mercurynews--2020-06-16--How to get through coronavirus and climate change grief

Even before the brutal murder of George Floyd unleashed global unrest and a demand for social justice , many Americans were feeling overwhelmed , anxious and full of grief .
The coronavirus pandemic shut down everything we knew as normal and quickly transformed a health crisis into an economic one .
We ’ ve lost loved ones , jobs , the rituals of life , a sense of security .
For Renée Lertzman , how we ’ ve been reacting to it was both expected and unexpected .
“ It ’ s been fascinating to watch people waking up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we take to be normal day-to-day life , in reality is actually made up of all kinds of relationships and phenomena , ” says Lertzman , of San Anselmo .
“ I remember that moment when the schools started to be closed and all of a sudden people realized that were many children who relied on school lunches and then another thing and another , and all of a sudden the web , the incredibly complex systems that were embedded in living , suddenly became very visible and suddenly became very real.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who researches the intersection of human experience , climate and the environment , Lertzman spends a lot of time thinking about those webs and system-level collapse and change .
Getting through the pandemic at the same time that we are experiencing climate change is presenting us with two unprecedented challenges — a need to explore how we got here and what kind of humans we ’ re going to be as we move forward .
It is , she admits , a cognitive leap .
“ We ’ re going through a profoundly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a trauma response , it is very hard to think systemically , it is hard to think in a more expansive way .
We ’ re contracted , we ’ re just trying to cope , to survive .
A lot of cognitive energy is simply going into processing day-to-day life and that in itself is taking a tremendous toll , ” she says .
But one thing we need to recognize is that the pandemic isn ’ t something that just happened to us — it ’ s directly related to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to climate change .
We have helped to create this moment .
“ These things are being experienced as separate , but they ’ re not .
Nothing is truly separate in the world .
We ’ re embedded in highly complex systems that are interrelated and mutually influencing all the time , ” says Lertzman , who helps companies and organizations shape their climate and sustainability initiatives .
“ It ’ s directly related to human encroachment on wildlife and it ’ s exactly the kind of thing that has happened and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grows and our interface with wildlife mingles .
But it ’ s hard for people to go there .
It ’ s kind of a cognitive leap for people because we ’ re feeling so traumatized.
” Thankfully , we don ’ t have to experience it alone .
In fact , she says , we shouldn ’ t .
That only compounds our sense of being alone in our fears for the future .
But we all have them , especially now .
Instead , she says , we should be talking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without judgment , shame , blame or guilt .
Admitting we ’ re scared , overwhelmed , angry and feeling powerlessness .
Acknowledging all our losses .
Talking is what got Lertzman through her own existential crisis in 1986 after her college environmental science professor laid out a horrific gloom-and-doom view of what was ahead — famines , flooding , mass extinctions , all because of human consumption .
She got really depressed .
But when she went on a backpacking trip that summer as part of a environmental philosophy and religion course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started sharing their fears and anxiety about the future , she felt better .
What she experienced is what ’ s known as “ the talking cure , ” a psychological term rooted in the ideas of Freud that says talking about things that are making people anxious and depressed can help them put it in perspective .
That has driven her work ever since .
And it can lead people to action , she says .
“ Psychoanalytic work is one of our greatest untapped resources when it comes to meeting our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writes in her 2015 academic book , “ Environmental Melancholia : Psychoanalytic Dimensions of Engagement.
” “ This is because we must understand on the deepest levels possible the workings of human behavior , including unconscious processes such as denial , projection , splitting , disavowal and apathy.
” Just as there is denial about climate change , there is also denial around the coronavirus , which is why some people are refusing to wear masks or practice social distancing .
Perhaps not surprisingly , those who don ’ t believe in climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic rules .
“ It ’ s a style of refuting what ’ s real and a profound distrust of authority and science , which comes directly out of people feeling fearful , people feeling vulnerable , feeling aggrieved , lonely , left out , ” says Lertzman , who helped create the Climate Psychology Alliance , a group for professionals and others interested in the intersection of psychology and climate change .
But shaming , dismissing or ostracizing people who feel that way is not the way to alleviate their fears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says is the right thing , she says .
“ It ’ s natural to feel sad and angry but I think it ’ s really important for us to always remember that underneath the sort of irrational , destructive behavior is a lot of pain , ” she says .
“ Try to tune into that , to be curious if at all possible , which is really hard when the stakes are high .
It ’ s hard to meet that with curiosity and compassion , but I don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It doesn ’ t mean condoning it , it doesn ’ t mean fighting it , but it does mean coming from that spirit of , wow , what ’ s going on in their lives that would lead them to behave in this way and is there anything I can do to address that ?
” Curiosity and compassion come in handy no matter whom you ’ re discussing the pandemic and climate change with .
Just please do discuss it , Lertzman says .
“ Starting with asking questions .
How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
What is life like for you right now ?
What are you scared about ?
What are you feeling excited about ?
Coming from a place of , I ’ m curious about you .
I want to know what your experience is , ” she says .
• California moves full-steam ahead with reopening despite increase in cases , deaths • Pac-12 football teams begin voluntary on-campus workouts : It ’ s the safest place for the athletes • Coronavirus : Workers group wants Tesla to give more safety information “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything has been shaken up , people who have been working on climate change for a number of years feel like , this is our moment , this is our time to finally make profound changes in our lives and the world because there ’ s such a level of disruption .
It ’ s a trauma and an opportunity.
” Just like we don ’ t have to experience the pain we ’ re feeling from the pandemic by ourselves , we can look to people in Marin who have experience with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
“ This is the time to dig into those resources and leverage them , so that we can recognize what it is to navigate trauma with resilience and capacity and compassion , ” she says .
“ There are resources in our community , leading people in the world who have spiritual practice , who have trauma practice , who have spent a lot of time understanding human consciousness and the mind .
All those things we think are ‘ so Marin , ’ well , now we need that happening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the dots with inequity , privilege and elitism .
”

Even before the brutal murder of George Floyd unleashed global unrest and a demand for social justice, many Americans were feeling overwhelmed, anxious and full of grief.
The coronavirus pandemic shut down everything we knew as normal and quickly transformed a health crisis into an economic one. We’ve lost loved ones, jobs, the rituals of life, a sense of security.
For Renée Lertzman, how we’ve been reacting to it was both expected and unexpected.
“It’s been fascinating to watch people waking up to the way that our lives, what we take to be normal day-to-day life, in reality is actually made up of all kinds of relationships and phenomena,” says Lertzman, of San Anselmo. “I remember that moment when the schools started to be closed and all of a sudden people realized that were many children who relied on school lunches and then another thing and another, and all of a sudden the web, the incredibly complex systems that were embedded in living, suddenly became very visible and suddenly became very real.”
As a globally recognized psychologist and strategist who researches the intersection of human experience, climate and the environment, Lertzman spends a lot of time thinking about those webs and system-level collapse and change.
Getting through the pandemic at the same time that we are experiencing climate change is presenting us with two unprecedented challenges — a need to explore how we got here and what kind of humans we’re going to be as we move forward.
Cognitive leap
It is, she admits, a cognitive leap.
“We’re going through a profoundly traumatic collective experience. When there’s a trauma response, it is very hard to think systemically, it is hard to think in a more expansive way. We’re contracted, we’re just trying to cope, to survive. A lot of cognitive energy is simply going into processing day-to-day life and that in itself is taking a tremendous toll,” she says.
But one thing we need to recognize is that the pandemic isn’t something that just happened to us — it’s directly related to human choices, which have also contributed to climate change. We have helped to create this moment.
“These things are being experienced as separate, but they’re not. Nothing is truly separate in the world. We’re embedded in highly complex systems that are interrelated and mutually influencing all the time,” says Lertzman, who helps companies and organizations shape their climate and sustainability initiatives. “It’s directly related to human encroachment on wildlife and it’s exactly the kind of thing that has happened and will continue to happen as human development grows and our interface with wildlife mingles. But it’s hard for people to go there. It’s kind of a cognitive leap for people because we’re feeling so traumatized.”
Thankfully, we don’t have to experience it alone. In fact, she says, we shouldn’t. That only compounds our sense of being alone in our fears for the future. But we all have them, especially now.
Instead, she says, we should be talking about it with others — openly, without judgment, shame, blame or guilt. Admitting we’re scared, overwhelmed, angry and feeling powerlessness. Acknowledging all our losses.
‘Talking cure’
Talking is what got Lertzman through her own existential crisis in 1986 after her college environmental science professor laid out a horrific gloom-and-doom view of what was ahead — famines, flooding, mass extinctions, all because of human consumption.
She got really depressed. But when she went on a backpacking trip that summer as part of a environmental philosophy and religion course with 11 other people, and they started sharing their fears and anxiety about the future, she felt better. What she experienced is what’s known as “the talking cure,” a psychological term rooted in the ideas of Freud that says talking about things that are making people anxious and depressed can help them put it in perspective.
That has driven her work ever since. And it can lead people to action, she says.
“Psychoanalytic work is one of our greatest untapped resources when it comes to meeting our environmental crisis more effectively,” she writes in her 2015 academic book, “Environmental Melancholia: Psychoanalytic Dimensions of Engagement.” “This is because we must understand on the deepest levels possible the workings of human behavior, including unconscious processes such as denial, projection, splitting, disavowal and apathy.”
Just as there is denial about climate change, there is also denial around the coronavirus, which is why some people are refusing to wear masks or practice social distancing. Perhaps not surprisingly, those who don’t believe in climate change are also not playing along with the pandemic rules.
“It’s a style of refuting what’s real and a profound distrust of authority and science, which comes directly out of people feeling fearful, people feeling vulnerable, feeling aggrieved, lonely, left out,” says Lertzman, who helped create the Climate Psychology Alliance, a group for professionals and others interested in the intersection of psychology and climate change.
Underlying pain
But shaming, dismissing or ostracizing people who feel that way is not the way to alleviate their fears and get them to do what science says is the right thing, she says.
“It’s natural to feel sad and angry but I think it’s really important for us to always remember that underneath the sort of irrational, destructive behavior is a lot of pain,” she says. “Try to tune into that, to be curious if at all possible, which is really hard when the stakes are high. It’s hard to meet that with curiosity and compassion, but I don’t see any other way around it. It doesn’t mean condoning it, it doesn’t mean fighting it, but it does mean coming from that spirit of, wow, what’s going on in their lives that would lead them to behave in this way and is there anything I can do to address that?”
Curiosity and compassion come in handy no matter whom you’re discussing the pandemic and climate change with. Just please do discuss it, Lertzman says.
“Starting with asking questions. How are you? How are you doing? What is life like for you right now? What are you scared about? What are you feeling excited about? Coming from a place of, I’m curious about you. I want to know what your experience is,” she says.
Related Articles Health | San Jose office building wobbles into default — again
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge “At a time like this, when everything has been shaken up, people who have been working on climate change for a number of years feel like, this is our moment, this is our time to finally make profound changes in our lives and the world because there’s such a level of disruption. It’s a trauma and an opportunity.”
Just like we don’t have to experience the pain we’re feeling from the pandemic by ourselves, we can look to people in Marin who have experience with trauma and learn from them, she says.
“This is the time to dig into those resources and leverage them, so that we can recognize what it is to navigate trauma with resilience and capacity and compassion,” she says. “There are resources in our community, leading people in the world who have spiritual practice, who have trauma practice, who have spent a lot of time understanding human consciousness and the mind. All those things we think are ‘so Marin,’ well, now we need that happening, grounded in real life and connecting the dots with inequity, privilege and elitism.”


