washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Small plane crashes near Graham after losing power

GRAHAM , Wash. ( AP ) - A small plane crash-landed in a church parking lot on Saturday night near Graham .
KIRO-TV reports Graham Fire and Rescue crews were called to 187th Street East .
Officials said three people were on the plane when it lost power .
All three walked away from the crash without injury , first responders said .
There were two student pilots and the flight instructor on the plane .
Officials said the instructor took over the controls when it lost power and landed the plane in an empty parking lot .
“ They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put it because the plane was falling fast , so they had an open field and they tried to set it down in the field .
He was afraid he wasn ’ t going to make the field because of the houses , so they kind of aimed for a parking lot and here ’ s where they landed , ” Grant Fire and Rescue Assistant Chief Steve Richards said .
The cause of the crash is under investigation .
It was the second plane crash in Puyallup this week .
A 53-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home airport in Auburn survived after he crash-landed into a car on Thursday afternoon in a South Hill parking lot .
According to Pierce County sheriff ’ s deputies , the small plane lost power after takeoff .

GRAHAM, Wash. (AP) - A small plane crash-landed in a church parking lot on Saturday night near Graham.
KIRO-TV reports Graham Fire and Rescue crews were called to 187th Street East. Officials said three people were on the plane when it lost power.
All three walked away from the crash without injury, first responders said. There were two student pilots and the flight instructor on the plane. Officials said the instructor took over the controls when it lost power and landed the plane in an empty parking lot.
“They were trying to pick a place to put it because the plane was falling fast, so they had an open field and they tried to set it down in the field. He was afraid he wasn’t going to make the field because of the houses, so they kind of aimed for a parking lot and here’s where they landed,” Grant Fire and Rescue Assistant Chief Steve Richards said.
The cause of the crash is under investigation. It was the second plane crash in Puyallup this week.
A 53-year-old pilot flying from Thun Field to his home airport in Auburn survived after he crash-landed into a car on Thursday afternoon in a South Hill parking lot.
According to Pierce County sheriff’s deputies, the small plane lost power after takeoff.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Officials say 4 dead in house fire in eastern Nebraska

COLUMBUS , Neb .
( AP ) - Four people died in a house fire over the weekend in eastern @ @ @ @ @ Columbus said .
The fire broke out Saturday morning in a house in the heart @ @ @ @ @ about 70 miles west of Omaha , the Omaha World-Herald reported .
Two adults and @ @ @ @ @ from the house and taken to a local hospital , where they were pronounced dead @ @ @ @ @ Chief Dan Miller .
Authorities had not released the victims ’ names or listed the @ @ @ @ @ early Monday morning .
The fire is being investigated by State Fire Marshal ’ s @ @

COLUMBUS, Neb. (AP) - A stray ember from a wood-burning fireplace sparked a house fire over the weekend that killed four people, fire officials in the eastern Nebraska city of Columbus said.
The Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s office said Monday in a news release that Lars Barcel, 27, and Janelle Miller, 28, died in the fire, along with 6-year-old Natasha Lambrecht and 4-month-old Lars Alex Barcel Jr.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office said Monday the four all died of smoke inhalation.
The fire broke out Saturday morning in a house in the heart of Columbus, which is about 70 miles (112.65 kilometers) northwest of Omaha. Firefighters pulled all four from the house and rushed them to a local hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
State Fire Marshal’s investigators and Columbus police determined that the ember from a fireplace ignited nearby combustible materials.
Investigators said smoke detectors were present in the house, but the batteries weren’t connected.
Barcel and Miller planned to marry, according to an obituary on the website of the Columbus funeral home. Natasha was born during Janelle’s first marriage and the couple’s son, “Baby Alex,” was born June 2.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--French soccer league to pay tribute to slain teacher

PARIS ( AP ) - Players , coaches and referees at French league matches this weekend will wear a black @ @ @ @ @ French history teacher who was killed near Paris last week in a suspected terror-related attack @ @ @ @ @ in a statement Monday that a minute of silence will be observed before kick-off while @ @ @ @ @ will be displayed on giant screens at all professional matches in Ligue 1 and 2 @ @ @ @ @ in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine , northwest of Paris , by an 18-year-old Moscow-born Chechen refugee , who @ @ @ @ @ police .
Police officials said Paty had discussed caricatures of Islam ’ s Prophet Muhammad @ @ @ @ @ to threats .

PARIS (AP) - Players, coaches and referees at French league matches this weekend will wear a black armband in tribute to the French history teacher who was killed near Paris last week in a suspected terror-related attack.
The French league said in a statement Monday that a minute of silence will be observed before kick-off while a picture of the teacher will be displayed on giant screens at all professional matches in Ligue 1 and 2.
Samuel Paty was beheaded in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, northwest of Paris, by an 18-year-old Moscow-born Chechen refugee, who was later shot dead by police. Police officials said Paty had discussed caricatures of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad with his class, leading to threats.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Alaska tribes say agency ignored Tongass exemption request

JUNEAU , Alaska ( AP ) - The U.S. government ignored the requests of some Alaska Native groups to uphold national Roadless Rule restrictions in the Tongass National Forest , tribal officials said .
The U.S. Forest Service recommended lifting the rule completely and is expected to make the decision official before the end of October , CoastAlaska reported Friday .
The agency started a 30-day clock last month to completely exempt Tongass National Forest from the 2001 regulation .
“ It ’ s just another broken promise to tribes as far as we ’ re concerned , ” Hoonah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The rule restricts but does not prohibit road building and resource development on some national forest lands , while some critics said the regulation locks up natural resources .
The federal government is required to consult with tribal governments before making changes to the rule .
The Forest Service consulted nine Southeast Alaska tribes whose traditional homelands are part of the country ’ s largest national forest .
Meetings , hearings and public comment periods dominated by Alaskans who favor keeping the rule intact failed to persuade Forest Service officials , Starbard said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sit in the middle of , is part and parcel of being Tlingit .
We are people of the land , ” Starbard said .
“ It became clear at the very end , however , that the game had already been fixed.
” Marina Anderson , administrator of the Organized Village of Kasaan on Prince of Wales Island , said tribal consultation was not taken seriously by federal officials .
“ It was apparent that our participation - requested by the federal government in the throes of this rulemaking process - was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the government saying that they had consulted with us properly and they met with the Indigenous people properly , ” Anderson said .
The tribes ’ input “ was integral to the agency ’ s analysis during the rulemaking process , ” U.S. Department of Agriculture spokesman Larry Moore said in a statement .
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski and U.S. Rep. Don Young , both Alaska Republicans , have criticized the Roadless Rule .
Alaska Gov .
Mike Dunleavy , also a Republican , applauded the Trump administration ’ s effort to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elected officials did not listen to the majority of residents who oppose the Roadless Rule rollback , Anderson said .
“ Alaska ’ s delegation , this entire time , has had industry ’ s best interest , and they ’ ve been in full support of the exemption , ” she said .

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - The U.S. government ignored the requests of some Alaska Native groups to uphold national Roadless Rule restrictions in the Tongass National Forest, tribal officials said.
The U.S. Forest Service recommended lifting the rule completely and is expected to make the decision official before the end of October, CoastAlaska reported Friday.
The agency started a 30-day clock last month to completely exempt Tongass National Forest from the 2001 regulation.
“It’s just another broken promise to tribes as far as we’re concerned,” Hoonah Indian Association Administrator Bob Starbard said.
The rule restricts but does not prohibit road building and resource development on some national forest lands, while some critics said the regulation locks up natural resources.
The federal government is required to consult with tribal governments before making changes to the rule. The Forest Service consulted nine Southeast Alaska tribes whose traditional homelands are part of the country’s largest national forest.
Meetings, hearings and public comment periods dominated by Alaskans who favor keeping the rule intact failed to persuade Forest Service officials, Starbard said.
“The Tongass, which we sit in the middle of, is part and parcel of being Tlingit. We are people of the land,” Starbard said. “It became clear at the very end, however, that the game had already been fixed.”
Marina Anderson, administrator of the Organized Village of Kasaan on Prince of Wales Island, said tribal consultation was not taken seriously by federal officials.
“It was apparent that our participation - requested by the federal government in the throes of this rulemaking process - was a form of box-checking, a form of the government saying that they had consulted with us properly and they met with the Indigenous people properly,” Anderson said.
The tribes’ input “was integral to the agency’s analysis during the rulemaking process,” U.S. Department of Agriculture spokesman Larry Moore said in a statement.
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski and U.S. Rep. Don Young, both Alaska Republicans, have criticized the Roadless Rule. Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, also a Republican, applauded the Trump administration’s effort to lift the rule.
Alaska’s elected officials did not listen to the majority of residents who oppose the Roadless Rule rollback, Anderson said.
“Alaska’s delegation, this entire time, has had industry’s best interest, and they’ve been in full support of the exemption,” she said.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Election 2020 Today: Suburban women revolt, COVID aid delay

HOW TO VOTE : AP ’ s state-by-state interactive has details on how to vote in this election .
SUBURBAN WOMEN LEAD TRUMP REVOLT : For many suburban women , the past four years have marked a political awakening that has powered women ’ s marches , the # MeToo movement and the victories of record numbers of female candidates .
That energy has helped create the widest gender gap in the political divide in recent history .
And it has started to show up in early voting as women are casting their ballots earlier than men .
TRUMP , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump and his Democratic rival Joe Biden have been on offense , with each campaigning in states they ’ re trying to flip during the Nov. 3 election .
Trump began Sunday in Nevada , making a rare visit to church before an evening rally in Carson City and Biden attended Mass in Delaware before flying to North Carolina .
COVID RELIEF DELAY : New virus relief will have to wait until after the November election .
Congress is past the point at which it can deliver more coronavirus aid soon , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate Republicans and Trump proving insurmountable .
Trump ’ s Republican allies are reconvening the Senate this week to vote on a virus proposal , but it ’ s a bill that failed once before , and that Trump himself now derides as too puny .
2016 SEQUEL ?
: The president ’ s attempts to recycle attacks he used on Hillary Clinton have so far failed to effectively damage Biden .
And Trump has found himself dwelling more and more in the conservative media echo chamber , talking to an increasingly smaller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal grievance , the president has tried to amplify stories that diehard Fox News viewers know by heart but have not broken through to a broader public consumed with the sole issue that has defined the campaign , how the president has managed the pandemic .
Most US clergy avoid hellfire threats over abortion politics Is Facebook really ready for the 2020 election ?

