themindunleashed--2020-12-15--This Family Found A Real Live Koala Hanging Out In Their Christmas Tree

Kaleb Benham of Grass Valley , California , spent much of his Thanksgiving lying with his 90-pound pit bull Buddy after getting into a life-or-death fight with a huge , 350-pound bear .
Massive bears are hardly uncommon in Grass Valley , a gold rush-era city in Nevada County , California , situated way up in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range .
Locals in Nevada County are eager to share their stories about black bears making a mess while rummaging through garbage cans , or of close encounter with a lumbering bear while biking through mountain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stories about bears popping up in the region ’ s many cannabis farms .
But Benham ’ s story is far more terrifying than the usual local anecdotes .
Just one day before Thanksgiving , Buddy was playing outside of the house when Bentham heard a tremendous noise .
As it turned out , the noise was coming from a massive bear who had confronted Buddy .
“ I heard a growl , looked about 75-100 feet down , and the bear was dragging him by his head , had his head in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13 Sacramento .
While the realization was horrific , it was then that Benham ’ parental instinct quickly kicked in .
So he did what any man would do to save a loved one .
“ I just ran down there , plowed into the bear , tackled it and grabbed it by the throat and started hitting it in the face and the eye until it let go , ” Benham said .
“ Honestly the only thing I could think of was ‘ save my baby , ’ ” he added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of death , Benham quickly rushed to find a veterinary clinic in the semi-rural town .
His first attempt to locate a nearby vet failed when the clinic near his home turned out to be closed due to an infection resulting from the novel coronavirus .
“ My first thought was that I was going to lose him , ” Benham recounted .
Fortunately , he was able to admit Buddy to the Mother Lode Veterinary Hospital , which was able to immediately provide the wounded pit bull with surgery .
Benham sat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buddy ’ s head to drain fluid while stapling and stitching is wounds .
“ I just stood there and watched through the window for 3 1/2 for hours , ” Benham said .
Buddy is now quickly recovering from the traumatic attack , and is on the mend .
Terrifyingly , the 350-pound bear is refusing to let bygones be bygones and has instead stalked about the property where the two live .
The bear has returned several times since the initial attack .
“ It made an attack and had it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food got taken from it and it wants it back , I feel like , ” Benham said .
Benham and Buddy have been an inseparable pair ever since they met at an animal shelter a few years ago .
Benham didn ’ t hesitate when the time came to rescue his best friend once again .
“ If it was your kid , what would you do .
That ’ s my kid , I would die for my dog , ” he said .

I think we all need a little cheering up after the way this year has gone, so, here’s a story guaranteed to make you smile!
This South Australian family found more than a present left by Santa this week, when they returned home after stepping out for the afternoon – the McCormicks found a real live koala nestled among the branches of their Christmas tree!
“Well, that’s something you don’t see every day,” McCormick wrote. “We just came home to a real life koala up our Xmas tree in our lounge room!”
You’re probably wondering how on earth the koala had managed to land up in someone’s living room Christmas tree – It seems the sneaky little creature had come in through a door which was left open for the McCornicks pet dog, and she managed to find a nice little spot to make herself at home in!
After taking some photos of their surprise Christmas gift, the family called the Adelaide and Hills Koala Rescue, but at first the operator thought it was a prank call: “The call went through to our 24-hour hotlines and of course the operator at first thought it was a prank call,” Hearne-Hellon, the co-founder of the rescue group said.
Eventually they believed her and came to help get the koala out of the tree and back where she belonged. She’d also gotten herself quite tangled up in the lights and had even tried to eat the leaves of the plastic tree.
This koala has single handedly saved 2020. Full story up soon on @GuardianAus pic.twitter.com/NGvURdOTuJ — Matilda Boseley (@MatildaBoseley) December 3, 2020
The team at the Adelaide and Hills Koala Rescue released the koala, who was nicknamed Daphne, into a tree in a nearby bushy area.
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themindunleashed--2020-12-16--Fashion Mogul And Epstein Friend Peter Nygård Arrested For Sex Trafficking

79-year-old fashion mogul Peter Nygård has been arrested and charged with sex trafficking .
Nygård was a close friend of Jeffrey Epstein , and has also been accused of victimizing dozens of people independently of his involvement with Epstein .
Nygård reportedly had his own private island in the Bahamas where he groomed and abused many of his victims .
According to Manhattan prosecutor Audrey Strauss Nygård has been using his wealth and position in the fashion industry to “ recruit and maintain ” victims in the US , Canada and the Bahamas .
Nygård allegedly had a criminal network @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he exploited both underage girls and young women , then sold them off to his wealthy friends .
In many cases , Nygård and his friends drugged their victims .
They also specifically targeted victims from disadvantaged backgrounds who were less difficult to isolate from their families or friends .
According to the indictment Nygård ’ s company hosted “ Pamper Parties ” at his properties in Marina del Rey in California and the Bahamas , where many of the victims were forced to engage in sexual activity with his wealthy associates .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ against any of the victims who went public with accusations against him , threatening to sue them , destroy their reputations , and even have them arrested .
Earlier this year , 10 women filed a lawsuit against Nygård , accusing him of luring them into his trafficking network by promising them money and modeling opportunities .
Some of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit say that they were only 14 or 15 years old when they were drugged and abused by Nygård .
The lawsuit also claims that the victims would have their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Bahamas , which would allow him to control when they left .
He also allegedly expected a sex act from his victims before they were allowed to leave his estate and go anywhere .
Less than two weeks after the lawsuit was filed , Nygård ’ s offices in New York were raided by police .
Nygård has continued to deny all of the allegations against him even as evidence continues to mount .
A spokesman for Nygård said earlier this year he was stepping down as chairman of Nygård companies and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current net worth is estimated at $ 900 million .
Nygård has been accused of sexual assault numerous times throughout his career .
His first major accusation came in 1980 , when he was accused of raping an 18-year-old girl in Winnipeg .
However , those charges were later dropped because the girl refused to testify .
It was later claimed in a lawsuit that Nygård used funds from his companies to pay her off .
In 2005 , the Finnish newspaper Iltalehti published an article about sex parties at Nygård ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with actress Jessica Alba where she said she had to leave a party at the mansion because she was so uncomfortable with what was taking place .
She mentioned the presence of young girls at the party as well .
Nygård sued the parent company of the paper Alma Media for slander in Los Angeles but lost the case .

79-year-old fashion mogul Peter Nygård has been arrested and charged with sex trafficking. Nygård was a close friend of Jeffrey Epstein, and has also been accused of victimizing dozens of people independently of his involvement with Epstein. Nygård reportedly had his own private island in the Bahamas where he groomed and abused many of his victims.
According to Manhattan prosecutor Audrey Strauss Nygård has been using his wealth and position in the fashion industry to “recruit and maintain” victims in the US, Canada and the Bahamas. Nygård allegedly had a criminal network similar to Epstein’s in which he exploited both underage girls and young women, then sold them off to his wealthy friends.
In many cases, Nygård and his friends drugged their victims. They also specifically targeted victims from disadvantaged backgrounds who were less difficult to isolate from their families or friends.
According to the indictment Nygård’s company hosted “Pamper Parties” at his properties in Marina del Rey in California and the Bahamas, where many of the victims were forced to engage in sexual activity with his wealthy associates.
He also waged a relentless intimidation campaign against any of the victims who went public with accusations against him, threatening to sue them, destroy their reputations, and even have them arrested.
Earlier this year, 10 women filed a lawsuit against Nygård, accusing him of luring them into his trafficking network by promising them money and modeling opportunities. Some of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit say that they were only 14 or 15 years old when they were drugged and abused by Nygård.
Peter Nygard's eldest son says he is relieved his father is in custody. Brittany Greenslade reports. pic.twitter.com/FMA45s0hPq — Global Winnipeg (@globalwinnipeg) December 16, 2020
The lawsuit also claims that the victims would have their passports taken once they were flown to the Bahamas, which would allow him to control when they left. He also allegedly expected a sex act from his victims before they were allowed to leave his estate and go anywhere.
Less than two weeks after the lawsuit was filed, Nygård’s offices in New York were raided by police.
Nygård has continued to deny all of the allegations against him even as evidence continues to mount.
A spokesman for Nygård said earlier this year he was stepping down as chairman of Nygård companies and would divest his ownership interest. His current net worth is estimated at $900 million.
Nygård has been accused of sexual assault numerous times throughout his career. His first major accusation came in 1980, when he was accused of raping an 18-year-old girl in Winnipeg. However, those charges were later dropped because the girl refused to testify. It was later claimed in a lawsuit that Nygård used funds from his companies to pay her off.
In 2005, the Finnish newspaper Iltalehti published an article about sex parties at Nygård’s mansion, and featured a short interview with actress Jessica Alba where she said she had to leave a party at the mansion because she was so uncomfortable with what was taking place. She mentioned the presence of young girls at the party as well. Nygård sued the parent company of the paper Alma Media for slander in Los Angeles but lost the case.
The 79-year old fashion mogul was arrested by RCMP in Manitoba on Monday night. Peter Nygard could face extradition to the United States, where he faces charges relating to sexual assault and racketeering. Mark Neufeld reports.
READ MORE: https://t.co/DzQBfLLOJO pic.twitter.com/qGZj5K1QFZ — 660 NEWS Calgary (@660NEWS) December 16, 2020
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themindunleashed--2020-12-16--Serial Rapists in Pakistan To Be Chemically Castrated Under Strict New Laws

