theblaze--2020-02-05--Dems are hypocrites to attack Rush Limbaugh's presidential medal after awarding it to alleged rapist

Dems are hypocrites to attack Rush Limbaugh's presidential medal after awarding it to alleged rapists

Dems are hypocrites to attack Rush Limbaugh 's presidential medal after awarding it to alleged rapists Joe Biden and AOC @ @ @ @ @

Democrats clutched their pearls at the sight of First Lady Melania Trump awarding conservative talk radio legend Rush Limbaugh the Presidential Medal of Freedom during Tuesday's State of the Union Address after "El Rushbo" announced on Monday's show that he was diagnosed advanced lung cancer.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez blasted the commentator as a "virulent racist," an unsubstantiated charge echoed by CNN's Jim Acosta. Meanwhile, former Vice President Joe Biden criticized the decision to award him with the nation's highest civilian honor, describing Limbaugh as "a conservative media personality who has done as much as Trump himself to divide our nation."
The left's hypocrisy would be comical if it were not so profoundly indecent and downright shameless. Not only is it crude for anyone to smear Limbaugh as he's fighting for his life, liberals have no moral authority to do so.
To be fair, over a span of 30 years, Limbaugh has made his fair share of mistakes (some of which he has acknowledged and others that are now being grossly exaggerated by Democrats), but who hasn't? Within the context of his incomparable career, they pale in comparison to a lifetime dedicated to philanthropy and advancing conservative principles.
If the list of Medal of Freedom recipients is any indication, Democrats seemed to understand the dangers of judging people by their worst moments. Two past honorees come to mind: Former President Bill Clinton and the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, both of whom were awarded the distinguished honor by none other than Biden's former boss, Barack Obama.
There is no moral equivalence between these men and Rush, as it would be unfair — to Limbaugh — to put his verbal faux pas in the same league as the alleged crimes of Kennedy and Clinton, both of whom are said to have sexually assaulted women. Kennedy was even involved with the drowning death of a campaign worker.
Since some in the media appear to have the memory skills of Dory from Finding Nemo, let's revisit the charges against the two:
Multiple women have credibly accused Bill Clinton of sexually assaulting them. Perhaps the most serious allegation was made by Juanita Broaddrick, who claimed Clinton raped her during his 1978 campaign for governor. According to the Washington Post, Broaddrick claims Clinton "forcibly had sex with her." Her upper lip was bruised and swollen from the encounter because, she claims Clinton bit her. "The last thing he said to me was, 'You better get some ice for that.' And he put on his sunglasses and walked out the door," she stated. Several of Broaddrick's friends have corroborated the story.
Long before Clinton was a household name, Sen. Ted Kennedy's boorish, and dangerous, behavior around women was the subject of national headlines. In July 1969, after a night of partying with campaign aides, Kennedy drove his car into a tidal creek off Chappaquiddick Island with a young woman, 28-year-old passenger Mary Jo Kopechne, trapped inside the vehicle. Not only did Kopechne drown as a result of Kennedy's negligence, the young senator swam across the channel to Edgartown where he returned to his hotel room, went to bed, and did not report the incident to the authorities until the following morning.
Kennedy is also reported to have sexually assaulted a waitress along with another Democratic senator. According to GQ, a drunken Kennedy tossed a 5-foot-3, 103-pound waitress on retired Sen. Chris Dodd's Laos and proceeded to rub his genitals against hers as the woman screamed.
Despite the media making no mention of Clinton and Kennedy's sordid behavior when Obama and Biden awarded them with presidential medals, their misconduct was no secret. Just as, surely, Ocasio-Cortez must have been aware of the late senator's history of abuse toward women when she went to work for him on Capitol Hill.
Even as he's battling cancer, "America's Anchorman" needs no one to defend him, nor am I suggesting that Clinton and Kennedy were unworthy of their awards. Clearly, to the degree to which one can look past their actions, the two men had significant accomplishments and made meaningful contributions to public life.
What it does mean is that Democrats, especially Joe Biden and AOC, live in awfully fragile glass houses to be casting stones at the moral character of any Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient — let alone a titan of industry like Rush Limbaugh. He should be allowed to focus on getting better and enjoy this moment in peace with his family, just as Kennedy (who was also battling cancer when he was awarded his medal) and Clinton were.


theblaze--2020-02-05--Romney announces he will vote to convict President Trump in impeachment trial

Romney announces he will vote to convict President Trump in impeachment trial 'It was a flagrant assault on our electoral @ @ @ @ @ , and our fundamental values . '

Answering one of the last remaining questions about the outcome of the Senate's impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) announced Wednesday afternoon that he would vote to convict the president.
"The grave question the Constitution tasks senators to answer is whether the president committed an act so extreme and egregious that it rises to the level of a high crime and misdemeanor," Romney said. "Yes, he did."
Romney went on to say that Trump "is guilty of an appalling abuse of public trust. What he did was not perfect. No. It was a flagrant assault on our electoral rights, our national security, and our fundamental values."
The announcement came just hours before expected Senate votes on the two articles of impeachment that were approved by the House of Representatives in December. The first article alleged that Trump had abused his powers as president in asking the Ukrainian government to look into suspected corruption involving former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden; the second alleged that the president unconstitutionally obstructed Congress in refusing to cooperate with the House's impeachment investigation.
"Were I to ignore the evidence that has been presented and disregard what I believe my oath and the Constitution demands of me for the sake of a partisan end," Romney said, "it would, I fear, expose my character to history's rebuke and the censure of my own conscience."
Romney's decision is sure to ignite backlash against him among fellow Republicans, but he said in his speech that he was ready for the criticism that he will likely receive.
"I am aware there are people in my party and in my state who will strenuously disapprove of my decision, and in some quarters I will be vehemently denounced," Romney said. "I'm sure to hear abuse from the president and his supporters. Does anyone seriously believe that I would consent to these consequences other than from an inescapable conviction that my oath before God demanded it of me?"
Romney, whose public disagreements with President Trump have long been the subject of national news headlines, was seen as a potential swing vote in the impeachment trial. Last week, he and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) broke party lines and voted with Democrats on the question of calling further witnesses for the trial.
Romney is the only Republican senator to announce that he will vote to convict the president. On Tuesday afternoon, Collins announced that she will vote to acquit Trump, as did potential swing vote Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) the day before. Retiring Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) has also said that he will vote to acquit the president.


theblaze--2020-02-05--SC Republicans are working to help Bernie Sanders win the state’s primary in an effort to help Trump

SC Republicans are working to help Bernie Sanders win the state’s primary in an effort to help Trump in November

SC Republicans are working to help Bernie Sanders win the state ’ s primary in an effort to help Trump @ @

A group of South Carolina Republicans want to see Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) win the state's Democratic presidential primary, and they're about to take their message to the state's GOP voters this week.
The Charleston Post and Courier reports that a group of Republican activists is gearing up to start making the case for Sanders this week with the dual goals of propping up the candidate they believe poses the weakest threat to President Donald Trump's re-election bid in November and pressuring Democrats to join them in trying to close state primaries in the future.
Leaders of the effort — including local party chairs and tea party activists — are expected to formally announce their plans at a Thursday morning press conference. The Post and Courier says that the pro-Sanders message will be spread across social media and talk radio platforms.
South Carolina has open primaries, which means that voters don't have to formally belong to a political party in order to vote in either election, something that Republicans in the state have long sought to change over concerns about crossover votes affecting election outcomes.
And now, since the state GOP decided to forgo its primary election this year, the current situation frees up a lot of Republican voters to cross over themselves in an attempt to skew the outcomes of the state's Democratic primary.
"Bernie Sanders is the most socialistic, liberal candidate running in the Democratic presidential preference primary," Greenville GOP chairman Nate Leupp told the Post and Courier. "So we feel we can make a strong point that our Democratic state legislators need to help work to close our primaries so it protects them as well as the Republican brand."
Meanwhile, a separate pro-closed effort organized by a former Republican state House candidate is encouraging GOP voters to simply "vote for the 'worst' Democrat," without naming a specific candidate, the Greenville News reports.
The possibility of a Sanders nomination has also been a notable concern for some Democrats who fear that the far-left, self-described democratic socialist would alienate the swing voters needed to win in the general election against Trump.
According to a Post and Courier poll released earlier this week, Sanders is just five percentage points behind former Vice President Joe Biden, who is currently at the front of the pack in the Palmetto State. The South Carolina Democratic primary will be held on February 29.


theblaze--2020-02-05--Glenn Beck: Rush Limbaugh is 'not only a legend, he's a pioneer'

Glenn Beck : Rush Limbaugh is 'not only a legend , he 's a pioneer' Millions of us are praying @ @

Rush Limbaugh has meant so much to the conservative movement and his recent diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer has sent shock waves across the nation. Rush is a talk radio legend. But more than that, he paved the way for conservative broadcasters like Glenn Beck, Mark Levin or Sean Hannity.
On the radio program Tuesday, Glenn gave a heartfelt tribute to the "pioneer" and "patriarch" of modern talk radio.
"Rush Limbaugh is not only a legend, he's a pioneer. The difference is, a pioneer knows they might get killed along the way. Knows that they might get stuck in the mountains. Knows that, 'this is risky.' That's Rush Limbaugh ... and without him, I don't know what happens to the rest of us on talk radio," Glenn said.
"Rush, I'm not only praying for you because you're a good guy, and I'm grateful for what you've done for me personally -- not for my career, but as a person in America that cared. Thank you for being with us. But I'm also praying for you because I don't know what happens to our voices if you go away," he continued. "If the patriarch goes away, none of us are qualified to sit in that chair."
Watch the video below:
youtu.be
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theblaze--2020-02-05--President Trump SOTU guest whose brother was murdered blasts Pelosi after she rips president's speec

President Trump SOTU guest whose brother was murdered blasts Pelosi after she rips president's speech: 'Ripped our hearts out'

