freedomdaily--2020-06-20--US Attorney For Manhattan Refuses To Resign Amid Pressure

In a stunning series of events that unfolded Friday night , the U.S. attorney in Manhattan , Geoffrey Berman , said that he was not resigning from his post , rebuffing an announcement that Attorney General William Barr made earlier in the evening .
Berman , who has led several investigations into associates of President Donald Trump , said he had no intention of leaving office until the Senate confirms his replacement .
“ I learned in a press release from the Attorney General tonight that I was ‘ stepping down ’ as United States Attorney , ” Berman said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not resigned , and have no intention of resigning , my position , to which I was appointed by Judges of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York , ” Berman continued .
“ I will step down when a presidentially appointed nominee is confirmed by the Senate.
” He added , cryptically : “ Until then , our investigations will move forward without delay or interruption.
” Hours earlier , Barr issued a statement announcing that Trump intended to nominate Jay Clayton , the chairman of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Berman .
Barr said Trump had tapped Craig Carpenito , the U.S. attorney for New Jersey , to serve as acting U.S. attorney for the Manhattan office until Clayton ’ s confirmation .
“ I thank Geoffrey Berman , who is stepping down after two-and-a-half years of service as United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York , ” Barr said in the statement .
“ With tenacity and savvy , Geoff has done an excellent job leading one of our nation ’ s most significant U.S. Attorney ’ s Offices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and criminal matters.
” According to multiple reports , Barr asked Berman to resign during a meeting on Friday .
When Berman refused to do so , Barr attempted to fire the prosecutor .
A source familiar with the matter told The New York Times that Trump has been upset with Berman since he prosecuted the case against his former attorney , Michael Cohen .
Berman ’ s office also entered a plea agreement with former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen on Aug. 21 , 2018 , on tax evasion charges , and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the form of a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels , the porn star who claims she had an affair with Trump in 2006 .
Berman is also reportedly investigating Rudy Giuliani , a lawyer for Trump , focusing on whether he lobbied illegally for Ukrainian government officials .
Giuliani and two former associates , Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman , mounted a campaign in 2019 to force the firing of Marie Yovanovitch as U.S. ambassador to Ukraine .
Berman ’ s office obtained a grand jury indictment against Parnas and Fruman in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make illegal campaign contributions in order to advance their business and political interests .


freedomdaily--2020-06-20--BUH-BYE: Senior State Department Official Resigns, Says Trump’s Response To Protests ‘Cut Sharply Ag

BUH-BYE: Senior State Department Official Resigns, Says Trump’s Response To Protests ‘Cut Sharply Against My Core Values’

A senior State Department official submitted her letter of resignation Thursday , condemning President Donald Trump ’ s response to recent protests against racial inequality and police brutality .
“ Moments of upheaval can change you , shift the trajectory of your life , and mold your character .
The President ’ s comments and actions surrounding racial injustice and Black Americans cut sharply against my core values and convictions , ” Mary Elizabeth Taylor , assistant secretary of state for legislative affairs , wrote in a letter obtained by The Washington Post .
Taylor , who served in Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was one of the highest ranking African-American officials in the administration .
Not only was she the first black woman to assume the role , but she was also the youngest assistant secretary of state for legislative affairs in history .
Before her tenure at the State Department Taylor served as the White House ’ s deputy director for nominations , working to usher more than 400 of Trump ’ s appointments through the Senate , including those of Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch , Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously worked for Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell as a legislative aide .
Taylor ’ s resignation comes as Trump continues to receive criticism for his response to the riots following George Floyd ’ s death and ongoing racial tensions , including his comments surrounding Juneteenth and his handling of rioters in Lafayette Square .
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freedomdaily--2020-06-20--Stepmother Of Officer Who Shot Rayshard Brooks Fired, Employer Gives Little Explanation

An Atlanta-based company that provides mortgages nationwide fired an employee who is a relative of the police officer who fatally shot Rayshard Brooks , Thursday night .
Melissa Rolfe is the stepmother of Garrett Rolfe , the Atlanta police officer who shot Brooks in the parking lot of a Wendy ’ s restaurant on June 12 , investigators said .
The death of Brooks led to protests and to Rolfe being charged with felony murder .
“ Our unwavering commitment to always doing the right thing has led us to sever ties with an employee who has expressed views that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Equity Prime Mortgage said in a statement on Twitter .
“ We do not tolerate racism , discrimination or injustices of any kind.
” Equity Prime Mortgage LLC originally told Rolfe her position was safe at the company , according to Tucker Carlson who reported the incident on Thursday night .
Then , the company changed its mind and terminated Rolfe without explanation , Carlson said .
“ Melissa Rolfe ’ s termination was a direct result of her actions in the workplace and violation of company policy , ” Equity Prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday night following Carlson ’ s report .
“ She ultimately lost the confidence of her peers , leadership , and many employees who no longer felt comfortable engaging with her.
” Whereas the first statement cited Rolfe ’ s views as the reason for her firing , the second statement says Rolfe ’ s actions caused her firing .
Equity Prime Mortgage LLC did not give specific examples of actions that contributed to Rolfe ’ s termination .
Melissa Rolfe was the company ’ s Human Resources Director , according to an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership page .
She has been erased from the current leadership page .
Equity Prime Mortgage LLC did not respond immediately to a request for comment .
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freedomdaily--2020-06-20--CBP Officers at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge Seize $2.7 Million in Methampheta

CBP Officers at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge Seize $2.7 Million in Methamphetamine

– U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge intercepted a load of alleged methamphetamine , hidden within a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe .
“ Our CBP officers remain committed in securing our borders and keeping these dangerous narcotics off our streets , ” said Port Director Tater Ortiz , Brownsville Port of Entry .
“ Our officers ’ continued hard work and dedication to our border security mission led to this significant seizure.
” Buckets containing 137.57 pounds of methamphetamine seized by CBP officers at Brownsville Port of Entry .
The seizure took place on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge when a 72-year-old male Mexican citizen applied for entry into the United States driving a tan 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe .
The driver was referred to CBP secondary for further examination .
In secondary , CBP officers utilized a non-intrusive imaging system ( NII ) and a canine unit , discovering multiple packages with a total of 137.57 pounds of alleged methamphetamine hidden within the SUV .
The estimated street value of the methamphetamine from the seizure is $ 2,751,341 .
CBP officers seized the narcotics along with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turned him over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations ( HSI ) special agents for further investigation .
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freedomdaily--2020-06-20--Watch Live: President Donald Trump Holds Rally in Oklahoma – 6/20/20

President Donald Trump holds a rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma Saturday to kick off the “ Great Re-opening ” of @ @ @ @ @ is scheduled to speak at 7:00 p.m. EDT .
Live Streams of President Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ OK – 06-20-2020 Content created by Conservative Daily News and some content syndicated through CDN @ @ @ @ @ charge under the Creative Commons license .
Visit our syndication page for details and requirements @ @ @ @ @ Subscribe to our Morning Briefing and get the news delivered to your inbox before breakfast @


freedomdaily--2020-06-21--CNN Reacts After Trump Shares A Video Mocking Network For Spreading ‘Fake News’

CNN accused President Donald Trump of exploiting innocent children Thursday night after he retweeted a manipulated video of a mock report with the news outlet ’ s logo .
The video depicts a phony CNN headline that reads , “ TERRIFIED TODDLER RUNS FROM RACIST BABY , ” as a white toddler is seen chasing after a black child .
The video then cuts to a clip of two children running toward one another before embracing as The Carpenters ’ “ Close to You ” plays in the background .
Twitter labeled the video Trump retweeted “ manipulated media ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ CNN did cover this story – exactly as it happened , ” CNN ’ s Twitter account wrote in reply to the president ’ s retweet .
The tweet was in reference to the original , unedited video that went viral on Facebook in 2019 in which the channel presented a look at two children ’ s friendship .
“ Just as we reported your positions on race ( and poll numbers ) .
We ’ ll continue working with facts rather than tweeting fake videos that exploit innocent children , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We invite you to do the same .
Be better.
” CNN spokesman Matt Dornic told the Daily Caller News Foundation that the network ’ s tweet “ speaks for itself ” when asked if the channel was worried that people might be fooled by the video .
CNN faced a backlash in 2017 after the network tracked down a Reddit user who took credit for a video in which the president can be seen body slamming a human being with the CNN logo superimposed onto their head .
The network @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catholic student Nick Sandmann in January after several news outlets allegedly used out-of-context video to portray him as mocking a Native American man in 2019 .
Twitter has not yet responded to the Daily Caller News Foundation ’ s request for comment .
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freedomdaily--2020-06-22--‘Arrogant And Selfish’: Sarah Sanders’ Upcoming Book Calls Bolton ‘Drunk On Power’

