truthout--2020-10-14--Barrett Sparks Outrage With Claim That She Has No “Firm Views” on Climate Crisis

Environmentalists were appalled — if not necessarily surprised — by Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett ’ s statement Tuesday that she does not “ have firm views ” on climate change , an ostensibly neutral comment that critics said is tantamount to denial of the science .
“ Quite simply , if you ’ re neutral on climate change , you ’ re complicit in the collapse of the planetary ecosystem upon which the survival of every living thing depends , ” meteorologist Eric Holthaus wrote late Tuesday in response to Barrett ’ s remarks .
Asked by Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an outspoken opponent of bold climate action — whether she has “ opinions ” on climate change , Barrett said during Tuesday ’ s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing that she is “ certainly not a scientist.
” “ I mean , I ’ ve read things about climate change , ” the judge added .
“ I would not say that I have firm views on it.
” Barrett ’ s comments drew immediate backlash from environmentalists and experts who noted that one need not be a scientist to recognize the reality of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an astronomer , I can ’ t really offer an opinion on whether a giant asteroid crashing into the planet would be desirable , ” joked 350.org co-founder Bill McKibben .
In his newsletter on Tuesday , Holthaus wrote that he is “ pretty f ’ n pissed ” at Barrett ’ s casual refusal to acknowledge the reality of the “ most consequential issue of our time.
” “ It ’ s the line ‘ I ’ m certainly not a scientist ’ that is perhaps so surreal , ” wrote Holthaus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , canned answer that climate deniers have given for years .
But now it ’ s 2020 .
We ’ re in a pandemic .
You don ’ t need to be a scientist to be able to listen to scientists .
For someone whose ENTIRE JOB depends on carefully evaluating evidence , not having any ‘ firm views ’ on climate change is an unrecoverable fatal flaw.
” Andy Rowell , a staff blogger for advocacy group Oil Change International , noted Tuesday that while Barrett ’ s record on cases related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are deep alarm bells ringing.
” “ Our colleagues at Earthjustice have been fighting in the courts on behalf of our planet and its people for decades , ” Rowell noted .
“ They have expressed ‘ deep concern that the rush to confirm Amy Coney Barrett could threaten our shared future.
’ Earthjustice also argues that ‘ Judge Barrett appears willing to undermine our environmental laws ’ and that her ‘ record demonstrates her willingness to interpret environmental laws like the Clean Water Act narrowly in favor of industry interests .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ David Sirota , Andrew Perez , and Walker Bragman reported Wednesday morning that as Senate Republicans rush ahead with Barrett ’ s confirmation process , the Supreme Court is “ preparing to hear a climate case involving fossil fuel giants , including Shell Oil , where her father spent much of his career.
” “ Less than two weeks before the confirmation hearings , the Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal by Royal Dutch Shell and other oil giants that are being sued by cities and states for the climate damage those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Shell and the others are asking justices to allow the case to be heard in federal court… The upcoming climate case is particularly important for the fossil fuel industry as it seeks to ward off a wave of climate litigation .
”

Environmentalists were appalled — if not necessarily surprised — by Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett’s statement Tuesday that she does not “have firm views” on climate change, an ostensibly neutral comment that critics said is tantamount to denial of the science.
“Quite simply, if you’re neutral on climate change, you’re complicit in the collapse of the planetary ecosystem upon which the survival of every living thing depends,” meteorologist Eric Holthaus wrote late Tuesday in response to Barrett’s remarks.
Asked by Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) — an outspoken opponent of bold climate action — whether she has “opinions” on climate change, Barrett said during Tuesday’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing that she is “certainly not a scientist.”
“I mean, I’ve read things about climate change,” the judge added. “I would not say that I have firm views on it.”
Watch:
Barrett: "I'm certainly not a scientist. I have read things about climate change. I would not say I have firm views on it." We don’t need a climate denier on the Supreme Court.pic.twitter.com/hSud9hNYwx — Leah Stokes (@leahstokes) October 13, 2020
Barrett’s comments drew immediate backlash from environmentalists and experts who noted that one need not be a scientist to recognize the reality of human-caused climate change.
“Not being an astronomer, I can’t really offer an opinion on whether a giant asteroid crashing into the planet would be desirable,” joked 350.org co-founder Bill McKibben.
In his newsletter on Tuesday, Holthaus wrote that he is “pretty f’n pissed” at Barrett’s casual refusal to acknowledge the reality of the “most consequential issue of our time.”
“It’s the line ‘I’m certainly not a scientist’ that is perhaps so surreal,” wrote Holthaus. “This has been the standard, canned answer that climate deniers have given for years. But now it’s 2020. We’re in a pandemic. You don’t need to be a scientist to be able to listen to scientists. For someone whose ENTIRE JOB depends on carefully evaluating evidence, not having any ‘firm views’ on climate change is an unrecoverable fatal flaw.”
Andy Rowell, a staff blogger for advocacy group Oil Change International, noted Tuesday that while Barrett’s record on cases related to the environment “is sparse, there are deep alarm bells ringing.”
“Our colleagues at Earthjustice have been fighting in the courts on behalf of our planet and its people for decades,” Rowell noted. “They have expressed ‘deep concern that the rush to confirm Amy Coney Barrett could threaten our shared future.’ Earthjustice also argues that ‘Judge Barrett appears willing to undermine our environmental laws’ and that her ‘record demonstrates her willingness to interpret environmental laws like the Clean Water Act narrowly in favor of industry interests.'”
The Daily Poster’s David Sirota, Andrew Perez, and Walker Bragman reported Wednesday morning that as Senate Republicans rush ahead with Barrett’s confirmation process, the Supreme Court is “preparing to hear a climate case involving fossil fuel giants, including Shell Oil, where her father spent much of his career.”
“Less than two weeks before the confirmation hearings, the Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal by Royal Dutch Shell and other oil giants that are being sued by cities and states for the climate damage those companies created,” the journalists wrote. “Shell and the others are asking justices to allow the case to be heard in federal court… The upcoming climate case is particularly important for the fossil fuel industry as it seeks to ward off a wave of climate litigation.”
Tired of reading the same old news from the same old sources? So are we! That’s why we’re on a mission to shake things up and bring you the stories and perspectives that often go untold in mainstream media. But being a radically, unapologetically independent news site isn’t easy (or cheap), and we rely on reader support to keep the lights on.
If you like what you’re reading, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We’re not asking for a handout, we’re asking for an investment: Invest in a nonprofit news site that’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, not afraid to stand up for what’s right, and not afraid to tell it like it is.
This piece was reprinted by Truthout with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.


truthout--2020-10-14--DeJoy’s Donations to GOP Convention May Align With Wife’s Ambassador Nomination