Here’s what’s happening Monday in Election 2020, 15 days until Election Day:
HOW TO VOTE: AP’s state-by-state interactive has details on how to vote in this election.
TODAY’S TOP STORIES:
SUBURBAN WOMEN LEAD TRUMP REVOLT: For many suburban women, the past four years have marked a political awakening that has powered women’s marches, the #MeToo movement and the victories of record numbers of female candidates. That energy has helped create the widest gender gap in the political divide in recent history. And it has started to show up in early voting as women are casting their ballots earlier than men.
TRUMP, BIDEN GO ON OFFENSE: President Donald Trump and his Democratic rival Joe Biden have been on offense, with each campaigning in states they’re trying to flip during the Nov. 3 election. Trump began Sunday in Nevada, making a rare visit to church before an evening rally in Carson City and Biden attended Mass in Delaware before flying to North Carolina.
COVID RELIEF DELAY: New virus relief will have to wait until after the November election. Congress is past the point at which it can deliver more coronavirus aid soon, with differences between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Republicans and Trump proving insurmountable. Trump’s Republican allies are reconvening the Senate this week to vote on a virus proposal, but it’s a bill that failed once before, and that Trump himself now derides as too puny.
2016 SEQUEL?: The president’s attempts to recycle attacks he used on Hillary Clinton have so far failed to effectively damage Biden. And Trump has found himself dwelling more and more in the conservative media echo chamber, talking to an increasingly smaller portion of the electorate. Fueled by personal grievance, the president has tried to amplify stories that diehard Fox News viewers know by heart but have not broken through to a broader public consumed with the sole issue that has defined the campaign, how the president has managed the pandemic.
ICYMI:
Black officers break from unions over Trump endorsements
Most US clergy avoid hellfire threats over abortion politics
Is Facebook really ready for the 2020 election?


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Glamorous Miami club caught in power struggle over the virus

MIAMI ( AP ) - At LIV , one of the most glamorous , star-studded nightclubs in one of the world ’ s biggest party destinations , there ’ s a velvet-roped VIP area , and then there ’ s a secret VIP area .
The parties at the club are so legendary they have inspired lyrics from Drake , Kanye West and Rick Ross .
High rollers spend up to $ 20,000 just for a table .
Today , LIV sits quiet and empty - a casualty not just of the coronavirus outbreak but of a power struggle between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contain the scourge .
On a recent Friday , the sleek black floors and curved silver snakeskin couches were a sad sight in the harsh light of day .
A bottle of hand sanitizer rested on top of the DJ booth , where back in February a man shelled out $ 120,000 just to sit there during a performance by Cardi B .
The puppeteer behind the parties and arguably the king of South Beach ’ s nightlife scene , LIV owner David Grutman , stopped by a few months ago to look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stays away from the club at the center of his hospitality empire .
“ I cried real tears , ” the 46-year-old Grutman said of his last visit to the shuttered club and nightlife ’ s seemingly bygone era .
“ It ’ s really been my lifeblood.
” Technically , LIV and Miami ’ s other nightclubs could reopen at 50 % capacity under an ordered issued Sept. 25 by Gov .
Ron DeSantis .
But Miami leaders have imposed a midnight curfew - a real buzzkill for a scene that doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a.m. hours - and are restricting loud music so that people don ’ t have to shout and risk spreading the virus through their spittle .
Also , a local mask ordinance requires patrons to keep their faces covered except while eating and drinking - though the governor has barred municipalities from collecting fines for violations .
“ We take a more cautious approach here in Miami-Dade , ” Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez said recently .
He warned : “ We are still not out of the woods.
” While a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grutman said that between the curfew and the continued risk of spreading the virus , he has no plans to open LIV or his other nightclub , Story .
“ We ’ re going to open it when we can give the right experience , ” he said .
“ I ’ m not into giving half-ass experiences.
” Florida has seen more than 15,000 deaths from the pandemic .
The Republican governor has been eager to jumpstart the economy , battered by shutdowns and other restrictions that have left hundreds of thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has already been through a revolving door of openings and closings .
In addition to the clubs , he has several restaurants , including one he owns with the singer Pharrell , plus the celeb hangout Komodo .
All of them were forced to close back in March by state and local authorities .
In June , the governor gave the go-ahead for restaurants to reopen at limited capacity .
With bars still under shutdown orders , people were soon drinking heavily and dancing at Komodo and other late-night restaurants .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grutman said .
“ I was naive enough to think that we ’ d turned the corner.
” But he voluntarily closed again after six weeks , as cases skyrocketed and South Florida become one of the nation ’ s COVID-19 hot spots , with as many as 12,000 to 15,000 newly confirmed infections per day .
Grutman said he didn ’ t want to contribute to the spread , and he was also seeing a backlash from others in the industry .
“ We were allowed to reopen and bars were not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at our place , so it was one of those mixed-signal things .
It built up a lot of animosity , ” he said .
On a recent Friday night at Komodo , Grutman dined with the Canadian singer The Weekend , while former baseball star Alex Rodriguez sat nearby and supermodel Adriana Lima was at another table .
Yet mask-wearing was strictly enforced , hand sanitizers were at every table , and the scene shut down promptly at 11 p.m .
Meanwhile , LIV , where stars like Justin Bieber and Jennifer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , impromptu performances , sits forlorn .
Before the pandemic , more than 10,000 partygoers visited each week , and those who couldn ’ t get in hung out at the lobby bar of the Fontainebleau Hotel just to be close to the action .
On big weekends , LIV - pronounced like the woman ’ s name Liv - raked in over $ 1 million a night , more than half from champagne and the bling that accompanied the bottle presentations , including confetti cannons , nitrogen smoke plumes and scads of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City Chiefs won the Super Bowl in Miami this year , the team spent the evening hoisting their trophy amid a spray of champagne and confetti on the dance floor at LIV .
At a fashion show at LIV in 2009 , Victoria ’ s Secret supermodels strutted in their angel wings and barely-there lingerie .
Grutman has fielded countless calls from DJs begging to be the first when the club reopens .
Others have asked to host Zoom parties from LIV , but Grutman just isn ’ t into it .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ putting ultraviolet disinfecting lights inside the vents but thinks it ’ s unlikely big club events will be safe without a vaccine .
“ Everybody has their own ideas of what ’ s going to happen , second wave , no second wave , ” he said .
In the meantime , Grutman - the hype man , the energy pumper , the one injecting that party-all-the time vibe - is missing out on the action , which has shifted to house parties .
“ I ’ d rather be the ringmaster of @ @ @ @ @ @

MIAMI (AP) - At LIV, one of the most glamorous, star-studded nightclubs in one of the world’s biggest party destinations, there’s a velvet-roped VIP area, and then there’s a secret VIP area. The parties at the club are so legendary they have inspired lyrics from Drake, Kanye West and Rick Ross. High rollers spend up to $20,000 just for a table.
Today, LIV sits quiet and empty - a casualty not just of the coronavirus outbreak but of a power struggle between state and local government over how to contain the scourge.
On a recent Friday, the sleek black floors and curved silver snakeskin couches were a sad sight in the harsh light of day. A bottle of hand sanitizer rested on top of the DJ booth, where back in February a man shelled out $120,000 just to sit there during a performance by Cardi B.
The puppeteer behind the parties and arguably the king of South Beach’s nightlife scene, LIV owner David Grutman, stopped by a few months ago to look at new upholstery, but he mostly stays away from the club at the center of his hospitality empire.
“I cried real tears,” the 46-year-old Grutman said of his last visit to the shuttered club and nightlife’s seemingly bygone era. “It’s really been my lifeblood.”
Technically, LIV and Miami’s other nightclubs could reopen at 50% capacity under an ordered issued Sept. 25 by Gov. Ron DeSantis. But Miami leaders have imposed a midnight curfew - a real buzzkill for a scene that doesn’t even get started until the a.m. hours - and are restricting loud music so that people don’t have to shout and risk spreading the virus through their spittle.
Also, a local mask ordinance requires patrons to keep their faces covered except while eating and drinking - though the governor has barred municipalities from collecting fines for violations.
“We take a more cautious approach here in Miami-Dade,” Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez said recently. He warned: “We are still not out of the woods.”
While a few small clubs in Miami have reopened, Grutman said that between the curfew and the continued risk of spreading the virus, he has no plans to open LIV or his other nightclub, Story.
“We’re going to open it when we can give the right experience,” he said. “I’m not into giving half-ass experiences.”
Florida has seen more than 15,000 deaths from the pandemic. The Republican governor has been eager to jumpstart the economy, battered by shutdowns and other restrictions that have left hundreds of thousands unemployed in the tourist-dependent state.
Grutman has already been through a revolving door of openings and closings.
In addition to the clubs, he has several restaurants, including one he owns with the singer Pharrell, plus the celeb hangout Komodo. All of them were forced to close back in March by state and local authorities.
In June, the governor gave the go-ahead for restaurants to reopen at limited capacity. With bars still under shutdown orders, people were soon drinking heavily and dancing at Komodo and other late-night restaurants.
“We thought the world was back,” Grutman said. “I was naive enough to think that we’d turned the corner.”
But he voluntarily closed again after six weeks, as cases skyrocketed and South Florida become one of the nation’s COVID-19 hot spots, with as many as 12,000 to 15,000 newly confirmed infections per day. Grutman said he didn’t want to contribute to the spread, and he was also seeing a backlash from others in the industry.
“We were allowed to reopen and bars were not, yet people were drinking like crazy at our place, so it was one of those mixed-signal things. It built up a lot of animosity,” he said.
On a recent Friday night at Komodo, Grutman dined with the Canadian singer The Weekend, while former baseball star Alex Rodriguez sat nearby and supermodel Adriana Lima was at another table. Yet mask-wearing was strictly enforced, hand sanitizers were at every table, and the scene shut down promptly at 11 p.m.
Meanwhile, LIV, where stars like Justin Bieber and Jennifer Lopez have been known to give unpaid, impromptu performances, sits forlorn.
Before the pandemic, more than 10,000 partygoers visited each week, and those who couldn’t get in hung out at the lobby bar of the Fontainebleau Hotel just to be close to the action.
On big weekends, LIV - pronounced like the woman’s name Liv - raked in over $1 million a night, more than half from champagne and the bling that accompanied the bottle presentations, including confetti cannons, nitrogen smoke plumes and scads of scantily dressed servers.
When the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl in Miami this year, the team spent the evening hoisting their trophy amid a spray of champagne and confetti on the dance floor at LIV. At a fashion show at LIV in 2009, Victoria’s Secret supermodels strutted in their angel wings and barely-there lingerie.
Grutman has fielded countless calls from DJs begging to be the first when the club reopens. Others have asked to host Zoom parties from LIV, but Grutman just isn’t into it.
He is looking into five-minute rapid testing and putting ultraviolet disinfecting lights inside the vents but thinks it’s unlikely big club events will be safe without a vaccine.
“Everybody has their own ideas of what’s going to happen, second wave, no second wave,” he said.
In the meantime, Grutman - the hype man, the energy pumper, the one injecting that party-all-the time vibe - is missing out on the action, which has shifted to house parties.
“I’d rather be the ringmaster of it,” he said.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Anchorage military ordered to avoid bars and restaurants

