themindunleashed--2020-08-04--40 MILLION Americans could be homeless soon, with ‘catastrophic’ impact on rest of economy

( TMU ) – As the United States continues to struggle with growing coronavirus infections and varying degrees of local lockdowns , relief measures from the first stimulus package have run dry while federal and state eviction moratoriums are quickly being phased out .
And as tens of millions of people remain unemployed and continue to stay at home to avoid exposing themselves to COVID-19 , experts warn that up to 40 million Americans may be spending their last months with a roof over their head before landlords begin serving eviction notices .
To make matters worse , the humanitarian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the entire housing market , with knock-on effects extending far beyond the housing and rental industry into the broader economy as a whole – leading to shrinking demand , collapsing housing values , and an all-out economic crisis that could be unprecedented in U.S. history .
Emily Benfer is the chair of the American Bar Association ’ s Task Force Committee on Eviction and co-creator of the COVID-19 Housing Policy Scorecard with the Eviction Lab at Princeton University .
Speaking to CNBC , she warned that up to 40 million people face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the coming months – about four times as many people as were displaced following the foreclosure crisis of 2008 .
“ The United States is facing the most severe housing crisis in history , ” Benfer said .
“ Countless lives will be negatively altered solely because they couldn ’ t shoulder the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic and economic recession.
” The massive extent of the crisis bearing down on U.S. society defies explanation , as well as any easy answers .
“ This data shows us that all the terms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s coming — ‘ cliff ’ , ‘ tsunami ’ , ‘ avalanche ’ and so on — might actually be an understatement , ” eviction expert and housing advocate John Pollock of the National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel said in a statement .
“ The only reason we haven ’ t already seen two million eviction filings is because of all the CARES Act relief that at this point is either going or gone , ” he added , noting that the end of expanded unemployment benefits , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threaten to worsen the catastrophe .
But tenants aren ’ t the only ones who may be left out in the cold as a result of the eviction crisis .
Landlords are also expected to default on mortgages if renters are forced from their homes in the middle of the bruising crisis .
“ This really could be catastrophic , and it extends beyond just the rental industry , ” Tendayi Kapfidze , chief economist at LendingTree , told CNBC.
“ It could actually affect the single-family housing market and the economy as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faced with a partisan impasse over extending unemployment insurance to over 30 million jobless workers , Americans are seeing their already caved-in income fall from 50 percent to a measly 25 percent of their pre-pandemic levels .
Along with vanishing jobs , income , and government relief , Americans are also increasingly being forced to skip meals , go to bed hungry , or seek food assistance for the first time in their lives .
Advocates fear that unless Congress urgently intervenes on that front , food insecurity could reach levels unseen in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , thousands upon thousands of people jumped to action , continue to fight , to stand , to demand change , ” Pollock tweeted on Monday afternoon .
“ These heroes & helpers represent America ’ s best .
Unlike members of Congress willing to send 30-40 million Americans into homelessness , poverty and hunger.
” The cascading crisis threatens to slam other industries as well , possibly creating a feedback loop that can only worsen the economic woes of businesses and households across U.S. society .
“ That could lead to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the owner-occupied market , and in every state and every city there ’ s a patchwork of different , you know , kind of laws that people are using , ” Kapfidze said .
“ So , really , it ’ s necessary that we have a federal plan .
We need a federal plan to deal with this rental crisis or it ’ s going to get worse .
”

(TMU) – As the United States continues to struggle with growing coronavirus infections and varying degrees of local lockdowns, relief measures from the first stimulus package have run dry while federal and state eviction moratoriums are quickly being phased out.
And as tens of millions of people remain unemployed and continue to stay at home to avoid exposing themselves to COVID-19, experts warn that up to 40 million Americans may be spending their last months with a roof over their head before landlords begin serving eviction notices.
To make matters worse, the humanitarian disaster could have “catastrophic” effects on the entire housing market, with knock-on effects extending far beyond the housing and rental industry into the broader economy as a whole – leading to shrinking demand, collapsing housing values, and an all-out economic crisis that could be unprecedented in U.S. history.
Emily Benfer is the chair of the American Bar Association’s Task Force Committee on Eviction and co-creator of the COVID-19 Housing Policy Scorecard with the Eviction Lab at Princeton University. Speaking to CNBC, she warned that up to 40 million people face the imminent risk of eviction and homelessness in the coming months – about four times as many people as were displaced following the foreclosure crisis of 2008.
“The United States is facing the most severe housing crisis in history,” Benfer said. “Countless lives will be negatively altered solely because they couldn’t shoulder the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic and economic recession.”
These numbers should terrify all of us. The #evictioncrisis has reached every corner of the US threatening all of our livelihood while Congress kicks the can. Americans need a home. Demand #rentreliefnow. Senate switchboard: (202) 224-3121 https://t.co/HDIwILoEaS pic.twitter.com/DcXzPolI1X — Emily A. Benfer (@emilyabenfer) July 31, 2020
The massive extent of the crisis bearing down on U.S. society defies explanation, as well as any easy answers.
“This data shows us that all the terms people have been using to describe what’s coming — ‘cliff’, ‘tsunami’, ‘avalanche’ and so on — might actually be an understatement,” eviction expert and housing advocate John Pollock of the National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel said in a statement.
“The only reason we haven’t already seen two million eviction filings is because of all the CARES Act relief that at this point is either going or gone,” he added, noting that the end of expanded unemployment benefits, eviction moratoriums, and other expiring protections threaten to worsen the catastrophe.
But tenants aren’t the only ones who may be left out in the cold as a result of the eviction crisis. Landlords are also expected to default on mortgages if renters are forced from their homes in the middle of the bruising crisis.
According to John Pollock, coordinator of the National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel, in 2016, there were 2.3 million evictions. There could be that many evictions in August alone. — Chris Hedges (@ChrisLynnHedges) August 2, 2020
“This really could be catastrophic, and it extends beyond just the rental industry,” Tendayi Kapfidze, chief economist at LendingTree, told CNBC.“It could actually affect the single-family housing market and the economy as a whole.”
And because Congress is faced with a partisan impasse over extending unemployment insurance to over 30 million jobless workers, Americans are seeing their already caved-in income fall from 50 percent to a measly 25 percent of their pre-pandemic levels.
Along with vanishing jobs, income, and government relief, Americans are also increasingly being forced to skip meals, go to bed hungry, or seek food assistance for the first time in their lives. Advocates fear that unless Congress urgently intervenes on that front, food insecurity could reach levels unseen in the modern era.
“Since COVID-19, thousands upon thousands of people jumped to action, continue to fight, to stand, to demand change,” Pollock tweeted on Monday afternoon. “These heroes & helpers represent America’s best. Unlike members of Congress willing to send 30-40 million Americans into homelessness, poverty and hunger.”
https://twitter.com/ZeitgeistFilm/status/1289960528664653825
The cascading crisis threatens to slam other industries as well, possibly creating a feedback loop that can only worsen the economic woes of businesses and households across U.S. society.
“That could lead to a decrease in home values, even in the owner-occupied market, and in every state and every city there’s a patchwork of different, you know, kind of laws that people are using,” Kapfidze said. “So, really, it’s necessary that we have a federal plan. We need a federal plan to deal with this rental crisis or it’s going to get worse.”
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themindunleashed--2020-08-04--Beirut in shock after tremendous explosion leaves thousands of casualties

( TMU ) – The Lebanese capital city of Beirut is reeling after at least one massive explosion followed by a tremendous shockwave left dozens of buildings damaged , at least 3,000 injured and 50 people killed , according to Lebanon ’ s health minister .
Local officials have debunked initial reports that the huge blast late Tuesday afternoon was caused by an accident at a fireworks factory .
The precise cause of the blast remains yet to be determined .
Lebanese internal security chief Abbas Ibrahim has said that the blast came from a section of the port where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nitrate was located .
“ Talking about fireworks is ridiculous , there is no fireworks but high-explosive materials , and I can ’ t preempt the investigations , ” Ibrahim told reporters at the scene .
“ It appears that the explosion took place in a warehouse of high-explosive material confiscated for years.
” Interior Minister Mohammed Fahmi confirmed that the explosion was caused by material confiscated from a ship over a year ago that had not yet been disposed of .
Wednesday has been declared a day of mourning throughout Lebanon .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyone found responsible for the blasts at the warehouse will be held accountable .
Videos of the explosion shared to social media show a number of small explosions and a column of smoke rising in the air before a gigantic fireball bursts upward , followed by a much larger explosion that sent a huge shockwave through the surrounding area as well as a mushroom cloud into the air .
Social media users as far as Cyprus reportedly felt the tremors of the gigantic blast .
City Governor Marwan Abboud has described the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scale of destruction as “ enormous , ” while medical and security sources have confirmed at least 10 people are dead .
Abboud wept before cameras about the fate of first responders who arrived at the fire before the explosion ripped through the port and impacted the surrounding high-rise hotels , apartment complexes , and office buildings .
“ They came to fight the fire , and then they vanished , ” Abboud said .
“ We don ’ t know where they are .
We ’ re here to look for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what happened in Japan , to Hiroshima and Nagasaki , ” he added .
“ I ’ ve never seen damage of this size and width , and so catastrophic .
This is a national catastrophe .
This is a problem for Lebanon , and we don ’ t know how we ’ re going to get out of it .
“ This is a lot , ” he said .
“ It ’ s a lot all at once for people.
” Health Minister Hamad Hasan has said that there are a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the explosion , which scattered destroyed cars across the nearby highway .
An unknown number of people are also trapped under the rubble of buildings that collapsed as a result of the blast .
Hospitals have reportedly been overwhelmed by hundreds of casualties , with at least one hospital being forced to treat patients in an outdoor parking lot .
An AFP correspondent reports that every shop in the Hamra commercial district has sustained damage , with entire shopfronts smashed , windows shattered and cars destroyed .
Footage from the inside of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show the offices of the newspaper utterly destroyed , with the ceiling of the complex collapsed in , windows shattered , and debris strewn across the floor .
“ We live 10 KM away from the explosion site and the glass of our [ buildings ] got shattered , ” tweeted Abir Ghattas , a Europe-based activist who shared footage sent to her by her brother in Beirut .
“ All the buildings in my block are destroyed .
Huge explosion in [ Beirut ] .
” Everyone covered in glass and blood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Molana-Allen .
“ My apartment in Beirut was just blown apart.
” The explosion in the Mediterranean city comes at an extremely sensitive time , as locals brace themselves for the verdict in the trial of the suspected killers of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005 .
Four members of the Shia Islamist militant group Hezbollah have been accused of carrying out the car bombing of Hariri , an act which the Iran-allied group vociferously denies .
The United Nations tribunal trying the case is due to issue its verdict over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lebanon established the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in The Hague in 2007 , which ultimately charged Hezbollah with acts of terrorism , murder and attempted murder .
However , the political party with its own formidable armed militia has dismissed the trial as biased and catering to the will of hostile forces .
Media reports indicate that a possible second explosion is said to have taken place at the Hariri residence in the city .
The deadly explosion also comes after the resistance group was allegedly involved in small clashes with Israeli forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lebanon , which Israeli occupying forces captured during the 1967 war .
Hezbollah officials accuse the Israelis of “ fabricating ” the clashes , however , as a means to kick up tension and cast the group as aggressors .
Israeli officials have denied any role in the explosion .
Sources close to Hezbollah have also denied social media rumors that an Israeli airstrike was the cause of the explosion , which they called groundless and have not been reported by officials in the region or authoritative media sources .
The deadly incident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ locked in a dire economic crisis , with authorities fearing the rekindling of old sectarian and confessional rivalries as well as the prospect of widespread hunger in the streets .
Protesters were already clashing with security forces on Tuesday prior to the deadly explosion .
Some Lebanese citizens have taken to social media to express outrage and are blaming the government for its perceived negligence and corruption , which they see as responsible for the traumatic blast .
The indefinite closure of the Beirut Port is likely to severely impact the country ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the worst crisis to engulf the region in decades .

