washingtontimes--2020-10-03--Bob Gibson, fierce Hall of Fame ace for Cards, dies at 84

Hall of Famer Bob Gibson , the dominating St. Louis Cardinals pitcher who won a record seven consecutive World Series starts and set a modern standard for excellence when he finished the 1968 season with a 1.12 ERA , died Friday .
He was 84 .
The Cardinals confirmed Gibson ’ s death shortly after a 4-0 playoff loss to San Diego ended their season .
He had long been ill with pancreatic cancer in his hometown of Omaha , Nebraska .
Gibson ’ s death came on the 52nd anniversary of perhaps his most overpowering performance , when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ batters in Game 1 of the 1968 World Series against Detroit .
One of baseball ’ s most uncompromising competitors , the two-time Cy Young Award winner spent his entire 17-year career with St. Louis and was named the World Series MVP in their 1964 and ’ 67 championship seasons .
The Cards came up just short in 1968 , but Gibson was voted the National League ’ s MVP and shut down opponents so well that baseball changed the rules for fear it would happen again .
Gibson died less than a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teammate , Hall of Fame outfielder Lou Brock .
Another pitching great from his era , Tom Seaver , died in late August .
“ I just heard the news about losing Bob Gibson and it ’ s kind of hard losing a legend .
You can lose a game , but when you lose a guy like Bob Gibson , just hard , ” Cardinals star catcher Yadier Molina said .
“ Bob was funny , smart , he brought a lot of energy .
When he talked , you listened .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ every year .
We lose a game , we lose a series , but the tough thing is we lost one great man.
” At his peak , Gibson may have been the most talented all-around starter in history , a nine-time Gold Glove winner who roamed wide to snatch up grounders despite a fierce , sweeping delivery that drove him to the first base side of the mound ; and a strong hitter who twice hit five home runs in a single season and batted .303 in 1970 , when he also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t his only sport , either .
He also starred in basketball at Creighton and spent a year with the Harlem Globetrotters before totally turning his attention to the diamond .
Averaging 19 wins a year from 1963-72 , he finished 251-174 with a 2.91 ERA , and was only the second pitcher to reach 3,000 strikeouts .
He didn ’ t throw as hard as Sandy Koufax , or from as many angles as Juan Marichal , but batters never forgot how he glared at them ( or squinted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settling an ancient score .
Gibson snubbed opposing players and sometimes teammates who dared speak to him on a day he was pitching , and he didn ’ t even spare his own family .
“ I ’ ve played a couple of hundred games of tic-tac-toe with my little daughter and she hasn ’ t beaten me yet , ” he once told The New Yorker ’ s Roger Angell .
“ I ’ ve always had to win .
I ’ ve got to win.
” Equally disciplined and impatient , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scully joked that he pitched as if his car was double-parked .
Ball in hand , he was no nonsense on the hill .
And he had no use for advice , scowling whenever catcher Tim McCarver or anyone else thought of visiting the mound .
“ The only thing you know about pitching is you can ’ t hit it , ” Gibson was known to say .
His concentration was such that he seemed unaware he was on his way to a World Series single game strikeout record ( surpassing Sandy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until McCarver convinced him to look at the scoreboard .
During the regular season , Gibson struck out more than 200 batters nine times and led the National League in shutouts four times , finishing with 56 in his career .
In 1968 , thirteen of his 22 wins were shutouts , leading McCarver to call Gibson “ the luckiest pitcher I ever saw .
He always pitches when the other team doesn ’ t score any runs.
” He was , somehow , even greater in the postseason , finishing 7-2 with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 81 innings .
Despite dominating the Tigers in the 1968 Series opener , that year ended with a Game 7 loss - hurt by a rare misplay from star center fielder Curt Flood - and a rewriting of the rules that he would long resent .
Gibson ’ s 1.12 ERA in the regular season was the third lowest for any starting pitcher since 1900 and by far the best for any starter in the post-dead-ball era , which began in the 1920s .
His 1968 performance , the highlight of the so-called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left officials worried that fans had bored of so many 1-0 games .
They lowered the mound from 15 to 10 inches in 1969 and shrank the strike zone .
“ I was pissed , ” Gibson later remarked , although he remained a top pitcher for several years and in 1971 threw his only no-hitter , against Pittsburgh .
Gibson had a long major league career even though he was a relatively late bloomer and was in his early 30s in 1968 .
Signed by the Cards as an amateur free agent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his control , a problem solved by developing one of baseball ’ s greatest sliders , along with a curve to go with his hard fastball .
He knew how to throw strikes and how to aim elsewhere when batters stood too close to the plate .
“ Don ’ t dig in against Bob Gibson ; he ’ ll knock you down , ” Aaron said , according to the Boston Globe .
“ He ’ d knock down his own grandmother if she dared to challenge him .
Don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t smile at him , don ’ t talk to him .
He doesn ’ t like it .
If you happen to hit a home run , don ’ t run too slow , don ’ t run too fast .
If you happen to want to celebrate , get in the tunnel first .
And if he hits you , don ’ t charge the mound , because he ’ s a Gold Glove boxer.
” Only the second Black ( after Don Newcombe ) to win the Cy Young Award @ @ @ @ @ @ @ otherwise .
Gibson would describe himself as a “ blunt , stubborn Black man ” who scorned the idea he was anyone ’ s role model and once posted a sign over his locker reading “ I ’ m not prejudiced .
I hate everybody.
” But he was proud of the Cards ’ racial diversity and teamwork , a powerful symbol during the civil rights era , and his role in ensuring that players did not live in segregated housing during the season .
He was close to McCarver , a Tennessean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own prejudices , and the acknowledged leader of a club which featured whites ( McCarver , Mike Shannon , Roger Maris ) , Blacks ( Gibson , Brock and Flood ) and Hispanics ( Orlando Cepeda , Julian Javier ) .
“ Our team , as a whole , had no tolerance for ethnic or racial disrespect , ” Gibson wrote in “ Pitch by Pitch , ” published in 2015 .
“ We ’ d talk about it openly and in no uncertain terms .
In our clubhouse , nobody got a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who is Black , grew close to Gibson in recent years .
The right-handers would often talk , the 24-year-old Flaherty soaking up advice from the great who wore No .
45 .
“ That one hurts , ” said Flaherty , the Cardinals ’ losing pitcher Friday night .
“ He ’ s a legend , first and foremost , somebody who I was lucky enough to learn from .
You don ’ t get the opportunity to learn from somebody of that caliber and somebody who was that good very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up on his health and where he was at .
I was really hoping it wasn ’ t going to be today .
I was going to wear his jersey today to the field but decided against it , ” he said .
Born Pack Robert Gibson in Omaha on Nov. 9 , 1935 , Gibson overcame childhood illness that nearly cost him his life .
His father died soon before his birth , and he grew up in poverty .
His mother was a laundry worker , trying to support Gibson and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without a father is a hardship and deprivation that is impossible to measure , ” Gibson wrote in “ From Ghetto to Glory , ” one of a handful of books he published .
Gibson went to Omaha Tech High School and stayed in town , attending Creighton from 1954-57 , and averaging 20.2 points during his college basketball career .
The roughly 6-foot , 2-inch Gibson , who seemed so much taller on the mound , spent the 1957-58 season with the Globetrotters before turning his full attention to baseball .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was managed by Johnny Keane , who became a mentor and cherished friend , “ the closest thing to a saint ” he would ever know in baseball .
Gibson was often forced to live in separate hotels from his white teammates and was subjected to vicious taunts from fans , but he would remember Keane as “ without prejudice ” and as an unshakeable believer in his talent .
His early years with the Cardinals were plagued by tensions with manager Solly Hemus , who openly used racist language and was despised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was fired in the middle of the 1961 season and replaced , to Gibson ’ s great fortune , by Keane .
The pitcher ’ s career soon took off .
He made the first of his eight National League All-Star teams in 1962 , and the following year went 18-9 and kept the Cardinals in the pennant race until late in the season .
In 1964 , a year he regarded as his favorite , he won three times in the last 11 games as the Cardinals surged past the collapsing Philadelphia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Gibson lost Game 2 of the World Series against the New York Yankees , but he came back with wins in Games 5 and 7 and was named the MVP .
The series was widely regarded as a turning point in baseball history , with the great Yankee dynasty falling the following year and the Cardinals embodying a more modern and aggressive style of play .
Keane stuck with Gibson in Game 7 even after the Yankees ’ Clete Boyer and Phil Linz homered in the ninth inning and narrowed the Cardinals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later say of Gibson , who retired Bobby Richardson on a pop fly to end the series , that he had a commitment to “ his heart.
” Gibson was also close to Keane ’ s successor , Red Schoendienst , who took over in 1965 after Keane left for the Yankees .
Gibson enjoyed 20-game seasons in 1965 and 1966 and likely would have done the same a third straight year , but a Roberto Clemente line drive broke his leg in the middle of the season .
( Gibson was so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inning ) .
Gibson returned in September , finished 13-7 during the regular season and led the Cardinals to the 1967 championship , winning three times and hitting a home run off Red Sox ace Jim Lonborg in Game 7 at Boston ’ s Fenway Park .
The final out was especially gratifying ; he fanned first baseman George Scott , who throughout the series had been taunting Gibson and the Cards .
But 1968 was on a level few had seen before .
He began slowly , losing five of his first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and fumed over the lack of hitting support .
( “ Starvation fare , ” Angell would call it ) .
But from early June to late August , Gibson was unbeatable .
He won 15 straight decisions , threw 10 shutouts and at one point allowed just three earned runs during 101 innings .
One of those runs scored on a wild pitch , another on a bloop hit .
He was at his best again in the opener of the World Series , giving a performance so singular that his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dedicated entirely to it .
On a muggy afternoon in St. Louis , facing 31-game winner Denny McLain and such power hitters as Al Kaline - who also died this year - Norm Cash and Willie Horton , he allowed just five hits and walked one in a 4-0 victory .
Gibson struck out at least one batter every inning and in the ninth fanned Kaline , Cash and Horton to end with 17 , the final pitch a slow breaking ball that left Horton frozen in place .
“ I was awed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later said .
“ He doesn ’ t remind me of anybody .
He ’ s all by himself.
” In Game 4 , Gibson homered as he led the Cards to a 10-1 romp over McLain and 3-to-1 advantage in the series .
But the Tigers won the next two and broke through in the finale against Gibson , who had a one-hitter with two out in the seventh inning , and the score 0-0 .
Gibson allowed two singles before Flood , a Gold Glove center fielder , misplayed Jim Northrup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ball fell , before the warning track , for a two-run triple .
The Cardinals lost 4-1 and Gibson would grimace even decades later when asked about the game .
By the mid-1970s , his knees were aching and he had admittedly lost some of his competitive fury .
On the last day of the 1974 season , with a 2-1 lead and a division title possible , he gave up a two-run homer to the Montreal Expos ’ Mike Jorgensen in the eighth inning and the Cards lost 3-2 .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final appearance when he gave up a grand slam home run to the Chicago Cubs ’ Pete LaCock .
( When the two faced off a decade later , at an old-timers game , Gibson beaned him ) .
Gibson was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1981 , and the Cards retired his uniform number .
He had a far less successful career as a coach , whether for the New York Mets and Braves in the 1980s , or for the Cardinals in 1995 .
He was married twice , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent much of his retirement at his longtime home in the Omaha suburb of Bellevue .
He was active in charitable causes and hosted a popular golf event in Omaha that drew some of the top names in sports .
Gibson worried that young people were forgetting about baseball history , and he spoke with dismay about a Cardinal player who knew nothing about Jackie Robinson .
But in 2018 , Gibson himself was honored when the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra commissioned a rap song in his honor .
The lyrics inspired by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ He was a game changer The complete gamer Throw a pitch so fast It ’ ll rearrange ya He ’ s no stranger He ’ s Bob Gibson been on a mission He changed the game forever The pitcher was his position .
”

