themindunleashed--2020-12-18--Pentagon Orders Abrupt Halt to Biden Transition Briefings  –Officials Left “Stunned”

The Pentagon has abruptly ended its cooperation with the transition team of President-elect Joe Biden , throwing the already-complicated process into further question .
The move by Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller to impose what he called “ a holiday pause ” in briefings drew sharp criticism from Biden ’ s transition team and has shocked Defense Department officials , despite claims by the Trump administration that the sudden change was part of some “ mutually agreed ” pause .
“ Miller ’ s move , which stunned officials throughout the Pentagon , was the biggest eruption yet of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the top level of the Trump administration , ” Axios reported .
President Donald Trump appointed Miller and a number of loyalists to key top positions in the Pentagon after firing Defense Secretary Mark Esper last month in moves that have been likened to a “ purge ” of the Defense Department .
Officials in both the administration and the president-elect ’ s transition team are unsure of what prompted the move by Miller to halt briefing .
However , the Washington Post reports that senior officials at the Pentagon were infuriated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 2.6 billion would be saved if Biden halted the construction of Trump ’ s border wall .
The Trump administration has blamed the Biden transition team for leaking that information , despite the fact that the reporters who covered the story have received numerous White House leaks in the past .
Members of Biden ’ s transition team received news of the canceled briefings on Thursday before they “ immediately and appropriately escalated ” the issue , said Biden spokesman Yohannes Abraham .
“ Our agency review teams continue making progress on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve benefited from constructive cooperation within many departments and agencies , but we have met isolated resistance in some corners , including from political appointees within the Department of Defense , ” Abraham said in a Friday briefing , according to Bloomberg .
“ We were concerned to learn this week about an abrupt halt in the already limited cooperation there , and as indicated by DOD earlier today , we expect that decision will be reversed , ” Abraham continued .
“ Let me be clear : there was no mutually agreed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ In fact , we think it ’ s important that briefings and other engagements continue during this period , as there ’ s no time to spare.
” Miller , for his part , continued to maintain that the “ holiday pause ” was consented to by both sides , and that the transition would continue come January , adding : “ I remain committed to a full and transparent transition — this is what our nation expects and the DoD will deliver AS IT ALWAYS HAS.
” Miller also said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Operation Warp Speed , the Trump administration ’ s program to combat the surging pandemic .
Transition spokeswoman Jen Psaki dismissed Miller ’ s claims about a mutual agreement , responding to a question about whether the acting secretary was being truthful with the curt response : “ I don ’ t think we need to communicate that .
I think you can make your own judgments.
” This isn ’ t the first time that the Pentagon has sought to defend itself from claims that it was intentionally throwing a monkey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ formally began almost three weeks after Biden ’ s victory in the 2020 election .
The Trump administration also reportedly blocked meetings between transition officials and intelligence agencies that fall under the authority of the defense secretary , such as the National Security Agency and Defense Intelligence Agency , reported The Hill .
“ No department is more pivotal to our national security than the Department of Defense , and a failure to work together could have consequences well beyond January , ” Abrahams said , adding that it was important for there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ departments and agencies .
”

The Pentagon has abruptly ended its cooperation with the transition team of President-elect Joe Biden, throwing the already-complicated process into further question.
The move by Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller to impose what he called “a holiday pause” in briefings drew sharp criticism from Biden’s transition team and has shocked Defense Department officials, despite claims by the Trump administration that the sudden change was part of some “mutually agreed” pause.
“Miller’s move, which stunned officials throughout the Pentagon, was the biggest eruption yet of animus and mistrust toward the Biden team from the top level of the Trump administration,” Axios reported.
Just in: Biden transition officials say on a press call that they didn't agree with the Pentagon to a holiday break in transition briefing. Biden's review team was made aware that meetings were cancelled. They are asking for DoD to restart briefings immediately. — Jack Detsch (@JackDetsch) December 18, 2020
President Donald Trump appointed Miller and a number of loyalists to key top positions in the Pentagon after firing Defense Secretary Mark Esper last month in moves that have been likened to a “purge” of the Defense Department.
Officials in both the administration and the president-elect’s transition team are unsure of what prompted the move by Miller to halt briefing.
However, the Washington Post reports that senior officials at the Pentagon were infuriated by a story published Wednesday revealing that $2.6 billion would be saved if Biden halted the construction of Trump’s border wall. The Trump administration has blamed the Biden transition team for leaking that information, despite the fact that the reporters who covered the story have received numerous White House leaks in the past.
Members of Biden’s transition team received news of the canceled briefings on Thursday before they “immediately and appropriately escalated” the issue, said Biden spokesman Yohannes Abraham.
“Our agency review teams continue making progress on a shortened timeline, and we’ve benefited from constructive cooperation within many departments and agencies, but we have met isolated resistance in some corners, including from political appointees within the Department of Defense,” Abraham said in a Friday briefing, according to Bloomberg.
“We were concerned to learn this week about an abrupt halt in the already limited cooperation there, and as indicated by DOD earlier today, we expect that decision will be reversed,” Abraham continued.
“Let me be clear: there was no mutually agreed upon holiday break,” he continued. “In fact, we think it’s important that briefings and other engagements continue during this period, as there’s no time to spare.”
Biden team directly contradicts DoD's explanation of what's happening https://t.co/eIq1uJgvHA — paul mcleary (@paulmcleary) December 18, 2020
Miller, for his part, continued to maintain that the “holiday pause” was consented to by both sides, and that the transition would continue come January, adding: “I remain committed to a full and transparent transition — this is what our nation expects and the DoD will deliver AS IT ALWAYS HAS.”
Miller also said that the administration would be mainly focused on Operation Warp Speed, the Trump administration’s program to combat the surging pandemic.
Transition spokeswoman Jen Psaki dismissed Miller’s claims about a mutual agreement, responding to a question about whether the acting secretary was being truthful with the curt response: “I don’t think we need to communicate that. I think you can make your own judgments.”
This isn’t the first time that the Pentagon has sought to defend itself from claims that it was intentionally throwing a monkey wrench into the transition process, which formally began almost three weeks after Biden’s victory in the 2020 election.
The Trump administration also reportedly blocked meetings between transition officials and intelligence agencies that fall under the authority of the defense secretary, such as the National Security Agency and Defense Intelligence Agency, reported The Hill.
“No department is more pivotal to our national security than the Department of Defense, and a failure to work together could have consequences well beyond January,” Abrahams said, adding that it was important for there to be “constructive cooperation within many departments and agencies.”
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themindunleashed--2020-12-18--Modeling Agent Who “Gifted” Epstein Two 12-Year-Olds Arrested Fleeing France

In the past week , two of Jeffrey Epstein ’ s wealthy and famous accomplices have been arrested under suspicion of rape , sex trafficking , and other related charges .
As we reported on Monday , fashion mogul Peter Nygård was arrested for charges relating to dozens of victims , who claim that the 79-year-old multi-millionaire was just as bad , if not worse than Epstein .
Now , another well-known modeling agent that was associated with Epstein has been arrested .
Jean-Luc Brunel , who allegedly once gifted Epstein two 12-year-old French girls , was arrested in Paris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flight to Dakar in Senegal .
Victims believe that Brunel was on his way to Dakar because he was tipped off about the arrest , as Senegal doesn ’ t have an extradition treaty with France .
According to Le Parisien newspaper , Brunel was arrested for charges of rape , sexual assault against minors , sexual harassment , criminal conspiracy , and human trafficking .
Brunel has been in hiding since Epstein ’ s apparent death , and has been known as a close associate .
Brunel ’ s name appeared more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Epstein ’ s private jet , and he visited Epstein close to 70 times when he was in prison the first time ten years ago .
Long before the Epstein scandal broke , Brunel was accused of rape by several models in a 1988 CBS documentary .
Brunel founded the modeling agencies Karin Models and MC2 Model Management , and used his position in the industry to take advantage of young girls , many of whom came from poor families .
Thysia Huisman , one of Brunel ’ s victims , said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s incredible .
I didn ’ t expect it all .
Brunel raped me in 1991 .
He drugged me and raped me and I never came forward as I was ashamed .
After Epstein ’ s arrest I felt I had to come forward , ” Huisman told The Daily Beast .
Huismann wrote a book called “ Close Up ” where she details many of her experiences , including her encounters with Epstein and Brunel .
“ I met Epstein through Brunel .
I stayed at Brunel ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were parties with older business friends of his and young , very young models and one night he gave me a drink and said we had to celebrate the start of my career in Paris , ” she said .
She told investigators that Brunel drugged her drink and then raped her .
“ I woke up the next day and the only thing I thought of was I had to escape his house and I took the first train out of Paris to Brussels and I never came back to Paris until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speak to the police and they took it really seriously , ” she said .
Anne-Claire Lejeune , a lawyer representing several of Brunel ’ s alleged victims said that they have been waiting for this arrest for a long time .
“ The victims have long awaited the arrest of Jean-Luc Brunel .
They welcome this custody with relief , and confidence in the legal consequences that will be given .
Their word finally takes on a meaning , ” Lejeune said .
It is not clear when Brunel will be due @ @ @ @ @

