rawstory--2020-07-21--Confirmed: Fox knew of harassment allegations against Tucker Carlson before his pre-planned vacation

Carlson , who claims to have gone into journalism after a career in the CIA failed to pan out , was named in a sweeping and graphic sexual misconduct lawsuit which two women filed against the network Monday in a New York federal court .
The women , Jennifer Eckhart and Cathy Areu , alleged rape and sexual harassment at the hands of some of Fox News ’ biggest stars , including the recently fired Ed Henry and Carlson ’ s primetime colleague Sean Hannity .
Areu singled Carlson out for allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation .
Michael J.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ veteran sexual misconduct litigator Doug Wigdor represents the two women , told Salon that their team informed the network about the details surrounding Areu ’ s allegations July 9 , which a Fox News spokesperson confirmed to Salon in an email .
The spokesperson said the network “ promptly investigated ” the claims upon learning about them .
“ Tucker is still employed , and this has zero to do with his vacation , which was legit and pre-planned , ” the spokesperson added .
Carlson made the announcement on his first show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pending lawsuit .
At the same time , Willemin claimed that the network had already known for two weeks that he and Wigdor were representing the women .
The news raises more questions about the timing of Carlson ’ s short break , which also came amid an onslaught of criticism after network rival CNN revealed that the show ’ s longtime top writer had secretly posted racist and vile comments on the internet for years .
Carlson , who once took a vacation when advertisers began cutting ties with his show after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” had in the prior days and weeks escalated his own race-baiting rhetoric again .
He was accused of “ hate speech ” after appearing to echo the infamous white supremacist “ 14 words ” slogan : “ We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children.
” Following the host ’ s original July 13 announcement , Salon took up an intrepid investigation into other Fox News personalities who have taken conspicuously timed “ vacations ” over the years .
Carlson has , in some senses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the highest cable news ratings in history the previous month and drawing speculation about a possible presidential run .
At the same time , he was the subject of a recent IRS criminal complaint , as well as an ongoing high-profile defamation lawsuit , also filed against the network in a New York federal court .
The latest suit did not deter Carlson from returning to the air Monday .
In his first show since the pre-planned interregnum , Carlson attacked The New York Times for allegedly preparing to publish a story which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Carlson suggested that the move would endanger the lives of his wife and children .
The harassment allegations against Carlson stem from a December 2018 installment of “ Tucker Carlson Tonight ” featuring Cathy Areu , then a frequent guest of the program .
At the end of Areu ’ s segment , an unnamed producer or writer whispered in her ear to stay put until the program was off air , according to the complaint .
She claimed that no one in the crew would disconnect her microphone and earpiece on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to leave .
When the show wrapped , Carlson allegedly invited Areu to his hotel room , specifying that his wife would not be present .
Areu claimed that Carlson cut her appearances when she refused , featuring her three times in 2019 and zero times in 2020 .
A producer said the Fox News host personally reviewed and rejected proposals to have Areu on his show despite the fact that her segments were among the most popular , per the filing .
The suit ’ s most graphic allegations come from Eckhart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Business , who accused Henry , the former co-anchor of “ America ’ s Newsroom , ” of rape and other forms of sexual violence .
Areu also filed sexual harassment claims against Henry , as well as Hannity and the “ Media Buzz ” host Howard Kurtz .
The four men have also been sued in their individual capacities .
The legal complaint was itself so graphic in nature that it included a trigger warning : “ This document contains contains highly-graphic information of a sexual nature , including sexual assault.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s alleged attempts to groom Eckhart , who claims she was asked to be his “ little whore ” and “ sex slave.
” Henry allegedly threatened Eckhart with punishment and retaliation if she did not comply with his demands .
Eckhart alleged that she was ultimately “ violently raped while helpless and restrained in metal handcuffs ” as Henry “ performed sadistic acts on her without her consent that left her injured , bruised and battered with bloody wrists.
” The suit claimed that Henry had earlier forced Eckhart to perform oral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — before raping her at a hotel where Fox often hosted visiting employees , “ thereby facilitating , whether knowingly or unknowingly , Mr. Henry ’ s conduct.
” Henry also allegedly sent both Eckhart and Areu lewd and abusive text messages .
A message to Eckhart referenced “ owned & submissive ” anal sex , according to the filing .
Others said , “ F**k you and your safe word .
You will know when I am done , ” and “ When u r owned u don ’ t get a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ text to Eckhart allegedly read , “ Good long session last time left you bruised battered dazed sated begging for more.
” He appended the tweet with the hashtag “ # perfect.
” Henry allegedly abused Areu with “ a slew of wildly inappropriate sexual images and messages ” for several months this year , according to the court document .
The texts , which Areu allegedly retains , include “ a ‘ closeup ’ photograph of a woman ’ s vagina being ‘ clamped ’ closed by four clothespins ” and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selected in 3 seconds.
” According to the complaint , the video featured a woman job candidate exposing her vagina to the interviewer , who then selected her for the job .
Immediately after Henry sent the video , he allegedly texted Areu : “ Are you avail for anchor interview.
” Network executives allegedly knew about Henry ’ s misconduct as far back as early 2017 .
The suit named Fox News Executive Vice President of Human Resources Kevin Lord , Fox News President and Executive Editor Jay Wallace and Fox Business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the network did not take substantive disciplinary action against Henry , but instead rewarded him with a promotion to co-anchor on “ America ’ s Newsroom , ” as well as a streaming show on Fox Nation .
Additionally , the suit claimed that HarperCollins , a Fox-affiliated imprint , signed Henry to a lucrative book deal .
When Fox News took action against Henry ahead of the lawsuit , the network allegedly did not inform Eckhart , leaving her to learn the news on Twitter and in press reports , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s heinous to do that to a victim like this — to force her to see him all over the news , ” Willemin told Salon .
Fox News issued a statement Monday denying Areu ’ s allegations against anyone other than Henry , based on “ the findings of a comprehensive independent investigation.
” The statement also suggested that Eckhart and Areu lack standing to sue the network for Henry ’ s behavior .
“ We expect Fox News to claim – as it almost always does – that an ‘ independent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Wigdor , who in 2018 settled claims brought by more than 20 individuals against the network , including allegations against disgraced former star anchor Bill O ’ Reilly and former CEO Roger Ailes .
Wigdor said that the network ’ s investigation did not include interviews with either woman , who both offered to meet under “ reasonable conditions.
” He called on Fox to interview them in the name of public transparency .
“ Fox News would have the public believe that it is a different place from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disgraced Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes , ” the complaint ’ s first paragraph read .
“ Unfortunately , it is actually worse.
” In the spring of 2018 , just before former network host Shep Smith departed on his own vacation amid a squabble with the network ’ s primetime lineup , he told colleague Chris Wallace during on-air banter that everything would be “ peachy-keen ” on his return .
“ Going to take a one-week vacation that was previously planned , and be back in a week , and everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Smith said .
“ I can ’ t wait.
” “ That ’ s what they always say : Previously planned and one-week vacation , ” Wallace replied .
Smith eventually departed the network in 2019 after a public dust-up with Carlson .
The network sided with Carlson .
You can read the full complaint here .

