washingtontimes--2020-06-17--Indonesia jails 7 Papua anti-racism activists for treason

JAKARTA , Indonesia ( AP ) - An Indonesian court on Wednesday sentenced seven Papuan pro-independence activists to nearly yearlong jail terms on treason charges for organizing anti-racism protests last year , despite calls from rights groups and politicians to drop the charges and release them .
Judges in the Balikpapan District Court in East Kalimantan province read out the verdicts in seven separate trials that were held remotely due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The judges ordered the period of detention that the men had already served to be deducted from their sentences , meaning they will walk free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the seven were guilty of treason because they had demanded in speeches during the protests that the government hold a referendum on independence for Papua .
Papua is a former Dutch colony in the western part of New Guinea that is ethnically and culturally distinct from much of Indonesia .
It was incorporated into Indonesia in 1969 after a U.N.-sponsored ballot that was seen as a sham by many .
Since then , a low-level insurgency has continued in the mineral-rich region , which is divided into two provinces , Papua and West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students , including some who study in other provinces , have become vocal in calling for self-determination for the region .
The case has highlighted Indonesia ’ s sensitivity about the Papua region , where the indigenous Papuans oppose Indonesian rule .
Dozens of rights activists staged a rally in front of the court on Wednesday , demanding that the seven men be released .
“ The charges against them are baseless , ” said Amnesty International Indonesia ’ s executive director , Usman Hamid .
“ It directly contradicts earlier pledges from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to freedom of expression.
” Prosecutors previously were seeking prison terms of 5 to 17 years for each of the defendants , a demand slammed by international rights groups .
Indonesian social media users have adopted the hashtag # PapuanLivesMatter .
“ Indonesia had its own version of Black Lives Matter protests last year , and police outrageously charged and detained those seen as organizing the protests , ” Human Rights Watch ’ s Asia director , Brad Adams , said in a statement ahead of the verdicts .
“ Indonesian authorities should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Black Lives Matter movement , sending peaceful activists to prison will only bring more international attention to human rights concerns in Papua , ” Adams said .
Nearly 200 Papuan politicians , religious leaders and members of parliament have signed a petition asking Widodo to drop the charges against the men .
Buchtar Tabuni , a leader of the pro-Papuan independence group United Liberation Movement for West Papua , was sentenced to 11 months in jail .
He had also been convicted for treason in 2008 and was jailed then for three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gathering .
Two other activists , Agus Kossay and Stevanus Itlay from the National Committee of West Papua , were also sentenced to 11 months , while Alexander Gobay , Ferry Gombo , Irwanus Uropmabin and Hengky Hilapok , who were student leaders at several universities in Papua province , were sentenced to 10 months in jail .
The men were arrested last September in Jayapura , the capital of Papua province , days after participating in a rally as part of weeks of protests triggered by videos that circulated widely on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , calling Papuan students “ monkeys ” and “ dogs.
” Protests in several cities in Papua and West Papua provinces turned violent , leaving more than 30 people dead and hundreds of buildings and vehicles burned .
Indonesian authorities transferred the seven men more than 3,000 kilometers ( 1,800 miles ) away to be tried in Balikpapan on Borneo island in October for “ security reasons.
” The defendants denied any wrongdoing .
In April , the Central Jakarta District Court sentenced Paulus Suryanta Ginting , an Indonesian rights activist , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in jail for treason after they attended a peaceful anti-racism protest last August in Jakarta , Indonesia ’ s capital , calling for independence for the restive region .

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) - An Indonesian court on Wednesday sentenced seven Papuan pro-independence activists to nearly yearlong jail terms on treason charges for organizing anti-racism protests last year, despite calls from rights groups and politicians to drop the charges and release them.
Judges in the Balikpapan District Court in East Kalimantan province read out the verdicts in seven separate trials that were held remotely due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The judges ordered the period of detention that the men had already served to be deducted from their sentences, meaning they will walk free within several weeks.
The judges said the seven were guilty of treason because they had demanded in speeches during the protests that the government hold a referendum on independence for Papua.
Papua is a former Dutch colony in the western part of New Guinea that is ethnically and culturally distinct from much of Indonesia. It was incorporated into Indonesia in 1969 after a U.N.-sponsored ballot that was seen as a sham by many.
Since then, a low-level insurgency has continued in the mineral-rich region, which is divided into two provinces, Papua and West Papua.
In recent years, Papua students, including some who study in other provinces, have become vocal in calling for self-determination for the region.
The case has highlighted Indonesia’s sensitivity about the Papua region, where the indigenous Papuans oppose Indonesian rule.
Dozens of rights activists staged a rally in front of the court on Wednesday, demanding that the seven men be released.
“The charges against them are baseless,” said Amnesty International Indonesia’s executive director, Usman Hamid. “It directly contradicts earlier pledges from President Joko Widodo about protecting the right to freedom of expression.”
Prosecutors previously were seeking prison terms of 5 to 17 years for each of the defendants, a demand slammed by international rights groups. Indonesian social media users have adopted the hashtag #PapuanLivesMatter.
“Indonesia had its own version of Black Lives Matter protests last year, and police outrageously charged and detained those seen as organizing the protests,” Human Rights Watch’s Asia director, Brad Adams, said in a statement ahead of the verdicts.
“Indonesian authorities should recognize that given the global attention to the Black Lives Matter movement, sending peaceful activists to prison will only bring more international attention to human rights concerns in Papua,” Adams said.
Nearly 200 Papuan politicians, religious leaders and members of parliament have signed a petition asking Widodo to drop the charges against the men.
Buchtar Tabuni, a leader of the pro-Papuan independence group United Liberation Movement for West Papua, was sentenced to 11 months in jail. He had also been convicted for treason in 2008 and was jailed then for three years after helping organize a peaceful independence gathering.
Two other activists, Agus Kossay and Stevanus Itlay from the National Committee of West Papua, were also sentenced to 11 months, while Alexander Gobay, Ferry Gombo, Irwanus Uropmabin and Hengky Hilapok, who were student leaders at several universities in Papua province, were sentenced to 10 months in jail.
The men were arrested last September in Jayapura, the capital of Papua province, days after participating in a rally as part of weeks of protests triggered by videos that circulated widely on the internet showing police, backed by soldiers, calling Papuan students “monkeys” and “dogs.”
Protests in several cities in Papua and West Papua provinces turned violent, leaving more than 30 people dead and hundreds of buildings and vehicles burned.
Indonesian authorities transferred the seven men more than 3,000 kilometers (1,800 miles) away to be tried in Balikpapan on Borneo island in October for “security reasons.” The defendants denied any wrongdoing.
In April, the Central Jakarta District Court sentenced Paulus Suryanta Ginting, an Indonesian rights activist, and five Papuan pro-independence students to nine months in jail for treason after they attended a peaceful anti-racism protest last August in Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital, calling for independence for the restive region.


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--High school football player dead after collapsing on field

SHANNON , Miss .
( AP ) - A high school football player in Mississippi died after collapsing on the @ @ @ @ @ , 16 , collapsed “ during a routine football practice ” Tuesday morning , the @ @ @ @ @ in a statement to news outlets .
The teen was pronounced dead at North Mississippi @ @ @ @ @ according to news outlets .
His body was sent to the state crime lab to @ @ @ @ @ death .
Cooper was a running back and linebacker at Shannon High School , news @ @ @ @ @ Lee County School District and the Shannon Red Raider Family extend our deepest sympathy to @ @ @ @ @ family , ” district spokesman Robert Byers said in the statement .

SHANNON, Miss. (AP) - A high school football player in Mississippi died after collapsing on the field at practice.
Lee County Coroner Carolyn Green identified the student as Jakobe Kyshon Cooper, news outlets reported.
Cooper, 16, collapsed “during a routine football practice” Tuesday morning, the Lee County School District said in a statement to news outlets.
The teen was pronounced dead at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, according to news outlets. His body was sent to the state crime lab to determine his official cause of death.
Cooper was a running back and linebacker at Shannon High School, news outlets reported.
“The Lee County School District and the Shannon Red Raider Family extend our deepest sympathy to this young man’s family,” district spokesman Robert Byers said in the statement.


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--Family of man killed by Washington officer files $25M claim

SEATTLE ( AP ) - The family of a North Carolina man killed by a police officer during a traffic stop in Washington state filed a $ 28 million wrongful-death claim .
The family of 26-year-old Said Joquin filed the claim against the city of Lakewood , its police chief and the officer , The Seattle Times reported Tuesday .
The claim alleges Joquin had his hands up when Officer Mike Wiley approached the vehicle with his gun drawn May 1 .
Wiley told Joquin to shut up “ or you ’ ll get shot ” before firing three times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the claim said .
Wiley told investigators he believed Joquin was reaching for a handgun on the floor of the vehicle after Wiley pulled him over for running a stop sign in the city 10 miles ( 16 kilometers ) south of Tacoma .
The tort claim filed by Tacoma civil-rights attorney Jack Connelly on behalf of Dawn Kortner , Joquin ’ s mother from Fayetteville , North Carolina , puts the city on notice that a lawsuit may be filed unless the claim is resolved .
The city has 60 days to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city would comment after the completion of an ongoing investigation into the shooting .

SEATTLE (AP) - The family of a North Carolina man killed by a police officer during a traffic stop in Washington state filed a $28 million wrongful-death claim.
The family of 26-year-old Said Joquin filed the claim against the city of Lakewood, its police chief and the officer, The Seattle Times reported Tuesday.
The claim alleges Joquin had his hands up when Officer Mike Wiley approached the vehicle with his gun drawn May 1.
Wiley told Joquin to shut up “or you’ll get shot” before firing three times and dragging Joquin from the car, the claim said.
Wiley told investigators he believed Joquin was reaching for a handgun on the floor of the vehicle after Wiley pulled him over for running a stop sign in the city 10 miles (16 kilometers) south of Tacoma.
The tort claim filed by Tacoma civil-rights attorney Jack Connelly on behalf of Dawn Kortner, Joquin’s mother from Fayetteville, North Carolina, puts the city on notice that a lawsuit may be filed unless the claim is resolved.
The city has 60 days to respond.
Lakewood spokesperson Brynn Grimley said the city would comment after the completion of an ongoing investigation into the shooting.


