A University of Cincinnati professor is on administrative leave for referring to COVID-19 as the “Chinese virus” in an email to a student.
John L. Ucker, an adjunct instructor in the university’s engineering and applied sciences department, was put on leave with pay effective immediately on Friday,one day after engineering student Evan Sotzing posted an email he received from Ucker on Twitter that went viral, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
“For students testing positive for the chinese virus, I will give no grade,” the email from Ucker’s university account read. “You can read the info I sent to the class re: the torsion test.”
Sotzing, a 20-year-old junior, said he got the email after his girlfriend tested positive for the coronavirus, causing him to miss a lab due to guidance from the university’s health department instructing him to quarantine over the potential exposure.
“I really just want him to apologize,” Sotzing told WKRC. “I want a sincere apology for his comment.”
Sotzing said he was shocked that “anyone in power” would use such xenophobic language. His post with Ucker’s email had been retweeted 37,700 times as of early Wednesday and prompted a response from the university’s president.
“There is no place for bigotry in our community or any other,” UC President Neville Pinto tweeted Friday. “Every Bearcat deserves to feel welcome, respected and supported. Greatness starts with inclusion. And inclusion starts with each of us.”
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Friday, September 25, 2020
Trump on Meghan Markle: ‘I wish a lot of luck to Harry, because he’s gonna need it’
President Trump on Wednesday slammed Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle after she and Prince Harry implicitly endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.
“I’m not a fan of hers,” Trump told reporters at a White House press briefing.
“And I would say this — and she probably has heard that — but I wish a lot of luck to Harry, because he’s gonna need it.”
Markle, 39, is a Los Angeles-born former actress who married Queen Elizabeth II’s grandson in 2018 before being blamed for the January #Megxit of the couple, in which they abandoned their royal duties to move first to Canada, and then to the US.
The couple effectively endorsed Biden in a recent video clip filmed for Time magazine.
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“I’m not a fan of hers,” Trump told reporters at a White House press briefing.
“And I would say this — and she probably has heard that — but I wish a lot of luck to Harry, because he’s gonna need it.”
Markle, 39, is a Los Angeles-born former actress who married Queen Elizabeth II’s grandson in 2018 before being blamed for the January #Megxit of the couple, in which they abandoned their royal duties to move first to Canada, and then to the US.
The couple effectively endorsed Biden in a recent video clip filmed for Time magazine.
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Rep. McCarthy threatens vote to oust Pelosi as speaker if she tries impeachment
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy threatened to call for a vote to oust House Speaker Nancy Pelosi if she makes an effort to impeach President Trump to block him from nominating a Supreme Court justice.
“I will make you this one promise, listening to the speaker on television this weekend, if she tries to move for an impeachment based upon the president following the Constitution, I think there will be a move on the floor to no longer, or the question of her being speaker,” McCarthy (R-Calif.) told reporters on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.
“She may think she has a quiver — we do too,” he said.
In an appearance on ABC News Sunday, Pelosi refused to rule out trying to impeach Trump or Attorney General William Barr in an effort to stop the nominating process for the president’s Supreme Court pick in Congress.
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“I will make you this one promise, listening to the speaker on television this weekend, if she tries to move for an impeachment based upon the president following the Constitution, I think there will be a move on the floor to no longer, or the question of her being speaker,” McCarthy (R-Calif.) told reporters on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.
“She may think she has a quiver — we do too,” he said.
In an appearance on ABC News Sunday, Pelosi refused to rule out trying to impeach Trump or Attorney General William Barr in an effort to stop the nominating process for the president’s Supreme Court pick in Congress.
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Protesters seen grabbing shields from U-Haul after Breonna Taylor decision
Organized protesters were seen grabbing protective gear and pre-prepared signs from a U-Haul in Louisville, Kentucky, just moments after the announcement that local cops were not being charged in the shooting death of Breonna Taylor.
‘Shields, we got shields!” a woman’s voice shouted as dozens of people rushed over to a rental van parked downtown in the now-viral footage seen more than 4.6 million times Thursday.