ANCHORAGE , Alaska ( AP ) - Personnel stationed at a military base in Alaska ’ s largest city were ordered to avoid bars and interior dining at restaurants amid rising coronavirus cases on and off the base .
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson placed the restrictions on airmen and soldiers in Anchorage , The Anchorage Daily News reported Saturday .
Members of the 673rd Air Base Wing are not allowed to visit businesses that “ primarily engage in preparing and serving alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption , ” an Oct. 8 memo from base Commander Col. Kirsten Aguilar said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 673rd Wing from visiting bars , breweries , pubs and nightclubs .
The restrictions were enacted as a “ precaution ” because of increasing COVID-19 cases statewide , Media Operations Section Chief Erin Eaton said .
“ The decision was made based on data and inputs from the medical team through their contact tracing efforts , and through base leadership ’ s evaluation of risk , ” Eaton said in an email .
The regulation may be reviewed within 30 days .
Aguilar said in a video posted on social media Friday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a military health protection level requiring additional limitations on certain base services and potentially more telecommuting .
“ Over the last seven to 10 days we ’ ve seen significant increases on base , mirroring what we ’ re seeing in Anchorage and across Alaska , ” Aguilar said in the video .
More people may be asked to work remotely because of virus transmission among people in workplace settings , Aguilar said .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks .
For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick .

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Personnel stationed at a military base in Alaska’s largest city were ordered to avoid bars and interior dining at restaurants amid rising coronavirus cases on and off the base.
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson placed the restrictions on airmen and soldiers in Anchorage, The Anchorage Daily News reported Saturday.
Members of the 673rd Air Base Wing are not allowed to visit businesses that “primarily engage in preparing and serving alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption,” an Oct. 8 memo from base Commander Col. Kirsten Aguilar said.
The order keeps active-duty airmen assigned to the 673rd Wing from visiting bars, breweries, pubs and nightclubs.
The restrictions were enacted as a “precaution” because of increasing COVID-19 cases statewide, Media Operations Section Chief Erin Eaton said.
“The decision was made based on data and inputs from the medical team through their contact tracing efforts, and through base leadership’s evaluation of risk,” Eaton said in an email.
The regulation may be reviewed within 30 days.
Aguilar said in a video posted on social media Friday that the base has moved into HPCON Charlie, a military health protection level requiring additional limitations on certain base services and potentially more telecommuting.
“Over the last seven to 10 days we’ve seen significant increases on base, mirroring what we’re seeing in Anchorage and across Alaska,” Aguilar said in the video.
More people may be asked to work remotely because of virus transmission among people in workplace settings, Aguilar said.
The base’s Government Hill gate was closed temporarily beginning Saturday.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Guitars played, partly made by Eddie Van Halen go to auction

BEVERLY HILLS , Calif. ( AP ) - Two guitars owned , played and partly designed by the late Eddie Van Halen will be going up for auction .
A 2004 EVH Charvel Art Series electric guitar and a customized electric guitar Van Halen built at his home studio with his guitar tech Matt Bruck and given to a friend in 1991 will be among the items for sale at the event dubbed “ Icons & Idols Trilogy : Rock ‘ N ’ Roll , ” starting Dec. 5 , Julien ’ s Auctions announced Monday .
Both guitars were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ style of most of his guitars dating back to the first Van Halen album in 1978 .
Each of the guitars is expected to fetch between $ 60,000 and $ 80,000 .
The guitar legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer died of cancer on Oct. 6 at age 65 .
The auction was in already in the works at the time .
“ As we were preparing for our annual ‘ Icons & Idols : Rock and Roll ’ auction lineup , we were stunned to hear the sad news of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , ” Julien ’ s Auction ’ s president Darren Julien said in a statement .
“ We are honored to include at this event two of his iconic guitars from his brilliant and blazing career as one of rock ’ s greatest and most gifted guitar heroes.
” The auction also includes a Fender Stratocaster played , and smashed , by Kurt Cobain on Nirvana ’ s 1994 In Utero Tour , and a crystal-studded white glove worn by Michael Jackson on the Jackson brothers ’ 1984 Victory Tour .

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — Two guitars owned, played and partly designed by the late Eddie Van Halen will be going up for auction.
A 2004 EVH Charvel Art Series electric guitar and a customized electric guitar Van Halen built at his home studio with his guitar tech Matt Bruck and given to a friend in 1991 will be among the items for sale at the event dubbed “Icons & Idols Trilogy: Rock ‘N’ Roll,” starting Dec. 5, Julien’s Auctions announced Monday.
Both guitars were hand-striped by Van Halen in the familiar style of most of his guitars dating back to the first Van Halen album in 1978. Each of the guitars is expected to fetch between $60,000 and $80,000.
The guitar legend and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer died of cancer on Oct. 6 at age 65.
The auction was in already in the works at the time.
“As we were preparing for our annual ‘Icons & Idols: Rock and Roll’ auction lineup, we were stunned to hear the sad news of Eddie Van Halen’s passing last week,” Julien’s Auction’s president Darren Julien said in a statement. “We are honored to include at this event two of his iconic guitars from his brilliant and blazing career as one of rock’s greatest and most gifted guitar heroes.”
The auction also includes a Fender Stratocaster played, and smashed, by Kurt Cobain on Nirvana’s 1994 In Utero Tour, and a crystal-studded white glove worn by Michael Jackson on the Jackson brothers’ 1984 Victory Tour.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Greece finalizes plan to build wall on border with Turkey

ATHENS , Greece ( AP ) - Greece ’ s government says it has finalized plans to extend a wall along its northeast border with Turkey , over concerns that migrants may try to stage mass crossings into the European Union country .
Government spokesman Stelios Petsas said Monday that 26 kilometers ( 16 miles ) of wall would be added to an existing 10-kilometer ( six-mile ) section in a 63-million-euro ( $ 74 million ) project due to be completed by the end of April .
A standoff occurred at the border earlier this year after Turkey said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reach the EU , and tens of thousands tried to cross into Greece .
The two countries are also at odds over energy rights in the eastern Mediterranean in a dispute that has triggered a dangerous military buildup in the region and fears of conflict .
Four Greek construction companies have been selected to build the new wall and upgrade the existing section of fencing , running along or close to the Evros River , which forms much of the border between the two countries .
The wall will be made using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to Greece ’ s public order ministry .
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the border region on Saturday after a test installation of a section of the new wall .
The number of migrants and refugees traveling from Turkey to Greece fell sharply this year during the pandemic and after the border standoff prompted tougher border policing .
Turkey has accused Greece of illegally pushing back migrants reaching its islands in the eastern Aegean Sea , a charge that Athens denies .
Turkey hosts the largest number of refugees worldwide , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Syria , according to the U.N .
Refugee Agency .

THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) - Greece’s government says it has finalized plans to build a wall along its northeast border with Turkey, over concerns that migrants may try to stage mass crossings into the European Union country.
Government spokesman Stelios Petsas said Monday that 26 kilometers (16 miles) of wall would be added to an existing 10-kilometer (six-mile) section of fence in a 63-million-euro ($74 million) project due to be completed by the end of April.
A standoff occurred at the border earlier this year after Turkey said it would no longer prevent migrants trying to reach the EU, and tens of thousands tried to cross into Greece.
The two countries are also at odds over energy rights in the eastern Mediterranean in a dispute that has triggered a dangerous military buildup in the region and fears of conflict.
Four Greek construction companies have been selected to build the new wall and upgrade the existing section of fencing, running along or close to the Evros River, which forms much of the border between the two countries.
The five-meter (15-foot) wall will be made using galvanized square steel tubes and concrete foundations, according to Greece’s public order ministry. Police officials on Monday told The Associated Press that a surveillance camera network was also planned to cover the entire 192-kilometer (120-mile) Greek-Turkish border, while police have already started trials with high-powered mobile sirens, aimed at deterring migrants as they attempt to cross
“The cameras will be a vital resource for us,” Ilias Akidis, head of the police officers’ association in the Greek border region, told the AP.
“We have been asking for them for five years and we think they will be very effective.”
The number of migrants and refugees traveling from Turkey to Greece fell sharply this year during the pandemic and after the border standoff prompted tougher border policing. Turkey has accused Greece of illegally pushing back migrants reaching its islands in the eastern Aegean Sea, a charge that Athens denies.
Turkey hosts the largest number of refugees worldwide, at nearly 4 million people, mostly from Syria, according to the U.N. Refugee Agency.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the border region on Saturday after a test installation of a section of the new wall.
___ Follow Costas Kantouris at https://twitter.com/CostasKantouris and Derek Gatopoulos at https://twitter.com/dgatopoulos


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--ConocoPhillips buying Concho in $9.7B all-stock deal

ConocoPhillips is buying shale producer Concho Resources in an all-stock deal valued at $ 9.7 billion .
Concho ’ s @ @ @ @ @ for a fixed ratio of 1.46 shares of ConocoPhillips shares .
The combined business will @ @ @ @ @ approximately $ 60 billion and a combined resource base of approximately 23 billion barrels of @ @ @ @ @ said Monday that the combined business will be the largest independent oil and gas company @ @ @ @ @ of more than 1.5 million barrels of oil equivalent per day .
The transaction brings @ @ @ @ @ positions across the Delaware and Midland basins and also includes positions in the Eagle Ford @ @ @ @ @ 48 and the Montney in Canada .
Its position in the Permian Basin will be @ @ @ @ @ expected to close in the first quarter of next year .

NEW YORK (AP) - ConocoPhillips is buying shale producer Concho Resources in an all-stock deal valued at $9.7 billion, making it a major presence in the Permian Basin, the top-producing oil field in the U.S.
The combined company, if approved, would be among the largest U.S. oil producers, with production of more than 1.5 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, a resource base of approximately 23 billion barrels of oil and an enterprise value of about $60 billion.
The deal comes as many oil producers are struggling to make ends meet. Oil prices have remained low for months, mainly because efforts to contain the coronavirus halted most travel, obliterating demand for fuel. The price for a barrel of crude is down more than 30% since the start of the year, and it has been hovering around $40 a barrel, below what most producers in the U.S. need to break even.
In this year’s third quarter, 17 oil and gas producers filed for bankruptcy protection, which was a 21% increase compared to last year according to law firm Haynes and Boone.
“When we add it all up, we see an industry that will remain challenged and smaller producers are recognizing this, accepting smaller or no premiums for their companies than they had received in the past,” said PeterMcNally, global sector lead for industrials, materials and energy at Third Bridge Group.
The combination, which is expected to close in the first quarter of next year, could help the companies achieve $500 million in annual cost and capital savings by 2022. Half of that would be realized through reduced exploration costs, thanks to the additional barrels from the Concho purchase, ConocoPhillips spokesman John Roper said in an email. Another $100 million in reductions would come from duplicate general administrative costs and board positions, officers and corporate costs.
About $150 million will come from streamlining corporate and regional organization structure to increase efficiency. “It’s very early on, but we do expect to find duplicative positions that will result in job losses from both companies,” Roper said.
Many shale producers were struggling before the pandemic struck, racking up huge, unsustainable debts to find oil and gas using unconventional, costly techniques. Those massive debts are now coming due, and it’s catching up with the companies that were most aggressive. More than 200 oil producers have filed for bankruptcy protection in the past five years.
ConocoPhillips was more conservative about growth, and was sometimes perceived as slow, said Raoul LeBlanc, vice president of North American unconventionals at IHS Markit. “Because of their discipline, they’re now in a position of strength to go ahead and buy people who were fast growers,” such as Concho, LeBlanc said.
There were a flurry of deals in the third quarter, which could be the start of a long-overdue consolidation phase, said Stewart Glickman, energy equity analyst at CFRA. A tie-up with ConocoPhillips was expected after rumors of talks began to surface, but analysts at CFRA were surprised that Concho’s board agreed to the acquisition, Glickman said.
Concho ”has the advantage of a large acreage position in the Permian Basin and has more time than most peers before significant long-term debt milestone payments arrive,” he said.
ConocoPhillips had acreage in the Permian Basin, but it was small compared to the company’s size, and the deal “gets them a premier position in the Permian,” LeBlanc said.
“Concho is a tremendous fit with ConocoPhillips,” said CEO and Chairman Ryan Lance in a prepared statement.
The companies, both based in Texas, will combine their acreage across the Delaware and Midland basins - both part of the Permian - and also includes positions in the Eagle Ford and Bakken basins and the Montney in Canada. The Permian basin stretches from the northern reaches of Texas across the New Mexico border.
“Through this combination, we are joining a diversified energy company with even more scale and resources to create shareholder value in today’s markets and beyond,” said Tim Leach, chairman and CEO of Concho Resources, in a prepared statement.
Concho’s common stock will be exchanged for 1.46 shares of ConocoPhillips. Shares of both companies rose slightly Monday.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Kansas police arrest man in connection to 2 killed Friday

INDEPENDENCE , Kan. ( AP ) - Police have arrested a teen in the Friday deaths of two men in @ @ @ @ @ Bureau of Investigation and Independence police served an arrest warrant Sunday night at the Labette @ @ @ @ @ , 18 , of Independence , who was already in the jail on a separate @ @ @ @ @ KSNT reported .
The arrest warrant accuses Gofourth of two counts of first-degree murder in @ @ @ @ @ Cook and 24-year-old Rodricus Dawson , and one count of attempted first-degree murder for injuring @ @ @ @ @ who remained hospitalized Monday .
Officers found all three inside inside a vehicle that had @ @ @ @ @ early Friday morning after someone reported gunshots in the area .
Cook and Dawson were @ @ @ @ @ the wreckage .
The woman was critically injured and flown to a hospital in Joplin @

INDEPENDENCE, Kan. (AP) - Police have arrested a teen in the Friday deaths of two men in southeastern Kansas.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and Independence police served an arrest warrant Sunday night at the Labette County Jail to James Gofourth, 18, of Independence, who was already in the jail on a separate case, Topeka television station KSNT reported.
The arrest warrant accuses Gofourth of two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of 27-year-old Tyler Cook and 24-year-old Rodricus Dawson, and one count of attempted first-degree murder for injuring a 27-year-old Independence woman, who remained hospitalized Monday.
Officers found all three inside inside a vehicle that had crashed into an apartment building early Friday morning after someone reported gunshots in the area. Cook and Dawson were already dead when police found the wreckage. The woman was critically injured and flown to a hospital in Joplin.
___
This story was first published on Oct. 19. It was updated on Oct. 20 to correct that Independence is in the southeast, not the southwest, of Kansas.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Police: Maryland man fired at truck with political sign

KINGSVILLE , Md .
( AP ) - A Maryland man has been accused of firing gunshots at men who @ @ @ @ @ political sign on their truck as he was putting another sign on his property , @ @ @ @ @ police said Douglas Edward Kuhn , 50 , fired at the men Saturday when they @ @ @ @ @ in Kingsville , The Baltimore Sun reported .
Authorities say the men were honking their @ @ @ @ @ by .
Police said Kuhn fired his weapon several times , but there were no @ @ @ @ @ clear how many people were involved in the incident , or what political signs they @ @ @ @ @ been charged with multiple charges , including use of a firearm as a felon and @ @ @ @ @ second degree assault , court records show .
He is being held without bail at @ @ @ @ @ County , and awaiting a bail review hearing .
It was not immediately clear if @ @ @ @ @ could comment on his behalf .

KINGSVILLE, Md. (AP) - A Maryland man has been accused of firing gunshots at men who drove past him with a political sign on their truck as he was putting another sign on his property, authorities said.
Baltimore County police said Douglas Edward Kuhn, 50, fired at the men Saturday when they were driving by his property in Kingsville, The Baltimore Sun reported. Authorities say the men were honking their truck horn as they drove by.
Police said Kuhn fired his weapon several times, but there were no injuries. It is not clear how many people were involved in the incident, or what political signs they were displaying.
Kuhn has been charged with multiple charges, including use of a firearm as a felon and two counts of first and second degree assault, court records show.
He is being held without bail at a detention center in Baltimore County, and awaiting a bail review hearing.
It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Kamala Harris returning to in-person campaign trail Monday

Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala D. Harris is set to return to the in-person campaign trail on Monday with @ @ @ @ @ Florida .
Ms. Harris is scheduled to campaign in Orlando and Jacksonville as early voting @ @ @ @ @ State .
The California senator had suspended in-person campaigning for several days after her communications @ @ @ @ @ flight crew member ” tested positive for the coronavirus .
Ms. Harris has continued to @ @ @ @ @

Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala D. Harris is set to return to the in-person campaign trail on Monday with a pair of stops in Florida.
Ms. Harris is scheduled to campaign in Orlando and Jacksonville as early voting kicks off in the Sunshine State.
The California senator had suspended in-person campaigning for several days after her communications director and a “non-staff flight crew member” tested positive for the coronavirus.
Ms. Harris has continued to test negative for COVID-19.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Police: Woman feeding newborn struck by stray bullet

PROVIDENCE , R.I. ( AP ) - A Rhode Island woman feeding her newborn baby in her apartment was been @ @ @ @ @ apparently fired from outside the building , police say .
Providence police responded to gunfire @ @ @ @ @ 11 p.m. Sunday .
The woman said she had been struck in the leg by @ @ @ @ @ her wall .
She was not the intended target , police said .
She was @ @ @ @ @ the injuries are not life threatning .
The baby was not hurt .
No one @ @ @ @ @ shooting remains under investigation .
The woman ’ s name was not made public .