Former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders described former National Security Advisor John Bolton as “ arrogant and selfish ” and “ drunk on power ” in excerpts from her upcoming book .
Sanders and other White House staff members were pulled over by the U.K police to wait for Bolton ’ s motorcade during a trip to dinner at the U.S. ambassador ’ s house during a 2019 state visit to London , Sanders wrote in an excerpt of her book “ Speaking For Myself : Faith , Freedom , and the Fight of Our Lives Inside The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excerpt on Twitter Monday , the day before Bolton ’ s own book publication June 23 .
After being held up by Bolton ’ s motorcade , “ The discussion on the bus quickly moved from casual chit chat to how arrogant and selfish Bolton could be , not just in this moment but on a regular basis , ” Sanders wrote .
“ If anyone on the team should have merited a motorcade it was Mnuchin , but he was a team player .
Bolton was a classic case of a senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had forgotten that nobody elected him to anything .
Often Bolton acted like he was the president , pushing an agenda contrary to President Trump ’ s , ” Sanders said in the excerpt of book .
Mulvaney confronted Bolton when the administration met up at Winfield House , which was rare for Mulvaney , according to Sanders .
Mulvaney ’ s confrontation came after tolerating Bolton for months .
“ When we finally arrived at the Winfield House , Mick Mulvaney , typically laid-back and not one to get caught up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and unleashed a full Irish explosion on him .
He lit into him in a way I hadn ’ t seen him do to anyone before , ” Sanders wrote .
“ Let ’ s face it John , ” Mulvaney told Bolton , wrote Sanders .
“ You ’ re a f— self-righteous , self centered son of a b— !
” Bolton “ backed down and stormed off ” after Mulvaney ’ s confrontation , Sanders said .
“ The rest of us looked on and nodded in approval , proud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mick even got a few high fives from officials thrilled someone had put Bolton in his place.
” Bolton ’ s book , “ The Room Where It Happened , ” contains numerous allegations against the Trump administration , especially Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and then acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney .
Sanders ’ book is going to be released Sept. 8 on Amazon by St. Martin ’ s Press of Macmillan Publishers .
Sanders did not immediately respond respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Content @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact [ email protected ]


freedomdaily--2020-06-22--South Korea Says Bolton Book ‘Substantially Distorts Facts’

South Korea ’ s National Security Advisor says that former U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton ’ s new book “ substantially distorts facts.
” “ The Room Where It Happens , ” is scheduled to release Tuesday — a book filled with criticisms of President Donald Trump .
The Justice Department sued Bolton Tuesday to delay the release of book , but a federal judge on Saturday denied the Trump administration ’ s request to block the book .
According to media reports , Bolton wrote that South Korean President Moon Jae-in had discussed his own “ unification ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kim Jong Un .
Bolton reportedly wrote that Moon had raised unrealistic expectations , according to Reuters .
“ It does not reflect accurate facts and substantially distorts facts , ” said South Korea ’ s national security adviser Chung Eui-yong in a statement .
The statement referred to how Bolton ’ s described top-level consultations , the publication reports .
“ Unilaterally publishing consultations made based on mutual trust violates the basic principles of diplomacy and could severely damage future negotiations , ” Chung added .
POTUS ’ s and Kim ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korea would abandon it ’ s nuclear program when they met in June 2018 in Singapore , but after Trump rejected Kim ’ s offer to give up a main nuclear facility in exchange for the U.S. lifting sanctions , the second meeting fell through .
Bolton reportedly writes about Chung describing how Moon responded to the meeting falling through , calling Moon ’ s position “ schizophrenic.
” A top official in Moon ’ s office told reporters , in reference to this comment by Bolton : “ Perhaps he is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subscribe to our Morning Briefing and get the news delivered to your inbox before breakfast !


freedomdaily--2020-06-22--Google’s Digital Ad Revenue Expected To Fall, Marketing Research Agency Says

The drop is due in part to Google ’ s core search product ’ s reliance on the travel industry , which took a hit after the coronavirus pandemic effectively shut down travel , according to a forecast from eMarketer , The Wall Street Journal reported Monday .
“ The biggest single culprit here is the travel industry , which has been both hardest hit by the pandemic generally , ” Nicole Perrin , principal analyst at eMarketer , told TheWSJ .
The company ’ s gross U.S. advertising revenue will likely decline 4 % , while the company ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % , according to eMarketer .
Google has grown its ad revenue by double-digits in nearly every year of its 20-year history , WSJ reported .
The The travel industry has concentrated “ spending on Google in the past , ” Perrin said .
The potential decline in revenue comes as the Department of Justice has pursuing an antitrust investigation into Google ’ s ad technology and other services .
“ As we wade back in , we ’ re able to be more precise , be more constrained , watch and learn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just dive back in head first and spend back to the levels we were at , ” Kern said during the earnings call .
Meanwhile , Facebook and Amazon are growing their ad revenue businesses .
Facebook ’ s ad revenue in 2020 will likely grow by 5 % to $ 31 billion , eMarketer reported , even after the marketing agency revised its estimates downward for the social media giant .
“ The factors that have propelled Facebook to be a digital advertising superpower in the first place are the same ones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ huge reach , effective targeting at scale and performance ad products that tie spending to results , ” eMarketer ’ s report said .
Facebook is largely inoculated from the ups and downs of the travel industry as it is more reliant on direct-to-consumer retail and gaming , eMarketer noted .
Google declined to comment to the Daily Caller News Foundation on eMarketer ’ s report .


freedomdaily--2020-06-22--WSJ: Democratically-Run States With The Most Severe Lockdowns Are Struggling To Recover

The WSJ ’ s editorial board pointed out Sunday evening that the states with the highest jobless rates experienced the most severe restrictions during the pandemic .
The Department of Labor reported Friday that the states with most severe lockdowns are struggling to recover , the board noted .
The unemployment rate in May was 13 % , data show , yet 10 states are well above that number .
Nevada is at the top of the list at 25.3 % , with Hawaii hitting 22.6 % , Michigan coming in at 21.2 % , while 16 % of Californian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unemployed .
Delaware ( 15.8 % ) , Illinois and New Jersey ( 15.2 % ) , and Washington state ( 15.1 % ) round out the last of the states with numbers above 13 % , data show .
Michigan is a stark example of the impact of the lockdowns .
Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer was adamant about keeping Michigan closed as her state experienced statistically higher rates of COVID-related deaths than many of the states .
The Democratic governor said in May that she would “ never apologize ” for shutting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted that the states below the national rate are red states .
Only 9.7 % of people in Georgia , which was one of the first states to reopen following a prolonged lockdown , are unemployed .
Arkansas has a 9.5 % jobless rate , while Arizona , Utah , and Nebraska are well below the national average .
All of them are red states .
“ [ S ] o far these numbers suggest a tale of two U.S. economies , ” The WSJ Editorial Board noted .
“ States that are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more economic suffering .
The states that put a premium on trying to reduce the spread beyond the original purpose of protecting hospitals and the health-care system are lagging.
” The state-by-state lockdowns were implemented to slow the coronavirus outbreak , which originated in China before infecting more than 40 countries .
The virus has reportedly killed more than 400,000 people worldwide , leaving a death toll of close to 120,000 people in the United States .


freedomdaily--2020-06-22--‘They Don’t Know What They’re Talking About’: Trump Campaign Manager Addresses Allegations Trump Ral

‘They Don’t Know What They’re Talking About’: Trump Campaign Manager Addresses Allegations Trump Rally Was Trolled

The Trump campaign rejected a claim alleging that President Donald Trump ’ s Saturday rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma was trolled by an army of TikTok users .
Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale denied the allegation in a statement Sunday and attacked the media for pushing the story , according to Politico .
“ Leftists and online trolls doing a victory lap , thinking they somehow impacted rally attendance , don ’ t know what they ’ re talking about or how our rallies work , ” said Parscale , according to Politico .
Users of the social media platform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who didn ’ t intend on going to the event to sign up for it , CNN reported .
One TikTok post urging K-pop fans to sign up for the rally received over 100,000 likes .
“ All of those of us that want to see this 19,000 seat auditorium barely filled or completely empty go reserve tickets now and leave him standing alone there on the stage , ” Mary Jo Laupp , a 51-year-old Iowa grandmother , said in a TikTok video posted two weeks ago .
Laupp ’ s video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the rally has garnered over 2 million views .
News outlets who reported on the attempted troll “ behaved unprofessionally and were willing dupes to the charade , ” said Parscale according to Politico .
CNN , The New York Times , NBC News , and The Guardian were among the outlets to first report the alleged troll of the rally .
Trump ’ s rally had lower attendance than originally expected .
Trump and Vice President Mike Pence canceled planned speeches to an overflow crowd because of the low turnout .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ registered for the event last Monday .
However , just 6,200 attended the rally , according to Tulsa Fire Department said , The New York Times reported .
The Trump campaign blamed the media ’ s negative coverage of the event and protesters for the low attendance .
“ Radical protesters , coupled with a relentless onslaught from the media , attempted to frighten off the President ’ s supporters .
We are proud of the thousands who stuck it out , ” campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said in a statement .


freedomdaily--2020-06-22--Seattle’s CHOP Worse Than The ‘Complete And Total Anarchy’ Of Occupy Wall Street, NY Police Union Ex

Seattle’s CHOP Worse Than The ‘Complete And Total Anarchy’ Of Occupy Wall Street, NY Police Union Exec Says