(TMU) – The Lebanese capital city of Beirut is reeling after at least one massive explosion followed by a tremendous shockwave left dozens of buildings damaged, at least 3,000 injured and 50 people killed, according to Lebanon’s health minister.
Local officials have debunked initial reports that the huge blast late Tuesday afternoon was caused by an accident at a fireworks factory. The precise cause of the blast remains yet to be determined.
Lebanese internal security chief Abbas Ibrahim has said that the blast came from a section of the port where a warehouse of high-explosive materials including ammonium nitrate was located.
“Talking about fireworks is ridiculous, there is no fireworks but high-explosive materials, and I can’t preempt the investigations,” Ibrahim told reporters at the scene. “It appears that the explosion took place in a warehouse of high-explosive material confiscated for years.”
Interior Minister Mohammed Fahmi confirmed that the explosion was caused by material confiscated from a ship over a year ago that had not yet been disposed of.
Wednesday has been declared a day of mourning throughout Lebanon.
Prime Minister Hassan Diab has vowed that anyone found responsible for the blasts at the warehouse will be held accountable.
Videos of the explosion shared to social media show a number of small explosions and a column of smoke rising in the air before a gigantic fireball bursts upward, followed by a much larger explosion that sent a huge shockwave through the surrounding area as well as a mushroom cloud into the air. Social media users as far as Cyprus reportedly felt the tremors of the gigantic blast.
Huge blast in Beirut just now! pic.twitter.com/hId8JhZMKV — Tobias Schneider (@tobiaschneider) August 4, 2020
Footage of the massive explosion at #Beirut port a short while ago. It's truly frightening. #Lebanon pic.twitter.com/OZ0hZ5SwlC — Nader Itayim | نادر ایتیّم (@ncitayim) August 4, 2020
City Governor Marwan Abboud has described the city as a “disaster area” and the scale of destruction as “enormous,” while medical and security sources have confirmed at least 10 people are dead.
Abboud wept before cameras about the fate of first responders who arrived at the fire before the explosion ripped through the port and impacted the surrounding high-rise hotels, apartment complexes, and office buildings.
“They came to fight the fire, and then they vanished,” Abboud said. “We don’t know where they are. We’re here to look for them.
“This reminds me of what happened in Japan, to Hiroshima and Nagasaki,” he added. “I’ve never seen damage of this size and width, and so catastrophic. This is a national catastrophe. This is a problem for Lebanon, and we don’t know how we’re going to get out of it.
“This is a lot,” he said. “It’s a lot all at once for people.”
Please pray for #Beirut , Lebanon.
Reports are that it felt like a nuclear explosion. pic.twitter.com/4xRoEpQNdj — SECRETARY♠ACE™ (@SecretaryAce) August 4, 2020
Health Minister Hamad Hasan has said that there are a number of injuries and extensive damage resulting from the explosion, which scattered destroyed cars across the nearby highway.
An unknown number of people are also trapped under the rubble of buildings that collapsed as a result of the blast. Hospitals have reportedly been overwhelmed by hundreds of casualties, with at least one hospital being forced to treat patients in an outdoor parking lot.
An AFP correspondent reports that every shop in the Hamra commercial district has sustained damage, with entire shopfronts smashed, windows shattered and cars destroyed.
Hospitals overwhelmed after Beirut explosion. In Geitawi, medical staff treating patients in a parking lot. pic.twitter.com/xwC3eBn49r — Abby Sewell (@sewella) August 4, 2020
Footage from the inside of the Daily Star building in downtown Beirut show the offices of the newspaper utterly destroyed, with the ceiling of the complex collapsed in, windows shattered, and debris strewn across the floor.
BREAKING: Massive explosion in Beirut. Footage from the daily star office now in Lebanon pic.twitter.com/2uBsKP5wCH — Ghada Alsharif | غادة الشريف (@GhadaaSharif) August 4, 2020
“We live 10 KM away from the explosion site and the glass of our [buildings] got shattered,” tweeted Abir Ghattas, a Europe-based activist who shared footage sent to her by her brother in Beirut.
“All the buildings in my block are destroyed. Huge explosion in [Beirut].” Everyone covered in glass and blood,” tweeted France 24 correspondent Leila Molana-Allen. “My apartment in Beirut was just blown apart.”
Looks like lots of minor crackling explosions preceding the big blast. Local media reports fireworks storage. Unclear for now. pic.twitter.com/pzYp34qogG — Tobias Schneider (@tobiaschneider) August 4, 2020
The explosion in the Mediterranean city comes at an extremely sensitive time, as locals brace themselves for the verdict in the trial of the suspected killers of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005.
Four members of the Shia Islamist militant group Hezbollah have been accused of carrying out the car bombing of Hariri, an act which the Iran-allied group vociferously denies.
https://www.facebook.com/brad.sowder/videos/285185389249085/
The United Nations tribunal trying the case is due to issue its verdict over the killing on Friday. The UN and Lebanon established the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in The Hague in 2007, which ultimately charged Hezbollah with acts of terrorism, murder and attempted murder.
However, the political party with its own formidable armed militia has dismissed the trial as biased and catering to the will of hostile forces.
Media reports indicate that a possible second explosion is said to have taken place at the Hariri residence in the city.
Moment that the second explosion hit #Beirut Lebanon. Many houses damaged, injuries reported. First was at Port. This is closer to downtown pic.twitter.com/6DdmgQFriD — Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) August 4, 2020
The deadly explosion also comes after the resistance group was allegedly involved in small clashes with Israeli forces near the disputed Shebaa Farms region of Lebanon, which Israeli occupying forces captured during the 1967 war. Hezbollah officials accuse the Israelis of “fabricating” the clashes, however, as a means to kick up tension and cast the group as aggressors.
It IS speculative to suggest Israel may be involved in starting the fire at this warehouse where the gov claims "highly explosive material including ammonium nitrate " is stored at Beirut port. It IS also wrong not to investigate Israel's plausible involvement, given threats. — Ahmed Shihab-Eldin (@ASE) August 4, 2020
Israeli officials have denied any role in the explosion.
Sources close to Hezbollah have also denied social media rumors that an Israeli airstrike was the cause of the explosion, which they called groundless and have not been reported by officials in the region or authoritative media sources.
The deadly incident also comes as the Arab country remains locked in a dire economic crisis, with authorities fearing the rekindling of old sectarian and confessional rivalries as well as the prospect of widespread hunger in the streets. Protesters were already clashing with security forces on Tuesday prior to the deadly explosion.
Some Lebanese citizens have taken to social media to express outrage and are blaming the government for its perceived negligence and corruption, which they see as responsible for the traumatic blast.
The indefinite closure of the Beirut Port is likely to severely impact the country’s finances as it braces itself for the worst crisis to engulf the region in decades.
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themindunleashed--2020-08-08--Canada approves psilocybin or ‘magic mushroom’ therapy for 4 dying cancer patients

( TMU ) – As psilocybin or “ magic ” mushrooms continue to gain mainstream acceptance as a therapeutic treatment , public health leaders are increasingly taking notice .
And now , Canada ’ s top doctor has approved the use of the psychedelic substance to help ease the pain of four Canadians suffering from terminal cancer .
On Tuesday , Health Minister Patty Hajdu introduced a new exemption to the country ’ s Controlled Drugs and Substances Act , allowing four patients fighting incurable cancer to use psilocybin to help ease their end-of-life anxiety and pain .
The landmark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first time any such exemption has been made , according to non-profit psilocybin therapy advocacy group TheraPsil .
Psilocybin is the main psychedelic compound produce by so-called “ magic ” mushrooms , and has been illegal in Canada since 1974 .
The decision comes over 100 days since the four patients first requested the exemption .
“ I would like to personally thank the Hon .
Minister Hajdu and the team at the Office of Controlled Substances for the approval of my section 56 exemption , ” said Thomas Hartle , 52 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the terminal disease .
“ This is the positive result that is possible when good people show genuine compassion .
I ’ m so grateful that I can move forward with the next step of healing.
” In June , Hartle told CTV News that one of the most debilitating effects of his terminal cancer diagnosis was his fear of death , and anti-anxiety drugs were offering little relief to the “ unbearable ” weight of the knowledge that he would soon die .
Laurie Brooks , who is also trying to cope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister , noting that the health minister and Canadian healthcare system ’ s recognition of her suffering is profoundly appreciated .
“ I hope this is just the beginning and that soon all Canadians will be able to access psilocybin , for therapeutic use , to help with the pain they are experiencing , without having to petition the government for months to gain permission , ” Brooks said .
Advocates and clinicians throughout North America have been increasingly vocal about psilocybin ’ s promising results in a range of psychotherapeutic settings , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and end-of-life distress .
End-of-life distress is broadly defined as the crippling combination of anxiety , depression , demoralization and hopelessness experienced by those facing incurable illness .
According to a December 2016 study from NYU , a single dose of psilocybin rapidly and drastically reduces depression and anxiety among cancer patients , with few side effects .
Recent studies have also shown how a microdose of psilocybin—far from the level needed for a full-blown trip—actually increases the creativity and empathy of participants .
Other researchers have also found that psilocybin has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quit other addictive substances such as cigarettes .
The Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore is also currently conducting clinical trials to find out whether the drug is suitable as a prescription drug for the U.S. market .
The newfound recognition of psilocybin therapy as a valid treatment has eroded old stereotypes of psilocybin as some intoxicating and hallucination-inducing party drug that drives its users insane – a reputation that largely grew out of the hippie counterculture of the 1960s when they were widely known as “ psychedelic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Canada , as in the United States , the drug is illegal .
Health Canada notes on its website that the possession , production , or sale of magic mushrooms or anything containing psilocybin is prohibited “ unless authorized for clinical trial or research purposes.
” However , advocates with TheraPsil hope that the minister of health ’ s exemption in this case could offer hope to those suffering from the nerve-wracking mental torment faced by patients who have no other options to find peace before they die .
“ Although it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impressed with their willingness to listen to patients who have not been heard and to shift focus and policy to accommodate their interests and protect their needs , ” said TheraPsil founder and psychotherapist Dr. Bruce Tobin .

(TMU) – As psilocybin or “magic” mushrooms continue to gain mainstream acceptance as a therapeutic treatment, public health leaders are increasingly taking notice. And now, Canada’s top doctor has approved the use of the psychedelic substance to help ease the pain of four Canadians suffering from terminal cancer.
On Tuesday, Health Minister Patty Hajdu introduced a new exemption to the country’s Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, allowing four patients fighting incurable cancer to use psilocybin to help ease their end-of-life anxiety and pain.
The landmark move to lift the ban marks the first time any such exemption has been made, according to non-profit psilocybin therapy advocacy group TheraPsil.
Psilocybin is the main psychedelic compound produce by so-called “magic” mushrooms, and has been illegal in Canada since 1974.
The decision comes over 100 days since the four patients first requested the exemption.
“I would like to personally thank the Hon. Minister Hajdu and the team at the Office of Controlled Substances for the approval of my section 56 exemption,” said Thomas Hartle, 52, a resident from Saskatchewan who is fighting the terminal disease. “This is the positive result that is possible when good people show genuine compassion. I’m so grateful that I can move forward with the next step of healing.”
In June, Hartle told CTV News that one of the most debilitating effects of his terminal cancer diagnosis was his fear of death, and anti-anxiety drugs were offering little relief to the “unbearable” weight of the knowledge that he would soon die.
Laurie Brooks, who is also trying to cope with end-of-life distress, also thanked the minister, noting that the health minister and Canadian healthcare system’s recognition of her suffering is profoundly appreciated.
“I hope this is just the beginning and that soon all Canadians will be able to access psilocybin, for therapeutic use, to help with the pain they are experiencing, without having to petition the government for months to gain permission,” Brooks said.
Advocates and clinicians throughout North America have been increasingly vocal about psilocybin’s promising results in a range of psychotherapeutic settings, including the treatment of depression, addiction, and end-of-life distress.
End-of-life distress is broadly defined as the crippling combination of anxiety, depression, demoralization and hopelessness experienced by those facing incurable illness.
According to a December 2016 study from NYU, a single dose of psilocybin rapidly and drastically reduces depression and anxiety among cancer patients, with few side effects.
Recent studies have also shown how a microdose of psilocybin—far from the level needed for a full-blown trip—actually increases the creativity and empathy of participants.
Other researchers have also found that psilocybin has provided effective help to patients struggling to quit other addictive substances such as cigarettes.
The Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore is also currently conducting clinical trials to find out whether the drug is suitable as a prescription drug for the U.S. market.
The newfound recognition of psilocybin therapy as a valid treatment has eroded old stereotypes of psilocybin as some intoxicating and hallucination-inducing party drug that drives its users insane – a reputation that largely grew out of the hippie counterculture of the 1960s when they were widely known as “psychedelic” or “magic” mushrooms.
In Canada, as in the United States, the drug is illegal. Health Canada notes on its website that the possession, production, or sale of magic mushrooms or anything containing psilocybin is prohibited “unless authorized for clinical trial or research purposes.”
However, advocates with TheraPsil hope that the minister of health’s exemption in this case could offer hope to those suffering from the nerve-wracking mental torment faced by patients who have no other options to find peace before they die.
“Although it has taken a long time we are impressed with their willingness to listen to patients who have not been heard and to shift focus and policy to accommodate their interests and protect their needs,” said TheraPsil founder and psychotherapist Dr. Bruce Tobin.
Like this article? Get the latest from The Mind Unleashed in your inbox. Sign up right here.


themindunleashed--2020-08-07--Famous matador is gored directly in the butt after stabbing it during bullfight

( TMU ) – A celebrated matador in Spain has sustained possibly the most brutal injury of his career after he was gored directly in the anus after a bull fought back after he stabbed the creature during one of Spain ’ s first post-lockdown bullfights .
Enrique Ponce was engaging in the controversial national pastime at the El Puerto de Santa Maria ’ s bullring in southwest Spain when the animal repelled the attempt to kill it .
Ponce had just stabbed the bull when the creature turned on the father-of-two and plunged his horn directly in his butt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dropping him .
Ponce eventually laid face-down on the ground and covered his neck and head to prevent being fatally injured by the wounded beast .
This wasn ’ t the first time the famous 48-year-old bullfighter has sustained injuries in his long and storied career , which began in 1988 when he was a teenage novice .
In 2014 , Ponce ’ s collarbone and ribs were shattered in a severe goring incident that saw him stricken directly in the right armpit .
Last year he also faced serious injury after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tearing his ligaments and leaving him with a 10-centimeter buttock injury .
The latest incident took place during the 140th anniversary of the Real Plaza de Toros de El Puerto de Santa María , and is the first time Ponce had returned to the ring following the phased reopening of the country following the nationwide lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic that was declared on March 14 .
Fortunately , Ponce was largely unharmed by the unpleasant incident .
Certain regions of Spain in phase two of the health emergency can fill their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a maximum of 400 people , while regions in phase three are able to open at 50 percent capacity or 800 spectators .
While some Spaniards had clamored for the return of the national pastime , animal rights campaigners have long derided bullfighting as a shocking display of animal cruelty .
“ During a typical bullfight , several men taunt and stab a bull with harpoon-like banderillas until he becomes weakened from blood loss , ” animal rights group PETA wrote in a press release last year .
“ Then , the matador @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and if the bull doesn ’ t die straight away , he ’ ll commonly use a dagger to cut the animal ’ s spinal cord .
Many bulls are paralyzed but still conscious as their ears or tails are cut off as trophies.
” Bullfighting organizations like the Fundación del Toro de Lidia have complained that they have been particularly hard-hit by the lockdown , with some breeders apparently killing over 400 creatures in the span of only a week , breeder Victorino Martín told The Guardian .
Animal rights campaigners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No bailout for bullfighting ” which has sought to prevent the Spanish government from offering financial assistance to the bullfighting industry .
“ Every year , almost 10,000 bulls die after being tortured in the bullrings , and thousands more , along with cows and heifers , are harassed and mistreated in towns throughout Spain , ” the petition read .
Across Spain and Latin America , support for the bullfights has been on the wane .
While bullfighting is banned in countries like Argentina , Canada , Cuba , Denmark , Italy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continues in Spain , France , Portugal , Mexico , Colombia , Venezuela , Peru , and Ecuador .
Campaigners have pointed to the low attendance numbers at recent bullfights in Spain as proof that the cruel sport is no longer being enjoyed by most of he public .
The bullfighting lobby has been clamoring for months , asking for public money and demanding to be able to hold a bullfight .
And what happened ?
It has been a total failure , the alleged fans have not responded .
“ The bullfighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their business , demanding that they be given public funds and permission to hold their bullfights .
And what happened ?
It has been a total failure , the supposed fans haven ’ t materialized , ” said Marta Esteban Miñano , the director of Animal Guardians , according to Kaosenlared .
“ How is it possible that this cruel bankrupt business is still being subsidized with public funds ?
”

(TMU) – A celebrated matador in Spain was gored directly in the butt after a bull fought back after he stabbed the creature during one of Spain’s first post-lockdown bullfights.
Enrique Ponce was engaging in the controversial national pastime at the El Puerto de Santa Maria’s bullring in southwest Spain when the animal repelled the attempt to kill it.
Ponce had just stabbed the bull when the creature turned on the father-of-two and plunged his horn directly in his butt, lifting him into the air and dropping him.
Ponce eventually laid face-down on the ground and covered his neck and head to prevent being fatally injured by the wounded beast.
This wasn’t the first time the famous 48-year-old bullfighter has sustained injuries in his long and storied career, which began in 1988 when he was a teenage novice.
In 2014, Ponce’s collarbone and ribs were shattered in a severe goring incident that saw him stricken directly in the right armpit. Last year he also faced serious injury after a bull tossed him into the air, tearing his ligaments and leaving him with a 10-centimeter buttock injury.
The latest incident took place during the 140th anniversary of the Real Plaza de Toros de El Puerto de Santa María, and is the first time Ponce had returned to the ring following the phased reopening of the country following the nationwide lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic that was declared on March 14.
Fortunately, Ponce was largely unharmed by the unpleasant incident.
Certain regions of Spain in phase two of the health emergency can fill their bullrings to one-third capacity, up to a maximum of 400 people, while regions in phase three are able to open at 50 percent capacity or 800 spectators.
While some Spaniards had clamored for the return of the national pastime, animal rights campaigners have long derided bullfighting as a shocking display of animal cruelty.
El toro a Enrique Ponce: "Toma, esto por viejo verde" #TauromaquiaAbolición pic.twitter.com/2jJCjRh507 — Wasted Hippo (@Already2Wasted) August 7, 2020
“During a typical bullfight, several men taunt and stab a bull with harpoon-like banderillas until he becomes weakened from blood loss,” animal rights group PETA wrote in a press release last year. “Then, the matador stabs the exhausted animal with a sword, and if the bull doesn’t die straight away, he’ll commonly use a dagger to cut the animal’s spinal cord. Many bulls are paralyzed but still conscious as their ears or tails are cut off as trophies.”
Bullfighting organizations like the Fundación del Toro de Lidia have complained that they have been particularly hard-hit by the lockdown, with some breeders apparently killing over 400 creatures in the span of only a week, breeder Victorino Martín told The Guardian.
Animal rights campaigners have set up a petition titled “No bailout for bullfighting” which has sought to prevent the Spanish government from offering financial assistance to the bullfighting industry.
“Every year, almost 10,000 bulls die after being tortured in the bullrings, and thousands more, along with cows and heifers, are harassed and mistreated in towns throughout Spain,” the petition read.
Across Spain and Latin America, support for the bullfights has been on the wane. While bullfighting is banned in countries like Argentina, Canada, Cuba, Denmark, Italy and the United Kingdom, the pastime continues in Spain, France, Portugal, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, and Ecuador.
Campaigners have pointed to the low attendance numbers at recent bullfights in Spain as proof that the cruel sport is no longer being enjoyed by most of he public.
The bullfighting lobby has been clamoring for months, asking for public money and demanding to be able to hold a bullfight. And what happened? It has been a total failure, the alleged fans have not responded.
“The bullfighting lobby has been crying for months about their business, demanding that they be given public funds and permission to hold their bullfights. And what happened? It has been a total failure, the supposed fans haven’t materialized,” said Marta Esteban Miñano, the director of Animal Guardians, according to Kaosenlared. “How is it possible that this cruel bankrupt business is still being subsidized with public funds?”
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themindunleashed--2020-08-07--Scientists use satellites to discover hidden colonies of penguins across Antarctica

Satellites have discovered 11 emperor penguin colonies in Antarcticia that had previously been unknown , boosting the number of colonies to over half a million .
Researchers from the British Antarctic Survey ( BAS ) used new higher-resolution images from the European Space Agency ’ s Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite mission to survey the penguin population in the region .
Thanks to the tell-tale patches of red-brown penguin guano strewn across the antarctic landscape , the scientists were able to locate smaller colonies that had previously been unknown .
The new colonies are believed to be consist of a few hundred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is found among typical colonies – but the discovery boosts the number of known colonies by 20 percent .
It is now believed that the number of emperor penguins in Antarctica is between 265,500 and 278,500 breeding pairs .
“ The [ new colonies ] are an exciting discovery , ” said BAS senior scientist Peter Fretwell , who led the research , in a statement .
“ Whilst this is good news , the colonies are small and so only take the overall population count up to just over half a million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European researchers better help to monitor how environmental changes will impact the emperor penguin population .
Conservationists and researchers have warned that the birds face a dire threat in the coming decades as the Antarctic sea ice upon which they depend continues to melt at a rapid rate .
Emperor penguins are among the largest penguin species , weighing in at up to 90 pounds and living for up to 20 years .
They require a stable sea ice habitat from April to December in order to successfully breed and survive before moving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rely on the sea ice to incubate their eggs and raise their chicks , and if sea ice is unstable following their breeding period then they can drown during their annual moult when their feathers are no longer waterproof .
And as climate conditions continue to rapidly grow warmer , scientists worry about the impact on the emperor penguins ’ habitat .
Researchers see the newly-discovered colonies as “ canaries in the coal mine ” when it comes to understanding global warming ’ s impact .
“ Whilst it ’ s good news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colonies , the breeding sites are all in locations where recent model projections suggest emperors will decline , ” said BAS head of conservation biology Dr. Phil Trathan .
“ Birds in these sites are therefore probably the ‘ canaries in the coal mine , ’ ” Trathan added .
“ We need to watch these sites carefully as climate change will affect this region.
” Many of the colonies were discovered far offshore , including one which was located as far as 112 miles ( 180 km ) from Antarctica on sea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in shallow water .
“ Many of the penguin scientists we have talked to were disbelieving , as normally you expect them to be at the coast , ” Frewtwell said .
Because the discovery of the colonies offer surprising insights on the behavior of the species – as well as both good and bad news – scientists remain hopeful that they can put the new information to use in protecting the vulnerable species .

Satellites have discovered 11 emperor penguin colonies in Antarcticia that had previously been unknown, boosting the number of colonies to over half a million.
Researchers from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) used new higher-resolution images from the European Space Agency’s Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite mission to survey the penguin population in the region.
Thanks to the tell-tale patches of red-brown penguin guano strewn across the antarctic landscape, the scientists were able to locate smaller colonies that had previously been unknown.
The new colonies are believed to be consist of a few hundred penguins each – a smaller number than is found among typical colonies – but the discovery boosts the number of known colonies by 20 percent.
It is now believed that the number of emperor penguins in Antarctica is between 265,500 and 278,500 breeding pairs.
“The [new colonies] are an exciting discovery,” said BAS senior scientist Peter Fretwell, who led the research, in a statement. “Whilst this is good news, the colonies are small and so only take the overall population count up to just over half a million penguins.”
The new data should help European researchers better help to monitor how environmental changes will impact the emperor penguin population.
Conservationists and researchers have warned that the birds face a dire threat in the coming decades as the Antarctic sea ice upon which they depend continues to melt at a rapid rate.
Emperor penguins are among the largest penguin species, weighing in at up to 90 pounds and living for up to 20 years. They require a stable sea ice habitat from April to December in order to successfully breed and survive before moving to the open sea.
The creatures rely on the sea ice to incubate their eggs and raise their chicks, and if sea ice is unstable following their breeding period then they can drown during their annual moult when their feathers are no longer waterproof.
?? Ever tried to observe #penguins from space?#Copernicus ???satellite imagery has revealed that there are nearly 20% more emperor penguin colonies in #Antarctica than previously thought. Learn how & read more about @BAS_News' study here ➡https://t.co/EO51hjDY6V pic.twitter.com/2FWFZWwTDk — Copernicus EU (@CopernicusEU) August 5, 2020
And as climate conditions continue to rapidly grow warmer, scientists worry about the impact on the emperor penguins’ habitat.
Researchers see the newly-discovered colonies as “canaries in the coal mine” when it comes to understanding global warming’s impact.
“Whilst it’s good news that we’ve found these new colonies, the breeding sites are all in locations where recent model projections suggest emperors will decline,” said BAS head of conservation biology Dr. Phil Trathan.
“Birds in these sites are therefore probably the ‘canaries in the coal mine,’” Trathan added. “We need to watch these sites carefully as climate change will affect this region.”
Many of the colonies were discovered far offshore, including one which was located as far as 112 miles (180 km) from Antarctica on sea ice formed around icebergs which were grounded in shallow water.
“Many of the penguin scientists we have talked to were disbelieving, as normally you expect them to be at the coast,” Frewtwell said.
Because the discovery of the colonies offer surprising insights on the behavior of the species – as well as both good and bad news – scientists remain hopeful that they can put the new information to use in protecting the vulnerable species.
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themindunleashed--2020-08-09--Inmate Released Due to Virus Kills Woman Who Accused Him of Violent Rape

( TMU ) – Virginia police claim that a suspect in a rape case who was released from jail under the state ’ s early release plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic later went on to kill the woman who accused him of the crime .
Officers in Alexandria , Virginia , found a woman shot to death last week in the city ’ s first homicide of the year .
The victim was identified as Karla Elizabeth Dominguez , a Venezuelan immigrant with no family in the United States .
Dominguez accused Ibrahim E. Bouaichi , 33 , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was charged with rape , sodomy , strangulation , abduction , burglary and malicious wounding before he turned himself in on October 21 .
In December , Bouaichi was indicted on charges of rape , strangulation , and abduction and was jailed without bond in a local jail , reports Washington Post .
Following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic , Bouaichi ’ s lawyers pushed to have him released while awaiting trial due to the danger posed by COVID-19 against both inmates and attorneys .
In their motion , lawyers Manuel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing and proper disinfecting measures are impossible while incarcerated.… Simply put , the risk of contracting Covid-19 in a jail is exceedingly obvious.
” They added that they themselves were at risk due to any visit to the facility exposing them to “ contaminated air and surfaces.
” While an Alexandria prosecutor objected to the early release , Circuit Court Judge Nolan Dawkins released Bouaichi on $ 25,000 bond on the condition that he only leave his home in Maryland to meet his lawyers and pretrial services officials .
Alexandria police say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 29 and shot and killed Dominguez outside of her apartment .
Police immediately sought to find Bouaichi and released a video requesting public assistance in locating the alleged killer , who they described as “ armed and dangerous.
” On Wednesday , federal marshals and local police found Bouaichi in Prince George ’ s County and a chase ensued .
Bouaichi eventually crashed his car and was discovered by officers with a self-inflicted gunshot wound .
He is reported to be in grave condition as of Thursday .
The case is representative of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Civil liberties advocates argue that the coronavirus pandemic requires that jails and prisons should release incarcerated people early , especially due to the high possibility that they face infection and needless death due to being kept in such tight and often overcrowded confines .
Indeed , with the U.S. have the largest number of incarcerated people out of any country in the world , prisoners are crammed together and forced to share cells , dining spaces , and showers , making them extraordinarily vulnerable to the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a death sentence .
Most of those who have been released across the country were either nonviolent criminals or inmates whose violent crimes occurred decades ago and are now sick and old .
However , there have also been reports across the country that some inmates released due to the pandemic have gone on to allegedly commit more crimes , including murder .
Such was the tragic case for Karla Dominguez .

(TMU) – Virginia police claim that a suspect in a rape case who was released from jail under the state’s early release plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic later went on to kill the woman who accused him of the crime.
Officers in Alexandria, Virginia, found a woman shot to death last week in the city’s first homicide of the year. The victim was identified as Karla Elizabeth Dominguez, a Venezuelan immigrant with no family in the United States.
Dominguez accused Ibrahim E. Bouaichi, 33, of violently raping her last October. He was charged with rape, sodomy, strangulation, abduction, burglary and malicious wounding before he turned himself in on October 21.
In December, Bouaichi was indicted on charges of rape, strangulation, and abduction and was jailed without bond in a local jail, reports Washington Post.
Following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic, Bouaichi’s lawyers pushed to have him released while awaiting trial due to the danger posed by COVID-19 against both inmates and attorneys.
In their motion, lawyers Manuel Leiva and Frank Salvato noted that “social distancing and proper disinfecting measures are impossible while incarcerated.… Simply put, the risk of contracting Covid-19 in a jail is exceedingly obvious.” They added that they themselves were at risk due to any visit to the facility exposing them to “contaminated air and surfaces.”
While an Alexandria prosecutor objected to the early release, Circuit Court Judge Nolan Dawkins released Bouaichi on $25,000 bond on the condition that he only leave his home in Maryland to meet his lawyers and pretrial services officials.
Alexandria police say that Bouaichi returned to Alexandria on July 29 and shot and killed Dominguez outside of her apartment.
Police immediately sought to find Bouaichi and released a video requesting public assistance in locating the alleged killer, who they described as “armed and dangerous.”
On Wednesday, federal marshals and local police found Bouaichi in Prince George’s County and a chase ensued. Bouaichi eventually crashed his car and was discovered by officers with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He is reported to be in grave condition as of Thursday.
Ibrahm Elkahlil Bouaichi, who was wanted for the July 29 murder of Karla Elizabeth Dominguez Gonzalez, has been taken… Posted by Police Department, City of Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday, August 5, 2020
The case is representative of a sad side effect of the pandemic. Civil liberties advocates argue that the coronavirus pandemic requires that jails and prisons should release incarcerated people early, especially due to the high possibility that they face infection and needless death due to being kept in such tight and often overcrowded confines.
Indeed, with the U.S. have the largest number of incarcerated people out of any country in the world, prisoners are crammed together and forced to share cells, dining spaces, and showers, making them extraordinarily vulnerable to the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19 – unjustly turning many prison sentences into a death sentence.
Most of those who have been released across the country were either nonviolent criminals or inmates whose violent crimes occurred decades ago and are now sick and old.
However, there have also been reports across the country that some inmates released due to the pandemic have gone on to allegedly commit more crimes, including murder. Such was the tragic case for Karla Dominguez.
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themindunleashed--2020-08-08--Washington DC enjoys 3-day weekend as millions in U.S. face unpaid bills, evictions, hunger

( TMU ) – With negotiations over a new stimulus package continuing to fail in the U.S. Congress , lawmakers left Washington , D.C. to enjoy a 3-day weekend despite the dire uncertainty being felt by tens of millions of unemployed Americans nervous about unpaid bills and rent .
Democrats and Republicans continue to remain at each other ’ s throats over the shape of any new stimulus package that could keep the pandemic-stricken economy from utterly collapsing , with Democrats backing the $ 3 trillion HEROES Act and Republicans backing a far more austere $ 1 trillion HEALS Act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are willing to reach a compromise to pass a bill , conservatives and liberals are mired in numerous impasses over issues ranging from unemployment benefits to aid for states and financial assistance to public schools .
With little solution in sight , the Republican-controlled Senate led by Mitch McConnell adjourned for a three-day weekend .
President Donald Trump also arrived in New Jersey on Thursday to enjoy a three-day vacation at his Bedminster golf course , a move he described as a “ peaceful protest ” against the media during a private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the meantime , jobless Americans are being left in the lurch as unemployment continues to hover above 10 percent , a number far higher than during the peak of the 2008 financial crisis .
Last week an additional 1.18 million people filed for unemployment benefits , marking the 19th week in a row that jobless claims exceeded 1 million , according to The Guardian .
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic , the record for weekly claims was 695,000 in October 1982 during the early 1980s recession – a severe economic downturn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the current crisis .
And as members of Congress enjoys its 3-day holiday , Americans are continuing to tighten their belt in the absence of the extra $ 600 they had been receiving on top of their normal unemployment benefits until the payments expired at the end of July .
The end of a federal moratorium on evictions also poses the danger that up to 40 million Americans may be spending their final months with a roof over their heads .
Economists are warning that without any replacement for the lost benefits , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ levels of hunger could engulf the United States – with harsh consequences for the economy in general , causing a vicious circle that will further impoverish Americans .
“ The $ 600 benefit is essential for millions of people to get food , to pay rent , to care for their children , to afford basic necessities .
If it is cut off , it will mean a sharp decline in their living standards , an increase in poverty , and completely unnecessary suffering , ” wrote Heidi Shierholz , the senior economist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Policy Institute ( EPI ) .
“ The spending generated by that $ 600 is supporting over 5m jobs .
In other words , kill the $ 600 and you will kill 5m jobs – jobs in every single state , ” she wrote .
In the meantime , JP Morgan and The University of Chicago wrote in a July study that the loss of $ 600 payments for jobless Americans will result in a 4.2 percent drop in consumption , far exceeding the 2.9 percent fall experienced during the span of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elites are universally convinced of the need to avoid further economic calamities , on Friday partisan divisions continued to stymie any possibility of an agreement , with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin dismissing House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi ’ s offer to trim the Democrats ’ $ 3.5 trillion stimulus proposal by a trillion dollars as a “ non-starter.
” Republicans continue to demand that employers be granted legal protections against health claims by workers that are related to the coronavirus .
They also are demanding that local governments receive far less aid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday evening , President Donald Trump blasted Democratic leadership for the stalemate while claiming that he would offer his own unilateral solution through executive order .
“ Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer continue to insist on radical left-wing policies that have nothing to do with the China virus , ” Trump said .
“ If Democrats continue to hold this critical relief hostage , I will act under my authority as president to get Americans the relief they need.
” Trump also said that he would defer payroll taxes and student loan interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offer jobless benefits through the rest of the year .
However , analysts have dismissed the president ’ s statements as electioneering and posturing , given that issues regarding federal spending remain in the hands of Congress .
According to White House officials , Trump could sign the order as soon as Saturday , reports NBC .
In the meantime , however , the Senate ’ s long weekend is not going over well with Americans , who are taking to social media to blast lawmakers .

(TMU) – With negotiations over a new stimulus package continuing to fail in the U.S. Congress, lawmakers left Washington, D.C. to enjoy a 3-day weekend despite the dire uncertainty being felt by tens of millions of unemployed Americans nervous about unpaid bills and rent.
Democrats and Republicans continue to remain at each other’s throats over the shape of any new stimulus package that could keep the pandemic-stricken economy from utterly collapsing, with Democrats backing the $3 trillion HEROES Act and Republicans backing a far more austere $1 trillion HEALS Act.
While both sides have signaled that they are willing to reach a compromise to pass a bill, conservatives and liberals are mired in numerous impasses over issues ranging from unemployment benefits to aid for states and financial assistance to public schools.
With little solution in sight, the Republican-controlled Senate led by Mitch McConnell adjourned for a three-day weekend.
President Donald Trump also arrived in New Jersey on Thursday to enjoy a three-day vacation at his Bedminster golf course, a move he described as a “peaceful protest” against the media during a private party at the exclusive club on Friday.
https://twitter.com/ohioleafsfan/status/1291707003212115969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
In the meantime, jobless Americans are being left in the lurch as unemployment continues to hover above 10 percent, a number far higher than during the peak of the 2008 financial crisis. Last week an additional 1.18 million people filed for unemployment benefits, marking the 19th week in a row that jobless claims exceeded 1 million, according to The Guardian.
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the record for weekly claims was 695,000 in October 1982 during the early 1980s recession – a severe economic downturn that may seem mild in comparison to the current crisis.
And as members of Congress enjoys its 3-day holiday, Americans are continuing to tighten their belt in the absence of the extra $600 they had been receiving on top of their normal unemployment benefits until the payments expired at the end of July.
The end of a federal moratorium on evictions also poses the danger that up to 40 million Americans may be spending their final months with a roof over their heads.
Economists are warning that without any replacement for the lost benefits, homelessness, poverty, and previously unseen levels of hunger could engulf the United States – with harsh consequences for the economy in general, causing a vicious circle that will further impoverish Americans.
https://twitter.com/ZeitgeistFilm/status/1289960528664653825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
“The $600 benefit is essential for millions of people to get food, to pay rent, to care for their children, to afford basic necessities. If it is cut off, it will mean a sharp decline in their living standards, an increase in poverty, and completely unnecessary suffering,” wrote Heidi Shierholz, the senior economist and director of policy at the Economic Policy Institute (EPI).
“The spending generated by that $600 is supporting over 5m jobs. In other words, kill the $600 and you will kill 5m jobs – jobs in every single state,” she wrote.
In the meantime, JP Morgan and The University of Chicago wrote in a July study that the loss of $600 payments for jobless Americans will result in a 4.2 percent drop in consumption, far exceeding the 2.9 percent fall experienced during the span of the Great Recession.
? new predictions of effects of alternative UI benefit supplements ? The UI supplements have expired. Congress is considering a range of options. What will happen to
1) *consumption*
2) *UI replacement rates* Thread w/@JoeVavra @pascaljnoel pic.twitter.com/YdENQzgzBY — Peter Ganong (@p_ganong) July 31, 2020
While political and financial elites are universally convinced of the need to avoid further economic calamities, on Friday partisan divisions continued to stymie any possibility of an agreement, with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin dismissing House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s offer to trim the Democrats’ $3.5 trillion stimulus proposal by a trillion dollars as a “non-starter.”
Republicans continue to demand that employers be granted legal protections against health claims by workers that are related to the coronavirus. They also are demanding that local governments receive far less aid under their proposed stimulus package.
On Friday evening, President Donald Trump blasted Democratic leadership for the stalemate while claiming that he would offer his own unilateral solution through executive order.
“Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer continue to insist on radical left-wing policies that have nothing to do with the China virus,” Trump said. “If Democrats continue to hold this critical relief hostage, I will act under my authority as president to get Americans the relief they need.”
Trump also said that he would defer payroll taxes and student loan interest, extend the eviction moratorium, and offer jobless benefits through the rest of the year.
However, analysts have dismissed the president’s statements as electioneering and posturing, given that issues regarding federal spending remain in the hands of Congress.
According to White House officials, Trump could sign the order as soon as Saturday, reports NBC.
In the meantime, however, the Senate’s long weekend is not going over well with Americans, who are taking to social media to blast lawmakers.
https://twitter.com/djmincey11/status/1291690486512488448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Again, if you let the due date pass and your agreement expire and you end up losing something, in any other job scenario, YOU WOULD BE FIRED! How are they allowed to get their recess when they didn't finish their job on time? How are they still employed? — Sam Avnet (@ThisIsSamsLife) August 7, 2020
The fact that the senate would even consider a recess before a deal is insane. You serve the american people. DO YOUR JOB. @senatemajldr @SenSchumer — SEANNY SMILES (@SeannyFK) August 6, 2020
https://twitter.com/bpeace67/status/1291689320575668224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Flood their offices with calls, voicemail, faxes and emails. Remind them that they work for you!! Tell them to do their jobs. KY, ME, and SC let your representative know that you have the power to remove them. #VoteThemAllOut2020 #CorruptGOP #ConsequencesForTrump #COVID19 — N3NAMALA69 (@N3NAMALA69) August 7, 2020
Why does Congress get so many vacations? Even when they’re in Washington DC conducting business, both chambers are nearly empty unless there is a vote. — Peter Roberts (@ManFromMarina) August 6, 2020
Hello fellow citizens…. we've been abandoned by a bunch of millionaires.
Regardless of your political affiliation, perhaps it's time to hold them accountable….
Just sayin'… — Antifa HR Manager (@Luthier122) August 6, 2020
https://twitter.com/Aimushroamer/status/1291510957810823179?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/audubon3514/status/1291524666494988290?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
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themindunleashed--2020-08-08--‘Smart’ face mask from Japan translates 8 languages, boosting communication in ‘new normal’

( TMU ) – As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grow with no end in sight in the foreseeable future , face masks have become an essential part of our daily lives .
As a result , the market for protective face coverings has exponentially grown – with the demand for cloth , neoprene , disposable , reusable , valved and filtered masks continuing to grow .
And now , engineers have designed a smart facial mask that can help not only amplify voices muffled by the myriad protective masks , but can also translate speech into eight different languages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Japanese startup Donut Robotics , which saw the new masked reality as a great opportunity to unveil its new high-tech mask that can boost communication and connectedness while also helping to make physical distancing easier .
The C-Face Smart Mask is connected to an integrated microphone that connects to the wearer ’ s smartphone through an app , and offers a suite of features .
Not only can it amplify the wearer ’ s voice , but it can also transcribe dictation and translate speech into eight different languages ( Chinese , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Korean , Spanish , and Vietnamese ) .
And while the white plastic and silicone smart mask isn ’ t meant to offer protection against the coronavirus – as is clear from the breathing holes in the mask – the C-Mask is designed to be perfectly compatible with existing standard face masks .
The C-Mask relies on translation software that Donut Robotics originally developed for its Cinnamon robot , an AI-enabled bot that would assist international travelers with useful information and help them navigate Japanese airports .
But after the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the closure of Japan ’ s airport , the startup pivoted to applying its technology to face masks so that workers in various industries including healthcare could confidently and clearly communicate behind face coverings and barriers .
“ We were running short of money and wondering how to keep the company going , ” Donut Robotics CEO Taisuke Ono told CNN .
With face masks of various types flying off the shelves in unprecedented numbers , the company decided in June to monetize their new technology by launching a crowdsourcing campaign on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a major success , with 28 million yen ( $ 265,000 ) in only 37 minutes .
“ It was very surprising , ” Ono said , “ because it would usually take three or four months to get that kind of money.
” After another successful crowdfunding campaign in July , the company was able to raise another 56.6 million yen ( $ 539,000 ) , which the company plans to use to adapt their Japanese-focused software to the international market .
Ono believes that the first wave of 5,000 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by December for between $ 40 and $ 50 , with plans to extend operations as soon as April 2021 .
Ono hopes that with people struggling to abide by social distancing norms recommended by public health authorities , the new Bluetooth masks can allow for efficient communication in locales like office buildings and hospitals .
“ We still have many situations where we have to meet in person , ” he said .
“ In this new normal … the mask and the app are very helpful .
”

(TMU) – As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grow with no end in sight in the foreseeable future, face masks have become an essential part of our daily lives. As a result, the market for protective face coverings has exponentially grown – with the demand for cloth, neoprene, disposable, reusable, valved and filtered masks continuing to grow.
And now, engineers have designed a smart facial mask that can help not only amplify voices muffled by the myriad protective masks, but can also translate speech into eight different languages.
This latest innovation is the work of Japanese startup Donut Robotics, which saw the new masked reality as a great opportunity to unveil its new high-tech mask that can boost communication and connectedness while also helping to make physical distancing easier.
The C-Face Smart Mask is connected to an integrated microphone that connects to the wearer’s smartphone through an app, and offers a suite of features. Not only can it amplify the wearer’s voice, but it can also transcribe dictation and translate speech into eight different languages (Chinese, English, French, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese).
And while the white plastic and silicone smart mask isn’t meant to offer protection against the coronavirus – as is clear from the breathing holes in the mask – the C-Mask is designed to be perfectly compatible with existing standard face masks.
The C-Mask relies on translation software that Donut Robotics originally developed for its Cinnamon robot, an AI-enabled bot that would assist international travelers with useful information and help them navigate Japanese airports .
But after the coronavirus pandemic virtually halted most international travel and led to the closure of Japan’s airport, the startup pivoted to applying its technology to face masks so that workers in various industries including healthcare could confidently and clearly communicate behind face coverings and barriers.
“We were running short of money and wondering how to keep the company going,” Donut Robotics CEO Taisuke Ono told CNN.
With face masks of various types flying off the shelves in unprecedented numbers, the company decided in June to monetize their new technology by launching a crowdsourcing campaign on Japanese fundraising platform Fundinno. The campaign was a major success, with 28 million yen ($265,000) in only 37 minutes.
“It was very surprising,” Ono said, “because it would usually take three or four months to get that kind of money.”
After another successful crowdfunding campaign in July, the company was able to raise another 56.6 million yen ($539,000), which the company plans to use to adapt their Japanese-focused software to the international market.
Ono believes that the first wave of 5,000 to 10,000 masks should be available in Japan by December for between $40 and $50, with plans to extend operations as soon as April 2021.
Ono hopes that with people struggling to abide by social distancing norms recommended by public health authorities, the new Bluetooth masks can allow for efficient communication in locales like office buildings and hospitals.
“We still have many situations where we have to meet in person,” he said. “In this new normal … the mask and the app are very helpful.”
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themindunleashed--2020-08-10--Japan’s life-size, fully functional 55,000-pound Gundam is now complete

( TMU ) – Late last month , footage emerged of Japan ’ s full-sized Gundam robot testing the functionality of its legs in the Port of Yokohama which lies near Tokyo .
And now it appears that the mammoth humanoid robot from Yoshiyuki Tomino ’ s iconic 1979 anime series is fully complete .
Early this year , engineers at the Gundam Factory Yokohama announced that they were going to build a life-sized , advanced humanoid robot based on the RX-78F00 Gundam , a massive moving statue that stands at a towering 59 feet and weighs 55,000 pounds .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ development since at least 2014 , this new marvel of engineering hit a few snags in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic .
However , last month footage emerged showing the RX-78F00 lifting its legs for the first and rotating its gigantic torso while secured in the Yokohama ’ s Gundam dock or “ G-Dock.
” Yet it still lacked hands and a head .
But new images have emerged of Shinto priests blessing the Gundam ’ s massive head in a jotoshiki ( roof-installing ) ceremony before the head was finally placed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When complete , the first moving Gundam statue will have a full mechanical skeleton beneath its outer armor which will allow it to use its arms and its legs .
Weighing upwards of 25 tons , the robot will have 24 degrees of freedom allowing it to walk wherever it pleases .
The mecha will also have a huge hand stretching 6.5 feet with fingers and thumbs that are fully functional .
Gundam Factory Yokohama had planned to would preview this larger-than-life creation at Yamashita Pier during weekend events over the summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and a Gundam-themed café .
Concerns over the ongoing COVID-19 emergency ultimately led the cancellation of these events .
However , it appears that the Gundam ’ s public unveiling is still on track to take place at some point this October .
This won ’ t be the first time that a massive Gundam robot will be towering over Japan , as lead designer Masaki Kawahara also has three other life-sized Gundam mechas under his belt .
This includes a towering RX-0 Unicorn Gundam replica from the Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of DiverCity Tokyo Plaza and has moving light panels , shifting armor plates , and the ability to switch into Destroyer mode .
Yoshiyuki Tomino ’ s Gundam series is one of the most celebrated and recognizable Japanese pop culture icons of the past four decades since Mobile Suit Gundam debuted in 1979 .
Filled with massive and sleek-yet-blocky mecha robots who fought each other with swords and advanced gun blasters , Gundam spawned a massive manga , anime , plastic model franchise and videogame franchise .
The unveiling of the Yokohama RX-78F00 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new commemorative model of the robot standing in its G-Dock .
The samurai-like mecha hasn ’ t only spawned nearly 50 official TV series and films , but has also served as the main inspiration for Western properties including Transformers , Pacific Rim , Voltron , MegaBots , and Real Steel – not to mention popular Japanese mecha franchises including Patlabor and Neon Genesis Evangelion .

(TMU) – Late last month, footage emerged of Japan’s full-sized Gundam robot testing the functionality of its legs in the Port of Yokohama which lies near Tokyo.
And now it appears that the mammoth humanoid robot from Yoshiyuki Tomino’s iconic 1979 anime series is fully complete.
Early this year, engineers at the Gundam Factory Yokohama announced that they were going to build a life-sized, advanced humanoid robot based on the RX-78F00 Gundam, a massive moving statue that stands at a towering 59 feet and weighs 55,000 pounds.
While the massive mecha has been in development since at least 2014, this new marvel of engineering hit a few snags in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, last month footage emerged showing the RX-78F00 lifting its legs for the first and rotating its gigantic torso while secured in the Yokohama’s Gundam dock or “G-Dock.” Yet it still lacked hands and a head.
But new images have emerged of Shinto priests blessing the Gundam’s massive head in a jotoshiki (roof-installing) ceremony before the head was finally placed on the mecha’s hulking body.
When complete, the first moving Gundam statue will have a full mechanical skeleton beneath its outer armor which will allow it to use its arms and its legs.
Weighing upwards of 25 tons, the robot will have 24 degrees of freedom allowing it to walk wherever it pleases. The mecha will also have a huge hand stretching 6.5 feet with fingers and thumbs that are fully functional.
Gundam Factory Yokohama had planned to would preview this larger-than-life creation at Yamashita Pier during weekend events over the summer complete with shops, a robotics lab, and a Gundam-themed café. Concerns over the ongoing COVID-19 emergency ultimately led the cancellation of these events.
However, it appears that the Gundam’s public unveiling is still on track to take place at some point this October.
This won’t be the first time that a massive Gundam robot will be towering over Japan, as lead designer Masaki Kawahara also has three other life-sized Gundam mechas under his belt. This includes a towering RX-0 Unicorn Gundam replica from the Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn series, which is parked in front of DiverCity Tokyo Plaza and has moving light panels, shifting armor plates, and the ability to switch into Destroyer mode.
Yoshiyuki Tomino’s Gundam series is one of the most celebrated and recognizable Japanese pop culture icons of the past four decades since Mobile Suit Gundam debuted in 1979. Filled with massive and sleek-yet-blocky mecha robots who fought each other with swords and advanced gun blasters, Gundam spawned a massive manga, anime, plastic model franchise and videogame franchise.
The unveiling of the Yokohama RX-78F00 will also coincide with the release of a new commemorative model of the robot standing in its G-Dock.
The samurai-like mecha hasn’t only spawned nearly 50 official TV series and films, but has also served as the main inspiration for Western properties including Transformers, Pacific Rim, Voltron, MegaBots, and Real Steel – not to mention popular Japanese mecha franchises including Patlabor and Neon Genesis Evangelion.
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themindunleashed--2020-08-10--With 194 BILLION masks and gloves used monthly, new wave of pollution hits oceans and beaches

( TMU ) – When the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world earlier this year , plunging much of the world into lockdown conditions , it seemed that nature was finally being given a major breather – so much so that breathless stories spread across the world about animals taking back their environs , along with memes and social media posts about how “ the earth is healing.
” However , the scant silver lining of the global lockdown was much thinner than believed , and instead , the pandemic has given rise to a new , sad side effect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protective equipment ( PPE ) that is littering the planet in shocking ways .
According to a new study published in the Environment , Science & Technology journal , no less than 129 billion face masks and 65 billion gloves – 194 billion units of PPE in total – are being used on a monthly basis around the world , resulting in “ widespread environmental contamination ” and a catastrophic new wave of waste material in our oceans and rivers .
To make matters worse , watchdogs with WWF ( World Wildlife Fund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year : “ If only 1 percent of the masks were to be disposed of incorrectly and dispersed in nature , this would result in up to 10 million masks per month polluting the environment.
” An environmentalist in the UK is already seeing the results of the improper disposal of the mountain of PPE being used and discarded on every month .
Emily Stevenson , a marine biologist widely known as the “ Beach Guardian , ” recently went to collect litter from a beach in Cornwall , along England ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 171 pieces of discarded PPE only in the span of one hour – a shocking rise from the six PPE items she had found on a previous beach cleanup .
Emily and her father Rob founded The Beach Guardian project in 2017 , and have organized 200 community cleanups involving 6,000 volunteers .
In recent months , she has noticed how the litter they are collecting has shifted from single-use plastic bags and straws to gloves and protective face masks .
“ We ’ ve already found evidence of PPE actually sinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , according to The Independent .
“ This means that there could be a totally unaccounted for concentration of PPE pollution on the seafloor , which can remain as dormant debris for centuries.
” “ Once on the seafloor , it smothers any biological structures such as important Sea Fan beds in the UK , or coral reefs further afield , ” she continued .
“ Also , this debris entails a ‘ plasticizing ’ effect when on the seafloor – potentially inhibiting gas exchange between the water column and sediment.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wears one disposable protective face mask per day for a full year , this would result in an extra 57,000 tons of plastic that is difficult to recycle – along with an additional 66,000 tons of contaminated PPE trash .
“ This has been the first time I have been legitimately frightened by PPE pollution , ” Stevenson said .
“ To see it in the water , in the environment that holds my heart and my passion .
To see it at home , on my doorstep .
It hit me very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the novel coronavirus pandemic , experts and conservationists were urgently warning that plastic waste was inundating the world ’ s oceans and water supplies , leaching carcinogenic toxins and chemicals into the marine environment , with plastic drink containers trapping and confining—and ultimately killing—marine wildlife .
The pollution has reached such monstrous proportions that an estimated 100 million tons of plastic could be found in the oceans , according to the UN .
Between 80 and 90 percent of it comes from land-based sources .
A report prepared for the 2016 World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned that by 2050 , plastic waste in the ocean would outweigh all fish .
Stevenson retains hope that given the unifying effect of the pandemic , people will be more open to embracing a conscientious attitude toward problems on a global scale .
“ The saving grace of COVID-19 has been our unity ; the whole world has faced the virus together , ” she noted .
“ If we continue with the same global collaboration , we can resolve this .
PPE is in all of our lives ; we use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But it is for this very reason that we can all do something about it.
” “ It is those daily , individual , small steps that happen on a global scale that is going to be our greatest ally in this fight against plastic , ” Stevenson said .

(TMU) – When the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world earlier this year, plunging much of the world into lockdown conditions, it seemed that nature was finally being given a major breather – so much so that breathless stories spread across the world about animals taking back their environs, along with memes and social media posts about how “the earth is healing.”
However, the scant silver lining of the global lockdown was much thinner than believed, and instead, the pandemic has given rise to a new, sad side effect – millions of pieces of discarded personal protective equipment (PPE) that is littering the planet in shocking ways.
According to a new study published in the Environment, Science & Technology journal, no less than 129 billion face masks and 65 billion gloves – 194 billion units of PPE in total – are being used on a monthly basis around the world, resulting in “widespread environmental contamination” and a catastrophic new wave of waste material in our oceans and rivers.
Although wearing PPE is often essential, remember to take care when throwing away used items. Not only are they hazardous to other people, it's all too easy for discarded masks and gloves to end up in watercourses.
Find a bin, do it properly.#Loveyourriver #PPE #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/QWCXSuWtNp — Wessex Rivers Trust (@WessexRivers) August 7, 2020
To make matters worse, watchdogs with WWF (World Wildlife Fund) warned in a report earlier this year: “If only 1 percent of the masks were to be disposed of incorrectly and dispersed in nature, this would result in up to 10 million masks per month polluting the environment.”
An environmentalist in the UK is already seeing the results of the improper disposal of the mountain of PPE being used and discarded on every month.
Emily Stevenson, a marine biologist widely known as the “Beach Guardian,” recently went to collect litter from a beach in Cornwall, along England’s southwestern coast, and found no less than 171 pieces of discarded PPE only in the span of one hour – a shocking rise from the six PPE items she had found on a previous beach cleanup.
171 discarded face masks and gloves found on Cornish coastline in one hour pic.twitter.com/mUqUvvMHZP — The Independent (@Independent) August 6, 2020
Emily and her father Rob founded The Beach Guardian project in 2017, and have organized 200 community cleanups involving 6,000 volunteers. In recent months, she has noticed how the litter they are collecting has shifted from single-use plastic bags and straws to gloves and protective face masks.
“We’ve already found evidence of PPE actually sinking below the ocean surface,” Stevenson said, according to The Independent. “This means that there could be a totally unaccounted for concentration of PPE pollution on the seafloor, which can remain as dormant debris for centuries.”
“Once on the seafloor, it smothers any biological structures such as important Sea Fan beds in the UK, or coral reefs further afield,” she continued. “Also, this debris entails a ‘plasticizing’ effect when on the seafloor – potentially inhibiting gas exchange between the water column and sediment.”
Stevenson noted that if the entire UK wears one disposable protective face mask per day for a full year, this would result in an extra 57,000 tons of plastic that is difficult to recycle – along with an additional 66,000 tons of contaminated PPE trash.
“This has been the first time I have been legitimately frightened by PPE pollution,” Stevenson said. “To see it in the water, in the environment that holds my heart and my passion. To see it at home, on my doorstep. It hit me very hard.”
1⃣5⃣2⃣ plastic gloves and face masks found during today’s #LitterPick… ? This wave of #PPEPollution is relentless… but can be resolved, if we are all responsible with our waste.#PlasticPandemic pic.twitter.com/1sAprnmZ3q — Beach Guardian (@PlasticWaive) August 6, 2020
Well prior to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic, experts and conservationists were urgently warning that plastic waste was inundating the world’s oceans and water supplies, leaching carcinogenic toxins and chemicals into the marine environment, with plastic drink containers trapping and confining—and ultimately killing—marine wildlife.
The pollution has reached such monstrous proportions that an estimated 100 million tons of plastic could be found in the oceans, according to the UN. Between 80 and 90 percent of it comes from land-based sources. A report prepared for the 2016 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, warned that by 2050, plastic waste in the ocean would outweigh all fish.
Stevenson retains hope that given the unifying effect of the pandemic, people will be more open to embracing a conscientious attitude toward problems on a global scale.
“The saving grace of COVID-19 has been our unity; the whole world has faced the virus together,” she noted. “If we continue with the same global collaboration, we can resolve this. PPE is in all of our lives; we use it or see it every day. But it is for this very reason that we can all do something about it.”
“It is those daily, individual, small steps that happen on a global scale that is going to be our greatest ally in this fight against plastic,” Stevenson said.
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themindunleashed--2020-08-09--Report: White House asked SD governor about how Trump can be added to Mount Rushmore

( TMU ) – The White House has reportedly reached out to the governor of South Dakota with a monumental request : adding the likeness of President Donald Trump to Mount Rushmore .
The New York Times reported over the weekend that White House aides inquired with conservative South Dakota Gov .
Kristi Noem about the process of adding additional presidents ’ faces to America ’ s shrine to long-deceased leaders in the state ’ s Black Hills .
According to a Republican official familiar with the conversations , the governor was so stricken by the question that when Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold a fireworks-filled July 4 gala event , she greeted the president with a four-foot replica of Mount Rushmore that included his face .
In 2018 , Noem said in an interview that Trump had privately expressed his “ dream ” to have his likeness carved into the 1927 monument alongside the mammoth 60-foot-high carvings of the faces of Presidents George Washington , Thomas Jefferson , Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln .
She initially assumed that the former reality television star was joking .
“ I started laughing , ” Noem said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ so he was totally serious.
” “ He said , ‘ Kristi , come on over here .
Shake my hand , ’ ” she recounted .
“ And so I shook his hand , and I said , ‘ Mr .
President , you should come to South Dakota sometime .
We have Mount Rushmore.
’ And he goes , ‘ Do you know it ’ s my dream to have my face on Mount Rushmore ? '
” In July 2017 , Trump also floated the idea of having his face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rally in Youngstown , Ohio .
“ I ’ d ask whether or not you think I will someday be on Mount Rushmore , but here ’ s the problem : If I did it joking , totally joking , having fun , the fake news media will say ‘ he believes he should be on Mount Rushmore , ’ ” Trump said at the time .
“ So I won ’ t say it , OK ?
I won ’ t say it.
” Trump offered a stalwart defense of Mount Rushmore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which coincided with a massive wave of protests against police brutality , racism and white supremacy in the United States that saw tens of statues to colonial and Confederate historical figures being toppled .
In his speech , Trump vowed that Mount Rushmore would “ stand forever as an eternal tribute to our forefathers , and to our freedom.
” “ As we meet here tonight there is a growing danger that threatens every blessing our ancestors fought so hard for , ” he also warned .
A White House official told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a federal , not state , monument .
Mount Rushmore was built in the Black Hills of South Dakota atop what the Lakota Sioux nation , who originally inhabited the land , saw as the sacred territory of the Six Grandfathers Mountain .
While the controversial 79-year-old sculpture now known as “ America ’ s shrine to democracy ” is recognized as one of the great patriotic monuments in the United States and a symbol of national “ heritage , ” Native American tribal spokesmen and activists largely see the gigantic monument @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their sacred land .
“ Nothing stands as a greater reminder to the Great Sioux Nation of a country that can not keep a promise or treaty than the faces carved into our sacred land on what the United States called Mount Rushmore , ” Chairman Harold Frazier of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe said in a statement in June .
” We are now being forced to witness the lashing of our land with pomp , arrogance and fire hoping our sacred lands will survive .
This brand on our flesh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ willing to do it free of charge to the United States , by myself if I must.
” “ Visitors look upon the faces of those presidents and extoll the virtues that they believe make America the country it is today , ” he continued .
“ Lakota see the faces of the men who lied , cheated and murdered innocent people whose only crime was living on the land they wanted to steal.
” “ The United States of America wishes for all of us to be citizens and a family of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of looking at those faces , we are left looking at our molesters , ” he added..

(TMU) – The White House has reportedly reached out to the governor of South Dakota with a monumental request: adding the likeness of President Donald Trump to Mount Rushmore.
The New York Times reported over the weekend that White House aides inquired with conservative South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem about the process of adding additional presidents’ faces to America’s shrine to long-deceased leaders in the state’s Black Hills.
According to a Republican official familiar with the conversations, the governor was so stricken by the question that when Trump landed in the state last month to hold a fireworks-filled July 4 gala event, she greeted the president with a four-foot replica of Mount Rushmore that included his face.
In 2018, Noem said in an interview that Trump had privately expressed his “dream” to have his likeness carved into the 1927 monument alongside the mammoth 60-foot-high carvings of the faces of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. She initially assumed that the former reality television star was joking.
“I started laughing,” Noem said. “He wasn’t laughing, so he was totally serious.”
“He said, ‘Kristi, come on over here. Shake my hand,’” she recounted. “And so I shook his hand, and I said, ‘Mr. President, you should come to South Dakota sometime. We have Mount Rushmore.’ And he goes, ‘Do you know it’s my dream to have my face on Mount Rushmore?'”
In July 2017, Trump also floated the idea of having his face added to the monument during a campaign rally in Youngstown, Ohio.
“I’d ask whether or not you think I will someday be on Mount Rushmore, but here’s the problem: If I did it joking, totally joking, having fun, the fake news media will say ‘he believes he should be on Mount Rushmore,’” Trump said at the time.
“So I won’t say it, OK? I won’t say it.”
Trump offered a stalwart defense of Mount Rushmore during his July 4 speech to supporters, which coincided with a massive wave of protests against police brutality, racism and white supremacy in the United States that saw tens of statues to colonial and Confederate historical figures being toppled.
In his speech, Trump vowed that Mount Rushmore would “stand forever as an eternal tribute to our forefathers, and to our freedom.”
“As we meet here tonight there is a growing danger that threatens every blessing our ancestors fought so hard for,” he also warned.
A White House official told the New York Times that Mount Rushmore is a federal, not state, monument.
Mount Rushmore was built in the Black Hills of South Dakota atop what the Lakota Sioux nation, who originally inhabited the land, saw as the sacred territory of the Six Grandfathers Mountain.
While the controversial 79-year-old sculpture now known as “America’s shrine to democracy” is recognized as one of the great patriotic monuments in the United States and a symbol of national “heritage,” Native American tribal spokesmen and activists largely see the gigantic monument as a symbol of disrespect and desecration of their sacred land.
“Nothing stands as a greater reminder to the Great Sioux Nation of a country that cannot keep a promise or treaty than the faces carved into our sacred land on what the United States called Mount Rushmore,” Chairman Harold Frazier of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe said in a statement in June. ”We are now being forced to witness the lashing of our land with pomp, arrogance and fire hoping our sacred lands will survive. This brand on our flesh needs to be removed and I am willing to do it free of charge to the United States, by myself if I must.”
“Visitors look upon the faces of those presidents and extoll the virtues that they believe make America the country it is today,” he continued. “Lakota see the faces of the men who lied, cheated and murdered innocent people whose only crime was living on the land they wanted to steal.”
“The United States of America wishes for all of us to be citizens and a family of their republic yet when they get bored of looking at those faces, we are left looking at our molesters,” he added..
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