newyorkpost--2020-11-22--Colorado lawmakers set sights on future Space Command headquarters

Colorado Springs would be an ideal location for future Space Command headquarters , say lawmakers in the Centennial State .
Last week the Department of the Air Force announced the six candidate locations being considered for the headquarters of the US Space Command .
The six locations include Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs , Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico , Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska , Patrick Air Force Base in Florida , Port San Antonio , Texas ; and Redstone Army Airfield in Alabama , the Department of the Air Force said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently the Command ’ s provisional headquarters .
The long-term Space Command headquarters will be selected in early 2021 .
Virtual and on-site visits will now be conducted at the six candidate locations before the headquarters site is chosen , according to the Department of the Air Force .
“ Colorado is the perfect place for @ US_SpaceCom ’ s permanent home and is well prepared to make its final pitch during the upcoming site visits , ” tweeted Republican Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner .
“ I am of course very happy Peterson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a finalist candidate to be the permanent home of U.S. Space Command , but I can ’ t say I ’ m surprised , ” said Republican Rep. Doug Lamborn , who represents Colorado Springs , in a statement emailed to Fox News .
“ Colorado Springs is America ’ s center of excellence for national security space , and has cultivated space warfighters and the supporting industrial base for decades .
In fact , the space-related industry and academic ecosystem throughout the Front Range is a unique asset to the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head-and-shoulders above any other candidate.
” Earlier this year the Department of the Air Force said that it wants the headquarters location to rate 50 or higher on the AARP livability index and be in the top 150 metro areas .
“ Colorado Springs is without question the ideal location to serve as the permanent home of U.S. Space Command considering our incredible quality of life , five military installations , significant existing talent base , and experience as a community that has long supported the U.S. Armed Forces , ” said Colorado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emailed to Fox News .
“ Along with these assets , we also already have the infrastructure to house this operation , and much of USSPACECOM ’ s future leadership will be trained right here at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
” “ We ’ re thrilled that Colorado Springs has advanced in the process , ” added Reggie Ash , chief defense development officer at Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC .
“ Our community is committed to space and this announcement contributes to our mission to maintain our status as a national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ center of gravity of national security space ; and we have the military assets , infrastructure , and professional space workforce to support the breadth of U.S. Space Command ’ s operations.
” Space Force made its first launch earlier this year when it sent a military satellite into space from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida .

Colorado Springs would be an ideal location for future Space Command headquarters, say lawmakers in the Centennial State.
Last week the Department of the Air Force announced the six candidate locations being considered for the headquarters of the US Space Command.
The six locations include Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico, Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, Patrick Air Force Base in Florida, Port San Antonio, Texas; and Redstone Army Airfield in Alabama, the Department of the Air Force said in a statement.
Peterson Air Force Base is currently the Command’s provisional headquarters. The long-term Space Command headquarters will be selected in early 2021.
Virtual and on-site visits will now be conducted at the six candidate locations before the headquarters site is chosen, according to the Department of the Air Force.
“Colorado is the perfect place for @US_SpaceCom’s permanent home and is well prepared to make its final pitch during the upcoming site visits,” tweeted Republican Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner.
“I am of course very happy Peterson Air Force Base has been selected as a finalist candidate to be the permanent home of U.S. Space Command, but I can’t say I’m surprised,” said Republican Rep. Doug Lamborn, who represents Colorado Springs, in a statement emailed to Fox News. “Colorado Springs is America’s center of excellence for national security space, and has cultivated space warfighters and the supporting industrial base for decades. In fact, the space-related industry and academic ecosystem throughout the Front Range is a unique asset to the United States, and puts the state of Colorado head-and-shoulders above any other candidate.”
Earlier this year the Department of the Air Force said that it wants the headquarters location to rate 50 or higher on the AARP livability index and be in the top 150 metro areas.
“Colorado Springs is without question the ideal location to serve as the permanent home of U.S. Space Command considering our incredible quality of life, five military installations, significant existing talent base, and experience as a community that has long supported the U.S. Armed Forces,” said Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers in a statement emailed to Fox News. “Along with these assets, we also already have the infrastructure to house this operation, and much of USSPACECOM’s future leadership will be trained right here at the U.S. Air Force Academy.”
“We’re thrilled that Colorado Springs has advanced in the process,” added Reggie Ash, chief defense development officer at Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC. “Our community is committed to space and this announcement contributes to our mission to maintain our status as a national defense leader. Colorado Springs is the center of gravity of national security space; and we have the military assets, infrastructure, and professional space workforce to support the breadth of U.S. Space Command’s operations.”
Space Force made its first launch earlier this year when it sent a military satellite into space from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.


newyorkpost--2020-11-22--It’s hard not to feel sorry for these Jets

All the Jets fans rooting for the team to be ...

Week by week, game by game, there is an inevitability that descends around these Jets football games, and this Jets season. It is a myth that everyone who roots for the Jets is now actively rooting for 0-16; it goes against every fiber of the fan’s code to feel that way. People may say they want 0-16. But nobody wants that on their fan’s résumé.
In the same way we have learned to minimize polling during political campaigns because the answers people may give often vary in reality to what they actually feel, it’s the same with Jets fans who spend Monday mornings celebrating loss after loss with a straight face.
(NOTE: This isn’t to say they are DISAPPOINTED with the losses. But there has to be a part of you — call it muscle memory, call it habit — that enjoyed the blocked punt that set up the early 6-0 lead Sunday, that enjoyed the goal-line turnover that kept it that way an extra few seconds, that wanted to throw your shoe at the TV screen when Joe Flacco’s pick-six restored a sense of order to the day. You don’t have to admit that out loud, of course.)
It would be helpful if the Jaguars would win another game. That would change the dynamic of this Jets season, which sits now at 0-10 following this 34-28 loss to the Chargers in Los Angeles. The Jaguars gave the Packers 59 ½ minutes of worry last week before succumbing. They led 3-0 against the Steelers Sunday before Pittsburgh slapped itself back into reality.
It would also be helpful if we could reach a 1-and-1A consensus about Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, one that might make him every bit as appealing as Trevor Lawrence, the Clemson quarterback who is the object of so many Jets fans’ affections. But Fields had a relatively ordinary day against Indiana on Saturday. Lawrence remains the gold standard. Lawrence is The Target. Lawrence is The Guy.
And the folks in Jacksonville surely feel that way, too.
So there really is a logic attached to betraying your fan’s instincts. There really is some sense that goes along with taking Flacco’s pick-six quite in stride, that allows you to laugh off the two botched extra points, that permits you to breathe a sigh of relief when the Jets’ last-ditch effort at two-minute glory died in a desperate heave near the goal line.
“We tried our best to get it done,” Jets running back Frank Gore said, “but it just didn’t happen.”
Week by week, game by game, this is the part of the equation that has to, at the least, temper your enthusiasm at the losing. These weekly humblings destroy these players. They eat away at them. Gore has had a long and distinguished career that doesn’t deserve its final chapter to be 0-16.
“We think about that every day,” Gore said. “We’ve got to get one. Especially if this is my last season … I can’t go out like that. We’ve got to get … one …”
Flacco was a Super Bowl MVP not so very long ago; he certainly doesn’t deserve 0-16 on his dossier. None of them do. It is usually more than a little pitiful and pitiable to credit professional athletes of any sport with playing hard, with showing up, with not phoning in games and seasons.
That’s supposed to be part of the compact when you sign on to be a “professional.” You’re paid to work hard. You’re paid to care. Nobody should throw a parade for clearing such a low bar. Yet it is impossible not to feel something — empathy, sympathy, compassion — for the 53 men who are 0-for-10 so far this season.
You want to crush the coach? He’s fair game.
Want to destroy the GM? Have at him.
Want to eviscerate the owners? They have it coming.
But it is almost impossible to wish 0-16 on these players. In a just world the Jaguars will win one of their final six games and make it easier for you (they get the Bears at home in Week 16; maybe it can happen then). If that happens, you can resume your role as a fanatical optimist for at least one week, and allow yourself to root for 1-15. That’s still not a record anyone wants to water ski behind. But it beats 0-16. The players don’t want that.
And admit it: deep down, in a place where you keep your own counsel, neither do you.


newyorkpost--2020-11-22--Dabo Swinney blasts Florida State for COVID-19 postponement: ‘Just an excuse’

In what was a rant only fit for 2020 , Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney accused heavy-underdog Florida State of using the coronavirus as an excuse to get out of Saturday ’ s game , which was postponed just hours before kickoff .
Swinney learned the night before that one of his players had tested positive for COVID-19 , and medical personnel from both schools could not agree it was safe to play the game set in Tallahassee , Fla. “ This game was not canceled because of COVID , ” Swiney told reporters on Sunday .
“ COVID was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And to be honest with you , I don ’ t think it has anything to do with their players .
I have no doubt that their players wanted to play , and would have played .
And same with the coaches .
To me , the Florida State administration forfeited the game.
” The pandemic has upended college football all season , leading to postponements and conferences starting to play games at different times , though a coach eviscerating an opponent for pulling out of a game seemed to be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clemson followed all COVID-related protocols , implying that Florida State was afraid to play in the game because it was 35-point underdogs , according to sportsbooks .
The player , an unidentified backup offensive lineman , had displayed what Swinney called “ mild ” symptoms during the week despite continuing to test negative for the virus until Friday .
But testing for the coronavirus is not considered perfect and carriers could still be contagious regardless of the symptoms they show .
Florida State athletic director David Coburn told the Associated Press that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ decided it wasn ’ t safe to play today.
” Saturday was supposed to mark the return of star Clemson quarterback and likely first-overall 2021 NFL Draft pick Trevor Lawrence , who missed the previous two weeks after testing positive for COVID-19 .
Swiney , whose No .
4 Tigers are fighting for a spot in the College Football Playoff , argued that Florida State should have never pulled out of the game because Boston College still faced Clemson even after Lawrence tested positive for the virus three days before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ except for Thursday , ” Swinney said , “ and BC didn ’ t have any problem coming down here to play.
” “ So now we ’ re changing the rules ?
You either trust the test or you don ’ t , ” Swinney said .
“ If the test is negative , we ’ re going to tell guys they can ’ t play anyway ?
That ’ s why we test .
If a guy has an earache or a runny nose and tests negative all week , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t take you ?
You either trust the test or you don ’ t and the rules are what they are .
There ’ s been plenty of games played this year where guys were not positive one week and positive the next week .
This is a virus .
We all know what we ’ re dealing with .
The bottom line is the rules were put in play for everyone and we more than met the standard.
” Before Swiney ’ s tirade Florida State said it hoped to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unclear whether the teams will be able to schedule another game given their respective schedules .
“ We were there .
We were ready .
We met the standards to play , ” Swinney said .
“ In my opinion they forfeited the game .
That ’ s $ 300,000 [ in travel costs ] that ’ s gone out the window .
… If the standard to play was zero positive tests , we never would ’ ve had a season .
”

