newsweek--2020-12-13--Mitch McConnell Is My Person of the Year and That's Not a Good Thing | Opinion

Another 853,000 people applied for unemployment benefits last week .
Will we ever get another COVID relief bill out of Congress ?
Yes , but not before before Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says so .
This week in On the Street : a closer look at the court-packer himself and his very special year .
Also : Facebook and Uncle Sam enter the octagon—and McKinsey & Company apologizes for , essentially , being McKinsey & Company .
But there 's more : Goldman Sachs , Oracle and Elon Musk head south , and our obscure holiday music of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parker .
We kick off with Mitch : Obstructor of the Year : Time magazine chose President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris as its Persons of the Year .
But my guy is Mitch McConnell , who has for the most part run the country during the COVID-19 crisis .
And that 's not a good thing .
Let 's take a look at his nearly year-long quest to speed-bump COVID financial relief .
It started okay last March .
Congress passed a $ 2.2 trillion bailout bill ; even McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ straight into the you-know-what .
The bailout extended , and expanded , unemployment benefits , among other things , and provided aid to struggling businesses .
My friend 's music school stayed open because of that bill .
Others were able to pay for rent and groceries and pharma co-pays because the Feds kicked in an extra $ 600 a week in unemployment benefits .
Sure , not everything went right .
Folks like AutoNation and the Los Angeles Lakers had no business getting money intended for small businesses .
But the bailout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ softened the blow of the recession .
But more was needed ; even Fed chief Jerome Powell backed additional relief .
That was apparently too much for McConnell to take .
Perhaps he was hoping COVID would just disappear by Easter and the economy would roar back like President Donald Trump 's economic court jester , Larry Kudlow , said it would .
That way , McConnell could turn his attention back to packing the federal courts .
But in May , Congressional Democrats passed at $ 3 trillion bill .
Why ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ local governments were struggling big-time , and the enhanced jobless benefits would run out at the end of July .
Mitch , though , refused to bargain .
He did n't want to help those nasty blue states , for one thing .
Well , you know the rest of the story : the extended benefits ran out and millions of Americans remained unemployed—and many got sick and died as COVID spread across the nation .
Still , McConnell persisted .
So the Democrats passed still yet another bill , this time a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi launched negotiations ; `` moderate '' lawmakers came back with a $ 900 billion compromise , which eventually became a $ 908 billion plan .
Well , McConnell still is n't budging , especially when it comes to state and local aid .
( You , know , helping `` blue '' states is a bad thing to folks in the `` red '' colonies . )
Unless of course , Mitch gets COVID liability protection for companies .
To make matters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House decided to swap out the extended unemployment benefits in the proposed bill for a one-time $ 600 check .
Well , boys , you really need both .
`` Maybe , '' tweeted Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , `` if everyone in the US incorporated as an LLC , Mitch McConnell would actually do something for them . ''
Fair point , AOC .
In any case , Congress is expected to pass something this week , partially at the urging of President-elect Biden , who wants a `` first step '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That 's great , but Congress better get it right this time .
There may not be another round of help unless the Democrats take control of the Senate after the Jan. 5 runoffs in Georgia .
Mitch McConnell , after all , will always be Mitch McConnell .
Facebook vs. Everybody : Last week , the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) and 40-plus states filed an anti-trust suit against Facebook , saying the social network company cemented its market dominance through the purchase of social media rivals like Instagram and WhatsApp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any competitive threat .
The government remedy ?
Have Facebook sell off Instagram and WhatsApp and agree to some pretty strict checks and balances .
( This bipartisan suit follows the recent Justice Department antitrust filing against Google . )
Facebook , of course , denies it all .
The usual big tech argument is that the circle of life in the business does n't allow for monopolies .
You know , the free markets will eventually take care of any competitive problems .
We all , of course , barely remember MySpace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't remember Digital Equipment Corp. , which was the world 's second-largest computer company in the '80s until the PC knocked it off .
Even Microsoft looked like it would literally take over the world at one point and was almost broken up earlier this century .
( Am I the only one here who remembers the glory days of WordPerfect and Lotus 1-2-3 ? )
But this time it actually feels different—the circle-of-life theory does n't quite hold true anymore .
Big tech just feels too big these days .
Maybe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest until the power players—Apple , Facebook , Google and Amazon—are somehow constrained .
The Big Four `` seem to have entrenched power to an extent earlier companies did n't and the network effects of Facebook are hard to replicate , '' explains Michael Carrier , an antitrust expert and law professor at Rutgers University .
Where is this lawsuit going ?
Will Facebook cut to the chase and strike a deal quickly ?
`` Facebook will go to the mat on this one , '' predicts Carrier .
`` They 've known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no interest in splitting off Instagram or WhatsApp . ''
Facebook , he adds , `` will say in court that the FCC approved the deals , but FTC will say in response that information about Facebook 's intent only recently was uncovered . ''
So if you 're a fan of such litigation , grab your popcorn and get ready for a long haul in court .
This one is going to be the battle of the ages .
Do First , Ask for Forgiveness Later : Pretty extraordinary mea culpa last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the place where young American Ivy Leaguers go to work and get rich .
( Or richer . )
A few weeks ago , The New York Times peeled back a McKinsey scheme to `` turbocharge '' the sales of OxyContin pusher , Purdue Pharma , at a time when thousands of users were dying from overdoses .
Some of McKinsey 's advice : offer rebates to pharma firms like CVS for said overdoses .
The Times also revealed , via court documents , that there was even chatter between two senior-level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their work with Purdue .
( Review the grisly details right here . )
Well , last Tuesday , McKinsey issued a public apology of sorts for its work with Purdue and promised to get to the bottom of any wrongdoing .
McKinsey said this on its website , per the Times : `` We recognize that we did not adequately acknowledge the epidemic unfolding in our communities ... We have been undertaking a full review of the work in question , including into the 2018 email exchange which referenced potential deletion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fully with authorities investigating these matters . ''
After the original Times piece , bipartisan outrage followed in Congress from Missouri Republican Senator Josh Hawley to Hawaii Democratic Senator Brian Schatz .
My prediction : President-elect Joe Biden 's attorney general will be pretty busy in January .
Loose Change : There 's always a rest of the story .
A few weeks back , on Nov. 27 , the great Tony Hsieh , co-founder of Zappos , died in a Connecticut fire .
Everyone , or at least me , was puzzled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Wall Street Journal revealed a few days back that Hsieh was suffering from depression , drug use , dabbled in extreme weight loss regimens , and had an apparent obsession with , yes , fire .
Very sad ending for one of this generation 's great entrepreneurs .
Rest in peace , Tony Hsieh ... What Does Grimes Think ?
More companies fleeing south .
Per Bloomberg , Oracle 's headquarters heading to Austin and Goldman Sachs is searching for office space in Florida .
( How about The Villages ? )
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Journal he 's already fled California and moved to Austin where he can be closer to his space operations and a new Tesla plant .
( And save a few bucks on state income taxes . )
Does this north and west-to-south migration mean more blue votes in red states ?
Read all about it in a piece I wrote with Sam Hill this past July .
See you in 2025 , Ted Cruz !
...
Billionaire of the Week : Airbnb 's co-founder Brian Chesky is worth some $ 11 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ...
Nickname of the Week : New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy referred to Matt Gaetz as `` Representative Matt Putz '' after the Florida congressman appeared at a young Republicans `` gala '' in New Jersey where attendees apparently forgot to wear face masks during a COVID surge ... On the Street Jukebox : Two great Graham Parkerholiday songs from 1994 : one with Nona Hendryx on `` Soul Christmas '' —and solo Parker on `` Christmas Is For Mugs '' ... thanks for reading and listening ... hg