Pakistan has adopted new measures against sexual assault that will ensure brisk trials and the chemical castration of offenders convicted in cases of rape .
The Anti-Rape Ordinance was signed into law Tuesday by Pakistani President Arif Alvi , and will ensure special courts meant to combat the crime will hear all rape cases , and wrap them up within four months , according to a statement from the president ’ s office .
Crisis cells will also be established that will conduct full-scale medical and legal examinations of rape victims within six hours of reported incidents , reports Anadolu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ establish a nationwide registry of repeat sex offenders .
Rape victims ’ identities will also be protected , and those who reveal the identity of victims will face legal repercussions under the law .
Most controversially , repeat offenders will face chemical castration – a procedure that entails the use of drugs to lower testosterone levels and as a result , lower the sex drive of recidivist offenders .
The Cabinet approved the strict new measures last month following a spate of serious rape cases that drew national attention and caused an upswell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also seen unrest and riots in recent years in response to high-profile sex-abuse cases , including some involving minors .
In September , a mother was driving with her children along a major highway when she ran out of fuel and she was raped by two men while waiting for police to get her car started .
In Novemer , a mother and her daughter were also abducted in the southern Sindh province and forced to endure several days of rape at the hands of their kidnappers .
The ongoing crisis of rampant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Khan , who vowed to adopt draconian measures – including chemical castration – to halt the crisis of sexual assaults in the South Asian nation .
“ I think he ( the rapist ) should be hanged publicly .
Rapists and child molesters should have public hanging , ” he told Hard Talk Pakistan in a September interview .
“ You do not know the real statistics as well , because it ’ s under-reported .
People do not report it due to being scared or ashamed , women are ashamed , no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Khan conceded that public hangings go against international human rights law and that the adoption of capital punishment would have an adverse effect on already-fraught relations with the west , and especially the country ’ s trade relationship with the European Union .
Instead , he remarked that rapists and child molesters should “ undergo chemical castration , or surgery be performed so they can not do anything in future.
” Earlier this year , the lower house of Pakistan ’ s parliament passed a non-binding resolution calling for the public hanging of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolution was swiftly condemned by government officials and human rights NGOs .
Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry also condemned the passage of the resolution in a tweet that stated : “ Strongly condemn this resolution .
This is just another grave act in line with brutal civilisation practices [ sic ] .
Societies [ should ] act in a balanced way , [ barbarity ] is not an answer to crimes .
This is another expression of extremism .
”

Pakistan has adopted new measures against sexual assault that will ensure brisk trials and the chemical castration of offenders convicted in cases of rape.
The Anti-Rape Ordinance was signed into law Tuesday by Pakistani President Arif Alvi, and will ensure special courts meant to combat the crime will hear all rape cases, and wrap them up within four months, according to a statement from the president’s office.
Crisis cells will also be established that will conduct full-scale medical and legal examinations of rape victims within six hours of reported incidents, reports Anadolu Agency.
The new law will also establish a nationwide registry of repeat sex offenders.
Rape victims’ identities will also be protected, and those who reveal the identity of victims will face legal repercussions under the law.
Most controversially, repeat offenders will face chemical castration – a procedure that entails the use of drugs to lower testosterone levels and as a result, lower the sex drive of recidivist offenders.
The Cabinet approved the strict new measures last month following a spate of serious rape cases that drew national attention and caused an upswell of public outrage. The country has also seen unrest and riots in recent years in response to high-profile sex-abuse cases, including some involving minors.
In September, a mother was driving with her children along a major highway when she ran out of fuel and she was raped by two men while waiting for police to get her car started.
In Novemer, a mother and her daughter were also abducted in the southern Sindh province and forced to endure several days of rape at the hands of their kidnappers.
The ongoing crisis of rampant sexual assault has infuriated Prime Minister Imran Khan, who vowed to adopt draconian measures – including chemical castration – to halt the crisis of sexual assaults in the South Asian nation.
“I think he (the rapist) should be hanged publicly. Rapists and child molesters should have public hanging,” he told Hard Talk Pakistan in a September interview. “You do not know the real statistics as well, because it’s under-reported. People do not report it due to being scared or ashamed, women are ashamed, no one wants to tell.”
However, Khan conceded that public hangings go against international human rights law and that the adoption of capital punishment would have an adverse effect on already-fraught relations with the west, and especially the country’s trade relationship with the European Union. Instead, he remarked that rapists and child molesters should “undergo chemical castration, or surgery be performed so they cannot do anything in future.”
Earlier this year, the lower house of Pakistan’s parliament passed a non-binding resolution calling for the public hanging of convicted child killers and rapists.
The resolution was swiftly condemned by government officials and human rights NGOs. Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry also condemned the passage of the resolution in a tweet that stated: “Strongly condemn this resolution. This is just another grave act in line with brutal civilisation practices [sic]. Societies [should] act in a balanced way, [barbarity] is not an answer to crimes. This is another expression of extremism.”
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themindunleashed--2020-12-17--Trump is Considering Granting Clemency For ‘Silk Road’ Founder Ross Ulbricht

Sources close to the White House have indicated this week that President Donald Trump is considering clemency for Ross Ulbricht , the alleged founder of the Silk Road online marketplace .
Multiple sources have told The Daily Beast that the White House counsel ’ s office has had documents related to Ulbricht ’ s case under review .
Two of the three sources also indicated that Trump has privately expressed sympathy for Ulbricht when discussing his case .
There are also multiple members of Congress who expressed support for clemency , including Thomas Massie and Justin Amash .
Lyn Ulbricht @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daily Beast on Tuesday night that she is hoping her son can get a second chance at life .
“ We ’ re very grateful for and admire all President Trump has done for criminal justice reform , especially passing the First Step Act , because that has freed thousands of desperate and deserving people , some of whom I know .
We ’ re praying and remain hopeful that he will show mercy on Ross , as he has others , and commute his sentence to time served and give my son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lyn said .
Ulbricht is currently serving a double-life sentence for creating a website that allowed people to buy and sell whatever they wanted , including drugs .
There is also a widespread misconception that Ulbricht is in prison for attempting to have a potential informant assassinated , but this is entirely untrue .
A murder for hire charge was in the initial indictment against Ulbricht , based on chat logs from the administrator account on the website , but evidence revealed during the trial showed that numerous people had access to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who were later arrested for their handling of the case , which included stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars .
The charges were ultimately thrown out .
In an interview with Bitcoin.com , Curtis Green , the man who was the alleged target of the hit , said that he was shocked to see the murder for hire accusation used in Ulbricht ’ s sentencing , especially since the charge was thrown out and the testimony came from Agent Carl Force , one of the DEA agents now in prison for his handling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very shocked that they used the murder-for-hire against him for his sentencing , again .
Life in prison for starting a website that sold drugs and other things , to me , is draconian and unfair .
Especially when other vendors that sold many kilos of heroin and cocaine only received ten years or less , ” Green said .
Before Bitcoin became the newest tech and investment craze , it was seen as the currency of the black market , which was used to buy and sell drugs on the infamous “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was one of the early adopters of Bitcoin and he created one of the first websites that popularized the cryptocurrency .
The Silk Road was an anonymous online marketplace that became a target for politicians and law enforcement because of the large volume of drugs that were being sold through the site .
On the Silk Road , drug users and vendors were able to trade anonymously using Bitcoin , making it one of the first major commerce platforms to adopt the cryptocurrency .
Even though Ulbricht did nothing but create a website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zuckerberg or Jeff Bezos—he was treated like El Chapo in court because his invention worked against the system , instead of for it .
One important point that was heavily overlooked by the media during the Ulbricht trial was the fact that the Silk Road actually made the world a safer place by undermining prohibition .
Even though drugs are illegal , large numbers of people still use them on a regular basis and these people are often put in dangerous situations because of these prohibitions .
The Silk Road allowed people to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ living room to avoid the risk of getting mugged in a dark alleyway .
It also allowed them to read reviews of the products that their potential dealer was selling , saving them from tainted drugs and dirty batches that could put their lives at risk .
Ulbricht should have gotten the Nobel Prize for his visionary application of a new and revolutionary technology , but instead , he was arrested in October 2013 and has been sitting in federal prison ever since , awaiting a break in his case , or the @ @ @ @ @ @