In the past week, two of Jeffrey Epstein’s wealthy and famous accomplices have been arrested under suspicion of rape, sex trafficking, and other related charges.
As we reported on Monday, fashion mogul Peter Nygård was arrested for charges relating to dozens of victims, who claim that the 79-year-old multi-millionaire was just as bad, if not worse than Epstein.
Now, another well-known modeling agent that was associated with Epstein has been arrested. Jean-Luc Brunel, who allegedly once gifted Epstein two 12-year-old French girls, was arrested in Paris this week while attempting to board a flight to Dakar in Senegal.
Victims believe that Brunel was on his way to Dakar because he was tipped off about the arrest, as Senegal doesn’t have an extradition treaty with France.
According to Le Parisien newspaper, Brunel was arrested for charges of rape, sexual assault against minors, sexual harassment, criminal conspiracy, and human trafficking.
BREAKING: Modeling scout Jean-Luc Brunel, one of Jeffrey Epstein's accused recruiters, arrested on sex trafficking charges. https://t.co/lE8jCOcyZn — julie k. brown (@jkbjournalist) December 17, 2020
Brunel has been in hiding since Epstein’s apparent death, and has been known as a close associate. Brunel’s name appeared more than 15 times on flight logs for Epstein’s private jet, and he visited Epstein close to 70 times when he was in prison the first time ten years ago.
Long before the Epstein scandal broke, Brunel was accused of rape by several models in a 1988 CBS documentary.
Brunel founded the modeling agencies Karin Models and MC2 Model Management, and used his position in the industry to take advantage of young girls, many of whom came from poor families.
Thysia Huisman, one of Brunel’s victims, said that the arrest was entirely unexpected.
“It’s incredible. I didn’t expect it all. Brunel raped me in 1991. He drugged me and raped me and I never came forward as I was ashamed. After Epstein’s arrest I felt I had to come forward,” Huisman told The Daily Beast.
Huismann wrote a book called “Close Up” where she details many of her experiences, including her encounters with Epstein and Brunel.
“I met Epstein through Brunel. I stayed at Brunel’s place in Paris and at night there were parties with older business friends of his and young, very young models and one night he gave me a drink and said we had to celebrate the start of my career in Paris,” she said.
She told investigators that Brunel drugged her drink and then raped her.
“I woke up the next day and the only thing I thought of was I had to escape his house and I took the first train out of Paris to Brussels and I never came back to Paris until last year when I went back to speak to the police and they took it really seriously,” she said.
Anne-Claire Lejeune, a lawyer representing several of Brunel’s alleged victims said that they have been waiting for this arrest for a long time.
“The victims have long awaited the arrest of Jean-Luc Brunel. They welcome this custody with relief, and confidence in the legal consequences that will be given. Their word finally takes on a meaning,” Lejeune said.
It is not clear when Brunel will be due to appear in court.
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themindunleashed--2020-12-20--12-Year-Old DJ Gets Busted For Hosting ‘Underground Rave’ In Catholic School Bathroom

A 12-year-old boy in the U.K. organized a rave in the bathroom of his Catholic school that managed to last for 30 minutes before it was shut down and his equipment was confiscated .
However , his parents are backing the young DJ up .
Cael Bell is an enterprising , up-and-coming turntablist who decided earlier this month that it was time to display his talents for his mates at Urmston in the Greater Manchester region .
So Bell took to Snapchat and began advertising an underground rave that would take place in the lavatory of the private school during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event was open to “ all year 8 boys ” at the school .
Attendees would also receive complimentary soft drinks and Cadbury Twirls .
As Consequence of Sound noted , “ while a school bathroom is a below-average setting for such a lunch , it is certainly cleaner than your typical rave.
” Bell managed to sneak his speakers and other gear into the restroom and held a set for 30 minutes before the school ’ s authorities broke up the underground gig .
The school even confiscated Bell ’ s lights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mother , Louise Bell , learned about her son ’ s transgression she wasn ’ t peeved in the least bit .
In fact , the young mum actually thought that her son ’ s antics were ingenious .
She wrote in a Facebook post : “ Am I wrong for finding this funny ?
” “ I had to laugh .
It has been a terrible year and I couldn ’ t be angry with my son for trying to spread some cheer , ” she later told The Mirror in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call , it made perfect sense , ” Louise continued .
“ Cael had been up , dressed and ready to leave for school early that morning which was unheard of in our house .
He had the biggest smile on his face so I knew he had something up his sleeve.
” “ I asked him what he was so happy about and he told me they were having a rave in school , ” she added .
“ I thought nothing of it , I didn ’ t think for one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ But when I heard what Cael had done , from advertising the rave on Snapchat to actually pulling it off and even providing refreshments , I couldn ’ t help but see the funny side.
” When Cael ’ s father also learned about his son ’ s antics , he was thrilled and encouraged his son , telling him : “ go on son !
” “ In our eyes , he hadn ’ t done anything wrong , ” Louise continued .
“ We would have been furious if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past confiscating his things.
” Even the school had to admit that they were impressed by the lad , informing her that they had only confiscated his equipment because it “ couldn ’ t facilitate such behavior.
” “ When we asked him why he ’ d done it , he told us school was boring and that they had nothing to do at lunch time , ” Louise said .
“ I wish there had been a Cael when I was in school , it would have been much more fun.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we couldn ’ t be mad at him for expressing and sharing that passion .
It was very inventive of him .
”

A 12-year-old boy in the U.K. organized a rave in the bathroom of his Catholic school that managed to last for 30 minutes before it was shut down and his equipment was confiscated. However, his parents are backing the young DJ up.
Cael Bell is an enterprising, up-and-coming turntablist who decided earlier this month that it was time to display his talents for his mates at Urmston in the Greater Manchester region.
So Bell took to Snapchat and began advertising an underground rave that would take place in the lavatory of the private school during lunch period on Dec. 11. The event was open to “all year 8 boys” at the school. Attendees would also receive complimentary soft drinks and Cadbury Twirls.
As Consequence of Sound noted, “while a school bathroom is a below-average setting for such a lunch, it is certainly cleaner than your typical rave.”
Bell managed to sneak his speakers and other gear into the restroom and held a set for 30 minutes before the school’s authorities broke up the underground gig. The school even confiscated Bell’s lights and speakers.
When Cael’s mother, Louise Bell, learned about her son’s transgression she wasn’t peeved in the least bit. In fact, the young mum actually thought that her son’s antics were ingenious. She wrote in a Facebook post: “Am I wrong for finding this funny?”
“I had to laugh. It has been a terrible year and I couldn’t be angry with my son for trying to spread some cheer,” she later told The Mirror in an interview.
“When I got the call, it made perfect sense,” Louise continued. “Cael had been up, dressed and ready to leave for school early that morning which was unheard of in our house. He had the biggest smile on his face so I knew he had something up his sleeve.”
“I asked him what he was so happy about and he told me they were having a rave in school,” she added. “I thought nothing of it, I didn’t think for one minute there was any truth to it.”
“But when I heard what Cael had done, from advertising the rave on Snapchat to actually pulling it off and even providing refreshments, I couldn’t help but see the funny side.”
When Cael’s father also learned about his son’s antics, he was thrilled and encouraged his son, telling him: “go on son!”
“In our eyes, he hadn’t done anything wrong,” Louise continued. “We would have been furious if the teachers had reprimanded him further, past confiscating his things.”
Even the school had to admit that they were impressed by the lad, informing her that they had only confiscated his equipment because it “couldn’t facilitate such behavior.”
“When we asked him why he’d done it, he told us school was boring and that they had nothing to do at lunch time,” Louise said. “I wish there had been a Cael when I was in school, it would have been much more fun.”
“Music is Cael’s motivation and we couldn’t be mad at him for expressing and sharing that passion. It was very inventive of him.”
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themindunleashed--2020-12-19--Former CIA Director John Brennan Suggests UFOs And Aliens Are Real

In a recent podcast appearance , John Brennan , the director of the CIA under the Obama administration has suggested that aliens could be behind some of the UFO sightings that have been reported .
While speaking on the subject with economist and podcaster Tyler Cowen , Brennan said , “ Life is defined in many different ways .
I think it ’ s a bit presumptuous and arrogant for us to believe that there ’ s no other form of life anywhere in the entire universe … Some of the phenomena we ’ re going to be seeing continues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact , be some type of phenomenon that is the result of something that we don ’ t yet understand and that could involve some type of activity that some might say constitutes a different form of life.
” Brennan also commented on the footage that was taken of UFOs engaging with US Navy aircraft pilots .
In the footage , the objects are flying around 30,000 feet in the air at hypersonic speeds and showing no visible engines or exhaust plumes typical of any known aircraft currently on Earth .
Brennan said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those videos from Navy pilots , and I must tell you that they are quite eyebrow-raising when you look at them .
You try to ensure that you have as much data as possible in terms of visuals and also different types of maybe technical collection of sensors that you have at the time.
” He went on to discuss the importance of ruling out any other variables that could make aircraft appear to be alien , but he still has no explanation as to what can be seen in the videos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview can be seen in the video below .
Brennan ’ s 25 years with the CIA included work as a Near East and South Asia analyst , as station chief in Saudi Arabia , and as director of the National Counterterrorism Center .
Brennan is one of many former high ranking government officials to come forward to seriously discuss the existence of extraterrestrials .
In a new documentary titled “ The Phenomenon , ” Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said that UFOs and potential alien activity have been covered up by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the federal government all these years has covered up , put brake pads on everything , stopped it , I think it ’ s very , very bad for our country , ” Reid said in the documentary .
In an interview earlier this month , retired Israeli general Haim Eshed claimed that the United States and Israeli governments have been in contact with extraterrestrials for many years , but have not revealed this information to the public because they feel that the average citizen is not ready to know .
The 87-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a professor .
Eshed has had a very prestigious career and is very well-respected .
He served as the head of Israel ’ s space security program for nearly 30 years and is a three-time recipient of the Israel Security Award .
He has shared these wild claims about extraterrestrials in a recent interview with Yediot Aharonot .
Eshed said that some governments are in contact with a “ Galactic Federation ” of aliens from far reaches of space who are observing humans for their own research purposes .

