newsweek--2020-12-23--Israel's Peace Deals Show How Abnormal Israel's Treatment Has Been | Opinion

Israel now has a peace plane .
The plane is an El Al Boeing 737 and is named for the Israeli city of Kiryat Gat .
It has become renowned for being the first Israeli plane to fly to Morocco on December 22 , as Israel normalized relations with Rabat , and also the first to go to the United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) in late August .
The presence of an El Al airplane in capital cities around the Middle East is unprecedented—just as seeing Israeli flags proliferate across Morocco , the UAE and Bahrain has seemed like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which all the pervasive acrimony against Israel does n't exist .
The new era of peace deals has already illustrated just how much hunger there was on both sides for these agreements .
An estimated 50,000 Israelis flew to Dubai after flights began on November 26 .
I was one of the people who flew from Tel Aviv to Dubai on a packed Fly Dubai flight this month , and it was striking how normal it felt .
This normality is natural , because Dubai is a city with hundreds of nationalities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hanukkah celebrations below the Burj Khalifa skyscraper this month showcased how Jewish holidays can , and should , be celebrated all across the Middle East However , a concerted campaign over the decades attempted to make it seem acceptable that not only would Israel lack relations with dozens of mostly Muslim countries , but Jewish religious displays themselves would be considered taboo or `` controversial '' in those places .
This clear link between making the Jews feel unwelcome and not having relations with Israel illustrates how much of the anti-Israel crusade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been an anti-Semitic policy .
For example , reports now indicate Morocco will teach Jewish history in schools .
That is a positive change .
However , it is also extraordinary that Jewish history was not already being taught in a land where Jews have such a long history .
How is that possible ?
Why was it acceptable ?
Acceptance of the isolation of Israel and erasure of Jewish history in the Middle East has been an open wound afflicting the whole region .
It should never have happened .
Israel and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1948 , and there are legitimate reasons that Palestinians and their supporters opposed Israel 's policies .
But similar terrible wars , such as that between India and Pakistan in 1948 , did n't result in dozens of countries not recognizing India or pretending that Hindus do n't exist .
Normalization and the presence diplomatic relations are the most basic geopolitical norms throughout the world .
Yet so many politicians , like former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry , who pushed for engagement with Iran , blindly accepted the fact that so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israel .
The whole nature of the conversation about Israel over the last decades has been tainted by accepting as normal a situation that was inherently abnormal .
It became normal in Western universities to debate the very existence of Israel , and to advocate for a `` one-state '' solution without even consulting the eight million people in Israel and millions of Palestinians .
In no other instance in the world do American college students blithely decide that they will erase countries and shoehorn them into new `` one-state '' solutions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking people in Slovakia and Kosovo .
Only when it comes to Israel was it taken for granted that people will debate its very existence itself .
This semi-genocidal debate , like the erasure of Jewish history in countries like Iraq , places from which the Talmud was created , is a brutal assault on both history and international norms .
Now , long years of this abuse are being corrected with the new era of relations between Israel , Morocco , the UAE , Bahrain and Sudan .
The usual predictions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Israelis can be safe in these countries .
Instead of the ingrained anti-Semitism and way in which Jewish holidays have been made to seem controversial if celebrated in most countries across the region , we now see how countries are embracing Jewish culture and history .
The Crossroad of Civilizations Museum in Dubai , for instance , now has brochures in Hebrew .
Kosher food is now offered at the Ritz-Carlton in Manama .
These are symbolic changes that speak volumes about a new normal that is banishing the intolerance of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is happening in the Middle East .
Seth J. Frantzman is executive director of the Middle East Center for Reporting and Analysis , a senior analyst of Middle East affairs for The Jerusalem Post and author of After ISIS : America , Iran and the Struggle for the Middle East ( 2019 ) .
Twitter : @ sfrantzman .
The views expressed in this article are the writer 's own .

Israel now has a peace plane. The plane is an El Al Boeing 737 and is named for the Israeli city of Kiryat Gat. It has become renowned for being the first Israeli plane to fly to Morocco on December 22, as Israel normalized relations with Rabat, and also the first to go to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in late August. The presence of an El Al airplane in capital cities around the Middle East is unprecedented—just as seeing Israeli flags proliferate across Morocco, the UAE and Bahrain has seemed like something from a parallel universe, in which all the pervasive acrimony against Israel doesn't exist.
The new era of peace deals has already illustrated just how much hunger there was on both sides for these agreements. An estimated 50,000 Israelis flew to Dubai after flights began on November 26. I was one of the people who flew from Tel Aviv to Dubai on a packed Fly Dubai flight this month, and it was striking how normal it felt. This normality is natural, because Dubai is a city with hundreds of nationalities, hosting people from all over the world. Hanukkah celebrations below the Burj Khalifa skyscraper this month showcased how Jewish holidays can, and should, be celebrated all across the Middle East
However, a concerted campaign over the decades attempted to make it seem acceptable that not only would Israel lack relations with dozens of mostly Muslim countries, but Jewish religious displays themselves would be considered taboo or "controversial" in those places. This clear link between making the Jews feel unwelcome and not having relations with Israel illustrates how much of the anti-Israel crusade of the last 70 years has simply been an anti-Semitic policy. For example, reports now indicate Morocco will teach Jewish history in schools. That is a positive change. However, it is also extraordinary that Jewish history was not already being taught in a land where Jews have such a long history. How is that possible? Why was it acceptable?
Dubai skyline in 2019 Rustam Azmi/Getty Images
Acceptance of the isolation of Israel and erasure of Jewish history in the Middle East has been an open wound afflicting the whole region. It should never have happened. Israel and some Arab countries fought a war in 1948, and there are legitimate reasons that Palestinians and their supporters opposed Israel's policies. But similar terrible wars, such as that between India and Pakistan in 1948, didn't result in dozens of countries not recognizing India or pretending that Hindus don't exist. Normalization and the presence of diplomatic relations are the most basic geopolitical norms throughout the world. Yet so many politicians, like former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who pushed for engagement with Iran, blindly accepted the fact that so many countries did not normalize ties with Israel.
The whole nature of the conversation about Israel over the last decades has been tainted by accepting as normal a situation that was inherently abnormal. It became normal in Western universities to debate the very existence of Israel, and to advocate for a "one-state" solution without even consulting the eight million people in Israel and millions of Palestinians. In no other instance in the world do American college students blithely decide that they will erase countries and shoehorn them into new "one-state" solutions, like recreating Yugoslavia or Czechoslovakia without first asking people in Slovakia and Kosovo. Only when it comes to Israel was it taken for granted that people will debate its very existence itself. This semi-genocidal debate, like the erasure of Jewish history in countries like Iraq, places from which the Talmud was created, is a brutal assault on both history and international norms.
Now, long years of this abuse are being corrected with the new era of relations between Israel, Morocco, the UAE, Bahrain and Sudan. The usual predictions of doom and gloom have not come true. Israelis can be safe in these countries. Instead of the ingrained anti-Semitism and ways in which Jewish holidays have been made to seem controversial if celebrated in most countries across the region, we now see how countries are embracing Jewish culture and history. The Crossroad of Civilizations Museum in Dubai, for instance, now has brochures in Hebrew. Kosher food is now offered at the Ritz-Carlton in Manama. These are symbolic changes that speak volumes about a new normal that is banishing the intolerance of the past. It feels like a revolution is happening in the Middle East.
Seth J. Frantzman is executive director of the Middle East Center for Reporting and Analysis, a senior analyst of Middle East affairs for The Jerusalem Post and author of After ISIS: America, Iran and the Struggle for the Middle East (2019). Twitter: @sfrantzman.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.


newsweek--2020-12-23--Excedrin Recalls 433,000 Bottles for Child Safety Problems, but Not Because of the Cap

Excedrin maker GlaxoSmithKline has recalled five different varieties of the common headache medication due to holes in packaging that could pose a potential poisoning risk to children .
Approximately 433,600 bottles sold under the names Excedrin Extra Strength Caplets , Excedrin Tension Headache Caplets , Excedrin Migraine Caplets , Excedrin Migraine Geltabs and Excedrin PM Headache Caplets are involved in the recall , which was announced Wednesday .
`` Some of the bottles containing the over-the-counter drug can have a hole in the bottom , '' a recall notice from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission explains .
`` If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access and swallow the contents , posing a risk of poisoning .
These products contain the substances aspirin and acetaminophen which must be in child resistant packaging as required by the Poison Prevention Packaging Act ( PPPA ) . ''
The recalled medications , in child-resistant bottles containing between 50 and 300 pills each , were sold at stores across the country and online between March 2018 and September 2020 .
GlaxoSmithKline issued a notification to stop sales of all five products on October 7 over concerns about the packaging .
Excedrin Extra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bottles containing 24 pills each were not affected .
No injuries or incidents related to the recalled products have been reported .
Despite the bottles potentially having holes , the recall does not indicate that the pills within pose any other kind of health risk .
Excedrin is sold in cardboard boxes that contain the bottles , likely limiting the possibility that the exposed bottles could easily be tampered with .
GlaxoSmithKline says that the recall is not a `` consumer level recall , '' while noting that not all 433,600 of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holes .
However , the company has asked consumers to check for products with the possibly defective packaging and contact them for a refund .
`` While the likelihood there are bottles on the market with holes is low , we are asking anyone who has purchased large-sized Excedrin ( 50 count and above ) to check their Excedrin products and if there is a visible issue , contact GSK Consumer Relations at 1-800-468-7746 for a full refund , '' a notice on the Excedrin website reads .
`` If your Excedrin bottle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe to use as directed on the label . ''
`` We take product safety very seriously at GSK and while we have not received any complaints or safety concerns to date on this potential problem , we are still letting consumers know so they can check their Excedrin bottles themselves , '' it continues .
`` We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience , and please be assured we are working closely with the bottle manufacturer to fix this problem as quickly as we can . ''
Although the PPPA regulation requiring child-resistant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children , ingredients in many common pain relief products can also pose serious health risks to adults who take more than the recommended dose .
One ingredient in particular , acetaminophen , often known in the U.S. under the popular brand name Tylenol , can cause liver damage when exceeding the recommended dosage by an even relatively modest amount .
Acetaminophen poisoning is the most common cause of acute liver failure in the U.S. and the second most common cause of liver failure requiring a liver transplant .
Newsweek reached out to GlaxoSmithKline @ @ @

