George Washington, Ben Franklin among 'persons of concern' cited by mayor's working group
A committee created by Washington, D.C., mayor Muriel Bowser (D.) is recommending the city "rename, remove, or contextualize" buildings and other city assets—including the Washington Monument—whose namesakes have been deemed problematic.
Bowser formed the District of Columbia Facilities and Commemorative Expressions Working Group, or D.C. FACES, in July to review the city’s stock of 1,330 named assets and address 153 assets named after "persons of concern." The committee submitted their final report to the mayor on Monday.
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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Wednesday, September 02, 2020
Californians are buying their own fire trucks on Craigslist following devastating 2020 wildfires
Concerned over destructive wildfires, a heatwave that could spark another blaze and depleted fire resources, California residents can purchase their own fire trucks via Craigslist for protection.
A Sacramento-based company called Vans from Japan is using the online marketplace to sell the fire vehicles to fight fires, which includes a 2013 Peterbilt water truck that sells for $69,000 and can hold 2,500 gallons, NPR reported.
A Type 6 Fire Truck in Napa is being offered at $17,500 and comes fitted with a Hale pump and 200 feet of hard-line hose with a nozzle, SF Gate reported. A 1995 Toyota Hilux fire truck with only 5,000 miles will set buyers back $17,000.
A Sacramento-based company called Vans from Japan is using the online marketplace to sell the fire vehicles to fight fires, which includes a 2013 Peterbilt water truck that sells for $69,000 and can hold 2,500 gallons, NPR reported.
A Type 6 Fire Truck in Napa is being offered at $17,500 and comes fitted with a Hale pump and 200 feet of hard-line hose with a nozzle, SF Gate reported. A 1995 Toyota Hilux fire truck with only 5,000 miles will set buyers back $17,000.
Kentucky family court judge accused of booze, 'threesome' at courthouse is kicked off bench
A Kentucky judge accused of using sex and booze to turn her courtroom into a virtual frat house was kicked off the bench by a judicial panel on Monday.
A five-member judicial commission voted unanimously to remove Kenton County Family Court Judge Dawn Gentry, who was suspended with pay in December pending a misconduct probe, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported.
Gentry, 39, was accused of creating a rowdy atmosphere at the courthouse, hiring her boyfriend and bandmate, allowing drinking during work hours, and using sex, coercion, and retaliation against lawyers and court employees who didn’t back her political campaigns, the outlet said.
“This case does not involve one or two isolated occurrences, but instead involves a pattern of misconduct and repeated exercise of extremely poor judgment — on and off the bench — by the respondent that continued for over a year, including after respondent was informed that a complaint was filed with the commission against her,” the commission wrote in its decision.
A five-member judicial commission voted unanimously to remove Kenton County Family Court Judge Dawn Gentry, who was suspended with pay in December pending a misconduct probe, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported.
Gentry, 39, was accused of creating a rowdy atmosphere at the courthouse, hiring her boyfriend and bandmate, allowing drinking during work hours, and using sex, coercion, and retaliation against lawyers and court employees who didn’t back her political campaigns, the outlet said.
“This case does not involve one or two isolated occurrences, but instead involves a pattern of misconduct and repeated exercise of extremely poor judgment — on and off the bench — by the respondent that continued for over a year, including after respondent was informed that a complaint was filed with the commission against her,” the commission wrote in its decision.
Police Investigating ‘Absolutely Disgusting’ Brick Attack That Was Caught on Video in Baltimore
A shocking video of a brick attack in Baltimore, Maryland over the weekend has sparked a police investigation. The video doesn’t offer much context, but it has been viewed millions of times online since Sunday. The footage appears to show a Black man hitting a white man in the back of the head with a brick as the victim walked down the street.
As seen on the video, the victim loses consciousness and falls on the sidewalk. The suspect ran away in another direction.
Baltimore City Councilman Eric Costello (D) posted video of the attack online.
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As seen on the video, the victim loses consciousness and falls on the sidewalk. The suspect ran away in another direction.
