newsweek--2020-11-26--After Trump Retweets Call to Pardon Himself, Fox News Asks 'Can He?'

Fox News briefly explored whether President Donald Trump could pardon himself after he retweeted a call on Thanksgiving Day from his ally Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz to consider doing so .
After pardoning former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn , Trump on Thursday shared a call from Gaetz encouraging him to pardon himself .
`` Trump should pardon Michael Flynn , he should pardon the Thanksgiving Turkey , he should pardon everyone from himself to his administration officials to Joe Exotic if he has too , '' Gaetz told Fox News prior to Flynn 's pardoning .
Following news reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ host Julie Banderas asked Reuters correspondent Jeff Mason whether he is authorized to pardon himself .
`` The president can not pardon himself though , can he ? ''
she said .
`` There 's been a lot of question marks and speculation about that , '' Mason responded .
`` My understanding , the answer to that is no .
But I suspect that 's something we will continue to see debated in the weeks to come before President-elect Joe Biden is inaugurated on January 20th . ''
Trump could face numerous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which his role as Commander in Chief has protected him from over the past four years .
While it is unclear whether he has the authority to do so , some have suggested that he might attempt to preemptively protect himself from the prospect of facing criminal charges .
Trump previously insisted that he has the power to pardon himself amid former special counsel Robert Mueller 's investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election .
`` I do have an absolute right to pardon myself , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` But I will never have to do it because I did n't do anything wrong . ''
`` As has been stated by numerous legal scholars , I have the absolute right to PARDON myself , but why would I do that when I have done nothing wrong ? ''
the president added in a tweet .
`` In the meantime , the never ending Witch Hunt , led by 13 very Angry and Conflicted Democrats ( & others ) continues into the mid-terms ! ''
Last week , Brian Kalt , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told Newsweek , `` My standard answer here is 'Well , he can try . ''
However , most voters indicated in a recent poll that Trump should not be able to pardon himself .
A NBC LX/YouGov survey of 1,200 registered voters , conducted November 22 , showed 72 percent saying that U.S. presidents should not be allowed to pardon themselves , compared to 13 percent who said they should .
Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment .

Fox News briefly explored whether President Donald Trump could pardon himself after he retweeted a call on Thanksgiving Day from his ally Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz to consider doing so.
After pardoning former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, Trump on Thursday shared a call from Gaetz encouraging him to pardon himself. "Trump should pardon Michael Flynn, he should pardon the Thanksgiving Turkey, he should pardon everyone from himself to his administration officials to Joe Exotic if he has too," Gaetz told Fox News prior to Flynn's pardoning.
Following news reports of Trump's retweet, Fox News host Julie Banderas asked Reuters correspondent Jeff Mason whether he is authorized to pardon himself. "The president cannot pardon himself though, can he?" she said.
President Donald Trump speaks as first lady Melania Trump looks on during a traditional Thanksgiving Day event in the Rose Garden of the White House November 24, 2020 in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla/Getty
"There's been a lot of question marks and speculation about that," Mason responded. "My understanding, the answer to that is no. But I suspect that's something we will continue to see debated in the weeks to come before President-elect Joe Biden is inaugurated on January 20th."
Trump could face numerous lawsuits and criminal investigations upon leaving office, which his role as Commander in Chief has protected him from over the past four years. While it is unclear whether he has the authority to do so, some have suggested that he might attempt to preemptively protect himself from the prospect of facing criminal charges.
Trump previously insisted that he has the power to pardon himself amid former special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. "I do have an absolute right to pardon myself," the president told reporters in June 2018. "But I will never have to do it because I didn't do anything wrong."
"As has been stated by numerous legal scholars, I have the absolute right to PARDON myself, but why would I do that when I have done nothing wrong?" the president added in a tweet. "In the meantime, the never ending Witch Hunt, led by 13 very Angry and Conflicted Democrats (& others) continues into the mid-terms!"
Last week, Brian Kalt, a Michigan State University constitutional law professor, told Newsweek, "My standard answer here is 'Well, he can try."
However, most voters indicated in a recent poll that Trump should not be able to pardon himself. A NBC LX/YouGov survey of 1,200 registered voters, conducted November 22, showed 72 percent saying that U.S. presidents should not be allowed to pardon themselves, compared to 13 percent who said they should.
Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment.


newsweek--2020-11-26--Thanksgiving Celebrations Could Double U.S. COVID-19 Death Rate to 4,000 a Day, Professor Predicts

Dr. Jonathan Reiner , a professor of medicine at George Washington University , has predicted that the daily death rate connected to new COVID-19 infections will double in the next 10 days , bringing the national rate to over 4,000 deaths a day .
`` It takes about five to seven days to become symptomatic , '' Reiner told CNN on Wednesday .
`` Usually , it takes about another week to be sick enough to be hospitalized so that 's two weeks at least , and then it takes usually another week for folks to succumb to the illness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of daily COVID-19 deaths has trended upwards .
On November 25 , 2,313 deaths were reported , the highest daily toll in five months and the second-highest daily toll in six months .
Throughout autumn , Dr. Anthony Fauci , White House coronavirus task force member and director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , has warned Americans that traveling and gathering with family and large groups could worsen the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic .
`` I do n't want to be the grinch that stole Thanksgiving , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` but what we are learning , sadly now , is that a lot of the new infections are occurring [ in homes ] . ''
He said that many asymptomatic people may falsely assume that they 're not infected and unknowingly spread the virus when they remove their masks to eat , drink , and talk excitedly when they 're happy .
`` hat 's how infections get spread , '' he said .
While state and local leaders have issued lockdown restrictions against large gatherings in people 's homes , some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforce such orders .
Other people are defying the orders because they consider them a restriction on their personal freedoms .
On Wednesday , the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that it expects the total number of deaths in the nation to increase to 294,000 to 321,000 coronavirus deaths by December 19 .
As of November 26 , the national COVID-19 death total is around 263,000 .
To reach the CDC 's estimates , anywhere from 1,015 to 2,251 people would have to die each day .
A separate CDC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. is undercounting COVID-19 cases , missing around eight coronavirus cases for every single new one detected .
On Wednesday , a survey of national data and a tally conducted by the news site STAT found that hospitals in at least 25 states are facing staff shortages amid increasing COVID-19 case counts .

Dr. Jonathan Reiner, a professor of medicine at George Washington University, has predicted that the daily death rate connected to new COVID-19 infections will double in the next 10 days, bringing the national rate to over 4,000 deaths a day.
"It takes about five to seven days to become symptomatic," Reiner told CNN on Wednesday. "Usually, it takes about another week to be sick enough to be hospitalized so that's two weeks at least, and then it takes usually another week for folks to succumb to the illness."
Over the last month, the number of daily COVID-19 deaths has trended upwards. On November 25, 2,313 deaths were reported, the highest daily toll in five months and the second-highest daily toll in six months.
A doctor of medicine has predicted that the daily COVID-19 death rate is likely to double to over 4,000 per day due to new infections spread over the Thanksgiving holiday. In this November 21, 2020 image, a pedestrian wearing a face mask walks their dog past an inflatable turkey ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday during increased Covid-19 restrictions in Manhattan Beach, California. Patrick T. Fallon / AFP/Getty
Throughout autumn, Dr. Anthony Fauci, White House coronavirus task force member and director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has warned Americans that traveling and gathering with family and large groups could worsen the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
"I don't want to be the grinch that stole Thanksgiving," Fauci told GHB News on Thursday, "but what we are learning, sadly now, is that a lot of the new infections are occurring [in homes]."
He said that many asymptomatic people may falsely assume that they're not infected and unknowingly spread the virus when they remove their masks to eat, drink, and talk excitedly when they're happy. "hat's how infections get spread," he said.
While state and local leaders have issued lockdown restrictions against large gatherings in people's homes, some sheriffs have said that they won't enforce such orders. Other people are defying the orders because they consider them a restriction on their personal freedoms.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that it expects the total number of deaths in the nation to increase to 294,000 to 321,000 coronavirus deaths by December 19.
As of November 26, the national COVID-19 death total is around 263,000. To reach the CDC's estimates, anywhere from 1,015 to 2,251 people would have to die each day.
A separate CDC report issued this week estimated that the U.S. is undercounting COVID-19 cases, missing around eight coronavirus cases for every single new one detected.
On Wednesday, a survey of national data and a tally conducted by the news site STAT found that hospitals in at least 25 states are facing staff shortages amid increasing COVID-19 case counts.
Newsweek contacted the CDC for comment.


newsweek--2020-11-26--What Can You Get for Free This Black Friday?

Black Friday shopping may look a little bit different this year .
As coronavirus cases continue to surge all across the U.S. , more people may take to online or curbside pickup for all their shopping needs , as opposed to actually visiting and browsing through stores .
Even still , that wo n't stop people from feeling hungry .
Whatever style of retail therapy that folks decide to indulge in , it 's sure to work up an appetite .
Luckily , there are a number of food deals and holiday freebies available on the day after Thanksgiving .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pie for later and splurge on restaurant and food store discounts while you can .
See below for a list of places offering Black Friday freebies .
Get a free coffee when you visit the bakery through December 31 .
You can order online at participating locations or visit a Corner Bakery with a coupon you can download and print here .
Corner Bakery shoppers can also receive a $ 5 bonus card when they purchase $ 25 in gift cards this holiday season .
Kids under the age of 12 get to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from November 27 through November 29 .
However , an adult entree must be purchased for access to the deal .
So , this one is n't quite a freebie , but it 's a deal worth considering , especially when shopping for someone else .
Chili 's is offering an additional $ 10 on gift cards for $ 50 or more .
Eaters wo n't get to use it on Black Friday , but the gift card can come in handy for a reduced meal while it 's valid , from January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Like Chili 's , the steakhouse is offering customers an additional $ 10 on gift cards worth $ 50 or more .
However , this chain has n't specified any expiration dates on cards .
Chocolate lovers rejoice !
The chocolatier is offering 20 percent markdowns on decadent treats beginning on Black Friday .
Flowerboxes will also be available for 40 percent off .
Load up on noodles , zoodles and caulifloodles with the noodle empire 's holiday special : Customers who purchase gift cards worth $ 25 or more receive a free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Tex-Mex chain restaurant is n't just celebrating the holidays .
It 's honoring its 25th anniversary on Black Friday , too , giving customers the chance to take in a number of festive deals , like chips and salsa , Mexican beers , fountain drinks or its famous Uno Taco for just $ 2 during happy hour .
Other menu items , like burritos , regular bowls and quesadillas , will be priced at $ 5 for the celebration .