The mass encampments in the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations of 2011 were far less dangerous and appalling than Seattle ’ s autonomous zone protest , according to a New York police union executive .
Vice president of the Sergeant ’ s Benevolent Association Vincent Vallelong witnessed the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations that protested economic inequality in Manhattan first hand , observing rampant filth and crime in the tent city .
The armed encampment in Seattle now better known as the Capital Hill Organized Protest ( CHOP ) is even more dangerous , he told the Daily Caller News Foundation in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wall Street demonstrators only commandeered a single New York City block , while Seattle demonstrators have assumed control of multiple city streets and buildings , including a police precinct .
He suggested the Seattle activists are far more entrenched .
“ In New York , they were contained to a park .
They only had one long city block where they set up their tents .
It was like a flea market in a sense , and they brought their own fleas with them .
Over in Seattle , they gave up city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ I ’ ve been involved in numerous demonstrations , numerous catastrophes that have happened in New York since the ’ 90s .
I ’ ve seen a lot , ” he said .
“ I have [ police ] friends in Seattle that I just got off the phone with earlier today and it ’ s like their will is broken .
Some of them are just talking about leaving and not coming back.
” To Vallelong , all of this was preventable in the early hours of the insurrection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ persist and grow .
“ [ The ] right course of action would of been the same thing that they should ’ ve did in New York here when the demonstrations got out of hand .
Should ’ ve went in , should ’ ve locked up all the people who they deemed as being the leaders and they should ’ ve been kept in jail for two to three days before seeing a judge , ” he said .
Occupy Wall Street — a series of demonstrations protesting economic inequality — had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manhattan .
Protesters camped in a one-block area for months on end , according to a 2011 CBS News report .
Vallelong — who ’ s been involved with police work since 1990 — called the 2011 encampments in Zuccotti park “ disgusting.
” He said fecal matter lined the streets and the tent city was akin to the embodiment of “ anarchy.
” “ We ’ re talking like fecal matter — just people were not washing , ” he told the DCNF .
“ It was disgusting .
It was just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ever want to see a project where you just see what society ’ s like when it will just spiral out of control , all you had to do was just go there .
It was complete and total anarchy , ” he added .
Filth was fresh on the union executive ’ s memory , but he recalls rampant crime in the one-block area as well .
“ You literally had people that were getting robbed , ” he said , “ There were a couple sexual assaults that took place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
It was lawlessness basically what it was.
” Vallelong drew parallels between the Zuccotti encampments of the past and the more current 6-block CHOP occupation near Seattle ’ s East Police Precinct .
Demonstrators dubbed their perceived territory a “ No Cop Co-Op ” and have pitched tents , vandalized buildings and expressed no interest to vacate the area , according to Seattle Post-Intelligencer .
Police officers have been seldom in the area , and a hands-off stance follows a week-old ruling from a federal judge forbidding Seattle police officers from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tear gas , Fox News reported .
Vallelong said this makes for a far more grave circumstance .
Seattle PD has been given far less leeway than NYPD officers were granted in 2011 , according to the union executive .
“ I could probably understand how those guys feel in Seattle , but we had the ability to use our weapons , we were just held off [ in Occupy Wall Street ] , ” Vallelong said .
“ From what I see over there , they shackled the police and the morale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ They took away their ability to be police officers .
The union executive was also dismayed at the decision to allow the streets and precinct to be seized .
“ I could tell you that every police department across the country was appalled that the mayor gave the order to give that precinct up , ” he said .
“ That was basically declaring that they surrendered in that point in time .
And how are you going to back in there and take back that precinct when you just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knew were going to destroy it to begin with ?
” “ The city of Seattle , their leadership there from their governor to their mayor , if I was the police chief I would have resigned immediately from lack of leadership , ” he said .
“ I would ’ ve saved face and I would ’ ve walked off the job.
” Vallelong remembered New York City ’ s decision under then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg to dismantle the demonstrations .
A New York Supreme Court judge ruled that free speech isn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months , according to the 2011 CBS report .
Vallelong said enough is enough with the CHOP demonstrators .
“ At some point in time , the police chief or the commissioner , for lack of a better term , should grow a pair and do exactly what it is that they swore an oath to do , and that is uphold the law , ” he said .
Vallelong feels as though the clock is running out for Seattle PD , especially amidst the large number of armed protesters within the area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end something like this and there ’ s a peaceful way , ” he said .
Protesters dawning rifles makes Seattle ’ s situation different from that of Manhattan ’ s in 2011 .
Police were able to raid the shanty camps in a surprise crackdown under the cover of darkness and dismantle the illegal settlement , according to the CBS report .
The same may not be achievable in Washington state , according to Vallelong .
“ It certainly complicates things , ” Vallelong said about the presence of firearms .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now — my heart breaks for them .
And it breaks for all the people around this country that need healing themselves , ” he said .


freedomdaily--2020-06-22--Self-driving taxis could be a setback for those with different needs – unless companies embrace acce

Self-driving taxis could be a setback for those with different needs – unless companies embrace accessible design now

Autonomous vehicles ( AVs ) , like self-driving taxis , continue to garner media attention as industry and political stakeholders claim that they will improve safety and access to transportation for everyone .
But for people who have different mobility needs and rely on human drivers for work beyond the task of driving , the prospect of driverless taxis may not sound like progress .
Unless accommodations are built in to autonomous vehicle designs , companies risk undermining transportation access for the very communities this technology is promising to include .
A January 2020 joint report issued by the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Transportation paints a bright picture of an autonomous-enabled future .
They predict autonomous vehicles will provide “ improved quality of life , access and mobility for all citizens.
” Replacing the driver with an autonomous system will create safer transportation by removing the “ possibility of human error.
” In addition , synchronizing vehicle movement with distance and traffic patterns would not only result in more efficient service , but safer roadway navigation .
These advances should mean fewer cars , less traffic , more economical fuel use and increased vehicle availability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could improve access to transportation for everyone .
But by not accounting for the many other kinds of labor a driver performs , current AVs may present problems for people with different needs .
For older people , those with disabilities and even individuals in emergency situations , the driver bridges the gap between personal capability and vehicle accessibility .
Drivers help people to and from vehicles , as well as into and out of them .
Drivers move and store luggage and mobility equipment like wheelchairs and walkers , and navigate emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or drug overdose .
Yet right now asking an AV interface for assistance would be like asking Siri to help you up if you ’ ve fallen down .
In the 1970s and years thereafter , Congress determined that redesigning transportation for accessibility was too costly .
Instead they fitted assistive devices to old transportation networks and expected private sector taxi drivers to help .
Some did , many didn ’ t .
Problems of discrimination led to the landmark American with Disabilities Act of 1990 .
The ADA made discrimination based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was still dependent on the driver .
Today , cities and companies are still struggling with accessibility .
People with different needs remain vulnerable to the whims and prejudices of the driver .
Too often people with different needs are denied assistance or transportation altogether .
It was only in 2016 , for instance , that Boston ’ s taxis , Uber and later Lyft began integrating a small number of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles into their fleets , and other companies have emerged like SilverRide offer specialty service for people who are older @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taxi , Uber and Lyft riders still experience cancellations and longer wait times in cities like Washington , D.C. , Boston , Chicago , San Francisco and New York .
While specialized vehicles are a valuable step toward accessible transportation , they also mean more cars on the road .
A 2017 study found Uber and Lyft are increasing traffic congestion in cities leading to increases in safety risks , transit times and pollution .
To add to the traffic problem , the International Transportation Forum predicts that traffic will likely increase even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alongside traditional ones .
AV developers struggle with what accessibility should look like .
Some leading AV companies focus on accessibility inside the car .
Waymo and Lyft are working to communicate information to passengers with disabilities .
Nissan ’ s Virtual Reality avatars may provide company , comfort and assistance to passengers in need .
Other AV companies approach accessibility by redesigning access .
Startup May Mobility ’ s low speed shuttle can deploy a wheelchair ramp .
Tesla ’ s gull wing doors open vertically for easier access and their Smart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car to fetch them .
In my opinion , vehicle specialization should not be the path forward .
A wheelchair ramp in one car and Braille in another will increase cars on the road , decrease availability and increase consumer cost .
For AVs to fulfill the promise of accessibility and be environmentally efficient , all cars need to be similarly accessible – even if the mechanisms of accessibility are not always in use .
This way AVs can more closely mirror the variety of tasks human drivers currently perform and do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could include push button or voice activated motorized doors with sliding ramps , an entry space instead of front seats and interior handrails .
A good place to start is for stakeholders to agree on what accessibility needs must be met and treat AV developments as pieces of an accessibility solution rather than separate niche markets racing toward minimum accommodations .
The nonprofit research and community equity organization , The Greenlining Institute , suggests , in addition to capability , accessibility should also include financial , cultural , technological , logistical , race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ geographic considerations .
If autonomous vehicles are developed to handle the messiness and complexity taxi drivers currently deal with , society will be one step closer to real accessibility .
[ Deep knowledge , daily .
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John Lunsford does not work for , consult , own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article , and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment .


freedomdaily--2020-06-22--What is the slowest thing on Earth?

What is the slowest thing on Earth?

Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages .
If you have a question you ’ d like an expert to answer , send it to curiouskidsus @ theconversation.com .
In the words of the infamous villain , Dr .
Evil : “ Lasers.
” Lasers focus a narrow , directed beam of light on a specific spot , making them a great tool for cutting , burning , welding – or in the case of Dr .
Evil , shooting enemies from atop a shark .
These activities all produce or require heat .
Laser beams travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 670 million miles per hour , making them the fastest thing in the universe .
So how does a laser produce the slowest thing on Earth ?
First , it ’ s important to understand the relationship between an object ’ s temperature and its speed .
The hotter something is , the more energy it has and the faster it moves .
Even things that appear to be perfectly still – say , a pen or your notebook – are not .
On a microscopic level , the particles they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is even true of living beings .
Let ’ s use the sloth as an example .
If you zoom in on the molecules that make up this famously slow animal ’ s body , you ’ ll see them behaving like kids jumping around inside a bounce house .
Why ?
About 70 % of this creature ’ s body is made up of water and those water molecules are bouncing around at hundreds of miles per hour .
So it might seem surprising that I use bright , intense lasers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experiments .
I am a physicist who is interested in how atoms and molecules behave at the very coldest temperatures .
It ’ s a strange world where quantum mechanics rules .
In this realm , particles sometimes behave like waves in the ocean , and believe it or not , can sometimes be in two different places at the same time .
To study this extraordinary behavior , I use lasers to produce clouds of frigid atoms that are the coldest things on Earth – which we call Bose-Einstein condensates .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to almost absolute zero , the coldest possible temperature , atoms start to obey quantum mechanics and behave in surprising ways .
Studying ultra-cold atom clouds might provide clues about how other weird materials , like superconductors , work .
Superconductors carry electricity much better than existing materials , so well that they may someday be used to build super high-speed trains .
So how exactly do lasers chill out a cloud of atoms ?
In the lab , we start by shining lasers at atoms of a silvery-white metal called ytterbium .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , are held inside a 1-foot-wide chamber .
But after a few seconds under the laser beam , they cool off , slow down and become trapped together in the center of the chamber .
How does this happen ?
All light , including a laser , is made up of photons , which are packets of energy that are constantly moving .
When we shine a laser into our chamber , the atoms collide with streams of photons in the beam and slow down and get colder – like what would happen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a strong wind .
These little collisions bring the temperature of the atom cloud down to just a few millionths of a degree above absolute zero .
That ’ s 459 degrees below 0 degrees Fahrenheit .
But that ’ s still not enough to give this cloud the prize for being the slowest thing on Earth .
It takes one last step to make it just a little colder , a technique we physicists call “ evaporative cooling.
” First , we capture all the atoms , sometimes using a magnetic field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wire .
This creates an invisible well that holds the atoms : Picture marbles sitting at the bottom of a bowl .
Then we lower the sides of this bowl-shaped force field by decreasing the electric current that runs through the wire .
That allows the faster , warmer atoms to zoom out of the “ bowl ” and escape the trap .
Only the slower atoms are left behind – and they are truly beyond freezing : one-tenth of one-millionth of a degree above absolute zero .
The atoms in this cloud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traveled in a straight line instead of bouncing around , it would take them an entire hour to travel across a room .
For comparison , the molecules in your body could dash across that room in just a fraction of a second .
The atoms in our frigid atom cloud quite literally move at less than a snail ’ s pace – and that cloud is the slowest thing on Earth .
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Ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CuriousKidsUS @ theconversation.com .
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Katie McCormick does not work for , consult , own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article , and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic @ @


freedomdaily--2020-06-22--AI could help solve the privacy problems it has created

The stunning successes of artificial intelligence would not have happened without the availability of massive amounts of data , whether its smart speakers in the home or personalized book recommendations .
And the spread of AI into new areas of the economy , such as AI-driven marketing and self driving vehicles , has been driving the collection of ever more data .
These large databases are amassing a wide variety of information , some of it sensitive and personally identifiable .
All that data in one place makes such databases tempting targets , ratcheting up the risk of privacy breaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of AI ’ s data-hungry ways .
According to a survey by Brookings , 49 % of people think AI will reduce privacy .
Only 12 % think it will have no effect , and a mere 5 % think it may make it better .
As cybersecurity and privacy researchers , we believe that the relationship between AI and data privacy is more nuanced .
The spread of AI raises a number of privacy concerns , most of which people may not even be aware .
But in a twist , AI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ privacy problems .
Privacy risks from AI stem not just from the mass collection of personal data , but from the deep neural network models that power most of today ’ s artificial intelligence .
Data isn ’ t vulnerable just from database breaches , but from “ leaks ” in the models that reveal the data on which they were trained .
Deep neural networks – which are a collection of algorithms designed to spot patterns in data – consist of many layers .
In those layers are a large number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adjacent layers are interconnected .
Each node , as well as the links between them , encode certain bits of information .
These bits of information are created when a special process scans large amounts of data to train the model .
For example , a facial recognition algorithm may be trained on a series of selfies so it can more accurately predict a person ’ s gender .
Such models are very accurate , but they also may store too much information – actually remembering certain faces from the training data .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ what researchers at Cornell University discovered .
Attackers could identify people in training data by probing the deep neural networks that classified the gender of facial images .
They also found that even if the original neural network model is not available to attackers , attackers may still be able to tell whether a person is in the training data .
They do this by using a set of models that are trained on data similar , but not identical , to the training data .
So if a man with a beard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then a model trained on photos of different bearded men may be able to reveal his identity .
On the other hand , AI can be used to mitigate many privacy problems .
According to Verizon ’ s 2019 Data Breach Investigations Report , about 52 % of data breaches involve hacking .
Most existing techniques to detect cyberattacks rely on patterns .
By studying previous attacks , and identifying how the attacker ’ s behavior deviates from the norm , these techniques can flag suspicious activity .
It ’ s the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : studying existing information to recognize similar patterns in new data .
Still , AI is no panacea .
Attackers can often modify their behavior to evade detection .
Take the following two examples .
For one , suppose anti-malware software uses AI techniques to detect a certain malicious program by scanning for a certain sequence of software code .
In that case , an attacker can simply shuffle the order the code .
In another example , the anti-malware software might first run the suspicious program in a safe environment , called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for any malicious behavior .
Here , an attacker can instruct the malware to detect if it ’ s being run in a sandbox .
If it is , it can behave normally until it ’ s released from the sandbox – like a possum playing dead until the threat has passed .
A recent branch of AI research called adversarial learning seeks to improve AI technologies so they ’ re less susceptible to such evasion attacks .
For example , we have done some initial research on how to make it harder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to violate a person ’ s privacy , to evade detection .
One method we came up with was to add uncertainty to the AI models so the attackers can not accurately predict what the model will do .
Will it scan for a certain data sequence ?
Or will it run the sandbox ?
Ideally , a malicious piece of software won ’ t know and will unwittingly expose its motives .
Another way we can use AI to improve privacy is by probing the vulnerabilities of deep neural networks .
No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are vulnerable because they are often very sensitive to small changes in the data they are reading .
For example , researchers have shown that a Post-it note added to a stop sign can trick an AI model into thinking it is seeing a speed limit sign instead .
Subtle alterations like that take advantage of the way models are trained to reduce error .
Those error-reduction techniques open a vulnerability that allows attackers to find the smallest changes that will fool the model .
These vulnerabilities can be used to improve privacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For example , researchers from Max Planck Institute for Informatics in Germany have designed clever ways to alter Flickr images to foil facial recognition software .
The alterations are incredibly subtle , so much so that they ’ re undetectable by the human eye .
The third way that AI can help mitigate privacy issues is by preserving data privacy when the models are being built .
One promising development is called federated learning , which Google uses in its Gboard smart keyboard to predict which word to type next .
Federated learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data stored on many different devices , such as cellphones , rather than one central data repository .
The key benefit of federated learning is that the original data never leaves the local devices .
Thus privacy is protected to some degree .
It ’ s not a perfect solution , though , because while the local devices complete some of the computations , they do not finish them .
The intermediate results could reveal some data about the device and its user .
Federated learning offers a glimpse of a future where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are hopeful that continued research into AI will find more ways it can be part of the solution rather than a source of problems .
[ You ’ re smart and curious about the world .
So are The Conversation ’ s authors and editors .
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Zhiyuan Chen receives funding from National Science Foundation , Office of Naval Research , National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency , NIST , US Department of Education , IBM , and TEDCO .
Aryya Gangopadhyay receives funding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Education , and IBM .


freedomdaily--2020-01-31--Over-Woke: Warren Says She Will Allow A Transgender Child To Pick Her Secretary Of Education

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren said she would have a transgender child interview the next Secretary of Education .
The Massachusetts senator spoke Sunday at a town hall in Cedar Rapids , Iowa , where a voter told her that children are not learning enough about LGBTQ history or sexual education in public schools .
Warren told the voter that she would require a transgender child to interview a future Secretary of Education nominee .
“ I have two qualifications that I have talked about over and over for my Secretary of Education , ” Warren said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone who has taught in a public school.
” Warren added that because it was a young trans person who had asked her about a “ welcoming community , ” she will also require that young trans person to interview the future ED secretary .
“ I ’ m gon na have a Secretary of Education that this young trans person interviews on my behalf , ” Warren said .
“ And only if this person believes that our secretary or secretary of education nominee is someone who is committed to creating a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a full educational curriculum for everyone , will that person actually be advanced to be Secretary of Education.
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freedomdaily--2020-01-31--Carter Page Sues DNC Over Steele Dossier

