rawstory--2020-01-13--Yale psychiatrist explains how Trump’s psychosis has spread to his rank-and-file supporters — and mu

Yale psychiatrist explains how Trump’s psychosis has spread to his rank-and-file supporters — and much of the GOP

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The president ’ s personal lawyer and former New York City 0mayor Rudolph Giuliani wrote an opinion piece by the title , “ The Supreme Court Should Step In to Rule this Impeachment Unconstitutional , ” where the Washington Post reports him as donning the “ constitutional scholar ” cap in “ very colorful terms.
” Just over a week ago , Giuliani had made the dramatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to testify at the president ’ s upcoming impeachment trial but would even try the case .
Giuliani has mystified observers for some time , which is why I am responding to a request to analyze his words here .
First , allow me to remark on methodology .
Ordinarily , I state that analyzing a public figure is complex , and have previously declined to comment on Kim Jong-un or Vladimir Putin .
In order to offer a responsible analysis that is medically sound , an abundance of high-quality information is necessary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Donald Trump offers , with decades of candid interviews and clips ; numerous collateral reports by close associates , many under sworn testimony ; and direct , unfiltered , near-hourly reporting of thoughts ( a full diagnosis needs more , although a personal examination is not the deciding issue , as it can in some cases be harmful in assessing personalities that deceive or charm ) .
With Giuliani , however , I can make an exception .
I can do so because , like many of Trump ’ s followers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president ’ s psychology .
How is this possible ?
There can be a contagion of symptoms , as in the phenomenon of “ shared psychosis , ” further explained below .
I also have some references on Giuliani as a long-term New Yorker that corroborate my assessment .
Finally , I feel justified in sharing the findings because of the danger he poses ( as a strong adherent to the original “ Goldwater rule , ” I am opposed to commenting frivolously on public figures unless they pose a danger to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been “ translating ” Trump and his followers as a public service , using my understanding of the president ’ s defense mechanisms , repeatedly validated against other data : whatever he says about others is very revealing about himself .
I apply the same method for his followers because their shared psychosis , or the transmission of mental symptoms among close contacts over time , including via the media or the Internet , renders their psychological structure extremely similar .
Unlike Trump , I have closely interacted with many Trump supporters and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many psychological respects .
Especially when the primary pathology rests in a powerful figure , otherwise healthy people can adopt his cognitive distortions , delusions , and other symptoms as their own .
My experience with multiple cases in state hospitals and among gangs in prisons , in my 22-year career as a forensic psychiatrist , has been impressive .
Shared psychosis disappears just as dramatically when the contact is interrupted ( we may consider Trump ’ s former fixer Michael Cohen here ) .
Here is a sample “ translation ” of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of what his subconscious may br telling us , from his opinion piece : “ Republicans ’ obsession from day one not to impeach President Donald J. Trump , without regard to substance or process , led us to change the grounds for our argument every couple of months .
In doing so we have punted everything from Russian collusion to obstruction of justice , to quid pro quo , to bribery.
” By offering to try the case several days ago , Giuliani revealed a grandiosity so high , he does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his client or reveals how corrupt he is willing to be by trying a case for which his client is defendant ( and he potentially co-conspirator ) .
When he said he would prosecute “ as a racketeering case , ” he was inadvertently “ confessing ” his and the president ’ s level of criminality by projecting it onto Joe Biden .
He even narcissistically added that he “ kind of invented ” such prosecutions .
DC Report ’ s Editor-in-chief , investigative reporter David Cay Johnston , countered that Giuliani ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RICO ( Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations ) cases Rudy claims credit for , ” that other prosecutors won cases “ years ahead of his subordinates , ” and “ the RICO law was the brainchild of Prof. G. Robert Blakey.
” This pattern is consistent with my own experience of him as mayor of New York City , where I grew up in an environment of violence that I once considered the norm .
I witnessed , through the late 1980s and early 1990s , numerous activist groups entering our neighborhoods , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When one of them came into my bullet hole- and gang-ridden school , it had an inspirational effect on all the teenagers , including myself : robust literature now proves that positive reinforcement is far more effective in preventing violence than any level of policing or punishment .
Thus , when the mayor belatedly with his police force and claimed all credit for the drop in violence , it already seemed disingenuous then ; I know it to be blatantly false now .
Why is this relevant ?
I believe it is important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where applicable , between normal style and pathological traits that can cause harm .
A pathologically narcissistic individual , for instance , would not be able to handle power—even as one hungrily seeks it—but would more likely develop delusional levels of grandiosity or impunity .
Delusions , in turn , are more effective at mobilizing mass psychology than rational strategy , and puzzling features emerge even from formerly respectable attorneys such as Jonathan Turley and Alan Dershowitz .
We have seen a comical and innocuous-seeming Trump morph into a grotesque authoritarian willing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to build and maintain his cult of personality .
His irrationality ironically helps make his supporters fervently anti-interventionist one day and supportive of an obvious “ wag the dog ” war the next , according to his desires .
Power may corrupt ordinary individuals , but it radically transforms dangerously pathological figures beyond what people can imagine or prepare for .
Needless to say , those who are suffering from similar narcissistic wounds are the first to be attracted to such a power figure and to succumb to a shared psychosis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it can affect a person .
Dr. Bandy X. Lee is a forensic psychiatrist at the Yale School of Medicine , president of the World Mental Health Coalition , and editor of The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump : 37 Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Assess a President .
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The president’s personal lawyer and former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani wrote an opinion piece by the title, “The Supreme Court Should Step In to Rule this Impeachment Unconstitutional,” where the Washington Post reports him as donning the “constitutional scholar” cap in “very colorful terms.”
Just over a week ago, Giuliani had made the dramatic statement that he was prepared not only to testify at the president’s upcoming impeachment trial but would even try the case. Giuliani has mystified observers for some time, which is why I am responding to a request to analyze his words here.
First, allow me to remark on methodology. Ordinarily, I state that analyzing a public figure is complex, and have previously declined to comment on Kim Jong-un or Vladimir Putin. In order to offer a responsible analysis that is medically sound, an abundance of high-quality information is necessary.
Rarely do we have the amount that Donald Trump offers, with decades of candid interviews and clips; numerous collateral reports by close associates, many under sworn testimony; and direct, unfiltered, near-hourly reporting of thoughts (a full diagnosis needs more, although a personal examination is not the deciding issue, as it can in some cases be harmful in assessing personalities that deceive or charm).
With Giuliani, however, I can make an exception.
Power may corrupt ordinary individuals, but it radically transforms dangerously pathological figures beyond what people can imagine.
I can do so because, like many of Trump’s followers, he seems to be an extension of the president’s psychology. How is this possible? There can be a contagion of symptoms, as in the phenomenon of “shared psychosis,” further explained below. I also have some references on Giuliani as a long-term New Yorker that corroborate my assessment. Finally, I feel justified in sharing the findings because of the danger he poses (as a strong adherent to the original “Goldwater rule,” I am opposed to commenting frivolously on public figures unless they pose a danger to public health).
I have regularly been “translating” Trump and his followers as a public service, using my understanding of the president’s defense mechanisms, repeatedly validated against other data: whatever he says about others is very revealing about himself. I apply the same method for his followers because their shared psychosis, or the transmission of mental symptoms among close contacts over time, including via the media or the Internet, renders their psychological structure extremely similar.
Adopting Trump's Delusions
Unlike Trump, I have closely interacted with many Trump supporters and can personally attest to their uniformity in many psychological respects. Especially when the primary pathology rests in a powerful figure, otherwise healthy people can adopt his cognitive distortions, delusions, and other symptoms as their own. My experience with multiple cases in state hospitals and among gangs in prisons, in my 22-year career as a forensic psychiatrist, has been impressive. Shared psychosis disappears just as dramatically when the contact is interrupted (we may consider Trump’s former fixer Michael Cohen here).
Here is a sample “translation” of Giuliani’s words, or interpretation of what his subconscious may be telling us, from his opinion piece: “Republicans’ obsession from day one not to impeach President Donald J. Trump, without regard to substance or process, led us to change the grounds for our argument every couple of months. In doing so we have punted everything from Russian collusion to obstruction of justice, to quid pro quo, to bribery.”
Projecting Trump's Criminality onto Biden
By offering to try the case several days ago, Giuliani revealed a grandiosity so high, he does not seem to notice how he often harms his client or reveals how corrupt he is willing to be by trying a case for which his client is defendant (and he potentially co-conspirator). When he said he would prosecute “as a racketeering case,” he was inadvertently “confessing” his and the president’s level of criminality by projecting it onto Joe Biden. He even narcissistically added that he “kind of invented” such prosecutions.
DC Report’s Editor-in-chief, investigative reporter David Cay Johnston, countered that Giuliani’s subordinates tried and won “the RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) cases Rudy claims credit for,” that other prosecutors won cases “years ahead of his subordinates,” and “the RICO law was the brainchild of Prof. G. Robert Blakey.”
This pattern is consistent with my own experience of him as mayor of New York City, where I grew up in an environment of violence that I once considered the norm. I witnessed, through the late 1980s and early 1990s, numerous activist groups entering our neighborhoods, building gardens and bringing art projects. When one of them came into my bullet hole- and gang-ridden school, it had an inspirational effect on all the teenagers, including myself: robust literature now proves that positive reinforcement is far more effective in preventing violence than any level of policing or punishment. Thus, when the mayor belatedly intervened with his police force and claimed all credit for the drop in violence, it already seemed disingenuous then; I know it to be blatantly false now.
Trump Unable to Handle Power
Why is this relevant? I believe it is important for mental health professionals to make distinctions, where applicable, between normal style and pathological traits that can cause harm. A pathologically narcissistic individual, for instance, would not be able to handle power—even as one hungrily seeks it—but would more likely develop delusional levels of grandiosity or impunity. Delusions, in turn, are more effective at mobilizing mass psychology than rational strategy, and puzzling features emerge even from formerly respectable attorneys such as Jonathan Turley and Alan Dershowitz.
We have seen a comical and innocuous-seeming Trump morph into a grotesque authoritarian willing to destroy every facet of civilized society in order to build and maintain his cult of personality. His irrationality ironically helps make his supporters fervently anti-interventionist one day and supportive of an obvious “wag the dog” war the next, according to his desires. Power may corrupt ordinary individuals, but it radically transforms dangerously pathological figures beyond what people can imagine or prepare for. Needless to say, those who are suffering from similar narcissistic wounds are the first to be attracted to such a power figure and to succumb to a shared psychosis, and Giuliani may exemplify how severely it can affect a person.
Dr. Bandy X. Lee is a forensic psychiatrist at the Yale School of Medicine, president of the World Mental Health Coalition, and editor of The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump: 37 Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Assess a President.


