Bridge: May 5, 2020

“ I wish I could call tech support , ” a club player told me sourly , “ and find out how to disable the auto-correct on my husband .
He points out my mistakes and won ’ t even wait until we get home.
” My friend was today ’ s East , and her husband led a club against 3NT .
She took the ace and , when South played the jack , returned a club .
“ Declarer won , ” East said , “ and led the king of diamonds , winning , and a diamond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took the jack and led a heart , and he won in dummy , lost a diamond to my ace and took the rest.
” “ My husband said that since I had two diamond entries , I should have led a spade at the second trick .
I could set up my spades and win five tricks before South took nine .
I asked him why , if he was so smart , he didn ’ t find a spade opening lead.
” East should lead a spade at Trick Two .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ defense needs tricks before South uses dummy ’ s diamonds .
In fact , South could still make 3NT ( by end-playing East ) but probably wouldn ’ t .
You hold : S K J 7 5 2 H 10 9 5 D A J 9 C A 7 .
Your partner opens one heart , you respond one spade and he bids two diamonds .
What do you say ?
ANSWER : You want to play at hearts where you have an eight-card trump fit and a possible ruffing value in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game .
A jump to three hearts would only invite ; you would choose that call if your king of spades were a low spade .
Bid four hearts even though you would prefer stronger support .

“I wish I could call tech support,” a club player told me sourly, “and find out how to disable the auto-correct on my husband. He points out my mistakes and won’t even wait until we get home.”
My friend was today’s East, and her husband led a club against 3NT. She took the ace and, when South played the jack, returned a club.
“Declarer won,” East said, “and led the king of diamonds, winning, and a diamond to dummy’s ten. I took the jack and led a heart, and he won in dummy, lost a diamond to my ace and took the rest.”
ENTRIES
“My husband said that since I had two diamond entries, I should have led a spade at the second trick. I could set up my spades and win five tricks before South took nine. I asked him why, if he was so smart, he didn’t find a spade opening lead.”
East should lead a spade at Trick Two. A club is futile, and the defense needs tricks before South uses dummy’s diamonds. In fact, South could still make 3NT (by end-playing East) but probably wouldn’t.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S K J 7 5 2 H 10 9 5 D A J 9 C A 7. Your partner opens one heart, you respond one spade and he bids two diamonds. What do you say?
ANSWER: You want to play at hearts where you have an eight-card trump fit and a possible ruffing value in clubs, and you must commit to game. A jump to three hearts would only invite; you would choose that call if your king of spades were a low spade. Bid four hearts even though you would prefer stronger support.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S A Q
H Q 4
D Q 10 8 6 4 2
C 9 5 2
WEST
S 6 3
H J 8 3 2
D 7 3
C 10 8 6 4 3
EAST
S K J 7 5 2
H 10 9 5
D A J 9
C A 7
SOUTH
S 10 9 8 4
H A K 7 6
D K 5
C K Q J
South West North East
1 NT Pass 3 NT All Pass
Opening lead — C 4
(C)2020 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


mercurynews--2020-05-05--Ask Amy: Why did she have to call me out about my mask?

DEAR AMY : I am a regular reader of your column .
Thank you for being up to date on the coronavirus situation .
I am being as careful as I can possibly be in terms of protecting myself , and since March 15 I have secluded myself in my apartment .
I am 91 years old and very active .
Before this secluded period , most days I would be out and about somewhere in my new car every day .
The other day , a friend of mine delivered some groceries to my outside deck and I went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out onto the deck while she stood out on the lawn , and we conversed .
I had on a mask but pulled it down with my rubber gloves ( which I had just sanitized ) , to talk to her .
She phoned afterward to say that she was concerned that I had touched my mask with my soiled hands .
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And how should I respond ?
DEAR AIR HUGS : People do this because they are anxious and afraid .
All of us are trying , in a variety of ways , to control something that is invisible and unpredictable .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care of you .
The response from you should be : “ Thank you for everything you are doing , and thank you for your concern .
I ’ m doing well .
I ’ m feeling great , and grateful.
” Once you say these things , you can hang up the phone , take a deep breath , make yourself a cup of tea , and daydream about cruising in your new car .
It will happen .
DEAR AMY : My parents have been fighting a lot .
It scares @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I don ’ t know what I would do without either one of them .
I have tried to talk to both of them privately , but they act like everything is fine , when I know it isn ’ t .
I know that times are tough for all of us and maybe we could all just use some time by ourselves , but I really don ’ t know what to do .
Should I also act like everything is all right , or should I try to talk to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know they will say that it doesn ’ t concern me and that I shouldn ’ t worry about it ?
DEAR SCARED : First this : Your folks have done a great job , raising a sensitive , concerned , and empathetic child .
Your folks are feeling the stress — and so are you .
You may be noticing a dynamic between them that has actually been going on for a while ( because you are all spending more time together ) , or they are feeling financial , workplace , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t aware of .
Bickering happens .
Arguing happens .
And this affects you — of course it does — but your folks are right – it likely doesn ’ t have much , if anything , to do with you .
It does concern you , however , because you love them both and you want to live in a peaceful and stable household .
You need to feel safe .
You have already spoken to each of your parents , but you deserve more reassurance , and so you should try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together .
You can not solve their problems for them , but you have the right to speak your own truth , and so you should try to tell them how their actions affect you .
Use “ I ” statements : “ I ’ m worried because you seem to be arguing a lot.
” “ When you fight it makes me feel … ” ( anxious , upset , afraid ) .
It might help for you to write down your thoughts in advance , and if you don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both of them together , you can give them both a copy of your written thoughts .
I hope your concern inspires them to behave differently – for everyone ’ s sake .
If you find yourself overwhelmed by this – and other stresses in your life – please reach out for help .
Crisis Text Line has a round-the-clock staff of empathetic and helpful counselors , all available via text .
Store this number in your phone : 741-741 ( I have it in mine ) , and text if you need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you for calling out the couple signing their letter “ Too Close.
” They were excessively selfish for insisting that their friends needed to immediately attend to their needs , regardless of the current health crisis , which places everyone at risk .
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 .

DEAR AMY: I am a regular reader of your column. Thank you for being up to date on the coronavirus situation. I am being as careful as I can possibly be in terms of protecting myself, and since March 15 I have secluded myself in my apartment.
I am 91 years old and very active. Before this secluded period, most days I would be out and about somewhere in my new car every day.
The other day, a friend of mine delivered some groceries to my outside deck and I went to the sliding glass doors and went out onto the deck while she stood out on the lawn, and we conversed.
I had on a mask but pulled it down with my rubber gloves (which I had just sanitized), to talk to her.
She phoned afterward to say that she was concerned that I had touched my mask with my soiled hands.
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Amy, why do people do this? And how should I respond?
Air Hugs in Nebraska
DEAR AIR HUGS: People do this because they are anxious and afraid. All of us are trying, in a variety of ways, to control something that is invisible and unpredictable.
This friend has been making efforts to take care of you. The response from you should be: “Thank you for everything you are doing, and thank you for your concern. I’m doing well. I’m feeling great, and grateful.”
Once you say these things, you can hang up the phone, take a deep breath, make yourself a cup of tea, and daydream about cruising in your new car. It will happen.
DEAR AMY: My parents have been fighting a lot. It scares me because I love them so much and I don’t know what I would do without either one of them.
I have tried to talk to both of them privately, but they act like everything is fine, when I know it isn’t. I know that times are tough for all of us and maybe we could all just use some time by ourselves, but I really don’t know what to do.
Should I also act like everything is all right, or should I try to talk to them about it again, when I know they will say that it doesn’t concern me and that I shouldn’t worry about it?
Scared Teen
DEAR SCARED: First this: Your folks have done a great job, raising a sensitive, concerned, and empathetic child.
Your folks are feeling the stress — and so are you. You may be noticing a dynamic between them that has actually been going on for a while (because you are all spending more time together), or they are feeling financial, workplace, or family worries that you aren’t aware of.
Bickering happens. Arguing happens. And this affects you — of course it does — but your folks are right – it likely doesn’t have much, if anything, to do with you. It does concern you, however, because you love them both and you want to live in a peaceful and stable household. You need to feel safe.
You have already spoken to each of your parents, but you deserve more reassurance, and so you should try to speak with both of them, together.
You cannot solve their problems for them, but you have the right to speak your own truth, and so you should try to tell them how their actions affect you. Use “I” statements: “I’m worried because you seem to be arguing a lot.” “When you fight it makes me feel …” (anxious, upset, afraid).
It might help for you to write down your thoughts in advance, and if you don’t believe you can have this conversation with both of them together, you can give them both a copy of your written thoughts. I hope your concern inspires them to behave differently – for everyone’s sake.
If you find yourself overwhelmed by this – and other stresses in your life – please reach out for help. Crisis Text Line has a round-the-clock staff of empathetic and helpful counselors, all available via text. Store this number in your phone: 741-741 (I have it in mine), and text if you need to talk.
DEAR AMY: Thank you for calling out the couple signing their letter “Too Close.” They were excessively selfish for insisting that their friends needed to immediately attend to their needs, regardless of the current health crisis, which places everyone at risk.
Sheltering
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--2020-05-05--Letter: Are Cal’s excess students adding to homeless crisis?

