thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-15--Lev Parnas Says Trump Knew Everything In Ukraine Scandal

Lev Parnas , an associate of Rudy Giuliani at the center of the Ukraine scandal that led to President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment , said both men were fully aware “ of all my movements ” and that the president knew “ exactly what was going on ” as he waged a pressure campaign to dig up dirt on a presidential campaign rival .
“ President Trump knew exactly what was going on , ” Parnas told MSNBC ’ s Rachel Maddow in an interview that aired Wednesday .
“ He was aware of all my movements .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consent of Rudy Giuliani or the president .
I have no intent , I have no reason to speak to any of these officials.
” The explosive comments come the same day the House voted to send two articles of impeachment against the president to the Senate for trial .
The House voted largely along party lines to impeach Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress last month .
He is just the third American president to be impeached .
`` He lied , '' Parnas says of President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` He knew exactly who we were .
He knew exactly who I was especially because I interacted with him at a lot of events ...
I was with Rudy when he would speak to the president — plenty of times . ''
pic.twitter.com/Y3D51xtSTi — MSNBC ( @ MSNBC ) January 16 , 2020 The pressure campaign in Ukraine was a central fixture of the House impeachment vote after a parade of current and former Trump administration officials detailed an effort by the White House to pressure Ukraine to announce an investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his son Hunter in exchange for political favors .
Aside from Giuliani and the president , Parnas alluded that Vice President Mike Pence , Attorney General William Barr and former national security adviser John Bolton were involved in some way with the pressure campaign .
At one point , Parnas detailed efforts to pressure Ukraine to announce an investigation into the Bidens , saying Giuliani instructed him to threaten to withhold “ all aid ” to the country as well as a visit by Pence to Zelensky ’ s inauguration .
“ At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very stern .
It was a heated conversation basically telling him what needs to be done , ” Parnas said .
“ At the end of the conversation , I told him that if he didn ’ t announce an investigation , that Pence would not show up , nobody would show up to his inauguration.
” When Maddow asked if Pence was aware of the campaign , Parnas responded that “ everybody was in the loop.
” He also said Bolton would be one of the most knowledgeable people about the episode @ @ @ @ @ @ @ although he has said he will testify if subpoenaed by the Senate ) .
Parnas emerged as a key figure in that effort during the House inquiry .
He was indicted last fall on campaign finance charges and has since split with Giuliani , Trump ’ s personal lawyer , pledging to speak openly about his efforts with Ukraine .
In the interview with Maddow , Parnas elaborated that members of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ’ s team were told to meet with him because he was on the ground as a representative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work.
” “ I mean they have no reason to speak to me , ” Parnas said .
“ Why would President Zelensky ’ s inner circle , or Minister [ of Internal Affairs Arsen ] Avakov , or all these people or [ former ] President Poroshenko meet with me ?
Who am I ?
They were told to meet with me.
” Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee released a trove of records on Tuesday that Parnas ’ s attorneys turned over to congressional investigators .
The cache includes previously unseen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Giuliani communicated with Zelensky on behalf of Trump .
The documents also include letters and WhatsApp messages between Parnas and a man who may have tracked the location of then-U.S .
Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch .
The details are sure to complicate the Senate ’ s impeachment duties .
Republican leaders , including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) , have been attempting to hold a speedy trial with no new witnesses , but pressure has been building to hear from members of Trump ’ s orbit who have so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

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Lev Parnas, an associate of Rudy Giuliani at the center of the Ukraine scandal that led to President Donald Trump’s impeachment, said both men were fully aware “of all my movements” and that the president knew “exactly what was going on” as he waged a pressure campaign to dig up dirt on a presidential campaign rival.
“President Trump knew exactly what was going on,” Parnas told MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow in an interview that aired Wednesday. “He was aware of all my movements. I wouldn’t do anything without the consent of Rudy Giuliani or the president. I have no intent, I have no reason to speak to any of these officials.”
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The explosive comments come the same day the House voted to send two articles of impeachment against the president to the Senate for trial. The House voted largely along party lines to impeach Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress last month. He is just the third American president to be impeached.
"He lied," Parnas says of President Trump's denial that he knows him. "He knew exactly who we were. He knew exactly who I was especially because I interacted with him at a lot of events... I was with Rudy when he would speak to the president — plenty of times." pic.twitter.com/Y3D51xtSTi — MSNBC (@MSNBC) January 16, 2020
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham on Thursday shrugged off the Parnas accusations, claiming once again that “the president did nothing wrong.”
“These allegations are being made by a man who is currently out on bail for federal crimes and is desperate to reduce his exposure to prison,” Grisham said in a statement to NBC News.
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“The facts haven’t changed — the president did nothing wrong and this impeachment, which was manufactured and carried out by the Democrats has been a sham from the start,” she added.
The pressure campaign in Ukraine was a central fixture of the House impeachment vote after a parade of current and former Trump administration officials detailed an effort by the White House to pressure Ukraine to announce an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter in exchange for political favors.
“It was all about Joe Biden, Hunter Biden,” Parnas said Wednesday. “It was never about corruption.”
Aside from Giuliani and the president, Parnas alluded that Vice President Mike Pence, Attorney General William Barr and former national security adviser John Bolton were involved in some way with the pressure campaign.
At one point, Parnas detailed efforts to pressure Ukraine to announce an investigation into the Bidens, saying Giuliani instructed him to threaten to withhold “all aid” to the country as well as a visit by Pence to Zelensky’s inauguration.
“At our meeting, I was very, very stern. It was a heated conversation basically telling him what needs to be done,” Parnas said. “At the end of the conversation, I told him that if he didn’t announce an investigation, that Pence would not show up, nobody would show up to his inauguration.”
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When Maddow asked if Pence was aware of the campaign, Parnas responded that “everybody was in the loop.” He also said Bolton would be one of the most knowledgeable people about the episode who has not yet spoken publicly (although he has said he will testify if subpoenaed by the Senate).
“Bolton, 100%,” Parnas said. “He knows what happened there.”
Parnas emerged as a key figure in that effort during the House inquiry. He was indicted last fall on campaign finance charges and has since split with Giuliani, Trump’s personal lawyer, pledging to speak openly about his efforts with Ukraine.
In the interview with Maddow, Parnas elaborated that members of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s team were told to meet with him because he was on the ground as a representative of the Trump administration “doing their work.”
“I mean they have no reason to speak to me,” Parnas said. “Why would President Zelensky’s inner circle, or Minister [of Internal Affairs Arsen] Avakov, or all these people or [former] President Poroshenko meet with me? Who am I? They were told to meet with me.”
“That’s the secret that they’re trying to keep,” he added.
U.S. President Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani has coffee with Ukrainian-American businessman Lev Parnas at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, U.S. September 20, 2019. REUTERS/Aram Roston Reuters Staff / Reuters
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Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee released a trove of records on Tuesday that Parnas’s attorneys turned over to congressional investigators. The cache includes previously unseen handwritten notes by Parnas that demonstrate how Giuliani communicated with Zelensky on behalf of Trump. The documents also include letters and WhatsApp messages between Parnas and a man who may have tracked the location of then-U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch.
One note has instructions to get Zelensky to “announce that the Biden case will be investigated.”
The details are sure to complicate the Senate’s impeachment duties. Republican leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), have been attempting to hold a speedy trial with no new witnesses, but pressure has been building to hear from members of Trump’s orbit who have so far remained quiet about what they know.
This article has been updated to include White House response.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-15--Now We Know What Sanders And Warren Said During That Post-Debate Exchange

Warren : “ I think you called me a liar on national TV ?
” Sanders : “ Let ’ @ @ @ @ @ now .
You want to have that discussion , we ’ ll have that discussion @ @ @ @ @ called me a liar .
You told me ... Alright , let ’ s not @ @ @ @ @

Warren: “I think you called me a liar on national TV?”
Sanders: “Let’s not do it right now. You want to have that discussion, we’ll have that discussion.
Warren: “Anytime.”
Sanders: “You called me a liar. You told me ... Alright, let’s not do it now.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-16--'Wretched Hive Of Scum And Villainy': Trump Hotel Trends After Bonkers Interview

Lev Parnas , an associate of Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani who is now under criminal indictment , said on MSNBC @ @ @ @ @ took place at the Trump International Hotel in Washington .
He said many lawmakers , @ @ @ @ @ to get the attention of Trump ’ s inner circle hung around the hotel .
@ @ @ @ @ breeding ground at the Trump hotel , ” Parnas told Rachel Maddow .
“ Every @ @ @ @ @ so everybody would hang out there afterwards.
” Indeed , Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics @ @ @ @ @ least 217 members of Congress have turned up at the hotel .
The interview and @ @ @ @ @ and Trump insiders mingling with shady figures at the hotel caused # TrumpHotel to trend @ @ @ @ @ MSNBC analyst David Corn compared it to the cantina at Mos Eisley from the first @ @ @ @ @ :

Lev Parnas, an associate of Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani who is now under criminal indictment, said on MSNBC that many of his meetings took place at the Trump International Hotel in Washington.
He said many lawmakers, insiders and others just hoping to get the attention of Trump’s inner circle hung around the hotel.
“It was like a breeding ground at the Trump hotel,” Parnas told Rachel Maddow. “Every event would be there, so everybody would hang out there afterwards.”
Indeed, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington tweeted that at least 217 members of Congress have turned up at the hotel.
The interview and the implications of Republican lawmakers and Trump insiders mingling with shady figures at the hotel caused #TrumpHotel to trend on Twitter, especially after MSNBC analyst David Corn compared it to the cantina at Mos Eisley from the first “Star Wars” movie:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-16--Chris Cuomo Defends Kellyanne Conway In Raucous Interview: You're Not A Liar

