Bridge: Jan. 25, 2020

“ Simple Saturday ” columns are meant to help improve basic technique and develop logical thinking .
This week ’ s deals showed that relying on finesses to work is a nervous affair .
Before you try a finesse — a 50/50 chance — look for another way to get tricks you need .
At today ’ s slam , South drew trumps and saw nothing better than to lead a heart from dummy to his jack .
That play ended the party early when West took the king and cashed the ace of clubs .
How should South play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should take the A-K of trumps and lead a club toward dummy ’ s king .
Say West takes his ace and leads a diamond : six , king , ace .
Declarer then ruffs a diamond , discards a heart on the king of clubs and ruffs a club .
When East-West follow , South ruffs a diamond , ruffs a club and ruffs a diamond .
He discards another heart on the good fifth club and claims .
If East had the ace of clubs or if the suit broke badly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You hold : S 7 4 H K 9 4 D Q 9 8 3 C A 9 5 3 .
Your partner opens one spade , you respond 1NT , he bids two hearts and you return to two spades .
Partner then bids three hearts .
What do you say ?
ANSWER : Your partner has at least 10 cards in the major suits .
He also has extra strength and is trying for game .
Without game interest , he would have stopped at two spades .
He wouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show you his distribution .
Raise to four hearts .

“Simple Saturday” columns are meant to help improve basic technique and develop logical thinking.
This week’s deals showed that relying on finesses to work is a nervous affair. Before you try a finesse — a 50/50 chance — look for another way to get tricks you need.
At today’s slam, South drew trumps and saw nothing better than to lead a heart from dummy to his jack. That play ended the party early when West took the king and cashed the ace of clubs.
How should South play to avoid a fickle finesse?
CLUB RUFF
South should take the A-K of trumps and lead a club toward dummy’s king. Say West takes his ace and leads a diamond: six, king, ace. Declarer then ruffs a diamond, discards a heart on the king of clubs and ruffs a club.
When East-West follow, South ruffs a diamond, ruffs a club and ruffs a diamond. He discards another heart on the good fifth club and claims. If East had the ace of clubs or if the suit broke badly, South would finesse in hearts.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S 7 4 H K 9 4 D Q 9 8 3 C A 9 5 3. Your partner opens one spade, you respond 1NT, he bids two hearts and you return to two spades. Partner then bids three hearts. What do you say?
ANSWER: Your partner has at least 10 cards in the major suits. He also has extra strength and is trying for game. Without game interest, he would have stopped at two spades. He wouldn’t have bid three hearts just to show you his distribution. Raise to four hearts.
West dealer
Neither side vulnerable
NORTH
S Q J 8 6 2
H 7 5
D 6
C K 8 6 4 2
WEST
S 7 4
H K 9 4
D Q 9 8 3
C A 9 5 3
EAST
S 5
H 10 8 6 3 2
D K 10 5 2
C Q J 10
SOUTH
S A K 10 9 3
H A Q J
D A J 7 4
C 7
West North East South
Pass Pass Pass 1 S
Pass 4 S Pass 6 S
All Pass
Opening lead — S 4
(C)2020 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


mercurynews--2020-01-25--Ask Amy: I’m still upset by my houseguests’ overheard gossip

DEAR AMY : This summer , I chose to invite lifelong friends for a week at a mountain cabin .
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Right • Ask Amy : Online bully is embarrassing our family Knowing that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep my mouth shut and listen .
Listening became difficult when I was sitting at a table in the main room and the other two , not far away in the sitting area , engaged in a critical dissection of a former neighbor ’ s marriage to another woman ( and their new son ) .
I said nothing , but I found it puzzling , as well as offensive , since the woman discussed happens to be my cousin .
Why would anyone do such a thing ?
I was sitting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing .
It still upsets me .
DEAR PUZZLED : I support your idea to engage in some active listening , which can help to promote tolerance and understanding .
The “ shutting up ” part of your program makes no sense to me , however .
Your scenario presupposes that remaining silent while overhearing people critically “ dissect ” a family member is somehow worse than passively listening while the same people express bigotry toward strangers .
Why didn ’ t you speak up ?
Why didn ’ t you ever speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people are tasked with the same duties , burdens and privileges as you are : to love and respect fellow human beings .
If your friends choose not to recognize , love and respect the basic humanity of people they disagree with , then they should be called out and challenged on their beliefs and behavior .
Plus , gossiping about and armchair-critiquing others while lounging in comfort in someone else ’ s vacation home is bad form .
They don ’ t sound like good or gracious guests but — because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denied access to your point of view and a possible course correction .
DEAR AMY : I ’ m having trouble figuring out how to proceed in my relationship with my uncle ’ s widow , “ Barbara.
” I like Barbara and have found her to be an interesting and intelligent person .
We didn ’ t see a lot of them because we all live quite a distance away , but in the past couple of years we visited them several times .
Barbara always seemed to welcome our visits , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her that led to our choice to travel to see them .
Yet at the same time , she often seemed to read ill intent where there was none , and sometimes made rather cutting remarks aimed at me .
This happened again after my uncle ’ s funeral .
I know that she was under a great deal of stress and sadness at the time , but I ’ m wondering if she would rather discontinue our relationship now .
She has a lot of family around her who seem very supportive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she really needs us to visit , and it seems like quite possibly now that my uncle is gone , she really would rather we didn ’ t .
Do you have any suggestions ?
DEAR WONDERING : I don ’ t think it ’ s wise , or helpful , to ask your uncle ’ s widow outright if she would like to abruptly and completely discontinue this relationship with you and your family .
Instead , you should behave as you always have , and watch and listen for cues from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say , “ We ’ d like to visit , but we understand that you are going through a challenging transition .
I hope you don ’ t feel an obligation , but please understand that if you ’ d like a visit from us , just say the word and we ’ ll jump into the car .
Regardless , we want you to know that we care about you and would like to keep in touch.
” DEAR AMY : The note from “ Seen it All ” centered on how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years ago , while working for the nation ’ s largest airline , all public contact managers and frontline customer agents were provided with several training sessions , which focused on the difference between sympathy and empathy when responding to difficult , mishandled or irate customers .
This also applies to everyday staff interactions within a company … or even at home .
For example , a sympathetic answer would be , “ I ’ m sorry you were asked to do that.
” On the other hand , an empathetic response tends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ What would you like me to do ?
” Here ’ s an example : “ I don ’ t blame you for feeling that way .
I ’ d probably feel the same .
How can we resolve this to your satisfaction ?
” Or , “ How can we handle this differently in the future ?
” DEAR STEVE : I agree that these approaches would work well at home , too .
Thank you !
You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy @ amydickinson.com or send a letter to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Freeville , NY 13068 .
You can also follow her on Twitter @ askingamy or Facebook .

DEAR AMY: This summer, I chose to invite lifelong friends for a week at a mountain cabin.
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Listening became difficult when I was sitting at a table in the main room and the other two, not far away in the sitting area, engaged in a critical dissection of a former neighbor’s marriage to another woman (and their new son).
I said nothing, but I found it puzzling, as well as offensive, since the woman discussed happens to be my cousin.
Why would anyone do such a thing? I was sitting six feet behind them. I said nothing. It still upsets me.
Puzzled in North Carolina
DEAR PUZZLED: I support your idea to engage in some active listening, which can help to promote tolerance and understanding.
The “shutting up” part of your program makes no sense to me, however.
Your scenario presupposes that remaining silent while overhearing people critically “dissect” a family member is somehow worse than passively listening while the same people express bigotry toward strangers.
Why didn’t you speak up? Why didn’t you ever speak up?
“Ultra-conservative and evangelical” people are tasked with the same duties, burdens and privileges as you are: to love and respect fellow human beings. If your friends choose not to recognize, love and respect the basic humanity of people they disagree with, then they should be called out and challenged on their beliefs and behavior.
Plus, gossiping about and armchair-critiquing others while lounging in comfort in someone else’s vacation home is bad form. They don’t sound like good or gracious guests but — because of your silence — they’ve been denied access to your point of view and a possible course correction.
DEAR AMY: I’m having trouble figuring out how to proceed in my relationship with my uncle’s widow, “Barbara.”
I like Barbara and have found her to be an interesting and intelligent person.
We didn’t see a lot of them because we all live quite a distance away, but in the past couple of years we visited them several times.
Barbara always seemed to welcome our visits, and sometimes it was phone calls from her that led to our choice to travel to see them.
Yet at the same time, she often seemed to read ill intent where there was none, and sometimes made rather cutting remarks aimed at me.
This happened again after my uncle’s funeral. I know that she was under a great deal of stress and sadness at the time, but I’m wondering if she would rather discontinue our relationship now. She has a lot of family around her who seem very supportive, so I don’t think she really needs us to visit, and it seems like quite possibly now that my uncle is gone, she really would rather we didn’t.
Do you have any suggestions?
Wondering
DEAR WONDERING: I don’t think it’s wise, or helpful, to ask your uncle’s widow outright if she would like to abruptly and completely discontinue this relationship with you and your family.
Instead, you should behave as you always have, and watch and listen for cues from her. You should contact her and say, “We’d like to visit, but we understand that you are going through a challenging transition. I hope you don’t feel an obligation, but please understand that if you’d like a visit from us, just say the word and we’ll jump into the car. Regardless, we want you to know that we care about you and would like to keep in touch.”
Want Ask Amy delivered to your inbox for free on weekdays?
DEAR AMY: The note from “Seen it All” centered on how to respond to irate customers.
Many years ago, while working for the nation’s largest airline, all public contact managers and frontline customer agents were provided with several training sessions, which focused on the difference between sympathy and empathy when responding to difficult, mishandled or irate customers. This also applies to everyday staff interactions within a company … or even at home.
For example, a sympathetic answer would be, “I’m sorry you were asked to do that.”
On the other hand, an empathetic response tends to calm things down before asking, “What would you like me to do?”
Here’s an example: “I don’t blame you for feeling that way. I’d probably feel the same. How can we resolve this to your satisfaction?” Or, “How can we handle this differently in the future?”
Steve in Tulsa, OK
DEAR STEVE: I agree that these approaches would work well at home, too. Thank you!
You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.