In a recent podcast appearance, John Brennan, the director of the CIA under the Obama administration has suggested that aliens could be behind some of the UFO sightings that have been reported.
While speaking on the subject with economist and podcaster Tyler Cowen, Brennan said, “Life is defined in many different ways. I think it’s a bit presumptuous and arrogant for us to believe that there’s no other form of life anywhere in the entire universe … Some of the phenomena we’re going to be seeing continues to be unexplained and might, in fact, be some type of phenomenon that is the result of something that we don’t yet understand and that could involve some type of activity that some might say constitutes a different form of life.”
Brennan also commented on the footage that was taken of UFOs engaging with US Navy aircraft pilots. In the footage, the objects are flying around 30,000 feet in the air at hypersonic speeds and showing no visible engines or exhaust plumes typical of any known aircraft currently on Earth.
Brennan said, “I’ve seen some of those videos from Navy pilots, and I must tell you that they are quite eyebrow-raising when you look at them. You try to ensure that you have as much data as possible in terms of visuals and also different types of maybe technical collection of sensors that you have at the time.”
He went on to discuss the importance of ruling out any other variables that could make aircraft appear to be alien, but he still has no explanation as to what can be seen in the videos. The full footage of the podcast interview can be seen in the video below.
Brennan’s 25 years with the CIA included work as a Near East and South Asia analyst, as station chief in Saudi Arabia, and as director of the National Counterterrorism Center.
Brennan is one of many former high ranking government officials to come forward to seriously discuss the existence of extraterrestrials.
In a new documentary titled “The Phenomenon,” Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said that UFOs and potential alien activity have been covered up by the government for years.
“Why the federal government all these years has covered up, put brake pads on everything, stopped it, I think it’s very, very bad for our country,” Reid said in the documentary.
In an interview earlier this month, retired Israeli general Haim Eshed claimed that the United States and Israeli governments have been in contact with extraterrestrials for many years, but have not revealed this information to the public because they feel that the average citizen is not ready to know.
The 87-year-old former space security chief is currently working as a professor. Eshed has had a very prestigious career and is very well-respected. He served as the head of Israel’s space security program for nearly 30 years and is a three-time recipient of the Israel Security Award.
He has shared these wild claims about extraterrestrials in a recent interview with Yediot Aharonot.
Eshed said that some governments are in contact with a “Galactic Federation” of aliens from far reaches of space who are observing humans for their own research purposes.
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themindunleashed--2020-12-21--Two Women Fight Over PlayStation 5 in Nasty Walmart Brawl

As any gamer knows , Sony ’ s launch of its PlayStation 5 console has been an unmitigated disaster , with the company struggling to satisfy the sky-high demand of the item while scalpers quickly snatch up scarce supplies and resell the system with huge mark-ups .
As a result , holiday shoppers have been scrambling to get their hands on the mega hot item .
In one dramatic incident captured on video this week , two women could be seen getting into a knock-down , drag-out brawl over the system at a Walmart in Charlotte , North Carolina , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The brutal display of shopping violence was filmed for the viewing pleasure of social media users and naturally , has since gone viral .
In the video , a woman wearing long braids can be seen screaming at another shopper wearing a black hoodie , “ What the f*ck are you gon na do ?
” At some point , a man driving by on a motorized scooter as well as a woman in a red mask attempt to deescalate the confrontation by getting between the woman but the braided woman continues to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a total disaster .
An all-out kerfuffle then breaks out in the electronics department , during which the women begin socking one another and yanking on each other ’ s hair , before the braided woman is slammed flat on her back , apparently out cold .
To paraphrase Smokey from the iconic ‘ 90s comedy Friday , she “ got knocked tha f*ck out !
” Police quickly arrived at the scene but not before the women were able to make their narrow escape .
However , TMZ reports that neither of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they fought over .
The strange spectacle of grown adults fighting each other in the aisles of retailers during the holiday season has been a veritable American tradition since at least the 1983 , when Cabbage Patch Kids dolls sparked proper unrest in stores across the United States .
13 years later in the lead-up to Christmas 1996 , Tyco ’ s Tickle Me Elmo sparked similar violent melees as parents used their fists to get their children the $ 30 toy described as “ a little red creature with a tickling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday fights breaking out the day after Thanksgiving have become the norm , with grown adults humiliatingly knocking each other over , attacking children , and trampling one-another underfoot to get their hands on plastic products made in China with small discounts that are certainly not worth the loss of face that such ludicrous behavior entails .
One would imagine that with the rise of online retailers and the need for physical distancing , people might be a little wiser in 2020 .
But hey , 2020 is nothing if not consistently insane @

As any gamer knows, Sony’s launch of its PlayStation 5 console has been an unmitigated disaster, with the company struggling to satisfy the sky-high demand of the item while scalpers quickly snatch up scarce supplies and resell the system with huge mark-ups.
As a result, holiday shoppers have been scrambling to get their hands on the mega hot item. In one dramatic incident captured on video this week, two women could be seen getting into a knock-down, drag-out brawl over the system at a Walmart in Charlotte, North Carolina, leaving them bruised and ultimately empty-handed.
The brutal display of shopping violence was filmed for the viewing pleasure of social media users and naturally, has since gone viral.
In the video, a woman wearing long braids can be seen screaming at another shopper wearing a black hoodie, “What the f*ck are you gonna do?”
At some point, a man driving by on a motorized scooter as well as a woman in a red mask attempt to deescalate the confrontation by getting between the woman but the braided woman continues to shout before the situation melts down into a total disaster.
An all-out kerfuffle then breaks out in the electronics department, during which the women begin socking one another and yanking on each other’s hair, before the braided woman is slammed flat on her back, apparently out cold.
To paraphrase Smokey from the iconic ‘90s comedy Friday, she “got knocked tha f*ck out!”
Police quickly arrived at the scene but not before the women were able to make their narrow escape. However, TMZ reports that neither of them were able to get the PS5 that they fought over.
The strange spectacle of grown adults fighting each other in the aisles of retailers during the holiday season has been a veritable American tradition since at least the 1983, when Cabbage Patch Kids dolls sparked proper unrest in stores across the United States.
13 years later in the lead-up to Christmas 1996, Tyco’s Tickle Me Elmo sparked similar violent melees as parents used their fists to get their children the $30 toy described as “a little red creature with a tickling fetish.”
Since then, wild Black Friday fights breaking out the day after Thanksgiving have become the norm, with grown adults humiliatingly knocking each other over, attacking children, and trampling one-another underfoot to get their hands on plastic products made in China with small discounts that are certainly not worth the loss of face that such ludicrous behavior entails.
One would imagine that with the rise of online retailers and the need for physical distancing, people might be a little wiser in 2020. But hey, 2020 is nothing if not consistently insane.
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themindunleashed--2020-12-22--Grandmother Wrongfully Arrested Naked in Home, Tased in Jail, Wins $2.4 Million Payout

A grandmother in Colorado who was subject to brutal treatment by the police while naked and in her own home has received a $ 2.4 million settlement .
Carolyn O ’ Neal , 49 , was drawing a bath for herself at her apartment in a sober living facility in 2014 and posed no danger to herself or others when police arrived at her apartment to do a welfare check after reports that she was distraught because her mother was dying .
After O ’ Neal sent the police away , the deputies from the Fremont County Sheriff ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of keys .
The woman immediately began yelling at the deputies , all of whom were men , to leave her home because she was naked and had no intent to harm herself .
At that point , the officers pinned the 123-pound woman down onto her bed before handcuffing her and placing her under arrest , according to Denver Post .
The officers covered her in a blanket before walking her out in broad daylight to the squad car .
When O ’ Neal was taken into custody , her ordeal only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the ground and bound her to a chair with restraints to secure her limbs , shoulders and waist .
Officers then placed a spit mask over her face before keeping her strapped to the chair for four hours , during which she was only covered by a smock that kept sliding down and exposing her naked body .
At some point , deputies released her legs from the restraints before she was strapped back in .
When O ’ Neal resisted , the deputies applied pressure point techniques and even used a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear burn marks on her leg .
It took about 12 hours before O ’ Neal was finally given jail clothing .
Prosecutors accused O ’ Neal with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct during her time in the jail , but a judge later dismissed the charges and found that there was no cause for her initial arrest to begin with .
In her lawsuit against the Fremont County Sheriff ’ s Office , the deputies were alleged to have arrested O ’ Neal for her past protests over being arrested .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s office had utterly failed to train its deputies or jail staff on how to properly handle people suffering mental health issues while also having “ created , fostered , maintained and tolerated an environment and culture of law enforcement brutality and deliberate indifference to the constitutional rights of its citizens and residents.
” A jury eventually decided the case in O ’ Neal ’ s favor , awarding her $ 3.6 million last April , which was eventually reduced by a judge to $ 2.1 million .
The ruling was challenged by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Fremont , but they eventually settled for $ 2.4 million after the county dropped its appeal .
The embattled Fremont County Sheriff ’ s Office has faced a number of lawsuits in recent years .
Jim Beicker , the sheriff at the time of O ’ Neal ’ s arrest , resigned in the year of that incident after a large number of his staff were placed on leave for misconduct and an effort to recall him failed .

