themindunleashed--2020-07-14--Revolutionary New Bill Would Require Cops to Have Liability Insurance for Brutality Lawsuits

( TMU ) – As protests churn on across the country and the national debate continues police brutality and abuse continues , many are pushing for transformative change in the natire of law enforcement on all levels .
Proposed changes over the years have range from local community control to federal oversight , defunding the outright dissolving police forces .
But state lawmakers in New York are proposing a revolutionary new bill that would prevent police officers from brutalizing civilians by hitting them where it hurts – right in the wallet .
State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi ( D-Bronx ) has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers across the state personally liable for their actions while on duty by requiring them to obtain insurance policies that would cover civil lawsuits filed against them in case they are taken to court for excessive force or other abuses , reports New York Law Journal .
Biaggi hopes that the bill would create a firm disincentive for police misconduct and end the impunity that officers enjoy in favor of real financial accountability .
Under present law , officers who face lawsuits enjoy representation by local law departments while taxpayers must foot the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settlement .
Biaggi ’ s proposal would require that cops get liability insurance that would cover any claims for acts “ during any period of time that such officer is performing duties within the scope of employment.
” However , the city or other local government would still cover the basic insurance policy to cover tort litigation costs .
According to a report from the New York City Comptroller ’ s Office , NYPD tort claim settlements amounted to a whopping $ 230 million in Fiscal Year 2018 for 6,472 cases of alleged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Post .
“ While taxpayers bail out law enforcement who engage in misconduct , those same officers too often evade meaningful accountability , ” Biaggi said .
The idea of requiring cops to carry their own liability insurance to discourage misconduct is hardly new , the senator noted .
“ Officers who have misconduct claims brought against them may see their premium go up and will be required to pay those costs , ” Biaggi noted .
“ The purpose of this bill is to establish a financial disincentive for police misconduct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Another bill supported by New York lawmakers earlier this month would see officers lose their state pension and retirement benefits if they are fired for “ serious ” acts of misconduct .
“ We are at a pivotal moment for anti-racist and police reform , and it is clear that law enforcement officers must face greater accountability , ” said Senator Luis Sepulveda ( D-Bronx ) .
“ Taxpayer dollars should not be funding public benefits for state employees who commit heinous or illegal actions.
” The push for mandatory police liability insurance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police accountability advocates , with everyone from leftists to libertarians supporting the demand as a common-sense way to prevent individual officers from abusing their authority while fleecing taxpayers in the process .
“ If you were were a reckless driver , if you engaged in multiple instances of drunk driving or hitting civilians or motor vehicle homicides , your premiums would go sky high , ” law professor Deborah Ramirez of Northeastern University told NPR last month .
“ And you would be priced out of driving .
Similarly , officers who engage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priced out of policing by high premiums that reflect the actual risk that they pose to us.
” The liability insurance approach would also act as a sort of early-warning system , she added .
“ [ W ] e need some independent risk assessment here .
Because they are public officers , because they do carry a badge and a gun , they should be subject to some risk assessment score card , ” Ramirez explained .
“ And if the police won ’ t create it – because it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ themselves – then insurance companies can , and they do that in a number of contexts.
” Hairdressers , nurses , doctors , and lawyers are among some of occupations where personal liability insurance is required .
However , the idea of mandatory insurance for individual officers has been blocked in many of the places where it has been proposed – including in Minneapolis , whose murder at the hands of police on May 25 kicked off the recent weeks of protest and unrest .
For Ramirez , the fault lies with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any form of accountability .
“ It hasn ’ t become a reality because we have very politically powerful unions for whom this is something they care about a lot , ” Ramirez said .
“ They want to be totally immunized from any responsibility – financial or job responsibility – for dangerous , reckless policing … But the moment is different now .
The political calculus has changed .
“ This is a moment when real reform can take place .
”

(TMU) – As protests churn on across the country and the national debate continues police brutality and abuse continues, many are pushing for transformative change in the natire of law enforcement on all levels.
Proposed changes over the years have range from local community control to federal oversight, defunding the outright dissolving police forces.
But state lawmakers in New York are proposing a revolutionary new bill that would prevent police officers from brutalizing civilians by hitting them where it hurts – right in the wallet.
State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi (D-Bronx) has introduced a bill that would hold all officers across the state personally liable for their actions while on duty by requiring them to obtain insurance policies that would cover civil lawsuits filed against them in case they are taken to court for excessive force or other abuses, reports New York Law Journal.
Biaggi hopes that the bill would create a firm disincentive for police misconduct and end the impunity that officers enjoy in favor of real financial accountability.
Under present law, officers who face lawsuits enjoy representation by local law departments while taxpayers must foot the bill in case of any verdict or settlement.
Biaggi’s proposal would require that cops get liability insurance that would cover any claims for acts “during any period of time that such officer is performing duties within the scope of employment.” However, the city or other local government would still cover the basic insurance policy to cover tort litigation costs.
According to a report from the New York City Comptroller’s Office, NYPD tort claim settlements amounted to a whopping $230 million in Fiscal Year 2018 for 6,472 cases of alleged misconduct or alleged wrongdoing, reports New York Post.
“While taxpayers bail out law enforcement who engage in misconduct, those same officers too often evade meaningful accountability,” Biaggi said.
The idea of requiring cops to carry their own liability insurance to discourage misconduct is hardly new, the senator noted.
Personal liability insurance isn't a novel idea. Nurses and hairdressers carry personal liability insurance too.https://t.co/ISetoGXsMf — Alessandra Biaggi (@SenatorBiaggi) July 13, 2020
“Officers who have misconduct claims brought against them may see their premium go up and will be required to pay those costs,” Biaggi noted. “The purpose of this bill is to establish a financial disincentive for police misconduct and create accountability for abhorrent behavior.”
Another bill supported by New York lawmakers earlier this month would see officers lose their state pension and retirement benefits if they are fired for “serious” acts of misconduct.
“We are at a pivotal moment for anti-racist and police reform, and it is clear that law enforcement officers must face greater accountability,” said Senator Luis Sepulveda (D-Bronx). “Taxpayer dollars should not be funding public benefits for state employees who commit heinous or illegal actions.”
The push for mandatory police liability insurance for officers has been popular among various police accountability advocates, with everyone from leftists to libertarians supporting the demand as a common-sense way to prevent individual officers from abusing their authority while fleecing taxpayers in the process.
“If you were were a reckless driver, if you engaged in multiple instances of drunk driving or hitting civilians or motor vehicle homicides, your premiums would go sky high,” law professor Deborah Ramirez of Northeastern University told NPR last month. “And you would be priced out of driving. Similarly, officers who engage in reckless or dangerous behavior can be priced out of policing by high premiums that reflect the actual risk that they pose to us.”
The liability insurance approach would also act as a sort of early-warning system, she added.
“[W]e need some independent risk assessment here. Because they are public officers, because they do carry a badge and a gun, they should be subject to some risk assessment score card,” Ramirez explained. “And if the police won’t create it – because it’s very hard for the police to police themselves – then insurance companies can, and they do that in a number of contexts.”
Hairdressers, nurses, doctors, and lawyers are among some of occupations where personal liability insurance is required.
However, the idea of mandatory insurance for individual officers has been blocked in many of the places where it has been proposed – including in Minneapolis, whose murder at the hands of police on May 25 kicked off the recent weeks of protest and unrest. For Ramirez, the fault lies with the cop unions that have shielded officers from any form of accountability.
“It hasn’t become a reality because we have very politically powerful unions for whom this is something they care about a lot,” Ramirez said. “They want to be totally immunized from any responsibility – financial or job responsibility – for dangerous, reckless policing … But the moment is different now. The political calculus has changed.
“This is a moment when real reform can take place.”
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themindunleashed--2020-07-15--Double Meteor Showers to Dazzle July and August Skies

( TMU ) – While July started off with a penumbral eclipse of the Full Buck Moon , weather permitting , the skies will delight stargazers with overlapping meteor showers towards the end of the month when the Alpha Capricornids and the Delta Aquarids both peak from Tuesday evening , July 28 into Wednesday morning , July 29 .
The moon will be 66 % full at the time which could slightly dampen the brightness of the ‘ shooting stars ’ , but there could be around 20 shooting stars per hour , increasing the odds of seeing quite a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ active from July 3 through August 15 , 2020 .
The radiant lies in a blank area between the constellations of Capricornus .
Although these showers are not particularly strong and rarely produce more than five showers per hour , they are known to produce bright fireballs during its active periods .
With good visibility from both sides of the equator , the alpha Capricornids peak will be during the night of July 28 and morning of July 29 .
The delta Aquarids will be active from July 12 to August 23 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Skat or Delta in the constellation Aquarius , the Water Bearer .
The radiant is located lower in the southern sky and from the northern hemisphere resulting in fewer rates than seen from the southern hemisphere .
These meteors are usually faint without persistent trails and fireballs but do produce good rates for a week centered on the night of maximum .
The delta Aquarids peak with the alpha Capricornids on the night of July 28 and the morning of July 29 .
The Perseids , the most popular meteor shower , joins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 26 , 2020 , peaking in the northern hemisphere and reaching a strong maximum on August 12 or 13 where the showers will vary from 50-75 per hour at their maximum .
The Perseids , from where the meteors seem to radiate , is named after the constellation of Perseus the hero , and are particles released from the comet 109P/Swift/Tuttle .
The Perseids will peak on the night of August 11 and the morning of August 12 , 2020 with the moon 47 % full .
To get the most out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear and dark sky , away from the glow of city lights , so gather some friends and head for the countryside if you are able to .
Take something warm to wear , a blanket to lie on .
Between midnight and dawn is the best time .
And make sure you look towards the east .
Make sure you turn off all lights , including mobile phones and allow your eyes to adjust to the dark .
Allowing yourself a 20 to 30 minute adjustment time should do the trick .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ telescope as they will limit your field of vision .