mercurynews--2020-01-25--Harriette Cole: I cringe when I think what a rotten wife I was

DEAR HARRIETTE : I was married many years ago to a nice man , and I did not treat him well .
I have never felt good about my behavior .
Even though a lot of years have passed , I still think about that period in my life from time to time , and I cringe .
As we get older , I keep thinking that I want to apologize to him .
I don ’ t want to upset his life , though .
He has remarried and has a family .
I have not seen him for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address , do you think it would be appropriate to send him a note of apology ?
Life is short , and many people I grew up with are dying .
I don ’ t want either of us to die before I express my apology .
DEAR MAKING AMENDS : Think carefully about what you want to say to this man .
Do you believe that he will appreciate a sincere apology from you , or do you think it will just stir up old negative emotions ?
I ask that because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apologize in order to cleanse your soul , but he may not need to receive your apology .
Sit with that for a bit to determine what your heart says .
If you believe he will value your apology , do your research and find an address for your ex .
Carefully write your note .
You may not need to go into details .
Again , rubbing his nose in old wounds could be cruel .
Just express your regret .
Tell him you are not asking for anything .
Instead , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at this point in your life and after much reflection , you let him know how sorry you are for any pain you caused him .
DEAR HARRIETTE : I have a client who is so cheap .
No matter what the project is , she always nickel-and-dimes me .
Whatever my fee normally is for a job , she demands that I give her a discount .
Sometimes the discount she requires makes the job not worth doing .
When I stand up for myself and tell her that I can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in .
I have been passed over a couple of times for projects because she wouldn ’ t budge .
At a certain point , I feel like I have to walk away if she is being too cheap .
I have done the math , and some of these projects would equal less than minimum wage if she paid by the hour .
That ’ s not fair .
How can I get that across to her ?
Or should I even try ?
DEAR CHEAP CLIENT : Take a hard look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year and how important this client is to your bottom line .
Ideally , you should work hard to replace this client .
If she refuses to pay fair market value for your services , you would be better off finding clients who are willing to pay a fair wage .
For now , stop fighting with her .
When she invites you to do a project , negotiate the best fee you can .
But spend minimal time haggling with her .
Pivot to soliciting new business for 2020 !
Harriette @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DREAMLEAPERS , an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams .
You can send questions to askharriette @ harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication , 1130 Walnut St. , Kansas City , MO 64106 .

DEAR HARRIETTE: I was married many years ago to a nice man, and I did not treat him well. I have never felt good about my behavior.
Even though a lot of years have passed, I still think about that period in my life from time to time, and I cringe. As we get older, I keep thinking that I want to apologize to him. I don’t want to upset his life, though. He has remarried and has a family. I have not seen him for decades.
If I can find his address, do you think it would be appropriate to send him a note of apology? Life is short, and many people I grew up with are dying. I don’t want either of us to die before I express my apology.
Making Amends
DEAR MAKING AMENDS: Think carefully about what you want to say to this man. Do you believe that he will appreciate a sincere apology from you, or do you think it will just stir up old negative emotions?
I ask that because it could be that you need to apologize in order to cleanse your soul, but he may not need to receive your apology. Sit with that for a bit to determine what your heart says.
If you believe he will value your apology, do your research and find an address for your ex. Carefully write your note. You may not need to go into details. Again, rubbing his nose in old wounds could be cruel. Just express your regret. Tell him you are not asking for anything. Instead, you just felt it was important that at this point in your life and after much reflection, you let him know how sorry you are for any pain you caused him.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a client who is so cheap. No matter what the project is, she always nickel-and-dimes me. Whatever my fee normally is for a job, she demands that I give her a discount. Sometimes the discount she requires makes the job not worth doing.
When I stand up for myself and tell her that I can’t go that low, she digs in. I have been passed over a couple of times for projects because she wouldn’t budge. At a certain point, I feel like I have to walk away if she is being too cheap.
I have done the math, and some of these projects would equal less than minimum wage if she paid by the hour. That’s not fair. How can I get that across to her? Or should I even try?
Cheap Client
DEAR CHEAP CLIENT: Take a hard look at the projects you have scheduled for this year and how important this client is to your bottom line. Ideally, you should work hard to replace this client. If she refuses to pay fair market value for your services, you would be better off finding clients who are willing to pay a fair wage.
For now, stop fighting with her. When she invites you to do a project, negotiate the best fee you can. But spend minimal time haggling with her. Pivot to soliciting new business for 2020!
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.


mercurynews--2020-01-25--Miss Manners: The rule about when you can keep found money

DEAR MISS MANNERS : On our daily dawn walk , my friend and I found $ 4 folded on the ground .
No one was around .
I said , “ Oh !
Coffee money !
” She picked it up and put it on a nearby picnic table .
It was a small amount of cash , no wallet or ID , so why did I feel guilty for wanting to take it ?
Was she right ?
Was I wrong ?
GENTLE READER : The only fault here was innocence .
Miss Manners finds your friend ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reality is that you are only leaving it for the next passerby .
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’ and I find it so rude • Miss Manners : I yell rude things at strangers .
Is that bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under $ 100 is fair game .
Unmarked suitcases with stacks of bills inside must , however , be turned in to the authorities .
DEAR MISS MANNERS : My husband and I own a one-bedroom , one-bathroom place in a popular resort city .
Every summer , our relatives ( brothers , sisters , nephews and nieces ) stay with us for periods ranging from one weekend to a whole week , although they don ’ t all visit at the same time .
On the bathroom sink , there is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s and my toothbrushes , toothpaste , shaving cream and various facial and skin care products .
In the shower stall , there is shower gel and various hair care products .
There is a guest hand-towel in the bathroom , and I give each guest a set of fresh towels for personal use .
Some of the guests bring their own toiletries , which they put on the sink and in the shower ; others simply help themselves to what ’ s available without asking .
I can tell because the bottles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the opinion that the shower gel , like the bar of soap and guest hand-towel , are for common use , while the skin and facial products and hair products are for personal use — like the bath towels I give each guest — even if we leave them in the bathroom .
I argue that if we don ’ t want the guests to use those products , then we should at least put them in the bathroom cabinet out of sight .
He counter-argues that that is inconvenient , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For the record , when I stay at someone ’ s place , I bring my own toiletries and keep them in a bag on the bedside table .
What should the polite and courteous guests/hosts do ?
GENTLE READER : You husband is relying on a Newtonian level of deductive reasoning from your guests to figure out what is for public use and what is not .
Miss Manners agrees with the principle : that guests should bring their own toiletries for use in a communal bathroom .
However , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to keep your personal items , well , personal , Miss Manners suggests a compromise : Put your own things away and then purchase economy-size versions of shampoo , conditioner and shower gel , so that it is very clear what is to be shared — and what is not .
Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website , www.missmanners.com ; to her email , dearmissmanners @ gmail.com ; or through postal mail to Miss Manners , Andrews McMeel Syndication , 1130 Walnut St. , Kansas City , MO @ @

