News Dump

Bernie Sanders: Every state should have a public option
https://www.cnn.com/2017/07/30/politics/bernie-sanders-health-care/index.html

Rudy Giuliani: "I needed Yovanovitch out of the way"
https://www.axios.com/rudy-giuliani-marie-yovanovitch-ukraine-trump-c298c744-2d29-401b-898d-6b56e349add9.html
https://theweek.com/speedreads/884544/rudy-giuliani-stunningly-admits-needed-yovanovitch-way

Far too little Far too late: Apple, Google, Dell, Microsoft and Tesla named as defendants in US lawsuit filed on behalf of 14 parents and children from Democratic Republic of the Congo. Families say children working in mines were killed or maimed while mining for cobalt used to power smartphones, laptops, and electric cars.
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/dec/16/apple-and-google-named-in-us-lawsuit-over-congolese-child-cobalt-mining-deaths

Apple, Google, Dell, Microsoft and Tesla named as defendants in US lawsuit filed on behalf of 14 parents and children from Democratic Republic of the Congo. Families say children working in mines were killed or maimed while mining for cobalt used to power smartphones, laptops, and electric cars.
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/dec/16/apple-and-google-named-in-us-lawsuit-over-congolese-child-cobalt-mining-deaths

Goldman Sachs is first big US bank to rule out loans for Arctic drilling
https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/16/business/goldman-sachs-arctic/index.html
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/16/big-deal-goldman-sachs-rules-out-funding-new-coal-projects-arctic-oil-drilling

First long-term study on vaping finds it can harm your lungs relatively quickly, increasing risk of conditions like asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. "Most adults who use e-cigarettes continue to smoke. And if they do that, they get the risks of the smoking plus the risk of the e-cigarette."
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/vaping/e-cigarettes-linked-lung-problems-first-long-term-study-vaping-n1101641

As climate change melts Alaska’s permafrost, roads sink, bridges tilt and greenhouse gases release
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/as-climate-change-melts-alaskas-permafrost-roads-sink-homes-tilt-and-greenhouse-gases-release

Russia’s State TV Calls Trump Their ‘Agent’
https://www.thedailybeast.com/russias-state-tv-calls-trump-their-agent

USDA rules on pork inspection rolled back first time in 50 years. GO ORGANIC+VEGAN.
https://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/watch/usda-rules-on-pork-inspection-to-change-for-first-time-in-50-years-75144773688

Trump administration proposes Social Security rule changes that could cut off thousands of disabled recipients
https://www.chicagotribune.com/sns-tns-bc-socialsecurity-disabled-20191212-story.html

US Denounced as 'Threat to Humanity' as COP25 Ends Without Deal on Big Polluters' Responsibility to Frontline Nations | "This year the masses mobilized, but our political leaders refused to rise above their own little agendas."
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/15/us-denounced-threat-humanity-cop25-ends-without-deal-big-polluters-responsibility

West Point investigating hand symbol with possible links to white power used by cadets during Army-Navy game
https://www.inquirer.com/news/west-point-investigating-hand-gesture-with-links-to-white-power-used-at-army-navy-game-philadelphia-20191215.html

For those wondering why I’ve gone from generally liking Bernie in 2015 to pretty much despising him, this is a perfect example. We have Nazis in the White House and he’s laughing as he encourages his supporters to loudly boo the only party capable of stopping them.
https://twitter.com/charles_gaba/status/1206229101956288513

The Chinese Navy Is Building An Incredible Number Of Warships
https://www.forbes.com/sites/hisutton/2019/12/15/china-is-building-an-incredible-number-of-warships/#737aa80769ac

US expelled Chinese officials who entered sensitive military base
https://us.cnn.com/2019/12/15/politics/chinese-officials-expelled-embassy-military-base/index.html

U.S. Secretly Expelled Chinese Officials Suspected of Spying After Breach of Military Base
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/15/world/asia/us-china-spies.html

China Threatens Germany With Retaliation If Huawei 5G Is Banned
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/china-threatens-germany-retaliation-huawei-230924698.html

China’s CCTV cancels Arsenal game after Ozil’s Uighur remarks
https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2019/12/15/chinas-cctv-cancels-arsenal-game-after-ozils-uighur-remarks/

