truthout--2020-05-10--Congress Members Who Invest in Real Estate Got a Tax Break in the Stimulus Bill

Congress slipped a provision into the $ 2.2 trillion stimulus bill that will save wealthy real estate investors billions in taxes .
Some lawmakers stand to profit from the legislation meant to weather the impact of the coronavirus pandemic that has killed tens of thousands and left tens of millions out of work .
Members of Congress invest more cash in real estate than any other industry .
That ’ s been the case every year since 2008 , the first year OpenSecrets began tracking lawmakers ’ personal finances .
Under the bipartisan CARES Act , investors may use depreciation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlimited profits made in the stock market from taxes .
The provision reverses restrictions in the 2017 Republican tax bill that allowed couples to only offset up to $ 500,000 in capital gains from taxation .
Under the new law , investors and business owners may get retroactive tax refunds for business losses incurred in 2018 , 2019 and 2020 .
The bill also eliminates a restriction that business losses may only offset 80 percent of taxable income in a given year .
The Joint Committee on Taxation estimated that the tax changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 years , with the vast majority of the benefit going to households making at least $ 1 million .
The CARES Act also allows real estate owners to write off costs of interior improvements in the first year instead of spreading them out over the property ’ s useful life , which could lead to significant tax savings , The Real Deal reported .
President Donald Trump and his family members could personally benefit from the CARES Act , given their extensive investments in real estate .
Members of Congress who helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from its tax provisions .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) and her husband Paul , a real estate investor , have millions of dollars invested in several properties .
The Pelosis own up to $ 25 million in Russell Ranch , a lucrative residential real estate project they avoided disclosing for over a decade .
They also own up to $ 25 million in Auberge du Soleil , a luxury Napa Valley resort .
Sen. Steve Daines ( R-Mont . )
owns several office buildings in Bozeman , Mont.
, worth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Dianne Feinstein ( D-Calif. ) owns between $ 25 million and $ 50 million in Carlton Hotel Properties , which owns the Carlton Hotel in San Francisco .
Rep. Vern Buchanan ( R-Fla. ) owns tens of millions in rental properties .
Sen. Mike Braun ( R-Ind . )
owns tens of millions worth of rural real estate .
The New York Times reported that Senate Republicans pushed to include the tax changes in the stimulus bill with the idea that it would provide needed funds for cash-strapped businesses .
Senate Majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most of his millions in index funds and mutual funds .
He reported owning one rental property worth up to $ 5 million .
The CARES Act is already the second most-lobbied bill on record , with over 1,500 clients from every major industry reporting trying to influence the stimulus package .
Political donors in the real estate industry gave $ 133 million to candidates and groups this cycle , including $ 32 million to super PACs .
Some of the most generous political donors , such as Joe Biden backer George Marcus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prolific real estate investors .
Since the coronavirus pandemic shuttered businesses in mid-March , 30 million Americans have filed unemployment claims .
With the jobless rate reaching depression-era levels , renters are increasingly struggling to make payments .
Nearly 4 million homeowners entered mortgage forbearance plans through April , up from fewer than 150,000 in early March .
As Americans battle to keep their residences , private equity firms are licking their chops at the prospect of once-in-a-lifetime deals .

The Trump family and many members of Congress stand to profit from tax changes in the CARES Act.
Congress slipped a provision into the $2.2 trillion stimulus bill that will save wealthy real estate investors billions in taxes. Some lawmakers stand to profit from the legislation meant to weather the impact of the coronavirus pandemic that has killed tens of thousands and left tens of millions out of work.
Members of Congress invest more cash in real estate than any other industry. That’s been the case every year since 2008, the first year OpenSecrets began tracking lawmakers’ personal finances.
Under the bipartisan CARES Act, investors may use depreciation on their real estate properties to shield unlimited profits made in the stock market from taxes. The provision reverses restrictions in the 2017 Republican tax bill that allowed couples to only offset up to $500,000 in capital gains from taxation.
Under the new law, investors and business owners may get retroactive tax refunds for business losses incurred in 2018, 2019 and 2020. The bill also eliminates a restriction that business losses may only offset 80 percent of taxable income in a given year.
The Joint Committee on Taxation estimated that the tax changes will save taxpayers $135 billion over 10 years, with the vast majority of the benefit going to households making at least $1 million. The CARES Act also allows real estate owners to write off costs of interior improvements in the first year instead of spreading them out over the property’s useful life, which could lead to significant tax savings, The Real Deal reported.
President Donald Trump and his family members could personally benefit from the CARES Act, given their extensive investments in real estate. Members of Congress who helped craft the stimulus bill could also benefit from its tax provisions.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and her husband Paul, a real estate investor, have millions of dollars invested in several properties. The Pelosis own up to $25 million in Russell Ranch, a lucrative residential real estate project they avoided disclosing for over a decade. They also own up to $25 million in Auberge du Soleil, a luxury Napa Valley resort.
Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) owns several office buildings in Bozeman, Mont., worth up to $5 million each. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) owns between $25 million and $50 million in Carlton Hotel Properties, which owns the Carlton Hotel in San Francisco. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) owns tens of millions in rental properties. Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) owns tens of millions worth of rural real estate.
The New York Times reported that Senate Republicans pushed to include the tax changes in the stimulus bill with the idea that it would provide needed funds for cash-strapped businesses. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) invests most of his millions in index funds and mutual funds. He reported owning one rental property worth up to $5 million.
The CARES Act is already the second most-lobbied bill on record, with over 1,500 clients from every major industry reporting trying to influence the stimulus package. Political donors in the real estate industry gave $133 million to candidates and groups this cycle, including $32 million to super PACs. Some of the most generous political donors, such as Joe Biden backer George Marcus and Trump fundraiser Geoff Palmer, are prolific real estate investors.
Since the coronavirus pandemic shuttered businesses in mid-March, 30 million Americans have filed unemployment claims. With the jobless rate reaching depression-era levels, renters are increasingly struggling to make payments. Nearly 4 million homeowners entered mortgage forbearance plans through April, up from fewer than 150,000 in early March. As Americans battle to keep their residences, private equity firms are licking their chops at the prospect of once-in-a-lifetime deals.
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--2020-05-10--What Can the Pandemic-Stricken World Learn From Palestinians’ Resilience?

As a Palestinian woman from Jerusalem and a mental health professional , I am both treating and experiencing the extensive impact and far-reaching ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Across the world , communities are dealing with the unbearable pain of death and serious illness , compounded by not being able to comfort or even mourn the victims .
On a global scale , people are facing what for many are unprecedented restrictions on freedoms , insecurity and anxiety about the future .
