mercurynews--2020-11-28--Biden plans swift moves to protect and advance LGBTQ rights

By David Crary and Elana Schor | Associated Press As vice president in 2012 , Joe Biden endeared himself to many LGBTQ Americans by endorsing same-sex marriage even before his boss , President Barack Obama .
Now , as president-elect , Biden is making sweeping promises to LGBTQ activists , proposing to carry out virtually every major proposal on their wish lists .
Among them : Lifting the Trump administration ’ s near-total ban on military service for transgender people , barring federal contractors from anti-LGBTQ job discrimination , and creating high-level LGBTQ-rights positions at the State Department , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In many cases , the measures would reverse executive actions by President Donald Trump , whose administration took numerous steps to weaken protections for transgender people and create more leeway for discrimination against LGBTQ people , ostensibly based on religious grounds .
In a policy document , the Biden campaign said Trump and Vice President Mike Pence “ have given hate against LGBTQ+ individuals safe harbor and rolled back critical protections.
” Beyond executive actions he can take unilaterally , Biden says his top legislative priority for LGBTQ issues is the Equality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Representatives last year but stalled in the Senate .
It would extend to all 50 states the comprehensive anti-bias protections already afforded to LGBTQ people in 21 mostly Democratic-governed states , covering such sectors as housing , public accommodations and public services .
Biden says he wants the act to become law within 100 days of taking office , but its future remains uncertain .
Assuming the bill passes again in the House , it would need support from several Republicans in the Senate , even if the Democrats gain control by winning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , Susan Collins of Maine is the only GOP co-sponsor in the Senate .
Critics , including prominent religious conservatives , say the bill raises religious freedom concerns and could require some faith-based organizations to operate against their beliefs .
The Equality Act “ is a dangerous game-changer ” in its potential federal threat to religious liberty , said the Rev .
Albert Mohler , president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville , Kentucky .
Rep. Chris Stewart , a Utah Republican , tried to strike a compromise last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while allowing exemptions for religious groups to act on beliefs that could exclude LGBTQ people .
His proposal won support from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Seventh-day Adventist Church but was panned by liberal and civil rights groups .
“ Anti-equality forces are trying to use the framework of religious liberty to strip away individual rights , ” said Alphonso David , president of the Human Rights Campaign , a national LGBTQ-rights organization .
Among the actions that Biden pledges to take unilaterally , scrapping Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most notable .
Jennifer Levi , a Massachusetts-based transgender-rights lawyer , said it ’ s clear Biden has the authority to do so after taking office .
Nicolas Talbott , a transgender man whom Levi has represented in a lawsuit seeking to overturn the ban , called that “ a huge relief.
” “ I look forward to being allowed to re-enroll in ROTC so I can continue to train , keep up my fitness to serve , and become the best Army officer I can possibly be , ” Talbott said via @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other promises : • Appoint an array of LGBTQ people to federal government positions .
There ’ s wide expectation that Biden will nominate an LGBTQ person to a Cabinet post , with former presidential contender Pete Buttigieg among the possibilities .
• Reverse Trump administration policies carving out religious exemptions allowing discrimination against LGBTQ people by social service agencies , health care providers , adoption and foster care agencies and other entities .
• Reinstate Obama administration guidance directing public schools to allow transgender students to access bathrooms , locker rooms and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identity .
The Trump administration revoked this guidance .
• Allocate federal resources to help curtail violence against transgender people , particularly transgender women of color .
Rights groups say at least 38 transgender or gender-nonconforming people have been killed in the U.S. this year .
• Bolster federal efforts to collect comprehensive data about LGBTQ people in the U.S. by adding questions about sexual orientation and gender identity to national surveys .
• Ensure that LGBTQ rights are a priority for U.S. foreign policy and be prepared to use pressure tactics , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those rights .
• Whatever happens in Washington , some activists worry that Republican-controlled state legislatures may push anti-LGBTQ bills , such as curtailing the ability of transgender youth to access certain medical treatments or participate in school sports .
They are also concerned that an influx of conservative federal judges appointed by Trump might lead to rulings allowing religious exemptions .
Earlier this month the Supreme Court — now with a solid conservative majority — heard arguments on whether a Catholic social services agency in Philadelphia should be able to turn away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents , while still receiving local government funding .
Tim Schultz , a religious freedom advocate , outlined two potential paths for the debate over the Equality Act : “ ongoing legislative gridlock , regulatory trench warfare and judicial decisions , which will happen independently of what the president does , ” or active engagement by Biden for a new strategy that can win bipartisan support in the Senate .
The first path would provide only “ temporary satisfaction , ” given that regulatory moves can be undone by future presidents , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amendment Partnership .
Nathan Diament , executive director of the Orthodox Union Advocacy Center , cited Biden ’ s campaign-trail appeals for unity — and his commitment to faith outreach — as positive signs for more engagement on the issue next year .
• Youth group blasts East Bay mayor for stopping critical letter from being read aloud • Here are 7 Donald Trump health care measures that Joe Biden will likely overturn “ He and his team will be very well-positioned to broker compromise if they want to , to get this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has advised both the Trump and Obama administrations .
Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through the Religion News Foundation .
The AP is solely responsible for this content .

By David Crary and Elana Schor | Associated Press
As vice president in 2012, Joe Biden endeared himself to many LGBTQ Americans by endorsing same-sex marriage even before his boss, President Barack Obama.
Now, as president-elect, Biden is making sweeping promises to LGBTQ activists, proposing to carry out virtually every major proposal on their wish lists. Among them: Lifting the Trump administration’s near-total ban on military service for transgender people, barring federal contractors from anti-LGBTQ job discrimination, and creating high-level LGBTQ-rights positions at the State Department, the National Security Council and other federal agencies.
In many cases, the measures would reverse executive actions by President Donald Trump, whose administration took numerous steps to weaken protections for transgender people and create more leeway for discrimination against LGBTQ people, ostensibly based on religious grounds.
In a policy document, the Biden campaign said Trump and Vice President Mike Pence “have given hate against LGBTQ+ individuals safe harbor and rolled back critical protections.”
Beyond executive actions he can take unilaterally, Biden says his top legislative priority for LGBTQ issues is the Equality Act, passed by the House of Representatives last year but stalled in the Senate. It would extend to all 50 states the comprehensive anti-bias protections already afforded to LGBTQ people in 21 mostly Democratic-governed states, covering such sectors as housing, public accommodations and public services.
Biden says he wants the act to become law within 100 days of taking office, but its future remains uncertain. Assuming the bill passes again in the House, it would need support from several Republicans in the Senate, even if the Democrats gain control by winning two runoff races in Georgia. For now, Susan Collins of Maine is the only GOP co-sponsor in the Senate.
[vemba-video id=”tv/2020/11/25/tl-mj-lee-dnt-live.cnn”]
Critics, including prominent religious conservatives, say the bill raises religious freedom concerns and could require some faith-based organizations to operate against their beliefs.
The Equality Act “is a dangerous game-changer” in its potential federal threat to religious liberty, said the Rev. Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
Rep. Chris Stewart, a Utah Republican, tried to strike a compromise last year that would have expanded LGBTQ rights nationwide while allowing exemptions for religious groups to act on beliefs that could exclude LGBTQ people. His proposal won support from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Seventh-day Adventist Church but was panned by liberal and civil rights groups.
“Anti-equality forces are trying to use the framework of religious liberty to strip away individual rights,” said Alphonso David, president of the Human Rights Campaign, a national LGBTQ-rights organization.
Among the actions that Biden pledges to take unilaterally, scrapping Trump’s transgender military ban would be among the most notable.
Jennifer Levi, a Massachusetts-based transgender-rights lawyer, said it’s clear Biden has the authority to do so after taking office.
Nicolas Talbott, a transgender man whom Levi has represented in a lawsuit seeking to overturn the ban, called that “a huge relief.”
“I look forward to being allowed to re-enroll in ROTC so I can continue to train, keep up my fitness to serve, and become the best Army officer I can possibly be,” Talbott said via email.
Some of Biden’s other promises:
Appoint an array of LGBTQ people to federal government positions. There’s wide expectation that Biden will nominate an LGBTQ person to a Cabinet post, with former presidential contender Pete Buttigieg among the possibilities.
Reverse Trump administration policies carving out religious exemptions allowing discrimination against LGBTQ people by social service agencies, health care providers, adoption and foster care agencies and other entities.
Reinstate Obama administration guidance directing public schools to allow transgender students to access bathrooms, locker rooms and sports teams in accordance with their gender identity. The Trump administration revoked this guidance.
Allocate federal resources to help curtail violence against transgender people, particularly transgender women of color. Rights groups say at least 38 transgender or gender-nonconforming people have been killed in the U.S. this year.
Support legislative efforts to ban so-called conversion therapy for LGBTQ minors.
Bolster federal efforts to collect comprehensive data about LGBTQ people in the U.S. by adding questions about sexual orientation and gender identity to national surveys.
Ensure that LGBTQ rights are a priority for U.S. foreign policy and be prepared to use pressure tactics, including sanctions, against foreign governments violating those rights.
Whatever happens in Washington, some activists worry that Republican-controlled state legislatures may push anti-LGBTQ bills, such as curtailing the ability of transgender youth to access certain medical treatments or participate in school sports. They are also concerned that an influx of conservative federal judges appointed by Trump might lead to rulings allowing religious exemptions.
Earlier this month the Supreme Court — now with a solid conservative majority — heard arguments on whether a Catholic social services agency in Philadelphia should be able to turn away same-sex couples who want to be foster parents, while still receiving local government funding.
Tim Schultz, a religious freedom advocate, outlined two potential paths for the debate over the Equality Act: “ongoing legislative gridlock, regulatory trench warfare and judicial decisions, which will happen independently of what the president does,” or active engagement by Biden for a new strategy that can win bipartisan support in the Senate.
The first path would provide only “temporary satisfaction,” given that regulatory moves can be undone by future presidents, said Schultz, president of the nonprofit 1st Amendment Partnership.
Nathan Diament, executive director of the Orthodox Union Advocacy Center, cited Biden’s campaign-trail appeals for unity — and his commitment to faith outreach — as positive signs for more engagement on the issue next year.
Related Articles National Politics | Another California district may require schools to tell parents if their child is transgender
Another California district may require schools to tell parents if their child is transgender National Politics | America’s educational culture wars hit Bay Area school district
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California teacher on leave after ‘Angels in America’ controversy hopes to return to class National Politics | Attorney General Rob Bonta ‘deeply disturbed’ by Murrieta Valley schools’ transgender policy “He and his team will be very well-positioned to broker compromise if they want to, to get this done,” said Diament, who has advised both the Trump and Obama administrations.
Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through the Religion News Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for this content.