Sources close to the White House have indicated this week that President Donald Trump is considering clemency for Ross Ulbricht, the alleged founder of the Silk Road online marketplace.
Multiple sources have told The Daily Beast that the White House counsel’s office has had documents related to Ulbricht’s case under review. Two of the three sources also indicated that Trump has privately expressed sympathy for Ulbricht when discussing his case.
There are also multiple members of Congress who expressed support for clemency, including Thomas Massie and Justin Amash.
Ross Ulbricht’s sentence is wildly excessive, and the president should address such disparities in justice. https://t.co/xnvW9RjZs1 — Justin Amash (@justinamash) December 16, 2020
Lyn Ulbricht, Ross’ mother, told The Daily Beast on Tuesday night that she is hoping her son can get a second chance at life.
“We’re very grateful for and admire all President Trump has done for criminal justice reform, especially passing the First Step Act, because that has freed thousands of desperate and deserving people, some of whom I know. We’re praying and remain hopeful that he will show mercy on Ross, as he has others, and commute his sentence to time served and give my son a second chance at life,” Lyn said.
Ulbricht is currently serving a double-life sentence for creating a website that allowed people to buy and sell whatever they wanted, including drugs. There is also a widespread misconception that Ulbricht is in prison for attempting to have a potential informant assassinated, but this is entirely untrue.
A murder for hire charge was in the initial indictment against Ulbricht, based on chat logs from the administrator account on the website, but evidence revealed during the trial showed that numerous people had access to the account, including two corrupt DEA agents who were later arrested for their handling of the case, which included stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars. The charges were ultimately thrown out.
The murder-for-hire charge was finally dropped today. What a relief! It really hurt to have that hanging over me all these years, to be accused of being something I’m not. I just hope I won’t be seen in that light anymore. https://t.co/2Dd0Jt1xMq — Ross Ulbricht (@RealRossU) July 28, 2018
In an interview with Bitcoin.com, Curtis Green, the man who was the alleged target of the hit, said that he was shocked to see the murder for hire accusation used in Ulbricht’s sentencing, especially since the charge was thrown out and the testimony came from Agent Carl Force, one of the DEA agents now in prison for his handling of the case.
“I was very shocked that they used the murder-for-hire against him for his sentencing, again. Life in prison for starting a website that sold drugs and other things, to me, is draconian and unfair. Especially when other vendors that sold many kilos of heroin and cocaine only received ten years or less,” Green said.
Ross Ulbricht got a raw deal. There is so much more to the Silk Road story than people know, and I can't yet talk about. I don't believe Ross is dangerous or that it's in his character to order a hit on anyone. He should never have gotten that horrible sentence. #FreeRoss — Curtis Green proud crypto OG (@ilovepoker) December 17, 2017
Before Bitcoin became the newest tech and investment craze, it was seen as the currency of the black market, which was used to buy and sell drugs on the infamous “dark web.” In fact, Ulbricht was one of the early adopters of Bitcoin and he created one of the first websites that popularized the cryptocurrency.
The Silk Road was an anonymous online marketplace that became a target for politicians and law enforcement because of the large volume of drugs that were being sold through the site. On the Silk Road, drug users and vendors were able to trade anonymously using Bitcoin, making it one of the first major commerce platforms to adopt the cryptocurrency.
Even though Ulbricht did nothing but create a website, just like the famous billionaires Mark Zuckerberg or Jeff Bezos—he was treated like El Chapo in court because his invention worked against the system, instead of for it.
One important point that was heavily overlooked by the media during the Ulbricht trial was the fact that the Silk Road actually made the world a safer place by undermining prohibition. Even though drugs are illegal, large numbers of people still use them on a regular basis and these people are often put in dangerous situations because of these prohibitions.
The Silk Road allowed people to purchase drugs from the comfort of their living room to avoid the risk of getting mugged in a dark alleyway. It also allowed them to read reviews of the products that their potential dealer was selling, saving them from tainted drugs and dirty batches that could put their lives at risk.
Ulbricht should have gotten the Nobel Prize for his visionary application of a new and revolutionary technology, but instead, he was arrested in October 2013 and has been sitting in federal prison ever since, awaiting a break in his case, or the end of the drug war.
"El Chapo just got half the sentence Ross got, terrorists don't get that" – Lyn Ulbricht, mother of Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht (@RealRossU)
Follow the latest from @Free_Ross and see in-depth interview: https://t.co/1ySmce1tYm pic.twitter.com/YV15dzlECM — BLOCKTV (@BLOCKTVnews) January 10, 2020
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themindunleashed--2020-12-16--Photo With An 8-Year Exposure Inside Beer Can May Be The Longest-Ever Taken

A beer can just helped capture the longest exposed photograph or solargraph possibly in history. Yes, a beer can.
In August 2012, a student at the University of Hertfordshire Regina Valkenborgh created a film-lined beer can which was taped or glued on the side of a campus observatory, Vice reports. Somehow that can has remained there until recently when it was removed in September 2020. That’s eight long years that it sat in the campus observatory. When the can was finally found there was a picture on the inside with one of the longest exposure photographs or solargraphs ever taken.
The beer-can camera was attached to one of the telescope domes by Fine Art student Regina Valkenborgh in August 2012 – in the week after the closing of the London 2012 Olympics, until finally being opened in September 2020. pic.twitter.com/R4Rdz7XSDO — University of Hertfordshire Observatory (@BayfordburyObs) December 10, 2020
“The photograph was revealed on the Observatory’s 50th anniversary year – having watched 16% of the observatory’s existence, 12% of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, and 4% of the existence of photography itself,” a Tweet by the University of Hertfordshire Observatory account pointed out.
Regina Valkenborgh experimented using what’s known as the pinhole camera technique to create this project, according to a University of Hertfordshire statement. Valkenborgh decided to build a makeshift camera using the can to capture the rising and setting of the sun. However, her device ended up sitting there for eight years according to the university. A total of 2,953 arced trails were captured on the film inside of the can. This is believed to be the longest-exposure photograph taken according to the university.
Valkenborgh had placed film sheets on the inside of the beer can and then punched a micro-sized hole to create the camera’s “pinhole,” in the can, which essentially imitated a camera’s lens. The sun’s light, was then focused by the pinhole, burning a trail on the microfilm paper that lined the inner parts of the beer can.
“To me the most exciting thing is that this rudimentary way of photographing in this technology-driven era still has value,” Valkenborgh told Motherboard Vice in an email. “Yet in all its simplicity it has the capability of ‘capturing’ a photograph way beyond the slowest shutter speed you can set on any digital camera. The images are also totally unique, the light photons travel through the actual pinhole and touch the paper inside the can. You can compare it with your footprint in the sand as opposed to drawing a foot with a stick. The foot actually touched the sand and likewise the sun’s rays actually touched the paper.”
The results are stunning showing an incredible looking solargraph. It is not known if this was for an experiment for school or if it was just for fun. Regina however, believes that its a miracle that the photographic paper survived and didn’t crumble up.
“It was a stroke of luck that the picture was left untouched,” Valkenborgh said in a press release. “I had tried this technique a couple of times at the Observatory before, but the photographs were often ruined by moisture and the photographic paper curled up. I hadn’t intended to capture an exposure for this length of time and to my surprise, it had survived. It could be one of, if not the, longest exposures in existence.”
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themindunleashed--2020-12-17--NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo Signs New Law Banning Sale and Display of Confederate Flags, Swastikas

New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo has signed a new bill into law that prohibits selling or buying “ hate symbols ’ ” such as the swastika and Confederate flag as well as their display on any state property such as the state and local fairgrounds .
The new law , effective immediately , severely limits the display of a range of symbols on state property .
Symbols of neo-Nazi ideology , Confederate flags , are all defined by the bill as “ symbols of hate.
” The bill does not go as far as making the buying or selling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does it seek to impose a blanket ban on the display of such symbols by private citizens , as is the case in certain European countries .
Critics see the move as a violation of the First Amendment .
In Germany , for example , the displaying of Nazi symbols and salutes or selling of goods that sport such “ symbols of anti-constitutional organizations ” is strictly banned .
Even social media users who have shared images bearing the symbols have faced penalties or imprisonment .
However , Germany is a rare and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in comparison , strictly applies to state property , although it will also apply to private actors on public property .
Exceptions will be made for images appearing in books – such as textbooks , works of fiction , or other material serving educational or historical purposes – as well as museums and other media .
While Cuomo supported the bill introduced by Sen. Alessandra Biaggi , he conceded that the rule could require some alteration so that the state doesn ’ t run afoul of free speech protections codified in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This country faces a pervasive , growing attitude of intolerance and hate — what I have referred to in the body politic as an American cancer , ” Cuomo said in a bill-signing memo .
“ By limiting the display and sale of the confederate flag , Nazi swastika and other symbols of hatred from being displayed or sold on state property , including the state fairgrounds , this will help safeguard New Yorkers from the fear-installing effects of these abhorrent symbols.
” He continued : “ While I fully support the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changes are necessary to balance the State ’ s interests in preventing the use of hate symbols on state land with free speech protections embodied in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.
” Indeed , the law could eventually face challenges that could see the Empire State embroiled in legal battles over the bill .
In 2008 , the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that infamous hate group the Westboro Baptist Church was well within their rights to stand on public property and curse and yell at mourners attending funerals for military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyer Floyd Abrams , problems with the bill could extend beyond a quick fix on mere “ technical ” grounds .
“ Governor Cuomo is correct that the First Amendment may require changes in the law in light of the First Amendment , ” Abrams told the New York Post .
“ A private entity can choose to sell or not sell offensive symbols but when the government bans the sale of offensive , but constitutionally protected symbols , on its property the First Amendment comes into play.
” According to the governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will review the bill and consult the state legislature in case any amendments are needed .
“ There ’ s going to be a chapter amendment that limits the prohibitions at the state fair , to ensure that we are respecting the protections that the Supreme Court has recognized for individuals and vendors at state fairs to exercise their First Amendment rights , ” said Maya Moskowitz , the press secretary for bill sponsor Sen. Biaggi .
Symbols such as the Confederate flag , which was used by the slave-owning states that were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1861-65 , as well as monuments to Southern slave-owners and military leaders , have increasingly come under fire in recent years as blatant embodiments of white supremacy and anti-Black bigotry .
As the U.S. faced months of social upheaval and protests this year for racial justice and against police brutality , there was a surge in activity by concerned groups of citizens who targeted statues for toppling or lobbied authorities for their removal from public squares and government facilities .
The upswell in anti-racist social movement activity has also been accompanied by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups , including outright domestic terrorist groups who have threatened deadly attacks on civilian targets and public officials .

