theblaze--2020-01-15--Virginia Democratic Gov. Northam will declare emergency to ban guns from Capitol Square ahead of pro

Virginia Democratic Gov. Northam will declare emergency to ban guns from Capitol Square ahead of pro-2A rally

Virginia Democratic Gov .
Northam will declare emergency to ban guns from Capitol Square ahead of pro-2A rally Proposed gun @ @ @ @ @ protests

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat, plans to declare a temporary emergency this week banning all weapons from Richmond's Capitol Square in advance of a large pro-gun rally scheduled for next week, according to the Associated Press.
Gun rights advocates have been demonstrating in large numbers since the Democratic-controlled Legislature revealed intentions to pass numerous gun control laws.
Why a gun ban?
According to officials speaking to AP anonymously, Northam will issue the emergency ban due to "credible threats of potential violence and extremism."
The official said the state does not have intelligence that the groups are planning a specific act of violence, but said Northam has grown increasingly concerned about numerous ominous-sounding postings on social media from forces outside Virginia. The official cited one posting that included a photo of an AR-15 and said there are "great sight angles from certain buildings" near Capitol Square.
Officials also said they are concerned about the potential for the kind of violence that occurred in Charlottesville during the Unite the Right rally in 2017.
The ban will include helmets and shields. Virginia Democrats have already banned guns from the Capitol building. Some Republican lawmakers regularly carried guns into the Capitol.
What's going on in Virginia?
Second Amendment supporters have been outraged at the legislative proposals from Democrats, including an assault weapons ban, a red flag law, universal background checks, limits on handgun purchase frequency, and limitations on indoor shooting ranges.
Although there are clearly many opponents to the proposed legislation among Virginia residents, Democrats control the entire legislature, leaving little for gun rights advocates to do except mobilize and protest.
More than 100 local jurisdictions have declared themselves to be Second Amendment sanctuaries, which means they intend to oppose and possibly decline to enforce gun restrictions that may be unconstitutional. At least one Virginia Democrat has suggested using the National Guard to enforce gun laws in such localities.
(H/T: The Daily Wire)


theblaze--2020-01-15--Democrats actually blocked a vote to support Iranian protesters and condemn Iran for killing 1,500 o

Democrats actually blocked a vote to support Iranian protesters and condemn Iran for killing 1,500 of its own people

Democrats in the House of Representatives blocked a vote Tuesday afternoon aimed at condemning the Iranian government and supporting Iranian citizens protesting against the oppressive regime.
What are the details?
A vote on the resolution was officially blocked when Democratic lawmakers present in the chamber voted unanimously to advance the previous question.
The resolution, which had been introduced by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) earlier in the week, was designed to send a message to the government of Iran following its killing of at least 1,500 Iranian citizens during protests in the country in November and its missile strike on a Ukrainian passenger jet last week, which killed all 176 people on board.
In addition, the resolution condemned Iran for "repeatedly lying to its people and to the world about its responsibility" in downing the passenger jet, and called on the government of Iran to "refrain from the use of violence" and respect the "freedom and human rights" of protesters in the country.
McCarthy called the move to block a vote a "disappointment" on Twitter, and argued that "this is not the time for partisan politics."
Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Miss.) joined McCarthy in denouncing the move on Twitter, arguing, "supporting a resolution so basic shouldn't be this difficult. The House is better than this."
McCarthy had previously said in announcing the resolution that "the world is watching, and the people of Iran need to know that they are not alone in this pivotal moment."
Anything else?
The blocked resolution comes only days after the Democrat-led House passed a resolution to limit President Trump's authority to use further military force against Iran. Congressional Democrats were upset after Trump approved a rocket strike to kill Iranian terrorist military leader Qassem Soleimani without notifying Congress.
In the wake of Soleimani's death, Trump tweeted out support for Iranians protesting the oppressive regime, saying, "We are following your protests closely, and are inspired by your courage."
It was reported that Iranian citizens again flooded the streets to protest their government after its leaders admitted to downing Ukrainian Arlines Flight 752.
Videos posted to social media showed the protesters chanting "death to the Islamic Republic" and "Soleimani was a murderer, his leader is also a murderer" as they called for Ayatollah Khamenei to step down as the supreme leader of Iran.


theblaze--2020-01-15--Read like the Republic depends on it — because it does

Read like the Republic depends on it — because it does Not an easy feat for a millennial .

"It's so nice to see someone reading," a waitress said to my husband. He was waiting for me alone at a café while I was having my nails manicured.
He found her enthusiasm peculiar yet complimentary, and he chuckled when he told me what she had said to him. Perhaps it was the shock of witnessing a book instead of an iPhone between the fingers of a millennial.
My husband could have narrowly been among the 6% of Americans who read digital books only, but he's not, and neither am I.
It's not difficult to guess why the sight of a book in my husband's hand made the waitress hazard a comment: Books are threatening to go the way of 8-tracks, VHS players and rotary telephones.
The number of Americans who willingly read has declined since the 1980s, partly due to the advent of television, the internet, and, one could argue, the torrent of 24/7 push notifications in the palm of our hands.
In 2017, the Academy of American Arts & Sciences showed that voluntary reading rates hit a record-low among American adults.
Outside of work and school, 53% of adults in 2017 read at least one nonfiction or fiction book for personal interest.
In the same degree, those who are reading spend an average of 17 minutes per day doing so.
The time spent with books daily is even less among younger Americans between the ages of 15 and 44. They leaf through books about 10 minutes per day.
Contrast the year 2017 with the year 1992 when at least 61% of American adults read at least one book for personal interest per year.
As the survey noted, that's a 14% drop in reading rates among Americans within 25 years.
With these statistics in mind, it's no wonder that the sight of a millennial holding an actual book would elicit comment from a total stranger — a stranger who was probably more used to seeing people glued to the ever-present smartphone.
For better or for worse, smartphones have entirely re-conditioned our bodily autonomy. We feel utterly vulnerable without them, and replacing them with anything else, much less a book, feels like a coup d 'état.
To that I say, "Vive la résistance!" Books — and the power they provide — are so much more beneficial to our actual well-being than smartphones — which science suggests may be causing serious addiction and physical problems among younger generations in particular.
Take, for example, the unhealthy and unnecessary obsession our smartphones create. When we're away from them, we're physically stressed.
Research by Dr. Nancy Cheever at California State University observed the effects they have on us using equipment to measure the heart rates and perspiration levels of two teenage girls.
"I'm just going to put your phones back here because they might interfere with the equipment a little bit," she told them. They had no idea Cheever was measuring the physiological changes their bodies experience in the absence of their smartphones.
While the two were attached to Cheever's equipment, she began texting and calling the girls' cellphones so they could hear the alerts.
Cheever recorded sweating and increased levels of stress and anxiety that were four times higher than that of an adult who had participated in the same experiment. Prior to smartphones, the leading cause of stress among students was poverty.
Studies have also shown that excessive usage leads to less sleep, lower self-esteem, shorter attention spans, memory loss, a lack of creativity, and decreased analytical skills.
The paradox is that the benefits reading provides are antithetical to the effects smartphones impose, yet we care more for the latter.
For starters, reading reduces stress, helps slow down the process of memory loss, contributes to a healthy night's sleep, and most importantly, increases empathy.
Analysis has also shown that those who read are also more likely to remain civic-minded and engaged in democracy.
In one of the most comprehensive studies on reading by the National Endowment for the Arts, research showed that reading contributed directly to good citizenship.
Proficient readers are twice as likely to participate in volunteer work, are more likely to vote, and are more likely to maintain a greater curiosity surrounding current events.
NEA made it clear that while the study can't prove there's causation, the interest group is positive there's a correlation:
"With lower levels of reading and writing ability, people do less well in the job market. Poor reading skills correlate heavily with lack of employment, lower wages, and fewer opportunities for advancement. Significantly worse reading skills are found among prisoners than in the general adult population. And deficient readers are less likely to become active in civic and cultural life, most notably in volunteerism and voting."
Additionally, in 2003, 84% of Americans proficient in reading voted in the 2000 presidential election while only 53% of nonreaders showed up to the polls.
If the benefits of reading are a win-win for everyone, why are so many of us doing so little of it?
One could argue too many Americans are ignorant to the benefits they provide. In Matthew Arnold's "Culture and Anarchy" (1869), Arnold argues that reading "the best that has been thought and said" is the panacea to our cultural deficiencies.
Humanities professors could also be at fault for misconstruing what reading was intended for.
Rather than teaching students to utilize books as a tool to refine their minds and their beliefs, students are taught to tear down astute observations by criticizing them, rejecting them, and reducing them to outdated rubbish.
This nihilistic approach to some of the greatest works of our time creates a backward culture by creating a faulty illusion that critical thinking is supposed to be about destroying instead of building.
This robs the individual of their agency by preventing them from obtaining meaningful convictions and values. This approach also produces a society that believes in empty nothingness.
Ultimately, no one can attain erudition for you but you.


theblaze--2020-01-15--After a bizarre tweet storm during the Democratic debate, Bloomberg's campaign says its account wasn

After a bizarre tweet storm during the Democratic debate, Bloomberg's campaign says its account wasn't hacked

After a bizarre tweet storm during the Democratic debate , Bloomberg 's campaign says its account was n't hacked