rawstory--2020-01-13--Ex-pope Benedict rejects opening up priesthood to married men

Former pope Benedict XVI has publicly urged his successor Pope Francis not to open the Catholic priesthood up to married men , in a plea that Sunday stunned Vatican experts .
The ex-pontiff , who retired in 2013 , issued the defence of clerical celibacy in a book written with arch-conservative Cardinal Robert Sarah , extracts of which were published in exclusive by France ’ s Le Figaro .
“ I can not keep silent !
” Benedict wrote in the book , which follows an extraordinary meeting of bishops from the Amazonian at the Vatican last year that recommended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circumstances .
The pope emeritus , 92 , and Sarah from Guinea weighed in on the controversial question of whether or not to allow “ viri probati ” — married “ men of proven virtue ” — to join the priesthood .
Francis is currently considering allowing it in remote locations , such as the Amazon , where communities seldom have Mass due to a lack of priests , and is expected to publish his decision in the coming weeks .
The pair asked the whole Church not to be “ swayed ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diabolical lies , fashionable errors that want to devalue priestly celibacy ” .
“ It is urgent , necessary , that everyone , bishops , priests and laity , let themselves be guided once more by faith as they look upon the Church and on priestly celibacy that protects her mystery , ” they wrote .
They warned of priests “ confused by the incessant questioning of their consecrated celibacy ” .
“ The conjugal state concerns man in his totality , and since the service of the Lord also requires the total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seem possible to realise the two vocations simultaneously , ” Benedict wrote .
Sarah insisted that while celibacy can be “ a trial ” it is also “ a liberation ” .
Benedict , who was the first pontiff to resign in almost 600 years , at first withdrew to a life of quiet contemplation in the Vatican , but has increasingly begun to speak out on key Catholic issues .
He and Sarah insisted their plea was not a “ political manoeuvre ” or “ power game ” .
But Vatican experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speak out on such a sensitive topic .
“ Benedict XVI is really not breaking his silence because he ( and his entourage ) never felt bound to that promise .
But this is a serious breach , ” Massimo Faggioli , who writes for La Croix , said on Twitter .
Joshua McElwee of the National Catholic Reporter , tweeted that “ a former pope speaking in public about something his successor is currently in the process of considering ” was “ incredible ” .
While Vatican expert Iacopo Scaramuzzi pointed out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) is difficult if the emeritus pope does not respect his own promise to hide away and obey ” .
The idea of filling empty pulpits in remote locations by allowing married men to become priests is a divisive once , with critics warning the emotive issue could fracture the Catholic Church .
Supporters say it would not be necessary to rewrite Church law ; Francis could simply make an exemption to the rules — like the one already granted to married Anglican pastors who later converted to Catholicism .
But the ultra-conservative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Europe and North America — has spoken out strongly against the idea , warning that making exceptions could pave the way to the abolition of celibacy globally .

Former pope Benedict XVI has publicly urged his successor Pope Francis not to open the Catholic priesthood up to married men, in a plea that Sunday stunned Vatican experts. The ex-pontiff, who retired in 2013, issued the defence of clerical celibacy in a book written with arch-conservative Cardinal Robert Sarah, extracts of which were published in exclusive by France's Le Figaro.
"I cannot keep silent!" Benedict wrote in the book, which follows an extraordinary meeting of bishops from the Amazonian at the Vatican last year that recommended the ordination of married men in certain circumstances.
The pope emeritus, 92, and Sarah from Guinea weighed in on the controversial question of whether or not to allow "viri probati" -- married "men of proven virtue" -- to join the priesthood.
Francis is currently considering allowing it in remote locations, such as the Amazon, where communities seldom have Mass due to a lack of priests, and is expected to publish his decision in the coming weeks.
The pair asked the whole Church not to be "swayed" by "bad pleas, theatrics, diabolical lies, fashionable errors that want to devalue priestly celibacy".
"It is urgent, necessary, that everyone, bishops, priests and laity, let themselves be guided once more by faith as they look upon the Church and on priestly celibacy that protects her mystery," they wrote.
They warned of priests "confused by the incessant questioning of their consecrated celibacy".
"The conjugal state concerns man in his totality, and since the service of the Lord also requires the total gift of man, it does not seem possible to realise the two vocations simultaneously," Benedict wrote.
Sarah insisted that while celibacy can be "a trial" it is also "a liberation".
- 'Serious breach' -
Benedict, who was the first pontiff to resign in almost 600 years, at first withdrew to a life of quiet contemplation in the Vatican, but has increasingly begun to speak out on key Catholic issues.
He and Sarah insisted their plea was not a "political manoeuvre" or "power game".
But Vatican experts expressed astonishment that the retired pope would speak out on such a sensitive topic.
"Benedict XVI is really not breaking his silence because he (and his entourage) never felt bound to that promise. But this is a serious breach," Massimo Faggioli, who writes for La Croix, said on Twitter.
Joshua McElwee of the National Catholic Reporter, tweeted that "a former pope speaking in public about something his successor is currently in the process of considering" was "incredible".
While Vatican expert Iacopo Scaramuzzi pointed out that "cohabitation (in the Vatican) is difficult if the emeritus pope does not respect his own promise to hide away and obey".
The idea of filling empty pulpits in remote locations by allowing married men to become priests is a divisive once, with critics warning the emotive issue could fracture the Catholic Church.
Supporters say it would not be necessary to rewrite Church law; Francis could simply make an exemption to the rules -- like the one already granted to married Anglican pastors who later converted to Catholicism.
But the ultra-conservative wing of the Church -- particularly in Europe and North America -- has spoken out strongly against the idea, warning that making exceptions could pave the way to the abolition of celibacy globally.


rawstory--2020-01-13--Iraq warns of ‘collapse’ if Trump blocks oil cash

Iraqi officials fear economic “ collapse ” if Washington imposes threatened sanctions , including blocking access to a US-based account where Baghdad keeps oil revenues that feed 90 percent of the national budget .
US President Donald Trump was outraged by the Iraqi parliament voting on January 5 to oust foreign forces , including some 5,200 American troops , who have helped local soldiers beat back jihadists since 2014 .
If troops were asked to leave , he threatened , “ we will charge them sanctions like they ’ ve never seen before.
” The US then delivered an extraordinary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abdel Mahdi ’ s office , two Iraqi officials told AFP .
“ The PMO got a call threatening that if US troops are kicked out , ‘ we ’ — the US — will block your account at the Federal Reserve Bank in New York , ” one official said .
Parliament ’ s vote to oust the troops was triggered by outrage over a US drone strike on Baghdad two days earlier that killed top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and his Iraqi right-hand-man , Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis .
The Central Bank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fed was established in 2003 following the US-led invasion that toppled ex-dictator Saddam Hussein .
Under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1483 , which lifted the crippling global sanctions and oil embargo imposed on Iraq after Saddam ’ s invasion of Kuwait , all revenues from Iraqi oil sales would go to the account .
Iraq is OPEC ’ s second-biggest crude producer and more than 90 percent of the state budget , which reached $ 112 billion in 2019 , derives from oil revenues .
To this day , revenues are paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with the balance now sitting at about $ 35 billion , Iraqi officials told AFP .
Every month or so , Iraq flies in $ 1- $ 2 billion in cash from that account for official and commercial transactions .
“ We ’ re an oil-producing country .
Those accounts are in dollars .
Cutting off access means totally turning off the tap , ” the first Iraqi official said .
The second official said it would mean the government could not carry out daily functions or pay salaries and the Iraqi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It would mean collapse for Iraq , ” the official said .
A third senior Iraqi official confirmed the US was considering “ restricting ” cash access to “ about a third of what they would usually send.
” The Federal Reserve declined to comment on Trump ’ s threat .
A US State Department Official confirmed to AFP that the possibility of restricting access to the Fed account was “ raised ” with Iraq following the vote .
“ You can imagine why , if troops were expelled , banks might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baghdad , ” this official said .
But the US threat was still highly unusual as the Fed is meant to be independent of foreign policy .
“ The attempt to politicise dollar shipments has the Bank worried because it affects its prestige and integrity in dealing with clients , ” the State Department official added .
“ Trump is obviously willing to politicise everything.
” Washington has considered the measure for months , with a senior US diplomat at the Baghdad embassy telling AFP in July it was looking at “ limiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ That would be the nuclear option , ” this diplomat added at the time .
Just before Iraqi lawmakers voted on the troop ouster , Speaker Mohammad Halbusi warned the world could stop dealing with Iraq ’ s banks in revenge for the move .
Blocking the Iraqi central bank ’ s Fed account could be done by blacklisting a government body , which would immediately restrict Baghdad ’ s access to dollars .
The US already sanctions Iraqi nationals , armed groups and even banks for links to Tehran , Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It had left oil revenues untouched , with officials previously telling AFP such a move would be too damaging to a country considered a US ally .
But ties worsened recently , with the US frustrated by Iraq ’ s alliance with Iran and repeated rocket attacks on US installations blamed on Iraqi factions .
Relations then took a nosedive with the January 3 US drone strike that killed Soleimani and Muhandis , a senior Iraqi paramilitary figure .
Iraq slammed the killings as a violation of its sovereignty and immediately called for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US is considering other — less inflammatory — options too , US and Iraqi officials said .
One would be declining to renew a temporary waiver that Washington granted to Iraq in 2018 that allows Baghdad to import gas from Iran to feed its gutted power grid , despite US sanctions on Tehran ’ s energy sector .
If Washington does not renew the waiver in February , then the Trade Bank of Iraq ( TBI ) , which buys the gas , could face secondary sanctions for dealing with blacklisted Iranian entities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to deny access to oil revenues was met with shock , anger and near-disbelief .
“ The PM was pissed and insulted , ” one official told AFP .
Another said the US would then irreversibly “ lose Iraq.
” .
“ They ’ d push us towards Russia , China , Iran .
We ’ d have to form a separate economy with those countries .
”