A woman was filmed unloading supplies from the back of the U-Haul as others took out shields as well as numerous pre-prepared giant signs, some reading “Abolish the police” and “Abolition now,” the clips show.
Others had anarchy signs, as well as a three-arrow symbol that has been linked to Antifa.
An apparent onlooker was heard saying that it was clear they “came here with a strategy”.
‘Shields, we got shields!” a woman’s voice shouted as dozens of people rushed over to a rental van parked downtown in the now-viral footage seen more than 4.6 million times Thursday.
A woman was filmed unloading supplies from the back of the U-Haul as others took out shields as well as numerous pre-prepared giant signs, some reading “Abolish the police” and “Abolition now,” the clips show.
Others had anarchy signs, as well as a three-arrow symbol that has been linked to Antifa.
An apparent onlooker was heard saying that it was clear they “came here with a strategy”.
Proud Boys denied Portland rally permit over COVID-19 concerns
Right-wing group the Proud Boys were denied a permit for their planned Saturday rally in Portland, city officials announced Wednesday, citing coronavirus concerns.
The proposed rally at Delta Park in north Portland was expected to draw 10,000 Proud Boy supporters. Two concurrent counter protests by left-wing groups were also planned in the city, including one in the same park.
Portland Parks & Recreation Bureau said in a statement that the city denied the permit over the estimated size of the rally, which they said would violate coronavirus safety measures.
“We must all do our part to fight the spread of COVID-19 in our community and keep ourselves and each other safe. Events like this are not welcome and are not allowed,” Portland City Commissioner Amanda Fritz, who oversees the city’s parks department, said in the statement.
Ahead of the rally, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, a Democrat, gave the Proud Boys a cold reception on Twitter.
The proposed rally at Delta Park in north Portland was expected to draw 10,000 Proud Boy supporters. Two concurrent counter protests by left-wing groups were also planned in the city, including one in the same park.
Portland Parks & Recreation Bureau said in a statement that the city denied the permit over the estimated size of the rally, which they said would violate coronavirus safety measures.
“We must all do our part to fight the spread of COVID-19 in our community and keep ourselves and each other safe. Events like this are not welcome and are not allowed,” Portland City Commissioner Amanda Fritz, who oversees the city’s parks department, said in the statement.
Ahead of the rally, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, a Democrat, gave the Proud Boys a cold reception on Twitter.
“On September 26th, agitators plan on coming to Portland to spread messages of hate and racism — values we don’t welcome here in Portland,” Wheeler wrote.
“If you intend to come to our city, our home, to spread hate and provoke violence, don’t,” he said.
“If you intend to come to our city, our home, to spread hate and provoke violence, don’t,” he said.
Enrique Tarrio, a leader of Proud Boys, which has been deemed a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, said the rally would be peaceful. He also urged anyone planning violence to keep out.
‘Mulan’ is the latest proof Hollywood has become a Chinese propaganda factory
Hollywood is accommodating a new era of McCarthyism, imposed this time by Red China.
It involves everything that Hollywood tells us that it hates censorship, pressure to conform and blacklists. Yet the studios have seamlessly absorbed Beijing’s dictates into their operations.
This most iconic American business is now, literally, an agent of Chinese influence.
The latest outrage is Disney’s live-action remake of the animated 1998 movie “Mulan,” based on Chinese folklore about a girl enlisting in the army. Disney filmed parts of the movie in China and, in its credits, thanks Chinese propaganda departments as well as a public-security bureau in the province of Xinjiang, where Beijing is carrying out its hideous campaign against the Uighurs.
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This most iconic American business is now, literally, an agent of Chinese influence.
The latest outrage is Disney’s live-action remake of the animated 1998 movie “Mulan,” based on Chinese folklore about a girl enlisting in the army. Disney filmed parts of the movie in China and, in its credits, thanks Chinese propaganda departments as well as a public-security bureau in the province of Xinjiang, where Beijing is carrying out its hideous campaign against the Uighurs.
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The Post asks … Can you find Joe Biden?
That’s after The Post found that President Trump has answered five times the number of questions from reporters in the two months from mid-July to mid-September, 1,141 to a scant 274.
Americans deserve to hear more from the man who wants to be president, and who is willing and able to face tougher questioning.
ABC's Jonathan Karl: 'A big chunk of the country' believes the press is now 'the resistance'
ABC News chief White House correspondent Jonathan Karl expressed his concern about how the general public views the press during the Trump era.
During an interview with Mediaite, Karl discussed the tense relationship between White House reporters and President Trump, something he suggested has had "negative consequences" with many Americans.
"I do believe that unfortunately, there is a big chunk of the country that believes that the press is now the resistance and I think it's really unfortunate and I think that it has negative consequences for a free press. I think it has negative consequences for our democracy," Karl told Mediaite on Thursday. "But I think that the aggressive questioning of the president, particularly now in the wake of what we've seen unfold with the pandemic is absolutely necessary. Not only justified but necessary.
He went on to walk back the harsh criticism of his CNN counterpart Jim Acosta, who he slammed in his memoir for undermining the "credibility" of the White House press corps with his "speeches" that painted the press as "the resistance."
"The events that have played out since those early days of the Trump White House have in some ways vindicated Jim Acosta," Karl said. "I think that Jim was right to be outraged that the president was declaring the free press the 'enemy of the people.'
During an interview with Mediaite, Karl discussed the tense relationship between White House reporters and President Trump, something he suggested has had "negative consequences" with many Americans.
"I do believe that unfortunately, there is a big chunk of the country that believes that the press is now the resistance and I think it's really unfortunate and I think that it has negative consequences for a free press. I think it has negative consequences for our democracy," Karl told Mediaite on Thursday. "But I think that the aggressive questioning of the president, particularly now in the wake of what we've seen unfold with the pandemic is absolutely necessary. Not only justified but necessary.
He went on to walk back the harsh criticism of his CNN counterpart Jim Acosta, who he slammed in his memoir for undermining the "credibility" of the White House press corps with his "speeches" that painted the press as "the resistance."
"The events that have played out since those early days of the Trump White House have in some ways vindicated Jim Acosta," Karl said. "I think that Jim was right to be outraged that the president was declaring the free press the 'enemy of the people.'
VA Governor Northam, First Lady Test Positive For Coronavirus
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and his wife, Pamela Northam, have tested positive for the coronavirus after a member of the governor's residence staff also tested positive. While the governor has reported experiencing no symptoms of COVID-19 — the disease caused by the virus — Pamela Northam has reported experiencing mild symptoms.
Late Wednesday, the governor was notified that a residence staff member, who works closely within the couple's living quarters, had developed symptoms and tested positive for COVID-19, the governor's office said Friday morning.
Northam and his wife received PCR nasal swab tests on Wednesday and received positive results. Both will isolate for the next 10 days following guidelines from the Virginia Department of Health.
The couple is working with the department of health and the Richmond Health Department to trace their close contacts, according to the announcement. The Executive Mansion and Patrick Henry office building were closed for deep cleaning Thursday.
Late Wednesday, the governor was notified that a residence staff member, who works closely within the couple's living quarters, had developed symptoms and tested positive for COVID-19, the governor's office said Friday morning.
Northam and his wife received PCR nasal swab tests on Wednesday and received positive results. Both will isolate for the next 10 days following guidelines from the Virginia Department of Health.
The couple is working with the department of health and the Richmond Health Department to trace their close contacts, according to the announcement. The Executive Mansion and Patrick Henry office building were closed for deep cleaning Thursday.
California GOP warns that Newsom's gas vehicle sales ban will cost jobs
California’s state Republican Party is warning that a new move by Gov. Gavin Newsom to ultimately ban the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035 could lead to more than 350,000 job losses.
Newsom on Wednesday signed an executive order that will end the sale of all gas-powered vehicles, although it won’t stop people from owning such cars and trucks or re-selling them on the used car market. He also called on state legislators to also ban fracking, but has not yet moved to do so himself.
Newsom on Wednesday signed an executive order that will end the sale of all gas-powered vehicles, although it won’t stop people from owning such cars and trucks or re-selling them on the used car market. He also called on state legislators to also ban fracking, but has not yet moved to do so himself.
It’s part of an increasingly aggressive push by some "blue states" and Democratic lawmakers in Congress to attempt to limit the effects of climate change, a push that Republicans have said will cost jobs and limit economic growth.
“Pull away from the gas pumps,” Newsom said. “Let us no longer be victims of geopolitical dictators that manipulate global supply chains and global markets.”
He claimed the order will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent and said that electric cars and trucks are “the next big global industry and California wants to dominate it.”
“Pull away from the gas pumps,” Newsom said. “Let us no longer be victims of geopolitical dictators that manipulate global supply chains and global markets.”
He claimed the order will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent and said that electric cars and trucks are “the next big global industry and California wants to dominate it.”
DOJ Orders a Pennsylvania County to change Ballot Practices after finding Military Ballots in the Trash
The Justice Department sent a letter to a Pennsylvania county on Thursday, ordering it to change its practices after multiple military ballots were found discarded.
The issue surfaced earlier in the day when the DOJ announced that it had recovered a small number of discarded ballots. While the Justice Department would not say where they had found the ballots, they did say there were nine recovered -- seven of which were cast for President Trump, while the other two were sealed by Luzerne County before the FBI recovered them,
In his letter to Luzerne County officials, U.S. attorney David Freed indicated that additional ballot materials were found in a dumpster. Freed said their investigation yielded "troubling" findings, including that the county allegedly improperly opened ballots.
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The issue surfaced earlier in the day when the DOJ announced that it had recovered a small number of discarded ballots. While the Justice Department would not say where they had found the ballots, they did say there were nine recovered -- seven of which were cast for President Trump, while the other two were sealed by Luzerne County before the FBI recovered them,
In his letter to Luzerne County officials, U.S. attorney David Freed indicated that additional ballot materials were found in a dumpster. Freed said their investigation yielded "troubling" findings, including that the county allegedly improperly opened ballots.
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Governor Hogan, State Superintendent of Schools Announce Return of Fall Sports
Following a visit to schools in Frederick County on Thursday, Governor Larry Hogan and State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Karen Salmon announced the return of fall sports in Maryland. Each local school system will now have the ability to officially start the interscholastic athletic fall season in secondary schools beginning Wednesday, October 7, 2020.
“Getting our kids back on the playing field and allowing youth sports to resume this fall is critical for the social and mental well-being of our students,” said Governor Hogan. “Now that all 24 jurisdictions have submitted plans to resume in-person instruction, allowing fall sports to begin next month marks another important step on our road to recovery.”
All 24 school systems have now submitted plans to begin resuming in-person instruction this fall. To date, 11 local school systems—Allegany, Anne Arundel, Calvert, Carroll, Charles, Cecil, Frederick, Garrett, St. Mary’s, Washington, and Worcester—have announced plans to bring students back onto school campuses for in-person athletic opportunities this fall.
October 7 Option For Fall Sports.
- All school systems shall, as soon as possible, provide conditioning and training opportunities utilizing the current available options provided by the MPSSAA.
- On October 7, 2020, all local school systems may choose to begin formal fall sport season practices in preparation for a competition season which will begin on October 27. All practices and preparation must be in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) required practice regulations, and all face covering and public health protocols established by the state and local health departments.
- The state is expanding the seasonal competition timeframes as previously announced for all winter and spring sports within this plan.
- The October 7 option provides for seven weeks of competition for fall sports—including cross country, field hockey, football, golf, soccer, and volleyball:
- First available practice date: October 7, 2020
- First available competition date: October 27, 2020 (Golf may resume competition on October 7, 2020.)
- Last play date: December 12, 2020
- Culminating event/tournament: December 14-19, 2020
- With the October 7 option, winter sports can begin practice on December 14, and spring sports can begin practice on March 15. Additional details will be provided by MPSSAA.
- Local school systems that choose not to exercise the October 7 option for fall sports may utilize the Second Semester Plan option as previously announced.