I wanted to include some crucial background information about the University of California ’ s plans to build student housing at People ’ s Park and elsewhere in Berkeley .
Residents learned from the Supplemental EIR for another project that UC already has projected 11,000 more students by 2022-2023 beyond the 33,000 agreed to in the City ’ s Master Plan and UC ’ s Long-Range Plan .
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A housing crisis can be created anywhere in the Bay Area by introducing so many people .
Our present homeless crisis is due in part to violation of the agreement .
The students are not at fault and are also victims of UC , which knows Berkeley is unable to absorb this many additional people .
In addition , this secret expansion is costing Berkeley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in services expenses beyond any benefits brought in by UC .
Berkeley should enforce the agreement on limits .
Submit your letter to the editor via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

Re: “UC Berkeley’s People’s Park 16-story housing project presented, assailed” (Eastbaytimes.com, April 29):
I wanted to include some crucial background information about the University of California’s plans to build student housing at People’s Park and elsewhere in Berkeley.
Residents learned from the Supplemental EIR for another project that UC already has projected 11,000 more students by 2022-2023 beyond the 33,000 agreed to in the City’s Master Plan and UC’s Long-Range Plan.
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A housing crisis can be created anywhere in the Bay Area by introducing so many people. Our present homeless crisis is due in part to violation of the agreement. The students are not at fault and are also victims of UC, which knows Berkeley is unable to absorb this many additional people.
In addition, this secret expansion is costing Berkeley taxpayers approximately $20 million a year in services expenses beyond any benefits brought in by UC.
Berkeley should enforce the agreement on limits.
Mark McDonald
Berkeley
Submit your letter to the editor via this form
Read more Letters to the Editor


mercurynews--2020-05-05--Harriette Cole: I want house rules so we’ll still like each other when this is over

DEAR HARRIETTE : I have three grown children , and we have all been living together again since the government issued a stay-at-home order .
In some ways , it has been nice having them around .
We are getting to talk about all kinds of things that didn ’ t ever come up on our short check-in phone calls before .
On the other hand , it has been tough with all of the personalities .
My husband and I don ’ t get much quiet time like we used to enjoy since the kids moved out .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few more house rules so that we don ’ t end up driving one another crazy .
Do you have any ideas ?
We live in a small house , so it is hard for us to be completely separated .
DEAR FAMILY TIME : Draw upon your children ’ s creativity .
Have a family meeting that you call a brainstorming session .
Tell your family how grateful you are that you are together and healthy .
Point out what you are enjoying about being in their company .
Then state that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at times because it can feel like too much togetherness .
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• Harriette Cole : My teen is furious about my strict lockdown Tell them you want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow you to each have a bit more space and privacy .
Ask them if they can think of any ideas .
Some suggestions include : scheduling bathroom time , so that each person can enjoy the bathroom alone ; rotating meal preparation and cleanup ; observing quiet time with no audible TV or music ( you can use headphones ) ; reserving an area for alone time , and scheduling it for each person .
DEAR HARRIETTE : My son is graduating from high school this year , and I feel so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really hard to be a good student .
Plus , he has been involved in student government and other activities at his school .
He was an all-in kind of student leading up to the quarantine that has shut down his school until next year .
My son will not have a graduation ceremony , and he is moping a bit .
This is only exacerbated by the uncertainty of whether college will start next year as planned .
He had considered taking a gap year , but there ’ s nowhere to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the future , he is becoming depressed .
How can I help him ?
DEAR UNCERTAIN FUTURE : Plan a Zoom graduation party for your son .
Have him help you with the plans .
Make an invitation list .
Decide on activities that will occur , including him wearing his cap and gown ( if he has it already ) and giving a speech .
Invite loved ones to give him presents .
You can encourage financial gifts , which students always appreciate , and let them know how to send @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future goes , encourage your son to reach out to his college to find out what the plan is for the fall .
If the school hasn ’ t decided yet , encourage him to stay in touch .
He needs to become proactive .
This will keep him engaged even though times are tough .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have three grown children, and we have all been living together again since the government issued a stay-at-home order.
In some ways, it has been nice having them around. We are getting to talk about all kinds of things that didn’t ever come up on our short check-in phone calls before. On the other hand, it has been tough with all of the personalities.
My husband and I don’t get much quiet time like we used to enjoy since the kids moved out. I feel like we need to enforce a few more house rules so that we don’t end up driving one another crazy.
Do you have any ideas? We live in a small house, so it is hard for us to be completely separated.
Family Time
DEAR FAMILY TIME: Draw upon your children’s creativity. Have a family meeting that you call a brainstorming session. Tell your family how grateful you are that you are together and healthy. Point out what you are enjoying about being in their company. Then state that you believe that it is also hard at times because it can feel like too much togetherness.
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Harriette Cole: I’m ashamed to tell people I forgave my childhood friend Advice | Harriette Cole: I’ve worked hard, and my poor siblings resent my success Tell them you want to come up with some ideas that allow you to each have a bit more space and privacy. Ask them if they can think of any ideas.
Some suggestions include: scheduling bathroom time, so that each person can enjoy the bathroom alone; rotating meal preparation and cleanup; observing quiet time with no audible TV or music (you can use headphones); reserving an area for alone time, and scheduling it for each person.
DEAR HARRIETTE: My son is graduating from high school this year, and I feel so sad for him. He has worked really hard to be a good student. Plus, he has been involved in student government and other activities at his school. He was an all-in kind of student leading up to the quarantine that has shut down his school until next year.
My son will not have a graduation ceremony, and he is moping a bit. This is only exacerbated by the uncertainty of whether college will start next year as planned. He had considered taking a gap year, but there’s nowhere to go now. Without a clear path for the future, he is becoming depressed. How can I help him?
Uncertain Future
DEAR UNCERTAIN FUTURE: Plan a Zoom graduation party for your son. Have him help you with the plans. Make an invitation list. Decide on activities that will occur, including him wearing his cap and gown (if he has it already) and giving a speech. Invite loved ones to give him presents. You can encourage financial gifts, which students always appreciate, and let them know how to send it electronically.
As far as the future goes, encourage your son to reach out to his college to find out what the plan is for the fall. If the school hasn’t decided yet, encourage him to stay in touch. He needs to become proactive. This will keep him engaged even though times are tough.
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--2020-05-05--Miss Manners: No, you can’t tell the bride not to wear a white balloon

DEAR MISS MANNERS : Should women be allowed to wear a white wedding dress and splurge on their second wedding ?
I ask this because a mutual friend has just done so , causing a debate between my mother and me .
I believe that a woman has the right to her perfect wedding .
What if the first wedding was nothing that she ’ d hoped for , but this time around , she is going for everything she dreamed of ?
What if her first spouse was horrible to her , and this is a way for her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the manners books makes it OK to do less for your new spouse than your last ?
Miss Manners has no patience with the grudges of those who felt deprived of their dream wedding , whatever that might be .
Marriage is supposed to be for grown-ups , who can understand practical limitations and handle disappointments .
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The white wedding dress only became a bridal costume after Queen Victoria wore one ; before that , brides simply wore their best dresses , whatever the style or color .
And while the white dress and veil came to be associated with a young bride @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now become almost universal .
People who snipe at white dresses being worn by women nastily called “ experienced ” brides are just being mean , if not vulgar .
Miss Manners would never dream of mentioning what she thinks of those strapless white balloons brides insist on wearing — or that the other common choice , the overtly sexy dress is , on a bride , redundant .
DEAR MISS MANNERS : I ’ ve probably watched one too many classic movies and read too many old books , because I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you do ?
” when I meet someone for the first time , or as a greeting in formal or business encounters .
Someone told me it was outdated after I said it to them .
Is it strange to use it these days ?
Could Miss Manners kindly advise on this before I raise more eyebrows ?
GENTLE READER : Raise them .
“ How do you do ?
” is the correct thing to say after an introduction .
But please hang on for a short tutorial on the usefulness of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ” sounds cordial , but it , too , can be questioned , because how do you know how pleasant it will turn out to be to meet any particular stranger ?
It is considered unctuous by fastidious Americans — and by all of England , who attacked the Duchess of Cambridge ’ s mother for saying it upon first meeting the queen .
Miss Manners is afraid that in this literal-minded age , people mistake “ How do you do ?
” for a question .
It is not , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do you do ?
” An actual question would be “ How are you ?
” but that , too , is conventional .
Unless it is asked by one ’ s intimates or one ’ s doctor , it requires some sort of positive response : “ Fine , thank you ; how are you ?
” Conventions mercifully save us from probing motives , so we can move on to real conversation .
Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website , www.missmanners.com ; to her email , dearmissmanners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Miss Manners , Andrews McMeel Syndication , 1130 Walnut St. , Kansas City , MO 64106 .

