theblaze--2020-12-22--West Virginia police officer launches 'Operation Santa's Handlebars' to give bikes to kids in need t

West Virginia police officer launches 'Operation Santa's Handlebars' to give bikes to kids in need this Christmas

West Virginia police officer launches 'Operation Santa 's Handlebars ' to give bikes to kids in need this Christmas 'We @ @ @ @ @ bikes , and we just bought 25 bikes '

Sure, technically he's not Santa Claus, but this year one West Virginia police officer is going beyond the call of duty to serve kids in his community by giving them Christmas gifts.
South Charleston police officer Tony Messer has rallied an online community of supporters to raise money for Christmas gifts for the children of his city. Thanks to many generous donations, Messer was able to purchase bicycles for kids who might otherwise have received little for Christmas, as too many Americans face economic hardship during the coronavirus pandemic.
"We raised almost $2,000 for bikes, and we just bought 25 bikes," Messer told WCHS-TV. "And that's something that this community, they're all so proud of, so that's amazing."
The project, called "Operation Santa's Handlebars," began months ago when Messer created a Facebook page to reach out to his community and humanize police officers during the summer unrest as Black Lives Matter and anti-police rioters set U.S. cities on fire. He began by streaming video games and making posts about his efforts to engage with the community he protects.
"I wanted to build some kind of community, and I never thought it would be what it is now. We do a thing that we want to humanize the badge. So, I want to be a better person. I want to be a better police officer, and I want to set goals for kids who are growing up. I started the page, Officer Messer, and it just kind of took off," he said.
His page now has more than 10,000 followers from all over the country. Many kind supporters donated to help Messer buy bikes for kids.
"We have so many people who have a goal on here to do stuff for these kids that are not going to have a good Christmas. It's because of these people, all 51 people behind us, watching right now. It's because of them, it really is," he said.
Messer also wants to use his Facebook page to honor other police officers who tragically were killed in the line of duty, like officer Cassie Johnson of Charleston, who recently died two days after being shot while responding to a parking complaint.
"We want to start a scholarship for a criminal justice program for female officers, something like that, just to keep her name in memory because of everything she sacrificed for this community," Messer said.
A post pinned to the top of Officer Messer's Facebook page links to a GoFundMe account set up for Johnson's family.


theblaze--2020-12-22--VIDEO: 'Die Hard' director settles the argument, says his film was definitely a Christmas movie — an

VIDEO: 'Die Hard' director settles the argument, says his film was definitely a Christmas movie — an anti-authority, anti-capitalism Christmas movie

VIDEO : 'Die Hard ' director settles the argument , says his film was definitely a Christmas movie — an @ @ @ @ @

Movie director John McTiernan has answered the question that has plagued so many for more than 30 years: Is "Die Hard" a Christmas movie?
According to McTiernan, who directed the film, the answer is yes.
But it didn't start out that way. It "turned into a Christmas movie" — an anti-capitalism Christmas movie.
What's this now?
For decades now, Americans have debated whether the Bruce Willis action flick "Die Hard" is a Christmas movie.
The film's genre — a summer action blockbuster with lots of violence, blood, and cursing — has led people to rule it out of the holiday film list. The story's timing and location — Christmas Eve during an office Christmas party in downtown Los Angeles — has given ammo to the "it's a Christmas movie, dadgummit" crowd.
Polls have been taken on the question — but have yielded inconsistent results.
One of the movie's screenwriters, Steven de Souza, tweeted in 2017 that it is a Christmas movie.
However, Willis, the star of the movie, offered a different take in 2018 when he declared, "'Die Hard' is not a Christmas movie. It's a god damn Bruce Willis movie."
Image source: AFI YouTube screenshot
Now the question appears to be settled.
McTiernan said in a video last week that his movie is definitely a Christmas movie — an anti-capitalism Christmas movie that preached against authoritarians.
It's that anti-capitalism, anti-authority streak that, to McTiernan, turned "Die Hard" into a Christmas movie.
What did McTiernan say?
In a "Behind the Scene" video posted by the American Film Institute, McTiernan explained how "Die Hard" became the so-called Christmas classic it is.
Based on McTiernan's description, when the script was first written, it closely followed the book it was based on, "Nothing Lasts Forever," the Daily Wire reported. It featured left-wing terrorists who were brought to heel by "the stern face of authority" — and McTiernan didn't like that.
"'Die Hard' was a terrorist movie," McTiernan said, before explaining how it changed.
"[Producer] Joel [Silver] sent me the script three, four times," the director said. "And it was about these horrible leftist terrorists that come into the sort of Valhalla of capitalism, Los Angeles, and they bring their guns and their evil ways and they shoot up people just celebrating Christmas — terrible people, awful. And it was really about the stern face of authority stepping into put things right again, you know?"
"And I kept saying to Joel, I don't want to make that movie," McTiernan added.
What he wanted to make was a movie that had a message similar what the saw in the Pottersville scenes in "It's a Wonderful Life," which, he said, "is what happens when the evil banker gets to do what he wants in the community without George ... getting in the way to stop him."
"It's the clearest demonstration and criticism of runaway, unregulated cowboy capitalism that's ever been done in an American movie," he added.
So he got Silver to change the script and make the bad guys unfettered capitalist terrorists who were stopped by a "working class hero."
And McTiernan, in order to best get across his anti-capitalism message — à la "It's a Wonderful Life" — he felt the best vehicle was style of film reminiscent of a Christmas movie.
"I went to Joel. And I said, 'OK, if you want me to make this terrorist movie, I want to make it where the hero in the first scene when the limo driver apologizes that he's never been in a limo before. The hero says it's alright. I've never ridden in a limo before,'" he recalled, adding, "OK, working class hero."
According to McTiernan, Silver was on board making "Die Hard" into an anti-capitalist film.
"Joel understood what I meant. And he said OK," he shared, adding that people working on the movie came to "catch on" to just what they were trying to create: "This was a movie where the hero was a real human being, and the people of authority — all of the important folks — were all portrayed as kind of foolish."
"Everybody, as they came to work on the movie, began to get ... this idea of this movie as an escapee," McTiernan said, reflecting on how the content was no long under control of the man and instead in the control of the creators. "And there was a joy in it. Because we ... had changed the content. And that is how 'Die Hard' became — we hadn't intended it to be a Christmas movie — but the joy that came from it is what turned it into a Christmas movie. And that's really the best I can tell you about it."
Then he offered a Christmas wish for his viewers:
My hope at Christmas this year is that you will all remember that authoritarians are low-status, angry men who have gone to rich people and said, "If you give us power, we'll make sure nobody takes your stuff." And that's the essence of authoritarianism , that's always been the essence of it — and their obsessions with guns and boots and uniforms and squad cars and all that stuff and all those things you amass with power meant to scare us, meant to shut us up so we don't kick them to the side of the road and decent people of the world get on with building a future.
Merry Christmas, and I hope we have a better year.
Content warning: Rough language
Behind the Scene: Director John McTiernan on making the Christmas classic DIE HARD www.youtube.com
(H/T: HotAir)


theblaze--2020-12-22--Dozens of West Point cadets accused of taking advantage of COVID-imposed distance learning to cheat

Dozens of West Point cadets accused of taking advantage of COVID-imposed distance learning to cheat on math exam

In the largest cheating scandal at the United States Military Academy in years, 73 cadets are accused of taking advantage of distance learning requirements imposed by the coronavirus pandemic to cheat on a calculus exam, according to a report from USA Today.
Seventy-two of the cadets involved were freshmen and one was a sophomore, according to NBC News. Instructors discovered the alleged cheating when they observed that all the students — who were all in distance learning — made the exact same error on a calculus exam in May.
The academy then began an investigation and ultimately dropped charges against two of the cadets for lack of evidence. Four other investigations were dropped when the cadets resigned from the academy.
NBC reports that an Army spokesman confirmed that 59 cadets admitted to cheating on the exam. Fifty-five have been permitted to enroll in a six-month rehabilitation and probation program that will require them to complete extra coursework, as well as receive extra training regarding ethics and the academy's code of honor.
According to a statement provided to TheBlaze by Army officials, the other four cadets who admitted to cheating did not qualify for the rehabilitation program and will face a Cadet Advisory Board consisting of their fellow students. The CAB will make a decision about the fate of those students, which could include expulsion from the academy.
Officials confirmed that the remaining eight students will face a full Honor Investigative Hearing.
In a statement provided to CNN, Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Christopher Ophardt said, "Cadets are being held accountable for breaking the code. While disappointing, the Honor System is working, and these ... cases will be held accountable for their actions."
Multiple reports indicate that this may be the largest cheating scandal to face the academy since at least 1976, when more than 150 cadets were accused of cheating.


theblaze--2020-12-22--Kat Von D leaves California over ‘tyrannical government overreach’

Kat Von D , famed entrepreneur , tattoo artist , and star of the hit show `` LA Ink , '' recently announced on social media that she is ditching the Golden State and relocating to Indiana due to `` tyrannical government overreach . ''
The 38-year-old mother of one , whose full name is Katherine Von Drachenberg , made the move official on Saturday when she posted a picture outside her new home on Instagram , with the caption , `` Vevay , Indiana here we come ! ''
Just two days before , she explained in a Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sell her Los Angeles home or business yet , but said that government overreach in California drove her to seek a small town where she can one day retire .
`` With all that has been taking place in California , with terrible policies , tyrannical government overreach , ridiculous taxing , amongst so many more corruption , we just felt the need to plant roots in a small town where there is nature , where my son can be free to play , and where we can eventually retire one day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , no , I 'm not closing my shop in LA .
We are n't selling our home .
But [ we ] will eventually be spending more time in beautiful Indiana once I finish doing some remodeling on our new historic house , '' she continued .
According to the Daily Mail , Von D plans to open `` a little tattoo shop '' in the small Indiana town .
California politicians , including Democratic Gov .
Gavin Newsom and Democratic Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti , have come under fire this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown orders — and , in some cases , their subsequent refusal to follow the guidelines themselves .
The orders have in many cases been unfairly applied and have disproportionately affected bars , restaurants , and small retail shops such as salons and tattoo parlors .
A petition to recall Newsom is picking up steam as the Democratic governor faces intense backlash over the restrictions and an emerging unemployment scam in the state .
While Von D became famous as a tattoo artist on `` LA Ink , '' she also has significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , having started a popular makeup line for Sephora , as well as a clothing line .
She has also been instrumental in organizing a number of prominent music festivals .

