RATIONAL REVIEW NEWS DIGEST
The Freedom Movement’s Daily Newspaper
Volume XVI, Issue #3,883
Steemit Edition — Tuesday, January 9th, 2018
Web Edition: http://rationalreview.com
Email Edition: http://eepurl.com/bSo8ST
TODAY'S NEWS:
Cliven Bundy to walk free as federal judge dismisses case
Source: USA Today
“Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, his two sons and a militia member will not face a retrial on charges that they led an armed rebellion against federal agents in 2014. A federal judge Monday said the federal prosecutors’ conduct was ‘outrageous’ and ‘violated due process rights’ of the defendants. U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro said a new trial would not be sufficient to address the problems in the case and would provide the prosecution with an unfair advantage going forward. She dismissed the charges against the four men ‘with prejudice,’ meaning they cannot face trial again. As the courtroom doors opened after Navarro’s ruling, a huge cheer went up from the crowd of spectators gathered outside.” (01/08/18)
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UK: Tories appoint new chairman in May’s first major reshuffle
Source: Irish Times [Ireland]
“Brandon Lewis has been named the new chairman of Britain’s Conservative Party, amid farcical scenes which saw the Tories’ official Twitter account incorrectly announce that the job had gone to Chris Grayling. … In a major shake-up of CCHQ, the Conservatives announced prominent backbencher James Cleverly as deputy chairman, junior minister Chris Skidmore as vice chairman for policy, Maria Caulfield as vice chair for women, and 2017 intake MPs Kemi Badenoch and Ben Bradley as vice chair for candidates and vice chair for youth respectively. But bigger names were also expected to leave the Cabinet, with Education Secretary Justine Greening, Business Secretary Greg Clark and the Leader of the Commons Andrea Leadsom all reported to be vulnerable as the Prime Minister seeks to assert her authority.” (01/08/18)
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Germany: Merkel enters high-stakes talks in last chance to form a government
Source: CNBC
“Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel has entered talks with a rival party in a last-ditch effort to form a coalition government after months of political uncertainty and deadlock in the euro zone’s largest economy. Merkel, the head of a conservative alliance made up of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister-party the Christian Social Union (CSU), will meet with Martin Schulz, the head of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), for preliminary talks this week. They are set to discuss whether they can renew a governing coalition that has been in operation in recent years. The SPD had previously refused to enter into another coalition government given that its voters punished it in the last election for its previous alliance. But after coalition talks between Merkel and two other parties failed to find an agreement, the SPD has changed its stance.” (01/08/18)
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Oprah for president? Golden Globes speech sparks fevered speculation
Source: Raw Story
“Could Oprah Winfrey run for president and beat Donald Trump? Hollywood, liberals and ardent fans are abuzz with speculation that the billionaire chat show queen is harboring White House ambitions after an impassioned Golden Globes speech. Winfrey had barely finished calling for a ‘new day’ following a sexual harassment watershed, before calls snowballed for one of America’s most famous women, a self-made tycoon born into poverty, to run for the highest office in the free world. Hollywood’s loathing of Trump and bafflement that a crass-talking reality star with no previous government experience could win the presidency have fueled talk of well, why not another television star, only one with the ‘right’ politics? While Winfrey herself has never stated any cut-and-dried desire to run for office (reportedly saying ‘I don’t … I don’t’ backstage at the Globes when asked if she planned to run), her longtime partner suggested that she could be persuaded.” [editor’s note: Part of me wants to just giggle, while another part says “hell, why not?” – SAT] (01/18/18)
https://www.rawstory.com/2018/01/oprah-for-president-golden-globes-speech-sparks-fevered-speculation
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Trump to call on Pentagon, diplomats to play bigger role on arms sales
Source: Reuters
“”The Trump administration is nearing completion of a new ‘Buy American’ plan that calls for U.S. military attaches and diplomats to help drum up billions of dollars more in business overseas for the American weapons industry, going beyond the assistance they currently provide, U.S. officials said. President Donald Trump as early as February is expected to announce a ‘whole of government’ effort to ease export rules on purchases by foreign countries of U.S.-made military equipment, from fighter jets and drones to warships and artillery, according to people familiar with the plan. Trump is seeking to fulfill a 2016 election campaign promise to create jobs in the United States by selling more goods and services abroad to bring down the U.S. trade deficit from a six-year high of $50 billion.” (01/08/18)