(TMU) – While July started off with a penumbral eclipse of the Full Buck Moon, weather permitting, the skies will delight stargazers with overlapping meteor showers towards the end of the month when the Alpha Capricornids and the Delta Aquarids both peak from Tuesday evening, July 28 into Wednesday morning, July 29.
The moon will be 66% full at the time which could slightly dampen the brightness of the ‘shooting stars’, but there could be around 20 shooting stars per hour, increasing the odds of seeing quite a few.
The Alpha Capricornids, are active from July 3 through August 15, 2020. The radiant lies in a blank area between the constellations of Capricornus.
Although these showers are not particularly strong and rarely produce more than five showers per hour, they are known to produce bright fireballs during its active periods.
With good visibility from both sides of the equator, the alpha Capricornids peak will be during the night of July 28 and morning of July 29.
The delta Aquarids will be active from July 12 to August 23, 2020 and radiate from near the star Skat or Delta in the constellation Aquarius, the Water Bearer.
The radiant is located lower in the southern sky and from the northern hemisphere resulting in fewer rates than seen from the southern hemisphere.
These meteors are usually faint without persistent trails and fireballs but do produce good rates for a week centered on the night of maximum. The delta Aquarids peak with the alpha Capricornids on the night of July 28 and the morning of July 29.
The Perseids, the most popular meteor shower, joins the party from July 17 to August 26, 2020, peaking in the northern hemisphere and reaching a strong maximum on August 12 or 13 where the showers will vary from 50-75 per hour at their maximum.
The Perseids, from where the meteors seem to radiate, is named after the constellation of Perseus the hero, and are particles released from the comet 109P/Swift/Tuttle.
The Perseids will peak on the night of August 11 and the morning of August 12, 2020 with the moon 47% full.
To get the most out of watching meteor showers you definitely need a clear and dark sky, away from the glow of city lights, so gather some friends and head for the countryside if you are able to.
Take something warm to wear, a blanket to lie on. Between midnight and dawn is the best time. And make sure you look towards the east.
Make sure you turn off all lights, including mobile phones and allow your eyes to adjust to the dark. Allowing yourself a 20 to 30 minute adjustment time should do the trick. Don’t use binoculars or a telescope as they will limit your field of vision.
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themindunleashed--2020-07-16--Cop Threatens To Shoot Protesters If They Come To His House, Shoots Another Cop Instead

( TMU ) – Calvin “ Nick ” Salyers , an Arkansas police officer , allegedly shot and killed another officer who knocked on his door , just after bragging to co-workers that he would shoot any protesters who came to his house .
On June 3rd , fellow officer Scott Hutton arrived at Salyers ’ home to pick up a police car shortly after 7 p.m. Hutton texted Salyers to ask if he was awake but got no response , so he went to the front door and knocked .
For some reason , Salyers was paranoid about who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told his girlfriend , Ashlee Cummings , that he was going to see who it was .
Before answering the door , Salyers grabbed his gun .
When he looked out the peephole , he says that he saw a “ figure standing on his porch with a dark shirt and a gun on his hip.
” What happened next is still being investigated , but Salyers claims that he accidentally fired the gun while attempting to move it from his right to his left hand so he could open the door .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hit Hutton who instantly collapsed .
Salyer quickly realized that he had shot another officer and then called 911 to report the incident .
Hutton was rushed to a hospital where he died shortly after .
Other officers who investigated the scene noted that there was evidence that the gun was pressed against the door when it was fired and that Hutton was “ standing at an angle and not squarely facing the door.
” When Hutton was standing in front of the door , he was wearing his badge and while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have been easy to identify as a police officer .
Salyer also could have easily called out and asked Hutton to identify himself before pointing a loaded gun at the door with the safety off .
When the protests against police brutality began in Minneapolis began earlier this year , Salyers reportedly told his co-workers that he intended to “ shoot through the door ” at any protesters who came to his house .
His superiors reportedly heard about his remarks before the incident occurred and told him that taking such action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was told that it was against policy to fire his gun without first identifying himself as a police officer , according to Sgt .
Matt Wharton .
Unfortunately , Salyers did not take the advice that he was given , and was apparently eager to get in a gun battle with non-existent protesters outside of his house .
Alexander is a small town with a population of under 4,000 , and is an unlikely place for the type of riots that Salyers seemed to be fantasizing about .
Salyers was charged with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was set at $ 15,000 .
Salyers has been with the Alexander Police Department for about three years .
After the shooting , the Alexander Police Department announced Hutton ’ s death on their Facebook page and shared a fundraiser for the fallen officer ’ s family .
The announcement said that Hutton was killed “ in the line of duty , ” just after achieving his “ dream ” of becoming a cop .

(TMU) – Calvin “Nick” Salyers, an Arkansas police officer, allegedly shot and killed another officer who knocked on his door, just after bragging to co-workers that he would shoot any protesters who came to his house.
On June 3rd, fellow officer Scott Hutton arrived at Salyers’ home to pick up a police car shortly after 7 p.m. Hutton texted Salyers to ask if he was awake but got no response, so he went to the front door and knocked.
For some reason, Salyers was paranoid about who could be at the door, and told his girlfriend, Ashlee Cummings, that he was going to see who it was.
Before answering the door, Salyers grabbed his gun. When he looked out the peephole, he says that he saw a “figure standing on his porch with a dark shirt and a gun on his hip.”
What happened next is still being investigated, but Salyers claims that he accidentally fired the gun while attempting to move it from his right to his left hand so he could open the door.
The bullet shot through his front door and hit Hutton who instantly collapsed. Salyer quickly realized that he had shot another officer and then called 911 to report the incident. Hutton was rushed to a hospital where he died shortly after.
Other officers who investigated the scene noted that there was evidence that the gun was pressed against the door when it was fired and that Hutton was “standing at an angle and not squarely facing the door.”
When Hutton was standing in front of the door, he was wearing his badge and while he was not in uniform, he would have been easy to identify as a police officer. Salyer also could have easily called out and asked Hutton to identify himself before pointing a loaded gun at the door with the safety off.
When the protests against police brutality began in Minneapolis began earlier this year, Salyers reportedly told his co-workers that he intended to “shoot through the door” at any protesters who came to his house.
His superiors reportedly heard about his remarks before the incident occurred and told him that taking such action would be “reckless and negligent.” He was told that it was against policy to fire his gun without first identifying himself as a police officer, according to Sgt. Matt Wharton.
Unfortunately, Salyers did not take the advice that he was given, and was apparently eager to get in a gun battle with non-existent protesters outside of his house. Alexander is a small town with a population of under 4,000, and is an unlikely place for the type of riots that Salyers seemed to be fantasizing about.
Salyers was charged with manslaughter on Wednesday, and his bond was set at $15,000. Salyers has been with the Alexander Police Department for about three years.
After the shooting, the Alexander Police Department announced Hutton’s death on their Facebook page and shared a fundraiser for the fallen officer’s family. The announcement said that Hutton was killed “in the line of duty,” just after achieving his “dream” of becoming a cop.
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themindunleashed--2020-07-16--Astronomers Discover Four Never-Before-Seen Circular Radio Objects in Deep Space

( TMU ) – As much as astronomy has revealed to us about the universe , there is still much we don ’ t know and anomalous discoveries routinely remind scientists of this .
The newest discovery could be a totally brand-new type of astronomical object that is fascinating and a bit spooky .
Astronomers have discovered four rings , called “ odd radio circles , ” or ORCs , that so far have defied explanation or description .
We don ’ t know how big the objects are , how far away they are , or how they formed-all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visible at radio wavelengths , where they are very bright at the edges .
The ORCs are totally invisible when viewed with the visible , infrared , and X-ray wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum .
The paper describing this phenomenon , which was submitted for publication to the journal Nature Astronomy , offers explanations for ORCs but also methodically rules them out .
So far , supernovas , star-forming galaxies , planetary nebulas , and gravitational lensing have all been excluded as possible explanations .
Two of the ORCs appear to contain central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wavelengths ; scientists speculate those rings could be connected to some kind of local galactic phenomena .
The other two ORCs share close physical proximity and so could be interconnected in some way .
Astronomer Kristine Spekkens at the Royal Military College of Canada and Queen ’ s University says , “ [ The objects ] may well point to a new phenomenon that we haven ’ t really probed yet .
It may also be that these are an extension of a previously known class of objects that we haven ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have speculated the ring-shaped islands in deep space could be the result of shockwaves or radio galaxies .
Astronomers discovered the ORCs while working on another project , the Evolutionary Map of the Universe ( EMU ) , which is a map of radio frequencies in space .
The EMU pilot survey employs the Australian Square Kilometer Array Pathfinder , or ASKAP , a radio telescope network of 36 dish antennas which are collectively generating a wide-angle view of the night sky and which scientists expect will identify 70 million new radio objects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indication of the shape of things to come in radio astronomy in the next couple of years , ” Spekkens added .
“ History shows us that when we open up a new [ avenue of looking at ] space to explore … we always find new and exciting things.
” The discovery comes right at a time when astronomers are still struggling to understand more about another space radio anomaly , the Fast Radio Bursts , or FRBs , that spew incomprehensible amounts of energy in concentrated beams across the universe .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ specious murmurs of advanced extraterrestrial life–anytime scientists discover something in space that defies explanation , we will have to wait substantially longer to learn what both ORCs and FRBs really are .