Kat Von D, famed entrepreneur, tattoo artist, and star of the hit show "LA Ink," recently announced on social media that she is ditching the Golden State and relocating to Indiana due to "tyrannical government overreach."
The 38-year-old mother of one, whose full name is Katherine Von Drachenberg, made the move official on Saturday when she posted a picture outside her new home on Instagram, with the caption, "Vevay, Indiana here we come!"
Just two days before, she explained in a Facebook post that she doesn't have plans to sell her Los Angeles home or business yet, but said that government overreach in California drove her to seek a small town where she can one day retire.
"With all that has been taking place in California, with terrible policies, tyrannical government overreach, ridiculous taxing, amongst so many more corruption, we just felt the need to plant roots in a small town where there is nature, where my son can be free to play, and where we can eventually retire one day," she wrote.
"So, no, I'm not closing my shop in LA. We aren't selling our home. But [we] will eventually be spending more time in beautiful Indiana once I finish doing some remodeling on our new historic house," she continued.
According to the Daily Mail, Von D plans to open "a little tattoo shop" in the small Indiana town.
California politicians, including Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, have come under fire this year over their implementation of stringent coronavirus lockdown orders — and, in some cases, their subsequent refusal to follow the guidelines themselves.
The orders have in many cases been unfairly applied and have disproportionately affected bars, restaurants, and small retail shops such as salons and tattoo parlors.
A petition to recall Newsom is picking up steam as the Democratic governor faces intense backlash over the restrictions and an emerging unemployment scam in the state.
While Von D became famous as a tattoo artist on "LA Ink," she also has significant business and entrepreneurial credits under her belt, having started a popular makeup line for Sephora, as well as a clothing line. She has also been instrumental in organizing a number of prominent music festivals.


theblaze--2020-12-22--Democrat Tulsi Gabbard calls $600 in COVID relief 'an insult and a slap in the face' to struggling A

Democrat Tulsi Gabbard calls $600 in COVID relief 'an insult and a slap in the face' to struggling Americans

Democrat Tulsi Gabbard calls $ 600 in COVID relief 'an insult and a slap in the face ' to struggling @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. representative said she voted against the massive spending bill

Democratic U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard told her Twitter followers that $600 in COVID-19 relief coming to Americans as part of a massive spending bill passed by the House and Senate Monday is "an insult and a slap in the face" to everyone struggling financially due to pandemic shutdowns since the spring.
What are the details?
Gabbard — who's become a favorite among conservatives for her no-nonsense approach and shared views on crucial issues — posted a video saying that she voted against the spending bill.
"First of all, this bill was over 5,500 pages long," she began. "We received the text of this bill at approximately 2:30 this afternoon, and we're told we'd have to go and vote on it just a few hours later. There is no way that anybody in Congress had the opportunity or the time to go through and read this bill to know exactly what was in it. I've been here long enough to see how provisions are snuck into these bills literally in the dark of night, without any announcement, without telling anyone what is in it, and then rushed through in the manner that we have just seen tonight."
Gabbard added that such actions are "the height of irresponsibility" that prevented elected officials from being able to adequately represent the interests of Americans.
She also emphasized that "the central part of this bill was supposed to be about providing direct COVID relief to the American people who are struggling and who need help the most." But instead, Gabbard said, the bill "dished out hundreds of billions of dollars" to special interests, the military, and foreign countries while telling average Americans, "Here's what's left for you: You get 600 bucks."
"I'll tell you, in Hawaii, that in most cases won't even cover 25 percent of your rent," she explained. "It is an insult and a slap in the face to every single American in this country who is struggling because of this COVID pandemic, who is concerned about not being able to pay the rent, about eviction, about whether you'll have enough to buy groceries or medicine for yourself or your loved ones."
Gabbard concluded by calling the bill a "representation of the screwed-up priorities of Washington. They should be fighting for you and making sure that you, the American people, come first. This bill did not do that."
Anything else?
Gabbard also made headlines this week for holding off on receiving the COVID-19 vaccine being given to her congressional colleagues, saying she'll wait until elderly Americans are able to receive the shot.
And last week, she introduced two pro-life bills in the House of Representatives — one to protect babies who survive abortions and another to protect pain-capable unborn children from abortion.
Gabbard — who is retiring from Congress at the end of her term — also introduced a bill banning males from competing in women's sports if they identify as transgender as well as another with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) that would repeal the Patriot Act.


theblaze--2020-12-22--Rand Paul savages Republican colleagues who voted for COVID relief bill with fiery floor speech

Rand Paul savages Republican colleagues who voted for COVID relief bill with fiery floor speech 'If free money was the @ @ @ @ @ more ? '

In a blistering speech on the floor of the Senate, Kentucky Republican Rand Paul condemned his fellow Republican senators who voted for the multitrillion-dollar coronavirus relief package and omnibus spending bills, accusing them of abandoning their "soul" and their "fiscal integrity" for the sake of political expediency.
Paul condemned the bill as an example of "modern monetary theory" that suggests that "government can spend whatever it wants without the need to tax." Paul said that his colleagues "rightly lampoon this quackery — that is, when they're not practicing the quackery themselves."
Senator Paul: Stop Piling Debt on Future Generations, Open the Economy, and Cut Waste in the Budget www.youtube.com
Continuing, Paul claimed, "To so-called conservatives who are quick to identify the socialism of Democrats: If you vote for this spending monstrosity, you are no better."
Pointing out that the government had no plan to raise revenue to pay for the bill Congress was about to pass, Paul went on to argue, "If free money was the answer ... if money really did grow on trees, why not give more free money? Why not give it out all the time? Why stop at $600 a person? Why not $1,000? Why not $2,000? Maybe these new Free-Money Republicans should join the Everybody-Gets-A-Guaranteed-Income Caucus? Why not $20,000 a year for everybody, why not $30,000? If we can print out money with impunity, why not do it?"
The spending bill ultimately passed the Senate by a vote of 91-6, with only five Republicans joining Paul to vote against the bill: Sens. Ted Cruz (Texas), Marsha Blackburn (Tenn.), Rick Scott (Fla.), Mike Lee (Utah), and Ron Johnson (Wis.). The vote in the House was likewise overwhelming, with only 53 members — 50 Republicans, 2 Democrats, and 1 independent — voting "nay" on the final vote.
In addition to the sheer size of the spending bill, many Republicans strenuously objected to the fact that they were not even given the text of the bill with ample time to read it before voting on it. Reportedly due to delays with printers and technology, members of Congress were not provided with either a paper or a digital copy of the bill until almost literally the last minute. Among the "nay" votes in the Senate, Lee and Cruz specifically highlighted their inability to read the bill as a reason for voting against it.
After noting the absurdity of being asked to vote on a bill that he hasn't been given time to read, Lee also noted that the process by which the bill was passed did not allow for any amendments or opportunities to improve the bill. In a thread on Twitter, Lee said, "This process, by which members of Congress are asked to defer blindly to legislation negotiated entirely in secret by four of their colleagues, must come to an end. It won't come to an end until no longer works for those empowered by it. That can happen, but only when most members of both houses and both political parties stop voting for bills they haven't read — and, by design, cannot read until after it's too late."
Cruz agreed, even specifically noting his agreement with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on the issue:
"AOC is right. It's ABSURD to have a $2.5 trillion spending bill negotiated in secret and then — hours later — demand an up-or-down vote on a bill nobody has had time to read. #CongressIsBroken," Cruz tweeted.


theblaze--2020-12-24--'I wasn't expected to be alive today': Rush Limbaugh delivers message of gratitude in final show of

'I wasn't expected to be alive today': Rush Limbaugh delivers message of gratitude in final show of the year

' I was n't expected to be alive today ' : Rush Limbaugh delivers message of gratitude in final show @ @ @ @ @ radio legend has defied the odds in his battle against lung cancer