In what was a rant only fit for 2020, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney accused heavy-underdog Florida State of using the coronavirus as an excuse to get out of Saturday’s game, which was postponed just hours before kickoff.
Swinney learned the night before that one of his players had tested positive for COVID-19, and medical personnel from both schools could not agree it was safe to play the game set in Tallahassee, Fla.
“This game was not canceled because of COVID,” Swinney told reporters on Sunday. “COVID was just an excuse to cancel the game. And to be honest with you, I don’t think it has anything to do with their players. I have no doubt that their players wanted to play, and would have played. And same with the coaches. To me, the Florida State administration forfeited the game.”
The pandemic has upended college football all season, leading to postponements and conferences starting to play games at different times, though a coach eviscerating an opponent for pulling out of a game seemed to be a first of its kind.
Swinney said Clemson followed all COVID-related protocols, implying that Florida State was afraid to play in the game because it was 35-point underdogs, according to sportsbooks.
The player, an unidentified backup offensive lineman, had displayed what Swinney called “mild” symptoms during the week despite continuing to test negative for the virus until Friday.
But testing for the coronavirus is not considered perfect and carriers could still be contagious regardless of the symptoms they show.
Florida State athletic director David Coburn told the Associated Press that “we listened to our medical folks” and “decided it wasn’t safe to play today.”
Saturday was supposed to mark the return of star Clemson quarterback and likely first-overall 2021 NFL Draft pick Trevor Lawrence, who missed the previous two weeks after testing positive for COVID-19.
Swinney, whose No. 4 Tigers are fighting for a spot in the College Football Playoff, argued that Florida State should have never pulled out of the game because Boston College still faced Clemson even after Lawrence tested positive for the virus three days before the matchup.
“Trevor practiced all week except for Thursday,” Swinney said, “and BC didn’t have any problem coming down here to play.”
“So now we’re changing the rules? You either trust the test or you don’t,” Swinney said. “If the test is negative, we’re going to tell guys they can’t play anyway? That’s why we test. If a guy has an earache or a runny nose and tests negative all week, and we’re going to say we won’t take you? You either trust the test or you don’t and the rules are what they are. There’s been plenty of games played this year where guys were not positive one week and positive the next week. This is a virus. We all know what we’re dealing with. The bottom line is the rules were put in play for everyone and we more than met the standard.”
Lawrence also seemed ticked off by Florida State’s decision, tweeting, “Man, we were ready to play.”
Before Swinney’s tirade Florida State said it hoped to play Clemson in December but it is unclear whether the teams will be able to schedule another game given their respective schedules.
“We were there. We were ready. We met the standards to play,” Swinney said. “In my opinion they forfeited the game. That’s $300,000 [in travel costs] that’s gone out the window. … If the standard to play was zero positive tests, we never would’ve had a season.”


newyorkpost--2020-11-22--NYC’s law legalizing e-scooters officially goes into effect on Monday

In what may be news to electric scooter riders who have been flooding Big Apple streets for months now — the devices will officially become legal Monday , under laws passed by the City Council months ago .
The council had voted on June 25 to allow e-scooters that can travel up to 20 mph and bicycles with electric motors that can travel up to 25 mph across New York City , in a win for food delivery workers and transportation advocates .
Councilman Fernando Cabrera ( D-The Bronx ) , the main sponsor of the legislation , at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strides toward achieving transit equity , social justice , accessibility and environmental protection.
” The city had already stopped cracking down on the devices during the pandemic .
Another bill passed by the council in June required the Department of Transportation to set up a Citi Bike-style e-scooter share pilot program outside of Manhattan , which is expected to launch in March .
E-scooter companies including Lime , Bird , Lyft and Spin are expected to compete for spots in the city ’ s program .
Some officials have expressed worries about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even side-swiped Mayor Bill de Blasio in September .

In what may be news to electric scooter riders who have been flooding Big Apple streets for months now, the devices will officially become legal Monday, under laws passed by the City Council months ago.
The council had voted on June 25 to allow e-scooters that can travel up to 20 mph and bicycles with electric motors that can travel up to 25 mph across New York City, in a win for food delivery workers and transportation advocates.
Councilman Fernando Cabrera (D-Bronx), the main sponsor of the legislation, at the time hailed it as making “great strides toward achieving transit equity, social justice, accessibility and environmental protection.”
The city had already stopped cracking down on the devices during the pandemic.
Another bill passed by the council in June required the Department of Transportation to set up a Citi Bike-style e-scooter share pilot program outside of Manhattan, which is expected to launch in March.
E-scooter companies including Lime, Bird, Lyft and Spin are expected to compete for spots in the city’s program.
Some officials have expressed worries about the safety of e-scooters — one of which even sideswiped Mayor Bill de Blasio in September.


newyorkpost--2020-11-22--Knicks don’t waste time trading Ed Davis to Timberwolves

The Knicks continued to use veteran journeyman Ed Davis to gather assets .
Acquired for two second-round picks last week @ @ @ @ @ $ 5 million pact was shipped to Minnesota for a future second-round pick , sweet-shooting @ @ @ @ @ Jacob Evans .
That gives the Knicks 16 players for 15 roster spots , so @ @ @ @ @ likely be cut .
Spellman , formerly of Villanova , figures to be the keeper @ @ @ @ @ the first round in 2018 , Spellman played 49 games for Golden State last season @ @ @ @ @ for Atlanta .
The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 7.6 points for Golden State and shot 39.1 @ @ @ @ @ Evans , who played at Cincinnati , appeared in two games for the Timberwolves last @ @ @ @ @ accumulated four future second-round picks since draft night .
Transactions involving Davis have accounted for @ @

The Knicks continued to use veteran journeyman Ed Davis to gather assets.
Acquired last week from Utah along with two second-round picks as sweetener, Davis’ $5 million pact was shipped to Minnesota for another future second-round pick, sweet-shooting big man Omari Spellman and Jacob Evans.
That gives the Knicks 16 players for 15 roster spots, so one of the two will likely be cut. Spellman, formerly of Villanova, figures to be the keeper. The Knicks believe Spellman is a solid prospect as a stretch four who hasn’t reached potential because of fitness issues. The last pick of the first round in 2018, Spellman played 49 games for Golden State last season after playing his rookie year for Atlanta.
The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 7.6 points for Golden State and shot 39.1 percent from 3-point range. Evans, who played at Cincinnati, appeared in two games for the Timberwolves last season.
The Knicks have accumulated four future second-round picks since draft night. Transactions involving Davis have accounted for three.


newyorkpost--2020-11-22--Two women dead in fire at Upper Manhattan high-rise apartment building

Two women were killed in a fire at an Upper Manhattan high-rise apartment building early Sunday morning , authorities said @ @ @ @ @ 37 and 73 , suffered smoke inhalation from the blaze that broke out just after @ @ @ @ @ apartment at a building on Audubon Avenue near West 178th Street in Washington Heights , @ @ @ @ @ were taken to nearby hospitals , but could not be saved , cops said .
@ @ @ @ @ released .
No other injuries were reported in the fire .
The cause of the @ @ @ @ @

Two women were killed in a fire at an Upper Manhattan high-rise apartment building early Sunday morning, authorities said.
The victims, ages 37 and 73, suffered smoke inhalation from the blaze that broke out just after midnight in a 24th floor apartment at a building on Audubon Avenue near West 178th Street in Washington Heights, police said.
Both women were taken to nearby hospitals, but could not be saved, cops said. Their names were not immediately released.
No other injuries were reported in the fire. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.


newyorkpost--2020-11-22--Armed robber arrested after sticking-up Midtown food delivery worker

An armed robber was busted by police Sunday morning shortly after allegedly stealing food from a delivery worker outside of @ @ @ @ @ , sources said .
Trevon Blunt , 25 , stuck up the food delivery worker @ @ @ @ @ food joint located on 8th Avenue near West 44th Street at about 9 a.m. , @ @ @ @ @ .
Blunt , who lives at a Brooklyn homeless shelter , barked “ that ’ @ @ @ @ @ flashing a black handgun inside his jacket , sources said .
The delivery worker told @ @ @ @ @ his , but handed over the food after seeing the firearm , according to sources @ @ @ @ @ grub eastbound on West 44th Street and the victim followed .
During the chase , @ @ @ @ @ joined in and caught Blunt inside the 42nd Street-Bryant Park station , according to sources @ @ @ @ @ a loaded .380 caliber Ruger pistol from Blunt ’ s jacket , sources said .
@ @ @ @ @ possession , robbery , menacing and criminal possession of stolen property .

An armed robber was busted by police Sunday morning shortly after allegedly stealing food from a delivery worker outside of a Midtown McDonald’s, sources said.
Trevon Blunt, 25, stuck up the food delivery worker in front of the fast food joint located on 8th Avenue near West 44th Street at about 9 a.m., according to law enforcement sources.
Blunt, who lives at a Brooklyn homeless shelter, barked “that’s my delivery” before flashing a black handgun inside his jacket, sources said.
The delivery worker told Blunt the order was not his, but handed over the food after seeing the firearm, according to sources.
Blunt fled with the grub eastbound on West 44th Street and the victim followed.
During the chase, the victim alerted police who joined in and caught Blunt inside the 42nd Street-Bryant Park station, according to sources.
Police say they recovered a loaded .380 caliber Ruger pistol from Blunt’s jacket, sources said.
Blunt was charged with weapons possession, robbery, menacing and criminal possession of stolen property.


newyorkpost--2020-11-22--Jets nearly complete stunning comeback as futility hits new low

Week by week , game by game , there is an inevitability ...