Judith Martin, Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin

DEAR MISS MANNERS: On our daily dawn walk, my friend and I found $4 folded on the ground. No one was around. I said, “Oh! Coffee money!”
She picked it up and put it on a nearby picnic table. It was a small amount of cash, no wallet or ID, so why did I feel guilty for wanting to take it?
Was she right? Was I wrong?
GENTLE READER: The only fault here was innocence. Miss Manners finds your friend’s action sweet, but naive. The reality is that you are only leaving it for the next passerby.
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DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I own a one-bedroom, one-bathroom place in a popular resort city. Every summer, our relatives (brothers, sisters, nephews and nieces) stay with us for periods ranging from one weekend to a whole week, although they don’t all visit at the same time.
On the bathroom sink, there is a bar of soap, my husband’s and my toothbrushes, toothpaste, shaving cream and various facial and skin care products. In the shower stall, there is shower gel and various hair care products. There is a guest hand-towel in the bathroom, and I give each guest a set of fresh towels for personal use.
Some of the guests bring their own toiletries, which they put on the sink and in the shower; others simply help themselves to what’s available without asking. I can tell because the bottles empty out quickly.
My husband is of the opinion that the shower gel, like the bar of soap and guest hand-towel, are for common use, while the skin and facial products and hair products are for personal use — like the bath towels I give each guest — even if we leave them in the bathroom.
I argue that if we don’t want the guests to use those products, then we should at least put them in the bathroom cabinet out of sight. He counter-argues that that is inconvenient, and guests should only use their own products.
For the record, when I stay at someone’s place, I bring my own toiletries and keep them in a bag on the bedside table. What should the polite and courteous guests/hosts do?
Want Miss Manners delivered to your inbox for free on weekdays?
GENTLE READER: You husband is relying on a Newtonian level of deductive reasoning from your guests to figure out what is for public use and what is not.
Miss Manners agrees with the principle: that guests should bring their own toiletries for use in a communal bathroom. However, if they cannot be trusted and you want to keep your personal items, well, personal, Miss Manners suggests a compromise: Put your own things away and then purchase economy-size versions of shampoo, conditioner and shower gel, so that it is very clear what is to be shared — and what is not.
Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.


mercurynews--2020-01-25--Dear Abby: I’m over his death already, and my friends think that’s strange

DEAR ABBY : My dad died of cancer a couple of months ago .
While we were a bit estranged , I did love him , and his loss was painful .
Despite this , I have accepted things and moved on .
The issue is that anytime I talk to my friends about it , they assume I ’ m really in shock .
My friends are older , so I suspect they think it ’ s because I ’ m only 22 , but it ’ s frustrating that they disregard my personal growth and the way I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I realize I have moved on fairly quickly , but the way I see it , death is a part of life , and what ’ s done is done .
How can I explain to them that while I ’ m sad , I have accepted what happened without sounding like I didn ’ t care about my dad ?
MOVED ON IN THE WEST • Dear Abby : I have a plan for my cheating husband ’ s funeral • Dear Abby : I ’ m flabbergasted by what he did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abby : Nobody talks to me , and I suspect it ’ s because of my ex-wife ’ s lies • Dear Abby : I am mortified by the newlyweds ’ behavior • Dear Abby : This outsider scoffs at our family fun time DEAR MOVED ON : Point out to your well-meaning friends that your relationship with your father may not have been like the ones they had with their fathers .
That you were “ a bit estranged ” may have made his death less traumatic than if he had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It should not be necessary to put on a display of sackcloth and ashes .
Everyone grieves differently , so remind them of that .
DEAR ABBY : I recently landed a new job and was excited about doing work that would be directly in line with my education and background .
I left a job of more than a decade to pursue this field .
My problem is , I ’ m being asked to carry luggage , make coffee , run errands , etc .
This was not in my job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was hired for .
Abby , I have worked many intern positions .
I do not believe I am too good for any job , but I have worked my way up and have abilities that could contribute greatly to this company .
What they have me doing now is not beneficial for me or them .
If you believe I should say something , what should it be ?
I ’ m afraid they can easily find a substitute who may perform these tasks , as they aren ’ t every day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make me uncomfortable .
It ’ s a small company , and my pay is good , so I don ’ t want to leave .
Please advise me , Abby .
DEAR SCARED : I see nothing wrong with having a discussion with your employer .
However , because you are so new to the job , it should be done delicately .
Tell the person you feel you could be contributing more to the company than you are currently doing , but do not complain about the menial tasks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the team to do these things , and the last thing you want is to be perceived as someone who is not a team player .
In time you will see if this job is the right fit for you .
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO MY ASIAN READERS WHO CELEBRATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR : The Year of the Rat begins today .
I wish a happy , healthy new year to all who celebrate this holiday .
People born in the Year of the Rat are said to be instinctive , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exceptional in business .
They are sophisticated and popular in social interaction .
But they can sometimes be stubborn and picky .
Notable individuals born in the Year of the Rat include not only George Washington , Wolfgang Mozart , William Shakespeare and Charlotte Bronte , but also Gwyneth Paltrow , Ben Affleck , Eminem , Prince Charles of Britain and his son Prince Harry .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .

DEAR ABBY: My dad died of cancer a couple of months ago. While we were a bit estranged, I did love him, and his loss was painful. Despite this, I have accepted things and moved on.
The issue is that anytime I talk to my friends about it, they assume I’m really in shock. My friends are older, so I suspect they think it’s because I’m only 22, but it’s frustrating that they disregard my personal growth and the way I’ve dealt with his death.
I realize I have moved on fairly quickly, but the way I see it, death is a part of life, and what’s done is done. How can I explain to them that while I’m sad, I have accepted what happened without sounding like I didn’t care about my dad?
MOVED ON IN THE WEST
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That you were “a bit estranged” may have made his death less traumatic than if he had been a major part of your life. It should not be necessary to put on a display of sackcloth and ashes. Everyone grieves differently, so remind them of that.
DEAR ABBY: I recently landed a new job and was excited about doing work that would be directly in line with my education and background. I left a job of more than a decade to pursue this field.
My problem is, I’m being asked to carry luggage, make coffee, run errands, etc. This was not in my job description, nor was it what I was hired for.
Abby, I have worked many intern positions. I do not believe I am too good for any job, but I have worked my way up and have abilities that could contribute greatly to this company.
What they have me doing now is not beneficial for me or them.
If you believe I should say something, what should it be? I’m afraid they can easily find a substitute who may perform these tasks, as they aren’t every day, but it’s often enough to make me uncomfortable. It’s a small company, and my pay is good, so I don’t want to leave. Please advise me, Abby.
SCARED TO SPEAK UP
DEAR SCARED: I see nothing wrong with having a discussion with your employer. However, because you are so new to the job, it should be done delicately.
Tell the person you feel you could be contributing more to the company than you are currently doing, but do not complain about the menial tasks. It often falls to the newest member of the team to do these things, and the last thing you want is to be perceived as someone who is not a team player. In time you will see if this job is the right fit for you.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO MY ASIAN READERS WHO CELEBRATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR: The Year of the Rat begins today. I wish a happy, healthy new year to all who celebrate this holiday. People born in the Year of the Rat are said to be instinctive, acute and alert, which makes them exceptional in business. They are sophisticated and popular in social interaction. But they can sometimes be stubborn and picky. Notable individuals born in the Year of the Rat include not only George Washington, Wolfgang Mozart, William Shakespeare and Charlotte Bronte, but also Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Affleck, Eminem, Prince Charles of Britain and his son Prince Harry.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.


mercurynews--2020-01-26--Taylor Swift won’t attend the Grammys, source says

Taylor Swift won ’ t be attending the Grammys on Sunday , a source close to the singer told CNN .
While it ’ s not clear why the superstar will not be attending the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards , she is still nominated for song of the year , best pop solo performance and best pop vocal album .
Earlier this week , the “ Lover ” singer attended the premiere of her new Netflix documentary “ Miss Americana ” at the Sundance Film Festival .
The news that Swift won ’ t attend comes during a difficult week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the former head of the Grammys , filed a lawsuit against the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences on Tuesday , alleging she was wrongfully fired after raising allegations of sexual harassment and irregularities with Grammy nominations .
The lawsuit , filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ( EEOC ) , came days after Dugan was put on leave for what the Academy called “ misconduct.
” Dugan says she was put on administrative leave three weeks after she sent an email to the Academy ’ s managing director of human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organization and its “ historically male dominated leadership , ” according to the EEOC complaint .
The Recording Academy told CNN in a statement that it ’ s “ curious ” that Dugan didn ’ t raise the allegations until legal claims were made against her by another employee who alleged she “ created a ‘ toxic and intolerable ’ work environment and engaged in ‘ abusive and bullying conduct . '
” • Rapper YG arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of robbery • Son of ‘ OC Housewife ’ charged in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was employed by the Academy for five months before being placed on leave .
She was the first woman to head the Academy .