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A Rhode Island woman feeding her newborn baby in her apartment was been struck by a stray bullet apparently fired from outside the building, police say.
Providence police responded to gunfire on Ridge Street at about 11 p.m. Sunday.
The woman said she had been struck in the leg by a round that passed through her wall. She was not the intended target, police said.
She was taken to the hospital but the injuries are not life threatning.
The baby was not hurt.
No one was in custody and the shooting remains under investigation.
The woman’s name was not made public.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Police: Suspect accused of wounding officer is fatally shot

EAST RIDGE , Tenn. ( AP ) - Police fatally shot a suspect accused of shooting a Tennessee officer during a traffic stop , authorities said .
East Ridge Police Corporal Terry Prescott was wounded Sunday afternoon after stopping a red Dodge Challenger in the parking lot of a CVS pharmacy , police told news outlets .
Police Chief Stan Allen said the suspect , later identified as Christopher J. Kitts , 43 , jumped out of the Challenger , fired several shots at Prescott ’ s patrol car and then drove away .
Prescott was taken to a hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia State Patrol later located the deserted Challenger across the state line in a subdivision in Rossville .
Multiple law enforcement agencies conducted an extensive air and ground search and found Kitts , who engaged officers several times with gunfire before he was shot , East Ridge Police said Monday morning in a statement on Facebook .
Kitts was pronounced dead at the scene .
Police did not say where Kitts was shot , but the statement said information on law enforcement actions inside Georgia would likely come from Catoosa County officials .

EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (AP) - Police fatally shot a suspect accused of shooting a Tennessee officer during a traffic stop, authorities said.
East Ridge Police Corporal Terry Prescott was wounded Sunday afternoon after stopping a red Dodge Challenger in the parking lot of a CVS pharmacy, police told news outlets.
Police Chief Stan Allen said the suspect, later identified as Christopher J. Kitts, 43, jumped out of the Challenger, fired several shots at Prescott’s patrol car and then drove away. Prescott was taken to a hospital and listed in stable condition.
The Georgia State Patrol later located the deserted Challenger across the state line in a subdivision in Rossville.
Multiple law enforcement agencies conducted an extensive air and ground search and found Kitts, who engaged officers several times with gunfire before he was shot, East Ridge Police said Monday morning in a statement on Facebook. Kitts was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police did not say where Kitts was shot, but the statement said information on law enforcement actions inside Georgia would likely come from Catoosa County officials.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--New Hampshire officers help 5 hikers on mountain trail

BEAN ’ S PURCHASE , N.H. ( AP ) - The New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game says five hikers were helped off the Black Angel Trail after the group activated an emergency beacon and called 911 .
The hikers called for help Sunday after one member of the party began to experience signs of possible cold weather symptoms , the department said .
The group was about five miles from Route 16 when the call was made .
Conservation officers and volunteers from Androscoggin Valley Search & Rescue responded to the call .
The group was in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hike .
The hikers tried to stay warm in their wet sleeping bags , but the exposure at the high elevation made them colder .
Rescuers directed the group to the point where they met .
The rescuers provided warm drinks , dry clothes and they guided them off the trail .
They reached the road around 11 p.m .
There were no injuries .
Within a couple days the weather in the area changed from summer to winter conditions .
There is several inches of snow on the ground at higher elevations @

BEAN’S PURCHASE, N.H. (AP) - The New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game says five hikers were helped off the Black Angel Trail after the group activated an emergency beacon and called 911.
The hikers called for help Sunday after one member of the party began to experience signs of possible cold weather symptoms, the department said.
The group was about five miles from Route 16 when the call was made. Conservation officers and volunteers from Androscoggin Valley Search & Rescue responded to the call.
The group was in the second day of a planned a three-day hike.
The hikers tried to stay warm in their wet sleeping bags, but the exposure at the high elevation made them colder.
Rescuers directed the group to the point where they met. The rescuers provided warm drinks, dry clothes and they guided them off the trail. They reached the road around 11 p.m. There were no injuries.
Within a couple days the weather in the area changed from summer to winter conditions. There is several inches of snow on the ground at higher elevations.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Judge rejects plea in ex-officer's sex solicitation case

HONOLULU ( AP ) - A U.S. judge on Monday rejected a former Maui police officer ’ s guilty plea in a case accusing him of soliciting sex from a woman he pulled over for operating a vehicle while intoxicated in exchange for giving false testimony at her trial .
Brandon Saffeels said he offered to testify untruthfully .
But when U.S. District Judge Leslie Kobayashi asked if his offer in exchange for solicitation of sex - as federal prosecutors alleged - he said he wasn ’ t admitting to any sexual favors in exchange for lying at the woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman that he “ would stumble on my words to make my testimony not credible , ” he said .
A court document charging Saffeels with honest services wire fraud said he allegedly used his position as a police officer to access the woman ’ s cellphone number and solicit sex in exchange for sabotaging the case against her .
A federal prosecutor and an FBI agent read text messages and phone call transcripts between Saffeels and the woman about her case .
They discussed how the charge could get dismissed with his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go this house .
But there were no direct references to sex .
The woman felt Saffeels ’ statements to her were a bribe for sex , Assistant U.S. Attorney Mohammad Khatib said .
She interpreted his statements as “ sexual overtures , ” he said .
Maui prosecutors dropped the charge against the woman after portions of text messages and recorded phone conversations were published by the media , Khatib said .
Saffeels was expected to plead guilty , but Kobayashi took issue with how prosecutors charged him , accusing him of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made the offer expecting the benefit of sexual favors .
“ There ’ s no talk about sex in those communications , ” Saffeels ’ attorney , Victor Bakke , said after the hearing .
“ It was our position that all of this sex stuff and bribery is completely irrelevant .
That ’ s not what he ’ s charged with.
” Bakke said he plans to meet with prosecutors about redacting the bribery information .
The U.S. attorney ’ s office didn ’ t immediately respond to a message seeking comment @ @ @ @

HONOLULU (AP) - A U.S. judge on Monday rejected a former Maui police officer’s guilty plea in a case accusing him of soliciting sex from a woman he pulled over for operating a vehicle while intoxicated in exchange for giving false testimony at her trial.
Brandon Saffeels said he offered to testify untruthfully. But when U.S. District Judge Leslie Kobayashi asked if he made his offer in exchange for solicitation of sex - as federal prosecutors alleged - he said he wasn’t admitting to seeking any sexual favors if he lied at the woman’s trial.
He told the woman that he “would stumble on my words to make my testimony not credible,” he said.
A court document charging Saffeels with honest services wire fraud said he allegedly used his position as a police officer to access the woman’s cellphone number and solicit sex in exchange for sabotaging the case against her.
A federal prosecutor and an FBI agent read text messages and phone call transcripts between Saffeels and the woman about her case. They discussed how the charge could get dismissed with his botched testimony and he asked her to go this house. But there were no direct references to sex.
The woman felt Saffeels’ statements to her were a bribe for sex, Assistant U.S. Attorney Mohammad Khatib said. She interpreted his statements as “sexual overtures,” he said.
Maui prosecutors dropped the charge against the woman after portions of text messages and recorded phone conversations were published by the media, Khatib said.
Saffeels was expected to plead guilty, but Kobayashi took issue with how prosecutors charged him, accusing him of bribery.
Khatib said prosecutors maintain Saffeels made the offer expecting the benefit of sexual favors.
“There’s no talk about sex in those communications,” Saffeels’ attorney, Victor Bakke, said after the hearing. “It was our position that all of this sex stuff and bribery is completely irrelevant. That’s not what he’s charged with.”
Bakke said he plans to meet with prosecutors about redacting the bribery information.
The U.S. attorney’s office didn’t immediately respond to a message seeking comment on the hearing.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Troy Aikman, Joe Buck mock NFL military flyover in hot-mic moment

Fox Sports ’ top NFL broadcast team mocked military flyovers before Sunday ’ s featured game , calling them a wasteful exercise that Democrats wouldn ’ t do .
In hot-mic footage released by Defector Media — the offshoot of the defunct Deadspin — Joe Buck and Troy Aikman ridicule the practice of having the Pentagon ’ s jets fly over NFL stadiums before kickoffs .
“ That ’ s a lot of jet fuel just to do a little flyover , ” Mr. Aikman said .
Mr. Buck responded : “ That ’ s your hard-earned money and your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aikman then implied that the spectacle of military flyovers is a Republican practice , while getting wrong the order of the Democratic presidential ticket .
“ That stuff ain ’ t happening with [ a ] Kamala-Biden ticket .
I ’ ll tell you that right now , partner , ” he told Mr. Buck .
The exchange took place before Sunday ’ s broadcast of the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Green Bay Packers — a heavily promoted matchup of Hall-of-Fame-bound quarterbacks Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is on .