A grandmother in Colorado who was subject to brutal treatment by the police while naked and in her own home has received a $2.4 million settlement.
Carolyn O’Neal, 49, was drawing a bath for herself at her apartment in a sober living facility in 2014 and posed no danger to herself or others when police arrived at her apartment to do a welfare check after reports that she was distraught because her mother was dying.
After O’Neal sent the police away, the deputies from the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office entered her domicile using a set of keys. The woman immediately began yelling at the deputies, all of whom were men, to leave her home because she was naked and had no intent to harm herself. At that point, the officers pinned the 123-pound woman down onto her bed before handcuffing her and placing her under arrest, according to Denver Post. The officers covered her in a blanket before walking her out in broad daylight to the squad car.
When O’Neal was taken into custody, her ordeal only worsened as jail staff roughly tackled her to the ground and bound her to a chair with restraints to secure her limbs, shoulders and waist. Officers then placed a spit mask over her face before keeping her strapped to the chair for four hours, during which she was only covered by a smock that kept sliding down and exposing her naked body.
At some point, deputies released her legs from the restraints before she was strapped back in. When O’Neal resisted, the deputies applied pressure point techniques and even used a Taser on her, twice, leaving clear burn marks on her leg.
It took about 12 hours before O’Neal was finally given jail clothing.
Prosecutors accused O’Neal with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct during her time in the jail, but a judge later dismissed the charges and found that there was no cause for her initial arrest to begin with.
In her lawsuit against the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, the deputies were alleged to have arrested O’Neal for her past protests over being arrested. The lawsuit also alleged that the sheriff’s office had utterly failed to train its deputies or jail staff on how to properly handle people suffering mental health issues while also having “created, fostered, maintained and tolerated an environment and culture of law enforcement brutality and deliberate indifference to the constitutional rights of its citizens and residents.”
A jury eventually decided the case in O’Neal’s favor, awarding her $3.6 million last April, which was eventually reduced by a judge to $2.1 million.
The ruling was challenged by both O’Neal and the County of Fremont, but they eventually settled for $2.4 million after the county dropped its appeal.
The embattled Fremont County Sheriff’s Office has faced a number of lawsuits in recent years. Jim Beicker, the sheriff at the time of O’Neal’s arrest, resigned in the year of that incident after a large number of his staff were placed on leave for misconduct and an effort to recall him failed.
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themindunleashed--2020-12-21--Proud Boys, MAGA Protesters Clash With Riot Cops as Armed Groups Storm Oregon Capitol

Tense scenes unfolded at the Oregon State Capitol on Monday as armed protesters attempted to force their way into the statehouse only to be met by armor-clad officers in riot gear , who deployed less-lethal weaponry to suppress the unruly crowd .
Members of a broad range of right-wing organizations , including the Proud Boys and Patriot Prayer , gathered in Salem , Oregon , to protest against ongoing coronavirus restrictions .
Many of the protesters held “ Thin Blue Line ” banners and flags supporting President Donald Trump , while a number of demonstrators were armed with long-barreled rifles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pitchfork with an American flag attached .
Lawmakers were holding a one-day emergency session closed to the public to discuss aid efforts related to the pandemic , including relief for landlords and tenants , vaccine distribution , and continued efforts to recover from the horrific fires that the state experienced earlier this year .
Protesters expressed rage over coronavirus restrictions , angry about the impact that lockdown measures have had on their jobs and schools .
Members of the crowd called for the arrest of Gov .
Kate Brown .
Tensions came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as one woman attempted to climb through a window to enter the government building before Oregon State Troopers repelled her , reports Daily Beast .
At that point , the troopers were chased off by the raucous crowd , including many who carried rifles .
“ I ’ m here to support the constitutional rights of people and of Oregon business [ owners , ] ” a protester who identified himself as Duane told the news outlet .
“ These people are unemployed and their lives are being ruined by this situation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have taken totalitarian views.
” The crowd was eventually able to invade the lobby of the statehouse before Oregon State Police declared the protest an unlawful assembly , using mace and pepper bawls in an attempt to prevent them from taking the entire building .
“ We ’ re not gon na give up this easily , everybody come in !
” one protester who was armed with a knife and wearing a bulletproof vest screamed while entering the lobby .
“ This is our state .
This is our building.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrators with long guns ran around maneuvering and waving protesters over to what they believed were open entrances .
“ We are now declaring this area a patriot autonomous zone , ” one protester said over a bullhorn as they coordinated the pulling-down of fences .
“ If Antifa can do it so can we.
” Riot police eventually arrived in large numbers and were able to expel the crowd from the Capitol building , drawing angry responses from the crowd .
Many yelled that they had once been fervent supporters of law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Back the Blue ” rallies , but that this would no longer be the case .
“ You are traitors to the American people , ” one protester shouted at troopers and police .
Amidst the chaos , some enterprising vendors were still selling patriotic-themed merchandise and Donald Trump-branded items such as flags , MAGA hats , and t-shirts .
While chaotic scenes unfolded around the Capitol building , the legislature hardy fared better as it discussed relief efforts and whether restaurants and bars could serve cocktails to go .
At one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a proposed statewide mask requirement as being pushed by elected officials who had enlisted in a “ campaign against the people and the children of God , ” reports OPB .
“ If you had not done such great evil to my people and had simply asked me to wear my mask , I would have , ” Heard thundered after dramatically tearing his mask off .
“ But you commanded it , and therefore I declare my right to protests against your false authority and remove my mask.
” Oregon is currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the outbreak of the pandemic .
At least 1,341 people have died while roughly 103,00 have been infected in the state .
Under the governor ’ s orders , many counties are facing mandatory restrictions including a ban on indoor dining at restaurants .

Tense scenes unfolded at the Oregon State Capitol on Monday as armed protesters attempted to force their way into the statehouse only to be met by armor-clad officers in riot gear, who deployed less-lethal weaponry to suppress the unruly crowd.
Members of a broad range of right-wing organizations, including the Proud Boys and Patriot Prayer, gathered in Salem, Oregon, to protest against ongoing coronavirus restrictions. Many of the protesters held “Thin Blue Line” banners and flags supporting President Donald Trump, while a number of demonstrators were armed with long-barreled rifles and pistols. One protester even carried a pitchfork with an American flag attached.
Anti-lockdown protestors break door of Capitol building pic.twitter.com/UW06w6T127 — Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) December 21, 2020
Lawmakers were holding a one-day emergency session closed to the public to discuss aid efforts related to the pandemic, including relief for landlords and tenants, vaccine distribution, and continued efforts to recover from the horrific fires that the state experienced earlier this year.
Protesters expressed rage over coronavirus restrictions, angry about the impact that lockdown measures have had on their jobs and schools. Members of the crowd called for the arrest of Gov. Kate Brown.
Tensions came to a boil early in the day as one woman attempted to climb through a window to enter the government building before Oregon State Troopers repelled her, reports Daily Beast. At that point, the troopers were chased off by the raucous crowd, including many who carried rifles.
How it started pic.twitter.com/HyKbwmAphT — Laura Jedeed, Space Professional (@LauraJedeed) December 21, 2020
“I’m here to support the constitutional rights of people and of Oregon business [owners,]” a protester who identified himself as Duane told the news outlet. “These people are unemployed and their lives are being ruined by this situation and most importantly by a government that seems to have taken totalitarian views.”
The crowd was eventually able to invade the lobby of the statehouse before Oregon State Police declared the protest an unlawful assembly, using mace and pepper bawls in an attempt to prevent them from taking the entire building.
UPDATE @ 1140: Since approximately 0830 this morning, December 21, protestors assembled on the grounds of the @OregonCapitol. At about 0930 @ORStatePolice declared an unlawful assembly & made various audible announcements for dispersal to the crowd outside… 1/3 #salemoregon pic.twitter.com/z6ue0798d1 — Salem Police Department (@SalemPoliceDept) December 21, 2020
“We’re not gonna give up this easily, everybody come in!” one protester who was armed with a knife and wearing a bulletproof vest screamed while entering the lobby. “This is our state. This is our building.”
Protesters also sang the national anthem while demonstrators with long guns ran around maneuvering and waving protesters over to what they believed were open entrances.
“We are now declaring this area a patriot autonomous zone,” one protester said over a bullhorn as they coordinated the pulling-down of fences. “If Antifa can do it so can we.”
Riot police eventually arrived in large numbers and were able to expel the crowd from the Capitol building, drawing angry responses from the crowd. Many yelled that they had once been fervent supporters of law enforcement at anti-Black Lives Matter counterprotests and “Back the Blue” rallies, but that this would no longer be the case.
Protesters demanding to be allowed into the Capitol for the session are squaring off w dozens of Salem officers and state police. Now chanting “arrest Kate Brown.” #orleg #orpol pic.twitter.com/rRC7E5oLX4 — Dirk VanderHart (@dirquez) December 21, 2020
“You are traitors to the American people,” one protester shouted at troopers and police.
Amidst the chaos, some enterprising vendors were still selling patriotic-themed merchandise and Donald Trump-branded items such as flags, MAGA hats, and t-shirts.
While chaotic scenes unfolded around the Capitol building, the legislature hardy fared better as it discussed relief efforts and whether restaurants and bars could serve cocktails to go.
NOW: Small crowd of #ProudBoys and Trump Supporters in Salem, OR, belligerently looking to fight either "antifa" or the local Salem Police.
Falsely claiming the right to bear arms as the right to wage war, waving Confederate flag & casually discussing Civil War. pic.twitter.com/wyf1xgNXRJ — Rex Young (@rexyoungdotcom) December 21, 2020
At one point, Republican Sen. Dallas Heard denounced a proposed statewide mask requirement as being pushed by elected officials who had enlisted in a “campaign against the people and the children of God,” reports OPB.
“If you had not done such great evil to my people and had simply asked me to wear my mask, I would have,” Heard thundered after dramatically tearing his mask off. “But you commanded it, and therefore I declare my right to protests against your false authority and remove my mask.”
Oregon is currently facing the highest number of coronavirus infections since the outbreak of the pandemic. At least 1,341 people have died while roughly 103,00 have been infected in the state. Under the governor’s orders, many counties are facing mandatory restrictions including a ban on indoor dining at restaurants.
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themindunleashed--2020-12-21--Fisherman Publicly Executed In North Korea For Listening To Foreign Radio Broadcast

