washingtontimes--2020-07-19--Police contracts can stand in the way of accountability

SEATTLE ( AP ) - A stipulation in a Kentucky police contract prohibited officials from initially firing the officers involved in Breonna Taylor ’ s death in Louisville .
The disciplinary history of a Chicago police officer who fatally shot Laquan McDonald had been deleted under the department ’ s contract , so officials didn ’ t know about the officer ’ s previous bad behavior .
A Seattle officer fired for arresting an elderly Black man who used a golf club as a cane got $ 100,000 in back pay , thanks to the union contract that said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreements for officers provide protections that stand in the way of accountability , even when the federal government is overseeing an agency through a consent decree , experts said .
The killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis officer ignited protests and calls for change , but experts say police contracts threaten to undermine those efforts .
Contracts designed to ensure officers receive fair wages and benefits have spilled over into public policy .
“ We ’ re ignoring the purpose of the bargaining rights and we ’ re allowing them to step @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cover , ” said Ayesha Bell Hardaway of the Case Western University School of Law .
“ When talk about discipline , accountability and use of force protocols , we should not be talking about collective bargaining rights because those terms have no business inside of the contracts in the first place.
” When contracts are written in private negotiations , that means little input from communities .
“ Without transparency there can ’ t be any accountability , ” she said .
James Pasco , executive director of the 351,000-member National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the issue should be better screening and more training for recruits , not limiting contracts .
“ We don ’ t get to decide who our members are , ” he said .
Stephen Rushin , a Loyola University Chicago law school professor , has studied police contracts nationally and detailed their problems in an article published in the Duke Law Journal .
“ A substantial number of these agreements limit officer interrogations after alleged misconduct , mandate the destruction of disciplinary records , ban civilian oversight , prevent anonymous civilian complaints , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suits , and limit the length of internal investigations , ” he said .
Some contracts let an officer see videos of offenses before an officer is interviewed , give an officer a 48-hour delay before they speak to internal affairs and allows an officer to appeal a punishment to arbitrators who can overturn rulings , an Associated Press investigation found .
“ These examples bolster the hypothesis that some union contract provisions may impede effective investigations of police misconduct and shield problematic officers from discipline , ” Rushin said .
The problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ It ’ s an indictment of the city for granting those concessions .
Police unions only have the power that politicians give them , ” he said .
Seattle is an example of how elected officials allowed police unions to insert controversial measures during closed negotiations , over the objections of community groups .
“ The Seattle story is a microcosm of what ’ s happening elsewhere in the country , ” Rushin told The Associated Press .
“ It highlights perfectly this conflict between major reform efforts and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it hard to engage in real change.
” In 2011 , a federal judge found that the Seattle Police Department had engaged in a pattern of excessive force .
The city entered into a settlement agreement , or consent decree , the following year and passed an accountability measure for additional oversight .
About 70 law enforcement agencies nationwide have faced consent decrees , according to the U.S. Justice Department .
The police overhaul bill in Congress includes a section that would cut federal funds for a law enforcement agency that “ enters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including a collective bargaining agreement with a labor organization , that conflicts with any terms or conditions contained in a consent decree.
” By 2018 , the judge in Seattle said the department was in compliance , but warned that “ if collective bargaining results in changes to the accountability ordinance that the court deems to be inconsistent with the consent decree , than the city ’ s progress … will be imperiled.
” Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said the city was a national model for overhauling the police department .
But community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private with the union for a contract that violated the accountability measure and the consent decree .
One Seattle officer who benefited from the union contract in recent years was Cynthia Whitlach .
She had arrested an elderly Black man , claiming he swung his golf club cane at her .
Her dashcam video showed he had not .
After the charges were dismissed , the man filed a federal lawsuit and was awarded $ 325,000 .
A jury found Whitlatch had engaged in racial discrimination .
Whitlatch was fired but the union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not completed in 180 days , as required by the contract .
The city awarded her $ 100,000 in back pay .
Minor stipulations in police contracts like the 180-day rule are common .
A stipulation in a Kentucky police contract kept the officers involved in Taylor ’ s death from immediately getting fired .
Under the Kentucky police bill of rights and the Louisville police contract , an officer can not be disciplined “ without just cause , ” said Annale Taylor , the city ’ s deputy general counsel , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In order to establish “ just cause , ” a thorough investigation must be done , she said .
If officers are fired before that work is complete , they could appeal , go back to work and sue , she said .
Stipulations in contracts also force agencies to destroy discipline records .
A Chicago officer went unnoticed for years thanks to the department ’ s collective bargaining agreement .
Officer Jason Van Dyke had claimed McDonald threatened him with a knife , and Van Dyke said he fired in self-defense .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ McDonald hadn ’ t charged the officers and was walking away when Van Dyke shot him 16 times .
Van Dyke was charged with second-degree murder .
Rushin ’ s research found that Van Dyke had more than 20 complaints against him since 2001 .
Before McDonald ’ s killing , authorities had never pursued disciplinary action against Van Dyke or flagged him as problematic in part because the union contract says officials must erase records of old complaints , so review boards aren ’ t able to see patterns of bad behavior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no coincidence that less than 2 % of all civilian complaints against Chicago police officers result in any sort of disciplinary action , ” his report found .

SEATTLE (AP) - A stipulation in a Kentucky police contract prohibited officials from initially firing the officers involved in Breonna Taylor’s death in Louisville.
The disciplinary history of a Chicago police officer who fatally shot Laquan McDonald had been deleted under the department’s contract, so officials didn’t know about the officer’s previous bad behavior.
A Seattle officer fired for arresting an elderly Black man who used a golf club as a cane got $100,000 in back pay, thanks to the union contract that said the investigation missed a deadline.
Collective bargaining agreements for officers provide protections that stand in the way of accountability, even when the federal government is overseeing an agency through a consent decree, experts said. The killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis officer ignited protests and calls for change, but experts say police contracts threaten to undermine those efforts.
Contracts designed to ensure officers receive fair wages and benefits have spilled over into public policy.
“We’re ignoring the purpose of the bargaining rights and we’re allowing them to step outside of what they were originally supposed to cover,” said Ayesha Bell Hardaway of the Case Western University School of Law.
“When talk about discipline, accountability and use of force protocols, we should not be talking about collective bargaining rights because those terms have no business inside of the contracts in the first place.”
When contracts are written in private negotiations, that means little input from communities.
“Without transparency there can’t be any accountability,” she said.
James Pasco, executive director of the 351,000-member National Fraternal Order of Police, recently said the issue should be better screening and more training for recruits, not limiting contracts.
“We don’t get to decide who our members are,” he said.
Stephen Rushin, a Loyola University Chicago law school professor, has studied police contracts nationally and detailed their problems in an article published in the Duke Law Journal.
“A substantial number of these agreements limit officer interrogations after alleged misconduct, mandate the destruction of disciplinary records, ban civilian oversight, prevent anonymous civilian complaints, indemnify officers in the event of civil suits, and limit the length of internal investigations,” he said.
Some contracts let an officer see videos of offenses before an officer is interviewed, give an officer a 48-hour delay before they speak to internal affairs and allows an officer to appeal a punishment to arbitrators who can overturn rulings, an Associated Press investigation found.
“These examples bolster the hypothesis that some union contract provisions may impede effective investigations of police misconduct and shield problematic officers from discipline,” Rushin said.
The problem is more than union overreach, he said. “It’s an indictment of the city for granting those concessions. Police unions only have the power that politicians give them,” he said.
Seattle is an example of how elected officials allowed police unions to insert controversial measures during closed negotiations, over the objections of community groups.
“The Seattle story is a microcosm of what’s happening elsewhere in the country,” Rushin told The Associated Press. “It highlights perfectly this conflict between major reform efforts and the extent to which labor protections can make it hard to engage in real change.”
In 2011, a federal judge found that the Seattle Police Department had engaged in a pattern of excessive force. The city entered into a settlement agreement, or consent decree, the following year and passed an accountability measure for additional oversight.
About 70 law enforcement agencies nationwide have faced consent decrees, according to the U.S. Justice Department.
The police overhaul bill in Congress includes a section that would cut federal funds for a law enforcement agency that “enters into or renews any contractual arrangement, including a collective bargaining agreement with a labor organization, that conflicts with any terms or conditions contained in a consent decree.”
By 2018, the judge in Seattle said the department was in compliance, but warned that “if collective bargaining results in changes to the accountability ordinance that the court deems to be inconsistent with the consent decree, than the city’s progress … will be imperiled.”
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said the city was a national model for overhauling the police department. But community members felt duped after she negotiated in private with the union for a contract that violated the accountability measure and the consent decree.
One Seattle officer who benefited from the union contract in recent years was Cynthia Whitlach. She had arrested an elderly Black man, claiming he swung his golf club cane at her. Her dashcam video showed he had not.
After the charges were dismissed, the man filed a federal lawsuit and was awarded $325,000. A jury found Whitlatch had engaged in racial discrimination.
Whitlatch was fired but the union filed a grievance claiming the investigation was not completed in 180 days, as required by the contract. The city awarded her $100,000 in back pay.
Minor stipulations in police contracts like the 180-day rule are common. A stipulation in a Kentucky police contract kept the officers involved in Taylor’s death from immediately getting fired.
Under the Kentucky police bill of rights and the Louisville police contract, an officer cannot be disciplined “without just cause,” said Annale Taylor, the city’s deputy general counsel, who is not related to Breonna Taylor.
In order to establish “just cause,” a thorough investigation must be done, she said. If officers are fired before that work is complete, they could appeal, go back to work and sue, she said.
Stipulations in contracts also force agencies to destroy discipline records. A Chicago officer went unnoticed for years thanks to the department’s collective bargaining agreement.
Officer Jason Van Dyke had claimed McDonald threatened him with a knife, and Van Dyke said he fired in self-defense. That story changed when a video showed McDonald hadn’t charged the officers and was walking away when Van Dyke shot him 16 times.
Van Dyke was charged with second-degree murder. Rushin’s research found that Van Dyke had more than 20 complaints against him since 2001.
Before McDonald’s killing, authorities had never pursued disciplinary action against Van Dyke or flagged him as problematic in part because the union contract says officials must erase records of old complaints, so review boards aren’t able to see patterns of bad behavior, Rushin said.
“Perhaps it is no coincidence that less than 2% of all civilian complaints against Chicago police officers result in any sort of disciplinary action,” his report found.