Fox Sports’ top NFL broadcast team mocked military flyovers before Sunday’s featured game, calling them a wasteful exercise that Democrats wouldn’t do.
In hot-mic footage released by Defector Media, Joe Buck and Troy Aikman ridicule the practice of having the Pentagon’s jets fly over NFL stadiums before kickoffs.
“That’s a lot of jet fuel just to do a little flyover,” Mr. Aikman said.
Mr. Buck responded: “That’s your hard-earned money and your tax dollars at work!”
Mr. Aikman then implied that the spectacle of military flyovers is a Republican practice, while getting wrong the order of the Democratic presidential ticket.
“That stuff ain’t happening with [a] Kamala-Biden ticket. I’ll tell you that right now, partner,” he told Mr. Buck.
The exchange took place before Sunday’s broadcast of the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Green Bay Packers — a heavily promoted matchup of Hall-of-Fame-bound quarterbacks Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers.
The two men seem unaware that the microphone is on.
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Jeff Bridges says he has lymphoma, cites good prognosis

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - Jeff Bridges says he is being treated for lymphoma and his prognosis is good @ @ @ @ @ his The Dude character from “ The Big Lebowski ” in a statement on social @ @ @ @ @ evening .
He said he understands the disease is serious .
He expressed gratitude to @ @ @ @ @ medical team and promised to keep fans posted on his recovery .
Bridges is a @ @ @ @ @ his roles in “ Starman , ” “ True Grit , ” “ The Last @ @ @ @ @ other films .
He won an Academy Award in 2010 for “ Crazy Heart ” @ @ @ @ @ for playing a grizzled lawman in “ Hell or High Water.
” The affable Bridges @ @ @ @ @ the son of actors Lloyd and Dorothy Bridges , who both died in 1998 .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Jeff Bridges says he is being treated for lymphoma and his prognosis is good.
The 70-year-old actor channeled his The Dude character from “The Big Lebowski” in a statement on social media about the diagnosis Monday evening.
He said he understands the disease is serious. He expressed gratitude to his family, friends and medical team and promised to keep fans posted on his recovery.
Bridges is a seven-time Oscar nominee known for his roles in “Starman,” “True Grit,” “The Last Picture Show” and many other films. He won an Academy Award in 2010 for “Crazy Heart” and was most recently nominated for playing a grizzled lawman in “Hell or High Water.”
The affable Bridges is considered Hollywood royalty, the son of actors Lloyd and Dorothy Bridges, who both died in 1998.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--76-year-old inmate at Pima County Jail found dead in cell

TUCSON , Ariz. ( AP ) - A 76-year-old inmate at the Pima County Jail in Tucson has died , @ @ @ @ @ Sheriff ’ s officials said corrections officers doing their rounds at 10 a.m. found Ricardo @ @ @ @ @ .
Staff immediately entered the cell and began administering emergency life saving measures while they @ @ @ @ @ personnel to arrive .
After attempting to resuscitate the inmate , medical personnel pronounced him @ @ @ @ @ Sheriff ’ s officials said detectives responded to the jail and found no suspicious circumstances @ @ @ @ @ , but the investigation is continuing .
It was unclear what sentence Pasqual was serving @ @ @ @ @ been in jail .

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - A 76-year-old inmate at the Pima County Jail in Tucson has died, authorities said Monday.
County Sheriff’s officials said corrections officers doing their rounds at 10 a.m. found Ricardo Pascual unresponsive in his cell.
Staff immediately entered the cell and began administering emergency life saving measures while they waited for Tucson Fire Department personnel to arrive.
After attempting to resuscitate the inmate, medical personnel pronounced him dead at the jail.
Sheriff’s officials said detectives responded to the jail and found no suspicious circumstances in Pascual’s death, but the investigation is continuing.
It was unclear what sentence Pasqual was serving or how long he had been in jail.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Idaho estimates resident death count increased beyond virus

BOISE , Idaho ( AP ) - Idaho state officials estimate hundreds of more residents have died than in a normal year , even without counting fatalities that are attributed to the coronavirus .
The state estimates 861 more Idaho residents died between January and September this year than died on average during those months in the past three years , The Idaho Statesman reported Sunday .
Officials said 447 of those deaths were attributed directly to COVID-19 .
“ This is not a typical year for us , ” said Pam Harder , research analyst supervisor at the Bureau @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is part of the state Department of Health and Welfare .
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates Idaho has had between 345 and 931 “ excess deaths ” since Feb. 1 .
Anywhere from 10 % to more than half of those deaths were not attributed to COVID-19 , the agency said .
The coronavirus , however , is now one of the top causes of death in the state , overtaking diabetes , suicide , chronic liver disease , cirrhosis and influenza .
All figures are preliminary and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certificates and other factors , Harder said .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick .

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Idaho state officials estimate hundreds of more residents have died than in a normal year, even without counting fatalities that are attributed to the coronavirus.
The state estimates 861 more Idaho residents died between January and September this year than died on average during those months in the past three years, The Idaho Statesman reported Sunday.
Officials said 447 of those deaths were attributed directly to COVID-19.
“This is not a typical year for us,” said Pam Harder, research analyst supervisor at the Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics, which is part of the state Department of Health and Welfare.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates Idaho has had between 345 and 931 “excess deaths” since Feb. 1.
Anywhere from 10% to more than half of those deaths were not attributed to COVID-19, the agency said.
The coronavirus, however, is now one of the top causes of death in the state, overtaking diabetes, suicide, chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and influenza.
All figures are preliminary and can change because of delays in death certificates and other factors, Harder said.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Sununu, Feltes mischaracterize virus toll on nursing homes

CONCORD , N.H. ( AP ) - Republican Gov .
Chris Sununu and his Democratic challenger , Dan Feltes , both misstated the coronavirus pandemic ’ s toll on New Hampshire nursing homes Monday during a televised debate in which they also accused each other of changing their positions on other issues for political purposes .
Of the state ’ s 468 deaths from the coronavirus , 81 % have been among residents or staff at long-term care facilities .
Asked whether the state should have moved more quickly to protect that vulnerable population , Sununu said while even one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has fared better than many other states .
“ In terms of the number of fatalities we ’ ve had in long-term care , compared to beds we have in our population , we ’ re one of the lowest numbers on the East Coast , ” he said during the WMUR-TV debate .
“ I think we are the lowest in New England.
” That is not true , however , according to the latest data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services , which covers through the week of Oct. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maine and Vermont , had lower rates than New Hampshire ’ s 38 deaths per 1,000 nursing home residents .
Several nearby states did have significantly higher rates , including Massachusetts , Connecticut and Rhode Island .
Feltes also mischaracterized the situation , saying , “ We have , as ranked by the New York Times , the worst COVID situation in long term care.
” He was referring to an article that described the percentage of deaths in each state linked to long term care facilities .
Nursing home deaths do account @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths in New Hampshire than they do in any other state , but that does not mean the state ’ s nursing home residents are dying at a faster rate than elsewhere .
Feltes , the state Senate majority leader , criticized Sununu for vetoing his legislation that would have provided $ 25 million in federal funding for nursing homes as well as created an independent review of problems they experienced during the pandemic in hopes of preventing future outbreaks .
And he argued that nursing homes will be in even worse shape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Affordable Care Act , which he claims Sununu wants .
At Sununu ’ s direction , New Hampshire has joined a multi-state effort to defend the Affordable Care Act from a federal court challenge .
But Feltes said that ’ s at odds with statements Sununu made opposing the Obama-era health law several years ago and his more recent comments saying that the Senate should vote on the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court before the election .
“ You can do an election year filing if you want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support the process moving forward on Judge Barrett , who has a long history of opposing Obamacare , you support Trump and the justices that are going to overturn Obamacare and you have a long history of opposition to Obamacare , ” he said .
“ I don ’ t understand how you can even stand here tonight and say otherwise.
” Feltes repeatedly tried to make Sununu ’ s support for President Donald Trump an issue , asking him multiple times whether he will feel “ proud ” to vote for him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later , answering a question about the death penalty , accused Feltes of flip-flopping .
Sununu vetoed a bill last year to eliminate the death penalty , but the Democratic-led Legislature overturned it .
The repeal bill would not apply retroactively to Michael Addison , who killed Manchester Officer Michael Briggs in 2006 and is the state ’ s only inmate on death row .
But during his primary campaign , Feltes said he would support commuting Addison ’ s sentence to life without parole , and then later said he opposed commutation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Feltes said , “ I ’ ve been consistent in supporting a commutation process moving forward , but I don ’ t support a commutation petition right now … There ’ s going to be court processes down the road .
What we should focus on is not hypothetical petitions right now , but what ’ s going on in people ’ s lives right now.
” Sununu rebutted , saying “ that is the most inconsistent thing I ’ ve ever heard .
”

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - Republican Gov. Chris Sununu and his Democratic challenger, Dan Feltes, both misstated the coronavirus pandemic’s toll on New Hampshire nursing homes Monday during a televised debate in which they also accused each other of changing their positions on other issues for political purposes.
Of the state’s 468 deaths from the coronavirus, 81% have been among residents or staff at long-term care facilities. Asked whether the state should have moved more quickly to protect that vulnerable population, Sununu said while even one death is too many, New Hampshire has fared better than many other states.
“In terms of the number of fatalities we’ve had in long-term care, compared to beds we have in our population, we’re one of the lowest numbers on the East Coast,” he said during the WMUR-TV debate. “I think we are the lowest in New England.”
That is not true, however, according to the latest data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which covers through the week of Oct. 4.
Eighteen states, including neighboring Maine and Vermont, had lower rates than New Hampshire’s 38 deaths per 1,000 nursing home residents. Several nearby states did have significantly higher rates, including Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.
Feltes also mischaracterized the situation, saying, “We have, as ranked by the New York Times, the worst COVID situation in long term care.” He was referring to an article that described the percentage of deaths in each state linked to long term care facilities. Nursing home deaths do account for a larger share of overall COVID-19 deaths in New Hampshire than they do in any other state, but that does not mean the state’s nursing home residents are dying at a faster rate than elsewhere.
Feltes, the state Senate majority leader, criticized Sununu for vetoing his legislation that would have provided $25 million in federal funding for nursing homes as well as created an independent review of problems they experienced during the pandemic in hopes of preventing future outbreaks. And he argued that nursing homes will be in even worse shape if the Supreme Court strikes down the Affordable Care Act, which he claims Sununu wants.
At Sununu’s direction, New Hampshire has joined a multi-state effort to defend the Affordable Care Act from a federal court challenge. But Feltes said that’s at odds with statements Sununu made opposing the Obama-era health law several years ago and his more recent comments saying that the Senate should vote on the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court before the election.
“You can do an election year filing if you want, but the reality is, you support the process moving forward on Judge Barrett, who has a long history of opposing Obamacare, you support Trump and the justices that are going to overturn Obamacare and you have a long history of opposition to Obamacare,” he said. “I don’t understand how you can even stand here tonight and say otherwise.”
Feltes repeatedly tried to make Sununu’s support for President Donald Trump an issue, asking him multiple times whether he will feel “proud” to vote for him. Sununu ignored the questions, and later, answering a question about the death penalty, accused Feltes of flip-flopping.
Sununu vetoed a bill last year to eliminate the death penalty, but the Democratic-led Legislature overturned it. The repeal bill would not apply retroactively to Michael Addison, who killed Manchester Officer Michael Briggs in 2006 and is the state’s only inmate on death row. But during his primary campaign, Feltes said he would support commuting Addison’s sentence to life without parole, and then later said he opposed commutation.
Asked to clarify his position Monday, Feltes said, “I’ve been consistent in supporting a commutation process moving forward, but I don’t support a commutation petition right now … There’s going to be court processes down the road. What we should focus on is not hypothetical petitions right now, but what’s going on in people’s lives right now.”
Sununu rebutted, saying “that is the most inconsistent thing I’ve ever heard.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--James Redford, Robert Redford's son, dies at 58