A North Korean fishing boat captain was reportedly publicly executed for listening to a banned foreign radio station .
According to the U.S. Government-funded Radio Free Asia , North Korea executed a 40 year-old man after he admitted to listening to radio broadcasts from Radio Free Asia , banned in the dictator state .
North Korea has strict rules when it comes to what content citizens can consume to deny them access to information and news from outside the country ’ s borders .
The man identified as Chongjin , picked up the foreign broadcasts while he was out in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korea .
Chongjin is said to have been turned in by by one of his crew members at a fishing base in the port city of Chongjin , where his crew member confessed his “ offense ” to authorities .
It ’ s believed that Chongjin , who was once a radio operator in the military , had started listening to foreign broadcasts while on service .
Chongjin was charged with “ subversion against the party.
” “ In mid-October , a captain of a fishing boat from Chongjin was executed by firing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Radio Free Asia regularly over a long period of time , ” a source told the station .
“ The provincial security department defined his crime as an attempt of subversion against the party .
They publicly shot him at the base in front of 100 other captains and managers of the facility ’ s fish processing plants , ” they added .
“ They also dismissed or discharged party officials , the base ’ s administration and the security officers who allowed Choi to work at sea.
” A second source claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had turned Chongjin in was “ vengeance for Choi ’ s arrogant and disrespectful behavior so he reported him to the security department.
” They also claimed : “ It seems that the authorities made an example out of Choi to imprint on the residents that listening to outside radio stations means death.
” Despite acts like this execution North Korea has failed to quash its people ’ s desire to obtain information from the outside world .
Two refugees who escaped from North Korea to settle in the neighboring South told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their broadcasts because they are ‘ curious ’ .
“ We can get a variety of content from CDs and memory sticks , but what North Koreans most want to know is news from the outside , ” one said .
“ Residents can get many outside broadcasts , but they prefer RFA because it can be heard clearly in the Korean language .
”

A North Korean fishing boat captain was reportedly publicly executed for listening to a banned foreign radio station.
According to the U.S. Government-funded Radio Free Asia, North Korea executed a 40 year-old man after he admitted to listening to radio broadcasts from Radio Free Asia, banned in the dictator state. North Korea has strict rules when it comes to what content citizens can consume to deny them access to information and news from outside the country’s borders.
The man identified as Chongjin, picked up the foreign broadcasts while he was out in the water off the coast of North Korea.
Chongjin is said to have been turned in by by one of his crew members at a fishing base in the port city of Chongjin, where his crew member confessed his “offense” to authorities. It’s believed that Chongjin, who was once a radio operator in the military, had started listening to foreign broadcasts while on service. Chongjin was charged with “subversion against the party.”
“In mid-October, a captain of a fishing boat from Chongjin was executed by firing squad, on charges of listening to Radio Free Asia regularly over a long period of time,” a source told the station.
“The provincial security department defined his crime as an attempt of subversion against the party. They publicly shot him at the base in front of 100 other captains and managers of the facility’s fish processing plants,” they added.
“They also dismissed or discharged party officials, the base’s administration and the security officers who allowed Choi to work at sea.”
A second source claimed to the news agency that the fisherman who had turned Chongjin in was “vengeance for Choi’s arrogant and disrespectful behavior so he reported him to the security department.”
They also claimed: “It seems that the authorities made an example out of Choi to imprint on the residents that listening to outside radio stations means death.”
Despite acts like this execution North Korea has failed to quash its people’s desire to obtain information from the outside world. Two refugees who escaped from North Korea to settle in the neighboring South told RFA that North Korean residents often listen to their broadcasts because they are ‘curious’.
“We can get a variety of content from CDs and memory sticks, but what North Koreans most want to know is news from the outside,” one said.
“Residents can get many outside broadcasts, but they prefer RFA because it can be heard clearly in the Korean language.”
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themindunleashed--2020-12-23--CDC Study: Brain-Eating Amoeba Is Spreading in United States

According to a new study by researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) , Naegleria fowleri , or the “ brain-eating amoeba , ” is spreading into the U.S. and scientists blame climate change .
Where as the actual number of yearly cases isn ’ t increasing the cases are occurring in a larger range of the U.S. than before .
The the CDC study published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases this week , examined CDC data from 1978 to 2018 , finding that new cases moved northwards at about 8.2 miles per year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , up to what Live Science reports to be a hot-tub-like 113 degrees Fahrenheit , an upward shift in global temperatures caused by climate change is giving N. fowleri new opportunities to expand north over the last 40 years , according to the CDC study .
“ It is possible that rising temperatures and consequent increases in recreational water use , such as swimming and water sports , could contribute to the changing epidemiology of PAM , ” the paper reads .
Naegleria fowleri is a free-living amoeba that causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the central nervous system .
Naegleria fowleri infections are extremely rare in the U.S. but the contagion is almost always fatal .
In the United States , there have only been 145 PAM infections from 1962 through 2018 with only four survivors according to the CDC .
If humans accidentally drink the microbe , it ’ s harmless .
But if it makes its way inside the nose it ’ s usually lethal .
Naegleria fowleri occurs naturally in freshwater , the soil , warm lakes , rivers , and hot springs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ enters the body through the nose and then travels to the brain .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) says infection typically happens when somebody go swimming or diving in “ warm freshwater places ” .
The CDC says people can not get infected by swallowing contaminated water , and it can not be passed from person to person .
Those infected with Naegleria fowleri have flu-like symptoms including fever , nausea , and vomiting .
Besides the normal symptoms showing someone is sick Naegleria fowleri comes with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected do not recover and usually die within just a week after the amoeba is within their brain .
Since the amoeba prefers warm waters , up to what Live Science reports to be a hot-tub-like 113 degrees Fahrenheit , an upward shift in global temperatures caused by climate change is giving N. fowleri new opportunities to expand north over the last 40 years , according to the CDC study published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases this week .
Earlier this year , eight Texas cities warned their residents about the tap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was found in the public water supply .
A Do Not Use Water Advisory was issued for the residents as well with at least one death of a little boy which sparked the investigation .
Additionally this year there was also an infection of Naegleria fowleri that was confirmed in the U.S. state of Florida .
At the time , health officials there urged locals to avoid nasal contact with water from taps and other sources .
Two children in Minnesota died from N. fowleri in 2010 and 2012 — both cases “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ northernmost case in the Americas.
” The amoeba was found to be thriving in U.S. rivers and lakes more and more , earlier this year .
Insider reports that cases may increase as climate change warms waters .
Experts estimate that between 3 and 8 Americans die from N. fowleri annually .
Furthermore , there have only been 34 infections reported in the U.S. in the last ten years , according to CDC data .

According to a new study by researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Naegleria fowleri, or the “brain-eating amoeba,” is spreading into the U.S. and scientists blame climate change.
Where as the actual number of yearly cases isn’t increasing the cases are occurring in a larger range of the U.S. than before. The the CDC study published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases this week, examined CDC data from 1978 to 2018, finding that new cases moved northwards at about 8.2 miles per year.
Since the amoeba prefers warm waters, up to what Live Science reports to be a hot-tub-like 113 degrees Fahrenheit, an upward shift in global temperatures caused by climate change is giving N. fowleri new opportunities to expand north over the last 40 years, according to the CDC study.
“It is possible that rising temperatures and consequent increases in recreational water use, such as swimming and water sports, could contribute to the changing epidemiology of PAM,” the paper reads.
Naegleria fowleri is a free-living amoeba that causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a disease of the central nervous system. Naegleria fowleri infections are extremely rare in the U.S. but the contagion is almost always fatal. In the United States, there have only been 145 PAM infections from 1962 through 2018 with only four survivors according to the CDC. If humans accidentally drink the microbe, it’s harmless. But if it makes its way inside the nose it’s usually lethal.
Naegleria fowleri occurs naturally in freshwater, the soil, warm lakes, rivers, and hot springs. It usually infects people when contaminated water enters the body through the nose and then travels to the brain.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says infection typically happens when somebody go swimming or diving in “warm freshwater places”.
The CDC says people cannot get infected by swallowing contaminated water, and it cannot be passed from person to person.
Those infected with Naegleria fowleri have flu-like symptoms including fever, nausea, and vomiting. Besides the normal symptoms showing someone is sick Naegleria fowleri comes with a stiff neck and headaches. Most people infected do not recover and usually die within just a week after the amoeba is within their brain.
Since the amoeba prefers warm waters, up to what Live Science reports to be a hot-tub-like 113 degrees Fahrenheit, an upward shift in global temperatures caused by climate change is giving N. fowleri new opportunities to expand north over the last 40 years, according to the CDC study published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases this week.
Earlier this year, eight Texas cities warned their residents about the tap water system after the deadly brain-eating amoeba was found in the public water supply. A Do Not Use Water Advisory was issued for the residents as well with at least one death of a little boy which sparked the investigation.
Additionally this year there was also an infection of Naegleria fowleri that was confirmed in the U.S. state of Florida. At the time, health officials there urged locals to avoid nasal contact with water from taps and other sources. Two children in Minnesota died from N. fowleri in 2010 and 2012 — both cases “550 miles north of the previously reported northernmost case in the Americas.”
The amoeba was found to be thriving in U.S. rivers and lakes more and more, earlier this year. Insider reports that cases may increase as climate change warms waters. Experts estimate that between 3 and 8 Americans die from N. fowleri annually.
Furthermore, there have only been 34 infections reported in the U.S. in the last ten years, according to CDC data.
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themindunleashed--2020-12-23--54 Million Americans – Including 18 Million Kids – To Lack Access to Sufficient Food by Year’s End