Trump’s Border Wall Threatens An Arizona Oasis With A Long, Diverse History
https://www.latinousa.org/2019/12/05/trumpborderwall/

Remember When Bernie Cosponsored a Free College Bill with a $125,000 Threshold????
https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/college-for-all-act-introduced

Too little to late you fucking idiots: Botswana cancels hunters' licences for killing elephant
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-50800864

The Ocean Cleanup Device has returned from the Pacific Garbage Patch with Its first load of plastic
https://www.fastcompany.com/90441278/the-ocean-cleanup-device-has-returned-from-the-pacific-garbage-patch-with-its-first-load-of-plastic

The bottom line is that the NFL is treating the Patriots video case as a typical game-day violation with typical rather than extraordinary penalties: a team fine, maybe draft-pick adjustments. It does not appear any individuals are being treated as repeat offenders.
https://twitter.com/MarkMaske/status/1206243793571319808

Patriots suspend videographer involved in Bengals filming incident
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2019/12/15/patriots-suspend-videographer-involved-bengals-filming-incident/fE2KzEePkQDFnRJ1HMzwPM/story.html

Infant mortality increases with Republican presidents in office. Report finds that in addition to Republican states having higher infant mortality rates than some African countries, the president's party has a direct influence on infant mortality.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4052132/

Council Passes Landmark Bill Restricting Single-Use Plastics On Oahu
https://www.civilbeat.org/beat/council-passes-landmark-bill-restricting-single-use-plastics-on-oahu/

The FBI analyzed 160 cases of active shooters, and not one was stopped by a concealed carry permit holder who was not active duty military, a security guard, or a police officer. 21 were stopped by unarmed civilians.
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/arming-teachers-is-not-a-good-option/?linkId=48658779#

That 70’s Show debuted in 1998, and was set in 1976. If a show came out today in 2019 with the same premise, it would be set in 1997.
https://twitter.com/ThatEricAlper/status/1206220574374150144

A federal judge puts a pause on Georgia’s planned mass purge of its voting rolls.
https://apnews.com/9b6c35885e7ac7d06355fd96f1fa27ec

Andrew Yang proposes 6 reforms to the current healthcare system. - He says it's a more productive way of fixing healthcare than other candidates. - Still agrees with "spirit of Medicare for All." | “I support the spirit of Medicare for All,” Yang said in rolling out his new plan on Dec. 16, adding that he feels “eliminating private insurance for millions of Americans is not a realistic strategy.”
https://www.politico.com/news/2019/12/16/andrew-yang-2020-election-health-care-plan-085881

These Dolphins players were deemed "busts." Turns out all they had to do was escape Adam Gase. * DeVante Parker * Kenyan Drake * Ryan Tannehill
https://twitter.com/adamlevitan/status/1206357419569356802

Rudy Giuliani’s ‘Investigative Special’ Featured on Russia’s State-Owned News Network
https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/rudy-giulianis-investigative-special-featured-on-russias-state-owned-news-network/

US Border Officials Are Issuing Fake Court Notices To Keep Out Immigrants Who Have Won Asylum
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/amphtml/hamedaleaziz/immigrants-asylum-turned-away-us-border

Kansas Kills Kris Kobach’s National Voter Purge System
https://truthout.org/articles/kansas-kills-kris-kobachs-national-voter-purge-system/

‘Dump it down the drain’: How contaminants from prescription-drug factories pollute waterways
https://www.statnews.com/2019/12/11/how-contaminants-from-prescription-drug-factories-pollute-waterways/

One time, Joe Carter pulled an amazing prank on Derek Bell by pretending to raffle off his car mid-game. He rode onto the field in it and the announcer read off a fake "winning ticket". (1992)
https://twitter.com/Ben13Porter/status/1206390387348246529

If you’re in a mental state where any of the top Dem candidates running for president is some kind of existential threat to humanity, please seek help. You may think one will lose. You may disagree w them on policy. But none of them are Armageddon. Get a grip.
https://twitter.com/neeratanden/status/1206588459407855617