All the Jets fans rooting for the team to be competitive but lose are getting exactly what they want lately.
The Jets nearly overcame an 18-point halftime deficit and made things interesting in a 34-28 loss to the Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday.
The loss dropped the dismal Jets to 0-10 for the first time in franchise history. They are now two losses away from tying the longest losing streak in franchise history (12), set over the 1995-96 seasons.
The loss is good news for Jets fans hoping for the No. 1 pick and the chance to draft Clemson star Trevor Lawrence. But it is another dismal week for the current Jets, who had hope late after playing a terrible first half.
Against a Jets secondary that had three rookie starters, Chargers rookie quarterback Justin Herbert looked unstoppable for most of the day. He completed 37 of 49 passes for 366 yards and three touchdowns. He connected with wide receiver Keenan Allen for 16 receptions, 145 yards and one touchdown.
Jets veteran quarterback Joe Flacco struggled early but found a rhythm in the second half. He wound up 15 of 30 for 205 yards, two touchdowns and one interception that was returned for a touchdown.
Flacco had a chance to orchestrate a game-tying drive with 2:48 left, but fell short. The Jets got the ball back at their own 46 after a defensive stand, trailing 34-26. A roughing the passer penalty on Chargers star Joey Bosa put the Jets at the Chargers’ 33. They advanced one more yard, but no further. Flacco’s fourth-and-9 heave to Denzel Mims fell incomplete at the goal line.
It appeared from TV that Adam Gase took back play-calling duties from Dowell Loggains in the second half. If he did, Gase orchestrated three touchdown drives to give the Jets some life after trailing 24-6 at halftime.
After playing conservatively in the first half, the Jets finally took a deep shot on their first drive of the third quarter and Flacco hit Breshad Perriman for a 49-yard touchdown. It was Perriman’s first catch of the day. The bomb with 11:27 left in the third quarter cut the Chargers’ lead to 24-13. Perriman beat cornerback Casey Hayward.
The long touchdown provided some hope the Jets might be able to make the game interesting, but that hope was diminished quickly. Herbert led the Chargers on a 12-play, 75-yard drive that was capped with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Allen for a 31-13 lead.
The Jets scored again on a 10-play, 60-yard drive that was aided by Chargers penalties. Frank Gore plunged in from the 1-yard line for his first touchdown as a Jet. Rookie Denzel Mims starred on the series, though, drawing two penalties and making one really nice catch along the sideline. Sam Ficken missed his second extra point of the game, leaving the score at 31-19.
A 23-yard field goal from Michael Badgley pushed the Chargers’ lead to 34-19 with 6:42 left in the game.
That left the Jets with some life and Gang Green put together a nine-play, 64-yard drive that was finished off with Flacco hitting tight end Chris Herndon for a 6-yard touchdown with 4 minutes left in the game. Herndon’s first touchdown of the season left the Jets down 34-26 with hope of their first win of the season.
The defense, which struggled all day, then held the Chargers to a three-and-out, giving the offense the ball back with 2:48 left to play.
The Jets got off to a hot start in the game, but it did not last long.
The defense forced a punt from the Chargers on their opening drive of the game and Jets defensive end Henry Anderson blocked the Ty Long punt and Quinnen Williams jumped on it for the Jets at the Chargers’ 29.
The Jets rode Gore inside the 10 on three rushes for 24 yards and then rookie La’Mical Perine scored his second touchdown of the season, running it in from the 5. Ficken, who missed the last three games with a groin injury, missed the extra point and the Jets’ lead was 6-0.
Los Angeles got the ball back and moved down the field, but Jets safety Marcus Maye hit Allen at the 1 and forced a fumble that fellow safety Ashtyn Davis jumped on to give the ball back to the Jets.
The Jets had all the momentum on their side but Flacco handed it back to the Chargers. On their first play after the fumble, Flacco threw an awful pass intended for Jamison Crowder that Chargers cornerback Teavaughn Campbell intercepted in the flat and returned 6 yards for a touchdown and a 7-6 lead.
The rest of the first half was all Chargers.
The Jets looked hopeless with their secondary in tatters. They started three rookies in their secondary with Ashtyn Davis at safety along with Lamar Jackson and Bryce Hall at cornerback. They also had backup cornerback Arthur Maulet starting in place of Brian Poole, who is done for the season after having shoulder surgery.
Herbert, the talented rookie, had a field day against the Jets secondary. He hit Williams for a 39-yard touchdown and a 14-6 lead after some poor tackling by the Jets.
Herbert found the end zone for a second time on a 2-yard scoring pass to tight end Hunter Henry.


newyorkpost--2020-11-22--Sorry, there’s nothing outrageous about trying to convert others to your faith

A Brooklyn pottery business refused to let in residents from ...

The Daily Beast reports ominously that Madison Cawthorn, the North Carolina Republican who will soon become the youngest-ever member of Congress, “has admitted he tried to convert Jews and Muslims to Christianity.” So what?
As a Jew, I’ve had several Christian friends try to turn me toward Jesus. I assume that they wouldn’t be very good Christians if they weren’t spreading the Gospel. It is, from what I gather, one of the central premises of the enterprise. Indeed, I’m often surprised at how shy Christians are at this task.
I am flattered by the attention. And as a person in possession of free will, I am also unconcerned. Never once have I found such efforts to be “anti-Semitic.” The very universality of the endeavor tells me it isn’t. I simply assume that my friends are troubled that I have forsaken salvation. Maybe they’re right. I’ll find out soon enough.
The notion that Jews should be offended by Christians approaching us with theological ideas is un-American. Trust me, Jews aren’t helpless in the face of arguments. And unlike progressives — who try to force nuns to fund abortions — no Christian has ever tried to coerce me to perform his rites.
In an interview with Jewish Insider, Cawthorn claims to have converted “several Muslims.” When asked if he had ever tried to convert Jews, he answered: “I have, unsuccessfully. I have switched a lot of, uh, you know, I guess, culturally Jewish people. But being a practicing Jew, like, people who are religious about it, they are very difficult. I’ve had a hard time connecting with them in that way.”
Indeed, religious Jews are notoriously difficult to convert, since the entire notion of a Second Coming is incompatible with their beliefs. Jews have spent a few thousand years stubbornly resisting this sort of pressure. Proselytism is somewhat of a foreign concept to Orthodox Jews, as they are commanded to push away newcomers.
But all the feigned anger directed at Cawthorn is about smearing evangelical Christians — and little do with anti-Semitism. I know this, because many of the very people who pretend to be insulted for Jewish people are constantly excusing genuine anti-Semitism.
“This is a really anti-Semitic thing to say,” says the theatrical Chris Hayes of Cawthorn. “And the entire GOP should condemn it. But of course, they won’t, and I’m willing to bet it gets one-20th of the coverage of [Rep. Ilhan] Omar’s tweet. And this speaks to something pretty profound about . . . whose ‘extremism’ gets attention.”
Anyone with a rudimentary understanding of Christianity knows that it isn’t “extreme” to spread the Gospel. One can’t say the same for those who single out Jews as being bestowed with uniquely “evil” ability to hypnotize the world or to buy off Christians with their “Benjamins.” Apologists for Ilhan Omar, for Hamas, for the Holocaust-denying Iranian terror regime are, at best, functionally anti-Semitic. “Anti-Zionism,” not belief in the Trinity, is the predominant justification for violence against Jews around the world.
Yes, I understand that many evangelicals support Israel, in part, because they believe it is necessary for the fulfillment of end-times prophecy. Since I don’t share their theology, I am completely unbothered by this position.
Those about to fire off e-mails with refresher courses on the history of European Jewry, please save your efforts. For more than a century now, attacks on Jews have predominantly emanated from secular fascists and leftists, Arab nationalists and Islamists — not Christians spreading the good word. It is in secular France, where gruesome murders of Jews are now an annual event, that men can’t wear yarmulkes in public. And rest assured, it isn’t because of Mormon missionaries. An American Jew is far more likely to encounter anti-Semitism on progressive campuses than anywhere else in this country. If an evangelical Christian approaches you while saying, “God is good!” the only thing you are likely to lose is your time.


newyorkpost--2020-11-22--Killing monthly MetroCards is the wrong way to fix the MTA

Scrapping unlimited MetroCards and increasing the cost of a swipe ...

The state-controlled Metropolitan Transportation Authority has a lot of problems — and will need a Joe Biden bailout. But the MTA does control a big part of its own fate: fare and toll increases. Yes, it needs to raise fares and tolls. But no, it shouldn’t eliminate monthly subway and bus passes to raise revenue, as it suggested last week. That would undo two decades’ worth of urban progress.
At last week’s board meeting, the authority showed a $6.1 billion funding shortfall for 2021, well more than a third of next year’s $16.1 billion budget.
The MTA’s problem: Seven out of 10 of its regular riders are still missing, worse on commuter rail. Even the smartest of budget cuts can’t fix this — and you know the MTA, because it won’t take on its powerful labor unions, won’t make smart budget cuts.
The MTA proposes to fill part of the gap — $148 million — with a fare increase on subways and buses and a toll increase on bridges and tunnels.
One part of this is fine, if not great: Raise tolls on bridges and tunnels by 8 percent, to an average of $6.70 one way.
Though people are using all modes of transportation to a lesser degree during the pandemic, they are still driving around more than they are taking the subways and buses. Last week, bridge and tunnel traffic on MTA crossings, like the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, was down by “only” 16 percent compared to 2019, while subway traffic was down by 70 percent.
Someone who can afford the monthly upkeep on a car can better afford a toll hike than can someone who is taking the subway or a bus.
But what about subway and bus fares? The MTA might raise fares by 9 percent, increasing the base $2.75 fare to nearly $3. But the MTA is offering an “out”: Instead of increasing the per-ride fare, it would eliminate 30-day passes, currently $127.
Larry Schwartz, a board member appointed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, justifies this on the grounds that the “casual rider” should pay more, as opposed to the essential worker paying by the ride.
This is backward. The MTA introduced the monthly pass in 1998, and the entire point was to encourage the “casual rider.”
Any pre-COVID-19 commuter could do the math and see which is more economical (and most did): If you travel to and from work each day, five days a week, the cost of a monthly pass versus the cost of pay-per-ride — $124 — was about even.
So why pay for a monthly pass? The reason was simple: “free” rides after your commute.
The introduction of the monthly pass meant that commuters could use the MTA for “free,” on their days off, to visit friends, farmers’ markets, museums, beaches, new neighborhoods.
And they did. Between 1988 and 1998, annual ridership increased by just 200 million, to 1.2 billion riders, from 1 billion, according to an NYU analysis. But between 1998 and 2003, just half the earlier time frame, ridership jumped to 1.4 billion.
The reason? Casual riders. If your trip to the supermarket, to the museum, to your friend’s house, is free, you’ll take it. Now, more than ever, the MTA needs its casual riders.
It’s a marker of New York’s catastrophic 2020 that the number of people buying monthly MetroCards has plummeted from 51 percent to 34 percent of riders. Most people now are only intent on the next ride, usually to get to (low-paid) work.
We need those missing people back — and shouldn’t ditch them forever.
Essential pay-per-ride workers, too, even if they can’t afford a monthly pass, need more eyes and ears on platforms and trains (provided everyone is masked) to keep them safe.
A big reason why crime has soared on subways this year — six murders, a modern record, plus two near-fatal pushings last week — is the lack of foot traffic. No one is around to deter bad guys from committing violent crimes.
New York needs people to climb down the subway steps without thinking about whether it is costing them an extra $2.75 or an extra $3. At some point, a return to normalcy will require everyone to think more than a day in advance, and the MTA should be ready, when its people are ready.
Nicole Gelinas is a contributing editor of City Journal. Twitter: @NicoleGelinas


newyorkpost--2020-11-22--Seton Hall set up to dance again despite huge Myles Powell hole

On Wednesday , the ball will be tipped on a season ...