(TMU) – As much as astronomy has revealed to us about the universe, there is still much we don’t know and anomalous discoveries routinely remind scientists of this. The newest discovery could be a totally brand-new type of astronomical object that is fascinating and a bit spooky.
Astronomers have discovered four rings, called “odd radio circles,” or ORCs, that so far have defied explanation or description. We don’t know how big the objects are, how far away they are, or how they formed-all we know is that they are only visible at radio wavelengths, where they are very bright at the edges. The ORCs are totally invisible when viewed with the visible, infrared, and X-ray wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum.
The paper describing this phenomenon, which was submitted for publication to the journal Nature Astronomy, offers explanations for ORCs but also methodically rules them out. So far, supernovas, star-forming galaxies, planetary nebulas, and gravitational lensing have all been excluded as possible explanations.
Two of the ORCs appear to contain central galaxies that can be seen at visible wavelengths; scientists speculate those rings could be connected to some kind of local galactic phenomena. The other two ORCs share close physical proximity and so could be interconnected in some way.
Astronomer Kristine Spekkens at the Royal Military College of Canada and Queen’s University says,
“[The objects] may well point to a new phenomenon that we haven’t really probed yet. It may also be that these are an extension of a previously known class of objects that we haven’t been able to explore.”
Other astronomers have speculated the ring-shaped islands in deep space could be the result of shockwaves or radio galaxies.
Astronomers discovered the ORCs while working on another project, the Evolutionary Map of the Universe (EMU), which is a map of radio frequencies in space. The EMU pilot survey employs the Australian Square Kilometer Array Pathfinder, or ASKAP, a radio telescope network of 36 dish antennas which are collectively generating a wide-angle view of the night sky and which scientists expect will identify 70 million new radio objects.
“This is a really nice indication of the shape of things to come in radio astronomy in the next couple of years,” Spekkens added. “History shows us that when we open up a new [avenue of looking at] space to explore … we always find new and exciting things.”
The discovery comes right at a time when astronomers are still struggling to understand more about another space radio anomaly, the Fast Radio Bursts, or FRBs, that spew incomprehensible amounts of energy in concentrated beams across the universe. While there are many outlandish speculations–including often specious murmurs of advanced extraterrestrial life–anytime scientists discover something in space that defies explanation, we will have to wait substantially longer to learn what both ORCs and FRBs really are.
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themindunleashed--2020-07-16--Collapsing Birth Rates to Have ‘Jaw-Dropping’ Global Impact On Population Size, Study Finds

( TMU ) – Researchers are decrying collapsing birth rates around the world , which they warn will result in profound social change if governments don ’ t roll out new reproductive health policies .
Spain , Japan , Portugal and Thailand are among the 23 countries that could see their populations more than half in a “ jaw-dropping ” trend .
While the global population is expected to peak at about 9.7 billion around 2064 , the population will fall to 8.8 by the end of the 21st century .
“ That ’ s a pretty big thing ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ natural population decline , ” Professor Christopher Murray told BBC News .
“ I think it ’ s incredibly hard to think this through and recognize how big a thing this is ; it ’ s extraordinary , we ’ ll have to reorganize societies , ” he added .
According to a new study by researchers from the University of Washington Institute for Health Metrics and published in peer-reviewed medical journal The Lancet , fertility rates are presently in freefall – and the rate is expected to fall even faster in coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average number of children women give birth to , are a key indicator for population stability .
When the number falls below an average of 2.1 , populations start to shrink .
And while women gave birth to an average of 4.7 children in 1950 , the birth rate has nearly halved to 2.4 in 2017 .
However , by 2100 it is expected to fall under to under 1.7 .
“ That is jaw-dropping , ” Murray remarked about the projections .
China , which is currently the most populous nation in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 1.4 people in four years before sharply dropping off to 732 million by 2100 .
India , in the meantime , will rise to become the most populous nation .
In Japan , population could drop from a peak of 128 million in 2017 to under 53 million by the end of the century .
Italy , too , will face a sharp fall from 61 million to 28 million .
And while some might assume that a smaller population might be better for the environment , the societal impact of collapsing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a smaller human footprint in the world .
“ That would be true except for the inverted age structure ( more old people than young people ) and all the uniformly negative consequences of an inverted age structure , ” Murray said .
“ It will create enormous social change , ” he added .
“ It makes me worried because I have an eight-year-old daughter and I wonder what the world will be like.
” Indeed , with a shrinking population governments will face mounting healthcare costs and a decreased ability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressures to not retire , and a shrinking tax revenue base for cash-strapped governments .
Japan , for example , has long struggled to remain competitive as its workforce continues to decline and spending on senior citizens has risen .
As a result , the government has raised the retirement age from 60 to anywhere between 65 and 71 as the shrinking population rapidly ages .
According to researchers , one reason why fertility has declined and population growth has slowed is because women are getting better reproductive health education and increased access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decline is likely to become an overriding policy concern in many nations , but must not compromise efforts to enhance women ’ s reproductive health or progress on women ’ s rights , ” said Professor Stein Emil Vollset .
Researchers recommend that countries facing a decline should roll out new policies that both improve female reproductive health and also help boost fertility rates .
And while countries in the developed Global North have offset their falling population number and shrinking labor pool by relying on immigrants from the South , this fails @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ fertility rates are dropping .
“ We will go from the period where it ’ s a choice to open borders , or not , to frank competition for migrants , as there won ’ t be enough , ” argues Prof Murray .
As a result , we could see a future where borders begin to fade away as wage-earners and laborers become increasingly scarce .
“ If these predictions are even half accurate , migration will become a necessity for all nations and not an option , ” said Professor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UCL ) .
“ To be successful we need a fundamental rethink of global politics , ” he added .
“ The distribution of working-age populations will be crucial to whether humanity prospers or withers.
” It ’ s also a mistake to assume that a shrunken population size will somehow mean more material prosperity for the rest of us – and a new approach is needed if we are to save ourselves from disappearing .
“ I find people laugh it off ; they can ’ t imagine it could be true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have more kids , ” Murray said .
“ If you can ’ t [ find a solution ] then eventually the species disappears , but that ’ s a few centuries away .
”

(TMU) – Researchers are decrying collapsing birth rates around the world, which they warn will result in profound social change if governments don’t roll out new reproductive health policies.
Spain, Japan, Portugal and Thailand are among the 23 countries that could see their populations more than half in a “jaw-dropping” trend.
While the global population is expected to peak at about 9.7 billion around 2064, the population will fall to 8.8 by the end of the 21st century.
“That’s a pretty big thing; most of the world is transitioning into natural population decline,” Professor Christopher Murray told BBC News.
“I think it’s incredibly hard to think this through and recognize how big a thing this is; it’s extraordinary, we’ll have to reorganize societies,” he added.
According to a new study by researchers from the University of Washington Institute for Health Metrics and published in peer-reviewed medical journal The Lancet, fertility rates are presently in freefall – and the rate is expected to fall even faster in coming decades.
Fertility rates, or the average number of children women give birth to, are a key indicator for population stability. When the number falls below an average of 2.1, populations start to shrink.
And while women gave birth to an average of 4.7 children in 1950, the birth rate has nearly halved to 2.4 in 2017. However, by 2100 it is expected to fall under to under 1.7.
“That is jaw-dropping,” Murray remarked about the projections.
China, which is currently the most populous nation in the world, is expected to peak at 1.4 people in four years before sharply dropping off to 732 million by 2100. India, in the meantime, will rise to become the most populous nation.
In Japan, population could drop from a peak of 128 million in 2017 to under 53 million by the end of the century.
Italy, too, will face a sharp fall from 61 million to 28 million.
And while some might assume that a smaller population might be better for the environment, the societal impact of collapsing birth rates will offset any imagined benefits of a smaller human footprint in the world.
“That would be true except for the inverted age structure (more old people than young people) and all the uniformly negative consequences of an inverted age structure,” Murray said.
“It will create enormous social change,” he added. “It makes me worried because I have an eight-year-old daughter and I wonder what the world will be like.”
Indeed, with a shrinking population governments will face mounting healthcare costs and a decreased ability to care for the elderly, sharper pressures to not retire, and a shrinking tax revenue base for cash-strapped governments.
Japan, for example, has long struggled to remain competitive as its workforce continues to decline and spending on senior citizens has risen. As a result, the government has raised the retirement age from 60 to anywhere between 65 and 71 as the shrinking population rapidly ages.
According to researchers, one reason why fertility has declined and population growth has slowed is because women are getting better reproductive health education and increased access to contraceptives.
“Responding to population decline is likely to become an overriding policy concern in many nations, but must not compromise efforts to enhance women’s reproductive health or progress on women’s rights,” said Professor Stein Emil Vollset.
Researchers recommend that countries facing a decline should roll out new policies that both improve female reproductive health and also help boost fertility rates.
“We need a soft landing,” Murray said.
And while countries in the developed Global North have offset their falling population number and shrinking labor pool by relying on immigrants from the South, this fails to provide a solution when most countries’ fertility rates are dropping.
“We will go from the period where it’s a choice to open borders, or not, to frank competition for migrants, as there won’t be enough,” argues Prof Murray.
As a result, we could see a future where borders begin to fade away as wage-earners and laborers become increasingly scarce.
“If these predictions are even half accurate, migration will become a necessity for all nations and not an option,” said Professor Ibrahim Abubakar of University College London (UCL).
“To be successful we need a fundamental rethink of global politics,” he added.
“The distribution of working-age populations will be crucial to whether humanity prospers or withers.”
It’s also a mistake to assume that a shrunken population size will somehow mean more material prosperity for the rest of us – and a new approach is needed if we are to save ourselves from disappearing.
“I find people laugh it off; they can’t imagine it could be true, they think women will just decide to have more kids,” Murray said.
“If you can’t [find a solution] then eventually the species disappears, but that’s a few centuries away.”
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themindunleashed--2020-07-15--Hackers Take Over Apple, Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Obama and Biden Accounts In Largest-Ever Twitter Sca

Hackers Take Over Apple, Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Obama and Biden Accounts In Largest-Ever Twitter Scam

