Tuesday, January 02, 2018 8:56:41 PM
Weakly Address: 12/16/2017
Published on Dec 16, 2017 by The White House [ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYxRlFDqcWM4y7FfpiAN3KQ / https://www.youtube.com/user/whitehouse , https://www.youtube.com/user/whitehouse/videos ]
President Donald J. Trump’s Weakly Address
December 16, 2017
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trumps-weekly-address-121617/ [official transcript, with a currently botched attempt to embed this YouTube]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJcmL2eWlag [with comments]
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President Trump Delivers a Statement Upon Departure
Published on Dec 16, 2017 by The White House
The White House
[no official transcript (yet) at https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/ ]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNPlm9O4q3A [with comments]
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GOP tax plan: Lawrence O'Donnell explains final bill
AM Joy
12/16/17
The GOP tax bill will likely be passed including many details that ultimately benefit the rich, and negatively impact the poor and middle class. Lawrence O'Donnell and Joy Reid discuss. Duration: 11:17
©2017 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/am-joy/watch/gop-tax-plan-lawrence-o-donnell-explains-final-bill-1118153283954 , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnvZJwIeH7E [with comments]
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Mueller: GOP leaders attack Russia probe prosecutor
AM Joy
12/16/17
Mueller: GOP leaders attack Russia probe prosecutor Republicans accuse special prosecutor Robert Mueller and his team investigating Russia’s election interference of bias. Joy Reid and her panel discuss what experts call this threat to our republic. Duration: 11:39
©2017 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/am-joy/watch/mueller-gop-leaders-attack-russia-probe-prosecutor-1118158403963
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Black voters, activists huge factors in Doug Jones win
AM Joy
12/16/17
African-American voters, particularly black women, have been given much-deserved credit for helping Doug Jones beat Roy Moore in the Alabama Senate race. Joy Reid meets an activist who helped make it happen. Duration: 11:14
©2017 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/am-joy/watch/black-voters-activists-huge-factors-in-doug-jones-win-1118170691740 , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FpfTOiKszI [with comments]
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Trump attacks Sen. Gillibrand after she calls for his resignation
AM Joy
12/16/17
Sen. Gillibrand called for Donald Trump to resign after being part of a group of senators who called for Al Franken to resign. Can Democrats wield this moral high ground to investigate Trump’s misconduct allegations? Duration: 11:44
©2017 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/am-joy/watch/trump-attacks-sen-gillibrand-after-she-calls-for-his-resignation-1118196803912
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Omarosa Manigault might tell all about Trump’s White House
AM Joy
12/16/17
Omarosa Manigault’s exit from Donald Trump’s White House is leading many to speculate: will she attack Trump? Joy Reid and her panel discuss. Duration: 10:20
©2017 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/am-joy/watch/omarosa-manigault-might-tell-all-about-trump-s-white-house-1118215747567 , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjzB-pDlqtg [with comments]
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Trump news: Do FBI attacks show authoritarian leanings?
AM Joy
12/16/17
Donald Trump’s ghost writer for ‘The Art of the Deal,’ Tony Schwartz, says the president wants to create a world which, ‘he controls completely.’ Will the Democrats fight back? Duration: 7:27
©2017 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/am-joy/watch/trump-news-do-fbi-attacks-show-authoritarian-leanings-1118219331504 , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dB332AgF8g [with comments]
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Scars of the Secret War
Published on Dec 16, 2017 by Rare Earth [ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtGG8ucQgEJPeUPhJZ4M4jA / https://www.youtube.com/user/ColChrisHadfield , https://www.youtube.com/user/ColChrisHadfield/videos ]
War lingers in the landscape. The Secret War is one of America's dark chapters. But as the name implies, it is a chapter rarely read. We take a short look at a war that continues to define the country more than a generation later.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de7GaRwrr8Q [with comments] [and see also in particular (linked in) http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=137269012 and preceding and following (earlier this string)]
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Weekend Update on Doug Jones Defeating Roy Moore - SNL
Published on Dec 16, 2017 by Saturday Night Live [ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqFzWxSCi39LnW1JKFR3efg / https://www.youtube.com/user/SaturdayNightLive , https://www.youtube.com/user/SaturdayNightLive/videos ]
Weekend Update anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che tackle the week's biggest news, including Doug Jones defeating Roy Moore to win the Alabama Senate race. Omarosa Manigault Newman (Leslie Jones) stops by to address her firing from the White House.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMNkrW7jlQM [with comments]
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Weekend Update on the FCC Repealing Net Neutrality - SNL
Published on Dec 16, 2017 by Saturday Night Live
Weekend Update anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che tackle the week's biggest news, including the FCC repealing net neutrality. Guy Who Just Bought a Boat (Alex Moffat) stops by to share holiday dating tips.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pL5lneiNWBQ [with comments]
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"Day 331" Donald Trump Zionist Regime and the Dumb Drug War !
Published on Dec 16, 2017 by Bravo Alternative Media [ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVV0_xnA_z-ALo6kZJz2WXA , https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVV0_xnA_z-ALo6kZJz2WXA/videos ]
"Day 331" The Donald Trump Zionist Regime and the Extremely Dumb Drug War ! Talk about Wasting Money !! But that is the Mission !!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SD43TQUmGlc [with comments]
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Chill Dino: Year of the Dino
Published on Dec 16, 2017 by Super Deluxe [ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeJLx_Dy_icz3oDHhJeMe9g , https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeJLx_Dy_icz3oDHhJeMe9g/videos ]
At least someone had a very chill year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0nYAefHS08 [with comments]
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stashed December 16, 2017:
Net Neutrality Was Never Enough
The internet is as much the enemy as it is the hero of contemporary life.
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2017/12/net-neutrality-was-never-enough/548549/
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/dTdZrR4eGJHWFYMjzKx4kbM5AmcFM?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
President Trump claims the FBI is tainted and its reputation in tatters. This graph shows he’s wrong.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2017/12/16/president-trump-claims-the-fbi-is-tainted-and-its-reputation-in-tatters-this-graph-shows-hes-wrong/
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/dLsMyXe7hgedzmMJKCpy_N3Qc4_0M?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
CDC gets list of forbidden words: fetus, transgender, diversity
The Trump administration is prohibiting officials at the nation’s top public health agency from using a list of seven words or phrases — including “fetus” and “transgender” — in any official documents being prepared for next year’s budget.
Policy analysts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta were told of the list of forbidden words at a meeting Thursday with senior CDC officials who oversee the budget, according to an analyst who took part in the 90-minute briefing. The forbidden words are “vulnerable,” “entitlement,” “diversity,” “transgender,” “fetus,” “evidence-based” and “science-based.”
In some instances, the analysts were given alternative phrases. Instead of “science-based” or “evidence-based,” the suggested phrase is “CDC bases its recommendations on science in consideration with community standards and wishes,” the person said. In other cases, no replacement words were immediately offered.
The question of how to address such issues as sexual orientation, gender identity and abortion rights — all of which received significant visibility under the Obama administration — has surfaced repeatedly in federal agencies since President Trump took office. Several key departments — including Health and Human Services, which oversees the CDC, as well as Justice, Education, and Housing and Urban Development — have changed some federal policies and how they collect government information about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.