Seton Hall has been here before, overlooked and underrated. Two years ago, it was supposed to take a step back, following the graduations of Angel Delgado, Desi Rodriguez, Khadeen Carrington and Ismael Sanogo.
A rebuild was projected. Instead, Myles Powell developed into a superstar and the Pirates remained one of the best teams in the Northeast, and last season shared the Big East regular-season crown for the first time in 27 years.
Expect that success to continue.
Losing Powell — the Big East Player of the Year and a consensus first-team All-American — won’t be easy to overcome. The same can be said of rim protector Romaro Gill and point guard Quincy McKnight.
But coach Kevin Willard prepared for this, landing one of the best guard transfers on the market in Harvard’s Bryce Aiken. Canisius transfer Takal Molson, a physical, defensive-minded wing, is ready to make an impact after sitting out last season and 6-foot-11 senior Sandro Mamukelashvili, a first-team All-Big East preseason selection, has the talent to be one of the best forwards in the country. They have plenty of help, with returning contributors Jared Rhoden and Myles Cale on the wing, Tyrese Samuel and Ike Obiagu in the paint and former walk-on Shavar Reynolds on the perimeter.
Why Seton Hall will make the NCAA Tournament
The absence of Powell will provide last season’s capable supporting cast the chance to prove the team’s Big East regular-season title was no fluke. Last season, the Pirates were headed to their program-record fifth straight NCAA Tournament berth before it was canceled because of the pandemic. Kevin Willard has become one of the best and most underrated coaches in the country. He has built a program bigger than any player.
Why Seton Hall will miss the NCAA Tournament
The defense suffers from the losses of McKnight and Gill, unable to adequately replace either player on the perimeter or in the paint. Aiken’s career-long injury issues aren’t behind him and he struggles against the Big East’s quicker, longer and more athletic defenders. But most of all, there is nobody who can fill the void left by Powell, either from a leadership or go-to-guy scoring perspective.
Three Questions
Will last season linger?
The Pirates haven’t made the Sweet 16 since 2000. They haven’t reached the Final Four since 1989. Last season, everything was possible, thanks to Powell, one of the best players and leaders in school history. The cancellation of the NCAA Tournament was more crushing for Seton Hall than most schools, but it could be beneficial this season, with the returning players more motivated than ever. It could also create a terrible hangover, magnified by any stretch of poor play.
Can Sandro Mamukelashvili be a star?
In the previous two seasons, Powell carried the Pirates, relegating all teammates to supporting roles. Without the Big East Player of the Year around anymore, Mamukelashvili has the potential to be one of the league’s best players, having been selected unanimously to the preseason Big East first team. The 6-foot-11 matchup problem can score at every level, but the nights of the Georgian native passively taking single-digit shots is no longer an option.
Is anyone else ready for prime time?
Seton Hall didn’t lose just Powell. The departures of McKnight and Gill give the Pirates just two of their top-five scorers back from last season. Can Rhoden make a leap for a second straight season? Can Cale bounce back from a disappointing junior year? Can Samuel and/or Obiagu provide enough support in the paint? Everyone’s job gets harder without an All-American around.
X factor
Bryce Aiken
As a junior at Harvard, the 6-foot guard averaged 22.2 points on 39.8 percent 3-point shooting. At full strength, the New Jersey native will provide easy buckets. But Aiken’s health could be an issue all season. After being limited to seven games last season with a foot injury, Aiken recently has been hampered by a knee injury and limited in practices.
Games to Watch
Seton Hall vs. Baylor (Nov. 29)
For the second straight year, one of the premier teams in the country comes to Newark. Last year, it was Michigan State. This year, it’s Baylor and All-American Jared Butler.
Seton Hall at Xavier (Dec. 15)
A trip to Cintas Center won’t be quite as daunting with only a few hundred fans in attendance. And, after trips to Louisville, Penn State and Rhode Island, the Pirates will have already played three times on the road.
Seton Hall vs. Villanova (TBA)
Even in Villanova’s best seasons, Seton Hall has pushed the Wildcats, and this could be one of those years for Jay Wright’s elite program.
Seton Hall at St. John’s (TBA)
The local rivalry has mostly been one-sided in recent years, with Seton Hall winning eight of the last 10 matchups, but that could be changing. St. John’s is improving under Mike Anderson and will feature a promising freshman in point guard Posh Alexander, who picked the Johnnies over the Pirates, among others.
Seton Hall vs. Connecticut (TBA)
On media day, Willard half-jokingly said he was against UConn joining the Big East. UConn coach Dan Hurley, a Seton Hall alum, responded by saying the comment didn’t make much sense to him. It was an early shot in the arm to a potentially heated rivalry.
Prediction
After COVID-19 forced a two-week pause to the program, expect a slow start, with likely losses to start this season against Louisville and Baylor. When this team eventually finds its footing, Mamukelashvili will be the best forward in the Big East and Molson will develop into a gutty fan favorite and elite defender, sending Seton Hall to another NCAA Tournament, as a seven-seed after finishing fourth in the Big East.


newyorkpost--2020-11-22--Cops arrest 15 year-old in Wisconsin mall shooting

A 15-year-old boy was arrested in connection with Friday ’ s shooting at a Wisconsin shopping mall , authorities said @ @ @ @ @ Barry Weber said the afternoon attack that sent eight people to the hospital was premeditated @ @ @ @ @ .
Weber said an altercation between two groups resulted in the injury of four “ @ @ @ @ @ Mayfair Mall , outside Milwaukee .
The suspect , who was a Milwaukee resident , @ @ @ @ @ who were exiting the mall and was arrested Saturday evening during a traffic stop , @ @ @ @ @ was also recovered .
Cops did not release the identity of the suspect , who @ @ @ @ @ reports of a gunman in his 20s or 30s .
Police said most of the @ @ @ @ @ been released from the hospital .

A 15-year-old boy was arrested in connection with Friday’s shooting at a Wisconsin shopping mall, authorities said Sunday.
Wauwatosa Police Chief Barry Weber said the afternoon attack that sent eight people to the hospital was premeditated, according to Fox News.
Weber said an altercation between two groups resulted in the injury of four “innocent bystanders” at the Mayfair Mall, outside Milwaukee.
The suspect, who was a Milwaukee resident, ran out with other people who were exiting the mall and was arrested Saturday evening during a traffic stop, police said. A firearm was also recovered.
Cops did not release the identity of the suspect, who is much younger than initial reports of a gunman in his 20s or 30s.
Police said most of the victims are recovering and have been released from the hospital.


newyorkpost--2020-11-22--Here’s what’s coming to Manhattan West next year

The perimeter plywood has come down , a second huge office skyscraper has begun to rise and — COVID-19 be damned — the ambitious Manhattan West complex is at last coming into focus .
Brookfield Property Partners ’ 8-acre site just east of Related ’ s larger Hudson Yards is already home to office tower One Manhattan West , where moved-in tenants include law firms Skadden Arps and McKool Smith , to be joined early in 2021 by Accenture , the NHL and EY ( formerly Ernst & Young ) .
Now equally tall , 58-story Two Manhattan West ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a COVID-related pause .
It will be completed in 2023 with law firm Cravath , Swaine & Moore as the anchor tenant .
Taking up the entire vast superblock bounded by Ninth and Tenth avenues and West 31st and 33rd streets , the $ 4.5 billion Manhattan West was overshadowed by Hudson Yards , but it ’ s a mega-project in its own right .
It already has the fully rented Eugene apartment tower , the office building known as 5 Manhattan West and a giant Whole Foods .
Now Brookfield has shared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first quarter of 2021 will see the launch of a 40,000-square-foot Market Hall and a food court to include the likes of Sam ’ s Crispy Chicken and Umami Burger .
It ’ s to be followed next summer by a luxurious boutique hotel called The Pendry ; a multilevel Danny Meyer restaurant ; a 10,000-square-foot variety theater called Elemental ; two more full-service eateries , Casa Dani and Katsuya ; and a 2-acre landscaped park .
The project ’ s most unusual feature , an NHL-programmed seasonal ice rink , is set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotel operator Mint House has taken over the floors at 70 Pine St. that were previously run by Lyric .
The growing , tech-oriented hospitality company will handle the landmark tower ’ s 132 short-term rental suites on Floors 3-6 .
Mint House is the third operator to run the suites designed for corporate travelers at 70 Pine , the highly successful , 66-story former office tower that was converted mostly to luxury apartments .
Mint House will manage the suites for tower owners Rose Associates and DTH Capital .
It doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offices , but Kastle Systems ’ authoritative Back-to-Work Barometer says New York saw the nation ’ s highest-percentage increase in occupancy in its most recent report for the week ending Nov. 10 .
The Big Apple posted a 4.2-percentage point rise to 17.3 percent , followed by Chicago ’ s 3.4-point increase to 19.6 percent .
The leading cities for physical office occupancy were Dallas at 42.2 percent and Houston at 39.7 percent .
With many saying the COVID-19 real-estate turndown is like no other , heed these observations from CBRE superstar dealmaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Why does every downturn feel like the first time ?
” she asks .
Pointing out that New York has had a “ deeply cyclical economy going back to the first Dutch settlement four centuries ago , ” Tighe reminds us , “ Downturns have laid the foundation for change and ultimately regenerated our city.
” Among other examples , she cites that Rockefeller Center was launched “ in the depths of the Depression ” and that the Durst family bought a 42nd Street blockfront for a penny ’ s-worth $ 50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 Times Square , which is today a $ 1 billion asset .
She concludes , “ For businesses seeking the moment to strike in the Manhattan market .
.
.
for a company confident in its long-term business model , it ’ s time to go long with a lease.
” For those unsure about the long term , “ Landlords are now more accommodating of short-term deals than they ’ ve been in decades.
” Tighe wrote that in the New York Observer in 2009 .
But they ’ re timely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prescient — and they ’ re words to the wise today .
Residents of La Central , the affordable-housing complex in The Bronx ’ s Melrose neighborhood , will soon have more to munch on .
The Hudson Companies ’ project that will be home to 992 families has signed three new eatery tenants : Taste of the Bronx Café , Metate Authentica Comida Mexicana and an organic grocery .
The eating spots and a just-signed garage account for 43,000 square feet at La Central , which opened in 2019 and will eventually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 50,000-square-foot YMCA .
Hudson Companies ’ principal Aaron Koffman termed the signings are “ a testament not only to the vibrant Melrose neighborhood but to The Bronx as a whole .
”