CNN ’ s Chris Cuomo and Kellyanne Conway , the counselor to President Donald Trump , got into another fiery debate on Wednesday .
As is often the case , Cuomo asked questions that Conway largely avoided answering and the two engaged in their now-customary raised voices and exasperated facial expressions .
But Cuomo also defended Conway , saying that while many Trump surrogates “ lie their asses off ” in their media appearances on behalf of the president , she ’ s not one of them .
“ I ’ ve never lied to you and you know that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to me privately , ” she said .
“ I ’ ll say it to you publicly , ” Cuomo replied .
“ I don ’ t think you ’ re a liar .
I think you spin away from questions and do it very well.
” '' I do n't think you 're a liar .
I think you spin away from questions , and do it very well .
`` @ ChrisCuomo clashes with White House counselor Kellyanne Conway on impeachment and other matters .
pic.twitter.com/hNdqW1Eol6 — Cuomo Prime Time ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Don Lemon in particular has told Cuomo he didn ’ t think Conway should be given airtime on CNN .
“ She never answers a question .
She berates you .
She ’ s condescending , ” Lemon said last year .
“ For me , it feels beneath the dignity of this network to have someone who just constantly lies and misconstrues things.
” “ It is a privilege to come on this network and speak to the American people , ” he said .
“ And if you ’ re going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and honestly.
” Despite Cuomo ’ s defense , Conway ― credited with coining the term “ alternative facts ” ― has a history of false statements , including one earlier this month in which she claimed Trump did not threaten to target cultural sites in Iran for military action .
... .targeted 52 Iranian sites ( representing the 52 American hostages taken by Iran many years ago ) , some at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture , and those targets , and Iran itself , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HARD .
The USA wants no more threats !
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) January 4 , 2020 “ They ’ re allowed to use roadside bombs and blow up our people , and we ’ re not allowed to touch their cultural site ?
” he said , according to The New York Times .
“ It doesn ’ t work that way.
” Defense Secretary Mark Esper later said that in the event of armed conflict in Iran , the United States would not target cultural sites , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war .

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CNN’s Chris Cuomo and Kellyanne Conway, the counselor to President Donald Trump, got into another fiery debate on Wednesday.
As is often the case, Cuomo asked questions that Conway largely avoided answering and the two engaged in their now-customary raised voices and exasperated facial expressions.
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But Cuomo also defended Conway, saying that while many Trump surrogates “lie their asses off” in their media appearances on behalf of the president, she’s not one of them.
“I’ve never lied to you and you know that, and you’ve said that to me privately,” she said.
“I’ll say it to you publicly,” Cuomo replied. “I don’t think you’re a liar. I think you spin away from questions and do it very well.”
“Thank you,” Conway said:
"I don't think you're a liar. I think you spin away from questions, and do it very well."@ChrisCuomo clashes with White House counselor Kellyanne Conway on impeachment and other matters. pic.twitter.com/hNdqW1Eol6 — Cuomo Prime Time (@CuomoPrimeTime) January 16, 2020
That sentiment is not shared by some of Cuomo’s colleagues.
Don Lemon in particular has told Cuomo he didn’t think Conway should be given airtime on CNN.
“She never answers a question. She berates you. She’s condescending,” Lemon said last year. “For me, it feels beneath the dignity of this network to have someone who just constantly lies and misconstrues things.”
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Lemon said CNN guests have an obligation to be honest with viewers.
“It is a privilege to come on this network and speak to the American people,” he said. “And if you’re going to do it, do it directly and honestly.”
Despite Cuomo’s defense, Conway ― credited with coining the term “alternative facts” ― has a history of false statements, including one earlier this month in which she claimed Trump did not threaten to target cultural sites in Iran for military action.
Except he did:
....targeted 52 Iranian sites (representing the 52 American hostages taken by Iran many years ago), some at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture, and those targets, and Iran itself, WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD. The USA wants no more threats! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2020
Trump repeated that threat to reporters on Air Force Once.
“They’re allowed to use roadside bombs and blow up our people, and we’re not allowed to touch their cultural site?” he said, according to The New York Times. “It doesn’t work that way.”
Defense Secretary Mark Esper later said that in the event of armed conflict in Iran, the United States would not target cultural sites, as that would violate the rules of war.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-16--Donald Trump Jr. Spectacularly Self-Owns With Question About Democrats

Donald Trump Jr. asked a snarky question about the Democrats on Twitter and it spectacularly backfired .
President Donald Trump ’ s eldest son praised his father ’ s signing of a new trade agreement with China in a tweet , below , and asked people to “ name a single Democrat accomplishment ?
” Today we saw @ realDonaldTrump stand up for America & the American working class & strike a great trade deal , while the # DoNothingDemocrats continue their 3 year smear campaign of a President that is finally getting real things done .
Name a single @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( @ DonaldJTrumpJr ) January 15 , 2020 Many commenters were quick to remind Trump Jr. that the Democratic-controlled House had just impeached his father over the Ukraine scandal .
“ I ’ d say that was a pretty big accomplishment , ” wrote one .
Others highlighted the Democratic taking of the House in the 2018 midterms .
Ummm ...
I hate to break it to you but ...
They kind of impeached your corrupt dad .
I ’ d say that was a pretty big accomplishment .
— lisastark35 ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got the gavel .
Then used it .
That was step 1. pic.twitter.com/jIsUfBaLfL — SSton ( @ SharinStone ) January 15 , 2020 Oh that 's easy ... ... .
Impeaching your dad !
Great moment in history !
— George was told there would be snacks !
( @ gocanes2jnk ) January 15 , 2020 Well , they permanently attached the word `` Impeached '' to your father 's name .
— Chris Childs ( @ Westendgonzo ) January 15 , 2020 He is impeached and will be forever .
He likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corruption in the repub party .
Sincerely , a moderate independent # RemoveTrumpNow — We Are Better Than This ( @ Agility_Fan ) January 15 , 2020

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Donald Trump Jr. asked a snarky question about the Democrats on Twitter and it spectacularly backfired.
President Donald Trump’s eldest son praised his father’s signing of a new trade agreement with China in a tweet, below, and asked people to “name a single Democrat accomplishment?”
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Today we saw @realDonaldTrump stand up for America & the American working class & strike a great trade deal, while the #DoNothingDemocrats continue their 3 year smear campaign of a President that is finally getting real things done.
Name a single Democrat accomplishment? — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) January 15, 2020
Many commenters were quick to remind Trump Jr. that the Democratic-controlled House had just impeached his father over the Ukraine scandal.
“I’d say that was a pretty big accomplishment,” wrote one.
Others highlighted the Democratic taking of the House in the 2018 midterms.
Ummm...I hate to break it to you but...
They kind of impeached your corrupt dad.
I’d say that was a pretty big accomplishment. — lisastark35 (@lisastark351) January 15, 2020
Nancy got the gavel. Then used it.
That was step 1. pic.twitter.com/jIsUfBaLfL — SSton (@SharinStone) January 15, 2020
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They impeached your dad. — David Hindberg (@AWintersong) January 15, 2020
Oh that's easy....... Impeaching your dad! Great moment in history! — George was told there would be snacks! (@gocanes2jnk) January 15, 2020
They impeached your old man. — Terry Stewart (@TD_Stewart) January 15, 2020
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Impeaching your dad — Tracie (@traciegirl6) January 15, 2020
The Impeachment and shaming, was a pretty big accomplishment. — The Devil (@LuciferSonOfDad) January 15, 2020
Well, they permanently attached the word "Impeached" to your father's name. — Chris Childs (@Westendgonzo) January 15, 2020
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He is impeached and will be forever. He likely won’t be removed due to corruption in the repub party.
Sincerely, a moderate independent #RemoveTrumpNow — We Are Better Than This (@Agility_Fan) January 15, 2020
Impeaching your dad. — DownwithTrump 🌊 🌊 🌊 🌊 (@skye_gary) January 15, 2020
Impeached your dad. — 🇺🇸🌊Vote The Nominee🌊🇵🇷 (@delacruz_angel_) January 16, 2020
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-16--Lindsey Graham Wants To 'End This Crap' As Quickly As Possible

Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-S.C. ) on Wednesday said he wants the imminent Senate impeachment trial of Donald Trump over the Ukraine scandal to be concluded swiftly because “ the best is yet to come ” from the president .
Graham , who despite his pre-2016 election misgivings about Trump has now become one of president ’ s staunchest defenders , told Fox News host Sean Hannity “ the best thing for the American people is to end this crap as quickly as possible.
” “ To have a trial in the Senate , ” he continued .
“ Bipartisan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4th when the president comes into the House chamber to deliver the State of the Union , he will have been acquitted by the Senate , he will be the strongest he ’ s ever been politically.
” “ And when it comes to Donald Trump , all that stuff you ’ ve just named , the best is yet to come Sean , ” Graham added .
Members of the House formally marched the two articles of impeachment ( abuse of power and obstruction of Congress ) over to the Senate on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a backlash to Trump ’ s likely acquittal in the GOP-controlled Senate could play out for Republicans .
“ We ’ re going to get the House back , we ’ re going to keep the Senate majority and President Trump ’ s gon na be re-elected and one of the reasons is the way they ’ ve conducted themselves , ” he claimed .