Michael Bloomberg's campaign is taking responsibility for a bizarre series of tweets that were sent out during Tuesday night's Democratic debate in Iowa.
While other 2020 primary candidates duked it out on the televised debate stage, Bloomberg's campaign Twitter account was busy firing off bizarre tweets about Pitbull songs, meatballs, and the ability to mentally communicate with underwater mammals.
Here's a sampling of what went out:
Understandably, the highly unusual content of the tweets prompted questions about whether or not someone besides Bloomberg campaign staff was behind them.
However, despite all the questions and speculation about whether the account had been hacked, a statement from a campaign spokesman said that they hadn't been compromised and that "the Bloomberg 2020 social team is trying something fun tonight."
If the goal was to siphon some of the attention away from the debate stage that Bloomberg wasn't on, it would appear that they managed to succeed. Whether that attention will do anything to help the candidate's nomination chances remains to be seen.
Despite his current polling performance, Bloomberg wasn't at Tuesday night's debate because he is not taking outside campaign donations and therefore did not clear the individual donor threshold. This self-funded, no-debate strategy has drawn criticism from some Democrats, according to a story Politico detailed earlier this month.
"When you have that much money, you have incredible power that comes with it. With that power, you're able to shape the outcomes to tilt to your advantage," Sen. Bernie Sanders campaign manager Faiz Sahkir told the outlet. "And that's what he's trying to do with this election, is say: 'I'm going to swoop in late. I'm not going to do grassroots campaigning. I'm not going to come to these debates. I'm not going to do town halls. I'm not going to answer questions. What I am going to do is try to buy this damn thing.'"
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) has said that Bloomberg is "skipping the democracy part" of the Democratic primary because of his campaign approach.


theblaze--2020-01-15--Mom beaten to a pulp by teen girls outside HS. She was there to complain about daughter's bullies —

Mom beaten to a pulp by teen girls outside HS. She was there to complain about daughter's bullies — one of whom allegedly was part of the attack.

Mom beaten to a pulp by teen girls outside HS .
She was there to complain about daughter 's bullies @ @ @ @ @ was part of the attack .
The mother — who never made it inside the @ @ @ @ @ at the hospital

Maria Jimenez's 16-year-old daughter told her she was being bullied by a group of girls at James Logan High School in Union City, California — so Jimenez and her husband Eder Rojas drove their daughter to school Tuesday morning to complain to the principal, KRON-TV reported.
But the family never made it inside.
What happened?
Rojas told KGO-TV two teen girls — one of whom was bullying his daughter — confronted them before they made it through the school's door.
"They started screaming at us, 'What you wanna do? Who's going to fight first?'" Rojas told KGO.
Eder Rojas mimics a punch he said teen girls delivered to his wife. Image source: KGO-TV video screenshot
Rojas blocked the teens from going after his daughter, so he said they targeted his wife instead, punching and kicking her.
"The girl was very furious, they grabbed by the hair and dragged me," Jimenez told KGO through a translator.
Image source: KGO-TV video screenshot
Jimenez — who suffered a broken nose, bruises on her face, and a reddened right eye — spent two nights in the hospital.
Image source: KGO-TV video screenshot
Here's a KGO report on the incident:
"I just wanted to talk to the principal, you'd never imagine a kid would hit an adult, I thought we were safe on campus," Jimenez added to KGO.
She had just given birth four months ago, the station said.
Image source: KRON-TV video screenshot
Rojas told KRON his wife's attackers are "animals."
What happened to the attackers?
Police responded and arrested one of the teenagers, charging her with battery with serious bodily injury, KGO reported.
Image source: KGO-TV video screenshot
The station added that the school sent an email to parents, which read in part: "We are investigating and following up on this incident working directly with the Union City Police Department, and taking disciplinary actions. We believe this incident to be between the two Logan students and does not appear to involve any other Logan students."
The school district told KRON the fight involved two students, a student's family, and someone not from the school.
Now what?
Jimenez's family told KGO they will find a new high school for their daughter and are considering hiring an attorney. The station added that a GoFundMe page has been established to help with Jimenez's medical expenses.
(H/T: Blue Lives Matter)


theblaze--2020-01-15--GOP lawmaker who lost both legs in Afghanistan throws down challenge to Dems over Soleimani's killin

GOP lawmaker who lost both legs in Afghanistan throws down challenge to Dems over Soleimani's killing — and leaves them in silence

GOP lawmaker who lost both legs in Afghanistan throws down challenge to Dems over Soleimani 's killing — and leaves @ @ @ @ @ will note that there was no response '

Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) — who lost both legs and one finger after stepping on an IED during a mission in Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom — made a powerful statement Tuesday to explain why Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani's killing was justified.
During a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, Mast demonstrated why Democratic criticism of Soleimani's killing, which occurred from a U.S. airstrike on Jan. 3, is unfounded — resulting in nearly two minutes of dead silence.
"Some people might call this rhetorical, but I'm not going to ask it as rhetorical: There's a number of my colleagues still remaining here. I am more than willing to yield to any of my colleagues that want to answer this question: If you walk out this hallway, and you take a right, and another right, and another right, you're going to come to several beautiful walls that have the names of our fallen service members from the war on terror," Mast said. "And I would ask, can any of you provide me one name on that wall that doesn't justify killing Soleimani? I've got two minutes and 30 seconds. I'll be more than happy to sit here and wait. Somebody provide me with a name on that wall that does not justify his killing."
After a 10-second pause, committee Chairman Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.) instructed Mast to "continue."
Mast fired back, "I've got two minutes remaining. I will sit here and wait for somebody to provide me with a name on that wall that does not justify the killing of Soleimani."
"Thank you, Mr. Mast, I think you've made your point." Engel replied.
The Florida Republican again told Engel that he had additional speaking time remaining, to which Engel responded by accusing Mast of being "out of order" and "disrupting the procedures."
Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips (Minn.) then interjected to yield the remainder of his speaking time — about one minute — to Mast, allowing him to further emphasize his point.
For nearly the next 90 seconds, the hearing sat in complete silence — and not a single Democrat was able to meet Mast's challenge of naming a fallen American solider honored on the walls just outside the committee's hearing room.
"I will note that there was no response of one name offered that did not justify the killing of Soleimani," Mast said.


theblaze--2020-01-15--Joe Biden laments that he couldn’t afford child care with meager salary of $42K in 1973. That’s $250

Joe Biden laments that he couldn’t afford child care with meager salary of $42K in 1973. That’s $250K in today's dollars.

Joe Biden laments that he couldn ’ t afford child care with meager salary of $ 42K in 1973 .
@ @ @ @ @ in today 's dollars .
Child care must have been REALLY expensive

During the Democratic presidential primary debate Tuesday night, former Vice President Joe Biden said he could not afford child care during his early Senate days while he living on a salary of $42,000 a year — a salary that in today's dollars equals over a quarter of a million.
"I was a single parent, too," Biden said after being asked about universal infant care. "When my wife and daughter were killed, my two boys I had to raise. I was a senator, a young senator, I just hadn't been sworn in yet. And I was making $42,000 a year."
"I commuted every single solitary day to Wilmington, Delaware, over 500 miles a day — excuse me, 250 miles a day, because I could not afford, but for my family, child care. It was beyond my reach to be able to do it," the Democratic front-runner continued.
Biden was sworn in as a freshman senator in 1973 and at that time the yearly pay for senators was, in fact, $42,500 a year — no doubt a salary that would squeeze most families in 2020. The problem is, when you plug Biden's salary into the Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation calculator, it turns out he was raking in the equivalent of $256,370.77 a year.
It's difficult to believe that a salary north of a quarter million wouldn't afford halfway decent child care.
Although, with the new figure in mind, it easier to see how Biden could have feasibly afforded a 250-mile daily commute.
Joe Biden Talks About Child Care youtu.be
In their coverage of the news, the Washington Free Beacon noted that Biden had even argued in a 1981 op-ed for a local Delaware newspaper that families in his income bracket ought not to need federal government assistance for child care.
"What I do not accept as legitimate is a social policy that encourages a couple making $30,000, $40,000, $50,000 or more a year to evade full responsibility for their children by granting them a tax credit for day-care expenses," Biden wrote at the time.
(H/T: The Washington Free Beacon)


theblaze--2020-01-15--Virginia bill would ban large, indoor shooting ranges like the one at NRA headquarters

Virginia bill would ban large , indoor shooting ranges like the one at NRA headquarters Justin Li , Nick di @ @ @ @ @ target practice on the 100 yards range at the Elite Shooting Sports in Manassas , @ @ @ @ @ Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images )

A proposed gun control bill in Virginia would place significant limits on the ability for indoor shooting ranges to operate within the state, including the range located at the National Rifle Association's headquarters in Fairfax, according to the Prince William Times.
Democratic state Del. Dan Helmer, elected in 2019, introduced House Bill 567 earlier this month. The bill seeks to place restrictions on indoor shooting ranges with 50 or more employees.
What would the bill do?
Under the bill, indoor shooting ranges would be illegal unless they are in buildings either owned or leased by the state or federal government, have fewer than 50 employees, or unless at least 90% of the users of the ranges are law enforcement officers. The ranges would be required to log each user's name, phone number, address, and law enforcement agency.
What's the point?
Helmer, a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, said his experience with firearms on those deployments has motivated him to "deliver commonsense measures for our community."
"This bill would make sure that we don't have people bringing large quantities of firearms and ammunition into office buildings," Noah Bardash, an aide to Helmer, said. "This bill would likely impact the NRA's indoor range."
How are gun owners and advocates responding?
NRA spokesperson Catherine Mortensen said the bill would "destroy small businesses in Virginia without reducing crime," as well as limit the ability for people to receive training for home and self-defense.
One resident of Lynchburg told WSET that he and others would be willing to go to the extreme to protect their Second Amendment rights.
"If it comes to it, I mean, we'll die for this right, it'll be something people go to war over," the resident said. "Taking this establishment here and now making it illegal for these guys here to own and operate seems crazy to me."


