that is going to be dependent on mailed-in ballots so people don't get sick." Obama is right to assert with growing alarm that the Trump administration is "more concerned with suppressing the vote than suppressing a virus." This is not the American way.
All attempts by Trump & Co. to undermine the election – or subvert its results – must be systematically resisted. We the people cannot, and will not, let our beloved democracy die.
Of course, democracy's best defense is a tidal wave of voters that sweeps Donald Trump and his enablers out of office on November 3. If Biden wins, Trump must then exit stage left just like every other defeated president has done before him – in a peaceful transfer of power – because that is how America rolls. We have already had one Civil War. We are not going to have another one because a petulant president living in fear of the long arm of the law has a twitter temper tantrum meltdown for not getting to declare himself dictator-for-life of the USA.
On this much at least, Donald Trump and I agree: "The future of our country and indeed our civilization is at stake on Nov. 3." Trump's relentless attacks on the Constitution make him an existential threat to the Republic. I have been to the Dachau concentration camp. I have heard the horrifying echoes of where all of this could lead. That Lady Liberty is still standing after years of aggravated assaults by the most dangerous president in our history is thanks in no small part to Trump's impulsiveness and his fortunate inability to maintain disciplined focus. But it is thanks even more to the determined resistance of millions of patriots who have courageously refused to be intimidated and silenced. Trumpgate is forcing a national reckoning on whether we want the great American experiment to continue. If "eternal vigilance is the price of liberty," defending democracy from despotism requires such unwavering vigilance now.
Lady Liberty is calling all freedom-loving Americans to stand up and speak out in defense of her sacred honor. Will you answer her call?


alternet--2020-10-04--Reactions: Experts alarmed by Trump treatment plan normally used only for the severely ill

A second briefing on Donald Trump 's medical condition after he was flown to Walter Reed for treatment of COVID-19 was held Sunday morning , and was not much more revealing than the first .
We did get some new information .
First , that Trump has had at least two episodes of hypoxia , or low blood oxygen , which required oxygen administration .
And White House doctor Sean Conley stated that Trump was now taking not just remdesivir and a Regeneron-developed monoclonal antibody `` cocktail , '' but dexamethasone , a steroid recommended only for the most serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Conley 's description of Trump 's condition were alarming , to expert observers , because they suggest Trump 's current status is considerably more serious than either Conley or the White House has claimed .
It 's possible that Trump 's doctors are , perhaps irresponsibly , unnecessarily dosing Trump with potentially dangerous drugs on his own demand , in hopes that something in the mix will allow him to recover faster than most patients with his symptoms .
But it hardly seems likely .
Some reactions and threads , from experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean ?
We do n't know , but it 's not good .
Trump 's doctors seem to be hiding the true severity of Trump 's condition—or , far less likely , are overmedicating him for unknown reasons .
Because this White House has relentlessly lied about even the smallest trivialities , over the last four years , we ca n't take anything said now at face value .
Most or all of it is false .
The treatment plan as announced , however , does n't mesh with the rosy claims being @ @ @ @ @ @ @

A second briefing on Donald Trump's medical condition after he was flown to Walter Reed for treatment of COVID-19 was held Sunday morning, and was not much more revealing than the first.
We did get some new information. First, that Trump has had at least two episodes of hypoxia, or low blood oxygen, which required oxygen administration. And White House doctor Sean Conley stated that Trump was now taking not just remdesivir and a Regeneron-developed monoclonal antibody "cocktail," but dexamethasone, a steroid recommended only for the most serious COVID-19 cases. That and other elements of Conley's description of Trump's condition were alarming, to expert observers, because they suggest Trump's current status is considerably more serious than either Conley or the White House has claimed.
It's possible that Trump's doctors are, perhaps irresponsibly, unnecessarily dosing Trump with potentially dangerous drugs on his own demand, in hopes that something in the mix will allow him to recover faster than most patients with his symptoms. But it hardly seems likely.
Some reactions and threads, from experts and others:
What's it all mean? We don't know, but it's not good. Trump's doctors seem to be hiding the true severity of Trump's condition—or, far less likely, are overmedicating him for unknown reasons. Because this White House has relentlessly lied about even the smallest trivialities, over the last four years, we can't take anything said now at face value. Most or all of it is false. The treatment plan as announced, however, doesn't mesh with the rosy claims being made about Trump's current condition.


alternet--2020-10-04--Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s top aides want him investigated for bribery and other alleged cr

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s top aides want him investigated for bribery and other alleged crimes: report

Senior officials in the Texas Attorney General 's Office have asked federal law enforcement to `` investigate allegations of improper influence , abuse of office , bribery and other potential crimes '' by their boss , the Austin-American Statesman and KVUE-TV first reported Saturday .
The senior staff members , including Jeff Mateer , who resigned from his post as Paxton 's top aide this week after several years leading the agency , notified the agency 's human resources director that they sought the investigation .
“ We have a good faith belief that the attorney general is violating federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improper influence , abuse of office , bribery and other potential criminal offenses , '' seven agency leaders wrote in a one-page letter obtained by the Statesman .
The brief letter , dated Oct. 1 , says the officials notified law enforcement of a potential crime on Sept. 30 , but does not provide detailed accusations .
The officials also say they notified Paxton himself of the accusation via text message on Oct. 1 .
Paxton , a second-term state official and former state legislator who serves as co-chair of the Lawyers for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for more than five years on felony charges of securities fraud .
Paxton has yet to go to trial on the charges amid side battles over where the case will be heard and how much the special prosecutors appointed to take the case to trial will be paid .
A spokeswoman for the attorney general 's office said in a statement that `` the complaint filed against Attorney General Paxton was done to impede an ongoing investigation into criminal wrongdoing by public officials including employees of this office .
Making false claims is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to investigate this to the fullest extent of the law . ''
She declined to comment further , citing an open investigation .
`` These allegations raise serious concerns , '' Gov .
Greg Abbott said Sunday in a prepared statement .
`` I will withhold further comment until the results of any investigation are complete . ''
The offices of Lt. Gov .
Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen did not immediately return requests for comment .
An attorney with Paxton 's defense team in the securities fraud case , Philip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the special prosecutors , Brian Wice , declined to comment on the latest allegations .
Jordan Berry , a political adviser to Paxton , confirmed Sunday that he had resigned in the wake of the allegations .
Michelle Lee , a public affairs officer for the FBI , declined to comment on the matter , citing internal policy within the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice not to comment on the existence of pending or potential investigations .
A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney for the region said `` we have no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Margaret Moore said Saturday evening `` we do not have an investigation . ''
Paxton has faced numerous questions over his ethics over his more than a decade in public life .
To help pay for his stacked team of defense attorneys , he has collected hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts for his legal defense fund , claiming the contributions came from “ family friends '' and are exempt from a state bribery law that bars elected officials from receiving gifts from people who are subject to their authority .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pending , Paxton is accused of convincing investors to buy stock in a technology firm without disclosing that he would be compensated for it .
He has maintained his innocence and criticized the prosecution as politically motivated .
In 2014 , the Texas State Securities Board fined Paxton $ 1,000 for soliciting investment clients without being registered , and he signed a disciplinary order without disputing its findings .
Last year , his wife , state Sen. Angela Paxton , filed a bill that would have expanded her husband 's power as attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exempt individuals from state regulations like the one he has been charged with violating .
In 2018 , Paxton 's office filed — and then abruptly recalled — a formal court brief in a lawsuit over Plano 's zoning policies , in a move that his supporters attributed to political influence from conservatives in his home county .
Paxton , a conservative who has often elbowed for airtime as the state 's top culture warrior , has kept up a busy and high-profile role during the coronavirus pandemic .
This spring , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ban on elective medical procedures , an effort to conserve hospital resources for coronavirus patients , also barred abortions in the state , sparking a lawsuit that would drag on for weeks and force hundreds of women to cancel appointments to terminate their pregnancies .
His office threatened to sue the state 's biggest cities if they did not roll back coronavirus-related safety precautions , including mask mandates , and told local officials they could not keep landlords from evicting their tenants during the pandemic .
Paxton used the power of his office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it shut its doors to vacation home owners — including a top donor .
Paxton has led major multi-state lawsuits to overturn laws like the Affordable Care Act and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program , often landing cases before the U.S. Supreme Court .
He 's made equally political choices in the cases he chooses not to take .
His office refused to defend a state agency , as it typically would , when it was sued for disciplining a state judge who refused to perform marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas Ethics Commission in a lawsuit brought by the hardline conservative group Empower Texans , a political donor .
Last year , he was a major player in Texas ' botched effort to review its voter rolls .
Paxton often boasts of his close relationship with the president , frequently greeting him on the tarmac when Air Force One touches down in Texas , and sharing stories during public appearances about their communication on major Texas-led litigation — the time Trump called while Paxton was in the shower is a favorite .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opponent , Justin Nelson , to win reelection in an unexpectedly tight race .
Nelson had made Paxton 's indictments the centerpiece of his campaign .
“ Ken Paxton is the top law enforcement official in the state , '' Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa said in a statement Saturday .
“ Yet , he has proven for years that he can not follow the law himself . ''