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Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Wednesday said he wants the imminent Senate impeachment trial of Donald Trump over the Ukraine scandal to be concluded swiftly because “the best is yet to come” from the president.
Graham, who despite his pre-2016 election misgivings about Trump has become one of president’s staunchest defenders, told Fox News host Sean Hannity “the best thing for the American people is to end this crap as quickly as possible.”
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“To have a trial in the Senate,” he continued. “Bipartisan acquittal of the president and on Feb. 4th, when the president comes into the House chamber to deliver the State of the Union, he will have been acquitted by the Senate, he will be the strongest he’s ever been politically.”
“And when it comes to Donald Trump ― all that stuff you’ve just named ― the best is yet to come Sean,” Graham added.
Members of the House formally marched the two articles of impeachment (abuse of power and obstruction of Congress) over to the Senate on Wednesday. Graham earlier predicted a backlash to Trump’s likely acquittal in the GOP-controlled Senate could boost Republicans.
“We’re going to get the House back, we’re going to keep the Senate majority and President Trump’s gonna be reelected, and one of the reasons is the way they’ve conducted themselves,” he said of House Democrats.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-16--Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Rips Rand Paul Over GOP's 'Spaceballs' Climate Agenda

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-N.Y. ) pulled no punches after Sen. Rand Paul ( R-Ky. ) mocked her concern for the climate crisis on Twitter .
No @ AOC the world will not end in 12 years but we must , absolutely must do something , over the next 500 million years .
Some say we should develop a space shield to protect us from the sun ’ s increased luminosity .
I ’ m not against that but ... — Senator Rand Paul ( @ RandPaul ) January 15 , 2020 it will only be a temporary respite maybe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think we should also begin genetically altering O2 producing organisms to send to Saturn ’ s Titan and possibly the closest planets outside of our solar system .
What say you AOC ?
https : //t.co/7RSi3XL7Ki — Senator Rand Paul ( @ RandPaul ) January 15 , 2020 Ocasio-Cortez , whose signature policy proposal is the sweeping Green New Deal that aims to make the U.S. carbon-neutral by 2030 , fired back five hours later .
She accused Paul of taking her old hyperbolic warning about the world ending in 12 years out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s climate agenda “ about as fictional as ” the plot of the Mel Brooks-directed 1987 satirical sci-fi movie “ Spaceballs.
” Hey Senator !
Would you like me to also take your comments out of context and pose them as your earnest position , as you have chosen to do with me ?
I assume the answer is yes , especially given that the GOP climate agenda is about as fictional as Spaceballs anyway .
https : //t.co/42FKq4VMjW — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( @ AOC ) January 15 , 2020 Ocasio-Cortez last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to end in 12 years if we don ’ t address climate change , ” later tweeting that “ you ’ d have to have the social intelligence of a sea sponge to think ” she was being literal .
“ This is a technique of the GOP , to take dry humor + sarcasm literally and ‘ fact check ’ it , ” she wrote .
She likened the Republican Party to “ The Office ” character Dwight Schrute .
This is a technique of the GOP , to take dry humor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” it .
Like the “ world ending in 12 years ” thing , you ’ d have to have the social intelligence of a sea sponge to think it ’ s literal .
But the GOP is basically Dwight from The Office so who knows .
https : //t.co/pmkwrdeAnq — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( @ AOC ) May 12 , 2019 Leading climate scientists warned in 2018 that there was only 12 years left to avert catastrophic consequences by keeping the planet from warming more than 1.5 degrees Celsius ( 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House , however , has pursued a decidedly anti-environmental agenda and President Donald Trump himself has repeatedly described climate change as a “ hoax ” and “ bullshit.
” @ RandPaul trying to tweet with AOC is like watching gramps trying to program the clock on the Betamax .
— Dave Zirin ( @ EdgeofSports ) January 15 , 2020 @ AOC owning @ RandPaul & all clueless conservatives that come for her in 2020 is what I live for !
🔥🐉👑 — Angela Belcamino ( @ AngelaBelcamino ) January 15 , @

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) pulled no punches after Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) mocked her concern for the climate crisis on Twitter.
Paul on Wednesday wrote:
No @AOC the world will not end in 12 years but we must, absolutely must do something, over the next 500 million years. Some say we should develop a space shield to protect us from the sun’s increased luminosity. I’m not against that but... — Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 15, 2020
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it will only be a temporary respite maybe a few million years. I do think we should also begin genetically altering O2 producing organisms to send to Saturn’s Titan and possibly the closest planets outside of our solar system. What say you AOC? https://t.co/7RSi3XL7Ki — Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 15, 2020
Ocasio-Cortez, whose signature policy proposal is the sweeping Green New Deal that aims to make the U.S. carbon-neutral by 2030, fired back five hours later.
She accused Paul of taking her old hyperbolic warning about the world ending in 12 years out of context, and called the GOP’s climate agenda “about as fictional as” the plot of the Mel Brooks-directed 1987 satirical sci-fi movie “Spaceballs.”
Hey Senator! Would you like me to also take your comments out of context and pose them as your earnest position, as you have chosen to do with me?
I assume the answer is yes, especially given that the GOP climate agenda is about as fictional as Spaceballs anyway. https://t.co/42FKq4VMjW — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 15, 2020
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Ocasio-Cortez last year warned the “world is going to end in 12 years if we don’t address climate change,” later tweeting that “you’d have to have the social intelligence of a sea sponge to think” she was being literal.
“This is a technique of the GOP, to take dry humor + sarcasm literally and ‘fact check’ it,” she wrote. She likened the Republican Party to “The Office” character Dwight Schrute.
This is a technique of the GOP, to take dry humor + sarcasm literally and “fact check” it.
Like the “world ending in 12 years” thing, you’d have to have the social intelligence of a sea sponge to think it’s literal.
But the GOP is basically Dwight from The Office so who knows. https://t.co/pmkwrdeAnq — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 12, 2019
Leading climate scientists warned in 2018 that there was only 12 years left to avert catastrophic consequences by keeping the planet from warming more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels.
The Trump White House, however, has pursued a decidedly anti-environmental agenda and President Donald Trump himself has repeatedly described climate change as a “hoax” and “bullshit.”
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Ocasio-Cortez’s response to Paul was well-received on Twitter:
@RandPaul trying to tweet with AOC is like watching gramps trying to program the clock on the Betamax. — Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) January 15, 2020
.@AOC, you minx, you knew we'd post Spaceballs memes! ❤❤❤ pic.twitter.com/zxsNQyJMUt — Strictly is currently with Bernie 🌹 🌊 📻 (@christoq) January 15, 2020
@AOC owning @RandPaul & all clueless conservatives that come for her in 2020 is what I live for!
🔥🐉👑 — Angela Belcamino (@AngelaBelcamino) January 15, 2020
AOC responding to bad right wing posters. pic.twitter.com/EO0CRsmgJj — Aaron Huertas (@aaronhuertas) January 15, 2020
@AOC clap backs are the stuff that dreams are made of! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🇺🇸 — Sasha👩🏽⚕ (@MsSashaRae) January 15, 2020
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Thank you @AOC for bringing Spaceballs back to the cultural forefront where it belongs. — dan gregor (@gregorcorp) January 15, 2020
Me looking for a GOP plan to address Climate Change pic.twitter.com/J0laZ41XWI — Edgar Eye (@ClokwrKoncoxion) January 15, 2020
I'm always here for @AOC dropping hot tea on climate killers like @RandPaul pic.twitter.com/Xkwy8GNwrC — EireKnight (@Eireknight) January 15, 2020
About as fictional as spaceballs bahahahaha LOVE IT🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/lwNnPkUOP6 — Sarah (@SarahRachel84) January 15, 2020
Check out the “Spaceballs” trailer here:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-15--Twitter Users Totally Relate To Tom Steyer's Awkward 'Hi, Bernie' Intrusion

Warren : “ I think you called me a liar on national TV ?
” Sanders : “ Let ’ @ @ @ @ @ now .
You want to have that discussion , we ’ ll have that discussion @ @ @ @ @ called me a liar .
You told me ... Alright , let ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ : “ I don ’ t want to get in the middle .
I just @ @ @ @ @ Bernie.
” Steyer : “ It was a treat to see you .
”

Warren: “I think you called me a liar on national TV?”
Sanders: “Let’s not do it right now. You want to have that discussion, we’ll have that discussion.
Warren: “Anytime.”
Sanders: “You called me a liar. You told me ... Alright, let’s not do it now.”
Steyer: “I don’t want to get in the middle. I just want to say hi, Bernie.”
Sanders: “Yeah, good, OK.”
Steyer: “It was a treat to see you.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-16--In Rare Good News, Australia Says Endangered ‘Dinosaur Trees’ Saved From Devastating Fires

Australian officials said Thursday that a stand of trees with ancestors that date back 200 million years was saved from a series of devastating bushfires , a glimmer of good news as the country begins recovering from the ongoing disaster .
New South Wales Environment Minister Matt Kean said a team of firefighters was deployed to a remote part of the Blue Mountains , about 120 miles northwest of Sydney , as a massive bushfire approached .
Fire officials used planes to water-bomb the area and lowered firefighters into a remote gorge to set up an irrigation system to wet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called Wollemi pines .
“ Wollemi National Park is the only place in the world where these trees are found in the wild and , with less than 200 left , we knew we needed to do everything we could to save them , ” Kean said in a statement Thursday .
“ The pines , which prior to 1994 were thought to be extinct and whose location is kept secret to prevent contamination , benefited from an unprecedented environmental protection mission.
” The Australian government has kept the location of the native @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1994 .
The area hosts the only known natural cluster of Wollemi pines , which are colloquially known as “ dinosaur trees ” because fossil records show they date back as far as 200 million years .
The species was thought long extinct until they were discovered by a park ranger about 26 years ago .
The ranger , David Noble , thought the trees looked unusual and took a branch to be identified .
Researchers later determined that they were Wollemi pines , which were thought to have died out about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fossil records .
Kean said some of the trees were ultimately charred by the flames , but the species had , so far , survived the devastating blazes .
Most of the national park has been devastated by a mega-blaze known as the Gospers Mountain Fire .
“ Wollemi National Park is the only place in the world where these trees are found in the wild , '' Environment Minister Matt Kean said .
Other iconic species throughout Australia have not been so lucky .
Researchers estimate at least 1 billion animals may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have burned more than 15 million acres and destroyed about 2,000 homes .
Brush-tailed rock-wallabies , koalas , southern corroboree frogs and spotted-tail quolls have all been affected , prompting fears that some creatures could be driven to extinction by the fires .
At least 29 people have been killed by the fires , and despite some rain this week , the New South Wales Rural Fire Service said Thursday there were still 85 bush and grass fires burning throughout the state .
“ We are starting to see some good falls across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter .
“ Let ’ s hope some of our farmers are also getting some moisture .
”