President Trump SOTU guest whose brother was murdered blasts Pelosi after she rips president 's speech : 'Ripped our hearts @ @

Jody Jones, whose brother Rocky was fatally shot by an illegal alien in 2018, appeared on Fox News' "Fox & Friends" on Wednesday where he blasted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) for tearing up President Donald Trump's State of the Union speech.
Following the president's speech — which drew a raucous applause from Republicans — Pelosi snatched up a copy of Trump's speech and tore it up on live television.
What are the details?
Calling the move "probably the most disrespectful thing I have ever seen in my life," Jones said that Pelosi's action "felt like she ripped our hearts out."
"We couldn't believe it," Jones added. "I don't care how you feel about somebody. That was probably the most disrespectful thing I have ever seen in my life. Because when she did that, it tore us up. We couldn't believe it."
Jones was in attendance during Tuesday night's State of the Union address in Congress as one of Trump's special guests to highlight the need to dissolve sanctuary cities and their dangerous policies.
"I don't care how you feel about somebody," he said. "Think of other people and the others involved, please. Because what you did was very disrespectful, and it really ripped our hearts out."
Jones said that the murder brought his "tight-knit" family together even more.
“We are a pretty tight-knit family," he said. “It's really actually made us closer, and with the president inviting us, what an honor that was just to honor our brother and he sure did that."
www.youtube.com
(H/T: The Daily Caller)


theblaze--2020-02-05--Rep. Ilhan Omar was disappointed when she first arrived in America

On Monday's episode of "Pat Gray Unleashed," Pat and Keith discussed what Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) had to say about her disappointment in the first impression she had of America on the day she arrived in New York from Kenya.
In this clip, Omar claimed the orientation tapes she saw (when she came to America from a refugee camp in Kenya) promised happy families, eating full meals in their beautiful homes, and happy children getting on a bus to go to their nice schools.
But Omar claimed she was disappointed to learn the happiness that America promised was not "reality."
"This doesn't look like the America you promised," Omar recalled saying to her father. Omar went on to say that our reality is starving families, homeless people, and kids attending schools that are full of mold and leaking rooftops.
Pat set the record straight and asserted that the majority of Americans are not homeless, nor are the vast majority of Americans starving.
Watch the video below for more details.
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theblaze--2020-02-05--Chinese baby in Wuhan tests positive for coronavirus 30 hours after birth

Chinese baby in Wuhan tests positive for coronavirus 30 hours after birth Can pregnant women spread the virus to their @ @

A baby in the coronavirus outbreak's epicenter of Wuhan, China, was reportedly diagnosed with the illness shortly after being delivered earlier this week, raising concerns that pregnant mothers may be able to pass the disease along to their unborn children.
Citing Chinese state media, the New York Post reported Wednesday that the newborn was diagnosed with the disease just 30 hours after birth in Wuhan.
Doctors at the hospital said that the child's vital signs were stable and that there was no fever or cough, Reuters reported. However, the story also says that the child was experiencing shortness of breath and that chest X-rays showed signs of infection and liver issues.
The newborn's diagnosis points to the possibility that the fast-spreading and deadly disease can be transmitted in the womb, during childbirth or afterward, otherwise known as "vertical transmission."
"This reminds us to pay attention to mother-to-child being a possible route of coronavirus transmission," said Zeng Lingkong, the chief physician of Wuhan Children Hospital's neonatal medicine department, according to Reuters.
Person-to-Person spread of coronavirus is "thought to occur mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains.
Wednesday's news contrasts with that of a healthy baby who was born to a coronavirus-infected mother while in quarantine last week. The child in question was delivered by Cesarean section on Thursday at Harbin Sixth People's Hospital in Heilongjiang.
The mother "had only just been told of her confirmed diagnosis, so she was concerned for her child," said Dr. Yu Dan, an obstetrician from Harbin Red Cross Central Hospital. "In addition to that, she was accompanied by no family members, as all had been placed in quarantine as either confirmed or suspected cases."
"This child is a special case," said Zhao Huaxian, the hospital's head of pediatrics. "Our first concern was a vertical transmission infection, so we took precautions and put her under round-the-clock monitoring."


theblaze--2020-02-05--Democratic legend James Carville lights into his party's direction and its radical candidates in sob

Democratic legend James Carville lights into his party's direction and its radical candidates in sobering interview

Democratic legend James Carville lights into his party 's direction and its radical candidates in sobering interview

Democratic strategist James Carville is sounding the alarm on the direction of the Democratic Party.
The influential politico, who helped lead Bill Clinton to the White House, said Tuesday that he is "scared to death" over the future of the Democratic Party, lamenting the party's radical leftward shift.
"I'm 75 years old. Why am I here doing this? Because I am scared to death — that's why!" Carville said on MSNBC.
"We've got to decide what we want to be. Are we going to be an ideological cult? Or do we want to have a majoritarian instinct to be a majority party?" he went on to say.
Over the course of his lengthy interview, Carville declared that the Democratic Party needs to "wake up;" compared Sen. Bernie Sanders to the Jeremy Corbyn, a radical liberal who recently resigned as the head of the United Kingdom's Labour Party; admitted Democratic voters are less than enthusiastic about their 2020 options; said DNC Chairman Tom Perez should be canned; and declared the Democratic Party was hurt by the media who have become "AOC crazy."
Carville said he would vote for Sanders if he wins the Democratic nomination, but only begrudgingly because he wouldn't have "another choice."
"But look at the British Labour Party. We're like talking about people voting from jail cells. We're talking about not having a border. I mean, come on people," Carville said.
In the end, Carville said that Democrats should focus on running smart campaigns that focus on retaking control of the Senate.
"You and I know that 18% of the country elects 52 senators," he said, addressing former Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill. "The urban core is not gonna get it done. What we need is power! Do you understand? That's what this is about!"


theblaze--2020-02-05--Impeachment manager says Democrats will subpoena John Bolton, continue investigating Trump after Sen

Impeachment manager says Democrats will subpoena John Bolton, continue investigating Trump after Senate acquittal

Impeachment manager says Democrats will subpoena John Bolton , continue investigating Trump after Senate acquittal

Impeachment is set to end Wednesday. As senators make their speeches before the final vote, the only real uncertainty is whether a couple of moderate Democrats will vote to acquit President Donald Trump along with most or all Republicans.
But the resistance will continue, according to Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), impeachment manager and House Judiciary Committee chairman.
CNN's Manu Raju asked Nadler about the party's next moves after the impeachment trial ends, and Nadler responded that it is "likely" that Democrats will subpoena former national security adviser John Bolton and continue investigating the president even after he is acquitted.
"First of all, I think when you have a lawless president, you have to bring that to the fore and you have to spotlight that. You have to protect the Constitution, whatever the political consequences. Second of all, no, as more and more lawlessness comes out, I presume the public will understand that," Nadler said.
House Democrats declined to fully pursue Bolton's testimony during the impeachment inquiry due to the prospect of a lengthy legal battle, despite clear indications from other witnesses that Bolton was one of three or four primary officials who had full knowledge of Ukraine dealings and direct contact with the president on the subject.
So, instead of testifying under oath, Bolton is attempting to publish a book in which he reportedly affirms the Democratic allegation that Trump wanted to withhold military aid to Ukraine until President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed to announce or open an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden.
Bolton said he would testify before the Senate if he were subpoenaed, but the Senate voted against hearing from new witnesses during the trial.
So, as impeachment goes the way of the Robert Mueller report, Democrats will continue to pursue accusations of corruption by President Trump, even as the election approaches. And, if he is re-elected in November, four more years of Trump may yield four more years of House investigations — unless Republicans regain the majority.


theblaze--2020-02-05--Boston — which has raised LGBT flag at City Hall — doesn't have to raise Christian flag, judge rules

Boston — which has raised LGBT flag at City Hall — does n't have to raise Christian flag , judge @ @ @ @ @ Boston rejected in 12-year-span was 'straight pride ' flag prior to controversial 'straight pride ' @ @ @

A judge ruled that the city of Boston — which has raised an LGBT flag at City Hall Plaza — isn't required to raise a Christian flag as requested by a religious group, the Boston Herald reported.
What are the details?
U.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper on Tuesday denied a summary judgment for Harold Shurtleff and his Camp Constitution organization that claimed discrimination in a lawsuit after the city rejected their request to fly a Christian flag on a City Hall flagpole, the paper said.
While the city has maintained that flying a Christian flag would be akin to favoring a particular religion, Camp Constitution's 2019 federal complaint stated that Boston several times has flown the Turkish flag — which has Islamic symbolism — as well as the Vatican flag.
Other flags that would seem to reflect ideological stances — such as the Communist Chinese, transgender, and LGBT flags — reportedly were among 284 previously permitted flags.
More from the Herald:
An attorney for Boston argued in case documents the city is allowed to have control over the City Hall Plaza flagpoles because they're considered government speech. Shurtleff argued the city's 284 flag raisings between 2005 and 2017 were evidence the city had not previously denied a request, while Boston rebutted that most of the flags were of other countries and some civic symbols, such as the LGBT flag.
The City Hall Plaza flagpoles fly the United States and Massachusetts flags, a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action flag and the city of Boston's flag on the third pole, which is replaced by requested flags.
"There are no additional facts in the record that would suggest any improper preference for non-religion over religion or selective treatment of any person or group based on religion," the judge wrote, according to the paper.
The Herald added that the only other flag the city refused to fly was a "straight pride" flag before the controversial "straight pride" parade last year.
What did Boston's mayor have to say?
Boston's Democratic Mayor Marty Walsh — characterized by Politico as an "intense defender of Obamacare, immigrants and unions, and a vocal supporter of full equality for LGBTQ Americans" — said in a statement that "we have never raised a religious flag on City Hall Plaza. Everything is either a national flag raising (the vast majority) or flag raisings dealing with issues of social or public policy, or historical significance," the paper reported.
Walsh added that "Camp Constitution's request to fly the 'Christian' flag (as it is labeled by the organization), which bears the Latin cross ... should be denied, because ... the flag sends an overt religious message, and could reasonably be construed to be an endorsement of Christianity by the City, which would be a violation of the Establishment Clause," the Herald added.
How did Camp Constitution react?
"We are appealing the decision and will take it all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary," Shurtleff told paper.
Camp Constitution describes itself as a Christian group that seeks to "enhance understanding of our Judeo-Christian moral heritage, our American heritage of courage and ingenuity, including the genius of our United States Constitution," according to its website, the Herald said.
Here's a report on the controversy from last year:


theblaze--2020-02-05--MSNBC's Chris Matthews admits 'regular people' will like Trump's SOTU speech: 'It's all good stuff'

