newyorkpost--2020-07-17--Tamar Braxton sent WeTV bosses a letter saying they made her ‘suicidal’ weeks ago

Weeks before Tamar Braxton ’ s apparent attempt to take her own life , the singer-turned-reality-star sent an excoriating email to her network ’ s bosses , accusing them of destroying her family and making her “ suicidal , ” Page Six has learned .
At the height of the unrest over the killing of George Floyd , WeTV execs sent an email to employees — including Braxton and her family , who have appeared on the network ’ s reality shows for more than a decade — outlining the company ’ s efforts to support the Black community .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ stable condition after apparently attempting suicide on Thursday night — responded with a message , seen by Page Six , explaining that her family is in “ disarray.
” “ We fight with each other , we betray each other , and now we ’ re physically assaulting each other — all happening because your show [ “ Braxton Family Values ” ] has chosen to show the absolute worst side of a strong , independent and successful African American family ; a show that I created to showcase a strong Black Family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the young black girls and boys out there ; instead you coached and cajoled us into finding the worst in each other.
” Likening the network to “ cruel white slave masters who once chained our forefathers , and the oppressive police forces that now terrorize our communities , ” she added , “ I hope those ratings were worth it because you succeeded in destroying a great black family.
” Meanwhile , she said that “ the final stake into the heart of my family ” was “ the day you dug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared with anyone , a secret I was so ashamed to talk about that I hid it even from my own mom : the fact that I had been assaulted and raped repeatedly from age 6 to age 16 , sometimes multiple times a day.
” Braxton said that producers had “ exposed it on your show in front of my entire family and 100 crew members.
” She added , “ You broke me that day and I considered ending my own life then for the shame I felt !
” She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news for you !
Today , I take my power back .
I will no longer tolerate being oppressed .
I am asking you to break the chains NOW and LET ME GO I am suffocating !
I CAN ’ T BREATHE !
!
” When we put it to WeTV that its behavior had made Braxton suicidal , a rep told us only , “ We are keeping her and her family in our thoughts and prayers and joining with her fans sending strength and healing at this difficult time.
” A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was unhappy that the network had selected “ Love and Hip Hop ” producer Mona Scott Young to produce Braxton ’ s new show , “ Tamar Braxton : Get Ya Life.
” “ Tamar felt ambushed , ” said an insider , “ She was invited to the network to have a meeting to talk about the show and the premise of the show… and right there sitting down is Mona .
The person she said she did not want to work with.
” When we put it to Scott Young that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her work on the show contributed to Braxton ’ s unhappiness in the weeks before her suicide , she responded , “ My thoughts and prayers are with Tamar and her family during this very difficult time .
”

Weeks before Tamar Braxton’s apparent attempt to take her own life, the singer-turned-reality star sent an excoriating email to her network’s bosses, accusing them of destroying her family and making her “suicidal,” Page Six has learned.
At the height of the unrest over the killing of George Floyd, WeTV execs sent an email to employees — including Braxton and her family, who have appeared on the network’s reality shows for more than a decade — outlining the company’s efforts to support the black community.
Braxton — who’s in stable condition after apparently attempting suicide Thursday night — responded with a message, seen by Page Six, explaining that her family is in “disarray.”
“We fight with each other, we betray each other, and now we’re physically assaulting each other — all happening because your show [‘Braxton Family Values’] has chosen to show the absolute worst side of a strong, independent and successful African American family; a show that I created to showcase a strong Black Family as a beacon of hope for all the young black girls and boys out there; instead you coached and cajoled us into finding the worst in each other.”
Likening the network to “cruel white slave masters who once chained our forefathers, and the oppressive police forces that now terrorize our communities,” she added, “I hope those ratings were worth it because you succeeded in destroying a great black family.”
Meanwhile, she said that “the final stake into the heart of my family” was “the day you dug up a secret I’d never shared with anyone, a secret I was so ashamed to talk about that I hid it even from my own mom: the fact that I had been assaulted and raped repeatedly from age 6 to age 16, sometimes multiple times a day.” Braxton said producers had “exposed it on your show in front of my entire family and 100 crew members.” She added, “You broke me that day and I considered ending my own life then for the shame I felt!”
She ended the email, “I have news for you! Today, I take my power back. I will no longer tolerate being oppressed. I am asking you to break the chains NOW and LET ME GO I am suffocating! I CAN’T BREATHE!!”
When we put it to WeTV that its behavior had made Braxton suicidal, a rep told us only, “We are keeping her and her family in our thoughts and prayers and joining with her fans sending strength and healing at this difficult time.”
A family insider also told us Braxton was unhappy that the network had selected “Love and Hip Hop” producer Mona Scott Young to produce Braxton’s new show, “Tamar Braxton: Get Ya Life.” “Tamar felt ambushed,” said an insider. “She was invited to the network to have a meeting to talk about the show and the premise of the show … and right there sitting down is Mona. The person she said she did not want to work with.”
When we put it to Scott Young that Braxton’s family members felt that her work on the show contributed to Braxton’s unhappiness in the weeks before her suicide, she responded, “My thoughts and prayers are with Tamar and her family during this very difficult time.”
Reps for Braxton didn’t comment.


newyorkpost--2020-07-17--Nick Cannon tries to make amends following anti-Semitic comments

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens @ @ @ @ @ to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) This past week in celebrity @ @ @ @ @ Quick Fix podcast covers : • Nick Cannon has apologized for making anti-Semitic remarks on @ @ @ @ @ he feels ashamed for his “ hurtful ” and divisive language .
We Hear : @ @ @ @ @ exclusive week-in-review five minute podcast from the Page Six gossip podcast We Hear .
Page @ @ @ @ @ Ian Mohr break down the biggest stories of the week – including The Joy of @ @ @ @ @ piece of gossip .
For all the juiciest scoops about celebrities and high society , @ @ @ @ @ podcast released every Tuesday , Wednesday and Thursday morning .

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This past week in celebrity news, the We Hear Quick Fix podcast covers:
Nick Cannon has apologized for making anti-Semitic remarks on a recent podcast, saying he feels ashamed for his “hurtful” and divisive language.
Cara Delevingne and Kaia Gerber looked cozy during a Black Lives Matter protest.
Machine Gun Kelly has admitted he’s a fan of Megan Fox’s feet.
We Hear: Quick Fix is a Spotify exclusive week-in-review five minute podcast from the Page Six gossip podcast We Hear. Page Six editors Maggie Coughlan and Ian Mohr break down the biggest stories of the week – including The Joy of Six, the most satisfying piece of gossip.
For all the juiciest scoops about celebrities and high society, subscribe to the We Hear podcast released every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning.


newyorkpost--2020-07-17--Kaapo Kakko showing ‘more swagger’ in Rangers second chance

For more than half of the Rangers roster , the restart ...

This is the second season for Kaapo Kakko, whose four-month break at home just might prove to be the pause that refreshed the second-overall selection whose first try at the NHL wasn’t quite what anyone anticipated.
“Now I have a new chance,” said Kakko, who has been impressive through the first four work days. “I’m feeling better. I was on the ice [in Finland] every week at least two or three times, we had a good group [of players] over there, spent a little bit of time at the gym, and am feeling a little faster and a little stronger on the ice, so that’s good.”
Kakko, who has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, does not seem to have had a second thought about returning to the fray despite the fact that those sharing that medical condition could be at a higher risk to develop more serious complications if contracting COVID-19.
“Of course I wanted to play hockey again,” the 19-year-old said. “I talked to my doctors about that a little bit and I think if I keep my [blood sugar level] down, it’s going to be OK and I can play hockey, again.
“I’m so young, my diabetes is OK right now, I just [have to] keep the sugar down, and it’s going to be OK.”
According to information on the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation website, “Those at greatest risk are those with consistently elevated blood-sugar levels and those with a second co-morbidity [such as obesity or heart, kidney or lung disease.”]
Kakko had barely been able to catch his breath since his outstanding performance at the 2019 World Juniors presaged his dominant effort at the World Championship that clinched his second-overall rating behind the USA’s (and the Devils’) Jack Hughes heading into the draft.
Then there was the prospect camp in July, followed by the Traverse City rookie tournament in September, followed by training camp, followed by the grind of an NHL season on a team that did not have a fellow Finnish-speaking teammate. In the seven months before the virus interceded, Kakko had had all of about one week at home (during the Blueshirts’ bye period) where he could hang out with friends and speak his native language.
“We’ve touched on all of the challenges he faced this season and I think being able to get home, recharge his battery and see a lot of familiar faces, back to his homeland, it puts him in a different mindset,” coach David Quinn said. “And coming back here, there’s not a lot of uncertainty for him, he knows everybody, there’s a comfort level here now and I think it’s just going to put him in a better mindset to play better hockey.”
Kakko endured a series of deep droughts throughout the season that frustrated him, given his history of dominance. He completed the season with 23 points (10-13) in 66 games, recording a pair of goals in the Blueshirts’ penultimate match in Dallas on March 10 after scoring once in the previous 28 games. Ryan Strome, a fifth-overall selection by the Islanders in 2011, can relate.
“I’ve been a young guy in this league, I’ve had my ups and downs, I’ve had great moments and I’ve had such down moments, so I feel that I know what it’s like,” Strome said. “I’ve said this before, but I can’t imagine going across the world to play in a different league with different ice and have so many things thrown at me.
“I think for everyone, no matter what your situation is, to have a reset is huge. To have some time at the gym, back at your own house, it’s obviously a unique situation that nobody would have expected but from the looks of it I think everyone went back and had a great mindset.”
Kakko has been skating on the right side of the third line with Filip Chytil in the middle and Phil Di Giuseppe on the left. The trio was intact for 69:43 of five-on-five play during the season, with a 48.6 Corsi, a 54.9 shot share, and a 53.4 xGF while on the ice for two goals and four against. Kakko will also work with the second power-play unit.
Friday, spry again, he beat Henrik Lundqvist with a hellacious wrist shot, top shelf over the netminder’s glove. When the Finn swept by and skated to the corner for the next rotation, he looked back over his shoulder at Lundqvist, who did not return the gaze.
“He was one of the first guys [the coaches] talked about after practice,” said the coach. “He continues to look good, he continues to play with a pace and he continues to play with a little bit more swagger and certainty to what he’s doing. It’s been a good start, so far.”
A good second start.


newyorkpost--2020-07-17--Supreme Court grants Manhattan DA request to fast-track Trump tax return ruling

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. could get his chance to try for President Trump ’ s financial records a lot sooner after Chief Justice John Roberts on Friday granted his request to fast-track a Supreme Court ruling that Trump is not immune from criminal investigations .
The Supreme Court last week dealt the president a blow when they ruled that Vance and New York prosecutors could forge ahead with their subpoena for eight years of Trump ’ s financial records and tax returns from his accounting firm Mazars USA .
But the court punted the ultimate decision on whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court where Trump ’ s lawyers and Vance ’ s office this week returned to continue their legal battle .
Vance ’ s office is investigating whether Trump paid hush money before the 2016 election to several women with whom he allegedly had affairs .
Most Supreme Court rulings take 25 days to go into effect after the court ’ s opinion is released , but Vance on Wednesday asked the justices to put the ruling into effect immediately , fearful that a 10-month old subpoena , issued last September , could become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limitations .
In his letter to the court , Vance warned that any delay could grant Trump the “ absolute temporary immunity that this court rejected.
” “ Each day that compliance with the Mazars Subpoena is delayed increases the likelihood that the grand jury will not receive the documents it sought ten months ago in a timely fashion , ” he wrote .
Trump ’ s legal team have vigorously defended the case , unsuccessfully suing Vance ’ s office and appealing with United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s attorneys argue that the subpoena is a politically motivated fishing expedition designed to harass and humiliate Trump ahead of the November election .

