Day: January 8, 2017

WashPost Likens Virginia GOP Bathroom Bill to ‘Jim Crow,’ Wrongly Claims No Crime

In a Saturday article titled, “Virginia’s Latest Attempt to Marginalize Minorities,” the Washington Post editorial board slams Virginia Republican Delegate Robert Marshall for proposing a bathroom bill similar to that in North Carolina that would bar men from using women’s restrooms. As it wrongly claims that there are no examples in Virginia of men pretending to be women to victimize them in such public places, the article even likens the “obnoxious” legislation to racism in the Jim Crow South and suggests that some Republicans would support it because they like “marginalizing minorities.”

Waymo self-driving

Google’s autonomous driving spinoff, Waymo, has developed sensors that pair with its self-driving software, potentially opening the door for the company to sell a comprehensive system that automakers build into future car models. Google initially built its self-driving software on a prototype car outfitted with sensors, cameras and other hardware from outside suppliers.

US Senate to act on Obamacare repeal

The US Senate will take its first steps toward repealing President Barack Obama’s signature healthcare reform act by the end of the week, Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says. “There ought not to be a great gap” between repealing the act and replacing it and that Republicans would be “replacing it rapidly after repealing it,” McConnell told US network CBS.

Netanyahu Thanks House For Condemning UN Security Council Resolution

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday for disavowing the UN Security Council’s resolution condemning Israeli settlement activity as a “flagrant violation of international law.” “After the outrageous anti-Israel resolution at the UN, the U.S. House of Representatives voted yesterday resoundingly to support Israel and reject this one-sided resolution,” Netanyahu said .

Michael Moore Calls for – 100 Days of Resistance’ Against Trump Presidency

Filmmaker Michael Moore will attend the Women’s March on Washington to protest Donald Trump’s inauguration later this month, and has called for political groups to go further – by staging protests and resistance actions through the first 100 days of Trump’s presidency. In an appearance this weekend on MSNBC’s The Last Word , the 62-year-old Trumpland director encouraged those opposed to Trump’s presidency to join the Women’s March on Washington scheduled for January 21, the day after the presidential inauguration.

Ted Cruz, Texas governor meet with Taiwan president

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Gov. Greg Abbott said they met Sunday with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen while she was passing through Houston on her way to Central America. The Republican senator said in a news release that during his meeting with Tsai, they “discussed our mutual opportunity to upgrade the stature of our bilateral relations” in a talk that addressed arms sales, diplomatic exchanges and economic relations.

Even with increased airport security vulnerabilities remain

This photo taken Friday, Jan. 6, 2017 by passenger Mark Lea and released by Lea Sunday, Jan. 8 shows a handgun which was used by Iraq war veteran Esteban Santiago when he killed five people is seen on the floor at the scene of the attack at the Fort Lauderdale airport in Florida. In a post-9/11 world, American airports have taken all sorts of steps to keep travelers safe.

Mitch McConnell tells Senate democrats to ‘grow up’

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has a message for Democrats seeking to slow down Donald Trump’s cabinet confirmation hearings: “grow up.” Democrats, led by Sen. Chuck Schumer, are pressing to postpone the confirmation committee meetings this week of several of Trump’s nominees until they turn in financial disclosure reports to resolve any potential conflicts of interest.

CNN anchor confronts Trump adviser on Russia: ‘How can you say…

CNN anchor Jake Tapper pressed President-elect Donald Trump’s top counselor over why his team hesitated to admit that they benefited from internal emails from the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton’s campaign exposed by Russian hacking and leaking. In an interview on CNN on Sunday, Tapper asked Kellyanne Conway why she dismissed the hacking’s impact on the 2016 election.

Jeff Sessions faces ‘Washington’s bloodsport’

Instead of grilling a potential nominee, Sessions himself will be the main course as he faces his former colleagues Tuesday. A source familiar with his preparation says Sessions has been working hard since before Christmas on intense prep sessions and while he has spent time this week meeting with senators, he had a so-called “murder board” or mock hearing practice on Friday.

Absentee voting extended to 2 p.m. Monday in special election for McEachin’s seat

Because of Saturday’s snowstorm, the commissioner of Virginia’s Department of Elections has extended until 2 p.m. Monday the deadline to vote absentee in person in Tuesday’s three special elections. The elections, coming a day before the General Assembly session begins, will fill the seats of three former legislators who were sworn in last week as members of Congress – Reps.

Mitch McConnell: Democrats Hoping To Delay Cabinet Nominations Need To ‘Grow Up’

Ladies and gentlemen, I present you with compelling evidence that turtles possess no moral compass, no sense of ethics or the ability to feel shame for utter hypocrisy. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell appeared on CBS’ Face the Nation to pooh-pooh the Office of General Ethics’ complaint that the Senate was rushing President-elect Trump’s cabinet nominations to vote before ethics investigations could be completed.

The Wall Street Journal: McConnell says GOP will have new health plan soon after Obamacare repeal

Congress will quickly devise a new health-insurance system after moving to repeal the Obama administration’s signature health-care law in coming days, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Sunday, despite growing questions within the Republican Party over the GOP’s strategy. “We will be replacing it rapidly after repealing it,” the Kentucky Republican said Sunday on CBS.

FBI agent who interrogated Saddam Hussein leads airport case

The FBI agent who interrogated Saddam Hussein alone for months after the former Iraqi leader’s capture is now leading the investigation into the Florida airport shooting rampage blamed on an Iraq war veteran. George Piro, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Miami field office, was Saddam’s sole interrogator beginning in January 2004.

A look at Indiana Gov.-elect Eric Holcomb

CAREER: State chief of staff for U.S. Sen. Dan Coats, 2013-15; Indiana Republican Party chairman, 2011-13; various positions with Gov. Mitch Daniels, including deputy chief of staff and 2008 campaign manager, 2003-11; aide to U.S. Rep. John Hostettler. CAMPAIGNS: Won 2016 race for governor; announced in March 2015 bid for 2016 U.S. Senate nomination, but dropped out when appointed lieutenant governor; lost 2000 campaign for state representative seat from Vincennes area.

Holcomb finishes ascension from unknown to Indiana governor

In this Nov. 14, 2016 file photo Vice President-elect Mike Pence, right, shakes hands with Indiana Governor-elect Eric Holcomb, as they participate in a cabinet meeting in the governor’s Statehouse office in Indianapolis. Holcomb’s inauguration as Indiana governor on Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, will complete a whirlwind ascension in the past year from a virtually unknown candidate to the state’s top office.

Kellyanne Conway says Russia failed to influence US election

Kellyanne Conway, president and CEO of the Polling Company and the campaign manager of US President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign, speaks during the 4th Annual Women Rule Summit in Washington, DC, December 7, 2016. / AFP / SAUL LOEB Kellyanne Conway, president and CEO of the Polling Company and the campaign manager of US President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign, speaks during the 4th Annual Women Rule Summit in Washington, DC, December 7, 2016.

Donald Trump does U-turn on Russian hacking advice, ‘may take action’ – chief of staff

President-elect Donald Trump accepts the US intelligence community’s conclusion that Russia engaged in cyber attacks aimed at disrupting the presidential election and may take actions in response, his incoming chief of staff said on Sunday. Reince Priebus, the former Republican National Committee chairman, said Trump understands that Moscow was behind the intrusions into the Democratic Party organisations.

LGBT activists brace for efforts to undermine their gains

In this April 25, 2016 file photo, protesters head to the legislative building in Raleigh, N.C., for a sit-in against House Bill 2, a contentious law that limited protections for LGBT people. After a string of major gains in recent years, LGBT activists are bracing for a different task in 2017 – trying to prevent Republicans in Congress and state legislatures from undermining those gains.

Pentagon chief: ‘Virtually zero’ Russian support against IS

President Barack Obama, stands with, from left, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford, Vice President Joe Biden, and Defense Secretary Ash Carter, as they listen to the National Anthem during an Armed Forces Full Honor Farewell Review for the president, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017, at Conmy Hall, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va.

Wind turbine a source of energy and education

FOR RELEASE SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 2017, AT 12:01 A.M. CST.- A wind turbine pictured here on Wednesday, December 28, 2016 was built south of the Central Community College-Hastings campus as a partnership with Bluestem Energy Solutions, Hastings Utilities and CCC. CCC hopes to add a wind energy program to the curriculum by the fall of 2017.

Will: Obama’s unforced errors on foreign policy

When Barack Obama moves two miles from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to 2446 Belmont Road in Washington’s Kalorama neighborhood, he will live a half-mile from 2340 S Street, where Woodrow Wilson spent his three post-presidential years. Wilson’s embittering foreign policy failure was the Senate’s rejection of the U.S. participation in the embodiment of Wilsonian aspirations, the League of Nations.

Trump must prove Putin’s assessment wrong

The declassified report from our intelligence agencies confirmed that Russia hacked and used other techniques to try to undermine confidence in our election system, denigrate Hillary Clinton and help elect President-elect Donald Trump. Russia “developed a clear preference for President-elect Trump,” the report states.

Fun Ways to Repurpose Your Wine Corks

As young professionals, we love wine! In fact, there’s nothing we find more enjoyable than gathering with other young professionals and discussing current events over a modestly priced Pinot. The true cost of these get-togethers, though, is an ever-increasing mountain of corks.

Adam Schiff, Top Democrat on Intel Committee, Says Russia’s No Ally

The top Republican and Democrat on the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee on Sunday cast doubt on whether Russia can become an ally of the United States, an idea President-elect Donald Trump has embraced. Republican Devin Nunes, chairman of the committee, said on “Fox News Sunday” he would like to see a U.S.-Russia friendship but does not know if it is possible.

Abbreviated Pundit Round-up: the waiting season

Donald Trump has won the presidency after narrowly carrying a few states to put him above 270 electoral votes.But according… There are times when the world seems less than real; when day-to-day events seem thinly sketched on a backdrop as insubstantial as fog. I’ve felt this way most keenly in moments of personal shock, as in the days following a death in the family.

This day in history, Jan. 8, 2017

On Jan. 8, 1867, the U.S. House of Representatives joined the Senate in overriding President Andrew Johnson’s veto of the District of Columbia Suffrage Bill, giving black men in the nation’s capital the right to vote. In 1815, the last major engagement of the War of 1812 came to an end as U.S. forces defeated the British in the Battle of New Orleans, not having gotten word of the signing of a peace treaty.

Return of the poor man’s Harvard

Karl Grossman is a professor of journalism at the State University of New York/College at Old Westbury who has specialized in investigative reporting for 45 years. He is the host of the TV program “Enviro Close-Up,” the writer and presenter of numerous TV documentaries and the author of six books.