#COVID-19 financial assistance

[beingjellybeans]

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[renthony]

Just curious. How bad has Biden been at controlling COVID-19 in your view?

First: I already responded to a similar question you left on this post.

Second: Biden has been atrocious for COVID-19 safety and management. COVID-19 is still killing people, and our president has done a horribly insufficient job in mitigating that. "Better than the Republicans" is not the same thing as "good" or "effective." Biden's abysmal reaction to COVID-19 is part of why I'm so thrilled that the Uncommitted campaign for the Democratic primary has achieved some success. That particular campaign is focused on ceasefire in Palestine, but the People's CDC explained in a statement how Palestine is also very much a public health issue. We need to scare the bastard and actually do some of that "pushing him left" that people claimed they'd do after getting him elected. Though it seems to me like a lot of people just settled for, "okay, we got rid of Trump, we don't have to worry anymore."

Third: While I'm at it, people have to do more than vote. You have got to get involved. You have got to do more than participate in the presidential election once every four years. Join a union (may I recommend the IWW?), follow the guidance of The People's CDC, volunteer for your local Food Not Bombs, get involved in a tenants union like the Autonomous Tenants Union Network, read Riot Medicine, get trained in first aid and get involved in a street medic group, read up on your local politics and get involved on the small-scale, do something in addition to voting in the presidential election. Even if you're limited in how much you can personally participate, find the people who are talking about these issues and signal boost them, and share the information with others who may be more able to participate more. If you can tell people to go vote in the presidential election, you can also tell them to go do other things, too.

Now, with all of that out of the way, here are some links related to Biden's abysmal COVID-19 response:

During his 2020 campaign, Biden promised immediate $2K stimulus checks. Instead, he delivered $1,400. Sources: [x] [x] [x] [x] [x]

Velena Jones for NBC Bay Area: "‘Too expensive': Bay Area residents shocked over new COVID vaccine prices"

Reuters: "COVID vaccine manufacturers set list price between $120-$130 per dose"

Joseph Choi for The Hill: "Free COVID-19 test program to be suspended for now"

Disability activist Alice Wong writing for TeenVogue: "Covid Isn't Going Anywhere. Masking Up Could Save My Life," and the follow-up article, "COVID and the 2024 Election: What Biden and Democrats Owe High-Risk People."

Laura Weiss writing for The New Republic: "Democrats Can't Keep Ignoring Covid in 2024."

David Cohen and Adam Cancryn for Politico: "Biden on '60 Minutes': 'The Pandemic is Over.'"

Alex Skopic for Current Affairs: "COVID-19 is Still a Threat. So is Biden’s CDC."

Adam Cancryn for Politico: "Biden Appears to be Over Covid Protocols."

Paul Thornton for the Los Angeles Times: "Covid Still Rages, and the Biden Administration Isn't Helping."

Eric J. Topol for the Los Angeles Times: "The U.S. is facing the biggest COVID wave since Omicron. Why are we still playing make-believe?"

We should have free, universal testing. We should have free, universal vaccination. We should have free, universal treatment. We should have financial assistance for those of us who can't work outside the home. We should have mandated work-from-home for any job that can be done remotely. We should be emptying prisons and paying attention to the way disease and abuse proliferate inside their walls. We should have COVID-19 safety PSAs and government support for universal masking. We should have free distribution of N95s. We should have mandated masking in medical settings and public spaces. We should have a higher minimum wage. We should have healthcare reforms. We should have strong worker protections. We should have improved infrastructure. We should have a president who gives a single flying fuck about how many of us are dying.

And we have none of it.

But we sure seem to have money to keep dropping bombs, arming cops, terrorizing the vulnerable, and imprisoning innocent people to use for slave labor.

[mariacallous]

FLINT, Michigan ― The story of a wildly successful antipoverty program is also one of the most disheartening tales of Joe Biden’s presidency.

In 2021, Biden and congressional Democrats expanded a tax credit for children, transforming it from a targeted, sliding-scale subsidy to a simpler, more straightforward form of financial assistance. It was a version of an idea that’s become the hottest concept in antipoverty policy ― just giving people money, without restrictions on its use or complex eligibility procedures. By nearly all accounts, it worked magnificently. That year, the U.S. poverty rate hit a record low. The expansion was one of the COVID-19 relief measures in the American Rescue Plan, which passed on party lines. Biden and his allies had hoped to extend the program, making it permanent. But to do that, they needed every single vote from their 50-seat Democratic majority in the Senate. And they couldn’t get Joe Manchin, the conservative Democrat from West Virginia, to go along. The program expired at the end of the year.

Now, with the tax credit back to its more complicated, restrictive version, poverty is back up. And although a year’s worth of helping low-income families with kids surely did a lot of good, neither Biden nor the Democrats have gotten much credit for that. Few Americans are even aware of the program, or of Biden’s role in it. And among those familiar with the program’s history, the prevailing sentiment seems to be disappointment at the failure to make it permanent.