Baltimore City Councilman Eric Costello (D) posted video of the attack online.
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Antifa.com explains a lot!
Try typing antifa.com into your search bar and see where it takes you!
Nuf said!
Nuf said!
Uber Users Will Have to Take Face Mask Selfies to Order New Rides
Uber users who have previously been reported by a driver for not wearing a face mask will now be required to take a selfie in order to verify that their faces are covered when requesting a new ride, the company announced on Tuesday.
"If a driver reports to us that a rider wasn't wearing a mask, the rider will be required to take a selfie with their face covered before they're able to take another trip with Uber," the company said in a blog post. "With the addition of this new feature, one driver's feedback can help ensure the safety of Uber for the next driver."
Since May, Uber has required riders to wear face masks and confirm their faces are covered before ordering a ride, but enforcement of masks will now be stricter.
"If a driver reports to us that a rider wasn't wearing a mask, the rider will be required to take a selfie with their face covered before they're able to take another trip with Uber," the company said in a blog post. "With the addition of this new feature, one driver's feedback can help ensure the safety of Uber for the next driver."
Since May, Uber has required riders to wear face masks and confirm their faces are covered before ordering a ride, but enforcement of masks will now be stricter.
Tucker Carlson blasts Pelosi over visit to shuttered San Francisco hair salon
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., "ripped science apart like a State of the Union address" by visiting a San Francisco hair salon Monday for a wash and blowout without a mask, Tucker Carlson told his viewers Tuesday.
"She has wet hair, she is not wearing a mask, but she was indoors," said the "Tucker Carlson Tonight" host, describing security footage of Pelosi's visit that was obtained by Fox News. "She was almost alone, because due to coronavirus regulations, salons in San Francisco are closed to services."
Carlson continued, "Nancy Pelosi went inside. She can do that because she is the Speaker of the House, third in line to the presidency. You cannot because you don't have as much power as Nancy Pelosi."
In the footage, which is timestamped at 3:08 p.m. PT, the California political powerhouse is seen walking through San Francisco's eSalon with wet hair and without a mask over her mouth or nose.
"She has wet hair, she is not wearing a mask, but she was indoors," said the "Tucker Carlson Tonight" host, describing security footage of Pelosi's visit that was obtained by Fox News. "She was almost alone, because due to coronavirus regulations, salons in San Francisco are closed to services."
Carlson continued, "Nancy Pelosi went inside. She can do that because she is the Speaker of the House, third in line to the presidency. You cannot because you don't have as much power as Nancy Pelosi."
In the footage, which is timestamped at 3:08 p.m. PT, the California political powerhouse is seen walking through San Francisco's eSalon with wet hair and without a mask over her mouth or nose.
Patrick Hampton: Letter to LeBron James: It's Not a 'Police Problem'
Stop blaming the police and help build better fathers and families.
Dear LeBron,
In your latest celebrity race-bait hate remarks objecting to the actions of police attempting to arrest “that gentleman” Jacob Blake for aggravated sexual assault, shooting him after he fought them and brandished a deadly weapon, you declared, “Black men, Black women, Black kids, we are terrified.”
LeBron, you don’t speak for me and my boys.
I’m a father of four brown boys. It is my responsibility as a father to protect and serve them. There is no need for police in my home because as the father, I’m the authority in my home. Police are needed where fathers and law and order are absent. When there is no father to protect and serve children, police have to move into that community to protect and serve.
Where there is no father or authority in the home or neighborhood, young men rebel. This is why police are having a hard time gaining compliance with fatherless boys on the side of the road. They refuse to sit down, be quiet, and comply. Why? Because the police are the first men to tell them NO and assert their authority. These boys have spent their lifetime under no man’s authority. A failure to recognize and respect authority is a primary causal factor in the violence besieging our urban areas.
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Dear LeBron,
In your latest celebrity race-bait hate remarks objecting to the actions of police attempting to arrest “that gentleman” Jacob Blake for aggravated sexual assault, shooting him after he fought them and brandished a deadly weapon, you declared, “Black men, Black women, Black kids, we are terrified.”