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy , whose political contributions are the subject of multiple congressional investigations and a campaign finance complaint , donated nearly $ 700,000 to the host committee who put on the Republican National Convention , according to recent Federal Election Commission filings .
One $ 250,000 donation came the same day that DeJoy gave $ 210,600 to Trump Victory , a donation which is currently part of an inquiry led by Senate Democrats into a series of donations surrounding the nomination of his wife , Aldona Wos , to be the next U.S. ambassador to Canada .
DeJoy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was the convention ’ s lead fundraiser before being appointed postmaster general last spring by the U.S .
Postal Service ( USPS ) Board of Governors .
Congressional Democrats and secretaries of state have questioned a series of reforms made by DeJoy over the summer , which they allege appear to be part of a coordinated effort to leverage the USPS to aid the re-election of President Donald Trump .
Filed last Friday , the Charlotte Host Committee ’ s report lists four contributions from DeJoy between late December 2018 and March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a total $ 685,230 .
DeJoy ’ s penultimate donation of $ 250,000 came Feb. 19 , 2020 , or the same day he made the $ 210,600 donation to Trump Victory , the joint fundraising vehicle shared between the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee .
Six days later , Trump nominated Wos to be an ambassador .
The donations align with a series of major donations made by DeJoy to the Trump campaign and Senate Republicans leading up to his wife ’ s nomination as ambassador , a Salon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month that they were opening an investigation into the donations .
Wos ’ Senate confirmation remains pending .
DeJoy was previously tapped to raise cash for the 2020 Republican National Convention .
Host committees — non-profits — depend on corporate and individual donors to fund the extravagant nomination celebrations every four years .
The high-profile political events are an attractive target for corporations with lobbying interests , Brett Kappel , a nonprofit and lobbying law expert at D.C. firm Harmon Curran told Salon .
“ The host committee is a 501 ( c @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these contributions are tax deductible , ” Kappel said .
“ Lobbying expenditures , in contrast , are not tax deductible as business expenses.
” This year ’ s committee reported taking in more than $ 44 million in receipts , and it spent more than $ 38 million of that amount .
Trump all but canceled the convention after North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper , a Democrat , refused to suspend public health restrictions to limit the spread of the coronavirus pandemic .
While Republican delegates still met formally in Charlotte @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the White House lawn .
DeJoy ’ s $ 700,000 outstripped contributions from some corporations .
Software maker Oracle , for example , which has business before the Trump administration in the form of a bid to purchase the social media platform TikTok , contributed $ 500,000 .
Private prison corporations Geo Group and CoreCivic gave $ 250,000 each .
Telecom giant AT & T donated $ 1 million .
A local company called Charlotte Pipe & Foundry — a century-old company owned by the wealthy Dowd family , whose executives have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Thom Tillis , R-N.C. — gave $ 500,000 to the committee .
Charlotte Pipe , which employs some 1,200 people , announced this May that it would relocate its flagship plant out of the city to nearby Stanly County .
David Teppen , the hedge-fund billionaire and owner of the Carolina Panthers , has eyed the company ’ s property for a new stadium .
Charlotte Pipe also gave $ 25,000 to the NRA Victory Fund in August 2020 , the same month as the convention , FEC records show .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receipts , ” meaning it was not money but a permitted equivalent such as gold or securities .
Charlotte Pipe , which is privately owned , does not have shares to sell off , and the company does not manufacture gun parts , a company spokesperson told Salon .
( The Tillis campaign has been accused of illegal coordination with the National Rifle Assocation . )
The same day that Charlotte Pipe gave $ 250,000 to the convention committee , the company donated $ 25,000 to Results for NC , a PAC affiliated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ super PAC , American Crossroads , has poured millions into helping the embattled candidate salvage his re-election bid .
It is also led by a USPS official .
A House committee announced last month that it was launching its own investigation into DeJoy following reports that he led an alleged criminal straw donor scheme by reimbursing employees at his former company for donating to GOP candidates .
That was followed by an announcement from Senate Democrats of the probe into DeJoy ’ s donations connected to his wife .
Later that month , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complaint against DeJoy and his former company XPO Logistics alleging that the scheme continued at least through 2018 , in total allowing DeJoy to disguise possibly hundreds of thousands of dollars in political contributions .
Those contributions included over $ 50,000 to Trump Victory .

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, whose political contributions are the subject of multiple congressional investigations and a campaign finance complaint, donated nearly $700,000 to the host committee who put on the Republican National Convention, according to recent Federal Election Commission filings.
One $250,000 donation came the same day that DeJoy gave $210,600 to Trump Victory, a donation which is currently part of an inquiry led by Senate Democrats into a series of donations surrounding the nomination of his wife, Aldona Wos, to be the next U.S. ambassador to Canada.
DeJoy, a Republican mega-donor and logistics mogul, was the convention’s lead fundraiser before being appointed postmaster general last spring by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Board of Governors. Congressional Democrats and secretaries of state have questioned a series of reforms made by DeJoy over the summer, which they allege appear to be part of a coordinated effort to leverage the USPS to aid the re-election of President Donald Trump.
DeJoy has denied the allegations.
Filed last Friday, the Charlotte Host Committee’s report lists four contributions from DeJoy between late December 2018 and March 31 of this year, which amount to a total $685,230.
DeJoy’s penultimate donation of $250,000 came Feb. 19, 2020, or the same day he made the $210,600 donation to Trump Victory, the joint fundraising vehicle shared between the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee. Six days later, Trump nominated Wos to be an ambassador.
The donations align with a series of major donations made by DeJoy to the Trump campaign and Senate Republicans leading up to his wife’s nomination as ambassador, a Salon investigation revealed. Senate Democrats announced last month that they were opening an investigation into the donations. Wos’ Senate confirmation remains pending.
DeJoy was previously tapped to raise cash for the 2020 Republican National Convention. Host committees — non-profits — depend on corporate and individual donors to fund the extravagant nomination celebrations every four years. The high-profile political events are an attractive target for corporations with lobbying interests, Brett Kappel, a nonprofit and lobbying law expert at D.C. firm Harmon Curran told Salon.
“The host committee is a 501(c)(3) organization, so these contributions are tax deductible,” Kappel said. “Lobbying expenditures, in contrast, are not tax deductible as business expenses.”
This year’s committee reported taking in more than $44 million in receipts, and it spent more than $38 million of that amount. Trump all but canceled the convention after North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, refused to suspend public health restrictions to limit the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. While Republican delegates still met formally in Charlotte, Trump ultimately gave his acceptance speech from the White House lawn.
DeJoy’s $700,000 outstripped contributions from some corporations. Software maker Oracle, for example, which has business before the Trump administration in the form of a bid to purchase the social media platform TikTok, contributed $500,000. Private prison corporations Geo Group and CoreCivic gave $250,000 each. Telecom giant AT&T donated $1 million.
A local company called Charlotte Pipe & Foundry — a century-old company owned by the wealthy Dowd family, whose executives have been reliable financial backers of Trump and Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C. — gave $500,000 to the committee.
Charlotte Pipe, which employs some 1,200 people, announced this May that it would relocate its flagship plant out of the city to nearby Stanly County. David Teppen, the hedge-fund billionaire and owner of the Carolina Panthers, has eyed the company’s property for a new stadium.
Charlotte Pipe also gave $25,000 to the NRA Victory Fund in August 2020, the same month as the convention, FEC records show. The donation was itemized as “other federal receipts,” meaning it was not money but a permitted equivalent such as gold or securities. Charlotte Pipe, which is privately owned, does not have shares to sell off, and the company does not manufacture gun parts, a company spokesperson told Salon. (The Tillis campaign has been accused of illegal coordination with the National Rifle Assocation.)
The same day that Charlotte Pipe gave $250,000 to the convention committee, the company donated $25,000 to Results for NC, a PAC affiliated with the Tillis campaign. Another Tillis-backing super PAC, American Crossroads, has poured millions into helping the embattled candidate salvage his re-election bid. It is also led by a USPS official.
A House committee announced last month that it was launching its own investigation into DeJoy following reports that he led an alleged criminal straw donor scheme by reimbursing employees at his former company for donating to GOP candidates. That was followed by an announcement from Senate Democrats of the probe into DeJoy’s donations connected to his wife.
Later that month, a campaign finance watchdog filed an FEC complaint against DeJoy and his former company XPO Logistics alleging that the scheme continued at least through 2018, in total allowing DeJoy to disguise possibly hundreds of thousands of dollars in political contributions.
Those contributions included over $50,000 to Trump Victory.
DeJoy denies all wrongdoing.
Tired of reading the same old news from the same old sources? So are we! That’s why we’re on a mission to shake things up and bring you the stories and perspectives that often go untold in mainstream media. But being a radically, unapologetically independent news site isn’t easy (or cheap), and we rely on reader support to keep the lights on.
If you like what you’re reading, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We’re not asking for a handout, we’re asking for an investment: Invest in a nonprofit news site that’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, not afraid to stand up for what’s right, and not afraid to tell it like it is.
This piece was reprinted by Truthout with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.


truthout--2020-10-14--Activists Are Mobilizing to Help Incarcerated People Get Their Stimulus Checks