Judith Martin, Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Should women be allowed to wear a white wedding dress and splurge on their second wedding?
I ask this because a mutual friend has just done so, causing a debate between my mother and me. I believe that a woman has the right to her perfect wedding.
What if the first wedding was nothing that she’d hoped for, but this time around, she is going for everything she dreamed of? What if her first spouse was horrible to her, and this is a way for her to heal and move on? What in the manners books makes it OK to do less for your new spouse than your last?
GENTLE READER: “Allowed” by whom?
Miss Manners has no patience with the grudges of those who felt deprived of their dream wedding, whatever that might be. Marriage is supposed to be for grown-ups, who can understand practical limitations and handle disappointments.
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Miss Manners: She wants to turn our music festival into a get-drunk weekend Advice | Miss Manners: My rule is no gift for a second wedding, no attendance for a third But neither does she consider it is her business to tell a bride what to wear. The white wedding dress only became a bridal costume after Queen Victoria wore one; before that, brides simply wore their best dresses, whatever the style or color. And while the white dress and veil came to be associated with a young bride at a first wedding, they have now become almost universal.
People who snipe at white dresses being worn by women nastily called “experienced” brides are just being mean, if not vulgar. Miss Manners would never dream of mentioning what she thinks of those strapless white balloons brides insist on wearing — or that the other common choice, the overtly sexy dress is, on a bride, redundant.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I’ve probably watched one too many classic movies and read too many old books, because I’ve started to say “How do you do?” when I meet someone for the first time, or as a greeting in formal or business encounters. Someone told me it was outdated after I said it to them.
Is it strange to use it these days? Could Miss Manners kindly advise on this before I raise more eyebrows?
Want Miss Manners delivered to your inbox for free on weekdays?
GENTLE READER: Raise them. “How do you do?” is the correct thing to say after an introduction. But please hang on for a short tutorial on the usefulness of conventional expressions.
“Pleased to meet you” sounds cordial, but it, too, can be questioned, because how do you know how pleasant it will turn out to be to meet any particular stranger? It is considered unctuous by fastidious Americans — and by all of England, who attacked the Duchess of Cambridge’s mother for saying it upon first meeting the queen.
Miss Manners is afraid that in this literal-minded age, people mistake “How do you do?” for a question. It is not, and the proper answer is another “How do you do?”
An actual question would be “How are you?” but that, too, is conventional. Unless it is asked by one’s intimates or one’s doctor, it requires some sort of positive response: “Fine, thank you; how are you?”
Conventions mercifully save us from probing motives, so we can move on to real conversation.
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--2020-05-06--President Trump tours Arizona mask factory, skips mask

By Zeke Miller , Jill Colvin and Darlene Superville | Associated Press PHOENIX — Making himself Exhibit A for reopening the country , President Donald Trump visited an Arizona face mask factory Tuesday , using the trip to demonstrate his determination to see an easing of stay-at-home orders even as the coronavirus remains a dire threat .
Trump did not wear a mask despite guidelines saying they should be worn inside the factory at all times .
“ The people of our country should think of themselves as warriors .
We have to open , ” Trump declared as he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more about the journey than the destination .
In Arizona , Trump acknowledged the human cost of returning to normalcy .
“ I ’ m not saying anything is perfect , and yes , will some people be affected ?
Yes .
Will some people be affected badly ?
Yes .
But we have to get our country open and we have to get it open soon , ” he said .
Trump had said he would don a face mask if the factory was “ a mask environment , ” but in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a tour of the Honeywell facility .
Nearly all factory workers and members of the press as well as some White House staff and Secret Service agents wore masks .
Senior White House staff and Honeywell executives did not .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks when they can ’ t socially distance , such as in supermarkets , especially in places with high transmission rates .
In the area where Trump spoke , a large video monitor listed safety guidelines , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your mask at all times.
” Vice President Mike Pence created a stir recently when photos showed him maskless in a visit to the Mayo Clinic surrounded by hospital officials and doctors all wearing masks .
He said that he hadn ’ t known it was a requirement and that he is tested for the virus frequently .
He wore a mask at an event a few days later .
Trump ’ s visit came as the White House said it hopes to wind down its coronavirus task force in the coming month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battling an “ invisible enemy ” to rebooting the economy .
The president spent about three hours in Phoenix , touring the Honeywell factory and holding a roundtable on Native American issues .
Aides said the trip would be worth the nearly eight hours of flight time as a symbolic show that the nation is taking steps back to normalcy .
The trip was also expected to be a marker of Trump ’ s return to a regular travel schedule , as he hopes the nation , too , will begin to emerge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After weeks cooped up in Washington , with little exposure to how the virus has been affecting Americans ’ day-to-day lives , Trump got a first-hand view of one big impact .
At the airport , Air Force One parked next to dozens of grounded commercial airliners with covered engines and taped-over probes and vents .
Trump ’ s first stop was a meeting with Native American leaders during which he distributed 1,000 Abbott quick virus tests .
“ Native Americans have been hit hard by the terrible pandemic , ” Trump said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helpful to you.
” Trump sees economic revival as a political imperative , as his allies have noted an erosion in support for the president in recent weeks .
Republicans believe Trump ’ s path to a second term depends on the public ’ s perception of how quickly the economy rebounds from shutdowns meant to slow the spread of the virus .
That includes in Arizona , a key swing state , which Trump carried by less than 4 percentage points in 2016 .
“ I love Arizona .
I have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve had great success over the years in Arizona , ” Trump boasted as he left .
But even as many Americans have adhered to strict social distancing guidelines , the numbers of new infections and deaths from the virus have not decreased as quickly as hoped .
Indeed , when the New York metropolitan area ’ s progress against the virus is taken out of the equation , numbers for the rest of the U.S. are moving in the wrong direction .
The infection rate is rising even as states move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press analysis found Tuesday .
Nonetheless , the White House has begun discussions about winding down its coronavirus task force , which has already been meeting less frequently , Pence said .
Its members have become fixtures on television sets across the nation , with Americans hungry for information and marooned at home .
“ I think we ’ re having conversations about that and about what the proper time is for the task force to complete its work and for the ongoing efforts to take place on an agency by agency level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House .
He said the group could wind down its work by early June .
“ We ’ re now looking at a little bit of a different form , and that form is safety and opening , ” Trump said in Arizona , “ and we ’ ll have a different group , probably , set up for that.
” Asked about his statements in February playing down the threat of the virus , Trump told ABC in an interview that medical experts also had underestimated the risk and added : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t want to be Mr. Doom and Gloom .
It ’ s a very bad subject .
I ’ m not looking to tell the American people when nobody really knows what is happening yet , ‘ Oh this is going to be so tragic . '
” Trump is seeking to pivot his focus away from the virus ’ s spread and toward more familiar — and , aides hope , politically safer — ground : talking up the economy .
As more states have begun to ease closure orders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to spikes in new cases , Trump has been trying to highlight his administration ’ s work in helping businesses and employees rebound .
To that point , aides said the president would hold more frequent roundtables with CEOs , business owners and beneficiaries of the trillions of dollars in federal aid already approved by Congress , and begin to outline what he hopes to see in a future “ phase four ” recovery package .
Pence told reporters at a White House briefing Tuesday that the U.S. could be “ in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and early June “ as we continue to practice social distancing and states engage in safe and responsible reopening plans.
” The administration is beginning to eye that window as the appropriate time for federal agencies to begin managing the pandemic response “ in a more traditional way , ” he said .
Dr. Deborah Birx , the task force coordinator , said the federal government would still keep a close eye on the data if the task force disbands .
“ It took us a while to build that capacity and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re watching that at a federal level , ” she said .
Trump and his White House team have been operating in a virus-safe bubble , thanks to the rapid coronavirus tests provided to senior staff and anyone who meets with the president .
Trump has been repeatedly talking up the administration ’ s response to the virus , despite persistent criticism that he dragged his feet and failed to adequately increase production of personal protective equipment and testing supplies .
“ We did everything right .
Now it ’ s time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
He added that the country has “ the best testing , ” with more than 7 million now completed , even as some experts say millions more people must be tested every week for the country to safely reopen .