Black Friday shopping may look a little bit different this year. As coronavirus cases continue to surge all across the U.S., more people may take to online or curbside pickup for all their shopping needs, as opposed to actually visiting and browsing through stores. Even still, that won't stop people from feeling hungry.
Whatever style of retail therapy that folks decide to indulge in, it's sure to work up an appetite. Luckily, there are a number of food deals and holiday freebies available on the day after Thanksgiving. So save all that leftover turkey and pie for later and splurge on restaurant and food store discounts while you can.
See below for a list of places offering Black Friday freebies.
Various and stores are giving away freebies and food deals on Black Friday on November 27, 2020. iStock / Getty Images Plus
Corner Bakery
Get a free coffee when you visit the bakery through December 31. You can order online at participating locations or visit a Corner Bakery with a coupon you can download and print here. Corner Bakery shoppers can also receive a $5 bonus card when they purchase $25 in gift cards this holiday season.
TooJay's Deli
Kids under the age of 12 get to eat for free at TooJay's Deli from November 27 through November 29. However, an adult entree must be purchased for access to the deal.
Chili's
So, this one isn't quite a freebie, but it's a deal worth considering, especially when shopping for someone else. Chili's is offering an additional $10 on gift cards for $50 or more. Eaters won't get to use it on Black Friday, but the gift card can come in handy for a reduced meal while it's valid, from January 1 through February 11, 2021.
Logan's Roadhouse
Like Chili's, the steakhouse is offering customers an additional $10 on gift cards worth $50 or more. However, this chain hasn't specified any expiration dates on cards.
Godiva
Chocolate lovers rejoice! The chocolatier is offering 20 percent markdowns on decadent treats beginning on Black Friday. Flowerboxes will also be available for 40 percent off.
Noodles Company
Load up on noodles, zoodles and caulifloodles with the noodle empire's holiday special: Customers who purchase gift cards worth $25 or more receive a free $5 gift card for themselves.
Tijuana Flats
The Tex-Mex chain restaurant isn't just celebrating the holidays. It's honoring its 25th anniversary on Black Friday, too, giving customers the chance to take in a number of festive deals, like chips and salsa, Mexican beers, fountain drinks or its famous Uno Taco for just $2 during happy hour. Other menu items, like burritos, regular bowls and quesadillas, will be priced at $5 for the celebration.


newsweek--2020-11-26--Comedians Buy Trump 2024 Website Domain to Call President a 'Loser'

Two comedians have purchased and set up a website for DonaldJTrump2024.com .
The site largely mocks President Donald Trump for losing the 2020 presidential election and refusing to concede .
The website looks almost identical to Trump 's actual website , DonaldJTrump.com , even using the same main image and font .
However , the comedians ' website calls Trump a `` loser '' six times and has a fictional quote from Trump stating , `` I lost the 2020 election . ''
None of the website 's buttons are linked to any other webpages , essentially making the site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Jason Selvig and Davram Stiefler who go by The Good Liars , established the website , and wrote to Trump in a November 24 tweet , `` Hey @ realDonaldTrump we 'll give you DonaldJTrump2024.com if you tweet 'My name is Donald Trump and I lost the 2020 election by A LOT .
I am a loser .
SAD ! ''
.
The website also has a banner proclaiming , `` Click here to donate to a PAC that has nothing to do with my legal defense team . ''
The banner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking them to donate to his `` Official Election Defense Fund '' for mounting legal challenges seeking to overturn the vote in several key swing states .
Legal language in Trump 's solicitations specify that any donations to his legal fund that are under $ 8,000 benefit the Republican National Committee or `` Save America , '' a Trump leadership PAC ( political action committee ) , according to Reuters .
Trump 's re-election campaign has filed nearly three dozen lawsuits in Pennsylvania , Georgia , Michigan and other states alleging widespread voter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of President-elect Joe Biden 's votes .
At least 30 of these lawsuits have failed , been dismissed or withdrawn by the campaign , according to The New York Times .
Nevertheless , Trump has repeatedly stated that he won the election .
On Thursday morning , he tweeted , `` Just saw the vote tabulations .
There is NO WAY Biden got 80,000,000 votes !
!
!
This was a 100 % RIGGED ELECTION . ''
One of The Good Liars ' previous pranks targeted the November 2019 book published by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jr..
The book is titled Triggered : How the Left Thrives on Hate and Wants to Silence Us , but the pranksters printed out an alternate book cover entitled , Daddy , Please Love Me .
After placing the new cover on numerous copies of Trump Jr. 's book at a Barnes and Nobles bookstore , the comedians then claimed to have relocated the book to the Young Adult section , the area of the bookstore intended for adolescent readers ages 12 to 18 .
Donald Trump Jr. is 42 years old .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Two comedians have purchased and set up a website for DonaldJTrump2024.com. The site largely mocks President Donald Trump for losing the 2020 presidential election and refusing to concede.
The website looks almost identical to Trump's actual website, DonaldJTrump.com, even using the same main image and font. However, the comedians' website calls Trump a "loser" six times and has a fictional quote from Trump stating, "I lost the 2020 election." None of the website's buttons are linked to any other webpages, essentially making the site just a standalone page.
The comedians, Jason Selvig and Davram Stiefler who go by The Good Liars, established the website, and wrote to Trump in a November 24 tweet, "Hey @realDonaldTrump we'll give you DonaldJTrump2024.com if you tweet 'My name is Donald Trump and I lost the 2020 election by A LOT. I am a loser. SAD!".
Two comedians have purchased DonaldJTrump2024.com to mock President Donald Trump about his loss in the 2020 election. In this November 26, 2020 photo, Trump golfs at Trump National Golf Club on in Sterling, Virginia. Tasos Katopodis/Getty
The website also has a banner proclaiming, "Click here to donate to a PAC that has nothing to do with my legal defense team."
The banner references Trump's repeated requests to supporters asking them to donate to his "Official Election Defense Fund" for mounting legal challenges seeking to overturn the vote in several key swing states.
Legal language in Trump's solicitations specify that any donations to his legal fund that are under $8,000 benefit the Republican National Committee or "Save America," a Trump leadership PAC (political action committee), according to Reuters.
Trump's re-election campaign has filed nearly three dozen lawsuits in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan and other states alleging widespread voter fraud in an attempt to toss out thousands of President-elect Joe Biden's votes. At least 30 of these lawsuits have failed, been dismissed or withdrawn by the campaign, according to The New York Times.
Nevertheless, Trump has repeatedly stated that he won the election. On Thursday morning, he tweeted, "Just saw the vote tabulations. There is NO WAY Biden got 80,000,000 votes!!! This was a 100% RIGGED ELECTION."
One of The Good Liars' previous pranks targeted the November 2019 book published by the president's son, Donald Trump Jr.. The book is titled Triggered: How the Left Thrives on Hate and Wants to Silence Us, but the pranksters printed out an alternate book cover entitled, Daddy, Please Love Me.
The time we changed the cover of Don Jr’s book and put them in the Young Adult section of Barnes and Noble. pic.twitter.com/9iWEkAs92Q — Jason Selvig (@jasonselvig) November 21, 2020
After placing the new cover on numerous copies of Trump Jr.'s book at a Barnes and Nobles bookstore, the comedians then claimed to have relocated the book to the Young Adult section, the area of the bookstore intended for adolescent readers ages 12 to 18. Donald Trump Jr. is 42 years old.
Newsweek contacted the Trump campaign for comment.


newsweek--2020-11-26--'No Thanks!': Trump Criticizes American Football Players Taking a Knee on Thanksgiving Day

President Donald Trump criticized American football players on Thanksgiving Day for taking a knee during the national anthem before a game between the Houston Texans and Detroit Lions .
`` No thanks ! ''
the president tweeted in response to a video of quarterbacks Deshuan Watson of the Houston Texans and Matthew Stafford of the Detroit Lions taking a knee on Thursday afternoon .
Watson and Stafford were among players in the two teams that knelt before their Thanksgiving Day match in support of the Black Lives Matter movement .
National Football League ( NFL ) footage showed a number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brutality and systemic racism at the start of the season , but the protests have since wound down .
In September , Stafford explained that he started kneeling during the national anthem because it `` just felt like it was the right thing at the time . ''
`` Obviously it 's been an amazing offseason just for our team , for a lot of people , something where there 's been great opportunity for growth and learning and understanding , '' he told MLive , `` and just felt like it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since former 48ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick started the `` taking a knee '' movement in August 2016 , Trump has repeatedly condemned the protests and called for crackdowns and suspensions on players who refuse to stop .
The president and other conservatives view the protests as disrespectful to the American flag .
`` You have to stand proudly for the national anthem or you should n't be playing , you should n't be there .
Maybe you should n't be in the country , '' Trump said during his 2016 campaign .
NFL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failing to listen to protesters after George Floyd 's death in police custody renewed the significance of the Black Lives Matter movement .
`` We , the National Football League , condemn racism and the systematic oppression of black people , '' Goodell said in a video message .
`` We , the National Football League , admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier , and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest . ''
`` We , the National Football League , believe Black Lives Matter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to be part of the much-needed change in this country . ''
Trump immediately condemned Goodell for allegedly allowing players to disrespect America .
`` Could it be even remotely possible , '' he tweeted at the time , `` that in Roger Goodell 's rather interesting statement of peace and reconciliation , he was intimating that it would now be O.K .
for the players to KNEEL , or not to stand , for the National Anthem , thereby disrespecting our Country & our Flag ? ''
Newsweek reached out to @ @ @ @ @ @ @