For months incarcerated people and their families heard conflicting messages about whether they were eligible to receive the pandemic stimulus payments provided by Congress as the Trump administration attempted to block prisoners from receiving their checks .
Last week a federal judge slammed the administration with an order to provide the stimulus relief , and now advocates across the country are working to ensure low-income people caged in state and federal prisons can apply for the much-needed federal aid as deadlines loom .
“ It ’ s important because prisoners and their families are among the most impoverished groups in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s that group of people , ” said Alan Mills , executive director of the Uptown People ’ s Law Center ( UPLC ) , a legal aid organization currently working to help low-income prisoners apply for stimulus checks , in an interview .
In the spring , Congress passed a coronavirus stimulus package that provided pandemic relief payments of up to $ 1,200 for individuals , plus $ 500 per child , and checks were sent automatically to people who file taxes .
In April , the Internal Revenue Service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payments worth $ 100 million to incarcerated people before a Treasury Department audit flagged the payments and declared incarcerated people ineligible .
The IRS reversed course , directing prison wardens to intercept automatic payments while denying payments to those who filed with the IRS in order to receive them .
Legal advocates filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of prisoners , arguing that the Trump administration ’ s attempt to deny stimulus payments to incarcerated people was arbitrary and illegal .
Indeed , the stimulus package passed by Congress contains no language @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief .
A federal judge in California agreed and ordered the Trump administration to stop withholding stimulus payments from incarcerated people and people recently released from prison .
The plaintiffs estimate that over 1.4 million people were impacted by the administration ’ s attempt to block payments .
Last week , the court ordered the IRS to correct misinformation on its website , which originally and incorrectly stated that incarcerated people are not eligible for stimulus payments .
Misinformation also made the rounds in the media .
Prison officials in West Virginia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April that prisoners developed a “ scheme ” designed to defraud the government by applying with the IRS to receive stimulus checks .
However , it was the Treasury Department and the IRS that broke the law , according to the class action lawsuit and subsequent federal court ruling .
“ People who are incarcerated , they are the very same people who are affected by COVID the most — Black people , Native and Latinx people , and [ low-income ] people are most in need of these funds , and for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it from them , it was just an injustice that the plaintiffs and we could not let stand , ” said Mona Tawatao of the Equal Justice Society , an attorney for the plaintiffs , in an interview .
In order to receive a stimulus payment , prisoners ( and anyone else who has yet to receive a check ) must either file taxes for 2018 or 2019 , or file a simplified IRS 1040 form if they are not required to regularly file taxes because they are low-income .
To accommodate incarcerated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to extend the deadline for mailing tax forms to the IRS to October 30 and the deadline for filing online until November 21 .
Prisoners who have filed with the IRS but were previously denied should receive their payments automatically .
( More information on filing can be found here and here . )
The Trump administration initially moved to appeal the court ’ s ruling and order , but it remains unclear whether the IRS and Treasury Department will pursue the appeal .
On Friday , the administration filed a motion with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a section of the order requiring the IRS to notify incarcerated people of their right to file for a stimulus check by October 15 , but the court rejected the motion and sent it back to the lower court , according to Tawatao .
An estimated 9 million people who are eligible for the stimulus have not yet received it , often because they do not make enough money to file taxes with the IRS .
Many of these people are economically vulnerable , including veterans , the elderly , people who do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along with incarcerated people .
People trapped in the clutches of the criminal legal system are overwhelmingly low-income .
Nationally , about 60 percent of incarcerated people are people of color , and communities of color have been disproportionately impacted both by the COVID-19 pandemic and mass incarceration , according to an amicus brief filed in federal court by civil rights groups and advocates for the incarcerated .
They argue that the Trump administration ’ s attempt to block stimulus payments threatened to intensify inequalities driven by systemic racism in the criminal legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care and employment .
Two in three families with an incarcerated loved one had difficulty meeting basic needs , such as food and housing , before the pandemic , and the economic fallout of the pandemic has made a bad situation worse .
As Truthout has reported , millions of families across the country are going hungry and struggling to pay rent and bills as Congress and the White House bicker over a second stimulus package .
Incarceration comes at a high price for families , and these costs overwhelmingly fall on women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Human Rights .
On average , families pay $ 13,600 in court and legal fees , nearly a year ’ s salary for a worker who makes minimum wage and may not be required to file with the IRS .
Phone calls to loved ones inside prisons can cost up to 21 cents per minute , plus fees .
Prisoners who do work are paid substandard wages .
According to the amicus brief : Across the country , activists are now rushing to get IRS forms to incarcerated people before the October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not grant access to the internet , making online filing impossible .
Mills said UPLC is raising money to send 35,000 IRS forms with instructions to every prisoner in Illinois , and the state corrections department has agreed to distribute them .
Similar efforts are underway in a number of other states , including Pennsylvania , California , Maryland , West Virginia and Louisiana .
In some cases , prison officials have agreed to distribute IRS forms and filing information to prisoners after coming under pressure from activists .
Thousands of people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Presumably [ the stimulus ] will do exactly what it is supposed to do , ” Mills said .
“ It will be spent either on commissary or through phone calls , and a lot of this money will end up in the hands of parents who are supporting their kids in prison , and people who are imprisoned and are themselves parents — that will provide for them as well .
”

Part of the Series Despair and Disparity: The Uneven Burdens of COVID-19
For months incarcerated people and their families heard conflicting messages about whether they were eligible to receive the pandemic stimulus payments provided by Congress as the Trump administration attempted to block prisoners from receiving their checks. Last week a federal judge slammed the administration with an order to provide the stimulus relief, and now advocates across the country are working to ensure low-income people caged in state and federal prisons can apply for the much-needed federal aid as deadlines loom.
“It’s important because prisoners and their families are among the most impoverished groups in America, if anyone needs the money it’s that group of people,” said Alan Mills, executive director of the Uptown People’s Law Center (UPLC), a legal aid organization currently working to help low-income prisoners apply for stimulus checks, in an interview.
In the spring, Congress passed a coronavirus stimulus package that provided pandemic relief payments of up to $1,200 for individuals, plus $500 per child, and checks were sent automatically to people who file taxes. In April, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) sent nearly 85,000 stimulus payments worth $100 million to incarcerated people before a Treasury Department audit flagged the payments and declared incarcerated people ineligible. The IRS reversed course, directing prison wardens to intercept automatic payments while denying payments to those who filed with the IRS in order to receive them.
Legal advocates filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of prisoners, arguing that the Trump administration’s attempt to deny stimulus payments to incarcerated people was arbitrary and illegal. Indeed, the stimulus package passed by Congress contains no language barring incarcerated people from receiving the pandemic relief. A federal judge in California agreed and ordered the Trump administration to stop withholding stimulus payments from incarcerated people and people recently released from prison. The plaintiffs estimate that over 1.4 million people were impacted by the administration’s attempt to block payments.
Last week, the court ordered the IRS to correct misinformation on its website, which originally and incorrectly stated that incarcerated people are not eligible for stimulus payments. Misinformation also made the rounds in the media. Prison officials in West Virginia, for example, told reporters in late April that prisoners developed a “scheme” designed to defraud the government by applying with the IRS to receive stimulus checks. However, it was the Treasury Department and the IRS that broke the law, according to the class action lawsuit and subsequent federal court ruling.
“People who are incarcerated, they are the very same people who are affected by COVID the most — Black people, Native and Latinx people, and [low-income] people are most in need of these funds, and for government to callously subvert law and take it from them, it was just an injustice that the plaintiffs and we could not let stand,” said Mona Tawatao of the Equal Justice Society, an attorney for the plaintiffs, in an interview.
The Trump administration’s attempt to block stimulus payments threatened to intensify inequalities driven by systemic racism in the criminal legal system.
In order to receive a stimulus payment, prisoners (and anyone else who has yet to receive a check) must either file taxes for 2018 or 2019, or file a simplified IRS 1040 form if they are not required to regularly file taxes because they are low-income. To accommodate incarcerated people, the court ordered the IRS to extend the deadline for mailing tax forms to the IRS to October 30 and the deadline for filing online until November 21. Prisoners who have filed with the IRS but were previously denied should receive their payments automatically. (More information on filing can be found here and here.)
The Trump administration initially moved to appeal the court’s ruling and order, but it remains unclear whether the IRS and Treasury Department will pursue the appeal. On Friday, the administration filed a motion with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals challenging a section of the order requiring the IRS to notify incarcerated people of their right to file for a stimulus check by October 15, but the court rejected the motion and sent it back to the lower court, according to Tawatao.
An estimated 9 million people who are eligible for the stimulus have not yet received it, often because they do not make enough money to file taxes with the IRS. Many of these people are economically vulnerable, including veterans, the elderly, people who do not speak English and houseless people, along with incarcerated people.
People trapped in the clutches of the criminal legal system are overwhelmingly low-income. Nationally, about 60 percent of incarcerated people are people of color, and communities of color have been disproportionately impacted both by the COVID-19 pandemic and mass incarceration, according to an amicus brief filed in federal court by civil rights groups and advocates for the incarcerated. They argue that the Trump administration’s attempt to block stimulus payments threatened to intensify inequalities driven by systemic racism in the criminal legal system, as well as in health care and employment.
In some cases, prison officials have agreed to distribute IRS forms and filing information to prisoners after coming under pressure from activists.
Two in three families with an incarcerated loved one had difficulty meeting basic needs, such as food and housing, before the pandemic, and the economic fallout of the pandemic has made a bad situation worse. As Truthout has reported, millions of families across the country are going hungry and struggling to pay rent and bills as Congress and the White House bicker over a second stimulus package.
Incarceration comes at a high price for families, and these costs overwhelmingly fall on women, according to the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. On average, families pay $13,600 in court and legal fees, nearly a year’s salary for a worker who makes minimum wage and may not be required to file with the IRS. Phone calls to loved ones inside prisons can cost up to 21 cents per minute, plus fees. Prisoners who do work are paid substandard wages. According to the amicus brief:
Every day, low-income Black and Brown families of incarcerated people make life and death decisions about where to send money and resources. Should these precious dollars be used to buy food, pay for gas money, or pay rent? Or, should they be sent to a loved one in jail or prison to fund necessities, like safer food and hygiene products from commissary? The COVID-19 crisis makes these difficult choices more dire. Immediate action is needed to direct CARES Act funds to incarcerated people, to ensure that their loved ones will not have to make life-altering choices.
Across the country, activists are now rushing to get IRS forms to incarcerated people before the October 30 mail-in deadline. Prisons generally do not grant access to the internet, making online filing impossible. Mills said UPLC is raising money to send 35,000 IRS forms with instructions to every prisoner in Illinois, and the state corrections department has agreed to distribute them. Similar efforts are underway in a number of other states, including Pennsylvania, California, Maryland, West Virginia and Louisiana. In some cases, prison officials have agreed to distribute IRS forms and filing information to prisoners after coming under pressure from activists. Thousands of people have shared IRS filing information on social media.
“Presumably [the stimulus] will do exactly what it is supposed to do,” Mills said. “It will be spent either on commissary or through phone calls, and a lot of this money will end up in the hands of parents who are supporting their kids in prison, and people who are imprisoned and are themselves parents — that will provide for them as well.”
Tired of reading the same old news from the same old sources? So are we! That’s why we’re on a mission to shake things up and bring you the stories and perspectives that often go untold in mainstream media. But being a radically, unapologetically independent news site isn’t easy (or cheap), and we rely on reader support to keep the lights on.
If you like what you’re reading, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We’re not asking for a handout, we’re asking for an investment: Invest in a nonprofit news site that’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, not afraid to stand up for what’s right, and not afraid to tell it like it is.
Copyright © Truthout. May not be reprinted without permission.