A new analysis has found that 54 million people in the United States , including 18 million children , will lack access to sufficient food by the end of the year .
The report from U.S.-based anti-hunger group Feeding America underscores the extent to which chronic food scarcity and malnourishment has surged in poor communities amid a devastating increase of coronavirus infections which federal and state governments have failed to get under control .
The group has distributed 4.2 billion meals across the country between March and October 2020 .
It is estimated that there has been a 60 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic has swept across the country , with roughly four out of 10 users being first-time seekers of food aid .
The analysis comes one month after the U.S. Census Bureau reported that less than half of U.S. households with children feel “ very confident ” about having sufficient money to afford food through December , with a stunning 5.6 million households struggling to put food on the table during Thanksgiving week , according to a pandemic survey .
The crisis of food insecurity has slammed Black and Latino communities the hardest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in remote “ food deserts ” where affordable and healthy food is less accessible .
The same individuals who have suffered from the economic impact of the pandemic , including seniors and people with chronic disease , are also at the highest risk of major coronavirus-associated illness .
The report noted that even prior to the pandemic , over 37 million people – including over 11 million children – lived in homes that were food insecure .
While food insecurity had reached its lowest rates since prior to the 2008 Great Recession , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any improvements that have occurred in the decade since .
States with the highest projected rates of food insecurity in 2020 are all in the South , and the four states with the most people at risk of hunger are Mississippi at 24.1 percent , Arkansas at 22.5 , Alabama with 22.2 and Louisiana at 21.7 .
Over one in five residents of those four hard-hit states are expected to be food insecure by year ’ s end , meaning that they lack the money or resources necessary to place food on their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The rates of those facing hunger could be as high as one in six people , skyrocketing from 35 million in 2019 to over 50 million by the end of this year .
The rise also means that one in four children could face hunger .
“ There ’ s a very robust body of evidence that shows that when kids miss meals , it affects their physical health , how they perform in school or don ’ t perform , their graduation rates , and even their lifetime earnings , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high .
I worry a lot that we are looking at a lost generation of American kids , ” said Lisa Davis , the senior vice president of No Kid Hungry , in an interview with Business Insider .
Low-wage workers who typically earned their paychecks in the service industry have also been the most impacted by the virus .
However , those who enjoyed higher wages haven ’ t been spared by the pandemic and have also faced adversity .
And as states across the country have been forced to adopt new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ease the pressure on strained health care systems , the unprecedented demand for food aid threatens to overwhelm food banks and non-profit organizations providing direct aid to residents .
The report comes as organizations have warned that the start of 2021 could see a historic crisis of evictions and homelessness across the country as a nationwide ban on evictions is set to expire at the end of the year .
In September , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an unprecedented order that banned evictions between September 4 and December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 30 to 40 million people could face evictions without the measure , adding that “ a wave of evictions on that scale would be unprecedented in modern times ” and contribute to the spread of the pandemic due to people moving into closer quarters in shared housing or simply living on the streets .
The coinciding crises of potential mass evictions and widespread hunger across the United States shows the extent to which the pandemic has heightened the vulnerability already faced by huge segments of American society .

A new analysis has found that 54 million people in the United States, including 18 million children, will lack access to sufficient food by the end of the year.
The report from U.S.-based anti-hunger group Feeding America underscores the extent to which chronic food scarcity and malnourishment has surged in poor communities amid a devastating increase of coronavirus infections which federal and state governments have failed to get under control.
The group has distributed 4.2 billion meals across the country between March and October 2020. It is estimated that there has been a 60 percent average increase in food bank users as the pandemic has swept across the country, with roughly four out of 10 users being first-time seekers of food aid.
The analysis comes one month after the U.S. Census Bureau reported that less than half of U.S. households with children feel “very confident” about having sufficient money to afford food through December, with a stunning 5.6 million households struggling to put food on the table during Thanksgiving week, according to a pandemic survey.
The crisis of food insecurity has slammed Black and Latino communities the hardest, as well as poor people living in remote “food deserts” where affordable and healthy food is less accessible. The same individuals who have suffered from the economic impact of the pandemic, including seniors and people with chronic disease, are also at the highest risk of major coronavirus-associated illness.
The report noted that even prior to the pandemic, over 37 million people – including over 11 million children – lived in homes that were food insecure.
While food insecurity had reached its lowest rates since prior to the 2008 Great Recession, the ongoing pandemic is set to reverse any improvements that have occurred in the decade since.
States with the highest projected rates of food insecurity in 2020 are all in the South, and the four states with the most people at risk of hunger are Mississippi at 24.1 percent, Arkansas at 22.5, Alabama with 22.2 and Louisiana at 21.7.
Over one in five residents of those four hard-hit states are expected to be food insecure by year’s end, meaning that they lack the money or resources necessary to place food on their tables, according to the Associated Press.
The rates of those facing hunger could be as high as one in six people, skyrocketing from 35 million in 2019 to over 50 million by the end of this year. The rise also means that one in four children could face hunger.
“There’s a very robust body of evidence that shows that when kids miss meals, it affects their physical health, how they perform in school or don’t perform, their graduation rates, and even their lifetime earnings, so the cost of doing nothing is very high. I worry a lot that we are looking at a lost generation of American kids,” said Lisa Davis, the senior vice president of No Kid Hungry, in an interview with Business Insider.
Low-wage workers who typically earned their paychecks in the service industry have also been the most impacted by the virus. However, those who enjoyed higher wages haven’t been spared by the pandemic and have also faced adversity.
And as states across the country have been forced to adopt new lockdown measures to stem surging infection rates and ease the pressure on strained health care systems, the unprecedented demand for food aid threatens to overwhelm food banks and non-profit organizations providing direct aid to residents.
The report comes as organizations have warned that the start of 2021 could see a historic crisis of evictions and homelessness across the country as a nationwide ban on evictions is set to expire at the end of the year.
In September, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an unprecedented order that banned evictions between September 4 and December 31.
The CDC warned that anywhere from 30 to 40 million people could face evictions without the measure, adding that “a wave of evictions on that scale would be unprecedented in modern times” and contribute to the spread of the pandemic due to people moving into closer quarters in shared housing or simply living on the streets.
The coinciding crises of potential mass evictions and widespread hunger across the United States shows the extent to which the pandemic has heightened the vulnerability already faced by huge segments of American society.
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themindunleashed--2020-12-24--Kazakhstan Bodybuilder’s Sex-Doll Wife Is ‘Broken’ Right Before Christmas

Mere weeks after bodybuilder Yuri Tolochko was wedded in unholy matrimony with his beloved sex doll Margo back in November , the odd couple ’ s relationship is already breaking down – quite literally – as yuletide festivities begin .
The eccentric musclehead from Kazakhstan garnered world headlines last month when he married Margo in front of dozens of guests after “ dating ” the anthropomorphic rubber sex toy for eight months before finally “ proposing ” to it in December 2019 .
However , Margo has since suffered a breakdown in functions after dealing with what may have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result , poor Yuri may have to figure out alternative plans for the holiday season while his “ broken ” bride is rehabilitated .
“ She is broken — now she is being repaired .
She ’ s in another city , ” Tolochko said , according to the Daily Star .
“ When she recovers , it will be a gift for both of us.
” Fortunately for Yuri , Orthodox Christmas Day doesn ’ t occur until Jan. 7 in Kazakhstan , giving Mrs. Tolochko plenty of time to recuperate for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be ready for the country ’ s main winter festival of the New Year .
The bald , blue-eyed Tolochko – who has described himself as a “ sexy maniac ” and identifies as pansexual – has been posting images of public displays of affection between himself and Margo on his Instagram for some time .
Yuri claims that he met the sex doll at a nightclub when she was being accosted by some annoying patrons .
He later decided to shelter-in-place with the sex doll in March when the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neither of them would suffer the lockdown while in solitude .
His marriage with the doll became the subject of worldwide bemusement as he was seen dancing with the somewhat stiff sex doll at the ceremony .
“ It ’ s happened .
To be continued , ” the bodybuilder and actor wrote after putting a ring on it .
Yuri had hoped to marry Margo earlier , but the ceremony faced delays , including after he came under attack at a transgender rights rally in the Kazakh city of Almaty on Oct. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he suffered a concussion in an attack , the Daily Star reports .
While pansexuality is a concept that describes being attracted to someone regardless of their gender identity or lack thereof , Yuri believes that it can be extended to mean one can fall in love with “ a character , an image , a soul , just a person ” – or even an inanimate object .
“ I like the process of sex itself , ” Yuri said .
“ And gender , sexual orientation are not particularly important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Margo , Yuri said : “ Our story turns me on much more than sex itself .
I also love BDSM.
” “ I love being tortured , I can endure a lot of pain , ” he continued .
“ I love to dominate too .
Margo is capable of what other people are not capable of.
” Margo also apparently works as a waitress at a local bar , and she enjoys the Georgian dumpling dish , khinkhali .
“ She can ’ t walk by herself ; she needs help.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t know how to cook , but she loves Georgian cuisine .
Her favourite dish is ‘ khinkali ’ .
” “ She swears , but there is a tender soul inside .
”