Another 853,000 people applied for unemployment benefits last week. Will we ever get another COVID relief bill out of Congress? Yes, but not before before Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says so. This week in On the Street: a closer look at the court-packer himself and his very special year. Also: Facebook and Uncle Sam enter the octagon—and McKinsey & Company apologizes for, essentially, being McKinsey & Company. But there's more: Goldman Sachs, Oracle and Elon Musk head south, and our obscure holiday music of the week feature puts the spotlight on Graham Parker. We kick off with Mitch:
Sen. Mitch McConnell: master of disaster. Kevin Dietsch-Pool/Getty
Obstructor of the Year: Time magazine chose President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris as its Persons of the Year. But my guy is Mitch McConnell, who has for the most part run the country during the COVID-19 crisis. And that's not a good thing. Let's take a look at his nearly year-long quest to speed-bump COVID financial relief. It started okay last March. Congress passed a $2.2 trillion bailout bill; even McConnell could see that the economy was heading straight into the you-know-what. The bailout extended, and expanded, unemployment benefits, among other things, and provided aid to struggling businesses. My friend's music school stayed open because of that bill. Others were able to pay for rent and groceries and pharma co-pays because the Feds kicked in an extra $600 a week in unemployment benefits. Sure, not everything went right. Folks like AutoNation and the Los Angeles Lakers had no business getting money intended for small businesses. But the bailout was a success anyway. The funds softened the blow of the recession. But more was needed; even Fed chief Jerome Powell backed additional relief. That was apparently too much for McConnell to take. Perhaps he was hoping COVID would just disappear by Easter and the economy would roar back like President Donald Trump's economic court jester, Larry Kudlow, said it would. That way, McConnell could turn his attention back to packing the federal courts. But in May, Congressional Democrats passed at $3 trillion bill. Why? COVID didn't vanish, state and local governments were struggling big-time, and the enhanced jobless benefits would run out at the end of July. Mitch, though, refused to bargain. He didn't want to help those nasty blue states, for one thing. Well, you know the rest of the story: the extended benefits ran out and millions of Americans remained unemployed—and many got sick and died as COVID spread across the nation. Still, McConnell persisted. So the Democrats passed still yet another bill, this time a $2.2 trillion one a few weeks ago. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi launched negotiations; "moderate" lawmakers came back with a $900 billion compromise, which eventually became a $908 billion plan. Well, McConnell still isn't budging, especially when it comes to state and local aid. (You, know, helping "blue" states is a bad thing to folks in the "red" colonies.) Unless of course, Mitch gets COVID liability protection for companies. To make matters worse, Mnuchin, McConnell and the White House decided to swap out the extended unemployment benefits in the proposed bill for a one-time $600 check. Well, boys, you really need both. "Maybe," tweeted Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, "if everyone in the US incorporated as an LLC, Mitch McConnell would actually do something for them." Fair point, AOC. In any case, Congress is expected to pass something this week, partially at the urging of President-elect Biden, who wants a "first step" aid bill before he takes office. That's great, but Congress better get it right this time. There may not be another round of help unless the Democrats take control of the Senate after the Jan. 5 runoffs in Georgia. Mitch McConnell, after all, will always be Mitch McConnell.
Mark Zuckerberg: Is it Facebook Against the World? Michael Reynolds/Pool/Getty Images
Facebook vs. Everybody: Last week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and 40-plus states filed an anti-trust suit against Facebook, saying the social network company cemented its market dominance through the purchase of social media rivals like Instagram and WhatsApp. In other words: illegally eliminated any competitive threat. The government remedy? Have Facebook sell off Instagram and WhatsApp and agree to some pretty strict checks and balances. (This bipartisan suit follows the recent Justice Department antitrust filing against Google.) Facebook, of course, denies it all. The usual big tech argument is that the circle of life in the business doesn't allow for monopolies. You know, the free markets will eventually take care of any competitive problems. We all, of course, barely remember MySpace, which Facebook throttled. You probably don't remember Digital Equipment Corp., which was the world's second-largest computer company in the '80s until the PC knocked it off. Even Microsoft looked like it would literally take over the world at one point and was almost broken up earlier this century. (Am I the only one here who remembers the glory days of WordPerfect and Lotus 1-2-3?) But this time it actually feels different—the circle-of-life theory doesn't quite hold true anymore. Big tech just feels too big these days. Maybe that's why the Feds won't rest until the power players—Apple, Facebook, Google and Amazon—are somehow constrained. The Big Four "seem to have entrenched power to an extent earlier companies didn't and the network effects of Facebook are hard to replicate," explains Michael Carrier, an antitrust expert and law professor at Rutgers University. Where is this lawsuit going? Will Facebook cut to the chase and strike a deal quickly? "Facebook will go to the mat on this one," predicts Carrier. "They've known this is coming...they will have no interest in splitting off Instagram or WhatsApp." Facebook, he adds, "will say in court that the FTC approved the deals, but FTC will say in response that information about Facebook's intent only recently was uncovered." So if you're a fan of such litigation, grab your popcorn and get ready for a long haul in court. This one is going to be the battle of the ages.
Will McKinsey & Company pay the price for its advice to Purdue Pharma? Pill Man, a skeleton made from oxycontin and methadone prescription bottles, in Washington DC last year. Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images
Do First, Ask for Forgiveness Later: Pretty extraordinary mea culpa last week from consulting giant McKinsey & Company, the place where young American Ivy Leaguers go to work and get rich. (Or richer.) A few weeks ago, The New York Times peeled back a McKinsey scheme to "turbocharge" the sales of OxyContin pusher, Purdue Pharma, at a time when thousands of users were dying from overdoses. Some of McKinsey's advice: offer rebates to pharma firms like CVS for said overdoses. The Times also revealed, via court documents, that there was even chatter between two senior-level partners about "record purges" related to their work with Purdue. (Review the grisly details right here.) Well, last Tuesday, McKinsey issued a public apology of sorts for its work with Purdue and promised to get to the bottom of any wrongdoing. McKinsey said this on its website, per the Times: "We recognize that we did not adequately acknowledge the epidemic unfolding in our communities ...We have been undertaking a full review of the work in question, including into the 2018 email exchange which referenced potential deletion of documents. We continue to cooperate fully with authorities investigating these matters." After the original Times piece, bipartisan outrage followed in Congress from Missouri Republican Senator Josh Hawley to Hawaii Democratic Senator Brian Schatz. My prediction: President-elect Joe Biden's attorney general will be pretty busy in January.
SpaceX owner and Tesla CEO Elon Musk: Saying so long to the big valley. Britta Pedersen/Getty
Loose Change: There's always a rest of the story. A few weeks back, on Nov. 27, the great Tony Hsieh, co-founder of Zappos, died in a Connecticut fire. Everyone, or at least me, was puzzled. A fire? How? But The Wall Street Journal revealed a few days back that Hsieh was suffering from depression, drug use, dabbled in extreme weight loss regimens, and had an apparent obsession with, yes, fire. Very sad ending for one of this generation's great entrepreneurs. Rest in peace, Tony Hsieh...What Does Grimes Think? More companies fleeing south. Per Bloomberg, Oracle's headquarters heading to Austin and Goldman Sachs is searching for office space in Florida. (How about The Villages?) Meanwhile, Tesla founder Elon Musk told the Journal he's already fled California and moved to Austin where he can be closer to his space operations and a new Tesla plant. (And save a few bucks on state income taxes.) Does this north and west-to-south migration mean more blue votes in red states? Read all about it in a piece I wrote with Sam Hill this past July. See you in 2025, Ted Cruz!...Billionaire of the Week: Airbnb's co-founder Brian Chesky is worth some $11 billion after his company went public last Thursday...Nickname of the Week: New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy referred to Matt Gaetz as "Representative Matt Putz" after the Florida congressman appeared at a young Republicans "gala" in New Jersey where attendees apparently forgot to wear face masks during a COVID surge...On the Street Jukebox: Two great Graham Parkerholiday songs from 1994: one with Nona Hendryx on "Soul Christmas"—and solo Parker on "Christmas Is For Mugs"...thanks for reading and listening...hg


newsweek--2020-12-13--How Radical Is Raphael Warnock? You Decide | Opinion

Senator Kelly Loeffler has asserted that Raphael Warnock is `` the most radically liberal candidate we have seen in this country for Senate . ''
Is that just a political charge in a heated campaign , or is Warnock more radical than liberal ?
Here is his record .
You decide .
Betsy McCaughey of the New York Post wrote on December 8 : Also in that debate , Warnock refused to answer whether he 'd support adding seats to the U.S. Supreme Court to undo President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell 's judicial achievements , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on it . ''
As McCaughey responded : `` Huh ?
You 'd have to be on Mars .
Ducking the question clearly means he will .
When Georgia 's Senate race ended inconclusively on November 3 , Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer gloated , 'First we take Georgia , then we change America . '
'' Electing Warnock is a key step toward reaching Schumer 's goal of totally changing America .
After all , this is the same person who , during a sermon he once gave , proclaimed that `` nobody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Warnock 's attitude toward those who protect us abroad is as negative as his view of the men and women who protect us at home .
He has called police officers `` gangster and thugs , '' and has proclaimed that the police pose a threat to our children .
Like so many on the Left—as I wrote in my latest book , Trump and the American Future—Warnock demonizes police and idolizes criminals .
At the same time that he denigrates law enforcement , he wants to end cash bail to let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crimes like theft , trespassing , vandalism , public drug use and public urination be immediately released back into the streets .
This is a threat to the public 's health and safety , and a waste of police resources and effort .
But it is also harmful to the health and safety of the very people Warnock claims to help .
If you have an addiction that has led you to live a life of crime on the streets in order to fuel that addiction , the last place you need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If Warnock really wanted to help people who are battling addiction , mental illness and poverty , he would support maintaining cash bail so that these people could be more quickly integrated into special drug or mental illness courts .
Warnock would also help Schumer radically change laws protecting the unborn .
In a tweet on December 8 , Warnock wrote , `` I am a pro-choice pastor . ''
In fact , his radical abortion position goes far beyond simply being pro-choice .
As The Atlantic wrote , Warnock `` opposes all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that means .
It means on-demand abortion , regardless of the viability of the unborn child—and regardless of the term of the pregnancy .
It means abortions up to the point of birth .
Abortion has been a hotly debated topic in America for decades , but Warnock 's no-restrictions approach is far more radical than the typical pro-choice position .
Beyond abortion , Warnock dabbles in explicit racism when he emphasizes the sins of `` white America . ''
And his philosophy is also partly Marxist when he emphasizes what he considers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capitalist society .
He embodies the radical Left 's focus on race , sex and redistribution of wealth .
As he said during a sermon in June 2017 , which was shared on social media this week : `` This country is every bit as sexist as it is racist . ''
In the sermon , Warnock went on to say : But Warnock does n't save all his vitriol for white Americans .
He has criticized black Americans who have dared to be successful .
Warnock told NPR 's Michel Martin in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and many black Americans have `` too often given in to the kind of narcissism and mindless consumeristic impulses of America without asking the hard questions about the distribution of wealth , about the broadening chasm between the haves and have-nots . ''
In other words , he seems to believe that many successful black Americans are , in reality , mindless and narcissistic .
Instead of working hard to provide a good life for their families , they should be trying to topple the system that has helped them prosper , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is unabashedly anti-American and anti-democracy .
He has claimed that America 's human rights record is worse than those of either China or Iran .
Keep in mind that at this precise moment , there are millions of racial and religious minorities locked in concentration camps in the Xinjiang area of China .
They have been there for years , forced to create goods for China 's government-owned companies , and made to take `` re-education training '' to utterly erase their cultural and religious beliefs .
Iran 's regime entirely outlaws freedom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government .
It regularly uses lethal force to simply kill citizens who speak against the regime .
Warnock apparently believes these countries are more civil than America .
Warnock also publicly praised the violent life and legacy of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro in 2016—and called Israel an apartheid state from his pulpit in 2015 .
No matter what the mainstream liberal media tries to tell Americans on behalf of the Warnock campaign and national Democrats , there is nothing moderate or typical about this particular candidate .
Warnock is , indeed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have ever seen .
If he wins , there will be many more to come , and America will indeed be changed—into something much worse .
To read , hear and watch more of Newt 's commentary , visit Gingrich360.com .
The views expressed in this article are the writer 's own .