MSNBC 's Chris Matthews admits 'regular people ' will like Trump 's SOTU speech : 'It 's all good stuff' @ @ @ @ @ will like the speech '

Providing reaction and analysis following President Trump's State of the Union Address Tuesday night, MSNBC host Chris Matthews admitted that "regular people" will like Trump's speech because it was "all good stuff."
Matthews, normally an outspoken critic of the president, appeared to gush over the speech, saying, "I think people where I came from will like the speech tonight. I think regular people will — they'll see the schmaltz, the corniness, they'll see it — but they'll like it. Because it's all good stuff, whatever purpose it had."
The "schmaltz" Matthews is referring to included surprising a military family by bringing their husband and dad back home early from Afghanistan and honoring conservative radio icon Rush Limbaugh with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, who was recently diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.
Has Matthews turned a corner on Trump since struggling to utter the words "president" and "Trump" in the same sentence and comparing the president to Nazi totalitarian Adolf Hitler? Probably not.
But his admission that most Americans would like Trump's State of the Union speech Tuesday night seems to be accurate, at least. A CNN instant poll conducted immediately following the speech found that 76% of viewers had a positive reaction to the speech (59% said their reaction was "very positive"), while just 23% had a negative reaction.
Matthews also noticed that by honoring several guests in an inclusive way Trump even forced House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to stand and applaud more than she may have liked to.
"I watched Pelosi because I really respect her like most of us do. And I watched very — the way she calibrated when to stand, when to applaud," Matthews said. "It was almost entirely the tributes to people, individual people. She always felt that was the right thing to do."
Of course, that did not stop the speaker from expressing her displeasure with the president by ripping up a copy of his speech in front of cameras before the night was over.


theblaze--2020-02-05--'After many sleepless nights,' Democratic Sen. Doug Jones announces that he’ll vote to remove Presid

'After many sleepless nights,' Democratic Sen. Doug Jones announces that he’ll vote to remove President Trump from office

'After many sleepless nights , ' Democratic Sen. Doug Jones announces that he ’ ll vote to remove President Trump @ @ @ @ @ re-election ...

A Democratic senator viewed as a possible swing vote in the Senate's impeachment trial of President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he will vote to remove the president from office.
"After many sleepless nights, I have reluctantly concluded that the evidence is sufficient to convict the President for both abuse of power and obstruction of Congress," Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.) said in a lengthy statement put out just hours ahead of the Senate's expected vote.
Jones went on to say that he was "deeply troubled by the partisan nature" of the impeachment proceedings over the past several months.
"Very early on I implored my colleagues in both houses of Congress to stay out of their partisan corners. Many did, but so many did not. The country deserves better. We must find a way to rise above the things that divide us and find the common good," the senator stated.
On the first article of impeachment alleging abuse of power over President Trump's dealings with the Ukrainian government last year, Jones concluded that Trump's "actions placed his personal interests well above the national interests and threatened the security of the United States, our allies in Europe, and our ally Ukraine."
Regarding the second article of impeachment regarding obstruction of Congress over the White House's response to the House's impeachment investigation, the senator said that Trump "deliberately and unconstitutionally obstructed Congress by refusing to cooperate with the investigation in any way."
"The gravity of this moment, the seriousness of the charges, and the implications for future presidencies and Congresses all contributed to the difficulty with which I have arrived at my decision," Jones added.
This news is merely the latest in a line of senators viewed as potential swing votes ultimately announcing that they will side with their party instead of breaking ranks on the matter. On Tuesday afternoon, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) announced that she would vote to acquit Trump, as did Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) the day before. Retiring Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) has also said that he will vote to acquit the president.
Jones was elected in a 2017 Alabama special Senate election that was thrown into chaos by sexual misconduct allegations against the Republican nominee, Roy Moore. He is now widely viewed as the upper chamber's most vulnerable incumbent in the upcoming general election. And if his re-election chances in Alabama were slim to begin with, they're undoubtedly going to get a lot slimmer after this.


theblaze--2020-02-05--Jay-Z says he was absolutely not protesting during the Super Bowl national anthem

Jay-Z says he was absolutely not protesting during the Super Bowl national anthem Here 's what he had to say

Jay-Z says he and his wife, Beyoncé, were not protesting during the Super Bowl's national anthem protests despite social media outcry claiming otherwise.
The artist, his wife, and their 8-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy, were pictured seated during performer Demi Lovato's rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner." Social media outrage followed after photos of the two in their seats went viral.
What are the details?
Jay-Z, who's real name is Shawn Carter, told a crowd at Columbia University that any interpretation of the couple's sitting as a protest was flat-out wrong.
"It actually wasn't [a protest]," he said. "Sorry. It really wasn't."
TMZ shared video of Carter's remarks on Tuesday.
Carter, whose production company Roc Nation has a partnership with the NFL, said that sitting "was not premeditated at all." He said he and his wife were instead focused on the performance itself from a technical aspect as Roc Nation was in charge of producing the Super Bowl halftime show.
"So, we get there, and we immediately jump into artist mode," he explained. "So, I'm looking at the show. 'Did our mic start? Was it too low to start?' ... 'Is it too many speakers on the floor?'"
He added, "[T]he whole time we're sitting there and we're talking about the performance."
What else?
Carter insisted that he would never place his daughter in any "position" of being a part of protest.
Carter said that the halftime show — which featured superstar Latina performers Jennifer Lopez and Shakira — was "the biggest, loudest protest of all."
"Given the context, I didn't have to make a silent protest," he added.


theblaze--2020-02-05--Viral Iowa caucus gay marriage argument shows two mistakes Christian supporters of Pete Buttigieg ma

Viral Iowa caucus gay marriage argument shows two mistakes Christian supporters of Pete Buttigieg make

The Bible does n't tell you who to vote for .
The Bible does n't tell you who to vote for .
Let me say it again , one more time for every American Christian who thinks people who vote for the *other* party are going to hell : The Bible does n't tell you who to vote for .
Now that we 've established that , we can address the below video : A now-viral encounter between a Pete Buttigieg-supporting precinct captain and a voter who wanted to change her pick after learning that Buttigieg is gay .
To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's sexuality should n't matter to Christians in how they vote .
Everyone is human , and love is love , she says .
The voter wants her ballot card back , because she somehow did n't know beforehand that Buttigieg is an openly gay , married , man .
How have I never heard of this , the voter wonders aloud .
A good question — it 's not exactly a secret .
I do n't want to name these women , or shame either side , because they did n't ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And , both of them conducted themselves courteously and engaged without escalation or insult .
But the conversation is instructive for Christians who engage in politics , as each woman made a significant mistake .
The precinct captain , much like Buttigieg , chooses to ignore or brush aside portions of the Bible that are inconvenient to her opinion .
She argues on the basis that she has her own interpretation of the Bible and says that `` we were n't around when the Bible was written . ''
This is problematic ground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a core Christian belief is that the Bible is the inerrant word of God .
And whether one agrees with it or not , the Bible 's stance on sexuality and marriage is plainly clear .
Now , this is where I have to restate an important point : The Bible does n't tell you who to vote for .
And if you 're looking to vote for a candidate who checks all the religious boxes , you 'll come up empty — regardless of your party affiliation .
Voting almost always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some way or another , goes against what you believe is right .
But Christians should at least be able to face up and acknowledge clear contradictions , even if we choose to cast that vote anyway .
The voter has a different issue .
She has no problem with what the Bible says , and she makes her argument based solely on that .
The problem is , she had already cast her vote .
She had already signed the ballot .
And she did n't know even the most basic thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ casual observers of the Democratic primary would likely know Pete as the young , gay mayor .
It 's a key part of his identity , and one that he is proud of and happy to talk about .
This is irresponsible .
Christians do not have to vote .
They do not have to engage in politics .
But if they choose to do so , a bit of due diligence must be done .
Maybe you ca n't tell the specific difference between the health care plans of Sens .
Elizabeth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few minutes of reading someone 's biography and scanning their platform on their website is n't too much to ask .
And if you ca n't do that for some reason , maybe just ask someone who follows it a little more closely .
Do n't walk into the situation ignorantly .
You might end up voting for someone fully opposed to the values you hold tightly .
You may wind up on the internet for arguing with a caucus official about gay marriage , simply because you voted blindly .
That does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's known as the Christian woman who `` flipped out '' when she found out Pete was gay .
This was avoidable .
Remember , the Bible does n't tell you who to vote for .
The biggest mistake these women made was not that they are Democrats , or that they supported Pete Buttigieg .
We all cast our own votes for our own reasons , and thank God we live in a nation where we 're free to do so .
But in making that choice , we have to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be educated about who we support .
That 's how we make this whole system work .

