wearechange--2020-08-05--“Lebanon’s Year From Hell”: Death Toll Tops 100, Over 4,000 Injured After Beirut Explosion

Lebanese Red Cross officials told local media outlets ( quoted by Reuters ) on Wednesday that the death toll has risen to over 100 , including 4,000 injured , after a massive explosion ripped through Beirut ’ s port on Tuesday .
On Tuesday evening , Lebanon ’ s Prime Minister said the blast was caused by an estimated 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate , stored in a warehouse at the port unsecured for years .
Israeli officials denied they had any involvement in the horrific explosion , which also repeated by Hezbollah officials .
President Trump said earlier in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military commanders : “ They seem to think it was an attack .
It was a bomb of some kind.
” Lebanese President Michel Aoun called for an urgent cabinet meeting on Wednesday and declared a capital-wide two-week state of emergency .
Here ’ s what residents of Beirut woke up to this morning : Marwan Abboud , the governor of Beirut , said the shockwave from the blast was so powerful ( triggered a 3.5 magnitude earthquake ) , it caused widespread damage across the city , leaving tens of thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the port absolutely devastated .
Samir Madani , the co-founder of Tanker Trackers , tweeted a satellite image of the devastation .
Even before the blast , the country had been devastated by the virus pandemic , a crippling economic collapse , and government corruption .
The destruction of the nation ’ s top port suggests the primary channels for imports and exports have been completely severed .
The ability of the country to feed 7 million people could transform into a significant health crisis in the months ahead .
Researchers estimate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s grain , mostly stored in silos at the port , was also destroyed .
“ This has been the worst year for Lebanon by far , ” Karim Nahouli , from Beirut ’ s Ras Al-Nabaa district , told Arab News .
With Lebanon ’ s main port severed , and an economic crisis already festering , does this mean the country is on the brink of collapse ?
Worst still , as we saw in oil prices , does this increase ( if that is possible ) the instability of The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this happened , as The Economic Collapse blog ’ Michael Snyder notes , a lot of people began wondering if this was an Israeli attack , but that does not appear to be the case .
One unnamed Israeli government official told AFP that “ Israel had nothing to do with the incident ” , and Benny Gantz has actually offered to send humanitarian aid to Beirut… If Israel really had been behind this attack , I seriously doubt that they would be offering to patch up their enemies .
Instead , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deeply tragic accident .
Lebanese officials have admitted that 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate were stored in the unit that exploded , and that amount of ammonium nitrate can definitely produce the sort of explosion that we just witnessed… But as we noted above , Donald Trump is apparently not buying that explanation .
He told the press that the explosion “ was an attack ” and that it was caused by “ a bomb of some kind ” … If this really was an attack , the Lebanese are going to want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their capital city has been absolutely decimated .
And needless to say , there are already voices all over the Middle East that are eagerly pointing a finger of blame at Israel and are calling for war .
But unlike the “ mystery explosions ” that have been happening in Iran , the evidence does not indicate that Israel had anything to do with this great tragedy .
Unfortunately , a lot of people out there are going to jump to their own conclusions .
Over the past couple of years , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like a major war could break out at any time in the Middle East .
And here in 2020 , tensions are running higher than ever .
The IDF has been regularly hitting Iranian and Hezbollah targets all over the region , and we just witnessed a harrowing confrontation on the Syrian border .
It appears that it is just a matter of time before a huge war erupts in the Middle East , and it certainly isn ’ t going to take much to trigger one .
So could this explosion push @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us hope not , but without a doubt this blast is not going to help matters .
The devastation that we just witnessed has caused great pain and anger in Lebanon .

Lebanese Red Cross officials told local media outlets (quoted by Reuters) on Wednesday that the death toll has risen to over 100, including 4,000 injured, after a massive explosion ripped through Beirut’s port on Tuesday.
On Tuesday evening, Lebanon’s Prime Minister said the blast was caused by an estimated 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, stored in a warehouse at the port unsecured for years. Israeli officials denied they had any involvement in the horrific explosion, which also repeated by Hezbollah officials.
President Trump said earlier in the evening that after meeting with top military commanders: “They seem to think it was an attack. It was a bomb of some kind.”
Lebanese President Michel Aoun called for an urgent cabinet meeting on Wednesday and declared a capital-wide two-week state of emergency.
Here’s what residents of Beirut woke up to this morning:
Marwan Abboud, the governor of Beirut, said the shockwave from the blast was so powerful (triggered a 3.5 magnitude earthquake), it caused widespread damage across the city, leaving tens of thousands of people homeless.
“We lost ten members of the Beirut Fire Brigade, and damages range between 3 [billion] and 5 billion dollars and maybe more,” Abboud said.
The blast left communities around the port absolutely devastated.
Samir Madani, the co-founder of Tanker Trackers, tweeted a satellite image of the devastation.
We have the first satellite picture captured this morning over Beirut (right) 2020-08-05 by @planetlabs vs 2020-07-26 (left). Red circled area is where the explosion took place. pic.twitter.com/Bsa4E8f95u — Sam (@Samir_Madani) August 5, 2020
Even before the blast, the country had been devastated by the virus pandemic, a crippling economic collapse, and government corruption. The destruction of the nation’s top port suggests the primary channels for imports and exports have been completely severed. The ability of the country to feed 7 million people could transform into a significant health crisis in the months ahead.
Researchers estimate that 85% of the country’s grain, mostly stored in silos at the port, was also destroyed.
“This has been the worst year for Lebanon by far,” Karim Nahouli, from Beirut’s Ras Al-Nabaa district, told Arab News.
“We’ve had 15 years of civil war, then another war in 2006 with Israel, and assassinations throughout, but this is definitely Lebanon’s year from hell.”
With Lebanon’s main port severed, and an economic crisis already festering, does this mean the country is on the brink of collapse?
Worst still, as we saw in oil prices, does this increase (if that is possible) the instability of The Middle East region further?
Immediately after this happened, as The Economic Collapse blog’ Michael Snyder notes, a lot of people began wondering if this was an Israeli attack, but that does not appear to be the case.
One unnamed Israeli government official told AFP that “Israel had nothing to do with the incident”, and Benny Gantz has actually offered to send humanitarian aid to Beirut…
Offers of aid also came from bitter rivals Israel, with which it is still technically at war. Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, on behalf of the State of Israel, have offered the Lebanese government – via international intermediaries – medical and humanitarian aid, as well as immediate emergency assistance,’ said a joint statement from the two ministries.
If Israel really had been behind this attack, I seriously doubt that they would be offering to patch up their enemies.
Instead, it appears that this was some sort of deeply tragic accident. Lebanese officials have admitted that 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate were stored in the unit that exploded, and that amount of ammonium nitrate can definitely produce the sort of explosion that we just witnessed…
Lebanon’s interior minister said ammonium nitrate had been stored in the unit since 2014, with experts agreeing that the chemical would cause the red plume of smoke which burst up from the blast. Local media are reporting that 2,700 tonnes of the chemical exploded, which scientists making initial calculations said was about three kilotonnes of TNT – roughly a fifth of the Little Boy atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in the Second World War.
But as we noted above, Donald Trump is apparently not buying that explanation. He told the press that the explosion “was an attack” and that it was caused by “a bomb of some kind”…
At least 60 people were killed and thousands were wounded in an explosion that caused widespread damage in the Lebanese capital. Trump said he had been briefed by “our great generals” and that they “seem to feel” that the explosion was not an accident. “According to them – they would know better than I would – but they seem to think it was an attack,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “It was a bomb of some kind.”
If this really was an attack, the Lebanese are going to want revenge, because a substantial portion of their capital city has been absolutely decimated.
And needless to say, there are already voices all over the Middle East that are eagerly pointing a finger of blame at Israel and are calling for war.
But unlike the “mystery explosions” that have been happening in Iran, the evidence does not indicate that Israel had anything to do with this great tragedy.
Unfortunately, a lot of people out there are going to jump to their own conclusions.
Over the past couple of years, there have been several moments when it seemed like a major war could break out at any time in the Middle East. And here in 2020, tensions are running higher than ever. The IDF has been regularly hitting Iranian and Hezbollah targets all over the region, and we just witnessed a harrowing confrontation on the Syrian border.
It appears that it is just a matter of time before a huge war erupts in the Middle East, and it certainly isn’t going to take much to trigger one.
So could this explosion push the region over the edge?
Let us hope not, but without a doubt this blast is not going to help matters.
The devastation that we just witnessed has caused great pain and anger in Lebanon.
Republished from ZeroHedge.com with permission


wearechange--2020-08-06--Study Finds 98 “Long-Term” COVID-19 Symptoms Including Baldness