Senior officials in the Texas Attorney General's Office have asked federal law enforcement to "investigate allegations of improper influence, abuse of office, bribery and other potential crimes" by their boss, the Austin-American Statesman and KVUE-TV first reported Saturday.
The senior staff members, including Jeff Mateer, who resigned from his post as Paxton's top aide this week after several years leading the agency, notified the agency's human resources director that they sought the investigation.
“We have a good faith belief that the attorney general is violating federal and/or state law including prohibitions related to improper influence, abuse of office, bribery and other potential criminal offenses," seven agency leaders wrote in a one-page letter obtained by the Statesman.
The brief letter, dated Oct. 1, says the officials notified law enforcement of a potential crime on Sept. 30, but does not provide detailed accusations. The officials also say they notified Paxton himself of the accusation via text message on Oct. 1.
Paxton, a second-term state official and former state legislator who serves as co-chair of the Lawyers for Trump coalition, has been under indictment for more than five years on felony charges of securities fraud. Paxton has yet to go to trial on the charges amid side battles over where the case will be heard and how much the special prosecutors appointed to take the case to trial will be paid.
A spokeswoman for the attorney general's office said in a statement that "the complaint filed against Attorney General Paxton was done to impede an ongoing investigation into criminal wrongdoing by public officials including employees of this office. Making false claims is a very serious matter and we plan to investigate this to the fullest extent of the law."
She declined to comment further, citing an open investigation.
"These allegations raise serious concerns," Gov. Greg Abbott said Sunday in a prepared statement. "I will withhold further comment until the results of any investigation are complete." The offices of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen did not immediately return requests for comment.
An attorney with Paxton's defense team in the securities fraud case, Philip Hilder, as well as one of the special prosecutors, Brian Wice, declined to comment on the latest allegations.
Jordan Berry, a political adviser to Paxton, confirmed Sunday that he had resigned in the wake of the allegations.
Michelle Lee, a public affairs officer for the FBI, declined to comment on the matter, citing internal policy within the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice not to comment on the existence of pending or potential investigations. A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney for the region said "we have no comment." Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore said Saturday evening "we do not have an investigation."
Paxton has faced numerous questions over his ethics over his more than a decade in public life. To help pay for his stacked team of defense attorneys, he has collected hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts for his legal defense fund, claiming the contributions came from “family friends" and are exempt from a state bribery law that bars elected officials from receiving gifts from people who are subject to their authority.
In the securities fraud charges that are still pending, Paxton is accused of convincing investors to buy stock in a technology firm without disclosing that he would be compensated for it. He has maintained his innocence and criticized the prosecution as politically motivated. In 2014, the Texas State Securities Board fined Paxton $1,000 for soliciting investment clients without being registered, and he signed a disciplinary order without disputing its findings.
Last year, his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, filed a bill that would have expanded her husband's power as attorney general, giving him the power to exempt individuals from state regulations like the one he has been charged with violating.
In 2018, Paxton's office filed — and then abruptly recalled — a formal court brief in a lawsuit over Plano's zoning policies, in a move that his supporters attributed to political influence from conservatives in his home county.
Paxton, a conservative who has often elbowed for airtime as the state's top culture warrior, has kept up a busy and high-profile role during the coronavirus pandemic.
This spring, he declared that Gov. Greg Abbott's ban on elective medical procedures, an effort to conserve hospital resources for coronavirus patients, also barred abortions in the state, sparking a lawsuit that would drag on for weeks and force hundreds of women to cancel appointments to terminate their pregnancies. His office threatened to sue the state's biggest cities if they did not roll back coronavirus-related safety precautions, including mask mandates, and told local officials they could not keep landlords from evicting their tenants during the pandemic.
Paxton used the power of his office to lean on a Colorado county after it shut its doors to vacation home owners — including a top donor.
Paxton has led major multi-state lawsuits to overturn laws like the Affordable Care Act and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, often landing cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. He's made equally political choices in the cases he chooses not to take. His office refused to defend a state agency, as it typically would, when it was sued for disciplining a state judge who refused to perform marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples. And it declined to defend the Texas Ethics Commission in a lawsuit brought by the hardline conservative group Empower Texans, a political donor.
Last year, he was a major player in Texas' botched effort to review its voter rolls.
Paxton often boasts of his close relationship with the president, frequently greeting him on the tarmac when Air Force One touches down in Texas, and sharing stories during public appearances about their communication on major Texas-led litigation — the time Trump called while Paxton was in the shower is a favorite.
In 2018, Paxton narrowly bested his Democratic opponent, Justin Nelson, to win reelection in an unexpectedly tight race. Nelson had made Paxton's indictments the centerpiece of his campaign.
“Ken Paxton is the top law enforcement official in the state," Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa said in a statement Saturday. “Yet, he has proven for years that he cannot follow the law himself."
Patrick Svitek and Abby Livingston contributed reporting.


alternet--2020-10-04--White House staff furious with Mark Meadows for revealing Trump’s health issues

According to a report from the Washington Post , White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows is taking fire from Oval Office insiders for running to the press and delivering the honest truth about Donald Trump 's health crisis which — in turn — has caused confusion and chaos for the president 's re-election campaign .
On Saturday , moments after Trump 's doctor gave a rosy update about Trump 's condition after becoming infected with COVID-19 , Meadows held an off the record conversation with reporters where he told them the president had been through a rough 24 hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` critical . ''
This not only infuriated the president but angered officials back at the White House who are doing damage control due to multiple attendees at a Rose Garden event having also tested positive for COVID-19 .
As the Post reports , `` Trump was angry with Meadows about his Saturday afternoon comments indicating the president was quite sick and has asked aides to reassure the public by offering rosy depictions of his condition , a senior administration official said .
Meadows has been the only White House aide with Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the message . ''
Following reports of Meadows ' comments , the Post reports multiple White House staffers expressed frustration with the chief of staff who should be putting out fires and not starting them .
`` It was of zero help to us , '' said one Trump aide who wished to remain anonymous , with another adding , `` We have not communicated with the public well on this . ''
The report goes on to note , `` Three different officials said Meadows had not taken the virus seriously enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sometimes orchestrating large meetings around the president where officials did not use face coverings . ''
Adding to their problems is the fact that White House staff is being kept in the dark about the president 's health and even how and when he contracted the deadly virus that has claimed the lives of over 210,000 Americans .
`` I can tell you what I am hearing , but I honestly have no idea if it 's right , '' lamented one senior administration official .
`` A lot of people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ building the truth . ''
You can read more here .