Conservative talk radio icon Rush Limbaugh delivered an emotional message of gratitude opening his final show of the year on Wednesday, thanking his listeners and family for their support during his ongoing battle with lung cancer.
Limbaugh disclosed that according to the prognosis he received following his Stage IV diagnosis, he "wasn't expected to be alive today"— and shared what he has learned through the experience.
What are the details?
The host told his audience that he was "shocked" when he learned his fate in late January, revealing that he went through an initial period of denial but has experienced an overwhelming outpouring of support that has put him in a place of utter gratitude.
He reflected on receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Donald Trump in February, reminding his listeners that around that time he had shared that he gained "a little bit of understanding of something that had perplexed me for a lot of my life, and that was Lou Gehrig," the legendary professional baseball player whose ALS diagnosis cut short his record-breaking career in the 1930s.
Limbaugh explained:
"On the day that Lou Gehrig announced that he had his disease that was forcing him to retire from Major League Baseball, he said to the sold-out Yankee Stadium, 'Today I feel like the luckiest man on the face of the earth.'
I didn't understand that. I mean, here's a guy who'd just been diagnosed with the most terminal of terminal diseases, and I said, 'This can't be real. He can't really think he's the luckiest guy in the world. This is just something that he's saying because it will play well.' I don't mean to be insulting Lou Gehrig; don't misunderstand. I'm just saying, how in the world if you're being honest can you feel like you're the luckiest man on the face of the earth?"
The radio giant said that now he understands, telling his listeners, "Well, when I got my diagnosis...I began to receive all of the outpouring of love and affection from everywhere in my life from so many of you in so many ways and from my family."
He added, "because I have outlived the diagnosis, I've been able to receive and hear and process some of the most wonderful, nice things about me that I might not have ever heard had I not gotten sick. Again think, how many people who pass away never hear the eulogies, never hear the thank-yous? I've been very lucky, folks, in I can't tell you how many ways."
Fox News pointed out that Rush Limbaugh's program, which began in 1988, is the most listened-to in the United States.
The outlet reported:
He's a five-time winner of the National Association of Broadcasters Marconi Award for "Excellence in Syndicated and Network Broadcasting," a No. 1 New York Times bestselling author and a member of the Radio Hall of Fame and National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. He also was named one of Barbara Walters' 10 Most Fascinating People in 2008 and one of TIME's 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2009.


theblaze--2020-12-24--NYC GOP club defiant after criticism for holding holiday party that included 'unmasked conga line'

NYC GOP club defiant after criticism for holding holiday party that included 'unmasked conga line' 'Adults have the absolute right @ @ @ @ @ '

A New York City Republican Club has issued a response after facing backlash over a video showing they held a large holiday gathering where attendees joined in a conga line with no masks in sight, despite COVID-19 restrictions requiring that facial coverings be worn in restaurants unless eating or drinking.
The Whitestone Republican Club dismissed their critics, explaining that "adults have the absolute right to make their own decisions."
What are the details?
The New York Times reported that just days before Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) closed indoor dining in the Big Apple due to the coronavirus earlier this month, the Whitestone Republican Club held a holiday party at a Queens restaurant called Il Bacco. According to The Hill, "at least 50 guests" were at the indoor affair.
Footage circulated online showing revelers trotting to music in a line through the banquet, drawing condemnation on social media and from the governor himself, who said during a press conference, "Why would you do an unmasked conga line in the middle of a covid pandemic, whatever your political persuasion, defies a logical explanation."
The eatery was hit with an investigation by the State Liquor Authority over the ordeal, but the owner insists they were in compliance with the law, including the state's requirement that restaurants limit capacity to 25%.
The Whitestone Republican Club reacted with defiance to the uproar, and they did not hold back.
"So apparently the media is freaking out because we dared to celebrate the holidays in a perfectly ordinary and unremarkable way -- with a gathering of friends and family," the club said in a statement on their Facebook page on Tuesday. "We're now getting calls from the New York Times, Gothamist, the Washington Post and other outlets asking for our comments. On a holiday party. Let that sink in."
The club dunked on "idiot" Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) and "King Cuomo" before explaining:
"Yes, we held a holiday party. A good time was had by all. We abided by all precautions. But we are not the mask police, nor are we the social distancing police. Adults have the absolute right to make their own decisions, and clearly many chose to interact like normal humans and not paranoid zombies in hazmat suits. This is for some reason controversial to the people who believe it's their job to tell us all what to do. We ALL have the inalienable right under the First Amendment to peaceably assemble, and that's what we did. There's no pandemic clause in the Constitution, no matter how badly the media and Cuomo want you to believe otherwise."
"We urge ALL New Yorkers regardless of political affiliation to go out and enjoy the holidays in whatever way makes them happy and comfortable," they wrote, concluding, "Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and best wishes to all for a peaceful and prosperous new year!"
The Hill noted that New York is currently seeing a surge in coronavirus cases, "especially in Queens," reporting that "as of Tuesday, the state's department of health has recorded a total of more than 878,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with nearly 12,000 newly reported infections on Tuesday alone."
But The Times pointed out that "both Democrats and Republicans in the region have hosted risky get-togethers," reporting that "criticism abounded after Democratic leaders in Brooklyn held a birthday party in late November where many participants lacked masks."
Several high-profile Democratic politicians have been busted nationwide violating their own COVID-19 guidance, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.).
Anything else?
The CDC recommends Americans limit holiday celebrations to members of their own households this year, due to the pandemic that has claimed the lives of more than 300,000 people in the U.S.
Yet, even White House Coronavirus Task Force member Dr. Deborah Birx was caught flouting her own guidance by traveling over Thanksgiving weekend to gather with extended family for the holiday. Birx announced this week that she will be retiring due to the backlash she and her family have received since the hypocrisy was exposed.


theblaze--2020-12-23--President Trump vetoes massive defense bill, calling the legislation a 'gift to China and Russia'

President Trump vetoes massive defense bill , calling the legislation a 'gift to China and Russia' The House and Senate @ @ @ @ @ votes next week

President Donald Trump vetoed the $740 billion 2021 National Defense Authorization Act on Wednesday, calling the legislation a "gift" to China and Russia.
The bill passed overwhelmingly in the Democrat-controlled House and Republican-led Senate earlier this month, and both chambers are expected to hold override votes on the measure next week.
What are the details?
In a statement announcing the move, Trump said that while his administration "recognizes the importance of the Act to our national security," it "fails to include critical national security measures, includes provisions that fail to respect our veterans and military's history, and contradicts efforts by my Administration to put America first in our national security and foreign policy actions."
He called the NDAA in its current form "a 'gift' to China and Russia," before adding, "No one has worked harder, or approved more money for the military, than I have — over $2 trillion. During my 4 years, with the support of many others, we have almost entirely rebuilt the United States military, which was totally depleted when I took office."
The president went on to criticize Congress for refusing to include a provision in the NDAA that would repeal Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, a law that The Hill noted "provides a legal shield to tech companies like Twitter and Facebook."
Trump had threatened to veto the NDAA a number of times including last week, when he tweeted, "I will Veto the Defense Bill, which will make China very unhappy. They love it. Must have Section 230 termination, protect our National Monuments and allow for removal of military from far away, and very unappreciative, lands. Thank you!"
The president has also spoken out against renaming military bases named after Confederates, which was included in the legislation.
The House passed the NDAA overwhelmingly on Dec. 8 with a vote tally of 335-78-1, and the Senate also passed it with a veto-proof majority of 84-13.
According to CSPAN, the "House will hold its veto override vote Monday [and] if it's successful, [the] Senate will attempt to hold their vote Tuesday." The Washington Post reported that if successful, it would be the first veto override of Trump's presidency.
The outlet further explained:
Congress has until Jan. 3 at 11:59 a.m. — a Sunday — to override the veto and force the defense bill to become law.If they do nothing, it will expire along with the end of the two-year congressional session at noon that day.


theblaze--2020-12-23--Dizzying 27 alternate pronouns displayed on college business school application — along with an 'oth

Dizzying 27 alternate pronouns displayed on college business school application — along with an 'other' option

Dizzying 27 alternate pronouns displayed on college business school application — along with an 'other ' option It 's unclear @ @ @ @ @ to master meanings of 'ey , ' 'xie , ' 'hir , ' 'vis , @ @ @ @ @ among others

Georgia State University's J. Mack Robinson College of Business features a program called WomenLead which "equips female students to excel in school, enter the workforce with developed skills, and find their place in leadership positions."
One might assume a program geared toward women wouldn't need much in the way of gender identifiers on its application form, but once you scroll down a little ways past boxes to input your last name, first name, and "nickname or preferred first name if different from your given name," the form asks "what pronouns do you prefer?"
And it's a smorgasbord.
Apart from box you can click for the seemingly obvious choice ("she," "her," "her," "hers," "herself"), there's an option we've been seeing quite a bit of for the last couple of years ("he," "him," "his," "his," "himself"). And then "they," "them," "their," "theirs," "themself." Alrighty, then.
But that ain't all.
If the latter choices don't pass muster with applicants, there are seven more groups of alternate pronouns to choose from that display a whopping 27 words of some sort, such as "ey," "xie," "hir," "vis," and "eirs."
The kicker? If none of those choices suffice, the application leaves a space at the bottom of the section in which hopefuls can list their "other" pronouns.
Don't ever say the application creators were not thorough.
What did WomenLead have to say?
Director of WomenLead Nancy Mansfield told Campus Reform the program "invites all students who meet the requirements regardless of gender."
The outlet said it also contacted Georgia State University for comment, presumably without success.
Anything else?
Indeed, readers of TheBlaze have traveled down this path numerous times. To wit:


theblaze--2020-12-23--Colorado study finds no link between gyms and coronavirus outbreaks