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed a new bill into law that prohibits selling or buying “hate symbols’” such as the swastika and Confederate flag as well as their display on any state property such as the state and local fairgrounds.
The new law, effective immediately, severely limits the display of a range of symbols on state property. Symbols of neo-Nazi ideology, Confederate flags, are all defined by the bill as “symbols of hate.”
The bill does not go as far as making the buying or selling of such symbols totally illegal, nor does it seek to impose a blanket ban on the display of such symbols by private citizens, as is the case in certain European countries.
Critics see the move as a violation of the First Amendment.
In Germany, for example, the displaying of Nazi symbols and salutes or selling of goods that sport such “symbols of anti-constitutional organizations” is strictly banned. Even social media users who have shared images bearing the symbols have faced penalties or imprisonment. However, Germany is a rare and exceptional case.
The New York law, in comparison, strictly applies to state property, although it will also apply to private actors on public property.
Exceptions will be made for images appearing in books – such as textbooks, works of fiction, or other material serving educational or historical purposes – as well as museums and other media.
While Cuomo supported the bill introduced by Sen. Alessandra Biaggi, he conceded that the rule could require some alteration so that the state doesn’t run afoul of free speech protections codified in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
“This country faces a pervasive, growing attitude of intolerance and hate — what I have referred to in the body politic as an American cancer,” Cuomo said in a bill-signing memo.
“By limiting the display and sale of the confederate flag, Nazi swastika and other symbols of hatred from being displayed or sold on state property, including the state fairgrounds, this will help safeguard New Yorkers from the fear-installing effects of these abhorrent symbols.”
He continued: “While I fully support the spirit of this legislation, certain technical changes are necessary to balance the State’s interests in preventing the use of hate symbols on state land with free speech protections embodied in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.”
Indeed, the law could eventually face challenges that could see the Empire State embroiled in legal battles over the bill. In 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that infamous hate group the Westboro Baptist Church was well within their rights to stand on public property and curse and yell at mourners attending funerals for military service members.
According to free speech lawyer Floyd Abrams, problems with the bill could extend beyond a quick fix on mere “technical” grounds.
“Governor Cuomo is correct that the First Amendment may require changes in the law in light of the First Amendment,” Abrams told the New York Post. “A private entity can choose to sell or not sell offensive symbols but when the government bans the sale of offensive, but constitutionally protected symbols, on its property the First Amendment comes into play.”
According to the governor’s office, a legal team will review the bill and consult the state legislature in case any amendments are needed.
“There’s going to be a chapter amendment that limits the prohibitions at the state fair, to ensure that we are respecting the protections that the Supreme Court has recognized for individuals and vendors at state fairs to exercise their First Amendment rights,” said Maya Moskowitz, the press secretary for bill sponsor Sen. Biaggi.
Symbols such as the Confederate flag, which was used by the slave-owning states that were defeated in the U.S. Civil War of 1861-65, as well as monuments to Southern slave-owners and military leaders, have increasingly come under fire in recent years as blatant embodiments of white supremacy and anti-Black bigotry.
As the U.S. faced months of social upheaval and protests this year for racial justice and against police brutality, there was a surge in activity by concerned groups of citizens who targeted statues for toppling or lobbied authorities for their removal from public squares and government facilities.
The upswell in anti-racist social movement activity has also been accompanied by the rise of far-right white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups, including outright domestic terrorist groups who have threatened deadly attacks on civilian targets and public officials.
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themindunleashed--2020-12-17--Florida Man Dies in Freak Accident During Burglary After Window Falls On His Neck

A Florida man who was allegedly attempting to break into somebody ’ s home died in a freak accident after the window he was trying to climb through abruptly fell down on his neck , pinning him down and ultimately choking him , police said .
According to the Lee County Sheriff ’ s Office , 32-year-old Jonathan Hernandez died Saturday while attempting to break into a residence in in Lehigh Acres , an unincorporated zone in the Cape Coral-Fort Myers metropolitan area .
“ When Hernandez was trying to work his way through the window , it unexpectedly closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and keeping him suspended in the air , ” said Lt. Russell Park , a spokesman for the sheriff ’ s office , on Monday .
When authorities finally arrived , the tattooed and heavily pierced Hernandez had already died .
A photograph of the grisly scene was provided to the News-Press by the property manager of the home .
In the image – which the local paper declined to publish – the lifeless body of a person can be seen caught in the green-framed window roughly five and a half feet up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed on the man ’ s neck while his right arm is hanging at his side .
Records from the local jail show that Hernandez , whose full name is Jonathan Hernandez-Zuluaga , had a number of prior arrests on his record including felony charges for grand theft , as well as probation violations .
The alleged thief was “ no stranger to law enforcement , ” Park added , noting that Hernandez had been busted “ for his involvement in a murder case ” back in 2014 .
That report and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had five children and was a hip-hop artist known as Taz UFO or UFO .
Family members and loved ones of Hernandez are in shock over his death , and are perplexed about the circumstances surrounding his death .
“ Soon as I got there I ’ m like , there ’ s no way .
This isn ’ t what happened , ” Hernandez ’ s fiancée , Patricia Duarte , told NBC2 .
Those close to him have also defended him in local media , noting that he was a complicated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defined by his run-ins with the law .
“ When I first met him , I was like man he looks like he has a rap sheet like El Chapo , ” she aded .
“ And he ’ s the complete opposite of that .
He ’ s the sweetest person you ’ d probably ever meet and has the biggest heart.
” Tyson Lane also defended Hernandez , saying that despite his past offenses , “ He is not a burglar .
He ’ s not a thief .
He ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s not what he is .
If he had a roof over his head and you didn ’ t , he would give you a roof over your head , bring you in his household , ” Lane continued .
“ That ’ s something that he did for a lot of people , including myself.
” Hernandez ’ s family and friends plan to continue pushing for answers .
“ I just need something to be done the right way .
I need a proper investigation , ” Duarte said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come to light .
”

A Florida man who was allegedly attempting to break into somebody’s home died in a freak accident after the window he was trying to climb through abruptly fell down on his neck, pinning him down and ultimately choking him, police said.
According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, 32-year-old Jonathan Hernandez died Saturday while attempting to break into a residence in in Lehigh Acres, an unincorporated zone in the Cape Coral-Fort Myers metropolitan area.
“When Hernandez was trying to work his way through the window, it unexpectedly closed on top of him, pinning him and keeping him suspended in the air,” said Lt. Russell Park, a spokesman for the sheriff’s office, on Monday.
When authorities finally arrived, the tattooed and heavily pierced Hernandez had already died.
A photograph of the grisly scene was provided to the News-Press by the property manager of the home. In the image – which the local paper declined to publish – the lifeless body of a person can be seen caught in the green-framed window roughly five and a half feet up from the ground. The window is closed on the man’s neck while his right arm is hanging at his side.
Records from the local jail show that Hernandez, whose full name is Jonathan Hernandez-Zuluaga, had a number of prior arrests on his record including felony charges for grand theft, as well as probation violations.
The alleged thief was “no stranger to law enforcement,” Park added, noting that Hernandez had been busted “for his involvement in a murder case” back in 2014. That report and other details weren’t available.
Hernandez had five children and was a hip-hop artist known as Taz UFO or UFO.
Family members and loved ones of Hernandez are in shock over his death, and are perplexed about the circumstances surrounding his death.
“Soon as I got there I’m like, there’s no way. This isn’t what happened,” Hernandez’s fiancée, Patricia Duarte, told NBC2.
Those close to him have also defended him in local media, noting that he was a complicated human being who wasn’t simply defined by his run-ins with the law.
“When I first met him, I was like man he looks like he has a rap sheet like El Chapo,” she aded. “And he’s the complete opposite of that. He’s the sweetest person you’d probably ever meet and has the biggest heart.”
Tyson Lane also defended Hernandez, saying that despite his past offenses, “He is not a burglar. He’s not a thief. He’s not a bad guy.”
“That’s not what he is. If he had a roof over his head and you didn’t, he would give you a roof over your head, bring you in his household,” Lane continued. “That’s something that he did for a lot of people, including myself.”
Hernandez’s family and friends plan to continue pushing for answers.
“I just need something to be done the right way. I need a proper investigation,” Duarte said. “I need the actual truth to come to light.”
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themindunleashed--2020-12-18--A New Satellite Can Peer Inside Buildings During The Day Or Night