By Chloe Melas and Nicole Chavez | CNN
Taylor Swift won’t be attending the Grammys on Sunday, a source close to the singer told CNN.
While it’s not clear why the superstar will not be attending the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards, she is still nominated for song of the year, best pop solo performance and best pop vocal album.
Earlier this week, the “Lover” singer attended the premiere of her new Netflix documentary “Miss Americana” at the Sundance Film Festival.
The news that Swift won’t attend comes during a difficult week for the Grammys.
Deborah Dugan, the former head of the Grammys, filed a lawsuit against the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences on Tuesday, alleging she was wrongfully fired after raising allegations of sexual harassment and irregularities with Grammy nominations.
The lawsuit, filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), came days after Dugan was put on leave for what the Academy called “misconduct.”
Dugan says she was put on administrative leave three weeks after she sent an email to the Academy’s managing director of human resources outlining numerous bombshell allegations against the organization and its “historically male dominated leadership,” according to the EEOC complaint.
The Recording Academy told CNN in a statement that it’s “curious” that Dugan didn’t raise the allegations until legal claims were made against her by another employee who alleged she “created a ‘toxic and intolerable’ work environment and engaged in ‘abusive and bullying conduct.'”
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This music star is so popular that he’s playing two nights at Levi’s Stadium Entertainment | Downtown San Jose could use Summer Fest’s energy all year long Dugan was employed by the Academy for five months before being placed on leave. She was the first woman to head the Academy.
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mercurynews--2020-01-26--A’s FanFest sights and sounds: Mike Fiers’ warm reception, Beane talks second base

OAKLAND — An overcast day at Jack London Square lit bright with Kelly green and gold .
Across the grass at the main stage , a mightier Oakland A ’ s fan contingent roared for their team , a team that ’ s returning mostly intact and with highly anticipated ( to put it mildly ) reinforcements .
“ It ’ s amazing how Oakland fans , I ’ ve always said , it sounds like double , ” manager Bob Melvin said before he took the big stage .
Something special is in the air , a spritz of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rarified window of contention .
A host of the players that took the stage in Oakland on Saturday afternoon participated in back-to-back 97-win seasons with early postseason exits , the new guys that joined them on that stage could very well take them over the hump .
Here are some takeaways an nuggets from A ’ s FanFest .
“ The stars are aligning , 2020 is going to be our year , ” president Dave Kaval said .
Fans with questions for A ’ s on main stage kept things team specific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ones Melvin if he ’ d consider bunting against the shift more often , his favorite memories at Cal .
Some provided president Dave Kaval of the dates Mercury would be in retrogade… in order to prevent bad luck on the new ballpark ’ s development .
Executive vice president Billy Beane wore Ray Bans and his typical sense of humor .
He fielded a question about his protégé across the Bay , Farhan Zaidi .
There was just one awkward moment , when a fan asked if former A ’ s pitcher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have a shot in the rotation this year .
He might have a shot with his new team , the Chicago Cubs , General Manager David First informed him .
If anything , this was a reminder that A ’ s fans didn ’ t have to deal with too much loss this year .
“ We ’ re known for turnover , when we get to a period where we are now , it ’ s important to keep your guys , ” Melvin said before he took the stage .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the early 2000s teams .
“ It was probably the quietest offseason we had , ” Beane said .
“ Normally , I ’ d say that ’ s not a good thing , but in this case it ’ s a good thing .
It ’ s an ode to the stability we have.
” The most frequent question among fans : Who will play second base this season ?
Some asked if Chad Pinder might have a chance .
Others wondered about Tony Kemp ’ s role .
“ There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Melvin said .
“ Whether it ’ s the Yankees or Astros , where they aren ’ t looking at a position or two and saying , ‘ we can improve.
’ For us to be where we are , it ’ s a credit to Billy ( Beane ) and David ( Forst ) with our payroll .
To be where we are and just have a couple question marks , if I were to bring ( second base ) up I would be nitpicking a little bit.
” We can start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though .
There are a few moving parts : right-handed bats Franklin Barreto and Jorge Mateo and left-handed bats Vimael Machin and Kemp .
The A ’ s traded for Kemp mostly because of his positional versatility and left-handed bat .
Kemp could platoon with Barreto or Mateo , but if Machin hits in spring training the way he ’ s been hitting in winter ball — .333 average with a .838 OPS with the Caguas of the Puerto Rican League — he could be a platoon option at second base , pushing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the outfield .
And , certainly , the 26th roster spot opens the opportunities for versatility .
“ We have a pretty good idea of what the guys will be , we just have to break down what the playing time will be , ” Beane said .
As FanFest commenced , the player contingent was introduced individually on the big stage .
After two-time Platinum Glover Matt Chapman ’ s loud ovation , the fans managed to get even louder for Fiers .
They were clearly aware and in support of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign-stealing .
• Kyler knows ?
Murray says he could play football , baseball His team , Melvin and Forst reiterated their support for Fiers , adding now that they weren ’ t surprised by the MLB investigation ’ s findings .
Fiers was mum on the matter post-investigation , preferring instead to move beyond the issue .
A ’ s broadcaster Chris Townsend nudged him a bit though while seated on stage along with Sean Manaea , JB Wendelken and Chris Bassitt .
Townsend : “ So what have you been doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aback by the blowback Fiers received .
“ I ’ m a little bit perplexed as to why there would be any blowback whatsoever , ” he said .
“ It just baffles me that , whenever I hear any negative on what he said , I ’ m actually blown away that more people didn ’ t step forward .
I don ’ t know how you can possibly defend this.
” Fiers got a couple “ MVP ” chants as he took the stage and walked by autograph seekers .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in support .
Kaval fielded multiple questions about the new ballpark proposed at Howard Terminal .
Bottom line : Kaval was strident that the new ballpark ’ s approval will be signed off this summer .
“ Get the shovels ready , ” he said to the cheering fans .
The latest step — the Oakland City Council voted unanimously to approve the city port agreement , which permits an environmental review .

CLICK HERE if you are having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device
OAKLAND — An overcast day at Jack London Square lit bright with Kelly green and gold.
Across the grass at the main stage, a mightier Oakland A’s fan contingent roared for their team, a team that’s returning mostly intact and with highly anticipated (to put it mildly) reinforcements.
“It’s amazing how Oakland fans, I’ve always said, it sounds like double,” manager Bob Melvin said before he took the big stage.
Something special is in the air, a spritz of confidence that this team is in a rarified window of contention. A host of the players that took the stage in Oakland on Saturday afternoon participated in back-to-back 97-win seasons with early postseason exits, the new guys that joined them on that stage could very well take them over the hump.
Here are some takeaways an nuggets from A’s FanFest.
“The stars are aligning, 2020 is going to be our year,” president Dave Kaval said.
Stability and high expectations
Fans with questions for A’s on main stage kept things team specific, for the most part. Savvy ones Melvin if he’d consider bunting against the shift more often, his favorite memories at Cal. Some provided president Dave Kaval of the dates Mercury would be in retrogade… in order to prevent bad luck on the new ballpark’s development.
Executive vice president Billy Beane wore Ray Bans and his typical sense of humor. He fielded a question about his protégé across the Bay, Farhan Zaidi.
“He’s our double agent over there,” Beane joked.
There was just one awkward moment, when a fan asked if former A’s pitcher, mired by injury, Jharel Cotton would have a shot in the rotation this year. He might have a shot with his new team, the Chicago Cubs, General Manager David First informed him. If anything, this was a reminder that A’s fans didn’t have to deal with too much loss this year.
“We’re known for turnover, when we get to a period where we are now, it’s important to keep your guys,” Melvin said before he took the stage.
Beane said the tepid turnover reminded him of the early 2000s teams.
“It was probably the quietest offseason we had,” Beane said. “Normally, I’d say that’s not a good thing, but in this case it’s a good thing. It’s an ode to the stability we have.”
Second base?
The most frequent question among fans: Who will play second base this season? Some asked if Chad Pinder might have a chance. Others wondered about Tony Kemp’s role.
Melvin put the question mark into perspective.
“There’s no perfect team,” Melvin said. “Whether it’s the Yankees or Astros, where they aren’t looking at a position or two and saying, ‘we can improve.’ For us to be where we are, it’s a credit to Billy (Beane) and David (Forst) with our payroll. To be where we are and just have a couple question marks, if I were to bring (second base) up I would be nitpicking a little bit.”
We can start to clarify this second base picture, though. There are a few moving parts: right-handed bats Franklin Barreto and Jorge Mateo and left-handed bats Vimael Machin and Kemp.
The A’s traded for Kemp mostly because of his positional versatility and left-handed bat. Kemp could platoon with Barreto or Mateo, but if Machin hits in spring training the way he’s been hitting in winter ball — .333 average with a .838 OPS with the Caguas of the Puerto Rican League — he could be a platoon option at second base, pushing Kemp into more of a platoon option in the outfield. And, certainly, the 26th roster spot opens the opportunities for versatility.
“We have a pretty good idea of what the guys will be, we just have to break down what the playing time will be,” Beane said.
Mike Fiers’ warm reception
As FanFest commenced, the player contingent was introduced individually on the big stage. After two-time Platinum Glover Matt Chapman’s loud ovation, the fans managed to get even louder for Fiers. They were clearly aware and in support of his whistleblowing the Houston Astros organization for sign-stealing.
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A’s suffer historic ninth-inning collapse while getting swept in Washington Oakland Athletics | A’s fall again as Nationals win on Ruiz’s walkoff home run His team, Melvin and Forst reiterated their support for Fiers, adding now that they weren’t surprised by the MLB investigation’s findings. Fiers was mum on the matter post-investigation, preferring instead to move beyond the issue. A’s broadcaster Chris Townsend nudged him a bit though while seated on stage along with Sean Manaea, JB Wendelken and Chris Bassitt.
Townsend: “So what have you been doing this offseason?”
Fiers: “Staying off the internet.”
Fans greeting Fiers on his way to the stage. pic.twitter.com/5SmVhQomoe — Shayna Rubin (@ShaynaRubin) January 25, 2020
Beane was take aback by the blowback Fiers received.
“I’m a little bit perplexed as to why there would be any blowback whatsoever,” he said. “It just baffles me that, whenever I hear any negative on what he said, I’m actually blown away that more people didn’t step forward. I don’t know how you can possibly defend this.”
Fiers got a couple “MVP” chants as he took the stage and walked by autograph seekers. One fan in attendance wore an interesting shirt in support.
As seen at FanFest pic.twitter.com/bUDDxFkaPf — Shayna Rubin (@ShaynaRubin) January 25, 2020
Ballpark talk
Kaval fielded multiple questions about the new ballpark proposed at Howard Terminal.
Bottom line: Kaval was strident that the new ballpark’s approval will be signed off this summer.
“Get the shovels ready,” he said to the cheering fans.
The latest step — the Oakland City Council voted unanimously to approve the city port agreement, which permits an environmental review.


