Mike Pompeo's disturbing actions

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/05/20/opinions/mike-pompeos-disturbing-actions-ghitis/index.html

 

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has surged into the headlines atop a geyser of revelations so dramatic that they may even help President Donald Trump distract the public from his disastrous pandemic response. 

Investigations by a number of news organizations allege a pattern familiar in the Trump administration: possible abuse of power for personal gain; disdain and circumvention of accepted procedures, and a propensity to treat a government position as a personal fiefdom with little regard for both the taxpayers' money and common decency.

 

In short, it looks like Pompeo brought the swamp to Foggy Bottom.

 

One of the most distinctive and harmful traits of the Trump administration is its disdain for ethics and integrity in government. But another, is its pattern of leaving political appointees stained, their reputation in tatters, a prospect that should worry Pompeo.

Priest: Mr. President, we don't need to open churches to practice our faith

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/05/22/opinions/churches-reopening-trump-covid-19-beck/index.html

What most of us have not done is put ourselves and our parishioners in danger by gathering in large groups for Mass or other religious services "as usual." That would have been — and would continue to be, in this time of contagion — irresponsible and sinful. It would also violate the right to life of many. Yes, responsible action with regard to religious organizations during this pandemic is a right-to-life issue. This is a right that needs to apply to those who live after birth, too. 

I don't see the logic there. No one is prohibiting the free exercise of religion. Though we are in the teeth of a pandemic, in which a very dangerous coronavirus can be transmitted by, among other things, close physical proximity, people can and do continue to worship, albeit in temporarily altered circumstances and in novel ways. To use the "freedom of religion" argument to demand carte blanche the opening of religious venues is to proffer a fallacious argument that can potentially lead to physical harm and, in the worst case, death. 

President Trump wants governors to "allow churches and places of worship to open right now." That would be foolhardy and dangerous. Most churches and places of worship are not yet ready to fully implement the most recent guidelines from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which serve only as recommendations. Some congregations, particularly in areas with high infection rates, are not willing to risk reopening even with the new guidelines.

C.D.C. Test Counting Error Leaves Epidemiologists ‘Really Baffled’

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/22/us/politics/coronavirus-tests-cdc.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage

The Centers for Disease Control has been lumping together tests for active coronavirus with tests for recovered patients, boosting testing totals but muddying the pandemic’s course.

Hydroxychloroquine in patients with mainly mild to moderate coronavirus disease 2019: open label, randomised controlled trial

https://www.bmj.com/content/369/bmj.m1849

Conclusions Administration of hydroxychloroquine did not result in a significantly higher probability of negative conversion than standard of care alone in patients admitted to hospital with mainly persistent mild to moderate covid-19. Adverse events were higher in hydroxychloroquine recipients than in non-recipients.

"לנהוג במשנה זהירות, שלא ניפרד שוב מבית הכנסת"

https://www.kikar.co.il/360978.html

הגאון רבי אשר וייס מתייחס לפתיחת בתי הכנסת ומספר על הדילמה שלו כיצד להגיד למרבית המתפללים שאסור להם להגיע עקב חוסר המקום בבית מדרשו • צפו בוידאו

67 NJ Pastors Say They'll Sue if Not Allowed to Reopen, Question Why People Can Go to Home Depot but Not Church

https://www.newsweek.com/67-nj-pastors-say-theyll-sue-if-not-allowed-reopen-question-why-people-can-go-home-depot-not-1506187

Sixty-seven New Jersey pastors said they will sue the state if they are not allowed to reopen their churches to in-person services, according to a letter sent to Governor Phil Murphy Thursday.

Agudath Israel Welcomes NYS Religious Gatherings Update

https://agudah.org/agudath-israel-welcomes-nys-religious-gatherings-update/

Today, Governor Cuomo announced that beginning Thursday, May 21st, religious gatherings of up to 10 people in a house of worship will be allowed, statewide, if strict social distancing measures are enforced and all participants wear masks.

We thank the governor for his attention to Agudath Israel’s and others’ advocacy on this important issue. With Shavuos and Kabolas HaTorah soon arriving, we look forward to the day when our batei knessios and batei midrashim will once again be lively centers of Torah and tefillah.

Trump’s Demand That Houses Of Worship Reopen Met With Dire Warnings | MSNBC

'Things Are Looking Swampier And Swampier': Pompeo Under Fire Amidst Growing Scandals | MSNBC

Data goes against Trump's fear of mail-in voting

Reporters band together, FORCE press secretary to answer how Trump can “override” governors

Appeal Court orders Flynn judge to explain himself

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/21/appeal-court-flynn-judge-273967

A panel of judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia say district court judge Emmet Sullivan must respond within 10 days to a request by Flynn that the higher court force him to drop the case. The appeals court order is the latest twist in a remarkable series of events that have thrown the Flynn case into turmoil on the eve of his sentencing for pleading guilty to lying to the FBI.