washingtontimes--2020-07-19--Iranian FM visits Baghdad, ahead of Iraqi PM trip to Riyadh

BAGHDAD ( AP ) - Iran ’ s foreign minister on Sunday stressed that Iran-Iraq relations would not be “ shaken ” ahead of the Iraqi prime minister ’ s planned visit this week to regional rival Saudi Arabia .
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif ’ s visit to Baghdad was the first since the American assassination of top Iranian General Qassim Soleimani outside Baghdad airport in January .
The brazen strike catapulted Iraq to the brink of a proxy war .
It also comes as the Iraqi government tussles with Iran-backed militia groups , some of which have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absence of Soleimani and senior Iranian militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis , who was also killed in the strike .
Iraq raided the headquarters of the Iran-backed group Kataib Hezbollah over a spate of rocket attacks targeting the U.S. in late June .
Most of the militants were later released .
“ We stressed that we want balanced relations with all neighboring countries , based on Iraqi interests , mutual interests and non-interference in internal affairs , ” Iraq ’ s Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said , in a press conference following the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of keeping the region and Iraq out from international tensions and protecting Iraqi sovereignty.
” The two diplomats discussed trade , as border points were recently re-opened and fortified with additional security forces in line with reform plans devised by Iraq ’ s government .
Talks encompassed energy and investment , with Iraq relying heavily on Iranian gas and electricity imports to meet power demands .
“ Iran has good relations with Iraq on the energy level and will continue to , ” said Zarif .
“ There are many agreements with Iraq @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a visit to the site of Soleimani ’ s killing outside the Baghdad airport upon his arrival to Iraq ’ s capital .
He said the loss of the Iranian general , who led Iran ’ s expeditionary Quds Force , was “ a major loss ” in the fight against the Islamic State group , but that “ Iran-Iraq relations will not be shaken.
” The Iranian minister also met with Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi a day before the premier was set to fly to Riyadh on Monday and to Tehran the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister , said the trips were to “ build balanced relations.
” “ Iraq seeks to assert its balanced and positive role in making peace and progress in the region , ” al-Kadhimi tweeted during the meeting with Zarif .

BAGHDAD (AP) - Iran’s foreign minister on Sunday stressed that Iran-Iraq relations would not be “shaken” ahead of the Iraqi prime minister’s planned visit this week to Saudi Arabia, Iran’s regional rival.
Several hours after Mohammad Javad Zarif landed in Baghdad, three mortars struck near the U.S. Embassy in the heavily fortified Green Zone without causing any losses, according two security officials. The Green Zone is the seat of Iraq’s government and home to many foreign embassies. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.
Zarif’s visit to Iraq was the first since the American assassination of top Iranian Gen. Qassim Soleimani outside Baghdad’s international airport in January. The drone strike catapulted Iraq to the brink of a U.S.-Iran proxy war that could have destabilized the Middle East.
The visit also came as the Iraqi government tussles with Iran-backed militia groups, some of which have become increasingly difficult to control in the absence of Soleimani and senior Iranian militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was also killed in the strike. In late June, Iraq raided the headquarters of the Iran-backed group Kataib Hezbollah over a spate of rocket and mortar attacks targeting the U.S. installations in Iraq. Most of the fighters were later released.
Facing near-weekly rocket attacks, the U.S. Embassy recently installed C-RAM defense systems. It was unclear if the system was operational during the attack Sunday afternoon. The daytime attack was unusual; most have occurred after nightfall. The U.S. has blamed Kataib Hezbollah for previous attacks.
Upon his arrival, Zarif paid a visit to the site where Soleimani was killed, saying “Iran-Iraq relations will not be shaken” despite the general’s death, which Zarif called “a major loss” in the fight against the Islamic State group. Soleimani led Iran’s expeditionary Quds Force and was the architect of its regional military activities.
The Iranian minister met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, a day before the premier was set to fly to Riyadh, then to Tehran on Tuesday.
“Iraq seeks to assert its balanced and positive role in making peace and progress in the region,” al-Kadhimi tweeted during the meeting with Zarif.
Al-Kadhimi’s advisors said his visit to Riyadh seeks to open new avenues for economic cooperation, while also enhancing Iraq’s potential to be a regional mediator. But here, al-Kadhimi walks a fine line.
Both the U.S. and Saudi Arabia accept Iraq playing the role of intermediary, said Hisham Daoud, the premier’s advisor. “The Gulf and the Americans want Iraq to have its sovereignty, and to them this means distance from Iran.”
Iran, meanwhile, “wants Iraq to be a messenger, but this will not be acceptable to Iraq and to al-Kadhimi,” he said.
Iraq’s Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said he and Zarif “stressed that we want balanced relations with all neighboring countries, based on Iraqi interests, mutual interests and non-interference in internal affairs.”
“We stressed the necessity of keeping the region and Iraq out from international tensions and protecting Iraqi sovereignty,” Hussein told reporters after their meeting.
The two diplomats discussed trade, as border points were recently reopened and fortified with additional security forces in line with reform plans devised by Iraq’s government. Talks encompassed energy and investment, with Iraq relying heavily on Iranian gas and electricity imports to meet power demands.
“Iran has good relations with Iraq on the energy level and will continue to,” said Zarif. “There are many agreements with Iraq that will be activated.”


washingtontimes--2020-07-19--How Joe Biden lost a staunch political ally to Donald Trump

The National Association of Police Organizations endorsed President Trump ’ s reelection last week , citing his “ steadfast and very public support ” for law enforcement .
In a brief letter to Mr. Trump , a copy of which was obtained by The Washington Times , NAPO President Michael McHale said the president ’ s support was critical in the wake of the attacks on law enforcement following the death of George Floyd .
The president ’ s outspoken public praise of law enforcement appreciated “ during this time of unfair and inaccurate opprobrium being directed at our members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McHale .
“ We particularly value you directing the Attorney General to aggressively prosecute those who attack our officers , ” he wrote .
The group , which represents more than 1,000 police unions and 241,000 sworn officers , did not endorse a candidate in the 2016 presidential election .
It endorsed the Obama-Biden ticket in 2008 and 2012 .
The decision to side with Mr. Trump this year delivered a blow to presumed Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden , who prides himself on being a “ union man ” and longtime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revealed the depth of the cracks in Mr. Biden ’ s police support since he sided with racial justice protesters and fellow Democrats who have been hammering police departments with accusations of racism and brutality .
Officials from other police unions told The Times that they felt abandoned when Mr. Biden refused to condemn attacks on police following the death of Mr. Floyd , a Black man who died under the knee of a White police officer in Minneapolis .
“ Biden seems to have abandoned the police and his support for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support the police at this time , ” said Paul DiGiacomo , president of the Detectives ’ Endowment Association , the second-largest labor union representing New York City Police Department officers .
“ It ’ s disappointing , but most politicians are doing that , ” he continued .
“ I feel that if you support us , stand your ground .
We don ’ t deserve not to be supported.
” In recent weeks , Mr. Biden has tried to appeal to both police and protesters .
He called for concrete changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embracing extreme leftist proposals to defund and dismantle police departments .
Mr. Biden says he does not support the defund-the-police movement but said some funding should be “ absolutely ” redirected from police to social programs .
Last month , the Biden campaign unveiled a criminal justice plan that proposes an additional $ 300 million for community policing to improve relationships with officers and residents .
He also pledged to create a national police review board within his first 100 days in office .
Mr. Biden has called for an end of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ departments , a ban on chokeholds and a national “ use of force standard.
” The police union officials who praised Mr. Biden ’ s landmark anti-crime legislation in the 1990s and considered him a stalwart defender of the men and women in blue , say his current rhetoric is surprising .
“ I think police officers and associations look at Joe Biden today , and it ’ s hard not to contrast the candidate today with the senator of 15 or 20 years ago , ” said Bill Johnson , executive director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , like a lot of candidates , moved to the left party during the primaries , but once it was clear that he was going to be the nominee , he didn ’ t stop.
” Mr. Biden ’ s new police overhaul plan would roll back parts of the 1994 crime legislation that he championed .
The get-tough 1994 bill was viewed as a liability for him with Black voters this year .
Tom Scotto , who previously served as president of NAPO , worked closely with Mr. Biden on anti-crime legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wished the Democratic candidate would more forcefully condemn the attacks on police but said he still considers Mr. Biden to be a steadfast supporter of law enforcement .
“ I find it impossible to believe that Joe ’ s support for law enforcement has wavered unless he tells me it to my face , ” he said .
“ There is nobody , but nobody , but nobody in the entire Congress of the United States that has done more for law enforcement than Joe Biden .
He ’ s done more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Mr. DiGiacomo said he believes Mr. Biden ’ s failure to distance himself from the “ defund the police ” movement may have cost him other endorsements from unions .
“ Right now , I can ’ t see any police or law enforcement group backing him after what he said dancing around the subject of policing in America , ” he said .
While Mr. Biden walks a fine line between police and protesters , Mr. Trump stood firmly on a law-and-order platform .
The contrast could not be sharper .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House event honoring law enforcement where he said Democrats ’ “ anti-cop crusade ” is causing the violent crime plaguing major cities .
“ It ’ s all far-left cities where they have no understanding of what has to be done , ” Mr. Trump said of recent spikes in crime .
“ If that ’ s what you want for a country , you probably have to vote for ‘ Sleepy ’ Joe Biden , because he doesn ’ t know what ’ s happening .
But you ’ re not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Trump also signaled that his administration will take more aggressive action against violent crime .
Last week , the Justice Department ramped up the number of federal agents to combat rising violence in Kansas City .
Mr. Johnson said law enforcement officers have noticed the difference between the two candidates .
“ It is very fair to say that officers are concerned by what they ’ ve seen and not seen , ” he said .
“ It would be so welcome to receive even just a word of encouragement and , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence and deadly attacks that are ongoing against the police .
“ The public presentation of Mr. Biden ’ s campaign regarding law enforcement makes us very concerned about what his administration would look like with support for rank and file officers , ” he said .

