huffpost--2020-04-03--Government's $2 Trillion Coronavirus Response Stumbles Out The Gate

The national unemployment rate has risen faster than it has in decades , the government announced Friday , as the Trump administration struggled to move forward with new policies to reduce the economic devastation of the coronavirus pandemic .
One week ago , Congress authorized bigger unemployment benefits , $ 1,200 payments to American households and billions of dollars worth of forgivable business loans meant to stave off layoffs .
None of those policies has taken effect , to the frustration of their intended beneficiaries .
President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said the so-called Paycheck Protection Program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ask banks for government-funded loans that would cover payroll costs and be fully forgiven if the company avoids layoffs for eight weeks ― would launch Friday .
But the nation ’ s biggest banks said they weren ’ t ready , and half a dozen business owners told HuffPost on Friday morning that they weren ’ t able to apply for the loans .
“ It ’ s a lot like banging your head in to a wall and not getting anywhere , ” said Scott Cavendish , owner of a craft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We reached out to four separate banks and all we get is , ‘ If you ’ re interested , put your email here and we ’ ll contact you.
’ ” Cavendish said he has already laid off nine of his 12 employees .
The forgivable loans would theoretically allow him to hire them back at no cost , as the government would essentially pay their salaries for eight weeks .
More than 10 million workers nationwide have filed for unemployment insurance benefits in the last two weeks , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in February to 4.4 % ― the fastest increase since 1975 , the Labor Department said .
The early delays don ’ t mean the federal government ’ s response is totally doomed .
But rollout almost certainly won ’ t be as smooth as most people hoped .
Businesses across the country are shuttered to reduce the spread of the coronavirus , which has killed more than 6,000 Americans and is flooding hospitals with sick patients .
The rebate checks coming to most Americans will land in bank accounts within weeks ― @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have filed a federal tax return in the last two years .
Most people who haven ’ t filed recently will have to do so , but many have encountered glitches with online software that won ’ t let them file if they ’ ve had no taxable income .
As a result , the Treasury Department announced this week that it would automatically send checks to anyone who is already receiving Social Security payments .
“ The administration must do more to get this support for workers and businesses as soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( D-Ore. ) said Friday on a press call .
“ We ’ re learning people won ’ t get [ $ 1,200 rebate checks ] for months .
... We won ’ t let that happen when it comes to unemployment insurance.
” Democrats are pressing the Trump administration to issue guidance to states on how to implement the bigger unemployment benefits to people who have lost jobs due to the pandemic .
They also want states to rapidly expand access to the benefits by hiring more people to process claims , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of claims that have choked access to phone lines and websites .
The Department of Labor is still working to get out guidance on the expanded unemployment benefits , which will include an additional $ 600 weekly benefit to anyone out of work because of the pandemic .
The agency released some very crude guidance Thursday night , but it won ’ t be enough to give the state ’ s clear direction in distributing desperately needed cash .
“ The [ agency ] is working as fast as it can , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and put in place policies that make this a workable program , ” said Michele Evermore , a senior policy analyst at the National Employment Law Project .
JPMorgan Chase , the biggest bank in the U.S. , initially said it needed more federal guidance on the Paycheck Protection Program before it could take applications , but later started accepting them from its existing customers .
The second biggest , Bank of America , said it would only take applications from existing customers who had multiple accounts .
“ We ’ re pushing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because businesses are teetering on the brink , ” he said .
“ Speed is of the essence here .
Making sure the banks move quickly and getting the SBA to work with the banks is vital .
I think many , many banking institutions are very eager to be involved here .
”

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The national unemployment rate has risen faster than it has in decades, the government announced Friday, as the Trump administration struggled to move forward with new policies to reduce the economic devastation of the coronavirus pandemic.
One week ago, Congress authorized bigger unemployment benefits, $1,200 payments to American households and billions of dollars worth of forgivable business loans meant to stave off layoffs. None of those policies has taken effect, to the frustration of their intended beneficiaries.
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President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said the so-called Paycheck Protection Program ― which will allow small business owners to ask banks for government-funded loans that would cover payroll costs and be fully forgiven if the company avoids layoffs for eight weeks ― would launch Friday. But the nation’s biggest banks said they weren’t ready, and half a dozen business owners told HuffPost on Friday morning that they weren’t able to apply for the loans.
“It’s a lot like banging your head in to a wall and not getting anywhere,” said Scott Cavendish, owner of a craft brewery in Gastonia, North Carolina. “We reached out to four separate banks and all we get is, ‘If you’re interested, put your email here and we’ll contact you.’”
Cavendish said he has already laid off nine of his 12 employees. The forgivable loans would theoretically allow him to hire them back at no cost, as the government would essentially pay their salaries for eight weeks.
A man carries bags with food as volunteers from City Harvest distribute food in Harlem, New York City, on March 28. KENA BETANCUR via Getty Images
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More than 10 million workers nationwide have filed for unemployment insurance benefits in the last two weeks, and the unemployment rate has risen from 3.5% in February to 4.4% ― the fastest increase since 1975, the Labor Department said.
The early delays don’t mean the federal government’s response is totally doomed. But rollout almost certainly won’t be as smooth as most people hoped. Businesses across the country are shuttered to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, which has killed more than 6,000 Americans and is flooding hospitals with sick patients.
The rebate checks coming to most Americans will land in bank accounts within weeks ― but that’s only for people who have filed a federal tax return in the last two years. Most people who haven’t filed recently will have to do so, but many have encountered glitches with online software that won’t let them file if they’ve had no taxable income. As a result, the Treasury Department announced this week that it would automatically send checks to anyone who is already receiving Social Security payments.
“The administration must do more to get this support for workers and businesses as soon as possible,” Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said Friday on a press call. “We’re learning people won’t get [$1,200 rebate checks] for months. ... We won’t let that happen when it comes to unemployment insurance.”
Democrats are pressing the Trump administration to issue guidance to states on how to implement the bigger unemployment benefits to people who have lost jobs due to the pandemic. They also want states to rapidly expand access to the benefits by hiring more people to process claims, as several states have reported record levels of claims that have choked access to phone lines and websites.
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“It’s gotta be quick. We don’t want a big bureaucracy,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on the call with reporters.
The Department of Labor is still working to get out guidance on the expanded unemployment benefits, which will include an additional $600 weekly benefit to anyone out of work because of the pandemic. The agency released some very crude guidance Thursday night, but it won’t be enough to give the state’s clear direction in distributing desperately needed cash.
Once that guidance comes out, states will still need time to get up and running.
“The [agency] is working as fast as it can, it is very anxious to get everything right and put in place policies that make this a workable program,” said Michele Evermore, a senior policy analyst at the National Employment Law Project.
Meanwhile, millions of Americans are sitting at home without paychecks, and wondering how they’ll pay for food or rent.
JPMorgan Chase, the biggest bank in the U.S., initially said it needed more federal guidance on the Paycheck Protection Program before it could take applications, but later started accepting them from its existing customers. The second biggest, Bank of America, said it would only take applications from existing customers who had multiple accounts.
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The head of the Small Business Administration tweeted Friday afternoon that the program had received more than 5,900 loan applications, collectively worth more than $2 billion. Congress allotted $350 billion for the program.
Schumer sounded an optimistic note, saying he’d heard from several banks that they’re ready to go.
“We’re pushing them to go as quick as possible because businesses are teetering on the brink,” he said. “Speed is of the essence here. Making sure the banks move quickly and getting the SBA to work with the banks is vital. I think many, many banking institutions are very eager to be involved here.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.