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. could get his chance to try for President Trump’s financial records a lot sooner after Chief Justice John Roberts on Friday granted his request to fast-track a Supreme Court ruling that Trump is not immune from criminal investigations.
The Supreme Court last week dealt the president a blow when they ruled that Vance and New York prosecutors could forge ahead with their subpoena for eight years of Trump’s financial records and tax returns from his accounting firm Mazars USA.
But the court punted the ultimate decision on whether to issue the subpoena to Manhattan federal court where Trump’s lawyers and Vance’s office this week returned to continue their legal battle.
Vance’s office is investigating whether Trump paid hush money before the 2016 election to several women with whom he allegedly had affairs.
Most Supreme Court rulings take 25 days to go into effect after the court’s opinion is released, but Vance on Wednesday asked the justices to put the ruling into effect immediately, fearful that a 10-month old subpoena, issued last September, could become void if it passes the statue of limitations.
In his letter to the court, Vance warned that any delay could grant Trump the “absolute temporary immunity that this court rejected.”
“Each day that compliance with the Mazars Subpoena is delayed increases the likelihood that the grand jury will not receive the documents it sought ten months ago in a timely fashion,” he wrote.
Trump’s legal team have vigorously defended the case, unsuccessfully suing Vance’s office and appealing with United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the Supreme Court.
The president’s attorneys argue that the subpoena is a politically motivated fishing expedition designed to harass and humiliate Trump ahead of the November election.
The case continues.


newyorkpost--2020-07-17--Hockey analyst Jeremy Roenick sues NBC over ‘threesome’ firing

Hockey analyst Jeremy Roenick is out at NBC .
Roenick , who ...

Hockey analyst Jeremy Roenick has accused NBC of wrongfully firing him over his infamous threesome comments saying the network held him to a different standard than skating commentators Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski, a new lawsuit shows.
The 50-year-old former NHL forward was fired from the network in February following comments he made on a Dec. 18 episode of Barstool Sports’ podcast “Spittin’ Chiclets,” in which he joked about the possibility that he would “go to bed” with his wife and coworker Kathryn Tappen on a vacation in Portugal.
Roenick says that racy comments that former figure skating Olympians Lipinski and Weir made on a July 2 spoof video of 1998 Olympic bronze medalist figure skater Bradie Tennell in which they made innuendos about a camel toe and an affair, prove that Roenick was held to a different standard than they were, the Manhattan Supreme Court lawsuit from Friday alleges.
Lipinski posted the since-removed video to her Instagram account May 29 allegedly making a thinly veiled reference to a camel toe when she introduced Tennell saying, “Nice camel spin into a toe loop,” despite the fact Tennell hadn’t attempted either move in the video clip, USA Today reported earlier this month.
Then Weir and actress Elizabeth Banks joked about Weir cheating on his “wife” Lipinski after Weir said of Tennell, “I’m really hoping we get to see her quads during this program,” even though Tennell hadn’t tried for a quadruple jump, the outlet reported.
The suit also claims that during the 2018 Olympics “after hearing colorful commentary regarding the body parts of ice skaters from analyst/commentator Johnny Weir” Roenick asked his boss Sam Flood about the remarks and Flood responded that Weir, “is gay and can say whatever,” the court papers allege.
Roenick brought 12 claims against NBC Sports and Flood including one that alleges he was discriminated against because of his sex or sexual orientation while Lipinski — a woman — and Weir — a gay man — were not suspended or terminated for similar conduct, the court documents show.
Roenick also claimed that he was fired despite the fact that he made a public apology and that Tappen told him that “she was not offended by his comments but was pressured by both NBC and a woman’s rights organization to make a statement condemning Roenick’s comments,” the court documents say.
Roenick argues that the network could have penalized him in other ways that would have allowed him to keep him job such as putting him on temporary suspension, requiring him to seek counseling, requiring him to donate to a charity or having he and Tappen release a joint statement.
These options or any combination of them “would have allowed NBC to send the message to the community at large that his comments were inappropriate and could not be tolerated while not ruining Roenick’s post-playing career,” the court papers say.
Roenick says the scandal also caused him to lose lucrative contracts with “Kraft Hockeyville,” and with Molson Coors Beverage company. Further, he says he normally makes roughly 15 public appearances a year, which pay around $10,000 each, and since he was fired many of these events have canceled on him, the court filings claim.
Roenick’s lawyer, Scott William Clark, told The Post, “Mr. Roenick is the victim of double standards wrongfully asserted against him.
“A person’s career should not be thrown away by a company as Mr. Roenick’s career was with NBC. We are confident that the evidence that will be brought to light from this lawsuit will reveal the rampant disregard of Mr. Roenick’s rights.”
Roenick is suing for unspecified damages.
NBC Sports reps declined to comment because they had not seen the papers. Reps for Lipinski and Weir also did not immediately return requests for comment.


newyorkpost--2020-07-18--Ex-Gov. George Pataki warns COVID-19, poor leadership has Big Apple on the brink

For the first time in his life , George Pataki is worried about New York City .
In an exclusive interview with The Post at his Peekskill , New York , office , the former three-term governor said crime , COVID-19 and poor leadership across city and state government has brought the Big Apple to the brink .
“ For the first time ever I fear for the future of New York City .
The de Blasio administration has been a disaster and New York has been hit by just decision after decision that really jeopardize its future .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Albany too , ” said the 6-foot-5 Pataki , glowering over his desk .
“ This can not be allowed to continue or New York City is going to die.
” Pataki , 75 , has been out of politics for more than a decade now .
His office is filled with smiling photos of him during his salad days in Albany , and cluttered with signed Yankees baseball bats and gold-bladed shovels that his staff sometimes use to clear snow in the winter .
Images of Theodore Roosevelt , Pataki ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son Teddy , are everywhere .
Lately , Pataki has turned to writing .
His new book , “ Beyond the Great Divide : How A Nation Became A Neighborhood ” ( Post Hill Press ) , delves into his time as governor during 9/11 and offers thoughts on how Americans can move past their differences to rebuild a common future .
He also still practices law at Norton Rose Fulbright ; before the pandemic you could sometimes catch him on the Metro-North zipping into Manhattan .
But , behind the scenes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in political developments across the state , ticking off what he says are failed initiatives like bail reform , rent reform , defunding cops and Chirlane McCray ’ s mental-health boondoggle ThriveNYC , which has resulted in “ having mentally ill homeless all over the streets of New York.
” “ So many people are going to lose their lives needlessly because of the demonization of the police and the decriminalization of acts where people should be arrested and put away as opposed to turned loose on the street , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intimates simply as “ gov , ” cut his political teeth as a working-class local mayor of Peekskill in the early 1980s .
He refers to lower Westchester as the “ rich ” part of the county .
Locals still recognize him , even through his pandemic mask .
Pataki said he took particular umbrage knowing that the adverse effects of policies being shoehorned on the state — now under one-party domination of the Democrats — would not affect those with money and power .
“ It ’ s the person working the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or the guy in a bodega who will be held up and shot , ” he said , repeatedly noting the city ’ s sharp uptick in violent crime .
“ If you ’ re a writer for The New York Times living in a safe Upper East Side neighborhood and taking Uber it ’ s not going to affect you.
” Though he declined to take any personal shots , insiders tell me he ’ s seething about Andrew Cuomo and has been particularly appalled by the governor ’ s executive order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested positive for COVID-19 .
At least one Pataki confidante said the situation has angered him enough to even consider running against Cuomo in 2022 and denying him the same fourth term Pataki denied his father Mario in 1994 .
“ You never say never , ” Pataki said , when asked if he ’ d run again , noting that he would still be “ the youth candidate in a [ presidential ] Democratic primary.
” Pataki added that he opposes some of the more drastic efforts being put forth by partisans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for civil or criminal charges against public officials for actions taken during the pandemic .
And even if he were the governor , he said he would not remove de Blasio from office — as tempting as that may be .
“ The consequences in our political system are political .
If you make the wrong decision , the people have the right to change their view and elect new leaders , ” he said .
“ The criminalization of political differences is a third-world negative that has become too commonplace in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeatedly declined to endorse President Trump ’ s reelection and refused to say who he would vote for , adding that if the election were held today , Trump would lose .
When asked to evaluate the president ’ s performance Pataki crossed his arms and breathed deeply .
“ Many of President Trump ’ s policies I agree with but his tweets and his feuds often result in the success of those policies being ignored , ” he finally said .
Pataki was more forthcoming during the 2016 presidential campaign , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the GOP nomination .
After Trump jumped into the race in August 2015 , Pataki denounced him for remarks calling illegal Mexican immigrants “ rapists ” and “ drug dealers ” in an open letter to his fellow aspiring GOP candidates — which has since been taken offline .
In tweets from the time , he blasted Trump as a “ divider ” who was unfit to hold office , attacked plans for a Muslim registry as “ revolting ” and “ un-American ” and vowed he would not vote for him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with tweets of his own , calling the former governor “ TACKY PATAKI ” and claiming that he “ couldn ’ t be elected dog catcher ” today — among other insults .
They were also at odds during Pataki ’ s time in Albany , particularly over plans to bring Indian casinos to the Catskills .
Concerned that it might cut into his Atlantic City gaming interests , Trump spent years fighting the idea .
Despite his baggage with Trump , Pataki predicted Biden could still lose the election either by hewing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if it “ became apparent to the American people that he ’ s not up to doing the job.
” He called questions about the 77-year-old former veep ’ s mental state “ a legitimate concern.
” “ I ’ ve been disappointed by the ability of the leftist activists in the party like Bernie Sanders and [ Alexandria ] Ocasio-Cortez to apparently influence him in real and significant ways , ” Pataki said , warning that the moderate Biden of decades past was long gone .
“ The Biden who was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Congress might not be the Biden who we would see as president .
”