The perimeter plywood has come down, a second huge office skyscraper has begun to rise and — COVID-19 be damned — the ambitious Manhattan West complex is at last coming into focus.
Brookfield Property Partners’ 8-acre site just east of Related’s larger Hudson Yards is already home to office tower One Manhattan West, where moved-in tenants include law firms Skadden Arps and McKool Smith, to be joined early in 2021 by Accenture, the NHL and EY (formerly Ernst & Young).
Now equally tall, 58-story Two Manhattan West’s steel infrastructure is rising rapidly after a COVID-related pause. It will be completed in 2023 with law firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore as the anchor tenant.
Taking up the entire vast superblock bounded by Ninth and Tenth avenues and West 31st and 33rd streets, the $4.5 billion Manhattan West was overshadowed by Hudson Yards, but it’s a mega-project in its own right. It already has the fully rented Eugene apartment tower, the office building known as 5 Manhattan West and a giant Whole Foods.
Now Brookfield has shared a timetable for other elements. The first quarter of 2021 will see the launch of a 40,000-square-foot Market Hall and a food court to include the likes of Sam’s Crispy Chicken and Umami Burger.
It’s to be followed next summer by a luxurious boutique hotel called The Pendry; a multilevel Danny Meyer restaurant; a 10,000-square-foot variety theater called Elemental; two more full-service eateries, Casa Dani and Katsuya; and a 2-acre landscaped park.
The project’s most unusual feature, an NHL-programmed seasonal ice rink, is set for the winter of 2021-22.
Suite news
Apartment-style hotel operator Mint House has taken over the floors at 70 Pine St. that were previously run by Lyric. The growing, tech-oriented hospitality company will handle the landmark tower’s 132 short-term rental suites on Floors 3-6.
Mint House is the third operator to run the suites designed for corporate travelers at 70 Pine, the highly successful, 66-story former office tower that was converted mostly to luxury apartments.
Mint House will manage the suites for tower owners Rose Associates and DTH Capital.
Big Apple office occupancy climbing
It doesn’t yet mean a mass return to offices, but Kastle Systems’ authoritative Back-to-Work Barometer says New York saw the nation’s highest-percentage increase in occupancy in its most recent report for the week ending Nov. 10.
The Big Apple posted a 4.2-percentage point rise to 17.3 percent, followed by Chicago’s 3.4-point increase to 19.6 percent. The leading cities for physical office occupancy were Dallas at 42.2 percent and Houston at 39.7 percent.
Words of wisdom
With many saying the COVID-19 real-estate turndown is like no other, heed these observations from CBRE superstar dealmaker and tri-state CEO Mary Ann Tighe.
“Why does every downturn feel like the first time?” she asks.
Pointing out that New York has had a “deeply cyclical economy going back to the first Dutch settlement four centuries ago,” Tighe reminds us, “Downturns have laid the foundation for change and ultimately regenerated our city.”
Among other examples, she cites that Rockefeller Center was launched “in the depths of the Depression” and that the Durst family bought a 42nd Street blockfront for a penny’s-worth $50 per square foot in 1996 and built 4 Times Square, which is today a $1 billion asset.
She concludes, “For businesses seeking the moment to strike in the Manhattan market . . . for a company confident in its long-term business model, it’s time to go long with a lease.”
For those unsure about the long term, “Landlords are now more accommodating of short-term deals than they’ve been in decades.”
Tighe wrote that in the New York Observer in 2009. But they’re timely enough for November 2020.
They proved prescient — and they’re words to the wise today.
Bronx eateries
Residents of La Central, the affordable-housing complex in The Bronx’s Melrose neighborhood, will soon have more to munch on.
The Hudson Companies’ project that will be home to 992 families has signed three new eatery tenants: Taste of the Bronx Café, Metate Authentica Comida Mexicana and an organic grocery.
The eating spots and a just-signed garage account for 43,000 square feet at La Central, which opened in 2019 and will eventually have five buildings. It previously leased a 50,000-square-foot YMCA.
Hudson Companies’ principal Aaron Koffman termed the signings are “a testament not only to the vibrant Melrose neighborhood but to The Bronx as a whole.”


newyorkpost--2020-11-22--The church has its own rights and other commentary

Religion beat : The Church Has Its Own Rights As Europe enters a second lockdown , “ authorities are not imposing restrictions equally on churches and civil establishments , ” seethes Gladden Pappin at First Things .
“ Instead , churches are arbitrarily subject to the harshest restrictions.
” The disparities , especially glaring in France , “ highlight the difficulty of settling this dispute between church and state on the grounds of religious liberty alone.
” The French government , after all , insists it “ respects religious liberty , ” with churches open for private prayer and Masses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a situation where sanitary prescriptions are applied inequitably , the church would have the right to refuse them ” — since these would violate the rights of Catholic Church as a unique “ political society , ” with its own collective rights , and not just one more private association like any other .
Meanwhile , American Catholics might  “ resolve now to form an alliance in defense of the rights of the church.
” Despite an onslaught of “ often unconstitutional edicts ” from governors trying to curb the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interested in enforcing tyrannical and unending lockdown orders from state and local executives , ” a police officer from the Washington suburbs writes anonymously at The Federalist .
The pandemic may have “ increased the social and police power of the busybody ” complaining about strangers not wearing masks properly , but “ in a world where the police in the United States are routinely compared to Nazis , these officers look the other way.
” By shuttering schools again , Mayor de Blasio is once again proving that “ public-school children and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last priority , ” fumes Reason ’ s Robby Soave .
With the latest decision , “ many parents are rightly infuriated , and even some district officials think the call might have been premature.
” With children in low-income families falling through the cracks , “ policy makers could be dooming a generation of at-risk students to years of suboptimal social and professional outcomes — and it ’ s all for nothing , since pandemic mitigation doesn ’ t actually require this course of action.
” But the evidence has not convinced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe , “ so many officials in blue cities feel they have little choice but to heed their demands.
” And children pay the price as school closures have become one more example of politicians turning the pandemic into a game of “ political football.
” Although “ some on the left , perhaps most prominently Sens .
Chuck Schumer and Elizabeth Warren , have encouraged Joe Biden to forgive loads of student debt via executive order , ” National Review ’ s Robert Verbruggen points out the myriad reasons why that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are unable to pay their loans tend to have smaller amounts of debt and lower incomes , “ forgiving debt for everyone is a poorly targeted policy.
” Instead of stimulating the whole economy , it “ helps the wealthy ” at the expense of the poor , and “ it ’ s not fair to people who paid off their debts early.
” And while it may be legal , forgiving student loans “ would be a blatant abuse of the power the executive has been granted.
” Less-educated Americans are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time ” amid lockdowns imposed by and the behest of the managerial class — which means “ shoveling tons of taxpayer money toward the college-educated would produce a major backlash.
” “ Sex-positive liberal feminism is the order of the day , ” observes Louise Perry at Unherd .
Do as you please , it teaches , just ask for consent .
Yet this ethic ignores “ differences between men and women ” : A mountain of research shows men want more partners , watch more porn , are more likely to harbor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Women , meanwhile , “ mostly say they would prefer a committed relationship.
” Yet all this is verboten information “ in sex-positive circles , ” whose worldview rests on a blank-slate sexual anthropology .
Hence the paradox : Sex-positivism ends up working very well , indeed — for men .

Religion beat: The Church Has Its Own Rights
As Europe enters a second lockdown, “authorities are not imposing restrictions equally on churches and civil establishments,” seethes Gladden Pappin at First Things. “Instead, churches are arbitrarily subject to the harshest restrictions.” The disparities, especially glaring in France, “highlight the difficulty of settling this dispute between church and state on the grounds of religious liberty alone.” The French government, after all, insists it “respects religious liberty,” with churches open for private prayer and Masses available to watch online. But “in a situation where sanitary prescriptions are applied inequitably, the church would have the right to refuse them” — since these would violate the rights of Catholic Church as a unique “political society,” with its own collective rights, and not just one more private association like any other. Meanwhile, American Catholics might “resolve now to form an alliance in defense of the rights of the church.”
Police officer: Thanksgiving Is No Crime
Despite an onslaught of “often unconstitutional edicts” from governors trying to curb the COVID-19 surge, “no good cop is interested in enforcing tyrannical and unending lockdown orders from state and local executives,” a police officer from the Washington suburbs writes anonymously at The Federalist. The pandemic may have “increased the social and police power of the busybody” complaining about strangers not wearing masks properly, but “in a world where the police in the United States are routinely compared to Nazis, these officers look the other way.”
Libertarian: School Closures Doom Children
By shuttering schools again, Mayor de Blasio is once again proving that “public-school children and working-class families appear to be planners’ last priority,” fumes Reason’s Robby Soave. With the latest decision, “many parents are rightly infuriated, and even some district officials think the call might have been premature.” With children in low-income families falling through the cracks, “policy makers could be dooming a generation of at-risk students to years of suboptimal social and professional outcomes — and it’s all for nothing, since pandemic mitigation doesn’t actually require this course of action.” But the evidence has not convinced influential teachers unions that in-person learning is safe, “so many officials in blue cities feel they have little choice but to heed their demands.” And children pay the price as school closures have become one more example of politicians turning the pandemic into a game of “political football.”
Conservative: Wiping All Student Debt Is Dumb
Although “some on the left, perhaps most prominently Sens. Chuck Schumer and Elizabeth Warren, have encouraged Joe Biden to forgive loads of student debt via executive order,” National Review’s Robert Verbruggen points out the myriad reasons why that’s a bad idea. Because those who are unable to pay their loans tend to have smaller amounts of debt and lower incomes, “forgiving debt for everyone is a poorly targeted policy.” Instead of stimulating the whole economy, it “helps the wealthy” at the expense of the poor, and “it’s not fair to people who paid off their debts early.” And while it may be legal, forgiving student loans “would be a blatant abuse of the power the executive has been granted.” Less-educated Americans are the ones “having a particularly rough time” amid lockdowns imposed by and the behest of the managerial class — which means “shoveling tons of taxpayer money toward the college-educated would produce a major backlash.”
Culture critic: Is Sex Positivity Good for Women?
“Sex-positive liberal feminism is the order of the day,” observes Louise Perry at Unherd. Do as you please, it teaches, just ask for consent. Yet this ethic ignores “differences between men and women”: A mountain of research shows men want more partners, watch more porn, are more likely to harbor fetishes and to be generally beastly. Women, meanwhile, “mostly say they would prefer a committed relationship.” Yet all this is verboten information “in sex-positive circles,” whose worldview rests on a blank-slate sexual anthropology. Hence the paradox: Sex-positivism ends up working very well, indeed — for men.
— Compiled by Ashley Adams & Sohrab Ahmari