theblaze--2020-01-15--Study: American women think bearded men are sexier, more dominant

Study : American women think bearded men are sexier , more dominant

A new study carried out by the University of Queensland in Australia found that the majority of women surveyed prefer men with beards.
What are the details?
According to the Daily Star, the study, which was conducted on nearly 1,000 American women, determined that women preferred men with beards because it made the males appear more physically and socially dominant.
Women who prefer a clean shave were found to be opposed to parasites like lice and ticks.
The survey asked women between the ages of 18 and 70 about their feelings on facial hair and masculinity. Researchers showed the women photographs of three separate men with varying degrees of facial hair ranging from clean shaven to a full beard. The women were encouraged to rate the mens' attractiveness on a scale from 0 to 100. Participants were also asked to rate the men based on their propensity to engage in either short- or long-term relationships based on their level of attraction.
The Star reports that "in almost all scenarios, the more facially masculine photos were rated as more attractive."
What else?
University of Queensland Ph.D. student Tessa Clarkson suggested there were a variety of reasons for such an outcome.
Clarkson said that masculine faces signify physical strength and social dominance, and that facial hair only emphasizes such traits.
So wait, where do the bugs come in?
Throughout the study, researchers also showed participants photos of parasites and asked the women to rate their aversion to the pests.
The outlet reported that "women who showed fear over hair or skin-based parasites did not like those men with beards," and suggested that the women correlated beards with poor grooming.
Dr. Barbaby Dixson, senior author of the study, determined that facial hair was at the center of a women's physical inspection of a partner-suitable male, which impacted their ultimate decision to engage with a male on a short-term or long-term basis.
"We found women's disgust towards ectoparasites — such as fleas that live on the skin — negatively affects preferences for men with beards," Dixson said. "This could be due to the increased cultural trends for men and women to remove hair in more regions of the body including their faces, chests, arms, legs and pubic region."
"This is the first study to provide evidence to support the ectoparasite avoidance hypothesis which argues that hairlessness evolved partly in response to parasite abundance to reduce the likelihood of hosting disease carrying parasites," Dixson added.


theblaze--2020-01-16--Minnesota 'teacher of the year' decided to kneel in protest at LSU Clemson game when she found out T

Minnesota 'teacher of the year' decided to kneel in protest at LSU Clemson game when she found out Trump was attending

Minnesota 'teacher of the year ' decided to kneel in protest at LSU Clemson game when she found out Trump @ @ @ @ @ not the first time she protested against Trump

Minnesota teacher of the year Kelly Holstine said that she decided to kneel during the national anthem at the college football national championship game when she heard that President Donald Trump was going to be on the field with her.
Holstine tweeted a photograph of her kneeling protest on her social media account.
"Given platform to stand up for marginalized and oppressed people. Like many before, I respectfully kneeled during Nat'l Anthem because, "No one is free until we are all free," she tweeted.
She can be seen kneeling on the field of the Mercedez-Benz Superdome in New Orleans while other "teacher of the year" recipients stand during the national anthem.
"Not everybody is given the opportunity to have a voice, and I can take a small moment, a respectful moment of protest, and exercise my First Amendment rights, and stand up for my students and for vulnerable adults and for people who are not treated in the way that they should be," she said.
Holstine had protested against Trump before when she was invited alongside other teachers to the White House. She refused and instead spoke to the media about her objections to Trump's policies.
In one video with "Now This," she said the father of one of her students were deported by ICE for a crime they didn't commit.
Holstine indicated in her social media profile that her preferred pronouns are she/her.
Here's a video of Holstine:


theblaze--2020-01-16--Rep. Jerry Nadler says Dems 'prepared' for Hunter Biden to be called as impeachment witness but he h

Rep. Jerry Nadler says Dems 'prepared' for Hunter Biden to be called as impeachment witness but he hopes it doesn't happen

Rep. Jerry Nadler says Dems 'prepared ' for Hunter Biden to be called as impeachment witness but he hopes it @ @ @ @ @ from New York acknowledged 'it 's up to the Senate '

New York congressman and newly-named House impeachment manager Rep. Jerry Nadler (D) said during a press conference Wednesday that he and his fellow Democrats are "prepared" for Hunter Biden to be called to testify before the Senate in the impeachment trial against President Donald Trump, and admitted in a later interview that the decision is "up to the Senate" and he hopes it doesn't happen.
What are the details?
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was asked Wednesday morning about the prospect of Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden's son being called to testify about his dealings with Ukraine, a topic at the heart of the impeachment proceedings. According to the Daily Mail, Pelosi "scooted away from the podium" to allow Nadler to answer the question.
"We are prepared," Nadler said. "In any trial, you call witnesses who have information about the allegations, about the charges."
He continued, "Any witness who has information about whether that is true or not true is a relevant witness. Anybody—like Hunter Biden—who has no information about any of that, is not a relevant witness."
Nadler added, "Any trial judge in this country would rule such a witness as irrelevant and inadmissible." The outlet asserted that "comment could mean Democrats will ask Chief Justice John Roberts to rule out the younger Biden as a witness."
But speaking with MSNBC's "The Beat" later that day, Nadler admitted the decision is "up to the Senate," and said the upper chamber has the power to call Hunter Biden as a witness even if Roberts were to determine Biden's testimony would be impertinent.
"The Senate can overrule the ruling of the Chief Justice by majority vote, and that's what, in effect, they're threatening to do," Nadler told MSNBC. "Here, the Senate makes the ruling," the congressman said, adding, "We hope it will be a fair ruling, and that's why I say the Senate's on trial."
"I would certainly hope the Senate would not try to bring in irrelevant witnesses," Nadler reiterated, referring to his earlier statement regarding Hunter Biden.
Anything else?
Earlier this week, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) threatened to force votes "to call Hunter Biden and many more" witnesses requested by President Trump in the Senate in the name of having a fair trial, after the House passed two articles of impeachment with only Democrats voting affirmatively.


theblaze--2020-01-16--Houston parents outraged over high school teacher assigning homework with a question about rape

Houston parents outraged over high school teacher assigning homework with a question about rape The district said they had taken @ @ @ @ @

Parents of students at a high school near Houston, Texas, were outraged and confused over a homework assignment which included a question about rape.
The question was a part of a biology DNA assignment at Klein Collins High School.
"Suzy was assaulted in an alley and is a victim of rape. The police collected a sample of sperm that was left at the crime scene and now have three suspects in custody. Which of the suspects raped Suzy?" the question read.
Cookie VonHaven has a daughter in the 10th grade and she told KPRC-2 she couldn't understand how a teacher put a rape question on homework.
"It's upsetting and I know girls this age, just the thought," said VonHaven, "they know that rape is forced non-consensual sex and that upsets them. That's why I can't fathom a teacher putting that on a test."
Another student's parent questioned if the homework had been approved by the district or if the teacher composed it without oversight.
The district said in a statement that "corrective" action had been taken but they did not detail what that action was.
"The assignment is not part of the District's approved curriculum and is by no means representative of the District's instructional philosophy," the district statement read. "The District has investigated the source of the materials and appropriate corrective action has been taken."
The district estimates that the homework went home with about 90 students.
Here's a local news report about the rape question:


theblaze--2020-01-16--GOP senator says Dems running for president must recuse themselves from impeachment trial

GOP senator says Dems running for president must recuse themselves from impeachment trial 'Their presidential ambitions prohibit their ability to @ @ @ @ @ objective lens . '

Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn (Tenn.) says her Democratic colleagues running for the White House in 2020 must recuse themselves from the impeachment process against President Donald Trump, saying "their presidential ambitions prohibit their ability to view this trial through an objective lens."
What are the details?
"Tomorrow, one hundred United States Senators will be sworn in to serve in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump," Blackburn wrote in a statement on Wednesday. "Four of those Senators must recuse themselves for their unparalleled political interest in seeing this President removed from office."
Sen. Blackburn went on to say that Sens. Michael Bennett (D-Colo.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), "cannot sit in judgment of the very President they seek to replace."
"To participate in this trial would be a failure of the oath they took to be an 'impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws,'" Blackburn continued. "Their presidential ambitions prohibit their ability to view this trial through an objective lens."
According to the press release from Blackburn's office, "in Andrew Johnson's impeachment trial, an objection was lodged against an Ohio senator who was next in line to become President, if Johnson were removed."
Blackburn added via Twitter that the four Democratic senators who remain in the 2020 presidential race "are spending millions of dollars to defeat @realDonald Trump, and we're supposed to believe they will be impartial during the trial?"
Anything else?
The Hill reported that "the call for presidential contenders to recuse themselves from the trial comes after some Democrats have called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to do the same after he pledged to be in 'total coordination' with the White House and that he would not be an 'impartial juror.'"
In response accusations that he would not be impartial, Sen. McConnell told Fox News last month, "Do you think Chuck Schumer is impartial? Do you think Elizabeth Warren is impartial? Bernie Sanders is impartial? So let's quit the charade. This is a political exercise."


theblaze--2020-01-16--Heated interaction between Sanders and Warren after the debate goes viral — and the audio was just r

Heated interaction between Sanders and Warren after the debate goes viral — and the audio was just released '' You @ @ @ @ @ do it right now ... ''