huffpost--2020-04-04--Trump Admin Tries To Narrow Stockpile’s Role For States

The change comes as the White House already is facing growing anger and worry from governors over federal assistance to fight the coronavirus outbreak .
But it conforms with President Donald Trump ’ s insistence that the stockpile is only a short-term backup for states , not a commitment to ensure supplies get quickly to those who need them most during an emergency , the latest front in a concerted White House effort to try to put the onus for battling the crisis on the states , with Washington meant to play more of a supporting role .
Trump angrily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference , his early sunny demeanor darkening as he was pressed on expected death rates and his son-in-law Jared Kushner ’ s comments suggesting the national stockpile is not intended for states .
He sparred with reporters and insisted his administration was “ doing our best for New York , ” the pandemic ’ s epicenter , even as Governor Andrew Cuomo warns the state is in danger of not having enough ventilators to help patients stricken with coronavirus in a matter of days .
After saying that states should use their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ And the notion of the federal stockpile was it ’ s supposed to be our stockpile .
It ’ s not supposed to be states ’ stockpiles that they then use.
” Trump on Friday touted the number of supplies it was sending to the states , including 8.1 million masks to New York .
The president also directed FEMA to prevent export of the N95 masks under the Defense Production Act .
In new guidance , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged Americans to wear masks in crowded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but Trump immediately said that he would not personally follow the recommendation .
But the changed version available Friday morning said the stockpile ’ s “ role is to supplement state and local supplies during public health emergencies .
Many states have products stockpiled , as well .
The supplies , medicines , and devices for life-saving care contained in the stockpile can be used as a short-term stopgap buffer when the immediate supply of adequate amounts of these materials may not be immediately available.
” Democratic senators , including Tammy Duckworth of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demanded an immediate investigation into the stockpile .
Rep. Diana DeGette , D-Colo. , called the website alteration “ despicable ” and said the administration “ should be spending every waking moment getting life-saving supplies to our health care providers on the frontlines .
Instead , they ’ re spending valuable time editing the Strategic National Stockpile website.
” Officials at the agency said the change had been in the works for weeks , downplaying any connection to Kushner ’ s comments .
Kushner made his claim during his first appearance at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meant to highlight his growing role in managing the federal response to the pandemic , particularly in delivering vital supplies .
Trump has long insisted that the primary responsibility lies with the states in managing the pandemic .
He has resisted calls to issue a national stay-at-home order and said that he didn ’ t want to overly use his authority to mobilize private companies for the effort , because he believed the states should take the lead in obtaining supplies .
Trump scoffed at New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a virus hotbed .
In neighboring Connecticut , Gov .
Ned Lamont told CNN on Tuesday that the state couldn ’ t get personal protective equipment from the national stockpile and was only able to get 50 ventilators from the federal supply .
He said he was told that he ’ ll have to secure the rest on his own .
Illinois was supposed to receive a federal shipment of 300,000 N95 masks in March , but instead received less-effective surgical masks , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker revealed during a Tuesday briefing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter last week that he had received 170 broken ventilators from the national stockpile , far less than the 10,000 breathing machines he ’ s seeking .
Trump said the mask export ban was necessary to assure that the supplies are available for domestic medical use .
The move came a day after the White House announced Trump invoked the DPA to compel Minnesota-based 3M to make as many N95 masks as FEMA determines are needed .
Meanwhile , the White House on Friday stepped up precautions to protect Trump and Vice President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Anyone who is expected to be in “ close proximity ” to Trump or Pence will be given a new , quick COVID-19 test , White House spokesman Judd Deere said .
All visitors to the White House complex already have their temperatures taken when entering the building and if they will be near either Trump or Pence .
Trump took the new test on Thursday and the White House doctor said results were back in 15 minutes .
He tested negative .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has abruptly changed its description of the Strategic National Stockpile and put forward a narrower vision of the role the federal government’s repository of life-saving medicines and equipment should play in supplying states’ needs.
The change comes as the White House already is facing growing anger and worry from governors over federal assistance to fight the coronavirus outbreak. But it conforms with President Donald Trump’s insistence that the stockpile is only a short-term backup for states, not a commitment to ensure supplies get quickly to those who need them most during an emergency, the latest front in a concerted White House effort to try to put the onus for battling the crisis on the states, with Washington meant to play more of a supporting role.
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Trump angrily defended the approach in his Friday news conference, his early sunny demeanor darkening as he was pressed on expected death rates and his son-in-law Jared Kushner’s comments suggesting the national stockpile is not intended for states. He sparred with reporters and insisted his administration was “doing our best for New York,” the pandemic’s epicenter, even as Governor Andrew Cuomo warns the state is in danger of not having enough ventilators to help patients stricken with coronavirus in a matter of days.
The alteration of the language describing the stockpile was reflected on government websites on Friday, a day after Kushner, a White House senior adviser who has taken a larger role in the coronavirus response, offered a new argument about the supplies.
After saying that states should use their own stockpiles first, Kushner on Thursday said, “And the notion of the federal stockpile was it’s supposed to be our stockpile. It’s not supposed to be states’ stockpiles that they then use.”
And asked what Kushner meant by “our stockpile,” Trump snapped at a reporter, “You know what our means: United States of America...our. Our. It means the United States of America.”
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Trump on Friday touted the number of supplies it was sending to the states, including 8.1 million masks to New York. The president also directed FEMA to prevent export of the N95 masks under the Defense Production Act. In new guidance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged Americans to wear masks in crowded areas, particularly in hot spots, but Trump immediately said that he would not personally follow the recommendation.
Until Friday, the federal Health and Human Services website had described the stockpile as “the nation’s largest supply of life-saving pharmaceuticals and medical supplies for use in a public health emergency severe enough to cause local supplies to run out.
“When state, local, tribal, and territorial responders request federal assistance to support their response efforts, the stockpile ensures that the right medicines and supplies get to those who need them most during an emergency.”
But the changed version available Friday morning said the stockpile’s “role is to supplement state and local supplies during public health emergencies. Many states have products stockpiled, as well. The supplies, medicines, and devices for life-saving care contained in the stockpile can be used as a short-term stopgap buffer when the immediate supply of adequate amounts of these materials may not be immediately available.”
Democratic senators, including Tammy Duckworth of Illinois and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, demanded an immediate investigation into the stockpile. Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., called the website alteration “despicable” and said the administration “should be spending every waking moment getting life-saving supplies to our health care providers on the frontlines. Instead, they’re spending valuable time editing the Strategic National Stockpile website.”
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Officials at the agency said the change had been in the works for weeks, downplaying any connection to Kushner’s comments. Kushner made his claim during his first appearance at the daily White House briefing, a moment meant to highlight his growing role in managing the federal response to the pandemic, particularly in delivering vital supplies.
Trump has long insisted that the primary responsibility lies with the states in managing the pandemic. He has resisted calls to issue a national stay-at-home order and said that he didn’t want to overly use his authority to mobilize private companies for the effort, because he believed the states should take the lead in obtaining supplies.
“I leave it up to the governors,” Trump said Friday about whether every state should have a stay-at-home order. “I like that from the standpoint of governing.”
But in statehouses across the nation, there has been increasing frustration at the lack of assistance from Washington.
Trump scoffed at New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s request for 30,000 ventilators for the state, a virus hotbed. In neighboring Connecticut, Gov. Ned Lamont told CNN on Tuesday that the state couldn’t get personal protective equipment from the national stockpile and was only able to get 50 ventilators from the federal supply. He said he was told that he’ll have to secure the rest on his own.
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States have also reported multiple issues with the equipment the federal government has managed to send.
Illinois was supposed to receive a federal shipment of 300,000 N95 masks in March, but instead received less-effective surgical masks, Gov. J.B. Pritzker revealed during a Tuesday briefing. California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Twitter last week that he had received 170 broken ventilators from the national stockpile, far less than the 10,000 breathing machines he’s seeking.
Trump said the mask export ban was necessary to assure that the supplies are available for domestic medical use. The move came a day after the White House announced Trump invoked the DPA to compel Minnesota-based 3M to make as many N95 masks as FEMA determines are needed.
Meanwhile, the White House on Friday stepped up precautions to protect Trump and Vice President Mike Pence from contracting the new coronavirus. Anyone who is expected to be in “close proximity” to Trump or Pence will be given a new, quick COVID-19 test, White House spokesman Judd Deere said.
All visitors to the White House complex already have their temperatures taken when entering the building and if they will be near either Trump or Pence. Trump took the new test on Thursday and the White House doctor said results were back in 15 minutes. He tested negative.
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huffpost--2020-05-06--Jim Bakker Claims Religious Freedom Shields Him From Fake Coronavirus Cure Lawsuit

O ’ FALLON , Mo .
( AP ) — Missouri-based TV pastor Jim Bakker is asking a judge to dismiss a state lawsuit accusing him of falsely claiming that a health supplement could cure the coronavirus , and the lawyer representing Bakker is former Gov .
Jay Nixon .
Republican Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt sued Bakker and Morningside Church Productions Inc. in early March .
Schmitt sought an injunction ordering Bakker to stop selling Silver Solution as a treatment for the coronavirus on his streaming TV program , The Jim Bakker Show .
The lawsuit said Bakker and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a program on Feb. 12 .
In a court filing on Monday , Nixon — a Democrat who served two terms as governor before leaving office in 2017 , and two terms as attorney general before that — called the lawsuit an assault on Bakker ’ s religious freedom .
“ Jim Bakker is being unfairly targeted by those who want to crush his ministry and force his Christian television program off the air , ” Nixon said in a statement .
“ The video recording of The Jim Bakker Show clearly shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not claim or state that Silver Solution was a cure for COVID-19.
” Missouri 's attorney general sued Jim Bakker in March , seeking an injunction ordering the televangelist to stop selling Silver Solution as a treatment for the coronavirus on his streaming TV program , The Jim Bakker Show .
Schmitt wasn ’ t alone in going after Bakker .
Also in March , U.S. regulators warned Bakker ’ s company and six others to stop selling items using what the government called false claims that they could treat the coronavirus or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent jointly by the Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission warned the companies that their products for treating COVID-19 were fraudulent , “ pose significant risks to patient health and violate federal law.
” There are no approved treatments for the new virus .
Potential treatments and vaccines now in testing won ’ t be ready for many months or even years .
Nixon said Schmitt ’ s lawsuit violated Bakker ’ s constitutional right to free speech , as well as the Missouri Constitution and the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ silver products are commonly sold at stores and online .
“ Targeting a Christian pastor , who has been using and offering the product for the past 10 years , is not supported by the facts or the law , ” Nixon said .
Nixon is now a partner in the St. Louis law firm Dowd Bennett , which along with the Kansas City-based firm Spencer Fane is representing Bakker in the case .