By Zeke Miller, Jill Colvin and Darlene Superville | Associated Press
PHOENIX — Making himself Exhibit A for reopening the country, President Donald Trump visited an Arizona face mask factory Tuesday, using the trip to demonstrate his determination to see an easing of stay-at-home orders even as the coronavirus remains a dire threat. Trump did not wear a mask despite guidelines saying they should be worn inside the factory at all times.
“The people of our country should think of themselves as warriors. We have to open,” Trump declared as he left Washington on a trip that was more about the journey than the destination.
In Arizona, Trump acknowledged the human cost of returning to normalcy.
“I’m not saying anything is perfect, and yes, will some people be affected? Yes. Will some people be affected badly? Yes. But we have to get our country open and we have to get it open soon,” he said.
Trump had said he would don a face mask if the factory was “a mask environment,” but in the end he wore only safety goggles during a tour of the Honeywell facility. Nearly all factory workers and members of the press as well as some White House staff and Secret Service agents wore masks. Senior White House staff and Honeywell executives did not.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks when they can’t socially distance, such as in supermarkets, especially in places with high transmission rates. In the area where Trump spoke, a large video monitor listed safety guidelines, one of which said, “Please wear your mask at all times.”
Vice President Mike Pence created a stir recently when photos showed him maskless in a visit to the Mayo Clinic surrounded by hospital officials and doctors all wearing masks. He said that he hadn’t known it was a requirement and that he is tested for the virus frequently. He wore a mask at an event a few days later.
Trump’s visit came as the White House said it hopes to wind down its coronavirus task force in the coming month as the president shifts his focus from battling an “invisible enemy” to rebooting the economy.
The president spent about three hours in Phoenix, touring the Honeywell factory and holding a roundtable on Native American issues. Aides said the trip would be worth the nearly eight hours of flight time as a symbolic show that the nation is taking steps back to normalcy. The trip was also expected to be a marker of Trump’s return to a regular travel schedule, as he hopes the nation, too, will begin to emerge from seven weeks of virus-imposed isolation.
After weeks cooped up in Washington, with little exposure to how the virus has been affecting Americans’ day-to-day lives, Trump got a first-hand view of one big impact. At the airport, Air Force One parked next to dozens of grounded commercial airliners with covered engines and taped-over probes and vents.
Trump’s first stop was a meeting with Native American leaders during which he distributed 1,000 Abbott quick virus tests.
“Native Americans have been hit hard by the terrible pandemic,” Trump said. “Hopefully, that will be helpful to you.”
Trump sees economic revival as a political imperative, as his allies have noted an erosion in support for the president in recent weeks. Republicans believe Trump’s path to a second term depends on the public’s perception of how quickly the economy rebounds from shutdowns meant to slow the spread of the virus.
That includes in Arizona, a key swing state, which Trump carried by less than 4 percentage points in 2016.
“I love Arizona. I have a lot of friends in Arizona. I’ve had great success over the years in Arizona,” Trump boasted as he left.
But even as many Americans have adhered to strict social distancing guidelines, the numbers of new infections and deaths from the virus have not decreased as quickly as hoped. Indeed, when the New York metropolitan area’s progress against the virus is taken out of the equation, numbers for the rest of the U.S. are moving in the wrong direction. The infection rate is rising even as states move to lift their lockdowns, an Associated Press analysis found Tuesday.
Nonetheless, the White House has begun discussions about winding down its coronavirus task force, which has already been meeting less frequently, Pence said. Its members have become fixtures on television sets across the nation, with Americans hungry for information and marooned at home.
“I think we’re having conversations about that and about what the proper time is for the task force to complete its work and for the ongoing efforts to take place on an agency by agency level,” Pence said at the White House. He said the group could wind down its work by early June.
“We’re now looking at a little bit of a different form, and that form is safety and opening,” Trump said in Arizona, “and we’ll have a different group, probably, set up for that.”
Asked about his statements in February playing down the threat of the virus, Trump told ABC in an interview that medical experts also had underestimated the risk and added: “I want to be optimistic. I don’t want to be Mr. Doom and Gloom. It’s a very bad subject. I’m not looking to tell the American people when nobody really knows what is happening yet, ‘Oh this is going to be so tragic.'”
Trump is seeking to pivot his focus away from the virus’s spread and toward more familiar — and, aides hope, politically safer — ground: talking up the economy. As more states have begun to ease closure orders, despite warnings that that could lead to spikes in new cases, Trump has been trying to highlight his administration’s work in helping businesses and employees rebound.
To that point, aides said the president would hold more frequent roundtables with CEOs, business owners and beneficiaries of the trillions of dollars in federal aid already approved by Congress, and begin to outline what he hopes to see in a future “phase four” recovery package.
Pence told reporters at a White House briefing Tuesday that the U.S. could be “in a very different place” come late May and early June “as we continue to practice social distancing and states engage in safe and responsible reopening plans.” The administration is beginning to eye that window as the appropriate time for federal agencies to begin managing the pandemic response “in a more traditional way,” he said.
Dr. Deborah Birx, the task force coordinator, said the federal government would still keep a close eye on the data if the task force disbands.
“It took us a while to build that capacity and we’ll make sure that we’re watching that at a federal level,” she said.
Trump and his White House team have been operating in a virus-safe bubble, thanks to the rapid coronavirus tests provided to senior staff and anyone who meets with the president.
Trump has been repeatedly talking up the administration’s response to the virus, despite persistent criticism that he dragged his feet and failed to adequately increase production of personal protective equipment and testing supplies.
“We did everything right. Now it’s time to get back to work,” he said. He added that the country has “the best testing,” with more than 7 million now completed, even as some experts say millions more people must be tested every week for the country to safely reopen.
Colvin and Superville reported from Washington.


mercurynews--2020-05-06--California doesn’t need quick re-opening. It requires rebuilt confidence

California ’ s economy doesn ’ t need a quick reopening .
It needs a deliberate , healthy and successful one .
It ’ s easy to understand why many folks are anxious to get back on the road to whatever the new normal will bring the business climate .
At least 1 in 5 California workers lost their jobs due to business limitations designed to limit the spread of the killer coronavirus .
Lives vs. livelihoods is a debate with few easy answers .
I know many folks have bills to pay .
Or they ’ re owed money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Or their business or entire industry — like mine — is hanging on by a thread .
I see the passion of the protestors .
But I also know there ’ s a largely silent majority who speak volumes with their compliance to “ stay at home ” orders .
Many of these people also face financial distress and personal sacrifice but view business limitations as needed pandemic mitigation .
Look , we ’ re talking a deadly , contagious disease .
So far , thanks in large part to an early call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Gavin Newsom , coronavirus has sickened and killed far fewer than originally projected .
Plus , the state is slowly reopening with modest first steps .
Opinion surveys suggest most Californians seem to be in no rush : 75 % of 1,015 adults polled in mid-April said they ’ d prefer “ shelter in place as long as it is needed ” vs. “ stop sheltering to stimulate the economy , ” according to the California Health Care Foundation .
A newer survey from Reform California , a group that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s handling of the crisis , shows only 41 % of 1,265 Californians surveyed think the state “ flattened the curve enough that it can now safely reopen now.
” Considering the leaning of these folks who paid for the poll , that ’ s not much support for a fast return to the business-as-usual .
Now Reform California ’ s results from May 1-2 polling expose deep tensions over continued business limitations .
Opinions vary by geography — from only 28 % who say “ reopen now ” in San Francisco ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 % in the Southern California region outside of Los Angeles ( with far less medical impact ) .
And , no surprise , there ’ s political variations , too — only 21 % of Democrats say “ reopen now ” to 41 % of independents to 70 % of Republicans .
My view is that forcing a large-scale reopening when emotions aren ’ t solidly behind the move — no less , medical science — won ’ t do anything to restore consumer confidence .
And without widespread buy-in , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , economically speaking .
What day , what pace , or under what conditions California ’ s economy “ reopens ” isn ’ t the critical puzzle piece to the financial future .
No , the key deciding force will the public at large .
When will they feel comfortable enough to go back to performing at work and spending at local stores as they did before the pandemic ?
The consumer will vote with their dollars .
Two recent surveys of California shoppers , from the Conference Board and Chapman-CMC , show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Getting paychecks may help to reverse that trend .
But more cash in more wallets alone won ’ t bring public psyche anywhere near to the upbeat feel of the good ol ’ days .
You know , early 2020 .
Proponents of a quick reopening say high-risk folks can self-quarantine .
Meanwhile , others get to return to work with proper protections and social distancing , especially in parts of California with low infection rates to date .
Few will argue with these concepts as the logical next steps .
Anti-shutdown protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopening showed us unmasked people in crowded settings using no medical common sense .
That instills doubts that mandated precautions will be strictly maintained .
When pondering the economic power of any reopening , remember , the self-quarantine group is far bigger than you ’ d think .
It includes many loved ones of the elderly and the medically weak .
And what of folks who are supposed to be helping to educate their kids at home ?
If that large group — and folks who support their cause — are uncomfortable with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s a good bet they ’ ll be distantly participating in the economy .
Their “ protest ” will be quiet .
They ’ ll eat at home .
Shop online .
Vacation differently .
Stay away from public events .
I know many business owners want a shot at even a small slice of their old cash flow vs. none in this “ stay at home ” era .
But a meager business recovery due to reluctance from this unsure majority will be unsatisfying .
And it could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rebound .
Rush a reopening , or mismanage it , and we could have a second wave of the disease .
And the second wave may happen , anyway .
Scary thought knowing we are on an extremely uncharted path .
Imagine the harsh societal — and business — questions that such a scenario brings .
I can not imagine a sadder outcome , and forget dollars and cents .
What of lost lives in what ’ s essentially a mistimed bet that deaths won ’ t soar ?
In this worst-case scenario @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nobody will believe in leadership , both political and business .
And maybe even worse : Who ’ ll listen to the medical profession , seen as guilty of leading the decision-makers astray ?
Plus , does anybody know how to do a second shutdown ?
Is there enough political will , or discipline , to pull it off ?
And if we get there — a situation I ’ d wish on nobody — how do we reopen for the second time ?
The large majority of Californians may not be thinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want a cautious approach like the plans suggested by the governor .
Just look at that poll from Reform California , harsh critics of Newsom .
It gives him a 64 % approval rating on the job he ’ s done handling the pandemic response .