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California pulls stoned-driving ad after criticism
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
“An ad aimed at discouraging drivers from getting behind the wheel under the influence of marijuana was removed by California officials after critics said it promoted use of the drug. The 30-second video, part of the ‘DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze’ campaign by the California Office of Traffic Safety, starts with a montage of people listing off reasons why they use cannabis — before assuring that they never drive while intoxicated. ‘OK, I love it,’ one man says of marijuana, smiling and looking into the camera. Rhonda Craft, director of the Office of Traffic Safety, said in a statement, ‘We are cognizant and share the concerns expressed over certain elements of our most recent ads. As a result, we will continue to refine and improve messaging as we move forward.’ The agency plans to continue using another ad that was produced for an earlier anti-DUI campaign. ‘The points remain the same: drive high and you can get a DUI,’ Craft said.” (01/08/18)
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/OK-I-love-it-California-pulls-12481950.php
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Trump orders 200,000 Salvadorans to leave US
Source: USA Today
“The Trump administration will end temporary legal immigration status for 200,000 Salvadorans who have been living in the U.S. for nearly two decades, the Department of Homeland Security announced Monday. Salvadorans who currently have Temporary Protected Status (TPS) must return to their homeland by September 2019 or become undocumented immigrants if they remain without legal protections. Salvadorans were first granted TPS in 2001 after a pair of devastating earthquakes that killed nearly 1,000 people and destroyed more than 100,000 homes in the Central American country. Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen concluded that El Salvador has rebuilt and recovered enough so the emergency declaration is no longer necessary. ‘The substantial disruption of living conditions caused by the earthquake no longer exist,’ Homeland Security said in a statement.” (01/08/18)
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NAACP calls for “snowflake” protest against Trump at College Football Championship
Source: Fox News
“Amid the crimson, white, red and black during the national college football championship in Atlanta on Monday, the NAACP wants to see fans wave a white towel to simulate a blizzard of ‘snowflakes’ to send a message to President Trump. The president plans to attend the event, and Atlanta’s NAACP chapter said on its Facebook page that it wants fans inside the stadium for the College Football Playoff title game to send him a message by waving white towels ‘simulating a blizzard.’ ‘We will not let the President’s visit go without a response. If you are lucky enough to attend the game, we encourage you to bring a white towel to wave simulating a blizzard while the president is in the packed stadium,’ the group said. ‘Trump supporters mockingly call the opposition snowflakes, but when we come together we create a mighty storm.’” [editor’s note: I can only laugh at this point — a mighty storm? More like a mighty wind – SAT] (01/08/18)
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Somaliland: Regime passes first law against rape
Source: BBC News [UK state media]
“For the first time in its history, the self-declared republic of Somaliland has passed a law against rape. In the past, a victim’s family could force them to marry their rapist to avoid being shamed. Rapists now stand to face at least 30 years in prison. Somaliland declared itself independent from Somalia in 1991 but is not internationally recognised as a country. There is still no law against rape in Somalia. Somaliland’s speaker of parliament, Bashe Mohamed Farah, told the BBC that rape cases have risen and he hoped the new law would help stop that trend.” (01/08/18)
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-42604496
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Portuguese town encourages children to smoke at Epiphany
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