Poll finds most Canadians want Huawei barred from country's 5G networks - Survey also found 66 per cent of respondents viewed China negatively
https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/poll-finds-most-canadians-want-huawei-barred-from-country-s-5g-networks-1.5392662

Boris Johnson approves release of Russian interference report following election win
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/boris-johnson-russia-report-brexit-interference-general-election-release-a9248446.html

This is not fucking funny. Ultimately, Bernie Sanders's true legacy will be poisoning an entire generation against the Democratic Party and convincing them that stalwart advocates like Clinton, Pelsoi, Schiff and Cummings (R.I.P) only care about "corporations." FUCK HIM.
https://twitter.com/pavanvan/status/1206360426864402432?s=21

Just because we can't hear their screams doesn't mean they aren't in pain. A growing mountain of scientific evidence proves that fish feel physical pain and exhibit unique behaviors.

Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) discovers explicit photos on president’s computer — fires IT staff, keeps president
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2019/12/16/internet-agency-discovers-explicit-photos-on-presidents-computer-fires-it-staff-keeps-president.html

Goldman Sachs investing $750B toward fighting climate change
https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/474762-goldman-sachs-investing-750b-toward-fighting-climate-change

Malnutrition and obesity now a global problem
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/dec/16/malnutrition-and-obesity-now-a-global-problem-say-experts

Iraq: State Appears Complicit in Massacre of Protesters | The killings come three months into protests in Baghdad and southern Iraq, in which the death toll has reached 511 people, according to the Ministry of Health. | US, UK, Iran, and Others Should Withhold Military Aid
https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/12/16/iraq-state-appears-complicit-massacre-protesters

Mass grave containing remains of 643 civilians discovered in Iraq
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2019/12/15/Mass-grave-containing-remains-of-643-civilians-discovered-in-Iraq.html

The new Conservative government in the UK will pass a law that will ban public bodies from engaging with the Boycott, Divest and Sanctions (BDS) movement, a senior UK official said on Sunday. UK envoy on post-Holocaust issues says BDS is anti-Semitic
https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/international/europe/1576479471-uk-official-says-boris-johnson-s-gov-t-to-pass-anti-bds-law

Iran: Thousands arrested including children as young as 15, Detainees subjected to enforced disappearance and torture, At least 304 people killed in protests according to credible sources
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/12/iran-thousands-arbitrarily-detained-and-at-risk-of-torture-in-chilling-post-protest-crackdown/

Indonesia files WTO lawsuit against EU over palm oil biofuels. The world's largest palm oil producer has called the EU "discriminatory" over its plan to phase out biofuels. Europe is concerned about the environmental destruction and human rights violations practiced by the industry.
https://www.dw.com/en/indonesia-files-wto-lawsuit-against-eu-over-palm-oil-biofuels/a-51688336

The United States is about to sanction Assad, Russia and Iran for Syrian war crimes | More than three years after it was first introduced, landmark legislation that would provide for U.S. sanctions against the Assad regime, Russia and Iran for past and ongoing war crimes in Syria is on the verge of finally passing in Congress. Expected to become law, the “Caesar Bill” could offer not only for some justice and accountability for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s victims — it could also give the United States leverage in seeking a political solution to the Syrian war. Trump is expected to sign the National Defense Authorization Act of 2020 after Congress passes it, as early as this week. With bipartisan and bicameral agreement, Congress added to it the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019, which authorizes sanctions on top Syrian government officials, military leaders and anyone else responsible for more than eight years of Assad’s mass atrocities, war crimes against innocent civilians and crimes against humanity.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/12/11/united-states-is-about-sanction-assad-russia-iran-syrian-war-crimes/

Plans to shift Europe’s coal plants, including the giant Drax complex in North Yorkshire, to burn wood pellets instead could accelerate rather than combat climate crisis and lay waste to forests equal to half the size of Germany’s Black Forest per year, according to campaigners.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/16/converting-coal-plants-to-biomass-could-fuel-climate-crisis-scientists-warn

Toxic Sydney bushfire haze a 'public health emergency' | Hospital visits spiked 80% on Dec. 10, when air quality plummeted across Sydney prompting up to 20,000 residents to march in protest the following day. Hundreds of climate change-fuelled bushfires have been raging across Australia for months
https://phys.org/news/2019-12-toxic-sydney-bushfire-haze-health.html

Turkey's Erdogan threatens to close strategic bases to US military — Turkey is upping the ante with threats to retaliate against the US if it imposes sanctions on Ankara for its purchase of a Russian missile system. The US military stores around 50 B-61 gravity nuclear bombs at the Incirlik base.
https://www.dw.com/en/turkeys-erdogan-threatens-to-close-strategic-bases-to-us-military/a-51686229

And Flynn's sentencing date is back on: January 28, more than 2 years after first pleading guilty: A federal judge scheduled a sentencing hearing for next month for Michael Flynn after rejecting arguments from the former Trump administration national security adviser that prosecutors had withheld evidence favorable to his case.
https://apnews.com/f2d7d709a6be1357d2f21c91c3581766

This was in April before the election. They all knew and did nothing: “There's two people I think Putin pays: Rohrabacher and Trump,” McCarthy (R-Calif.) said ... Then McCarthy quickly added: “Swear to G\d.”. Remember this quote every time McCarthy speaks. He, Ryan, McConnell all knew Russia was attacking the US. But they didn't care because it benefited them. The Director of the CIA at the time, John Brennan, wanted to go forward - Mitch stopped him. Back in August 2016 before the election, CIA Director John Brennan gathered significant evidence from multiple intelligence agencies on Russia's ongoing attack on the US election, and holds private briefings with congressional leaders and key members of the Obama Administration. How does Mitch respond to the Russian election threat? He basically threatens our own CIA Director, saying if you go public with this I will paint you as partisan working with the Obama administration to screw the Republican nominee. Brennan was not expecting that response (keep in mind Brennan was the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center under Bush and is a career intelligence employee), and is not sure exactly what to do...Let that sink in...even the Director of the CIA...a man with 35 years dealing in espionage...is not prepared for how far Mitch McConnell is willing to go putting party first and in doing so betrayed the intelligence community and ultimately the American people.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/house-majority-leader-to-colleagues-in-2016-i-think-putin-pays-trump/2017/05/17/515f6f8a-3aff-11e7-8854-21f359183e8c_story.html
https://twitter.com/stevesilberman/status/1047139352407465987

Everyone remembers McCarthy’s quote and Ryan trying to "keep it in the family," but the conversation preceding that is arguably more important. They were discussing the disinformation campaign Russia was employing in Ukraine at the time. Here is the most relevant content (edited to clean up pronouns, clarify the quotes, and add emphasis). Ryan: [The Ukrainian PM] basically... He has this really interesting riff about... people have said they have Ukraine fatigue, and it's really Russian fatigue because what Russia is doing... to [them], financing [their] populists, financing people in [their] governments to undo [their] governments, you know, messing with [their] oil and gas energy, all the things Russia does to basically blow up [their] country, they're just going to roll right through [them] and go to the Baltics and everyone else." Rodgers: "Yes" Ryan: "so we should not have Ukraine fatigue, we should have Russian fatigue." Rodgers: "Yes! The propaganda... my big takeaway from the trip was just how sophisticated the propaganda... coming out of Russia and Putin."
Ryan: "Very sophisticated."... Ryan: "So he's saying they're doing this throughout Europe. So, uh... This is, this isn't just about Ukraine." Rodgers: "So, yeah, it is a, um... a way.. it's really a messaging... you know... they are... it's a propaganda war." Ryan: "Russia is trying to turn Ukraine against itself." ... Ryan: "And guess... guess who's the only one taking a strong stand against it? We are." Rodgers: "We're not... we're not... but, we're not..." McCarthy: "...I'll GUARANTEE you that's what it is... The Russians hacked the DNC and got the opp research that they had on Trump. laughs" Ryan: "The Russians hacked the DNC..." McHenry: "... to get oppo..." Ryan: "... on Trump and like delivered it to... to who?" McCarthy: "There's... there's two people, I think, Putin pays: Rohrabacher and Trump laughs swear to G\d." Remember that conversation took place a month before Trump accepted the nomination at the RNC. Ryan and McCarthy had both met separately with the Ukrainian PM earlier that day, so GOP leadership knew exactly what the tactics Putin was using to destabilize Ukraine. There's no way they didn't recognize it happening here too, but they cared more about controlling the government than protecting the country.
https://web.archive.org/web/20191012232029/https://www.washingtonpost.com/apps/g/page/national/read-the-transcript-of-the-conversation-among-gop-leaders-obtained-by-the-post/2209/

There are now 550 rallies happening nationwide this Tuesday demanding Trump’s impeachment. Stand up and be counted. Find the rally nearest you — and share to help spread the word!
https://act.moveon.org/event/impeach-and-remove-attend/search/

Russia attacked our elections to make Donald Trump president of the United States. They—and others—will try it again. Hand-marked paper ballots and upgrades to our election infrastructure are vital to protecting our democracy.
https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris/status/1205579647469178881

This deceased whale was found with 220 pounds of trash in its stomach
https://twitter.com/nowthisnews/status/1205027756939137024

I do agree 100%: My friend @RepRoKhanna is right: it is Orwellian for Congress to hand over billions of dollars worth of weapons and bombs to a president waging a horrific, unconstitutional war in Yemen—and call that progressive.
https://twitter.com/SenSanders/status/1204890008320200705

Thanks to student activists around the country, every candidate for president knows they must present their proposals to end gun violence to have a chance at the highest office in the nation. Thanks @JoeBiden!
https://twitter.com/AMarch4OurLives/status/1204423907677265921
https://joebiden.com/gunsafety/

As scrutiny of Purdue Pharma’s role in the opioid epidemic intensified during the past dozen years, its owners, members of the Sackler family, withdrew more than $10 billion from the company, distributing it among trusts and overseas holding companies, according to a new audit commissioned by Purdue. The amount is more than eight times what the family took out of the company in the 13 years after OxyContin, its signature product, was approved in 1995. The audit is likely to renew questions about how much the Sacklers should pay to resolve more than 2,800 lawsuits that seek to hold Purdue accountable for the opioid crisis.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/16/health/sacklers-purdue-payments-opioids-.html

During Watergate, congressional Republicans did start to break with Nixon when he openly obstructed the investigation and dismissed Congress. This time, Republicans are joining POTUS in these efforts. The remarks from @senatemajldr @LindseyGrahamSC have made this clear.
https://twitter.com/julianzelizer/status/1206529609824702469

Trump could have just called Marie Yovanovitch back to Washington or reassigned her. He didn't have to list any reasons. The smear campaign against her was just cruel for cruelty's sake. Being mean is just the Republican default mode.

The Cruelty Is the Point | Trump and his supporters find community by rejoicing in the suffering of those they hate and fear.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2018/10/the-cruelty-is-the-point/572104/

“In a long conversation with me this past November, Giuliani largely confirmed Lutsenko’s account of their relationship. He, too, saw Yovanovitch as an obstacle, hindering his attempt to dig up dirt against his client’s rival in advance of the 2020 election. “I believed that I needed Yovanovitch out of the way,” he said. “She was going to make the investigations difficult for everybody.”
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/12/23/the-ukrainian-prosecutor-behind-trumps-impeachment

Democrats just broke the ban on gun violence research funding for the first time in 20 years. Although the $50 million asked for wasn’t granted, federal agencies will receive $25 million in a spending deal reached by House and Senate negotiators.
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/474740-25m-set-aside-for-gun-violence-research-in-spending-agreement-in-win-for

Congress also defies Trump's request to slash global programs, increasing appropriations for PEPFAR by $210 million and for the Global Fund by $600 million
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EL8YaqaWoAUpInI.jpg

Friends, @JoeCunninghamSC is taking a very courageous position today. I implore you to support him today. I am sending a donation so he can fight the attacks and I hope you will too. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/joe-general?refcode=homepage
https://twitter.com/neeratanden/status/1206700375983702016

July 2017 entry on oil and gas regulator Scott Angelle's calendar which shows that he was invited to speak at the American Petroleum Institute's "Safe Lifting Conference."
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6421825-BSEE-Calendars-From-Scott-Angelle-from-May-2017.html#document/p79

Senate GOP intends to argue that trial doesn’t imply fact-finding?
https://twitter.com/KlasfeldReports/status/1206699619188723715

Expect this to be Senate GOP argument against Schumer proposal, per sources: Senate trial is not venue for fact-finding; House is. And Dems chose not to go to court to get Mulvaney and Bolton so it's on them, they'll say Though four GOP sens could break ranks and change calculus
https://twitter.com/mkraju/status/1206644786351894533

Amy Kennedy (who's also married to former Rep. Patrick Kennedy) has formed an exploratory committee to potentially replace the party-switching Jeff Van Drew in N.J.
https://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/politics/harrison-announces-candidacy-for-van-drew-seat-amy-kennedy-mulls/article_38eb072a-d414-5499-9075-e66340234290.html

Boeing will suspend production of its 737 Max jet as the aircraft, which represents tens of billions of dollars in annual sales, remains grounded - NYT
https://twitter.com/BNONews/status/1206697094301540352

“One of the finest museums in Washington is about to shut its doors. The lessons it taught us will remain long after the last visitor heads home.” Former editor of @USATODAY, Ken Paulson, reflects on its enduring impact. | That museum — and its larger successor on Pennsylvania Avenue — had a more than 20-year run but will close its doors on Dec. 31. Over its lifespan, the Newseum drew nearly 10 million visitors. Its 8,710 programs and classes educated more than 330,000 students, young and old. NewseumED.org, the museum’s online learning platform, has served more than 11 million teachers and students. The closing is a major disappointment to so many who care deeply about freedom of the press. The museum’s name was not the problem, although a succession of Newseum presidents — including me for a short time a decade ago — saw it as a handicap when soliciting support from traditional foundations and large donors. The problem was expenses and debt. The Washington building was too ambitious ($450 million in construction), the upkeep was too costly and donations were too few.
https://twitter.com/Newseum/status/1206705564899786753
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2019/12/02/former-editor-usa-today-reflection-newseums-impact-closes-doors-column/4346871002/

Pres. Trump’s conduct—using the office of the presidency to seek the aid of a foreign power for personal and political gain—more precisely reflects the type of conduct the Framers of the Constitution sought to remedy through impeachment than that of any president impeached prior.
https://twitter.com/justinamash/status/1206704451962200064

Judge Sullivan accuses Flynn's lawyers of plagiarism. This is not a nice opinion for his counsel.
https://twitter.com/bradheath/status/1206663193516490753
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EL7txrnWsAAqJTd.jpg

Then Judge Sullivan goes through the types of documents Flynn's lawyers have requested. He lumps them into categories such as: 1) Information that does not exist 2) Information that is not within the government's possession Etc. Not great.
https://twitter.com/bradheath/status/1206663897471684609
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EL7uasIX0AU25ve.jpg

Judge Sullivan says Flynn isn't entitled to all of the text messages between Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, the FBI officials who disdained Trump. Flynn knew about them before he pleaded guilty, they don't show his innocence, and the specific texts wouldn't change that.
https://twitter.com/bradheath/status/1206665159533645824
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EL7vkLVX0AEY_oL.jpg

Judge Sullivan is not persuaded by Flynn's arguments that the FBI's report summarizing the interview in which he lied was altered or was inconsistent with the agents' notes.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EL7wWmsXYAY8tFc.jpg

Judge Sullivan says that agents' "notes, draft FD-302s, and final FD-302 are both consistent and clear that Mr. Flynn made false statements to the FBI about his communications with the Russian Ambassador."
https://twitter.com/bradheath/status/1206666564650590208
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EL7w19ZX0AAIlw9.jpg

Judge Sullivan says Flynn - by which he means Flynn's lawyers - have "a fundamental misunderstanding of the law of materiality" under the false-statements statute.
https://twitter.com/bradheath/status/1206666935351599107
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EL7xLh0WwAQFrcC.jpg

Not surprisingly, Judge Sullivan says it's pretty obvious that Flynn's lies about his conversations with the Russian ambassador were material to the FBI's investigation of links between Russia and the Trump campaign.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EL7x36fWwAEVNCD.png

Judge Sullivan also won't order DOJ to turn over records about former Deputy Director Andy McCabe saying "First we f[**]k Flynn, then we f[**]k Trump." DOJ says it investigated that claim and it never happened.
https://twitter.com/bradheath/status/1206668187598827521
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EL7yUZ_XsAAw-4O.png

Judge Sullivan also won't order production of records (if any) of contact between the special counsel and the press. He's skeptical of Flynn's claim that Mueller's office was "manipulating or controlling the press to their advantage." And anyway it's irrelevant.
https://twitter.com/bradheath/status/1206668911309185024
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EL7y-jSWwAAthPR.jpg

Flynn also wanted information about FISA surveillance (per the IG, he wasn't targeted) to establish a 4th Am. violation. Judge Sullivan agrees that by pleading guilty, Flynn waived the right to challenge the admissibility of evidence against him.
https://twitter.com/bradheath/status/1206669504228581378
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EL7zhFBW4AEm4VR.jpg

This is how a judge says "what are you even talking about?"
https://twitter.com/bradheath/status/1206669710361858048
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EL7ztJVX0AA9plQ.jpg

Judge Sullivan also won't order DOJ to turn over transcripts or recordings of Flynn's conversations with the Russian ambassador. If those things even exist, Flynn has "failed to establish that the requested information ... is exculpatory."
https://twitter.com/bradheath/status/1206670292296327171
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EL70O9kXUAAvvm_.jpg

YEP.....If there's like a 10 percent chance M4A slows down drug development that could overwhelm whatever lives it saves that would've died due to uninsurance
https://twitter.com/dylanmatt/status/1206685196969484293
https://slatestarcodex.com/2016/09/07/reverse-voxsplaining-brand-name-drugs/

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear drops Medicaid work requirements, reversing Bevin policy | General technological and administrative upkeep for Bevin’s reporting system was estimated to cost the state $272 million through fiscal year 2020, an October report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office concluded.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article238423033.html

Medicaid encourages people to become healthy and get jobs
https://khn.org/news/study-arkansas-medicaid-work-requirements-hit-those-already-employed/

NFL announced: Josh Gordon of the Seattle Seahawks has been suspended indefinitely without pay for violating the NFL policies on performance-enhancing substances and substances of abuse.
https://twitter.com/caplannfl/status/1206683977567932416

This is obviously correct and it reflects well on Sanders' team to acknowledge it, but it does raise the question of what the point of this whole argument has been: "Maybe there won't really be a Medicare for All, thanks to Mitch McConnell and a Republican Senate...."
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2019/12/16/bernie-sanders-first-100-days-president-white-house-administration-084447

I understand its' about moving the Overton window and forcing the issue in public to set up long-term support instead of starting from a position of weakness. No one thinks it is actually getting passed. I understand it's about starting with the biggest bestest boldest proposal ever knowing Republicans are going to wittle that proposal down to size. I understand it's about starting with the most maximized egalitarianist elite proposal possible and hoping Republicans will agree with some portion of it. There's nothing wrong with proposing something bold, but Bernie and his people painting everyone else as corporate republicans raiders controlled by zionists, jews, wall street, the establishment, etc, unless they say the same thing as him, is the problem.

NYTimes corrects reporting saying that the DNC "rigged" the 2016 primary against Sanders
https://twitter.com/smotus/status/1206340776981975041
https://twitter.com/smotus/status/1206408529923297280

In a private meeting last week w/Senate Rs, McConnell said it would be a mistake to call witnesses who would drag out the proceedings, potentially reveal new info & make things difficult for those seeking re-election. “Mutually assured destruction.”
https://www.wsj.com/articles/gop-senators-seek-quick-acquittal-for-trump-the-president-wants-more-11576535310

Knocking doors with @ElizMarkowitz who is running to serve Fort Bend in the Texas House. She’s going to be a strong voice & vote on education, gun violence, healthcare and climate. #txlege
https://twitter.com/BetoORourke/status/1206723587576664065

“Every day, 100 Americans are shot and killed, and hundreds more are wounded. Many more live having witnessed an event. This is not the price we pay for our country’s freedom.” The extraordinarily powerful @Nelba_MG
https://twitter.com/BetoORourke/status/1205260921481895937
https://people.com/human-interest/read-nelba-marquez-greenes-powerful-words-7-years-after-her-daughter-was-killed-at-sandy-hook/