mercurynews--2020-01-25--Motorcyclist dies in solo crash on La Honda Road

LA HONDA — A Santa Clara man on a motorcycle died in a solo crash Saturday afternoon on La Honda @ @ @ @ @ according to the California Highway Patrol .
The roadway just west of Skyline Boulevard in @ @ @ @ @ late Saturday afternoon while CHP continued to investigate the cause of the accident .
The @ @ @ @ @ identified , was pronounced dead at the scene .
The crash was reported about 1:45 @ @ @ @ @ Road , also known as State Highway 84 .

LA HONDA — A motorcyclist died on La Honda Road on Saturday afternoon after skidding out on wet pavement, falling off, then being struck by one of his two companions riding behind him, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The victim, identified Sunday as 51-year-old Santa Clara resident David Kok by the San Mateo County Coroner’s office, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash was reported around 1:45 p.m. on eastbound La Honda Road (Highway 84), just west of Skyline Boulevard above Woodside.
The CHP had originally called the accident a “solo crash” but after investigation Saturday afternoon updated the information.
In a news release, CHP Officer Art Montiel said that the three motorcyclists were headed east on La Honda Road when the victim, leading the trio, lost control on a wet curve.
“That rider hit the pavement. The bike itself went into the opposite lane, striking a westbound white van,” Montiel said. “The downed motorcyclist was then hit by one of the other motorcyclists.”
The accident remains under investigation, Montiel said.


mercurynews--2020-01-25--‘The momentum is on our side:’ Pro-life activists march in San Francisco following Trump abortion co

‘The momentum is on our side:’ Pro-life activists march in San Francisco following Trump abortion coverage ruling

Thousands of pro-life activists converged in front of San Francisco ’ s City Hall on Saturday for the annual Walk for Life in a festive mood , the day after federal health officials declared illegal a California rule that requires private insurers to provide abortion coverage .
The march , in its 16th year in San Francisco , protests the U.S. Supreme Court ’ s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion nationwide .
On Friday , President Donald Trump became the first commander-in-chief to speak at the march in Washington , D.C. , which has been held in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The momentum is on our side , ” Fr .
Frank Pavone , director of Priests for Life , told a cheering crowd on Saturday .
Since Trump ’ s election , nearly 200 pro-life federal judges , including two Supreme Court justices , have been appointed , Pavone noted .
“ Each year we ’ re seeing more and more pro-life laws , ” he said .
Jessica Munn , chair of San Mateo Pro-Life who has come to the walk in San Francisco every year , handed out literature , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at different stages of development while attendees milled around .
“ This is one major way to educate people , ” she said , adding that she can talk to people individually and counter what she sees as misinformation about abortion in the media and popular culture .
She said the pro-life movement is growing in the country , but she wasn ’ t overly optimistic about the recent news that private insurers in California may not be required to cover abortions .
“ It sounds wonderful , ” she said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in California.
” Several people held up signs representing various churches and religious groups in attendance , with some saying , “ choose life ” and “ I am the pro-life generation.
” Before the speakers started , informational tables set up in the civic center plaza distributed literature about contraceptives and abortion , and sold t-shirts such as those designed like the Starbucks logo that said “ choose life.
” After several speakers addressed the crowd , described by some attendees as the second-largest pro-life gathering in the country after the one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marching down Market Street toward the Embarcadero .
A handful of pro-choice counter-protesters stood alongside the largely peaceful walk .
There were no official crowd estimates , but organizers said it was larger than in previous years , filling several blocks of Market Street at a time .
Charter buses brought people from throughout the state , including dozens of students from Thomas Aquinas College , in Ventura County .
More than 100 members of the Vietnamese Martyrs Parish in Sacramento made the trip to the Bay Area , most of them in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizer Dzung Hoang .
“ We feel energized now that big government , especially the president , is listening , ” Hoang said .
About 50 people came for the St. Lawrence the Martyr Parish in San Jose for the march , including Tim Crews , president of the San Jose chapter of the Knights of Columbus , a Catholic fraternal organization .
“ It ’ s obvious we have a position on this and we see things moving in the direction we would like to see , which is putting an end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He was surprised over how big the turnout was , with attendees covering large swaths of the plaza .
“ This is a much more peaceful one than we had a number of years ago , ” he said , adding that previous marches had more aggressive confrontations with pro-choice activists .
Dolores Meehan , co-founder of Walk for Life West Coast , said she ’ s been happily surprised with how much Trump has focused on pro-life causes — she didn ’ t vote for him in 2016 because she didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the issue .
Now , she says , there ’ s momentum going into the 2020 elections , after which activists anticipate one or more Supreme Court seats could become vacant .
“ I think that the issue is finally coming to a head and I think that ’ s appropriate , ” Meehan said .
“ It ’ s a very serious issue , it should make people upset.
” In 2014 , California ’ s Department of Managed Health Care required all health insurers in the state to cover elective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led to a pair of complaints and , on Friday , a notice of violation from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights .
California ’ s requirement violated the Weldon Amendment , according to the federal department ’ s civil rights office .
That amendment , in part , bars states receiving federal funding from requiring that health care plans pay for abortions .
The state has 30 days to address the notice , or risk losing federal funding .
“ We are putting California on notice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goodwill to subsidize the taking of human life , not only because it ’ s the moral thing to do , but because it ’ s the law , ” Roger Severino , director of the civil rights office , said in a statement on Friday .
California ’ s strong pro-abortion stance in the past might have served as a business advantage , according to Lisa Hammann , co-founder and chief executive officer of Rhia Ventures .
The first invests in startups working on contraceptives and reproductive health .
According to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hesitate taking a job based in a state that has tried to restrict access to abortion .
Hammann said she encourages businesses to make sure their insurance covers reproductive health treatments including abortions , and to be vocal about the issue if they want to be competitive in their hiring .
“ It ’ s not really a should , it ’ s a , why wouldn ’ t you ?
Women make up half of the workforce in this country , ” she said .
“ In the fight for talent , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in a state women want to move to.
” By age 45 , according to the study , 99 percent of women have used contraceptives and a quarter of have had an abortion .