For the first time in his life, George Pataki is worried about New York City’s future.
In an exclusive interview with The Post at his Peekskill, New York, office, the former three-term Republican governor said crime, COVID-19 and poor leadership across city and state government have brought the Big Apple to the brink.
“For the first time ever I fear for the future of New York City. The de Blasio administration has been a disaster and New York has been hit by just decision after decision that really jeopardize its future. It’s not just City Hall but Albany too,” said the 6-foot-5 Pataki, glowering over his desk. “This cannot be allowed to continue or New York City is going to die.”
Pataki, 75, has been out of politics for more than a decade now. His office is filled with smiling photos of him during his salad days in Albany, and cluttered with signed Yankees baseball bats and gold-bladed shovels that his staff sometimes use to clear snow in the winter. Images of Theodore Roosevelt, Pataki’s political hero and the namesake for his son Teddy, are everywhere.
Lately, Pataki has turned to writing. His new book, “Beyond the Great Divide: How A Nation Became A Neighborhood” (Post Hill Press), delves into his time as governor during 9/11 and offers thoughts on how Americans can move past their differences to rebuild a common future. He also still practices law at Norton Rose Fulbright; before the pandemic you could sometimes catch him on the Metro-North zipping into Manhattan.
But, behind the scenes, he remains keenly aware of and involved in political developments across the state, ticking off what he says are failed initiatives like bail reform, rent reform, defunding cops and Chirlane McCray’s mental-health boondoggle ThriveNYC, which has resulted in “having mentally ill homeless all over the streets of New York.”
“So many people are going to lose their lives needlessly because of the demonization of the police and the decriminalization of acts where people should be arrested and put away as opposed to turned loose on the street,” he said.
Pataki, now known by his intimates simply as “gov,” cut his political teeth as a working-class local mayor of Peekskill in the early 1980s. He refers to lower Westchester as the “rich” part of the county. Locals still recognize him, even through his pandemic mask. Pataki said he took particular umbrage knowing that the adverse effects of policies being shoehorned on the state — now under one-party domination of the Democrats — would not affect those with money and power.
“It’s the person working the night shift who will be murdered, or the guy in a bodega who will be held up and shot,” he said, repeatedly noting the city’s sharp uptick in violent crime. “If you’re a writer for The New York Times living in a safe Upper East Side neighborhood and taking Uber it’s not going to affect you.”
Though he declined to take any personal shots, insiders tell me he’s seething about Andrew Cuomo and has been particularly appalled by the governor’s executive order forcing nursing homes to accept seniors who tested positive for COVID-19. At least one Pataki confidante said the situation has angered him enough to even consider running against Cuomo in 2022 and denying him the same fourth term Pataki denied his father, Mario, in 1994.
“You never say never,” Pataki said, when asked if he’d run again, noting that he would still be “the youth candidate in a [presidential] Democratic primary.”
Pataki added that he opposes some of the more drastic efforts being put forth by partisans on both sides and he dismissed calls for civil or criminal charges against public officials for actions taken during the pandemic. And even if he were the governor, he said he would not remove de Blasio from office — as tempting as that may be.
“The consequences in our political system are political. If you make the wrong decision, the people have the right to change their view and elect new leaders,” he said. “The criminalization of political differences is a third-world negative that has become too commonplace in our country.”
On national politics, Pataki repeatedly declined to endorse President Trump’s reelection and refused to say who he would vote for, adding that if the election were held today, Trump would lose. When asked to evaluate the president’s performance, Pataki crossed his arms and breathed deeply.
“Many of President Trump’s policies I agree with but his tweets and his feuds often result in the success of those policies being ignored,” he finally said.
Pataki was more forthcoming during the 2016 presidential campaign, when he mounted his own brief bid for the GOP nomination. After Trump jumped into the race in August 2015, Pataki denounced him for remarks calling illegal Mexican immigrants “rapists” and “drug dealers” in an open letter to his fellow aspiring GOP candidates — which has since been taken offline.
In tweets from the time, he blasted Trump as a “divider” who was unfit to hold office, attacked plans for a Muslim registry as “revolting” and “un-American” and vowed he would not vote for him.
Trump, of course, shot back with tweets of his own, calling the former governor “TACKY PATAKI” and claiming that he “couldn’t be elected dog catcher” today — among other insults.
They were also at odds during Pataki’s time in Albany, particularly over plans to bring Indian casinos to the Catskills. Concerned that it might cut into his Atlantic City gaming interests, Trump spent years fighting the idea.
Despite his baggage with Trump, Pataki predicted that Joe Biden could still lose the election either by hewing too far to the left, or if it “became apparent to the American people that he’s not up to doing the job.” He called questions about the 77-year-old former veep’s mental state “a legitimate concern.”
“I’ve been disappointed by the ability of the leftist activists in the party like Bernie Sanders and [Alexandria] Ocasio-Cortez to apparently influence him in real and significant ways,” Pataki said, warning that the moderate Biden of decades past was long gone. “The Biden who was the moderate Democrat for a long time serving in Congress might not be the Biden who we would see as president.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-18--Blue Lives Matter releases video ‘standing up for officers’ nationwide

The pro-police group Blues Lives Matter NYC has released a video “ dedicated to all those who lost their lives protecting and serving.
” The compelling 2-minute , 12-second clip , “ I Am , ” is billed as “ the first video of its kind standing up for officers throughout the nation and offering a response to the current anti law enforcement movement.
” The recording was posted July 4 on the Blue Lives Matter Facebook page — and presented in conjunction with Strike TV .
“ This video provides a stark contrast to the current anti-law enforcement movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being who is a law enforcement officer , ” Strike TV director Matthew Matossian told The Post .
Blue Lives Matter founder Joseph Imperatrice , an NYPD sergeant , said the officers in the video “ are of all ranks and from all over the nation.
” Freeport Texas Police Chief Raymond Garivey told The Post “ law enforcement is facing difficult times ” following the killing of George Floyd and subsequent protests and he did the video to support “ those who proudly wear the uniform and truly have a passion for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fairly.
” Garivey told The Post he ’ s “ saddened ” that all law enforcers are being branded as “ bad officers for the actions of a few ” and “ I encourage the good cops to keep pushing forward.
” Said Imperatrice : “ What is most special are the families of our lost heroes who took part to make this video really come to life .
This video gives them some sense that their loved one is not forgotten through all the chaos .
… Officers are human , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and laugh like everyone else .
Yet they are demonized .
This video gives a first hand account of the raw emotion these special people are dealing with.
” Leanne Simonsen , 45 , whose husband , Detective Brian Simonsen , was killed during a botched Queens robbery on Feb. 12 , 2019 , said she was on board with the project because “ I think we need to show that police are humans too .
They have family and friends who need them and love them very much .
“ I never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along with all my fellow line-of-duty families .
The video was beautifully done and it meant the world to me to represent my husband .
”

The pro-police group Blues Lives Matter NYC has released a video “dedicated to all those who lost their lives protecting and serving.”
The compelling 2-minute, 12-second clip, “I Am,” is billed as “the first video of its kind standing up for officers throughout the nation and offering a response to the current anti law enforcement movement.”
The recording was posted July 4 on the Blue Lives Matter Facebook page — and presented in conjunction with Strike TV.
“This video provides a stark contrast to the current anti-law enforcement movement that ignores the faces of every human being who is a law enforcement officer,” Strike TV director Matthew Matossian told The Post.
Blue Lives Matter founder Joseph Imperatrice, an NYPD sergeant, said the officers in the video “are of all ranks and from all over the nation.”
Freeport Texas Police Chief Raymond Garivey told The Post “law enforcement is facing difficult times” following the killing of George Floyd and subsequent protests and he did the video to support “those who proudly wear the uniform and truly have a passion for the job, which includes treating people fairly.”
Garivey told The Post he’s “saddened” that all law enforcers are being branded as “bad officers for the actions of a few” and “I encourage the good cops to keep pushing forward.”
Said Imperatrice: “What is most special are the families of our lost heroes who took part to make this video really come to life. This video gives them some sense that their loved one is not forgotten through all the chaos. … Officers are human, they hurt, they bleed, they cry and laugh like everyone else. Yet they are demonized. This video gives a first hand account of the raw emotion these special people are dealing with.”
Leanne Simonsen, 45, whose husband, Detective Brian Simonsen, was killed during a botched Queens robbery on Feb. 12, 2019, said she was on board with the project because “I think we need to show that police are humans too. They have family and friends who need them and love them very much.
“I never want my husband’s sacrifice forgotten along with all my fellow line-of-duty families. The video was beautifully done and it meant the world to me to represent my husband.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-18--It’s finally about to get real for Yankees’ Gerrit Cole

The Yankees ’ outlook got a little better on Friday , when ...