Senator Kelly Loeffler has asserted that Raphael Warnock is "the most radically liberal candidate we have seen in this country for Senate."
Is that just a political charge in a heated campaign, or is Warnock more radical than liberal?
Here is his record. You decide.
Betsy McCaughey of the New York Post wrote on December 8:
"At the [recent Senate run-off election] debate, Warnock didn't deny he wants to eliminate cash bail and empty the prisons. He promoted the false narrative that police disproportionately kill blacks more than whites suspected of the same crimes. When Loeffler warned that Warnock would raise Georgians' taxes to fund the Green New Deal and a government takeover of private health insurance, he didn't deny that either."
Also in that debate, Warnock refused to answer whether he'd support adding seats to the U.S. Supreme Court to undo President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's judicial achievements, saying, "I'm not really focused on it."
As McCaughey responded: "Huh? You'd have to be on Mars. Ducking the question clearly means he will. When Georgia's Senate race ended inconclusively on November 3, Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer gloated, 'First we take Georgia, then we change America.'"
Electing Warnock is a key step toward reaching Schumer's goal of totally changing America.
After all, this is the same person who, during a sermon he once gave, proclaimed that "nobody can serve God and the military."
Warnock's attitude toward those who protect us abroad is as negative as his view of the men and women who protect us at home. He has called police officers "gangster and thugs," and has proclaimed that the police pose a threat to our children.
Like so many on the Left—as I wrote in my latest book, Trump and the American Future—Warnock demonizes police and idolizes criminals. At the same time that he denigrates law enforcement, he wants to end cash bail to let people who are arrested and charged with crimes like theft, trespassing, vandalism, public drug use and public urination be immediately released back into the streets.
This is a threat to the public's health and safety, and a waste of police resources and effort. But it is also harmful to the health and safety of the very people Warnock claims to help. If you have an addiction that has led you to live a life of crime on the streets in order to fuel that addiction, the last place you need to be is back on the streets. If Warnock really wanted to help people who are battling addiction, mental illness and poverty, he would support maintaining cash bail so that these people could be more quickly integrated into special drug or mental illness courts.
Warnock would also help Schumer radically change laws protecting the unborn. In a tweet on December 8, Warnock wrote, "I am a pro-choice pastor." In fact, his radical abortion position goes far beyond simply being pro-choice. As The Atlantic wrote, Warnock "opposes all abortion restrictions." Think about what that means. It means on-demand abortion, regardless of the viability of the unborn child—and regardless of the term of the pregnancy. It means abortions up to the point of birth. Abortion has been a hotly debated topic in America for decades, but Warnock's no-restrictions approach is far more radical than the typical pro-choice position.
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Raphael Warnock Jessica McGowan/Getty Images
Beyond abortion, Warnock dabbles in explicit racism when he emphasizes the sins of "white America." And his philosophy is also partly Marxist when he emphasizes what he considers to be the inherent problems of a capitalist society. He embodies the radical Left's focus on race, sex and redistribution of wealth.
As he said during a sermon in June 2017, which was shared on social media this week: "This country is every bit as sexist as it is racist."
In the sermon, Warnock went on to say:
"We are in a special moment. We are in an evil moment. We are in a tragic moment, and I suggest to you that our politics is symptomatic of our sickness. ...We've got a lot of problems, but I would not be a prophet if I did not tell you that racism is America's pre-existing condition."
But Warnock doesn't save all his vitriol for white Americans. He has criticized black Americans who have dared to be successful. Warnock told NPR's Michel Martin in 2014 that the "black church" and many black Americans have "too often given in to the kind of narcissism and mindless consumeristic impulses of America without asking the hard questions about the distribution of wealth, about the broadening chasm between the haves and have-nots."
In other words, he seems to believe that many successful black Americans are, in reality, mindless and narcissistic. Instead of working hard to provide a good life for their families, they should be trying to topple the system that has helped them prosper, according to Warnock.
And finally, Warnock is unabashedly anti-American and anti-democracy. He has claimed that America's human rights record is worse than those of either China or Iran.
Keep in mind that at this precise moment, there are millions of racial and religious minorities locked in concentration camps in the Xinjiang area of China. They have been there for years, forced to create goods for China's government-owned companies, and made to take "re-education training" to utterly erase their cultural and religious beliefs. Iran's regime entirely outlaws freedom of expression, assembly or criticism of the government. It regularly uses lethal force to simply kill citizens who speak against the regime. Warnock apparently believes these countries are more civil than America.
Warnock also publicly praised the violent life and legacy of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro in 2016—and called Israel an apartheid state from his pulpit in 2015.
No matter what the mainstream liberal media tries to tell Americans on behalf of the Warnock campaign and national Democrats, there is nothing moderate or typical about this particular candidate.
Warnock is, indeed, the most radical candidate for U.S. Senate we have ever seen. If he wins, there will be many more to come, and America will indeed be changed—into something much worse.
To read, hear and watch more of Newt's commentary, visit Gingrich360.com.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.


newsweek--2020-12-13--Saturday Night Live Mocks Trump's New Favorite Network Newsmax

Saturday Night Live mocked pro-Trump network Newsmax 's coverage with a sketch introducing its latest television offering—a sports network that refuses to acknowledge the New York Jets ever lose .
The sketch opens with a voiceover that claims `` millions of real Americans are switching from Fox News to Newsmax because Newsmax tells them the truth ... that Donald Trump could still win this election . ''
The conservative cable network saw its viewership skyrocket after the president urged his supporters to watch the channel , which refused to declare Joe Biden the winner of the 2020 presidential election and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SNL 's voiceover explains that due to its recent success , Newsmax has launched Sportsmax , described as `` the network for real Jets fans , giving you the truth about America 's favorite football team . ''
Alex Moffat , playing Sportsmax anchor Robert King , appears and explains that `` a lot of mainstream sports networks like ESPN '' are saying the Jets have not won a single game this season .
Beck Bennett , portraying analyst Drew Mataraz , says `` the truth is , the Jets have already won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sure , sure… take us through that , '' Moffat says .
As a breaking news chyron declares `` Jets undefeated , '' Bennett 's character says : `` Now the experts tell you the Jets lost 18-10 to the Bills back in October .
Sounds like a done deal , right ?
No , not so fast ! ''
He then pulls up a chart that shows the game 's numbers .
He says `` something very suspicious '' happened because the Jets had been up 3-0 after the first quarter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all these points out of God knows where . ''
`` Either the Jets won three to nothing or this whole game is rigged , '' he declared .
Timothée Chalamet , who hosted last night 's episode of SNL , and Pete Davidson then appear as Jets experts Deluca and Delvecchio .
Casting doubt on the NFL 's integrity when it comes to scoring games , Chalamet 's character tells the anchors : `` Listen , I have in my hand here sworn affidavits from 500 Jets fans who swear they witnessed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ character adds : `` There 's eight million Jets fans out there !
Eight million !
They have nothing to gain by lying about this ! ''
Chalamet 's character continued : `` Let 's look at this logically , OK ?
Only a really bad team would only score three points in a football game , and the Jets are the greatest team ever .
So something 's not adding up here ! ''
`` You see ?
The whole house of cards collapses , '' adds Davidson .
Chalamet adds : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are going to the Super Bowl !
That 's a promise ! ''