mercurynews--2020-06-16--Marin petition: Remove Sir Francis Drake statue, rename boulevard

A campaign is underway to convince Marin County officials to rename Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and remove a 30-foot-tall metal sculpture of the 16th-century explorer connected to slave trading .
Lauren Brown , who was raised in Larkspur , plans to tell the Marin County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that more than 5,000 people support her petition to rename the road .
Brown said she created the petition after seeing a Black Lives Matter caravan drive on the boulevard on June 7 .
“ I was really struck by the irony of it all , how here we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ street that is named after someone who enslaved people , ” Brown said .
In addition , Brown said questions have been raised by at least one historian about whether Drake landed near Point Reyes in 1579 or another location on the Oregon coast .
The nonprofit research organization known as the Drake Navigators Guild states there is key evidence that places Drake ’ s landing at what is now known as Drakes Estero .
The intent of the petition is not to erase Drake ’ s history , Brown said .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incorporate the renaming of the boulevard into the county ’ s 2020-21 budget .
“ We ’ re really trying to put in place someone or something that represents an inclusive environment , something that represents the morals and values that Marin County has , ” Brown said .
In an email on Monday , county Supervisor Dennis Rodoni wrote that “ this is certainly a discussion that we need to have , especially now.
” A protest organized by the newly formed Tam Equity Campaign is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Quentin Point .
Campaign founder Robbie Powelson of Corte Madera said he launched the effort last week to advocate for defunding the Central Marin Police Authority and diverting those dollars to countywide mobile behavioral health crisis teams .
For Powelson , the sculpture and use of Drake ’ s name on a major county road are physical manifestations of systemic racism .
“ We don ’ t need to have these violent people as our default go-to for naming our boulevards and erecting giant statues , ” Powelson said .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The renaming efforts should also extend to other references to Drake , including Sir Francis Drake High School , Powelson said .
The 30-foot-tall metallic sculpture , created by Marin County artist Dennis Patton , was erected in 1990 near the Larkspur Ferry Terminal .
The sculpture , Patton said , is not of Sir Francis Drake , but rather embodies a historical event of a western European British citizen who circumnavigated the world bringing a flag to the shores of Marin County .
“ Are we going to somehow erase that idiots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today ?
” Patton said .
“ Excuse me , I ’ m not the enemy .
History is just what happened in the midst of some pretty bad situations .
If you think that what ’ s happening today is anything better than or different than , then you have got to be living in la-la land .
I can not apologize for what happened .
I won ’ t apologize.
” The county named the boulevard after Drake in August 1931 , according to county records .
Should the county pursue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not be the only jurisdiction involved .
“ The ( board ) would of course pursue this in conjunction with the cities/towns , as they would need to do something similar via their own process , ” county Public Works Department spokesman Julian Kaelon wrote in an email .
“ Logistically this would mean that all jurisdictions would need to do it at the same time using the same new name.
” • SF woman apologizes after backlash from confronting neighbor of ‘ Black Lives Matter ’ chalk stencil • Black protester @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowd says he was trying to avoid catastrophe • Should LAPD ’ s budget go from $ 1.9 billion to $ 190 million ?
The petitioners are also seeking the support of officials from San Anselmo , Ross , Fairfax and other towns that border the thoroughfare .
Powelson said he planned the protest to start at 6 p.m. on Wednesday so that they could call in to comment during the Larkspur City Council ’ s meeting that evening .
Corte Madera Mayor Eli Beckman said he signed the petition , though he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the official position of the Town Council .
“ I support the renaming of Sir Francis Drake because I don ’ t think it ’ s right for my friends and neighbors to have to drive on roads named after someone who bought and sold people that look like them , ” Beckman wrote in a statement .

A campaign is underway to convince Marin County officials to rename Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and remove a 30-foot-tall metal sculpture of the 16th-century explorer connected to slave trading.
Lauren Brown, who was raised in Larkspur, plans to tell the Marin County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that more than 5,000 people support her petition to rename the road. Brown said she created the petition after seeing a Black Lives Matter caravan drive on the boulevard on June 7.
“I was really struck by the irony of it all, how here we are advocating for this massive movement on a street that is named after someone who enslaved people,” Brown said.
In addition, Brown said questions have been raised by at least one historian about whether Drake landed near Point Reyes in 1579 or another location on the Oregon coast. The nonprofit research organization known as the Drake Navigators Guild states there is key evidence that places Drake’s landing at what is now known as Drakes Estero.
The intent of the petition is not to erase Drake’s history, Brown said. She hopes that the supervisors will work to incorporate the renaming of the boulevard into the county’s 2020-21 budget.
“We’re really trying to put in place someone or something that represents an inclusive environment, something that represents the morals and values that Marin County has,” Brown said.
In an email on Monday, county Supervisor Dennis Rodoni wrote that “this is certainly a discussion that we need to have, especially now.”
A protest organized by the newly formed Tam Equity Campaign is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday at the foot of the Drake sculpture near San Quentin Point.
Campaign founder Robbie Powelson of Corte Madera said he launched the effort last week to advocate for defunding the Central Marin Police Authority and diverting those dollars to countywide mobile behavioral health crisis teams.
For Powelson, the sculpture and use of Drake’s name on a major county road are physical manifestations of systemic racism.
“We don’t need to have these violent people as our default go-to for naming our boulevards and erecting giant statues,” Powelson said. “I think that assumption is very problematic.”
The renaming efforts should also extend to other references to Drake, including Sir Francis Drake High School, Powelson said.
The 30-foot-tall metallic sculpture, created by Marin County artist Dennis Patton, was erected in 1990 near the Larkspur Ferry Terminal. The sculpture, Patton said, is not of Sir Francis Drake, but rather embodies a historical event of a western European British citizen who circumnavigated the world bringing a flag to the shores of Marin County.
“Are we going to somehow erase that idiots live in the past as they do today?” Patton said. “Excuse me, I’m not the enemy. History is just what happened in the midst of some pretty bad situations. If you think that what’s happening today is anything better than or different than, then you have got to be living in la-la land. I cannot apologize for what happened. I won’t apologize.”
The county named the boulevard after Drake in August 1931, according to county records. Should the county pursue the renaming, the Board of Supervisors would not be the only jurisdiction involved.
“The (board) would of course pursue this in conjunction with the cities/towns, as they would need to do something similar via their own process,” county Public Works Department spokesman Julian Kaelon wrote in an email. “Logistically this would mean that all jurisdictions would need to do it at the same time using the same new name.”
The petitioners are also seeking the support of officials from San Anselmo, Ross, Fairfax and other towns that border the thoroughfare. Powelson said he planned the protest to start at 6 p.m. on Wednesday so that they could call in to comment during the Larkspur City Council’s meeting that evening.
Corte Madera Mayor Eli Beckman said he signed the petition, though he noted it was his personal stance and not the official position of the Town Council.
“I support the renaming of Sir Francis Drake because I don’t think it’s right for my friends and neighbors to have to drive on roads named after someone who bought and sold people that look like them,” Beckman wrote in a statement.