truthout--2020-10-14--Trump Schedules Town Hall Event at Exact Same Time as Biden’s on Thursday

President Donald Trump will participate in a virtual town hall question-and-answer forum hosted by NBC News on Thursday evening , an event that will air at the exact same time as another town hall on ABC featuring Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden .
The dual town hall events are happening in response to the Trump campaign ’ s refusal last week to take part in a virtual town hall debate between the two candidates .
The Commission on Presidential Debates ( CPD ) had announced that the second debate , which was set to happen on Thursday , would become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president ’ s coronavirus infection and in order to keep both candidates and town hall participants safe .
Trump rejected that call from the CPD outright , saying on Fox Business last week that the move was “ not acceptable to ” him and his campaign .
“ I ’ m not going to waste my time on a virtual debate , that ’ s not what debating is all about , ” Trump told host Maria Bartiromo .
“ You sit behind a computer and do a debate .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those comments last Thursday , Biden scheduled a solo town hall with ABC to take place at 8 pm Eastern Time tomorrow , hosted by George Stephanopoulos .
The following day , the CPD officially canceled the second debate .
Trump ’ s town hall , which will air at the exact same time as Biden ’ s — at 8 pm Eastern Time — is set to take place outdoors , and will be “ in accordance with the guidelines set forth by health officials , also consistent with all government regulations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBC ’ s “ Today ” show on Wednesday morning .
Savannah Guthrie will moderate the event , sitting 12 feet away from the president at all times .
Other attendees will be required to wear masks .
Although some may have their doubts about his health , it ’ s highly likely that Trump has demonstrated to NBC News that he is now recovered from his coronavirus infection , as the network reportedly sought independent proof that he was virus-free before agreeing to host the town hall .
Still , there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disseminate opinions about the pandemic during his town hall meeting that will be highly misleading or flat-out wrong .
The president has been suggesting at recent campaign rallies , for example , where social distancing and mask standards have been ignored , that he is now immune from the virus — a statement that runs counter to many health experts ’ thinking on COVID-19 .
The twin town halls may set up a contentious battle between the two candidates on another front , one that may be closer to Trump ’ s heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The president is famously obsessed with touting his own television audience numbers , and will likely claim after Thursday that a higher viewership is proof he ’ s in a better position than Biden in the run-up to Election Day .
Current polling data shows otherwise .
According to aggregate data from FiveThirtyEight.com , as of Wednesday morning Biden is more than 10 points ahead of Trump , with the site further suggesting that the former vice president has an 87 percent chance of winning the race .
While the second debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is still set to occur on October 22 in Nashville , Tennessee .

The separate town halls came about after Trump announced last week he would not take part in a virtual debate.
President Donald Trump will participate in a virtual town hall question-and-answer forum hosted by NBC News on Thursday evening, an event that will air at the exact same time as another town hall on ABC featuring Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
The dual town hall events are happening in response to the Trump campaign’s refusal last week to take part in a virtual town hall debate between the two candidates. The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) had announced that the second debate, which was set to happen on Thursday, would become a virtual event, in light of the president’s coronavirus infection and in order to keep both candidates and town hall participants safe.
Trump rejected that call from the CPD outright, saying on Fox Business last week that the move was “not acceptable to” him and his campaign.
“I’m not going to waste my time on a virtual debate, that’s not what debating is all about,” Trump told host Maria Bartiromo. “You sit behind a computer and do a debate. It’s ridiculous.”
Immediately after Trump made those comments last Thursday, Biden scheduled a solo town hall with ABC to take place at 8 pm Eastern Time tomorrow, hosted by George Stephanopoulos. The following day, the CPD officially canceled the second debate.
Trump’s town hall, which will air at the exact same time as Biden’s — at 8 pm Eastern Time — is set to take place outdoors, and will be “in accordance with the guidelines set forth by health officials, also consistent with all government regulations,” host Hoda Kotb said on NBC’s “Today” show on Wednesday morning.
Savannah Guthrie will moderate the event, sitting 12 feet away from the president at all times. Other attendees will be required to wear masks.
Although some may have their doubts about his health, it’s highly likely that Trump has demonstrated to NBC News that he is now recovered from his coronavirus infection, as the network reportedly sought independent proof that he was virus-free before agreeing to host the town hall.
Still, there’s a strong likelihood that Trump will disseminate opinions about the pandemic during his town hall meeting that will be highly misleading or flat-out wrong. The president has been suggesting at recent campaign rallies, for example, where social distancing and mask standards have been ignored, that he is now immune from the virus — a statement that runs counter to many health experts’ thinking on COVID-19.
The twin town halls may set up a contentious battle between the two candidates on another front, one that may be closer to Trump’s heart than the current pandemic: television ratings. The president is famously obsessed with touting his own television audience numbers, and will likely claim after Thursday that a higher viewership is proof he’s in a better position than Biden in the run-up to Election Day.
Current polling data shows otherwise. According to aggregate data from FiveThirtyEight.com, as of Wednesday morning Biden is more than 10 points ahead of Trump, with the site further suggesting that the former vice president has an 87 percent chance of winning the race.
While the second debate has been canceled, the third debate is still set to occur on October 22 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Tired of reading the same old news from the same old sources? So are we! That’s why we’re on a mission to shake things up and bring you the stories and perspectives that often go untold in mainstream media. But being a radically, unapologetically independent news site isn’t easy (or cheap), and we rely on reader support to keep the lights on.
If you like what you’re reading, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We’re not asking for a handout, we’re asking for an investment: Invest in a nonprofit news site that’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, not afraid to stand up for what’s right, and not afraid to tell it like it is.
Copyright © Truthout. May not be reprinted without permission.


truthout--2020-10-14--Texas Is Limiting Ballot Drop-Off Locations. Activists Are Pushing Back.