mercurynews--2020-11-28--Richmond man arrested in connection with Gilroy stabbing

Gilroy police have arrested a man suspected of stabbing an employee of a local business numerous times on Friday evening @ @ @ @ @ The man , 19-year-old Richmond resident Aris David Perez , is being held on suspicion @ @ @ @ @ after 6:30 p.m. , Perez and others were confronted by the victim for “ causing @ @ @ @ @ business on the 7300 block of Monterey Road , police said .
Authorities say Perez @ @ @ @ @ is an employee of the business , numerous times before fleeing the scene with two @ @ @ @ @ scene and provided “ life-saving first aid ” to the victim , who was then @ @ @ @ @ center .
The victim is expected to survive the attack .
Later , police say @ @ @ @ @ Gilroy residence as a passenger in a vehicle .
Perez was arrested and booked into @ @ @ @ @ .
The female driver of the vehicle was arrested on suspicion of DUI .

Gilroy police arrested a man suspected of stabbing an employee of a local business numerous times on Friday evening, then fleeing the scene.
The man, a 19-year-old Richmond man, was being held on suspicion of attempted homicide.
Just after 6:30 p.m., the suspect and others were confronted by the victim for “causing a disturbance” outside a business on the 7300 block of Monterey Road, police said.
Authorities say the Richmond man stabbed the victim, who is an employee of the business, numerous times before fleeing the scene with two others.
Police arrived on scene and provided “life-saving first aid” to the victim, who was then flown to a local trauma center. The victim was expected to survive the attack.
Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | Why a San Mateo County police department faces potential dissolution
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Texas sheriff’s corporal arrested on suspicion of fatal hit-and-run crash on California freeway Crime and Public Safety | Mar-a-Lago property manager De Oliveira pleads not guilty
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Giuliani: Legal quagmires have left him broke Crime and Public Safety | Oakland nonfatal shooting suspect hit with federal gun possession charges Later, police said they observed the suspect leaving a Gilroy residence as a passenger in a vehicle.
The man was arrested and booked into the Santa Clara County jail. The female driver of the vehicle was arrested on suspicion of DUI.


mercurynews--2020-11-29--Horoscopes Nov. 29, 2020: Anna Faris, stay focused on what matters to you

Happy Birthday : Stay focused on what matters to you .
Refuse to let others sidetrack you .
Set personal goals , and live up to your expectations .
Keep an open mind , but don ’ t get trapped in someone else ’ s dream .
Stay true to yourself , and make changes that make you feel and look your best .
Be innovative and imaginative , and pursue the adventures that excite you most .
Your numbers are 9 , 14 , 23 , 27 , 34 , 41 , 46 .
ARIES ( March 21-April 19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and your mindset on what you are trying to accomplish .
Concentrate on doing your best to make a difference .
Turn your attention to activities that will lift your spirits and make you feel energized .
4 stars TAURUS ( April 20-May 20 ) : A change of heart will lead you in a better direction .
Consider what you want to do , and get started .
Don ’ t let uncertainty hold you back .
A partnership will inspire you to follow your heart .
Romance is on the rise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 ) : Pay attention to what ’ s going on around you .
You may have to intervene if someone is misrepresenting a situation that involves you .
Damage control will help anyone from getting the wrong impression .
Do your part and carry on .
3 stars CANCER ( June 21-July 22 ) : Size up what you can accomplish , and get started .
Worrying about what others do will hold you back .
Put your best foot forward , and do what you can to live up to your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 stars LEO ( July 23-Aug. 22 ) : Join the front line of whatever cause you believe in , and you will stop someone from pushing you in a direction you don ’ t want to go .
Fight for your rights and for those less fortunate and unable to fend for themselves .
4 stars VIRGO ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22 ) : Find a new way to reach out while social distancing .
How you connect with others will make a difference in how things you are pursuing unfold .
An @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something new .
Romance is favored .
2 stars LIBRA ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22 ) : Defuse anger and replace it with compassion and understanding .
Sitting on the fence will not help you resolve much , but research and open discussions will help you make up your mind .
A relationship will get a burst of energy .
3 stars SCORPIO ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21 ) : Discuss personal plans with someone you love .
Be open to suggestions and willing to compromise .
An unexpected offer will encourage you to leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new and exciting .
Personal growth is favored .
3 stars SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21 ) : A change at home will lift your spirits .
The effort you put into making your space more manageable will ease stress and encourage you to get more involved in projects that will make your life better .
Personal accomplishments are favored .
3 stars CAPRICORN ( Dec. 22-Jan. 19 ) : Speak up about how you feel and how you want to move forward with your intentions and plans .
Share emotions and offer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone you love .
A positive adjustment at home will improve your life .
5 stars AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18 ) : Check off what ’ s on your to-do list , and put your responsibilities behind you early in the day .
Enjoy downtime with someone who brings out the best in you .
Personal gain can be yours if you make fitness and good health your priorities .
5 stars PISCES ( Feb. 19-March 20 ) : Pay close attention to where you spend your money , and you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cash in your pocket .
A joint venture looks promising as long as you share the expenses equally .
An unexpected gift is heading your way .
2 stars Birthday Baby : You are enthusiastic , physical and perceptive .
You are imaginative and unique .

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Anna Faris, 44; Don Cheadle, 56; Andrew McCarthy, 58; Howie Mandel, 65.
Happy Birthday: Stay focused on what matters to you. Refuse to let others sidetrack you. Set personal goals, and live up to your expectations. Keep an open mind, but don’t get trapped in someone else’s dream. Stay true to yourself, and make changes that make you feel and look your best. Be innovative and imaginative, and pursue the adventures that excite you most. Your numbers are 9, 14, 23, 27, 34, 41, 46.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Keep your ego in check and your mindset on what you are trying to accomplish. Concentrate on doing your best to make a difference. Turn your attention to activities that will lift your spirits and make you feel energized. 4 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): A change of heart will lead you in a better direction. Consider what you want to do, and get started. Don’t let uncertainty hold you back. A partnership will inspire you to follow your heart. Romance is on the rise. 3 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Pay attention to what’s going on around you. You may have to intervene if someone is misrepresenting a situation that involves you. Damage control will help anyone from getting the wrong impression. Do your part and carry on. 3 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Size up what you can accomplish, and get started. Worrying about what others do will hold you back. Put your best foot forward, and do what you can to live up to your own expectations. Romance is favored. 3 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Join the front line of whatever cause you believe in, and you will stop someone from pushing you in a direction you don’t want to go. Fight for your rights and for those less fortunate and unable to fend for themselves. 4 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Find a new way to reach out while social distancing. How you connect with others will make a difference in how things you are pursuing unfold. An unexpected offer will encourage you to start something new. Romance is favored. 2 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Defuse anger and replace it with compassion and understanding. Sitting on the fence will not help you resolve much, but research and open discussions will help you make up your mind. A relationship will get a burst of energy. 3 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Discuss personal plans with someone you love. Be open to suggestions and willing to compromise. An unexpected offer will encourage you to leave the past behind and embark on something new and exciting. Personal growth is favored. 3 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): A change at home will lift your spirits. The effort you put into making your space more manageable will ease stress and encourage you to get more involved in projects that will make your life better. Personal accomplishments are favored. 3 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Speak up about how you feel and how you want to move forward with your intentions and plans. Share emotions and offer proposals that will bring you closer to someone you love. A positive adjustment at home will improve your life. 5 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Check off what’s on your to-do list, and put your responsibilities behind you early in the day. Enjoy downtime with someone who brings out the best in you. Personal gain can be yours if you make fitness and good health your priorities. 5 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Pay close attention to where you spend your money, and you’ll find a discrepancy that will put cash in your pocket. A joint venture looks promising as long as you share the expenses equally. An unexpected gift is heading your way. 2 stars
Birthday Baby: You are enthusiastic, physical and perceptive. You are imaginative and unique.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.


Bridge: Nov. 29, 2020

Cy the Cynic says it ’ s no use going back to look for a lost opportunity .
Somebody else already found it .
In a team match , both Souths played at six spades after West overcalled in diamonds .
West led the king of diamonds , and both declarers had their opportunity .
At one table , declarer took dummy ’ s ace , drew trumps , cashed four more trumps for amusement and took his A-K of hearts .
West saved the K-9-8 of clubs and queen of diamonds , and when South led a club to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to his queen at the end , West took two clubs .
The second declarer made the most of his opportunity at Trick One .
He placed West with the king of clubs for his two-level overcall , hence a minor-suit squeeze was possible .
But for the squeeze to work , South had to “ rectify the count ” : lose one trick to have a chance for 12 .
So South let the king of diamonds win .
West shifted to a trump , and South took the queen , discarded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and cashed six more trumps .
When he took his A-K of hearts next , West had room for two cards .
He had to keep the queen of diamonds , so he bared his king of clubs .
South discarded dummy ’ s jack of diamonds and won the last two tricks with the ace and queen of clubs .
To be fair , the first South had a chance even after he won the first trick : He could lead dummy ’ s jack of diamonds next and pitch a club @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , South could win in dummy and ruff a diamond so that only West could guard diamonds .
Then the squeeze would still operate .