A new satellite launched by Capella Space has the capability to see inside buildings and through walls during the day and night offering clients a crystal clear image of anywhere in the world .
Futurism claims in a new article these capabilities are new .
The publication writes the following , “ And unlike most of the huge array of surveillance and observational satellites orbiting the Earth , its satellite Capella 2 can snap a clear picture during night or day , rain or shine.
” “ It turns out that half of the world is in nighttime , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is cloudy , ” CEO Payam Banazadeh , a former system engineer at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory , told Futurism .
“ When you combine those two together , about 75 percent of Earth , at any given time , is going to be cloudy , nighttime , or it ’ s going to be both .
It ’ s invisible to you , and that portion is moving around.
” But we know from U.S. President Donald Trump tweeting out an image of an Iranian launch site that the current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as advanced as Capella Space .
Trump tweeted the photo of a charred launchpad at the Imam Khomeini Space Center in Iran last year .
In that photograph , you can clearly see the Persian lettering around the launchpad , the towers , the steps on a staircase , and individual fence posts .
Trump had inadvertently revealed the imaging potential of one of America ’ s most advanced photoreconnaissance satellites the USA 224 , a classified National Reconnaissance Office satellite launched in 2011 .
This was found thanks to internet sleuths who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Wired reported .
The USA 224 is believed to be a member of the “ KH-11 ” family of electro-optical surveillance satellites , which long replaced film-based surveillance satellites in the 1970s .
That means that type of image quality was possible only a decade ago in 2011 .
Capella yet another company just launched a platform allowing governmental or private customers to obtain images of anything in the world .
However , Capella claims to have made further advancements into not only the imaging quality but allowing customers to see through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bunch of gaps in how we ’ re currently observing Earth from space — the majority of the sensors we use to observe earth are optical imaging sensors , ” he said .
“ If it ’ s cloudy , you ’ re going to see the clouds , not what ’ s happening under the clouds .
And if there ’ s not much light , you ’ re going to have a really hard time getting an image that is useful.
” Capella uses optical imaging and synthetic aperture radar , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SAR works similarly to how dolphins and bats navigate using echolocation or sonar .
The satellite beams down a powerful 9.65 GHz radio signal toward its target , and then collects and interprets the signal as it bounces back up into orbit .
Since those signals are being sent down to a target it can even penetrate right through a building ’ s wall , essentially x-ray vision .
“ At that frequency , the clouds are pretty much transparent , ” Banazadeh told Futurism .
“ You can penetrate clouds , fog @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those things don ’ t matter anymore .
And because you ’ re generating your own signal , it ’ s as if you ’ re carrying a flashlight .
You don ’ t care if it ’ s day or night .
”

A new satellite launched by Capella Space has the capability to see inside buildings and through walls during the day and night offering clients a crystal clear image of anywhere in the world.
Futurism claims in a new article these capabilities are new. The publication writes the following, “And unlike most of the huge array of surveillance and observational satellites orbiting the Earth, its satellite Capella 2 can snap a clear picture during night or day, rain or shine.”
“It turns out that half of the world is in nighttime, and half of the world, on average, is cloudy,” CEO Payam Banazadeh, a former system engineer at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, told Futurism. “When you combine those two together, about 75 percent of Earth, at any given time, is going to be cloudy, nighttime, or it’s going to be both. It’s invisible to you, and that portion is moving around.”
But we know from U.S. President Donald Trump tweeting out an image of an Iranian launch site that the current capabilities of America’s satellites are as advanced as Capella Space. Trump tweeted the photo of a charred launchpad at the Imam Khomeini Space Center in Iran last year.
In that photograph, you can clearly see the Persian lettering around the launchpad, the towers, the steps on a staircase, and individual fence posts.
The United States of America was not involved in the catastrophic accident during final launch preparations for the Safir SLV Launch at Semnan Launch Site One in Iran. I wish Iran best wishes and good luck in determining what happened at Site One. pic.twitter.com/z0iDj2L0Y3 — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 30, 2019
Trump had inadvertently revealed the imaging potential of one of America’s most advanced photoreconnaissance satellites the USA 224, a classified National Reconnaissance Office satellite launched in 2011.
This was found thanks to internet sleuths who were able to track down the satellite, Wired reported.
The USA 224 is believed to be a member of the “KH-11” family of electro-optical surveillance satellites, which long replaced film-based surveillance satellites in the 1970s. That means that type of image quality was possible only a decade ago in 2011.
Capella yet another company just launched a platform allowing governmental or private customers to obtain images of anything in the world.
However, Capella claims to have made further advancements into not only the imaging quality but allowing customers to see through clouds.
“There’s a bunch of gaps in how we’re currently observing Earth from space — the majority of the sensors we use to observe earth are optical imaging sensors,” he said. “If it’s cloudy, you’re going to see the clouds, not what’s happening under the clouds. And if there’s not much light, you’re going to have a really hard time getting an image that is useful.”
Capella uses optical imaging and synthetic aperture radar, or SAR.
According to Futurism, SAR works similarly to how dolphins and bats navigate using echolocation or sonar. The satellite beams down a powerful 9.65 GHz radio signal toward its target, and then collects and interprets the signal as it bounces back up into orbit. Since those signals are being sent down to a target it can even penetrate right through a building’s wall, essentially x-ray vision.
“At that frequency, the clouds are pretty much transparent,” Banazadeh told Futurism. “You can penetrate clouds, fog, moisture, smoke, haze. Those things don’t matter anymore. And because you’re generating your own signal, it’s as if you’re carrying a flashlight. You don’t care if it’s day or night.”
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themindunleashed--2020-12-18--In Strange Casting Choice, Creed Singer Scott Stapp to Portray Frank Sinatra in New Film

2020 has been a rare year , indeed .
The year has seen a global pandemic , massive protests , unrest , natural disasters , and no shortage of unfortunate events .
With the country winding to a close , it would be naïve for anyone to believe that all of this craziness will suddenly grind to a halt when the clock hits midnight on New Year ’ s Eve and we shift to the 2021 calendar .
And as if to prove that 2020 could be one of the most unsettling years in living memory , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stapp will be playing Frank Sinatra in a biopic about Ronald Reagan .
Yes , that ’ s right , Stapp – who ’ s been described as a “ marble-mouthed baritone ” – will be portraying the legendary crooner , Ol ’ Blue Eyes himself , in a historical drama .
Billboard reports that the upcoming drama Reagan , which will star Dennis Quaid as the 40th President of the United States , has cast the alternative rock singer to play the late lone-time leader of the Rat Pack .
The casting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is well known for his exaggerated and over-the-top “ yarling ” singing style ( also known as “ Hunger Dunger Dang ” ) , which consists of a exaggerated version of the nasal baritone drone originally introduced by Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder .
Stapp himself seems aware of the irony , telling Billboard , “ Sinatra in performance mode was an exercise in restraint .
He had this steely , stylish swagger and his sheer presence commanded a room .
I was excited to join the cast and blown away by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and overall production.
” According to the magazine , it won ’ t be a major role , but the film does contain a scene where Reagan visits the Cocoanut Grove , a once-famous nightclub in the Boston region that was once popular among Hollywood celebs in the 1930s .
The scene where Stapp will step up on stage and croon takes place when Reagan was president of the Screen Actors Guild , a position he held between 1947 and 1951 , and again in 1959 .
Again , it ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 47-year-old rock star hardly resembles a young Sinatra .
Perhaps the studio plans to digitally alter Stapp ’ s voice and face so that he more closely resembles the Sultan of Swoon ?
Your guess is as good as ours .
Stapp has had a bit of a rough time in recent years after his career spiraled out of control due to drug and alcohol abuse , a struggle with bipolar disorder , and an eventual psychotic breakdown in 2014 .
Since then , he appears to be on a road to recovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact that even his own kids tease him about his singing on songs like “ With Arms Wide Open.
” Reagan is set to drop in 2021 , and will also star Penelope Ann Miller as Nancy Reagan .
“ We are honored to have Scott in Reagan , ” director Sean McNamara said .
“ Scott ’ s known for big , high energy performances so it was a thrill to see him shift gears to embody Sinatra ’ s contained charisma .
”