[...]
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/cdc-gets-list-of-forbidden-words-fetus-transgender-diversity/2017/12/15/f503837a-e1cf-11e7-89e8-edec16379010_story.html
WaPo: CDC gets list of forbidden words
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLIRDobjOVA
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/dOABgwGXKMAYNDMtGwKME6v8zsDyM?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
Funeral of Palestinian amputee killed by Israeli fire takes place in Gaza
Wheelchair user Abu Thuraya was shot dead by troops during protests against US recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli capital
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/16/funeral-of-palestinian-amputee-killed-by-israeli-fire-takes-place-in-gaza
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/dY2wgIZOJOzjr_MShLpCdQ5E1ZkdM?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
Austrian far-right joins coalition led by PM Sebastian Kurz
Austria's president has approved a coalition government between the conservative People's Party and the far-right Freedom Party.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-42374693
Austria shifts to the right as new coalition deal is struck
Agreement between conservative and nationalist parties makes Sebastian Kurz, 31, Europe’s youngest leader
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/15/austria-shifts-to-the-right-as-new-coalition-deal-is-struck
Austrian conservatives bring far right into government
https://in.reuters.com/article/austria-politics/austrian-conservatives-bring-far-right-into-government-idINKBN1EA079
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/doTvM3ufaN9O97MYkoiBW-fXCxz_M?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
[Dem] Female congressional candidate leaves race after sexual harassment allegations resurface
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/12/15/female-congressional-candidate-leaves-race-after-sexual-harassment-allegations-resurface/
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/dlT-CzemCaAGWcMACB9WS-U5ie0yM?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
After California's most destructive fire season, a debate over where to rebuild homes
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-rebuilding-in-hazard-zones-20171216-story.html
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/daVtBH7n7vFEt7Mr7qULmV6LZZzeM?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
Uber Ex-Manager Details Company's Alleged Surveillance Tactics
http://fortune.com/2017/12/16/uber-surveillance-investigation/
Uber accused of espionage, bribery and hacking by former employee
https://techcrunch.com/2017/12/15/uber-accused-of-espionage-bribery-and-hacking-by-former-employee/
A bombshell letter charges that Uber hacked into competitors' networks and wiretapped people at a hotel
A letter has been made public that alleges Uber "fraudulently impersonates riders and drivers on competitor platforms, hacks into competitor networks, and conducts unlawful wiretapping."
The letter was written by a lawyer for a former Uber employee, who claims he was "unlawfully demoted" and later fired by the company.
The letter includes copious details about a group within Uber that was allegedly set up to spy on competitors and collect their trade secrets.
http://www.businessinsider.com/employee-letter-says-uber-hacked-into-networks-illegally-wiretapped-2017-12
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/d9oLzGHIeQ0M0xMG-XSVxWavLhgkM?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
These Schools Get Millions Of Tax Dollars To Discriminate Against LGBTQ Students
You might not even know you’re helping.
LYNCHBURG, Va. - Sunnie Kahle used to think that if she promised to be good, she could go back to her old school.
She’d plead with her great-grandmother to let her enroll again at Timberlake Christian Schools, where she had gone since she was 3 years old. Even if teachers were mean to her, even if other kids said bad things about her, she wouldn’t be mad. She just wanted her old life back.
Her great-grandmother and guardian, Doris Thompson, 74, didn’t know how to tell Sunnie she wasn’t allowed back at the school. Administrators didn’t want her there. In a 2014 letter to Thompson that essentially expelled Sunnie, the school referenced several passages from the Bible as to why they wouldn’t take her back. They suggested Sunnie wasn’t acting “Christlike” by wearing her hair short and preferring pants to skirts.
Sunnie was 8 years old. She wasn’t traditionally feminine enough for them.
Timberlake Christian Schools in Virginia is one of over at least 700 religious schools in America currently receiving public money while openly advertising and practicing anti-LGBTQ policies, HuffPost has found in a new investigation.
HuffPost has been examining private schools that receive taxpayer dollars through voucher or tax credit programs. We created a database of more than 7,000 schools in 25 states and the District of Columbia with private school choice programs that give public money to private religious schools.
[...]
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/discrimination-lgbt-private-religious-schools_us_5a32a45de4b00dbbcb5ba0be
Fox News Women Furious Over Rupert Murdoch Comments On Sexual Misconduct
The media mogul said claims of rampant sexual harassment at the network are “nonsense.”
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/fox-news-women-rupert-murdoch_us_5a343580e4b040881bea8216
Rep. Adam Schiff Warns Of GOP Plans To Shutter House’s Russia Probe
The top Democrat is “increasingly worried” of Republicans’ attempts to close the inquiry into Russia’s election meddling.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/rep-adam-schiff-gop-to-shut-down-russia-investigation_us_5a34491ce4b0ff955ad2fe3e
I’m A Brown Woman Who’s Breaking Up With The Democratic Party - idiot (see e.g. next item)
I realize now that the love has been one-sided.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/brown-women-democratic-party_us_5a31a32de4b07ff75b001456
Omarosa Says Donald Trump Is ‘Racial’ But ‘Not A Racist’
She regrets not seeing the level of diversity in the White House she “strove to see.”
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/omarosa-donald-trump-racial-not-racist_us_5a33e557e4b040881be9f178
California Has Nearly Hit A Record On Wildfire Spending — Halfway Through Its Budget Year
“The state will always have the money it needs,” a fire official said.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/california-wildfire-spending_us_5a346da6e4b040881beabff6
Most Of The California Wildfires Are Under Control, But The Thomas Fire Is Still Raging
The blaze has already cost nearly $89 million and claimed the life of one firefighter.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/thomas-fire-red-flag_us_5a343065e4b01d429cc8b81a
When The Fire Comes And There’s No Home To Evacuate And Nowhere To Go
How the Thomas fire is affecting an already vulnerable homeless community.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/california-thomas-fire-homeless_us_5a3408a6e4b0ff955ad29a0f
Ann Coulter Fears She’ll ‘Die Alone’ In Self-Pitying Tweet Against Child Tax Credit
“We singles live empty lives of quiet desperation and will die alone,” she wrote.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/ann-coulter-tweet-sad_us_5a34446de4b040881bea996f
Poisoning The Well: The View Of Sinclair Broadcast Group From Flint
The conservative media giant dominates local TV in the troubled city, where people say the press hasn’t raked nearly enough muck.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/flint-michigan-sinclair-broadcast-group_us_5a32ae87e4b0e41f9e042428
GOP’s Final Tax Bill: Still A Boondoggle For Big Business - Reuters
Congressional Republicans’ final tax legislation proposes cutting taxes as expected for businesses, the wealthy and some middle-class Americans.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/gop-final-tax-bill-business_us_5a34575fe4b0ff955ad31327
original https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-tax/final-republican-tax-bill-slashes-u-s-corporate-rate-voting-next-week-idUSKBN1E91ZI
GOP Tax Bill Could Turn America Into World’s Most Unequal Society, UN Expert Warns
The poverty expert delivered a blistering report on inequality and the social safety net in the U.S.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/united-nations-poverty-rapporteur-united-states-inequality_us_5a343445e4b01d429cc8bbfe
Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump From Rolling Back Birth Control Coverage
It “cannot be right” that a government entity “imposes its own version of morality on each of us,” the district judge said.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-birth-control-coverage-ruling_us_5a3474d1e4b01d429cc8fb34
Trump’s Really Scary Explanation Of How The ‘Worst People’ Can Come To The U.S. Isn’t True
No, foreign leaders can’t use the diversity visa lottery to send their “worst of the worst” – regardless of what the president claims
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-diversity-visa_us_5a3411d2e4b040881bea4bc9
What Does Trump Mean By ‘Make America Great Again’?