Gerrit Cole already holds one Yankees record:
Most hoops jumped through to reach pinstriped debut.
But now, barring another cataclysmic event — and let’s not rule that out, for sure — the $301.3 million man has jumped through his last hoop. It’s time to do something that counts.
It’s time, finally, for Opening Night.
“Nothings guaranteed in 2020 so I’ll take it one day at a time,” the wise Yankees right-hander said after throwing six innings and 87 pitches in a Yankee Stadium intrasquad game, allowing two runs and striking out five and walking none. “Hopefully we get there because we’ve put a lot of hard work in. … I’m excited to start my career here as well.”
It won’t be at home, as the Yankees will play at the home of the defending champion Nationals on Thursday night, and it won’t be as loud as one would like, thanks to the coronavirus rightly convincing Major League Baseball to open the season without paying fans. The Yankees auditioned their version of artificial fan noise on Friday, and boy, it was so rough that even Aaron Boone conceded that it sounded like someone trying to tune an AM radio. Personally, it reminded me of the nocturnal mutants in “I Am Legend.”
Alas, we take what we can get. MLB released some encouraging COVID-19 test numbers on Friday, with only six of over 10,000 samples turning out positive, and it looks like we’ll make it to the start of the season, at least.
The Yankees will get there definitely without closer Aroldis Chapman, who is quarantined, and probably without their best player of 2019 DJ LeMahieu, who returned to the Stadium on Friday after his own quarantine. Yet they should have Cole, who pitched in four Grapefruit League games before the shutdown and then three intrasquad games during spring training 2.0. Who formally introduced himself to the Yankees fan base seven months ago Saturday, for crying out loud.
He crushed it that day, and he really has yet to slip up under Yankees employ. As you watched him work Friday, warming up to the Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter” in the first inning, then immediately working himself into a lather when “Bombers” leadoff hitter Mike Tauchman fouled off three pitches, you lamented that he did so in a near-empty ballpark. Yankees fans will love seeing Cole’s act in person, and he’ll feed off that energy, if we ever get to that point.
“Everything he does out there is impressive,” Cole’s catcher Gary Sanchez said through an interpreter.
Cole served up back-to-back homers in the fourth inning to Mike Ford and Miguel Andujar, the byproduct, he said, of his breaking stuff quitting on him and putting him in fastball counts, on which his teammates pounced. He took pride in escaping a first-and-third, one-out jam in the fifth by striking out Kyle Holder and retiring Tauchman on a groundout to second.
“I’ve been watching the same games you guys have,” Aaron Boone said to reporters. “The stuff’s been there.”
This being the weirdest and worst year ever, Boone also had to answer a question about suspended right-hander Domingo German posting on Instagram that he was retiring (Boone said he didn’t know about it). Ay yi yi. Maybe baseball games actually can serve as a pleasant, momentary diversion from the rest of this insane world. Maybe Cole can set the example with his first start as a Yankee, first start (against the Nats’ Max Scherzer) for the sport in this new world.
“It’s gonna be fun. It’s gonna have fake crowd noise. It’s gonna be 2020 coronavirus baseball,” Cole said, laughing. “But I’ll get to put the road jersey on for the first time. ‘New York’ across the chest. So [I’m] stoked about that. Stoked about playing in some high-stakes games with the boys. It’s been a while since we’ve been out there to do that.
“So [I’m] generally excited. Looking forward to it. And we’ll start the preparation to try to get a W in the next 24, 48 hours.”
His hoops jumped, the record unofficially set, Cole turns his focus to a smaller round object: Rings. The pursuit starts Thursday.


newyorkpost--2020-07-18--Mets-Yankees reintroducing New York to team sports

Mets fans may not be able to attend any games ...

The last time a notable sporting event involving two teams occurred in the five boroughs, St. John’s and Creighton departed the floor at halftime of the Big East men’s basketball tournament on March 12 and never returned.
After four-plus months, New York team sports will in a sense return this weekend, with the Mets and Yankees playing two exhibition games that signal the proximity of the regular season. Round 1 is Saturday night at Citi Field.
“I know a lot of New Yorkers will be tuned in to the games, just watching,” J.D. Davis said Friday before a Mets workout. “All eyes are going to be on it. But it’s definitely a great feeling and going to be a great turning point in our economy, society and our country that we’re starting up and going forward and giving some light on what’s going on. Hopefully we can throw in some good games.”
The Mets were within two weeks of their season opener when the COVID-19 outbreak shuttered spring training in March. For the last two weeks they have trained at Citi Field, with most of the work in recent days occurring in intrasquad scrimmages.
MLB gave teams the option of playing three exhibitions, and the Mets and Yankees — who will play six times during the 60-game regular season — agreed to meet twice. The logistics, with a short bus ride as the travel for the visiting team, dictated the arrangement.
“It’s an exciting time for sure,” Michael Wacha said. “We’re a week away from Opening Day, getting back out there on the field and getting baseball started back up, but these exhibition games are leading up into that regular season. It’s definitely an exciting time, not only for New York, but for the whole country and the whole world.”
The Mets have held dress rehearsals the last two days, wearing full uniforms and dividing the roster for scrimmages. Cardboard cutouts of fans have been placed behind home plate, with crowd noise and music part of the fan-empty ballpark experience for players.
On Friday, the team added a tent area behind the first-base dugout that will seat players during games with social distancing in effect.
“Hopefully we don’t get to the point we’re scrambling out of the stands to get a guy into the game,” manager Luis Rojas said. “We’ll definitely talk about where everybody is and we’re learning every day sitting in the dugout, kind of like the moving parts. It’s kind of feeling normal right now, everyone keeping their distance and able to have that camaraderie and yell at each other, so it’s going well, but once we play those games against the Yankees we will have a better feel of that.”
The Mets might be bored playing against each other, but will resume the intrasquad games after the Yankees series to prepare for Friday’s opener against the Braves at Citi Field.
“It will be great watching the opposing uniform come in and face us, I think it would give another taste of competition to the guys,” Rojas said. “[Thursday] night we had our first ballpark, fully operational game. All the sounds were in there. The other day we had the crowd sound only and we had some feedback that we need more, we need more sounds than that and [Thursday] night I got great feedback from the guys saying they felt like a real game. I think this will take it a step further.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-18--Jim Furyk and Steve Stricker turning back time at Memorial

DUBLIN , Ohio — Tiger Woods left himself hanging on the ...

DUBLIN, Ohio — Golf, at the professional level, is a young man’s game.
A glance at the world rankings will show you that, among the top-20 ranked players, only three have reached their 40th birthday — 44-year-old Tiger Woods, who’s ranked 14th, 40-year-old Adam Scott, who’s ranked ninth, and 42-year-old Matt Kuchar, who’s ranked 20th.
The rising stars in golf have either not yet reached 30 or barely eclipsed that threshold — No. 1 ranked Rory McIlroy is 31, No. 2 Jon Rahm is 25, No. 3 Justin Thomas is 27, No. 7 Bryson DeChambeau is 26, No. 13 Collin Morikawa is 23 and ranked one spot ahead of Woods.
You get the picture.
It’s a young man’s game.
“It is,’’ 50-year-old Jim Furyk agreed after shooting a 4-under 68 in Friday’s second round of the Memorial to enter the weekend in a tie for eighth, five shots out of the lead.
Furyk, the 2018 Ryder Cup captain, is tied with 53-year-old and good friend Steve Stricker, who’s the current U.S. Ryder Cup captain. Stricker, who won the Memorial in 2011, shot a 5-under 67 on Friday and is also 4-under for the week.
Vijay Singh, who’s 57 and won the Memorial in 1997, is 1-over par and made the cut. Ernie Els, 50, was even par entering Friday but missed the cut after shooting a second-round 77.
Make no mistake: Muirfield Village is a big ballpark. It’s not Colonial or Harbour Town or Innisbrook, which are singles-hitters parks.
Add to that: The conditions this week have bordered on treacherous with the rough having not been cut in more than a week and the greens, which will be torn up for replacement on Sunday as the final round is taking place, starting to show a sheen shinier than Mr. Clean’s bald head.
And yet here are 50-somethings Furyk and Stricker in the mix with 36 holes to play.
“It’s kind of fun to see the old guys go out there and play well,’’ Furyk told The Post after his second round, standing alongside his 72-year-old caddie, Mike “Fluff’’ Cowan.
Furyk and Stricker remain in contention despite the fact that they hit the ball some 50 yards shorter off the tee than DeChambeau, McIlroy, Johnson, Brooks Koepka et al.
“When I was 39, I was asked by a writer, ‘Are you afraid the game’s going to pass you by with all these young kids coming out hitting it farther and farther?’ ’’ Furyk recalled. “I said, ‘Eventually that’s going to happen. It’s not today. It’s not tomorrow. It’s not next year. But it’s coming eventually.’ ’’
Furyk and Stricker are staving off eventually at the moment, and it’s cool to see.
“As you get older, you either find other ways to compete and get a lot better in some other areas or eventually you’re not going to hit it far enough to compete,’’ Furyk said. “There’s still some courses out here that are really difficult for me to compete and give up a bunch of yardage to guys.
“A golf course like this puts stress on me. It’s put stress on me the last few years. For me to come into these greens with 6-iron when someone else going in with 9-iron is a significant difference. The way it’s set up right now and way it’s playing, I’m still capable, but I’m kind of [better off at] Fort Worth and Innisbrook and Harbour Town.
“Those are the ones that are up my alley.’’
Can Furyk do this weekend what he did in 2002 at Memorial, which is win?
“If I didn’t think that, I wouldn’t be playing,’’ Furyk said. “[Saturday] will be about putting myself in position to make a run at that on Sunday.’’
The way the course is hardening, two more 68s, which would get Furyk to 12-under, might do the trick.
“I imagine this place if going to turn white or get into shades of purple by the time Sunday afternoon comes around,’’ Furyk said. “I hit a lot of good shots out there [Friday] and actually got to see some putts go in, which was kind of fun. It feels good going into the weekend in good shape. I’m happy about it.’’
Especially at 50.


newyorkpost--2020-07-18--David Quinn: Specialty teams will be key for Rangers vs. Hurricanes

This is the second season for Kaapo Kakko , whose four-month ...