The Bible doesn't tell you who to vote for. The Bible doesn't tell you who to vote for. Let me say it again, one more time for every American Christian who thinks people who vote for the *other* party are going to hell: The Bible doesn't tell you who to vote for.
Now that we've established that, we can address the below video: A now-viral encounter between a Pete Buttigieg-supporting precinct captain and a voter who wanted to change her pick after learning that Buttigieg is gay.
youtu.be
To summarize, the precinct captain believes Buttigieg's sexuality shouldn't matter to Christians in how they vote. Everyone is human, and love is love, she says. The voter wants her ballot card back, because she somehow didn't know beforehand that Buttigieg is an openly gay, married, man. How have I never heard of this, the voter wonders aloud. A good question — it's not exactly a secret.
I don't want to name these women, or shame either side, because they didn't ask to go viral for this conversation. And, both of them conducted themselves courteously and engaged without escalation or insult. But the conversation is instructive for Christians who engage in politics, as each woman made a significant mistake.
The precinct captain's mistake
The precinct captain, much like Buttigieg, chooses to ignore or brush aside portions of the Bible that are inconvenient to her opinion. She argues on the basis that she has her own interpretation of the Bible and says that "we weren't around when the Bible was written." This is problematic ground for a Christian to stand on, as a core Christian belief is that the Bible is the inerrant word of God. And whether one agrees with it or not, the Bible's stance on sexuality and marriage is plainly clear.
Now, this is where I have to restate an important point: The Bible doesn't tell you who to vote for. And if you're looking to vote for a candidate who checks all the religious boxes, you'll come up empty — regardless of your party affiliation. Voting almost always means voting for someone who, in some way or another, goes against what you believe is right. But Christians should at least be able to face up and acknowledge clear contradictions, even if we choose to cast that vote anyway.
The voter's mistake
The voter has a different issue. She has no problem with what the Bible says, and she makes her argument based solely on that. The problem is, she had already cast her vote. She had already signed the ballot. And she didn't know even the most basic thing about the man she picked. Even casual observers of the Democratic primary would likely know Pete as the young, gay mayor. It's a key part of his identity, and one that he is proud of and happy to talk about.
This is irresponsible. Christians do not have to vote. They do not have to engage in politics. But if they choose to do so, a bit of due diligence must be done. Maybe you can't tell the specific difference between the health care plans of Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, but a few minutes of reading someone's biography and scanning their platform on their website isn't too much to ask. And if you can't do that for some reason, maybe just ask someone who follows it a little more closely.
Don't walk into the situation ignorantly. You might end up voting for someone fully opposed to the values you hold tightly. You may wind up on the internet for arguing with a caucus official about gay marriage, simply because you voted blindly. That doesn't reflect well. Now, she's known as the Christian woman who "flipped out" when she found out Pete was gay. This was avoidable.
Remember, the Bible doesn't tell you who to vote for. The biggest mistake these women made was not that they are Democrats, or that they supported Pete Buttigieg. We all cast our own votes for our own reasons, and thank God we live in a nation where we're free to do so. But in making that choice, we have to be honest about what we believe, and be educated about who we support. That's how we make this whole system work.


theblaze--2020-02-05--President Trump surprises military family at State of the Union by reuniting them with husband, dad

President Trump surprises military family at State of the Union by reuniting them with husband, dad home early from Afghanistan

President Trump surprises military family at State of the Union by reuniting them with husband , dad home early from @ @ @ @ @ very special surprise '

President Donald Trump spent a few moments of his State of the Union address Tuesday night honoring military spouse Amy Williams from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and her two children, 6-year-old Elliana and 3-year-old Rowan, KGO-TV reported.
"Amy works full time and volunteers countless hours helping other military families," Trump said as cameras trained upon Williams and her kids, who were seated next to first lady Melania Trump. "For the past seven months, she has done it all while her husband, Sgt. First Class Townsend Williams, is in Afghanistan on his fourth deployment to the Middle East."
Image source: YouTube screenshot
The president added that "Amy's kids have not seen their father's face in many months. Amy, your family's sacrifice makes it possible for all of our families to live in safety and in peace, and we want to thank you."
With that, she and her children got a standing ovation.
Image source: YouTube screenshot
'But Amy, there is one more thing'
Trump wasn't through, however.
"But Amy, there is one more thing. Tonight we have a very special surprise. I am thrilled to inform you that your husband is back from deployment. He is here with us tonight, and we couldn't keep him waiting any longer," Trump said as Sgt. Williams walked down the steps as the chamber erupted.
Image source: YouTube screenshot
Image source: YouTube screenshot
Image source: YouTube screenshot
There was even a "USA!" chant prior to Trump continuing with his address.
Check it out:


theblaze--2020-02-05--Christian actor Chris Pratt launches new production company — Indivisible Productions: 'One nation,

Christian actor Chris Pratt launches new production company — Indivisible Productions: 'One nation, under God, indivisible'

Christian actor Chris Pratt launches new production company — Indivisible Productions : 'One nation , under God , indivisible '

Christian A-list actor Chris Pratt has announced that he is spearheading the launch of a new production company called Indivisible Productions.
What are the details?
Pratt, who has been vocal about his faith and his American pride, gave fans a glimpse Tuesday of his brand-new office via Instagram.
He announced his launch of the company, which aims to "help to bridge the growing divide in our country and world" and to "make the world a better place."
The 40-year-old actor showed off the office in a video, which showcased film and television memorabilia.
He captioned the video, "A musical sneak peak at the walls inside my office."
The video begins with a 3D portrait of himself. He moves on to a poster of his character Emmet in "The Lego Movie" franchise, as well as posters of his hit shows "Everwood," "Parks & Recreation," and blockbuster hits "Jurassic World" and "Avengers" franchises, singing the projects' theme songs and offering up amusing commentary.
Pratt finally closes in on a card that reads "Indivisible Productions."
"Get ready!" he can be heard saying.
What else?
His post, which had received nearly 700,000 likes at the time of this writing, continued:
So grateful for each step of this wonderful journey.
I've started a company.
Indivisible Productions
One nation
Under God Indivisible
Our mission statement is to create entertaining content, focusing on themes which will help to bridge the growing divide in our country and world. You know, make the world a better place. No biggie, you're welcome, but it's whatever.


theblaze--2020-02-05--AOC viciously slams Rush Limbaugh receiving Presidential Medal of Freedom at SOTU address

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-N.Y. ) is not happy that President Donald Trump awarded conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh the Presidential Medal of Freedom during Tuesday 's State of the Union address .
The freshman lawmaker made it clear that she believes Limbaugh did not deserve the `` extraordinarily sacred '' award because it puts him , in her words , on the `` same level '' as civil rights icon Rosa Parks .
Ocasio-Cortez claimed that Trump violated `` norms '' and `` humanity '' by honoring Limbaugh during his State of the Union address rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ceremony .
She said Trump `` cheapen [ ed ] the value '' of the prestigious award .
But Ocasio-Cortez did not stop there .
She went on to bash Limbaugh for `` pretending to be surprised , '' calling the reaction `` such a joke , '' likening it to an `` Oprah moment , '' and declared Limbaugh `` disingenuous . ''
`` To do that , and to give it to Rush Limbaugh when there were plenty of people in that audience that have contributed positively to the fabric of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has ... [ Trump ] wants to assert that Rush Limbaugh is somehow on the same level as Rosa Parks , '' Ocasio-Cortez said .
`` It 's truly nauseating , '' she added .
Despite her strong reaction , Ocasio-Cortez did not attend Tuesday 's address .
She announced earlier in the day that she would boycott Trump 's speech because she did not want to `` normalize Trump 's lawless conduct & subversion of the Constitution . ''
Ocasio-Cortez 's stinging criticism came just one day after Limbaugh announced he has @ @ @ @ @

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is not happy that President Donald Trump awarded conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh the Presidential Medal of Freedom during Tuesday's State of the Union address.
The freshman lawmaker made it clear that she believes Limbaugh did not deserve the "extraordinarily sacred" award because it puts him, in her words, on the "same level" as civil rights icon Rosa Parks.
"Rush Limbaugh is a virulent racist," Ocasio-Cortez said.
Ocasio-Cortez claimed that Trump violated "norms" and "humanity" by honoring Limbaugh during his State of the Union address rather than "dignifying" him with his own ceremony. She said Trump "cheapen[ed] the value" of the prestigious award.
But Ocasio-Cortez did not stop there.
She went on to bash Limbaugh for "pretending to be surprised," calling the reaction "such a joke," likening it to an "Oprah moment," and declared Limbaugh "disingenuous."
"To do that, and to give it to Rush Limbaugh when there were plenty of people in that audience that have contributed positively to the fabric of American society much more frankly than he has ... [Trump] wants to assert that Rush Limbaugh is somehow on the same level as Rosa Parks," Ocasio-Cortez said.
"It's truly nauseating," she added.
Despite her strong reaction, Ocasio-Cortez did not attend Tuesday's address. She announced earlier in the day that she would boycott Trump's speech because she did not want to "normalize Trump's lawless conduct & subversion of the Constitution."
Ocasio-Cortez's stinging criticism came just one day after Limbaugh announced he has stage 4 lung cancer.


theblaze--2020-02-06--Republicans take action against Nancy Pelosi for tearing up speech at State of the Union

Republicans take action against Nancy Pelosi for tearing up speech at State of the Union '' Nobody is above the @ @ @ @ @ held accountable . ''

Republicans took several steps against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) for tearing up her official copy of the State of the Union address as a rebuke to President Donald Trump.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) tweeted that he had filed an ethics complaint against the Democratic leader.
"Her conduct was beneath the dignity of the House, and a potential violation of law (18 USC 2071)," he tweeted. "Nobody is above the law. She must be held accountable."
And he wasn't the only one.
Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) also introduced a resolution criticizing Pelosi for her act.
"Speaker Pelosi's actions last night were appalling and shameful," read a statement from Granger. "Regardless of her personal feelings, she had a responsibility to conduct herself with civility as the presiding officer representing the House of Representatives. She is not the Speaker of the Democrats, but of the People's House."
Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) tweeted that he introduced a resolution to censure Pelosi.
"In response to her classless outburst, I've decided to introduce a resolution to censure & condemn Speaker Pelosi," Gosar tweeted.
Democratic allies of Pelosi noted that the president appeared to snub her first by refusing to shake her hand when she offered it before he began speaking.
The resolutions are unlikely to pass in the Democrat-controlled U.S. House of Representatives.
Here's the latest on Pelosi's tearing:
www.youtube.com
[H/T: The Daily Wire]


theblaze--2020-02-06--White House Brief: Trump's SOTU speech shreds Dems

On Wednesday 's episode of `` White House Brief , '' Jon Miller was joined by Stu Burguiere , host @ @ @ @ @ '' , Miller covered topics that included the traitorous Mitt Romney who announced he will @ @ @ @ @ remove him from office .
Trump delivered another outstanding State of the Union speech , @ @ @ @ @ office by ripping his guest of honor , Rush Limbaugh , who was just diagnosed @ @ @ @ @ .
Then , Pelosi literally ripped Trump 's speech to shreds immediately following the speech @ @ @ @ @ unapologetic take watch the video below .
Use code WHB to save $ 10 on @ @ @ @ @ Want more from Jon Miller ?
To enjoy more of Jon 's take on what @ @ @ @ @ House that the mainstream media is n't telling you , subscribe to BlazeTV — the @ @ @ @ @ who love America , defend the Constitution and live the American dream .