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O’FALLON, Mo. (AP) — Missouri-based TV pastor Jim Bakker is asking a judge to dismiss a state lawsuit accusing him of falsely claiming that a health supplement could cure the coronavirus, and the lawyer representing Bakker is former Gov. Jay Nixon.
Republican Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt sued Bakker and Morningside Church Productions Inc. in early March. Schmitt sought an injunction ordering Bakker to stop selling Silver Solution as a treatment for the coronavirus on his streaming TV program, The Jim Bakker Show. The lawsuit said Bakker and a guest made the cure claim during a program on Feb. 12.
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In a court filing on Monday, Nixon — a Democrat who served two terms as governor before leaving office in 2017, and two terms as attorney general before that — called the lawsuit an assault on Bakker’s religious freedom.
“Jim Bakker is being unfairly targeted by those who want to crush his ministry and force his Christian television program off the air,” Nixon said in a statement. “The video recording of The Jim Bakker Show clearly shows the allegations are false. Bakker did not claim or state that Silver Solution was a cure for COVID-19.”
Missouri's attorney general sued Jim Bakker in March, seeking an injunction ordering the televangelist to stop selling Silver Solution as a treatment for the coronavirus on his streaming TV program, The Jim Bakker Show. Albert L. Ortega via Getty Images
Schmitt wasn’t alone in going after Bakker. Also in March, U.S. regulators warned Bakker’s company and six others to stop selling items using what the government called false claims that they could treat the coronavirus or keep people from catching it. Letters sent jointly by the Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission warned the companies that their products for treating COVID-19 were fraudulent, “pose significant risks to patient health and violate federal law.”
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Nixon said Bakker immediately complied with orders to stop offering Silver Solution on his show and ministry website.
There are no approved treatments for the new virus. Potential treatments and vaccines now in testing won’t be ready for many months or even years.
Nixon said Schmitt’s lawsuit violated Bakker’s constitutional right to free speech, as well as the Missouri Constitution and the state’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act. He said silver products are commonly sold at stores and online.
“Targeting a Christian pastor, who has been using and offering the product for the past 10 years, is not supported by the facts or the law,” Nixon said.
Schmitt’s spokesman, Chris Nuelle, declined comment, citing the ongoing litigation, “except to say we stand by our lawsuit.”
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The hour-long Jim Bakker Show is filmed in southwestern Missouri.


huffpost--2020-05-06--The IRS Sent Stimulus Checks To Dead People, And Yes, It Wants That Money Back

The Internal Revenue Service confirmed Wednesday that dead people do not qualify for coronavirus stimulus payments — despite the fact that there are reports of deceased individuals receiving the funds or checks .
The IRS is now asking survivors of deceased people who received payment to return the funds , issuing instructions on how to do so .
That ’ s likely to include people whose loved ones recently died of COVID-19 .
President Donald Trump 's name appears on the coronavirus economic assistance checks that were sent to citizens across the country .
“ Return the entire payment unless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and one spouse had not died before receipt of the payment , in which case , you only need to return the portion of the payment made on account of the decedent , ” the brief notice on the agency ’ s website reads .
This new information — which is merely provided in response to a frequently asked question on the agency ’ s “ Economic Impact Payment Information Center ” page — comes amid general confusion over the stimulus payments and concerns from Americans who still haven ’ t received theirs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stimulus money out as quickly as possible , many people who filed taxes in the past two years and subsequently died got money , according to CNN .
Politico reports that the IRS had to cross-reference its list of the deceased with death records maintained by the Social Security Administration .
More than 72,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 , many at around the same time the IRS was scrambling to send out millions of checks .
And although the agency did update its website with new information on what to do if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dead person who received a payment , it does not state the consequences of not returning the money .

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The Internal Revenue Service confirmed Wednesday that dead people do not qualify for coronavirus stimulus payments — despite the fact that there are reports of deceased individuals receiving the funds or checks.
The IRS is now asking survivors of deceased people who received payment to return the funds, issuing instructions on how to do so. That’s likely to include people whose loved ones recently died of COVID-19.
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President Donald Trump's name appears on the coronavirus economic assistance checks that were sent to citizens across the country. Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
“Return the entire payment unless the payment was made to joint filers and one spouse had not died before receipt of the payment, in which case, you only need to return the portion of the payment made on account of the decedent,” the brief notice on the agency’s website reads.
This new information — which is merely provided in response to a frequently asked question on the agency’s “Economic Impact Payment Information Center” page — comes amid general confusion over the stimulus payments and concerns from Americans who still haven’t received theirs.
In a rushed effort to get stimulus money out as quickly as possible, many people who filed taxes in the past two years and subsequently died got money, according to CNN.
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A letter bearing the signature of President Donald Trump to people who received a coronavirus economic stimulus payment. Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
Politico reports that the IRS had to cross-reference its list of the deceased with death records maintained by the Social Security Administration. More than 72,000 Americans have died from COVID-19, many at around the same time the IRS was scrambling to send out millions of checks.


huffpost--2020-05-06--Photos Show What One High School Graduation Looks Like During The Coronavirus Pandemic

Things we once took for granted look much different nowadays because of the coronavirus pandemic , and that is definitely @ @ @ @ @ like graduations .
Getty Images photojournalist Scott Olson captured students at Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School @ @ @ @ @ receiving their diplomas in an empty auditorium during a “ socially distanced ” high school @ @ @ @ @ members and friends were not allowed to attend the event , in which 523 students @ @ @ @ @ be streamed for them to view on the school ’ s official graduation day of @ @ @ @ @ from the graduation below .
Above : A student waits to cross the stage to @ @ @ @ @ graduation ceremony at Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School on May 6 , 2020 , in Bradley @ @ @ @ @ to have their pictures taken during the graduation ceremony .
A student has his picture @ @ @ @ @ diploma .
Makeya Butler waits to have her picture taken .
A student picks up @ @ @ @ @ auditorium .
Students wait to walk across the stage to receive their diplomas .

Things we once took for granted look much different nowadays because of the coronavirus pandemic, and that is definitely the case for large celebrations like graduations.
Getty Images photojournalist Scott Olson captured students at Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School in Bradley, Illinois, receiving their diplomas in an empty auditorium during a “socially distanced” high school graduation on Wednesday.
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Family members and friends were not allowed to attend the event, in which 523 students graduated, but it will be streamed for them to view on the school’s official graduation day of May 16.
See photos from the graduation below.
Above: A student waits to cross the stage to receive his diploma during a graduation ceremony at Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School on May 6, 2020, in Bradley, Illinois.
Scott Olson via Getty Images
Kiyah Gonzalez arrives for her graduation ceremony.
Scott Olson via Getty Images
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Students wait to have their pictures taken during the graduation ceremony.
Scott Olson via Getty Images
A student has his picture taken before picking up his diploma.
Scott Olson via Getty Images
Makeya Butler waits to have her picture taken.
Scott Olson via Getty Images
A student picks up her diploma in an empty auditorium.
Scott Olson via Getty Images
Students wait backstage before receiving their diplomas.
Scott Olson via Getty Images
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Ashley Hahn waits in line to receive her diploma.
Scott Olson via Getty Images
Students wait to walk across the stage to receive their diplomas.
Scott Olson via Getty Images