Cy the Cynic says it’s no use going back to look for a lost opportunity. Somebody else already found it.
In a team match, both Souths played at six spades after West overcalled in diamonds. West led the king of diamonds, and both declarers had their opportunity.
At one table, declarer took dummy’s ace, drew trumps, cashed four more trumps for amusement and took his A-K of hearts. West saved the K-9-8 of clubs and queen of diamonds, and when South led a club to dummy’s ace and a club to his queen at the end, West took two clubs.
The second declarer made the most of his opportunity at Trick One. He placed West with the king of clubs for his two-level overcall, hence a minor-suit squeeze was possible. But for the squeeze to work, South had to “rectify the count”: lose one trick to have a chance for 12. So South let the king of diamonds win.
West shifted to a trump, and South took the queen, discarded a club on the ace of diamonds and cashed six more trumps. When he took his A-K of hearts next, West had room for two cards. He had to keep the queen of diamonds, so he bared his king of clubs. South discarded dummy’s jack of diamonds and won the last two tricks with the ace and queen of clubs.
To be fair, the first South had a chance even after he won the first trick: He could lead dummy’s jack of diamonds next and pitch a club. If West shifted to a trump, South could win in dummy and ruff a diamond so that only West could guard diamonds. Then the squeeze would still operate.
South dealer
Neither side vulnerable
NORTH
S Q 10
H 7 5 3 2
D A J 6 3
C A 6 4
WEST
S 7 4
H Q
D K Q 10 5 2
C K 9 8 5 2
EAST
S 9 3
H J 10 9 8 6 4
D 9 8 7
C J 10
SOUTH
S A K J 8 6 5 2
H A K
D 4
C Q 7 3
South West North East
1 S 2 D Dbl Pass
4 S Pass 5 C Pass
6 S All Pass
Opening lead — D K
(C)2020 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


Word Game: Nov. 29, 2020

Can you find 71 or more words in FLIPPANTLY ?
To purchase the Word Game book , visit WordGameBooks.com .
@ @ @ @ @ $ 5 while supplies last !
1 .
Words must be of four or more @ @ @ @ @ that acquire four letters by the addition of “ s , ” such as “ @ @ @ @ @ , ” are not allowed .
3 .
Additional words made by adding a “ @ @ @ @ @ s ” may not be used .
For example , if “ bake ” is @ @ @ @ @ or “ bakes ” are not allowed , but “ bake ” and “ baking @ @ @ @ @ .
Proper nouns , slang words , or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not @ @

TODAY’S WORD — FLIPPANTLY (FLIPPANTLY: FLIP-ent-lee: With disrespectful levity or casualness.)
Average mark 52 words
Time limit 60 minutes
Can you find 71 or more words in FLIPPANTLY?
TODAY’S WORD — FLIPPANTLY fail faint faintly fall fiat fill filly final finally fitly flail flan flap
flat flatly flay flint flinty flip flippant flit lain laity lift lilt lily lint linty liny litany inapt inaptly inlay
inly pail pain paint pall pant panty pilaf pill pint piny pita pitfall pity plain plainly plaint plait
plan plant plat platy play pliant pliantly alit ally anti apply aptly naif nail nippy tall tally till
tiny tippy
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!
RULES OF THE GAME:
1. Words must be of four or more letters.
2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.
3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.
4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.


mercurynews--2020-11-29--Ask Amy: I was fine with my husband’s infertility until I got pregnant

Dear Amy : When my husband and I first met , he confided that he was infertile .
He wanted to be transparent about it .
I appreciated the honesty , and at that time I could take it or leave it when it came to having children .
However , a year and a half ago I got pregnant .
No , I wasn ’ t cheating — we actually got pregnant !
We were both surprised and excited .
Unfortunately , I had a miscarriage .
That experience was really difficult , emotionally , physically , and mentally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t help but think about getting pregnant again .
I want to have a family now and we ’ re both taking steps to try to conceive .
I find myself wondering : What if it doesn ’ t work ?
Then I get saddened by the thought .
We don ’ t have tons of money to put toward IVF or adoption , and we are at a loss about what to do .
• Ask Amy : Now I realize why she doesn ’ t have other friends • Ask Amy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forever • Ask Amy : He ’ s keeping a secret from our dad , and it makes things worse • Ask Amy : I resent these maskless people .
Am I being paranoid ?
• Ask Amy : We need to get our dad out of her clutches Dear Changed : You don ’ t mention you or your husband receiving medical advice about his — and your — fertility .
Before you panic , he should see a urologist who specializes in male fertility .
Knowledge is power , and you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Explore all of your options , including fostering a child and/or adopting a child through the foster care system .
Adoptuskids.org is a clearinghouse for information concerning adopting children from the foster care system .
The website offers state-by-state guidelines and reports that there are usually no or low fees associated with adopting ( aside from perhaps hiring your own attorney ) , and that in some cases , financial assistance is available .
Specialists are available to answer your questions through info @ adoptuskids.org or by calling ( 888 ) 200-4005 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of friendship , my dear friend is now shunning me .
This full-stop disconnection is unexpected , perplexing and hurtful .
I blame the fact that she is a longtime member of an organization within her Christian church , a significant financial contributor , and a supernumerary .
I think she ’ s ended her nonreligious connections to old friends altogether , to “ go to the next level ” in the organization .
The group advocates self-denial and encourages supernumeraries to recruit new members amongst receptive friends .
Nonreceptive friends are discouraged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began closing herself off from other unaffiliated friends , but we talked daily , and she still initiated frequent contact .
I hung in there .
We ’ re old ladies ; I was expecting to spend my retirement years relying on this friendship for consolation and companionship .
Two months ago , she retired , and she cut off communication with me .
I think I was a good friend , a loyal confidante , and positive counsel .
But this group is cult-like in its devotees ’ self-isolation and distancing from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agnostic , not interested in joining , but wasn ’ t judgmental .
I think her religious counselors finally told her to curtail our friendship , because I ’ m not a receptive candidate for recruitment .
Do I let the friendship go ?
Dear Bereft : If you are an agnostic , then you are not a likely candidate for recruitment into this Christian group .
As much as this withdrawal hurts , I don ’ t think you should necessarily assign this reason , although the fact that you don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t belong means that your friendship is ending , because your friend has turned toward something , and she has been taught to believe that her choice necessitates that she turn away from you .
Any group requiring absolute exclusivity is not a group I ’ d ever want to be a part of , but this is not up to me , or you .
Unfortunately , you don ’ t seem to have a choice but to let the friendship go .
Friendships wax , wane , and end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is especially painful after such a long history , and at your age , because you understand how rare intimate friendships are , and how irreplaceable people are .
I ’ m very sorry you are experiencing this loss .
Her choice is not an indictment of you or your qualities as a friend ; as hard as this is , you should not take this as a personal rejection .
Dear Amy : Regarding your answer to “ Catholic Guilt , ” talk about offensive advice !
OK , don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t value baptism , then don ’ t create a naming rite meant to substitute for a church sacrament .
This is about the soul , not a party .
What ’ s next ?
A bread-baking brunch that substitutes for First Communion ?
Dear Sad : Your response exactly mirrors how I predicted “ Catholic Guilt ’ s ” parents would respond to a naming rite versus baptism .
But I ’ d be in favor of a bread-baking brunch any time ; no need to wait for a special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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: When my husband and I first met, he confided that he was infertile. He wanted to be transparent about it. I appreciated the honesty, and at that time I could take it or leave it when it came to having children.
However, a year and a half ago I got pregnant. No, I wasn’t cheating — we actually got pregnant! We were both surprised and excited.
Unfortunately, I had a miscarriage. That experience was really difficult, emotionally, physically, and mentally.
Since then, I can’t help but think about getting pregnant again. I want to have a family now and we’re both taking steps to try to conceive.
I find myself wondering: What if it doesn’t work? Then I get saddened by the thought.
We don’t have tons of money to put toward IVF or adoption, and we are at a loss about what to do.
Changed my Mind
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Knowledge is power, and you should approach this as a team. Explore all of your options, including fostering a child and/or adopting a child through the foster care system.
Adoptuskids.org is a clearinghouse for information concerning adopting children from the foster care system. The website offers state-by-state guidelines and reports that there are usually no or low fees associated with adopting (aside from perhaps hiring your own attorney), and that in some cases, financial assistance is available. Specialists are available to answer your questions through info@adoptuskids.org or by calling (888) 200-4005.
Dear Amy: After over 30 years of friendship, my dear friend is now shunning me.
This full-stop disconnection is unexpected, perplexing and hurtful. I blame the fact that she is a longtime member of an organization within her Christian church, a significant financial contributor, and a supernumerary.
I think she’s ended her nonreligious connections to old friends altogether, to “go to the next level” in the organization.
The group advocates self-denial and encourages supernumeraries to recruit new members amongst receptive friends. Nonreceptive friends are discouraged.
A year ago, my friend began closing herself off from other unaffiliated friends, but we talked daily, and she still initiated frequent contact.
I hung in there. We’re old ladies; I was expecting to spend my retirement years relying on this friendship for consolation and companionship.
Two months ago, she retired, and she cut off communication with me.
I think I was a good friend, a loyal confidante, and positive counsel. But this group is cult-like in its devotees’ self-isolation and distancing from friends and family.
I’m agnostic, not interested in joining, but wasn’t judgmental. I think her religious counselors finally told her to curtail our friendship, because I’m not a receptive candidate for recruitment.
Do I let the friendship go?
Bereft
Dear Bereft: If you are an agnostic, then you are not a likely candidate for recruitment into this Christian group. As much as this withdrawal hurts, I don’t think you should necessarily assign this reason, although the fact that you don’t, won’t, and can’t belong means that your friendship is ending, because your friend has turned toward something, and she has been taught to believe that her choice necessitates that she turn away from you.
Any group requiring absolute exclusivity is not a group I’d ever want to be a part of, but this is not up to me, or you.
Unfortunately, you don’t seem to have a choice but to let the friendship go. Friendships wax, wane, and end for all sorts of reasons. This is especially painful after such a long history, and at your age, because you understand how rare intimate friendships are, and how irreplaceable people are.
I’m very sorry you are experiencing this loss. Her choice is not an indictment of you or your qualities as a friend; as hard as this is, you should not take this as a personal rejection.
Dear Amy: Regarding your answer to “Catholic Guilt,” talk about offensive advice!
OK, don’t baptize the baby, but if you don’t value baptism, then don’t create a naming rite meant to substitute for a church sacrament.
This is about the soul, not a party. What’s next? A bread-baking brunch that substitutes for First Communion?
Sad
Dear Sad: Your response exactly mirrors how I predicted “Catholic Guilt’s” parents would respond to a naming rite versus baptism.
But I’d be in favor of a bread-baking brunch any time; no need to wait for a special occasion.
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--2020-11-29--Dear Abby: I want to tell her she can’t visit since she hates California so much