In these testing times , I feel compelled to share our special , decades-long Palestinian caregivers ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of basic rights , uncertainty and visceral grief while still maintaining a sense of joy , beauty and finding collective responses that give us realistic hope .
While COVID-19 is forcing millions around the world to make impossible , unfair choices between maintaining their own safety and providing essential needs for their loved ones , this has also been a time of extraordinary courage , resilience and solidarity .
Severely overstretched health care workers caring for increasing numbers of COVID-19 patients use ingenuity to overcome shortages of medical supplies , risking their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my colleagues most in facing multiple crises was mutual solidarity and support .
I am reminded of my experience , 18 years ago this April , as part of a team of Palestinian psychologists from Jerusalem volunteering with the United Nations in the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied Palestinian territory in 2002 .
We were there to help our colleagues dealing with trauma following Israel ’ s military assault on the tiny , densely populated camp .
The Israeli military summarily executed Palestinian civilians , using others as human shields and flattening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war crimes , according to Human Rights Watch .
Israel had completely sealed off the camp , along with other Palestinian areas under occupation , leaving residents with no access to medical aid and other essential services as helicopter gunship fire rained down , and massive tank-like armed bulldozers leveled houses .
Our colleagues there needed our help as they themselves were traumatized .
Though the tanks had withdrawn to the outskirts of the camp , the biggest fear of one social worker , whose house had been demolished , was that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurt a member of her family .
With the spread of COVID-19 , collective solidarity is on display across the occupied Palestinian territory .
In East Jerusalem — where Israel illegally exercises control and racially discriminates against Indigenous Palestinians , treating us as precarious “ permanent ” residents in our own city — we don ’ t have any formal institutions to care for us .
More than 80 Palestinian nongovernmental organizations came together to form a coalition helping with everything from food to medicine , psycho-social support and even quarantine shelters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ equipping three Palestinian-owned hotels in Jerusalem as dormitories for doctors and nurses from West Bank towns who can not cross Israeli military checkpoints to return home .
While it is true that COVID-19 knows no borders and can affect anyone regardless of standing or background , the naked truth is that this pandemic will hit some communities much harder than others .
To paraphrase novelist George Orwell , we are all equal , but some of us are more equal than others .
Black Americans have a disproportionately high death rate in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policies creating social and economic disparities .
Migrants are particularly vulnerable , living in crowded conditions with no access to health care and far from their own communities .
We all fear for Palestinians in Gaza , who have been living under Israeli siege for more than 13 years and have been subjected to three major Israeli military assaults in the past 10 years that have killed thousands and devastated infrastructure .
Yet Gaza also inspires me .
On my many trips there to train and work with partner organizations , I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , despite impossible challenges , still somehow manage to open businesses , provide health care , run successful community organizations , laugh , joke , sing and produce distinguished information technology experts supporting local and international businesses .
Inspired by a long history of overcoming injustices and grief , they are defiant and have a strong belief in our collective ability to prevail .
We feel the pain of the people in China , the United States , Italy , Spain , the United Kingdom , Iran and elsewhere , and we say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We stand with you in fighting this pandemic and in envisioning a more just and beautiful future.
” The COVID-19 crisis has thrown into sharp relief how years of capitalist austerity measures have starved health and other public systems .
At the same time , military and “ security ” spending has only grown .
The U.S. government , for example , spends billions of dollars in taxpayers ’ money on military aid to Israel , enabling it to expand its occupation and apartheid policies , while leaving essential services in the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governments accountable and change the priorities to put health care , education , fair jobs , the environment and other essential needs before military spending and so-called “ securitization ” incapable of protecting us .
The lessons that we as Palestinians have learned is that in moments of crisis , we must gather our collective strength through solidarity actions and use the occasion to reimagine and rebuild our systems .
In short , to be resilient , compassionate and defiant .

As a Palestinian woman from Jerusalem and a mental health professional, I am both treating and experiencing the extensive impact and far-reaching ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Across the world, communities are dealing with the unbearable pain of death and serious illness, compounded by not being able to comfort or even mourn the victims. On a global scale, people are facing what for many are unprecedented restrictions on freedoms, insecurity and anxiety about the future.
In these testing times, I feel compelled to share our special, decades-long Palestinian caregivers’ experience with dispossession, displacement, denial of basic rights, uncertainty and visceral grief while still maintaining a sense of joy, beauty and finding collective responses that give us realistic hope.
While COVID-19 is forcing millions around the world to make impossible, unfair choices between maintaining their own safety and providing essential needs for their loved ones, this has also been a time of extraordinary courage, resilience and solidarity. Severely overstretched health care workers caring for increasing numbers of COVID-19 patients use ingenuity to overcome shortages of medical supplies, risking their own lives.
What has helped me and my colleagues most in facing multiple crises was mutual solidarity and support.
I am reminded of my experience, 18 years ago this April, as part of a team of Palestinian psychologists from Jerusalem volunteering with the United Nations in the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied Palestinian territory in 2002.
We were there to help our colleagues dealing with trauma following Israel’s military assault on the tiny, densely populated camp. The Israeli military summarily executed Palestinian civilians, using others as human shields and flattening entire residential areas in what amounted to war crimes, according to Human Rights Watch.
With the spread of COVID-19, collective solidarity is on display across the occupied Palestinian territory.
Israel had completely sealed off the camp, along with other Palestinian areas under occupation, leaving residents with no access to medical aid and other essential services as helicopter gunship fire rained down, and massive tank-like armed bulldozers leveled houses.
Our colleagues there needed our help as they themselves were traumatized. Though the tanks had withdrawn to the outskirts of the camp, the biggest fear of one social worker, whose house had been demolished, was that they would invade again, and this time hurt a member of her family.
With the spread of COVID-19, collective solidarity is on display across the occupied Palestinian territory. In East Jerusalem — where Israel illegally exercises control and racially discriminates against Indigenous Palestinians, treating us as precarious “permanent” residents in our own city — we don’t have any formal institutions to care for us.
More than 80 Palestinian nongovernmental organizations came together to form a coalition helping with everything from food to medicine, psycho-social support and even quarantine shelters. The coalition succeeded in obtaining and properly equipping three Palestinian-owned hotels in Jerusalem as dormitories for doctors and nurses from West Bank towns who cannot cross Israeli military checkpoints to return home.
While it is true that COVID-19 knows no borders and can affect anyone regardless of standing or background, the naked truth is that this pandemic will hit some communities much harder than others. To paraphrase novelist George Orwell, we are all equal, but some of us are more equal than others.
Black Americans have a disproportionately high death rate in the United States due to decades of racist policies creating social and economic disparities. Migrants are particularly vulnerable, living in crowded conditions with no access to health care and far from their own communities.