Bottles of Excedrin products are seen on a store shelf in this file photo taken in Chicago, Illinois on June 30, 2009. Scott Olson/Getty
Excedrin maker GlaxoSmithKline has recalled five different varieties of the common headache medication due to holes in packaging that could pose a potential poisoning risk to children.
Approximately 433,600 bottles sold under the names Excedrin Extra Strength Caplets, Excedrin Tension Headache Caplets, Excedrin Migraine Caplets, Excedrin Migraine Geltabs and Excedrin PM Headache Caplets are involved in the recall, which was announced Wednesday.
"Some of the bottles containing the over-the-counter drug can have a hole in the bottom," a recall notice from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission explains. "If there is a hole, children could access and swallow the contents, posing a risk of poisoning. These products contain the substances aspirin and acetaminophen which must be in child resistant packaging as required by the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA)."
The recalled medications, in child-resistant bottles containing between 50 and 300 pills each, were sold at stores across the country and online between March 2018 and September 2020. GlaxoSmithKline issued a notification to stop sales of all five products on October 7 over concerns about the packaging. Excedrin Extra Strength Caplets and Excedrin Migraine Geltabs in bottles containing 24 pills each were not affected.
No injuries or incidents related to the recalled products have been reported. Despite the bottles potentially having holes, the recall does not indicate that the pills within pose any other kind of health risk. Excedrin is sold in cardboard boxes that contain the bottles, likely limiting the possibility that the exposed bottles could easily be tampered with.
GlaxoSmithKline says that the recall is not a "consumer level recall," while noting that not all 433,600 of the potentially affected bottles are likely to have holes. However, the company has asked consumers to check for products with the possibly defective packaging and contact them for a refund.
"While the likelihood there are bottles on the market with holes is low, we are asking anyone who has purchased large-sized Excedrin (50 count and above) to check their Excedrin products and if there is a visible issue, contact GSK Consumer Relations at 1-800-468-7746 for a full refund," a statement obtained by Newsweek, which also appears on the Excedrin website reads. "If your Excedrin bottle is not damaged, the product is safe to use as directed on the label."
"We take product safety very seriously at GSK and while we have not received any complaints or safety concerns to date on this potential problem, we are still letting consumers know so they can check their Excedrin bottles themselves," it continues. "We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience, and please be assured we are working closely with the bottle manufacturer to fix this problem as quickly as we can."
Although the PPPA regulation requiring child-resistant caps is aimed at preventing poisoning in children, ingredients in many common pain relief products can also pose serious health risks to adults who take more than the recommended dose.
One ingredient in particular, acetaminophen, often known in the U.S. under the popular brand name Tylenol, can cause liver damage when exceeding the recommended dosage by an even relatively modest amount. Acetaminophen poisoning is the most common cause of acute liver failure in the U.S. and the second most common cause of liver failure requiring a liver transplant.
Newsweek reached out to GlaxoSmithKline for comment.


newsweek--2020-12-23--Trump Pardons Jared Kushner's Father, Paul Manafort, Roger Stone and 23 Others

President Donald Trump issued another series of pardons and commutations on Wednesday , including full pardons for Charles Kushner , the father of Trump 's son-in-law , Jared Kushner .
Former Trump adviser Roger Stone and Trump 's former campaign manager Paul Manafort , both of whom were sentenced in relation to the investigation into meddling into the 2016 election , were also granted pardons .
Clemency was also granted to 23 other individuals , according to a statement from the White House .
Charles Kushner pleaded guilty in 2004 to 18 counts of tax evasion , witness tampering and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also admitted to hiring videotaping an encounter between his brother-in-law William Schulder and a sex worker in 2003 .
Schulder was working with federal investigators on a case regarding illegal campaign contributions on Charles Kushner 's part .
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said that Charles Kushner 's crime was `` one of the most loathsome , disgusting crimes that I prosecuted when I was U.S. Attorney '' during a January 2019 interview with PBS .
Trump granted Charles Kushner a full pardon , citing his devotion to `` important philanthropic organizations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of reform and charity overshadows Mr. Kushner 's conviction and 2 year sentence for preparing false tax returns , witness retaliation , and making false statements to the [ Federal Election Commission ] , '' the White House said .
Newsweek reached out to Christie for comment .
Stone , who was sentenced to 40 months in prison in 2020 for his role in the Russian election meddling investigation , was granted a `` full and unconditional pardon '' by Trump .
`` Pardoning him will help to right the injustices he faced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the White House statement read .
In a post-pardon interview with Fox News host Tucker Carlson on Wednesday , Stone expressed his appreciation to Trump .
`` My hat is off to the president , the greatest president since Abraham Lincoln , who had the courage to correct this injustice , '' Stone said .
Newsweek reached out to Stone for further comment .
Manafort received a `` full and complete '' pardon from Trump after approximately 2 years in prison on a charge of witness tampering .
Manafort was released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the statement , Manafort 's prison time included `` a stretch of time in solitary confinement—treatment worse than what many of the most violent criminals receive . ''
`` As Mr. Manafort 's trial judge observed , prior to the Special Counsel investigation , '' the statement read , `` Mr. Manafort had led an 'otherwise blameless life . '
'' Manafort thanked Trump on Twitter Wednesday night .
Mr. President , my family & I humbly thank you for the Presidential Pardon you bestowed on me , '' Manafort wrote .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ grateful we are . ''
Manafort was charged in New York in March 2019 with state-level felonies , including mortgage fraud .
However , those charges were dismissed by a New York State Supreme Court judge in December 2019 , ruling that Manafort 's state crimes were included in his federal sentence .

President Donald Trump issued another series of pardons and commutations on Wednesday, including full pardons for Charles Kushner, the father of Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Former Trump adviser Roger Stone and Trump's former campaign manager Paul Manafort, both of whom were sentenced in relation to the investigation into meddling into the 2016 election, were also granted pardons. Clemency was also granted to 23 other individuals, according to a statement from the White House.
Charles Kushner pleaded guilty in 2004 to 18 counts of tax evasion, witness tampering and making illegal campaign donations. Charles Kushner also admitted to hiring videotaping an encounter between his brother-in-law William Schulder and a sex worker in 2003. Schulder was working with federal investigators on a case regarding illegal campaign contributions on Charles Kushner's part.
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said that Charles Kushner's crime was "one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes that I prosecuted when I was U.S. Attorney" during a January 2019 interview with PBS.
Trump granted Charles Kushner a full pardon, citing his devotion to "important philanthropic organizations and causes."
"This record of reform and charity overshadows Mr. Kushner's conviction and 2 year sentence for preparing false tax returns, witness retaliation, and making false statements to the [Federal Election Commission]," the White House said.
Newsweek reached out to Christie for comment.
President Donald Trump issued another round of clemency orders on Wednesday, including pardons for Roger Stone, Paul Manafort and Charles Kushners, the father of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. Al Drago/Getty
Stone, who was sentenced to 40 months in prison in 2020 for his role in the Russian election meddling investigation, was granted a "full and unconditional pardon" by Trump.
"Pardoning him will help to right the injustices he faced at the hands of the Mueller investigation," the White House statement read.
In a post-pardon interview with Fox News host Tucker Carlson on Wednesday, Stone expressed his appreciation to Trump.
"My hat is off to the president, the greatest president since Abraham Lincoln, who had the courage to correct this injustice," Stone said.
Newsweek reached out to Stone for further comment.
Manafort received a "full and complete" pardon from Trump after approximately 2 years in prison on a charge of witness tampering. Manafort was released in May to home confinement. According to the statement, Manafort's prison time included "a stretch of time in solitary confinement—treatment worse than what many of the most violent criminals receive."
"As Mr. Manafort's trial judge observed, prior to the Special Counsel investigation," the statement read, "Mr. Manafort had led an 'otherwise blameless life.'"
Manafort thanked Trump on Twitter Wednesday night. Mr. President, my family & I humbly thank you for the Presidential Pardon you bestowed on me," Manafort wrote. "Words cannot fully convey how grateful we are."
Mr. President, my family & I humbly thank you for the Presidential Pardon you bestowed on me. Words cannot fully convey how grateful we are. — Paul Manafort (@PaulManafort) December 24, 2020
Manafort was charged in New York in March 2019 with state-level felonies, including mortgage fraud. However, those charges were dismissed by a New York State Supreme Court judge in December 2019, ruling that Manafort's state crimes were included in his federal sentence.


newsweek--2020-12-23--Murder of Non-Binary Teen Killed at Christmas Party Broadcast on Facebook