Despite a last-minute ruling restricting absentee voting in Texas , voting rights advocates in the state ’ s hardest hit communities of color are redoubling their efforts to get out the vote amid one of the most severe voter suppression campaigns in the state in recent election cycles .
Texas counties remain blocked from setting up multiple ballot drop-off locations after a federal appeals court on Monday upheld Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott ’ s directive restricting counties to one location for ballot drop boxes to remain in place .
State Attorney General Ken Paxton filed an emergency motion for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after a federal judge blocked Governor Abbott ’ s directive .
Civil rights organizations filed at least four lawsuits against the order last week , arguing the move places an unconstitutional and unequal burden on the right to vote .
The new rule forces certain voters to have to drive more than an hour to deliver their ballot , as some counties in the expansive state measure more than 6,000 square miles .
Texas voters must present an approved ID to deliver their mail-in ballot and may not turn in another person ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights advocates say disproportionately impacts elderly and disabled voters .
Disability Rights Texas , a legal protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities , filed an amicus brief in support of the lawsuit to block Abbott ’ s directive .
“ Many people with disabilities already face additional barriers when voting , ” said Lia S. Davis , a senior attorney at Disability Rights Texas .
“ By ordering the closure of drop-off sites , the state of Texas is making it even more difficult for people with disabilities to vote.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are necessary to preserve election integrity but has provided no evidence that multiple drop-off locations enable “ voter fraud , ” which is so extremely rare that it is virtually nonexistent in the United States .
The legal fight over ballot drop boxes joins several other state GOP-led efforts to beat back the expansion of mail-in voting during the pandemic .
The governor ’ s claims reinforce attempts by President Donald Trump and other Republican leaders to sow doubt about the reliability of voting by mail .
In June , the U.S. Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 at polling places would not be allowed to vote by mail .
Those who can vote by mail in the state include voters who are 65 or older , incarcerated but otherwise eligible , away from the county , or those citing a disability or illness .
The Texas Supreme Court ruled last week against several Republican officials who sought to restrict early voting to a two-week period during the pandemic .
But the court also ruled last week that Harris County elections officials could not send out mail-in ballot applications to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters .
The Texas Republican Party ’ s newest lawsuit was filed Monday night — only hours before early voting was set to begin across the state .
The suit challenges Harris County ’ s efforts to provide curbside voting , in which election officials bring ballots to voters in their cars , and asks the court to end the county ’ s drive-through voting programs that allow poll workers to hand out voting machines to people through their car window after checking their ID .
Moreover , a legal battle over “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voter can select all candidates of a political party with one punch , remains ongoing .
The state also banned temporary and mobile voting sites last year in an effort to suppress student turnout near college campuses and by residents of senior centers .
The Texas League of Women Voters is challenging several of this election cycle ’ s Republican-led voter suppression tactics in court , including Governor Abbott ’ s ballot drop-off rule .
In August , a federal judge sided with the League , ruling that the Department of Public Safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the same time that they apply for or renew a driver ’ s license .
The League scored another favorable ruling in September in a case over the state ’ s mail-in ballot signature matching process .
Grace Chimene , president of the Texas League , told Truthout that voter suppression tactics in the state have intensified this year , compared to previous election cycles , particularly as former Vice President Joe Biden outperforms past Democratic nominees ’ margins in the state and Democrats are optimistic about taking control of the Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We already have in Texas complicated election laws , and they get more complicated every time we go through a legislative cycle , with legislators adding more complications and making it harder for people to understand how to vote , ” Chimene told Truthout .
“ They seem to call things ‘ voter fraud , ’ and they set up little traps for you in the election code .
Those little traps are things like [ making it ] harder to assist a person with voting.
” But even as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intensified , so have the League and other organizations ’ get-out-the-vote efforts : The state ’ s 33 regional chapters have registered more voters this cycle than in previous years , despite the pandemic , according to Chimene .
In addition to running several voter education initiatives regarding absentee balloting procedures and new voting procedures this cycle , the League has been working to recruit more election and poll workers amid fears that the pandemic could lead to a shortage , since many of those who have typically done the job are more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mandate issued in July specifically exempted polling places , and at least one county saw poll workers leave a polling site after Republican workers refused to wear masks .
While some counties may mandate that their poll workers wear masks , they can ’ t mandate that poll watchers , who work on behalf of a political candidate or party , wear them .
The League has been pressuring the governor and other officials to enforce a mask mandate for all poll workers and official , certified poll watchers .
Chimene told Truthout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local leagues are feeling more confident amid an influx of younger , newly trained poll workers .
“ We have a fresh batch , which is great for our democracy , ” she said .
The Texas League is also running election protection efforts , including sending League-affiliated observers to polling sites to look out for individuals who may be breaking rules regarding electioneering — as well as for potential voter intimidation as the Trump campaign calls on supporters to show up to polling locations to conduct “ ballot security ” operations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ drop-off directive allows certified poll watchers “ to observe any activity conducted at the early voting clerk ’ s office location related to the in-person delivery of a marked mail ballot.
” The provision seems to come in response to Trump ’ s debate comments urging supporters to volunteer as poll watchers .
Many voting rights advocates are concerned , however , about unofficial , uncertified volunteers showing up at polling locations claiming to be “ poll watchers ” while engaging in intimidation tactics .
Chimene encouraged voters to call the League ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spot any violations of rules and regulations at polling locations .
She cautioned against calling police except in extreme situations , however .
“ Sometimes police can be intimidating for voters also , so we don ’ t want that to happen , ” she said .
Other organizations throughout the state are making similar preparations as early voting begins this week .
In Hidalgo County and across Texas ’ s predominantly low-income and Latino Rio Grande Valley in the state ’ s southern tip , organizers with La Unión del Pueblo Entero @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recruit poll workers and independent observers to ensure election operations run as smoothly as possible in a region that has been among the hardest hit by the pandemic .
In Hidalgo County , the COVID-19 death rate is more than 10 times the national average .
In fact , South Texas is home to the five metropolitan areas with the highest rates of new COVID-19 cases relative to their populations in the U.S. , according to data compiled by The New York Times .
Daniel Diaz , who coordinates LUPE ’ s get-out-the-vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the summer .
Several people close to him have died of the disease , including his uncle .
He told Truthout that LUPE ’ s organizers have sent more than 100,000 texts and made more than 23,000 calls to “ high-potential ” voters across the valley — people who have turned out in a primary or for a local election but haven ’ t yet turned out for a general election .
Diaz says many residents respond to the group ’ s calls or texts by expressing concerns about their particular vulnerabilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the lack of a mask mandate at the polls .
LUPE is working to educate those voters about curb-side voting and absentee voting options .
Abbott ’ s recent directive restricting ballot drop boxes , in particular , created confusion among many South Texas voters , Diaz said .
“ I had people responding to me , ‘ What does this mean ?
Does this mean I can not mail my ballot anymore ?
Do I have to go vote in person now ?
’ It ’ s like , ‘ No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still mail your ballot , ’ ” he says .
“ Making these wild decisions right before early voting starts is just a tactic to confuse people ; it ’ s just part of the agenda.
” Diaz told Truthout that LUPE is partnering with the Texas Civil Rights Project and the ACLU of Texas to train volunteers acting as observers to record and document potential intimidation activity at polling sites and report any such activity back to the legal organizations .
He is concerned about the potential for intimidation in the area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” over the past several weeks .
“ There ’ s been a lot of intimidation from Trump factions here , where they ’ ve been having these caravans and driving around , ” Diaz said .
“ I ’ m worried that attitude is going to be transferred to polling locations .
There ’ s always local races that get really contentious and ugly and electioneering rules can be kind of loose here .
I ’ m concerned that maybe a Trump faction can exploit that and get really close to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are also at the forefront of Felicia Moon-Thomas ’ s mind as she prepares a new , grassroots team of volunteers with See You at the Polls : Texas to fan out across polling locations in Fort Bend , Harris , Montgomery and Brazoria Counties on Election Day .
Moon-Thomas is based in Fort Bend County , where the only ballot drop-off site is a converted Walmart building .
The county was planning to add four locations where voters can hand deliver their absentee ballots before Abbott ’ s ballot drop-off rule last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administrators ’ expansion plans .
After driving across the 855 square mile county , residents who vote at the Walmart site must also show a photo ID , have their temperature checked and go inside the converted building to deliver their ballots .
To make matters worse , on Tuesday , the first day of the early voting period , voting machines across Fort Bend County were down due to a glitch after polls opened at 8 am , but county elections officials said most machines were back online as of 9:15 am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts — and Black and Brown people ’ s determination to overcome them — is what inspired Moon-Thomas to start the See You at the Polls group , which has now grown to more than 2,500 volunteers .
Those volunteers will distribute water , rain ponchos , chairs and snacks to voters at predominantly Black and Brown polling sites on Election Day .
They will also hold people ’ s places in line at times and provide portable cell phone chargers .
“ If we can all get 20 of our closest friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s a good thing , ” Moon-Thomas says .
“ We ’ re targeting inner-city neighborhoods where we know that voter suppression is already happening but will definitely happen on November 3.
” The group is practicing role-play scenarios in advance of Election Day in which agitators are disguised as poll watchers and attempt to intimidate voters standing in line .
She points out that while many are focused on individuals who may attempt to berate voters standing in line , fewer are focused on people who may be planted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complaining about how long the line may be , or suggesting that they may have a better chance if they come back later .
“ Education has been key to part of the success of our campaign .
We ’ re trying to educate people on every single thing that we possibly can that could happen that falls under the guise of voter suppression , ” Moon-Thomas said .