mercurynews--2020-06-16--San Jose man found fatally shot in Santa Cruz Mountains

SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS — Authorities are investigating the death of a 28-year-old San Jose man , found fatally shot Sunday night on Laurel Road .
Details remained sparse Monday as the Santa Cruz County Sheriff ’ s Office continued to investigate the death as a homicide , located in a remote area of unincorporated Santa Cruz County south of Los Gatos .
On Sunday , emergency responders were called at 8:17 p.m. to assist law enforcement on the 17000 block of Laurel Road .
Residents in the area received a reverse 9-1-1 notification to shelter in place at their homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to Sheriff ’ s Office spokeswoman Ashley Keehn .
• Former California county attorney convicted of strangling ex-wife , throwing her off cruise ship Initially , deputies were called to the area based on a report of a man with a gun , Keehn said .
• Homicide in unincorporated area of Petaluma under investigation “ Deputies arrived and in that same area found an unresponsive male with a gunshot wound , ” Keehn said .
“ He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
” Investigators are now searching for two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been witnesses to the crime or have been in the area at the same time as the shooting , Keehn said .
The Sheriff ’ s Office is asking anyone with information to contact detective Sgt .
Daniel Robbins at 831-454-7635 .

SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS — Authorities are investigating the death of a 28-year-old San Jose man, found fatally shot Sunday night on Laurel Road.
Details remained sparse Monday as the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office continued to investigate the death as a homicide, located in a remote area of unincorporated Santa Cruz County south of Los Gatos.
On Sunday, emergency responders were called at 8:17 p.m. to assist law enforcement on the 17000 block of Laurel Road. Residents in the area received a reverse 9-1-1 notification to shelter in place at their homes for a short time during the incident, according to Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Ashley Keehn. Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | Man shot, killed by Colorado cop was holding a marker, not a weapon
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Initially, deputies were called to the area based on a report of a man with a gun, Keehn said.
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Investigators are now searching for two Latino women in their 40s who may have been witnesses to the crime or have been in the area at the same time as the shooting, Keehn said.
The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information to contact detective Sgt. Daniel Robbins at 831-454-7635.


mercurynews--2020-06-16--No initial evidence of foul play in hanging death of black man, L.A. County coroner says

The Los Angeles County coroner said a “ lack of any evidence ” of foul play led officials to initially describe the death of Robert Fuller , a black man found hanging from a tree in Palmdale last week , as a suicide .
An autopsy was performed Friday , two days after Fuller , 24 , was found dead in the early morning near Poncitlán Square , just east of Palmdale City Hall .
Coroner ’ s investigators deferred determining a final cause of death before they get more information from witnesses and a toxicology report on Fuller ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to report the body at 3:36 a.m. that morning .
Coroner Jonathan Lucas said the team of investigators called to the scene didn ’ t see anything that led them to believe Fuller ’ s death was murder .
“ It was more the lack of any evidence there was any foul play , ” Lucas said in a virtual press conference on Monday .
“ He was hanging , and there was no other information to suggest there was foul play at the time.
” The investigation into Fuller ’ s death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man ’ s family , along with dozens of protesters who gathered in front of City Hall over the weekend , demanded more transparency from authorities .
The man ’ s family has said it didn ’ t seem plausible that Fuller killed himself .
On May 31 , another black man was reported to have hung himself in Victorville .
San Bernardino County authorities said foul play was not suspected in that death of 38-year-old Malcolm Harsch .
But protesters have speculated the deaths were related .
In Monday ’ s press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Villanueva said there wasn ’ t any evidence the deaths were linked , but that his detectives would talk with San Bernardino County detectives .
In a statement later Monday , San Bernardino County sheriff ’ s homicide investigators said Harsch had been talking with his girlfriend at a homeless encampment at Circle and Victor drives .
Not much later , he was discovered in the tree at 7:07 a.m. His girlfriend returned to her tent , then later came out when others alerted her that Harsch was found hanging from a tree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Residents of the encampment tried to resuscitate Harsch before deputies arrived and also attempted to revive him .
San Bernardino County coroner ’ s investigators also have not officially determined Harsch ’ s cause of death .
But they said there was no indication of foul play .
An autopsy was performed on Harsch ’ s body on June 12 , and coroner ’ s offices are waiting for results of a toxicology report .
Los Angeles County Sheriff Villanueva said he asked the California Attorney General ’ s Office and the FBI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his homicide detectives ’ work as they investigate Fuller ’ s death .
Still , the sheriff said detectives were likely to come to the same findings even as they look harder at how Fuller died .
• Attorney General : California could join 45 other states to strip problem officers of badges • Calling out ‘ Karens ’ : From Pacific Heights to Amy Cooper to Meghan Markle ’ s best friend “ We ’ re being as transparent as we can be with this investigation , ” Villanueva said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , they ’ re probably gon na coincide with the same conclusions , once it ’ s done.
” Villanueva said a caseworker with the L.A. County Department of Public Social Services was assigned to Fuller .
The sheriff said he didn ’ t know why Fuller was receiving help from Social Services but detectives were going to ask .
A Social Services spokesman did not return a request for comment Monday .

The Los Angeles County coroner said a “lack of any evidence” of foul play led officials to initially describe the death of Robert Fuller, a black man found hanging from a tree in Palmdale last week, as a suicide.
An autopsy was performed Friday, two days after Fuller, 24, was found dead in the early morning near Poncitlán Square, just east of Palmdale City Hall.
Coroner’s investigators deferred determining a final cause of death before they get more information from witnesses and a toxicology report on Fuller’s body. A witness called 911 to report the body at 3:36 a.m. that morning.
Coroner Jonathan Lucas said the team of investigators called to the scene didn’t see anything that led them to believe Fuller’s death was murder.
“It was more the lack of any evidence there was any foul play,” Lucas said in a virtual press conference on Monday. “He was hanging, and there was no other information to suggest there was foul play at the time.”
The investigation into Fuller’s death is widening, however, after the man’s family, along with dozens of protesters who gathered in front of City Hall over the weekend, demanded more transparency from authorities.
The man’s family has said it didn’t seem plausible that Fuller killed himself.
On May 31, another black man was reported to have hung himself in Victorville. San Bernardino County authorities said foul play was not suspected in that death of 38-year-old Malcolm Harsch.
But protesters have speculated the deaths were related.
In Monday’s press conference, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said there wasn’t any evidence the deaths were linked, but that his detectives would talk with San Bernardino County detectives.
In a statement later Monday, San Bernardino County sheriff’s homicide investigators said Harsch had been talking with his girlfriend at a homeless encampment at Circle and Victor drives. Not much later, he was discovered in the tree at 7:07 a.m.
His girlfriend returned to her tent, then later came out when others alerted her that Harsch was found hanging from a tree, a cord around his neck. Residents of the encampment tried to resuscitate Harsch before deputies arrived and also attempted to revive him.
San Bernardino County coroner’s investigators also have not officially determined Harsch’s cause of death. But they said there was no indication of foul play.
An autopsy was performed on Harsch’s body on June 12, and coroner’s offices are waiting for results of a toxicology report.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Villanueva said he asked the California Attorney General’s Office and the FBI’s civil rights division to monitor his homicide detectives’ work as they investigate Fuller’s death.
Still, the sheriff said detectives were likely to come to the same findings even as they look harder at how Fuller died.
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Biotech firm settles with family over cells for research Crime and Public Safety | Opinion: Reparations to Black Californians is now up to Newsom “We’re being as transparent as we can be with this investigation,” Villanueva said. “The results, you’ll find out, they’re probably gonna coincide with the same conclusions, once it’s done.”
Villanueva said a caseworker with the L.A. County Department of Public Social Services was assigned to Fuller. The sheriff said he didn’t know why Fuller was receiving help from Social Services but detectives were going to ask.
A Social Services spokesman did not return a request for comment Monday.


mercurynews--2020-06-16--Hundreds of Southern California schools vulnerable to outbreaks because of vaccine reluctance, data

Hundreds of Southern California schools vulnerable to outbreaks because of vaccine reluctance, data suggests