The National Association of Police Organizations endorsed President Trump’s reelection last week, citing his “steadfast and very public support” for law enforcement.
In a brief letter to Mr. Trump, a copy of which was obtained by The Washington Times, NAPO President Michael McHale said the president’s support was critical in the wake of the attacks on law enforcement following the death of George Floyd.
The president’s outspoken public praise of law enforcement appreciated “during this time of unfair and inaccurate opprobrium being directed at our members by so many,” Mr. McHale said.
“We particularly value you directing the Attorney General to aggressively prosecute those who attack our officers,” he wrote.
The group, which represents more than 1,000 police unions and 241,000 sworn officers, did not endorse a candidate in the 2016 presidential election. It endorsed the Obama-Biden ticket in 2008 and 2012.
The decision to side with Mr. Trump this year delivered a blow to presumed Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden, who prides himself on being a “union man” and longtime ally of police.
The NAPO endorsement revealed the depth of the cracks in Mr. Biden’s police support since he sided with racial justice protesters and fellow Democrats who have been hammering police departments with accusations of racism and brutality.
Officials from other police unions told The Times that they felt abandoned when Mr. Biden refused to condemn attacks on police following the death of Floyd, a Black man who died under the knee of a White police officer in Minneapolis.
“Biden seems to have abandoned the police and his support for the police because it is not popular to support the police at this time,” said Paul DiGiacomo, president of the Detectives’ Endowment Association, the second-largest labor union representing New York City Police Department officers.
“It’s disappointing, but most politicians are doing that,” he continued. “I feel that if you support us, stand your ground. We don’t deserve not to be supported.”
In recent weeks, Mr. Biden has tried to appeal to both police and protesters. He called for concrete changes to law enforcement but stopped short of embracing extreme leftist proposals to defund and dismantle police departments.
Mr. Biden says he does not support the defund-the-police movement but said some funding should be “absolutely” redirected from police to social programs.
Last month, the Biden campaign unveiled a criminal justice plan that proposes an additional $300 million for community policing to improve relationships with officers and residents. He also pledged to create a national police review board within his first 100 days in office.
Mr. Biden has called for an end of the transfer of military weapons to local police departments, a ban on chokeholds and a national “use of force standard.”
The police union officials who praised Mr. Biden’s landmark anti-crime legislation in the 1990s and considered him a stalwart defender of the men and women in blue, say his current rhetoric is surprising.
“I think police officers and associations look at Joe Biden today, and it’s hard not to contrast the candidate today with the senator of 15 or 20 years ago,” said Bill Johnson, executive director of NAPO. “Mr. Biden, like a lot of candidates, moved to the left party during the primaries, but once it was clear that he was going to be the nominee, he didn’t stop.”
Mr. Biden’s new police overhaul plan would roll back parts of the 1994 crime legislation that he championed. The get-tough 1994 bill was viewed as a liability for him with Black voters this year.
Tom Scotto, who previously served as president of NAPO, worked closely with Mr. Biden on anti-crime legislation and considers him a friend. He wished the Democratic candidate would more forcefully condemn the attacks on police but said he still considers Mr. Biden to be a steadfast supporter of law enforcement.
“I find it impossible to believe that Joe’s support for law enforcement has wavered unless he tells me it to my face,” he said. “There is nobody, but nobody, but nobody in the entire Congress of the United States that has done more for law enforcement than Joe Biden. He’s done more than 20 members of Congress today put together.”
Others are skeptical.
Mr. DiGiacomo said he believes Mr. Biden’s failure to distance himself from the “defund the police” movement may have cost him other endorsements from unions.
“Right now, I can’t see any police or law enforcement group backing him after what he said dancing around the subject of policing in America,” he said.
While Mr. Biden walks a fine line between police and protesters, Mr. Trump stood firmly on a law-and-order platform.
The contrast could not be sharper.
On Monday, Mr. Trump held a White House event honoring law enforcement where he said Democrats’ “anti-cop crusade” is causing the violent crime plaguing major cities.
“It’s all far-left cities where they have no understanding of what has to be done,” Mr. Trump said of recent spikes in crime. “If that’s what you want for a country, you probably have to vote for ‘Sleepy’ Joe Biden, because he doesn’t know what’s happening. But you’re not going to have it with me.”
Mr. Trump also signaled that his administration will take more aggressive action against violent crime. Last week, the Justice Department ramped up the number of federal agents to combat rising violence in Kansas City.
Mr. Johnson said law enforcement officers have noticed the difference between the two candidates.
“It is very fair to say that officers are concerned by what they’ve seen and not seen,” he said. “It would be so welcome to receive even just a word of encouragement and, on the other side, condemn the violence and deadly attacks that are ongoing against the police.
“The public presentation of Mr. Biden’s campaign regarding law enforcement makes us very concerned about what his administration would look like with support for rank and file officers,” he said.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-07-19--Colleges win immigration battle but fear for US reputation

Even with a fresh victory on behalf of international students , U.S. universities fear they ’ re losing a broader fight over the nation ’ s reputation as a place that embraces and fosters the world ’ s best scholars .
University leaders see it as a steady erosion .
They say the Trump administration ’ s repeated attempts to curb immigration have sent students a message that they aren ’ t welcome in the United States .
Colleges say foreign students are listening : Since President Donald Trump was elected in 2016 , the number of new international students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 % after years of growth .
Already , there ’ s concern that the coronavirus pandemic and a slowdown of visa processing could prevent thousands of students from returning this fall .
Foreign students now face even more uncertainty after seeing how quickly policies can change , and on nothing more than a political whim , said Kim Wilcox , chancellor of the University of California , Riverside .
“ Higher education in the United States is still seen as the gold standard around the globe , but access to it comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wilcox said .
“ There ’ s a growing sense that we ’ re just not a welcoming place.
” Trump ’ s latest policy would have forced international students in the U.S. to transfer or leave the country if their schools held classes entirely online because of the pandemic .
Even those at universities offering a mix of online and in-person classes would have been forbidden from taking all their classes online .
More than 200 colleges signed legal briefs supporting a federal lawsuit by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colleges and states challenged the guidance .
Called to court to defend the guidance , federal officials revoked it instead .
It was widely seen as part of Trump ’ s recent campaign to pressure the nation ’ s schools and colleges to reopen this fall , even as the coronavirus continues to surge .
But even in defeat , the policy fed a narrative that American universities are no longer the welcoming places they once were , said Denis Wirtz , vice provost for research at Johns Hopkins University .
It comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other nations push to attract more international scholars .
Over time , Wirtz said , those countries may win the world ’ s top talent .
It ’ s painful for Wirtz to see .
He came to the U.S. from Belgium in 1988 and recalls how warmly he was welcomed .
Now , he warns prospective students and researchers that , beyond campus borders , there ’ s growing hostility toward immigrants .
“ All those great scholars , wherever they are , India , China , Europe , may now elect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home , ” he said .
“ We will see its effect four , five years from now .
It ’ s not falling off a cliff , but over time you have this creep down the slope toward mediocrity.
” The concern is shared by leaders at other elite research universities .
Only hours after the administration retreated from its policy , MIT ’ s president published an op-ed warning that other countries “ are working hard to attract students who have soured on the United States because of growing anti-immigrant hostility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ openly envy our capacity to welcome and adopt talent from everywhere .
I fear lately that we will recognize this strategic U.S. strength only once it is lost , ” L. Rafael Reif wrote .
There ’ s also a looming fear that the administration will return with a revised rule , as it did after a 2017 travel ban faced legal challenges .
Hoping to ease nerves , dozens of colleges have issued statements pledging to support their international students , and many say they ’ re prepared to return to court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Vanderbilt University , said it isn ’ t too late to repair the damage .
America ’ s higher education system is still viewed as the best in the world , he said , but that could change .
“ We ’ re going to have to fix this very quickly .
We ’ re going to have to recommit to the policy that has brought so much benefit to the the United States , ” he said .
“ Talent will go where it sees the best opportunity for itself.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decreases in the number of students coming from abroad .
It ’ s still to be seen how many will arrive this fall , but it ’ s expected to be far below the nearly 1.1 million who came last year .
The decline could devastate budgets at colleges that rely on tuition from foreign students , who typically pay higher rates .
But the impact extends far beyond budgets , Diermeier said .
International students account for a major share of the nation ’ s research force , he said , especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fewer Americans .
They make significant contributions to the economy , and without them it would suffer , he said .
College leaders called the latest legal battle a significant victory that showed their power when they unite .
But they already see other skirmishes on the horizon .
The administration has signaled that it wants to limit a program that lets foreign students work up to one year during college or after graduation , or up to three years for those in science and technology fields .
Colleges have also opposed Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work visas , which many international students use to find work after graduation .
Helping lead the fight for universities is the Presidents ’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration , a group of college leaders that formed in 2017 to advocate on immigration issues .
It helped orchestrate colleges ’ recent legal campaign , and it says it ’ s ready to stand up for international students again .
“ This was not a blip , ” said Miriam Feldblum , the organization ’ s executive director .
“ We have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to be prepared to act , and we have to be creative when we act.
” The defeat of the latest policy was a relief to Áron Ricardo Perez-Lopez of Hungary , who ’ s studying computer science at MIT .
But the episode added to a growing feeling of uncertainty about his place here , and it gives him pause as he starts applying to doctorate programs .
Until recently , he was confident he wanted to continue his education in the U.S. Now he isn ’ t so sure .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ abroad now , because you never know what ’ s going to happen , ” he said .
“ I don ’ t want to be worried about this for another five years .
”