According to a report from the Washington Post, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows is taking fire from Oval Office insiders for running to the press and delivering the honest truth about Donald Trump's health crisis which — in turn — has caused confusion and chaos for the president's re-election campaign.
On Saturday, moments after Trump's doctor gave a rosy update about Trump's condition after becoming infected with COVID-19, Meadows held an off the record conversation with reporters where he told them the president had been through a rough 24 hours and the next 48 hours would be "critical."
This not only infuriated the president but angered officials back at the White House who are doing damage control due to multiple attendees at a Rose Garden event having also tested positive for COVID-19.
As the Post reports, "Trump was angry with Meadows about his Saturday afternoon comments indicating the president was quite sick and has asked aides to reassure the public by offering rosy depictions of his condition, a senior administration official said. Meadows has been the only White House aide with Trump, giving him almost total control of the message."
Following reports of Meadows' comments, the Post reports multiple White House staffers expressed frustration with the chief of staff who should be putting out fires and not starting them.
"It was of zero help to us," said one Trump aide who wished to remain anonymous, with another adding, "We have not communicated with the public well on this."
The report goes on to note, "Three different officials said Meadows had not taken the virus seriously enough, not forcing staffers to wear masks and sometimes orchestrating large meetings around the president where officials did not use face coverings."
Adding to their problems is the fact that White House staff is being kept in the dark about the president's health and even how and when he contracted the deadly virus that has claimed the lives of over 210,000 Americans.
"I can tell you what I am hearing, but I honestly have no idea if it's right," lamented one senior administration official. "A lot of people aren't even telling other people in the building the truth."
You can read more here.


alternet--2020-10-04--Medical doctor explains why Trump's clinical status 'is much worse than he is letting on'

White House physician Dr. Sean Conley and members of Donald Trump 's Walter Reed-based medical team held another press conference today to describe Trump 's medical condition and , once again , it was anything but informative .
Conley did attempt to explain his refusal yesterday to admit that Trump has had episodes in which he was given oxygen—implausibly suggesting he `` did n't want to give any information that might steer the course of illness in another direction . ''
No , that does n't make any sense .
Actual information in today 's briefing was likewise hard to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been two times when Trump has had oxygen administered , after blood oxygen levels dipped to 94 or 93 % .
Trump is now taking dexamethasone—a steroid normally given only to severely ill patients , and one that itself can have severe side effects .
A doctor also assured that Trump 's heart , liver , and kidney functions were in a `` normal or improving '' range—which implies that some of them are not currently normal .
Despite these suggestions that Trump remains seriously ill , Conley attempted to paint a far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claiming Trump is improving enough that he could possibly be released `` tomorrow . ''
This seems either improbable or outright reckless : According to our have-to-be-guessed-at timelines , Trump has not yet entered the 7 to 10 day period when lung function in COVID-19 patients often dips to lower levels .
If he is sick enough to require numerous treatments only given to the severely ill , such as dexamethasone , it seems unfathomable that Walter Reed doctors would release him before that 7-10 period has passed .
If Conley is n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely—it would push back the onset of Trump 's illness by many days .
He would have been positive during debate preparations , and during the debate itself .
The White House has refused to answer questions about when Trump last tested negative .
Because of the White House 's incessant lying , Trump 's condition therefore remains unknown .
We know from images that he is able to sit upright—but because the pictures were clearly staged , including Trump signing his name to a sheet of paper that on inspection is otherwise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We can guess from the treatment plan being described that he is `` seriously '' ill—or that his doctors are using him as experimental guinea pig , throwing every known treatment plan at the disease to see what sticks .
We can infer from doctors that Trump is in no immediate danger of dying .
But we can also infer that he 's far sicker than Conley , in particular , is letting on .

White House physician Dr. Sean Conley and members of Donald Trump's Walter Reed-based medical team held another press conference today to describe Trump's medical condition and, once again, it was anything but informative. Conley did attempt to explain his refusal yesterday to admit that Trump has had episodes in which he was given oxygen—implausibly suggesting he "didn't want to give any information that might steer the course of illness in another direction."
No, that doesn't make any sense.
Actual information in today's briefing was likewise hard to come by. Conley said there have been two times when Trump has had oxygen administered, after blood oxygen levels dipped to 94 or 93%. Trump is now taking dexamethasone—a steroid normally given only to severely ill patients, and one that itself can have severe side effects. A doctor also assured that Trump's heart, liver, and kidney functions were in a "normal or improving" range—which implies that some of them are not currently normal.
Despite these suggestions that Trump remains seriously ill, Conley attempted to paint a far rosier picture of Trump's health, claiming Trump is improving enough that he could possibly be released "tomorrow." This seems either improbable or outright reckless: According to our have-to-be-guessed-at timelines, Trump has not yet entered the 7 to 10 day period when lung function in COVID-19 patients often dips to lower levels. If he is sick enough to require numerous treatments only given to the severely ill, such as dexamethasone, it seems unfathomable that Walter Reed doctors would release him before that 7-10 period has passed.
If Conley isn't simply lying about a possible release—which is likely—it would push back the onset of Trump's illness by many days. He would have been positive during debate preparations, and during the debate itself. The White House has refused to answer questions about when Trump last tested negative.
Because of the White House's incessant lying, Trump's condition therefore remains unknown. We know from images that he is able to sit upright—but because the pictures were clearly staged, including Trump signing his name to a sheet of paper that on inspection is otherwise clearly blank, we know only that. We can guess from the treatment plan being described that he is "seriously" ill—or that his doctors are using him as experimental guinea pig, throwing every known treatment plan at the disease to see what sticks.
We can infer from doctors that Trump is in no immediate danger of dying. But we can also infer that he's far sicker than Conley, in particular, is letting on.


alternet--2020-10-04--Trump just gave Kamala Harris a secret weapon to use against Pence in the debate: journalist

Appearing on MSNBC 's `` AM Joy '' with host Maria Teresa Kumar , Donald Trump biographer and Bloomberg editor Tim O'Brien said the president 's latest health issue handed Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris a powerful weapon to use against Vice President Mike Pence when they debate on Wednesday night .
According to O'Brien , the one thing the Trump campaign does n't want to talk about is the coronavirus pandemic that has claimed the lives of over 210,000 Americans .
Now , with the president hospitalized , the California senator and former prosecutor will be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration 's failings .
Following an interview with Sen. Tim Kaine ( D-VA ) who had some tips for Harris after having debated Pence in 2016 as Hillary Clinton 's running mate , O'Brien stated , `` I think he 's right that she needs to be prepared for who Mike Pence is on a debate stage . ''
`` You know , he is very calm on a debate stage , he knows how to talk soothingly into a microphone because he is a former radio host , and I think they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate stage , '' he elaborated .
`` I think he was very effective against Senator Kaine in 2016 .
Having said this — having said that , he 's also completely right that the entire nature of this debate is not only transformed by the fact that Trump and Pence have a record they have to defend and a lot of problems they have to defend ; mismanagement , racism , faulty leadership and Trump 's own personal lawlessness . ''
`` This all now gets swept up into Trump coming down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an issue that they were trying to avoid and now gets highlighted , '' he suggested .
`` I think as long as Harris has done her homework and is in command of the facts she 's going to be in a very strong position against him , but she ca n't take him lightly . ''

Appearing on MSNBC's "AM Joy" with host Maria Teresa Kumar, Donald Trump biographer and Bloomberg editor Tim O'Brien said the president's latest health issue handed Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris a powerful weapon to use against Vice President Mike Pence when they debate on Wednesday night.
According to O'Brien, the one thing the Trump campaign doesn't want to talk about is the coronavirus pandemic that has claimed the lives of over 210,000 Americans. Now, with the president hospitalized, the California senator and former prosecutor will be able to put her opponent on trial for the administration's failings.
Following an interview with Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) who had some tips for Harris after having debated Pence in 2016 as Hillary Clinton's running mate, O'Brien stated, "I think he's right that she needs to be prepared for who Mike Pence is on a debate stage."
"You know, he is very calm on a debate stage, he knows how to talk soothingly into a microphone because he is a former radio host, and I think they shouldn't underestimate his presence on a debate stage," he elaborated. "I think he was very effective against Senator Kaine in 2016. Having said this — having said that, he's also completely right that the entire nature of this debate is not only transformed by the fact that Trump and Pence have a record they have to defend and a lot of problems they have to defend; mismanagement, racism, faulty leadership and Trump's own personal lawlessness."
"This all now gets swept up into Trump coming down with COVID, which only makes that an issue that they were trying to avoid and now gets highlighted," he suggested. "I think as long as Harris has done her homework and is in command of the facts she's going to be in a very strong position against him, but she can't take him lightly."
Watch below:


alternet--2020-10-04--Fox News paid $4 million to cover up sexual harassment allegations against Kimberly Guilfoyle: repor