President Donald Trump criticized American football players on Thanksgiving Day for taking a knee during the national anthem before a game between the Houston Texans and Detroit Lions.
"No thanks!" the president tweeted in response to a video of quarterbacks Deshuan Watson of the Houston Texans and Matthew Stafford of the Detroit Lions taking a knee on Thursday afternoon.
Watson and Stafford were among players in the two teams that knelt before their Thanksgiving Day match in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
National Football League (NFL) footage showed a number of players kneeling in protest of police brutality and systemic racism at the start of the season, but the protests have since wound down.
In September, Stafford explained that he started kneeling during the national anthem because it "just felt like it was the right thing at the time."
"Obviously it's been an amazing offseason just for our team, for a lot of people, something where there's been great opportunity for growth and learning and understanding," he told MLive, "and just felt like it was the right thing for me."
Since former 48ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick started the "taking a knee" movement in August 2016, Trump has repeatedly condemned the protests and called for crackdowns and suspensions on players who refuse to stop. The president and other conservatives view the protests as disrespectful to the American flag.
"You have to stand proudly for the national anthem or you shouldn't be playing, you shouldn't be there. Maybe you shouldn't be in the country," Trump said during his 2016 campaign.
NFL head Roger Goodell apologized in June for failing to listen to protesters after George Floyd's death in police custody renewed the significance of the Black Lives Matter movement. "We, the National Football League, condemn racism and the systematic oppression of black people," Goodell said in a video message. "We, the National Football League, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier, and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest."
"We, the National Football League, believe Black Lives Matter. I personally protest with you, and want to be part of the much-needed change in this country."
Trump immediately condemned Goodell for allegedly allowing players to disrespect America. "Could it be even remotely possible," he tweeted at the time, "that in Roger Goodell's rather interesting statement of peace and reconciliation, he was intimating that it would now be O.K. for the players to KNEEL, or not to stand, for the National Anthem, thereby disrespecting our Country & our Flag?"
Newsweek reached out to the White House for further comment.


newsweek--2020-11-26--Good Times Are Coming | Opinion

Good Times Are Coming | Opinion

The Dow crossed 30,000 for the first time , and three promising vaccines are on the way .
These are not unrelated events .
Also boosting investor optimism was Trump world 's decision to finally start the transition to a Joe Biden presidency and Biden 's naming of Janet Yellen as his treasury secretary .
And the good news keeps coming—if you look for it .
We will probably be seeing more spectacular Christmas decorations this year as virus-stranded Americans use their extra time to do up their homes .
Expect lots of 6-foot snowmen and flotillas of glowing flamingos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump 's prediction that if Biden were elected , `` the market will crash '' proved to be the opposite of correct .
On the contrary , the markets seemed relieved at the lowered threat of Trumpian disruption slowing distribution of a coronavirus vaccine and risking national security .
Yellen , meanwhile , provides a steady presence .
Both Democrats and Republicans like her .
A Yellen Treasury is expected to work on preserving the Federal Reserve emergency lending program for distressed businesses .
Right after Trump lost , Treasury Secretary Steven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the program by year end—over the objections of Fed Chairman Jerome Powell .
There 's a five-letter word for Mnuchin 's move : spite .
The bad news continues as unemployment claims surge and virus-stricken businesses look into the abyss of bankruptcy .
The worst news , of course , is the pandemic .
The number of infections and deaths is spiraling as cold weather drives more people indoors and many give up on social distancing and mask wearing .
Rural Americans thinking low population density would protect them threw caution to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the highest infection rates in the country .
It is understandable that all this social isolation would drive people crazy .
Less understandable is why they would throw up their hands and congregate in large maskless crowds , especially when there 's a vaccine around the corner .
Why do n't they just hold on for a month or two ?
Perhaps the greatest mystery surrounding governance over the last year has been Trump 's turning the wearing of masks into a badge of weakness worthy of contempt .
Maybe he wanted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calculate how the spread of COVID would close it .
OK. At the very least , though , he could have advocated for wearing masks in public .
That alone could have spared thousands of lives .
There will be much suffering in the weeks ahead as families ignore Dr. Anthony Fauci 's advice to keep holiday celebrations small and to avoid travel .
Many seem to be caught up in thinking that somehow , they and their loved ones are magically not vulnerable to this sickness and death .
So let 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ featuring people who attended big family gatherings and are now on breathing tubes ( or mourning the loss of dear ones ) deserve only so much sympathy .
It 's not like this is last February , when most of us did n't absorb what was ahead .
The good news is that Americans have the power to keep themselves safe and the luxury of knowing that these limitations are temporary .
Medical personnel working in COVID wards who take the proper precautions seem to be protecting themselves .
So what 's the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moving on to a happier future , the democracy has survived an assault of the highest levels .
Vaccines are on their way .
And investors are the happiest they 've been in a long time .
Those with the discipline and grit to get through the last months of this pandemic will reap the reward .
Good times are coming .
May flamingos in Santa hats light the way .
Froma Harrop is an award-winning journalist , author and syndicated columnist .
The views expressed in this article are the author 's @ @

The Dow crossed 30,000 for the first time, and three promising vaccines are on the way. These are not unrelated events. Also boosting investor optimism was Trump world's decision to finally start the transition to a Joe Biden presidency and Biden's naming of Janet Yellen as his treasury secretary.
And the good news keeps coming—if you look for it. We will probably be seeing more spectacular Christmas decorations this year as virus-stranded Americans use their extra time to do up their homes. Expect lots of 6-foot snowmen and flotillas of glowing flamingos.
Suffice it to say, President Donald Trump's prediction that if Biden were elected, "the market will crash" proved to be the opposite of correct. On the contrary, the markets seemed relieved at the lowered threat of Trumpian disruption slowing distribution of a coronavirus vaccine and risking national security.
Yellen, meanwhile, provides a steady presence. Both Democrats and Republicans like her. A Yellen Treasury is expected to work on preserving the Federal Reserve emergency lending program for distressed businesses. Right after Trump lost, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he would pull the plug on the program by year end—over the objections of Fed Chairman Jerome Powell.
There's a five-letter word for Mnuchin's move: spite. The bad news continues as unemployment claims surge and virus-stricken businesses look into the abyss of bankruptcy.
The worst news, of course, is the pandemic. The number of infections and deaths is spiraling as cold weather drives more people indoors and many give up on social distancing and mask wearing. Rural Americans thinking low population density would protect them threw caution to the wind, but they now suffer the highest infection rates in the country.
It is understandable that all this social isolation would drive people crazy. Less understandable is why they would throw up their hands and congregate in large maskless crowds, especially when there's a vaccine around the corner. Why don't they just hold on for a month or two?
Perhaps the greatest mystery surrounding governance over the last year has been Trump's turning the wearing of masks into a badge of weakness worthy of contempt. Maybe he wanted to keep the economy open and didn't calculate how the spread of COVID would close it. OK. At the very least, though, he could have advocated for wearing masks in public. That alone could have spared thousands of lives.
There will be much suffering in the weeks ahead as families ignore Dr. Anthony Fauci's advice to keep holiday celebrations small and to avoid travel. Many seem to be caught up in thinking that somehow, they and their loved ones are magically not vulnerable to this sickness and death.
So let's be quite frank. The evening-news segments featuring people who attended big family gatherings and are now on breathing tubes (or mourning the loss of dear ones) deserve only so much sympathy. It's not like this is last February, when most of us didn't absorb what was ahead.
The good news is that Americans have the power to keep themselves safe and the luxury of knowing that these limitations are temporary. Medical personnel working in COVID wards who take the proper precautions seem to be protecting themselves. So what's the big deal about wearing a mask?
Moving on to a happier future, the democracy has survived an assault of the highest levels. Vaccines are on their way. And investors are the happiest they've been in a long time. Those with the discipline and grit to get through the last months of this pandemic will reap the reward.
Good times are coming. May flamingos in Santa hats light the way.
Froma Harrop is an award-winning journalist, author and syndicated columnist.
The views expressed in this article are the author's own.
COPYRIGHT 2020 CREATORS.COM


newsweek--2020-11-26--BLM Protesters Chant 'F*** Garcetti' Amid Rumors L.A. Mayor May Join Biden Administration

Black Lives Matter protesters gathered outside Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti 's residence on Thanksgiving morning in protest of rumors that President-elect Joe Biden 's transition team may be considering nominating Garcetti to his incoming administration .
Though Garcetti has previously denied that he is contemplating a political move , the Los Angeles chapter of Black Lives Matter ( BLM ) said in posts on social media that they will continue protesting until the Biden transition team confirms that Garcetti is not among the politicians being considered for a cabinet position .
Thursday marked the third straight day of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ front of @ MayorOfLA 's to tell @ JoeBiden we do n't want the worst mayor in the nation setting national policy , '' BLM 's Los Angeles chapter tweeted following Thursday 's demonstration .
`` DO N'T APPOINT GARCETTI TO ANYTHING ! ''
KCRW-FM reporter Cerise Castle shared videos taken during Thursday 's protest on Twitter .
The videos showed people wearing masks while gathered outside of Getty House , the mayor 's official residence , as protest organizers delivered speeches .
BLM Los Angeles ' action plan for `` # BlockGarcetti @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rising population of homeless residents and accuses Garcetti of `` disappearing on the city in pursuit of personal gains . ''
The chapter 's protest strategy includes encouraging participants to use hashtags like `` # BlockGarcetti , '' # Garcettiville '' and `` F***Garcetti '' while sharing photos and videos from the protests online .
Melina Abdullah , the co-founder of BLM Los Angeles , led protesters in a `` F*** Garcetti '' chant that was captured in videos shared on social media while she addressed those gathered outside Getty House on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we 're saying that we will not allow the kind of white supremacist capital interests that he represents to set national policy for this country , '' Abdullah said .
`` We 're not going to be at home eating turkey , cooking turkey this morning .
We 're doing something that really is about giving thanks to the freedom fighters who walked before us . ''
Garcetti served as a co-chair of Biden 's presidential campaign , and his name has been on a list of potential nominees for Biden 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles Times .
When a reporter asked Garcetti during a news conference earlier this week about his political future , Garcetti said he was focused solely on responding to the coronavirus pandemic as daily case counts continued rising in Los Angeles .
According to County of Los Angeles Public Health , more than 359,000 COVID-19 cases have been reported in Los Angeles County since the pandemic began earlier this year .
`` I have been focused 110 percent on these numbers and on COVID and on saving lives , '' Garcetti said on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , my job number one , is to make sure I protect the lives of Angelenos , and everything else recedes in comparison . ''
Newsweek reached out to Garcetti 's office and Biden 's transition team for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication .

Black Lives Matter protesters gathered outside Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti's residence on Thanksgiving morning in protest of rumors that President-elect Joe Biden's transition team may be considering nominating Garcetti to his incoming administration.
Though Garcetti has previously denied that he is contemplating a political move, the Los Angeles chapter of Black Lives Matter (BLM) said in posts on social media that they will continue protesting until the Biden transition team confirms that Garcetti is not among the politicians being considered for a cabinet position. Thursday marked the third straight day of the protests.
"Hundreds showed up in front of @MayorOfLA's to tell @JoeBiden we don't want the worst mayor in the nation setting national policy," BLM's Los Angeles chapter tweeted following Thursday's demonstration. "DON'T APPOINT GARCETTI TO ANYTHING!"
DAY 3 of our #BlockGarcetti effort.
Hundreds showed up in front of @MayorOfLA’s to tell @JoeBiden we don’t want the worst mayor in the nation setting national policy. DON’T APPOINT GARCETTI TO ANYTHING! — #BlackLivesMatter-LA (@BLMLA) November 26, 2020
KCRW-FM reporter Cerise Castle shared videos taken during Thursday's protest on Twitter. The videos showed people wearing masks while gathered outside of Getty House, the mayor's official residence, as protest organizers delivered speeches.
Protesters gather in a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest outside Mayor Garcetti's house in Hancock Park on June 2, 2020, in Los Angeles, California. On Thursday, Black Lives Matter protesters gathered outside Garcetti's official residence to protest rumors that President-elect Joe Biden may be considering nominating Garcetti to a position within his incoming administration. Presley Ann/Getty
BLM Los Angeles' action plan for "#BlockGarcetti" takes issue with the city's rising population of homeless residents and accuses Garcetti of "disappearing on the city in pursuit of personal gains." The chapter's protest strategy includes encouraging participants to use hashtags like "#BlockGarcetti," #Garcettiville" and "F***Garcetti" while sharing photos and videos from the protests online.
Melina Abdullah, the co-founder of BLM Los Angeles, led protesters in a "F*** Garcetti" chant that was captured in videos shared on social media while she addressed those gathered outside Getty House on Thursday morning.
"As we're here, we're saying that we will not allow the kind of white supremacist capital interests that he represents to set national policy for this country," Abdullah said. "We're not going to be at home eating turkey, cooking turkey this morning. We're doing something that really is about giving thanks to the freedom fighters who walked before us."
Garcetti served as a co-chair of Biden's presidential campaign, and his name has been on a list of potential nominees for Biden's incoming administration, according to the Los Angeles Times.
When a reporter asked Garcetti during a news conference earlier this week about his political future, Garcetti said he was focused solely on responding to the coronavirus pandemic as daily case counts continued rising in Los Angeles. According to County of Los Angeles Public Health, more than 359,000 COVID-19 cases have been reported in Los Angeles County since the pandemic began earlier this year.
"I have been focused 110 percent on these numbers and on COVID and on saving lives," Garcetti said on Monday. "My job right now, my job number one, is to make sure I protect the lives of Angelenos, and everything else recedes in comparison."
Newsweek reached out to Garcetti's office and Biden's transition team for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.


newsweek--2020-11-26--List Shows Election Officials Who Died From COVID or Tested Positive While Working at Polls

A political scientist who runs an influential election database listed off the names of officials who have either died or tested positive for COVID-19 `` while working to support our democracy . ''
University of Florida political science professor Michael McDonald composed a list which includes polling place workers and election officials he 's thankful for `` who died of COVID-19 or were infected '' during the election process .
The bullet points include a county-by-county compilation showing that hundreds of election officials were directly affected by the mid-pandemic voting process .
At least two of the people named , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Revall Burke of Chicago , died at some point in the 2020 election cycle .
The list not only gives a human face to the more than 262,800 Americans who 've died from coronavirus , but also highlights the millions put at risk during the parallel presidential election process , which garnered a record turnout .
In some cases , McDonald commends polling places which allowed their workers more time to complete early voting tasks ahead of the November 3 Election Day .
`` Revall Burke—a Chicago , Illinois poll worker—died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's primary election .
It is unknown if he contracted the disease at the polling place , but local officials notified poll workers and voters of their potential exposure , '' McDonald wrote .
`` In Arizona , one Maricopa County election worker was hospitalized and at least five others tested positive after working at a vote center , '' McDonald continued .
`` In Georgia , thirteen employees working in a Fulton County election storage warehouse tested positive prior to the general election . ''
McDonald runs the United States Elections Project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections , including early voting and final ballot tallies .
The website features a vast array of election data , methodology information and the minutiae of precinct data and demographics .
`` Some election offices and polling places were closed , and some ballot counting was delayed .
We are fortunate election officials were able to cope under very difficult circumstances , '' McDonald tweeted on the afternoon of Thanksgiving Day .
But not all election officials have been touted for their public safety precautions during the voting process .
As The Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election judge supervisor in St. Charles County , Missouri , tested positive on October 30 and was told to self-isolate for two weeks in order to prevent further spread of the virus .
But as the St. Charles County Department of Public Health later revealed , she worked Election Day anyway , and then died soon afterward .
Newsweek reached out to the Elections Project for additional remarks Thursday afternoon .

A political scientist who runs an influential election database listed off the names of officials who have either died or tested positive for COVID-19 "while working to support our democracy."
University of Florida political science professor Michael McDonald composed a list which includes polling place workers and election officials he's thankful for "who died of COVID-19 or were infected" during the election process. The bullet points include a county-by-county compilation showing that hundreds of election officials were directly affected by the mid-pandemic voting process. At least two of the people named, Beverly Walker of Fulton County, Georgia, and Revall Burke of Chicago, died at some point in the 2020 election cycle.
The list not only gives a human face to the more than 262,800 Americans who've died from coronavirus, but also highlights the millions put at risk during the parallel presidential election process, which garnered a record turnout.
In some cases, McDonald commends polling places which allowed their workers more time to complete early voting tasks ahead of the November 3 Election Day.
I am thankful for the sacrifices election officials made who died of COVID-19 or were infected while working to support our democracy (updated list) pic.twitter.com/BMGnqebvnl — Michael McDonald (@ElectProject) November 26, 2020
"Revall Burke—a Chicago, Illinois poll worker—died of COVID-19 two weeks after the state's primary election. It is unknown if he contracted the disease at the polling place, but local officials notified poll workers and voters of their potential exposure," McDonald wrote.
"In Arizona, one Maricopa County election worker was hospitalized and at least five others tested positive after working at a vote center," McDonald continued. "In Georgia, thirteen employees working in a Fulton County election storage warehouse tested positive prior to the general election."
McDonald runs the United States Elections Project, which tracks voter turnout for U.S. elections, including early voting and final ballot tallies. The website features a vast array of election data, methodology information and the minutiae of precinct data and demographics.
"Some election offices and polling places were closed, and some ballot counting was delayed. We are fortunate election officials were able to cope under very difficult circumstances," McDonald tweeted on the afternoon of Thanksgiving Day.
But not all election officials have been touted for their public safety precautions during the voting process. As The Washington Post reported earlier this month, an election judge supervisor in St. Charles County, Missouri, tested positive on October 30 and was told to self-isolate for two weeks in order to prevent further spread of the virus. But as the St. Charles County Department of Public Health later revealed, she worked Election Day anyway, and then died soon afterward.
Newsweek reached out to the Elections Project for additional remarks Thursday afternoon.


newsweek--2020-11-26--Watch Alex Trebek's Thanksgiving Message Recorded Before His Passing