LeBron, you don’t speak for me and my boys.
I’m a father of four brown boys. It is my responsibility as a father to protect and serve them. There is no need for police in my home because as the father, I’m the authority in my home. Police are needed where fathers and law and order are absent. When there is no father to protect and serve children, police have to move into that community to protect and serve.
Where there is no father or authority in the home or neighborhood, young men rebel. This is why police are having a hard time gaining compliance with fatherless boys on the side of the road. They refuse to sit down, be quiet, and comply. Why? Because the police are the first men to tell them NO and assert their authority. These boys have spent their lifetime under no man’s authority. A failure to recognize and respect authority is a primary causal factor in the violence besieging our urban areas.
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Canadian Landlord Rips Out Doors, Windows and Faucet to Force Tenant Eviction
A landlord in Canada has removed doors, windows, and kitchen facilities from an apartment unit in Halifax in a bid to force out the couple living there, who have not paid rent since their lease expired at the end of April.
Melody Baldock and partner Laurissa Forrest have been in a dispute with landlord Adam Barrett for several months, CBC News reported Friday, after their lease expired and they stopped paying rent. Baldock and Forrest say they have been unable to find alternative accommodation, partially due to the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Barrett—who in the past has made headlines for forcing tenants out of other buildings via renovation disruption and rent increases—told CBC that Baldock and Forrest have long been troublesome tenants, failing to pay rent, fighting with neighbors and causing damage to the building.
Melody Baldock and partner Laurissa Forrest have been in a dispute with landlord Adam Barrett for several months, CBC News reported Friday, after their lease expired and they stopped paying rent. Baldock and Forrest say they have been unable to find alternative accommodation, partially due to the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Barrett—who in the past has made headlines for forcing tenants out of other buildings via renovation disruption and rent increases—told CBC that Baldock and Forrest have long been troublesome tenants, failing to pay rent, fighting with neighbors and causing damage to the building.
Douglas Andrews: Biden's Silence Condoned the Violence
He never directly condemns BLM or antifa, and he claims Trump's fanning the flames.
Joe Biden just flubbed his Sister Souljah moment. Badly.
In May 1992, the notorious rapper was asked a question about black-on-white violence during that year’s deadly Los Angeles riots. Her response — “Why not kill a white person?” — caused a furor, and it caused Bill Clinton to seize the moment. Soon thereafter, while speaking to Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, Clinton denounced Sister Souljah. And that was all it took to reassure Middle America that he and his party were squarely on their side.
Yesterday in Pittsburgh, Joe Biden had a similar opportunity — at least on its surface. Biden hadn’t said so much as an unkind word about Black Lives Matter or its white-privileged partners in crime, antifa, since this year’s rioting began in late May with the death of George Floyd. He and his running mate, Kamala Harris, never specifically call out either “organization,” and nary a word was mentioned about any of it (outside the standard leftist pablum about “police brutality”) during the entire week of the Democrat confab. Why? Biden doesn’t dare condemn BLM or antifa, because their support is absolutely necessary for him to win in November.
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Joe Biden just flubbed his Sister Souljah moment. Badly.
In May 1992, the notorious rapper was asked a question about black-on-white violence during that year’s deadly Los Angeles riots. Her response — “Why not kill a white person?” — caused a furor, and it caused Bill Clinton to seize the moment. Soon thereafter, while speaking to Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, Clinton denounced Sister Souljah. And that was all it took to reassure Middle America that he and his party were squarely on their side.
Yesterday in Pittsburgh, Joe Biden had a similar opportunity — at least on its surface. Biden hadn’t said so much as an unkind word about Black Lives Matter or its white-privileged partners in crime, antifa, since this year’s rioting began in late May with the death of George Floyd. He and his running mate, Kamala Harris, never specifically call out either “organization,” and nary a word was mentioned about any of it (outside the standard leftist pablum about “police brutality”) during the entire week of the Democrat confab. Why? Biden doesn’t dare condemn BLM or antifa, because their support is absolutely necessary for him to win in November.
