Democrats Tell Court: More Impeachment Articles, Maybe, if Trump Lawyer Testifies

The House Judiciary Committee told a federal appeals court Monday that it still wants former White House counsel Don McGahn to testify as it could potentially lead to the introduction of “additional articles of impeachment” against President Donald Trump over his contacts with Ukraine.

In a brief submitted to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, the panel’s counsel Doug Letter argued its subpoena of McGahn, who departed the White House last year, is not moot despite the House’s approval of two impeachment articles — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress — in a partisan vote on Wednesday evening.

“If McGahn’s testimony produces new evidence supporting the conclusion that President Trump committed impeachable offenses that are not covered by the Articles approved by the House, the Committee will proceed accordingly—including, if necessary, by considering whether to recommend new articles of impeachment,” the brief reads.

The House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY), subpoenaed McGahn in March for its investigation into whether President Trump or senior White House officials obstructed justice during special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe into now-debunked collusion between the 2016 Trump campaign and Russia.

The Trump White House requested McGahn refuse to comply with the subpoena, citing “absolute immunity” that has long shielded top advisers from testifying before Congress.

Late last month, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals issued an administrative stay of previous ruling directing McGahn to testify. The court said it would consider granting a longer stay and scheduled a hearing for oral arguments on January 3rd.

In a 10-page filing, the Department of Justice argued the House’s impeachment vote “eliminate[d] the need” for McGahn to answer congressional questioning and “underscore the reasons why this Court should dismiss or deny the Committee’s suit without adjudicating the subpoena’s validity.”

“Indeed, if this Court now were to resolve the merits question in this case, it would appear to be weighing in on a contested issue in any impeachment trial,” DOJ lawyer wrote. “That would be of questionable propriety whether or not such a judicial resolution preceded or post-dated any impeachment trial.”

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/12/23/democrats-tell-court-more-impeachment-articles-maybe-if-trump-lawyer-testifies/

Magnitude 6.0 Earthquake Strikes Coast Along Canada's British Columbia - USGS

A magnitude 6.0 earthquake shook Canada's western province of British Columbia on Monday, following two slightly weaker quakes that hit just hours before. All were centered just offshore in the Pacific Ocean.

According to the US Geological Survey, the quake happened at a depth of 10 kilometers roughly 175 kilometers west of Port Hardy, British Columbia. Just hours earlier, earthquakes of magnitude 5.7 and magnitude 5.2 were recorded in nearly the exact same location.

Emergency Info British Columbia reported there to be no danger of a tsunami and there have so far been no reports of damage.

The province's west coast sits along a series of fault lines that extends around the perimeter of the Pacific Ocean collectively known as The Ring of Fire. Earthquakes are common along these faults, which are dotted by hundreds of volcanoes, many of them also active.

https://sputniknews.com/us/201912231077754094-magnitude-60-earthquake-strikes-coast-along-canadas-british-columbia—usgs/

'Stop Playing Games': Graham Warns Pelosi Senate May 'Strike Back' Over Impeachment Debacle

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said on Monday that the "Constitutional outrage" by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) "needs to end," and that if it continues into 2020, "the Senate needs to strike back."

"The Senate will decide how we dispose of this sham created by the house," Graham tweeted, referring to the impasse created by Pelosi - who is refusing to transmit two articles of impeachment against President Trump until the Senate agrees to her terms.

President Trump also had words for Pelosi on Monday after the Speaker called for "fairness" in a Senate trial.

"Pelosi gives us the most unfair trial in the history of the U.S. Congress, and now she is crying for fairness in the Senate, and breaking all rules while doing so," Trump tweeted, adding "She lost Congress once, she will do it again!"

Pelosi says she will only transmit the impeachment articles to the Senate after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announces the process they will use for Trump's trial.

McConnell has advocated for a similar process to Bill Clinton's 1999 impeachment, which included an initial agreement to first hear the case, followed by a vote on whether to call witnesses.

Speaking with "Fox and Friends" on Monday, McConnell said "we're at an impasse" and "we can't do anything until the speaker sends the papers over, so everybody enjoy the holidays."

McConnell blasted Pelosi for trying to "tell us how to run the trial."