Iraqi officials fear economic "collapse" if Washington imposes threatened sanctions, including blocking access to a US-based account where Baghdad keeps oil revenues that feed 90 percent of the national budget.
US President Donald Trump was outraged by the Iraqi parliament voting on January 5 to oust foreign forces, including some 5,200 American troops, who have helped local soldiers beat back jihadists since 2014.
If troops were asked to leave, he threatened, "we will charge them sanctions like they've never seen before."
The US then delivered an extraordinary verbal message directly to Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi's office, two Iraqi officials told AFP.
"The PMO got a call threatening that if US troops are kicked out, 'we' -- the US -- will block your account at the Federal Reserve Bank in New York," one official said.
Parliament's vote to oust the troops was triggered by outrage over a US drone strike on Baghdad two days earlier that killed top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and his Iraqi right-hand-man, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.
The Central Bank of Iraq's account at the Fed was established in 2003 following the US-led invasion that toppled ex-dictator Saddam Hussein.
Under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1483, which lifted the crippling global sanctions and oil embargo imposed on Iraq after Saddam's invasion of Kuwait, all revenues from Iraqi oil sales would go to the account.
Iraq is OPEC's second-biggest crude producer and more than 90 percent of the state budget, which reached $112 billion in 2019, derives from oil revenues.
To this day, revenues are paid in dollars into the Fed account daily, with the balance now sitting at about $35 billion, Iraqi officials told AFP.
Every month or so, Iraq flies in $1-$2 billion in cash from that account for official and commercial transactions.
"We're an oil-producing country. Those accounts are in dollars. Cutting off access means totally turning off the tap," the first Iraqi official said.
The second official said it would mean the government could not carry out daily functions or pay salaries and the Iraqi currency would plummet in value.
"It would mean collapse for Iraq," the official said.
- Trump 'politicises everything' -
A third senior Iraqi official confirmed the US was considering "restricting" cash access to "about a third of what they would usually send."
The Federal Reserve declined to comment on Trump's threat.
A US State Department Official confirmed to AFP that the possibility of restricting access to the Fed account was "raised" with Iraq following the vote.
"You can imagine why, if troops were expelled, banks might be nervous about sending lots of... cash to Baghdad," this official said.
But the US threat was still highly unusual as the Fed is meant to be independent of foreign policy.
"The attempt to politicise dollar shipments has the Bank worried because it affects its prestige and integrity in dealing with clients," the State Department official added.
"Trump is obviously willing to politicise everything."
Washington has considered the measure for months, with a senior US diplomat at the Baghdad embassy telling AFP in July it was looking at "limiting the cash that comes into Iraq."
"That would be the nuclear option," this diplomat added at the time.
Just before Iraqi lawmakers voted on the troop ouster, Speaker Mohammad Halbusi warned the world could stop dealing with Iraq's banks in revenge for the move.
Blocking the Iraqi central bank's Fed account could be done by blacklisting a government body, which would immediately restrict Baghdad's access to dollars.
The US already sanctions Iraqi nationals, armed groups and even banks for links to Tehran, Washington's arch-foe in the region.
It had left oil revenues untouched, with officials previously telling AFP such a move would be too damaging to a country considered a US ally.
- US would 'lose Iraq' -
But ties worsened recently, with the US frustrated by Iraq's alliance with Iran and repeated rocket attacks on US installations blamed on Iraqi factions.
Relations then took a nosedive with the January 3 US drone strike that killed Soleimani and Muhandis, a senior Iraqi paramilitary figure.
Iraq slammed the killings as a violation of its sovereignty and immediately called for the vote on US troops.
The US is considering other -- less inflammatory -- options too, US and Iraqi officials said.
One would be declining to renew a temporary waiver that Washington granted to Iraq in 2018 that allows Baghdad to import gas from Iran to feed its gutted power grid, despite US sanctions on Tehran's energy sector.
If Washington does not renew the waiver in February, then the Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI), which buys the gas, could face secondary sanctions for dealing with blacklisted Iranian entities.
Iraqi officials said the US threat to deny access to oil revenues was met with shock, anger and near-disbelief.
"The PM was pissed and insulted," one official told AFP.
Another said the US would then irreversibly "lose Iraq.".
"They'd push us towards Russia, China, Iran. We'd have to form a separate economy with those countries."
© 2020 AFP


rawstory--2020-01-13--Oscar nominees emerge as awards row rages over female snubs

The Oscar nominations will Monday reveal which stars and movies have a shot at Hollywood ’ s ultimate prize , as the industry nervously awaits the number of women and minorities selected .
The pre-dawn Academy Award announcement caps months of ceaseless campaigning by A-listers and studios , with only the chosen few progressing to next month ’ s show-stopper .
Favorites for best picture include Quentin Tarantino ’ s 1960s Tinseltown homage “ Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood , ” and Sam Mendes ’ s World War I odyssey “ 1917.
” Both won major honors at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s crime epic “ The Irishman ” and South Korean class satire “ Parasite ” are also expected to feature .
Up to 10 films can be nominated for the top prize .
Much of the focus so far this award season has been on the lack of women and ethnic minority filmmakers honored .
Neither the Globes nor the influential Directors Guild Awards included any female-helmed films in their top categories , with Greta Gerwig ’ s acclaimed “ Little Women ” adaptation notably absent .
Controversy over those omissions , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diversity , was fueled at last week ’ s Bafta nominations , which were also condemned for overlooking ethnic minorities .
GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File / Vivien Killilea Cynthia Erivo could feature in the best actress category for “ Harriet ” One Academy voter who asked not to be named said he was “ anticipating that it ’ s likely going to be very controversial ” again Monday because “ a lot of male directors ” will be nominated .
“ Unfortunately there are just five nominees ” for best director in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told AFP , pointing to the revered track records of Scorsese , Tarantino and Mendes .
The Academy “ want to choose the best but they also want to be sensitive to women and minorities , ” said Chris Beachum , of award tracking website Gold Derby .
Non-white stars such as Lupita Nyong ’ o , Cynthia Erivo and Awkwafina could feature alongside best actress frontrunners Renee Zellweger and Charlize Theron , he predicted , while Eddie Murphy is in the running for best actor .
“ Greta ( Gerwig ) certainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman to get in for ( best ) director twice , ” Beachum added , referring to her nomination for 2017 ’ s “ Lady Bird.
” Voting for Oscar nominees ended last Tuesday , two days after the Golden Globes , meaning success there could have provided a late bump for borderline candidates .
Renee Zellweger , who won best actress at the Globe , is widely seen as a shoo-in for the Oscars shortlist , thanks to her acclaimed turn as showbiz legend Judy Garland in “ Judy.
” Awards pundits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best picture frontrunners fare in other Oscars nominations categories .
“ 1917 ” has relative unknowns in its main roles , meaning acting nods would be a strong indicator of overall success , said Beachum .
An editing nomination for the film , shot to appear as it were almost one continuous shot , would also speak volumes , he added .
Despite its disappointment at the Globes , where it won just one movie award , Netflix still has more contenders than any other studio — and is likely to bag @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll win some Oscars , ” said Beachum .
“ Every year that they ’ ve been in the Oscar race they ’ ve improved on nominations and wins.
” Some 9,000 Academy members vote for the Oscars .
In the round of voting just closed , members were asked to rank their top choices only for best picture , and for the specific Academy branch to which they belong .
Voting for winners — in which members can vote in every category — begins January 30 , closing five days later .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hollywood on February 9 .