Epidemiologists readily admit that viruses are chock full of puzzles .
And COVID-19 is no exception .
Earlier today , Dr. Fauci himself lamented the fact that nearly half of those who get the virus don ’ t see symptoms , which is one reason why young people have been so reckless , purportedly helping to spread the virus .
And in a study published recently by the University of Indiana School of Medicine happened on a surprising finding : those who suffer from long-term symptoms of the coronavirus – a group that the researchers nicknamed “ long haulers ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for help – can experience all kinds of surprising symptoms , including baldness ( for both men and women ) .
The study was conducted by a doctor at the Indiana University School of Medicine and the grassroots COVID-19 survivor group Survivor Corps using a Facebook poll that was shared with a group of “ long haulers ” , whom the researchers thanked for sharing their time and experience .
The CDC has identified only 17 persistent COVID-19 symptoms , but the survey of more than 1,500 patients found 98 possible symptoms , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ associate research professor who worked on the study .
“ The new symptoms our study identified include severe nerve pain , difficulty concentrating , difficulty sleeping , blurry vision and even hair loss , ” Lambert said in a written statement .
While the CDC guidelines are helpful for the vast majority of COVID-19 sufferers , for those who are severely affected by the virus , a much broader world of potential symptoms opens up .
Many of these symptoms aren ’ t included on the CDC ’ s list of common COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical community hadn ’ t really recognized these symptoms as potentially tied to SARS-CoV-2 .
In the report , the authors wrote that “ the mismatch between the health problems people are experiencing and the information that they can find from official health sources is noticeable and a potential cause for concern , ” outlining the motivation for their study .
To be sure , media reports have documented a degree of versatility in virus symptoms .
Some seriously ill patients experienced damage to their hearts along with the lungs and the vascular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ puzzle they presented for epidemiologists , were widely reported .
But the team from the Indiana University School of Medicine wrote that other symptoms , including “ brain , whole body , joints , eye , and skin symptoms are also frequent-occurring health problems for people recovering from COVID-19 ” , they wrote in the study .
Another finding of the survey is that many “ long haulers ” who suffer from these extended symptoms report high levels of pain – 26.5 % reported painful symptoms .
Read the rest of the study @ @

Epidemiologists readily admit that viruses are chock full of puzzles. And COVID-19 is no exception. Earlier today, Dr. Fauci himself lamented the fact that nearly half of those who get the virus don’t see symptoms, which is one reason why young people have been so reckless, purportedly helping to spread the virus.
And in a study published recently by the University of Indiana School of Medicine happened on a surprising finding: those who suffer from long-term symptoms of the coronavirus – a group that the researchers nicknamed “long haulers” after a Facebook group where many go for help – can experience all kinds of surprising symptoms, including baldness (for both men and women).
The study was conducted by a doctor at the Indiana University School of Medicine and the grassroots COVID-19 survivor group Survivor Corps using a Facebook poll that was shared with a group of “long haulers”, whom the researchers thanked for sharing their time and experience.
The CDC has identified only 17 persistent COVID-19 symptoms, but the survey of more than 1,500 patients found 98 possible symptoms, according to Dr. Natalie Lambert, an associate research professor who worked on the study.
“The new symptoms our study identified include severe nerve pain, difficulty concentrating, difficulty sleeping, blurry vision and even hair loss,” Lambert said in a written statement.
While the CDC guidelines are helpful for the vast majority of COVID-19 sufferers, for those who are severely affected by the virus, a much broader world of potential symptoms opens up. Many of these symptoms aren’t included on the CDC’s list of common COVID-19 symptoms. And until now, the medical community hadn’t really recognized these symptoms as potentially tied to SARS-CoV-2.
In the report, the authors wrote that “the mismatch between the health problems people are experiencing and the information that they can find from official health sources is noticeable and a potential cause for concern,” outlining the motivation for their study.
To be sure, media reports have documented a degree of versatility in virus symptoms. Some seriously ill patients experienced damage to their hearts along with the lungs and the vascular system – these symptoms, and the puzzle they presented for epidemiologists, were widely reported.
But the team from the Indiana University School of Medicine wrote that other symptoms, including “brain, whole body, joints, eye, and skin symptoms are also frequent-occurring health problems for people recovering from COVID-19”, they wrote in the study.
Another finding of the survey is that many “long haulers” who suffer from these extended symptoms report high levels of pain – 26.5% reported painful symptoms.
Read the rest of the study here.
Republished from ZeroHedge.com with permission


wearechange--2020-08-06--They Have Gone MAD.

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wearechange--2020-08-07--Disbelief as Trump Appoints Disgraced Iran-Contra Criminal Elliott Abrams as Iran Envoy

The Trump administration has appointed disgraced neoconservative hawk Elliott Abrams to the new position of chief advisor on Iran after former insider Brian Hook handed in his resignation earlier this week .
“ Special Representative Hook has been my point person on Iran for over two years and he has achieved historic results countering the Iranian regime , ” said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo yesterday , “ Following a transition period with Brian Hook , Elliott Abrams will assume the position of Special Representative for Iran , in addition to his responsibilities as Special Representative for Venezuela.
” Anger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emotions stirred by the decision .
“ Elliott Abrams appointment as Special Representative for Iran is as ludicrous as his failed career as Venezuela envoy , ” reacted United Nations Special Rapporteur Alfred de Zayas .
“ Convicted war criminal Elliott Abrams gets to try and destroy Venezuela and Iran at the same time .
He certainly does have a great track record in dealing with Iran and Latin America all at once , ” wrote journalist Anya Parampil , referencing his participation in the Iran-Contra scandal .
Activist group CODEPINK was equally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another low point for the Trump administration ’ s disastrous policy towards Iran.
” “ The dangerous conflict resulting from Trump ’ s withdrawal from the nuclear agreement will be exacerbated by a man committed to Washington ’ s failed policies of regime change , including in his present-day position as Trump ’ s representative for Venezuela , ” they added .
Even mainstream , corporate-funded outlets could not hide their skepticism at the decision .
“ Elliott Abrams , convicted of lying about Iran-Contra , named special representative for Iran , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ first day on the job in the Reagan administration as Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs could hardly have been more conspicuous .
The previous day , a U.S.-backed and trained death squad in El Salvador had conducted a massacre in the village of El Mozote , killing at least 800 people and raping girls as young as 10 .
Survivors testify that the soldiers threw a three-year-old boy in the air and impaled him on their bayonets .
Abrams immediately led a cover-up , telling the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and the massacre was being “ significantly misused as propaganda against their side .
In total , around 75,000 people were killed in what is misleadingly described as a “ civil war , ” but was , in reality , a campaign of extermination directed at anyone who dissented against the U.S.-backed dictatorship .
Abrams lauded what happened in El Salvador as a “ fabulous achievement ” for democracy .
Investigative journalist Jon Schwarz described Abrams as “ supporting Latin American democracy pretty much like [ serial killer ] Jeffrey Dahmer supported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his apartment.
” Throughout the 1980s , Abrams was a chief architect of the genocides and dirty wars plaguing the region .
In Guatemala , he pushed for arms sales to the dictatorship of General Efrain Rios Montt , claiming he had “ brought considerable progress ” to human rights in the region .
“ We think that kind of progress needs to be rewarded and encouraged , ” he said .
While General Rios Montt was later convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity , Abrams faced no consequences for his role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nor did he suffer serious repercussions for his role in the Iran-Contra Affair , where government organizations sold weapons to Iran in order to fund far-right death squads in Nicaragua .
Abrams pled guilty to lying to Congress about the affair but was quickly pardoned by George H.W .
Bush .
“ The failure of Trump ’ s obscure government hawk character , Elliott Abrams , was evident in the U.S. Senate today .
His criminal record and his arrogant vision of the Cold War has caused him to crush the dignity and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again , ” wrote Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro , on hearing the news about Abrams ’ new position .
Since January 2019 , Abrams has been tasked with overthrowing the Venezuelan government , constantly encouraging the country to rise up , and placing crippling sanctions on others who trade with the Caribbean nation .
Yesterday , he confirmed that he has been attempting to bribe military generals to rebel and overthrow the country ’ s elected leader .
The appointment of perhaps the most hardline neoconservative hawk to the new position of Special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long line of escalatory measures the Trump administration has taken .
In the last two years , the president has abandoned the nuclear deal , greatly increased sanctions on the country , supported anti-government protests in Tehran , assassinated Iranian General Qassem Soleimani , and prevented the importation of COVID-19 medicines and supplies .
Given his record , it is doubtful whether many in Iran will be celebrating the return of Elliott Abrams .