huffpost--2020-04-27--New York Removes Bernie Sanders From The Primary Ballot

“ Their decision is bad .
It ’ s bad for the Democratic party and it ’ s bad for democracy , ” said former Ohio state Sen. Nina Turner , a co-chair of Sanders ’ 2020 bid .
“ It has a chilling effect on democracy as we know it , because the ability of the people to weigh in was stripped from them before they had an opportunity to cast a ballot.
” Although New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ( D ) has issued an executive order allowing every voter in the state to cast an absentee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot application , Spano also cited concerns about how holding an additional election would undermine public health .
New York is due to hold its congressional and state legislative primary elections on June 23 anyway , but the cancelation of the presidential primary means that some 20 counties in the state won ’ t have to administer any contest at all .
“ I ’ ve come to the conclusion that we should minimize the number of people on the ballot , minimize the election for the protection of everybody , but give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections for candidates and not have anyone on the ballot just for the purpose of issues at a convention , ” Spano said .
Many Sanders supporters in New York and across the country only became aware of the little-known provision enabling his removal tucked into the New York budget that became law in early April when HuffPost reported on low-key efforts to keep him on the ballot last Tuesday .
The board had been planning to meet about Sanders ’ removal the following day , but delayed the meeting until Monday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ addressed the fact that the vast majority of the state would still be voting in primaries on June 23 anyway .
In response to the novel coronavirus pandemic in late March , Cuomo postponed the presidential primary from April 28 to June 23 , the day when state residents will vote in congressional and state legislative primaries .
Jacobs conceded that without a presidential primary , turnout in the state is likely to be lower .
From a public health perspective , he considers that one of the benefits of the decision since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not have to open every polling place .
( While New Yorkers can cast absentee ballots by mail , they would still be free to appear in person , necessitating the operation of in-person poll locations . )
Sanders ’ removal from the ballot in delegate-rich New York undermines his effort to accumulate convention delegates .
If he collects enough delegates for his allies to win one-quarter of the seats on the Democratic convention ’ s three influential committees ― those addressing rules and bylaws , the party platform and convention credentials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the convention floor .
These Sanders partisans might try to ensure a more progressive party platform or make permanent a rule change in effect during the 2020 primary that disempowered the party insiders and elected officials known as “ superdelegates.
” Sanders ’ campaign is still fighting for control of another swath of disputed delegates .
Normally , candidates who are no longer running can hold on to their share of the two-thirds of delegates awarded based on their primary performance in each congressional district , but are not eligible to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cohen , a member of the DNC , insists that Sanders ’ removal is a violation of rules that the DNC adopted in August 2018 following the recommendations of the Unity and Reform Commission on which Cohen served .
He plans to do everything in his power to challenge efforts to allot delegates without a primary , including through discussions with colleagues on the convention ’ s credentials committee .

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The New York State Board of Elections removed Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) from the primary election ballot on Monday, disappointing Sanders and activists who called on the board to give New Yorkers a chance to cast votes for him.
Although Sanders withdrew from the presidential primary earlier this month and endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden shortly afterward, he insisted that he would remain on the ballot in states that have yet to vote.
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Sanders and his allies want to accumulate enough convention delegates to be able to influence the Democratic Party platform and rules. The Biden campaign has indicated that it is open to working with Sanders on a compromise over convention delegates.
But a provision in New York’s new budget empowered the state’s board of elections to remove presidential candidates who have suspended their campaigns, prompting Sanders partisans to scramble to preserve his ballot berth.
They did not end up prevailing on the board’s two Democrats, co-chair Douglas Kellner and commissioner Andrew Spano, who voted unanimously to remove Sanders. The state’s June 23 presidential primary is now canceled.
“Their decision is bad. It’s bad for the Democratic party and it’s bad for democracy,” said former Ohio state Sen. Nina Turner, a co-chair of Sanders’ 2020 bid. “It has a chilling effect on democracy as we know it, because the ability of the people to weigh in was stripped from them before they had an opportunity to cast a ballot.”
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Sanders allies have also warned that preventing him from accumulating delegates could hinder efforts to unify the party behind Biden, who is the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.
“Today’s decision by the State of New York Board of Elections is an outrage, a blow to American democracy, and must be overturned by the DNC,” Sanders’ senior adviser Jeff Weaver said in a statement on Monday afternoon.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) hoped to stay on the ballot in New York and elsewhere despite suspending his campaign. He is committed to influencing the Democratic Party platform. Win McNamee/Getty Images
In a livestreamed Monday video meeting, Kellner acknowledged the outpouring of feedback he had received from Sanders supporters in recent days. He estimated that he received thousands of emails from people who wanted to keep the Vermont senator on the ballot.
He nonetheless considers Sanders’ suspension of his campaign to be the only relevant consideration when it comes to interpretation of the statute. He also argued that the standard for holding an election is higher during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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“What the Sanders supporters want is essentially a beauty contest that given the situation with the public health emergency that exists now seems to be unnecessary and indeed frivolous,” he said.
Although New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) has issued an executive order allowing every voter in the state to cast an absentee ballot and is sending voters an absentee ballot application, Spano also cited concerns about how holding an additional election would undermine public health. New York is due to hold its congressional and state legislative primary elections on June 23 anyway, but the cancelation of the presidential primary means that some 20 counties in the state won’t have to administer any contest at all.
“I’ve come to the conclusion that we should minimize the number of people on the ballot, minimize the election for the protection of everybody, but give the opportunity to vote in the actual elections for candidates and not have anyone on the ballot just for the purpose of issues at a convention,” Spano said.
Weaver expressed concern that the commissioners’ citation of the pandemic could embolden Trump to make the same argument to justify postponing the November general election.
“Just last week Vice President Biden warned the American people that President Trump could use the current crisis as an excuse to postpone the November election,” Weaver said. “Well, he now has a precedent thanks to New York state.”
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Many Sanders supporters in New York and across the country only became aware of the little-known provision enabling his removal tucked into the New York budget that became law in early April when HuffPost reported on low-key efforts to keep him on the ballot last Tuesday. The board had been planning to meet about Sanders’ removal the following day, but delayed the meeting until Monday.
In the intervening days, Sanders’ allies and, eventually, Sanders himself publicly argued that keeping the senator on the ballot was key to assuring support for Biden from the Democratic Party’s progressive wing.
Malcolm Seymour, an attorney for Sanders’ campaign, submitted a letter on Sunday to the board of elections disputing the legal grounds for Sanders’ removal.
Unfortunately for Sanders, Kellner noted on Monday that Seymour’s letter contained a significant error. Seymour claimed that because the New York budget became law on April 13, days after Sanders suspended his campaign, it should not apply to Sanders retroactively. In fact, though, the budget became law on April 3, days before Sanders ended his bid.
Kellner did not try to refute Seymour’s point, however, that the text of the New York election statute merely said that the board “may” remove candidates who have ended their bid, not that it must do so.
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In addition, neither Kellner nor Spano addressed the fact that the vast majority of the state would still be voting in primaries on June 23 anyway. In response to the novel coronavirus pandemic in late March, Cuomo postponed the presidential primary from April 28 to June 23, the day when state residents will vote in congressional and state legislative primaries.
Larry Cohen, chairman of the board of Our Revolution, a progressive group that emerged from Sanders’ 2016 bid, described himself as “shocked” by the board’s decision. He blamed Cuomo for the inclusion of the provision enabling Sanders’ removal from the ballot in the state budget. (Cuomo’s office has denied that the budget provision was politically motivated.)
“This is Cuomo trying to be the party boss who goes to the party convention with 284 delegates in his pocket,” Cohen said. ”Whatever support he built for himself for his handling of the pandemic is definitely eroding.”
Other critics of the decision noted that taking Sanders off of the top of the ballot could hurt progressive candidates running in congressional and legislative races.
Zohran Mamdani, a Queens housing counselor and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, claimed the ruling aimed to stymie primary challengers like him. He is seeking to unseat state Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas, a mainstream liberal.
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“They took Bernie Sanders off the ballot because they want us to go away,” he tweeted. “We’re not going anywhere.”
New York Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs, a Cuomo ally, disputed the suggestion that taking the presidential candidates off the ballot was designed to hurt down-ballot progressive challengers.
On the contrary, he said, “I tend to think a larger-turnout primary would have benefited the establishment.”
Jacobs conceded that without a presidential primary, turnout in the state is likely to be lower. From a public health perspective, he considers that one of the benefits of the decision since it means that counties across the state do not have to open every polling place. (While New Yorkers can cast absentee ballots by mail, they would still be free to appear in person, necessitating the operation of in-person poll locations.)
Sanders’ removal from the ballot in delegate-rich New York undermines his effort to accumulate convention delegates. If he collects enough delegates for his allies to win one-quarter of the seats on the Democratic convention’s three influential committees ― those addressing rules and bylaws, the party platform and convention credentials ― they can submit a minority report to the convention floor. These Sanders partisans might try to ensure a more progressive party platform or make permanent a rule change in effect during the 2020 primary that disempowered the party insiders and elected officials known as “superdelegates.”
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Sanders’ campaign is still fighting for control of another swath of disputed delegates. Normally, candidates who are no longer running can hold on to their share of the two-thirds of delegates awarded based on their primary performance in each congressional district, but are not eligible to keep statewide delegates they’ve won.
In the interest of fostering goodwill with Sanders’ progressive base, however, the Biden campaign has agreed to negotiate with Sanders over how to divvy up the one-third of convention delegates awarded based on statewide primary and caucus results.
The Biden campaign declined to comment on New York’s removal of Sanders from the ballot.
Sanders’ allies and left-wing activists quickly voiced their displeasure with the ruling on social media.
Former Sanders campaign press aide Joe Calvello tweeted that it was “disgraceful.”
Melissa Byrne, the former New York grassroots director for Sanders’ 2020 run, warned that it would hurt Biden’s candidacy. “Trump will get reelected if Cuomo gets away with stunts like this,” she tweeted. “I guess Cuomo is team Trump.”
More significantly, there are signs that Sanders allies with influence over party deliberations now plan to carry on a fight over the validity of New York’s entire convention delegation.
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The Democratic National Committee has confirmed to HuffPost that the state must get approval from the DNC for how it plans to allocate its convention delegates in the absence of a primary or caucus.
Cohen, a member of the DNC, insists that Sanders’ removal is a violation of rules that the DNC adopted in August 2018 following the recommendations of the Unity and Reform Commission on which Cohen served. He plans to do everything in his power to challenge efforts to allot delegates without a primary, including through discussions with colleagues on the convention’s credentials committee.