Former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page filed a lawsuit Thursday against the Democratic National Committee and the law firm that commissioned the infamous Steele dossier , and his lawyer suggests there is more litigation to come .
In the lawsuit , Page accuses the DNC and its law firm , Perkins Coie , of disseminating “ falsehoods ” in the dossier through the media , leading to death threats and a loss of income for the former Trump aide .
“ The Defendants are private actors who used false information , misrepresentations and other misconduct to direct the power of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry against a private individual , Plaintiff Carter Page , to further their political agenda , ” Page ’ s lawyers said in the 23-page lawsuit , filed in federal court in Chicago .
Page has sued the DNC and media outlets that published information in the dossier before , but those complaints were tossed out of court .
The latest lawsuit is the first Page has filed through a legal team .
He is represented by the firms Pierce Bainbridge Beck Price & Hecht and Rathje Woodward , out of Chicago .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ first since the release of a Justice Department inspector general ’ s ( IG ) report which undermined the credibility of the dossier , which the FBI cited extensively in applications for Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act ( FISA ) orders against Page .
John Pierce , one of Page ’ s lawyers , suggested that more lawsuits are in the cards based on the IG ’ s findings .
“ This is a first step to ensure that the full extent of the FISA abuse that has occurred during the last few years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told Fox News .
“ This is only the first salvo.
” The dossier came into being after Perkins Coie , which also represented the Clinton campaign , hired opposition research firm Fusion GPS to investigate Donald Trump ’ s possible ties to Russia .
Fusion hired Steele in June 2016 .
Page is also suing Marc Elias and Michael Sussmann , two Perkins Coie partners who hired Fusion GPS .
Fusion GPS and Steele worked closely to collect information about Trump and campaign aides like Page , and also to disseminate portions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least two journalists who met with Steele and Fusion GPS — Michael Isikoff and David Corn — published stories before the election based on information from the dossier .
Isikoff published an article at Yahoo !
News on Sept. 23 , 2016 , that detailed Steele ’ s allegations about Page .
Steele alleged in the 35-page dossier that Page was a part of a “ well-developed conspiracy of cooperation ” between the campaign and Kremlin to influence the 2016 election .
Steele also accused Page , a former Naval officer , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with two Kremlin operatives .
Page has vehemently denied the allegations ever since BuzzFeed News published the dossier Jan. 10 , 2017 .
The special counsel ’ s report and the IG report supported his denials .
The special counsel found no evidence that any Trump campaign advisers conspired with Russia .
The IG report cast even further doubt on Steele ’ s work .
The report also criticized the FBI for relying heavily on Steele ’ s information in applications for warrants to wiretap Page .
The IG found that FBI agents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its four FISA applications against him .
The FBI also failed to tell the FISA Court that Steele ’ s main dossier sources disputed much of what was in the document .
The IG ’ s findings evoked a rare rebuke from the FISA Court .
Judge Rosemary Collyer , who presided over the court until December 2019 , released an order blasting the FBI for submitting “ false ” and “ misleading ” information about Page .
She ordered the FBI to submit a proposal to address the problems laid out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department has also conceded that two of the four FISA applications were invalid .
The DNC did not return a request for comment .
Elias and Sussmann , the Perkins Coie lawyers , also did not return emails seeking comment .


freedomdaily--2020-02-02--Alleged Al Qaeda Leader Arrested In Arizona, Where He Taught Driving School

A man who the Iraqi government says was the leader of an Al Qaeda cell who took part in the murders of two Iraqi police officers arrested on Wednesday in Phoenix , Ariz. , where he reportedly taught driving school .
Federal prosecutors said on Friday that Ali Yousif Ahmed Al-Nouri , 42 , was arrested following an extradition request from Iraq .
An Iraqi judge issued a warrant for Ahmed ’ s arrest on May 12 , 2019 , on charges that he took part in the pre-meditated murder of two police officers in Fallujah in 2006 .
Prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a leader of the Al Qaeda cell in Fallujah , a stronghold for the terrorist group , which was led at the time by Osama bin Laden .
A complaint against Ahmed unsealed on Friday says that he led an Al Qaeda group on a mission to kill Iraqi police officers .
The group allegedly ambushed and murdered officer Issam Ahmed Hussein on June 1 , 2006 , and officer Khalid Ibrahim Mohammad on Oct. 3 , 2006 .
Ahmed will be held in federal custody until his extradition hearing , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Iraqis .
It is unclear when Ahmed came to the United States .
According to The Arizona Republic , he ran A-Plus Driving School in Phoenix .
Business records show that Ahmed formed the company on June 22 , 2016 .
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freedomdaily--2020-02-02--College Student In Boston Confirmed With Coronavirus, NYC Patient Being Tested

Health officials in Massachusetts confirmed a college student in Boston has been infected with coronavirus , marking the eighth case across the United States .
The male University of Massachusetts Boston student had recently returned from traveling in Wuhan , China , the city officials believe is where the virus originated , according to the state ’ s Department of Public Health .
He is under quarantine and will not be released into the public under health professionals deem there is no threat of infecting others .
“ We are grateful that this young man is recovering and sought medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commissioner Monica Bharel said in the statement .
“ Massachusetts has been preparing for a possible case of this new coronavirus , and we were fortunate that astute clinicians took appropriate action quickly.
” Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said the risk of being infected with coronavirus is still low , but to still take the same precautions one would when avoiding the common cold or the flu .
Health officials in New York City are testing a patient who recently traveled to Wuhan , China , for the virus as well .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to The New York Times , and a sample is being sent for further testing with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The death toll from coronavirus in China has risen to almost 300 , and the number of infected tops an estimated 13,000 worldwide .
Symptoms of coronavirus include coughing , fever , tightness in the chest and shortness of breath .
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freedomdaily--2020-02-01--Delusional: Billionaire Tom Steyer Explains Why He Doesn’t Think Of Himself A Super Wealthy Person

Billionaire Tom Steyer suggested Thursday that he doesn ’ t think of himself as a wealthy man because his mother is from Minnesota and worked as a school teacher in New York ’ s public schools .
“ So let me say this .
I know that people describe me as being a rich person , but that isn ’ t how I think of myself , ” Steyer said during a campaign stop in Iowa ahead of the caucuses .
“ My mom was from Minneapolis , Minnesota.
” He went on to explain how he came from modest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a school teacher in the New York public schools and teaching prisoners at the New York House of Detention .
My uncle Sam , who was her brother , actually for 45 years was a law professor at the University of Iowa in Iowa City , ” Steyer said .
“ And my aunt Betsy turned 100 in Iowa City on Dec. 15th of last year , ” he added .
Steyer , a former hedge fund manager , has dumped roughly $ 139 million into his presidential campaign , Axios reported Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bloomberg , who is also running for president , is at the top of the heap , pumping $ 262 million into the race .
Steyer has a poor track record of backing successful campaigns .
He spent about $ 86 million in the 2016 election cycle , for instance , in a losing bid to get Democrats elected .
His political group NextGen Climate , meanwhile , spent about $ 56 million in 2016 , according to campaign finance data .
The California billionaire once compared himself to David in a David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working to influence climate policy issues .
“ I see this as a David and Goliath situation , ” Steyer , who earned his billions as a hedge fund manager , said in a 2016 interview on This Golden State , a podcast hosted by with former journalist and communications consultant Randy Shandobil .
Steyer ’ s campaign did not immediately return a request for comment .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact [ email protected ]


freedomdaily--2020-02-01--Ilhan Omar Continues To Dump Big Bucks Into Alleged Boyfriend’s Firm

Over half of Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar ’ s campaign expenditures in the last quarter of 2019 went to her alleged boyfriend ’ s consulting firm , according to Federal Election Commission filings released Friday .
Omar ’ s campaign paid $ 217,000 to E Street Group LLC between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31 for research services , digital advertising , fundraising consulting , travel and more , filings show .
The firm is run by Democratic consultant Tim Mynett , who was accused by his ex-wife in August of having an affair with Omar .
The fourth-quarter spending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the level of campaign funds Omar has dedicated to Tim Mynett ’ s firm .
In the third quarter of 2019 , Omar disbursed about $ 146,713 to E Street Group , and in the 10-month period prior , from August 2018 to June 2019 , her total spending with the firm was $ 223,000 .
In total , Tim Mynett ’ s firm has received $ 587,000 from Omar ’ s campaign , the bulk of which was received after he was alleged to be dating the congresswoman .
The Washington Free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign payments to Tim Mynett ’ s firm .
Tim Mynett ’ s divorce from his ex-wife , Beth , was finalized in December by a Washington D.C. judge .
“ [ Through ] extensive documentation and his own words , Tim acknowledged he has been engaged in an extramarital romantic relationship with Ilhan Omar , which proceeded and precipitated the divorce , ” Beth Mynett said during the final divorce hearing , only to be interrupted by a seemingly stunned Tim Mynett , who asked that she stop when Omar was brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Omar also finalized a divorce with her ex-husband , Ahmed Hirsi , in November amid her alleged infidelity .
Tim Mynett has been living on and off with Omar at a D.C. apartment , the Daily Mail reported in October .
The two have been pictured together at various events across the country in 2019 .
Omar continues to divert campaign funds to Tim Mynett ’ s firm as her campaign faces an FEC complaint by a conservative watchdog group over the payments .
The complaint honed in on the $ 21,547 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ E Street Group starting in April , which coincided with the start of her alleged affair with Tim Mynett .
“ If Ilhan for Congress reimbursed Mynett ’ s LLC for travel so that Rep. Omar would have the benefit of Mynett ’ s romantic companionship , the expenditures must be considered personal in nature , ” the National Legal and Policy Center said in its complaint , which was filed in August .
NLPC investigator Tom Anderson previously told the Daily Caller News Foundation : “ We believe Representative Ilhan Omar may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finance law : disbursing campaign funds for personal use .
It ’ s a brazen act Representative Omar was caught doing before in Minnesota and all of the evidence we ’ ve seen tells us she ’ s probably doing it again.
” Omar ’ s campaign did not immediately return a request for comment .


freedomdaily--2020-02-01--Rules Are For Other People: DNC Makes It Easier for Seven-Figure DNC Donor Michael Bloomberg to Qual

Rules Are For Other People: DNC Makes It Easier for Seven-Figure DNC Donor Michael Bloomberg to Qualify for Debates