Hall of Famer Bob Gibson, the dominating St. Louis Cardinals pitcher who won a record seven consecutive World Series starts and set a modern standard for excellence when he finished the 1968 season with a 1.12 ERA, died Friday. He was 84.
The Cardinals confirmed Gibson’s death shortly after a 4-0 playoff loss to San Diego ended their season. He had long been ill with pancreatic cancer in his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska.
Gibson’s death came on the 52nd anniversary of perhaps his most overpowering performance, when he struck out a World Series record 17 batters in Game 1 of the 1968 World Series against Detroit.
One of baseball’s most uncompromising competitors, the two-time Cy Young Award winner spent his entire 17-year career with St. Louis and was named the World Series MVP in their 1964 and ’67 championship seasons. The Cards came up just short in 1968, but Gibson was voted the National League’s MVP and shut down opponents so well that baseball changed the rules for fear it would happen again.
Gibson died less than a month after the death of a longtime teammate, Hall of Fame outfielder Lou Brock. Another pitching great from his era, Tom Seaver, died in late August.
“I just heard the news about losing Bob Gibson and it’s kind of hard losing a legend. You can lose a game, but when you lose a guy like Bob Gibson, just hard,” Cardinals star catcher Yadier Molina said. “Bob was funny, smart, he brought a lot of energy. When he talked, you listened. It was good to have him around every year. We lose a game, we lose a series, but the tough thing is we lost one great man.”
At his peak, Gibson may have been the most talented all-around starter in history, a nine-time Gold Glove winner who roamed wide to snatch up grounders despite a fierce, sweeping delivery that drove him to the first base side of the mound; and a strong hitter who twice hit five home runs in a single season and batted .303 in 1970, when he also won his second Cy Young.
Baseball wasn’t his only sport, either. He also starred in basketball at Creighton and spent a year with the Harlem Globetrotters before totally turning his attention to the diamond.
Averaging 19 wins a year from 1963-72, he finished 251-174 with a 2.91 ERA, and was only the second pitcher to reach 3,000 strikeouts. He didn’t throw as hard as Sandy Koufax, or from as many angles as Juan Marichal, but batters never forgot how he glared at them (or squinted, because he was near-sighted) as if settling an ancient score.
Gibson snubbed opposing players and sometimes teammates who dared speak to him on a day he was pitching, and he didn’t even spare his own family.
“I’ve played a couple of hundred games of tic-tac-toe with my little daughter and she hasn’t beaten me yet,” he once told The New Yorker’s Roger Angell. “I’ve always had to win. I’ve got to win.”
Equally disciplined and impatient, Gibson worked so quickly that broadcaster Vin Scully joked that he pitched as if his car was double-parked.
Ball in hand, he was no nonsense on the hill. And he had no use for advice, scowling whenever catcher Tim McCarver or anyone else thought of visiting the mound.
“The only thing you know about pitching is you can’t hit it,” Gibson was known to say.
His concentration was such that he seemed unaware he was on his way to a World Series single game strikeout record (surpassing Sandy Koufax’s 15) in 1968 until McCarver convinced him to look at the scoreboard.
During the regular season, Gibson struck out more than 200 batters nine times and led the National League in shutouts four times, finishing with 56 in his career. In 1968, thirteen of his 22 wins were shutouts, leading McCarver to call Gibson “the luckiest pitcher I ever saw. He always pitches when the other team doesn’t score any runs.”
He was, somehow, even greater in the postseason, finishing 7-2 with a 1.89 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 81 innings. Despite dominating the Tigers in the 1968 Series opener, that year ended with a Game 7 loss - hurt by a rare misplay from star center fielder Curt Flood - and a rewriting of the rules that he would long resent.
Gibson’s 1.12 ERA in the regular season was the third lowest for any starting pitcher since 1900 and by far the best for any starter in the post-dead-ball era, which began in the 1920s.
His 1968 performance, the highlight of the so-called “Year of the Pitcher,” left officials worried that fans had bored of so many 1-0 games. They lowered the mound from 15 to 10 inches in 1969 and shrank the strike zone.
“I was pissed,” Gibson later remarked, although he remained a top pitcher for several years and in 1971 threw his only no-hitter, against Pittsburgh.
Gibson had a long major league career even though he was a relatively late bloomer and was in his early 30s in 1968. Signed by the Cards as an amateur free agent in 1957, he had early trouble with his control, a problem solved by developing one of baseball’s greatest sliders, along with a curve to go with his hard fastball. He knew how to throw strikes and how to aim elsewhere when batters stood too close to the plate.
Hank Aaron once counseled Atlanta Braves teammate Dusty Baker about Gibson.
“Don’t dig in against Bob Gibson; he’ll knock you down,” Aaron said, according to the Boston Globe. “He’d knock down his own grandmother if she dared to challenge him. Don’t stare at him, don’t smile at him, don’t talk to him. He doesn’t like it. If you happen to hit a home run, don’t run too slow, don’t run too fast. If you happen to want to celebrate, get in the tunnel first. And if he hits you, don’t charge the mound, because he’s a Gold Glove boxer.”
Only the second Black (after Don Newcombe) to win the Cy Young Award, he was an inspiration when insisting otherwise. Gibson would describe himself as a “blunt, stubborn Black man” who scorned the idea he was anyone’s role model and once posted a sign over his locker reading “I’m not prejudiced. I hate everybody.”
But he was proud of the Cards’ racial diversity and teamwork, a powerful symbol during the civil rights era, and his role in ensuring that players did not live in segregated housing during the season.
He was close to McCarver, a Tennessean who would credit Gibson with challenging his own prejudices, and the acknowledged leader of a club which featured whites (McCarver, Mike Shannon, Roger Maris), Blacks (Gibson, Brock and Flood) and Hispanics (Orlando Cepeda, Julian Javier).
“Our team, as a whole, had no tolerance for ethnic or racial disrespect,” Gibson wrote in “Pitch by Pitch,” published in 2015. “We’d talk about it openly and in no uncertain terms. In our clubhouse, nobody got a free pass.”
Cardinals pitcher Jack Flaherty, who is Black, grew close to Gibson in recent years. The right-handers would often talk, the 24-year-old Flaherty soaking up advice from the great who wore No. 45.
“That one hurts,” said Flaherty, the Cardinals’ losing pitcher Friday night. “He’s a legend, first and foremost, somebody who I was lucky enough to learn from. You don’t get the opportunity to learn from somebody of that caliber and somebody who was that good very often.”
“I had been kept up on his health and where he was at. I was really hoping it wasn’t going to be today. I was going to wear his jersey today to the field but decided against it,” he said.
Born Pack Robert Gibson in Omaha on Nov. 9, 1935, Gibson overcame childhood illness that nearly cost him his life. His father died soon before his birth, and he grew up in poverty. His mother was a laundry worker, trying to support Gibson and his six siblings.
“Growing up without a father is a hardship and deprivation that is impossible to measure,” Gibson wrote in “From Ghetto to Glory,” one of a handful of books he published.
Gibson went to Omaha Tech High School and stayed in town, attending Creighton from 1954-57, and averaging 20.2 points during his college basketball career. The roughly 6-foot, 2-inch Gibson, who seemed so much taller on the mound, spent the 1957-58 season with the Globetrotters before turning his full attention to baseball.
At Omaha in the minor leagues, he was managed by Johnny Keane, who became a mentor and cherished friend, “the closest thing to a saint” he would ever know in baseball.
Gibson was often forced to live in separate hotels from his white teammates and was subjected to vicious taunts from fans, but he would remember Keane as “without prejudice” and as an unshakeable believer in his talent.
His early years with the Cardinals were plagued by tensions with manager Solly Hemus, who openly used racist language and was despised by Gibson and other Cardinals. Hemus was fired in the middle of the 1961 season and replaced, to Gibson’s great fortune, by Keane.
The pitcher’s career soon took off. He made the first of his eight National League All-Star teams in 1962, and the following year went 18-9 and kept the Cardinals in the pennant race until late in the season.
In 1964, a year he regarded as his favorite, he won three times in the last 11 games as the Cardinals surged past the collapsing Philadelphia Phillies and won the National League title. Gibson lost Game 2 of the World Series against the New York Yankees, but he came back with wins in Games 5 and 7 and was named the MVP.
The series was widely regarded as a turning point in baseball history, with the great Yankee dynasty falling the following year and the Cardinals embodying a more modern and aggressive style of play. Keane stuck with Gibson in Game 7 even after the Yankees’ Clete Boyer and Phil Linz homered in the ninth inning and narrowed the Cardinals’ lead to 7-5. He would later say of Gibson, who retired Bobby Richardson on a pop fly to end the series, that he had a commitment to “his heart.”
Gibson was also close to Keane’s successor, Red Schoendienst, who took over in 1965 after Keane left for the Yankees. Gibson enjoyed 20-game seasons in 1965 and 1966 and likely would have done the same a third straight year, but a Roberto Clemente line drive broke his leg in the middle of the season. (Gibson was so determined he still managed to finish the inning).
Gibson returned in September, finished 13-7 during the regular season and led the Cardinals to the 1967 championship, winning three times and hitting a home run off Red Sox ace Jim Lonborg in Game 7 at Boston’s Fenway Park. The final out was especially gratifying; he fanned first baseman George Scott, who throughout the series had been taunting Gibson and the Cards.
But 1968 was on a level few had seen before. He began slowly, losing five of his first eight decisions despite an ERA of 1.52, and fumed over the lack of hitting support. (“Starvation fare,” Angell would call it).
But from early June to late August, Gibson was unbeatable. He won 15 straight decisions, threw 10 shutouts and at one point allowed just three earned runs during 101 innings. One of those runs scored on a wild pitch, another on a bloop hit.
He was at his best again in the opener of the World Series, giving a performance so singular that his book “Pitch by Pitch” was dedicated entirely to it.
On a muggy afternoon in St. Louis, facing 31-game winner Denny McLain and such power hitters as Al Kaline - who also died this year - Norm Cash and Willie Horton, he allowed just five hits and walked one in a 4-0 victory. Gibson struck out at least one batter every inning and in the ninth fanned Kaline, Cash and Horton to end with 17, the final pitch a slow breaking ball that left Horton frozen in place.
“I was awed,” Tigers second baseman Dick McAuliffe later said. “He doesn’t remind me of anybody. He’s all by himself.”
In Game 4, Gibson homered as he led the Cards to a 10-1 romp over McLain and 3-to-1 advantage in the series. But the Tigers won the next two and broke through in the finale against Gibson, who had a one-hitter with two out in the seventh inning, and the score 0-0.
Gibson allowed two singles before Flood, a Gold Glove center fielder, misplayed Jim Northrup’s drive to left center and the ball fell, before the warning track, for a two-run triple. The Cardinals lost 4-1 and Gibson would grimace even decades later when asked about the game.
By the mid-1970s, his knees were aching and he had admittedly lost some of his competitive fury. On the last day of the 1974 season, with a 2-1 lead and a division title possible, he gave up a two-run homer to the Montreal Expos’ Mike Jorgensen in the eighth inning and the Cards lost 3-2.
He retired after 1975, humiliated in his final appearance when he gave up a grand slam home run to the Chicago Cubs’ Pete LaCock. (When the two faced off a decade later, at an old-timers game, Gibson beaned him).
Gibson was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1981, and the Cards retired his uniform number. He had a far less successful career as a coach, whether for the New York Mets and Braves in the 1980s, or for the Cardinals in 1995.
He was married twice, most recently to Wendy Gibson, and spent much of his retirement at his longtime home in the Omaha suburb of Bellevue. He was active in charitable causes and hosted a popular golf event in Omaha that drew some of the top names in sports.
Gibson worried that young people were forgetting about baseball history, and he spoke with dismay about a Cardinal player who knew nothing about Jackie Robinson. But in 2018, Gibson himself was honored when the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra commissioned a rap song in his honor.
The lyrics inspired by “From Ghetto to Glory” - “He was a game changer The complete gamer Throw a pitch so fast It’ll rearrange ya He’s no stranger He’s Bob Gibson been on a mission He changed the game forever The pitcher was his position.”
___
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washingtontimes--2020-10-03--Key players to meet virtually to push for Libya cease-fire