2020 has been a rare year, indeed. The year has seen a global pandemic, massive protests, unrest, natural disasters, and no shortage of unfortunate events. With the country winding to a close, it would be naïve for anyone to believe that all of this craziness will suddenly grind to a halt when the clock hits midnight on New Year’s Eve and we shift to the 2021 calendar.
And as if to prove that 2020 could be one of the most unsettling years in living memory, it’s just been announced that Creed singer Scott Stapp will be playing Frank Sinatra in a biopic about Ronald Reagan.
Yes, that’s right, Stapp – who’s been described as a “marble-mouthed baritone” – will be portraying the legendary crooner, Ol’ Blue Eyes himself, in a historical drama.
Billboard reports that the upcoming drama Reagan, which will star Dennis Quaid as the 40th President of the United States, has cast the alternative rock singer to play the late lone-time leader of the Rat Pack.
The casting choice is curious, given that Stapp is well known for his exaggerated and over-the-top “yarling” singing style (also known as “Hunger Dunger Dang”), which consists of a exaggerated version of the nasal baritone drone originally introduced by Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder.
Stapp himself seems aware of the irony, telling Billboard, “Sinatra in performance mode was an exercise in restraint. He had this steely, stylish swagger and his sheer presence commanded a room. I was excited to join the cast and blown away by the on-set attention to detail, style, and overall production.”
According to the magazine, it won’t be a major role, but the film does contain a scene where Reagan visits the Cocoanut Grove, a once-famous nightclub in the Boston region that was once popular among Hollywood celebs in the 1930s.
The scene where Stapp will step up on stage and croon takes place when Reagan was president of the Screen Actors Guild, a position he held between 1947 and 1951, and again in 1959.
Again, it’s a very curious casting choice, as the 47-year-old rock star hardly resembles a young Sinatra. Perhaps the studio plans to digitally alter Stapp’s voice and face so that he more closely resembles the Sultan of Swoon? Your guess is as good as ours.
Stapp has had a bit of a rough time in recent years after his career spiraled out of control due to drug and alcohol abuse, a struggle with bipolar disorder, and an eventual psychotic breakdown in 2014. Since then, he appears to be on a road to recovery and has even opened up about the fact that even his own kids tease him about his singing on songs like “With Arms Wide Open.”
Reagan is set to drop in 2021, and will also star Penelope Ann Miller as Nancy Reagan.
“We are honored to have Scott in Reagan,” director Sean McNamara said. “Scott’s known for big, high energy performances so it was a thrill to see him shift gears to embody Sinatra’s contained charisma.”
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themindunleashed--2020-12-17--Hackers Target US Nuclear Weapons Agency in Massive Cyber Attack

A major cyber espionage attack has hit a number of U.S. federal agencies , including networks belonging to the National Nuclear Security Administration ( NNSA ) and Department of Energy ( DOE ) , which are responsible for maintaining the country ’ s massive stockpile of nuclear weapons .
On Thursday , officials swiftly began coordinating notifications about the security breach to congressional oversight bodies following a briefing by DOE Chief Information Officer Rocky Campione , reports Politico .
Authorities were alarmed after suspicious activity was detected in a number of networks belonging to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Los Alamos national laboratories in New Mexico and Washington .
Networks belonging to the Office of Secure Transportation and Richland Field Office of the Department of Energy were also reportedly breached .
Officials close to the incident claim that hackers were able to do more damage at FERC than the other networks , according to the report .
Authorities have scoured the networks to ascertain how much data has been accessed or stolen , but officials are still largely in the dark about the extent to which government networks have been compromised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at DOE could take weeks to understand how much damage was wrought by the attacks .
It is believed that the attack on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission could have been part of a broader attempt to disrupt the U.S. electric grid .
While FERC isn ’ t involved in the direct management of power flows , the data it stores could potentially reveal the most critical locations in case of future attacks .
The National Nuclear Security Administration , on the other hand , is the key agency tasked with managing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take up the bulk of the DOE budget .
Likewise , the Sandia and Los Alamos laboratories are critical sites where atomic research related to both nuclear weapons and civil nuclear power takes place .
The Office of Secure Transportation is in charge of moving enriched uranium and other material related to the maintenance of the U.S. nuclear stockpile .
Federal officials have expressed concern about the breach , which is feared to have impacted computer systems not only in the U.S. and across the globe .
So far , Russian hackers tied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Service ( SVR ) are being looked at as the most likely culprit .
However , Moscow has denied any involvement in the attacks .
The attack on DOE networks appears to signal the potent threat posed by hackers even when they are up against core components of the U.S. national security enterprise .
It is believed that the hackers were able to compromise the federal networks by exploiting security flaws in the networking software sold by IT company SolarWinds , which has hundreds of clients across the U.S. government and the private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency ( CISA ) issued an ominous warning about a significant computer intrusion , noting that it “ poses a grave risk ” to governments on the federal , state , and local levels .
On Wednesday , the FBI , CISA , and Office of the Director of National Intelligence issued a joint statement acknowledging their collaboration in an “ ongoing ” cybersecurity campaign , noting that they had only begun their work in earnest in recent days after learning of the incident .
“ This is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work to understand the full extent of this campaign , we know this compromise has affected networks within the federal government , ” the statement explained .

A major cyber espionage attack has hit a number of U.S. federal agencies, including networks belonging to the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and Department of Energy (DOE), which are responsible for maintaining the country’s massive stockpile of nuclear weapons.
On Thursday, officials swiftly began coordinating notifications about the security breach to congressional oversight bodies following a briefing by DOE Chief Information Officer Rocky Campione, reports Politico.
Authorities were alarmed after suspicious activity was detected in a number of networks belonging to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as well as the Sandia and Los Alamos national laboratories in New Mexico and Washington. Networks belonging to the Office of Secure Transportation and Richland Field Office of the Department of Energy were also reportedly breached.
Officials close to the incident claim that hackers were able to do more damage at FERC than the other networks, according to the report.
Authorities have scoured the networks to ascertain how much data has been accessed or stolen, but officials are still largely in the dark about the extent to which government networks have been compromised. According to the report, officials at DOE could take weeks to understand how much damage was wrought by the attacks.
It is believed that the attack on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission could have been part of a broader attempt to disrupt the U.S. electric grid. While FERC isn’t involved in the direct management of power flows, the data it stores could potentially reveal the most critical locations in case of future attacks.
The National Nuclear Security Administration, on the other hand, is the key agency tasked with managing the U.S. nuclear arsenal, and its operations take up the bulk of the DOE budget. Likewise, the Sandia and Los Alamos laboratories are critical sites where atomic research related to both nuclear weapons and civil nuclear power takes place. The Office of Secure Transportation is in charge of moving enriched uranium and other material related to the maintenance of the U.S. nuclear stockpile.
Federal officials have expressed concern about the breach, which is feared to have impacted computer systems not only in the U.S. and across the globe. So far, Russian hackers tied to the country’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) are being looked at as the most likely culprit. However, Moscow has denied any involvement in the attacks.
The attack on DOE networks appears to signal the potent threat posed by hackers even when they are up against core components of the U.S. national security enterprise.
It is believed that the hackers were able to compromise the federal networks by exploiting security flaws in the networking software sold by IT company SolarWinds, which has hundreds of clients across the U.S. government and the private sector.
On Thursday, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued an ominous warning about a significant computer intrusion, noting that it “poses a grave risk” to governments on the federal, state, and local levels.
On Wednesday, the FBI, CISA, and Office of the Director of National Intelligence issued a joint statement acknowledging their collaboration in an “ongoing” cybersecurity campaign, noting that they had only begun their work in earnest in recent days after learning of the incident.
“This is a developing situation, and while we continue to work to understand the full extent of this campaign, we know this compromise has affected networks within the federal government,” the statement explained.
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themindunleashed--2020-12-19--Report: Electric Cars Could Be Cheaper Than Gas Cars in Just 2 Years

According to a new report by energy research firm BloombergNEF , electric cars are getting cheaper and cheaper each passing year .
The research firm found that in just two to three years , electric cars are on track to become cheaper than gasoline-powered vehicles .
According to the report , the market average for Lithium-ion batteries will become just $ 101 per kWh by 2023 .
This means that the overall price of the electric vehicle will go down , as the most expensive part of these cars is the battery pack itself .
The report states that Lithium-ion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per kilowatt-hour in 2010 .
However , they have since gone way down in price as much as 89 % in real terms to $ 137/kWh in 2020 .
A survey by BNEF ’ s 2020 Battery Price Survey , which considers passenger EVs , e-buses , commercial EVs and stationary storage , foretells that by 2023 the average pack price for the batteries will be $ 101/kWh .
The report says that “ its at around this price point where automakers should be able to produce and sell mass market EVs at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in some markets.
” The researchers concluded that the prices of electric cars have dropped considerably this year due to “ increasing order sizes , growth in [ battery electric vehicle ] sales and the introduction of new pack designs , ” according to the report .
New technologies and falling manufacturing costs , it predicts , could drive prices down even lower .
There ’ s also the chance that next-generation solid-state batteries “ could be manufactured at 40 % of the cost of current lithium-ion batteries , ” according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The report further predicts that the average prices of battery packs could become as cheap as just $ 58 per kWh by 2030 if these new solid state batteries were to be utilized resulted from lower manufacturing cost .
James Frith , BNEF ’ s head of energy storage research and lead author of the report , stated : “ It is a historic milestone to see pack prices of less than $ 100/kWh reported .
Within just a few years we will see the average price in the industry pass this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our analysis shows that even if prices for raw materials were to return to the highs seen in 2018 , it would only delay average prices reaching $ 100/kWh by two years – rather than completely derailing the industry .
The industry is becoming increasingly resilient to changing raw material prices , with leading battery manufacturers moving up the value chain and investing in cathode production or even mines .
”