The Trump administration has appointed disgraced neoconservative hawk Elliott Abrams to the new position of chief advisor on Iran after former insider Brian Hook handed in his resignation earlier this week. “Special Representative Hook has been my point person on Iran for over two years and he has achieved historic results countering the Iranian regime,” said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo yesterday, “Following a transition period with Brian Hook, Elliott Abrams will assume the position of Special Representative for Iran, in addition to his responsibilities as Special Representative for Venezuela.”
Anger and disbelief appeared to be the chief emotions stirred by the decision. “Elliott Abrams appointment as Special Representative for Iran is as ludicrous as his failed career as Venezuela envoy,” reacted United Nations Special Rapporteur Alfred de Zayas. “Convicted war criminal Elliott Abrams gets to try and destroy Venezuela and Iran at the same time. He certainly does have a great track record in dealing with Iran and Latin America all at once,” wrote journalist Anya Parampil, referencing his participation in the Iran-Contra scandal.
Activist group CODEPINK was equally condemnatory, claiming the appointment was “another low point for the Trump administration’s disastrous policy towards Iran.” “The dangerous conflict resulting from Trump’s withdrawal from the nuclear agreement will be exacerbated by a man committed to Washington’s failed policies of regime change, including in his present-day position as Trump’s representative for Venezuela,” they added. Even mainstream, corporate-funded outlets could not hide their skepticism at the decision. “Elliott Abrams, convicted of lying about Iran-Contra, named special representative for Iran,” read CBS News’ headline.
Killy Elliott
Abrams’ first day on the job in the Reagan administration as Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs could hardly have been more conspicuous. The previous day, a U.S.-backed and trained death squad in El Salvador had conducted a massacre in the village of El Mozote, killing at least 800 people and raping girls as young as 10. Survivors testify that the soldiers threw a three-year-old boy in the air and impaled him on their bayonets. Abrams immediately led a cover-up, telling the Senate that eyewitness reports were “not credible” and the massacre was being “significantly misused as propaganda against their side. In total, around 75,000 people were killed in what is misleadingly described as a “civil war,” but was, in reality, a campaign of extermination directed at anyone who dissented against the U.S.-backed dictatorship. Abrams lauded what happened in El Salvador as a “fabulous achievement” for democracy. Investigative journalist Jon Schwarz described Abrams as “supporting Latin American democracy pretty much like [serial killer] Jeffrey Dahmer supported all the people that he brought to his apartment.”
Throughout the 1980s, Abrams was a chief architect of the genocides and dirty wars plaguing the region. In Guatemala, he pushed for arms sales to the dictatorship of General Efrain Rios Montt, claiming he had “brought considerable progress” to human rights in the region. “We think that kind of progress needs to be rewarded and encouraged,” he said. While General Rios Montt was later convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity, Abrams faced no consequences for his role in the killing over 200,000 people, nor did he suffer serious repercussions for his role in the Iran-Contra Affair, where government organizations sold weapons to Iran in order to fund far-right death squads in Nicaragua. Abrams pled guilty to lying to Congress about the affair but was quickly pardoned by George H.W. Bush.
New regime change opportunities
“The failure of Trump’s obscure government hawk character, Elliott Abrams, was evident in the U.S. Senate today. His criminal record and his arrogant vision of the Cold War has caused him to crush the dignity and courage of a free people time and again,” wrote Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, on hearing the news about Abrams’ new position. Since January 2019, Abrams has been tasked with overthrowing the Venezuelan government, constantly encouraging the country to rise up, and placing crippling sanctions on others who trade with the Caribbean nation. Yesterday, he confirmed that he has been attempting to bribe military generals to rebel and overthrow the country’s elected leader.
The appointment of perhaps the most hardline neoconservative hawk to the new position of Special Representative for Iran is the latest in a long line of escalatory measures the Trump administration has taken. In the last two years, the president has abandoned the nuclear deal, greatly increased sanctions on the country, supported anti-government protests in Tehran, assassinated Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, and prevented the importation of COVID-19 medicines and supplies. Given his record, it is doubtful whether many in Iran will be celebrating the return of Elliott Abrams.
Republished from MintPressNews.com under Creative Commons


wearechange--2020-08-09--“Leave, You Are All Killers!”: Protesters Take Over Multiple Government Buildings in Beirut

The expected protests and riots have broken out in Beirut at the end of a week in which families mourned the over 150 killed in Tuesday ’ s blast centered on the port , which it ’ s now been revealed was the result of years of negligence by authorities who allowed 2,750 metric tons of ammonium nitrate to be unsafely stored right alongside a large stash of impounded fireworks .
Like the years-long banking crisis , the government is seen as directly responsible for this week ’ s epic tragedy , also given the lengthy paper trail showing multiple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do something about the explosive substance stored so near a densely populated area .
But Lebanese now taking to the streets this weekend could care less about the fine points buck passing among the political class as now a tsunami of rage is being unleashed , additionally as the economy is in shambles with record unemployment .
On Saturday local TV stations showed footage of thousands of protesters occupying at least four government ministry buildings in downtown Beirut .
An estimated ten thousand clashed with police , which reportedly involved shots fired , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one police officer dead .
And Reuters reports that the country ’ s banking sector remains target of the people ’ s rage : Already the growing number of injuries are an indicator of just how fierce this round of protests promises to be : The Red Cross said it had treated 117 people for injuries on the scene while another 55 were taken to hospital .
A fire broke out in central Martyrs ’ Square .
Dozens of protesters broke into the foreign ministry where they burnt a framed portrait of President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a political class that has ruled Lebanon for decades and that they say is to blame for its deep political and economic crises .
It appears that going into the night the ministries now “ taken over ” the protesters include the Foreign Affairs , Environment , and Energy ministry buildings , as well as the Ministry of Economy .
Chants of “ the people want the fall of the regime ” as well as the burning of portraits of top Lebanese leaders and politicians , such as of President Michel Aoun could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Square .
Responding to the pressure and popular anger , Prime Minister Hassan Diab called for early parliamentary elections and a two month transition period .
“ We can not get out of this crisis without early parliamentary elections , ” Diab said in a televised address .
Reuters describes further of Saturday ’ s mayhem in the streets : Lebanon is still at the height of abanking and currency crisis which previously saw unprecedented restrictions put on patrons of banks : they couldn ’ t draw from their own savings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cash ( specifically the dollar ) , and had strict controls put on external transfers out of the country .
This as the local Lebanese lira had effectively collapsed .
Lebanese officials estimate that the explosion resulted in between three and five billion dollars worth of destruction , and many thousands of people left homeless given whole buildings were destroyed .