The Oscar nominations will Monday reveal which stars and movies have a shot at Hollywood's ultimate prize, as the industry nervously awaits the number of women and minorities selected. The pre-dawn Academy Award announcement caps months of ceaseless campaigning by A-listers and studios, with only the chosen few progressing to next month's show-stopper.
Favorites for best picture include Quentin Tarantino's 1960s Tinseltown homage "Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood," and Sam Mendes's World War I odyssey "1917." Both won major honors at the recent Golden Globes.
Martin Scorsese's crime epic "The Irishman" and South Korean class satire "Parasite" are also expected to feature. Up to 10 films can be nominated for the top prize.
Much of the focus so far this award season has been on the lack of women and ethnic minority filmmakers honored.
Neither the Globes nor the influential Directors Guild Awards included any female-helmed films in their top categories, with Greta Gerwig's acclaimed "Little Women" adaptation notably absent.
Controversy over those omissions, in an industry criticized for its lack of diversity, was fueled at last week's Bafta nominations, which were also condemned for overlooking ethnic minorities.
GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File / Vivien Killilea Cynthia Erivo could feature in the best actress category for "Harriet" GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File / Vivien Killilea One Academy voter who asked not to be named said he was "anticipating that it's likely going to be very controversial" again Monday because "a lot of male directors" will be nominated. "Unfortunately there are just five nominees" for best director in an "incredibly strong year," he told AFP, pointing to the revered track records of Scorsese, Tarantino and Mendes.
The Academy "want to choose the best but they also want to be sensitive to women and minorities," said Chris Beachum, of award tracking website Gold Derby.
Non-white stars such as Lupita Nyong'o, Cynthia Erivo and Awkwafina could feature alongside best actress frontrunners Renee Zellweger and Charlize Theron, he predicted, while Eddie Murphy is in the running for best actor.
"Greta (Gerwig) certainly has a shot at becoming the first woman to get in for (best) director twice," Beachum added, referring to her nomination for 2017's "Lady Bird."
- Competitive best actor field-
Voting for Oscar nominees ended last Tuesday, two days after the Golden Globes, meaning success there could have provided a late bump for borderline candidates.
GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File / Rachel Murray Taron Egerton, who plays Elton John in "Rocketman," faces a tough challenge to crack into an outrageously competitive best actor field GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File / Rachel Murray Taron Egerton, who plays Elton John in "Rocketman," faces a tough challenge to crack into a competitive best actor field expected to feature the likes of Joaquin Phoenix ("Joker.") But he may be aided by his Globes success, Beachum said.
Renee Zellweger, who won best actress at the Globe, is widely seen as a shoo-in for the Oscars shortlist, thanks to her acclaimed turn as showbiz legend Judy Garland in "Judy."
Awards pundits will also be checking to see how the best picture frontrunners fare in other Oscars nominations categories.
"1917" has relative unknowns in its main roles, meaning acting nods would be a strong indicator of overall success, said Beachum.
An editing nomination for the film, shot to appear as it were almost one continuous shot, would also speak volumes, he added.
- 'Theatrical experience' -
Despite its disappointment at the Globes, where it won just one movie award, Netflix still has more contenders than any other studio -- and is likely to bag plenty of nominations.
"They'll win some Oscars," said Beachum. "Every year that they've been in the Oscar race they've improved on nominations and wins."
AFP/File / Tiziana FABI Netflix is likely to bag plenty of nominations, including for Martin Scorsese's "The Irishman" AFP/File / Tiziana FABI As well as "Irishman," the small-screen streaming giant should grab nods for divorce drama "Marriage Story," Vatican-set "The Two Popes" and Murphy's blaxploitation biopic "Dolemite Is My Name." But one Academy voter warned that "some members will, as filmmakers, want to preserve the theatrical experience" by choosing films from traditional studios which have long, exclusive runs in movie theaters.
Some 9,000 Academy members vote for the Oscars.
In the round of voting just closed, members were asked to rank their top choices only for best picture, and for the specific Academy branch to which they belong.
Voting for winners -- in which members can vote in every category -- begins January 30, closing five days later.
The Oscars will be handed out in Hollywood on February 9.


rawstory--2020-01-13--Philippines on alert as volcano spews ash, lava

Lava and broad columns of ash illuminated by lightning spewed from a volcano south of the Philippine capital on Monday , grounding hundreds of flights as authorities warned of a possible “ explosive eruption ” .
Fine grit coated homes and streets across the region surrounding the Taal volcano , which burst to life on Sunday accompanied by a series of earthquakes , forcing at least 10,000 people to seek refuge in evacuation centers .
“ You could not sleep anymore , because every time you closed your eyes the house would shake , ” restaurant owner Lia Monteverde told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apart .
“ All of us didn ’ t sleep at all .
We just prepared to leave.
” Taal sits in a picturesque lake and is one of the most active volcanoes in a nation where earthquakes and eruptions are a frightening and destructive part of life .
The Philippines sits on the Pacific “ Ring of Fire ” , where tectonic plates collide deep below the Earth ’ s surface .
Schools in the region around Taal , some government offices in Manila and the Philippine Stock Exchange were closed as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sold out in stores as authorities warned locals that the ash could cause respiratory problems especially in the very young and those with pre-existing lung conditions .
AFP / Ted ALJIBE At least 10,000 people have sought refuge in evacuation centres as homes and streets near Taal were coated in fine grit Limited flight operations resumed mid-Monday at Manila ’ s main international airport , nearly a day after authorities halted them due to the safety risk volcanic ash poses to planes .
However , travelers booked on over 240 cancelled flights still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I ’ m disappointed because this ( delay ) means additional expense for me and it ’ s tiring to wait , ” said stranded traveler Joan Diocaras , a 28-year-old Filipino who works in Taiwan .
“ But there ’ s nothing we can do.
” The eruption began with an explosion of superheated steam and rock , but by early Monday “ fountains ” of lava had been spotted on Taal , the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology ( Phivolcs ) said .
AFP/File / Bullit MARQUEZ Hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taal eruption Stunning lightning shows have periodically played out above the volcano in a little-understood phenomenon that is attributed to static electricity .
Authorities raised the volcano alert level to its second-highest on Sunday , saying an “ explosive eruption ” could happen in “ hours to days ” .
Phivolcs chief Renato Solidum told AFP the lava was evidence of fresh movement in the volcano , but said it was unclear if Taal would “ sustain its activity ” .
Government seismologists recorded magma moving towards the crater of Taal , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) south of Manila .
Apart from the ash , some particles up to 6.4 centimeters ( 2.5 inches ) in diameter , larger than a golf ball , had reportedly fallen in areas around the lake , Phivolcs said .
Taal ’ s last eruption was in 1977 , Solidum said .
Two years ago , Mount Mayon displaced tens of thousands of people after spewing millions of tonnes of ash , rocks and lava in the central Bicol region .
The most powerful explosion in recent years was the 1991 eruption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ northwest of Manila , which killed more than 800 people .

Lava and broad columns of ash illuminated by lightning spewed from a volcano south of the Philippine capital on Monday, grounding hundreds of flights as authorities warned of a possible "explosive eruption". Fine grit coated homes and streets across the region surrounding the Taal volcano, which burst to life on Sunday accompanied by a series of earthquakes, forcing at least 10,000 people to seek refuge in evacuation centers.
"You could not sleep anymore, because every time you closed your eyes the house would shake," restaurant owner Lia Monteverde told AFP, saying the quakes came minutes apart.
AFP / afp Philippines volcano AFP / afp "All of us didn't sleep at all. We just prepared to leave." Taal sits in a picturesque lake and is one of the most active volcanoes in a nation where earthquakes and eruptions are a frightening and destructive part of life.
The Philippines sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide deep below the Earth's surface.
Schools in the region around Taal, some government offices in Manila and the Philippine Stock Exchange were closed as a precaution on Monday.
Dust masks sold out in stores as authorities warned locals that the ash could cause respiratory problems especially in the very young and those with pre-existing lung conditions.
AFP / Ted ALJIBE At least 10,000 people have sought refuge in evacuation centres as homes and streets near Taal were coated in fine grit AFP / Ted ALJIBE Limited flight operations resumed mid-Monday at Manila's main international airport, nearly a day after authorities halted them due to the safety risk volcanic ash poses to planes. However, travelers booked on over 240 cancelled flights still faced delays at Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
"I'm disappointed because this (delay) means additional expense for me and it's tiring to wait," said stranded traveler Joan Diocaras, a 28-year-old Filipino who works in Taiwan.
"But there's nothing we can do."
- Alert level raised -
The eruption began with an explosion of superheated steam and rock, but by early Monday "fountains" of lava had been spotted on Taal, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.
AFP/File / Bullit MARQUEZ Hundreds of flights have been affected by the Taal eruption AFP/File / Bullit MARQUEZ Stunning lightning shows have periodically played out above the volcano in a little-understood phenomenon that is attributed to static electricity. Authorities raised the volcano alert level to its second-highest on Sunday, saying an "explosive eruption" could happen in "hours to days".
Phivolcs chief Renato Solidum told AFP the lava was evidence of fresh movement in the volcano, but said it was unclear if Taal would "sustain its activity".
Government seismologists recorded magma moving towards the crater of Taal, which is located 65 kilometers (40 miles) south of Manila.
Apart from the ash, some particles up to 6.4 centimeters (2.5 inches) in diameter, larger than a golf ball, had reportedly fallen in areas around the lake, Phivolcs said.
Taal's last eruption was in 1977, Solidum said.
Two years ago, Mount Mayon displaced tens of thousands of people after spewing millions of tonnes of ash, rocks and lava in the central Bicol region.
The most powerful explosion in recent years was the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo, about 100 kilometres northwest of Manila, which killed more than 800 people.


rawstory--2020-01-13--Two WWII-era bombs made safe in Germany after evacuation

Two World War II-era bombs were made safe in the western German city of Dortmund after around 14,000 people were @ @ @ @ @ Sunday .
Officials there warning on Saturday that unexploded bombs dropped by Allied forces during @ @ @ @ @ in four sites in a heavily populated part of the city centre .
Workers had @ @ @ @ @ , they announced on the city ’ s official Twitter .
Two unexploded bombs weighing @ @ @ @ @ ) each , one British and the other American , were found and made safe @ @ @ @ @ suspected bombs turned up nothing .
The precautions included the evacuation of two hospitals and @ @ @ @ @ .
The discovery of World War II bombs is not uncommon in Germany .
Last @ @ @ @ @ made safe in Hanover , with 15,000 people evacuated .
And in Frankfurt , in @ @ @ @ @ were evacuated when a 1.4 tonne bomb was found , the largest such operation since @ @ @ @ @ in Europe in 1945 .

After announcing the names of those who are being indicted, she also listed off the premise of her indictment of the 19 individuals and 41 counts.
"Specifically, the participants in association took various actions in Georgia and elsewhere to block the counting of the votes of the presidential electors who were certified as the winners of Georgia's 2020 general election. As you examine the indictment, you will see acts that are identified as overacts and those are that are identified as predicate acts, sometimes called acts of racketeering activity," she explained. "Over acts are not necessarily crimes under Georgia law in isolation but are alleged to be acts taken in furtherance of the conspiracy."
She went on to say that many occurred in Georgia, while some happened in other places, but are included because they are part of the effort to overthrow the 2020 election results in Georgia.
"The acts identified as predicate acts or acts of racketeering activity are crimes that are alleged to have been committed in furtherance of the criminal enterprise," Willis explained. "Acts of racketeering activity are also charged as separate counts in the indictment against those who are alleged to have committed them. All elections in our nations are administered by the states which are given the responsibility of ensuring a fair process and an accurate counting of the votes. That includes elections for presidential electors, congress, state officials and local offices. The state's role in this process is essential to the functioning of our democracy. Georgia, like every state, has laws that will allow those who believe the results of an election are wrong, whether because of intentional wrongdoing or unintentional error, to challenge those results in our state courts. The indictment alleges that rather than abide by Georgia's legal process for election challenges, the defendants engaged in a criminal racketeering enterprise to overturn Georgia's presidential election result."
Willis went on to say that she intends to try all 19 defendants together.
See her full statement and answer questions in the video below or at the link here.


rawstory--2020-01-13--Firefighters say Australia’s largest ‘megablaze’ is finally under control — now it’s onto the next f

Firefighters say Australia’s largest ‘megablaze’ is finally under control — now it’s onto the next fires

Exhausted firefighters said they had finally brought Australia ’ s largest “ megablaze ” under control Monday , as wet weather promised to deliver much-needed respite for countryside ravaged by bushfires .
New South Wales firefighters said they finally had the upper hand in the fight against the vast Gospers Mountain fire on Sydney ’ s northwestern outskirts , which has been burning out of control for almost three months .
Visiting the area on Monday , New South Wales Rural Fire Service commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said there was a “ small area of burning still to complete ” but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The fire seared an area of national park three times the size of Greater London and lit several connected blazes totalling over 800,000 hectares — an area larger than Austria .
As residents and authorities continued to come to grips with the sheer scale of the devastation , the Bureau of Meteorology forecast some firegrounds could get up to 50 millimetres ( two inches ) of rain in the next week , a relief after a prolonged drought .
If that forecast bears out , the New South Wales Rural Fire Service said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our Christmas , birthday , engagement , anniversary , wedding and graduation presents rolled into one .
Fingers crossed.
” Dozens of other fires are yet to be controlled .
The climate-change-fuelled fires have prompted an international outpouring and donations from around the world to help communities and animal populations .
Australia ’ s unique flora and fauna has taken a catastrophic hit , with an estimated one billion animals killed , and countless trees and shrubs burned away .
The country ’ s environment minister Sussan Ley has warned that in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be reclassified as endangered .
This weekend , Sydney will host a star-studded charity gig to benefit fire services , the Red Cross and animal welfare organisations .
The political impact of the crisis is also coming into sharper relief .
A poll released Monday showed Prime Minister Scott Morrison ’ s approval ratings have nosedived in the face of widespread anger over his handling of the deadly crisis .
The Newspoll survey showed 59 percent of Australian voters are dissatisfied with the conservative leader ’ s performance overall , and only 37 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since his shock election win last May .
Morrison has been criticised heavily for his response to the months-long crisis — which included going on holiday to Hawaii , making a series of gaffes and misleading statements about his government ’ s actions , and forcing angry victims to shake his hand .
Morrison began the crisis insisting local authorities had enough resources to handle the fires and exhausted volunteers firefighters “ want to be there ” .
He also repeatedly stated that Australia was doing more than enough to meet its emission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large-scale street protests .
Seeing a backlash , Morrison has since deployed the military , launched the largest peacetime call up of reserves , pledged billions of dollars in aid , increased payments to firefighters , and suggested more work may need to be done on emissions .

Exhausted firefighters said they had finally brought Australia's largest "megablaze" under control Monday, as wet weather promised to deliver much-needed respite for countryside ravaged by bushfires.
New South Wales firefighters said they finally had the upper hand in the fight against the vast Gospers Mountain fire on Sydney's northwestern outskirts, which has been burning out of control for almost three months.
Visiting the area on Monday, New South Wales Rural Fire Service commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said there was a "small area of burning still to complete" but the "containment prognosis looks promising."
The fire seared an area of national park three times the size of Greater London and lit several connected blazes totalling over 800,000 hectares -- an area larger than Austria.
As residents and authorities continued to come to grips with the sheer scale of the devastation, the Bureau of Meteorology forecast some firegrounds could get up to 50 millimetres (two inches) of rain in the next week, a relief after a prolonged drought.
If that forecast bears out, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service said, "then this will be all of our Christmas, birthday, engagement, anniversary, wedding and graduation presents rolled into one. Fingers crossed."
Dozens of other fires are yet to be controlled.
- Alice Cooper -
The climate-change-fuelled fires have prompted an international outpouring and donations from around the world to help communities and animal populations.
Australia's unique flora and fauna has taken a catastrophic hit, with an estimated one billion animals killed, and countless trees and shrubs burned away.
The country's environment minister Sussan Ley has warned that in some areas, koalas may have to be reclassified as endangered.
This weekend, Sydney will host a star-studded charity gig to benefit fire services, the Red Cross and animal welfare organisations.
Headliners include Alice Cooper, Olivia Newton-John and Queen.
- Bushfire backlash -
The political impact of the crisis is also coming into sharper relief.
A poll released Monday showed Prime Minister Scott Morrison's approval ratings have nosedived in the face of widespread anger over his handling of the deadly crisis.
The Newspoll survey showed 59 percent of Australian voters are dissatisfied with the conservative leader's performance overall, and only 37 percent were satisfied, an abrupt reversal since his shock election win last May.
Morrison has been criticised heavily for his response to the months-long crisis -- which included going on holiday to Hawaii, making a series of gaffes and misleading statements about his government's actions, and forcing angry victims to shake his hand.
Morrison began the crisis insisting local authorities had enough resources to handle the fires and exhausted volunteers firefighters "want to be there".
He also repeatedly stated that Australia was doing more than enough to meet its emission reduction targets, prompting a series of large-scale street protests.
Seeing a backlash, Morrison has since deployed the military, launched the largest peacetime call up of reserves, pledged billions of dollars in aid, increased payments to firefighters, and suggested more work may need to be done on emissions.


rawstory--2020-01-13--False alarm sets off nuclear attack scare in Canada

An alert signaling an incident at a major nuclear power plant near Toronto in Canada was sent in error to millions of residents Sunday , causing a scare and prompting calls for an investigation .
The emergency alert went out shortly before 7:30 am ( 1230 GMT ) .
Though intended for residents living within a 10-kilometer ( six-mile ) radius of the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station , it went to all residents in Ontario province .
About an hour later , the Ontario Power Generation company that manages the nuclear plant announced on Twitter that the alert was issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ active nuclear situation taking place at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station , ” it said .
“ The previous alert was issued in error .
There is no danger to the public or environment.
” The Ontario provincial government apologized , saying the alert was issued during a routine training exercise .
“ The Government of Ontario sincerely apologizes for raising public concern and has begun a full investigation to determine how this error happened , ” Solicitor General Sylvia Jones said .
One of the world ’ s largest nuclear power plants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 kilometers east of Toronto , Canada ’ s most populous city , with three million inhabitants .
Several local officials , including Pickering mayor Dave Ryan , immediately demanded an explanation of the incident .
“ Like many of you , I was very troubled to have received that emergency alert this morning , ” Ryan said on Twitter .
“ While I am relieved that there was no actual emergency , I am upset that an error such as this occurred .
I have spoken to the province and am demanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
Toronto mayor John Tory also called for a probe , saying area residents had been “ unnecessarily alarmed by this event .
”

An alert signaling an incident at a major nuclear power plant near Toronto in Canada was sent in error to millions of residents Sunday, causing a scare and prompting calls for an investigation.
The emergency alert went out shortly before 7:30 am (1230 GMT). Though intended for residents living within a 10-kilometer (six-mile) radius of the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station, it went to all residents in Ontario province.
About an hour later, the Ontario Power Generation company that manages the nuclear plant announced on Twitter that the alert was issued by mistake.
"There is NO active nuclear situation taking place at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station," it said.
"The previous alert was issued in error. There is no danger to the public or environment."
The Ontario provincial government apologized, saying the alert was issued during a routine training exercise.
"The Government of Ontario sincerely apologizes for raising public concern and has begun a full investigation to determine how this error happened," Solicitor General Sylvia Jones said.
One of the world's largest nuclear power plants, the Pickering facility is located about 50 kilometers east of Toronto, Canada's most populous city, with three million inhabitants.
Several local officials, including Pickering mayor Dave Ryan, immediately demanded an explanation of the incident.
"Like many of you, I was very troubled to have received that emergency alert this morning," Ryan said on Twitter.
"While I am relieved that there was no actual emergency, I am upset that an error such as this occurred. I have spoken to the province and am demanding that a full investigation take place," he said.
Toronto mayor John Tory also called for a probe, saying area residents had been "unnecessarily alarmed by this event."


rawstory--2020-01-13--If Republicans want to adopt Clinton impeachment rules — here’s what they should do next: Ex-Clinton

If Republicans want to adopt Clinton impeachment rules — here’s what they should do next: Ex-Clinton aide

Republicans were surprisingly on message this week when asked about how the Senate should proceed with the impeachment trial for President Donald Trump .
They all supported the “ Clinton ” rules for impeachment .
The problem , however , is they ’ re neglecting a lot of steps if they want to go that route .
In a CNN interview , former President Bill Clinton ’ s press secretary Joe Lockhart explained that what Republicans are leaving out is that the case in the 1990s had an independent counsel , a grand jury , every document requested of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called was allowed and so much more .
“ What they don ’ t want to say to finish the sentence is that everyone involved in the Clinton affair had been to the grand jury .
Every document had been produced .
All of this was in a 2,500-page report by the independent counsel .
So , the facts were known to everyone .
It was just a political question of whether it was worth removing the president from office for that .
This is very different .
This is we haven ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t heard from the witnesses .
So , on the face of it , it ’ s not a fair comparison , ” Lockhart said .
At that point , Clinton had also apologized for what he ’ d done to the country ; something Trump will likely never do .
“ The president had apologized multiple times , ” recalled Lockhart .
“ But that was probably the most profound moment because he talked about putting a burden on the country .
He recognized that even though he had been acquitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mistake , but he had put the country through something .
It ’ s very , very different than how Trump has handled it up till now .
We have never seen contrition from president trump .
You know , it would go a long way , I think , with the American public .
But everyone who knows him says , don ’ t hold your breath.
” If the GOP intends to hold a proceeding based on the Clinton rules , the case should return to the House , documents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and witnesses should no longer be blocked by the president .
Once that is done , the Senate could hold their vote .

Republicans were surprisingly on message this week when asked about how the Senate should proceed with the impeachment trial for President Donald Trump. They all supported the "Clinton" rules for impeachment. The problem, however, is they're neglecting a lot of steps if they want to go that route.
In a CNN interview, former President Bill Clinton's press secretary Joe Lockhart explained that what Republicans are leaving out is that the case in the 1990s had an independent counsel, a grand jury, every document requested of the White House was released, every witness called was allowed and so much more.
"What they don't want to say to finish the sentence is that everyone involved in the Clinton affair had been to the grand jury. Every document had been produced. All of this was in a 2,500-page report by the independent counsel. So, the facts were known to everyone. It was just a political question of whether it was worth removing the president from office for that. This is very different. This is we haven't seen the documents that senators haven't heard from the witnesses. So, on the face of it, it's not a fair comparison," Lockhart said.
At that point, Clinton had also apologized for what he'd done to the country; something Trump will likely never do.
"The president had apologized multiple times," recalled Lockhart. "But that was probably the most profound moment because he talked about putting a burden on the country. He recognized that even though he had been acquitted politically, he had not only made a mistake, but he had put the country through something. It's very, very different than how Trump has handled it up till now. We have never seen contrition from president trump. You know, it would go a long way, I think, with the American public. But everyone who knows him says, don't hold your breath."
If the GOP intends to hold a proceeding based on the Clinton rules, the case should return to the House, documents should be produced by the White House, and witnesses should no longer be blocked by the president.
Once that is done, the Senate could hold their vote.
Watch Lockhart's interview below:


rawstory--2020-01-13--Fancy ‘American Dream’ mall places big bet on in-person retail

Lindsey Vonn was among the luminaries on hand last month to christen “ Big Snow , ” North America ’ s first indoor ski facility , part of a new $ 5 billion mega-mall in New Jersey .
For about $ 30 , consumers can ski for two hours on a 1,000-foot ( 300-meter ) hill of man-made snow , the glare of the sun replaced by a metal ceiling in a venue that will be kept below freezing even in the dog days of August .
Big Snow is a flagship experience at the partially opened “ American Dream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 20 miles ( 30 kilometers ) from Manhattan that aims to reboot the shopping mall concept for the Instagram era .
The project , which garnered some $ 1 billion in state and local incentives , is a bet that modern shoppers will be drawn to Vegas-like attractions plus elite shopping and dining opportunities and not fixate on the project ’ s carbon footprint , which is unknowable at this point .
After numerous delays and fitful construction that spanned more than a decade , American Dream began welcoming visitors in October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off the New Jersey highway .
Besides indoor skiing , visitors can try about two dozen rides at the Nickelodeon Universe theme park or skate on an NHL-size rink .
A giant Dreamworks water park is behind schedule , having missed a deadline for November launch .
Most shops open in the spring with hotels coming some time later .
“ It ’ s just going to get bigger and better and crazier !
” developer Don Ghermezian of Triple Five Worldwide said at the Big Snow ’ s launch .
Canada-based Triple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Saudi Arabia and Miami , although some Florida officials have opposed using public funds for the project .
While there will be a fast fashion atrium , much of the retail focus is on the high-end , with developers envisioning Hermes customers being served champagne .
American Dream expects 40 to 50 million visitors annually , including a healthy number of international tourists who are being targeted by marketers .
The mall plans a “ Secret Garden ” area with living moss and an aviary with live bunnies , as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plus showcase areas for celebrity appearances , are tailor-made for younger generations active on social media , although the overall character of the facility may put off those focused on sustainable shopping .
American Dream will use massive amounts of energy and exacerbate air pollution because of extra traffic , said Jeff Tittel , director of the Sierra Club ’ s New Jersey chapter and a long-time foe of the project .
“ It ’ s sort of like the Dracula that keeps coming back and each time the mall gets bigger and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into it ” he added .
American Dream declined through a spokesman to comment on whether younger consumers focused on the environment might be turned off .
The project , originally dubbed “ Xanadu , ” dates to 2004 , before the financial crisis and long before the e-commerce revolution doomed many retailers and older malls .
In 2011 , then-governor Chris Christie brought in Triple Five , which owns the Mall of America in Minneapolis , to revive the project , which was halted because of financial problems facing its earlier developers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , revamping the center to appeal to shifting consumer taste .
The company spent the first year or so “ ripping out everything and we started essentially fresh , ” said an American Dream spokeswoman .
“ We punched out skylights , we widened hallways , we made it feel much more expansive.
” When the project is finished , it is expected to be 55 percent entertainment and 45 percent retail .
Retailers are required by contract to do something “ extremely out of the box or experiential ” to open in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For example , sweets shop IT ’ SUGAR opened what it is calling a “ candy department store ” on three levels to qualify .
Jim Hughes , a Rutgers University professor specializing in the New Jersey economy , said American Dream has a “ positive chance ” because of its focus on experiential retail , but that there will be “ a lot of skepticism ” given the project ’ s checkered history and uncertainty surrounding retail in general .
“ It ’ s going to take a long time to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told AFP in an interview .
Neil Saunders , managing director of GlobalData Retail , said the offerings at American Dream were different and promising .
But he said due to North New Jersey ’ s bad traffic and the existence of other malls in the area , the location was not ideal .
“ The honest truth is there ’ s already more than enough retail provision in that area , you don ’ t need a new mall , even if its fancy and shiny and has lots of interesting things @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Lindsey Vonn was among the luminaries on hand last month to christen "Big Snow," North America's first indoor ski facility, part of a new $5 billion mega-mall in New Jersey.
For about $30, consumers can ski for two hours on a 1,000-foot (300-meter) hill of man-made snow, the glare of the sun replaced by a metal ceiling in a venue that will be kept below freezing even in the dog days of August.
Big Snow is a flagship experience at the partially opened "American Dream," an ambitious, long-in-the-making project about 20 miles (30 kilometers) from Manhattan that aims to reboot the shopping mall concept for the Instagram era.
The project, which garnered some $1 billion in state and local incentives, is a bet that modern shoppers will be drawn to Vegas-like attractions plus elite shopping and dining opportunities and not fixate on the project's carbon footprint, which is unknowable at this point.
After numerous delays and fitful construction that spanned more than a decade, American Dream began welcoming visitors in October, its gleaming white edifice beckoning drivers off the New Jersey highway.
Besides indoor skiing, visitors can try about two dozen rides at the Nickelodeon Universe theme park or skate on an NHL-size rink. A giant Dreamworks water park is behind schedule, having missed a deadline for November launch. Most shops open in the spring with hotels coming some time later.
"It's just going to get bigger and better and crazier!" developer Don Ghermezian of Triple Five Worldwide said at the Big Snow's launch.
Canada-based Triple Five is working to build similar projects in Saudi Arabia and Miami, although some Florida officials have opposed using public funds for the project.
- Instagram-ready -
While there will be a fast fashion atrium, much of the retail focus is on the high-end, with developers envisioning Hermes customers being served champagne.
American Dream expects 40 to 50 million visitors annually, including a healthy number of international tourists who are being targeted by marketers.
The mall plans a "Secret Garden" area with living moss and an aviary with live bunnies, as well as a koi pond.
Such spaces, plus showcase areas for celebrity appearances, are tailor-made for younger generations active on social media, although the overall character of the facility may put off those focused on sustainable shopping.
American Dream will use massive amounts of energy and exacerbate air pollution because of extra traffic, said Jeff Tittel, director of the Sierra Club's New Jersey chapter and a long-time foe of the project.
"It's sort of like the Dracula that keeps coming back and each time the mall gets bigger and there's more public money going into it" he added.
American Dream declined through a spokesman to comment on whether younger consumers focused on the environment might be turned off.
- 'Out-of-the-box retail -
The project, originally dubbed "Xanadu," dates to 2004, before the financial crisis and long before the e-commerce revolution doomed many retailers and older malls.
In 2011, then-governor Chris Christie brought in Triple Five, which owns the Mall of America in Minneapolis, to revive the project, which was halted because of financial problems facing its earlier developers.
Triple Five resumed construction in 2013, revamping the center to appeal to shifting consumer taste.
The company spent the first year or so "ripping out everything and we started essentially fresh," said an American Dream spokeswoman.
"We punched out skylights, we widened hallways, we made it feel much more expansive."
When the project is finished, it is expected to be 55 percent entertainment and 45 percent retail.
Retailers are required by contract to do something "extremely out of the box or experiential" to open in American Dream, the spokeswoman said.
For example, sweets shop IT'SUGAR opened what it is calling a "candy department store" on three levels to qualify.
Jim Hughes, a Rutgers University professor specializing in the New Jersey economy, said American Dream has a "positive chance" because of its focus on experiential retail, but that there will be "a lot of skepticism" given the project's checkered history and uncertainty surrounding retail in general.
"It's going to take a long time to get everything up and running," Hughes told AFP in an interview.
Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail, said the offerings at American Dream were different and promising. But he said due to North New Jersey's bad traffic and the existence of other malls in the area, the location was not ideal.
"The honest truth is there's already more than enough retail provision in that area, you don't need a new mall, even if its fancy and shiny and has lots of interesting things in it," Saunders said.


rawstory--2020-01-13--Trump’s White House tweets about the first snow of 2020 — except it wasn’t snowing

President Donald Trump attacks the media and his political opponents for “ fake news , ” but when it comes to the weather , the president doesn ’ t have the best track record .
In a tweet from his White House Sunday , a photo of digitally imposed snow appears to fall over the White House .
As publisher and podcaster Liz Gumbinner pointed out , it ’ s 53 degrees and mostly clear in Washington , D.C .
It isn ’ t the first time Trump and his team have struggled to get weather forecast correct .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States in 2019 , Trump decided that the storm was headed toward Alabama , despite updated forecasts saying the storm had turned .
Trump claimed that he was getting constant updates on the hurricane from his advisers , but if that was true , he would have known the storm turned .
The White House clamored together a briefing with a map where Trump had altered an official NOAA weather map with a sharpie to show the storm hitting Alabama .
It became mockingly known as SharpieGate .
You can see other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ :

President Donald Trump attacks the media and his political opponents for "fake news," but when it comes to the weather, the president doesn't have the best track record.
In a tweet from his White House Sunday, a photo of digitally imposed snow appears to fall over the White House.
As publisher and podcaster Liz Gumbinner pointed out, it's 53 degrees and mostly clear in Washington, D.C.
It isn't the first time Trump and his team have struggled to get weather forecast correct. When a hurricane was bearing down on the United States in 2019, Trump decided that the storm was headed toward Alabama, despite updated forecasts saying the storm had turned. Trump claimed that he was getting constant updates on the hurricane from his advisers, but if that was true, he would have known the storm turned.
The White House clamored together a briefing with a map where Trump had altered an official NOAA weather map with a sharpie to show the storm hitting Alabama.
[caption id="attachment_1540766" align="aligncenter" width="615"] Screenshot[/caption]
It became mockingly known as SharpieGate.
You can see other responses to the White House tweet below:


rawstory--2020-01-13--The intelligence community believes Iran will attack the US ‘in secret’: report

NBC News correspondent Ken Dilanian reported on MSNBC Sunday that the intelligence community believes the attacks against the United States @ @ @ @ @ over .
During a panel discussion , Dilanian said that Republicans attacking Democrats as “ @ @ @ @ @ for them with their base , but if the attacks from Iran aren ’ t @ @ @ @ @ t work out well for the GOP .
“ Nobody that we talked to in @ @ @ @ @ ’ s the end of Iran ’ s reaction to this , ” said Dilanian @ @ @ @ @ operate is they will do something in secret without attaching their name to it .
@ @ @ @ @ , terrorist attack , they have proxies .
They will hurt us all over the @ @ @ @ @ Americans are killed and intelligence points back to this attack , that could change the @ @ @ @ @ , things seemed to stabilize and Iran appeared to want to deescalate the tensions with @ @ @ @ @ unknown if that will continue .

NBC News correspondent Ken Dilanian reported on MSNBC Sunday that the intelligence community believes the attacks against the United States by Iran aren't over.
During a panel discussion, Dilanian said that Republicans attacking Democrats as "terrorists" may score points for them with their base, but if the attacks from Iran aren't over, it won't work out well for the GOP.
"Nobody that we talked to in the intelligence community thinks that's the end of Iran's reaction to this," said Dilanian. "The way they operate is they will do something in secret without attaching their name to it. It will be an assassination, terrorist attack, they have proxies. They will hurt us all over the world. So, if Americans are killed and intelligence points back to this attack, that could change the political calculus."
Last week, things seemed to stabilize and Iran appeared to want to deescalate the tensions with the U.S. It's unknown if that will continue.
Watch the segment below:


rawstory--2020-01-13--Trump asked for ways to kill Suleimani as far back as 2017 — but his aides ignored him: report

A Washington Post report says that President Donald Trump wanted to kill Gen. Qasem Suleimani as far back as 2017 .
When Trump asked his national security team for options he was ignored .
Trump didn ’ t know who Suleimani was when asked about him during the presidential race , nor did he know anything about the paramilitary Iranian Quds Force , which Suleimani ran , the Post explained .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo began his tenure in the Trump administration Jan. 23 , 2017 , but as the director of the CIA .
He has wanted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to reports .
Five months into Trump ’ s term , he was talking about taking Suleimani out .
The first moment came in 2017 when Iranian-backed rebels fired ballistic missiles at Saudi Arabia ’ s capital before Trump landed for his first overseas visit of another country .
Then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis urged prudent action .
“ It ’ s an idea that ’ s been batted around for a while , ” the Post cited a former senior Pentagon official .
“ It ’ s not a hard or particularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the absence of people like Mattis , Gen. John Kelly or Gen. Joseph Dunford , there were no military advisers willing to urge caution .
“ Despite his reputation as an Iran hawk , Mattis prioritized defeating the Islamic State .
More broadly , he was focused on preparing the military for possible conflicts with great powers , such as China and Russia , during his time in the top civilian post at the Pentagon , ” said the Post .
After pulling out of Syria , Trump ’ s national security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Marine Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. , has made Iran the top focus for his command , ” the Post explained .
“ There ’ s been a change in circumstances , priorities and personality from Votel to McKenzie , ” the former senior Pentagon official revealed .
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley took over in Dunford ’ s absence .
Out went Dunford ’ s “ deliberately measured ” approach to military action .
The new crop of advisers seems more unified about Iran .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less debate and faster action , ’ ” another former Pentagon official said .
“ It ’ s a smaller team , more like-minded , capable of coming to agreement quicker.
” As chief of staff , Mick Mulvaney isn ’ t exactly a moderating force either .
Kelly frequently told military officials he wanted to talk to the president before they carried out actions .
“ He ’ d get spun up , and if you bought some time , you could get him calmed down , and then explain to him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Post quoted a former senior administration official .
When Trump tried to pull troops out of Iraq suddenly or tried to leave NATO , Kelly talked him down .
When Trump decided to pull out of Syria , no one attempted to block him , the Post said .
Instead , officials circulated a note “ to be aware ” of the phrasing in Trump ’ s statement .
In the past , Kelly and even Sarah Huckabee Sanders stood in the way of Trump releasing such a statement .
“ Those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cheered the new group of advisers around the president along with Trump ’ s more aggressive posture toward Tehran .
Democratic lawmakers , however , have expressed fear that the president could inadvertently stumble into a larger war with Iran , ” reported the Post .
“ For all of Mattis ’ s reputation as an Iran hawk , he ended up being one of the most sober-minded people in the Cabinet , ” Sen. Chris Murphy ( D-CT ) said , explaining that there aren ’ t many in Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experience .
Read the full report at the Washington Post .

A Washington Post report says that President Donald Trump wanted to kill Gen. Qasem Suleimani as far back as 2017. When Trump asked his national security team for options he was ignored.
Trump didn't know who Suleimani was when asked about him during the presidential race, nor did he know anything about the paramilitary Iranian Quds Force, which Suleimani ran, the Post explained.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo began his tenure in the Trump administration Jan. 23, 2017, but as the director of the CIA. He has wanted to kill Suleimani for over a decade, according to reports. Five months into Trump's term, he was talking about taking Suleimani out.
The first moment came in 2017 when Iranian-backed rebels fired ballistic missiles at Saudi Arabia’s capital before Trump landed for his first overseas visit of another country. Then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis urged prudent action.
“It’s an idea that’s been batted around for a while,” the Post cited a former senior Pentagon official. “It’s not a hard or particularly complicated idea to come up with.”
In the absence of people like Mattis, Gen. John Kelly or Gen. Joseph Dunford, there were no military advisers willing to urge caution.
"Despite his reputation as an Iran hawk, Mattis prioritized defeating the Islamic State. More broadly, he was focused on preparing the military for possible conflicts with great powers, such as China and Russia, during his time in the top civilian post at the Pentagon," said the Post.
After pulling out of Syria, Trump's national security team shifted its focus to Iran.
"Marine Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., has made Iran the top focus for his command," the Post explained.
“There’s been a change in circumstances, priorities and personality from Votel to McKenzie,” the former senior Pentagon official revealed.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley took over in Dunford's absence. Out went Dunford's "deliberately measured" approach to military action.
The new crop of advisers seems more unified about Iran.
"The result is 'less introspection, less debate and faster action,'” another former Pentagon official said. “It’s a smaller team, more like-minded, capable of coming to agreement quicker.”
As chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney isn't exactly a moderating force either. Kelly frequently told military officials he wanted to talk to the president before they carried out actions.
“He’d get spun up, and if you bought some time, you could get him calmed down, and then explain to him what his decision might do,” the Post quoted a former senior administration official.
When Trump tried to pull troops out of Iraq suddenly or tried to leave NATO, Kelly talked him down. When Trump decided to pull out of Syria, no one attempted to block him, the Post said. Instead, officials circulated a note "to be aware" of the phrasing in Trump's statement. In the past, Kelly and even Sarah Huckabee Sanders stood in the way of Trump releasing such a statement.
"Those who support a hawkish Iran policy have cheered the new group of advisers around the president along with Trump’s more aggressive posture toward Tehran. Democratic lawmakers, however, have expressed fear that the president could inadvertently stumble into a larger war with Iran," reported the Post.
“For all of Mattis’s reputation as an Iran hawk, he ended up being one of the most sober-minded people in the Cabinet,” Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) said, explaining that there aren't many in Trump's national security team that have any diplomatic experience.
Read the full report at the Washington Post.