UNITED NATIONS ( AP ) - The United Nations and Germany are co-chairing a ministerial meeting on Monday of world powers and other countries with interests in Libya ’ s long-running civil war in hopes of promoting a cease-fire between its rival governments .
Germany ’ s deputy U.N. ambassador Günter Sautter said Friday the virtual meeting is “ an important follow-up ” to a conference of the same parties in Berlin on Jan. 19 that approved a 55-point road map to peace in oil-rich Libya and agreed to respect a much-violated arms embargo , hold off on military support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to reach a full cease-fire .
Stephanie Williams , the top U.N. official for Libya , warned last month that the conflict-torn North African country is at “ a decisive turning point , ” with foreign backers of its rival governments pouring in weapons - in violation of the Berlin agreement - and the misery of its people compounded by the coronavirus pandemic .
Sautter said Monday ’ s meeting “ comes at a crucial moment.
” He pointed to “ some encouraging developments in Libya ” including talks on security , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and progress on the question of oil exports.
” In the years after the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime autocrat Moammar Gadhafi , Libya has sunk further into turmoil and is now divided between two rival administrations , based in the country ’ s east and west , with an array of fighters and militias - backed by various foreign powers - allied with each side .
Tensions escalated further when east-based forces , under commander Khalifa Hifter , launched an offensive in April 2019 trying to capture the capital , Tripoli .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ June when militias backing the U.N.-supported government in Tripoli , with Turkish support , gained the upper hand .
Hifter is supported by the United Arab Emirates , Russia , Jordan and Egypt while the Tripoli forces are supported by the wealthy Gulf state of Qatar and by Turkey , a bitter rival of Egypt and the UAE in a broader regional struggle over political Islam .
Sautter said Germany hopes participants in Monday ’ s meeting - co-chaired by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas - will renew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and its implementation .
“ We hope that they will call on the parties to accelerate efforts to achieve a cease-fire , ” Sautter said .
“ We hope that continuing blatant violations of the arms embargo will end.
” U.N. experts monitoring sanctions against Libya said in a report , seen by The Associated Press last month , that the arms embargo was being violated by both sides and their foreign backers , and remains “ totally ineffective.
” They said 11 companies also violated the arms embargo , including the Wagner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the panel said in May provided between 800 and 1,200 mercenaries to Hifter .
Sautter said Germany also hopes Monday ’ s meeting “ will strengthen the United Nations as key facilitator of the political dialogue in Libya .
”

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The United Nations and Germany are co-chairing a ministerial meeting on Monday of world powers and other countries with interests in Libya’s long-running civil war in hopes of promoting a cease-fire between its rival governments.
Germany’s deputy U.N. ambassador Günter Sautter said Friday the virtual meeting is “an important follow-up” to a conference of the same parties in Berlin on Jan. 19 that approved a 55-point road map to peace in oil-rich Libya and agreed to respect a much-violated arms embargo, hold off on military support to the warring parties, and push them to reach a full cease-fire.
Stephanie Williams, the top U.N. official for Libya, warned last month that the conflict-torn North African country is at “a decisive turning point,” with foreign backers of its rival governments pouring in weapons - in violation of the Berlin agreement - and the misery of its people compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.
Sautter said Monday’s meeting “comes at a crucial moment.” He pointed to “some encouraging developments in Libya” including talks on security, “the long-term agreements on transition, and progress on the question of oil exports.”
In the years after the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime autocrat Moammar Gadhafi, Libya has sunk further into turmoil and is now divided between two rival administrations, based in the country’s east and west, with an array of fighters and militias - backed by various foreign powers - allied with each side.
Tensions escalated further when east-based forces, under commander Khalifa Hifter, launched an offensive in April 2019 trying to capture the capital, Tripoli. But Hifter’s campaign collapsed in June when militias backing the U.N.-supported government in Tripoli, with Turkish support, gained the upper hand.
Hifter is supported by the United Arab Emirates, Russia, Jordan and Egypt while the Tripoli forces are supported by the wealthy Gulf state of Qatar and by Turkey, a bitter rival of Egypt and the UAE in a broader regional struggle over political Islam.
Sautter said Germany hopes participants in Monday’s meeting - co-chaired by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas - will renew their commitments to the Berlin road map and its implementation.
“We hope that they will call on the parties to accelerate efforts to achieve a cease-fire,” Sautter said. “We hope that continuing blatant violations of the arms embargo will end.”
U.N. experts monitoring sanctions against Libya said in a report, seen by The Associated Press last month, that the arms embargo was being violated by both sides and their foreign backers, and remains “totally ineffective.”
They said 11 companies also violated the arms embargo, including the Wagner Group, a private Russian security company that the panel said in May provided between 800 and 1,200 mercenaries to Hifter.
Sautter said Germany also hopes Monday’s meeting “will strengthen the United Nations as key facilitator of the political dialogue in Libya.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-03--Small pipeline, large worries for some S. Carolina residents