A measles outbreak that began at Disneyland in 2014 led California lawmakers to tighten up vaccine requirements , eliminating personal and religious exemptions for school attendance.. That law took effect in 2016 , but the state ’ s most recent vaccination data — from the 2018-19 school year — show that nearly a quarter of schools in Los Angeles , Orange , Riverside and San Bernardino counties still had vaccination rates low enough to be considered vulnerable to disease outbreaks by the California Department of Public Health .
Officials are concerned that vaccine resistance might pose a problem if and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The magic number public health officials want to see is 95 percent fully vaccinated — a level where “ herd immunity ” is reached , which prevents disease from spreading .
But there were 661 schools in the four counties with vaccination rates lower than that — and some were a great deal lower , according to a Southern California News Group analysis .
According to the most recent data : • There were 111 “ code red ” schools in the four counties , where less than 80 percent of kindergartners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considered “ most vulnerable ” for disease outbreak .
Los Angeles had 81 such schools ; Orange had 17 ; Riverside , 6 ; and San Bernardino , 7 .
• Another 176 schools were considered “ more vulnerable , ” with 80 to 89.9 percent fully vaccinated .
Los Angeles had 122 such schools ; Orange had 24 ; Riverside , 10 ; and San Bernardino , 20 .
• And 374 schools were “ moderately vulnerable , ” with 90 to 94.9 percent of kindergartners fully vaccinated .
Los Angeles had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; Riverside , 40 ; and San Bernardino , 50 .
Despite the new law eliminating personal exemptions , there was yet another measles outbreak in 2019 — the greatest number of cases reported in the United States since 1992 , according to the CDC .
Officials logged 1,282 cases in 31 states — numbers dwarfed by the coronavirus pandemic , where Los Angeles County reported more COVID-19 cases than that in a single day ( 2,112 on May 29 ) .
Vaccine doubters who once claimed personal exemptions turned to medical exemptions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Public Health .
In 2015 , there were 931 medical exemptions .
In 2018 , there were 4,812 .
“ A change in the law is needed because some schools are beginning to fall below the 95 % vaccination rate , thereby jeopardizing herd immunity , as a result of a growing number of students with medical exemptions , ” the CDPH told lawmakers last year .
“ Some of these exemptions are concentrated in certain schools , which could place them below the 95 % herd immunity standard , ” creating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency said .
Two new laws , Senate Bill 276 and SB 714 , require medical exemptions to be reviewed when a school ’ s immunization rate falls below 95 percent , when a doctor writes more than five medical exemptions per year or when a school fails to report vaccination rates to the state .
Exemptions meeting the standard of medical care may continue , while those that don ’ t may be revoked .
Senators had just finished taking a vote on the bills on Sept. 13 when a cup of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and splattered onto the Senate floor .
“ That ’ s for the dead babies , ” a woman reportedly yelled .
Diseases that once killed and maimed thousands are now distant memories , public health experts say , making vaccines victims of their own success .
But rejecting them can be dangerous , allowing disease to spread .
Recent polls show 70 percent of people would get a COVID-19 vaccine if one were free and available to all , but there is resistance .
Vaccine skeptics are mounting passionate campaigns against it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which vaccines are being developed — and that could put major bumps in the road to widespread immunity .
The state Department of Public Health urges calm .
“ Although they are being developed at an accelerated pace , a COVID-19 vaccine in is being held to strict standards for safety , efficacy and transparency by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration , ” the department said in its statement .
“ Routine immunizations remains critical to keeping your family healthy .
Check with your health care provider if vaccines have been delayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to catch up and stay on schedule .
”

A measles outbreak that began at Disneyland in 2014 led California lawmakers to tighten up vaccine requirements, eliminating personal and religious exemptions for school attendance..
That law took effect in 2016, but the state’s most recent vaccination data — from the 2018-19 school year — show that nearly a quarter of schools in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties still had vaccination rates low enough to be considered vulnerable to disease outbreaks by the California Department of Public Health.
Officials are concerned that vaccine resistance might pose a problem if and when a COVID-19 vaccination finally becomes available.
The magic number public health officials want to see is 95 percent fully vaccinated — a level where “herd immunity” is reached, which prevents disease from spreading. But there were 661 schools in the four counties with vaccination rates lower than that — and some were a great deal lower, according to a Southern California News Group analysis.
Where vaccinations lag
According to the most recent data:
There were 111 “code red” schools in the four counties, where less than 80 percent of kindergartners were fully vaccinated. Those schools are considered “most vulnerable” for disease outbreak. Los Angeles had 81 such schools; Orange had 17; Riverside, 6; and San Bernardino, 7.
Another 176 schools were considered “more vulnerable,” with 80 to 89.9 percent fully vaccinated. Los Angeles had 122 such schools; Orange had 24; Riverside, 10; and San Bernardino, 20.
And 374 schools were “moderately vulnerable,” with 90 to 94.9 percent of kindergartners fully vaccinated. Los Angeles had 200 of them; Orange had 84; Riverside, 40; and San Bernardino, 50.
Despite the new law eliminating personal exemptions, there was yet another measles outbreak in 2019 — the greatest number of cases reported in the United States since 1992, according to the CDC. Officials logged 1,282 cases in 31 states — numbers dwarfed by the coronavirus pandemic, where Los Angeles County reported more COVID-19 cases than that in a single day (2,112 on May 29).
Vaccine doubters who once claimed personal exemptions turned to medical exemptions instead, according to the California Department of Public Health. In 2015, there were 931 medical exemptions. In 2018, there were 4,812.
“A change in the law is needed because some schools are beginning to fall below the 95% vaccination rate, thereby jeopardizing herd immunity, as a result of a growing number of students with medical exemptions,” the CDPH told lawmakers last year.
“Some of these exemptions are concentrated in certain schools, which could place them below the 95% herd immunity standard,” creating concentrated pockets of unvaccinated individuals, the agency said.
Laws require vaccination review
Two new laws, Senate Bill 276 and SB 714, require medical exemptions to be reviewed when a school’s immunization rate falls below 95 percent, when a doctor writes more than five medical exemptions per year or when a school fails to report vaccination rates to the state.
Exemptions meeting the standard of medical care may continue, while those that don’t may be revoked.
Senators had just finished taking a vote on the bills on Sept. 13 when a cup of menstrual blood flew from the public gallery and splattered onto the Senate floor. “That’s for the dead babies,” a woman reportedly yelled.
Diseases that once killed and maimed thousands are now distant memories, public health experts say, making vaccines victims of their own success. But rejecting them can be dangerous, allowing disease to spread.
Recent polls show 70 percent of people would get a COVID-19 vaccine if one were free and available to all, but there is resistance. Vaccine skeptics are mounting passionate campaigns against it — often assailing the unprecedented speed at which vaccines are being developed — and that could put major bumps in the road to widespread immunity.
The state Department of Public Health urges calm. “Although they are being developed at an accelerated pace, a COVID-19 vaccine in is being held to strict standards for safety, efficacy and transparency by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration,” the department said in its statement.
“Routine immunizations remains critical to keeping your family healthy. Check with your health care provider if vaccines have been delayed during the pandemic — it is important to catch up and stay on schedule.”


mercurynews--2020-06-16--Coronavirus: Here are some case trends in the U.S., California and its counties

Experts are looking at trends and averages to know when it ’ s safe to open up the nation , state and counties .
There are some good trends and some not so good trends to consider .
Data from Johns Hopkins University ’ s Coronavirus Resource Center shows that California ’ s three-day moving average of new cases is steadily increasing .
You can follow the trends of every state and country on the Coronavirus Resource Center website .
California ’ s test positivity rate for a 14-day period ending Friday was 4.4 % ( out of 53,473 tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trend for the state and county here at the California Department of Public Health ’ s dashboard .
Here ’ s a list of criteria the state has for reopening .
You can see how all the counties are doing at this link to the California Department of Health ’ s data table .
Here ’ s a look at some of the hardest-hit counties , how they are measuring up to the state ’ s reopening criteria and each one ’ s seven-day case rates .
You can follow Southern California county @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can follow Bay Area county totals at this BANG website .
Sources : County health departments , John ’ s Hopkins University , COVID-19 Tracking Project , California Department of Health , Our World in Data

Experts are looking at trends and averages to know when it’s safe to open up the nation, state and counties. There are some good trends and some not so good trends to consider.
California and U.S.
Data from Johns Hopkins University’s Coronavirus Resource Center shows that California’s three-day moving average of new cases is steadily increasing. You can follow the trends of every state and country on the Coronavirus Resource Center website.
California’s test positivity rate for a 14-day period ending Friday was 4.4% (out of 53,473 tests). You can find the daily trend for the state and county here at the California Department of Public Health’s dashboard.
Here’s a list of criteria the state has for reopening. You can see how all the counties are doing at this link to the California Department of Health’s data table.
Trends by county
Here’s a look at some of the hardest-hit counties, how they are measuring up to the state’s reopening criteria and each one’s seven-day case rates.
You can follow Southern California county totals at this SCNG website.
You can follow Bay Area county totals at this BANG website.
The national picture:
Sources: County health departments, John’s Hopkins University, COVID-19 Tracking Project, California Department of Health, Our World in Data


mercurynews--2020-06-16--Former California county attorney convicted of strangling ex-wife, throwing her off cruise ship

