Overturned Terrorist

From the BBC:

“Boston Marathon bombing: Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's death sentence overturned”

A US appeals court has overturned the death sentence given to Dzhokhar Tsarnaev for the deadly bombing attack at the 2013 Boston Marathon. Three people were killed and more than 260 injured when two bombs planted by Tsarnaev and his brother exploded at the finish line. The court said Tsarnaev would spend the rest of his days in prison. However, it ordered a retrial over the sentence for the crimes, which can carry the death penalty. In its ruling, the court said the trial judge had failed to exclude jurors who had already concluded that Tsarnaev was guilty. Tsarnaev and his elder brother Tamerlan, both Kyrgyz-American nationals of Chechen descent, planted bombs close to the finish line of the Boston Marathon on 15 April 2013. Tamerlan was killed in a shootout with police three days later. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev fled the shootout and was captured a day later, after being found hiding in a boat in the backyard of a house in Watertown - a suburb of Boston.

^ This is beyond stupid! Tsarnaev is guilty and should receive the Death Penalty for his terrorist attacks that killed and wounded innocent people. The Appeals Court is just adding more drama to the victims and their families rather than providing justice. Holding another trial now is dumb. It would have been better if he was killed in the boat  - then all of this senseless drama would be over and done with and a terrorist would be dead (as it should be.) ^

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53617740

Poland's Hate-Allowed Zones

From USA Today:

“Nearly a third of Poland has declared 'LGBT-free zones.' The EU is denying funds to them.”

After nearly a third of Poland towns and municipalities declared "LGBT-free zones," the European Union has stepped in and denied funding to them. Six towns in Poland that have adopted the homophobic policies have been denied funding, according to a statement from the EU's Commissioner for Equality. "EU values and fundamental rights must be respected by Member States and state authorities," said Commissioner Helena Dalli in a tweet Tuesday. They applied for grants as part of a "town twinning" proposal, which would connect two communities in separate nations for joint partnerships. Other applicants that didn't adopt "LGBT-free zone" policies were approved. The news comes as sitting president Andrzej Duda won a re-election as part of the right-wing Law and Justice party. In his tenure, the nation has intensified its anti-LGBT sentiment after Duda signed a "family charter" that pledged to “ban the propagation of LGBT ideology in public institutions.” Further, he proposed an amendment that would prohibit same-sex couple adoptions. Towns elsewhere in the EU, including France and the Netherlands, have reneged on "sister city" partnerships with Polish towns that have aligned themselves with "LGBT-free" ideologies. Nearly a third of Poland's 38 million residents live in zones declared by local officials as "LGBT-free," which have no legal power but mirror a rising anti-LGBT tide in the country. Poland's Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro called the rejection "unlawful," urging for a reversal from the EU Commission and arguing that the views of all citizens should be respected by the EU. Poland joined the EU in 2004.

^ I don’t understand why Poland wants to move backwards and discriminate against gays. They are following Russia’s example and I know the majority of Poles would hate to be compared to the Russians. ^

https://www.yahoo.com/news/nearly-third-poland-declared-lgbt-104400273.html

Underused Veteran Benefits

From Military.com:

“These Are the Most Underutilized Veteran Benefits in Each State”

The federal government isn't the only entity to offer assistance and benefits to military veterans. Most states also offer a parade of their own state-specific perks. But not all veterans know about the things offered in their individual states. That's where states' veteran affairs offices come in. Staffed by experts in local veteran benefits, these offices typically aim to help veteran residents know about or use all of the benefits afforded by local law. And yet, local experts from across the U.S. recently told the VA, some veteran benefits remain underutilized. What's the most underused benefit in your state? Here's what officials told the VA for a story published on the VA's blog. Find your state below.

Alabama    "Our professional Veteran service officers, with offices in communities throughout Alabama, are our most underutilized Alabama benefit. Despite our best efforts, too many remain unaware that help filing for VA benefits is available at no cost. Their training and expertise really are the best chance a Veteran has to submit a fully developed claim that allows the VA to grant the maximum benefits to which they are entitled the first time." -- Mark Sullivan, manager, Appeals and Review Division.

Alaska   "Alaska offers a Veteran land discount/purchase preference and it can only be used once, so many Veterans do not pursue this program thinking they will save it for later and then never use this valued benefit. This program provides a 25% discount off the purchase price of state residential/recreational land. The land is offered under a Veteran exclusive opportunity and the sale is at fair appraised market value." -- Verdie Bowen Sr., director, Office of Veterans Affairs

Arizona    "The Arizona Military Family Relief Fund provides financial assistance to the families of currently deployed service members, plus military and Veteran families for hardships caused by the service member's deployment. The lifetime financial assistance limit for service members, Veterans and their families is $20,000. Applicants can receive emergency assistance of up to $3,000 once in a lifetime." -- Wanda Wright, director

Arkansas   "The state's most underused benefit is Resident Military Retiree Lifetime Combination License." -- Gina Chandler, assistant director, Veterans Service.

California   "California's most underused state benefit would be our hunting and fishing license program. For 2020, reduced-fee licenses are available for any honorably discharged Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces with a service--connected disability rating of 50% or greater at the price of $8.13." -- Roberto Herrera, chief, Veteran and Community Engagement

Colorado  "Colorado has a free Lifetime Fish & Game small game license for Veterans 60% or more service connected." -- Richard J. Tremaine, director, Division of Veterans Affairs

Connecticut   "Among the most underutilized state benefits is the Connecticut Qualified Veterans' Charitable Organization list maintained by the Department of Veterans Affairs. To be included on the list, the Veterans' organization must be one that: (1) Holds itself out to be established for any benevolent, educational, philanthropic, humane, scientific, patriotic, social welfare or advocacy purpose relating to or on behalf of Veterans; and (2) has been (A) a nonstock corporation, organized under chapter 602, or any predecessor thereto, for three or more years, or (B) a tax exempt organization under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time, for three or more consecutive years." -- Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Thomas J. Saadi

Delaware  "The most underused state benefit is discounted hunting, trapping and fishing licenses." -- Larence Kirby, executive director, Office of Veterans Services Any member of the Armed Forces while stationed within the state shall be deemed a resident of the state for the purpose of obtaining a license. Veterans with a disability rating of 60 percent or more by VA may obtain a no-fee license.

Florida   "Florida waives undergraduate-level tuition at state universities and community colleges for Florida recipients of the Purple Heart and other combat-related decorations superior in precedence to the Purple Heart. The waiver program also includes the state's career and technical training facilities." -- James S. "Hammer" Hartsell, deputy executive director, Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs

Georgia  "Many of Georgia's Veterans do not take advantage of the discounts available for state park entrance fees or for hunting and fishing licenses. Honorably discharged Veterans with a VA service-connected disability rating are eligible for a 25% reduction of the entrance fee to state parks, historical sites, and recreational areas. Veterans discharged after July 1, 2005 and who served 90 days on active duty are eligible for a free one-year full sportsman license. All honorably discharged Veterans are eligible for a 20% discount on hunting and fishing licenses." -- Mike Roby, Georgia's commissioner of Veterans Service

Hawaii   "Hawaii's Most underused state benefit is the Specialty Veteran's License Plates. For the same cost as a regular license plate, Veterans can choose, if qualified, a Veteran, Combat or Combat Wounded, Pearl Harbor Survivor, Former POW, World War II Veteran, Korea Veteran, Vietnam Veteran, Persian Gulf Veteran, or Gold Star Family license plate." -- Ronald Han, Director State Office of Veterans' Services

Idaho   Recently, Idaho passed legislation to make it easier for Veterans, military members and their families to get occupational licenses. Under the Occupational Licensing Reform Act Chapter 94, Title 67, Idaho Code, those benefits may include expedited processing of license applications and credit for military training that is relevant to the occupational license/registration being applied for. This is a significant reduction in regulatory hurdles and will meaningfully impact Veterans, military members and their families as more become aware of this benefit." -- Marv Hagedorn, Idaho Division of Veterans Services chief administrator

Illinois   "Illinois' newest benefit is the Veteran designation for Illinois state driver's licenses. This has quickly become our most popular benefit in terms of the number of Veterans who have obtained it. Our most popular monetary benefit is the Illinois Veterans Grant/Illinois National Guard Grant." -- Linda Chapa LaVia, director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs.

Indiana  Indiana has several property tax deductions. Indiana has $14,000 deduction for Veterans that served during peace time or the surviving spouse of a service member that was killed in action or died during active duty. The Veteran must be totally disabled or must be 62 years old with a 10% service-connected disability rating. There is an assessed value limit of $200,000. There's a $24,960 deduction for wartime Veterans with at least a 10% service-connected disability rating. There is no assessed value limit for this benefit. A Veteran who served during a period of war and is at least 62 years old with a 10% service-connected disability rating OR has a permanent and total service-connected disability rating at any age AND whose home's assessed value is $200,000 or less, can receive both property tax deductions for a total of $38,960.

Iowa  "We receive the least applications for the Brandstead-Reynolds Scholarship Program, which provides post-secondary educational scholarships for children of deceased military service members who died on active duty after Sept. 11, 2001; and our War Orphan Tuition Assistance Program." -- Karl J. Lettow, public information

Kansas  "One of the best kept secrets for Kansas Veterans is internment opportunities at our four beautiful Veterans cemeteries strategically located throughout the state. These facilities provide burial options for the Veteran and their eligible dependents." -- Heidi Goff, state Veteran cemeteries manager

Kentucky  "We are justly proud of our free benefits counseling by our VA-accredited expert benefits representatives stationed throughout the state. But because many Veterans never seek state or federal benefits, Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs currently represents only 13% of Kentucky Veterans. We are making sustained outreach efforts through the Call Us First promotion and attending Veteran events and meetings throughout the state." -- Donna Scrivener, Benefits Branch manager.

Louisiana   "Our most underused state benefit is our Military Family Assistance Fund. This benefit can provide financial support to Louisiana Veterans and their families when they experience financial hardships. The MFA can pay up to $10,000 for one claim per active-duty order in a 12-month period. Applicants must submit a completed application to Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs and include all required supporting documentation, as certain criteria applies. The MFA is funded 100% by private donations from individuals and corporations." -- Joey Strickland, Secretary, Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs

Maine   "The most underused benefit that is offered by the State of Maine is the Veterans Dependent Education Benefit. While this specific benefit is only offered to those Veterans who have received a 100% Permanent and Total Disability rating from the State of Maine, many Veterans who qualify do not utilize the benefit. The dependents and spouses of qualifying Veterans are provided a 100% waiver of tuition and all mandatory fees for spouses and dependents of Veterans at all University of Maine System Schools, Maine Community Colleges, and Maine Maritime Academy." -- David Richmond, director, Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services

Maryland  "The Hire Our Veterans Act of 2017 created the Hire Our Veterans Tax Credit Program for employers. This underutilized program enables Maryland employers who qualify to receive an income tax credit equal to 30% of up to the first $6,000 of wages paid to a qualified Veteran employee during the first year of employment." -- George Owings, secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs

Massachusetts    Massachusetts officials did not submit information.

Michigan   "The most underused state benefit in Michigan is the Children of Veterans Tuition Grant. This grant provides undergraduate tuition assistance to students ages 17-25 who are the natural or adopted child of a Michigan Veteran. The Veteran must have died or have become totally and permanently disabled as a result of military service. The families of our Veterans are just as important to us as our Veterans, which is why we want to ensure that they take advantage of all of their benefits." -- Zaneta Adams, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency director

Minnesota   "Our most underused benefits are the three State Veterans Cemeteries and the Minnesota GI Bill, especially for licensing and certifications." -- Larry Herke, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs

Mississippi   "When it comes to the most underused state benefit, look no further than the Mississippi Veterans Home Purchase Board. They provide low-interest mortgage loans in amounts up to $250,000 for eligible Veterans and unmarried surviving spouses to purchase an existing home or to construct a new one." -- Stacey Pickering, executive director of Mississippi Veterans Affairs

Missouri   "With a philosophy of honoring our Veterans for their service and sacrifice, the Missouri Veterans Commission has created a network of Veterans cemeteries so that every Missouri Veteran will have reasonable access to a Veterans cemetery. There are five cemeteries in operation at this time; Springfield, Higginsville, Jacksonville, Bloomfield and Fort Leonard Wood." -- Ryon Richmond, acting executive director, Missouri Veterans Commission

Montana    "One of Montana's most underused state benefits is the free pass to access State Parks along with a free hunting and fishing license for disabled Veterans." -- Kelly Ackerman, administrator, Montana Veterans Affairs Division

Nebraska  "The most underused state benefit is the Reservist Tuition Credit. Nebraska residents who are enlisted members of the Nebraska--based unit of the Active Selected Reserve may be eligible for a 50% tuition credit to the University of Nebraska campuses, state colleges and community colleges." -- John Hilgert, Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs director

Nevada   "Nevada provides Veterans preference for those who identify as a Veteran owned business. When completing the form from the Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED), simply indicate Veteran-Owned Small Business (SB) (VOSB), Service-Disabled VOSB (SDVOSB), Veteran-Owned (VO), or Service-Disabled VO." -- Julie Dudley, communications director

New Hampshire   "New Hampshire's most underused benefit is the New Division of Veteran Services. Far too often the Veterans in New Hampshire do not know that the office exists and that it exists to assist them with their claims with the VA." -- William Gaudreau, director, New Hampshire Division of Veteran Services

New Jersey   "The most underused state benefit is the New Jersey Catastrophic Entitlement. Eligible Veterans/surviving spouses receive a monthly entitlement of $62.50. A Veteran must be a New Jersey resident in receipt of a permanent service-connected disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that resulted from wartime service resulting in one of the following catastrophic disabilities: loss of sight; amputation of both hands, both feet or one hand and one foot; hemiplegia and permanent paralysis of one leg and one arm on either side of the body; paraplegia and permanent paralysis of both legs and lower parts of the body; osteochondritis and permanent loss of use of both legs; multiple sclerosis and the loss of use of both feet or both legs; quadriplegia." -- Patricia A. Richter, acting director, Division of Veterans Services

New Mexico  The most underused state benefit by Veterans in New Mexico is the Free State Parks, Monuments, and Museums Pass for Disabled Veterans. This benefit provides any Veteran rated 50% or higher service-connected disabled with free admission to any state monument or museum. Last year, the agency processed 1,080 applications for this benefit.

New York   "New York's most underused state benefit is the Access to Home for Heroes run by Homes and Community Renewal. This program provides financial assistance to make dwelling units accessible for low- and moderate-income Veterans living with a disability." -- Joel Evans, executive deputy director, New York State Division of Veterans' Services

North Carolina   "The most underused North Carolina state benefit is property tax relief for adaptative automobiles." -- Martin Falls, chief deputy secretary for the North Carolina Department of Military and Veteran Affairs

North Dakota   "The most underused state benefit is the loan program [of the] North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs." -- Lonnie Wangen, commissioner The Veterans Aid Fund is a permanent fund to be used solely for the purpose of making loans to Veterans or their widow/widowers. Learn more on the North Dakota veteran website.

Ohio  "The Ohio National Guard offers tuition assistance at over 150 Ohio colleges and universities for Veterans who serve in an enlisted drilling status with the Guard -- up to four semesters of full time tuition for a three-year commitment, and up to eight semesters for a six-year commitment." -- Sean McCarthy, assistant director, Department of Veterans Services

Oklahoma    Oklahoma veteran officials did not submit information.

Oregon   "Oregon has been offering a state home loan to Veterans since 1945. Not only are Veterans eligible for considerably lower than market interest rates, borrowers can use their home loan benefit up to four times over their lifetime. ODVA services all Veteran home loans, so loans closed under this program will never be transferred. Oregon is one of only five states that offers a Veteran home loan benefit that is separate and distinct from the federal VA Home Loan Guaranty." -- Cody Cox, Oregon Veteran Home Loan manager

Pennsylvania   "A lesser-known but very valuable benefit offered by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is the Blind Veterans Pension. This program, which only has about 100 enrolled Veterans, provides eligible blind Veterans a pension of $150 per month. Our goal is to continue to identify and enroll every eligible Veteran who deserves this benefit because of their service and sacrifice." -- Joel H. Mutschler, director of the Bureau of Veterans Programs, Initiatives, Reintegration, and Outreach

Rhode Island   "The most underused state benefit is eligible active duty military and Veterans receive in-state tuition rates at University of Rhode Island, Community College of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College immediately upon establishing residence in Rhode Island." -- Kasim Yarn, director, Rhode Island Office of Veterans Services

 South Carolina   South Carolina provides a tuition waiver for qualified children of certain military Veterans applying to or enrolled in a South Carolina state supported college, university or post high school technical education school; or acceptance into a dual enrollment/early college credit program prior to graduating high school. Qualifying Veterans and students must meet certain residency requirements. "There is a lot of confusion surrounding this particular benefit on the Federal and State level. We aim to provide education and support for our Veterans and tuition assistance for their children, to help families understand what is offered to them, specifically here in South Carolina." -- Stanley Foreman, director of Administration for the South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs.

South Dakota   The most underused state benefit in South Dakota is education benefits. South Dakota support the success of Veterans, current military members and their families. They work to secure both state and federal educational benefits.  "Now, more than ever, we need to keep our sleeves rolled up and work collectively to ensure our Veterans have a successful journey as they transition into civilian life." -- Greg Whitlock, Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs. Whitlock encourages Veterans to contact their local county or tribal Veterans service officers or the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs office (605-773-3269) to learn more about their benefits.

Tennessee   "United States military training is rigorous and provides world class instruction, and it is only appropriate that our colleges recognize this training and provide a head start on attaining a college credential. The TN-SOP tool will provide transparent information to service members and Veterans, continuing our efforts to be the most Veteran friendly higher education system in the nation." -- Tennessee Higher Education Commission Executive Director Mike Krause

Texas "More and more of those transitioning out of the military are seeking careers in established companies. For those who don't, those wanting to start their own business, we'd like them to know about our entrepreneur program. We can help develop business plan, organize financing and more." -- Kevin Barber, commissioner of the Texas Veterans Commission.

Utah   "The ACE Program is designed to assist Utah Veterans, actively drilling members of the Guard and Reserve and their respective spouses, overcome barriers to employment or better employment by assisting them in attaining certificates and licenses using their military training and experience or by assisting with short-term training. The ACE Program is intended to provide an avenue for eligible participants to gain employment in the civilian job market by capitalizing on their past experience, training and knowledge or by assisting them with short-term training that leads to a certificate or license." -- Gary Harter, executive director of Utah's Department of Veterans and Military Affairs

Vermont  "The most underused state benefit is free daily passes to Vermont State Parks. Apply through your local town clerk." -- Robert E. Burke, director, Office of Veterans Affairs

Virginia   "The Virginia Transition Assistance Program (VTAP) is the most underused state benefit. VTAP offers transitioning service members and their spouses the best Virginia has to offer. By providing peer-to-peer support through the transition process, VTAP works alongside the transitioning service member or spouse to make referrals that address their specific needs. The referral services could include, but are not limited to resume review, introduction to the Virginia Labor Market, connection with Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified companies for employment, and other VDVS programs. VTAP serves those seeking employment and/or entrepreneurship opportunities in Virginia or enrollment in one of Virginia's GI Bill approved institutions." -- Annie Walker, deputy commissioner for Virginia Department of Veterans Services

Washington  "Washington Department of Veterans Affairs Olympia Call Center, which helps the user understand the state and federal benefits, connects Veterans to their earned disability compensation/pension and health care, and makes referrals to other local services." -- Liza Narciso, assistant to the director, Washington Department of Veterans Affairs

West Virginia  "The Jack Bennett Fund will pay up to $380 to cover the cost of installing grave markers for Veteran families unable to have the marker installed." -- Cabinet Secretary Dennis Davis

Wisconsin  "The WDVA recently increased access for Veterans to our Assistance to Needy Veterans Grant program, which provides subsistence payments and other health grants to low income Veterans in need of emergency financial aid. Recently Wisconsin suspended several provisions of the program that would prevent or delay payments to Veterans who have experienced a loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic, giving us the flexibility to help as many Veterans as possible during this challenging time." -- Donald Placidi Jr., Division of Veterans Benefits administrator, Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs

Wyoming "The most underused state benefit is the honorary high school diploma. We haven't had a request in over three years." -- Tim Sheppard, executive director, Wyoming Veterans Commission The following individuals who have attended a Wyoming high school, entered military service on the dates specified below prior to completing necessary high school graduation requirements and who did not receive a high school diploma, may apply to the state superintendent of public instruction for an honorary high school diploma: An honorably discharged Veteran of World War II who served in the U.S. military between Dec. 8, 1941, and Aug. 14, 1945; An honorably discharged Veteran of the Korean War, who served in the U.S. military between June 27, 1950, and July 28, 1953; An honorably discharged veteran of the Vietnam War, who served in the U.S. military between Feb. 28, 1961, and Aug. 15, 1973.

^ Veterans should use all Local, State and Federal Benefits that they are qualified for. More needs to be done to make the different programs known to the Veteran-Community. ^

https://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits/these-are-most-underutilized-veteran-benefits-each-state.html

Socks And Sandals

From the DW:

“Germans, socks and sandals: An exploration of the cliché”

Combining socks with sandals is now a mainstream trend. But even back when it was a fashion no-go, Germans couldn't have cared less. We look into the stereotype, as well as Germany's strong tradition of ugly sandals. Wearing socks with sandals used to be the absolute fashion faux pas. If it's hot enough to wear sandals, critics would claim, why would you need to wear socks with them? And isn't the non-waterproof combination absolutely useless in muddy situations or if it starts raining? Most crucially, a bunch of people simply feel the combination is an eyesore. For years, several Germans were nevertheless oblivious to the fact that they were ridiculed for wearing white socks with their old-school leather sandals. Those Germans weren't the only ones associated with the look; it was adopted worldwide, usually by older people unconcerned by the basic commandments of fashion. Still, the German habit was turned into a national stereotype that's still perpetuated today: For instance, in the DW series of cartoons That's so German, artist Miguel Fernandez also refers to the cliche. The cultural phenomenon therefore deserves further exploration. Are Germans really at the origin of the combination formerly vetoed by the international fashion police?

Trendsetters from the antiquity    The internet does not reveal much about the origins of the Teutonic cliche. There's a Wikipedia page on "Socks and sandals" in English and a few other languages — but it doesn't even exist in German — yet. It mentions that the earliest documented evidence of wearing socks and sandals together was found through an Ancient Roman archaeological site in North Yorkshire, England. An analysis of the remains of a sandal determined that Romans were already doing it 2,000 years ago.   Actual Romano-Egyptian socks, divided at the toe and designed to be worn with sandals, were excavated from a burial site in Egypt at the end of the 19th century. Estimated to have been made in the 4th to 5th century, they have been part of the collection of the V&A Museum in London since 1900 The Japanese developed their own style of the combination too, as points out fashion historian Birgit Haase, professor at the university HAW Hamburg. Dating back to the 15th century, traditional tabi socks were also specifically designed to be worn with thonged footwear. Donned by men and women in different contexts, they are still part of formal attire for tea ceremonies, for example.

German tourists established the cliché    In comparison, the socks-and-sandals combination does not appear in German traditional dress, even though knee-high socks are prominent when men wear lederhosen. It's rather through German tourists that the image became widespread, according to Lena Sämann, head of the fashion department of Vogue Germany online. "They would climb mountains wearing tennis socks and trekking sandals, astonishing Southern Europeans," she told DW. For years, Germans were the world's top travelers, but they still wanted to feel comfortable and "at home" while abroad, which is probably why they'd pick footwear that felt like their slippers, Sämann says. The fashion editor also points out that "Germans like to be prepared and equipped for every situation. They've always had a soft spot for functional clothing — often adopting it in partner look. By wearing socks in their trekking sandals, they probably don't get blisters on their feet as quickly."  Fashion historian Birgit Haase also mentions another practical reason for the combination: Socks absorb sweat in sandals — so they're not as useless as they first appear.

Sandals with a strong tradition    If it's unclear when the cliche of the socks-and-sandals wearer became associated with Germans, the country has a well-documented history as a master of orthopedic sandals. Birkenstock is obviously one of the world's most famous brands in this field. German shoemaker Johann Adam Birkenstock established his family business in 1774. Their shoes with a cork insole were developed by 1945, and the first model resembling today's widespread Birkenstock sandal was invented in 1964. The shoe's iconic status is largely due to the German-American designer Margot Fraser. While on a spa trip to Germany in 1966, she discovered how comfortable the sandals were. She started selling them in California in the 1960s, where they became popular among hippies. In the 1980s, Fraser turned the brand into a multimillion-dollar business in the US. Today in North America, wearers of socks and sandals are rather seen as a West Coast phenomenon, satirized for instance through characters in the "Portlandia" television series and countless memes. Another German orthopedic sandal with a cork wedge in the sole has recently gained popularity. The Wörishofer was developed in the Bavarian spa town of Bad Wörishofen in the 1940s. When Hollywood stars such as Kirsten Dunst and Maggie Gyllenhaal were spotted wearing them by 2010, the brand was added to the list of "ugly" shoes that became trendy, alongside Birkenstocks, Crocs and Ugg boots.

Initially shower sandals, streetwear today: The Adilette   Meanwhile, the German footwear giant Adidas is behind another cult sandal. Its Adilette slides were designed in 1963 at the request of athletes who wanted a shoe they could wear in locker rooms and showers. With its orthopedic rubber sole and striped top, the iconic poolside model has since moved to the streets, and is often worn with socks too.

Are you hip enough?    "Now on the streets of Berlin you'll find at every corner youths who look like the reincarnation of the formerly typical German tourist — wearing shorts, a fishing hat, tennis socks and trekking sandals," says Vogue's Sämann. Over the past few years, countless lifestyle magazines have been enthusiastically reporting that the former fashion no-go is now the hip thing to do. Main bonus points of the trend: It gives more exposure to those expensive designer socks, while hiding unsightly toes. Since at least 2010, labels including Miu Miu, Wood Wood and Vetements have been dressing their models with socks and sandals on the runway. The combo's popularity grew among hipsters who, inspired by normcore and irony, would adopt "purposely uncool" looks. From Justin Bieber to Tyler the Creator, from Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen to M.I.A., superstars have been sporting the pairing as well. But can everyone pull off the tricks of high fashion labels, post-ironic hipsters and eccentric celebrities? The socks-and-sandals combination is bound to remain an eternal debate — one that those pioneering German tourists never cared to take part in.

^ I lived in Germany twice and have visited several times since and can clearly say that it is NEVER a good idea to wear socks with sandals. If you want to cover your feet with socks then wear shoes. ^

https://www.dw.com/en/germans-socks-and-sandals-an-exploration-of-the-cliche/a-49689654

Pet Theft Crime

From the BBC:

“Government rejects calls to make 'spiralling' pet theft a crime”

Calls to make pet theft a specific criminal offence have been rejected by ministers, who say it is covered by existing laws. Campaigners argue stiffer penalties are needed to deter thieves. And a petition urging government to act has gathered more than 250,000 names. But the Labour MP who chairs the Commons Petitions Committee said pet theft was "spiralling" upwards and described the government's response as "incredibly disappointing". In a letter to Justice Secretary Robert Buckland, Catherine McKinnell said: "Pet theft is a truly callous crime. It strikes at the heart of families and the evidence is showing that every year the government fails to take action the problem is getting worse. She said ensuring sentencing options were available to courts would act "as a real deterrent for those who commit pet theft crimes".

'Through the roof'    In reply, Mr Buckland said: "The government fully understands the deep distress caused by the theft of a much-loved family pet and the importance of dealing with pet theft given this impact it can have on owners. "However, I should reiterate that stealing a pet is already a criminal offence under the Theft Act 1968 for which the maximum penalty is seven years' imprisonment." He said the government was "satisfied" that the existing law was sufficient and had no plans to introduce a new specific offence to deal with the theft of pets. Giving evidence to the Petitions Committee in June, editor of Dogs Today magazine, Beverley Cuddy, said instances of pet theft during the coronavirus lockdown had "gone through the roof". "Unfortunately in lockdown everyone wanted a dog and the prices went up and up and the criminals looked at those figures and looked at all those people who wanted dogs and put two and two together," she said. She said a tougher deterrent was needed, arguing: "They have taken a member of the family hostage and by not having anything in place which makes this a serious crime we are enabling the most emotionally draining thing to happen to people."

^ Pet Theft should be a separate crime in the UK and everywhere else. ^

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-53594765

VA Hiding Probe

From Military.com:

“VA Facilities Continue to Hide Doctors' Misconduct, Probes Find”

A Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Richmond, Virginia, rehired a pathologist who had been previously fired for failing to diagnose or misdiagnosing cancer in at least a dozen patients, the VA Office of Inspector General reported Wednesday. None of the incidents were reported as adverse events to patient safety officials at the facility, the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, including one involving a patient whose misdiagnosis caused their condition to worsen, later requiring advanced medical treatment. The report is the second in two days from the VA OIG to expose physician failures at VA hospitals that went unchecked by administrators. On Tuesday, the VA OIG released a report finding that the department took nine months to fire an emergency room contract physician who, after deciding a patient was "malingering" and "ranting," called VA police to have the patient escorted off property and said they could go "shoot [themselves]. I do not care." The veteran died by suicide six days later from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

In 2017, the Government Accountability Office reported that VA medical center officials regularly failed to investigate complaints lodged against providers or waited months to look into allegations. The report also found that when the VA revoked doctors' privileges, officials often failed to inform state licensing boards or a national database, allowing the doctors to practice elsewhere. The VA also sometimes reached settlements with physicians that allowed them to resign in exchange for not reporting their errors. In subsequent congressional hearings on the issue, VA officials pledged to address the problems, including reporting adverse actions at the state and national levels. But the OIG report released Wednesday indicates that hospital officials continue to engage in cover-ups. According to the report, the hospital's Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Services chief wasn't even aware of the VA's requirement to report the misdiagnoses to higher-ups. Senior officials also weren't aware they were supposed to participate in a state licensing review board process following the incidents. The physician was fired but appealed the termination. In March 2019, the doctor was rehired, and clinical privileges were restored. As of last September, the physician continued to work at Hunter Holmes McGuire as an investigation was ongoing into his or her ability to turn around surgical readings in a timely manner. Likewise, at the Washington, D.C., VA Medical Center, officials failed to dismiss the physician, a contractor, who verbally abused the suicidal veteran even though other employees reported the incident and the doctor had been the subject of other reports of "verbal misconduct." The report noted that the doctor remained as a physician at the VA because reviews found his or her care of patients to be sufficient. The Washington, D.C., VA eventually ended the physician's contract, according to the report. President Donald Trump frequently touts changes that his administration has made to "fix" the VA, including accountability legislation approved in 2017 that accelerated the process for firing workers for misconduct or poor performance, as well as shortening the time employees have for processing appeals. "I signed the VA Accountability Act into law, and we've removed more than 9,000 VA workers who were not giving our veterans the care, respect, attention that they've earned. And now that we have accountability -- it's 'accountability;' a very nice word -- if an employee of the government mistreats our veterans in any way, does something wrong, isn't good for the VA, the secretary looks at them and says, "You're fired. Get out," Trump said in a speech June 17 to introduce his plan for reducing veteran suicides. The OIG reports this week, however, indicate that the VA still struggles to hold physicians accountable and to protect veteran patients or the public, in cases of physicians who go on to practice at civilian facilities after leaving the department. In Richmond, VA officials failed to conduct a state licensing board review and in Washington, D.C., the doctor was never reported to the state and national boards that record physician misconduct. "Facility leaders did not report [the Washington, D.C.] physician to the State Licensing Board or National Practitioner Data Bank. Although facility leaders did not conduct a formal investigation, they removed [the physician] from the VA contract ... and therefore, facility leaders had a duty to report," the VA OIG wrote. "Neither the former Facility Director nor the Chief of Staff completed all elements of a [VA]-required review upon discovery of the subject pathologist's 'egregious performance,'" the VA OIG wrote.

^ The VA has a long way to go before it can claim to be providing Veterans with quality care. The constant Government Reports confirm that. ^

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/07/29/va-facilities-continue-hide-doctors-misconduct-probes-find.html

CDN Education Plans

From the CBC:

“Back to school: How provinces are planning for start of school year during pandemic”

A look at what the provinces have said about getting kids back to classes this fall. Plans are being made across the country for how to safely send students back to school in the fall as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

Here's a look at what the various provinces have said about getting kids back to classes.

British Columbia   Education Minister Rob Fleming said most students from kindergarten to Grade 12 are to return to B.C. schools starting Sept. 8. He said students will be organized into learning groups to reduce the number of people they come in contact with. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said groups for elementary and middle-school students will be no larger than 60 people and secondary school groups will face a maximum of 120. School districts are to post final back-to-school details online by Aug. 26.

Alberta   The province is planning to fully reopen schools this fall. Premier Jason Kenney said experience in other jurisdictions, as well as with pilot projects in summer schools, suggests that kindergarten to Grade 12 classes can resume safely. Schools with no outbreak will rely on measures such as hand sanitizers at school and classroom entrances, more frequent cleaning and grouping students into cohorts to reduce contact. Students and teachers will be required to stay home if sick. Masks will be optional. Measures will be tightened if an outbreak occurs and class sizes could be reduced to 20. Some schools will stagger class times to reduce the number of students in the halls at any one time. Others will designate entrance or exit doors and replace water fountains with bottle-filling stations. Education officials are to release screening protocols and detailed re-entry plans closer to the start of classes.

Saskatchewan  The province said a team composed of public health, education department and teacher representatives is working to provide school divisions with more precise directions by August.

Manitoba  The Manitoba government said most students are to be back in classrooms on Sept. 8, but there will be new guidelines to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. All students from kindergarten to Grade 8 are to have in-class instruction five days a week. High school students will also be in class full time, except in schools where there is inadequate space for physical distancing, in which case there will be some days of remote learning. Students will not be required to wear masks, but schools will be asked to ensure students are two metres apart as much as possible. Lunch and recess breaks are to be staggered to minimize congestion, and in many cases teachers will change classrooms instead of students. Buses will be running at reduced capacity, and parents will be asked to transport their children to school if they can.

Ontario   Ontario's elementary students and many high schoolers will return to school full time in September. But the province said high school students at two dozen boards — including the Toronto District School Board — will only attend class half the time, with a maximum class size of 15. Those students will receive "curriculum-linked independent work" on days when they are not in class. Elementary students will be in class full time come September, Ontario says. Meanwhile, elementary students will be in school full time, and their classes won't be broken up into smaller groups. Parents will also have the option to keep their kids out of class, and boards must provide options for remote learning. Masks will be mandatory for students in Grades 4 through 12 and will be strongly encouraged for younger kids when they're in indoor common areas.

Quebec  Quebec aims to have all elementary and high school students back in classrooms this fall with a backup plan should the number of COVID-19 cases spike. Students from preschool through Grade 9 are to return full time to classrooms that will include "bubbles" — groups of six students within a class that won't require any distancing at all. Otherwise, a one-metre distance will have to be maintained between students and a two-metre distance between students and staff. Teachers will move from classroom to classroom, but students will stay put. Authorities are also putting together an emergency protocol if there is a second wave of the novel coronavirus to ensure instruction continues online if schools are again forced to close. The plan is to include how to quickly distribute tablets or laptops to students needing them and an established digital platform to continue courses and maintain communication.

New Brunswick  Students in kindergarten to Grade 8 are to attend school full time, while those in Grades 9 to 12 are to be taught using a combination of online and in-class instruction. Education Minister Dominic Cardy said some classrooms may have smaller groupings. Arrivals, breaks and lunches are to be staggered. Public access to school buildings will be limited to students, school staff and those who receive permission in advance from the principal. Students face staggered starts, some smaller classes, and maybe different. schools in fall Students, staff and visitors will also be subject to screening, and anyone feeling ill will be instructed to stay home. High school students in New Brunswick will be expected to have their own laptop computer or similar device. Some subsidies will be available.

Prince Edward Island  Schools are to reopen for teachers and staff on Sept. 1 and to students on Sept. 8. Schools will stagger the entry and exit of students from the building. Lunch and recess breaks will be scheduled to keep students in smaller groups and avoid congestion in common areas. Schools could have different protocols in place, depending on enrolment, grade level and physical layout. Majority of P.E.I. parents, teachers worry home-based learning created gaps in education: survey. The provincial school food program will continue to be expanded next year. All food programs offered in schools will follow public health guidelines. Parents, students and staff will be asked to self-screen for any symptoms before entering a school. All staff and students will be asked to stay home if they are feeling unwell. School bus routes will be added to reduce the number of students on any one bus and parents will be asked to transport their children whenever possible. The province aims to have all elementary and high school students in classrooms by Sept. 8. Education Minister Zach Churchill said while the objective is for schools to return to 100 per cent capacity in the fall, the plan includes measures to address the possible advent of a second wave of COVID-19. Only students and staff will be permitted to enter school buildings. Lecture rooms will be reorganized to increase spacing between desks and students will be encouraged to limit contact with peers outside their own classroom. When possible, teachers will be asked to move their classes outdoors. Staff and students will be required to wear masks in common areas where physical distancing is difficult, such as hallways and buses, but not inside classrooms. Students will be asked to bring their own computers to school. The province said it has acquired an additional 14,000 computers to support those with limited access to technology. Children without high-speed internet are to receive assignments via telephone or a portable data storage device. If a COVID-19 outbreak occurs during the academic year, schools will move to a blended learning model with smaller class sizes and home learning for older students.

Newfoundland and Labrador  The province's back-to-school plan aims to maximize in-class attendance with the option of a return to remote learning if the COVID-19 risk increases. The plan is composed of three scenarios: in-class instruction, remote learning or a combination of both, depending on the COVID-19 risk in a particular community. Districts will be responsible for configuring classrooms and other spaces to maintain physical distancing, developing protocols for hygiene and isolating students who become ill. The Education Department is aiming to limit classroom attendance to 50 per cent when the COVID-19 risk in a community is considered low to moderate. Classroom priority will be given to students in kindergarten through Grade 6, to kids who have special needs and to children of essential workers. Increased online learning puts rural N.L. schoolchildren at 'a huge disadvantage,' say families. In the event of moderate-to-widespread transmission of COVID-19, school districts will move to online learning with a minimum number of hours of instruction each week on core curriculum. The plan includes health guidelines schools must follow, including regular deep cleaning of surfaces, physical distancing and grouping students by cohorts to minimize their interactions with others. Parents and guardians will be asked to go over a checklist at home regarding COVID-19 exposure and symptoms before sending their kids to school. Staff will be asked to review a similar questionnaire before going to work. The province said it will spend $20 million to purchase laptops for teachers and students in Grades 7 through 12 to support remote learning.

Yukon  The territorial government said it's making plans for the next school year that include flexibility around the number of students in classes if there's a second wave of COVID-19 or increased risk of transmission. Yukon said each school will determine how it will adjust its operations to meet those guidelines and the unique needs of each community. School principals and staff are expected to share that information prior to September. It says health and safety guidelines will include requirements for hand washing and hygiene, cleaning and maintaining safe distancing in schools, as well as protocols for school buses and managing illness and absences. Yukon teachers anxious about returning to school amid pandemic, union says.

Northwest Territories  A news release said education bodies in the territory are taking a flexible approach in their planning to account for a potential second wave of COVID-19 in the fall. It said schools are preparing to shift between in-person, distance and blended learning at short notice should there be active COVID-19 cases. Distance learning is also to be available for students who cannot attend school due to higher health risks, or in cases where schools must close temporarily due to serious health and safety concerns posed by COVID-19.

Nunavut  The Nunavut government said all schools will open as usual this fall. Cleaning will be enhanced, group activities limited and students won't be allowed to share food in lunchrooms. However, the territory said schools could shut part time if contact tracing were to identify a possible source of COVID-19. All schools would be closed if community transmission were to take place. Nunavut has no confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus.

^ It seems that every Province and Territory (except Saskatchewan which hasn't made any announcement) has a good reopening plan for their schools. ^

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/provinces-back-to-school-pandemic-1.5669376

Not Okay

I don't like when people reporting on Covid-19 deaths add "the death is related to a person in a long-term care facility." It makes it sound like it's okay and acceptable that the person died because they were in a Nursing Home, a Group Home, a Veteran's Home or a Disabled Home.

Isaias

From USA Today:

“Isaias forecast to become hurricane Friday; Tropical storm watch issued for Florida”

Isaias' rain was unleashing small landslides and causing widespread flooding and power outages across Puerto Rico. The projected path of the storm continues to keep most of Florida in its track. Isaias is the earliest ninth Atlantic named storm to form. After lashing portions of the Caribbean with rain and wind, Tropical Storm Isaias is now forecast to become a hurricane on Friday, the National Hurricane Center said. A tropical storm watch has been posted for parts of the east coast of Florida, as the projected path of the storm continues to keep most of Florida in its possible track. "Isaias is forecast to be near the central Bahamas Friday night and move near or over the Northwest Bahamas and near South Florida on Saturday," the hurricane center said.  The hurricane center added that "there is a risk of impacts from winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surge this weekend along the Florida east coast and spreading northward along the remainder of the U.S. east coast through early next week."  The forecast track of Tropical Storm Isaias shows it strengthening into a hurricane as it moves up the U.S. East Coast over the next few days. Isaias is a large cyclone with tropical-storm-force winds extending up to 240 miles from its center. Portions of Florida could start feeling tropical-storm-force winds as early as Friday night, but more likely Saturday morning, the National Weather Service said.  Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said residents could feel the impacts from the storm into early next week. He encouraged everyone to prepare by having at least seven days of supplies.

On Thursday, Isaias' rain unleashed small landslides and causing widespread flooding and power outages across Puerto Rico. The storm knocked out power to more than 400,000 customers across Puerto Rico, according to the island’s Electric Power Authority. Minor damage was reported elsewhere in the island, where tens of thousands of people still use tarps as roofs over homes damaged by Hurricane Maria in September 2017. As of 5 p.m. ET, Isaias had 60 mph winds and was centered about about 250 miles southeast of the southeastern Bahamas, according to the hurricane center. It was moving west northwest at 20 mph, and its center was expected to move over Hispaniola (which consists of the countries of Haiti and the Dominican Republic) later on Thursday and near the southeastern Bahamas by early Friday. Isaias is the earliest ninth Atlantic named storm to form in an Atlantic hurricane season, according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach. The previous record was Irene on Aug. 7, 2005, Klotzbach tweeted. So far this year, Cristobal, Danielle, Edouard, Fay, Gert and Hanna have also been the earliest named Atlantic storms for their alphabetic order.

^ Just what the US and the South doesn’t need on top of everything else – an early Hurricane Season. ^

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/07/30/tropical-storm-isaias-track-impact-florida-east-coast-weekend/5544369002/

Woman And The Draft

From Military.com:

“A Short History of Women and the Draft”

On Dec. 1, 1969, Curtis W. Tarr turned a drum full of 366 blue lottery numbers inside the Commerce Department's auditorium in Washington, D.C. It seemed like the whole country was watching the bureaucrat. CBS even interrupted its nightly schedule to show what was about to happen. Tarr, director of the Selective Service System, was ready to pull out a lottery number at random and change thousands of American lives by forcing military-age males into service -- maybe even the war in Vietnam. In all, seven draft lotteries were held, the last in March 1975. But the lotteries applied only to men. When President Jimmy Carter revived the idea of a revised draft system in 1980, he recommended including women; however, Congress wasn't keen on the idea. In the latest episode of Military.com's Left of Boom podcast, Managing Editor Hope Hodge Seck talks about America's history with Selective Service -- and women registering for it -- with Joe Heck, a former Republican congressman from Nevada, physician and U.S. Army Reserve brigadier general. Heck is currently the chair of the National Commission on Military, National and Public service. He led the congressional commission that completed a multi-year study addressing whether the United States should have a draft system and if women should register for the first time ever.

The 11-member bipartisan commission held hearings in 42 cities across more than 20 states over two years. It provided 49 recommendations in its review of the Selective Service process to "consider methods to increase participation in military, national, and public service to address national security and other public service needs of the nation." One of those recommendations is to amend the Military Selective Service Act -- first established in 1948 -- to include the registration of women. Anti-war groups have criticized the idea. But men's rights groups have challenged the male-only law in federal courts, and one judge ruled that excluding women is unconstitutional. When the Supreme Court took up the issue in 1981, it reasoned that excluding women was justified if they can't even serve in combat. Almost 30 years later, that justification is gone.

President Franklin Roosevelt wanted to start conscripting women as early as 1945 because the U.S. military was experiencing a dire shortage of nurses. When FDR mentioned conscripting nurses in his State of the Union Address, they responded by enlisting -- making a draft unnecessary.

After World War II, with the threat of war with Russia looming, Gen. Dwight Eisenhower publicly stated his belief in the need for a universal draft system. In a hearing before the House Committee on Armed Services in 1948, he said, "I am convinced that in another war they have got to be drafted just like men. I am convinced of that."

Women were still not drafted for Korea or Vietnam, though some 120,000 of them served on active duty during the Korean War, according to the Korean War Legacy Foundation. A third of those were in health care positions, including frontline Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals.

A further 11,000 women served in Vietnam, nearly all volunteers and most of them nurses, though they did fill other positions, such as doctors, intelligence officers, clerks, air traffic controllers and more. At least eight military women and 59 civilian women died in Vietnam.

Women weren't officially allowed to serve in combat roles until December 2015, a full 34 years after the Supreme Court ruled that the Selective Service law was justified as long as they weren't allowed in combat. Five years later, Heck and his committee found they should register for the draft. "The recommendation was based on two broad, strategic imperatives," Heck told Seck. "The first was about standards. It should all be about standards." He was talking about the 71% of American males who are ineligible for military service due to everything from physical and mental health issues to criminal records. "It doesn't make sense to exclude 50% of the population when only 29% of the eligible population is qualified," Heck said. The second imperative that led to the commission's recommendation was about equality, especially equality in the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship, he added. "Every American enjoys rights that are enshrined in the Constitution," Heck said. "Therefore, every American should have the responsibility to defend those rights when endangered." This doesn't mean that women (or actually, anyone) could be called up for military service right away. The Selective Service System is responsible for maintaining records and data associated with those who are eligible to be drafted for service. To actually draft anyone, Congress would have to create legislation that would then have to be signed into law by the president.

^ Since 2015 there is no valid or legal reason why American Women should not have to register for the Selective Service as Men have to. There hasn’t been a Draft since 1973 and I don’t see the US ever having one again (if we didn’t bring it back after the 9-11 Attacks we aren’t going to bring it back for any other reason.) It would be political suicide for any Politician to support the return of the Draft. With that said, if Women want to be treated 100% equal to Men then they need to be included in Registering for the Selective Service. It is all well and good to use words to say you want equality and another to have concreate actions – like the Selective Service Registration – to prove you are equal. ^

https://www.military.com/off-duty/short-history-of-women-and-draft.html

Russia In Belarus

From the MT:

“Russian Mercenaries in Belarus: All You Need to Know”

The Moscow Times spoke with Russian and Belarussian analysts about the latest shock development in Belarus. Belarus has arrested 33 Russian mercenaries allegedly plotting to destabilize the country ahead of next month's presidential election. Belarus' KGB security service said the detained men were members of the Wagner group, a shadowy private military firm reportedly controlled by an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin which promotes Moscow's interests in Ukraine, Syria, Libya and a number of other countries. The shock announcement is just the latest twist in an extraordinary election campaign that has seen President Alexander Lukashenko, who has dominated Belarus for nearly three decades, jail his key would-be rivals ahead of the vote.

Here’s all you need to know and wanted to ask about the allegations:

How were the Wagner mercenaries caught?   State news agency Belta said the authorities had received information about the arrival of 200 fighters in Belarus "to destabilize the situation during the election campaign." The ex-Soviet country's security services on Wednesday arrested a group of 32 Russian fighters as well as one other man in a different location. On Thursday morning, Belarus security council chief Andrei Ravkov said a criminal probe had been launched and that the men face charges of preparing "terrorist acts." He said "a search is going on" to find the others, complaining that it was "like looking for needles in a haystack."

Did Belarus authorities know about their presence in advance?   Descriptions of the men indicate that they were not trying to keep a low profile. Their behavior was "uncharacteristic for Russian tourists" because they didn't drink and their "uniform military-style clothing" drew attention, Belta said.  Analysts say it would have been virtually impossible for Lukashenko to be unaware of the Wagner mercenaries' presence. “Lukashenko, of course, was aware of why the Wagner fighters were in Minsk and where they were heading,” military correspondent Semyon Pegov wrote.

Are these people really Russian mercenaries?   Based on the information that has been revealed, yes. Belta released the names of all 33 men who were detained and Belarussian television aired several of their alleged passport photographs. “Our own independent research shows that they really are Wagner fighters,” Denis Korotkov, a journalist with the Novaya Gazeta newspaper who specializes in covering the Wagner Group, told The Moscow Times. “We have our own documents identifying a third of the soldiers. Nine names on the list are not known to us yet. Around 10 of them fought in Syria, and around the same number fought in Ukraine. It is harder to provide definite evidence of their involvement in African wars.”

What is Ukraine's role?  Ukraine's relations with Russia have been strained since 2014, when Moscow annexed the Crimean peninsula and conflict broke out between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists in the country's east. Ukraine's security service said Thursday it will seek to extradite the detained Russian fighters from Belarus. Authorities in Belarus later asked Kiev to verify whether any of the detained Russians were involved in crimes committed on Ukrainian territory.

How has Russia responded?   The Russian Embassy in Minsk said Wednesday it had been notified of the detention of 32 Russian nationals. On Thursday, the Kremlin denied trying to "destabilize" Belarus.

Experts have so far pushed forward three main theories as to what happened:    The Wagner soldiers were on their way to a third country from Belarus During the coronavirus pandemic, Belarus has kept its borders open and operated international flights as usual. Russians have used Belarus as a springboard to travel abroad as their own country has grounded international flights. This is “the most logical version” of events, Korotkov said. “It is not the usual route used by Wagner, but during the pandemic, it might be useful to use the country as a transit hub for a small number of soldiers.” The men may have been on their way to Sudan, where the Wagner Group is reportedly active. Video footage showed Sudanese currency among the detained men's belongings.  Military expert Pavel Luzin questioned whether the Wagner Group would use Belarus as a transport hub. “I don't really see how that would work,” he told the Republic news website. “Wagner is all under the roof of military intelligence. It is convenient for them to work from Russia. There are many quiet places here, many airports, and much easier. I'm not sure that the Russian military intelligence is so at ease in Belarus to start working with mercenaries on the spot there.” On Thursday, the Russian ambassador to Minsk said the men were in Belarus on their way to a third country and had stayed in a hotel after missing their flight. The whole thing is orchestrated (with or without Russian approval) to postpone the elections in Belarus Lukashenko is facing the toughest re-election bid of his 26 years in power in the Aug. 9 vote. Protests swept the country after his main election rivals were jailed or barred from running. As public discontent builds over his policies and handling of the coronavirus pandemic, protesters have rallied behind the wife of a jailed opposition candidate. Analysts say the detentions might give Lukashenko the excuse to either further clamp down on the opposition or cancel the election altogether. At an emergency meeting of all election candidates Thursday morning, Belarus officials said the rest of the 200 Russian militants are still in Belarus and that they are preparing terror attacks, but that the elections aren’t canceled yet. Belarus investigators on Thursday accused the mercenaries and top Lukashenko critics Sergei Tikhanovsky and Mikola Statkevich of plotting mass unrest ahead of presidential elections. Tikhanovsky, a popular blogger, was jailed last month, preventing him from submitting his own presidential bid. Opposition politician Statkevich was also jailed in the run-up to the election. Belarussian political scientist Valery Karbalevich told Republic that the Belarussian authorities may have brought in the Wagner fighters to “intimidate the public” and prevent mass protests on election day. He said two scenarios were most likely: Either the fighters were really flying somewhere in transit, or “Moscow is up to date and even participates in this game.”  “The case will not go to court,” Karbalevich said. Ultimately, Lukashenko could be painting himself into a difficult corner in which he’ll have to choose between offending Russia or the West, analysts say. “Releasing the fighters without trial would undermine his claims and be a slap in the face to both Ukraine and the United States, which has sanctioned several Wagner entities for their foreign interference efforts,” wrote Foreign Policy staff writer Amy MacKinnon. “Charging them risks provoking Russia’s ire.” If Russia was not privy to Belarus' strategy, Artyom Shaibran from the Carnegie Moscow Center believes the scandal could seriously damage the relationship between Putin and Lukashenko.

Russia wants to integrate Belarus into its territory    In recent years, the two countries have been in talks to integrate closer, even to the point of unifying into a single state. Despite being under increasing pressure to inch closer to Russia, Lukashenko has rejected the idea of outright unification with Moscow. On Wednesday, political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya cited an unnamed source as saying that Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev has been working with Prigozhin on a project exploring the idea of completely integrating Belarus into Russia’s territory. It’s unlikely that the Wagner mercenaries were in Belarus to advance this goal, however, Korotkov believed.  “These guys are field soldiers — they can fight but they are not experts of political provocations and they are not specialists in clandestine operations,” he said. “It’s unclear how they can cause instability within Belarus. The Belarussian army would easily overpower them.” Luzin, however, believes the Wagner mercenaries could be used as “proxies” that can act as civilian protesters, as was the case in eastern Ukraine in 2014. In general, Russia’s military doesn’t have many ways to intervene in Belarus as it has few bases there, Luzin said. “Russia is not going to let Belarus go anywhere: If the situation turns into a revolutionary, Moscow will intervene. If Lukashenko wants to transfer power to someone who doesn't suit Moscow, Russia will also intervene,” he told Republic.  Belarussian political expert Yury Tsarik cited anonymous sources as saying that more Russians could been sent to Belarussian cities in order to participate in the protests and further weaken Lukashenko's political position. "For Russia, this election is a very convenient moment to weaken Lukashenko; he has become uncomfortable for Moscow," he told The Moscow Times. "The unrest could prompt Lukashenko to impose tight measures and push Belarus toward Moscow, isolating it from the international community.”

What does this mean for the two countries' economic ties?    The traditional politico-economic relationship between Moscow and Minsk — a unique setup where Minsk offers “geopolitical loyalty in exchange for privileged economic relations,” as Yauheni Preiherman, director of the Minsk Dialogue Council on International Relations, has said — has already started to fray in recent years. Lukashenko has increasingly resisted a number of the Kremlin’s latest overtures to strengthen the political alliance through moves such as a single currency or more beefed-up supranational governance bodies, and in return Putin has come good on long-standing threats that Moscow’s cash and cut-price energy is not a gift without strings. Most recently, Minsk’s ploy to extract maximum financial support without ceding on the political front reached a head in late 2019 and 2020 during customary negotiations over energy prices and transit deals between the two sides and a series of high-profile summits between Lukashenko and Putin. Lukashenko demanded cheaper energy and compensation from Russia for tax changes which damaged Belarus’ finances. Putin — echoing Lukashenko had over the geopolitical initiatives — refused to budge. In a warning which now looks prescient, Artyom Shraibman said at the time: “The two countries are irrevocably set on a path of cooler and more pragmatic relations. This process may result in a situation that is healthier for both sides, but it’s unlikely to be without incident.

^ I believe that Russia (ie. Putin) knows exactly what he is doing with using the Wagner Group in Belarus and in other locations (like Ukraine.) He wants to put Belarus and Lukashenko in his place before the Belarussian Election. Putin doesn’t really try that hard to hide when he interferes in another country. ^

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/07/30/russian-mercenaries-in-belarus-all-you-need-to-know-a71020

Election On Nov. 3rd

From the BBC:

“Donald Trump suggests delay to 2020 US presidential election”

Donald Trump has suggested November's presidential election be postponed, saying increased postal voting could lead to fraud and inaccurate results. He floated a delay until people could "properly, securely and safely" vote. There is little evidence to support Mr Trump's claims but he has long railed against mail-in voting which he has said would be susceptible to fraud. US states want to make postal voting easier due to public health concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. Under the US constitution, Mr Trump does not have the authority to postpone the election himself. Any delay would have to be approved by Congress. The president does not have direct power over the two houses of Congress.

What did Trump say?    In a series of tweets, Mr Trump said "universal mail-in voting" would make November's vote the "most inaccurate and fraudulent election in history" and a "great embarrassment to the USA". He suggested - without providing evidence - that mail-in voting, as it is known in the US, would be susceptible to foreign interference. "The [Democrats] talk of foreign influence in voting, but they know that Mail-In Voting is an easy way for foreign countries to enter the race," he said. Mr Trump also said postal voting was "already proving to be a catastrophic disaster" in areas where it was being tried out. In June, New York allowed voters to vote by post in the Democratic primary poll for the party's presidential candidate. But there have been long delays in counting the ballots and the results are still unknown. US media report that there are also concerns that many ballots will not be counted because they were not filled in correctly or do not have postmarks on them that show they were sent before voting officially ended. However, several other states have long conducted votes by post. Donald Trump can't delay November's presidential election without Congress, partially controlled by the Democrats, first approving the decision. If he didn't already know this, someone has certainly told him by now. The president also must know that tweeting about a delay - even framed as an "I'm just asking!" question - is sure to ignite a political firestorm, particularly after he has repeatedly refused to say whether he'd accept an adverse result in the upcoming presidential election. Mr Trump appears to be doing everything in his power to undermine the credibility of November's vote, in which a record number of Americans are predicted to rely on mail-in voting to avoid the risk of exposure to the coronavirus. He's repeatedly made false and misleading claims about the reliability of the mail balloting and suggested broad conspiracy theories. Critics warn that he could be laying the groundwork for contesting the results - although the purpose may be simply to give him a scapegoat if he loses. His tweet could also be an attempt to divert attention away from the truly dismal second-quarter economic numbers just released. He's been relying on a financial turnaround to breathe life into his re-election campaign, and instead the outlook appears exceedingly gloomy. Whatever the reason, tweeting about an election delay is not the move of a candidate confident of victory - and could be a sign of more desperate moves to come.

What reaction has there been?    Quizzed by reporters on whether a president could delay the election, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he would not "enter a legal judgement on the fly". When pressed, he said the justice department would "make that legal determination", adding "we want an election that everyone is confident in". Ellen Weintraub, chairwoman of the US Federal Election Commission, said Mr Trump did not have the power to move the election - and added: "Nor should it be moved." She called for more funding for states to be able to run "the safe and secure elections all Americans want". Democrats have been condemning Mr Trump's suggestion. New Mexico Senator Tom Udall said there was "no way" the president could delay the election. "But the fact that he is even suggesting it is a serious, chilling attack on the democratic process. All members of Congress - and the administration - should speak out," he said. Illinois Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said the election would take place as scheduled "regardless of what conspiracy theories he tries to push". And New Jersey Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill told MSNBC that Congress set the election date and "we're not moving it". However Chris Stewart, a Republican congressman from Utah, said that while he did not support delaying the election, Mr Trump had a legitimate point about postal voting being hard to monitor. "Can you ensure the accuracy of mail-in voting? Now in some states you can. In my state in Utah, for example, we've been doing it for quite a while, but we're a small state with a relatively small population. It's harder to do on a national scale," he told the BBC.

Which states are holding postal votes?  Earlier this month, six US states were planning to hold "all-mail" ballot elections in November: California, Utah, Hawaii, Colorado, Oregon and Washington. Other states are considering it, according to a postal voting campaign group. These states will automatically send postal ballots to all registered voters, which then have to be sent back or dropped off on election day - although some in-person voting is still available in certain limited circumstances. About half of US states allow any registered voter to cast their ballot by post on request. Critics of postal voting argue that people could vote more than once via absentee ballots and in person. Mr Trump has in the past said there was a risk of "thousands and thousands of people sitting in somebody's living room, signing ballots all over the place". However, there is no evidence of widespread fraud, according to numerous nationwide and state-level studies over the years.

^ The Election Day is on November 3, 2020 this year and it should stay November 3^rd. We have not changed the date even in years with major disasters and wars. I do believe this year we won’t know who won for several days if not weeks and that no matter what Trump won’t accept the results. He has been giving “hints” for a while now that he won’t. ^

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53597975

Pulling Out

From Military.com:

“Nearly 12,000 US Troops Will Pull Out of Germany at Cost of Billions, SecDef Says”

Nearly 12,000 U.S. troops will be withdrawn or repositioned from Germany, with more than half of them returning to the U.S., under a long-term plan aimed at strengthening NATO's eastern flanks against Russia, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Wednesday. He gave no overall timetable for when the pullout would begin or be completed, but said some units could start moving "within weeks" while the withdrawal of others will depend on working out agreements with allies. However, "no moves will take place without thorough communication with our people" affected by the withdrawals and with Congress, Esper said. Last month, President Donald Trump directed that 9,500 troops be withdrawn from Germany, but Esper said the overall strategy requires the pullout and repositioning of 11,900, reducing the number of U.S. service members in Germany to about 24,000.

Of the 11,900 troops, about 6,400 will eventually return to the U.S. and the rest will be repositioned in other NATO countries, with an emphasis on Poland, the Baltic states and the Black Sea region to shift NATO's force posture more to the east, Esper said. The bulk of the troops returning to the U.S. will consist of the 4,500 members of the Army's 2nd Cavalry Regiment, a Stryker unit now garrisoned in Vilseck, Germany, he added. Esper said an unspecified fighter squadron and elements of a fighter wing now stationed in Germany will be moved to Italy. In addition, the Army's newly established 5th Corps headquarters is slated to move into Poland, and other units are being considered for stationing in Poland and the Baltic states, he continued. The 2,500 airmen now stationed at the U.K.'s RAF Mildenhall, who had been scheduled to reposition to Germany, will now stay put, Esper said. He had no immediate figures for the costs of the withdrawal, but said it could be in the "single digit" billions. Esper said the Defense Department will rely on the service branches to "assure the stability" of military families who will be making permanent change-of-station moves under the sweeping reorganization, adding that the families will be "informed well in advance" of any moves. The SecDef outlined the plan at a Pentagon briefing with Air Force Gen. John Hyten, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Air Force Gen. Tod Wolters, who doubles as NATO supreme commander and head of U.S. European Command. Under the plan, Wolters said his own EUCOM headquarters will move from Stuttgart, Germany, to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium. He added that EUCOM's Special Operations Command headquarters in Stuttgart will also move to Mons. Esper said the headquarters of U.S. Africa Command, which currently has about 2,000 personnel in Stuttgart, Germany, will also likely be moved to Belgium, although a final location has yet to be determined. Wolters said the plan calls for at least two Army battalions now stationed in Germany to move to Italy. He did not give a date but said the first to move will be the 52nd Civil Engineering Battalion. The demands for deterrence in Europe require speed of movement, which could better be handled by rotational forces coming from the U.S., Wolters said, adding, "This realignment allows us to favorably deter against Russia.

The Germany pullout has triggered bipartisan criticism from Congress, with Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, calling it a "gift" to Russian President Vladimir Putin. But Hyten said the plan to rely more on rotational forces going to Europe from the U.S. will boost the unpredictability of the overall deterrent. The plan will result in a better alignment of NATO and EUCOM forces and "provide Gen. Wolters increased ability to dynamically deploy his force," Hyten said. Hyten and Esper sought to portray the pullout plan as part of a long-term review of the posture of all the combatant commands, although Trump in announcing the withdrawal directive last month said it was aimed at Germany's refusal to spend more on national defense. Esper said that Trump's announcement had "accelerated" Pentagon planning "to reduce our footprint in Germany. We are still retaining a little more than 24,000 troops in Germany, which is still a lot, and more than any other country in Europe." The number of U.S. troops in Europe has "changed many times" over years, Esper said, and "we're now at another one of those inflection points in NATO's history." He added that Germany is one of the wealthiest countries in Europe "and should pay more for its defense." Planning for withdrawals from Germany began well before Trump gave the order in June, Esper said. "We began this process actually several months ago when I gave EUCOM direction to begin looking at ways to improve our force disposition in NATO," he said. "I'm telling you that this is going to accomplish what the president [ordered] with regard to getting us down to a lower number in Europe, and it meets those other objectives I laid out with regard to the strategic piece." At a June 24 White House meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda, Trump said that some of the U.S. troops withdrawn from Germany would return to the U.S. and some would go to Poland. There was also speculation at the time that some of the withdrawn troops would go to the Indo-Pacific region as a counter to China. Esper said there is still a possibility that some of the withdrawn troops will end up there. "They could be, but right now there are no plans to do so," he said.

^ It seems this withdrawal is going to happen sooner rather than later despite a worldwide pandemic and travel restrictions. ^

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/07/29/nearly-12000-us-troops-will-pull-out-of-germany-cost-of-billions-secdef-says.html