Thousands of pro-life activists converged in front of San Francisco’s City Hall on Saturday for the annual Walk for Life in a festive mood, the day after federal health officials declared illegal a California rule that requires private insurers to provide abortion coverage.
The march, in its 16th year in San Francisco, protests the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion nationwide. On Friday, President Donald Trump became the first commander-in-chief to speak at the march in Washington, D.C., which has been held in the capital for more than four decades.
“The momentum is on our side,” Fr. Frank Pavone, director of Priests for Life, told a cheering crowd on Saturday.
Since Trump’s election, nearly 200 pro-life federal judges, including two Supreme Court justices, have been appointed, Pavone noted. “Each year we’re seeing more and more pro-life laws,” he said.
Jessica Munn, chair of San Mateo Pro-Life who has come to the walk in San Francisco every year, handed out literature, as well as plastic models of fetuses at different stages of development while attendees milled around.
“This is one major way to educate people,” she said, adding that she can talk to people individually and counter what she sees as misinformation about abortion in the media and popular culture.
She said the pro-life movement is growing in the country, but she wasn’t overly optimistic about the recent news that private insurers in California may not be required to cover abortions.
“It sounds wonderful,” she said. “But we’ll see what happens in California.”
Several people held up signs representing various churches and religious groups in attendance, with some saying, “choose life” and “I am the pro-life generation.” Before the speakers started, informational tables set up in the civic center plaza distributed literature about contraceptives and abortion, and sold t-shirts such as those designed like the Starbucks logo that said “choose life.”
After several speakers addressed the crowd, described by some attendees as the second-largest pro-life gathering in the country after the one in Washington D.C., the group began marching down Market Street toward the Embarcadero. A handful of pro-choice counter-protesters stood alongside the largely peaceful walk. There were no official crowd estimates, but organizers said it was larger than in previous years, filling several blocks of Market Street at a time.
Charter buses brought people from throughout the state, including dozens of students from Thomas Aquinas College, in Ventura County. More than 100 members of the Vietnamese Martyrs Parish in Sacramento made the trip to the Bay Area, most of them in two large charter buses, according to organizer Dzung Hoang.
“We feel energized now that big government, especially the president, is listening,” Hoang said.
About 50 people came for the St. Lawrence the Martyr Parish in San Jose for the march, including Tim Crews, president of the San Jose chapter of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization.
“It’s obvious we have a position on this and we see things moving in the direction we would like to see, which is putting an end to legal abortion,” Crews said.
He was surprised over how big the turnout was, with attendees covering large swaths of the plaza.
“This is a much more peaceful one than we had a number of years ago,” he said, adding that previous marches had more aggressive confrontations with pro-choice activists.
Dolores Meehan, co-founder of Walk for Life West Coast, said she’s been happily surprised with how much Trump has focused on pro-life causes — she didn’t vote for him in 2016 because she didn’t think he would follow through on the issue. Now, she says, there’s momentum going into the 2020 elections, after which activists anticipate one or more Supreme Court seats could become vacant.
“I think that the issue is finally coming to a head and I think that’s appropriate,” Meehan said. “It’s a very serious issue, it should make people upset.”
In 2014, California’s Department of Managed Health Care required all health insurers in the state to cover elective abortions in all their plans. That led to a pair of complaints and, on Friday, a notice of violation from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights.
California’s requirement violated the Weldon Amendment, according to the federal department’s civil rights office. That amendment, in part, bars states receiving federal funding from requiring that health care plans pay for abortions. The state has 30 days to address the notice, or risk losing federal funding.
“We are putting California on notice that it must stop forcing people of goodwill to subsidize the taking of human life, not only because it’s the moral thing to do, but because it’s the law,” Roger Severino, director of the civil rights office, said in a statement on Friday.
California’s strong pro-abortion stance in the past might have served as a business advantage, according to Lisa Hammann, co-founder and chief executive officer of Rhia Ventures. The first invests in startups working on contraceptives and reproductive health.
According to the study, 61 percent of women would hesitate taking a job based in a state that has tried to restrict access to abortion. Hammann said she encourages businesses to make sure their insurance covers reproductive health treatments including abortions, and to be vocal about the issue if they want to be competitive in their hiring.
“It’s not really a should, it’s a, why wouldn’t you? Women make up half of the workforce in this country,” she said. “In the fight for talent, you want to make sure your company is in a state women want to move to.”
By age 45, according to the study, 99 percent of women have used contraceptives and a quarter of have had an abortion.


mercurynews--2020-01-25--Pompeo lashes out at journalist; NPR defends its reporter

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo lashed out in anger Saturday at an NPR reporter who accused him of shouting expletives at her after she asked him in an interview about Ukraine .
In a direct and personal attack , America ’ s chief diplomat said the journalist had “ lied ” to him and he called her conduct “ shameful.
” NPR said it stood by Mary Louise Kelly ’ s reporting .
Pompeo claimed in a statement that the incident was “ another example of how unhinged the media has become in its quest to hurt ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pompeo , a former CIA director and Republican congressman from Kansas who is one of Trump ’ s closest allies in the Cabinet , asserted , “ It is no wonder that the American people distrust many in the media when they so consistently demonstrate their agenda and their absence of integrity.
” It is extraordinary for a secretary of state to make such a personal attack on a journalist , but he is following the lead of Trump , who has repeatedly derided what he calls “ fake news ” and ridiculed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more memorable instances , Trump mocked a New York Times reporter with a physical disability .
In Friday ’ s interview , Pompeo responded testily when Kelly asked him about Ukraine and specifically whether he defended or should have defended Marie Yovanovitch , the U.S. ambassador in Kyiv whose ouster figured in Trump ’ s impeachment .
“ I have defended every State Department official , ” he said .
“ We ’ ve built a great team .
The team that works here is doing amazing work around the world … I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this team .
I ’ ve done what ’ s right for every single person on this team.
” This has been a sensitive point for Pompeo .
As a Trump loyalist , he has been publicly silent as the president and his allies have disparaged the nonpartisan career diplomats , including Yovanovitch , who have testified in the impeachment hearings .
Those diplomats told Congress that Trump risked undermining Ukraine , a critical U.S. ally , by pressuring for an investigation of Democrat Joe Biden , a Trump political rival .
Yovanovitch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a roadblock to those efforts , was told in May to leave Ukraine and return to Washington immediately for her own safety .
After documents released this month from an associate of Trump ’ s personal attorney suggested she was being watched and possibly under threat , Pompeo took three days to address the matter and did so only after coming under harsh criticism from lawmakers and current and former diplomats .
Pompeo was rebuked Sunday by four Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , who said his “ insulting and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the secretary of state .
“ Instead of calling journalists ‘ liars ’ and insulting their intelligence when they ask you hard questions you would rather not answer , your oath of office places on you a duty and obligation to engage respectfully and transparently , ” the letter to Pompeo said .
It was signed by Sens .
Bob Menendez of New Jersey , the top Democrat on the committee , Tim Kaine of Virginia , Ed Markey of Massachusetts , Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Cory Booker of New Jersey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she was taken to Pompeo ’ s private living room , where he shouted at her “ for about the same amount of time as the interview itself , ” using the “ F-word ” repeatedly .
She said he was not happy to have been questioned about Ukraine .
Pompeo , in his statement , did not deny shouting at Kelly and did not apologize .
Instead , he accused her of lying to him when setting up the interview , which he apparently expected would be limited to questions about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to discuss the post-interview meeting .
Kelly said Pompeo asked whether she thought Americans cared about Ukraine and if she could find the country on a map .
“ I said yes , and he called out for aides to bring us a map of the world with no writing , ” she said in discussing the encounter on “ All Things Considered.
” “ I pointed to Ukraine .
He put the map away .
He said , ‘ people will hear about this . '
” Pompeo ended Saturday ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worth nothing that Bangladesh is NOT Ukraine.
” • Trump lawyers argue Democrats just want to overturn election • Ex-Clinton impeachment manager far from DC drama now ; and that ’ s OK with him • Trump ’ s idea of executive power is also impeachment defense • NPR reporter says Pompeo blasted her after testy interview Nancy Barnes , NPR ’ s senior vice president of news , said in a statement that “ Kelly has always conducted herself with the utmost integrity , and we stand behind this report .
”

By Lynn Berry | Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo lashed out in anger Saturday at an NPR reporter who accused him of shouting expletives at her after she asked him in an interview about Ukraine. In a direct and personal attack, America’s chief diplomat said the journalist had “lied” to him and he called her conduct “shameful.”
NPR said it stood by Mary Louise Kelly’s reporting.
Pompeo claimed in a statement that the incident was “another example of how unhinged the media has become in its quest to hurt” President Donald Trump and his administration. Pompeo, a former CIA director and Republican congressman from Kansas who is one of Trump’s closest allies in the Cabinet, asserted, “It is no wonder that the American people distrust many in the media when they so consistently demonstrate their agenda and their absence of integrity.”
It is extraordinary for a secretary of state to make such a personal attack on a journalist, but he is following the lead of Trump, who has repeatedly derided what he calls “fake news” and ridiculed individual reporters. In one of the more memorable instances, Trump mocked a New York Times reporter with a physical disability.
In Friday’s interview, Pompeo responded testily when Kelly asked him about Ukraine and specifically whether he defended or should have defended Marie Yovanovitch, the U.S. ambassador in Kyiv whose ouster figured in Trump’s impeachment.
“I have defended every State Department official,” he said. “We’ve built a great team. The team that works here is doing amazing work around the world … I’ve defended every single person on this team. I’ve done what’s right for every single person on this team.”
[vemba-video id=”politics/2020/01/25/secretary-pompeo-npr-reporter-ukraine-exchange-sots-nr-vpx.cnn”]
This has been a sensitive point for Pompeo. As a Trump loyalist, he has been publicly silent as the president and his allies have disparaged the nonpartisan career diplomats, including Yovanovitch, who have testified in the impeachment hearings. Those diplomats told Congress that Trump risked undermining Ukraine, a critical U.S. ally, by pressuring for an investigation of Democrat Joe Biden, a Trump political rival.
Yovanovitch, who was seen by Trump allies as a roadblock to those efforts, was told in May to leave Ukraine and return to Washington immediately for her own safety. After documents released this month from an associate of Trump’s personal attorney suggested she was being watched and possibly under threat, Pompeo took three days to address the matter and did so only after coming under harsh criticism from lawmakers and current and former diplomats.
Pompeo was rebuked Sunday by four Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who said his “insulting and contemptuous comments” were beneath the office of the secretary of state.
“Instead of calling journalists ‘liars’ and insulting their intelligence when they ask you hard questions you would rather not answer, your oath of office places on you a duty and obligation to engage respectfully and transparently,” the letter to Pompeo said. It was signed by Sens. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, the top Democrat on the committee, Tim Kaine of Virginia, Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Cory Booker of New Jersey.
After the NPR interview, Kelly said she was taken to Pompeo’s private living room, where he shouted at her “for about the same amount of time as the interview itself,” using the “F-word” repeatedly. She said he was not happy to have been questioned about Ukraine.
Pompeo, in his statement, did not deny shouting at Kelly and did not apologize. Instead, he accused her of lying to him when setting up the interview, which he apparently expected would be limited to questions about Iran, and for supposedly agreeing not to discuss the post-interview meeting.
Kelly said Pompeo asked whether she thought Americans cared about Ukraine and if she could find the country on a map.
“I said yes, and he called out for aides to bring us a map of the world with no writing,” she said in discussing the encounter on “All Things Considered.” “I pointed to Ukraine. He put the map away. He said, ‘people will hear about this.'”
Pompeo ended Saturday’s statement by saying, “It is worth nothing that Bangladesh is NOT Ukraine.”