In moments of crisis, we must gather our collective strength through solidarity actions and use the occasion to reimagine and rebuild our systems. In short, to be resilient, compassionate and defiant.
We all fear for Palestinians in Gaza, who have been living under Israeli siege for more than 13 years and have been subjected to three major Israeli military assaults in the past 10 years that have killed thousands and devastated infrastructure.
Yet Gaza also inspires me. On my many trips there to train and work with partner organizations, I am always encouraged by how Palestinians in Gaza, despite impossible challenges, still somehow manage to open businesses, provide health care, run successful community organizations, laugh, joke, sing and produce distinguished information technology experts supporting local and international businesses. Inspired by a long history of overcoming injustices and grief, they are defiant and have a strong belief in our collective ability to prevail.
We feel the pain of the people in China, the United States, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Iran and elsewhere, and we say to people across the world, “We stand with you in fighting this pandemic and in envisioning a more just and beautiful future.”
The COVID-19 crisis has thrown into sharp relief how years of capitalist austerity measures have starved health and other public systems. At the same time, military and “security” spending has only grown. The U.S. government, for example, spends billions of dollars in taxpayers’ money on military aid to Israel, enabling it to expand its occupation and apartheid policies, while leaving essential services in the U.S. to private corporations.
We must hold governments accountable and change the priorities to put health care, education, fair jobs, the environment and other essential needs before military spending and so-called “securitization” incapable of protecting us.
The lessons that we as Palestinians have learned is that in moments of crisis, we must gather our collective strength through solidarity actions and use the occasion to reimagine and rebuild our systems. In short, to be resilient, compassionate and defiant.
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--2020-05-10--With My Child Incarcerated During a Pandemic, I Spend Mother’s Day in Fear

This Mother ’ s Day , with a son in prison , I anticipate one of the most frightening and tear-filled days of my life .
There is nothing more traumatic than knowing that your child is sitting in a cold cell , openly threatened with the possibility of contracting the new coronavirus .
Please spare me the talk of this virus being “ the great equalizer.
” By now , it should be clear that Black Americans have been the most devastated by COVID-19 .
Although Black Americans comprise only 29 percent of Chicago ’ s population , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s COVID-19 deaths .
Some equalizer .
Nobody wants to win the race to be six feet under .
Reports from our loved ones inside the prisons are just as terrifying as these statistics .
The already horrific and unsanitary conditions inside have been exacerbated by the virus and illuminate what we have long said : Prison is a death trap .
Before the pandemic , my son Tamon Russell would call me every day and we would have a video visit at least once a week .
This is not the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on incarcerated individuals .
Currently , my son and others incarcerated at Hill Correctional Center in Galesburg , Illinois , are only allowed to leave their cells twice a week to shower or use the phone for 30 minutes .
During one of our calls , Tamon said he noticed a sign posted two cells across from his that read : “ Quarantined — Do Not Open.
” Tamon and others tried to obtain information on what was happening , but prison authorities would not divulge details .
Of course , everyone fears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cell has COVID-19 and can only be seen by medical personnel .
Some media reports have wrongly indicated our children are being taken care of and equipped with hand sanitizer , gloves and masks .
Yes , the National Guard medics stationed at the facility are taking the temperatures of our loved ones twice a day and wiping down the bars of each cell .
But it is not enough !
More intentional and painstaking precautions need to be taken to prevent our loved ones from contracting the virus and dying , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their families .
My son is medically compromised .
He suffers from asthma and high cholesterol , meaning he is at a higher risk from the virus .
I , too , am coping with my own illness , but my pain and anger at how my son and other incarcerated individuals are being treated during this pandemic has fueled my resistance .
My focus on freeing my son and others wrongfully convicted has become my occupation .
As the only child of a divorced Black woman in a middle-class neighborhood on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at an early age that Black and Brown people were treated differently than whites .
I was always told you must work for everything you get .
My mother was the chief union steward with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers ( IBEW ) , which meant I would attend union meetings and protests with her regarding the unfair working practices of her employer .
She was very outspoken and would stand up for anyone who was being treat unfairly , no matter their race .
At those meetings , I would witness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and respect from management .
Five decades later we are demanding the same rights .
It was no surprise that I followed in her footsteps and became elected union steward .
I have served on the executive board and on the negotiation team at SEIU Local 73 , the Service Employees International Union , for over 15 years .
We have continued the fight for all workers ’ rights .
When Joe Iosbaker , my friend and union brother , invited me to attend a meeting with the organization Chicago Alliance Against Racist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I didn ’ t know what to expect .
At CAARPR I quickly came to support the legislative effort to establish a Civilian Police Accountability Commission ( CPAC ) to hold the Chicago Police Department accountable for crimes against people of color .
CPAC would help secure justice for those wrongly convicted and for victims of police torture resulting in the signing of false confessions .
I can relate to those wrongly convicted because Tamon has been incarcerated for 19 years for a crime he didn ’ t commit .
The night he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the precinct where he was falsely implicated for murder was Raymond Madigan .
Madigan was part of the gang of torturers under Commander Jon Burge .
Only a few years ago , I learned that another member of Local 73 had her son taken from her by the Burge gang .
Armanda Shackelford ’ s son , Gerald Reed , was tortured into confessing to murder .
Tamon was incarcerated despite the lack of any physical evidence against him .
He was held for 19 hours without access to a restroom .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ presence was disregarded .
Two witnesses came forward and signed statements asserting Tamon was not the shooter .
When this evidence was presented to the court , the judge dismissed the new information .
Tamon ’ s petitions have repeatedly been denied .
In the meantime , Tamon needs an effective and conscientious lawyer to handle his appeal .
The quandary Tamon and I are in is agonizing .
The legal system in Chicago should be about justice .
Instead , the use of torture — and conviction regardless of guilt or innocence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secure promotions .
When new evidence is presented , it is thrown out .
The system has no conscience enabling it to right past wrongs .
But we will not stop fighting for the victims .
Since becoming co-chair with Joe Iosbaker of CAARPR , our campaign for Tamon has obtained the endorsement of SEIU Local 73 , one of the largest unions in Chicago .
My plan is to continue resisting and struggling on behalf of Tamon .
In the midst of the pandemic , I feel more motivated to act because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incarcerated loved ones .
My rage at the injustice and my love for my son make me want to escalate our petitions and our protests .
We are not sufficiently getting through to those that hold the power during this life-or-death situation .
How many more mothers must fear that their children will contract COVID-19 behind bars ?
How many more family members have to grieve the loss of a loved one ?
