mercurynews--2020-07-10--Pentagon chief says he has been briefed on Russian bounties

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper confirmed Thursday that he had been briefed on information regarding Russian payments to the Taliban , seemingly acknowledging that Russia ’ s support for the militant group in Afghanistan is not a “ hoax , ” as President Donald Trump has claimed .
However , Esper also made clear that he has not seen intelligence that corroborates claims that American troops were killed as a result of the “ bounty ” payments , walking a delicate line between acknowledging a well-known threat and potentially clashing with the President .
Esper ’ s comments came during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Services Committee , where lawmakers had their first opportunity to ask the defense secretary and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley about their knowledge of intelligence on Russia offering bounties to the Taliban for killing US troops in Afghanistan .
It was clear that both men attempted to carefully navigate questions from lawmakers , but Esper admitted exercising particular caution while addressing inquiries about whether he had been briefed on the matter and when .
Responding to a very narrow line of questioning from Rep. Mike Turner , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he did not recall a briefing that included the word “ bounty , ” but less than an hour later he clarified that answer when pressed by a Democratic member of the panel .
At that time , Esper explained that his response to Turner ’ s question had been tailored to address whether the word “ bounty ” had ever been included in any briefing he had received and that he had refrained from elaborating further at the time in an effort to avoid politicizing the issue .
He went on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intelligence about Russian payments to the Taliban in February but added that his top generals did not believe those initial reports were credible at the time , a claim that appears to clash with comments made by one of those commanders on Tuesday , who called the reports “ very worrisome.
” While that distinction does not explicitly address lingering questions about the exact nature of the intelligence cited in recent reports or explain the Trump administration ’ s seemingly muted response to concerns about Russia ’ s support for the Taliban , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undercut the President ’ s claim that the issue is simply a “ hoax ” perpetrated by Democrats .
Still , there appears to be a gap between Esper ’ s assessment of the intelligence and that of other top military commanders .
The top US general overseeing operations in the Middle East and Afghanistan said Tuesday that the intelligence concerning Russian operatives offering bounties to Taliban-linked militants was “ very worrisome ” but that it wasn ’ t solid enough to hold up in a court of law .
Gen. Frank McKenzie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told a small group of reporters while traveling to the region that he was not convinced that the Russian bounty program was directly responsible for the deaths of US personnel .
“ The intelligence wasn ’ t proved to me .
It was proved enough to worry me .
It wasn ’ t proved enough that I ’ d take it to a court of law .
That ’ s often true in battlefield intelligence , ” McKenzie said , according to a transcript provided by the Defense Department .
‘ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bottom of all that ’ Still , Esper and Milley assured members of the committee Thursday that the military is looking into the reports of Russian bounties for killing US troops in Afghanistan .
“ We ’ re going to get to the bottom of all that , but I can assure the families that the force protection of our force is — not only for me , but for every commander all the way down the line — that ’ s the number one priority for every one of us .
Absolutely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US general also emphasized that Russia ’ s support for the Taliban in Afghanistan has been well known for years and that its involvement remains a concern despite the fact that he has not seen intelligence corroborating specific claims about bounties on American forces .
“ We ’ re going to find out if in fact it ’ s true .
And if it is true , we will take action , ” Milley said .
“ We ’ ve known for years that the Russians have been involved , for their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And the Russians are not our friends .
And their involvement is worrisome.
” Esper told lawmakers he agreed with that assessment and stressed that the military continues to prioritize force protection .
“ I share the same views as the chairman .
The Russians have been involved , and many many other countries , and many other players — you know , non-state players — in Afghanistan for a long time , ” he said .
“ We take all that into account .
And I can tell you on other occasions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have adapted authorities , equipment , you name it , rules of engagement , to make sure that our forces are well protected and able to accomplish their mission , ” Esper added .
While there are still unanswered questions about intelligence on Russian bounties after Thursday ’ s hearing , the testimony from top military leaders will likely reinforce bipartisan concerns about the broader US effort to deter Russia and other foreign governments from supporting militant groups in Afghanistan .
Milley acknowledged that the Trump administration was “ perhaps not ” doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should ” to deter Russia and other foreign governments from supporting militant groups in Afghanistan .
Specifically , Milley said he believes there is not currently a viable military response but suggested the US could take additional strategic action to better address Russia ’ s support for the Taliban .
Esper ’ s and Milley ’ s testimony comes as several former national security officials also voiced concerns about the need for a response should claims about Russian bounties be verified .
Celeste Wallander , former special assistant to the President and senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council , said Thursday that the Russians offering bounties for US troops is an escalation because “ if true , it is an act , a policy of the Russian Ministry of Defense and political leadership , to have American soldiers killed.
” “ Normally the United States and Russia seek to deconflict in theaters , like in Syria , ” she noted during the House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing .
“ Even during the Cold War , the Soviet Union and the United States , when they were involved in conflicts in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to not kill one another ’ s soldiers because of the potential escalatory implications.
” “ So that ’ s why it ’ s significant , ” she said .
Wallander added that she believed the motivation for Russia to want to kill US troops was tied to it trying to drive the US out of Afghanistan .
“ They don ’ t want us there .
They don ’ t want NATO there , ” she said , adding they would use bounties because “ they want to exploit the deniability , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the benefit of the action without the costs.
” During the hearing , retired Gen. John Nicholson , the former commander of US Forces Afghanistan , said the information — if validated — “ calls into question the good faith of the Taliban ” and he called for the US force presence to remain steady .
“ I think that this level of 8,600 , we should hold there until the Taliban deliver on their portion of the peace agreement and we move to the next stage , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s provision of small arms to the Taliban , saying that “ specifically offering bounties is a small step from what they were already doing.
” He said he has “ no doubt ” that small arms from the Russians were used by the Taliban “ against Afghan units with American advisers , especially in the Kunduz area.
” Nicholson called on the Taliban to sever ties with al Qaeda , begin the peace talks and lower their levels of violence .

By Zachary Cohen | CNN
Secretary of Defense Mark Esper confirmed Thursday that he had been briefed on information regarding Russian payments to the Taliban, seemingly acknowledging that Russia’s support for the militant group in Afghanistan is not a “hoax,” as President Donald Trump has claimed. However, Esper also made clear that he has not seen intelligence that corroborates claims that American troops were killed as a result of the “bounty” payments, walking a delicate line between acknowledging a well-known threat and potentially clashing with the President.
Esper’s comments came during a long-awaited appearance before the House Armed Services Committee, where lawmakers had their first opportunity to ask the defense secretary and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley about their knowledge of intelligence on Russia offering bounties to the Taliban for killing US troops in Afghanistan.
It was clear that both men attempted to carefully navigate questions from lawmakers, but Esper admitted exercising particular caution while addressing inquiries about whether he had been briefed on the matter and when.
Responding to a very narrow line of questioning from Rep. Mike Turner, an Ohio Republican, Esper initially told lawmakers that he did not recall a briefing that included the word “bounty,” but less than an hour later he clarified that answer when pressed by a Democratic member of the panel.
At that time, Esper explained that his response to Turner’s question had been tailored to address whether the word “bounty” had ever been included in any briefing he had received and that he had refrained from elaborating further at the time in an effort to avoid politicizing the issue.
He went on to tell lawmakers that he had seen intelligence about Russian payments to the Taliban in February but added that his top generals did not believe those initial reports were credible at the time, a claim that appears to clash with comments made by one of those commanders on Tuesday, who called the reports “very worrisome.”
While that distinction does not explicitly address lingering questions about the exact nature of the intelligence cited in recent reports or explain the Trump administration’s seemingly muted response to concerns about Russia’s support for the Taliban, it does, at very least, undercut the President’s claim that the issue is simply a “hoax” perpetrated by Democrats.
Still, there appears to be a gap between Esper’s assessment of the intelligence and that of other top military commanders.
The top US general overseeing operations in the Middle East and Afghanistan said Tuesday that the intelligence concerning Russian operatives offering bounties to Taliban-linked militants was “very worrisome” but that it wasn’t solid enough to hold up in a court of law.
Gen. Frank McKenzie, the commander of US Central Command, told a small group of reporters while traveling to the region that he was not convinced that the Russian bounty program was directly responsible for the deaths of US personnel.
“The intelligence wasn’t proved to me. It was proved enough to worry me. It wasn’t proved enough that I’d take it to a court of law. That’s often true in battlefield intelligence,” McKenzie said, according to a transcript provided by the Defense Department.
‘We’re going to get to the bottom of all that’
Still, Esper and Milley assured members of the committee Thursday that the military is looking into the reports of Russian bounties for killing US troops in Afghanistan.
“We’re going to get to the bottom of all that, but I can assure the families that the force protection of our force is — not only for me, but for every commander all the way down the line — that’s the number one priority for every one of us. Absolutely,” Milley said.
The top US general also emphasized that Russia’s support for the Taliban in Afghanistan has been well known for years and that its involvement remains a concern despite the fact that he has not seen intelligence corroborating specific claims about bounties on American forces.
“We’re going to find out if in fact it’s true. And if it is true, we will take action,” Milley said. “We’ve known for years that the Russians have been involved, for their own national security interests, in Afghanistan. And the Russians are not our friends. And their involvement is worrisome.”
Esper told lawmakers he agreed with that assessment and stressed that the military continues to prioritize force protection.
“I share the same views as the chairman. The Russians have been involved, and many many other countries, and many other players — you know, non-state players — in Afghanistan for a long time,” he said.
“We take all that into account. And I can tell you on other occasions we have adapted force posture, we have adapted authorities, equipment, you name it, rules of engagement, to make sure that our forces are well protected and able to accomplish their mission,” Esper added.
While there are still unanswered questions about intelligence on Russian bounties after Thursday’s hearing, the testimony from top military leaders will likely reinforce bipartisan concerns about the broader US effort to deter Russia and other foreign governments from supporting militant groups in Afghanistan.
Milley acknowledged that the Trump administration was “perhaps not” doing “as much as we could or should” to deter Russia and other foreign governments from supporting militant groups in Afghanistan.
Specifically, Milley said he believes there is not currently a viable military response but suggested the US could take additional strategic action to better address Russia’s support for the Taliban.
Lingering concerns
Esper’s and Milley’s testimony comes as several former national security officials also voiced concerns about the need for a response should claims about Russian bounties be verified.
Celeste Wallander, former special assistant to the President and senior director for Russia/Eurasia at the National Security Council, said Thursday that the Russians offering bounties for US troops is an escalation because “if true, it is an act, a policy of the Russian Ministry of Defense and political leadership, to have American soldiers killed.”
“Normally the United States and Russia seek to deconflict in theaters, like in Syria,” she noted during the House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing. “Even during the Cold War, the Soviet Union and the United States, when they were involved in conflicts in the same region, took great care to not kill one another’s soldiers because of the potential escalatory implications.”
“So that’s why it’s significant,” she said. Wallander added that she believed the motivation for Russia to want to kill US troops was tied to it trying to drive the US out of Afghanistan.
“They don’t want us there. They don’t want NATO there,” she said, adding they would use bounties because “they want to exploit the deniability, the asymmetric operations. They want to have the benefit of the action without the costs.”
During the hearing, retired Gen. John Nicholson, the former commander of US Forces Afghanistan, said the information — if validated — “calls into question the good faith of the Taliban” and he called for the US force presence to remain steady.
“I think that this level of 8,600, we should hold there until the Taliban deliver on their portion of the peace agreement and we move to the next stage,” he said.
However, Nicholson pointed to Russia’s provision of small arms to the Taliban, saying that “specifically offering bounties is a small step from what they were already doing.” He said he has “no doubt” that small arms from the Russians were used by the Taliban “against Afghan units with American advisers, especially in the Kunduz area.”
Nicholson called on the Taliban to sever ties with al Qaeda, begin the peace talks and lower their levels of violence.


mercurynews--2020-07-09--San Jose Catholic school releases sex abuse report, apologizes ‘with heavy hearts’

Nearly three years after a former student exposed sex abuse complaints dating back decades at San Jose ’ s Presentation High School for girls , its leaders released a damning outside investigation Thursday that found administrators failed to seriously pursue credible allegations against six former staffers .
Investigators the school hired in September found sufficient information “ to form a good faith belief that sexual misconduct or abuse occurred by five former faculty members and one former coach ” for conduct that took place from the early 1980s to 2013 , the school ’ s president and board chair said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with heavy hearts that we are writing to you today to share the results of the investigation , ” wrote Holly Elkins , Presentation ’ s president , and Sister Pam Chiesa , who chairs the schools board of directors .
“ To the survivors of abuse , we deeply and sincerely apologize .
The stark truth is that our school did not live up to its commitment to protect you .
We added further harm when we responded defensively when reports of past abuse began to surface in 2017.
” The report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ graduated from the school in 1991 , disclosed abuse by her former Spanish teacher in a guest column for the Washington Post in 2017 and led other alleged victims in a campaign to hold the school ’ s leaders accountable .
“ I am incredibly satisfied with their response , ” Leehane said Thursday .
“ Holly Elkins ’ compassionate and moral leadership is exactly what the school needed.
” The nine-month investigation by the Van Dermyden Maddux Law Corporation that concluded in June involved 86 interviews with 75 administrators , faculty , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The report found credible sexual misconduct or abuse accusations against John Fernandez , Leehane ’ s now-deceased foreign language teacher ; and five others .
None of the accused employees have been charged with a crime .
Leehane said she had met earlier with San Jose police but was told there were no offenses that could be prosecuted because too much time had passed and the three-year statute of limitations had run out .
The misconduct reported “ encompassed a wide variety of inappropriate acts , including sexual abuse , grooming , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraternization , and other boundary-crossing interactions with students , ” Elkins and Chiesa wrote .
The report also found that staff and former administrators , Mary Miller and Marian Stuckey , received reports of possible sexual misconduct , but took no or ineffective action .
“ In several instances , ” Elkins and Chiesa wrote , “ there was a concerning lack of curiosity about the information that was shared , which resulted in failure to adequately investigate or act timely on information which may have led to more immediate and effective responses.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the school appropriately addressed the conduct , and in some instances , the school did not know of the reports at the time , they said .
The investigators also documented instances of staff failures to report alleged abuse to Child Protective Services or law enforcement , as required by law , “ for a variety of reasons , none of which were adequate justifications for not reporting suspected allegations of abuse , ” Elkins and Chiesa wrote .
“ The investigation findings indicate that school policies at the time of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Presentation shared the report with the San Jose Police Department , the San Jose Diocese and the Archdiocese of San Francisco .

Nearly three years after a former student exposed sex abuse complaints dating back decades at San Jose’s Presentation High School for girls, its leaders released a damning outside investigation Thursday that found administrators failed to seriously pursue credible allegations against six former staffers.
Investigators the school hired in September found sufficient information “to form a good faith belief that sexual misconduct or abuse occurred by five former faculty members and one former coach” for conduct that took place from the early 1980s to 2013, the school’s president and board chair said in a statement.
“It is with heavy hearts that we are writing to you today to share the results of the investigation,” wrote Holly Elkins, Presentation’s president, and Sister Pam Chiesa, who chairs the schools board of directors. “To the survivors of abuse, we deeply and sincerely apologize. The stark truth is that our school did not live up to its commitment to protect you. We added further harm when we responded defensively when reports of past abuse began to surface in 2017.”
The report drew praise from Kathryn Leehane, who graduated from the school in 1991, disclosed abuse by her former Spanish teacher in a guest column for the Washington Post in 2017 and led other alleged victims in a campaign to hold the school’s leaders accountable.
“I am incredibly satisfied with their response,” Leehane said Thursday. “Holly Elkins’ compassionate and moral leadership is exactly what the school needed.”
The nine-month investigation by the Van Dermyden Maddux Law Corporation that concluded in June involved 86 interviews with 75 administrators, faculty, staff, board members and former students.
The report found credible sexual misconduct or abuse accusations against John Fernandez, Leehane’s now-deceased foreign language teacher; and five others. None of the accused employees have been charged with a crime.
Leehane said she had met earlier with San Jose police but was told there were no offenses that could be prosecuted because too much time had passed and the three-year statute of limitations had run out.
The misconduct reported “encompassed a wide variety of inappropriate acts, including sexual abuse, grooming, touching, kissing, groping, inappropriate fraternization, and other boundary-crossing interactions with students,” Elkins and Chiesa wrote.
The report also found that staff and former administrators, Mary Miller and Marian Stuckey, received reports of possible sexual misconduct, but took no or ineffective action.
“In several instances,” Elkins and Chiesa wrote, “there was a concerning lack of curiosity about the information that was shared, which resulted in failure to adequately investigate or act timely on information which may have led to more immediate and effective responses.”
In other cases, they added, the school appropriately addressed the conduct, and in some instances, the school did not know of the reports at the time, they said.
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‘Disturbing uptick’ of sexual assaults on aircraft, officials say Education | Man who impersonated search-and-rescue official sexually assaulted hiker, Colorado authorities say The investigators also documented instances of staff failures to report alleged abuse to Child Protective Services or law enforcement, as required by law, “for a variety of reasons, none of which were adequate justifications for not reporting suspected allegations of abuse,” Elkins and Chiesa wrote. “The investigation findings indicate that school policies at the time of these incidents were not explicit or well understood.”
Presentation shared the report with the San Jose Police Department, the San Jose Diocese and the Archdiocese of San Francisco.


mercurynews--2020-07-09--Biden proposes New Deal-like economic plan

By Bill Barrow and Marc Levy | Associated Press DUNMORE , Pa. — Democrat Joe Biden turned his campaign against President Donald Trump toward the economy Thursday , introducing a New Deal-like economic agenda while drawing a sharp contrast with a billionaire incumbent he said has abandoned working-class Americans amid cascading crises .
The former vice president presented details of a comprehensive agenda that he touted as the most aggressive government investment in the U.S. economy since World War II .
He also accused Trump of ignoring the coronavirus pandemic and the climate crisis while encouraging division amid a national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failures come with a terrible human cost and a deep economic toll , ” Biden said during a 30-minute address at a metal works firm near his childhood hometown of Scranton , Pennsylvania .
“ Time and again , working families are paying the price for this administration ’ s incompetence.
” Biden ’ s shift to the economy meets Trump on turf the Republican president had seen as his strength before the pandemic severely curtailed consumer activity and drove unemployment to near-Great Depression levels .
Now , Biden and his aides believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gives Democrats avenues to attack Trump on multiple fronts while explaining their own governing vision for the country .
The former vice president began Thursday with proposals intended to reinvigorate the U.S. manufacturing and technology sectors .
Biden called for a $ 400 billion , four-year increase in government purchasing of U.S.-based goods and services , plus $ 300 billion in new research and development in U.S. technology firms .
He proposed tightening current “ Buy American ” laws that are intended to benefit U.S. firms but that government agencies can circumvent .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden has discussed with his former presidential rival , Sen. Elizabeth Warren , who offered similar proposals during the Democratic primary .
Those moves would create 5 million new jobs , Biden said .
He also emphasized previous pledges to establish a $ 15-per-hour minimum wage , strengthen workers ’ collective bargaining rights and repeal Republican-backed tax breaks for U.S. corporations that move jobs overseas .
And his campaign pledged that those investments in domestic markets would come before Biden entered negotiations for any new international trade agreements .
His opening emphasis on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Biden wants to capitalize on his union ties and win back working-class white voters who fueled Trump ’ s upset win four years ago .
He noted his middle-class upbringing and alluded to Trump ’ s childhood as the son of a multimillionaire real estate developer .
Underscoring the difference , Biden took a side trip after his speech to see his boyhood home in Scranton and briefly greeted the family who resides there now .
Biden will continue presenting his energy and infrastructure plan to combat the climate crisis , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making child care and elder care more affordable and less of an impediment to working-age Americans .
The energy and infrastructure proposals , some of which Biden has detailed already , are likely to carry the largest price tag as the former vice president attempts to use the federal purse to spur economic growth .
“ It ’ s not sufficient to build back .
We have to build back better , ” Biden said , promising he ’ d “ ensure all Americans are in on the deal.
” Vice President Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where he cast Biden as a threat to the economy .
Pence touted job gains before the pandemic and said Trump is now leading a “ great American comeback.
” He said the company where Biden spoke received federal pandemic aid that Trump signed into law .
Biden ’ s agenda carries at least some rhetorical echoes of Trump ’ s “ America First ” philosophy , but the former vice president ’ s aides describe his approach as more coherent .
They cast Trump ’ s imposition of tariffs and uneven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further by tax policies that enrich multinational corporations .
The Biden campaign also pointed to an uptick in foreign procurement and continued outsourcing of jobs by U.S.-based corporations during Trump ’ s presidency .
Still , as with Pence ’ s remarks Thursday , Republicans have made clear they ’ ll attack Biden on trade and the economy , framing him as a tool of the far left on taxes and a willing participant in decades of trade policy that gutted American workers .
Trump also has lampooned Biden as “ weak on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s a line of attack Biden withstood from the Democratic primary runner-up , Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders .
But it ’ s one Trump used effectively against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in 2016 .
As a senator , Biden voted for the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994 .
One of Trump ’ s signature achievements is an overhaul of NAFTA , which he accomplished with backing from many Democrats on Capitol Hill .
Since the 1990s , Biden has advocated tighter controls in trade deals , and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and environmental activists .
The campaign ’ s policy outline emphasizes that Biden wants a resurgence in U.S. markets before engaging in new trade agreements abroad .
That includes the Trans-Pacific Partnership that Biden advocated when he was President Barack Obama ’ s vice president .
Trump opposed the TPP as a 2016 candidate .
Neither China nor the United States is a TPP member .
• Kanye West says he no longer supports Donald Trump and that he had coronavirus • GOP worries that Trump could imperil control of Senate Trump and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trade practices , but Biden accuses Trump of instigating a trade war with Beijing that he can not win .
For now , Biden has not said how he ’ d pay for the proposed new spending for manufacturing and technology .
Revenue from repealing GOP tax cuts on corporations and the wealthiest Americans , Biden says , would cover his proposed annual spending , including expanded health insurance access .
But his aides have indicated that he ’ s willing to use deficit spending for one-time or short-term investments he sees as @ @ @ @ @ @ @

By Bill Barrow and Marc Levy | Associated Press
DUNMORE, Pa. — Democrat Joe Biden turned his campaign against President Donald Trump toward the economy Thursday, introducing a New Deal-like economic agenda while drawing a sharp contrast with a billionaire incumbent he said has abandoned working-class Americans amid cascading crises.
The former vice president presented details of a comprehensive agenda that he touted as the most aggressive government investment in the U.S. economy since World War II. He also accused Trump of ignoring the coronavirus pandemic and the climate crisis while encouraging division amid a national reckoning with systemic racism.
“His failures come with a terrible human cost and a deep economic toll,” Biden said during a 30-minute address at a metal works firm near his childhood hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania. “Time and again, working families are paying the price for this administration’s incompetence.”
Biden’s shift to the economy meets Trump on turf the Republican president had seen as his strength before the pandemic severely curtailed consumer activity and drove unemployment to near-Great Depression levels. Now, Biden and his aides believe the issue is an all-encompassing opening that gives Democrats avenues to attack Trump on multiple fronts while explaining their own governing vision for the country.
The former vice president began Thursday with proposals intended to reinvigorate the U.S. manufacturing and technology sectors.
Biden called for a $400 billion, four-year increase in government purchasing of U.S.-based goods and services, plus $300 billion in new research and development in U.S. technology firms. He proposed tightening current “Buy American” laws that are intended to benefit U.S. firms but that government agencies can circumvent.
The procurement overhaul is based on ideas Biden has discussed with his former presidential rival, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who offered similar proposals during the Democratic primary. Those moves would create 5 million new jobs, Biden said.
He also emphasized previous pledges to establish a $15-per-hour minimum wage, strengthen workers’ collective bargaining rights and repeal Republican-backed tax breaks for U.S. corporations that move jobs overseas. And his campaign pledged that those investments in domestic markets would come before Biden entered negotiations for any new international trade agreements.
His opening emphasis on manufacturing and labor policy is no coincidence: Biden wants to capitalize on his union ties and win back working-class white voters who fueled Trump’s upset win four years ago. He noted his middle-class upbringing and alluded to Trump’s childhood as the son of a multimillionaire real estate developer.
Underscoring the difference, Biden took a side trip after his speech to see his boyhood home in Scranton and briefly greeted the family who resides there now.
Biden will continue presenting his energy and infrastructure plan to combat the climate crisis, as well as a third package focused on making child care and elder care more affordable and less of an impediment to working-age Americans. The energy and infrastructure proposals, some of which Biden has detailed already, are likely to carry the largest price tag as the former vice president attempts to use the federal purse to spur economic growth.
“It’s not sufficient to build back. We have to build back better,” Biden said, promising he’d “ensure all Americans are in on the deal.”
Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday was also in Pennsylvania, where he cast Biden as a threat to the economy. Pence touted job gains before the pandemic and said Trump is now leading a “great American comeback.” He said the company where Biden spoke received federal pandemic aid that Trump signed into law.
Biden’s agenda carries at least some rhetorical echoes of Trump’s “America First” philosophy, but the former vice president’s aides describe his approach as more coherent. They cast Trump’s imposition of tariffs and uneven trade negotiations as a slapdash isolationism compromised further by tax policies that enrich multinational corporations. The Biden campaign also pointed to an uptick in foreign procurement and continued outsourcing of jobs by U.S.-based corporations during Trump’s presidency.
Still, as with Pence’s remarks Thursday, Republicans have made clear they’ll attack Biden on trade and the economy, framing him as a tool of the far left on taxes and a willing participant in decades of trade policy that gutted American workers. Trump also has lampooned Biden as “weak on China.”
On trade, at least, it’s a line of attack Biden withstood from the Democratic primary runner-up, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. But it’s one Trump used effectively against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in 2016.
As a senator, Biden voted for the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994. One of Trump’s signature achievements is an overhaul of NAFTA, which he accomplished with backing from many Democrats on Capitol Hill. Since the 1990s, Biden has advocated tighter controls in trade deals, and he’s promised to involve organized labor and environmental activists.
The campaign’s policy outline emphasizes that Biden wants a resurgence in U.S. markets before engaging in new trade agreements abroad. That includes the Trans-Pacific Partnership that Biden advocated when he was President Barack Obama’s vice president. Trump opposed the TPP as a 2016 candidate. Neither China nor the United States is a TPP member.
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For now, Biden has not said how he’d pay for the proposed new spending for manufacturing and technology. Revenue from repealing GOP tax cuts on corporations and the wealthiest Americans, Biden says, would cover his proposed annual spending, including expanded health insurance access. But his aides have indicated that he’s willing to use deficit spending for one-time or short-term investments he sees as stimulus to combat the pandemic recession.


mercurynews--2020-07-09--Milpitas police release body camera video of fatal June shooting

MILPITAS — Police released dramatic body-worn camera video Thursday showing the fatal police shooting of 19-year-old Milpitas resident Brandeis Codde on June 21 , and named the officers involved in the incident .
Codde was shot around 1 p.m. at the Spring Valley Apartments at 133 North Temple Dr. , after his mother called 911 and told a police dispatcher that Codde had stabbed his stepfather in their apartment , and that he was “ losing it.
” As Codde ran at Officer Nathan Brasil outside the apartment complex with two knives in one hand , Officer Mohammed Ali , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , can be seen firing a taser at him from behind .
Brasil backed away as Codde advanced , and Brasil shot Codde several times after police said he came within about 11 feet of Brasil .
Brasil has been with the department for five years , police said .
While speaking with Brasil before the shooting , Codde can be heard saying what sounds like , “ Sir , I ’ m going to die today , I just stabbed my father.
” At another moment , he says something that sounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be alive , sir .
I don ’ t want to hurt anyone else , officer.
” Brasil tells him to put the knife down multiple times and said “ No one wants to hurt you.
” Codde yelled “ Kill me ” while running at Brasil , who yells one last order before firing .
Shortly after dropping to the ground , Codde can be heard on video saying , “ I ’ m going to die .
I ’ m going to die .
Goodbye.
” WARNING : Video contains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is advised .
“ We always take the use of force very seriously , ” Milpitas Police Chief Armando Corpuz said in the video issued by the department .
“ In addition , we train to de-escalate whenever possible and for situations where we face a person who is in mental crisis .
In this situation , it turned dangerously very quickly , and as you witnessed , ended with a result no one wants to see , ” Corpuz said .
“ My son stabbed my husband , he ’ s 5150 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be heard saying in the portion of the 911 audio recording police shared Thursday .
The term 5150 is a legal code referring to someone having a mental health crisis putting others or themselves in danger , and allows police to detain them for psychiatric hospitalization .
She repeated the term to the dispatcher multiple times , told them to hurry , and said that Codde still had the knife , though added she and her husband were in a room upstairs , and her other son was locked in a bathroom .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is standing at the front of a walkway between apartment buildings facing Codde , and is heard in the video talking to Codde , which Corpuz said were attempts to “ de-escalate the situation.
” Police said officers initially thought Codde was armed with one “ large kitchen knife , ” but later determined he was holding two knives in one hand .
According to Milpitas Police photos , the larger knife had a six-inch blade , and the smaller one was green and had a three-inch blade .
“ Please put the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t want to hurt you .
We can work through whatever happened .
We can work through it .
Just put the knife down , ” Brasil said .
Codde walks away from Brasil , and around a corner where Officer Ali was approaching .
Ali draws his taser and gives Codde warnings as he walks toward Ali .
“ Don ’ t do that man .
Dont do that , you ’ re going to get tased .
You ’ re going to get ( expletive ) tased .
Stop.
” Code @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another pathway in the apartment complex , but then turns back suddenly and takes quick steps in the direction of Brasil , and yells “ Kill me.
” He stops and pauses for a brief moment , and Ali fires his taser toward Codde ’ s back , though it ’ s unclear if it hits Codde , who at the same time then resumes running toward Brasil .
Brasil , who had also drawn his taser in his left hand and was still holding his gun in his right hand , begins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to put the knife down .
He then fires his gun five times , and Codde drops to the floor .
“ Everywhere , ” Codde says and then gasps for air .
Blood can be seen on the walkway when police officers roll him over to handcuff him , and Codde curses , and later it sounds as if he says , “ I lost .
I lost.
” Police said officers began medical aid for Codde , until paramedics arrived , and he was transported to a hospital , but he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the police chief , said the incident was “ tragic.
” The shooting is being investigated by the Milpitas Police Department and the Santa Clara County District Attorney ’ s Office .

MILPITAS — Police released video from a body-worn camera Thursday shows police fatally shoot 19-year-old Milpitas resident Brandeis Codde on June 21 as he ran toward an officer with knives.
Codde was shot around 1 p.m. at the Spring Valley Apartments at 133 N. Temple Drive after his mother called 911 and told a police dispatcher he had stabbed his stepfather inside their apartment and was “losing it.”
As Codde ran toward Officer Nathan Brasil outside the apartment complex with two knives in one hand, Officer Mohammed Ali can be seen firing a Taser at him from behind.
Brasil backed away as Codde advanced, then shot him several times after police said he came within about 11 feet of Brasil.
Before the shooting, Codde can be heard saying to Brasil what sounds like, “Sir, I’m going to die today, I just stabbed my father.” At another moment, he says something that sounds like, “Do you think I want to be alive, sir? I don’t want to hurt anyone else, officer.”
Brasil tells him to put the knife down multiple times, saying “No one wants to hurt you.”
Codde yells “Kill me” while running at Brasil, who yells one last order before firing. Shortly after dropping to the ground, Codde can be heard on video saying, “I’m going to die. I’m going to die. Goodbye.”
WARNING: Video contains graphic content and language. Viewer discretion is advised.
“We always take the use of force very seriously,” Milpitas police Chief Armando Corpuz said in the video issued by the department.
“In addition, we train to de-escalate whenever possible and for situations where we face a person who is in mental crisis. In this situation, it turned dangerous very quickly, and as you witnessed, ended with a result no one wants to see,” Corpuz said.
“My son stabbed my husband, he’s 5150,” Codde’s mother can be heard saying in the portion of the 911 audio recording police shared Thursday.
The term 5150 is a legal code referring to someone having a mental health crisis that can put others or themselves in danger and allows police to detain them for psychiatric hospitalization.
She repeated the term to the dispatcher multiple times, told them to hurry, and said Codde still had the knife, though in response to questions added she and her husband were in a room upstairs and her other son was locked inside a bathroom.
Just before 1 p.m., Officer Brasil is standing at the front of a walkway between apartment buildings facing Codde and is heard in the video talking to him. Corpuz said there were attempts to “de-escalate the situation.”
Police said officers initially thought Codde was armed with a “large kitchen knife,” but later determined he was holding two knives in one hand. According to Milpitas police photos, the larger knife had a six-inch blade and the smaller one was green and had a three-inch blade.
“Please put the knife down man, I don’t want to hurt you. We can work through whatever happened. We can work through it. Just put the knife down,” Brasil said.
Codde walks away from Brasil and around a corner where Officer Ali was approaching.
Ali draws his Taser and warns Codde as he walks toward him.
“Don’t do that man. Don’t do that, you’re going to get tased. You’re going to get (expletive) tased. Stop.”
Codde then walks away from Ali and toward another pathway in the apartment complex, but turns back suddenly and takes quick steps in the direction of Brasil and yells, “Kill me.”
He stops and pauses for a brief moment, and Ali fires his Taser at his back, though it’s unclear whether he hits Codde, who resumes running toward Brasil.
Brasil, who had also drawn his Taser in his left hand and was still holding his gun in his right hand, begins to retreat and yells at Codde again to put the knife down. He then fires his gun five times, and Codde drops to the ground.
“What hurts, man? What hurts?” Brasil asks Codde.
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Police said officers began medical aid for Codde until paramedics arrived, and he was transported to a hospital, where he died of his injuries.
Codde’s 34-year-old stepfather survived his injuries, police said.
Corpuz said the incident was “tragic.”
The shooting is being investigated by the Milpitas Police Department and the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office. Ali has been on the Milpitas police force almost 18 years and Brasil for five years.
Officer Ali has since returned to duty, while Officer Brasil is still on paid administrative leave, according to Sgt. Jason Speckenheuer.


mercurynews--2020-07-10--Review: Hanks brings a steady hand to taut ‘Greyhound’

But with all the famous titles Tom Hanks has owned , few have fit as snugly and as smoothly as “ captain ” — whether it ’ s fending off Somali pirates in “ Captain Phillips , ” landing a plane on the Hudson in “ Sully , ” finding his way back to Earth in “ Apollo 13 , ” or commanding WW II troops in “ Saving Private Ryan.
” Now Hanks , our square-jawed Everyman , “ America ’ s Dad ” even when his characters don ’ t have children , is playing a captain again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Apple TV+ — yet another of his forays into World War II , this time in the treacherous North Atlantic .
And let ’ s face it , there ’ s something soothing merely in the sight of Hanks wearing a helmet that says “ CAPT ” in these days when the world feels like it ’ s turned upside down ( to quote from another big streaming film of the month , “ Hamilton.
” ) As one character tells him as the war is just beginning : “ The world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Greyhound ” is a passion project for Hanks , who penned the script and whose interest in World War II has taken him from “ Saving Private Ryan ” to “ Band of Brothers ” to “ The Pacific.
” Here , he focuses on a lesser chronicled part of that war : the Battle of the Atlantic , which started in 1939 and ended in 1945 with Germany ’ s defeat .
As the film tells us in the credits , Allied losses included 3,500 merchant ships and 175 warships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members and troops killed ( some estimates have the human loss even higher . )
Based on the novel “ The Good Shepherd ” by C.S .
Forester and directed by veteran cinematographer Aaron Schneider , “ Greyhound ” is perhaps not so much a thriller as a very spare , economical drama — a tightly focused account of one voyage , from one perspective : that of Capt .
Ernie Krause on his warship , the Greyhound , leading a convoy of 37 supply vessels to Liverpool .
All the background you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplies ferried along these routes were crucial to the Allies : they included arms , food and other crucial staples .
But the ships had to forge a treacherous path across the sea , particularly the so-called “ Black Pit , ” the section of ocean not reachable by air cover from either U.S. or British forces .
So for 50 hours here , the ships need to fend for themselves against the Germans and their U-boats .
Enemy forces taunt the Greyhound with radioed threats — “ You and your comrades will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The voyage is both monotonous and terrifying .
For hours nothing can happen , and then within minutes , all hell can break loose , sometimes on multiple fronts .
Krause is a stalwart , religious man who keeps his emotions to himself .
When we meet him , it ’ s February 1942 , and he ’ s finally been assigned his first mission across the sea .
We flash back to a few months earlier for the only personal glimpse we get of Krause ’ s life : He meets his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in San Francisco and asks her to come away with him so he can propose in style .
But she says they need to put things on hold , until he comes back .
It ’ s clear she thinks he may not make it .
The rest of the movie takes place on the ship .
The experience — for Krause , and for the viewer — is claustrophobic .
The captain never seems to leave his perch , even to eat or sleep .
The script is heavy on naval @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pattern !
” “ All ahead standard !
” “ Reciprocal course !
” These expressions are not explained ; we need to pay attention .
But we do .
What carries the movie is Hanks ’ affecting , unshowy portrayal of a man who is highly professional but also scared as heck , and never less than fully aware of the stakes .
He ’ s also pained by the human cost , and not just on his side : When a U-boat goes under , a sailor exults : “ Congratulations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Krause replies somberly : “ Fifty less souls.
” The most affecting scene is when he leads a burial at sea for three fallen men .
Hanks has been working on this project for years .
Of course , he always envisioned it in theaters .
But even on a small screen , this new project feels like a well-timed if low-key offering for these troubled days .
It also will escape the attention of few that the actor is one of the most prominent names to have suffered from — and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face an even more welcome sight right now .
The world has indeed gone crazy , Tom .
It ’ s comforting to watch you run the ship .
Rating : PG-13 ( for war-related action/violence and brief strong language )

By Jocelyn Noveck | Associated Press
He’s Forrest Gump. He’s Mr. Rogers. He’s Woody.
But with all the famous titles Tom Hanks has owned, few have fit as snugly and as smoothly as “captain” — whether it’s fending off Somali pirates in “Captain Phillips,” landing a plane on the Hudson in “Sully,” finding his way back to Earth in “Apollo 13,” or commanding WW II troops in “Saving Private Ryan.”
Now Hanks, our square-jawed Everyman, “America’s Dad” even when his characters don’t have children, is playing a captain again, in the taut new naval thriller on Apple TV+ — yet another of his forays into World War II, this time in the treacherous North Atlantic.
And let’s face it, there’s something soothing merely in the sight of Hanks wearing a helmet that says “CAPT” in these days when the world feels like it’s turned upside down (to quote from another big streaming film of the month, “Hamilton.”) As one character tells him as the war is just beginning: “The world has gone crazy, Ernie.” Indeed.
“Greyhound” is a passion project for Hanks, who penned the script and whose interest in World War II has taken him from “Saving Private Ryan” to “Band of Brothers” to “The Pacific.” Here, he focuses on a lesser chronicled part of that war: the Battle of the Atlantic, which started in 1939 and ended in 1945 with Germany’s defeat. As the film tells us in the credits, Allied losses included 3,500 merchant ships and 175 warships sunk, and more than 72,000 crew members and troops killed (some estimates have the human loss even higher.)
Based on the novel “The Good Shepherd” by C.S. Forester and directed by veteran cinematographer Aaron Schneider, “Greyhound” is perhaps not so much a thriller as a very spare, economical drama — a tightly focused account of one voyage, from one perspective: that of Capt. Ernie Krause on his warship, the Greyhound, leading a convoy of 37 supply vessels to Liverpool.
All the background you really need to know is that the supplies ferried along these routes were crucial to the Allies: they included arms, food and other crucial staples. But the ships had to forge a treacherous path across the sea, particularly the so-called “Black Pit,” the section of ocean not reachable by air cover from either U.S. or British forces.
So for 50 hours here, the ships need to fend for themselves against the Germans and their U-boats. Enemy forces taunt the Greyhound with radioed threats — “You and your comrades will die today,” they warn. The voyage is both monotonous and terrifying. For hours nothing can happen, and then within minutes, all hell can break loose, sometimes on multiple fronts.
Krause is a stalwart, religious man who keeps his emotions to himself. When we meet him, it’s February 1942, and he’s finally been assigned his first mission across the sea. We flash back to a few months earlier for the only personal glimpse we get of Krause’s life: He meets his lady love, played by Elisabeth Shue, in San Francisco and asks her to come away with him so he can propose in style.
But she says they need to put things on hold, until he comes back. It’s clear she thinks he may not make it.
The rest of the movie takes place on the ship. The experience — for Krause, and for the viewer — is claustrophobic. The captain never seems to leave his perch, even to eat or sleep.
The script is heavy on naval lingo: “Stand by for shallow pattern!” “All ahead standard!” “Reciprocal course!” These expressions are not explained; we need to pay attention. But we do. What carries the movie is Hanks’ affecting, unshowy portrayal of a man who is highly professional but also scared as heck, and never less than fully aware of the stakes.
He’s also pained by the human cost, and not just on his side: When a U-boat goes under, a sailor exults: “Congratulations, captain — 50 less krauts!” Krause replies somberly: “Fifty less souls.” The most affecting scene is when he leads a burial at sea for three fallen men.
Hanks has been working on this project for years. Of course, he always envisioned it in theaters.
But even on a small screen, this new project feels like a well-timed if low-key offering for these troubled days. It also will escape the attention of few that the actor is one of the most prominent names to have suffered from — and overcome — the coronavirus, making his face an even more welcome sight right now.
The world has indeed gone crazy, Tom. It’s comforting to watch you run the ship.
“Greyhound”
3 stars out of 4
Rating: PG-13 (for war-related action/violence and brief strong language)
Running time: 91 minutes


mercurynews--2020-07-10--Editorial: ‘American way to fly’ shouldn’t risk catching coronavirus

The nation ’ s airlines received a $ 50 billion bailout as part of federal coronavirus stimulus spending .
How do two of the four largest carriers show their gratitude ?
By putting passengers ’ lives at risk .
As the nation battles the highly contagious and rapidly spreading coronavirus , United and American airlines are packing their planes full , demonstrating that they care far more about profits than the health of their customers .
It ’ s time for immediate congressional and presidential action to stop this reckless behavior , to show that , to use the motto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carrier , the “ American way to fly ” shouldn ’ t entail exacerbating a deadly pandemic .
“ These airlines are only flying because we ’ re subsidizing them , because we think they ’ re essential , ” U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley , D-Ore. , told the Washington Post .
“ If they ’ re essential , then we should do everything we can to make them safe for the people who are using them.
” In sharp contrast to United and American , Delta and Southwest , along with several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at reduced capacity to allow passengers to physically distance , usually by leaving the middle seat empty .
It ’ s imperfect .
Flying still requires sitting in an enclosed space for extended time — exactly the scenario health experts urge us to avoid .
But at least Delta and Southwest don ’ t force their customers to rub shoulders in the already-too-small seats .
Meanwhile , United has never promised to leave empty seats , and American this month stopped doing so .
“ Obviously , that is something that is of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what went into that decision making , ” Dr. Anthony Fauci told a Senate panel .
“ I think in the confines of an airplane that becomes even more problematic.
” Dr. Robert Redfield , director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , said there was “ substantial disappointment ” about American ’ s decision .
“ I can say this is under critical review by us at CDC .
We don ’ t think it ’ s the right message.
” Don ’ t hold your breath waiting on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same agency that botched the rollout of coronavirus testing , setting back the nation ’ s response to the pandemic by months .
Redfield seems regularly torn between appeasing President Trump and protecting public health .
On Wednesday , for example , he bolstered Trump ’ s call to rapidly reopen schools by saying the CDC guidelines should not be used “ as a rationale to keep schools closed.
” A day later , he finally developed a bit of backbone by saying his agency would issue “ additional reference documents ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This hardly seems like the person willing to take on major corporations like the airlines in the name of public health .
Enter Sen. Merkley , who rode a newly packed American Airlines plane last week and tweeted , with a selfie picture , about the experience : “ .
@ AmericanAir : how many Americans will die bc you fill middle seats , w/ your customers shoulder to shoulder , hour after hour .
This is incredibly irresponsible .
People eat & drink on planes & must take off masks to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t facilitating spread of COVID infections.
” • Coronavirus : Free testing available in San Mateo County next week Now , he promises to introduce a bill banning the sale of middle seats on planes for the duration of the pandemic .
It ’ s about time .
Congress and President Trump should get on board .

Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards

The nation’s airlines received a $50 billion bailout as part of federal coronavirus stimulus spending. How do two of the four largest carriers show their gratitude? By putting passengers’ lives at risk.
As the nation battles the highly contagious and rapidly spreading coronavirus, United and American airlines are packing their planes full, demonstrating that they care far more about profits than the health of their customers.
It’s time for immediate congressional and presidential action to stop this reckless behavior, to show that, to use the motto of the nation’s largest air carrier, the “American way to fly” shouldn’t entail exacerbating a deadly pandemic.
“These airlines are only flying because we’re subsidizing them, because we think they’re essential,” U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., told the Washington Post. “If they’re essential, then we should do everything we can to make them safe for the people who are using them.”
In sharp contrast to United and American, Delta and Southwest, along with several smaller airlines, are flying their planes at reduced capacity to allow passengers to physically distance, usually by leaving the middle seat empty.
It’s imperfect. Flying still requires sitting in an enclosed space for extended time — exactly the scenario health experts urge us to avoid.
But at least Delta and Southwest don’t force their customers to rub shoulders in the already-too-small seats. Meanwhile, United has never promised to leave empty seats, and American this month stopped doing so.
Federal government health experts last week questioned American’s actions.
“Obviously, that is something that is of concern. I’m not sure what went into that decision making,” Dr. Anthony Fauci told a Senate panel. “I think in the confines of an airplane that becomes even more problematic.”
Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said there was “substantial disappointment” about American’s decision. “I can say this is under critical review by us at CDC. We don’t think it’s the right message.”
Don’t hold your breath waiting on the CDC to act. This is the same agency that botched the rollout of coronavirus testing, setting back the nation’s response to the pandemic by months.
Redfield seems regularly torn between appeasing President Trump and protecting public health. On Wednesday, for example, he bolstered Trump’s call to rapidly reopen schools by saying the CDC guidelines should not be used “as a rationale to keep schools closed.”
A day later, he finally developed a bit of backbone by saying his agency would issue “additional reference documents” but would not change its guidelines. This hardly seems like the person willing to take on major corporations like the airlines in the name of public health.
.@AmericanAir: how many Americans will die bc you fill middle seats, w/ your customers shoulder to shoulder, hour after hour. This is incredibly irresponsible. People eat & drink on planes & must take off masks to do so. No way you aren’t facilitating spread of COVID infections. pic.twitter.com/PWG5macqgC — Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) July 2, 2020
Enter Sen. Merkley, who rode a newly packed American Airlines plane last week and tweeted, with a selfie picture, about the experience:
“.@AmericanAir: how many Americans will die bc you fill middle seats, w/ your customers shoulder to shoulder, hour after hour. This is incredibly irresponsible. People eat & drink on planes & must take off masks to do so. No way you aren’t facilitating spread of COVID infections.”


mercurynews--2020-07-10--US Army investigating how ‘MAGA’ was described as a form of ‘covert white supremacy’ in handout

The US Army is investigating how a handout distributed on a base in Alabama initially included a description that the phrase “ Make America Great Again ” was a form of “ covert white supremacy ” and therefore racist — which it says was “ sent out in error and immediately recalled.
” Earlier this week , a graphic was included in a handout disseminated at the US Army ’ s Redstone Arsenal that suggested that President Donald Trump ’ s 2016 campaign slogan was a form of “ covert white supremacy.
” On July 6 at Redstone , officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included two unapproved pages that were sent out in error and immediately recalled , ” Army spokeswoman Cynthia Smith said in a statement .
The slides were to promote the Army ’ s so-called listening tour under a program it calls Project Inclusion , a new initiative to improve diversity and racial inclusion across the military .
The graphic shown on one of the slides includes a pyramid graphic sourced from Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence that states blackface , swastikas and racist jokes are forms of “ overt white supremacy.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ celebration of Columbus Day ” and “ All Lives Matter ” as types of socially acceptable or “ covert white supremacy.
” “ The slides — copied from a non-government website — included a word cloud with phrases that were intended to spark conversation ; however , the document was predecisional and inappropriate for the discussion .
The unapproved pages were in no way used as part of the ‘ Your Voice Matters ’ listening tour sessions , ” Smith said .
The Army did not specifically mention the MAGA phrase in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his supporters , only saying “ the Army does not condone the use of phrases that indicate political support.
” “ The Army is and will continue to remain an apolitical organization , ” Smith said .
Republican Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama sent a letter to Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy on Wednesday , accusing the service of violating the Hatch Act , which bars federal employees from certain partisan political activities , and demanded an investigation into the matter .
• California School for the Deaf official under investigation for 2006 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jackson says DeSean Jackson ‘ speaking the truth ’ in anti-Semitic comments “ Including overtly political materials in the invitation for such an event is completely inappropriate and , in this instance and in my view , illegal , ” Brooks to wrote McCarthy .
“ Further , the inclusion of such materials serves only to ostracize segments of the workforce and create racial division , rather than minimize it.
” In a statement , the Alabama Republican called for all Army personnel who “ drafted , approved or sent this racist and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” to be prosecuted and fired for “ blatantly and illegally injecting themselves into partisan political activities on government time using federal taxpayer money.
” All of this comes as Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley are set to testify before the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday , where they are likely to face questions over the role of the military during last month ’ s nationwide protests over the death of George Floyd .

The US Army is investigating how a handout distributed on a base in Alabama initially included a description that the phrase “Make America Great Again” was a form of “covert white supremacy” and therefore racist — which it says was “sent out in error and immediately recalled.”
Earlier this week, a graphic was included in a handout disseminated at the US Army’s Redstone Arsenal that suggested that President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign slogan was a form of “covert white supremacy.”
On July 6 at Redstone, officials distributed a handout to personnel that “included two unapproved pages that were sent out in error and immediately recalled,” Army spokeswoman Cynthia Smith said in a statement.
The slides were to promote the Army’s so-called listening tour under a program it calls Project Inclusion, a new initiative to improve diversity and racial inclusion across the military.
The graphic shown on one of the slides includes a pyramid graphic sourced from Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence that states blackface, swastikas and racist jokes are forms of “overt white supremacy.” The graphic includes “MAGA,” the “celebration of Columbus Day” and “All Lives Matter” as types of socially acceptable or “covert white supremacy.”
“The slides — copied from a non-government website — included a word cloud with phrases that were intended to spark conversation; however, the document was predecisional and inappropriate for the discussion. The unapproved pages were in no way used as part of the ‘Your Voice Matters’ listening tour sessions,” Smith said.
The Army did not specifically mention the MAGA phrase in its statement, long used by Trump and his supporters, only saying “the Army does not condone the use of phrases that indicate political support.”
“The Army is and will continue to remain an apolitical organization,” Smith said.
Republican Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama sent a letter to Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy on Wednesday, accusing the service of violating the Hatch Act, which bars federal employees from certain partisan political activities, and demanded an investigation into the matter.
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Hair relaxers have been linked to cancer among Black women, litigation says. ‘Nobody cares except us.’ Politics | Contra Costa DA attempts to block publicization of new racist texts by Antioch cops “Including overtly political materials in the invitation for such an event is completely inappropriate and, in this instance and in my view, illegal,” Brooks to wrote McCarthy. “Further, the inclusion of such materials serves only to ostracize segments of the workforce and create racial division, rather than minimize it.”
In a statement, the Alabama Republican called for all Army personnel who “drafted, approved or sent this racist and politically partisan email, using government resources” to be prosecuted and fired for “blatantly and illegally injecting themselves into partisan political activities on government time using federal taxpayer money.”
All of this comes as Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley are set to testify before the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday, where they are likely to face questions over the role of the military during last month’s nationwide protests over the death of George Floyd.
The-CNN-Wire
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mercurynews--2020-07-10--How SJ Earthquakes stack up in new Group B of uncertainty-filled MLS return tournament

The San Jose Earthquakes restart the 2020 season Friday in Florida with questions and more questions .
Of primary concern is how a World Cup-like tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex will unfold as Major League Soccer officials address a fluid situation because of a novel coronavirus that continues to spread uncertainty across the United States , with Florida as a hotspot .
On the eve of the Quakes ’ Friday tournament opener in Group B , the schedule changed with the addition of the Chicago Fire , which will face San Jose on July 19 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nashville SC from the tournament on Thursday after nine of its players tested positive for COVID-19 .
On Monday , Group B opponent FC Dallas was withdrawn after 10 of its players tested positive for COVID-19 at Walt Disney World Resort .
Without Dallas , Group B had only three teams whereas Chicago was part of a six-club Group A .
Once Nashville was withdrawn league officials moved the Fire into Group B to even out the bracket .
As it stands , the Earthquakes open Group B against defending MLS Cup champion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broadcast on ESPN .
Another Group B team , the Vancouver Whitecaps FC , announced five of its players would not play in Florida because of coronavirus concerns .
But Earthquakes players say they feel they are being protected from the virus .
“ The league is doing a great job in making us safe , ” midfielder Cristian Espinoza said in Spanish .
Originally all 26 MLS teams were guaranteed three tournament games in their groups that would count toward the regular-season standings .
Now it ’ s a 24-team tournament , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether Dallas and Nashville will make up their missed games later in the season .
Here is the outlook as the first major American men ’ s professional sports league returns in the face of a global pandemic that has hit the United States the hardest .
The top two teams from each group will advance along with the four best third-place finishers to the single-elimination knockout stage .
It will follow a World Cup format : a round of 16 on July 25-28 , quarterfinals on July 30-Aug. 1 , semifinals on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 .
One departure from the World Cup is that instead of playing overtime periods , ties during the knockout stage will lead directly to penalty kick shootouts .
In another change , teams will be allowed five substitutions per game instead of the traditional three .
Also , teams can include up to 23 players on each official game-day roster instead of 18 .
How the Quakes look San Jose players open the tournament confident they have acclimated to the heat and humidity of Florida after arriving in Orlando two weeks ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way they have been isolated from other teams at their hotel .
“ We ’ re in a bubble inside of a bubble , ” midfielder Shea Salinas said by phone as he walked past a group of opponents .
Salinas , 34 , said the quality of soccer will not be the same as during a regular year because of a lack of game fitness .
He said the 3 ½-month layoff was perhaps the longest time players have been away from soccer since they were kids .
“ It could lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Salinas said .
The Earthquakes entered the season with questions under second-year coach Matias Almeyda .
They missed the postseason last year , losing their final six games .
But they looked like one of the league ’ s best teams for an extended period last summer and expect to build on that .
MLS career scoring leader Chris Wondolowski returns but might play a secondary role as Almeyda relies on Danny Hoesen , Cade Cowell , Cristian Espinoza , Valeri Qazaishvili and Andy Rios for an offense .
The team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. national team midfielder Jackson Yueill and newcomer Oswaldo Alanis , a Mexican international central defender .
Seattle Sounders : The Sounders might be the tournament favorite with the likes of Jordan Morris , Raul Ruidiaz , Nicholas Lodeiro , Christian Roldan , Joao Paulo and Yeimar Gomez Andrade .
They paused the season just two games into their defense of the 2019 MLS Cup .
Seattle reloaded in the offseason by acquiring Brazilian midfielder Paulo and Colombian center back Yeimar Gómez Andrade .
Ruidiaz has 22 goals in 38 games with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ star , has proven to be a formidable goalscorer in MLS and with the U.S. national team .
Vancouver Whitecaps : The Whitecaps seemingly will be at a disadvantage without the services of forwards Lucas Cavallini , Tosaint Ricketts and Fredy Montero .
Also sitting out are midfielders Andy Rose , whose wife is due to give birth this summer , and Georges Mukumbilwa , who was not cleared to travel outside of Canada .
Coach Marc Dos Santos told reporters he has belief in the players on his roster .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doors for young players who are going to have the availability to showcase themselves and I don ’ t have a doubt from what I ’ ve seen in training and what I ’ ve seen from them that we ’ re still going to be a hard team to play against and beat , ” he said .
Chicago Fire : The Fire is one of MLS ’ most interesting teams to watch this season after losing 14 players from last season , including its three Designated Players .
The technical staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raphael Wicky , a former Swiss international player .
How will the team jell during the tournament with new arrivals such as Gaston Gimenez , Ignacio Aliseda and Luka Stojanovic having little time to fit in ?
But Chicago has possibilities with a potentially strong midfielder behind Gimenez and Stojanovic with returners Djordje Mihailovic and Przemyslaw Frankowski .
If the midfielders can connect with new forward Robert Beric , an experienced striker from Europe , it could bode well .
• After seeing Kaepernick protest as ‘ silly ’ and ‘ disrespectful ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MLS : Players raise fists , take a knee prior to “ MLS Is Back ” match • FC Dallas withdraws from MLS tournament because of 10 positive tests • Earthquakes lose defender just before re-opening of MLS season • Kurtenbach : Professional sports fear this more than COVID-19 All games will be broadcast on MLS ’ U.S. media partners ESPN , Fox Sports and FS1 , TSN and TUDN .
Some games will be live-streamed on Twitter in addition to the broadcasters ’ streaming services .
San Jose ’ s game July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7:30 p.m. is scheduled to be shown on Spanish-language TUDN and Twitter with English commentary .
The Quakes final group game is against Chicago at 5 p.m. Sunday , July 19 , on FS1 and TUDN .
San Jose executives said they will plan host to free drive-in viewing parties at Earthquakes Stadium during group play .

The San Jose Earthquakes restart the 2020 season Friday in Florida with questions and more questions.
Of primary concern is how a World Cup-like tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex will unfold as Major League Soccer officials address a fluid situation because of a novel coronavirus that continues to spread uncertainty across the United States, with Florida as a hotspot.
On the eve of the Quakes’ Friday tournament opener in Group B, the schedule changed with the addition of the Chicago Fire, which will face San Jose on July 19. The change came about because MLS executives withdrew Nashville SC from the tournament on Thursday after nine of its players tested positive for COVID-19.
On Monday, Group B opponent FC Dallas was withdrawn after 10 of its players tested positive for COVID-19 at Walt Disney World Resort.
Without Dallas, Group B had only three teams whereas Chicago was part of a six-club Group A. Once Nashville was withdrawn league officials moved the Fire into Group B to even out the bracket.
As it stands, the Earthquakes open Group B against defending MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders FC with a 6 p.m. broadcast on ESPN. Another Group B team, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, announced five of its players would not play in Florida because of coronavirus concerns.
But Earthquakes players say they feel they are being protected from the virus.
“The league is doing a great job in making us safe,” midfielder Cristian Espinoza said in Spanish.
Originally all 26 MLS teams were guaranteed three tournament games in their groups that would count toward the regular-season standings. Now it’s a 24-team tournament, and the league hasn’t said whether Dallas and Nashville will make up their missed games later in the season.
Here is the outlook as the first major American men’s professional sports league returns in the face of a global pandemic that has hit the United States the hardest.
Tournament format
The top two teams from each group will advance along with the four best third-place finishers to the single-elimination knockout stage. It will follow a World Cup format: a round of 16 on July 25-28, quarterfinals on July 30-Aug. 1, semifinals on Aug. 5-6 and the championship game Aug. 11.
One departure from the World Cup is that instead of playing overtime periods, ties during the knockout stage will lead directly to penalty kick shootouts. In another change, teams will be allowed five substitutions per game instead of the traditional three. Also, teams can include up to 23 players on each official game-day roster instead of 18.
How the Quakes look
San Jose players open the tournament confident they have acclimated to the heat and humidity of Florida after arriving in Orlando two weeks ago. The Quakes also feel safe the way they have been isolated from other teams at their hotel.
“We’re in a bubble inside of a bubble,” midfielder Shea Salinas said by phone as he walked past a group of opponents.
Salinas, 34, said the quality of soccer will not be the same as during a regular year because of a lack of game fitness. He said the 3 ½-month layoff was perhaps the longest time players have been away from soccer since they were kids.
“It could lead to more scoring in the second half,” Salinas said.
The Earthquakes entered the season with questions under second-year coach Matias Almeyda. They missed the postseason last year, losing their final six games. But they looked like one of the league’s best teams for an extended period last summer and expect to build on that.
MLS career scoring leader Chris Wondolowski returns but might play a secondary role as Almeyda relies on Danny Hoesen, Cade Cowell, Cristian Espinoza, Valeri Qazaishvili and Andy Rios for an offense.
The team also is expecting a big year from U.S. national team midfielder Jackson Yueill and newcomer Oswaldo Alanis, a Mexican international central defender.
What’s shaking in Group B?
Seattle Sounders: The Sounders might be the tournament favorite with the likes of Jordan Morris, Raul Ruidiaz, Nicholas Lodeiro, Christian Roldan, Joao Paulo and Yeimar Gomez Andrade. They paused the season just two games into their defense of the 2019 MLS Cup.
Seattle reloaded in the offseason by acquiring Brazilian midfielder Paulo and Colombian center back Yeimar Gómez Andrade.
Ruidiaz has 22 goals in 38 games with the Sounders and Morris, a former Stanford star, has proven to be a formidable goalscorer in MLS and with the U.S. national team.
Vancouver Whitecaps: The Whitecaps seemingly will be at a disadvantage without the services of forwards Lucas Cavallini, Tosaint Ricketts and Fredy Montero. Also sitting out are midfielders Andy Rose, whose wife is due to give birth this summer, and Georges Mukumbilwa, who was not cleared to travel outside of Canada.
Coach Marc Dos Santos told reporters he has belief in the players on his roster.
“I think it’s going to open doors for young players who are going to have the availability to showcase themselves and I don’t have a doubt from what I’ve seen in training and what I’ve seen from them that we’re still going to be a hard team to play against and beat,” he said.
Chicago Fire: The Fire is one of MLS’ most interesting teams to watch this season after losing 14 players from last season, including its three Designated Players. The technical staff also is new, starting with coach Raphael Wicky, a former Swiss international player.
How will the team jell during the tournament with new arrivals such as Gaston Gimenez, Ignacio Aliseda and Luka Stojanovic having little time to fit in? But Chicago has possibilities with a potentially strong midfielder behind Gimenez and Stojanovic with returners Djordje Mihailovic and Przemyslaw Frankowski. If the midfielders can connect with new forward Robert Beric, an experienced striker from Europe, it could bode well.
How to watch
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San Jose’s game July 15 against Vancouver that kicks off at 7:30 p.m. is scheduled to be shown on Spanish-language TUDN and Twitter with English commentary. The Quakes final group game is against Chicago at 5 p.m. Sunday, July 19, on FS1 and TUDN.
San Jose executives said they will plan host to free drive-in viewing parties at Earthquakes Stadium during group play.


mercurynews--2020-07-10--Review: Taking a new swing at the now-rote comic movie

For all the painful absences of this summer , it has been a season blessedly bereft of superheroes .
No , they ’ re not all bad .
And there is much of the normal rhythms of the movies ’ main-event months to be nostalgic for .
But one thing I haven ’ t missed is the unending business of franchises — their perpetual erection , expansion and , occasionally , hopeless collapse .
For better or worse , world building is on us this summer .
And that has , in many ways , been a good opportunity for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get told and who tells them .
Netflix ’ s “ The Old Guard , ” on the surface , seems like it gives us what the summer has been missing .
It ’ s a starry , big-budget adaptation of a graphic novel about a band of immortal warriors led by Charlize Theron .
And to a large degree , it supplies much of the absent superhero stuff .
Visceral action sequences .
Torrents of bullets .
A blatant set-up of future installments .
But “ The Old Guard , ” while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unconventional in all kinds of less obvious ways .
Its characters , even the long-living ones , are recognizably human .
Emotions like melancholy and doubt — both of which are normally checked at the door by Marvel — have been allowed in .
The world all around is — gasp !
— realistic .
Much of this is owed to Gina Prince-Bythewood , the filmmaker of “ Love & Basketball ” and “ Beyond the Lights ” who here brings her naturalistic and soulful touch to the kind of genre movie she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would , just in filmmaking terms , be an exciting leap in scale for a not-well-known-enough directing talent .
But it ’ s also history-making .
Prince-Bythewood is the first Black woman to direct a comic book film .
And , while the material isn ’ t special by any means , Prince-Bythewood subtly bends the sensibility of the superhero film in fresh and newly flexible directions .
Theron plays Andromache the Scythian ( Andy , thank goodness , for short ) , a seasoned warrior of 6,000 years .
Virtual immortality has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a mysterious and uncertain gift , or possibly , a curse .
With her are Booker ( Matthias Schoenaerts ) , a veteran going back to the Napoleonic Wars , and Joe ( Marwan Kenzari ) and Nicky ( Luca Marinelli ) , a pair who fought on opposite sides of the Crusades before following in love .
The concept , from the comic by Greg Rucka ( who also wrote the script ) , is promising .
Like a militant band of Zeligs , the group has stealthily swayed pivotal moments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but Andy is doubting their usefulness .
“ The world isn ’ t getting any better , ” she says , wearily glancing at a TV news broadcast from Syria .
“ It ’ s getting worse.
” When we first meet them , we don ’ t know that they ’ re anything but run-of-the-mill mercenaries .
They dress in black and carry big guns .
They ’ re hired for a job by former CIA agent Copley ( Chiwetel Ejiofor ) to save schoolchildren abducted in South Sudan , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Nigeria .
But when they go to the underground location , they ’ re gunned down .
Lying on the floor , their eyes flicker to life like rebooted laptops .
When they rise and mete out their revenge , the real trap — a watching camera placed by Copley — is revealed .
Their secret is out , and soon a multinational pharmaceutical company is after their blood .
A story line that encompassed more of the group ’ s secret sway through history would have been nice , but “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this threat to the warriors ’ survival .
The actors , particularly Theron , convincingly capture the dynamics of a group whose relationships go back eons .
They might be largely immune to death , but they ’ re still haunted by it , and visibly uneasy about their place in the world .
“ The Old Guard ” is about the heavy weight of duty .
The film also ropes in a potential new member .
KiKi Layne , the breakout star of “ If Beale Street Could Talk , ” plays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after having her throat slit , finds herself miraculously healed .
Her fellow soldiers eye her suspiciously , but she ’ ll soon find a home with the immortal four .
Partly because Layne stands out so much as a performer , I wonder if “ The Old Guard ” should have begun the story with her , immersing us in the confusion that follows her discovery .
My other quibble would be that the upside of being immortal warriors means you can use much more interesting and elegant weapons than guns .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andy and the others on gun violence .
It ’ s one of many missed opportunities for “ The Old Guard , ” which doesn ’ t have nearly as much fun with its undead characters as , say , Jim Jarmusch ’ s very tasteful vampires in “ Only Lovers Left Alive.
” “ The Old Guard ” could have surveyed a history of violence just as Jarmusch ’ s characters soak up humanity ’ s works of art .
Instead , it feels more locked in the present .
But maybe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ save something for the sequels it baits at the end .
Fair enough .
This summer , I ’ ll let it pass .
Rating : R ( for sequences of graphic violence , and language )

By Jake Coyle | Associated Press
For all the painful absences of this summer, it has been a season blessedly bereft of superheroes.
No, they’re not all bad. And there is much of the normal rhythms of the movies’ main-event months to be nostalgic for. But one thing I haven’t missed is the unending business of franchises — their perpetual erection, expansion and, occasionally, hopeless collapse.
For better or worse, world building is on us this summer. And that has, in many ways, been a good opportunity for further examining the kinds of stories that get told and who tells them.
Netflix’s “The Old Guard,” on the surface, seems like it gives us what the summer has been missing. It’s a starry, big-budget adaptation of a graphic novel about a band of immortal warriors led by Charlize Theron. And to a large degree, it supplies much of the absent superhero stuff. Visceral action sequences. Torrents of bullets. A blatant set-up of future installments.
But “The Old Guard,” while in many ways typical, is wonderfully unconventional in all kinds of less obvious ways. Its characters, even the long-living ones, are recognizably human. Emotions like melancholy and doubt — both of which are normally checked at the door by Marvel — have been allowed in. The world all around is — gasp! — realistic.
Much of this is owed to Gina Prince-Bythewood, the filmmaker of “Love & Basketball” and “Beyond the Lights” who here brings her naturalistic and soulful touch to the kind of genre movie she hasn’t previously tried.
This would, just in filmmaking terms, be an exciting leap in scale for a not-well-known-enough directing talent. But it’s also history-making. Prince-Bythewood is the first Black woman to direct a comic book film. And, while the material isn’t special by any means, Prince-Bythewood subtly bends the sensibility of the superhero film in fresh and newly flexible directions.
Theron plays Andromache the Scythian (Andy, thank goodness, for short), a seasoned warrior of 6,000 years. Virtual immortality has come to her and a few others as a mysterious and uncertain gift, or possibly, a curse. With her are Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts), a veteran going back to the Napoleonic Wars, and Joe (Marwan Kenzari) and Nicky (Luca Marinelli), a pair who fought on opposite sides of the Crusades before following in love.
The concept, from the comic by Greg Rucka (who also wrote the script), is promising. Like a militant band of Zeligs, the group has stealthily swayed pivotal moments of history and battle through the centuries, but Andy is doubting their usefulness. “The world isn’t getting any better,” she says, wearily glancing at a TV news broadcast from Syria. “It’s getting worse.”
When we first meet them, we don’t know that they’re anything but run-of-the-mill mercenaries. They dress in black and carry big guns. They’re hired for a job by former CIA agent Copley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) to save schoolchildren abducted in South Sudan, an apparent reference to the Boko Haram kidnappings in Nigeria. But when they go to the underground location, they’re gunned down. Lying on the floor, their eyes flicker to life like rebooted laptops. When they rise and mete out their revenge, the real trap — a watching camera placed by Copley — is revealed. Their secret is out, and soon a multinational pharmaceutical company is after their blood.
A story line that encompassed more of the group’s secret sway through history would have been nice, but “The Old Guard” instead deals with this threat to the warriors’ survival. The actors, particularly Theron, convincingly capture the dynamics of a group whose relationships go back eons. They might be largely immune to death, but they’re still haunted by it, and visibly uneasy about their place in the world. “The Old Guard” is about the heavy weight of duty.
The film also ropes in a potential new member. KiKi Layne, the breakout star of “If Beale Street Could Talk,” plays a U.S. Marine in Afghanistan who, after having her throat slit, finds herself miraculously healed. Her fellow soldiers eye her suspiciously, but she’ll soon find a home with the immortal four.
Partly because Layne stands out so much as a performer, I wonder if “The Old Guard” should have begun the story with her, immersing us in the confusion that follows her discovery. My other quibble would be that the upside of being immortal warriors means you can use much more interesting and elegant weapons than guns. Maybe centuries of warfare would have soured Andy and the others on gun violence.
It’s one of many missed opportunities for “The Old Guard,” which doesn’t have nearly as much fun with its undead characters as, say, Jim Jarmusch’s very tasteful vampires in “Only Lovers Left Alive.” “The Old Guard” could have surveyed a history of violence just as Jarmusch’s characters soak up humanity’s works of art. Instead, it feels more locked in the present.
But maybe “The Old Guard” means to save something for the sequels it baits at the end. Fair enough. This summer, I’ll let it pass.
“The Old Guard”
3 stars out of 4
Rating: R (for sequences of graphic violence, and language)
Running time: 125 minutes