A heated interaction between candidates at the Democratic debate on Tuesday went viral on social media, but it took until Wednesday evening for audio to illuminate what was said.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) was seen refusing to shake the hand of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) after the debate. Viewers on social media speculated on what appeared to be a heated disagreement between them.
On Wednesday, CNN reported that they had found backup audio of what was said during the interaction.
"I think you called me a liar on national TV," Warren said to Sanders.
"What?" Sanders replied.
"I think you called me a liar on national TV," she repeated.
"You know, let's not do it right now. If you want to have that discussion, we'll have that discussion," Sanders offered.
"Anytime," Warren responded.
"You called me a liar," Sanders fired back. "You told me — all right, let's not do it now."
The disagreement grew out of a report from CNN that four sources claimed Sanders had told Warren that he believed a woman couldn't win the presidential election. Sanders immediately denied the claims in a firm statement, but Warren later confirmed the report.
They briefly discussed the disagreement during the debate, which angered Sanders supporters on social media. After the debate, it flared up again in the heated altercation.
Here's the video of the interaction:


theblaze--2020-01-16--Sen. Kamala Harris calls for halt on President Trump's judicial nominations during impeachment

Sen. Kamala Harris calls for halt on President Trump 's judicial nominations during impeachment President Trump has already appointed more @ @ @ @ @ than anyone since 1980

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) on Wednesday called for the Senate Judiciary Committee to stop the consideration of President Donald Trump's judicial nominees, arguing that the upper chamber made the same move during the impeachment of former President Bill Clinton.
What are the details?
"Today, the United States Senate will receive articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump and begin to determine whether the president's actions warrant his removal from office," Harris said in a statement.
"The president is charged with high crimes and misdemeanors, and the Senate must take seriously its constitutional role in this process. During the time when articles of impeachment are before the Senate, it would be wholly inappropriate to advance the president's nominees to the federal judiciary."
According to a press release from the senator's office, "From the time the Clinton impeachment articles were delivered to the Senate in 1999 to the date of the Senate's verdict, the Senate Judiciary Committee did not hold any nominations, hearings, or advance any nominations to a confirmation vote."
The Hill reported that "while Senate committees cannot hold votes during impeachment trials, they are free to hold hearings." The outlet reached out to Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham's (R-S.C.) office for comment. The committee has a markup scheduled for Thursday.
Anything else?
Harris' request comes the same day President Trump celebrated being "in major record territory" for the number of judges he has successfully placed on the bench.
The president retweeted a message from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) who declared, "In the last 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."


theblaze--2020-01-16--Nancy Pelosi slammed for handing out pens as souvenirs during impeachment signing ceremony

Nancy Pelosi slammed for handing out pens as souvenirs during impeachment signing ceremony 'They claim it 's a somber , @ @ @ @ @ over ... and then they pass out impeachment-signing pens with special cases . '

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi took heavy criticism across the political spectrum after signing the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump on Wednesday, for using the ceremony to hand out pens to fellow Democrats as mementos of the occasion.
What are the details?
The signing ceremony was covered live by CNN, and social media quickly lit up with pundits slamming the optics of Pelosi smiling while divvying out the pens to impeachment managers and others while appearing to celebrate after months of referring to impeachment as a "sad" and "somber" effort on the part of Democrats.
Self-proclaimed never-Trumper Tom Nichols tweeted that "Pelosi has handled the optics of impeachment well, right until that signing ceremony, which was awkward. Handing out pens should have been done in private. This was not some celebratory moment."
GOP National Spokesperson Elizabeth Harrington posted a video of Pelosi's pen distribution, saying, "You know what you hand out pens for? Accomplishments." After noting President Trump's signing of a trade deal with China, Harrington added, "So it's fitting that Democrats are handing out pens for their sole accomplishment: impeachment."
House Republicans also weighed in, with Rep. Mark Meadows (N.C.) tweeting, "They claim it's a somber, serious occasion they're heartbroken over...and then they pass out impeachment-signing pens with special cases. Folks. You can't make it up."
"Just walked through aftermath of this 'signing ceremony,'" Rep. Liz Cheney (Wyo.) wrote. "Dems were giddy with excitement in Capitol hallway, asking, 'Did you get your pen?' The American people will hold House Dems accountable for making a mockery of their duty to the Constitution."
Even left-leaning CNN's pundits commented that handing out the pens was a bad look.
Mediaite reported that CNN's Dana Bash said after the ceremony, "We are used to seeing signing ceremonies, handing out pens at moments of celebration, when a president is signing legislation, when even sometimes...when the House sends over a piece of legislation. It was unusual to see that kind of ceremony and handing out the pens and smiling for a picture in this kind of situation where the House Speaker has bent over backwards to say publicly and privately this is somber, this is not a time for celebration."
CNN's Nia-Malika Henderson agreed, saying, "You heard Nancy Pelosi say that this is a sad and tragic day, and then there she is holding up the pen and having photographs taken with those pens, so it is a little off-message for somebody who has tried to set a very serious tone and there she is posing for the photographs with the pen."


theblaze--2020-01-15--Mark Levin: Bernie's plans 'tear at the very fabric of our society'

Mark Levin : Bernie 's plans 'tear at the very fabric of our society '

On Tuesday's episode of LevinTV, Mark Levin dissected what socialists mean when they use the word "transformation." Then, Levin explains the constitutional ramifications of a Democratic Party that is obsessed with the impeachment of President Donald Trump.
Bernie's plans "tear at the very fabric of our society,' Levin said.
Watch the video below for more details.
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theblaze--2020-01-17--Middle school takes issue with student's 'Virginity Rocks' shirt, orders him to remove it or face co

Middle school takes issue with student's 'Virginity Rocks' shirt, orders him to remove it or face consequences

Middle school takes issue with student 's 'Virginity Rocks ' shirt , orders him to remove it or face consequences @ @ @ @ @ prohibits student attire that advocates immoral , illegal , sexual , or violent behavior

Who knew the concept of virginity could raise such a ruckus at a middle school?
Well, apparently that's what happened at a Missouri school Monday when 13-year-old Londyn Piglowski showed up to class sporting a "Virginity Rocks" hoodie, KMOV-TV reported.
The station said Londyn's social studies teacher pulled him out of class and took him him to the principal's office where he was told to remove the hoodie — deemed "a little bit borderline for the school" — flip it inside out, or officials would "take action."
"I didn't think this was bad," Londyn said of his hoodie, adding to KMOV that "whenever they told me to take it off, I was like, 'Why am I taking this off"? 'Cuz it's like a positive message."
Image source: KMOV-TV video screenshot
Londyn agreed to take off his "Virginity Rocks" hoodie, the station said, adding that his mother said the district later threatened to suspend him if he wore it again — which the district denied.
What did Londyn's dad have to say?
"I think this is absurd, I really do," Todd Piglowski, Londyn's father, told KMOV of what happened to his son.
"They teach sex ed," he added to the station. "How can you teach it but then say, 'Hey, let's not have it on a sweatshirt'?"
Todd Piglowski Image source: KMOV-TV video screenshot
KMOV said the district's dress code prohibits students from wearing clothing with statements advocating immoral, illegal, sexual, or violent behavior — or that expose the back, the stomach, and the buttocks.
Which Londyn's friend Davis — who bought Londyn the hoodie for his birthday — said happens all the time, the station said.
"Girls always wear ... shorts where you can, like, see their butt[s]" as well as shirts exposing their stomachs, Davis told KMOV as he sported a different "Virginity Rocks" hoodie. "The teachers don't yell at them for that. So why can't we wear these?"
Image source: KMOV-TV video screenshot
Londyn added to the station that Davis hadn't gotten in trouble for wearing his "Virginity Rocks" clothing.
Where did they get the idea?
He and Davis got the idea of wearing "Virginity Rocks" attire from Danny Duncan, a popular YouTuber they who sells the apparel online — and that the clothing has been a hit with their schoolmates.
Image source: KMOV-TV video screenshot
"They like it," Londyn told KMOV of the students' reactions to the clothing before Davis chimed in that "kids were asking me if I can buy them one."
But apparently the "Virginity Rocks" clothing isn't a fave with officials at other schools. The station noted that students from around the country have been posted messages saying they also have been told by their schools that "Virginity Rocks" attire is verboten.
What did the school district have to say?
The Wentzville School District sent KMOV the following statement:
The District's policy regarding student dress provides opportunities for our administrators to address student attire that is potentially disruptive to the educational environment. We routinely have conversations with students around attire that may be inappropriate and by and large, our students and families work with our staff to address any concerns.


theblaze--2020-01-17--'Deeply troubling': TSA says it caught more firearms than ever in 2019

'Deeply troubling' : TSA says it caught more firearms than ever in 2019 'There is a proper way to travel @ @ @ @ @

The TSA is intercepting an increasing number of firearms from people at airports every year in a trend that the agency's chief calls "deeply troubling."
In a statement issued Wednesday, the Transportation Security Administration announced that its officers had caught more guns at checkpoints during 2019 than it had during any other year since its creation in 2001. In total, the agency says that it intercepted a total of 4,432 firearms last year, at a rate of about 12.1 per day.
Those guns were either discovered on passengers at checkpoints or in their carry-on bags, the release explains, and 87% of those guns were loaded. While firearms were discovered at 278 airports across the country, it says, the top five airports for detected firearms were Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, Dallas/Fort Worth International, Denver International, George Bush Intercontinental, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International.
The 2019 total shows a roughly 5% increase over 2018's total of 4,239, but the increase has been going on for a while. TSA figures going back over the past decade show a steady increase in airport firearm discoveries, with only 976 occurring in 2009.
TSA Administrator David Pekoske said in a statement that the "continued increase in the number of firearms that travelers bring to airport checkpoints is deeply troubling."
He added, "There is a proper way to travel safely with a firearm. First and foremost, it should be unloaded. Then it should be packed in a hard-sided locked case, taken to the airline check-in counter to be declared, and checked."
Even if someone has a concealed carry permit, they still can't carry their gun on a plane, the release warns.
Failure to comply with the rules in this matter can in fact be quite costly, too. Civil penalties for trying to carry a loaded firearm through a TSA checkpoint can range from $4,100 to $10,250, and that's in addition to the possibility of criminal enforcement.
In order to keep people from dealing with the consequences of getting caught at a checkpoint with a firearm, TSA's website provides a rundown of the guidelines for people to follow when traveling with guns, gun parts, and ammunition.