An ex-Orange County attorney was convicted Monday of strangling an ex-wife and throwing her off of an Italian cruise ship in 2006 , with the body discovered floating in the Mediterranean Sea .
Jurors , who sat through a trial that lasted more than three months , deliberated for only a handful of hours before finding Lonnie Kocontes guilty of special-circumstances murder for financial gain for the slaying of his second wife , Micki Kanesaki , who was 52 .
Prosecutors told jurors during closing arguments last week that Kocontes chose the couple ’ s room on the budget cruise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it allowed him to drop an object into the sea without hitting any part of the ship .
A pathologist testified that Kanesaki was dead before her body hit the water , and prosecutors alleged that Kocontes , now 62 , believed the body would be lost in international waters and never found .
“ The defendant thought he had the perfect plan to kill Micki Kanesaki and make it look like an accident , ” Senior Deputy District Attorney Seton Hunt said .
“ He took his time .
He is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation.
” Another ex-wife , Amy Nguyen , testified that Kocontes told her he wanted to have Kanesaki killed on the ship , alleging Kocontes later said he would have to “ take matters into his own hands.
” Nguyen also alleged that Kocontes told her that Kanesaki had proof Kocontes had embezzled money from a client .
Kocontes , during his own testimony , denied that he threatened to kill Kanesaki , or that he defrauded or embezzled any client .
He described taking an Ambien on the ship to fall asleep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missing .
“ I absolutely did not kill my wife , ” Kocontes said .
Kocontes ’ attorney , Denise Gragg , told jurors during her closing arguments that there is no physical evidence or witness tying Kocontes to Kanesaki ’ s death .
The defense attorney alleged that Nguyen and others who testified against Kocontes were lying .
“ Mr .
Kocontes doesn ’ t know how Ms. Kanesaki died , ” Gragg said .
Kocontes described Kanesaki as oft-depressed and occasionally violent when she drank .
Following their break-up – and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Nguyen – Kocontes said he and Kanesaki had reconciled and were planning on re-marrying .
The couple had remained financially intertwined through a Ladera Ranch home that Kocontes said Kanesaki didn ’ t want to sell .
Kocontes acknowledged that several months before the cruise he wrote new wills for he and Kanesaki , which left their assets to each other .
Assistant District Attorney Susan Price said Kocontes was the only person on the ship with a motive to kill Kanesaki .
Bill Price , a former police officer and ex-close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was worried he would have to split his assets with Kanesaki .
The prosecutor and former officer are not related .
“ She didn ’ t deserve to have her life taken from her that night by someone who decided she had no more worth to him , ” Susan Price told jurors .
“ Only one person in this world felt she was holding him back .
Only one person felt she was being unreasonable.
” As the trial drew to a close , Kocontes twice attempted to have Gragg removed as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked for a mistrial because social-distancing measures moved the jurors out of the jury box and into the courtroom audience and left public access to the trial limited to an online video stream .
An FBI investigation into Kocontes began after he allegedly tried to move more than $ 1 million among various bank accounts .
Nguyen testified that Kocontes pressured her to lie to a federal grand jury , helping to end the FBI probe .
Bill Price , following a falling out with Kocontes , began working with the FBI .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ before an Orange County grand jury , leading local prosecutors to charge Kocontes with murder .
Jurisdictional questions about whether the Orange County District Attorney ’ s Office could prosecute Kocontes for a killing in international waters delayed the trial for years .
The case was eventually allowed to move forward under the theory the crime had been planned in Orange County .
Kocontes , while awaiting trial , was also charged with soliciting a fellow inmate to kill Nguyen to prevent her from testifying in the murder trial .
Kocontes has denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tried separately on the solicitation charge .
It isn ’ t clear if prosecutors will proceed with that case , given the verdict in the special-circumstances murder trial .
Kocontes is scheduled for a Sept. 18 sentencing and faces life in prison without the possibility of parole .
He has been behind bars for more than seven years .

An ex-Orange County attorney was convicted Monday of strangling an ex-wife and throwing her off of an Italian cruise ship in 2006, with the body discovered floating in the Mediterranean Sea.
Jurors, who sat through a trial that lasted more than three months, deliberated for only a handful of hours before finding Lonnie Kocontes guilty of special-circumstances murder for financial gain for the slaying of his second wife, Micki Kanesaki, who was 52.
Prosecutors told jurors during closing arguments last week that Kocontes chose the couple’s room on the budget cruise ship, complete with balcony, because it allowed him to drop an object into the sea without hitting any part of the ship.
A pathologist testified that Kanesaki was dead before her body hit the water, and prosecutors alleged that Kocontes, now 62, believed the body would be lost in international waters and never found.
“The defendant thought he had the perfect plan to kill Micki Kanesaki and make it look like an accident,” Senior Deputy District Attorney Seton Hunt said. “He took his time. He is a planner. He likes control over the situation.”
Another ex-wife, Amy Nguyen, testified that Kocontes told her he wanted to have Kanesaki killed on the ship, alleging Kocontes later said he would have to “take matters into his own hands.”
Nguyen also alleged that Kocontes told her that Kanesaki had proof Kocontes had embezzled money from a client.
Kocontes, during his own testimony, denied that he threatened to kill Kanesaki, or that he defrauded or embezzled any client. He described taking an Ambien on the ship to fall asleep, then waking up to find Kanesaki missing.
“I absolutely did not kill my wife,” Kocontes said.
Kocontes’ attorney, Denise Gragg, told jurors during her closing arguments that there is no physical evidence or witness tying Kocontes to Kanesaki’s death. The defense attorney alleged that Nguyen and others who testified against Kocontes were lying.
“Mr. Kocontes doesn’t know how Ms. Kanesaki died,” Gragg said.
Kocontes described Kanesaki as oft-depressed and occasionally violent when she drank. Following their break-up – and despite his subsequent marriage to and divorce from Nguyen – Kocontes said he and Kanesaki had reconciled and were planning on re-marrying.
The couple had remained financially intertwined through a Ladera Ranch home that Kocontes said Kanesaki didn’t want to sell. Kocontes acknowledged that several months before the cruise he wrote new wills for he and Kanesaki, which left their assets to each other.
Assistant District Attorney Susan Price said Kocontes was the only person on the ship with a motive to kill Kanesaki. Bill Price, a former police officer and ex-close friend of Kocontes, testified that Kocontes was worried he would have to split his assets with Kanesaki. The prosecutor and former officer are not related.
“She didn’t deserve to have her life taken from her that night by someone who decided she had no more worth to him,” Susan Price told jurors. “Only one person in this world felt she was holding him back. Only one person felt she was being unreasonable.”
As the trial drew to a close, Kocontes twice attempted to have Gragg removed as his court-appointed attorney.
Gragg had also asked for a mistrial because social-distancing measures moved the jurors out of the jury box and into the courtroom audience and left public access to the trial limited to an online video stream.
An FBI investigation into Kocontes began after he allegedly tried to move more than $1 million among various bank accounts. Nguyen testified that Kocontes pressured her to lie to a federal grand jury, helping to end the FBI probe.
Bill Price, following a falling out with Kocontes, began working with the FBI. Nguyen changed her story during an appearance before an Orange County grand jury, leading local prosecutors to charge Kocontes with murder.
Jurisdictional questions about whether the Orange County District Attorney’s Office could prosecute Kocontes for a killing in international waters delayed the trial for years. The case was eventually allowed to move forward under the theory the crime had been planned in Orange County.
Kocontes, while awaiting trial, was also charged with soliciting a fellow inmate to kill Nguyen to prevent her from testifying in the murder trial.
Kocontes has denied that allegation and was set to be tried separately on the solicitation charge. It isn’t clear if prosecutors will proceed with that case, given the verdict in the special-circumstances murder trial.
Kocontes is scheduled for a Sept. 18 sentencing and faces life in prison without the possibility of parole. He has been behind bars for more than seven years.


mercurynews--2020-06-16--Letter: Santa Clara County is low on police accountability

Re : “ What will we do when the Floyd protests die down ?
” ( Opinion section , Mercurynews.com , June 7 ) : I ’ m glad Jeff Rosen asked .
The Santa Clara County District Attorney could start with inviting some South Bay representatives of the Black Lives Matter movement to review the External Oversight , Reporting , and Organizational Accountability report of last year .
The situation is this : We have a minimal police accountability structure in the city of San Jose and none in Santa Clara County — maybe you could start there .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ bringing justice to our county , he has to admit that structural change , not photo ops , must happen and the police should be the police , not campus cops , border cops , sex trade cops or homelessness cops .
• Letter : I just got a letter from the IRS — I opened it immediately but… • Letter : Berkeley extends help to renters but not landlords • Letter : Not every officer-involved killing a travesty of justice • Letter : I have just changed my mind about reparations There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in social work and at addiction centers , homeless shelters and even churches who could make good things happen if Rosen chose to work with them .
Submit your letter to the editor via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

Re: “What will we do when the Floyd protests die down?” (Opinion section, Mercurynews.com, June 7):
I’m glad Jeff Rosen asked. The Santa Clara County District Attorney could start with inviting some South Bay representatives of the Black Lives Matter movement to review the External Oversight, Reporting, and Organizational Accountability report of last year.
The situation is this: We have a minimal police accountability structure in the city of San Jose and none in Santa Clara County — maybe you could start there. But if Rosen really wants allies in bringing justice to our county, he has to admit that structural change, not photo ops, must happen and the police should be the police, not campus cops, border cops, sex trade cops or homelessness cops.
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Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path Letters to the Editor | Letters: Local solar | Titan resources | Activism helps There are hundreds of folks who are skilled in social work and at addiction centers, homeless shelters and even churches who could make good things happen if Rosen chose to work with them.
Walter Hudson
San Jose
Submit your letter to the editor via this form
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mercurynews--2020-06-16--Word Game: June 16, 2020

Word Game: June 16, 2020

TODAY ’ S WORD — CONVINCE ( CONVINCE : kun-VINS : By argument , to cause someone to believe or @ @ @ @ @ ) Can you find 22 or more words in CONVINCE ?
The list will be @ @ @ @ @ the Word Game book , visit WordGameBooks.com .
Order it now for just $ 5 @ @ @ @ @ .
Words must be of four or more letters .
2 .
Words that acquire @ @ @ @ @ of “ s , ” such as “ bats ” or “ dies , ” @ @ @ @ @ .
Additional words made by adding a “ d ” or an “ s ” @ @ @ @ @ For example , if “ bake ” is used , “ baked ” or “ @ @ @ @ @ , but “ bake ” and “ baking ” are admissible .
4 .
Proper @ @ @ @ @ or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed .

TODAY’S WORD — CONVINCE (CONVINCE: kun-VINS: By argument, to cause someone to believe or take action in something.)
Average 16 words
Time limit 30 minutes
Can you find 22 or more words in CONVINCE? The list will be published tomorrow.
YESTERDAY’S WORD — DEMURRED deed deem deer demur demure drum dude
erred mere murder murre udder redder reed rudder rude ruder
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.


Bridge: June 16, 2020

I found Cy the Cynic sitting at a table in a corner of the club lounge , nursing a large drink .
“ He ’ s trying to drown his sorrows , ” Rose told me , “ but it looks like they know how to swim.
” Minnie Bottoms , our senior member , wears old bifocals that make her mix up kings and jacks , often to her opponents ’ dismay .
Cy has been Minnie ’ s chief victim .
He was today ’ s South at four spades doubled .
Minnie was East .
“ West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s ace , ” Rose told me , “ and she shifted to the jack ( ! )
of diamonds .
Cy took dummy ’ s king and called for a trump — and Minnie said she ’ d won the second trick !
” “ She thought her jack of diamonds was the king , ” I said .
“ She was cashing out.
” “ They set her straight , ” Rose went on , “ but when Minnie took her ace of trumps , she led a low diamond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heart ruff for down one.
” Cy has my sympathy .
Only the lead of the jack of diamonds beats four spades .
You hold : S Q J 10 9 6 2 H Q 6 D 10 9 C K Q 5 .
Your partner opens one club , you respond one spade and he bids 1NT .
South in today ’ s deal then jumped to three spades with this hand .
Do you agree with his call ?
ANSWER : South ’ s three spades was invitational , not forcing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 high-card points and no aces .
( North had 14 good points , but four spades was a shaky contract . )
Bid two spades to assure a plus score .

I found Cy the Cynic sitting at a table in a corner of the club lounge, nursing a large drink.
“He’s trying to drown his sorrows,” Rose told me, “but it looks like they know how to swim.”
“Minnie nailed him again?” I asked.
Minnie Bottoms, our senior member, wears old bifocals that make her mix up kings and jacks, often to her opponents’ dismay. Cy has been Minnie’s chief victim. He was today’s South at four spades doubled. Minnie was East.
SECOND TRICK
“West led the jack of hearts to Minnie’s ace,” Rose told me, “and she shifted to the jack (!) of diamonds. Cy took dummy’s king and called for a trump — and Minnie said she’d won the second trick!”
“She thought her jack of diamonds was the king,” I said. “She was cashing out.”
“They set her straight,” Rose went on, “but when Minnie took her ace of trumps, she led a low diamond. West won and gave Minnie a heart ruff for down one.”
Cy has my sympathy. Only the lead of the jack of diamonds beats four spades.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S Q J 10 9 6 2 H Q 6 D 10 9 C K Q 5. Your partner opens one club, you respond one spade and he bids 1NT. South in today’s deal then jumped to three spades with this hand. Do you agree with his call?
ANSWER: South’s three spades was invitational, not forcing, but it seems aggressive with only 10 high-card points and no aces. (North had 14 good points, but four spades was a shaky contract.) Bid two spades to assure a plus score.
North dealer
Both sides vulnerable
NORTH
S K 7 5
H K 7 4 2
D K 6 4
C A J 10
WEST
S 3
H J 10 9 8 5 3
D Q 8 5 3
C 7 3
EAST
S A 8 4
H A
D A J 7 2
C 9 8 6 4 2
SOUTH
S Q J 10 9 6 2
H Q 6
D 10 9
C K Q 5
North East South West
1 C Pass 1 S Pass
1 NT Pass 3 S Pass
4 S Dbl(!) All Pass
Opening lead — H J
(C)2020 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.


mercurynews--2020-06-17--San Jose: Public Health Officer Sara Cody receiving threats over her handling of coronavirus closure

San Jose: Public Health Officer Sara Cody receiving threats over her handling of coronavirus closures

SAN JOSE — Dr. Sara Cody , Santa Clara County ’ s public health officer who has faced criticism for her cautious approach to lifting stay-at-home orders , has also been the target of personal threats .
“ We are aware of the threats made against Dr. Cody and it is under investigation , ” Santa Clara County Sheriff ’ s Sgt .
Michael Low said in a statement Tuesday .
He provided no details about the nature of the threats .
They were first reported by the Silicon Valley Business Journal .
In an interview Tuesday , Cody did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said “ we ’ ve all taken more heat than we usually take .
I try as much as possible to keep my head down.
” Cody is credited with leading the Bay Area-wide shelter-in-place order in mid-March — the first in the country and days ahead of Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s statewide order .
When Newsom began loosening restrictions on church services and hair salons statewide at the end of May , however , Cody cautioned that he was moving too fast and Santa Clara County would proceed more cautiously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health officers across the country who have become targets of ire .
Seven other health officials in California have resigned since the pandemic began after enduring withering criticism .
• San Jose spent $ 1.3 million on trailers for homeless .
A month later , the site was shut down .
• Contra Costa County will allow salons and barber shops to reopen Wednesday Kat DeBurgh , executive director of the Health Officers Association of California , said that although she hadn ’ t heard about threats against Cody specifically , the phenomenon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment is an important part of making public policy .
But instead of attacking the policy , they ’ ve started attacking the person .
”

SAN JOSE — Dr. Sara Cody, Santa Clara County’s public health officer who has faced criticism for her cautious approach to lifting stay-at-home orders, has also been the target of personal threats.
In a statement Wednesday, her staff condemned the “serious threats from a few individuals.”
Cody, the statement said, “deserves our respect and appreciation for having the bravery to make the tough calls needed to protect the health and wellbeing of all our residents, including the most vulnerable members of our community.”
Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Low confirmed Tuesday that an investigation in underway. He provided no details about the nature of the threats. They were first reported by the Silicon Valley Business Journal.
In an interview Tuesday, Cody did not address the threats specifically, but said “we’ve all taken more heat than we usually take. I try as much as possible to keep my head down.”
Cody is credited with leading the Bay Area-wide shelter-in-place order in mid-March — the first in the country and days ahead of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s statewide order. When Newsom began loosening restrictions on church services and hair salons statewide at the end of May, however, Cody cautioned that he was moving too fast and Santa Clara County would proceed more cautiously.
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Kat DeBurgh, executive director of the Health Officers Association of California, said that although she hadn’t heard about threats against Cody specifically, the phenomenon is “alarming and disappointing. Public comment is an important part of making public policy. But instead of attacking the policy, they’ve started attacking the person.”
The statement from the county praised Cody for “having the courage to make science-based decisions,” that have “saved thousands of lived during the COVID-19 pandemic.”


mercurynews--2020-06-17--Paris’ iconic Eiffel Tower set to reopen on June 25

PARIS — Workers are preparing the Eiffel Tower for reopening next week , after the coronavirus pandemic led to the iconic Paris landmark ’ s longest closure since World War II .
France ’ s tourism industry is opening back up , but the 1,063-feet tall wrought-iron tower won ’ t immediately welcome visitors the way it did before the country went into lockdown in March .
Only limited numbers of people will be allowed in when the Eiffel Tower opens again on June 25 .
Elevators to the top will be out of service , at least at first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ floors will be accessible to the public .
“ At first , only visits by the stairs will be available , ” Victoria Klahr , the spokeswoman for the tower ’ s management , said Tuesday .
Everyone over 11 years old will be required to wear face masks , and crowd control measures will be in place .
“ We are optimistic that visitor numbers will pick up , even if it will likely be local tourists who visit the monument in the first weeks , ” Klahr said .
The tower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday that he hopes access will be back to normal by August .
A stringent cleaning operation is in place and will continue daily from next week .
“ There is a new protocol , ” said Eiffel Tower hygiene consultant Alain Miralles .
“ The day cleaning teams will be able to clean all the points of contact every two hours , from the opening of the site to its closing , ” Tourists planning trips to the City of Light are advised to book tickets to visit the Eiffel Tower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Paris tourism officials have expressed muted optimism about the city ’ s reemergence as a travel destination .
Since confinement measures were imposed in March , tourism levels have dropped by around 80 % compared to the same month in previous years , they say .
“ To visit Paris now is quite exceptional , as we of course don ’ t have many visitors and we don ’ t expect this summer to be at the same level as previous ones , ” Corinne Menegaux , the director of Paris ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The AP .
Hotel owners are also keen to welcome visitors again , if realistic about the challenges ahead – and the competition among European countries to draw tourists back in the coronavirus era .
“ Everyone is Europe is looking to draw the European clientele .
The Italians want to bring in the French , the Germans want to attract the Danes , ” said Serge Cachan , president of France ’ s Astotel Group .
He pointed out the plexiglass protections in the reception area of one of his hotels and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Jose spent $ 1.3 million on trailers for homeless .
A month later , the site was shut down .
• Contra Costa County will allow salons and barber shops to reopen Wednesday He welcomed the French president ’ s decision Sunday to let Paris restaurants reopen earlier than planned .
“ Without restaurants , there is no conviviality , there is no tourism , there are no clients in hotels , ” he said in an interview .
“ The message I would like to on-pass to the city of Paris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the tourist attractions and activities .
”

By Thomas Adamson | Associated Press
PARIS — Workers are preparing the Eiffel Tower for reopening next week, after the coronavirus pandemic led to the iconic Paris landmark’s longest closure since World War II.
France’s tourism industry is opening back up, but the 1,063-feet tall wrought-iron tower won’t immediately welcome visitors the way it did before the country went into lockdown in March.
Only limited numbers of people will be allowed in when the Eiffel Tower opens again on June 25. Elevators to the top will be out of service, at least at first, and only the first and second floors will be accessible to the public.
“At first, only visits by the stairs will be available,” Victoria Klahr, the spokeswoman for the tower’s management, said Tuesday.
Everyone over 11 years old will be required to wear face masks, and crowd control measures will be in place.
“We are optimistic that visitor numbers will pick up, even if it will likely be local tourists who visit the monument in the first weeks,” Klahr said.
The tower’s director told The Associated Press on Tuesday that he hopes access will be back to normal by August.
A stringent cleaning operation is in place and will continue daily from next week.
“There is a new protocol,” said Eiffel Tower hygiene consultant Alain Miralles. “The day cleaning teams will be able to clean all the points of contact every two hours, from the opening of the site to its closing,”
Tourists planning trips to the City of Light are advised to book tickets to visit the Eiffel Tower online once the ticket office reopens Thursday.
Paris tourism officials have expressed muted optimism about the city’s reemergence as a travel destination. Since confinement measures were imposed in March, tourism levels have dropped by around 80% compared to the same month in previous years, they say.
“To visit Paris now is quite exceptional, as we of course don’t have many visitors and we don’t expect this summer to be at the same level as previous ones,” Corinne Menegaux, the director of Paris’s businesses and tourism office, told The AP.
Hotel owners are also keen to welcome visitors again, if realistic about the challenges ahead – and the competition among European countries to draw tourists back in the coronavirus era.
“Everyone is Europe is looking to draw the European clientele. The Italians want to bring in the French, the Germans want to attract the Danes,” said Serge Cachan, president of France’s Astotel Group. He pointed out the plexiglass protections in the reception area of one of his hotels and arrows to ensure social distancing.
He welcomed the French president’s decision Sunday to let Paris restaurants reopen earlier than planned. “Without restaurants, there is no conviviality, there is no tourism, there are no clients in hotels,” he said in an interview.
“The message I would like to on-pass to the city of Paris is: Hurry and open up all of the tourist attractions and activities.”
Oleg Cetinic, Jeff Schaeffer and Masha Macpherson in Paris contributed.


mercurynews--2020-06-17--Watch: Livermore Farmer’s Market suspended in wake of LGBTQ Pride Flag video

CLICK HERE if you ’ re having trouble viewing media on a mobile device .
The twice weekly Livermore Farmers Market has suspended operations in the wake of its management company resigning after a viral video captured one market executive asking a gay , married vendor not to hand out rainbow flags representing LGBTQ Pride Month .
Dan Floyd , the Dan Good Cookies baker confronted by California Farmers Market Association Director Gail Hayden while handing out pride flags from a booth at the June 7 market , also decided not to return to the market once operations resume .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the direction of the new management company , and I can not in good conscience continue to operate under their leadership , ” Floyd said in a statement before CFMA ’ s resignation .
Officials who announced the market suspension on Facebook also distanced themselves from the controversy , adding that Livermore Downtown Inc. is working to replace CFMA with a new management company : “ The occurrence at the market that led to CFMA ’ s resignation is not reflective of Livermore ’ s values of inclusion and respect , ” they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recorded on video by Livermore Pride Executive Director Amy Pannu was published on YouTube on Monday .
In it , Hayden takes off her mask and tells Floyd : “ This is Disneyland !
” and “ The mission of the market is not your political point of view !
” One day later , Floyd said Dan Good Cookies has sold out amid an outpouring of support .
“ We ’ ve had folks coming from Stockton , Los Gatos and San Jose .
I think I sold more cookies today than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ puts that number at 10,000 cookies .
In one day .
Livermore Pride issued a statement after the organization published video of Floyd and Pannu ’ s viral moment , suggesting that the incident means the market “ may not be a safe space for LGBTQ+ vendors.
” “ The hostility toward both Dan and Amy over something as simple as a small free flag being handed out optionally to Market consumers suggests that they were targeted because they were representing the LGBTQ+ community , ” the statement said .
“ Nothing else @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used in this recording.
” As for what he ’ d like to see happen at the Livermore market as it moves forward , Floyd said he hopes a “ more inclusive ” management company takes over .
Calls made and emails sent to officials with Livermore Downtown Inc. , the non-profit tasked with replacing the CFMA as the farmer ’ s market operator , and a message sent to CFMA Executive Director Gail Hayden were not immediately returned .
CFMA has managed at least 10 other farmer ’ s markets throughout the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .

CLICK HERE if you’re having trouble viewing media on a mobile device.
The twice weekly Livermore Farmers Market has suspended operations in the wake of its management company resigning after a viral video captured one market executive asking a gay, married vendor not to hand out rainbow flags representing LGBTQ Pride Month.
The video shows Dan Floyd, owner of Dan Good Cookies, being confronted by California Farmers Market Association director Gail Hayden while handing out Pride flags from a booth at the June 7 market. The confrontation recorded on video by Livermore Pride Executive Director Amy Pannu was published on YouTube on Monday. In it, Hayden takes off her mask and tells Floyd: “This is Disneyland!” and “The mission of the market is not your political point of view!”
Officials who announced the Livermore market’s temporary suspension on Facebook said that Livermore Downtown Inc. is at work looking for a new management company.
“The occurrence at the market that led to CFMA’s resignation is not reflective of Livermore’s values of inclusion and respect,” officials said in a statement.
A day later, Floyd said Dan Good Cookies has sold out of cookies amid an outpouring of support.
“We’ve had folks coming from Stockton, Los Gatos and San Jose. I think I sold more cookies today than I do in a week.” He puts that number at 10,000 cookies. In one day.
Livermore Pride issued a statement after the organization published video of Floyd and Pannu’s viral moment, suggesting that the incident means the market “may not be a safe space for LGBTQ+ vendors.”
“The hostility toward both Dan and Amy over something as simple as a small free flag being handed out optionally to Market consumers suggests that they were targeted because they were representing the LGBTQ+ community,” the statement said. “Nothing else explains the outright vitriol and weighted language used in this recording.”
On Tuesday evening, after local television stations began airing the story, CFMA released a statement defending itself and its actions at the farmers market, citing safety as the reason for telling Floyd to cease offering flags. “The pointy-tip flags were being used by children as
swords, nearly poking one child in the eye,” CFMA president Doug Hayden said in the statement. But in the video Gail Hayden never mentions safety.
As for what he’d like to see happen at the Livermore market as it moves forward, Floyd said he hopes a “more inclusive” management company takes over.
Calls made and emails sent to officials with Livermore Downtown Inc., the non-profit tasked with replacing the CFMA as the farmer’s market operator, and a message sent to CFMA Executive Director Gail Hayden were not immediately returned. CFMA has managed at least 10 other farmer’s markets throughout the South Bay and East Bay for 25 years.
There was no word on Wednesday when the market might re-open.


mercurynews--2020-06-17--North Korea blows up office used for meetings with South Korea