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Australian officials said Thursday that a stand of trees with ancestors that date back 200 million years was saved from a series of devastating bushfires, a glimmer of good news as the country begins recovering from the ongoing disaster.
New South Wales Environment Minister Matt Kean said a team of firefighters was deployed to a remote part of the Blue Mountains, about 120 miles northwest of Sydney, as a massive bushfire approached. Fire officials used planes to water-bomb the area and lowered firefighters into a remote gorge to set up an irrigation system to wet the ground and save the trees, called Wollemi pines.
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“Wollemi National Park is the only place in the world where these trees are found in the wild and, with less than 200 left, we knew we needed to do everything we could to save them,” Kean said in a statement Thursday. “The pines, which prior to 1994 were thought to be extinct and whose location is kept secret to prevent contamination, benefited from an unprecedented environmental protection mission.”
The Australian government has kept the location of the native Wollemi pines secret after they were discovered in 1994. New South Wales Government
The area hosts the only known natural cluster of Wollemi pines, which are colloquially known as “dinosaur trees” because fossil records show they date back as far as 200 million years. The species was thought long extinct until they were discovered by a park ranger about 26 years ago. The ranger, David Noble, thought the trees looked unusual and took a branch to be identified. Researchers later determined that they were Wollemi pines, which were thought to have died out about 2 million years before, based on fossil records.
Their location within a nearly 2,000-square-mile national park is kept secret to protect them from contamination or destruction.
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Firefighters water-bombed the region that's home to the pines and ventured to a remote canyon to protect them from approaching flames. New South Wales Government
Some of the Wollemi pines were charred, but officials said they were largely saved. New South Wales Government
Kean said some of the trees were ultimately charred by the flames, but the species had, so far, survived the devastating blazes. Most of the national park has been devastated by a mega-blaze known as the Gospers Mountain Fire.
“It was like a military-style operation,” Kean told the Sydney Morning Herald this week. “We just had to do everything.”
“Wollemi National Park is the only place in the world where these trees are found in the wild," Environment Minister Matt Kean said. New South Wales Government
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Forecasters expressed hope this week that rain would bring relief to areas hit by the ongoing bushfires. New South Wales Government
Other iconic species throughout Australia have not been so lucky. Researchers estimate at least 1 billion animals may have perished in the blazes, which have burned more than 15 million acres and destroyed about 2,000 homes. Brush-tailed rock-wallabies, koalas, southern corroboree frogs and spotted-tail quolls have all been affected, prompting fears that some creatures could be driven to extinction by the fires.
At least 29 people have been killed by the fires, and despite some rain this week, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service said Thursday there were still 85 bush and grass fires burning throughout the state.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-15--Texas Senator Disagrees With Gov. Greg Abbott Over Refugees

WASHINGTON ― Texas Sen. John Cornyn on Wednesday gingerly broke with Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott , a fellow Republican , after the governor rejected the official resettlement of refugees in their state under a new Trump administration option .
Under an executive order issued last year , the Trump administration requires resettlement agencies to obtain written consent from states and municipalities before resettling refugees in their jurisdiction starting in mid-2020 .
Abbott said in a letter last week that Texas faced “ disproportionate migration issues resulting from a broken federal immigration system , ” and that it had already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of immigrants and asylum-seekers , who had placed a strain on its public programs .
Separate from the refugee resettlement program , Texas officials have struggled in recent years to deal with a huge influx of undocumented migrants seeking to cross the U.S.-Mexico border .
Meanwhile , a federal judge in Maryland temporarily blocked Trump ’ s executive order on Tuesday .
The administration is expected to appeal the ruling .
Asked about Abbott ’ s decision on Wednesday , Cornyn , who is facing reelection this year , suggested he disagreed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ultimately deferred to the governor .
“ I think I understand what his concern is , ” Cornyn said .
“ We ’ ve got this flood of asylees coming into Texas , which has burdened our public education and health care and law enforcement institutions .
So I think he feels we ’ ve borne the brunt of that and so he ’ s unwilling to take on additional burden.
” “ But I think refugees are different than asylees , ” Texas ’ senior senator added .
“ That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have a conversation with him about .
But I think it ’ s his call.
” The Trump administration has slashed refugee admissions nationwide to historic lows over the last three years , prompting sharp criticism from refugee advocacy groups and religious organizations .
For this year , the administration set an even lower cap on refugee admissions ― 18,000 , down from 30,000 the previous year .
“ It denies people who are fleeing persecution , including religious persecution , from being able to bring their gifts and talents to our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good of all Texans , ” the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops wrote in their statement .
“ The refugees who have already resettled in Texas have made our communities even more vibrant.
” Texas Democratic Party Communications Director Abhi Rahman issued the following statement : “ When it comes to making principled decisions , yet again John Cornyn slinks into a corner .
When offered the chance to rebuke Abbott ’ s cruel and heartless decision to ban refugees , Cornyn once again decided to speak out of both sides of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the question.
” This story has been updated with a statement from Abhi Rahman .

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WASHINGTON ― Texas Sen. John Cornyn on Wednesday gingerly broke with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a fellow Republican, after the governor rejected the official resettlement of refugees in their state under a new Trump administration option.
Under an executive order issued last year, the Trump administration requires resettlement agencies to obtain written consent from states and municipalities before resettling refugees in their jurisdiction starting in mid-2020.
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Abbott said in a letter last week that Texas faced “disproportionate migration issues resulting from a broken federal immigration system,” and that it had already welcomed “more than its share” of immigrants and asylum-seekers, who had placed a strain on its public programs. Separate from the refugee resettlement program, Texas officials have struggled in recent years to deal with a huge influx of undocumented migrants seeking to cross the U.S.-Mexico border.
Meanwhile, a federal judge in Maryland temporarily blocked Trump’s executive order on Tuesday. The administration is expected to appeal the ruling.
Asked about Abbott’s decision on Wednesday, Cornyn, who is facing reelection this year, suggested he disagreed with Abbott’s rationale, although he ultimately deferred to the governor.
“I think I understand what his concern is,” Cornyn said. “We’ve got this flood of asylees coming into Texas, which has burdened our public education and health care and law enforcement institutions. So I think he feels we’ve borne the brunt of that and so he’s unwilling to take on additional burden.”
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“But I think refugees are different than asylees,” Texas’ senior senator added. “That’s something I’ll have an opportunity to have a conversation with him about. But I think it’s his call.”
The junior senator from Texas, Ted Cruz (R), declined to comment on Wednesday.
The Trump administration has slashed refugee admissions nationwide to historic lows over the last three years, prompting sharp criticism from refugee advocacy groups and religious organizations. For this year, the administration set an even lower cap on refugee admissions ― 18,000, down from 30,000 the previous year.
The Roman Catholic bishops of Texas blasted Abbott’s decision as “misguided” in a statement last week.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-15--Kentucky Bills Seek To Ban Gay 'Conversion Therapy' For Minors

FRANKFORT , Ky. ( AP ) — Twice a week for four years when he was in high school , gay student Zach Meiners underwent “ conversion therapy , ” a practice that attempts to change a person 's sexual orientation or gender identity .
Once the sessions ended , it took almost 10 years before he started “ to heal and learn to love '' himself , Meiners said Tuesday during a rally to promote bills that would effectively ban conversion therapy in Kentucky .
“ It was ingrained in my head that to be gay meant that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could never find acceptance , love or fulfillment unless my identity changed , '' said Meiners , now 30 .
“ I was publicly shamed .
I was taught to hate who I was . ''
Republican Sen. Alice Forgy Kerr of Lexington , lead sponsor of the Senate measure , on Tuesday referred to the practice as “ conversion torture . ''
Democratic Rep. Lisa Willner of Louisville , lead sponsor of the House bill , denounced it as a “ discredited and dangerous ” practice .
“ This practice is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Willner said .
“ This is a practice that attempts to fix something that was never broken .
It is a practice that targets some of our most vulnerable and disenfranchised youth . ''
The proposals would ban mental health professionals from engaging in conversion therapy with people under age 18 .
The same ban would apply for adults who are under guardianship or those who are wards of the state because they have been determined to lack the capacity for responsible decision-making , Willner said .
Mental health professionals violating the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professional licensing agency .
The bills also would prohibit public funds from going to any organization that provides conversion therapy .
Supporters of the bills said Kentucky would be the 20th state to pass legislation limiting the practice .
Meiners , a Louisville filmmaker , began working on a documentary last year about conversion therapy .
He traveled the country to interview “ survivors '' of the practice as well as licensed therapists .
The documentary will be released later this year , he said .
“ No parent wants to hurt their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rally .
“ I know mine sure did n't .
Most parents simply do not have the education or resources they need when their kid comes out .
They 're told about a conversion therapy , usually by a friend or a pastor .
So they try it as if they 're going to see a specialist for some sort of health problem .
But that 's not what this is . ''