Despite a last-minute ruling restricting absentee voting, civil rights advocates are doubling down to get out the vote.
Part of the Series Voting Wrongs
Despite a last-minute ruling restricting absentee voting in Texas, voting rights advocates in the state’s hardest hit communities of color are redoubling their efforts to get out the vote amid one of the most severe voter suppression campaigns in the state in recent election cycles.
Texas counties remain blocked from setting up multiple ballot drop-off locations after a federal appeals court on Monday upheld Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s directive restricting counties to one location for ballot drop boxes to remain in place.
State Attorney General Ken Paxton filed an emergency motion for an administrative stay Saturday, a day after a federal judge blocked Governor Abbott’s directive. Civil rights organizations filed at least four lawsuits against the order last week, arguing the move places an unconstitutional and unequal burden on the right to vote.
The new rule forces certain voters to have to drive more than an hour to deliver their ballot, as some counties in the expansive state measure more than 6,000 square miles. Texas voters must present an approved ID to deliver their mail-in ballot and may not turn in another person’s ballot — a rule many voting rights advocates say disproportionately impacts elderly and disabled voters.
Disability Rights Texas, a legal protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities, filed an amicus brief in support of the lawsuit to block Abbott’s directive. “Many people with disabilities already face additional barriers when voting,” said Lia S. Davis, a senior attorney at Disability Rights Texas. “By ordering the closure of drop-off sites, the state of Texas is making it even more difficult for people with disabilities to vote.”
Abbott claims the restrictions on drop-off locations are necessary to preserve election integrity but has provided no evidence that multiple drop-off locations enable “voter fraud,” which is so extremely rare that it is virtually nonexistent in the United States.
The legal fight over ballot drop boxes joins several other state GOP-led efforts to beat back the expansion of mail-in voting during the pandemic. The governor’s claims reinforce attempts by President Donald Trump and other Republican leaders to sow doubt about the reliability of voting by mail.
In June, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Texans concerned about contracting COVID-19 at polling places would not be allowed to vote by mail. Those who can vote by mail in the state include voters who are 65 or older, incarcerated but otherwise eligible, away from the county, or those citing a disability or illness.
“By ordering the closure of drop-off sites, the state of Texas is making it even more difficult for people with disabilities to vote.”
The Texas Supreme Court ruled last week against several Republican officials who sought to restrict early voting to a two-week period during the pandemic. But the court also ruled last week that Harris County elections officials could not send out mail-in ballot applications to the county’s 2.4 million registered voters.
The Texas Republican Party’s newest lawsuit was filed Monday night — only hours before early voting was set to begin across the state. The suit challenges Harris County’s efforts to provide curbside voting, in which election officials bring ballots to voters in their cars, and asks the court to end the county’s drive-through voting programs that allow poll workers to hand out voting machines to people through their car window after checking their ID.
Moreover, a legal battle over “straight-ticket voting,” in which a voter can select all candidates of a political party with one punch, remains ongoing. The state also banned temporary and mobile voting sites last year in an effort to suppress student turnout near college campuses and by residents of senior centers.
The Texas League of Women Voters is challenging several of this election cycle’s Republican-led voter suppression tactics in court, including Governor Abbott’s ballot drop-off rule. In August, a federal judge sided with the League, ruling that the Department of Public Safety must allow people to register to vote at the same time that they apply for or renew a driver’s license. The League scored another favorable ruling in September in a case over the state’s mail-in ballot signature matching process.
Grace Chimene, president of the Texas League, told Truthout that voter suppression tactics in the state have intensified this year, compared to previous election cycles, particularly as former Vice President Joe Biden outperforms past Democratic nominees’ margins in the state and Democrats are optimistic about taking control of the Texas House for the first time since 2002.
“We already have in Texas complicated election laws, and they get more complicated every time we go through a legislative cycle, with legislators adding more complications and making it harder for people to understand how to vote,” Chimene told Truthout. “They seem to call things ‘voter fraud,’ and they set up little traps for you in the election code. Those little traps are things like [making it] harder to assist a person with voting.”
“We already have in Texas complicated election laws, and they get more complicated every time we go through a legislative cycle.”
But even as the GOP’s voter suppression efforts have intensified, so have the League and other organizations’ get-out-the-vote efforts: The state’s 33 regional chapters have registered more voters this cycle than in previous years, despite the pandemic, according to Chimene.
In addition to running several voter education initiatives regarding absentee balloting procedures and new voting procedures this cycle, the League has been working to recruit more election and poll workers amid fears that the pandemic could lead to a shortage, since many of those who have typically done the job are more elderly. Abbott’s statewide mask mandate issued in July specifically exempted polling places, and at least one county saw poll workers leave a polling site after Republican workers refused to wear masks.
While some counties may mandate that their poll workers wear masks, they can’t mandate that poll watchers, who work on behalf of a political candidate or party, wear them. The League has been pressuring the governor and other officials to enforce a mask mandate for all poll workers and official, certified poll watchers.
Chimene told Truthout that many county elections officials working with local leagues are feeling more confident amid an influx of younger, newly trained poll workers. “We have a fresh batch, which is great for our democracy,” she said.
The Texas League is also running election protection efforts, including sending League-affiliated observers to polling sites to look out for individuals who may be breaking rules regarding electioneering — as well as for potential voter intimidation as the Trump campaign calls on supporters to show up to polling locations to conduct “ballot security” operations.
A provision of Abbott’s ballot drop-off directive allows certified poll watchers “to observe any activity conducted at the early voting clerk’s office location related to the in-person delivery of a marked mail ballot.” The provision seems to come in response to Trump’s debate comments urging supporters to volunteer as poll watchers. Many voting rights advocates are concerned, however, about unofficial, uncertified volunteers showing up at polling locations claiming to be “poll watchers” while engaging in intimidation tactics.
Chimene encouraged voters to call the League’s election protection number in case they spot any violations of rules and regulations at polling locations. She cautioned against calling police except in extreme situations, however. “Sometimes police can be intimidating for voters also, so we don’t want that to happen,” she said.
“Making these wild decisions right before early voting starts is just a tactic to confuse people; it’s just part of the agenda.”
Other organizations throughout the state are making similar preparations as early voting begins this week. In Hidalgo County and across Texas’s predominantly low-income and Latino Rio Grande Valley in the state’s southern tip, organizers with La Unión del Pueblo Entero (LUPE) are also working to recruit poll workers and independent observers to ensure election operations run as smoothly as possible in a region that has been among the hardest hit by the pandemic.
In Hidalgo County, the COVID-19 death rate is more than 10 times the national average. In fact, South Texas is home to the five metropolitan areas with the highest rates of new COVID-19 cases relative to their populations in the U.S., according to data compiled by The New York Times.
Daniel Diaz, who coordinates LUPE’s get-out-the-vote campaign efforts, was sick with COVID-19 over the summer. Several people close to him have died of the disease, including his uncle. He told Truthout that LUPE’s organizers have sent more than 100,000 texts and made more than 23,000 calls to “high-potential” voters across the valley — people who have turned out in a primary or for a local election but haven’t yet turned out for a general election.
Diaz says many residents respond to the group’s calls or texts by expressing concerns about their particular vulnerabilities to coronavirus, with some expressing concerns about the lack of a mask mandate at the polls. LUPE is working to educate those voters about curb-side voting and absentee voting options.
Abbott’s recent directive restricting ballot drop boxes, in particular, created confusion among many South Texas voters, Diaz said. “I had people responding to me, ‘What does this mean? Does this mean I cannot mail my ballot anymore? Do I have to go vote in person now?’ It’s like, ‘No, no, no, you can still mail your ballot,’” he says. “Making these wild decisions right before early voting starts is just a tactic to confuse people; it’s just part of the agenda.”
Diaz told Truthout that LUPE is partnering with the Texas Civil Rights Project and the ACLU of Texas to train volunteers acting as observers to record and document potential intimidation activity at polling sites and report any such activity back to the legal organizations.
“There’s been a lot of intimidation from Trump factions here, where they’ve been having these caravans and driving around. I’m worried that attitude is going to be transferred to polling locations.”
He is concerned about the potential for intimidation in the area after witnessing some “Trump train rallies” over the past several weeks. “There’s been a lot of intimidation from Trump factions here, where they’ve been having these caravans and driving around,” Diaz said. “I’m worried that attitude is going to be transferred to polling locations. There’s always local races that get really contentious and ugly and electioneering rules can be kind of loose here. I’m concerned that maybe a Trump faction can exploit that and get really close to the voters.”
The same kinds of concerns are also at the forefront of Felicia Moon-Thomas’s mind as she prepares a new, grassroots team of volunteers with See You at the Polls: Texas to fan out across polling locations in Fort Bend, Harris, Montgomery and Brazoria Counties on Election Day.
Moon-Thomas is based in Fort Bend County, where the only ballot drop-off site is a converted Walmart building. The county was planning to add four locations where voters can hand deliver their absentee ballots before Abbott’s ballot drop-off rule last week put a stop to the election administrators’ expansion plans. After driving across the 855 square mile county, residents who vote at the Walmart site must also show a photo ID, have their temperature checked and go inside the converted building to deliver their ballots.
To make matters worse, on Tuesday, the first day of the early voting period, voting machines across Fort Bend County were down due to a glitch after polls opened at 8 am, but county elections officials said most machines were back online as of 9:15 am.
“We’re trying to educate people on every single thing that we possibly can that could happen that falls under the guise of voter suppression.”
The state’s voter suppression efforts — and Black and Brown people’s determination to overcome them — is what inspired Moon-Thomas to start the See You at the Polls group, which has now grown to more than 2,500 volunteers. Those volunteers will distribute water, rain ponchos, chairs and snacks to voters at predominantly Black and Brown polling sites on Election Day. They will also hold people’s places in line at times and provide portable cell phone chargers.
“If we can all get 20 of our closest friends to participate in this movement, then that’s a good thing,” Moon-Thomas says. “We’re targeting inner-city neighborhoods where we know that voter suppression is already happening but will definitely happen on November 3.”
The group is practicing role-play scenarios in advance of Election Day in which agitators are disguised as poll watchers and attempt to intimidate voters standing in line.
She points out that while many are focused on individuals who may attempt to berate voters standing in line, fewer are focused on people who may be planted to try to discourage others from voting by complaining about how long the line may be, or suggesting that they may have a better chance if they come back later.
“Education has been key to part of the success of our campaign. We’re trying to educate people on every single thing that we possibly can that could happen that falls under the guise of voter suppression,” Moon-Thomas said.
Tired of reading the same old news from the same old sources? So are we! That’s why we’re on a mission to shake things up and bring you the stories and perspectives that often go untold in mainstream media. But being a radically, unapologetically independent news site isn’t easy (or cheap), and we rely on reader support to keep the lights on.
If you like what you’re reading, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We’re not asking for a handout, we’re asking for an investment: Invest in a nonprofit news site that’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, not afraid to stand up for what’s right, and not afraid to tell it like it is.
Copyright © Truthout. May not be reprinted without permission.


truthout--2020-10-15--Trump Appears to Admit Extrajudicial Killing of Michael Reinoehl Was Planned

President Donald Trump made alarming remarks on Thursday regarding the police-perpetrated killing of Michael Forest Reinoehl in early September , suggesting to a crowd of supporters that his death was premeditated .
“ We sent in the U.S .
Marshals , took 15 minutes and it was over , ” Trump said at a campaign event in Greenville , North Carolina , in a reference to Reinoehl , an activist who had had an arrest warrant for shooting and killing a far right supporter of the president during a protest in Portland , Oregon , in August .
“ They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was , they didn ’ t want to arrest him and 15 minutes that ended.
” Trump ’ s remarks appear to admit that Reinoehl ’ s death at the hands of law enforcement was an extrajudicial murder , and was not preceded by any attempts to arrest Reinoehl .
In discussing his shooting of Aaron Danielson in August , Reinoehl said his actions were done in self-defense , alleging that Danielson , who was part of a caravan in support of Trump , was about to murder someone .
“ I had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early September .
“ I mean , I , I had a choice .
I could have sat there and watched them kill a friend of mine of color .
But I wasn ’ t going to do that.
” A few days after making those remarks , Reinoehl was shot and killed in Lacey , Washington , by federal officials , who claimed he had drawn a weapon during an attempt to arrest him .
However , according to a witness to the shooting , Reinoehl was not holding a weapon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and eating gummy worms .
The witness further alleged that “ officers opened fire without first announcing themselves or trying to arrest him.
” In total , 21 out of 22 witnesses to Reinoehl ’ s death have said they did not see law enforcement announce themselves before killing him in a hailstorm of over 30 bullets .
On Tuesday , during a campaign rally in Johnstown , Pennsylvania , the president made similar remarks about the extrajudicial killing of Reinoehl .
“ Two days went by .
Three days went by .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ haven ’ t they arrested him ? '
” Trump said .
“ And they knew who he was .
And we sent in the U.S .
Marshals .
And in 15 minutes it was all over .
That was the end of it .
That was the end of it.
” Trump ’ s initial remarks on Reinoehl ’ s killing were issued in mid-September during an interview with Fox News ’ s Jeanine Pirro in which the president appeared to justify the extrajudicial police-perpetrated killing .
“ This guy was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marshals killed him .
And I ’ ll tell you something — that ’ s the way it has to be .
There has to be retribution , ” Trump said .
The president struck a much different tone when it came to Kyle Rittenhouse , a 17-year-old from Illinois who killed two Black Lives Matter demonstrators with an assault rifle at a protest against the police-perpetrated shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha , Wisconsin .
“ He [ Rittenhouse ] was trying to get away from them , I guess , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I guess he was in very big trouble .
He probably would have been killed.
” Rittenhouse is an adamant supporter of Trump , and attended one of the president ’ s rallies in January of this year .

Witnesses to Reinoehl’s killing said police had not identified themselves before shooting him.
President Donald Trump made alarming remarks on Thursday regarding the police-perpetrated killing of Michael Forest Reinoehl in early September, suggesting to a crowd of supporters that his death was premeditated.
“We sent in the U.S. Marshals, took 15 minutes and it was over,” Trump said at a campaign event in Greenville, North Carolina, in a reference to Reinoehl, an activist who had had an arrest warrant for shooting and killing a far right supporter of the president during a protest in Portland, Oregon, in August. “They got him. They knew who he was, they didn’t want to arrest him and 15 minutes that ended.”
What the president is describing is an extrajudicial execution. https://t.co/tIcQNP52x1 — African American Policy Forum (@AAPolicyForum) October 15, 2020
Trump’s remarks appear to admit that Reinoehl’s death at the hands of law enforcement was an extrajudicial murder, and was not preceded by any attempts to arrest Reinoehl.
In discussing his shooting of Aaron Danielson in August, Reinoehl said his actions were done in self-defense, alleging that Danielson, who was part of a caravan in support of Trump, was about to murder someone.
“I had no choice,” Reinoehl said in early September. “I mean, I, I had a choice. I could have sat there and watched them kill a friend of mine of color. But I wasn’t going to do that.”
A few days after making those remarks, Reinoehl was shot and killed in Lacey, Washington, by federal officials, who claimed he had drawn a weapon during an attempt to arrest him. However, according to a witness to the shooting, Reinoehl was not holding a weapon, but was talking on a cellphone and eating gummy worms.
The witness further alleged that “officers opened fire without first announcing themselves or trying to arrest him.”
In total, 21 out of 22 witnesses to Reinoehl’s death have said they did not see law enforcement announce themselves before killing him in a hailstorm of over 30 bullets.
On Tuesday, during a campaign rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the president made similar remarks about the extrajudicial killing of Reinoehl.
“Two days went by. Three days went by. I said, ‘Why the hell haven’t they arrested him?'” Trump said. “And they knew who he was. And we sent in the U.S. Marshals. And in 15 minutes it was all over. That was the end of it. That was the end of it.”
Trump’s initial remarks on Reinoehl’s killing were issued in mid-September during an interview with Fox News’s Jeanine Pirro in which the president appeared to justify the extrajudicial police-perpetrated killing.
“This guy was a violent criminal, and the U.S. Marshals killed him. And I’ll tell you something — that’s the way it has to be. There has to be retribution,” Trump said.
The president struck a much different tone when it came to Kyle Rittenhouse, a 17-year-old from Illinois who killed two Black Lives Matter demonstrators with an assault rifle at a protest against the police-perpetrated shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
“He [Rittenhouse] was trying to get away from them, I guess, it looks like,” he said. “I guess he was in very big trouble. He probably would have been killed.”
Rittenhouse is an adamant supporter of Trump, and attended one of the president’s rallies in January of this year.
Tired of reading the same old news from the same old sources? So are we! That’s why we’re on a mission to shake things up and bring you the stories and perspectives that often go untold in mainstream media. But being a radically, unapologetically independent news site isn’t easy (or cheap), and we rely on reader support to keep the lights on.
If you like what you’re reading, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We’re not asking for a handout, we’re asking for an investment: Invest in a nonprofit news site that’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, not afraid to stand up for what’s right, and not afraid to tell it like it is.
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truthout--2020-10-15--Graham Tells Democrats, “Y’all Have a Good Chance of Winning the White House”