North Korea has blown up a joint liaison office used for talks between itself and South Korea , the latest sign that ties between the two longtime adversaries are rapidly deteriorating .
North Korean state media reported that the four-story building , which is located in the town of Kaesong just north of the demilitarized zone that divides the two Koreas , was “ completely destroyed by a “ terrific explosion ” at 2:50 p.m. local time .
A plume of black smoke rising above the site was visible from the South Korean side of the border shortly after .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ January 30 due to the novel coronavirus pandemic , according to the South Korean Unification Ministry .
South Korean staff had not been to the building since , the ministry said .
But the destruction of a building meant to facilitate dialogue , paid for by South Korea and sitting on North Korean soil , is highly symbolic .
It may mark a turning point in relations between two countries that had committed themselves to “ a new era of peace ” fewer than three years ago .
North Korea framed its decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retaliatory measure after a group of defectors used balloons to send anti-North Korean leaflets north of the DMZ .
“ The recent foolish act of daring hurt the dignity of our supreme leadership , ” a statement carried in KCNA Tuesday read .
“ The world will clearly see what severe punishment our people will mete out to the South Korean authorities and how they wipe the human scum off the earth.
” North Korea claimed the leaflets violated the deal Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in struck in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders agreed to cease “ all hostile acts and eliminating their means , including broadcasting through loudspeakers and distribution of leaflets ” along their shared border .
It ’ s illegal for average North Koreans to consume information that is not approved by the country ’ s powerful propaganda machine , and doing so can carry dire consequences .
The liaison office was reopened and refurbished as part of that deal to help the two Koreas communicate , but its future had been thrown into doubt last week when North Korea announced it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korea , including a hotline meant to directly connect the leaders of the two countries , in response to the leaflets .
North Korean state media also announced Tuesday that the country ’ s armed forces would re-militarize portions of the Korean border that had been pacified by both sides in recent years .
An official at South Korea ’ s Presidential Blue House called the decision to blow up the liaison office “ an act of betrayal of the expectations of all who wish for the improvement of the inter-Korean relations and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The South Korean Defense Ministry said it was monitoring North Korea ’ s armed forces and would “ strongly ” respond to any military provocations .
Kim Yo Jong , Kim Jong Un ’ s sister and perhaps the second most powerful person in the country , demanded the South Korean government punish the defectors , whom she called “ betrayers , ” “ human scum ” and “ riff-raff who dared hurt the absolute prestige of our Supreme Leader representing our country and its great dignity , ” according to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency KCNA on Saturday .
Kim also hinted in that statement that the North Korean liaison office would be destroyed in some manner .
“ Before long , a tragic scene of the useless North-South joint liaison office completely collapsed would be seen , ” she said per the Saturday statement .
Experts say that the leaflets likely angered North Korea ’ s political leadership .
But leading into Tuesday , some analysts had also speculated that North Korea was using the issue to manufacture a crisis — a tactic Pyongyang has previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in negotiations or to sow discord between the United States and South Korea .
South Korean authorities are investigating the defectors who sent the leaflets , but any attempts to prosecute them could be met with heavy criticism in a liberal democracy which prizes freedom of speech .
On Monday , Moon said it was imperative that North Korea return to the negotiating table rather than “ return to the past period of confrontation by cutting the communication and raising tension.
” “ The path that two Koreas must walk is clear .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ but eventually reaches the sea , the South and the North must keep their optimistic faith and take each step towards national reconciliation , peace , and unification , however slow it may be , ” he said .
“ The promise of peace on Korean Peninsula that was made by Chairman Kim Jong Un and I , in front of 80 million Korean people , can not be reversed .
”

[vemba-video id=”world/2020/06/16/north-korea-blows-up-joint-liaison-office-south-korea-kaesong-ripley-intl-ldn-vpx.cnn”]
By Joshua Berlinger, Jake Kwon and Yoonjung Seo | CNN
North Korea has blown up a joint liaison office used for talks between itself and South Korea, the latest sign that ties between the two longtime adversaries are rapidly deteriorating.
North Korean state media reported that the four-story building, which is located in the town of Kaesong just north of the demilitarized zone that divides the two Koreas, was “completely destroyed by a “terrific explosion” at 2:50 p.m. local time.
A plume of black smoke rising above the site was visible from the South Korean side of the border shortly after.
The liaison office had been closed since January 30 due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, according to the South Korean Unification Ministry. South Korean staff had not been to the building since, the ministry said.
But the destruction of a building meant to facilitate dialogue, paid for by South Korea and sitting on North Korean soil, is highly symbolic. It may mark a turning point in relations between two countries that had committed themselves to “a new era of peace” fewer than three years ago.
North Korea framed its decision to destroy the liaison office as a retaliatory measure after a group of defectors used balloons to send anti-North Korean leaflets north of the DMZ.
“The recent foolish act of daring hurt the dignity of our supreme leadership,” a statement carried in KCNA Tuesday read.
“The world will clearly see what severe punishment our people will mete out to the South Korean authorities and how they wipe the human scum off the earth.”
North Korea claimed the leaflets violated the deal Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in struck in 2018 at their first summit, when both leaders agreed to cease “all hostile acts and eliminating their means, including broadcasting through loudspeakers and distribution of leaflets” along their shared border. It’s illegal for average North Koreans to consume information that is not approved by the country’s powerful propaganda machine, and doing so can carry dire consequences.
The liaison office was reopened and refurbished as part of that deal to help the two Koreas communicate, but its future had been thrown into doubt last week when North Korea announced it was cutting off all communication with South Korea, including a hotline meant to directly connect the leaders of the two countries, in response to the leaflets. North Korean state media also announced Tuesday that the country’s armed forces would re-militarize portions of the Korean border that had been pacified by both sides in recent years.
An official at South Korea’s Presidential Blue House called the decision to blow up the liaison office “an act of betrayal of the expectations of all who wish for the improvement of the inter-Korean relations and settlement of peace on the Korean Peninsula.” The South Korean Defense Ministry said it was monitoring North Korea’s armed forces and would “strongly” respond to any military provocations.
Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un’s sister and perhaps the second most powerful person in the country, demanded the South Korean government punish the defectors, whom she called “betrayers,” “human scum” and “riff-raff who dared hurt the absolute prestige of our Supreme Leader representing our country and its great dignity,” according to a statement carried by North Korean state news agency KCNA on Saturday.
Kim also hinted in that statement that the North Korean liaison office would be destroyed in some manner.
“Before long, a tragic scene of the useless North-South joint liaison office completely collapsed would be seen,” she said per the Saturday statement.
Experts say that the leaflets likely angered North Korea’s political leadership. But leading into Tuesday, some analysts had also speculated that North Korea was using the issue to manufacture a crisis — a tactic Pyongyang has previously used to create a sense of urgency in negotiations or to sow discord between the United States and South Korea.
South Korean authorities are investigating the defectors who sent the leaflets, but any attempts to prosecute them could be met with heavy criticism in a liberal democracy which prizes freedom of speech.
On Monday, Moon said it was imperative that North Korea return to the negotiating table rather than “return to the past period of confrontation by cutting the communication and raising tension.”
“The path that two Koreas must walk is clear. Like the river that twists and turns but eventually reaches the sea, the South and the North must keep their optimistic faith and take each step towards national reconciliation, peace, and unification, however slow it may be,” he said.
“The promise of peace on Korean Peninsula that was made by Chairman Kim Jong Un and I, in front of 80 million Korean people, cannot be reversed.”


mercurynews--2020-06-17--US sues Bolton over book the president wants stopped

The United States on Tuesday sued former national security adviser John Bolton , seeking to block him from publishing a book about his time in the White House that it said contained classified information and would compromise national security .
The civil lawsuit came one day after President Donald Trump said Bolton would be breaking the law if the book were published .
The White House National Security Council “ has determined that the manuscript in its present form contains certain passages – some up to several paragraphs in length – that contain classified national security information , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ would cause irreparable harm , because the disclosure of instances of classified information in the manuscript reasonably could be expected to cause serious damage , or exceptionally grave damage , to the national security of the United States , ” according to the lawsuit .
Trump fired Bolton last September after roughly 17 months as national security adviser .
Trump said on Monday that Bolton knows he has classified information in his book , and that he had not completed a clearing process required for any book written by former government officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Attorney General William Barr said the Justice Department was trying to get Bolton to complete the clearance process and “ make the necessary deletions of classified information.
” Bolton ’ s “ The Room Where It Happened : A White House Memoir , ” is set to be published on June 23 .
The publisher , Simon and Schuster , said the book provides an insider account of Trump ’ s “ inconsistent , scattershot decision-making process.
” Simon and Schuster did not immediately reply to a request for comment on the lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dealings with China , Russia , Ukraine , North Korea , Iran , Britain , France and Germany , the publisher said .
“ This is the book Donald Trump doesn ’ t want you to read , ” it said .

By Jonathan Stempel | Reuters
The United States on Tuesday sued former national security adviser John Bolton, seeking to block him from publishing a book about his time in the White House that it said contained classified information and would compromise national security.
The civil lawsuit came one day after President Donald Trump said Bolton would be breaking the law if the book were published.
The White House National Security Council “has determined that the manuscript in its present form contains certain passages – some up to several paragraphs in length – that contain classified national security information,” the lawsuit said.
Publication of the book “would cause irreparable harm, because the disclosure of instances of classified information in the manuscript reasonably could be expected to cause serious damage, or exceptionally grave damage, to the national security of the United States,” according to the lawsuit.
Trump fired Bolton last September after roughly 17 months as national security adviser.
Trump said on Monday that Bolton knows he has classified information in his book, and that he had not completed a clearing process required for any book written by former government officials who had access to sensitive information.
Attorney General William Barr said the Justice Department was trying to get Bolton to complete the clearance process and “make the necessary deletions of classified information.”
Bolton’s “The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir,” is set to be published on June 23.
The publisher, Simon and Schuster, said the book provides an insider account of Trump’s “inconsistent, scattershot decision-making process.”
Simon and Schuster did not immediately reply to a request for comment on the lawsuit.
The book details Trump’s dealings with China, Russia, Ukraine, North Korea, Iran, Britain, France and Germany, the publisher said.
“This is the book Donald Trump doesn’t want you to read,” it said.