“The Epiphany celebrations in the Portuguese village of Vale de Salgueiro feature a tradition that each year causes an outcry among outsiders: Parents encouraging their children, some as young as 5, to smoke cigarettes. Locals say the practice has been passed down for centuries as part of a celebration of life tied to the Christian Epiphany and the winter solstice — but nobody is sure what it symbolizes or exactly why parents buy the packs of cigarettes for their children and encourage them to take part. The two-day celebrations, which start Friday and end Saturday with a Mass, include dancing around bonfires, a piper playing music and an elected ‘king’ who distributes plentiful wine and snacks.” (01/07/18)
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Democratic mega-donor Tom Steyer says he’ll spend $30 million to flip Congress
Source: USA Today
“Tom Steyer, a billionaire environmentalist who has waged a high-profile campaign calling for President Trump’s impeachment, announced Monday that he will not run for public office this year. Instead, the San Francisco-based mega-donor plans to pump $30 million into helping Democrats seize control of Congress by mobilizing young voters in what he and his aides say will be the country’s largest youth turnout push. Steyer called Trump’s election a ‘disastrous turn.’ … ‘I’m willing to do whatever it takes to save our country,’ Steyer during a news conference within view of the Capitol dome. ‘The task I feel called to do is organizing and mobilizing America’s voters.’” (01/08/18)
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Obamas criticized for lavish library plans, including basketball court and “test kitchen”
Source: Fox News
“In their effort to break the mold, the planners of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago are taking heat for some less-than-lofty features in the sprawling complex. Namely, a ‘test kitchen.’ Reports first surfaced last fall that the monument to the first black president’s legacy was taking on an activity-center vibe. There would be a museum — but also a basketball court, possibly a room for yoga classes, and a test kitchen to teach visitors ‘about the full production cycle of nutritious food.’ It’s a reference to former first lady Michelle Obama’s campaign for healthy eating and lifestyles. But Chicago Tribune columnist Ron Grossman trashed the ‘test kitchen’ idea as not worthy of the ideals and history for which the presidential center is supposed to stand. ‘Mr. President, I’ve got to tell you: The renderings for your museum are ‘little plans,’ more likely to congeal than stir blood,’ he wrote.” [editor’s note: Last time I looked, a “library” was for books and papers – SAT] (01/08/18)
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NYC: Two injured in Trump Tower heating system fire
Source: WJTV 12
“New York City fire officials say a fire in Trump Tower’s heating and air conditioning system injured two people and caused smoke to billow from the roof. The Fire Department of New York says the fire started around 7 a.m. Monday at the building that contains President Donald Trump’s home and business offices.” (01/08/18)
http://wjtv.com/2018/01/08/2-injured-in-trump-tower-heating-system-fire/
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Pope, in “state of world” speech, urges dialogue in Korea, nuclear ban
Source: US News & World Report
“Pope Francis, in his annual ‘state of the world’ address called on Monday for all nations to support dialogue to ease tensions on the Korean peninsula and to work for a legally binding ban on nuclear weapons. In the speech, Francis also repeated his call for a two-state-solution between Israelis and Palestinians and respect for the ‘status quo’ of Jerusalem following U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize the city as Israel’s capital. … The pope addressed envoys from more than 180 countries a day before North Korea and South Korea are due to hold talks expected to address North Korea’s participation in the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, which some diplomats see as a possible opening for discussions on other topics such as humanitarian issues and divided families.” (01/08/18)
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Democrats ordered sting to expose illegal [sic] online gun sales; it backfired
Source: Fox News
“A Democrat-backed study meant to expose illicit online gun sales instead seemed to show the opposite — with hardly any sellers taking the bait when undercover investigators tried to set up dozens of illegal firearm transactions. Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., as well as Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, had commissioned the Government Accountability Office report to look into how online private dealers might be selling guns to people not allowed to have them. Their efforts were based on a 2016 report from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), which claimed that ‘anonymity of the internet makes it an ideal means for prohibited individuals to obtain illegal firearms.’ ‘Congressional requesters asked that GAO access the extent to which ATF is enforcing existing laws and investigate whether online private sellers sell firearms to be people who are not allowed or eligible to possess a firearm,’ the report said.” (01/08/18)