How many more incarcerated people have to die before elected officials take action and let our loved ones out of @ @ @ @

Regina Russell (left) -- mother of torture survivor Tamon Russell – stands with Armanda Shackford, the mother of torture survivor Gerald Reed; torture survivor Mark Clements; and Rosemary Cade, mother of torture survivor Antonio Porter. Regina Russell
Part of the Series Despair and Disparity: The Uneven Burdens of COVID-19
This Mother’s Day, with a son in prison, I anticipate one of the most frightening and tear-filled days of my life. There is nothing more traumatic than knowing that your child is sitting in a cold cell, openly threatened with the possibility of contracting the new coronavirus.
Please spare me the talk of this virus being “the great equalizer.” By now, it should be clear that Black Americans have been the most devastated by COVID-19. Although Black Americans comprise only 29 percent of Chicago’s population, we are 72 percent of the city’s COVID-19 deaths. Some equalizer. Nobody wants to win the race to be six feet under.
Reports from our loved ones inside the prisons are just as terrifying as these statistics. The already horrific and unsanitary conditions inside have been exacerbated by the virus and illuminate what we have long said: Prison is a death trap.
Before the pandemic, my son Tamon Russell would call me every day and we would have a video visit at least once a week. This is not the case now. Extreme limitations have been placed on incarcerated individuals. Currently, my son and others incarcerated at Hill Correctional Center in Galesburg, Illinois, are only allowed to leave their cells twice a week to shower or use the phone for 30 minutes. During one of our calls, Tamon said he noticed a sign posted two cells across from his that read: “Quarantined — Do Not Open.” Tamon and others tried to obtain information on what was happening, but prison authorities would not divulge details. Of course, everyone fears the worst and suspects that someone inside the cell has COVID-19 and can only be seen by medical personnel.
Some media reports have wrongly indicated our children are being taken care of and equipped with hand sanitizer, gloves and masks. Yes, the National Guard medics stationed at the facility are taking the temperatures of our loved ones twice a day and wiping down the bars of each cell. But it is not enough! More intentional and painstaking precautions need to be taken to prevent our loved ones from contracting the virus and dying, including releasing them to go home to their families.
My son is medically compromised. He suffers from asthma and high cholesterol, meaning he is at a higher risk from the virus. I, too, am coping with my own illness, but my pain and anger at how my son and other incarcerated individuals are being treated during this pandemic has fueled my resistance. My focus on freeing my son and others wrongfully convicted has become my occupation.
As the only child of a divorced Black woman in a middle-class neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago, I learned at an early age that Black and Brown people were treated differently than whites. I was always told you must work for everything you get.
My mother was the chief union steward with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), which meant I would attend union meetings and protests with her regarding the unfair working practices of her employer. She was very outspoken and would stand up for anyone who was being treat unfairly, no matter their race. At those meetings, I would witness employees demanding better working conditions, pay and respect from management. Five decades later we are demanding the same rights.
The already horrific and unsanitary conditions inside have been exacerbated by the virus and illuminate what we have long said: Prison is a death trap.
It was no surprise that I followed in her footsteps and became elected union steward. I have served on the executive board and on the negotiation team at SEIU Local 73, the Service Employees International Union, for over 15 years. We have continued the fight for all workers’ rights.
When Joe Iosbaker, my friend and union brother, invited me to attend a meeting with the organization Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CAARPR), I didn’t know what to expect.
At CAARPR I quickly came to support the legislative effort to establish a Civilian Police Accountability Commission (CPAC) to hold the Chicago Police Department accountable for crimes against people of color. CPAC would help secure justice for those wrongly convicted and for victims of police torture resulting in the signing of false confessions.
I can relate to those wrongly convicted because Tamon has been incarcerated for 19 years for a crime he didn’t commit. The night he was arrested, the officer in charge of the precinct where he was falsely implicated for murder was Raymond Madigan. Madigan was part of the gang of torturers under Commander Jon Burge.
Only a few years ago, I learned that another member of Local 73 had her son taken from her by the Burge gang. Armanda Shackelford’s son, Gerald Reed, was tortured into confessing to murder.
Tamon was incarcerated despite the lack of any physical evidence against him. He was held for 19 hours without access to a restroom. His request for a lawyer’s presence was disregarded.
Two witnesses came forward and signed statements asserting Tamon was not the shooter. When this evidence was presented to the court, the judge dismissed the new information. Tamon’s petitions have repeatedly been denied. In the meantime, Tamon needs an effective and conscientious lawyer to handle his appeal.
The quandary Tamon and I are in is agonizing. The legal system in Chicago should be about justice. Instead, the use of torture — and conviction regardless of guilt or innocence — enables detectives and police officers to secure promotions. When new evidence is presented, it is thrown out. The system has no conscience enabling it to right past wrongs. But we will not stop fighting for the victims.
Since becoming co-chair with Joe Iosbaker of CAARPR, our campaign for Tamon has obtained the endorsement of SEIU Local 73, one of the largest unions in Chicago. My plan is to continue resisting and struggling on behalf of Tamon. In the midst of the pandemic, I feel more motivated to act because of the virus-related dangers faced by our incarcerated loved ones. My rage at the injustice and my love for my son make me want to escalate our petitions and our protests.
We are not sufficiently getting through to those that hold the power during this life-or-death situation. How many more mothers must fear that their children will contract COVID-19 behind bars? How many more family members have to grieve the loss of a loved one? How many more incarcerated people have to die before elected officials take action and let our loved ones out of these dangerous prisons?
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--2020-05-10--Trump Officials Ignored Company’s Offer in January to Make Millions of N95 Masks

Progressives on Saturday denounced an “ infuriating ” report which detailed the Department of Health and Human Services ’ refusal to take an American company up on its offer to supply millions of N95 respirators to the government early on in the coronavirus pandemic .
The Washington Post reported that federal scientist Rick Bright , who filed a whistleblower complaint last week over his demotion following his criticism of the Trump administration ’ s response to the pandemic , detailed communications with Prestige Ameritech in January in which HHS ignored the medical supply company ’ s offer to produce masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company , Michael Bowen , wrote to HHS on January 23 , two days after the U.S. confirmed its first case of Covid-19 .
Bowen offered to use four dormant production lines to produce as many as seven million N95 masks per month , but was told by Laura Wolf , director of the Division of Critical Infrastructure Protection at HHS , “ I don ’ t believe we as a government are anywhere near answering those questions for you yet.
” “ We are the last major domestic mask company , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was fulfilling orders for masks from all over the world .
“ My phones are ringing now , so I don ’ t ‘ need ’ government business .
I ’ m just letting you know that I can help you preserve our infrastructure if things ever get really bad.
” In Bright ’ s whistleblower complaint , he described how he tried to direct Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Robert Kadlec ’ s attention to Bowen ’ s offer in late January .
Bowen wrote to Bright in late January following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
mask supply is at imminent risk , ” adding a blunt warning , “ Rick , I think we ’ re in deep shit.