Fox News paid $4 million to cover up sexual harassment allegations against Kimberly Guilfoyle: report

Kim Guilfoyle , the Trump campaign finance chair and romantic partner of the president 's eldest son , was allegedly terminated from her previous job at Fox News in 2018 after her former assistant accused her of sexual harassment .
Moreover , Guilfoyle and her network employer allegedly took significant steps to silence the accuser , according to a new report .
In 2018 , the year in which Guilfoyle departed Fox News , her former assistant reportedly alleged in a 42-page draft complaint that the outgoing network host had `` subjected her frequently to degrading , abusive and sexually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hired the accuser , a woman , out of college in 2015 to work as an assistant for Guilfoyle and Eric Bolling , another former Fox News host who was fired amid allegations of sexual harassment .
The New Yorker 's Jane Mayer broke the story on Thursday , as told to her by `` a dozen well-informed sources familiar with '' the complaints .
The draft complaint alleged that Guilfoyle often spoke in inappropriate detail about her sex life and shared photographs of the genitalia of her sexual partners , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reportedly alleged that Guilfoyle once demanded a thigh massage , as well as exposed herself and asked her former assistant to critique her naked body .
The draft complaint also alleged that Guilfoyle required her former assistant to spend nights at her apartment , plus share rooms on business trips .
The former Fox News host urged her former assistant to have sex with powerful men and once told her to `` submit to a Fox employee 's demands for sexual favors , '' the draft complaint reportedly alleged .
Sources told The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buy the assistant 's silence , allegedly offering to pay her if she lied to lawyers involved in investigations of impropriety at the network .
Guilfoyle also allegedly inveigled her with a private-plane trip to Rome , a cut of future speaking fees and a chance to report for the network .
The assistant reportedly claimed that Guilfoyle had personally mentioned $ 1 million , and `` two well-informed sources '' told the New Yorker that Fox News had agreed to pay the woman more than $ 4 million in order to head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rejected Guilfoyle 's offers , the former Fox News host allegedly implied in a `` threatening '' manner that she could blackmail the assistant , according to the report .
Though Guilfoyle declined the New Yorker 's interview request , she offered a statement .
`` In my 30-year career working for the SF District Attorney 's Office , the LA District Attorney 's Office , in media and in politics , I have never engaged in any workplace misconduct of any kind , '' she told the outlet .
`` During my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mentor to countless women , with many of whom I remain exceptionally close to this day . ''
A Fox News spokesperson declined to comment about this article .
The Trump campaign referred Salon 's request for comment to Guilfoyle 's attorney , who did not reply to Salon 's request for comment .
President Donald Trump , whose 2016 campaign survived his comments about committing sexual assault in a leaked 2004 `` Access Hollywood '' video , currently lags Democratic rival Joe Biden by 30 % points among women , a demographic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The president earlier in the year named Guilfoyle , the significant other of his eldest son , Donald Jr. , as head of campaign finance , and she spoke on the opening night of the Republican National Convention .
The Trump campaign , as of earlier this year , paid Guilfoyle 's reported $ 15,000 monthly salary as a chief fundraiser through a consulting company owned by former campaign manager Brad Parscale , according to multiple sources and reports .
Per reports , Guilfoyle 's operation was allegedly a fiasco plagued by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed she left Fox News for politics voluntarily , but it was widely reported that the network fired her in July 2018 , at which time she co-hosted `` The Five . ''
Fox News is a network plagued by a long history of allegations of sexual assault , harassment and misconduct .
In 2017 , The New York Times revealed that Fox News had settled with at least half a dozen women who accused star host Bill O'Reilly of sexual misconduct , in allegations which dated back to 2002 .
Over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money payouts from the network or O'Reilly totaling $ 13 million — about half of the $ 25 million Fox News paid their abuser a few weeks before his departure .
In 2017 , former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson filed an earth-shattering sexual harassment lawsuit against Fox News chief Roger Ailes , who is now dead , catalyzing the decades-old # MeToo movement and heralding the arrival of a long-overdue reckoning for the network .
This summer , Fox News personalities Ed Henry , Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson were named in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two women filed against the network in a New York federal court .
Henry , who was accused of rape , was fired .

Kim Guilfoyle, the Trump campaign finance chair and romantic partner of the president's eldest son, was allegedly terminated from her previous job at Fox News in 2018 after her former assistant accused her of sexual harassment. Moreover, Guilfoyle and her network employer allegedly took significant steps to silence the accuser, according to a new report.
In 2018, the year in which Guilfoyle departed Fox News, her former assistant reportedly alleged in a 42-page draft complaint that the outgoing network host had "subjected her frequently to degrading, abusive and sexually inappropriate behavior."
Fox News reportedly hired the accuser, a woman, out of college in 2015 to work as an assistant for Guilfoyle and Eric Bolling, another former Fox News host who was fired amid allegations of sexual harassment. The New Yorker's Jane Mayer broke the story on Thursday, as told to her by "a dozen well-informed sources familiar with" the complaints.
The draft complaint alleged that Guilfoyle often spoke in inappropriate detail about her sex life and shared photographs of the genitalia of her sexual partners, according to Mayer's sources. The document also reportedly alleged that Guilfoyle once demanded a thigh massage, as well as exposed herself and asked her former assistant to critique her naked body.
The draft complaint also alleged that Guilfoyle required her former assistant to spend nights at her apartment, plus share rooms on business trips. The former Fox News host urged her former assistant to have sex with powerful men and once told her to "submit to a Fox employee's demands for sexual favors," the draft complaint reportedly alleged.
Sources told The New Yorker that Guilfoyle had tried to buy the assistant's silence, allegedly offering to pay her if she lied to lawyers involved in investigations of impropriety at the network. Guilfoyle also allegedly inveigled her with a private-plane trip to Rome, a cut of future speaking fees and a chance to report for the network. The assistant reportedly claimed that Guilfoyle had personally mentioned $1 million, and "two well-informed sources" told the New Yorker that Fox News had agreed to pay the woman more than $4 million in order to head off a trial.
When the woman rejected Guilfoyle's offers, the former Fox News host allegedly implied in a "threatening" manner that she could blackmail the assistant, according to the report.
Though Guilfoyle declined the New Yorker's interview request, she offered a statement.
"In my 30-year career working for the SF District Attorney's Office, the LA District Attorney's Office, in media and in politics, I have never engaged in any workplace misconduct of any kind," she told the outlet. "During my career, I have served as a mentor to countless women, with many of whom I remain exceptionally close to this day."
A Fox News spokesperson declined to comment about this article. The Trump campaign referred Salon's request for comment to Guilfoyle's attorney, who did not reply to Salon's request for comment.
President Donald Trump, whose 2016 campaign survived his comments about committing sexual assault in a leaked 2004 "Access Hollywood" video, currently lags Democratic rival Joe Biden by 30% points among women, a demographic which helped propel Trump's 2016 victory. The president earlier in the year named Guilfoyle, the significant other of his eldest son, Donald Jr., as head of campaign finance, and she spoke on the opening night of the Republican National Convention.
The Trump campaign, as of earlier this year, paid Guilfoyle's reported $15,000 monthly salary as a chief fundraiser through a consulting company owned by former campaign manager Brad Parscale, according to multiple sources and reports. Per reports, Guilfoyle's operation was allegedly a fiasco plagued by profligacy and top staff departures.
Guilfoyle claimed she left Fox News for politics voluntarily, but it was widely reported that the network fired her in July 2018, at which time she co-hosted "The Five."
Fox News is a network plagued by a long history of allegations of sexual assault, harassment and misconduct. In 2017, The New York Times revealed that Fox News had settled with at least half a dozen women who accused star host Bill O'Reilly of sexual misconduct, in allegations which dated back to 2002. Over the years, the women reportedly received hush money payouts from the network or O'Reilly totaling $13 million — about half of the $25 million Fox News paid their abuser a few weeks before his departure.
In 2017, former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson filed an earth-shattering sexual harassment lawsuit against Fox News chief Roger Ailes, who is now dead, catalyzing the decades-old #MeToo movement and heralding the arrival of a long-overdue reckoning for the network.
This summer, Fox News personalities Ed Henry, Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson were named in a sweeping sexual misconduct lawsuit, which two women filed against the network in a New York federal court. Henry, who was accused of rape, was fired.