Several 2020 Democratic presidential candidates on Friday accused Michael Bloomberg of buying his way into the Democratic party debates after the Democratic National Committee announced changes to its debate-qualification thresholds that appear to benefit the former New York City mayor .
Tulsi Gabbard , Tom Steyer , and a spokesman for Bernie Sanders all slammed the rule change , which was first reported by Politico .
According to the website , the DNC will no longer require candidates to reach a threshold of the number of donors in order to qualify for its Feb. 19 debate in Las Vegas .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most of any Democrat since the billionaire is funding his campaign entirely on his own .
Bloomberg contributed $ 180 million of his own money to his campaign in the 4th quarter of last year , according to his campaign ’ s Federal Election Commission ( FEC ) filings , which were released on Friday .
The DNC ’ s filings show that Bloomberg contributed more than $ 1.1 million late last year to the party and a joint fundraising committee operated by the DNC .
The records show that Bloomberg made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DNC itself , and another $ 800,000 to the Democratic Grassroots Victory Fund , a joint fundraising committee for the DNC and state Democratic parties .
Bloomberg ’ s campaign manager , Kevin Sheekey , praised the DNC ’ s move , telling Politico he is “ thrilled ” that Bloomberg will likely appear in Las Vegas .
Other candidates were not as pleased .
“ Back in December , I called on the DNC to open up the debate requirements so that more candidates , including candidates of color , would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steyer , a fellow Democratic candidate and billionaire .
“ Instead , they are changing the rules for a candidate who is ignoring early states voters and grassroots donors.
” “ Billionaire Bloomberg just bought the @ DNC , ” and tagged her post with the hashtag “ # PayToPlay , ” Gabbard , a Hawaii congresswoman , wrote on Twitter .
Jeff Weaver , a senior adviser to Sanders , told Politico that the rules change was evidence of “ a rigged system where the rich can buy their way in.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large number of individual donors .
“ To now change the rules in the middle of the game to accommodate Mike Bloomberg , who is trying to buy his way into the Democratic nomination , is wrong , ” Weaver told Politico .
“ Now , suddenly because Mr. Bloomberg couldn ’ t satisfy one of the prongs , we see it get changed ?
” A DNC spokeswoman defended the rules change , saying that the donor threshold is not as useful a metric as it was in the earlier debates .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually captured in real voting , the criteria will no longer require a donor threshold , ” Adrienne Watson , the DNC ’ s deputy communications director , told Politico .
“ The donor threshold was appropriate for the opening stages of the race , when candidates were building their organizations , and there were no metrics available outside of polling to distinguish those making progress from those who weren ’ t. ” The DNC and Bloomberg ’ s campaign did not respond to questions from The Daily Caller News Foundation .


freedomdaily--2020-02-01--Impeachment Fails so.. Dems Push Department-Level Attack: Democrats Target Interior Dept

Democrats on the House Natural Resources Committee are preparing to give Chairman Raúl Grijalva of Arizona the ability to subpoena the Department of the Interior after it relocated several employees , E & E News reported Friday .
Democrats on the committee are gearing up to provide Grijalva the power to subpoena as early as Feb. 6 , according to an email David Watkins , Democratic staff director for the House Natural Resources Committee , sent to committee members .
Democrats on the committee are prodding the DOI to reveal information about the mass relocation .
“ The Chair has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday , February 6 , at 10 am in 1324 to consider a resolution authorizing the Chair to issue subpoenas as part of the Committee ’ s oversight and legislative work , ” Watkins said in the email the Daily Caller News Foundation obtained .
“ Chairman Grijalva ’ s long-desired intention to issue unwarranted subpoenas is nothing more than political grandstanding and a lowly partisan attack against the Trump Administration , ” DOI spokeswoman Carol Danko said in a statement to the DCNF .
E & E News reported on aspects of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Department has been more cooperative with the Committee than any in history – turning over an unprecedented number of documents and even extending multiple invitations for personal visits with the Secretary , none of which have been accepted , ” Danko said .
She added : “ It ’ s clear the Chairman would rather make headlines than learn the facts.
” “ You said that your request for information on this particular matter has been largely ‘ stonewalled , avoided , and denied , ’ ” Rojewski said in a Jan. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent that day to DOI Secretary David Bernhardt .
BLM delivered relocation notices to more than 100 Washington , D.C.-based employees in November 2019 .
The notices reportedly gave staffers one month to decide whether to move to relocate to Colorado , where roughly 200 agency positions are being dispersed .
The agency reportedly gave itself the option to fire those who were not interested in moving .
Congressional Democrats accused the Trump administration of using the relocation gambit as a ruse to dismantle BLM .
“ I will continue to work in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because the Trump administration should not be deliberately weakening the BLM and upending the lives of the dedicated staff who work there , ” New Mexico Sen. Tom Udall , a Democrat , said in a statement to E & E News in November .
The Natural Resources Committee has not responded to the DCNF ’ s request for comment .


freedomdaily--2020-01-31--Anthrax vs. cancer – researchers harness the deadly toxin to cure dogs and hopefully people

Can the feared anthrax toxin become an ally in the war against cancer ?
Successful treatment of pet dogs suffering bladder cancer with an anthrax-related treatment suggest so .
Anthrax is a disease caused a by bacterium , known as Bacillus anthracis , which releases a toxin that causes the skin to break down and forms ulcers , and triggers pneumonia and muscle and chest pain .
To add to its sinister resumé , and underscore its lethal effects , this toxin has been infamously used as a bioweapon .
However , my colleagues and I found a way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good use against another menace : bladder cancer .
I am a biochemist and cell biologist who has been working on research and development of novel therapeutic approaches against cancer and genetic diseases for more than 20 years .
Our lab has investigated , designed and adapted agents to fight disease ; this is our latest exciting story .
Among all cancers , the one affecting the bladder is the sixth most common and in 2019 caused more than 17,000 deaths in the U.S. Of all patients that receive surgery to remove this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the physician ’ s office with more tumors .
This is psychologically devastating for the patient and makes the cancer of the bladder one of the most expensive to treat .
To make things worse , currently there is a worldwide shortage of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin , a bacterium used to make the preferred immunotherapy for decreasing bladder cancer recurrence after surgery .
This situation has left doctors struggling to meet the needs of their patients .
Therefore , there is a clear need for more effective strategies to treat bladder cancer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientists in the Collier lab modified the anthrax toxin by physically linking it to a naturally occurring protein called the epidermal growth factor ( EGF ) that binds to the EGF receptor , which is abundant on the surface of bladder cancer cells .
When the EGF protein binds to the receptor – like a key fits a lock – it causes the cell to engulf the EGF-anthrax toxin , which then induces the cancer cell to commit suicide ( a process called apoptosis ) , while leaving healthy cells alone .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school , Harvard University and MIT , we designed a strategy to eliminate tumors using this modified toxin .
Together we demonstrated that this novel approach allowed us to eliminate tumor cells taken from human , dog and mouse bladder cancer .
This highlights the potential of this agent to provide an efficient and fast alternative to the current treatments ( which can take between two and three hours to administer over a period of months ) .
I also think it is good news is that the modified anthrax toxin spared normal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could have fewer side effects .
These encouraging results led my lab to join forces with Dr. Knapp ’ s group at the Purdue veterinary hospital to treat pet dogs suffering from bladder cancer .
Canine patients for whom all available conventional anti-cancer therapeutics were unsuccessful were considered eligible for these tests .
Only after standard tests proved the agent to be safe in laboratory animals , and with the consent of their owners , six eligible dogs with terminal bladder cancer were treated with the anthrax toxin-derived agent .
Two to five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside the bladder via a catheter , was enough to shrink the tumor by an average of 30 % .
We consider these results impressive given the initial large size of the tumor and its resistance to other treatments .
There is hope for all Our collaborators at Indiana University Hospital surgically removed bladder cells from human patients and sent them to my lab for testing the agent .
At Purdue my team found these cells to be very sensitive to the anthrax toxin-derived agent as well .
These results suggest that this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in human patients .
The treatment strategy that we have devised is still experimental .
Therefore , it is not available for treatment of human patients yet .
Nevertheless , my team is actively seeking the needed economic support and required approvals to move this therapeutic approach into human clinical trials .
Plans to develop a new , even better generation of agents and to expand their application to the fight against other cancers are ongoing .
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freedomdaily--2020-01-31--Feds seize record-breaking $123 million in fake sports merchandise