A man on a scooter rides past a side that says You Can???t Quarantine Love in Santa Monica on Thursday, April 30, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
People wearing mask due to the Coronavirus Pandemic walk past the Hayworth as the marquee reads Home is Where the Quarantine is along Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles on Tuesday, April 21, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Lawren Heinz prepares salads during a drive through dinner service called Quarantine Canteen at Poppy Cake Baking Company in Sierra Madre on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. The canteen was started by local businesses to help those in need during the Coronavirus Pandemic. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
This is one of the messages in chalk that greeted employees of Kaiser Permanente Riverside Medical Center April 2 before they entered the hospital. (Photo by Pam Dickerman)
A sign just south of the Newport Beach Pier in Newport Beach lets beach goers know that the beach is closed on Saturday, May 2, 2020, during day two of the temporarily ordered closure of all beaches and state parks in Orange County by California Gov. Gavin Newsom due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A protester holds a sign in a car traveling in the northbound lanes of Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach on Friday morning, May 1, 2020, after California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered all beaches and state parks in Orange County to temporarily close due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
California’s economy doesn’t need a quick reopening. It needs a deliberate, healthy and successful one.
It’s easy to understand why many folks are anxious to get back on the road to whatever the new normal will bring the business climate. At least 1 in 5 California workers lost their jobs due to business limitations designed to limit the spread of the killer coronavirus.
Lives vs. livelihoods is a debate with few easy answers. I know many folks have bills to pay. Or they’re owed money by somebody out of a job. Or their business or entire industry — like mine — is hanging on by a thread. I see the passion of the protestors.
But I also know there’s a largely silent majority who speak volumes with their compliance to “stay at home” orders. Many of these people also face financial distress and personal sacrifice but view business limitations as needed pandemic mitigation.
Look, we’re talking a deadly, contagious disease. So far, thanks in large part to an early call to “stay at home” from Gov. Gavin Newsom, coronavirus has sickened and killed far fewer than originally projected.
Plus, the state is slowly reopening with modest first steps. Opinion surveys suggest most Californians seem to be in no rush: 75% of 1,015 adults polled in mid-April said they’d prefer “shelter in place as long as it is needed” vs. “stop sheltering to stimulate the economy,” according to the California Health Care Foundation.
A newer survey from Reform California, a group that’s no fan of the state’s handling of the crisis, shows only 41% of 1,265 Californians surveyed think the state “flattened the curve enough that it can now safely reopen now.”
Considering the leaning of these folks who paid for the poll, that’s not much support for a fast return to the business-as-usual.
Now Reform California’s results from May 1-2 polling expose deep tensions over continued business limitations. Opinions vary by geography — from only 28% who say “reopen now” in San Francisco (hard hit by the virus) to 50% in the Southern California region outside of Los Angeles (with far less medical impact). And, no surprise, there’s political variations, too — only 21% of Democrats say “reopen now” to 41% of independents to 70% of Republicans.
My view is that forcing a large-scale reopening when emotions aren’t solidly behind the move — no less, medical science — won’t do anything to restore consumer confidence. And without widespread buy-in, it’s a reopening destined to flop, economically speaking.
Dollars vote
What day, what pace, or under what conditions California’s economy “reopens” isn’t the critical puzzle piece to the financial future.
No, the key deciding force will the public at large. When will they feel comfortable enough to go back to performing at work and spending at local stores as they did before the pandemic?
The consumer will vote with their dollars. Two recent surveys of California shoppers, from the Conference Board and Chapman-CMC, show soaring pessimism since the pandemic arrived.
Getting paychecks may help to reverse that trend. But more cash in more wallets alone won’t bring public psyche anywhere near to the upbeat feel of the good ol’ days. You know, early 2020.
Proponents of a quick reopening say high-risk folks can self-quarantine. Meanwhile, others get to return to work with proper protections and social distancing, especially in parts of California with low infection rates to date.
Few will argue with these concepts as the logical next steps. Anti-shutdown protests and crowds seen at the rare restaurant reopening showed us unmasked people in crowded settings using no medical common sense. That instills doubts that mandated precautions will be strictly maintained.
When pondering the economic power of any reopening, remember, the self-quarantine group is far bigger than you’d think. It includes many loved ones of the elderly and the medically weak. And what of folks who are supposed to be helping to educate their kids at home?
If that large group — and folks who support their cause — are uncomfortable with the level of renewed business and congestion, it’s a good bet they’ll be distantly participating in the economy. Their “protest” will be quiet. They’ll eat at home. Shop online. Vacation differently. Stay away from public events.
I know many business owners want a shot at even a small slice of their old cash flow vs. none in this “stay at home” era. But a meager business recovery due to reluctance from this unsure majority will be unsatisfying. And it could be disastrous for people betting on a sharp rebound.
Second wave
Rush a reopening, or mismanage it, and we could have a second wave of the disease. And the second wave may happen, anyway.
Scary thought knowing we are on an extremely uncharted path. Imagine the harsh societal — and business — questions that such a scenario brings. I cannot imagine a sadder outcome, and forget dollars and cents. What of lost lives in what’s essentially a mistimed bet that deaths won’t soar?
In this worst-case scenario, consumer confidence will be shattered. Nobody will believe in leadership, both political and business. And maybe even worse: Who’ll listen to the medical profession, seen as guilty of leading the decision-makers astray?
Plus, does anybody know how to do a second shutdown? Is there enough political will, or discipline, to pull it off? And if we get there — a situation I’d wish on nobody — how do we reopen for the second time?
The large majority of Californians may not be thinking that far out. But they discretely want a cautious approach like the plans suggested by the governor.


mercurynews--2020-05-06--Two-alarm Fremont fire under investigation

FREMONT — Investigators with the Alameda County Fire Department were working to determine the cause of a two-alarm fire Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ Around 4:10 p.m. , firefighters responded to Fletcher Jones Motorcars , 5760 Cushing Parkway , @ @ @ @ @ fire in the Mercedes-Benz dealership ’ s repair area .
Fremont firefighters also responded , @ @ @ @ @ as well as word that all employees evacuated and that sixteen vehicles suffered damage .
@ @ @ @ @ injury or a damage estimate .

FREMONT — Investigators were working to determine the cause of a two-alarm fire Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.
Around 4:10 p.m., Fremont Fire Department firefighters responded to Fletcher Jones Motorcars, 5760 Cushing Parkway, for a report of a fire in the Mercedes-Benz dealership’s repair area.
Firefighters also shared images on social media as well as word that all employees evacuated and that sixteen vehicles suffered damage. There were no reports of injury or a damage estimate.
Firefighters are at the scene of a 2-Alarm fire in a repair facility at the Mercedes-Benz dealership at 5760 Cushing Parkway. The fire has been extinguished. All employees self-evacuated. No reports of injuries. Cause is under investigation. #CushingCommand pic.twitter.com/dQox2xDTpq — Fremont Fire Department (@FremontFire) May 5, 2020
RAW VIDEO: The 2–Alarm fire at the Mercedes-Benz Dealership at 5760 Cushing Pkwy was contained to one repair shop and is extinguished. Water removal is in progress. Several vehicles damaged w/in the shop. No reports of injuries. #CushingCommand pic.twitter.com/NYHEqpvZTQ — Fremont Fire Department (@FremontFire) May 5, 2020
PHOTOS: A total of 16 vehicles sustained water, smoke and/or fire damage during the 2-alarm fire at the Mercedes-Benz of Fremont dealership on Cushing Pkwy. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. #CushingCommand pic.twitter.com/3jnRfgZ1iG — Fremont Fire Department (@FremontFire) May 6, 2020
Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.


mercurynews--2020-05-06--Ratcliffe tells Senate he will resist pressure from Trump