PAMPLICO , S.C. ( AP ) - The land agent who arrived at Reatha Jefferson ’ s door in May , unannounced and unmasked in the middle of the pandemic , told her he was giving her one more chance .
The agent was there on behalf of Virginia-based utility giant Dominion Energy .
He wanted to see if Jefferson would let Dominion run a new natural gas pipeline through the land her great-grandfather , a rural Black farmer , had bought more than a century ago in Pamplico , South Carolina .
Jefferson sent the agent away and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court papers in an attempt to use eminent domain to build the pipeline .
The proposed 14.5-mile-long ( 23-kilometer-long ) gas line is small in contrast to projects like the recently canceled Atlantic Coast Pipeline , or even a 55-mile-long ( 88.5-kilometer-long ) pipeline Dominion built recently in the state .
But for Jefferson , it threatens to stain the land where her relatives once grew tobacco , corn and wheat , and the river where her father used to catch catfish for dinner .
“ This property ’ s been in my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they think they can tell me what they ’ re going to run through my property ?
” she said .
The company cites new energy demand spurred by economic growth in eastern South Carolina as the impetus for the project .
Dominion declined to make anyone available for an interview but said in a statement that the project could help attract and grow businesses , adding jobs and possibly lowering energy costs for residents .
The gas main , designed to supply customers directly with natural gas , would run 14.5 miles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ station along the Great Pee Dee River , according to permitting paperwork Dominion submitted to the Army Corps of Engineers .
It would traverse 65 pieces of private property along the way .
Some environmental groups think the pipeline ’ s true purpose is to jump-start a natural gas-fired power plant that state-owned utility Santee Cooper has previously discussed building at the same spot where the proposed pipeline would end .
The company had said it would use natural gas from a utility partner such as Dominion .
Shelley Robbins , energy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an environmental watchdog group focused on preserving land in South Carolina , said she wonders if the proposed pipeline is being designed with a relatively large diameter so that it could connect to a natural-gas power plant in addition to supplying customers with electricity .
Such a plant would have a far bigger footprint in the community than the proposed line , she added .
Dominion spokesperson Paul Fischer said in an email that the gas line would be solely operated and owned by Dominion , and is unrelated to any current or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cooper spokesperson Mollie Gore said the company was unfamiliar with the pipeline and had made no decisions about future sites for natural-gas power plants .
Kathy Andrews , a landowner in the area who , like Jefferson , is opposed to the project , says she ’ s concerned about environmental damage such as leaks once the pipeline is in operation .
She points to the explosion of a Dominion gas line in Ohio and allegations over pollution involving coal ash in Virginia .
In addition to worrying about the pipeline ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is concerned that she will lose more of the property her father entrusted to her on his death bed .
The 40 acres ( 16 hectares ) Jefferson ’ s great-grandfather , Andrew Hyman , once owned has been whittled down to about 30 acres ( 12 hectares ) over time .
Jefferson is determined not to lose any more .
In recent years , the land has grown dense with trees and brush , obscuring the driveway that once led to the house Jefferson was born in .
That house burned down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , some of the other heirs to the land tell Jefferson they contemplate returning and rebuilding .
Jefferson dutifully pays the property taxes every year , as her father asked her to .
But Jefferson and Andrews may be out of luck .
In cases where a company or the government is arguing that a utility upgrade is for the public good , it ’ s nearly impossible for property owners to fight , said Renee Gregory , a lawyer at the Center for Heirs ’ Property Preservation in Charleston , South Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not a matter of will the property be taken , just how much you will be compensated for , ” she said .
Andrews , who owns the parcel bordering Jefferson ’ s , said Dominion offered her $ 500 , then $ 1,000 when she refused .
She said she worries that the economic woes some people are experiencing amid the coronavirus pandemic will lead other property owners to take Dominion up on its cash offers .
Dominion held a community workshop in January at the town ’ s elementary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the proposed pipeline .
But Andrews said the workshop was in the afternoon when most people were working ; the explanations they got from Dominion weren ’ t that thorough , and there was no mention of a public hearing .
“ It ’ s like we had no say in the matter , ” Andrews said .
Other landowners reached by The Associated Press had varied reactions to the project , though most expressed unease at the thought of agreeing to an easement on their lands .
Andrews and Jefferson have tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The pandemic makes organizing hard .
Instead of meeting in person , concerned residents hop onto weekly conference calls .
And some community members are apathetic to their cause , the women say , assuming Dominion will win out in the end regardless .
Jefferson , who is still handing out photocopied , handwritten appeals to her neighbors and looking for an attorney to represent her in court , remains even-tempered despite the stress of the past few months .
“ It ’ s not about money .
It ’ s about @ @ @ @ @ @

PAMPLICO, S.C. (AP) - The land agent who arrived at Reatha Jefferson’s door in May, unannounced and unmasked in the middle of the pandemic, told her he was giving her one more chance.
The agent was there on behalf of Virginia-based utility giant Dominion Energy. He wanted to see if Jefferson would let Dominion run a new natural gas pipeline through the land her great-grandfather, a rural Black farmer, had bought more than a century ago in Pamplico, South Carolina.
Jefferson sent the agent away and in July, the utility served her with court papers in an attempt to use eminent domain to build the pipeline.
The proposed 14.5-mile-long (23-kilometer-long) gas line is small in contrast to projects like the recently canceled Atlantic Coast Pipeline, or even a 55-mile-long (88.5-kilometer-long) pipeline Dominion built recently in the state. But for Jefferson, it threatens to stain the land where her relatives once grew tobacco, corn and wheat, and the river where her father used to catch catfish for dinner.
“This property’s been in my family for 100 years. How do they think they can tell me what they’re going to run through my property?” she said.
The company cites new energy demand spurred by economic growth in eastern South Carolina as the impetus for the project. Dominion declined to make anyone available for an interview but said in a statement that the project could help attract and grow businesses, adding jobs and possibly lowering energy costs for residents.
The gas main, designed to supply customers directly with natural gas, would run 14.5 miles from a valve station to a regulating station along the Great Pee Dee River, according to permitting paperwork Dominion submitted to the Army Corps of Engineers. It would traverse 65 pieces of private property along the way.
Some environmental groups think the pipeline’s true purpose is to jump-start a natural gas-fired power plant that state-owned utility Santee Cooper has previously discussed building at the same spot where the proposed pipeline would end. The company had said it would use natural gas from a utility partner such as Dominion.
Shelley Robbins, energy and state policy director of Upstate Forever, an environmental watchdog group focused on preserving land in South Carolina, said she wonders if the proposed pipeline is being designed with a relatively large diameter so that it could connect to a natural-gas power plant in addition to supplying customers with electricity. Such a plant would have a far bigger footprint in the community than the proposed line, she added.
Dominion spokesperson Paul Fischer said in an email that the gas line would be solely operated and owned by Dominion, and is unrelated to any current or future projects by other utilities. Santee Cooper spokesperson Mollie Gore said the company was unfamiliar with the pipeline and had made no decisions about future sites for natural-gas power plants.
Kathy Andrews, a landowner in the area who, like Jefferson, is opposed to the project, says she’s concerned about environmental damage such as leaks once the pipeline is in operation. She points to the explosion of a Dominion gas line in Ohio and allegations over pollution involving coal ash in Virginia.
In addition to worrying about the pipeline’s possible effects on the environment, Jefferson is concerned that she will lose more of the property her father entrusted to her on his death bed. The 40 acres (16 hectares) Jefferson’s great-grandfather, Andrew Hyman, once owned has been whittled down to about 30 acres (12 hectares) over time. Jefferson is determined not to lose any more.
In recent years, the land has grown dense with trees and brush, obscuring the driveway that once led to the house Jefferson was born in. That house burned down a few decades ago, but lately, some of the other heirs to the land tell Jefferson they contemplate returning and rebuilding. Jefferson dutifully pays the property taxes every year, as her father asked her to.
But Jefferson and Andrews may be out of luck. In cases where a company or the government is arguing that a utility upgrade is for the public good, it’s nearly impossible for property owners to fight, said Renee Gregory, a lawyer at the Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation in Charleston, South Carolina.
“In these situations, it’s not a matter of will the property be taken, just how much you will be compensated for,” she said.
Andrews, who owns the parcel bordering Jefferson’s, said Dominion offered her $500, then $1,000 when she refused. She said she worries that the economic woes some people are experiencing amid the coronavirus pandemic will lead other property owners to take Dominion up on its cash offers.
Dominion held a community workshop in January at the town’s elementary school so residents could learn more about the proposed pipeline. But Andrews said the workshop was in the afternoon when most people were working; the explanations they got from Dominion weren’t that thorough, and there was no mention of a public hearing.
“It’s like we had no say in the matter,” Andrews said.
Other landowners reached by The Associated Press had varied reactions to the project, though most expressed unease at the thought of agreeing to an easement on their lands.
Andrews and Jefferson have tried to rally their neighbors against the project. The pandemic makes organizing hard. Instead of meeting in person, concerned residents hop onto weekly conference calls. And some community members are apathetic to their cause, the women say, assuming Dominion will win out in the end regardless.
Jefferson, who is still handing out photocopied, handwritten appeals to her neighbors and looking for an attorney to represent her in court, remains even-tempered despite the stress of the past few months.
“It’s not about money. It’s about principle,” Jefferson said.


washingtontimes--2020-10-03--Sunday is deadline to register to vote in Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE , R.I. ( AP ) - Rhode Islanders are running out of time to register to vote in the @ @ @ @ @ deadline for residents to register or update their voter registration information is Sunday .
“ @ @ @ @ @ leaders make decisions that have a direct impact on our lives - both immediate and @ @ @ @ @ Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea said in an emailed statement .
“ The first @ @ @ @ @ voice is heard is registering to vote.
” Rhode Islanders can vote early in-person at @ @ @ @ @ , at a polling place on Election Day or send a mailed ballot from home @ @ @ @ @ vote.ri.gov to check the status of their mail ballot application or mail ballot .
Officials @ @ @ @ @ to send mail ballots to voters who requested them .
Anyone who has election questions @ @ @ @

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Islanders are running out of time to register to vote in the Nov. 3 election.
The deadline for residents to register or update their voter registration information is Sunday.
“Every day, our elected leaders make decisions that have a direct impact on our lives - both immediate and long-term,” Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea said in an emailed statement. “The first step to making sure your voice is heard is registering to vote.”
Rhode Islanders can vote early in-person at their city or town hall, at a polling place on Election Day or send a mailed ballot from home. Residents can go to vote.ri.gov to check the status of their mail ballot application or mail ballot. Officials will begin on Oct. 5 to send mail ballots to voters who requested them.
Anyone who has election questions can call 2-1-1.


washingtontimes--2020-10-03--Man accused of killing grandmother in house

BILLERICA , Mass .
( AP ) - A man has been charged with murder in connection with the death @ @ @ @ @ .
James Forsythe , 26 , was charged following the discovery of Ellen Scaringi , @ @ @ @ @ dead inside the home they were living in , in Billerica , Middlesex District Attorney @ @ @ @ @ A preliminary investigation suggests that on Thursday , the two got into an altercation .
@ @ @ @ @ suffered from apparent trauma , police said .
On Thursday night , state police responded @ @ @ @ @ involving Forsythe , who had been driving Scaringi ’ s vehicle .
He was injured @ @ @ @ @ Worcester hospital .
Police said a warrant was issued for Forsythe regarding the violation of @ @ @ @ @ stay away from the home in an open domestic abuse case involving Scaringi from May @ @ @ @ @ on the murder charge from the hospital , Ryan said .
It wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ an attorney .