Saturday Night Live mocked pro-Trump network Newsmax's coverage with a sketch introducing its latest television offering—a sports network that refuses to acknowledge the New York Jets ever lose.
The sketch opens with a voiceover that claims "millions of real Americans are switching from Fox News to Newsmax because Newsmax tells them the truth... that Donald Trump could still win this election."
The conservative cable network saw its viewership skyrocket after the president urged his supporters to watch the channel, which refused to declare Joe Biden the winner of the 2020 presidential election and aired unsubstantiated theories about voter fraud.
SNL's voiceover explains that due to its recent success, Newsmax has launched Sportsmax, described as "the network for real Jets fans, giving you the truth about America's favorite football team."
Alex Moffat, playing Sportsmax anchor Robert King, appears and explains that "a lot of mainstream sports networks like ESPN" are saying the Jets have not won a single game this season.
Beck Bennett, portraying analyst Drew Mataraz, says "the truth is, the Jets have already won 11 games this season."
"Sure, sure… take us through that," Moffat says.
As a breaking news chyron declares "Jets undefeated," Bennett's character says: "Now the experts tell you the Jets lost 18-10 to the Bills back in October. Sounds like a done deal, right? No, not so fast!"
He then pulls up a chart that shows the game's numbers. He says "something very suspicious" happened because the Jets had been up 3-0 after the first quarter, but then the Bills "started getting all these points out of God knows where."
"Either the Jets won three to nothing or this whole game is rigged," he declared.
Timothée Chalamet, who hosted last night's episode of SNL, and Pete Davidson then appear as Jets experts Deluca and Delvecchio.
Casting doubt on the NFL's integrity when it comes to scoring games, Chalamet's character tells the anchors: "Listen, I have in my hand here sworn affidavits from 500 Jets fans who swear they witnessed the Jets win."
Timothée Chalamet and Pete Davidson on Saturday Night Live. NBC/Saturday Night Live
Davidson's character adds: "There's eight million Jets fans out there! Eight million! They have nothing to gain by lying about this!"
Chalamet's character continued: "Let's look at this logically, OK? Only a really bad team would only score three points in a football game, and the Jets are the greatest team ever. So something's not adding up here!"
"You see? The whole house of cards collapses," adds Davidson.
Chalamet adds: "Long story short, the Jets are going to the Super Bowl! That's a promise!"


newsweek--2020-12-13--Joe Biden administration Can 'Break the Stranglehold of the Past,' Al Gore Says in Op-Ed

Former Vice President Al Gore has said that President-elect Joe Biden offers a chance for the country to reclaim its `` leadership position in the world '' on issues such as climate change , after `` four years in the back seat '' under President Donald Trump .
In an op-ed in The New York Times on Saturday , Gore criticized Trump 's decision to withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement , accused the outgoing president of overseeing `` colossal failure '' during the coronavirus pandemic , and said that `` bitter divisions were exposed and weaponized '' in recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ note on the future for climate change and the U.S. under Biden , despite what he called `` monumental '' challenges ahead .
`` What lies before us is the opportunity to build a more just and equitable way of life for all humankind , '' he wrote .
`` This potential new beginning comes at a rare moment when it may be possible to break the stranglehold of the past over the future , when the trajectory of history might be altered by what we choose to do with a new vision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 that the U.S. would withdraw from the Paris agreement , which aimed to reduce global emissions of greenhouse gases , but UN rules meant it could only leave on November 4—the day after the U.S. election .
President-elect Biden has said that he will rejoin the deal as soon as possible .
Writing on the fifth anniversary of the agreement , Gore said Biden can lead a `` unified global effort '' in doing so .
`` Slowing the rapid warming of the planet will require a unified global effort , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead by strengthening the country 's commitment to reduce emissions under the Paris Agreement — something the country is poised to do thanks to the work of cities , states , businesses and investors , which have continued to make progress despite resistance from the Trump administration . ''
A Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report published in 2018 , warned that the world faced coastal flooding and droughts if greenhouse gas emissions were not reduced by 45 percent from 2010 levels by 2030 and 100 percent by 2050 .
Citing the report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduce fossil fuel use from world leaders—including in the EU , China , Japan , South Korea and the U.K.— and scientific breakthroughs in renewable energy , had offered an opportunity to `` build a more just and equitable way of life . ''
In the op-ed , which came exactly 20 years since Gore conceded the 2000 presidential election race to George W. Bush , the former VP wrote : `` Even then , a speedy phaseout of carbon pollution will require functional democracies .
`` With the casting of a majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Mr. Biden , and then his inauguration , we will make a start in restoring America as the country best positioned to lead the world 's struggle to solve the climate crisis .
`` To do that , we need to deal forthrightly with our shortcomings instead of touting our strengths .
That , and that alone , can position the United States to recover the respect of other nations and restore their confidence in America as a reliable partner in the great challenges humankind faces . ''
Those challenges include the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be overcome following U.S. regulators approving Pfizer 's vaccine for emergency use on Friday .
Such rapid development of the vaccine , Gore added , `` should put an end to the concerted challenges to facts and science that have threatened to undermine reason as the basis for decision-making . ''
But he warned that climate change was an `` even more life-threatening battle ... with consequences measured not only in months and years , but also in centuries and millenniums . ''
He concluded : `` As in the pandemic , knowledge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ succeed , we must learn to work together , lest we perish together . ''

Former Vice President Al Gore has said that President-elect Joe Biden offers a chance for the country to reclaim its "leadership position in the world" on issues such as climate change, after "four years in the back seat" under President Donald Trump.
In an op-ed in The New York Times on Saturday, Gore criticized Trump's decision to withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement, accused the outgoing president of overseeing "colossal failure" during the coronavirus pandemic, and said that "bitter divisions were exposed and weaponized" in recent years.
Gore struck a more optimistic note on the future for climate change and the U.S. under Biden, despite what he called "monumental" challenges ahead.
"What lies before us is the opportunity to build a more just and equitable way of life for all humankind," he wrote. "This potential new beginning comes at a rare moment when it may be possible to break the stranglehold of the past over the future, when the trajectory of history might be altered by what we choose to do with a new vision."
President Trump announced in June 2017 that the U.S. would withdraw from the Paris agreement, which aimed to reduce global emissions of greenhouse gases, but UN rules meant it could only leave on November 4—the day after the U.S. election. President-elect Biden has said that he will rejoin the deal as soon as possible.
Writing on the fifth anniversary of the agreement, Gore said Biden can lead a "unified global effort" in doing so.
"Slowing the rapid warming of the planet will require a unified global effort," he said.
"Mr. Biden can lead by strengthening the country's commitment to reduce emissions under the Paris Agreement — something the country is poised to do thanks to the work of cities, states, businesses and investors, which have continued to make progress despite resistance from the Trump administration."
Former Vice President Al Gore joins New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and delivers a speech on the importance of renewable energy, minutes before the governor signed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act at Fordham Law School in Manhattan on July 18, 2019. Al Gore has criticized the Trump administration for its response to climate change and the coronavirus pandemic, but said that Joe Biden's administration can "break the stranglehold of the past." Scott Heins/Getty
A Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report published in 2018, warned that the world faced coastal flooding and droughts if greenhouse gas emissions were not reduced by 45 percent from 2010 levels by 2030 and 100 percent by 2050.
Citing the report, Gore said that new commitments to reduce fossil fuel use from world leaders—including in the EU, China, Japan, South Korea and the U.K.— and scientific breakthroughs in renewable energy, had offered an opportunity to "build a more just and equitable way of life."
In the op-ed, which came exactly 20 years since Gore conceded the 2000 presidential election race to George W. Bush, the former VP wrote: "Even then, a speedy phaseout of carbon pollution will require functional democracies.
"With the casting of a majority of the Electoral College votes on Monday for Mr. Biden, and then his inauguration, we will make a start in restoring America as the country best positioned to lead the world's struggle to solve the climate crisis.
"To do that, we need to deal forthrightly with our shortcomings instead of touting our strengths. That, and that alone, can position the United States to recover the respect of other nations and restore their confidence in America as a reliable partner in the great challenges humankind faces."
Those challenges include the coronavirus pandemic, which he said would be overcome following U.S. regulators approving Pfizer's vaccine for emergency use on Friday.
Such rapid development of the vaccine, Gore added, "should put an end to the concerted challenges to facts and science that have threatened to undermine reason as the basis for decision-making."
But he warned that climate change was an "even more life-threatening battle ... with consequences measured not only in months and years, but also in centuries and millenniums."
He concluded: "As in the pandemic, knowledge will be our salvation, but to succeed, we must learn to work together, lest we perish together."
President-elect Biden's inauguration is scheduled for January 20.


newsweek--2020-12-13--Kate McKinnon's Anthony Fauci Hilariously Explains Pfizer Vaccine Rollout on SNL