DEAR ABBY : My sisters and I grew up in California .
One of my sisters moved to Texas with her husband 29 years ago .
Over the years I have had to listen to her put California down .
On the occasions when she visits , she never fails to mention how crowded it is , how the air is terrible and how our government is a joke .
Recently , she asked to come here for a visit , and I agreed .
The next day I got a text from her with an article attached about “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ irritated that I no longer want her to come next month .
• Dear Abby : She dropped off her kids at the start of the pandemic and won ’ t take them back • Dear Abby : I don ’ t appreciate her Christmas tradition , but everyone tells me to keep quiet • Dear Abby : I resent how she treats me because I have money • Dear Abby : I gave her some loving advice and she flew into a rage • Dear Abby : Should I ditch my friend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do I handle this ?
DEAR ANNOYED : Are you telling me you have tolerated your sister ’ s jibes about our great state of California all this time without putting a stop to it ?
That woman has a lot of nerve !
If she truly hates it here , why is she willing to come ?
Although California may have its natural disasters , a large homeless population , unhealthful air quality , scorching heat waves and the promise of even higher taxes to come — other states are not without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to want to immigrate to California in droves , judging by the traffic .
The time has come to draw the line .
Tell your sister you don ’ t like her needling , and if she doesn ’ t cut it out , her invitation will be rescinded .
DEAR ABBY : I have been married to my husband for 38 years .
Our two children are adults now .
Our older son has had the same girlfriend for 11 years , but my in-laws still won ’ t accept her because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they don ’ t include her in some family functions .
How can I let them know in a nice way that she is family to me ?
Even my husband doesn ’ t regard her as family .
I understand some people are that way , but I was raised by a mother who saw all of our friends and boyfriends and girlfriends as family , even after some were divorced .
I feel like skipping these family functions if my children and their girlfriends aren ’ t included .
What can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in-laws have a right to their opinions , and so do you .
Listen to your heart .
If it ’ s telling you that you would rather spend those times with your children and their girlfriends , go ahead and do it .
I am assuming that the son who is involved in the long-term relationship would not be leaving his girlfriend home alone when these gatherings are held , because if that ’ s the case after 11 years , she should dump him .
DEAR ABBY : For the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my four nieces and nephews birthday and Christmas cards with checks enclosed .
They are adults now with jobs and families .
How can I gently tell them that I wish to discontinue the checks in their cards ?
NO MORE IN FLORIDA DEAR NO MORE : All you need to do is remind them — lovingly — that because they are adults now , with jobs and families of their own , you would like to exchange cards on special occasions rather than send money .
Many parents do this when their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .

DEAR ABBY: My sisters and I grew up in California. One of my sisters moved to Texas with her husband 29 years ago.
Over the years I have had to listen to her put California down. On the occasions when she visits, she never fails to mention how crowded it is, how the air is terrible and how our government is a joke.
Recently, she asked to come here for a visit, and I agreed. The next day I got a text from her with an article attached about “Why California Sucks.” I am so irritated that I no longer want her to come next month.
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ANNOYED IN CALIFORNIA
DEAR ANNOYED: Are you telling me you have tolerated your sister’s jibes about our great state of California all this time without putting a stop to it?
That woman has a lot of nerve! If she truly hates it here, why is she willing to come?
Although California may have its natural disasters, a large homeless population, unhealthful air quality, scorching heat waves and the promise of even higher taxes to come — other states are not without their challenges. Yet folks still seem to want to immigrate to California in droves, judging by the traffic.
The time has come to draw the line. Tell your sister you don’t like her needling, and if she doesn’t cut it out, her invitation will be rescinded.
DEAR ABBY: I have been married to my husband for 38 years. Our two children are adults now.
Our older son has had the same girlfriend for 11 years, but my in-laws still won’t accept her because they aren’t married, so they don’t include her in some family functions. How can I let them know in a nice way that she is family to me? Even my husband doesn’t regard her as family.
I understand some people are that way, but I was raised by a mother who saw all of our friends and boyfriends and girlfriends as family, even after some were divorced.
I feel like skipping these family functions if my children and their girlfriends aren’t included. What can I do?
INCLUSIVE IN OKLAHOMA
DEAR INCLUSIVE: Your in-laws have a right to their opinions, and so do you. Listen to your heart. If it’s telling you that you would rather spend those times with your children and their girlfriends, go ahead and do it.
I am assuming that the son who is involved in the long-term relationship would not be leaving his girlfriend home alone when these gatherings are held, because if that’s the case after 11 years, she should dump him.
DEAR ABBY: For the last 20 years, I have been sending my four nieces and nephews birthday and Christmas cards with checks enclosed. They are adults now with jobs and families. How can I gently tell them that I wish to discontinue the checks in their cards?
NO MORE IN FLORIDA
DEAR NO MORE: All you need to do is remind them — lovingly — that because they are adults now, with jobs and families of their own, you would like to exchange cards on special occasions rather than send money. Many parents do this when their children reach adulthood.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.


mercurynews--2020-11-29--Saturday Night Five: CFP now out of reach and why it matters; officiating woes; Oregon State’s state

Saturday Night Five: CFP now out of reach and why it matters; officiating woes; Oregon State’s statement; UCLA’s forward leap