By Ralph Nader (. . .)
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/what-does-trump-mean-by-make-america-great-again_us_5a341e29e4b02bd1c8c6066b
The Winners and Losers in the Tax Bill
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/16/business/the-winners-and-losers-in-the-tax-bill.html
Trump takes early victory lap on tax bill
https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/16/trump-tax-bill-victory-lap-299573
The Rubio tax bill saga is a perfect expression of Republican priorities
Editorial
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-rubio-tax-bill-saga-is-a-perfect-expression-of-republican-priorities/2017/12/15/935aaf7c-e0f3-11e7-8679-a9728984779c_story.html
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/d8ynMxH4xhX_EoMN3ln8DTe5FCABM?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
Trump lawyer: Mueller improperly obtained transition documents in Russia probe
Exclusive — A lawyer for the Trump presidential transition team is accusing Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s office of inappropriately obtaining transition documents as part of its Russia probe, including confidential attorney-client communications, privileged communications and thousands of emails.
In a letter obtained by Fox News and sent to House and Senate committees on Saturday, the transition team’s attorney alleges “unlawful conduct” by the career staff at the General Services Administration in handing over transition documents to the special counsel’s office.
The transition legal team argues it could be a violation of the 4th Amendment – which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.
Kory Langhofer, the counsel to Trump for America, wrote in Saturday's letter that the GSA “did not own or control the records in question.”
Langhofer said the special counsel’s office received “tens of thousands of emails” from the GSA as well as certain laptops and cell phones containing privileged materials.
The transition attorney said they discovered the “unauthorized disclosures” by the GSA on December 12th and 13th and raised concerns with the special counsel’s office.
“We understand that the special counsel’s office has subsequently made extensive use of the materials it obtained from the GSA, including materials that are susceptible to privilege claims,” Langhofer writes.
Trump for America is the nonprofit organization that facilitated the transition between former President Barack Obama to President Trump.
The GSA, an agency of the United States government, provided the transition team with office space and hosted its email servers.
“We continue to cooperate fully with the special counsel and expect this process to wrap up soon,” Sarah Sanders, the White House press secretary, said Saturday.
The special counsel’s office declined to comment Saturday.
Langhofer wrote that some of the records obtained by the special counsel’s office from the GSA “have been leaked to the press by unknown persons.”
The Trump transition team lawyer also argued the actions “impair the ability of future presidential transition teams to candidly discuss policy and internal matters that benefit the country as a whole.”
Langhofer requests in the letter that Congress “act immediately to protect future presidential transitions from having their private records misappropriated by government agencies, particularly in the context of sensitive investigations intersecting with political motives.”
The letter was sent to the Senate Homeland Security and House Oversight Committees.
The committees did not immediately return a request for comment.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/16/trump-lawyer-mueller-improperly-obtained-transition-documents-in-russia-probe.html
Rep. Speier: ‘Rumor on the Hill’ is Trump to Fire Mueller Before Christmas
Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-San Mateo) told KQED Newsroom on Friday that she believes Republicans are trying to shut down the House Intelligence Committee’s probe into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 elections.
Speier also said, “The rumor on the Hill when I left yesterday was that the president was going to make a significant speech at the end of next week. And on Dec. 22nd, when we are out of D.C., he was going to fire Robert Mueller.”
If this were to happen, Speier said, it would cause a constitutional crisis. “That is Saturday massacre 2.0,” she said. “Without a doubt there would be an impeachment effort.”
Fellow California representative, Adam Schiff (D-Los Angeles), voiced similar concerns on Twitter on Friday.
[...]
https://ww2.kqed.org/news/2017/12/15/congresswoman-speier-says-republicans-trying-to-shut-down-russia-probe/
Trump Allies Say Mueller Unlawfully Obtained Thousands of Emails
https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2017-12-16/trump-allies-say-mueller-unlawfully-obtained-thousands-of-emails
DOJ bias is like a cancer: Rep. Gaetz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwAki5Y_TcQ
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/d01IAS03_zNtSPMQk_BpdeXBMxQsM?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
China Must Prepare for Imminent War With North Korea, Top [Chinese] National Security Experts Warn
http://www.newsweek.com/china-must-prepare-imminent-war-north-korea-top-national-security-experts-warn-750481
Sanctions are hurting aid efforts — and ordinary people — in North Korea
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/sanctions-are-hurting-aid-efforts--and-ordinary-people--in-north-korea/2017/12/15/df57fe6e-e109-11e7-b2e9-8c636f076c76_story.html
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/dw1QExK2_8juYFMrPalpipmowyAOM?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
Glowing Auras and ‘Black Money’: The Pentagon’s Mysterious U.F.O. Program
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/16/us/politics/pentagon-program-ufo-harry-reid.html
The Pentagon’s Secret Search for UFOs
Funded at the request of Harry Reid, the program probed a number of encounters military pilots had with aircraft they believed didn’t operate like anything they had seen before.
https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/12/16/pentagon-ufo-search-harry-reid-216111
A bizarre effort to find UFOs involved Harry Reid and the lead singer of Blink-182
A pair of reports from the New York Times and Politico detail a $22 million under-the-radar Pentagon initiative to investigate UFO sightings.
https://www.vox.com/2017/12/16/16785122/ufos-harry-reid-pentagon-defense-blink-182
Pentagon secretly set up program to investigate UFOs at Harry Reid's urging, reports say
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/16/pentagon-secretly-set-up-program-to-investigate-ufos-at-harry-reids-urging-reports-say.html
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/dzDfdKfn8c5KbcMQFA51T8zPUJ79M?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
Pope Begs Journalists To Avoid 'Sins Of Communication'
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/12/16/571344962/pope-begs-journalists-to-avoid-sins-of-communication
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/dFjjyfAqNMT7f9Mk05sJh3Sv25d1M?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
UN Security Council weighs resolution saying Jerusalem decisions are void
http://thehill.com/policy/international/365260-un-security-council-weighs-resolution-saying-jerusalem-decisions-are
U.N. council mulls call for U.S. Jerusalem decision to be withdrawn
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-israel-un/u-n-council-mulls-call-for-u-s-jerusalem-decision-to-be-withdrawn-idUSKBN1EA0NW
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/dFiiqUwYOrH8WCMKD1JJFaYmcSuRM?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
After Alabama loss, Trump has ambitious plans to campaign in 2018 midterms
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/after-alabama-loss-trump-has-ambitious-plans-to-campaign-in-2018-midterms/2017/12/16/d76d5b40-e1d1-11e7-bbd0-9dfb2e37492a_story.html
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/d2ownmpPs8racTM9OPuaaoSP-GPeM?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
Russia could cut off internet to NATO countries, British military chief warns
LONDON — Russia could try to sever global underwater communications cables, potentially triggering catastrophic repercussions for the economy and way of life in the West, the head of Britain’s military has warned.