By Mary Clare Jalonick and Eric Tucker | Associated Press WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump ’ s nominee for national intelligence director sought at his confirmation hearing Tuesday to shed his reputation as a loyalist to the president , insisting to skeptical Democrats that he would carry out the job free of political influence or partisan bias .
The comments from Rep. John Ratcliffe , a Texas Republican , were aimed at quelling Democratic fears that he would be vulnerable to pressure from a president who is often perceived as politicizing intelligence and who publicly disputes intelligence conclusions at odds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are amplified at a time when intelligence agencies are investigating politically sensitive issues , including election meddling and the cause of the coronavirus pandemic .
Senators repeatedly pressed Ratcliffe on whether he could stand up to Trump by presenting him with analysis he did not like .
They also asked if he agreed with the president ’ s assertions that intelligence agencies had “ run amok ” and were infiltrated by the “ deep state.
” Ratcliffe refused to endorsed either claim and insisted he would not shape intelligence findings to meet the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be very clear : Regardless of what anyone wants our intelligence to reflect , the intelligence I will provide , if confirmed , will not be impacted or altered as a result of outside influence , ” he told the Senate Intelligence Committee .
Republican Sen. Richard Burr , the committee chairman , said after the hearing that he was satisfied Ratcliffe would serve “ in an independent capacity.
” He promised a quick vote on his nomination .
But Sen. Chuck Schumer , speaking on the Senate floor as the hearing was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dismissing Ratcliffe as a “ deeply partisan cheerleader for the president , a yes man in every sense of the phrase.
” The confirmation hearing , the first in-person one held under drastic new distancing rules for the coronavirus , comes at a tumultuous time for the intelligence agencies .
About a half dozen intelligence community leaders have resigned or been ousted over the last year and agencies already grappling with the prospect of Russian interference in November ’ s election are now probing the politically charged question of whether the coronavirus is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ratcliffe ’ s path to the job has been similarly topsy-turvy , with the original nomination withdrawn after bipartisan criticism he was unqualified to oversee the 17 organizations that make up the U.S. intelligence community .
Trump unexpectedly renominated him in February .
His chances of securing the job appear better this time around .
Democrats revealed their skepticism in occasionally contentious questioning , with Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California pressing Ratcliffe over past comments about whistleblowers and New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich asking for instances of when Ratcliffe had ever “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involving the president .
“ I have to say that while I am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt at this hearing , I don ’ t see what has changed since last summer when the president decided not to proceed with your nomination , ” said Virginia Sen. Mark Warner , the panel ’ s top Democrat .
Ratcliffe took pains to break with the president , including by saying he believed Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election , a conclusion Trump has often resisted .
And he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Republican Sen. Susan Collins if he would communicate to Trump the intelligence community ’ s findings even if he knew Trump disagreed with them and might fire him .
When it comes to investigating the coronavirus origins , Ratcliffe pledged that he would be “ laser-focused ” in that task — a key concern to Trump and other administration officials who have raised the idea that it could have emerged from a Chinese lab , perhaps accidentally .
Ratcliffe initially said he had not seen intelligence that it had come from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hearing , he also said he had not seen intelligence that it had originated from a Chinese market either .
As a caveat , he noted that he had not received a recent classified briefing on the subject .
Tuesday ’ s hearing tested the Senate ’ s ability to conduct business safely with coronavirus cases still on the rise in the Washington area .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , called his chamber back to work Monday , while House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , kept the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Capitol physician that it was not yet safe to convene .
Attendance at the session was restricted , with members encouraged to watch as much as possible from their offices and come to the room when it was time for their questions .
No more than two dozen people were there at any point , with the public barred from the Capitol complex .
With seats spaced at least six feet apart , Sen. Marco Rubio , R-Fla. , joked that he could barely see Ratcliffe across the cavernous hearing room @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community leadership are eager for a permanent , Senate-confirmed replacement for Dan Coats , who left the DNI post last summer and had bipartisan support .
About a half dozen officials have either resigned or been fired in the last year , including the intelligence community inspector general who advanced a whistleblower complaint that led to Trump ’ s impeachment .
The DNI position is currently held in an acting capacity by Trump loyalist Richard Grenell , the U.S. ambassador to Germany .
Some senators who previously seemed cool to Ratcliffe ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denies US role in what Venezuela is calling a failed incursion • As NY cases decline , other states see infection spikes • White House to wind down coronavirus task force soon Collins , a critical GOP swing vote on the panel , said last summer that she had never heard of Ratcliffe before his nomination .
But last week she said she had spoken with him and concluded that he has the experience “ to meet the statutory standard ” for the position .
Ratcliffe sits on the House intelligence , judiciary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fierce defender of Trump .
He forcefully questioned former special counsel Robert Mueller last summer when Mueller testified about the Russia investigation .
He was also a member of Trump ’ s impeachment advisory team last fall and aggressively questioned witnesses during House impeachment hearings .
Associated Press writer Deb Riechmann contributed to this report .

By Mary Clare Jalonick and Eric Tucker | Associated Press
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s nominee for national intelligence director sought at his confirmation hearing Tuesday to shed his reputation as a loyalist to the president, insisting to skeptical Democrats that he would carry out the job free of political influence or partisan bias.
The comments from Rep. John Ratcliffe, a Texas Republican, were aimed at quelling Democratic fears that he would be vulnerable to pressure from a president who is often perceived as politicizing intelligence and who publicly disputes intelligence conclusions at odds with his personal views. Those concerns are amplified at a time when intelligence agencies are investigating politically sensitive issues, including election meddling and the cause of the coronavirus pandemic.
Senators repeatedly pressed Ratcliffe on whether he could stand up to Trump by presenting him with analysis he did not like. They also asked if he agreed with the president’s assertions that intelligence agencies had “run amok” and were infiltrated by the “deep state.” Ratcliffe refused to endorsed either claim and insisted he would not shape intelligence findings to meet the desires of anyone.
“Let me be very clear: Regardless of what anyone wants our intelligence to reflect, the intelligence I will provide, if confirmed, will not be impacted or altered as a result of outside influence,” he told the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Republican Sen. Richard Burr, the committee chairman, said after the hearing that he was satisfied Ratcliffe would serve “in an independent capacity.” He promised a quick vote on his nomination.
But Sen. Chuck Schumer, speaking on the Senate floor as the hearing was underway, spoke for many Democrats by dismissing Ratcliffe as a “deeply partisan cheerleader for the president, a yes man in every sense of the phrase.”
The confirmation hearing, the first in-person one held under drastic new distancing rules for the coronavirus, comes at a tumultuous time for the intelligence agencies. About a half dozen intelligence community leaders have resigned or been ousted over the last year and agencies already grappling with the prospect of Russian interference in November’s election are now probing the politically charged question of whether the coronavirus is man-made or originated in a Chinese laboratory.
Ratcliffe’s path to the job has been similarly topsy-turvy, with the original nomination withdrawn after bipartisan criticism he was unqualified to oversee the 17 organizations that make up the U.S. intelligence community. Trump unexpectedly renominated him in February. His chances of securing the job appear better this time around.
Democrats revealed their skepticism in occasionally contentious questioning, with Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California pressing Ratcliffe over past comments about whistleblowers and New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich asking for instances of when Ratcliffe had ever “spoken truth to power,” particularly involving the president.
“I have to say that while I am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt at this hearing, I don’t see what has changed since last summer when the president decided not to proceed with your nomination,” said Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, the panel’s top Democrat.
Ratcliffe took pains to break with the president, including by saying he believed Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election, a conclusion Trump has often resisted. And he answered “of course” when asked by Republican Sen. Susan Collins if he would communicate to Trump the intelligence community’s findings even if he knew Trump disagreed with them and might fire him.
When it comes to investigating the coronavirus origins, Ratcliffe pledged that he would be “laser-focused” in that task — a key concern to Trump and other administration officials who have raised the idea that it could have emerged from a Chinese lab, perhaps accidentally.
Ratcliffe initially said he had not seen intelligence that it had come from a lab, but under questioning later in the hearing, he also said he had not seen intelligence that it had originated from a Chinese market either. As a caveat, he noted that he had not received a recent classified briefing on the subject.
Tuesday’s hearing tested the Senate’s ability to conduct business safely with coronavirus cases still on the rise in the Washington area. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., called his chamber back to work Monday, while House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., kept the House away, saying she had been advised by the Capitol physician that it was not yet safe to convene.
Attendance at the session was restricted, with members encouraged to watch as much as possible from their offices and come to the room when it was time for their questions. No more than two dozen people were there at any point, with the public barred from the Capitol complex.
With seats spaced at least six feet apart, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., joked that he could barely see Ratcliffe across the cavernous hearing room.
Lawmakers concerned by turnover within intelligence community leadership are eager for a permanent, Senate-confirmed replacement for Dan Coats, who left the DNI post last summer and had bipartisan support. About a half dozen officials have either resigned or been fired in the last year, including the intelligence community inspector general who advanced a whistleblower complaint that led to Trump’s impeachment.
The DNI position is currently held in an acting capacity by Trump loyalist Richard Grenell, the U.S. ambassador to Germany.
Some senators who previously seemed cool to Ratcliffe’s nomination appeared to soften.
Collins, a critical GOP swing vote on the panel, said last summer that she had never heard of Ratcliffe before his nomination. But last week she said she had spoken with him and concluded that he has the experience “to meet the statutory standard” for the position.
Ratcliffe sits on the House intelligence, judiciary and ethics committees and has been a fierce defender of Trump. He forcefully questioned former special counsel Robert Mueller last summer when Mueller testified about the Russia investigation.
He was also a member of Trump’s impeachment advisory team last fall and aggressively questioned witnesses during House impeachment hearings.
Associated Press writer Deb Riechmann contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-05-06--Audit: Mississippi misspent millions in anti-poverty funds