Even with a fresh victory on behalf of international students, U.S. universities fear they’re losing a broader fight over the nation’s reputation as a place that embraces and fosters the world’s best scholars.
University leaders see it as a steady erosion. They say the Trump administration’s repeated attempts to curb immigration have sent students a message that they aren’t welcome in the United States. Colleges say foreign students are listening: Since President Donald Trump was elected in 2016, the number of new international students coming to the U.S. has fallen by 10% after years of growth.
Already, there’s concern that the coronavirus pandemic and a slowdown of visa processing could prevent thousands of students from returning this fall. Foreign students now face even more uncertainty after seeing how quickly policies can change, and on nothing more than a political whim, said Kim Wilcox, chancellor of the University of California, Riverside.
“Higher education in the United States is still seen as the gold standard around the globe, but access to it comes with all kinds of risks,” Wilcox said. “There’s a growing sense that we’re just not a welcoming place.”
Trump’s latest policy would have forced international students in the U.S. to transfer or leave the country if their schools held classes entirely online because of the pandemic. Even those at universities offering a mix of online and in-person classes would have been forbidden from taking all their classes online.
More than 200 colleges signed legal briefs supporting a federal lawsuit by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Seven other suits followed as colleges and states challenged the guidance. Called to court to defend the guidance, federal officials revoked it instead.
It was widely seen as part of Trump’s recent campaign to pressure the nation’s schools and colleges to reopen this fall, even as the coronavirus continues to surge.
But even in defeat, the policy fed a narrative that American universities are no longer the welcoming places they once were, said Denis Wirtz, vice provost for research at Johns Hopkins University. It comes as schools in Canada, Australia and other nations push to attract more international scholars. Over time, Wirtz said, those countries may win the world’s top talent.
It’s painful for Wirtz to see. He came to the U.S. from Belgium in 1988 and recalls how warmly he was welcomed. Now, he warns prospective students and researchers that, beyond campus borders, there’s growing hostility toward immigrants.
“All those great scholars, wherever they are, India, China, Europe, may now elect to go elsewhere or simply to stay home,” he said. “We will see its effect four, five years from now. It’s not falling off a cliff, but over time you have this creep down the slope toward mediocrity.”
The concern is shared by leaders at other elite research universities. Only hours after the administration retreated from its policy, MIT’s president published an op-ed warning that other countries “are working hard to attract students who have soured on the United States because of growing anti-immigrant hostility or bureaucratic roadblocks.”
“Our competitors openly envy our capacity to welcome and adopt talent from everywhere. I fear lately that we will recognize this strategic U.S. strength only once it is lost,” L. Rafael Reif wrote.
There’s also a looming fear that the administration will return with a revised rule, as it did after a 2017 travel ban faced legal challenges. Hoping to ease nerves, dozens of colleges have issued statements pledging to support their international students, and many say they’re prepared to return to court if needed.
Daniel Diermeier, chancellor of Vanderbilt University, said it isn’t too late to repair the damage. America’s higher education system is still viewed as the best in the world, he said, but that could change .
“We’re going to have to fix this very quickly. We’re going to have to recommit to the policy that has brought so much benefit to the the United States,” he said. “Talent will go where it sees the best opportunity for itself.”
U.S. colleges already were bracing for sharp decreases in the number of students coming from abroad. It’s still to be seen how many will arrive this fall, but it’s expected to be far below the nearly 1.1 million who came last year. The decline could devastate budgets at colleges that rely on tuition from foreign students, who typically pay higher rates.
But the impact extends far beyond budgets, Diermeier said. International students account for a major share of the nation’s research force, he said, especially in science and engineering fields that attract fewer Americans. They make significant contributions to the economy, and without them it would suffer, he said.
College leaders called the latest legal battle a significant victory that showed their power when they unite. But they already see other skirmishes on the horizon. The administration has signaled that it wants to limit a program that lets foreign students work up to one year during college or after graduation, or up to three years for those in science and technology fields. Colleges have also opposed Trump’s recent suspension of new H-1B work visas, which many international students use to find work after graduation.
Helping lead the fight for universities is the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, a group of college leaders that formed in 2017 to advocate on immigration issues. It helped orchestrate colleges’ recent legal campaign, and it says it’s ready to stand up for international students again.
“This was not a blip,” said Miriam Feldblum, the organization’s executive director. “We have to continue to monitor this closely, we have to be prepared to act, and we have to be creative when we act.”
The defeat of the latest policy was a relief to Áron Ricardo Perez-Lopez of Hungary, who’s studying computer science at MIT. But the episode added to a growing feeling of uncertainty about his place here, and it gives him pause as he starts applying to doctorate programs. Until recently, he was confident he wanted to continue his education in the U.S. Now he isn’t so sure.
“I’m also exploring options abroad now, because you never know what’s going to happen,” he said. “I don’t want to be worried about this for another five years.”


washingtontimes--2020-07-19--Police pelted with bottles in Frankfurt clashes, 39 arrested

BERLIN ( AP ) - German police officers were pelted with bottles to applause from a large crowd after they tried to end a brawl in central Frankfurt early Sunday , leading to clashes that ended with 39 arrests , the city ’ s police force said .
Frankfurt police chief Gerhard Bereswill said a small group of police tried to intervene after the brawl involving up to 30 people broke out at around 3 a.m. in the city ’ s central Opernplatz square .
Participants in the fight turned on the officers and threw bottles at them , along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The other 500 to 800 people in the square “ began to jeer and clap when bottles hit our colleagues , ” Bereswill added .
Police called in reinforcements , who he said were also pelted with bottles , and then cleared the square .
Bereswill said police arrested 39 suspected bottle-throwers , eight of whom were still in custody Sunday .
Most were young men aged 17-21 from the Frankfurt area , many of them with immigrant roots , he said .
At least five police officers sustained slight injuries such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damaged , Bereswill said .

BERLIN (AP) - German police officers were pelted with bottles to applause from a large crowd after they tried to end a brawl in central Frankfurt early Sunday, leading to clashes that ended with 39 arrests, the city’s police force said.
Frankfurt police chief Gerhard Bereswill said a small group of police tried to intervene after the brawl involving up to 30 people broke out at around 3 a.m. in the city’s central Opernplatz square.
Participants in the fight turned on the officers and threw bottles at them, along with others standing nearby, he said. The other 500 to 800 people in the square “began to jeer and clap when bottles hit our colleagues,” Bereswill added. Police called in reinforcements, who he said were also pelted with bottles, and then cleared the square.
Bereswill said police arrested 39 suspected bottle-throwers, eight of whom were still in custody Sunday. Most were young men aged 17-21 from the Frankfurt area, many of them with immigrant roots, he said.
At least five police officers sustained slight injuries such as bruises and several police cars were damaged, Bereswill said.


washingtontimes--2020-07-19--Japan rocket carrying UAE Mars probe ready for Monday launch

TOKYO ( AP ) - A Japanese H-IIA rocket carrying a United Arab Emirates Mars spacecraft has been placed on the launch pad for Monday ’ s scheduled liftoff for the Arab world ’ s first interplanetary mission , officials said Sunday .
The launch of the orbiter - named Amal , or Hope - from Tanegashima Space Center on a small southern Japanese island was initially scheduled for this past Wednesday , but was delayed due to bad weather in the region .
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries , the provider of the H-IIA rocket , announced Sunday that the launch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2158 GMT Sunday ) .
The preparation has been completed , and the rocket is now on the launch pad , Mitsubishi said .
Hope is expected to reach Mars in February 2021 , the year the UAE celebrates 50 years since its formation .
A successful Hope mission would be a major step for the oil-dependent economy , which is seeking a future in space .
Two other Mars missions are planned in the coming days by the U.S. and China .
Japan has its own Martian moon mission planned for 2024 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the upper atmosphere and monitor climate change on Mars .
It is scheduled to circle the red planet for at least two years .
The UAE says it will provide a complete view of the Martian atmosphere during different seasons for the first time .
A newcomer in space development , the UAE has so far successfully launched three observation satellites , but has not gone beyond the Earth ’ s orbit .
Omran Sharaf , project director of Emirates Mars Mission , said in a Twitter video message Sunday : “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of hope to the Arab youth .
If a young nation like UAE is able to reach Mars in less than 50 years , then we can do much more as a region .
”