It was largely an exercise of muscle memory when the Rangers ran power-play and penalty-kill drills to bookend Friday’s practice but there was more to it than that.
Because when it all starts in two weeks, the work of the specialty teams will be critical in the best-of-five against Carolina, against whom the Blueshirts went 5-for-15 on the power play while killing 14 of 16 in the four-game regular-season sweep.
“It really can be the difference in winning a series,” David Quinn said. “Obviously our numbers look good against them but, you know, numbers can sometimes be deceiving. There are things we can take from the games we played against them but we’re going to have to reset everything and be ready to go.
“It’s just a whole different ball of wax right now. We have to make sure that we’re thorough and have clarity as what is expected of our penalty kill [and power play].”
The power play, that was on a 29-for-90 tear over 31 games from Dec. 27 through March 7 before going 0-for-9 in the final three matches, features the four-righty look with Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider (lefty), Ryan Strome and Tony DeAngelo on the first unit, with Pavel Buchnevich, Kaapo Kakko, Filip Chytil, Adam Fox and Jacob Trouba on the second.
“In a playoff series there’s no time to really be hot and cold. You really want to try and execute,” Strome said. “I think the biggest thing is practice right now. This was our first day and I think if you ask the coaches, this might have been the best we moved the puck in a practice all year, so obviously that’s a great sign.”
It all seems so routine on the ice. But in the room where the team prepares for practice, or before they get to that room, there are differences, even if not all that many.
“We have an app from the NHL [and a questionnaire] that we have to fill out in the morning, we have a thermometer [to take temperature] that we have to do,” Strome said. “We come to the rink wearing a mask and then we get checked for temperature and symptoms. Every other day we have to sit in the parking lot and do our COVID test before we enter the arena.
“When we go to the [cafeteria], we take [premade] food and have to eat it outside. That’s obviously unique but the rest of it is kind of normal. We have to follow the proper protocols but with the whole team being tested so much and we’re kind of like a family here in our own little bubble that when we’re working out or on the ice, everything is pretty normal.
“There’s nothing too crazy,” the center said. “All these things with masks and protocols, we’re sacrificing maybe five or 10 minutes of our day to live a pretty normal life. So I think guys are pretty happy with the way things are going and we’ve been pretty lucky with our test results.
“We’ve just got to keep doing the right things and stay healthy and hopefully we can continue to play hockey.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-18--Marcus Stroman’s spring training 2.0 struggles continue

Marcus Stroman has plans to , in his words , dominate , to pitch so well he will be considered one of the top arms on the free-agent market .
So far , though , in spring training 2.0 the animated right-hander from Long Island expected to be the Mets ’ No .
2 starter behind Jacob deGrom has yet to back up those bold words .
In his previous outing , Stroman walked the bases loaded in the first inning .
In Friday ’ s intrasquad game , he allowed a pair of bombs , yielding three extra-base hits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ striking out four and walking one .
“ That ’ s what we want to see now , the consistency of his pitches , find his rhythm and reach his pitch count , ” manager Luis Rojas said via Zoom before Stroman took the mound Friday .
Afterward , Rojas viewed Stroman ’ s effort as a positive , giving the hitters credit for getting their pitches and taking advantage .
Amed Rosario took Stroman deep down the left-field line while Dominic Smith went yard to right-center field , each of them no-doubters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off the left-field fence .
Still , Rojas saw this as a step in the right direction for Stroman , who threw 60 pitches in his three frames and 20 more in the bullpen afterward .
Rojas noted the action on his pitches and thought his location was mostly there .
“ Stro looked good .
So much energy out there on the field , in the dugout .
I like how the competition was ramping up , ” said Rojas , who declined to name Stroman his No .
2 starter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order of the rotation after deGrom .
“ Some good , friendly competition that I think will prepare us for the upcoming games now against the Yankees and keep moving forward into the season .
Stro threw the ball well and some of the hitters [ made ] some good adjustments.
” There is a lot riding on Stroman ’ s right arm , for himself and the Mets .
He ’ s a free agent-to-be , the first time in his professional career he can choose his destination .
And after Zack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Phillies and Noah Syndergaard underwent Tommy John surgery , Stroman is being counted on to be a difference-maker in the rotation , to pitch like an All-Star , after coming over last July in a trade from the Blue Jays for pitching prospects Anthony Kay and Simeon Woods Richardson .
Stroman ’ s last two starts have both featured some impressive patches , but also laborious ones .
His previous outing began poorly , while this one started well .
He ’ s yet to put it all together .
So far , @ @ @ @ @

Marcus Stroman has plans to, in his words, dominate, to pitch so well he will be considered one of the top arms on the free-agent market.
So far, though, in spring training 2.0 the animated right-hander from Long Island expected to be the Mets’ No. 2 starter behind Jacob deGrom has yet to back up those bold words.
In his previous outing, Stroman walked the bases loaded in the first inning. In Friday’s intrasquad game, he allowed a pair of bombs, yielding three extra-base hits in three uneven innings of work while striking out four and walking one.
“That’s what we want to see now, the consistency of his pitches, find his rhythm and reach his pitch count,” manager Luis Rojas said via Zoom before Stroman took the mound Friday.
Afterward, Rojas viewed Stroman’s effort as a positive, giving the hitters credit for getting their pitches and taking advantage. Amed Rosario took Stroman deep down the left-field line while Dominic Smith went yard to right-center field, each of them no-doubters. Gordon Beckham also rapped a double off the left-field fence. Still, Rojas saw this as a step in the right direction for Stroman, who threw 60 pitches in his three frames and 20 more in the bullpen afterward. Rojas noted the action on his pitches and thought his location was mostly there.
“Stro looked good. So much energy out there on the field, in the dugout. I like how the competition was ramping up,” said Rojas, who declined to name Stroman his No. 2 starter, saying they have yet to formulate the order of the rotation after deGrom. “Some good, friendly competition that I think will prepare us for the upcoming games now against the Yankees and keep moving forward into the season. Stro threw the ball well and some of the hitters [made] some good adjustments.”
There is a lot riding on Stroman’s right arm, for himself and the Mets. He’s a free agent-to-be, the first time in his professional career he can choose his destination. And after Zack Wheeler left via free agency for the Phillies and Noah Syndergaard underwent Tommy John surgery, Stroman is being counted on to be a difference-maker in the rotation, to pitch like an All-Star, after coming over last July in a trade from the Blue Jays for pitching prospects Anthony Kay and Simeon Woods Richardson.
Stroman’s last two starts have both featured some impressive patches, but also laborious ones. His previous outing began poorly, while this one started well. He’s yet to put it all together. So far, consistency has eluded him.


newyorkpost--2020-07-18--NFLPA wants safety answers ahead of training camp

NFL team doctors have given the green-light for training camp ... .

The very nature of the sport tells you that playing football during a pandemic would be playing with a virulent fire that rages in too many hot spots that seem to grow hotter by the day.
The economics are a matter of contention between management and the union because it is always about the money at some point — just ask MLB.
But for the NFL, this is more about safety than it is for any of the other professional sports leagues.
It is our collision sport — the only one that features blocking and tackling and repeated huddling — and with training camps scheduled to open on July 28 for all 32 teams, the hit has hit the fan, and it appears possible that a delay of game may now be necessary.
This is unlike the MLB brouhaha where the safety of the players fell in line quickly after the unsavory economic tug-of-war resulted in a 60-game season.
This is safety first.
The issues
Daily testing: The union wants it. The league has advocated three weekly tests. With hot spots in Florida, Georgia, Texas and Arizona, and 140,000 deaths across America and counting, daily testing should be a no-brainer.
Preseason games: The union doesn’t want any and prefers a 21-day ramp-up period. The NFL will want one as a COVID-19 trial run.
Quarantine procedures: There is currently no number of positive tests that would force an automatic team quarantine.
“As a union,” National Football League Players Association president JC Tretter said recently, “our most important job is keep our players safe and alive.”
He also said: “More so than any other sport, the game of football is the perfect storm for virus transmission,” a chilling reality enforced on a union conference call Friday by ageless Rams tackle Andrew Whitworth, who revealed that he and his wife and children and father-in-law contracted the highly contagious virus.
The NFL continues to proceed with business as usual.
“NFL clubs met today via videoconference and received an update on preparations for the 2020 season,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said. “We will continue to implement the health and safety protocols developed jointly with the NFLPA, and based on the advice of leading medical experts, including review by the CDC. We will address additional issues in a cooperative way. All decisions will be made in an effort to put us in position to play a full regular season and postseason culminating with the Super Bowl which is the shared goal of the clubs and players.”
The union, concerned with the availability of hospital and intensive care unit beds in cities such as Houston, is not totally convinced.
“We have players nervous about flying from a relative safe location to a hot spot with their families, their kids, their wives,” Tretter said. “That’s a major concern, with stuff going on in Houston as well as Miami. How safe is that?
“Our job is to hold the NFL accountable. Those are the questions we want answered: How safe is it to start back up a football season at this moment where teams are located going through giant spikes of this virus? The health and safety aspect has to be taken care of with the players first and foremost.”
Any delay of game would further jeopardize any dreams of a 16-game season. Too many important heads have been buried in the sand, seemingly so no one can see them without masks on, with dire warnings of a second wave of infection in the fall.
“Slogans and wishful thinking has not led our nation through this pandemic and it will not lead football through this pandemic,” NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said.
“Wearing a mask will probably be the most significant component of whether sports return in this country. That’s not a political statement; that’s a common sense and scientific statement.”
The league, much to the union’s objections, has proposed cutting each team’s player costs by $40 million “in salary cap and/or benefits.” In which case a projected $215 million salary cap would drop by $50 million-$70 million. Players have only until Aug. 1 to opt-out, another bone of contention between the sides.
The NFL no longer has the luxury of time on its side. The pandemic forced the league to matriculate the ball down the field, slowly but not very surely. And so here we are, suddenly looking more like fourth-and-long for the season to start on time than first-and-goal.


newyorkpost--2020-07-18--Comedian John Crist returns to social media after sexual misconduct allegations

Youtuber and comedian John Crist , 36 , is back in the social media spotlight following an 8-month hiatus after being accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women last fall .
In a video that was shared on Wednesday to Instagram and Facebook , Crist said that he spent the break “ working on my own mental health and my recovery and healing.
” That also included some time in a treatment facility writes People.com .
“ I made a lot of poor choices in my personal life , ” Crist said in the video .
“ I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ myself , that hurt other people and that embarrassed myself and had consequences , and I can look you in the eye and own that.
” The allegations broke in November , 2019 when five women came forward to say that Crist “ exploited his Christian reputation and platform to harass , manipulate and exploit young women over the last seven years.
” According to Charisma News , the station that originally broke the story : “ The allegations include , but are not limited to , individually sexting multiple women during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with married women and women in committed relationships , offering show tickets in exchange for sexual favors and repeatedly calling these women late at night while drunk.
” After the accusations , Crist issued an apology , saying “ Over the past number of years , various women have accused me of behavior that has been hurtful to them .
While I am not guilty of everything I ’ ve been accused of , I confess to being guilty of this — I have treated relationships with women far too casually , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been destructive and sinful , ” People.com reported .