Hit game show Jeopardy !
released a sweet pre-recorded Thanksgiving message from Alex Trebek , the beloved host who died from pancreatic cancer earlier this month at 80 years old .
`` High on our list of things to be thankful for this year : Alex 's Thanksgiving message from today 's show , '' the show shared on its Twitter page .
`` We hope you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving ! ''
The video shows Trebek on the iconic set of the game show , which he hosted for 37 seasons—from its revival in 1984 until his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he notes the positives among the devastating effects of the coronavirus pandemic experienced across the world .
`` Happy Thanksgiving , ladies and gentleman , '' Trebek said .
`` In spite of what America and the rest of the world is experiencing right now , there are many reasons to be thankful .
There are more and more people extending helpful hands to do a kindness to their neighbors , and that 's a good thing . ''
`` Keep the faith , '' he adds .
`` We 're going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will be a better society because of it . ''
The Canadian host spoke openly about his stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis and appeared in multiple public service announcements to raise awareness about the disease .
On World Pancreatic Cancer Day on November 19 , Trebek gave a warning message in a pre-recorded episode before his death .
`` If you or anyone you know has developed some of the symptoms that I have talked about in the past , then , by all means , get to a doctor , get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be safe .
This is a terrible , terrible disease , '' he said .
Also on that day , Trebek 's wife , Jean , shared a message through the official Jeopardy !
Twitter in honor of her late husband .
`` It 's about time we stop taking for granted the preciousness of each day and start living in the full experience of kindness and coherency , '' she said .
Last year , Trebek teamed up with the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition to promote a message on recognizing symptoms and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I had known sooner that the persistent stomach pain that I experienced prior to my diagnosis was a symptom of pancreatic cancer , '' he said in his announcement .
Trebek was diagnosed with cancer in March 2019 .
Trebek also offered words of encouragement to the late Rep. John Lewis , who faced a similar diagnosis .
In an interview with Good Morning America earlier this year , Trebek detailed that he was undergoing experimental immunotherapy treatment and that his fight with pancreatic cancer had been extremely difficult and took a mental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from fans and his love for the show has encouraged him to keep hosting after 36 years .
`` It 's something that I ca n't explain intellectually .
At a gut level , without even thinking about it , it just happens .
I suddenly wake up and I 'm able to perform and handle the show because I like it .
It 's a good job , '' he said .
Jeopardy !
will air new pre-recorded episodes hosted by Trebek until Christmas Day .
On Monday , the game show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to replace the host , but that record-breaking contestant Ken Jennings will begin taping new shows earlier this month as a temporary host to be aired next year .
Following the announcement , Jennings tweeted : `` There will only ever be one Alex Trebek , but I 'm honored to be helping Jeopardy !
out with this in January . ''

Hit game show Jeopardy! released a sweet pre-recorded Thanksgiving message from Alex Trebek, the beloved host who died from pancreatic cancer earlier this month at 80 years old.
"High on our list of things to be thankful for this year: Alex's Thanksgiving message from today's show," the show shared on its Twitter page. "We hope you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!"
The video shows Trebek on the iconic set of the game show, which he hosted for 37 seasons—from its revival in 1984 until his death this year. In his message, he notes the positives among the devastating effects of the coronavirus pandemic experienced across the world.
High on our list of things to be thankful for this year: Alex's Thanksgiving message from today's show. We hope you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! pic.twitter.com/8OlpkSGi9r — Jeopardy! (@Jeopardy) November 26, 2020
"Happy Thanksgiving, ladies and gentleman," Trebek said. "In spite of what America and the rest of the world is experiencing right now, there are many reasons to be thankful. There are more and more people extending helpful hands to do a kindness to their neighbors, and that's a good thing."
"Keep the faith," he adds. "We're going to get through all of this and we will be a better society because of it."
The Canadian host spoke openly about his stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis and appeared in multiple public service announcements to raise awareness about the disease. On World Pancreatic Cancer Day on November 19, Trebek gave a warning message in a pre-recorded episode before his death.
Alex Trebek speaks during a rehearsal before a taping of Jeopardy! Power Players Week at DAR Constitution Hall on April 21, 2012 in Washington, DC. (Kris Connor/Getty Images)
"If you or anyone you know has developed some of the symptoms that I have talked about in the past, then, by all means, get to a doctor, get yourself tested. I want you to be safe. This is a terrible, terrible disease," he said.
Also on that day, Trebek's wife, Jean, shared a message through the official Jeopardy! Twitter in honor of her late husband.
"It's about time we stop taking for granted the preciousness of each day and start living in the full experience of kindness and coherency," she said.
Today is #WorldPancreaticCancerDay. Wear purple in honor of Alex, and help raise awareness for the risks and symptoms of pancreatic cancer. 💜#ItsAboutTime @worldpcc — Jeopardy! (@Jeopardy) November 19, 2020
Last year, Trebek teamed up with the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition to promote a message on recognizing symptoms and getting frequent checks.
"I wish I had known sooner that the persistent stomach pain that I experienced prior to my diagnosis was a symptom of pancreatic cancer," he said in his announcement. Trebek was diagnosed with cancer in March 2019.
Trebek also offered words of encouragement to the late Rep. John Lewis, who faced a similar diagnosis.
In an interview with Good Morning America earlier this year, Trebek detailed that he was undergoing experimental immunotherapy treatment and that his fight with pancreatic cancer had been extremely difficult and took a mental toll. However, the constant support from fans and his love for the show has encouraged him to keep hosting after 36 years.
"It's something that I can't explain intellectually. At a gut level, without even thinking about it, it just happens. I suddenly wake up and I'm able to perform and handle the show because I like it. It's a good job," he said.
Jeopardy! will air new pre-recorded episodes hosted by Trebek until Christmas Day. On Monday, the game show announced that it was not yet ready to replace the host, but that record-breaking contestant Ken Jennings will begin taping new shows earlier this month as a temporary host to be aired next year.
Following the announcement, Jennings tweeted: "There will only ever be one Alex Trebek, but I'm honored to be helping Jeopardy! out with this in January."


newsweek--2020-11-26--SCOTUS Decision Blocking NY Governor's Limits on Religious Gatherings Praised by Faith Leaders, Cons

SCOTUS Decision Blocking NY Governor's Limits on Religious Gatherings Praised by Faith Leaders, Conservatives

The U.S. Supreme Court 's new conservative majority voted 5 to 4 on Wednesday to bar restrictions on religious services in New York , which had been imposed by Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo to limit the rapid spread of COVID-19 across the state .
Cuomo told reporters in a Thursday morning teleconference that the decision was a way for the new Supreme Court to `` express its politics and philosophy . ''
The decision was praised by many faith leaders and conservatives .
`` I think that the Supreme Court ruling on the religious gatherings is more illustrative of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cuomo said following the decision .
`` It 's irrelevant from a practical impact because the zone that they were talking about has already been moved , it expired last week .
I think this was really just an opportunity for the Court to express its philosophy and politics .
It does n't have any practical effect . ''
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn cheered the ruling after the court sided with the diocese and two Orthodox Jewish synagogues .
`` I am grateful by the decision of the Justices of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognized the clear First Amendment violation and urgent need for relief in this case , '' said The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio , Bishop of Brooklyn , in a statement .
`` I have said from the beginning the restrictions imposed by Governor Cuomo were an overreach that did not take into account the size of our churches or the safety protocols that have kept parishioners safe , '' he continued , later adding : `` Our churches have not been the cause of any outbreaks .
We have taken our legal battle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essential , for what could be more essential than safely gathering in prayer in a time of pandemic . ''
Agudath Israel of America mirrored this sentiment , stating in a celebratory post on their website that the decision will have a `` nationwide legal impact on the status of religious freedom for years to come . ''
`` This is an historic victory , '' said Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel , Executive Vice President of Agudath Israel , `` This landmark decision will ensure that religious practices and religious institutions will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treat religion with the respect demanded by the Constitution . ''
Following the decision , the first decisive one for newly appointed conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett , others quickly took to social media to share their reactions , either with a great deal of respect for the decision - and contempt of Chief Justice John Roberts ' dissent - or condemning the court for percieved disregard of health experts and public health .
An array of conservative politicians , including House Minority Whip Steve Scalise and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany and Trump campaign adviser Boris Epshteyn , as well as the president 's fiercest supporters including chairman of the American Conservative Union Matt Schlapp , shared that the decision can be brought back to President Donald Trump 's multiple conservative SCOTUS appointees .
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz tweeted that the Supreme Court decision was a `` major win '' for religious Americans and slammed Cuomo and other Democrat elected officials for having `` acted as totalitarians , '' accusing them of using the COVID-19 outbreak as a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He also criticized Roberts ' decision to side with the three liberal Justices in dissenting .
`` Yet again Chief Justice Roberts willing to set aside his duty to enforce the Constitution when state or local leaders are hostile to religion under the guise of public health , '' the Republican senator tweeted .
`` But thankfully , this time he and the liberal justices lost . ''
He added : `` As families celebrate # Thanksgiving today , they can also give thanks that they will be able to gather to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of totalitarian Democrats who want to stop us from exercising our fundamental right to worship . ''
Missouri GOP Senator Josh Hawley also celebrated the decision , echoing Cruz 's accusations of religious discrimination from Democrats .
`` Big news from the Supreme Court late last night - Court strikes down NY Gov Cuomo 's discrimination against churches and synagogues , '' Hawley tweeted on Thursday .
`` Justice Barrett the key to the majority . ''
California Rep. Kevin McCarthy criticized Cuomo for his response to the pandemic and doubted the science @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Cuomo have used the pandemic as an excuse to target people of faith with radical restrictions , '' he tweeted .
`` It has no basis in science , and the Supreme Court agrees . ''
Florida Rep. Anthony Sabatini thanked Trump for having `` saved the Supreme Court '' following Barrett 's appointment and slammed former President George W. Bush , a Republican , for appointing `` liberal '' Roberts as Chief Justice .
Meanwhile , several public health officials and others spoke out against the ruling .
Sherrilyn Ifill , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Defence Fund , celebrated the four justices who voted against unsafe gatherings during a pandemic .
`` What a truly terrifying appalling decision , '' Ifill tweeted .
`` Justice Sotomayor 's dissent in this case , as in the prison case , & Justices Ginsburg & Kagan 's in the COVID voting cases , will be the written record of how 4 justices on the SCOTUS valiantly tried to save the nation from this pandemic . ''
Dr. Peter Hotez , professor and co-director of the Center for Vaccine Development at Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boris Sanchez on Thursday that the ruling `` devalues lives . ''
`` This is not about our religious freedom or civil liberties , '' Hotez said .
`` This is about all hands on deck to save lives until we get everybody vaccinated .
Human life is not cheap .
That Supreme Court ruling devalues lives . ''
Economist and New York Times columnist Paul Krugman called the decision a product of `` bad logic '' and noted that it 's a `` really bad omen '' for president-elect Joe Biden 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The first major decision from the Trump-packed court — and , naturally , it will kill people , '' Krugman tweeted .
`` The bad logic is obvious .
Suppose I adhere to a religion whose rituals include dumping neurotoxins into public reservoirs .
Does the principle of religious freedom give me the right to do that ? ''
He added : `` Freedom of belief , yes ; the right to hurt other people in tangible ways — which large gatherings in a pandemic definitely do — no . ''