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FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Twice a week for four years when he was in high school, gay student Zach Meiners underwent “conversion therapy,” a practice that attempts to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.
Once the sessions ended, it took almost 10 years before he started “to heal and learn to love" himself, Meiners said Tuesday during a rally to promote bills that would effectively ban conversion therapy in Kentucky.
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“It was ingrained in my head that to be gay meant that I was apart from God and that I could never find acceptance, love or fulfillment unless my identity changed," said Meiners, now 30. “I was publicly shamed. I was taught to hate who I was."
Bills aimed at effectively ending the practice have been introduced in the Republican-dominated House and Senate.
Republican Sen. Alice Forgy Kerr of Lexington, lead sponsor of the Senate measure, on Tuesday referred to the practice as “conversion torture." Democratic Rep. Lisa Willner of Louisville, lead sponsor of the House bill, denounced it as a “discredited and dangerous” practice.
“This practice is in fact not a therapy at all," Willner said. “This is a practice that attempts to fix something that was never broken. It is a practice that targets some of our most vulnerable and disenfranchised youth."
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The proposals would ban mental health professionals from engaging in conversion therapy with people under age 18. The same ban would apply for adults who are under guardianship or those who are wards of the state because they have been determined to lack the capacity for responsible decision-making, Willner said.
Mental health professionals violating the measures would face disciplinary action by their professional licensing agency. The bills also would prohibit public funds from going to any organization that provides conversion therapy.
Supporters of the bills said Kentucky would be the 20th state to pass legislation limiting the practice.
Meiners, a Louisville filmmaker, began working on a documentary last year about conversion therapy. He traveled the country to interview “survivors" of the practice as well as licensed therapists. The documentary will be released later this year, he said.
“No parent wants to hurt their child," Meiners said at the rally. “I know mine sure didn't. Most parents simply do not have the education or resources they need when their kid comes out. They're told about a conversion therapy, usually by a friend or a pastor. So they try it as if they're going to see a specialist for some sort of health problem. But that's not what this is."
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___


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-17--Jared Kushner's New Time Magazine Cover Is Now A Brutal Meme

TIME PHOTOGRAPHER : Okay , stand normally .
JARED KUSHNER : I am .
TIME PHOTOGRAPHER : No , sorry @ @ @ @ @ *normally* .
JARED KUSHNER : I am standing normally .
TIME PHOTOGRAPHER ( sighing ) @ @ @ @ @ straight ahead .
pic.twitter.com/CbniaimEer

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Time magazine’s new cover provided social media users with plenty of comic fodder.
The weekly newsmagazine’s image of Jared Kushner stiffly standing in front of a blank background set the internet alight on Thursday.
TIME’s new cover: Inside Jared Kushner’s unusual White House role https://t.co/clLt5k8eBk pic.twitter.com/gDAkst9sQL — TIME (@TIME) January 16, 2020
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Wits on Twitter likened the Jan. 27 issue’s picture of President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and adviser to a default video game avatar, the supernatural character Slenderman and children’s favorite Pinnochio.
Others tweaked the page to take aim at Kushner and the Trump administration.
Jared Kushner’s TIME cover is what happens when you’re asked to customise your video game avatar and just select ‘default settings’ instead. pic.twitter.com/1QqFbRvPnL — Rob Joyce (@RobJoyce156) January 16, 2020
It appears Jared’s father in law gave him standing lessons https://t.co/INhM0tMoCm — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 16, 2020
Jared Kushner is on the cover of TIME, so it’s time to ask..is he Slenderman? pic.twitter.com/cI4Eyf3jmT — tribbles (@thetribblorian) January 17, 2020
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Jared Kushner is on the cover of Time because his father was a clock maker. pic.twitter.com/nTlVTm0OG1 — Collin Murr (@CollinMurr) January 17, 2020
So @TIME magazine put @jaredkushner on the cover of their latest issue... and of course, I FIXED it ;)#LevParnasInterview pic.twitter.com/ghBz5qqi3M — Paul Lidicul (@PaulLidicul) January 16, 2020
Jared Kushner on the cover of TIME reminds me of Jude Law in A.I. pic.twitter.com/xh2S2iC5B9 — Christian (not Christopher) (@wischofsky) January 16, 2020
TIME: Ok, Jared, just act natural.
KUSHNER: pic.twitter.com/6kItiDYYj0 — Rusty Jones III (@RustyJonesIII) January 16, 2020
TIME PHOTOGRAPHER: Okay, stand normally.
JARED KUSHNER: I am.
TIME PHOTOGRAPHER: No, sorry. You misunderstand. Stand *normally*.
JARED KUSHNER: I am standing normally.
TIME PHOTOGRAPHER (sighing): Fuck it. Look straight ahead. pic.twitter.com/CbniaimEer — Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) January 16, 2020
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Jared Kushner from The Boy to Time Magazine cover boy. pic.twitter.com/HnNxgD6ARi — Beatrix Blotto (@Mortedelsan) January 17, 2020
Ugh. I can't believe Jared Kushner is on the cover of Time. pic.twitter.com/F9VeATAlnx — Benjamin Siemon (@BenjaminJS) January 16, 2020
How’d they manage to make him look so lifelike? Amazing https://t.co/oOnCvpYKRU — Asher Wolf (@Asher_Wolf) January 16, 2020
Kushner comes from the same factory as Zuckerberg right? https://t.co/EzB1UbI3KI — Thomas Brewster (@iblametom) January 16, 2020
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siri show me hell https://t.co/nlqfgATt27 — Leah Litman (@LeahLitman) January 16, 2020
Why did Time publish the cover of Jared's 2005 synth album? https://t.co/ZKOtkefjCy — Todd Berger (@thetoddberger) January 16, 2020
I like to picture him and Mark Zuckerberg sitting together in class at Harvard, completely expressionless and immobile, freaking out the professor for the full hour. https://t.co/qQfXYMiS5b — Brian Sack (@brian_sack) January 16, 2020
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Why is he standing like a marionette? https://t.co/iBoDTnUB0f — Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) January 16, 2020
jared looking like a sim pic.twitter.com/GQPNUYOodD — julia reinstein 🚡 (@juliareinstein) January 16, 2020
Jared looks like he’s right out of central casting for a Law & Order SVU perp. pic.twitter.com/Xu0zjgTtjk — *you're (@RKJ65) January 16, 2020
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-17--Anderson Cooper Scorches GOP Senator Who Called Reporter A ‘Liberal Hack’

Anderson Cooper gave Sen. Martha McSally ( R-Ariz. ) a “ big long slow clap ” for calling his CNN colleague Manu Raju a “ liberal hack ” as he explained the lawmaker hasn ’ t always been so shy about speaking with the media .
McSally lobbed the insult Thursday as she attempted to dodge Raju ’ s question about President Donald Trump ’ s Senate impeachment trial .
Q : Senator McSally , should the Senate consider new evidence as part of the impeachment trial ?
McSally : You ’ re a liberal hack I ’ m not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not going to comment about this ?
McSally : You 're a liberal hack .
pic.twitter.com/IW5pCfZ6Oa — Manu Raju ( @ mkraju ) January 16 , 2020 Cooper sprang to Raju ’ s defense on Thursday ’ s broadcast of his show , calling the reporter “ incredibly fair ” and “ a really good human being ” who is “ incredibly polite asking public officials questions that they often do not want to be asked.
” If you can ’ t answer that question , maybe you shouldn ’ t have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oh .
Sorry .
Martha McSally actually wasn ’ t elected to the Senate .
She actually tried to get elected but she lost .
I forgot that .
She lost to a Democrat .
She only has the privilege of walking the halls of the Senate and calling others ‘ a hack ’ because she was appointed to the job by the governor of Arizona to fill the seat left vacant when John Kyl , who has been temporarily filling the seat of the late John McCain , retired .
Cooper highlighted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s previous willingness to speak to the media — from a “ 60 Minutes ” interview about a lawsuit against the Defense Department to a 2016 profile in Elle magazine that portrayed her as a political moderate ― before explaining how she has since tried to “ reinvent herself as a Trump foot solider ” in a bid to win reelection against her Democratic rival , former NASA astronaut Mark Kelly .
“ So , big long slow clap for you , ” Cooper concluded .
“ A reporter was just doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appointed Senator McSally .
I ’ m sure the money is going to flow in and you may get a bump in the polls and you may win .
But look at the company you ’ re now in and look how far you have come in .
You were once a profile in courage , you are now a profile in politics .
”

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Anderson Cooper gave Sen. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) a “big long slow clap” for calling his CNN colleague Manu Raju a “liberal hack” as he explained the lawmaker hasn’t always been so shy about speaking with the media.
McSally lobbed the insult Thursday as she attempted to dodge Raju’s question about President Donald Trump’s Senate impeachment trial.
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Check out the exchange here:
Q: Senator McSally, should the Senate consider new evidence as part of the impeachment trial?
McSally: You’re a liberal hack I’m not talking to you
Manu- You’re not going to comment about this?
McSally: You're a liberal hack. pic.twitter.com/IW5pCfZ6Oa — Manu Raju (@mkraju) January 16, 2020
Cooper sprang to Raju’s defense on Thursday’s broadcast of his show, calling the reporter “incredibly fair” and “a really good human being” who is “incredibly polite asking public officials questions that they often do not want to be asked.”
Continued Cooper:
If you can’t answer that question, maybe you shouldn’t have been elected to the Senate. Wait. Oh. Sorry. Martha McSally actually wasn’t elected to the Senate. She actually tried to get elected but she lost. I forgot that. She lost to a Democrat. She only has the privilege of walking the halls of the Senate and calling others ‘a hack’ because she was appointed to the job by the governor of Arizona to fill the seat left vacant when John Kyl, who had been temporarily filling the seat of the late John McCain, retired.
Cooper highlighted former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot McSally’s previous willingness to speak to the media — from a “60 Minutes” interview about a lawsuit against the Defense Department to a 2016 profile in Elle magazine that portrayed her as a political moderate ― before explaining how she has since tried to “reinvent herself as a Trump foot solider” in a bid to win reelection against her Democratic rival, former NASA astronaut Mark Kelly.
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“So, big long slow clap for you,” Cooper concluded. “A reporter was just doing his constitutionally-backed job and so congratulations, appointed Senator McSally. I’m sure the money is going to flow in and you may get a bump in the polls and you may win. But look at the company you’re now in and look how far you have come in. You were once a profile in courage, you are now a profile in politics.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-17--GOP Group Hits Trump With $1 Million Attack Ads On His Favorite Fox Shows

A Republican group is launching a $ 1 million ad campaign aimed at pressuring Senate Republicans into calling witnesses during President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial .
Republicans for the Rule of Law , a group of anti-Trump conservatives , said the two ads will run nationally on both “ Fox & Friends ” on Fox News and “ Lou Dobbs Tonight ” on Fox Business every day next week .
Trump is known to watch both shows and tweet about what he sees on them .
This week , he praised “ the great Lou Dobbs ” as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House event with the Fox host in attendance .
But if the president tunes in next week , he may see an ad such as this one , urging lawmakers to call on former national security adviser John Bolton to testify : “ The Constitution charges the Senate with ‘ the sole Power to try all impeachments , ’ ” the group ’ s director , former Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol , said in a statement .
“ But the Senate can ’ t try an impeachment without a trial , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a trial without evidence.
” Along with the TV spots , the group is advertising via digital billboards in the capitals of Utah , Alaska , Maine , Tennessee , Colorado and Arizona ― home states of Republicans senators who may vote to allow witnesses , some of whom are locked in tight reelection battles .
Republicans for the Rule of Law has mounted a series of ad campaigns since last year on TV and online calling on Republicans to stand up to Trump and slamming his defenders .

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A Republican group is launching a $1 million ad campaign aimed at pressuring Senate Republicans into calling witnesses during President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial.
Republicans for the Rule of Law, a group of anti-Trump conservatives, said the two ads will run nationally on both “Fox & Friends” on Fox News and “Lou Dobbs Tonight” on Fox Business every day next week.
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Trump is known to watch both shows and tweet about what he sees on them. This week, he praised “the great Lou Dobbs” as he signed a trade deal at a White House event with the Fox host in attendance.
But if the president tunes in next week, he may see an ad such as this one, urging lawmakers to call on former national security adviser John Bolton to testify:
“The Constitution charges the Senate with ‘the sole Power to try all impeachments,’” the group’s director, former Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol, said in a statement. “But the Senate can’t try an impeachment without a trial, and there’s no such thing as a trial without evidence.”
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Along with the TV spots, the group is advertising via digital billboards in the capitals of Utah, Alaska, Maine, Tennessee, Colorado and Arizona ― home states of Republicans senators who may vote to allow witnesses, some of whom are locked in tight reelection battles.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-17--'Let's Get The Words Out': Lara Trump Taunts Joe Biden Over Stutter

Lara Trump on the Dem field/debate `` I feel kind of sad for Joe Biden ...
I 'm supposed to @ @ @ @ @ every turn , but every time he comes on stage or they turn to him @ @ @ @ @ you get it out ?
Let 's get the words out Joe . '
... @ @ @ @ @ their front runner '' pic.twitter.com/oJgXRkIHbJ

Lara Trump on the Dem field/debate "I feel kind of sad for Joe Biden...I'm supposed to want him to fail at every turn, but every time he comes on stage or they turn to him I'm like 'Joe can you get it out? Let's get the words out Joe.' ...The problem is that's their front runner" pic.twitter.com/oJgXRkIHbJ


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-17--Ex-RNC Chair Exposes ‘Un-American' Hypocrisy Of GOP Senators In Donald Trump Trial

Take your behind out of the chamber when it ’ s time to swear in , because you will be @ @ @ @ @ .
Because you ’ ve already told us you plan not to be an honest @ @ @ @ @ is almost a joke in the sense that you have some of these senators walking @ @ @ @ @ in front of the country , standing in front of the chief justice of the @ @ @ @ @ damn hand to swear an oath that they know they ’ re not going to @ @ @ @

Take your behind out of the chamber when it’s time to swear in, because you will be lying to the American people. Because you’ve already told us you plan not to be an honest juror. So, this is almost a joke in the sense that you have some of these senators walking into this room, standing in front of the country, standing in front of the chief justice of the United States, raising their damn hand to swear an oath that they know they’re not going to defend nor uphold.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-16--Parnas Says He’s ‘Scared’ Of DOJ, Claims Trump’s Power Has Grown Under AG Barr

Lev Parnas , an associate of Rudy Giuliani at the center of the pressure campaign to dig up dirt on Joe Biden , said he is speaking out about his knowledge of President Donald Trump ’ s pressure campaign in Ukraine because he wanted to “ get the truth out , ” but he noted that despite doing so , he was more afraid of the Justice Department than of any criminals .
“ I regret certain things that I did , ” Parnas told MSNBC ’ s Rachel Maddow in an interview that aired Thursday , the second part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work for the president .
He later noted he was fearful of U.S. Attorney General William Barr , whom he described as a political power who has only elevated Trump ’ s authority .
“ Am I scared ?
Yes , because I think I ’ m more scared of our own Justice Department than these criminals right now .
The scariest part is getting locked in some room and being treated as an animal when you did nothing wrong .
… That ’ s the tool they ’ re using because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not talking.
” Parnas has bounced between media outlets this week to make a series of bombshell claims about Trump ’ s involvement in an effort to smear the former vice president and his son Hunter Biden .
During the first part of his interview with MSNBC , Parnas said the president “ knew exactly what was going on ” as he worked with Giuliani , Trump ’ s personal attorney , to pressure Ukraine to announce an investigation of the president ’ s political rival .
He elaborated on his decision to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week , just hours after the House voted to send two articles of impeachment to the Senate for trial .
Trump was impeached on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress last month .
In an interview with CNN ’ s Anderson Cooper that also aired Thursday , Parnas called out Republicans ’ unwavering support of the president throughout the ongoing impeachment process .
He said he believed many GOP lawmakers were afraid of being investigated by a Justice Department deeply allied with Trump if they speak out against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is this : Loyalty goes so far , but I think there ’ s a lot of people in the Republican Party that don ’ t agree , they ’ re good people that don ’ t agree with what he ’ s doing , but they ’ re scared , ” Parnas said .
“ He gets away with everything , and that would , you know especially with Attorney [ General ] Bill Barr on his side and the Justice Department , I mean a lot of people are scared .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigated.
” Republicans in the Senate are still divided on whether to allow the opportunity to call witnesses during the impeachment trial , which is expected to last several weeks .
Many in the GOP have demanded that they should get to call Hunter Biden as a witness in return for allowing Democrats to call their own witnesses .
“ If you really look at it , I should be their best witness , ” Parnas told Cooper of the GOP .
“ I should be their number one witness because I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dirt supposedly .
Why aren ’ t they calling me to testify ?
Why do they need Biden ?
Call me.
” With the Senate trial expected to begin Tuesday , Democrats have said the Senate should call Parnas as a witness .
But Republicans have pushed back , saying the new information wasn ’ t part of the impeachment articles the House approved in December .
Republicans in general have shrugged off Parnas ’ s information and media blitzes , as well as the Thursday morning news that the nonpartisan Government Accountability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the law by withholding military aid to Ukraine in order to pressure the government into doing Trump ’ s bidding .
“ He needs to understand he ’ s not a king , ” Parnas told Cooper of the president .
“ He needs to understand that there ’ s a democracy .
There ’ s rules , you know , even if you don ’ t like them , even if you don ’ t agree with them .
It ’ s all fun and dandy going to these rallies and standing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I was front stage … but it ’ s scary .
If he wins another four years , I don ’ t know what will happen .
”

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Lev Parnas, an associate of Rudy Giuliani at the center of the pressure campaign to dig up dirt on Joe Biden, said he is speaking out about his knowledge of President Donald Trump’s pressure campaign in Ukraine because he wanted to “get the truth out,” but he noted that despite doing so, he was more afraid of the Justice Department than of any criminals.
“I regret certain things that I did,” Parnas told MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow in an interview that aired Thursday, the second part of a sweeping discussion about his past work for the president. He later noted he was fearful of U.S. Attorney General William Barr, whom he described as a political power who has only elevated Trump’s authority.
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“Am I scared? Yes, because I think I’m more scared of our own Justice Department than these criminals right now. The scariest part is getting locked in some room and being treated as an animal when you did nothing wrong. … That’s the tool they’re using because they’re trying to scare me into not talking.”
Parnas also likened Trump to a “cult leader” who had an unwavering field of Republican lawmakers supporting him.
“It was like being in a cult,” Parnas told Maddow of his dealings with the president. “When they say organized crime? I don’t think Trump is like organized crime. I think he’s like a cult leader.”
He added: “The difference between why Trump is so powerful now… he wasn’t as powerful in ’16 and ’17: He became that powerful when he got William Barr.”
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"After analyzing all the evidence and sitting back and really understanding what's going on, I don't think Vice President Biden did anything wrong. I think he was protecting our country and getting rid of, probably, a crooked attorney general." -Lev Parnas pic.twitter.com/SWNe71SKqo — Maddow Blog (@MaddowBlog) January 17, 2020
Parnas has bounced between media outlets this week to make a series of bombshell claims about Trump’s involvement in an effort to smear the former vice president and his son Hunter Biden. During the first part of his interview with MSNBC, Parnas said the president “knew exactly what was going on” as he worked with Giuliani, Trump’s personal attorney, to pressure Ukraine to announce an investigation of the president’s political rival.
He elaborated on his decision to come forward and fully break with Giuliani this week, just hours after the House voted to send two articles of impeachment to the Senate for trial. Trump was impeached on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress last month.
In an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper that also aired Thursday, Parnas called out Republicans’ unwavering support of the president throughout the ongoing impeachment process. He said he believed many GOP lawmakers were afraid of being investigated by a Justice Department deeply allied with Trump if they speak out against the president.
“Listen, my opinion is this: Loyalty goes so far, but I think there’s a lot of people in the Republican Party that don’t agree, they’re good people that don’t agree with what he’s doing, but they’re scared,” Parnas said. “He gets away with everything, and that would, you know especially with Attorney [General] Bill Barr on his side and the Justice Department, I mean a lot of people are scared. They don’t want to get investigated.”
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Cooper responded by asking Parnas if Barr investigating people on behalf of Trump scares him, to which Parnas responded: “Scares me a lot.”
"I should be their number one witness, I'm the one that got all the dirt, supposedly. Why aren't they calling me to testify? Why do they need Biden? Call me."
Fmr. Rudy Giuliani associate Lev Parnas on what he could offer as an impeachment trial witnesshttps://t.co/qvNbmgp5lX pic.twitter.com/xO114TeXnd — Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) January 17, 2020
Parnas also called out Republicans for making “all kinds of arguments” during the House impeachment hearings while not providing evidence or calling key witnesses to back up their arguments.
Republicans in the Senate are still divided on whether to allow the opportunity to call witnesses during the impeachment trial, which is expected to last several weeks. Many in the GOP have demanded that they should get to call Hunter Biden as a witness in return for allowing Democrats to call their own witnesses.
“If you really look at it, I should be their best witness,” Parnas told Cooper of the GOP. “I should be their number one witness because I’m the one that got all the dirt supposedly. Why aren’t they calling me to testify? Why do they need Biden? Call me.”
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With the Senate trial expected to begin Tuesday, Democrats have said the Senate should call Parnas as a witness. But Republicans have pushed back, saying the new information wasn’t part of the impeachment articles the House approved in December.
Republicans in general have shrugged off Parnas’s information and media blitzes, as well as the Thursday morning news that the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office concluded that the White House broke the law by withholding military aid to Ukraine in order to pressure the government into doing Trump’s bidding.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-16--Evelyn Yang, Andrew Yang's Wife, Reveals Story Of Sexual Assault By Her OB-GYN