The vast majority of global internet and telephone traffic relied on by Western governments, economies and civilians is carried by cables that crisscross the world's seabeds, according to analysts.
NATO has prioritized missions to protect these undersea lines of communication and is working "to match and understand Russian fleet modernization," Chief Marshall Stuart Peach told the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a defense think tank in London.
“Russia, in addition to new ships and submarines, continues to perfect both unconventional capabilities and information warfare,” Peach said last week.
The cables transport 97 percent of global communications and more than $10 trillion in daily financial transactions, according to a report published earlier this month by British think tank Policy Exchange.
“Your emails, what you order on Amazon, your phone calls, online banking, it’s all done through undersea cables not through satellites,” said Peter Roberts, director of military sciences at RUSI.
Security experts welcomed Peach's comments, saying the risk of Russian interference was not only real, but had been overlooked for too long.
[...]
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russia-could-cut-internet-nato-countries-british-military-chief-warns-n830371
A Republican Running To Replace Paul Ryan Comes With White Nationalist Street Cred
Wisconsin Republican Paul Nehlen, who stumped for Roy Moore in Alabama, makes himself at home on a fascist podcast and tosses bigoted bombs on Twitter.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/paul-nehlen-white-nationalism-roy-moore-republican-party_us_5a30471de4b07ff75afe6ffd
Progressive Groups Want Doug Jones To Throw Caution To The Wind
If the Alabama Democrat loses his re-election bid in 2020, it won’t be because he was too liberal, activists say.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/progressive-groups-alabama-democrat-doug-jones_us_5a3557a9e4b0ff955ad36422
Simple Book Helps Adult Men Answer Pressing Question: ‘Where Does Your Penis Belong?’
Hint: We shouldn’t see it.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/where-does-your-penis-belong-in-your-pants_us_5a3417ace4b01d429cc8913b
93-Year-Old Woman Spends 2 Nights In Jail After Eviction From Senior Housing
Juanita Fitzgerald has been released and spent her 94th birthday in a motel.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/93-year-old-woman-arrested-rent_us_5a314874e4b091ca26849ee3
The Unfair Repeal Of Net Neutrality
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-unfair-repeal-of-net-neutrality_us_5a353224e4b01d429cc9333d
So, The FCC Repealed Net Neutrality. What Does That Mean For You?
In the future, your internet bill will be even more confusing. But the fight isn’t over.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/net-neutrality-repeal-consumers_us_5a33e946e4b01d429cc8397b
Trading Jerusalem For Iran
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trading-jerusalem-for-iran_us_5a34e415e4b0e1b4472ae68b
A Guide To Why The Trump-Republican Tax Plan Is A Disgrace
For when you confront your Republican uncle during the holidays.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/a-guide-to-why-the-trump-republican-tax-plan-is-a-disgrace_us_5a359006e4b0ff955ad37951
This ‘Forgotten’ Part Of Special Education Could Lead To Better Outcomes For Students
Many former special education students struggle to find good-paying jobs, and high schools are partly to blame.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/special-education-transition_us_5a341a65e4b0ff955ad2b810
Report: Trump Bans ‘Transgender,’ ‘Fetus,’ ‘Science-Based’ From CDC Documents
“We cannot replace truth with bias,” a bioethicist says.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-administration-cdc-banned-words_us_5a348ed2e4b0ff955ad3221d
No Jail Time For Fertility Doctor Who Used His Sperm To Impregnate Patients
“Our pain was not acknowledged,” one of the victims said.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/no-jail-fertility-doctor-impregnate-patients_us_5a342aace4b01d429cc8b196
Canadian Pharmaceutical Billionaire, Wife Found Dead In Toronto - Reuters
Police have described the circumstances surrounding the deaths as “suspicious”
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/canadian-pharmaceutical-billionaire-dead_us_5a34676fe4b01d429cc8f9d5
original (later, longer) https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-congress-kihuen/congressman-will-not-seek-relection-amid-misconduct-probe-idUSKBN1EA0R1
Congressman Mo Brooks (R-AL) announces cancer diagnosis months after characterizing illness as a personal failing
When reality intervenes on rhetoric.
https://thinkprogress.org/mo-brooks-cancer-health-care-comments-0d472b2bc9ef/
Brooks Announces He Has High-Risk Prostate Cancer
‘Losing the Senate race may have saved my life. Yes, God does work in mysterious ways.’
https://www.rollcall.com/news/hoh/brooks-announces-he-has-high-risk-prostate-cancer
Republican Congressman Who Mocked Sick People As Immoral Announces He Has Cancer
The Ring of Fire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7m0yU5tJXg
Mo Brooks' prostate cancer surgery successful, family says
http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017/12/family_rep_mo_brooks_prostate.html
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/d8rufIiHpQMsMuMz2w8L-wEpJi73M?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
Sierras Lost Water Weight, Grew Taller During Drought
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=7023
study http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2017JB014424/full , http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2017JB014424/abstract
Water loss caused Sierra Nevada to grow an inch during California drought, researchers say
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-jpl-mountain-water-20171213-story.html
California Drought Caused Sierra Nevada Mountain Range To Grow An Inch
The Sierra Nevada mountains also lost close to 11 cubic miles of water during a four-year period from 2011 to 2015.
https://www.inquisitr.com/4686774/california-drought-caused-sierra-nevada-mountain-range-to-grow-an-inch/
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/dlpa569kdlXNjEM5Fk-PByfgcJHOM?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
Monkeys Humping Deer Prove That Animals Get Sexually Frustrated Too
This could be "a new behavioral tradition."