Instant reaction to Pac-12 developments on and off the field … 1 .
MIA for the CFP ( again ) The Pac-12 emerged from the initial College Football Playoff rankings on Tuesday with an extraordinarily narrow path into the semifinals .
The conference required a dominant finish by either No .
15 Oregon or No .
18 USC and massive help in the form of losses elsewhere to simply join the playoff conversation in the final weeks of the season .
Then came the double-whammy , first with USC ’ s cancellation on Thursday and then with Oregon ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t do better than 6-0 and won ’ t face a ranked opponent until at least the championship game — they aren ’ t getting in and probably won ’ t come close .
And after their come-from-ahead loss in Corvallis , the Ducks are toast .
Meanwhile , the other undefeated teams , Washington and Colorado , are unranked by the CFP selection committee and lack the rocket fuel on their upcoming schedules to climb into the top 10 .
All hope is gone .
The Pac-12 will miss the playoff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equally damaging from a PR standpoint , it won ’ t even be in the stretch-run conversation for the second time in three years .
As far as the playoff trappings are concerned … the ESPN and Fox studio show banter … the social media debates … the recruiting benefits … the Pac-12 is no different than Conference USA .
That ’ s not entirely a surprise .
The CFP became a long shot the moment the university presidents pushed the restart back to Nov. 7 .
But to be eliminated from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks remaining — is unquestionably a blow .
That was some finish in Corvallis , where Oregon State not only rallied from a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter to stun the Ducks but also did the conference office a gigantic favor .
Had OSU lost , the officiating during their final drive would have been the story , the whole story and nothing but the story .
First of all , we ’ re dumbfounded the line judge didn ’ t give quarterback Tristan Gebbia a touchdown on the second-down run .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his chest as his body fell forward into the end zone in such a manner that his waist could be seen crossing the plane .
Unless the ball was somehow jammed between his knees when he fell forward , it was a touchdown .
And it wasn ’ t jammed between his knees .
BUT : The ball wasn ’ t visible in the replay shot down the goal line .
Because of that , the bad call on the field could not get overturned .
Things got much worse on the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Maia Chaka , somehow missed Oregon defensive tackle Austin Faoliu jumping offside so egregiously it was visible from space .
Add confusion with the timeout situation and Jonathan Smith conversing with the officials 20 yards onto the field , and the sequence was stocked with bad officiating optics for a conference that has more than its share of bad officiating optics .
Oh , and let ’ s add one more : If Gebbia ’ s touchdown had been ruled correctly , he wouldn ’ t have been on the field for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t have gotten hurt .
In addition to slaying their enemy , denying the Pac-12 a playoff contender and letting the officials of the hook , the Beavers accomplished one more item on their to-do list : The sent a message , far and wide , that things are changing in Corvallis .
From our perspective , Smith ’ s program is two years ahead of schedule in his third year .
OSU was 1-11 before he arrived , 2-10 in his first year , 5-7 in his second year and is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that matters more than any other .
No coach in the conference has done a better job mixing and matching disparate pieces to make his system work .
Tailback Jermar Jefferson is the overwhelming favorite for Offensive Player of the Year .
Gebbia was uneven through three-and-a-half games but stellar in the second half against the Ducks .
And the offensive line is the biggest upside surprise of any position group on any team in the conference .
The Beavers finished the game on a 22-7 run , and it was no fluke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It sure left the Hotline wondering what might have been for OSU with a different spot of the ball — an accurate spot — on Jefferson ’ s fourth-down run in the Week Two loss in Seattle .
4 .
Rising on the horizon , is that … ?
Maybe this will help aid your recall : 1,099 days ago , the Bruins hired Chip Kelly to revitalize a program that , incomprehensibly , hasn ’ t won the conference title in 22 years .
During most of his three-years-and-three-days in charge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope in the UCLA fan base that the program would rise above the standard of its recent past .
But after an inspired performance at Oregon and a ( mostly ) stress-free win over Arizona tonight — both accomplished without the services of quarantined quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson — the Bruins are 2-2 and looking very much like a factor in the South .
What strikes us most , above and beyond the first-rate playmaking skills of tailback Demetric Felton , is the play of UCLA ’ s defensive line .
The entire front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bruins have displayed a level of physicality on both sides of scrimmage that we haven ’ t seen since forever .
It would come as less-than-zero surprise if they handled Arizona State next weekend — the Sun Devils have been out of action for three weeks — and then took care of USC .
If they ever reach the point of consistently limiting turnovers , they might even be dangerous .
A few words on the races … In the North , Washington ( 3-0 ) is alone in first place but hardly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is one game back in the loss column and hosts UW in two weeks .
If the Ducks win out , they take the crown .
If the Huskies win out , they ’ re champs .
In fact , UW could lose to Stanford next week and still win the division .
So long as the Huskies handle business in Eugene , they would have the tiebreaker advantage over Oregon .
In the South , the Trojans are in charge .
Not only are they in charge , but they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Colorado game .
If both teams win out , the Trojans would finish 5-0 and the Buffaloes 4-0 ( conference games only ) .
According to Pac-12 tiebreaker rules , teams are considered tied if they have the same number of losses and no more than a one-game difference in wins .
The first tiebreaker , head-to-head result , would be moot .
The second component , division record , would favor USC ( 4-0 ) over Colorado ( 3-0 ) .
The difference , essentially , would be that USC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) Arizona State , while the Buffs had a no contest declared because of ASU ’ s COVID issues .
Support the Hotline : Several Hotline articles will remain free each month ( as will the newsletter ) , but for access to all content , you ’ ll need to subscribe .
I ’ ve secured a rate of $ 1 per week for a full year or just 99 cents for the first month , with the option to cancel anytime .
Click here .
And thanks for your loyalty .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( confidentiality guaranteed ) to pac12hotline @ bayareanewsgroup.com or call 408-920-5716 *** Pac-12 Hotline is not endorsed or sponsored by the Pac-12 Conference , and the views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Conference .

Instant reaction to Pac-12 developments on and off the field …
1. MIA for the CFP (again)
The Pac-12 emerged from the initial College Football Playoff rankings on Tuesday with an extraordinarily narrow path into the semifinals.
The conference required a dominant finish by either No. 15 Oregon or No. 18 USC and massive help in the form of losses elsewhere to simply join the playoff conversation in the final weeks of the season.
Then came the double-whammy, first with USC’s cancellation on Thursday and then with Oregon’s loss on Friday.
The Trojans can’t do better than 6-0 and won’t face a ranked opponent until at least the championship game — they aren’t getting in and probably won’t come close.
And after their come-from-ahead loss in Corvallis, the Ducks are toast.
Meanwhile, the other undefeated teams, Washington and Colorado, are unranked by the CFP selection committee and lack the rocket fuel on their upcoming schedules to climb into the top 10.
All hope is gone.
The Pac-12 will miss the playoff for the fourth consecutive season and, equally damaging from a PR standpoint, it won’t even be in the stretch-run conversation for the second time in three years.
As far as the playoff trappings are concerned … the ESPN and Fox studio show banter … the social media debates … the recruiting benefits … the Pac-12 is no different than Conference USA.
It’s a non-entity.
That’s not entirely a surprise. The CFP became a long shot the moment the university presidents pushed the restart back to Nov. 7.
But to be eliminated from the conversation before Dec. 1 — with three weeks remaining — is unquestionably a blow.
2. Pac-12 refs gonna Pac-12 ref
That was some finish in Corvallis, where Oregon State not only rallied from a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter to stun the Ducks but also did the conference office a gigantic favor.
Had OSU lost, the officiating during their final drive would have been the story, the whole story and nothing but the story.
First of all, we’re dumbfounded the line judge didn’t give quarterback Tristan Gebbia a touchdown on the second-down run.
He was clearly cradling the ball to his chest as his body fell forward into the end zone in such a manner that his waist could be seen crossing the plane.
Unless the ball was somehow jammed between his knees when he fell forward, it was a touchdown.
And it wasn’t jammed between his knees.
BUT: The ball wasn’t visible in the replay shot down the goal line. Because of that, the bad call on the field could not get overturned.
Things got much worse on the next play, when the same line judge, Maia Chaka, somehow missed Oregon defensive tackle Austin Faoliu jumping offside so egregiously it was visible from space.
Add confusion with the timeout situation and Jonathan Smith conversing with the officials 20 yards onto the field, and the sequence was stocked with bad officiating optics for a conference that has more than its share of bad officiating optics.
Oh, and let’s add one more:
If Gebbia’s touchdown had been ruled correctly, he wouldn’t have been on the field for the next play — and wouldn’t have gotten hurt.
3. Beware the Beavers
In addition to slaying their enemy, denying the Pac-12 a playoff contender and letting the officials of the hook, the Beavers accomplished one more item on their to-do list:
The sent a message, far and wide, that things are changing in Corvallis.
From our perspective, Smith’s program is two years ahead of schedule in his third year.
OSU was 1-11 before he arrived, 2-10 in his first year, 5-7 in his second year and is now 2-2 … and victorious in the game that matters more than any other.
No coach in the conference has done a better job mixing and matching disparate pieces to make his system work.
(Then again, it’s OSU: Mixing and matching is the only way to build a competitive roster. Mike Riley did it magnificently for many years. Smith, who played for Riley, has the touch.)
Tailback Jermar Jefferson is the overwhelming favorite for Offensive Player of the Year.
Gebbia was uneven through three-and-a-half games but stellar in the second half against the Ducks.
And the offensive line is the biggest upside surprise of any position group on any team in the conference.
The Beavers finished the game on a 22-7 run, and it was no fluke whatsoever.
They were the better team.
It sure left the Hotline wondering what might have been for OSU with a different spot of the ball — an accurate spot — on Jefferson’s fourth-down run in the Week Two loss in Seattle.
4. Rising on the horizon, is that …?
Yes, it’s UCLA.
UCLA football.
Remember the Bruins?
Maybe this will help aid your recall: 1,099 days ago, the Bruins hired Chip Kelly to revitalize a program that, incomprehensibly, hasn’t won the conference title in 22 years.
During most of his three-years-and-three-days in charge, Kelly did very little to inspire hope in the UCLA fan base that the program would rise above the standard of its recent past.
But after an inspired performance at Oregon and a (mostly) stress-free win over Arizona tonight — both accomplished without the services of quarantined quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson — the Bruins are 2-2 and looking very much like a factor in the South.
What strikes us most, above and beyond the first-rate playmaking skills of tailback Demetric Felton, is the play of UCLA’s defensive line.
It’s big, fast and aggressive.
The entire front seven is.
In fact, the Bruins have displayed a level of physicality on both sides of scrimmage that we haven’t seen since forever.
It would come as less-than-zero surprise if they handled Arizona State next weekend — the Sun Devils have been out of action for three weeks — and then took care of USC.
If they ever reach the point of consistently limiting turnovers, they might even be dangerous.
5. Making sense of the division scenes
A few words on the races …
In the North, Washington (3-0) is alone in first place but hardly in command.
Oregon (3-1) is one game back in the loss column and hosts UW in two weeks.
If the Ducks win out, they take the crown.
If the Huskies win out, they’re champs.
In fact, UW could lose to Stanford next week and still win the division. So long as the Huskies handle business in Eugene, they would have the tiebreaker advantage over Oregon.
In the South, the Trojans are in charge.
Not only are they in charge, but they’re in better position because of the cancellation of the Colorado game.
If both teams win out, the Trojans would finish 5-0 and the Buffaloes 4-0 (conference games only).
According to Pac-12 tiebreaker rules, teams are considered tied if they have the same number of losses and no more than a one-game difference in wins.
The first tiebreaker, head-to-head result, would be moot.
The second component, division record, would favor USC (4-0) over Colorado (3-0).
The difference, essentially, would be that USC was able to play (and beat) Arizona State, while the Buffs had a no contest declared because of ASU’s COVID issues.
Fair? Nope.
2020? Yep.
Support the Hotline: Several Hotline articles will remain free each month (as will the newsletter), but for access to all content, you’ll need to subscribe. I’ve secured a rate of $1 per week for a full year or just 99 cents for the first month, with the option to cancel anytime. Click here. And thanks for your loyalty.
*** Send suggestions, comments and tips (confidentiality guaranteed) to pac12hotline@bayareanewsgroup.com or call 408-920-5716
*** Follow me on Twitter: @WilnerHotline
*** Pac-12 Hotline is not endorsed or sponsored by the Pac-12 Conference, and the views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Conference.