LOS ANGELES — James Redford , a filmmaker , activist and son of actor Robert Redford , has died .
He was 58 .
Robert Redford ’ s publicist , Cindi Berger , said in a statement Monday that the 84-year-old father is mourning with his family during this “ difficult time.
” His wife , Kyle , confirmed in an interview with The Salt Lake Tribune that her husband died Friday from bile-duct cancer in his liver .
Kyle said her husband ’ s liver disease returned two years ago and the cancer was discovered in November last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She posted a message and a slew of photos on Twitter that included James , herself and their family .
“ We ’ re heartbroken , ” his wife wrote about her husband , who was called Jamie .
“ He lived a beautiful , impactful life & was loved by many .
He will be deeply missed .
As his wife of 32 ( years ) , I ’ m most grateful for the two spectacular children we raised together .
I don ’ t know what we would ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past 2 ( years ) .
” James battled with liver disease for more than 30 years .
But he went on with his life , marrying his wife Kyle who once taught eighth-grade history in Marin County .
The couple had two children together .
He expressed gratitude for a liver transplant that saved his life in an HBO documentary “ The Kindness of Strangers ” in 1999 .
He produced the film and raised its $ 600,000 budget from foundations , corporations and individuals , including his parents .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was , ” Redford reflected .
“ Think of the fact that every day 10-12 people die waiting to be transplanted .
It had an impact on me , and I became committed to do something to help the cause of organ donation.
” James and his father co-founded the Redford Center , a nonprofit focused on environmental filmmaking .
He also established the James Redford Institute in 1995 for Transplant Awareness to raise money and distribute tools to increase awareness about the shortage of organ donors .
“ With Jamie came love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center executive director Jill Tidman in an Instagram post .
“ He approached everything he did with kindness and warmth , and an openness that spread itself easily among others.
” The institute produced films including “ Flow , ” a 16-minute film aimed at a teen audience that was distributed for educational reasons , and “ From One to Another , ” a one-hour film that looks at those who have received organ transplants and those who are awaiting them at the Nebraska Health System University Hospital .
“ The best way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level , ” Redford said .
“ There are so many movies to make.
” James wrote the script for “ Hearts and Bones , ” starring Kiefer Sutherland and Daryl Hannah , and adapted Tony Hillerman ’ s “ Skinwalkers ” for North Fork Pictures .
At the time of his death , his wife said he was finishing a documentary called “ Where the Past Begins , ” which was about “ The Joy Luck Club ” author Amy Tan for PBS ’ “ American Masters .
”

LOS ANGELES — James Redford, a filmmaker, activist and son of actor Robert Redford, has died. He was 58.
Robert Redford’s publicist, Cindi Berger, said in a statement Monday that the 84-year-old father is mourning with his family during this “difficult time.” His wife, Kyle, confirmed in an interview with The Salt Lake Tribune that her husband died Friday from bile-duct cancer in his liver.
Kyle said her husband’s liver disease returned two years ago and the cancer was discovered in November last year while he waited on a liver transplant.
She posted a message and a slew of photos on Twitter that included James, herself and their family.
“We’re heartbroken,” his wife wrote about her husband, who was called Jamie. “He lived a beautiful, impactful life & was loved by many. He will be deeply missed. As his wife of 32 (years), I’m most grateful for the two spectacular children we raised together. I don’t know what we would’ve done (without) them over the past 2 (years).”
James battled with liver disease for more than 30 years. But he went on with his life, marrying his wife Kyle who once taught eighth-grade history in Marin County. The couple had two children together.
He expressed gratitude for a liver transplant that saved his life in an HBO documentary “The Kindness of Strangers” in 1999. He produced the film and raised its $600,000 budget from foundations, corporations and individuals, including his parents.
“The experience made me realize how fortunate I was,” Redford reflected. “Think of the fact that every day 10-12 people die waiting to be transplanted. It had an impact on me, and I became committed to do something to help the cause of organ donation.”
James and his father co-founded the Redford Center, a nonprofit focused on environmental filmmaking. He also established the James Redford Institute in 1995 for Transplant Awareness to raise money and distribute tools to increase awareness about the shortage of organ donors.
“With Jamie came love and contagious joy,” said Redford Center executive director Jill Tidman in an Instagram post. “He approached everything he did with kindness and warmth, and an openness that spread itself easily among others.”
The institute produced films including “Flow,” a 16-minute film aimed at a teen audience that was distributed for educational reasons, and “From One to Another,” a one-hour film that looks at those who have received organ transplants and those who are awaiting them at the Nebraska Health System University Hospital.
“The best way to reach people is on a personal level,” Redford said. “There are so many movies to make.”
James wrote the script for “Hearts and Bones,” starring Kiefer Sutherland and Daryl Hannah, and adapted Tony Hillerman’s “Skinwalkers” for North Fork Pictures.
At the time of his death, his wife said he was finishing a documentary called “Where the Past Begins,” which was about “The Joy Luck Club” author Amy Tan for PBS’ “American Masters.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Peter Navarro: China working to defeat Trump

China ’ s ruling Communist Party is continuing economic aggression and information warfare against the United States and is working to defeat President Trump in the next election , a senior White House official said Monday .
“ Their near-term goal is to help defeat Donald J. Trump , ” said Peter Navarro , director of the White House office of trade and manufacturing policy , in a speech to the Hudson Institute .
“ Their broader strategic goal is to convince the world that Communist China ’ s authoritarian political and social systems , and command-and-control economy are far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free markets , free persons , democratic elections , the rule of law and an independent judiciary.
” China is directly to blame for the deaths of 200,000 Americans from the pandemic , said Mr. Navarro , also a special assistant to the president .
The White House aide also condemned what he called “ useful idiots ” in the U.S. media and private sector who are parroting Chinese Communist Party ( CCP ) propaganda and doing Beijing ’ s bidding .
“ Regrettably , far too many of the American media , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to advance this corrosive and toxic CCP narrative , ” he said .
“ In doing so , far too many American journalists today are merely serving as what Vladimir Lenin and Josef Stalin viewed as ‘ useful idiots ’ for the CCP.
” Mr. Trump has cracked down hard on China ’ s illicit technology theft , unfair trade practices and human rights abuses , Mr. Navarro said .
“ Communist China has continued its aggression against America unabated — and decidedly unabashed , ” he said .
Mr. Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of economic losses for the United States that harmed American workers and created a “ blue collar carnage.
” The economic warfare has included cyberhacking to steal trade secrets , theft of intellectual property , forced technology transfers and the dumping of low-cost products to undermine American markets .
China also has engaged in state-owned enterprise protectionism , currency manipulation and flooding U.S. communities with deadly fentanyl and other opioids , killing upwards of 50,000 people a year .
Globally , China is seeking to use its massive population and increasing military power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system , Mr. Navarro said .
“ In these efforts , the [ CCP ] seeks nothing less than to replace America ’ s arsenal of democracy with the CCP ’ s own arsenal of dictatorship , ” he said .
The Trump administration has pushed back against the economic aggression by imposing over $ 350 billion in tariffs on Chinese products , fined and sanctioned telecommunications companies Huawei Technologies and ZTE , and banned mobile apps such as TikTok and WeChat that are being used to surveil and monitor Americans and steal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for its widespread human rights abuses in western China , Tibet and Hong Kong .
The new approach is in stark contrast to conciliatory policies toward China in the past .
“ Politicians from Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger to the George Bushes , Bill Clinton and Barack Obama told us that if only we would economically engage , Communist China would become more peaceful and democratic , ” Mr. Navarro said .
“ But what good does it do to engage economically if the result is simply a massive transfer of American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American capital and wealth , by the way which is then used to finance a rapid military buildup aimed at driving America out of Asia.
” The spread of China ’ s dictatorial system is a growing danger , Mr. Navarro noted , declaring “ America and the rest of the world must never , ever fall under the thumb , boot , or influence of the Chinese Communist Party.
” China is seeking to steal riches from the United States through economic and information warfare and attacks on the U.S. political system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or lawfare .
The goal is to leverage organizations like the United Nations to promote what the White House adviser called China ’ s “ quest for global domination.
” Mr. Navarro sharply criticized China for co-opting American media outlets and for using social media to troll and undermine stability .
On the global pandemic , Mr. Navarro said China is directly to blame for “ infecting our own nation and our president with a deadly virus.
” Mr. Navarro offered a blistering critique of Chinese trade officials who held talks in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials knew of the disease outbreak and provided no information to Mr. Trump or any White House officials .
“ Instead , these Chinese Communist Party officials simply smiled at us , ate our food , shook our hands , and signed the Phase 1 trade deal , ” he said .
“ In their silence , Xi Jinping and the CCP put President Trump , Vice President [ Mike ] Pence , and numerous White House senior staff and administration officials all in grave danger.
” Mr. Navarro compared news outlets like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times to China ’ s Communist Party newspaper Global Times in relentless attacks on the Trump administration and support for Joseph R. Biden , the Democratic presidential nominee .
“ This devolution of America ’ s fourth estate into partisan hacks and Democrat Superpacs is not just an existential threat to our eternal American quest towards a more perfect union , ” he said .
“ The rise of a partisan fake news conglomerate — and this is what the mainstream media misses — also provides aid , comfort and assistance to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American sun in Asia.
” Liberal news outlets have devolved into “ nothing more than attack dogs for the Democrat Party and useful idiots for the Chinese Communist Party , ” he said .
Anarchists behind riots in American cities represent the most dangerous of the useful idiots for the CCP , Mr. Navarro said .
“ When Antifa and BLM storm troopers swarm with military precision into Portland or Chicago or Kenosha dressed in body armor and armed with brass knuckles , frozen water bottles , and mace ready to loot and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and livelihoods .
They are destroying everything that is sacred about the tradition of American peaceful protest .
Communist Chinese authoritarianism wins , American democracy once again loses , ” Mr. Navarro said .
The most egregious action by the Chinese government was to permit travel by tens of thousands of potentially-infected Chinese nationals to travel to major cities around the world , enhancing the spread of the disease .
“ The American people want to know where the CCP virus originated from , ” Mr. Navarro said .
“ The CCP must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world.
” Also , the American people want China to be held fully accountable for the trillions of dollars in economic losses and the tragic loss of life that was inflicted on the United States .
“ And that bill must one day come due , ” he said .
Mr. Navarro closed his speech by calling on Americans to unite to oppose the danger posed by China .
“ We as a nation have the fight of our lives on our hands , and we can not keep fighting amongst each other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .

China’s ruling Communist Party is continuing economic aggression and information warfare against the United States and is working to defeat President Trump in the next election, a senior White House official said Monday.
“Their near-term goal is to help defeat Donald J. Trump,” said Peter Navarro, director of the White House office of trade and manufacturing policy, in a speech to the Hudson Institute.
“Their broader strategic goal is to convince the world that Communist China’s authoritarian political and social systems, and command-and-control economy are far superior to an American exceptionalism built upon free markets, free persons, democratic elections, the rule of law and an independent judiciary.”
China is directly to blame for the deaths of 200,000 Americans from the pandemic, said Mr. Navarro, also a special assistant to the president.
The White House aide also condemned what he called “useful idiots” in the U.S. media and private sector who are parroting Chinese Communist Party (CCP) propaganda and doing Beijing’s bidding.
“Regrettably, far too many of the American media, with their blatant hyperpartisanship, are helping to advance this corrosive and toxic CCP narrative,” he said.
“In doing so, far too many American journalists today are merely serving as what Vladimir Lenin and Josef Stalin viewed as ‘useful idiots’ for the CCP.”
Mr. Trump has cracked down hard on China’s illicit technology theft, unfair trade practices and human rights abuses, Mr. Navarro said.
“Communist China has continued its aggression against America unabated — and decidedly unabashed,” he said.
Mr. Trump’s economic nationalism has begun to reverse decades of economic losses for the United States that harmed American workers and created a “blue collar carnage.”
The economic warfare has included cyberhacking to steal trade secrets, theft of intellectual property, forced technology transfers and the dumping of low-cost products to undermine American markets.
China also has engaged in state-owned enterprise protectionism, currency manipulation and flooding U.S. communities with deadly fentanyl and other opioids, killing upwards of 50,000 people a year.
Globally, China is seeking to use its massive population and increasing military power to subvert and overthrow the rules-based international system, Mr. Navarro said.
“In these efforts, the [CCP] seeks nothing less than to replace America’s arsenal of democracy with the CCP’s own arsenal of dictatorship,” he said.
The Trump administration has pushed back against the economic aggression by imposing over $350 billion in tariffs on Chinese products, fined and sanctioned telecommunications companies Huawei Technologies and ZTE, and banned mobile apps such as TikTok and WeChat that are being used to surveil and monitor Americans and steal data.
The administration also sanctioned China for its widespread human rights abuses in western China, Tibet and Hong Kong.
The new approach is in stark contrast to conciliatory policies toward China in the past.
“Politicians from Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger to the George Bushes, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama told us that if only we would economically engage, Communist China would become more peaceful and democratic,” Mr. Navarro said.
“But what good does it do to engage economically if the result is simply a massive transfer of American capital and wealth to Communist China? American capital and wealth, by the way which is then used to finance a rapid military buildup aimed at driving America out of Asia.”
The spread of China’s dictatorial system is a growing danger, Mr. Navarro noted, declaring “America and the rest of the world must never, ever fall under the thumb, boot, or influence of the Chinese Communist Party.”
China is seeking to steal riches from the United States through economic and information warfare and attacks on the U.S. political system, including the use of legal warfare, or lawfare.
The goal is to leverage organizations like the United Nations to promote what the White House adviser called China’s “quest for global domination.”
Mr. Navarro sharply criticized China for co-opting American media outlets and for using social media to troll and undermine stability.
On the global pandemic, Mr. Navarro said China is directly to blame for “infecting our own nation and our president with a deadly virus.”
Mr. Navarro offered a blistering critique of Chinese trade officials who held talks in Washington on Jan. 15, when Chinese officials knew of the disease outbreak and provided no information to Mr. Trump or any White House officials.
“Instead, these Chinese Communist Party officials simply smiled at us, ate our food, shook our hands, and signed the Phase 1 trade deal,” he said. “In their silence, Xi Jinping and the CCP put President Trump, Vice President [Mike] Pence, and numerous White House senior staff and administration officials all in grave danger.”
Mr. Navarro compared news outlets like CNN, MSNBC and the New York Times to China’s Communist Party newspaper Global Times in relentless attacks on the Trump administration and support for Joseph R. Biden, the Democratic presidential nominee.
“This devolution of America’s fourth estate into partisan hacks and Democrat Superpacs is not just an existential threat to our eternal American quest towards a more perfect union,” he said.
“The rise of a partisan fake news conglomerate — and this is what the mainstream media misses — also provides aid, comfort and assistance to a Chinese Communist Party intent on setting the American sun in Asia.”
Liberal news outlets have devolved into “nothing more than attack dogs for the Democrat Party and useful idiots for the Chinese Communist Party,” he said.
Anarchists behind riots in American cities represent the most dangerous of the useful idiots for the CCP, Mr. Navarro said.
“When Antifa and BLM storm troopers swarm with military precision into Portland or Chicago or Kenosha dressed in body armor and armed with brass knuckles, frozen water bottles, and mace ready to loot and burn, they not only destroy businesses and livelihoods. They are destroying everything that is sacred about the tradition of American peaceful protest. Communist Chinese authoritarianism wins, American democracy once again loses,” Mr. Navarro said.
The most egregious action by the Chinese government was to permit travel by tens of thousands of potentially-infected Chinese nationals to travel to major cities around the world, enhancing the spread of the disease.
“The American people want to know where the CCP virus originated from,” Mr. Navarro said. “The CCP must stop hiding this information from the free world.”
Also, the American people want China to be held fully accountable for the trillions of dollars in economic losses and the tragic loss of life that was inflicted on the United States.
“And that bill must one day come due,” he said.
Mr. Navarro closed his speech by calling on Americans to unite to oppose the danger posed by China.
“We as a nation have the fight of our lives on our hands, and we cannot keep fighting amongst each other if we are to prevail,” he said.
• Bill Gertz can be reached at bgertz@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Texas prevails in court fight to block bogus ballots

A federal appeals court ruled in favor of the Texas government Monday , saying mail-in ballots are more prone to voter fraud and blocking a lower court decision that could have upended the state ’ s signature-match requirement for those ballots .
The 5th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that under Texas law , in-person voting is the norm and voting by mail is the exception , reserved for special cases such as the elderly and disabled .
And requiring those ballots to be accompanied by a valid signature is not an undue burden , given the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the court ruled .
“ Texas ’ s signature-verification requirement is not designed to stymie voter fraud only in the abstract .
It seeks to stop voter fraud where the problem is most acute — in the context of mail-in voting , ” wrote Judge Jerry E. Smith , a Reagan appointee .
He cited precedent that found the “ potential and reality of fraud is much greater ” when mail ballots are used .
The ruling stayed the decision by District Judge Orlando L. Garcia , a Clinton appointee , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a series of new conditions on Texas ’ s signature match system .
In particular , he ordered the state to rush notifications to voters when their signatures didn ’ t match , cutting short the amount of time allowed under state law .
Those “ sweeping ” changes so close to an election were too far , the appeals court ruled .
The League of Women Voters called the decision “ deeply disappointing , ” and said while it allows local election officials up to 10 days after the election to notify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they can act quicker if they choose .
“ Every voter deserves to be able to cast their ballot with confidence , and Texas election officials are making every effort to deny Texas voters of that right , ” said the league ’ s chief counsel , Celina Stewart .

A federal appeals court ruled in favor of the Texas government Monday, saying mail-in ballots are more prone to voter fraud and blocking a lower court decision that could have upended the state’s signature-match requirement for those ballots.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that under Texas law, in-person voting is the norm and voting by mail is the exception, reserved for special cases such as the elderly and disabled.
And requiring those ballots to be accompanied by a valid signature is not an undue burden, given the state’s interest in preventing voter fraud, the court ruled.
“Texas’s signature-verification requirement is not designed to stymie voter fraud only in the abstract. It seeks to stop voter fraud where the problem is most acute — in the context of mail-in voting,” wrote Judge Jerry E. Smith, a Reagan appointee.
He cited precedent that found the “potential and reality of fraud is much greater” when mail ballots are used.
The ruling stayed the decision by District Judge Orlando L. Garcia, a Clinton appointee, who had issued an order last month imposing a series of new conditions on Texas’s signature match system.
In particular, he ordered the state to rush notifications to voters when their signatures didn’t match, cutting short the amount of time allowed under state law.
Those “sweeping” changes so close to an election were too far, the appeals court ruled.
The League of Women Voters called the decision “deeply disappointing,” and said while it allows local election officials up to 10 days after the election to notify voters their ballots weren’t valid, they can act quicker if they choose.
“Every voter deserves to be able to cast their ballot with confidence, and Texas election officials are making every effort to deny Texas voters of that right,” said the league’s chief counsel, Celina Stewart.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.