washingtontimes--2020-09-20--Rising red tide: Russia accused of trashing Bering Strait amid Arctic power struggle

There is a litterbug at the top of the world , and evidence points to America ’ s longtime nemesis : Russia .
Tribal leaders and federal agencies have reported a major rise this summer in the amount of plastics and other garbage washing ashore in the Bering Strait region of Alaska , much of it bearing Russian-language labels .
The cans , bottles , bags and other debris scattered across the otherwise pristine Alaskan coast have frustrated local officials , who are pleading with the federal government to take more aggressive action .
The problem has become a priority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which Russia is a member .
Researchers say the pollution will likely get worse over the coming decade as the world ’ s most powerful nations vie for dominance of a warmer Arctic region .
The U.S. , Russia , China and other world powers increasingly see the Arctic as key strategic territory in the 21st century , and each nation is investing vast sums of money to modernize their navies and build ships capable of operating in the icy waters .
Russia and China also see the Arctic corridor as prime real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to extract energy resources .
But the renewed global focus on the region will likely bring with it a massive increase in commercial and military maritime traffic , which in turn could lead to more trash being dumped overboard and ultimately finding its way onto Alaskan beaches .
In addition to being an eyesore , the refuse carries potentially catastrophic consequences for animal life .
The exact origin of this summer ’ s garbage tsunami remains unclear , but leaders on the ground say it ’ s unlike anything they have seen before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It began the end of July and it ’ s still occurring .
… There is trash everywhere , ” said Austin Ahmasuk , marine advocate with Kawerak Inc. , a tribal consortium based in Nome , Alaska .
Marine debris , he said , is a common problem in the area , and his organization routinely assembles teams to pick up as much of it as possible .
But unlike past years , the garbage coming ashore this summer appears to be new , suggesting that a huge amount of trash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the same general vicinity — what officials call a “ point source ” event .
“ This stuff has serial numbers on it , date stamps of July 2020 , ” Mr. Ahmasuk told The Washington Times in an interview this week .
“ We were collecting stuff that was on the beach for decades .
Now the stuff we ’ re seeing washing up , the foreign debris especially , it ’ s of recent origin.
” Mr. Ahmasuk said aerosol and oil cans are among the common finds .
Federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hygiene products , deck boots and an assortment of other items .
Many of the products have Russian writing on the labels , though packaging suggests others may have originated in South Korea or other Asian nations , Mr. Ahmasuk said .
Last month , the Russian military held major naval drills in the Bering Sea , billed as one of Moscow ’ s largest maritime exercises since the Cold War .
The trash began arriving on Alaskan beaches before those drills , meaning they couldn ’ t have been the initial cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well into September raises questions about whether Russian military vessels may be contributing to the problem .
“ We can ’ t rule out the possibility , but there aren ’ t any indicators that point to the Russian military being the source , ” said Peter Murphy , Alaska regional coordinator for the Marine Debris Program at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration .
Mr. Murphy echoed the sentiments of local officials by saying he is especially troubled by what he has seen this summer .
“ This is a lot more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said in an interview .
“ Mixed in … were food items , vegetables , which caught our attention .
It does indicate that something went into the water very quickly because otherwise that would have decomposed very rapidly.
” Mr. Murphy said NOAA , the Coast Guard and other federal agencies have formed a working group to model how old the debris appears to be and , based on wind patterns and weather conditions , where it likely entered the water .
Officials then can try to determine which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area at the time and their country of origin .
Despite those efforts , lawmakers say there is still much work to be done .
“ Whether it comes from Russia , China , or any other country , marine debris washing ashore in Alaska is all too common , ” Zack Brown , a spokesperson for Rep. Don Young , Alaska Republican , told The Times in a statement .
“ Marine debris harms coastal economies , irreparably damages marine life , encourages the presence of invasive species , and causes unnecessary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the water .
Congressman Young is acutely aware of these dangers , and will continue fighting to prevent situations like the one recently reported in the Bering Strait.
” Mr. Young , who is in a tight reelection fight this fall , was instrumental in the passage of the Save Our Seas Act , which President Trump signed into law in 2018 .
The legislation set aside money for the cleanup of marine debris , though local officials such as Mr. Ahmasuk say it didn ’ t go nearly far enough and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support .
“ We are dealing with this on our own , ” he said .
Meanwhile , an Arctic Council working group , Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment , is developing a regional action plan to address marine litter .
The Arctic Council comprises the U.S. , Canada , Norway , Denmark , Finland , Iceland , Sweden and Russia .

There is a litterbug at the top of the world, and evidence points to America’s longtime nemesis: Russia.
Tribal leaders and federal agencies have reported a major rise this summer in the amount of plastics and other garbage washing ashore in the Bering Strait region of Alaska, much of it bearing Russian-language labels. The cans, bottles, bags and other debris scattered across the otherwise pristine Alaskan coast have frustrated local officials, who are pleading with the federal government to take more aggressive action.
The problem has become a priority for the eight-nation Arctic Council, of which Russia is a member.
Researchers say the pollution will likely get worse over the coming decade as the world’s most powerful nations vie for dominance of a warmer Arctic region. The U.S., Russia, China and other world powers increasingly see the Arctic as key strategic territory in the 21st century, and each nation is investing vast sums of money to modernize their navies and build ships capable of operating in the icy waters.
Russia and China also see the Arctic corridor as prime real estate for commercial shipping and fertile ground to extract energy resources.
But the renewed global focus on the region will likely bring with it a massive increase in commercial and military maritime traffic, which in turn could lead to more trash being dumped overboard and ultimately finding its way onto Alaskan beaches. In addition to being an eyesore, the refuse carries potentially catastrophic consequences for animal life.
The exact origin of this summer’s garbage tsunami remains unclear, but leaders on the ground say it’s unlike anything they have seen before.
“It’s still happening. It began the end of July and it’s still occurring. … There is trash everywhere,” said Austin Ahmasuk, marine advocate with Kawerak Inc., a tribal consortium based in Nome, Alaska.
Marine debris, he said, is a common problem in the area, and his organization routinely assembles teams to pick up as much of it as possible.
But unlike past years, the garbage coming ashore this summer appears to be new, suggesting that a huge amount of trash had been dumped at the same time in the same general vicinity — what officials call a “point source” event.
“This stuff has serial numbers on it, date stamps of July 2020,” Mr. Ahmasuk told The Washington Times in an interview this week. “We were collecting stuff that was on the beach for decades. Now the stuff we’re seeing washing up, the foreign debris especially, it’s of recent origin.”
Russian origin
Mr. Ahmasuk said aerosol and oil cans are among the common finds. Federal officials also say there have been personal hygiene products, deck boots and an assortment of other items. Many of the products have Russian writing on the labels, though packaging suggests others may have originated in South Korea or other Asian nations, Mr. Ahmasuk said.
Last month, the Russian military held major naval drills in the Bering Sea, billed as one of Moscow’s largest maritime exercises since the Cold War. The trash began arriving on Alaskan beaches before those drills, meaning they couldn’t have been the initial cause.
But the continued influx of garbage well into September raises questions about whether Russian military vessels may be contributing to the problem.
“We can’t rule out the possibility, but there aren’t any indicators that point to the Russian military being the source,” said Peter Murphy, Alaska regional coordinator for the Marine Debris Program at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Mr. Murphy echoed the sentiments of local officials by saying he is especially troubled by what he has seen this summer.
“This is a lot more in a single concentrated point of time,” he said in an interview. “Mixed in … were food items, vegetables, which caught our attention. It does indicate that something went into the water very quickly because otherwise that would have decomposed very rapidly.”
Mr. Murphy said NOAA, the Coast Guard and other federal agencies have formed a working group to model how old the debris appears to be and, based on wind patterns and weather conditions, where it likely entered the water. Officials then can try to determine which ships may have been in that general area at the time and their country of origin.
Despite those efforts, lawmakers say there is still much work to be done.
“Whether it comes from Russia, China, or any other country, marine debris washing ashore in Alaska is all too common,” Zack Brown, a spokesperson for Rep. Don Young, Alaska Republican, told The Times in a statement. “Marine debris harms coastal economies, irreparably damages marine life, encourages the presence of invasive species, and causes unnecessary risk for those who earn a living on the water. Congressman Young is acutely aware of these dangers, and will continue fighting to prevent situations like the one recently reported in the Bering Strait.”
Mr. Young, who is in a tight reelection fight this fall, was instrumental in the passage of the Save Our Seas Act, which President Trump signed into law in 2018. The legislation set aside money for the cleanup of marine debris, though local officials such as Mr. Ahmasuk say it didn’t go nearly far enough and that local communities still lack the necessary support.
“We are dealing with this on our own,” he said.
Meanwhile, an Arctic Council working group, Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment, is developing a regional action plan to address marine litter. The Arctic Council comprises the U.S., Canada, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and Russia.
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-20--A 'dramatic shift' among Catholics is drawing the devoted to Trump's 'fortitude and courage'