” Bright demanded to know from Kadlec why Bowen ’ s offer had fallen “ on deaf ears.
” “ We have been watching and receiving warnings on this for over a week , ” the scientist wrote .
The agency ’ s refusal to take Bowen up on his offer early on helped lead to a crisis weeks later , as healthcare workers across the country reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as other personal protective equipment needed to stop the spread of Covid-19 in healthcare settings .
As the Trump administration denied several times that it was responsible for making sure states had the supplies they needed , states were forced in bidding wars with one another over equipment orders that they placed directly with manufacturers .
The details Bright offered in his whistleblower complaint painted a picture of “ criminal negligence , ” wrote New York Times editorial board member Brent Staples .
Others on social media expressed shock at the Post ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t even have words to describe how poorly Donald Trump has handled this crisis , ” wrote Rep. Mark Pocan ( D-Wisc . )
in response to the story .
In addition to pressing HHS officials on Bowen ’ s offer , Bright was critical of President Donald Trump ’ s promotion of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for Covid-19 .
The scientist had also clashed with Kadlec earlier in Trump ’ s term , when Kadlec urged Bright to transfer $ 40 million from BARDA to the Strategic National Stockpile in 2018 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the client of a lobbyist who had connections to the Trump administration .
On Friday , a federal probe found that there were “ reasonable grounds to believe ” that the Trump administration unlawfully retaliated against Bright by demoting him .

The Department of Health and Human Services turned down the offer made in the early days of the pandemic.
Progressives on Saturday denounced an “infuriating” report which detailed the Department of Health and Human Services’ refusal to take an American company up on its offer to supply millions of N95 respirators to the government early on in the coronavirus pandemic.
The Washington Post reported that federal scientist Rick Bright, who filed a whistleblower complaint last week over his demotion following his criticism of the Trump administration’s response to the pandemic, detailed communications with Prestige Ameritech in January in which HHS ignored the medical supply company’s offer to produce masks.
The head of the Ft. Worth-based company, Michael Bowen, wrote to HHS on January 23, two days after the U.S. confirmed its first case of Covid-19.
Bowen offered to use four dormant production lines to produce as many as seven million N95 masks per month, but was told by Laura Wolf, director of the Division of Critical Infrastructure Protection at HHS, “I don’t believe we as a government are anywhere near answering those questions for you yet.”
“We are the last major domestic mask company,” replied Bowen, who at the time was fulfilling orders for masks from all over the world. “My phones are ringing now, so I don’t ‘need’ government business. I’m just letting you know that I can help you preserve our infrastructure if things ever get really bad.”
In Bright’s whistleblower complaint, he described how he tried to direct Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Robert Kadlec’s attention to Bowen’s offer in late January. Bowen wrote to Bright in late January following his communications with Wolf that “U.S. mask supply is at imminent risk,” adding a blunt warning, “Rick, I think we’re in deep shit.”
Bright demanded to know from Kadlec why Bowen’s offer had fallen “on deaf ears.”
“We have been watching and receiving warnings on this for over a week,” the scientist wrote.
The agency’s refusal to take Bowen up on his offer early on helped lead to a crisis weeks later, as healthcare workers across the country reported severe shortages of N95 masks as well as other personal protective equipment needed to stop the spread of Covid-19 in healthcare settings. As the Trump administration denied several times that it was responsible for making sure states had the supplies they needed, states were forced in bidding wars with one another over equipment orders that they placed directly with manufacturers.
The details Bright offered in his whistleblower complaint painted a picture of “criminal negligence,” wrote New York Times editorial board member Brent Staples.
Criminal negligence: The U.S. government turned down a Texas company’s offer to provide millions of N95 protective masks https://t.co/vfwK4bWRcE — Brent Staples (@BrentNYT) May 9, 2020
Others on social media expressed shock at the Post’s report.
When incompetence becomes cruelty. We have to fire them all. Prestige Ameritech offered to make millions of N95 masks in Texas. The government turned him down.. – The Washington Post https://t.co/9cfpUKOWLn — Andy Richter (@AndyRichter) May 9, 2020
This is horrifying: in the early days of the pandemic, the US government turned down the chance to manufacture millions of N95 masks in America. https://t.co/2FUFm6a0pE — Michael Birnbaum (@michaelbirnbaum) May 9, 2020
“I don’t even have words to describe how poorly Donald Trump has handled this crisis,” wrote Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wisc.) in response to the story.
In addition to pressing HHS officials on Bowen’s offer, Bright was critical of President Donald Trump’s promotion of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for Covid-19. The scientist had also clashed with Kadlec earlier in Trump’s term, when Kadlec urged Bright to transfer $40 million from BARDA to the Strategic National Stockpile in 2018 to purchase a drug made by manufacturer Alvogen, the client of a lobbyist who had connections to the Trump administration.
On Friday, a federal probe found that there were “reasonable grounds to believe” that the Trump administration unlawfully retaliated against Bright by demoting him.
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--2020-05-10--In the Absence of Federal Action, US States Scramble to Address Hunger Crisis

As the COVID-19 crisis intensifies , a Depression-era double-whammy food crisis has emerged .
The first crisis is one of food insecurity : Tens of millions of American families are falling into hunger .
For single mothers with children under the age of 12 , an astonishing 40 percent are now reporting that they are running out of food without the financial ability to purchase more .
Adults are missing meals to keep children fed .
But many children are , nevertheless , going hungry .
Food banks now routinely report miles-long lines of cars , with drivers waiting for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tide their families over .
The charity Feeding America estimates that the number of food-insecure Americans who will access its food bank network will increase from 37 million at the start of the pandemic to upwards of 54 million over a six-month period .
Meanwhile , private donations to food banks are drying up , and the number of Americans volunteering in their local food banks is also declining — a not unsurprising situation given many volunteers are themselves elderly and medically vulnerable .
At the same time , huge amounts of farm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are literally destroying crops , meat and dairy supplies that they have no buyers for because schools , restaurants , hotels and other big commercial purchasers are no longer buying produce .
In response , cities , states , the federal government and private aid groups are scrambling for creative ways to keep farms and food banks afloat and needy families fed .
These plans range from small local efforts — such as one in the Sacramento area to send out $ 100,000 worth of micro-level “ Fork 2 Farm Relief Grants ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as the one being pushed by the USDA .
In recent weeks , the USDA has been touting a “ farmers to families ” distribution program , part of a $ 19 billion farm rescue package that it rolled out early in the pandemic .
It ’ s a good idea , paying farmers to box up and directly distribute to food banks their unused produce .
But , unfortunately only $ 3 billion of the $ 19 billion is going to this .
The rest is simply being sent out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to keep them solvent during the crisis .