BILLERICA, Mass. (AP) - A man has been charged with murder in connection with the death of his grandmother in Massachusetts.
James Forsythe, 26, was charged following the discovery of Ellen Scaringi, 69, who was found dead inside the home they were living in, in Billerica, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said Friday.
A preliminary investigation suggests that on Thursday, the two got into an altercation. Scaringi was assaulted and had suffered from apparent trauma, police said.
On Thursday night, state police responded to a crash in Bolton involving Forsythe, who had been driving Scaringi’s vehicle. He was injured and was taken to a Worcester hospital.
Police said a warrant was issued for Forsythe regarding the violation of a pre-trial condition that he stay away from the home in an open domestic abuse case involving Scaringi from May 2019.
Forsythe was arraigned on the murder charge from the hospital, Ryan said. It wasn’t immediately known if he had an attorney.


washingtontimes--2020-10-03--Alumni at Barrett's undergrad school sign letter of concern

MEMPHIS , Tenn. ( AP ) - U.S. Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett graduated in 1994 with honors from Rhodes College in Memphis , Tennessee .
But more than 1,500 alumni of the small liberal arts school have made it known they are not proud of their ties to the conservative lawyer and judge .
Barrett graduated magna cum laude with an undergraduate degree in English .
She was a member of the Honor Council and named the Student Hall of Fame .
After her next stop at Notre Dame ’ s law school , Barrett built a career @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Rhodes president Marjorie Hass , in a statement issued after President Donald Trump nominated Barrett to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
The statement was dated Sept. 22 .
Soon after , Rhodes alumni Rob Marus and Katherine Morgan Breslin wrote a letter criticizing Barrett ’ s stances on abortion law , the LBGTQ community and the Affordable Care Act .
Signed by 1,513 alumni and posted online , the letter says the alumni are “ firmly and passionately opposed to her nomination , ” declaring Barrett fails to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are likewise firmly and passionately opposed to Rhodes administrators ’ attempts to embrace Amy Coney Barrett as an alumna of our beloved alma mater , ” the letter said .
“ We oppose this embrace because we believe both her record and the process that has produced her nomination are diametrically opposed to the values of truth , loyalty , and service that we learned at Rhodes.
” Barrett ’ s nomination to replace Ginsburg , an abortion rights supporter and liberal icon who died Sept. 18 , swiftly elicited praise from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liberals and Democrats .
Opposing sides rained down statements for or against appointing Barrett , currently a Chicago-based federal appeals court judge .
Before Barrett ’ s time , the school with the stately campus and a total enrollment of about 2,000 students already had a Supreme Court connection .
Abe Fortas , class of 1930 , became a justice , and Rhodes graduates have clerked for justices and serve as federal judges , Hass said .
Rhodes also has hosted on-campus talks by sitting Justice Stephen Breyer and the late Justice Antonin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this tradition of academic excellence , ” Hass ’ statement said .
Barrett ’ s abortion views are a particular point of contention .
Barrett voted at least twice on abortion issues as an appellate judge , both times joining dissenting opinions to decisions that favored abortion rights .
The Rhodes alumni letter was signed by students who graduated as far back as 1959 , and some who knew Barrett and were in her graduating class .
It expresses concerns that she might vote to overturn or “ seriously curtail ” Roe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court ruling that declared abortion a constitutional right .
The letter accuses her of sidestepping questions about how she would rule if the abortion case were challenged before the Supreme Court .
And it claims she has deflected questions about her stance toward the LGBTQ community and her alleged association with an anti-LBGTQ group .
“ Amy Coney Barrett has repeatedly shaded the truth about her own views and past associations , ” the letter said .
It added that Barrett “ has demonstrated a judicial philosophy and record that fails to serve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including immigrants , those in the criminal justice system , and individuals reliant on the Affordable Care Act.
” In a subsequent statement following the alumni ’ s letter , Hass encouraged “ all members of the Rhodes community to rise to this moment with courage and to speak , act , and vote in the service of justice.
” “ I hope that your letter - as well as the support , dissent , and attention it has generated - serves as a spur for robust engagement with the political process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by her previous letter and public remarks praising Barrett ’ s “ exceptional record of academic achievement ” at Rhodes .
“ The college will continue to speak of her with respect and friendship , ” Hass wrote .
Later , she added , she was “ happy to re-affirm my own commitment and the commitment of the college to stand against bigotry and for the rights of minority and marginalized students and alumni.
” Barrett had no public comments on the letter .
Trump said during Tuesday ’ s debate with Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know Barrett ’ s views on Roe v. Wade and didn ’ t discuss them with her when they met at the White House three days after Ginsburg ’ s death .
Marus , co-author of the alumni letter , told The Associated Press the letter ’ s signees were upset and concerned the college ’ s reputation could be diminished in the eyes of potential and current students who disagree with Barrett and Trump .
He called her views “ antediluvian , ” adding some alumni are terrified of any lifetime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We thought it was time to speak out , ” said Marus .
“ We never thought we ’ d change how the Senate voted on her .
What we wanted to affect was public perception of Rhodes , the education we received there .
”

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - U.S. Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett graduated in 1994 with honors from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee. But more than 1,500 alumni of the small liberal arts school have made it known they are not proud of their ties to the conservative lawyer and judge.
Barrett graduated magna cum laude with an undergraduate degree in English. She was a member of the Honor Council and named to the Student Hall of Fame. After her next stop at Notre Dame’s law school, Barrett built a career of “professional distinction and achievement,” said Rhodes president Marjorie Hass, in a statement issued after President Donald Trump nominated Barrett to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
The statement was dated Sept. 22. Soon after, Rhodes alumni Rob Marus and Katherine Morgan Breslin wrote a letter criticizing Barrett’s stances on abortion law, the LBGTQ community and the Affordable Care Act. Signed by 1,513 alumni and posted online, the letter says the alumni are “firmly and passionately opposed to her nomination,” declaring Barrett fails to represent their views and values.
“We are likewise firmly and passionately opposed to Rhodes administrators’ attempts to embrace Amy Coney Barrett as an alumna of our beloved alma mater,” the letter said. “We oppose this embrace because we believe both her record and the process that has produced her nomination are diametrically opposed to the values of truth, loyalty, and service that we learned at Rhodes.”
Barrett’s nomination to replace Ginsburg, an abortion rights supporter and liberal icon who died Sept. 18, swiftly elicited praise from Republicans and conservatives - and dismay from liberals and Democrats. Opposing sides rained down statements for or against appointing Barrett, currently a Chicago-based federal appeals court judge.
Before Barrett’s time, the school with the stately campus and a total enrollment of about 2,000 students already had a Supreme Court connection. Abe Fortas, class of 1930, became a justice, and Rhodes graduates have clerked for justices and serve as federal judges, Hass said. Rhodes also has hosted on-campus talks by sitting Justice Stephen Breyer and the late Justice Antonin Scalia.
“Judge Coney Barrett participates in this tradition of academic excellence,” Hass’ statement said.
Barrett’s abortion views are a particular point of contention. Barrett voted at least twice on abortion issues as an appellate judge, both times joining dissenting opinions to decisions that favored abortion rights.
The Rhodes alumni letter was signed by students who graduated as far back as 1959, and some who knew Barrett and were in her graduating class. It expresses concerns that she might vote to overturn or “seriously curtail” Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 Supreme Court ruling that declared abortion a constitutional right.
The letter accuses her of sidestepping questions about how she would rule if the abortion case were challenged before the Supreme Court. And it claims she has deflected questions about her stance toward the LGBTQ community and her alleged association with an anti-LBGTQ group.
“Amy Coney Barrett has repeatedly shaded the truth about her own views and past associations,” the letter said. It added that Barrett “has demonstrated a judicial philosophy and record that fails to serve and protect the vulnerable in our society, including immigrants, those in the criminal justice system, and individuals reliant on the Affordable Care Act.”
In a subsequent statement following the alumni’s letter, Hass encouraged “all members of the Rhodes community to rise to this moment with courage and to speak, act, and vote in the service of justice.”
“I hope that your letter - as well as the support, dissent, and attention it has generated - serves as a spur for robust engagement with the political process,” Hass wrote. She stood by her previous letter and public remarks praising Barrett’s “exceptional record of academic achievement” at Rhodes.
“The college will continue to speak of her with respect and friendship,” Hass wrote. Later, she added, she was “happy to re-affirm my own commitment and the commitment of the college to stand against bigotry and for the rights of minority and marginalized students and alumni.”
Barrett had no public comments on the letter.
Trump said during Tuesday’s debate with Democratic challenger Joe Biden that he doesn’t know Barrett’s views on Roe v. Wade and didn’t discuss them with her when they met at the White House three days after Ginsburg’s death.
Marus, co-author of the alumni letter, told The Associated Press the letter’s signees were upset and concerned the college’s reputation could be diminished in the eyes of potential and current students who disagree with Barrett and Trump. He called her views “antediluvian,” adding some alumni are terrified of any lifetime appointment for Barrett to the court.
“We thought it was time to speak out,” said Marus. “We never thought we’d change how the Senate voted on her. What we wanted to affect was public perception of Rhodes, the education we received there.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-03--Derek Mahon, whose poem consoled during pandemic, dies at 78