newyorkpost--2020-11-22--John Harbaugh appears to snub Mike Vrabel after Ravens-Titans scuffle

Tensions were high prior to the Ravens-Titans game on Sunday , and appeared to carry over into the postgame handshakes .
Baltimore coach John Harbaugh seemingly waved off Titans coach Mike Vrabel after Sunday ’ s 30-24 overtime win by Tennessee .
Vrabel declined to make an issue of it after the game , however , saying “ absolutely not ” when asked by a reporter if Harbaugh refused to shake his hand Vrabel said he has a “ lot of respect for John ” and that Harbaugh told him there was no issue left over from the pregame .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crest at midfield in Baltimore , leading to a tense exchange with Vrabel .
The incident culminated in Harbaugh and Titans cornerback Malcolm Butler shouting at each other .
Harbaugh told reporters following the game that the pregame activities were “ irrelevant ” and said there was no issue after the game .
Baltimore led 14-10 at halftime before taking a 24-21 lead with just over two minutes left in regulation .
A 29-yard field goal from Ravens kicker Justin Tucker forced overtime , where a 29-yard touchdown run by Derrick Henry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The loss dropped the Ravens to 6-4 , while the Titans improved to 7-3 .

Tensions were high prior to the Ravens-Titans game on Sunday, and appeared to carry over into the postgame handshakes.
Baltimore coach John Harbaugh seemingly waved off Titans coach Mike Vrabel after Sunday’s 30-24 overtime win by Tennessee. Vrabel declined to make an issue of it after the game, however, saying “absolutely not” when asked by a reporter if Harbaugh refused to shake his hand
Vrabel said he has a “lot of respect for John” and that Harbaugh told him there was no issue left over from the pregame. Harbaugh took issue when Titans players invaded the crest at midfield in Baltimore, leading to a tense exchange with Vrabel.
The incident culminated in Harbaugh and Titans cornerback Malcolm Butler shouting at each other. Harbaugh told reporters following the game that the pregame activities were “irrelevant” and said there was no issue after the game.
Baltimore led 14-10 at halftime before taking a 24-21 lead with just over two minutes left in regulation. A 29-yard field goal from Ravens kicker Justin Tucker forced overtime, where a 29-yard touchdown run by Derrick Henry secured the win for the Titans. The loss dropped the Ravens to 6-4, while the Titans improved to 7-3.


newyorkpost--2020-11-22--Cuomo just proved that NY’s ‘independent’ regulators are merely his pawn

Gov .
Andrew Cuomo on Sunday refused to back down from ...

It’s long been an open secret that Gov. Andrew Cuomo insists on total obedience from all his appointees, no matter how independent New York law says they’re supposed to be. But now it’s impossible to pretend otherwise — after the gov last week announced the decisions of a top “independent” commission that hadn’t actually decided yet.
Cuomo’s office on Thursday announced that Con Edison and other utilities had been fined $127 million in penalties over their response to blackouts in the wake of Tropical Storm Isaias. Oops: The state Public Service Commission, which supposedly decides such things, was still discussing whether to issue a “show cause” order, which would give each utility 30 days to explain why it shouldn’t be fined.
Cuomo announced that all that due process is a fraud: He wants the utilities fined, and “his” Public Service Commission is going to do it, even if it goes through the motions over the next month. In short, he is ignoring the law he is sworn to uphold.
If the gov weren’t dictating the results, the process would lead to either a negotiated settlement (and hence a lower penalty) or an evidentiary hearing. But Andrew Cuomo isn’t interested in evidence — he wants to score populist points by insisting he make the utility pay through the nose.
And his team won’t even pretend to respect the law.
After a reporter tweeted that the process actually wasn’t finished, Cuomo’s new special counsel for ratepayer protection, Rory Lancman, replied: “We’re not pursuing slaps on the wrist, or cost-of-doing-business shrugs from these utilities. Serious sanctions, serious reform — period.”
He added a direct threat to pull the utilities’ licenses, tagging Con Ed and Orange and Rockland Power: “Revocation looms.”
We have no idea whether the utilities deserve to be fined, but it’s obvious that King Cuomo has decided already — and the Public Service Commission has to jump when he says “frog.”
If the utilities go to court, they can easily argue that this blatant travesty arguably invalidates any and all PSC decisions under Cuomo, as the commissioners’ professional judgment is plainly irrelevant to how they vote. But will even judges dare cross him?
The Legislature voted the gov near-dictatorial emergency powers to face the pandemic, but he is seizing absolute powers even where the law says otherwise. This isn’t leadership, it’s thuggery.


newyorkpost--2020-11-22--A vaccine miracle — if Democrats and the media don’t screw things up

The UK could be weeks ahead of the United States ...

‘Herd immunity” and a return to normalcy by May: That’s an awesome projection from a professional source, Dr. Moncef Slaoui, a top Operation Warp Speed adviser.
On the Sunday shows, Slaoui consistently said 70 percent of Americans should be vaccinated within six months. And that, he explained, means that transmission of the virus would fall through the floor, even as everyone resumes their normal lives.
That assumes that the two “finished” vaccines get OKs by the Food and Drug Administration this month, and that production and distribution don’t somehow get screwed up.
And, sigh, that irresponsible politicization doesn’t interfere. As Slaoui noted, all the Warp Speed work to set up vaccine distribution has been “isolated from the administration, from the political environment and the political context. We work very hard to make sure that’s the case. And, therefore, all the decisions are made, the train is running.”
He didn’t single out naysayers like Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who’s been irresponsibly attacking the distribution plans, pretending they’re somehow tainted by the mere existence of President Trump and ignoring the fact that state health departments have a huge say in who gets the vaccine when.
Then again, anti-Trump prejudice has been a factor from the start. All the way back in May, after Trump announced that a vaccine by year’s end was a real possibility, the usual media suspects dumped cold water on the idea. One NBC story that month, for example, insisted, “Experts say that the development, testing and production of a vaccine for the public is still at least 12 to 18 months off, and that anything less would be a medical miracle.”
In fact, the president pushed relentlessly for results — getting unprecedented funding for the effort, and kicking bureaucrats who normally would’ve stood in the way.
Oh, and bringing in nonpolitical experts such as Slaoui, the former vaccine chief for pharma giant GlaxoSmithKline, and four-star US Army Gen. Gustave Perna, a logistics specialist, to lead the effort.
There’s your miracle, media and the Democrats. Don’t stand in the way now.


newyorkpost--2020-11-23--Linda Thomas-Greenfield reported as Joe Biden’s UN ambassador pick

Is this North Jersey — or the North Pole ?

President-elect Joe Biden is expected to tap Linda Thomas-Greenfield, a former assistant secretary of state and longtime diplomat, as ambassador to the United Nations, according to a report.
The appointment of Thomas-Greenfield, who is black, is intended to restore morale and make good on Biden’s pledge to name a diverse cabinet, Axios reported on Sunday.
The announcement is expected on Tuesday, when Biden is also supposed to name his choice for secretary of state and Treasury secretary.
Biden is reportedly ready to name Antony Blinken, his campaign’s foreign affairs adviser, to lead the State Department.
Blinken has served in the Obama and Clinton administrations in the State Department and the National Security Agency.
Thomas-Greenfield was the US assistant secretary of state for Africa under President Barack Obama from 2013 to 2017 and later joined former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s global strategy company, Albright Stonebridge Group.


newyorkpost--2020-11-23--Al Roker returns to ‘Today’ after prostate cancer surgery

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Al Roker returned to the “ Today ” show on Monday morning , two weeks after undergoing surgery for prostate cancer .
“ I ’ m back !
I ’ m so excited to see all of you , ” the 66-year-old meteorologist wrote on Instagram .
During the first hour of “ Today , ” Roker explained he ’ s feeling good and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Great medical care and the love of friends and family , it goes a long way.
” Earlier this month , Roker revealed he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and would be taking time off to undergo surgery .
“ After a routine check-up in September , turns out I have prostate cancer , ” Roker said at the time .
“ And it ’ s a good news-bad news kind of thing .
The good news is we caught it early , not great news is that it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be taking some time off to take care of this.
” Following the procedure , Roker told fans he was recuperating at home .
“ A big shoutout to everyone at the # josierobertsonsurgerycenter and appreciate all the thoughts and wishes from our viewers and the wonderful care packages from my co-workers .
See you all soon , ” Roker posted on Twitter .
On Monday , Roker told his “ Today ” colleagues he will have blood work done during the first week of January , which he ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next five years .
“ Hopefully my PSA [ Prostate-specific antigen ] has dropped considerably , ” Roker said .
According to the American Cancer Society , “ The chance of having prostate cancer goes up as the PSA level goes up , ” and , “ When prostate cancer develops , the PSA level often goes above 4.
” Roker said last week he plans to take part in the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade festivities .

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He’s back.
Al Roker returned to the “Today” show on Monday morning, two weeks after undergoing surgery for prostate cancer.
“I’m back! I’m so excited to see all of you,” the 66-year-old meteorologist wrote on Instagram.
During the first hour of “Today,” Roker explained he’s feeling good and “trying to exercise,” adding, “Great medical care and the love of friends and family, it goes a long way.”
Earlier this month, Roker revealed he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and would be taking time off to undergo surgery.
“After a routine check-up in September, turns out I have prostate cancer,” Roker said at the time. “And it’s a good news-bad news kind of thing. The good news is we caught it early, not great news is that it’s a little aggressive so I’m going to be taking some time off to take care of this.”
Following the procedure, Roker told fans he was recuperating at home.
“A big shoutout to everyone at the #josierobertsonsurgerycenter and appreciate all the thoughts and wishes from our viewers and the wonderful care packages from my co-workers. See you all soon,” Roker posted on Twitter.
On Monday, Roker told his “Today” colleagues he will have blood work done during the first week of January, which he’ll have to do every six months for the next five years.
“Hopefully my PSA [Prostate-specific antigen] has dropped considerably,” Roker said.
According to the American Cancer Society, “The chance of having prostate cancer goes up as the PSA level goes up,” and, “When prostate cancer develops, the PSA level often goes above 4.”
Roker said last week he plans to take part in the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade festivities.


newyorkpost--2020-11-23--Secretary of State Pompeo takes part in reported Netanyahu-MBS meeting

Warning : This story contains spoilers from the Sunday , Nov. 22 , ...

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo took part in a secret meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman — the first known summit between the longtime Middle Eastern foes, according to reports.
The leaders discussed several issues during the meeting on Sunday, including normalizing ties and addressing Iran, a shared enemy of the two nations, a senior Saudi official told the Wall Street Journal.
The first-of-its-kind meeting, which lasted a couple of hours, comes amid a push from the Trump administration to normalize diplomatic relations between Arab nations and Israel.
Yossi Cohen, head of Israeli spy agency Mossad, was also present. He has played a key role in negotiations to broker diplomatic relations with the kingdom, according to the Washington Post.
Netanyahu flew in a Gulfstream IV jet belonging to Ehud “Udi” Angel, a prominent Israeli businessman whose jet had been used for previous diplomatic trips, from Tel Aviv to Neom, a city in the Tabuk Province of Saudi Arabia, Sunday evening, the Jerusalem Post reported, citing Israeli officials.
Pompeo is finishing up a seven-nation tour of Europe and the Middle East, which included a visit to an Israeli settlement in the West Bank.
He tweeted pictures of his meeting with the Saudi crown prince but did not offer any acknowledgment of MBS’s Israeli counterpart.
“Pleasure to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Our security and economic partnership is strong and we’ll continue to harness it to advance efforts to counter malign Iranian influence in the Gulf, economic goals under the Vision 2030 plan, and human rights reform,” he wrote in one of a series of tweets late Sunday.
The meeting itself was kept so under wraps that Netanyahu declined to inform Defense Minister Benny Gantz or Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi of it prior to it taking place.
Previous 1 of 3 Next Advertisement US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia John Abizaid (from left) and Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud greet US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his wife, Susan POOL/AFP via Getty Images Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz (right) meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo EPA Advertisement
Pompeo did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment on the reported meeting.
Representatives for the Israeli and Saudi leaders did not respond to media requests for comment.
In September, the UAE, Bahrain and Israel signed the “Abraham Accords” normalizing relations between Israel and the two Arab nations.
In signing the agreement, they became the third and fourth Arab countries to establish diplomatic relations with Israel. The breakthrough also established direct commercial flights between Israel and the UAE.
At first, the Saudis voiced opposition to such arrangements.
By October, Cohen had told associates that the Saudis would be willing to come to the table once the US presidential election was decided and both could better predict what foreign policy direction America would take, the Washington Post reported.
In an interview with Reuters over the weekend, Saudi Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud, who serves as the country’s foreign minister, said the kingdom has “supported normalization with Israel for a long time, but one very important thing must happen first: a permanent and full peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians.”
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-11-23--3 million COVID-19 cases reported across US in November

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic .
A record 3 million new coronavirus cases have already been reported across the US during November — but millions of Americans still defied health warnings against air travel to catch flights over the weekend .
Even though there is still a week left , November has already seen more new cases than any other month — with the 3 million new cases tallied equaling around a quarter of the almost 12.25 million cases so far in the US , CNN noted .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , according to the Covid Tracking Project — which noted that weekly cases have more than doubled since the beginning of the month .
As of Sunday , a record 83,782 Americans were in hospitals because of the pandemic , the project said — obliterating the previous record of 59,924 hospitalizations nationwide in April .
In 44 states , the percentage of positive tests is higher than the recommended 5 percent threshold , CNN noted .
But even as cases soar across the nation , millions are defying warnings against air travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skies to see loved ones in time for Thanksgiving , data shows .
More than 3 million went through TSA checkpoints from Friday through Sunday , the agency ’ s data shows — with 1,047,934 on Sunday alone .
Health experts and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have repeatedly warned Americans to stay home for the holidays .
“ The tragedy that could happen is that one of your family members , from coming together in this family gathering actually could end up being hospitalized and severely ill and die , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manager , Dr. Henry Walke , said .
On Sunday , New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio stressed at a church service that he was making this the first Thanksgiving that he would not see all his loved ones .
“ I love them so much I want to make sure we will be together next year .
That they ’ ll be on this earth next year… we will all stay alive together , ” he said .
“ We have the power to protect each other .
”

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
A record 3 million new coronavirus cases have already been reported across the US during November — but millions of Americans still defied health warnings against air travel to catch flights over the weekend.
Even though there is still a week left, November has already seen more new cases than any other month — with the 3 million new cases tallied equaling around a quarter of the almost 12.25 million cases so far in the US, CNN noted.
At least a million of those were last week, according to the Covid Tracking Project — which noted that weekly cases have more than doubled since the beginning of the month.
As of Sunday, a record 83,782 Americans were in hospitals because of the pandemic, the project said — obliterating the previous record of 59,924 hospitalizations nationwide in April.
In 44 states, the percentage of positive tests is higher than the recommended 5 percent threshold, CNN noted.
But even as cases soar across the nation, millions are defying warnings against air travel for the holidays and taking to the skies to see loved ones in time for Thanksgiving, data shows.
More than 3 million went through TSA checkpoints from Friday through Sunday, the agency’s data shows — with 1,047,934 on Sunday alone.
Health experts and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have repeatedly warned Americans to stay home for the holidays.
“The tragedy that could happen is that one of your family members, from coming together in this family gathering actually could end up being hospitalized and severely ill and die,” the CDC’s COVID-19 incident manager, Dr. Henry Walke, said.
On Sunday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio stressed at a church service that he was making this the first Thanksgiving that he would not see all his loved ones.
“I love them so much I want to make sure we will be together next year. That they’ll be on this earth next year… we will all stay alive together,” he said. “We have the power to protect each other.”


newyorkpost--2020-11-23--‘Fargo’ star Salvatore Esposito dishes on Gaetano’s ‘poetic’ reckoning

Warning : This story contains spoilers from the Sunday , Nov. 22 , episode of “ Fargo.
” And so ends the saga of brutish “ Fargo ” thug Gaetano Fadda .
The hulking , trigger-happy brother of diminutive Kansas City mob boss Josto Fadda ( Jason Schwartzman ) was killed in Sunday night ’ s episode when , after dispatching crooked cop Odis Weff ( Jack Huston ) , he tripped and fell — shooting himself in the head in typically twisted “ Fargo ” fashion .
“ I think there ’ s something poetic in the fact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says Salvatore Esposito , 34 , the Italian actor who played the hot-headed Gaetano , brought over from Italy to help Josto in his ongoing turf war with Loy Cannon ( Chris Rock ) .
“ It ’ s funny ; there ’ s this dialogue between Gaetano and Josto where you understand what happened to him , why he ’ s in that way and is always crazy and like a bull because he fought in the war and grew up during World War II so he lost a lot of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jungle , ” he says .
“ In that moment you understand him .
It ’ s a very beautiful arc that [ series creator ] Noah Hawley and the writers gave to me.
” Over the course of his “ Fargo ” run ( the Season 4 finale airs Nov. 29 on FX on Hulu ) , Gaetano , who spoke in a mix of guttural Italian and English , journeyed from wanting to replace Josto as head of the family to his brother ’ s unswerving , protector — won over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s strategic attempt to have him killed .
Esposito , who stars in the Italian crime drama “ Gomorrah , ” entering its fifth and final season on Sky Atlantic , said he had no idea , at first , that Gaetano would be killed off .
“ They gave me the first three episodes [ to read ] at the beginning but then they were writing , ” he says .
“ When they said , ‘ Look , we have to tell you something [ about Gaetano shooting himself ] , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my character .
If you watch the scene where he shoots [ Odis Weff ] … in that moment you understand him , why he ’ s smiling .
“ It ’ s the perfect fate for him , ” says Esposito , born in Naples .
“ I grew up with all these amazing [ crime ] movies and TV shows and I ’ m Italian — I probably know that situation better than anyone and I come from ‘ Gomorrah ’ so I know that world.
” Esposito says he put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Gaetano ; “ Fargo ” marks his first English-speaking role and his first part in an American series .
“ I ’ m the only character that speaks in half-Italian half-English in every scene , ” he says .
“ It ’ s not easy …but I talked with Noah and he wanted only Gaetano to speak fluently in two languages .
There are a lot of small pieces that built Gaetano .
There ’ s a scene where Loy Cannon says that Gaetano is ‘ big.
’ “ At the beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that in ‘ Fargo ’ he wanted to show the difference , physically , between me and Jason .
So I put some weight on and showed him my look .
“ Gaetano is like a bull , ” he says .
“ People watch the show and he does something big in every scene and you don ’ t know what he ’ s going to do .
“ I really liked to play Gaetano in this way.
” Esposito says he hasn ’ t yet seen the finale .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stopped because of COVID in March , ” he says .
“ I went back to Italy and came back here at the end of July until August , then went back to Italy at the beginning of September .
“ I have cousins in Slidell [ Louisiana ] and I have cousins in Texas , too , ” he says .
“ I love the US .
”