mercurynews--2020-11-29--Sheriff’s Department: Southern California man killed after attacking ex-girlfriend

A man in his 40s was stabbed and beaten to death Saturday after he broke into his ex-girlfriend ’ s South Pasadena home and assaulted her , authorities said .
The man had thrown a concrete block into the window of the home before 10 a.m. in the 530 block of Five Oaks Drive , said Lt. Barry Hall with the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’ s Department ’ s Homicide Bureau .
The man ran inside and punched and choked the woman , described as a former partner of the assailant , Hall said .
While the man choked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sister came to her aid , Hall said .
During the struggle , the man was stabbed by a kitchen knife and beaten with a golf club .
Responding South Pasadena officers had responded to a domestic violence call , said Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s Deputy Shawn Du Busky .
Officers at the scene found the front window shattered and heard a screaming woman inside .
The officers entered and found the man stabbed and beaten .
The man was pronounced dead at the scene .
His name was withheld pending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitalized the woman , in her 30s , for facial lacerations and contusions and she was later released , Hall said .
The sheriff ’ s Homicide Bureau urged anyone with information to call them at 323-890-5500 .
Tipsters can also call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 .

A man in his 40s was stabbed and beaten to death Saturday after he broke into his ex-girlfriend’s South Pasadena home and assaulted her, authorities said.
The man had thrown a concrete block into the window of the home before 10 a.m. in the 530 block of Five Oaks Drive, said Lt. Barry Hall with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau.
The man ran inside and punched and choked the woman, described as a former partner of the assailant, Hall said.
While the man choked the woman, her mother and adult sister came to her aid, Hall said. During the struggle, the man was stabbed by a kitchen knife and beaten with a golf club.
Responding South Pasadena officers had responded to a domestic violence call, said Los Angeles County sheriff’s Deputy Shawn Du Busky. Officers at the scene found the front window shattered and heard a screaming woman inside. The officers entered and found the man stabbed and beaten.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene. His name was withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Paramedics hospitalized the woman, in her 30s, for facial lacerations and contusions and she was later released, Hall said.
The sheriff’s Homicide Bureau urged anyone with information to call them at 323-890-5500. Tipsters can also call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
City News Service contributed to this story.


mercurynews--2020-11-29--Ethiopia declares victory as military takes Tigray capital

NAIROBI , Kenya — Ethiopia ’ s military has gained “ full control ” of the capital of the defiant Tigray region , the army announced Saturday , and the prime minister said the taking of Mekele marked the “ completion ” of an offensive that started nearly four weeks ago .
The regional government said the city of a half-million people was “ heavily bombarded ” in the final push to arrest its leaders .
“ God bless Ethiopia and its people !
” Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said in a statement .
“ We have entered Mekele without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said , police will pursue the leaders of the Tigray People ’ s Liberation Front , who run the region and dominated Ethiopia ’ s ruling coalition before Abiy came to power in 2018 and sidelined them among the sweeping reforms that won him the Nobel Peace Prize .
Abiy ’ s government has accused the TPLF of inciting unrest and seeking to reclaim power , and each government now regards the other as illegal .
The prime minister has rejected dialogue with TPLF leaders , including during a Friday meeting with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abiy spoke of “ returning normalcy ” to the Tigray region , one of his ministers told The Associated Press in a phone interview “ there is no way ” the search for the TPLF leaders will take weeks .
The minister in charge of democratization , Zadig Abraha , also said the Ethiopian government doesn ’ t yet know the number of people killed in the conflict .
“ We have kept the civilian casualty very low , ” he asserted .
Humanitarians and human rights groups have reported several hundred dead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home and in the diaspora rejoiced at the news that Mekele was under the military ’ s control .
“ Thanks to the Almighty God our creator .
Amen .
Let peace prevail in Ethiopia !
!
!
” former Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn tweeted .
The fighting has threatened to destabilize Ethiopia , which has been described as the linchpin of the strategic Horn of Africa , and its neighbors .
As international alarm has grown since the conflict began on Nov. 4 , so has a massive humanitarian crisis .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been cut off from the world as the military pursued what Abiy called a “ law enforcement operation ” with airstrikes and tanks .
Food , fuel , cash and medical supplies have run desperately low .
Nearly 1 million people have been displaced , including more than 40,000 who fled into Sudan .
Camps home to 96,000 Eritrean refugees in northern Tigray have been in the line of fire .
With communications severed , it is difficult to verify claims by the warring sides .
The Tigray leader , Debretsion Gebremichael , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavily armed TPLF has long experience fighting in the region ’ s rugged terrain , and some experts had warned of a drawn-out conflict .
The TPLF turned churches , schools and densely populated neighborhoods in Mekele “ into armament stores and launching pads , ” senior Ethiopian official Redwan Hussein asserted in a Facebook post .
He said “ scattered remnants ” of the TPLF fighters were carrying out “ sporadic shootings.
” The shelling in Mekele , a densely populated city , immediately raised concerns about civilian casualties .
Ethiopia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be “ no mercy ” if they didn ’ t move away from the TPLF leaders in time .
The United Nations said some fled as tanks closed in and Abiy ’ s 72-hour ultimatum for TPLF leaders to surrender expired .
“ I invite everyone to pray for Ethiopia where armed clashes have intensified and are causing a serious humanitarian situation , ” Pope Francis tweeted Saturday .
“ Fighting and shelling in the Mekele area are a very grave concern .
We urge an immediate end to conflict and restoration of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. diplomat for Africa , Tibor Nagy , tweeted .
As Ethiopian forces moved in , Maj. Gen. Hassan Ibrahim warned that “ it is possible that some of the wanted people may go to their families or neighboring areas and try to hide for few days .
But our armed forces … will be tasked to hunt down and capture these criminals one by one.
” The United Nations continues to seek immediate and unimpeded access to deliver aid .
Zadig , the democratization minister , told the AP that “ once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s no security threat , ” a humanitarian corridor for that purpose will be allowed within days .
As for restoring communications to Tigray , “ it depends on the kind of damage sustained , ” he said .
Asked about allowing independent investigations into alleged abuses during the fighting , Zadig replied , “ We have nothing to hide.
” “ One of the reforms we introduced was transparency .
But it depends on the situation , ” he said .
The minister dismissed the idea that Ethiopia has been left with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” from the conflict , and he expressed confidence in the prime minister ’ s ability to restore normalcy .
“ He ’ s quite an effective leader when it comes to making peace , ” Zadig said .
But the conflict has further inflamed tensions in a country that the former TPLF-dominated government structured along ethnic lines during more than a quarter-century in power .
Massacres reported in a single community , Mai-Kadra , during the recent fighting have led to concerns about what else will be revealed .
Among Abiy ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who fled , though many have reported being attacked by Ethiopian forces and now struggle to find food , shelter and care in a remote part of Sudan .
U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi on Saturday visited Sudan ’ s Umm Rakouba camp , which houses some 10,000 refugees .
He said about $ 150 million is needed over the next six months .
Worryingly , refugees have told the AP that Ethiopian forces near the border are impeding people from leaving .
AP reporters saw crossings slow to a trickle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government has not commented .
“ We have seen the figure of people decline but continuing .
Five to 600 per day is not a small figure , let ’ s make no mistake .
It is true there were days in which they were in their thousands , but it depends also on the difficulty of moving around their country and on the border , ” Grandi said .
• Dismay in Somalia as US considers withdrawing forces Access to Tigray is “ the main obstacle at the moment , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to “ grant us corridors , or whatever they call it , to provide assistance .
”