According to a new report by energy research firm BloombergNEF, electric cars are getting cheaper and cheaper each passing year. The research firm found that in just two to three years, electric cars are on track to become cheaper than gasoline-powered vehicles.
According to the report, the market average for Lithium-ion batteries will become just $101 per kWh by 2023. This means that the overall price of the electric vehicle will go down, as the most expensive part of these cars is the battery pack itself.
The report states that Lithium-ion battery pack prices were above $1,100 per kilowatt-hour in 2010. However, they have since gone way down in price as much as 89% in real terms to $137/kWh in 2020.
A survey by BNEF’s 2020 Battery Price Survey, which considers passenger EVs, e-buses, commercial EVs and stationary storage, foretells that by 2023 the average pack price for the batteries will be $101/kWh. The report says that “its at around this price point where automakers should be able to produce and sell mass market EVs at the same price as internal combustion vehicles in some markets.”
The researchers concluded that the prices of electric cars have dropped considerably this year due to “increasing order sizes, growth in [battery electric vehicle] sales and the introduction of new pack designs,” according to the report. New technologies and falling manufacturing costs, it predicts, could drive prices down even lower.
There’s also the chance that next-generation solid-state batteries “could be manufactured at 40% of the cost of current lithium-ion batteries,” according to the report, “when produced at scale.”
The report further predicts that the average prices of battery packs could become as cheap as just $58 per kWh by 2030 if these new solid state batteries were to be utilized resulted from lower manufacturing cost.
James Frith, BNEF’s head of energy storage research and lead author of the report, stated: “It is a historic milestone to see pack prices of less than $100/kWh reported. Within just a few years we will see the average price in the industry pass this point. What’s more, our analysis shows that even if prices for raw materials were to return to the highs seen in 2018, it would only delay average prices reaching $100/kWh by two years – rather than completely derailing the industry. The industry is becoming increasingly resilient to changing raw material prices, with leading battery manufacturers moving up the value chain and investing in cathode production or even mines.”
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themindunleashed--2020-12-19--Study Finds Eating Chili Peppers Could Extend Your Life

Regulators in the U.K. are set to begin the first-ever clinical trial of dimethyltriptamine ( DMT ) in hopes to gain a better understanding of how the psychedelic drug can be used to treat various mental health disorders , such as depression .
The drug was given the go-ahead by the Medicines and Healthcare product Regulatory Agency ( MHRA ) earlier this week , reports the Guardian .
In its initial stages , the drug will be administered to healthy individuals , but the second trial is likely to involve patients suffering depression , where DMT will be given along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ therapy is similar to shaking up a snow globe before letting the flakes settle , according to Carol Routledge , the chief medical and scientific officer at Small Pharma , which will run the trial alongside the Imperial College in London .
“ The psychedelic drug breaks up all of the ruminative thought processes in your brain – it literally undoes what has been done by either the stress you ’ ve been through or the depressive thoughts you have – and hugely increases the making of new connections , ” Routledge explained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ session afterwards is the letting-things-settle piece of things – it helps you to make sense of those thoughts and puts you back on the right track , ” she continued .
“ We think this could be a treatment for a number of depressive disorders besides major depression , including PTSD , treatment-resistant depression , obsessive-compulsive disorder , and possibly some types of substance abuse.
” DMT – also known as the “ spirit molecule ” for its extremely potent hallucinogenic properties – is one of the major psychoactive compounds found in ayahuasca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has been used for centuries in South America before finding its way into North America and Europe as a recreational drug .
Experts and users of DMT have said that the drug has a similar impact to such other psychedelic drugs as LSD and psilocybin or “ magic ” mushrooms .
However , the psychedelic experience or so-called “ trip ” from DMT is much shorter in duration than either of the other psychedelic drugs .
DMT – like psilocybin and acid – remain classified by British authorities as a Class A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and methamphetamine .
Possession of the substance carries a penalty of up to seven years in jail or life imprisonment for trafficking .
Researchers hope that the initial DMT trials could begin as soon as January .
The trial will ascertain the lowest possible DMT dose necessary to spark a psychedelic experience and will involve 32 healthy volunteers who have never taken a psychedelic drug , including ecstasy or ketamine .
The second trial will involve 36 patients who suffer from clinical depression .
The approval of clinical trials for DMT come as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a therapeutic treatment , with authorities in Canada and various cities and states in the U.S. allowing for the use of the substance in therapeutic settings .
According to a December 2016 study from NYU , a single dose of psilocybin rapidly and drastically reduces depression and anxiety among cancer patients , with few side effects .
In the case of DMT , the psychedelic experience is far more intense and comes about much faster before quickly ending .
“ Whereas a psilocybin session takes all day – and if you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those , that ’ s a large time commitment – a DMT session , all in , will probably take under two hours , ” said Small Pharma CEO Peter Rands .
“ We expect DMT to be rapid-acting , equivalent or perhaps even better than psilocybin , so within hours of a session you will get rapid relief [ from your depression ] , ” he added .
“ We also expect the effect to be sustained over a similar time period .
”

Do you love eating hot chili peppers? It turns out you might be doing more than just pleasing your taste buds, according to early preliminary research.
A recent study carried out by the American Heart Association study took earlier research from multiple countries on chili peppers and analyzed it. The determination by the researchers was that people who regularly ate chili peppers were “associated with a 25% reduction in death from any cause.”
The paper, released last month, further found that frequent chili-pepper consumption may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by 26% and “cause 23% fewer cancer deaths compared to people who never or only rarely consumed chili pepper,” the AHA said in a statement on the research.
The investigation for the research of the report included more than 4,000 studies from various countries which included at least 570,000 participants. Of these participants, they were geologically located in the United States, Italy, China, and Iran. The researchers compared the outcomes of those who consumed chili pepper to those who rarely or never ate chili peppers. Then compared individuals who rarely or never ate chili peppers, the analysis found that people who ate chili peppers had:
A 26% relative reduction in cardiovascular mortality;
A 23% relative reduction in cancer mortality; and
A 25% relative reduction in all-cause mortality.
The American Heart Association expected to find health benefits from the chili peppers. Its well known that chili peppers serve as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory food, slowing damage to cells.
However, senior writer Dr. Bo Xu of the study, stated in the research they were “surprised to find that in these previously published studies, regular consumption of chili pepper was associated with an overall risk-reduction of all-cause, CVD [cardiovascular disease] and cancer mortality.”
A few research highlights according to the American Heart Association are as follows.
Consumption of chili pepper may reduce the relative risk of cardiovascular disease mortality by 26%, according to an analysis of diet and mortality data from four large, international studies.
Chili pepper consumption was associated with a 25% reduction in death from any cause and 23% fewer cancer deaths, compared to people who never or only rarely consumed chili pepper.
The study seems to prove what the AHA said was a “significantly reduced risk of dying from cardiovascular disease or cancer” from regularly eating chili peppers. Dr. Xu, nevertheless, expressed that the “exact reasons and mechanisms” for the results are unknown, and further research is needed to confirm the initial study. In other words, the researchers cannot say for certain that eating chili peppers will extend a person’s lifetime. But initial results seem to suggest that is the case.
The preliminary research was presented virtually at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2020 on November 13-17th. The event was seen as a “premier global exchange of the latest scientific advancements, research, and evidence-based clinical practice updates in cardiovascular science for health care worldwide.”
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themindunleashed--2020-12-19--Massie And Gabbard Team Up For Bipartisan Bill To Repeal Patriot Act

Thomas Massie , a Republican , and Tulsi Gabbard , a Democrat , have teamed up to introduce a bipartisan bill designed to repeal the Patriot Act .
The two lawmakers are proposing legislation designed to limit government surveillance that takes place without warrants and probable cause .
The bill is called “ The Protect Our Civil Liberties Act ” and it seeks to repeal both the Patriot Act and the FISA Amendments Act , which allow government agencies to indiscriminately collect data on every American citizen .
In a video announcement posted to her Twitter account on Wednesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress “ reexamines how best to strike this balance of protecting our national security interests while also ensuring that the constitutional rights of every single American is preserved.
” “ Protection of our civil liberties is essential .
Join us in making sure that our constitutional rights are upheld , ” she added .
Gabbard also said that intelligence agencies have “ not been transparent or honest with the American people or even Congress about what they ’ ve been doing.
” The bill also seeks to protect whistleblowers like Edward Snowden or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retaliate against whistleblowers .
It would also ban “ government-mandated back doors ” that are often built into electronics and software .
Massie retweeted Gabbard ’ s video announcement and said that he is “ honored to cosponsor a bill to repeal the Patriot Act with my friend across the aisle @ TulsiGabbard.
” In a separate statement of his own , Massie said the Patriot Act violates the Fourth Amendment and has expanded domestic surveillance in the country .
“ Our Founding Fathers fought and died to stop the kind of warrantless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the FISA Amendments Act authorize .
It is long past time to repeal the Patriot Act and reassert the constitutional rights of all Americans , ” he said .
The Patriot Act was authorized shortly after the attacks on the World Trade Center buildings in New York City in September of 2001 .
The new policy drastically expanded the power of the US government , granting them unprecedented spying powers , along with the ability to kill and detain anyone deemed to be an “ enemy combatant.
” Opponents of the law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of immigrants , permission to law enforcement to search a home or business without the owner ’ s or the occupant ’ s consent or knowledge , as well as the expanded use of National Security Letters , which allows the Federal Bureau of Investigation ( FBI ) to search telephone , e-mail , and financial records without a court order , and the expanded access of law enforcement agencies to business records , including library and financial records .
Since its passage , several court challenges have been brought against the act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number of provisions are unconstitutional .