After Pfizer 's coronavirus vaccine received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration , Saturday Night Live 's cold open addressed questions about how the vaccine will be rolled out .
Kate McKinnon appeared as the nation 's top infectious disease expert , Dr. Anthony Fauci , alongside Dr. Deborah Birx , portrayed by Heidi Gardner , in a spoof of CNN 's The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer , who was played by Beck Bennet .
`` Today 's top story is the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine , which the FDA just approved for emergency use , '' Bennet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just like the PS5—everybody wants it , nobody can get it and if you 're rich , you already had it a month ago . ''
The anchor then introduced the public health experts as `` the American Gothic of the whole coronavirus situation . ''
The two experts appear to raucous applause , with Gardner 's Birx—seen in one of her signature silk scarfs—claiming that she was `` also the reason for the cheers . ''
After Fauci notes that he would be joining the Biden administration to help continue the battle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And I think I 'll be joining as well , right ?
Remember when Trump said to inject bleach and I did a stanky little face and I almost whispered 'no . '
Remember ? ''
McKinnon 's Fauci then tells Beckett 's Blitzer that the vaccine will be rolled out `` World War Two-style . ''
`` We made England go in first , see what 's what and then we swoop in at the end and steal the spotlight , '' Fauci says .
`` Tom Hanks will make 10 movies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you can kiss any nurse you want . ''
Beckett 's Blitzer then throws a series of questions at the experts , first asking who will get the vaccine first in the United States .
`` Here 's how we 're going to do it , '' McKinnon 's Fauci responds .
`` First health care workers ... your McSteamys , your McDreamys , what have you . ''
McKinnon 's Fauci explains then the `` super seniors '' will be vaccinated— '' anyone who pays for Red Lobster with a Diners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adds : `` Then after the elderly , we 'll move onto prisoners , then teachers , then sick people , then everyone else . ''
McKinnon 's Fauci mumbles that it will take place in `` July 20-bada bada bada . ''
Asked for an opinion on the overall federal vaccine plan , Fauci replied : `` I try not to comment , but this president has done about as good a job with this rollout as I did throwing out that first pitch at the Nationals game . ''
Then asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a second dose , Fauci says they 'll use `` a technique long-employed by one night stands who have caught feelings . ''
`` We 're gon na have them leave a necklace at the CVS , so they have an excuse to come back , '' McKinnon 's Fauci says .
Later , Fauci says the vaccine will be distributed to states in alphabetical order , starting with `` A-California '' followed by `` Ba-New York City . ''
The sketch was also peppered with references to Fauci 's newfound status @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeatedly interrupted by bras that were flung at him and a marriage proposal .
`` Any other year , I 'm a two ... this year , I 'm a 10 , '' McKinnon 's Fauci explains .
Later , he adds : `` Hopefully , if enough Americans get this vaccine you 'll all forget who I am .
That 's my goal , to have zero name recognition with Americans because that means I 'll have done my job well .
I wan na go back to being an anonymous hunk @ @

After Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Saturday Night Live's cold open addressed questions about how the vaccine will be rolled out.
Kate McKinnon appeared as the nation's top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, alongside Dr. Deborah Birx, portrayed by Heidi Gardner, in a spoof of CNN's The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, who was played by Beck Bennet.
"Today's top story is the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine, which the FDA just approved for emergency use," Bennet's Blitzer says. "It's just like the PS5—everybody wants it, nobody can get it and if you're rich, you already had it a month ago."
The anchor then introduced the public health experts as "the American Gothic of the whole coronavirus situation."
The two experts appear to raucous applause, with Gardner's Birx—seen in one of her signature silk scarfs—claiming that she was "also the reason for the cheers."
After Fauci notes that he would be joining the Biden administration to help continue the battle against COVID, Birx adds: "And I think I'll be joining as well, right? Remember when Trump said to inject bleach and I did a stanky little face and I almost whispered 'no.' Remember?"
McKinnon's Fauci then tells Beckett's Blitzer that the vaccine will be rolled out "World War Two-style."
"We made England go in first, see what's what and then we swoop in at the end and steal the spotlight," Fauci says. "Tom Hanks will make 10 movies about it and when it's over, you can kiss any nurse you want."
Beckett's Blitzer then throws a series of questions at the experts, first asking who will get the vaccine first in the United States.
"Here's how we're going to do it," McKinnon's Fauci responds. "First health care workers...your McSteamys, your McDreamys, what have you."
McKinnon's Fauci explains then the "super seniors" will be vaccinated—"anyone who pays for Red Lobster with a Diners Club card."
Gardner's Birx adds: "Then after the elderly, we'll move onto prisoners, then teachers, then sick people, then everyone else."
McKinnon's Fauci mumbles that it will take place in "July 20-bada bada bada."
Asked for an opinion on the overall federal vaccine plan, Fauci replied: "I try not to comment, but this president has done about as good a job with this rollout as I did throwing out that first pitch at the Nationals game."
Then asked how vaccine providers will ensure patients return for a second dose, Fauci says they'll use "a technique long-employed by one night stands who have caught feelings."
Kate McKinnon as Dr. Anthony Fauci and Heidi Gardner as Dr. Deborah Birx. NBC/Saturday Night Live
"We're gonna have them leave a necklace at the CVS, so they have an excuse to come back," McKinnon's Fauci says.
Later, Fauci says the vaccine will be distributed to states in alphabetical order, starting with "A-California" followed by "Ba-New York City."
The sketch was also peppered with references to Fauci's newfound status as a heartthrob, with his interview repeatedly interrupted by bras that were flung at him and a marriage proposal.
"Any other year, I'm a two... this year, I'm a 10," McKinnon's Fauci explains.
Later, he adds: "Hopefully, if enough Americans get this vaccine you'll all forget who I am. That's my goal, to have zero name recognition with Americans because that means I'll have done my job well. I wanna go back to being an anonymous hunk."


newsweek--2020-12-13--'I Run a Virtual Reality Dating Network Where You Can Have Sex and Marry'

Before I was creating avatar real world representations , I was a key innovator for the very early internet in the 90s .
Around that time , as a hobby I picked up one of the first three massively multiplayer online ( MMO ) games , Asheron 's Call—it was a hugely entertaining Dungeons and Dragons type game .
I would usually adventure solo , but every now and again I would get into a group and we would go on some kind of quest .
What floored me was that the quest would be going along just fine with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman would want to join our quest , and everything would stop—people would start talking and flirting .
I realized this game was great for going out to adventure but it was even better for just going to be social .
That was sort of the genesis for the idea of creating my own virtual reality world .
I started working on Utherverse , a 3D virtual reality social network , around 2003 , but it launched in 2005 .
I felt that the way most social media platforms were shaping up were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives .
It seemed to me that they were designed so that everybody would become jealous .
You may have hundreds or thousands of friends on Facebook , but somebody always seems to be doing better than you are .
You 're always hearing about other people getting a promotion or going on vacation .
What I wanted to do was create a platform that was analogous to what humans are like originally .
Allowing people to form real social circles and bonds with people they interact with , all around the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ connections from the day we opened the ( digital ) doors of the platform .
We did spend time making the space conducive to that , including creating a social profile for people to share information about , and images of , their `` real '' selves .
But I was surprised how firmly and quickly the community created its own culture .
I do n't recall the exact timing that we became aware that we had created a dating network .
But very early on the community started to develop a wedding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encounters had become so prevalent .
Eventually we established something kind of official , where you can get a marriage license and an `` official '' Justice of the Peace ( JOP ) within the platform .
Obviously you do n't have to do that , you can get married in whatever way you like in our virtual universe .
There 's a whole industry on the platform around weddings and relationships ; you can have someone design your gown for a gala or date , or you can hire DJs and rent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ user driven , although we do have our own `` official '' JOP .
Obviously there is no legal force in effect from the marriages other than on our platform , but many people have taken it to the next step and do get married in the real world .
It was also exciting in the early days , because people were able to have a same-sex marriage within our virtual world before it was legal in the U.S. and in many other places—we were n't discriminatory .
I did n't anticipate that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a powerful component ; we have people who own clubs or offer matchmaking services , the whole gamut .
In general , we try to facilitate a warm , inviting and non-threatening community , so we host events and have volunteer guides who introduce avatars to one another .
It 's not a dating service in the same sense as something like OKCupid or Tinder .
If you 're searching for a partner you can search profiles like on those apps , but here you generally find someone naturally in an event and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chat .
When people have avatars there 's less fear about any perceived physical imperfections and there 's less pressure because it 's not a private conversation—you 're talking to the room .
You can also see how each person interacts with other people , or their friends on the platform .
If you have a date , you could go to a concert or a nightclub on the platform where you 're with a group with both of your friends and it makes it more natural and less pressured .
It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service , and I believe it 's the future of dating .
Of course , there are advantages and disadvantages .
You may find that you 're more compatible with someone on the platform who is halfway around the world .
We have around 12million registered users , and I have so many anecdotes of people who have got together through the platform .
People often write to me and tell me that they have gotten married and thought I should know .
There are maybe five marriages or so a year I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from people meeting through our platform .
We had a woman and a man who ended up being volunteers within the platform .
He was in the U.K. and she was in the U.S .
They got married virtually and were together for eight months or so , then he finally flew across the pond and they immediately hit it off in real life .
I think they were stressing about whether there would be chemistry in person , but there was and they got married in real life .
That type of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time that happens I feel great .
I 'll sometimes then see them post pictures of their kids on Facebook .
I 'm a little less certain about the number of real life relationships , but I would estimate hundreds a year between people who are local and get together physically .
And there are likely thousands of relationships where people are together but separated geographically .
It 's a wonderful way to meet people , though you do have the problem of how many people are using this virtual universe in your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relate to people on all kinds of levels but I personally feel it 's a handicap if the platform you 're using is prohibiting sexual activity .
I feel like sex is a huge part of being human .
So , we have the Red Light Center within our virtual universe .
It was introduced in 2006 and includes the whole gamut of adult activity .
We have not shied away from making it clear that this a big part of our virtual reality universe .
People might get married on the platform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ room in a hotel .
We also have gentleman 's clubs and strip clubs for all orientations .
We have a replica of Amsterdam 's red-light district with sex workers and there are many options for different sexual experiences .
I consider the center to be an alternative method for people to be able to safely engage in sexual behaviour .
You can act out fantasies without being in danger of getting physically hurt .
We try to take things to the natural conclusion in the same way that a real life encounter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's safe and low risk .
I do n't think I would be able to work on Utherverse if I had n't been involved in exploring all the different avenues available on the platform .
I 've met some spectacular people and had wonderful encounters with people that have become sexual .
But there are so many different levels to romance on the platform ; you can send a private note or arrange a date .
It 's exciting , even though you know it 's on a computer .
Obviously it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powerful .
I remember back in 2006 , I was involved with a woman and as she turned to walk away , I found myself checking her out .
It was like this light went off—I did n't feel at that moment like this was a computer simulation , instead , I was reacting like this was real life !
However I have n't taken any virtual relationships into real life because the issue for me is that as the CEO I am in a position of power .
I have had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been involved with on the platform that it is n't a normal peer-to-peer relationship .
I do recall being very concerned about catfishing at the outset .
Our policy is that you can represent yourself as you like as long as you are of legal age of majority .
If you 're transgender and you want to go in as the gender you identify with , that 's fine .
We wanted to leave that to the individual .
It is possible to engage the software as a basic member and be identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get certain permissions without verifying yourself .
Once you upgrade you 've gone through a process to verify you 're the age of majority and we verify you are a real person to the extent we are able .
Obviously on the internet nothing is 100 percent perfect .
We have had reports from members of the community that people are suspect or not believed to be an adult .
If the community feels someone is behaving in a way that does n't cut it , they do report it to us .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I received an appeal from someone who had been outed as male when they were presenting as female .
I had to explain to that person that it was n't that they were identifying as a different sex , but that they were doing so for nefarious reasons and this came out because people had become suspicious of their predatory behaviour .
Of course that can happen , but people in the community are generally good about discovering and reporting that kind of behaviour .
And we have had issues with phishing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the community when it happens .
What I hope for the platform in the future is that we can re-order the way that people interact with other people online .
If you understand somebody they generally stop being a stereotype and it 's harder to hate them .
I have always hoped that Utherverse could blossom into a global phenomenon where it 's not just dating , or sex , or attending a concert or class , but really forming social groups that can be human with one another in an elevated way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That 's still my dream .
Brian Shuster is the CEO of Ideaflood , Inc. , an intellectual property development and holding company , and Utherverse Digital , Inc. Utherverse has more than 12 million registered users and worldwide franchise operations .
You can follow Brian on Twitter @ Brian_Shuster All views expressed in this article are the author 's own .