"Look, what we need to do is to listen to the arguments, have a written questioning period, and then decide whether we need witnesses or not," McConnell said, adding that some Republican senators "have said, 'I am thinking of myself as a juror,'" while others believe "the case against President Trump is very thin." -NBC News

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has pushed for a single resolution that would outline the parameters for presenting the case, as well as allow for the calling of witnesses such as John Bolton, acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, and two other advisers.

Republicans, meanwhile, want former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter to testify over alleged corruption, after President Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky to investigate several claims.

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/stop-playing-games-graham-warns-pelosi-senate-may-strike-back-over-impeachment-debacle

Dangerous Economic Illusion, Lend, Spend, & Pretend, People Not Prepare Financial Crisis 2.0!

https://youtu.be/-kplu5jo2yQ

John Sullivan Sworn In as New US Ambassador to Russia - Pompeo

John Sullivan has been sworn in as the new United States Ambassador to Russia, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Monday.

"I'm confident John will effectively lead the effort to strengthen cooperation and build a constructive relationship with Russia", Pompeo said in a tweet.

On 12 December, the US Senate confirmed Sullivan to be the next US envoy to Russia in a 70-22 vote.

Sullivan, who previously served as deputy secretary of state, will replace Jon Hunstman who completed his tenure in Moscow on 3 October.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during his recent visit to the United States characterised Sullivan as being a highly professional diplomat and said Moscow would be happy to cooperate with him.

Former Russian Ambassador to the United States Sergey Kislyak said that he hoped Sullivan's appointment would help end the "political football" between Washington and Moscow so that they can focus on actually addressing problems in bilateral relations.

Sullivan has pledged to support dialogue with Russia on arms control, the fight against terrorism, the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and the conflicts in Syria and Afghanistan.

Sullivan used to be in charge of counterterrorism negotiations in Russia as the State Department official. Before joining the government, he had more than 20 years of experience in private law practice.

https://sputniknews.com/us/201912231077754034-john-sullivan-sworn-in-as-new-us-ambassador-to-russia—pompeo/

Abduction of Human Rights Activist Highlights Chilling Trend in Tanzania

Prominent human rights activist Tito Magoti was abducted in broad daylight by five unknown people in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and is now being detained by police.

Magoti, who works as a public affairs officer with the Legal and Human Rights Center, was abducted on Friday, December 20, 2019, at 10 a.m., as he was on his way to purchase a new mobile phone, according to a statement by the LHRC. Police denied having any information about Magoti’s whereabouts when the LHRC first reported him missing on Friday.

Magoti’s abduction echoes a chilling trend toward the disappearances of journalists, human rights defenders and opposition leaders in Tanzania since 2015 when President John Magufuli first took office.

STATEMENT ON THE ABDUCTION OF LHRC’s EMPLOYEE, MR. @TitoMagoti #BringBackTito #BringBackTitoMagoti pic.twitter.com/wfD4AaFPgt

— LHRC (@humanrightstz) December 20, 2019

Later on Friday, the police confirmed that Magoti had been arrested, along with three other unnamed people, on “various allegations,” according to Dar es Salaam police chief Lazaro Mambosasa, as reported by Reuters. However, police have not released information about where Magoti is being held and no official charges have been made as of Saturday, December 21, according to The Citizen.

Earlier today Human Rights Centre in Tanzania said they had received news that activist @TitoMagoti had been abducted.

Police have now released a statement saying Mr Magoti is in their custody alongside 3 others, all of whom are being questioned regarding ‘various matters’ pic.twitter.com/jS16hcupdh

— Samira Sawlani (@samirasawlani) December 20, 2019

As one of the most vocal human rights advocacy groups in the nation, the LHRC has spoken out loudly against diminishing press freedoms and opposition repression under President Magufuli’s administration.

Magfuli has denied allegations of cracking down on the media and human rights defenders but ran on a strong campaign to root out corruption in the East African nation. In 2017, he warned that “press freedom has limits.”

Zaituni Njovu, who works with Africa Human Rights Network (AHRN), told Global Voices through a Whatsapp text:

This incident is not good for human rights because everyone has the right to protection and freedom. Mr. Tito [Magoti] has been arrested by civilian police, although at the beginning it was announced to the public that he had been abducted by unknown people. Police [finally] made a formal statement that they arrested him, although they have not said so far [where].

https://www.activistpost.com/2019/12/abduction-of-human-rights-activist-highlights-chilling-trend-in-tanzania.html

Alyssa Milano wants you to join her in summoning the universe in a collective meditative chant to remove President Trump

Say it with me: 'Believe in believing. The impossible is possible.'