Warning: This story contains spoilers from the Sunday, Nov. 22, episode of “Fargo.”
And so ends the saga of brutish “Fargo” thug Gaetano Fadda.
The hulking, trigger-happy brother of diminutive Kansas City mob boss Josto Fadda (Jason Schwartzman) was killed in Sunday night’s episode when, after dispatching crooked cop Odis Weff (Jack Huston), he tripped and fell — shooting himself in the head in typically twisted “Fargo” fashion.
“I think there’s something poetic in the fact that only Gaetano can kill Gaetano,” says Salvatore Esposito, 34, the Italian actor who played the hot-headed Gaetano, brought over from Italy to help Josto in his ongoing turf war with Loy Cannon (Chris Rock).
“It’s funny; there’s this dialogue between Gaetano and Josto where you understand what happened to him, why he’s in that way and is always crazy and like a bull because he fought in the war and grew up during World War II so he lost a lot of his friends.
“He lived in a jungle,” he says. “In that moment you understand him. It’s a very beautiful arc that [series creator] Noah Hawley and the writers gave to me.”
Over the course of his “Fargo” run (the Season 4 finale airs Nov. 29 on FX on Hulu), Gaetano, who spoke in a mix of guttural Italian and English, journeyed from wanting to replace Josto as head of the family to his brother’s unswerving, protector — won over, in fact, by Josto’s strategic attempt to have him killed.
Hey, it happens.
Esposito, who stars in the Italian crime drama “Gomorrah,” entering its fifth and final season on Sky Atlantic, said he had no idea, at first, that Gaetano would be killed off.
“They gave me the first three episodes [to read] at the beginning but then they were writing,” he says. “When they said, ‘Look, we have to tell you something [about Gaetano shooting himself],’ it was the perfect arc for my character. If you watch the scene where he shoots [Odis Weff] … in that moment you understand him, why he’s smiling.
“It’s the perfect fate for him,” says Esposito, born in Naples. “I grew up with all these amazing [crime] movies and TV shows and I’m Italian — I probably know that situation better than anyone and I come from ‘Gomorrah’ so I know that world.”
Esposito says he put on about 20 pounds to bulk up for Gaetano; “Fargo” marks his first English-speaking role and his first part in an American series.
‘Gaetano is like a bull … I really liked to play Gaetano in this way.’
“I’m the only character that speaks in half-Italian half-English in every scene,” he says. “It’s not easy …but I talked with Noah and he wanted only Gaetano to speak fluently in two languages. There are a lot of small pieces that built Gaetano. There’s a scene where Loy Cannon says that Gaetano is ‘big.’
“At the beginning, I talked to Noah and he said that in ‘Fargo’ he wanted to show the difference, physically, between me and Jason. So I put some weight on and showed him my look.
“Gaetano is like a bull,” he says. “People watch the show and he does something big in every scene and you don’t know what he’s going to do. “I really liked to play Gaetano in this way.”
Esposito says he hasn’t yet seen the finale.
“We started shooting last October then we stopped because of COVID in March,” he says. “I went back to Italy and came back here at the end of July until August, then went back to Italy at the beginning of September.
“I have cousins in Slidell [Louisiana] and I have cousins in Texas, too,” he says. “I love the US.”


newyorkpost--2020-11-23--You can now live in this Christmas-crammed mansion in NJ

Is this North Jersey — or the North Pole ?
In Colts Neck , NJ , a stately stone-clad home that hit the market in October for $ 2.19 million stands out for more than its two-story foyer , roomy kitchen and 2,000-square-foot outdoor patio surrounding a large saltwater pool .
It ’ s all totally tricked out with Christmas decorations .
The four-bed , five-bath home at 1 Rivers Edge Dr. is heavenly host to several elaborate tableaux , which the home ’ s current owners — a brother and sister — don ’ t only keep up year-round @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new ho-ho-homebuyer if they ’ re willing to negotiate .
The festive flair is immediately visible upon entry .
The foyer fits two large nutcrackers , at least four Santa Claus figures and two stately nativity scenes .
They ’ re ornamented by a collection of wreaths ( one of which hangs from the top of the grand staircase ) , red-and-green stockings and no fewer than five faux Christmas trees .
“ It feels [ like ] good energy when you go into that house — it ’ s nice , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Realty , who ’ s marketing this listing .
( The owners were not immediately available for comment . )
In addition to its festive trimmings , additional features include crown moldings throughout , stainless-steel appliances and a private gym .
Outside , there ’ s a built-in grill , a brick oven and a fireplace .
Cheer spreads into a room located to the left of the foyer , which has another St. Nick figure , yet another dressed-up Christmas tree and what appears to be a portrait of the Virgin Mary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foyer , a living area fits two more wreaths — one of which comes decorated with pine cones — and at least two more statues of Mary .
In the kitchen , meanwhile , a handful of other wreaths festoon the walls , over windows and near its rows of cherry-wood cabinetry .
A peek of the other listing images show a Christmas tree tucked into the corner of a large gray-walled bedroom — and a room that appears to be a gallery for framed family photos is lined with several smaller nutcrackers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take in the holiday spirit as you sunbathe in the summertime : A full-size Nativity crèche stands under stone arches next to the pool .

Is this North Jersey — or the North Pole?
In Colts Neck, NJ, a stately stone-clad home that hit the market in October for $2.19 million stands out for more than its two-story foyer, roomy kitchen and 2,000-square-foot outdoor patio surrounding a large saltwater pool. It’s all totally tricked out with Christmas decorations.
The four-bed, five-bath home at 1 Rivers Edge Dr. is heavenly host to several elaborate tableaux, which the home’s current owners — a brother and sister — don’t only keep up year-round, but will hand off to the new ho-ho-homebuyer if they’re willing to negotiate.
The festive flair is immediately visible upon entry. The foyer fits two large nutcrackers, at least four Santa Claus figures and two stately nativity scenes. They’re ornamented by a collection of wreaths (one of which hangs from the top of the grand staircase), red-and-green stockings and no fewer than five faux Christmas trees.
Previous 1 of 6 Next Advertisement Take a peek at this New Jersey home's year-round Christmas decorations, which could be included in its sale. Courtesy Robert DeFalco Realty Courtesy Robert DeFalco Realty Advertisement Courtesy Robert DeFalco Realty Courtesy Robert DeFalco Realty Advertisement
“It feels [like] good energy when you go into that house — it’s nice,” said Janice Rizzo, of Robert DeFalco Realty, who’s marketing this listing. (The owners were not immediately available for comment.) In addition to its festive trimmings, additional features include crown moldings throughout, stainless-steel appliances and a private gym. Outside, there’s a built-in grill, a brick oven and a fireplace.
Cheer spreads into a room located to the left of the foyer, which has another St. Nick figure, yet another dressed-up Christmas tree and what appears to be a portrait of the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child. Beyond the foyer, a living area fits two more wreaths — one of which comes decorated with pine cones — and at least two more statues of Mary.
In the kitchen, meanwhile, a handful of other wreaths festoon the walls, over windows and near its rows of cherry-wood cabinetry. A peek of the other listing images show a Christmas tree tucked into the corner of a large gray-walled bedroom — and a room that appears to be a gallery for framed family photos is lined with several smaller nutcrackers and green holly.
You can even take in the holiday spirit as you sunbathe in the summertime: A full-size Nativity crèche stands under stone arches next to the pool.


newyorkpost--2020-11-23--AMAs 2020 best and worst moments: From Justin Bieber to Megan Thee Stallion

She takes aim at her ex on the brutal diss ...

The Justin Bieber show opened the 2020 American Music Awards on Sunday night.
In a big comeback year that started with his “Changes” album released in February, Biebs — making his first appearance at the AMAs since 2016 — got the prime spot to introduce the show, held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
But in the middle of a pandemic with coronavirus cases surging — and folks who can’t see their families for Thanksgiving as a result — did we really need to hear Bieber whining about the price of young fame in “Lonely” at the beginning of the night?
And then after performing his gospel-charged single “Holy” with a troupe of mask-wearing dancers, Bieber was joined by Shawn Mendes — at 22, four years JB’s junior — for their brand-new duet “Monster.” Here, we got another song that found these privileged pop heartthrobs complaining about the weight of being “put on a pedestal” because of their success at an early age.
Can you say tone deaf?
Luckily, host Taraji P. Henson quickly erased that memory with a shimmying dance routine that started with her best Diana Ross-as-Dorothy moves to “Brand New Day” from “The Wiz.” She kept up her high-energy hoofing with Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy” and Jay-Z’s “Dirt on Your Shoulder” before ending with a couple of 2020 bangers: Megan Thee Stallion’s “Savage” and her “WAP” smash with Cardi B.
Of course, one of the most-anticipated moments of the night was when Megan Thee Stallion — the hot-girl rapper of the moment — took the stage just two days after her debut album, “Good News,” finally dropped. After skipping the MTV VMAs in August, this was Megan’s first major awards-show moment since the BET Awards in June, and she delivered a bootylicious performance of her new self-love single “Body.”
While she appeared to be lip-syncing for much of it — as is fairly common at the AMAs — she owned the stage with body-positive panache.
With decidedly more clothes on, Billie Eilish — another hot female artist who passed on the VMAs — turned up to give a cred boost to the AMAs with the first TV performance of her new single “Therefore I Am.”
Although 33 years older than Eilish, another fierce female — Jennifer Lopez — continued her 2020 roll after her Super Bowl halftime show that started the year. J.Lo teamed up with Maluma — her costar in the upcoming romantic comedy “Marry Me” — for a performance of their new singles “Pa Ti” and “Lonely.”
The songs themselves may be pretty tepid, but the heat generated by Lopez — rocking a black body suit as she continues to defy Father Time at 51 — and the Colombian reggaeton star was enough to make Alex Rodriguez muy jealous. Let’s just say there was negative social distancing happening at one point.
Other performers at the awards included the Weeknd, Katy Perry, Dua Lipa, BTS, Machine Gun Kelly and Mendes (again), who got to have the solo spotlight with his single “Wonder” from his upcoming album of the same name, due Dec. 4.
Oh, and yeah, there were awards handed out too. The AMAs have never really about who actually won. But just for the record, the wealth was split between Bieber, the Weeknd, Dan + Shay and Artist of the Year winner Taylor Swift, who each picked up three trophies apiece.
Now let’s get ready for some awards that really matter when the Grammy nominations are announced on Tuesday.