( TMU ) – A surprisingly large number of high-profile Twitter accounts ranging from Barack Obama to Elon Musk and Kanye West were hacked Wednesday in an apparent Bitcoin scam that fooled online users into handing over at least $ 130,000 .
The official Twitter accounts of Apple , Uber , and Square ’ s Cash App were hacked in the cryptocurrency scam , as were accounts belonging to billionaires Bill Gates , Jeff Bezos , Warren Buffet , Mike Bloomberg and Elon Musk .
Rapper Kanye West , former U.S. President Barack Obama , and Democratic presidential candidate Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Each of the Twitter accounts have millions of followers .
In various tweets , the accounts posted messages requesting that followers send USD $ 1,000 in Bitcoin to specific web addresses , after which they would get double the contribution in return .
“ Everyone is asking me to give back , and now is the time , ” a tweet from Microsoft CEO and philanthroper Bill Gates ’ s account said .
“ You send $ 1,000 , I send you back $ 2,000.
” In another tweet from Elon Musk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ users were urged to send $ 1,000 to his digital wallet in “ the next hour ” to double their funds .
“ I ’ m feeling generous because of Covid-19 , ” the tweet said , along with a URL where users could send their Bitcoins .
The scam is a common tactic used to rob people of money on the basis of false promises to send a larger sum in return , notes Business Insider .
In the short time that the malicious tweets were online , the address displayed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributions , according to Bitcoin transaction receipts – equaling over 11 bitcoins .
About 320 transactions were listed on the account .
However , the transactions may have been carried out with scammers themselves to grant their account more legitimacy in the eyes of visitors .
Many of the scam tweets were deleted within minutes of being posted , but the scam tweets were reposted moments later .
When Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao attempted to warn followers that the tweets were a scam , his account was revealed to also have been compromised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports The Block .
A campaign aide for Biden said that the candidate ’ s account was “ locked down ” immediately .
“ We remain in touch with Twitter on the matter , ” the aide told CNN .
A spokesperson for Bill Gates also described the incident as “ part of a larger issue that Twitter is facing.
” In a tweet , Twitter ’ s support account said : “ We are aware of a security incident impacting accounts on Twitter .
We are investigating and taking steps to fix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The messages appeared after major cryptocurrency companies also shared malicious links .
Affected entities include KUCOIN , Binance , and Gemini , according to MalwareTech blog .
The website that users were directed to , titled CryptoForHealth , was pulled offline shortly after the malicious tweets were posted .
MalwareTech also speculated that the accounts were likely made vulnerable through third-party apps rather than directly through the Twitter platform .
Due to the large amount of high-profile accounts impacted in Wednesday ’ s attack , the event may be the largest security @ @ @ @ @ @ @

(TMU) – A surprisingly large number of high-profile Twitter accounts ranging from Barack Obama to Elon Musk and Kanye West were hacked Wednesday in an apparent Bitcoin scam that fooled online users into handing over at least $130,000.
The official Twitter accounts of Apple, Uber, and Square’s Cash App were hacked in the cryptocurrency scam, as were accounts belonging to billionaires Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Warren Buffet, Mike Bloomberg and Elon Musk.
Rapper Kanye West, former U.S. President Barack Obama, and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden also fell prey to the hackers.
Each of the Twitter accounts have millions of followers.
In various tweets, the accounts posted messages requesting that followers send USD $1,000 in Bitcoin to specific web addresses, after which they would get double the contribution in return.
“Everyone is asking me to give back, and now is the time,” a tweet from Microsoft CEO and philanthroper Bill Gates’s account said. “You send $1,000, I send you back $2,000.”
In another tweet from Elon Musk, the Tesla and SpaceX founder, users were urged to send $1,000 to his digital wallet in “the next hour” to double their funds.
“I’m feeling generous because of Covid-19,” the tweet said, along with a URL where users could send their Bitcoins.
The scam is a common tactic used to rob people of money on the basis of false promises to send a larger sum in return, notes Business Insider.
In the short time that the malicious tweets were online, the address displayed in the tweets garnered about $113,000 in contributions, according to Bitcoin transaction receipts – equaling over 11 bitcoins. About 320 transactions were listed on the account.
However, the transactions may have been carried out with scammers themselves to grant their account more legitimacy in the eyes of visitors.
Many of the scam tweets were deleted within minutes of being posted, but the scam tweets were reposted moments later.
When Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao attempted to warn followers that the tweets were a scam, his account was revealed to also have been compromised when hackers quickly deleted his warning, reports The Block.
A campaign aide for Biden said that the candidate’s account was “locked down” immediately. “We remain in touch with Twitter on the matter,” the aide told CNN.
A spokesperson for Bill Gates also described the incident as “part of a larger issue that Twitter is facing.”
We are aware of a security incident impacting accounts on Twitter. We are investigating and taking steps to fix it. We will update everyone shortly. — Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) July 15, 2020
In a tweet, Twitter’s support account said: “We are aware of a security incident impacting accounts on Twitter. We are investigating and taking steps to fix it. We will update everyone shortly.”
The messages appeared after major cryptocurrency companies also shared malicious links. Affected entities include KUCOIN, Binance, and Gemini, according to MalwareTech blog. The website that users were directed to, titled CryptoForHealth, was pulled offline shortly after the malicious tweets were posted.
MalwareTech also speculated that the accounts were likely made vulnerable through third-party apps rather than directly through the Twitter platform.
A bunch of high profile cryptocurrency Twitter accounts have been hijacked to tweet bitcoin scams. Likely a 3rd party App compromise rather that Twitter itself. Wallet has received ~$6000. pic.twitter.com/D8MiXrz9ml — MalwareTech (@MalwareTechBlog) July 15, 2020
Due to the large amount of high-profile accounts impacted in Wednesday’s attack, the event may be the largest security incident in Twitter’s history.
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themindunleashed--2020-07-15--87 People Arrested on Felony Charges in Peaceful Protest Demanding Justice for Breonna Taylor

( TMU ) – Nearly 90 people were arrested and now face felony charges after refusing to disperse in a protest demanding justice for Breonna Taylor – a 26-year-old Black woman who was shot to death in her home by Louisville police – that ended on the lawn of Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron .
Demonstrators now face one to five years in prison if they are convicted on felony charges under Kentucky law .
By all accounts , the protest was peaceful as over 100 community members gathered near Ballard High School in Louisville , Kentucky , and began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s home , reports WLKY .
Community members were marching to demand that officials charge the three Louisville officers who shot Taylor to death in March while executing a no-knock search warrant at her home .
Participants in the march organized by advocacy group Until Freedom included NFL wide receiver Kenny Stills , Minneapolis NAACP President Leslie Redmond , and “ Real Housewives of Atlanta ” actress Porsha Williams , reports the Louisville Courier Journal .
As protesters began arriving in Cameron ’ s neighborhood , some began sitting and standing on Cameron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call the police and demand that they be removed from his front yard .
When protesters were told to leave by police , many peacefully disobeyed and were arrested without incident .
87 demonstrators , including Stills and Redmond , were all charged with felonies and two misdemeanors .
“ Due to their refusal to leave the property and their attempts to influence the decision of the Attorney General with their actions , each person was charged with Intimidating a Participant in a Legal Process , ” the spokesperson said .
“ They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , both misdemeanors.
” While one might assume that the act of protesting a public official is a right granted to citizens under the U.S. Constitution , the state of Kentucky considers intimidating a participant in a legal process to be a Class D felony that carries a sentence of up to five years .
In a tweet , the local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union ( ACLU ) blasted the arrests as an “ overblown , outrageous , and inappropriate reaction to a community that is rightfully upset with [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accountable.
” “ The only purpose these charges serve is to potentially chill the free speech rights of protesters , ” the Kentucky ACLU added .
However , in a statement to WAVE 3 Cameron accused demonstrators of trying to “ escalate ” the situation and “ further division and tension within our community ” by demanding that the police who murdered Breonna Taylor be held accountable for their crimes .
“ Justice is not achieved by trespassing on private property , and it ’ s not achieved through escalation , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by examining the facts in an impartial and unbiased manner .
That is exactly what we are doing and will continue to do in this investigation.
” Taylor , a certified emergency medical technician , was killed in her home on March 13 when three plainclothes cops broke into her home with a no-knock warrant while she was asleep .
Police claim that they knocked and announced their presence before forcefully entering her apartment , and only began firing into the home when they were “ immediately met by gunfire ” from Taylor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , Walker maintains that he only fired his weapon at the officers when they broke into the home without identifying themselves .
The undercover officers fired over 20 shots into the apartment , eight of which struck Taylor .
Protesters have been demanding justice from authorities in the Southern state since Taylor ’ s death .
The murder of Breonna Taylor has also come under renewed scrutiny and become the focus of intensified community mobilizations since the shocking May 25 killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police , which set in motion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police brutality .
Since Taylor ’ s death at police hands , Louisville has banned no-knock warrants in a bill named “ Breonna ’ s Law , ” WLKY reports .
Brett Hankison of the Louisville police was terminated June 23 , over three months after the killing of Taylor , following a review of the deadly incident .
According to Interim Police Chief Robert Schroeder , Hankison violated deadly force protocols when he blindly unloaded his gun into Taylor ’ s apartment without prior knowledge or evidence that the situation required it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killing , Myles Cosgrove and Jonathan Mattingly , remain on the force but have been placed on administrative leave .