alternet--2020-10-04--Chris Wallace triggers Trump aide meltdown over first family not wearing masks

Fox News host Chris Wallace grilled Trump campaign adviser Steve Cortes on Sunday about the refusal to wear masks by some people close to President Donald Trump .
During an interview on Fox News Sunday , Wallace noted that seven people who attended the White House event with Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett were not wearing masks and have now tested positive for COVID-19 .
`` People packed together , the vast majority not wearing masks , '' Wallace said .
`` How does that make sense ? ''
For his part , Cortes insisted that the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president , including testing people in close contact with him .
`` The fact that he still got infected shows us that unfortunately this virus has that kind of power , '' Cortes said .
`` The president , though , and he 's made this clear , he was unwilling to completely sequester himself , to take no risk , because leaders take risks .
And he is the servant of the people as well as the commander-in-chief and so he said he must be around the people he serves .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Let 's talk about reasonable risks , '' Wallace pushed back .
`` Because there was the debate on Tuesday night that I moderated .
The rules from the Cleveland Clinic could not have been more clear .
Everyone in the audience was to wear a mask . ''
`` After the first family came in , they all took off their masks , '' the Fox News host pointed out .
`` So did the White House chief of staff Mark Meadows .
Do they think that the health and safety rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them ? ''
`` No , that 's not the reality , '' Cortes stuttered .
`` Everybody was tested before that event as you well know .
Those of us who went first were tested by Cleveland Clinic directly . ''
`` Steve , it does n't matter , '' Wallace interrupted .
`` Everybody in that room was tested and the Cleveland Clinic 's regulation was , it did n't matter , everybody except for the three of us on the stage was to wear a mask and people from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first family masks , thinking maybe they did n't have them .
They were waved away and the Commission on Presidential Debates has issued a statement saying , from now on if you do n't wear a mask , you 're going to be escorted from the hall . ''
`` So forget this question of being tested beforehand , '' he added .
`` Everybody was tested beforehand .
No !
I 'm going to finish my question .
Everybody was told to wear a mask .
Why did the first family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rules for everybody else did n't apply to them ? ''
Cortes replied by calling masks `` very useful . ''
`` We also believe in some element of individual choice , '' he continued .
`` People were distanced and they had been tested . ''
`` No ! ''
Wallace interrupted .
`` Steve , they were n't distanced and there were rules and there was no freedom of choice .
They broke the rules ! ''
`` I was there like you were and they were distanced ! ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ broke the rules ! ''
Wallace insisted .
`` Why did they break the rules ? ''
`` Chris , the way you 're starting to harangue me now actually reminds me of what you did to the president during that debate on Tuesday night , '' Cortes shot back .
`` You were not a neutral moderator then .
I do n't mind tough questions .
I welcome reasonably tough questions .
What I do n't think is OK is for you to become the effective opposition to the president . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice president 145 times , '' Wallace observed .
`` So I object to you saying I harangued the president .
I know it 's the talking point . ''
Watch the video below from Fox News .
Chris Wallace hammers Trump aide Steve Cortes over first family not wearing masks

Fox News host Chris Wallace grilled Trump campaign adviser Steve Cortes on Sunday about the refusal to wear masks by some people close to President Donald Trump.
During an interview on Fox News Sunday, Wallace noted that seven people who attended the White House event with Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett were not wearing masks and have now tested positive for COVID-19.
"People packed together, the vast majority not wearing masks," Wallace said. "How does that make sense?"
For his part, Cortes insisted that the White House took "tremendous precautions" to protect the president, including testing people in close contact with him.
"The fact that he still got infected shows us that unfortunately this virus has that kind of power," Cortes said. "The president, though, and he's made this clear, he was unwilling to completely sequester himself, to take no risk, because leaders take risks. And he is the servant of the people as well as the commander-in-chief and so he said he must be around the people he serves. He took reasonable risks."
"Let's talk about reasonable risks," Wallace pushed back. "Because there was the debate on Tuesday night that I moderated. The rules from the Cleveland Clinic could not have been more clear. Everyone in the audience was to wear a mask."
"After the first family came in, they all took off their masks," the Fox News host pointed out. "So did the White House chief of staff Mark Meadows. Do they think that the health and safety rules for everybody else do no apply to them?"
"No, that's not the reality," Cortes stuttered. "Everybody was tested before that event as you well know. Those of us who went first were tested by Cleveland Clinic directly."
"Steve, it doesn't matter," Wallace interrupted. "Everybody in that room was tested and the Cleveland Clinic's regulation was, it didn't matter, everybody except for the three of us on the stage was to wear a mask and people from the Cleveland Clinic came over and offered the first family masks, thinking maybe they didn't have them. They were waved away and the Commission on Presidential Debates has issued a statement saying, from now on if you don't wear a mask, you're going to be escorted from the hall."
"So forget this question of being tested beforehand," he added. "Everybody was tested beforehand. No! I'm going to finish my question. Everybody was told to wear a mask. Why did the first family and the chief of staff feel that the rules for everybody else didn't apply to them?"
Cortes replied by calling masks "very useful."
"We also believe in some element of individual choice," he continued. "People were distanced and they had been tested."
"No!" Wallace interrupted. "Steve, they weren't distanced and there were rules and there was no freedom of choice. They broke the rules!"
"I was there like you were and they were distanced!" Cortes exclaimed.
"No, they broke the rules!" Wallace insisted. "Why did they break the rules?"
"Chris, the way you're starting to harangue me now actually reminds me of what you did to the president during that debate on Tuesday night," Cortes shot back. "You were not a neutral moderator then. I don't mind tough questions. I welcome reasonably tough questions. What I don't think is OK is for you to become the effective opposition to the president."
"The president interrupted me and the vice president 145 times," Wallace observed. "So I object to you saying I harangued the president. I know it's the talking point."
Watch the video below from Fox News.


