Today's Liberal News
The Virus Is Showing Black People What They Knew All Along
All skinfolk ain’t kinfolk, but as Black people in America, we still feel a connection with one another. A reciprocated smile as we pass one another on the street; a spontaneous, but still synchronized, “Swag Surfin’” dip at the club; a “Cupid Shuffle” kick at the cookout. Small moments like these reinforce the bond I feel with other Black people.
Trump Plots to Overturn Election: An Attack on Democracy or a Scheme to Make Millions for Himself?
As President Trump continues to look for ways to overturn the 2020 election, he has also continued to raise massive sums of money — over half a billion dollars since mid-October, including more than $250 million since Election Day. The New York Times reports more than $60 million of what Trump raised has gone to a new political action committee that he will control after he leaves office, an unprecedented war chest for an outgoing president.
Black Critical Care Dr. Taison Bell of UVA on Fighting COVID, Racism & Securing Fair Vaccine Access
More than 40 countries have temporarily suspended some or all travel from the United Kingdom after British health officials announced a highly infectious variant of the novel coronavirus has been spreading in the country. South Africa has detected a similar variant. The new variant is believed to be 70% more contagious, but health experts say existing vaccines will still be effective against it.
We Must Reject Austerity Politics: Economist Darrick Hamilton on Why $900B Stimulus Is Not Enough
As Congress passes a $900 billion coronavirus relief package, the first new aid since April, critics say the bill does not go far enough in providing direct aid to those most impacted by the economic downturn.
We Made Biscuits With Claire Saffitz on Zoom, and It Was Perfect
The star of “Gourmet Makes” proves to us that miso is the new cheese.
Help! My Son Is Trans. Is It Wrong to Read the Harry Potter Series to His Younger Brother?
We used to love these books, but he told me he doesn’t want me to support J.K. Rowling now in any way.
The Risk of John Kerry Following His Own China Policy
Competition with China will likely be the most difficult foreign-policy issue that President-elect Joe Biden will face. What he decides to lead with and the precise mix of areas in which he engages and confronts Beijing are critically important. This is why Biden’s choice of John Kerry as a special presidential envoy on climate change might create a problem for the incoming president on China policy.
Dear Care and Feeding: Is My Kindergartner’s Make-Believe Game Racist?
Parenting advice on racism, swearing, and athleticism.
80 Over 80: Ranking the Most Influential 80-Plus-Year-Olds in America
Some make movies. Some make laws. Some sing. Some tweet. One broke a record for the 100-meter dash at 99 years old.
A surge of state aid for vaccinations may already be too late
The long-sought money is on its way — but state and local officials worry that it could take several months for it to reach communities in need.
Why Congress Is Suddenly Fighting About the Federal Reserve
GOP Senators are holding a relief deal hostage in order to kneecap the Fed—and the Biden administration—in a crisis.
The Election Didn’t Defeat the U.S. Postal Service. Christmas Might.
The mail system is buckling right now. Here’s why.
Republicans Are Fighting Hard to Bankrupt States
Apparently no one’s showed them the analysis saying it could hurt red states the most.
Fed sees less severe recession this year but warns of tough winter
Officials said they expect the U.S. economy to shrink by 2.4 percent this year, a brighter forecast than they offered just three months ago.
Biden faces a massive boom ahead — or maybe another recession first
Vaccine euphoria is giving economic forecasters hope for a blockbuster 2021 and stretching stock market valuations to historic highs. It’s a setup that leaves no room for error.
Biden top economic adviser facing accusations of mismanagement, verbal abuse
A former high-level employee at Heather Boushey’s think tank publicly aired the accusations on Tuesday night.
Biden backs up Tanden as Republicans attack her tweets
“That disqualifies almost every Republican senator and 90 percent of the administration,” the president-elect said of GOP criticism.
CIA-Backed Afghan Death Squads Massacred Children Inside Religious Schools in Campaign of Terror
A shocking exposé in The Intercept reveals CIA-backed death squads in Afghanistan have killed children as young as 8 years old in a series of night raids, many targeting madrassas, Islamic religious schools. In December 2018, one of the death squads attacked a madrassa in Wardak province, killing 12 boys, of whom the youngest was 9 years old.
Monday Night Owls: San Antonio’s energy utility vows climate action, but is still plugged into gas
Night Owls, a themed open thread, appears at Daily Kos seven days a week
30 DAYS UNTIL JOE BIDEN AND KAMALA HARRIS TAKE THE OATH OF OFFICE
Dana Drugmand at DeSmog writes—San Antonio’s City-Owned Energy Utility Is Paying a Quarter Million Dollars a Year to Gas Industry Groups:
Deep in the heart of Texas, by far the nation’s top oil producer, the city of San Antonio is starting to grapple with its reliance on fossil fuels.
Get district data while you can, because Rhode Island’s soon to lose its second congressional seat
This may be the last time we ever crunch presidential election results by congressional district for Rhode Island, because the Ocean State is on track to lose a seat when reapportionment data from the 2020 census is released, turning it into an at-large jurisdiction like fellow New England state Vermont.
Easy, thoughtful, low-cost gifts to give during a literal global pandemic
As we lean into the holiday season, we continue to face the novel coronavirus pandemic as a nation. Because the Trump administration consistently fumbled the pandemic response, not only are people staring down a potentially deadly virus, but high unemployment rates, housing and food insecurity, and isolation from friends, family, and coworkers.
How powerful health providers tamed a ‘surprise’ billing threat
Hospitals and doctors watered down a solution to payment feuds backed by employers groups and insurers.
Michael Cohen: Here’s What’s Really Behind Trump’s Election Lies
“When you finish a job, you’re always thinking about how to reinvent yourself,” Donald Trump’s former attorney said.
Pat Robertson Tells Trump: ‘You’ve Had Your Day And It’s Time To Move On’
The evangelical leader praised the president’s ability to raise money and draw crowds but also said he “lives in an alternate reality.
What (and when) you can expect from COVID-19 stimulus checks
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says stimulus checks will go out as soon as next week, faster than the single round that was provided in spring following the CARES Act. “People are going to see this money the beginning of next week,” he said on CNBC Monday. “Much needed relief—and just in time for the holidays.” Except for the part that it’s after Christmas and barely relief.
City watchdog finds NYPD ‘likely escalated tensions’ at George Floyd protests
A city oversight agency pretty much found that the New York City Police Department handled anti-police brutality protests as horribly as viral videos implied.
The Atlantic Daily: The Danger in Trump’s Efforts
Every weekday evening, our editors guide you through the biggest stories of the day, help you discover new ideas, and surprise you with moments of delight. Subscribe to get this delivered to your inbox.DOMINICK REUTER / GETTYWith the pandemic at a deadly peak, Americans learned that the president, still set on overturning the 2020 election results, went so far as to discuss martial law. His refusal to accept the outcome will leave a dangerous legacy.
California Has Lost Control
Editor’s Note: The Atlantic is making vital coverage of the coronavirus available to all readers. Find the collection here. California is on the verge of breaking a pandemic record from the darkest days of the spring: With 17,750 COVID-19 patients hospitalized yesterday, the state is closing in on New York’s single-day high of 18,825, set on April 13.