The murder of a gender non-conforming teen at a holiday party in Prichard , Alabama was broadcast live on Facebook in December , according to the victim 's family .
Jaheim Pugh , a 19-year-old who used both male and female pronouns , was in attendance at the party when gunfire erupted .
Pugh , who was wearing a rainbow-colored bodysuit , was hit .
The video broadcast on social media showed Pugh lying on the floor as other partygoers declined to offer assistance .
According to Pugh 's mother Tiffany , a person on the video could be heard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If he was n't wearing that dress , he would still be alive . ''
`` You sat there for 20 minutes and recorded him on the floor , '' Tiffany Pugh told WALA in December .
`` No CPR , nothing ! ''
`` People hated him because of what he wore and it 's not right , '' Tiffany Pugh said .
`` They took somebody special because he wore a dress . ''
James Lee James , Jr. was booked and charged with Jaheim Pugh 's murder in Mobile after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whoever did it , you need to come and fess up to it , '' James told reporters at the time of his arrest , according to WKRG .
`` All you motherf*ckers talking about I did it , you know I ai n't do it .
Y'all need to come down here and fess up to this man for real . ''
James was out on bond for a separate crime at the time of his arrest .
At a December hearing , an Alabama judge denied bond for James , setting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Pugh family has expressed a desire to have the shooting investigated as a hate crime , police have said there is no evidence to support the claim .
Alabama 's current hate crime statutes do not take crimes against gender identity or sexual orientation into account .
Newsweek reached out to the Alabama Attorney General 's office for comment .
According to the Mobile County Sheriff 's Office , 2 other individuals were injured during the shooting at the holiday party where Jaheim Pugh was killed .
Data released by the FBI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hate crimes reported in the U.S. during 2019 targeted members of the LGBTQ community , with 2.7 percent of those crimes being committed against transgender or gender non-conforming individuals .
Hate crimes based on a victim 's sexual orientation were the third largest category .
`` These alarming statistics represent real trauma for individuals and families across this country who have to bear the brunt of these hate crimes , '' said Human Rights Campaign President Alphonso David in a November statement .
`` As the Biden-Harris administration assumes office , we must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crimes reporting across the country , better training for law enforcement officers to recognize bias-motivated crimes , and greater inclusion and equity in our communities . ''

The murder of a gender non-conforming teen at a holiday party in Prichard, Alabama was broadcast live on Facebook in December, according to the victim's family.
Jaheim Pugh, a 19-year-old who used both male and female pronouns, was in attendance at the party when gunfire erupted. Pugh, who was wearing a rainbow-colored bodysuit, was hit. The video broadcast on social media showed Pugh lying on the floor as other partygoers declined to offer assistance. According to Pugh's mother Tiffany, a person on the video could be heard to say about the victim, "If he wasn't wearing that dress, he would still be alive."
"You sat there for 20 minutes and recorded him on the floor," Tiffany Pugh told WALA in December. "No CPR, nothing!"
"People hated him because of what he wore and it's not right," Tiffany Pugh said. "They took somebody special because he wore a dress."
James Lee James, Jr. was booked and charged with Jaheim Pugh's murder in Mobile after turning himself in to authorities.
"Whoever did it, you need to come and fess up to it," James told reporters at the time of his arrest, according to WKRG. "All you motherf*ckers talking about I did it, you know I ain't do it. Y'all need to come down here and fess up to this man for real."
James was out on bond for a separate crime at the time of his arrest. At a December hearing, an Alabama judge denied bond for James, setting a court hearing for February.
The murder of gender nonconforming Alabama resident Jaheim Pugh during a December holiday party was broadcast live on social media. iStock/Getty
Although the Pugh family has expressed a desire to have the shooting investigated as a hate crime, police have said there is no evidence to support the claim. Alabama's current hate crime statutes do not take crimes against gender identity or sexual orientation into account. Newsweek reached out to the Alabama Attorney General's office for comment.
According to the Mobile County Sheriff's Office, 2 other individuals were injured during the shooting at the holiday party where Jaheim Pugh was killed.
Data released by the FBI in November indicated that 16.7 percent of hate crimes reported in the U.S. during 2019 targeted members of the LGBTQ community, with 2.7 percent of those crimes being committed against transgender or gender non-conforming individuals. Hate crimes based on a victim's sexual orientation were the third largest category.
"These alarming statistics represent real trauma for individuals and families across this country who have to bear the brunt of these hate crimes," said Human Rights Campaign President Alphonso David in a November statement. "As the Biden-Harris administration assumes office, we must recommit ourselves to advocating for mandatory hate crimes reporting across the country, better training for law enforcement officers to recognize bias-motivated crimes, and greater inclusion and equity in our communities."


newsweek--2020-12-23--Dominion Warns Legal Action Against Rudy Giuliani 'Imminent' As Exec Sues For Defamation

Rudy Giuliani was threatened with an `` imminent '' lawsuit from Dominion Voting Systems while one of the company 's executives sued him and others for defamation over unsubstantiated claims that the company facilitated massive voter fraud .
In his quest to overturn President-elect Joe Biden 's election victory over President Donald Trump , Giuliani , the president 's lawyer , has been one of many to promote baseless claims that Dominion machines flipped votes from Trump to Biden .
On Tuesday , the company 's lawyers sent Giuliani a letter reminding him of his legal `` obligation to preserve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and your smear campaign '' while warning that `` litigation regarding these issues is imminent , '' according to CNN .
`` With this letter you are on notice of your ongoing obligations to preserve documents related to Dominion 's claims for defamation based on allegations that the company acted improperly during the November 2020 presidential election and somehow rigged the election in favor of President-Elect Joe Biden , '' the letter reportedly reads .
A similar letter was sent to White House legal counsel Pat Cipollone , demanding that `` any communications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Powell , Giuliani , [ Trump lawyer Jenna ] Ellis or [ lawyer Lin ] Wood must also be retained , '' according to the report .
Newsweek reached out to the Trump campaign and the White House for comment .
On the same day , Eric Coomer , Dominion 's director of product strategy and security , filed suit against Giuliani and the Trump campaign , along with several others who have pushed the bogus fraud claims , including pro-Trump lawyer and conspiracy theorist Sidney Powell and conservative news outlets Newsmax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's lawsuit says that he has been targeted with `` relentless defamation and ongoing threats , '' including death threats and harassment from members of the public who believe the unfounded conspiracy theories .
After thrusting Coomer `` into the national spotlight , '' the defendants are said to have `` invaded his privacy , threatened his security , and fundamentally defamed his reputation across this country . ''
`` The widespread dissemination of false conspiracy theories about the 2020 presidential election has had devastating consequences both for me personally and for many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and officials , both Republican and Democratic , who put aside their political beliefs to run free , fair , and transparent elections , '' Coomer said in a statement .
`` Elections are not about politics ; they are about accurately tabulating legally cast votes . ''
After facing legal threats for repeatedly featuring unsubstantiated claims about Dominion and Smartmatic , an unrelated voting software company , Fox News and Newsmax both issued on-air fact checks that acknowledged the claims were not based in reality .
Coomer is an employee of Dominion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his lawsuit against the networks and others .
Although Trump and his allies have continued to claim that massive fraud was a factor without any providing any credible or tangible evidence , Biden won the election fairly decisively .
The president-elect won the Electoral College by a vote of 306 to 232 , the same margin won by Trump in 2016 .
Biden had 7 million more votes than the outgoing president nationally , over 81.2 million , winning the most votes of any presidential candidate in U.S. history .

Rudy Giuliani was threatened with an "imminent" lawsuit from Dominion Voting Systems while one of the company's executives sued him and others for defamation over unsubstantiated claims that the company facilitated massive voter fraud.
In his quest to overturn President-elect Joe Biden's election victory over President Donald Trump, Giuliani, the president's lawyer, has been one of many to promote baseless claims that Dominion machines flipped votes from Trump to Biden. On Tuesday, the company's lawyers sent Giuliani a letter reminding him of his legal "obligation to preserve and retain all documents relating to Dominion and your smear campaign" while warning that "litigation regarding these issues is imminent," according to CNN.
"With this letter you are on notice of your ongoing obligations to preserve documents related to Dominion's claims for defamation based on allegations that the company acted improperly during the November 2020 presidential election and somehow rigged the election in favor of President-Elect Joe Biden," the letter reportedly reads.
A similar letter was sent to White House legal counsel Pat Cipollone, demanding that "any communications between Trump and any White House employee with Powell, Giuliani, [Trump lawyer Jenna] Ellis or [lawyer Lin] Wood must also be retained," according to the report.
Newsweek reached out to the Trump campaign and the White House for comment.
Rudy Giuliani, President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, speaks in support of unsubstantiated voter fraud claims at a hearing of the Michigan state House in Lansing, Michigan on December 2, 2020. Rey Del Rio/Getty
On the same day, Eric Coomer, Dominion's director of product strategy and security, filed suit against Giuliani and the Trump campaign, along with several others who have pushed the bogus fraud claims, including pro-Trump lawyer and conspiracy theorist Sidney Powell and conservative news outlets Newsmax and One American News Network.
Coomer's lawsuit says that he has been targeted with "relentless defamation and ongoing threats," including death threats and harassment from members of the public who believe the unfounded conspiracy theories. After thrusting Coomer "into the national spotlight," the defendants are said to have "invaded his privacy, threatened his security, and fundamentally defamed his reputation across this country."
"The widespread dissemination of false conspiracy theories about the 2020 presidential election has had devastating consequences both for me personally and for many of the thousands of American election workers and officials, both Republican and Democratic, who put aside their political beliefs to run free, fair, and transparent elections," Coomer said in a statement. "Elections are not about politics; they are about accurately tabulating legally cast votes."
After facing legal threats for repeatedly featuring unsubstantiated claims about Dominion and Smartmatic, an unrelated voting software company, Fox News and Newsmax both issued on-air fact checks that acknowledged the claims were not based in reality. Coomer is an employee of Dominion, but the company was not involved in his lawsuit against the networks and others.
Although Trump and his allies have continued to claim that massive fraud was a factor without any providing any credible or tangible evidence, Biden won the election fairly decisively. The president-elect won the Electoral College by a vote of 306 to 232, the same margin won by Trump in 2016. Biden had 7 million more votes than the outgoing president nationally, over 81.2 million, winning the most votes of any presidential candidate in U.S. history.