alternet--2020-10-04--Trump's campaign strategy implodes

Trump's campaign strategy implodes

Over the course of 24 hours , the central pillar of Donald Trump 's campaign strategy came crashing down .
At almost any cost , Trump had diligently worked to suspend reality , put the coronavirus in the rearview mirror , and train the country 's attention on Joe Biden 's supposedly weak constitution and frailty .
But what Trump never counted on was the possibility that he himself might pay the price for his studied ignorance .
Though the timeline of what Trump knew about his own diagnosis and when he knew it is now murkier than ever , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wee hours of Friday morning just before 1:00 a.m. Eastern .
Roughly 15 hours later , Trump would be airlifted to Walter Reed Medical Center Friday evening as it became clear that an entire cluster of some of his closest associates had also been infected .
Ten members of Trump 's inner circle and Capitol Hill allies have now tested positive , including at least four strategists who helped him prep for Tuesday 's debate ( campaign manager Bill Stepien , Hope Hicks , Kellyanne Conway , and Chris Christie ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Utah , Thom Tillis of North Carolina , and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin ) .
While it 's impossible to know exactly who was the real vector of the virus , what is exceedingly clear is that Trump 's air of invincibility has been entirely destroyed .
`` We 're rounding the corner , '' Trump had taken to saying in recent weeks .
Nothing but carefree good times ahead was the message he repeatedly sent to mostly maskless packed crowds at rallies and other events over the past week .
Now anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign rally in Minnesota , his Thursday fundraiser in Bedminster , New Jersey , or particularly his Rose Garden nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court last Saturday , has been left to wonder whether they may have been exposed .
In fact , every Washington Republican who has tested positive this week either attended that Rose Garden event or has come in close contact with people who did .
As the Washington Post vividly described , a certain intoxication imbued attendees as they tested negative and were informed they could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the way to cementing a virtual super-majority on the court and Trump suddenly had a positive message to take to his supporters .
But in the days that followed , that buoyant celebration was instead revealed as a deadly serious and reckless miscalculation of the facts on the ground .
And here are the facts : We are a nation that has now suffered more than 209,000 lives lost due to COVID-19 .
Tens of millions of Americans have lost jobs .
Kids across America are still sequestered in their homes rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shocking number of children are going hungry .
And it appears the nation is now headed for an extended recession .
It only seems fitting that the man who blindfolded America as he led us into this battle has now been forced to deal with the sham he perpetrated on the country in the most personal of terms .
In the meantime , the man Trump assailed as `` basement '' Biden and mocked at Tuesday 's debate for always wearing `` the biggest mask I 've ever seen '' is n't the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday night .

Over the course of 24 hours, the central pillar of Donald Trump's campaign strategy came crashing down. At almost any cost, Trump had diligently worked to suspend reality, put the coronavirus in the rearview mirror, and train the country's attention on Joe Biden's supposedly weak constitution and frailty. But what Trump never counted on was the possibility that he himself might pay the price for his studied ignorance.
Though the timeline of what Trump knew about his own diagnosis and when he knew it is now murkier than ever, he publicly announced he was COVID-positive in the wee hours of Friday morning just before 1:00 a.m. Eastern. Roughly 15 hours later, Trump would be airlifted to Walter Reed Medical Center Friday evening as it became clear that an entire cluster of some of his closest associates had also been infected. Ten members of Trump's inner circle and Capitol Hill allies have now tested positive, including at least four strategists who helped him prep for Tuesday's debate (campaign manager Bill Stepien, Hope Hicks, Kellyanne Conway, and Chris Christie) and three GOP senators (Mike Lee of Utah, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin). While it's impossible to know exactly who was the real vector of the virus, what is exceedingly clear is that Trump's air of invincibility has been entirely destroyed.
"We're rounding the corner," Trump had taken to saying in recent weeks. Nothing but carefree good times ahead was the message he repeatedly sent to mostly maskless packed crowds at rallies and other events over the past week. Now anyone who attended Trump's Wednesday fundraiser and campaign rally in Minnesota, his Thursday fundraiser in Bedminster, New Jersey, or particularly his Rose Garden nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court last Saturday, has been left to wonder whether they may have been exposed.
In fact, every Washington Republican who has tested positive this week either attended that Rose Garden event or has come in close contact with people who did. As the Washington Postvividly described, a certain intoxication imbued attendees as they tested negative and were informed they could ditch their masks. Conservatives were finally on the way to cementing a virtual super-majority on the court and Trump suddenly had a positive message to take to his supporters.
But in the days that followed, that buoyant celebration was instead revealed as a deadly serious and reckless miscalculation of the facts on the ground. And here are the facts: We are a nation that has now suffered more than 209,000 lives lost due to COVID-19. Tens of millions of Americans have lost jobs. Kids across America are still sequestered in their homes rather than returning to school, and a shocking number of children are going hungry. And it appears the nation is now headed for an extended recession.
It only seems fitting that the man who blindfolded America as he led us into this battle has now been forced to deal with the sham he perpetrated on the country in the most personal of terms.
In the meantime, the man Trump assailed as "basement" Biden and mocked at Tuesday's debate for always wearing "the biggest mask I've ever seen" isn't the man who was rushed to the hospital Friday night.


alternet--2020-10-04--Probe into Trump's COVID-19 failure shows 'unprecedented, coordinated' political interference

A new analysis out Friday reveals that throughout President Donald Trump 's failed response to the Covid-19 pandemic and its economic fallout that has resulted in the deaths of more than 200,000 Americans and left millions unemployed without public support , his administration has `` engaged in a persistent pattern of political interference—repeatedly overruling and sidelining top scientists and undermining Americans ' health to advance the president 's partisan agenda . ''
The report ( pdf ) released by the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis documents 47 separate instances in which White House officials have `` attacked and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight months .
The report `` does not capture each instance in which Trump or his appointees downplayed the danger of the virus to the public , made false and misleading statements about the science , and misstated key facts about the administration 's response , '' but rather focuses on `` instances where the administration actively interfered in the nation 's public health response through executive action or public or private pressure . ''
Trump , Vice President Mike Pence , White House officials , and political appointees at the Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other agencies have interfered dozens of times both publicly and behind closed doors during the pandemic , the report states .
`` These incidents have degraded every major facet of the administration 's public health response , '' the report notes , `` including efforts to provide Americans access to testing and personal protective equipment , develop treatments and vaccines , and provide scientifically sound advice to the public on masks , social distancing , and other steps to stay safe . ''
According to the subcommittee 's analysis of public reporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appointees have : • Pressured health experts to adopt the administration 's talking points , even when they conflict with the science ; • Criticized , sidelined , and fired experts who insisted on sharing accurate scientific information with the public ; • Altered , delayed , and suppressed guidance and scientific reports on testing , protecting children , reopening schools , voting safely , and other topics ; • Authorized questionable virus treatments over the objections of scientists ; • Resisted efforts to ensure the safe development of a vaccine ; and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration for an ad campaign to `` defeat despair and inspire hope '' weeks before Election Day .
The first documented case of political interference occurred on February 20 when the administration rejected the CDC 's recommendation to separate infected and non-infected cruise ship passengers onto different flights .
There were 17 incidents in August and September alone , and the most recent instance examined by the subcommittee is also related to the cruise ship industry .
On September 29 , Pence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` extend a no-sail order on passenger cruises until February 2021 . ''
Axios reported at the time that `` public health officials have privately complained that the thwarting of Redfield on the cruise ship ban is politically motivated because the industry is a major economic presence in Florida—a key battleground state where the polls are statistically tied . ''
According to the subcomittee , the `` apparent goal '' of the Trump administration 's `` unprecedented , coordinated attack on our nation 's public health agencies ... was , in the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . '
'' Less than two days before Trump—along with 43,000 additional Americans who have tested positive in the past 24 hours—was diagnosed with a virus he claimed was nearly defeated , a study ( pdf ) by researchers at Cornell University found that Trump is the `` single largest driver '' of misinformation about the Covid-19 pandemic , as the New York Times reported Wednesday .
On Friday , HHS Secretary Alex Azar testified before the select subcommittee in a hearing on the federal response to the coronavirus crisis .
Watch below @