By Cara Anna | Associated Press
NAIROBI, Kenya — Ethiopia’s military has gained “full control” of the capital of the defiant Tigray region, the army announced Saturday, and the prime minister said the taking of Mekele marked the “completion” of an offensive that started nearly four weeks ago. The regional government said the city of a half-million people was “heavily bombarded” in the final push to arrest its leaders.
“God bless Ethiopia and its people!” Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said in a statement. “We have entered Mekele without innocent civilians being targets.”
Now, he said, police will pursue the leaders of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, who run the region and dominated Ethiopia’s ruling coalition before Abiy came to power in 2018 and sidelined them among the sweeping reforms that won him the Nobel Peace Prize.
Abiy’s government has accused the TPLF of inciting unrest and seeking to reclaim power, and each government now regards the other as illegal. The prime minister has rejected dialogue with TPLF leaders, including during a Friday meeting with three African Union special envoys.
As Abiy spoke of “returning normalcy” to the Tigray region, one of his ministers told The Associated Press in a phone interview “there is no way” the search for the TPLF leaders will take weeks.
The minister in charge of democratization, Zadig Abraha, also said the Ethiopian government doesn’t yet know the number of people killed in the conflict.
“We have kept the civilian casualty very low,” he asserted. Humanitarians and human rights groups have reported several hundred dead, including combatants.
Some Ethiopians at home and in the diaspora rejoiced at the news that Mekele was under the military’s control. “Thanks to the Almighty God our creator. Amen. Let peace prevail in Ethiopia!!!” former Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn tweeted.
The fighting has threatened to destabilize Ethiopia, which has been described as the linchpin of the strategic Horn of Africa, and its neighbors.
As international alarm has grown since the conflict began on Nov. 4, so has a massive humanitarian crisis. The Tigray region of 6 million people has been cut off from the world as the military pursued what Abiy called a “law enforcement operation” with airstrikes and tanks.
Food, fuel, cash and medical supplies have run desperately low. Nearly 1 million people have been displaced, including more than 40,000 who fled into Sudan. Camps home to 96,000 Eritrean refugees in northern Tigray have been in the line of fire.
With communications severed, it is difficult to verify claims by the warring sides. The Tigray leader, Debretsion Gebremichael, could not be reached Saturday. The heavily armed TPLF has long experience fighting in the region’s rugged terrain, and some experts had warned of a drawn-out conflict.
The TPLF turned churches, schools and densely populated neighborhoods in Mekele “into armament stores and launching pads,” senior Ethiopian official Redwan Hussein asserted in a Facebook post. He said “scattered remnants” of the TPLF fighters were carrying out “sporadic shootings.”
The shelling in Mekele, a densely populated city, immediately raised concerns about civilian casualties. Ethiopia’s government had warned residents there would be “no mercy” if they didn’t move away from the TPLF leaders in time. The United Nations said some fled as tanks closed in and Abiy’s 72-hour ultimatum for TPLF leaders to surrender expired.
“I invite everyone to pray for Ethiopia where armed clashes have intensified and are causing a serious humanitarian situation,” Pope Francis tweeted Saturday.
“Fighting and shelling in the Mekele area are a very grave concern. We urge an immediate end to conflict and restoration of peace in Tigray,” the top U.S. diplomat for Africa, Tibor Nagy, tweeted.
As Ethiopian forces moved in, Maj. Gen. Hassan Ibrahim warned that “it is possible that some of the wanted people may go to their families or neighboring areas and try to hide for few days. But our armed forces … will be tasked to hunt down and capture these criminals one by one.”
The United Nations continues to seek immediate and unimpeded access to deliver aid.
Zadig, the democratization minister, told the AP that “once we’ve made sure there’s no security threat,” a humanitarian corridor for that purpose will be allowed within days. As for restoring communications to Tigray, “it depends on the kind of damage sustained,” he said.
Asked about allowing independent investigations into alleged abuses during the fighting, Zadig replied, “We have nothing to hide.”
“One of the reforms we introduced was transparency. But it depends on the situation,” he said.
The minister dismissed the idea that Ethiopia has been left with “any, like, severe wound” from the conflict, and he expressed confidence in the prime minister’s ability to restore normalcy.
“He’s quite an effective leader when it comes to making peace,” Zadig said.
But the conflict has further inflamed tensions in a country that the former TPLF-dominated government structured along ethnic lines during more than a quarter-century in power. Massacres reported in a single community, Mai-Kadra, during the recent fighting have led to concerns about what else will be revealed.
Among Abiy’s goals is welcoming back the refugees who fled, though many have reported being attacked by Ethiopian forces and now struggle to find food, shelter and care in a remote part of Sudan.
U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi on Saturday visited Sudan’s Umm Rakouba camp, which houses some 10,000 refugees. He said about $150 million is needed over the next six months.
Worryingly, refugees have told the AP that Ethiopian forces near the border are impeding people from leaving. AP reporters saw crossings slow to a trickle in recent days. Ethiopia’s government has not commented.
“We have seen the figure of people decline but continuing. Five to 600 per day is not a small figure, let’s make no mistake. It is true there were days in which they were in their thousands, but it depends also on the difficulty of moving around their country and on the border,” Grandi said.


mercurynews--2020-11-29--Governor nixes parole for Manson follower Leslie Van Houten

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) — California Gov .
Gavin Newson has reversed parole for Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten , marking the fourth time a governor has blocked her release .
A California panel recommended parole in July for Van Houten , who has spent nearly five decades in prison .
Newsom reversed her release once previously and his predecessor , Jerry Brown , blocked it twice .
Van Houten ’ s attorney , Rich Pfeiffer , said they will appeal Newsom ’ s decision .
“ This reversal will demonstrate to the courts that there is no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Pfeiffer said .
“ So they have to enforce the law or it will never be enforced.
” Van Houten is serving a life sentence for helping Manson and others kill Los Angeles grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife , Rosemary , in August 1969 .
Van Houten was 19 when she and other cult members fatally stabbed the LaBiancas and smeared the couple ’ s blood on the walls .
The day before , other Manson followers , not including Van Houten , killed pregnant actress Sharon Tate and four others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ evidence shows that she currently poses an unreasonable danger to society if released from prison.
” Pfeiffer had unsuccessfully requested her release in May due to the coronavirus pandemic .
In 2017 , at her parole hearing , Van Houten talked about her childhood , including being devastated by her parents ’ divorce when she was 14 , using drugs , and running away with a boyfriend at the age of 17 .
She met Manson while traveling along the coast .
• Thrust into spotlight of California ’ s crusade against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be an example • Trump , allies continue to refuse to accept his loss Manson was living on the edge of Los Angeles with the “ family ” he recruited to survive a race war that he said he would spark with random , horrifying murders .
Manson died in 2017 of natural causes at a California hospital while serving a life sentence .

LOS ANGELES (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newson has reversed parole for Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten, marking the fourth time a governor has blocked her release.
A California panel recommended parole in July for Van Houten, who has spent nearly five decades in prison. Newsom reversed her release once previously and his predecessor, Jerry Brown, blocked it twice.
Van Houten’s attorney, Rich Pfeiffer, said they will appeal Newsom’s decision.
“This reversal will demonstrate to the courts that there is no way Newsom will let her out,” Pfeiffer said. “So they have to enforce the law or it will never be enforced.”
Related: The Charles Manson family: Where are they now? | Charles Manson murder house back on the market
Van Houten is serving a life sentence for helping Manson and others kill Los Angeles grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary, in August 1969. Van Houten was 19 when she and other cult members fatally stabbed the LaBiancas and smeared the couple’s blood on the walls.
The day before, other Manson followers, not including Van Houten, killed pregnant actress Sharon Tate and four others.
Newsom said in his decision that “evidence shows that she currently poses an unreasonable danger to society if released from prison.”
Pfeiffer had unsuccessfully requested her release in May due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In 2017, at her parole hearing, Van Houten talked about her childhood, including being devastated by her parents’ divorce when she was 14, using drugs, and running away with a boyfriend at the age of 17. She met Manson while traveling along the coast.
Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | Bay Area youth who grew up with the climate movement celebrate landmark Montana case
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Giuliani: Legal quagmires have left him broke Crime and Public Safety | Prosecutors, defense spar over fate of Hunter Biden gun deal Manson was living on the edge of Los Angeles with the “family” he recruited to survive a race war that he said he would spark with random, horrifying murders.
Manson died in 2017 of natural causes at a California hospital while serving a life sentence.


mercurynews--2020-11-29--Refusal to fix roads brings a driver to tears: Roadshow

Q : I cried when I read the front-page article describing how VTA plans to re-prioritize the Measure B tax proceeds to fund the BART extension through San Jose rather than fund the promised road repairs that were described in the 2016 proposition .
How can they do that ?
Although there was a cap described in the proposition ( 25 % for BART ) , VTA now wants to say that cap applies over the 30-year life of Measure B , and they want to use that 25 % and defer road repairs that I believe were the principal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I want 75 % of that money to fund road repairs now , not a BART extension .
If Measure B had said 25 % for BART in the first decade , with road repairs coming later in the remaining 20 years , you and I both know that it never would have passed .
A : Don ’ t be so sure of that .
Santa Clara County voters have approved a half-dozen sales taxes for roads and transit since 1976 and have never turned one down .
But with the virus-depressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending for the 2016 measure needs to be reviewed .
Currently , road upgrades get $ 148 million a year , but that may fall to less than $ 50 million a year if BART tunneling through downtown San Jose is the top priority .
The VTA expects to make some tough choices next spring .
Q : I have a sincere but possibly fruitless hope that the main Diridon train station in downtown San Jose is somehow preserved .
A : Way too early to say if the existing historic brick station @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The plan does not yet detail how or where the current station building could be relocated or otherwise preserved and it could be several years before a decision is made .
Q : My son will be 15½ on Dec. 9 .
Since we still can ’ t get an appointment for his permit test , we ’ ll be standing in line to file his paperwork and have him take the test .
What is the best day or time to wait in line at the Hayward DMV ?
A : This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appointments again — but so far only for behind-the-wheel tests .
They have also automatically extended driver ’ s license permits with expiration dates through May 31 to give student drivers more time during the pandemic to complete prerequisites needed for a provisional license , including six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with a driving school and 50 hours of supervised driving practice .
The extension covers six months from the date of expiration or 24 months from the date of application , whichever is earlier .
For your son ’ s initial permit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and check for wait times at the Hayward DMV , which can vary from day to day .
Lately , wait times have been shortest at the start and end of the business day and on Wednesdays .
Join Gary Richards for an hourlong chat noon Wednesday at www.mercurynews.com/live-chats .
Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow @ bayareanewsgroup.com or 408-920-5335 .