LONDON ( AP ) - Northern Ireland-born poet Derek Mahon , whose verse brought consolation to many during the coronavirus pandemic , has died , his publisher said .
He was 78 .
Mahon ’ s publisher , Gallery Press , announced his death on Friday .
Irish media said he died Thursday at his home in Kinsale , southwest Ireland , after a short illness .
One of Mahon ’ s poems , “ Everything Is Going to be Alright , ” gained new fame when it was read at the end of Ireland ’ s main news program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold .
Mahon ’ s description of looking out a window at daybreak and reflecting that “ the sun rises in spite of everything ” struck a chord with many anxious people .
Born in Belfast in 1941 , Mahon studied at Trinity College Dublin and published his first collection , “ Twelve Poems , ” in 1965 .
He first drew major attention in 1968 with the collection “ Night-crossing.
” He went on to produce poems that combined classical allusion and vivid everyday detail , and explored history , conflict and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A Disused Shed in County Wexford , ” are among Ireland ’ s best-known verses .
Poetry Ireland said that “ his influence in the Irish poetry community , literary world and society at large , and his legacy , is immense.
” Irish President Michael D. Higgins said Mahon was a poet who “ could draw on an easy familiarity with the classics , but who brought to them a wit and freshness that was both perceptive and provocative in equal measure.
” “ The loss of Derek Mahon , yet another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is like the falling of oak trees .
We are left with hope from the fruit of the acorns in which the writing and its encouragement represents as legacy , ” said Higgins , himself a poet .
Mahon is survived by his partner , Sarah Iremonger , and three children .

LONDON (AP) - Northern Ireland-born poet Derek Mahon, whose verse brought consolation to many during the coronavirus pandemic, has died, his publisher said. He was 78.
Mahon’s publisher, Gallery Press, announced his death on Friday. Irish media said he died Thursday at his home in Kinsale, southwest Ireland, after a short illness.
One of Mahon’s poems, “Everything Is Going to be Alright,” gained new fame when it was read at the end of Ireland’s main news program in March as the coronavirus outbreak took hold. Mahon’s description of looking out a window at daybreak and reflecting that “the sun rises in spite of everything” struck a chord with many anxious people.
Born in Belfast in 1941, Mahon studied at Trinity College Dublin and published his first collection, “Twelve Poems,” in 1965. He first drew major attention in 1968 with the collection “Night-crossing.”
He went on to produce poems that combined classical allusion and vivid everyday detail, and explored history, conflict and personal demons. Some, including “A Disused Shed in County Wexford,” are among Ireland’s best-known verses.
Poetry Ireland said that “his influence in the Irish poetry community, literary world and society at large, and his legacy, is immense.”
Irish President Michael D. Higgins said Mahon was a poet who “could draw on an easy familiarity with the classics, but who brought to them a wit and freshness that was both perceptive and provocative in equal measure.”
“The loss of Derek Mahon, yet another artist gone from us in recent times, is like the falling of oak trees. We are left with hope from the fruit of the acorns in which the writing and its encouragement represents as legacy,” said Higgins, himself a poet.
Mahon is survived by his partner, Sarah Iremonger, and three children.


washingtontimes--2020-10-03--WHO calls on Turkey to follow its COVID-19 reporting guides

ISTANBUL ( AP ) - The World Health Organization ’ s office in Turkey has reiterated its call for reporting COVID-19 data in line with WHO guidances to “ harmonize data collection and response measures.
” WHO ’ s statement comes days after Turkey ’ s health minister revealed that the daily COVID-19 figures published by the ministry since July 29 reflected only patients with symptoms , excluding asymptomatic positive cases .
Critics have questioned the veracity of the case and death toll numbers Turkey has reported during the pandemic .
The WHO statement commended Turkey on its increased testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , “ Turkey has been isolating all COVID-19 positive cases , regardless of their symptoms.
” It added that the WHO has been consulting with members , including Turkey , to improve reporting and data collection .
The WHO defines confirmed cases as “ a person with laboratory confirmation of COVID-19 infection , irrespective of clinical signs and symptoms.
” But on Thursday , Health Minister Fahrettin Koca told reporters : “ We are talking about people with symptoms .
We are giving this as the daily number of patients.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed patients and 8,325 deaths from COVID-19 since March .

ISTANBUL (AP) - The World Health Organization’s office in Turkey has reiterated its call for reporting COVID-19 data in line with WHO guidances to “harmonize data collection and response measures.”
WHO’s statement comes days after Turkey’s health minister revealed that the daily COVID-19 figures published by the ministry since July 29 reflected only patients with symptoms, excluding asymptomatic positive cases.
Critics have questioned the veracity of the case and death toll numbers Turkey has reported during the pandemic.
The WHO statement commended Turkey on its increased testing capacity and contact tracing efforts. It said, “Turkey has been isolating all COVID-19 positive cases, regardless of their symptoms.”
It added that the WHO has been consulting with members, including Turkey, to improve reporting and data collection.
The WHO defines confirmed cases as “a person with laboratory confirmation of COVID-19 infection, irrespective of clinical signs and symptoms.”
But on Thursday, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca told reporters: “We are talking about people with symptoms. We are giving this as the daily number of patients.”
The latest official numbers from Friday show 321,512 confirmed patients and 8,325 deaths from COVID-19 since March.


washingtontimes--2020-10-03--The Latest: English rugby launches 'urgent review' of cases

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world : England ’ s Premiership Rugby @ @ @ @ @ “ urgent review ” ahead of Sunday ’ s final round of matches after a @ @ @ @ @ .
Sale Sharks reported “ a number of positive COVID-19 tests ” ahead of a @ @ @ @ @ .
League CEO Darren Childs said more than 900 tests were conducted Thursday .
Contact @ @ @ @ @ learned of the results .
He did not indicate how many teams had positive cases @ @ @ @ @ analyzed with the help of national and local health authorities .
Childs said these consultations @ @ @ @ @ can hold the Sharks vs. Warriors match “ and any others that have been affected @ @ @ @ @ said this “ methodical process … can not be rushed .
”

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:
___
The head coach of Barcelona’s basketball team has tested positive for the coronavirus.
Sarunas Jasikevicius is isolating at home. The team said assistant coach Darius Maskoliunas also tested positive.
The club said both men are “in good health and are in isolation in their homes.”
Jasikevicius played for the Indiana Pacers and Golden State Warriors in two seasons in the NBA. The Lithuanian had a long playing career in Europe.
Also Saturday, CSKA Moscow’s basketball team reported three players had “conditionally positive” test results and are being isolated from the team.
CSKA played at Barcelona in a EuroLeague game on Thursday. None of the three CSKA players in question played in that game.
___
Napoli’s Italian league match at Juventus on Sunday risks being postponed after a number of coronavirus cases at both soccer clubs.
Napoli midfielder Eljif Elmas tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday, just a day after teammate Piotr Zielinski and a squad staff member tested positive.
There has been constant testing at the club after Napoli played Genoa last weekend. More than 20 Genoa players and staff members have tested positive.
Genoa’s match at Torino on Saturday had already been postponed.
Juventus has reported that two staff members have coronavirus but that “these are neither players nor members of the technical or medical staff.”
___
England’s Premiership Rugby has postponed a key weekend match until Wednesday following the discovery of coronavirus cases in one of the teams.
The league’s final round is Sunday but Sale Sharks reported “a number of positive COVID-19 tests” ahead of its match against Worcester Warriors. Sale needs a victory to guarantee a playoff spot.
Another match - between Northampton and Gloucester - was canceled. Northampton said it can’t field a team because too many players are self-isolating following the recent match against Sale.
Earlier Saturday, the league said it had launched an “urgent review” of cases.
___
A Nashville player has tested positive for COVID-19, but the MLS team will play the New England Revolution as scheduled after other test results came back negative.
Once the player tested positive, Nashville announced Saturday that the player self-isolated immediately and the team worked through tracing his contacts. Nashville also suspended training until all other players and staff had back-to-back negative results. The player who tested positive will remain in quarantine until medically cleared.
The team left for Massachusetts on Saturday morning to play the New England Revolution that night.
___
England’s Premiership Rugby said it is conducting an “urgent review” ahead of Sunday’s final round of matches after a team reported multiple coronavirus cases.
Sale Sharks reported “a number of positive COVID-19 tests” ahead of a key match against Worcester Warriors.
League CEO Darren Childs said more than 900 tests were conducted Thursday. Contact tracing began Friday when teams learned of the results. He did not indicate how many teams had positive cases.
The results are being analyzed with the help of national and local health authorities.
Childs said these consultations will help determine if they can hold the Sharks vs. Warriors match “and any others that have been affected by positive results.”
Childs said this “methodical process … cannot be rushed.”
___
More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-10-03--Montana farmers storing crops, hoping for better market