A new analysis out Friday reveals that throughout President Donald Trump's failed response to the Covid-19 pandemic and its economic fallout that has resulted in the deaths of more than 200,000 Americans and left millions unemployed without public support, his administration has "engaged in a persistent pattern of political interference—repeatedly overruling and sidelining top scientists and undermining Americans' health to advance the president's partisan agenda."
The report (pdf) released by the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis documents 47 separate instances in which White House officials have "attacked and undermined health experts" in the past eight months.
The report "does not capture each instance in which Trump or his appointees downplayed the danger of the virus to the public, made false and misleading statements about the science, and misstated key facts about the administration's response," but rather focuses on "instances where the administration actively interfered in the nation's public health response through executive action or public or private pressure."
Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, White House officials, and political appointees at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other agencies have interfered dozens of times both publicly and behind closed doors during the pandemic, the report states.
"These incidents have degraded every major facet of the administration's public health response," the report notes, "including efforts to provide Americans access to testing and personal protective equipment, develop treatments and vaccines, and provide scientifically sound advice to the public on masks, social distancing, and other steps to stay safe."
According to the subcommittee's analysis of public reporting and internal investigations, Trump's political appointees have:
Pressured health experts to adopt the administration's talking points, even when they conflict with the science;
Criticized, sidelined, and fired experts who insisted on sharing accurate scientific information with the public;
Altered, delayed, and suppressed guidance and scientific reports on testing, protecting children, reopening schools, voting safely, and other topics;
Authorized questionable virus treatments over the objections of scientists;
Resisted efforts to ensure the safe development of a vaccine; and
Diverted $265 million from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration for an ad campaign to "defeat despair and inspire hope" weeks before Election Day.
The first documented case of political interference occurred on February 20 when the administration rejected the CDC's recommendation to separate infected and non-infected cruise ship passengers onto different flights.
There were 17 incidents in August and September alone, and the most recent instance examined by the subcommittee is also related to the cruise ship industry. On September 29, Pence overruled CDC Director Redfield's recommendation to "extend a no-sail order on passenger cruises until February 2021."
Axiosreported at the time that "public health officials have privately complained that the thwarting of Redfield on the cruise ship ban is politically motivated because the industry is a major economic presence in Florida—a key battleground state where the polls are statistically tied."
According to the subcomittee, the "apparent goal" of the Trump administration's "unprecedented, coordinated attack on our nation's public health agencies... was, in the president's words, to 'play it down.'"
Less than two days before Trump—along with 43,000 additional Americans who have tested positive in the past 24 hours—was diagnosed with a virus he claimed was nearly defeated, a study (pdf) by researchers at Cornell University found that Trump is the "single largest driver" of misinformation about the Covid-19 pandemic, as the New York Timesreported Wednesday.
On Friday, HHS Secretary Alex Azar testified before the select subcommittee in a hearing on the federal response to the coronavirus crisis. Watch below:


alternet--2020-10-04--Al Franken buries Amy Coney Barrett in brutal MSNBC interview

On MSNBC Saturday , former Sen. Al Franken ( D-MN ) tore into President Donald Trump 's selection of Judge Amy Coney Barrett for the Supreme Court .
`` I was there in [ 2016 ] when the president nominated Merrick Garland .
All of them said the same thing .
The president ca n't nominate someone this close to an election , '' said Franken , who previously served on the Senate Judiciary Committee .
`` Coney Barrett went on CBS TV after Scalia died and made the exact same case , saying that the president ca n't nominate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contrasted it to when Anthony Kennedy was sworn in , in February of '88 .
She made the point that that had come from Powell 's resignation .
She said well , that 's a conservative judge and the new judge , justice will be conservative .
That 's appropriate .
But when she said Scalia was an arch-conservative or committed conservative , whatever the word she used and said that Obama appointee would change the balance of the court and that was inappropriate . ''
`` You go back and see her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' added Franken .
`` Not only are the Republican members of the Senate hypocrites , they would n't meet with Merrick Garland .
They lied about what the so-called Biden Rule was .
there was no Biden Rule . ''
`` Also she 's a terrible choice in so many ways , '' said Franken .
`` I questioned her , as you may remember , she had taken money from the [ Alliance Defending Freedom ] , a hate group , Southern Poverty Law Center had labeled them as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sterilization of transgender people .
She took money from them .
She 's an extreme choice and believes … that life starts at conception and that it would be a crime to destroy an egg that was fertilized in in vitro fertilization , a frozen egg . ''

On MSNBC Saturday, former Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) tore into President Donald Trump's selection of Judge Amy Coney Barrett for the Supreme Court.
"I was there in [2016] when the president nominated Merrick Garland. All of them said the same thing. The president can't nominate someone this close to an election," said Franken, who previously served on the Senate Judiciary Committee. "Coney Barrett went on CBS TV after Scalia died and made the exact same case, saying that the president can't nominate someone during an election year. She contrasted it to when Anthony Kennedy was sworn in, in February of '88. She made the point that that had come from Powell's resignation. She said well, that's a conservative judge and the new judge, justice will be conservative. That's appropriate. But when she said Scalia was an arch-conservative or committed conservative, whatever the word she used and said that Obama appointee would change the balance of the court and that was inappropriate."
"You go back and see her words. She's a total hypocrite," added Franken. "Not only are the Republican members of the Senate hypocrites, they wouldn't meet with Merrick Garland. They lied about what the so-called Biden Rule was. there was no Biden Rule."
"Also she's a terrible choice in so many ways," said Franken. "I questioned her, as you may remember, she had taken money from the [Alliance Defending Freedom], a hate group, Southern Poverty Law Center had labeled them as a hate group. They are for the sterilization of transgender people. She took money from them. She's an extreme choice and believes … that life starts at conception and that it would be a crime to destroy an egg that was fertilized in in vitro fertilization, a frozen egg."
Watch below:


alternet--2020-10-04--Here's how to avoid banana republic elections

Is the US about to hold another banana republic election ?
The ghosts of 2000 , hanging chads and Bush v. Gore are rapping loudly at the door .
For many members of the public , voting has become a confusing ritual , with a president making threats to ignore the results if he loses , and confusion over the safest and most secure way to vote in the middle of a pandemic .
Adding to the confusion , election management amounts to a decentralized hodgepodge spread across three thousand counties and nine thousand townships , with few national standards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own statewide standards , but imagine if our railways , highways , or airports had no consistent , national regulations , and so travel from state to state was mired in conflicting regulations and varying quality .
The US provides more oversight and security for the gaming industry and slot machines than it does for our nation 's election administration .
It does n't have to be this way .
However this election turns out , a bipartisan effort should be mounted to make voting more efficient and secure .
Here are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 ) A functioning , nonpartisan national election commission .
Most established democracies around the world use a nonpartisan national election commission to establish nationwide standards and uniformity and to foster accountability .
A national commission in the US would promote `` best practices '' in the use of mailed/absentee ballots , voter registration , testing and quality of voting equipment , voting equipment deployed per capita , recounts , poll worker training , and many other details .
In New York 's June primary , we saw the mass confusion that led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballots being tossed out .
But other election details are similarly problematic .
For example , following an election , one of the best safeguards used to detect malfunctioning voting equipment or fraud is a manual hand recount of randomly selected precincts .
Yet there is no uniform standard for the number of ballots that need to be hand recounted to provide adequate security .
Some states require that 5 percent of precincts be recounted ; others require 4 percent ; still others require only 1 percent .
Which number reflects best practice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempting to figure it out .
Just as the National Highway Board is empowered to set standards for highway design and construction , a national elections commission should have the authority to create minimum standards that states must follow to ensure the quality of elections .
Following the 2000 meltdown , the U.S. Election Assistance Commission ( EAC ) was created and had the potential to play this role .
But its funding and authority have been consistently undermined by partisanship and state officials ' parochialism .
For most of Donald Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commission or an executive director .
Commissioner Ben Hovland told a House committee that the EACs entire budget is less than what Kansas City spends on pothole repair .
A more robust EAC could partner with the states and counties to establish nationwide standards for high-quality elections .
It also could provide rigorous evaluation of what works and propagate best practices .
Federal funding should be ongoing to help states pay for their critical needs for maintaining the nation 's electoral infrastructure .
2 ) Impartial and competent election officials .
We should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential election when Katherine Harris oversaw the Florida election as both secretary of state and co-chair of GOP candidate George W. Bush 's election committee .
But in 2018 in Georgia , Secretary of State Brian Kemp oversaw the election in which he was running for governor ( he won ) .
Not to be outdone , a few years ago the Democratic secretary of state in West Virginia oversaw his gubernatorial election ( he also won ) .
The vast majority of chief election officials in two-thirds of states are partisans , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election officials .
Election officials should be forbidden from serving as co-chairs of campaigns , and clear regulations and ethical guidelines should restrict their partisan involvement or running their own elections .
In addition to nonpartisanship , election administration should be upgraded to a professional civil service position as a way of ensuring competence and training .
Running elections has become increasingly complex , involving multiple ways of voting ( early , absentee , mailed , same-day , provisional ) and requiring a sophisticated knowledge of software , databases , voting equipment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yet , there are no vocational schools or degree programs where one can learn how to administer such a highly complex process .
It 's all on-the-job training , or training by the voting equipment companies ( that often have conflicts of interest ) .
Election administrators should be highly trained civil servants who demonstrate proficiency in running elections , using technology , and making the electoral process fair , transparent and secure .
3 ) Automatic voter registration .
The US has more problems with voter registration than any other established democracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters obstructed by ridiculous levels of toxic partisanship .
That 's because the US is one of the few democracies that does not practice automatic/universal voter registration .
With automatic voter registration , everyone who is eighteen or older and eligible to vote is automatically registered .
There are no forms to fill out , no partisan games played .
In Iraq a higher share of adult citizens is registered to vote than in the US because the Iraqi government assumes responsibility for registering its voters .
If we had automatic voter registration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more Americans to the voter rolls , nearly one in three eligible voters , disproportionately minority , poor , and young adults .
Automatic voter registration not only leads to more complete voter rolls but also results in greater election security .
That 's because registration occurs in an orderly , steady and rolling process , unlike our current practices , in which voter registration drives occur in spurts right before major elections and are often contested by partisan organizations that have incentive to manipulate the voter rolls .
Rosemary Rodriguez , former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems related to partisan voter registration groups and pre-election litigation over voter eligibility would be minimized with automatic voter registration .
Current practice also is a major headache for election administrators , who must deal with a surge of late registrants , which can result in insufficient levels of equipment , polling stations and poll workers .
Voters suffer by waiting in long lines .
Implementing automatic voter registration would be one of the most important civil rights gains since the Voting Rights Act of 1965 .
Our nation 's embarrassing problems with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as other parts of our creaking election infrastructure , should serve as a wake-up call .
Our antiquated practices are inadequate for the twenty-first century .
It 's a wonder things run as well as they do .
If we Americans can not trust the integrity of our elections -- whether because of poor administration , lousy technology or partisanship -- it will result in widespread apathy and resignation .
That , more than any single candidate , will damage our democracy .