That oughtn ’ t be a surprise .
For years this administration has been willing to prop up big agribusiness — witness the subsidies it gave out during its trade wars with China , many of which went to wealthy investors rather than small farmers — but at the same time has been skeptical of nutritional assistance programs aimed at feeding low-income people .
The Trump administration has worked to slash the number of people eligible for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program ( SNAP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , arguing that able-bodied adults should have work requirements and stricter time limits imposed on them .
This administration has also implemented public charge rules aimed at excluding immigrants from a range of programs , including SNAP , and it has argued that states and counties should no longer be given waivers to allow more generous enrollment criteria in SNAP than those detailed in federal regulations .
While the numbers of those enrolled in SNAP have grown as poverty has exploded in the past couple of months , GOP senators have made clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the assistance given to enrollees .
Meanwhile , Democratic senators and state governments have been working to craft their own programs that might better , and more fairly , meet the enormous need of this moment .
At the federal level , Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand ( D-New York ) , who sits on the Senate Agriculture Committee , recently unveiled the Food Bank Access to Farm Fresh Produce Act , which would provide $ 8 billion in block grants to food banks in states with large fruit and vegetable farming concerns .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be spent on direct purchases from local farms — and on the equipment , such as trucks , needed to effectively distribute it .
But , while the Senate ponders this and other next steps , at the state level , political leaders have already begun implementing their own programs .
Thus far no state has been more ambitious than California : Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced plans to use a combination of moneys from FEMA , as well as state and local funds , to employ unemployed restaurant workers to cook food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have been exposed to the virus or have a compromised immune system , and whose incomes are less than 600 percent of the poverty line .
The state also rushed through a $ 20 million emergency grant designed to get hundreds of thousands of boxes filled with fresh produce out to hungry families .
And California is now contracting directly with farmers to get food into food banks and is , in addition , giving $ 365 debit cards for food purchases to families whose children are enrolled in the free and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that will cost the state $ 1.4 billion .
It isn ’ t only in the Golden State , however , that these innovations are underway .
Nor is it only in Democratic-led states .
New York is now buying food directly from 2,100 farms to distribute to 50 overstretched food banks .
In Massachusetts , some food banks are buying farmland and leasing that to farmers , who will pay not in cash but in crops that will be distributed to food bank clients .
In New Jersey , the Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from farmers to distribute food to needy families .
And in deep-red Utah , the state ’ s Farm Bureau has launched a public-private partnership to keep farmers solvent by purchasing crops that can be distributed to needy families .
As the COVID-19 pandemic drags on , the economic damage it causes is wreaking havoc on the lives of tens of millions in the U.S. and billions overseas .
The United Nations estimates 1.5 billion people could lose their sources of income over the duration of the crisis .
That ’ s fully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earners — and , if it actually happens , it would represent a catastrophe on an absolutely unthinkable scale .
Here in the U.S. , more than one-quarter of workers in some states are already now jobless , and nationally that number is now one in five .
It will take years to dig out of this economic hole , and while we are doing that digging , securing the food supply for the vast numbers who have lost their income , as well as securing income for those who grow our food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states are working on their own solutions .
But make no mistake , protecting the United States , as well as the broader world , from a pandemic of hunger unleashed by the viral pandemic is a struggle that demands the full and effectively focused resources of the federal government .

States are implementing their own programs to keep farms and food banks afloat and needy families fed.
As the COVID-19 crisis intensifies, a Depression-era double-whammy food crisis has emerged.
The first crisis is one of food insecurity: Tens of millions of American families are falling into hunger. For single mothers with children under the age of 12, an astonishing 40 percent are now reporting that they are running out of food without the financial ability to purchase more.
Adults are missing meals to keep children fed. But many children are, nevertheless, going hungry. Food banks now routinely report miles-long lines of cars, with drivers waiting for hours to receive bags of produce to tide their families over. The charity Feeding America estimates that the number of food-insecure Americans who will access its food bank network will increase from 37 million at the start of the pandemic to upwards of 54 million over a six-month period. Meanwhile, private donations to food banks are drying up, and the number of Americans volunteering in their local food banks is also declining — a not unsurprising situation given many volunteers are themselves elderly and medically vulnerable.
At the same time, huge amounts of farm produce are going to waste: Farmers are literally destroying crops, meat and dairy supplies that they have no buyers for because schools, restaurants, hotels and other big commercial purchasers are no longer buying produce.
In response, cities, states, the federal government and private aid groups are scrambling for creative ways to keep farms and food banks afloat and needy families fed. These plans range from small local efforts — such as one in the Sacramento area to send out $100,000 worth of micro-level “Fork 2 Farm Relief Grants” to regional farms — to multibillion-dollars efforts, such as the one being pushed by the USDA.
In recent weeks, the USDA has been touting a “farmers to families” distribution program, part of a $19 billion farm rescue package that it rolled out early in the pandemic. It’s a good idea, paying farmers to box up and directly distribute to food banks their unused produce.
But, unfortunately only $3 billion of the $19 billion is going to this. The rest is simply being sent out to farmers, including big agribusiness firms, to keep them solvent during the crisis.
That oughtn’t be a surprise. For years this administration has been willing to prop up big agribusiness — witness the subsidies it gave out during its trade wars with China, many of which went to wealthy investors rather than small farmers — but at the same time has been skeptical of nutritional assistance programs aimed at feeding low-income people.
The Trump administration has worked to slash the number of people eligible for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, arguing that able-bodied adults should have work requirements and stricter time limits imposed on them. This administration has also implemented public charge rules aimed at excluding immigrants from a range of programs, including SNAP, and it has argued that states and counties should no longer be given waivers to allow more generous enrollment criteria in SNAP than those detailed in federal regulations.
While the numbers of those enrolled in SNAP have grown as poverty has exploded in the past couple of months, GOP senators have made clear they oppose increasing the actual value of the assistance given to enrollees.
Meanwhile, Democratic senators and state governments have been working to craft their own programs that might better, and more fairly, meet the enormous need of this moment.
At the federal level, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York), who sits on the Senate Agriculture Committee, recently unveiled the Food Bank Access to Farm Fresh Produce Act, which would provide $8 billion in block grants to food banks in states with large fruit and vegetable farming concerns. That money would, in turn, then be spent on direct purchases from local farms — and on the equipment, such as trucks, needed to effectively distribute it.
But, while the Senate ponders this and other next steps, at the state level, political leaders have already begun implementing their own programs. Thus far no state has been more ambitious than California: Gov. Gavin Newsom announced plans to use a combination of moneys from FEMA, as well as state and local funds, to employ unemployed restaurant workers to cook food and distribute it to vulnerable elderly residents who have been exposed to the virus or have a compromised immune system, and whose incomes are less than 600 percent of the poverty line.