Will the Coronavirus Kill What’s Left of Americans’ Faith in Washington?

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/23/us/coronavirus-government-trust.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage

In 2019, just 17 percent of Americans said they trusted the federal government to do the right thing. The pandemic appears to be eroding their faith even more.

US synagogues demur as Trump demands states let houses of worship reopen

https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-synagogues-demur-as-trump-demands-states-let-houses-of-worship-reopen/

Many Jewish leaders reject president’s entreaty as evidence shows group prayer conducive to outbreaks; debate over how to resume services divides some observant communities

UAE activists rail against Palestinians for rejecting medical supplies

https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/uae-rail-against-palestinians-for-rejecting-medical-supplies-629047

 United Arab Emirates (UAE) political activists, academics and social media users have expressed outrage over the Palestinian Authority’s reported refusal to accept medical supplies from the Gulf state because they were delivered through Ben-Gurion Airport.

PA Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said last week that the UAE did not coordinate the delivery of the medical supplies with the Palestinians.

 

Why do people believe conspiracy theories - and can they ever be convinced not to?

 https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-why-do-people-believe-conspiracy-theories-and-can-they-ever-be-convinced-not-to-11985334

As a new video titled "Plandemic" spreads disinformation online, Sky News looks into the appeal of conspiracy theories.

A disgraced scientist and a viral video: how a Covid conspiracy theory started

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/14/coronavirus-viral-video-plandemic-judy-mikovits-conspiracy-theories

In Plandemic Dr Judy Mikovits blames coronavirus outbreak on a ‘circular cabal’ led by Bill Gates, accuses Dr Fauci of burying her research and says wearing a mask ‘activates your own virus’

 

Fox News Poll: Biden more trusted on coronavirus, Trump on economy

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fox-news-poll-biden-more-trusted-on-coronavirus-trump-on-economy

The latest Fox News Poll finds voters trust Biden to do a better job than Trump on health care by 17 points, coronavirus by 9, and relations with China by 6.  Trump is trusted more on the economy by a slim 3-point margin.

In the 2020 ballot test, Biden leads Trump by 48-40 percent.  Biden’s 8-point advantage is outside the poll’s margin of error.  However, given that 11 percent are undecided or plan to vote for someone else, neither candidate hits 50 percent support.  The race could go either way.

Trump’s Inaccurate Claims on Hydroxychloroquine

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/21/us/politics/trump-fact-check-hydroxychloroquine-coronavirus-.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage

The president falsely described scientific research around the malaria drug, falsely denied the existence of a federal warning against it and argued, with no evidence, that large numbers of health care workers were taking it.

 

Toxicologist says anti-malaria drugs show 'promise' in treating coronavirus

https://www.foxnews.com/media/toxicologist-reacts-after-trump-announces-fda-making-anti-malaria-drug-available-to-test-covid-19-treatment

 

Appearing on "Fox & Friends Weekend," Dr. Chris Martenson said the experimental drugs -- including hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin -- were made available on Thursday by the Food and Drug Administration.

Although chloroquine has a "spotty past" and is unsafe at certain levels, Martenson noted that at the levels used in studies, the drug seems to "be reasonably safe" and works by allowing zinc to stop viruses from replicating.

In addition, azithromycin could potentially stop secondary infections in damaged lungs, he said.

 Martenson, a futurist and co-founder of PeakProsperity.com, said that while a small number of patients saw viral loads going down, long-term effects have yet to be revealed.

Trump confirms US is withdrawing from another major arms treaty

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/05/21/politics/us-open-skies-arms-control-treaty/index.html

 President Donald Trump confirmed the US will be exiting the Open Skies Treaty, a pact designed to reduce the risk of military miscalculations that could lead to war, and said Russia's actions had prompted him to take the decision.

"Russia didn't adhere to the treaty, so until they adhere, we will pull out," Trump told reporters outside the White House Thursday.

 

Former President Ronald Reagan's secretary of state, George Shultz, former President George H.W. Bush's secretary of defense William Perry, and former Democratic Sen. Sam Nunn -- who together with Henry Kissinger formed the Nuclear Security Project -- wrote the administration in March to urge they keep the Open Skies Treaty.

A trumped up EXCLUSIVE?

https://apac.news/a-trumped-up-exclusive/

 

On her Sky News program last night Markson told guest Clive Hamilton, of the origins of COVID-19, “There’s no firm intelligence on this either way on this, at least none that we know about, none that’s public.”

This is the same Sharri Markson who just six days earlier told Fox News she had a firm intelligence report, saying “These are just the facts that the dossier lays out and this is not ideology, this is not propaganda, these are just the facts.”

Controversial China 'influence' book to be published

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-42954476

Australian author Prof Clive Hamilton said three publishers had declined to take on his book due to fears of legal "retaliation" from Beijing.

Last year one publisher, Allen & Unwin, withdrew plans to release it.

Wider discussion in Australia about possible Chinese influence has been dismissed by Beijing as "hysteria".

Publisher Hardie Grant said it would release the book, now titled Silent Invasion: China's Influence in Australia, after it had been rewritten to "minimise the legal risk".

Prof Hamilton told the BBC that he had earlier submitted the book to Australian lawmakers in a bid to have it published under parliamentary privilege. Such a move would give it legal protection.

 

Fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls long thought to be blank contain text that's invisible to the naked eye

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/05/20/world/dead-sea-scroll-hidden-text-scn-trnd/index.html

 For decades, fragments from the ancient Dead Sea Scrolls were stowed away at the University of Manchester, deemed largely worthless.

Yes, they were still significant as authentic fragments of the coveted scrolls have been hard to come by, but they were blank, and therefore, just scraps of paper.

Until now.

Researchers have found that four of the 51 fragments believed to have been blank do, in fact, contain readable Hebrew/Aramaic text. They just needed a special camera to see it.

 

הגר"א וייס: משרד הבריאות עם הארץ ומיקל

https://www.kikar.co.il/360738.html

בעל המנחת אשר התייחס לנושא פתיחת בתי הכנסת והורה במהלך שיעורו השבועי כי יש להחמיר יותר מההנחיות של משרד הבריאות, כי "בדיני נפשות עסקינן" • צפו בשיעור 

 

"אני חושב שמשרד הבריאות הוא מיקל גדול, הוא עם הארץ, ואנחנו צריכים להחמיר יותר ממנו", אמר הרב שהוסיף בקריאה להקפיד ככל הניתן.

הגר"א וייס הוסיף והסביר, "אני חושב שאנחנו צריכים לנהוג במשנה חומרא במשנה זהירות, כי בדיני נפשות עסקינן".

 

 

Trump's Washington is failing badly with no end in sight to pandemic battle

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/05/21/politics/donald-trump-coronavirus-washington/index.html

At the apex of political power, a President who ought to be unifying the country seems to be using his office to indulge his own need for attention and is exclusively talking to the sizable minority that supports him no matter what.

Amid crushing economic pain caused by shutdowns, a divided Congress cannot decide whether it wants to do more to help, compounding the impression that the fractured national political system and those in it are not equal to the moment.

Every four years, the instrument of political renewal, the presidential election, offers a pressure valve for partisan angst and, for all the nation's acrimonious political divides, legitimacy to the winner. 

 

 Trump is making clear that he plans to use every instrument of the federal government to ensure he wins a second term. This ranges from the seemingly trivial -- the use of the Lincoln Memorial as a backdrop to a boosterish Fox News town hall -- to the more sinister, the declassification of intelligence to fuel conservative conspiracy theories.

On Wednesday, Trump threatened to withhold coronavirus aid from Michigan and Nevada -- states trying to protect their residents by offering them the option of voting by mail in November.

Trump, who previously falsely claimed that millions of fraudulent votes cost him a popular-vote win in 2016, warned of "thousands and thousands" of fake ballots. 

 

With polls finding Biden in the lead, Trump has shown he plans to build another campaign on false claims about Obama -- this time alleging criminality in the investigation mounted into his own 2016 campaign's many and unusual contacts with Russia.

It's an extraordinary spectacle: a President running for a second term and focusing not on his own record but pinning hopes on falsifying the conduct of his predecessor.

 

"He thinks he's a builder, but he's a destroyer of everything he touches," Biden said of his opponent.

'Morning Joe' Host Says Trump is 'Pushing 300' Pounds in Rebuttal to Fox News Host Calling His Health 'Superhuman'

https://www.newsweek.com/morning-joe-trump-300-pounds-1472433

MSNBC's Morning Joe host Joe Scarborough on Monday morning mocked White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham and Fox News host Jeanine Pirro for conveying President Donald Trump's health is "superhuman," by suggesting Trump appears overweight and "pushing 300" pounds.

"You know, Stephanie, he's almost superhuman," Pirro said. "I don't know how anyone can deal with what he's dealing with, I mean I get frustrated with what's going on in Washington."

 

Covid-19 patients struggle with symptoms after recovery

https://edition.cnn.com/videos/health/2020/05/20/coronavirus-covid-19-long-term-impact-health-recovery-gupta-dnt-newday-vpx.cnn