During the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett , Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-South Carolina ) seemed to acknowledge that President Donald Trump , his own party ’ s nominee , was far from guaranteed to win a second presidential term .
Graham made the comment while speculating on how Americans will vote this year based on judicial nominations to the Supreme Court made by presidents belonging to each party .
“ Republicans generally look at people of a disposition like Judge Barrett , ” Graham said .
“ Democrats generally look at people of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and [ Elena ] Kagan.
” “ Now , y ’ all have a good chance of winning the White House , ” Graham added , referring to the Democrats in the committee .
“ Yeah , I think it ’ s true , ” Graham continued .
“ I think the public will go into the voting booth , and they ’ ll say , ‘ Okay , I ’ ve seen the kind of judges Democrats will nominate , I ’ ve seen the kind of judges Republicans will nominate ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” A number of polls have demonstrated that Trump is trailing Democratic nominee Joe Biden , and by a significant amount .
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll , for example , finds that just 41 percent of likely voters will back Trump for a second term , while 51 percent say they will cast a ballot ( or have already done so ) for Biden .
Of course , national polling data does not provide a final picture of the potential election outcome , due to the all-important Electoral College .
According to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority of Electoral College votes from states across the nation in order to become the president ( since 1964 , that number has been 270 ) .
Trump won the Electoral College in 2016 while at the same time losing the popular vote against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton .
So how does he fare this time around , at this moment ?
On that question , the incumbent president is also seemingly behind .
Current projections from NPR find that Biden is likely to win 290 Electoral College votes in this year ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to attain 163 votes .
Eighty-five Electoral College votes are still a toss-up , according to NPR ’ s predictions .
The Cook Political Report ’ s projections are identical to NPR ’ s — 163 for Trump , 290 for Biden , and 85 toss-up states .
In short , Trump ’ s path to victory is narrowing .
To have a shot at winning reelection , he will have to flip voters in states Biden is projected to win ( with at least 21 Electoral College votes among them ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and one of Maine ’ s congressional districts ) , in order to win a second term .
That will be an immensely difficult task to accomplish .
Currently , polls in the six battleground states of Florida , Pennsylvania , Wisconsin , Michigan , Arizona and North Carolina are averaging in favor of Biden , by 4.9 points on average according to data from RealClearPolitics .
It ’ s possible that Trump could turn things around between now and Election Day .
Indeed , the gap in polling in battleground states between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2016 election season was actually wider , and yet Trump still managed to win the election ( by getting more Electoral College votes ) less than three weeks later .
For many political pundits that year , it was considered a given that Clinton would cruise to victory .
Instead , she narrowly lost in three key states , Wisconsin , Michigan and Pennsylvania , securing Trump ’ s Electoral College win .
Still , the possibility of that happening again is minute , according to FiveThirtyEight , which notes that Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winning this year ’ s presidential race .
Biden , conversely , has an 87 percent chance of winning .
All of these projections , of course , rely on the assumption that Trump will agree to respect the outcome of the election .
In fact , Trump has refused to make such concessions , even before votes have been counted , leading many to worry about whether he will leave office if he loses in November .
A number of scenarios in which Trump refuses to accept the results have been considered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number of states to bypass the popular vote completely , for example , granting him their Electoral College votes through state legislatures rather than by actual voters ’ preferences .
Trump may also try to delegitimize the results by rejecting voting by absentee ballots .
He has for months railed against the idea of mail-in voting , wrongly depicting it as rife with fraud .
Millions of voters are voting by mail to avoid contracting COVID-19 .
Many of Trump ’ s supporters have already signaled a willingness to come to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deeply disturbing ways .
Perhaps anticipating a contentious election outcome , the president is mobilizing an “ army for Trump , ” asking for “ all able-bodied men and women to stop the election from being stolen by Democrats.
” It ’ s unclear what this “ army ” is meant to do — if this is a literal call for physical intervention — but the call itself , and the language used by Trump , indicates he may try to hold on to power through questionable and potentially violent means , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @

During the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) seemed to acknowledge that President Donald Trump, his own party’s nominee, was far from guaranteed to win a second presidential term.
Graham made the comment while speculating on how Americans will vote this year based on judicial nominations to the Supreme Court made by presidents belonging to each party.
“Republicans generally look at people of a disposition like Judge Barrett,” Graham said. “Democrats generally look at people of a disposition like Justices [Sonia] Sotomayor and [Elena] Kagan.”
“Now, y’all have a good chance of winning the White House,” Graham added, referring to the Democrats in the committee.
“Thank you for acknowledging that,” Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) responded.
“Yeah, I think it’s true,” Graham continued. “I think the public will go into the voting booth, and they’ll say, ‘Okay, I’ve seen the kind of judges Democrats will nominate, I’ve seen the kind of judges Republicans will nominate’ — that will be important to people.”
A number of polls have demonstrated that Trump is trailing Democratic nominee Joe Biden, and by a significant amount. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, for example, finds that just 41 percent of likely voters will back Trump for a second term, while 51 percent say they will cast a ballot (or have already done so) for Biden.
Of course, national polling data does not provide a final picture of the potential election outcome, due to the all-important Electoral College. According to the Constitution, a candidate must win a majority of Electoral College votes from states across the nation in order to become the president (since 1964, that number has been 270).
Trump won the Electoral College in 2016 while at the same time losing the popular vote against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. So how does he fare this time around, at this moment?
On that question, the incumbent president is also seemingly behind. Current projections from NPR find that Biden is likely to win 290 Electoral College votes in this year’s race, while Trump is set to attain 163 votes. Eighty-five Electoral College votes are still a toss-up, according to NPR’s predictions.
The Cook Political Report’s projections are identical to NPR’s — 163 for Trump, 290 for Biden, and 85 toss-up states.
In short, Trump’s path to victory is narrowing. To have a shot at winning reelection, he will have to flip voters in states Biden is projected to win (with at least 21 Electoral College votes among them), plus win all five toss-up states (and one of Maine’s congressional districts), in order to win a second term.
That will be an immensely difficult task to accomplish. Currently, polls in the six battleground states of Florida, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona and North Carolina are averaging in favor of Biden, by 4.9 points on average according to data from RealClearPolitics.
It’s possible that Trump could turn things around between now and Election Day. Indeed, the gap in polling in battleground states between him and Clinton at this point in the 2016 election season was actually wider, and yet Trump still managed to win the election (by getting more Electoral College votes) less than three weeks later.
For many political pundits that year, it was considered a given that Clinton would cruise to victory. Instead, she narrowly lost in three key states, Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, securing Trump’s Electoral College win.
Still, the possibility of that happening again is minute, according to FiveThirtyEight, which notes that Trump only has a 13 percent chance of winning this year’s presidential race. Biden, conversely, has an 87 percent chance of winning.
All of these projections, of course, rely on the assumption that Trump will agree to respect the outcome of the election. In fact, Trump has refused to make such concessions, even before votes have been counted, leading many to worry about whether he will leave office if he loses in November.
A number of scenarios in which Trump refuses to accept the results have been considered. He may enlist Republican lawmakers in a number of states to bypass the popular vote completely, for example, granting him their Electoral College votes through state legislatures rather than by actual voters’ preferences.
Trump may also try to delegitimize the results by rejecting voting by absentee ballots. He has for months railed against the idea of mail-in voting, wrongly depicting it as rife with fraud. Millions of voters are voting by mail to avoid contracting COVID-19.
Many of Trump’s supporters have already signaled a willingness to come to the president’s aid, in some deeply disturbing ways. Perhaps anticipating a contentious election outcome, the president is mobilizing an “army for Trump,” asking for “all able-bodied men and women to stop the election from being stolen by Democrats.”
It’s unclear what this “army” is meant to do — if this is a literal call for physical intervention — but the call itself, and the language used by Trump, indicates he may try to hold on to power through questionable and potentially violent means, in spite of how the electorate votes.
Tired of reading the same old news from the same old sources? So are we! That’s why we’re on a mission to shake things up and bring you the stories and perspectives that often go untold in mainstream media. But being a radically, unapologetically independent news site isn’t easy (or cheap), and we rely on reader support to keep the lights on.
If you like what you’re reading, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We’re not asking for a handout, we’re asking for an investment: Invest in a nonprofit news site that’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, not afraid to stand up for what’s right, and not afraid to tell it like it is.
Copyright © Truthout. May not be reprinted without permission.