huffpost--2020-05-11--Hong Kong Police Arrest More Than 200 In Renewed Protests

HONG KONG ( AP ) — More than 200 people were arrested during anti-government protests in Hong Kong on Sunday night , police said , as authorities seek to prevent a revival of last year ’ s massive demonstrations , including through the application of anti-social gathering regulations intended to contain the coronavirus outbreak .
Around 230 people between the ages of 12 and 65 were arrested on a range of charges , including unlawful assembly , “ possessing anything with intent to destroy or damage property ” and failure to produce proof of identity , police said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for having violated the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation , which prohibits gatherings of more than eight people in any public space , the statement said .
At one point , police used pepper rounds to disperse people who had surrounded officers , it said .
“ Police condemn protesters for disregarding the Government ’ s disease prevention and control measures , and participating in or organizing prohibited group gatherings , ” the statement said .
Protesters later chanted slogans and built barriers to block roads in Hong Kong ’ s Mongkok @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streets , according to police .
The nighttime street action followed multiple protests at shopping malls earlier Sunday attended by hundreds , after permission for a Mother ’ s Day protest march was denied .
Protesters organized mainly through social media are demanding full democracy in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory and an investigation into alleged police brutality in suppressing the demonstrations .
Last year ’ s protests were sparked by a now-abandoned extradition bill that would have allowed criminal suspects to be sent to mainland China to face trial .
China ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s and does not guarantee the same rights to the accused .
Hundreds of thousands of people marched through Hong Kong last year in repeated demonstrations that often ended in pitched battles , with hardcore protesters throwing gasoline bombs and police using tear gas and firing nonlethal but still powerful projectiles .
A former British colony , Hong Kong was handed over to Chinese rule in 1997 with a guarantee that it could retain its own legal , economic and social institutions for 50 years .
Critics in the pro-democracy camp say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through tightened restrictions on assembly and freedom of speech , including proposed legislation to criminalize the disrespecting of China ’ s national anthem .

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HONG KONG (AP) — More than 200 people were arrested during anti-government protests in Hong Kong on Sunday night, police said, as authorities seek to prevent a revival of last year’s massive demonstrations, including through the application of anti-social gathering regulations intended to contain the coronavirus outbreak.
Around 230 people between the ages of 12 and 65 were arrested on a range of charges, including unlawful assembly, “possessing anything with intent to destroy or damage property” and failure to produce proof of identity, police said in a statement.
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Another 19 people were ticketed for having violated the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation, which prohibits gatherings of more than eight people in any public space, the statement said. At one point, police used pepper rounds to disperse people who had surrounded officers, it said.
“Police condemn protesters for disregarding the Government’s disease prevention and control measures, and participating in or organizing prohibited group gatherings,” the statement said.
Protesters attend a flash mob gathering in a shopping mall during Mother's Day. Barcroft Media via Getty Images
Protesters later chanted slogans and built barriers to block roads in Hong Kong’s Mongkok district, and set fires on some streets, according to police.
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The nighttime street action followed multiple protests at shopping malls earlier Sunday attended by hundreds, after permission for a Mother’s Day protest march was denied. Protesters organized mainly through social media are demanding full democracy in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory and an investigation into alleged police brutality in suppressing the demonstrations.
Last year’s protests were sparked by a now-abandoned extradition bill that would have allowed criminal suspects to be sent to mainland China to face trial. China’s judicial system is murkier than Hong Kong’s and does not guarantee the same rights to the accused.
Hundreds of thousands of people marched through Hong Kong last year in repeated demonstrations that often ended in pitched battles, with hardcore protesters throwing gasoline bombs and police using tear gas and firing nonlethal but still powerful projectiles.


huffpost--2020-05-11--Anti-War Groups Demand Foreign Policy Promises From Biden

The demands , laid out in a Monday letter to the campaign , ask Biden to part not only with many of the policies of President Donald Trump , but also break with some aspects of former President Barack Obama ’ s approach to global affairs and that of many other Democrats .
“ It is time to end our endless wars and adopt a new approach to international relations , one in which the U.S. abides by international law , encourages others to do the same , and utilizes our military solely for the defense of the people of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden “ could energize a large bloc of voters by incorporating the positions in this letter into a comprehensive plan to reorient our foreign policy from one of conflict to one based on cooperation , ” said Erik Sperling , executive director of the left-leaning nonprofit Just Foreign Policy .
“ He could engender trust by bringing in additional advisers who have a consistent track record of promoting restraint and ensure that a diversity of views are represented on his foreign policy team.
” Specifically , Demand Progress , Just Foreign Policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ express “ support ” for 10 policy ideas that range from requiring congressional authorization for the use of military force and cutting $ 200 billion from the annual defense budget to leveraging U.S. aid to Israel to get the U.S. ally to end its occupation of Palestinian territories .
If he wants to be successful in November and wants to galvanize and energize the grassroots , then we need to get better clarity and stronger commitments from Vice President Biden on many of these progressive foreign policy issues that the left cares about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demands are more ambitious than others .
Biden has not only promised to overturn the Trump administration ’ s travel ban from a group of mostly Muslim nations , he is already calling for raising the number of refugees admitted to the country to 125,000 ― exactly what the letter asks of him .
It ’ s a higher figure than the Obama administration was willing to entertain .
But while Biden has already said he would try to revive the Iran nuclear deal , he has been supportive of “ broad-based sanctions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him to disavow .
And though Biden reiterates his opposition to Israeli settlement expansion in a recently released “ agenda for Muslim-American communities , ” he has called the idea of leveraging U.S. aid to shape the Israeli government ’ s policies “ outrageous.
” Biden , a former chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , has a history of hawkish foreign policy stances that even Obama , under whom he served , lacked .
He notably voted for the Iraq War in 2002 and the post-9/11 explosion in domestic surveillance .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama administration , he argued against escalating U.S. involvement in Afghanistan and the administration ’ s deposal of the Libyan government in 2011 .
After Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) dropped out of the race in early April , some of the same left-wing organizations participating in the Monday letter called on Biden to adopt bolder stances on , among other things , climate change , income inequality , health care and immigration .
Their only foreign-policy demand was the repeal of the 2001 and 2002 laws that have been used as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interventions across the globe , and the requirement of congressional authorization for all future interventions .
The Biden campaign evidently sees winning over younger , more liberal voters among whom he performed poorly in the primary as an important part of its plan to win in November .
To that end , he has moved to assuage progressive concerns on domestic policy .
He has adopted a plan to eliminate student debt for public-college students from families making less than $ 125,000 a year , and to lower the Medicare eligibility age from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants to be successful in November and wants to galvanize and energize the grassroots , then we need to get better clarity and stronger commitments from Vice President Biden on many of these progressive foreign policy issues that the left cares about , ” said Yasmine Taeb , senior policy counsel for Demand Progress .
Nudging Biden to the left on foreign policy , an area where presidents have enormous discretion , is likely to be a tougher sell precisely because the political benefits are less obvious .
The United States ’ behavior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less attention and resources on the U.S. left , to say nothing of the American public .
Domestic debates over health care and campaign-finance corruption largely dominated the Democratic presidential primary .
And Trump ’ s decision to kill Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani in January prompted only qualified condemnations from most of the Democratic field of candidates to succeed Trump .
The sheer diversity of names on Monday ’ s foreign-policy letter is designed to demonstrate that there is a major constituency for a less interventionist , more lawful U.S. policy abroad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In addition to featuring the usual players like Win Without War and CODEPINK , the letter boasts an array of faith-based organizations , as well as progressive movement groups like Greenpeace U.S. and Indivisible that are typically more associated with domestic causes .