Catholic voters have an opportunity in November to help elect only the second Catholic president in U.S. history in former Vice President Joseph R. Biden , but already the more devout followers are lining up behind President Trump .
Gone are the days when nearly 80 % of Catholic voters united to push Irish-Catholic Democrat John F. Kennedy into the White House in 1960 .
Catholic voters today are split on the 2020 candidates , even though Mr. Biden is a lifelong Mass-attending Catholic , and Mr. Trump is a Presbyterian .
A Pew Research Center poll released last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters plan to vote for Mr. Trump , while 49 % back Mr. Biden .
“ The Catholic vote is not a monolithic vote in America , ” said Brian Burch , president of the conservative CatholicVote .
“ We ’ ve moved away from that kind of tribal , if-he ’ s-a-Catholic-therefore-I-trust-him view .
There are other reasons inside our own church for that as well .
It ’ s not enough to merely say you ’ re Catholic.
” While Mr. Biden is known for his regular church attendance — he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ St. Joseph on the Brandywine in Greenville , Delaware — polls show his supporters within the church tend to be less fastidious in their Sunday habits .
“ The more you go to Mass and the more you self-describe as following the church ’ s teachings , the more likely you are to be voting for Trump , ” said EWTN executive editor Matthew Bunson .
“ If you go to Mass less often and disagree with key teachings , you ’ re more likely to support Biden.
” About 18 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s teachings , versus 38 % who say they accept most of them , and 29 % who say they do not accept some key teachings , according to a February EWTN News/RealClearOpinion poll .
“ Among Catholics who do practice the faith in a substantive way , yes , there ’ s been a dramatic shift over the last several decades away from the Democratic Party and into the Republican Party , and I think it ’ s been especially pronounced under President Trump , ” Mr. Burch said .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on which Mr. Trump has been widely described as the most pro-life president ever , but his appeals to “ this notion of the importance of place , of country , of patriotism , of family , of meaningful work , ” as well as his political grit in the face of opposition .
“ His policies are demonstrative proof of his pro-life credentials , but more important , and I increasingly hear this from Catholics , are his fortitude and courage , ” Mr. Burch said .
“ Many Republican administrations in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the issue , and while they might be sympathetic to our cause , when things got difficult , they abandoned ship.
” Both camps are making plays for Catholic voters , and for good reason : Not only do they make up 22 % of the U.S. electorate , but in nine of the last 10 presidential elections , Catholics voted with the winner , Mr. Bunson said .
Mr. Biden has sought to press his advantage with regular references to his faith .
In a video released before the Democratic National Convention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talking with several nuns during a visit to the Vatican .
“ That ’ s what in my experience — being raised Catholics and being educated by the nuns — that ’ s those lovely women I ’ m talking to symbolized to me , ” Mr. Biden said in the video .
“ We are our brother ’ s keeper .
We have an obligation .
I think that ’ s the only way we ’ re going to make the world better and safer.
” DNC emcee Julia Louis-Dreyfus , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ding Mr. Trump and showcase Mr. Biden ’ s churchgoing in her crack about the president ’ s appearance in front of St. John ’ s Episcopal Church after it was torched by rioters .
“ Just remember , Joe Biden goes to church so regularly that he doesn ’ t even need tear gas and a bunch of federalized troops to help him get there , ” said Ms. Louis-Dreyfus .
For traditional Catholics , however , Mr. Biden remains a hard sell , given his pro-choice stance on abortion and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizations , business owners and medical professionals under Obamacare .
CatholicVote sought to drive home the point by unveiling Tuesday a $ 9.7 million campaign in six key swing states targeting “ Joe Biden ’ s anti-Catholic record and policy agenda , ” including digital ads , canvassing and direct mail .
In October , Father Robert Morey of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Florence , South Carolina , said he denied Mr. Biden communion over his abortion stance .
Then there ’ s Mr. Biden ’ s running mate .
Sen. Kamala @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viewed on the right as overtly hostile to Catholics based on her December 2018 grilling of federal judicial nominee Brian Buescher over his membership in the Knights of Columbus .
“ Since 1993 , you have been a member of the Knights of Columbus , an all-male society comprised primarily of Catholic men , ” said Ms. Harris during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing .
“ Were you aware that the Knights of Columbus opposed a woman ’ s right to choose when you joined the organization ?
” The Catholic Association described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the ringleader of the anti-Catholic bullying stance adopted by the Democratic Party.
” “ With Harris now joining the race to become the next Vice President of the United States , Catholics are ( rightfully ) concerned about what the future of the country has in store , and whether the anti-Catholic sentiments will only get worse , ” TCA said in an Aug. 13 statement .
Mr. Trump had a strong showing with Catholics in 2016 .
Pew Research said he won the Catholic vote by 52 % -46 % over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have characterized the results as more of a toss-up .
Mr. Biden ’ s greatest strength may lie with Hispanic Catholics .
While 59 % of White Catholics plan to vote for Mr. Trump , according to Pew , 65 % of Hispanic Catholics support the Democrat — in both cases a number more in line with people of their ethnicity regardless of religion .
There was a similar split in 2016 , with 64 % of White Catholics backing Mr. Trump and 78 % of Hispanic Catholics supporting Mrs. Clinton .
Even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Kennedy , since 2004 there has been a Catholic on at least one of the major party tickets .
The last Catholic presidential nominee was Democrat John Kerry , who lost to President George W. Bush in 2004 .
Win or lose , Mr. Biden has already made U.S. religious history .
He became the first Catholic vice president in 2009 after winning election as Democrat Barack Obama ’ s running mate .
Ironically , if Mr. Biden is denied the presidency in November , it may be conservative Catholics who stand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record turnout among Mass-attending Catholics , ” said Mr. Burch , “ given the existential stakes of this election .
”

Catholic voters have an opportunity in November to help elect only the second Catholic president in U.S. history in former Vice President Joseph R. Biden, but already the more devout followers are lining up behind President Trump.
Gone are the days when nearly 80% of Catholic voters united to push Irish-Catholic Democrat John F. Kennedy into the White House in 1960. Catholic voters today are split on the 2020 candidates, even though Mr. Biden is a lifelong Mass-attending Catholic, and Mr. Trump is a Presbyterian.
A Pew Research Center poll released last month found that 50% of registered Catholic voters plan to vote for Mr. Trump, while 49% back Mr. Biden.
“The Catholic vote is not a monolithic vote in America,” said Brian Burch, president of the conservative CatholicVote. “We’ve moved away from that kind of tribal, if-he’s-a-Catholic-therefore-I-trust-him view. There are other reasons inside our own church for that as well. It’s not enough to merely say you’re Catholic.”
While Mr. Biden is known for his regular church attendance — he and his wife Jill Biden worship at St. Joseph on the Brandywine in Greenville, Delaware — polls show his supporters within the church tend to be less fastidious in their Sunday habits.
“The more you go to Mass and the more you self-describe as following the church’s teachings, the more likely you are to be voting for Trump,” said EWTN executive editor Matthew Bunson. “If you go to Mass less often and disagree with key teachings, you’re more likely to support Biden.”
About 18% of Catholics say they accept all the church’s teachings, versus 38% who say they accept most of them, and 29% who say they do not accept some key teachings, according to a February EWTN News/RealClearOpinion poll.
“Among Catholics who do practice the faith in a substantive way, yes, there’s been a dramatic shift over the last several decades away from the Democratic Party and into the Republican Party, and I think it’s been especially pronounced under President Trump,” Mr. Burch said.
He cited not only the abortion issue, on which Mr. Trump has been widely described as the most pro-life president ever, but his appeals to “this notion of the importance of place, of country, of patriotism, of family, of meaningful work,” as well as his political grit in the face of opposition.
“His policies are demonstrative proof of his pro-life credentials, but more important, and I increasingly hear this from Catholics, are his fortitude and courage,” Mr. Burch said. “Many Republican administrations in the past have paid lip service to the issue, and while they might be sympathetic to our cause, when things got difficult, they abandoned ship.”
Both camps are making plays for Catholic voters, and for good reason: Not only do they make up 22% of the U.S. electorate, but in nine of the last 10 presidential elections, Catholics voted with the winner, Mr. Bunson said.
Mr. Biden has sought to press his advantage with regular references to his faith. In a video released before the Democratic National Convention, he recalled meeting Pope Francis and talking with several nuns during a visit to the Vatican.
“That’s what in my experience — being raised Catholics and being educated by the nuns — that’s those lovely women I’m talking to symbolized to me,” Mr. Biden said in the video. “We are our brother’s keeper. We have an obligation. I think that’s the only way we’re going to make the world better and safer.”
DNC emcee Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who starred in “Seinfeld,” managed to ding Mr. Trump and showcase Mr. Biden’s churchgoing in her crack about the president’s appearance in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church after it was torched by rioters.
“Just remember, Joe Biden goes to church so regularly that he doesn’t even need tear gas and a bunch of federalized troops to help him get there,” said Ms. Louis-Dreyfus.
For traditional Catholics, however, Mr. Biden remains a hard sell, given his pro-choice stance on abortion and his opposition to conscience exemptions for religious organizations, business owners and medical professionals under Obamacare.
CatholicVote sought to drive home the point by unveiling Tuesday a $9.7 million campaign in six key swing states targeting “Joe Biden’s anti-Catholic record and policy agenda,” including digital ads, canvassing and direct mail.
In October, Father Robert Morey of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Florence, South Carolina, said he denied Mr. Biden communion over his abortion stance.
Then there’s Mr. Biden’s running mate. Sen. Kamala D. Harris, California Democrat, is viewed on the right as overtly hostile to Catholics based on her December 2018 grilling of federal judicial nominee Brian Buescher over his membership in the Knights of Columbus.
“Since 1993, you have been a member of the Knights of Columbus, an all-male society comprised primarily of Catholic men,” said Ms. Harris during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. “Were you aware that the Knights of Columbus opposed a woman’s right to choose when you joined the organization?”
The Catholic Association described Ms. Harris, a Baptist, as “the ringleader of the anti-Catholic bullying stance adopted by the Democratic Party.”
“With Harris now joining the race to become the next Vice President of the United States, Catholics are (rightfully) concerned about what the future of the country has in store, and whether the anti-Catholic sentiments will only get worse,” TCA said in an Aug. 13 statement.
Mr. Trump had a strong showing with Catholics in 2016. Pew Research said he won the Catholic vote by 52%-46% over Democrat Hillary Clinton, although other measures have characterized the results as more of a toss-up.
Mr. Biden’s greatest strength may lie with Hispanic Catholics. While 59% of White Catholics plan to vote for Mr. Trump, according to Pew, 65% of Hispanic Catholics support the Democrat — in both cases a number more in line with people of their ethnicity regardless of religion.
There was a similar split in 2016, with 64% of White Catholics backing Mr. Trump and 78% of Hispanic Catholics supporting Mrs. Clinton.
Even though no Catholic has been elected president Mr. Kennedy, since 2004 there has been a Catholic on at least one of the major party tickets. The last Catholic presidential nominee was Democrat John Kerry, who lost to President George W. Bush in 2004.
Win or lose, Mr. Biden has already made U.S. religious history. He became the first Catholic vice president in 2009 after winning election as Democrat Barack Obama’s running mate.
Ironically, if Mr. Biden is denied the presidency in November, it may be conservative Catholics who stand in his way.
“I expect record turnout among Mass-attending Catholics,” said Mr. Burch, “given the existential stakes of this election.”
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-20--Indian lawmakers pass farm bills amid uproar in Parliament

NEW DELHI ( AP ) - Amid an uproar in Parliament , Indian lawmakers on Sunday approved a pair of controversial agriculture bills that the government says will boost growth in the farming sector through private investments .
The two bills were approved even though most opposition parties and some allies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi called them anti-farmer .
The legislation is aimed at reforming India ’ s deeply stressed farming sector and will give farmers freedom to market their produce , Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said while tabling the proposed laws in the upper house of Parliament @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removing middlemen from the farm trade and making farming market-oriented , the government has said .
The upper house passed two out of three bills , amid a war of words between ruling lawmakers and those opposing the legislation .
The third bill , intended to be part of the farm liberalization plan , could not be taken up because the upper house adjourned for the day amid chaotic scenes , with opposition lawmakers tearing documents and shouting slogans against the bills .
The lower house had approved all three bills on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be signed by India ’ s ceremonial president , a formality before becoming law .
On Thursday , Shiromani Akali Dal party lawmaker Harsimrat Kaur resigned as minister for food processing in protest against the bills .
The party is one of the Modi government ’ s most trusted allies .
Tomar sought to allay critics of the legislation by saying that the government ’ s market intervention policy to procure agriculture crops from farmers will continue .
The policy insures farmers against any sharp fall in prices of their agricultural produce .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacks on the government , calling the legislation “ black law ” and “ pro-corporate.
” Rahul Gandhi , a top leader of the main opposition Congress party , said in a tweet Sunday that Modi “ is making farmers ‘ slaves ’ of the capitalists , which the country will never allow to succeed.
” The government has projected that its massive support plans in the agriculture sector will double farmers ’ income by 2022 .
The critics say the bills create an undemocratic mechanism by which bureaucrats become arbitrators to settle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , rather than civil courts .
They also say that in the absence of better infrastructure like climate-controlled storage facilities , proper roads and reliable irrigation and power supply , removing middlemen will not be helpful to the farming sector .
Participating in the Parliament debate , former Prime Minister H.D .
Deve Gowda , now a lawmaker , asked Modi to explain the short- and long-term impact of the bills on farmers .
“ The prime minister should explain why there ’ s a hurry to pass the bills amid the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ explain how it will help in achieving the government ’ s goal of doubling farmers ’ income , ” he added .
Farmers have long been seen as the heart and soul of India , where agriculture supports more than half of the country ’ s 1.4 billion people .
But they ’ ve also seen their economic clout diminish over the last three decades .
Once accounting for a third of India ’ s gross domestic product , farmers now account for only 15 % of the country ’ s $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ farmers , often complaining about being ignored , hold frequent protests to demand better crop prices , more loan waivers and even water delivery systems to guarantee irrigation during dry spells .
Sometimes they stage sit-ins or dump truckloads of vegetables onto highways to disrupt traffic .
Several protests by farmers were reported against the bills in northern India on Sunday .
More than half of India ’ s farmers are in debt , with 20,638 killing themselves in 2018 and 2019 , according to India ’ s National Crime Records Bureau .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ farmer suicides , including poor crop yields , financial devastation or debt , and a lack of community support .

NEW DELHI (AP) - Amid an uproar in Parliament, Indian lawmakers on Sunday approved a pair of controversial agriculture bills that the government says will boost growth in the farming sector through private investments.
The two bills were approved even though most opposition parties and some allies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi called them anti-farmer.
The legislation is aimed at reforming India’s deeply stressed farming sector and will give farmers freedom to market their produce, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said while tabling the proposed laws in the upper house of Parliament. The bills are also aimed at removing middlemen from the farm trade and making farming market-oriented, the government has said.
The upper house passed two out of three bills, amid a war of words between ruling lawmakers and those opposing the legislation. The third bill, intended to be part of the farm liberalization plan, could not be taken up because the upper house adjourned for the day amid chaotic scenes, with opposition lawmakers tearing documents and shouting slogans against the bills.
The lower house had approved all three bills on Thursday. The passed bills will have to be signed by India’s ceremonial president, a formality before becoming law.
On Thursday, Shiromani Akali Dal party lawmaker Harsimrat Kaur resigned as minister for food processing in protest against the bills. The party is one of the Modi government’s most trusted allies.
Tomar sought to allay critics of the legislation by saying that the government’s market intervention policy to procure agriculture crops from farmers will continue. The policy insures farmers against any sharp fall in prices of their agricultural produce.
However, the opposition leaders launched scathing attacks on the government, calling the legislation “black law” and “pro-corporate.”
Rahul Gandhi, a top leader of the main opposition Congress party, said in a tweet Sunday that Modi “is making farmers ‘slaves’ of the capitalists, which the country will never allow to succeed.”
The government has projected that its massive support plans in the agriculture sector will double farmers’ income by 2022.
The critics say the bills create an undemocratic mechanism by which bureaucrats become arbitrators to settle any contract disputes between farmers and buyers, rather than civil courts. They also say that in the absence of better infrastructure like climate-controlled storage facilities, proper roads and reliable irrigation and power supply, removing middlemen will not be helpful to the farming sector.
Participating in the Parliament debate, former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, now a lawmaker, asked Modi to explain the short- and long-term impact of the bills on farmers.
“The prime minister should explain why there’s a hurry to pass the bills amid the pandemic,” he said. Modi should “explain how it will help in achieving the government’s goal of doubling farmers’ income,” he added.
Farmers have long been seen as the heart and soul of India, where agriculture supports more than half of the country’s 1.4 billion people. But they’ve also seen their economic clout diminish over the last three decades. Once accounting for a third of India’s gross domestic product, farmers now account for only 15% of the country’s $2.9 trillion economy.
India’s farmers, often complaining about being ignored, hold frequent protests to demand better crop prices, more loan waivers and even water delivery systems to guarantee irrigation during dry spells. Sometimes they stage sit-ins or dump truckloads of vegetables onto highways to disrupt traffic. Several protests by farmers were reported against the bills in northern India on Sunday.
More than half of India’s farmers are in debt, with 20,638 killing themselves in 2018 and 2019, according to India’s National Crime Records Bureau.
Many factors are believed to contribute to farmer suicides, including poor crop yields, financial devastation or debt, and a lack of community support.


washingtontimes--2020-09-20--Forged on the Iron Range: Trump's 'America First' message putting Minnesota in play

President Trump has put Democratic challenger Joseph R. Biden on the defensive in Minnesota , an unlikely battleground that hasn ’ t voted Republican in a presidential election since 1972 .
It ’ s a rare opportunity for Mr. Trump to expand the electoral map and potentially capture Minnesota ’ s 10 electoral votes to offset a potential loss in Michigan or Wisconsin , two states that he narrowly won in 2016 .
Mr. Trump came close to winning Minnesota four years ago .
He lost the state to Hillary Clinton by a little more than 1.5 percentage points .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ been amplified by months of unrest and riots in Minneapolis after the death of George Floyd , a Black man , in police custody .
The president ’ s momentum prompted Mr. Biden ’ s team to spend millions of dollars on advertising in the state .
“ President Trump has tapped into an organic enthusiasm from Minnesotans who are tired of career politicians ’ lip service with no results , and we see an opportunity to win Minnesota with voters who want four more years of the president ’ s ‘ America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zager , a spokesperson for the Trump campaign .
The polling in Minnesota is mixed .
Several polls show Mr. Biden with a solid lead , and the Real Clear Politics average of recent polls in the state puts Mr. Biden ahead by 5.8 percentage points .
A recent Emerson poll , however , shows the president outperforming his 2016 exit polls for men and women , and among younger voters and voters without a college degree .
He also racked up endorsements from six Democratic mayors in Minnesota .
Since the death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state has been plagued by Black Lives Matter protests that sometimes devolve into riots at night .
It took the National Guard to stop the torching and looting of businesses in Minneapolis , and the president repeatedly threatened to send in troops to halt the chaos .
The riots across the state resulted in roughly $ 500 million in damage and the deaths of at least two people .
The Trump campaign thinks the president ’ s law-and-order message is resonating in Minnesota because of the unrest .
But critics argue that Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests against racial injustice that have energized Black voters and the Democratic base .
Democratic Party strategist Antjuan Seawright said the law-and-order message is made up of “ coded words ” to rally what he called Mr. Trump ’ s racist supporters .
“ It is definitely going to tickle the hearts and minds and ears of the Republican base that supports Donald Trump , ” Mr. Seawright said .
He predicted that the president ’ s messaging would backfire and he would lose Minnesota as well as Rust Belt states such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the top in 2016 .
“ From the time Donald Trump has taken office , the mood and temperature of the country have changed , ” Mr. Seawright said .
“ Things are shifting , and voters are starting to see through the smog.
” However , former Minnesota Sen. Amy Koch , a Republican in the Twin Cities metro region , said she is hearing from voters who are frustrated with the unrest and the doom and gloom rhetoric about COVID-19 from Democratic politicians .
Minnesota voters recognize what happened to Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they do not approve of the violence and rioting .
She said first lady Melania Trump ’ s speech at the Republican National Convention , where she called for a peaceful change instead of violence and anger , was the right tone to win over Minnesota voters .
“ It is that message that I think could really resonate here , ” said Ms. Koch , the state ’ s first female Senate majority leader .
“ There is this need for some hope.
” In 2016 , Mr. Trump was hurt at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as Ms. Koch .
Many voted for Evan McMullin , who led a “ Never Trump ” movement and garnered about 1.8 % of the vote , which was more than Mrs. Clinton ’ s margin of victory .
Where those votes go this year remains to be seen .
Mr. Trump barely campaigned in Minnesota in 2016 .
He made his only appearance on the Sunday before the election .
This time , Mr. Trump is lavishing money and attention on Minnesotans and last month visited the Twin Cities and Mankato @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaigning in the state , as has Vice President Mike Pence , who recently visited Duluth .
Mr. Biden and his running mate , Sen. Kamala D. Harris of California , also have jetted into the state .
During a cross-state tour this month , Ms. Harris said they would not take Minnesota voters for granted .
“ We need to earn the vote of every Minnesotan , and we will do that based what clearly is our plan to be relevant to Minnesota families , ” she said in an interview with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Biden will both campaign in the state on Friday .
Mr. Trump will host an event in Bemidji .
Mr. Biden , who would be making his first campaign visit to the state , promised to be there Friday but did not provide details .
Mr. Biden ’ s wife , Jill , has visited the state on his behalf .
Both campaigns have begun airing ads there this month and have reserved millions of dollars in airtime , according to reports .
Mr. Trump is looking to spend $ 14 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 , and Mr. Biden has reserved roughly one-third of that amount .
“ If Democrats were not worried about losing their grip on Minnesota , then Biden wouldn ’ t be visiting there and they wouldn ’ t be going up on air there .
They ’ d be spending those resources in Georgia and Texas , ” said a GOP strategist and adviser to Donald Trump Jr. “ All you have to do is look at how Biden and Democrats are treating Minnesota to know that this state is in play.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it will be the first time Minnesota has backed a Republican since the 49-state landslide of Richard Nixon in 1972 .
It voted twice against Ronald Reagan and was the only state to prefer Walter Mondale in Reagan ’ s 1984 victory .
Javier Morillo , a Democratic Party strategist in St. Paul , said his state is purple but most of the population is concentrated in urban areas , which leans heavily Democratic .
He predicted a victory for Mr. Biden because Mrs. Clinton was able to win the state in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which he said will not happen this November .
“ This time around , it is a different ballgame .
Democrats are very energized by four years of Donald Trump , so I think our turnout goals are going to be high and are going to be met , ” he told The Washington Times .
A poll completed in August by the Trafalgar Group showed the president and Mr. Biden in a tie .
More recent polls by KSTP/SurveyUSA and Public Policy Polling showed Mr. Biden with a 9-point and 8-point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ larger than what polls gave Mrs. Clinton in September 2016 .
Still , Trump fans see an opportunity for the president ’ s message to break through .
“ It ’ s law and order , ” said Republican Party strategist Corey Lewandowski , one of Mr. Trump ’ s 2016 campaign managers and co-author of the 2017 book “ Let Trump Be Trump.
” He thinks the message to end violence and unrest is resonating across swing states such as Minnesota and in his home state of New Hampshire , where Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by less than 0.5 percentage points .
“ He is going to win by a larger electoral margin than he did in 2016 , ” Mr. Lewandowski said .
“ Everybody deserves a safe environment to have a home in , to have a business in , to worship in , and have your kids go to school .
”

President Trump has put Democratic challenger Joseph R. Biden on the defensive in Minnesota, an unlikely battleground that hasn’t voted Republican in a presidential election since 1972.
It’s a rare opportunity for Mr. Trump to expand the electoral map and potentially capture Minnesota’s 10 electoral votes to offset a potential loss in Michigan or Wisconsin, two states that he narrowly won in 2016.
Mr. Trump came close to winning Minnesota four years ago. He lost the state to Hillary Clinton by a little more than 1.5 percentage points. This time, his law-and-order message has been amplified by months of unrest and riots in Minneapolis after the death of George Floyd, a Black man, in police custody.
The president’s momentum prompted Mr. Biden’s team to spend millions of dollars on advertising in the state.
“President Trump has tapped into an organic enthusiasm from Minnesotans who are tired of career politicians’ lip service with no results, and we see an opportunity to win Minnesota with voters who want four more years of the president’s ‘America First’ agenda,” said Samantha Zager, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign.
The polling in Minnesota is mixed. Several polls show Mr. Biden with a solid lead, and the Real Clear Politics average of recent polls in the state puts Mr. Biden ahead by 5.8 percentage points.
A recent Emerson poll, however, shows the president outperforming his 2016 exit polls for men and women, and among younger voters and voters without a college degree.
He also racked up endorsements from six Democratic mayors in Minnesota.
Since the death of Floyd on Memorial Day, the state has been plagued by Black Lives Matter protests that sometimes devolve into riots at night. It took the National Guard to stop the torching and looting of businesses in Minneapolis, and the president repeatedly threatened to send in troops to halt the chaos.
The riots across the state resulted in roughly $500 million in damage and the deaths of at least two people.
The Trump campaign thinks the president’s law-and-order message is resonating in Minnesota because of the unrest.
But critics argue that Mr. Trump turned a blind eye to the protests against racial injustice that have energized Black voters and the Democratic base.
Democratic Party strategist Antjuan Seawright said the law-and-order message is made up of “coded words” to rally what he called Mr. Trump’s racist supporters.
“It is definitely going to tickle the hearts and minds and ears of the Republican base that supports Donald Trump,” Mr. Seawright said.
He predicted that the president’s messaging would backfire and he would lose Minnesota as well as Rust Belt states such as Michigan and Wisconsin that put him over the top in 2016.
“From the time Donald Trump has taken office, the mood and temperature of the country have changed,” Mr. Seawright said. “Things are shifting, and voters are starting to see through the smog.”
However, former Minnesota Sen. Amy Koch, a Republican in the Twin Cities metro region, said she is hearing from voters who are frustrated with the unrest and the doom and gloom rhetoric about COVID-19 from Democratic politicians.
Minnesota voters recognize what happened to Floyd was wrong, she said, but they do not approve of the violence and rioting.
She said first lady Melania Trump’s speech at the Republican National Convention, where she called for a peaceful change instead of violence and anger, was the right tone to win over Minnesota voters.
“It is that message that I think could really resonate here,” said Ms. Koch, the state’s first female Senate majority leader. “There is this need for some hope.”
In 2016, Mr. Trump was hurt at the polls in Minnesota by anti-Trump Republicans such as Ms. Koch. Many voted for Evan McMullin, who led a “Never Trump” movement and garnered about 1.8% of the vote, which was more than Mrs. Clinton’s margin of victory.
Where those votes go this year remains to be seen.
Mr. Trump barely campaigned in Minnesota in 2016. He made his only appearance on the Sunday before the election.
This time, Mr. Trump is lavishing money and attention on Minnesotans and last month visited the Twin Cities and Mankato. His family members also have been campaigning in the state, as has Vice President Mike Pence, who recently visited Duluth.
Mr. Biden and his running mate, Sen. Kamala D. Harris of California, also have jetted into the state.
During a cross-state tour this month, Ms. Harris said they would not take Minnesota voters for granted.
“We need to earn the vote of every Minnesotan, and we will do that based what clearly is our plan to be relevant to Minnesota families,” she said in an interview with KARE-TV in Minneapolis.
The president and Mr. Biden will both campaign in the state on Friday.
Mr. Trump will host an event in Bemidji. Mr. Biden, who would be making his first campaign visit to the state, promised to be there Friday but did not provide details.
Mr. Biden’s wife, Jill, has visited the state on his behalf.
Both campaigns have begun airing ads there this month and have reserved millions of dollars in airtime, according to reports. Mr. Trump is looking to spend $14 million on advertising in Minnesota ahead of Nov. 3, and Mr. Biden has reserved roughly one-third of that amount.
“If Democrats were not worried about losing their grip on Minnesota, then Biden wouldn’t be visiting there and they wouldn’t be going up on air there. They’d be spending those resources in Georgia and Texas,” said a GOP strategist and adviser to Donald Trump Jr. “All you have to do is look at how Biden and Democrats are treating Minnesota to know that this state is in play.”
If Mr. Trump wins the state, it will be the first time Minnesota has backed a Republican since the 49-state landslide of Richard Nixon in 1972. It voted twice against Ronald Reagan and was the only state to prefer Walter Mondale in Reagan’s 1984 victory.
Javier Morillo, a Democratic Party strategist in St. Paul, said his state is purple but most of the population is concentrated in urban areas, which leans heavily Democratic.
He predicted a victory for Mr. Biden because Mrs. Clinton was able to win the state in 2016 despite lower than expected Democratic turnout, which he said will not happen this November.
“This time around, it is a different ballgame. Democrats are very energized by four years of Donald Trump, so I think our turnout goals are going to be high and are going to be met,” he told The Washington Times.
A poll completed in August by the Trafalgar Group showed the president and Mr. Biden in a tie.
More recent polls by KSTP/SurveyUSA and Public Policy Polling showed Mr. Biden with a 9-point and 8-point lead, respectively. Both leads are larger than what polls gave Mrs. Clinton in September 2016.
Still, Trump fans see an opportunity for the president’s message to break through.
“It’s law and order,” said Republican Party strategist Corey Lewandowski, one of Mr. Trump’s 2016 campaign managers and co-author of the 2017 book “Let Trump Be Trump.”
He thinks the message to end violence and unrest is resonating across swing states such as Minnesota and in his home state of New Hampshire, where Mr. Trump lost to Mrs. Clinton in 2016 by less than 0.5 percentage points.
“He is going to win by a larger electoral margin than he did in 2016,” Mr. Lewandowski said. “Everybody deserves a safe environment to have a home in, to have a business in, to worship in, and have your kids go to school.”
• Seth McLaughlin contributed to this report.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-20--Media turns a blind eye on attacks on Republicans by increasingly bellicose 'hard left'

A disturbing increase in threats and violence aimed at Republicans has stoked fears that the American political process is crumbling , which conservatives blame on the left fanning anti-Trump fervor into an out-of-control political blaze .
While no one tracks exact statistics of political violence , a Washington Times review of reported incidents uncovered at least 15 major skirmishes since February .
The number is likely greater , however , since so many incidents are unreported .
“ The hard left is certainly getting more active , ” said Brian Levin , director of the Center for the Study of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , San Bernadino .
“ We had the first homicide from the far left in many , many years this year.
” Multiple incidents last week highlight the increase in violence targeting Republicans as Election Day nears .
• The Republican Party of Virginia ( RPV ) headquarters in Richmond was vandalized with glass windows and doors smashed .
It was the second time this year the building was vandalized .
• A retired school teacher in Arizona was arrested and accused of leaving a death threat on the office voicemail of Rep. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Two women were charged with hate crimes for allegedly harassing a 7-year-old boy and his mother outside the Democratic National Convention in Delaware because the child was wearing a “ Make America Great Again ” hat .
• Federal prosecutors in California arrested a man they say firebombed the headquarters of a local Republican women ’ s organization .
“ With respect to the individual reporting of specific incidents of intimidation committed against conservatives , they are not given the same level coverage in the mainstream media that maybe some in the niche @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The media has breathlessly covered the rise in right-wing violence that has emerged over the past few years , largely fueled by white supremacist groups .
Mr. Levin said far-right and far-left extremist violence differ because the leftist incidents appear to be less organized and typically target one or two individuals .
Far-right violence , meanwhile , has typically been more deadly as its perpetrators seek to cause mass casualty events .
“ The hard-left is a sapling , while the hard-right is an oak , ” he said .
“ But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence is really just limited to the hard-right , although they look for higher body counts.
” The scale of left-leaning violence appears to be on the increase , as evidenced by the killing of a supporter of President Trump in Portland last month .
Aaron “ Jay ” Danielson , a member of the right-wing Patriot Prayer group , was shot and killed last month during the riots in Portland , Oregon .
Suspect Michael Reinoehl , who admitted the killing while claiming he was defending a non-White friend , was fatally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to arrest him .
Reinoehl , who had described himself as “ 100 % Antifa , ” was armed at the time , according to the U.S .
Marshals Service .
Danielson ’ s group had come to Portland to counter-protest the demonstrations that have occurred nightly in the city since the death of George Floyd , a Black man , while in the custody of the Minneapolis police .
Some on the left say the incident is an outlier because Danielson and Reinoehl were both part of groups confronting each other .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard-left suspected extremist-motivated homicide and we are not going to put any lipstick on it because some people might not like it , ” he said .
Rich Anderson , chairman of the RPV , whose Richmond headquarters has been vandalized twice this year , puts the blame squarely on the Democrats ’ rhetoric .
“ The left certainly fears the reelection of President Trump and Vice President Pence and does , in fact , indisputably employ this level of violence against those who disagree with them on policy matters , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from debate in the public square and the marketplace of ideas into the use of force and violence.
” Republicans say the Democrats ’ silence on the left-wing violence that has spread across the country this summer has been a factor .
But not condemning the mobs who have rioted and looted major cities , Democrat leaders tacitly condoned violence of all kind , they say .
“ It is no coincidence that this uptick in violence against Republicans is occurring as crime has skyrocketed in Democrat-run cities over the past three months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement to The Washington Times .
“ Democrat leaders need to enforce the rule of law and crack down on violent protesters and riots to ensure that neighborhoods remain safe and citizens feel comfortable to go out in their cities and to their polling places as Election Day approaches.
” Mr. Anderson said Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam and Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney weren ’ t forceful enough against the violence and vandalism that occurred in the city during racism protests over the past three months .
That lax attitude @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leading to the damage of the Republican headquarters .
“ Their neglect creates a sense of security in these people and they feel like they can do what was done last night , ” he said the morning after the vandalism .
After the attack , Mr. Stoney issued a statement condemning the vandalism against the Republican Party headquarters saying , “ destruction is not how we win arguments.
” Mr. Anderson wasn ’ t impressed , saying “ I know Stoney did a tweet this morning , but his actions sure speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young and old have been victimized .
In June , an 82-year-old man was walking down the street holding a Trump hat and wearing a Trump sign when , according to authorities , a 27-year-old motorist ran out of his car and assaulted him .
“ Give me the f—ing sign !
” Aidan Courtright of Fall River , Massachusetts , said as he charged Trump supporter Charlie Chase .
Mr. Courtright is accused of throwing Mr. Chase on the ground and kicking him in the legs and ribs before driving away .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign .
He has pleaded not guilty to violating civil rights with injury , to assault and battery on a person over 60 years old , and to vandalizing property .
In Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden ’ s home state of Delaware , two women were indicted on hate crime charges last week .
Olivia Winslow and Camryn Amy also face robbery , assault and child endangerment charges .
Prosecutors say they stole a pro-Trump hat worn by a 7-year-old boy and then threw it over a fence during the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The boy ’ s mother told local reporters she was “ punched in the face ” multiple times during the incident .
The two women have yet to enter a plea .
Mr. Trump sent the boy a gift package , including a signed “ Make America Great Again ” hat and other presidential paraphernalia .
Gregory Timm stands accused of ramming his van into a Republican Party voter registration tent in February in Florida , running over chairs and tables .
He also made an obscene gesture as he sped off , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told authorities with the Jacksonville Sheriff ’ s Department that he doesn ’ t like the president and “ someone had to take a stand.
” No one was injured in the assault , but campaign workers were shaken up .
Someone driving a car into a crowd is what killed Heather Heyer in the notorious Charlottesville riots .
Carlos Espriu , 23 , of Palm Desert , California , last week was charged with attempted arson in the May firebombing of the East Valley Republican Women Federated office in La Quinta , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man because the car he was driving and clothing match the images captured by a nearby video camera .
The incident caused $ 9,000 in damage and the group set up a GoFundMe page to pay for the damages .
“ The terrorizing goes on , ” the page said .
“ Their headquarters have experienced increased hostility including : multiple harassing phone calls daily , eggs thrown at the windows , and drive-by shouting accompanied by obscene gestures.
” Just days before the incident , police said Mr. Espriu had posted on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go burn s—t n get hit with tear gas.
” Mr. Anderson said he hopes Mr. Trump takes more aggressive action towards the violence .
“ My prayer is after President Trump ’ s reelection he exercises his authority to put an end to this , ” he said .
“ This has to stop somewhere .
We have to return to the American tradition of debating , even fiercely , in the marketplace of ideas .
”

A disturbing increase in threats and violence aimed at Republicans has stoked fears that the American political process is crumbling, which conservatives blame on the left fanning anti-Trump fervor into an out-of-control political blaze.
While no one tracks exact statistics of political violence, a Washington Times review of reported incidents uncovered at least 15 major skirmishes since February. The number is likely greater, however, since so many incidents are unreported.
“The hard left is certainly getting more active,” said Brian Levin, director of the Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism at California State University, San Bernadino. “We had the first homicide from the far left in many, many years this year.”
Multiple incidents last week highlight the increase in violence targeting Republicans as Election Day nears.
• The Republican Party of Virginia (RPV) headquarters in Richmond was vandalized with glass windows and doors smashed. It was the second time this year the building was vandalized.
• A retired school teacher in Arizona was arrested and accused of leaving a death threat on the office voicemail of Rep. Paul Gosar, Arizona Republican.
• Two women were charged with hate crimes for allegedly harassing a 7-year-old boy and his mother outside the Democratic National Convention in Delaware because the child was wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat.
• Federal prosecutors in California arrested a man they say firebombed the headquarters of a local Republican women’s organization.
“With respect to the individual reporting of specific incidents of intimidation committed against conservatives, they are not given the same level coverage in the mainstream media that maybe some in the niche media would,” Mr. Levin said.
The media has breathlessly covered the rise in right-wing violence that has emerged over the past few years, largely fueled by white supremacist groups.
Mr. Levin said far-right and far-left extremist violence differ because the leftist incidents appear to be less organized and typically target one or two individuals. Far-right violence, meanwhile, has typically been more deadly as its perpetrators seek to cause mass casualty events.
“The hard-left is a sapling, while the hard-right is an oak,” he said. “But we can no longer say that fatal violence is really just limited to the hard-right, although they look for higher body counts.”
The scale of left-leaning violence appears to be on the increase, as evidenced by the killing of a supporter of President Trump in Portland last month.
Aaron “Jay” Danielson, a member of the right-wing Patriot Prayer group, was shot and killed last month during the riots in Portland, Oregon.
Suspect Michael Reinoehl, who admitted the killing while claiming he was defending a non-White friend, was fatally shot by federal agents when they tried to arrest him. Reinoehl, who had described himself as “100% Antifa,” was armed at the time, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.
Danielson’s group had come to Portland to counter-protest the demonstrations that have occurred nightly in the city since the death of George Floyd, a Black man, while in the custody of the Minneapolis police.
Some on the left say the incident is an outlier because Danielson and Reinoehl were both part of groups confronting each other.
Mr. Levin disagrees.
“We are regarding it as a hard-left suspected extremist-motivated homicide and we are not going to put any lipstick on it because some people might not like it,” he said.
Rich Anderson, chairman of the RPV, whose Richmond headquarters has been vandalized twice this year, puts the blame squarely on the Democrats’ rhetoric.
“The left certainly fears the reelection of President Trump and Vice President Pence and does, in fact, indisputably employ this level of violence against those who disagree with them on policy matters,” he said. “They’ve moved from debate in the public square and the marketplace of ideas into the use of force and violence.”
Republicans say the Democrats’ silence on the left-wing violence that has spread across the country this summer has been a factor. But not condemning the mobs who have rioted and looted major cities, Democrat leaders tacitly condoned violence of all kind, they say.
“It is no coincidence that this uptick in violence against Republicans is occurring as crime has skyrocketed in Democrat-run cities over the past three months,” Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry said in a statement to The Washington Times. “Democrat leaders need to enforce the rule of law and crack down on violent protesters and riots to ensure that neighborhoods remain safe and citizens feel comfortable to go out in their cities and to their polling places as Election Day approaches.”
Mr. Anderson said Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney weren’t forceful enough against the violence and vandalism that occurred in the city during racism protests over the past three months. That lax attitude, he said, created an atmosphere leading to the damage of the Republican headquarters.
“Their neglect creates a sense of security in these people and they feel like they can do what was done last night,” he said the morning after the vandalism.
After the attack, Mr. Stoney issued a statement condemning the vandalism against the Republican Party headquarters saying, “destruction is not how we win arguments.”
Mr. Anderson wasn’t impressed, saying “I know Stoney did a tweet this morning, but his actions sure speak louder than his words.”
Trump supporters young and old have been victimized.
In June, an 82-year-old man was walking down the street holding a Trump hat and wearing a Trump sign when, according to authorities, a 27-year-old motorist ran out of his car and assaulted him.
“Give me the f—ing sign!” Aidan Courtright of Fall River, Massachusetts, said as he charged Trump supporter Charlie Chase.
Mr. Courtright is accused of throwing Mr. Chase on the ground and kicking him in the legs and ribs before driving away. He also purportedly tore up the Trump sign. He has pleaded not guilty to violating civil rights with injury, to assault and battery on a person over 60 years old, and to vandalizing property.
In Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden’s home state of Delaware, two women were indicted on hate crime charges last week. Olivia Winslow and Camryn Amy also face robbery, assault and child endangerment charges.
Prosecutors say they stole a pro-Trump hat worn by a 7-year-old boy and then threw it over a fence during the Democratic National Convention in Wilmington, Delaware. The boy’s mother told local reporters she was “punched in the face” multiple times during the incident.
The two women have yet to enter a plea.
Mr. Trump sent the boy a gift package, including a signed “Make America Great Again” hat and other presidential paraphernalia.
Gregory Timm stands accused of ramming his van into a Republican Party voter registration tent in February in Florida, running over chairs and tables. He also made an obscene gesture as he sped off, according to witness reports.
Mr. Timm told authorities with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Department that he doesn’t like the president and “someone had to take a stand.”
No one was injured in the assault, but campaign workers were shaken up. Someone driving a car into a crowd is what killed Heather Heyer in the notorious Charlottesville riots.
Carlos Espriu, 23, of Palm Desert, California, last week was charged with attempted arson in the May firebombing of the East Valley Republican Women Federated office in La Quinta, California.
Authorities say they got their man because the car he was driving and clothing match the images captured by a nearby video camera.
The incident caused $9,000 in damage and the group set up a GoFundMe page to pay for the damages.
“The terrorizing goes on,” the page said. “Their headquarters have experienced increased hostility including: multiple harassing phone calls daily, eggs thrown at the windows, and drive-by shouting accompanied by obscene gestures.”
Just days before the incident, police said Mr. Espriu had posted on Twitter that, “I wanna go burn s—t n get hit with tear gas.”
Mr. Anderson said he hopes Mr. Trump takes more aggressive action towards the violence.
“My prayer is after President Trump’s reelection he exercises his authority to put an end to this,” he said. “This has to stop somewhere. We have to return to the American tradition of debating, even fiercely, in the marketplace of ideas.”
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-20--How Trump outplayed Team Obama on Israeli-Arab peace push

Dire predictions by Obama administration alumni that moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem , Israel ’ s capital , would ignite widespread violence have not panned out .
There has been no dedicated Arab reprisals since the doors opened with much fanfare in May 2018 .
And two years later , Arab states are lining up to discuss and cement unprecedented peace deals with Israel that involve not just recognizing the Jewish state but also establishing trade and travel ties .
Secretary of State John F. Kerry , as he left office in January 2017 , predicted an explosive doom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d have an explosion , ” he told CBS News .
“ You ’ d have an explosion , an absolute explosion in the region , not just in the West Bank and perhaps even in Israel itself , but throughout the region .
The Arab world has enormous interest in the Haram al-Sharif , as it is called , the Temple Mount , the Dome [ of the Rock ] , and it is a holy site for the Arab world.
” “ And if all of a sudden Jerusalem is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embassy , that has issues of sovereignty , issues of law that it would deem to be affected by that move and by the United States acquiescing in that move , and that would have profound impact on the readiness of Jordan and Egypt to be able to be as supportive and engaged with Israel as they are today , ” Mr. Kerry said .
On Tuesday at the White House , Mr. Trump hosted the signing of historical diplomatic agreements by Mr. Netanyahu and representatives of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , possibly Saudi Arabia , will soon recognize Israel .
John O. Brennan , Mr. Obama ’ s CIA director , has been a strident critic of President Trump not just on Russia election interference but also the Middle East .
Back when the embassy move was announced , Mr. Brennan tweeted , “ Deaths in Gaza result of utter disregard of Messers Trump and [ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin ] Netanyahu for Palestine rights & homeland .
By moving embassy to Jerusalem .
Trump played politics , destroyed US peacemaker role .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremists to find path to peace.
” Ben Rhodes , the Obama White House maestro for building Washington press corps support for the 2015 Iran nuclear deal , also tweeted disapproval .
After Axios published an article on why the White Houser does not believe the Tel Aviv-to-Jerusalem move will kill peace talks , Mr. Rhodes tweeted in December 2017 : “ This is just cringe worthy spin , even by Trump WH standards .
Palestinians won ’ t mind the Jerusalem recognition bc Trump will come out in favor of a Palestinian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s first foreign policy initiatives was to pull out of the Iran deal and impose new economic sanctions .
“ Never Trump ” Republican consultant Steve Schmidt also predicted horrible consequences when the U.S. Embassy opened .
He is today a prominent player in the 2020 election .
He is co-founder of the Lincoln Project , which produces anti-Trump ads that often air on Fox News .
“ Trump destabilized the Middle East with his decision to move the embassy , ” Mr. Schmidt tweeted .
“ His abject ignorance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this moment have given succor to the agents of terror and chaos .
Trump destabilizes , Hamas terrorists provoke , Israel responds .
Repeat 1.
” His tweet was retrieved and posted by Sean Davis , co-founder of The Federalist , who tweeted : “ In case you weren ’ t already wary about taking geopolitical advice from bitter , washed-up … campaign consultants , this gem from 2018 should probably seal it for you .
”

Dire predictions by Obama administration alumni that moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, Israel’s capital, would ignite widespread violence have not panned out.
There has been no dedicated Arab reprisals since the doors opened with much fanfare in May 2018.
And two years later, Arab states are lining up to discuss and cement unprecedented peace deals with Israel that involve not just recognizing the Jewish state but also establishing trade and travel ties.
Secretary of State John F. Kerry, as he left office in January 2017, predicted an explosive doom for the Middle East.
“You’d have an explosion,” he told CBS News. “You’d have an explosion, an absolute explosion in the region, not just in the West Bank and perhaps even in Israel itself, but throughout the region. The Arab world has enormous interest in the Haram al-Sharif, as it is called, the Temple Mount, the Dome [of the Rock], and it is a holy site for the Arab world.”
“And if all of a sudden Jerusalem is declared to be the location of our embassy, that has issues of sovereignty, issues of law that it would deem to be affected by that move and by the United States acquiescing in that move, and that would have profound impact on the readiness of Jordan and Egypt to be able to be as supportive and engaged with Israel as they are today,” Mr. Kerry said.
On Tuesday at the White House, Mr. Trump hosted the signing of historical diplomatic agreements by Mr. Netanyahu and representatives of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. Mr. Trump predicted other Arab countries, possibly Saudi Arabia, will soon recognize Israel.
John O. Brennan, Mr. Obama’s CIA director, has been a strident critic of President Trump not just on Russia election interference but also the Middle East.
Back when the embassy move was announced, Mr. Brennan tweeted, “Deaths in Gaza result of utter disregard of Messers Trump and [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu for Palestine rights & homeland. By moving embassy to Jerusalem. Trump played politics, destroyed US peacemaker role. New generation of Israelis/Palestinians need to isolate extremists to find path to peace.”
Ben Rhodes, the Obama White House maestro for building Washington press corps support for the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, also tweeted disapproval.
After Axios published an article on why the White Houser does not believe the Tel Aviv-to-Jerusalem move will kill peace talks, Mr. Rhodes tweeted in December 2017: “This is just cringe worthy spin, even by Trump WH standards. Palestinians won’t mind the Jerusalem recognition bc Trump will come out in favor of a Palestinian state? Sure.”
One of Mr. Trump’s first foreign policy initiatives was to pull out of the Iran deal and impose new economic sanctions.
“Never Trump” Republican consultant Steve Schmidt also predicted horrible consequences when the U.S. Embassy opened. He is today a prominent player in the 2020 election. He is co-founder of the Lincoln Project, which produces anti-Trump ads that often air on Fox News.
“Trump destabilized the Middle East with his decision to move the embassy,” Mr. Schmidt tweeted. “His abject ignorance of the history and religions that have shaped this moment have given succor to the agents of terror and chaos. Trump destabilizes, Hamas terrorists provoke, Israel responds. Repeat 1.”
His tweet was retrieved and posted by Sean Davis, co-founder of The Federalist, who tweeted: “In case you weren’t already wary about taking geopolitical advice from bitter, washed-up … campaign consultants, this gem from 2018 should probably seal it for you.”
• Rowan Scarborough can be reached at rscarborough@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-20--Witnesses: Afghan government airstrikes kill 24 civilians

KABUL , Afghanistan ( AP ) - Government airstrikes in the north of Afghanistan killed 24 civilians , including children , and wounded six others , witnesses told The Associated Press on Sunday .
The two witnesses contacted by the AP said that most of those killed in Saturday ’ s airstrikes , which struck the village of Sayed Ramazan in northern Kunduz province , were civilians .
The Khanabad district in the province where the village is located is Taliban controlled .
The Afghan Defense Ministry , however , said the airstrikes killed 30 Taliban fighters , but added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that civilians were among those killed .
The airstrikes come as Taliban and government-appointed negotiators are meeting for the first time in Qatar to discuss the future of Afghanistan and an end to decades of war and conflict .
Villagers said an initial airstrike targeted a house belonging to a Taliban fighter , whose home doubled as a check post that stops and frisks people to ensure they are not connected to the government .
The explosion set fire to a nearby home , trapping a family inside , said Latif Rahmani who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AP by phone , Rahmani said farmers and villagers ran to douse the fire and rescue trapped family members inside when a second airstrike hit , killing many of them .
Rahmani , who said he was working on his house at the time of the airstrike , warned his neighbors against running toward the burning buildings for fear of a second airstrike .
“ I yelled at people and told them not to go because maybe there would be another bombing , but they ran to help and to put out the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second witness in the area , Kalamuddin , who like many Afghans uses just one name , said the lone Taliban fighter living in the house that was initially hit had been killed .
He said five children were among the 24 civilians that had been killed .
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid condemned the airstrikes and said the Taliban had no military operations in the area at the time of the airstrike .
The United Nations has harshly criticized both sides in the conflict for the relentless killing of civilians in Afghanistan ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Qatar are part of a U.S. brokered deal with the Taliban that will eventually lead to U.S. withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan .
In early July , Afghan national army personnel fired mortars into a busy market in southern Helmand , killing 23 people .
The Defense Ministry is still investigating the incident .
Also Saturday , at least six rockets were fired at NATO ’ s Resolute Support base in southern Kandahar .
No casualties were reported and no one claimed responsibility .
NATO said in a statement that if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it could jeopardize the U.S. peace deal in which the Taliban have promised not to attack U.S. and NATO forces .

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - Government airstrikes in northern Afghanistan killed 24 civilians, including children, and wounded six others, witnesses told The Associated Press on Sunday.
The two witnesses contacted by the AP said most of those killed in Saturday’s airstrikes, which struck the village of Sayed Ramazan in northern Kunduz province, were civilians. The Khanabad district in the province where the village is located is Taliban-controlled.
The Afghan Defense Ministry, however, said the airstrikes killed 30 Taliban fighters, but added an investigation was being made into claims that civilians were among those killed.
The airstrikes come as Taliban and government-appointed negotiators are meeting for the first time in Qatar to discuss the future of Afghanistan and an end to decades of war and conflict.
Villagers said an initial airstrike targeted a house belonging to a Taliban fighter, whose home doubled as a checkpoint for stopping and frisking people to ensure they were not connected to the government. The explosion set fire to a nearby home, trapping a family inside, said Latif Rahmani, who witnessed the airstrikes and spoke to the AP by phone.
Rahmani said farmers and villagers ran to douse the fire and rescue trapped family members inside when a second airstrike hit, killing many of them.
Rahmani, who said he was working on his house at the time of the airstrike, warned his neighbors against running toward the burning buildings for fear of a second airstrike.
“I yelled at people and told them not to go because maybe there would be another bombing, but they ran to help and to put out the fire,” Rahmani said.
A second witness in the area, Kalamuddin, who like many Afghans uses just one name, said the lone Taliban fighter who lived in the house that was initially hit had been killed. He said five children were among the 24 civilians that were killed.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid condemned the airstrikes and said the Taliban had no military operations in the area at the time of the airstrike.
The United Nations has harshly criticized both sides in the conflict for the relentless killing of civilians in Afghanistan’s protracted war. A U.N. report said 1,282 Afghan civilians were killed in the first half of 2020, down 13% from 2019.
The peace talks in Qatar are part of a U.S.-brokered deal with the Taliban that will eventually lead to U.S. withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan.
In late July, an Afghan government airstrike killed at least 14 people in the western Herat province, many of them women and children. Witnesses said hundreds of people had gathered to welcome home a former Taliban fighter freed from jail when aircraft pounded the gathering.
Earlier that month, Afghan national army personnel fired mortars into a busy market in southern Helmand, killing 23 people. The Defense Ministry is still investigating the incident.
Also Saturday, at least six rockets were fired at NATO’s Resolute Support base in southern Kandahar. No casualties were reported and no one claimed responsibility. NATO said in a statement that if the Taliban were behind the rocket fire, it could jeopardize the U.S. peace deal in which the Taliban have promised not to attack U.S. and NATO forces.


washingtontimes--2020-09-20--Iran dismisses US efforts at UN sanctions as currency drops

TEHRAN , Iran ( AP ) - Iran dismissed U.S. efforts to restore all U.N. sanctions on the country as mounting economic pressure from Washington pushed the local currency down to its lowest level ever on Sunday .
Iran ’ s currency dropped to 272,500 to the U.S. dollar at money exchange shops across Tehran .
The rial has lost more than 30 % of its value to the dollar since June as sweeping U.S. sanctions on Iran continue to crush its ability to sell oil globally .
Iran ’ s currency was at 32,000 rials to the dollar at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nuclear deal with world powers , which was signed by the Obama administration but which the Trump administration pulled the U.S. from .
As the currency plummeted , Iran ’ s foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh slammed the Trump administration ’ s declaration Saturday that all U.N. sanctions against Iran have been reimposed because Tehran is not complying with the nuclear deal .
“ Tehran ’ s message to Washington is clear : return to the international community , return to your commitments and stop bullying so the international community will accept you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move has been rejected as illegal by most of the rest of the world and sets the stage for an ugly showdown at the world body ahead of its annual General Assembly this week .
Even before the U.S. declaration , other Security Council members had vowed to ignore it .
They say the U.S. lost legal standing to invoke snapback sanctions when President Donald Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal in 2018 and began reimposing U.S. sanctions on Iran .
France , Germany and Britain issued a joint statement Sunday reiterating that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump administration ’ s bid to activate the “ snapback ” sanctions mechanism because the United States withdrew from the nuclear accord .
The statement said “ it follows that any decision or action taken on the basis of this procedure … are without effect in law.
” The three countries stressed they remain determined to preserve the nuclear deal with Iran .
The Iranian government spokesman said the snapback sanctions have only happened in “ the fantastical world ” of the Trump administration .
He said the U.S. stands on the wrong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempting to make everyone believe it , but nobody is buying it except for themselves , ” Khatibzadeh said during his weekly press briefing on Sunday .
“ It is a television show whose sole presenter , viewers and those cheering it on are Mr. Pompeo himself and a handful of others , ” the spokesman said , referring to the U.S. secretary of state .
The White House plans to issue an executive order on Monday spelling out how the U.S. will enforce the restored sanctions , and the State and Treasury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals and businesses will be penalized for violations .
Tensions are running high between Iran and the U.S. , particularly since a U.S. strike in January killed Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad , prompting Tehran to retaliate with a ballistic missile strike on Iraqi bases housing American troops .
Associated Press correspondent Elaine Ganley in Paris contributed to this report .

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran’s president dismissed U.S. efforts to restore all U.N. sanctions on the country as mounting economic pressure from Washington pushed the local currency down to its lowest level ever on Sunday.
Iran’s currency dropped to 272,500 to the U.S. dollar at money exchange shops across Tehran.
The rial has lost more than 30% of its value to the dollar since June as sweeping U.S. sanctions on Iran continue to crush its ability to sell oil globally. Iran’s currency was at 32,000 rials to the dollar at the time of Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, which was signed by the Obama administration but which the Trump administration pulled the U.S. out of.
As the currency plummeted, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani slammed the Trump administration’s declaration Saturday that all U.N. sanctions against Iran have been reimposed because Tehran is not complying with the nuclear deal.
“If America uses its bullying … and does something in practice, it will have to face our decisive response,” Rouhani said in a Cabinet meeting Sunday.
Rouhani said that, if the deal’s remaining signatories fully carry out their obligations under the agreement, Iran will walk back its steps away from the deal. For Iran, being able to sell oil remains its most important concern.
The U.S. move to reimpose sanctions has been rejected as illegal by most of the rest of the world and sets the stage for an ugly showdown at the world body ahead of its annual General Assembly this week.
Even before the U.S. declaration, other Security Council members had vowed to ignore it. They say the U.S. lost legal standing to invoke snapback sanctions when President Donald Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal in 2018 and began reimposing U.S. sanctions on Iran.
France, Germany and Britain issued a joint statement Sunday reiterating that they contest the legal basis of the Trump administration’s bid to activate the “snapback” sanctions mechanism because the United States withdrew from the nuclear accord.
The statement said “it follows that any decision or action taken on the basis of this procedure … are without effect in law.” The three countries stressed they remain determined to preserve the nuclear deal with Iran.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi on Sunday welcomed the U.S. sanctions efforts. He called on France, Britain and Germany to withdraw their opposition and support a “rigorous implementation of the sanctions.” Israel views Iran as its greatest threat, and has hailed Trump’s decision to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear deal and reimpose sanctions.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said the snapback sanctions have only happened in “the fantastical world” of the Trump administration. He said the U.S. stands on the wrong side of history.
“They are attempting to make everyone believe it, but nobody is buying it except for themselves,” Khatibzadeh said during his weekly press briefing on Sunday.
“It is a television show whose sole presenter, viewers and those cheering it on are Mr. Pompeo himself and a handful of others,” the spokesman said, referring to the U.S. secretary of state.
The White House plans to issue an executive order on Monday spelling out how the U.S. will enforce the restored sanctions, and the State and Treasury departments are expected to outline how foreign individuals and businesses will be penalized for violations.
Tensions are running high between Iran and the U.S., particularly since a U.S. strike in January killed Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad, prompting Tehran to retaliate with a ballistic missile strike on Iraqi bases housing American troops.
___
Associated Press writers Elaine Ganley in Paris and Fares Akram in Gaza City, Gaza Strip contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-09-20--Man survives alligator attack, but with 65 stitches

PORT ST. LUCIE , Fla. ( AP ) - Mark Johnson , 61 , has lived his entire life around alligators .
That ’ s why he was so surprised when one tried to grab him and drag him into a canal behind his southeastern Port St. Lucie home .
Johnson managed to get the gator to let go of his leg by digging both of his index fingers into the hungry reptile ’ s eye sockets .
Even then , he felt lucky to get away alive .
“ I ’ ve always thought I had a greater chance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walks than I did of being grabbed by an alligator , ” said Johnson , a marine artist and Florida native who was born and raised in Winter Garden , near Lake Apopka .
“ This was scary .
I was cussing the gator out saying , ‘ You ’ re not going to get me into the water.
’ ” Johnson was walking at about 9:30 a.m. Sept. 13 along a canal with his 8-year-old golden retriever , Rex .
He had seen the gator swimming southbound in the canal past where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the water ’ s edge nibbling on grass when Johnson noticed the gator turn toward them .
“ I stepped down onto the mud bank and yelled at Rex to get on home .
He left immediately , but my Croc got stuck in the mud .
As I tried to wiggle it free , I saw the gator lunge out of the water and seize onto the back of my right knee.
” The force of the attack knocked Johnson to the ground .
In shock , he twisted around and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open the jaws .
But he wanted to act fast before the gator tried to go into its “ death roll , ” perhaps twisting his leg or a chunk of his thigh and calf off its bone .
That ’ s when he reacted with his fingers to the eyeballs .
Somewhat to Johnson ’ s surprise , the gator immediately let go and swam away .
Johnson limped the 75 yards back to his screened porch , blood dripping down his leg .
His wife of 25 years , Lou , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to clean out the wound and wrap a clean towel around it .
They went to St. Lucie Medical Center , where the wound was disinfected and treated .
He received 12 puncture wounds and about 60 stitches in his leg plus another five in the index finger on his left hand , where he cut it on the gator ’ s eye socket .
He said the pain was pretty intense , as much for the force of the jaws clamping down on his leg as the teeth .
He said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two times he stepped on stingrays while wade fishing in the Indian River Lagoon , until S Johnson said he doesn ’ t blame the alligator .
It was just doing what alligators do .
“ But it ’ s important for people to understand how dangerous alligators are , ” Johnson said .
“ If I had been a small child or pet , I wouldn ’ t have had a chance.
” Johnson said it was important to keep his cool in order to survive .
“ You can not panic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , too .
I ’ ll reach down and lift up the bass with my hand .
I just got lucky.
” The Johnsons asked their neighbors , the Challenors , to call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to report the incident .
“ You take one ( alligator ) out and 10 more come along , ” Jerry Chanellor said .
“ This is a swamp .
We built our houses in Florida in it , in the alligators ’ home.
” The FWC dispatched a contracted nuisance trapper to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to locate the alligator .
“ The trapper did tell me I was lucky , ” Johnson said .
“ He said the fingers to the eye socket trick doesn ’ t always work.
” He said when he is able to resume his walks again , he ’ ll probably be carrying some sort of weapon for protection .