newsweek--2020-12-23--COVID-19 Pandemic Sends National Debt to Highest Level Since World War II

The coronavirus pandemic has roiled the markets , tossed most fiscal assumptions to the wind and driven the national debt to the highest level since World War II , as the government spent heavily to support the economy .
The U.S. Treasury Department 's final report for fiscal year 2020 showed a record $ 3.1 trillion deficit for the year , with debt held by bondholders totaling $ 21 trillion .
The Congressional Budget Office ( CBO ) estimated that federal debt this year will total 102 % of Gross Domestic Product ( GDP ) —the value of all goods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the CBO 's estimate may be optimistic .
Preliminary figures peg this year 's federal debt at about 136 % of GDP .
Even with spending cuts or higher taxes , debt is projected to rise as a share of the nation 's economy , increasing to 109 % of GDP by 2030 and 195 % by 2050 .
That means that after the emergency spending and borrowing during the COVID-19 pandemic ends , the federal debt will likely continue to grow , and may be nearly twice as large as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , programs and promises .
Few would argue that additional spending was not necessary to support the economy and help workers who lost their jobs during the pandemic .
The Federal Reserve , the nation 's central bank , slashed interest rates to nearly zero to stimulate consumer spending , which represents about two-thirds of the U.S. economy .
As the Biden administration prepares new spending plans for vaccine distribution , infrastructure repairs , public transportation , schools , healthcare and green energy , the national debt is emerging once again as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it should n't , because it `` does n't matter . ''
In this century , that argument was advanced by Republican President George W. Bush 's vice president , Dick Cheney , a prominent conservative .
When questioned about deficit spending , Cheney famously said , `` Reagan proved deficits do n't matter . ''
The `` debt does n't matter '' argument assumes that bondholders will be willing to buy U.S. debt at low rates indefinitely—even if yields are consistently below the rate of inflation and more lucrative investments are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain low for several years .
But borrowing is n't free , and a one percentage point increase in interest rates would cost about another $ 200 billion a year , about three times the annual budget of U.S. Department of Education .
Arguing that debt does n't matter also assumes that the economy will continue to grow .
At 1 % interest , the debt grows by about that amount annually .
But if GDP increases at 2 % , the debt to-GDP-ratio declines each year and within a few decades returns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen over decades are rarely a consideration in U.S. politics .
`` Politicians have a short-term mentality and want to get re-elected every two , four or six years , '' Chris Rasmussen , associate professor of history at Fairleigh Dickinson University told Newsweek .
`` There is n't much political will to do anything about the debt .
Democrats do n't want to give up social spending and Republicans do n't want to raise taxes or cut the defense budget . ''
Rasmussen said many Americans do n't understand the national debt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young .
`` Students are vaguely aware of the national debt , '' Rasmussen said .
`` They have a sense the Baby Boom generation is going to stick them with the bills . ''
But unless it affects them directly and personally , most people do n't give it much thought , he said .
`` People see the numbers and because the sky is n't falling , most think , ' I guess we 're OK , ' '' Rasmussen said .
In the nation 's history recessions , wars and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the national debt .
The debt-to-GDP ratio is the number analysts track to determine if the U.S. can cover its debt .
Economists often note that the U.S. ca n't default on its debt without causing a global economic crisis .
Argentina defaulted on about $ 80 billion in debt in 2001 .
The action sparked years of litigation , but other than bondholders , the world hardly noticed because Argentina 's economy is small as compared with those of the U.S. , the European Union , Japan , India and China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on its sovereign debt for the ninth time since gaining independence from Spain in1816 after failing to reach a deal on a $ 500 million interest payment amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Analysts fear Argentina 's default could be just the first in a falling line of dominos toppled by the pandemic .
Lebanon defaulted on its debt in March , and Fitch Ratings anticipates more will follow .
The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have asked lenders to suspend payments for some of the world 's poorest nations .
Few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but a sharp increase in the national debt raises a basic question : What 's ahead ?
The downbeat view is tax hikes and slower economic growth ahead , but others argue that the current crisis can be overcome—if the economy remains strong .
Just as in a household , debt increases when expenditures exceed revenue .
In the case of the government , revenue comes from taxes .
The annual budget deficit is added to the national debt .
A budget surplus can reduce the debt .
A look at history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debt .
For starters , the Founding Fathers had no fear of debt—in fact , they embraced it .
A prime impetus for the formation of the United States was to create an entity that could borrow money , and it wasted no time in doing so .
Just one year after the Constitution went into effect in 1789 , the U.S. was already in debt .
In 1929 , the year the stock market crash started the Great Depression , the national debt totaled about $ 17 billion and the debt-to-GDP ratio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Treasury Department figures .
In 1931 , two years after the onset of the Great Depression , the Dust Bowl drought , detailed in John Steinbeck 's novel The Grapes of Wrath , drove many people to California .
The national debt totaled $ 17 billion and about 22 % of a smaller economy .
One-term Republican President Herbert Hoover raised taxes in 1932 , his last year in office , and the economy continued to slow .
The national debt increased to $ 20 billion or about 34 % of GDP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending as part of the New Deal in 1933 , and the national debt increased to $ 23 billion or about 40 % of GDP .
As the U.S. re-armed to fight Germany , Italy and Japan in World War II , the debt-to-GDP ratio increased from 38 % in 1941 to 67 % in 1943 , 90 % in 1944 and 114 % in 1945 .
The national debt increased more than five-fold during the war , growing from $ 49 billion in 1941 to $ 259 billion in 1945 .
Despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ War with the Soviet Union , debt-to-GDP ratio declined from 103 % in 1947 to 86 % in 1950 when the Korean War started .
In 1960 , the last year of President Dwight Eisenhower 's second term , the national debt totaled $ 286 billion and the debt-to-GDP ratio was 53 % .
In 1962 , President John F. Kennedy 's tax cuts boosted the economy and the debt-to-GDP ratio declined to 49 % as the economy expanded , but the national debt grew to $ 298 billion .
After John F. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1963 , President Lyndon B. Johnson raised spending for the War on Poverty and increased U.S. participation in the Vietnam War .
A recession followed .
President Richard Nixon imposed wage and price controls in 1971 and stagflation ( high inflation , high unemployment and low economic demand ) soon followed .
When Nixon voluntarily abandoned the gold standard and OPEC hiked prices in 1973 , the national debt totaled $ 458 billion and the debt-to-GDP ratio stood at 32 % .
The economy continued to stagnate under one-term Democratic President Jimmy Carter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 699 billion in 1977 to $ 908 billion in 1980 .
The debt-to-GDP ratio ranged from 32 % to 34 % during that period .
In 1980 , Carter 's last year in office , Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volker raised the federal funds rate to 20 % to tame inflation .
In 1981 , President Ronald Reagan cut taxes to spur the economy as Kennedy had , but failed to control spending , and the U.S. posed its first trillion-dollar deficit in 1982 .
The debt-to-GDP ratio was 34 % and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After the first Iraq war and a mild recession in 1991 during one-term Republican President George H.W .
Bush 's administration , the national debt rose to $ 4.065 billion and the debt-to-GDP ratio was 62 % .
During President Bill Clinton 's two terms , the debt-to-GDP ratio fell from 64 % in 1993 to 55 % in 2000 and the budget deficit ranged from $ 4.411 trillion to $ 5.674 trillion in 2000 , when the U.S. had a budget surplus , thanks in part to the `` Dot Com '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the budget surplus to justify a large tax cut in 2001 , his first year in office , and followed that with another large tax cut in 2003 .
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities , a nonprofit research and policy institute , reported that the Bush tax cuts added $ 5.6 trillion to the deficit between 2001 and 2018 , an amount equal to about one-third of the total federal debt in 2018 .
Bush 's two terms saw the September 11 , 2001 , terrorist attacks in New York and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second Iraq War , Hurricane Katrina , bank bailouts and the Fed 's quantitative easing to support the economy .
The national debt rose from $ 5.807 trillion in 2001 to $ 10.255 trillion in 2008 while the debt-to-GDP ratio ranged from 55 % to 68 % during that period .
The economy recovered slowly from the Great Recession of 2008 at the beginning of two-term Democratic President Barack Obama 's first term , and the national debt increased from $ 11.901 trillion in 2009 to $ 19.573 trillion in 2016 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 104 % .
During Republican President Donald Trump 's one term , Congress raised the debt ceiling , he engaged in a trade dispute with China , cut taxes as Kennedy and Reagan had done , and approved massive federal spending to keep the economy afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic .
During Trump 's term , the national debt increased from $ 20.245 trillion in 2017 to about $ 26.477 trillion , and the debt-to-GDP ratio rose from 104 % to about 136 % of an economy undercut by the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Reducing the national debt is a pain now/gain later proposition—and a hard sell politically .
Writing for the Brookings Institution , Stuart Butler , a senior fellow for economic studies at the Washington-based think tank , explained why millennials are n't concerned about the national debt .
`` Few young Americans have any direct experience with significant inflation and high interest rates '' Butler wrote .
`` So scary scenarios that bring back chilling and real memories for [ Baby Boomers ] do n't elicit a visceral reaction from them . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as the environment , seem to capture their attention .
`` They 've seen devastating hurricanes and tsunamis and the disappearance of coral reefs , Butler wrote .
`` Climate change seems very real .
Debt-triggered economic problems do not . ''

The coronavirus pandemic has roiled the markets, tossed most fiscal assumptions to the wind and driven the national debt to the highest level since World War II, as the government spent heavily to support the economy.
The U.S. Treasury Department's final report for fiscal year 2020 showed a record $3.1 trillion deficit for the year, with debt held by bondholders totaling $21 trillion.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that federal debt this year will total 102% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP)—the value of all goods and services produced in a year. But the CBO's estimate may be optimistic. Preliminary figures peg this year's federal debt at about 136% of GDP.
Even with spending cuts or higher taxes, debt is projected to rise as a share of the nation's economy, increasing to 109% of GDP by 2030 and 195% by 2050. That means that after the emergency spending and borrowing during the COVID-19 pandemic ends, the federal debt will likely continue to grow, and may be nearly twice as large as the nation's economy due to existing laws, programs and promises.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin walks past a display of the U.S. national debt as he testifies to the House Financial Services Committee on “The Annual Report of the Financial Stability Oversight Council,” on Capitol Hill, on February 6. REUTERS/Joshua
Few would argue that additional spending was not necessary to support the economy and help workers who lost their jobs during the pandemic. The Federal Reserve, the nation's central bank, slashed interest rates to nearly zero to stimulate consumer spending, which represents about two-thirds of the U.S. economy.
As the Biden administration prepares new spending plans for vaccine distribution, infrastructure repairs, public transportation, schools, healthcare and green energy, the national debt is emerging once again as a political issue in 2021.
Some argue that it shouldn't, because it "doesn't matter."
In this century, that argument was advanced by Republican President George W. Bush's vice president, Dick Cheney, a prominent conservative. When questioned about deficit spending, Cheney famously said, "Reagan proved deficits don't matter."
The "debt doesn't matter" argument assumes that bondholders will be willing to buy U.S. debt at low rates indefinitely—even if yields are consistently below the rate of inflation and more lucrative investments are available.
Interest rates are likely to remain low for several years. But borrowing isn't free, and a one percentage point increase in interest rates would cost about another $200 billion a year, about three times the annual budget of U.S. Department of Education.
Arguing that debt doesn't matter also assumes that the economy will continue to grow. At 1% interest, the debt grows by about that amount annually. But if GDP increases at 2%, the debt to-GDP-ratio declines each year and within a few decades returns to prior levels.
But changes that happen over decades are rarely a consideration in U.S. politics.
"Politicians have a short-term mentality and want to get re-elected every two, four or six years," Chris Rasmussen, associate professor of history at Fairleigh Dickinson University told Newsweek. "There isn't much political will to do anything about the debt. Democrats don't want to give up social spending and Republicans don't want to raise taxes or cut the defense budget."
Three States Hold Primary Elections During Pandemic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is selling $58 sweatshirts on her campaign website. She's shown above campaigning on June 23, 2020 in the Bronx borough of New York City. Ocasio-Cortez is running for re-election in the 14th congressional district against Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, a former CNBC anchor. Photo by Stephanie Keith/Getty Images/Getty
Rasmussen said many Americans don't understand the national debt. But some are taking note—particularly the young.
"Students are vaguely aware of the national debt," Rasmussen said. "They have a sense the Baby Boom generation is going to stick them with the bills."
But unless it affects them directly and personally, most people don't give it much thought, he said.
"People see the numbers and because the sky isn't falling, most think, 'I guess we're OK,'" Rasmussen said.
In the nation's history recessions, wars and domestic spending have all contributed to increases in the national debt. The debt-to-GDP ratio is the number analysts track to determine if the U.S. can cover its debt. Economists often note that the U.S. can't default on its debt without causing a global economic crisis.
Argentina defaulted on about $80 billion in debt in 2001. The action sparked years of litigation, but other than bondholders, the world hardly noticed because Argentina's economy is small as compared with those of the U.S., the European Union, Japan, India and China.
Buenos Aires, Argentina—President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner waves from a balcony inside the presidential palace. Argentina has defaulted on its debt following the 2012 ruling of U.S. District Judge Thomas Griesa, who said the country could not keep paying its bondholders while not also paying what are known as the “holdouts”—hedge funds that want to be paid an estimated $1.5 billion. Marcos Brindicci/Reuters
However, in May Argentina defaulted on its sovereign debt for the ninth time since gaining independence from Spain in1816 after failing to reach a deal on a $500 million interest payment amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Analysts fear Argentina's default could be just the first in a falling line of dominos toppled by the pandemic. Lebanon defaulted on its debt in March, and Fitch Ratings anticipates more will follow. The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have asked lenders to suspend payments for some of the world's poorest nations.
Few suggest the U.S. is the next Argentina, but a sharp increase in the national debt raises a basic question: What's ahead?
The downbeat view is tax hikes and slower economic growth ahead, but others argue that the current crisis can be overcome—if the economy remains strong.
Just as in a household, debt increases when expenditures exceed revenue. In the case of the government, revenue comes from taxes. The annual budget deficit is added to the national debt. A budget surplus can reduce the debt. A look at history provides some insight into the current nation debt.
For starters, the Founding Fathers had no fear of debt—in fact, they embraced it. A prime impetus for the formation of the United States was to create an entity that could borrow money, and it wasted no time in doing so. Just one year after the Constitution went into effect in 1789, the U.S. was already in debt.
Postcard of 'The Signing of the Declaration of Independence', painted by John Trumbull, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Hulton Archive/Getty
In 1929, the year the stock market crash started the Great Depression, the national debt totaled about $17 billion and the debt-to-GDP ratio was about 16%, according to U.S. Treasury Department figures.
In 1931, two years after the onset of the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl drought, detailed in John Steinbeck's novel The Grapes of Wrath, drove many people to California. The national debt totaled $17 billion and about 22% of a smaller economy.
Herbert Hoover, 31st president of the United States, 1929-1933. Edward Gooch, Hulton Archive, Getty Images
One-term Republican President Herbert Hoover raised taxes in 1932, his last year in office, and the economy continued to slow. The national debt increased to $20 billion or about 34% of GDP. President Franklin D. Roosevelt increased federal spending as part of the New Deal in 1933, and the national debt increased to $23 billion or about 40% of GDP.
As the U.S. re-armed to fight Germany, Italy and Japan in World War II, the debt-to-GDP ratio increased from 38% in 1941 to 67% in 1943, 90% in 1944 and 114% in 1945. The national debt increased more than five-fold during the war, growing from $49 billion in 1941 to $259 billion in 1945.
Despite recessions and the beginning of the Cold War with the Soviet Union, debt-to-GDP ratio declined from 103% in 1947 to 86% in 1950 when the Korean War started. In 1960, the last year of President Dwight Eisenhower's second term, the national debt totaled $286 billion and the debt-to-GDP ratio was 53%.
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy's tax cuts boosted the economy and the debt-to-GDP ratio declined to 49% as the economy expanded, but the national debt grew to $298 billion. After John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963, President Lyndon B. Johnson raised spending for the War on Poverty and increased U.S. participation in the Vietnam War. A recession followed.
President Richard Nixon imposed wage and price controls in 1971 and stagflation (high inflation, high unemployment and low economic demand) soon followed. When Nixon voluntarily abandoned the gold standard and OPEC hiked prices in 1973, the national debt totaled $458 billion and the debt-to-GDP ratio stood at 32%.
President Richard Nixon makes victory speech at a rally shortly after being elected to serve a second term by a landslide in the 1972 Presidential election. Bettmann/Getty
The economy continued to stagnate under one-term Democratic President Jimmy Carter. That national debt ranged from $699 billion in 1977 to $908 billion in 1980. The debt-to-GDP ratio ranged from 32% to 34% during that period. In 1980, Carter's last year in office, Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volker raised the federal funds rate to 20% to tame inflation.
In 1981, President Ronald Reagan cut taxes to spur the economy as Kennedy had, but failed to control spending, and the U.S. posed its first trillion-dollar deficit in 1982. The debt-to-GDP ratio was 34% and it grew to 50% in 1988.
,
After the first Iraq war and a mild recession in 1991 during one-term Republican President George H.W. Bush's administration, the national debt rose to $4.065 billion and the debt-to-GDP ratio was 62%.
US President George H W Bush after his address to the nation, 27 September 1991, in the Oval Office of the White House. LUKE FRAZZA/AFP/Getty
During President Bill Clinton's two terms, the debt-to-GDP ratio fell from 64% in 1993 to 55% in 2000 and the budget deficit ranged from $4.411 trillion to $5.674 trillion in 2000, when the U.S. had a budget surplus, thanks in part to the "Dot Com" boom.
President George W. Bush used the budget surplus to justify a large tax cut in 2001, his first year in office, and followed that with another large tax cut in 2003. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nonprofit research and policy institute, reported that the Bush tax cuts added $5.6 trillion to the deficit between 2001 and 2018, an amount equal to about one-third of the total federal debt in 2018.
U.S. President George W. Bush speaks during a news conference at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, December 20, 2004. Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Bush's two terms saw the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, the War on Terror, the second Iraq War, Hurricane Katrina, bank bailouts and the Fed's quantitative easing to support the economy. The national debt rose from $5.807 trillion in 2001 to $10.255 trillion in 2008 while the debt-to-GDP ratio ranged from 55% to 68% during that period.
The economy recovered slowly from the Great Recession of 2008 at the beginning of two-term Democratic President Barack Obama's first term, and the national debt increased from $11.901 trillion in 2009 to $19.573 trillion in 2016. The debt-to-GDP ratio rose from 82% to 104%.
During Republican President Donald Trump's one term, Congress raised the debt ceiling, he engaged in a trade dispute with China, cut taxes as Kennedy and Reagan had done, and approved massive federal spending to keep the economy afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic.
(L-R) Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Vice President Mike Pence listen as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a signing ceremony for H.R. 748, the CARES Act in the Oval Office of the White House on March 27 in Washington, DC. Photo by Erin Schaff-Pool/Getty
During Trump's term, the national debt increased from $20.245 trillion in 2017 to about $26.477 trillion, and the debt-to-GDP ratio rose from 104% to about 136% of an economy undercut by the coronavirus pandemic, an increase of about 31%.
Reducing the national debt is a pain now/gain later proposition—and a hard sell politically.
Writing for the Brookings Institution, Stuart Butler, a senior fellow for economic studies at the Washington-based think tank, explained why millennials aren't concerned about the national debt.
"Few young Americans have any direct experience with significant inflation and high interest rates" Butler wrote. "So scary scenarios that bring back chilling and real memories for [Baby Boomers] don't elicit a visceral reaction from them."
He said other more dramatic issues, such as the environment, seem to capture their attention.
"They've seen devastating hurricanes and tsunamis and the disappearance of coral reefs, Butler wrote. "Climate change seems very real. Debt-triggered economic problems do not."


newsweek--2020-12-23--Where Biden's Education Secretary Stands on Issues Like Reopening Schools, Student Debt

President-elect Joe Biden has picked Connecticut education commissioner Miguel Cardona to lead the Department of Education in his administration—a high-profile post that will be tasked with significant policies on K-12 and higher education if he wins Senate confirmation .
Some of the top education issues facing the incoming administration will include skyrocketing student debt , reopening schools that have been closed for months because of the coronavirus pandemic , addressing Title IX sexual assault cases and mending relationships with influential teachers unions .
Here 's where Cardona stands on those issues and what Biden has said .
Cardona has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students while adopting safety measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus , even as cases continue to surge around the country .
Cardona and other education officials have voiced concerns about students falling behind in remote learning and its other possible impacts , including the hardships it can create for working parents and access to free school lunches .
The pandemic has killed more than 320,000 people in the United States and forced massive shutdowns and business closures .
Cases continue to soar throughout the nation , which has forced education leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools to be open .
Information also has been evolving about COVID-19 's impact on younger people—whether they could suffer long-term effects from the disease and how likely it is that they could spread the virus if they get it .
Cardona penned a column for The Connecticut Mirror last month urging the safe reopening of schools .
`` We all know remote learning will never replace the classroom experience .
We also know that the health and safety of our students , staff , and their families must be the primary consideration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he wrote .
`` The two are not mutually exclusive . ''
He 's urged schools in Connecticut to work with the state health department to craft plans .
`` We know we can not control the actions of everyone in the community , but if we do our part following the guidance of our health experts , we can increase the chances of the students learning in the classroom where the most effective learning takes place , '' he wrote .
Americans owe at least $ 1.7 trillion in student loans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million people , according to the Federal Reserve .
`` We know that in the 21st century 12 years of school is n't enough , and that young people are getting crushed by the burden of student debt , '' Biden told reporters Wednesday .
The president-elect has done an aggressive pitch for making higher education more affordable , including free community college for all and free tuition for students at public colleges and universities whose families make less than $ 125,000 .
He 's also promoting an income-based repayment plan for student @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 10,000 for those with student debt .
Those efforts will shine a spotlight on whoever comes in to helm Biden 's Education Department .
A full student loan forgiveness effort has been championed by progressives in the Democratic Party but has met forceful resistance from Republicans .
Biden 's proposal comes out between the two .
Cardona did n't directly address student debt during his public remarks on Wednesday , but his address focused heavily on equity in education .
`` For far too long , we 've let college become inaccessible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have nothing to do with their aptitude or their aspirations and everything to do with cost burdens and , unfortunately , an internalized culture of low expectations , '' he said .
In an address last year , Biden promised members of the National Education Association ( NEA ) , the nation 's largest teachers union , that he would pick a teacher to lead the Department of Education—a direct pivot from Trump 's secretary of education , Betsy DeVos , a wealthy Republican and school choice advocate whose college background is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knows what our students , teachers and schools need to be successful , '' Vice President-elect Kamala Harris told reporters Wednesday .
`` He has dedicated his career to fighting for our children , and he has a deep belief in the power of a world-class education to help every child , everywhere , overcome barriers of race , gender or income to reach their God-given potential . ''
Teachers unions , like the NEA , have long been aligned more closely with Democratic politicians .
NEA President Becky Pringle praised Cardona 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , `` As a former public-school teacher , he understands what 's at stake for students and promises to respect the voice of educators as we work to safely reopen school buildings , colleges , and university campuses , while also forging a path to transform public education into a racially and socially just and equitable system that is designed to prepare every student to succeed in a diverse and interdependent world . ''
Notably , DeVos worked to roll back the Obama administration 's policies that sought to protect sexual assault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law , which ensures gender equality in schools .
DeVos ' approach instead focused on protecting those who may be wrongly accused .
During Wednesday 's remarks , Biden , who helped lead the Obama-era effort , made a point to highlight concerns about Title IX and the need to address campus assaults .
He indicated he wants to revert to policies upended by the Trump administration .
`` We can combat campus sexual assault under Title IX—something the Trump administration and the current secretary of education have only undermined , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in K-12 , did n't address Title IX concerns during his remarks Wednesday .

President-elect Joe Biden has picked Connecticut education commissioner Miguel Cardona to lead the Department of Education in his administration—a high-profile post that will be tasked with significant policies on K-12 and higher education if he wins Senate confirmation.
Some of the top education issues facing the incoming administration will include skyrocketing student debt, reopening schools that have been closed for months because of the coronavirus pandemic, addressing Title IX sexual assault cases and mending relationships with influential teachers unions.
Here's where Cardona stands on those issues and what Biden has said.
Reopening Schools During Pandemic
Cardona has been an advocate of in-person learning for K-12 students while adopting safety measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, even as cases continue to surge around the country.
Cardona and other education officials have voiced concerns about students falling behind in remote learning and its other possible impacts, including the hardships it can create for working parents and access to free school lunches.
The pandemic has killed more than 320,000 people in the United States and forced massive shutdowns and business closures. Cases continue to soar throughout the nation, which has forced education leaders to consider whether it is safe for schools to be open.
Information also has been evolving about COVID-19's impact on younger people—whether they could suffer long-term effects from the disease and how likely it is that they could spread the virus if they get it.
Cardona penned a column for The Connecticut Mirror last month urging the safe reopening of schools.
"We all know remote learning will never replace the classroom experience. We also know that the health and safety of our students, staff, and their families must be the primary consideration when making decisions about school operations," he wrote. "The two are not mutually exclusive."
He's urged schools in Connecticut to work with the state health department to craft plans.
"We know we cannot control the actions of everyone in the community, but if we do our part following the guidance of our health experts, we can increase the chances of the students learning in the classroom where the most effective learning takes place," he wrote.
Student Debt
Americans owe at least $1.7 trillion in student loans, spread out over more than 44.7 million people, according to the Federal Reserve.
"We know that in the 21st century 12 years of school isn't enough, and that young people are getting crushed by the burden of student debt," Biden told reporters Wednesday.
The president-elect has done an aggressive pitch for making higher education more affordable, including free community college for all and free tuition for students at public colleges and universities whose families make less than $125,000. He's also promoting an income-based repayment plan for student loans and immediate forgiveness of up to $10,000 for those with student debt.
Those efforts will shine a spotlight on whoever comes in to helm Biden's Education Department. A full student loan forgiveness effort has been championed by progressives in the Democratic Party but has met forceful resistance from Republicans. Biden's proposal comes out between the two.
Cardona didn't directly address student debt during his public remarks on Wednesday, but his address focused heavily on equity in education.
"For far too long, we've let college become inaccessible to too many Americans for reasons that have nothing to do with their aptitude or their aspirations and everything to do with cost burdens and, unfortunately, an internalized culture of low expectations," he said.
Teachers Unions
In an address last year, Biden promised members of the National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest teachers union, that he would pick a teacher to lead the Department of Education—a direct pivot from Trump's secretary of education, Betsy DeVos, a wealthy Republican and school choice advocate whose college background is in business rather than education.
A former fourth-grade public school teacher and principal, Cardona meets Biden's promise.
"He knows what our students, teachers and schools need to be successful," Vice President-elect Kamala Harris told reporters Wednesday. "He has dedicated his career to fighting for our children, and he has a deep belief in the power of a world-class education to help every child, everywhere, overcome barriers of race, gender or income to reach their God-given potential."
Teachers unions, like the NEA, have long been aligned more closely with Democratic politicians.
NEA President Becky Pringle praised Cardona's nomination. In a statement, she said, "As a former public-school teacher, he understands what's at stake for students and promises to respect the voice of educators as we work to safely reopen school buildings, colleges, and university campuses, while also forging a path to transform public education into a racially and socially just and equitable system that is designed to prepare every student to succeed in a diverse and interdependent world."
Title IX
Notably, DeVos worked to roll back the Obama administration's policies that sought to protect sexual assault victims through the Title IX civil rights law, which ensures gender equality in schools. DeVos' approach instead focused on protecting those who may be wrongly accused.
During Wednesday's remarks, Biden, who helped lead the Obama-era effort, made a point to highlight concerns about Title IX and the need to address campus assaults. He indicated he wants to revert to policies upended by the Trump administration.
"We can combat campus sexual assault under Title IX—something the Trump administration and the current secretary of education have only undermined," he said.
Cardona, whose career background is in K-12, didn't address Title IX concerns during his remarks Wednesday.


newsweek--2020-12-23--Most White House Staffers Had No Idea Trump's $2,000 Stimulus Video Was Coming: Report

President Donald Trump 's Tuesday video lambasting the COVID-19 financial relief package was recorded secretly , with only a few members of White House staff knowing it was coming .
After weeks of negotiation , Congress passed the $ 900 billion stimulus bill which included direct assistance payments of $ 600 for eligible Americans .
In a move that reportedly surprised many in Washington , Trump asked Congress to rework the bill to increase the amount of the payments to $ 2,000 .
While Democrats indicated their willingness to approve the higher payments unanimously , Trump also requested that certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Monday , U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin indicated that the $ 600 checks could be sent out before the end of December .
Trump 's reticence to sign the act could delay the timing of the direct assistance payments and other benefits outlined in the legislation .
`` Throughout the summer Democrats cruelly blocked COVID relief legislation in an effort to advance their extreme left-wing agenda and influence the election , '' Trump said in the video .
`` Then , a few months ago Congress started negotiations on a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the American people .
It 's taken forever .
However , the bill they are now planning to send back to my desk is much different than anticipated . ''
`` It really is a disgrace , '' Trump continued , adding a request for `` Congress to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low $ 600 to $ 2,000 , or $ 4,000 for a couple . ''
The recording of Trump 's video , which came as a surprise to many , was reportedly coordinated by White House Chief of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of White House aides , according to the Associated Press .
While Trump did not specifically say that he would not sign the bill , Trump asked for the bill to be significantly reworked .
On Wednesday , Trump left the White House in order to spend at least 10 days at his Mar-A-Lago resort in Palm Beach , Florida .
Trump declined to answer questions from reporters as he boarded Marine One .
Trump 's announcement placed pressure on Republicans who had previously opposed the addition of larger stimulus checks to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ask Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to persuade members of his party to approve the larger checks .
`` Americans need $ 2,000 checks , '' tweeted Democrat Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Wednesday .
`` Senator McConnell : Americans need help NOW . ''
`` Republicans repeatedly refused to say what amount the President wanted for direct checks , '' Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi tweeted Tuesday .
`` At last , the President has agreed to $ 2,000—Democrats are ready to bring this to the Floor this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do it ! ''
Pelosi said in a Wednesday letter to House Democrats that it was possible to bring up a standalone bill specifically to increase the amount of direct assistance payments , but that it would require the approval of Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy before going forward .
`` If the President truly wants to join us in $ 2,000 payments , he should call upon Leader McCarthy to agree to our Unanimous Consent request , '' Pelosi wrote .
Newsweek reached out to McCarthy 's office and the White House for @ @

President Donald Trump's Tuesday video lambasting the COVID-19 financial relief package was recorded secretly, with only a few members of White House staff knowing it was coming.
After weeks of negotiation, Congress passed the $900 billion stimulus bill which included direct assistance payments of $600 for eligible Americans. In a move that reportedly surprised many in Washington, Trump asked Congress to rework the bill to increase the amount of the payments to $2,000. While Democrats indicated their willingness to approve the higher payments unanimously, Trump also requested that certain spending provisions be removed from the bill.
On Monday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin indicated that the $600 checks could be sent out before the end of December. Trump's reticence to sign the act could delay the timing of the direct assistance payments and other benefits outlined in the legislation.
"Throughout the summer Democrats cruelly blocked COVID relief legislation in an effort to advance their extreme left-wing agenda and influence the election," Trump said in the video. "Then, a few months ago Congress started negotiations on a new package to get urgently needed help to the American people. It's taken forever. However, the bill they are now planning to send back to my desk is much different than anticipated."
"It really is a disgrace," Trump continued, adding a request for "Congress to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low $600 to $2,000, or $4,000 for a couple."
The recording of Trump's video, which came as a surprise to many, was reportedly coordinated by White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and a small number of White House aides, according to the Associated Press. While Trump did not specifically say that he would not sign the bill, Trump asked for the bill to be significantly reworked.
President Donald Trump warned on Tuesday that he may not sign a new economic relief bill unless direct assistance payments are increased by $1,400. Al Drago/Getty
On Wednesday, Trump left the White House in order to spend at least 10 days at his Mar-A-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump declined to answer questions from reporters as he boarded Marine One.
Trump's announcement placed pressure on Republicans who had previously opposed the addition of larger stimulus checks to the bill. Democrats took to social media to ask Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to persuade members of his party to approve the larger checks.
"Americans need $2,000 checks," tweeted Democrat Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Wednesday. "Senator McConnell: Americans need help NOW."
"Republicans repeatedly refused to say what amount the President wanted for direct checks," Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi tweeted Tuesday. "At last, the President has agreed to $2,000—Democrats are ready to bring this to the Floor this week by unanimous consent. Let's do it!"
Pelosi said in a Wednesday letter to House Democrats that it was possible to bring up a standalone bill specifically to increase the amount of direct assistance payments, but that it would require the approval of Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy before going forward.
"If the President truly wants to join us in $2,000 payments, he should call upon Leader McCarthy to agree to our Unanimous Consent request," Pelosi wrote.
Newsweek reached out to McCarthy's office and the White House for comment.


newsweek--2020-12-23--'Cyberpunk 2077' Update 1.06 Improves Stability on Consoles

CD Projekt Red has released a brand new update for Cyberpunk 2077 , the latest move in the studio 's continuing efforts to make the massive open-world RPG playable on PS4 and Xbox One .
Version 1.06 for Cyberpunk 2077 is now available for PC and consoles , and while it 's not as meaty as the previous two updates , it still puts a dent into the numerous bugs that gamers have experienced since the game 's December 10 release .
Here 's the complete patch notes and full list of changes for Cyberpunk 2077 version 1.06 : • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Totentanz entrance during Second Conflict .
• Removed the 8 MB save file size limit .
Note : this wo n't fix save files corrupted before the update .
CD Projekt Red 's latest game has been marred with controversy and a very rocky launch .
Since its December 10 release , gamers found that Cyberpunk 2077 does not perform as well on current-gen consoles like the PS4 and Xbox One .
Reports of game-crashing bugs , visual and frame rates issues plagued the launch of Cyberpunk 2077 , enough so that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their displeasure .
On December 14 , CD Projekt Red issued an apology for the lack of transparency in regards to the PS4 and Xbox One version of Cyberpunk 2077 and offered refunds for those who bought the game digitally .
Unfortunately , many gamers had trouble procuring their refunds from Sony and the PlayStation Store .
After a few days , Sony issued its own statement regarding Cyberpunk 2077 and promised refunds for those who purchased the game via the PlayStation Store .
Sony also took it upon itself to remove the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the game will return is unknown .
Microsoft would follow suit days later by expanding its own refund policy in regards to Cyberpunk 2077 , but it kept the game to purchase in the Microsoft Store .
Retailers such as Best Buy and , reportedly , GameStop have allowed for refunds on physical versions of Cyberpunk 2077 even if the game was opened .
CD Projekt Red did promise two major updates in early 2021 in its apology , which will help stabilize and fix many of the game 's issues on PS4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheduled for January and February .
Cyberpunk 2077 is available now for PS4 , Xbox One , PC and Google Stadia .
What do you think of Cyberpunk 2077 so far ?
Have you encountered some of these issues ?
Let us know in the comments section .

CD Projekt Red has released a brand new update for Cyberpunk 2077, the latest move in the studio's continuing efforts to make the massive open-world RPG playable on PS4 and Xbox One.
Version 1.06 for Cyberpunk 2077 is now available for PC and consoles, and while it's not as meaty as the previous two updates, it still puts a dent into the numerous bugs that gamers have experienced since the game's December 10 release.
Here's the complete patch notes and full list of changes for Cyberpunk 2077 version 1.06:
CD Projekt Red
Quests
Dum Dum will no longer go missing from Totentanz entrance during Second Conflict.
Console-specific
Improved memory management and stability, resulting in fewer crashes.
PC-specific
Removed the 8 MB save file size limit. Note: this won't fix save files corrupted before the update.
CD Projekt Red's latest game has been marred with controversy and a very rocky launch. Since its December 10 release, gamers found that Cyberpunk 2077 does not perform as well on current-gen consoles like the PS4 and Xbox One. Reports of game-crashing bugs, visual and frame rates issues plagued the launch of Cyberpunk 2077, enough so that gamers took to social media to voice their displeasure.
On December 14, CD Projekt Red issued an apology for the lack of transparency in regards to the PS4 and Xbox One version of Cyberpunk 2077 and offered refunds for those who bought the game digitally. Unfortunately, many gamers had trouble procuring their refunds from Sony and the PlayStation Store.
After a few days, Sony issued its own statement regarding Cyberpunk 2077 and promised refunds for those who purchased the game via the PlayStation Store. Sony also took it upon itself to remove the game from its digital store. When the game will return is unknown.
Microsoft would follow suit days later by expanding its own refund policy in regards to Cyberpunk 2077, but it kept the game to purchase in the Microsoft Store. Retailers such as Best Buy and, reportedly, GameStop have allowed for refunds on physical versions of Cyberpunk 2077 even if the game was opened.
CD Projekt Red did promise two major updates in early 2021 in its apology, which will help stabilize and fix many of the game's issues on PS4 and Xbox One. Those updates are scheduled for January and February.
Cyberpunk 2077 is available now for PS4, Xbox One, PC and Google Stadia.
What do you think of Cyberpunk 2077 so far? Have you encountered some of these issues? Let us know in the comments section.


newsweek--2020-12-23--Here's Who Could Be the Next 'Bachelor' After Matt James

We know , we know .
Matt James is the next Bachelor , and we ca n't wait to see him find love .
But Tayshia Adams ' group of men , especially her final few , were so nearly perfect , we ca n't help but look forward to the day one of them , hopefully , becomes the next Bachelor .
James will reprise the franchise role on January 4 when he , as the first Black Bachelor , hands out the roses to over 30 women .
It 's expected to be bigger and better than ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Bachelor franchise yet .
There 's so much to be excited about with James ... but it 's OK to hold a special spot in your heart for Adams ' castoffs , too .
There are a few favorites from Adams ' love story that won the hearts of Bachelorette viewers everywhere .
Her final four , Ivan Hall , Brendan Morais , Ben Smith and Zac Clark are all Bachelor material if we 're being honest ( though Clark is now engaged to Adams . )
And we 'd be thrilled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the roses in 2022 .
There are a few obstacles to overcome before then .
ABC may be inclined to ship any of these men off to Bachelor in Paradise .
We 'd love to see it , but we also support any of the single three leading a franchise series .
They 'll also probably be in competition with men from the next Bachelorette season , and by the time a new Bachelor is cast , may be old news .
That wo n't stop us from putting in our two cents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Matt James .
To nobody 's surprise , we ca n't pick just one .
So here 's an argument for why each of Adams ' end-of-series men would be perfect as the Bachelor .
Hall won over Bachelor Nation early on this season simply because he 's such a nice guy .
Conversations on Black Lives Matter and his brother 's incarceration tugged at the heartstrings of advocates watching , and allowed Adams , and viewers , a deeper look into Hall 's life .
He 'd be a perfect Bachelor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' homes in a year that desperately needed it .
Talking about real-world conversations , Smith continued Hall 's conversations .
The military veteran opened up about an eating disorder and multiple suicide attempts .
Through his healing , Smith advocated for mental health and secured a giant fanbase .
Morais advertised the same kind of open communication and need to heal .
He left Adams ' season on his own Monday night when he realized he was n't fully whole after his past heartbreak .
What the four men have in common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to tell their stories in hopes of healing someone else .
We applaud ABC and The Bachelorette for endorsing conversations around mental heath , race and addiction and beg to see more of these topics in future series of the show .
Adams ' final four men smashed the stereotype that The Bachelorette is simply a mindless , whimsical dating show .
Hall , Smith , Clark and Morais would all be fitting choices for the next Bachelor once James stops holding the roses .
We 'll just have to wait and see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're listening .

We know, we know. Matt James is the next Bachelor, and we can't wait to see him find love. But Tayshia Adams' group of men, especially her final few, were so nearly perfect, we can't help but look forward to the day one of them, hopefully, becomes the next Bachelor.
James will reprise the franchise role on January 4 when he, as the first Black Bachelor, hands out the roses to over 30 women. It's expected to be bigger and better than ever, with the most diverse casting from The Bachelor franchise yet. There's so much to be excited about with James...but it's OK to hold a special spot in your heart for Adams' castoffs, too.
There are a few favorites from Adams' love story that won the hearts of Bachelorette viewers everywhere. Her final four, Ivan Hall, Brendan Morais, Ben Smith and Zac Clark are all Bachelor material if we're being honest (though Clark is now engaged to Adams.) And we'd be thrilled to see any of the three holding the roses in 2022.
There are a few obstacles to overcome before then. ABC may be inclined to ship any of these men off to Bachelor in Paradise. We'd love to see it, but we also support any of the single three leading a franchise series. They'll also probably be in competition with men from the next Bachelorette season, and by the time a new Bachelor is cast, may be old news.
That won't stop us from putting in our two cents in on who should be the Bachelor after Matt James. To nobody's surprise, we can't pick just one. So here's an argument for why each of Adams' end-of-series men would be perfect as the Bachelor.
Ivan Hall
Tayshia Adams and Ivan Hall on a one-on-one date on "The Bachelorette." Craig Sjodin/ABC
Hall won over Bachelor Nation early on this season simply because he's such a nice guy. Conversations on Black Lives Matter and his brother's incarceration tugged at the heartstrings of advocates watching, and allowed Adams, and viewers, a deeper look into Hall's life. He'd be a perfect Bachelor because he brought real-world conversations into viewers' homes in a year that desperately needed it.
Ben Smith
Tayshia Adams's chose Ben Smith as her runner up on "The Bachelorette" finale Tuesday night. Craig Sjodin/ABC
Talking about real-world conversations, Smith continued Hall's conversations. The military veteran opened up about an eating disorder and multiple suicide attempts. Through his healing, Smith advocated for mental health and secured a giant fanbase.
Brendan Morais
Tayshia Adams was blindsided when Brendan Morais left "The Bachelorette" ahead of the finale. Craig Sjodin/ABC
Morais advertised the same kind of open communication and need to heal. He left Adams' season on his own Monday night when he realized he wasn't fully whole after his past heartbreak.
What the four men have in common is maturity, perseverance and the confidence to tell their stories in hopes of healing someone else. We applaud ABC and The Bachelorette for endorsing conversations around mental heath, race and addiction and beg to see more of these topics in future series of the show. Adams' final four men smashed the stereotype that The Bachelorette is simply a mindless, whimsical dating show.
Hall, Smith, Clark and Morais would all be fitting choices for the next Bachelor once James stops holding the roses. We'll just have to wait and see, but ABC, we hope you're listening.


newsweek--2020-12-23--'Attack on Titan' Season 4 Dub Release Date Confirmed for January

Fans of Attack on Titan have begun to see how the story of Eren , Mikasa and the rest of the Scouts comes to a close in this final season .
If you 've been waiting for the English dub of Attack on Titan 's final season to debut , Funimation has good news—there 's now a proper premiere date .
According to the official Funimation blog , the first episode of Attack on Titan Season 4 will drop on the anime streaming service on January 10 , 2021 .
Subsequent episodes of the anime will be delivered to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Home '' updates .
Interestingly enough , Toonami—Cartoon Network 's block of anime—announced on its official Facebook page that the first episode of Attack on Titan Season 4 will premiere as part of that programming slate on Saturday , January 9 , at 12:30 a.m. local time .
That 's a full day before it premieres on Funimation .
However , anime fans will get to watch the first English-dubbed episode—and all episodes of Attack on Titan 's final season—whenever and wherever they want using the Funimation app .
Attack on Titan Season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services ( with English subtitles ) on December 6 .
At the time of this writing , there have been three episodes that have premiered with English subtitles , with a fourth scheduled for Sunday , December 27 .
Following the release of the fourth episode , Attack on Titan will go on a short hiatus for the holiday season before returning on January 10 .
If you do n't have a subscription to Funimation and you 're a new customer , you can get a 14-day free trial of the streaming service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FunimationNOW app is available on iOS and Android devices , as well as the PlayStation and Microsoft stores .
The first episode of Attack on Titan 's final season is titled `` The Other Side of the Sea '' and bears the following synopsis : `` As Marley battles the Mid-East Alliance to end a four-year war , a group of Warrior candidates on the front lines compete to be the successor of the Armored Titan . ''
Season 4 of Attack on Titan has revolved around the origins of the Titans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war between the humans and the gargantuan beasts .
Are you excited for the dubbed version of Attack on Titan 's final season to arrive in January ?
What do you think of Season 4 of Attack on Titan so far ?
Let us know in the comments section .

Fans of Attack on Titan have begun to see how the story of Eren, Mikasa and the rest of the Scouts comes to a close in this final season. If you've been waiting for the English dub of Attack on Titan's final season to debut, Funimation has good news—there's now a proper premiere date.
According to the official Funimation blog, the first episode of Attack on Titan Season 4 will drop on the anime streaming service on January 10, 2021. Subsequent episodes of the anime will be delivered to the service via Funimation's "Dub from Home" updates.
Funimation
Interestingly enough, Toonami—Cartoon Network's block of anime—announced on its official Facebook page that the first episode of Attack on Titan Season 4 will premiere as part of that programming slate on Saturday, January 9, at 12:30 a.m. local time. That's a full day before it premieres on Funimation.
However, anime fans will get to watch the first English-dubbed episode—and all episodes of Attack on Titan's final season—whenever and wherever they want using the Funimation app.
Attack on Titan Season 4 premiered in Japan and anime streaming services (with English subtitles) on December 6. At the time of this writing, there have been three episodes that have premiered with English subtitles, with a fourth scheduled for Sunday, December 27.
Following the release of the fourth episode, Attack on Titan will go on a short hiatus for the holiday season before returning on January 10.
If you don't have a subscription to Funimation and you're a new customer, you can get a 14-day free trial of the streaming service. For those who need reminding, the FunimationNOW app is available on iOS and Android devices, as well as the PlayStation and Microsoft stores.
The first episode of Attack on Titan's final season is titled "The Other Side of the Sea" and bears the following synopsis: "As Marley battles the Mid-East Alliance to end a four-year war, a group of Warrior candidates on the front lines compete to be the successor of the Armored Titan."
Season 4 of Attack on Titan has revolved around the origins of the Titans and the backstory of what started this war between the humans and the gargantuan beasts.
Are you excited for the dubbed version of Attack on Titan's final season to arrive in January? What do you think of Season 4 of Attack on Titan so far? Let us know in the comments section.