The state also rushed through a $20 million emergency grant designed to get hundreds of thousands of boxes filled with fresh produce out to hungry families. And California is now contracting directly with farmers to get food into food banks and is, in addition, giving $365 debit cards for food purchases to families whose children are enrolled in the free and reduced school lunch program — a commitment that will cost the state $1.4 billion.
It isn’t only in the Golden State, however, that these innovations are underway. Nor is it only in Democratic-led states.
New York is now buying food directly from 2,100 farms to distribute to 50 overstretched food banks.
In Massachusetts, some food banks are buying farmland and leasing that to farmers, who will pay not in cash but in crops that will be distributed to food bank clients.
In New Jersey, the Department of Agriculture is going to start direct purchases from farmers to distribute food to needy families.
And in deep-red Utah, the state’s Farm Bureau has launched a public-private partnership to keep farmers solvent by purchasing crops that can be distributed to needy families.
As the COVID-19 pandemic drags on, the economic damage it causes is wreaking havoc on the lives of tens of millions in the U.S. and billions overseas. The United Nations estimates 1.5 billion people could lose their sources of income over the duration of the crisis. That’s fully half of the world’s wage earners — and, if it actually happens, it would represent a catastrophe on an absolutely unthinkable scale. Here in the U.S., more than one-quarter of workers in some states are already now jobless, and nationally that number is now one in five.
It will take years to dig out of this economic hole, and while we are doing that digging, securing the food supply for the vast numbers who have lost their income, as well as securing income for those who grow our food, will be critical challenges. The states are working on their own solutions. But make no mistake, protecting the United States, as well as the broader world, from a pandemic of hunger unleashed by the viral pandemic is a struggle that demands the full and effectively focused resources of the federal government.
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--2020-05-11--Pence Insists on No Masks at Public Meeting Despite His Staffer Testing Positive

On Friday evening , Katie Miller , the press secretary for Vice President Mike Pence ( and spouse of Trump adviser Stephen Miller ) , tested positive for coronavirus .
The news sent shockwaves through Washington as it became clear that people close to the president and vice president were contracting the disease that has already spread across much of the country .
( The day before , one of President Donald Trump ’ s personal valets had also tested positive for COVID-19 ) .
Yet the vice president , in spite of one of his staff members testing positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his work schedule in light of how close someone with the disease was to him .
“ Vice President Pence has tested negative every single day and plans to be at the White House ” on Monday , Pence spokesperson Devin O ’ Malley said .
The president himself spoke to reporters over the weekend about Miller ’ s diagnosis .
“ She is a wonderful young woman , Katie , she tested very good for a long period of time and then all of a sudden today she tested positive , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had since tested negative for coronavirus .
Pence ’ s habits , continuing to work while not wearing a mask personally , may prove to be dangerous for others .
On the same day that Miller tested positive , Pence was at a business event in Iowa where he took part in two discussions where none involved were wearing a mask .
Before one of those discussions , an aide to the vice president came out and actually told the business leaders taking part to remove their masks prior to Pence ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Intercept reported .
Miller was not at the same event , but she had been in close proximity to Pence prior to his traveling to Iowa .
Back in April , Pence took flak for not wearing a face mask during a visit to the Mayo Clinic , where it ’ s required of all visitors to don a face covering of some kind in order to enter the facility .
According to pictures from the event , Pence appeared to be the only person not wearing a mask at the hospital .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ split on whether the recent diagnoses in the executive branch should require them to self-isolate or not .
While Pence and others plan to go about their business as usual , some , including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield , are entering self-quarantine .
Coronavirus task force member Anthony Fauci also plans to enter a “ modified quarantine , ” he announced over the weekend , due to coming into “ low risk ” contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 .
On Monday afternoon , White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the White House grounds will be asked to wear masks or other facial coverings from this point forward .
The directive , however , doesn ’ t apply to office heads , and the president is still unlikely to wear a mask , according to those with information about the new policy .
Trump has in the past suggested that his reason for not wanting to wear a mask might be based in vanity .
While discussing whether he ’ d wear one or not , Trump told reporters he worried over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s seen talking to other world leaders while donning a face covering .
“ I just don ’ t want to wear one myself .
It ’ s a recommendation .
I am feeling good , ” Trump said in April .
“ I just don ’ t want to be doing — I don ’ t know , somehow sitting in the Oval Office behind that beautiful Resolute Desk , the great Resolute Desk , I think wearing a face mask as I greet presidents , prime ministers , dictators , kings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know , somehow , I don ’ t see it for myself .

On Friday evening, Katie Miller, the press secretary for Vice President Mike Pence (and spouse of Trump adviser Stephen Miller), tested positive for coronavirus.
The news sent shockwaves through Washington as it became clear that people close to the president and vice president were contracting the disease that has already spread across much of the country. (The day before, one of President Donald Trump’s personal valets had also tested positive for COVID-19).
Yet the vice president, in spite of one of his staff members testing positive, doesn’t plan to change his work schedule in light of how close someone with the disease was to him.
“Vice President Pence has tested negative every single day and plans to be at the White House” on Monday, Pence spokesperson Devin O’Malley said.
The president himself spoke to reporters over the weekend about Miller’s diagnosis.
“She is a wonderful young woman, Katie, she tested very good for a long period of time and then all of a sudden today she tested positive,” Trump said. He added that Pence had since tested negative for coronavirus.
Pence’s habits, continuing to work while not wearing a mask personally, may prove to be dangerous for others.
On the same day that Miller tested positive, Pence was at a business event in Iowa where he took part in two discussions where none involved were wearing a mask. Before one of those discussions, an aide to the vice president came out and actually told the business leaders taking part to remove their masks prior to Pence’s coming on to the stage, The Intercept reported.
Miller was not at the same event, but she had been in close proximity to Pence prior to his traveling to Iowa.
Back in April, Pence took flak for not wearing a face mask during a visit to the Mayo Clinic, where it’s required of all visitors to don a face covering of some kind in order to enter the facility. According to pictures from the event, Pence appeared to be the only person not wearing a mask at the hospital.
A number of White House officials are split on whether the recent diagnoses in the executive branch should require them to self-isolate or not. While Pence and others plan to go about their business as usual, some, including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield, are entering self-quarantine. Coronavirus task force member Anthony Fauci also plans to enter a “modified quarantine,” he announced over the weekend, due to coming into “low risk” contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
On Monday afternoon, White House officials told The Washington Post that personnel on the White House grounds will be asked to wear masks or other facial coverings from this point forward. The directive, however, doesn’t apply to office heads, and the president is still unlikely to wear a mask, according to those with information about the new policy.