theblaze--2020-01-17--Deaf man sues Pornhub — because the site reportedly doesn't include closed captioning

TMZ reported Thursday that a deaf man named Yaroslav Suris is suing popular adult pornography site Pornhub because it does n't include closed captioning for hearing impaired .
The destination entertainment site broke the news on Thursday .
What are the details ?
Suris reportedly filed a class-action suit against the pornography site because he feels it discriminates against the hearing impaired .
He is suing to get the company to be more `` inclusive '' by adding captions for the hearing impaired as well as damages In the suit , Suris says that a `` lack of closed captioning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disabilities Act . ''
Suris argues that the hearing impaired ca n't fully enjoy the experience if they ca n't hear the audio on the porn portal .
According to TMZ , some of the titles Suris said he wanted to view — which reportedly did n't have subtitle availability — included `` Hot Step Aunt Babysits Disobedient Nephew , '' `` Sexy Cop Gets Witness to Talk , '' and `` Daddy 4K — Allison Comes to Talk About Money to Her Boys ' Naughty Father . ''
Suris says that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay for a premium subscription , and insists that one of the subscriptions perks should include closed captioning .
Did the company say anything ?
`` We understand that Yaroslav Suris is suing Pornhub for claiming we 've denied the deaf and hearing impaired access to our videos , '' Price said in a statement .
`` While we do not generally comment on active lawsuits , we 'd like to take this opportunity to point out that we do have a closed captions category . ''

TMZ reported Thursday that a deaf man named Yaroslav Suris is suing popular adult pornography site Pornhub because it doesn't include closed captioning for the hearing impaired.
The destination entertainment site broke the news on Thursday.
What are the details?
Suris reportedly filed a class-action suit against the pornography site because he feels it discriminates against the hearing impaired. He is suing to get the company to be more "inclusive" by adding captions for the hearing impaired as well as damages.
In the suit, Suris says that a "lack of closed captioning violates ... rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act."
Suris argues that the hearing impaired can't fully enjoy the experience if they can't hear the audio on the porn portal.
According to TMZ, some of the titles Suris said he wanted to view — which reportedly didn't have subtitle availability — included "Hot Step Aunt Babysits Disobedient Nephew," "Sexy Cop Gets Witness to Talk," and "Daddy 4K — Allison Comes to Talk About Money to Her Boys' Naughty Father."
Suris says that he's even gone as far as to pay for a premium subscription, and insists that one of the subscriptions perks should include closed captioning.
Did the company say anything?
Corey Price, Pornhub's vice president, confirmed the suit with TMZ.
"We understand that Yaroslav Suris is suing Pornhub for claiming we've denied the deaf and hearing impaired access to our videos," Price said in a statement. "While we do not generally comment on active lawsuits, we'd like to take this opportunity to point out that we do have a closed captions category."


theblaze--2020-01-17--Retiring finance professional has a warning for America: 'There is a day of reckoning coming'

Retiring finance professional has a warning for America : 'There is a day of reckoning coming' 'Whenever people say `` @ @ @ @ @ '' in my book that is the sign to take cover '

A good friend of mine is very financially successful and has spent decades helping others attain financial success as well. He's about to retire and live out his remaining days in seclusion on a tropical island. But before he bids adieu, I asked him to share his thoughts on where we're at economically at the end of his career so I can share them with all of you. Here they are. Think of them what you will:
After 40 years of watching the markets eight hours a day, I can honestly say that all the rules have been thrown out the window. We're now creating money through credit as far as the eye can see. So eat, drink, and be merry has dominated the zeitgeist of the current age.
You have seen the reports of billions (my count $1.3 trillion so far). The Fed is pumping into the repo markets. Repos are used for overnight liquidity so big borrowers don't have to liquidate assets to meet all the borrowers obligations. This way they can wait till the price of the asset is conducive to sell for profit.
That money is going somewhere.
So the question is where?
In my opinion the pumping has been designed to fill the gap from the billion being "created" by higher stock prices. They have to have plenty of money to keep the current expansion going. But you can't pump forever.
Ultimately, if done properly which I doubt is happening, you pay back the money when you unwind positions. THAT IS NOT HAPPENING. Repo markets are demanding more money or they will freeze, and we could have a liquidity squeeze and then the TRUTH of the real condition of companies, central banks, and governments will be realized.
That day ain't going to be pretty.
Also government deficits are rising, so I suspect if we saw the flow reports from Treasury you'd see some of it being deployed to dress up the real numbers. I believe it is far higher than the $23 trillion per year deficit.
But until then damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead, put your money in paper and trust the market. And remember, they are the government, and they're here to help. Yeah right.
So I have become a cynic. I have my money in debt free real estate, gold, collectible coins and holding my breath. For one thing I know for sure ... there is a day of reckoning coming. When? Who knows. How bad? At least a replay of 2008, maybe worse.
One thing for sure ... the elite will make another fortune, the poor will not feel it, and the middle class, hardworking, play-by-the-rules Americans will get pounded. Whenever people say "it's different this time" in my book that is the sign to take cover.
Because as you know history doesn't always repeat itself, but it ALWAYS rhymes.


theblaze--2020-01-17--Mika Brzezinski excoriates Liz Warren, accuses her of lying in feud with Bernie Sanders

Mika Brzezinski excoriates Liz Warren , accuses her of lying in feud with Bernie Sanders '' ... that makes her @ @ @ @ @ ... ''

Mika Brzezinski of MSNBC's "Morning Joe" backed Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in the progressive feud with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) over a report that he said a woman couldn't be elected president.
"There is also private conversations as to whether or not America is ready to have a woman president, and someone can say, 'I think maybe not,' and should not be criticized for it," Brzezinski explained.
"I don't know what happened there, but somebody's not telling the truth, and I have a bad feeling it might be the accuser," Brzezinski said, referring to Warren.
A truce between the two progressive senators broke out in a contentious feud after a CNN report claiming Sanders told Warren the controversial comments in a private meeting in December 2017. He vehemently denied the report.
Immediately after Tuesday's Democratic debate, Warren accosted Sanders for accusing her of lying and he told her they'd discuss it later. The interaction was captured on video and on Thursday CNN released audio of the heated exchange.
Brzezinski said Thursday that she believed Warren was falsely accusing Sanders.
"She would not shake his hand after they fought about something she decided to thrust into this election weeks before Iowa that makes her look brittle and completely weak after she's had a robust campaign where she looked like a happy warrior who really had this all in control, and then this happens," Brzezinski said.
Here's video of the altercation:
www.youtube.com
[H/T: Washington Examiner]


theblaze--2020-01-17--Watch: North Carolina sheriff's deputy delivers powerful speech in defense of Second Amendment

Watch : North Carolina sheriff 's deputy delivers powerful speech in defense of Second Amendment His county 's Board of @ @ @ @ @ a Second Amendment sanctuary

A sheriff's deputy in Davidson County, North Carolina, delivered a powerful speech in defense of the Second Amendment Tuesday, before the county's Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to declare the county a Second Amendment sanctuary as the country watches Virginia's Democrat-controlled legislature's plans to impose a series of gun control measures.
What are the details?
The Winston-Salem Journal reported that 20 people spoke before commissioners and a "standing-room-only crowd of more than 150." Each person who made a statement was in favor of the proposed resolution to make Davidson County a Second Amendment sanctuary.
According to the newspaper, "perhaps the biggest cheers of the night came for Davidson County Sheriff's Deputy Tripp Kester, who spoke while wearing his sheriff's office uniform."
"I just want to personally and publicly go on record supporting this resolution before us, this evening," Deputy Kester began, saying,"it's simple," before making his case.
"The Constitution needs no explanation. It's been enforced for several hundred years now. It's easy to understand. It says what it means, and means what it says. And the last time I read the Declaration of Independence, it specifically reminds all of us that we're endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights, which means God-given."
"Among these, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," Kester continued. "And that governments are instituted among men specifically to secure our God-given rights. And it says when government becomes destructive to these ends — meaning that they go above and beyond trying to secure our liberties and trying to take them — it's the right of the people to alter or abolish that government, either by voting or ultimately, God forbid, to use our Second Amendment rights to protect ourselves from tyranny."
Deputy Kester then called for the Board of Commissioners to join the counties of Cherokee, Lincoln, Rowan, Stokes, Surry, and Wilkes in becoming Second Amendment sanctuaries.
"Publicly demonstrate to us that you're willing to uphold and honor the same oath I took when I put my hand on God's Word and held my other hand up to Him and swore that I'd give my life to defend that Constitution," Kester told the commission, adding that he was "not trying to be disrespectful, but regardless of what you all do or don't do, I'm not going to enforce an unconstitutional law."
The room erupted with applause at that point, and the deputy received a standing ovation.
Correction: The original version of this story referred to Deputy Kester as a Virginian.


theblaze--2020-01-17--Video of 3-year-old boy blessing food at preschool goes viral

Video of 3-year-old boy blessing food at preschool goes viral 'You 're about to have a blessed day because of @ @ @ @

A video of a toddler leading grace before a meal at his preschool has gone viral for all the right reasons.
What are the details?
The three-year-old St. Louis child's mother posted a clip of her son's prayer at Transformation Christian School on Facebook last week, and as of this writing it has amassed more than 57,000 reactions, surpassed 2.8 million views, and was even shared by The Oprah Magazine with the caption, "You're about to have a blessed day because of this little guy."
After watching it, you will understand why.