Evelyn Yang , the wife of Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang , revealed publicly for the first time to CNN that she was sexually assaulted by her obstetrician-gynecologist when she was pregnant .
In an interview with CNN , Yang said the inappropriate behavior began in 2012 when Hadden began asking her inappropriate questions about her sexual activity that didn ’ t appear related to her pregnancy or the baby .
“ Something about being on the trail and meeting people and seeing the difference that we ’ ve been making already has moved me to share my own story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Yang told CNN .
“ Not everyone can tell their story .
Not everyone has the audience or platform to tell their story , and I actually feel like I ’ m in this very privileged position to be able to do that , ” she said Yang said she was concerned about the doctor ’ s line of questioning but felt like changing providers at that point would have been “ overwhelming.
” “ What I kept sticking to was this : ‘ OK , so my doctor is pervy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m going to focus on having a healthy baby , ’ and the idea of changing doctors was overwhelming for me , ” she told CNN .
Eventually , Hadden called her for more frequent and longer examinations , according to Yang .
During one aggressive encounter , Yang said she was seven months pregnant and getting ready to leave the examination room when Hadden “ made an excuse ” about her needing a cesarean section , grabbed her , undressed her and assaulted her .
“ He proceeded to grab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and examine me internally , ungloved , ” she told CNN , holding back tears .
“ At first , I was a little bit like , ‘ What ’ s going on here ?
’ ” “ I ’ m extraordinarily proud of Evelyn for telling her story , and my heart breaks every time I think of what she had to experience .
She is my best friend and the bravest woman I know , ” the Democrat said .
The D.A.
’ s office began investigating Hadden in 2012 after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had licked her vagina and touched her nipples during an exam , according to a New York Times report .
Other allegations against Hadden include groping and squeezing breastmilk from his patients , BuzzFeed reported in June 2018 .
The district attorney ’ s office reached a plea deal with Hadden in 2016 .
The agreement helped Hadden avoid jail time and required him to register only as a Level 1 low-risk sex offender .
A Level 1 offender is the lowest level available in New York .
The designation kept Hadden ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offenders and requires him to be registered as a sex offender for only 20 years .
“ My experience with the sexual assault and all that happened afterwards is such a powerful and upsetting example of the truth that women are living with every day , ” she told CNN .
“ And I just happen to be able to have a platform to talk about it.
” “ I ’ m extraordinarily proud of Evelyn for telling her story , and my heart breaks every time I think of what she had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friend and the bravest woman I know .
No one deserves to be harmed and treated the way she and countless other women have been .
When victims of abuse come forward , they deserve our belief , support , and protection .
I hope that Evelyn ’ s story gives strength to those who have suffered and sends a clear message that our institutions must do more to protect and respond to women .
”

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Evelyn Yang, the wife of Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang, revealed publicly for the first time to CNN that she was sexually assaulted by her obstetrician-gynecologist when she was pregnant.
The doctor, Robert Hadden, who had a practice in Manhattan, received a felony conviction for his abuse and lost his license in 2016.
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In an interview with CNN, Yang said the inappropriate behavior began in 2012 when Hadden began asking her inappropriate questions about her sexual activity that didn’t appear related to her pregnancy or the baby.
The behavior advanced to the point of assault as she continued her visits, which she later learned were medically unnecessary.
“Something about being on the trail and meeting people and seeing the difference that we’ve been making already has moved me to share my own story about it, about sexual assault,” Yang told CNN.
“Not everyone can tell their story. Not everyone has the audience or platform to tell their story, and I actually feel like I’m in this very privileged position to be able to do that,” she said
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Evelyn Yang, wife of presidential candidate Andrew Yang, says she’s a survivor of sexual assault by a doctor who has been accused of abusing dozens of his patients, most of whom were pregnant at the time.https://t.co/5BXCqjAiz7 — OutFrontCNN (@OutFrontCNN) January 17, 2020
Yang said she was concerned about the doctor’s line of questioning but felt like changing providers at that point would have been “overwhelming.”
“What I kept sticking to was this: ‘OK, so my doctor is pervy. I have a pervy doctor, but I’m going to focus on having a healthy baby,’ and the idea of changing doctors was overwhelming for me,” she told CNN.
Eventually, Hadden called her for more frequent and longer examinations, according to Yang. During one aggressive encounter, Yang said she was seven months pregnant and getting ready to leave the examination room when Hadden “made an excuse” about her needing a cesarean section, grabbed her, undressed her and assaulted her.
“He proceeded to grab me over to him and undress me and examine me internally, ungloved,” she told CNN, holding back tears. “At first, I was a little bit like, ‘What’s going on here?’”
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In a statement to HuffPost, Andrew Yang praised his wife for sharing her experience.
“I’m extraordinarily proud of Evelyn for telling her story, and my heart breaks every time I think of what she had to experience. She is my best friend and the bravest woman I know,” the Democrat said.
After her story aired on CNN, he tweeted in support of his wife: “I love my wife very very much.”
I love my wife very very much. — Andrew Yang🧢 (@AndrewYang) January 17, 2020
Yang is one of 18 victims who helped the Manhattan district attorney’s office file a lawsuit against Hadden, who was a gynecologist at Columbia University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital.
The D.A.’s office began investigating Hadden in 2012 after a patient reported to police that he had licked her vagina and touched her nipples during an exam, according to a New York Times report. Other allegations against Hadden include groping and squeezing breastmilk from his patients, BuzzFeed reported in June 2018.
The district attorney’s office reached a plea deal with Hadden in 2016. The agreement helped Hadden avoid jail time and required him to register only as a Level 1 low-risk sex offender. A Level 1 offender is the lowest level available in New York. The designation kept Hadden’s name off the online list of offenders and requires him to be registered as a sex offender for only 20 years.
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Many of the victims were surprised and angered by Hadden’s plea deal.
In December, 17 women sued Columbia University and its hospitals, accusing the university of a “massive coverup” over his abuse over more than two decades.
Yang said she is sharing her story now in order to empower other women.
“My experience with the sexual assault and all that happened afterwards is such a powerful and upsetting example of the truth that women are living with every day,” she told CNN. “And I just happen to be able to have a platform to talk about it.”
Read Andrew Yang’s full statement below:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-16--'I Don't Know The Guy,' Claims Pence After Lev Parnas Says He Was 'In The Loop' On Ukraine

Mike Pence finally spoke out Thursday about accusations by indicted Rudy Giuliani associate Lev Parnas that the vice president was “ in the loop ” on the Ukraine operation intended to smear presidential candidate Joe Biden .
“ I don ’ t know the guy , ” Pence insisted to reporters in Tampa during a campaign swing , and he called the claims “ completely false , ” The Hill reported .
President Donald Trump also reiterated Thursday that he doesn ’ t know Parnas , after which Parnas ’ s attorney Joseph Bondy released a video of his client @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently released a trove of documents supporting some of his claims , told both Rachel Maddow on MSNBC and Anderson Cooper on CNN that Pence knew of his work pressuring Ukraine officials to announce an investigation into unfounded accusations against Biden and his son Hunter .
Parnas has said he was following Trump ’ s wishes , as communicated to him by Giuliani , Trump ’ s personal attorney .
Trump and Giuliani were fully aware “ of all my movements , ” he said .
Pence suddenly backed out of a planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine ’ s new president after Volodymyr Zelensky failed to announce a Biden probe .
“ Everybody was in the loop , ” Parnas told Maddow in an interview Wednesday after she specifically asked about Pence .
“ He couldn ’ t not have known.
” Trump ’ s pressure on Zelensky to announce an investigation of Biden , a leading Democratic rival , while he was withholding U.S. military funds to the nation led to the president ’ s impeachment in the House .
Cooper asked Parnas if anyone appeared concerned about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump and his supporters have claimed .
Parnas responded : “ As far as I knew , the only thing we cared about ... was to get Zelensky ... to make ... an announcement into the Biden investigation.
” Trump reiterated Thursday that he does not know who Parnas is — even though he has appeared in a number of photos with him .
At one point , as CNN reporter Jim Acosta questioned Trump about his interactions with Parnas , Trump ordered Acosta : “ Quiet.
” CNN in November reported 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump claims he does n't know who Lev Parnas is and says he takes lots of pictures with people and has never spoken to Parnas .
Trump once claimed he did n't have anything to do with the payoff to porn star Stormy Daniels .
Pressed on the issue Trump demands the reporter be `` quiet . ''
pic.twitter.com/PASdE2tEtg — Oliver Willis ( @ owillis ) January 16 , 2020 Parnas has threatened to release a new photo of him with the president each time Trump denies knowing him .
He has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have had no reason to meet with him unless they believed he was an emissary from the Trump administration .
Here ’ s the “ I don ’ t know him at all , don ’ t know what he ’ s about , don ’ t know where he comes from , know nothing about him ” guy , w Lev Parnas & Roman Nasirov , former head of Ukrainian Fiscal Service , at Mar-a-Lago 12/16 .
@ POTUS .
@ realDonaldTrump @ Acosta # LevRemembers # LetLevSpeak pic.twitter.com/5B5QY2DJEg — Joseph A.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 Parnas and associate Igor Fruman , who was also involved in the Ukraine operation , have been indicted on charges of campaign finance violations linked to a large donation they made to a group supporting Trump ’ s reelection campaign .
Prosecutors allege they funneled foreign money through a bogus energy company , thereby making illegal donations to U.S. politicians on behalf of foreign interests .
Both men have pleaded not guilty .