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China: Regime reportedly orders crackdown on Bitcoin mining
Source: Sputnik News [Russian state media]
“A Chinese watchdog for internet financial risk has reportedly ordered local governments to implement measures to limit Bitcoin mining in the country. On Friday, a tweet was posted online which appears to show a notice from China’s Internet Financial Risk Special Rectification Work Leadership Team Office, the country’s online financial risk regulator. The order requests that local governments gradually force Bitcoin miners out of the business. Measures which local authorities are instructed to use include control of the power supply to Bitcoin mines, as well laws regarding tax, land use and environmental protection. More than two-thirds of the world’s processing power devoted to bitcoin mining is located in China, but authorities there want to clamp down on the sector. They fear that cryptocurrencies are used as a tool for speculation and thereby fuel financial risk. In addition, it is feared they may be used to finance illegal activities including money laundering.” [editor’s note: What is ACTUALLY feared is that the Communist Party will lose control of the movement of wealth in the country. That’s a rational fear for an authoritarian regime to have. It’s also going to happen no matter what crackdowns occur – TLK] (01/08/18)
https://sputniknews.com/science/201801081060590921-china-bitcoin-mining-crackdown/
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SpaceX launches secret Zuma mission for US government, lands rocket
Source: Space.com
“SpaceX lofted the super-secret Zuma spacecraft for the U.S. government tonight, successfully executing a mission that also featured yet another landing by the first stage of the company’s Falcon 9 rocket. The Falcon 9 lifted off at 8 p.m. EST from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, on Florida’s Space Coast. The booster’s two stages separated 2 minutes and 19 seconds into flight. The second stage continued carrying the mysterious Zuma to its destination in low-Earth orbit (LEO), while the first stage began maneuvering its way back to terra firma for a touchdown at Landing Zone 1, a SpaceX facility at Cape Canaveral.” (01/07/18)
https://www.space.com/38826-spacex-launches-secret-zuma-mission-lands-rocket.html
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India: Top court to review colonial-era law criminalising gay sex
Source: The Guardian [UK]
“India may be on track for a major victory for gay rights after the country’s supreme court agreed to re-examine a colonial-era law outlawing sex between men. The court on Monday said it would refer the question of the validity of section 377 of the Indian penal code to a larger bench for examination before October this year. … The supreme court observed in 2013 that fewer than 200 people had been convicted for homosexual acts under the legislation but activists say it is regularly used to blackmail and intimidate LBGTI Indians as well as to stymie HIV/Aids prevention efforts.” (01/08/18)
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Vietnam: Regime tries former oil executives in crackdown
Source: Washington Post
“Vietnam opened a major corruption trial Monday against defendants who include a former senior Communist official and a former oil executive the Vietnamese government is accused of snatching from Germany. Former Politburo member Dinh La Thang, 57, also was formerly the chairman of state energy giant PetroVietnam and is accused of ‘deliberately violating state economic management regulations, causing serious consequences’ for his role in awarding PetroVietnam’s Construction Joint Stock Company, or PVC, a contract to build a thermoelectric plant without a proper bidding process. He allegedly also advanced $67 million to PVC, which did not use the funds for the right purpose, causing losses of $5.5 million to the state.” (01/08/18)
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Syria: Explosion and air strikes in rebel-held Idlib “kill 40”
Source: BBC News [UK state media]
“At least 40 people have reportedly been killed in an explosion and a series of air strikes across the rebel-held north Syrian province of Idlib. The blast, on Sunday night outside the headquarters of the Islamist rebel faction Ajnad al-Qawqaz in the city of Idlib, left 25 people dead. The cause was not clear but many believed a car bomb was responsible. Activists say another 15 people were killed in Syrian government and Russian air strikes elsewhere on Sunday.” (01/08/18)
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-42599696
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RATIONAL REVIEW NEWS DIGEST
Editors:
Thomas L. Knapp
Steve Trinward
Editors Emeritus:
Mary Lou Seymour
R. Lee Wrights