But there’s a coda to this story involving a new initiative in Flint, Michigan, that’s already helping hundreds of families. And it’s got political relevance, given that it probably wouldn’t have happened without the help of Biden and other Democrats.

If the program lives up to its billing, it could inspire copycat efforts around the country, fueling calls to resurrect a federal version of the program. But the prospects for those efforts depend on keeping sympathetic leaders in office, which in turn depends on what happens in the next election.

[zvaigzdelasas]

"The first session of the 118th Congress was one of the least productive in the body’s history. Only 22 bills were signed into law this year by the president — by far the lowest total since at least 1993, the first year for which the National Archives have data. (For comparison, the next least productive year during this timespan was in 2013, when 72 bills became law.) Despite the slow year, members nonetheless found time to introduce an abundance of bills relating to the threat of China, which was the focus of hearings in committees ranging from Financial Services to the Judiciary committee, and of legislation concerning everything from fentanyl distribution to TikTok. In 2023, members introduced 616 pieces of legislation that contain a variation of the word “China” — more than 3.5 for every day that Congress was in session on average. That’s already more than any two-year congressional session, except for the 117th Congress (2021-2022; 860 bills) and the 116th (2019-2020; 620 bills), according to a search of the congressional record. One of the few “accomplishments” in Congress this year was the formation of the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party — which was almost instantly dubbed the “tough on China committee” — in January."[...]

Members of Congress introduced at least nine bills aimed at restricting foreign ownership of agricultural land in the United States. As RS has explained, these efforts are not always logical, even if there are some legitimate national security concerns over China or other nations buying up farmland.[...]

Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) and five co-sponsors introduced the “Defund China’s Allies Act” to “prohibit the availability of foreign assistance to certain countries that do not recognize the sovereignty of Taiwan,” aimed at 21 countries in Central America and the Caribbean. The bill argues that the “United States efforts to condemn these countries’ willing diplomatic shift toward a genocidal government is undermined by an incomprehensible adherence to the so-called ‘One China’ policy, on terms dictated by the Chinese Communist Party,” implicitly calling for an end to the policy that has maintained peace in the Taiwan Strait for decades.[...]

bills introduced by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Reps. John Curtis (R-Utah), and Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) [...] would have renamed the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in Washington, D.C. to the Taiwan Representative Office, because it “better reflects its status as Taiwan’s de facto diplomatic mission to the United States.” That was only one of many bills that were purely symbolic and antagonizing, including one that demanded that Beijing “must be held financially liable for $16,000,000,000,000,” because of its responsibility in the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and a resolution that declared China to be the biggest threat to freedom in the world. “Whereas it is the opinion of Congress that the Chinese Communist Party is the greatest threat to freedom and to the free world,” reads the text, introduced by Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.). “Be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress agrees that the Chinese Communist Party is the greatest threat to freedom and to the free world.” That’s the entire resolution.

27 Dec 23

[askgildaseniors]

Cristal Aguirre tells a stunning narrative of change and tenacity, describing how she transformed her challenges into an inspiration for others. During a terrible era highlighted by addiction and financial issues, Cristal felt obliged to create an OnlyFans account to survive. The COVID-19 epidemic caused further stress to her condition, impacting her decisions at the time. Although the decision was challenging, Cristal was motivated by her desire to balance duties while traversing a difficult period.

As Cristal progressed toward recovery, she began to reconsider her options and the path she wanted for her life. Sobriety increased Cristal's awareness, allowing her to perceive her OnlyFans account as something that no longer reflected her ideals or objectives. Cristal realized she needed a new route and began considering different approaches to construct a future that suited her ideals. This watershed event shows her increasing self-awareness, underlining the internal tension between her previous actions and her desire for a healthy lifestyle.

Reflecting on her trip, Cristal found others interested in her experiences and occasionally sought guidance on following a similar route. Instead of encouraging others to follow in her footsteps, Cristal warned against it, citing the potential dangers. Her statements indicate a protective impulse influenced by her experiences as she attempted to prevent others from making similar mistakes. This advice demonstrates Cristal's devotion to assisting others in avoiding similar problems and her willingness to guide people away from possibly hazardous decisions.

Cristal's narrative depicts a significant shift from a difficult past to an optimistic present. Throughout her journey, she has embraced the role of inspiration, transforming personal adversity into encouragement for others to follow better pathways. By exposing her failures and her route to self-improvement, Cristal provides a genuine and authentic view of resilience, emphasizing self-reflection and the fortitude required to transform one's life.

[ngdrb]

The accomplishments of Joe Biden during his presidency

Joe Biden, the 46th President of the United States, assumed office at a pivotal moment in history, facing a myriad of challenges ranging from a global pandemic to economic uncertainty and social unrest.

Throughout his presidency, President Biden has pursued an ambitious agenda aimed at addressing these pressing issues and advancing key policy priorities. In this essay, we will examine some of the notable accomplishments of Joe Biden during his time in office and the impact of his leadership on the nation.

One of the most significant accomplishments of President Biden during his presidency has been his administration's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Upon taking office, President Biden made the pandemic a top priority and swiftly implemented a national strategy to combat the spread of the virus and accelerate the vaccination campaign.