Thomas Massie, a Republican, and Tulsi Gabbard, a Democrat, have teamed up to introduce a bipartisan bill designed to repeal the Patriot Act.
The two lawmakers are proposing legislation designed to limit government surveillance that takes place without warrants and probable cause.
The bill is called “The Protect Our Civil Liberties Act” and it seeks to repeal both the Patriot Act and the FISA Amendments Act, which allow government agencies to indiscriminately collect data on every American citizen.
In a video announcement posted to her Twitter account on Wednesday, Gabbard said the bill would see that Congress “reexamines how best to strike this balance of protecting our national security interests while also ensuring that the constitutional rights of every single American is preserved.”
“Protection of our civil liberties is essential. Join us in making sure that our constitutional rights are upheld,” she added.
Gabbard also said that intelligence agencies have “not been transparent or honest with the American people or even Congress about what they’ve been doing.”
The bill also seeks to protect whistleblowers like Edward Snowden or Julian Assange by making it illegal to retaliate against whistleblowers.
It would also ban “government-mandated back doors” that are often built into electronics and software.
Massie retweeted Gabbard’s video announcement and said that he is “honored to cosponsor a bill to repeal the Patriot Act with my friend across the aisle @TulsiGabbard.”
I’m honored to cosponsor a bill to repeal the Patriot Act with my friend across the aisle @TulsiGabbard https://t.co/dU3M53rSm8 — Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) December 16, 2020
In a separate statement of his own, Massie said the Patriot Act violates the Fourth Amendment and has expanded domestic surveillance in the country.
“Our Founding Fathers fought and died to stop the kind of warrantless spying and searches that the Patriot Act and the FISA Amendments Act authorize. It is long past time to repeal the Patriot Act and reassert the constitutional rights of all Americans,” he said.
The Patriot Act was authorized shortly after the attacks on the World Trade Center buildings in New York City in September of 2001. The new policy drastically expanded the power of the US government, granting them unprecedented spying powers, along with the ability to kill and detain anyone deemed to be an “enemy combatant.”
Opponents of the law have criticized its provision for indefinite detention of immigrants, permission to law enforcement to search a home or business without the owner’s or the occupant’s consent or knowledge, as well as the expanded use of National Security Letters, which allows the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to search telephone, e-mail, and financial records without a court order, and the expanded access of law enforcement agencies to business records, including library and financial records.
Since its passage, several court challenges have been brought against the act, and federal courts have ruled that a number of provisions are unconstitutional.
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themindunleashed--2020-12-18--Republican Senator Blocks Bipartisan Bill to Provide $1,200 Stimulus Checks

Wisconsin Republican Sen. Ron Johnson has blocked bipartisan efforts to pass a second round of stimulus checks , arguing that such checks are “ mortgaging our children ’ s future ” despite the fact that millions of Americans are heading into the new year facing surging hunger and the looming threat of mass evictions .
Fellow GOP Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri had attempted to get consent from Senate colleagues for a bill that would provide an additional $ 1,200 to individuals who earn up to $ 75,000 , independent of the roughly $ 900 billion compromise package being hotly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What I ’ m proposing is what every senator has supported already , this year .
… What I ’ m proposing will give working folks in my state and across this country a shot … at getting back up on their feet , ” Hawley said , reports The Hill .
The Wisconsin senator dismissed the possibility of such checks as “ mortgaging our children ’ s future , ” despite his support for the $ 2.2 trillion CARES Act in March as well as the more recent $ 741 billion defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans ’ ham-fisted return to a fiscal conservatism that was largely ignored while President Donald Trump increased the federal debt by $ 7 trillion to the current $ 27 trillion .
Hawley , on the other hand , had teamed up with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in a bipartisan push to bring urgent direct payments to individuals , rather than businesses , who are buckling under the pressure of the pandemic and related sharp economic downturn .
“ Nothing could be more targeted , no relief could be more important , than relief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Now the senator is right , ” Hawley added .
“ This body has spent trillions of dollars this year alone on COVID relief .
We ’ re getting ready to spend , apparently , another trillion dollars more .
“ And yet , working people are told they may be last , if they get relief at all , ” he continued .
“ I just urge members of these bodies , go home and try explaining that to the people of your state.
” However , Johnson argued that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such additional aid to Americans would mean “ mortgaging our children ’ s future.
” He also used his privilege as a senator to block the bill .
Under the Senate ’ s rules , any senator can request the passage of a bill but any other senator is allowed to block it .
“ I completely support some kind of program targeted for small businesses .
… So what I fear we ’ re going to do with this bipartisan package and what the senator from Missouri is talking about is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Johnson explained .
“ We will not have learned the lessons from our very hurried , very rushed earlier relief packages , ” Johnson added .
Johnson had raised similar points during stimulus talks in October .
“ I came from the Tea Party .
We are concerned , ” Johnson said at the time , according to CNN .
Hawley vowed to continue fighting to pass the bill alongside Sanders .
The continued grappling on Capitol Hill comes as Americans continue struggling to remain afloat in an economy ravaged by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evictions set to expire at the end of the year could see a major crisis of people without roofs over their heads come 2021 .
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 between 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared housing or simply living on the streets .

Wisconsin Republican Sen. Ron Johnson has blocked bipartisan efforts to pass a second round of stimulus checks, arguing that such checks are “mortgaging our children’s future” despite the fact that millions of Americans are heading into the new year facing surging hunger and the looming threat of mass evictions.
Fellow GOP Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri had attempted to get consent from Senate colleagues for a bill that would provide an additional $1,200 to individuals who earn up to $75,000, independent of the roughly $900 billion compromise package being hotly negotiated as holidays draw closer.
“What I’m proposing is what every senator has supported already, this year. … What I’m proposing will give working folks in my state and across this country a shot … at getting back up on their feet,” Hawley said, reports The Hill.
The Wisconsin senator dismissed the possibility of such checks as “mortgaging our children’s future,” despite his support for the $2.2 trillion CARES Act in March as well as the more recent $741 billion defense budget. The move is consisted with Republicans’ ham-fisted return to a fiscal conservatism that was largely ignored while President Donald Trump increased the federal debt by $7 trillion to the current $27 trillion.
Hawley, on the other hand, had teamed up with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in a bipartisan push to bring urgent direct payments to individuals, rather than businesses, who are buckling under the pressure of the pandemic and related sharp economic downturn.
“Nothing could be more targeted, no relief could be more important, than relief for working people,” Hawley said.
Sen. @HawleyMO responds to @SenRonJohnson objecting to his unanimous consent for $1,200 stimulus checks:
"Working people are told they may be last… I just urge members of these bodies, go home and try explaining that to the people of your state."pic.twitter.com/ZVy7NZs16z — Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) December 18, 2020
“Now the senator is right,” Hawley added. “This body has spent trillions of dollars this year alone on COVID relief. We’re getting ready to spend, apparently, another trillion dollars more.
“And yet, working people are told they may be last, if they get relief at all,” he continued. “I just urge members of these bodies, go home and try explaining that to the people of your state.”
However, Johnson argued that the check go too far and that such additional aid to Americans would mean “mortgaging our children’s future.”
Ron Johnson is on the floor speaking about the debt and “mortgaging our childrens future.” this is in response to Hawley calling for $1,200 checks — Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) December 18, 2020
He also used his privilege as a senator to block the bill. Under the Senate’s rules, any senator can request the passage of a bill but any other senator is allowed to block it.
“I completely support some kind of program targeted for small businesses. … So what I fear we’re going to do with this bipartisan package and what the senator from Missouri is talking about is the same thing, is a shotgun approach,” Johnson explained.
“We will not have learned the lessons from our very hurried, very rushed earlier relief packages,” Johnson added.
Johnson had raised similar points during stimulus talks in October.
“I came from the Tea Party. We are concerned,” Johnson said at the time, according to CNN.
Hawley vowed to continue fighting to pass the bill alongside Sanders.
The continued grappling on Capitol Hill comes as Americans continue struggling to remain afloat in an economy ravaged by the coronavirus.
The federal ban on evictions set to expire at the end of the year could see a major crisis of people without roofs over their heads come 2021.
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 between 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.
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