rawstory--2020-01-13--Gwyneth Paltrow’s ‘Goop Lab’ on Netflix is a sleazy infomercial for her pseudoscience empire

Last week , Netflix dropped the trailer for Gwyneth Paltrow ’ s new show The Goop Lab .
It is a six-episode docuseries launching on Jan. 24 that , according to the trailers , focuses on approaches to wellness that are “ out there , ” “ unregulated ” and “ dangerous.
” ( Read : science-free . )
The backlash by health-care professionals and science advocates was immediate and widespread .
And for good reason .
As noted by my friend , obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Jen Gunter in Bustle magazine , the trailer is classic Goop : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unproven , potentially harmful therapies….
” We know the spread of this kind of health misinformation can have a significant and detrimental impact on a range of health behaviours and beliefs .
This is the age of misinformation and this show seems likely to add to the noise and public confusion about how to live a healthy lifestyle .
But what has been largely overlooked in the initial wave of critiques is the conflict-of-interest issue .
The producers of this show — that is , Gwyneth Paltrow and her company Goop — benefit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ popular but also from the legitimization of pseudoscience .
This show is , basically , an infomercial for the Goop brand , which is built around science-free products and ideas .
The Goop Lab trailer on Netflix .
The show drops Jan. 24 , 2020 .
Marketing pseudoscience To be fair , I have yet to see a full episode .
But given the content of the trailer and Goop ’ s history of pushing harmful nonsense , there is little reason to be optimistic about the role of science in the series @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the series will allow Paltrow and Goop to build the brand , which is currently estimated to be worth US $ 250 million .
The show serves as an opportunity to market the kind of magical thinking and pseudoscience that will help to sell Goop ’ s products .
It would be like Netflix streaming a show called The Coca-Cola Beverage Lab or the The Starbucks Coffee Adventure .
One of the things that attracts people to the alternative health practices pushed by entities like Goop is frustration with the impact of private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the context of the pharmaceutical industry — on the conventional health-care system .
This concern about the impact of industry is understandable .
There is a vast literature highlighting industry misbehaviour and the adverse consequences of Big Pharma ’ s influence on research , clinical practice and clinical guidelines .
Awareness of these issues has contributed to a decrease in trust in the medical profession and even to harmful trends like vaccination hesitancy .
For the advocates of alternative approaches to wellness , conventional medicine is often positioned as irrevocably compromised and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe even extreme versions of this narrative .
A 2014 survey found 37 per cent of Americans believe ( and another 31 per cent think it could be true ) that the “ Food and Drug Administration is deliberately preventing the public from getting natural cures for cancer and other diseases because of pressure from drug companies.
” Goop has also enabled these kinds of extreme perspectives .
The implication , of course , is that alternative approaches are somehow untainted or , at least , less tainted by vested interests and are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But this “ clean hands ” framing is patently false .
First , we need to recognize that alternative medicine is also a huge industry .
The worldwide “ wellness ” market , which is largely composed of unproven and “ alternative ” modalities , has been estimated to be worth over US $ 4 trillion .
The sale of herbal medicine and supplements are also multi-billion dollar industries .
Given the size of these markets , it would be naive to believe that alternative medicine is somehow missing the twisting profit-motive incentives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care .
Second , the alternative health community is also rife with conflicts and biases .
To cite just a few examples , naturopaths profit from the in-office sale of products and have partnered with the vitamin industry to expand the reach of their practice .
In addition , alternative medicine research has been influenced by various systemic biases .
And we shouldn ’ t forget that many of the most commonly used alternative products , most notably supplements and herbal remedies , are often made by the very pharmaceutical industry that alternative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Third , motivated reasoning plays a big role here .
When an individual or a company has built a profession or a business model around a particular worldview , this commitment will have an impact on how the relevant evidence is interpreted , used and presented to the public .
If you are a practising homeopath , for instance , it would be tremendously difficult to accept what the evidence says about the remedies you offer .
Indeed , accepting the science would mean you would lose your livelihood and professional identity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the adverse impact that conflicts of interest issues can have on bio-medical research and clinical practice .
But we also need to recognize that profound conflicts of interest exist in the alternative health and wellness domain .
We should not give those involved with this industry — including Paltrow and Goop — a pass .
Timothy Caulfield , Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy ; Professor , Faculty of Law and School of Public Health ; and Research Director , Health Law Institute , University of Alberta .
This article is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commons license .
Read the original article .

Timothy Caulfield, University of Alberta
Last week, Netflix dropped the trailer for Gwyneth Paltrow’s new show The Goop Lab. It is a six-episode docuseries launching on Jan. 24 that, according to the trailers, focuses on approaches to wellness that are “out there,” “unregulated” and “dangerous.” (Read: science-free.)
The backlash by health-care professionals and science advocates was immediate and widespread. And for good reason. As noted by my friend, obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Jen Gunter in Bustle magazine, the trailer is classic Goop: “Some fine information presented alongside unscientific, unproven, potentially harmful therapies….”
We know the spread of this kind of health misinformation can have a significant and detrimental impact on a range of health behaviours and beliefs. This is the age of misinformation and this show seems likely to add to the noise and public confusion about how to live a healthy lifestyle.
But what has been largely overlooked in the initial wave of critiques is the conflict-of-interest issue. The producers of this show — that is, Gwyneth Paltrow and her company Goop — benefit directly from not only the show being popular but also from the legitimization of pseudoscience. This show is, basically, an infomercial for the Goop brand, which is built around science-free products and ideas.
The Goop Lab trailer on Netflix. The show drops Jan. 24, 2020.
Marketing pseudoscience
To be fair, I have yet to see a full episode. But given the content of the trailer and Goop’s history of pushing harmful nonsense, there is little reason to be optimistic about the role of science in the series. Regardless, the mere existence of the series will allow Paltrow and Goop to build the brand, which is currently estimated to be worth US$250 million.
The show serves as an opportunity to market the kind of magical thinking and pseudoscience that will help to sell Goop’s products. It would be like Netflix streaming a show called The Coca-Cola Beverage Lab or the The Starbucks Coffee Adventure.
One of the things that attracts people to the alternative health practices pushed by entities like Goop is frustration with the impact of private industry and the profit motive — particularly in the context of the pharmaceutical industry — on the conventional health-care system.
This concern about the impact of industry is understandable. There is a vast literature highlighting industry misbehaviour and the adverse consequences of Big Pharma’s influence on research, clinical practice and clinical guidelines. Awareness of these issues has contributed to a decrease in trust in the medical profession and even to harmful trends like vaccination hesitancy.
For the advocates of alternative approaches to wellness, conventional medicine is often positioned as irrevocably compromised and corrupt. And many have come to believe even extreme versions of this narrative.
A 2014 survey found 37 per cent of Americans believe (and another 31 per cent think it could be true) that the “Food and Drug Administration is deliberately preventing the public from getting natural cures for cancer and other diseases because of pressure from drug companies.” Goop has also enabled these kinds of extreme perspectives.
Alternative medicine is an industry
The implication, of course, is that alternative approaches are somehow untainted or, at least, less tainted by vested interests and are, therefore, the better choice. But this “clean hands” framing is patently false.
First, we need to recognize that alternative medicine is also a huge industry. The worldwide “wellness” market, which is largely composed of unproven and “alternative” modalities, has been estimated to be worth over US$4 trillion.
The sale of herbal medicine and supplements are also multi-billion dollar industries. Given the size of these markets, it would be naive to believe that alternative medicine is somehow missing the twisting profit-motive incentives that have created problems for conventional health care.
Second, the alternative health community is also rife with conflicts and biases. To cite just a few examples, naturopaths profit from the in-office sale of products and have partnered with the vitamin industry to expand the reach of their practice.
In addition, alternative medicine research has been influenced by various systemic biases. And we shouldn’t forget that many of the most commonly used alternative products, most notably supplements and herbal remedies, are often made by the very pharmaceutical industry that alternative wellness devotees are seeking to avoid.
Third, motivated reasoning plays a big role here. When an individual or a company has built a profession or a business model around a particular worldview, this commitment will have an impact on how the relevant evidence is interpreted, used and presented to the public.
If you are a practising homeopath, for instance, it would be tremendously difficult to accept what the evidence says about the remedies you offer. Indeed, accepting the science would mean you would lose your livelihood and professional identity.
More needs to be done to combat the adverse impact that conflicts of interest issues can have on bio-medical research and clinical practice. But we also need to recognize that profound conflicts of interest exist in the alternative health and wellness domain. We should not give those involved with this industry — including Paltrow and Goop — a pass.
Timothy Caulfield, Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy; Professor, Faculty of Law and School of Public Health; and Research Director, Health Law Institute, University of Alberta.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.