(TMU) – Nearly 90 people were arrested and now face felony charges after refusing to disperse in a protest demanding justice for Breonna Taylor – a 26-year-old Black woman who was shot to death in her home by Louisville police – that ended on the lawn of Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron.
Demonstrators now face one to five years in prison if they are convicted on felony charges under Kentucky law.
By all accounts, the protest was peaceful as over 100 community members gathered near Ballard High School in Louisville, Kentucky, and began marching to the conservative attorney general’s home, reports WLKY. Community members were marching to demand that officials charge the three Louisville officers who shot Taylor to death in March while executing a no-knock search warrant at her home.
Participants in the march organized by advocacy group Until Freedom included NFL wide receiver Kenny Stills, Minneapolis NAACP President Leslie Redmond, and “Real Housewives of Atlanta” actress Porsha Williams, reports the Louisville Courier Journal.
As protesters began arriving in Cameron’s neighborhood, some began sitting and standing on Cameron’s lawn, prompting him to call the police and demand that they be removed from his front yard.
When protesters were told to leave by police, many peacefully disobeyed and were arrested without incident. 87 demonstrators, including Stills and Redmond, were all charged with felonies and two misdemeanors.
As we previously reported, many people were arrested yesterday during a peaceful protest for #BreonnaTaylor ? Kenny Stills, a WR for the NFL's Houston Texans, is among the 87 protesters facing felony charges after being arrested Tuesday at a protest in Louisville. pic.twitter.com/xOtt3JzlTe — My Mixtapez (@mymixtapez) July 15, 2020
“Due to their refusal to leave the property and their attempts to influence the decision of the Attorney General with their actions, each person was charged with Intimidating a Participant in a Legal Process,” the spokesperson said. “They also face disorderly conduct and trespassing charges, both misdemeanors.”
While one might assume that the act of protesting a public official is a right granted to citizens under the U.S. Constitution, the state of Kentucky considers intimidating a participant in a legal process to be a Class D felony that carries a sentence of up to five years.
In a tweet, the local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) blasted the arrests as an “overblown, outrageous, and inappropriate reaction to a community that is rightfully upset with [government] delay in holding the police accountable.”
“The only purpose these charges serve is to potentially chill the free speech rights of protesters,” the Kentucky ACLU added.
This is an overblown, outrageous, and inappropriate reaction to a community that is rightfully upset with govt delay in holding the police accountable. The only purpose these charges serve is to potentially chill the free speech rights of protesters #JusticeForBreonna https://t.co/fLPFV7fx6c — ACLU of Kentucky (@ACLUofKY) July 15, 2020
However, in a statement to WAVE 3 Cameron accused demonstrators of trying to “escalate” the situation and “further division and tension within our community” by demanding that the police who killed Breonna Taylor be held accountable for their crimes.
“Justice is not achieved by trespassing on private property, and it’s not achieved through escalation,” he said. “It’s achieved by examining the facts in an impartial and unbiased manner. That is exactly what we are doing and will continue to do in this investigation.”
Taylor, a certified emergency medical technician, was killed in her home on March 13 when three plainclothes cops broke into her home with a no-knock warrant while she was asleep.
Police claim that they knocked and announced their presence before forcefully entering her apartment, and only began firing into the home when they were “immediately met by gunfire” from Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker.
However, Walker maintains that he only fired his weapon at the officers when they broke into the home without identifying themselves.
87 peaceful protesters arrested for demanding justice for Breonna Taylor and charged with felonies. 0 of Breonna Taylor’s killers arrested. 0 charged. How is this justice? Call Louisville’s Dept. of Corrections and tell them to release EVERY peaceful protester: 502-574-8477 — Grassroots Law Project (@grassroots_law) July 15, 2020
The undercover officers fired over 20 shots into the apartment, eight of which struck Taylor.
Protesters have been demanding justice from authorities in the Southern state since Taylor’s death. The killing of Breonna Taylor has also come under renewed scrutiny and become the focus of intensified community mobilizations since the shocking May 25 killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, which set in motion a nationwide movement against racial injustice and police brutality.
Since Taylor’s death at police hands, Louisville has banned no-knock warrants in a bill named “Breonna’s Law,” WLKY reports.
Brett Hankison of the Louisville police was terminated June 23, over three months after the killing of Taylor, following a review of the deadly incident. According to Interim Police Chief Robert Schroeder, Hankison violated deadly force protocols when he blindly unloaded his gun into Taylor’s apartment without prior knowledge or evidence that the situation required it.
Two other officers involved in the killing, Myles Cosgrove and Jonathan Mattingly, remain on the force but have been placed on administrative leave.
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themindunleashed--2020-07-15--Teens Dress as Mask-Wearing Grannies to Buy Booze in New TikTok ‘Challenge’

( TMU ) – We may be in the throes of a deadly global pandemic , but teens are still going to do what they can to buy alcohol .
And while millenials and Gen X ’ ers relied on fake IDs , older friends or “ shoulder-tapping ” to score booze , Generation Z youth are using coronavirus face masks to pretend that they are elderly grandmothers and trick unsuspecting liquor stores into selling them alcohol , reports New York Post .
“ Now that we have to wear masks , this is the best time to buy alcohol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 80 ’ s , ” comedian Jason Lawhead wrote in a Tweet .
It ’ s now become the latest trend on the Gen-Z-dominated social media platform TikTok , where kids in viral videos are donning everything from babushka scarves to walking aids in a bid to score some booze .
And judging by the millions of views they ’ re racking up – and the bottles they ’ re joyously dancing with – they seem to have struck gold .
And while underage drinking and the culture of binge-drinking in general shouldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t help but salute the valiant efforts of today ’ s kids .
“ I hope lots of teens are out there illegally buying alcohol with face masks on , confidently not looking at all like their fake ID , ” user @ dannyfailure wrote .
In one TikTok video that already has 1.5 million views , a blond girl can be seen applying “ wrinkles ” to her face with the assistance of makeup .
The teen can then be seen using a walker to straggle through a parking lot , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s clad in a frumpy sweater , khaki pants , wire-rimmed glasses and a facial covering .
Calling the incident a “ prank , ” the TikToker explained that the exploit took place in California .
She explained that she “ tried to talk as little as possible but she was like a little croaky ” – and apparently the prank was a success , because not only was she not asked to show her identification but the liquor store owner was even “ worried she wouldn ’ t b [ e ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ herself.
” In another video that ’ s racked up millions of views , a teen girl can be seen sporting a gray wig , glasses , and a less-than-convincing Halloween mask .
However , once she dons her full get up – including her surgical mask – the octogenarian disguise suddenly works .
In the clip , the girl can be seen coming back from the supermarket with cans of Four Loko and she and her friends dance .
And in one of the best examples of the viral prank , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gaudy costume jewelry can be seen walking into a wine shop before she later twerks on the side of the road while happily clutching bottles of wine .
Another video shows a blonde girl accompanying her “ granny ” at a convenience store .
The blonde girl wonders if the sign reading “ No ID , no purchase ” will actually be enforced and expresses doubts about whether her friend clad in the granny costume will succeed .
“ Oh , my God , it worked !
” the blonde girl later exclaims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the car with a 1.5-liter bottle of vodka .

(TMU) – We may be in the throes of a deadly global pandemic, but teens are still going to do what they can to buy alcohol.
And while millenials and Gen X’ers relied on fake IDs, older friends or “shoulder-tapping” to score booze, Generation Z youth are using coronavirus face masks to pretend that they are elderly grandmothers and trick unsuspecting liquor stores into selling them alcohol, reports New York Post.
“Now that we have to wear masks, this is the best time to buy alcohol with a fake ID since the early 80’s,” comedian Jason Lawhead wrote in a Tweet.
It’s now become the latest trend on the Gen-Z-dominated social media platform TikTok, where kids in viral videos are donning everything from babushka scarves to walking aids in a bid to score some booze. And judging by the millions of views they’re racking up – and the bottles they’re joyously dancing with – they seem to have struck gold.
And while underage drinking and the culture of binge-drinking in general shouldn’t be condoned, we can’t help but salute the valiant efforts of today’s kids.
“I hope lots of teens are out there illegally buying alcohol with face masks on, confidently not looking at all like their fake ID,” user @dannyfailure wrote.
In one TikTok video that already has 1.5 million views, a blond girl can be seen applying “wrinkles” to her face with the assistance of makeup. The teen can then be seen using a walker to straggle through a parking lot, bottle in hand, as she’s clad in a frumpy sweater, khaki pants, wire-rimmed glasses and a facial covering.
Calling the incident a “prank,” the TikToker explained that the exploit took place in California. She explained that she “tried to talk as little as possible but she was like a little croaky” – and apparently the prank was a success, because not only was she not asked to show her identification but the liquor store owner was even “worried she wouldn’t b[e] able to carry [the bottles] herself.”
In another video that’s racked up millions of views, a teen girl can be seen sporting a gray wig, glasses, and a less-than-convincing Halloween mask. However, once she dons her full get up – including her surgical mask – the octogenarian disguise suddenly works. In the clip, the girl can be seen coming back from the supermarket with cans of Four Loko and she and her friends dance.
And in one of the best examples of the viral prank, a brunette teen sporting a babushka headscarf and gaudy costume jewelry can be seen walking into a wine shop before she later twerks on the side of the road while happily clutching bottles of wine.
Another video shows a blonde girl accompanying her “granny” at a convenience store. The blonde girl wonders if the sign reading “No ID, no purchase” will actually be enforced and expresses doubts about whether her friend clad in the granny costume will succeed.
“Oh, my God, it worked!” the blonde girl later exclaims says as she and her friend return to the car with a 1.5-liter bottle of vodka.
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themindunleashed--2020-07-15--Cop Arrested After Video Caught Him Torturing Man Having ‘Diabetic Event’ During Traffic Stop