https://www.inverse.com/article/39437-japanese-snow-monkey-macaque-humping-sika-deer-video
study https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10508-017-1129-8
Scientists Say Japanese Monkeys Are Having 'Sexual Interactions' With Deer
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/12/15/571175252/scientists-say-japanese-monkeys-are-having-sexual-interactions-with-deer
Wild Monkeys and Deer Are Now Having Sex With Each Other and Scientists Don’t Know Why
http://www.newsweek.com/snow-monkeys-dont-care-if-their-sexual-partners-are-other-monkeys-or-deer-750144
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/d8jUD2ulNuhyivMoLzPJL98a5O7dM?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
--
in addition to (linked in) the post to which this is a reply and preceding and (any future other) following, see also (linked in):
earlier this string, http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=137269012 and preceding and following
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=137358680 (and any future following)
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=137364685 and following,
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=137365179 and preceding and following,
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=137365583 and preceding (and any future following)
Published on Dec 16, 2017 by The White House [ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYxRlFDqcWM4y7FfpiAN3KQ / https://www.youtube.com/user/whitehouse , https://www.youtube.com/user/whitehouse/videos ]
President Donald J. Trump’s Weakly Address
December 16, 2017
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trumps-weekly-address-121617/ [official transcript, with a currently botched attempt to embed this YouTube]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJcmL2eWlag [with comments]
--
President Trump Delivers a Statement Upon Departure
Published on Dec 16, 2017 by The White House
The White House
[no official transcript (yet) at https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/ ]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNPlm9O4q3A [with comments]
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GOP tax plan: Lawrence O'Donnell explains final bill
AM Joy
12/16/17
The GOP tax bill will likely be passed including many details that ultimately benefit the rich, and negatively impact the poor and middle class. Lawrence O'Donnell and Joy Reid discuss. Duration: 11:17
©2017 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/am-joy/watch/gop-tax-plan-lawrence-o-donnell-explains-final-bill-1118153283954 , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnvZJwIeH7E [with comments]
*
Mueller: GOP leaders attack Russia probe prosecutor
AM Joy
12/16/17
Mueller: GOP leaders attack Russia probe prosecutor Republicans accuse special prosecutor Robert Mueller and his team investigating Russia’s election interference of bias. Joy Reid and her panel discuss what experts call this threat to our republic. Duration: 11:39
©2017 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/am-joy/watch/mueller-gop-leaders-attack-russia-probe-prosecutor-1118158403963
*
Black voters, activists huge factors in Doug Jones win
AM Joy
12/16/17
African-American voters, particularly black women, have been given much-deserved credit for helping Doug Jones beat Roy Moore in the Alabama Senate race. Joy Reid meets an activist who helped make it happen. Duration: 11:14
©2017 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/am-joy/watch/black-voters-activists-huge-factors-in-doug-jones-win-1118170691740 , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FpfTOiKszI [with comments]
*
Trump attacks Sen. Gillibrand after she calls for his resignation
AM Joy
12/16/17
Sen. Gillibrand called for Donald Trump to resign after being part of a group of senators who called for Al Franken to resign. Can Democrats wield this moral high ground to investigate Trump’s misconduct allegations? Duration: 11:44
©2017 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/am-joy/watch/trump-attacks-sen-gillibrand-after-she-calls-for-his-resignation-1118196803912
*
Omarosa Manigault might tell all about Trump’s White House
AM Joy
12/16/17
Omarosa Manigault’s exit from Donald Trump’s White House is leading many to speculate: will she attack Trump? Joy Reid and her panel discuss. Duration: 10:20
©2017 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/am-joy/watch/omarosa-manigault-might-tell-all-about-trump-s-white-house-1118215747567 , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjzB-pDlqtg [with comments]
*
Trump news: Do FBI attacks show authoritarian leanings?
AM Joy
12/16/17
Donald Trump’s ghost writer for ‘The Art of the Deal,’ Tony Schwartz, says the president wants to create a world which, ‘he controls completely.’ Will the Democrats fight back? Duration: 7:27
©2017 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/am-joy/watch/trump-news-do-fbi-attacks-show-authoritarian-leanings-1118219331504 , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dB332AgF8g [with comments]
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Scars of the Secret War
Published on Dec 16, 2017 by Rare Earth [ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtGG8ucQgEJPeUPhJZ4M4jA / https://www.youtube.com/user/ColChrisHadfield , https://www.youtube.com/user/ColChrisHadfield/videos ]
War lingers in the landscape. The Secret War is one of America's dark chapters. But as the name implies, it is a chapter rarely read. We take a short look at a war that continues to define the country more than a generation later.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de7GaRwrr8Q [with comments] [and see also in particular (linked in) http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=137269012 and preceding and following (earlier this string)]
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Weekend Update on Doug Jones Defeating Roy Moore - SNL
Published on Dec 16, 2017 by Saturday Night Live [ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqFzWxSCi39LnW1JKFR3efg / https://www.youtube.com/user/SaturdayNightLive , https://www.youtube.com/user/SaturdayNightLive/videos ]
Weekend Update anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che tackle the week's biggest news, including Doug Jones defeating Roy Moore to win the Alabama Senate race. Omarosa Manigault Newman (Leslie Jones) stops by to address her firing from the White House.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMNkrW7jlQM [with comments]
*
Weekend Update on the FCC Repealing Net Neutrality - SNL
Published on Dec 16, 2017 by Saturday Night Live
Weekend Update anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che tackle the week's biggest news, including the FCC repealing net neutrality. Guy Who Just Bought a Boat (Alex Moffat) stops by to share holiday dating tips.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pL5lneiNWBQ [with comments]
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"Day 331" Donald Trump Zionist Regime and the Dumb Drug War !
Published on Dec 16, 2017 by Bravo Alternative Media [ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVV0_xnA_z-ALo6kZJz2WXA , https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVV0_xnA_z-ALo6kZJz2WXA/videos ]
"Day 331" The Donald Trump Zionist Regime and the Extremely Dumb Drug War ! Talk about Wasting Money !! But that is the Mission !!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SD43TQUmGlc [with comments]
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Chill Dino: Year of the Dino
Published on Dec 16, 2017 by Super Deluxe [ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeJLx_Dy_icz3oDHhJeMe9g , https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeJLx_Dy_icz3oDHhJeMe9g/videos ]
At least someone had a very chill year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0nYAefHS08 [with comments]
--
stashed December 16, 2017:
Net Neutrality Was Never Enough
The internet is as much the enemy as it is the hero of contemporary life.
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2017/12/net-neutrality-was-never-enough/548549/
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/dTdZrR4eGJHWFYMjzKx4kbM5AmcFM?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
President Trump claims the FBI is tainted and its reputation in tatters. This graph shows he’s wrong.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2017/12/16/president-trump-claims-the-fbi-is-tainted-and-its-reputation-in-tatters-this-graph-shows-hes-wrong/
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/dLsMyXe7hgedzmMJKCpy_N3Qc4_0M?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
CDC gets list of forbidden words: fetus, transgender, diversity
The Trump administration is prohibiting officials at the nation’s top public health agency from using a list of seven words or phrases — including “fetus” and “transgender” — in any official documents being prepared for next year’s budget.
Policy analysts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta were told of the list of forbidden words at a meeting Thursday with senior CDC officials who oversee the budget, according to an analyst who took part in the 90-minute briefing. The forbidden words are “vulnerable,” “entitlement,” “diversity,” “transgender,” “fetus,” “evidence-based” and “science-based.”
In some instances, the analysts were given alternative phrases. Instead of “science-based” or “evidence-based,” the suggested phrase is “CDC bases its recommendations on science in consideration with community standards and wishes,” the person said. In other cases, no replacement words were immediately offered.
The question of how to address such issues as sexual orientation, gender identity and abortion rights — all of which received significant visibility under the Obama administration — has surfaced repeatedly in federal agencies since President Trump took office. Several key departments — including Health and Human Services, which oversees the CDC, as well as Justice, Education, and Housing and Urban Development — have changed some federal policies and how they collect government information about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.
[...]
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/cdc-gets-list-of-forbidden-words-fetus-transgender-diversity/2017/12/15/f503837a-e1cf-11e7-89e8-edec16379010_story.html
WaPo: CDC gets list of forbidden words
CNN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLIRDobjOVA
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/dOABgwGXKMAYNDMtGwKME6v8zsDyM?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
Funeral of Palestinian amputee killed by Israeli fire takes place in Gaza
Wheelchair user Abu Thuraya was shot dead by troops during protests against US recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli capital
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/16/funeral-of-palestinian-amputee-killed-by-israeli-fire-takes-place-in-gaza
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/dY2wgIZOJOzjr_MShLpCdQ5E1ZkdM?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
Austrian far-right joins coalition led by PM Sebastian Kurz
Austria's president has approved a coalition government between the conservative People's Party and the far-right Freedom Party.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-42374693
Austria shifts to the right as new coalition deal is struck
Agreement between conservative and nationalist parties makes Sebastian Kurz, 31, Europe’s youngest leader
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/15/austria-shifts-to-the-right-as-new-coalition-deal-is-struck
Austrian conservatives bring far right into government
https://in.reuters.com/article/austria-politics/austrian-conservatives-bring-far-right-into-government-idINKBN1EA079
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/doTvM3ufaN9O97MYkoiBW-fXCxz_M?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
[Dem] Female congressional candidate leaves race after sexual harassment allegations resurface
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/12/15/female-congressional-candidate-leaves-race-after-sexual-harassment-allegations-resurface/
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/dlT-CzemCaAGWcMACB9WS-U5ie0yM?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
After California's most destructive fire season, a debate over where to rebuild homes
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-rebuilding-in-hazard-zones-20171216-story.html
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/daVtBH7n7vFEt7Mr7qULmV6LZZzeM?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
Uber Ex-Manager Details Company's Alleged Surveillance Tactics
http://fortune.com/2017/12/16/uber-surveillance-investigation/
Uber accused of espionage, bribery and hacking by former employee
https://techcrunch.com/2017/12/15/uber-accused-of-espionage-bribery-and-hacking-by-former-employee/
A bombshell letter charges that Uber hacked into competitors' networks and wiretapped people at a hotel
A letter has been made public that alleges Uber "fraudulently impersonates riders and drivers on competitor platforms, hacks into competitor networks, and conducts unlawful wiretapping."
The letter was written by a lawyer for a former Uber employee, who claims he was "unlawfully demoted" and later fired by the company.
The letter includes copious details about a group within Uber that was allegedly set up to spy on competitors and collect their trade secrets.
http://www.businessinsider.com/employee-letter-says-uber-hacked-into-networks-illegally-wiretapped-2017-12
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/d9oLzGHIeQ0M0xMG-XSVxWavLhgkM?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
These Schools Get Millions Of Tax Dollars To Discriminate Against LGBTQ Students
You might not even know you’re helping.
LYNCHBURG, Va. - Sunnie Kahle used to think that if she promised to be good, she could go back to her old school.
She’d plead with her great-grandmother to let her enroll again at Timberlake Christian Schools, where she had gone since she was 3 years old. Even if teachers were mean to her, even if other kids said bad things about her, she wouldn’t be mad. She just wanted her old life back.
Her great-grandmother and guardian, Doris Thompson, 74, didn’t know how to tell Sunnie she wasn’t allowed back at the school. Administrators didn’t want her there. In a 2014 letter to Thompson that essentially expelled Sunnie, the school referenced several passages from the Bible as to why they wouldn’t take her back. They suggested Sunnie wasn’t acting “Christlike” by wearing her hair short and preferring pants to skirts.
Sunnie was 8 years old. She wasn’t traditionally feminine enough for them.
Timberlake Christian Schools in Virginia is one of over at least 700 religious schools in America currently receiving public money while openly advertising and practicing anti-LGBTQ policies, HuffPost has found in a new investigation.
HuffPost has been examining private schools that receive taxpayer dollars through voucher or tax credit programs. We created a database of more than 7,000 schools in 25 states and the District of Columbia with private school choice programs that give public money to private religious schools.
[...]
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/discrimination-lgbt-private-religious-schools_us_5a32a45de4b00dbbcb5ba0be
Fox News Women Furious Over Rupert Murdoch Comments On Sexual Misconduct
The media mogul said claims of rampant sexual harassment at the network are “nonsense.”
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/fox-news-women-rupert-murdoch_us_5a343580e4b040881bea8216
Rep. Adam Schiff Warns Of GOP Plans To Shutter House’s Russia Probe
The top Democrat is “increasingly worried” of Republicans’ attempts to close the inquiry into Russia’s election meddling.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/rep-adam-schiff-gop-to-shut-down-russia-investigation_us_5a34491ce4b0ff955ad2fe3e
I’m A Brown Woman Who’s Breaking Up With The Democratic Party - idiot (see e.g. next item)
I realize now that the love has been one-sided.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/brown-women-democratic-party_us_5a31a32de4b07ff75b001456
Omarosa Says Donald Trump Is ‘Racial’ But ‘Not A Racist’
She regrets not seeing the level of diversity in the White House she “strove to see.”
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/omarosa-donald-trump-racial-not-racist_us_5a33e557e4b040881be9f178
California Has Nearly Hit A Record On Wildfire Spending — Halfway Through Its Budget Year
“The state will always have the money it needs,” a fire official said.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/california-wildfire-spending_us_5a346da6e4b040881beabff6
Most Of The California Wildfires Are Under Control, But The Thomas Fire Is Still Raging
The blaze has already cost nearly $89 million and claimed the life of one firefighter.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/thomas-fire-red-flag_us_5a343065e4b01d429cc8b81a
When The Fire Comes And There’s No Home To Evacuate And Nowhere To Go
How the Thomas fire is affecting an already vulnerable homeless community.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/california-thomas-fire-homeless_us_5a3408a6e4b0ff955ad29a0f
Ann Coulter Fears She’ll ‘Die Alone’ In Self-Pitying Tweet Against Child Tax Credit
“We singles live empty lives of quiet desperation and will die alone,” she wrote.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/ann-coulter-tweet-sad_us_5a34446de4b040881bea996f
Poisoning The Well: The View Of Sinclair Broadcast Group From Flint
The conservative media giant dominates local TV in the troubled city, where people say the press hasn’t raked nearly enough muck.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/flint-michigan-sinclair-broadcast-group_us_5a32ae87e4b0e41f9e042428
GOP’s Final Tax Bill: Still A Boondoggle For Big Business - Reuters
Congressional Republicans’ final tax legislation proposes cutting taxes as expected for businesses, the wealthy and some middle-class Americans.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/gop-final-tax-bill-business_us_5a34575fe4b0ff955ad31327
original https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-tax/final-republican-tax-bill-slashes-u-s-corporate-rate-voting-next-week-idUSKBN1E91ZI
GOP Tax Bill Could Turn America Into World’s Most Unequal Society, UN Expert Warns
The poverty expert delivered a blistering report on inequality and the social safety net in the U.S.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/united-nations-poverty-rapporteur-united-states-inequality_us_5a343445e4b01d429cc8bbfe
Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump From Rolling Back Birth Control Coverage
It “cannot be right” that a government entity “imposes its own version of morality on each of us,” the district judge said.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-birth-control-coverage-ruling_us_5a3474d1e4b01d429cc8fb34
Trump’s Really Scary Explanation Of How The ‘Worst People’ Can Come To The U.S. Isn’t True
No, foreign leaders can’t use the diversity visa lottery to send their “worst of the worst” – regardless of what the president claims
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-diversity-visa_us_5a3411d2e4b040881bea4bc9
What Does Trump Mean By ‘Make America Great Again’?
By Ralph Nader (. . .)
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/what-does-trump-mean-by-make-america-great-again_us_5a341e29e4b02bd1c8c6066b
The Winners and Losers in the Tax Bill
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/16/business/the-winners-and-losers-in-the-tax-bill.html
Trump takes early victory lap on tax bill
https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/16/trump-tax-bill-victory-lap-299573
The Rubio tax bill saga is a perfect expression of Republican priorities
Editorial
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-rubio-tax-bill-saga-is-a-perfect-expression-of-republican-priorities/2017/12/15/935aaf7c-e0f3-11e7-8679-a9728984779c_story.html
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/d8ynMxH4xhX_EoMN3ln8DTe5FCABM?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
Trump lawyer: Mueller improperly obtained transition documents in Russia probe
Exclusive — A lawyer for the Trump presidential transition team is accusing Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s office of inappropriately obtaining transition documents as part of its Russia probe, including confidential attorney-client communications, privileged communications and thousands of emails.
In a letter obtained by Fox News and sent to House and Senate committees on Saturday, the transition team’s attorney alleges “unlawful conduct” by the career staff at the General Services Administration in handing over transition documents to the special counsel’s office.
The transition legal team argues it could be a violation of the 4th Amendment – which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.
Kory Langhofer, the counsel to Trump for America, wrote in Saturday's letter that the GSA “did not own or control the records in question.”
Langhofer said the special counsel’s office received “tens of thousands of emails” from the GSA as well as certain laptops and cell phones containing privileged materials.
The transition attorney said they discovered the “unauthorized disclosures” by the GSA on December 12th and 13th and raised concerns with the special counsel’s office.
“We understand that the special counsel’s office has subsequently made extensive use of the materials it obtained from the GSA, including materials that are susceptible to privilege claims,” Langhofer writes.
Trump for America is the nonprofit organization that facilitated the transition between former President Barack Obama to President Trump.
The GSA, an agency of the United States government, provided the transition team with office space and hosted its email servers.
“We continue to cooperate fully with the special counsel and expect this process to wrap up soon,” Sarah Sanders, the White House press secretary, said Saturday.
The special counsel’s office declined to comment Saturday.
Langhofer wrote that some of the records obtained by the special counsel’s office from the GSA “have been leaked to the press by unknown persons.”
The Trump transition team lawyer also argued the actions “impair the ability of future presidential transition teams to candidly discuss policy and internal matters that benefit the country as a whole.”
Langhofer requests in the letter that Congress “act immediately to protect future presidential transitions from having their private records misappropriated by government agencies, particularly in the context of sensitive investigations intersecting with political motives.”
The letter was sent to the Senate Homeland Security and House Oversight Committees.
The committees did not immediately return a request for comment.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/16/trump-lawyer-mueller-improperly-obtained-transition-documents-in-russia-probe.html
Rep. Speier: ‘Rumor on the Hill’ is Trump to Fire Mueller Before Christmas
( https://youtu.be/VPUJD9HR-Xg )
Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-San Mateo) told KQED Newsroom on Friday that she believes Republicans are trying to shut down the House Intelligence Committee’s probe into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 elections.
Speier also said, “The rumor on the Hill when I left yesterday was that the president was going to make a significant speech at the end of next week. And on Dec. 22nd, when we are out of D.C., he was going to fire Robert Mueller.”
If this were to happen, Speier said, it would cause a constitutional crisis. “That is Saturday massacre 2.0,” she said. “Without a doubt there would be an impeachment effort.”
Fellow California representative, Adam Schiff (D-Los Angeles), voiced similar concerns on Twitter on Friday.
[...]
https://ww2.kqed.org/news/2017/12/15/congresswoman-speier-says-republicans-trying-to-shut-down-russia-probe/
Trump Allies Say Mueller Unlawfully Obtained Thousands of Emails
https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2017-12-16/trump-allies-say-mueller-unlawfully-obtained-thousands-of-emails
DOJ bias is like a cancer: Rep. Gaetz
Fox Business
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwAki5Y_TcQ
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/d01IAS03_zNtSPMQk_BpdeXBMxQsM?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
China Must Prepare for Imminent War With North Korea, Top [Chinese] National Security Experts Warn
http://www.newsweek.com/china-must-prepare-imminent-war-north-korea-top-national-security-experts-warn-750481
Sanctions are hurting aid efforts — and ordinary people — in North Korea
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/sanctions-are-hurting-aid-efforts--and-ordinary-people--in-north-korea/2017/12/15/df57fe6e-e109-11e7-b2e9-8c636f076c76_story.html
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/dw1QExK2_8juYFMrPalpipmowyAOM?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
Glowing Auras and ‘Black Money’: The Pentagon’s Mysterious U.F.O. Program
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/16/us/politics/pentagon-program-ufo-harry-reid.html
The Pentagon’s Secret Search for UFOs
Funded at the request of Harry Reid, the program probed a number of encounters military pilots had with aircraft they believed didn’t operate like anything they had seen before.
https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/12/16/pentagon-ufo-search-harry-reid-216111
A bizarre effort to find UFOs involved Harry Reid and the lead singer of Blink-182
A pair of reports from the New York Times and Politico detail a $22 million under-the-radar Pentagon initiative to investigate UFO sightings.
https://www.vox.com/2017/12/16/16785122/ufos-harry-reid-pentagon-defense-blink-182
Pentagon secretly set up program to investigate UFOs at Harry Reid's urging, reports say
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/16/pentagon-secretly-set-up-program-to-investigate-ufos-at-harry-reids-urging-reports-say.html
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/dzDfdKfn8c5KbcMQFA51T8zPUJ79M?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
Pope Begs Journalists To Avoid 'Sins Of Communication'
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/12/16/571344962/pope-begs-journalists-to-avoid-sins-of-communication
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/dFjjyfAqNMT7f9Mk05sJh3Sv25d1M?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
UN Security Council weighs resolution saying Jerusalem decisions are void
http://thehill.com/policy/international/365260-un-security-council-weighs-resolution-saying-jerusalem-decisions-are
U.N. council mulls call for U.S. Jerusalem decision to be withdrawn
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-israel-un/u-n-council-mulls-call-for-u-s-jerusalem-decision-to-be-withdrawn-idUSKBN1EA0NW
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/dFiiqUwYOrH8WCMKD1JJFaYmcSuRM?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
After Alabama loss, Trump has ambitious plans to campaign in 2018 midterms
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/after-alabama-loss-trump-has-ambitious-plans-to-campaign-in-2018-midterms/2017/12/16/d76d5b40-e1d1-11e7-bbd0-9dfb2e37492a_story.html
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/d2ownmpPs8racTM9OPuaaoSP-GPeM?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
Russia could cut off internet to NATO countries, British military chief warns
LONDON — Russia could try to sever global underwater communications cables, potentially triggering catastrophic repercussions for the economy and way of life in the West, the head of Britain’s military has warned.
The vast majority of global internet and telephone traffic relied on by Western governments, economies and civilians is carried by cables that crisscross the world's seabeds, according to analysts.
NATO has prioritized missions to protect these undersea lines of communication and is working "to match and understand Russian fleet modernization," Chief Marshall Stuart Peach told the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a defense think tank in London.
“Russia, in addition to new ships and submarines, continues to perfect both unconventional capabilities and information warfare,” Peach said last week.
The cables transport 97 percent of global communications and more than $10 trillion in daily financial transactions, according to a report published earlier this month by British think tank Policy Exchange.
“Your emails, what you order on Amazon, your phone calls, online banking, it’s all done through undersea cables not through satellites,” said Peter Roberts, director of military sciences at RUSI.
Security experts welcomed Peach's comments, saying the risk of Russian interference was not only real, but had been overlooked for too long.
[...]
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russia-could-cut-internet-nato-countries-british-military-chief-warns-n830371
A Republican Running To Replace Paul Ryan Comes With White Nationalist Street Cred
Wisconsin Republican Paul Nehlen, who stumped for Roy Moore in Alabama, makes himself at home on a fascist podcast and tosses bigoted bombs on Twitter.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/paul-nehlen-white-nationalism-roy-moore-republican-party_us_5a30471de4b07ff75afe6ffd
Progressive Groups Want Doug Jones To Throw Caution To The Wind
If the Alabama Democrat loses his re-election bid in 2020, it won’t be because he was too liberal, activists say.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/progressive-groups-alabama-democrat-doug-jones_us_5a3557a9e4b0ff955ad36422
Simple Book Helps Adult Men Answer Pressing Question: ‘Where Does Your Penis Belong?’
Hint: We shouldn’t see it.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/where-does-your-penis-belong-in-your-pants_us_5a3417ace4b01d429cc8913b
93-Year-Old Woman Spends 2 Nights In Jail After Eviction From Senior Housing
( https://youtu.be/u8j29JHlrP4 )
Juanita Fitzgerald has been released and spent her 94th birthday in a motel.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/93-year-old-woman-arrested-rent_us_5a314874e4b091ca26849ee3
The Unfair Repeal Of Net Neutrality
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-unfair-repeal-of-net-neutrality_us_5a353224e4b01d429cc9333d
So, The FCC Repealed Net Neutrality. What Does That Mean For You?
In the future, your internet bill will be even more confusing. But the fight isn’t over.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/net-neutrality-repeal-consumers_us_5a33e946e4b01d429cc8397b
Trading Jerusalem For Iran
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trading-jerusalem-for-iran_us_5a34e415e4b0e1b4472ae68b
A Guide To Why The Trump-Republican Tax Plan Is A Disgrace
For when you confront your Republican uncle during the holidays.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/a-guide-to-why-the-trump-republican-tax-plan-is-a-disgrace_us_5a359006e4b0ff955ad37951
This ‘Forgotten’ Part Of Special Education Could Lead To Better Outcomes For Students
Many former special education students struggle to find good-paying jobs, and high schools are partly to blame.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/special-education-transition_us_5a341a65e4b0ff955ad2b810
Report: Trump Bans ‘Transgender,’ ‘Fetus,’ ‘Science-Based’ From CDC Documents
“We cannot replace truth with bias,” a bioethicist says.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-administration-cdc-banned-words_us_5a348ed2e4b0ff955ad3221d
No Jail Time For Fertility Doctor Who Used His Sperm To Impregnate Patients
“Our pain was not acknowledged,” one of the victims said.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/no-jail-fertility-doctor-impregnate-patients_us_5a342aace4b01d429cc8b196
Canadian Pharmaceutical Billionaire, Wife Found Dead In Toronto - Reuters
Police have described the circumstances surrounding the deaths as “suspicious”
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/canadian-pharmaceutical-billionaire-dead_us_5a34676fe4b01d429cc8f9d5
original (later, longer) https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-congress-kihuen/congressman-will-not-seek-relection-amid-misconduct-probe-idUSKBN1EA0R1
Congressman Mo Brooks (R-AL) announces cancer diagnosis months after characterizing illness as a personal failing
( https://youtu.be/ZtGmqk_kUTg )
When reality intervenes on rhetoric.
https://thinkprogress.org/mo-brooks-cancer-health-care-comments-0d472b2bc9ef/
Brooks Announces He Has High-Risk Prostate Cancer
‘Losing the Senate race may have saved my life. Yes, God does work in mysterious ways.’
https://www.rollcall.com/news/hoh/brooks-announces-he-has-high-risk-prostate-cancer
Republican Congressman Who Mocked Sick People As Immoral Announces He Has Cancer
The Ring of Fire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7m0yU5tJXg
Mo Brooks' prostate cancer surgery successful, family says
http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017/12/family_rep_mo_brooks_prostate.html
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/d8rufIiHpQMsMuMz2w8L-wEpJi73M?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
Sierras Lost Water Weight, Grew Taller During Drought
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=7023
study http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2017JB014424/full , http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2017JB014424/abstract
Water loss caused Sierra Nevada to grow an inch during California drought, researchers say
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-jpl-mountain-water-20171213-story.html
California Drought Caused Sierra Nevada Mountain Range To Grow An Inch
The Sierra Nevada mountains also lost close to 11 cubic miles of water during a four-year period from 2011 to 2015.
https://www.inquisitr.com/4686774/california-drought-caused-sierra-nevada-mountain-range-to-grow-an-inch/
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/dlpa569kdlXNjEM5Fk-PByfgcJHOM?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
Monkeys Humping Deer Prove That Animals Get Sexually Frustrated Too
This could be "a new behavioral tradition."
https://www.inverse.com/article/39437-japanese-snow-monkey-macaque-humping-sika-deer-video
study https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10508-017-1129-8
Scientists Say Japanese Monkeys Are Having 'Sexual Interactions' With Deer
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/12/15/571175252/scientists-say-japanese-monkeys-are-having-sexual-interactions-with-deer
Wild Monkeys and Deer Are Now Having Sex With Each Other and Scientists Don’t Know Why
http://www.newsweek.com/snow-monkeys-dont-care-if-their-sexual-partners-are-other-monkeys-or-deer-750144
more: https://news.google.com/news/story/d8jUD2ulNuhyivMoLzPJL98a5O7dM?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en
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Greensburg, KS - 5/4/07
"Eternal vigilance is the price of Liberty."
from John Philpot Curran, Speech
upon the Right of Election, 1790
F6
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