TOKYO (AP) - A Japanese H-IIA rocket carrying a United Arab Emirates Mars spacecraft has been placed on the launch pad for Monday’s scheduled liftoff for the Arab world’s first interplanetary mission, officials said Sunday.
The launch of the orbiter - named “Amal” in Arabic, or “Hope” - from Tanegashima Space Center on a small southern Japanese island was initially scheduled for this past Wednesday, but was delayed due to bad weather in the region.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the provider of the H-IIA rocket, announced Sunday that the launch would proceed at 6:58 a.m. Monday (2158 GMT Sunday). The preparation has been completed, and the rocket is now on the launch pad, Mitsubishi said.
Hope is expected to reach Mars in February 2021, the year the UAE celebrates 50 years since its formation. A successful Hope mission would be a major step for this OPEC-member nation home to the skyscraper-studded tourist destination of Dubai. The Emirates have set ambitious plans for space, including pledging to build the first inhabitable human settlement on Mars by 2117.
While raising eyebrows with that goal, the UAE has successfully built a space program with local talent working out of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center in Dubai. The Hope probe was built here by a program cooperating with other nations to quickly reach out to the stars. The UAE already sent its first astronaut to space last year on an eight-day mission to the International Space Station.
“It sends a very strong message to the Arab youth that if the UAE is able to reach Mars in less than 50 years, they could do much more,” Omran Sharaf, the project director of Emirates Mars Mission, told The Associated Press on Sunday as his colleagues prepared for the launch.
Two other Mars missions are planned in the coming days by the U.S. and China. Japan has its own Martian moon mission planned for 2024.
Hope will carry instruments to study the upper atmosphere and monitor seasonal changes in the climate on Mars. It is scheduled to circle the red planet for at least two years. The UAE says it will provide a complete view of the Martian atmosphere during different seasons for the first time.
A newcomer in space development, the UAE has so far successfully launched three observation satellites, but has not gone beyond the Earth’s orbit. Hope may change that.
The Emiratis involved in the program also acknowledged it represented a step forward for the Arab world, the home of mathematicians and scientists for centuries before the wars and chaos that have gripped wide swathes of it in recent times.
“So the region has been going through tough times in the past decades, if not centuries,” Sharaf said. “Now we have the case of the UAE, a country that’s moving forward with its plans, looking at the future and the future of region also.”
“Because of accepting differences, because of coexistence and having people from different backgrounds living together, we were able to move forward.”
___
Associated Press writers Malak Harb and Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.
___
Follow Mari Yamaguchi on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/mariyamaguchi.


washingtontimes--2020-07-19--27 Islamic State suspects held in Turkey as attacks planned

ANKARA , Turkey ( AP ) - Turkish police have detained 27 people in Istanbul over suspected links to the @ @ @ @ @ state-run media said Sunday .
The Anadolu news agency reported that the suspects were held @ @ @ @ @ by anti-terrorist police in 15 districts across Istanbul as they allegedly prepared to carry out @ @ @ @ @ the alleged attacks were in response to recent social media posts that insulted the Prophet @ @ @ @ @ large number ” of documents and digital material was recovered during the searches .
Turkey @ @ @ @ @ attacks by Islamic State militants over the last five years , including the bombing of @ @ @ @ @ capital Ankara in October 2015 that killed 102 people .

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Turkish police have detained 27 people in Istanbul over suspected links to the Islamic State group Sunday, state-run media said Sunday.
The Anadolu news agency reported that the suspects were held in simultaneous early morning raids by anti-terrorist police in 15 districts across Istanbul as they allegedly prepared to carry out attacks.
The agency said the alleged attacks were in response to recent social media posts that insulted the Prophet Muhammad and that a “large number” of documents and digital material was recovered during the searches.
Turkey has suffered a number of attacks by Islamic State militants over the last five years, including the bombing of a peace rally in the capital Ankara in October 2015 that killed 102 people.


washingtontimes--2020-07-19--Spanish novelist Juan Marsé dies at 87

Spanish novelist Juan Marsé dies at 87

BARCELONA , Spain ( AP ) - The literary agency of Juan Marsé says the Spanish novelist has died .
@ @ @ @ @ Carmen Balcells agency announced his passing on Sunday .
It did not give a reason @ @ @ @ @ was one of Spain ’ s most-respected novelists over the past few decades and the @ @ @ @ @ Prize , the Spanish-speaking world ’ s top literary award .
Marsé ’ s most @ @ @ @ @ tardes on Teresa ” ( “ Last Afternoons with Teresa ” ) published in 1965 @ @ @ @ @ of a working-class adolescent who tries to win over a girl from the upscale side @ @ @ @ @ a native of the city , followed that success with several other novels that form @ @ @ @ @ transformation of Spain during the latter part of the 20th century .

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - The literary agency of Juan Marsé says the Spanish novelist has died. He was 87.
The Carmen Balcells agency announced his passing on Sunday. It did not give a reason for his death.
Marsé was one of Spain’s most-respected novelists over the past few decades and the winner of the 2008 Cervantes Prize, the Spanish-speaking world’s top literary award.
Marsé’s most important novel was “Úlitmas tardes on Teresa” (“Last Afternoons with Teresa”) published in 1965. It chronicles the misadventure of a working-class adolescent who tries to win over a girl from the upscale side of Barcelona.
Marsé, a native of the city, followed that success with several other novels that form a portrait of the social transformation of Spain during the latter part of the 20th century.


washingtontimes--2020-07-19--Analysis: Confederate monuments undergo renewed scrutiny

JACKSON , Miss .
( AP ) - A growing number of Mississippi counties are planning to move Confederate monuments that have stood outside courthouses for more than a century .
And the University of Mississippi last week moved a rebel soldier statue that has long been a divisive symbol on the Oxford campus .
Research by University of Mississippi history professor Anne Twitty provides context for understanding the white supremacist message behind the monuments .
In mid-June , Twitty found a detailed newspaper account of the May 10 , 1906 , dedication ceremony for the rebel soldier statue near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on campus .
The speaker was Charles Scott , “ a candidate for governor who often campaigned in his Confederate uniform , ” Twitty wrote on Twitter .
“ In their eyes , Confederate soldiers ’ greatest achievement did not come during the Civil War , but rather during Reconstruction , when they ensured , through force of arms , that Black people would remain subjugated , ” Twitty wrote .
She transcribed Scott ’ s speech from the report in the Vicksburg Herald .
“ There was a time , I grant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reconstruction , when these men boldly , aggressively and intentionally overrode the letter of the law that they might maintain the spirit of the law and preserve Anglo Saxon civilization as a priceless heritage for their children ’ s children and for the benefit of our common country , the people of the north as well as the people of the south , ” Scott said .
“ Indeed , do you know that I regard this act as the crowning glory of the Confederate soldier .
It overshadows all his brilliant victories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late May , widespread protests over racial injustice in the United States have focused new attention on the public display of Confederate monuments and other symbols .
The Southern Poverty Law Center says about 780 Confederate monuments and statues stand on public property in the U.S. , and at least 50 of those are in Mississippi .
Many of the monuments were put up in the early 20th Century , as groups such as United Daughters of the Confederacy pushed a “ Lost Cause ” narrative that minimized slavery as a central cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes in the Mississippi Legislature in late June , the state retired a 126-year-old banner that was the last state flag in the U.S. with the Confederate battle emblem .
A commission will design a new flag that can not have the emblem and must have the phrase , “ In God We Trust.
” That lone design will go on the statewide ballot in November .
During the past few weeks , supervisors in Mississippi ’ s Bolivar , Leflore , Lowndes , Noxubee and Washington counties have voted to move Confederate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Neshoba and Lauderdale counties could consider requests Monday .
A Mississippi law enacted in 2004 says no war monument may be “ relocated , removed , disturbed , altered , renamed or rededicated.
” But the law also says : “ The governing body may move the memorial to a more suitable location if it is determined that the location is more appropriate to displaying the monument.
” Lafayette County supervisors voted unanimously July 6 to leave a Confederate monument outside the old courthouse on the Oxford square , within walking distance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ university campus .
Forrest County supervisors said in June that they will let voters decide in November whether to move a Confederate monument that was donated to the county in 1910 .
In Harrison County on the Gulf Coast and in Lee County in northeastern Mississippi , residents have asked supervisors to remove Confederate soldier statues .
Some of the statues could be moved to cemeteries or museums .
The one at the university was moved to a site where Confederate soldiers are buried in unmarked graves in a remote corner of campus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Emily Wagster Pettus has covered Mississippi government and politics since 1994 .
Follow her on Twitter : http : //twitter.com/EWagsterPettus .

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - A growing number of Mississippi counties are planning to move Confederate monuments that have stood outside courthouses for more than a century. And the University of Mississippi last week moved a rebel soldier statue that has long been a divisive symbol on the Oxford campus.
Research by University of Mississippi history professor Anne Twitty provides context for understanding the white supremacist message behind the monuments.
In mid-June, Twitty found a detailed newspaper account of the May 10, 1906, dedication ceremony for the rebel soldier statue near the Lyceum, the main administrative building on campus. The speaker was Charles Scott, “a candidate for governor who often campaigned in his Confederate uniform,” Twitty wrote on Twitter.
“In their eyes, Confederate soldiers’ greatest achievement did not come during the Civil War, but rather during Reconstruction, when they ensured, through force of arms, that Black people would remain subjugated,” Twitty wrote.
She transcribed Scott’s speech from the report in the Vicksburg Herald.
“There was a time, I grant you, during the nightmare called the reconstruction, when these men boldly, aggressively and intentionally overrode the letter of the law that they might maintain the spirit of the law and preserve Anglo Saxon civilization as a priceless heritage for their children’s children and for the benefit of our common country, the people of the north as well as the people of the south,” Scott said. “Indeed, do you know that I regard this act as the crowning glory of the Confederate soldier. It overshadows all his brilliant victories on the field of battle.”
Since late May, widespread protests over racial injustice in the United States have focused new attention on the public display of Confederate monuments and other symbols.
The Southern Poverty Law Center says about 780 Confederate monuments and statues stand on public property in the U.S., and at least 50 of those are in Mississippi.
Many of the monuments were put up in the early 20th Century, as groups such as United Daughters of the Confederacy pushed a “Lost Cause” narrative that minimized slavery as a central cause of the Civil War.
After historic votes in the Mississippi Legislature in late June, the state retired a 126-year-old banner that was the last state flag in the U.S. with the Confederate battle emblem. A commission will design a new flag that cannot have the emblem and must have the phrase, “In God We Trust.” That lone design will go on the statewide ballot in November.
During the past few weeks, supervisors in Mississippi’s Bolivar, Leflore, Lowndes, Noxubee and Washington counties have voted to move Confederate statues away from courthouses.
Supervisors in Neshoba and Lauderdale counties could consider requests Monday.
A Mississippi law enacted in 2004 says no war monument may be “relocated, removed, disturbed, altered, renamed or rededicated.” But the law also says: “The governing body may move the memorial to a more suitable location if it is determined that the location is more appropriate to displaying the monument.”
Lafayette County supervisors voted unanimously July 6 to leave a Confederate monument outside the old courthouse on the Oxford square, within walking distance of where the similar statue stood on the university campus.
Forrest County supervisors said in June that they will let voters decide in November whether to move a Confederate monument that was donated to the county in 1910.
In Harrison County on the Gulf Coast and in Lee County in northeastern Mississippi, residents have asked supervisors to remove Confederate soldier statues.
Some of the statues could be moved to cemeteries or museums. The one at the university was moved to a site where Confederate soldiers are buried in unmarked graves in a remote corner of campus, behind a former basketball arena.
____
Emily Wagster Pettus has covered Mississippi government and politics since 1994. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/EWagsterPettus.


washingtontimes--2020-07-19--Russian ambassador rejects virus vaccine hacking claims

LONDON ( AP ) - Russia ’ s ambassador to Britain has rejected allegations that his country ’ s intelligence services sought to steal information about a coronavirus vaccine .
Andrei Kelin said in a BBC interview broadcast Sunday that there was “ no sense ” in the allegations made last week by the United States , Britain and Canada .
“ I don ’ t believe in this story at all , there is no sense in it , ” he said when asked about the allegations .
“ I learned about their ( the hackers ) existence from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to attribute any kind of computer hackers to any country , it is impossible.
” Intelligence agencies in the U.S. , Britain and Canada on Thursday accused the hacking group APT29 - also known as Cozy Bear and believed to be part of Russian intelligence - of using malicious software to attack academic and pharmaceutical research institutions involved in COVID-19 vaccine development .
It was unclear whether any useful information was stolen .
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also said that “ Russian actors ” had tried to interfere in last year ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stolen government papers online .
Kelin said in the interview that his country had no interest in interfering in British domestic politics .
“ I do not see any point in using this subject as a matter of interference , ” he said .
“ We do not interfere at all .
We do not see any point in interference because for us , whether it will be ( the ) Conservative Party or Labour ’ s party at the head of this country , we will try to settle relations and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Sunday that Britain will work with its allies to call Russia out on its “ reprehensible behavior ” and make sure research organizations know “ so that they can better defend against it.
” The allegations came days before the British parliament ’ s Intelligence and Security Committee prepares to release a long-awaited report on Russian interference in British politics .

LONDON (AP) - Russia’s ambassador to Britain has rejected allegations that his country’s intelligence services sought to steal information about a coronavirus vaccine.
Andrei Kelin said in a BBC interview broadcast Sunday that there was “no sense” in the allegations made last week by the United States, Britain and Canada.
“I don’t believe in this story at all, there is no sense in it,” he said when asked about the allegations. “I learned about their (the hackers) existence from British media. In this world, to attribute any kind of computer hackers to any country, it is impossible.”
Intelligence agencies in the U.S., Britain and Canada on Thursday accused the hacking group APT29 - also known as Cozy Bear and believed to be part of Russian intelligence - of using malicious software to attack academic and pharmaceutical research institutions involved in COVID-19 vaccine development. It was unclear whether any useful information was stolen.
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also said that “Russian actors” had tried to interfere in last year’s general election by “amplifying” stolen government papers online.
Kelin said in the interview that his country had no interest in interfering in British domestic politics.
“I do not see any point in using this subject as a matter of interference,” he said. “We do not interfere at all. We do not see any point in interference because for us, whether it will be (the) Conservative Party or Labour’s party at the head of this country, we will try to settle relations and to establish better relations than now.”
Raab said Sunday that Britain will work with its allies to call Russia out on its “reprehensible behavior” and make sure research organizations know “so that they can better defend against it.”
The allegations came days before the British parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee prepares to release a long-awaited report on Russian interference in British politics.


washingtontimes--2020-07-19--Search continues for missing northern California hiker

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - A northern California man who disappeared after accidentally separating from his friends during a hike remains missing despite a weekend search by authorities .
A group of roughly 70 law enforcement officers and volunteers searched Saturday for Saeed Emadi .
Emadi was hiking July 8 at Ice House Reservoir , located 78 miles ( 126 kilometers ) from Sacramento , when he inadvertently split from the group he was with , his three daughters , Zhila , Lena and Roya told The Sacramento Bee .
The 66-year-old from San Ramon , California called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hill that overlooks the reservoir , but his phone battery was low and cell reception was patchy .
His friends promptly called the county sheriff ’ s office to report him missing .
Since then , a search group equipped with helicopters and drones has attempted to locate Emadi .
Footprints found near the reservoir ’ s Strawberry Point matched the sneakers Emadi was wearing .
Another sign emerged when more footprints were found more than a mile away .
Emadi ’ s family is optimistic , saying the presence of natural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hiker alive for an extended period .
“ He ’ s very strong-willed and we definitely believe that he would keep fighting and he ’ s not going to quit , ” Roya Emadi said .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - A northern California man who disappeared after accidentally separating from his friends during a hike remains missing despite a weekend search by authorities.
A group of roughly 70 law enforcement officers and volunteers searched Saturday for Saeed Emadi. Emadi was hiking July 8 at Ice House Reservoir, located 78 miles (126 kilometers) from Sacramento, when he inadvertently split from the group he was with, his three daughters, Zhila, Lena and Roya told The Sacramento Bee.
The 66-year-old from San Ramon, California called his friends after he became lost from a hill that overlooks the reservoir, but his phone battery was low and cell reception was patchy. His friends promptly called the county sheriff’s office to report him missing.
Since then, a search group equipped with helicopters and drones has attempted to locate Emadi.
Footprints found near the reservoir’s Strawberry Point matched the sneakers Emadi was wearing. Another sign emerged when more footprints were found more than a mile away. Emadi’s family is optimistic, saying the presence of natural springs of clean water nearby could keep a hiker alive for an extended period.
“He’s very strong-willed and we definitely believe that he would keep fighting and he’s not going to quit,” Roya Emadi said.


washingtontimes--2020-07-19--Three gunmen open fire on group at Northwest D.C. street corner, police say

WASHINGTON — A man was killed , and eight others were wounded in a brazen Sunday afternoon shooting on a busy street in northwest Washington , police said .
Three men opened fire on a group of people standing on the street in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington , D.C. just before 5 p.m. , Metropolitan Police Department Chief Peter Newsham said .
Investigators believe the shooting was a targeted attack .
Two of the shooters were armed with long guns and one had a pistol , Newsham said .
Dozens of evidence markers were placed on the sidewalk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scene tape .
A white plastic chair was toppled over and a bike could be seen thrown down on the sidewalk nearby .
The victims , all adults , included eight men and a woman , Newsham said .
Two of the victims remained in serious condition on Sunday evening ; the other six had non-life-threatening injuries , he said .
“ This type of brazen daylight activity in a very , very busy block I ’ m sure was scary for this community , ” Newsham said at a news conference at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone in this community in jeopardy .
“ Investigators have already collected surveillance video from nearby businesses and some of the victims were also known to law enforcement , Newsham said .
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser said investigators were working hard to “ bring people to justice.
” Newsham also decried a rise in gun violence and said investigators were working diligently to try to keep violent crime down across the district .
So far , there have been 103 homicides in Washington in 2020 , according to police statistics .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ attending a July Fourth cookout was shot in the head and killed during an exchange of gunfire between five armed suspects .

WASHINGTON — A man was killed, and eight others were wounded in a brazen Sunday afternoon shooting on a busy street in northwest Washington, police said.
Three men opened fire on a group of people standing on the street in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington, D.C. just before 5 p.m., Metropolitan Police Department Chief Peter Newsham said.
Investigators believe the shooting was a targeted attack. Two of the shooters were armed with long guns and one had a pistol, Newsham said.
Dozens of evidence markers were placed on the sidewalk next to shell casings behind yellow crime scene tape. A white plastic chair was toppled over and a bike could be seen thrown down on the sidewalk nearby.
The victims, all adults, included eight men and a woman, Newsham said. Two of the victims remained in serious condition on Sunday evening; the other six had non-life-threatening injuries, he said.
“This type of brazen daylight activity in a very, very busy block I’m sure was scary for this community,” Newsham said at a news conference at the scene. “They are putting everyone in this community in jeopardy. “
Investigators have already collected surveillance video from nearby businesses and some of the victims were also known to law enforcement, Newsham said.
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser said investigators were working hard to “bring people to justice.”
Newsham also decried a rise in gun violence and said investigators were working diligently to try to keep violent crime down across the district. So far, there have been 103 homicides in Washington in 2020, according to police statistics.
Earlier this month, an 11-year-old boy attending a July Fourth cookout was shot in the head and killed during an exchange of gunfire between five armed suspects.


washingtontimes--2020-07-19--Kanye West rips Harriet Tubman in first campaign rally

COLUMBIA , S.C. — Rapper Kanye West , in his first event since declaring himself a presidential candidate , ranted against historical figure Harriet Tubman on Sunday , saying the Underground Railroad conductor “ never actually freed the slaves , she just had them work for other white people , ” comments that drew shouts of opposition from some in the crowd .
West delivered a lengthy monologue , touching on topics from abortion and religion to international trade and licensing deals , before a crowd in North Charleston , South Carolina .
Whether he is actually seeking the nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Tubman is one of the most respected figures of 19th century America .
An African American who escaped slavery , she helped enslaved Black men and women travel north to freedom and fought for the Union during the Civil War .
She later became a supporter of women ’ s suffrage .
On abortion , West said that while he believes it should be legal , financial incentives to help struggling mothers could be a way to discourage the practice .
“ Everybody that has a baby gets a million dollars , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wearing a protective vest and with “ 2020 ” shaved into his head , the entertainer appeared on a livestream of the event .
Several hundred people gathered in a venue , where gospel music played before West ’ s appearance .
The event was reportedly for registered guests only , although a campaign website had no registration or RSVP information .
Speaking without a microphone , West became tearful at one point while talking about his mother , who died following plastic surgery complications in 2007 .
West missed the deadline to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and it was unclear if he was willing or able to collect enough signatures required to qualify in others .
Last week , he qualified to appear on Oklahoma ’ s presidential ballot , the first state where he met the requirements before the filing deadline .
West needed to collect 10,000 signatures by noon Monday to appear on the South Carolina ballot , according to state law .
The entertainer tweeted out a list of locations around the Charleston area where petitions could be signed .
Email to an address purportedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday afternoon .
West , who is married to reality television star Kim Kardashian West , initially announced his candidacy on July 4 .

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Rapper Kanye West, in his first event since declaring himself a presidential candidate, ranted against historical figure Harriet Tubman on Sunday, saying the Underground Railroad conductor “never actually freed the slaves, she just had them work for other white people,” comments that drew shouts of opposition from some in the crowd.
West delivered a lengthy monologue, touching on topics from abortion and religion to international trade and licensing deals, before a crowd in North Charleston, South Carolina. Whether he is actually seeking the nation’s highest office remains a question.
Tubman is one of the most respected figures of 19th century America. An African American who escaped slavery, she helped enslaved Black men and women travel north to freedom and fought for the Union during the Civil War. She later became a supporter of women’s suffrage.
On abortion, West said that while he believes it should be legal, financial incentives to help struggling mothers could be a way to discourage the practice.
“Everybody that has a baby gets a million dollars,” he said as an example.
Wearing a protective vest and with “2020” shaved into his head, the entertainer appeared on a livestream of the event. Several hundred people gathered in a venue, where gospel music played before West’s appearance.
The event was reportedly for registered guests only, although a campaign website had no registration or RSVP information.
Speaking without a microphone, West became tearful at one point while talking about his mother, who died following plastic surgery complications in 2007.
West missed the deadline to qualify for the ballot in several states, and it was unclear if he was willing or able to collect enough signatures required to qualify in others. Last week, he qualified to appear on Oklahoma’s presidential ballot, the first state where he met the requirements before the filing deadline.
West needed to collect 10,000 signatures by noon Monday to appear on the South Carolina ballot, according to state law. The entertainer tweeted out a list of locations around the Charleston area where petitions could be signed. Email to an address purportedly associated with the campaign was not returned Sunday afternoon.
West, who is married to reality television star Kim Kardashian West, initially announced his candidacy on July 4.


washingtontimes--2020-07-19--Lassen National Park campsites close due to foraging bears

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - Lassen Volcanic National Park in northern California has temporarily banned overnight camping in some parts of its park after several interactions between campers and foraging bears .
The decision was made last week to close down back-country camping in the Twin , Rainbow , Swan and Snag Lake areas after multiple visitors reported that bears had come to their campsites and searched their backpacks for food .
The areas will remain open to the public for hiking , but the park warns visitors to be careful , The Sacramento Bee reported .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not only protect campers but “ protect the bears by promoting the offending bear ( s ) to return to normal foraging behavior.
” There are roughly 30 black bears in the national park , which is located about 180 miles ( 290 kilometers ) north of Sacramento , California and 151 miles ( 243 kilometers ) from Reno , Nevada .
Park officials advise visitors to store all food in a bear-resistant container and to never leave their belongings unattended .
If a visitor comes across a bear , park officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slowly while ensuring their possessions are in hand .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Lassen Volcanic National Park in northern California has temporarily banned overnight camping in some parts of its park after several interactions between campers and foraging bears.
The decision was made last week to close down back-country camping in the Twin, Rainbow, Swan and Snag Lake areas after multiple visitors reported that bears had come to their campsites and searched their backpacks for food. The areas will remain open to the public for hiking, but the park warns visitors to be careful, The Sacramento Bee reported.
The National Park Service website said the policy will not only protect campers but “protect the bears by promoting the offending bear(s) to return to normal foraging behavior.”
There are roughly 30 black bears in the national park, which is located about 180 miles (290 kilometers) north of Sacramento, California and 151 miles (243 kilometers) from Reno, Nevada.
Park officials advise visitors to store all food in a bear-resistant container and to never leave their belongings unattended. If a visitor comes across a bear, park officials advise him or her to walk away slowly while ensuring their possessions are in hand.


washingtontimes--2020-07-19--Mexican president pledges better health care after pandemic

MEXICO CITY ( AP ) - Mexico ’ s president promised Sunday to combat chronic health problems and improve health care , as the country ’ s cases of COVID-19 continued to mount .
The Health Department reported 5,311 more confirmed cases , for a total of 344,224 , and 296 more COVID-19 deaths , for a total of 39,184 .
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said Sunday in a message to the families of coronavirus victims that he would fight chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension that make people more likely to suffer severe cases of COVID-19 .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education , training more medical personnel , and fighting junk food .
López Obrador said the government would provide scholarships to train 30,000 more specialized doctors .
A trade group , the National Association of Softdrink Producers , issued a statement Sunday condemning what it called the “ stigmatizing ” of soft drinks , after Assistant Health Secretary Hugo López-Gatell referred to them as “ bottled poison.
” Mexicans have one of the world ’ s highest per-capita consumption rates of soft drinks .
Officials have said Mexico ’ s high rates of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the pandemic .

MEXICO CITY (AP) - Mexico’s president promised Sunday to combat chronic health problems and improve health care, as the country’s cases of COVID-19 continued to mount.
The Health Department reported 5,311 more confirmed cases, for a total of 344,224, and 296 more COVID-19 deaths, for a total of 39,184.
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said Sunday in a message to the families of coronavirus victims that he would fight chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension that make people more likely to suffer severe cases of COVID-19.
He pledged to do so by promoting physical education, training more medical personnel, and fighting junk food.
López Obrador said the government would provide scholarships to train 30,000 more specialized doctors.
A trade group, the National Association of Softdrink Producers, issued a statement Sunday condemning what it called the “stigmatizing” of soft drinks, after Assistant Health Secretary Hugo López-Gatell referred to them as “bottled poison.”
Mexicans have one of the world’s highest per-capita consumption rates of soft drinks. Officials have said Mexico’s high rates of obesity and diabetes have worsened the effects of the pandemic.


washingtontimes--2020-07-19--Scott Lincicome, Cato Institute researcher, believes 'China Shock' was not a disaster for U.S.

The “ China Shock ” — the decade following China ’ s formal entry into the world trading system marked by its admission to the World Trade Organization in 2001 — has been decried by Republicans and Democrats alike as a disaster for American manufacturing and for the U.S. job market .
But Cato Institute researcher Scott Lincicome thinks the conventional wisdom is wrong .
He spoke with Washington Times ’ reporter Anna Dollar about his findings .
What got you interested in researching the ‘ China Shock ?
‘ As an international trade lawyer and a policy [ advisor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretty groundbreaking and pretty shocking for my profession and for the industry , in the sense that it gathered a lot of mainstream media attention , even before the rise of Trump when trade policy became super-cool .
That , in itself , was pretty startling .
… It also challenged a lot of mainstream assumptions about trade , mobilization and jobs , in the sense of there being a standard view in the literature that trade does actually affect the total number of jobs but also the types of jobs .
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from your research ?
I think the most surprising thing was the numerous academic analysis that have come out since the China Shock was completed that showed clear economic benefits for the country from that import competition .
… The fact is , there were several studies that said , ‘ Look !
Yes , there was disruption , but at the end of the day , we came out better .
The country came out better — even in manufacturing.
’ And while that is , of course , cold comfort for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s a pretty critical part of the China Shock narrative .
Why do you think so many in the U.S. get the story wrong ?
I think there are three reasons .
The first is that trade in general is an issue that is difficult to grasp and , quite frankly , not on the top of the mind of the vast majority of the American public .
The simple narratives , like ‘ Chinese imports destroy jobs ’ , resonate and it makes sense .
And that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are going to dig … The second reason is that protectionism and the anti-trade narrative really lend themselves to a lot of political demagoguery .
Beating up on foreigners is a classic political maneuver going back to the founding of the country .
Then , it ’ s especially [ powerful ] when you can point to specific individuals and specific communities that have been hurt , disrupted .
Whereas , on the flip side , the free trade side of that is far more difficult to identify and simply not as powerful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ‘ Everybody got $ 250 dollars every year for the rest of their lives ’ — and that ’ s just the tangible benefits .
… You can ’ t point to the increased competition and encouragement to innovation .
Look at the better jobs that were produced a thousand miles away … Lastly , [ the anti-trade narrative ] resonates because it is China .
It is undeniable that China particularly , in the last two years , has engaged in a ton of really bad behavior .
Whether it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , global health transgressions , you get the idea .
That , I think , amplifies it even more .
How important do you think it is for people in the U.S. to be familiar with this story ?
I think it ’ s important in the sense that as long as the China Shock and [ preferred trade status ] are a narrative are used to justify other policies , I think it ’ s quite important for us to have an accurate account of events to record .
The fact is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a decade ago by almost all accounts , but [ Sen. Josh Hawley , Missouri Republican ] just a few weeks ago was on the Senate floor citing the exact argument as a reason to withdraw the United States from the World Trade Organization .
As long as this narrative is the basis for policy proposals , it ’ s important to know the facts .
What does your research suggest for U.S. trade and China policy going forward for a President Trump or a President Biden ?
Quite frankly , I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with either , unfortunately .
The fact is that the political narrative right now is such that both campaigns appear quite willing to engage in economic nationalism and economic populism regardless of the facts , data , or historical record .
Biden is not going to be a free-trader , at least on the campaign trail .
And Trump is Trump … I am not hopeful that either presidential campaign or administration in 2021 is going to suddenly have a revelation regarding the nuances of the China Shock .
I think that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as we noted , China ’ s behavior has been extremely worthy of intense criticism .
My only hope is that somewhere is someone who reads it and can at least temper the actual policy proposals , if not the rhetoric .

The “China Shock” — the decade following China’s formal entry into the world trading system marked by its admission to the World Trade Organization in 2001 — has been decried by Republicans and Democrats alike as a disaster for American manufacturing and for the U.S. job market.
But Cato Institute researcher Scott Lincicome thinks the conventional wisdom is wrong. He spoke with Washington Times’ reporter Anna Dollar about his findings.
What got you interested in researching the ‘China Shock?
‘As an international trade lawyer and a policy [advisor], the China Shock literature was pretty groundbreaking and pretty shocking for my profession and for the industry, in the sense that it gathered a lot of mainstream media attention, even before the rise of Trump when trade policy became super-cool. That, in itself, was pretty startling. … It also challenged a lot of mainstream assumptions about trade, mobilization and jobs, in the sense of there being a standard view in the literature that trade does actually affect the total number of jobs but also the types of jobs.
What was the most surprising thing to you from your research?
I think the most surprising thing was the numerous academic analysis that have come out since the China Shock was completed that showed clear economic benefits for the country from that import competition. … The fact is, there were several studies that said, ‘Look! Yes, there was disruption, but at the end of the day, we came out better. The country came out better — even in manufacturing.’ And while that is, of course, cold comfort for the people who stuck to their jobs, it’s a pretty critical part of the China Shock narrative.
Why do you think so many in the U.S. get the story wrong?
I think there are three reasons. The first is that trade in general is an issue that is difficult to grasp and, quite frankly, not on the top of the mind of the vast majority of the American public. The simple narratives, like ‘Chinese imports destroy jobs’, resonate and it makes sense. And that’s about the level at which most Americans are going to dig …
The second reason is that protectionism and the anti-trade narrative really lend themselves to a lot of political demagoguery. Beating up on foreigners is a classic political maneuver going back to the founding of the country. Then, it’s especially [powerful] when you can point to specific individuals and specific communities that have been hurt, disrupted. Whereas, on the flip side, the free trade side of that is far more difficult to identify and simply not as powerful. It’s hard to say, ‘Everybody got $250 dollars every year for the rest of their lives’ — and that’s just the tangible benefits. … You can’t point to the increased competition and encouragement to innovation. Look at the better jobs that were produced a thousand miles away …
Lastly, [the anti-trade narrative] resonates because it is China. It is undeniable that China particularly, in the last two years, has engaged in a ton of really bad behavior. Whether it is human rights abuses, foreign policy adventurism, global health transgressions, you get the idea. That, I think, amplifies it even more.
How important do you think it is for people in the U.S. to be familiar with this story?
I think it’s important in the sense that as long as the China Shock and [preferred trade status] are a narrative are used to justify other policies, I think it’s quite important for us to have an accurate account of events to record. The fact is, the China shock itself ended about a decade ago by almost all accounts, but [Sen. Josh Hawley, Missouri Republican] just a few weeks ago was on the Senate floor citing the exact argument as a reason to withdraw the United States from the World Trade Organization. As long as this narrative is the basis for policy proposals, it’s important to know the facts.
What does your research suggest for U.S. trade and China policy going forward for a President Trump or a President Biden?
Quite frankly, I don’t know if it will resonate with either, unfortunately.
The fact is that the political narrative right now is such that both campaigns appear quite willing to engage in economic nationalism and economic populism regardless of the facts, data, or historical record. Biden is not going to be a free-trader, at least on the campaign trail. And Trump is Trump …
I am not hopeful that either presidential campaign or administration in 2021 is going to suddenly have a revelation regarding the nuances of the China Shock. I think that is particularly going to be the case because, as we noted, China’s behavior has been extremely worthy of intense criticism. My only hope is that somewhere is someone who reads it and can at least temper the actual policy proposals, if not the rhetoric.


washingtontimes--2020-07-19--Man killed, 8 others wounded in shooting in nation's capital

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - A man was killed , and eight others were wounded in a brazen Sunday afternoon shooting on a busy street in northwest Washington , police said .
Three men opened fire on a group of people standing on the street in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington , D.C. just before 5 p.m. , Metropolitan Police Department Chief Peter Newsham said .
Investigators believe the shooting was a targeted attack .
Two of the shooters were armed with long guns and one had a pistol , Newsham said .
Dozens of evidence markers were placed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind yellow crime scene tape .
A white plastic chair was toppled over and a bike could be seen thrown down on the sidewalk nearby .
The victims , all adults , included eight men and a woman , Newsham said .
Two of the victims remained in serious condition on Sunday evening ; the other six had non-life-threatening injuries , he said .
“ This type of brazen daylight activity in a very , very busy block I ’ m sure was scary for this community , ” Newsham said at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They are putting everyone in this community in jeopardy .
“ Investigators have already collected surveillance video from nearby businesses and some of the victims were also known to law enforcement , Newsham said .
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser said investigators were working hard to “ bring people to justice.
” Newsham also decried a rise in gun violence and said investigators were working diligently to try to keep violent crime down across the district .
So far , there have been 103 homicides in Washington in 2020 , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an 11-year-old boy attending a July Fourth cookout was shot in the head and killed during an exchange of gunfire between five armed suspects .

WASHINGTON (AP) - A man was killed, and eight others were wounded in a brazen Sunday afternoon shooting on a busy street in northwest Washington, police said.
Three men opened fire on a group of people standing on the street in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington, D.C. just before 5 p.m., Metropolitan Police Department Chief Peter Newsham said.
Investigators believe the shooting was a targeted attack. Two of the shooters were armed with long guns and one had a pistol, Newsham said.
Dozens of evidence markers were placed on the sidewalk next to shell casings behind yellow crime scene tape. A white plastic chair was toppled over and a bike could be seen thrown down on the sidewalk nearby.
The victims, all adults, included eight men and a woman, Newsham said. Two of the victims remained in serious condition on Sunday evening; the other six had non-life-threatening injuries, he said.
“This type of brazen daylight activity in a very, very busy block I’m sure was scary for this community,” Newsham said at a news conference at the scene. “They are putting everyone in this community in jeopardy. “
Investigators have already collected surveillance video from nearby businesses and some of the victims were also known to law enforcement, Newsham said.
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser said investigators were working hard to “bring people to justice.”
Newsham also decried a rise in gun violence and said investigators were working diligently to try to keep violent crime down across the district. So far, there have been 103 homicides in Washington in 2020, according to police statistics.
Earlier this month, an 11-year-old boy attending a July Fourth cookout was shot in the head and killed during an exchange of gunfire between five armed suspects.