( TMU ) – This past January , three deputies with the St. Johns County Sheriff ’ s Office in Florida were placed on administrative leave after shocking video recorded by a witness showed them viciously beating and tasing 30-year-old Christopher Butler during a routine traffic stop .
While police alleged that Butler was under the influence of PCP , Butler ’ s attorney maintained that he was instead unable to comply with police commands because he was suffering from a diabetic event .
And now , as video from the incident has made the rounds and shocked local officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved has been fired and is now facing criminal charges for aggravated battery .
Former St. Johns County deputy Anthony DeLeo , 51 , could be seen in the video savagely kicking and beating the unnamed and desperate young Christopher Butler on the night of Dec. 29 , 2019 .
Butler had been driving erratically on the highway before being pulled over in a Winn Dixie shopping center by a Florida Highway Patrolman ( FHP ) .
At that point , the FHP trooper hit him with a taser while St. Johns County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on him .
Butler can barely remember the events that happened that night .
However , he does know that officers “ asked me to open the door and they started beating me.
” “ It ’ s just so abusive and it just goes on for so long , ” attorney John Phillips , who represented Butler , told News4Jax in January .
“ They just kicked him and used a baton and tased him over and over.
” Butler not only suffered a fractured nose but also a fractured scapula and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a witness was also able to capture cell phone video of the altercation before handing it over to Butler ’ s mother , Teri Morgenstern , who passed it along to the media .
Following the incident , the Sheriff ’ s Office claimed that he was under the influence of PCP during the arrest .
However , this proved to be false .
“ He was not high on PCP and any statement to that effect is going to result in defamation , ” Phillips said .
“ He was having , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or blood sugar event throughout the course of this .
Regardless , even if he was hopped up on whatever , you can ’ t just beat somebody because they ’ re high on drugs.
” The sheer brutality on display in the video compelled investigators to determine that a “ gratuitous amount of force ” was used .
It also convinced Sheriff David Shoar to file criminal charges of aggravated battery against his former deputy , reports The Florida Times-Union .
“ Based on the actions of ( DeLeo ) , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extent of injuries sustained by the victim ; probable cause was established for the charge of aggravated battery , ” the warrant affidavit read .
According to the sheriff ’ s report , Butler was hit 19 times , kicked twice in the head , and tased twice in the span of only three minutes and 44 seconds .
For Butler ’ s mother , just watching the video is painful .
For her , what her son went through “ wasn ’ t a beating – that was torture , ” Morgenstern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was sick , ” she added .
“ He needed help .
He didn ’ t get that .
Instead , he got tortured.
” “ They kneed Christopher in the face and punched him in the face inside the car , ” she explained .
“ And our video shows once they had him on the ground they started kicking him in the face .
They beat him so many times with the baton .
They kept punching and my kid ended up at the hospital in critical care.
” Morgenstern is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tormented her son is facing criminal charges , but she remains adamant that he shouldn ’ t be hired in a neighboring county where he can continue abusing civilians under color of authority .
“ I ’ m grateful , I ’ m happy , ” Morgenstern said .
“ This is one step closer to showing police brutality exists in every state in every county .
It doesn ’ t matter your race , it happens .
And we need to get this out there so it doesn ’ t happen to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t want [ DeLeon ] to leave this county and go to Duval and become an officer there tomorrow because they can if we don ’ t go get his certification , ” she continued .
“ I want his certification gone .
I don ’ t want it to be your child or your child or another one of my children to be beaten—savagely beaten , like he beat Christopher.
” “ They beat him like he was nothing .
Like he wasn ’ t a human being , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facing criminal charges for the incident , former Deputy Joseph McGinnis was also fired for failing to intervene and stop the beating , while their supervisor also faced a reprimand for failing to question deputies over their account of what happened and simply signing off on it .
Butler ’ s attorney , John Philips , specializes in police brutality cases – and sadly , his client ’ s case is all too typical of local law enforcement .
In statement , Phillips said : “ Other officers must be charged as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is the start of justice , but only a small step .
This was abuse .
It took too long to label it as so and we pray DeLeo is held fully accountable .
”

(TMU) – This past January, three deputies with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office in Florida were placed on administrative leave after shocking video recorded by a witness showed them viciously beating and tasing 30-year-old Christopher Butler during a routine traffic stop.
While police alleged that Butler was under the influence of PCP, Butler’s attorney maintained that he was instead unable to comply with police commands because he was suffering from a diabetic event.
And now, as video from the incident has made the rounds and shocked local officials and citizens, one of the cops involved has been fired and is now facing criminal charges for aggravated battery.
Former St. Johns County deputy Anthony DeLeo, 51, could be seen in the video savagely kicking and beating the unnamed and desperate young Christopher Butler on the night of Dec. 29, 2019. Butler had been driving erratically on the highway before being pulled over in a Winn Dixie shopping center by a Florida Highway Patrolman (FHP).
At that point, the FHP trooper hit him with a taser while St. Johns County Sheriff’s deputies unleashed their attack on him.
Butler can barely remember the events that happened that night. However, he does know that officers “asked me to open the door and they started beating me.”
“It’s just so abusive and it just goes on for so long,” attorney John Phillips, who represented Butler, told News4Jax in January. “They just kicked him and used a baton and tased him over and over.”
Butler not only suffered a fractured nose but also a fractured scapula and humerus from the incident.
Fortunately, a witness was also able to capture cell phone video of the altercation before handing it over to Butler’s mother, Teri Morgenstern, who passed it along to the media.
Following the incident, the Sheriff’s Office claimed that he was under the influence of PCP during the arrest. However, this proved to be false.
“He was not high on PCP and any statement to that effect is going to result in defamation,” Phillips said. “He was having, as we understand it, a diabetic or blood sugar event throughout the course of this. Regardless, even if he was hopped up on whatever, you can’t just beat somebody because they’re high on drugs.”
The sheer brutality on display in the video compelled investigators to determine that a “gratuitous amount of force” was used. It also convinced Sheriff David Shoar to file criminal charges of aggravated battery against his former deputy, reports The Florida Times-Union.
“Based on the actions of (DeLeo), the gratuitous amount of force applied and the extent of injuries sustained by the victim; probable cause was established for the charge of aggravated battery,” the warrant affidavit read.
According to the sheriff’s report, Butler was hit 19 times, kicked twice in the head, and tased twice in the span of only three minutes and 44 seconds.
For Butler’s mother, just watching the video is painful. For her, what her son went through “wasn’t a beating – that was torture,” Morgenstern told First Coast News.
“Christopher was sick,” she added. “He needed help. He didn’t get that. Instead, he got tortured.”
“They kneed Christopher in the face and punched him in the face inside the car,” she explained. “And our video shows once they had him on the ground they started kicking him in the face. They beat him so many times with the baton. They kept punching and my kid ended up at the hospital in critical care.”
Morgenstern is happy that one of the officers who tormented her son is facing criminal charges, but she remains adamant that he shouldn’t be hired in a neighboring county where he can continue abusing civilians under color of authority.
“I’m grateful, I’m happy,” Morgenstern said. “This is one step closer to showing police brutality exists in every state in every county. It doesn’t matter your race, it happens. And we need to get this out there so it doesn’t happen to someone else’s kid.
“I don’t want [DeLeon] to leave this county and go to Duval and become an officer there tomorrow because they can if we don’t go get his certification,” she continued. “I want his certification gone. I don’t want it to be your child or your child or another one of my children to be beaten—savagely beaten, like he beat Christopher.”
“They beat him like he was nothing. Like he wasn’t a human being,” she added.
While DeLeo is facing criminal charges for the incident, former Deputy Joseph McGinnis was also fired for failing to intervene and stop the beating, while their supervisor also faced a reprimand for failing to question deputies over their account of what happened and simply signing off on it.
Butler’s attorney, John Philips, specializes in police brutality cases – and sadly, his client’s case is all too typical of local law enforcement. In statement, Phillips said:
“Other officers must be charged as well. The videos speak for themselves. It is the start of justice, but only a small step. This was abuse. It took too long to label it as so and we pray DeLeo is held fully accountable.”
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themindunleashed--2020-07-15--Brave Boy, 6, Left in Stitches and Hailed as Hero After Saving Little Sister From Dog Attack

( TMU ) – When a dog began charging at six-year-old Bridger Walker ’ s little sister , the young boy didn ’ t hesitate to place himself in danger to prevent her from getting hurt .
And now , the young boy from Cheyenne , Wyoming , is being hailed as a hero across social media for his selfless and brave act .
On July 9 , Bridger ’ s aunt Nikki Walker posted an account of the terrifying incident and Bridger ’ s heroic actions to her Instagram .
“ My nephew is a hero who saved his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Nikki wrote .
“ He , himself , took on the attack so that the dog wouldn ’ t get his sister.
” Nikki explained that the dog had begun menacingly setting upon her young niece before Bridger placed himself in harm ’ s way to save her .
As a result , Bridger was bitten in the face .
“ After getting bit several times on the face and head , he grabbed his sister ’ s hand and ran with her to keep her safe , ” Nikki continued .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help move his sister away from the dog , after which they hid in a safe location .
When Bridger was asked why he placed himself in a potentially deadly situation , he replied : “ If someone was going to die , I thought it should be me.
” Bridger was quickly admitted to a local hospital and has since been discharged .
He was treated by a “ skilled plastic surgeon ” and left with about 90 stitches on his face , but is now resting at home .
Nikki @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post as many times as possible so that Bridger can get a special shout-out from an actor in his favorite series : the Marvel Comics Universe .
In her post , Nikki tagged MCU actors Tom Holland , Chris Hemsworth , Robert Downey Jr. , Hugh Jackman , Vin Diesel , Mark Ruffalo , Chris Pratt , Tom Hiddleston , Chadwick Boseman , and Chris Evans .
Her post has since been shared across various Instagram , Facebook , Twitter , and various Reddit communities .
“ I never expected my sweet nephew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the proud aunt wrote .
In a later update , she added : “ His wounds are looking so much better !
He ’ s in great spirits , and his awesome personality is intact .
“ He can ’ t smile too widely yet , but he was grinning as I read some of your comments to him , ” Nikki said .
“ I ’ d also like to mention here that the dog ’ s owners are really great people who have been nothing but kind to Bridger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pains to clarify that neither she nor her family have any ill will toward the dog owners over the unfortunate ncident .
“ We feel no resentment toward them at all , and – if anything – there ’ s only been an increase of love between our families as a result of this incident , ” she said .
Nikki added that while many people are calling on her to start a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for Bridger , her family would rather see donations be given to injured military veteran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Mission 22 , a nonprofit that aims to preventing suicides by former members of the U.S. Armed Forces .
“ Once again we ’ re blown away by the amazing comments and messages that Bridger ’ s receiving .
I ’ ve had lots of inquiries about a GoFundMe , ” she said .
“ Bridger ’ s family has asked that any one wishing to help out financially can , instead , donate to @ mission_22 or @ wwp.
” In a third post , Nikki noted that Bridger is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Geology , ” and would love to see people sharing photos of themselves with “ cool rocks.
” “ Let ’ s go on a rock hunt !
As you ’ re out and about , be sure to take pictures of any cool rocks that you see , ” Nikki wrote .
“ Be sure to tell him what state or country the rocks are in .
Thank you again for all the love .
# BridgerStrong ”