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A coalition of 51 anti-war groups called on former Vice President Joe Biden to adopt a “principled foreign policy” that prioritizes diplomacy, human rights and the rebuilding of international relationships and institutions.
The demands, laid out in a Monday letter to the campaign, ask Biden to part not only with many of the policies of President Donald Trump, but also break with some aspects of former President Barack Obama’s approach to global affairs and that of many other Democrats.
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“It is time to end our endless wars and adopt a new approach to international relations, one in which the U.S. abides by international law, encourages others to do the same, and utilizes our military solely for the defense of the people of our country,” the groups state.
Given the non-partisan status and varied ideological leanings of many of the letter’s signatories, the coalition also sent the missive to Trump.
The letter, which the civil libertarian group Demand Progress spearheaded, is nonetheless primarily directed at Biden. It represents the most robust effort to date by the Democratic Party’s progressive base to influence the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee’s foreign policy.
Former Vice President Joe Biden has shifted his domestic policy positions closer to those of the activist left. Now progressive groups want foreign policy promises too. MANDEL NGAN/Getty Images
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Biden “could energize a large bloc of voters by incorporating the positions in this letter into a comprehensive plan to reorient our foreign policy from one of conflict to one based on cooperation,” said Erik Sperling, executive director of the left-leaning nonprofit Just Foreign Policy. “He could engender trust by bringing in additional advisers who have a consistent track record of promoting restraint and ensure that a diversity of views are represented on his foreign policy team.”
Specifically, Demand Progress, Just Foreign Policy and their allies are asking Biden to express “support” for 10 policy ideas that range from requiring congressional authorization for the use of military force and cutting $200 billion from the annual defense budget to leveraging U.S. aid to Israel to get the U.S. ally to end its occupation of Palestinian territories.
“If he wants to be successful in November and wants to galvanize and energize the grassroots, then we need to get better clarity and stronger commitments from Vice President Biden on many of these progressive foreign policy issues that the left cares about.” - Yasmine Taeb, Demand Progress
Some of the letter’s demands are more ambitious than others. Biden has not only promised to overturn the Trump administration’s travel ban from a group of mostly Muslim nations, he is already calling for raising the number of refugees admitted to the country to 125,000 ― exactly what the letter asks of him. It’s a higher figure than the Obama administration was willing to entertain.
But while Biden has already said he would try to revive the Iran nuclear deal, he has been supportive of “broad-based sanctions” on countries that the letter asks him to disavow. And though Biden reiterates his opposition to Israeli settlement expansion in a recently released “agenda for Muslim-American communities,” he has called the idea of leveraging U.S. aid to shape the Israeli government’s policies “outrageous.”
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Biden, a former chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has a history of hawkish foreign policy stances that even Obama, under whom he served, lacked. He notably voted for the Iraq War in 2002 and the post-9/11 explosion in domestic surveillance. At the same time, inside the Obama administration, he argued against escalating U.S. involvement in Afghanistan and the administration’s deposal of the Libyan government in 2011.
The letter is part of a broader campaign by activist groups on the left to make their mark on a Democrat they almost uniformly did not support in the primary.
After Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) dropped out of the race in early April, some of the same left-wing organizations participating in the Monday letter called on Biden to adopt bolder stances on, among other things, climate change, income inequality, health care and immigration. Their only foreign-policy demand was the repeal of the 2001 and 2002 laws that have been used as the legal basis for countless terrorism-related military interventions across the globe, and the requirement of congressional authorization for all future interventions.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) was the most antiwar candidate in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary. That agenda has an uncertain future after his withdrawal. MANDEL NGAN/Getty Images
The Biden campaign evidently sees winning over younger, more liberal voters among whom he performed poorly in the primary as an important part of its plan to win in November. To that end, he has moved to assuage progressive concerns on domestic policy. He has adopted a plan to eliminate student debt for public-college students from families making less than $125,000 a year, and to lower the Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 60.
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“If he wants to be successful in November and wants to galvanize and energize the grassroots, then we need to get better clarity and stronger commitments from Vice President Biden on many of these progressive foreign policy issues that the left cares about,” said Yasmine Taeb, senior policy counsel for Demand Progress.
Nudging Biden to the left on foreign policy, an area where presidents have enormous discretion, is likely to be a tougher sell precisely because the political benefits are less obvious. The United States’ behavior abroad is a topic that generally elicits less attention and resources on the U.S. left, to say nothing of the American public. Domestic debates over health care and campaign-finance corruption largely dominated the Democratic presidential primary. And Trump’s decision to kill Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani in January prompted only qualified condemnations from most of the Democratic field of candidates to succeed Trump.
The sheer diversity of names on Monday’s foreign-policy letter is designed to demonstrate that there is a major constituency for a less interventionist, more lawful U.S. policy abroad that protects civil liberties at home. In addition to featuring the usual players like Win Without War and CODEPINK, the letter boasts an array of faith-based organizations, as well as progressive movement groups like Greenpeace U.S. and Indivisible that are typically more associated with domestic causes.
The letter even features the support of the cross-ideological Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, which enjoys the backing of both liberal billionaire George Soros and conservative billionaire Charles Koch. The institute’s executive vice president, Trita Parsi, said that the COVID-19 outbreak showed that the U.S. needs to adjust its national-security policy toward environmental threats.
“Our excessive focus on foreign military threats ― real and imagined ― have left us naked and vulnerable for the real challenges of this century: pandemics and climate chaos,” he said.


huffpost--2020-05-11--Rita Wilson Lifts Up Working Moms In 'Where’s My Country Song?'

I wrote it because I listen to a lot of country music , and I love country music , and I write in Nashville a lot .
And I was thinking that there was a section of women that I started thinking about , so many women , don ’ t get seen , in a way .
They ’ re kind of invisible .
Sometimes that ’ s just the nature of being a woman or I think a lot of women feel that way at certain points in their life .
But also , I was thinking about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are raising kids either alone or with extended family helping out .
I was thinking about women who , like my mom , are housewives and stay home and who raise kids , and cook and sew .
And my mom did all of that .
She made our clothes .
She made our bedspreads , our curtains .
She cooked and went to the market every day and she did this all with cheer and joy and put so much love into it .
I started thinking about all the women that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that you take for granted in a way .
They ’ re working at a mini-mart , or they ’ re in the market , or they ’ re in some factory somewhere that ’ s helping to get our food to us , or they ’ re agricultural workers .
But I was thinking , “ What are those women ’ s lives like ?
” I wanted to just shine a light .
I think they ’ re heroes in a way , unsung heroes and sometimes now-sung heroes because we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those people now when we look at this pandemic and what ’ s been going on .
But I wrote the song before the pandemic .
I wrote it because I wanted to say that my mom was my hero , basically , and that she taught me how to put joy and love into everything you do .
But I started thinking about writers who write from other points of view and I then came across , and this was after I had written the song , but it sort of validated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was Jason Isbell wrote in the op-ed in The New York Times after John Prine died , about John Prine ...
Some lightbulb went off and he realized that you can write songs because you can be anybody you want to be as long as you get the details right .
He talked about John Prine getting those details right .
And I thought , “ Yes , that is exactly right .
If you ’ re a storyteller , which I think as an actor you are in a way , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into another way of being a character ?
” I looked at it as sort of like , “ Yes , I ’ m telling this story about this person ’ s life and I hope I get the details right.
” Not everybody ’ s life is perfect .
Yes , definitely .
There are women who work in country music that are doing extraordinary things to try to move that needle .
I also think that there was a period of time where women dominated country music : Dolly Parton , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trisha Yearwood , Faith Hill , Shania Twain .
It goes on and on .
Somehow it ’ s become something different and it ’ s much more male .
I don ’ t know why that is .
I wish somebody would do a study on it .
And we know the studies that the Annenberg School is doing and their dismal statistics about how much women get played .
I think for every 44 songs on country music , only one is a female artist .
So now , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shifted in the last few months , maybe .
There have been encouraging things , like Gabby Barrett and Ingrid Andress have had successful songs recently in country music .
But I think that is coming because people are bringing some attention to this .
And look , it ’ s still very , very male and the people who program music are mostly male .
And so , it ’ s like anything , if you want to hear the stories of women , you have to tell the stories of women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women .
So , the more we put that out there , the better it ’ s going to be .
I love Lee .
Well , first of all , I had never met him before and I ’ d never worked with him before .
And his wife , Jonna , had heard my recent album “ Halfway to Home ” and said to Lee that she thought we should write together .
So , he just reached out and we set up a session .
I had this idea for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really brought all of that gorgeous melody to it .
He understood instantly the tone of the song , what I really wanted that song to feel like and have it feel as if it was a meditation of somebody who gets in their car after a long day of work and puts on the radio and it ’ s just ... Haven ’ t you ever had that ?
It ’ s sort of like a stream of consciousness .
I was completely surprised .
When I did it , I just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m feeling better from coronavirus.
” I wanted to exercise my brain and I had learned Naughty by Nature ’ s “ Hip Hop Hooray ” for a movie called “ Boy Genius ” with Miles Brown .
It was so hard to learn that song .
It took me like a month .
And so I thought , “ Well , I wonder if I still remember it.
” I went through it a couple of times and I was like , “ Oh yeah , I kind of do.
” I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But I thought , “ I ’ ll just put this up on Instagram because it ’ ll show people that I ’ m feeling better and haven ’ t lost my sense of humor , ” and really had no idea it was going to do any of that .
Then I also anxious because I put it up and then soon afterward it was night in Australia and I went to bed , completely surprised by the next morning , what happened with that .
Then I saw that Naughty by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
Then I felt good about it because I thought , “ What if this just fails in the worst possible way ?
” Then getting coronavirus , I was very thankful that I got it early on so that I was not aware of what the death toll was going to be and how severe it has become , because I think that would have been all the more terrifying .
Coming through it and being on the other side of it has just reinforced that idea that every day is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do the best that I can , and loving and being with the people that really mean the most to you , your family and your friends .
And so , I think this time has been , as everyone is calling it , a reset of what ’ s important .