Under his leadership, the administration successfully exceeded its initial goal of administering 100 million vaccine doses within the first 100 days, ultimately surpassing 200 million doses. This aggressive vaccination effort has been instrumental in curbing the spread of the virus and has contributed to a significant reduction in COVID-19 cases and deaths across the country.

 In addition to his focus on public health, President Biden has made substantial strides in revitalizing the American economy in the wake of the pandemic. The administration's American Rescue Plan, a comprehensive COVID-19 relief package, provided much-needed financial assistance to individuals, families, and businesses impacted by the economic downturn. The plan included direct stimulus payments to Americans, extended unemployment benefits, support for small businesses, and funding for vaccine distribution and testing. 

President Biden's economic agenda has also centered on job creation and infrastructure investment, culminating in the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, a historic legislation that allocates substantial funding for modernizing the nation's infrastructure, creating millions of jobs, and bolstering economic growth. Furthermore, President Biden has been a vocal advocate for advancing racial equity and social justice in the United States. His administration has taken concrete steps to address systemic inequalities and promote inclusivity, including the signing of executive orders to combat discrimination, promote fair housing, and strengthen tribal sovereignty. 

Additionally, President Biden signed into law the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. These actions underscore the administration's commitment to confronting the legacy of racism and fostering a more equitable society for all Americans.

 Moreover, President Biden has demonstrated a strong commitment to combating climate change and advancing environmental sustainability.

 His administration rejoined the Paris Agreement on climate change, signaling a renewed dedication to global cooperation in addressing the climate crisis. In November 2021, President Biden convened a virtual Leaders Summit on Climate, bringing together world leaders to discuss ambitious measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate the transition to clean energy. 

Additionally, the administration has unveiled a comprehensive plan to invest in clean energy infrastructure, promote energy efficiency, and prioritize environmental justice, aiming to position the United States as a global leader in the fight against climate change. 

In the realm of foreign policy, President Biden has sought to reassert American leadership on the world stage and rebuild alliances with international partners. His administration has prioritized diplomacy and multilateral engagement, working to address global challenges such as nuclear proliferation, cybersecurity threats, and human rights abuses. 

President Biden has reaffirmed the United States' commitment to NATO and other key alliances, signaling a departure from the isolationist policies of the previous administration. His approach to foreign affairs has emphasized the importance of collaboration and collective action in tackling shared global concerns, fostering a more cohesive and cooperative international order. Furthermore, 

President Biden has been a steadfast proponent of expanding access to affordable healthcare and strengthening the Affordable Care Act. His administration has taken steps to bolster the ACA, including increasing enrollment outreach, expanding coverage options, and lowering healthcare costs for millions of Americans. 

President Biden has also championed efforts to address mental health challenges and substance abuse disorders, recognizing the critical importance of mental and behavioral health in overall well-being. 

In conclusion, President Joe Biden has achieved a range of significant accomplishments during his tenure in office, from his swift and effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic to his ambitious efforts to revitalize the economy, promote racial equity, combat climate change, and reinvigorate America's role in global affairs. 

His leadership has been marked by a steadfast commitment to addressing pressing domestic and international challenges and advancing a progressive policy agenda aimed at fostering a more equitable, resilient, and prosperous future for the nation. As his presidency continues to unfold, the enduring impact of his accomplishments is likely to shape the trajectory of the United States for years to come, leaving a lasting imprint on the fabric of American society and the global community.

[covid-safer-hotties]

As a student of the liberal arts, I am a sucker for a good qualitative study. This is a good one, and an excellent read for those who may not be so science-savvy.

Reference archived on our website (Updates Daily!)

Abstract

Background

Exploring the experiences of Long COVID patients who face challenges with employment may inform improvements in how healthcare systems can provide holistic care for this patient population.

Objective

Understand perspectives about the impact of Long COVID on employment and well-being among patients seeking healthcare for Long COVID.

Design

Qualitative study involving one-on-one interviews.

Participants

Eligible participants were 18 years of age or older, spoke English, self-reported as doing well in daily life before having COVID-19, and reported that COVID-19 was still having a significant impact on their life three or more months following an acute infection.

Approach

Participants were recruited from a post-COVID recovery clinic at an academic medical center. Interviews were conducted from August to September 2022.

Key Results

Among all participants (N = 21), most described that they were not able to work at a capacity equivalent to their norm pre-COVID-19. For those who continued working after their COVID-19 infection, the effort and energy required for work left little capacity to participate in other life activities and made it difficult to attend recommended healthcare appointments. Participants reported financial impacts of changes in employment including loss of income and changes in insurance, which were compounded by high healthcare costs. Changes in employment resulted in emotional repercussions including feelings of loss of self-identity and fear of judgement at work. Participants discussed issues surrounding access to strategies to address challenges posed by the impact of Long COVID on employment, including strategies learned from healthcare providers to cope with Long COVID symptoms at work and efforts to seek disability benefits or workplace accommodations.