Mere weeks after bodybuilder Yuri Tolochko was wedded in unholy matrimony with his beloved sex doll Margo back in November, the odd couple’s relationship is already breaking down – quite literally – as yuletide festivities begin.
The eccentric musclehead from Kazakhstan garnered world headlines last month when he married Margo in front of dozens of guests after “dating” the anthropomorphic rubber sex toy for eight months before finally “proposing” to it in December 2019.
However, Margo has since suffered a breakdown in functions after dealing with what may have been an overly vigorous honeymoon. As a result, poor Yuri may have to figure out alternative plans for the holiday season while his “broken” bride is rehabilitated.
“She is broken — now she is being repaired. She’s in another city,” Tolochko said, according to the Daily Star. “When she recovers, it will be a gift for both of us.”
Fortunately for Yuri, Orthodox Christmas Day doesn’t occur until Jan. 7 in Kazakhstan, giving Mrs. Tolochko plenty of time to recuperate for the holidays. However, she may not be ready for the country’s main winter festival of the New Year.
Credit: Instagram / Yuri Tolochko
The bald, blue-eyed Tolochko – who has described himself as a “sexy maniac” and identifies as pansexual – has been posting images of public displays of affection between himself and Margo on his Instagram for some time.
Yuri claims that he met the sex doll at a nightclub when she was being accosted by some annoying patrons. He later decided to shelter-in-place with the sex doll in March when the coronavirus pandemic swept across the region, ensuring that neither of them would suffer the lockdown while in solitude.
His marriage with the doll became the subject of worldwide bemusement as he was seen dancing with the somewhat stiff sex doll at the ceremony.
“It’s happened. To be continued,” the bodybuilder and actor wrote after putting a ring on it.
Yuri had hoped to marry Margo earlier, but the ceremony faced delays, including after he came under attack at a transgender rights rally in the Kazakh city of Almaty on Oct. 31, when his nose was broken and he suffered a concussion in an attack, the Daily Star reports.
While pansexuality is a concept that describes being attracted to someone regardless of their gender identity or lack thereof, Yuri believes that it can be extended to mean one can fall in love with “a character, an image, a soul, just a person” – or even an inanimate object.
“I like the process of sex itself,” Yuri said. “And gender, sexual orientation are not particularly important here.”
Speaking about his relationship with Margo, Yuri said: “Our story turns me on much more than sex itself. I also love BDSM.”
Credit: Instagram / Yuri Tolochko
“I love being tortured, I can endure a lot of pain,” he continued. “I love to dominate too. Margo is capable of what other people are not capable of.”
Margo also apparently works as a waitress at a local bar, and she enjoys the Georgian dumpling dish, khinkhali.
“She can’t walk by herself; she needs help.” Yuri explained. “Margo doesn’t know how to cook, but she loves Georgian cuisine. Her favourite dish is ‘khinkali’.”
“She swears, but there is a tender soul inside.”
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themindunleashed--2020-12-24--Octopuses Are Deep Sea Bullies That Punch Fish Out of ‘Spite’ or Just for Fun, Study Finds

It ’ s long been known that octopuses are extremely intelligent creatures , whose brain power may rival that of the golden retriever .
However , a new study has found that the ingenious eight-tentacled invertebrates aren ’ t above bullying behavior , and have been known to punch fishes just for the hell of it .
A new study published Friday in the journal Ecology detailed the discovery , which found that octopuses sometimes throw haymakers at fish for “ spite ” and also as a means to relieve the boredom of their occasionally lonesome aquatic lives .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the ocean deep .
Study co-author Eduardo Sampaio , a researcher at the University of Lisbon and the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior , was thrilled by the discovery , and said in a tweet that he had an absolute blast uncovering the unsettling details of the creature ’ s aggressive antics .
“ OCTOPUSES .
PUNCH .
FISHES !
!
” Sampaio wrote , adding : “ This was probably the most fun I had writing a paper .
Ever !
” Like many creatures in the natural world , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hunt together , taking advantage of each other ’ s strengths and methodically communicating and working in tandem when hunting smaller fish .
The alliances are often temporary , lasting over an hour at a time .
When this happens , octopuses will use their eight tentacles to pursue prey while fish scour the area or patrol the water column , even using their bodies to communicate where prey are attempting to hide .
However , big blue octopuses aren ’ t always satisfied with the efforts of their fish partners , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fishy friend right in their scaley dome .
The octopus takes a swing that resembles “ a swift , explosive motion with one arm directed at a specific fish partner ” in an attack “ which we refer to as punching , ” the scientists wrote .
The act could be a means toward encouraging fishes to simply work more effectively , as scientists found .
“ [ Actively ] punching a fish partner entails a small energetic cost for the actor ( i.e .
octopus ) , ” the researchers wrote .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ different octopus attacks on fishes between 2018 and 2019 while diving in the Red Sea , with victims including squirrel fish , blacktip , lyretail , groupers , yellow-saddle and goatfishes .
“ We ’ ve never seen permanent marks or anything like that from getting punched , but can ’ t say for sure if fish are hurt or not .
It ’ s clear they don ’ t like it !
” Sampaio wrote in a tweet .
And while six of the altercations were clearly a matter of the octopus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least two of the incidents were likely a form of “ spiteful behavior ” or even “ punishment.
” “ I laughed out loud , and almost choked on my own regulator , ” Sampaio later told Live Science .
“ But I still marveled at it every time I saw it.
” “ The fish would get pushed to the edge of the group , or would actually leave the group , ” he continued .
“ Sometimes after a while it would return , other times it would not return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fish alone after displacing it.
” While some might see octopuses as miniature sea monsters , the invertebrates are actually contemplative , thoughtful creatures who are known to give hugs – especially while high on MDMA – have dreams , and socialize with one another .

It’s long been known that octopuses are extremely intelligent creatures, whose brain power may rival that of the golden retriever. However, a new study has found that the ingenious eight-tentacled invertebrates aren’t above bullying behavior, and have been known to punch fishes just for the hell of it.
A new study published Friday in the journal Ecology detailed the discovery, which found that octopuses sometimes throw haymakers at fish for “spite” and also as a means to relieve the boredom of their occasionally lonesome aquatic lives.
The clever cephalopod may be the schoolyard bully of the ocean deep.
Study co-author Eduardo Sampaio, a researcher at the University of Lisbon and the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, was thrilled by the discovery, and said in a tweet that he had an absolute blast uncovering the unsettling details of the creature’s aggressive antics.
“OCTOPUSES. PUNCH. FISHES!!” Sampaio wrote, adding: “This was probably the most fun I had writing a paper. Ever!”
Like many creatures in the natural world, octopuses and fish have been known to hunt together, taking advantage of each other’s strengths and methodically communicating and working in tandem when hunting smaller fish. The alliances are often temporary, lasting over an hour at a time.
When this happens, octopuses will use their eight tentacles to pursue prey while fish scour the area or patrol the water column, even using their bodies to communicate where prey are attempting to hide.
However, big blue octopuses aren’t always satisfied with the efforts of their fish partners, and when this happened they apparently clock their fishy friend right in their scaley dome.
The octopus takes a swing that resembles “a swift, explosive motion with one arm directed at a specific fish partner” in an attack “which we refer to as punching,” the scientists wrote.
The act could be a means toward encouraging fishes to simply work more effectively, as scientists found. “[Actively] punching a fish partner entails a small energetic cost for the actor (i.e. octopus),” the researchers wrote.
The researchers observed no less than eight different octopus attacks on fishes between 2018 and 2019 while diving in the Red Sea, with victims including squirrel fish, blacktip, lyretail, groupers, yellow-saddle and goatfishes.
“We’ve never seen permanent marks or anything like that from getting punched, but can’t say for sure if fish are hurt or not. It’s clear they don’t like it!” Sampaio wrote in a tweet.
And while six of the altercations were clearly a matter of the octopus keeping their fish partners in line, at least two of the incidents were likely a form of “spiteful behavior” or even “punishment.”
“I laughed out loud, and almost choked on my own regulator,” Sampaio later told Live Science. “But I still marveled at it every time I saw it.”
“The fish would get pushed to the edge of the group, or would actually leave the group,” he continued. “Sometimes after a while it would return, other times it would not return at all. The octopus would leave the fish alone after displacing it.”
While some might see octopuses as miniature sea monsters, the invertebrates are actually contemplative, thoughtful creatures who are known to give hugs – especially while high on MDMA – have dreams, and socialize with one another.
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themindunleashed--2020-12-24--Ghislaine Maxwell Claims Planned Divorce With Secret Husband Was To “Protect Him”

Ghislaine Maxwell ’ s defense team has been pushing for Judge Alison Nathan to accept a bail agreement that would allow her to be freed from prison until her trial .
Maxwell ’ s bail application said she “ vehemently maintains her innocence ” against allegations she assisted Jeffrey Epstein in his crimes against women and children .
Maxwell ’ s defense team was hoping to keep the details of the bond ’ s co-signers private , due to fears that they would be harassed by members of the public .
“ They are legitimately afraid if their identities become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same relentless media scrutiny and threats that Ms. Maxwell has experienced for more than a year , ” Maxwell ’ s attorney ’ s argued in a bail request .
However , it was ultimately revealed that her husband , who was putting up much of the money , is tech CEO Scott Borgerson .
While it was suspected that she and Borgerson were married , she refused to reveal his name at an initial bail hearing this summer .
An additional $ 5 million for the bail will come from Ghislaine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ian Maxwell .
Furthermore , it was recently revealed that Maxwell was planning on divorcing her husband before her arrest .
However , in her latest bail argument , Maxwell claimed that she was only considering divorce as an option “ to protect him … from the terrible consequences of being associated with her.
” According to the Guardian , her lawyers argued that “ For Ms. Maxwell to flee , she would have to abandon her spouse .
In fact , every action Ms. Maxwell has taken from the time of Epstein @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the first bail hearing was designed to protect her spouse from harassment , economic harm and physical danger.
” “ In the weeks following the initial bail hearing , she and her spouse therefore had no reason to continue discussing divorce , which neither of them wanted in the first place , ” they added .
Prosecutors maintain that Maxwell is still a flight risk , and suggested that , “ the defendant ’ s inconsistent statements about the state of their relationship – undermine her assertion that her marriage is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States.
” In a filing with the U.S. District Court in Manhattan , prosecutors said Maxwell has essentially rehashed previously rejected arguments for bail , and that she remains an “ extreme flight risk ” from “ incredibly serious ” charges , Reuters reported on Friday .
“ Nothing in the renewed bail application alters the analysis that led this court to conclude that the defendant ‘ poses a substantial actual risk of flight , ’ and that no combination of conditions could assure her appearance , ” prosecutors said in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Maxwell has promised to wear an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet until her trial .
Her defense team was hoping that she would be released by Christmas , but that no longer appears to be possible .
Maxwell faces up to 35 years in prison if convicted at her scheduled July 2021 trial .