A new study out of Colorado discovered that gym attendance has not been linked to any COVID-19 outbreaks in the state.
The news comes as lockdown restrictions implemented by state and local officials across the country have resulted in gym operators having to close their doors for weeks and months on end in order to stop the spread of the virus.
The study was commissioned by the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, after it said in October that its data showed only 1,155 cases of COVID-19 resulted from more than 49 million gym check-ins, or 0.0023%, the Denver Post reported. The organization then asked the Oregon Consulting Group, based out of the University of Oregon, to conduct an independent study to confirm or refute their findings.
The results were clear
The group analyzed gym attendance data against outbreak statistics provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment over a span of 32 from March 13 through October 15.
What they found was quite remarkable: Out of the nearly 8.5 million health club check-ins, none could be linked to the 59 outbreaks reported by the CDPHE. Outbreaks are events in which two or more people report that they contracted the virus.
"Based on Colorado data as a proxy, there is no correlation between health club visits and COVID-19 cases," the study concluded, adding, "relative to other public spaces like restaurants and bars, health and fitness facilities are lower risk environments."
The group noted it is possible that safety protocols and sanitation practices implemented by gyms may be a contributing factor in the results.
What else?
Based on the data, the consulting group is recommending that state and local leaders evaluate the data before barring entrance to health clubs within their jurisdiction.
"If we look at Colorado's record of self-reported outbreak ... gyms haven't made the list up to this point, but bars and restaurants certainly have," said OCG President Callum Kuo.
"We need to be reasonable and critical when it comes to evaluating relative risk. And based on what we see in Colorado, gyms do not belong in the same risk category as bars and restaurants," he explained. "We believe states need to examine their data more closely before hastily closing down gyms and instead making decisions based on what they are seeing in their respective states."
To the CDPHE's credit the most recent mandated closures exempted health and fitness centers.
"We have been talking to stakeholders, and we do not feel this is one of the higher risk settings because people are wearing masks at the gym. Gyms are ensuring social distancing and also cleaning their equipment. So we are comfortable allowing it," said the department's executive director Jill Ryan.


theblaze--2020-12-23--Carjackers roll up on 80-year-old man, point gun at him, demand his vehicle. But their target is a c

Carjackers roll up on 80-year-old man, point gun at him, demand his vehicle. But their target is a concealed carrier — and he wins showdown.

Carjackers roll up on 80-year-old man , point gun at him , demand his vehicle .
But their target is @ @ @ @ @ he wins showdown .

Some folks still aren't getting the picture.
With more and more Americans deciding to exercise their Second Amendment rights and arm themselves, the likelihood that crooks might target somebody who's packing goes up — and the odds of criminals getting collared or sung a lullaby increases, too.
We see it all the time:
But alas, good news apparently doesn't travel fast enough.
What now, pray tell?
Investigators said an 80-year-old Pensacola, Florida, man walked outside to lock his cars just after 11 p.m. Tuesday when two males approached him and demanded his car, WEAR-TV reported.
One of the suspects pulled a gun on the elderly victim, WKRG-TV reported.
But it turns out their target came prepared. Police said the homeowner grabbed his concealed weapon — for which he has a permit — and opened fire, WEAR reported.
Both suspects ran off, WKRG said, adding that one of the victims turned up at a house with a gunshot wound. The second suspect got away, WEAR reported.
The wounded suspect is 15 years old, and he was shot near the heart and listed in critical condition, WEAR added.
What about the 80-year-old homeowner who fired his gun?
The homeowner was not injured, WKRG said, and it appears the suspects never fired their guns.
Police in a statement told WKRG they don't anticipate filing any charges against the victim "as it is a Stand Your Ground-type case," and they are still looking for the second suspect.


theblaze--2020-12-23--Ohio police spread holiday cheer with a 'rolling Christmas carol'

Richmond Heights police in Ohio sought to lift the spirits of residents during the coronavirus pandemic Sunday with a `` rolling Christmas carol . ''
Piloting a police SUV decked out in Christmas decorations , with the Grinch locked up in back to show he meant serious holiday cheer , Richmond Heights Auxiliary Police Capt .
Mark Hoageson drove around his city 's streets , jingling all the way .
His wife Mary Prince joined him , dressed as an elf , and blasted Christmas music through the vehicle 's public address system , Cleveland.com reports .
Civilians of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We thought we were rock stars , '' said Hoageson , a 31-year veteran of the force .
`` We 'd go down a street and people would come outside to wave or dance to the music .
Some people followed us and wanted pictures with us . ''
According to a Facebook post from the Richmond Heights Police Department , Hoageson and his wife purchased all the decorations for the SUV themselves and volunteered their own time to take a tour around the city , bringing a little bit of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Richmond Heights Mayor David Roche and his wife Aire joined the SUV , along with another police car and Police Chief Thomas Wetzel in his own car in what became a small four-hour Christmas parade .

Richmond Heights police in Ohio sought to lift the spirits of residents during the coronavirus pandemic Sunday with a "rolling Christmas carol."
Piloting a police SUV decked out in Christmas decorations, with the Grinch locked up in back to show he meant serious holiday cheer, Richmond Heights Auxiliary Police Capt. Mark Hoageson drove around his city's streets, jingling all the way. His wife Mary Prince joined him, dressed as an elf, and blasted Christmas music through the vehicle's public address system, Cleveland.com reports.
Civilians of all ages greeted the SUV with glad hearts.
"We thought we were rock stars," said Hoageson, a 31-year veteran of the force. "We'd go down a street and people would come outside to wave or dance to the music. Some people followed us and wanted pictures with us."
More from Cleveland.com:
The idea for A Rolling Christmas Carol was conceived just three days earlier when RHPD Chief Thomas Wetzel asked Hoageson if he would take to the streets to helm the cheery cherry top. Hoageson drove one of two cars on Halloween that also went down streets to greet residents. The idea was to repeat the success of Halloween, but with just one police vehicle in order to reduce contact with residents as COVID cases continue to rise during this unusual holiday season. The plan was quickly posted on the RHPD Facebook page.
As the car proceeded through different neighborhoods, about 15 songs were rotated. "We tried to make the music appropriate to where we were," Hoageson said. "When we went past the assisted living facilities, we'd maybe be playing Bing Crosby singing 'White Christmas,' and in other neighborhoods, things a little more upbeat."
Wetzel thanked Hoageson and Prince for their efforts in making a success of A Rolling Christmas Carol.
"It definitely was a unique approach at community outreach," Wetzel said of the event, "but we like to think outside the box here. Besides that, our agency is like community policing on steroids, and this was a neat way to spread some holiday cheer, particularly during this COVID crisis, which is still a daily threat.
"Mark and his wife drove together and worked their way from the south side of the city, to the north. Capt. Hoageson is a techie kind of guy and rigged the sound system to play over the cruiser PA system. And it was loud and strong. When we were driving through our apartments on the north end, you could see people looking out their windows and checking things out."
According to a Facebook post from the Richmond Heights Police Department, Hoageson and his wife purchased all the decorations for the SUV themselves and volunteered their own time to take a tour around the city, bringing a little bit of Christmas to everyone who lives there.
Richmond Heights Mayor David Roche and his wife Aire joined the SUV, along with another police car and Police Chief Thomas Wetzel in his own car in what became a small four-hour Christmas parade.


theblaze--2020-12-23--'Sinister' plan circulating in left-wing circles: Strip accreditation from religious schools that do

'Sinister' plan circulating in left-wing circles: Strip accreditation from religious schools that don't comply with progressive policies

'Sinister ' plan circulating in left-wing circles : Strip accreditation from religious schools that do n't comply with progressive policies @ @ @ @ @ 'cease to exist '

On Tuesday, in an op-ed published by the Daily Signal, Texas Republican Rep. Brian Babin raised awareness about a dangerous plan being hatched by progressives to shape future generations of Americans.
What are the details?
The plan — outlined in a recent Human Rights Campaign manifesto titled, "Blueprint for Positive Change" — urges the incoming Biden administration to mandate compliance with their political agenda by stripping accreditation from religious colleges and universities that don't meet "nondiscrimination policies and science-based curricula standards" regarding sexual orientation and gender identity.
The objective, which is one of 85 policy recommendations submitted by the LGBTQ advocacy group, demands that the Department of Education amend language found in the Higher Education Opportunity Act that presently requires accrediting agencies to respect a school's "stated mission."
The department, HRC argues, "should issue a regulation clarifying that this provision ... does not require the accreditation of religious institutions that do not meet neutral accreditation standards including nondiscrimination policies and scientific curriculum requirements."
Should the plan be carried out, it would effectively dissolve religious higher education institutions in America as many employers do not hire applicants without a degree from an accredited school.
Babin responded to the plan, saying, "Here, couched in language designed to suggest moral superiority and scientific legitimacy, is a blatant, full-frontal assault on our religious liberties.
"The Human Rights Campaign is not simply suggesting that Christian institutions comply with the left's view of 'nondiscrimination,' but rather it is forcing institutions to either abandon the tenants of their religious beliefs or face severe consequences. Haven't we seen this play out in history before, such as the Soviet Revolution and Mao's Cultural Revolution?" he added.
Babin warned that if the HRC is successful in lobbying Democratic President-elect Joe Biden, Christian schools would "cease to exist" or be "bullied to bow down to the LGBT orthodoxy."
What else?
Last month, shortly after the blueprint was released, Al Mohler, the president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, called the recommendation "sinister."
"I've not seen any document like this before — the Human Rights Campaign is effectively calling for religious colleges and schools to be coerced into the sexual revolution or stripped of accreditation," he said in a column. "In terms of accreditation, that is an atomic bomb."
"This is an outright attempt to eliminate religious freedom for Christian schools — or for any religious school that refuses to bow to the moral revolutionaries at the Human Rights Campaign," he continued. "This is an undisguised attempt to shut down any semblance of a Christian college or university that would possess the audacity to operate from a Christian worldview."


theblaze--2020-12-23--SD Gov. Kristi Noem has a message for Minnesota bar owners being targeted by leftist AG Keith Elliso

SD Gov. Kristi Noem has a message for Minnesota bar owners being targeted by leftist AG Keith Ellison: Move here. 'We won't shut you down.'

SD Gov .
Kristi Noem has a message for Minnesota bar owners being targeted by leftist AG Keith Ellison : @ @ @ @ @ n't shut you down . '
Go where you 're allowed to survive

Minnesota's radical left-wing Democratic attorney general continues to go after his state's bar and restaurant owners who dare to violate the governor's COVID-19 edicts prohibiting indoor dining.
So now South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem is encouraging these put-upon business owners to move to her state, vowing that she will not make them close their doors.
What happened?
Late last week, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced lawsuits against two bars that defied Democratic Gov. Tim Walz's order that bars and restaurants may not offer indoor dining services, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. Walz's edict does allow eateries to serve customers outdoors — but with Minnesota's typically bitter winters, most establishments have found that to be an unrealistic option.
Alibi Drinkery in Lakeville knowingly disobeyed the governor's command last week. The bar flouted the ban and served people indoors, and even proclaimed its defiance on Facebook, saying: "OPEN TODAY. COME IN FOR FOOD AND DRINKS!" The attorney general filed a temporary restraining order in an attempt to force Alibi Drinkery closed, but to no avail.
Another bar in Princeton, Neighbors on the Rum, was targeted by Ellison of having 40 to 50 people indoors last week.
On Monday, Ellison announced another three bars were added to his naughty list. From WCCO-TV:
According to Ellison, the lawsuits include St. Patrick's Tavern in New Prague, Pour House in Clarks Grove and The Interchange in Albert Lea.
Ellison says St. Patrick's Tavern had 150 to 200 vehicles in its parking lot on Dec. 18 and witnesses reported the establishment was standing room only, with it “packed inside so tightly that it was difficult to move around inside."
The state also received more than a dozen complaints about Pour House, including a report that the bar was operating at max capacity and no face coverings were being worn by any employee or customer.
The Interchange announced it would be opening for in-door dining on Dec. 15 and also held an indoor concert on Dec. 17. It was served a cease-and-desist order by the Minnesota Department of Health, but the restaurant owner vowed to continue on-side dining, Ellison's office said.
Noem makes an offer
When Gov. Noem heard about the persecution of Minnesota restaurants and bars last week, she made them what was likely a pretty tempting offer: Move to a state that won't force you to close and lose your business — a state like South Dakota.
"Come to South Dakota!" she tweeted in response to the Star Tribune report. "We respect your rights. We won't shut you down."


theblaze--2020-12-23--Michigan AG threatens sanctions against lawyers who attempted to overturn election

Michigan AG threatens sanctions against lawyers who attempted to overturn election 'Myself and also Secretary Benson , will be filing @ @ @ @ @ commission '

Michigan Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel will seek sanctions against attorney Sidney Powell and other lawyers she says made "intentional misrepresentations" in filing lawsuits to challenge the results of the Michigan presidential election.
Speaking to reporters Tuesday, the attorney general said she also intends to pursue court costs and fees and to file complaints with the attorney grievance commission, the Detroit News reported. She will join the City of Detroit and an attorney for Wayne County voter Robert Davis in seeking sanctions against the lawyers representing Republicans in cases seeking to overturn the state election.
President Donald Trump lost Michigan to President-elect Joe Biden by 154,000 votes. In the wake of the election, Powell and others made allegations of widespread voter fraud, and several lawsuits were filed that sought to prove those allegations in court and prevent the election from being certified. Those efforts were unsuccessful.
In response, Davis' attorney Andrew Paterson filed a motion with the U.S. District Court for Michigan's Eastern District seeking sanctions against the lawyers who represented six Michigan Republicans who sought to have the court declare Trump the winner in Michigan. Paterson's motion asked the court to sanction "the egregious conduct of the plaintiffs and their attorneys for making clearly frivolous arguments and using the judicial system to obtain unprecedented relief, to satisfy plaintiffs' selfish and destructive political agendas."
According to the News, the motion cites U.S. Code that permits a judge to require attorneys to pay "excess costs, expenses and attorney's fee" for conduct that "multiplies the proceedings in any case unreasonably and vexatiously."
"It is unfathomable that licensed attorneys would deliberately file false and misleading affidavits and pleadings with the Court in an effort to disenfranchise millions of Michigan residents," Davis said. "Not only should these individuals and their attorneys be assessed financial sanctions, but they also should be barred from practicing in the federal courts in the Eastern District of Michigan."
The City of Detroit is also seeking sanctions against the lawyers.
"The allegations about supposed fraud in the processing and tabulation of absentee ballots by the city at the TCF Center have been rejected by every court which has considered them," the city's motion states. "If any of the claims in this lawsuit had merit, that would have been demonstrated in those cases."
Detroit wants monetary sanctions, wants the Republican attorneys banned from practicing law in the Eastern District, and wants the plaintiffs and their counsel to post a $100,000 bond before they can file any additional action related to the case.
Nessel said that the Michigan state government will likely file for sanctions after the cases have been closed out.
"Some of these cases where we know for a fact there were intentional misrepresentations made — the kind of misrepresentation that there is no question of fact that these were inaccurate statements that were presented to the court — yes, myself and also Secretary Benson, will be filing complaints to the attorney grievance commission," Nessel said.
The News reported that for lawyers from outside Michigan, Nessel said she would complain to the relevant state bars.
"I think we need to go back to a time where you can trust an attorney is making an accurate and truthful representation to the court because if they don't, then they won't be able to practice law anymore," Nessel said.


theblaze--2020-12-23--Study: Stress from racism is causing Black Americans to die younger

Study : Stress from racism is causing Black Americans to die younger

Black Americans are more likely to suffer from elevated stress and depression due to racism, which in turn, causes them to age faster and die younger than other racial or ethnic groups, according to a study conducted by a University of Georgia research team.
This week on "Pseudo-Intellectual," BlazeTV host Lauren Chen discussed an article about the study's findings written by research team member Sierra Carter for The Guardian.
"I'm part of a research team that has been following more than 800 Black American families for almost 25 years," Carter wrote. "We found that people who had reported experiencing high levels of racial discrimination when they were young teenagers had significantly higher levels of depression in their 20s than those who hadn't. This elevated depression, in turn, showed up in their blood samples, which revealed accelerated aging on a cellular level."
Lauren argued that, while she believes racism does exist in America as well as other countries, the current anti-racist ideology does little to actually combat racism or promote equality.
"As someone who is half white and half Chinese, I would hate to think that someone would assume to know anything about me or judge me based solely on by racial background. There's so much more to me. I'd much rather be judged by my character, my merit, my skills, my personal history and all that stuff, so that's the approach I try to take with other people," Lauren said.
"The problem with anti-racism activism nowadays, is that it's not just about trying to combat racism, or trying to promote equality and colorblindness," she opined. "It's about needing people to acknowledge that white people are privileged, and perhaps innately racist, and that society is built to oppress non-white people."
Watch the video below for more details:
Want more from Lauren Chen?
To enjoy more of Lauren's pro-liberty, pro-logic and pro-market commentary on social and political issues, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution and live the American dream.


theblaze--2020-12-23--Rand Paul: The only way we recover is if we 'open the economy up'

Rand Paul : The only way we recover is if we 'open the economy up' Paul objects to the wasteful @ @ @ @ @

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) on Tuesday released his annual Festivus report, highlighting $54 billion in what he characterized as "truly outlandish waste in government."
Paul, who recently savaged his Republican colleagues for voting for the $2.3 trillion omnibus spending bill and coronavirus stimulus package, was interviewed on Fox News Wednesday about his opposition to the bill. He criticized both parties for bankrupting the United States with reckless spending and said that the only way the economy can recover from the coronavirus pandemic is if state governments permit businesses to open up and let people go back to work.
"The bottom line is the only way we recover this economy is we've got to open the economy up," Paul said. "Unemployment is actually lower than it was during most of President Obama's term, so we really can recover. But we've got to get these governors out of the way of our restaurants and our bars and our venues. We've got to get the economy opened up, it's the only way we survive this."
On Monday, Congress approved a $900 billion coronavirus relief package that provided $166 billion in direct $600 checks to every American making up to $75,000. The bill also includes $120 billion in extended weekly $300 unemployment benefits and $325 billion in new Paycheck Protection Program loans for businesses, in addition to billions more in spending on other coronavirus-related issues. But congressional leadership in both parties tied that stimulus package to a $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill that has faced intense scrutiny from the public and from its opponents, like Paul, who question why Congress is spending money on things like Pakistani "gender programs" or climate monitoring in Tibet.
Paul, who voted against the bill along with a handful of conservative Senate Republicans, was asked if he could support the coronavirus stimulus package if the other spending he considers wasteful was removed.
"These jokers never replace spending," Paul complained.
"They'll never do the responsible thing and exchange wasteful spending for useful spending," he added, before explaining why the current crop of United States senators is not up to the task of reducing spending.
"The thing is you need better people. There was only six or seven of us who opposed this smorgasbord debt, but if you ask the American people should we spend money we don't have? Should we run a balanced budget? I'll bet you 75% of Republicans will tell you they'd rather have conservatives in Washington," Paul said.
"The people in Washington run as conservatives. Like, when President Obama was in power they said it was terrible, the spending and the debt and all this. And now they're no better," he continued.
"That bill yesterday was a bunch of socialist spending, and if you voted for it you're no better than the Democrats. And so that's the problem we have, people need to get involved in primaries and elect better people."
Sen. Rand Paul Slams Reckless Spending, Talks Festivus - Dec. 23, 2020 www.youtube.com
After discussing the coronavirus stimulus, the Fox News panel asked Paul about his annual Festivus report. Each year, Paul releases a summary of how Congress wasted taxpayer dollars, for example spending $10 million on botched COVID-19 test tubes or spending $2 million on a study to find out if using a hot tub lowers stress.
In a Twitter thread, Paul highlighted some of the most egregious examples of government waste:


theblaze--2020-12-23--Kirk Cameron leads large protest of stay-at-home order. Nary a Molotov cocktail in sight, these revo

Kirk Cameron leads large protest of stay-at-home order. Nary a Molotov cocktail in sight, these revolutionaries sang Christmas carols instead.

Kirk Cameron leads large protest of stay-at-home order .
Nary a Molotov cocktail in sight , these revolutionaries sang Christmas @ @ @ @ @ news station made sure to mention early in its story that 'many were not wearing @ @ @ @ @ distancing guidelines '

Actor Kirk Cameron led a large Tuesday night protest of far-left California Gov. Gavin Newsom's stay-at-home order — and it took place in a mall parking lot with not one Molotov cocktail, baseball bat, or metal baton in sight.
In fact, the group marked the truly peaceful protest by singing Christmas carols.
Image source: KCBS-TV video screenshot
What are the details?
More than 150 people met in the parking lot of the Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks around 5:30 p.m., KCBS-TV reported. The station made sure to emphasize that "many were not wearing masks or adhering to social distancing guidelines."
Image source: KCBS-TV video screenshot
Image source: KCBS-TV video screenshot
In a social media video posted prior to the event, Cameron said, "I personally think that a virus will go right through and will not stop at a piece of paper on your face with rubber bands around your ears."
Image source: KCBS-TV video screenshot
KCBS added that it wasn't the first such protest from the "Growing Pains" actor, who held a similar caroling event Dec. 13 that also drew hundreds of people.
One local health official told the station Tuesday's demonstration could cost lives.
"Some super-spreading events end up in people dying," Dr. Suman Radnakrishna of Dignity Health California Medical Center in Los Angeles told KCBS, adding that she prefers folks wait a little while longer before gathering normally again. She added that "this is just for the season. The vaccines are coming, if we can just wait it out. Easter will hopefully be a different story."
The Oaks Mall told the station in an online statement that it wasn't supporting the event: "We do not condone this irresponsible — yet constitutionally protected — peaceful protest event planned. We share your concern and have notified the sheriff's office. As well, we have reached out to the event planner to ask that they do not use The Oaks as their venue."
More from KCBS:
The demonstration comes after Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday the regional stay-at-home order imposed for the entire 11-county Southern California region will almost assuredly be extended beyond the Dec. 28 expiration date. The order initially took effect on Dec. 7.
"We are likely, I think it's pretty self-evident, going to need to extend those regional dates," Newsom said, according to the station. "Based upon all the data and based upon all these trend lines, it is very likely based on those current trends that we'll need to extend that stay at home order, [which] you recall was a three-week order when we announced it."
KCBS said gatherings similar to Tuesday's have been taking place across the country since Dec. 6, adding that traction was gained in California when Cameron encouraged peacefully protesting with song.
The station noted at the end of its segment that there were a few arguments and heckling from people driving by at Tuesday's event.


theblaze--2020-12-23--Americans rank members of Congress with car salesmen as least ethical professionals; nurses top the

Americans rank members of Congress with car salesmen as least ethical professionals; nurses top the list

Americans rank members of Congress with car salesmen as least ethical professionals ; nurses top the list

A new survey from Gallup posted Wednesday revealed that medical professionals are seeing significant boosts in their reputations during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Members of Congress haven't been so lucky. In a divisive election year plagued by ongoing coronavirus restrictions, U.S. legislators now rank dead last on ethical ratings — tied with car salesmen.
Who did the best?
The new Gallup poll found that when asked to rank the honesty and ethical standards of various professions, nurses come in No. 1 with 89% of Americans rating them as having "very high" or "high" ethics. That's a 4-point jump from last year.
Medical doctors saw the biggest year-to-year jump, moving up 12 points from 65% in 2019 to 77% in 2020.
Grade-school teachers — who have been hailed as heroes by many parents as they work to educate students remotely, in person, or via "hybrid" of the two — came in third, with a 75% rating. It's the profession's highest-ever rating and the first time teachers topped 70% since 2007.
Rounding out the top five were pharmacists at 71% (a 7-point boost over last year) and police officers at 52% — down only 2 points from 2019. Cops' impressive showing on the list comes despite a year of anti-police protests and riots, and calls for cities to "defund the police."
Who stunk it up?
Journalists were among the lower-ranked professions on the ethical rankings with 28%. But lawyers did even worse, nailing only a 21% ethical ranking.
But it is possible to do worse than lawyers — and members of Congress showed how it's done, beating perennial bottom dwellers business executives (17%), advertising practitioners (10%), and car salespeople (8%) at their own game.
Congressmen tied car salesmen for the bottom spot at 8% by having the biggest drop of all professions, losing 4 points year to year. And last year's 12% ranking had been a high point for our elected officials.


theblaze--2020-12-23--People are fleeing New York in droves, and now the state could lose a House seat — or two

People are fleeing New York in droves , and now the state could lose a House seat — or two

More residents left New York over the last year than did residents from any other state, new population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau show.
According to early census figures, a net total of 126,355 people packed their bags and ditched the Empire State between July 2019 and July 2020, marking a 0.65% percent drop. That's the most by any state in the nation by both number and percentage.
Following close behind New York, in terms of percentage loss, were Illinois (0.63%), Hawaii (0.61%), and West Virginia (0.58%). Meanwhile, the big population gainers over the past year were western and southern states such as Idaho, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Texas, South Carolina, and Florida.
The New York Posted noted that while the state has been losing residents since 2016, this year's drop was significantly higher than in years past.
The Empire Center, a fiscally conservative think tank located in Albany, said if the numbers are confirmed when the census is certified next year, the 2010s will become the first decade since the 1970s during which New York experienced an overall population decline.
"The 2020 estimated New York population represented a net decline of 41,326, or 0.21%, from the official decennial census count in 2010," the group wrote, noting that the state's usual population boost from foreign immigration has not been able to keep up with the resident exodus over the last decade.
"New York's sagging population total is due mainly to an outmigration flow of 1.4 million people to other states since 2010," it said.
To make matters worse, the population decline in New York is not merely an embarrassment for the blue state, but also comes with serious political consequences.
USA Today reported that due to its population loss compared to the rest of the country, New York will "certainly" lose one House seat — and perhaps two — when a congressional reapportionment is conducted in 2022.
New York is currently tied with Florida with 27 House seats, the third most of any state following California (53) and Texas (36). But Florida is expected to surpass New York during reapportionment. The Sunshine State surpassed New York in 2014 as the third most populous state, and the gap has continued to widen since then.
For years, critics of New York's Democratic policies have argued that the increasing expanse of government and economic woes such as soaring property taxes are driving residents out of the state. But in 2018, ignoring those concerns, Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo blamed the population decline on bad weather.


theblaze--2020-12-23--POLL: Will you be spending Christmas with your family or social distancing?

POLL : Will you be spending Christmas with your family or social distancing ?
Cast your vote and do n't @ @ @ @

POLL: Will you be spending Christmas with your family or social distancing?
Cast your vote and don't forget to share!


theblaze--2020-12-23--Head of Scotland's government gets caught breaking her own COVID-19 law: 'This was a stupid mistake'

Head of Scotland 's government gets caught breaking her own COVID-19 law : 'This was a stupid mistake' The hypocrisy @ @ @ @ @ politicians

Hypocrisy among elected officials when it comes to COVID-19 restrictions they advocated for and put into place is enough to drive citizens crazy, and no population is likely experiencing that more today than the people in Scotland.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, the head of nation's government, was caught violating her own COVID-19 law, and now she's issuing public apologies for the flub.
Join the club
The notion of "COVID rules for thee, but not for me" is something Americans have witnessed repeatedly from their politicians. The problem has been especially notable recently as the surge in the virus has led to more government-imposed restrictions.
No one will forget California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom's unmasked event at a fancy California restaurant.
Nor will folks from the Bay Area likely let news of San Francisco Democratic Mayor London Breed throwing a maskless party at the same restaurant a day later slip their minds.
Denver's Democratic mayor, Michael Hancock, will long be remembered as the elected official who tweeted a warning to Mile High City residents to stay home for Thanksgiving just 30 minutes before his plane left to visit his daughter in Mississippi for the holiday.
New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo was caught violating his own Thanksgiving advice by planning to have his 89-year-old mother over for dinner. He was shamed into rescinding the invitation.
Austin Mayor Steve Adler, a Democrat, was forced to apologize after having the audacity to filming and sending a "stay at home" message to his constituents — from a tropical resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
And just a week ago, Rhode Island Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo was photographed at a wine bar not wearing a face mask days after telling Rhode Islanders to "stay home except for essential activities."
It turns out, though, that embarrassing and glaring hypocrisy on COVID-19 restrictions is not a characteristic unique to U.S. officials.
What did the Scotland leader do?
The Scottish Sun reported Tuesday night that Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon broke her own mask laws Friday.
A "concerned member of the public" photographed Sturgeon chatting maskless at a pub in Edinburgh on Friday and shared the picture with the newspaper.
According to current Scottish laws, the Sun said, customers in "hospitality settings" — which would include pubs — are required to wear a mask unless seated at a table.
The photo published by the Sun showed a maskless Sturgeon standing and talking with three elderly women at the "hospitality setting" following a funeral wake that had taken place in another part of the facility.
Sturgeon, who has been a major advocate for masks and has repeatedly lectured about their importance, was extremely apologetic.
"Last Friday, while attending a funeral wake, I had my mask off briefly. This was a stupid mistake and I'm really sorry," she told the Sun. "I talk every day about the importance of masks, so I'm not going to offer any excuses. I was in the wrong, I'm kicking myself and I'm sorry."
Anything else?
According to the Sun, the law has been on the books for months:
The mandatory use of face masks for customers in hospitality settings has been law since September 14. It is now set down in the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020.
Schedule 7 of the law details a “requirement to wear face coverings in certain indoor places", including restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs.
Violations of the law are punishable by an $80 fine, and penalties double for repeat offenders, up to $1,300, the paper said, adding that violators "can also be prosecuted for breaches, with unlimited fines."
Around the time the photo was taken, Sturgeon also announced a draconian three-week lockdown that will start the day after Christmas.
She also ordered that Scots can meet with loved ones for Christmas for only 24 hours on Dec. 25.


theblaze--2020-12-23--Maxine Waters: If President Trump doesn't leave White House, he should be 'marched out of there' — p

Maxine Waters: If President Trump doesn't leave White House, he should be 'marched out of there' — possibly by military or Secret Service

Maxine Waters : If President Trump does n't leave White House , he should be 'marched out of there ' @ @ @ @ @ Secret Service 'We want him out , and we keep hearing these rumors about everything @ @ @ @ @ try and stay in '

Democratic U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (Calif.) said that if President Donald Trump doesn't leave the White House by the time his term is over, he should be "marched out of there" — possibly by the military or the Secret Service.
What are the details?
In an MSNBC interview Tuesday, the California congresswoman said, "We want him out, and we keep hearing these rumors about everything that he's doing to try and stay in. We've even heard rumors that he said he's not leaving. We want him out, and to tell you the truth, I don't know exactly what you do with the president who has lost an election, and you have a new person who's been elected to the presidency, and the old president is not wanting to leave. I don't know what you do."
She continued, "My understanding, or what I would like to do, is I would like to see him marched out of there. ... I don't know whether it's the Secret Service or whether it's military or what have you, but he can't stay. He can't claim, you know, ownership of the White House. He doesn't want to leave, and he's doing everything possible, including talking about martial war [sic], et cetera, et cetera. We want him out of there. I know Nancy Pelosi is counting down the hours. She told me that also."
Martial "war," Maxine?
Anything else?
Waters' declarations aren't terribly surprising given the rhetoric she's spewed during Trump's time in office. Perhaps her most infamous moment came in 2018 when she openly encouraged her supporters to harass and maybe even attack members of Trump's administration.
"Let's make sure we show up wherever we have to show up and if you see anybody from that Cabinet in a restaurant, in a department store, at a gasoline station, you get out and you create a crowd and you push back on them, and you tell them they're not welcome anymore, anywhere," Waters said in a speech.
Earlier this year she also said the Minneapolis police officer whose knee pressed into George Floyd's neck "enjoyed doing what he was doing" and was out to kill that day. "I believe sometimes some of these officers leave home thinking, 'I'm gonna get me one today.' And I think this is his one," Waters said.
Prior to the election, Waters blasted conservative black voters and said she'd "never, ever forgive them" for voting for Trump.


theblaze--2020-12-23--VIDEO: Raphael Warnock's ex-wife tells police she 'tried to keep the way he acts under wraps,' says

VIDEO: Raphael Warnock's ex-wife tells police she 'tried to keep the way he acts under wraps,' says he's a 'great actor' following domestic dispute

VIDEO : Raphael Warnock 's ex-wife tells police she 'tried to keep the way he acts under wraps , ' @ @ @ @ @ actor ' following domestic dispute 'He 's phenomenal at putting on a really good show @

Newly released bodycam footage shows the Rev. Raphael Warnock's ex-wife telling police that the Democratic Senate candidate is a "great actor" and "phenomenal at putting on a really good show" after they responded to a domestic dispute call in March.
Oulèye Ndoye, who married Warnock in 2016 and had two children with him before they divorced in November 2019, reportedly called officers to the scene after Warnock allegedly ran over her foot with a car.
Warnock, who serves as the senior pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, was never charged with a crime and medical officials said they didn't find any visible signs of injury at the scene, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. At the time, Warnock flatly denied the allegation to the news outlet, saying "it didn't happen."
But interest in the incident has resurfaced after Fox News' Tucker Carlson obtained video from the scene that shows Warnock and Ndoye talking to officers about what allegedly happened moments earlier. Ndoye then opens up about Warnock's character.
"This man's running for the United States Senate and all he cares about right now is his reputation," Ndoye said in a sidebar with police. "I work at the mayor's office and this is a big problem. I've been trying to be very quiet about the way he is for the sake of my kids and his reputation.
"I've tried to keep the way that he acts under wraps for a long time and today he crossed the line," she continued. "So that is what is going on here and he's a great actor. He is phenomenal at putting on a really good show."
Rev. Warnock told the officer: "I don't want to get into a shoving match with her. So I go back around, get back in the car, and I slowly start to move, like I'm gonna move forward. Then she claims I ran over her foot."
The two reportedly got into an argument after Ndoye tried to get Warnock's signature for a passport that would allow her to take their kids to see her family in West Africa after the death of her grandfather.
"He's like, 'Ouleye, close the door. I'm leaving,'" she told the officer while crying, according to Fox News. "And I was like, 'just hear me out. If your mom died, and I had the kids. Wouldn't you want me to let them go with you to the funeral? And he just starts backing the car up. He wasn't going fast, I'm not bleeding. But I just can't believe he'd run me over."
The new video is sure to garner attention with only two weeks to go before Warnock faces off against Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler (Ga.) in the Jan. 5 Senate runoff election. The race is one of two in the Peach State that will decide which party controls the Senate.


theblaze--2020-12-24--Pelosi, McCarthy to offer competing responses to Trump's veto threat during Christmas Eve session as

Pelosi, McCarthy to offer competing responses to Trump's veto threat during Christmas Eve session as shutdown looms

Pelosi , McCarthy to offer competing responses to Trump 's veto threat during Christmas Eve session as shutdown looms

According to multiple reports, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) plan to offer competing "unanimous consent" resolutions to amend the coronavirus relief package in response to the veto threat issued by President Donald Trump earlier this week. Neither resolution is expected to pass, with the result being an apparent stalemate over the fate of the bill. Because the bill also functions as an Omnibus spending measure that was designed to avert a government shutdown, the possibility of a Trump veto means that the government could shut down the week after Christmas.
The wrangling began Tuesday when Trump issued a stern rebuke to Congress about the bill, which has been widely lampooned on both the left and the right for failing to give enough direct relief to Americans affected by the pandemic and its associated business shutdowns, and for giving too much to special interests, particularly in foreign countries. In his video message, Trump specifically hammered home those two points, criticizing Congress for not sending at least $2,000 per person in direct relief, and also for including millions of dollars in foreign aid in the bill.
Democrats, led by Pelosi, have announced plans to introduce a unanimous consent bill that would leave the rest of the bill unchanged, but increase the size of payouts to American families to the $2,000 figure requested by Trump.
"Mr. President, sign the bill to keep government open! Urge McConnell and McCarthy to agree with the Democratic unanimous consent request for $2,000 direct payments! This can be done by noon on Christmas Eve!"
According to Fox News, McCarthy was not impressed with this gambit, and multiple Republicans plan to object, which would defeat the unanimous consent resolution.
In a tweet, McCarthy accused the Democrats of having "selective hearing" when it came to Trump's remarks, accusing them of ignoring Trump's call to pay for the increased payouts by reducing or eliminating the foreign aid in the bill, and released a full letter to his House colleagues about Republicans' plans:
According to McCarthy's letter, Democrats "have conveniently ignored the concerns expressed by the President, and shared by our constituents, that we ought to reexamine how our tax dollars are spent overseas while so many of our neighbors at home are struggling to make ends meet. Thus, Republicans will offer a unanimous consent request to revisit the State and Foreign Operations title of the Omnibus so that we can full address the concerns at hand."
Fox reports that Democrats plan to object to this resolution, which means that the House will be right back where it started. And of course, even if the House did act on either of those unanimous consent resolutions, the amended legislation would then have to be re-passed by the Senate, where its fate would be similarly uncertain.
Reading between the lines, Democrats appear to be betting that Trump will not make good on his veto threat, which would raise the specter of a government shutdown the week after Christmas. Currently, the federal government is operating on a one week continuing resolution that is set to expire early next week, if a longer-term funding measure is not passed. In addition to the potential for a government shutdown, a number of other COVID-related benefits are scheduled to expire immediately, including expanded unemployment benefits, which will expire the day after Christmas if a funding package that extends them is not passed.


theblaze--2020-12-24--Merry Christmas Eve, from all of us to you

Merry Christmas Eve , from all of us to you

On behalf of the staff on the news team at TheBlaze, allow me to wish all of you, our readers, a very Merry Christmas. Thank you all for reading our articles, subscribing to the channel, and for all the positive feedback you provide for everything we do. We would not be here without you, our readers, and we are thankful and grateful for each one of you.
Tomorrow, so that our staff can enjoy the day off with their families, we will take the day off from covering the news, and will instead post a series of Christmas messages from the staff. We hope you will read and enjoy them.
Our best to you and yours on this special day.
-TheBlaze news staff


theblaze--2020-12-24--Italian nursing home sets up 'hug room' where residents can hug their relatives through holes in ple

Italian nursing home sets up 'hug room' where residents can hug their relatives through holes in plexiglass

Italian nursing home sets up 'hug room ' where residents can hug their relatives through holes in plexiglass

Apparently operating under the theory that human contact in any form is better than no human contact at all, a nursing home in Italy has set up a "hug room" where its residents can hug their families over the holidays, according to The Hill.
Your mileage may vary, however, as to how much this "hug room" will be of help to the home's residents because it will require residents to be separated from their hugees by a sheet of plexiglass, and to insert their arms into protective sleeves that have been attached to holes in the plexiglass. In other words, no actual human-to-human contact will occur.
The home, which is known as the Ville Del Sol facility outside of Rome, had their first trial with the "hug room" between 21-year-old Gioia Tocchio and her 82-year-old grandmother Giovanna Chinagli, and deemed it a success, paving the way for more of their residents to enjoy a "hug" with their relatives.
Ville Del Sol owner Paola Del Bufalo told the Washington Post, "The fact of holding the hand of a loved one means so much. It's not as if they hadn't seen one other at a distance. But it's one thing to see, another to touch."
Nursing home residents have been disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. While nursing home residents represent only about one quarter of 1 percent of the United States population, they have represented about 40 percent of the nationwide fatalities that have been attributed to COVID-19.
In addition to the deaths directly attributable to the disease, an as-yet-undetermined number of nursing home residents have suffered premature deaths due to what many have called a mental health crisis that is affection the nation's nursing home residents, who have suddenly found themselves cut off from direct contact with their families and loved ones.
As the AARP notes, nursing home staff have widely reported the phenomenon of their residents "losing the will to live" as a result of isolation brought on by the pandemic.
Nursing home residents are expected to receive higher priority in the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, which will hopefully allow residents to resume regular, actual hugs with their family and friends, without the use of plexiglass or protective sleeves.


theblaze--2020-12-24--NYT: Fauci admits to deceiving the public about herd immunity because he wanted more people to get v

NYT: Fauci admits to deceiving the public about herd immunity because he wanted more people to get vaccinated

NYT : Fauci admits to deceiving the public about herd immunity because he wanted more people to get vaccinated Fauci @ @ @ @ @ to deceive the public for their own good

In a startling interview with the New York Times, Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the government's coronavirus taskforce, admitted that he did not level with the American people about how many people would need to be vaccinated in order to achieve herd immunity because he didn't think the public was ready to hear his true thoughts, which he feared might discourage people from getting vaccinated.
The Times article catalogued Dr. Fauci's changing position on how many Americans would need to be vaccinated, which he initially stated would be 60-70 percent. As noted by the Times, about a month ago, Fauci's tune began to change and he suggested that the figure was actually 70-75 percent. Last week, in an interview with CNBC, he upped that figure (again) to "75 to 80-plus percent." In the interview with the Times, he changed his estimate yet again and suggested that the figure actually may be "close to 90 percent."
According to the Times, in the telephone interview, "Dr. Fauci acknowledged that he had slowly but deliberately been moving the goal posts. He is doing so, he said, partly based on new science, and partly on his gut feeling that the country is finally ready to hear what he really thinks."
In other words, Fauci's advice to the American public on one of the most critical aspects of the coronavirus pandemic, has not consisted entirely of his honest opinion, formulated by the best science, but rather on what he thinks the country is ready to hear.
Dr. Fauci went on to even more expressly admit that he had fudged his public pronouncements in order to encourage people to take the vaccine. According to the Times, Dr. Fauci was ready to raise his estimates "weeks ago" but refused because "many Americans seemed hesitant about vaccines, which they would need to accept almost universally in order for the country to achieve herd immunity."
Blithely continuing to explain how polling, rather than science, informed his public pronouncements, Fauci went on: "When polls said only about half of all Americans would take a vaccine, I was saying herd immunity would take 70 to 75 percent. Then, when newer surveys said 60 percent or more would take it, I thought, 'I can nudge this up a bit,' so I went to 80, 85."
Moreover, Fauci went on to explicitly state that his future pronouncements might still be based on his feeling of what the public thinks, not what the science says: "We need to have some humility here. We really don't know what the real number is. I think the real range is somewhere between 70 to 90 percent. But, I'm not going to say 90 percent."
Why won't he say 90 percent? According to the Times, the answer is that "Doing so might be discouraging to Americans, he said, because he is not sure there will be enough voluntary acceptance of vaccines to reach that goal," in light of the fact that "sentiments about vaccines in polls have bounced up and down this year."


theblaze--2020-12-24--U.K., EU finally reach Brexit deal

U.K., EU finally reach Brexit deal

After years of wrangling , the British government has finally announced a trade deal with the European Union that will govern the trade relationship between the U.K. and European mainland after Brexit .
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the deal , which must still be ratified by the British parliament and the EU , on Twitter .
Britain officially left the E.U .
on January 1 , 2020 , after Brexit was approved by a voter referendum in June of 2016 .
Since the Brexit vote , the British government has been attempting — without success — to hammer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Union in order to avoid potentially disastrous trade consequences , including the imposition of tariffs and restrictions on the exportation of British goods to the European continent .
Although Britain officially left the EU in January , it has continued to operate under E.U .
rules throughout 2020 while Boris Johnson 's government attempted to hammer out an agreement with the EU .
Failure to successfully negotiate a deal that could be ratified by the British parliament ultimately doomed the government of former Prime Minister Theresa May , who resigned in June 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now clear to me that it is in the best interests of the country for a new prime minister to lead [ Brexit negotiations ] . ''
Johnson 's government led an aggressive negotiation which began in March and has continued almost continuously since .
One of the last remaining obstacles to a deal was disagreement about EU fishing rights in U.K. waters , a thorny issue that threatened to derail the whole agreement even as late as this week .
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised the deal in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a long and winding road but we have got a good deal to show for it .
It is fair , it is a balanced deal and it is the right and responsible thing to do for both sides . ''
As a result of the deal , British MPs have been recalled to Parliament for an emergency session to read the deal and vote on it before the current agreement expires on December 31st .
Most observers believe that the deal will pass the British parliament ; however , its fate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

After years of wrangling, the British government has finally announced a trade deal with the European Union that will govern the trade relationship between the U.K. and European mainland after Brexit.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the deal, which must still be ratified by the British parliament and the EU, on Twitter.
Britain officially left the E.U. on January 1, 2020, after Brexit was approved by a voter referendum in June of 2016. Since the Brexit vote, the British government has been attempting — without success — to hammer out a trade deal with the European Union in order to avoid potentially disastrous trade consequences, including the imposition of tariffs and restrictions on the exportation of British goods to the European continent.
Although Britain officially left the EU in January, it has continued to operate under E.U. rules throughout 2020 while Boris Johnson's government attempted to hammer out an agreement with the EU.
Failure to successfully negotiate a deal that could be ratified by the British parliament ultimately doomed the government of former Prime Minister Theresa May, who resigned in June 2019, saying, "it it is now clear to me that it is in the best interests of the country for a new prime minister to lead [Brexit negotiations]."
Johnson's government led an aggressive negotiation which began in March and has continued almost continuously since. One of the last remaining obstacles to a deal was disagreement about EU fishing rights in U.K. waters, a thorny issue that threatened to derail the whole agreement even as late as this week.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised the deal in a statement, saying, "It has been a long and winding road but we have got a good deal to show for it. It is fair, it is a balanced deal and it is the right and responsible thing to do for both sides."
As a result of the deal, British MPs have been recalled to Parliament for an emergency session to read the deal and vote on it before the current agreement expires on December 31st. Most observers believe that the deal will pass the British parliament; however, its fate in the EU remains slightly more uncertain.


theblaze--2020-12-24--VOTE: The Most Savage Tweet of the Year is...

VOTE : The Most Savage Tweet of the Year is ...

Let us know your pick for the Most Savage Tweet of 2020. Here are the four nominees...
Chad Prather
Steve Deace
Stu Burguiere
Allie Beth Stuckey
Cast your vote below.

Most Savage Tweet of the Year Is...

1. Chad Prather

2. Steve Deace

3. Stu Burguiere

4. Allie Beth Stuckey

Vote in every category!
Best Quarantine Hot Take
Best Parody
Best Impression
Best Rebuttal
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theblaze--2020-12-24--World's first artificial heart approved for sale in France

World 's first artificial heart approved for sale in France

French company Carmat SA has achieved a medical breakthrough years in the making with the approval of the first artificial heart ever developed, according to Bloomberg News.
Bloomberg reports that the project began as far back as 1993, and research and development has been carried forward by missile company Matra, which then became part of airplane manufacturing company Airbus, which is Carmat's largest shareholder. Carmat began the process of obtaining a CE Mark, which is the rough European Union equivalent of FDA approval, ten years ago, and the mark was granted this week.
At present, the device is only intended to be a "bridge" to a living heart transplant for people who are in irreversible cardiac failure, and is not intended to be a permanent replacement heart. Still, estimates indicate that Carmat could sell over 700 Euros worth of the product annually by 2030.
Additionally, the device can serve to prolong the life of many people who are suffering from end-stage heart failure that does not respond to medical treatments. There are currently millions more people per year who are in this predicament than there are available potential heart donors, with the result that millions die annually while waiting for a transplant, and might experience prolonged life from the artificial heart.
Carmat CEO said Thursday that the company's achievement of a CE Mark in 10 years "is a record, given the complexity of such a device. We'll have to work with doctors and medical centers now to offer our therapy and we'll have to look for patients. The production phase will be a delicate one."
Carmat SA stock climbed sharply on the news, up as much as 50 percent during Thursday's training.