The U.S. Supreme Court's new conservative majority voted 5 to 4 on Wednesday to bar restrictions on religious services in New York, which had been imposed by Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo to limit the rapid spread of COVID-19 across the state.
Cuomo told reporters in a Thursday morning teleconference that the decision was a way for the new Supreme Court to "express its politics and philosophy." The decision was praised by many faith leaders and conservatives.
"I think that the Supreme Court ruling on the religious gatherings is more illustrative of the Supreme Court than anything else," Cuomo said following the decision. "It's irrelevant from a practical impact because the zone that they were talking about has already been moved, it expired last week. I think this was really just an opportunity for the Court to express its philosophy and politics. It doesn't have any practical effect."
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn cheered the ruling after the court sided with the diocese and two Orthodox Jewish synagogues.
"I am grateful by the decision of the Justices of the United States Supreme Court, who have recognized the clear First Amendment violation and urgent need for relief in this case," said The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, in a statement.
Statement from Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn on US Supreme Court ruling against @NYGovCuomo Administration regarding limits on religious gatherings ⬇ pic.twitter.com/WX0uHnr3HC — Zack Fink (@ZackFinkNews) November 26, 2020
"I have said from the beginning the restrictions imposed by Governor Cuomo were an overreach that did not take into account the size of our churches or the safety protocols that have kept parishioners safe," he continued, later adding: "Our churches have not been the cause of any outbreaks. We have taken our legal battle this far because we should be considered essential, for what could be more essential than safely gathering in prayer in a time of pandemic."
Agudath Israel of America mirrored this sentiment, stating in a celebratory post on their website that the decision will have a "nationwide legal impact on the status of religious freedom for years to come."
"This is an historic victory," said Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, Executive Vice President of Agudath Israel, "This landmark decision will ensure that religious practices and religious institutions will be protected from government edicts that do not treat religion with the respect demanded by the Constitution."
U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett is sworn in by Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas at the White House October 26 in Washington, D.C. Tasos Katopodis/Getty
Following the decision, the first decisive one for newly appointed conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett, others quickly took to social media to share their reactions, either with a great deal of respect for the decision - and contempt of Chief Justice John Roberts' dissent - or condemning the court for percieved disregard of health experts and public health.
An array of conservative politicians, including House Minority Whip Steve Scalise and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, celebrated the decision on Twitter. White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany and Trump campaign adviser Boris Epshteyn, as well as the president's fiercest supporters including chairman of the American Conservative Union Matt Schlapp, shared that the decision can be brought back to President Donald Trump's multiple conservative SCOTUS appointees.
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz tweeted that the Supreme Court decision was a "major win" for religious Americans and slammed Cuomo and other Democrat elected officials for having "acted as totalitarians," accusing them of using the COVID-19 outbreak as a way to suppress people's right to worship. He also criticized Roberts' decision to side with the three liberal Justices in dissenting.
A major win for any American who cherishes our religious liberty. Andrew Cuomo and Democrat elected officials have acted as totalitarians, using COVID19 to strip the people of NY of their fundamental right to worship. Today, the Court said enough is enoughhttps://t.co/xPG2oiXCB8 — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) November 26, 2020
"Yet again Chief Justice Roberts willing to set aside his duty to enforce the Constitution when state or local leaders are hostile to religion under the guise of public health," the Republican senator tweeted. "But thankfully, this time he and the liberal justices lost."
He added: "As families celebrate #Thanksgiving today, they can also give thanks that they will be able to gather to pray during Christmas this year without fear of totalitarian Democrats who want to stop us from exercising our fundamental right to worship."
Missouri GOP Senator Josh Hawley also celebrated the decision, echoing Cruz's accusations of religious discrimination from Democrats.
Big news from the Supreme Court late last night - Court strikes down NY Gov Cuomo’s discrimination against churches and synagogues. Justice Barrett the key to the majority https://t.co/2tVQN139jO — Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) November 26, 2020
"Big news from the Supreme Court late last night - Court strikes down NY Gov Cuomo's discrimination against churches and synagogues," Hawley tweeted on Thursday. "Justice Barrett the key to the majority."
California Rep. Kevin McCarthy criticized Cuomo for his response to the pandemic and doubted the science behind the restrictions.
"Power-hungry Democrats like Cuomo have used the pandemic as an excuse to target people of faith with radical restrictions," he tweeted. "It has no basis in science, and the Supreme Court agrees."
Florida Rep. Anthony Sabatini thanked Trump for having "saved the Supreme Court" following Barrett's appointment and slammed former President George W. Bush, a Republican, for appointing "liberal" Roberts as Chief Justice.
Meanwhile, several public health officials and others spoke out against the ruling. Sherrilyn Ifill, president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defence Fund, celebrated the four justices who voted against unsafe gatherings during a pandemic.
What a truly terrifying appalling decision. Justice Sotomayor’s dissent in this case, as in the prison case, & Justices Ginsburg & Kagan’s in the COVID voting cases, will be the written record of how 4 justices on the SCOTUS valiantly tried to save the nation from this pandemic. https://t.co/vbPn9z1ysZ — Sherrilyn Ifill (@Sifill_LDF) November 26, 2020
"What a truly terrifying appalling decision," Ifill tweeted. "Justice Sotomayor's dissent in this case, as in the prison case, & Justices Ginsburg & Kagan's in the COVID voting cases, will be the written record of how 4 justices on the SCOTUS valiantly tried to save the nation from this pandemic."
Dr. Peter Hotez, professor and co-director of the Center for Vaccine Development at Texas Children's Hospital, told CNN's Boris Sanchez on Thursday that the ruling "devalues lives."
"This is not about our religious freedom or civil liberties," Hotez said. "This is about all hands on deck to save lives until we get everybody vaccinated. Human life is not cheap. That Supreme Court ruling devalues lives."
Economist and New York Times columnist Paul Krugman called the decision a product of "bad logic" and noted that it's a "really bad omen" for president-elect Joe Biden's policies, especially environmental ones.
"The first major decision from the Trump-packed court — and, naturally, it will kill people," Krugman tweeted. "The bad logic is obvious. Suppose I adhere to a religion whose rituals include dumping neurotoxins into public reservoirs. Does the principle of religious freedom give me the right to do that?"
He added: "Freedom of belief, yes; the right to hurt other people in tangible ways — which large gatherings in a pandemic definitely do — no."


newsweek--2020-11-26--Indoor Basketball Facility Ignores Health Officials' Calls to Close Following COVID-19 Outbreak

A community basketball facility in northern California has refused to close its indoor operations despite being tied to a COVID-19 outbreak , local health officials announced on Wednesday .
Placer County health officials issued a public health advisory the day before Thanksgiving warning county residents to avoid Courtside Basketball Center in Rocklin .
Officials said the facility has been linked to more than two dozen COVID-19 cases thus far .
`` This Health Alert is being issued because of the large scale of the apparent outbreak and potential geographic range that make contact tracing difficult , '' the alert read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has refused to cease indoor operations and continues to host tournaments despite being advised such operations are not allowed and with full knowledge that COVID-19 cases have been associated with activities at the facility . ''
Registration was open on Thursday on Courtside Basketball Center 's website for youth athletes interested in participating in two upcoming winter and holiday tournaments taking place next month , and a third event scheduled for December 18 , 19 and 20 was also listed on the facility 's schedule of upcoming tournaments .
The facility includes on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precautions it said it is taking in response to the pandemic .
Those precautions include mask requirements , limits on the numbers of teams allowed in each division , a two-chaperone requirement for each player and sanitation recommendations .
Players , coaches , referees and others who attend the events are also required to pass a temperature check before entering the facility , according to its protocols .
The individuals whose COVID-19 infections have been linked to the facility thus far are from two other counties , according to Placer County health officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the outbreak attended youth basketball tournaments on November 7 and 8 , the alert said .
Health officials advised anyone who has attended an event or participated in an activity at Courtside Basketball Center to get tested for COVID-19 , as some of the individuals who may have been exposed during the tournaments on November 7 and 8 also attended events at the facility after that weekend , health officials said .
Placer County is currently listed as a purple-tier area on the California Department of Public Health 's map , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state .
Nearly 95 percent of the state 's population currently lives in areas within the most restrictive purple tier , which a county falls into once it reports either a seven-day average testing positivity rate above 8 percent or a seven-day average daily case rate exceeding 7 new infections per 100,000 residents .
According to state data , Placer County on Monday had a seven-day average testing positivity rate of 6.1 percent and was reporting a seven-day average of more than 16 new cases per day per 100,000 residents .
That purple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not currently allowed to proceed with indoor operations .
Children 's sporting competitions like those that took place at Courtside Basketball Center are also not permitted per the state 's COVID-19 restrictions , county health officials said .
`` The cases of COVID-19 associated with Courtside Basketball Center are a reminder that contact sports facilitate the spread of coronavirus and illustrate why tournaments are not allowed , '' the health alert said .
Newsweek reached out to Courtside Basketball Center for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ County health officials reported a total of 6,224 COVID-19 cases and 68 virus-related deaths since the start of the pandemic .
California is one of the few states in the U.S. that has reported more than one million COVID-19 cases this year , which represents nearly one-tenth of the country 's total infections .