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Increasing Number of Americans Say They'll Get Coronavirus Vaccine, but Still Less Than Global Average
More Americans say they'll get a vaccine for the coronavirus, but this number is still lower than the global average of adults who say the same, according to a new poll.
The survey, which was conducted by the World Economic Forum/Ipsos, found that 67 percent of Americans said they'd get vaccinated. This finding is an increase from polling conducted in early August, as a CNN/SSRS survey found that 56 percent of Americans said they'd get inoculated against the novel virus.
According to the new poll, the global average of adults saying they'd get the vaccine was 74 percent, with 37 percent saying they strongly agree they would get it and 37 percent saying they somewhat agree.
The survey, which was conducted by the World Economic Forum/Ipsos, found that 67 percent of Americans said they'd get vaccinated. This finding is an increase from polling conducted in early August, as a CNN/SSRS survey found that 56 percent of Americans said they'd get inoculated against the novel virus.
According to the new poll, the global average of adults saying they'd get the vaccine was 74 percent, with 37 percent saying they strongly agree they would get it and 37 percent saying they somewhat agree.
Worcester Schools: ‘Our Plans Are Not Changing … Our Model Is Right In Line’ With Governor’s Intentions
NEWARK – Worcester County Public Schools leaders continue to plan for students to begin returning to classrooms at the end of September.
In the wake of an announcement from Gov. Larry Hogan last week that all school systems were authorized to begin reopening, Superintendent Lou Taylor said Worcester County would continue to adhere to its Responsible Return model. The model calls for small groups of students to begin returning to school Sept. 28.
“I want to say plainly that our plans are not changing and this is due to the fact that our model is right in line with what the governor and state superintendent outlined in their remarks,” Taylor said in a video posted on the school system’s website. “In fact, the governor’s remarks further affirm that Worcester’s Responsible Return model is one that places a high value on bringing students back into the classroom as quickly and as safely as possible.”
In a press conference last Thursday, Hogan authorized school systems to begin reopening now that COVID-19 numbers are trending downward.
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In the wake of an announcement from Gov. Larry Hogan last week that all school systems were authorized to begin reopening, Superintendent Lou Taylor said Worcester County would continue to adhere to its Responsible Return model. The model calls for small groups of students to begin returning to school Sept. 28.
“I want to say plainly that our plans are not changing and this is due to the fact that our model is right in line with what the governor and state superintendent outlined in their remarks,” Taylor said in a video posted on the school system’s website. “In fact, the governor’s remarks further affirm that Worcester’s Responsible Return model is one that places a high value on bringing students back into the classroom as quickly and as safely as possible.”
In a press conference last Thursday, Hogan authorized school systems to begin reopening now that COVID-19 numbers are trending downward.
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Children in Wuhan return to school
Children returned to school on Tuesday in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, the original epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic that underwent months of lockdown but which has not seen new cases of local transmission for weeks.
State media reported 1.4 million children in the city reported to 2,842 kindergartens, primary and secondary schools as part of a nationwide return to classes.
Life has largely returned to normal in Wuhan, where the novel coronavirus was first detected late last year. After what critics called an attempt to ignore the outbreak, the city underwent a 76-day lockdown during which residents were confined to their homes and field hospitals opened to assist an overwhelmed medical system.
Wuhan marked a milestone on Sunday when its last confirmed case, a patient who brought the virus from overseas, was released from a city hospital.
State media reported 1.4 million children in the city reported to 2,842 kindergartens, primary and secondary schools as part of a nationwide return to classes.
Life has largely returned to normal in Wuhan, where the novel coronavirus was first detected late last year. After what critics called an attempt to ignore the outbreak, the city underwent a 76-day lockdown during which residents were confined to their homes and field hospitals opened to assist an overwhelmed medical system.
Wuhan marked a milestone on Sunday when its last confirmed case, a patient who brought the virus from overseas, was released from a city hospital.