theblaze--2020-01-17--Houston neighborhood terrorized by squirrel, two moms bitten, others scared of leaving their homes

Houston neighborhood terrorized by squirrel , two moms bitten , others scared of leaving their homes Texas officials are no @ @ @ @ @

A neighborhood in Houston, Texas, is being terrorized by a vicious squirrel, and some residents say they won't go out during the day to avoid the animal.
"We usually don't go outside during the daytime because he comes out in the daytime," said Sharlene French-Amezquita.
Residents told KPRC-TV that the squirrel used to be playful and well mannered but it has turned on them and bitten two people.
French-Amezquita said that she was one of the squirrel's victims after she tried to shoo it away from chewing on her front door.
"When I stepped outside the door he leaped on me and bit my arm, I pulled him off, threw him to the ground, and tried to get in the house," she said.
"I couldn't get in the house because he came back, he bit this leg," she added, showing the news crew her battle wounds.
Some residents only leave their homes armed with bats or shovels.
Katie Herrera says she was also a victim.
"It's scary," Herrera said. "I'm just very grateful that it actually attacked me and not my children."
Residents of the neighborhood have contacted Texas wildlife officials, but they have been told that nothing can be done until the crazed animal is trapped.
Here's a local news video about the attack squirrel:


theblaze--2020-01-17--'Quiet!' — President Trump shuts down Jim Acosta in testy exchange over Lev Parnas

'Quiet ! '
— President Trump shuts down Jim Acosta in testy exchange over Lev Parnas '' You see I @ @ @ @ @ help ... ''

CNN's Jim Acosta got shut down by President Donald Trump during a media briefing where the reporter pressed the president on a statement from a Ukrainian associate of Rudy Giuliani.
Acosta took to Twitter to object about his treatment.
"Just asked Trump about Parnas claim that admin efforts in Ukraine were "all about 2020." Trump insisted he's only posed for photos with Parnas," Acosta said.
"Kept repeating that defense. Eventually told me to be 'quiet,'" he added.
Parnas claimed in an MSNBC interview that Giuliani acted as a personal lawyer to Trump when he went to Ukraine in order to gather evidence against Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden. He said that the president was aware of the mission and that U.S. Attorney General William Barr was also on the "team."
Video from CNN shows the entire interaction, in which the president continuously denies knowing anything about Parnas, and denying he ever talked to him.
"What is your response to Lev Parnas who says that your efforts in Ukraine were all about 2020, that you just wanted Joe Biden out. What's your response?" asked Acosta.
"I don't know him at all, don't know what he's about," the president responded. "Don't know where he comes from, know nothing about him."
Acosta attempted to interrupt the president several times as he continued to talk over him and deny the claims from Parnas.
"I don't know him, I've never had a conversation that I remember with him, and you certainly, let me tell you, you just have to take a look at the polls," Trump said.
"Quiet," he said forcefully.
"You just have to take a look at the pictures, you just have to take a look at the polls, you see I don't need anybody's help," Trump continued. "We're doing phenomenally well."
Here's the entire exchange from CNN:


theblaze--2020-01-17--'White power' symbol or circle game? Fire department investigating after pic shows recruits flashing

'White power' symbol or circle game? Fire department investigating after pic shows recruits flashing 'OK' sign

'White power ' symbol or circle game ?
Fire department investigating after pic shows recruits flashing 'OK ' sign

The District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department has launched an investigation after being made aware of a photograph circulating online showing recruits flashing the "OK" sign, which is often used as part of a harmless joke called the "circle game."
In recent years, however, the OK sign has also been associated with white supremacy, hence the reason for the investigation.
What are the details?
WUSA-TV in Washington, D.C. reported Wednesday that the department was made aware of the photo that day, and officials said they believe the picture was taken in March of last year.
D.C. Fire and EMS chief communications officer Doug Buchanan told the outlet, "The department has immediately initiated an interview review of the photograph, which may include interviews with everyone pictured in the photograph."
www.youtube.com
The station also shared a message from a viewer who said of the image, "As a district citizen, I don't feel comfortable with DC fire recruits taking pictures while showing the white power symbol. They all just saw the fall back from the Navy midshipmen doing this online, yet they still decide to follow with the same racial antics. Whoever took this picture and posted in online, should be looked at as well."
The viewer was referring to the cadets from West Point and midshipmen from the Naval Academy who were investigated for flashing the "OK" sign on national television during the Army-Navy game last month.
A dual investigation was launched into the incident after public outcry, and officials determined the students were playing the "circle game" — an innocent game that involves flashing the OK sign upside-down and punching anyone who is tricked into looking at it. There were no racist connotations behind the hand gestures, investigators discovered.


theblaze--2020-01-17--EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with Carter Page: Smeared by the Russia hoax, betrayed by his country

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with Carter Page : Smeared by the Russia hoax , betrayed by his country

Carter Page, a former advisor to Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, found himself at the center of the Russia probe and had his reputation and career destroyed by what we now know were lies from our own intelligence system and the media.
On the TV show Thursday, Page joined Glenn Beck to speak out about how he became the subject of illegal electronic surveillance by the FBI for more than two years, and revealed the extent of the corruption that has infiltrated our legal systems and our country as a whole.
"To me, the bigger issue is how much damage this has done to our country," Page told Glenn. "I've been very patient in trying to ... find help with finding solutions and correcting this terrible thing which has happened to our country, our judicial system, DOJ, FBI -- these once-great institutions. And my bigger concern is the fact that, although we keep taking these steps forward in terms of these important findings, it really remains the tip of the iceberg."
Page was referencing the report by Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz, which revealed that the FBI made "at least 17 significant errors or omissions" in its Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) applications for warrants to spy on Page, a U.S. citizen.
"I think this needs to be attacked from all angles," Glenn said. "The one angle I'm interested in from you is, please tell me you have the biggest badass attorneys that are hungry, starving, maybe are a little low to pay their Mercedes payments right now, and are just gearing up to come after the government and the media. Are they?"
I can confirm that that is the case," Page replied.
Watch the video clip below for a preview of the full-length interview:
The full interview will air on January 30th for Blaze TV subscribers, and February 1st on YouTube and wherever you get your podcast.
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theblaze--2020-01-17--A contested Democratic convention could lead to the ONE candidate who could beat Trump, says Michael

A contested Democratic convention could lead to the ONE candidate who could beat Trump, says Michael Medved

A contested Democratic convention could lead to the ONE candidate who could beat Trump , says Michael Medved

On Wednesday's TV show, Glenn Beck sat down with radio show host, author, political commentator, and film critic, Michael Medved.
Michael had an interesting prediction for the 2020 election outcome: a brokered convention by the DNC will usher in former First Lady Michelle Obama to run against President Donald Trump.
Watch the video below to hear why he's making this surprising forecast:
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theblaze--2020-01-17--Breaking: Justice Dept. reportedly investigating Jim Comey over FBI leaks

Former FBI Director James Comey is reportedly under investigation by the Department of Justice over illegal leaks of confidential information during his tenure .
The investigation was reported by the New York Times on Thursday .
That report said investigators were probing whether Comey had anything to do with a leaked document suspected to be fabricated by the Russian government and obtained by Dutch intelligence officials .
The Dutch provided it to the FBI while Comey was director .
The documented included an email detailing an alleged interaction between Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz ( D-Fla. ) and Leonard Benardo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Open Society Foundations .
That document helped Comey make the fateful decision to announce his refusal to charge then-candidate Hillary Clinton in July 2016 .
The report from the New York Times added that the probe was `` highly unusual '' and could open the Department of Justice to accusations of political impartiality .
Former congressman Trey Gowdy criticized Comey for denying that he had leaked information during his time as FBI director .
`` The other thing that I will tell you , '' Gowdy said to Tucker Carlson in 2018 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is Jim Comey has a definition of the word 'leak ' that no on else has . ''
`` What he says is a leak is what the rest of us call a felony , '' he added .
`` Leaking is disclosing a confidential conversation which is exactly what he did . ''

Former FBI Director James Comey is reportedly under investigation by the Department of Justice over illegal leaks of confidential information during his tenure.
The investigation was reported by the New York Times on Thursday.
That report said investigators were probing whether Comey had anything to do with a leaked document suspected to be fabricated by the Russian government and obtained by Dutch intelligence officials. The Dutch provided it to the FBI while Comey was director.
The documented included an email detailing an alleged interaction between Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) and Leonard Benardo, an official of the George Soros funded Open Society Foundations.
That document helped Comey make the fateful decision to announce his refusal to charge then-candidate Hillary Clinton in July 2016.
The report from the New York Times added that the probe was "highly unusual" and could open the Department of Justice to accusations of political impartiality.
Former congressman Trey Gowdy criticized Comey for denying that he had leaked information during his time as FBI director.
"The other thing that I will tell you," Gowdy said to Tucker Carlson in 2018, "Tucker, that I learned tonight is Jim Comey has a definition of the word 'leak' that no on else has."
"What he says is a leak is what the rest of us call a felony," he added. "Leaking is disclosing a confidential conversation which is exactly what he did."
Here's a news video of previous claims against Comey:


theblaze--2020-01-16--US to resume flight training for Saudi students after suspending program following terrorist attack

US to resume flight training for Saudi students after suspending program following terrorist attack in Pensacola Pentagon officials are 'looking @ @ @ @ @ on in the coming days . '