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Mike Pence finally spoke out Thursday about accusations by indicted Rudy Giuliani associate Lev Parnas that the vice president was “in the loop” on the Ukraine operation intended to smear presidential candidate Joe Biden. “I don’t know the guy,” Pence insisted to reporters in Tampa during a campaign swing, and he called the claims “completely false,” The Hill reported.
President Donald Trump also reiterated Thursday that he doesn’t know Parnas, after which Parnas’s attorney Joseph Bondy released a video of his client with Trump.
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Parnas, who just recently released a trove of documents supporting some of his claims, told both Rachel Maddow on MSNBC and Anderson Cooper on CNN that Pence knew of his work pressuring Ukraine officials to announce an investigation into unfounded accusations against Biden and his son Hunter. Parnas has said he was following Trump’s wishes, as communicated to him by Giuliani, Trump’s personal attorney. Trump and Giuliani were fully aware “of all my movements,” he said.
Asked by Cooper in an interview released Thursday if Pence knew about the scheme concerning a Biden probe, Parnas responded: “Of course.”
Pence suddenly backed out of a planned appearance last year at the inauguration of Ukraine’s new president after Volodymyr Zelensky failed to announce a Biden probe. “Everybody was in the loop,” Parnas told Maddow in an interview Wednesday after she specifically asked about Pence. “He couldn’t not have known.”
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Trump’s pressure on Zelensky to announce an investigation of Biden, a leading Democratic rival, while he was withholding U.S. military funds to the nation led to the president’s impeachment in the House.
Cooper asked Parnas if anyone appeared concerned about rooting out corruption in Ukraine, as Trump and his supporters have claimed. Parnas responded: “As far as I knew, the only thing we cared about ... was to get Zelensky ... to make ... an announcement into the Biden investigation.”
Trump reiterated Thursday that he does not know who Parnas is — even though he has appeared in a number of photos with him. At one point, as CNN reporter Jim Acosta questioned Trump about his interactions with Parnas, Trump ordered Acosta: “Quiet.” CNN in November reported 10 known personal interactions between Parnas and Trump.
Trump claims he doesn't know who Lev Parnas is and says he takes lots of pictures with people and has never spoken to Parnas. Trump once claimed he didn't have anything to do with the payoff to porn star Stormy Daniels.
Pressed on the issue Trump demands the reporter be "quiet." pic.twitter.com/PASdE2tEtg — Oliver Willis (@owillis) January 16, 2020
Parnas has threatened to release a new photo of him with the president each time Trump denies knowing him. He has also pointed out that Ukrainian officials would have had no reason to meet with him unless they believed he was an emissary from the Trump administration.
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Here’s the “I don’t know him at all, don’t know what he’s about, don’t know where he comes from, know nothing about him” guy, w Lev Parnas & Roman Nasirov, former head of Ukrainian Fiscal Service, at Mar-a-Lago 12/16. @POTUS .@realDonaldTrump @Acosta #LevRemembers #LetLevSpeak pic.twitter.com/5B5QY2DJEg — Joseph A. Bondy (@josephabondy) January 16, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-16--Trump Preens About Getting Fireworks Back To Mount Rushmore In Time For Fire Season

As confused Chinese officials patiently waited Wednesday in the East Room of the White House , Trump also falsely indicated at one point that there had never been July 4th fireworks at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota ( though he also said there have been none in 20 years ) .
In fact , there were major fireworks displays for several years at the Black Hills monument , which features massive stone carvings of the busts of George Washington , Thomas Jefferson , Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln .
But they were halted after 2009 when an infestation of pine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turning them into potentially explosive tinder .
“ What can burn ?
It ’ s stone , you know , it ’ s stone , ” Trump told a group of people witnessing the trade deal signing , including South Dakota farmers and Gov .
Kristi Noem .
“ So I called up our people and within about 15 minutes we got it approved , and you ’ re going to have your first big fireworks display at Mount Rushmore , and I ’ ll try to get out there if I can.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the “ unacceptable risk of wildfire , ” said a 2011 statement from the National Parks Service .
“ Efforts are on-going ... to combat the Mountain Pine Beetle and reduce fire danger , however , the condition of the forest in the surrounding area continues to deteriorate and will remain a concern for the foreseeable future .
The park service is committed to being responsible stewards of the land , as well as responsible neighbors , and to do that we need to take every conceivable precaution to mitigate the fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s statement found that there was no “ 15-minute ” turnaround in the policy .
In fact , National Park officials — who are consulting with local tribes and weighing effects on wildlife — are still considering whether to allow fireworks as climate change continues to boost fire danger in dry regions of the nation .
A 2016 report by the U.S. Geological Survey also found that past fireworks displays likely contaminated groundwater within the memorial site .
An NPS proposal concerning fireworks will be available early this year for public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a resumption of fireworks , arguing in a statement in May that the surrounding forest has “ gained strength ” and that “ advancements in pyrotechnics allow for a safe fireworks display.
” If the fireworks display does return , she said , she hopes to attend the event with Trump .
Trump opens his mouth , once again , only to reveal how clueless he truly is .
Claims there will be fireworks at Mount Rushmore this 4th of July .
There ’ s no fire hazard there cuz it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Sounds like the perfect metaphor for the inside of his head .
https : //t.co/avaQ1Os42h pic.twitter.com/EgsZ1Ie84Y — Billy Baldwin ( @ BillyBaldwin ) January 15 , 2020 Trump announced plans for a fireworks display at Mount Rushmore on July 4 , 2020.
# NoFireworks This process includes tribal consultation and an evaluation by the NPS which is ongoing .
The proposal will be available for public comment sometime in early 2020.https : //t.co/FCZpocWlzP pic.twitter.com/7ZsR0QVf06 — Garry Van Kirk ( Iwastela Wasʼagya ) ( @ Trumenza ) January 16 , 2020

As confused Chinese officials patiently waited Wednesday in the East Room of the White House, Trump also falsely indicated at one point that there had never been July 4th fireworks at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota (though he also said there have been none in 20 years).
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In fact, there were major fireworks displays for several years at the Black Hills monument, which features massive stone carvings of the busts of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. But they were halted after 2009 when an infestation of pine beetles killed thousands of surrounding trees, turning them into potentially explosive tinder.
“What can burn? It’s stone, you know, it’s stone,” Trump told a group of people witnessing the trade deal signing, including South Dakota farmers and Gov. Kristi Noem. “So I called up our people and within about 15 minutes we got it approved, and you’re going to have your first big fireworks display at Mount Rushmore, and I’ll try to get out there if I can.”
The fireworks had been canceled because of the “unacceptable risk of wildfire,” said a 2011 statement from the National Parks Service. “Efforts are on-going ... to combat the Mountain Pine Beetle and reduce fire danger, however, the condition of the forest in the surrounding area continues to deteriorate and will remain a concern for the foreseeable future. The park service is committed to being responsible stewards of the land, as well as responsible neighbors, and to do that we need to take every conceivable precaution to mitigate the fire danger. ”
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Noem has been pushing for a resumption of fireworks, arguing in a statement in May that the surrounding forest has “gained strength” and that “advancements in pyrotechnics allow for a safe fireworks display.” If the fireworks display does return, she said, she hopes to attend the event with Trump.
Trump opens his mouth, once again, only to reveal how clueless he truly is.
Claims there will be fireworks at Mount Rushmore this 4th of July.
There’s no fire hazard there cuz it’s nothing but a “bunch of rocks.”
Sounds like the perfect metaphor for the inside of his head. https://t.co/avaQ1Os42h pic.twitter.com/EgsZ1Ie84Y — Billy Baldwin (@BillyBaldwin) January 15, 2020
Trump announced plans for a fireworks display at Mount Rushmore on July 4, 2020.#NoFireworks
This process includes tribal consultation and an evaluation by the NPS which is ongoing. The proposal will be available for public comment sometime in early 2020.https://t.co/FCZpocWlzP pic.twitter.com/7ZsR0QVf06 — Garry Van Kirk (Iwastela Wasʼagya) (@Trumenza) January 16, 2020
Today, Trump confirmed fireworks at Mt Rushmore this July 4th. Fireworks displays were stopped because they kept causing fires--not surprising in July. The President said, "What can burn? It's stone." Here's an aerial view: pic.twitter.com/kXVgkjYQ0h — Jim Whittington (@JimWhittington) January 16, 2020
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