The expected protests and riots have broken out in Beirut at the end of a week in which families mourned the over 150 killed in Tuesday’s blast centered on the port, which it’s now been revealed was the result of years of negligence by authorities who allowed 2,750 metric tons of ammonium nitrate to be unsafely stored right alongside a large stash of impounded fireworks.
Like the years-long banking crisis, the government is seen as directly responsible for this week’s epic tragedy, also given the lengthy paper trail showing multiple officials and entities begged the government to do something about the explosive substance stored so near a densely populated area.
But Lebanese now taking to the streets this weekend could care less about the fine points buck passing among the political class as now a tsunami of rage is being unleashed, additionally as the economy is in shambles with record unemployment.
On Saturday local TV stations showed footage of thousands of protesters occupying at least four government ministry buildings in downtown Beirut.
This time we're not going anywhere pic.twitter.com/tIqukej8IH — Nizar Hassan || ???? ??? (@Nizhsn) August 8, 2020
An estimated ten thousand clashed with police, which reportedly involved shots fired, in mayhem that also left at least one police officer dead.
And Reuters reports that the country’s banking sector remains target of the people’s rage:
“Lebanese protesters stormed government ministries in Beirut and trashed the offices of the Association of Lebanese Banks on Saturday, TV footage showed, as shots were fired in growing protests over this week’s devastating explosion,” according to the report.
Already the growing number of injuries are an indicator of just how fierce this round of protests promises to be:
The Red Cross said it had treated 117 people for injuries on the scene while another 55 were taken to hospital. A fire broke out in central Martyrs’ Square. Dozens of protesters broke into the foreign ministry where they burnt a framed portrait of President Michel Aoun, representative for many of a political class that has ruled Lebanon for decades and that they say is to blame for its deep political and economic crises.
It appears that going into the night the ministries now “taken over” the protesters include the Foreign Affairs, Environment, and Energy ministry buildings, as well as the Ministry of Economy.
Chants of “the people want the fall of the regime” as well as the burning of portraits of top Lebanese leaders and politicians, such as of President Michel Aoun could be observed during mass demonstrations at Martyr’s Square.
Massive, massive anti-government protests in Beirut today. pic.twitter.com/hJAmc5VFui — Joshua Potash (@JoshuaPotash) August 8, 2020
Responding to the pressure and popular anger, Prime Minister Hassan Diab called for early parliamentary elections and a two month transition period.
“We cannot get out of this crisis without early parliamentary elections,” Diab said in a televised address.
Breaking: Video shows the scene of anti-government protests in Beirut, Lebanon. Over 100 protesters have been injured during the protests. pic.twitter.com/YXmBsX7hyo — PM Breaking News (@PMBreakingNews) August 8, 2020
Reuters describes further of Saturday’s mayhem in the streets:
The protesters said their politicians should be hanged and punished over their negligence that they say led to Tuesday’s gigantic explosion that killed 158 people and injured more than 6,000. The protesters chanted , reprising a popular chant from the Arab Spring uprisings of 2011. They held posters saying “Leave, you are all killers”.
Lebanon is still at the height of abanking and currency crisis which previously saw unprecedented restrictions put on patrons of banks: they couldn’t draw from their own savings accounts on fears of a run on cash (specifically the dollar), and had strict controls put on external transfers out of the country. This as the local Lebanese lira had effectively collapsed.
Lebanese officials estimate that the explosion resulted in between three and five billion dollars worth of destruction, and many thousands of people left homeless given whole buildings were destroyed.
Craziest Beirut explosion angle pic.twitter.com/jTXstVCMB1 — ? Josh Lekach ? (@JoshLekach) August 7, 2020
One thing is for certain: expect much more protests and unrest to come.
Republished from ZeroHedge.com with permission


wearechange--2020-08-08--Fauci Admits COVID-19 Vaccine May Only Be “50% or 60%” Effective

Dr. Anthony Fauci , the top U.S. infectious diseases expert ( and untouchable purveyor of all that is true and holy in ‘ science ’ today ) , told a Brown University panel on Friday that probabilities of a highly effective COVID-19 vaccine “ are not great.
” “ We don ’ t know yet what the efficacy might be .
We don ’ t know if it will be 50 % or 60 % .
I ’ d like it to be 75 % or more , ” Fauci said ( quoted by Reuters ) .
“ But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not great , which means you must never abandon the public health approach.
” Fauci reiterated that the public must abide by these six fundamental principles to flatten the pandemic curve : Interestingly , Fauci inched towards the idea of herd immunity and humans ’ own natural defense mechanisms ( which of course , in political circles is frowned upon since one more death from COVID is too many ) .
“ We know the body is capable of making a good response and the reason we know is because we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and do well , ” he said .
“ So the goal of a vaccine is to do as well or hopefully better than natural infection when inducing a good response.
” Once a vaccine is proven and mass-produced , he said it would be prioritized to healthcare workers , elderly , and those with underlying health conditions .
He said Moderna Inc ’ s COVID-19 vaccine , currently in clinical trials , could produce definitive data sometime in 4Q20 .
Fauci told Reuters that millions of doses could be available by early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of the year .
His latest comments come after he also recently questioned the “ durability ” of the vaccine , adding that it may not shield someone from the infection on a long-term basis .
Readers may recall pharmaceutical companies developing COVID-19 vaccines will be exempt from liability claims if adverse effects are seen .
In other words , if an experimental vaccine , mass-produced for the public accidentally kills folks , big pharma will not be held accountable .
Meanwhile , the world ’ s asset-gatherers and commission-rakers ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccines with the most optimistic forecast ever , indicating Thursday the country could have vaccines before the election .
Fauci ’ s comments are certainly at odds with the optimism that seems widespread among many talking heads that “ everything can return to normal once we have a vaccine.
” Additionally , as we noted previously , a new Yahoo News/YouGov poll has found that just 42 percent of Americans say they plan to get a coronavirus vaccine when it becomes available .
The figure represents an all time low , having fallen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 percent in late May , and 46 percent in July .
When asked “ If and when a coronavirus vaccine becomes available , will you get vaccinated ?
” many fewer Americans across the political spectrum answered in the affirmative .
Only a majority of Democrats now plan to get vaccinated , with 55 % saying they will still take the jab .
Among Republicans , only 37 % say they are willing to get vaccinated , with even fewer independents , 34 % , willing to take the vaccine .

