An off-duty officer 'terrorized' a family displaying a BLM flag. Police drove him home without arrest.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/05/10/oregon-police-blm-flag-attack/
How an obscure Texas security company helped convince Americans the 2020 election was stolen from Trump
https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/interactive/2021/trump-election-fraud-texas-businessman-ramsland-asog/
Six dead in Colorado Springs shooting at birthday party committed by man who then killed himself, police say
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/05/09/colorado-springs-shooting-birthday/
Hundreds of bodies of covid-19 victims are still in New York's refrigerated trucks more than a year into the pandemic
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/05/09/coronavirus-bodies-trucks-new-york/
Opioid Crisis: Filmmaker Details The Medical System's 'Crime Of The Century'
https://www.npr.org/2021/05/10/994833938/opioid-crisis-filmmaker-details-the-medical-systems-crime-of-the-century
The falling Chinese space rocket is a policy failure
https://www.vox.com/22424594/china-rocket-falling-space-law
"I'm Scared of Getting Sick From the Water" | More than 300 California communities lack drinkable H2O | Contaminated drinking water affects an estimated 1 million people in California, many of whom rely on private wells or small community water systems like El Adobe's. A majority of these residents live in the Central and Salinas valleys. These are largely low-income, rural and Latino communities, where lack of access to clean water exacerbates the health disparities that already exist due to structural inequities. Since 2012, California law has recognized that access to safe and affordable water is a human right, but action has lagged behind the language.
https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2021/05/california-rural-communities-unsafe-tainted-drinking-water/
https://www.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=143794cd74e344a29eb8b96190f4658b
The Power of Pre-K
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/10/briefing/universal-pre-k-biden-agenda.html
Surviving in Isolation, Where the Steppe Has Turned to Sand
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/10/travel/kalmykia-russia.html
Vegan Sticky Sesame-Orange Tofu with Savory Pancakes
https://vegnews.com/2021/5/vegan-sticky-sesame-orange-tofu-with-pancakes
Vegan Beer-Battered Tofu Fish & Chips
https://vegnews.com/2021/5/vegan-beer-battered-tofu-fish-andamp-chips
Young engineers and recent college graduates see Miami, Houston and Philadelphia — not San Francisco, New York or Seattle — as the hot new places to jumpstart a technology or creative economy career. For some tech CEOs, it's the perfect time to capitalize on being where the new talent wants to go — and also pay lower taxes in the process, which makes Sun Belt cities in Florida and Texas attractive. | Pandemic moves are redistributing coveted tech workers more evenly across the country after being so heavily concentrated in just a handful of cities for years.
https://axios.com/tech-hub-cities-young-talent-819f5148-0470-460e-ac82-d75f74c6087f.html
Maryland's governor has posthumously pardoned a 15-year-old boy and 33 other victims of racial lynching in the state dating between 1854 and 1933, saying they were denied legal due process against the allegations they faced. It was a first-of-its-kind pardon by a governor of a U.S. state. Gov. Larry Hogan signed the order at an event Saturday honoring Howard Cooper, a 15-year-old who was dragged from a jailhouse and hanged from a tree by a mob of white men in 1885 before his attorneys could file an appeal of a rape conviction that an all-white jury reached within minutes.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/racial-lynching-victims-pardoned-maryland-governor-larry-hogan/
https://cbsnews3.cbsistatic.com/hub/i/r/2021/05/10/9769f753-1dfc-43fd-92be-8eeef7660b92/thumbnail/1240x826/31f9e80819f4641a299e80b8944fb7fe/howard-cooper-ap21128805609209.jpg
NBA referee Tony Brown will not officiate for the remainder of the season and playoffs after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Brown has officiated 1,109 regular season games and 35 playoff games in 19 seasons as an official.News
https://twitter.com/shamscharania/status/1391770883170181125
Tony Brown is one of the worst NBA referees, sayanara
Kevin McCarthy is pushing Liz Cheney out for saying almost exactly what he said after January 6
https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/10/politics/kevin-mccarthy-donald-trump-liz-cheney/index.html
Body of arrested Myanmar poet Khet Thi returned to family with organs missing
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/10/body-of-arrested-myanmar-poet-khet-thi-returned-to-family-with-organs-missing
Tanner Roark has signed a Minor League deal with the Braves
https://twitter.com/Feinsand/status/1391781234469179399
After experiencing headaches a man consulted doctors who performed an MRI revealing a tapeworm in the middle of his brain. Doctors said it had been there for a decade and the rare condition was caused by eating under-cooked meat. Vegans don't have to worry about this issue.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/disgusting-find-in-mans-brain-after-complaining-of-headaches-084045167.html
There are rumors that mRNA vaccines will alter our DNA because the RNA molecule can convert information stored in DNA into proteins. That's simply, not true. It's critical to note that the mRNA vaccines never enter the nucleus of the cell, where our DNA is stored. After injection, the mRNA from the vaccine is released into the cytoplasm of the cells. Once the viral protein is made and on the surface of the cell, mRNA is broken down and the body permanently gets rid of it, therefore making it impossible to change our DNA.
https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/HealthU/2021/01/11/a-simple-breakdown-of-the-ingredients-in-the-covid-vaccines/
Nuclear Reactions Have Started Again In The Chernobyl Reactor | Scientists monitoring the Chernobyl nuclear power plant say that nuclear fission reactions are occurring again in the reactor hall's remains, some 35 years after the core exploded. Sensors monitoring the masses of uranium fuel buried in the basement rooms of the reactor have detected rising levels of neutrons, signalling that the fission process used to create nuclear energy is occurring in one of the inaccessible rooms within the plant. Maxim Saveliev, a researcher at the Institute for Safety Problems of Nuclear Power Plants in Kiev, Ukraine, said that there were 'many uncertainties' about the situation inside the remains of the reactor unit, adding that 'we can't rule out the possibility of [an] accident.
https://www.unilad.co.uk/news/nuclear-reactions-have-started-again-in-the-chernobyl-reactor/
No worries. The hot reactor fuel that ended up in inaccessible subterranean areas beneath the destroyed reactor should neutralize naturally in another 250,000 years or so.
State Department spokesman Ned Price said during the daily briefing the U.S. "condemns in strongest terms barrage of rocket attacks fired into Israel in recent hours. This is an Unacceptable escalation". Price said the U.S. Recognizes Israel legitimate right to defend itself
https://twitter.com/BarakRavid/status/1391820269048709128
The Israeli cabinet has approved a "significant" air operation in Gaza in response to ongoing Hamas rocket fire into Israel. (Channel 12)
https://twitter.com/AviMayer/status/1391802322515337223
President Biden says they don't see evidence that enhanced unemployment benefits are driving people to stay home but, "We're going to make it clear that anyone collecting unemployment who is offered a suitable job must take the job or lose their unemployment benefits." | "We're going to make it clear that anyone collecting unemployment who is offered a suitable job must take the job or lose their unemployment benefits."
https://c-span.org/video/?511634-1/president-biden-delivers-remarks-economy
I asked Biden if he thinks Russia was involved at all, implicitly, in the ransomware attack. He said there's no evidence yet that Russia is directly involved, "although there's evidence that the actors, ransomware, is in Russia. They have some responsibility to deal with this."
https://twitter.com/josh_wingrove/status/1391820107765198848
Democrats plan revisions to sweeping voting rights bill in Senate committee. They'll amend House's HR1 by easing deadlines and giving states flexibility to implement. Rules Cmte markup is tomorrow. This will be extremely contentious.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/do-or-die-democrats-plan-revisions-sweeping-voting-rights-bill-n1266788
Two-thirds of Californians to receive $600 stimulus checks under Gov. Newsom's new proposal
https://mercurynews.com/2021/05/10/two-thirds-of-californians-to-recieve-600-stimulus-checks-under-gov-newsoms-new-proposal/
Veteran Todd Frazier has been designated for assignment by #Pirates to make room for Ben Gamel
https://twitter.com/BNightengale/status/1391819642134429698
Tonight's game at Colorado has been postponed due to inclement weather and will be rescheduled as a traditional doubleheader on Wednesday, May 12, beginning at 12:10 pm PT/1:10 pm
https://www.twitter.com/padres/status/1391802929045139460
Both games on Wednesday will be 7-inning regulation games and there will be a minimum of 25 minutes and a maximum of 45 minutes between both games. ah tradition
FACT SHEET: President Biden Announces Additional Steps to Help Americans Return to Work
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/05/10/fact-sheet-president-biden-announces-additional-steps-to-help-americans-return-to-work/
Chair of US House Administration Committee is asking US Capitol Police internal inspector **why surveillance teams were monitoring 3 counter-demonstrators on Jan 6, rather than a group of 200 Proud Boys **
https://twitter.com/MacFarlaneNews/status/1391848335774994437
Arizona secretary of state candidate & state Rep. Mark Finchem on Saturday went on QAnon show RedPill78 -- which attended the insurrection -- where he pushed false voter fraud claims, including the QAnon watermarked ballots conspiracy theory.
https://mediamatters.org/qanon-conspiracy-theory/dlive-may-have-cracked-down-some-extremists-following-capitol-attack-qanon
I am leaving ESPN.
Salary cap casualty.
Thanks for the opportunity Vince Doria & Al Jaffe & for taking my solicitations
Herman/Stinton/Lynch.
I will miss the people.
I will miss the vending machine set up over by the old Van Pelt joint.
We had everything.
IntoTheGreatWideOpen#
https://twitter.com/Kenny_Mayne/status/1391846208809877508
The #Jaguars are planning to sign QB-turned-TE Tim Tebow to a 1-year deal, per me and @TomPelissero, a deal that could be official in the next week or so. Nothing done yet. But he'll have a chance to make the team to reunite with his mentor and college head coach Urban Meyer.
https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1391815504772349954
Tim Tebow last played in an NFL game 3,053 days ago.
The #Packers are bringing in QBs Kurt Benkert and Chad Kelly for this weekend's rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, per sources. As Green Bay GM Brian Gutekunst noted after the draft, they'd need an extra arm or two with only 2 QBs on the roster. Benkert, Kelly get a look first.
https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1391835890926833668
He meant big SHEET, not tent: Kevin McCarthy, in writing to his colleagues and urging them to remove Liz Cheney as conference chair, claims that Republicans "are a big tent party" and that "unlike the left, we embrace free thought and debate." He is not being ironic.
https://twitter.com/kylegriffin1/status/1391875701465358342
Republicans hate women who speak freely, but embrace men who pays for sexual relations with a minor... did I get that right?
Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter warming up before tonight's game against the #Wizards. Hunter has only played in two games since January 29th because of a knee injury. Listed as a game-time decision tonight.
https://twitter.com/justin_fox5/status/1391870812878262275
Kent Bazemore takes some shots at Bradley Beal after Curry's 49 game performance: "49 points in 29 minutes, that's unreal. We got guys hurting hamstrings to keep up."
https://twitter.com/TheNBACentral/status/1391857016558211079
Lowry (rest), VanVleet (injury management - hip), Anunoby (injury management - calf), Siakam (shoulder) and Watson (knee) are all listed as OUT for tomorrow's game vs the Clippers. Chris Boucher (knee) has been upgraded to questionable.
https://twitter.com/JLew1050/status/1391859997840187393
Jaylen Brown's career-best season over due to wrist injury. The Boston Celtics say forward Jaylen Brown will miss the remainder of the season due to a torn scapholunate ligament in his left wrist.
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31422580/jaylen-brown-done-season-due-wrist-injury-boston-celtics-say
The operator of a major U.S. pipeline hit by a cyberattack said Monday it hopes to have service mostly restored by the end of the week.
https://apnews.com/article/financial-markets-government-and-politics-technology-business-407c240e1dfeca271825d98129fc8675
More From The Pro-Life Conservatives: New Idaho Law Allows Murder Of 90% Of State's Wolves
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/new-idaho-law-allows-killing-90-percent-states-wolves-180977691/
Russell Westbrook becomes third man in NBA history to reach 20k+ pts and 8k+ assists
Treasury readies first batch of $350B aid to states, localities — Money can be used for health care, aid to businesses and households, front-line workers.
https://www.rollcall.com/2021/05/10/treasury-readies-first-batch-of-350b-aid-to-states-localities/
I'm standing with the people of Israel who are coming under bombardment attacks, and condemn the Hamas terrorists. The people of NYC will always stand with our brothers and sisters in Israel who face down terrorism and persevere.
https://twitter.com/AndrewYang/status/1391897869137887234
NYC to offer J&J COVID vaccinations in subway stations May 12-16 on a walk-in basis: Get your shot and a free 7-day unlimited MetroCard or round-trip LIRR/MetroNorth ticket.
https://gothamist.com/news/nyc-subway-stations-will-soon-offer-walk-vaccine-appointments
Pentagon officials are considering pulling the plug on the JEDI cloud-computing project, which has been mired in litigation from Amazon and faces continuing criticism from lawmakers
https://wsj.com/articles/pentagon-weighs-ending-jedi-cloud-project-amid-amazon-court-fight-11620639001
Russ secures the rebound and finds Hachimura with a full court outlet
https://streamable.com/6vc5y4
Central American leaders resisting Biden's anti-corruption efforts
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/05/10/biden-salvador-guatemala-bukele-corruption-migration/
Chinese spending on American influence efforts has increased sixfold over the last five years, documents show. The bulk of that money is financing propaganda organs in the US, the latest of which registered as a foreign agent last week
https://www.axios.com/china-foreign-influence-spending-317a9be4-8ead-4abf-8ac4-3f27974d7a9d.html
Russ grabs his 10th rebound to complete his 182nd triple double, breaking Oscar's 47-year record
https://streamable.com/wl0j1v
Many will tell you Israel has a right to defend itself, to safety and security, but are silent on whether Palestinians have those rights too. Until we can defend the rights of Palestinians just as we do Israelis, we have no leg to stand on when it comes to justice or peace.
https://twitter.com/IlhanMN/status/1391868946253586442
122 days ago terrorists ransacked the US Capitol and *hours later* 138-of-202 (68%) House republicans voted to make trump a dictator. They tried to finish the rioters' job and end democracy. Never forget it.
https://twitter.com/BillPascrell/status/1391188514314801156
A green and just recovery from COVID-19 is possible through collaboration on a global scale. Today, C40 mayors convened with US @ClimateEnvoy John Kerry to discuss how all levels of government must come together to confront both the public health and climate crises.
https://twitter.com/c40cities/status/1391789461051166723
Pleased to announce U.S. Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland will now also serve as U.S. Special Envoy for Libya.
https://www.state.gov/appointment-of-ambassador-richard-norland-as-u-s-special-envoy-for-libya/
Ambassador Norland's expanded role signifies U.S. commitment to working with allies, partners, and the Libyan people to keep the political process on track to December elections.
https://twitter.com/StateDeptSpox/status/1391812807558053891
The UN Security Council condemned the terrorist attack in Dasht-e-Barchi in Kabul, which killed over 50 people and injured scores of civilians. The UNSC affirmed the right to education, expressed grave concern about attacks near schools, and called for justice for perpetrators.
https://twitter.com/USUN/status/1391826811181432834
Curry hits the clutch three to get the Warriors the lead with 13 seconds left
https://streamable.com/rzyukz
With 327 made 3s this season, Steph Curry has passed Steph Curry for 4th all time, and now trails Steph Curry in 3rd
Jordan Clarkson came off the Utah bench and took 33 shots tonight. The only time in the last 45 years when a reserve took more shots in a game was Feb. 13, 2019 ... when Jordan Clarkson took 34 shots for Cleveland.
Jordan Poole banks the buzzer beater from mid court
https://streamable.com/f9v1g4
The Toronto Raptors Have Been Officially Eliminated From Playoff Contention
7 Apple suppliers in China have links to forced labor programs, including the use of Uyghur Muslims from Xinjiang, according to a new report
https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-china-suppliers-uyghur-muslims-forced-labor-report-2021-5
Baby whale in River Thames euthanised after being stranded twice
https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/animals/baby-minke-whale-stuck-in-river-thames-is-euthanised-to-end-its-suffering-after-getting-stranded-twice/news-story/fea029d71429ff0199f6ca8a5d05d816
The Biden administration is set to approve plans for the first major offshore wind farm in federal waters
https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-05-10/biden-set-to-approve-offshore-wind-farm-near-martha-s-vineyard
Amanda Chase, who pushed Trump to declare martial law, loses Republican nomination for Virginia governor
https://www.newsweek.com/amanda-chase-who-pushed-trump-declare-martial-law-loses-gop-nomination-virginia-governor-1589719
House Oversight Committee finds several companies knowingly allowed dangerous levels of lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury in their baby food. Trump administration was directly informed and completely ignored.
https://oversight.house.gov/sites/democrats.oversight.house.gov/files/2021-02-04%20ECP%20Baby%20Food%20Staff%20Report.pdf
Caitlyn Jenner didn't vote last year because he was busy golfing
https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/05/caitlyn-jenner-didnt-vote-last-year-busy-golfing/
Before Elise Stefanik Became A Trump Cult Leader, She Said He Was Misogynistic And Soft On Putin. She also said he should release his tax returns
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2021/05/elise-stefanik-said-trump-was-misogynistic-and-soft-on-putin/
Biden administration considers sharing vaccines with North Korea
https://thehill.com/policy/international/552792-biden-administration-considers-sharing-vaccines-with-north-korea-cnn
Michigan governor orders Enbridge to shut down controversial Canadian oil pipeline | In the last two years, the pipeline has been struck by boat anchors and cables. And in 2010, a separate Enbridge pipeline spilled 3.2m litres of oil into Michigan's Kalamazoo River.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/11/michigan-governor-enbridge-line5-shutdown
White House to announce deal for free vaccination rides from Uber, Lyft
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/552848-white-house-to-announce-deal-for-free-vaccination-rides-from-uber
https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/11/politics/uber-lyft-vaccines-white-house-partnership/index.html
Women are now in charge of the newsrooms at the Washington Post, CBS News, ABC News, NPR, MSNBC, Reuters, Financial Times, Guardian and the Economist. The fact that this is not a big deal is kind of a big deal.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/yes-maam-here-are-15-women-running-us-media-organizations-now/2017/03/08/801a054c-0418-11e7-ad5b-d22680e18d10_story.html
Washington Post names Sally Buzbee of the Associated Press as new executive editor, succeeding Marty Baron. Buzbee is the first woman appointed to the top newsroom job in Post's 144-year history.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/media/sally-buzbee-washington-post-editor/2021/05/11/63491212-b25d-11eb-ab43-bebddc5a0f65_story.html
Today, @SecDebHaaland and @SecRaimondo announced approval of the Vineyard Wind project — the first large-scale, offshore wind project in the U.S. The project will create 3,600 jobs and provide enough power for 400,000 homes and businesses.
https://doi.gov/pressreleases/biden-harris-administration-approves-first-major-offshore-wind-project-us-waters
FACT SHEET: President Biden to Announce Additional Efforts to Get America Vaccinated, Including Free Rides to Vaccination Sites from Lyft and Uber, Vaccination Clinics at Community Colleges, and Additional Resources for States' Community Outreach Efforts | Building on last week's announcements to increase access, and vaccine education and outreach efforts, today, the President will highlight a new effort by the ride-sharing companies Lyft and Uber to provide free rides to anyone going to a vaccination site to get vaccinated. He will also announce that some of the nation's largest community colleges will host vaccination sites for students, staff and local communities throughout May and June. Additionally, he will announce funding immediately available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for states to fund more on-the-ground efforts to promote vaccinations in their communities, including phone banking, door-to-door canvassing, and pop-up vaccination sites in workplaces and churches.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/05/11/fact-sheet-president-biden-to-announce-additional-efforts-to-get-america-vaccinated-including-free-rides-to-vaccination-sites-from-lyft-and-uber-vaccination-clinics-at-community-colleges-and-addit/
The threat that Hizballah poses to the United States, our allies, and interests in the Middle East and globally, calls for countries around the world to take steps to restrict its activities and disrupt its facilitation networks. We applaud the countries in Europe, and South and Central America that have taken action against Hizballah in recent years and call on other governments around the world to follow suit. Today, the United States is designating seven individuals involved in financial operations with Hizballah ties to continue impeding the group's ability to operate in the global financial system. The United States is designating these individuals pursuant to Executive Order 13224, as amended, for acting for or on behalf of Hizballah or Al-Qard al-Hassan (AQAH), which provides cover for Hizballah's financial activity; both Hizballah and AQAH are already designated under the same authority. While AQAH purports to serve the Lebanese people, in practice it illicitly moves funds through shell accounts and facilitators, exposing Lebanese financial institutions to sanctions risk related to conducting business with a designated entity. Moreover, by hoarding cash that is desperately needed by the Lebanese economy, AQAH empowers Hizballah to build its own support base and compromise the stability of the Lebanese state.
https://www.state.gov/the-united-states-impedes-hizballah-financing-by-sanctioning-seven-individuals/
Biden to pick Rahm Emanuel as U.S. ambassador to Japan
https://www.axios.com/biden-rahm-emanuel-ambassador-japan-nomination-5cabc6d3-4188-4089-ba7f-9ed5b25c0175.html
Schumer: "Down the hall from us, House Republicans are plotting the demotion of a Republican member for the crime of repeating the truth: that Joe Biden is the president of the U.S. and that Donald Trump is lying. Liz Cheney spoke truth to power, and for that, she's being fired."
https://twitter.com/kylegriffin1/status/1392163844588400641
Per @Alexander_Tin, CMS and HHS say long-term care facilities will be required to report COVID-19 vaccination data among staff and residents. Hopefully a useful tool for loved ones to see if staffers aren't getting vaccinated.
https://twitter.com/kathrynw5/status/1392163304626397195\
Here's a closer look at DarkSide, the relatively new ransomware-as-a-service platform that's been holding 5,500 miles of fuel pipeline hostage. Story includes negotiations btwn DarkSide & a $15B victim that recently negotiated a $30M demand down to $11M. The FBI confirmed this week that a relatively new ransomware group known as DarkSide is responsible for an attack that caused Colonial Pipeline to shut down 5,550 miles of pipe, stranding countless barrels of gasoline, diesel and jet fuel on the Gulf Coast. Here's a closer look at the DarkSide cybercrime gang, as seen through their negotiations with a recent U.S. victim that earns $15 billion in annual revenue. | First surfacing on Russian language hacking forums in August 2020, DarkSide is a ransomware-as-a-service platform that vetted cybercriminals can use to infect companies with ransomware and carry out negotiations and payments with victims. DarkSide says it targets only big companies, and forbids affiliates from dropping ransomware on organizations in several industries, including healthcare, funeral services, education, public sector and non-profits. Like other ransomware platforms, DarkSide adheres to the current badguy best practice of double extortion, which involves demanding separate sums for both a digital key needed to unlock any files and servers, and a separate ransom in exchange for promise to destroy any data stolen from the victim.
https://krebsonsecurity.com/2021/05/a-closer-look-at-the-darkside-ransomware-gang/
A Russian-speaking ransomware syndicate that stole data from the D.C. police department says negotiations over payment have broken down and it will release sensitive info that could put lives at risk if more money is not offered.
https://apnews.com/article/police-technology-government-and-politics-53e54780aa080decbb78d5b88d4ff44b
The NFL will only have two London games next season, per @TheAthletic. The #Jaguars and #Falcons will be the "home" teams for those games. The league will not return to Mexico City due to COVID. Full schedule will be released tomorrow, with some of it coming early. Stay tuned...
https://twitter.com/MySportsUpdate/status/1392146421197987845
Yep: Utah's governor tells Biden he could use help from the White House modeling what a fully vaccinated people can do. "We have fully vaccinated people, we should start acting like it. That's a big motivation," he says. "That's a good point," Biden says.
The Oakland A's will start exploring relocation possibilities after Major League Baseball suggested the organization consider moving to other cities if the Howard Terminal stadium proposal is not approved by local politicians.
https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/1392182199261224962
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/31427293/oakland-athletics-start-looking-relocating-elsewhere-sources-say
All air traffic in and out of Israel has been halted due ongoing rocket fire from Gaza; incoming flights are being diverted to Cyprus.
https://twitter.com/AviMayer/status/1392183573021696006
Trump demanded that aides remove "these fat guys off my detail," @CarolLeonnig reports in her fascinating new book on the Secret Service. "How are they going to protect me and my family if they can't run down the street?" he griped.
https://washingtonpost.com/politics/secret-service-book/2021/05/11/57d25bb8-acf5-11eb-8109-f8ba1ea2eeab_story.html
COVID cases have fallen by ~80% in the past 5 or 6 weeks in New York City, according to both state and city data. Starting to look a lot like Israel.
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-data.page
Granholm: much as there was no cause for hoarding toilet paper at the beginning of the pandemic, there is no cause for hoarding gas now.
https://twitter.com/EamonJavers/status/1392182860975681540
Five Republican states reject Biden unemployment aid to force Americans back to work | Republican officials claim federal assistance is keeping Americans out of the workforce despite Covid-19 fears, lack of childcare and poor wages along with growth in hospitality jobs. Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Montana and South Carolina.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/unemployment-benefits-states-gop-federal-b1845791.html
"Other countries have mental health problems but not firearm deaths," said Woodstock resident Bob Williamson, a board member for GunSense Vermont. "In order to address firearm suicides and tragedies, we need to deal with the means." Rheaume's father, James Perry Jr., pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to charges of second-degree murder, aggravated assault and reckless conduct in her death and is being held without bail. Perry, 70, told police he shot his daughter because he believed his family was going to kill him, and he was worried his daughter was "being used as a ploy" to allow dangerous people into his home, according to a police affidavit. | However, the shooting — as described by police — bears similarities to another recent incident in the Upper Valley where an older gun owner shot a family member. In 2019, a 77-year-old man diagnosed with dementia was accused of shooting and killing his wife in Newport, N.H., but the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office opted not to bring charges, citing concerns about his legal competency.
https://vtdigger.org/2021/05/06/activists-point-to-need-for-red-flag-gun-laws-after-newbury-shooting/
The United States must speak out strongly against the violence by government-allied Israeli extremists in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, and make clear that the evictions of Palestinian families must not go forward.
I've been thinking for a couple days what role Hamas's fear of an Islamist(!) party making a coalition that makes Naftali Bennett(!) prime minister plays in their calculus atm. That kind of Jewish-Arab normalization inside Israel is a Hamas nightmare. Sacking Netanyahu requires Yair Lapid's centrist Yesh Atid party to form a coalition with Naftali Bennett's right-wing Yamina party, and also gain support from Mansour Abbas's Islamist Arab Ra'am party. That's an important context for the current violence. Netanyahu has little reason to deescalate a conflict that makes it harder for those two parties to sit together in coalition to oust him. But Hamas also has little reason to deescalate a conflict that could inflame tensions between Israeli Jews and Arabs. It's a cliche that extremists on each side benefit from extremism on the other side, but it's a cliche for a reason. And even though he doesn't yet have the job, this is the first test for Lapid as Prime Minister, as well as the first test of his variety of broad centrism. Anyone seeking to promote deescalation from the outside needs to understand that and operate within that context.
Just a reminder the Israeli-Palestinian conflict doesn't begin when western media decide to start covering it
There is absolutely no equivalence—either in morality or the laws of armed conflict—between firing unaimed rockets directly into civilian population centers and responding with aimed fire at militants hiding in civilian population centers.
Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) will likely be voted off the House Republican Leadership. Her crime: acknowledging the reality that Trump lost the election. The Republican Party is no longer a "conservative" party. It is an anti-democratic cult pushing the Big Lie and conspiracy theories.
Federal law enforcement agents descended on a massive temple in New Jersey on Tuesday after workers accused a prominent Hindu sect of luring them from India, confining them to the temple grounds and paying them the equivalent of about $1 an hour to perform grueling labor in near servitude. In a lawsuit filed on Tuesday, lawyers for the laborers said Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, a Hindu sect known as BAPS that has close ties to India's ruling party and has built temples around the world, had exploited possibly hundreds of low-caste men in the yearslong construction project.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/11/nyregion/nj-hindu-temple-india-baps.html
Rays DFA struggling 1B/OF/DH Yoshi Tsutsugo
https://twitter.com/tbtimes_rays/status/1392191875742846977
Tsutsugo hit .285/.382/.528 (.910 OPS) in 10 seasons in the NPB and then .187/.292/.336 (.628 OPS) here with the Rays.
Amir Garrett will begin his suspension tonight, it will be 5 games after an agreement between MLB and the MLBPA
https://twitter.com/ctrent/status/1392186503456083974
Just preparing himself for his eternal contract with the real Diablo Rojo: Roberto Osuna signs with Mexican League's Diablos Rojos
http://www.xeva.com.mx/nota.cfm?id=143126
Palestinian TV station carries item on Israeli killed in Rishon Letzion in Israel. Says that "a settler was killed in a direct hit on a building in the area of Rishon Letzion south of Tel Aviv in occupied Palestine." Any Israeli is a "settler," anywhere in Israel is "occupied."
https://twitter.com/GershomG/status/1392192175555940353
#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar? Military regime now targeting Burma's universities. More than 11k teachers and staff suspended for protesting coup in latest sign of regime's repression (and fear).
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thousands-suspended-myanmar-universities-junta-targets-education-2021-05-10/
Forward Gary Clark is signing a two-way deal with the 76ers
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1392184457315164160
Just when you think you can't despise Manfred anymore, you find out he hates America: David Bell says he got a heads up from the league that (National Anthem standoffs) won't be able to happen anymore. "Now I know."
https://twitter.com/charlieg__/status/1392206066054832136
Reds were warned that "Anthem Shenanigans" (refusing to participate when anthem is played, kneeling, First Amendment things, etc) were no longer allowed.
https://twitter.com/CharlieG__/status/1392206066054832136
Judge dismisses NRA's bankruptcy petition, allowing New York AG lawsuit to move forward
https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/11/politics/national-rifle-association-bankruptcy/index.html
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson directs state to end participation in pandemic-related federal unemployment programs
https://www.kshb.com/news/coronavirus/missouri-gov-mike-parson-directs-state-to-end-participation-in-federal-unemployment-programs
Gov. Bill Lee opts Tennessee out of $300 federal unemployment supplement
https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2021/05/11/tennessee-federal-unemployment-supplement-gov-bill-lee-opts-out-300/5040646001/
Why do Republican Senators have doubts about election results in democratic leaning counties and not throughout the state in general? Isn't this suspicious behavior on their part? What are their doubts really?
The Arizona Senate-ordered recount of Maricopa County's 2.1 million election ballots began on April 23, nearly six months after voters elected Joe Biden as president and he was declared the winner of Arizona, a traditionally red state. Why is Arizona auditing November election results in April? Basically, Republican state senators still have questions about the validity of the general election results in Maricopa County. Multiple lawsuits from the Trump campaign, the Arizona Republican Party and others claiming widespread fraud have been dismissed, and audits of Maricopa County results showed that votes were counted accurately and machines weren't tampered with. But Republicans state senators have continued to insist, without evidence, that there was systemic voter fraud in the last election. After a contentious legal battle, they're now conducting their own hand count of Maricopa County's 2.1 million ballots, an analysis of voter information and an audit of the county's voting machines. Technology company Cyber Ninjas was hired to oversee the audit as part of a $150,000 taxpayer-funded contract. The company's CEO Doug Logan has publicly promoted unfounded election fraud claims and been involved in efforts to overturn election results in other states. Concerns have been raised about voter privacy as the auditors have both public and private data about all voters in the 2020 election. There are also concerns about oversight and transparency after Cyber Ninjas asked the courts to keep its recount procedures secret. Reporters now have limited access to the audit, but originally were not allowed in unless they signed up for shifts as volunteer observers. Election experts worry that results – even if they are inaccurate – would be used by state lawmakers across the country to try to push through changes to how voting happens.
https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/04/07/experts-question-arizona-senates-planned-maricopa-county-election-audit/7065177002/
https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/02/26/judge-says-maricopa-county-must-provide-2020-ballots-arizona-senate/6825892002/
President Joe Biden insists he can work from a clean slate with Mitch McConnell when they convene for their highly anticipated infrastructure White House meeting on Wednesday. But allies of the both men are skeptical that a bipartisan deal is possible.
https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/article251326918.html
Arizona Republicans pass legislation to remove infrequent mail voters from the state's ballot list despite protests from Democrats and advocates who say the bill is discriminatory and will make voting harder.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/arizona-legislature-passes-law-purge-infrequent-mail-voters-n1267025
RaceTrac warned motorists that some of its filling stations across the U.S. South are out of fuel as a result of the Colonial Pipeline hack
https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-05-11/racetrac-warns-fuel-is-running-short-after-colonial-pipe-hack
Students for Trump founder RyanAFournier created a fake law firm with his friend to dupe unsuspecting clients, then ratted him out to the feds to avoid being prosecuted himself, according to new courthouse revelations.
https://thedailybeast.com/students-for-trump-founder-ryan-fournier-ratted-out-friend-to-feds
The Arizona Senate today passed SB 1485, which would remove voters from the early voting list if they do not vote in all elections for two consecutive election cycles. Voters would recieve notice they were going to be removed & have 90 days to return it to remain on the list.
26 Palestinians killed in Gaza from Israeli strikes. At least three are commanders in Islamic Jihad.
https://twitter.com/TreyYingst/status/1392125854545760261
This allergy to self-evident truth didn't happen all at once, of course. This frog has been boiling for some time now. The Trump period in American life has been a celebration of the unwise and the untrue. From the ugly tolerance of the pernicious falsehood about President Barack Obama's place of birth to the bizarre and fanatical fable about the size of inauguration crowds, to the introduction of the term "alternative facts" into the American lexicon, the party's steady embrace of dishonesty as a central premise has brought us to this low and dangerous place. I don't know what will happen to Cheney politically after Wednesday. For me, I knew that I couldn't support Trump's election or reelection after his seminal falsehood about Obama's birth certificate, to say nothing of the cascade of untruths, from the trivial to the consequential, that followed daily. I had hoped that, over time, my Republican constituents would feel differently about the former president, or at least value a Republican who pushed back, and that I could stand for reelection in 2018 with a reasonable chance of surviving a Republican primary. It soon became apparent that Republican voters wanted someone who was all in with a president that I increasingly saw as a danger to the republic. That could not be me, so I spoke out instead and didn't stand for reelection. When I became an unwitting dissident in my party by speaking in defense of self-evident truths, I assumed that more and more of my colleagues would follow me. I remain astonished that so few did. Congresswoman Cheney, I know how alone you must be feeling. But just know that history keeps the score, not Kevin McCarthy or Elise Stefanik.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/05/11/jeff-flake-liz-cheney-republican-party/
"Mr. President, let us be clear. The impulses underlying the dissemination of such untruths are not benign. They have the effect of eroding trust in our vital institutions and conditioning the public to no longer trust them. The destructive effect of this kind of behavior on our democracy cannot be overstated." Three years later, it's clear that I didn't know the half of it. The destructive effect of the president's behavior — and the willingness of Republican elected officials to indulge, excuse, defend, justify and, in many cases, just roll with it — has taken a devastating toll. It is elementary to have to say this, but we did not become a great nation by believing or espousing nonsense, or by embracing lunacy. And if my party continues down this path, we will not be fit to govern.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/05/11/jeff-flake-liz-cheney-republican-party/
https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2018/01/17/sen-jeff-flakes-speech-full-text-trump-attacks-news-media/1040041001/
Michael Malone is waiting for the final word but says he thinks Monte Morris and Aaron Gordon will be able to return for tonight's game in Charlotte.
https://twitter.com/vbenedetto/status/1392231028056416258
Fernando Tatis Jr. tested positive for COVID-19, Jayce Tingler said. Tatis is asymptomatic. Jurickson Profar and Jorge Mateo are in contact tracing.
https://twitter.com/dennistlin/status/1392231365781852166
At least 5 Yankees coaches have tested positive for COVID-19
https://twitter.com/marlyriveraespn/status/1392215522050248711
____________________________________
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/05/11/notice-on-the-continuation-of-the-national-emergency-with-respect-to-securing-the-information-and-communications-technology-and-services-supply-chain/
Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services Supply Chain
May 11, 2021 • Presidential Actions
On May 15, 2019, by Executive Order 13873, the President declared a national emergency pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States constituted by the unrestricted acquisition and use of certain information and communications technology and services transactions.
The unrestricted acquisition or use in the United States of information and communications technology or services designed, developed, manufactured, or supplied by persons owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of foreign adversaries augments the ability of these foreign adversaries to create and exploit vulnerabilities in information and communications technology or services, with potentially catastrophic effects. This threat continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States. For this reason, the national emergency declared on May 15, 2019, must continue in effect beyond May 15, 2021. Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13873 with respect to securing the information and communications technology and services supply chain.
This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
THE WHITE HOUSE,
May 11, 2021.
____________________________________
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/05/11/statement-by-president-joseph-r-biden-jr-in-support-of-washington-states-overtime-bill-for-farm-workers/
Statement by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. in Support of Washington State's Overtime Bill for Farm Workers
May 11, 2021 • Statements and Releases
I congratulate the Washington State legislature and Governor Jay Inslee for signing into law SB 5172, Washington's Overtime Bill for Agricultural Workers, which will help more than 100,000 farmworkers secure the overtime pay they deserve. Agricultural workers in Washington and across the country have helped carry our nation through this pandemic — working long hours, often at great personal risk, to meet the needs of their communities and keep America healthy and well-nourished. These overtime protections will ensure that agricultural workers in Washington are paid for all of the vital work they do.
For too long — and owing in large part to unconscionable race-based exclusions put in place generations ago — farmworkers have been denied some of the most fundamental rights that workers in almost every other sector have long enjoyed, including the right to a forty-hour work week and overtime pay. I was proud to stand with farmworkers during the Obama-Biden Administration, when California passed the nation's first farmworker overtime bill, and I am proud to stand with the farmworkers of Washington State today. It is long past time that we put all of America's farmworkers on an equal footing with the rest of our national workforce when it comes to their basic rights — and I urge Congress to pass HR 1177, the U.S. Citizenship Act, and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, so that we can extend those rights to farmworkers in all fifty states.
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https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/05/11/fact-sheet-the-biden-harris-administration-has-launched-an-all-of-government-effort-to-address-colonial-pipeline-incident/
FACT SHEET: The Biden-Harris Administration Has Launched an All-of-Government Effort to Address Colonial Pipeline Incident
May 11, 2021 • Statements and Releases
Action Update: May 11, 2021, 6:00 PM EDT
The recent cyberattack targeting the Colonial Pipeline has triggered a comprehensive federal response focused on securing critical energy supply chains. President Biden is receiving regular briefings on the incident and has directed agencies across the Federal Government to bring their resources to bear to help alleviate shortages where they are occurring. The Administration is focused on avoiding potential energy supply disruptions to impacted communities, the U.S. military, and other facilities reliant on gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other refined petroleum products. The Administration is continually assessing the pipeline shutdown's impact on the U.S. fuel supply, as well as what additional actions are available to mitigate the impact of the pipeline's shutdown.
Among other things, the Biden-Harris Administration has mobilized a robust federal response:
- Established an interagency response group to monitor and address the situation as swiftly as possible and ensure a continuing flow of fuel to affected communities. In response to the Colonial Pipeline cyberattack, the White House has convened an interagency response group consisting of the Department of Justice (including the FBI), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Department of the Treasury, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the White House Office of Management and Budget. The group regularly meets to assess the attack's impacts on fuel supply and U.S. energy markets, and assess policy options. As part of the working group, and at the White House's request, DOE's Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response and the U.S. Energy Information Administration have conducted thorough analysis of potential impacts of the shutdown and assessed various options for mitigating those effects, including moving supplies by trucks or marine vessels. DOE, the FBI, and other working group members are working directly with the pipeline operator to provide any assistance they need to safely restart operation.
- Issued a targeted, one-week waiver allowing multiple states to temporarily use noncompliant fuel in an effort to boost available supply. EPA and DOE evaluated the implications of the ransomware attack and determined that extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstances exist. In response, EPA Administrator Michael Reagan temporarily waived the federal Reid vapor pressure requirements for fuel sold in Reformulated Gasoline areas of District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. The EPA stands ready to issue waivers for other affected states expeditiously whenever those requests are received. Granting a temporary waiver will help increase supply of gasoline in the affected areas until normal supply to the region can be restored.
- Issued an "Hours of Service" waiver to provide greater flexibility to drivers transporting fuel. To ensure fuel continues to flow to impacted communities as quickly as possible, the Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a temporary hours of service exemption providing greater flexibility to motor carriers and drivers transporting gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other refined petroleum products. The waiver only applies to those transporting fuel to Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, and Virginia. The decision came after the U.S. Department of Transportation evaluated the current situation and determined that circumstances dictate providing industry flexibility. As DOT's top priority is safety, FMCSA is working closely with state and industry partners to monitor driver work hours and conditions for the duration of the exemption.
- Launched an emergency effort to determine rail operators' capacity to help transport fuel from ports inland and identify potential actions to enable this effort. The Federal Railroad Administration is actively canvassing rail operators across the country to assess whether they can temporarily assist in the transportation of fuel from coastal ports to inland communities.
- Supported state efforts to allow higher weight limits for tank trucks. North Carolina and Georgia issued waivers to allow higher weight limits for tank trucks, and DOT is working with the full list of potentially effected States to encourage this work, share information and best practices, and try to harmonize and align their efforts.
- Initiated a survey of Jones Act-qualified vessels to begin the process of evaluating what assets are available in the Jones Act fleet to carry petroleum products within the Gulf, and from the Gulf up the Eastern Seaboard. DOT's Maritime Administration is determining whether there is sufficient capacity on Jones Act-qualified vessels to carry needed fuel and to determine if a waiver is warranted. Authority to receive requests for and to approve waivers to the Jones Act belongs to the Department of Homeland Security.
- Temporarily relaxed enforcement of pipeline operator qualification rules to allow for use of emergency personnel that maybe needed to assist in the partial manual return-to-service. DOT's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) recently determined that the emergency response effort may require service by pipeline personnel that may not fully meet federal operator qualification (OQ) and employment drug testing requirements. In light of the response and recovery efforts, PHMSA issued a notice advising Colonial Pipeline that it does not intend to take any enforcement action relating to noncompliance with operator qualification requirements arising from the use of personnel for pipeline activities related to the attack. This enforcement stay applies only to those areas where Colonial is faced with limited resources as a result of the impacts of the attack.
- Prepared to issue orders to direct Colonial Pipeline to prioritize fuel for destinations to address critical supply shortages. FERC is positioned to issue orders quickly, should a company shipping product on the pipeline request it, to direct the pipeline to temporarily provide preference or priority in the transportation of product to serve the areas with the greatest need.
- Conducted regular outreach to state and local officials, Members of Congress, and impacted companies and retailers. The Biden-Harris Administration is in regular contact with state and local governments, Members of Congress, retailers and companies in impacted sectors to assess the impact of the shutdown, offer emergency assistance, and gather feedback on next steps.
- Provided guidance on securing critical infrastructure. The FBI recently released a FLASH alert for critical infrastructure owners and operators with indicators of compromise and mitigation measures if infected. The FBI has identified the ransomware as the Darkside variant, a ransomware as a service variant, where criminal affiliates conduct attacks and then share the proceeds with the ransomware developers. This alert will help other critical infrastructure owners and operators respond swiftly if they are targeted in future attacks. CISA, in partnership with DOE, is also communicating with industry to provide guidance on securing critical infrastructure, sharing details about the ransomware attack, and discussing recommended measures to mitigate further incidents. And, the Administration is working to help private sector companies like Colonial enhance their cybersecurity through the Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity initiative, a collaborative effort between DOE, CISA, and the electricity industry to strengthen cybersecurity standards.
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https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/05/11/statement-by-nsc-spokesperson-emily-horne-on-national-security-advisor-jake-sullivans-call-with-national-security-advisor-meir-ben-shabbat-of-israel-2/
Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with National Security Advisor Meir Ben Shabbat of Israel
May 11, 2021 • Statements and Releases
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke today with Israeli National Security Advisor Meir Ben Shabbat. He condemned the ongoing rocket attacks by Hamas and other terrorist groups, including against Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. He conveyed the President's unwavering support for Israel's security and for its legitimate right to defend itself and its people, while protecting civilians. He also conveyed the United States' encouragement of steps toward restoring a sustainable calm. They agreed to continue to stay in close touch. Mr. Sullivan also spoke today with the Government of Egypt on the situation in Gaza and Jerusalem. They discussed steps to restore calm over the coming days and agreed to stay in close touch.
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THE PRESIDENT: Well, first of all, hi, everybody. It's good to — I'm supposed to look over here and not at you guys. But we got six governors with us today — Democrats and Republicans — and they're meeting the moment: Governor Mills of Maine, Governor DeWine of Ohio, Governor Cox of Utah, Governor Walz of Minnesota, Governor Baker of Massachusetts, and Governor Lujan Grisham of New Mexico. And it's great to connect with you all. You know, last week, I provided an update on where we were with our vaccination program and — and what comes next. And I said our goal, by July the 4th, is to have 70 percent of adult Americans with at least one shot and 160 million Americans fully vaccinated. And that's a pretty huge goal, I acknowledge that, but you've done a remarkable job. But if we succeed, we're going to be able to take a serious step toward return to normalcy by — by Independence Day, which is a goal that was not arbitrary, but based on talking to the docs — thought if we did what we'd had to do, we could meet. And there's a lot of work to do, though, to get there. But I believe we can get there. And part of the reason I'm so confident is because of your leadership — the governors — and — and your partnership with us. The governors with us today and their counterparts have been instrumental in helping us make progress and — more quickly than anyone would have thought. Working together, we delivered over 220 million shots in my first 100 days — well beyond anyone's expectations, but because of their cooperation. And today, more than 150 million Americans have gotten at least one shot. Over 115 million Americans are fully vaccinated. Nearly 85 percent of people — excuse me — 65 and over have gotten at least one shot. And whether it's a red state or a blue state, Black, white, Latino, AAPI — Americans from every walk of life are getting their vaccines. We got more to do though. Now, cases and hospitalizations and deaths are all down. Tens of thousands of moms and dads, brothers and sisters, grandparents, neighbors, friends are still with us who, I believe — whom would have otherwise — we would have lost but for the work of these governors. And millions of Americans are starting to live life more normally after more than a year of sacrifice. And I know everybody is tired of hearing me say this online here, but it isn't Democratic progress or Republican progress, it's American progress.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2021/05/11/remarks-by-president-biden-at-a-virtual-meeting-with-a-bipartisan-group-of-governors/
And to help us get there, we've added two new tools. One, Americans can go to Vaccines.gov. Or they can text their ZIP Code to 3- — excuse me, misspoke — their ZIP Code texted to 438829. Let me say it again: 438829. And they'll get at least three locations near them with vaccines in stock at that moment. And at my direction, more than 20,000 pharmacies coast to coast are now offering walk-in vaccinations by no appointment necessary. And the governors are — you all are stepping up to increase the availability of walk-in vaccinations as well. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, is shifting focus from larger vaccination sites to smaller community-based sites and mobile clinics to reach more people where they are. And we've recently made significant new investments around vaccine education, including funds to help states and community organizations get the word out on the local level. Just yesterday, the Food and Drug Administration expanded the emergency use author- — authorization for the Pfizer vaccine for children 12- to 15-years of age. Twelve to fifteen. That more parents — that means parents who — who want to protect their children, younger teens who want to get vaccinated — we're a step closer to that goal now. And today, I'm also announcing additional steps. To ensure that transportation is less of a barrier, from May 24th through July 4th, Uber and Lyft — Uber and Lyft are both going to offer everyone free rides to and from vaccination sites. I think that is really stepping up. Both Uber and Lyft — free rides to — they'll wait — and from — they'll take you back home. And it makes it easy for students who will work with federal pharmacy partners to bring on-campus vaccines sites to dozens of the nation's largest community colleges this summer. And I want to thank the governors here for making it easy as possible for students to get vaccinated. And finally, I'm announcing today that FEMA is making support available immediately for community vaccination outreach efforts. This will help states, Tribes, territories, local governments, and community- and faith-based organizations to make more progress on the ground — things like phone banking, door-to-door canvassing, pop-up vaccination sites at workplaces and houses of worship. And so, once again, governors in so many states, particularly the six that are here, have been essential partners in this effort. And they know it isn't about politics; it's about saving lives and livelihoods, rebuilding our economy, and getting us back to our way of life.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2021/05/11/remarks-by-president-biden-at-a-virtual-meeting-with-a-bipartisan-group-of-governors/
GOVERNOR MILLS: And about — and about 53 percent of all eligible people in Maine are fully vaccinated. Well, that achievement has not been without challenges. We're a rural state, as you know, of 1.3 million people — the most dispersed population of any state in the lower 48, with small cities; with towns surrounded by blueberry barrens, potato fields, and forests; towns on islands; people living at the very end of a road. In fact, when we asked people in Maine to stay six feet apart — or, as the fishermen say, "one fathom" — some people asked, "Why so close?" (Laughter.) We're also the oldest — oldest state in the nation with more than 20 percent of our population being over 65. So, low population density and age are our big challenges. When we began this massive logistical undertaking, getting vaccines into shot — into arms, we focused on equity, we focused on addressing what made us the most — most vulnerable to the virus. So we knew that older individuals were more likely to get very sick and suffer and die. So after healthcare providers and first responders, we then began vaccinating people over 60 — over the age of 60. As a supply increased — thank you very much — and as we expanded — we expanded eligibility by age, by April 7th, everyone 16 and older was eligible. Today, as I mentioned, more than half of all eligible people are fully vaccinated. Nearly every day, our state has led the nation in getting shots in arms, but we're not dropping our guard. We're not slowing down. Every shot in arm, we know, is a death prevented, a life saved, a family kept whole. So Maine is doubling down on access, especially in hard-to-reach communities and for people who are hesitant, like the woman in Western Maine who drove a truck five miles down from her mountain-top home to be the first line of the pharmacy one morning. If you build it, we thought, they will come. (Laughter.) With remarkable cooperation by our big healthcare systems, we started with the mass vaccination clinics, with the National Guard, local personnel, and volunteers. Now we are participating with FEMA on a mobile vaccination unit that's getting to those hard-to-reach people in underserved populations. We have drive-thru clinics for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We're hosting pop-up clinics for hard-to-reach groups at their workplaces. We vaccinated homebound seniors in their homes. And we've expanded walk-in hours and morning and late evening hours for shift workers, like the woman working the night shift in a bakery in Lewiston. We brought clinics to the islands for fishermen's families. We've operated clinics at houses of worship, from mosques to the Methodists. And like many other states, we've offered free transportation and a very smooth vaccination experience. But I'm pleased to announce to you that, as of today, for those who get their first shot between now and Memorial Day, we're offering a voucher from our Fish and Wildlife Department, and our Parks and Conservation folks, and from retailers like L.L. Bean; the Portland Sea Dogs, our minor league baseball team Charlie knows so well; and the Oxford Plains Speedway, our biggest racetrack, to get free tickets to a ballgame or a race event, a free fishing license or hunting license, or gift card for outdoor gear. We're calling this "Your Shot to Get Outdoors." Oh, it's corny, I know. (Laughter.) But we — we know that people in Maine have found refuge and relief in Mother Nature throughout the pandemic. So these incentives will encourage that outdoor activity while getting more shots in arms as quickly as possible. So, thank you, Mr. President, for your support for all the states. Maine is doing everything we can to put this pandemic behind us. We're giving it our best shot. Thank you.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2021/05/11/remarks-by-president-biden-at-a-virtual-meeting-with-a-bipartisan-group-of-governors/
GOVERNOR DEWINE: And it's the local health departments, it's the mayors, it's the counties — they're the ones who are really the — the action here. So I'm on the phone every Monday morning for 45 minutes with every one of our health departments, and I learn a lot. They tell us what — what they need, what we can do to help them. We try to get them right away whatever — whatever they need. But we also hear from them the innovation that they're doing. And the innovation, as you know — as you said at the beginning, it comes locally. And so, we'll take that innovation from one health department — what they're doing — and then make sure that other health departments are aware of that, and other providers around the state are aware of that. So it's very, very, very important. We have taken a vaccine in August — we went out — no, excuse me — in February, we went out and vaccinated every teacher in the state who wanted to be vaccinated. We actually took the vaccine to a place close to them. In some cases, it was directly into their school. That enabled us to open up virtually every single school on March 1st. And — but, again, it was taking it to them. We've done the same thing with colleges, before college was out for the summer. We've done it with — working with our labor unions. We've done it working with businesses; a lot of innovation going on in businesses. And what we found is that businesses that have us come in, have a — they have a health partner that does it, they work very closely with their employees, and they're able to get an uptake that, quite candidly, I don't think we would have gotten any other way but by taking that directly — THE PRESIDENT: Yeah. GOVERNOR DEWINE: — directly into that — into that business. We are really at the ground game now. We've always been at the ground game. But I think you're seeing governors, you know, continue to push out and go to where people — people are. We have some health departments that are literally out knocking on — knocking on doors. We have mobile clinics going around. And we want to reach people, you know, exactly where they are. Just a couple observations: There certainly has been a appetite for the Johnson & Johnson. We're — THE PRESIDENT: Yeah. GOVERNOR DEWINE: We're seeing that the people who really want Johnson & Johnson, they want that one shot and to be done. There also clearly was an appetite for walk-up clinics. And so, you know, most of the clinics in Ohio, as you said, are open for walkups and people — there's people who just want to go; they want to make up their mind that day and go out and be able to knock on the door. Finally, we're very, very excited about being able to vaccinate 12-, 13-, 14-, and 15-year-olds. And we've got plans in school, but we also have plans in the — in the summer with boys' club, girls' clubs, feeding programs, and other things, trying to take this to where people are. So, thank you for doing this, Mr. President.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2021/05/11/remarks-by-president-biden-at-a-virtual-meeting-with-a-bipartisan-group-of-governors/
GOVERNOR COX: — to roll out younger people to get vaccinated because Utah has more of them than anywhere else. Mr. President, we're really good at having kids here. So we're excited to — to have that that opportunity. When you talk about hesitancy though, I want to mention that it's most important to be very flexible and adaptable. What was working a month ago isn't necessarily going to work today. Of course, we have a vision for where we want to go, and where we are in this phase of the vaccination campaign. Data collection is absolutely critical — and this is something I want to mention that Governor DeWine just touched on — but what we — while some states go into the field to do some polling, we are in the field every day of every week, constantly getting new data to understand that population that is remaining that hasn't gotten the vaccine. And I think that's — that's really important for everyone to understand. We often just talk about the vaccine hesitanc- — hesitant population as one big group, but it's really — it's really much more than that. I like to think we've moved from what I call the "vaccine-ecstatic" and the "vaccine-excited phase," and we're now in the "vaccine-busy" or the "vaccine-curious phase." These aren't people that refuse to get it, they're just — they just haven't gotten around to it yet. And I think we have to approach all of these groups a little differently. But with that data, that's allowed us to really focus on three specific areas that — the why, the who, and the where. To overcome this vaccine hesitancy, we designed a public information campaign that not only answers questions and resolves concerns, but it helps people understand that getting the vaccine is the way to get back to the things that we all love, that we all want to do — you know, weddings and family reunions; Utah Jazz games — the best team in the league right now; churches; hugging grandparents; quinceañeras — all of those things that we care about. We want people to understand that the vaccine is really the key to ending that. And that's one area where we could use some help from the White House and others, and that is modeling what a fully vaccinated person can do.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2021/05/11/remarks-by-president-biden-at-a-virtual-meeting-with-a-bipartisan-group-of-governors/
GOVERNOR COX: Next up, we focused on the "who." And, I think, Mr. President, this — this may be the most important of all. Through our research, it became clear that people trust their family doctors; their local community leaders and church leaders; their family, friends, and neighbors a lot more than they trust government on this issue. So, we've been working directly with those different voices to empower them and give them a platform to encourage vaccinations, which leads to the third — and the other governors have talked about this, so I won't take as much time — but the "where" is so important for this next phase and the next group of people now that we have enough vaccine for — for everyone. And so we — these mobile pop-up clinics that we're talking about really matter. And when you partner with those — the "who" — the right voices in the community — so, for example, in our Latino community, we're working with churches and pastors who will bring these mobile pop-up clinics right to the church where people can go and get those vaccinations. We've opened a portal to any organization in our state — businesses, churches, nonprofits, summer camps. Anyone that wants a mobile vaccination clinic can request one. We go directly to them. They have a party; people can come and get vaccinated. And we're finding that those trusted voices are helping us with that next phase of people who are — who are a little unsure or just didn't have enough time to get around to it. We're taking out all of the excuses to not get a vaccine.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2021/05/11/remarks-by-president-biden-at-a-virtual-meeting-with-a-bipartisan-group-of-governors/
GOVERNOR GRISHAM: Now we can use that Medicaid data — and I can tell you, both from an equity standpoint and just an access standpoint, I can tell every primary care physician who in their patient population is yet to be vaccinated and push those vaccines into those doctor's offices by utilizing Medicaid information. And it's that same utilization data that tells me who's on hospice, who's homebound, who's got a disability so that we can continue to make sure that we close the gap every single day in terms of New Mexicans who are yet to be vaccinated. And I also think that the equity numbers can improve by many of the incentives that you're hearing about. And I'm going to use Medicaid as another tool for incentives. You can, in Medicaid, have kind of a points reward system for people to engage in improving their health outcomes. So we maximize — we give you more of those points so that you can buy sports equipment for your family and kids, so that you can engage in fresh farmers markets. And this is another way that we get these really hard-to-reach populations — using Medicaid as a huge driver and our registry system. So data — making sure that we're pushing vaccines into the communities and then into the arms of New Mexicans every single day. And it — it is working. And so I'm very proud of those systems that we've stood up, and we're using every single other thing that the other governors have talked about. And we are committed, Mr. President, to all of us continuing this collaboration. Every time somebody has a good idea — I heard about hunting and fishing licenses; I'm on it. So every time somebody has a good idea, we're deploying it, and we appreciate your support to do that.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2021/05/11/remarks-by-president-biden-at-a-virtual-meeting-with-a-bipartisan-group-of-governors/
I'm standing with the people of Israel who are coming under bombardment attacks, and condemn the Hamas terrorists. The people of NYC will always stand with our brothers and sisters in Israel who face down terrorism and persevere.
https://twitter.com/AndrewYang/status/1391897869137887234
Ken Griffey Jr. tried to commit suicide at 17-years-old by swallowing 277 pills. He felt a lot of pressure to be a great baseball player while battling a rocky relationship with his father. It's #MentalHealth awareness week & it's a reminder anyone can be struggling. Check in.
https://twitter.com/kylemalzhan/status/1392104345060130819
The Senate has just voted to repeal a Trump-era regulation that Democrats say allows predatory lenders to skirt state consumer protections. Lawmakers voted 52 to 47 to repeal the "true lender" rule, marking the first time Democrats have rolled back a Trump-era financial rule using the Congressional Review Act, a 1996 law that gives Congress the ability to rescind recently enacted regulations. (Reporting by Pete Schroeder)
https://financialpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/u-s-senate-votes-to-repeal-true-lender-banking-rule-issued-under-trump
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Israel's Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi. The Secretary expressed his concerns regarding rocket attacks on Israel and his condolences for the lives lost as a result. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister also discussed the violence in Jerusalem, in particular on the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount and in Sheikh Jarrah. The Secretary reiterated his call on all parties to deescalate tensions and bring a halt to the violence, which has claimed the lives of Israeli and Palestinian civilians, including children. The Secretary emphasized the need for Israelis and Palestinians to be able to live in safety and security, as well as enjoy equal measures of freedom, security, prosperity, and democracy. Foreign Minister Ashkenazi and Secretary Blinken acknowledged the steadfast partnership between the United States and Israel, and committed to working together on challenges ahead.
https://www.state.gov/secretary-blinkens-call-with-israeli-foreign-minister-ashkenazi-4/
CBP: "In April 2021, CBP encountered 178,622 persons attempting entry along the Southwest Border. This total represented a 3 percent increase over March 2021."
https://twitter.com/Haleaziz/status/1392258047569907713
"Encounters along the Southwest Border of unaccompanied children and single minors from Northern Triangle countries dropped by 12 percent this month, with 13,962 encounters in April 2021 compared with 15,918 in March 2021."
https://twitter.com/Haleaziz/status/1392258137709715456
It took two years, but the House has finally reached an agreement for MCGAHN to testify about what he told Mueller. Terms of the deal are unclear except for one: "Former President Trump … is not a party to the agreement."
https://twitter.com/ElizLanders/status/1392259116102467589
https://twitter.com/kyledcheney/status/1392258987551346691
An hours-long, contentious markup of S.1, ended in a 9-9 deadlock, but Senate rules allow Schumer to bring the bill to the floor. All Republicans voted against the bill, even though some amendments proposed by Republican senators had been adopted.
Good: White House Says Undocumented Students Can Receive Pandemic Aid | The rule reverses a Trump-era policy that barred the students from obtaining emergency aid to cover food, housing and school supplies.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/11/us/politics/pandemic-aid-undocumented-students.html
Sen. Duckworth: "What's the point of spending $100 million on an F-35 fighter jet if we can't recruit people to fix it or fly it? ... Food stamps kept me in school so I could graduate high school, so I could go enlist in the military. Don't you want that?"
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/sen-tammy-duckworth-says-it-was-food-stamps-that-allowed-her-to-stay-in-high-school/2021/05/06/0bec4850-9c95-11eb-8005-bffc3a39f6d3_story.html
For me, the most difficult time was when I woke up at Walter Reed and thought that I was responsible for a helicopter crash. The doctors were talking about a crash and didn't realize that I was waking up. That was the lowest point in my life, where I thought: I deserve to lose these legs. I injured my men. I didn't do my job as a pilot, as an officer. That was the darkest. My husband told me, "No, no, no. You didn't crash the aircraft; you guys landed it." I sort of believed him — he showed me the picture of the aircraft sitting there — but I didn't believe him. But I was going into surgery every other day then, and heading in on my gurney, I looked up on the board where they had all the patients who were going to go into surgery that morning, and they had Sgt. Chris Fierce's name on there. I said to the nurse, "Oh my G-d, that's my sergeant. That's my crew chief." And so she very kindly put us next to each other on our two gurneys waiting to go into surgery. I just started weeping. I was like, "Chris, I'm so sorry I crashed the aircraft. You almost lost your leg. It's my fault." And he just looked at me like I was insane. He said, "What are you talking about? You and Dan did everything you could to land the aircraft." I said, "Are you sure?" He goes, "Tammy, I was sitting right behind you. I could see you move your hand to try to shut down the engine." And once I knew that, I was fine. And I've been fine ever since.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/sen-tammy-duckworth-says-it-was-food-stamps-that-allowed-her-to-stay-in-high-school/2021/05/06/0bec4850-9c95-11eb-8005-bffc3a39f6d3_story.html
One of the key things it did was made it clear that this ideal of American rugged individualism, pull yourself up by your bootstraps, is not the reality out there. That there are people working as hard as they possibly can, and they're still not even keeping their heads above water. They're sinking further and further under. And that is something I try to bring to the Senate in my conversations. I explain that I worked harder as a 15-year-old trying to work a full-time job, literally scrounging through garbage for money, and hustling on the side, than I have ever worked in my entire life. And so did my parents. So let me tell you, it wasn't a lack of hard work. Sometimes you just need a helping hand. And when I got that helping hand along the way, it made the difference in my life. If my yearbook teacher had not bought me dinners, if I did not have the school lunch and school breakfast program, I would have dropped out of high school. I would still be a wonderful person, but I would probably be working two minimum-wage jobs and never have finished high school or gotten a college degree. And I certainly would not have been qualified to serve in the military or become a U.S. senator. And because those things were there, that kept me in school so I could get my high school diploma. And that made a difference, not just for me, but for my country.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/sen-tammy-duckworth-says-it-was-food-stamps-that-allowed-her-to-stay-in-high-school/2021/05/06/0bec4850-9c95-11eb-8005-bffc3a39f6d3_story.html
I talk about the fact that the [Department of Defense], in the last several years, has put out studies [saying] they can only recruit from 29 percent of the population because 71 percent of the population of [17-] to 24-year-olds in this country can't pass the basic requirements, some of which include not being able to pass the math and English tests. Like, they either don't have a GED or a high school diploma, or, even if they do, they can't pass the basic exam, which is written at the eighth-grade level. I say, what's the point of spending $100 million on an F-35 fighter jet if we can't recruit people to fix it or fly it? So even if you don't care about the humanitarian side, let me tell you: Those food stamps kept me in school so I could graduate high school, so I could go enlist in the military. Don't you want that? Public schools and food stamps and all of that made a difference in my life. And I think that that makes this country stronger. That's why I support these programs. Not because I'm any particular label. You know, people talk about how I was the first senator to give birth in the Senate, but I had my second baby at the age of 50. We need some female 40-year-olds that are still raising babies in the Senate to talk about these issues. And so we just need to get more diversity. Look, when I was elected to the Senate, there were more White men named John than there were persons of color.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/sen-tammy-duckworth-says-it-was-food-stamps-that-allowed-her-to-stay-in-high-school/2021/05/06/0bec4850-9c95-11eb-8005-bffc3a39f6d3_story.html
President Biden's schedule says he will meet with Pelosi, Schumer, McCarthy and McConnell tomorrow to discuss "policy areas of mutual agreement."
https://twitter.com/kaitlancollins/status/1392264602826772480
In advance of Utah's final three games of the regular season, Donovan Mitchell was re-evaluated by the team's medical staff on Tuesday for a sprained ankle he sustained on April 16. He continues to make progress towards a return but will be out for Utah's final three contests.
https://twitter.com/utahjazz/status/1392261261899964417
Mitchell will not travel with the Jazz for the team's upcoming road trip and will remain in Salt Lake City to continue treatment. He will be re-evaluated prior to the start of the NBA Playoffs.
https://twitter.com/utahjazz/status/1392261265326706691
Judge tosses Missouri AG Eric Schmitt's tax cut lawsuit against Biden administration
https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article251336653.html
______________________________________________
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/553018-read-liz-cheneys-speech-on-the-house-floor
https://twitter.com/i/status/1392275650090835969
I know the topic, Mr. Speaker, is cancel culture; I have some thoughts about that, but tonight, I rise to discuss freedom and our constitutional duty to protect it.
Thank you very much. I'd like to thank very much my friend, colleague, Mr. Buck, for yielding me time this evening.
I know the topic, Mr. Speaker, is cancel culture; I have some thoughts about that, but tonight, I rise to discuss freedom and our constitutional duty to protect it.
Mr. Speaker, I have been privileged to see firsthand how powerful and how fragile freedom is. 28 years ago, I stood outside a polling place, a schoolhouse in western Kenya. Soldiers had chased away people who were lined up to vote. A few hours later, they came streaming back in, risking further attack, undaunted in their determination to exercise their right to vote. In 1992, I sat across the table from a young mayor in ... Russia. And I listened to him talk of his dream of liberating his nation from communism. Years later, for his dedication to the cause of freedom, Boris Nemtsov was assassinated by Vladimir Putin's thugs. In Warsaw, in 1990, I listened to a young Polish woman tell me that her greatest fear was that people would forget. They would forget what it was like to live under Soviet domination. That they would forget the price of freedom. Three men, an immigrant who escaped Castro's totalitarian regime, a young man who grew up behind the Iron Curtain and became his country's minister of defense, and a dissident who spent years in the Soviet gulag have all told me it was the miracle of America, captured in the words of President Ronald Reagan, that inspired them. And I have seen the power of faith and freedom. I listened to Pope John Paul II speak to thousands in Nairobi in 1985. And 19 years later, I watched the same pope take my father's hand, look in his eyes, and say G-d bless America.
G-d has blessed America, Mr. Speaker. But our freedom only survives if we protect it. If we honor our oath, taken before G-d in this chamber, to support and defend the constitution. If we recognize threats to freedom when they arise.
Today, we face a threat America has never seen before. A former president who provoked a violent attack on this Capitol in an effort to steal the election has resumed his aggressive effort to convince Americans that the election was stolen from him. He risks inciting further violence.
Millions of Americans have been misled by the former president. They have heard only his words but not the truth. As he continues to undermine our democratic process, sowing seeds of doubt about whether democracy really works at all.
I am a conservative Republican and the most conservative of conservative principles is reverence for the rule of law.
The Electoral College has voted. More than 60 state and federal courts, including multiple judges the former president appointed, have rejected his claims.
The Trump Department of Justice investigated the former president's claims of widespread fraud and found no evidence to support them.
The election is over.
That is the rule of law.
That is our constitutional process.
Those who refuse to accept the rulings of our courts are at war with the Constitution.
Our duty is clear. Every one of us who has sworn the oath must act to prevent the unraveling of our democracy.
This is not about policy. This is not about partisanship. This is about our duty as Americans.
Remaining silent and ignoring the lie emboldens the liar. I will not participate in that. I will not sit back and watch in silence while others lead our party down a path that abandons the rule of law and joins the former president's crusade to undermine our democracy.
As the party of Reagan, Republicans have championed democracy, won the cold war and defeated the Soviet communists. Today, America is on the cusp of another cold war. This time with communist China. Attacks against our democratic process and the rule of law empower our adversaries and feed communist propaganda that American democracy is a failure.
We must speak the truth. Our election was not stolen and America has not failed.
I received a message last week from a Gold Star father who said standing up for the truth honors all who gave all. We must all strive to be worthy of the sacrifice of those who have died for our freedom. They are the patriots Katharine Lee Bates described in the words of "America the Beautiful," when she wrote, "oh beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife, who more than self their country loved and mercy more than life."
Ultimately, Mr. Speaker, this is at the heart of what our oath requires: That we love our country more. That we love her so much that we will stand above politics to defend her. That we will do everything in our power to protect our Constitution and our freedom that has been paid for by the blood of so many.
We must love America so much that we will never yield in her defense. That is our duty. Thank you.
______________________________________________
Robbie Ray vs Atlanta tonight: 6.0IP, 5H, 3ER, 1BB, 10K, 99P
Animals to be formally recognised as sentient beings in UK law
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/12/animals-to-be-formally-recognised-as-sentient-beings-in-uk-law
Shark Advocates Cheer UK's Banning Of Shark Fin Trade
https://www.deeperblue.com/shark-advocates-cheer-uks-banning-of-shark-fin-trade/?amp
Jenner says she didn't vote in 2020. But records show she did.
https://www.politico.com/states/california/story/2021/05/11/jenner-says-she-didnt-vote-in-2020-but-records-show-she-did-1381459
Andrew Wiggins tonight: 38 points on 17/23 shooting, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, only 1 turnover in 40 minutes
The Golden State Warriors (37-33) defeat the Phoenix Suns (48-21), 122 - 116
On consecutive nights, the Golden State Warriors have beaten the 1 and 2 seeds in the West
The Golden State Warriors are now 29-1 when Draymond Green has a triple double
Draymond sniffs out a Suns play design, tells Wiggins to pre-switch the pick-and-roll which forces CP3 into a tough shot
This Lakers-Knicks game was a defensive slugfest that is refreshing to watch in an era dominated by fast paced, non stop offense.
Draymond Green: "We ain't no 'We Believe 2.0' We got fucking Steph Curry on our team."
The Miami Heat (38-31) defeat the Boston Celtics (35-34), 129 - 121
Jordan Poole tonight: 20 points on 6/10 shooting, 4 rebounds, and only 1 turnover in 20 minutes
The Memphis Grizzlies (36-33) defeat the Dallas Mavericks (40-29), 133-104
The Denver Nuggets (45-24) defeat the Charlotte Hornets (33-36) 117-112 to lock up the fourth seed in the West, Jokic and MPJ both score 30
Brooklyn Nets say Kyrie Irving is out for the remainder of the game due to a facial contusion.
https://twitter.com/chrisbhaynes/status/1392291585212043267
The Brooklyn Nets had 8 out of 9 players scoring double digits without James Harden against the Bulls. Durant lead the team with 21 points.
Dabonis finishes game with 16/13/15 on 7-9 shooting, 2-2 from the 3. Pacer win.
Giannis moves to 8th in all-time Bucks steals with this jumped pass and little double clutch dunk in transition
https://streamable.com/hcz83q
Vegetarians who drink and smoke a lot are still healthier than meat-eaters, big new study finds
https://thehill.com/changing-america/well-being/longevity/552976-vegetarians-who-drink-and-smoke-a-lot-are-still
Many Vaccinated Americans Are Still Uncomfortable Returning to Public Activities. The U.S. Economy Needs Them
https://morningconsult.com/2021/05/12/vaccinated-unvaccinated-americans-comfort-with-activities/
Three senators who ran for president — Kamala Harris, Cory Booker and Amy Klobuchar — all signed the letter opposing the border closure under Trump. As Biden continues the policy, they have been quiet.
https://www.politico.com/news/2021/05/12/kamala-harris-border-closure-487437
A bill aimed at increasing the supply of drugs to fight opioid addiction failed tonight after most Republicans voted against it. The Democrat who introduced it says it's because she refused to let a Republican lead it over his electoral college vote.
https://forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2021/05/11/democrat-refused-to-let-republican-lead-opioid-bill-over-his-vote-against-electoral-college--so-gop-killed-it/
I spent a year as a peace activist going back and forth between Gaza and Israel in 1998 and one thing I hope people realize is that the Gaza strip actually does have large wide open agricultural areas. Which means the rockets being fired from civilian areas is a conscious choice.
Israel names four Hamas commanders killed in Gaza strikes
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/israel-identifies-hamas-commanders-killed-in-strike-on-gaza-base/
They ousted Cheney before they condemned child rapist Matt Gaetz: House Republicans Remove Liz Cheney From Leadership Position
https://www.politico.com/news/2021/05/12/cheney-booted-prewrite-hold-487522
Cheney should just say she won the vote. Republicans are partial to that, after all.
The Celtics say Kemba Walker (knee), Marcus Smart (calf) and Robert Williams (toe) all join Jaylen Brown (wrist) on the unavailable list for tonight's game against Cleveland.
https://twitter.com/thesteinline/status/1392525717552967682
James Harden is listed as probable for tonight's game against the Spurs. Kyrie Irving is Questionable with a facial contusion. Kevin Durant is available, despite it being the second night of a back-to-back.
https://twitter.com/malika_andrews/status/1392524752904982531
Biden officials warn against hoarding gasoline amid shortages
https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/553137-biden-officials-warn-against-hoarding-gasoline-amid-shortages
Judge rejects Republican effort to block tax provision in Biden stimulus bill
https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/553138-judge-rejects-gop-effort-to-block-tax-provision-in-biden-stimulus
There it is: Christopher Miller - who led the largest military in the world on Jan 6 - assigns blame to "irresponsible commentary in the media" & "hysteria" about military involvement for DOD failure to defend the Capitol.
https://twitter.com/jimsciutto/status/1392488214083129349
Matt Harvey's Return to Queens: 4.1IP, 8H, 7ER, 1BB, 4K
https://www.espn.com/mlb/boxscore/_/gameId/401227591
Wow. AOC just backed ex-acting SecDef Miller into admitting that he didn't approve plan for the Nat Guard to deploy on 1/6 until 4:32, a difference from his claim that he ordered deployment at 3. That 4:32 order came after he talked to Pence (after calls from many panicked Dems)
https://twitter.com/Kate_Riga24/status/1392529327590453251
Rep. Andrew Clyde of Georgia says there was no insurrection on January 6th, and likens the people entering the Capitol on TV footage to tourists. Says the only insurrection he's ever witnessed was the Russia investigation.
https://twitter.com/StevenTDennis/status/1392529239145078784
People died, windows were smashed, they were chanting to hang Mike Pence, 140 police officers were wounded, the House, Senate and VP were rushed into hiding, staff cowered for hours in offices. Clyde suggests it was just an unruly mob with some rioters committing "vandalism."
There are lines that should not be crossed. Lying about an insurrection that injured hundreds, that directly and indirectly resulted in loss of life, that physically scarred the Capitol, that threatened the lives of lawmakers, members of the media and the VP, is one of them.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Lloyd
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/05/11/middle-east-countries-are-learning-build-back-better/
Middle East countries are learning to 'build back better'
David Ignatius
May 11, 2021 at 6:44 p.m. EDT
When Biden administration officials traveled this month to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Iraq and other Middle Eastern nations, they saw a striking change: Like the United States, these countries seem to have learned the limits of military power and are instead stressing domestic economic growth and diplomacy.
Maybe we're seeing a Middle East version of President Biden's dictum that the best foreign policy is to "build back better" at home. If so, it's a welcome epiphany: The region has been ground zero for its own "endless wars" that produced little except suffering. Realizing that the United States has lost patience with such proxy wars, these nations are now trying to de-escalate them and rebuild their economies after the pandemic.
Back-channel diplomacy is the flavor of the month — and it involves nearly all the region's major players: Saudi Arabia and the UAE are talking with Iran; the UAE and Egypt are talking with Turkey. Even the warlords in Yemen and Libya have been exploring peace deals. Asked to explain the change of mood, American and Arab officials say many countries were "scared straight" by the risk of all-out war and the unreliability of the U.S. military umbrella under the past three presidents.
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/09/op-ed-biden-has-a-historic-opportunity-in-the-middle-east-to-foster-progress.html
https://thearabweekly.com/lenderking-riyadh-and-muscat-search-yemen-deal
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/16/libyas-interim-government-takes-power-after-handover-in-tripoli
Sadly, the outlier in this diplomatic revival is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This week's explosion of violence showed that it remains as toxic as ever. Normalization of relations between Arab states and Israel is a blessing, but it won't make the Palestinian problem disappear. Officials told me even the UAE, the most forward-leaning of the Arab states, warned Israel that police actions in Jerusalem's al-Aqsa Mosque would embolden Hamas extremists.
A senior State Department official said in an interview Tuesday, "There is sufficient momentum that we can keep moving forward" despite this week's volleys of Hamas missiles and Israeli reprisals. The United States needs to rebuild a peace process, but it won't stand a chance unless Israelis and Palestinians conclude, like their neighbors, that endless war doesn't make sense.
The UAE is the best example of the quiet transformation underway in the region. After years of costly proxy battles — against Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen and against Turkish-backed forces in Libya — the Emiratis have pulled back to focus on domestic economic issues.
The turnaround began in 2019, with the Iranian missile attack on Saudi oil facilities at Abqaiq. The Emiratis received warnings that they could be next, and that Iranian rockets could shatter the gleaming towers of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, officials told me. Soon, the UAE began secret outreach to Tehran. The result appears to be a quiet, unwritten nonbelligerence pact, with the UAE halting its support for troops fighting Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/belligerents-in-the-persian-gulf-are-trying-something-new-diplomacy/2019/11/26/2f7cd13e-1093-11ea-b0fc-62cc38411ebb_story.html?
Talk of the UAE as "Little Sparta" is gone. That nickname, bestowed by former secretary of defense Jim Mattis, suggested an outsized role in regional conflicts that proved exhausting and ultimately counterproductive for the Emirates. The covid-19 pandemic, too, was devastating, with the UAE losing more than 50 percent of its revenue as tourism and oil processing collapsed, according to one official.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/in-the-uae-the-united-states-has-a-quiet-potent-ally-nicknamed-little-sparta/2014/11/08/3fc6a50c-643a-11e4-836c-83bc4f26eb67_story.html
So the Emiratis, always something of a weather vane, recalculated. Following the 2019 outreach to Iran, they began similar de-escalation with two other regional rivals, Turkey and Qatar. The Emiratis this year have halted their military support for rebels in Libya fighting the Turkish-backed government, U.S. officials told me.
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/foreign-ministers-of-turkey-uae-speak-over-phone-164165
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-emirates-qatar/uae-and-qatar-hold-first-meeting-since-gulf-detente-idUSKBN2AM1FO
Egypt, which the UAE hoped to protect with its Libyan intervention, is getting into the back-channel business, too. A delegation from Ankara traveled last week to Cairo for the first serious dialogue in years.
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/05/egypt-turkey-seek-reset-fractured-relations
Saudi Arabia back-channel talks with Iran have been brokered by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, a former intelligence chief who's one of the region's most interesting leaders. He brought together Saudi spy chief Khalid Humaidan and Iran's deputy national security adviser Saeed Iravani. The talks are more symbol than substance, so far, but Iran-backed Shiite militias in Iraq have stopped firing rockets into the kingdom, U.S. officials say.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-saudi-talks/second-round-of-saudi-iran-talks-planned-this-month-sources-idUSKBN2C82A8
Saudi Arabia badly wants an exit from the war in Yemen and through U.S. special envoy Tim Lenderking has offered the Houthis a peace deal that meets most of their demands, including reopening Hodeidah port and Sanaa airport. A Houthi spokesman in Oman appeared to support the plan, but the military leadership in Sanaa is still pushing for a decisive victory in the city of Marib, U.S. officials say. Iran's foreign minister is heading for the UAE for talks that could include Yemen. Best advice to the Saudis: Cut the knot; open the port and airport; end this disastrous war.
The United States tried to transform the Middle East and failed. Now our erstwhile allies are trying to pick up the pieces. Iran's revolutionaries aren't on the peace train yet, by any means. But I like this Middle East version of build back better.
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Rep. Jim Banks, chairman of the Republican Study Committee (largest caucus for House Republican members) introduced Catalina Lauf as a friend at RSC lunch today, I am told. Lauf is running against Rep. Adam Kinzinger on a pro-Trump platform.
https://twitter.com/Olivia_Beavers/status/1392540010897940481
If a Republican does not answer "yes" to this question — a question to which you know there is a correct answer, and that answer is "yes" — you have an obligation to your audience to refuse to quote that Republican on any other topic whatsoever, because they are lying outright
https://twitter.com/MattNegrin/status/1392507151600525317
A lie — on any topic — is not news. If you are quoting their lie, you are spreading their lie. You can trick yourself into thinking "I'm doing journalism because I'm reporting what they're saying" but then you're just telling two lies — their lie, and a lie to yourself
https://twitter.com/MattNegrin/status/1392507671387983875
Bryant is "super under the weather." Didn't sleep well. Wanted to be in the lineup, but the manager thought better of it, especially with the off-day tomorrow.
https://twitter.com/MLBastian/status/1392488156637929473
Incredibly worrisome development that sets apart the current conflict from previous Israel-Gaza wars. Palestinian and Israelis are attacking each other in the streets, torching holy places, shops. Israel hasn't witnessed such inter-communal violence in decades.
Despite a global outcry about the Colonial Pipeline attack, DarkSide has not stopped its hacking activity. The hackers have posted to the dark web names of three new companies it claims to have attacked. One is in the US, in Illinois, one in Brazil and one in the UK.
https://twitter.com/EamonJavers/status/1392546916140036099
660+ Groups Call on Democrats to 'Reject Gas and Other False Climate Solutions' for Clean Energy Standard. "As we look to combat the climate emergency, it is crucial that we invest in solutions that support a just energy future."
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/12/660-groups-call-democrats-reject-gas-and-other-false-climate-solutions-clean-energy
Caitlyn Jenner voted in 2020 despite telling CNN that he didn't
https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/12/politics/caitlyn-jenner-2020-vote-newsom-recall/index.html
COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. have tumbled to an average of around 600 per day — the lowest level in 10 months — with the number of lives lost dropping to single digits in well over half the states and hitting zero on some days | About 45% of the nation's adults are fully vaccinated, and nearly 59% have received at least one dose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This week, Pfizer's vaccine won authorization for use in 12- to 15-year-olds, in a move that could make it easier to reopen the nation's schools. Physicians like Dr. Tom Dean in South Dakota's rural Jerauld County are cautiously optimistic, concerned about the many people who have decided against getting vaccinated or have grown lax in guarding against infections. The county has seen just three confirmed cases in the last two weeks, according to Johns Hopkins data. "What I'm afraid of is people believing this whole thing is over and you don't have to worry about it any more," Dean said. "I think complacency is our biggest threat right now." Several states, including Wyoming, Vermont, Alaska and Hawaii, were averaging fewer than one death per day over the past week, according to data through Tuesday from Johns Hopkins. And even among the five states with the highest daily deaths — Michigan with an average of 65.4, Florida with 61.7, California with 48, Texas with 44 and New York with 39.3 — all but Florida's number is going down. California, the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak over the winter, logged 1,231 confirmed infections Wednesday, down from 40,000 at its peak. Los Angeles County reported 18 deaths Tuesday, versus more than 200 a day in January.
https://apnews.com/article/us-news-ap-top-news-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-health-8c08a951537eb522ffb69236bef96766
"I don't think anybody is questioning the legitimacy of the presidential election." -- Kevin McCarthy, not kidding
https://twitter.com/ChrisCillizza/status/1392558601601011714
Perhaps he should discuss with these officers: Rep. Andrew Clyde of Georgia says there was no insurrection on January 6th, and likens the people entering the Capitol on TV footage to tourists. Says the only insurrection he's ever witnessed was the Russia investigation.
https://twitter.com/jimsciutto/status/1392558263850446850
We're investigating Cyber Ninjas' role in the ongoing audit of the election results in Arizona's Maricopa County. Learn more here:
https://www.americanoversight.org/investigation/the-arizona-senates-partisan-audit-of-maricopa-county-election-results
The FCC redacted all communications with Cyber Ninjas in the documents we obtained. The official referred to Cyber Ninjas' CEO as an "internal expert," but investigators found the firm wasn't contracted to conduct any forensics.
https://americanoversight.org/document/fcc-online-comment-system-records
An investigation by the FCC's inspector general found that the FCC lied about a cyberattack in May 2017. The FCC had falsely claimed that its comments system was broken due to a cybersecurity breach during the height of its efforts to kill net neutrality. The U.S. official who fabricated a "DDoS attack" at FCC during the 2017 Net Neutrality proceeding cited this cybersecurity firm in emails to reporters, referring to them as "internal experts." (The emails falsely informed journalists a cyberattack had occurred) twitter.com/KimZetter/stat…
https://gizmodo.com/heres-the-internal-report-proving-the-fcc-made-up-a-cyb-1828166991
In Georgia, the number of ballots cast in 2020 that would now be thrown out due to the Republican-backed voter suppression law would be more than enough to erase Joe Biden's entire margin of victory.
https://www.americanoversight.org/investigation/the-arizona-senates-partisan-audit-of-maricopa-county-election-results
Ump said Eddie Rosario didn't swing here.
https://streamable.com/pci5yf
Trump's acting attorney general Jeffrey Rosen refuses to say if he discussed overturning election results
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/jeffrey-rosen-trump-election-results-b1846421.html
Trump's defense secretary confirms he didn't approve plan to deploy National Guard until after Pence called him — over 3 hours after the Capitol riot began
https://www.businessinsider.com/chris-miller-aoc-mike-pence-national-guard-2021-5
Victor Oladipo, out with an injured right knee since early April, is having season ending knee surgery Thursday
https://twitter.com/thesteinline/status/1392580758464696322
Torey Lovullo said that Zac Gallen has a "minor sprain of one section of his UCL in his right elbow." Plan for now is to "reassess in a couple of weeks."
https://twitter.com/nickpiecoro/status/1392602125415325700
Victor Caratini and the Slam Diego Padres are back.
https://streamable.com/d37w3g
The Detroit Pistons are finalizing a contract extension for coach Dwane Casey, bringing his deal through the 2023-2024 season
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1392600351518380040
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https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/05/12/statement-by-nsc-spokesperson-emily-horne-on-national-security-advisor-jake-sullivans-call-with-qatari-deputy-prime-minister-and-foreign-minister-al-thani/
Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Al-Thani
May 12, 2021 • Statements and Releases
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke today with Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani. They discussed their shared concerns about the current situation in Gaza and Jerusalem. Mr. Sullivan made clear that the ongoing rocket attacks by Hamas into Israel are unacceptable and must end. They discussed their ongoing outreach to relevant parties in support of efforts to achieve calm, and agreed to remain in close touch in the period ahead.
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https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/05/12/readout-of-president-joseph-r-biden-jr-call-with-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-of-israel-2/
Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel
May 12, 2021 • Statements and Releases
President Biden spoke today with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He condemned the rocket attacks by Hamas and other terrorist groups, including against Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. He conveyed his unwavering support for Israel's security and for Israel's legitimate right to defend itself and its people, while protecting civilians. He also conveyed the United States' encouragement of a pathway toward restoring a sustainable calm. He shared his conviction that Jerusalem, a city of such importance to people of faith from around the world, must be a place of peace. He updated the Prime Minister on the United States' diplomatic engagement with regional countries, including Egypt, Jordan, and Qatar, as well as with Palestinian officials.
The two leaders agreed to maintain the close consultation between their teams, which has included consistent engagement by their respective foreign ministers, defense ministers, chiefs of defense, and national security advisors, and to stay in touch personally in the days ahead.
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'Champions League of tax avoidance:' Uber used 50 Dutch shell companies to dodge taxes on nearly $6 billion in revenue, report says
https://www.businessinsider.com.au/uber-tax-avoidance-50-dutch-shell-companies-5-billion-revenue-2021-5
Dead whale found with 16kg of plastic bags, wrappers inside stomach: The cetacean, a female Cuvier's beaked whale measuring a little over 5 meters in length, washed up on a beach in Messanges in south-west France, which is on the Atlantic coast.
https://www.newsweek.com/dead-whale-found-16kg-plastic-bags-wrappers-inside-stomach-1590310
Efforts to form a new Israeli government and oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have come to an almost complete halt amid the escalation with Hamas. Opposition leader Yair Lapid is six days into a 28-day mandate, and seemed on track to strike a coalition deal with Naftali Bennett, a right-wing kingmaker. But the latest crisis could make those efforts nearly impossible. Lapid and Bennett were thus banking on the support of Mansour Abbas' Ra'am party — an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood and sister movement of Hamas that broke from the Joint List.
https://www.axios.com/lapid-bennett-coalition-talks-stall-netanyahu-4554c851-c86b-48df-a3ad-efbde94c835f.html
SECRETARY BUTTIGIEG: Thank you, Jen. Good afternoon. Let me start just by saying that we know that the cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline is affecting fuel supply for some Americans. And throughout the administration, we have been working around the clock to help Colonial return its pipeline back to normal operations quickly, safely, and securely. The President has directed us to bring all government resources to bear to help Colonial to resolve this. And we're working to assess the impact of the temporary pipeline shutdown on our national fuel supply, while also working to help alleviate any potential shortages when and where they occur. I can tell you that I've been on the phone multiple times a day with the White House, with fellow Cabinet Secretaries, and other leaders, including Administrator Regan. We'll be doing everything that we can to reduce the impact that some Americans could see at local gas stations in some areas until the pipeline is brought back online. Colonial has announced that they're working toward full restoration by the end of this week, but we are not taking any chances. We are doing everything that we can, in the interim, to make it easier to move fuel to the places that need it. Since Friday, our interagency response group has been examinating [sic] all contingencies, coordinating with Colonial, and working closely across the interagency to help alleviate any potential supply disruptions. For our part in Transportation, the Department has been working across our different modes of transportation to help make sure that fuel can get to the communities that need it as safely and as efficiently as possible. Our Maritime Administration — or "MARAD" — has completed a survey of the availability of vessels that are qualified to carry petroleum under the Jones Act in the Gulf and up the Eastern Seaboard. The Department of Homeland Security is standing ready to review any requests for a temporary waiver of the Jones Act from companies that demonstrate that there's not sufficient capacity on Jones-Act-qualified vessels to carry specific shipments of fuel in and around the region. Our Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued an hours-of-service waiver, which provides greater flexibility to drivers transporting gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other refined petroleum products to 18 states. On Monday and Tuesday and into today, several states have issued emergency declarations that allow truckers to carry additional weight on state roads. Now, the White House and DOT have determined that 10 states can use existing federal major disaster declarations that are currently in place to allow those states to issue permits that allow drivers to temporarily carry additional gasoline that would ordinarily exceed existing weight limits on federal highways in their state. Each state has to follow its own procedures to issue these permits, but this decision — determination provides them with the added flexibility to move fuel more efficiently if they need to. PHMSA, our Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, is temporarily relaxing enforcement of certain pipeline operator qualification rules to make sure that emergency personnel can manually get — help to get the pipeline back up and running as needed, and are in frequent touch, again, with the pipeline operators about safety. In addition to these steps, we are continuing to monitor the situation as it develops so that we can help anywhere that we can. For our Department, our mandate and our mission revolves around safety. And so we are working hard to maintain safety, while also providing much-needed temporary flexibility to minimize disruptions to the American people. And DOT is in regular contact with state and local governments, and with members of Congress, as well as with retailers and other companies in the sectors that are impacted. And, of course, we're in constant contact with our partners across the federal government to coordinate the response. So, together, we are working to assess the impact of the shutdown, offer emergency assistance, and, of course, help Colonial return to normal operations. Our top priority right now is getting the fuel to communities that need it, and we will continue doing everything that we can to meet that goal in the coming days, and we'll continue to keep everyone apprised. Importantly, this incident also reminds us that infrastructure is a national security issue. And the reality is that investing in world-class, modern, and resilient infrastructure has always been central to ensuring our country's economic security, our national security, and it was — as we're seeing right now, that includes cybersecurity. Thank you all. I'll turn it over to Administrator Regan.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2021/05/12/press-briefing-by-press-secretary-jen-psaki-secretary-of-transportation-pete-buttigieg-and-administrator-of-the-u-s-environmental-protection-agency-michael-regan-may-12-2021/
ADMINISTRATOR REGAN: Thank you, Secretary Buttigieg. Jen, it's good to be here with you today. You know, as Secretary Buttigieg mentioned, the President has directed a government-wide response to the Colonial Pipeline shutdown. And at EPA, we're doing our part to mitigate the impacts that people and communities might be experiencing. The Clean Air Act allows EPA, in consultation with the Department of Energy, to waive certain fuel requirements to address shortages. After careful evaluation, EPA and DOE concluded that extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstances exist and that granting short-term waivers is consistent with the public interest. EPA issued an initial waiver on Tuesday morning and later issued a second, more expansive waiver that covers 12 states and the District of Columbia. EPA waived certain gasoline requirements, specifically the requirement for low-volatility conventional gasoline, as well as reformulated gasoline. While the waiver alone will not resolve the supply situation, it will help alleviate supply shortages. The waiver allows the use of any residential winter gasoline that may exist in the region. It will also allow butane to be blended into existing fuel stops, increasing the supply of gasoline by up to 5 percent. EPA granted the waivers to help mitigate the supply shortages of gasoline in the affected areas until normal supply to the region can be restored. EPA followed an orderly process when assessing and issuing the fuel waiver. Any such waiver is limited in both geographic scope and in the duration to mitigate any potential impacts to air quality. At this time, we do not anticipate air quality problems from these limited waivers. In assessing the situation and issuing the waivers, EPA has been in close coordination and communication with all of the impacted states. Our partnerships with the states is key to being able to effectively respond to the developing situation like this one. Going forward, we will keep coordinating with our state col- — state colleagues to assess the situation on the ground and to determine whether we can provide any future flexibilities to alleviate impacts for people and communities in these affected areas. We understand that there are shortages resulting from the Colonial Pipeline shutdown that cause stress and confusion in people's lives. Our response underscores the importance of President Biden's all-of-government directive, which asked federal agencies to harness our collective expertise and work in sync when urgent matters arise. This interagency effort is the linchpin to a swift and coordinated response. And with that, I'll turn it over to Jen.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2021/05/12/press-briefing-by-press-secretary-jen-psaki-secretary-of-transportation-pete-buttigieg-and-administrator-of-the-u-s-environmental-protection-agency-michael-regan-may-12-2021/
Biden signs sweeping cyber EO to close gaps exposed by SolarWinds.
Highlights:
* Incident reporting reqs for IT contractors
* Security reqs for software contractors
* Encryption, MFA, EDR reqs for agencies
* Cyber incident review board
https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2021/05/biden-orders-federal-cyber-upgrade-after-barrage-of-hacks-2055361
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https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/05/12/executive-order-on-improving-the-nations-cybersecurity/
Executive Order on Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity
May 12, 2021 • Presidential Actions
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. Policy. The United States faces persistent and increasingly sophisticated malicious cyber campaigns that threaten the public sector, the private sector, and ultimately the American people's security and privacy. The Federal Government must improve its efforts to identify, deter, protect against, detect, and respond to these actions and actors. The Federal Government must also carefully examine what occurred during any major cyber incident and apply lessons learned. But cybersecurity requires more than government action. Protecting our Nation from malicious cyber actors requires the Federal Government to partner with the private sector. The private sector must adapt to the continuously changing threat environment, ensure its products are built and operate securely, and partner with the Federal Government to foster a more secure cyberspace. In the end, the trust we place in our digital infrastructure should be proportional to how trustworthy and transparent that infrastructure is, and to the consequences we will incur if that trust is misplaced.
Incremental improvements will not give us the security we need; instead, the Federal Government needs to make bold changes and significant investments in order to defend the vital institutions that underpin the American way of life. The Federal Government must bring to bear the full scope of its authorities and resources to protect and secure its computer systems, whether they are cloud-based, on-premises, or hybrid. The scope of protection and security must include systems that process data (information technology (IT)) and those that run the vital machinery that ensures our safety (operational technology (OT)).
It is the policy of my Administration that the prevention, detection, assessment, and remediation of cyber incidents is a top priority and essential to national and economic security. The Federal Government must lead by example. All Federal Information Systems should meet or exceed the standards and requirements for cybersecurity set forth in and issued pursuant to this order.
Sec. 2. Removing Barriers to Sharing Threat Information.
(a) The Federal Government contracts with IT and OT service providers to conduct an array of day-to-day functions on Federal Information Systems. These service providers, including cloud service providers, have unique access to and insight into cyber threat and incident information on Federal Information Systems. At the same time, current contract terms or restrictions may limit the sharing of such threat or incident information with executive departments and agencies (agencies) that are responsible for investigating or remediating cyber incidents, such as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and other elements of the Intelligence Community (IC). Removing these contractual barriers and increasing the sharing of information about such threats, incidents, and risks are necessary steps to accelerating incident deterrence, prevention, and response efforts and to enabling more effective defense of agencies' systems and of information collected, processed, and maintained by or for the Federal Government.
(b) Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Director of National Intelligence, shall review the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement contract requirements and language for contracting with IT and OT service providers and recommend updates to such requirements and language to the FAR Council and other appropriate agencies. The recommendations shall include descriptions of contractors to be covered by the proposed contract language.
(c) The recommended contract language and requirements described in subsection (b) of this section shall be designed to ensure that:
(i) service providers collect and preserve data, information, and reporting relevant to cybersecurity event prevention, detection, response, and investigation on all information systems over which they have control, including systems operated on behalf of agencies, consistent with agencies' requirements;
(ii) service providers share such data, information, and reporting, as they relate to cyber incidents or potential incidents relevant to any agency with which they have contracted, directly with such agency and any other agency that the Director of OMB, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Director of National Intelligence, deems appropriate, consistent with applicable privacy laws, regulations, and policies;
(iii) service providers collaborate with Federal cybersecurity or investigative agencies in their investigations of and responses to incidents or potential incidents on Federal Information Systems, including by implementing technical capabilities, such as monitoring networks for threats in collaboration with agencies they support, as needed; and
(iv) service providers share cyber threat and incident information with agencies, doing so, where possible, in industry-recognized formats for incident response and remediation.
(d) Within 90 days of receipt of the recommendations described in subsection (b) of this section, the FAR Council shall review the proposed contract language and conditions and, as appropriate, shall publish for public comment proposed updates to the FAR.
(e) Within 120 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of OMB shall take appropriate steps to ensure to the greatest extent possible that service providers share data with agencies, CISA, and the FBI as may be necessary for the Federal Government to respond to cyber threats, incidents, and risks.
(f) It is the policy of the Federal Government that:
(i) information and communications technology (ICT) service providers entering into contracts with agencies must promptly report to such agencies when they discover a cyber incident involving a software product or service provided to such agencies or involving a support system for a software product or service provided to such agencies;
(ii) ICT service providers must also directly report to CISA whenever they report under subsection (f)(i) of this section to Federal Civilian Executive Branch (FCEB) Agencies, and CISA must centrally collect and manage such information; and
(iii) reports pertaining to National Security Systems, as defined in section 10(h) of this order, must be received and managed by the appropriate agency as to be determined under subsection (g)(i)(E) of this section.
(g) To implement the policy set forth in subsection (f) of this section:
(i) Within 45 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense acting through the Director of the National Security Agency (NSA), the Attorney General, and the Director of OMB, shall recommend to the FAR Council contract language that identifies:
(A) the nature of cyber incidents that require reporting;
(B) the types of information regarding cyber incidents that require reporting to facilitate effective cyber incident response and remediation;
(C) appropriate and effective protections for privacy and civil liberties;
(D) the time periods within which contractors must report cyber incidents based on a graduated scale of severity, with reporting on the most severe cyber incidents not to exceed 3 days after initial detection;
(E) National Security Systems reporting requirements; and
(F) the type of contractors and associated service providers to be covered by the proposed contract language.
(ii) Within 90 days of receipt of the recommendations described in subsection (g)(i) of this section, the FAR Council shall review the recommendations and publish for public comment proposed updates to the FAR.
(iii) Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Defense acting through the Director of the NSA, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Director of National Intelligence shall jointly develop procedures for ensuring that cyber incident reports are promptly and appropriately shared among agencies.
(h) Current cybersecurity requirements for unclassified system contracts are largely implemented through agency-specific policies and regulations, including cloud-service cybersecurity requirements. Standardizing common cybersecurity contractual requirements across agencies will streamline and improve compliance for vendors and the Federal Government.
(i) Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Homeland Security acting through the Director of CISA, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense acting through the Director of the NSA, the Director of OMB, and the Administrator of General Services, shall review agency-specific cybersecurity requirements that currently exist as a matter of law, policy, or contract and recommend to the FAR Council standardized contract language for appropriate cybersecurity requirements. Such recommendations shall include consideration of the scope of contractors and associated service providers to be covered by the proposed contract language.
(j) Within 60 days of receiving the recommended contract language developed pursuant to subsection (i) of this section, the FAR Council shall review the recommended contract language and publish for public comment proposed updates to the FAR.
(k) Following any updates to the FAR made by the FAR Council after the public comment period described in subsection (j) of this section, agencies shall update their agency-specific cybersecurity requirements to remove any requirements that are duplicative of such FAR updates.
(l) The Director of OMB shall incorporate into the annual budget process a cost analysis of all recommendations developed under this section.
Sec. 3. Modernizing Federal Government Cybersecurity.
(a) To keep pace with today's dynamic and increasingly sophisticated cyber threat environment, the Federal Government must take decisive steps to modernize its approach to cybersecurity, including by increasing the Federal Government's visibility into threats, while protecting privacy and civil liberties. The Federal Government must adopt security best practices; advance toward Zero Trust Architecture; accelerate movement to secure cloud services, including Software as a Service (SaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and Platform as a Service (PaaS); centralize and streamline access to cybersecurity data to drive analytics for identifying and managing cybersecurity risks; and invest in both technology and personnel to match these modernization goals.
(b) Within 60 days of the date of this order, the head of each agency shall:
(i) update existing agency plans to prioritize resources for the adoption and use of cloud technology as outlined in relevant OMB guidance;
(ii) develop a plan to implement Zero Trust Architecture, which shall incorporate, as appropriate, the migration steps that the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) within the Department of Commerce has outlined in standards and guidance, describe any such steps that have already been completed, identify activities that will have the most immediate security impact, and include a schedule to implement them; and
(iii) provide a report to the Director of OMB and the Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor (APNSA) discussing the plans required pursuant to subsection (b)(i) and (ii) of this section.
(c) As agencies continue to use cloud technology, they shall do so in a coordinated, deliberate way that allows the Federal Government to prevent, detect, assess, and remediate cyber incidents. To facilitate this approach, the migration to cloud technology shall adopt Zero Trust Architecture, as practicable. The CISA shall modernize its current cybersecurity programs, services, and capabilities to be fully functional with cloud-computing environments with Zero Trust Architecture. The Secretary of Homeland Security acting through the Director of CISA, in consultation with the Administrator of General Services acting through the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) within the General Services Administration, shall develop security principles governing Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) for incorporation into agency modernization efforts. To facilitate this work:
(i) Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Director of OMB, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security acting through the Director of CISA, and the Administrator of General Services acting through FedRAMP, shall develop a Federal cloud-security strategy and provide guidance to agencies accordingly. Such guidance shall seek to ensure that risks to the FCEB from using cloud-based services are broadly understood and effectively addressed, and that FCEB Agencies move closer to Zero Trust Architecture.
(ii) Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Homeland Security acting through the Director of CISA, in consultation with the Director of OMB and the Administrator of General Services acting through FedRAMP, shall develop and issue, for the FCEB, cloud-security technical reference architecture documentation that illustrates recommended approaches to cloud migration and data protection for agency data collection and reporting.
(iii) Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Homeland Security acting through the Director of CISA shall develop and issue, for FCEB Agencies, a cloud-service governance framework. That framework shall identify a range of services and protections available to agencies based on incident severity. That framework shall also identify data and processing activities associated with those services and protections.
(iv) Within 90 days of the date of this order, the heads of FCEB Agencies, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security acting through the Director of CISA, shall evaluate the types and sensitivity of their respective agency's unclassified data, and shall provide to the Secretary of Homeland Security through the Director of CISA and to the Director of OMB a report based on such evaluation. The evaluation shall prioritize identification of the unclassified data considered by the agency to be the most sensitive and under the greatest threat, and appropriate processing and storage solutions for those data.
(d) Within 180 days of the date of this order, agencies shall adopt multi-factor authentication and encryption for data at rest and in transit, to the maximum extent consistent with Federal records laws and other applicable laws. To that end:
(i) Heads of FCEB Agencies shall provide reports to the Secretary of Homeland Security through the Director of CISA, the Director of OMB, and the APNSA on their respective agency's progress in adopting multifactor authentication and encryption of data at rest and in transit. Such agencies shall provide such reports every 60 days after the date of this order until the agency has fully adopted, agency-wide, multi-factor authentication and data encryption.
(ii) Based on identified gaps in agency implementation, CISA shall take all appropriate steps to maximize adoption by FCEB Agencies of technologies and processes to implement multifactor authentication and encryption for data at rest and in transit.
(iii) Heads of FCEB Agencies that are unable to fully adopt multi-factor authentication and data encryption within 180 days of the date of this order shall, at the end of the 180-day period, provide a written rationale to the Secretary of Homeland Security through the Director of CISA, the Director of OMB, and the APNSA.
(e) Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Homeland Security acting through the Director of CISA, in consultation with the Attorney General, the Director of the FBI, and the Administrator of General Services acting through the Director of FedRAMP, shall establish a framework to collaborate on cybersecurity and incident response activities related to FCEB cloud technology, in order to ensure effective information sharing among agencies and between agencies and CSPs.
(f) Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Administrator of General Services, in consultation with the Director of OMB and the heads of other agencies as the Administrator of General Services deems appropriate, shall begin modernizing FedRAMP by:
(i) establishing a training program to ensure agencies are effectively trained and equipped to manage FedRAMP requests, and providing access to training materials, including videos-on-demand;
(ii) improving communication with CSPs through automation and standardization of messages at each stage of authorization. These communications may include status updates, requirements to complete a vendor's current stage, next steps, and points of contact for questions;
(iii) incorporating automation throughout the lifecycle of FedRAMP, including assessment, authorization, continuous monitoring, and compliance;
(iv) digitizing and streamlining documentation that vendors are required to complete, including through online accessibility and pre-populated forms; and
(v) identifying relevant compliance frameworks, mapping those frameworks onto requirements in the FedRAMP authorization process, and allowing those frameworks to be used as a substitute for the relevant portion of the authorization process, as appropriate.
Sec. 4. Enhancing Software Supply Chain Security.
(a) The security of software used by the Federal Government is vital to the Federal Government's ability to perform its critical functions. The development of commercial software often lacks transparency, sufficient focus on the ability of the software to resist attack, and adequate controls to prevent tampering by malicious actors. There is a pressing need to implement more rigorous and predictable mechanisms for ensuring that products function securely, and as intended. The security and integrity of "critical software" — software that performs functions critical to trust (such as affording or requiring elevated system privileges or direct access to networking and computing resources) — is a particular concern. Accordingly, the Federal Government must take action to rapidly improve the security and integrity of the software supply chain, with a priority on addressing critical software.
(b) Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce acting through the Director of NIST shall solicit input from the Federal Government, private sector, academia, and other appropriate actors to identify existing or develop new standards, tools, and best practices for complying with the standards, procedures, or criteria in subsection (e) of this section. The guidelines shall include criteria that can be used to evaluate software security, include criteria to evaluate the security practices of the developers and suppliers themselves, and identify innovative tools or methods to demonstrate conformance with secure practices.
(c) Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Director of NIST shall publish preliminary guidelines, based on the consultations described in subsection (b) of this section and drawing on existing documents as practicable, for enhancing software supply chain security and meeting the requirements of this section.
(d) Within 360 days of the date of this order, the Director of NIST shall publish additional guidelines that include procedures for periodic review and updating of the guidelines described in subsection (c) of this section.
(e) Within 90 days of publication of the preliminary guidelines pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, the Secretary of Commerce acting through the Director of NIST, in consultation with the heads of such agencies as the Director of NIST deems appropriate, shall issue guidance identifying practices that enhance the security of the software supply chain. Such guidance may incorporate the guidelines published pursuant to subsections (c) and (i) of this section. Such guidance shall include standards, procedures, or criteria regarding:
(i) secure software development environments, including such actions as:
(A) using administratively separate build environments;
(B) auditing trust relationships;
(C) establishing multi-factor, risk-based authentication and conditional access across the enterprise;
(D) documenting and minimizing dependencies on enterprise products that are part of the environments used to develop, build, and edit software;
(E) employing encryption for data; and
(F) monitoring operations and alerts and responding to attempted and actual cyber incidents;
(ii) generating and, when requested by a purchaser, providing artifacts that demonstrate conformance to the processes set forth in subsection (e)(i) of this section;
(iii) employing automated tools, or comparable processes, to maintain trusted source code supply chains, thereby ensuring the integrity of the code;
(iv) employing automated tools, or comparable processes, that check for known and potential vulnerabilities and remediate them, which shall operate regularly, or at a minimum prior to product, version, or update release;
(v) providing, when requested by a purchaser, artifacts of the execution of the tools and processes described in subsection (e)(iii) and (iv) of this section, and making publicly available summary information on completion of these actions, to include a summary description of the risks assessed and mitigated;
(vi) maintaining accurate and up-to-date data, provenance (i.e., origin) of software code or components, and controls on internal and third-party software components, tools, and services present in software development processes, and performing audits and enforcement of these controls on a recurring basis;
(vii) providing a purchaser a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) for each product directly or by publishing it on a public website;
(viii) participating in a vulnerability disclosure program that includes a reporting and disclosure process;
(ix) attesting to conformity with secure software development practices; and
(x) ensuring and attesting, to the extent practicable, to the integrity and provenance of open source software used within any portion of a product.
(f) Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and the Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, shall publish minimum elements for an SBOM.
(g) Within 45 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of NIST, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense acting through the Director of the NSA, the Secretary of Homeland Security acting through the Director of CISA, the Director of OMB, and the Director of National Intelligence, shall publish a definition of the term "critical software" for inclusion in the guidance issued pursuant to subsection (e) of this section. That definition shall reflect the level of privilege or access required to function, integration and dependencies with other software, direct access to networking and computing resources, performance of a function critical to trust, and potential for harm if compromised.
(h) Within 30 days of the publication of the definition required by subsection (g) of this section, the Secretary of Homeland Security acting through the Director of CISA, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce acting through the Director of NIST, shall identify and make available to agencies a list of categories of software and software products in use or in the acquisition process meeting the definition of critical software issued pursuant to subsection (g) of this section.
(i) Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce acting through the Director of NIST, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security acting through the Director of CISA and with the Director of OMB, shall publish guidance outlining security measures for critical software as defined in subsection (g) of this section, including applying practices of least privilege, network segmentation, and proper configuration.
(j) Within 30 days of the issuance of the guidance described in subsection (i) of this section, the Director of OMB acting through the Administrator of the Office of Electronic Government within OMB shall take appropriate steps to require that agencies comply with such guidance.
(k) Within 30 days of issuance of the guidance described in subsection (e) of this section, the Director of OMB acting through the Administrator of the Office of Electronic Government within OMB shall take appropriate steps to require that agencies comply with such guidelines with respect to software procured after the date of this order.
(l) Agencies may request an extension for complying with any requirements issued pursuant to subsection (k) of this section. Any such request shall be considered by the Director of OMB on a case-by-case basis, and only if accompanied by a plan for meeting the underlying requirements. The Director of OMB shall on a quarterly basis provide a report to the APNSA identifying and explaining all extensions granted.
(m) Agencies may request a waiver as to any requirements issued pursuant to subsection (k) of this section. Waivers shall be considered by the Director of OMB, in consultation with the APNSA, on a case-by-case basis, and shall be granted only in exceptional circumstances and for limited duration, and only if there is an accompanying plan for mitigating any potential risks.
(n) Within 1 year of the date of this order, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Attorney General, the Director of OMB, and the Administrator of the Office of Electronic Government within OMB, shall recommend to the FAR Council contract language requiring suppliers of software available for purchase by agencies to comply with, and attest to complying with, any requirements issued pursuant to subsections (g) through (k) of this section.
(o) After receiving the recommendations described in subsection (n) of this section, the FAR Council shall review the recommendations and, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, amend the FAR.
(p) Following the issuance of any final rule amending the FAR as described in subsection (o) of this section, agencies shall, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, remove software products that do not meet the requirements of the amended FAR from all indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contracts; Federal Supply Schedules; Federal Government-wide Acquisition Contracts; Blanket Purchase Agreements; and Multiple Award Contracts.
(q) The Director of OMB, acting through the Administrator of the Office of Electronic Government within OMB, shall require agencies employing software developed and procured prior to the date of this order (legacy software) either to comply with any requirements issued pursuant to subsection (k) of this section or to provide a plan outlining actions to remediate or meet those requirements, and shall further require agencies seeking renewals of software contracts, including legacy software, to comply with any requirements issued pursuant to subsection (k) of this section, unless an extension or waiver is granted in accordance with subsection (l) or (m) of this section.
(r) Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce acting through the Director of NIST, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense acting through the Director of the NSA, shall publish guidelines recommending minimum standards for vendors' testing of their software source code, including identifying recommended types of manual or automated testing (such as code review tools, static and dynamic analysis, software composition tools, and penetration testing).
(s) The Secretary of Commerce acting through the Director of NIST, in coordination with representatives of other agencies as the Director of NIST deems appropriate, shall initiate pilot programs informed by existing consumer product labeling programs to educate the public on the security capabilities of Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices and software development practices, and shall consider ways to incentivize manufacturers and developers to participate in these programs.
(t) Within 270 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce acting through the Director of NIST, in coordination with the Chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and representatives of other agencies as the Director of NIST deems appropriate, shall identify IoT cybersecurity criteria for a consumer labeling program, and shall consider whether such a consumer labeling program may be operated in conjunction with or modeled after any similar existing government programs consistent with applicable law. The criteria shall reflect increasingly comprehensive levels of testing and assessment that a product may have undergone, and shall use or be compatible with existing labeling schemes that manufacturers use to inform consumers about the security of their products. The Director of NIST shall examine all relevant information, labeling, and incentive programs and employ best practices. This review shall focus on ease of use for consumers and a determination of what measures can be taken to maximize manufacturer participation.
(u) Within 270 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce acting through the Director of NIST, in coordination with the Chair of the FTC and representatives from other agencies as the Director of NIST deems appropriate, shall identify secure software development practices or criteria for a consumer software labeling program, and shall consider whether such a consumer software labeling program may be operated in conjunction with or modeled after any similar existing government programs, consistent with applicable law. The criteria shall reflect a baseline level of secure practices, and if practicable, shall reflect increasingly comprehensive levels of testing and assessment that a product may have undergone. The Director of NIST shall examine all relevant information, labeling, and incentive programs, employ best practices, and identify, modify, or develop a recommended label or, if practicable, a tiered software security rating system. This review shall focus on ease of use for consumers and a determination of what measures can be taken to maximize participation.
(v) These pilot programs shall be conducted in a manner consistent with OMB Circular A-119 and NIST Special Publication 2000-02 (Conformity Assessment Considerations for Federal Agencies).
(w) Within 1 year of the date of this order, the Director of NIST shall conduct a review of the pilot programs, consult with the private sector and relevant agencies to assess the effectiveness of the programs, determine what improvements can be made going forward, and submit a summary report to the APNSA.
(x) Within 1 year of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the heads of other agencies as the Secretary of Commerce deems appropriate, shall provide to the President, through the APNSA, a report that reviews the progress made under this section and outlines additional steps needed to secure the software supply chain.
Sec. 5. Establishing a Cyber Safety Review Board.
(a) The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Attorney General, shall establish the Cyber Safety Review Board (Board), pursuant to section 871 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 451).
(b) The Board shall review and assess, with respect to significant cyber incidents (as defined under Presidential Policy Directive 41 of July 26, 2016 (United States Cyber Incident Coordination) (PPD 41)) affecting FCEB Information Systems or non-Federal systems, threat activity, vulnerabilities, mitigation activities, and agency responses.
(c) The Secretary of Homeland Security shall convene the Board following a significant cyber incident triggering the establishment of a Cyber Unified Coordination Group (UCG) as provided by section V(B)(2) of PPD-41; at any time as directed by the President acting through the APNSA; or at any time the Secretary of Homeland Security deems necessary.
(d) The Board's initial review shall relate to the cyber activities that prompted the establishment of a UCG in December 2020, and the Board shall, within 90 days of the Board's establishment, provide recommendations to the Secretary of Homeland Security for improving cybersecurity and incident response practices, as outlined in subsection (i) of this section.
(e) The Board's membership shall include Federal officials and representatives from private-sector entities. The Board shall comprise representatives of the Department of Defense, the Department of Justice, CISA, the NSA, and the FBI, as well as representatives from appropriate private-sector cybersecurity or software suppliers as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security. A representative from OMB shall participate in Board activities when an incident under review involves FCEB Information Systems, as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security. The Secretary of Homeland Security may invite the participation of others on a case-by-case basis depending on the nature of the incident under review.
(f) The Secretary of Homeland Security shall biennially designate a Chair and Deputy Chair of the Board from among the members of the Board, to include one Federal and one private-sector member.
(g) The Board shall protect sensitive law enforcement, operational, business, and other confidential information that has been shared with it, consistent with applicable law.
(h) The Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide to the President through the APNSA any advice, information, or recommendations of the Board for improving cybersecurity and incident response practices and policy upon completion of its review of an applicable incident.
(i) Within 30 days of completion of the initial review described in subsection (d) of this section, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide to the President through the APNSA the recommendations of the Board based on the initial review. These recommendations shall describe:
(i) identified gaps in, and options for, the Board's composition or authorities;
(ii) the Board's proposed mission, scope, and responsibilities;
(iii) membership eligibility criteria for private sector representatives;
(iv) Board governance structure including interaction with the executive branch and the Executive Office of the President;
(v) thresholds and criteria for the types of cyber incidents to be evaluated;
(vi) sources of information that should be made available to the Board, consistent with applicable law and policy;
(vii) an approach for protecting the information provided to the Board and securing the cooperation of affected United States individuals and entities for the purpose of the Board's review of incidents; and
(viii) administrative and budgetary considerations required for operation of the Board.
(j) The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Attorney General and the APNSA, shall review the recommendations provided to the President through the APNSA pursuant to subsection (i) of this section and take steps to implement them as appropriate.
(k) Unless otherwise directed by the President, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall extend the life of the Board every 2 years as the Secretary of Homeland Security deems appropriate, pursuant to section 871 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002.
Sec. 6. Standardizing the Federal Government's Playbook for Responding to Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities and Incidents.
(a) The cybersecurity vulnerability and incident response procedures currently used to identify, remediate, and recover from vulnerabilities and incidents affecting their systems vary across agencies, hindering the ability of lead agencies to analyze vulnerabilities and incidents more comprehensively across agencies. Standardized response processes ensure a more coordinated and centralized cataloging of incidents and tracking of agencies' progress toward successful responses.
(b) Within 120 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Homeland Security acting through the Director of CISA, in consultation with the Director of OMB, the Federal Chief Information Officers Council, and the Federal Chief Information Security Council, and in coordination with the Secretary of Defense acting through the Director of the NSA, the Attorney General, and the Director of National Intelligence, shall develop a standard set of operational procedures (playbook) to be used in planning and conducting a cybersecurity vulnerability and incident response activity respecting FCEB Information Systems. The playbook shall:
(i) incorporate all appropriate NIST standards;
(ii) be used by FCEB Agencies; and
(iii) articulate progress and completion through all phases of an incident response, while allowing flexibility so it may be used in support of various response activities.
(c) The Director of OMB shall issue guidance on agency use of the playbook.
(d) Agencies with cybersecurity vulnerability or incident response procedures that deviate from the playbook may use such procedures only after consulting with the Director of OMB and the APNSA and demonstrating that these procedures meet or exceed the standards proposed in the playbook.
(e) The Director of CISA, in consultation with the Director of the NSA, shall review and update the playbook annually, and provide information to the Director of OMB for incorporation in guidance updates.
(f) To ensure comprehensiveness of incident response activities and build confidence that unauthorized cyber actors no longer have access to FCEB Information Systems, the playbook shall establish, consistent with applicable law, a requirement that the Director of CISA review and validate FCEB Agencies' incident response and remediation results upon an agency's completion of its incident response. The Director of CISA may recommend use of another agency or a third-party incident response team as appropriate.
(g) To ensure a common understanding of cyber incidents and the cybersecurity status of an agency, the playbook shall define key terms and use such terms consistently with any statutory definitions of those terms, to the extent practicable, thereby providing a shared lexicon among agencies using the playbook.
Sec. 7. Improving Detection of Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities and Incidents on Federal Government Networks.
(a) The Federal Government shall employ all appropriate resources and authorities to maximize the early detection of cybersecurity vulnerabilities and incidents on its networks. This approach shall include increasing the Federal Government's visibility into and detection of cybersecurity vulnerabilities and threats to agency networks in order to bolster the Federal Government's cybersecurity efforts.
(b) FCEB Agencies shall deploy an Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) initiative to support proactive detection of cybersecurity incidents within Federal Government infrastructure, active cyber hunting, containment and remediation, and incident response.
(c) Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Homeland Security acting through the Director of CISA shall provide to the Director of OMB recommendations on options for implementing an EDR initiative, centrally located to support host-level visibility, attribution, and response regarding FCEB Information Systems.
(d) Within 90 days of receiving the recommendations described in subsection (c) of this section, the Director of OMB, in consultation with Secretary of Homeland Security, shall issue requirements for FCEB Agencies to adopt Federal Government-wide EDR approaches. Those requirements shall support a capability of the Secretary of Homeland Secretary, acting through the Director of CISA, to engage in cyber hunt, detection, and response activities.
(e) The Director of OMB shall work with the Secretary of Homeland Security and agency heads to ensure that agencies have adequate resources to comply with the requirements issued pursuant to subsection (d) of this section.
(f) Defending FCEB Information Systems requires that the Secretary of Homeland Security acting through the Director of CISA have access to agency data that are relevant to a threat and vulnerability analysis, as well as for assessment and threat-hunting purposes. Within 75 days of the date of this order, agencies shall establish or update Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) with CISA for the Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation Program to ensure object level data, as defined in the MOA, are available and accessible to CISA, consistent with applicable law.
(g) Within 45 days of the date of this order, the Director of the NSA as the National Manager for National Security Systems (National Manager) shall recommend to the Secretary of Defense, the Director of National Intelligence, and the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS) appropriate actions for improving detection of cyber incidents affecting National Security Systems, to the extent permitted by applicable law, including recommendations concerning EDR approaches and whether such measures should be operated by agencies or through a centralized service of common concern provided by the National Manager.
(h) Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Defense, the Director of National Intelligence, and the CNSS shall review the recommendations submitted under subsection (g) of this section and, as appropriate, establish policies that effectuate those recommendations, consistent with applicable law.
(i) Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Director of CISA shall provide to the Director of OMB and the APNSA a report describing how authorities granted under section 1705 of Public Law 116-283, to conduct threat-hunting activities on FCEB networks without prior authorization from agencies, are being implemented. This report shall also recommend procedures to ensure that mission-critical systems are not disrupted, procedures for notifying system owners of vulnerable government systems, and the range of techniques that can be used during testing of FCEB Information Systems. The Director of CISA shall provide quarterly reports to the APNSA and the Director of OMB regarding actions taken under section 1705 of Public Law 116-283.
(j) To ensure alignment between Department of Defense Information Network (DODIN) directives and FCEB Information Systems directives, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Director of OMB, shall:
(i) within 60 days of the date of this order, establish procedures for the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security to immediately share with each other Department of Defense Incident Response Orders or Department of Homeland Security Emergency Directives and Binding Operational Directives applying to their respective information networks;
(ii) evaluate whether to adopt any guidance contained in an Order or Directive issued by the other Department, consistent with regulations concerning sharing of classified information; and
(iii) within 7 days of receiving notice of an Order or Directive issued pursuant to the procedures established under subsection (j)(i) of this section, notify the APNSA and Administrator of the Office of Electronic Government within OMB of the evaluation described in subsection (j)(ii) of this section, including a determination whether to adopt guidance issued by the other Department, the rationale for that determination, and a timeline for application of the directive, if applicable.
Sec. 8. Improving the Federal Government's Investigative and Remediation Capabilities.
(a) Information from network and system logs on Federal Information Systems (for both on-premises systems and connections hosted by third parties, such as CSPs) is invaluable for both investigation and remediation purposes. It is essential that agencies and their IT service providers collect and maintain such data and, when necessary to address a cyber incident on FCEB Information Systems, provide them upon request to the Secretary of Homeland Security through the Director of CISA and to the FBI, consistent with applicable law.
(b) Within 14 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Attorney General and the Administrator of the Office of Electronic Government within OMB, shall provide to the Director of OMB recommendations on requirements for logging events and retaining other relevant data within an agency's systems and networks. Such recommendations shall include the types of logs to be maintained, the time periods to retain the logs and other relevant data, the time periods for agencies to enable recommended logging and security requirements, and how to protect logs. Logs shall be protected by cryptographic methods to ensure integrity once collected and periodically verified against the hashes throughout their retention. Data shall be retained in a manner consistent with all applicable privacy laws and regulations. Such recommendations shall also be considered by the FAR Council when promulgating rules pursuant to section 2 of this order.
(c) Within 90 days of receiving the recommendations described in subsection (b) of this section, the Director of OMB, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall formulate policies for agencies to establish requirements for logging, log retention, and log management, which shall ensure centralized access and visibility for the highest level security operations center of each agency.
(d) The Director of OMB shall work with agency heads to ensure that agencies have adequate resources to comply with the requirements identified in subsection (c) of this section.
(e) To address cyber risks or incidents, including potential cyber risks or incidents, the proposed recommendations issued pursuant to subsection (b) of this section shall include requirements to ensure that, upon request, agencies provide logs to the Secretary of Homeland Security through the Director of CISA and to the FBI, consistent with applicable law. These requirements should be designed to permit agencies to share log information, as needed and appropriate, with other Federal agencies for cyber risks or incidents.
Sec. 9. National Security Systems.
(a) Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Defense acting through the National Manager, in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence and the CNSS, and in consultation with the APNSA, shall adopt National Security Systems requirements that are equivalent to or exceed the cybersecurity requirements set forth in this order that are otherwise not applicable to National Security Systems. Such requirements may provide for exceptions in circumstances necessitated by unique mission needs. Such requirements shall be codified in a National Security Memorandum (NSM). Until such time as that NSM is issued, programs, standards, or requirements established pursuant to this order shall not apply with respect to National Security Systems.
(b) Nothing in this order shall alter the authority of the National Manager with respect to National Security Systems as defined in National Security Directive 42 of July 5, 1990 (National Policy for the Security of National Security Telecommunications and Information Systems) (NSD-42). The FCEB network shall continue to be within the authority of the Secretary of Homeland Security acting through the Director of CISA.
Sec. 10. Definitions. For purposes of this order:
(a) the term "agency" has the meaning ascribed to it under 44 U.S.C. 3502.
(b) the term "auditing trust relationship" means an agreed-upon relationship between two or more system elements that is governed by criteria for secure interaction, behavior, and outcomes relative to the protection of assets.
(c) the term "cyber incident" has the meaning ascribed to an "incident" under 44 U.S.C. 3552(b)(2).
(d) the term "Federal Civilian Executive Branch Agencies" or "FCEB Agencies" includes all agencies except for the Department of Defense and agencies in the Intelligence Community.
(e) the term "Federal Civilian Executive Branch Information Systems" or "FCEB Information Systems" means those information systems operated by Federal Civilian Executive Branch Agencies, but excludes National Security Systems.
(f) the term "Federal Information Systems" means an information system used or operated by an agency or by a contractor of an agency or by another organization on behalf of an agency, including FCEB Information Systems and National Security Systems.
(g) the term "Intelligence Community" or "IC" has the meaning ascribed to it under 50 U.S.C. 3003(4).
(h) the term "National Security Systems" means information systems as defined in 44 U.S.C. 3552(b)(6), 3553(e)(2), and 3553(e)(3).
(i) the term "logs" means records of the events occurring within an organization's systems and networks. Logs are composed of log entries, and each entry contains information related to a specific event that has occurred within a system or network.
(j) the term "Software Bill of Materials" or "SBOM" means a formal record containing the details and supply chain relationships of various components used in building software. Software developers and vendors often create products by assembling existing open source and commercial software components. The SBOM enumerates these components in a product. It is analogous to a list of ingredients on food packaging. An SBOM is useful to those who develop or manufacture software, those who select or purchase software, and those who operate software. Developers often use available open source and third-party software components to create a product; an SBOM allows the builder to make sure those components are up to date and to respond quickly to new vulnerabilities. Buyers can use an SBOM to perform vulnerability or license analysis, both of which can be used to evaluate risk in a product. Those who operate software can use SBOMs to quickly and easily determine whether they are at potential risk of a newly discovered vulnerability. A widely used, machine-readable SBOM format allows for greater benefits through automation and tool integration. The SBOMs gain greater value when collectively stored in a repository that can be easily queried by other applications and systems. Understanding the supply chain of software, obtaining an SBOM, and using it to analyze known vulnerabilities are crucial in managing risk.
(k) the term "Zero Trust Architecture" means a security model, a set of system design principles, and a coordinated cybersecurity and system management strategy based on an acknowledgement that threats exist both inside and outside traditional network boundaries. The Zero Trust security model eliminates implicit trust in any one element, node, or service and instead requires continuous verification of the operational picture via real-time information from multiple sources to determine access and other system responses. In essence, a Zero Trust Architecture allows users full access but only to the bare minimum they need to perform their jobs. If a device is compromised, zero trust can ensure that the damage is contained. The Zero Trust Architecture security model assumes that a breach is inevitable or has likely already occurred, so it constantly limits access to only what is needed and looks for anomalous or malicious activity. Zero Trust Architecture embeds comprehensive security monitoring; granular risk-based access controls; and system security automation in a coordinated manner throughout all aspects of the infrastructure in order to focus on protecting data in real-time within a dynamic threat environment. This data-centric security model allows the concept of least-privileged access to be applied for every access decision, where the answers to the questions of who, what, when, where, and how are critical for appropriately allowing or denying access to resources based on the combination of sever.
Sec. 11. General Provisions.
(a) Upon the appointment of the National Cyber Director (NCD) and the establishment of the related Office within the Executive Office of the President, pursuant to section 1752 of Public Law 116-283, portions of this order may be modified to enable the NCD to fully execute its duties and responsibilities.
(b) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(c) This order shall be implemented in a manner consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(d) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
(e) Nothing in this order confers authority to interfere with or to direct a criminal or national security investigation, arrest, search, seizure, or disruption operation or to alter a legal restriction that requires an agency to protect information learned in the course of a criminal or national security investigation.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
THE WHITE HOUSE,
May 12, 2021.
___________________________________
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/05/12/fact-sheet-president-signs-executive-order-charting-new-course-to-improve-the-nations-cybersecurity-and-protect-federal-government-networks/
FACT SHEET: President Signs Executive Order Charting New Course to Improve the Nation's Cybersecurity and Protect Federal Government Networks
May 12, 2021 • Statements and Releases
Today, President Biden signed an Executive Order to improve the nation's cybersecurity and protect federal government networks. Recent cybersecurity incidents such as SolarWinds, Microsoft Exchange, and the Colonial Pipeline incident are a sobering reminder that U.S. public and private sector entities increasingly face sophisticated malicious cyber activity from both nation-state actors and cyber criminals. These incidents share commonalities, including insufficient cybersecurity defenses that leave public and private sector entities more vulnerable to incidents.
This Executive Order makes a significant contribution toward modernizing cybersecurity defenses by protecting federal networks, improving information-sharing between the U.S. government and the private sector on cyber issues, and strengthening the United States' ability to respond to incidents when they occur. It is the first of many ambitious steps the Administration is taking to modernize national cyber defenses. However, the Colonial Pipeline incident is a reminder that federal action alone is not enough. Much of our domestic critical infrastructure is owned and operated by the private sector, and those private sector companies make their own determination regarding cybersecurity investments. We encourage private sector companies to follow the Federal government's lead and take ambitious measures to augment and align cybersecurity investments with the goal of minimizing future incidents.
Specifically, the Executive Order the President is signing today will:
Remove Barriers to Threat Information Sharing Between Government and the Private Sector. The Executive Order ensures that IT Service Providers are able to share information with the government and requires them to share certain breach information. IT providers are often hesitant or unable to voluntarily share information about a compromise. Sometimes this can be due to contractual obligations; in other cases, providers simply may be hesitant to share information about their own security breaches. Removing any contractual barriers and requiring providers to share breach information that could impact Government networks is necessary to enable more effective defenses of Federal departments, and to improve the Nation's cybersecurity as a whole.
Modernize and Implement Stronger Cybersecurity Standards in the Federal Government. The Executive Order helps move the Federal government to secure cloud services and a zero-trust architecture, and mandates deployment of multifactor authentication and encryption with a specific time period. Outdated security models and unencrypted data have led to compromises of systems in the public and private sectors. The Federal government must lead the way and increase its adoption of security best practices, including by employing a zero-trust security model, accelerating movement to secure cloud services, and consistently deploying foundational security tools such as multifactor authentication and encryption.
Improve Software Supply Chain Security. The Executive Order will improve the security of software by establishing baseline security standards for development of software sold to the government, including requiring developers to maintain greater visibility into their software and making security data publicly available. It stands up a concurrent public-private process to develop new and innovative approaches to secure software development and uses the power of Federal procurement to incentivize the market. Finally, it creates a pilot program to create an "energy star" type of label so the government – and the public at large – can quickly determine whether software was developed securely. Too much of our software, including critical software, is shipped with significant vulnerabilities that our adversaries exploit. This is a long-standing, well-known problem, but for too long we have kicked the can down the road. We need to use the purchasing power of the Federal Government to drive the market to build security into all software from the ground up.
Establish a Cybersecurity Safety Review Board. The Executive Order establishes a Cybersecurity Safety Review Board, co-chaired by government and private sector leads, that may convene following a significant cyber incident to analyze what happened and make concrete recommendations for improving cybersecurity. Too often organizations repeat the mistakes of the past and do not learn lessons from significant cyber incidents. When something goes wrong, the Administration and private sector need to ask the hard questions and make the necessary improvements. This board is modeled after the National Transportation Safety Board, which is used after airplane crashes and other incidents.
Create a Standard Playbook for Responding to Cyber Incidents. The Executive Order creates a standardized playbook and set of definitions for cyber incident response by federal departments and agencies. Organizations cannot wait until they are compromised to figure out how to respond to an attack. Recent incidents have shown that within the government the maturity level of response plans vary widely. The playbook will ensure all Federal agencies meet a certain threshold and are prepared to take uniform steps to identify and mitigate a threat. The playbook will also provide the private sector with a template for its response efforts.
Improve Detection of Cybersecurity Incidents on Federal Government Networks. The Executive Order improves the ability to detect malicious cyber activity on federal networks by enabling a government-wide endpoint detection and response system and improved information sharing within the Federal government. Slow and inconsistent deployment of foundational cybersecurity tools and practices leaves an organization exposed to adversaries. The Federal government should lead in cybersecurity, and strong, Government-wide Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) deployment coupled with robust intra-governmental information sharing are essential.
Improve Investigative and Remediation Capabilities. The Executive Order creates cybersecurity event log requirements for federal departments and agencies. Poor logging hampers an organization's ability to detect intrusions, mitigate those in progress, and determine the extent of an incident after the fact. Robust and consistent logging practices will solve much of this problem.
###
___________________________________
Victor Caratini and the Slam Diego Padres are back.
https://streamable.com/d37w3g
The Detroit Pistons are finalizing a contract extension for coach Dwane Casey, bringing his deal through the 2023-2024 season
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1392600351518380040
___________________________________
The Mets getting dressed up for their series in Florida
https://i.redd.it/vvw1uplwory61.jpg
Lakers make it official: Anthony Davis (left adductor tightness) and LeBron James (right ankle sprain) have been downgraded to OUT tonight against Houston.
https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine/status/1392613340032258052
Kyrie Irving is out tonight, Nets say
https://twitter.com/thesteinline/status/1392592273209135104
Packers are signing veteran QB Blake Bortles today
https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1392593503302131719
For Dems to be able to pass HR1, we MUST expand our majority, but that work has to start now. Pitch in a few bucks to the top voter outreach/registration groups in the 8 states with key Senate races in 2022. Let's recreate the formula that flipped GA blue
https://twitter.com/briantylercohen/status/1392496345986965511
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/dontbeamitch
.@Liz_Cheney told the truth about a former president and his election loss. The @HouseGOP kicked her out of leadership.
@MattGaetz allegedly paid for sex with a minor and circulated nonconsensual pornography. He's still on his committees.
That's the GOP. And it's appalling.
https://twitter.com/Alyssa_Milano/status/1392619684084674560
360+ bills attacking our freedom to vote have been introduced in 47 states. These bills deliberately target people of color & represent the biggest attack on voting rights since Jim Crow. We MUST pass the #ForThePeopleAct. #FreedomToVote
https://twitter.com/Alyssa_Milano/status/1392574547879030786
They are just the worst. I don't agree with Liz Cheney about anything but this is clearly an indication of exactly how fucked up the GOP is and their loyalty to the worst President in American history.
https://twitter.com/Alyssa_Milano/status/1392526596779614212
More than 130 US spies, diplomats, soldiers and others have suffered brain injuries — possibly from a Russian weapon, Pentagon officials say. 2-year-old was hit overseas. White House staffers were injured in DC area. | Some suffered long-term brain injuries including debilitating headaches. The episodes, according to the National Security Council, involve personnel experiencing "sensory phenomena," such as sound, pressure or heat, along with or followed by physical symptoms, such as sudden-onset vertigo, nausea, and head or neck pain. The severity of the brain injuries has ranged widely. But some victims have chronic, potentially irreversible symptoms and pain, suggesting potentially permanent brain injury. Physicians at Walter Reed have warned government officials that some victims are at risk for suicide.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/12/us/politics/havana-syndrome.html
The chief of the public corruption unit at the Manhattan US Attorney's office, which is handling the criminal investigation of Rudy Giuliani, is stepping down at the end of the week to return to private practice. Edward Diskant, who has been a prosecutor at the office for nine years, is set to be replaced as public corruption chief by Rebekah Donaleski, one of the prosecutors who has been leading the Giuliani investigation.
https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/12/politics/rudy-giuliani-investigation/index.html
COVID-19 found in penile tissue could contribute to erectile dysfunction, first study to demonstrate that COVID-19 can be present in the penis tissue long after men recover from the virus. The blood vessel dysfunction that results from the infection could then contribute to erectile dysfunction.
https://physician-news.umiamihealth.org/researchers-report-covid-19-found-in-penile-tissue-could-contribute-to-erectile-dysfunction/
Rangers have dismissed David Quinn, Post has learned. Assistants other than Benoit Allaire also let go by Drury. Search will begin immediately.
https://twitter.com/NYP_Brooksie/status/1392490335197179906
Edwin Ríos will have surgery next week to repair a partially torn labrum in his right shoulder, ending his season. Ríos is expected to be ready for competition at Spring Training next year.
https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1392627341549989891
Celtics starters tonight: Thompson Tatum Fournier Nesmith Waters
https://twitter.com/keithsmithnba/status/1392626113503969280
Trae Young nearly falling out of bounds passes behind his back to Tony Snell for the three
https://streamable.com/nmt02p
The Knicks of New York have officially clinched their first playoff berth since 2012-13. No play-in games required.
https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine/status/1392664621740437504
Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system. It is also the hardest planet to spot in the night sky, but on May 12-15 you'll get a chance to spot the elusive planet. | The middle of May will be the best time in all of 2021 to look for Mercury, according to EarthSky, particularly on Thursday, May 13, as the planet pairs up with the crescent moon after sunset. The moon will serve as an easy-to-spot reference point with the dim Mercury appearing just below and to the right of it. The celestial duo will be very low in the western sky, so people hoping to see Mercury may want to travel to a nearby location that has an unobstructed view of the horizon clear of trees or buildings.
https://www.accuweather.com/en/space-news/moon-to-align-with-mercury-thursday-night/945921
Ex-WH counsel McGahn to testify behind closed doors about Trump efforts to obstruct Russia investigation | The interview will happen "as soon as possible," and a transcript will be released in the days after, the court filing said.
https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/12/politics/don-mcgahn-house-testimony/index.html
Newly obtained bodycam footage shows moment DC police officer attacked by pro-Trump rioters
https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/12/politics/dc-police-officer-fanone-bodycam-footage-cnntv/index.html
Riot Video Contradicts GOP Rep. Andrew Clyde's Denial Of Capitol Riot
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/andrew-clyde-video-capitol-riot-insurrection_n_609c5adce4b0909247fef7ea
US files first trade complaint against Mexico over tampered union vote at GM plant
https://thehill.com/policy/finance/trade/553280-us-files-first-labor-complaint-with-mexico-under-usmca-over-alleged
Scientists find liquid water inside a meteorite, revealing clues about the early solar system.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210421151254.htm
https://www.space.com/discovery-liquid-water-sutters-mill-meteorite
Tennessee to begin investigating people claiming unemployment who refuse work offers
https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/tennessee-to-begin-investigating-people-claiming-unemployment-who-refuse-work-offers/
According to Politico, law enforcement officials in the town have discussed how to handle a possible extradition if Trump is indicted by authorities investigating whether he committed banking and tax fraud. The news outlet notes Trump's location would affect potential extradition proceedings, as Florida could provide some protection through its extradition statute, which gives Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) the ability to intervene and determine whether someone should be surrendered to out-of-state law enforcement. | An obscure clause in Florida's statute on interstate extradition gives Gov. RON DESANTIS the ability to intervene and even investigate whether an indicted "person ought to be surrendered" to law enforcement officials from another state — which means that as Mar-a-Lago prepares to close down for the season and Trump relocates to Bedminster, N.J., it isn't just the Florida heat he's leaving behind: He could lose a key piece of political protection.
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook/2021/05/13/how-palm-beach-is-preparing-for-a-possible-trump-indictment-492836
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0900-0999/0941/0941.html
Gerrit Cole vs Rays: 8 IP | 4 H | 0ER | 0 BB | 12 K's | 106 P
https://www.espn.com/mlb/boxscore/_/gameId/401227597
He wanted to steal gas for his pickup. So he drilled into U-Hauls and caused a spill.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/05/13/georgia-man-drilled-holes-u-haul/
Former circus elephants just arrived at a new sanctuary. They are swimming and grazing on fruit buffets.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2021/05/13/circus-elephant-ringling-sanctuary/
Body-cam footage shows Capitol rioter celebrating as D.C. cop is beaten and Tasered: 'I got one!'
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/05/13/michael-fanone-body-camera-capitol-riot/
Tesla stops accepting bitcoin, citing 'great cost to the environment.' The cryptocurrency's value sank.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/05/13/bitcoin-tesla-elon-musk-climate/
A City Under Siege: What the War Looks Like on Afghanistan's Front Line
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/13/world/asia/afghanistan-helmand-taliban.html
A Canadian energy company is continuing to operate a pipeline through Michigan despite Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's (D) order to shut down. Whitmer on Tuesday ordered Enbridge Energy to stand down its oil and gas pipeline, Line 5, by May 12, saying that the pipeline in the underwater section of Line 5 is too risky to keep operating. "These oil pipelines in the Straits of Mackinac are a ticking timebomb, and their continued presence violates the public trust and poses a grave threat to Michigan's environment and economy," Whitmer's office said at the time. But the pipeline still continued operating.
https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2021/05/12/enbridge-straits-mackinac-pipeline-whitmer-deadline-line-5/5042374001/
US jobless claims drop to 473,000, a new pandemic low, as layoffs slow further with economy strengthening.
https://twitter.com/JonLemire/status/1392820199338950658
BAD, they're locked out of credit cards because they have no money ffs: Three of the largest banks are preparing a program to offer credit cards to Americans without credit scores. 53 million people lack such scores, many of them Black or Hispanic. The pilot would examine responsible deposit account usage when offering credit.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/jpmorgan-others-plan-to-issue-credit-cards-to-people-with-no-credit-scores-11620898206
The judge who oversaw Derek Chauvin's murder trial has ruled that there were four aggravating factors in the killing of George Floyd, a decision that allows the judge to give Chauvin a lengthier prison sentence. | Chauvin waived his right for the jury to decide the aggravating factors, instead opting for Judge Cahill to do so. His sentencing is set for June 25, and he is currently being held at the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Oak Park Heights.
https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/12/us/derek-chauvin-george-floyd-factors/index.html
The Phillies have placed J.T. Realmuto on the COVID-19 related injured list. Rafael Machan is back up from triple A.
https://twitter.com/matt_breen/status/1392854696394698754
Lance Lynn has thrown 97.6% fastballs so far this year, he didn't throw a single off speed pitch during his last start on May 8th.
Jordan Bell will sign into the Warriors' vacated two-way spot and be available tomorrow night, per sources. Toscano-Anderson is locked into a roster spot for the Warriors next season, a free agent after that.
https://twitter.com/anthonyVslater/status/1392884056849670144
Warriors forward Juan Toscano-Anderson is signing a new two-year deal with Golden State, with additional money tacked onto this season and 2021-22 fully guaranteed at the minimum salary
https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1392883564518289411
Marjorie Taylor Greene chased AOC down a corridor in Congress, yelling at her about terrorists and radical socialists
https://www.businessinsider.com/mjt-follows-yells-at-aoc-over-terrorist-support-congress-wapo-2021-5
Judge postpones trial for 3 ex-cops charged in Floyd's death | The trial of three former Minneapolis police officers charged with aiding and abetting in the death of George Floyd will be pushed back to March 2022, in part to allow the publicity over Derek Chauvin's conviction to cool off, a judge ruled Thursday. Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao were scheduled to face trial Aug. 23 on charges they aided and abetted both murder and manslaughter. The officers' co-defendant, Chauvin, was convicted of murder and manslaughter counts. All four officers also face federal charges that allege they violated Floyd's civil rights during his May 25 arrest. Judge Peter Cahill said he moved jury selection in the other officers' trial to March 8, 2022, so the federal case can go forward first. He also said he felt the need to put some distance between the three officers' trial and Chauvin's due to the high-profile nature of the case.
https://abcnews.go.com/amp/US/wireStory/cops-floyd-death-claim-witness-coercion-harm-leak-77660419?__twitter_impression=true
_______________________________
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/05/13/president-biden-announces-his-intent-to-nominate-catherine-lhamon-for-assistant-secretary-for-civil-rights-at-the-department-of-education/
President Biden Announces His Intent to Nominate Catherine Lhamon for Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the Department of Education
May 13, 2021 • Statements and Releases
WASHINGTON – Today, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Catherine Lhamon for Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the Department of Education.
Catherine Lhamon, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Department of Education
Catherine Lhamon is Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the Domestic Policy Council for Racial Justice and Equity, where she manages the President's equity policy portfolio. Until January 2021, she chaired the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, to which President Obama appointed her in 2016, and served as Legal Affairs Secretary to California Governor Gavin Newsom. Before then, Lhamon was Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the Department of Education, to which President Obama nominated her and the Senate confirmed her in 2013. Lhamon has also litigated civil rights cases at National Center for Youth Law, Public Counsel Law Center, and the ACLU Foundation of Southern California. Lhamon taught federal civil rights appeals at Georgetown University Law Center in the Appellate Litigation Program and clerked for the Honorable William A. Norris on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Born in Virginia and raised in California, Lhamon graduated from Amherst College and Yale Law School. Lhamon and her husband and two daughters are transitioning between California and Maryland.
_______________________________
The CDC plans to issue guidance allowing fully vaccinated people to ditch masks indoors in all but the most crowded settings, an AP source says. The new guidance could ease restrictions for workplaces and schools.
https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-government-and-politics-9d10c8b5f80a4ac720fa1df2a4fb93e5
White House & Republicans still at an impasse on paying for infrastructure legislation. Asked about McConnell saying the 2017 tax law is off limits, Psaki reiterated that the WH welcomes alternative proposals but hasn't seen any that don't raise taxes on folks making under $400k.
https://twitter.com/fran_chambers/status/1392890371894562818
Testing out my tools as I move into more science. Used my robotic arm to get right up close to this rock after zapping it with my laser. Can you tell I'm really into rocks?
http://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020
One thing that makes the latest clash between Israel and Hamas so different from any in recent years is the eruption of violence within Israel between its own Arab and Jewish citizens. For the first time in a long time, Israelis fear a civil war. For Biden, who watched one president after another struggle to manage tensions in the region, it is one more unwelcome challenge when he would rather be focused on his domestic legislative agenda.
Active Duty U.S. Marine Corps Officer Arrested For Assault On Federal Law Enforcement Officer During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach
https://twitter.com/Bencjacobs/status/1392887465321668612
U.S. trade chief: 1962 law used for metals tariffs needs modernization
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/us-trade-chief-tai-vows-use-new-usmca-trade-pact-address-mexican-labor-issues-2021-05-12/
Parson Axes Medicaid Expansion, Setting Up Lawsuit Over Future Of Health Care Program
https://news.stlpublicradio.org/government-politics-issues/2021-05-13/parson-axes-medicaid-expansion-setting-up-lawsuit-over-future-of-health-care-program
Manhattan DA prosecutors subpoenaed an elite Manhattan private school as part of its investigation into Trump
https://www.businessinsider.com.au/trump-investigation-manhattan-da-subpoenaed-private-school-2021-5
https://www.wsj.com/articles/prosecutors-seek-cooperation-of-trump-confidante-subpoena-manhattan-private-school-11620921963
Article IV, Section 2, Clause 2: A person charged in any state with treason, felony, or other crime, who shall flee from justice, and be found in another state, shall on demand of the executive authority of the state from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the state having jurisdiction of the crime.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extradition_Clause
Just in: the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has halted Judge Carter's big injunction in the Los Angeles homelessness lawsuit. "We find that a brief administrative stay is warranted to preserve the status quo until the district court's May 27, 2021 evidentiary hearing..."
https://twitter.com/meghanncuniff/status/1392899273700765697
Former MLB star Alex Rodriguez and tech entrepreneur Marc Lore have reached agreement to purchase the Minnesota Timberwolves from Glen Taylor for $1.5 billion
https://twitter.com/shamscharania/status/1392897348297179136
The CDC, just now: "Anyone who is fully vaccinated can participate in indoor or outdoor activities, large or small, without wearing a mask or physical distancing. If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic."
Colonial Pipeline paid ransom to hackers
https://twitter.com/CNBCnow/status/1392904324351680520
Florida city officials upset about news story that exposed them doing something stoopid planned to spend $50K on a private eye to track down source but back off b/c of public outcry about how stoopid this plan was.
https://sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/tamarac/fl-ne-tamarac-about-face-private-investigator-20210513-ltkybcltfzfclk2cn55uoeox5q-story.html
Newsmax host: "If you are Jewish and you are a Democrat and you are living in America today, how do you support an administration that turns its back on your home country?" I don't belong to any political party but I am Jewish and newsflash: my home country is the United States. To suggest otherwise is bigotry.
Yes, I feel like the *plan* gets lost in the "yes but BLM rallies looked much worse" conversation. Trump's goal was getting the vote certification stopped and installing himself for a second term despite losing the election. Can't word-game that away.
Romney discussing January 6, via @igorbobic: "Well, I was there. And what happened was a violent effort to interfere with and prevent the constitutional order of installing a new president, and as such it was an insurrection against the Constitution."
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/green-new-deal-influence-american-jobs-plan/
The Wizards say Bradley Beal (left hamstring strain) remains out for Friday's game against Cleveland. They are trying to nail down a spot in the playoff play-in round without him.
https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine/status/1392945527675703296
Active Duty U.S. Marine Corps Officer Arrested for Assault on Federal Law Enforcement Officer During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach | Major Christopher Warnagiris, 40, of Woodbridge, is charged with federal offenses that include assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers; obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder; and obstruction of justice, among other charges. Warnagiris will make his initial court appearance today at 2:00 p.m. in the Eastern District of Virginia. Public access to the hearing is available via: 1-877-336-1828, with an access code of 8977102.
https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/active-duty-us-marine-corps-officer-arrested-assault-federal-law-enforcement-officer
Good: Attorney for Deshaun Watson accusers says a settlement is not happening
https://sports.yahoo.com/attorney-for-deshaun-watson-accusers-says-a-settlement-is-not-happening-141237569.html
#Braves manager Brian Snitker just said x-rays were negative on Ronald Acuña Jr., he is considered day-to-day.
https://twitter.com/Justin_FOX5/status/1392929211397156872
Gleyber Torres has tested positive for COVID-19, Yankees announce. "He was fully vaccinated and previously had COVID-19 during the most recent baseball offseason."
https://twitter.com/lindseyadler/status/1392940393608712196
Braves Bullpen vs the Blue Jays: 10.1 IP, 14 H, 11 ER, 2 blown leads, 3 losses
White Sox sweep the Twins in a 3-game series, outscoring them 21-13 in the series.
Please consider donating to @VotebeatUS. We're growing a newsroom we hope will end up in 8 crucial states, all seeing elections going thru big (and sometimes scary!) changes. Your donation will help do the crucial work of focusing *only* on voting. https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=chalkbeat&campaign=7015A000001PuQv
https://twitter.com/JessicaHuseman/status/1392964090780397582
The filibuster has to go. History will remember every Democrat who refused to end the filibuster, from the Majority Leader downwards, if S1 doesn't pass and the Republican-led assault on black and brown voting rights and brazen gerrymandering and dark money explosion continues unabated: McConnell tells @BretBaier that S1 is toast. "It's not gonna pass the Senate. There's not a single Republican for it. Sen. Manchin, Sen. Sinema made it clear they're not going to get rid of the legislative filibuster. It would take 60 votes to pass this bill. It will not pass."
https://twitter.com/sahilkapur/status/1392835273415868417
Hamas starts wars it always loses because it doesn't care about Palestinian lives, it seeks Palestinian casualties.
"History will remember...." Uhhhh History remembers and records all these atrocities by our government and our representatives and they still commit them and voters relentlessly vote for these terrorists who commit these atrocities.
According to its exiled political leader, Hamas's war strategy — if that's the proper term for raining hundreds of randomly fired rockets on Israel — is working. In a televised address on Tuesday evening, Ismail Haniya called the barrage a "victory" and "an honor for our people."
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/12/hamas-is-ready-to-escalate-violence-if-israel-wants-it-haniyeh
This rhetoric is not unusual. Hamas always claims to win the wars it loses. In 2012, after suffering a humiliating defeat to Israel, a popular perfume appeared in a shop in Gaza named for the Hamas missile that reached Tel Aviv. The shop owner said it commemorated a military "victory" that left much of Gaza in shambles.
https://www.businessinsider.com/m75-perfume-launched-in-gaza-2012-12
This time around, the Hamas offensive makes even less military sense. Israel in 2021 has a very effective missile and rocket defense system that has intercepted most of Hamas' rockets in midair. While a few have gotten through, the rockets do not seem to be breaking the will of the Israeli people. Indeed, the short-term consequence of the Hamas escalation has been to unify an Israeli government that was unraveling behind its polarizing prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Hamas is clearly hoping to leverage the images of Israel's counterattack in Gaza against its adversary after the fighting stops. This too follows a pattern. Following a war in 2008 and 2009, the U.N. Human Rights Council formed a special commission to study war crimes on both sides. Hamas and Israel were both found to have committed atrocities, a penalty that means nothing to a terrorist organization. Hamas lost the military battle, but it won a public-relations war to further delegitimize Israel.
https://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/12session/A-HRC-12-48.pdf
This helps explain why Hamas can claim that Israel is starving Palestinians with its tight control of the Gaza border, yet also devote money and resources to build imprecise rockets and missiles to launch at Israel every few years. It also explains why Hamas hides its weapons and ammunition in schools and mosques. Most militaries try to protect civilians. Hamas's actively exploits them. This is a fact that appears to be lost on the International Criminal Court, for which the escalation of violence raises the prospect of possible war crimes.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/12/world/middleeast/icc-israel-palestinians-war-crimes.html
By contrast, it is a fact very much on the mind of Israel's most important ally. Asked about the disparity in casualties of Israelis and the Palestinians U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday: "There is first a very clear and absolute distinction between a terrorist organization, Hamas, that is indiscriminately raining down rockets — in fact, targeting civilians — and Israel's response defending itself that is targeting the terrorists who are raining down rockets on Israel." No Arab leaders or diplomats have gone that far in their public statements, though a U.S. official told me this week that the message from regional allies has been muted. This also makes sense. Last year, Israel signed peace agreements with four Arab states that share a common enemy in the region: Iran, which also happens to be one of the most important patrons of Hamas. Hamas is also the Palestinian chapter of the Muslim Brotherhood, an organization that Israel's new Arab friends consider a threat.
Twenty years ago, Palestinian provocations and Israeli counterattacks were enough to spoil and strain America's relationship with its Arab allies. In 2001, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Washington famously delivered a warning to the George W. Bush administration that if it did not take a more even-handed role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, then Saudi Arabia would reassess its relationship with the U.S. In 2021, the Saudis are more worried about nations that support Hamas than about Israel's response to Hamas. And even a new U.S. administration that seeks a nuclear deal with Iran doesn't accept the idea of moral equivalence between the sovereigns of Gaza and the Jewish state. That raises again the question of what exactly is Hamas's strategy. Ismail Haniya's comments notwithstanding, Hamas is not winning. Nor is it weakening Israelis' resolve. The only thing Hamas is spoiling is the prosperity and security of the Palestinian people.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2002/02/10/saudi-leaders-anger-revealed-shaky-ties/a570bab2-c7c4-4111-b9bc-c03a3cab5ce2/
Denmark on Thursday kicked off the grisly task of unearthing and incinerating minks that were hastily buried after a mass culling sparked by fears of a mutated coronavirus strain. All 15 million of Denmark's minks were killed last year
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210513-denmark-incinerates-minks-culled-over-virus-fears
Udonis Haslem gets a standing ovation after making his season debut
https://streamable.com/sikzqu
Steph Curry is 42 points away from clinching the scoring title
Udonis Haslem checks in, hits 2 buckets, and gets ejected
https://streamable.com/abvjnt
Herd of 18 Indian elephants die when forest struck by lightning
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-57106852
House strikes deal to create Republican-controlled January 6 commission. It's amazing how well they can spend a great deal of time setting up something that can fail so quickly. Months of discussion and dealing and this is their brilliant bipartisan plan, one in which the minority has power over the majority.
https://www.wral.com/house-strikes-deal-to-create-independent-january-6-commission/19678375/
After a Trump-length pause, the EPA is relaunching a major climate change report - Drawing on data from 50 government agencies, the EPA has published 54 indicators of global warming
https://grist.org/politics/epa-climate-change-report-trump-biden/
The CDC shouldn't have removed restrictions without requiring proof of vaccination
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/05/13/cdc-mask-rules-vaccination-leana-wen/
EPA scraps Trump rule that weakened air pollution regulations
https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/epa-rescinds-trump-move-that-changed-how-agency-weighs-costs-benefits-new-rules-2021-05-13/
She's not even qualified for the job, remove her already: HUD Secretary Fudge violated the Hatch Act | In a letter dated Thursday to a conservative watchdog group that had previously filed a complaint against Fudge, OSC concluded that she violated the Hatch Act and said she has been issued a warning.
https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/14/politics/marcia-fudge-hatch-act-violation/index.html
https://americansforpublictrust.org/news/hatch-act-complaint-filed-against-secretary-marcia-fudge/
Tyler Flowers has decided to retire. He played the past few seasons with two degenerative discs in his back and developed another while preparing to resume his career with the Braves in a few weeks. He'll always be remembered for revolutionizing the art of pitch framing.
https://twitter.com/mlbbowman/status/1393233131432460295
Dick Mountain, Very Nice 69mph Curveball. ♋️🍆⛰️ (twitter.com)
https://twitter.com/pitchingninja/status/1392988947123421186
Bucs' Brown faces a civil lawsuit, accusing him of assault and battery. Plaintiff, a moving truck driver, seeks damages > $30K.
https://twitter.com/MBakerTBTimes/status/1393208295809236996
DOJ charges Switzerland's largest insurance company with conspiring with U.S. taxpayers and others to conceal from the IRS more than $1.452 billion in offshore insurance policies. Swiss Life entities will pay approximately $77.3 million to the U.S | The Justice Department also announced a deferred prosecution agreement with the Swiss Life Entities ("the Agreement") under which they agreed to accept responsibility for their criminal conduct by stipulating to the accuracy of the Statement of Facts attached to the Agreement. The Agreement requires the Swiss Life Entities to refrain from all future criminal conduct, enhance remedial measures, and continue to cooperate fully with further investigations into hidden insurance policies and related policy investment accounts. Further, as part of today's resolution, the Swiss Life Entities agreed to pay approximately $77.3 million to the U.S. Treasury, which includes restitution, forfeiture of all gross fees, and a penalty component. If the Swiss Life Entities abide by all of the terms of the Agreement, the government will defer prosecution on the information for three years and then seek to dismiss the charge.
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/switzerland-s-largest-insurance-company-and-three-subsidiaries-admit-conspiring-us-taxpayers
Memo to all clubs today: "MLB will no longer require masks or physical distancing in the press box for vaccinated members of the media and vaccinated staff who are not in Tier 2. Non-vaccinated individuals in the press box are still required to wear masks and distance…."
https://twitter.com/BizballMaury/status/1393243154434854916
_______________________________________
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/14/us/politics/joe-biden-policy-decisions.html
Beneath Joe Biden's Folksy Demeanor, a Short Fuse and an Obsession With Details
As Mr. Biden settles into the office he has chased for more than three decades, aides say he demands hours of debate from scores of policy experts.
Michael D. Shear Katie Rogers Annie Karni
By Michael D. Shear, Katie Rogers and Annie Karni
May 14, 2021Updated 12:26 p.m. ET
WASHINGTON — The commander in chief was taking his time, as usual.
It was late March, and President Biden was under increasing pressure to penalize President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia for election interference and the biggest cyberattack ever on American government and industry. "I have to do it relatively soon," he said to Jake Sullivan, his national security adviser.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/02/us/politics/russian-hacking-government.html
Mr. Biden had already spent the first two months of his presidency debating how to respond to Mr. Putin, and despite his acknowledgment in March that he needed to act quickly, his deliberations were far from over. He convened another meeting in the Situation Room that stretched for two and a half hours, and called yet another session there a week later.
"He has a kind of mantra: 'You can never give me too much detail,'" Mr. Sullivan said.
Quick decision-making is not Mr. Biden's style. His reputation as a plain-speaking politician hides a more complicated truth. Before making up his mind, the president demands hours of detail-laden debate from scores of policy experts, taking everyone around him on what some in the West Wing refer to as his Socratic "journey" before arriving at a conclusion.
Those trips are often difficult for his advisers, who are peppered with sometimes obscure questions. Avoiding Mr. Biden's ire during one of his decision-making seminars means not only going beyond the vague talking points that he will reject, but also steering clear of responses laced with acronyms or too much policy minutiae, which will prompt an outburst of frustration, often laced with profanity.
Let's talk plain English here, he will often snap.
Interviews with more than two dozen current and former Biden associates provide an early look into how Mr. Biden operates as president — how he deliberates, whom he consults for advice and what drives his decisions as he settles into the office he has chased for more than three decades.
What emerges is a portrait of a president with a short fuse, who is obsessed with getting the details right — sometimes to a fault, including when he angered allies and adversaries alike by repeatedly delaying a decision on whether to allow more refugees into the United States.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/04/us/politics/biden-refugee-cap-border.html
On policy issues, Mr. Biden, 78, takes days or weeks to make up his mind as he examines and second-guesses himself and others. It is a method of governing that can feel at odds with the urgency of a country still reeling from a pandemic and an economy struggling to recover. The president is also faced with a slim majority in Congress that could evaporate next year, giving him only months to enact a lasting legacy.
Those closest to him say Mr. Biden is unwilling, or unable, to skip the routine. As a longtime adviser put it: He needs time to process the material so that he feels comfortable selling it to the public. But the approach has its risks, as President Barack Obama found out when his own, sometimes lengthy policy debates led to infighting and extended lobbying, and made his White House feel process driven.
Mr. Biden could fall victim to the same fate, though he has far more experience governing than Mr. Obama did in 2009. So far, the Biden administration has moved quickly to confront the nation's challenges even as Mr. Biden's own deliberations can linger, often prompting calls as late as 10:30 or 11 p.m. as he gets ready for the next morning.
Quick Temper
The president arrives in the Oval Office for a series of scheduled meetings around 9:30 a.m., after exercising and making the short stroll from the residence, often flanked by his German shepherds, Champ and Major.
In March, as the decision loomed to impose sanctions on Russia for its election interference and its SolarWinds cyberattack, Mr. Biden was true to form, repeatedly insisting on hearing directly from his experts.
At one point, Mr. Biden lectured a group of veteran Foreign Service officers and policy advisers on the nuances of Mr. Putin's personality and tried to channel the Russian leader's thinking. His conclusion: Mr. Putin wants his rivals to be blunt with him.
In the end, Mr. Biden called Mr. Putin directly and then delivered a public statement on Russia sanctions that lasted only five minutes and 49 seconds. For as much as Mr. Biden projects an aura of ease — with his frequent backslapping, references to Irish poetry and liberal use of the phrase "c'mon, man" — his aides say it takes a lot of behind-the-scenes work to prepare him to project an assured demeanor.
Mr. Biden is gripped by a sense of urgency that leaves him prone to flares of impatience, according to numerous people who regularly interact with him. The president has said he expects to run for a second term, but aides say he understands the effect on his ability to advance his agenda if Republicans regain power in Congress next year.
He never erupts into fits of rage the way Trump did. And the current president rarely exhibits the smoldering anger or sense of deep disappointment that advisers to Mr. Obama became familiar with.
But several people familiar with the president's decision-making style said Mr. Biden was quick to cut off conversations. Three people who work closely with him said he even occasionally hangs up the phone on someone who he thinks is wasting his time. Most described Mr. Biden as having little patience for advisers who cannot field his many questions.
"You become so hyperprepared," said Dylan Loewe, a former speechwriter for Mr. Biden. "'I've got to answer every conceivable question he can come up with.'"
Some advisers who are new to Mr. Biden's orbit have been on the receiving end of his anger in recent weeks. During a meeting on March 30 in the Oval Office, the president lashed out at Xavier Becerra, the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, for failing to have answers to his questions about the agency's ability to take care of migrant children, according to two people familiar with the exchange.
"He hates blandishing fast-talk that sounds like double speak," said Chris Jennings, a former health policy aide who engaged frequently with Mr. Biden when he was vice president. "Doesn't trust it, and he's certain voters loathe it."
Earlier in March, the president's top immigration advisers gathered to brief him on the growing problems at the southwestern border, where thousands of children from Central America were crossing without adults. After a drawn-out conversation, Mr. Biden asked members of the group whether any of them had been to the border in recent days.
He was met with silence, which prompted the predictable reaction: frustration. Four days later, the advisers — including the secretary of homeland security, Alejandro N. Mayorkas, and Susan Rice, the director of Mr. Biden's Domestic Policy Council — arrived at the border to assess the situation.
While aides say Mr. Biden is quick to demonstrate his displeasure, he is also prone to displays of unexpected warmth. After a grueling briefing for his phone call with Mr. Putin on Jan. 26, Eric Green, the senior Russia director at the National Security Council, mentioned that Mr. Biden had met his daughter, then about 3 years old, on a visit to Moscow a decade earlier.
Moments later, the president was on the phone to say hello to Mr. Green's daughter, now 13 and attending school from home because of coronavirus restrictions.
'I Want the Details'
As a senator for 36 years and as vice president for eight years, Mr. Biden has assembled a tight circle of friends, family and advisers from which he draws personal support and counsel.
In addition to his wife, Jill Biden, their grandchildren — described as the center of the first couple's world — are often at the White House, spending long weekends or parts of their week there. They have been known to show their grandfather apps like TikTok. One adviser said he had sent the grandchildren money using Venmo.
The president's evenings include regular calls with his grandchildren, who serve as his lifeline to popular culture and consumer technology. If one of them does not pick up, Mr. Biden — whom they call "Pop" — leaves a voice mail message.
"If you get a chance, call me," Mr. Biden said in a message that his granddaughter Naomi Biden, 27, posted online during the 2020 presidential campaign.
For political advice and policy direction, he turns to the group one White House aide called the "Biden historians" — Ron Klain, the chief of staff and longtime aide; Bruce Reed, a top policy adviser who sometimes ran his vice president's office; Mike Donilon, his political counselor and alter-ego; and Steve Ricchetti, his legislative guru and longtime friend.
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Outside of that core group, Mr. Biden draws on a sprawling constellation of the administration's in-house experts, including, among others, Ms. Rice and Brian Deese, the director of the National Economic Council.
On a Zoom call on a Sunday in December, Mr. Biden, then president-elect, asked for a debate about the wisdom of deploying active-duty troops to battle the pandemic. He had long said his aides should consider themselves on a wartime footing against the virus. But exactly what did that mean?
He grilled his newly appointed coronavirus task force adviser, Jeffrey D. Zients, with questions: How would Americans react to active-duty personnel being deployed onto the streets? Had anything like it been done before? How big was the scale of the effort, and how fast could it be scaled up?
Mr. Biden did not want to be spared any incremental detail. After the president took office, his defense secretary deployed 1,100 troops in five teams of nurses, vaccinators and other medical staff. He eventually deployed 4,000 more.
On Jan. 21, Mr. Biden's first full day in office, he met with his coronavirus team again, including Dr. Anthony S. Fauci and Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, in the State Room, where the group presented him with what it called the "comprehensive plan."
After the meeting, he pulled Mr. Zients aside and gave him a set of instructions: "Bring me the news, good, bad and ugly. It's going to have big moments and not so good moments, and I want to know about every one of them," the president said. "I want the details."
That instinct has not always been helpful.
After vowing during his campaign to reverse Trump-era limits on refugee admissions to the United States, Mr. Biden deliberated for weeks about whether to quickly make good on that promise. Meetings with his administration's top refugee experts led the president to doubt the government's capacity to accept refugees even as it struggled to deal with a surge of migrants at the southwestern border.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/20/us/politics/biden-refugees.html
His announcement that he was sticking with his predecessor's limits on refugee admissions infuriated Democrats and activists alike, and won him unwanted praise from Trump's top immigration officials. It took only hours before his spokeswoman backed away from the decision. Two weeks later, Mr. Biden formally reversed himself, significantly raising the number of refugees who could come to the United States this year.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/16/us/politics/joe-biden-refugee-policy.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/03/us/politics/biden-refugee-limit.html
Several aides said the episode was an example of Mr. Biden losing sight of the bigger picture — in this case, the signal he was sending by breaking his campaign promise.
Still, his attention to detail will often extend to the people behind the policies.
On the morning of March 31, Mr. Biden was in the Oval Office with Gina McCarthy, his climate czar, and Ali Zaidi, her deputy, to talk about methane emissions and the effort to reclaim mines. The aides wanted to talk about the global effect of policies that they believed he should enact.
He had different kinds of questions.
During a lengthy discussion, Mr. Biden quizzed them on how his climate policy would influence specific workers in Pennsylvania, his home state. How would all of this affect earth-moving workers, fabricators, those pouring concrete, derrick operators, plumbers and pipe fitters, and licensed truckers, he asked.
"We walked through each of those specific occupations, those specific tasks that people do," Mr. Zaidi said. "And he probed on, you know, 'And how much do these folks make?' and 'How many of them are there in southwestern Pennsylvania?' and 'OK, you told me about this geothermal resource, but does this geothermal resource exist in West Virginia?'"
Over time, the president's staff has learned the routine. They have padded his schedule with 15-minute breaks because they know he will not finish on time. He is allowed 30 minutes for lunch — a rotation of salad, soup and sandwiches — and because of the pandemic, rarely eats with people other than Vice President Kamala Harris, with whom he has a weekly lunch.
One item not on the daily agenda?
Watching hours of cable news. The television that Trump installed in the dining room next to the Oval Office is still there, but aides say it is rarely on during the day.
The Loyalists
Mr. Biden is usually back in the residence by 7 p.m. for dinner with the first lady. The president likes pasta with red sauce, while the first lady prefers grilled chicken or fish.
Christopher Freeman, a caterer who worked for them as much as three times a week when the Bidens lived in the vice president's residence, said that Mr. Biden "eschews alcohol," but that Dr. Biden was "an oenophile of the first degree."
In the vice president's residence, the staff was instructed to keep the kitchen stocked with vanilla chocolate chip Haagen-Dazs ice cream, Special K cereal, one bunch of red grapes, sliced cheese, six eggs, sliced bread, one tomato from the garden, and at least two apples on hand at all times, according to a preference sheet they kept at the home. Mr. Biden's drink of choice: Orange Gatorade.
The staff was told not to serve leafy greens at events because Mr. Biden did not want to be photographed with any leaves in his teeth, Mr. Freeman said.
After dinner, the president sometimes continues his deliberations on the phone with a circle of senior aides that has expanded over time to include Kate Bedingfield, his communications chief; Anita Dunn, a veteran Obama-era adviser; Jen Psaki, his press secretary; Cedric Richmond, the public engagement chief; and Jen O'Malley Dillon, the operations guru.
But most evenings, Mr. Biden is in regular contact with the so-called historians, who have been by his side for decades: Mr. Donilon, Mr. Klain, Mr. Reed and Mr. Ricchetti.
In a White House that is more diverse than any before it, aides say those four white men are the ones the president goes to for a final gut-check before making a decision.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/04/us/politics/joe-biden-2020-campaign-diversity.html
Mr. Donilon, who polishes Mr. Biden's speeches and is the "keeper of the flame" when it comes to determining the president's overall message, is less involved in the day-to-day West Wing operations than David Axelrod, who performed a similar role for Mr. Obama. But he remains an influential force, often prodding Mr. Biden toward a conclusion. He tends to stay mostly silent until the very end of a discussion, at which point Mr. Biden often embraces whatever point he has made.
"I agree with Mike" signals the end of the meeting, according to people who have witnessed exchanges between the two men.
Mr. Klain has the most regular contact with the president, with a standing daily Oval Office meeting and a mandate to keep Mr. Biden's agenda moving forward. He has been a constant in the president's meetings with his coronavirus team as he maps out the administration's operational response. He is also the lone Twitter obsessive in Mr. Biden's inner circle, amplifying reporters when he agrees with them, and questioning them when he does not.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/11/us/politics/ron-klain-biden.html
Mr. Reed weighs in sporadically with treatises on the issues he believes voters most care about — his ideas, aides say, shape the arc of Mr. Biden's most important speeches.
And Mr. Ricchetti, who led Mr. Biden's 2020 presidential campaign and has deep connections to Capitol Hill, is the designated optimist in the group. He is the president's golfing buddy and the person most often described as a genuine "F.O.P.," or friend of the president. Last month in Wilmington, Del., Mr. Biden's first round of golf as president was with Mr. Ricchetti and the father-in-law to Mr. Biden's son Beau Biden.
Mr. Ricchetti is also in charge of helping the president sort out another consequential decision: which of his allies will receive ambassadorships that are crucial to preserving the interests of the United States. Initially, the White House said that Mr. Biden would be making his first round of decisions in mid-April.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/17/us/politics/steve-ricchetti-biden.html
The president is already well past that deadline. On May 4, Ms. Psaki told reporters that the president would be evaluating nominees "soon." Asked to define "soon" — Days? Months? Weeks? — Ms. Psaki said out loud what many of the president's aides were no doubt thinking.
"Well," she said, "I think it depends on when the president makes some decisions."
Michael D. Shear is a White House correspondent. He previously worked at The Washington Post and was a member of their Pulitzer Prize-winning team that covered the Virginia Tech shootings in 2007. @shearm
Katie Rogers is a White House correspondent in the Washington bureau. @katierogers
Annie Karni is a White House correspondent. She previously covered the White House and Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign for Politico, and covered local news and politics for the New York Post and the New York Daily News. @AnnieKarni
_______________________________________
76ers center Dwight Howard has been suspended one game for receiving his 16th technical foul of the 2020-21 season.
https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1393250346735181827
It's so weird that Dwight turned into a heel at this point of his career. I think he did it for necessity- to earn a roster spot he needed to become an "enforcer". But he also seems to be really awkward and disrespectful about it (and sometimes even dirty) instead of someone tough/intimidating.
Last night was Anthony Edwards's 34th game with 20+ points. The next closest rookie has 17 of those games.
A since-deleted video from 2019 shows MTG harassing @AOC's office through a locked door. Calling her "crazy eyes" and telling her through the office's mailbox slot to "get rid of your diaper" while telling the office to open the door and come out.
https://cnn.com/2021/05/14/politics/kfile-marjorie-taylor-greene-alexandria-ocasio-cortez/index.html
https://twitter.com/i/status/1393208622054842368
Today USGOVT, via @StateDept & @TheJusticeDept, notified federal court that it declines to intervene & support Libyan warl-rd #KhalifaHifter's efforts to invoke head of state immunity in our civil lawsuit. Kudos to @POTUS for staying out of dispute.
https://twitter.com/MarkSZaidEsq/status/1393251475044851713
Kevin Durant Spends All Day Feuding with Own Burner Account | "The burner account blocked Durant for a few hours, and then jumped back in to tell him he's a fraud. || BROOKLYN, NY—Spinning into a days-long spat that caused the Nets forward to miss practice, league sources confirmed Kevin Durant spent all day Thursday feuding with his own burner account on social media. "At first, KD just wanted to tell his burner why he left the Warriors, but things got pretty ugly," said Nets beat writer Alex Schiffer, who shared screenshots of the exchange where Durant invited the burner account to meet him outside a local Duane Reade. "The burner account blocked Durant for a few hours, and then jumped back in to tell him he's a fraud. You could clearly see Durant sending messages from the bench during the Spurs game. Some threats of violence were made, so Twitter suspended Durant's account for a while." At press time, Durant issued a solemn apology to his fans from the burner account.
https://sports.theonion.com/kevin-durant-spends-all-day-feuding-with-own-burner-acc-1846888418
Infuckingcredible: Israel's "change bloc" collapses, leaving Netanyahu in charge
https://news.yahoo.com/israels-change-bloc-collapses-leaving-191414825.html
India COVID19 cases above 24 million as mutant spreads across globe
https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indias-covid-cases-above-24-million-mutant-spreads-across-globe-2021-05-14/
Did the coronavirus escape from a lab? The idea deserves a second look, scientists say
https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2021-05-13/did-coronavirus-escape-from-lab-scientists-urge-second-look
Greenberg plea deal was just filed. Charges he'll plead to: 1 count carrying out the sex trafficking of a child, 1 count producing false ID document, 1 count aggravated ID theft, 1 count wire fraud, 1 count stalking, 1 count conspiracy to commit an offense against US.
https://businessinsider.com/gaetz-associate-joel-greenberg-doj-plead-guilty-6-felony-counts-2021-5
Joe Biden carried 37 of the Minnesota Senate's 67 seats, but Republicans still kept control of the chamber.
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2021/5/14/2030489/-Biden-won-a-majority-of-Minnesota-Senate-districts-but-Democrats-failed-to-flip-the-chamber-in-2020
Wisconsin Supreme Court rejects Republican-backed effort on redistricting rules
https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2021/05/14/wisconsin-supreme-court-rejects-republican-backed-redistricting-rules/5094291001/
Trump hotel purposely spiked prices to keep out QAnon supporters, hacked police data reveals - D.C. police say the hotel raised its rates as a 'security tactic' ahead of a prominent date in QAnon lore
https://www.dailydot.com/debug/trump-hotel-dc-price-hike-qanon/
Marjorie Taylor Greene vandalized Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's guest book and taunted her in a deleted 2019 video
https://www.businessinsider.com/marjorie-taylor-greene-vandalized-aocs-guestbook-in-a-deleted-2019-video-2021-5
In newly disclosed records, Trump officials cited conspiracies about Antifa to justify interrogating immigration lawyers with a special terrorism unit. The documents also show that more lawyers were targeted than previously known. Taylor Levy couldn't understand why she'd been held for hours by Customs and Border Protection officials when crossing back into El Paso, Texas, after getting dinner with friends in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, in January 2019. And she didn't know why she was being questioned by an agent who'd introduced himself as a counterterrorism specialist. Levy was part of the legal team representing the father of a girl who'd died the previous month in the custody of the Border Patrol, which is part of CBP. "There was so much hate for immigration lawyers at that time," she recalled. "I thought that somebody had put in an anonymous tip that I was a terrorist."
https://www.propublica.org/article/documents-show-trump-officials-used-secret-terrorism-unit-to-question-lawyers-at-the-border
Matt Gaetz's confidant, Joel Greenberg, admits to many crimes in plea(+80 pgs). He doesn't name Gaetz. Greenberg says he and "other adult men" engaged in "commercial sex acts" w/minor. Greenberg says he witnessed the other men having sex w/minor.
https://nytimes.com/2021/05/14/us/politics/joel-greenberg-matt-gaetz.html
And she'll have the video of the mean bully Democrat "oppressing" her up on her social media, and a lawsuit filed against them, and a fundraising email sent, before she even picks herself up off the floor. And the GOP will hem and haw about violent leftists and self defense and also raise lots of money.
"Greene also took to Twitter to describe the encounter and said Swalwell "aggressively approached my staffer, got inches from his face, and verbally assaulted him."
Wow, MTG. I guess there are a number of people that would say the same about you.
I see Yankees "outbreak" as a success story
Despite high vaccine efficacy, we will see breakthrough infections
But only one person had symptoms. No one got sick
This is what protection looks like among the vaccinated
Occasional outbreaks. No severe illnesses. Life goes on
https://twitter.com/ashishkjha/status/1393283117088186370
Biden has signed an executive order revoking several Trump EOs, including Trump's proposed "National Garden of American heroes," a vast outdoor park that Trump said would feature statues of the "greatest Americans to ever live."
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/05/14/executive-order-on-the-revocation-of-certain-presidential-actions-and-technical-amendment/
As opioid overdose deaths surged in Appalachia, drug firm execs circulated multiple emails making fun of West Virginia "pillbillies"
https://mountainstatespotlight.org/2021/05/13/opioid-company-executives-made-fun-of-west-virginians/
_________________________________________________
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/05/14/executive-order-on-the-revocation-of-certain-presidential-actions-and-technical-amendment/
Executive Order on the Revocation of Certain Presidential Actions and Technical Amendment
May 14, 2021 • Presidential Actions
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including sections 3301 and 3302 of title 5, United States Code, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. Revocation of Presidential Actions. The following Presidential actions are revoked: Executive Order 13925 of May 28, 2020 (Preventing Online Censorship), Executive Order 13933 of June 26, 2020 (Protecting American Monuments, Memorials, and Statues and Combating Recent Criminal Violence), Executive Order 13934 of July 3, 2020 (Building and Rebuilding Monuments to American Heroes), Executive Order 13964 of December 10, 2020 (Rebranding United States Foreign Assistance To Advance American Influence), Executive Order 13978 of January 18, 2021 (Building the National Garden of American Heroes), and Executive Order 13980 of January 18, 2021 (Protecting Americans From Overcriminalization Through Regulatory Reform).
Sec. 2. Implementation. The Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the heads of executive departments and agencies shall promptly consider taking steps to rescind any orders, rules, regulations, guidelines, or policies, or portions thereof, implementing or enforcing the Presidential actions identified in section 1 of this order, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, including the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 551 et seq. In addition, any personnel positions, committees, task forces, or other entities established pursuant to the Presidential actions identified in section 1 of this order shall be abolished, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law.
Sec. 3. Technical Amendment. To enhance the efficiency of the civil service and to promote good administration and systematic application of merit system principles, Executive Order 14003 of January 22, 2021 (Protecting the Federal Workforce), revoked Executive Order 13957 of October 21, 2020 (Creating Schedule F in the Excepted Service), thereby eliminating Schedule F in the excepted service. In order to update the civil service rules to reflect the action taken in Executive Order 14003, Civil Service Rule VI is amended as follows:
(a) 5 CFR 6.2 is amended to read:
"OPM shall list positions that it excepts from the competitive service in Schedules A, B, C, and D, and it shall list the position of administrative law judge in Schedule E, which schedules shall constitute parts of this rule, as follows:
Schedule A. Positions other than those of a confidential or policy-determining character for which it is not practicable to examine shall be listed in Schedule A.
Schedule B. Positions other than those of a confidential or policy-determining character for which it is not practicable to hold a competitive examination shall be listed in Schedule B. Appointments to these positions shall be subject to such noncompetitive examination as may be prescribed by OPM.
Schedule C. Positions of a confidential or policy-determining character shall be listed in Schedule C.
Schedule D. Positions other than those of a confidential or policy-determining character for which the competitive service requirements make impracticable the adequate recruitment of sufficient numbers of students attending qualifying educational institutions or individuals who have recently completed qualifying educational programs shall be listed in Schedule D. These positions are temporarily placed in the excepted service to enable more effective recruitment from all segments of society by using means of recruiting and assessing candidates that diverge from the rules generally applicable to the competitive service.
Schedule E. Positions of administrative law judge appointed under 5 U.S.C. 3105 shall be listed in Schedule E. Conditions of good administration warrant placing the position of administrative law judge in the excepted service and exempting appointment to this position from the requirements of 5 CFR, part 302, including examination and rating requirements, though each agency shall follow the principle of veteran preference as far as administratively feasible."
(b) 5 CFR 6.4 is amended to read:
"Except as required by statute, the Civil Service Rules and Regulations shall not apply to removals from positions listed in Schedules A, C, D, or E, or from positions excepted from the competitive service by statute. The Civil Service Rules and Regulations shall apply to removals from positions listed in Schedule B of persons who have competitive status."
Sec. 4. General Provisions.
(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
THE WHITE HOUSE,
May 14, 2021.
_________________________________________________
Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins are out tonight against the Pelicans, per source. Banged up at the end of a long season and no stakes on the line. Memphis resting all their main guys tonight, as well. Both teams gearing up for Sunday's finale.
https://twitter.com/anthonyvslater/status/1393294097016713217
Sidelined since March 14, Serge Ibaka has been upgraded to *questionable* to play tonight in Houston. OUT: PG (rest), Kawhi Leonard (rest), Terance Mann (personal reasons), Pat Beverley (injury management), Amir Coffey (protocols) Doubtful: Reggie Jackson (sore left Achilles)
https://twitter.com/AndrewGreif/status/1393267814497091584
Imam among 12 worshippers killed in Afghanistan mosque bombing during Friday prayers
https://news.sky.com/story/kabul-imam-among-12-worshippers-killed-in-afghanistan-mosque-bombing-during-friday-prayers-12306481
Man arrested in wife's murder now accused of voting for Trump in her name
https://abcnews.go.com/US/man-arrested-wifes-murder-now-accused-voting-trump/story?id=77692708
Video shows Marjorie Taylor Greene harassing AOC's office with man who later was in pro-Trump terrorist
https://www.dailydot.com/debug/video-shows-marjorie-taylor-greene-harassing-aocs-office-with-man-who-later-was-in-capitol-riot/
Too little far too late: In the offseason, the NBA plans to address the unnatural shooting motions of star players like James Harden and Trae Young that get foul calls under the rules in the NBA -- but would get eye rolls on the playground.
https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/31444897/transformational-period-nba-ongoing-fight-regain-financial-footing
Kelvin Benjamin is at #Giants minicamp today trying out for the team. Here's the twist: #Giants are listing him as a tight end.
https://twitter.com/mysportsupdate/status/1393282305637109766
The Broncos have released OT Ja'Waun James, who recently suffered a torn Achilles.
https://twitter.com/FieldYates/status/1393322499677564931
The #Broncos released RT Ja'Wuan James today after he was placed on the non-football injury list with the intention to not pay him the $10M+ he was due in salary because he was injured away from the the facility. Expect James' camp to fight it.
https://twitter.com/rapsheet/status/1393328371933892608
#Broncos WR DaeSean Hamilton was likely to be traded, rather than waived. But he tore his ACL training away from the facility. Now, everything is on hold as the team gets more info.
https://twitter.com/rapsheet/status/1393304581539569666
What kind of away facilities do they have over there in Denver?...
Ohtani Hits One Over The Green Monster For #11 On The Year
https://bdata-producedclips.mlb.com/cd9c6807-5ee7-4728-b66d-210e5d3f67c8.mp4
Kris Bryant goes oppo for his 10th home run of the year
https://streamable.com/8oqgz5
Mississippi Supreme Court overturns voter-approved medical marijuana initiative
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/mississippi-supreme-court-overturns-voter-approved-marijuana-initiative-n1267472
China's Zhurong rover from its Tianwen-1 mission has touched down on Mars, according to China's state media
https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-lands-on-mars-in-crowning-moment-for-space-program-11621040108
A Channel 2 Action News investigation has found that Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and her husband have two active homestead exemptions, which is against Georgia law.
https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/fulton-county/investigation-marjorie-taylor-greene-filed-homestead-exemptions-2-homes-violating-state-law/IXIQMH5PBFBGLCFF5ZV44QC6XY/
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https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/05/14/a-proclamation-on-revoking-proclamation-9945/
A Proclamation on Revoking Proclamation 9945
May 14, 2021 • Presidential Actions
The suspension of entry imposed in Proclamation 9945 of October 4, 2019 (Suspension of Entry of Immigrants Who Will Financially Burden the United States Healthcare System, in Order To Protect the Availability of Healthcare Benefits for Americans), does not advance the interests of the United States. My Administration is committed to expanding access to quality, affordable healthcare. We can achieve that objective, however, without barring the entry of noncitizens who seek to immigrate lawfully to this country but who lack significant financial means or have not purchased health insurance coverage from a restrictive list of qualifying plans. The suspension of entry imposed in Proclamation 9945 is also in tension with the policy set forth in section 1 of Executive Order 14012 of February 2, 2021 (Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans).
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including sections 212(f) and 215(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1182(f) and 1185(a), hereby find that the unrestricted entry into the United States of noncitizen immigrants based solely on the reasons articulated in Proclamation 9945 is not detrimental to the interests of the United States. I therefore hereby proclaim the following:
Section 1. Revocation. Proclamation 9945 is revoked.
Sec. 2. Review of Agency Actions. The Secretary of State, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall review any regulations, orders, guidance documents, policies, and any other similar agency actions developed pursuant to Proclamation 9945 and, as appropriate, issue revised guidance consistent with the policy set forth in this proclamation.
Sec. 3. General Provisions.
(a) Nothing in this proclamation shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This proclamation shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This proclamation is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of May, in the year of our L-rd two thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
________________________________________
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/05/14/statement-by-president-joe-biden-on-house-passage-of-the-pregnant-workers-fairness-act/
Statement by President Joe Biden on House Passage of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
May 14, 2021 • Statements and Releases
I applaud Chairman Nadler, Chairman Scott, and Ranking Member Katko for their leadership in passing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, a long overdue bipartisan effort to ensure equal protection in the workforce for women who are pregnant.
Across our country, too many pregnant workers are forced to choose between their health and a paycheck. They can be fired for taking too many bathroom breaks, or forced to go on unpaid leave due solely to being pregnant. These practices are unfair and often dangerous. My Administration has made it a priority to support the health and economic security of pregnant workers — particularly women of color, who experience unconscionably high rates of maternal mortality. It is long past time that all workplaces treat pregnant employees with dignity, respect, and fairness.
Today's bipartisan passage of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act in the House of Representatives marks a significant step forward on that front. I urge the Senate to act swiftly to pass this commonsense bill, and stand up for the health and economic security of pregnant workers and their families.
________________________________________
Jordan 'Poole Party' and Mychal 'Garbage Time Jordan' Mulder combine for 66 of the Warriors 125 points, going 22-39 from the field, 11-21 from three, and 11/12 from the line in a nail biter against the Pels
Boyle also lamented how stripping Greene of her committee assignments appeared to have done little to detract her. "In many ways, it's an imperfect tool because it's not like it's taking away something she cared that much about," the Pennsylvania Democrat said.
https://twitter.com/dsamuelsohn/status/1393542518424412160
A confidential assessment prepared by DOE and DHS found the U.S. could've only afforded another 3-to-5 days with the Colonial pipeline shut down before mass transit, chemical factories and refineries would shut down. Cyber resilience? Doesn't exist. | The most visible effects — long lines of nervous motorists at gas stations — stemmed not from a government response but from a decision by the victim, Colonial Pipeline, which controls nearly half the gasoline, jet fuel and diesel flowing along the East Coast, to turn off the spigot. It did so out of concern that the malware that had infected its back-office functions could make it difficult to bill for fuel delivered along the pipeline or even spread into the pipeline's operating system. What happened next was a vivid example of the difference between tabletop simulations and the cascade of consequences that can follow even a relatively unsophisticated attack. The aftereffects of the episode are still playing out, but some of the lessons are already clear, and demonstrate how far the government and private industry have to go in preventing and dealing with cyberattacks and in creating rapid backup systems for when critical infrastructure goes down. In this case, the long-held belief that the pipeline's operations were totally isolated from the data systems that were locked up by DarkSide, a ransomware gang believed to be operating out of Russia, turned out to be false. And the company's decision to turn off the pipeline touched off a series of dominoes including panic buying at the pumps and a quiet fear inside the government that the damage could spread quickly. A confidential assessment prepared by the Energy and Homeland Security Departments found that the country could only afford another three to five days with the Colonial pipeline shut down before buses and other mass transit would have to limit operations because of a lack of diesel fuel. Chemical factories and refinery operations would also shut down because there would be no way to distribute what they produced, the report said. And while President Biden's aides announced efforts to find alternative ways to haul gasoline and jet fuel up the East Coast, none were immediately in place. There was a shortage of truck drivers, and of tanker cars for trains. "Every fragility was exposed," Dmitri Alperovitch, a co-founder of CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity firm, and now chairman of the think tank Silverado Policy Accelerator. "We learned a lot about what could go wrong. Unfortunately, so did our adversaries." The list of lessons is long. Colonial, a private company, may have thought it had an impermeable wall of protections, but it was easily breached. Even after it paid the extortionists nearly $5 million in digital currency to recover its data, the company found that the process of decrypting its data and turning the pipeline back on again was agonizingly slow, meaning it will still be days before the East Coast gets back to normal. | Hours later, the group's internet sites went dark. By early Friday, DarkSide, and several other ransomware groups, including Babuk, which has hacked Washington D.C.'s police department, announced they were getting out of the game. Darkside alluded to disruptive action by an unspecified law enforcement agency, though it was not clear if that was the result of U.S. action or pressure from Russia ahead of Mr. Biden's expected summit with President Vladimir V. Putin. And going quiet might simply have reflected a decision by the ransomware gang to frustrate retaliation efforts by shutting down its operations, perhaps temporarily. The Pentagon's Cyber Command referred questions to the National Security Council, which declined to comment.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/14/us/politics/pipeline-hack.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/13/technology/colonial-pipeline-ransom.html
International observers, reading the news, need to ask serious questions: why did AP and the antisemitic pro-terrorist al-jazeera never think it newsworthy to say Hamas had military intelligence assets in the same building as its Gaza bureau?
Following congressional approval, the Biden administration is now sending $10 million to promote bottom-up peacebuilding projects between Palestinians & Israelis. The problem with this isn't that we're sending the money. It's that we're not sending enough. https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-middle-east-government-and-politics-e17ee8e44160fa54936c4c8196b5142b
The Rep. Clyde news reminded me of this: UNITED STATES - JANUARY 6: Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., second from top left, helps barricade the House chamber door as rioters disrupt the joint session of Congress to certify the Electoral College vote on January 6, 2021.
https://twitter.com/pennstatetom/status/1393382541130936324
Neera Tanden lands in the White House, after all | After her Cabinet bid sputtered, Tanden will act as senior adviser to President Joe Biden starting Monday. | Tanden's appointment as senior adviser reflects a White House that is adamant about her being a vital player to their operations. Chief of staff Ron Klain has great respect for Tanden and had lobbied heavily to move her nomination across the goal line. Tanden will hold various duties in the White House but her focus will be handling any potential fallout from Republican lawsuits challenging the Affordable Care Act at the Supreme Court. Tanden will also be tasked with reviewing the United States Digital Service, a program that aims to make government accessible online.
https://www.politico.com/news/2021/05/14/neera-tanden-white-house-488375
Video shows South Carolina deputies repeatedly tasing Black man before he dies in jail | Video footage released late on Thursday shows sheriff's deputies in Charleston County extracting the man, Jamal Sutherland, from his jail cell on Jan. 5, first using pepper spray on him, and then Tasers while he screams out in pain. He was declared dead soon after, and the graphic video spurred denunciations on Friday of the officers' response. Elements of the videos — including a moment when Mr. Sutherland, who has an officer's knee on his back, says "I can't breathe" — echo other recent instances of violent encounters between law enforcement and African-Americans that have sparked sustained racial justice and police reform movements that continue to resonate throughout the United States.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/video-shows-south-carolina-deputies-repeatedly-tasing-black-man-he-n1267427
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/14/us/Black-man-tasered.html
With the Senate confirming two of Biden's three picks to serve on the Postal Board of Governors this week, Sen. Dick Durbin says: "It's more important than ever that the Postal Board of Governors serve as a check on DeJoy's actions." A third will be considered next week.
https://twitter.com/kylegriffin1/status/1393566845081370634
Peruvian democracy is shuddering under onslaught of COVID, economic crisis, and political extremism. The first choice facing voters is a little-known union leader who leads a Marxist-Leninist party that wants to rewrite the constitution to eliminate congress. The alternative is the daughter of a former dictator who has surrounded herself with kleptocrats and COVID-19 deniers. Welcome to Round 2 of the Peruvian presidential election. How did one of the success stories of the developing world end up in such a crazy place?
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/05/peru-fujimori-castillo/618898/
"Just 12 people are responsible for the bulk of the misleading claims and lies about COVID vaccines that proliferate on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The 'Disinformation Dozen' produce 65% of the shares of anti-vax misinformation on social media."
https://www.npr.org/2021/05/13/996570855/disinformation-dozen-test-facebooks-twitters-ability-to-curb-vaccine-hoaxes
If AP knew Hamas was in the same building... what else did Hamas intimidate AP from reporting about Gaza? And can anyone in the West trust AP's reporting about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with such a massive blind spot?
EPA shuts polluting Caribbean refinery reopened under Trump
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/15/refinery-pollution-st-croix-us-virgin-islands
Biden administration gives House panel documents related to Trump hotel
https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/14/politics/trump-international-hotel-documents/index.html
Big Win For Corporations: SCOTUS Slaps Down Federal Trade Commission. All Nine Justices Say FTC Can't Take Rogue Companies to Court Without Long, Cumbersome Internal Review First
https://www.dcreport.org/2021/05/14/big-win-for-corporations-scotus-slaps-down-federal-trade-commission/
Over 2000 dead bodies found in the Ganges river | The Union home ministry has revealed that nearly 2,000 bodies have been retrieved from the Ganga by various district administrations in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in the last one week or so. Officials say that these bodies are most likely of Corona patients who died in remote villages along the Ganga. Since most of the villagers are extremely poor and not able to finance the last rites of their family members, they have been dumping the bodies in the river. Both UP and Bihar share a long river bank of the Ganga of more than 1,400 km.
https://www.asianage.com/india/all-india/150521/over-2000-bodies-found-in-ganga-river.html
Extremely Rare Plutonium Found in the Depths of Pacific Ocean Could Be Older Than Our Solar System.
https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/extremely-rare-plutonium-found-in-the-depths-of-pacific-ocean-could-be-older-than-our-solar-system-3740864.html
The inaugural 12-team NBA-affiliated Basketball Africa League (BAL) is finally set to tip off in Kigali, Rwanda tomorrow.
https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/31420203/everything-need-know-nba-affiliated-basketball-africa-league
The Nets say James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Bruce Brown and Blake Griffin start against Chicago. First start together for Brooklyn's Big Three since Feb. 13.
https://twitter.com/thesteinline/status/1393606302836875269
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https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/05/15/readout-of-president-joseph-r-biden-jr-call-with-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-of-israel-3/
Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel
May 15, 2021 • Statements and Releases
The President spoke today with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. The President reaffirmed his strong support for Israel's right to defend itself against rocket attacks from Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza. He condemned these indiscriminate attacks against towns and cities across Israel. The President updated the Prime Minister on high-level U.S. engagement with regional partners on this issue and discussed ongoing diplomatic efforts. The President noted that this current period of conflict has tragically claimed the lives of Israeli and Palestinian civilians, including children. He raised concerns about the safety and security of journalists and reinforced the need to ensure their protection.
The President shared his grave concern about the intercommunal violence across Israel. He welcomed the statements by the Prime Minister and other leaders opposing such hateful acts and encouraged continued steps to hold violent extremists accountable and to establish calm. They discussed the current tensions in Jerusalem and expressed their shared desire for Jerusalem to be a place of peaceful coexistence for people of all faiths and backgrounds. The President voiced his concern about violent confrontations in the West Bank. He expressed his support for steps to enable the Palestinian people to enjoy the dignity, security, freedom, and economic opportunity that they deserve and affirmed his support for a two-state solution. The leaders agreed to continue the close consultation between their teams and to remain in touch in the days ahead.
###
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https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/05/15/readout-of-president-joseph-r-biden-jr-call-with-palestinian-authority-president-mahmoud-abbas/
Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas
May 15, 2021 • Statements and Releases
President Biden spoke today with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to convey the U.S. commitment to strengthening the U.S.-Palestinian partnership. They discussed the current tensions in Jerusalem and the West Bank and expressed their shared desire for Jerusalem to be a place of peaceful coexistence for people of all faiths and backgrounds. President Biden updated President Abbas on U.S. diplomatic engagement on the ongoing conflict and stressed the need for Hamas to cease firing rockets into Israel. They expressed their shared concern that innocent civilians, including children, have tragically lost their lives amidst the ongoing violence. The President expressed his support for steps to enable the Palestinian people to enjoy the dignity, security, freedom, and economic opportunity that they deserve. In that regard, he highlighted the recent U.S. decision to resume assistance to the Palestinian people, including economic and humanitarian assistance to benefit Palestinians in the West bank and Gaza. The President also underscored his strong commitment to a negotiated two-state solution as the best path to reach a just and lasting resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
###
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The Dodgers and future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols are in agreement on a major-league deal for the remainder of the season
https://twitter.com/jorgecastillo/status/1393661708258873344
The New York Knicks have now won 40 games after being projected to win 22 prior to the season
Julius Randle with 33 points (12/25 FG) 10 rebounds 13 assists in OT win vs Hornets
The New York Knicks (39-31) defeat the Charlotte Hornets (33-38) in OT, 118 - 109
Unless Harden plays tomorrow and scores at least 42, he will finish the regular season averaging less than 25 PPG for the first time since 2012.
Strategic Intelligence Assessment and Data on Domestic Terrorism. Domestic terrorism incidents have soared to new highs in the United States, driven chiefly by white-supremacist, anti-Muslim and anti-government extremists on the far right.
https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/fbi-dhs-domestic-terrorism-strategic-report.pdf/view
Back-to-back tornadoes kill 12 in China; over 300 injured
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/tornadoes-kill-china-200-injured-77701864
Anti-Israel protesters in Vienna call for massacre of Jews
https://www.timesofisrael.com/anti-israel-protesters-in-vienna-chant-about-massacre-of-jews/
Wendle hits 3 of Tampa Bay's 8 doubles, Rays beat Mets 12-5
https://www.espn.com/mlb/boxscore/_/gameId/401227639
Xander Bogaerts crushes his 9th HR of the year to knock Dylan Bundy out of the game and extend the Sox lead to 7
https://bdata-producedclips.mlb.com/162cee09-5e91-4999-806f-52ff29b9e394.mp4
Jordan & Egypt controlled that land from 48-67. Israel has been handing chunks it over in pursuit of peace for decades. They even unilaterally forced every Jew out of Gaza to hand that land over, only to be rewarded with Hamas control & rockets.
Stephen Richer is the elected recorder of Maricopa County, Arizona (Phoenix), a Republican: Wow. This is unhinged. I'm literally looking at our voter registration database on my other screen. Right now. We can't indulge these insane lies any longer. As a party. As a state. As a country. This is as readily falsifiable as 2+2=5. If we don't call this out...
https://twitter.com/stephen_richer/status/1393662268542386178
@Leo4AzHouse here's a great example of a plain-as-day lie that will lead our Arizona residents to think the Maricopa County database has been entirely deleted. Help me call out this lie.
https://twitter.com/stephen_richer/status/1393663648145367042
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https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/14/opinion/bernie-sanders-israel-palestine-gaza.html
Bernie Sanders: The U.S. Must Stop Being an Apologist for the Netanyahu Government
May 14, 2021
By Bernie Sanders
Mr. Sanders is a senator from Vermont.
"Israel has the right to defend itself."
These are the words we hear from both Democratic and Republican administrations whenever the government of Israel, with its enormous military power, responds to rocket attacks from Gaza.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/14/world/middleeast/israel-ido-avigal-safe-room.html
Let's be clear. No one is arguing that Israel, or any government, does not have the right to self-defense or to protect its people. So why are these words repeated year after year, war after war? And why is the question almost never asked: "What are the rights of the Palestinian people?"
And why do we seem to take notice of the violence in Israel and Palestine only when rockets are falling on Israel?
In this moment of crisis, the United States should be urging an immediate cease-fire. We should also understand that, while Hamas firing rockets into Israeli communities is absolutely unacceptable, today's conflict did not begin with those rockets.
Palestinian families in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah have been living under the threat of eviction for many years, navigating a legal system designed to facilitate their forced displacement. And over the past weeks, extremist settlers have intensified their efforts to evict them.
And, tragically, those evictions are just one part of a broader system of political and economic oppression. For years we have seen a deepening Israeli occupation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and a continuing blockade on Gaza that make life increasingly intolerable for Palestinians. In Gaza, which has about two million inhabitants, 70 percent of young people are unemployed and have little hope for the future.
Further, we have seen Benjamin Netanyahu's government work to marginalize and demonize Palestinian citizens of Israel, pursue settlement policies designed to foreclose the possibility of a two-state solution and pass laws that entrench systemic inequality between Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel.
None of this excuses the attacks by Hamas, which were an attempt to exploit the unrest in Jerusalem, or the failures of the corrupt and ineffective Palestinian Authority, which recently postponed long-overdue elections. But the fact of the matter is that Israel remains the one sovereign authority in the land of Israel and Palestine, and rather than preparing for peace and justice, it has been entrenching its unequal and undemocratic control.
Over more than a decade of his right-wing rule in Israel, Mr. Netanyahu has cultivated an increasingly intolerant and authoritarian type of racist nationalism. In his frantic effort to stay in power and avoid prosecution for corruption, Mr. Netanyahu has legitimized these forces, including Itamar Ben Gvir and his extremist Jewish Power party, by bringing them into the government. It is shocking and saddening that racist mobs that attack Palestinians on the streets of Jerusalem now have representation in its Knesset.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/17/world/middleeast/israel-election-netanyahu.html
These dangerous trends are not unique to Israel. Around the world, in Europe, in Asia, in South America and here in the United States, we have seen the rise of similar authoritarian nationalist movements. These movements exploit ethnic and racial hatreds in order to build power for a corrupt few rather than prosperity, justice and peace for the many. For the last four years, these movements had a friend in the White House.
At the same time, we are seeing the rise of a new generation of activists who want to build societies based on human needs and political equality. We saw these activists in American streets last summer in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. We see them in Israel. We see them in the Palestinian territories.
With a new president, the United States now has the opportunity to develop a new approach to the world — one based on justice and democracy. Whether it is helping poor countries get the vaccines they need, leading the world to combat climate change or fighting for democracy and human rights around the globe, the United States must lead by promoting cooperation over conflict.
In the Middle East, where we provide nearly $4 billion a year in aid to Israel, we can no longer be apologists for the right-wing Netanyahu government and its undemocratic and racist behavior. We must change course and adopt an evenhanded approach, one that upholds and strengthens international law regarding the protection of civilians, as well as existing U.S. law holding that the provision of U.S. military aid must not enable human rights abuses.
This approach must recognize that Israel has the absolute right to live in peace and security, but so do the Palestinians. I strongly believe that the United States has a major role to play in helping Israelis and Palestinians to build that future. But if the United States is going to be a credible voice on human rights on the global stage, we must uphold international standards of human rights consistently, even when it's politically difficult. We must recognize that Palestinian rights matter. Palestinian lives matter.
Senator Bernie Sanders is a senator from Vermont.
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Let's be clear. The problem in America is not that unemployed workers are receiving an extra $300 a week in emergency benefits during a horrific pandemic. The problem is that too many employers in America are exploiting their workers by paying starvation wages with no benefits.
https://twitter.com/SenSanders/status/1393216424848629767
Aaron Judge homers (11) to left center field
https://streamable.com/m/aaron-judge-homers-11-on-a-fly-ball-to-left-center-field-dj-lemahieu-scor
High voltage lines supplying the Gaza Strip with electricity were damaged by rocket fire by Palestinian militants
https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2021/05/16/Israel-says-high-voltage-power-lines-supplying-Gaza-Strip-with-electricity-damaged
In a most fitting tribute to the 2020-21 season, the Celtics have ruled out their top seven today in Game 72 versus the Knicks. No Kemba, Smart, Brown, Tatum, Rob, Tristan, or Fournier.
https://twitter.com/ChrisForsberg_/status/1393914197814169603
Space Force commander fired after comments made on conservative podcast
https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/15/politics/space-force-lohmeier-fired-after-comments/index.html
The bills, some signed into law this past week by Gov. Doug Ducey, are worrisome for Native Americans who live in remote areas, other communities of color and voters whose first language isn't English. One codifies the existing practice of giving voters who didn't sign mail-in ballots until 7 p.m. on Election Day to do so, defying a recently settled lawsuit that would have given voters additional days to provide a signature. Another will result in potentially tens of thousands of people being purged from a list of voters who automatically get a ballot by mail. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said Ducey's actions belittle tribes and fail to recognize the unique challenges Native Americans face when casting ballots. That includes driving hours to reach polling places, unreliable mail service and the need for more Native language translators. "This is an assault to the election process for people of color throughout this country," he said. "Here in Arizona, it's pushing back on the voters of tribal communities, and we came out in big numbers to vote our candidate of choice, which is President Biden." | The Navajo Nation sued the secretary of state and county officials in 2018 to force changes in election procedures for the tribe's voters. The complaint alleged that more than 100 ballots cast by Navajos were rejected because they didn't have signatures on the envelope or they had mismatched signatures. Secretary of State Katie Hobbs agreed to insert language into the elections manual that would give all mail-in voters up to five days after an election to fix their ballots — the same as voters whose signatures don't match the one on file. The attorney general and Ducey didn't sign off on the changes. The Democratic Party has since sued seeking a five-day curing period for mailed ballots. A U.S. District Court judge initially agreed, but the decision was challenged. Oral arguments are scheduled for July in federal appeals court. Nez said the ballot signature measure just signed into law undermines the settlement in the tribe's lawsuit. It is evaluating the language and has not yet decide on its next step. "We have to deal with the federal government on broken promises. Now we have the state breaking promises on a settlement we thought we all agreed upon," Nez said. | Before the pandemic, Native Americans made voting a social event on many reservations. It was one of the few times a year where they'd meet with old friends and chat about the government, community needs and their families. Tribal leaders give voters time off to cast a ballot and help get others to the polls. Campaigns courted voters with traditional food. Even when they receive mailed ballots, many Native Americans prefer to drop them off on Election Day at their polling site, no matter how distant. Unless poll workers check for a signature on the spot, voters would have no chance to fix it. Patty Hansen, the recorder in the state's largest county by size, said she's disappointed with the new law because it treats voters differently based on the error they've made. "We were headed in the right direction," she said. "Now it's being reversed."
https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-arizona-health-coronavirus-pandemic-voting-rights-41f6f0a3db50d42955a3ae2bbea5aae5
Using Israel as your excuse to attack random Jews thousands of miles away isn't remotely "pro-Palestinian," it's just anti-Jewish. Thugs like these are coming out everywhere from Canada to London.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1393744090844512263
https://twitter.com/EliKohn3/status/1393744090844512263
Since the start of the violence in Israel/Palestine, there has been a reported 250% rise in UK antisemitic incidents. Jews have been targeted on the streets. There's been altercations outside shuls. Jewish students flooded with hate.
https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/250-percent-rise-in-antisemitic-incidents-amid-israel-palestine-violence/
A federal judge has ruled a nationwide eviction freeze ordered by the CDC can remain in place while the Justice Department appeals an earlier decision to lift the moratorium, which could put millions of vulnerable renters at risk for losing their homes.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2021/05/14/judge-allows-national-eviction-moratorium-to-remain-in-force-while-feds-appeal-ruling-tossing-it/?sh=70ee00296029
Tampa Bay Rays greet and sweep the New York Mets
The Washington Wizards (34-38) defeat the Charlotte Hornets (33-39) by 115 - 110 to secure the 8th seed in the East behind 23/15/10 from Russell Westbrook
With the win against the Celtics, the New York Knicks have clinched the 4 seed and home court advantage in the playoffs
Steph wins the NBA scoring title with this floater
https://streamable.com/zcth59
The Wizards have won 17 of the last 23 games to end the season and overcome all odds to finish the season as the #8 seed
Steph Curry joins Kareem, MJ and Wilt as the only players in NBA history with multiple championships, MVPS, and scoring titles
Bradley Beal finishes the 2020-21 NBA Season averaging 31.3 points on 59.3 TS% along with 4.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists. The Wizards were 32-28 with Beal active
Photo emerges of Republican barricading chamber doors during US Capitol attack after he compared rioters to 'tourists'
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/captiol-riot-andrew-clyde-chamber-b1848332.html
Good: Oklahoma Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt was kicked off a commission established to mark the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa massacre, just one week after he signed a bill banning the teaching of some issues surrounding race and racism in public schools.
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/salvadorhernandez/oklahoma-governor-tulsa-race-massacre
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/gabrielsanchez/tulsa-massacre-photos
Curry hits the step back 3 and does the Baron Davis celebration
https://streamable.com/peulzd
The Golden State Warriors (39-33) defeat the Memphis Grizzlies (38-34), 113 - 101
Steph loses the entire Grizzlies team to hit the 3
https://streamable.com/1s0dsy
Stephen Curry tonight in win vs. Grizzlies: 46 points on 16/36 shooting from the field and 9-22 from three-point range, 9 assists, 7 rebounds, and 1 block.
Steph Curry finishes the season with 7 games hitting 10+ 3's, the rest of the league has 6 combined
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