KALISPELL , Mont .
( AP ) - When the height of the coronavirus pandemic first took hold last spring , forcing a nationwide shutdown , Flathead Valley seed potato farmer Steve Streich gave away 70,000 pounds of potatoes .
As bars , restaurants , schools and cafeterias closed , frozen French fries began stacking up in freezers and loading docks .
Unable to sell to their customers who were not operating , French fry processors immediately called their local potato growers to tell them to pump the brakes .
Once potato farmers slowed down , they only needed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purchasing from Streich ’ s 300-acre operation in Creston , Streich Farms .
Since nearly all of Streich ’ s potatoes are shipped to farmers in Washington , later to become fries in restaurants and cafeterias after they are processed , Streich had nowhere to send his seed potatoes once everything shut down .
“ With the pandemic , we had a pretty large shakeup with potatoes in general , ” Streich told the Flathead Beacon .
“ People quit eating in restaurants and food services and schools were shut down.
” A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of potatoes across Montana were either buried or donated , says Ben Thomas , the director of the Montana Department of Agriculture .
“ We have a very strong seed potato industry and the impact on the restaurant scene had a huge impact on food supply , ” Thomas said .
“ We ended up with millions of seed potatoes that were not able to find their market.
” The barley industry was also impacted with bars and restaurants closed , Thomas said .
Much of Montana ’ s barley winds up in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make beer .
And many of those contracts were canceled when Mexico ’ s breweries completely shut down right when the pandemic hit .
While the barley is currently in storage , Thomas hopes those contracts will be renewed soon , but for now much of the barley is sitting idle .
Despite the market , Thomas says Montana ’ s crops did well this year after early spring moisture and limited hail .
“ I think the general consensus from a production standpoint is it was a phenomenal year , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quality crops and really great growing conditions.
” But with record grain , lentil and chickpea yields , Thomas says that much of it is going into storage with declining market prices .
“ Crops were great , prices were not , ” Thomas said .
But while larger scale production took a hit from the pandemic , other aspects of agriculture thrived .
With a higher demand for local food , Mandy Gerth of Lower Valley Farm in South Kalispell says she ’ s seen higher sales this season , especially with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lower Valley had 225 CSAs this year compared to 160 last year .
“ It ’ s been really great , ” Gerth said .
“ It made it so that we could primarily sell anything outside of our CSA directly to customers through our online store … with a larger CSA and online store , we ’ re going to be sold out probably sooner than normal.
” Last spring , Gerth was awarded a $ 4,500 state Growth Through Agriculture matching mini-grant , which she largely used to purchase software @ @ @ @ @ @ @ store allowed her to accommodate buyers who didn ’ t attend farmers markets and to set up more organized CSA pickups .
While Gerth had some higher costs this season , she says direct sales will likely cover those costs .
The farm didn ’ t have anything left to sell to restaurants at wholesale this year , so she was able to sell at retail prices directly to customers instead of wholesale to restaurants .
“ I ’ m really proud of our community that showed up week after week and kept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I think that this year showed us that we live in a small town and there is a lot of demand for local produce.
” Thomas calls the higher local produce demand “ community resilience.
” He says rural communities in Montana need to prepare for supply chain disruptions .
“ Now , people see the value and they see how it impacts them directly when their local producers are impacted , ” Thomas said .
But as a large-scale operation , Streich ’ s potato farm is experiencing the negative impacts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the meantime , potato farmers are waiting for market prices and Streich intends to plant , grow and harvest seed potatoes at the same capacity as he did before the pandemic halted sales .
He ’ s currently sitting on 10 million pounds of potatoes that he planted last May , which he will store until next spring when they are normally sold to potato farmers in Washington .
“ We couldn ’ t be more in the dark , ” Streich said .
“ We are kind of winging it ; I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are .
We still don ’ t know if there ’ s a home for these potatoes.
” This winter , fry processors and potato farmers will theoretically figure out their needs for the spring and Streich will know if he can sell his seed potatoes .
“ We can ’ t take another shutdown , ” Streich added .
“ People have to be willing to go back and eat at restaurants for the economy to turn around .
”

KALISPELL, Mont. (AP) - When the height of the coronavirus pandemic first took hold last spring, forcing a nationwide shutdown, Flathead Valley seed potato farmer Steve Streich gave away 70,000 pounds of potatoes.
As bars, restaurants, schools and cafeterias closed, frozen French fries began stacking up in freezers and loading docks. Unable to sell to their customers who were not operating, French fry processors immediately called their local potato growers to tell them to pump the brakes.
Once potato farmers slowed down, they only needed a fraction of the seed potatoes they were purchasing from Streich’s 300-acre operation in Creston, Streich Farms.
Since nearly all of Streich’s potatoes are shipped to farmers in Washington, later to become fries in restaurants and cafeterias after they are processed, Streich had nowhere to send his seed potatoes once everything shut down.
“With the pandemic, we had a pretty large shakeup with potatoes in general,” Streich told the Flathead Beacon. “People quit eating in restaurants and food services and schools were shut down.”
A few months ago, millions of pounds of potatoes across Montana were either buried or donated, says Ben Thomas, the director of the Montana Department of Agriculture.
“We have a very strong seed potato industry and the impact on the restaurant scene had a huge impact on food supply,” Thomas said. “We ended up with millions of seed potatoes that were not able to find their market.”
The barley industry was also impacted with bars and restaurants closed, Thomas said. Much of Montana’s barley winds up in Mexico where it’s used to make beer. And many of those contracts were canceled when Mexico’s breweries completely shut down right when the pandemic hit. While the barley is currently in storage, Thomas hopes those contracts will be renewed soon, but for now much of the barley is sitting idle.
Despite the market, Thomas says Montana’s crops did well this year after early spring moisture and limited hail.
“I think the general consensus from a production standpoint is it was a phenomenal year,” he said. “We had really high quality crops and really great growing conditions.”
But with record grain, lentil and chickpea yields, Thomas says that much of it is going into storage with declining market prices.
“Crops were great, prices were not,” Thomas said.
But while larger scale production took a hit from the pandemic, other aspects of agriculture thrived.
With a higher demand for local food, Mandy Gerth of Lower Valley Farm in South Kalispell says she’s seen higher sales this season, especially with Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) sales. Lower Valley had 225 CSAs this year compared to 160 last year.
“It’s been really great,” Gerth said. “It made it so that we could primarily sell anything outside of our CSA directly to customers through our online store … with a larger CSA and online store, we’re going to be sold out probably sooner than normal.”
Last spring, Gerth was awarded a $4,500 state Growth Through Agriculture matching mini-grant, which she largely used to purchase software for their new online store. The store allowed her to accommodate buyers who didn’t attend farmers markets and to set up more organized CSA pickups.
While Gerth had some higher costs this season, she says direct sales will likely cover those costs. The farm didn’t have anything left to sell to restaurants at wholesale this year, so she was able to sell at retail prices directly to customers instead of wholesale to restaurants.
“I’m really proud of our community that showed up week after week and kept buying local,” Gerth said. “I think that this year showed us that we live in a small town and there is a lot of demand for local produce.”
Thomas calls the higher local produce demand “community resilience.” He says rural communities in Montana need to prepare for supply chain disruptions.
“Now, people see the value and they see how it impacts them directly when their local producers are impacted,” Thomas said.
But as a large-scale operation, Streich’s potato farm is experiencing the negative impacts of the broken supply chain.
In the meantime, potato farmers are waiting for market prices and Streich intends to plant, grow and harvest seed potatoes at the same capacity as he did before the pandemic halted sales.
He’s currently sitting on 10 million pounds of potatoes that he planted last May, which he will store until next spring when they are normally sold to potato farmers in Washington.
“We couldn’t be more in the dark,” Streich said. “We are kind of winging it; I think most of the farmers in Montana are. We still don’t know if there’s a home for these potatoes.”
This winter, fry processors and potato farmers will theoretically figure out their needs for the spring and Streich will know if he can sell his seed potatoes.
“We can’t take another shutdown,” Streich added. “People have to be willing to go back and eat at restaurants for the economy to turn around.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-03--Azerbaijan president criticizes mediators; fighting rages on

BAKU , Azerbaijan ( AP ) - Heavy fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan continued Saturday in their conflict over the separatist territory of Nagorno-Karabakh , while Azerbaijan ’ s president criticized the international mediators who have tried for decades to resolve the dispute .
Fighting that started Sept. 27 is the worst to afflict Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas since the 1994 end of a war that left the region in Azerbaijan under the control of ethnic Armenian local forces backed by Armenia .
Shushan Stepanian , a spokeswoman for the Armenian Defense Ministry , told The Associated Press that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entire front line , ” and claimed that Armenian forces had shot down three planes .
Azerbaijan ’ s defense ministry did not respond to the claim of planes being shot down , but said Armenian forces had shelled civilian territory within Azerbaijan , including the city of Terter .
Nagorno-Karabakh officials have said more than 150 servicemen on their side have been killed so far .
Azerbaijani authorities haven ’ t given details on their military casualties but said 19 civilians have been killed and 55 more wounded .
Nagorno-Karabakh was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soviet era .
It claimed independence from Azerbaijan in 1991 , about three months before the Soviet Union ’ s collapse .
Full-scale war that broke out in 1992 killed an estimated 30,000 people .
By the time it ended in 1994 , Armenian forces not only held Nagorno-Karabakh itself but substantial areas outside the territory ’ s formal borders .
Several United Nations Security Council resolutions have called for withdrawal from those areas , which the Armenian forces have disregarded .
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in a television interview that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting can stop .
In the interview with al-Jazeera , a transcript of which was distributed Saturday by the presidential press office , Aliyev criticized the so-called Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe , which has tried to mediate a resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute .
One of the reasons behind the current fighting is that “ the mediators do not insist or exert pressure to start implementing the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council , ” he said .
“ We have no time to wait @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be resolved now.
” Aliyev said .
Associated Press writers Avet Demourian in Yerevan , Armenia , and Jim Heintz in Moscow contributed to this report .

BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) - Armenia and Azerbaijan said heavy fighting continues in their conflict over the separatist territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan’s president said late Saturday that his troops had taken a town and several villages while Armenian officials claimed their troops inflicted heavy casualties.
Fighting broke out on Sept. 27 in the region, which is located within Azerbaijan and under the control of local ethnic Armenian forces. It is some of the worst in Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas since the end of a war in 1994.
Armenian Defense Ministry spokeswoman Shushan Stepanian said intensive fighting was “taking place place along the entire front line” on Saturday and that Armenian forces had shot down three planes.
Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry denied any planes being shot down and said Armenian personnel had shelled civilian territory. Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev said his country’s army ”raised the flag” in the town of Madagiz and taken seven villages.
Nagorno-Karabakh officials have said more than 150 servicemen on their side have died so far. Azerbaijani authorities haven’t given details on their military casualties but said 19 civilians were killed and 55 more wounded.
Vahram Poghosyan, a spokesman for Nagorno-Karabakh’s president, claimed Saturday on Facebook that intelligence data showed some 3,000 Azerbaijanis have died in the fighting. Armenian Defense Ministry spokesman Artsrun Ovannisian said later that 2,300 Azerbaijan troops were killed, about 400 of them in the last day.
With Azerbaijan not commenting on troop casualties, the statements could not be verified.
Nagorno-Karabakh was a designated autonomous region within Azerbaijan during the Soviet era. It claimed independence from Azerbaijan in 1991, about three months before the Soviet Union’s collapse. A full-scale war that broke out in 1992 killed an estimated 30,000 people.
By the time the war ended in 1994, Armenian forces not only held Nagorno-Karabakh itself but substantial areas outside the territory’s formal borders, including Madagiz, the village Azerbaijan claimed to have taken Saturday.
Several United Nations Security Council resolutions have called for withdrawal from those areas, which the Armenian forces have disregarded.
Aliyev said in a television interview the Armenians must withdraw from those areas before the latest fighting can stop.
In the interview with Al Jazeera, a transcript of which was distributed Saturday by the presidential press office, Aliyev criticized the so-called Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, which has tried to mediate a resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute.
One reason behind the current fighting is that “the mediators do not insist or exert pressure to start implementing the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council,” he said.
“We have no time to wait another 30 years. The conflict must be resolved now.” Aliyev said.
Armenia has repeatedly claimed over the past week that Turkey sent Syrian fighters to Azerbaijan and that the Turkish military is aiding Azerbaijan’s.
“Turkey and Azerbaijan are pursuing not only military-political goals,” Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian said Saturday in an address to his nation. “Their goal is Armenia, their goal is continuation of the genocide of Armenians.”
Some 1.5 million Armenians died in mass killings in Ottoman Turkey beginning in 1915, which Armenia and many other countries have labeled a genocide. Turkey firmly rejects that term, contends the total number of victims is inflated and says the deaths were the consequence of civil war.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry released a statement Saturday alleging that thousands of ethnic Armenians from abroad were being deployed or recruited to fight for Armenia.
“Armenia and Armenian disapora organizations bear international legal liability for organizing these terrorist activities,” the statement said.
___
Associated Press writers Avet Demourian in Yerevan, Armenia, and Jim Heintz in Moscow contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-10-03--Mississippi holds hearings on medical marijuana initiatives

OXFORD , Miss .
( AP ) - People supporting and opposing two medical marijuana initiatives in Mississippi are getting the chance to speak at public hearings before the Nov. 3 election .
More than 100,000 registered voters petitioned to put Initiative 65 on the ballot .
An alternative , Initiative 65A , was put there by legislators .
Sponsors of the original initiative say the alternative is intended to cause confusion and kill the original .
About two dozen people attended a public hearing Wednesday in Oxford , where supporters said marijuana is a low-risk , effective way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an addictive substance that can lead to other problems , the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reported .
It was first of five public hearings about the two medical marijuana initiatives .
Saltillo resident Cody Weaver , a veteran and business owner , spoke in favor of Initiative 65 .
He said marijuana can treat post-traumatic stress disorder , which could help thousands of veterans .
He described Initiative 65 as a “ carefully written , clearly defined ” plan to allow treatment of pain .
“ We have an opportunity this November to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ veterans , ” Weaver said .
State Board of Health member Jim Perry spoke in opposition , saying the constitutional amendment proposed by Initiative 65 is too broad and could have dire consequences .
“ I think many of the people for it are well intentioned , ” Perry said .
“ Those people who signed those clipboards didn ’ t realize all the things that go along with this.
” Perry , who works in the financial industry , criticized how the amendment would distribute the revenue collected on the sale of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would go back into the marijuana industry .
“ They ’ re marketing to kids so they can get as many people hooked as possible so they can make as much money as possible , ” Perry said .
Initiative 65 would allow patients to use medical marijuana to treat debilitating conditions , as certified by physicians .
Initiative 65A would allow patients with debilitating conditions to use medical marijuana .
It says the state would create a program based on “ sound medical principles.
” There ’ s a two-step process for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot first instructs people to “ Vote for approval of either , or against both.
” It then says , “ And for vote for one ” - either 65 or 65A .
Secretary of State Michael Watson said that even if people vote against both initiatives on the first part , they can still vote for one of the proposals on the second part .

OXFORD, Miss. (AP) - People supporting and opposing two medical marijuana initiatives in Mississippi are getting the chance to speak at public hearings before the Nov. 3 election.
More than 100,000 registered voters petitioned to put Initiative 65 on the ballot. An alternative, Initiative 65A, was put there by legislators.
Sponsors of the original initiative say the alternative is intended to cause confusion and kill the original.
About two dozen people attended a public hearing Wednesday in Oxford, where supporters said marijuana is a low-risk, effective way to treat pain and opponents said it is an addictive substance that can lead to other problems, the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reported.
It was first of five public hearings about the two medical marijuana initiatives.
Saltillo resident Cody Weaver, a veteran and business owner, spoke in favor of Initiative 65. He said marijuana can treat post-traumatic stress disorder, which could help thousands of veterans. He described Initiative 65 as a “carefully written, clearly defined” plan to allow treatment of pain.
“We have an opportunity this November to offer a hand to some of these veterans,” Weaver said.
State Board of Health member Jim Perry spoke in opposition, saying the constitutional amendment proposed by Initiative 65 is too broad and could have dire consequences.
“I think many of the people for it are well intentioned,” Perry said. “Those people who signed those clipboards didn’t realize all the things that go along with this.”
Perry, who works in the financial industry, criticized how the amendment would distribute the revenue collected on the sale of marijuana. He said all the money would go back into the marijuana industry.
“They’re marketing to kids so they can get as many people hooked as possible so they can make as much money as possible,” Perry said.
Initiative 65 would allow patients to use medical marijuana to treat debilitating conditions, as certified by physicians.
Initiative 65A would allow patients with debilitating conditions to use medical marijuana. It says the state would create a program based on “sound medical principles.”
There’s a two-step process for voting on 65 and 65A. The ballot first instructs people to “Vote for approval of either, or against both.” It then says, “And for vote for one” - either 65 or 65A. Secretary of State Michael Watson said that even if people vote against both initiatives on the first part, they can still vote for one of the proposals on the second part.


washingtontimes--2020-10-03--Some of Maine's farm fairs try to salvage season online

FRYEBURG , Maine ( AP ) - Summer and fall in Maine are normally a time of pig races , demolitions derbies and piles of fried food at the state ’ s agriculture fairs .
This year , the coronavirus pandemic interrupted that , as all 26 fairs canceled .
That includes fairs ranging from the Bangor State Fair , which typically attracts about 50,000 people , to the Houlton Fair , which takes place astride the Canadian border .
Some of the events have tried to salvage the season with virtual versions .
The state would ordinarily be gearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dates to 1851 and employs hundreds of people in western Maine .
The event is moving online this year from Oct. 4 to 11 .
Even the fair ’ s cow impersonating event , called “ Moo-La-Palooza , ” is moving online .
“ Our first priority is to protect the health and safety of our community as well as the thousands of visitors who come to our rural town and fairgrounds each year , ” fair organizers said in a statement .
The Common Ground Country Fair , which is the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and rural living , moved online in September .
The fair usually includes in-person seminars about everything from how to wield a scythe to how to raise rare breeds of sheep .
Moving the fair online was difficult , but it allowed it to happen at all , said organizers with Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners , which puts on the event .
The online version stayed true to the event ’ s quirky traditions with streaming content about how to track wildlife and make food from invasive plants .
The fairs hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fair organizers have already booked a week in October 2021 .

FRYEBURG, Maine (AP) - Summer and fall in Maine are normally a time of pig races, demolitions derbies and piles of fried food at the state’s agriculture fairs.
This year, the coronavirus pandemic interrupted that, as all 26 fairs canceled. That includes fairs ranging from the Bangor State Fair, which typically attracts about 50,000 people, to the Houlton Fair, which takes place astride the Canadian border.
Some of the events have tried to salvage the season with virtual versions. The state would ordinarily be gearing up for the Fryeburg Fair, which dates to 1851 and employs hundreds of people in western Maine. The event is moving online this year from Oct. 4 to 11.
Even the fair’s cow impersonating event, called “Moo-La-Palooza,” is moving online.
“Our first priority is to protect the health and safety of our community as well as the thousands of visitors who come to our rural town and fairgrounds each year,” fair organizers said in a statement.
The Common Ground Country Fair, which is the state’s annual celebration of organic farming and rural living, moved online in September. The fair usually includes in-person seminars about everything from how to wield a scythe to how to raise rare breeds of sheep.
Moving the fair online was difficult, but it allowed it to happen at all, said organizers with Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners, which puts on the event. The online version stayed true to the event’s quirky traditions with streaming content about how to track wildlife and make food from invasive plants.
The fairs hope to be back next year. Fryeburg Fair organizers have already booked a week in October 2021.