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--Derek Chauvin had knee on George Floyd's neck for 7 minutes, 46 seconds, not 8:46, prosecutors say

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota prosecutors acknowledged Wednesday that a Minneapolis police officer had his knee on the neck of George Floyd for 7 minutes , 46 seconds - not the 8:46 that has become a symbol of police brutality - but said the one-minute error would have no impact on the criminal case against four officers .
The initial May 29 complaint alleges Derek Chauvin “ had his knee on Mr. Floyd ’ s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in total .
Two minutes and 53 seconds of this was after Mr. Floyd was non-responsive.
” But timestamps cited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the incident , much of which is caught on video , showed Chauvin had his knee on Floyd for 7 minutes , 46 seconds , including 1 minute , 53 seconds after Floyd appeared to stop breathing .
“ These kinds of technical matters can be handled in future amendments to the criminal complaint if other reasons make it necessary to amend the complaint between now and any trials , ” Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman ’ s office said in a statement .
“ The one minute error made no difference in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continuing legal hearings.
” The office had no further comment .
The Associated Press began asking about the error the day after the initial charges were filed , and continued to inquire about it after Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison became the lead prosecutor on the case .
Prosecutors repeatedly declined to address the discrepancy , even as the time frame of 8:46 began being used by protesters worldwide .
Prosecutors repeated their timeline and the 8 minutes , 46 seconds detail on June 3 when they added a more serious murder charge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other three officers .
The AP published a story about the issue June 4 , and at the time John Stiles , a spokesman for Ellison ’ s office , said prosecutors were continuing to review new evidence .
Floyd , a black man who was handcuffed , died May 25 after Chauvin , a white officer , used his knee to pin Floyd to the ground .
Chauvin , who kept his knee on Floyd ’ s neck even after he said he couldn ’ t breathe and stopped moving , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ murder and manslaughter .
The other officers , J. Kueng , Thomas Lane and Tou Thao , have all been charged with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and manslaughter .
All four officers were fired .
If convicted , they potentially face the same penalty as Chauvin : up to 40 years in prison .
It was not immediately clear whether the criminal complaints would be amended .
In this case , one minute is unlikely to have a major legal significance .
But in the days after Chauvin ’ s initial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mourners seized on 8:46 as a quiet way to honor Floyd at a time of angry and sometimes violent clashes with police .
It also became a symbol of the suffering Floyd - and many other black men - have experienced at the hands of police .
“ A one-minute difference is not significant in the grand scheme of things , ” said Nekima Levy Armstrong , a civil rights activist and former head of the Minneapolis NAACP .
“ The bottom line is , it was more than enough time for Derek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choking the life out of George Floyd.
” When someone takes a moment of silence for 7:46 , or 8:46 , you realize just how much time it that is , Levy Armstrong said .
“ It was more than enough time for any rational , compassionate and professional human being to know that their actions were deadly and unconscionable , ” she said .
Earlier this month , in Boston and Tacoma , Washington , demonstrators staged “ die-ins ” for precisely 8 minutes , 46 seconds .
In Washington , Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Emancipation Hall for the nearly nine minutes of silence .
Mourners at a memorial service for Floyd in Minneapolis stood in silence for 8 minutes , 46 seconds , after the Rev .
Al Sharpton asked them to “ think about what George was going through , laying there for those eight minutes , begging for his life.
” “ We can ’ t let this go , ” he said at the memorial .
“ We can ’ t keep living like this .
”

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota prosecutors acknowledged Wednesday that a Minneapolis police officer had his knee on the neck of George Floyd for 7 minutes, 46 seconds - not the 8:46 that has become a symbol of police brutality - but said the one-minute error would have no impact on the criminal case against four officers.
The initial May 29 complaint alleges Derek Chauvin “had his knee on Mr. Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in total. Two minutes and 53 seconds of this was after Mr. Floyd was non-responsive.” But timestamps cited in the document’s description of the incident, much of which is caught on video, showed Chauvin had his knee on Floyd for 7 minutes, 46 seconds, including 1 minute, 53 seconds after Floyd appeared to stop breathing.
“These kinds of technical matters can be handled in future amendments to the criminal complaint if other reasons make it necessary to amend the complaint between now and any trials,” Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman’s office said in a statement. “The one minute error made no difference in the decision to charge nor in the continuing legal hearings.”
The office had no further comment.
The Associated Press began asking about the error the day after the initial charges were filed, and continued to inquire about it after Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison became the lead prosecutor on the case. Prosecutors repeatedly declined to address the discrepancy, even as the time frame of 8:46 began being used by protesters worldwide.
Prosecutors repeated their timeline and the 8 minutes, 46 seconds detail on June 3 when they added a more serious murder charge against Chauvin and announced charges against the other three officers. The AP published a story about the issue June 4, and at the time John Stiles, a spokesman for Ellison’s office, said prosecutors were continuing to review new evidence.
Stiles had no additional comment Wednesday.
Floyd, a black man who was handcuffed, died May 25 after Chauvin, a white officer, used his knee to pin Floyd to the ground. Chauvin, who kept his knee on Floyd’s neck even after he said he couldn’t breathe and stopped moving, has been charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter.
The other officers, J. Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao, have all been charged with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and manslaughter. All four officers were fired. If convicted, they potentially face the same penalty as Chauvin: up to 40 years in prison.
It was not immediately clear whether the criminal complaints would be amended. In this case, one minute is unlikely to have a major legal significance.
But in the days after Chauvin’s initial charges, outraged protesters, politicians and mourners seized on 8:46 as a quiet way to honor Floyd at a time of angry and sometimes violent clashes with police. It also became a symbol of the suffering Floyd - and many other black men - have experienced at the hands of police.
“A one-minute difference is not significant in the grand scheme of things,” said Nekima Levy Armstrong, a civil rights activist and former head of the Minneapolis NAACP. “The bottom line is, it was more than enough time for Derek Chauvin to know that he was literally choking the life out of George Floyd.”
When someone takes a moment of silence for 7:46, or 8:46, you realize just how much time it that is, Levy Armstrong said.
“It was more than enough time for any rational, compassionate and professional human being to know that their actions were deadly and unconscionable,” she said.
Earlier this month, in Boston and Tacoma, Washington, demonstrators staged “die-ins” for precisely 8 minutes, 46 seconds. In Washington, Democratic senators gathered in the U.S. Capitol’s Emancipation Hall for the nearly nine minutes of silence. Mourners at a memorial service for Floyd in Minneapolis stood in silence for 8 minutes, 46 seconds, after the Rev. Al Sharpton asked them to “think about what George was going through, laying there for those eight minutes, begging for his life.”
“We can’t let this go,” he said at the memorial. “We can’t keep living like this.”


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--MTV fires 'Siesta Key' star as new season continues

SIESTA KEY , Fla. ( AP ) - One of the stars of MTV ’ s Florida-based reality show “ Siesta Key ” has been fired .
MTV posted the decision to remove Alex Kompothecras , 25 , on the show ’ s official Twitter account Tuesday evening .
“ We ’ ve made the decision to cut ties with Alex and are editing the current season to minimize his presence , ” according to an MTV statement .
“ He will not be in future seasons of ‘ Siesta Key.
’ ” The statement did not say what it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Siesta Key ” premiered in 2017 and follows a group of young people in Sarasota County , Florida .
Kompothecras grew up on the Gulf Coast barrier island , where much of the show is filmed .
He was dismissed on Tuesday as the second half of the third season began to air .
Alex ’ s father , Gary Kompothecras , is the founder of the 1-800-ASK-GARY medical referral service and an executive producer of the show .
He also owns the Crescent Club , which his son manages on the show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with MTV and we are exploring all our options , ” Gary Kompothecras told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune .
It wasn ’ t clear what relationship Gary Kompothecras and the Crescent Club would have with the show in the future .

SIESTA KEY, Fla. (AP) - One of the stars of MTV’s Florida-based reality show “Siesta Key” has been fired.
MTV posted the decision to remove Alex Kompothecras, 25, on the show’s official Twitter account Tuesday evening.
“We’ve made the decision to cut ties with Alex and are editing the current season to minimize his presence,” according to an MTV statement. “He will not be in future seasons of ‘Siesta Key.’” The statement did not say what it had based the decision on.
“Siesta Key” premiered in 2017 and follows a group of young people in Sarasota County, Florida. Kompothecras grew up on the Gulf Coast barrier island, where much of the show is filmed. He was dismissed on Tuesday as the second half of the third season began to air.
Alex’s father, Gary Kompothecras, is the founder of the 1-800-ASK-GARY medical referral service and an executive producer of the show. He also owns the Crescent Club, which his son manages on the show.
“Our family is very disappointed with MTV and we are exploring all our options,” Gary Kompothecras told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
It wasn’t clear what relationship Gary Kompothecras and the Crescent Club would have with the show in the future.


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--Feds: Seattle VA medical staffer stole, sold respirators

SEATTLE ( AP ) - Federal prosecutors say a staffer at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Seattle stole respirators and other equipment , then sold it online amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Gene Wamsley was arrested Wednesday after being charged in U.S. District Court with theft of government property .
Investigators said the 41-year-old Bonney Lake man was employed as a respiratory therapist at the VA Medical Center until being placed on leave June 9 .
Wamsley ’ s attorney , Winston Choe , did not immediately return an email seeking comment .
According to the criminal complaint , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that two of its bronchoscopes were missing .
Another of the devices went missing in April , and three respirators went missing about the same time .
Investigators with the VA Office of the Inspector General said they traced eBay transactions to an account run by Wamsley .
They said they also spoke with an Ohio resident who bought one of the portable respirators for $ 6,140 and uses it to treat his chronic lung disease .
“ Right now respiratory support equipment is critical in medical care for those suffering with COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ T. Moran said in a news release .
“ To steal and sell equipment needed to care for our veterans is a shocking betrayal.
” Wamsley agreed to be interviewed by investigators at the medical center while others searched his home , the complaint said .
Wamsley initially denied stealing the items or having any knowledge of the eBay account at issue , but subsequently admitted investigators would find stolen equipment at his home and turned over his phone , which had screenshots of information for the eBay account as well as photos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .

SEATTLE (AP) - Federal prosecutors say a staffer at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Seattle stole respirators and other equipment, then sold it online amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Gene Wamsley was arrested Wednesday after being charged in U.S. District Court with theft of government property. Investigators said the 41-year-old Bonney Lake man was employed as a respiratory therapist at the VA Medical Center until being placed on leave June 9.
Wamsley’s attorney, Winston Choe, did not immediately return an email seeking comment.
According to the criminal complaint, the medical center first noticed in January that two of its bronchoscopes were missing. Another of the devices went missing in April, and three respirators went missing about the same time.
Investigators with the VA Office of the Inspector General said they traced eBay transactions to an account run by Wamsley. They said they also spoke with an Ohio resident who bought one of the portable respirators for $6,140 and uses it to treat his chronic lung disease.
“Right now respiratory support equipment is critical in medical care for those suffering with COVID-19 infections,” Seattle U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran said in a news release. “To steal and sell equipment needed to care for our veterans is a shocking betrayal.”
Wamsley agreed to be interviewed by investigators at the medical center while others searched his home, the complaint said. Wamsley initially denied stealing the items or having any knowledge of the eBay account at issue, but subsequently admitted investigators would find stolen equipment at his home and turned over his phone, which had screenshots of information for the eBay account as well as photos of respiratory equipment being sold, it said.


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--Coastal town mayor resigns from nonprofit over racism email

GOLD BEACH , Ore. ( AP ) - The mayor of a coastal Oregon town has resigned from the board of a nonprofit after he sent an email to its staff telling the director she could “ shove her racism bandwagon.
” Gold Beach Mayor Karl Popoff , who has been mayor for 16 years , was responding to an email sent by Oregon Coast Community Action Executive Director Kim Brick that said black lives matter and that community action programs like ORCCA stemmed from the Civil Rights movement .
The organization offers assistance and resources for people experiencing homelessness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Popoff ’ s response email , obtained by The World , said he was sick of having people “ throwing up racism/white privilege at every turn.
” “ You want to know what is hurting blacks ?
The welfare system .
NO dads at home .
And , you know what ?
It is also hurting whites , and American Indians .
Black lives don ’ t matter to Black Lives Matter people….
” Popoff told The World this week he “ got a little angry ” and wishes he had “ stated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I wish I would have toned it down a little bit , ” he said .
“ Being a human being I make mistakes like everyone else.
” Brick said she couldn ’ t comment on his email but the organization is looking at ways to promote social justice in the area .

GOLD BEACH, Ore. (AP) - The mayor of a coastal Oregon town has resigned from the board of a nonprofit after he sent an email to its staff telling the director she could “shove her racism bandwagon.”
Gold Beach Mayor Karl Popoff, who has been mayor for 16 years, was responding to an email sent by Oregon Coast Community Action Executive Director Kim Brick that said black lives matter and that community action programs like ORCCA stemmed from the Civil Rights movement. The organization offers assistance and resources for people experiencing homelessness, veterans, children and families.
Popoff’s response email, obtained by The World, said he was sick of having people “throwing up racism/white privilege at every turn.”
“You want to know what is hurting blacks? The welfare system. NO dads at home. And, you know what? It is also hurting whites, and American Indians. Black lives don’t matter to Black Lives Matter people….”
Popoff told The World this week he “got a little angry” and wishes he had “stated differently” what was on his mind.
“I wish I would have toned it down a little bit,” he said. “Being a human being I make mistakes like everyone else.”
Brick said she couldn’t comment on his email but the organization is looking at ways to promote social justice in the area.


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--Officials accused of ignoring ex-officer's sexual misconduct

DOVER , Del .
( AP ) - Six current and former female employees of Delaware ’ s largest county government have filed a federal lawsuit alleging that officials allowed a police officer to engage in sexually predatory behavior for more than two decades before he retired .
The lawsuit filed Wednesday claims that high-ranking New Castle County officials , including Police Chief Col. Vaughn Bond and County Executive Matt Meyer , turned a blind eye to Quinton Watson ’ s predatory behavior against female subordinates and ignored their complaints of harassment and assault .
“ Defendant NCC ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ created a sanctuary for sexual harassment within the NCC Police Department , ” according to the complaint , which includes graphic descriptions of Watson ’ s alleged conduct .
Watson joined the police department in 1987 and steadily rose through the ranks , being promoted by Bond to lieutenant colonel , the second-highest position in the department , in April 2017 .
According to the complaint , after Meyer became county executive in January 2017 , Bond made it clear to Meyer he would accept the chief ’ s position only if he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The complaint also alleges that Kathy Jennings , the former chief administrative officer for the county , and former police chief Jack Cunningham both advised Meyer not to promote Watson .
Jennings is now Delaware ’ s attorney general .
Watson was placed on administrative leave in August 2018 , just weeks before his age-mandated retirement , after reports about the complaints against him surfaced online .
Even though Watson was the subject of investigation by the Wilmington Police Department when he retired in December 2018 , Bond submitted a letter to county @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retired police officer “ in good standing ” and therefore qualified to carry a concealed deadly weapon , according to the complaint .
In addition to Meyer , Bond and Watson , former public safety director Michael Hojnicki and current chief administrative officer Vanessa Phillips are named as individual defendants in the lawsuit .
The plaintiffs include Laura O ’ Sullivan and Patricia Davies , who both currently hold the rank of captain in the county police department .
Spokesmen for Meyer and for the police department did not immediately respond to emails @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials have previously defended their actions in handling complaints against Watson .
Watson ’ s wife told a reporter who tried to reach him by phone for comment not to call again .

DOVER, Del. (AP) - Six current and former female employees of Delaware’s largest county government have filed a federal lawsuit alleging that officials allowed a police officer to engage in sexually predatory behavior for more than two decades before he retired.
The lawsuit filed Wednesday claims that high-ranking New Castle County officials, including Police Chief Col. Vaughn Bond and County Executive Matt Meyer, turned a blind eye to Quinton Watson’s predatory behavior against female subordinates and ignored their complaints of harassment and assault.
“Defendant NCC’s tolerance of defendant Watson’s conduct created a sanctuary for sexual harassment within the NCC Police Department,” according to the complaint, which includes graphic descriptions of Watson’s alleged conduct.
Watson joined the police department in 1987 and steadily rose through the ranks, being promoted by Bond to lieutenant colonel, the second-highest position in the department, in April 2017.
According to the complaint, after Meyer became county executive in January 2017, Bond made it clear to Meyer he would accept the chief’s position only if he could promote Watson to lieutenant colonel. The complaint also alleges that Kathy Jennings, the former chief administrative officer for the county, and former police chief Jack Cunningham both advised Meyer not to promote Watson. Jennings is now Delaware’s attorney general.
Watson was placed on administrative leave in August 2018, just weeks before his age-mandated retirement, after reports about the complaints against him surfaced online.
Even though Watson was the subject of investigation by the Wilmington Police Department when he retired in December 2018, Bond submitted a letter to county court officials stating that Watson was a retired police officer “in good standing” and therefore qualified to carry a concealed deadly weapon, according to the complaint.
In addition to Meyer, Bond and Watson, former public safety director Michael Hojnicki and current chief administrative officer Vanessa Phillips are named as individual defendants in the lawsuit.
The plaintiffs include Laura O’Sullivan and Patricia Davies, who both currently hold the rank of captain in the county police department.
Spokesmen for Meyer and for the police department did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment on the lawsuit. County officials have previously defended their actions in handling complaints against Watson.
Watson’s wife told a reporter who tried to reach him by phone for comment not to call again.


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--Township commissioner resigns after transphobic comments

SCOTT TOWNSHIP , Penn .
( AP ) - A Pennsylvania township commissioner has resigned following transphobic comments about state @ @ @ @ @ Levine .
Former Scott Township Commissioner Paul Abel said he was tired of “ listening @ @ @ @ @ like a woman ” on a Zoom meeting last week , KDKA-TV reported .
Dr. @ @ @ @ @ person appointed to a Pennsylvania cabinet position .
The Board of Commissioners apologized in a @ @ @ @ @

SCOTT TOWNSHIP, Penn. (AP) - A Pennsylvania township commissioner has resigned following transphobic comments about state Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine.
Former Scott Township Commissioner Paul Abel said he was tired of “listening to a guy dressed up like a woman” on a Zoom meeting last week, KDKA-TV reported.
Dr. Levine is the first transgender person appointed to a Pennsylvania cabinet position.
Scott Township announced Abel’s resignation Wednesday on Facebook.
The Board of Commissioners apologized in a letter to the community.


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--Texts show timeline leading to Kobe Bryant helicopter crash

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - The pilot of the helicopter that crashed in thick fog northwest of Los Angeles in January , killing Kobe Bryant and seven other passengers , may have become disoriented in thick fog , according to a National Transportation Safety Board report released Wednesday .
Ara Zobayan reported he was climbing when he actually was descending toward a hillside , according to the document .
There had been concerns about the weather the day before the flight , but the pilot reported that the weather seemed acceptable to fly less than 90 minutes before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the report .
Before and during flights with Bryant , group texts would be sent that included the pilot ; Whitney Bagge , vice president of Island Express Helicopters , which owned the helicopter ; Ric Webb and Patti Taylor , co-owners of OC Helicopters , which coordinated the flight , and Bryant ’ s drivers , including one identified as Gary , so they would know when to expect him .
Here are excerpts of texts and summaries provided by Bagge to the NTSB : 5:24 p.m. - Patti : Ok @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Just checked not the best day tomorrow but it is not as bad as today 6:11 p.m. - Patti advises that there is a revised departure for the flight , now set for 9 a.m. Jan. 26 , and adds : “ Advised weather could be issue….
” 7:30 a.m. - Ara : Morning Weather looking ok 8:20 a.m. - Patti : Ara how is weather looking for 9 departure 8:21 a.m. - Ara : Should be OK 8:22 a.m. - Patti : Copy Will inform them 9:33 a.m. - Gary : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - Gary : Not yet 9:49 a.m. - Patti called Bagge and asked him to find the pilot ’ s location using a real-time flight tracker but it had stopped tracking the helicopter at 9:45 a.m. Bagge asked another employee , Angel , to try to reach the pilot by radio .
The employee said he couldn ’ t reach the pilot .
“ I kept refreshing the tracker praying that it was just broken , ” Bagge said .
A few minutes later , after Angel was unable to contact the airport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Emergency Response Manual and they began going down the list of procedures .
10:02 a.m. - Ric : Ara , you okay ?
10:22 a.m. - Another helicopter takes off for the last tracked location of the helicopter carrying Bryant .
10:27 a.m. - Bagge tells Angel to have the helicopter turn around because “ there is a confirmed airplane crash in the same area.
” All Island Express flights for the day are canceled .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The pilot of the helicopter that crashed in thick fog northwest of Los Angeles in January, killing Kobe Bryant and seven other passengers, may have become disoriented in thick fog, according to a National Transportation Safety Board report released Wednesday. Ara Zobayan reported he was climbing when he actually was descending toward a hillside, according to the document.
There had been concerns about the weather the day before the flight, but the pilot reported that the weather seemed acceptable to fly less than 90 minutes before the accident, according to text messages cited in the report.
Before and during flights with Bryant, group texts would be sent that included the pilot; Whitney Bagge, vice president of Island Express Helicopters, which owned the helicopter; Ric Webb and Patti Taylor, co-owners of OC Helicopters, which coordinated the flight, and Bryant’s drivers, including one identified as Gary, so they would know when to expect him. Here are excerpts of texts and summaries provided by Bagge to the NTSB:
JAN. 25
5:24 p.m. - Patti: Ok And weather looks ok tomorrow?
Ara: Just checked not the best day tomorrow but it is not as bad as today
6:11 p.m. - Patti advises that there is a revised departure for the flight, now set for 9 a.m. Jan. 26, and adds: “Advised weather could be issue….”
6:12 p.m. - Ara: Copy Will advise on weather early morning
JAN. 26
7:30 a.m. - Ara: Morning Weather looking ok
8:20 a.m. - Patti: Ara how is weather looking for 9 departure
8:21 a.m. - Ara: Should be OK
8:22 a.m. - Ric: I Agree
8:22 a.m. - Patti: Copy Will inform them
8:26 a.m. - Patti: And good morning
9:06 a.m. - Ric: Wheels up
9:06 a.m. - Patti: Copy
9:33 a.m. - Gary: Just started raining lightly here
9:48 a.m. - Patti: Land?
9:49 a.m. - Gary: Not yet
9:49 a.m. - Patti called Bagge and asked him to find the pilot’s location using a real-time flight tracker but it had stopped tracking the helicopter at 9:45 a.m. Bagge asked another employee, Angel, to try to reach the pilot by radio. The employee said he couldn’t reach the pilot. “I kept refreshing the tracker praying that it was just broken,” Bagge said. A few minutes later, after Angel was unable to contact the airport, Bagge told Angel to pull out the Emergency Response Manual and they began going down the list of procedures.
10:02 a.m. - Ric: Ara, you okay?
10:22 a.m. - Another helicopter takes off for the last tracked location of the helicopter carrying Bryant.
10:27 a.m. - Bagge tells Angel to have the helicopter turn around because “there is a confirmed airplane crash in the same area.” All Island Express flights for the day are canceled.


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--Robert C. Byrd's name removed from a college health center

CHARLESTON , W.Va. ( AP ) - A private college in West Virginia said Wednesday it is removing the name of the late U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd from its health center , saying his name had caused “ divisiveness and pain ” without explicitly noting his complicated past on racial matters .
Byrd was a member of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1940s but subsequently denounced the organization .
He served in the Senate for 51 years and died in 2010 at age 92 .
Bethany College President Tamara Rodenberg said on the school ’ s website that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the college ’ s Robert C. Byrd Health Center “ to demonstrate Bethany College ’ s capacity to change , to listen , and to learn.
” Bethany ’ s statement did not specifically mention Byrd ’ s past ties to the Klan .
“ Our lives are marked by decisions , by actions , and by grace , and today we embrace all three in a tangible , visible way at our beloved Bethany College , ” Rodenberg wrote .
Bethany College ’ s statement said the college recognized in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name attached to the health center “ created divisiveness and pain for members of Bethany community , both past and present.
” While the college said it respects the Byrd family name , “ we can no longer let it represent how we lead in today ’ s world.
” Protests have erupted around the world since the death last month of George Floyd in Minnesota , a black man who died after a Minneapolis officer pressed his knee into Floyd ’ s neck as he pleaded for air .
Much of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police brutality against black people in the United States .
Byrd , a Democrat , brought billions of dollars to his home state as the powerful chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee .
His name is attached to dozens of buildings , roads , schools , scholarships and other public works projects in West Virginia .
In 2010 , President Barack Obama , Vice President Joe Biden and former President Bill Clinton gave speeches at memorial service for Byrd at the state Capitol in Charleston .
His accomplishments followed a childhood of poverty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the national stage came despite a complicated past on racial issues .
While supporting later civil rights bills , he opposed busing to integrate schools .
As a young man , he was a member of the Ku Klux Klan for a time , and he joined Southern Democrats in an unsuccessful filibuster against the landmark 1964 Civil Rights Act .
He later apologized for both actions , saying intolerance has no place in America .
A private liberal arts college founded in 1840 , Bethany is located about 45 miles ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - A private college in West Virginia said Wednesday it is removing the name of the late U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd from its health center, saying his name had caused “divisiveness and pain” without explicitly noting his complicated past on racial matters.
Byrd was a member of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1940s but subsequently denounced the organization. He served in the Senate for 51 years and died in 2010 at age 92.
Bethany College President Tamara Rodenberg said on the school’s website that Byrd’s name will be removed from the college’s Robert C. Byrd Health Center “to demonstrate Bethany College’s capacity to change, to listen, and to learn.”
Bethany’s statement did not specifically mention Byrd’s past ties to the Klan.
“Our lives are marked by decisions, by actions, and by grace, and today we embrace all three in a tangible, visible way at our beloved Bethany College,” Rodenberg wrote.
Bethany College’s statement said the college recognized in the past few weeks that Byrd’s name attached to the health center “created divisiveness and pain for members of Bethany community, both past and present.”
While the college said it respects the Byrd family name, “we can no longer let it represent how we lead in today’s world.”
Protests have erupted around the world since the death last month of George Floyd in Minnesota, a black man who died after a Minneapolis officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck as he pleaded for air. Much of the conversation has focused on systematic racism and police brutality against black people in the United States.
Byrd, a Democrat, brought billions of dollars to his home state as the powerful chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. His name is attached to dozens of buildings, roads, schools, scholarships and other public works projects in West Virginia.
In 2010, President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and former President Bill Clinton gave speeches at memorial service for Byrd at the state Capitol in Charleston.
His accomplishments followed a childhood of poverty in West Virginia, and his success on the national stage came despite a complicated past on racial issues. While supporting later civil rights bills, he opposed busing to integrate schools.
As a young man, he was a member of the Ku Klux Klan for a time, and he joined Southern Democrats in an unsuccessful filibuster against the landmark 1964 Civil Rights Act. He later apologized for both actions, saying intolerance has no place in America.
A private liberal arts college founded in 1840, Bethany is located about 45 miles (70 kilometers) southwest of Pittsburgh.


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--Prosecutors: Officer had knee on Floyd for 7:46, not 8:46

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) - Minnesota prosecutors acknowledged Wednesday that a Minneapolis police officer had his knee on the neck of George Floyd for 7 minutes , 46 seconds - not the 8:46 that has become a symbol of police brutality - but said the one-minute error would have no impact on the criminal case against four officers .
The initial May 29 complaint alleges Derek Chauvin “ had his knee on Mr. Floyd ’ s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in total .
Two minutes and 53 seconds of this was after Mr. Floyd was non-responsive.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s description of the incident , much of which is caught on video , showed Chauvin had his knee on Floyd for 7 minutes , 46 seconds , including 1 minute , 53 seconds after Floyd appeared to stop breathing .
“ These kinds of technical matters can be handled in future amendments to the criminal complaint if other reasons make it necessary to amend the complaint between now and any trials , ” Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman ’ s office said in a statement .
“ The one minute error made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nor in the continuing legal hearings.
” The office had no further comment .
The Associated Press began asking about the error the day after the initial charges were filed , and continued to inquire about it after Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison became the lead prosecutor on the case .
Prosecutors repeatedly declined to address the discrepancy , even as the time frame of 8:46 began being used by protesters worldwide .
Prosecutors repeated their timeline and the 8 minutes , 46 seconds detail on June 3 when they added a more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges against the other three officers .
The AP published a story about the issue June 4 , and at the time John Stiles , a spokesman for Ellison ’ s office , said prosecutors were continuing to review new evidence .
Floyd , a black man who was handcuffed , died May 25 after Chauvin , a white officer , used his knee to pin Floyd to the ground .
Chauvin , who kept his knee on Floyd ’ s neck even after he said he couldn ’ t breathe and stopped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ murder , third-degree murder and manslaughter .
The other officers , J. Kueng , Thomas Lane and Tou Thao , have all been charged with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and manslaughter .
All four officers were fired .
If convicted , they potentially face the same penalty as Chauvin : up to 40 years in prison .
It was not immediately clear whether the criminal complaints would be amended .
In this case , one minute is unlikely to have a major legal significance .
But in the days after Chauvin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , politicians and mourners seized on 8:46 as a quiet way to honor Floyd at a time of angry and sometimes violent clashes with police .
It also became a symbol of the suffering Floyd - and many other black men - have experienced at the hands of police .
“ A one-minute difference is not significant in the grand scheme of things , ” said Nekima Levy Armstrong , a civil rights activist and former head of the Minneapolis NAACP .
“ The bottom line is , it was more than enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was literally choking the life out of George Floyd.
” When someone takes a moment of silence for 7:46 , or 8:46 , you realize just how much time it that is , Levy Armstrong said .
“ It was more than enough time for any rational , compassionate and professional human being to know that their actions were deadly and unconscionable , ” she said .
Earlier this month , in Boston and Tacoma , Washington , demonstrators staged “ die-ins ” for precisely 8 minutes , 46 seconds .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Capitol ’ s Emancipation Hall for the nearly nine minutes of silence .
Mourners at a memorial service for Floyd in Minneapolis stood in silence for 8 minutes , 46 seconds , after the Rev .
Al Sharpton asked them to “ think about what George was going through , laying there for those eight minutes , begging for his life.
” “ We can ’ t let this go , ” he said at the memorial .
“ We can ’ t keep living like this .
”

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minnesota prosecutors acknowledged Wednesday that a Minneapolis police officer had his knee on the neck of George Floyd for 7 minutes, 46 seconds - not the 8:46 that has become a symbol of police brutality - but said the one-minute error would have no impact on the criminal case against four officers.
The initial May 29 complaint alleges Derek Chauvin “had his knee on Mr. Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in total. Two minutes and 53 seconds of this was after Mr. Floyd was non-responsive.” But timestamps cited in the document’s description of the incident, much of which is caught on video, showed Chauvin had his knee on Floyd for 7 minutes, 46 seconds, including 1 minute, 53 seconds after Floyd appeared to stop breathing.
“These kinds of technical matters can be handled in future amendments to the criminal complaint if other reasons make it necessary to amend the complaint between now and any trials,” Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman’s office said in a statement. “The one minute error made no difference in the decision to charge nor in the continuing legal hearings.”
The office had no further comment.
The Associated Press began asking about the error the day after the initial charges were filed, and continued to inquire about it after Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison became the lead prosecutor on the case. Prosecutors repeatedly declined to address the discrepancy, even as the time frame of 8:46 began being used by protesters worldwide.
Prosecutors repeated their timeline and the 8 minutes, 46 seconds detail on June 3 when they added a more serious murder charge against Chauvin and announced charges against the other three officers. The AP published a story about the issue June 4, and at the time John Stiles, a spokesman for Ellison’s office, said prosecutors were continuing to review new evidence.
Stiles had no additional comment Wednesday.
Floyd, a black man who was handcuffed, died May 25 after Chauvin, a white officer, used his knee to pin Floyd to the ground. Chauvin, who kept his knee on Floyd’s neck even after he said he couldn’t breathe and stopped moving, has been charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter.
The other officers, J. Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao, have all been charged with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and manslaughter. All four officers were fired. If convicted, they potentially face the same penalty as Chauvin: up to 40 years in prison.
It was not immediately clear whether the criminal complaints would be amended. In this case, one minute is unlikely to have a major legal significance.
But in the days after Chauvin’s initial charges, outraged protesters, politicians and mourners seized on 8:46 as a quiet way to honor Floyd at a time of angry and sometimes violent clashes with police. It also became a symbol of the suffering Floyd - and many other black men - have experienced at the hands of police.
“A one-minute difference is not significant in the grand scheme of things,” said Nekima Levy Armstrong, a civil rights activist and former head of the Minneapolis NAACP. “The bottom line is, it was more than enough time for Derek Chauvin to know that he was literally choking the life out of George Floyd.”
When someone takes a moment of silence for 7:46, or 8:46, you realize just how much time that is, Levy Armstrong said.
“It was more than enough time for any rational, compassionate and professional human being to know that their actions were deadly and unconscionable,” she said.
Earlier this month, in Boston and Tacoma, Washington, demonstrators staged “die-ins” for precisely 8 minutes, 46 seconds. In Washington, Democratic senators gathered in the U.S. Capitol’s Emancipation Hall for the nearly nine minutes of silence. Mourners at a memorial service for Floyd in Minneapolis stood in silence for 8 minutes, 46 seconds, after the Rev. Al Sharpton asked them to “think about what George was going through, laying there for those eight minutes, begging for his life.”
“We can’t let this go,” he said at the memorial. “We can’t keep living like this.”


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--Michael Avenatti, ex-Trump foil and 2020 hopeful, now stars in three-ring legal circus

As Michael Avenatti saw it , he would be battling President Trump for the White House this summer .
Instead he ’ s battling to stay out of jail yet again , having won a coronavirus release as long as he stays locked in an apartment in Venice , California , while he awaits sentencing on one extortion conviction and trials in two other fraud cases .
Based on court proceedings Wednesday , he may not be free for long .
The man who promised to watch over Avenatti during his coronavirus release , Jay Manheimer , testified Wednesday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ logged into Avenatti ’ s email account and allowed access to his computer at least once — any of which might be considered violations of the terms of release .
But Mr. Manheimer denied allowing broader access , despite a court document filed earlier this month that seems to show it was drafted on his device .
Mr. Manheimer was unable to shed much light on how the document , with multiple references to internet documents , could have been drafted without Avenatti having used the computer .
Should Avenatti have his release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the lawyer who at one point thrilled Democrats as a potential 2020 foil for President Trump , but who is now starring in a three-ring legal circus — one ring for each of the criminal proceedings he ’ s facing .
What makes Avenatti ’ s fall so intriguing is that he was so eager for the attention that eventually brought him down .
Plenty of lawyers have clients who have sued President Trump , but only Avenatti combined that with a stunning 121 appearances on CNN and 108 appearances on MSNBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included an appearance at the Iowa State Fair and a visit to New Hampshire — the two earliest states in the primary system — in summer 2018 .
Politico , a news outlet popular among D.C. insiders , ran an article in 2018 proclaiming Avenatti was “ winning the 2020 Democratic primary ” — not because he would be the nominee , but because his Trump-bashing style was setting the terms of the debate .
Another Politico column argued President Trump needed to fear the lawyer ’ s courtroom crusading on behalf of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Robert Mueller ’ s taxpayer-funded investigation staffed with FBI agents .
Ronald Richards , a Beverly Hills lawyer who ’ s tracking Avenatti ’ s travails , called it “ stunning ” that someone with so many flash points — from battles with his law partners to his clients to his ex-wives — would have put himself so far out there .
“ That ’ s a true psychopath in the criminal sense , ” Mr. Richards said .
Mr. Richards has been a prominent voice in the legal community puncturing Avenatti , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ canon that was designed in the rules of professional conduct.
” “ When he was doing his press attacks on the president and Justice [ Brett M. ] Kavanaugh and other people , what I noticed was he would say things that were to a trained lawyer ’ s ear were total nonsense , ” Mr. Richards told The Washington Times .
“ I was realizing the public was sort of getting duped because an ethical lawyer would never act like him.
” Avenatti was convicted in federal court in New York in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he sought $ 25 million in hush money from Nike , the sports apparel giant , in exchange for not making public allegations about the company ’ s attempts to woo college athletes .
Also in New York , he faces another federal trial over accusations he bilked Ms. Daniels , whose real name is Stephanie Clifford .
Avenatti has been highly critical of that prosecution , complaining in one court brief that it was “ highly unusual ” to have prosecutors pursue criminal charges over “ less than $ 150,000.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest one , which federal agents had been pursuing even before the Daniels and Nike cases fell into their laps .
In that case he ’ s accused of tax evasion and bank and wire fraud .
Mr. Richards said he can ’ t see Avenatti winning either of the fraud cases .
There are just too many ethical violations stacked up against his own clients , Avenatti is desperately trying to delay the two remaining trials .
Wednesday ’ s proceeding was bizarre for many reasons , not least of which because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions .
It took place at a shuttered government office building , with six people , spaced out in a room that could hold 60 .
Phones were placed in front of Mr. Manheimer and the lawyers doing the questioning so the proceedings could be broadcast over the phone , allowing the public access .
More than 100 listeners joined the line , making the proceedings difficult to hear .
At one point Avenatti burst in , complaining he couldn ’ t follow what was going on .
“ I have an entitlement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this case , ” he thundered .
Another voice came on the line : “ Mr .
Avenatti you ’ ve spoken enough .
Please stop.
” Avenatti ’ s Twitter account , which once lit up newsrooms across the country when he posted about the president or dished advice on how fellow Democrats should handle Mr. Trump , is now a time capsule .
The last entry is from Jan. 14 , when he complained that Democrats in the House of Representatives were bungling the impeachment effort against Mr. Trump .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by U.S. District Judge James Selna after prosecutors said he violated the terms by engaging in more fraud and money laundering .
He was sitting in the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York when the coronavirus crisis struck .
Not only did that delay his two remaining trials , but it also gave him an opening for a reprieve from confinement .
He argued he was high risk should he contract COVID-19 , and after a lengthy back-and-forth Judge Selna agreed — but ordered strict conditions , including the ban on access to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Richards said there can be little doubt Avenatti broke those terms .
The briefing papers filed are too passionate to the the work of a lawyer with the emotional detachment required to defend a case .
Mr. Manheimer didn ’ t provide much help for Avenatti , saying he couldn ’ t recall having typed out any of the legal arguments — though he didn ’ t rule out the possibility .
Mr. Manheimer is also on the hook , having promised to supervise Avenatti the whole time to make sure he complies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Despite Avenatti ’ s fears of contracting coronavirus , Mr. Manheimer said , he has had visitors , including a girlfriend and his daughters .
And Avenatti supporters have been sending gifts to the Venice , California , home .

As Michael Avenatti saw it, he would be battling President Trump for the White House this summer.
Instead he’s battling to stay out of jail yet again, having won a coronavirus release as long as he stays locked in an apartment in Venice, California, while he awaits sentencing on one extortion conviction and trials in two other fraud cases.
Based on court proceedings Wednesday, he may not be free for long.
The man who promised to watch over Avenatti during his coronavirus release, Jay Manheimer, testified Wednesday that he helped Avenatti perform internet searches, logged into Avenatti’s email account and allowed access to his computer at least once — any of which might be considered violations of the terms of release.
But Mr. Manheimer denied allowing broader access, despite a court document filed earlier this month that seems to show it was drafted on his device. Mr. Manheimer was unable to shed much light on how the document, with multiple references to internet documents, could have been drafted without Avenatti having used the computer.
“I don’t recall,” Mr. Manheimer told prosecutors.
Should Avenatti have his release canceled it would be yet another dagger for the lawyer who at one point thrilled Democrats as a potential 2020 foil for President Trump, but who is now starring in a three-ring legal circus — one ring for each of the criminal proceedings he’s facing.
What makes Avenatti’s fall so intriguing is that he was so eager for the attention that eventually brought him down.
Plenty of lawyers have clients who have sued Mr. Trump, but only Avenatti combined that with a stunning 121 appearances on CNN and 108 appearances on MSNBC, and a nascent presidential campaign that included an appearance at the Iowa State Fair and a visit to New Hampshire — the two earliest states in the primary system — in summer 2018.
Politico, a news outlet popular among D.C. insiders, ran an article in 2018 proclaiming Avenatti was “winning the 2020 Democratic primary” — not because he would be the nominee, but because his Trump-bashing style was setting the terms of the debate.
Another Politico column argued Mr. Trump needed to fear the lawyer’s courtroom crusading on behalf of porn star Stormy Daniels than special counsel Robert Mueller’s taxpayer-funded investigation staffed with FBI agents.
Ronald Richards, a Beverly Hills lawyer who’s tracking Avenatti’s travails, called it “stunning” that someone with so many flash points — from battles with his law partners to his clients to his ex-wives — would have put himself so far out there.
“That’s a true psychopath in the criminal sense,” Mr. Richards said.
Mr. Richards has been a prominent voice in the legal community puncturing Avenatti, who he said “violates every ethical canon that was designed in the rules of professional conduct.”
“When he was doing his press attacks on the president and Justice [Brett M.] Kavanaugh and other people, what I noticed was he would say things that were to a trained lawyer’s ear were total nonsense,” Mr. Richards told The Washington Times. “I was realizing the public was sort of getting duped because an ethical lawyer would never act like him.”
Avenatti was convicted in federal court in New York in February on extortion charges. Prosecutors said he sought $25 million in hush money from Nike, the sports apparel giant, in exchange for not making public allegations about the company’s attempts to woo college athletes.
He’s awaiting sentencing for that case.
Also in New York, he faces another federal trial over accusations he bilked Ms. Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford. Avenatti has been highly critical of that prosecution, complaining in one court brief that it was “highly unusual” to have prosecutors pursue criminal charges over “less than $150,000.”
The California case, though, is the biggest one, which federal agents had been pursuing even before the Daniels and Nike cases fell into their laps.
In that case, he’s accused of tax evasion and bank and wire fraud.
Mr. Richards said he can’t see Avenatti winning either of the fraud cases. There are just too many ethical violations stacked up against his own clients,
Avenatti is desperately trying to delay the two remaining trials.
Wednesday’s proceeding was bizarre for many reasons, not least of which because it was taking place amid severe coronavirus restrictions.
It took place at a shuttered government office building, with six people, spaced out in a room that could hold 60.
Phones were placed in front of Mr. Manheimer and the lawyers doing the questioning so the proceedings could be broadcast over the phone, allowing the public access.
More than 100 listeners joined the line, making the proceedings difficult to hear. At one point Avenatti burst in, complaining he couldn’t follow what was going on.
“I have an entitlement and a right to due process in this case,” he thundered.
Another voice came on the line: “Mr. Avenatti you’ve spoken enough. Please stop.”
Avenatti’s Twitter account, which once lit up newsrooms across the country when he posted about the president or dished advice on how fellow Democrats should handle Mr. Trump, is now a time capsule.
The last entry is from Jan. 14, when he complained that Democrats in the House of Representatives were bungling the impeachment effort against Mr. Trump.
A day later, his bail was revoked by U.S. District Judge James Selna after prosecutors said he violated the terms by engaging in more fraud and money laundering.
He was sitting in the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York when the coronavirus crisis struck.
Not only did that delay his two remaining trials, but it also gave him an opening for a reprieve from confinement. He argued he was high risk should he contract COVID-19, and after a lengthy back-and-forth Judge Selna agreed — but ordered strict conditions, including the ban on access to a computer with internet access.
Mr. Richards said there can be little doubt Avenatti broke those terms. The briefing papers filed are too passionate to the the work of a lawyer with the emotional detachment required to defend a case.
Mr. Manheimer didn’t provide much help for Avenatti, saying he couldn’t recall having typed out any of the legal arguments — though he didn’t rule out the possibility. Mr. Manheimer is also on the hook, having promised to supervise Avenatti the whole time to make sure he complies with the conditions of his release.
Despite Avenatti’s fears of contracting the coronavirus, Mr. Manheimer said, he has had visitors, including a girlfriend and his daughters. And Avenatti supporters have been sending gifts to the Venice, California, home.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--Study ties blood type to COVID-19 risk; O may help, A hurt

A genetic analysis of COVID-19 patients suggests that blood type might influence whether someone develops severe disease .
Scientists who compared the genes of thousands of patients in Europe found that those who had Type A blood were more likely to have severe disease while those with Type O were less likely .
Wednesday ’ s report in the New England Journal of Medicine does not prove a blood type connection , but it does confirm a previous report from China of such a link .
“ Most of us discounted it because it was a very crude study , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specialist at the Medical College of Wisconsin , said of the report from China .
With the new work , “ now I believe it , ” he said .
“ It could be very important.
” The evidence of a role for blood type is “ tentative … it isn ’ t enough of a signal to be sure , ” said Dr. Eric Topol , head of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in San Diego .
The study , involving scientists in Italy , Spain , Denmark , Germany and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severe COVID-19 to several thousand other people who were healthy or who had only mild or no symptoms .
Researchers tied variations in six genes to the likelihood of severe disease , including some that could have a role in how vulnerable people are to the virus .
They also tied blood groups to possible risk .
Most genetic studies like this are much larger , so it would be important to see if other scientists can look at other groups of patients to see if they find the same links , Topol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for clues as to why some people infected with the coronavirus get very ill and others , less so .
Being older or male seems to increase risk , and scientists have been looking at genes as another possible “ host factor ” that influences disease severity .
There are four main blood types - A , B , AB and O - and “ it ’ s determined by proteins on the surface of your red blood cells , ” said Dr. Mary Horowitz , scientific chief at the Center for International @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Type O are better able to recognize certain proteins as foreign , and that may extend to proteins on virus surfaces , Hari explained .
During the SARS outbreak , which was caused by a genetic cousin of the coronavirus causing the current pandemic , “ it was noted that people with O blood type were less likely to get severe disease , ” he said .
Blood type also has been tied to susceptibility to some other infectious diseases , including cholera , recurrent urinary tract infections from E. coli , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can cause ulcers and stomach cancer , said Dr. David Valle , director of the Institute of Genetic Medicine at Johns Hopkins University .
Bottom line : “ It ’ s a provocative study .
It ’ s in my view well worth publishing and getting out there , ” but it needs verification in more patients , Valle said .
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .

A genetic analysis of COVID-19 patients suggests that blood type might influence whether someone develops severe disease.
Scientists who compared the genes of thousands of patients in Europe found that those who had Type A blood were more likely to have severe disease while those with Type O were less likely.
Wednesday’s report in the New England Journal of Medicine does not prove a blood type connection, but it does confirm a previous report from China of such a link.
“Most of us discounted it because it was a very crude study,” Dr. Parameswaran Hari, a blood specialist at the Medical College of Wisconsin, said of the report from China. With the new work, “now I believe it,” he said. “It could be very important.”
Other scientists urged caution.
The evidence of a role for blood type is “tentative … it isn’t enough of a signal to be sure,” said Dr. Eric Topol, head of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in San Diego.
The study, involving scientists in Italy, Spain, Denmark, Germany and other countries, compared about 2,000 patients with severe COVID-19 to several thousand other people who were healthy or who had only mild or no symptoms. Researchers tied variations in six genes to the likelihood of severe disease, including some that could have a role in how vulnerable people are to the virus. They also tied blood groups to possible risk.
Most genetic studies like this are much larger, so it would be important to see if other scientists can look at other groups of patients to see if they find the same links, Topol said.
Many researchers have been hunting for clues as to why some people infected with the coronavirus get very ill and others, less so. Being older or male seems to increase risk, and scientists have been looking at genes as another possible “host factor” that influences disease severity.
There are four main blood types - A, B, AB and O - and “it’s determined by proteins on the surface of your red blood cells,” said Dr. Mary Horowitz, scientific chief at the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research.
People with Type O are better able to recognize certain proteins as foreign, and that may extend to proteins on virus surfaces, Hari explained.
During the SARS outbreak, which was caused by a genetic cousin of the coronavirus causing the current pandemic, “it was noted that people with O blood type were less likely to get severe disease,” he said.
Blood type also has been tied to susceptibility to some other infectious diseases, including cholera, recurrent urinary tract infections from E. coli, and a bug called H. pylori that can cause ulcers and stomach cancer, said Dr. David Valle, director of the Institute of Genetic Medicine at Johns Hopkins University.
Bottom line: “It’s a provocative study. It’s in my view well worth publishing and getting out there,” but it needs verification in more patients, Valle said.
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
___
This story was first published on June 17. It was updated on June 18 to correct the first name of a blood specialist at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He is Dr. Parameswaran Hari, not Parameswar.


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--Utah says economy recover plan won't risk residents health

SALT LAKE CITY ( AP ) - Utah state leaders said Wednesday that updated plans intended to help drive economic recovery won ’ t compromise the health of residents even though the state is experiencing a multi-week rise in cases .
Utah Gov .
Gary Herbert , a Republican , said the increase in cases was somewhat expected because many businesses were allowed to reopen starting in May and restrictions on how many people can gather together have been loosened .
He acknowledged that the rise causes “ concern and pause ” but said the state shouldn ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making plans to reopen businesses and get people back to work .
“ It ’ s false choice to say we can only do one and not the other , ” Herbert said .
He spoke a weekly briefing in which Utah state epidemiologist Angela Dunn declared after three weeks of rising case counts : “ The risk of being exposed to COVID-19 is higher than ever in Utah.
” The state tallied 407 new coronavirus cases Wednesday - exceeding the daily average for June that was already nearly double the 168 average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new deaths reported Wednesday , Utah has recorded 149 confirmed deaths from COVID-19 .
The state ’ s rate of positive tests was 5.5 % as of Wednesday , up from about 4.2 % in mid-May , according to state figures .
“ I ’ m urging you to limit your number of close contacts by practicing social distancing , wearing a face-covering when you are in public places , practicing good hand hygiene and staying home when you are ill , no matter how mild the symptoms , ” Dunn said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Utah residents to use masks , comparing it to wearing a seat belt in a car .
Herbert has stopped short of making masks mandatory .
“ There ’ s no guarantee if you wear a seat belt you won ’ t get hurt in an accident .
But it does reduce risk .
It makes the odds better for you , ” Herbert said .
“ Same with wearing a mask .
It ’ ll help you against catching it from somebody else .
It also helps you from spreading the virus….For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you should really wear a mask.
” The latest iteration of the state ’ s plan to emerge from the global economic recession caused by the pandemic that led 175,000 state residents to claim unemployment since mid-March includes a plan to use up to $ 60 million in federal stimulus funds for a grant program to help businesses reopen and stay safe .
The state also plans to invest in infrastructure projects ready for construction .
The plan encourages businesses to pledge to maintain safe working spaces by adhering to practices such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the use of face masks , said Derek Miller , president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber and Downtown Alliance .
Senate President Stuart Adams , a Republican , noted that the most people 18-64 years old don ’ t have to be hospitalized if they get coronarivus .
“ We can open the economy if we take care of the medically frail , ” Adams said .

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Utah state leaders said Wednesday that updated plans intended to help drive economic recovery won’t compromise the health of residents even though the state is experiencing a multi-week rise in cases.
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, a Republican, said the increase in cases was somewhat expected because many businesses were allowed to reopen starting in May and restrictions on how many people can gather together have been loosened. He acknowledged that the rise causes “concern and pause” but said the state shouldn’t have to choose between keeping people healthy and making plans to reopen businesses and get people back to work.
“It’s false choice to say we can only do one and not the other,” Herbert said.
He spoke a weekly briefing in which Utah state epidemiologist Angela Dunn declared after three weeks of rising case counts: “The risk of being exposed to COVID-19 is higher than ever in Utah.”
The state tallied 407 new coronavirus cases Wednesday - exceeding the daily average for June that was already nearly double the 168 average daily cases in May. With four new deaths reported Wednesday, Utah has recorded 149 confirmed deaths from COVID-19.
The state’s rate of positive tests was 5.5% as of Wednesday, up from about 4.2% in mid-May, according to state figures.
“I’m urging you to limit your number of close contacts by practicing social distancing, wearing a face-covering when you are in public places, practicing good hand hygiene and staying home when you are ill , no matter how mild the symptoms,” Dunn said.
Herbert also issued a new plea for Utah residents to use masks, comparing it to wearing a seat belt in a car. Herbert has stopped short of making masks mandatory.
“There’s no guarantee if you wear a seat belt you won’t get hurt in an accident. But it does reduce risk. It makes the odds better for you,” Herbert said. “Same with wearing a mask. It’ll help you against catching it from somebody else. It also helps you from spreading the virus….For those who really care about their neighbors, you should really wear a mask.”
The latest iteration of the state’s plan to emerge from the global economic recession caused by the pandemic that led 175,000 state residents to claim unemployment since mid-March includes a plan to use up to $60 million in federal stimulus funds for a grant program to help businesses reopen and stay safe. The state also plans to invest in infrastructure projects ready for construction.
The plan encourages businesses to pledge to maintain safe working spaces by adhering to practices such as social distancing, strict hygiene and the use of face masks, said Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber and Downtown Alliance.
Senate President Stuart Adams, a Republican, noted that the most people 18-64 years old don’t have to be hospitalized if they get coronarivus.
“We can open the economy if we take care of the medically frail,” Adams said.


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--Grand jury indicts 3 men on terror charges over protest plot

LAS VEGAS ( AP ) - Three men that prosecutors say have ties to an anti-government movement and tried to spark violence during recent Las Vegas protests were indicted on terrorism charges by a county grand jury Wednesday .
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported the charges in the indictment are similar to a complaint filed by prosecutors earlier this month , charging 23-year-old Andrew T. Lynam Jr. , 35-year-old Stephen T. Parshall and 40-year-old William L. Loomis each with two felony terrorism and two explosives charges .
The grand jury indictment allows the case to go directly to trial and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presented .
A federal grand jury on Tuesday also indicted the three each on a federal conspiracy charge and a firearm and destructive device charge on accusations of possession of a Molotov cocktail .
Prosecutors say the men have ties to the right-wing extremist “ boogaloo ” movement , an internet-based network expressing support for overthrowing the U.S. government .
Prosecutors say the men hoped to create civic unrest by capitalizing on protests over businesses closed due to the coronavirus and later , the death of George Floyd , a black man who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes .
Chief District Judge Linda Bell set a $ 1 million bail for the three men and “ high-level electronic monitoring ” if they post bail .
They ’ re due in court again July 16 .
Parshall ’ s lawyer Robert Draskovich called the evidence “ insufficient ” and said his client “ is looking forward to having his day in court.
” Loomis ’ lawyer Richard Wright declined to comment .
A message seeking comment from Lynam ’ s lawyer in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not immediately returned .
His lawyer in federal court , Sylvia Irvin , argued earlier this week that investigators relied heavily on a confidential informant whose trustworthiness is unknown in order to make the allegations .
The three men were arrested May 30 by police and the FBI while allegedly preparing gasoline-and-glass-bottle firebombs on the way to a Las Vegas protest against Floyd ’ s death .

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Three men that prosecutors say have ties to an anti-government movement and tried to spark violence during recent Las Vegas protests were indicted on terrorism charges by a county grand jury Wednesday.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported the charges in the indictment are similar to a complaint filed by prosecutors earlier this month, charging 23-year-old Andrew T. Lynam Jr., 35-year-old Stephen T. Parshall and 40-year-old William L. Loomis each with two felony terrorism and two explosives charges. The grand jury indictment allows the case to go directly to trial and skip a preliminary hearing where evidence is presented.
A federal grand jury on Tuesday also indicted the three each on a federal conspiracy charge and a firearm and destructive device charge on accusations of possession of a Molotov cocktail.
Prosecutors say the men have ties to the right-wing extremist “boogaloo” movement, an internet-based network expressing support for overthrowing the U.S. government. Prosecutors say the men hoped to create civic unrest by capitalizing on protests over businesses closed due to the coronavirus and later, the death of George Floyd, a black man who died in Minneapolis after a white officer pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes.
Chief District Judge Linda Bell set a $1 million bail for the three men and “high-level electronic monitoring” if they post bail. They’re due in court again July 16.
Parshall’s lawyer Robert Draskovich called the evidence “insufficient” and said his client “is looking forward to having his day in court.”
Loomis’ lawyer Richard Wright declined to comment. A message seeking comment from Lynam’s lawyer in the county case, Ryan Helmick, was not immediately returned. His lawyer in federal court, Sylvia Irvin, argued earlier this week that investigators relied heavily on a confidential informant whose trustworthiness is unknown in order to make the allegations.
The three men were arrested May 30 by police and the FBI while allegedly preparing gasoline-and-glass-bottle firebombs on the way to a Las Vegas protest against Floyd’s death.


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--Couple accused of killing son by forcing him to drink water

COLORADO SPRINGS , Colo. ( AP ) - A Colorado couple accused of killing their 11-year-old son by forcing him to drink large amounts of water are facing several charges , including child abuse and first-degree murder .
The Colorado Springs Gazette reports 41-year-old Ryan Sabin and 42-year-old Tara Sabin turned themselves in to authorities Tuesday and are being held without bail at the El Paso County jail .
Prosecutors say Zachary Sabin died in Black Forest on March 11 after the couple made him drink the water because his urine was dark .
The county coroner ’ s office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intoxication after he was told to drink four 24-ounce ( .7-litre ) bottles of water over four hours without eating .
According to an arrest affidavit , Tara Sabin , the boy ’ s stepmother , told authorities he wore a diaper at night because of a hereditary urological problem .
Ryan Sabin , Zachary ’ s father and a sergeant based at Fort Carson , called 911 after he found the boy in his bed with foam coming from his mouth and blood on his bed .
An arrest affidavit says Zachary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five other children .
Online booking documents do not indicate if the Sabins have hired an attorney who can speak on their behalf .

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - A Colorado couple accused of killing their 11-year-old son by forcing him to drink large amounts of water are facing several charges, including child abuse and first-degree murder.
The Colorado Springs Gazette reports 41-year-old Ryan Sabin and 42-year-old Tara Sabin turned themselves in to authorities Tuesday and are being held without bail at the El Paso County jail.
Prosecutors say Zachary Sabin died in Black Forest on March 11 after the couple made him drink the water because his urine was dark. The county coroner’s office determined the boy died of forced water intoxication after he was told to drink four 24-ounce (.7-litre) bottles of water over four hours without eating.
According to an arrest affidavit, Tara Sabin, the boy’s stepmother, told authorities he wore a diaper at night because of a hereditary urological problem. Ryan Sabin, Zachary’s father and a sergeant based at Fort Carson, called 911 after he found the boy in his bed with foam coming from his mouth and blood on his bed.
An arrest affidavit says Zachary suffered other physical abuse, as did five other children.
Online booking documents do not indicate if the Sabins have hired an attorney who can speak on their behalf.


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--Pentagon defines space as battleground to preserve U.S. dominance

Space is the next great battlefield where the U.S. military must maintain superiority , not just the domain of NASA astronauts and a playground for visionary entrepreneurs .
That , at least is the vision laid out by the Pentagon Wednesday in an effort to put meat on the bones of President Trump ’ s aggressive program to preserve U.S. dominance of space .
The department ’ s updated 2020 Space Strategy , analysts said , marks a striking change in tone and content from the Obama-era blueprint it replaces .
Russia and China top the list of adversaries developing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war , could cripple the U.S. satellites that do everything from controlling your car ’ s GPS to providing vital communication links among America ’ s nuclear armed planes , missile silos and submarines , said Stephen Kitay , deputy assistant secretary of defense for space policy .
“ China and Russia have weaponized space and turned it into a warfighting domain , ” Mr. Kitay said Wednesday at a Pentagon briefing to roll out the new strategy .
“ I wish I could say space was a sea of tranquility and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the matter is , space is contested.
” The new space strategy — designed for the next 10 years — tracks closely with the Trump administration ’ s overhauled national defense strategies in 2017 and 2018 that call for a renewed focus on “ great power ” competition with rivals such as China and Russia .
Pentagon officials said the new space strategy has three objectives : maintain superiority in space ; ensure stability in space ; and provide space support to U.S. and allied military operations down below .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are absolutely at risk with the pace that they are developing these capabilities , ” Mr. Kitay said .
“ These are very serious threats.
” Private critics , echoed by Beijing and Moscow , in turn accuse the U.S. of militarizing the cosmos , bringing the Earth-bound struggle for influence and supremacy into outer space .
Russian President Vladimir Putin in December complained that NATO was seeking a military edge in space and that Moscow would respond .
The Chinese state-controlled Global Times , in an April editorial on the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new U.S. Space Force , also said Beijing was prepared to counter U.S. moves .
Any country ’ s attempt to militarize space will result in changes in the international strategic balance , ” the online news site said in an editorial .
“ Other major countries will not stand by and watch.
” But U.S. officials Wednesday painted American space defense projects as a response to threats from its main rivals , in a theater increasingly vital to the operations of the U.S. military as a whole .
“ U.S .
reliance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where space capabilities not only enhance but enable our way of life and way of war , ” the new strategy document said .
“ Chinese and Russian strategic intentions and capabilities present urgent and enduring threats to the ability of the [ Defense Department ] to achieve its desired conditions in space.
” Asked if the U.S. was developing and deploying offensive weapons in outer space , Mr. Kitay declined to answer directly .
Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said in a statement that the new strategy is meant to ensure U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future .
“ We desire a secure , stable and accessible space domain that underpins our nation ’ s security , prosperity and scientific achievement , ” Mr. Esper said .
“ However , our adversaries have made space a warfighting domain and we have to implement enterprise-wide changes to policies , strategies , operations , investments , capabilities and expertise for this new strategic environment.
” In 2017 , a Russian satellite launched a high speed projectile into space .
Earlier this year , a satellite of the same design maneuvered perilously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Kitay said .
“ These are very serious threats , ” Mr. Kitay said .
“ We are absolutely at risk with the pace they are developing these capabilities.
” According to the strategy , both Beijing and Moscow consider access to space — and the ability to block access for a hostile power — as critical components of their national security .
They consider the use of counter-space capabilities as a means for reducing the effectiveness of U.S. and allied military operations and to achieve a significant edge in any future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and China also are developing sophisticated jamming and cyberspace capabilities , directed energy weapons and ground-based anti-satellite missiles .
These capabilities threaten the U.S. satellite fleet as well as those of our friends and allies , Mr. Kitay said .
“ Outer space has emerged as a key arena of potential conflict in an era of great-power competition , ” he said .
The U.S. retains a lead in outer space exploration and the new Space Force and a separate U.S. Space Command are focusing resources and attention on the new battle theater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ balance of power in space , Mr. Kitay said .
“ Our allies have had strong interest in cooperating with the United States in space .
There ’ s a recognition of the criticality of the domain as well as the threats that we ’ re facing , ” he said .
“ NATO recently declared space as an operational domain .
They recognize the threats to our interests.
” A nuclear detonation in space could conceivably destroy several satellites with an electromagnetic pulse that would fry their electronics .
It was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S.S.R. and the West and remains so today .
“ That is a threat that we have to potentially be prepared for , ” Mr. Kitay said .
The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 — signed by both the U.S. and the Soviet Union — did not ban military activities in space .
But , it was believed by many that space would remain an area of scientific exploration and peaceful coexistence .
“ The U.S. space enterprise was not built for the current strategic environment , ” Mr. Kitay said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and defend our interests from the hostile use of space .
”

Space is the next great battlefield where the U.S. military must maintain superiority, not just the domain of NASA astronauts and a playground for visionary entrepreneurs.
That, at least is the vision laid out by the Pentagon Wednesday in an effort to put meat on the bones of President Trump’s aggressive program to preserve U.S. dominance of space. The department’s updated 2020 Space Strategy, analysts said, marks a striking change in tone and content from the Obama-era blueprint it replaces.
Russia and China top the list of adversaries developing space-based weapons that, in a shooting war, could cripple the U.S. satellites that do everything from controlling your car’s GPS to providing vital communication links among America’s nuclear armed planes, missile silos and submarines, said Stephen Kitay, deputy assistant secretary of defense for space policy.
“China and Russia have weaponized space and turned it into a warfighting domain,” Mr. Kitay said Wednesday at a Pentagon briefing to roll out the new strategy. “I wish I could say space was a sea of tranquility and a sanctuary from attack. But the fact of the matter is, space is contested.”
The new space strategy — designed for the next 10 years — tracks closely with the Trump administration’s overhauled national defense strategies in 2017 and 2018 that call for a renewed focus on “great power” competition with rivals such as China and Russia.
Pentagon officials said the new space strategy has three objectives: maintain superiority in space; ensure stability in space; and provide space support to U.S. and allied military operations down below.
“We are still ahead of them, but we are absolutely at risk with the pace that they are developing these capabilities,” Mr. Kitay said. “These are very serious threats.” Private critics, echoed by Beijing and Moscow, in turn accuse the U.S. of militarizing the cosmos, bringing the Earth-bound struggle for influence and supremacy into outer space.
Russian President Vladimir Putin in December complained that NATO was seeking a military edge in space and that Moscow would respond. The Chinese state-controlled Global Times, in an April editorial on the day President Trump unveiled the flag for his new U.S. Space Force, also said Beijing was prepared to counter U.S. moves.
Any country’s attempt to militarize space will result in changes in the international strategic balance,” the online news site said in an editorial. “Other major countries will not stand by and watch.”
Playing defense
But U.S. officials Wednesday painted American space defense projects as a response to threats from its main rivals, in a theater increasingly vital to the operations of the U.S. military as a whole.
“U.S. reliance on space has increased to the point where space capabilities not only enhance but enable our way of life and way of war,” the new strategy document said. “Chinese and Russian strategic intentions and capabilities present urgent and enduring threats to the ability of the [Defense Department] to achieve its desired conditions in space.”
Asked if the U.S. was developing and deploying offensive weapons in outer space, Mr. Kitay declined to answer directly.
Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said in a statement that the new strategy is meant to ensure U.S. superiority in space now and into the future.
“We desire a secure, stable and accessible space domain that underpins our nation’s security, prosperity and scientific achievement,” Mr. Esper said. “However, our adversaries have made space a warfighting domain and we have to implement enterprise-wide changes to policies, strategies, operations, investments, capabilities and expertise for this new strategic environment.”
In 2017, a Russian satellite launched a high speed projectile into space. Earlier this year, a satellite of the same design maneuvered perilously close to a U.S. government satellite, Mr. Kitay said.
“These are very serious threats,” Mr. Kitay said. “We are absolutely at risk with the pace they are developing these capabilities.”
According to the strategy, both Beijing and Moscow consider access to space — and the ability to block access for a hostile power — as critical components of their national security. They consider the use of counter-space capabilities as a means for reducing the effectiveness of U.S. and allied military operations and to achieve a significant edge in any future conflict.
The strategy contends both Russia and China also are developing sophisticated jamming and cyberspace capabilities, directed energy weapons and ground-based anti-satellite missiles. These capabilities threaten the U.S. satellite fleet as well as those of our friends and allies, Mr. Kitay said.
“Outer space has emerged as a key arena of potential conflict in an era of great-power competition,” he said.
The U.S. retains a lead in outer space exploration and the new Space Force and a separate U.S. Space Command are focusing resources and attention on the new battle theater, other nations are closely watching the balance of power in space, Mr. Kitay said.
“Our allies have had strong interest in cooperating with the United States in space. There’s a recognition of the criticality of the domain as well as the threats that we’re facing,” he said. “NATO recently declared space as an operational domain. They recognize the threats to our interests.”
A nuclear detonation in space could conceivably destroy several satellites with an electromagnetic pulse that would fry their electronics. It was a concern during the Cold War between the U.S.S.R. and the West and remains so today.
“That is a threat that we have to potentially be prepared for,” Mr. Kitay said.
The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 — signed by both the U.S. and the Soviet Union — did not ban military activities in space. But, it was believed by many that space would remain an area of scientific exploration and peaceful coexistence.
“The U.S. space enterprise was not built for the current strategic environment,” Mr. Kitay said. “But we will be prepared to protect and defend our interests from the hostile use of space.”
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.