Before I was creating avatar real world representations, I was a key innovator for the very early internet in the 90s. Around that time, as a hobby I picked up one of the first three massively multiplayer online (MMO) games, Asheron's Call—it was a hugely entertaining Dungeons and Dragons type game. I would usually adventure solo, but every now and again I would get into a group and we would go on some kind of quest.
What floored me was that the quest would be going along just fine with five or six guys and then a woman would want to join our quest, and everything would stop—people would start talking and flirting. I realized this game was great for going out to adventure but it was even better for just going to be social. That was sort of the genesis for the idea of creating my own virtual reality world.
I started working on Utherverse, a 3D virtual reality social network, around 2003, but it launched in 2005. I felt that the way most social media platforms were shaping up were giving a distorted view of people's lives. It seemed to me that they were designed so that everybody would become jealous. You may have hundreds or thousands of friends on Facebook, but somebody always seems to be doing better than you are. You're always hearing about other people getting a promotion or going on vacation.
What I wanted to do was create a platform that was analogous to what humans are like originally. Allowing people to form real social circles and bonds with people they interact with, all around the world.
But we saw people creating romantic connections from the day we opened the (digital) doors of the platform. We did spend time making the space conducive to that, including creating a social profile for people to share information about, and images of, their "real" selves. But I was surprised how firmly and quickly the community created its own culture.
I don't recall the exact timing that we became aware that we had created a dating network. But very early on the community started to develop a wedding industry within the platform because the romantic encounters had become so prevalent. Eventually we established something kind of official, where you can get a marriage license and an "official" Justice of the Peace (JOP) within the platform. Obviously you don't have to do that, you can get married in whatever way you like in our virtual universe. There's a whole industry on the platform around weddings and relationships; you can have someone design your gown for a gala or date, or you can hire DJs and rent out banquet halls. It's all user driven, although we do have our own "official" JOP.
Two people on a date as their avatars within the Utherverse virtual world. Courtesy of Utherverse
Obviously there is no legal force in effect from the marriages other than on our platform, but many people have taken it to the next step and do get married in the real world. It was also exciting in the early days, because people were able to have a same-sex marriage within our virtual world before it was legal in the U.S. and in many other places—we weren't discriminatory.
I didn't anticipate that marriage and romance would be quite such a powerful component; we have people who own clubs or offer matchmaking services, the whole gamut. In general, we try to facilitate a warm, inviting and non-threatening community, so we host events and have volunteer guides who introduce avatars to one another.
It's not a dating service in the same sense as something like OKCupid or Tinder. If you're searching for a partner you can search profiles like on those apps, but here you generally find someone naturally in an event and you might see them in a general chat. When people have avatars there's less fear about any perceived physical imperfections and there's less pressure because it's not a private conversation—you're talking to the room.
People can take their avatars to the "beach" within Utherverse. They are able to chat to other avatars present at the location. Courtesy of Utherverse
You can also see how each person interacts with other people, or their friends on the platform. If you have a date, you could go to a concert or a nightclub on the platform where you're with a group with both of your friends and it makes it more natural and less pressured. It's a different way of operating a dating service, and I believe it's the future of dating.
Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages. You may find that you're more compatible with someone on the platform who is halfway around the world. We have around 12million registered users, and I have so many anecdotes of people who have got together through the platform.
People often write to me and tell me that they have gotten married and thought I should know. There are maybe five marriages or so a year I personally hear about that are a result from people meeting through our platform.
We had a woman and a man who ended up being volunteers within the platform. He was in the U.K. and she was in the U.S. They got married virtually and were together for eight months or so, then he finally flew across the pond and they immediately hit it off in real life. I think they were stressing about whether there would be chemistry in person, but there was and they got married in real life. That type of story is always very heartwarming. Every time that happens I feel great. I'll sometimes then see them post pictures of their kids on Facebook.
An avatar couple within Utherverse. Each avatar is a controlled by a real person. Courtesy of Utherverse
I'm a little less certain about the number of real life relationships, but I would estimate hundreds a year between people who are local and get together physically. And there are likely thousands of relationships where people are together but separated geographically. It's a wonderful way to meet people, though you do have the problem of how many people are using this virtual universe in your local area.
It's interesting to relate to people on all kinds of levels but I personally feel it's a handicap if the platform you're using is prohibiting sexual activity. I feel like sex is a huge part of being human.
So, we have the Red Light Center within our virtual universe. It was introduced in 2006 and includes the whole gamut of adult activity. We have not shied away from making it clear that this a big part of our virtual reality universe. People might get married on the platform and then want to rent a fancy room in a hotel. We also have gentleman's clubs and strip clubs for all orientations. We have a replica of Amsterdam's red-light district with sex workers and there are many options for different sexual experiences. I consider the center to be an alternative method for people to be able to safely engage in sexual behaviour. You can act out fantasies without being in danger of getting physically hurt. We try to take things to the natural conclusion in the same way that a real life encounter or relationship would happen. But it's safe and low risk.
I don't think I would be able to work on Utherverse if I hadn't been involved in exploring all the different avenues available on the platform. I've met some spectacular people and had wonderful encounters with people that have become sexual. But there are so many different levels to romance on the platform; you can send a private note or arrange a date. It's exciting, even though you know it's on a computer. Obviously it's not real but the mind is very powerful.
I remember back in 2006, I was involved with a woman and as she turned to walk away, I found myself checking her out. It was like this light went off—I didn't feel at that moment like this was a computer simulation, instead, I was reacting like this was real life!
However I haven't taken any virtual relationships into real life because the issue for me is that as the CEO I am in a position of power. I have had to make it clear to anyone I have been involved with on the platform that it isn't a normal peer-to-peer relationship.
Brian Schuster is the CEO of Utherverse. He developed the platform and has worked on it since it launched in 2005. Courtesy of Brian Shuster
I do recall being very concerned about catfishing at the outset. Our policy is that you can represent yourself as you like as long as you are of legal age of majority. If you're transgender and you want to go in as the gender you identify with, that's fine. We wanted to leave that to the individual.
It is possible to engage the software as a basic member and be identified as such, but you don't get certain permissions without verifying yourself. Once you upgrade you've gone through a process to verify you're the age of majority and we verify you are a real person to the extent we are able. Obviously on the internet nothing is 100 percent perfect.
We have had reports from members of the community that people are suspect or not believed to be an adult. If the community feels someone is behaving in a way that doesn't cut it, they do report it to us.
There have been incidents, such as I received an appeal from someone who had been outed as male when they were presenting as female. I had to explain to that person that it wasn't that they were identifying as a different sex, but that they were doing so for nefarious reasons and this came out because people had become suspicious of their predatory behaviour. Of course that can happen, but people in the community are generally good about discovering and reporting that kind of behaviour. And we have had issues with phishing and scams but we'll send messages to the community when it happens.
What I hope for the platform in the future is that we can re-order the way that people interact with other people online. If you understand somebody they generally stop being a stereotype and it's harder to hate them.
I have always hoped that Utherverse could blossom into a global phenomenon where it's not just dating, or sex, or attending a concert or class, but really forming social groups that can be human with one another in an elevated way, including the whole spectrum of humanity.
That's still my dream.
Brian Shuster is the CEO of Ideaflood, Inc., an intellectual property development and holding company, and Utherverse Digital, Inc. Utherverse has more than 12 million registered users and worldwide franchise operations. You can follow Brian on Twitter @Brian_Shuster
All views expressed in this article are the author's own.
As told to Jenny Haward.