(TMU) – When a dog began charging at six-year-old Bridger Walker’s little sister, the young boy didn’t hesitate to place himself in danger to prevent her from getting hurt.
And now, the young boy from Cheyenne, Wyoming, is being hailed as a hero across social media for his selfless and brave act.
On July 9, Bridger’s aunt Nikki Walker posted an account of the terrifying incident and Bridger’s heroic actions to her Instagram.
“My nephew is a hero who saved his little sister from an attacking dog,” Nikki wrote. “He, himself, took on the attack so that the dog wouldn’t get his sister.”
Nikki explained that the dog had begun menacingly setting upon her young niece before Bridger placed himself in harm’s way to save her. As a result, Bridger was bitten in the face.
“After getting bit several times on the face and head, he grabbed his sister’s hand and ran with her to keep her safe,” Nikki continued.
Despite being injured, Bridger was able to help move his sister away from the dog, after which they hid in a safe location.
When Bridger was asked why he placed himself in a potentially deadly situation, he replied: “If someone was going to die, I thought it should be me.”
Bridger was quickly admitted to a local hospital and has since been discharged. He was treated by a “skilled plastic surgeon” and left with about 90 stitches on his face, but is now resting at home.
“We love our brave boy,” Nikki added.
Nikki is now requesting that people share her post as many times as possible so that Bridger can get a special shout-out from an actor in his favorite series: the Marvel Comics Universe.
In her post, Nikki tagged MCU actors Tom Holland, Chris Hemsworth, Robert Downey Jr., Hugh Jackman, Vin Diesel, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Pratt, Tom Hiddleston, Chadwick Boseman, and Chris Evans.
Her post has since been shared across various Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and various Reddit communities.
“I never expected my sweet nephew’s story to reach so many,” the proud aunt wrote.
In a later update, she added: “His wounds are looking so much better! He’s in great spirits, and his awesome personality is intact.
“He can’t smile too widely yet, but he was grinning as I read some of your comments to him,” Nikki said. “I’d also like to mention here that the dog’s owners are really great people who have been nothing but kind to Bridger and his family.”
Nikki also took pains to clarify that neither she nor her family have any ill will toward the dog owners over the unfortunate ncident.
“We feel no resentment toward them at all, and – if anything – there’s only been an increase of love between our families as a result of this incident,” she said.
Nikki added that while many people are calling on her to start a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for Bridger, her family would rather see donations be given to injured military veteran charity the the Wounded Warrior Project or to Mission 22, a nonprofit that aims to preventing suicides by former members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
“Once again we’re blown away by the amazing comments and messages that Bridger’s receiving. I’ve had lots of inquiries about a GoFundMe,” she said. “Bridger’s family has asked that any one wishing to help out financially can, instead, donate to @mission_22 or @wwp.”
In a third post, Nikki noted that Bridger is a “huge fan of Science, especially Geology,” and would love to see people sharing photos of themselves with “cool rocks.”
“Let’s go on a rock hunt! As you’re out and about, be sure to take pictures of any cool rocks that you see,” Nikki wrote. “Be sure to tell him what state or country the rocks are in. Thank you again for all the love. #BridgerStrong”
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themindunleashed--2020-07-17--Stunning 4K Space Video Shows Comet Neowise Soaring Above Earth During Sunrise

( TMU ) – The newly-discovered comet Neowise has been thrilling star-gazers for the past week as it makes its journey across the Earths ’ skies throughout the month of July .
The icy space rock , which was first discovered NASA ’ s Neowise satellite back in March , has already been captured in countless fabulous images by photographers across the world as it shines brightly while making its journey back from the sun .
And because it ’ s so close to our planet , the rare comet can be seen with the naked eye , although binoculars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lens can capture even better images of it .
For this reason , the comet Neowise is being described as the “ best in decades.
” In fact , once it leaves our skies it won ’ t be visible for nearly 7,000 years , reports Science Alert .
But even the best astrophotographer can ’ t capture images as dazzling as recent video filmed by the astronauts on board the International Space Station .
Last week , a team of astronauts at the ISS led by recently-arrived astronaut Bob Behnken were able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the comet .
The 550 images were then blended together by UK-based artist Seán Doran , who processed and interpolated the photos to fill in the frames and fused them together for an astonishing 4K-resolution timelapse video .
In the video , the icy comet Neowise can be seen flying past our planet with a brilliantly massive dust trail behind it .
While the comet appears to be headed on a trajectory toward Earth , there is absolutely no danger that it will smack into our planet .
The scene is later blinded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the 7-minute , 4K video remains an amazing piece of art from Doran , whose work has also been featured at the Natural History Museum in London .
Doran has years of experience producing these kinds of videos , because regular time-lapses tend to be far too fast to appreciate “ how beautiful the Earth appears when viewed from space , ” he told CBS News .
Bright blue noctilucent clouds , a form of “ space cloud ” that forms when sunlight bounces from ice particles in the upper atmosphere , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Neowise is the first major comet to streak through Earth ’ s skies in 2020 after two other much-hyped comets , Comet ATLAS and Comet SWAN , turned out to be duds .
The fizzling-out of the icy space rocks is a common phenomenon since comets are inherently fragile bodies that tend to fall apart as they come closer to the Sun .
“ About once a decade you get [ a comet ] that is really bright , [ with ] naked eye visibility , ” Paul Delaney , an astronomy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News .
“ That ’ s surprisingly what NEOWISE has become .
We weren ’ t expecting it.
” Neowise will come closest to Earth on July 22 at a remote distance of roughly 64 million miles , when the beautiful comet will hopefully sustain the present level of intense brightness .
At that time , astronomy buffs hope that the comet will have risen higher in the sky .
Stargazers can track the comet through TheSkyLive to find out where the the comet will be at a given time .
Astronaut Behnken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can remind us Earthlings to take care of our precious planet , which remains the only starship that humanity can rely on for the foreseeable future .
Speaking to The New York Times ’ podcast The Daily last week , Behnken said : “ It was just an awesome sight to be able to see and something that we try to capture in the few moments that we do have to look out the window .
”

(TMU) – The newly-discovered comet Neowise has been thrilling star-gazers for the past week as it makes its journey across the Earths’ skies throughout the month of July.
The icy space rock, which was first discovered NASA’s Neowise satellite back in March, has already been captured in countless fabulous images by photographers across the world as it shines brightly while making its journey back from the sun.
And because it’s so close to our planet, the rare comet can be seen with the naked eye, although binoculars or a quality camera with a zoom lens can capture even better images of it. For this reason, the comet Neowise is being described as the “best in decades.” In fact, once it leaves our skies it won’t be visible for nearly 7,000 years, reports Science Alert.
But even the best astrophotographer can’t capture images as dazzling as recent video filmed by the astronauts on board the International Space Station.
Last week, a team of astronauts at the ISS led by recently-arrived astronaut Bob Behnken were able to capture hundreds of long-exposure images of the comet.
The 550 images were then blended together by UK-based artist Seán Doran, who processed and interpolated the photos to fill in the frames and fused them together for an astonishing 4K-resolution timelapse video.
In the video, the icy comet Neowise can be seen flying past our planet with a brilliantly massive dust trail behind it. While the comet appears to be headed on a trajectory toward Earth, there is absolutely no danger that it will smack into our planet.
The scene is later blinded by the sun’s overexposure, but the 7-minute, 4K video remains an amazing piece of art from Doran, whose work has also been featured at the Natural History Museum in London.
Doran has years of experience producing these kinds of videos, because regular time-lapses tend to be far too fast to appreciate “how beautiful the Earth appears when viewed from space,” he told CBS News.
Bright blue noctilucent clouds, a form of “space cloud” that forms when sunlight bounces from ice particles in the upper atmosphere, can also be seen in the video.
Neowise is the first major comet to streak through Earth’s skies in 2020 after two other much-hyped comets, Comet ATLAS and Comet SWAN, turned out to be duds. The fizzling-out of the icy space rocks is a common phenomenon since comets are inherently fragile bodies that tend to fall apart as they come closer to the Sun.
Night sky, just before dawn from @Space_Station. Stars, cities, spaceships, and a comet! pic.twitter.com/fCKjrfayC1 — Bob Behnken (@AstroBehnken) July 9, 2020
“About once a decade you get [a comet] that is really bright, [with] naked eye visibility,” Paul Delaney, an astronomy professor at York University, told Global News. “That’s surprisingly what NEOWISE has become. We weren’t expecting it.”
Neowise will come closest to Earth on July 22 at a remote distance of roughly 64 million miles, when the beautiful comet will hopefully sustain the present level of intense brightness. At that time, astronomy buffs hope that the comet will have risen higher in the sky.
Stargazers can track the comet through TheSkyLive to find out where the the comet will be at a given time.
Astronaut Behnken hopes that the striking images he captured can remind us Earthlings to take care of our precious planet, which remains the only starship that humanity can rely on for the foreseeable future.
Speaking to The New York Times’ podcast The Daily last week, Behnken said:
“It was just an awesome sight to be able to see and something that we try to capture in the few moments that we do have to look out the window.”
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themindunleashed--2020-07-16--Avengers Assemble! MCU Stars Personally Thank 6-Year-Old Hero Who Saved Little Sister from Dog

( TMU ) – The brave six-year old boy who unflinchingly put his life on the line to save his little sister from a charging dog is receiving a present that he ’ ll never forget : an authentic Captain America shield from the Marvel Comics Universe .
Bridger Walker of Cheyenne , Wyoming , ascended to the ranks of a real-life hero when he sustained serious injuries when rescuing his little sister from an aggressive dog , and he has since become the subject of celebration by a number of celebrities , including Anne Hathaway , Mark Ruffalo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ portrayed comic book heroes Catwoman , the Incredible Hulk , and Captain America respectively .
This past week , news about Bridger ’ s heroic and selfless deed began filtering out at after his aunt , Nikki Walker , posted a series of photos of her nephew and niece along with her story about the dog attack .
The attack left Bridger badly injured , requiring him to get two-hour surgery and 90 stitches to his face .
Following the attack , Bridger explained that he did it because “ If someone was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be me.
” In one of her posts to Instagram , Nikki requested that people share her story so that Bridger could get a special shout-out from the screen talent in the Marvel Comics Universe .
In her post , Nikki tagged a number of starts from the MCU movies in hopes to get their attention .
Upon seeing the post , actress Anne Hathaway posted to Instagram : “ I ’ m not an Avenger , but I know a superhero when I see one .
I can only hope I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life as you are in yours , Bridger .
Wishing you an easeful recovery , and many cool looking rocks.
” Hulk and Avengers star Mark Ruffalo also responded , calling Bridger an example of “ courage ” and “ heart.
” “ Real courage isn ’ t dominating people or fighting against people or walking around like a tough guy , ” Ruffalo said .
Real courage is knowing what is right to do and doing it even when it might end up hurting you somehow.
” Spider-Man actor Tom Holland was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a conversation with the young hero , praising his actions and telling him “ you are so brave , mate , and we are all so proud of you … it ’ s not easy what you did , mate , you should be so proud of yourself !
” Eventually , actor and Captain America star Chris Evans also decided to give Bridger a touching video tribute – along with a very special gift from his personal collection .
“ Captain America here , so I read your story , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m sure you heard a lot of this over the last couple days , but let me be the next one to tell you , pal , you ’ re a hero , what you did was so brave , so selfless , your sister is so lucky to have you as a big brother , ” Evans said in a video message posted to Instagram .
“ Your parents must be so proud of you , ” he added .
“ I ’ m going to track down your address and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authentic Captain America shield because pal , you deserve it.
” Hugh Jackman , Zachary Levi , the Russo brothers and Robbie Amell are among the other celebrities who have reportedly reached out to Bridger .

(TMU) – The brave six-year old boy who unflinchingly put his life on the line to save his little sister from a charging dog is receiving a present that he’ll never forget: an authentic Captain America shield from the Marvel Comics Universe.
Bridger Walker of Cheyenne, Wyoming, ascended to the ranks of a real-life hero when he sustained serious injuries when rescuing his little sister from an aggressive dog, and he has since become the subject of celebration by a number of celebrities, including Anne Hathaway, Mark Ruffalo, and Chris Evans – each of whom portrayed comic book heroes Catwoman, the Incredible Hulk, and Captain America respectively.
This past week, news about Bridger’s heroic and selfless deed began filtering out at after his aunt, Nikki Walker, posted a series of photos of her nephew and niece along with her story about the dog attack.
The attack left Bridger badly injured, requiring him to get two-hour surgery and 90 stitches to his face. Following the attack, Bridger explained that he did it because “If someone was going to die, I thought it should be me.”
In one of her posts to Instagram, Nikki requested that people share her story so that Bridger could get a special shout-out from the screen talent in the Marvel Comics Universe.
In her post, Nikki tagged a number of starts from the MCU movies in hopes to get their attention.
Upon seeing the post, actress Anne Hathaway posted to Instagram:
“I’m not an Avenger, but I know a superhero when I see one. I can only hope I’m half as brave in my life as you are in yours, Bridger. Wishing you an easeful recovery, and many cool looking rocks.”
Hulk and Avengers star Mark Ruffalo also responded, calling Bridger an example of “courage” and “heart.”
“Real courage isn’t dominating people or fighting against people or walking around like a tough guy,” Ruffalo said. Real courage is knowing what is right to do and doing it even when it might end up hurting you somehow.”
Spider-Man actor Tom Holland was the first to contact Bridger personally to have a conversation with the young hero, praising his actions and telling him “you are so brave, mate, and we are all so proud of you … it’s not easy what you did, mate, you should be so proud of yourself!”
Eventually, actor and Captain America star Chris Evans also decided to give Bridger a touching video tribute – along with a very special gift from his personal collection.
“Captain America here, so I read your story, I saw what you did and I’m sure you heard a lot of this over the last couple days, but let me be the next one to tell you, pal, you’re a hero, what you did was so brave, so selfless, your sister is so lucky to have you as a big brother,” Evans said in a video message posted to Instagram.
“Your parents must be so proud of you,” he added. “I’m going to track down your address and I’m going to send you an authentic Captain America shield because pal, you deserve it.”
Hugh Jackman, Zachary Levi, the Russo brothers and Robbie Amell are among the other celebrities who have reportedly reached out to Bridger.
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themindunleashed--2020-07-16--Hawaii Cop Faces Four Years in Prison for Forcing Homeless Man to Lick Public Urinal

( TMU ) – A former police officer in Honolulu is facing four years behind bars after he humiliated and dehumanized a homeless man by forcing him to lick a public urinal .
During sentencing for the civil rights crime , U.S. District Judge Leslie Kobayashi asked former officer John Rabago , 44 , to consider how it would feel if someone had committed the same ugly act against his two daughters .
“ You took from him his only possession : his dignity as a human being , ” Kobayashi said .
Kobayashi added that while Rabago had taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , he instead took advantage of the poor and homeless , reports Associated Press .
In January 2018 , Rabago and his partner Officer Reginald Ramones responded to a nuisance complaint about a man trespassing in a closed public restroom .
When the two officer arrived they found Samuel Ingall , who was living on the streets , in the bathroom .
Desperate to not be arrested , Ingall pleaded with officers and said that he would do anything to avoid being thrown in jail .
The plea apparently whetted Rabago ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point , Rabago told the man that if he didn ’ t lick the urinal , he would shove the man ’ s face into the toilet and beat him , according to both Ingall and Ramones .
“ If you lick the urinal you won ’ t get arrested , ” Rabago said he told Ingall in a menacing tone .
Upon forcing Ingall to his knees and stepping on his legs , Ingall reluctantly obeyed the order .
Ingall accused the officers of forcing him to sit in urine and shoving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before leaving the scene .
Rabago also told his then-partner to delete all text messages regarding the incident , Kobayashi said .
According to Ramones , Rabago was desperate to avoid prison time .
“ I ’ m here to judge you on the worst thing you ’ ve done in your life , ” Kobayashi said , adding that the act shouldn ’ t be allowed to define his future .
“ Two years ago I made a decision I ’ m not proud of , ” Rabago said in court , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ My actions changed the course of life for all of us.
” Rabago was arrested a few months after the incident when Ingall ’ s siblings reported the details to police , who eventually flagged the crime for an FBI review .
In December , Rabago pleaded guilty to the crime .
Ramones told the court that he had seen his partner abuse unhoused people in the past , and court documents show that Rabago had previously threatened another man with arrest if he didn ’ t stick his head into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the department and faces sentencing next week .
Ramones pleaded guilty to failing to inform authorities about his ex-partner ’ s civil rights crime .
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Brady said that while Rabago had a history of being a good officer , he had initially laughed off questions about his crime before flat-out denying that it occurred .
“ To be homeless , not knowing where your next meal is going to be , to be forced to lick … a dirty urinal by a uniformed police officer .
There ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : hopelessness , ” Brady said .

(TMU) – A former police officer in Honolulu is facing four years behind bars after he humiliated and dehumanized a homeless man by forcing him to lick a public urinal.
During sentencing for the civil rights crime, U.S. District Judge Leslie Kobayashi asked former officer John Rabago, 44, to consider how it would feel if someone had committed the same ugly act against his two daughters.
“You took from him his only possession: his dignity as a human being,” Kobayashi said.
Kobayashi added that while Rabago had taken an oath to protect and defend the people, he instead took advantage of the poor and homeless, reports Associated Press.
In January 2018, Rabago and his partner Officer Reginald Ramones responded to a nuisance complaint about a man trespassing in a closed public restroom.
When the two officer arrived they found Samuel Ingall, who was living on the streets, in the bathroom. Desperate to not be arrested, Ingall pleaded with officers and said that he would do anything to avoid being thrown in jail.
The plea apparently whetted Rabago’s appetite for sadism. At that point, Rabago told the man that if he didn’t lick the urinal, he would shove the man’s face into the toilet and beat him, according to both Ingall and Ramones.
“If you lick the urinal you won’t get arrested,” Rabago said he told Ingall in a menacing tone.
Upon forcing Ingall to his knees and stepping on his legs, Ingall reluctantly obeyed the order.
Ingall accused the officers of forcing him to sit in urine and shoving his face into a filthy toilet anyway before leaving the scene.
Rabago also told his then-partner to delete all text messages regarding the incident, Kobayashi said. According to Ramones, Rabago was desperate to avoid prison time.
“I’m here to judge you on the worst thing you’ve done in your life,” Kobayashi said, adding that the act shouldn’t be allowed to define his future.
“Two years ago I made a decision I’m not proud of,” Rabago said in court, apologizing to both Ingall and his family. “My actions changed the course of life for all of us.”
Rabago was arrested a few months after the incident when Ingall’s siblings reported the details to police, who eventually flagged the crime for an FBI review. In December, Rabago pleaded guilty to the crime.
Ramones told the court that he had seen his partner abuse unhoused people in the past, and court documents show that Rabago had previously threatened another man with arrest if he didn’t stick his head into a toilet.
Ramones has also left the department and faces sentencing next week. Ramones pleaded guilty to failing to inform authorities about his ex-partner’s civil rights crime.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Brady said that while Rabago had a history of being a good officer, he had initially laughed off questions about his crime before flat-out denying that it occurred.
“To be homeless, not knowing where your next meal is going to be, to be forced to lick … a dirty urinal by a uniformed police officer. There’s only one word that comes to mind: hopelessness,” Brady said.
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