Is the US about to hold another banana republic election? The ghosts of 2000, hanging chads and Bush v. Gore are rapping loudly at the door. For many members of the public, voting has become a confusing ritual, with a president making threats to ignore the results if he loses, and confusion over the safest and most secure way to vote in the middle of a pandemic.
Adding to the confusion, election management amounts to a decentralized hodgepodge spread across three thousand counties and nine thousand townships, with few national standards to guide them. Some states establish their own statewide standards, but imagine if our railways, highways, or airports had no consistent, national regulations, and so travel from state to state was mired in conflicting regulations and varying quality. The US provides more oversight and security for the gaming industry and slot machines than it does for our nation's election administration.
It doesn't have to be this way. However this election turns out, a bipartisan effort should be mounted to make voting more efficient and secure. Here are crucial steps toward realizing those goals.
1) A functioning, nonpartisan national election commission. Most established democracies around the world use a nonpartisan national election commission to establish nationwide standards and uniformity and to foster accountability. A national commission in the US would promote "best practices" in the use of mailed/absentee ballots, voter registration, testing and quality of voting equipment, voting equipment deployed per capita, recounts, poll worker training, and many other details.
In New York's June primary, we saw the mass confusion that led to upwards of 20% of absentee ballots being tossed out. But other election details are similarly problematic. For example, following an election, one of the best safeguards used to detect malfunctioning voting equipment or fraud is a manual hand recount of randomly selected precincts. Yet there is no uniform standard for the number of ballots that need to be hand recounted to provide adequate security. Some states require that 5 percent of precincts be recounted; others require 4 percent; still others require only 1 percent. Which number reflects best practice? Nobody seems to know or is attempting to figure it out.
Just as the National Highway Board is empowered to set standards for highway design and construction, a national elections commission should have the authority to create minimum standards that states must follow to ensure the quality of elections. Following the 2000 meltdown, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) was created and had the potential to play this role. But its funding and authority have been consistently undermined by partisanship and state officials' parochialism. For most of Donald Trump's term the EAC has lacked a fully-appointed commission or an executive director. Commissioner Ben Hovland told a House committee that the EACs entire budget is less than what Kansas City spends on pothole repair.
A more robust EAC could partner with the states and counties to establish nationwide standards for high-quality elections. It also could provide rigorous evaluation of what works and propagate best practices. Federal funding should be ongoing to help states pay for their critical needs for maintaining the nation's electoral infrastructure.
2) Impartial and competent election officials. We should have learned this lesson in the 2000 presidential election when Katherine Harris oversaw the Florida election as both secretary of state and co-chair of GOP candidate George W. Bush's election committee. But in 2018 in Georgia, Secretary of State Brian Kemp oversaw the election in which he was running for governor (he won). Not to be outdone, a few years ago the Democratic secretary of state in West Virginia oversaw his gubernatorial election (he also won). The vast majority of chief election officials in two-thirds of states are partisans, as are about half of all local election officials. Election officials should be forbidden from serving as co-chairs of campaigns, and clear regulations and ethical guidelines should restrict their partisan involvement or running their own elections.
In addition to nonpartisanship, election administration should be upgraded to a professional civil service position as a way of ensuring competence and training. Running elections has become increasingly complex, involving multiple ways of voting (early, absentee, mailed, same-day, provisional) and requiring a sophisticated knowledge of software, databases, voting equipment, organizational management, and public relations. Yet, there are no vocational schools or degree programs where one can learn how to administer such a highly complex process. It's all on-the-job training, or training by the voting equipment companies (that often have conflicts of interest). Election administrators should be highly trained civil servants who demonstrate proficiency in running elections, using technology, and making the electoral process fair, transparent and secure.
3) Automatic voter registration. The US has more problems with voter registration than any other established democracy. Only in the US is registering voters obstructed by ridiculous levels of toxic partisanship. That's because the US is one of the few democracies that does not practice automatic/universal voter registration. With automatic voter registration, everyone who is eighteen or older and eligible to vote is automatically registered. There are no forms to fill out, no partisan games played. In Iraq a higher share of adult citizens is registered to vote than in the US because the Iraqi government assumes responsibility for registering its voters. If we had automatic voter registration, we would immediately add 70 million more Americans to the voter rolls, nearly one in three eligible voters, disproportionately minority, poor, and young adults.
Automatic voter registration not only leads to more complete voter rolls but also results in greater election security. That's because registration occurs in an orderly, steady and rolling process, unlike our current practices, in which voter registration drives occur in spurts right before major elections and are often contested by partisan organizations that have incentive to manipulate the voter rolls. Rosemary Rodriguez, former chair of the EAC, said that problems related to partisan voter registration groups and pre-election litigation over voter eligibility would be minimized with automatic voter registration.
Current practice also is a major headache for election administrators, who must deal with a surge of late registrants, which can result in insufficient levels of equipment, polling stations and poll workers. Voters suffer by waiting in long lines. Implementing automatic voter registration would be one of the most important civil rights gains since the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Our nation's embarrassing problems with something as basic as voter registration, as well as other parts of our creaking election infrastructure, should serve as a wake-up call. Our antiquated practices are inadequate for the twenty-first century. It's a wonder things run as well as they do. If we Americans cannot trust the integrity of our elections-- whether because of poor administration, lousy technology or partisanship -- it will result in widespread apathy and resignation. That, more than any single candidate, will damage our democracy.