mercurynews--2020-01-25--Ex-‘Bachelor’ contestant stripped of $1M fantasy sports win

BOSTON ( AP ) — Sports gambling giant DraftKings won ’ t give a former “ Bachelor ” contestant the $ 1 million prize for winning an online fantasy football contest after she and her husband were accused of cheating .
Jade Roper-Tolbert , who appeared in “ The Bachelor ” and “ Bachelor in Paradise ” television series in 2015 , was no longer listed as the winner of DraftKings ’ “ Millionaire Maker ” contest , which involved picking a lineup of players from the NFL ’ s four wild-card games .
“ DraftKings has decided to update @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Boston-based company said in a statement Saturday .
A spokesman declined to elaborate .
Roper-Tolbert beat more than 100,000 entries to take the top prize in the “ Millionaire Maker contest.
” But some in the fantasy sports community were quick to complain that both she and her husband , Tanner Tolbert , also an alum of the “ Bachelor ” franchise , each submitted the maximum 150 entries allowed in the contest , and that nearly all the entries had a uniquely different lineup of players .
That suggests the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best shot at winning the top prize , which is not allowed under the contest rules .
Roper-Tolbert has been regularly playing in DraftKings NFL contests this season , and Tolbert is a prolific fantasy sports player .
The two met as contestants on “ Bachelor In Paradise ” and married in 2016 .
They ’ ve said the big win was “ pure luck.
” Earlier this month , when DraftKings announced it would review the contest , the couple suggested Roper-Tolbert is being singled out because she ’ s a female @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles on suspicion of robbery • Son of ‘ OC Housewife ’ charged in shooting ordered back to county lockup • Meghan Markle : Choosing Ellen over Oprah for first TV interview , report says • Coronavirus outbreak has people seeking answers from ‘ Contagion ’ — but it ’ s just a movie “ It is incredibly important for us to establish that Jade ’ s win is nothing more than pure luck and we are confident that DraftKings will determine the same , ” they said in a statement to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Though we must ponder , would the questions , accusations and curiosity about this win be the same if the winner had been male and someone who wasn ’ t already in the public eye ?
”

BOSTON (AP) — Sports gambling giant DraftKings won’t give a former “Bachelor” contestant the $1 million prize for winning an online fantasy football contest after she and her husband were accused of cheating.
Jade Roper-Tolbert, who appeared in “The Bachelor” and “Bachelor in Paradise” television series in 2015, was no longer listed as the winner of DraftKings’ “Millionaire Maker” contest, which involved picking a lineup of players from the NFL’s four wild-card games.
“DraftKings has decided to update the standings for several contests,” the Boston-based company said in a statement Saturday. A spokesman declined to elaborate.
Roper-Tolbert beat more than 100,000 entries to take the top prize in the “Millionaire Maker contest.”
But some in the fantasy sports community were quick to complain that both she and her husband, Tanner Tolbert, also an alum of the “Bachelor” franchise, each submitted the maximum 150 entries allowed in the contest, and that nearly all the entries had a uniquely different lineup of players.
That suggests the two may have colluded to give themselves the best shot at winning the top prize, which is not allowed under the contest rules.
Roper-Tolbert has been regularly playing in DraftKings NFL contests this season, and Tolbert is a prolific fantasy sports player. The two met as contestants on “Bachelor In Paradise” and married in 2016. They’ve said the big win was “pure luck.”
Earlier this month, when DraftKings announced it would review the contest, the couple suggested Roper-Tolbert is being singled out because she’s a female celebrity.


mercurynews--2020-01-25--Watch your step: Aussie runner finds homemade spikes on popular trail

Police in Australia are urging the public to stay alert after a runner found homemade spikes methodically hidden on a popular running trail Monday .
The man was on Alexanders Trail on the shore of Lake Macquarie , in New South Wales , when he noticed a pile of leaves in the middle of the track .
He found wine corks with nails protruding from them , police said in a statement posted to Facebook .
They resembled caltrops , illegal weapons that have sharp points sticking out of a base .
• Cloverdale pot murder brings life sentence for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : California man accused of killing 3 teens drove into them after they ‘ ding-dong ditched ’ his home • A former California doctor is extradited from Israel after $ 50 million cosmetic surgery scam • California murder suspect ’ s mother arrested on suspicion of helping him avoid capture He continued along the trail and found another pile of leaves with more spikes hidden .
Farther along , he found another .
Alexanders Trail is a segment of a one-kilometer path through a wooded area on the shore of Lake Macquarie , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sydney .

By Leah Asmelash | CNN
Police in Australia are urging the public to stay alert after a runner found homemade spikes methodically hidden on a popular running trail Monday.
The man was on Alexanders Trail on the shore of Lake Macquarie, in New South Wales, when he noticed a pile of leaves in the middle of the track.
He found wine corks with nails protruding from them, police said in a statement posted to Facebook. They resembled caltrops, illegal weapons that have sharp points sticking out of a base.
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Giuliani: Legal quagmires have left him broke National News | Oakland nonfatal shooting suspect hit with federal gun possession charges He continued along the trail and found another pile of leaves with more spikes hidden. Farther along, he found another.
Police are investigating.
Alexanders Trail is a segment of a one-kilometer path through a wooded area on the shore of Lake Macquarie, a saltwater lagoon 50 miles north of Sydney.
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™ & © 2020 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.


mercurynews--2020-01-25--Trump lawyers argue Democrats just want to overturn election

By Eric Tucker , Lisa Mascaro and Zeke Miller | Associated Press WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump ’ s lawyers plunged into his impeachment trial defense Saturday by accusing Democrats of striving to overturn the 2016 election , arguing that investigations of Trump ’ s dealings with Ukraine have not been a fact-finding mission but a politically motivated effort to drive him from the White House .
“ They ’ re here to perpetrate the most massive interference in an election in American history , ” White House Counsel Pat Cipollone told senators .
“ And we can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal team ’ s arguments in the rare Saturday session were aimed at rebutting allegations that the president abused his power when he asked Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden and then obstructed Congress as it tried to investigate .
The lawyers are mounting a wide-ranging , aggressive defense asserting an expansive view of presidential powers and portraying Trump as besieged by political opponents determined to ensure he won ’ t be reelected this November .
“ They ’ re asking you to tear up all the ballots across this country on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away from the American people , ” Cipollone said .
Though Trump is the one on trial , the defense team made clear that it intends to paint the impeachment case as a mere continuation of the investigations that have shadowed the president since before he took office — including one into allegations of Russian election interference on his behalf .
Trump attorney Jay Sekulow suggested Democrats were investigating the president over Ukraine simply because they couldn ’ t bring him down for Russia .
“ That — for this , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s report , which he accused Democrats of attempting to “ relitigate.
” That report detailed ties between the 2016 Trump campaign and Russia but did not allege a criminal conspiracy to tip the election .
From the White House , Trump tweeted his response : “ Any fair-minded person watching the Senate trial today would be able to see how unfairly I have been treated and that this is indeed the totally partisan Impeachment Hoax that EVERYBODY , including the Democrats , truly knows it is.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , reserving the heart of its case for Monday .
Acquittal appears likely , given that Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate , and a two-thirds vote would be required for conviction and removal from office .
Republican senators already eager to clear Trump said Saturday that the White House presentation had shredded the Democratic case .
Several of the senators shook hands with Trump ’ s lawyers after their presentation .
The visitors galleries were filled , onlookers watching for the historic proceedings and the rare weekend session of Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two articles of impeachment approved last month by the House — one that accuses him of encouraging Ukraine to investigate Biden at the same time the administration withheld military aid from the country , and the other that accuses him of obstructing Congress by directing aides not to testify or produce documents .
Trump ’ s defense team took center stage following three days of methodical and passionate arguments from Democrats , who wrapped up Friday by warning that Trump will persist in abusing his power and endangering American democracy unless Congress intervenes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They also implored Republicans to allow new testimony to be heard before senators render a final verdict .
In making their case that Trump invited Ukraine to interfere in the 2020 election , the seven Democratic prosecutors peppered their arguments with video clips , email correspondence and lessons in American history .
At stake , they said , was the security of U.S. elections , America ’ s place in the world and checks on presidential power .
On Saturday morning , House managers made the procession across the Capitol at 9:30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case to the Senate .
Republicans accused Democrats of cherrypicking evidence and omitting information favorable to the president , casting in a nefarious light actions that Trump was legitimately empowered to take .
They focused particular scorn on Schiff , trying to undercut his credibility .
Schiff later told reporters : “ When your client is guilty , when your client is dead to rights , you don ’ t want to talk about your client , you want to attack the prosecution.
” The Trump team had teased the idea that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son , Hunter , who served on the board of a Ukraine gas company Burisma , while his father was vice president .
But neither Biden was a focus of Saturday arguments .
Instead , Republicans argued that there was no evidence that Trump made the security aid contingent on Ukraine announcing an investigation into the Bidens and that Ukraine didn ’ t even know that the money had been paused until shortly before it was released .
Trump had reason to be concerned about corruption in Ukraine and the aid was ultimately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Democratic witnesses have never spoken to the president at all , let alone about Ukraine security assistance , ” said deputy White House Counsel Michael Purpura .
Pupura told the senators the July 25 call in which Trump asked Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for the Biden investigation was consistent with the president ’ s concerns about corruption , though Trump never mentioned that word , according to the rough transcript released by the White House .
Pupura said everyone knows that when Trump asked Zelenskiy to “ do us a favor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not himself .
“ This entire impeachment process is about the house managers ’ insistence that they are able to read everybody ’ s thoughts , ” Sekulow said .
“ They can read everybody ’ s intention .
Even when the principal speakers , the witnesses themselves , insist that those interpretations are wrong.
” Defense lawyers say Trump was a victim not only of Democratic rage but also of overzealous agents and prosecutors .
Sekulow cited mistakes made by the FBI in its surveillance of a former Trump campaign aide in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the multimillion-dollar cost of that probe .
“ You can not simply decide this case in a vacuum , ” he said .
One of the president ’ s lawyers , Alan Dershowitz , is expected to argue next week that an impeachable offense requires criminal-like conduct , even though many legal scholars say that ’ s not true .
Sekulow also said the Bidens would be discussed in the days ahead .
The Senate is heading next week toward a pivotal vote on Democratic demands for testimony from top Trump aides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mulvaney and former national security adviser John Bolton , who refused to appear before the House .
It would take four Republican senators to join the Democratic minority to seek witnesses , and so far the numbers appear lacking .
Sen. Lindsey Graham , a Republican ally of Trump ’ s , said he thought the legal team had successfully poked holes in the Democrats ’ case and that the Democrats had “ told a story probably beyond what the market would bear.
” • Ex-Clinton impeachment manager far from DC drama now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him • Trump ’ s idea of executive power is also impeachment defense • NPR reporter says Pompeo blasted her after testy interview • Twitter weighs in on the new Space Force logo • Democrats : Oust President Trump or he ’ ll do it again He said he had spoken to Trump two days ago , when he was leaving Davos , Switzerland .
Asked if Trump had any observations on the trial , Graham replied : “ Yeah , he hates it.
” Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick , Alan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Matthew Daly and Padmananda Rama contributed to this report .