The U.S. military plans to resume flight and field training for Saudi Arabian students "in the coming days," after placing the program on hold following the terrorist attack carried out by a Saudi national who murdered three American service members and injured eight others at a Pensacola air base last month.
What are the details?
During a press conference Thursday, chief Defense Department spokesman Jonathan Hoffman told reporters to expect an announcement on the program soon, saying, "We're looking forward to turning it back on in the coming days," according to the Associated Press.
The flight and field training for more than 800 Saudi Arabian students was suspended after an enrollee — a member of the Saudi Arabian Air Force — killed U.S. sailors Cameron Scott Walters, Mohammed Haitham, and Joshua Kaleb Watson in a Dec. 6 attack at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola. Classroom training has been ongoing.
Earlier this week, Attorney General Bob Barr announced that after investigating the Pensacola shooting, officials confirmed that the attack was an "act of terror." The assailant, who was killed while exchanging gunfire with first responders on the scene, was found to have posted "anti-American, anti-Israeli, and jihadi messages on social media" hours before the attack.
Another 21 Saudi nations in the program were set for expulsion after investigators found materials such as jihadi messages and child pornography on their devices.
Anything else?
Attorney General Barr has also pleaded for Apple to assist the FBI in unlocking the murderer's two iPhones, which were damaged during the attack but have been restored.
The Daily Mail reported that Apple issued a statement saying it was cooperating with the FBI, saying, "We have the greatest respect for law enforcement and have always worked cooperatively to help in their investigations. When the FBI requested information from us relating to this case a month ago we gave them all of the data in our possession and we will continue to support them with the data we have available."


theblaze--2020-01-16--Stu Burguiere shares his true feelings about working with Glenn Beck

On Wednesday's episode of "The Chad Prather Show," Stu Burguiere joins the Chad Prather and the Studio 22 crew to talk about his new show, "Stu Does America," his odd fascination with President Trump, and his true feelings about working with Glenn Beck.
Watch the video below for more details.
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theblaze--2020-01-16--WATCH: Race may be the elephant on the 2020 Democratic debate stage

WATCH : Race may be the elephant on the 2020 Democratic debate stage

On Wednesday's episode of "The White House Brief," Jon Miller discussed how — for a party that seemed set on making sure white people don't have a voice — the Democrats sure had a lot of white people seeking the party's nomination for president, including Joe Biden, who claimed he is the best candidate to represent black people.
Also, Stu Burguiere joined the show to discuss the feuding between Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren and to talk about his new show, "Stu Does America," coming soon to BlazeTV.
Then congressional correspondent Nate Madden provided an update on the national debt crisis.
Watch the video below for more details.
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theblaze--2020-01-16--Concealed carrier spots pair trying to steal his car at gas station. So he empties 'entire magazine,

Concealed carrier spots pair trying to steal his car at gas station. So he empties 'entire magazine,' shoots out three tires — and they still drive off.

Concealed carrier spots pair trying to steal his car at gas station .
So he empties 'entire magazine , ' @ @ @ @ @ and they still drive off .
But they do n't get very far

After a man spotted two individuals jump into his car at a North Carolina gas station Thursday morning, he put his concealed carry license to use, WJZY-TV reported.
What happened next?
The owner of the car — who's in his 20s — told the station that he "unloaded" his gun's "entire magazine" at his car — "aiming at the tires."
Not that it convinced the culprits to give up right then and there, apparently. In fact, they reportedly showed a weapon as they drove off from the Circle K in Charlotte — on at least three flat tires, WJZY said.
The concealed carrier told the station it was surreal to fire shots at his own car.
What happened to the suspects?
With apparently only a single serviceable tire at their disposal, the suspects didn't get too far.
WJZY said a police helicopter was flying in the area and located the abandoned car nearby — and sources told the station that not two, but four suspects were taken into custody in connection with the incident.


theblaze--2020-01-16--Women have always liked masculine men, so why is it news?

Women have always liked masculine men , so why is it news ?
A recent study found American women prefer @ @ @ @ @ the 'what do women like in men ' was a puzzle in need of solving

Men and women have co-existed for thousands of years, managing to stay together through centuries of nagging and refusing to ask for directions. Though much has changed, a few things have, and will, remain constant — despite the best efforts of social engineers who find the rules unfair. Specifically, the rules of attraction: What men like about women and what women like about men. Despite the rules never changing, it's somehow newsworthy when those rules are confirmed and re-confirmed.
I'm speaking of this story The Blaze reported on Wednesday about an Australian study that concluded American women prefer men with masculine faces, that a beard often accentuates. As a lady who was conceived a female, born a girl, and lives as a woman, my initial and highly academic reaction was "duh." Though I'm not a fan of he who trims rather than shaves, I am a fan of he with chiseled features, deep voice, and ambitious drive. Ladies often describe this type of man as "tall, dark, and handsome." I thought our unrestrained girlish squeals whenever presented with such a specimen kind of gave away the secret. Alas, studies are still being conducted into what kind of men the ladies like.
Which I find puzzling at best. I actually find it stupid, but let's go with puzzling for the sake of politeness.
Maybe it's my female privilege, maybe I'm just not paying the right kind of attention, but I just can't remember the last time I read about a study that found men like pretty women with narrow waist to hip ratio, perky bosoms, and a penchant to smile. I rather thought these truths were self-evident, that all straight men were created to like women with at least a few feminine traits.
Why, then, must we continue to study what women like about men?
This is a rhetorical question. In the last few years there's been much ballyhooing about masculinity, especially when paired with the word "toxic." Gillette ran its condescending ad about the best a man can be. Bonobos, a men's clothing store, sat a few men in front of the camera in attempts to "evolve" what masculinity means to them. Last year, singer Pharrell Williams appeared on the cover of GQ, wearing an outfit that can best be described as "What would happen if a sleeping bag and a banana slug made a baby." The title for that specific issue was "The New Masculinity."
Guys didn't see us, but women who had the misfortune of grimacing upon that cover nearly lost our eyes, such was the severity of the optical rolling.
Who is it that is trying to tear down and remake what "masculinity" is? Let me tell you who it's not: women. Sure, sure, feminists are loud, screechy, and have us all reaching for stiff drinks, but they hardly speak for the entire gender. Women are just as hard-wired to value masculinity as men are hard-wired to value femininity. Heck, even the feminists I know, the kind who'd happily attend a Women's March, still love their men and still love them manly.
So again I ask, who is it that's trying to remake masculinity? It's not women. It might be feminists ready to burst your ear drums. But in my opinion, it's non-masculine men in cahoots with fringe feminist loons. We've seen the same kind of thing over in the Beauty Wars. It's not men's rights activists trying to change what it means to be a beautiful woman. It's more the fat-pride feminists with BMIs similar to that of humpback whales. It's simple, really. If one doesn't fit into the general rubric of what's attractive, change the rubric. Tis the way of leftism.
Let me reassure you with my credentials as a woman who isn't a fringe feminist loon, nor a noodle-limbed mama's boy subsisting on vegan meals of mostly soy. Masculinity was, is, and forever shall be treasured by women. I'll even let you in on a secret I don't think is actually a secret: Women know most men don't embody masculine perfection as displayed by on-screen superhero hunks. Most of us chicas are happy with a man who has masculine qualities, not every single one of them. Just as men aren't focused on women who are human versions of Jessica Rabbit.
Women like men who are men. Who look like men. Talk like men. Act like men. We always have. We always will. No matter how much our social engineers, who are not or dislike that which masculinity is, may try.
And remember, it's not the beard that makes the man. It's the man who makes the beard.


theblaze--2020-01-16--VIDEO: GOP Sen. Martha McSally shuts down CNN reporter: 'You're a liberal hack'

Not the answer he was looking for

Arizona Republican Sen. Martha McSally coldly dismissed a CNN reporter who attempted to ask her about impeachment Thursday, pleasing conservatives who disapprove of CNN's coverage but causing offense to those who believe McSally's response was unprofessional.
CNN reporter Manu Raju is the network's senior congressional correspondent, who is often seen chasing down lawmakers in the hallway asking them for comment on the news of the day. Sometimes that goes well for him, other times, not so much.
"Sen. McSally, should the Senate consider new evidence as part of the impeachment trial?" Raju asked McSally as she walked to her office.
"Manu, you're a liberal hack," McSally responded. "I'm not talking to you."
"You're not gonna comment?" Raju followed up.
"You're a liberal hack," McSally repeated.
Raju described McSally's response by saying she "lashed out," although her demeanor remained calm during the exchange.
McSally reiterated her view of Raju in response to his tweet about their conversation, sharing another video angle of the interaction.
Raju's question was a legitimate one, but McSally's response reflects the animosity from some Republicans toward the network. As the Senate trial begins, the most pressing question is whether it will include witnesses who did not testify in the House's impeachment inquiry, such as John Bolton, Mike Pompeo, or Joe Biden or his son, Hunter Biden.
Some Republican senators do seem to want new witness testimony in the trial, particularly from former national security adviser Bolton. Bolton has said he would testify if he is subpoenaed.
Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) have pitched a plan of witness reciprocity, which would guarantee that if Democrats call a witness that Republicans would also get one. There is a chance that enough Republicans would vote in favor of calling witnesses that Democrats could successfully call Bolton or others.


theblaze--2020-01-16--Trump administration makes new moves to protect religious freedom, including the right to pray in sc

Trump administration makes new moves to protect religious freedom, including the right to pray in school

Trump administration makes new moves to protect religious freedom , including the right to pray in school 'The government must @ @ @ @ @ and God '

The Trump administration observed National Religious Freedom Day on Thursday with a series of executive efforts to protect the conscience rights of students, teachers and religious organizations, including the right to pray at school.
During a phone call briefing with reporters on Thursday, Domestic Policy Council director Joe Grogan said that the administration was taking "three big actions to ensure that people of faith are always able to exercise their rights to religious expression."
The first of those actions would be new federal regulations issued by nine different federal agencies that would "ensure that religious and nonreligious organizations are treated equally by the federal government, and that organizations are not discriminated against simply because they are religious in nature," Grogan explained on the call.
One of those departments — the Department of Education — announced a lengthy proposed rule on Thursday dealing with "five general areas of importance to religious organizations, faith-based institutions, and their students" in regards to the first amendment. Among its other provisions, the rule includes language meant to protect the rights of religious student organizations at colleges and universities that receive federal money.
"Our actions today will protect the constitutional rights of students, teachers, and faith-based institutions," said Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said in a statement. "The Department's efforts will level the playing field between religious and non-religious organizations competing for federal grants, as well as protect First Amendment freedoms on campus and the religious liberty of faith-based institutions."
Similarly, the Justice Department also announced a proposed rule that would "remove regulatory burdens on religious organizations and ensure that religious and non-religious organizations are treated equally in DOJ-supported programs."
"Since our nation's founding, there has always been a strong consensus about the centrality of religious liberty in the United States and the freedom of religious expression," Attorney General William Barr said of the proposal. "The Framers of the Constitution believed that both were indispensable to sustaining our free system of government."
Grogan also said that the president would announce updated federal guidance on prayer in public schools, which he said hadn't been updated since 2003.
"Although the Constitution forbids public school officials from directing or favoring prayer in their official capacities, students and teachers do not 'shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate,'" the guidance explains, citing a Supreme Court ruling.
The guidance requires that school districts have to annually certify in writing that they have "no policy that prevents, or otherwise denies participation in, constitutionally protected prayer in public schools" in order to receive federal funds, citing federal education laws; it also requires state education departments to annually notify the Department of Education "that have not filed the required certification or that have been the subject of a complaint" about policies impeding the right to pray.
The third action Grogan described was an Office of Management and Budget memo requiring federal agencies to ensure that their grant practices and the grant practices of state entities that take federal fundings comply with the religious freedom precedent set down by the Supreme Court in its 2017 Trinity Lutherancase. In that case, the court ruled it unconstitutional for the government to disqualify religious organizations access to public benefits because of their religious nature.
At a White House event announcing the prayer guidance on Thursday afternoon, President Donald Trump called the right to pray "a very important and powerful right," adding "there's nothing more important than that, I would say."
"In a sacred principle of our republic, the government must never stand between the people and God," Trump continued. "Yet in public schools around the country, authorities are stopping students and teachers from praying, sharing their faith or following their religious beliefs; it is totally unacceptable."


theblaze--2020-01-16--FLASHPOINT? Virginia Gov. Northam declares state of emergency to ban firearms ahead of gun-rights ra

FLASHPOINT? Virginia Gov. Northam declares state of emergency to ban firearms ahead of gun-rights rally

FLASHPOINT ?
Virginia Gov .
Northam declares state of emergency to ban firearms ahead of gun-rights rally

On Thursday's "Glenn Beck Radio Program," BlazeTV's White House correspondent Jon Miller described the current situation in Virginia after Gov. Ralph Northam (D) declared a state of emergency and banned people carrying guns at Capitol Square just days before a pro-Second-Amendment rally scheduled on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Jon told Glenn that Gov. Northam and the Virginia Legislature are "trying to deprive the people of their Second Amendment rights" but the citizens of Virginia are "rising up" to defend their constitutional rights.
"I do think this is the flashpoint," Jon said. "They [Virginia lawmakers] are saying, 'You cannot exercise your rights ... and instead of trying to de-escalate the situation, we are putting pressure. We're trying to escalate it and we're trying to enrage the citizenry even more'."
Glenn noted how Gov. Northam initially blamed the threat of violence from Antifa for his decision to ban weapons but quickly changed his narrative to blame "white supremacists" to vilify the people who are standing up for the Second Amendment and the Constitution.
"What he's doing is, he's making all all the law-abiding citizens of Virginia into white supremacists," Glenn said.
"Sadly, that's exactly right," Jon replied. "And I think he knows exactly what he's doing."
Watch the video to catch more of the conversation below:
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theblaze--2020-01-16--CNN stops Wolf Blitzer-Mike Pence interview in Israel on 75th anniversary of Auschwitz liberation, b

CNN stops Wolf Blitzer-Mike Pence interview in Israel on 75th anniversary of Auschwitz liberation, because it will be ‘all impeachment, all of the time’ next week

CNN stops Wolf Blitzer-Mike Pence interview in Israel on 75th anniversary of Auschwitz liberation , because it will be ‘ @ @ @ @ @ the time ’ next week Nothing will stop the impeachment show

WTF MSM!? is a newsletter that puts a dose of sunlight on the mainstream media and exposes how the media twist facts, selectively report, and outright lie to advance their left-wing agenda. You can sign up for the WTF MSM!? newsletter here.
On Wednesday, the New York Post's Page Six reported that CNN brass killed a pending interview between Wolf Blitzer and Vice President Mike Pence in Israel. The White House reportedly offered the interview to Blitzer, who is the son of Holocaust survivors, because of his deep personal connection.
CNN head Jeff Zucker reportedly "banned Blitzer from leaving the country because of the impeachment trial in the Senate."
Page Six reported:
Blitzer's paternal grandparents were killed in the Holocaust and his parents were survivors. He said in an emotional 2018 interview, "My grandparents were murdered at Auschwitz. My dad survived, but two of his brothers and two of his sisters were killed. They weren't separated to go to another facility. They were separated to die."
A CNN source said: "Wolf really wanted to do the Pence interview personally. He cares deeply because of his family background, which is why Wolf was offered it by the White House. But Zucker stepped in and said Wolf isn't going anywhere because the network will be 'all impeachment, all of the time' next week. CNN's anti-Trump bias is so intense, they can't even broadcast a sympathetic interview for Holocaust remembrance." Dozens of world leaders are expected at the forum, including Vladimir Putin and Emmanuel Macron.
Yes, an impeachment trial is significant news. It doesn't mean that a veteran anchor like Blitzer can't both cover impeachment and do this interview. Even back in the 1980s, CNN had the satellite technology to allow this to happen. Many of Blitzer's interviews are with remote guests.
The CNN source cited by Page Six is absolutely right: CNN can't have anything run counter to its 24/7 mission to remove Trump from office, not even a remembrance of the rescue of people the Nazis were set to slaughter at Auschwitz.
Links …
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theblaze--2020-01-16--'Kids are a handful and sometimes people don't want to be pregnant': Jaw-dropping tweet based on art

'Kids are a handful and sometimes people don't want to be pregnant': Jaw-dropping tweet based on article about justifying abortion to your kids

'Kids are a handful and sometimes people do n't want to be pregnant ' : Jaw-dropping tweet based on article @ @ @ @ @ kids ' I told [ my daughter ] that realistically it was n't an option @ @ @ @ @ child .
After I told her , I immediately reinforced that she was a wanted @ @ @ @ @ . '

A rather eye-popping, pro-abortion tweet has been making rounds and gaining some steam — courtesy of Renee Bracey Sherman, who calls herself the "Beyoncé of Abortion Storytelling" and a "reproductive justice activist committed to the visibility and representation of people who have had abortions in media and pop culture."
Here's what she tweeted Wednesday:
As you might expect, Sherman got some pushback from anti-abortion folks — including Abby Johnson, the former Planned Parenthood clinic director who became pro-life and the subject of the recent feature film, "Unplanned":
A deeper look
It's worth checking out the Rewire.News article Sherman's tweet is based on, which is titled, "Having the Abortion Talk With Children Is Easier Than You Think. Just Ask These Parents." The piece is all about how a handful of moms justified their abortions to their daughters.
But author Paige Alexandria points to actress Michelle Williams' recent Golden Globes speech during which she "credited her success in life to the fact that she had the right to choose. Williams' speech resonated with other parents who have had abortions and feel like their right to choose positively impacted their lives in a number of ways."
First off in the piece is Amiya — only first names are used for the sake of privacy — who has a 12-year-old daughter and found out six months ago she was pregnant. Amiya "immediately knew she would get an abortion," the story said, adding that she told the outlet that abortion "wasn't something I really wanted to do, but as a parent, I knew it was something I needed to do."
Then there's Melissa who "was in an abusive relationship when she discovered she was pregnant in October and chose to get an abortion. She talked about the decision with her 15-year-old daughter," the story said.
Finally there's Kathi who "hadn't planned on telling her 10-year-old daughter about her abortions, but the subject came up one day," the story noted. "Kathi's husband lived with a debilitating health condition that her daughter was concerned may affect any future siblings she might have."
Turns out Kathi had her first abortion while finishing nursing school and her second when she was busy caring for her husband and her daughter, who was a toddler at the time, the article added.
"I was honest with her, and I told her that realistically it wasn't an option for me to have another child," Kathi told Rewire.News. "After I told her, I immediately reinforced that she was a wanted pregnancy and a wanted child."
What's the common denominator?
There's a similar ending to each one of these mothers' stories: A positive outcome with their daughters.
Amiya's and Melissa's daughters cried and told their moms they understood and supported their choices. Kathi's daughter also "immediately understood her reasons behind each decision, telling her mother she loved her and didn't want to see her struggle more," the piece noted, adding that Kathi's daughter — now an adult — is "staunchly pro-choice and advocates for others to have the same choice her mother did."
"I've never been ashamed or regretful of either abortion," Kathi added, the story said. "I had my reasons, my future, and my body to consider."