MIAMI – U.S. Customs and Border Protection ( CBP ) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ’ s ( ICE ) Homeland Security Investigations ( HSI ) announced Thursday the seizure of more than 176,000 counterfeit sports-related items , worth an estimated $ 123 million manufacturer ’ s suggested retail price ( MSRP ) , through a collaborative enforcement operation targeting international shipments of counterfeit merchandise into the United States .
The seizures were part of Operation Team Player , an ongoing effort developed by the HSI-led Intellectual Property Rights ( IPR ) Center to target the illegal importation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were revealed in Miami , Florida , at a joint press conference with the National Football League ( NFL ) , HSI , CBP and the Miami-Dade Police Department ( MDPD ) .
“ Every day , cargo containers containing billions of dollars ’ worth of counterfeit goods enter the United States through its land , sea and air ports of entry .
This year ’ s record-breaking ‘ Operation Team Player ’ results affirm HSI ’ s commitment to protecting American consumers , the economy , and legitimate business , by ensuring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transnational criminal networks exploiting fan enthusiasm for illicit profits .
Sports fans from around the world , who ’ ve spent their hard-earned money to support their favorite NFL team , deserve to receive genuine , high-quality officially licensed merchandise in return , ” said HSI-led IPR Center Director Steve Francis .
Special agents from HSI teamed with industry , CBP , Miami-Dade police officers and other partner agencies to identify flea markets , retail outlets and street vendors selling counterfeit goods during the week leading up to Super Bowl LIV ( 54 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jewelry , hats , cell-phone accessories and thousands of other bogus items prepared to be sold to unsuspecting consumers .
“ Operation Team Player remains one of the most important national initiatives for protecting sports fans from the sale of counterfeit products and counterfeit tickets .
The joint efforts of the NFL , the IPR Center , HSI , CBP , and Miami area law enforcement have helped ensure that Super Bowl LIV remains an authentic and outstanding experience for our fans , ” said NFL Vice President of Legal Affairs , Dolores @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to supporting these anti-counterfeiting and consumer protection measures , and extends its gratitude for the year-round support of law enforcement partners who drove the success of Operation Team Player.
” Last year , HSI announced that enforcement actions related to Operation Team Player resulted in the seizure of $ 24.2 million worth of counterfeit sports-merchandise .
Enforcement actions related to this year ’ s operation led to a 400 percent increase in the overall MSRP of seized goods from Super Bowl 53 .
This year ’ s Operation Team Player began at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bowl .
Throughout the year , the IPR Center led coordinated efforts with major sporting leagues to target contraband that impacts the economy , enables additional criminality and poses potential health and safety hazards to the public .
“ To protect both private industry and consumers , U.S. Customs and Border Protection ( CBP ) has made IPR enforcement a priority trade issue .
We have developed a multi-layered , strategic approach to IPR enforcement , that uses technology to increase interdiction of fake goods , facilitate partnerships with industry and enhance enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intelligence , ” said Christopher D. Maston , CBP Miami International Airport Port Director .
“ We are honored to be working with a far-reaching network of law enforcement partners , public safety agencies and stakeholders to support efforts enforcing the nation ’ s Intellectual Property Rights laws in Miami for Super Bowl 54.
” “ When fans spend their hard earned money on NFL tickets and merchandise , they deserve the real deal , ” said MDPD Maj. Eric Garcia .
“ The Miami-Dade Police Department is fully committed to collaborating and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal law enforcement partners to proactively enforce laws related to counterfeit merchandise in order to protect businesses and consumers .
”


freedomdaily--2020-01-31--Coronavirus grown in lab outside China for first time, aiding the search for vaccine

Scientists at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in Melbourne , Australia , announced Jan. 29 that they were able to grow the Wuhan coronavirus from a patient sample in the laboratory .
This was the first time the virus had been grown in a lab outside China .
This is good news , since it will allow researchers to quickly develop new diagnostic tests for the virus , which will be essential if scientists want to be able to track its spread across China and the rest of the globe .
There is so much we scientists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pathogen .
I am a veterinary researcher , and I study how respiratory viruses such as influenza cause lung disease in animals and humans .
I see this development as an encouraging sign .
The virus appears to have originated at an animal and seafood market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in Hubei Province toward the end of 2019 .
It is important to note that here have been no deaths yet outside of mainland China , and the majority of most cases seem to be confined to the area around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the prompt , if perhaps slightly draconian , quarantine measures instituted by the Chinese government .
At the same time , some critics are saying that Chinese officials did not act quickly enough , allowing 5 million people to leave the city before it announced the seriousness of the virus .
Still , all of us , scientists and non-scientists , should try to maintain some perspective here .
The city of Wuhan alone has a population of more than 11 million .
In that light , perhaps the roughly 7,000 confirmed cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
The problem is that right now , the public , scientists and health officials don ’ t know if those 7,000 cases could be just the beginning of a major outbreak .
It is possible that some , or even many , of those who contract the virus only experience mild disease and are therefore not tested for infection .
Moreover , this coronavirus appears to be less deadly than the SARS coronavirus of the early 2000s .
That said , the 7,000-plus cases of the new coronavirus in China already exceeds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the moment , confirming infection requires time-consuming polymerase chain reaction-based tests for viral genes that can only be performed in a few laboratories .
The technique behind this test allows researchers in the lab to make millions of copies of a particular section of DNA , but it ’ s not quick .
The technology developed in Australia will help develop new and more rapid antibody-based diagnostic tests for infection that can be used in the clinic , not the lab .
This will allow doctors to identify infected patients much faster and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This would allow scientists to get a far clearer picture of how readily this virus is transmitted from person to person , how many of those infected get very sick , and if there are any groups that are particularly prone to severe and potentially lethal disease .
This information is essential if we wish to respond to the outbreak rationally .
The ability to grow the Wuhan coronavirus in the laboratory will also make it easier to develop a vaccine .
Developing and manufacturing a vaccine requires large amounts of viral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that will induce an immune response in people .
This can realistically only be done by growing large amounts of the virus in cells in a laboratory or vaccine manufacturing facility .
Vaccines against several coronaviruses already exist , including SARS and MERS and such vaccines tend to elicit good immunity .
Again , that is good news .
But vaccine development , manufacture and testing takes time .
Theoretically , the first doses of a new vaccine might be available by late spring , although that would be a best-case scenario .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ doses could take a year .
Hence , it is unrealistic to think that vaccination will allow us to control disease in the short term .
Read more : When will there be a coronavirus vaccine ?
5 questions answered So what can one do to stay safe ?
First , don ’ t panic .
There is as yet no reason to believe that the Wuhan coronavirus will have a devastating impact upon humanity .
Second , wash your hands frequently because doing so removes virus from your hands .
Because people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus that remains on hands can then enter the body through the mouth or nose .
Also , a person with virus on their hands can spread it to other people through touching someone and by spreading it onto surfaces such as door knobs .
Third , if you get sick , stay home and avoid spreading whatever virus you have to others .
And finally , get your flu shot – right now .
Influenza is a far bigger threat to the health of the average American than this faraway virus .
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Ian Christopher Davis is a Fellow of the American Thoracic Scoiety .


freedomdaily--2020-01-31--WHO declares global health emergency over coronavirus: 4 questions answered

Editor ’ s note : The World Health Organization reversed course on Jan. 30 and declared the coronavirus a “ Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
” The first human-to-human transmission in the U.S. was announced .
India has reported its first case .
Russia has closed part of its border with China , and more than 7,700 cases have been reported , with 170 deaths .
A Public Health Emergency of International Concern is a formal declaration from WHO that an ongoing outbreak or epidemic is a serious risk to multiple countries and needs concerted international effort in order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pronounced “ fakes ” ) have been called multiple times before and are used to help control outbreaks of disease .
2 .
When has the WHO called a PHEIC before ?
The first PHEIC was called for the 2009 H1N1 pandemic .
Since then , four PHEICs have been called , including one for polio in 2014 and one for Ebola in 2014 ; one for Zika in 2016 ; and one in 2019 for an Ebola outbreak that is still ongoing .
There are also several times that the WHO has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This includes in 2018 and 2019 for the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo that is ongoing and is now a PHEIC , and the 2013 MERS epidemic .
Most recently , the WHO declined on Jan. 23 to declare a PHEIC for the novel coronavirus .
At that time , the risk to other nations was deemed low .
3 .
Why did the WHO do this now ?
Multiple instances of human-to-human transmission have occurred outside of China since last week .
The fact that transmission has occurred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illness and concerns around how easily this virus may be transmitted led to the WHO calling a PHEIC .
The PHEIC really serves as a call to action for the global community .
It indicates that this is an extremely serious health threat .
The PHEIC would give the WHO the ability to help increase efforts to control the outbreak .
These include things like coordinating efforts between and across countries , making travel advisories , and reviewing control measures , such as the use of quarantines or active case finding , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health practices are being used .
However , it is important to note that it does not change anything legally , meaning that each country still ultimately decides how it will handle an emergency .
A PHEIC also indicates to people in affected countries that the situation is very serious and may help to persuade people to follow public health recommendations .
At the time of declaring a PHEIC , the WHO also issues advice specifically to the country or countries affected as well as the rest of the world .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to China include : implementing a comprehensive risk communication strategy to inform citizens of China about the outbreak ; implementing exit screening for all individuals leaving the country ; and sharing full data on all human cases .
It also urged China to identify the zoonotic source of the outbreak .
The WHO also advised that restrictions on the movement of people and goods during outbreaks are often not helpful and may cause unintended negative effects .
It also advised the global community to “ provide support to low- and middle-income countries to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ ve read ?
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Aubree Gordon does not work for , consult , own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article , and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment .


freedomdaily--2020-02-03--Swedish Lawmakers Nominate Climate Activist Greta Thunberg For A Nobel

Swedish lawmakers nominated activist Greta Thunberg for a Nobel Peace Prize Monday in the belief that the teenager will help save the Paris climate agreement .
Thunberg “ worked hard to make politicians open their eyes to the climate crisis , ” Jens Holm and Hakan Svenneling , both members of Sweden ’ s Left Party , told the Associated Press .
They believe the 17-year-old activist ’ s work prodding officials to take the deal seriously is worth the prize .
“ Action for reducing our emissions and complying with the Paris Agreement is therefore also an act of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Thunberg is receiving heaps of praise after she appeared at the United Nations ’ climate summit in 2019 .
She won Time ’ s “ Person of the Year ” in December 2019 , making her the young person to receive the honor since Time Magazine started naming people of the year in 1927 .
She traveled to the U.S. from her home in Sweden in August on a racing yacht to avoid taking jets , which activists argue are responsible for spewing tons of carbon emissions .
Her visit was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global warming ahead of September ’ s United Nations climate summit .
Thunberg ’ s emotional speech at the summit appeared to be the catalyst for much of the praise .
“ You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words and yet I ’ m one of the lucky ones , ” she said at the summit .
“ People are suffering .
People are dying .
Entire ecosystems are collapsing .
We are in the beginning of a mass extinction , and all you can talk about is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growth .
How dare you !
” UN climate officials struggled to find a spark after President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement in 2017 .
The deal required the U.S. to cut greenhouse gas emissions 26 to 28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025 .
China only committed to “ peak ” emissions by 2030 while India made no promise to curtail future emissions growth .
Swedish Lawmakers Nominate Climate Activist Greta Thunberg For A Nobel is original content from Conservative Daily News – Where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and commentary they can trust – Conservative News Website for U.S. News , Political Cartoons and more .


freedomdaily--2020-02-03--Quarantines have tried to keep out disease for thousands of years

The recent global spread of a deadly coronavirus originating in Wuhan , China , has led world leaders to invoke an ancient tradition to control the spread of illness : quarantine .
The practice is first recorded in the Old Testament where several verses mandate isolation for those with leprosy .
Ancient civilizations relied on isolating the sick , well before the actual microbial causes of disease were known .
In times when treatments for illnesses were rare and public health measures few , physicians and lay leaders , beginning as early as the ancient Greeks , turned to quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Chinese authorities attempted to lock down millions of residents of Wuhan and the surrounding area , to try to keep the new coronavirus from spreading outward .
The country ’ s neighbors are closing borders , airlines are canceling flights , and nations are advising their citizens against traveling to China , a modern instance of the old impulse to restrict people ’ s movements in order to stop disease transmission .
U.S. authorities are holding travelers returning from China in isolation for two weeks as an effort to halt coronavirus ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the policy of quarantine is the tension between individual civil liberties and protection of the public at risk .
The meaning of quarantine has evolved from its original definition “ as the detention and segregation of subjects suspected to carry a contagious disease.
” Now it represents a period of isolation for persons or animals with a contagious disease – or who may have been exposed but aren ’ t yet sick .
Although in the past it may have been a self-imposed or voluntary separation from society , in more recent times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action enforced by health authorities .
Leprosy , mentioned in both Old and New testaments , is the first documented disease for which quarantine was imposed .
In the Middle Ages , leper colonies , administered by the Catholic Church , sprung up throughout the world .
Although the causative agent of leprosy – the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae – was not discovered until 1873 , its disfiguring and incurable nature made civilizations wrongly believe it was easily spread .
The plague of the 14th century gave rise to the modern concept of quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Europe in 1347 .
Over the course of four years , it would kill between 40 million and 50 million people in Europe and somewhere between 75 million and 200 million worldwide .
In 1377 , the seaport in Ragusa , modern day Dubrovnik , issued a “ trentina ” – derived from the Italian word for 30 ( trenta ) .
Ships traveling from areas with high rates of plague were required to stay offshore for 30 days before docking .
Anyone onboard who was healthy at the end of the waiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection and allowed onshore .
Thirty was eventually extended to 40 days , giving rise to the term quarantine , from the Italian word for 40 ( quaranta ) .
It was in Ragusa that the first law to enforce the act of quarantine was implemented .
Over time , variations in the nature and regulation of quarantine emerged .
Port officials asked travelers to certify they hadn ’ t been to areas with severe disease outbreaks , before allowing them to enter .
In the 19th century , quarantine was abused for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the call for international conferences to standardize quarantine practices .
Cholera epidemics throughout the early 19th century made clear the lack of any uniformity of policy .
The United States has also had its share of epidemics , beginning in 1793 , with the outbreak of yellow fever in Philadelphia .
A series of further disease outbreaks led Congress in 1878 to pass laws that mandated involvement of the federal government in quarantine .
The arrival of cholera to the United States , in 1892 , prompted even greater regulation .
Perhaps the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history , pitting an individual ’ s civil liberties against public protection , is the story of Mary Mallon , aka “ Typhoid Mary.
” An asymptomatic carrier of typhoid fever in the early 20th century , she never felt sick but nevertheless spread the disease to families for whom she worked as a cook .
Officials quarantined Mary on North Brother Island in New York City .
Released after three years , she promised never to cook for anyone again .
Breaking her vow and continuing to spread the disease , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where she remained for the remainder of her life in isolation .
More recently , in 2007 , public health officials quarantined a 31-year-old Atlanta attorney , Andrew Speaker , who was infected with a drug-resistant form of tuberculosis .
His case grabbed international attention when he traveled to Europe , despite knowing he had and could spread this form of TB .
Fearing quarantine in Italy , he returned to the United States , where he was apprehended by federal authorities and quarantined at a medical center in Denver , where he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deemed no longer contagious , he was required to report to local health officials five days a week through the end of his treatment .
Quarantine today continues as a public health measure to limit the spread of contagious disease , including not just coronavirus , but Ebola , flu and SARS .
Its stigma has largely been removed by emphasizing not only the benefits of quarantine to society , by removing contagious individuals from the general population , but also the benefit of treatment to those who are ill .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal rights , it ’ s a serious decision to restrict an individual ’ s freedom of travel and compel medical treatment .
And quarantine is not an ironclad way to prevent the spread of disease .
But it can be a useful tool for public health officials working to stop the spread of a contagious disease .
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Leslie S. Leighton does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article , and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment .


freedomdaily--2020-02-03--The Trump administration has made the U.S. less ready for infectious disease outbreaks like coronavi

The Trump administration has made the U.S. less ready for infectious disease outbreaks like coronavirus

As coronavirus continues to spread , the Trump administration has declared a public health emergency and imposed quarantines and travel restrictions .
However , over the past three years the administration has weakened the offices in charge of preparing for and preventing this kind of outbreak .
Two years ago , Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates warned that the world should be “ preparing for a pandemic in the same serious way it prepares for war ” .
Gates , whose foundation has invested heavily in global health , suggested staging simulations , war games and preparedness exercises to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identify the best response .
The Trump administration has done exactly the opposite : It has slashed funding for the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its infectious disease research .
For fiscal year 2020 , Trump proposed cutting the CDC budget by US $ 1.3 billion , nearly 20 % below the 2019 level .
As a specialist in budgeting , I recognize that there are many claims on public resources .
But when it comes to public health , I believe it is vital to invest early in prevention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will make it far harder for the government to react quickly to a public health emergency .
Every year since taking office , Trump has asked for deep cuts into research on emerging diseases – including the CDC ’ s small center on emerging and “ zoonotic ” infectious diseases that jump the species barrier from animals to humans .
The new coronavirus is just the latest example of these threats .
The CDC ’ s program focuses on infectious diseases ranging from foodborne illnesses to anthrax and Ebola .
It manages laboratory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and collaborates with state and local health departments , other federal government agencies , industry and foreign ministries of health .
In 2018 , Trump tried to cut $ 65 million from this budget – a 10 % reduction .
In 2019 , he sought a 19 % reduction .
For 2020 , he proposed to cut federal spending on emerging infectious and zoonotic diseases by 20 % .
This would mean spending $ 100 million less in 2020 to study how such diseases infect humans than the U.S. did just two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this funding , with bipartisan support .
But the overall level of appropriations for relevant CDC programs is still 10 % below what the U.S. spent in 2016 , adjusting for inflation .
Even worse , in 2018 the administration disbanded its own global health security team , which was supposed to make the U.S. more resilient to the threat of epidemics .
This unfortunate decision was part of a reorganization that former national security adviser John Bolton carried out shortly after arriving at the White House .
Bolton eliminated the National Security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biodefense directorate , and reshuffled its team of world-class infectious disease experts .
In response , two highly respected leaders in the field – Rear Admiral Tim Ziemer , the NSC ’ s senior director for global health security and biodefense , and Homeland Security adviser Tom Bossert – left the White House .
Under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama , Ziemer had served as the U.S. point person for a coordinated global anti-malaria campaign that helped reduce deaths from the disease by 60 % over 15 years .
In 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ malaria generated a 36 to 1 return on investment because it averted so many deaths and debilitating illnesses .
In 2018 Ziemer was instrumental in fighting the reemergence of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo , traveling there and working with public health officials to reduce the spread of the dreaded disease .
There is no wall high enough to keep virulent pathogens from crossing national borders , and when they emerge there is a potential for widespread illness and death .
Containing the first major Ebola epidemic in 2014-2016 , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required an enormous global effort .
Only 11 patients were treated for Ebola in the U.S. , but that was because President Obama took the threat seriously , appointing an “ Ebola czar ” to coordinate U.S. preparedness and assistance .
Now that the White House has evicted the NSC ’ s global health security experts , it is not clear who in the Trump administration will be responsible for coordinating U.S. efforts in the event of a global pandemic .
The new coronavirus that emerged in Wuhan , China , has already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has confirmed that person-to-person transmission has occurred in the U.S .
It will take a large-scale effort to contain this outbreak , and battling the virus requires money .
Although the Gates Foundation and other charities give away billions of dollars to promote public health , such gifts are no substitute for the kind of specific , targeted scientific research into emerging diseases that the CDC and other federal agencies are uniquely designed to conduct .
Fighting epidemics also requires planning to prepare and coordinate with hospitals , medical professionals , pharmacies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public , which also requires funding .
President Trump recently signed a $ 738 billion dollar defense budget – the highest level since World War II .
It creates a new Space Force and funds research into dozens of remotely possible military threats .
Relative to defense spending , the $ 6.5 billion CDC budget is tiny .
But as I see it , deadly global pandemics and emerging biological and viral threats pose an equal or greater threat to our national security .
As climate change warms the Earth , thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the World Health Organization reports that 75 % of all emerging pathogens over the past decade are zoonotic diseases , most of which are understudied .
As Bill Gates warned in 2018 , “ If history has taught us anything , it ’ s that there will be another deadly global pandemic.
” I believe the U.S. must allocate more resources to research , detection and global prevention and communication efforts , not less .
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Linda J. Bilmes does not work for , consult , own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article , and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment .