buzzfeed--2020-07-11--Trump Has Commuted The Prison Sentence Of His “Loyal” Ally Roger Stone

President Donald Trump on Friday commuted the sentence for his longtime ally Roger Stone , a former Trump campaign adviser who had been sentenced to prison for lying to Congress during the Russia investigation , obstructing investigators , and tampering with witnesses .
Rather than spending 40 months in a federal prison , Stone “ is now a free man , ” according to a White House statement announcing the commutation .
Stone was due to surrender to the Federal Bureau of Prisons on July 14 .
For months , Trump had been publicly noncommittal about whether he ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he still supported the longtime Republican political operative .
His tweets grew less subtle over time — on June 27 , he retweeted a tweet that read , “ IT ’ S TIME TO # PardonRogerStone . ''
Trump instead issued a commutation for Stone , thereby lightening the penalty , but leaving his underlying conviction intact .
“ Roger Stone is a victim of the Russia Hoax that the Left and its allies in the media perpetuated for years in an attempt to undermine the Trump Presidency , ” White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement Friday evening .
“ Mr .
Stone , like every American , deserves a fair trial and every opportunity to vindicate himself before the courts .
The President does not wish to interfere with his efforts to do so , ” McEnany added .
“ At this time , however , and particularly in light of the egregious facts and circumstances surrounding his unfair prosecution , arrest , and trial , the President has determined to commute his sentence.
” Stone lost his second attempt at getting a new trial in April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rejected his argument that a juror was biased because she ’ d criticized Trump on social media .
The judge had also refused Stone ’ s request to delay the date when he reported to prison until the fall .
Stone ’ s lawyers had argued that he was at a “ heightened risk of serious medical consequences ” if he contracted COVID-19 and the Justice Department did not oppose the request .
Jackson did agree to push back his surrender date by two weeks , but ordered him into home confinement — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge said would shield Stone from contracting the disease before he went to prison .
Although the Justice Department supported Stone ’ s original request to delay his surrender date to September , the government backed Jackson when Stone appealed to the DC Circuit .
DOJ lawyers wrote in a July 9 filing that Jackson ’ s decision to only extend the date by two weeks was a “ reasonable exercise ” of her discretion .
Earlier Friday , about an hour before Trump announced he was commuting his sentence , the DC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his prison sentence as well .
McEnany cited the pandemic in her statement announcing Trump 's decision to commute Stone 's sentence , arguing that `` Mr. Stone would be put at serious medical risk in prison . ''
Jackson ’ s ruling in April meant that Stone ’ s criminal case was officially over in the district court , and she lifted a gag order that had barred him not only from speaking publicly about his case , but also posting anything on social media .
In the weeks that followed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ routinely used Instagram as a platform to make his case for a pardon , along with appearances on Fox News and radio interviews .
But on Wednesday , Facebook announced that it had taken down Stone 's Instagram account , along with accounts linked to the Proud Boys , a far right , men-only extremist group , some of whom had volunteered for Stone and worked on his social media .
On April 30 , Stone appealed his conviction and Jackson ’ s order denying him a new trial .
That appeal was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d granted Stone clemency .
Before Stone was sentenced in February , the case exploded into a national controversy over political overreach by the administration to protect a friend Trump once called a “ loyal guy.
” Four federal prosecutors originally assigned to Stone ’ s case had filed papers with the court recommending a sentence of seven to nine years , but Trump balked , saying on Twitter that would be a “ very unfair situation ” and “ miscarriage of justice !
” Political appointees at the Justice Department quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February , prompting all four prosecutors to quit the case .
One of the prosecutors , Special Assistant US Attorney Aaron Zelinsky , had told the jury when the trial began in November that the “ evidence will show Roger Stone lied to the House Intelligence Committee because the truth looked bad .
The truth looked bad for the Trump campaign and the truth looked bad for Donald Trump.
” Zelinsky , one of the prosecutors who withdrew from the case , testified before the House Judiciary Committee on June 24 that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump wanted to “ cut Stone a break.
” Zelinsky told lawmakers that a supervisor told him that the interim US attorney in Washington , DC , at the time , Timothy Shea , was “ afraid of the president.
” Stone is among several other members of the president ’ s inner orbit who ’ ve been convicted or pleaded guilty to federal crimes .
The roster includes Trump campaign deputy chair Rick Gates ; Trump administration former national security adviser Michael Flynn ; Trump ’ s former personal attorney and fixer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aide George Papadopoulos ; and Trump ’ s former campaign chair , Paul Manafort .
But Stone is the first prosecuted by Mueller ’ s team to have his sentence commuted by the president .
Trump has let allies off the hook before , including Joe Arpaio , the former Arizona sheriff convicted of defying a court order to stop profiling people as suspected undocumented immigrants .
Trump pardoned Arpaio in August 2017 , before Arpaio had been sentenced .
In November , a jury found Stone guilty on five counts of lying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witness tampering and obstruction of Congress .
He was arrested in January 2019 after former special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s office indicted him on charges of lying to the House Intelligence Committee about his contacts with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange .
WikiLeaks had published emails , obtained by Russians , from the hacked servers of the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton ’ s 2016 presidential campaign .
Stone and Trump made phone calls in 2016 , prosecutors showed , including the same day the DNC announced it had been hacked .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaks were coming , but that he `` did not know what the content of the materials was , '' to which Trump responded , `` oh good , alright , '' according to unredacted transcript 's of Mueller 's report .
Although Stone denied being in contact with Assange , who was sequestered in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London , prosecutors presented emails and text messages alleging he was repeatedly in touch with WikiLeaks and people involved in the Trump campaign about publishing the leaks .
Court records indicate Stone told an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign , `` Spoke to my friend in London last night .
The payload is still coming.
” Prosecutors also say Stone “ subsequently told the [ Trump ] supporter that more material would be released and that it would be damaging to the Clinton Campaign.
” In 2016 , Stone had also communicated with Guccifer 2.0 , who had taken credit for the hack of the DNC 's computers ( Mueller ’ s office later charged 12 Russians with the hack ) .
Stone called his communications “ innocuous.
” House Intelligence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s decision Friday in a statement Friday .
“ President Trump has engaged in countless acts that are both self-serving and destructive to democracy while in office , but commuting the sentence of Roger Stone , a crony who lied and obstructed our investigation to protect Trump himself , is among the most offensive to the rule of law and principles of justice , ” he said .
Stone also antagonized the court during his trial by posting an image on Instagram that portrayed Jackson with what appeared to be gun crosshairs next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barring him from speaking publicly about his case or Mueller ’ s investigation for the rest of the trial .
Before Stone was sentenced , Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer asked the Justice Department 's Office of the Inspector General , an autonomous agency watchdog , to investigate who at DOJ and the White House called for the lighter sentence .
`` This situation has all the indicia of improper political interference . ''

President Donald Trump on Friday commuted the sentence for his longtime ally Roger Stone, a former Trump campaign adviser who had been sentenced to prison for lying to Congress during the Russia investigation, obstructing investigators, and tampering with witnesses.
Rather than spending 40 months in a federal prison, Stone “is now a free man,” according to a White House statement announcing the commutation. Stone was due to surrender to the Federal Bureau of Prisons on July 14.
For months, Trump had been publicly noncommittal about whether he’d grant Stone clemency, but made clear that he still supported the longtime Republican political operative. His tweets grew less subtle over time — on June 27, he retweeted a tweet that read, “IT’S TIME TO #PardonRogerStone."
Trump instead issued a commutation for Stone, thereby lightening the penalty, but leaving his underlying conviction intact.
“Roger Stone is a victim of the Russia Hoax that the Left and its allies in the media perpetuated for years in an attempt to undermine the Trump Presidency,” White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a statement Friday evening.
“Mr. Stone, like every American, deserves a fair trial and every opportunity to vindicate himself before the courts. The President does not wish to interfere with his efforts to do so,” McEnany added. “At this time, however, and particularly in light of the egregious facts and circumstances surrounding his unfair prosecution, arrest, and trial, the President has determined to commute his sentence.”
Stone lost his second attempt at getting a new trial in April after US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson rejected his argument that a juror was biased because she’d criticized Trump on social media.
The judge had also refused Stone’s request to delay the date when he reported to prison until the fall. Stone’s lawyers had argued that he was at a “heightened risk of serious medical consequences” if he contracted COVID-19, and the Justice Department did not oppose the request. Jackson did agree to push back his surrender date by two weeks, but ordered him into home confinement — effectively imposing a quarantine period that the judge said would shield Stone from contracting the disease before he went to prison.
Although the Justice Department supported Stone’s original request to delay his surrender date to September, the government backed Jackson when Stone appealed to the DC Circuit. DOJ lawyers wrote in a July 9 filing that Jackson’s decision to only extend the date by two weeks was a “reasonable exercise” of her discretion.
Earlier Friday, about an hour before Trump announced he was commuting his sentence, the DC Circuit denied Stone's request to delay his prison sentence as well. McEnany cited the pandemic in her statement announcing Trump's decision to commute Stone's sentence, arguing that "Mr. Stone would be put at serious medical risk in prison."
Jackson’s ruling in April meant that Stone’s criminal case was officially over in the district court, and she lifted a gag order that had barred him from not only speaking publicly about his case, but also posting anything on social media.
In the weeks that followed the end of the gag order, Stone routinely used Instagram as a platform to make his case for a pardon, along with appearances on Fox News and radio interviews. But on Wednesday, Facebook announced that it had taken down Stone's Instagram account, along with accounts linked to the Proud Boys, a far-right, men-only extremist group, some of whom had volunteered for Stone and worked on his social media.
On April 30, Stone appealed his conviction and Jackson’s order denying him a new trial. That appeal was still pending when Trump announced that he’d granted Stone clemency.
Before Stone was sentenced in February, the case exploded into a national controversy over political overreach by the administration to protect a friend Trump once called a “loyal guy.”
Four federal prosecutors originally assigned to Stone’s case had filed papers with the court recommending a sentence of seven to nine years, but Trump balked, saying on Twitter that would be a “very unfair situation” and “miscarriage of justice!” Political appointees at the Justice Department quickly intervened to request a lighter punishment in February, prompting all four prosecutors to quit the case.
One of the prosecutors, Special Assistant US Attorney Aaron Zelinsky, had told the jury when the trial began in November, “Evidence will show Roger Stone lied to the House Intelligence Committee because the truth looked bad. The truth looked bad for the Trump campaign and the truth looked bad for Donald Trump.”
Zelinsky, one of the prosecutors who withdrew from the case, testified before the House Judiciary Committee on June 24 that he understood that senior DOJ officials interfered because Trump wanted to “cut Stone a break.” Zelinsky told lawmakers that a supervisor told him that the interim US attorney in Washington, DC, at the time, Timothy Shea, was “afraid of the president.”
Stone is among several other members of the president’s inner orbit who’ve been convicted or pleaded guilty to federal crimes. The roster includes Trump campaign deputy chair Rick Gates; Trump administration former national security adviser Michael Flynn; Trump’s former personal attorney and fixer, Michael Cohen; former Trump campaign aide George Papadopoulos; and Trump’s former campaign chair, Paul Manafort. But Stone is the first prosecuted by Mueller’s team to have his sentence commuted by the president.
Trump has let allies off the hook before, including Joe Arpaio, the former Arizona sheriff convicted of defying a court order to stop profiling people as suspected undocumented immigrants. Trump pardoned Arpaio in August 2017, before Arpaio had been sentenced.
In November, a jury found Stone guilty on five counts of lying to Congress and one count each of witness tampering and obstruction of Congress.
He was arrested in January 2019 after former special counsel Robert Mueller’s office indicted him on charges of lying to the House Intelligence Committee about his contacts with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. WikiLeaks had published emails, obtained by Russians, from the hacked servers of the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign.
Stone and Trump made phone calls in 2016, prosecutors showed, including the same day the DNC announced it had been hacked. Stone told Trump via speakerphone that the leaks were coming, but that he "did not know what the content of the materials was," to which Trump responded, "oh good, alright," according to unredacted transcript's of Mueller's report.
Although Stone denied being in contact with Assange, who was sequestered in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, prosecutors presented emails and text messages alleging he was repeatedly in touch with WikiLeaks and people involved in the Trump campaign about publishing the leaks. Court records indicate Stone told an unidentified person involved in Trump’s campaign, "Spoke to my friend in London last night. The payload is still coming.”
Prosecutors also say Stone “subsequently told the [Trump] supporter that more material would be released and that it would be damaging to the Clinton Campaign.”
In 2016, Stone had also communicated with Guccifer 2.0, who had taken credit for the hack of the DNC's computers (Mueller’s office later charged 12 Russians with the hack). Stone called his communications “innocuous.”
House Intelligence Committee chair Adam Schiff slammed Trump’s decision in a statement Friday. “President Trump has engaged in countless acts that are both self-serving and destructive to democracy while in office, but commuting the sentence of Roger Stone, a crony who lied and obstructed our investigation to protect Trump himself, is among the most offensive to the rule of law and principles of justice,” he said.
Stone also antagonized the court during his trial by posting an image on Instagram that portrayed Jackson with what appeared to be gun crosshairs next to her head. Jackson responded by barring him from speaking publicly about his case or Mueller’s investigation for the rest of the trial.
Before Stone was sentenced, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer asked the Justice Department's Office of the Inspector General, an autonomous agency watchdog, to investigate who at DOJ and the White House had called for the lighter sentence. "This situation has all the indicia of improper political interference."


buzzfeed--2020-07-10--The National Obsession Around Ilhan Omar Is Fueling Her Primary Opponent

Ilhan Omar ’ s primary opponent is a virtually unknown Minneapolis lawyer .
But Antone Melton-Meaux has raised millions from big-dollar donors in recent months fueled by intense animosity toward Omar , one of the first Muslim women in Congress .
“ I found out about him because I hate his opponent , ” said Stan Weinstein , a retired real estate executive from Miami Beach who gave Melton-Meaux $ 2,800 , the maximum amount allowable by law .
“ She does not represent the United States , she doesn ’ t represent our values , and she doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Michael , a donor from Scarsdale , New York , who also gave $ 2,800 to Melton-Meaux , put it this way : `` If Mickey Mouse ran against her , I ’ d donate to him . ''
Melton-Meaux took in $ 1.5 million in May , with an average donation of more than $ 650 , according to ActBlue data .
The bulk of that money came from donors who gave more than $ 2,000 , and a substantial chunk of it was bundled by pro-Israel groups .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide any figures to BuzzFeed News , including any fundraising in June .
Omar is still the heavy favorite in the four-way August primary in her district in the heart of deep-blue Minneapolis , which has been the epicenter of nationwide protests over racism and police brutality this summer .
But the campaign of Anton Melton-Meaux , a Black lawyer and mediator who has never before run for office , has picked up steam in recent months by fundraising on the back of dislike of Omar .
One out-of-state donor gave $ 2,800 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any way he could “ vote against that lady , ” said his son , who asked that their name not be used .
The donor ’ s son found Melton-Meaux after searching for Omar ’ s primary opponents .
“ It ’ s not any kind of appreciation for the other candidate , ” the donor ’ s son said .
In Minneapolis itself , Melton-Meaux has also picked up endorsements that could show signs of weakness for the incumbent .
He is backed by a number of local politicians and civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders who have condemned Omar ’ s history of anti-Semitic comments , which she has apologized for .
When Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , another member of the so-called “ Squad ” of Democratic women of color who were elected to the House in 2018 , faced a well-funded primary challenge last month that accused her of abandoning her district , she crushed her opponent by a margin of some 50 percentage points .
But Minnesota ’ s fifth district is substantially different from the districts represented by the rest of the Squad : It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a substantial population of high-income voters , and a Jewish community that has been unhappy with Omar ’ s brief tenure .
The district is 18 % Black , including the large Somali immigrant community of which Omar is a part .
Some of Omar ’ s opponents see an opportunity to splinter off the district ’ s other Black voters , as well as wealthier , white voters in different parts of the segregated city .
“ I think she ’ ll win , but I think it ’ ll be closer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minnesota Democrat said of Omar .
`` It isn ’ t surprising that billionaire corporate donors are targeting Rep. Omar , just like they targeted Rep. Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman , '' Isaiah Kirshner-Breen , Omar 's deputy communications director , told BuzzFeed News in a statement .
`` But what is surprising is the degree to which this money is fueled by Islamophobia , xenophobia and misogyny .
It is clear that Republican donors will do anything in their power to silence and discredit a black Muslim immigrant service in Congress—even supporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't just about politics ; it 's about hate . ''
Omar ’ s campaign has raised $ 3.3 million , mostly , like Melton-Meaux , from out of state donors , and said its average donation was $ 18 .
Melton-Meaux describes himself as a progressive , and he has run to the center of Omar on policy issues .
But at the core of his campaign is a portrait of Omar as a “ divider ” who has left behind her district , and her attempts to legislate , in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he voted for Omar in 2018 before becoming disillusioned by her brief tenure in the House , especially the number of votes she missed in 2019 , which was significantly higher than the state ’ s other representatives .
“ We don ’ t want someone who ’ s looking out for themselves — who ’ s interested in launching a memoir , who ’ s focused on her celebrity , ” he told BuzzFeed News .
“ People need someone who is going to show up.
” Part of Omar ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face of many Republican and far-right media attacks on the Democratic far left — is rooted in her identity .
As a Black woman and Muslim immigrant , she has been subject to racist attacks , including from President Donald Trump , who said Omar and the other members of the Squad should “ go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came.
” Melton-Meaux said his campaign ’ s portrait of Omar as a “ divider ” is about her actions .
“ I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she has said or done herself .
These are not attacks or assumptions or subjective narratives .
These are missed votes , votes she ’ s cast , things she ’ s said herself , ” Melton-Meaux said .
Some of Omar ’ s allies , however , have pointed to what they have called anti-immigrant dog whistles in mailings sent out by Melton-Meaux .
In glossy mailers that have papered the district in recent weeks , Melton-Meaux ’ s campaign criticized Omar for having “ been to Africa three times ” while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district .
Other mailers and advertisements have highlighted Melton-Meaux ’ s “ American story ” and his family ’ s long history in America , including as the descendants of enslaved people .
Melton-Meaux said the focus on his family history is not meant as a contrast to Omar , but a way for voters to understand him , especially his history as a Black man in the wake of the killing of George Floyd .
“ My telling of my story is an honoring of my past , ” he told BuzzFeed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all good .
It ’ s a lot of heartbreak , a lot of sadness , a lot of joy and overcoming.
” “ I honor that , and I understand that I am a point in a continuum of time , ” Melton-Meaux said .
“ I didn ’ t show up out of nowhere — there are people that sacrificed for me .
”

Ilhan Omar’s primary opponent is a virtually unknown Minneapolis lawyer. But Antone Melton-Meaux has raised millions from big-dollar donors in recent months fueled by intense animosity toward Omar, one of the first Muslim women in Congress.
“I found out about him because I hate his opponent,” said Stan Weinstein, a retired real estate executive from Miami Beach who gave Melton-Meaux $2,800, the maximum amount allowable by law.
“She does not represent the United States, she doesn’t represent our values, and she doesn’t represent our history,” Weinstein said.
Michael, a donor from Scarsdale, New York, who also gave $2,800 to Melton-Meaux, put it this way: "If Mickey Mouse ran against her, I’d donate to him."
Melton-Meaux took in $1.5 million in May, with an average donation of more than $650, according to ActBlue data. The bulk of that money came from donors who gave more than $2,000, and a substantial chunk of it was bundled by pro-Israel groups. His campaign confirmed those numbers but would not provide any figures to BuzzFeed News, including any fundraising in June.
Omar is still the heavy favorite in the four-way August primary in her district in the heart of deep-blue Minneapolis, which has been the epicenter of nationwide protests over racism and police brutality this summer. But the campaign of Melton-Meaux, a Black lawyer and mediator who has never before run for office, has picked up steam in recent months by fundraising on the back of dislike of Omar.
One out-of-state donor gave $2,800 to Melton-Meaux after asking if there was any way he could “vote against that lady,” said his son, who asked that their name not be used. The donor’s son found Melton-Meaux after searching for Omar’s primary opponents.
“It’s not any kind of appreciation for the other candidate,” the donor’s son said.
In Minneapolis itself, Melton-Meaux has also picked up endorsements that could show signs of weakness for the incumbent. He is backed by a number of local politicians and civil rights activists, as well as Jewish leaders who have condemned Omar’s history of anti-Semitic comments, which she has apologized for.
When Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, another member of the so-called “Squad” of Democratic women of color who were elected to the House in 2018, faced a well-funded primary challenge last month that accused her of abandoning her district, she crushed her opponent by a margin of some 50 percentage points.
But Minnesota’s fifth district is substantially different from the districts represented by the rest of the Squad: It’s 63% white, with a substantial population of high-income voters, and a Jewish community that has been unhappy with Omar’s brief tenure.
The district is 18% Black, including the large Somali immigrant community of which Omar is a part. Some of Omar’s opponents see an opportunity to splinter off the district’s other Black voters, as well as wealthier, white voters in different parts of the segregated city.
“I think she’ll win, but I think it’ll be closer than people think,” one top Minnesota Democrat said of Omar.
"It isn’t surprising that billionaire corporate donors are targeting Rep. Omar, just like they targeted Rep. Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman," Isaiah Kirshner-Breen, Omar's deputy communications director, told BuzzFeed News in a statement. "But what is surprising is the degree to which this money is fueled by Islamophobia, xenophobia and misogyny. It is clear that Republican donors will do anything in their power to silence and discredit a black Muslim immigrant service in Congress—even supporting a self-described Democrat. This money isn't just about politics; it's about hate."
Omar’s campaign has raised $3.3 million, mostly, like Melton-Meaux, from out of state donors, and said its average donation was $18.
Melton-Meaux describes himself as a progressive, and he has run to the center of Omar on policy issues. But at the core of his campaign is a portrait of Omar as a “divider” who has left behind her district, and her attempts to legislate, in a quest for international fame.
Melton-Meaux said he voted for Omar in 2018 before becoming disillusioned by her brief tenure in the House, especially the number of votes she missed in 2019, which was significantly higher than the state’s other representatives.
“We don’t want someone who’s looking out for themselves — who’s interested in launching a memoir, who’s focused on her celebrity,” he told BuzzFeed News. “People need someone who is going to show up.”
Part of Omar’s divisiveness nationally — she has become the face of many Republican and far-right media attacks on the Democratic far left — is rooted in her identity. As a Black woman and Muslim immigrant, she has been subject to racist attacks, including from President Donald Trump, who said Omar and the other members of the Squad should “go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came.”
Melton-Meaux said his campaign’s portrait of Omar as a “divider” is about her actions.
“I’m speaking about facts, about things she has said or done herself. These are not attacks or assumptions or subjective narratives. These are missed votes, votes she’s cast, things she’s said herself,” Melton-Meaux said.
Some of Omar’s allies, however, have pointed to what they have called anti-immigrant dog whistles in mailings sent out by Melton-Meaux.
In glossy mailers that have papered the district in recent weeks, Melton-Meaux’s campaign criticized Omar for having “been to Africa three times” while being absent from other parts of her district. Other mailers and advertisements have highlighted Melton-Meaux’s “American story” and his family’s long history in America, including as the descendants of enslaved people.
Melton-Meaux said the focus on his family history is not meant as a contrast to Omar, but a way for voters to understand him, especially his history as a Black man in the wake of the killing of George Floyd. “My telling of my story is an honoring of my past,” he told BuzzFeed News. “It’s not all good. It’s a lot of heartbreak, a lot of sadness, a lot of joy and overcoming.”
“I honor that, and I understand that I am a point in a continuum of time,” Melton-Meaux said. “I didn’t show up out of nowhere — there are people that sacrificed for me.”


buzzfeed--2020-07-10--She Called Out Equinox On Safety And Cutting Gym Instructors’ Pay. They Fired Her.

WASHINGTON — Monica Davis worked for Equinox , a high-end gym chain , for three years teaching barre and cardio group fitness classes in Southern California .
On Thursday , after speaking out to BuzzFeed News about her concerns about taking a pay cut and safely returning to teach in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic , Davis was fired .
Davis told BuzzFeed News for a story published Wednesday that she didn ’ t feel safe going back to work and that she was upset by Equinox ’ s decision to pay instructors only 75 % of their class @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expressed concerns about her health , saying that she is nervous about the fact that gyms are “ if nothing else , recycled air and body fluids.
” Davis ’ s concerns were echoed by two other Equinox instructors , who declined to be named for the story out of concerns about their continued employment , and by others who teach at Equinox gyms in emails to the company ’ s leadership as well as in Facebook group posts reviewed by BuzzFeed News .
On a Thursday call with Stephanie Vitorino , Equinox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fitness , as well as an Equinox people services representative whose full name Davis said she didn ’ t know , Davis was fired .
“ I didn ’ t want to resign , but I wanted to say how kind of hurtful some of the actions of the company have made me feel , ” Davis said during the call , a recording of which was shared with BuzzFeed News .
“ You know , coming back for less money rubbed me the wrong way and just so soon , and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in clubs , and just the whole thing just made me feel weird and it made me feel weird about the company .
… I went on the record because I thought it was important to say.
” Before she was told she was fired , Davis said she would consider coming back for her full fee and potentially hazard pay , as well as increased safety measures , before the people services representative , who identified herself as “ Jeanette ” on the recording , said , “ I do have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disparaging comments you made about both our members and the company executives in the recent BuzzFeed article , the company has made the decision to separate your employment .
”

WASHINGTON — Monica Davis worked for Equinox, a high-end gym chain, for three years teaching barre and cardio group fitness classes in Southern California. On Thursday, after speaking out to BuzzFeed News about her concerns about taking a pay cut and safely returning to teach in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, Davis was fired.
Davis told BuzzFeed News for a story published Wednesday that she didn’t feel safe going back to work and that she was upset by Equinox’s decision to pay instructors only 75% of their class fees as gyms reopen. Davis also expressed concerns about her health, saying that she is nervous about the fact that gyms are “if nothing else, recycled air and body fluids.” Davis’s concerns were echoed by two other Equinox instructors, who declined to be named for the story out of concerns about their continued employment, and by others who teach at Equinox gyms in emails to the company’s leadership as well as in Facebook group posts reviewed by BuzzFeed News.
On a Thursday call with Stephanie Vitorino, Equinox’s West Coast director of group fitness, as well as an Equinox people services representative whose full name Davis said she didn’t know, Davis was fired.
“I didn’t want to resign, but I wanted to say how kind of hurtful some of the actions of the company have made me feel,” Davis said during the call, a recording of which was shared with BuzzFeed News. “You know, coming back for less money rubbed me the wrong way and just so soon, and a couple of [COVID-19] cases found in clubs, and just the whole thing just made me feel weird and it made me feel weird about the company. … I went on the record because I thought it was important to say.”
Before she was told she was fired, Davis said she would consider coming back for her full fee and potentially hazard pay, as well as increased safety measures, before the people services representative, who identified herself as “Jeanette” on the recording, said, “I do have to let you know that due to the disparaging comments you made about both our members and the company executives in the recent BuzzFeed article, the company has made the decision to separate your employment.”


buzzfeed--2020-07-11--A Mail Carrier Took People's Absentee Ballot Requests And Switched Their Party To Republican

An election workers sorts vote-by-mail ballots for the presidential primary in Washington state in March .
A West Virginia mail carrier is facing prison time after admitting he attempted election fraud by changing the party registrations of people who had requested absentee ballots for the state 's June primary , officials announced Thursday .
Thomas Cooper , 47 , of Dry Fork signed an agreement in which he pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to defraud the residents of West Virginia of a fair election and one count of injury to the mail .
In a May 26 criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Pendleton County discovered the eight 2020 primary election COVID-19 mail-in absentee requests appeared to have been altered using a black pen .
Five of the requests had been altered so the voters ' ballot choice was switched from Democrat to Republican .
But the clerk knew some of the voters were not Republicans , and when she called them they told her they had used blue pens to request Democratic ballots before dropping off the requests at the post office .
For the other three , officials said the party wasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been altered .
When investigators met with Cooper in late April , he admitted to changing some of the ballots .
`` [ I did it ] as a joke , '' he said , according to the complaint .
`` [ I ] do n't even know them . ''
Cooper faces up to eight years in prison , although prosecutors have agreed as part of the plea deal to call for a reduced sentence .
Cooper attorney Scott Curnutte told BuzzFeed News his client had engaged in a `` silly lark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the implications for our democratic process , '' Curnutte said .
`` It should be remembered , however , that the mail he altered were requests for ballots , not ballots themselves . ''
According to data from the West Virginia secretary of state , some 2,236 votes were cast in Pendleton County for the primary election , including 943 Republican ballots and 1,209 Democratic ballots .

A West Virginia mail carrier is facing prison time after admitting he attempted election fraud by changing the party registrations of people who had requested absentee ballots for the state's June primary, officials announced Thursday.
Thomas Cooper, 47, of Dry Fork signed an agreement in which he pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to defraud the residents of West Virginia of a fair election and one count of injury to the mail.
In a May 26 criminal complaint, prosecutors detailed how the Clerk of Pendleton County discovered the eight 2020 primary election COVID-19 mail-in absentee requests appeared to have been altered using a black pen.
Five of the requests had been altered so the voters' ballot choice was switched from Democrat to Republican. But the clerk knew some of the voters were not Republicans, and when she called them they told her they had used blue pens to request Democratic ballots before dropping off the requests at the post office.
For the other three, officials said the party wasn’t changed, but the request had been altered.
When investigators met with Cooper in late April, he admitted to changing some of the ballots.
"[I did it] as a joke," he said, according to the complaint. "[I] don't even know them."
Cooper faces up to eight years in prison, although prosecutors have agreed as part of the plea deal to call for a reduced sentence.
Cooper attorney Scott Curnutte told BuzzFeed News his client had engaged in a "silly lark."
"He is deeply sorry for the implications for our democratic process," Curnutte said. "It should be remembered, however, that the mail he altered were requests for ballots, not ballots themselves."
According to data from the West Virginia secretary of state, some 2,236 votes were cast in Pendleton County for the primary election, including 943 Republican ballots and 1,209 Democratic ballots.


buzzfeed--2020-07-10--Michael Cohen Was Taken Back Into Custody After Refusing The Terms Of His Early Release

President Donald Trump 's former attorney Michael Cohen was taken back into custody after refusing the terms of his early release from prison for lying to Congress , the Bureau of Prisons confirmed to BuzzFeed News .
Cohen , who meeting with probation officials Thursday , objected to terms of his release that would have prevented him from talking to the press , publishing a book , or speaking on social media , his former attorney Lanny Davis said .
`` That was a point that disturbed him because he pointed out that he was able to speak to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Davis said .
When US Marshals began to take Cohen into custody , Davis said , Cohen said he would `` sign exactly what you want me to sign , '' but that an agent with the US Marshals told him , `` It 's out of our hands . ''
Cohen was released from prison on May 21 and limited to home confinement as part of the Department of Justice 's effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus in federal prisons .
A longtime attorney for Trump and often referred to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president and cooperated with federal investigators .
As part of his cooperation , Cohen pleaded guilty to tax evasion , campaign finance fraud , and lying to the Senate intelligence committee about plans to build a Trump Tower in Moscow .
Cohen 's charges regarding campaign finance fraud involved his role in paying Playboy model Karen McDougal and porn star Stormy Daniels money in 2016 to keep quiet about their alleged affairs with Trump .
Prosecutors alleged the money was paid to influence the election .
The White House has denied the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cohen was ultimately sentenced to three years in prison .
On Thursday , officials with the Bureau of Prisons said Cohen `` refused the conditions of his home confinement and as a result , has been returned to a BOP facility . ''
Cohen 's re-arrest comes a week after the New York Post photographed him dining at a Manhattan restaurant .
But Davis said Cohen was never told that he was not allowed to eat out at a restaurant near his home , and that he believed he was able to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When he brought back into court on Thursday , CNBC reported that Cohen refused to accept a judge 's order that would have prevented him from speaking to reporters , accept any book deals , or post on social media .
Davis said Cohen and his attorney , Jeffrey Levine , pointed out that his book had already been completed , at which point probation officials left the meeting room to discuss the terms of release .
An hour-and-a-half later , Davis said , Marshals returned with shackles .
BOP officials said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Cohen is still a federal inmate and `` remains subject to compliance with BOP policy , which includes being subject to electronic monitoring and obtaining pre-approval for media interviews . ''
Cohen 's attorney , Jeffrey Levine , did not immediately respond to BuzzFeed News ' request for comment .

President Donald Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen was taken back into custody after refusing the terms of his early release from prison for lying to Congress, the Bureau of Prisons confirmed to BuzzFeed News.
Cohen, who meeting with probation officials Thursday, objected to terms of his release that would have prevented him from talking to the press, publishing a book, or speaking on social media, his former attorney Lanny Davis said.
"That was a point that disturbed him because he pointed out that he was able to speak to the media" when he was incarcerated, Davis said.
When US Marshals began to take Cohen into custody, Davis said, Cohen said he would "sign exactly what you want me to sign," but that an agent with the US Marshals told him, "It's out of our hands."
Cohen was released from prison on May 21 and limited to home confinement as part of the Department of Justice's effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus in federal prisons.
A longtime attorney for Trump and often referred to as his fixer, Cohen turned on the president and cooperated with federal investigators. As part of his cooperation, Cohen pleaded guilty to tax evasion, campaign finance fraud, and lying to the Senate intelligence committee about plans to build a Trump Tower in Moscow.
Cohen's charges regarding campaign finance fraud involved his role in paying Playboy model Karen McDougal and porn star Stormy Daniels money in 2016 to keep quiet about their alleged affairs with Trump. Prosecutors alleged the money was paid to influence the election. The White House has denied the president had affairs with the women.
Cohen was ultimately sentenced to three years in prison.
On Thursday, officials with the Bureau of Prisons said Cohen "refused the conditions of his home confinement and as a result, has been returned to a BOP facility."
Cohen's re-arrest comes a week after the New York Post photographed him dining at a Manhattan restaurant.
But Davis said Cohen was never told that he was not allowed to eat out at a restaurant near his home, and that he believed he was able to do so under the terms of his release.
When he brought back into court on Thursday, CNBC reported that Cohen refused to accept a judge's order that would have prevented him from speaking to reporters, accept any book deals, or post on social media.
Davis said Cohen and his attorney, Jeffrey Levine, pointed out that his book had already been completed, at which point probation officials left the meeting room to discuss the terms of release.
An hour-and-a-half later, Davis said, Marshals returned with shackles.
BOP officials said that despite being placed in home confinement, Cohen is still a federal inmate and "remains subject to compliance with BOP policy, which includes being subject to electronic monitoring and obtaining pre-approval for media interviews."
Cohen's attorney, Jeffrey Levine, did not immediately respond to BuzzFeed News' request for comment.


buzzfeed--2020-07-10--The Leaders Of Sleeping Giants Are Splitting Over A Dispute On Credit And Titles

Nandini Jammi is leaving the activist organization she helped build with Matt Rivitz over a dispute about titles , credit , and equality .
Since 2016 , copywriter Matt Rivitz and marketer Nandini Jammi have run Sleeping Giants , a social media campaign group that has pressured companies to stop financially supporting far-right media .
They persuaded more than 4,000 companies to pull ads from Breitbart .
They helped drive Bill O'Reilly from Fox News .
They have independently run affiliates in nearly a dozen countries .
And today , they are splitting up over a dispute centered on titles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My life has revolved around Sleeping Giants for nearly four years now , and I had accepted that this movement was more important than whatever I ’ ve been going through , ” Jammi told BuzzFeed News .
“ But it was clear that even though I was doing the same level of work as Matt , he did not consider me an equal.
” Sleeping Giant 's decentralized structure — in which Jammi and Rivitz initially split duties without one of them formally being in charge — allowed it to move quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conflict over the public face of the group would never be resolved — and eventually broke it apart .
Jammi said that she treated Sleeping Giants as a full-time job and led several of its successes , but Rivitz never properly recognized her leadership .
Social media has made it easier for activist groups — from Occupy Wall Street to Black Lives Matter — to take decentralized forms , lowering the barriers to participation .
“ It is the ultimate form of early 21st-century activism .
It can be three people in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rojas , a professor of sociology at Indiana University Bloomington , told BuzzFeed News .
But decentralization comes with its own problems .
Jammi is now leaving the organization she helped build at a moment when the activist group is urging advertiser boycotts against Facebook .
In an all-volunteer organization where no one is paid , titles and credit took on an even greater significance .
“ I ’ m still going to be here working everyday to solve the issues we first brought awareness to when we first started this campaign , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still be here supporting the activists and organizations who are fighting this fight around the world.
” According to the many published accounts of Sleeping Giants ’ genesis , and interviews with Rivitz , Jammi , and others who worked with the group , its story goes like this : Rivitz , an ad industry veteran who lives in California , started Sleeping Giants on Nov. 16 , 2016 , with a Twitter account .
In its first two weeks of operation , the account quickly amassed more than 1,000 followers and successfully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Breitbart , he said .
Jammi , who lives in the Washington , DC , area , had the same idea later that month , arguing on Twitter that Old Navy should stop advertising on Breitbart .
( It was the first ad she saw when she went to the site . )
Rivitz messaged Jammi after reading a post she published on Medium on Nov. 24 in which she laid out her case , and the two began talking about a collaboration .
They soon developed a rough division of labor .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ today has nearly 300,000 followers , and Jammi the smaller Facebook page , which today has more than 71,000 .
Along with a small group of volunteers , they began notching victories , pressuring major advertisers from Audi to Zillow to add Breitbart to their advertising blacklists .
In April 2019 , Steve Bannon , the former executive chair of the site , said Breitbart ’ s ad revenues fell 90 % as a result of the campaign .
Jammi and Rivitz worked together , but also took the lead on different projects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign targeting Robert Mercer , the former co-chief executive of hedge fund Renaissance Technologies , and also pressured Stripe , PayPal , and other platforms to stop processing payments for far-right activists and groups .
She also pushed for Bank of America to stop doing business with private prisons , among other campaigns .
Rivitz vetted and organized international chapters of Sleeping Giants , set up driving billboards around Amazon and Facebook campuses to pressure them to sever ties with Breitbart News , campaigned against YouTube and Facebook giving a platform to Infowars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ran the e-commerce store among other projects .
On July 16 , 2018 , conservative news site the Daily Caller outed Rivitz as what it called the group ’ s founder : `` Sleeping Giants was founded by Matt Rivitz , an award-winning ad copywriter based in San Francisco , a Daily Caller News Foundation investigation has found , '' the site wrote .
Two days later , the New York Times presented a different account .
In a profile titled , in the plural , `` Revealed : The People Behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paper described Rivitz as having been `` identified as the account ’ s creator , ” and that he `` runs the account with Nandini Jammi , 29 , a freelance copywriter and marketing consultant , along with other still anonymous contributors . ''
`` Shortly after Mr. Rivitz started the account , it caught the attention of Ms. Jammi , an American who lives in Berlin , '' the New York Times wrote .
Jammi said she had asked Sapna Maheshwari , the Times reporter writing the profile , to call her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her , telling Jammi that she would be interviewed as a “ member of Sleeping Giants , ” according to Twitter direct messages that Jammi shared with BuzzFeed News .
“ Given that we never discussed her title previously , I was definitely surprised to hear that she had named herself cofounder , ” Rivitz said .
“ As I did not believe that was her role , having come on after I had already established the campaign , I corrected the record according to this belief.
” In the end , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either Rivitz or Jammi .
( Maheshwari , who previously worked as a reporter at BuzzFeed News , declined to comment . )
For Jammi it was the first signal that their relationship might not have a happy future .
In August 2018 , Jammi told Rivitz she was worried about being “ sidelined.
” “ Having a title represents opportunities — to write , speak and be invited to the table to contribute to a discussion we have both been helping to shape ...
I ’ ve been working with you on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we were partners on the project , ” Jammi wrote in an email to him on Aug. 12 .
“ However , I ’ m starting to feel wary of being sidelined .
I ’ m wary that this above ambiguity could keep me from realizing my ambitions and the impact I want to have as a pro marketer/WOC in my space.
” “ Jesus .
I feel horrible about this and had no idea , but I ’ m glad you reached out and let ’ s talk about roles and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Rivitz wrote in response .
“ As you said , we ’ ve never talked about it and it ’ s time now that everything is out in the open .
You deserve a ton of credit for all of this and you ’ ll get it .
Promise.
” Rivitz said he later told her that although he was the founder , “ Sleeping Giants is a flat organization , ” and that she could choose her title .
More than a year later , after Jammi and Rivitz had privately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ herself a cofounder , including on her LinkedIn and Twitter pages , because she felt it was the only way to remain visible .
But whatever her exact title , a number of people who worked with Sleeping Giants told BuzzFeed News they thought Jammi was one of the organization 's leaders , if not a founder in her own right .
“ I would consider them both founders , ” EJ Gibney , a researcher who has volunteered on and off for Sleeping Giants since December 2016 , told BuzzFeed News .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ both been involved since the very beginning.
” Gibney added that he had never seen Jammi have to seek approval for an idea from Rivitz .
Both people , he said , appeared to hold the same level of responsibility .
But Britton Taylor , another early volunteer , thought Rivitz had a better claim to the title of founder , even though , he said , “ I know for a fact that [ Jammi ] has done a shit ton of work … and she ’ s been instrumental to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think of a term like founder , even that is a little murky for me , ” Taylor added .
“ If you have a startup , there 's a document that says you own shares in the company .
But because this is decentralized , because it started anonymously , because there 's a bunch of people involved , there 's no such contract.
” Others disagreed .
One longtime volunteer and friend of Rivitz ’ s , who goes by the online handle Barret Williams , told BuzzFeed News they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Regardless of her title , Jammi was a major part of the organization .
Jammi 's unhappiness came to a head in June 2019 , when Sleeping Giants was shortlisted for an award from the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in France .
Rivitz did not tell her he had entered Sleeping Giants into the competition or invite her to go with him .
She found out by noticing pictures of the south of France on his Instagram .
“ People started reaching out to me , congratulating me , asking me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jammi said .
“ I didn ’ t even have the opportunity to go.
” “ It was the worst week of my adult life , ” said Jammi .
“ I stopped eating , I couldn ’ t even function .
I mean , Sleeping Giants is my entire life .
I have spent every day on this .
It ’ s my second job , I have put in tireless amounts of effort — as much as he has at least.
” Jammi was at a loss , wondering why she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Rivitz said he mainly traveled to Cannes on his own dime for a speaking engagement and never expected Sleeping Giants to be shortlisted , much less win .
“ Cannes does not pay for travel for any nominees or winners of awards , ” he said .
A few days later , Jammi tweeted about the experience , along with her headshot and an offer to do public speaking .
“ Hey guys , I co-run @ slpng_giants with Matt .
Sadly I could not join him at # CannesLions last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she wrote .
“ WoC are rarely seen or heard in tech and marketing , but we deserve a seat at the table too.
” Jammi also commented sarcastically on Rivitz ’ s Instagram page , “ Incredible how much you ’ ve achieved all by yourself !
” After the posts , Rivitz called her to reprimand her for airing their private grievances in public , Jammi said .
She said Rivitz accused her of wanting to hog the spotlight and being involved in Sleeping Giants for the wrong reasons .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of this campaign , as the attacks against me [ on social media ] were ongoing , ” Rivitz said .
“ I asked Nandini if she was in this for personal reasons rather than the mission itself.
” Jammi took the call while she was visiting Laura Calabrese , a close friend who lives in New York .
Calabrese told BuzzFeed News she overheard Jammi ’ s side of the call in her living room .
After the call , Jammi looked stunned , Calabrese said .
“ She was clearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t in this for the right reasons , ” said Calabrese .
“ I heard her say she wanted a seat at the table and wanted to make connections so she could keep doing the work she was doing more effectively .
“ I definitely remember she said he accused her of being in it for the glory.
” Since their fight last June , Jammi and Rivitz have communicated only sporadically .
Jammi had doubts about breaking from Rivitz formally , thinking that the work of Sleeping Giants was more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relationship further soured because Rivitz declined to give Jammi access to the organization ’ s official email inbox , which she said would have helped her see speaking opportunities and media requests that were related to Sleeping Giants ' work , but came only to Rivitz .
Jammi felt that not being able to use a Sleeping Giants email address made her seem less official .
Jammi said she asked for access to the inbox repeatedly over months .
Rivitz said that in one instance he refused to give her the password after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2019 , in which she wrote , “ I let myself be gaslighted by a progressive male activist who made me question my worth and the value I bring to our movement.
” Rivitz thought it was obvious who she meant .
“ It became clear that we had an expanding gulf of trust after Nandini ’ s public attacks on me on social media , ” Rivitz said .
“ Right or wrong , this resulted in my reluctance to share the email account password.
” The two temporarily reconciled in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which Rivitz said he apologized for their argument .
But the gulf between them proved too much , leading to the final rupture .
Jammi said she now plans to work on new campaigns related to Facebook and Fox News with other activist groups .
But she wants to make clear the contributions she made to Sleeping Giants .
“ I don ’ t want Matt being the one to tell my story to the world , ” Jammi said .
“ I ’ m not a helper .
I ’ m not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an optional part of the story .
Sleeping Giants wouldn ’ t be what it is today without me.
” ●

They soon developed a rough division of labor. Rivitz ran the Twitter account, which today has nearly 300,000 followers, and Jammi the smaller Facebook page, which today has more than 71,000. Along with a small group of volunteers, they began notching victories, pressuring major advertisers from Audi to Zillow to add Breitbart to their advertising blacklists. In April 2019, Steve Bannon, the former executive chair of the site, said Breitbart’s ad revenues fell 90% as a result of the campaign.
Jammi and Rivitz worked together, but also took the lead on different projects, both said. Jammi led a campaign targeting Robert Mercer, the former co-chief executive of hedge fund Renaissance Technologies, and also pressured Stripe, PayPal, and other platforms to stop processing payments for far-right activists and groups. She also pushed for Bank of America to stop doing business with private prisons, among other campaigns.
Rivitz vetted and organized international chapters of Sleeping Giants, set up driving billboards around Amazon and Facebook campuses to pressure them to sever ties with Breitbart News, campaigned against YouTube and Facebook giving a platform to Infowars’ Alex Jones, and set up and ran the e-commerce store among other projects.
On July 16, 2018, conservative news site the Daily Caller outed Rivitz as what it called the group’s founder: "Sleeping Giants was founded by Matt Rivitz, an award-winning ad copywriter based in San Francisco, a Daily Caller News Foundation investigation has found," the site wrote.
Two days later, the New York Times presented a different account. In a profile titled, in the plural, "Revealed: The People Behind an Anti-Breitbart Twitter Account," the paper described Rivitz as having been "identified as the account’s creator,” and that he "runs the account with Nandini Jammi, 29, a freelance copywriter and marketing consultant, along with other still anonymous contributors."
"Shortly after Mr. Rivitz started the account, it caught the attention of Ms. Jammi, an American who lives in Berlin," the New York Times wrote.
Jammi said she had asked Sapna Maheshwari, the Times reporter writing the profile, to call her a cofounder, but that Rivitz overruled her, telling Jammi that she would be interviewed as a “member of Sleeping Giants,” according to Twitter direct messages that Jammi shared with BuzzFeed News.
“Given that we never discussed her title previously, I was definitely surprised to hear that she had named herself cofounder,” Rivitz said. “As I did not believe that was her role, having come on after I had already established the campaign, I corrected the record according to this belief.”
In the end, the article ran without specifying a title for either Rivitz or Jammi. (Maheshwari, who previously worked as a reporter at BuzzFeed News, declined to comment.)
For Jammi it was the first signal that their relationship might not have a happy future.


buzzfeed--2020-07-11--Jada Pinkett Smith And Will Smith Just Addressed All The Rumors About Their Marriage — Here's What W

Jada Pinkett Smith And Will Smith Just Addressed All The Rumors About Their Marriage — Here's What We Learned

`` Luckily enough , you and I were also going through a process of healing in a much different manner @ @ @ @ @ `` I would definitely say that we did everything we could to get away from @ @ @ @ @ realize that that was n't possible . ''

"Luckily enough, you and I were also going through a process of healing in a much different manner," Jada said. "I would definitely say that we did everything we could to get away from each other, only to realize that that wasn't possible."


buzzfeed--2020-07-11--I Caught My Boyfriend Watching Porn While We Were Having Sex — Should I Dump Him?

And just to be 100 % clear : I 'm not here to shame anyone with a kink — watching @ @ @ @ @ a perfectly normal and healthy activity when both parties are down for it !
But @ @ @ @ @ people who would force their partner to participate in any type of sex — kinky @ @ @ @ @ in between — against their wishes .

And just to be 100% clear: I'm not here to shame anyone with a kink — watching porn during sex can be a perfectly normal and healthy activity when both parties are down for it! But I am here to shame people who would force their partner to participate in any type of sex — kinky, vanilla, or anywhere in between — against their wishes.


buzzfeed--2020-07-11--This Expert Explained The Real Difference Between Name Brand And Generic Drugs

According to Dr. Brown , there are a lot of reasons a drug might not have a generic version , @ @ @ @ @ because there is a tremendous amount of litigation in the generic drug industry .
`` @ @ @ @ @ sue for patent infringement to delay generics being approved .
There are also instances where @ @ @ @ @ generic companies to not make a generic version .
Also , as I mentioned before @ @ @ @ @ product can be patented , including the active ingredient , the formulation , the chemical @ @ @ @ @ ingredient , and so on .
Furthermore , making a certain drug may just be @ @ @ @ @ might not want to take the risk , '' he added .

When it comes down to deciding between a name brand and a generic drug, Dr. Brown said there are two broad categories of drugs where a name brand drug is the best option: Those with narrow therapeutic indices and/or serious consequences and complex generic product. "Narrow therapeutic indices are drugs that, if you change the dose — even a small amount — it can change the safety or effectiveness profile substantially. While complex generic product is broadly defined by the FDA as drugs that have complex formulations. Because most drugs do not fit into these two categories, they are less of a concern when it comes to choosing between the generic version or name brand."


buzzfeed--2020-07-11--Gwyneth Paltrow Gifted Her 14-Year-Old Son With A Boobs Puzzle To Keep Him Busy During Quarantine

Back in February , while on Jimmy Kimmel Live !
, Gwyneth talked about how Moses is a fan of @ @ @ @ @ , “ Actually , my son said to me the other day , he was @ @ @ @ @ I thought it was really embarrassing that there were vibrators on your website , and @ @ @ @ @ s a great thing ! '
He ’ s like , ‘ You ’ re @ @ @ @ @ You ’ re a badass.
’ I was like , ‘ Thank you !
’ @

Back in February, while on Jimmy Kimmel Live !, Gwyneth talked about how Moses is a fan of her sex-positive blog, saying, “Actually, my son said to me the other day, he was like, ‘At first I thought it was really embarrassing that there were vibrators on your website, and now I think it’s a great thing!' He’s like, ‘You’re a feminist, Mom. You’re a badass.’ I was like, ‘Thank you!’”


buzzfeed--2020-07-11--The National Obsession Around Ilhan Omar Is Fueling Her Primary Opponent

Ilhan Omar ’ s primary opponent is a virtually unknown Minneapolis lawyer .
But Antone Melton-Meaux has raised millions from big-dollar donors in recent months fueled by intense animosity toward Omar , one of the first Muslim women in Congress .
“ I found out about him because I hate his opponent , ” said Stan Weinstein , a retired real estate executive from Miami Beach who gave Melton-Meaux $ 2,800 , the maximum amount allowable by law .
“ She does not represent the United States , she doesn ’ t represent our values , and she doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Michael , a donor from Scarsdale , New York , who also gave $ 2,800 to Melton-Meaux , put it this way : `` If Mickey Mouse ran against her , I ’ d donate to him . ''
Melton-Meaux took in $ 1.5 million in May , with an average donation of more than $ 650 , according to ActBlue data .
The bulk of that money came from donors who gave more than $ 2,000 , and a substantial chunk of it was bundled by pro-Israel groups .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide any figures to BuzzFeed News , including any fundraising in June .
Omar is still the heavy favorite in the four-way August primary in her district in the heart of deep-blue Minneapolis , which has been the epicenter of nationwide protests over racism and police brutality this summer .
But the campaign of Melton-Meaux , a Black lawyer and mediator who has never before run for office , has picked up steam in recent months by fundraising on the back of dislike of Omar .
One out-of-state donor gave $ 2,800 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way he could “ vote against that lady , ” said his son , who asked that their name not be used .
The donor ’ s son found Melton-Meaux after searching for Omar ’ s primary opponents .
“ It ’ s not any kind of appreciation for the other candidate , ” the donor ’ s son said .
In Minneapolis itself , Melton-Meaux has also picked up endorsements that could show signs of weakness for the incumbent .
He is backed by a number of local politicians and civil rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have condemned Omar ’ s history of anti-Semitic comments , which she has apologized for .
When Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , another member of the so-called “ Squad ” of Democratic women of color who were elected to the House in 2018 , faced a well-funded primary challenge last month that accused her of abandoning her district , she crushed her opponent by a margin of some 50 percentage points .
But Minnesota ’ s fifth district is substantially different from the districts represented by the rest of the Squad : It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ substantial population of high-income voters , and a Jewish community that has been unhappy with Omar ’ s brief tenure .
The district is 18 % Black , including the large Somali immigrant community of which Omar is a part .
Some of Omar ’ s opponents see an opportunity to splinter off the district ’ s other Black voters , as well as wealthier , white voters in different parts of the segregated city .
“ I think she ’ ll win , but I think it ’ ll be closer than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat said of Omar .
`` It isn ’ t surprising that billionaire corporate donors are targeting Rep. Omar , just like they targeted Rep. Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman , '' Isaiah Kirshner-Breen , Omar 's deputy communications director , told BuzzFeed News in a statement .
`` But what is surprising is the degree to which this money is fueled by Islamophobia , xenophobia and misogyny .
It is clear that Republican donors will do anything in their power to silence and discredit a black Muslim immigrant service in Congress—even supporting a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just about politics ; it 's about hate . ''
Omar ’ s campaign has raised $ 3.3 million , mostly , like Melton-Meaux , from out of state donors , and said its average donation was $ 18 .
Melton-Meaux describes himself as a progressive , and he has run to the center of Omar on policy issues .
But at the core of his campaign is a portrait of Omar as a “ divider ” who has left behind her district , and her attempts to legislate , in a quest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voted for Omar in 2018 before becoming disillusioned by her brief tenure in the House , especially the number of votes she missed in 2019 , which was significantly higher than the state ’ s other representatives .
“ We don ’ t want someone who ’ s looking out for themselves — who ’ s interested in launching a memoir , who ’ s focused on her celebrity , ” he told BuzzFeed News .
“ People need someone who is going to show up.
” Part of Omar ’ s divisiveness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of many Republican and far-right media attacks on the Democratic far left — is rooted in her identity .
As a Black woman and Muslim immigrant , she has been subject to racist attacks , including from President Donald Trump , who said Omar and the other members of the Squad should “ go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came.
” Melton-Meaux said his campaign ’ s portrait of Omar as a “ divider ” is about her actions .
“ I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has said or done herself .
These are not attacks or assumptions or subjective narratives .
These are missed votes , votes she ’ s cast , things she ’ s said herself , ” Melton-Meaux said .
Some of Omar ’ s allies , however , have pointed to what they have called anti-immigrant dog whistles in mailings sent out by Melton-Meaux .
In glossy mailers that have papered the district in recent weeks , Melton-Meaux ’ s campaign criticized Omar for having “ been to Africa three times ” while being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Other mailers and advertisements have highlighted Melton-Meaux ’ s “ American story ” and his family ’ s long history in America , including as the descendants of enslaved people .
Melton-Meaux said the focus on his family history is not meant as a contrast to Omar , but a way for voters to understand him , especially his history as a Black man in the wake of the killing of George Floyd .
“ My telling of my story is an honoring of my past , ” he told BuzzFeed News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good .
It ’ s a lot of heartbreak , a lot of sadness , a lot of joy and overcoming.
” “ I honor that , and I understand that I am a point in a continuum of time , ” Melton-Meaux said .
“ I didn ’ t show up out of nowhere — there are people that sacrificed for me .
”


buzzfeed--2020-07-11--The Leaders Of Sleeping Giants Are Splitting Over A Dispute On Credit And Titles


buzzfeed--2020-07-11--After My Marriage Ended, I Started Having The Sex I Really Wanted

The sex I ’ ve had since I left my marriage has given me a way to live in the present and ask for my present needs — and made me realize how much that freedom means .
My marriage , which I told my husband I wanted to end last March , did n't meet the legal definition of “ sexless , ” which would have qualified me , in some divorce courts , as technically “ abandoned.
” But it was sexless in every way : declawed , defanged .
Empty of tension .
Devoid of spontaneity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nightmare version of Esther Perel ’ s Mating in Captivity : all captivity , no mating .
We were in physical contact , yes .
Sometimes , once every few months , we had sex .
It was always the same , followed the same physical and emotional pattern , and happened only under very specific circumstances : I would be on my way somewhere else for a few days , or on my way back from somewhere , and this brief sense of unavailability , this brief moment of lack , would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bed at the same time as me .
To turn toward me .
To touch me .
The rest of the time , I , having told him every few months that sex was an important part of life , that I didn ’ t want to live without it , that I felt rejected and trapped without it , would watch his face for signs of interest .
Was he heading in my direction ?
Was he actually lying down next to me ?
Was he turning toward me ?
Or was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slept in the bed instead of on the couch , putting his headphones in and rolling over ?
Once or 10 times , early on in the beginning , before it had become such a thing , I ’ d tried to initiate sex , and was always rebuffed .
And when I ’ d brought up how sometimes I tried and he pulled away and did he want to talk about that , he ’ d said he didn ’ t like it when I initiated , that it made him feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controlled , or tricked , and since then I had committed to never initiating .
Let him come to you , 10,000 advice columns said .
Sometimes , I faltered in my commitment , because I was so desperate to connect , and also because I wanted to have sex , and I would initiate anyway , and as I tried to kiss him he would lie there like a stone — unmoving , immovable .
When we married , we joked that he was a wildebeest and I was a butterfly .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t such a joke anymore .
Of course I took this all personally .
Of course I took our marriage seriously , and wanted it to last , and so I just kept waiting .
Waiting for a spark .
Waiting for his desire to return .
Waiting to have that feeling of absolute physical abandon I knew we ’ d once had .
Now , having left , having been gone for over a year , having seen what happened to his psyche when his tiny world , with his computer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the edges , collapsed , I believe that his challenges were much bigger than our marriage , than me .
It feels now , in retrospect , that the burden he was carrying was something I couldn ’ t — still can ’ t — actually imagine .
But at the time , and still , all I knew was my side of things .
It seemed simple .
I wanted to have sex with my husband .
I used to be attracted to my husband .
I know that he used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted to feel attractive .
I wanted to feel desired .
And I didn ’ t .
A week and a half after I saw my husband for what still , as of today , remains the last time , I had a one-night stand .
The week and a half earlier , after a long talk about rehab and hope , I had kissed my husband goodbye , because he had been on his way to California to try and figure some things out , and we were pretty sure we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ d decided that we were going to get divorced , even as I was still wondering if maybe things would turn around , or if maybe he ’ d come back to being the person I fell in love with , someone I felt I hadn ’ t seen in a while .
He walked out the door and suddenly , within seconds , after six years of pledged loyalty , I was a free agent .
And then almost just as suddenly I was standing in another man ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen , and it felt right and wrong , and familiar and new , and it felt like it had been no time and an eternity of time since I ’ d been with a man who wasn ’ t my husband .
This man and I went from the living room to his bedroom , to a different bed , I to a different body .
It was at once everything I wanted , and it wasn ’ t enough .
Couldn ’ t be enough .
The depth of my hunger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost six years of feeling a constant coldness , a drive away from my direction , was too much for one person , or for one encounter .
In that moment , I couldn ’ t control myself , couldn ’ t calibrate .
It was like being given water after six years in the desert , and gulping , and receiving just enough water , but at once drowning and being sure I needed more .
Still feeling like I would die .
My sense of momentum , my sense of my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , had become so addled that I was at once like a rocket and a sloth .
I was rushing , headlong , into nothing .
A few days after we hooked up and I hadn ’ t heard from him , which surprised me , I texted a friend .
“ I ’ m really trying not to text him , ” I wrote .
“ Oh , I suggest you do , ” she wrote .
“ Why not be a pleasure activist ?
” I bought adrienne maree brown ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
I ’ d been taught for the entirety of my sexual career , which started when I was 17 or 19 , depending on how you count , that my role was to not want .
To not seek my own pleasure .
To pretend that my own pleasure would be a happy accident , a by-product of giving a man something .
That sex is about giving , and taking .
But I wanted to take .
I wanted to take everything .
I wanted to swallow the world .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ again and again and again , I wanted to lose myself .
I wanted to feel how wrong it was , how inappropriate ( he was much younger than me ) .
I wanted to come , and make myself come , and have someone else make me come .
I fantasized about violence , his hands on me , his hands on my throat .
It was all about him .
It was all about my marriage .
I could see , in brief moments of clarity , that the entirety of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been shaped and molded by the part I ’ d been shown how to play in my marriage , the one in which I did not desire my husband — in which only he was allowed to show desire for me , and only when I was almost gone .
I didn ’ t see that first one-night stand again , but I did have more sex .
A friend , who ’ d also gotten divorced once , referred to it as checking on old accounts .
I thought about everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while I ’ d been married , and called them up .
Everyone knew why I was calling .
One old friend and I had sex and it was light , and fun , and friendly , and it felt afterward that I had slightly recalibrated , that my amygdala wasn ’ t shocked , that the water was enough , mostly .
And then another friend and I had sex , and it was thrilling in its desire and similarity and intensity , and also — and this felt new — safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me home after I came over .
Both of them I ’ m still friends with today .
The experience of sleeping with one friend and then , pretty quickly , another reminded me of the weekend I ’ d first tried to get sober , almost 13 years ago .
I was living with one man , starting a relationship with a second , had had a one-night stand with a third , and was about to have another one-night stand with a fourth .
At the time , I categorized this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was , though I can see more clearly now why : It was predicated on desire .
My desire .
I ’ d always thought — been taught — that my capacity for sexual desire was bad , and wrong .
That my wanting to fuck four dudes in close proximity had to be some sign of trauma , or maladaptiveness .
No one had ever told me that , besides our culture .
I never heard it from anyone except everyone .
I adopted the belief .
And I thought that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could actually be .
How prudent .
How good .
How not-bad .
A friend who ’ s known me since I was 17 asked , after I left my husband , if I ’ d cheated on him .
I hadn ’ t .
We found this extraordinary , and my friend high-fived me .
At first , yes .
At second , but wait .
Because at what cost — to me — had my fidelity come ?
My friend hadn ’ t asked about the price of staying faithful to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hadn ’ t asked about the quiet way in which I suffocated myself , all so that I could be a good wife , a good daughter-in-law , a good girl .
Neither of us thought to .
But after I left my husband , after I realized that I really did want to get divorced , I felt those chains start to lift .
Maybe , 13 years ago , wanting to have sex with four men in rapid succession was about wanting to — and deserving to — feel that much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much connection .
Maybe , now , I deserved it again .
Being single after divorce isn ’ t the same as being single before , a friend told me .
The culture assumes that straight ( though I ’ m not entirely straight ) women get married and then get divorced and then go on to seek their next husband , and so we don ’ t talk that much about this burst , whatever form it might take .
But that pattern hasn ’ t been true for many , many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I know , and it ’ s certainly not true for me .
Since I left my husband , my primary relationship aim is no longer to figure out if this is the one , or if this is going somewhere .
I don ’ t need my sexual encounters to go anywhere .
I don ’ t have to worry about whether a man is going to take me seriously or not and try and pretend that I don ’ t always fuck on the first date because , reader , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cultural indulgence that comes with it , has given me this window of freedom , to live in the present and ask for my present needs , and in those weeks following my husband ’ s departure , my present needs were sex with no strings attached .
I wanted to feel physical pleasure and sexual pleasure and desire , and I wanted that desire to be met .
I loved the freedom of the window .
And sometimes I had the thought : What if that window could be open all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In early July of last year , I met Troy at a party .
The day after he invited me to the movies , and we went to the movies and then we walked home and then halfway home we agreed that we were in fact on a date , and he said he was thirsty , could we stop at the deli , and I told him I had LaCroix in my fridge , and took him on a tour of my house and then asked if he wanted to see my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before I took him back to my room , we sat on the couch just laughing , and I remember that particular anticipatory feeling , before we kissed , and how much I ’ d believed I ’ d never have that feeling again .
How before I got married I read Sheryl Paul ’ s Conscious Bride , and did the premarriage workbook , checking into hotel room after hotel room and writing letters to my single self saying goodbye .
How I ’ d said goodbye forever to that moment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first time , because I planned to only ever kiss my husband .
And Troy and I went into my room , and he sat on my bed , and I lunged at him and then we kissed and I thought , it ’ s too bad this won ’ t happen again , because this is how I want to be kissed .
He slept over .
We had sex .
I saw him a few days later , and then I flew to see him in Budapest from my family vacation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was getting divorced , I could do anything .
We had sex there .
And the sex kept getting better .
He showed me things I ’ d done maybe once or twice , 10 years ago , but now I liked them .
He wanted me to spit in his mouth , he said .
I learned I wanted to drink his .
One night , he took his hand and held it to my throat , just so , very gently , and I took his hand and put it in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , put his fingers down my throat .
He could have killed me .
I loved it .
Troy and I didn ’ t slap or hit each other .
There was a quieter intimacy and a quieter threat of invited violence at work here , in the way in which he slowly put his hand on my neck just to either side of my windpipe .
The way , sometimes , he knew I couldn ’ t breathe , and pulled away just in time .
That was trust .
That was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systems .
That was what I had missed in my marriage .
It took months for me to realize how safe and how sexual I could really be with Troy .
Months of me asking for what I wanted , and getting it .
And I kept asking for what I wanted , no matter how ashamed I might have felt , how much I could , sometimes , still hear my husband 's voice , see his immovable face , feel his judgment scratching at the back of my brain to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I kept seeing Troy , always just one more time .
We went on a third date and then a fourth , and fifth .
I kept falling for him , and he for me .
But then , a few months ago , I noticed that I was initiating sex more , that he wasn ’ t doing it as much .
And I brought it up .
I ’ d been in a sexless marriage , I told him , and I wasn ’ t going to do it again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in the months after , he initiated , until we both got COVID and didn ’ t see each other for six weeks .
Something happened in that absence , and we couldn ’ t find our way back to each other .
Between the first and second draft of this essay , I broke up with him .
It was the first time I ’ d broken up with someone I deeply cared about because they couldn ’ t give me what I wanted ; the first time I ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make my needs smaller and tinier ; the first time I ’ d truly chosen myself and my wants .
There ’ s a freedom in seeking sex for the present moment , and not needing to tie it to roles : girlfriend , wife , ex-wife .
Once I became someone ’ s wife , I stopped being Eva , in so many ways .
Sex with Troy , and lately with myself , and even more lately with far-flung friends over the phone , has become a way of returning me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m not someone else ’ s wife .
I ’ m not someone else ’ s girlfriend .
I ’ m not someone else ’ s sex partner .
I ’ m free .
I ’ m free because I decided to say yes , and yes , and yes again .
●

I’d been taught for the entirety of my sexual career, which started when I was 17 or 19, depending on how you count, that my role was to not want. To not seek my own pleasure. To pretend that my own pleasure would be a happy accident, a by-product of giving a man something. That sex is about giving, and taking. But I wanted to take. I wanted to take everything. I wanted to swallow the world. I wanted to fuck this man, again and again and again, I wanted to lose myself. I wanted to feel how wrong it was, how inappropriate (he was much younger than me). I wanted to come, and make myself come, and have someone else make me come. I fantasized about violence, his hands on me, his hands on my throat. It was all about him. It was all about my marriage. I could see, in brief moments of clarity, that the entirety of what I thought my sexual needs were had been shaped and molded by the part I’d been shown how to play in my marriage, the one in which I did not desire my husband — in which only he was allowed to show desire for me, and only when I was almost gone.
I didn’t see that first one-night stand again, but I did have more sex. A friend, who’d also gotten divorced once, referred to it as checking on old accounts. I thought about everyone I’d had sexual tension with while I’d been married, and called them up. Everyone knew why I was calling. One old friend and I had sex and it was light, and fun, and friendly, and it felt afterward that I had slightly recalibrated, that my amygdala wasn’t shocked, that the water was enough, mostly. And then another friend and I had sex, and it was thrilling in its desire and similarity and intensity, and also — and this felt new — safety and communication. Both of them drove me home after I came over. Both of them I’m still friends with today.
The experience of sleeping with one friend and then, pretty quickly, another reminded me of the weekend I’d first tried to get sober, almost 13 years ago. I was living with one man, starting a relationship with a second, had had a one-night stand with a third, and was about to have another one-night stand with a fourth. At the time, I categorized this as bad behavior. And of course it was, though I can see more clearly now why: It was predicated on desire. My desire. I’d always thought — been taught — that my capacity for sexual desire was bad, and wrong. That my wanting to fuck four dudes in close proximity had to be some sign of trauma, or maladaptiveness. No one had ever told me that, besides our culture. I never heard it from anyone except everyone. I adopted the belief. And I thought that getting married would show how chaste I could actually be. How prudent. How good. How not-bad.
A friend who’s known me since I was 17 asked, after I left my husband, if I’d cheated on him. I hadn’t. We found this extraordinary, and my friend high-fived me. At first, yes. At second, but wait. Because at what cost — to me — had my fidelity come? My friend hadn’t asked about the price of staying faithful to someone who did not want me. Hadn’t asked about the quiet way in which I suffocated myself, all so that I could be a good wife, a good daughter-in-law, a good girl. Neither of us thought to. But after I left my husband, after I realized that I really did want to get divorced, I felt those chains start to lift. Maybe, 13 years ago, wanting to have sex with four men in rapid succession was about wanting to — and deserving to — feel that much pleasure, that much aliveness, that much connection. Maybe, now, I deserved it again.
Being single after divorce isn’t the same as being single before, a friend told me. The culture assumes that straight (though I’m not entirely straight) women get married and then get divorced and then go on to seek their next husband, and so we don’t talk that much about this burst, whatever form it might take. But that pattern hasn’t been true for many, many, many divorced or divorcing women that I know, and it’s certainly not true for me. Since I left my husband, my primary relationship aim is no longer to figure out if this is the one, or if this is going somewhere. I don’t need my sexual encounters to go anywhere. I don’t have to worry about whether a man is going to take me seriously or not and try and pretend that I don’t always fuck on the first date because, reader, I always do.
Divorce, and the cultural indulgence that comes with it, has given me this window of freedom, to live in the present and ask for my present needs, and in those weeks following my husband’s departure, my present needs were sex with no strings attached. I wanted to feel physical pleasure and sexual pleasure and desire, and I wanted that desire to be met. I loved the freedom of the window. And sometimes I had the thought: What if that window could be open all the time? For all of us?


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