Ghislaine Maxwell’s defense team has been pushing for Judge Alison Nathan to accept a bail agreement that would allow her to be freed from prison until her trial.
Maxwell’s bail application said she “vehemently maintains her innocence” against allegations she assisted Jeffrey Epstein in his crimes against women and children.
Maxwell’s defense team was hoping to keep the details of the bond’s co-signers private, due to fears that they would be harassed by members of the public.
“They are legitimately afraid if their identities become public, they will be subjected to the same relentless media scrutiny and threats that Ms. Maxwell has experienced for more than a year,” Maxwell’s attorney’s argued in a bail request.
However, it was ultimately revealed that her husband, who was putting up much of the money, is tech CEO Scott Borgerson.
While it was suspected that she and Borgerson were married, she refused to reveal his name at an initial bail hearing this summer. An additional $5 million for the bail will come from Ghislaine’s brothers, Kevin, and Ian Maxwell.
Furthermore, it was recently revealed that Maxwell was planning on divorcing her husband before her arrest.
From Ghislaine Maxwell's recent bail memo: pic.twitter.com/0yVF8SGXvq — Adam Klasfeld (@KlasfeldReports) December 18, 2020
However, in her latest bail argument, Maxwell claimed that she was only considering divorce as an option “to protect him … from the terrible consequences of being associated with her.”
According to the Guardian, her lawyers argued that “For Ms. Maxwell to flee, she would have to abandon her spouse. In fact, every action Ms. Maxwell has taken from the time of Epstein’s arrest up to the time of the first bail hearing was designed to protect her spouse from harassment, economic harm and physical danger.”
“In the weeks following the initial bail hearing, she and her spouse therefore had no reason to continue discussing divorce, which neither of them wanted in the first place,” they added.
Prosecutors maintain that Maxwell is still a flight risk, and suggested that, “the defendant’s inconsistent statements about the state of their relationship – undermine her assertion that her marriage is a tie that would keep her in the United States.”
In a filing with the U.S. District Court in Manhattan, prosecutors said Maxwell has essentially rehashed previously rejected arguments for bail, and that she remains an “extreme flight risk” from “incredibly serious” charges, Reuters reported on Friday.
“Nothing in the renewed bail application alters the analysis that led this court to conclude that the defendant ‘poses a substantial actual risk of flight,’ and that no combination of conditions could assure her appearance,” prosecutors said in their ruling.
If her release is granted, Maxwell has promised to wear an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet until her trial. Her defense team was hoping that she would be released by Christmas, but that no longer appears to be possible.
Maxwell faces up to 35 years in prison if convicted at her scheduled July 2021 trial.
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themindunleashed--2020-12-28--Texas Dad Beaten, Maced, Taken to Jail for Filming Cops Arrest His Son for ‘Wide Right Turn’

As 2020 draws to a close , the year is likely to go down in history as a time when people across the United States finally decided to take a stand against systemic police brutality and widespread human rights abuses at the hands of law enforcement .
Despite the protests , however , the widespread abuse of U.S. residents under color of authority is showing few signs of disappearing .
And in one especially egregious recent incident , a Texas police officer can be seen arresting a motorist for allegedly making too wide a right turn .
The officer then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which the officers pepper-spray the driver and then beat the man ’ s father for lawfully filming the arrest .
The North Texas man is now suing two officers with the Keller Police Department for the disturbing incident , which occurred on Aug. 15 and has already led to the police chief disciplining the offending officer and apologizing to the family .
“ It ’ s undeniable that their conduct was horrible , ” Scott Palmer , one of the lawyers suing Keller PD , told New York Times .
“ They ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they caused havoc and mayhem.
” Dillon Puente , 22 , was on his way to his grandmother ’ s home when he was pulled over for making a wide right turn .
In police bodycam footage , Sergeant Blake Shimanek can be seen requesting that Dillon exit the car before he placed him in handcuffs .
In a police report reviewed by WFAA , Shimanek claimed that he arrested Puente for the mere traffic infraction out of fears for his own safety .
After Dillon was arrested , his father Marco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record the arrest .
“ He was ticketed and taken to jail for a wide right turn , ” Marco later recounted .
Marco parked his truck in the lane adjacent to his son before Shimanek sharply warned him to move his vehicle , warning that he could be arrested for obstructing the roadway .
Marco quickly complied before returning to record the arrest with his phone from the sidewalk across the road .
“ The officer didn ’ t like me being there recording anything , ” Marco said .
At that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to place Marco under arrest for filming the scene , which was well within his rights .
“ Put your phone down , ” Tomer said in footage captured by his bodycam .
“ Put your hands behind your head.
” “ This guy is arresting me for just standing here , ” Marco said .
It was at that point that Tomer escalated the situation by initiating force against Marco , an innocent civilian who was simply watching out for his son .
“ They tried to take me down and pepper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fiasco , ” Marco said .
In the video , the officers can be seen tackling Marco to the ground and repeatedly spraying him with mace before placing him , too , in handcuffs .
The father-son pair were then detained and hauled to the local jail .
However , Dillon Puente was ultimately only given a minor citation for the initial wide turn .
Marco wasn ’ t charged with any crime , and he was quickly released .
Two days after the incident , the Keller police chief himself met with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his officers .
Shimanek was also demoted from sergeant to officer for his role in the unnerving altercation .
In the lawsuit against the two officers , Keller PD leadership are quoted as calling the use of force and arrest of Marco Puente entirely “ inappropriate.
” Regardless of the police department ’ s apologies , the lawsuit is being filed as a matter of ensuring basic accountability .
“ Marco is not a criminal .
This is a man , a concerned father , and if this can happen to him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marco ’ s attorney Scott Palmer said .
“ These officers knew better .
I believe they were trained better , but why did they not execute better ?
I don ’ t know.
” Shimanek also has a history of misconduct , including a 2016 incident where he unlawfully entered a home without a search warrant and other incidents .
“ It ’ s disturbing to know that these are the people we are entrusting with providing safety in the community and they are abusing that power , ” said James Roberts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s law firm .
“ I know that they knew better .
I know that they knew what they were doing was wrong , yet they still did it.
” The Puente family is still disturbed by the incident , months after it transpired .
And while Marco recognizes that the apology was a “ nice ” gesture , further accountability is required .
“ This is going on everywhere , ” Puente said about police brutality .
“ If people keep on brushing it under a rug , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @

As 2020 draws to a close, the year is likely to go down in history as a time when people across the United States finally decided to take a stand against systemic police brutality and widespread human rights abuses at the hands of law enforcement. Despite the protests, however, the widespread abuse of U.S. residents under color of authority is showing few signs of disappearing.
And in one especially egregious recent incident, a Texas police officer can be seen arresting a motorist for allegedly making too wide a right turn. The officer then proceeds to call for backup, after which the officers pepper-spray the driver and then beat the man’s father for lawfully filming the arrest.
The North Texas man is now suing two officers with the Keller Police Department for the disturbing incident, which occurred on Aug. 15 and has already led to the police chief disciplining the offending officer and apologizing to the family.
“It’s undeniable that their conduct was horrible,” Scott Palmer, one of the lawyers suing Keller PD, told New York Times. “They’re supposed to preserve and protect, and they caused havoc and mayhem.”
Dillon Puente, 22, was on his way to his grandmother’s home when he was pulled over for making a wide right turn. In police bodycam footage, Sergeant Blake Shimanek can be seen requesting that Dillon exit the car before he placed him in handcuffs.
In a police report reviewed by WFAA, Shimanek claimed that he arrested Puente for the mere traffic infraction out of fears for his own safety.
After Dillon was arrested, his father Marco Puente arrived at the scene to video record the arrest.
“He was ticketed and taken to jail for a wide right turn,” Marco later recounted.
Marco parked his truck in the lane adjacent to his son before Shimanek sharply warned him to move his vehicle, warning that he could be arrested for obstructing the roadway. Marco quickly complied before returning to record the arrest with his phone from the sidewalk across the road.
“The officer didn’t like me being there recording anything,” Marco said.
At that point, Shimanek ordered Officer Ankit Tomer to place Marco under arrest for filming the scene, which was well within his rights.
“Put your phone down,” Tomer said in footage captured by his bodycam. “Put your hands behind your head.”
“This guy is arresting me for just standing here,” Marco said.
It was at that point that Tomer escalated the situation by initiating force against Marco, an innocent civilian who was simply watching out for his son.
“They tried to take me down and pepper spray me, and it was a fiasco,” Marco said.
In the video, the officers can be seen tackling Marco to the ground and repeatedly spraying him with mace before placing him, too, in handcuffs. The father-son pair were then detained and hauled to the local jail.
However, Dillon Puente was ultimately only given a minor citation for the initial wide turn. Marco wasn’t charged with any crime, and he was quickly released.
Two days after the incident, the Keller police chief himself met with Marco to apologize for the conduct of his officers. Shimanek was also demoted from sergeant to officer for his role in the unnerving altercation.
In the lawsuit against the two officers, Keller PD leadership are quoted as calling the use of force and arrest of Marco Puente entirely “inappropriate.”
Regardless of the police department’s apologies, the lawsuit is being filed as a matter of ensuring basic accountability.
“Marco is not a criminal. This is a man, a concerned father, and if this can happen to him, it can happen to anyone,” Marco’s attorney Scott Palmer said. “These officers knew better. I believe they were trained better, but why did they not execute better? I don’t know.”
Shimanek also has a history of misconduct, including a 2016 incident where he unlawfully entered a home without a search warrant and other incidents.
“It’s disturbing to know that these are the people we are entrusting with providing safety in the community and they are abusing that power,” said James Roberts, an attorney who works with Palmer’s law firm. “I know that they knew better. I know that they knew what they were doing was wrong, yet they still did it.”
The Puente family is still disturbed by the incident, months after it transpired. And while Marco recognizes that the apology was a “nice” gesture, further accountability is required.
“This is going on everywhere,” Puente said about police brutality. “If people keep on brushing it under a rug, it’s going to keep happening.”
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