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious diseases expert (and untouchable purveyor of all that is true and holy in ‘science’ today), told a Brown University panel on Friday that probabilities of a highly effective COVID-19 vaccine “are not great.”
“We don’t know yet what the efficacy might be. We don’t know if it will be 50% or 60%. I’d like it to be 75% or more,” Fauci said (quoted by Reuters). “But the chances of it being 98% effective is not great, which means you must never abandon the public health approach.”
Fauci reiterated that the public must abide by these six fundamental principles to flatten the pandemic curve:
Universal wearing of a mask
Physical distancing
Avoiding crowds
Outdoors is “better” than indoors
Washing your hands
Staying away from bars
Interestingly, Fauci inched towards the idea of herd immunity and humans’ own natural defense mechanisms (which of course, in political circles is frowned upon since one more death from COVID is too many).
“We know the body is capable of making a good response and the reason we know is because we have so many people who clear the virus and do well,” he said. “So the goal of a vaccine is to do as well or hopefully better than natural infection when inducing a good response.”
Once a vaccine is proven and mass-produced, he said it would be prioritized to healthcare workers, elderly, and those with underlying health conditions.
“The thing you can do now is to make sure that resources are concentrated geographically to those demographic groups that are clearly at higher risk of infection so they can get immediate testing, immediate results, immediate access to healthcare,” Fauci said.
He said Moderna Inc’s COVID-19 vaccine, currently in clinical trials, could produce definitive data sometime in 4Q20.
Fauci told Reuters that millions of doses could be available by early 2021, and hundreds of millions by the end of the year.
His latest comments come after he also recently questioned the “durability” of the vaccine, adding that it may not shield someone from the infection on a long-term basis.
Readers may recall pharmaceutical companies developing COVID-19 vaccines will be exempt from liability claims if adverse effects are seen. In other words, if an experimental vaccine, mass-produced for the public accidentally kills folks, big pharma will not be held accountable.
Meanwhile, the world’s asset-gatherers and commission-rakers (and the Trump administration) is hyping vaccines with the most optimistic forecast ever, indicating Thursday the country could have vaccines before the election.
Fauci’s comments are certainly at odds with the optimism that seems widespread among many talking heads that “everything can return to normal once we have a vaccine.”
Additionally, as we noted previously, a new Yahoo News/YouGov poll has found that just 42 percent of Americans say they plan to get a coronavirus vaccine when it becomes available.
The figure represents an all time low, having fallen from 55 percent in early May, 50 percent in late May, and 46 percent in July.
When asked “If and when a coronavirus vaccine becomes available, will you get vaccinated?” many fewer Americans across the political spectrum answered in the affirmative.
Only a majority of Democrats now plan to get vaccinated, with 55% saying they will still take the jab.
Among Republicans, only 37% say they are willing to get vaccinated, with even fewer independents, 34%, willing to take the vaccine.
Here’s the full conversation:
Republished from ZeroHedge.com with permission


wearechange--2020-08-09--Inmate Released Due to Virus Kills Woman Who Accused Him of Rape

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

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


wearechange--2020-08-09--Rape Suspect Released From Jail Due to Virus Kills Woman Who Accused Him


wearechange--2020-08-10--Civil Unrest Is Exactly What They Need. And It’s Happening In Chicago!

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wearechange--2020-08-10--With 194 Billion Masks and Gloves Used Monthly, New Wave of Plastic Pollution Hits Oceans, Beaches

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

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


wearechange--2020-08-10--California to Pay COVID-Positive People $1,250 to “Stay at Home and Self-Isolate”

California has now approved a pilot plan to pay $ 1,250 to anyone who tests positive for coronavirus to encourage them to “ stay at home and self isolate ” .
Alameda County ’ s Board of Supervisors has set aside $ 10 million for the program , which will allow payments to 7,500 people , according to the Daily Mail .
The program was approved as the county hit a new high in daily coronavirus cases and as California continues to “ struggle ” to contain the outbreak in its state .
The program is being “ welcomed ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ ll help those in working class areas stay at home and not spread the virus by leaving the house .
Andrea Schwab-Galindo , CEO of Tiburcio Vasquez Health Center in Hayward commented : “ Literally every single person that we have spoken to through our contract tracing program , they have all asked for either food , help with rent , or access to be enrolled in healthcare .
Most people that test positive are usually the members that are out there working and able to do that.
” She continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ construction workers , they are grocery workers , so they are more exposed compared to some of the other family members they are trying to support , including their children.
” Resident Robert Mangrobang also embraced the program , stating : “ Yeah , whatever makes it a lot easier for people to deal with this pandemic would be great .
Twelve hundred dollars or even more would be ideal for comforting a lot of families.
” In order to qualify for the assistance , people who test positive must not be receiving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the program will require a referral from one of the five approved clinics in the county .
The board hopes the program will assist independent contractors , “ people who are paid under the table ” and “ undocumented workers ” .
Alameda County saw a large spike in cases on Wednesday , with 321 new cases reported .
This was a new daily record for the county .
The area has a 28 % positivity testing rate .
For some reason , we bet that number rises .

California has now approved a pilot plan to pay $1,250 to anyone who tests positive for coronavirus to encourage them to “stay at home and self isolate”.
Alameda County’s Board of Supervisors has set aside $10 million for the program, which will allow payments to 7,500 people, according to the Daily Mail. The program was approved as the county hit a new high in daily coronavirus cases and as California continues to “struggle” to contain the outbreak in its state.
The program is being “welcomed” by local healthcare providers, who say it’ll help those in working class areas stay at home and not spread the virus by leaving the house.
Andrea Schwab-Galindo, CEO of Tiburcio Vasquez Health Center in Hayward commented: “Literally every single person that we have spoken to through our contract tracing program, they have all asked for either food, help with rent, or access to be enrolled in healthcare. Most people that test positive are usually the members that are out there working and able to do that.”
She continued: “You know, they are construction workers, they are grocery workers, so they are more exposed compared to some of the other family members they are trying to support, including their children.”
Resident Robert Mangrobang also embraced the program, stating: “Yeah, whatever makes it a lot easier for people to deal with this pandemic would be great. Twelve hundred dollars or even more would be ideal for comforting a lot of families.”
In order to qualify for the assistance, people who test positive must not be receiving unemployment or sick leave. Approval for the program will require a referral from one of the five approved clinics in the county. The board hopes the program will assist independent contractors, “people who are paid under the table” and “undocumented workers”.
Alameda County saw a large spike in cases on Wednesday, with 321 new cases reported. This was a new daily record for the county.
The area has a 28% positivity testing rate. For some reason, we bet that number rises.
Republished from ZeroHedge.com with permission


wearechange--2020-08-12--Food Banks Struggle as Economy Falls Off Fiscal Cliff

The latest economic data suggest the US recovery stalled .
One look at the Citi US econ surprise index , as of this week , shows the recovery ran out of steam last month .
A fiscal cliff is already underway , set to enter the second week on Friday ( Aug. 14 ) as tens of millions of Americans are unemployed and have yet to receive their stimulus checks .
The recovery , so far , is a massive economic sugar rush , entirely a function of the Trump administration on a reckless spending spree .
One way the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issuing direct transfer payments to the working poor .
The extra money has been used by households to pay down credit card bills , put food on the table , and pay housing expenses , while others used the free money to buy automobiles and FANG stocks .
President Trump signed an executive order over the weekend to fund another round of stimulus checks of approximately $ 400 per week , a reduction from the $ 600 federal aid seen in the first round from March to the end of July .
Massive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ welfare state under the GOP watch .
Tea Party politicians aren ’ t pleased with the Republican establishment ’ s wild spending spree .
With a fiscal cliff coming up on the second week , tens of millions of folks are unable to consume because they are insolvent and jobless , and their amount of consumption is dependent on the government .
We ’ ve noted before , a quarter of all household income is derived from the government .
And with no stimulus checks in the mail , that means Americans are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who manages a network of food-security groups in Ohio County , West Virginia , told Bloomberg when stimulus checks stopped arriving in late July , there was an immediate impact on households , resulting in rising food bank activity among the working poor .
The fiscal cliff will be more damaging in lower-income communities ( than major metros ) , such as small towns in West Virginia , where folks were being paid handsomely by the federal government to sit at home .
The problem is , once the payments end , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return to a recessionary environment .
With federal aid already running out for the stimulus program , the fiscal cliff has already been realized in West Virginia : Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Monday the next round of stimulus checks could take a couple of weeks to distribute , which would suggest households might not receive their stimulus checks until the end of August .
Days before the stimulus program ended ( late July ) , a sizeable food bank line appeared in Baltimore , Maryland .
The economic crisis is far from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depressionary unemployment levels will continue into the election .
Many folks are dependent on direct transfer payments from the government and food banks for survival .
Who would ’ ve ever thought this would be the case in the “ greatest economy ever .
”