Youtuber and comedian John Crist, 36, is back in the social media spotlight following an 8-month hiatus after being accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women last fall.
In a video that was shared on Wednesday to Instagram and Facebook, Crist said that he spent the break “working on my own mental health and my recovery and healing.”
That also included some time in a treatment facility writes People.com.
“I made a lot of poor choices in my personal life,” Crist said in the video.
“I’ve made a lot of decisions that hurt myself, that hurt other people and that embarrassed myself and had consequences, and I can look you in the eye and own that.”
The allegations broke in November, 2019 when five women came forward to say that Crist “exploited his Christian reputation and platform to harass, manipulate and exploit young women over the last seven years.”
According to Charisma News, the station that originally broke the story:
“The allegations include, but are not limited to, individually sexting multiple women during the same time period, initiating sexual relationships with married women and women in committed relationships, offering show tickets in exchange for sexual favors and repeatedly calling these women late at night while drunk.”
After the accusations, Crist issued an apology, saying “Over the past number of years, various women have accused me of behavior that has been hurtful to them. While I am not guilty of everything I’ve been accused of, I confess to being guilty of this — I have treated relationships with women far too casually, in some cases even recklessly. My behavior has been destructive and sinful,” People.com reported.


newyorkpost--2020-07-18--Nets’ Garrett Temple pushing social justice message at NBA restart

The NBA ’ s “ snitch hotline ” is apparently blowing up .
As part ...

Nearly two months have passed since George Floyd was killed. The streets are quieter. Protests against racial injustice have shrunk from an unprecedented and unsustainable size and pace. COVID-19 has reclaimed dominance of the news.
With less than two weeks until the NBA season restarts in Orlando, Nets guard Garrett Temple participated in a call with roughly 30 players Thursday night, focused on how to ensure their platform to amplify the Black Lives Matter movement — and other related causes — isn’t overshadowed by the upcoming games, as teammate Kyrie Irving and others opposed to returning to play feared.
“Obviously, we want to keep the conversation going. That’s one of the main things that needs to happen. In this world, in America, things die down quickly,” Temple said on a Zoom call Friday night. “We want to talk to each other, talk to like-minded individuals about whatever issues we want to change and try to find tangible things we can actually do to create those changes to push policies in the cities that we’re in. I think us being on the court, pushing that, is gonna be great to have people watch us, but also we need to come out of here with some strategy in order to make some tangible changes.”
Temple, who spent time during the suspension of the season studying for the LSAT, said he plans to replace his name with the message of “Education Reform” on the back of his jersey.
“I’ve seen a lot of guys say putting stuff on their jerseys is really just window dressing and if that’s what they believe then that’s up to them,” Temple said. “There are so many different causes to tackle, unfortunately in our community. We in the black community have been marginalized so much in so many different things that need to change in order to allow us to get better chances. I think education is something that’s very much needed. The public school system isn’t nearly where it needs to be in a country as powerful as ours. … [We need to] give people more of an opportunity once they get out of school to make a better living for themselves and be contributors to society. … I know how much [education] can help and change someone’s lives.”
While Temple — the 34-year-old vice president of the National Basketball Players Association and first-year Net — had established a leadership position on the team prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the absence of veteran teammates like Irving, Kevin Durant, DeAndre Jordan, Wilson Chandler, has only strengthened a voice that was never silent.
Now, on a makeshift roster decimated by the coronavirus, the journeyman who has played for nine NBA teams and signed multiple 10-day contracts offers unique perspective for teammates sharing a court for the first time.
“We have less veterans here, and obviously with a couple new guys, trying to teach them the ropes, trying to teach them how we do things in the organization, it’s been great,” Temple said. “I’ve been a little more vocal, but I was vocal before as well. Just getting guys acclimated and telling them to use their voices as well.”
Recent signees Lance Thomas and Donta Hall haven’t yet practiced with the Nets and remain in quarantine. … Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot also intends to have a social justice message stitched to his jersey, sporting either the entirety or abridged French motto of “Liberté, égalité, et fraternité,” which translates to Freedom, Equality, Fraternity.


newyorkpost--2020-07-18--Presidents Obama, Clinton and more celebrate life of late Rep. John Lewis

Past presidents , members of Congress and numerous celebrities delivered an outpouring of condolences and respect for Georgia Rep. John Lewis , a monumental figure in the nation ’ s civil rights movement who passed away Friday .
Barack Obama praised Lewis , 80 , for the physical and emotional sacrifices he made for the US as an original Freedom Rider , March on Washington organizer and leader of the “ Bloody Sunday ” demonstration from Selma to Montgomery — during which a police officer broke Lewis ’ skull during a beating .
“ He loved this country so much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blood so that it might live up to its promise , ” Obama wrote in a statement posted to Medium .
“ And through the decades , he not only gave all of himself to the cause of freedom and justice but inspired generations that followed to try to live up to his example.
” Bill Clinton also heaped praise on the late Democrat , tweeting that Lewis “ gave all he had to redeem America ’ s unmet promise of equality and justice for all , and to create a place for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together .
“ In so doing he became the conscience of the nation.
” Lewis , often referred to as the “ Conscious of Congress , ” inspired reverence from Democrats and Republicans alike over his more than three decades serving as a Georgia elected official .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell hailed Lewis as a “ pioneering civil rights leader who put his life on the line to fight racism , promote equal rights , and bring our nation into greater alignment with its founding principles.
” “ Congressman Lewis ’ place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secured before his career in Congress had even begun , ” McConnell added .
“ This son of sharecroppers in segregated Alabama helped to found and lead the mid-century Civil Rights movement.
” “ There is blood on that ballot box that he shed to protect our rights for generations to come , ” Pierce tweeted .
Lewis “ was a titan of the civil rights movement whose goodness , faith and bravery transformed our nation , ” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote .
“ Every day of his life was dedicated to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lewis , who was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer n December last year , was among the more liberal Democrats in Congress , advocating against the Iraq war and in defense of immigrant children .
Lewis said he ’ d been arrested 40 times in the 1960s and five more times after becoming a congressman .
Andrew McCutchen , a Philadelphia Phillies outfielder and one of the most prominent black stars in baseball , offered his thanks .
“ Thank you for your courage , your sacrifice and your leadership , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Rest In Paradise # JohnLewis .
May we continue to honor your legacy and be a voice for the voiceless .
”

Past presidents, members of Congress and numerous celebrities delivered an outpouring of condolences and respect for Georgia Rep. John Lewis, a monumental figure in the nation’s civil rights movement who passed away Friday.
Barack Obama praised Lewis, 80, for the physical and emotional sacrifices he made for the US as an original Freedom Rider, March on Washington organizer and leader of the “Bloody Sunday” demonstration from Selma to Montgomery — during which a police officer broke Lewis’ skull during a beating.
“He loved this country so much that he risked his life and his blood so that it might live up to its promise,” Obama wrote in a statement posted to Medium.
“And through the decades, he not only gave all of himself to the cause of freedom and justice but inspired generations that followed to try to live up to his example.”
Bill Clinton also heaped praise on the late Democrat, tweeting that Lewis “gave all he had to redeem America’s unmet promise of equality and justice for all, and to create a place for us to build a more perfect union together.
“In so doing he became the conscience of the nation.”
Lewis, often referred to as the “Conscious of Congress,” inspired reverence from Democrats and Republicans alike over his more than three decades serving as a Georgia elected official.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell hailed Lewis as a “pioneering civil rights leader who put his life on the line to fight racism, promote equal rights, and bring our nation into greater alignment with its founding principles.”
“Congressman Lewis’ place among the giants of American history was secured before his career in Congress had even begun,” McConnell added.
“This son of sharecroppers in segregated Alabama helped to found and lead the mid-century Civil Rights movement.”
“Selma” actor Wendell Pierce said Lewis “changed America.”
“There is blood on that ballot box that he shed to protect our rights for generations to come,” Pierce tweeted.
Lewis “was a titan of the civil rights movement whose goodness, faith and bravery transformed our nation,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote. “Every day of his life was dedicated to bringing freedom and justice to all.”
Lewis, who was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer n December last year, was among the more liberal Democrats in Congress, advocating against the Iraq war and in defense of immigrant children.
Lewis said he’d been arrested 40 times in the 1960s and five more times after becoming a congressman.
Andrew McCutchen, a Philadelphia Phillies outfielder and one of the most prominent black stars in baseball, offered his thanks.
“Thank you for your courage, your sacrifice and your leadership,” he tweeted with a photo of Lewis.
“Rest In Paradise #JohnLewis. May we continue to honor your legacy and be a voice for the voiceless.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-18--Tony Finau and Ryan Palmer take different paths to Memorial lead

DUBLIN , Ohio — Bryson DeChambeau was the betting favorite to ...

DUBLIN, Ohio — Tony Finau, who said he’s been “inspired’’ by the bombs-away strategy of Bryson DeChambeau, has decided to swing harder for more success.
Ryan Palmer, disturbed by his faltering short game and putting, turned to Steve Stricker for advice and he unearthed an old putter he hadn’t used in some five years and put it back into play.
Both players, polar-opposite types, enter the weekend with a share of the Memorial lead at 9-under after Palmer shot 68 in Friday’s second round and Finau shot 69 at Muirfield Village Golf Club.
They’re trailed by Jon Rahm at 8-under , then Gary Woodland, Luke List and Chez Reavie at 6-under, and then Jason Day, who’s 5-under after shooting 66 on Friday.
Finau and Palmer are proof that success comes from all kinds of formulas.
“In the middle of last week, my coach Boyd Summerhays and I decided to crank some up a little bit after being inspired by Bryson, seeing how straight he was hitting it and how hard,’’ Finau said. “So, I decided to crank it up and work on hitting a really hard fade. I’ve let a few go so far this week, and it’s been pretty fun for me to kind of reach back more so than I have in the past and kind of open up and hit some.’’
Palmer, who hasn’t played in the Memorial since 2011, played in last week’s Workday Charity Open at Muirfield and had the unusual and somewhat insulting circumstance of having to return to Muirfield Village on the Saturday for one final hole to close out his second-round 81.
He went home to Texas the next day for a couple days before returning to Ohio to play this week. Palmer’s caddie, James Edmondson, suggested that he shake things up a bit and mentioned going back to the old putter — an Odyssey Rossie II — that had been in his bag since his college days.
“I called Steve Stricker wanting to play nine holes with him and I wanted his advice on my short game,” Palmer said. “He showed me some things that I was doing wrong and what he does, what he concentrates on, and I put the work into it.”
Palmer responded with an opening-round 67 followed by Friday’s 68.
“That was a good text I sent to [Stricker],” Palmer said. “The short-game lesson with Stricker for sure (helped) and I put in the work Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and it was a matter of putting it to the test Thursday. For me, the hard part is over in my mind, and now we’re just letting it go on the weekend. I really feel I have a chance come Sunday.’’
So, too, does Finau, who has only one PGA Tour victory. His confidence was buoyed by a 59 he shot last week at home while playing with his son.
“It kind of just told me how good I am at scoring the golf ball,’’ Finau said. “It told me I was in good form. I think I definitely carried some of that right into this week, and that confidence I think is pretty cool. It’s only the second time I’ve ever shot in the 50s, so that was quite fun to have my boy there and some of his crew with me.’’


newyorkpost--2020-07-18--Evidence ‘overwhelming’ against alleged killer of NYC tech CEO Fahim Saleh: prosecutors

Surveillance video footage provides “ overwhelming ” supporting evidence that suspect Tyrese Haspil murdered and chopped up his boss , tech CEO Fahim Saleh , earlier this week , prosecutors said early Saturday .
At an arraignment held just after midnight , Haspil , 21 , Saleh ’ s executive assistant , was ordered held without bail on charges of second-degree murder for the gruesome crime on Manhattan ’ s Lower East Side .
Haspil allegedly stabbed and dismembered his boss in Saleh ’ s $ 2.2 million Houston Street apartment after getting caught embezzling more than $ 90,000 from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had offered to not call the police if Haspil paid the money back in installments .
Surveillance video shows Haspil at a Home Depot purchasing the saw and cleaning supplies found Tuesday at the crime scene , Manhattan assistant district attorney Linda Ford said at the arraignment .
Clothing the killer was seen wearing on surveillance footage from the address matched garments found in Haspil ’ s Brooklyn home , and investigators were also able to digitally track Hasil to and from the crime scene , Ford added .
“ The evidence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Ford said during Haspil ’ s remote arrangement in Manhattan Criminal Court .
“ He is on video surveillance before and after the crime .
He has been identified by at least two individuals from the videotape.
” A masked Haspil allegedly followed Saleh into his apartment elevator Monday around 1:45 p.m. , Tasing him as soon as the elevator opened onto Saleh ’ s seventh-floor property .
Saleh then fell to the floor , and Haspil allegedly fatally stabbed him multiple times in the torso and neck , Ford said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s body inside .
The next day , he allegedly visited Home Depot to buy the saw and other supplies he is believed to have used to cut off Saleh ’ s limbs .
Sources told The Post Haspil was allegedly in the process of chopping up Saleh ’ s body and stashing it in construction bags when Saleh ’ s cousin rang the apartment buzzer , prompting him to flee down the stairs .
Prosecutors at the arraignment did not elaborate on why they believe Haspil left the scene on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than $ 90,000 from Saleh , who in 2018 founded Gokada , a Nigerian motorcycle ride-sharing company , and an investment firm , Adventure Capital .
When the CEO discovered the embezzlement of his funds , instead of going to the police , he and Saleh agreed on a payment plan to repay the money , Ford said in court .
Prosecutors are still determining Haspil ’ s motive , but they believe the killing revolved around the theft .
“ We are awaiting records to determine whether or not [ Haspil ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was motivated by a desire to not pay that money back or a fear that the victim would ’ ve reported him to the police , ” she said .
Judge Jonathan Svetkey ordered Haspil to be held without bail .
His next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 17 .

Surveillance video footage provides “overwhelming” supporting evidence that suspect Tyrese Haspil murdered and chopped up his boss, tech CEO Fahim Saleh, earlier this week, prosecutors said early Saturday.
At an arraignment held just after midnight, Haspil, 21, Saleh’s executive assistant, was ordered held without bail on charges of second-degree murder for the gruesome crime on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.
Haspil allegedly stabbed and dismembered his boss in Saleh’s $2.2 million Houston Street apartment after getting caught embezzling more than $90,000 from him — even though the kind-hearted Saleh had offered to not call the police if Haspil paid the money back in installments.
Surveillance video shows Haspil at a Home Depot purchasing the saw and cleaning supplies found Tuesday at the crime scene, Manhattan assistant district attorney Linda Ford said at the arraignment.
Clothing the killer was seen wearing on surveillance footage from the address matched garments found in Haspil’s Brooklyn home, and investigators were also able to digitally track Hasil to and from the crime scene, Ford added.
“The evidence, in this case, is overwhelming,” Ford said during Haspil’s remote arrangement in Manhattan Criminal Court.
“He is on video surveillance before and after the crime. He has been identified by at least two individuals from the videotape.”
A masked Haspil allegedly followed Saleh into his apartment elevator Monday around 1:45 p.m., Tasing him as soon as the elevator opened onto Saleh’s seventh-floor property.
Saleh then fell to the floor, and Haspil allegedly fatally stabbed him multiple times in the torso and neck, Ford said.
Haspil then left the apartment with Saleh’s body inside.
The next day, he allegedly visited Home Depot to buy the saw and other supplies he is believed to have used to cut off Saleh’s limbs.
Sources told The Post Haspil was allegedly in the process of chopping up Saleh’s body and stashing it in construction bags when Saleh’s cousin rang the apartment buzzer, prompting him to flee down the stairs.
Prosecutors at the arraignment did not elaborate on why they believe Haspil left the scene on Tuesday.
Ford confirmed Haspil had stolen more than $90,000 from Saleh, who in 2018 founded Gokada, a Nigerian motorcycle ride-sharing company, and an investment firm, Adventure Capital.
When the CEO discovered the embezzlement of his funds, instead of going to the police, he and Saleh agreed on a payment plan to repay the money, Ford said in court.
Prosecutors are still determining Haspil’s motive, but they believe the killing revolved around the theft.
“We are awaiting records to determine whether or not [Haspil] made any payments and whether this murder was motivated by a desire to not pay that money back or a fear that the victim would’ve reported him to the police,” she said.
Judge Jonathan Svetkey ordered Haspil to be held without bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 17.


newyorkpost--2020-07-18--New father Matt Martin makes quick return to Islanders

Though he and wife Sydney Esiason welcomed a new member into their family on Tuesday , Islanders forward Matt Martin has already returned to the ice .
Following drills with linemates Cal Clutterbuck and Casey Cizikas during practice on Friday morning , Martin described how he is managing being a new father to daughter Windsor Grace while also preparing for the Stanley Cup playoffs .
“ I think the support we have here is great , ” Martin said during a Zoom call .
“ Sydney was totally on board for me to play .
She has her family here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m gone , and both of our families want me to play.
” Head coach Barry Trotz confirmed that he supports the players and their decisions in relation to participating in the playoffs , including Martin ’ s not to opt out .
“ This is gon na be a test , you know , mentally , physically , and probably emotionally , ” Trotz said on a Zoom call .
“ I know he ’ s had time to think about this and discuss it with his wife .
If he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then it ’ s OK. We understand because everyone ’ s lives are in different areas .
We don ’ t know all the underlying health conditions of every family member , and so it ’ s really important that the players ’ minds are clear and free to make the right call for them .
If it ’ s being on a hockey team and going into the hub city and feeling comfortable , that ’ s all we want.
” Before the season came to an abrupt halt because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 35-23-10 record , ranking sixth in the Metropolitan Division .
Though most of the players were off the ice for three or four months , Martin said he is confident of the Islanders ’ chances to win the Stanley Cup .
“ We sign contracts , we ’ ve got a job to do , and this is the most fun time to play , ” Martin said .
“ Hopefully , when this is all said and done , I ’ ll be able to drop Winnie on top of the Stanley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having his family join his journey throughout the playoffs would be a perfect scenario , they may not be able to .
“ I ’ m not sure Sydney will come for conference finals , ” Martin said .
“ It ’ s a fluid situation , not ideal , but life goes on .
It ’ s part of life .
I ’ m doing my job and hopefully doing it effectively.
” Once Martin posted the world ’ s first photos of Winnie on Wednesday , Boomer Esiason , Sydney ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was quick to comment on the colors of the baby ’ s blanket .
“ Love the red , white and blue stripes on the blanket !
that ’ s my girl !
” Esiason , an unabashed Rangers ’ fan , tweeted .
Martin didn ’ t immediately reply to the tweet , but he confirmed he will be responding to his father-in-law .
“ Yeah , I got an answer for him today on Twitter , don ’ t worry , ” Martin said .
“ We ’ ll straighten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s been great .
I think he ’ s excited for us , we ’ re all very excited to have Winnie here.
” Sure enough , Martin did reply later on Friday , tweeting a picture of Winnie with an Islanders logo on her pajamas with this message : “ You seem confused @ 7BOOMERESIASON , so let me clear it up for you .
# LGI.
” The Islanders will kick off the playoffs in Toronto against the Panthers on Aug. 1 at 4 p.m .

Though he and wife Sydney Esiason welcomed a new member into their family on Tuesday, Islanders forward Matt Martin has already returned to the ice.
Following drills with linemates Cal Clutterbuck and Casey Cizikas during practice on Friday morning, Martin described how he is managing being a new father to daughter Windsor Grace while also preparing for the Stanley Cup playoffs.
“I think the support we have here is great,” Martin said during a Zoom call. “Sydney was totally on board for me to play. She has her family here that will help her out while I’m gone, and both of our families want me to play.”
Head coach Barry Trotz confirmed that he supports the players and their decisions in relation to participating in the playoffs, including Martin’s not to opt out.
“This is gonna be a test, you know, mentally, physically, and probably emotionally,” Trotz said on a Zoom call. “I know he’s had time to think about this and discuss it with his wife. If he’s not up for the task, then it’s OK. We understand because everyone’s lives are in different areas. We don’t know all the underlying health conditions of every family member, and so it’s really important that the players’ minds are clear and free to make the right call for them. If it’s being on a hockey team and going into the hub city and feeling comfortable, that’s all we want.”
Before the season came to an abrupt halt because of the coronavirus, the Islanders had a 35-23-10 record, ranking sixth in the Metropolitan Division. Though most of the players were off the ice for three or four months, Martin said he is confident of the Islanders’ chances to win the Stanley Cup.
“We sign contracts, we’ve got a job to do, and this is the most fun time to play,” Martin said. “Hopefully, when this is all said and done, I’ll be able to drop Winnie on top of the Stanley Cup and take a picture.”
While having his family join his journey throughout the playoffs would be a perfect scenario, they may not be able to.
“I’m not sure Sydney will come for conference finals,” Martin said. “It’s a fluid situation, not ideal, but life goes on. It’s part of life. I’m doing my job and hopefully doing it effectively.”
Once Martin posted the world’s first photos of Winnie on Wednesday, Boomer Esiason, Sydney’s father and a former NFL quarterback, was quick to comment on the colors of the baby’s blanket.
“Love the red, white and blue stripes on the blanket! that’s my girl!” Esiason, an unabashed Rangers’ fan, tweeted.
Martin didn’t immediately reply to the tweet, but he confirmed he will be responding to his father-in-law.
“Yeah, I got an answer for him today on Twitter, don’t worry,” Martin said. “We’ll straighten that out today, but he’s been great. I think he’s excited for us, we’re all very excited to have Winnie here.”
Sure enough, Martin did reply later on Friday, tweeting a picture of Winnie with an Islanders logo on her pajamas with this message: “You seem confused @7BOOMERESIASON, so let me clear it up for you. #LGI.”
The Islanders will kick off the playoffs in Toronto against the Panthers on Aug. 1 at 4 p.m.


newyorkpost--2020-07-18--Harness trainer sets sights on fifth Meadowlands Pace title

In Saturday ’ s $ 636,650 Meadowlands Pace , trainer Brett Pelling is looking for one for the thumb .
Pelling has won the prestigious race for 3-year-olds at the Meadowlands a record four times , and this year has two good chances to get the fifth .
Pelling ’ s prolific pair , Allywag Hanover ( 9-2 , post 4 ) and Papi Rob Hanover ( 4-1 , post 9 ) , will look to beat morning-line favorite Tall Dark Stranger ( 7-5 , post 5 ) .
“ It should come down to a dogfight in the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meant to happen and if it ’ s anything other than that I ’ d be disappointed in the race , ” Pelling said .
Because of the coronavirus pandemic , this year ’ s Pace competitors have had only half as many seasonal starts at this point , but Pelling is happy with Allywag ’ s progression and is confident in his driver , Tim Tetrick .
“ There ’ s no better driver in a money race , ” Pelling said .
The Hall of Famer Tetrick has won the Pace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ active drivers .
John Campbell holds the Pace record of seven .
Tetrick confirmed Tall Dark Stranger is the one to beat and agrees with Pelling that even though Allywag has won all three of his starts this year , he has yet to be tested , giving him a good shot to win .
“ I ’ ve had some great luck in [ the Pace ] and gotten to drive some great horses .
To win my sixth would be pretty astronomical , especially before the age of 40 , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pace is race 9 on a 13-race card that gets underway at 6:30 p.m. and the scheduled post time for the Pace is 10:05 p.m .

In Saturday’s $636,650 Meadowlands Pace, trainer Brett Pelling is looking for one for the thumb.
Pelling has won the prestigious race for 3-year-olds at the Meadowlands a record four times, and this year has two good chances to get the fifth.
Pelling’s prolific pair, Allywag Hanover (9-2, post 4) and Papi Rob Hanover (4-1, post 9), will look to beat morning-line favorite Tall Dark Stranger (7-5, post 5).
“It should come down to a dogfight in the last eighth. That’s what is meant to happen and if it’s anything other than that I’d be disappointed in the race,” Pelling said.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s Pace competitors have had only half as many seasonal starts at this point, but Pelling is happy with Allywag’s progression and is confident in his driver, Tim Tetrick.
“There’s no better driver in a money race,” Pelling said.
The Hall of Famer Tetrick has won the Pace five times, the most for all active drivers. John Campbell holds the Pace record of seven.
Tetrick confirmed Tall Dark Stranger is the one to beat and agrees with Pelling that even though Allywag has won all three of his starts this year, he has yet to be tested, giving him a good shot to win.
“I’ve had some great luck in [the Pace] and gotten to drive some great horses. To win my sixth would be pretty astronomical, especially before the age of 40,” said Tetrick, 38.
The Meadowlands Pace is race 9 on a 13-race card that gets underway at 6:30 p.m. and the scheduled post time for the Pace is 10:05 p.m.


newyorkpost--2020-07-18--UK Theatres and music venues to reopen August 1st

England prepares to raise the curtain on theaters , music venues The United Kingdom announced Friday that all indoor performance spaces , including theatres and music venues , can start performances on August 1 providing they follow new social distancing rules .
According to Variety , the news was announced by Secretary of State for Digital , Culture , Media and Sport , Oliver Dowden via Twitter .
“ The U.K. ’ s performing arts sector is renowned across the world and I am pleased that we are making real progress in getting its doors reopened to the public with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
“ From August indoor theaters , music venues and performance spaces will safely welcome audiences back across the country , ” he said .
“ Delighted indoor performances can resume from 1 August !
Socially distanced audiences for now but we hope to build towards full audiences very soon , ” tweeted Julian Bird , CEO of the Society of London Theatre .
• Reduce venue capacity and limit ticket sales to ensure social distancing can be maintained • Sell tickets online instead of at box offices , and encourage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and help with potential contact tracing efforts .
• Have clearly communicated social distancing marking in place in areas where lines form and adopt a limited entry approach .
• Schedule performances to allow sufficient time to undertake deep cleaning before the next audience arrives .
• Encourage performers , conductors and musicians to observe social distancing wherever possible .
The news was met with applause from many in England ’ s entertainment industry , though others advised caution .
“ Alongside the support package and performing arts guidance announced last week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ direction , but for most theaters it will not be economically viable to reopen with 30-40 % audience required under social distancing , ” says the Director of Theatres Trust , Jon Morgan .
“ We now need to progress as quickly as possible to an announcement on the all-important Stage 5 , allowing theaters to reopen fully with the appropriate safety measures .
Without this most theaters can not reopen viably .
”

England prepares to raise the curtain on theaters, music venues
The United Kingdom announced Friday that all indoor performance spaces, including theatres and music venues, can start performances on August 1 providing they follow new social distancing rules.
According to Variety, the news was announced by Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Oliver Dowden via Twitter.
“The U.K.’s performing arts sector is renowned across the world and I am pleased that we are making real progress in getting its doors reopened to the public with social distancing,” Dowden said in a statement.
“From August indoor theaters, music venues and performance spaces will safely welcome audiences back across the country,” he said.
“Delighted indoor performances can resume from 1 August! Socially distanced audiences for now but we hope to build towards full audiences very soon,” tweeted Julian Bird, CEO of the Society of London Theatre.
To stay open, venues must:
Reduce venue capacity and limit ticket sales to ensure social distancing can be maintained
Sell tickets online instead of at box offices, and encourage the use of e-tickets to reduce contact and help with potential contact tracing efforts.
Have clearly communicated social distancing marking in place in areas where lines form and adopt a limited entry approach.
Increase deep cleaning of auditoriums.
Schedule performances to allow sufficient time to undertake deep cleaning before the next audience arrives.
Encourage performers, conductors and musicians to observe social distancing wherever possible.
The news was met with applause from many in England’s entertainment industry, though others advised caution.
“Alongside the support package and performing arts guidance announced last week, this is a step in the right direction, but for most theaters it will not be economically viable to reopen with 30-40% audience required under social distancing,” says the Director of Theatres Trust, Jon Morgan.
“We now need to progress as quickly as possible to an announcement on the all-important Stage 5, allowing theaters to reopen fully with the appropriate safety measures. Without this most theaters cannot reopen viably.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-18--Seton Hall’s Kevin Willard: Don’t delay college hoops season

The college football dominoes continue to fall .
After the Ivy ...

Waiting is not the best policy in this situation, Kevin Willard believes.
As more and more conferences postpone fall sports, football season hangs in the balance and talk has picked up of possibly delaying the college basketball season until Jan. 1 — Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino has now twice tweeted that suggestion — Willard thinks that would be a mistake.
“I do not agree with pushing it back, because I think we’re missing a window,” the Seton Hall coach, who is part of the Big East COVID-19 Task Force, told The Post. “Every school has said after Thanksgiving there will be no one on campus, so why would we not take advantage of having no one on campus? It’s almost like being in a bubble and being able to have almost no interaction with any of the students. It’s probably the safest time to play.
“Sitting back and waiting for flu season and waiting for kids to come back on campus is idiotic.”
Willard’s suggestion is playing a conference-only season of 26 or so games in the Big East and starting the season in November. It would take advantage of students being away and also give the league wiggle room if games had to be postponed. The Big East has already moved to playing only conference games in fall sports. The only way Willard would be in favor of non-conference games is if other conferences had similar “strict” testing, safety and travel protocols as the Big East is still in the process of formulating.
“I have to make sure the team I’m playing against is doing the same exact thing I’m doing,” he said.
When asked if he has shared his feelings that Pitino — who he served as an assistant under at Louisville from 2001-07 — is wrong, Willard joked: “I would never tell my old boss that.”
He has told Big East higher-ups and other coaches about his ideas, which a source said were not shot down. No decision has to be made yet. There is plenty of time. Willard said the conference has discussed several plans and is being smart by waiting. He just hopes the season doesn’t get postponed until January. Willard doesn’t see a reward for waiting.
“I think that’s a big mistake. Where is the virus going to go? Vacation? Go skiing?” he asked rhetorically. “Why not take advantage when no one’s on campus. It’s a great opportunity to make sure you can really isolate. As basketball players and teams, we’re used to being on campus by ourselves. We do that for a month on Christmas break. You’re going to send your kids home and then they’re going to be around their families. And then you’re going to have them come back. You’re going to have to isolate them and test them again. … It makes no sense. They’re here. Put your protocols in, put your testing in and play games.”