By Eric Tucker, Lisa Mascaro and Zeke Miller | Associated Press
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s lawyers plunged into his impeachment trial defense Saturday by accusing Democrats of striving to overturn the 2016 election, arguing that investigations of Trump’s dealings with Ukraine have not been a fact-finding mission but a politically motivated effort to drive him from the White House.
“They’re here to perpetrate the most massive interference in an election in American history,” White House Counsel Pat Cipollone told senators. “And we can’t allow that to happen.”
The Trump legal team’s arguments in the rare Saturday session were aimed at rebutting allegations that the president abused his power when he asked Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden and then obstructed Congress as it tried to investigate. The lawyers are mounting a wide-ranging, aggressive defense asserting an expansive view of presidential powers and portraying Trump as besieged by political opponents determined to ensure he won’t be reelected this November.
“They’re asking you to tear up all the ballots across this country on your own initiative, take that decision away from the American people,” Cipollone said.
Though Trump is the one on trial, the defense team made clear that it intends to paint the impeachment case as a mere continuation of the investigations that have shadowed the president since before he took office — including one into allegations of Russian election interference on his behalf. Trump attorney Jay Sekulow suggested Democrats were investigating the president over Ukraine simply because they couldn’t bring him down for Russia.
“That — for this,” said Sekulow, holding up a copy of special counsel Robert Mueller’s report, which he accused Democrats of attempting to “relitigate.” That report detailed ties between the 2016 Trump campaign and Russia but did not allege a criminal conspiracy to tip the election.
From the White House, Trump tweeted his response: “Any fair-minded person watching the Senate trial today would be able to see how unfairly I have been treated and that this is indeed the totally partisan Impeachment Hoax that EVERYBODY, including the Democrats, truly knows it is.”
Any fair minded person watching the Senate trial today would be able to see how unfairly I have been treated and that this is indeed the totally partisan Impeachment Hoax that EVERYBODY, including the Democrats, truly knows it is. This should never be allowed to happen again! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 25, 2020
His team made only a two-hour presentation, reserving the heart of its case for Monday.
Acquittal appears likely, given that Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, and a two-thirds vote would be required for conviction and removal from office. Republican senators already eager to clear Trump said Saturday that the White House presentation had shredded the Democratic case.
Several of the senators shook hands with Trump’s lawyers after their presentation. The visitors galleries were filled, onlookers watching for the historic proceedings and the rare weekend session of Senate.
[vemba-video id=”politics/2020/01/25/trump-white-house-defense-impeachment-trial-opening-argument-mh-orig.cnn”]
The Trump attorneys are responding to two articles of impeachment approved last month by the House — one that accuses him of encouraging Ukraine to investigate Biden at the same time the administration withheld military aid from the country, and the other that accuses him of obstructing Congress by directing aides not to testify or produce documents.
Trump’s defense team took center stage following three days of methodical and passionate arguments from Democrats, who wrapped up Friday by warning that Trump will persist in abusing his power and endangering American democracy unless Congress intervenes to remove him before the 2020 election. They also implored Republicans to allow new testimony to be heard before senators render a final verdict.
“Give America a fair trial,” said California Rep. Adam Schiff, the lead Democratic impeachment manager. “She’s worth it.”
In making their case that Trump invited Ukraine to interfere in the 2020 election, the seven Democratic prosecutors peppered their arguments with video clips, email correspondence and lessons in American history. At stake, they said, was the security of U.S. elections, America’s place in the world and checks on presidential power.
On Saturday morning, House managers made the procession across the Capitol at 9:30 to deliver the 28,578-page record of their case to the Senate.
Republicans accused Democrats of cherrypicking evidence and omitting information favorable to the president, casting in a nefarious light actions that Trump was legitimately empowered to take. They focused particular scorn on Schiff, trying to undercut his credibility.
Schiff later told reporters: “When your client is guilty, when your client is dead to rights, you don’t want to talk about your client, you want to attack the prosecution.”
The Trump team had teased the idea that it would draw attention to Biden and his son, Hunter, who served on the board of a Ukraine gas company Burisma, while his father was vice president. But neither Biden was a focus of Saturday arguments.
Instead, Republicans argued that there was no evidence that Trump made the security aid contingent on Ukraine announcing an investigation into the Bidens and that Ukraine didn’t even know that the money had been paused until shortly before it was released.
Trump had reason to be concerned about corruption in Ukraine and the aid was ultimately released, they said.
“Most of the Democratic witnesses have never spoken to the president at all, let alone about Ukraine security assistance,” said deputy White House Counsel Michael Purpura.
Pupura told the senators the July 25 call in which Trump asked Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for the Biden investigation was consistent with the president’s concerns about corruption, though Trump never mentioned that word, according to the rough transcript released by the White House.
Pupura said everyone knows that when Trump asked Zelenskiy to “do us a favor,” he meant the U.S., not himself.
“This entire impeachment process is about the house managers’ insistence that they are able to read everybody’s thoughts,” Sekulow said. “They can read everybody’s intention. Even when the principal speakers, the witnesses themselves, insist that those interpretations are wrong.”
Defense lawyers say Trump was a victim not only of Democratic rage but also of overzealous agents and prosecutors. Sekulow cited mistakes made by the FBI in its surveillance of a former Trump campaign aide in the now-concluded Trump-Russia election investigation and referred to the multimillion-dollar cost of that probe.
“You cannot simply decide this case in a vacuum,” he said.
One of the president’s lawyers, Alan Dershowitz, is expected to argue next week that an impeachable offense requires criminal-like conduct, even though many legal scholars say that’s not true. Sekulow also said the Bidens would be discussed in the days ahead.
The Senate is heading next week toward a pivotal vote on Democratic demands for testimony from top Trump aides, including acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and former national security adviser John Bolton, who refused to appear before the House. It would take four Republican senators to join the Democratic minority to seek witnesses, and so far the numbers appear lacking.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican ally of Trump’s, said he thought the legal team had successfully poked holes in the Democrats’ case and that the Democrats had “told a story probably beyond what the market would bear.”
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Asked if Trump had any observations on the trial, Graham replied: “Yeah, he hates it.”
Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick, Alan Fram, Andrew Taylor, Laurie Kellman, Matthew Daly and Padmananda Rama contributed to this report.