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For many of us, the last couple of months have been a whirlwind of unexpected life changes and an array of emotions, topped with feelings of uncertainty. That couldn’t be more true for Rita Wilson.
The singer-actress and her husband, Tom Hanks, announced in mid-March that they were diagnosed with COVID-19 while in Australia where Hanks was filming the movie “Elvis.” Shortly afterward, they continued to keep the world abreast of their conditions, sharing health updates on social media and checking in while quarantined in Los Angeles. Now recovered from coronavirus, both Wilson and Hanks recently donated plasma for COVID-19 research.
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For Wilson, the situation was a scary one. But even during quarantine and recovery, she felt inspired. Wilson went viral with her own at-home quarantine cover of Naughty by Nature’s “Hip Hop Hooray,” which led to a proper mashup of the classic 1992 hip-hop track, with proceeds going to the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund. She also put the finishing touches on her new single, “Where’s My Country Song?” ― a track about women that feels particularly poignant right now.
When asked during a recent phone interview when she wrote the song, Wilson initially said shortly before she and Hanks left for Australia.
“Actually, I will look it up because I keep all these things in my little book,” she quickly added. “Oh no, I actually wrote it in November. God, time flies. November.”
The song has taken on an even more powerful meaning now, as women are on the frontlines during this global pandemic.
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In this interview, HuffPost caught up with Wilson about her new song, the Naughty By Nature cover and her coronavirus diagnosis.
What was the genesis behind “Where’s My Country Song”?
I wrote it because I listen to a lot of country music, and I love country music, and I write in Nashville a lot. And I was thinking that there was a section of women that I started thinking about, so many women, don’t get seen, in a way. They’re kind of invisible. Sometimes that’s just the nature of being a woman or I think a lot of women feel that way at certain points in their life. But also, I was thinking about women who are single parents, who are raising kids either alone or with extended family helping out.
I was thinking about women who, like my mom, are housewives and stay home and who raise kids, and cook and sew. And my mom did all of that. She made our clothes. She made our bedspreads, our curtains. She cooked and went to the market every day and she did this all with cheer and joy and put so much love into it. I started thinking about all the women that we come in contact with every day that you take for granted in a way. They’re working at a mini-mart, or they’re in the market, or they’re in some factory somewhere that’s helping to get our food to us, or they’re agricultural workers. But I was thinking, “What are those women’s lives like?” I wanted to just shine a light.
I think they’re heroes in a way, unsung heroes and sometimes now-sung heroes because we are giving credit to so many of those people now when we look at this pandemic and what’s been going on. But I wrote the song before the pandemic. I wrote it because I wanted to say that my mom was my hero, basically, and that she taught me how to put joy and love into everything you do.
And so, I wanted to write a song that was about those women who are working hard and they have worries, and they have concerns. But they’re good moms and they’re doing the best that they can and they’re sacrificing.
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What was it like coming at this song lyrically from less of a personal standpoint, and instead writing from a different point of view? Because a lot of times songwriters write about what they know or are experiencing.
First of all, I’m so glad you asked me that question because, as a matter of fact, when I first wrote this song, I did not think that it would be something that I would do because I thought, “Oh, how could I possibly write about this? I don’t have a little baby waiting up for me,” right?
But I started thinking about writers who write from other points of view and I then came across, and this was after I had written the song, but it sort of validated what I was feeling, and it was Jason Isbell wrote in the op-ed in The New York Times after John Prine died, about John Prine ... Some lightbulb went off and he realized that you can write songs because you can be anybody you want to be as long as you get the details right. He talked about John Prine getting those details right. And I thought, “Yes, that is exactly right. If you’re a storyteller, which I think as an actor you are in a way, then why can’t that storytelling translate into another way of being a character?” I looked at it as sort of like, “Yes, I’m telling this story about this person’s life and I hope I get the details right.” Not everybody’s life is perfect.
Not everybody’s life is what you see in a movie or what you see on a commercial or a TV show. People have complicated, complex lives and it doesn’t mean that they’re unhappy, but there are a variety of different lives out there in this world and sometimes we’re looking at a narrow focus and I wanted to broaden that a bit.
I just thought, “Yes,” and it really liberated me. It was like, “Yes, don’t be afraid. You can go into these other worlds if you get the details right.”
Wilson released her debut solo album in 2012. Matthew Eisman via Getty Images
There’s been a lot of talk about country radio and the lack of women who get played on country radio. You mention radio a lot in the song. Were you thinking at all about that notion ― of women’s presence on country music radio?
Yes, definitely. There are women who work in country music that are doing extraordinary things to try to move that needle. I also think that there was a period of time where women dominated country music: Dolly Parton, and Loretta Lynn, and Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood, Faith Hill, Shania Twain. It goes on and on. Somehow it’s become something different and it’s much more male. I don’t know why that is. I wish somebody would do a study on it.
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And we know the studies that the Annenberg School is doing and their dismal statistics about how much women get played. I think for every 44 songs on country music, only one is a female artist. So now, I don’t know if that has shifted in the last few months, maybe. There have been encouraging things, like Gabby Barrett and Ingrid Andress have had successful songs recently in country music. But I think that is coming because people are bringing some attention to this. And look, it’s still very, very male and the people who program music are mostly male. And so, it’s like anything, if you want to hear the stories of women, you have to tell the stories of women and you have to hear them from women. So, the more we put that out there, the better it’s going to be.
You co-wrote the song with Lee DeWyze of “American Idol” fame. How did he come into the fold?
I love Lee. Well, first of all, I had never met him before and I’d never worked with him before. And his wife, Jonna, had heard my recent album “Halfway to Home” and said to Lee that she thought we should write together. So, he just reached out and we set up a session. I had this idea for the song and the title and he really brought all of that gorgeous melody to it. He understood instantly the tone of the song, what I really wanted that song to feel like and have it feel as if it was a meditation of somebody who gets in their car after a long day of work and puts on the radio and it’s just ... Haven’t you ever had that? It’s sort of like a stream of consciousness.
I wanted it to be really honest. I also wanted to communicate that there’s nothing better, your most important job is raising a child. Your most important job is taking care of that human being and making a good person to go out into the world. So, I really wanted to acknowledge that for the women who are doing that, sometimes alone.
Switching gears a bit, what was it like to recently revive the Naughty by Nature song, and were you surprised by the reaction? It went viral.
I was completely surprised. When I did it, I just thought, “Well, I’m feeling better from coronavirus.” I wanted to exercise my brain and I had learned Naughty by Nature’s “Hip Hop Hooray” for a movie called “Boy Genius” with Miles Brown. It was so hard to learn that song. It took me like a month. And so I thought, “Well, I wonder if I still remember it.” I went through it a couple of times and I was like, “Oh yeah, I kind of do.” I still had to refresh my memory. But I thought, “I’ll just put this up on Instagram because it’ll show people that I’m feeling better and haven’t lost my sense of humor,” and really had no idea it was going to do any of that. Then I also anxious because I put it up and then soon afterward it was night in Australia and I went to bed, completely surprised by the next morning, what happened with that. Then I saw that Naughty by Nature liked it and was appreciative of it. Then I felt good about it because I thought, “What if this just fails in the worst possible way?”
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I imagine being diagnosed with COVID-19 has brought on so many different emotions. I’m so glad to hear you’re doing well and everybody’s good. You recently donated plasma. I imagine that it also sort of inspired you a little bit as well with all of the support you received?
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, it really taught me that every day is a gift and that things that you used to think happened to other people actually happen to you now. You’re the one out of eight women who’s going to get diagnosed. And so, that taught me to really not take anything for granted.
Then getting coronavirus, I was very thankful that I got it early on so that I was not aware of what the death toll was going to be and how severe it has become, because I think that would have been all the more terrifying. Coming through it and being on the other side of it has just reinforced that idea that every day is a gift, and I am trying to do the best that I can, and loving and being with the people that really mean the most to you, your family and your friends. And so, I think this time has been, as everyone is calling it, a reset of what’s important.
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huffpost--2020-05-11--New PBS Series Puts Asian Americans At The Center Of Their Own Stories