newsweek--2020-12-13--Powerball Results, Numbers for 12/12/20: Did Anyone Win the $277 Million?

The winning numbers in Saturday night 's drawing of the Powerball were 17 , 54 , 56 , 63 and 69 .
The Powerball was 20 and the Power Play was X2 .
But no one has claimed the $ 277 million jackpot for the December 12 draw , according to the Powerball website .
As a result , the prize money will roll over to the next drawing on Thursday , December 17 .
The estimated jackpot then will be $ 287 million ( with a cash value of $ 222.8 million ) .
Although no-one won the jackpot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some big winners .
A player in Michigan matched five white balls correctly to win a $ 1 million prize .
Another player in Florida also matched five white balls correctly but doubled their prize to $ 2 million , thanks to a Power Play purchase .
Fourteen players matched four white balls and the Powerball correctly to win $ 50,000 prizes .
Another four doubled their prize money to $ 100,000 with a Power Play purchase .
The Powerball jackpot has not been won since September , according to the Powerball website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 94 million , in the September 16 draw was sold at Minogue 's Beverage located at 2421 Route 9 in Ballston Spa .
The win reset the Powerball jackpot to $ 20 million .
Before that , the jackpot was won on August 12 , when one lucky player in Florida matched all five white balls and the Powerball to scoop a massive $ 169 million payout .
How do you play Powerball ?
Powerball is a hugely popular multi-state lottery that is available to play in 45 states , the District of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Virgin Islands .
Drawings usually take place twice a week on a Wednesday and Saturday night , at 10:59 p.m .
ET .
Each draw is broadcast live from the lottery studio in Tallahassee , Florida .
Each ticket costs $ 2 per play , with players selecting five numbers from 1 to 69 , in addition to one red Powerball number from 1 to 26 .
In certain circumstances , players can also multiply non-jackpot prizes by using the Power Play option for an additional $ 1 .
Why is the Powerball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payout in half from $ 40 million to $ 20 million with minimum roll increased of $ 2 million between drawings back in March because of the coronavirus pandemic leading to reduced sales , according to lottery officials .
Powerball Product Group Chairman and Maine Lottery Director Gregory Mineo said in a statement at the time : `` Powerball players in many U.S. lottery jurisdictions are under shelter-in-place orders or recommendations , which have affected normal consumer behaviors .
Powerball 's official website claims that players have a 1 in 24.9 chance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of participants .
But the chances of winning the grand prize jackpot are astronomically higher at 1 in 292,201,338 , according to the official website .
Winners can choose to either select their prize as an annuity , or for significantly less , a lump-sum payment .
The annuity option sees the winner receive 30 annual payments over the space of 29 years , with each payment increasing by five percent until the 30th and final payment .
Your chances of hitting the grand prize jackpot are 1 in 292,201,338 , regardless of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's website .
If you win a jackpot , call lottery officials at 1-800-222-0996 .

The winning numbers in Saturday night's drawing of the Powerball were 17, 54, 56, 63 and 69. The Powerball was 20 and the Power Play was X2.
But no one has claimed the $277 million jackpot for the December 12 draw, according to the Powerball website. As a result, the prize money will roll over to the next drawing on Thursday, December 17. The estimated jackpot then will be $287 million (with a cash value of $222.8 million).
Although no-one won the jackpot in Saturday's draw, there were some big winners.
A player in Michigan matched five white balls correctly to win a $1 million prize. Another player in Florida also matched five white balls correctly but doubled their prize to $2 million, thanks to a Power Play purchase.
Fourteen players matched four white balls and the Powerball correctly to win $50,000 prizes. Another four doubled their prize money to $100,000 with a Power Play purchase.
A machine prints Powerball lottery tickets at a convenience store in Washington, D.C., January 7, 2016. Saul Loeb/Getty
The Powerball jackpot has not been won since September, according to the Powerball website.
The winning ticket, worth $94 million, in the September 16 draw was sold at Minogue's Beverage located at 2421 Route 9 in Ballston Spa. The win reset the Powerball jackpot to $20 million.
Before that, the jackpot was won on August 12, when one lucky player in Florida matched all five white balls and the Powerball to scoop a massive $169 million payout.
How do you play Powerball?
Powerball is a hugely popular multi-state lottery that is available to play in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings usually take place twice a week on a Wednesday and Saturday night, at 10:59 p.m. ET. Each draw is broadcast live from the lottery studio in Tallahassee, Florida.
Each ticket costs $2 per play, with players selecting five numbers from 1 to 69, in addition to one red Powerball number from 1 to 26. In certain circumstances, players can also multiply non-jackpot prizes by using the Power Play option for an additional $1.
Why is the Powerball so low?
Powerball slashed its minimum payout in half from $40 million to $20 million with minimum roll increased of $2 million between drawings back in March because of the coronavirus pandemic leading to reduced sales, according to lottery officials.
Powerball Product Group Chairman and Maine Lottery Director Gregory Mineo said in a statement at the time: "Powerball players in many U.S. lottery jurisdictions are under shelter-in-place orders or recommendations, which have affected normal consumer behaviors.
Powerball's official website claims that players have a 1 in 24.9 chance of winning any prize regardless of the number of participants. But the chances of winning the grand prize jackpot are astronomically higher at 1 in 292,201,338, according to the official website.
Winners can choose to either select their prize as an annuity, or for significantly less, a lump-sum payment. The annuity option sees the winner receive 30 annual payments over the space of 29 years, with each payment increasing by five percent until the 30th and final payment.
Your chances of hitting the grand prize jackpot are 1 in 292,201,338, regardless of the jackpot size, according to Powerball's website. If you win a jackpot, call lottery officials at 1-800-222-0996.


newsweek--2020-12-12--Michael Flynn Says Trump Will Remain President in First Public Remarks Since Pardon

Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn on Saturday expressed confidence that President Donald Trump will serve a second consecutive term in his first public remarks since his presidential pardon .
Flynn joined a slew of high profile Trump supporters in Washington D.C. for a series of `` Stop the Steal '' rallies to protest the results of the election , one day after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit by Texas aimed at overturning President-elect Joe Biden 's win in four battleground states .
Billed by Trump and his allies as `` the big one , '' the failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of defeats for the president 's campaign to reverse his defeat .
`` The courts do not decide who the next president of the United States will be , '' Flynn told a crowd of protesters carrying patriotic flags .
`` We the people decide . ''
`` I will say , there are paths that are still in play ... there 's a lot of activity that 's still playing out . ''
On November 27 , Trump issued Flynn a presidential pardon , concluding a prosecution spanning years in the Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guilty twice to lying to the FBI about contacts with a Kremlin ambassador .
Flynn had asked to reverse his pleas before the Justice Department attempted to discharge his case .
A few weeks later , on Tuesday , a federal judge upheld the case dismissal , but maintained that Trump 's pardon does not prove Flynn 's innocence in lying to the FBI .
Flynn told the pro-Trump crowd on Saturday that he was certain that the president will hold onto power .
`` I will tell you one more time—because I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ten , who will be the next president of the United States , and I say Donald Trump .
Ten .
A ten , '' he said .
Trump `` knows that the people that he can trust are people that he 's never met .
And that 's you , '' Flynn said .
`` He trusts you because he knows you know what 's going on and you will not allow what 's going on to happen in our country . ''
Conservative radio host Alex Jones and MyPillow CEO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rally .
Trump 's path to overturning the results of the election is now virtually non-existent , with the Electoral College set to officially confirm Biden 's victory on Monday .
U.S. District Court Judge Brett Ludwig dealt another blow to his campaign as protesters marched today by dismissing his lawsuit seeking to overturn Wisconsin 's results .
MAGA supporters , once aligned with the GOP , have been turning against their party for failing to help Trump remain in office .
Elsewhere at the D.C. protests today , a large group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP , '' and booing Georgia Republican Senate incumbents Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue .
Newsweek reached out to the Trump campaign for comment .

Former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn on Saturday expressed confidence that President Donald Trump will serve a second consecutive term in his first public remarks since his presidential pardon.
Flynn joined a slew of high profile Trump supporters in Washington D.C. for a series of "Stop the Steal" rallies to protest the results of the election, one day after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit by Texas aimed at overturning President-elect Joe Biden's win in four battleground states. Billed by Trump and his allies as "the big one," the failed suit was the latest in a string of defeats for the president's campaign to reverse his defeat.
"The courts do not decide who the next president of the United States will be," Flynn told a crowd of protesters carrying patriotic flags. "We the people decide."
"I will say, there are paths that are still in play ... there's a lot of activity that's still playing out."
Former General Michael Flynn, President Donald Trump’s recently pardoned national security adviser, speaks during a "Stop the Steal" pro-Trump protest on December 12, 2020 in Washington, DC. Tasos Katopodis/Getty
On November 27, Trump issued Flynn a presidential pardon, concluding a prosecution spanning years in the Russia probe that saw his former aide plead guilty twice to lying to the FBI about contacts with a Kremlin ambassador. Flynn had asked to reverse his pleas before the Justice Department attempted to discharge his case.
A few weeks later, on Tuesday, a federal judge upheld the case dismissal, but maintained that Trump's pardon does not prove Flynn's innocence in lying to the FBI.
Flynn told the pro-Trump crowd on Saturday that he was certain that the president will hold onto power. "I will tell you one more time—because I've been asked—on a scale of one to ten, who will be the next president of the United States, and I say Donald Trump. Ten. A ten," he said.
Trump "knows that the people that he can trust are people that he's never met. And that's you," Flynn said. "He trusts you because he knows you know what's going on and you will not allow what's going on to happen in our country."
Conservative radio host Alex Jones and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell were among other speakers at the rally.
Trump's path to overturning the results of the election is now virtually non-existent, with the Electoral College set to officially confirm Biden's victory on Monday. U.S. District Court Judge Brett Ludwig dealt another blow to his campaign as protesters marched today by dismissing his lawsuit seeking to overturn Wisconsin's results.
MAGA supporters, once aligned with the GOP, have been turning against their party for failing to help Trump remain in office. Elsewhere at the D.C. protests today, a large group of demonstrators were chanting "destroy the GOP," and booing Georgia Republican Senate incumbents Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue.
Newsweek reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.


newsweek--2020-12-12--Powerball Numbers For 12/12/20, Saturday Jackpot Was Worth $277 Million

The Powerball jackpot for 12/12/20 is $ 277 million .
Here are the numbers from the Saturday night drawing .
Saturday night 's 12/12/20 Powerball jackpot was estimated at $ 277 million , with a cash option of $ 210.8 million .
The jackpot could increase if sales further lottery projections , according to officials .
The winning numbers on Wednesday ( 12/09/20 ) for the $ 262 million Powerball jackpot were : 11-14-31-47-48 with a Powerball of 04 .
The Power Play was 3x .
There was no grand prize winner on Wednesday , but there were two tickets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and just missing out on the red Powerball , for the game 's second prize .
One of those tickets , purchased in Florida , was worth $ 1 million .
The other ticket , purchased in Connecticut , was worth $ 2 million since they bought the Power Play for an extra $ 1 .
The last winning Powerball ticket was sold on August 12 , 2020 for a jackpot worth $ 169 million .
That ticket was sold in Florida .
Normally , the game would reset to a $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic forced Powerball officials to cut the minimum jackpot in half , which began with the 04/11/20 jackpot .
The previous winning ticket was sold on June 10 , 2020 .
The previous winning ticket sold was purchased in New Jersey for the 04/08/20 jackpot worth $ 190 million .
The previous grand prize won before that was $ 70 million in the 02/12/20 drawing with a ticket purchased in Michigan .
The grand prize winner before that was on 01/29/20 .
That ticket was sold at a 7-Eleven store in Bonita Springs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million grand prize , which had a cash option of $ 274.6 million .
The odds of hitting the grand prize jackpot are 1 in 292,201,338 , regardless of the jackpot size—according to Powerball 's website .
Powerball is a multi-state lottery played every Wednesday and Saturday , and one of America 's two biggest lottery jackpot games .
Powerball jackpots start at $ 20 million , and other prizes pay from $ 1 million to $ 2 million with a Power Play .
Tickets are $ 2 .
You can check the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winning numbers , on the official Powerball website .
The other multi-state lottery is Mega Millions , which is played on Tuesdays and Fridays .
Like Powerball , the jackpot is reset at $ 20 million after a jackpot is won , and one line of numbers is $ 2 , with a $ 1 option to multiply their winnings with a Megaplier .
Here is the Mega Millions website for more information , or to check any potential past numbers .
There are nine ways to win money during the Powerball .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers pays out $ 4 , and even more if the power play is bought for an extra dollar .
The same payout goes for one ball plus the powerball , and $ 7 is the payout for two correct numbers with the powerball , or three correct numbers and no powerball .
If all five white , numbered balls are chosen but the red powerball is not correct , then the payout is $ 1 million , with an even higher payout if the power play is chosen .
Here are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tickets were drawn , one sold in Iowa and one sold in New York Two winning tickets were drawn , one sold in Missouri and one sold in Arizona

The Powerball jackpot for 12/12/20 is $277 million. Here are the numbers from the Saturday night drawing.
First Five: 17-54-56-63-69
Powerball: 20
Power Play: 2x
Saturday night's 12/12/20 Powerball jackpot was estimated at $277 million, with a cash option of $210.8 million. The jackpot could increase if sales further lottery projections, according to officials.
The winning numbers on Wednesday (12/09/20) for the $262 million Powerball jackpot were: 11-14-31-47-48 with a Powerball of 04. The Power Play was 3x.
There was no grand prize winner on Wednesday, but there were two tickets sold that matched all five white balls, and just missing out on the red Powerball, for the game's second prize. One of those tickets, purchased in Florida, was worth $1 million. The other ticket, purchased in Connecticut, was worth $2 million since they bought the Power Play for an extra $1.
Tickets shown for the Powerball lottery in Texas during June 2019. Photo by Scott McDonald/Newsweek
The last winning Powerball ticket was sold on August 12, 2020 for a jackpot worth $169 million. That ticket was sold in Florida.
Normally, the game would reset to a $40 million minimum, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced Powerball officials to cut the minimum jackpot in half, which began with the 04/11/20 jackpot.
The previous winning ticket was sold on June 10, 2020. The previous winning ticket sold was purchased in New Jersey for the 04/08/20 jackpot worth $190 million. The previous grand prize won before that was $70 million in the 02/12/20 drawing with a ticket purchased in Michigan. The grand prize winner before that was on 01/29/20. That ticket was sold at a 7-Eleven store in Bonita Springs, Florida, for the $394 million grand prize, which had a cash option of $274.6 million.
The odds of hitting the grand prize jackpot are 1 in 292,201,338, regardless of the jackpot size—according to Powerball's website.
Powerball is a multi-state lottery played every Wednesday and Saturday, and one of America's two biggest lottery jackpot games. Powerball jackpots start at $20 million, and other prizes pay from $1 million to $2 million with a Power Play. Tickets are $2. You can check the numbers for tonight, or any past winning numbers, on the official Powerball website.
The other multi-state lottery is Mega Millions, which is played on Tuesdays and Fridays. Like Powerball, the jackpot is reset at $20 million after a jackpot is won, and one line of numbers is $2, with a $1 option to multiply their winnings with a Megaplier. Here is the Mega Millions website for more information, or to check any potential past numbers.
There are nine ways to win money during the Powerball. Just getting the powerball with no other numbers pays out $4, and even more if the power play is bought for an extra dollar. The same payout goes for one ball plus the powerball, and $7 is the payout for two correct numbers with the powerball, or three correct numbers and no powerball.
If all five white, numbered balls are chosen but the red powerball is not correct, then the payout is $1 million, with an even higher payout if the power play is chosen.
Here are the all-time top Powerball jackpot prizes
1. $1.586 billion (01/13/2016)
Winning tickets sold in California, Florida and Tennessee
2. $768.4 million (03/27/2019)
Single ticket sold in Wisconsin
3. $758.7 million (08/23/2017)
Single ticket sold in Massachusetts
4. $687.8 million (10/27/2018)
Two winning tickets were drawn, one sold in Iowa and one sold in New York
5. $590.5 million (05/18/2013)
Single ticket sold in Florida
6. $587.5 million (11/28/2012)
Two winning tickets were drawn, one sold in Missouri and one sold in Arizona
7. $564.1 million (02/11/2015)
Winning tickets sold in Texas, North Carolina and Puerto Rico