On Wednesday's episode of "White House Brief," Jon Miller was joined by Stu Burguiere, host of "Stu Does America." Miller covered topics including the traitorous Mitt Romney, who announced and then voted to convict Trump and remove him from office.
Trump delivered another outstanding State of the Union speech, but Democrats completely dishonored the office by ripping his guest of honor and talk radio legend Rush Limbaugh, who recently announced he has stage 4 lung cancer. Then, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi literally ripped Trump's speech to shreds immediately following the speech.
To hear Miller's unapologetic take, watch the video below.
Use code WHB to save $10 on one year of BlazeTV.
Want more from Jon Miller?
To enjoy more of Jon's take on what's happening at the White House that the mainstream media isn't telling you, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution and live the American dream.


theblaze--2020-02-06--Andrew Yang admits Iowa caucus catastrophe will make it tougher for American voter to trust Democrat

Andrew Yang admits Iowa caucus catastrophe will make it tougher for American voter to trust Democrats with power '' ... @ @ @ @ @ error that shot the party in the foot ... ''

Presidential candidate Andrew Yang criticized the Democratic Party at a CNN town hall for the Democratic candidates over the catastrophic Iowa caucuses.
"Did you offer some help with math to the Democrats in Iowa this past week?" joked CNN's Don Lemon.
"Oh my gosh, one reason I am pumped to be here in New Hampshire is you all are going to vote February 11th, and do you know when we're going to find out the results? February 11th!" Yang responded.
"So I guess that's a no?" Lemon responded.
"I feel for the Democrats and the people of Iowa, but the fact is this was really an avoidable error that shot the party in the foot," Yang replied.
"And it's going to be harder to convince Americans that we can entrust massive systems with government if we can't count votes on the same night in a way that's clear, transparent, and reliable."
Yang's critique mirrored how many conservatives responded after the embarrassing debacle that manifested the incompetence of the Iowa Democratic Party.
Results from the caucuses were delayed until the party admitted that there was a massive failure in its process to collect and verify the vote counts. On Tuesday, only partial results were released, causing more angst among Democratic leaders and voters.
Here's the video of his comments:


theblaze--2020-02-06--Mitch McConnell wastes no time after acquittal, prepares for votes on 5 more Trump judicial nominees

Mitch McConnell wastes no time after acquittal , prepares for votes on 5 more Trump judicial nominees

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) wasted no time in returning to his priority of confirming President Donald Trump's judicial nominees following the president's impeachment acquittal on Wednesday, immediately filing cloture in order to move forward with voting on five more federal judges.
What are the details?
The Senate remained in session after finding President Trump not guilty of the impeachment articles passed against him by House Democrats. In short order, the Senate Cloakroom announced in a series of tweets that McConnell had filed cloture, preparing to schedule floor votes on the upper chamber's calendar for a handful of judicial nominees.
The Hill reported that "the Senate is expected to take its first procedural vote on the slate Monday evening, when Republicans will need a simple majority to end the debate on Andrew Brasher's nomination to be a judge on the 11th Circuit."
After the vote on Brasher, the upper chamber will consider U.S. District Judge nominees Joshua Kindred, Matthew Schelp, Joshua Kness, and Philip Halpern.
Anything else?
The day before the Senate received the articles of impeachment from the House of Representatives last month, McConnell tweeted, "In less than three years, President Trump has appointed and the Republican Senate has confirmed 50 circuit judges. That is already the most in any president's whole first term since 1980."
President Trump shared the message and added, "Now up to 187 Federal Judges, and two great new Supreme Court Justices. We are in major record territory. Hope EVERYONE is happy!"


theblaze--2020-02-06--VIDEO: Biden campaign advisor melts down on CNN over one simple question

VIDEO : Biden campaign advisor melts down on CNN over one simple question '' I 'm going to interrupt you @ @ @ @ @ the question ... ''

An adviser for the Joe Biden presidential campaign got into a shouting match on CNN when the host pressed her about Biden's disappointing performance in the Iowa caucuses and whether those results were reliable.
Senior campaign adviser Symone Sanders refused to answer a question from CNN host Brianna Keilar during the fiery debate and tried to talk over her.
“I want to pin you down on this, this is very important," said Keilar. "Yes, I already said that, the data is partial, but that said, that's not what we heard from [Biden deputy campaign manager] Kate Bedingfield, she wasn't saying that it was partial, she was saying that this process threw into question the legitimacy of the data as we have seen it. Is that true? Should we doubt, in your view, in the campaign's view …"
Sanders interrupted, to which Keilar responded, "Let me finish, Symone. I let you finish, let me finish."
"You didn't, actually, but go ahead," Sanders interjected.
"I did before, multiple times," Keilar said, before asking again, "Are you saying we should doubt the numbers that we see?"
Sanders cited "failures across the process," but did not answer directly if the results are reliable.
"I'm going to interrupt you when you're not answering the question," Keilar interrupted. "Is this data correct? In your view, is it correct?"
Sanders continued to speak over Keilar and grew more combative about her question, but did not answer it directly.
Biden admitted that the disappointing partial results from the Iowa caucuses were a "gut punch" to the campaign. The Iowa caucuses were a disaster for the state party after results were delayed, and the embarrassing debacle was compounded by public relations mismanagement.
Here's the video of the exchange:


theblaze--2020-02-06--GOP senators formally ask Secret Service for records on Hunter Biden

GOP senators formally ask Secret Service for records on Hunter Biden Two committees are investigating Biden 's business dealings in @ @ @

Republican Sens. Chuck Grassley (Iowa) and Ron Johnson (Wis.) sent a letter to Secret Service Director James Murray on Wednesday, requesting the agency to provide details on Hunter Biden's use of government security and travel accommodations while conducting business deals during the time his father, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, was vice president.
What are the details?
Grassley is chairman of the Finance Committee, and Johnson heads the Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs. The committees are "reviewing potential conflicts of interest posed" by Biden's business dealings in Ukraine and China and want to know whether or not those relationships were fostered on the public dime.
1. Please provide the protective detail that Hunter Biden received while his father was Vice President.
2. Please provide a list of all dates and locations of travel, international and domestic, for Hunter Biden while he received a protective detail. In your response, please note whether his travel was on Air Force One or Two, or other government aircraft, as applicable and whether additional family members were present for each trip.
The GOP senators requested that the Secret Service:
The Daily Wire noted that the letter from Grassley and Johnson was sent "immediately following President Donald Trump's acquittal in the Senate on Wednesday." The chairmen asked that Director Murray provide the records no later than Feb. 19.
Anything else?
The Senate Finance Committee and Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee have been investigating Biden's foreign business dealings for months, after the impeachment probe against President Donald Trump exposed Biden's contracts with firms in China and Ukraine — where his father represented the United States under the Obama administration.
In their letter Wednesday, Grassley and Johnson wrote that as part of their inquiry, the two committees have already written "several letters" to "other agencies," and "the Committee on Finance also has written to the Department of Treasury regarding potential conflicts of interest" involving Rosemont Seneca Partners, a company co-founded by Biden and Christopher Heinz, the stepson of former Secretary of State John Kerry.
In November, the committees requested that the State Department release all records pertaining to the agency's interactions with Biden and his associates during the Obama administration.


theblaze--2020-02-05--Iowa Democratic Party corrects 'minor' mistake on partial vote tally — Bernie Sanders campaign blame

Iowa Democratic Party corrects 'minor' mistake on partial vote tally — Bernie Sanders campaign blames racism

More turmoil as the failures mount in Iowa

After a complete disaster of caucus organization, the Iowa Democratic Party announced that they needed to make a "minor correction" to the partial results they reported, and one campaign is implying racism was the motivation.
The furor began shortly after the Iowa Democratic Party announced the correction on Wednesday.
"There will be a minor correction to the last batch of results and we will be pushing an update momentarily," they tweeted.
Those mistakes just happened to take votes away from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and his campaign was not happy about it.
Bill Neidhardt, the Iowa deputy state director for the Sanders campaign, called the correction "disturbing to say the least," in a tweet that implied the party had disenfranchised Latino, black, and Muslim voters.
"Day 3 of this mess. Not what I would a 'minor' issue," he added in a second tweet.
Other Sanders supporters excoriated the Iowa Democratic Party for the error.
"So Iowa Dems get caught undercutting Bernie in Black Hawk county and we only know because Black Hawk county released their info on their own? And now Iowa Dems are forced to fix. This is out of this world," said YouTube activist Kyle Kulinski.
The error was the latest in a series of embarrassing mistakes by the Iowa Democratic Party in their incompetent attempt to complete the key Iowa caucuses for the Democratic primary election.
The correction will no doubt add fuel to the conflagration in the Democratic Party between far-left progressives who support Sanders and the more centrist establishment Democrats.
In 2016, "Bernie Bros" excoriated the party for evidence that appeared to show the Democratic Party rigging the primary election against Sanders for the benefit of Hillary Clinton. Clinton supporters would go on to blame "Bernie Bros" for her defeat at the hands of President Donald Trump.
Here's more about the Iowa caucus debacle:


theblaze--2020-02-06--BOMBSHELL: Newly discovered document points to missing $1.8 billion in Ukraine