Trump has in the past suggested that his reason for not wanting to wear a mask might be based in vanity. While discussing whether he’d wear one or not, Trump told reporters he worried over how it might look if he’s seen talking to other world leaders while donning a face covering.
“I just don’t want to wear one myself. It’s a recommendation. I am feeling good,” Trump said in April. “I just don’t want to be doing — I don’t know, somehow sitting in the Oval Office behind that beautiful Resolute Desk, the great Resolute Desk, I think wearing a face mask as I greet presidents, prime ministers, dictators, kings, queens. I don’t know, somehow, I don’t see it for myself.
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--2020-05-11--South Dakota Governor Aims to Force Tribal Leaders to Ease Stay-at-Home Orders

Leaders from the Oglala Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux tribes in South Dakota sent firm rebuttals to Gov .
Kristi Noem over the weekend , following her call for the two sovereign jurisdictions to shut down highway checkpoints that are being used to minimize the spread of coronavirus .
The checkpoints are stopping vehicles and asking drivers where they are coming from as well as where they plan on going .
Commercial drivers and South Dakota residents are being allowed to travel on tribal lands , but non-state residents are only allowed entry onto the reservations if they can provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they live there .
Non-state residents are also being banned from hunting or fishing on tribal lands .
The two tribes have instituted strong stay-at-home measures , unlike Noem , who has resisted the call to issue such an order for residents statewide .
In response to the checkpoints , Noem demanded on Friday that the tribes cease enforcing all checkpoints , threatening a lawsuit against them if they refused .
“ I request the Tribe immediately cease interfering or regulating traffic on U.S. and State Highways and remove all travel checkpoints , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe .
“ If the checkpoints are not removed within the next 48 hours , the State will take necessary legal action.
” Tribe Chairman Harold Frazier responded to Noem ’ s demands , citing Article 16 of the Ft. Laramie Treaty , which grants the Cheyenne River Sioux the right to regulate who can or can not enter their jurisdictions .
“ I absolutely agree that we need to work together during this time of crisis , however , you continue to interfere in our efforts to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our ability to protect everyone on the reservation , ” Frazier wrote back .
“ Ignorant statements and fiery rhetoric encourage individuals already under stress from this situation to carry out irrational actions.
” “ We have an inherent and sovereign right to protect the health of our people , and no one , man or woman , can dispute that right , ” Julian Bear Runner , president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe , also said in a video on social media .
Oglala Sioux Tribe spokesman Chase Iron Eyes expanded upon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state could agree upon doing — and hearing exactly what legal rationale Noem has for making her demands in the first place .
“ We ’ d be interested in sitting down ( with Gov .
Noem ) to learn the legal , theoretical bases for ( her ) aggressive assertions , ” he said .
“ They can sit down and talk with us like human beings , but they don ’ t do that .
They threaten us with violence or legal charges.
” Within the South Dakota State Legislature , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to follow through on her threats to the two tribes .
They point out that her legal basis for doing so is thin , citing a 1990 ruling from the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals which “ held that the State of South Dakota has no jurisdiction over the highways running through Indian lands in the state without tribal consent.
” Those lawmakers suggested that pursuing legal action would be a costly endeavor to taxpayers within the state .
The U.S. government has a long history of breaking treaties and violating tribal sovereignty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread on their land is a deep priority for both the Oglala Sioux and the Cheyenne River Sioux tribes .
In the latter ’ s case , Frazier has pointed out that there is a significant lack of resources to deal with such a crisis — within the reservation , there is a single facility with a mere eight beds equipped to treat patients , for a tribe of around 11,000 individuals .
“ The nearest health care , critical care is three hours away from where we live , ” Frazier said @ @ @

Leaders from the Oglala Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux tribes in South Dakota sent firm rebuttals to Gov. Kristi Noem over the weekend, following her call for the two sovereign jurisdictions to shut down highway checkpoints that are being used to minimize the spread of coronavirus.
The checkpoints are stopping vehicles and asking drivers where they are coming from as well as where they plan on going. Commercial drivers and South Dakota residents are being allowed to travel on tribal lands, but non-state residents are only allowed entry onto the reservations if they can provide proof of tribal membership or proof that they live there. Non-state residents are also being banned from hunting or fishing on tribal lands.
The two tribes have instituted strong stay-at-home measures, unlike Noem, who has resisted the call to issue such an order for residents statewide. In response to the checkpoints, Noem demanded on Friday that the tribes cease enforcing all checkpoints, threatening a lawsuit against them if they refused.
“I request the Tribe immediately cease interfering or regulating traffic on U.S. and State Highways and remove all travel checkpoints,” Noem wrote in her letter to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. “If the checkpoints are not removed within the next 48 hours, the State will take necessary legal action.”
Tribe Chairman Harold Frazier responded to Noem’s demands, citing Article 16 of the Ft. Laramie Treaty, which grants the Cheyenne River Sioux the right to regulate who can or cannot enter their jurisdictions.
“I absolutely agree that we need to work together during this time of crisis, however, you continue to interfere in our efforts to do what science and facts dictate seriously undermine our ability to protect everyone on the reservation,” Frazier wrote back. “Ignorant statements and fiery rhetoric encourage individuals already under stress from this situation to carry out irrational actions.”
“We have an inherent and sovereign right to protect the health of our people, and no one, man or woman, can dispute that right,” Julian Bear Runner, president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, also said in a video on social media.
Oglala Sioux Tribe spokesman Chase Iron Eyes expanded upon what he hoped the tribe and the state could agree upon doing — and hearing exactly what legal rationale Noem has for making her demands in the first place.
“We’d be interested in sitting down (with Gov. Noem) to learn the legal, theoretical bases for (her) aggressive assertions,” he said. “They can sit down and talk with us like human beings, but they don’t do that. They threaten us with violence or legal charges.”
Within the South Dakota State Legislature, 17 state lawmakers have urged Noem not to follow through on her threats to the two tribes. They point out that her legal basis for doing so is thin, citing a 1990 ruling from the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals which “held that the State of South Dakota has no jurisdiction over the highways running through Indian lands in the state without tribal consent.”
Those lawmakers suggested that pursuing legal action would be a costly endeavor to taxpayers within the state.
The U.S. government has a long history of breaking treaties and violating tribal sovereignty.
Ensuring that coronavirus doesn’t spread on their land is a deep priority for both the Oglala Sioux and the Cheyenne River Sioux tribes. In the latter’s case, Frazier has pointed out that there is a significant lack of resources to deal with such a crisis — within the reservation, there is a single facility with a mere eight beds equipped to treat patients, for a tribe of around 11,000 individuals.
“The nearest health care, critical care is three hours away from where we live,” Frazier said to CNN.
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.