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) - Mark Johnson, 61, has lived his entire life around alligators. That’s why he was so surprised when one tried to grab him and drag him into a canal behind his southeastern Port St. Lucie home.
Johnson managed to get the gator to let go of his leg by digging both of his index fingers into the hungry reptile’s eye sockets. Even then, he felt lucky to get away alive.
“I’ve always thought I had a greater chance of encountering a rattlesnake on my morning walks than I did of being grabbed by an alligator,” said Johnson, a marine artist and Florida native who was born and raised in Winter Garden, near Lake Apopka. “This was scary. I was cussing the gator out saying, ‘You’re not going to get me into the water.’”
GATOR ATTACK
Johnson was walking at about 9:30 a.m. Sept. 13 along a canal with his 8-year-old golden retriever, Rex. He had seen the gator swimming southbound in the canal past where they were walking. Rex was right at the water’s edge nibbling on grass when Johnson noticed the gator turn toward them.
“I stepped down onto the mud bank and yelled at Rex to get on home. He left immediately, but my Croc got stuck in the mud. As I tried to wiggle it free, I saw the gator lunge out of the water and seize onto the back of my right knee.”
The force of the attack knocked Johnson to the ground. In shock, he twisted around and knew he had no chance at prying open the jaws. But he wanted to act fast before the gator tried to go into its “death roll,” perhaps twisting his leg or a chunk of his thigh and calf off its bone. That’s when he reacted with his fingers to the eyeballs.
EYE TO EYE
Somewhat to Johnson’s surprise, the gator immediately let go and swam away.
Johnson limped the 75 yards back to his screened porch, blood dripping down his leg. His wife of 25 years, Lou, immediately helped him get into the shower to clean out the wound and wrap a clean towel around it.
They went to St. Lucie Medical Center, where the wound was disinfected and treated. He received 12 puncture wounds and about 60 stitches in his leg plus another five in the index finger on his left hand, where he cut it on the gator’s eye socket.
He said the pain was pretty intense, as much for the force of the jaws clamping down on his leg as the teeth. He said the worst pain he ever felt was the two times he stepped on stingrays while wade fishing in the Indian River Lagoon, until S
Johnson said he doesn’t blame the alligator. It was just doing what alligators do.
“But it’s important for people to understand how dangerous alligators are,” Johnson said. “If I had been a small child or pet, I wouldn’t have had a chance.”
Johnson said it was important to keep his cool in order to survive.
“You cannot panic. I bass fish all the time, too. I’ll reach down and lift up the bass with my hand. I just got lucky.”
NUISANCE ALLIGATOR
The Johnsons asked their neighbors, the Challenors, to call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to report the incident.
“You take one (alligator) out and 10 more come along,” Jerry Chanellor said. “This is a swamp. We built our houses in Florida in it, in the alligators’ home.”
The FWC dispatched a contracted nuisance trapper to the scene, but they were unable to locate the alligator.
“The trapper did tell me I was lucky,” Johnson said. “He said the fingers to the eye socket trick doesn’t always work.”
He said when he is able to resume his walks again, he’ll probably be carrying some sort of weapon for protection.


washingtontimes--2020-09-20--Ex-electrician wants NASA to make ‘little people’ honorees

TAMPA BAY , Fla. ( AP ) - Skip Laisure ’ s dad wasn ’ t very strict with his three sons when they were growing up in Ohio .
But when a space shuttle launched , Paul Laisure insisted that they come and sit in the living room to watch the lift-off on their Admiral TV .
“ He was extremely proud of working at NASA , ” Skip Laisure said .
“ It meant a lot to him what the country was doing in the space program.
” Paul Laisure , 88 , worked as a research electrician @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test installations division of what was then called the NASA Lewis Research Center in Cleveland .
He helped to build the facility ’ s zero-gravity research facility , he said .
As lead electrician , he helped wire the chamber that allowed engineers to test flight packages in a weightless environment , he said .
And now he ’ s trying to get acknowledgement for NASA ’ s blue-collar workers - like him - at the Research Center ’ s Hall of Fame .
After the Hall of Fame opened in 2016 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a plaque be awarded to his father or displayed at the facility .
“ They didn ’ t go for that , ” he said .
“ His thought was , ‘ You know what , it doesn ’ t need to be me .
It could be all of us , ’ ” Skip Laisure said .
“ He just wanted acknowledgment for all the little people.
” Paul Laisure , nicknamed “ Pierre ” at work for his French last name , loved his job .
He ferried astronauts around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work parties and helped send Americans into the other frontier , his son said .
“ My mother would suggest he could make more money working as a contract electrician , but he said no , ” he remembered .
His father felt lucky to work at the research center .
“ I would have paid them to let me work there , ” Paul Laisure said .
Two years ago , when Paul Laisure went back to visit what ’ s now called the John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still there , his son said , adding , “ All these years later , he recognized the stuff that he had installed.
” The Hall of Fame honors computer programmers , engineers and others who have contributed to NASA ’ S success , according its website .
Inductees must be retired or resigned from the center , nominated by a current employee and voted on by a panel of center leaders , it says .
Anne Mills , the Research Center records manager and history officer , confirmed in an email that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that his son — also a NASA employee — nominated him for the Hall of Fame ’ s first class in 2015 .
But his father did not get enough votes to be inducted , she said .
The Hall of Fame is intended to honor individuals and well-defined teams , she wrote , adding “ our technicians and laborers have been a vital part of our center success from the very beginning.
” After Laisure retired in 1982 , he moved to Seminole and picked up jobs as a handyman .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work each day for NASA .
But instead of tinkering with the zero-gravity drop tower , he installed cabinets and lighting , repaired flooring and walls .
He met his long-time girlfriend Fran Lewis at one of the Gulfport Casino ’ s ballroom dances .
They waltzed and shimmied together for the next 28 years .
After she died in 2017 , he found a new mission - working toward blue-collar recognition for his NASA colleagues .
Paul Laisure said he plans to visit the Research Center later this month and submit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers for the Hall of Fame .
“ It was the mechanics and blue-collar working people who built what the engineers wanted , ” Paul Laisure said .
”

TAMPA BAY, Fla. (AP) - Skip Laisure’s dad wasn’t very strict with his three sons when they were growing up in Ohio. But when a space shuttle launched, Paul Laisure insisted that they come and sit in the living room to watch the lift-off on their Admiral TV.
“He was extremely proud of working at NASA,” Skip Laisure said. “It meant a lot to him what the country was doing in the space program.”
Paul Laisure, 88, worked as a research electrician from 1955 to the 1980s with the test installations division of what was then called the NASA Lewis Research Center in Cleveland. He helped to build the facility’s zero-gravity research facility, he said.
As lead electrician, he helped wire the chamber that allowed engineers to test flight packages in a weightless environment, he said. And now he’s trying to get acknowledgement for NASA’s blue-collar workers - like him - at the Research Center’s Hall of Fame.
After the Hall of Fame opened in 2016, Skip Laisure submitted a letter suggesting that a plaque be awarded to his father or displayed at the facility. “They didn’t go for that,” he said.
So his father pivoted.
“His thought was, ‘You know what, it doesn’t need to be me. It could be all of us,’” Skip Laisure said. “He just wanted acknowledgment for all the little people.”
Paul Laisure, nicknamed “Pierre” at work for his French last name, loved his job. He ferried astronauts around the center, played his harmonica at raucous work parties and helped send Americans into the other frontier, his son said.
“My mother would suggest he could make more money working as a contract electrician, but he said no,” he remembered. His father felt lucky to work at the research center.
“I would have paid them to let me work there,” Paul Laisure said.
Two years ago, when Paul Laisure went back to visit what’s now called the John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field, the fruits of his work were still there, his son said, adding, “All these years later, he recognized the stuff that he had installed.”
The Hall of Fame honors computer programmers, engineers and others who have contributed to NASA’S success, according its website. Inductees must be retired or resigned from the center, nominated by a current employee and voted on by a panel of center leaders, it says.
Anne Mills, the Research Center records manager and history officer, confirmed in an email that Laisure worked there as an electrician and that his son — also a NASA employee — nominated him for the Hall of Fame’s first class in 2015. But his father did not get enough votes to be inducted, she said.
The Hall of Fame is intended to honor individuals and well-defined teams, she wrote, adding “our technicians and laborers have been a vital part of our center success from the very beginning.”
After Laisure retired in 1982, he moved to Seminole and picked up jobs as a handyman. He still carried the leather briefcase he took to work each day for NASA. But instead of tinkering with the zero-gravity drop tower, he installed cabinets and lighting, repaired flooring and walls.
He met his long-time girlfriend Fran Lewis at one of the Gulfport Casino’s ballroom dances. They waltzed and shimmied together for the next 28 years.
After she died in 2017, he found a new mission - working toward blue-collar recognition for his NASA colleagues.
Paul Laisure said he plans to visit the Research Center later this month and submit a new letter that nominates all blue-collar workers for the Hall of Fame.
“It was the mechanics and blue-collar working people who built what the engineers wanted,” Paul Laisure said. ”