'Now it gets interesting .
Now it really starts to get interesting . '

On the radio program Thursday, Glenn Beck sat down with chief researcher Jason Buttrill to go over a few of the findings he and the research team uncovered while looking into the phone call between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky, which led to the Democrats' now-failed impeachment charade.
Glenn explained that there were "things in the phone call that just didn't make sense to us" that prompted them to dive deeper into the research process and to find out, once and for all, what happened to the $1.8 billion in aid that went missing in Ukraine's largest bank, PrivatBank.
Jason revealed a bombshell discovery: an urgent letter from the Latvian government to the Ukrainians, which has changed the entire narrative about who and what was involved in the corruption going on in Ukraine.
"This document ... is the jumping-off point," said Jason. "It shows you the path to follow the money."
Glenn explained how the money trails all tie back to a corrupt and brutal oligarch named Igor Kolomoisky.
"This guy [Kolomoisky] is actually viewed in Ukraine ... as a brutal, brutal oligarch. Nobody messes with him. Okay? Chainsaws to the neck. Nobody messes with him," Glenn said. "But we also found out, there are a lot of people that view him as an extreme patriot. Now it gets interesting. Now it really starts to get interesting. Why is he a patriot? Because he's a guy that buys arms, and funds armies. He's a guy, when it comes to Russia, he's a guy that happened to, as all of our money disappears, to go on a spending spree."
Watch the video clip below to catch more of the conversation:
Don't miss Glenn Beck's special: "Ukraine: The Final Piece (The Billion-Dollar Question)" below, on YouTube.com/BlazeTV and at BlazeTV.com.
youtu.be
If you like what you see, use promo code GB20OFF to get $20 off a full year of BlazeTV . With a BlazeTV subscription, you're not just paying to watch great pro-America TV. Your subscription funds the intensive investigations that let BlazeTV tell the stories the left wants to keep in the dark, giving you the unvarnished truth, and showing you what the liberal media doesn't want you to see.


theblaze--2020-02-06--'Profane, angry, rambling!' — CNN panel is absolutely horrified at President Trump's acquittal speec

'Profane, angry, rambling!' — CNN panel is absolutely horrified at President Trump's acquittal speech

`` ... it was full of revenge , it was mean-spirited , it was poisonous , it was spiteful .
@

President Donald Trump issued an hourlong celebratory speech on Thursday after being acquitted of two articles of impeachment, and the commentators on CNN were aghast at his remarks.
"You have been watching the president of the United States with an unscripted, vindictive, at times profane, angry, rambling response to his impeachment acquittal," said host Brianna Keilar.
"The president there for an hour holding what's really been a surreal ceremony there in the East Room, in front of his legal team, in front of Republican lawmakers, White House staff, his family, a friendly crowd that gave him numerous standing ovations," said Keilar.
"The president insulting and going after his perceived enemies," she added.
CNN's chief political analyst Gloria Borger also expressed surprise at the tone of the president's remarks.
"You know I, I, this started out with the president coming out into the East Room to ruffles and flourishes, and then immediately turned into an avalanche of grievances against everybody. It was vindictive, as you pointed out, it was full of revenge, it was mean-spirited, it was poisonous, it was spiteful," Borger said.
"And it gave you a real look into the way he views the world, which is the bad and evil people, as he spoke about, those are his words, who dared oppose him, versus the people who stuck with him. And he had names for everyone who opposed him, um, they were vicious," she continued.
"It was quite a remarkable view into the president's psyche," Borger concluded.
Borger went on to compare the president to former President Bill Clinton, who apologized in a speech after he was acquitted of impeachment charges.
Here's the video of the comments:


theblaze--2020-02-06--Evangelist Franklin Graham has been dropped by all seven of his UK tour venues. His offense? Believi

Evangelist Franklin Graham has been dropped by all seven of his UK tour venues. His offense? Believing the Bible's teaching on homosexuality.

Evangelist Franklin Graham has been dropped by all seven of his UK tour venues .
His offense ?
Believing the @ @ @ @ @ .

The Rev. Franklin Graham, a popular evangelist and son of the late Rev. Billy Graham, is planning a four-month gospel-preaching tour through the United Kingdom this summer.
But now, all seven of his scheduled venues have dropped him, citing his views on homosexuality and Islam.
What are they saying?
CNN reported that on Wednesday an arena in Newcastle became the seventh and final venue to cancel Graham's scheduled appearance, following similar cancellations by venues in cities across the U.K., including Birmingham, Liverpool, Sheffield, and Glasgow.
The cancellation came after the regional LGBT groups joined with Newcastle City Council leader Nick Forbes to oppose the visit.
Forbes, who claims that Graham "peddles controversial, repulsive views about LGBT people" said he was "delighted" to hear the news.
"Instead of focusing on such divisions, we can now come together and look forward to hosting U.K. Pride here this summer," he added.
More than 5,000 people had signed a petition put on by Northern Pride calling for the event to be canceled. The petition argued that Graham has "publicly promoted homophobia."
Similar protests have erupted in other U.K. cities over recent weeks. In Liverpool, a local gay pride foundation penned a letter to authorities, saying, the evangelist preacher "is well known" for "promoting hate of LGBT+ people" and "openly supporting conversion therapy."
CNN noted that Graham has "fueled anger for his past comments and stances" such as maintaining the Bible's view that "homosexuality is a sin" and calling Islam a "wicked and evil" religion.
The tour will go on
Graham has responded to the cancellations with resilience, vowing the tour will go on.
"We are still finalising where the Graham Tour will be held, but we want to be clear that the initiative and all associated training courses will take place on the same dates as originally planned," a statement on the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association website says.
Graham had previously noted on the website that opposition in the cities came from "a small but vocal minority," and assured that such opposition would not derail the tour.
Last week, after the Liverpool venue cancelled, Franklin Graham took to Facebook to articulate his views and send a message to the LGBTQ community in the U.K.
"The rub, I think, comes in whether God defines homosexuality as sin. The answer is yes," he acknowledged. "But God goes even further than that, to say that we are all sinners — myself included. The Bible says that every human being is guilty of sin and in need of forgiveness and cleansing. The penalty of sin is spiritual death — separation from God for eternity."
Graham then went on to offer his detractors the Gospel, saying that he plans to come to the U.K. not out of hate, but out of love.
"The Gospel is inclusive. I'm not coming out of hate, I'm coming out of love," he wrote. "I invite everyone in the LGBTQ community to come and hear for yourselves the Gospel."


theblaze--2020-02-06--Name of witness against MS-13 gang given to defense attorneys because of new bail reform law. That w

Name of witness against MS-13 gang given to defense attorneys because of new bail reform law. That witness was just beaten to death.

Name of witness against MS-13 gang given to defense attorneys because of new bail reform law .
That witness was @ @ @ @ @ 'The system failed .
This man 's dead because we did n't do enough .
@

UPDATE, 10:20 a.m. Friday: A new report indicates defense attorneys for the MS-13 gang members said they never told their clients the name of the witness set to testify against them who was found beaten to death Sunday.
Original story below
Wilmer Maldonado Rodriguez tried to protect two boys being threatened by members of the notoriously murderous MS-13 gang on Long Island in October 2018, officials told the New York Times.
In response to him standing up for the kids, the gang members repeatedly stabbed Rodriguez and hit him in the head with a bat, the paper said. Nine members of the MS-13 gang were arrested in connection with the attack, WNBC-TV reported.
An agreement to testify
Nevertheless, Rodriguez agreed to testify against the gang members charged with assault and witness intimidation as a result of the attack, officials told the Times.
Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder told the station prosecutors protected Rodriguez's identity for more than a year. But in early January they had to reveal his name to the gang members' attorneys because the state's new bail reform law — urged into existence by "progressive lawmakers," the Times said — requires it.
Image source: WNBC-TV video screenshot
'Intimidation' after identity released
After Rodriguez's name was released, Ryder said a "pattern of intimidation" began against him, the Times added.
Rodriguez, 36, was found beaten to death Sunday outside a home in New Cassel, New York, the paper said.
"This courageous man was prepared to testify against his alleged assailants at an upcoming trial but he was brutally beaten to death before he could," Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said, according to WNBC, which added that no arrests have been made in connection with the killing.
Some maintain the death of Rodriguez — who was described as homeless — could have been avoided if not for the new law, the station added.
"The system failed," Ryder said, according to WNBC. "This man's dead because we didn't do enough." He added to the station that Rodriguez's information "which should have been protected was turned over too early."
Later, Ryder appeared to hedge his remarks, saying there was "no direct link between the death of Wilmer Maldonado Rodriguez and criminal justice reform," the Times said.
The other side's point of view
The paper also spoke to those who said pinning Rodriguez's death on the new bail reform law is ridiculous:
"This has absolutely nothing to do with the new criminal justice reforms," said Mike Murphy, a spokesman for the State Senate's Democratic majority, which lobbied aggressively for the bail and discovery changes.
Lisa Schreibersdorf, the executive director of Brooklyn Defender Services, said that any law enforcement authorities seeking to tie Mr. Rodriguez's death to the new rules were jumping to conclusions with no factual basis.
"There is absolutely no way this is related to the discovery laws," Ms. Schreibersdorf said, adding that she had spoken to some of the lawyers in the case.
Scott Hechinger, a senior attorney at Brooklyn Defender Services, noted on Twitter that the revised law explicitly allowed judges to shield witnesses' identities. The law, passed as part of last year's budget, also says discovery can be limited to a defendant's lawyer or legal team, and not shared with the defendant.
The Times added that lawyers for three of the defendants that Rodriguez was to testify against didn't immediately respond to requests for comment, adding that two of the three defendants were scheduled to appear Thursday in Nassau County Criminal Court.
Anything else?
There have been more than a few consequences related to the state's new bail reform law since it's been enacted, which requires judges to set most criminal defendants free without posting bail during their pretrial phase:
(H/T: Blue Lives Matter)


theblaze--2020-02-06--Steven Crowder gives the play-by-play of his encounter with two aggressive transgender females