Conclusions

Patients with Long COVID may face significant challenges due to changes in their ability to work. Healthcare providers can support these patients by connecting them to financial assistance resources, facilitating appropriate mental health treatment, and expediting workplace accommodation requests.

[sunder-the-gold]

Hello

I hope this email finds you well. My name is Leah Graham, am from London United Kingdom but I live in Texas United states and I wanted to share a big testimony with you about the potential financial assistance I recently received earlier this year in 2024. I've been facing a challenging situation due to the lost of my goods by customs few years back.

To provide some background documentation which I don’t have, I recently experienced a significant loss when my home and belongings were taken away as a result of a bank draft and the impact of COVID-19. This unfortunate event has left me feeling overwhelmed and in need of support.

During my search for financial assistance, I came across a colleague who shared her positive experience with the Charities Aid Foundation. This organization, owned by Christopher Hohn and based in the United Kingdom, offers a helping hand to those in need. They also provide ongoing federal and state government compensation, sponsored by various corporations and private foundations.

After applying for assistance, I received approval within three business days. I was then issued an ATM Master Card in my name, preloaded with an approved amount of $10,500,000. Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars, This generous support brought immense relief and gratitude to my situation. The only payment I made was $1,000 for the delivery of the card and security fee.

If you require further information or would like to explore potential financial assistance, I kindly ask you to contact the Charities Aid Foundation agent Mr Joseph R McClendon, Here is is private email.

Email: JosephMcClendon14@outlook.com

And if you have anything you want to know more on how to go about it you can contact me on here

Thank you for your time, and I want to congratulate you in advance!

Warm regards, Leah Graham.

Smells like a scam.

Anyone else getting Asks like these?

[beardedmrbean]

Forty-two alleged members and associates of the San Fernando Valley Peckerwoods have been arrested in an operation authorities on Wednesday called one of the largest crackdowns on a neo-Nazi White supremacist gang in the history of the Department of Justice.

Many of the suspects were detained throughout the San Fernando Valley and surrounding areas on Wednesday morning, as local and federal officers, including members of the the Joint Terrorism Task Force, executed 29 arrest warrants and conducted multiple searches.

The operation came as a 76-count federal indictment was unsealed Wednesday, charging 68 people either in or connected to the White supremacist gang.

Authorities told reporters in a press conference that they are continuing to hunt the remaining 26 suspects, whom they described as fugitives.

Assistant Director in Charge Akil Davis of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office said that they expect this investigation to "significantly cripple" the domestic extremist organization.

"It's not hyperbole to say the sheer scale of this operation is historic," Assistant Director in Charge Akil Davis of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office said. "This is a historic event to federally indict this many members of a hate group."

The SFV Peckerwoods is a mix of street, prison and racist skinhead gangs, according to the Jewish nonprofit Anti-Defamation League, which said on its website that the organization's "White supremacy is more often crude than sophisticated and they have a high association with criminal activity, such as drugs."

The indictment includes 60 separate charges that detail 60 individual instances of a Peckerwoods member or associate being caught with wholesale quantities of drugs.

The gang members are also accused of generating revenue from robberies and financial fraud, including by stealing from the Paycheck Protection Program, which was designed to aid businesses economically harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The Peckerwoods are involved in a wide variety of criminal activity everything from drug trafficking to fraud offenses to firearms offenses, violence and identity theft, but what truly distinguishes them what defines them is their hate and their animus towards racial ethnic and religious minorities," U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California said.

The gang is known for brandishing neo-Nazi symbols and other White supremacist iconography, from swastikas to the Confederate flag.

When asked to detail any bias-motivated crimes, Estrada pointed to the April arrest of Ryan Bradford, an alleged member of the gang. Law enforcement found that not only was he allegedly selling drugs but was manufacturing explosive devices and firearms.

He allegedly had a "treasure trove of White supremacist paraphernalia, including replica Nazi uniforms and posters of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler as well as a planner in which was written his New Year's resolution to "bake every single Jew."

"We don't take those threats lightly. We can't take those threats lightly. It's important that we take action to neutralize those threats before they become the next tragedy," he said.

Due to their affiliation with the Aryan Brotherhood, Davis called the Peckerwoods "a chapter" of what the Southern Poverty Law Center describes as the oldest major White supremacist prison gang and a national crime syndicate.

"This group is really the model of domestic extremism and one we wanted to address with this investigation," Estrada said.

[reasoningdaily]

The Navajo Nation has received a $55 million grant to help Navajo homeowners with mortgage payments and home repairs.

Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren said as many as 901 homeowners should qualify for the funds.

The money comes from the American Rescue Plan Act, which provides nearly $10 billion to support homeowners throughout the country who face financial hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program is open to Navajo homeowners of all income levels within the Four Corner states who live on both tribal lands and in urban areas.

The funds must be used within three years.

PHOENIX — Urban Navajos who own homes off the Navajo Nation will soon receive some unexpected help they’ll want but didn’t need to ask for.