Q: I cried when I read the front-page article describing how VTA plans to re-prioritize the Measure B tax proceeds to fund the BART extension through San Jose rather than fund the promised road repairs that were described in the 2016 proposition.
How can they do that? Although there was a cap described in the proposition (25% for BART), VTA now wants to say that cap applies over the 30-year life of Measure B, and they want to use that 25% and defer road repairs that I believe were the principal reason that people approved the proposition.
Like Mr. Roadshow’s Facebook page for more questions and answers about Bay Area roads, freeways and commuting.
I want 75% of that money to fund road repairs now, not a BART extension. If Measure B had said 25% for BART in the first decade, with road repairs coming later in the remaining 20 years, you and I both know that it never would have passed.
Brad Herrmann
A: Don’t be so sure of that. Santa Clara County voters have approved a half-dozen sales taxes for roads and transit since 1976 and have never turned one down.
But with the virus-depressed economy and sales tax revenues plunging, spending for the 2016 measure needs to be reviewed. Currently, road upgrades get $148 million a year, but that may fall to less than $50 million a year if BART tunneling through downtown San Jose is the top priority.
The VTA expects to make some tough choices next spring.
Q: I have a sincere but possibly fruitless hope that the main Diridon train station in downtown San Jose is somehow preserved.
Rose Steele
A: Way too early to say if the existing historic brick station will remain in its current location. The plan does not yet detail how or where the current station building could be relocated or otherwise preserved and it could be several years before a decision is made.
Q: My son will be 15½ on Dec. 9. Since we still can’t get an appointment for his permit test, we’ll be standing in line to file his paperwork and have him take the knowledge test. What is the best day or time to wait in line at the Hayward DMV?
A: This just in: The DMV is taking appointments again — but so far only for behind-the-wheel tests.
They have also automatically extended driver’s license permits with expiration dates through May 31 to give student drivers more time during the pandemic to complete prerequisites needed for a provisional license, including six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with a driving school and 50 hours of supervised driving practice.
The extension covers six months from the date of expiration or 24 months from the date of application, whichever is earlier.
For your son’s initial permit application, go online to complete paperwork and check for wait times at the Hayward DMV, which can vary from day to day. Lately, wait times have been shortest at the start and end of the business day and on Wednesdays.
Join Gary Richards for an hourlong chat noon Wednesday at www.mercurynews.com/live-chats. Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com or 408-920-5335.


mercurynews--2020-11-30--49ers’ Kyle Shanahan ‘extremely disappointed’ over Santa Clara County’s surprise ban

Nick Mullens , on the eve of a potential season-saving win over the Los Angeles Rams , learned through a friend ’ s text that Santa Clara County is essentially kicking the 49ers out of town to stem a COVID-19 surge .
Raheem Mostert ’ s eyes welled with tears after Sunday ’ s victory as he tried explaining the sacrifice he and other teammates have made to isolate themselves from their families — even before this upcoming month ’ s unknown journey out of Santa Clara .
Some learned through social media about the county ’ s ban on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Lynch informed others once he grabbed the intercom on Saturday ’ s trip to Los Angeles .
Kyle Shanahan ?
He was irate .
He is irate , even after the 49ers upset the Rams 23-20 .
The 49ers coach is not so bent about the county ’ s decision and his team ’ s uncertain travel plans , but more so in how the 49ers learned of the county ’ s stealth directives .
James Williams , Santa Clara County ’ s counsel , said Saturday they ’ ve kept in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teams .
Shanahan is “ extremely disappointed ” at the “ very awkward spot ” the 49ers found themselves upon Saturday ’ s surprising news that the county health officials delivered in a 1 p.m. press conference .
“ It was a very disappointing thing we got yesterday , ” Shanahan said to begin his rant .
“ Our organization has been working their tails off since training camp with the county , trying to do this above and beyond all the NFL protocols and ( county ) protocols , whether it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every single day .
“ I don ’ t think you can do possibly more than anyone in this country , all NFL teams , not just us .
We ’ ve been working with them as a partner trying to figure it out.
” The 49ers have not been perfect .
They had a season-high nine players on the NFL ’ s COVID-19 reserve list last Monday because of positive tests or close contacts .
Only four players remained on it by Sunday ’ s game .
“ For us to head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with ( county health officials ) and for all our players and coaches and everyone on that plane and our wives , to find that out while we were getting on a plane and no one to tell us , it was just extremely disappointing , ” Shanahan said .
“ We can handle anything and we understand how big of a deal this virus is , ” Shanahan added .
“ That ’ s why we ’ re so committed and why we feel we ’ ve done it as good as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ourselves but also really protected our community.
” Shanahan said he ’ s not sure where the 49ers will head , and while Arizona reportedly is a top option ahead of Dallas , the 49ers coach needs his team on a practice field somewhere by Thursday , to prepare for their Monday night game against the Buffalo Bills , somewhere .
Shanahan repeatedly expressed how proud he was of his team to set aside this distraction , and he repeatedly went in on the county ’ s poor communication with the 49ers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tweet or a press conference , where I have an entire plane coming up to me , I have all wives , everyone ’ s girlfriends , everyone ’ s family members , kids , what they ’ ve heard , ‘ Are we going to be gone the entire month of December ?
Are we going to be quarantined when we got back ?
’ That ’ s all we could talk about for the last 18 hours , because we got no answers from them .
“ I was just very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guys , that I couldn ’ t give them the answers and they could put it to the side and come out and play like that .
I ’ ve got so much appreciation for our team , and I ’ m very proud to be those guys ’ coach.
” Jed York , the 49ers ’ CEO , echoed that sentiment in a postgame tweet : “ Our players have fought so hard and sacrificed a ton to play this season .
Could not be more proud of them.
” Mostert said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ itinerary , he ’ s confident they can handle it , as many have over the past four months of exile from their families .
“ I left my family at home to be part of something like this .
I don ’ t take anything for granted , ” said Mostert , whose wife is home with their two young sons in Cleveland .
“ It ’ s been a struggle not having my little family , sorry if I get emotional , but it ’ s really tough and I miss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fight everyday .
You ’ re fighting for your life .
I want people to understand that.
” Mullens said the 49ers did discuss as a team this latest twist in a roller-coaster of a season .
“ I found out when I had my friend text me .
I didn ’ t know what he was talking about then he sent me a screen shot .
We focused on job at hand and focus on what matters most .
All we can do is follow the rules and perform .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s tough for us but more tough for the families .
”

Nick Mullens, on the eve of a potential season-saving win over the Los Angeles Rams, learned through a friend’s text that Santa Clara County is essentially kicking the 49ers out of town to stem a COVID-19 surge.
Raheem Mostert’s eyes welled with tears after Sunday’s victory as he tried explaining the sacrifice he and other teammates have made to isolate themselves from their families — even before this upcoming month’s unknown journey out of Santa Clara.
Some learned through social media about the county’s ban on games and practices, and general manager John Lynch informed others once he grabbed the intercom on Saturday’s trip to Los Angeles.
Kyle Shanahan? He was irate. He is irate, even after the 49ers upset the Rams 23-20.
The 49ers coach is not so bent about the county’s decision and his team’s uncertain travel plans, but more so in how the 49ers learned of the county’s stealth directives. James Williams, Santa Clara County’s counsel, said Saturday they’ve kept in touch with affected parties, including sports teams.
Shanahan is “extremely disappointed” at the “very awkward spot” the 49ers found themselves upon Saturday’s surprising news that the county health officials delivered in a 1 p.m. press conference.
“It was a very disappointing thing we got yesterday,” Shanahan said to begin his rant. “Our organization has been working their tails off since training camp with the county, trying to do this above and beyond all the NFL protocols and (county) protocols, whether it’s masks, training or getting tested every single day.
“I don’t think you can do possibly more than anyone in this country, all NFL teams, not just us. We’ve been working with them as a partner trying to figure it out.”
The 49ers have not been perfect. They had a season-high nine players on the NFL’s COVID-19 reserve list last Monday because of positive tests or close contacts. Only four players remained on it by Sunday’s game.
“For us to head here yesterday and the relationship we have with (county health officials) and for all our players and coaches and everyone on that plane and our wives, to find that out while we were getting on a plane and no one to tell us, it was just extremely disappointing,” Shanahan said.
“We can handle anything and we understand how big of a deal this virus is,” Shanahan added. “That’s why we’re so committed and why we feel we’ve done it as good as we can, and not only protected ourselves but also really protected our community.”
Shanahan said he’s not sure where the 49ers will head, and while Arizona reportedly is a top option ahead of Dallas, the 49ers coach needs his team on a practice field somewhere by Thursday, to prepare for their Monday night game against the Buffalo Bills, somewhere.
Shanahan repeatedly expressed how proud he was of his team to set aside this distraction, and he repeatedly went in on the county’s poor communication with the 49ers.
“To find that out through a tweet or a press conference, where I have an entire plane coming up to me, I have all wives, everyone’s girlfriends, everyone’s family members, kids, what they’ve heard, ‘Are we going to be gone the entire month of December? Are we going to be quarantined when we got back?’ That’s all we could talk about for the last 18 hours, because we got no answers from them.
“I was just very disappointed. And very proud of our guys, that I couldn’t give them the answers and they could put it to the side and come out and play like that. I’ve got so much appreciation for our team, and I’m very proud to be those guys’ coach.”
Jed York, the 49ers’ CEO, echoed that sentiment in a postgame tweet: “Our players have fought so hard and sacrificed a ton to play this season. Could not be more proud of them.”
Mostert said that despite the 49ers’ uncertain travel itinerary, he’s confident they can handle it, as many have over the past four months of exile from their families.
“I left my family at home to be part of something like this. I don’t take anything for granted,” said Mostert, whose wife is home with their two young sons in Cleveland. “It’s been a struggle not having my little family, sorry if I get emotional, but it’s really tough and I miss them so much. It’s a fight everyday. You’re fighting for your life. I want people to understand that.”
Mullens said the 49ers did discuss as a team this latest twist in a roller-coaster of a season.
“I found out when I had my friend text me. I didn’t know what he was talking about then he sent me a screen shot. We focused on job at hand and focus on what matters most. All we can do is follow the rules and perform. We’ll see what the future holds.
“It’s tough for us but more tough for the families.”