Carlson, who claims to have gone into journalism after a career in the CIA failed to pan out, was named in a sweeping and graphic sexual misconduct lawsuit which two women filed against the network Monday in a New York federal court.
The women, Jennifer Eckhart and Cathy Areu, alleged rape and sexual harassment at the hands of some of Fox News' biggest stars, including the recently fired Ed Henry and Carlson's primetime colleague Sean Hannity. Areu singled Carlson out for allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation.
Michael J. Willemin, an attorney who along with veteran sexual misconduct litigator Doug Wigdor represents the two women, told Salon that their team informed the network about the details surrounding Areu's allegations July 9, which a Fox News spokesperson confirmed to Salon in an email.
The spokesperson said the network "promptly investigated" the claims upon learning about them.
"Tucker is still employed, and this has zero to do with his vacation, which was legit and pre-planned," the spokesperson added.
Carlson made the announcement on his first show after the network was informed of the pending lawsuit. At the same time, Willemin claimed that the network had already known for two weeks that he and Wigdor were representing the women.
The news raises more questions about the timing of Carlson's short break, which also came amid an onslaught of criticism after network rival CNN revealed that the show's longtime top writer had secretly posted racist and vile comments on the internet for years.
Carlson, who once took a vacation when advertisers began cutting ties with his show after he called white supremacy a "hoax," had in the prior days and weeks escalated his own race-baiting rhetoric again. He was accused of "hate speech" after appearing to echo the infamous white supremacist "14 words" slogan: "We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children."
Following the host's original July 13 announcement, Salon took up an intrepid investigation into other Fox News personalities who have taken conspicuously timed "vacations" over the years.
Carlson has, in some senses, been riding high after returning in the highest cable news ratings in history the previous month and drawing speculation about a possible presidential run. At the same time, he was the subject of a recent IRS criminal complaint, as well as an ongoing high-profile defamation lawsuit, also filed against the network in a New York federal court.
The latest suit did not deter Carlson from returning to the air Monday. In his first show since the pre-planned interregnum, Carlson attacked The New York Times for allegedly preparing to publish a story which would reveal the location of his house. Carlson suggested that the move would endanger the lives of his wife and children.
The harassment allegations against Carlson stem from a December 2018 installment of "Tucker Carlson Tonight" featuring Cathy Areu, then a frequent guest of the program.
At the end of Areu's segment, an unnamed producer or writer whispered in her ear to stay put until the program was off air, according to the complaint. She claimed that no one in the crew would disconnect her microphone and earpiece on set, making it impossible for her to leave.
When the show wrapped, Carlson allegedly invited Areu to his hotel room, specifying that his wife would not be present. Areu claimed that Carlson cut her appearances when she refused, featuring her three times in 2019 and zero times in 2020.
A producer said the Fox News host personally reviewed and rejected proposals to have Areu on his show despite the fact that her segments were among the most popular, per the filing.
The suit's most graphic allegations come from Eckhart, a former associate producer at Fox Business, who accused Henry, the former co-anchor of "America's Newsroom," of rape and other forms of sexual violence. Areu also filed sexual harassment claims against Henry, as well as Hannity and the "Media Buzz" host Howard Kurtz. The four men have also been sued in their individual capacities.
The legal complaint was itself so graphic in nature that it included a trigger warning: "This document contains contains highly-graphic information of a sexual nature, including sexual assault." It goes on to detail Henry's alleged attempts to groom Eckhart, who claims she was asked to be his "little whore" and "sex slave." Henry allegedly threatened Eckhart with punishment and retaliation if she did not comply with his demands.
Eckhart alleged that she was ultimately "violently raped while helpless and restrained in metal handcuffs" as Henry "performed sadistic acts on her without her consent that left her injured, bruised and battered with bloody wrists."
The suit claimed that Henry had earlier forced Eckhart to perform oral sex on him — on network property — before raping her at a hotel where Fox often hosted visiting employees, "thereby facilitating, whether knowingly or unknowingly, Mr. Henry's conduct."
Henry also allegedly sent both Eckhart and Areu lewd and abusive text messages. A message to Eckhart referenced "owned & submissive" anal sex, according to the filing. Others said, "F**k you and your safe word. You will know when I am done," and "When u r owned u don't get a 'choice.'"
Yet another text to Eckhart allegedly read, "Good long session last time left you bruised battered dazed sated begging for more." He appended the tweet with the hashtag "#perfect."
Henry allegedly abused Areu with "a slew of wildly inappropriate sexual images and messages" for several months this year, according to the court document. The texts, which Areu allegedly retains, include "a 'closeup' photograph of a woman's vagina being 'clamped' closed by four clothespins" and a video titled "Fastest Interview ... candidate selected in 3 seconds."
According to the complaint, the video featured a woman job candidate exposing her vagina to the interviewer, who then selected her for the job. Immediately after Henry sent the video, he allegedly texted Areu: "Are you avail for anchor interview."
Network executives allegedly knew about Henry's misconduct as far back as early 2017. The suit named Fox News Executive Vice President of Human Resources Kevin Lord, Fox News President and Executive Editor Jay Wallace and Fox Business President Lauren Petterson.
The filing alleged that the network did not take substantive disciplinary action against Henry, but instead rewarded him with a promotion to co-anchor on "America's Newsroom," as well as a streaming show on Fox Nation. Additionally, the suit claimed that HarperCollins, a Fox-affiliated imprint, signed Henry to a lucrative book deal.
When Fox News took action against Henry ahead of the lawsuit, the network allegedly did not inform Eckhart, leaving her to learn the news on Twitter and in press reports, according to the filing.
"It's heinous to do that to a victim like this — to force her to see him all over the news," Willemin told Salon.
Fox News issued a statement Monday denying Areu's allegations against anyone other than Henry, based on "the findings of a comprehensive independent investigation." The statement also suggested that Eckhart and Areu lack standing to sue the network for Henry's behavior.
"We expect Fox News to claim – as it almost always does – that an 'independent' investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing," said Wigdor, who in 2018 settled claims brought by more than 20 individuals against the network, including allegations against disgraced former star anchor Bill O'Reilly and former CEO Roger Ailes.
Wigdor said that the network's investigation did not include interviews with either woman, who both offered to meet under "reasonable conditions." He called on Fox to interview them in the name of public transparency.
"Fox News would have the public believe that it is a different place from the Fox News that was run by former disgraced Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes," the complaint's first paragraph read. "Unfortunately, it is actually worse."
In the spring of 2018, just before former network host Shep Smith departed on his own vacation amid a squabble with the network's primetime lineup, he told colleague Chris Wallace during on-air banter that everything would be "peachy-keen" on his return.
"Going to take a one-week vacation that was previously planned, and be back in a week, and everything will be peachy-keen and hunky-dory," Smith said. "I can't wait."
"That's what they always say: Previously planned and one-week vacation," Wallace replied.
Smith eventually departed the network in 2019 after a public dust-up with Carlson. The network sided with Carlson.
You can read the full complaint here.


rawstory--2020-07-21--Trump ripped for trying to steer the British Open to his Turnberry resort: ‘The whole presidency is

Trump ripped for trying to steer the British Open to his Turnberry resort: ‘The whole presidency is one long grift’

President Donald Trump was harshly criticized on Tuesday after a bombshell new report in The New York Times .
“ @ @ @ @ @ , Lewis A. Lukens , advised him not to do it , warning that it @ @ @ @ @ of the presidency for private gain , these people said , ” reported Mark Landler @ @ @ @ @ Maggie Haberman .
“ But Mr. Johnson apparently felt pressured to try .
A few @ @ @ @ @ the idea of Turnberry playing host to the Open with the secretary of state for @ @ @ @ @ Noah Bookbinder , the executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington ( @ @ @ @ @ .
Here ’ s what others were saying :

And former federal prosecutor Elie Honig, during an appearance on CNN’s “The Lead with Jake Tapper,” said other alleged co-conspirators are likely to pursue a similar legal avenue.
POLL: Should Trump be allowed to run for office?
Meadows “filed to have his case moved from Georgia court to federal court, why?” Tapper asked Honig.
“This is more than just procedural wrangling,” Honig said. “This could be outcome determinative, because if Mark Meadows can show that the charges relate to his performance of his official duties, in this case as White House Chief of Staff, then a couple things happen.
“First, he gets moved across the street to the federal courthouse. Second of all, he's then on the doorstep of a dismissal, because under the law, federal law, if a person can show that they've been criminally charged for something that they did, ‘under color of law,’ meaning in their capacity as a federal official, then the case gets thrown out altogether.
“So there's no question Mark Meadows has a reasonable argument to make here and I look for Donald Trump to make a similar argument. I don't think he has as strong an argument and I look for Jeffrey Clark, who worked at DOJ to make a similar argument. All of these are going to be potentially dispositive motions.”
Added Honig: “Dispositive means they either stay or they go away They live or they die.
“Rudy Giuliani and Donald Trump are also expected to make the same request, do they have a strong case do you think?” asked Tapper.
“Donald Trump does not have as good a case as Mark Meadows because Trump will say, ‘Well, this was my effort to sort of regulate and make sure the election was clean as president’, but I think ...the prosecutors are going to respond, ‘No, this was you as a private citizen as a candidate, way overstepping your authority as President,” Honig said.
“As for Rudy Giuliani, he's got nothing, he was not a federal employee at the time.”
Watch the video below or at the link here.
CNN 08 16 2023 16 04 46 www.youtube.com


rawstory--2020-07-21--Arizona child welfare workers fired after posing in ‘Professional Kidnapper’ shirts: report

On Tuesday , The Daily Beast reported that multiple employees with the Arizona Department of Child Safety ( DCS ) @ @ @ @ @ posing for a photo wearing shirts that said “ Professional Kidnapper ” on the front @ @ @ @ @ “ Do you know where your children are ?
” on the back , reported @ @ @ @ @ children are taken into state custody , parents and critics of the agency have been @ @ @ @ @ personnel of being ‘ kidnappers , ' ” said the report .
“ The staffers @ @ @ @ @ the shirts during work hours .
Christina Sanders , a former DCS unit supervisor , @ @ @ @ @ in the parking lot of the Prescott , Arizona DCS bureau wearing the shirt and @ @ @ @ @ supervisor.
” According to The Arizona Republic , because of the firings , “ a @ @ @ @ @ in Prescott was apparently left with one investigator to handle complaints of child neglect and @ @ @

In new allegations revealed Wednesday, Texas House investigators accused suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton of engaging in a complex cover-up to hide his relationship with real estate investor Nate Paul as senior aides grew increasingly concerned about Paxton’s willingness to use his office to benefit Paul.
The subterfuge allegedly included Paxton and Paul creating an Uber account under an alias so they could meet each other and so the attorney general could visit the woman with whom he was having an extramarital affair.
And once Paxton learned several high-ranking officials in his office reported his behavior to the FBI, the House impeachment managers alleged, he took immediate steps to cover up his relationship with Paul, including wiring a $122,000 payment to a Paul-affiliated company in an effort to hide home renovations that Paul had provided for free.
POLL: Should Trump be allowed to run for office?
The allegations, outlined in a series of filings with the Texas Senate’s court of impeachment, shed new light on the relationship between Paul and Paxton that is at the core of his impeachment proceedings.
Among the new claims: Top deputies in the attorney general’s office persistently warned Paxton that Paul was a “crook” and that there was no merit to his claims that he had been unfairly treated by law enforcement, and that the two met at least 20 times in spring and summer 2020, sometimes discussing the FBI investigation into Paul’s faltering real estate empire.
Paxton “blindly accepted Paul’s conspiracy,” impeachment managers alleged. “Senior Staff urged Paxton to stay away. But when it came to Paul, Paxton was immune to reason.”
Paul was arrested in June on federal felony charges of lying to financial institutions to secure business loans.
Responding to Paxton’s pretrial motions that seek to dismiss all 20 articles of impeachment, including four that will not be included in the Sept. 5 impeachment trial, House managers also detailed multiple actions in which Paxton allegedly sought to use his office to benefit Paul.
They alleged that Paxton conducted a “sham criminal investigation” into Paul’s “adversaries,” routinely overriding concerns from agency staff who told him that Paul was a “criminal” and that Paxton needed to “get away.”
Instead, House managers alleged, Paxton became increasingly “entangled in Paul’s web of deceit” and “went to great lengths” to hide his relationship with Paul — using a burner phone and secret email accounts, ditching his security detail and using the fake Uber name to be “ferried to his lover’s or Paul’s properties more than a dozen times.”
In response to Paul’s favors — including allegedly employing the woman and paying to remodel Paxton’s home — Paxton “continually abused the power of his office to advance Paul’s aims,” House managers alleged.
In one instance, Paxton allegedly told agency staff that he did not want the office to assist law enforcement “in any way” with an investigation into Paul, who Paxton claimed was being “railroaded” and needed “unprecedented” access to sensitive information about his case.
After meeting with “alarmed” senior staff, Paxton allegedly demanded files about Paul’s criminal case that included an unredacted FBI letter that identified individuals involved in a 2019 raid on Paul’s home and businesses.
“Paxton held onto the file for more than a week,” House managers wrote. “Ultimately, OAG did not disclose the information to Paul. But Paxton did.”
In another instance, Paxton was accused of issuing a legal opinion that staved off a pending foreclosure sale of Paul’s businesses at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. House investigators cited two agency employees who said they were forced to work through the night to produce the opinion while Paxton frequently called them.
Paxton “sounded like someone was holding him hostage,” one of the staffers told investigators.
The opinion, which Paxton allegedly edited himself, was published at 1 a.m. Aug. 2, 2020, and said foreclosure proceedings posed a public health threat — despite the state’s “open for business” mantra throughout the pandemic, managers said.
The next day, managers alleged, Paul cited the opinion to successfully delay the foreclosures.
“It is hard to imagine a more blatant abuse of Paxton’s office,” House managers wrote.
Paxton’s legal team had filed more than a dozen motions to dismiss all articles of impeachment, often arguing that the underlying allegations were baseless or fell under the legitimate duties of the attorney general’s office.
His attorneys also accused the Texas House of trying to “overturn the will of voters” who reelected Paxton to a third term last year despite various public scandals dating to 2015. One argument stressed that Paxton cannot be impeached for alleged misconduct that predated his most recent election under the so-called “prior-term doctrine.” And they downplayed some of the allegations he faces, saying that, even if true, they are not severe enough to warrant his removal from office.
Paxton’s lawyers also attacked two bribery-related impeachment articles, saying there was no evidence of a “quid pro quo” and that Paxton’s ties to Paul were nothing more than “a personal relationship with a constituent and that the constituent found something the Attorney General did to be agreeable in some way.”
Under rules adopted by the Senate, any pretrial motion to dismiss or quash an article of impeachment must be voted on by senators. A majority — 16 senators — can approve dismissal of an article, placing an early test on the determination of the chamber’s 19 Republicans to allow a trial on the allegations. Those votes are set to be taken shortly after the trial begins in September.
In a written response, filed with the Senate on Tuesday and made public Wednesday, the impeachment team challenged other pretrial assertions from Paxton’s lawyers, who claimed the articles of impeachment were deficient because they failed to list specific laws that Paxton allegedly broke.
“Impeachable offenses need not be indictable crimes,” the House team argued. “Impeachment in Texas seeks to protect against conduct that undermines the integrity of the office, disregards constitutional duties and oaths of office, abuses government process and power, and adversely impacts the system of government.”
What’s more, the team argued, many of the articles listed particular crimes, and several detailed “how Paxton abused his office for his own personal benefit or that of Nate Paul and business entities controlled by Paul.”
More broadly, the managers emphasized that the impeachment trial is not a criminal or civil proceeding, as Paxton’s side has implied. In one new filing, the managers wrote that an impeachment trial is “a unique, if not mostly Political, with a capital ‘P’, proceeding — i.e., an action by the representatives of the people challenging official actions that are contrary to the public interest.”
That view aligns with the view that Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who leads the Senate and is acting as judge in the impeachment trial, offered in a TV interview Tuesday.
“It’s not a criminal trial. It’s not a civil trial. It’s a political trial,” Patrick told the Fox affiliate in Houston.
The House managers also asked the Senate to dismiss Paxton’s motion to quash the articles or return them to the House to add more detail to the allegations. The managers said the demand shows a “fundamental misunderstanding” of how impeachment works, arguing that the Texas Constitution does not require the level of detail common in a civil or criminal proceeding.
“A person can be impeached without an indictment, therefore Paxton does not have any right to demand more details,” the managers said.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.


rawstory--2020-07-22--Matt Gaetz caught ‘improperly’ funneling taxpayer money to ex-Trump aide ousted in racism scandal: r

Matt Gaetz caught ‘improperly’ funneling taxpayer money to ex-Trump aide ousted in racism scandal: report

Rep. Matt Gaetz ( R-FL ) has been caught breaking House ethics rules by funneling taxpayer money to a private speech-writing consultant who also happens to be a scandal-plagued former aide to President Donald Trump .
Politico reports that Gaetz ’ s office improperly sent $ 28,000 in taxpayer money to a limited liability corporation linked to Darren Beattie , a Trump aide who was ousted in 2018 after it was revealed he spoke at a conference featuring several prominent white nationalists .
Politico notes that “ House rules explicitly prohibit spending taxpayer dollars on speech-writing consultants , ” although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that this was the result of a “ clerical error ” that it is working to correct .
In an additional potential violation , Politico found that Gaetz has built a taxpayer-funded television studio in his father ’ s house that he uses for television appearances .
“ Taxpayers foot the bill to rent the television camera , and the private company that built the studio — which Gaetz refuses to identify — takes a fee each time he appears on air , ” Politico writes .
“ It ’ s unclear how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ construct the studio… This may run afoul of the House gift rule , which prohibits any lawmaker , aide , and their family members from accepting gifts worth more than $ 50.
” Gaetz is claiming that the TV studio was approved by the House Ethics Committee , although he declined to provide any documentation to back up this claim .

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) has been caught breaking House ethics rules by funneling taxpayer money to a private speech-writing consultant who also happens to be a scandal-plagued former aide to President Donald Trump.
Politico reports that Gaetz's office improperly sent $28,000 in taxpayer money to a limited liability corporation linked to Darren Beattie, a Trump aide who was ousted in 2018 after it was revealed he spoke at a conference featuring several prominent white nationalists.
Politico notes that "House rules explicitly prohibit spending taxpayer dollars on speech-writing consultants," although Gaetz's office tells the publication that this was the result of a "clerical error" that it is working to correct.
In an additional potential violation, Politico found that Gaetz has built a taxpayer-funded television studio in his father's house that he uses for television appearances.
"Taxpayers foot the bill to rent the television camera, and the private company that built the studio -- which Gaetz refuses to identify -- takes a fee each time he appears on air," Politico writes. "It’s unclear how much it cost the private company to construct the studio... This may run afoul of the House gift rule, which prohibits any lawmaker, aide, and their family members from accepting gifts worth more than $50."
Gaetz is claiming that the TV studio was approved by the House Ethics Committee, although he declined to provide any documentation to back up this claim.


rawstory--2020-07-30--Federalist Society co-founder calls Trump’s election delay ‘fascistic’ — and demands impeachment

Arch conservative and Federalist Society co-founder Steven Calabresi has written extensively about special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s probe being unconstitutional , but when it came to President Donald Trump ’ s tweets Thursday , the game was over .
In an op-ed for the New York Times Thursday , Calabresi said that the president ’ s idea to delay the election is fascist and that he must be impeached immediately .
“ I have voted Republican in every presidential election since 1980 , including voting for Donald Trump in 2016 , ” he explained .
“ I wrote op-eds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I believe was an unconstitutional investigation by Robert Mueller .
I also wrote an op-ed opposing President Trump ’ s impeachment .
“ But I am frankly appalled by the president ’ s recent tweet seeking to postpone the November election , ” he continued .
“ Until recently , I had taken as political hyperbole the Democrats ’ assertion that President Trump is a fascist .
But this latest tweet is fascistic and is itself grounds for the president ’ s immediate impeachment again by the House of Representatives and his removal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted that the United States has faced a number of difficult times from the Civil War to the Great War and World War II .
There was the Great Depression , the massive 2007 recession , presidential candidates have been shot and killed , protests broke out during political conventions and a slew of natural disasters have struck .
At no point has the American election ever been delayed .
But Calabresi took it a step further , noting that not only is Trump wrong , but anyone who agrees with him has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ President Trump needs to be told by every Republican in Congress that he can not postpone the federal election .
Doing so would be illegal , unconstitutional and without precedent in American history .
Anyone who says otherwise should never be elected to Congress again , ” he closed .

Arch conservative and Federalist Society co-founder Steven Calabresi has written extensively about special counsel Robert Mueller's probe being unconstitutional, but when it came to President Donald Trump's tweets Thursday, the game was over.
In an op-ed for the New York Times Thursday, Calabresi said that the president's idea to delay the election is fascist and that he must be impeached immediately.
"I have voted Republican in every presidential election since 1980, including voting for Donald Trump in 2016," he explained. "I wrote op-eds and a law review article protesting what I believe was an unconstitutional investigation by Robert Mueller. I also wrote an op-ed opposing President Trump’s impeachment.
"But I am frankly appalled by the president’s recent tweet seeking to postpone the November election," he continued. "Until recently, I had taken as political hyperbole the Democrats’ assertion that President Trump is a fascist. But this latest tweet is fascistic and is itself grounds for the president’s immediate impeachment again by the House of Representatives and his removal from office by the Senate."
He noted that the United States has faced a number of difficult times from the Civil War to the Great War and World War II. There was the Great Depression, the massive 2007 recession, presidential candidates have been shot and killed, protests broke out during political conventions and a slew of natural disasters have struck. At no point has the American election ever been delayed.
But Calabresi took it a step further, noting that not only is Trump wrong, but anyone who agrees with him has no business being in elected office.
"President Trump needs to be told by every Republican in Congress that he cannot postpone the federal election. Doing so would be illegal, unconstitutional and without precedent in American history. Anyone who says otherwise should never be elected to Congress again," he closed.
Read the full op-ed.


rawstory--2020-08-02--‘You hurt your credibility’: Chris Wallace grills Trump spokesman for denying campaign is losing in

‘You hurt your credibility’: Chris Wallace grills Trump spokesman for denying campaign is losing in polls

Fox News host Chris Wallace on Sunday challenged Trump campaign adviser Jason Miller after he downplayed polls showing President Donald Trump trailing presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
In an interview on Fox News Sunday , Wallace noted that Trump is trailing Biden by over 7 points in an average of nine separate national polls .
“ How do you turn this around because at this point , Jason , you ’ re losing ?
” Wallace asked .
“ Well , we think we ’ re in great shape and well positioned to win this , ” Miller replied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the states President Trump needs to get to 270 [ electoral votes ] , he ’ s either leading or within the margin of error.
” “ I knew you were going to attack one poll , ” Wallace said .
“ As I said the national poll is based on nine polls .
The state polls are based on multiple polls as well .
Are you really going to blame this — it seems to me that you hurt your credibility if you don ’ t admit , yeah , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got to turn things around.
” “ I disagree , ” Miller insisted .
“ The trajectory lines are going very well , the campaign is in a good place… We ’ re doing much better than the public polling which tends to lag behind what our private polling is showing us .
We think he ’ s in a good position right now.
” Watch the video below from Fox News .

Fox News host Chris Wallace on Sunday challenged Trump campaign adviser Jason Miller after he downplayed polls showing President Donald Trump trailing presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
In an interview on Fox News Sunday, Wallace noted that Trump is trailing Biden by over 7 points in an average of nine separate national polls.
"How do you turn this around because at this point, Jason, you're losing?" Wallace asked.
"Well, we think we're in great shape and well positioned to win this," Miller replied. "And in fact, in all the states President Trump needs to get to 270 [electoral votes], he's either leading or within the margin of error."
"I knew you were going to attack one poll," Wallace said. "As I said the national poll is based on nine polls. The state polls are based on multiple polls as well. Are you really going to blame this -- it seems to me that you hurt your credibility if you don't admit, yeah, we're losing and we've got to turn things around."
"I disagree," Miller insisted. "The trajectory lines are going very well, the campaign is in a good place... We're doing much better than the public polling which tends to lag behind what our private polling is showing us. We think he's in a good position right now."
Watch the video below from Fox News.


rawstory--2020-08-06--Donald Trump’s campaign got suspended on Twitter

President Donald Trump ’ s campaign was banned from Tweeting on Wednesday after Twitter told the president his campaign had to delete the misinformation about children not getting the coronavirus .
Earlier in the day , Facebook made a similar move , but removed Trump ’ s post themselves , marking it a lie .
Twitter took a more drastic approach , which is likely going to draw the president ’ s ire and the anger from his son , Donald Trump Jr. who was barred from Twitter last week .
According to the Washington Post , Twitter has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lying on their platform as well as other Trump allies lying about issues .
Twitter spokeswoman Liz Kelley said the tweet “ is in violation of the Twitter Rules on COVID-19 misinformation .
The account owner will be required to remove the Tweet before they can Tweet again.
” The video that was removed was of Trump on “ Fox & Friends ” Wednesday morning saying that children can ’ t get the coronavirus .
“ If you look at children , children are almost — and I would almost say definitely — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and that they have stronger immune systems , ” said Trump .

President Donald Trump's campaign was banned from Tweeting on Wednesday after Twitter told the president his campaign had to delete the misinformation about children not getting the coronavirus.
Earlier in the day, Facebook made a similar move, but removed Trump's post themselves, marking it a lie. Twitter took a more drastic approach, which is likely going to draw the president's ire and the anger from his son, Donald Trump Jr. who was barred from Twitter last week.
According to the Washington Post, Twitter has been under pressure to do more about Trump lying on their platform as well as other Trump allies lying about issues.
Twitter spokeswoman Liz Kelley said the tweet "is in violation of the Twitter Rules on COVID-19 misinformation. The account owner will be required to remove the Tweet before they can Tweet again.”
The video that was removed was of Trump on "Fox & Friends" Wednesday morning saying that children can't get the coronavirus.
“If you look at children, children are almost — and I would almost say definitely — but almost immune from this disease,” and that they have stronger immune systems," said Trump.


rawstory--2020-08-07--Leading demand for IG probe, Elizabeth Warren accuses Trump and new Postmaster General of ‘sabotagin

Leading demand for IG probe, Elizabeth Warren accuses Trump and new Postmaster General of ‘sabotaging’ postal service

“ They are delaying Social Security checks and other mail and potentially disenfranchising millions of voters.
” Sen. Elizabeth Warren and other top Democrats on Friday demanded that the U.S .
Postal Service inspector general launch an investigation into recent operational changes implemented by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy that threaten the timely delivery of mail-in ballots and “ the well-being of millions of Americans.
” The call for a probe comes after DeJoy , a major Republican donor to President Donald Trump and a former logistics executive , confirmed in a memo ( pdf ) Friday that he is pressing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizational structure ” of USPS with less than 100 days to go before the November elections .
“ The USPS Inspector General should investigate Trump megadonor Louis DeJoy ’ s bad decisions and personal conflicts of interest.
” —Sen .
Elizabeth Warren In their letter ( pdf ) to Inspector General Tammy Whitcomb , the Democratic lawmakers wrote that “ given the ongoing concerns about the adverse impacts of Trump administration policies on the quality and efficiency of the Postal Service , we ask that you conduct an audit of all operational changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other Trump administration officials in 2020.
” As Common Dreams reported last week , mail carriers have raised alarm over new policies barring overtime and prohibiting workers from sorting mail ahead of their morning deliveries , warning that the changes could be intended to pave the way for privatization .
The policies have already resulted in major mail backlogs across the nation , from Pennsylvania to Michigan to New York .
The “ slower and less reliable mail delivery ” caused by DeJoy ’ s policies , the lawmakers warned , endangers “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rely on the Postal Service for delivery of Social Security checks , prescriptions , and everyday mail of all kinds.
” The lawmakers also urged the inspector general to investigate DeJoy ’ s potential conflicts of interest .
As the Washington Post reported , DeJoy and his wife ’ s “ holdings include between $ 30.1 million and $ 75.3 million in assets in USPS competitors or contractors.
” In addition to Warren , the letter was signed by House Oversight Committee Chair Carolyn B. Maloney ( D-N.Y. ) , Sen. Gary Peters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( D-Del . )
, Sen. Ron Wyden ( D-Ore. ) , and Sen. Tina Smith ( D-Minn. ) .
On Twitter , Warren declared that “ Trump and his postmaster are sabotaging USPS.
” “ They are delaying Social Security checks and other mail and potentially disenfranchising millions of voters , ” Warren wrote .
“ The USPS Inspector General should investigate Trump megadonor Louis DeJoy ’ s bad decisions and personal conflicts of interest .
”

Trained in political science and the law, he has no formal education in disaster preparedness or response. And prior to his current role, he never held a full-time job dedicated to emergency management.
Instead, his main qualification was being chief of staff to then-mayor Alan Arakawa. But in that role, he told Civil Beat Tuesday, he assisted during emergency operations. And he said he participated in online FEMA trainings and workshops throughout the years.
In 2017, Andaya beat out 40 other applicants for the job, Maui Now reported at the time.
As the mayor’s administration was coming to a close, a panel of government officials – which said it was independent of the mayor – chose Andaya for the civil service role.
Civil Beat reviewed Andaya’s experience after historic Lahaina was swallowed by an inferno last week, killing scores of residents and visitors who never saw it coming.
The Maui Emergency Management Agency had the authority to issue siren warnings that might have alerted people. After Andaya’s agency decided not to sound them, many survivors reported they only became aware of the fire when they saw and smelled smoke.
Andaya said sounding the sirens wasn’t an option officials considered because they’re “mainly used for tsunamis.” That’s why they’re mostly located on the coast, he said.
But the state’s own website says the sirens are useful for many kinds of emergencies.
“The all-hazard siren system can be used for a variety of both natural and human-caused events; including tsunamis, hurricanes, dam breaches, flooding, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, terrorist threats, hazardous material incidents, and more,” the site states.
Andaya wasn’t on the island when the fires started, and he hasn’t made any appearances at press conferences since the disaster occurred.
Asked about Andaya’s resume, David Hafner, a retired telecommunications planner for the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, questioned whether his relative inexperience affected his agency’s performance in a crisis.
“It’s a good ol’ boy network,” Hafner said. “This time it cost lives.”
Hafner said it’s “absolutely essential” for emergency management leaders to have experience in the field so they make the right decisions both before and after disasters strike.
Not having it, he said, “can lead to grave mistakes in judgment.”
Andaya’s hiring came at a time when Hawaii’s counties had just taken on increased responsibility for disaster response, according to Hafner. State emergency management officials used to be the designated authority to respond to emergencies, he said, but an update to the law in 2014 put the counties in the driver’s seat.
Asked about Andaya’s LinkedIn resume, Colin Moore, a political scientist at the University of Hawaii, said he was shocked by the emergency administrator’s lack of relevant experience. He said the public is owed an explanation.
“It’s a legitimate question to ask why the person leading the county emergency services agency has no clear background in fire, police, public health, the usual emergency services backgrounds,” he said.
“Having that on-the-ground experience, you develop the instincts and the connections to be able to perform a job like this. And if you just have general government experience, there is just no opportunity to have that kind of on-the-ground knowledge that often is really useful in a crisis.”
Andaya said as a former member of the mayor’s cabinet, he was qualified for the job.
“Whenever there was an activation in the emergency operations center, we were involved,” he said. “To say that I have no experience or no background in emergency management is not correct.”
‘Political Influence’ A Concern
Andaya, 52, is from Maui and graduated from HP Baldwin High School.
He has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science from the University of Hawaii Manoa. He also has a law degree from the UH Richardson School of Law, although he never became a licensed attorney, according to the Hawaii State Bar Association’s online database.
He began his career clerking for Maui Judge Artemio Baxa. He then worked for the law office of Lynn Araki-Regan, an attorney who is the wife of Arakawa’s managing director, Keith Regan.
When Andaya vacated his position as chief of staff, it was filled by Araki-Regan, who was by then the county budget director. Regan said he had no involvement in Andaya’s hiring.
From the early 2000s onward, Andaya has held leadership positions in Maui’s Department of Housing and Human Concerns and worked as the assistant to the chancellor of UH’s Maui College, according to his LinkedIn resume. He is married to Rowena Dagdag-Andaya, a former elementary school teacher who served as Maui’s public works director and now works in Maui’s Office on Aging.
Andaya was Arakawa’s chief of staff from 2011 through 2017. That year, the mayor appointed him acting administrator of MEMA, and he became permanent by the end of that year.
In contrast, Honolulu’s emergency management director, Hiro Toiya, has technical training in emergency response, worked for years as a preparedness planner for the Hawaii health department and rose up the ranks of Honolulu’s Department of Emergency Management. He worked there for more than seven years before becoming the director.
Asked how he stood out among a pool of 40 job candidates, Andaya said Maui doesn’t have a lot of emergency management professionals to begin with. He noted that he had to take an exam and based on his score was determined to be a finalist.
“You would have to question the civil service process if you can believe that politics was involved,” he said. “This is something that my predecessors have to go through as well.”
Before Andaya was hired, there were concerns in Maui’s political scene that the county was considering someone who wasn’t qualified.
“In the past, this position has sometimes been filled by individuals without the proper emergency response background.”
Former Maui County Council Chairman Mike White
In July 2017, the chair of the Maui County Council at the time, Mike White, took the unusual step of writing a Maui News column warning that the job of emergency management was too important to be “subject to political influence.”
“In the past, this position has sometimes been filled by individuals without the proper emergency response background,” White wrote.
“The administration must search for well-qualified candidates who can make a seamless transition in leading our Emergency Management Agency. The stakes are too high and our community has grown to a point where emergency coordination has become quite sophisticated in its implementation.”
In his column, White praised the outgoing emergency management chief, Anna Foust, who had previously worked for years leading the Maui branch of the Red Cross. White emphasized her expertise.
“During her tenure, she used her emergency response experience and training to help guide the county to keep citizens safe during hurricane warnings and watches, flooding events and tsunami warnings,” White wrote.
Civil Beat wasn’t able to reach White for comment.
Panel Of Specialists Chose Andaya
On Tuesday, Arakawa’s former managing director, Keith Regan, said that politics was not a factor in Andaya’s hiring. Asked why Andaya was the best candidate, Regan said he didn’t know because he wasn’t on the hiring committee. But he was adamant there was “zero” political influence in the process.
“This was a straightforward civil service process,” said Regan, who is now the state comptroller.
When Regan ran for Maui County Council in 2015, Andaya was his campaign manager. This year, Andaya wrote a letter of support of Regan’s nomination to state comptroller.
Regan noted that the hiring panel included numerous experts in the field. Maui Now identified them at the time as then-Maui Police Chief Tivoli Faaumu; then-Maui Fire Chief Jeff Murray; Elton Ushio, administrator of the Kauai Emergency Management Agency; and Vern Miyagi, then-administrator of the Hawaii State Emergency Management Agency.
At the time, Ushio was quoted by Maui Now as saying Andaya’s “proven leadership abilities, executive level experience, and impressive knowledge of emergency management” made him a great fit for the job. Murray cited Andaya’s familiarity with government processes, his “institutional knowledge of the various emergency incidents” in recent years, and his then-recent work as acting leader of the department.
“These are not people that, you know, are just political people,” Regan said. “They’re people who understand emergency management and are going to make the right choice for the community.”
In a statement, former HI-EMA director Miyagi said the public’s focus should be on working together on response and recovery.
“Herman Andaya and his staff at MEMA are really good people,” he said. “They carried Maui successfully through numerous hurricanes, floods, and other disasters.”
He said the public should wait for the attorney general’s investigation before drawing conclusions.
Civil Beat left messages with the other hiring committee members on Tuesday, but they were not returned. Former mayor Arakawa also did not respond to a request for comment.
“Herman is a very skilled, experienced, knowledgeable, professional individual,” Regan said. “I trust that is making the right decisions … There is no question in my mind that he cares about that community, and he’s going to do everything he can to keep that community safe.”


rawstory--2020-08-09--Trump admitted on live TV he will ‘terminate’ Social Security and Medicare if reelected in November

President Donald Trump on Saturday afternoon openly vowed to permanently “ terminate ” the funding mechanism for both Social Security and Medicare if reelected in November—an admission that was seized upon by defenders of the popular safety net programs who have been warning for months that the administration ’ s threat to suspend the payroll tax in the name of economic relief during the Covid-19 pandemic was really a backdoor sabotage effort .
Announcing and then signing a series of legally dubious executive orders , including an effort to slash the emergency federal unemployment boost by $ 200 from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump touted his order for a payroll tax “ holiday ” —which experts noted would later have to be paid back—but said if he won in November that such a cut would become permanent .
The Trump campaign was apparently so satisfied with the public acknowledgement of the president ’ s promise to make the payroll tax permanent—a move that would inherently bankrupt the Social Security system—that it clipped the portion of the press conference and shared on social media immediately after it concluded .
The president ’ s critics did as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Defenders of the program , including the advocacy group Social Security Works , were quick to point out the implication of what the president said and condemned Trump for threatening the program that has kept countless millions of people out of poverty—during retirement years or due to disability—since it was created over 75 years ago .
“ We just heard it straight from Trump ’ s own mouth , ” the group responded : “ If reelected , he will destroy Social Security.
” Commonly known as the payroll tax , those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees—as dictated by the The Federal Insurance Contributions Act ( FICA ) —that go to pay for both Social Security and Medicare .
“ Trump ’ s executive order , which seeks to defer Social Security contributions , is bad enough , ” said Nancy Altman , president of Social Security Works .
“ But his promise to ‘ terminate ’ FICA contributions if he is reelected is a full-on declaration of war against current and future Social Security beneficiaries.
” “ Social Security is the foundation of everyone ’ s retirement security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a time when pensions are vanishing and 401ks have proven inadequate , Trump ’ s plan to eliminate Social Security ’ s revenue stream would destroy the one source of retirement income that people can count on .
Moreover , Social Security is often the only disability insurance and life insurance that working families have .
If reelected , Trump plans to destroy those benefits as well.
” As the Trump administration has foreshadowed this kind of move for months , economists on Friday warned again that any effort to undermine the payroll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggling workers and families , but everything to sabotage two of the most popular and successful programs in the country .
“ It ’ s like borrowing money from the Social Security and Medicare trust funds to give to employers just to hold , ” Seth Hanlon , a tax expert and senior fellow at the left-leaning Center for American Progress , explained to Business Insider .
“ They ’ re just gon na hold the withheld taxes because they ’ d have to pay it eventually.
” As Common Dreams reported earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have vowed to fight any “ attempt to gut ” the program .
On Saturday , Altman called on every lawmaker in Congress to denounce what she called Trump ’ s “ unconstitutional raid on Social Security.
” In the upcoming election , she said , “ voters should treat any Senator or Representative who is silent as complicit in destroying Social Security .
Furthermore , every American who cares about Social Security ’ s future must do everything they can to ensure that Trump does not get a second term .
”

President Donald Trump on Saturday afternoon openly vowed to permanently "terminate" the funding mechanism for both Social Security and Medicare if reelected in November—an admission that was seized upon by defenders of the popular safety net programs who have been warning for months that the administration's threat to suspend the payroll tax in the name of economic relief during the Covid-19 pandemic was really a backdoor sabotage effort.
Announcing and then signing a series of legally dubious executive orders, including an effort to slash the emergency federal unemployment boost by $200 from the $600 previously implemented by Democrats, Trump touted his order for a payroll tax "holiday"—which experts noted would later have to be paid back—but said if he won in November that such a cut would become permanent.
The Trump campaign was apparently so satisfied with the public acknowledgement of the president's promise to make the payroll tax permanent—a move that would inherently bankrupt the Social Security system—that it clipped the portion of the press conference and shared on social media immediately after it concluded. The president's critics did as well, though they carried a different message:
Defenders of the program, including the advocacy group Social Security Works, were quick to point out the implication of what the president said and condemned Trump for threatening the program that has kept countless millions of people out of poverty—during retirement years or due to disability—since it was created over 75 years ago.
"We just heard it straight from Trump's own mouth," the group responded: "If reelected, he will destroy Social Security."
Commonly known as the payroll tax, those are taxes paid both by employers and employees—as dictated by the The Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA)—that go to pay for both Social Security and Medicare.
"Trump's executive order, which seeks to defer Social Security contributions, is bad enough," said Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works. "But his promise to 'terminate' FICA contributions if he is reelected is a full-on declaration of war against current and future Social Security beneficiaries."
"Social Security is the foundation of everyone's retirement security," Altman added. "At a time when pensions are vanishing and 401ks have proven inadequate, Trump's plan to eliminate Social Security's revenue stream would destroy the one source of retirement income that people can count on. Moreover, Social Security is often the only disability insurance and life insurance that working families have. If reelected, Trump plans to destroy those benefits as well."
As the Trump administration has foreshadowed this kind of move for months, economists on Friday warned again that any effort to undermine the payroll tax would do practically nothing to help struggling workers and families, but everything to sabotage two of the most popular and successful programs in the country.
"It's like borrowing money from the Social Security and Medicare trust funds to give to employers just to hold," Seth Hanlon, a tax expert and senior fellow at the left-leaning Center for American Progress, explained to Business Insider. "They're just gonna hold the withheld taxes because they'd have to pay it eventually."
As Common Dreamsreported earlier this week, retirees and their advocates have vowed to fight any "attempt to gut" the program.
On Saturday, Altman called on every lawmaker in Congress to denounce what she called Trump's "unconstitutional raid on Social Security." In the upcoming election, she said, "voters should treat any Senator or Representative who is silent as complicit in destroying Social Security. Furthermore, every American who cares about Social Security's future must do everything they can to ensure that Trump does not get a second term."


rawstory--2020-08-10--If Trump loses two more states it’s ‘ballgame over’: AP reporter

Appearing on MSNBC ’ s ” Morning Joe , ” Associated Press White House correspondent Jonathan Lemire explained Donald Trump ’ s chances of being re-elected have reached the point where , if he loses the electoral votes of one more , he will be out of luck and out of office .
Speaking with co-host Joe Scarborough , Lemire was asked where Trump stands in the battleground states he so desperately needs .
“ Both campaigns agree that there are six battleground states to decide this election : Pennsylvania , Wisconsin , Michigan , Arizona , North Carolina , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now the president has to play defense and has had to spend resources and had to go the past week to places like Ohio , Texas — Georgia is another one where he has to play defense .
We don ’ t see , outside of perhaps New Hampshire , a place where Democrats have to do the same now that the Trump campaign has ceded Michigan.
” “ So they can afford to lose one more … they can lose Wisconsin , Pennsylvania , but they have to win the rest of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If they lose two the ball game is over , they can ’ t get 270 electoral votes .
They are concerned about where they stand in some of the states .
Arizona in particular has been a place of worry for the president ’ s team of late .
That ’ s a state hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic .
It ’ s not a coincidence that the president had the governor of Arizona here at the White House for an event last week where he talked about things getting better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has stepped up for Arizona that was with an eye towards November .
They can ’ t win at all , and there ’ s no path to victory without Florida — they ’ re trailing there but feel reasonably confident about Florida and North Carolina too .
but it ’ s the states : Pennsylvania and Wisconsin where they know they ’ re down and need to reverse fortunes as quickly .
”

Appearing on MSNBC's " Morning Joe," Associated Press White House correspondent Jonathan Lemire explained Donald Trump's chances of being re-elected have reached the point where, if he loses the electoral votes of one more, he will be out of luck and out of office.
Speaking with co-host Joe Scarborough, Lemire was asked where Trump stands in the battleground states he so desperately needs.
"Both campaigns agree that there are six battleground states to decide this election: Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona, North Carolina, Florida," he began. "Now the president has to play defense and has had to spend resources and had to go the past week to places like Ohio, Texas -- Georgia is another one where he has to play defense. We don't see, outside of perhaps New Hampshire, a place where Democrats have to do the same now that the Trump campaign has ceded Michigan."
"So they can afford to lose one more ... they can lose Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, but they have to win the rest of them," he added. "If they lose two the ball game is over, they can't get 270 electoral votes. They are concerned about where they stand in some of the states. Arizona in particular has been a place of worry for the president's team of late. That's a state hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. It's not a coincidence that the president had the governor of Arizona here at the White House for an event last week where he talked about things getting better, played up how the federal government has stepped up for Arizona that was with an eye towards November. They can't win at all, and there's no path to victory without Florida -- they're trailing there but feel reasonably confident about Florida and North Carolina too. but it's the states: Pennsylvania and Wisconsin where they know they're down and need to reverse fortunes as quickly."
Watch below:


rawstory--2020-08-11--George Conway drops reminder: Donald and Ivanka Trump donated thousands to Kamala Harris

President Donald Trump spent several minutes at Tuesday ’ s White House briefing attacking Joe Biden ’ s running mate @ @ @ @ @ D-CA ) , claiming that she was dishonest , would raise taxes , and was @ @ @ @ @ Kavanaugh .
But as conservative attorney and Lincoln Project co-founder George Conway was quick to @ @ @ @ @ ’ t always feel this way .
In fact , he and his daughter Ivanka @ @ @ @ @ her in her campaigns for Attorney General of California .
As the information about the @ @ @ @ @ donations made the rounds , New York Magazine ’ s Jonathan Chait weighed in with @ @ @ @

Trump, along with 18 of his political allies, was indicted Monday in Fulton County, Georgia, on allegations they were involved in a conspiracy to overturn the state’s 2020 presidential election. The case is being charged under the state’s racketeering, or RICO, law.
POLL: Should Trump be allowed to run for office?
Goodman wrote on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, that “Yes, #GeorgiaIndictment is pardon proof.
“BUT, But, but... Supreme Court may well hold a sitting president is immune from trial/conviction.”
And in that scenario, Goodman writes “18 co-defendants left holding the bag. Trump, if elected, immune (for 4 years).”
“The issue here is whether the Supreme Court would ratify the long-standing position of the Department Justice Office of Legal Counsel that, as a matter of law, an incumbent president is immune from criminal trial and conviction,” Goodman said, noting a “few caveats.”
“The constitutional analysis may turn on whether a trial is already complete, and in the stages of post-conviction appellate litigation, which imposes less of a burden on a sitting president," Goodman said.
Goodman noted that the prospect of the Supreme Court bailing out the former president could compel his co-defendants to flip on him.


rawstory--2020-08-11--Trump team worries Kamala Harris will ‘chew’ up Pence and ‘spit him out’ in VP debate: Nicolle Walla

Trump team worries Kamala Harris will ‘chew’ up Pence and ‘spit him out’ in VP debate: Nicolle Wallace

MSNBC anchor Nicolle Wallace called into her network while driving with her son and dog during vacation to add her latest reporting on Joe Biden ’ s pick of Kamala Harris to be his running mate .
“ The other piece of reporting I ’ ve picked up in the past week was from the Trump team , that from their viewpoint , because Donald Trump has no capacity to understand that this is the selection of a person to run the government with the president , he only saw this in terms of casting for the night of primetime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and this was the pick that scared them the most , ” Wallace told MSNBC ’ s Brian Williams .
“ They thought she would more than go toe-to-toe with [ Mike ] Pence , they thought she could chew him up and spit him out and pointed to her cross-examination of one Bill Barr , ” she explained .
“ I don ’ t know that there ’ s a better debater or questioner on the political field right now , ” Wallace said .
Her skill-set is unmatched in terms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to patiently wait to make her point and look at the argument that the democratic ticket has to make .
”

And the Monsanto trade was just one of 136 stock and other financial transactions — totaling between $3.05 million and $8.56 million — that Allen failed to properly report, according to an exclusive Raw Story analysis of federal financial disclosures.
"The omissions are so extensive that I'm just in suspense for what the possible explanation could be,” said Kedric Payne, vice president, general counsel and senior director of ethics for the Campaign Legal Center, a nonpartisan government watchdog group. “I haven't seen anything like this before with it going back this far."
ALSO READ: Revealed: Marjorie Taylor Greene's post-divorce finances — from Trump to Disney
The Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act requires key government officials, including members of Congress, to publicly report within 45 days most purchases, sales and exchanges of stocks, bonds, commodity futures, securities and cryptocurrencies.
Passed by Congress in 2012, the STOCK Act is designed to stop insider trading, curb conflicts-of-interest and enhance transparency.
But many of the financial trades Allen reported earlier this month were at least three years past the STOCK Act’s reporting deadline. In response to a series of questions from Raw Story, Allen’s congressional office acknowledged in an emailed statement that the congressman experienced “reporting issues” and blamed them on a financial adviser who no longer works for the Georgia lawmaker.
“Congressman Allen’s investment decisions are handled by a financial adviser, who uses investment managers to implement trades at their own discretion, without consulting with or getting input from the Congressman,” said Carlton Norwood Jr., a spokesperson for Allen. “In May of this year, Congressman Allen became aware of some reporting issues and omissions that were caused by a compliance firm he had engaged. At that point, he hired counsel and a new compliance firm to start working with the House Ethics Committee to ensure all trades have been properly reported.”
Rep. Rick Allen (R-GA). Source: U.S. House of Representatives
Members of Congress are required to file what are known as “periodic transaction reports,” or PTRs, each time they make certain financial transactions worth more than $1,000.
The periodic transaction reports are due within 45 days of a trade being executed, whether by a member of Congress personally, or a financial adviser working on the member’s behalf. Lawmakers are only required by law to disclose the value of the trades in broad ranges.
“The [Aug. 10] PTR was filed as part of that process in consultation with House Ethics Committee counsel – who understands that it was the compliance firm, and not Congressman Allen, who was responsible for these errors and that additional action and amendments to his financial disclosure statements may be necessary,” Norwood said in a statement.
However, Payne says it’s ultimately up to the legislator to ensure that such reports are filed in a timely manner.
“It's always been clear that the member has the ultimate responsibility of filing the PTRs, and it cannot be simply blamed on any outside adviser,” Payne said.
The standard fine for violating the STOCK Act is $200. But the House Committee on Ethics and Senate Select Committee on Ethics have historically waived the fees for many violators.
"It's a black hole when it goes to the Ethics Committee, and we don't know if they will assess penalties, or they just don't do anything about it.” Payne said.
Tom Rust, staff director and chief counsel for the House Committee on Ethics, which is tasked with investigating alleged STOCK Act violations, said “no comment” when reached by Raw Story.
Asked by Raw Story whether Allen has paid a fine, Norwood did not respond.
ALSO READ: Sold! Wealthy N.Y. congressman dumps up to $37 million in stocks and bonds amid pressure to divest
Demian Brady, vice president of research for the National Taxpayers Union Foundation, said there should be more transparency from the congressional ethics committees “to see how they're enforcing the laws that they're responsible for administering.”
“It shouldn’t be so difficult to figure out whether a member’s getting fined or not for late compliance with these basic, it seems to me, fairly straightforward and simple reporting requirements,” Brady said.
Allen is appointed to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and its Subcommittees on Communications and Technology; Innovation, Data, and Commerce; and Environment, Manufacturing and Critical Materials. He is also appointed to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and its Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions.
Allen’s stock transactions span dozens of companies including energy companies like Dominion Energy, General Electric, ExxonMobil, NextEra Energy and Phillips 66, technology companies such as Microsoft and Verizon and mining company Freeport-McMo-Ran.
This is at least the third separate time Allen has violated the STOCK Act.
Raw Story reported in June that Allen was late in disclosing his spouse’s March 27 sale — valued between $100,001 to $250,000 — of stock in SouthState Corporation, a financial services company.
In 2021, Insider reported that Allen has several financial filing flubs related to his stock trade activity from 2019 and 2020.
Epidemic of violations
Dozens of members of Congress have failed to comply with the STOCK Act. During the 117th Congress from 2021 to 2022, at least 78 members of Congress — Democrats and Republicans alike — were found to have violated the STOCK Act's disclosure provisions, according to a tally maintained by Insider.
Raw Story has this year identified 19 members of the 118th Congress who have broken the federal conflicts of interest law.
In recent weeks, repeat violators like Allen have broken the federal disclosure law again — Rep. Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) violated the STOCK Act for the third time in 14 months, Rep. Kathy Manning (D-N.C.) became a two-time offender and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) was several months late disclosing a family stock sale — again.
The ongoing violations come at a time when a bipartisan group of lawmakers have introduced several similar bills aimed at banning congressional stock trading.
"We see that the STOCK Act is not complied with the way it's intended to be, and if there are no consequences for the late filings, you continue to see that there probably will be less compliance with the law,” Payne said.
Campaign Legal Center supports legislation that would require members of Congress to divest of any stocks in individual companies, he said.
The most recent legislation introduced is the Ban Stock Trading for Government Officials Act, which would prohibit members of Congress, the president, the vice president, senior executive branch officials, their spouses and children from trading stocks and would require greater transparency with financial disclosures, The Hill reported.
Another two-party bill, the Bipartisan Restoring Faith in Government Act was introduced in May and is co-sponsored in part by political rivals in Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Matt Gaetz (R-FL).
Other materially similar bills include the Ending Trading and Holdings in Congressional Stocks (ETHICS) Act, the TRUST in Congress Act and the Preventing Elected Leaders from Owning Securities and Investments (PELOSI) Act. In the decade since the STOCK Act’s passage, the push for a total ban on lawmakers trading stocks while in office gained but then lost momentum last year when the Democratic-led House, then led by Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, decided not to conduct a hearing on any of the stock-ban bills and never brought it to the House floor for a vote.
News organizations including the New York Times, Insider, NPR and Sludge have documented rampant financial conflicts of interests among dozens of members of Congress, such as those who bought and sold defense contractor stock while occupying positions on congressional armed services committees or otherwise voting on measures to send such companies billions of federal dollars. The executive and judicial branches are riddled with similar financial conflict issues, too, as the Wall Street Journal hasreported.
The Wall Street Journal won a 2023 Pulitzer Prize for its investigation into financial conflicts among officials who work in federal agencies while Insider won the Society of Professional Journalists’ Sunshine Award for its reporting on congressional financial conflicts.


rawstory--2020-08-14--Trump is sabotaging more than just the US Postal Service as he bumbles towards catastrophe

I have good news and I have bad news .
The good news is the word “ sabotage ” is being used more often and with more feeling by leading Democrats and liberals than I have witnessed since the president took office .
This is an important development .
Too few Americans appreciate the depth of Donald Trump ’ s malice .
If there ’ s a way to betray the republic , he will find it .
The more people understand this , the more prepared they will be when this chapter in our history comes to an end—if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ article was originally published at The Editorial Board The bad news is people are seeing only one dimension of Trump ’ s multi-dimensional sabotage .
However , that ’ s to be expected .
It ’ s not every day a demi-despot blurts out his intentions the way Trump did Thursday on the Fox Business Network .
He “ explicitly noted two funding provisions that Democrats are seeking in a relief package that has stalled on Capitol Hill , ” according to reporting by the AP .
“ Without the additional money , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t have the resources to handle a flood of ballots from voters who are seeking to avoid polling places during the coronavirus pandemic.
” He told Maria Bartiromo : “ If we don ’ t make a deal , that means they don ’ t get the money .
That means they can ’ t have universal mail-in voting ; they just can ’ t have it.
” Trump , probably : “ I ’ m gon na starve the post office to keep Americans from voting me out , even if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even if that means kicking meemaw and peepaw out of the nursing home and into paupers ’ graves.
” Sabotaging the United States Postal Service got the headlines , as it should have , but the problem doesn ’ t stop with a president saying , “ Yeah , I ’ m gon na starve the post office to keep Americans from voting me out of office.
” Remember the political context : the stimulus talks .
The last round of fiscal spending— $ 2.2 trillion—is all but gone .
The $ 1,200 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The $ 600 a week in extended unemployment benefits dried up last month .
The moratorium on evictions has expired .
Scores of millions , according to the Times , are now faced with choosing between essentials : the car or food .
By sabotaging the USPS , Trump is sabotaging , well , everything : “ Yeah , I ’ m gon na starve the post office to keep Americans from voting me out of office , even if that means taking the economy as my hostage.
” I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to report .
Again , context : He thinks he has the advantage over the Democrats pushing for USPS funding as well as billions in relief for cities and states fighting a resurgence of the new coronavirus ( thanks to Trump ’ s negligence ) .
He believes , evidently , that four executive orders signed over the weekend do what the Congress can ’ t ( on account of Trump ’ s obstruction ) .
In particular , he apparently thinks ordering the Internal Revenue Service to stop collecting the payroll tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The president , therefore , thinks he doesn ’ t have to agree to the demands for USPS funding , which he believes would undo him .
If only life were as simple as our simpleton president !
First , not collecting the payroll tax won ’ t help the unemployed , because , you know , they aren ’ t on a payroll .
Second , not collecting the payroll tax is not the same as a payroll tax cut .
Those taxes , even if they are not collected , are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses in this country , that means a gigantic tax bill at some point in the future—unless the Congress forgives it .
The Congress is unlikely to waive taxes due for a very good reason .
Payroll taxes fund popular programs like Social Security and Medicare .
Not collecting them , or forgiving them some time in the future , means Social Security and Medicare take a bigly hit .
Believe it or not , Trump wants to make all of this worse .
He ’ d like to eliminate payroll taxes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Social Security and Medicare .
As you can see , Trump has bumbled his way into a multiverse of sabotage .
He started out thinking he ’ d starve the post office to save his ass , but he ’ s doing more than that .
“ Yeah , I ’ m gon na starve the post office to keep Americans from voting me out of office , even if that means taking the economy as my hostage , even if that means kicking meemaw and peepaw out of the nursing home and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not have planned this out ( I doubt he did ) but he ’ ll sure as hell insist on doing this—if the Senate Republicans don ’ t step in .
That , I think , is the question .
Will they ?
More certain is the Democrats don ’ t need to budge .
Indeed , they must not .
The pandemic means voting in-person is dangerous , especially to the elderly , who are the most habitual voters , and to Americans of color , who are the Democratic base and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Democrats must hold the line on USPS funding for health reasons as well as for political reasons .
If they cave , they ’ ll kneecap Joe Biden .
They must stand firm and united even when the economy free falls while accusing the president of sabotaging the republic for his own political gain .
John Stoehr is the editor and publisher of the Editorial Board , a newsletter about politics in plain English for normal people and the common good .
He ’ s a visiting assistant professor of public policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Yale Journalism Initiative , a contributing writer for the Washington Monthly , and a contributing editor for Religion Dispatches .

I have good news and I have bad news. The good news is the word “sabotage” is being used more often and with more feeling by leading Democrats and liberals than I have witnessed since the president took office. This is an important development. Too few Americans appreciate the depth of Donald Trump’s malice. If there’s a way to betray the republic, he will find it. The more people understand this, the more prepared they will be when this chapter in our history comes to an end—if it comes to an end.
This article was originally published at The Editorial Board
The bad news is people are seeing only one dimension of Trump’s multi-dimensional sabotage. However, that’s to be expected. It’s not every day a demi-despot blurts out his intentions the way Trump did Thursday on the Fox Business Network. He “explicitly noted two funding provisions that Democrats are seeking in a relief package that has stalled on Capitol Hill,” according to reporting by the AP. “Without the additional money, he said, the Postal Service won’t have the resources to handle a flood of ballots from voters who are seeking to avoid polling places during the coronavirus pandemic.” He told Maria Bartiromo: “If we don’t make a deal, that means they don’t get the money. That means they can’t have universal mail-in voting; they just can’t have it.”
Trump, probably: “I’m gonna starve the post office to keep Americans from voting me out, even if that means taking the economy hostage, even if that means kicking meemaw and peepaw out of the nursing home and into paupers’ graves.”
Sabotaging the United States Postal Service got the headlines, as it should have, but the problem doesn’t stop with a president saying, “Yeah, I’m gonna starve the post office to keep Americans from voting me out of office.” Remember the political context: the stimulus talks. The last round of fiscal spending—$2.2 trillion—is all but gone. The $1,200 in direct payments were spent months ago. The $600 a week in extended unemployment benefits dried up last month. The moratorium on evictions has expired. Scores of millions, according to the Times, are now faced with choosing between essentials: the car or food. By sabotaging the USPS, Trump is sabotaging, well, everything: “Yeah, I’m gonna starve the post office to keep Americans from voting me out of office, even if that means taking the economy as my hostage.”
I’m afraid there’s even more sabotage to report. Again, context: He thinks he has the advantage over the Democrats pushing for USPS funding as well as billions in relief for cities and states fighting a resurgence of the new coronavirus (thanks to Trump’s negligence). He believes, evidently, that four executive orders signed over the weekend do what the Congress can’t (on account of Trump’s obstruction). In particular, he apparently thinks ordering the Internal Revenue Service to stop collecting the payroll tax is going to stimulate the economy. The president, therefore, thinks he doesn’t have to agree to the demands for USPS funding, which he believes would undo him.
If only life were as simple as our simpleton president! First, not collecting the payroll tax won’t help the unemployed, because, you know, they aren’t on a payroll. Second, not collecting the payroll tax is not the same as a payroll tax cut. Those taxes, even if they are not collected, are still due. For the millions of businesses in this country, that means a gigantic tax bill at some point in the future—unless the Congress forgives it. The Congress is unlikely to waive taxes due for a very good reason. Payroll taxes fund popular programs like Social Security and Medicare. Not collecting them, or forgiving them some time in the future, means Social Security and Medicare take a bigly hit. Believe it or not, Trump wants to make all of this worse. He’d like to eliminate payroll taxes, which would mean, consequently, eliminating Social Security and Medicare.
As you can see, Trump has bumbled his way into a multiverse of sabotage. He started out thinking he’d starve the post office to save his ass, but he’s doing more than that. “Yeah, I’m gonna starve the post office to keep Americans from voting me out of office, even if that means taking the economy as my hostage, even if that means kicking meemaw and peepaw out of the nursing home and into paupers’ graves.” He may not have planned this out (I doubt he did) but he’ll sure as hell insist on doing this—if the Senate Republicans don’t step in. That, I think, is the question. Will they?
More certain is the Democrats don’t need to budge. Indeed, they must not. The pandemic means voting in-person is dangerous, especially to the elderly, who are the most habitual voters, and to Americans of color, who are the Democratic base and the demographic most vulnerable to Covid-19. The Democrats must hold the line on USPS funding for health reasons as well as for political reasons. If they cave, they’ll kneecap Joe Biden. They must stand firm and united even when the economy free falls while accusing the president of sabotaging the republic for his own political gain.
John Stoehr is the editor and publisher of the Editorial Board, a newsletter about politics in plain English for normal people and the common good. He’s a visiting assistant professor of public policy at Wesleyan University, a fellow at the Yale Journalism Initiative, a contributing writer for the Washington Monthly, and a contributing editor for Religion Dispatches.


rawstory--2020-08-15--Marco Rubio blasted for ‘cracking COVID jokes’ on Twitter as US death toll approaches 170,000

On Saturday , Sen. Marco Rubio ( R-FL ) tried to attack the push to suspend football games for public @ @ @ @ @ that liberals would be fine with restarting football if players dressed up like “ Antifa @ @ @ @ @ have repeatedly tried to blame COVID-19 outbreaks on civil rights protests to try to shift @ @ @ @ @ s push to reopen businesses early — even though studies have made clear that the @ @ @ @ @ the spread of the virus .
Rubio ’ s comments earned anger and ridicule from @ @ @ @ @


rawstory--2020-08-16--Mark Meadows gets busted on-air for lying to Jake Tapper about disabling USPS sorting machines

Toward the end of a long and combative interview with Mark Meadows , CNN “ State of the Union ” host Jake Tapper called out Donald Trump ’ s White House chief of staff for lying to him earlier in the segment when he claimed no Post Office high-volume sorting machines were being hauled away to slow down mail delivery .
In the first few minutes of the CNN interview , when confronted with reports about the machinery being decommissioned , Meadows insisted it was lie and part of a narrative cooked up by Democrats .
He then challenged Tapper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facts and “ whisper ” them into the CNN host ’ s ear .
Approximately ten minutes later , they did just that .
“ In terms of the fact check that you asked me to look into , one of my great producer did , it ’ s in terms of the machines , ” Tapper began .
“ Chris Bentley , president of the National Postal Mail Handler ’ s Union Local 297 , which covers Kansas and part of Missouri , two good Trump states , told CNN that postal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Kansas City , two machines in Springfield , Missouri , and one machine in Wichita , Kansas .
That is earlier this year under this new postmaster general.
” “ With all due respect and if we look at it , I can talk to Kansas , I can talk to Tucson , Arizona , you ’ re talking to someone who knows , it ’ s when we take out those processing , they ’ re part of a processing center that comes in , ” Meadows attempted .
“ And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if they were not part of an already scheduled reallocation , it ’ s not happening .
It ’ s not a new initiative by this postmaster general .
And when we look at this , it ’ s all about efficiency .
”

"He's saying that he wants to fight this case in Georgia," said Polantz. "But Rudy Giuliani actually has a lot of other things on his plate right now: namely, he appears to be out of cash. He hasn't been able to share details in court. He's trying to not do that because it would embarrass him and draw attention to his misfortunes, but we were able to pick through some court filings that do outline in lawsuits that he's facing related to his work for Donald Trump after the 2020 election, just how much his bills have piled up right now."
POLL: Should Trump be allowed to run for office?
"Right now, he has $181,000 in current bills," said Polantz. "That includes a judgment from a court last week saying he had to pay a phone bill for his company from 2020, that he has to pay legal fees for two Georgia election workers who are suing him. That's what the sanction would be, an $89,000 sanction. That's not even what happens if he were to lose that case."
As if that weren't enough, Polantz made clear she was just getting started in listing the former New York mayor's financial woes.
"On top of that, he has a lot of bills for just keeping ahold of the records that he had in his various cell phones and other electronic equipment," she said. "He has that all in a company. It costs money to do searches for those records every time he's getting sued, and it costs money just to hold them with that company. So he has access to his electronic records. It's a lot of legal bills, but on top of that, he has debts. One of the debts that has become public in the court proceedings is he had a $320,000 debt to this company hosting his electronic records. Donald Trump's PAC has paid that off ... but this is not even capturing the scope of the money Rudy Giuliani is just being bogged down with in order to fend off just lawsuits related to the 2020 election and other court proceedings."
"If he's actually out of cash, does he just have two options, pro bono representation or public defender?" asked Harlow.
"Those would be some options. The other options would be to get some cash based on the assets he has. One of the things he has done recently is put a three-bedroom Manhattan apartment up for sale for $6.5 million. It's only been listed for a couple days. As far as I can tell, it doesn't have a bid or a sale on it yet, but he's listing that property of his in Manhattan. We're talking about bills he has right now for lawsuits going on that are not even at the end. If he gets judgments against him for things where he is already conceding he was making false statements about the 2020 election, those bills could skyrocket. That doesn't even factor into how much it costs to defend yourself in criminal court."
Watch the video below or at the link here.


rawstory--2020-08-17--Jeffrey Epstein showed off 14-year-old victim to Trump at Mar-a-Lago: lawsuit

A new lawsuit claims that late alleged child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein brought one of his victims to see President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort when she was just 14 years old .
The Daily Beast reports that a woman identified only as Jane Doe filed a lawsuit earlier this year detailing sexual abuse she allegedly endured at the hands of Epstein and longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell , who earlier this year was arrested on sex trafficking charges .
Part of the lawsuit details a trip taken to Mar-a-Lago in 1995 , which Trump had bought a decade earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her to Donald Trump at Mar-A-Lago when she was only 14 years old , ” reports The Daily Beast .
“ ‘ This is a good one , right ?
’ Epstein asked the future president , who allegedly smiled and nodded before sharing a chuckle with the depraved hedge funder.
” The lawsuit does not accuse Trump of any sexual misconduct , although it does raise questions about what Trump knew of Epstein ’ s nefarious activities .
In 2002 , Trump heaped praise upon Epstein in an interview with New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interest in younger women .
“ Terrific guy , ” he told the magazine .
“ He ’ s a lot of fun to be with .
It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do , and many of them are on the younger side .
No doubt about it — Jeffrey enjoys his social life .
”

A new lawsuit claims that late alleged child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein brought one of his victims to see President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort when she was just 14 years old.
The Daily Beast reports that a woman identified only as Jane Doe filed a lawsuit earlier this year detailing sexual abuse she allegedly endured at the hands of Epstein and longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who earlier this year was arrested on sex trafficking charges.
Part of the lawsuit details a trip taken to Mar-a-Lago in 1995, which Trump had bought a decade earlier.
"Doe also claims Epstein introduced her to Donald Trump at Mar-A-Lago when she was only 14 years old," reports The Daily Beast. "'This is a good one, right?' Epstein asked the future president, who allegedly smiled and nodded before sharing a chuckle with the depraved hedge funder."
The lawsuit does not accuse Trump of any sexual misconduct, although it does raise questions about what Trump knew of Epstein's nefarious activities.
In 2002, Trump heaped praise upon Epstein in an interview with New York Magazine and hinted that he had an interest in younger women.
“Terrific guy,” he told the magazine. “He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it -- Jeffrey enjoys his social life.”


rawstory--2020-08-17--Trump says women will forgive him for calling them suburban housewives: ‘They’ll get over it’

On Monday , at an event in Oshkosh , Wisconsin , President Donald Trump brought up his racist dog whistle @ @ @ @ @ ” of low-income housing into the suburbs — and remarked that he believes women will @ @ @ @ @ calling them “ suburban housewives.
” “ I keep hearing about suburban women , ” @ @ @ @ @ know , in one speech recently , I called you suburban housewives , and they @ @ @ @ @ what I got , they said , sir , I don ’ t know if @ @ @ @ @ .
I said , don ’ t worry about it , they ’ ll get @ @ @ @ @ saved the suburbs … you know what I ’ m talking about .
”

"You can quote me to say, 'They're f------ thrilled,'" Richman said, adding that he's spoken to some of his clients on the matter.
POLL: Should Trump be allowed to run for office?
"All of them are almost unified in their position of hating f------ Rudy," he said, adding that he thought Giuliani was a "horribly dishonest prosecutor and the wheel of karma is about to crush him."
Making their joy even sweeter, criminal counts against Giuliani include a racketeering charge that he used to bring down the NYC gangsters.
Defense lawyer Jeffrey Lichtman, who represented the son of Gambino crime family boss John Gotti, said, "All of my clients who had the misfortune of being prosecuted by him are laughing now. As am I."
“I’m thrilled that Rudy will now experience what it feels like to be on the wrong end of a RICO prosecution — with a mandatory five years in prison facing him," Lichtman said.
Giuliani used the federal RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) statute to prosecute the Mafia Commission case, which led to 100-year sentences for three mob bosses and four of their associates. The Commission was essentially a kind of underworld "board of directors" helmed by the heads of the five crime families in New York that handed down decisions and conducted mediations involving the inner politics and workings of the mob.
On Tuesday, Giuliani called the case against him "a ridiculous application of the [RICO] statute." He was indicted alongside former Trump and 17 others on Monday.
Read more at The Messenger.


rawstory--2020-08-18--Michelle Obama’s speech ‘stung’ Trump — that’s why he lashed out with ‘nonsensical’ tweets: CNN pane

Michelle Obama’s speech ‘stung’ Trump — that’s why he lashed out with ‘nonsensical’ tweets: CNN panel

Former first lady Michelle Obama ’ s speech at the Democratic National Convention on Monday night earned rave reviews from many pundits — but also the ire of President Donald Trump , who attacked Obama in an early-morning tweet .
CNN ’ s John Berman on Tuesday said that there was a simple explanation for why Trump attacked Michelle Obama : Because her speech was highly effective .
“ The president has responded to Michelle Obama , which tells you it stung , ” he said .
Reporter John Harwood then chimed in to say that Trump was clearly rattled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counter-attacks were rambling and scattershot .
“ She was so effective and personal in detailing the personal qualities that are absent in Donald Trump that have manifested themselves in the coronavirus crisis , ” he explained .
“ And as a matter of fact , in the response that the president has done on Twitter this morning , most of which is a series of tweets that are nonsensical , he underscored that critique.
” Harwood noted how Trump seemed focused on touting the stock market , whereas Obama talked about the human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans .
“ So Donald Trump , he did respond , but he didn ’ t particularly help himself with that set of responses this morning , ” Harwood commented .