That people-centered and character-driven approach makes “ Asian Americans , ” the first major docuseries to attempt a sweeping examination of the diverse AAPI community , as informative for general audiences as it is for viewers who might already be deeply immersed in AAPI history .
The series could not be more timely , as AAPI communities mark Asian Pacific American Heritage Month while anti-Asian attacks surge due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
The docuseries shows how it ’ s all a continuation of the same cycle of calling Asian Americans ’ Americanness into question — and a reminder that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been conditional , from the Chinese Exclusion Act in the late 19th century to the racism and bigotry South Asians faced after 9/11 .
For AAPI veterans of the Vietnam War , the series explores how serving in the conflict forced them to confront their identities in new ways — a perspective absent from the many depictions of the Vietnam War in pop culture .
“ These laws or these events , you know , they happen to people .
They shape people ’ s lives , and then people shape history , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asian American studies at UCLA .
“ What ’ s the meaning of this history ?
Not just like , what are the facts ?
” “ A lot of us in the Asian American film community have been wanting to make a series like this for decades , ” said Tajima-Peña , the Oscar-nominated filmmaker of “ Who Killed Vincent Chin ?
” and other films exploring the intersection of race , immigration , class and gender .
“ Twenty-five years ago or something , I wrote a treatment of an Asian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t until 2012 and 2013 , after PBS had produced several other docuseries on specific racial or ethnic groups , that Tajima-Peña was finally approached to make a series about Asian Americans .
And even after she got the green light , some white executives still questioned her qualifications , she said .
It took several more years to raise enough money for the series and for Tajima-Peña to make sure she had the right team to carry out her vision — a team that was representative of the stories the series would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a largely Asian American production team that had experience telling stories about AAPI history , which is not typical of most PBS documentaries , she said .
Similarly , almost every interviewee in the five-hour series — from the subjects and their descendants to historians , activists , famous faces like author Viet Thanh Nguyen , comedian Hari Kondabolu and actor Randall Park — is Asian .
But the show is still just a starting point .
It broaches but doesn ’ t quite delve into other tensions , such as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was notably on display during the Los Angeles riots in 1992 .
The murder of Latasha Harlins , a Black teenager , by Korean shop owner Soon Ja Du , was a catalyst for the riots .
Asked whether the producers considered exploring the subject more deeply , Tajima-Peña said that “ other than LA ’ 92 , there was no story that really jumped out , because we ’ re looking at turning points in history.
” Similarly , other topics got left on the cutting room floor , like affirmative action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generational lines .
Tajima-Peña stressed that she wants viewers — including Asian Americans who might be unaware — to understand that anti-Asian racism is part of a system of white supremacy that affects all people of color but manifests itself in different ways .
Many scholars interviewed for the series made the same point .
“ We have to see all of these systems — Jim Crow segregation , Asian exclusion — as being interrelated , ” historian Erika Lee says in the first episode .
“ They are all part of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how we define what it is to be an American.
” Historically , white political leaders used the racist “ model minority ” trope to pit Asians against Black and Latinx people .
Asian Americans “ have benefited from that wedge , but then suffered from racism at the same time , ” Tajima-Peña said .
For all people of color , “ our futures are tied to each other , and always have been , ” she added .
As the series shows , solidarity among people of color has made social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights movement paved the way for the elimination of racist laws that affected Asian Americans , and many Asian American activists in the 1960s and ’ 70s drew inspiration from Black activists .
Filipino and Mexican farmworkers organized together for better working conditions and higher wages and formed the United Farm Workers union .
And during the wave of college protests in the late 1960s , Asian , Black and Latinx students in California protested side by side to successfully advocate for racial and ethnic studies classes and departments .

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At first glance, the new PBS docuseries “Asian Americans” follows the conventions of many history documentaries, interspersing archival footage, documents and photos with talking head commentary. Yet the five-part show, premiering Monday, unfolds almost like a prestige drama series, unspooling emotional personal tales.
The episodes center on individual Asian American and Pacific Islanders who lived through major historical events, and their descendants, who are often grappling with questions that complicate existing narratives about Asian Americans.
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That people-centered and character-driven approach makes “Asian Americans,” the first major docuseries to attempt a sweeping examination of the diverse AAPI community, as informative for general audiences as it is for viewers who might already be deeply immersed in AAPI history.
It’s not “the sepia-toned version of Asian American history,” as the series’ producer and showrunner Renee Tajima-Peña said in an interview. “That’s not the real history.”
The series could not be more timely, as AAPI communities mark Asian Pacific American Heritage Month while anti-Asian attacks surge due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The docuseries shows how it’s all a continuation of the same cycle of calling Asian Americans’ Americanness into question — and a reminder that their existence in this country has always been conditional, from the Chinese Exclusion Act in the late 19th century to the racism and bigotry South Asians faced after 9/11.
Sikh Americans at a vigil in New York's Central Park after the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001. Corky Lee, Courtesy: PBS/WETA/CAAM
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The series also illuminates times when Asian Americans were engulfed in larger waves of racism and discrimination, but their personal stories only appear as mere footnotes in history textbooks — if they’re mentioned at all.
For AAPI veterans of the Vietnam War, the series explores how serving in the conflict forced them to confront their identities in new ways — a perspective absent from the many depictions of the Vietnam War in pop culture.
In the 1950s, the FBI surveilled and investigated Chinese Americans, like Jewish Americans, for suspected Communist ties.
When Americans started to move to the suburbs after World War II, Asian American families, like Black families, were subject to restrictive racial covenants and other forms of housing segregation. Real estate agents told them they “wouldn’t sell to Orientals.”
“These laws or these events, you know, they happen to people. They shape people’s lives, and then people shape history,” said Tajima-Peña, a professor of Asian American studies at UCLA. “What’s the meaning of this history? Not just like, what are the facts?”
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The series draws from and builds on decades of work from Asian American filmmakers, scholars and activists.
“A lot of us in the Asian American film community have been wanting to make a series like this for decades,” said Tajima-Peña, the Oscar-nominated filmmaker of “Who Killed Vincent Chin?” and other films exploring the intersection of race, immigration, class and gender. “Twenty-five years ago or something, I wrote a treatment of an Asian American history series.”
Renee Tajima-Peña, series producer and showrunner of the PBS docuseries "Asian Americans." (Photo by Tibrina Hobson/WireImage) Tibrina Hobson via Getty Images
It wasn’t until 2012 and 2013, after PBS had produced several other docuseries on specific racial or ethnic groups, that Tajima-Peña was finally approached to make a series about Asian Americans. And even after she got the green light, some white executives still questioned her qualifications, she said.
It took several more years to raise enough money for the series and for Tajima-Peña to make sure she had the right team to carry out her vision — a team that was representative of the stories the series would tell. Remarkably, she ended up with a largely Asian American production team that had experience telling stories about AAPI history, which is not typical of most PBS documentaries, she said. Similarly, almost every interviewee in the five-hour series — from the subjects and their descendants to historians, activists, famous faces like author Viet Thanh Nguyen, comedian Hari Kondabolu and actor Randall Park — is Asian.
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But the show is still just a starting point. It broaches but doesn’t quite delve into other tensions, such as the anti-Blackness of some Asian immigrants, which was notably on display during the Los Angeles riots in 1992. The murder of Latasha Harlins, a Black teenager, by Korean shop owner Soon Ja Du, was a catalyst for the riots.
In the segment on the riots, the interviewees discuss how recent Asian immigrants often aren’t aware of the centuries of racism against Black people and the civil rights movement.
Asked whether the producers considered exploring the subject more deeply, Tajima-Peña said that “other than LA ’92, there was no story that really jumped out, because we’re looking at turning points in history.” Similarly, other topics got left on the cutting room floor, like affirmative action, which often divides Asian Americans along generational lines.
Tajima-Peña stressed that she wants viewers — including Asian Americans who might be unaware — to understand that anti-Asian racism is part of a system of white supremacy that affects all people of color but manifests itself in different ways. Many scholars interviewed for the series made the same point.
“We have to see all of these systems — Jim Crow segregation, Asian exclusion — as being interrelated,” historian Erika Lee says in the first episode. “They are all part of a larger system about how race works, how we define what it is to be an American.”
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Historically, white political leaders used the racist “model minority” trope to pit Asians against Black and Latinx people. Asian Americans “have benefited from that wedge, but then suffered from racism at the same time,” Tajima-Peña said. For all people of color, “our futures are tied to each other, and always have been,” she added.
As the series shows, solidarity among people of color has made social and political change possible. The civil rights movement paved the way for the elimination of racist laws that affected Asian Americans, and many Asian American activists in the 1960s and ’70s drew inspiration from Black activists. Filipino and Mexican farmworkers organized together for better working conditions and higher wages and formed the United Farm Workers union. And during the wave of college protests in the late 1960s, Asian, Black and Latinx students in California protested side by side to successfully advocate for racial and ethnic studies classes and departments.
Laureen Chew helped organize student strikes at San Francisco State University in 1968 to fight for an ethnic studies curriculum. PBS/WETA/CAAM
“That’s our fight,” Tajima-Peña said of the importance of Asian Americans becoming allies for other people of color and demonstrating solidarity in the fight against racism and white supremacy.
“If you’ve got two tumors, like if you have a stomach tumor and a lung tumor, you can’t just attack the stomach tumor and like, leave the one below — because it’s cancer. So for Asian Americans, it’s the cancer that we have to fight.”
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Tajima-Peña hopes the series not only galvanizes more activism but also inspires a new generation of Asian American filmmakers to build on the series — citing “Eyes on the Prize,” the landmark PBS docuseries on the civil rights movement.
“A lot of those stories became feature-length documentaries,” she said. “So we hope these filmmakers will, you know, run with it. There are a lot of these great stories, and more can be told.”