Nearly $ 100 million in federal anti-poverty funds for Mississippi were misspent to enrich local officials , along with a family of professional wrestlers and a firm owned by Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre , the state auditor has alleged .
A review of how the Mississippi Department of Human Services ( MDHS ) spent the money showed stunning levels of corruption that could endanger future federal funding for anti-poverty programs in one of the poorest states in the United States , state auditor Shad White said .
“ You see a pretty grotesque example of misspending of taxpayer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a news conference , when the audit was released on Monday .
Among the accusations is that Favre Enterprises , the small consulting firm of former NFL quarterback Favre , took in $ 1.1 million in money that should have been used for poverty programs , but instead was paid for speaking engagements that Favre never carried out .
Calls to Favre Enterprises went unanswered and there was no response to requests for comment sent to Favre ’ s longtime agent Bus Cook .
White said it was possible people and entities contracted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not have known they were legally earmarked for anti-poverty work .
The audit comes after the arrest in February of John White , the former head of MDHS , along with five others allegedly involved in the scheme .
White and the others arrested have all pleaded innocent .
The audit found $ 94 million in questionable spending and it will now be up to the federal government to determine if the money was spent illegally , White said .
The audit shows that two non-profits – the Mississippi Community Education Center and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – were the recipients of most of the $ 94 million it alleges was misspent .
Neither responded to emailed and phoned requests for comment .
Family members of those working at the non-profits were paid lump sums for work that was never detailed – nor carried out , according to the audit .
Much of the money went to a family of professional wrestlers with Mississippi ties , the auditor ’ s office said .
Former wrestler Ted Dibiase – who performed as “ The Million Dollar Man ” – and two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that was not performed and for programs that did not help the needy , it said .
• Trump denies US role in what Venezuela is calling a failed incursion • As NY cases decline , other states see infection spikes • White House to wind down coronavirus task force soon • Louisiana police on the lookout for ‘ aggressive chicken ’ Money was also spent on religious concerts and for donations to organizations not tied to anti-poverty work , including the Mississippi Highway Patrol , the American Heart Association and various beauty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DiBiase ’ s personal website and to his Heart of David Ministry were not returned .

By Brad Brooks | Reuters
Nearly $100 million in federal anti-poverty funds for Mississippi were misspent to enrich local officials, along with a family of professional wrestlers and a firm owned by Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre, the state auditor has alleged.
A review of how the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) spent the money showed stunning levels of corruption that could endanger future federal funding for anti-poverty programs in one of the poorest states in the United States, state auditor Shad White said.
“You see a pretty grotesque example of misspending of taxpayer dollars,” White told reporters at a news conference, when the audit was released on Monday.
Among the accusations is that Favre Enterprises, the small consulting firm of former NFL quarterback Favre, took in $1.1 million in money that should have been used for poverty programs, but instead was paid for speaking engagements that Favre never carried out.
Calls to Favre Enterprises went unanswered and there was no response to requests for comment sent to Favre’s longtime agent Bus Cook.
White said it was possible people and entities contracted and paid with the federal funds may not have known they were legally earmarked for anti-poverty work.
The audit comes after the arrest in February of John White, the former head of MDHS, along with five others allegedly involved in the scheme. White and the others arrested have all pleaded innocent.
The audit found $94 million in questionable spending and it will now be up to the federal government to determine if the money was spent illegally, White said.
The audit shows that two non-profits – the Mississippi Community Education Center and the Family Resource Center of North Mississippi – were the recipients of most of the $94 million it alleges was misspent.
Neither responded to emailed and phoned requests for comment.
Family members of those working at the non-profits were paid lump sums for work that was never detailed – nor carried out, according to the audit .
Much of the money went to a family of professional wrestlers with Mississippi ties, the auditor’s office said. Former wrestler Ted Dibiase – who performed as “The Million Dollar Man” – and two of his sons were paid for work that was not performed and for programs that did not help the needy, it said.
Money was also spent on religious concerts and for donations to organizations not tied to anti-poverty work, including the Mississippi Highway Patrol, the American Heart Association and various beauty pageants.
Requests for comment sent to DiBiase’s personal website and to his Heart of David Ministry were not returned.


mercurynews--2020-05-05--Molestation victim sues disgraced Bay Area tennis coach, tennis association

In the latest lawsuit by a victim of disgraced ex-Bay Area tennis coach Normandie Burgos , one of his former students alleges that the U.S. Tennis Association knew of new sexual assault allegations against the once-decorated instructor and failed to inform parents .
The suit , filed last week by a former student of Burgos ’ , referred to as “ S.G. ” in court records , alleges that USTA revoked Burgos ’ membership in 2014 , after a student ’ s mother reported that Burgos had sexually assaulted her son .
Both Burgos and the USTA are named as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the USTA in 2011 , a year after he was tried — and a jury hung — on charges that he sexually abused students while a tennis coach for Tamalpais High School in Marin .
Burgos , 56 , is currently serving an effective life sentence for abusing S.G. and one other boy dozens of times .
He was convicted in 2019 , nearly a decade after being tried in — and ultimately beating — a sexual battery case with similar allegations .
According to the lawsuit , Burgos paid no heed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dozens of USTA events , to the point that the organization wrote him a cease-and-desist letter , and physically escorted him from one such event .
Still , the USTA took no attempts to alert Burgos ’ students of the allegations , according to the suit .
“ Despite Burgos ’ s refusal to abide by USTA and USTA NorCal ’ s suspension order and his continued efforts to infiltrate their events , neither took any action to warn their members about Burgos , ” the civil complaint for S.G. ’ s suit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had no idea that Burgos had been suspended or banned from the sport , and thus plaintiff continued to train with Burgos as usual.
” S.G. was sexually abused by Burgos in 2015 .
A spokesman for the USTA did not return requests for comment .
The USTA is a not-for-profit organization that serves as the governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S .
It has 70,000 members , and a Bay Area branch based in Alameda .
The suit is the latest twist in a series of controversies involving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he was accused of molesting Tamalpais students .
After his 2010 trial resulted in a hung jury — with jurors leaning towards conviction on sexual battery charges — the Marin County District Attorney ultimately dismissed the charges .
The school fired Burgos , but he went into private practice .
He founded the Burgos Tennis Foundation , describing himself on his LinkedIn page as having been “ certified as a trainer at the highest levels by multiple organizations , including the United States Professional Tennis Association ( USPTA ) , the Professional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the International Tennis Foundation ( ITF ) .
” In 2017 , Burgos was arrested on new charges that he sexually abused two students during private lessons in Richmond .
He was tried and convicted of more than 60 felony counts last year , and sentenced to 255 years in prison .
He is currently in Mule Creek State Prison , serving that sentence .
Prison records list his parole eligibility date as being in 2042 .
During his trial , Burgos testified that one of the victims — a teen boy — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the molestation on tape .
• Victim in East Bay shooting shows up at hospital , expected to be OK Despite his 2019 conviction and sentence , Burgos was only recently listed on a database maintained by the U.S. Center for SafeSport , which tracks coaches who have been penalized for misconduct , including sexual abuse .
SafeSports ’ database now lists Burgos as “ permanently ineligible ” to teach .
That decision was reached on April 9 , three days after a story by the New York Times noted that Burgos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being a registered sex offender .
This is the third lawsuit filed against Burgos , each by a different former student alleging they were abused .
Two were filed against USTA by private students , and the third was filed against Tamalpais High , by one of the alleged victims from Burgos ’ 2010 case .

In the latest lawsuit by a victim of disgraced ex-Bay Area tennis coach Normandie Burgos, one of his former students alleges that the U.S. Tennis Association knew of new sexual assault allegations against the once-decorated instructor and failed to inform parents.
The suit, filed last week by a former student of Burgos’, referred to as “S.G.” in court records, alleges that USTA revoked Burgos’ membership in 2014, after a student’s mother reported that Burgos had sexually assaulted her son. Both Burgos and the USTA are named as defendants.
Burgos had been granted membership in the USTA in 2011, a year after he was tried — and a jury hung — on charges that he sexually abused students while a tennis coach for Tamalpais High School in Marin.
Burgos, 56, is currently serving an effective life sentence for abusing S.G. and one other boy dozens of times. He was convicted in 2019, nearly a decade after being tried in — and ultimately beating — a sexual battery case with similar allegations.
According to the lawsuit, Burgos paid no heed to his revocation and continued to attend dozens of USTA events, to the point that the organization wrote him a cease-and-desist letter, and physically escorted him from one such event. Still, the USTA took no attempts to alert Burgos’ students of the allegations, according to the suit.
“Despite Burgos’s refusal to abide by USTA and USTA NorCal’s suspension order and his continued efforts to infiltrate their events, neither took any action to warn their members about Burgos,” the civil complaint for S.G.’s suit reads. “Plaintiff and his parents had no idea that Burgos had been suspended or banned from the sport, and thus plaintiff continued to train with Burgos as usual.”
S.G. was sexually abused by Burgos in 2015.
A spokesman for the USTA did not return requests for comment. The USTA is a not-for-profit organization that serves as the governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S. It has 70,000 members, and a Bay Area branch based in Alameda.
The suit is the latest twist in a series of controversies involving Burgos, which all started in 2006 when he was accused of molesting Tamalpais students. After his 2010 trial resulted in a hung jury — with jurors leaning towards conviction on sexual battery charges — the Marin County District Attorney ultimately dismissed the charges.
The school fired Burgos, but he went into private practice. He founded the Burgos Tennis Foundation, describing himself on his LinkedIn page as having been “certified as a trainer at the highest levels by multiple organizations, including the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA), the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR), and the International Tennis Foundation (ITF).”
In 2017, Burgos was arrested on new charges that he sexually abused two students during private lessons in Richmond. He was tried and convicted of more than 60 felony counts last year, and sentenced to 255 years in prison. He is currently in Mule Creek State Prison, serving that sentence. Prison records list his parole eligibility date as being in 2042.
During his trial, Burgos testified that one of the victims — a teen boy — had “intimidated” Burgos into confessing to the molestation on tape.
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President Joe Biden and first lady plan to visit Maui next week. Follow live updates Crime and Public Safety | California welder moved to Maui for new job 2 days before disaster struck Despite his 2019 conviction and sentence, Burgos was only recently listed on a database maintained by the U.S. Center for SafeSport, which tracks coaches who have been penalized for misconduct, including sexual abuse. SafeSports’ database now lists Burgos as “permanently ineligible” to teach. That decision was reached on April 9, three days after a story by the New York Times noted that Burgos wasn’t in the database despite being a registered sex offender.
This is the third lawsuit filed against Burgos, each by a different former student alleging they were abused. Two were filed against USTA by private students, and the third was filed against Tamalpais High, by one of the alleged victims from Burgos’ 2010 case.


