hotair--2020-10-24--Fauci reverses: Maybe it's time for a national mask mandate

“ A national mandate probably would not work , ” he said as recently as six weeks ago .
But last night he seemed to reconsider after being pressed by Erin Burnett , waving away the potential enforcement problem by saying , “ if people are not wearing masks , then maybe we should be mandating it.
” I don ’ t think he ’ s talking about a federal mandate .
I can ’ t imagine that that would be constitutional or feasibly enforceable .
Even Biden , as you ’ ll see in the clip , seems to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come from all 50 governors agreeing to impose one at the state level , not via federal diktat .
But lay that aside .
What ’ s got Fauci suddenly rethinking the merits of blunt-force legal compulsion to ensure mask compliance ?
It ’ s simple : Desperation .
We ’ re facing a hair-raising surge in cases and the near-term prospect of an explosive outbreak of the sort that ’ s already begun in Europe and we don ’ t have anything on the shelf to avert it .
The vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close enough to spare us from a terrible winter .
We missed our window this summer to suppress the virus so that we wouldn ’ t be facing a high baseline of cases as fall began .
We ’ re in the sh*t. All doctors can do right now is triple down on the non-pharmaceutical recommendations they ’ ve been making for the past six months .
Keep your hands clean ; avoid indoor spaces to the greatest extent possible ; mask up .
If you believe the models , the more diligent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get saved .
If mask-wearing is 49 % through February and states continue with removing social distancing mandates , the Covid-19 death toll across the United States could reach about 1 million deaths by February 28 , according to the study , published in the journal Nature Medicine on Friday .
Yet under the assumption that states shut down when their daily death rate exceeds 8 deaths per 1 million people in the population but mask-wearing doesn ’ t change , the study ’ s model projections forecast the death toll could reach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scenario that 95 % of people in each state wear masks — in addition to states reinstating social distancing mandates if their daily death rates exceed 8 deaths per 1 million people — resulted in the lowest death toll projection , with 381,798 deaths by February 28 , according to the study .
Two obvious points there , assuming their assumptions are correct .
One : Universal masking could mean a six-figure difference in deaths .
Two : Even with universal masking , the outlook is sufficiently grim that we should expect an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four months on top of the toll we ’ ve already amassed .
Masking may help but it ’ s not a panacea .
Look no further than Texas , which is now almost four months into a statewide mask mandate .
Here ’ s the trendline : No state had a higher case count yesterday than the Lone Star state did , a day when the U.S. recorded the highest number of cases nationally since the start of the pandemic .
On the other hand , daily deaths in Texas are — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer peak : The death surge may be coming in November , as deaths always trail cases by a few weeks .
But read last night ’ s post if you missed it for a reminder that some scientists believe masks could be helping to limit not just the number of infections but the number of *severe* infections by reducing the amount of viral particles inhaled by mask-wearers .
Even if a mask doesn ’ t prevent infection , in some instances it might mean the difference between a mild case and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what Texas looks like at Thanksgiving .
Exit question : If we ’ re going to mandate masks , we should go all out , no ?

“A national mandate probably would not work,” he said as recently as six weeks ago. But last night he seemed to reconsider after being pressed by Erin Burnett, waving away the potential enforcement problem by saying, “if people are not wearing masks, then maybe we should be mandating it.”
I don’t think he’s talking about a federal mandate. I can’t imagine that that would be constitutional or feasibly enforceable. Even Biden, as you’ll see in the clip, seems to grasp that a national mandate would have to come from all 50 governors agreeing to impose one at the state level, not via federal diktat.
But lay that aside. What’s got Fauci suddenly rethinking the merits of blunt-force legal compulsion to ensure mask compliance? It’s simple: Desperation.
Dr. Anthony Fauci says the US should probably mandate mask use, even if people complain about the trouble with enforcing it. “If people are not wearing masks, then maybe we should be mandating it,” Fauci said. https://t.co/ACfIK324Zt pic.twitter.com/Wvsa7O0tN9 — OutFrontCNN (@OutFrontCNN) October 23, 2020
We’re facing a hair-raising surge in cases and the near-term prospect of an explosive outbreak of the sort that’s already begun in Europe and we don’t have anything on the shelf to avert it. The vaccine and therapeutic treatments are close but not close enough to spare us from a terrible winter. We missed our window this summer to suppress the virus so that we wouldn’t be facing a high baseline of cases as fall began. We’re in the sh*t. All doctors can do right now is triple down on the non-pharmaceutical recommendations they’ve been making for the past six months. Keep your hands clean; avoid indoor spaces to the greatest extent possible; mask up.
If you believe the models, the more diligent people are, the more lives will get saved.
If mask-wearing is 49% through February and states continue with removing social distancing mandates, the Covid-19 death toll across the United States could reach about 1 million deaths by February 28, according to the study, published in the journal Nature Medicine on Friday. Yet under the assumption that states shut down when their daily death rate exceeds 8 deaths per 1 million people in the population but mask-wearing doesn’t change, the study’s model projections forecast the death toll could reach 511,373 deaths by February 28. The scenario that 95% of people in each state wear masks — in addition to states reinstating social distancing mandates if their daily death rates exceed 8 deaths per 1 million people — resulted in the lowest death toll projection, with 381,798 deaths by February 28, according to the study.
Two obvious points there, assuming their assumptions are correct. One: Universal masking could mean a six-figure difference in deaths. Two: Even with universal masking, the outlook is sufficiently grim that we should expect an additional six-figure death toll over the next four months on top of the toll we’ve already amassed. Masking may help but it’s not a panacea. Look no further than Texas, which is now almost four months into a statewide mask mandate. Here’s the trendline:
No state had a higher case count yesterday than the Lone Star state did, a day when the U.S. recorded the highest number of cases nationally since the start of the pandemic. On the other hand, daily deaths in Texas are — for the moment — far off their summer peak:
The death surge may be coming in November, as deaths always trail cases by a few weeks. But read last night’s post if you missed it for a reminder that some scientists believe masks could be helping to limit not just the number of infections but the number of *severe* infections by reducing the amount of viral particles inhaled by mask-wearers. Even if a mask doesn’t prevent infection, in some instances it might mean the difference between a mild case and a life-threatening one. We’ll see what Texas looks like at Thanksgiving.
Exit question: If we’re going to mandate masks, we should go all out, no?


hotair--2020-10-24--Court of Appeals rules against Governor Abbott's ballot drop box order in Texas

The latest development in legal battles over how Texans vote this year was announced Friday .
A Texas appellate court ruled in favor of blocking Governor Abbott ’ s order limiting drop-off ballot boxes to one per county .
As expected , the Texas Attorney General ’ s office immediately made its own announcement that the ruling will be appealed to the Texas Supreme Court .
This election cycle has seen lawsuits and appeals in numbers not normally seen in Texas .
The narrative from Democrats is that Republicans are trying to suppress the vote of Texans .
The complaint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one drop-off ballot box per county is that in a county as large as Harris County , the most populous county in Texas and the third-most populous county in the United States with almost five million residents , some voters may have too far of a drive to use that voting option .
Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins opened up a dozen drop-off ballot box sites and closed eleven of them when the governor delivered his order .
There was a similar case at the federal level already .
A court left Governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporarily put on hold a district court ruling that also sought to strike the drop-off site limitation .
Adding to the neverending drama that is the 2020 election in Texas , State District Judge Tim Sulak ruled that the governor ’ s order would “ needlessly and unreasonably increase risks of exposure to COVID-19 infections ” and undermine the constitutionally protected rights of residents to vote , “ as a consequence of increased travel and delays , among other things.
” The continuing last-minute confusion from the courts is enough to make any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Friday ruling is that it exposes the unjustified claim that there is an additional burden on voters to head off to the drop-off ballot location at NRG Stadium , where it is located .
I say that because Harris County Clerk Hollins said he will not re-open the other 11 sites in Harris County until there is more “ finality ” in the decision .
If there truly was a problem with the governor ’ s order in Harris County and voters were being inconvenienced in large numbers , wouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sites ?
Of course , he would .
The truth is that any mailbox is a mail-in ballot box , as has been pointed out by officials all along .
There have not been problems reported in Harris County with the USPS in delivering ballots to voters or returning the ballots to the county clerk ’ s office .
The clerk ’ s office has even set up a tracking system where any voter can track his or her ballot throughout the process .
The ruling from the Third Court of Appeals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , states that “ there was “ no reversible error ” in a lower court ’ s ruling that put a hold on Abbott ’ s Oct. 1 order.
” The panel ’ s make-up was two Democrats and one Republican judge .
Both of the Democrats were voted into office in the 2018 sweep by Democrats .
Elections have consequences .
For many of us , the judiciary is a focus when we vote for political candidates .
It isn ’ t only important in presidential elections , it is also important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the local and state levels .
Voters need to be reminded to vote all the way down the ballot .
It matters .
The appellate panel consisted of Republican Justice Melissa Goodwin and Democratic Justices Chari Kelly and Edward Smith ; the latter two were elected in 2018 as part of a wave of 19 Democratic judicial wins that flipped the four major state appeals courts .
“ We ’ re gratified that a bipartisan panel of the Third Court of Appeals agrees that Texans should have the right to return their absentee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mark Toubin , regional director for the Anti Defamation-League Southwest , one of the groups that brought the suit .
The reason that the charge of voter suppression in Texas and in Harris County falls on deaf ears is that the numbers don ’ t back up that claim .
On Friday , Harris County surpassed the 1 million mark in early voting ballots cast .
There is still more than a week to go for early voting in Harris County and Texas .
The county clerk ’ s Twitter account recognized the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is pretty easy to vote in Harris County .
Today marks an inaugural Vote Early Day in Harris County .
MTV is partnering with the Houston Rockets and the Harris County Clerk ’ s office for an event at the Toyota Center ( home of the Houston Rockets ) .
The Toyota Center was converted into an early voting location for the November 3 election .
From the press release : “ We knew this November would be historic and I am blown away by how many Harris County voters have already gone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep this momentum up , ” said Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins .
“ Our partnership with the Houston Rockets to have Toyota Center be a voting center for the first time goes to the power of the community to come together to make voting more accessible , convenient and safe this November .
MTV recognizing our work for voters and choosing Houston to roll out the Red Carpet as part of their national Vote Early Day campaign is truly something to celebrate .
I encourage all voters who want to vote early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Vote Early Day is a national campaign by MTV to encourage voters to head to the polls on the last Saturday of Early Voting .
The Houston Rockets and Toyota Center were selected to showcase a VMA-style red carpet where voters can celebrate casting their ballot alongside the 42 million voters who have already made their voice heard ahead of the November 3 General Election .
“ MTV is thrilled to partner with Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins and the Houston Rockets to roll out our MTV red carpet to celebrate Vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this historic year for early voting turnout in Houston , ” said Maxwell Zorick , Senior Director of Social Impact , ViacomCBS Entertainment & Youth brands .
The red carpet at Toyota Center is part of MTV ’ s nationwide celebration of Vote Early Day .
Building on the brand ’ s commitment to turning out young voters , MTV is engaged in more than 20 cities around the country with Vote Early Day activations and donations .
For reference , there are 122 voting centers open for early voting in Harris County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the drive-thru voting locations , too .

The latest development in legal battles over how Texans vote this year was announced Friday. A Texas appellate court ruled in favor of blocking Governor Abbott’s order limiting drop-off ballot boxes to one per county. As expected, the Texas Attorney General’s office immediately made its own announcement that the ruling will be appealed to the Texas Supreme Court.
This election cycle has seen lawsuits and appeals in numbers not normally seen in Texas. The narrative from Democrats is that Republicans are trying to suppress the vote of Texans. The complaint about the governor’s order of one drop-off ballot box per county is that in a county as large as Harris County, the most populous county in Texas and the third-most populous county in the United States with almost five million residents, some voters may have too far of a drive to use that voting option. Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins opened up a dozen drop-off ballot box sites and closed eleven of them when the governor delivered his order.
There was a similar case at the federal level already. A court left Governor Abbott’s order in place and temporarily put on hold a district court ruling that also sought to strike the drop-off site limitation. Adding to the neverending drama that is the 2020 election in Texas, State District Judge Tim Sulak ruled that the governor’s order would “needlessly and unreasonably increase risks of exposure to COVID-19 infections” and undermine the constitutionally protected rights of residents to vote, “as a consequence of increased travel and delays, among other things.” The continuing last-minute confusion from the courts is enough to make any voter feel frustrated.
An interesting twist to the Friday ruling is that it exposes the unjustified claim that there is an additional burden on voters to head off to the drop-off ballot location at NRG Stadium, where it is located. I say that because Harris County Clerk Hollins said he will not re-open the other 11 sites in Harris County until there is more “finality” in the decision. If there truly was a problem with the governor’s order in Harris County and voters were being inconvenienced in large numbers, wouldn’t he have immediately moved to re-open the sites? Of course, he would. The truth is that any mailbox is a mail-in ballot box, as has been pointed out by officials all along. There have not been problems reported in Harris County with the USPS in delivering ballots to voters or returning the ballots to the county clerk’s office. The clerk’s office has even set up a tracking system where any voter can track his or her ballot throughout the process.
The ruling from the Third Court of Appeals, with a three-judge panel in Austin, states that “there was “no reversible error” in a lower court’s ruling that put a hold on Abbott’s Oct. 1 order.” The panel’s make-up was two Democrats and one Republican judge. Both of the Democrats were voted into office in the 2018 sweep by Democrats. Elections have consequences. For many of us, the judiciary is a focus when we vote for political candidates. It isn’t only important in presidential elections, it is also important to remember the consequences of elections at the local and state levels. Voters need to be reminded to vote all the way down the ballot. It matters.
The appellate panel consisted of Republican Justice Melissa Goodwin and Democratic Justices Chari Kelly and Edward Smith; the latter two were elected in 2018 as part of a wave of 19 Democratic judicial wins that flipped the four major state appeals courts. “We’re gratified that a bipartisan panel of the Third Court of Appeals agrees that Texans should have the right to return their absentee ballots easily and safely,” said Mark Toubin, regional director for the Anti Defamation-League Southwest, one of the groups that brought the suit.
The reason that the charge of voter suppression in Texas and in Harris County falls on deaf ears is that the numbers don’t back up that claim. On Friday, Harris County surpassed the 1 million mark in early voting ballots cast. There is still more than a week to go for early voting in Harris County and Texas. The county clerk’s Twitter account recognized the milestone.
ONE MILLION people have now voted during Early Voting in Houston!!! Keep voting until 7 p.m. today. Vote at any of our 122 locations and find their wait times: https://t.co/s3HBl2J9bW #HarrisVotes Hey, @JJWatt, how 'bout an RT? pic.twitter.com/s66488wk44 — Harris County Elections (@HarrisVotes) October 23, 2020
Some voting locations are open 24 hours a day.
On October 29th, we just aren’t closing the Voting Centers. Vote all night long at eight locations. We won't close until 7 p.m. October 30th. pic.twitter.com/eawsfR78Sk — Harris County Elections (@HarrisVotes) October 23, 2020
It turns out that it is pretty easy to vote in Harris County.
https://twitter.com/BritniB714/status/1319750425726406659
Today marks an inaugural Vote Early Day in Harris County. MTV is partnering with the Houston Rockets and the Harris County Clerk’s office for an event at the Toyota Center (home of the Houston Rockets). The Toyota Center was converted into an early voting location for the November 3 election. From the press release:
“We knew this November would be historic and I am blown away by how many Harris County voters have already gone to the polls but we have to keep this momentum up,” said Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins. “Our partnership with the Houston Rockets to have Toyota Center be a voting center for the first time goes to the power of the community to come together to make voting more accessible, convenient and safe this November. MTV recognizing our work for voters and choosing Houston to roll out the Red Carpet as part of their national Vote Early Day campaign is truly something to celebrate. I encourage all voters who want to vote early to come out and vote this Saturday.” Vote Early Day is a national campaign by MTV to encourage voters to head to the polls on the last Saturday of Early Voting. The Houston Rockets and Toyota Center were selected to showcase a VMA-style red carpet where voters can celebrate casting their ballot alongside the 42 million voters who have already made their voice heard ahead of the November 3 General Election. “MTV is thrilled to partner with Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins and the Houston Rockets to roll out our MTV red carpet to celebrate Vote Early Day and a be part of this historic year for early voting turnout in Houston,” said Maxwell Zorick, Senior Director of Social Impact, ViacomCBS Entertainment & Youth brands. The red carpet at Toyota Center is part of MTV’s nationwide celebration of Vote Early Day. Building on the brand’s commitment to turning out young voters, MTV is engaged in more than 20 cities around the country with Vote Early Day activations and donations.
For reference, there are 122 voting centers open for early voting in Harris County. The Toyota Center is one of the drive-thru voting locations, too.


hotair--2020-10-24--Beverly Hills to shut down Rodeo Drive on election day over fears of... what?

On Thursday , the Beverly Hills Police Department made an announcement during a meeting of the city ’ s Chamber of Commerce .
On November 3rd , election day , the cops will be shutting down Rodeo Drive , one of the swankiest and most expensive shopping districts in the country , to all traffic .
That means both vehicular traffic and pedestrians .
They ’ ll be using concrete barricades and manning the barriers with officers in riot gear .
But why ?
Are they worried about another COVID outbreak among the shoppers ?
Is there some need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their polling places if they haven ’ t figured out the mail-in voting scheme by then ?
Nope .
They ’ re trying to prevent another mass incident of rioting and looting in the stores carrying some of the priciest merchandise in the world .
( CBS Los Angeles ) The news was announced during a Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce ( BHCC ) meeting Thursday .
Terming it a “ hard closure , ” Beverly Hills Assistant Chief of Police Marc Coopwood told the BHCC his department is working on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drivers and pedestrians between Santa Monica and Wilshire Boulevards .
“ So we are going to have the K-rail cement-type barricades , where it ’ s not going to allow any vehicle or traffic into the Rodeo Drive area , ” Coopwood said .
The Chief of Police stressed that these plans could still change if their intelligence leads them to believe the threat has decreased .
But how likely is that ?
They ’ ve learned from experience precisely how these “ peaceful protesters ” operate .
Earlier this year the rioting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad that they had to call in the National Guard .
Some of the businesses there still haven ’ t reopened after the rioters burned them down .
The police in Beverly Hills have no doubt also been keeping an eye on what ’ s been happening recently in other major cities .
The upscale shops in the SoHo district of Manhatten ( known as the Rodeo Drive of the east coast ) are still being emptied by looters on a weekly basis .
In San Francisco , an entire string of drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve been looted to the point of insolvency .
So it ’ s not as if the Beverly Hills Police are acting out of paranoia .
But still , the timing doesn ’ t make sense at first glance .
The cops aren ’ t releasing whatever intelligence they ’ ve gathered leading to this announcement , but it ’ s a curious choice .
Why would you be worried about rioting on the day of the election ?
We won ’ t know the outcome until late in the evening under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I picture election day being a moment when the country is figuratively holding its collective breath .
Sure , I can definitely see the potential for massive rioting and looting on the following day if Donald Trump pulls off an unexpected victory .
The liberals will be losing their minds and they ’ ve already endorsed looting as a form of free expression .
Liberal media figures have been planning for a post-election apocalypse for months .
But on the day of the election ?
If anyone is out there emptying and burning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t have anything to do with George Floyd , Donald Trump , racism or any other supposedly reasonable justification for riots .
Just as with so many other “ peaceful protests , ” it will be an excuse to steal everything that ’ s not nailed down and cause as much chaos and destruction as they can get away with , with very little fear of repercussions for their actions .

On Thursday, the Beverly Hills Police Department made an announcement during a meeting of the city’s Chamber of Commerce. On November 3rd, election day, the cops will be shutting down Rodeo Drive, one of the swankiest and most expensive shopping districts in the country, to all traffic. That means both vehicular traffic and pedestrians. They’ll be using concrete barricades and manning the barriers with officers in riot gear.
But why? Are they worried about another COVID outbreak among the shoppers? Is there some need to divert traffic as people make their way to their polling places if they haven’t figured out the mail-in voting scheme by then? Nope. They’re trying to prevent another mass incident of rioting and looting in the stores carrying some of the priciest merchandise in the world. (CBS Los Angeles)
The news was announced during a Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce (BHCC) meeting Thursday. Terming it a “hard closure,” Beverly Hills Assistant Chief of Police Marc Coopwood told the BHCC his department is working on a plan to close Rodeo Drive to both drivers and pedestrians between Santa Monica and Wilshire Boulevards. “So we are going to have the K-rail cement-type barricades, where it’s not going to allow any vehicle or traffic into the Rodeo Drive area,” Coopwood said.
The Chief of Police stressed that these plans could still change if their intelligence leads them to believe the threat has decreased. But how likely is that? They’ve learned from experience precisely how these “peaceful protesters” operate. Earlier this year the rioting and looting on Rodeo Drive got so bad that they had to call in the National Guard. Some of the businesses there still haven’t reopened after the rioters burned them down.
The police in Beverly Hills have no doubt also been keeping an eye on what’s been happening recently in other major cities. The upscale shops in the SoHo district of Manhatten (known as the Rodeo Drive of the east coast) are still being emptied by looters on a weekly basis. In San Francisco, an entire string of drug stores has simply shut down because they’ve been looted to the point of insolvency. So it’s not as if the Beverly Hills Police are acting out of paranoia.
But still, the timing doesn’t make sense at first glance. The cops aren’t releasing whatever intelligence they’ve gathered leading to this announcement, but it’s a curious choice. Why would you be worried about rioting on the day of the election? We won’t know the outcome until late in the evening under even the most optimistic of circumstances. I picture election day being a moment when the country is figuratively holding its collective breath. Sure, I can definitely see the potential for massive rioting and looting on the following day if Donald Trump pulls off an unexpected victory. The liberals will be losing their minds and they’ve already endorsed looting as a form of free expression. Liberal media figures have been planning for a post-election apocalypse for months.
But on the day of the election? If anyone is out there emptying and burning the stores on that Tuesday, it won’t have anything to do with George Floyd, Donald Trump, racism or any other supposedly reasonable justification for riots. Just as with so many other “peaceful protests,” it will be an excuse to steal everything that’s not nailed down and cause as much chaos and destruction as they can get away with, with very little fear of repercussions for their actions.


hotair--2020-10-24--Leading gun control group misses 2020 spending target... by more than half

At the beginning of the year , Michael Bloomberg ’ s gun-grabbing group , Everytown for Gun Safety , pledged to spend $ 60 million in 2020 to ensure their agenda was front and center for the Democrats during this election cycle .
They recently filed their third-quarter financial report and the reality of the group ’ s activities is falling significantly short of their expectations .
And by significantly short , I mean well below half .
They ’ ve spent a bit more than $ 25 million for the entire year thus far and they have less than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media buys have all but evaporated and substantive financial support from the public has tanked .
( Free Beacon ) The nation ’ s top gun-control group is falling far short of its 2020 election spending pledge with less than two weeks to go before Nov. 3 .
Despite promising to spend $ 60 million in 2020 , Everytown for Gun Safety—founded by billionaire Michael Bloomberg and backed primarily by wealthy donors—has spent less than $ 26 million , according to Federal Election Commission records .
Even with the cash on hand reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it will only be able to spend less than half of its goal without a massive cash injection before the election .
The latest filing for Everytown ’ s super PAC , which has done nearly all of the group ’ s political spending in 2020 , shows the group had just over $ 4.6 million remaining in the bank on Oct. 15 .
You can get a feel for the tepid support the group is receiving by looking through their September financial report , typically one of the biggest fundraising months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barely cleared a million dollars in contributions .
More than 80 % of that amount came from two types of sources .
Much of the money came from a comparative handful of wealthy liberal donors contributing figures in the thousands .
The other major chunk came from the liberal fundraising group ACTBLUE , though it was bizarrely broken up into hundreds of small-dollar checks .
The reason for the cratering of public support for Bloomberg ’ s gun-grabbing operation should be obvious to anyone who has been paying attention .
Any talk of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to legally purchase firearms isn ’ t going to sell very well at a time when gun sales are setting records all across the country .
That ’ s even true in the very-blue state of California , where first-time gun buyers are keeping the shelves empty in most shops .
And many of them are frustrated at the delays , costs , and regulatory hurdles they are encountering because of the gun control laws already in place .
The most common reasons many of those first-time buyers cited in a recent survey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over prisoner release programs and concerns that gun shops may be shut down if the Democrats retake the White House and the Senate .
That makes any sort of gun-control message in the Democratic platform problematic to say the least .
And you ’ ll notice that you haven ’ t heard a peep about that subject during the debates , despite the fact that we ’ re still seeing mass shootings in our larger cities this year , primarily driven by gang violence .
Taking all of these factors into consideration , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s donations are tanking ?
You may have also noticed that the attacks on the NRA by high-profile Democrats have definitely tapered off as well .
The Democrats may be devious when it comes to abridging your Second Amendment rights , but they ’ re not stupid .
They know that this particular message will not go over well this year , even with many of their typical supporters .
So they ’ re staying quiet for the most part and donors are sending their dollars elsewhere .

At the beginning of the year, Michael Bloomberg’s gun-grabbing group, Everytown for Gun Safety, pledged to spend $60 million in 2020 to ensure their agenda was front and center for the Democrats during this election cycle. They recently filed their third-quarter financial report and the reality of the group’s activities is falling significantly short of their expectations. And by significantly short, I mean well below half. They’ve spent a bit more than $25 million for the entire year thus far and they have less than $5 million cash-on-hand. Their large media buys have all but evaporated and substantive financial support from the public has tanked. (Free Beacon)
The nation’s top gun-control group is falling far short of its 2020 election spending pledge with less than two weeks to go before Nov. 3. Despite promising to spend $60 million in 2020, Everytown for Gun Safety—founded by billionaire Michael Bloomberg and backed primarily by wealthy donors—has spent less than $26 million, according to Federal Election Commission records. Even with the cash on hand reported by the group in its latest filing, it will only be able to spend less than half of its goal without a massive cash injection before the election. The latest filing for Everytown’s super PAC, which has done nearly all of the group’s political spending in 2020, shows the group had just over $4.6 million remaining in the bank on Oct. 15.
You can get a feel for the tepid support the group is receiving by looking through their September financial report, typically one of the biggest fundraising months of a presidential election year. They barely cleared a million dollars in contributions. More than 80% of that amount came from two types of sources. Much of the money came from a comparative handful of wealthy liberal donors contributing figures in the thousands. The other major chunk came from the liberal fundraising group ACTBLUE, though it was bizarrely broken up into hundreds of small-dollar checks.
The reason for the cratering of public support for Bloomberg’s gun-grabbing operation should be obvious to anyone who has been paying attention. Any talk of making it more difficult for law-abiding citizens to legally purchase firearms isn’t going to sell very well at a time when gun sales are setting records all across the country. That’s even true in the very-blue state of California, where first-time gun buyers are keeping the shelves empty in most shops. And many of them are frustrated at the delays, costs, and regulatory hurdles they are encountering because of the gun control laws already in place.
The most common reasons many of those first-time buyers cited in a recent survey included lawlessness in the streets, worries over prisoner release programs and concerns that gun shops may be shut down if the Democrats retake the White House and the Senate. That makes any sort of gun-control message in the Democratic platform problematic to say the least. And you’ll notice that you haven’t heard a peep about that subject during the debates, despite the fact that we’re still seeing mass shootings in our larger cities this year, primarily driven by gang violence.
Taking all of these factors into consideration, is it any wonder that Everytown’s donations are tanking? You may have also noticed that the attacks on the NRA by high-profile Democrats have definitely tapered off as well. The Democrats may be devious when it comes to abridging your Second Amendment rights, but they’re not stupid. They know that this particular message will not go over well this year, even with many of their typical supporters. So they’re staying quiet for the most part and donors are sending their dollars elsewhere.


hotair--2020-10-25--Sunday morning talking heads

Sunday morning talking heads

The penultimate Sunday before Election Day brings us … a lot of chatter about Election Day , as you might expect .
It ’ s surrogates galore on the talk shows , with RNC chairman Ronna McDaniel set for “ Fox News Sunday ” to discuss Trump ’ s narrowing path to a second term and what the hell happened to that $ 1.5 billion war chest they amassed .
Also appearing on Trump ’ s behalf is Corey Lewandowski , who ’ ll talk with “ Meet the Press ” about the big vote , and Mark Meadows , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Union.
” Meadows might be the one to watch this morning and not just because he has a wide portfolio — the election , the interminable stimulus negotiations with Nancy Pelosi , and whatever the latest White House spin is on surging COVID cases .
This could be his last appearance on Sunday morning as White House chief of staff , as neither Trump nor anyone else in the party seems happy with him right now .
It ’ s not just Parscale getting blamed for Trump ’ s predicament .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meadows for how he managed Trump ’ s hospitalization .
The chief of staff undercut the White House messaging when he told reporters early on that Trump was “ still not on a clear path to a full recovery.
” The statement initiated a damaging news cycle , forcing the administration to assure the nation that Trump was in stable condition .
Officials also blame Meadows for not doing more to rein in Trump .
Among the complaints : That he should have tried to stop Trump from giving Bob Woodward practically unfettered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he erred in encouraging Trump to hold in-person rallies .
Others question why Meadows has so far failed to deliver in congressional negotiations on a coronavirus relief package and worry the inability to get checks to voters could damage the president in the election .
Trump was reportedly furious at Meadows for contradicting his doctors during his hospitalization at Walter Reed .
If the president loses on November 3 , he ’ s apt to turn his fury on deputies whom he believes failed him .
Meadows is an obvious target .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll be Nancy Pelosi on “ State of the Union ” to update the nation for the 8,000th time on the status of stimulus talks with the White House .
And following her on that program will be none other than Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , who ’ s kept a low profile over the past few months so as not to spook swing voters about a socialist takeover of government if they opt for Biden .
AOC will be on to reiterate her support for Sleepy Joe , in case there are any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , and to whine about her political enemies calling her “ AOC ” even though she ’ s embraced that term since the start of her political career .
Oh , and she ’ ll also weigh in on Biden ’ s statement at the debate that he ’ s looking to phase out the oil industry , which plays well with Ocasio-Cortez ’ s DSA base but not so well with fencesitters in Texas and other states .
The full line-up is at the AP .

The penultimate Sunday before Election Day brings us … a lot of chatter about Election Day, as you might expect. It’s surrogates galore on the talk shows, with RNC chairman Ronna McDaniel set for “Fox News Sunday” to discuss Trump’s narrowing path to a second term and what the hell happened to that $1.5 billion war chest they amassed. Also appearing on Trump’s behalf is Corey Lewandowski, who’ll talk with “Meet the Press” about the big vote, and Mark Meadows, who’s set for “State of the Union.” Meadows might be the one to watch this morning and not just because he has a wide portfolio — the election, the interminable stimulus negotiations with Nancy Pelosi, and whatever the latest White House spin is on surging COVID cases. This could be his last appearance on Sunday morning as White House chief of staff, as neither Trump nor anyone else in the party seems happy with him right now.
It’s not just Parscale getting blamed for Trump’s predicament. Some Republican officials are also angry at Meadows for how he managed Trump’s hospitalization. The chief of staff undercut the White House messaging when he told reporters early on that Trump was “still not on a clear path to a full recovery.” The statement initiated a damaging news cycle, forcing the administration to assure the nation that Trump was in stable condition. Officials also blame Meadows for not doing more to rein in Trump. Among the complaints: That he should have tried to stop Trump from giving Bob Woodward practically unfettered access as the pandemic intensified, and that he erred in encouraging Trump to hold in-person rallies. Others question why Meadows has so far failed to deliver in congressional negotiations on a coronavirus relief package and worry the inability to get checks to voters could damage the president in the election.
Trump was reportedly furious at Meadows for contradicting his doctors during his hospitalization at Walter Reed. If the president loses on November 3, he’s apt to turn his fury on deputies whom he believes failed him. Meadows is an obvious target.
For the Democrats this morning, it’ll be Nancy Pelosi on “State of the Union” to update the nation for the 8,000th time on the status of stimulus talks with the White House. And following her on that program will be none other than Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who’s kept a low profile over the past few months so as not to spook swing voters about a socialist takeover of government if they opt for Biden. AOC will be on to reiterate her support for Sleepy Joe, in case there are any progressives out there still lukewarm about turning out, and to whine about her political enemies calling her “AOC” even though she’s embraced that term since the start of her political career. Oh, and she’ll also weigh in on Biden’s statement at the debate that he’s looking to phase out the oil industry, which plays well with Ocasio-Cortez’s DSA base but not so well with fencesitters in Texas and other states. The full line-up is at the AP.


hotair--2020-10-25--Amy Coney Barrett could be confirmed Monday for SCOTUS

Judge Amy Coney Barrett could be confirmed as the next U.S. Supreme Court justice on Monday .
The U.S. Senate voted in favor of opening up 30 hours worth of debate on her nomination today .
Via The Hill : While Sunday ’ s vote is only a procedural step , it underscores that Republicans have the votes to place Barrett on the Supreme Court just days before the Nov. 3 election .
The timetable will set a new record for how close to a presidential election a nominee has been confirmed to the country ’ s highest court .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ base , handing Republicans a victory to tout as they try to shore up support in the final days before the election .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) in particular , has put a premium on confirming Trump ’ s judicial nominees , arguing it ’ s the best thing the party can do to have a long-term impact on the direction of the country .
Democrats , obviously , see Monday ’ s coming vote as doom for America .
From POLITICO : In their fight against Barrett , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future of the Affordable Care Act .
The Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments Nov. 10 as part of the Trump administration ’ s challenge to the 2010 law , which could result in its wholesale invalidation .
“ Don ’ t forget it , America .
Don ’ t forget what ’ s happening here , because it ’ s a travesty , ” [ Senate Majority Leader Chuck ] Schumer said .
“ And it will be an in-erasable stain on this Republican majority forever more.
” … Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barrett ’ s nomination from going forward , despite several acts of protest in the lead-up to Sunday ’ s vote .
Democrats boycotted the Senate Judiciary Committee ’ s vote to advance Barrett ’ s nomination to the floor , and in a highly unusual move on Friday they forced the Senate into a closed session for 20 minutes — the first time the Senate went into such a session in more than a decade .
Democrats also raised legitimate complaints on how Republican Senate leaders handled the Coney Barrett nomination due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Merrick Garland in 2016 before the election .
Republicans legitimately gripe Democrats were perfectly fine with hearings for Garland before taking the opposite stance in 2020 .
Hypocrisy , thy names are Republicans and Democrats .
The Obama and Trump administrations were well within their rights to nominate a Supreme Court justice before the 2016 and 2020 elections , respectively .
Hearings should have happened on both , in my opinion , because there was no guarantee Garland would have been approved .
Johnathan H. Adler at The Volokh Conspiracy defended the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 ( emphasis mine ) .
The argument that the Senate has a constitutional obligation to act on a Supreme Court nomination is anything but “ clear.
” This claim finds no support in the relevant constitutional text , constitutional structure , or the history of judicial nominations .
While there are strong policy and prudential arguments that the Senate should promptly consider any and all nominations to legislatively authorized seats on the federal bench , and on the Supreme Court in particular , the argument that the Senate has some sort of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response to a judicial nomination is erroneous .
Interestingly enough , the argument that the Senate has an obligation to consider judicial nominations is not new .
In the face of Senate intransigence on some of his judicial nominees , President George W. Bush declared that : “ The Senate has a Constitutional obligation to vote up or down on a President ’ s judicial nominees.
” The argument was wrong then , and it is wrong now .
Adler also noted this year the number of justices who have been confirmed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate being in opposite parties including Clarence Thomas , Anthony Kennedy , and David Souter .
Something worth noting with Coney Barrett about to head to the Supreme Court .
Two things of note regarding today ’ s vote in the Senate .
Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski voted against opening debate .
The latter still plans to vote for Coney Barrett for SCOTUS while Collins , who may or may not win re-election , will not support the nomination .
Politics .
Always politics .

Judge Amy Coney Barrett could be confirmed as the next U.S. Supreme Court justice on Monday. The U.S. Senate voted in favor of opening up 30 hours worth of debate on her nomination today. Via The Hill:
While Sunday’s vote is only a procedural step, it underscores that Republicans have the votes to place Barrett on the Supreme Court just days before the Nov. 3 election. The timetable will set a new record for how close to a presidential election a nominee has been confirmed to the country’s highest court. The Supreme Court fires up the GOP base, handing Republicans a victory to tout as they try to shore up support in the final days before the election. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) in particular, has put a premium on confirming Trump’s judicial nominees, arguing it’s the best thing the party can do to have a long-term impact on the direction of the country.
Democrats, obviously, see Monday’s coming vote as doom for America. From POLITICO:
In their fight against Barrett, Democrats have focused almost exclusively on the future of the Affordable Care Act. The Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments Nov. 10 as part of the Trump administration’s challenge to the 2010 law, which could result in its wholesale invalidation. “Don’t forget it, America. Don’t forget what’s happening here, because it’s a travesty,” [Senate Majority Leader Chuck] Schumer said. “And it will be an in-erasable stain on this Republican majority forever more.”… Senate Democrats have no procedural tools to stop Barrett’s nomination from going forward, despite several acts of protest in the lead-up to Sunday’s vote. Democrats boycotted the Senate Judiciary Committee’s vote to advance Barrett’s nomination to the floor, and in a highly unusual move on Friday they forced the Senate into a closed session for 20 minutes — the first time the Senate went into such a session in more than a decade.
Democrats also raised legitimate complaints on how Republican Senate leaders handled the Coney Barrett nomination due to their refusal to hold hearings on Merrick Garland in 2016 before the election. Republicans legitimately gripe Democrats were perfectly fine with hearings for Garland before taking the opposite stance in 2020. Hypocrisy, thy names are Republicans and Democrats.
The Obama and Trump administrations were well within their rights to nominate a Supreme Court justice before the 2016 and 2020 elections, respectively. Hearings should have happened on both, in my opinion, because there was no guarantee Garland would have been approved. Johnathan H. Adler at The Volokh Conspiracy defended the Senate’s decision to eschew hearings in 2016 (emphasis mine).
The argument that the Senate has a constitutional obligation to act on a Supreme Court nomination is anything but “clear.” This claim finds no support in the relevant constitutional text, constitutional structure, or the history of judicial nominations. While there are strong policy and prudential arguments that the Senate should promptly consider any and all nominations to legislatively authorized seats on the federal bench, and on the Supreme Court in particular, the argument that the Senate has some sort of constitutional obligation to take specific actions in response to a judicial nomination is erroneous. Interestingly enough, the argument that the Senate has an obligation to consider judicial nominations is not new. In the face of Senate intransigence on some of his judicial nominees, President George W. Bush declared that: “The Senate has a Constitutional obligation to vote up or down on a President’s judicial nominees.” The argument was wrong then, and it is wrong now.
Adler also noted this year the number of justices who have been confirmed to their positions despite the White House and Senate being in opposite parties including Clarence Thomas, Anthony Kennedy, and David Souter. Something worth noting with Coney Barrett about to head to the Supreme Court.
Two things of note regarding today’s vote in the Senate. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski voted against opening debate. The latter still plans to vote for Coney Barrett for SCOTUS while Collins, who may or may not win re-election, will not support the nomination. Politics. Always politics.
Get your popcorn ready.


hotair--2020-10-25--Report card findings: Kids need to get back to school, virtual classrooms are failing students

When schools closed last March due to the coronavirus pandemic , parents and students alike assumed that online classes would be a necessary but temporary move to help mitigate the spread of the highly contagious virus .
Here we are seven months later and many students are still at home , receiving an education online .
Recent findings from schools show that a higher rate of failure in one or more classes taught online is showing up across the country .
The message is clear – students need to get back to school .
It can be scary for parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the virus by classmates or school staff .
It can be of concern to teachers , too , who fear that children will bring the virus into their classrooms .
But , according to teaching professionals and parents who are seeing the results of a long shutdown , evidence of the lack of success by students receiving online education outweighs an abundance of caution from adults who do not feel ready to get back to a somewhat normal routine .
Brick and mortar schools need to re-open and allow students to thrive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington , one principal revealed during a school board meeting last week that too many students are failing one or more classes .
The high school principal said that nearly half of all students have an F in one or more classes .
Students understand that not all of their classmates have some of the necessities they need to keep up with schoolwork outside of the classroom .
During a school board meeting Tuesday , North Thurston ’ s Principal said nearly half of all his students were getting an ‘ F ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a new phenomenon not typically seen during regular in-person instruction .
“ That sounds shocking but it ’ s not very surprising at all , ” said student Natalie Scott .
“ Online is showing the deeper divide of students.
” The Timberline High senior also sees her classmates struggling and says sometimes just paying attention is the easiest challenge .
“ I don ’ t have to worry about the bare necessities people don ’ t have , ” she added .
One high school senior noted that students , especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get at school .
School districts are looking for ways to help students to make up for the lost time in the classroom .
The focus is on reversing plummeting grades and poor attendance .
Report cards are out and calls are going out to get back into the classroom before more time is lost .
The State of Texas , for example , is mandating that schools get back to normal and prepare students for state standardized testing .
Report cards from the first weeks of the school year show more students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ class .
Students are turning in assignments late , if at all ; skipping days to weeks of virtual school ; and falling behind on reading , educators and parents report .
Many parents say they ’ re exhausted from playing the role of at-home teacher , and some students without support at home are struggling to keep track of their daily workload with limited outside help .
The problems are concentrated among students trying to learn from home , more than 3 million of the state ’ s 5.5 million public school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The trends are adding urgency to calls for getting more students back into classrooms as quickly as possible .
Some school districts are making extra allowances in order to pass students in classes , even though they don ’ t actually earn the passing grade .
The message is to “ do what you can to make sure kids pass.
” Judson Independent School District , in San Antonio , added a note to its grading handbook allowing principals to “ grant any exceptions ” and “ extend grace ” to students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or drop assignments .
“ We understand that connectivity issues , lack of devices , technological issues with the Student Portal , Canvas , and electronic books may impede a student from submitting their assignments in a timely manner , ” the handbook now reads .
Cathryn Mitchell , principal of Austin ISD ’ s Gorzycki Middle School , sent an email in early October , obtained by The Texas Tribune , alerting all staff to a “ campus-wide dilemma.
” Almost 25 % of students were failing at least one class , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She attributed the failures to steep technology learning curves , lack of access to devices and Wi-Fi , shifting reopening guidelines and anxiety over the health risks of on-campus learning .
In Mineral Wells , Texas , the district says “ many remote learning students have not been successful at all.
” Students are failing multiple courses and are not engaged .
Parents are encouraged to bring their children back to school if they are struggling .
Otherwise , at-home learning is still encouraged .
This , however , goes against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Opening schools back up to only struggling students isn ’ t supposed to be done .
Alternatives are defined as “ withdraw to homeschool , withdraw and enroll in a charter or private school with virtual learning or request a transfer to another district that offers virtual learning.
” Teacher unions aren ’ t making it easy in many districts .
Many schools in the Houston Independent School District ( HISD ) only returned to classrooms earlier this month .
Just a few days into their return , teachers staged a sick-out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or presumed cases of COVID-19 on campus .
Originally , the HISD , the state ’ s largest school district , had a policy that just one confirmed or presumed case could shut down a school and trigger deep cleaning .
That policy has been reversed now .
After “ collaboration with Houston Health Department , HISD will now close schools and shift their students to virtual learning if there are two or more confirmed cases of COVID-19.
” So teachers planned a sick-out to protest revised policies .
HISD is moving forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released a statement , but did not address the sick out directly .
It said that it will “ remain focused on providing our students with a high-quality education while ensuring that the health , safety and well-being of both our students and staff are held to the highest standard.
” “ Face-to-face instruction will continue to occur with safety measures in place in accordance with guidelines provided by the CDC , state and local health authorities .
The health , safety and well-being of our students and staff remains our top priority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs of all families in the district , ” according to HISD .
The growing evidence of the harm of keeping students home warrants serious decisions to be made about reopening schools .
Within Houston , a consensus of when to re-open schools by different school districts didn ’ t happen .
HISD schools remained closed longer than surrounding school districts .
Other school districts in states across the country are dealing with the same situation .
Meanwhile , while the adults continue to argue , the students are feeling the effects and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

When schools closed last March due to the coronavirus pandemic, parents and students alike assumed that online classes would be a necessary but temporary move to help mitigate the spread of the highly contagious virus. Here we are seven months later and many students are still at home, receiving an education online. Recent findings from schools show that a higher rate of failure in one or more classes taught online is showing up across the country. The message is clear – students need to get back to school.
It can be scary for parents who worry about children potentially being exposed to the virus by classmates or school staff. It can be of concern to teachers, too, who fear that children will bring the virus into their classrooms. But, according to teaching professionals and parents who are seeing the results of a long shutdown, evidence of the lack of success by students receiving online education outweighs an abundance of caution from adults who do not feel ready to get back to a somewhat normal routine. Brick and mortar schools need to re-open and allow students to thrive in their studies.
In Lacey, Washington, one principal revealed during a school board meeting last week that too many students are failing one or more classes. The high school principal said that nearly half of all students have an F in one or more classes. Students understand that not all of their classmates have some of the necessities they need to keep up with schoolwork outside of the classroom.
During a school board meeting Tuesday, North Thurston’s Principal said nearly half of all his students were getting an ‘F’ in at least one class. It is a new phenomenon not typically seen during regular in-person instruction. “That sounds shocking but it’s not very surprising at all,” said student Natalie Scott. “Online is showing the deeper divide of students.” The Timberline High senior also sees her classmates struggling and says sometimes just paying attention is the easiest challenge. “I don’t have to worry about the bare necessities people don’t have,” she added.
One high school senior noted that students, especially underclassmen, need the social interaction they get at school.
Samir Amin, 18, is spending his senior year studying from his bedroom though he wishes he could be back in class at North Thurston High School in Lacey. His role in student government student means he is also advising underclassmen and he has seen how some underclassmen exhibit a sense of disconnect. “What I notice,” he said, “The freshmen aren’t getting that social interaction.”
North Thurston senior Samir talks about the struggles of distance learning.
Samir’s HS Principal told the school board nearly 1/2 of all kids have an ‘F’ in one of their classes. MORE >>> https://t.co/8ljBvYKvnT cc: @NTPSnews
cc: @TheOlympian #Q13FOX#AllLocal#AllTogether pic.twitter.com/51R3YdH43O — Steve Kiggins (@Q13FOXKiggins) October 21, 2020
School districts are looking for ways to help students to make up for the lost time in the classroom. The focus is on reversing plummeting grades and poor attendance. Report cards are out and calls are going out to get back into the classroom before more time is lost. The State of Texas, for example, is mandating that schools get back to normal and prepare students for state standardized testing.
Report cards from the first weeks of the school year show more students than last year failing at least one class. Students are turning in assignments late, if at all; skipping days to weeks of virtual school; and falling behind on reading, educators and parents report. Many parents say they’re exhausted from playing the role of at-home teacher, and some students without support at home are struggling to keep track of their daily workload with limited outside help. The problems are concentrated among students trying to learn from home, more than 3 million of the state’s 5.5 million public school students, according to administrators’ accounts. The trends are adding urgency to calls for getting more students back into classrooms as quickly as possible.
Some school districts are making extra allowances in order to pass students in classes, even though they don’t actually earn the passing grade. The message is to “do what you can to make sure kids pass.”
Judson Independent School District, in San Antonio, added a note to its grading handbook allowing principals to “grant any exceptions” and “extend grace” to students, letting them make up late work or drop assignments. “We understand that connectivity issues, lack of devices, technological issues with the Student Portal, Canvas, and electronic books may impede a student from submitting their assignments in a timely manner,” the handbook now reads. Cathryn Mitchell, principal of Austin ISD’s Gorzycki Middle School, sent an email in early October, obtained by The Texas Tribune, alerting all staff to a “campus-wide dilemma.” Almost 25% of students were failing at least one class, including 200 failing more than one subject. She attributed the failures to steep technology learning curves, lack of access to devices and Wi-Fi, shifting reopening guidelines and anxiety over the health risks of on-campus learning.
In Mineral Wells, Texas, the district says “many remote learning students have not been successful at all.” Students are failing multiple courses and are not engaged. Parents are encouraged to bring their children back to school if they are struggling. Otherwise, at-home learning is still encouraged. This, however, goes against the state’s instructions to school districts. Opening schools back up to only struggling students isn’t supposed to be done. Alternatives are defined as “withdraw to homeschool, withdraw and enroll in a charter or private school with virtual learning or request a transfer to another district that offers virtual learning.”
“Several have never logged in or communicated at all in six weeks,” the letter said. “These students are falling desperately behind and if we do not act quickly, they may never recover.” The district will contact parents/guardians at the end of the upcoming three-week period if their child has been unsuccessful with remote learning. The district encourages parents to bring students back sooner if it is clear their student is not succeeding.
Teacher unions aren’t making it easy in many districts. Many schools in the Houston Independent School District (HISD) only returned to classrooms earlier this month. Just a few days into their return, teachers staged a sick-out because some schools closed due to confirmed or presumed cases of COVID-19 on campus. Originally, the HISD, the state’s largest school district, had a policy that just one confirmed or presumed case could shut down a school and trigger deep cleaning. That policy has been reversed now. After “collaboration with Houston Health Department, HISD will now close schools and shift their students to virtual learning if there are two or more confirmed cases of COVID-19.” So teachers planned a sick-out to protest revised policies. HISD is moving forward anyway.
The Houston Independent School District released a statement, but did not address the sick out directly. It said that it will “remain focused on providing our students with a high-quality education while ensuring that the health, safety and well-being of both our students and staff are held to the highest standard.” “Face-to-face instruction will continue to occur with safety measures in place in accordance with guidelines provided by the CDC, state and local health authorities. The health, safety and well-being of our students and staff remains our top priority as we work to meet the educational needs of all families in the district,” according to HISD.
The growing evidence of the harm of keeping students home warrants serious decisions to be made about reopening schools. Within Houston, a consensus of when to re-open schools by different school districts didn’t happen. HISD schools remained closed longer than surrounding school districts. Other school districts in states across the country are dealing with the same situation. Meanwhile, while the adults continue to argue, the students are feeling the effects and it is showing up in their grades.


hotair--2020-10-25--Maryland looks at ditching Police Officers' bill of rights

Maryland is moving ahead with their own version of “ police reform ” in preparation for the return of the legislature in January .
While some of the measures under consideration will sound familiar and similar to steps being taken in other parts of the country , one of the steps recently endorsed by a legislative working group is a bit more blunt , to put it mildly .
Maryland has long had a “ bill of rights ” for police officers ( Law Enforcement Officers ’ Bill of Rights , or LEOBR ) , similar to many other states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state assembly to scrap it entirely .
( Baltimore Sun ) The recommendation is one of several made Thursday by a House of Delegates work group and could form the basis of legislation that the General Assembly would consider when lawmakers return in January to Annapolis .
Some lawmakers and activists have homed in on the law for years as problematic , but efforts to repeal it have fallen short .
Thursday ’ s move appeared to be the first time a group of Maryland lawmakers endorsed repealing the law .
The law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including affording officers accused of misconduct a five-day window before they must speak with investigators .
Anyone familiar with the political landscape in Maryland won ’ t be surprised to learn that the working group in question was composed of ten Democrats and four Republicans .
Nine of the Democrats voted to scrap the LEOBR while all four Republicans and one Democrat ( who used to be a sheriff ) opposed the measure .
You can read the entire LEOBR here .
Most of it is pretty basic , assuring officers the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have secondary employment and to be free from retaliation by their superiors for exercising their rights .
It also sets forth the rules for how investigations into potential misconduct by officers are conducted , including their rights to representation and reasonable interrogation conditions .
For the most part , there ’ s nothing terribly remarkable in Maryland ’ s LEOBR , though I suppose there are a couple of items that could use a fresh look .
The linked article mentions one of these , specifically the five-day grace period given to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misconduct before they have to speak to investigators .
While that provision no doubt allows them time to work on and prepare their defense , it does project the impression that the police may be involved in some sort of coverup .
It ’ s also more than most any civilian suspect is given , considering they can be questioned by the police as soon as they ’ re brought to the station , provide an attorney is present if requested .
So the approach described by the five group members who voted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ option .
They aren ’ t saying that the LEOBR has to stay exactly the same as it is now .
They ’ re willing to consider individual modifications to the legislation if such are required .
They just don ’ t want to throw out the entire package .
Sadly , most of the Democrats appear to disagree .
Good luck with your retention efforts in Maryland law enforcement if this plan and others like it are pushed through .
Baltimore , along with the rest of the state , is already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Treating them this way won ’ t be likely to stem the tide .

Maryland is moving ahead with their own version of “police reform” in preparation for the return of the legislature in January. While some of the measures under consideration will sound familiar and similar to steps being taken in other parts of the country, one of the steps recently endorsed by a legislative working group is a bit more blunt, to put it mildly. Maryland has long had a “bill of rights” for police officers (Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights, or LEOBR), similar to many other states. But the working group wants the state assembly to scrap it entirely. (Baltimore Sun)
The recommendation is one of several made Thursday by a House of Delegates work group and could form the basis of legislation that the General Assembly would consider when lawmakers return in January to Annapolis. Some lawmakers and activists have homed in on the law for years as problematic, but efforts to repeal it have fallen short. Thursday’s move appeared to be the first time a group of Maryland lawmakers endorsed repealing the law. The law spells out the disciplinary process for police, including affording officers accused of misconduct a five-day window before they must speak with investigators.
Anyone familiar with the political landscape in Maryland won’t be surprised to learn that the working group in question was composed of ten Democrats and four Republicans. Nine of the Democrats voted to scrap the LEOBR while all four Republicans and one Democrat (who used to be a sheriff) opposed the measure.
You can read the entire LEOBR here. Most of it is pretty basic, assuring officers the right to engage in political activity, to have secondary employment and to be free from retaliation by their superiors for exercising their rights. It also sets forth the rules for how investigations into potential misconduct by officers are conducted, including their rights to representation and reasonable interrogation conditions.
For the most part, there’s nothing terribly remarkable in Maryland’s LEOBR, though I suppose there are a couple of items that could use a fresh look. The linked article mentions one of these, specifically the five-day grace period given to officers after they’re accused of misconduct before they have to speak to investigators. While that provision no doubt allows them time to work on and prepare their defense, it does project the impression that the police may be involved in some sort of coverup. It’s also more than most any civilian suspect is given, considering they can be questioned by the police as soon as they’re brought to the station, provide an attorney is present if requested.
So the approach described by the five group members who voted against this proposal sounds like the better option. They aren’t saying that the LEOBR has to stay exactly the same as it is now. They’re willing to consider individual modifications to the legislation if such are required. They just don’t want to throw out the entire package. Sadly, most of the Democrats appear to disagree. Good luck with your retention efforts in Maryland law enforcement if this plan and others like it are pushed through. Baltimore, along with the rest of the state, is already losing cops at an alarming rate. Treating them this way won’t be likely to stem the tide.