Imagine a day where hundreds of feminists are marching to the shrill sounds of woke sisters screaming their truth. You notice a gender dysphorian has emerged and is advancing on your well-positioned "Change My Mind" table.
The brave man dressed as a lady gracefully and silently — silent so as not to reveal his baritone speaking voice — rips at your table banner. You and your crew have to remove the transgender person from your safe space/debate table by force without causing Ze/Zir bodily harm.
As the "lady" stomps away, you shout, "Capture the flag sweetheart." Beautiful.
Behold, for this is the moment you've asked to see.
Steven gives the play-by-play of his encounter with not one, but two aggressive transgender females during his latest taping of "Change My Mind" in downtown Dallas.
youtu.be
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theblaze--2020-02-06--DHS bars NY residents from Global Entry program over state law giving driver’s licenses to illegal a

DHS bars NY residents from Global Entry program over state law giving driver’s licenses to illegal aliens

DHS bars NY residents from Global Entry program over state law giving driver ’ s licenses to illegal aliens 'It @ @ @ @ @ irresponsible action has consequences '

The Trump administration is putting the squeeze on the state of New York over its "Green Light Law" that allows illegal immigrants to get driver's licenses, and it's probably going to leave some international air travelers very annoyed.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced Thursday that Empire State residents will no longer be able to apply for or renew their membership in a list of department travel programs like Global Entry, which are designed to get people through airports and ports of entry more quickly after determining that they don't pose a risk to national security.
What's the department's reasoning?
A provision in New York's new Green Light Law blocks the Department of Motor Vehicles from sharing information with DHS, the release says, and therefore DHS can't adequately vet New Yorkers for Customs and Border Protection's various Trusted Traveller programs.
"New York's 'Green Light Law' is ill-conceived and the Department is forced to take this action to ensure the integrity of our Trusted Traveler Programs. It's very clear: this irresponsible action has consequences," acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said in a statement.
"CBP is able to offer Trusted Traveler Programs like Global Entry because we are able to use DMV data to make an evidence-based assessment that those individuals who seek this benefit are low risk and meet the eligibility requirements. Without the DMV information, we aren't able to make that assessment," Wolf added. "We must do our job."
CBP expects the change to affect between 150,000 to 200,000 New York residents who seek to renew membership in one of the travel programs this year.
On a Thursday afternoon conference call with reporters, DHS senior official Ken Cuccinelli explained that TSA PreCheck — which deals with domestic flights — would not be affected, but that it could in the future, NBC News reported.
Cuccinelli also warned that other states looking to follow New York's lead could face similar consequences in the future.
"They should know that their citizens are going to lose the convenience of entering these Trusted Traveler Programs, just as New York's did," he said.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) told WAMC-FM Thursday that the move was a "political stunt" and the Green Light Law was going to stay in effect.
"I don't want unlicensed people on our roads," Cuomo said. "It's a public safety issue, and that's what I'm concerned about,"
"This is unbounded arrogance, disrespect of the rule of law, hyper-political government and this is another form of extortion," Cuomo said.
Cuomo signed the driver's license bill into law in June. It allows people without legal status in the U.S. to use foreign documents to get state-issued licenses. When it went into effect in December, DMV offices across the state were flooded with license applicants.


theblaze--2020-02-06--Pastor blasts 'leftist thought' in progressive worship song that mocks Trump supporters

Pastor Lucas Miles of Faithwire 's `` The Lucas Miles Show '' issued a warning against progressivism causing a divide in the Christian church .
What are the details ?
In a recent video , Miles says that the song — Daniel Deitrich 's `` Hymn for the 81 % , '' which refers to Trump supporting white evangelicals — is n't good fodder for Christian spirituality or growth .
`` Worship music teaches and shapes us , so what we sing about really matters , '' Miles said .
`` There are a ton of great songs that help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worship music should also help us lament , reflect , confess , celebrate , challenge , and push us outside the walls of the church to be the hands and feet of Christ . ''
That being said , Miles continues , the example of `` Hymn for the 81 % '' serves only to infiltrate the church with `` leftist thought . ''
“ What we 're seeing is an example of leftist thought that is infiltrating the church , '' Miles explained .
“ I 'm hearing a lack of education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immigration — which the song addresses — and child separation policies .
“ This is an Obama policy that first started separating children at the border , '' Miles said .
“ [ Dietrich ] goes on later to talk about weaponizing religion and that 's the first thing I hear is , we 're weaponizing religion to divide people instead of bringing people together . ''
Miles added that left-leaning Christians are n't necessarily a bad thing , however , and often can help teach compassion and empathy .
Concerning the divide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christian church — Miles said that people should remain grounded in God 's word rather than getting caught up in `` orthodoxy . ''
“ It 's a concerning thing for the church because we are seeing a divide that 's greater than ever before , '' he admitted .
`` There is this thing in Christianity that 's called orthodoxy .
...
I believe what orthodoxy is , if you think about it like a buoy that 's floating out in the ocean and that buoy is floating there and it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because it 's connected with a chain that goes down to the bedrock of the ocean floor and has a big weight that centers it . ''
`` As long as that buoy is connected to the chain it can float in this path , '' he continued .
`` If we think about doctrine like this , everything within this circle is I believe what we call orthodoxy and it 's connected to the word .
The moment when we disconnect ourselves from the word , what happens is doctrinal drift .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ when humans deviate from the Bible , life and everything it entails goes awry .
“ We start disconnecting ourselves from the Bible and slowly and progressively we see people drift outside of this orthodox circle — and I believe there 's room for a lot of different opinion within what is called orthodoxy , '' Miles explained .
`` We do n't have to see things exactly alike .
But anytime we completely sever ourselves from the word or from particular scriptures , because Jesus is the word of God we 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 're going to have a tendency to drift into extremism on one side or another . ''

Pastor Lucas Miles of Faithwire's "The Lucas Miles Show" issued a warning against progressivism causing a divide in the Christian church.
What are the details?
In a recent video, Miles says that the song — Daniel Deitrich's "Hymn for the 81%," which refers to Trump supporting white evangelicals — isn't good fodder for Christian spirituality or growth.
"Worship music teaches and shapes us, so what we sing about really matters," Miles said. "There are a ton of great songs that help us praise and thank God, but worship music should also help us lament, reflect, confess, celebrate, challenge, and push us outside the walls of the church to be the hands and feet of Christ."
That being said, Miles continues, the example of "Hymn for the 81%" serves only to infiltrate the church with "leftist thought."
“What we're seeing is an example of leftist thought that is infiltrating the church," Miles explained. “I'm hearing a lack of education about politics."
Miles pointed to immigration — which the song addresses — and child separation policies.
“This is an Obama policy that first started separating children at the border," Miles said. “[Dietrich] goes on later to talk about weaponizing religion and that's the first thing I hear is, we're weaponizing religion to divide people instead of bringing people together."
Miles added that left-leaning Christians aren't necessarily a bad thing, however, and often can help teach compassion and empathy.
www.youtube.com
Concerning the divide between people — and even within the Christian church — Miles said that people should remain grounded in God's word rather than getting caught up in "orthodoxy."
“It's a concerning thing for the church because we are seeing a divide that's greater than ever before," he admitted. "There is this thing in Christianity that's called orthodoxy. ... I believe what orthodoxy is, if you think about it like a buoy that's floating out in the ocean and that buoy is floating there and it's able to float around in this circle because it's connected with a chain that goes down to the bedrock of the ocean floor and has a big weight that centers it."
"As long as that buoy is connected to the chain it can float in this path," he continued. "If we think about doctrine like this, everything within this circle is I believe what we call orthodoxy and it's connected to the word. The moment when we disconnect ourselves from the word, what happens is doctrinal drift."
He concluded by pointing out that when humans deviate from the Bible, life and everything it entails goes awry.
“We start disconnecting ourselves from the Bible and slowly and progressively we see people drift outside of this orthodox circle — and I believe there's room for a lot of different opinion within what is called orthodoxy," Miles explained. "We don't have to see things exactly alike. But anytime we completely sever ourselves from the word or from particular scriptures, because Jesus is the word of God we're actually cutting ourselves off from Him and we're going to have a tendency to drift into extremism on one side or another."


theblaze--2020-02-06--The Treasury Dept. has provided highly sensitive information about Hunter Biden and associates to GO

The Treasury Dept. has provided highly sensitive information about Hunter Biden and associates to GOP senators

The Treasury Dept .
has provided highly sensitive information about Hunter Biden and associates to GOP senators

The Treasury Department is complying with requests from GOP senators and has turned over highly sensitive information regarding Hunter Biden and his business associates to Republican senators who have asked for the materials, Yahoo News reported on Thursday.
According to the news outlet, a spokeswoman for Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the top Democrat on the Finance Committee, said that the Treasury Department is "voluntarily cooperating" with the Senate Republicans' requests "at lightning speed."
"Agencies like the Treasury Department are rapidly complying with Senate Republican requests — no subpoenas necessary — and producing 'evidence' of questionable origin," the spokeswoman said.
For months now, Republican Sens. Chuck Grassley (Iowa), chairman of the Finance Committee, and Ron Johnson (Wis.) chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, have been conducting an investigation into "potential conflicts of interest posed" by Biden's business dealings.
The two senators have been sending letters to numerous departments and agencies in Washington — including the State Department, the Treasury, the Justice Department, the FBI, the National Archives and the Secret Service — requesting information to aid their investigation.
According to Wyden, their requests to the Treasury Department have been met with cooperation. Yahoo News reports that Grassley and Johnson have sought "some of the most sensitive and closely held documents in all of federal law enforcement — highly confidential suspicious activity reports (SARs) filed by financial institutions with FinCEN, an agency of the Treasury that helps to police money laundering."
While it seems clear that some documents have been turned over in response to the senators' requests, it is not yet certain that SARs were among those documents.
The Treasury Department website notes that a financial institution is required to file a SAR after it deems an "initial detection of facts" constitutes one. Such constituting activities include cash transactions that exceed $10,000 or behavior that "might signal criminal activity."
A copy of the senators' letter to the Treasury Department, made available by Reuters, shows that Grassley and Johnson requested SARs and related documents pertaining to Biden, Burisma Holdings, and Rosemont Seneca Partners, along with a number of other contacts.
Grassley's office responded to Democrats' criticisms of the Treasury's compliance, saying, "it's unfortunate that Democrats whom we've kept in the loop on our investigations would recklessly seek to interfere with legitimate government oversight."