Four Suspects Charged In Boardwalk Armed Robbery
OCEAN CITY — Four suspects have been charged with armed robbery and first-degree assault after alleged gunpoint robbery involving a shotgun on the Boardwalk last week.
Around 2:15 a.m. last Wednesday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer on bicycle patrol was dispatched to the area of 12th Street and the Boardwalk for a reported assault with gun. As the bicycle officer made his way to the scene, the officer observed a suspect matching the description provided by Ocean City Communications running west toward Baltimore Avenue. The officer detained the suspect, later identified as James Watson, 17, of Alexandria, Va.
OCPD officers identified Watson as the suspect they had seen with a shotgun. OCPD officers viewed the City Watch video footage of the incident and observed Watson walking down the Boardwalk carrying a shotgun. The officer who first detained Watson reported never seeing Watson in possession of the shotgun, but witnesses told police Watson handed the weapon to a friend, who went back to their vehicle.
OCPD officers interviewed the female victim, who reportedly told police Watson had robbed her and her 10-year-old niece. The victim told police Watson held her 10-year-old niece at gunpoint and demanded her cell phone, according to police reports. The victim told police she grabbed the cell phone from her niece and told the child to run away, according to police reports.
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Around 2:15 a.m. last Wednesday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer on bicycle patrol was dispatched to the area of 12th Street and the Boardwalk for a reported assault with gun. As the bicycle officer made his way to the scene, the officer observed a suspect matching the description provided by Ocean City Communications running west toward Baltimore Avenue. The officer detained the suspect, later identified as James Watson, 17, of Alexandria, Va.
OCPD officers identified Watson as the suspect they had seen with a shotgun. OCPD officers viewed the City Watch video footage of the incident and observed Watson walking down the Boardwalk carrying a shotgun. The officer who first detained Watson reported never seeing Watson in possession of the shotgun, but witnesses told police Watson handed the weapon to a friend, who went back to their vehicle.
OCPD officers interviewed the female victim, who reportedly told police Watson had robbed her and her 10-year-old niece. The victim told police Watson held her 10-year-old niece at gunpoint and demanded her cell phone, according to police reports. The victim told police she grabbed the cell phone from her niece and told the child to run away, according to police reports.
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U.S. Marshals Find 25 Missing Children in Ohio Days After Finding 39 in Georgia
CLEVELAND - The U.S. Marshals Service found 25 missing children from Ohio over the past 20 days in a joint operation with other law enforcement agencies, officials said.
“Operation Safety Net recovered 25 missing children in its first two weeks, and the sting is continuing right now,” the agency wrote.
According to a news release from the U.S. Marshals Service, the agency has worked with Ohio authorities over the past 20 days locating and recovering missing juveniles from all over the state.
Children were rescued in Cleveland, East Cleveland, Akron, Mansfield, Euclid, Willoughby and even as far as Miami, Florida.
The news follows the U.S. Marshals’ rescue of 39 missing children in Georgia and the arrest of nine suspects last week.
“Operation Safety Net recovered 25 missing children in its first two weeks, and the sting is continuing right now,” the agency wrote.
According to a news release from the U.S. Marshals Service, the agency has worked with Ohio authorities over the past 20 days locating and recovering missing juveniles from all over the state.
Children were rescued in Cleveland, East Cleveland, Akron, Mansfield, Euclid, Willoughby and even as far as Miami, Florida.
The news follows the U.S. Marshals’ rescue of 39 missing children in Georgia and the arrest of nine suspects last week.
Restaurant fires server who told police detective to ‘quit your job’ on his receipt
A restaurant server reportedly lost her job after giving a police detective a snarky “tip” on his receipt.
The server, who worked at the Happy Camper restaurant in the Wrigleyville neighborhood of Chicago, reportedly wrote “Quit your job!” on the detective’s receipt on Sunday, according to a photo obtained by local outlet CWB Chicago.
The outlet reported that the detective reportedly threw away his order after seeing the note, worried something had been done to his food.
On Monday, Happy Camper posted a statement about the incident on its website and Facebook page, saying it had fired the employee, and offered a sincere apology.
“We sincerely and humbly apologize -- the action of one does not accurately reflect who we are as a company,” the post continued. “We have zero tolerance for any behavior that doesn’t give our customers the full respect they deserve.”
“Please also know that Happy Camper has reached out to the police officer to personally apologize, offer a full refund and provide a gift card to his restaurant of choice,” the comment said. “Thanks again to all of our customers for your understanding.”
The server, who worked at the Happy Camper restaurant in the Wrigleyville neighborhood of Chicago, reportedly wrote “Quit your job!” on the detective’s receipt on Sunday, according to a photo obtained by local outlet CWB Chicago.
The outlet reported that the detective reportedly threw away his order after seeing the note, worried something had been done to his food.
On Monday, Happy Camper posted a statement about the incident on its website and Facebook page, saying it had fired the employee, and offered a sincere apology.
“We sincerely and humbly apologize -- the action of one does not accurately reflect who we are as a company,” the post continued. “We have zero tolerance for any behavior that doesn’t give our customers the full respect they deserve.”
“Please also know that Happy Camper has reached out to the police officer to personally apologize, offer a full refund and provide a gift card to his restaurant of choice,” the comment said. “Thanks again to all of our customers for your understanding.”
Oops: Vast Majority of Positive COVID results should have been negative?
Testing, testing, testing -- that's how Pelosi and the Democrats say we'll defeat the coronavirus. Meanwhile, President Trump and his administration are conducting "operation warp speed" at breakneck pace to develop therapeutics, diagnostics, and a vaccine for the Wuhan flu. Unlike testing, treatments will actually do something for you when you come down sick with the disease. But now we're learning the overwhelming majority of those who have tested positive for the coronavirus should really have been found negative after all.
According to The New York Times, potentially 90 percent of those who have tested positive for COVID-19 have such insignificant amounts of the virus present in their bodies that such individuals do not need to isolate nor are they candidates for contact tracing. Leading public health experts are now concerned that overtesting is responsible for misdiagnosing a huge number of people with harmless amounts of the virus in their systems.
"Most of these people are not likely to be contagious, and identifying them may contribute to bottlenecks that prevent those who are contagious from being found in time," warns The Times.
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According to The New York Times, potentially 90 percent of those who have tested positive for COVID-19 have such insignificant amounts of the virus present in their bodies that such individuals do not need to isolate nor are they candidates for contact tracing. Leading public health experts are now concerned that overtesting is responsible for misdiagnosing a huge number of people with harmless amounts of the virus in their systems.
"Most of these people are not likely to be contagious, and identifying them may contribute to bottlenecks that prevent those who are contagious from being found in time," warns The Times.
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JMU sends students home, transitions to online classes after more than 500 COVID-19 cases reported
HARRISONBURG, Va. -- James Madison University will transition to primarily online learning and students living in dorms will be asked to return home after more than 500 COVID-19 cases were reported on campus.
"In-person classes will transition online no later than this coming Monday, Sept. 7. Additionally, residents will be asked to return home by Sept. 7 unless they seek an exemption to stay," the school said in a release.
"In-person classes will transition online no later than this coming Monday, Sept. 7. Additionally, residents will be asked to return home by Sept. 7 unless they seek an exemption to stay," the school said in a release.
White House defends Trump over Atlanta mayor's mask accusations
The White House last week defended President Trump after Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) accused him of breaking the law by failing to wear a mask during a visit to the city's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
White House spokesman Judd Deere told The Hill that Trump was following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) when he attended an event without a mask at the Atlanta airport. Trump's visit to the city was capped by his announcement that his administration would roll back of one of the nation's bedrock environmental laws.
"The President takes the health and safety of everyone traveling in support of himself and all White House operations very seriously," Deere said in a statement to The Hill.
White House spokesman Judd Deere told The Hill that Trump was following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) when he attended an event without a mask at the Atlanta airport. Trump's visit to the city was capped by his announcement that his administration would roll back of one of the nation's bedrock environmental laws.
"The President takes the health and safety of everyone traveling in support of himself and all White House operations very seriously," Deere said in a statement to The Hill.
Trump: I don't want my supporters confronting Protesters
During an interview aired on Monday’s broadcast of the Fox News Channel’s “Ingraham Angle,” President Donald Trump stated that he does not want his supporters to confront left-wing protesters and that such matters should be left to law enforcement. Trump also stated that his supporters are good people who “can’t believe” the violence they see in some American cities.
Host Laura Ingraham asked, [relevant exchange begins around 5:00] “[D]o you want your supporters to confront the left-wing protesters, or do you want to leave it to law enforcement?”
Host Laura Ingraham asked, [relevant exchange begins around 5:00] “[D]o you want your supporters to confront the left-wing protesters, or do you want to leave it to law enforcement?”
Trump responded, “No. No, I don’t want them. I want to leave it to law enforcement. But my supporters are wonderful, hard-working, tremendous people. And they turn on their television set, and they look at a Portland, or they look at a Kenosha, before I got involved and stopped it, or they look at Chicago, where 78 people were shot last weekend and numerous people died, or they look at New York, where violence is up by like, what? 150%. … They’re looking at all of this, and they can’t believe it.”
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Kenosha Protests Caused $2 Million in Property Damage Over 8 Days, City Official Estimates
An official in Kenosha, Wisconsin, estimated Monday that it would take nearly $2 million to repair all city-owned property damaged following eight consecutive days of protests, the first three days of which were violent.
Shelly Billingsley, the city's public works director, told local leaders the amount would be necessary to replace garbage trucks, street lights, traffic signals and more that were damaged or destroyed in the daily protests following the non-fatal shooting of Jacob Blake, the Associated Press reported.
Shelly Billingsley, the city's public works director, told local leaders the amount would be necessary to replace garbage trucks, street lights, traffic signals and more that were damaged or destroyed in the daily protests following the non-fatal shooting of Jacob Blake, the Associated Press reported.
De Blasio hints indoor dining won't return in NYC until COVID-19 Vaccine
The resumption of indoor dining in New York Cityhinges on a “huge step forward” — like the development of a coronavirus vaccine, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday.
The mayor sounded less than optimistic that eatery owners and workers would be able to start earning a living again — and diners able to enjoy a meal inside an eatery — before the June 1, 2021, return date, set earlier this month.
“We do expect — and pray for and expect — a vaccine in the spring that will allow us to get more back to normal,” he said at his daily press briefing, “but I will absolutely tell you, we’re going to keep looking for that situation where we can push down the virus enough where we would have more ability to address indoor dining.”
De Blasio’s grim message came despite the city recording a 0.59 percent COVID-19 infection rate — “one of our lowest” rates since March, he said Monday.
It’s also in contrast to neighboring New Jersey, which just announced that restaurants would reopen for indoor dining at 25 percent capacity starting Friday. Every other region in New York state, including the neighboring Long Island and Westchester suburbs, have had some indoor dining in place for weeks.
Still, de Blasio said the city’s continuous low infection rates aren’t enough.
“Is there a way where we can do something safely with indoor dining? So far we have not had that moment, honestly,” he said.
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The mayor sounded less than optimistic that eatery owners and workers would be able to start earning a living again — and diners able to enjoy a meal inside an eatery — before the June 1, 2021, return date, set earlier this month.
“We do expect — and pray for and expect — a vaccine in the spring that will allow us to get more back to normal,” he said at his daily press briefing, “but I will absolutely tell you, we’re going to keep looking for that situation where we can push down the virus enough where we would have more ability to address indoor dining.”
De Blasio’s grim message came despite the city recording a 0.59 percent COVID-19 infection rate — “one of our lowest” rates since March, he said Monday.
It’s also in contrast to neighboring New Jersey, which just announced that restaurants would reopen for indoor dining at 25 percent capacity starting Friday. Every other region in New York state, including the neighboring Long Island and Westchester suburbs, have had some indoor dining in place for weeks.