On Sept. 11, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren told 250 Phoenix metro area Navajo homeowners that the Nation received a $55 million federal grant to provide financial assistance to Navajo homeowners under various Homeowner Assistance Fund programs.

This includes mortgage payments and home repair assistance.

As many as 901 Navajo homeowners should qualify for the money for their homes, he said.

“Make sure we tell everybody,” Nygren told an overflow crowd in the shade outside the historic Phoenix Indian School Visitor Center, one of the remaining buildings from the 100-year-old Indian boarding school.

They were outside because a capacity crowd was already indoors awaiting the same announcement, and Nygren wanted to address those in the 105-degree F heat first.

The Homeowner Assistance Fund was authorized through the American Rescue Plan Act to provide $9.9 billion nationwide to support homeowners who face financial hardships associated with COVID-19, the Nygren said yesterday.

The funds were distributed to states, U.S. territories, and tribes. The Navajo Nation was awarded $55,420,097.

Most federally funded programs are restricted to low- and very-low-income households.

This program allows higher-income Navajo homeowners to receive financial relief from the economic effects of COVID-19, as well.

“Tell your relatives,” Nygren said. “Say the $55 million that came from our government was specifically for Navajo people who are homeowners.”

To launch the process, Nygren signed an agreement with Native Community Capital. The group is a Native-led and operated non-profit corporation that was selected as the sub-recipient to administer the Homeowner Assistance Fund Project activities on behalf of the Navajo Nation.

Native Community Capital is certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury as a Native Community Development Financial Institution and is a licensed mortgage lender in Arizona and New Mexico.

The program is designed for both higher-income and medium-income homeowners, Native Community Capital CFO Todd Francis said.

As an example, a family of four in Maricopa County in Arizona earning as much as $132,450 a year may be eligible for the tax-free, non-repayable funds to pay their mortgage or repair their homes, he said.

The program will benefit Navajo relatives and their families who reside in both rural remote locations and those in the urban areas of Phoenix, Albuquerque, Denver, Salt Lake City, surrounding smaller cities and towns, and wherever Navajo homeowners live off-reservation, said NCC CEO Dave Castillo.

A significant lack of investment in tribal communities compared to non-Indian communities has resulted in a critical absence of homeownership on tribal lands, particularly for higher-income Native households, he said.

As a result, Navajos with higher incomes tend to purchase or build homes off the Navajo Nation where they can qualify for loans and mortgages to build equity and wealth.

The Center for Indian Country Development reports that 78% of Native people live outside of tribal trust land in counties surrounding their homelands. It is these families the HAF Project will seek to support, Castillo said.

Nygren said the Navajo HAF Project will provide financial assistance to 901 eligible Navajo homeowners to use for qualified expenses in five activities for the next 36 months.

The program will provide financial assistance to eligible Navajo homeowners in the four-state region of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado.

Each eligible applicant could receive a maximum amount of $125,000 of combined assistance under various programs.

These include:

Monthly mortgage payment assistance to a maximum assistance level of $72,000 per participant. This is for Navajo homeowners who are delinquent in mortgage payments or at risk of foreclosure due to a loss of household income.

Mortgage reinstatement assistance would give a maximum assistance of $50,000 per participant to those who are in active forbearance, delinquency default status, or are at risk of losing a home.

Mortgage principal reduction assistance that would assist up to $100,000 for those who find the fair market value of their home is now less than the price they paid for it and now may result in a loss when it is sold.

Home repair assistance that would give $100,000 to those who need significant home repairs.

Clear title assistance of up to $30,000 for grant assistance to receive a clear title of their primary residence.

In his 2022 presidential campaign, Nygren committed to helping urban Navajos who have said for years that they felt underserved by the tribal government. He said this grant addresses that.

He said one of his administration’s next goals is to buy or construct a building owned by the Navajo Nation in the metro area to serve urban Navajo Phoenicians.

“Wouldn’t it be nice if we used the entire $55 million this year?” Nygren asked. “I know you committed to live here and to take care of your family. I see a lot of familiar faces and I understand this is where your jobs are. We want you to have access to resources.”

Castillo urged applicants to be sure their applications were complete and submitted early.

“One thing we want to emphasize is to be ready when the information is being requested on the checklist,” he said. “Make sure you have your documents prepared and you get it to our licensed professionals that will be working with you. If you do not, the application will expire in 30 days.”

He said the program has just three years to deploy the $55 million.

“It seems like we could do that quickly but we can only do it quickly if you help us, if you’re ready, and if you submit the information that’s necessary.”

Debbie Nez-Manuel, executive director of the Navajo Nation Division of Human Resources, said visits to other urban areas will be planned, scheduled, and announced by Native Community Capital.

The funds must be used within three years.

So does any of this money go to the Black Indians Tribes? @militantinremission

maybe y'all should start asking for your cut right now cause they got it

[mariacallous]

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump claims to have ideas for quickly settling the Russia-Ukraine. Whether or not that’s true—and there’s plenty of reason to think it’s not—it’s likely the Trump administration will soon halt its bankrolling of Ukraine’s war effort. On the campaign trail, Trump derided U.S. funding of Ukraine, which currently amounts to more than $60 billion—around half of Ukraine’s total military support from abroad—and has given every indication that he would discontinue it.

This would plunk the problem of support for Ukraine squarely in Europe’s lap. The continent is still not prepared for that reality. The fear of a Russian rout of Ukraine, however, could motivate Europe to try assuming responsibility for supporting Ukraine on its own—beginning with a recognition that ramping up its support is not beyond its ability.

The possibility of U.S. disengagement from Ukraine hasn’t caught Europe completely by surprise. Although Trump didn’t disclose specifics while on the campaign trail, he presented an outline of a plan to end the war: U.S.-led negotiations would stop Russia where it is on the battlefield, cede the territories that Russia occupies to it, and then lift international sanctions against Russia in exchange for the termination of military hostilities toward Ukraine. There would be no NATO or other Western security guarantee but rather, according to Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, a demilitarized zone along Ukraine’s new borders with defensive fortifications robust enough to prevent another Russian invasion. Most important to Trump seems to be jettisoning the U.S. financial commitment to Ukraine.

Europe’s own contribution to Ukraine’s cause so far should not be underestimated. According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, the European Union is the largest provider of aid to Ukraine, having allocated a total of $133 billion since Russia’s full-scale invasion. (In total, the US has shelled out nearly $91 billion in combined military, economic, and humanitarian assistance.) The EU states have come up with more than $45 billion in military aid for Ukraine’s defense, including large volumes of weaponry and munitions. The bloc’s offer of membership to Ukraine and money for reconstruction and recovery—all directed toward fulfilling membership criteria, as well as rebuilding—buttress the country’s resilience and fuel its democratic aspirations. And at home, member states are accommodating 4 million refugees and have dramatically cut their fossil energy imports from Russia.

The losses, however, should the United States really step back, would be egregious in terms of leadership, money, and weaponry. Europe’s leaders remain convinced that maintaining Ukraine’s independence and halting Russian aggression is vital to the entire continent’s security. But there’s also a recognition that Europe’s effort alone is likely not enough to hold Ukrainian lines on the battlefield, much less serve Russia a knockout blow.

Germany was never a convincing candidate for leadership on the military front, and now that Chancellor Olaf Scholz is heading up a minority coalition until new elections early next year, it will enjoy even less clout. In France, even though President Emmanuel Macron has aspired to leadership—and obviously understands what is at stake for Europe—he is politically weak and facing tough elections soon, too. And the United Kingdom’s new prime minister, Keir Starmer, is fresh in office and already engulfed in struggles.

Thus, the task could fall on the shoulders of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and her foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, if they accept it. Even though she doesn’t command a single battalion, von der Leyen has already shown what she can do as point person when the occasion demands it: When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in Europe in 2020, she organized the EU-wide response like a seasoned field marshal, and then immediately on its heels, the quick pivot of Europe’s energy imports away from Russia. Simultaneously, the EU wasted no time imposing sanctions on Russia. And though only by a hair’s breadth, the EU recently outbattled Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moldova, where it helped fend off an onslaught of Russian disinformation, thus helping to reelect a liberal-minded president who is committed to democracy.

If the United States really bows out of the Russia-Ukraine war, however, von der Leyen is going to have to assume an even greater burden—leading a truly global military effort. The EU has allies beyond the bloc in countries like the UK, Japan, Australia, Canada, South Korea—all of which are pitching in for Ukraine but require a point person to look toward and to coordinate their support. This war was internationalized long before Russia put 10,000 North Korean troops on the ground, and the maintenance of a global pro-Ukraine front is vital to success.

Von der Leyen’s first hurdle, though, will be rallying the entire EU to the cause, and two members—Hungary and Slovakia—are pushing Trump-like “solutions.” Moreover, Russian-friendly populists are surging just about everywhere in the bloc.

At the recent European Political Community summit in Budapest, von der Leyen and Europe’s other top officials seemed to grasp the urgency of the task at hand but stopped short of offering specific plans for a way forward. “It is in all our interests that the autocrats of this world get a very clear message that there is not the right of might, that the rule of law is important,” von der Leyen said.

One thing appears absolutely certain: Europe will have to dig much deeper into its pockets. This means domestic politicos have to make the case to their populations much more bluntly: This war is about Europe, and Ukraine’s defeat would throw into jeopardy much of what decades of integration has accomplished—and cost their countries dearly in many ways.

EU leaders have already begun shifting monies to defense-related priorities.  Nearly a third of the bloc’s common budget, over $400 billion for 2021 to 2027, is allotted to cohesion funding, namely for the reduction of economic inequality between members. But, according to the Financial Times, nearly 95 percent of this budget goes untapped. This spending cannot go toward traditional military hardware but it can buy “dual-use products,” such as drones, global positioning satellites, night vision technology, thermal imaging, and some lasers. Germany, for instance, which is a transportation nexus for western Europe’s shipping for military goods to Ukraine, could call on its more than $40 billion in cohesion funds to repair its badly aged roads, bridges and trains.

A first step will have to involve pushing the third of NATO members who don’t even bankroll the alliance with the stated goal of committing 2 percent of their output to military spending. But maintaining Ukraine’s war effort will demand far more than that.

A proposal by Estonia, made before the U.S. election, deserves serious consideration. It calls for all NATO members anteing up at least 0.25 percent of their GDP for Ukraine’s defense, as the Baltic states already do. That would net   for ensuring Ukraine can still purchase weapons to check Russia. The EU could also consider pursuing raising funds in this way on its own, outside of NATO.

Whether these armaments come from the production facilities of European or foreign arms-makers is beside the point. Europeans’ procurement of weaponry is already happening beyond Europe’s own defense industries. The Czech Republic, head of a multinational arms-buying initiative, tapped markets in a number of non-EU countries to supply Ukraine’s armed forces with 800,000 million artillery shells.

Denmark is trailblazing direct investment in the Ukrainian defense industry. The Danish contribution and frozen Russian assets managed by Denmark on behalf of the EU pay the Ukrainian defense industry $600 million to produce attack drones, artillery, anti-tank weapons, missiles, and naval missiles. Belgium is also working in this direction, with the idea being that every euro buys armaments (more cheaply than on the international market) and establishes a more sophisticated defense industry in Ukraine itself.

The European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) recommends the creation of a law similar to the U.S. Defense Production Act, which grants the U.S. president powers to bolster the nation’s defense by fast-tracking the production of materials and services. It would, according to ECFR, “provide European policymakers with the tools to use the collective power of EU institutions, member-state governments, and European development banks to respond faster and more effectively to crises.” This would allow Europe to more efficiently use any additional money it commits to Ukraine, accelerating production of defensive armaments such as artillery shells and air-defense missiles, as well as medical supplies. The key would be for Europeans to do all this as one unit—not 27 separate states.

One key item that Europeans will not provide is the advanced surveillance and reconnaissance technology that the United States excels in. “All precision weapons systems today depend on this technology and no industry does it like the [United States],” said Christian Mölling, deputy director of the German Council on Foreign Relations.

Certainly, part of the European strategy must be to talk sense to Trump. A scenario to avoid at all costs would be the United States canceling sanctions or just ignoring them in return for nothing but Russian business. Europeans might point out to Trump that Russia’s two main allies are Iran and North Korea, countries that he disfavors. And perhaps, if the United States can’t be convinced with political arguments, they can find a way to interest Trump in the form of a bargain: The Europeans could agree to spend big specifically on U.S. weapons in exchange for Washington holding the Western line on Russia. The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace suggested Europe’s NATO members offer Trump the carrot that they raise defense spending to 3 percent by the end of his tenure in 2028.

Whatever happens, even in best case, it is highly unlikely that Trump will lead an alliance against Russia the way the Biden administration did. This means that Europe’s hour has arrived: It can grab the initiative and set the agenda rather than allowing the Orbans, Putins, and Xis of the world to do it their way.

[mazhar-1971]

I hope this letter finds you well. My name is SYED MAZHARUL HOQUE and I am reaching out to you in sheer desperation and hope, seeking your generosity and compassion in a time of immense hardship.

I was a dedicated businessman, striving to provide for my family and contribute to my community. However, a series of unfortunate events, including political unrest, a devastating robbery, and the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, has left me in a dire financial situation. My once-thriving business has collapsed, leaving me as a debtor and struggling to make ends meet.

The relentless pressure from creditors and the constant harassment from debt collectors have taken a severe toll on my family and me.

I am the sole provider for my family, which includes my wife, three school-going children, my elderly mother, and my father, who is battling kidney failure and requires continuous medical care.

Despite my best efforts to manage these overwhelming challenges, I am at a breaking point. The mounting debts and financial instability have created an unbearable situation, threatening the well-being and future of my loved ones.

In this moment of profound distress, I am humbly appealing to you for financial assistance. Your help alleviate this crushing burden would provide a lifeline, allowing me to stabilize our situation and work towards rebuilding our lives.

Your kindness and support would not only provide immediate relief but also restore hope and dignity to my family.

Your generosity could be the turning point that allows us to overcome this adversity and build a brighter future.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my appeal. I am profoundly grateful for any assistance you can provide.

With sincere hope and gratitude,

Syed Mazharul Hoque

syedmazharulhoque1971@gmail.com

[shigussy]

happy birthday to maria branyas the oldest woman alive!

currently 117 years old the american born catalan woman not only is the oldest person alive but also the oldest person to survive contracting Covid-19.

in 1915, her family returned to catalonia due to family financial difficulties and her father's declining health. due to the german navel presence in the atlantic during WWI their boat had to travel via cuba and the azores to ensure safe passage. on the voyage maria lost the ability to hear in one ear after falling from an upper deck while playing with her brothers. her father also passed during the voyage due to tuberculosis. her family settled forst in barcelona before moving to the city banyoles.

in july 1931 maria married a traumatologist name Joan Moret. During the Spanish Civil War she and her husband worked side by side at a field hospital in Trujillo, Extremadura. Maria worked as a nurse and her husband's assistant until his death in 1976.

In the 1990s, Maria travelled and took up sewing, music, and reading. In 2000, at age 93, she moved to a nursing home in Olot, Catalonia after contacting pneumonia. Maria was described as an active resident until her mobility deteriorated. She played piano until 108, and now uses a voice to text platform to communicate due to her hearing loss. Maria has 3 children and 11 grandchildren. She has outlived her eldest son August who died in a tractor accident aged 86.

[onenettvchannel]

LATE-BREAKING NEWS: American YouTube Star 'Motionwarrior' evicted her home in New York, became homelessness and permanently leaves their YouTube channel [#K5NewsFMExclusive]

(Written by Rhayniel Saldasal Calimpong / Freelanced News Writer, Online Media Reporter and News Presenter of OneNETnews)

MANHASSET, NEW YORK -- A YouTube content creator named 'Motionwarrior', whose real name as Ms. Rachel, hailing from Port Washington in New York was unjustly evicted last month, where she is now became homeless, because of her mental health, severe financial constraints, college difficulties that forced to be voluntarily dropped out, and completely rejected for having a job in her own state of America.

Her friends in high school & college combined, as well with families are all in part ways to lose contact from their personal life and internet circle, feeling alone and unable to understand why their inactivity happened, or need for time to realign themselves led to friendships ending.

Ms. Rachel, known online as 'Motionwarrior' is a 23 y/o female American YouTuber and self-freelanced animator. Her content on YouTube sparked nearly 200,000 subscribers, after she was first joined on this video-sharing platform in the late mid-June 2015. She occasionally focuses on content related to video games, animation and storytelling. It covers various topics, including relatable experiences, her school life and more.

But that's not all, her potential earnings in statistics according to SocialBlade are for annual earnings generate nearly between U$D600 to U$D9,500 (or PHP35,100 to PHP554,758). It is unclear if she was a legitimate member for monetization of the YouTube Partner Programme (YPP). She was taking a break from her own YouTube channel, after the previously uploaded "Stealing My Mom's Credit Card 2" a few years back in late August 2020, but this came out very unexpectedly. Rachel quit her video-sharing platform permanently.

Rachel talks about what they have gone through with their YouTube channel when her videos not reaching their typical online viewers, subscribers complaining that they aren't seeing uploads in their feeds, and self-criticism regarding their content that was yet to have possibly been shadowbanned on its search results. They mention becoming overly critical of their videos and developing an unhealthy means of self-discipline, leading to immense self-hatred and a belief that their efforts were not enough.

For years, the Coronavirus Disease-19 (CoViD-19) affecting New Yorkers including herself -- confirmed positive during the global pandemic days. But today, however, in a final video uploaded on Saturday (July 6th, 2024), Rachel discusses the intense incidents and situations they faced while attending her college and commuting in New York, leading to issues in their personal life and family unraveling into chaos and brokenness due to mental health concerns. Comparing to 'VidCon' at the Anaheim Convention Center in California, previously on the early mid-July 2019, added into pressure to perform better on YouTube and being forced to attend college despite financial constraints.

Last month on Thursday (June 13th, 2024)… Her image, family and personality of YouTube have reportedly evicted and became homeless, paying the last ounce of a local hotel room while trying to seek help personally online or facing suicide in advance. Theoratically, Rachel needs to change strategies and self re-training by trying make something new to viewers without criticizing her negativity in mental health. It is their way of humbly and shamefully pleading for assistance to support her family at this trying moment.

Wrapping of her final video uploaded on YouTube, Rachel setting up her own GoFundMe page and pitching for donations of U$D859,000 (or nearly PHP50.2M). Minimum donations starts at U$D5 and up. Since 'Motionwarrior' cannot afford to attend 'VidCon' events and other several reasons today, you can be part of it with your support to donate via the GoFundMe website.

Life goes hard about money, her dream job but later rejected, and brazenly call it quits on her YouTube channel… The reality is to keep trying what is best until you succeed, rather failing to yourself to attract new audiences. One day, 'Motionwarrior' will soon become popular if she is eligible to collab other YouTubers like 'JaidenAnimations', 'Saberspark' and among others, once she is yet to recover her personal life when pursuing her dreams by choosing the right paths to the future.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO COURTESY via GoFundMe BACKGROUND PROVIDED BY: Tegna

EDITOR's NOTE from Rhayniel: If you're reading this Motionwarrior, in my Tagalog dialect… Huwag mawalan ng pag-asa para dito. Laban lang!

SOURCE: *https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-secure-a-home-for-family-unjustly-evicted *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIFL5AIi5_8 [Referenced YT VIDEO via Motionwarrior] *https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/motionwarrior.html and *https://socialblade.com/youtube/channel/UCptTTLvJDQjVLVTSw-tVrxw/

-- OneNETnews Online Publication Team