theblaze--2020-02-06--Democrats kill GOP-backed resolution to rebuke Nancy Pelosi for ripping up SOTU speech

House Democrats voted Thursday to kill a Republican resolution that would have formally chastised House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) for tearing up a copy of President Donald Trump's State of the Union speech Tuesday night.
The measure was introduced by Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) Wednesday and formally disapproves of Pelosi's move to rip up the speech, saying that the speaker's actions were "a breach of decorum and degraded the proceedings of the joint session, to the discredit of the House."
Since the resolution was introduced as privileged under House rules, Granger was able to force the chamber to consider it Thursday afternoon. After the resolution was brought up, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) moved to table the matter, a parliamentary move used to kill an issue.
The motion to table was agreed to by a party-line vote of 224-193, with all Democrats and lone independent Rep. Justin Amash (Mich.) voting in favor; all Republicans opposed the motion.
"Speaker Pelosi's actions last night were appalling and shameful," Granger said in a Wednesday statement about the resolution. "Regardless of her personal feelings, she had a responsibility to conduct herself with civility as the presiding officer representing the House of Representatives. She is not the Speaker of the Democrats, but of the People's House."
Earlier Thursday, an irritated Pelosi defended her decision to tear up the paper at her weekly press briefing, calling the speech "a manifesto of mistruths."
"I don't need any lessons from anybody, especially the president of the United States, about dignity," she said, adding that "it was completely, entirely appropriate, and — considering some of the other exuberances within me — the courteous thing to do."
Granger's resolution wasn't the only Republican effort to formally discipline Pelosi for ripping the speech. On Wednesday, Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) announced "a resolution to censure & condemn" her, and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) announced that he would file an ethics complaint against her.
But while tearing up the speech may have drawn copious criticism from her Republican colleagues, House Democrats responded to the move quite warmly. The speaker reportedly got a standing ovation at Wednesday morning's House Democratic caucus meeting.


theblaze--2020-02-06--5-year-old dies after drinking mom's meth-laced bong water. Instead of taking child to hospital, mom

5-year-old dies after drinking mom's meth-laced bong water. Instead of taking child to hospital, mom watched her hallucinate for hours. Now, she's under arrest.

5-year-old dies after drinking mom 's meth-laced bong water .
Instead of taking child to hospital , mom watched her @ @ @ @ @ , she 's under arrest .
Child 's death was ruled as an overdose

A 5-year-old Colorado girl has died of a methamphetamine overdose after drinking water from her mother's homemade bong.
Authorities arrested the child's mother and two other people in connection with the child's December death.
What are the details?
Sophia Larson drank the deadly water mixture after she saw it in a water bottle on Dec. 10, according to a report in Newsweek.
The 5-year-old girl said that the water was "yucky" and proceeded to get sick. Her mother, 26-year-old Stephanie Alvarado, realized that her daughter drank from the water bottle, which was previously used as a pipe to smoke methamphetamine. Alvarado reportedly shared the meth with her cousins, 27-year-old Daniel Alvarado, and 26-year-old Bertha Karina Ceballos-Romo that very day.
According to court documents, Alvarado and her cousins watched the child hallucinate for several hours and did not call for help because they were worried about legal trouble. Instead, the family reportedly tried home remedies and prayer to bring the child out of her drugged state.
When the child stopped breathing, Alvarado and her cousins reportedly took the child to an unnamed family member's home, where an oxygen machine was present.
When it was apparent that the oxygen machine wouldn't work on the child, they transported her to Grand River Hospital in Rifle, Colorado. Doctors declared her dead on Dec. 12.
Robert Glassmire, Garfield County coroner, said the child had a "very, very high" level of methamphetamine in her system. Her death was ruled as overdose as a result of methamphetamine intoxication.
Authorities arrested Alvarado and her cousins and charged them with child abuse resulting in death, possession of a controlled substance, and reckless endangerment.
Anything else?
The child's father, 23-year-old Alex Larson, says he ended his relationship with Alvarado about one year ago because of her substance abuse issues.
Larson says he'll never forgive Alvarado or her family for his daughter's death.
"If they would have taken her [to the hospital] when they saw my daughter drank that, she may have been a little slow and not right in the head — but my daughter would still be here with me today," he said.


theblaze--2020-02-06--'It was all bulls**t': Trump hits Romney, Democrats, and Russia probe in post-acquittal victory spee

'It was all bulls**t': Trump hits Romney, Democrats, and Russia probe in post-acquittal victory speech

'It was all bulls**t ' : Trump hits Romney , Democrats , and Russia probe in post-acquittal victory speech 'We @ @ @ @ @

A jovial President Donald Trump took a post-impeachment victory lap Thursday, after his Wednesday impeachment acquittal in the Senate, in a lengthy White House speech that praised his Republican allies while excoriating Democrats and GOP Sen. Mitt Romney (Utah) and derided the Russia probe in fairly explicit terms.
"This is really not a news conference, it's not a speech, it's not anything, it's just we're sort of — it's a celebration, because we have something that just worked out," Trump told the audience. "We went through hell unfairly."
During his remarks, Trump also took aim at other previous attempts to undermine his presidency, including the Russia probe and the related Mueller report.
"We've been going through this now for over three years," Trump said. "It was evil. It was corrupt. It was dirty cops. It was leakers and liars, and this should never, ever happen to another president, ever. I don't know that other presidents would have been able to take it. Some people said no, they wouldn't have. But I can tell you, at a minimum, you have to focus on this, because it can get away very quickly, no matter who you have with you."
"We were treated unbelievably unfairly," Trump said later in the wide-ranging speech. "We first went through Russia, Russia, Russia. It was all bulls**t. We then went through the Mueller report, and they should have come back one day later. They didn't; they came back two years later, after lives were ruined, after people went bankrupt, after people lost all their money."
Trump also called out Democrats during the remarks, mentioning House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) by name.
"I say Democrats are lousy politicians because they have lousy policy," Trump said, referring to health care, immigration, and tax issues.
"So I've always said they are lousy politicians, but they do two things," he continued, later explaining that those things are that they are "vicious as hell" and they stick together.
"Adam Schiff is a vicious, horrible person," Trump said. "Nancy Pelosi is a horrible person. And she wanted to impeach a long time ago, when she said 'I pray for the president.'" He went on to add that "she may pray, but she prays for the opposite, but I doubt she prays at all."
He also criticized Mitt Romney (R-Utah), who he said "used religion as a crutch" in voting to convict him the day before. "Never heard him use it before, but today, you know, it's one of those things," Trump went on. "But you know, it's a failed presidential candidate, so things can happen when you fail so badly running for president."
Throughout his remarks, Trump heaped praise on several of his Republican allies from both the House and the Senate who were in attendance, thanking them for their support during the impeachment process and even cracking jokes about a few of them.
For example, the president joked about Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and his famous tendency not to wear jackets. "I said, he never wears a jacket. What the hell is going on? He's obviously very proud of his body." He also joked that people say that when Jordan works out, "the machine starts burning."
However, while the Ukraine impeachment efforts may finally have come to a close, Trump said that he doesn't expect Democrats to cease their efforts against him.
"I'm sure they will try to cook up other things," Trump said, specifically referring to Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
"They'll go through the state of New York, they'll go through other places, they will do whatever they can," Trump said. "Because instead of wanting to heal our country and fix our country, all they want to do, in my opinion, it's almost like they want to destroy our country. We can't let it happen."


theblaze--2020-02-06--Drag Queen Story Time specifically for children under 5 championed by London borough — and observers

Drag Queen Story Time specifically for children under 5 championed by London borough — and observers are horrified 'This is @ @ @ @ @ it 's anything else . '

The borough of Newham in London championed a Drag Queen Story Time specifically for children under 5 years of age in an official borough news story regarding the start of LGBT+ History Month.
Here's the lowdown about the event featuring drag queens reading stories to kids — from a Newham Council Twitter account that handles borough news:
The council's tweet links to a page for Newham LGBT History Month, which describes the Drag Queen Story Time as "providing spaces in which kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions" and a chance for "children to imagine the world in which people can present as they wish."
What did observers have to say?
As you might expect, not everyone reacted positively to the Newham Council tweet about the upcoming event:
"What kind of sane adult takes their kids to this?"
"Every single person involved in the promotion, facilitation, and execution of this deranged, wicked event deserves to be locked up in prison facing capital punishment. Including the parents."
"Child abuse."
"Well, at least do me a favor and don't pretend to be surprised when the pedophiles want to be recognized as 'just love.' Slippery slopes."
"This is grooming. Don't pretend it's anything else."
"It does nothing positive for the kids. It only feeds the leftist need to feel superior. 'Look at how superior I am, allowing these heathens into my children's space,' 'I am the epitome of inclusion.'"
"Where are the parents? Parents are supposed to protect their children."
As the following BBC clip on Drag Queen Story Time UK, parents and caregivers are right there smiling with their youngsters while drag queens teach their version of what acceptance and tolerance looks like: