Daily Archives: February 18, 2021

Biden: Proud Boys one of the greatest threats to America – WISN Milwaukee

Posted: February 18, 2021 at 2:35 pm

President Joe Biden called out the Proud Boys as one of the greatest threats to America during his town hall in Milwaukee. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee professor Joel Berkowitz got to ask Biden about white supremacists and other hate groups during that town hall Tuesday night. "While I appreciate efforts being made to bring them to justice, I worry about ongoing threats to our country from Americans who embrace white supremacy and conspiracies that align with it. What can your administration do to address this complex and wide-ranging problem?" Berkowitz asked the president."I got involved in politics to begin with because of civil rights and opposition to white supremacists, the Ku Klux Klan, and the most dangerous people in America continue to exist. That is the greatest threat to terror in America, domestic terror," Biden said."Are you concerned about white supremacists in Wisconsin?" WISN 12's Terry Sater asked Berkowitz."Sure. We've seen them kill people. We've had things happen in our own backyard," Berkowitz said.In January, Kyle Rittenhouse, charged with killing two people during police brutality protests in Kenosha, could be seen in a Mount Pleasant bar, prosecutors said, flashing "white power" signs while posing for photos and serenaded with the Proud Boys anthem.The same group the president brought up at the town hall."You may remember, in one of my debates with the former president, I asked him to condemn the Proud Boys and he wouldn't do it," Biden said.Berkowitz said he wished the president would have talked more at the Pabst Theater about the underlying causes of hate groups, but he's glad Biden has changed the tone of the conversation from the White House."They are dangerous people," Biden said.The president said he'd like the Justice Department and the civil rights division to focus on hate groups.

President Joe Biden called out the Proud Boys as one of the greatest threats to America during his town hall in Milwaukee.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee professor Joel Berkowitz got to ask Biden about white supremacists and other hate groups during that town hall Tuesday night.

"While I appreciate efforts being made to bring them to justice, I worry about ongoing threats to our country from Americans who embrace white supremacy and conspiracies that align with it. What can your administration do to address this complex and wide-ranging problem?" Berkowitz asked the president.

"I got involved in politics to begin with because of civil rights and opposition to white supremacists, the Ku Klux Klan, and the most dangerous people in America continue to exist. That is the greatest threat to terror in America, domestic terror," Biden said.

"Are you concerned about white supremacists in Wisconsin?" WISN 12's Terry Sater asked Berkowitz.

"Sure. We've seen them kill people. We've had things happen in our own backyard," Berkowitz said.

In January, Kyle Rittenhouse, charged with killing two people during police brutality protests in Kenosha, could be seen in a Mount Pleasant bar, prosecutors said, flashing "white power" signs while posing for photos and serenaded with the Proud Boys anthem.

The same group the president brought up at the town hall.

"You may remember, in one of my debates with the former president, I asked him to condemn the Proud Boys and he wouldn't do it," Biden said.

Berkowitz said he wished the president would have talked more at the Pabst Theater about the underlying causes of hate groups, but he's glad Biden has changed the tone of the conversation from the White House.

"They are dangerous people," Biden said.

The president said he'd like the Justice Department and the civil rights division to focus on hate groups.

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COMMENTARY: Designating the Proud Boys as terrorists wont stop the violence – Global News

Posted: at 2:35 pm

The Proud Boys are a far-right white nationalist organization based in Canada that was recently designated a terrorist entity by the Canadian government. This designation, however, will not stop violent extremists from attacking Canadian values.

This is a moment in time where extremism now pervades social media. This change has been so gradual that we have not noticed our tacit involvement each time we post or pass on softly violent memes and slogans wrapped in humour.

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The criminal justice system will be unable to weather this storm unless it adjusts its approach to understanding the true nature of social movements and determining whether terrorist designations are the most appropriate means of dealing with social movements that express soft violence.

Soft violence describes harmful activities that stop short of actual physical violence. It takes the form of culturally nuanced, inexplicit cues that reinforce perceived power disparities. Specific clothing, memes and symbols are all types of recorded social violence activity associated with right-wing extremists.

While groups like the Proud Boys are undoubtedly violent in intention, they are softly violent in their expression. This soft violence demonstrates the creeping normalization of extremist sentiment in our communities.

To receive a terrorist designation, an organization must meet three criteria: it must intend or have committed physical harm; it must intend to impact decision-making by policy-makers and or intimidate citizens; and it must be driven by ideological beliefs. The danger of physical harm to citizens must be clearly demonstrated with reasonable grounds that it has carried out, attempted to carry out, participated in or facilitated terrorist activity.

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Groups that plan, conduct and execute physical harm driven by ideological beliefs are just the tip of the iceberg. Neo-Nazi groups like the Atomwaffen Division and The Base also designated terrorist organizations by the Canadian government fit this designation: they sell guns and train militias for race wars, and utter and disseminate hate speech.

These organized right-wing extremist groups are the violent visible minority, and a small part of the much larger movement of sympathizers and supporters.

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Extremists thrive in environments where they can easily cultivate an identity that is fixated on maintaining the dominance, authority, legitimacy and superiority of the white race. Misogyny and ultra-nationalism are extensions of these constructs of what white well-being and white welfare should look like.

Groups like the Proud Boys recruit and spread their messages through non-offensive affiliations where grievances align. These destructive, inward-looking, nationalistic, race-dominant, regressive beliefs can lead to oppression, community strife and dehumanization.

This is especially true in an uncertain pandemic, where lockdowns lead to an increase in time spent online and conspiracy theories and anger at restrictions prevail.

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My research studies a dataset of more than 94 million extremist transactions to examine how online activity may be a confident predictor of the escalation to violence, based on the degree of usage of softly violent mass identity manipulators, like memes and visual cues.

In particular, I look at how these mass identity manipulators strengthen the bonds of violent transnational social movements. My research lab is currently tracking 16 Canadian Facebook groups with over a quarter-million followers who engage with extremist rhetoric.

When other platforms are considered, Canadian support for these groups might number in the millions. These followers make up a range of segments within extremism violent transnational social movements are often elements within broader social movements.

Many of the groups we are examining are actually derivatives, splinters or rebrands of known extremist groups. Elements of the Proud Boys have already refashioned into a new incarnation called Canada First, effectively sidestepping their terrorist designation.

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The Three Percenters, a far-right militia movement, have created a group called Canadian Sheepdogs, which has more than 400 followers. The Aryan Guard became Blood and Honour, but three of its members who were charged in racially motivated assaults in Vancouver allegedly joined the Asatruu Folk Assembly. The Qubec Soldiers of Odin splintered into the Northern Guard. The Wolves of Odin, Canadian Infidels and The Clann all emerged from the Edmonton Soldiers of Odin.

Alleged neo-Nazis like Gabriel Sohier Chaput have shown that Canadians are highly influential on message boards and forums. The activity of right-wing extremist groups in Canada is a real and present danger.

It is a positive sign that the Canadian government has asserted that violent extremists will be held accountable for their activities, but the punitive measures are incidental at best. The Proud Boys as an organization will not be able to hold property or be named as a charitable foundation.

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The members of the group, however, are free to join other groups because they have not been named individually, and expressing nuanced hate is not a crime or a terrorist offence. These groups, like other extremist violent transnational social movements, raise money through crowdfunding being designated a terrorist organization will limit their ability to do so.

This is possibly the single positive tangible benefit of this action.

Candyce Kelshall, adjunct professor, Buckingham Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies, University of Buckingham.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons licence. Read the original article.

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Federal prosecutors investigated Proud Boys ties to Roger Stone in 2019 case: CNN | TheHill – The Hill

Posted: at 2:35 pm

Members of the violent far-right group the Proud Boys, as well as their connection with Trump associate and political consultant Roger StoneRoger Jason StoneFederal prosecutors investigated Proud Boys ties to Roger Stone in 2019 case: CNN Six people who guarded Roger Stone entered Capitol during attack: NYT House Democrats renew push for checks on presidential pardons MORE, were the subject of a 2019 criminal investigation that ultimately did not lead to charges, CNN reported Wednesday.

The previously-undisclosed investigation centered on whether the group had deliberately threatened the federal judge in Stones own case, according to CNN.

Stone, who was convicted of witness intimidation and lying to Congress but pardoned by former President TrumpDonald TrumpFederal prosecutors investigated Proud Boys ties to Roger Stone in 2019 case: CNN Overnight Defense: One-third of service members decline coronavirus vaccine | Biden to take executive action in response to Solar Winds hack | US, Japan reach cost sharing agreement Trump 'won't say yet' if he's running in 2024 MORE, posted an image of Judge Amy Berman Jackson with crosshairs behind her head to his Instagram account in February 2019, shortly after his indictment.

In court, he said the image was selected by an unnamed person who helped him with social media. Stone said he had not realized the image contained crosshairs. Jackson tightened Stones gag order as a result and he was later banned outright from Instagram and Facebook.

In a subsequent hearing, Stone said Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, reportedly a federal informant, had assisted him with social media. Stone also named several other members and associates of the group, including Tyler Ziolkowski, Jacob Engels and Rey Perez, according to CNN.

The men Stone named later flew to Washington, D.C., to testify in the matter.

"They asked me about if I had anything to do about posting that. They were asking me if Stone has ever paid me, what he's ever paid me for," Ziolkowski told CNN this week.

Ziolkowski was reportedly not present in D.C. on Jan. 6, the day of the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, while Tarrio had been arrested days before. Engels told Ziolkowski he was with Stone, who was in D.C. on Jan. 6 but has said he was not involved in the Capitol breach. Although none of the men have been charged in connection with Jan. 6, several other figures associated with the group have been charged.

Earlier this week, the NAACP and House Homeland Security Committee Chair Bennie ThompsonBennie Gordon ThompsonFederal prosecutors investigated Proud Boys ties to Roger Stone in 2019 case: CNN The Hill's Morning Report - Biden on COVID-19: Next year Americans will be 'better off' Riot probe to likely focus on McCarthy-Trump call MORE (D-Miss.)sued the group along with Trump, his attorney Rudy GiulianiRudy GiulianiFederal prosecutors investigated Proud Boys ties to Roger Stone in 2019 case: CNN The Hill's Morning Report - Biden on COVID-19: Next year Americans will be 'better off' Giuliani not representing Trump in legal matters, spokesman says MORE and another far-right group, the Oath Keepers, under a Reconstruction-era law for alleged incitement.

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A woman who was charged in connection with the Capitol riot bragged about being recruited by the Proud Boys – Business Insider

Posted: at 2:35 pm

An Arizona woman arrested in connection with the Capitol riot on January 6 claimed to have been recruited by the Proud Boys, a misogynistic far-right group, a criminal complaint said.

Felicia Konold was arrested in Arizona last week on charges of conspiracy, civil disorder, obstruction, trespassing, and disorderly conduct, according to the Department of Justice.

Thecomplaint said Konold recorded multiple Snapchat videos describing the riot. In one, it said, she claimed to have been recruited by the Kansas City chapter of the Proud Boys and displayed what she said was a membership coin.

"In the post, the woman claimed that she had been told that even though she was not from Kansas City, she was 'with them now,'" the complaint said.

The claim of acceptance into a Proud Boys chapter has puzzled experts on extremist groups, The Associated Press reported on Wednesday.

The Proud Boys is by definition a men-only group, describing itself as a "pro-Western fraternal organization for men who refuse to apologize for creating the modern world," the complaint said.

The Southern Poverty Law Center, which has designated the Proud Boys as a hate group, said the group is known for misogynistic rhetoric and believes that "women are happier when they stay home and have children."

Alex DiBranco, the executive director of the Institute for Research on Male Supremacism, told the AP that no one in her group was aware of a woman ever having been recruited by a Proud Boys chapter.

Cassie Miller, a senior research analyst for the SPLC, told the AP that, for a time, women formed auxiliary Proud Boys groups like the "Proud Boys' Girls," made up of the wives and girlfriends of members.

But these women were never considered full members of the Proud Boys, Miller said, adding that she wasn't aware of any of these auxiliary groups being active.

"The group has been very clear from the beginning it is an organization for men only and they hold misogynistic [beliefs] and believe that women are best suited for domestic labor and should act as mothers and homemakers," Miller said.

Eric Ward, a senior fellow at the SPLC, told the AP that Konold's receiving a coin would suggest dissension in the Proud Boys' ranks.

"There is something happening around gender in the Proud Boys and it is something worth paying attention to," Ward said.

Recent news reports have indicated that the group is in disarray in the wake of the Capitol riot, particularly after its leader, Enrique Tarrio, was unmasked as a longtime FBI informant.

Konold's criminal complaint said that she and her brother, Cory, were seen on video marching toward the Capitol with a group of Proud Boys on January 6, pushing past several police barricades before eventually breaking into the building with the group. Footage inside the Capitol showed Konold and others working to stop police officers from being able to lower the security gates in the building, the complaint said.

One of the four others charged alongside Konold is William Chrestman, who is described in another court document as the leader of the Kansas City Proud Boys, according to the AP.

Felicia and Cory Konold's father, Robert Konold, told the Arizona Daily Star after their arrests last week that he didn't know they were members of a group.

"Neither of them, as far as I knew, had any affiliation with any group or anything," he said.

Robert Konold said that while he and his daughter had become estranged in the past year, he remained "tight" with his son he said he would have known if his son had joined the Proud Boys.

Robert Konold said that it was his daughter who had really wanted to go to the Trump event and that her brother had tagged along.

"He was just going to drive with his sister because she was going to go regardless," Robert Konold said. "He figured, 'Hey, road trip, and we can both share driving.'"

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7 Best Magnesium Supplements 2021, According to Health Experts – Prevention.com

Posted: at 2:34 pm

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When it comes to minerals your body needs, magnesium is at the top of the list. Its essential for muscle and nerve function, blood glucose regulation, and a healthy heart. Theres even some evidence that magnesium can help prevent migraines and lower your risk of type 2 diabetes.

Magnesium is involved in more body processes than you would ever expect, including in the production of ATP, or energy, says Stephanie Gray, D.N.P., M.S., A.R.N.P., a doctorally prepared functional medicine nurse practitioner and owner of Integrative Health and Hormone Clinic in Hiawatha, Iowa. Therefore, imbalances in magnesium can even lead to problems with energy production.

Where does magnesium come from, exactly? Magnesium is naturally found in plant and animal foods. In your body, more than half of your magnesium is in your bones, one-fourth is in your muscles, and the rest is in fluids and tissues, such as the blood, heart, and kidneys, says Elizabeth Somer, M.S., R.D.N., a dietitian based in Salem, OR and a medical advisory board member for Persona Nutrition. The magnesium in bone acts not only to maintain its structure but also as a reservoir that can be used to ensure an adequate blood supply of the mineral to the rest of the body.

You can get your fill of magnesium by eating certain foods and taking a dietary supplement, if necessary. Adult males need 400 to 420 milligrams daily and adult females need 310 to 360 milligrams daily, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). You can find a good dose of the mineral in nuts and seeds, spinach, soy milk, black beans, edamame, baked potato, and brown rice.

Almost one in every two Americans do not receive adequate levels of magnesium from food alone and should supplement, Somer says. Not getting enough of this mineral can result in magnesium deficiency, also known as hypomagnesemia. The signs and symptoms of magnesium deficiency can include headaches, muscle cramps (particularly in the legs), sleep problems, anxiety, PMS, palpitations, menstrual cramps, depression, bone pain, or osteoporosis.

If youre experiencing any of these symptoms, its a good idea to talk to your doctor. Since most magnesium stores are in your bones, a blood test cannot accurately assess your levels, says Somer. However, a nutrition analysis by a dietitian may be able to help you spot a deficiency. If youre short on magnesium and want to start taking a supplement, consult with your doctor first.

If you and your doctor agree that youd benefit from taking a magnesium supplement, seek out a product made with magnesium aspartate, citrate, lactate, or chloride, which are absorbed by the body more readily than magnesium oxide and magnesium sulfate, Somer says. One-a-day multivitamins usually dont sneak in anywhere near enough magnesium, she notes, so if youre deficient, youd need a separate supplement.

Gray suggests sticking to magnesium in capsule form when possible, and choosing a high-quality product that leaves out unhealthy fillers or additives). Be sure to stick to your doctor-recommended dose, too, and ask about any potential interactions with other medications or supplements youre taking. For example, magnesium competes with other minerals like calcium and zinc for absorption so you need to find the best ratio, says Somer. Additionally, magnesium can cause a laxative effect so tell your doctor if you notice youre making more trips to the bathroom after supplementing.

Now that you know what to keep in mind, check out the following magnesium supplements, which all feature stomach-friendly, highly-absorbable forms of the mineral.

90 Veggie Capsules

Want to keep your memory sharp?These vegan magnesium L-threonate capsulesmay do just that, says Gray.Itssaid to have superior absorption getting through the blood-brain barrier because it is able to transport magnesium ions across lipid membranes, including those of brain cells,she explains.Pop one in the morning and two at night tosupport brain health and functioning.

90 Vegetarian Capsules

Available as a tropical drink mix if pills arent your thing, these magnesium L-threonate capsules can also help boost your brain.Since this type of magnesium is easily absorbed into the cerebrospinal fluid that flows around the brain and spinal cord, it might help with brain clarity, memory, and brain plasticity, which can allow you to pick up new skills easier.

90 Capsules

$15.00

Gray is a fan of thishighly-absorbable, budget-friendly option. This supplement isa mix of magnesium citrate and dimagnesium malate thatmay improve fatigue and muscle soreness.One capsule once to three times daily will cover your bases.

240 Tablets

$39.40

Another Gray-approved option, this magnesium glycinate supplement may offer a calming effect due to the glycine. It also earns top marks for reducing PMS symptoms and keeping bones strong, making this one of the best magnesium supplements for women. Take one to four per day, depending on your doctors recommendations.

180 Capsules

$37.10

Thismagnesium glycinate supplementis great for women with PMS, and it may offer acellular energy boost and metabolic support. The recommended dosage is one to four pills per dayask your doctor what would be best for you.

120 Capsules

$19.99

Youll score vitamin D3, zinc, and magnesium (citrate, glycinate and malate) in this multipurpose supplement thats suggested dose is two per day.You may notice a better mood, less fatigue and a stronger immune system after taking it consistently.

120 Capsules

$31.50

Chelated magnesium is more easily absorbed by your body, says Gray, which is why she recommends this magnesium citrate and magnesium glycinate supplement. It isabsorbed nearly nine times better than magnesium oxide and more than five times better than magnesium sulfate.Take two of the vegetable capsules per day to reap the most benefits.

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Food Supplements Market Increasing Demand, Industry Share, Growth with Industry Study Pandemic Anticipated to Surge Amid the rapidly Increasing Impact…

Posted: at 2:34 pm

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Part 12: Vendor Landscape

Part 13: Vendor Analysis

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Is Lobster Healthy? Nutrition, Benefits, and Potential Dangers – Healthline

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People around the world know lobster as a delicacy or luxury food.

Like shrimp, crab, and crayfish, lobster is a crustacean, a type of shellfish characterized by its segmented body protected by a shell (1).

Generally, people think of crustaceans as high cholesterol foods. However, they also have a high nutritional value.

This article explains all you need to know about the nutrition of lobster, including whether the cholesterol it contains should be a reason for concern. It also reviews the benefits and downsides of eating lobster and discusses how to prepare it.

Lobster is a low calorie food packed with vitamins and minerals.

A 1-cup (145-gram) serving of cooked lobster provides (2):

As you can see, lobster is a lean protein source it packs a lot of protein and minimal fat.

However, cholesterol content is independent of fat content, and a serving of lobster provides 70% of the DV for cholesterol (1, 2).

It also provides 280 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) combined (2).

EPA and DHA are two types of omega-3 fatty acids that may protect heart health by lowering blood cholesterol levels. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend consuming about 250 mg of EPA and DHA per day (1, 3, 4).

Lobster is also an exceptional source of the trace elements copper and selenium.

While copper is involved in energy and DNA production, selenium acts as an anticancer agent and may protect against chronic degenerative diseases (5, 6).

Most crustaceans, including lobster, have fairly similar nutritional profiles.

Heres a comparison of the nutritional content of a 1-cup (145-gram) serving of lobster, shrimp, crab, and crayfish (2, 7, 8, 9).

Although lobster provides more protein per serving than the other crustaceans, they are all protein-rich foods. In fact, they all pack higher protein content than finfish (1).

Another difference between these crustaceans is shrimps fat content, which is significantly higher than those of the rest and explains shrimps higher calorie count.

However, despite shrimps higher fat content, shrimp and lobster have virtually the same cholesterol content. In contrast, crayfish and crab provide lower amounts.

Lastly, while they are all rich in EPA and DHA, shrimp, crayfish, and crab provide lower amounts than lobster.

Lobster is a lean protein food with high amounts of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. It also contains vitamins and minerals needed for optimal health.

Lobsters high quality nutritional profile gives it numerous health benefits.

Lobster has a high protein content.

Its also rich in all essential amino acids the building blocks of protein. This means that the quality of protein lobster offers may be equal to or better than that of milk, red meat, or soy (10).

Additionally, research suggests that high protein foods may aid or promote weight loss by boosting your metabolism and increasing feelings of fullness (11).

In fact, your body burns more calories when processing proteins than it does when processing carbs and fats (11, 12, 13).

Protein is also more efficient than carbs or fat at increasing feelings of fullness. It does this by reducing appetite-stimulating hormones and increasing levels of hormones that reduce hunger. Thus, eating protein may help with appetite control (11, 12, 13).

Omega-3s and vitamin B12 play an essential role in brain and mental health.

For example, DHA is an important component of brain cells and is necessary for the function of the cell membrane. Studies have found that omega-3 deficiency may accelerate brain aging (14, 15).

Studies suggest that people who consume diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids have a lower risk of stroke, depression, dementia, and Alzheimers disease (14, 15, 16).

Similarly, research suggests that low vitamin B12 levels are associated with dementia, Alzheimers disease, and Parkinsons disease (17).

However, some studies suggest that taking vitamin B12 supplements seems to reduce the risk of dementia by 20% and improve brain function in older adults (18, 19).

Thus, adding lobster to your diet may prove beneficial for your brain and mental health.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. To help prevent this condition, public health initiatives recommend regularly eating fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids (20, 21).

Studies have repeatedly shown that long-chain omega-3s, such as EPA and DHA, have protective effects against heart disease. Fish and seafood species that provide high amounts of both such as lobster seem to be the most protective (21, 22).

EPA and DHA may reduce the risk of heart disease in several ways.

Studies suggest they may lower blood cholesterol levels and blood pressure. They may also reduce inflammation to help prevent atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which is a risk factor for stroke (21, 22, 23).

One 2008 study found that intakes of 566 mg per day of EPA and DHA may reduce heart disease risk by 37% (24).

In a 2010 study, participants took up to 234 mg of EPA and DHA per day, and the researchers reported that for participants who took the highest amounts, the risk of heart disease decreased by 49% and the risk of heart attack-related deaths decreased by 62% (25).

Omega-3s and selenium may give lobster cancer-fighting effects.

Research suggests that diets rich in EPA, DHA, and selenium may have a protective effect against several types of cancer, including breast, colorectal, prostate, lung, gastric, liver, and ovarian cancers (26, 27, 28, 29, 30).

Test tube and animal studies have found that the anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects of omega-3s have reduced tumor growth and spread and led to cancer cell death (26, 27, 31).

However, additional research with human subjects is needed.

Furthermore, DHA seems to enhance the effect of cisplatin a common chemotherapy drug on tumor spread and death. It may also be beneficial in reducing drug-induced side effects (26).

Research also suggests that seleniums antioxidant capacity may play a role in its potential anticancer effects. Studies have shown that selenium may promote tumor death and help prevent cancer from spreading (29, 30, 32).

Adding lobster to your diet may have some additional health benefits, thanks to the selenium it contains.

Lobsters high selenium content may be beneficial for people with autoimmune thyroid diseases, such as Hashimotos thyroiditis (33, 34).

Selenium may also help boost immunity, since the nutrient is involved in biological processes that ensure normal cellular function necessary for a healthy immune response (35, 36).

While the research on some of the nutrients in lobster seems promising, it is important to note that no studies reflect the benefits of eating lobster directly.

Scientists need to do more research to investigate the health benefits of lobster in humans.

Nutrients in lobster may offer beneficial effects for heart and mental health and weight loss. They may even help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.

While lobster has a relatively high amount of cholesterol, this may not be a health concern. Some research suggests that cholesterol from food sources is not associated with heart disease risk (37, 38).

However, some of these studies have been lower quality, and scientists need to do more high quality studies to investigate this topic further (38).

Older studies explain that this is because your body can regulate its cholesterol production based on how much cholesterol you eat (39).

While dietary cholesterol may increase LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, it also increases HDL (good) cholesterol levels. Thus, it maintains the LDL-to-HDL cholesterol ratio and avoids increasing the risk of heart disease (37, 38).

However, this is not the case for everyone. Research has found that about one-quarter of the population is more sensitive to higher cholesterol intakes (37).

Lobster contains a high amount of cholesterol, but this is not a health concern for most people. Studies have found that cholesterol from food sources does not appear to increase the risk of heart disease.

Regardless of lobsters nutritional benefits, there are certain potential hazards you should take into account when buying or consuming it.

Lobster is a highly perishable food that requires proper handling to avoid microbial contamination. Improper handling may lead to foodborne illnesses.

However, you are more likely to get a foodborne illness from eating raw or undercooked lobster.

Some of the most common disease-causing bacteria linked to improperly handled crustaceans and raw seafood in general are Vibrio species, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella species, and Shigella species (1).

Symptoms associated with consuming these bacteria include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever, stomach cramps, and headaches (1).

Thus, it would be best to avoid consuming undercooked lobster. You may want to pay close attention to lobster handling.

Crustaceans are some of the most common allergens that may cause severe food reactions, and lobsters are among the most allergenic (40, 41).

Symptoms of an allergic reaction to lobster may range from mild to severe.

In extreme cases, coming into contact with lobster may lead to anaphylaxis. This is a life threatening allergic reaction that causes your airways to narrow, making it difficult to breathe (41, 42).

The protein tropomyosin is the major allergen in shellfish. The structure of this protein is similar in crustaceans and mollusks, so cross-reactivity is very likely (43).

In other words, if youre allergic to any crustacean, like lobster, you may also have allergic reactions when consuming clams, scallops, oysters, mussels, and other shellfish. The opposite is also true: If you have a shellfish allergy, you may also be allergic to lobster.

There is currently no cure for food allergies. Managing an allergy requires avoiding the allergen. You may need to seek emergency treatment if you come into contact with an allergen (42).

As a result of water pollution, lobsters and other shellfish may become contaminated with heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and arsenic (1).

Consumption of heavy metals through foods may be detrimental to your health. It may cause brain and kidney damage and heart abnormalities and may affect babies brains (1, 44, 45).

That said, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies lobster as a low mercury food and suggests it is safe to eat two to three servings of lobster per week (46).

However, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, as well as children, may be more sensitive to the effects of heavy metals and should limit their intake.

Lobsters may become contaminated with heavy metals and microorganisms that cause foodborne illnesses. They are also highly allergenic.

Lobster has a tender texture and mild flavor that pairs well with a variety of dishes.

Lobsters are usually cooked by steaming or boiling. You may also find them cut into medallions, frozen, or commercially processed into multiple products, such as canned or pickled lobster (10).

To keep your lobster on the healthier side, be mindful of preparation and cooking methods that significantly increase calorie and fat content. For example, frying lobster or mixing it with mayonnaise or butter may boost its fat content considerably.

Heres a healthy recipe for lobster zucchini noodles that you could try.

Lobsters texture and flavor make it easy to include in a wide variety of dishes. Boiling and steaming are two traditional and healthy cooking methods. Frying or serving it with butter or mayonnaise can increase the fat content considerably.

Lobster is a type of crustacean rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.

Adding it to your diet may be beneficial for weight loss and mental health and may help reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.

However, lobsters are highly allergenic. They may also become contaminated with disease-causing microorganisms or heavy metals. More sensitive individuals, such as those who are pregnant, should limit their intake.

Be sure to eat fresh and fully cooked lobsters to avoid any potential bacterial contamination. If you want to keep your lobster on the healthier side, avoid dipping it in butter or mayo.

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On-going humanitarian emergency threatens the nutritional status of vulnerable children and women in the Central African Republic – Nutrition Cluster…

Posted: at 2:34 pm

Nutrition Cluster partners in the Central African Republic (CAR) are extremely concerned about the risk of deterioration in the nutritional status of vulnerable children and women due to the on-going humanitarian emergency.

For the 2021 CAR Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO), the Nutrition Cluster estimated that approximately 1.1 million of persons need nutrition assistance, with 205,642 children under five years acutely malnourished. 62,327 with severe acute malnutrition (SAM), who risk death without immediate treatment, and 143,315 with moderate acute malnutrition (MAM). Additionally, an estimated 37,000 pregnant or lactating women (PLW) are also malnourished making them vulnerable to maternal mortality and varied morbidities that will negatively affect their infants. Furthermore, an estimated 90,000 children aged between 6 -59 months and 140,000 PLW are in need of Blanket supplementary feeding programme. According to UN estimates, nearly 1.93 million people in CAR are expected to be in high acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above) through April 20211 . The procurement capacities of CARs markets have greatly diminished, and price monitoring has demonstrated a rise in the price of staple foods since December 20202 . Many large traders and herders have fled the country, raising fears of a market collapse that could exacerbate the current food crisis. At least 63,800 people have been internally displaced3 and another 105 300 seeking shelter in neighboring countries.

In addition to mounting food insecurity, vulnerable populations have also had to cope with a collapse of basic healthcare services since the beginning of the crisis. As of to date 13 mobiles clinics and 60 health facility have suspended their health and nutrition services due to insecurity. The rainy season may start as early as March in CAR, leading to an increase in the incidence of malaria and diarrhoea. Childhood underweight (low birth weight, wasting and/or stunting) is the number one risk factor for death in children under five in CAR.

Limited access due to insecurity, population displacement, deteriorated food security, limited access to portable water, increased morbidity and lack of healthcare services will inevitably have an impact on the nutritional status of the most vulnerable, particularly children under five and pregnant and lactating women. In fact, the impact is already evident. Recent data from partners indicates that at Bouars IDP in Ouest part of the country in January 2021, 3 out of 4 IDP sites already have a GAM rate >15%. The same situation was observed in Cesakoba and Dekoa s IDP in Bangassou and Kemo where the GAM was recoded at 26% and 13% respectively. In addition, data from 26 localities (with GAM rate >15%) demonstrated an alarming situation. Still prevailing pocket of high prevalence of acute malnutrition. These localities are: Dekoa, KagaBandoro, Bambari, Grimari, Bouca, Koui, Bocaranga, Paoua, Bouar, Gamboula, Amadagaza, Nola, Carnot, Gadzi, Mingala, Alindao, Nzangba, Mobaye, Kembe, Satema, Gambo, Pombolo, Ouango, Bakouma, Rafai, Bangassou. This may be indicative of a wider nutrition problem in hard-to-reach populations in these areas or for people who fled to the bush for long period with no access to health and nutrition services. Nutrition cluster partners have also noted an increase in displaced populations with high levels of malnutrition.

Humanitarian partners, both international and local, are doing remarkable work implementing care and treatment activities for malnourished children in very difficult circumstances. However, the needs are considerable and life-saving activities to screen, treat and prevent malnutrition need to be drastically scaled-up, particularly in these priorities areas in order to reduce the mortality and morbidity of young children and women. Preposition life-saving materials in warehouses and in health facilities has become challenging as road transport has become nearly impossible due to insecurity. Air transport is the main current option of supply delivery to partners where assistance can be provided with a minimum degree of security. However, challenges related to costs remain.

Nutrition Cluster partners aim to treat at least 50,000 children suffering from SAM, 164,500 children suffering from MAM and 37,000 malnourished PLW in 2021, as well as targeting 90,000 children aged between 6 -59 months and 140,000 PLW with nutritious food supplements to prevent acute malnutrition. However, given the increase of the insecurity, it is extremely possible that the number of children and PLW in need of nutrition assistance may rise substantially in the coming months. Consistent and predictable funding is crucial to ensure continuous, quality malnutrition treatment and prevention for these children and women. Current requirements for the nutrition response stand at 35 million USD, of which $ 18,2 million are required before the end of June 2021. Resources ($ 11,2 million) are urgently needed before end of Mai 2021 to ensure that an adequate pipeline of supplies provided by UNICEF and WFP is in place and that life-saving malnutrition treatment and prevention activities can be maintained and expanded to meet the needs of all those affected by the current humanitarian crisis in CAR.

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Senate votes to acquit Donald Trump in impeachment trial

Posted: at 2:33 pm

The Senate on Saturday acquitted former President Donald Trump of an article of impeachment that charged he incited the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

The 57-43 vote fell far short of the Constitutions two-thirds requirement.

Seven Republicans broke ranks and voted to convict Trump: Richard Burr of North Carolina, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitt Romney of Utah, Ben Sasse of Nebraska and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania.

Trump thanked the 43 Republicans who voted to acquit him in an emailed statement.

Our historic, patriotic and beautiful movement to Make America Great Again has only just begun. In the months ahead I have much to share with you, and I look forward to continuing our incredible journey together to achieve American greatness for all of our people. There has never been anything like it! Trump said.

It is a sad commentary on our times that one political party in America is given a free pass to denigrate the rule of law, defame law enforcement, cheer mobs, excuse rioters, and transform justice into a tool of political vengeance, and persecute, blacklist, cancel and suppress all people and viewpoints with whom or which they disagree. I always have, and always will, be a champion for the unwavering rule of law, the heroes of law enforcement, and the right of Americans to peacefully and honorably debate the issues of the day without malice and without hate.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) voted to acquit but tore into Trump in a floor speech afterwards. He said President Trump is constitutionally not eligible for conviction as a result of already leaving office, but that there is no question none that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of that day.

The people who stormed this building believed they were acting on the wishes and instructions of their president and having that belief was a foreseeable consequence of the growing crescendo of false statements, conspiracy theories and reckless hyperbole, which the defeated president kept shouting into the largest megaphone on planet Earth, McConnell said.

McConnell, who is Washingtons most powerful post-Trump Republican, accused the former president of being responsible for increasingly wild myths about a reverse landslide election that was somehow being stolen.

Although he voted to acquit, McConnells speech mirrored the pro-conviction arguments of impeachment managers. He said Trump imperiled former Vice President Mike Pence and Capitol police officers.

The leader in the free world cannot spend weeks thundering that shadowy forces are stealing our country and then feign surprise when people believe him and do reckless things, McConnell said.

This was an intensifying crescendo of conspiracy theories orchestrated by an outgoing president who seemed determined to either overturn the voters decision or else torch our institutions on the way out.

McConnell said Trump was watching the same live television as the rest of us. A mob was assaulting the Capitol in his name. These criminals were carrying his banners, hanging his flags and screaming their loyalty to him. It was obvious that only President Trump could end this The president did not act swifty, he did not do his job Instead, according to public reports he watched television happily as the chaos unfolded. He kept pressing his scheme to overturn the election.

McConnell added that Trump voters arent responsible for the violence. 74 million Americans did not engineer the campaign of disinformation and rage that provoked it. One person did. Just one, he said.

But Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) argued that the acquittal could result in more violence.

The failure to convict Donald Trump will live as a vote of infamy in the history of the United States Senate, Schumer said.

Schumer said that if lying about the results of an election is acceptable, if instigating a mob against the government is considered permissible, if encouraging political violence becomes the norm, it will be open season on our democracy and everything will be up for grabs by whoever has the biggest clubs, the sharpest spears, the most powerful guns.

Trump attorney Michael van der Veen maintained in closing arguments that Democrats were hypocritical for impeaching Trump over a heated pre-riot speech and said the proceeding was unconstitutional.

Throughout the summer Democrat leaders including the current president and vice president repeatedly made comments that provided moral comfort to mobs attacking police officers, van der Veen said.

Van der Veen said that the Capitol break-in that disrupted certification of President Bidens victory and left five dead actually was pre-planned and premeditated by fringe left and right groups.

The gathering on Jan. 6 was supposed to be an entirely peaceful event, van der Veen said. He argued that local officials failed to provide adequate security for the Capitol.

Trumps now second impeachment acquittal followed a dramatic request by House managers to call at least one witness threatening to drag the trial weeks longer only for a compromise to be reached adding a statement from Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.) into the record.

Lead impeachment manager Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) argued that Trump must be convicted and banned from holding office again to preserve US democratic traditions.

Weve shown you how President Trump created a powder keg, lit a match and then continued his incitement even as he failed to defend us from the ensuing violence, Raskin said Saturday.

This case is about whether our country demands a peaceful, non-violent transfer of power.

Raskin said that Trump knew there would be violence at the Capitol after he concluded a pre-riot speech and that he didnt join the march because he didnt want to be too close to the action when all hell was about to break loose.

Were defending the US Senate and the US House against a president who acted no better than a marauder and a member of that mob by inciting those people to come here. And in many ways he was worse. He named the date, he named the time and he brought them here. And now, he must pay the price, Raskin closed.

The trials outcome was long viewed as a foregone conclusion due to the 17 Republican votes needed to convict. Last month, just 10 House Republicans voted to impeach Trump and on Tuesday only six GOP senators voted that the trial was constitutional.

Many Republican senators said they could not see past their belief that the trial was unconstitutional because Trump no longer holds office. Others said that they believed that impeachment managers failed to prove that Trump incited the violence.

No. 2 Senate Republican John Thune of South Dakota, against whom Trump has encouraged a 2022 primary challenge, also voted to acquit Trump, despite saying on Wednesday that the Democratic case was very effective and I think theyve done a good job connecting the dots.

It was the fourth Senate impeachment trial in US history and follows Trumps acquittal last year in a separate trial for allegedly obstructing Congress and abusing his power by asking Ukraine to investigate now-President Biden and his son Hunter.

The Senate also acquitted Trump in February 2020 of charges he obstructed Congress and abused his power by pressuring Ukraine to investigate President Biden and his son Hunter. A single Republican, Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, voted to find him guilty on one of those two counts.

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‘Around here, Trump is king’: How Marjorie Taylor Greene got to Congress by running as the MAGA candidate – USA TODAY

Posted: at 2:33 pm

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene apologized for previous incendiary social media post regarding conspiracy theories. Associated Press

ROME, Ga. Tomany of her constituents, Marjorie Taylor Greene got to Congress because she embodies a variety of conservative values: anti-tax, anti-bureaucracy, pro-religion, pro-guns, pro-Donald Trump.

Her violent rhetoric and conspiracy theories?

Those aren't as popular with Republican conservatives in Georgia but probably aren't a deal-breaker, either.

"I know her I think she's representing us very well," said Debbie Scoggins, 54, a co-owner of Giggity's sports bar in downtown Rome, the imperially named city at the heart of Georgia's 14th Congressional District.

Sweeping the sidewalk in front of the restaurant, Scoggins said she met Greene as the latter asked for her vote.Pointing to the wide boulevard that runs past the old brick buildings of the rehabbed downtown, Scoggins said,"She's been all up and down Broad Street, asking people what they want from her ...She's passionate; she cares about people."

To others, Greene's passionboils into something far more than that: dangerous, conspiracy-driven extremism, the kind of rhetoric that leads to things like the deadly Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by fervent Trump supporters.

President Donald Trump and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene at a Senate runoff campaign rally in Dalton, Ga., on Jan. 4, 2021.(Photo: Brynn Anderson/AP)

"We just elected a bomb thrower, and she is not going to back down," said John Cowan, aRome-based neurosurgeon who lost a Republican runoff to Greene last year.

Greene's election in 2020 underscored how Trump's political movement swept some far-right candidates into public office; her tenure so far has exposed Trump-generated divisions in the Republican Party moving forward, though local GOP members said they are unsure if they can defeat Greene in next year's congressional elections.

Greene removed from committee: Incendiary social media posts prompt House action

GOP two-step: Republicans keep faith with Trump in backing of Marjorie Taylor Greene

Earlier this month, the Democratic majority in the U.S. House, along with 11 Republicans,voted to dismissGreene from two congressional committees, bringing another hailstorm of bad publicity to this rural, small-town corner of northwest Georgia.

Some Republicans in Georgia, and elsewhere, said people like Greene are killing the party it's"a battle for sanity," Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., told NPR News. Greene, meanwhile, raised money off of the attacks on her and threatenedto back primary opponents for Republicans who voted for Trump's impeachment.

"Youve picked a fight you cant win. We will make sure of it," Taylor tweeted at Kinzinger during the recent Senate impeachment trial that acquitted Trump of charges that he incited the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Republicans in northwest Georgia, some speaking on condition of anonymity so as not to alienate their neighbors, said too many of their colleaguesare hurting the party byignoring Greene's more extreme views: Her seeming support for violence against political opponents, her apparent QAnon belief that a secret sect runs the United States, her suggestions that school shootings were staged to inspire calls for gun control.

Some voiced concern that Greene's lack of committee membership could cost the region some federal aid. But they added it'stoo early to say whether a more establishment Republican might challenge her in a party primary next year.

"I think Jan. 6 was a big, big wake-up call for the Republican Party," Cowan said. "The issue is, how are we being represented?"

The House is expected to vote Thursday about whether to strip Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from her committee assignments, over her past embrace of conspiracy theories. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy says she apologized. (Feb. 4) AP Domestic

Amy Stone, 47, a Democrat and chief compliance officer who lives inChickamauga, said Greene succeeded because she was seen as being like Trump, spreading false claims that politicians want to forge "socialism" and take away people's guns.

"I feel like she did a really great job of just stirring that fear," Stone said. "And then riding Trump coattails because around here, Trump is king."

Local Republicans said it could take a long time to figure out how someone likeGreene could win a GOP primary and get elected to Congress, even from a conservative area like northwest Georgia.

"Everyone's scratching their head trying to figure that out," said Hal Storey, 63, a local businessmanwho described himself as a political independent,

Some reasons are already clear, however:A successful businesswoman, Greene had money and a good organization. Her incendiarysocial media posts gave her name recognition.She managed to cast herself as the "Trumpiest" candidate in a Republican primary field full of Trump supporters.

Greene says she regrets comments: Congresswoman says she's sorry for 'wrong and offensive' comments

More: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, controversial Republican embraced QAnon conspiracy theories

Initially, Greene did not even plan to represent the 14th District. She prepared to run in another district,a less Republican area in the northern suburbs of Atlanta that had elected a Democrat in 2018. The district did so again in 2020.

In the meantime, Greene took advantage of an unexpected political development that allowed her to run in a more Republican district.

Rep. Tom Graves, R-Ga., first elected to Congress from northwest Georgia in 2010, announced in December 2019 he would not seek reelection. A businessman, Graves was a more traditional Republican who developed a reputation as a fiscal hawk.

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During the 2016 Republican presidential race, Graves also criticized Trump. In a letter to constituents, he said: "Would I be comfortable if my three children acted like Trump? Certainly not.

Nine Republicans jumped into the 2020race for the newly open seat, but most had to create a campaign structure from scratch.Greene,moving into the 14th District from the northern Atlantaarea, hada ready-made organization she had created for the other race.

"She had the car up and running, while other people were assembling the pieces," said Charles S. BullockIII,a political science professor at the University of Georgia.

Greene's aggressive style, and provocative use of social media, gave her name identification and enabled her to build support from the area's large group of Trump supporters. It allhelped her accomplish step one: Finish in the top two of the primary and qualify for the runoff.

This despite criticism of a string of Facebook videos in which Greene said Muslims should not be allowed to serve in government, and that Black people have become "slaves to the Democratic Party." Greene also ran ads showing her holding semiautomatic weapons.

In theone-on-one runoff with Cowan, Greene cast herself as a champion of Trumpism and declared her opponent as insufficiently conservative; she won with 57% of the vote.

During an online debate,Taylor hit Cowan for not having donated toTrump's campaign "you haven't given a dime to President Trump" while Cowan brought up Taylor's extreme views.

"I'm all of the conservative and none of the embarrassment," he said.

Greene,who spent a reported $2.2 million on the campaign,prevailed even as her views drew national attention to the congressional race featuring the "QAnon candidate."

As in most of the country, most people don't follow the details of politics, said residents of northwest Georgia. They did not think through the ramifications of some of Greene's beliefs. They did not fathom QAnon, the conspiracy theory that baselessly claims that a cabal of pedophiles and Satan worshipersare secretly running the government.

American flags fly over a sign reading 'Pray For Our Nation' on Highway 27 Friday, Nov. 6, 2020, in Rome, Ga. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)(Photo: Ben Margot, AP)

Cowan noted that the primary was June 9 and the runoff was Aug. 11. Details about Greene's background emerged gradually, he said, and people did not have enough time to absorb and fully understand the implications of some of Greene's views.

"I don't think there was enough time and money to adjudicate it properly," Cowan said.

In Georgia's 14th Congressional District, winning the Republican nomination is tantamount to winning the seat. Greene's Democratic opponent in the general election Kevin Van Ausdal, 35, a political newcomer who hadpledged to "bring civility back to Washington withdrew from the race just more than a month before Election Day.

Some Greene supporters said the Democrats were just stirring up trouble for the Republicans, and still are.

"They need to get some of these old ones that's in there out that have gone wacko," saidRaleen Carr, 64, a Greene backer who works at a coffee shop in downtown Ringgold.

Carr cited Greene's youth and opposition to abortion "not killing babies," she said as reasons for Green's support in Georgiaand her opposition in Washington. Carr said, "they are trying to get her out because of her morals and her values."

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer carried a poster of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene holding an AR-15, while calling for her removal from House committees. USA TODAY

From the three rivers that originally made Rome a trade center,to the carpet industry that made Dalton a brand name,the 14th Congressional District was drawn to loop inRepublican and conservative areas.

The electorate here is a distillation ofthe conservative evolution of the Republican Party, especially in the once solid-Democratic South. It's a tradition that runs from BarryGoldwater to Ronald Reagan to Georgia's own Newt Gingrich and now includes the Trump movement.

In getting to Congress, Greene campaigned on the Trumpian view thatthe nation is in decline, threatened by "socialism" and other countries that take advantage of the United States.

The approach "appeals to people who see the world changing around them," said Bullock, the professor. "They're uncomfortable. They don't know what to do about it."

There are other factors behind Greene's popularity, some residents said. Some supporters aresimply resentful of Blackor Hispanic peopleand never happy about civil rights laws that stretch back to the 1960s, some residents said,speaking on condition of anonymity.

Others simply hate Democratsand are thrilled to see Greene's slashing attacks on them. "I think people in northwest Georgia have applauded that," Cowan said.

More: Steny Hoyer blasts Marjorie Taylor Greene over AR-15 post targeting Democratic 'Squad'

More: House Republicans, divided and angry, meet to decide fate of Liz Cheney and Marjorie Taylor Greene

The area has historically chafed at the federal government.

There are Civil War references all over Rome, from a marker along a river noting the site of the Noble Brothers Foundry,which once made locomotives and cannons for the Confederate Army, to cannons themselves sitting atop Jackson Hill. Officials recently removed a statue ofConfederate Gen. William Bedford Forrest, who after the war became the firstGrand Wizardof theKu Klux Klan.

The city also honors all sorts of history, including a statue of its mosthistoric resident: Ellen Axson Wilson, first lady of the United States during Woodrow Wilson's presidency; she died during hisfirst term.

Taylor might not even be the most conservative member to ever represent the area.

Rep. Larry McDonald, elected in 1974 in a district that included parts of northwest Georgia, campaigned against what he saw as a communist conspiracy to destroy the United States. In office, he voted against the Martin Luther KingJr.holiday, falsely claiming in a statement that the civil rights leader had been "manipulated by communists and secret communist agents."

McDonald was also a Democrat, a throwback to the party's "Solid South" at a time when Republicans were poorly organized in the state. He died in one of the most infamous incidents of the Cold War:aboardKorean Air Lines Flight 007 that was accidentally shot down by the Russians in 1983.

Some northwest Georgia Republicans offered a different view of the political world. They said too many politicians are out for themselves and indifferent to the loss of manufacturing jobs andthe decline of religious morality.

In downtown Dalton, where the whistles of passing freight trains are often heard,Greene supporterSusan Mealssaid, "we don't think what's going on now is working sometimes you just need a change."

Meals, a nurse, did not agree with some of Greene's views: "There are a lot of people out there on both sides who have conspiracy theories I don't agree with. Does that make them bad people? No."

Greene would probably not be "my best friend," said Meals, 58. "But I didn't vote for her to be my best friend."

Down the road inRinggold, some houses fly the Confederate battle flag or the recently discardedGeorgia state flag that includesthe Stars and Bars.Another familiar sight through the district: the spires of churches, four of which lineNashville Street in downtown Ringgold.

Preston Brown, 49, a Republican who works in the area's fairly large tourism industry, said he didn't think it was right that Democrats made the decision to remove Greene from her congressional committees.

"That," he said, "seems like an overreach of authority.

The House has voted to remove Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from House committees. Here's why this is significant for the congresswoman. USA TODAY

Residents said most people in Georgia's 14th Congressional District really aren't intopolitics, especially the way it's practiced now. Some residents don't even know who Greene is.

Othersrefused to talk about her. And otherssaid they would discuss the congresswoman only on the condition that they not be named, fearful of blowback from friends and customers who ardently support Trump and Greene.

One business owner, who asked that his name not be used, said people said "we're going to shut you down" if he came out against Trump."It's pretty crazy," he said.

Greene does not represent the area in total, some residents said, particularly the African American population and a growing number of Latinos. The district is more than 80% white, according to Census figures.

Alexandros Cornejo, 41, an immigration attorneywho said he doesn't belong to either political party, said Greene is certainly not representing clients who work hard for a living. "At this point, she's become a nuisance and a distraction she needs to go."

Whether that happens in next year's election remains to be seen.

For one thing, Greene figures to be well-funded. Greene said on Jan. 29 she had raised more than $1.6 million off of negative media coverage of her.On Feb. 3, the day before the House voted to kick her off committees, Greene tweeted she had raised $175,000in a single day, and told followers that "they are attacking me because Im one of you."

Storey, the businessman who grew up in Rome,said people will be "scratching their head"for years over how Greene made it to Congress. He simply doesn't believe that most residents agree with the "divisiveness" and "meanness" displayed by Greene's campaign.

"That doesn't represent the community I grew up in," he said.

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