A community basketball facility in northern California has refused to close its indoor operations despite being tied to a COVID-19 outbreak, local health officials announced on Wednesday.
Placer County health officials issued a public health advisory the day before Thanksgiving warning county residents to avoid Courtside Basketball Center in Rocklin. Officials said the facility has been linked to more than two dozen COVID-19 cases thus far.
"This Health Alert is being issued because of the large scale of the apparent outbreak and potential geographic range that make contact tracing difficult," the alert read. "In addition, the facility has refused to cease indoor operations and continues to host tournaments despite being advised such operations are not allowed and with full knowledge that COVID-19 cases have been associated with activities at the facility."
Registration was open on Thursday on Courtside Basketball Center's website for youth athletes interested in participating in two upcoming winter and holiday tournaments taking place next month, and a third event scheduled for December 18, 19 and 20 was also listed on the facility's schedule of upcoming tournaments.
The facility includes on its website a description of the COVID-19 precautions it said it is taking in response to the pandemic. Those precautions include mask requirements, limits on the numbers of teams allowed in each division, a two-chaperone requirement for each player and sanitation recommendations. Players, coaches, referees and others who attend the events are also required to pass a temperature check before entering the facility, according to its protocols.
The individuals whose COVID-19 infections have been linked to the facility thus far are from two other counties, according to Placer County health officials. All of the infected individuals tied to the outbreak attended youth basketball tournaments on November 7 and 8, the alert said.
People wait in long lines for coronavius tests at a walk-up Covid-19 testing site, November 24, 2020, in San Fernando, California, just northeast of the city of Los Angeles. On Wednesday, public health officials in northern California warned Placer County residents of a COVID-19 outbreak tied to an indoor basketball facility. ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images
Health officials advised anyone who has attended an event or participated in an activity at Courtside Basketball Center to get tested for COVID-19, as some of the individuals who may have been exposed during the tournaments on November 7 and 8 also attended events at the facility after that weekend, health officials said.
Placer County is currently listed as a purple-tier area on the California Department of Public Health's map, which details the spread of COVID-19 throughout the state. Nearly 95 percent of the state's population currently lives in areas within the most restrictive purple tier, which a county falls into once it reports either a seven-day average testing positivity rate above 8 percent or a seven-day average daily case rate exceeding 7 new infections per 100,000 residents.
According to state data, Placer County on Monday had a seven-day average testing positivity rate of 6.1 percent and was reporting a seven-day average of more than 16 new cases per day per 100,000 residents. That purple tier designation means many nonessential businesses are not currently allowed to proceed with indoor operations.
Children's sporting competitions like those that took place at Courtside Basketball Center are also not permitted per the state's COVID-19 restrictions, county health officials said. "The cases of COVID-19 associated with Courtside Basketball Center are a reminder that contact sports facilitate the spread of coronavirus and illustrate why tournaments are not allowed," the health alert said.
Newsweek reached out to Courtside Basketball Center for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.
By Wednesday, November 25, Placer County health officials reported a total of 6,224 COVID-19 cases and 68 virus-related deaths since the start of the pandemic. California is one of the few states in the U.S. that has reported more than one million COVID-19 cases this year, which represents nearly one-tenth of the country's total infections.


newsweek--2020-11-26--Julian Assange's Partner Begs Donald Trump to Pardon Him on Thanksgiving

The partner of Julian Assange , attorney Stella Morris , pleaded with President Donald Trump on Thanksgiving to pardon the Wikileaks boss who is currently fighting extradition to the United States .
Morris is a 37-year-old , South African-born lawyer who began a relationship with Assange in 2015 after years of providing legal aid in his fight against extradition .
During that time , Assange was seeking diplomatic asylum inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London .
Morris shared a photograph of the couple 's two children on social media on the morning of Thanksgiving Day , directly urging Trump to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump pardoned former U.S. national security adviser Michael Flynn , prompting speculation the president is set to offer pardons to a wide array of controversial figures — including himself .
`` These are Julian 's sons Max and Gabriel .
They need their father .
Our family needs to be whole again .
I beg you , please bring him home for Christmas @ realDonaldTrump .
# PardonAssange # FreeAssangeNOW , '' Morris tweeted Thursday morning .
Morris and Assange had their first child , Gabriel , in 2016 prior to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ birth to the pair 's second son , Max , in February 2019 , in a birth which was recorded using a GoPro .
Morris told the Daily Mail in September that parenting has been `` lonely , challenging '' at time with the boys ' father still in prison .
`` Julian brought up his oldest son , mostly on his own , from when he was a toddler to adulthood so his default mode as a father is hands-on , '' Morris told the U.K. tabloid last month .
`` He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all , proud .
Our boys are happy children , they love seeing their daddy 's face and hearing his voice . ''
Assange is currently being kept in the high-security Belmarsh prison in the U.K. , and has been since April 2019 .
At that time , he was forcibly removed from the Ecuadorian embassy in London to face U.S. extradition charges .
Assange had been hiding out in the embassy for seven years after he sought diplomatic asylum there from alleged sexual offense charges in Sweden .
Assange long maintained that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for U.S. intelligence officials to capture and extradite him to America .
The ex-Wikileaks boss is charged with conspiring with Chelsea Manning , a former U.S. Army intelligence analyst , to hack into a Pentagon computer network and publish a trove of previously unreleased video and documents .
U.S. prosecutors allege 17 charges under the Espionage Act against Assange in addition to one charge of conspiracy to commit computer intrusion .
If convicted , Assange could face up to 175 years in prison .
The `` # FreeAssangeNow '' hashtag has joined several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pardon the Wikileaks founder .
Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard joined Morris in pleading with Trump to release Assange before he leaves office on January 20 , 2021 .
Gabbard also urged the president to pardon National Security Agency ( NSA ) whistleblower Edward Snowden , who is currently avoiding U.S. prosecution in Moscow .
Snowden has been receiving asylum in Russia since he fled the U.S. in June 2013 .
Newsweek reached out to the Trump White House for additional remarks Thursday morning .

The partner of Julian Assange, attorney Stella Morris, pleaded with President Donald Trump on Thanksgiving to pardon the Wikileaks boss who is currently fighting extradition to the United States.
Morris is a 37-year-old, South African-born lawyer who began a relationship with Assange in 2015 after years of providing legal aid in his fight against extradition. During that time, Assange was seeking diplomatic asylum inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London. Morris shared a photograph of the couple's two children on social media on the morning of Thanksgiving Day, directly urging Trump to pardon the Wikileaks chief. On Wednesday, Trump pardoned former U.S. national security adviser Michael Flynn, prompting speculation the president is set to offer pardons to a wide array of controversial figures — including himself.
These are Julian's sons Max and Gabriel. They need their father. Our family needs to be whole again.
I beg you, please bring him home for Christmas @realDonaldTrump.#PardonAssange#FreeAssangeNOW pic.twitter.com/dzwSFxNUnc — Stella Moris (@StellaMoris1) November 26, 2020
"These are Julian's sons Max and Gabriel. They need their father. Our family needs to be whole again. I beg you, please bring him home for Christmas @realDonaldTrump. #PardonAssange #FreeAssangeNOW," Morris tweeted Thursday morning.
Morris and Assange had their first child, Gabriel, in 2016 prior to the couple's 2017 engagement. Morris gave birth to the pair's second son, Max, in February 2019, in a birth which was recorded using a GoPro. Morris told the Daily Mail in September that parenting has been "lonely, challenging" at time with the boys' father still in prison.
"Julian brought up his oldest son, mostly on his own, from when he was a toddler to adulthood so his default mode as a father is hands-on," Morris told the U.K. tabloid last month. "He's warm, easygoing and, above all, proud. Our boys are happy children, they love seeing their daddy's face and hearing his voice."
Assange is currently being kept in the high-security Belmarsh prison in the U.K., and has been since April 2019. At that time, he was forcibly removed from the Ecuadorian embassy in London to face U.S. extradition charges. Assange had been hiding out in the embassy for seven years after he sought diplomatic asylum there from alleged sexual offense charges in Sweden.
Assange long maintained that the Swedish charges were just a ruse for U.S. intelligence officials to capture and extradite him to America.
The ex-Wikileaks boss is charged with conspiring with Chelsea Manning, a former U.S. Army intelligence analyst, to hack into a Pentagon computer network and publish a trove of previously unreleased video and documents. U.S. prosecutors allege 17 charges under the Espionage Act against Assange in addition to one charge of conspiracy to commit computer intrusion. If convicted, Assange could face up to 175 years in prison.
The "#FreeAssangeNow" hashtag has joined several similar social media calls over the years to pardon the Wikileaks founder. Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard joined Morris in pleading with Trump to release Assange before he leaves office on January 20, 2021. Gabbard also urged the president to pardon National Security Agency (NSA) whistleblower Edward Snowden, who is currently avoiding U.S. prosecution in Moscow. Snowden has been receiving asylum in Russia since he fled the U.S. in June 2013.
Newsweek reached out to the Trump White House for additional remarks Thursday morning.


newsweek--2020-11-26--Bookmakers Are Still Taking Bets on Donald Trump Winning the Election

Betting markets are still pricing Donald Trump as having a chance of holding onto the presidency , despite Joe Biden having already passed the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the 2020 election .
UK bookmaker Betfair gave the incumbent odds of 11-1 to be the next president , with Biden on 1-18 .
Betfair said in a statement on their website shortly after the election that it had not closed the market yet as it was waiting for `` clarity around ongoing vote counts , recounts and any potential legal challenges to the results . ''
`` Ordinarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declaration from various news networks would be followed by a concession speech by the losing candidate , '' the bookmaker said .
`` This would trigger the settlement of the remaining Betfair markets .
It 's what happened in 2008 , 2012 and 2016 .
2020 is no ordinary election .
`` We will only settle the markets when there is certainty around which candidate has the most projected Electoral College votes . ''
Leading polling expert Nate Silver , of the FiveThirtyEight website , shared a separate political map of the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a greater than 10 percent chance , including in states where the results had already been certified .
`` As I 've said before , '' he tweeted , `` it 's a bit alarming there are so many delusional people out there that the market equilibrium is this detached from reality . ''
Political pundits suggested this was due in part to some betting on a dramatic intervention that could upend the result .
Last week it was reported that President Trump was considering appealing to Republican state legislators to alter rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Electoral College in order to retain the presidency .
According to Reuters , the Trump campaign 's legal team has decided to take a `` more targeted approach towards getting the legislators engaged '' with a focus on Michigan .
Biden was projected the winner in Michigan , garnering 16 electoral votes .
Electors are normally chosen by governors and the secretaries of state .
Often , electors vote for the presidential candidate that won the popular vote in their state .
However , Trump 's legal team reportedly wants to shift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers .
Meanwhile , Trump 's odds have been cut in half with some bookmakers to win in the 2024 presidential election .
Oddschecker said bettors were backing Trump to `` bounce back from his 2020 election defeat to Joe Biden and reclaim the Presidency in 2024 . ''
A spokesperson said : `` Over the last week , 39.7 percent of all bets on the 2024 Election winner have backed Trump , despite the 74-year-old being priced as third favorite .
`` Some bookies have cut odds on a Trump 2024 victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short 6-1 with William Hill .
The best price of 7-1 is available with one firm .
`` That means the MAGA man only trails current favorite Kamala Harris ( 4-1 ) and soon to be inaugurated Joe Biden ( 9-2 ) . ''

Betting markets are still pricing Donald Trump as having a chance of holding onto the presidency, despite Joe Biden having already passed the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the 2020 election.
UK bookmaker Betfair gave the incumbent odds of 11-1 to be the next president, with Biden on 1-18.
Betfair said in a statement on their website shortly after the election that it had not closed the market yet as it was waiting for "clarity around ongoing vote counts, recounts and any potential legal challenges to the results."
"Ordinarily in a US election, a result declaration from various news networks would be followed by a concession speech by the losing candidate," the bookmaker said. "This would trigger the settlement of the remaining Betfair markets. It's what happened in 2008, 2012 and 2016. 2020 is no ordinary election.
"We will only settle the markets when there is certainty around which candidate has the most projected Electoral College votes."
Leading polling expert Nate Silver, of the FiveThirtyEight website, shared a separate political map of the U.S. suggesting betting markets were still giving Trump a greater than 10 percent chance, including in states where the results had already been certified.
"As I've said before," he tweeted, "it's a bit alarming there are so many delusional people out there that the market equilibrium is this detached from reality."
Political betting markets still give Trump a >10% chance, both nationally and in several states where *results have been certified*. As I've said before, it's a bit alarming there are so many delusional people out there that the market equilibrium is this detached from reality. pic.twitter.com/SiKXccMvE8 — Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) November 26, 2020
Political pundits suggested this was due in part to some betting on a dramatic intervention that could upend the result.
Last week it was reported that President Trump was considering appealing to Republican state legislators to alter rules that govern the appointment of members to the Electoral College in order to retain the presidency.
According to Reuters, the Trump campaign's legal team has decided to take a "more targeted approach towards getting the legislators engaged" with a focus on Michigan. Biden was projected the winner in Michigan, garnering 16 electoral votes.
U.S. President Donald Trump steps through the Rose Garden Colonnade before 'pardoning' the national Thanksgiving Turkey at the White House November 24, 2020 in Washington, DC. The president has refused to concede defeat. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Electors are normally chosen by governors and the secretaries of state. Often, electors vote for the presidential candidate that won the popular vote in their state. However, Trump's legal team reportedly wants to shift the responsibility of appointing electors to GOP lawmakers.
Meanwhile, Trump's odds have been cut in half with some bookmakers to win in the 2024 presidential election.
Oddschecker said bettors were backing Trump to "bounce back from his 2020 election defeat to Joe Biden and reclaim the Presidency in 2024."
A spokesperson said: "Over the last week, 39.7 percent of all bets on the 2024 Election winner have backed Trump, despite the 74-year-old being priced as third favorite.
"Some bookies have cut odds on a Trump 2024 victory in half, from 12-1 into as short 6-1 with William Hill. The best price of 7-1 is available with one firm.
"That means the MAGA man only trails current favorite Kamala Harris (4-1) and soon to be inaugurated Joe Biden (9-2)."


newsweek--2020-11-26--How Dead Mink Are Rising From the Grave, Explained by Science

Dead mink culled in Denmark because of fears over a COVID-19 mutation were reported to be rising from their graves this month as their bodies expanded during the decaying process .
In a statement to Newsweek , the animal welfare charity Humane Society International said : `` The mink who have been gassed to death in Denmark were buried in mass shallow graves , where their decaying bodies have started to produce gases as part of the decomposing process , which makes their bodies expand and push back up through the soil .
Earlier this month , members of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help farmers cull millions of mink , which are bred for their fur .
Police were reported to have shovelled additional soil on top of the corpses in an attempt to remedy the situation .
Thousands of the animals were buried in a 3.3-foot-deep trench at a military training field in the west of the Jutland peninsula .
Thomas Kristensen , a spokesperson for Danish police , told state broadcaster DR : `` As the bodies decay , gases can be formed .
This causes the whole thing to expand a little .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases , the mink get pushed out of the ground .
`` This is a natural process .
Unfortunately , one meter of soil is not just one meter of soil—it depends on what type of soil it is .
The problem is that the sandy soil in West Jutland is too light .
So , we have had to lay more soil on top , '' Kristensen said .
Concerns have been raised over the risk of contamination because the corpses are near drinking water reserves and other bodies of water .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be undesirable from a public health point of view , but what authorities in Denmark appear most concerned about is the proximity of the corpse piles to local rivers , lakes and drinking water reserves that they fear could become contaminated , '' the Humane Society International told Newsweek .
`` Certainly that needs to be looked at , but the truth is fur farming itself is inherently polluting , just the same as other forms of intensive animal farming because the animals produce tons of manure which risks running into local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark said the incident was a `` temporary problem tied to the decaying process , '' noting that the area would be monitored daily until a fence was erected `` to avoid potential problems for animals and humans . ''
The mink corpses were reported to have been disinfected and covered with lime before burial , according to Kristensen .
He explained that the risk posed by the decomposing bodies was small because live mink mostly transmit COVID-19 by exhaling it into the air .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bacteria may still be trapped in their fur , '' noting that it is `` never healthy to get close to dead animals , so therefore this is of course something to stay away from . ''
The Humane Society International said : `` Few people realise that the fur of animals like mink or fox used in fashion would also naturally decompose just like these buried mink , if it were not for the fact that the fur trade treats it with chemicals to stop it decaying . ''
Efforts to cull @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in June , but outbreaks at mink farms have continued .
A new strain of the virus discovered among the mink , which had also infected some humans , could pose a risk to future COVID vaccines , according to authorities , Reuters reported this month .
Denmark is the world 's largest producer of mink skins , with about 1,500 fur farmers , according to the Danish Agriculture & Food Council .
Earlier this month , animal welfare campaigners called for the fur trade to end as millions of mink were culled @

Dead mink culled in Denmark because of fears over a COVID-19 mutation were reported to be rising from their graves this month as their bodies expanded during the decaying process.
In a statement to Newsweek, the animal welfare charity Humane Society International said: "The mink who have been gassed to death in Denmark were buried in mass shallow graves, where their decaying bodies have started to produce gases as part of the decomposing process, which makes their bodies expand and push back up through the soil.
Earlier this month, members of the Danish military and police were deployed to help farmers cull millions of mink, which are bred for their fur.
Police were reported to have shovelled additional soil on top of the corpses in an attempt to remedy the situation. Thousands of the animals were buried in a 3.3-foot-deep trench at a military training field in the west of the Jutland peninsula.
Thomas Kristensen, a spokesperson for Danish police, told state broadcaster DR: "As the bodies decay, gases can be formed. This causes the whole thing to expand a little. In this way, in the worst cases, the mink get pushed out of the ground.
"This is a natural process. Unfortunately, one meter of soil is not just one meter of soil—it depends on what type of soil it is. The problem is that the sandy soil in West Jutland is too light. So, we have had to lay more soil on top," Kristensen said.
Concerns have been raised over the risk of contamination because the corpses are near drinking water reserves and other bodies of water.
"Decaying animal carcasses are always going to be undesirable from a public health point of view, but what authorities in Denmark appear most concerned about is the proximity of the corpse piles to local rivers, lakes and drinking water reserves that they fear could become contaminated," the Humane Society International told Newsweek.
"Certainly that needs to be looked at, but the truth is fur farming itself is inherently polluting, just the same as other forms of intensive animal farming because the animals produce tons of manure which risks running into local waterways," it added.
The Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark said the incident was a "temporary problem tied to the decaying process," noting that the area would be monitored daily until a fence was erected "to avoid potential problems for animals and humans."
The mink corpses were reported to have been disinfected and covered with lime before burial, according to Kristensen. He explained that the risk posed by the decomposing bodies was small because live mink mostly transmit COVID-19 by exhaling it into the air.
However, Kristensen warned that "small quantities of bacteria may still be trapped in their fur," noting that it is "never healthy to get close to dead animals, so therefore this is of course something to stay away from."
The Humane Society International said: "Few people realise that the fur of animals like mink or fox used in fashion would also naturally decompose just like these buried mink, if it were not for the fact that the fur trade treats it with chemicals to stop it decaying."
Efforts to cull mink infected with COVID-19 in Denmark began in June, but outbreaks at mink farms have continued. A new strain of the virus discovered among the mink, which had also infected some humans, could pose a risk to future COVID vaccines, according to authorities, Reuters reported this month.
Denmark is the world's largest producer of mink skins, with about 1,500 fur farmers, according to the Danish Agriculture & Food Council.
Earlier this month, animal welfare campaigners called for the fur trade to end as millions of mink were culled.