The latest economic data suggest the US recovery stalled. One look at the Citi US econ surprise index, as of this week, shows the recovery ran out of steam last month. A fiscal cliff is already underway, set to enter the second week on Friday (Aug. 14) as tens of millions of Americans are unemployed and have yet to receive their stimulus checks.
The recovery, so far, is a massive economic sugar rush, entirely a function of the Trump administration on a reckless spending spree. One way the administration can artificially supercharge consumption is through issuing direct transfer payments to the working poor. The extra money has been used by households to pay down credit card bills, put food on the table, and pay housing expenses, while others used the free money to buy automobiles and FANG stocks.
President Trump signed an executive order over the weekend to fund another round of stimulus checks of approximately $400 per week, a reduction from the $600 federal aid seen in the first round from March to the end of July.
Massive federal spending has transformed America into a welfare state under the GOP watch. Tea Party politicians aren’t pleased with the Republican establishment’s wild spending spree.
With a fiscal cliff coming up on the second week, tens of millions of folks are unable to consume because they are insolvent and jobless, and their amount of consumption is dependent on the government. We’ve noted before, a quarter of all household income is derived from the government. And with no stimulus checks in the mail, that means Americans are returning to food banks:
Claudia Raymer, who manages a network of food-security groups in Ohio County, West Virginia, told Bloomberg when stimulus checks stopped arriving in late July, there was an immediate impact on households, resulting in rising food bank activity among the working poor.
The fiscal cliff will be more damaging in lower-income communities (than major metros), such as small towns in West Virginia, where folks were being paid handsomely by the federal government to sit at home. The problem is, once the payments end, consumption plunges, and the local communities return to a recessionary environment. With federal aid already running out for the stimulus program, the fiscal cliff has already been realized in West Virginia:
“We’ve definitely already seen food-security needs increase, just in a week, since the extra unemployment has ended,” Raymer said.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Monday the next round of stimulus checks could take a couple of weeks to distribute, which would suggest households might not receive their stimulus checks until the end of August.
Days before the stimulus program ended (late July), a sizeable food bank line appeared in Baltimore, Maryland.
behind the scenes: food bank line in Baltimore just getting started – a lot of hungry and broke families as fiscal cliff begins pic.twitter.com/30C1OBJDSP — Alastair Williamson (@StockBoardAsset) July 26, 2020
The economic crisis is far from over. Households are entirely screwed as depressionary unemployment levels will continue into the election. Many folks are dependent on direct transfer payments from the government and food banks for survival. Who would’ve ever thought this would be the case in the “greatest economy ever.”
Republished from ZeroHedge.com with permission


wearechange--2020-08-11--Vladimir Putin Says Russia Has Developed The World’s First Cure

In this video , we discuss whether Putin may have the treatment the world needs and go over more of @ @ @ @ @ US .
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wearechange--2020-08-11--Washington Post Columnist Shreds NBC for Spouting Chinese Propaganda on Wuhan Lab

On Monday , NBC News published a puff-piece for the Wuhan Institute of Virology – giving the controversial lab which ‘ could pass for a college campus ’ a glowing review after a five-hour visit and interviews with several employees .
The report slams the Trump administration for showing “ no credible proof to back up claims that the coronavirus was either manufactured at or accidentally leaked from the lab , ” while helping the CCP dispute an April Washington Post report over US Embassy cables warning of safety issues at the facility .
The author of that WaPo piece @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBC News over their report – which he says contains ‘ several errors.
’ Wang Yanyi , director of the WIV , told NBC reporters the U.S. officials visited in March 2018 , two months after the first cable was written .
The truth is they visited three times , both before and after the Jan. 2018 cable .
Did U.S. officials make an entire visit ?
Not likely.. That calls into question Wang ’ s credibility .
She also says biosafety was not discussed .
Again , calling several U.S. diplomats fabricators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But there ’ s more… The NBC reporters toured the lab , as if that would tell them anything .
What did they expect to find , a piece of paper they forgot to throw out that says “ Coronavirus Origin Evidence ” ?
It ’ s absurd to think that has any probative value .
But there ’ s more… This , from Yuan , the Wuhan institute ’ s vice director is interesting and true : “ So far , there is no evidence to show that the novel coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seafood Market in Wuhan .
” No evidence .
Overall , the Chinese scientists can ’ t be blamed for toeing the Party line .
They deviate from that under penalty of death .
But U.S. news organizations must do better than presenting a walk around a lab and an interview with falsehoods in it as telling us anything about the virus .
Rogin then explains why the truth matters :

On Monday, NBC News published a puff-piece for the Wuhan Institute of Virology – giving the controversial lab which ‘could pass for a college campus’ a glowing review after a five-hour visit and interviews with several employees.
The report slams the Trump administration for showing “no credible proof to back up claims that the coronavirus was either manufactured at or accidentally leaked from the lab,” while helping the CCP dispute an April Washington Post report over US Embassy cables warning of safety issues at the facility.
The author of that WaPo piece, Josh Rogin, has just shredded NBC News over their report – which he says contains ‘several errors.’
The NBC story says that U.S. officials "said they observed" serious safety issues at the lab. That's just wrong. The officials reported the Wuhan Institute of Virology scientists TOLD THEM about the safety issues. https://t.co/kgwc21YwBP There's more… — Josh Rogin (@joshrogin) August 10, 2020
Rogin continues (condensed thread via Twitter, emphasis ours):
Wang Yanyi, director of the WIV, told NBC reporters the U.S. officials visited in March 2018, two months after the first cable was written. The truth is they visited three times, both before and after the Jan. 2018 cable. Did U.S. officials make an entire visit? Not likely.. That calls into question Wang’s credibility. She also says biosafety was not discussed. Again, calling several U.S. diplomats fabricators? NBC reports that without any pushback . But there’s more… The NBC reporters toured the lab, as if that would tell them anything. What did they expect to find, a piece of paper they forgot to throw out that says “Coronavirus Origin Evidence”? It’s absurd to think that has any probative value. But there’s more…
The NBC piece also launders more warped logic by Peter Daszak, who has a direct conflict of interest. "The fact that they published the sequence so quickly suggests to me that they weren't trying to cover up anything." Or, maybe they were so quick because they recognized it. — Josh Rogin (@joshrogin) August 10, 2020
This, from Yuan, the Wuhan institute’s vice director is interesting and true: “ So far, there is no evidence to show that the novel coronavirus jumped from animals to people in Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan. ” No evidence. Overall, the Chinese scientists can’t be blamed for toeing the Party line. They deviate from that under penalty of death. But U.S. news organizations must do better than presenting a walk around a lab and an interview with falsehoods in it as telling us anything about the virus.
Rogin then explains why the truth matters:
The actual origin story is critically important scientifically to understanding how the outbreak started and therefore how to fight it and how to prevent the next one. Should we spend our time shutting down wet markets or stopping risky bat research? Get it? — Josh Rogin (@joshrogin) August 10, 2020
Republished from ZeroHedge.com with permission


wearechange--2020-08-11--New Report Reveals US Special Forces Active in 22 African Countries

A new report published in South African newspaper The Mail and Guardian has shed light on the opaque world of the American military presence in Africa .
Last year , elite U.S. Special Operations forces were active in 22 African countries .
This accounts for 14 percent of all American commandos deployed overseas , the largest number for any region besides the Middle East .
American troops had also seen combat in 13 African nations .
The U.S. is not formally at war with an African nation , and the continent is barely discussed in reference to American exploits around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operatives die in Africa , as happened in Niger , Mali , and Somalia in 2018 , the response from the public , and even from the media is often “ why are American soldiers there in the first place ?
” The presence of the U.S. military , especially commandos , is rarely publicly acknowledged , either by Washington or by African governments .
What they are doing remains even more opaque .
U.S. Africa Command ( AFRICOM ) generally claims that special forces go no further than so-called “ AAA ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missions .
Yet in combat , the role between observer and participant can become distinctly blurry .
The United States has roughly 6,000 military personnel scattered throughout the continent , with military attachés outnumbering diplomats in many embassies across Africa .
Earlier this year , The Intercept reported that the military operates 29 bases on the continent .
One of these is a huge drone hub in Niger , something The Hill called “ the largest U.S. Air Force-led construction project of all time.
” The construction cost alone was over $ 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to top $ 280 billion by 2024 .
Equipped with Reaper drones , the U.S. can now conduct cross border bombing raids all over the North and West of Africa .
Washington claims that the military ’ s primary role in the region is to combat the rise of extremist forces .
In recent years , a number of Jihadist groups have arisen , including Al-Shabaab , Boko Haram , and other al-Qaeda affiliated groups .
However , much of the reason for their rise can be traced back to previous American actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Somalia , and the overthrow of Colonel Gaddafi in Libya .
It is also clear that the United States plays a key role in training many nations ’ soldiers and security forces .
For example , the U.S. pays Bancroft International , a private military contractor , to train elite Somali units who are at the forefront of the fighting in the country ’ s internal conflicts .
According to The Mail and Guardian , these Somali fighters are likely also funded by the U.S. taxpayer .
While training foreign armed forces in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , unremarkable activity , the U.S. government also spent decades instructing tens of thousands of Latin American military and police in what they called “ internal security ” at the notorious School of the Americas at Fort Benning , GA ( now rebranded as the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security ) .
Recruits in the twentieth century were instructed on internal repression and told that a communist menace lied around every corner , meting out brutal repression on their own populations once returning .
Likewise , with counter-terrorism training , the line between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ protester ” can often be debatable .
The U.S. military also occupies the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean , claimed by the African island nation of Mauritius .
In the 1960s and 1970s , the British government expelled the entire local population , dumping them in slums in Mauritius , where most still live .
The United States uses the island as a military base and a nuclear weapons station .
The island was critical to American military activities during both Iraq Wars and continues to be a major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Middle East , East Africa , and South Asia .
While there is much talk , ( or more accurately , condemnation ) in Western media of China ’ s imperialist motives in Africa , there is less discussion of the U.S. ’ continuing role .
While China operates one base in the Horn of Africa and has greatly increased its economic role on the continent , the thousands of American troops operating in dozens of countries are overlooked .
The amazing thing about the American Empire is it is invisible to @ @ @ @ @ @

A new report published in South African newspaper The Mail and Guardian has shed light on the opaque world of the American military presence in Africa. Last year, elite U.S. Special Operations forces were active in 22 African countries. This accounts for 14 percent of all American commandos deployed overseas, the largest number for any region besides the Middle East. American troops had also seen combat in 13 African nations.
The U.S. is not formally at war with an African nation, and the continent is barely discussed in reference to American exploits around the globe. Therefore, when U.S. operatives die in Africa, as happened in Niger, Mali, and Somalia in 2018, the response from the public, and even from the media is often “why are American soldiers there in the first place?”
The presence of the U.S. military, especially commandos, is rarely publicly acknowledged, either by Washington or by African governments. What they are doing remains even more opaque. U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) generally claims that special forces go no further than so-called “AAA” (advise, assist and accompany) missions. Yet in combat, the role between observer and participant can become distinctly blurry.
The United States has roughly 6,000 military personnel scattered throughout the continent, with military attachés outnumbering diplomats in many embassies across Africa. Earlier this year, The Intercept reported that the military operates 29 bases on the continent. One of these is a huge drone hub in Niger, something The Hill called “the largest U.S. Air Force-led construction project of all time.” The construction cost alone was over $100 million, with total operating costs expected to top $280 billion by 2024. Equipped with Reaper drones, the U.S. can now conduct cross border bombing raids all over the North and West of Africa.
Washington claims that the military’s primary role in the region is to combat the rise of extremist forces. In recent years, a number of Jihadist groups have arisen, including Al-Shabaab, Boko Haram, and other al-Qaeda affiliated groups. However, much of the reason for their rise can be traced back to previous American actions, including the destabilization of Yemen, Somalia, and the overthrow of Colonel Gaddafi in Libya.
It is also clear that the United States plays a key role in training many nations’ soldiers and security forces. For example, the U.S. pays Bancroft International, a private military contractor, to train elite Somali units who are at the forefront of the fighting in the country’s internal conflicts. According to The Mail and Guardian, these Somali fighters are likely also funded by the U.S. taxpayer.
While training foreign armed forces in basic tactics might sound like a bland, unremarkable activity, the U.S. government also spent decades instructing tens of thousands of Latin American military and police in what they called “internal security” at the notorious School of the Americas at Fort Benning, GA (now rebranded as the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security). Recruits in the twentieth century were instructed on internal repression and told that a communist menace lied around every corner, meting out brutal repression on their own populations once returning. Likewise, with counter-terrorism training, the line between “terrorist” “militant” and “protester” can often be debatable.
The U.S. military also occupies the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, claimed by the African island nation of Mauritius. In the 1960s and 1970s, the British government expelled the entire local population, dumping them in slums in Mauritius, where most still live. The United States uses the island as a military base and a nuclear weapons station. The island was critical to American military activities during both Iraq Wars and continues to be a major threat, casting a nuclear shadow over the Middle East, East Africa, and South Asia.
While there is much talk, (or more accurately, condemnation) in Western media of China’s imperialist motives in Africa, there is less discussion of the U.S.’ continuing role. While China operates one base in the Horn of Africa and has greatly increased its economic role on the continent, the thousands of American troops operating in dozens of countries are overlooked. The amazing thing about the American Empire is it is invisible to so many who serve it.
Republished from MintPressNews.com under Creative Commons


wearechange--2020-08-13--Attacking Retail Workers Trying to Enforce Mask Rules is Now a Felony in Illinois

People who lash out at employees trying to enforce company policies requiring masks and physical distancing could face felony charges under a new law passed by the state of Illinois .
Last week , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker passed SB 471 that enhances penalties against anyone who assaults a worker who is “ conveying public health guidance , ” or urging customers to wear protective face coverings or follow social distancing rules .
Under the new law , which went into effect immediately , those who assault or batter retail workers will face aggravated battery – which is usually a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the governor ’ s office , the new aggravated battery rule was presented as building on the state ’ s efforts to protect communities and frontline workers from the still-raging pandemic .
“ This provision sends the message that it ’ s vitally important for workers to be both respected and protected while serving on the front lines , ” the governor ’ s office said in a statement on the new law .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) have issued official health guidance urging U.S. residents to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public in lieu of or in addition to physical distancing measures meant to mitigate the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
Despite the advice – and numerous studies showing how face coverings are a simple way to help prevent person-to-person transmission of COVID-19 – a spate of violent disturbances have broken out across the country , with angry customers throwing tantrums , violently resisting mask rules and assaulting retail workers or fellow shoppers .
A recent nationwide survey of 4,187 McDonald ’ s workers by the Service Employees International Union ( SEIU ) found that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been verbally or physically assaulted after confronting customers who weren ’ t wearing masks , reports Business Insider .
Earlier this month , a woman in New Jersey attacked another customer who urged her to cover her nose and mouth with her mask .
Last month in Washington , a man pulled his gun on another customer who asked him to wear a face mask .
In another July incident , a woman in Oklahoma hurled boxes of shoes at employees in a Skechers store after she was informed several times that she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a man shopping at a Target store in Los Angeles broke an employee ’ s arm during an argument over mask rules .
While in June , video spread showing an angry Florida man fighting his way into a Walmart in Orlando after workers informed him that he couldn ’ t enter the store without a mask .
The man allegedly bit one of the workers .
Dozens of other videos have also emerged online of customers angrily accosting , threatening or assaulting customers and workers over the issue of masks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers put their lives at risk for us to stay safe , and it is clear that we have to continue to do better to protect working-class people with a renewed commitment to providing basic rights for everyone , ” said Democratic State Senator and Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford .
Illinois has required residents who leave their homes to wear masks since May , and businesses that refuse to comply with mask requirements also face fines of anywhere between $ 75 and $ 2,500 .
The state also passed a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and child care establishments that ignore mandates on face coverings and limits on the size of gatherings .
On Sunday , Pritzker held a press conference where he was accompanied by Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike , who urged lawmakers to back the governor ’ s push for mask compliance measures .
“ We ’ re dealing with a deadly virus , ” Ezike said .
“ 7,636 individuals have lost their fight with COVID .
That ’ s a cold hard fact .
If there ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctors and the nurses that fought to try to save them .
Ask their grieving loved ones.
” “ We ’ ve learned that wearing a face covering will help reduce the spread of the virus , ” Ezike added .
“ Is it 100 percent effective at stopping the spread ?
No .
But will it help ?
It absolutely will .
”

People who lash out at employees trying to enforce company policies requiring masks and physical distancing could face felony charges under a new law passed by the state of Illinois.
Last week, Gov. J.B. Pritzker passed SB 471 that enhances penalties against anyone who assaults a worker who is “conveying public health guidance,” or urging customers to wear protective face coverings or follow social distancing rules.
Under the new law, which went into effect immediately, those who assault or batter retail workers will face aggravated battery – which is usually a felony.
In a press release from the governor’s office, the new aggravated battery rule was presented as building on the state’s efforts to protect communities and frontline workers from the still-raging pandemic.
“This provision sends the message that it’s vitally important for workers to be both respected and protected while serving on the front lines,” the governor’s office said in a statement on the new law.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued official health guidance urging U.S. residents to always wear a cloth face mask in public in lieu of or in addition to physical distancing measures meant to mitigate the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Despite the advice – and numerous studies showing how face coverings are a simple way to help prevent person-to-person transmission of COVID-19 – a spate of violent disturbances have broken out across the country, with angry customers throwing tantrums, violently resisting mask rules and assaulting retail workers or fellow shoppers.
A recent nationwide survey of 4,187 McDonald’s workers by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) found that 44 percent of respondents said they have been verbally or physically assaulted after confronting customers who weren’t wearing masks, reports Business Insider.
Earlier this month, a woman in New Jersey attacked another customer who urged her to cover her nose and mouth with her mask.
Last month in Washington, a man pulled his gun on another customer who asked him to wear a face mask.
In another July incident, a woman in Oklahoma hurled boxes of shoes at employees in a Skechers store after she was informed several times that she must wear a mask.
So this happened at work today…? stupid Karens. All we wanted was for her to wear a mask lol I hope this lady is embarrassed of herself and her actions. Posted by Myah Joycelynn on Wednesday, July 8, 2020
In May, a man shopping at a Target store in Los Angeles broke an employee’s arm during an argument over mask rules.
While in June, video spread showing an angry Florida man fighting his way into a Walmart in Orlando after workers informed him that he couldn’t enter the store without a mask. The man allegedly bit one of the workers.
Dozens of other videos have also emerged online of customers angrily accosting, threatening or assaulting customers and workers over the issue of masks, including in Illinois.
“Our essential workers put their lives at risk for us to stay safe, and it is clear that we have to continue to do better to protect working-class people with a renewed commitment to providing basic rights for everyone,” said Democratic State Senator and Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford.
Illinois has required residents who leave their homes to wear masks since May, and businesses that refuse to comply with mask requirements also face fines of anywhere between $75 and $2,500. The state also passed a new rule imposing fines on businesses, schools, and child care establishments that ignore mandates on face coverings and limits on the size of gatherings.
On Sunday, Pritzker held a press conference where he was accompanied by Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike, who urged lawmakers to back the governor’s push for mask compliance measures.
“We’re dealing with a deadly virus,” Ezike said. “7,636 individuals have lost their fight with COVID. That’s a cold hard fact. If there’s any debate about that, ask the doctors and the nurses that fought to try to save them. Ask their grieving loved ones.”
“We’ve learned that wearing a face covering will help reduce the spread of the virus,” Ezike added. “Is it 100 percent effective at stopping the spread? No. But will it help? It absolutely will.”
Republished from TheMindUnleashed.com with permission


wearechange--2020-08-12--Why Kamala Harris Is More Of A Horrible Monster Than I Thought

In this video , we break down Joe Biden ’ s selection of Kamala Harris as his running mate and @ @ @ @ @ in the Ghislaine Maxwell case .
OH YEAH , since we are not corporate or @ @ @ @ @ here .
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In this video, we break down Joe Biden’s selection of Kamala Harris as his running mate and give you an important update in the Ghislaine Maxwell case.
Sign up on lukeunfiltered.com or to check out our store on thebestpoliticalshirts.com.


wearechange--2020-08-12--Ghislaine Maxwell Taken Off Suicide Watch in Prison

Lawyers for Ghislaine Maxwell say she ’ s being “ treated worse ” than similar detainees because prison officials have resorted to extreme measures to keep her alive until trial in just over 330 days .
“ Until recently , Ms. Maxwell was subjected to suicide watch protocols , including being woken up every few hours during the night and being forced to wear special clothing , despite the fact that she , unlike Mr. Epstein , has never been suicidal and was never diagnosed as exhibiting risk factors for suicide , ” wrote her attorneys , adding that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Epstein , Ms. Maxwell is treated worse than other similarly situated pretrial detainees , ” reports Forbes .
Maxwell – who is being held in Brooklyn ’ s federal prison , is accused of abetting deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein ’ s alleged underage sex-trafficking ring , charges she denies .
Epstein – who was being held at Manhattan ’ s Metropolitan Correctional Center ( MCC ) was found dead in his cell on August 10 , 2019 amid a suspicious series of events which included sleeping guards , broken cameras , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Maxwell ’ s attorneys , the British socialite ’ s cell is searched several times per day , and “ she has been forced to undergo numerous body scans.
” The conditions , they argue , prevent Maxwell from preparing for trial and threaten her Sixth Amendment rights guaranteeing participation in her own defense .
Meanwhile , Ghislaine may have trouble cutting a deal according to “ Fox Nation ” host Nancy Grace .
“ What does she really have ?
” Grace asked during an appearance on the “ Fox News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Yes , I know she ’ s got a lot , but let ’ s think this through .
If she ’ s claiming to have videos and photos of wealthy , powerful or influential people having sexual relations with minors , it ’ s my understanding that when Epstein ’ s Manhattan townhome was raided , they found a lot of that in his safe or somewhere on the premises .
If they ’ ve already got that , what could she really give them ?
”

Lawyers for Ghislaine Maxwell say she’s being “treated worse” than similar detainees because prison officials have resorted to extreme measures to keep her alive until trial in just over 330 days.
“Until recently, Ms. Maxwell was subjected to suicide watch protocols, including being woken up every few hours during the night and being forced to wear special clothing, despite the fact that she, unlike Mr. Epstein, has never been suicidal and was never diagnosed as exhibiting risk factors for suicide,” wrote her attorneys, adding that “as a result of what occurred with Mr. Epstein, Ms. Maxwell is treated worse than other similarly situated pretrial detainees,” reports Forbes.
Maxwell – who is being held in Brooklyn’s federal prison, is accused of abetting deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged underage sex-trafficking ring, charges she denies. Epstein – who was being held at Manhattan’s Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) was found dead in his cell on August 10, 2019 amid a suspicious series of events which included sleeping guards, broken cameras, and the removal of his cellmate.
According to Maxwell’s attorneys, the British socialite’s cell is searched several times per day, and “she has been forced to undergo numerous body scans.”
The conditions, they argue, prevent Maxwell from preparing for trial and threaten her Sixth Amendment rights guaranteeing participation in her own defense.
Meanwhile, Ghislaine may have trouble cutting a deal according to “Fox Nation” host Nancy Grace.
“What does she really have?” Grace asked during an appearance on the “Fox News Rundown” podcast on Wednesday.
“”Yes, I know she’s got a lot, but let’s think this through. If she’s claiming to have videos and photos of wealthy, powerful or influential people having sexual relations with minors, it’s my understanding that when Epstein’s Manhattan townhome was raided, they found a lot of that in his safe or somewhere on the premises. If they’ve already got that, what could she really give them?”
Republished from ZeroHedge.com with permission