mercurynews--2020-05-05--Trump denies US role in what Venezuela is calling a failed incursion

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump on Tuesday denied any involvement by the U.S. government in what Venezuelan officials have called a failed armed incursion into the South American country that led to the capture of two American “ mercenaries.
” Trump made the comment to reporters at the White House after socialist Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Monday that authorities there had detained a pair of U.S. citizens working with a U.S. military veteran who has claimed responsibility for the foiled operation .
“ We ’ ll find out .
We just heard about it , ” Trump said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans ’ arrests .
“ But it has nothing to do with our government.
” In a state television address , Maduro said authorities arrested 13 “ terrorists ” on Monday involved in what he described as a plot coordinated with Washington to enter the country via the Caribbean coast and oust him .
Eight people were killed during the incursion attempt on Sunday , Venezuelan authorities said .
While echoing Trump ’ s denial , the State Department accused the Maduro government of a “ highly questionable representation of the details , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ account at face value and was seeking more information .
It did not specify , however , what it believed had been distorted .
Maduro on Monday night showed what he said were the U.S. passports and other identification belonging to Airan Berry , 41 , and Luke Denman , 34 .
He said they were in custody and had been working with Jordan Goudreau , an American military veteran who leads a Florida-based security company called Silvercorp USA .
The two detained Americans , former special operations forces members who had served @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the custody of Venezuelan military intelligence , according to a person familiar with the matter .
Venezuelan Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez said on Tuesday the alleged plot was hindered by rivalries among the participants and logistical problems , including a shortage of fuel for their boats .
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper told a Pentagon briefing : “ The United States government had nothing to do with what ’ s happened in Venezuela in the last few days.
” Although the incident has reverberated through the Venezuelan news media and social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the situation either for Maduro – who oversees a collapsing economy – or for the opposition , which has been unable to remove him despite heavy U.S. sanctions and broad international support .
Washington has waged a campaign of economic and diplomatic measures against Venezuela in an effort to oust Maduro , accusing him of having rigged elections in 2018 .
But while Trump has repeatedly said all options are on the table , his administration has shown no apparent interest in military action .
Maduro ’ s government says the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s massive oil reserves .
Since early 2019 , the United States and dozens of other countries have recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as the legitimate interim president .
But Maduro remains in power , backed by the military as well as Russia , Cuba and China , which some U.S. officials say privately is a source of frustration for Trump .
Guaido – often derided by Maduro as a U.S. puppet – has cast doubt on the government ’ s version of Sunday ’ s events .
“ They ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confusion , an effort to hide what ’ s happening in Venezuela , ” Guaido said in a virtual session of congress on Tuesday , citing gasoline shortages , a deadly prison riot and a violent gang battle in Caracas .
The Venezuelan government is also struggling to cope with the spread of the coronavirus outbreak .
In Washington , a source familiar with U.S. intelligence assessments described the incursion as a “ private enterprise ” and said it was not believed to have been carried out with Guaido ’ s knowledge or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of using the incident “ to justify an increased level of repression , ” the State Department spokesman said : “ We will also be looking closely into the role of the Maduro regime in this melodrama and especially of the very large Cuban intelligence apparatus in Venezuela.
” There was no immediate sign , however , that the U.S. and Venezuelan governments were communicating about the matter .
Since the two countries broke off relations last year , the U.S. Embassy has ceased to operate in Caracas , making it harder for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• As NY cases decline , other states see infection spikes • White House to wind down coronavirus task force soon • Report : States with little need took big share of outbreak aid Monday ’ s arrests come after Maduro ’ s government said on Sunday it had thwarted a “ mercenary incursion.
” Goudreau released a video identifying himself as an organizer of the operation , alongside dissident Venezuelan military officer Javier Nieto .

By Steve Holland and Matt Spetalnick | Reuters
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump on Tuesday denied any involvement by the U.S. government in what Venezuelan officials have called a failed armed incursion into the South American country that led to the capture of two American “mercenaries.”
Trump made the comment to reporters at the White House after socialist Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Monday that authorities there had detained a pair of U.S. citizens working with a U.S. military veteran who has claimed responsibility for the foiled operation.
“We’ll find out. We just heard about it,” Trump said when asked about the incident and the Americans’ arrests. “But it has nothing to do with our government.”
In a state television address, Maduro said authorities arrested 13 “terrorists” on Monday involved in what he described as a plot coordinated with Washington to enter the country via the Caribbean coast and oust him. Eight people were killed during the incursion attempt on Sunday, Venezuelan authorities said.
While echoing Trump’s denial, the State Department accused the Maduro government of a “highly questionable representation of the details,” saying it did not accept the account at face value and was seeking more information. It did not specify, however, what it believed had been distorted.
Maduro on Monday night showed what he said were the U.S. passports and other identification belonging to Airan Berry, 41, and Luke Denman, 34. He said they were in custody and had been working with Jordan Goudreau, an American military veteran who leads a Florida-based security company called Silvercorp USA.
The two detained Americans, former special operations forces members who had served with Goudreau, were believed to be in the custody of Venezuelan military intelligence, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Venezuelan Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez said on Tuesday the alleged plot was hindered by rivalries among the participants and logistical problems, including a shortage of fuel for their boats.
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper told a Pentagon briefing: “The United States government had nothing to do with what’s happened in Venezuela in the last few days.”
Although the incident has reverberated through the Venezuelan news media and social media, it has done little to change the situation either for Maduro – who oversees a collapsing economy – or for the opposition, which has been unable to remove him despite heavy U.S. sanctions and broad international support.
Washington has waged a campaign of economic and diplomatic measures against Venezuela in an effort to oust Maduro, accusing him of having rigged elections in 2018.
But while Trump has repeatedly said all options are on the table, his administration has shown no apparent interest in military action. Maduro’s government says the United States wants to control the OPEC member nation’s massive oil reserves.
Guaido: Maduro seeks to distract
Since early 2019, the United States and dozens of other countries have recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as the legitimate interim president.
But Maduro remains in power, backed by the military as well as Russia, Cuba and China, which some U.S. officials say privately is a source of frustration for Trump.
Guaido – often derided by Maduro as a U.S. puppet – has cast doubt on the government’s version of Sunday’s events.
“They’re trying to create a state of apparent confusion, an effort to hide what’s happening in Venezuela,” Guaido said in a virtual session of congress on Tuesday, citing gasoline shortages, a deadly prison riot and a violent gang battle in Caracas. The Venezuelan government is also struggling to cope with the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.
In Washington, a source familiar with U.S. intelligence assessments described the incursion as a “private enterprise” and said it was not believed to have been carried out with Guaido’s knowledge or approval.
Accusing Maduro’s government of using the incident “to justify an increased level of repression,” the State Department spokesman said: “We will also be looking closely into the role of the Maduro regime in this melodrama and especially of the very large Cuban intelligence apparatus in Venezuela.”
There was no immediate sign, however, that the U.S. and Venezuelan governments were communicating about the matter. Since the two countries broke off relations last year, the U.S. Embassy has ceased to operate in Caracas, making it harder for the governments to deal with such issues.
Monday’s arrests come after Maduro’s government said on Sunday it had thwarted a “mercenary incursion.”
Goudreau released a video identifying himself as an organizer of the operation, alongside dissident Venezuelan military officer Javier Nieto.
Silvercorp’s website describes Goudreau as a “highly decorated Special Forces Iraq and Afghanistan veteran.”