Still, de Blasio said the city’s continuous low infection rates aren’t enough.
“Is there a way where we can do something safely with indoor dining? So far we have not had that moment, honestly,” he said.
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Dozens march against vaccine mandates in Richmond
Richmond, VA (WRIC)– Dozens rallied outside of the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond Wednesday, to protest against medical mandates in the Commonwealth.
Families attending the rally held signs that read, “We are not guinea pigs,” “My body my choice,” and “No forced vaccine.”
Speakers and protesters were chanting slogans like “Free to be free” and “We will not comply.” The protest stemmed from a statement made by State Health Commissioner Dr. Norman Oliver, in support of a COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
Virginia state law gives the Commissioner of health the authority to mandate immunizations during a public health crisis if a vaccine is available.
Families attending the rally held signs that read, “We are not guinea pigs,” “My body my choice,” and “No forced vaccine.”
Speakers and protesters were chanting slogans like “Free to be free” and “We will not comply.” The protest stemmed from a statement made by State Health Commissioner Dr. Norman Oliver, in support of a COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
Virginia state law gives the Commissioner of health the authority to mandate immunizations during a public health crisis if a vaccine is available.
Federal panel lays out initial priorities for COVID-19 vaccine distribution
Initial doses of a COVID-19 vaccine should go to front-line health workers, first responders and people at serious risk for infection, according to new draft guidelines released Tuesday by a federal advisory panel.
The draft guidelines were developed by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to help U.S. officials plan for an equitable allocation of an eventual vaccine.
The final report will be released later this fall.
The draft guidelines were developed by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to help U.S. officials plan for an equitable allocation of an eventual vaccine.
The final report will be released later this fall.
Joe Biden starts Presidential Campaign by Praising Antifa
Former Vice President Joe Biden endorsed Antifa in a video announcing his presidential bid Thursday, characterizing the group as “courageous” and saying it’s wrong to draw a moral equivalence between white nationalist groups and those opposing them.
The violent methods of Antifa are well documented. The nebulous group often uses these violent means against peaceful conservative speakers, benign free speech advocates, and even journalists.
In a retelling of the events at a 2017 white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va., Biden describes the white nationalists as having “crazed faces, illuminated by torches, veins bulging and baring the fangs of racism,” but describes the Antifa members who engaged violently with them as “a courageous group of Americans.”
“A violent clash ensued, and a brave young woman lost her life,” Biden says in the video. “And that’s when we heard the words of the president of the United States that stunned the world and shocked the conscience of this nation.”
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The violent methods of Antifa are well documented. The nebulous group often uses these violent means against peaceful conservative speakers, benign free speech advocates, and even journalists.
In a retelling of the events at a 2017 white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va., Biden describes the white nationalists as having “crazed faces, illuminated by torches, veins bulging and baring the fangs of racism,” but describes the Antifa members who engaged violently with them as “a courageous group of Americans.”
“A violent clash ensued, and a brave young woman lost her life,” Biden says in the video. “And that’s when we heard the words of the president of the United States that stunned the world and shocked the conscience of this nation.”
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Republican representative Jen Kiggans from Virginia Beach questions Gov. Northram's executive powers!
Since March, I have listened to many of you ask why our Governor is able to mandate executive order after executive order with no input from the legislative branch. As it currently stands, Virginia law gives the Governor unilateral authority to declare a state of emergency for an unlimited amount of time without involving the legislature. Last Wednesday, we heard FIVE bills in committee which addressed this imbalance of power (SB 5001, 5008, 5048, 5077, & 5111) including two (which I co-patroned) which proposed that the Governor’s emergency orders be limited to 30 days or 45 days before calling back the General Assembly. Although there was intense debate, ALL FIVE bills were killed one-by-one in committee along party line vote of 8(D) to 6(R). Thus the Governor retains the ability to mandate executive orders using his judgement alone for as long as he’d like. Note that the majority of states in our country have some restriction in place for the Governor’s emergency powers. #ButNotVirginia!#NoBalanceOfPower #LetUsDoOurJob!