Forget impeachment, actress and liberal activist Alyssa Milano has a new strategy to remove President Donald Trump from office: a daily collective meditative chant.

Milano, 47, tweeted out the idea Saturday night, soliciting her fans help in "manifesting a change-of-guard in Washington."

"We're stronger together," she argued.

For those interested, Milano then posted a second tweet Sunday explaining the strategy in more detail.

According to her instructions, upon waking, one should lay in "Shavasana," also known as the Corpse Pose in yoga (flat on your back) with a timer set for seven minutes. While laying, they should repeat the mantra: "Believe in believing. The impossible is possible."

Then they are to exclaim out loud, "we'd like to create a changing of the guard."

It's very important that meditators "be thinking of the special world [they] want to create" while performing the ritual.

Jokes followed and Milano wasn't happy about it

It wasn't long after the tweets surfaced that Twitchy picked up on it and understandably poked some fun at the idea. The Daily Wire followed with a story of its own about the idea, calling it "hilarious." This caught Milano's attention.

She tweeted out an image of The Daily Wire story saying, "conservative right wing media bashing meditative collective prayer is what's hilarious."

She then appeared to draw a comparison with her meditative strategy and the prayers of Christians, snidely offering: "Thoughts and prayers, fake Christians. Thoughts and prayers."

https://www.theblaze.com/news/alyssa-milano-meditative-chant-remove-trump

Satanic witch

NY Supreme Court rules Amish cannot exercise religious vaccine exemption to attend their own private Amish school

The petition by an Amish father to the New York State Supreme Court to allow his family to practice their faith and allow his children to attend a private Amish school has been denied.

Jonas Stoltzfus has three children, all unvaccinated, who attend the Cranberry Marsh school in Romulus, NY, a town between Rochester and Syracuse.

Amish father Jonas Stoltzfus recently filed a lawsuit challenging a new New York state law requiring students to be fully immunized against contagious disease.

Stoltzfus says he was informed that his three children will be blocked from attending their Cranberry Marsh School, a traditional Amish school in this Seneca County settlement of six church districts. All 24 students at the school are Amish.

Stoltzfus’ case was based on clear religious arguments:

Stoltzfus’ opposition to the law was based on his belief that “God made his children ‘right and good’ and to vaccinate his children is to lose faith in God,” the lawsuit states.

It added he believes “to rely on a manmade solution would be an act of disbelief in the power of our God to heal and protect us.”

A state Supreme Court Justice has now denied Stoltzfus’ legal challenge to temporarily stop the law:

Supreme Court Justice Daniel Doyle ruled that the state has the authority to require vaccinations to protect public health, citing prior appeals court decisions. He also rejected the lawsuit claims that the new law should be halted because it violated religious rights’ protections in the state constitution.

“Put another way, the free exercise clause of the New York Constitution would yield to a valid exercise of the state’s police powers,” Doyle wrote in the order on Tuesday.

Kevin Barry of First Freedoms, Attorney for Mr. Stoltzfus, says that there will be no more appeals in the case.

Barry says that the state of New York has threatened to shut down the Cranberry Marsh School that the Stoltzfus children attend, though the state has taken no action yet.

https://www.thedailysheeple.com/ny-supreme-court-rules-amish-cannot-exercise-religious-vaccine-exemption-to-attend-their-own-private-amish-school/

>>7602011

>who is her boss?

Iowa county bans Nativity; angry citizens blast it as an attack on their faith

Nothing quite as offensive as baby Jesus

Traditional Nativity scenes featuring statues of Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, shepherds, wisemen and animals always emerge this time of year in celebration of the Christmas holiday. These displays offer many people hope, and they help commemorate Christ's birth.

But every year, without fail, there are debates over these Nativity scenes, with some atheist activists looking to ban and expel them from public property.

Case-in-point: a Nativity scene that was recently booted from an Iowa courthouse lawn.

According to the Des Moines Register, the Nativity scene was installed on the Appanoose County Courthouse lawn in Centerville, Iowa, starting in November — until some residents complained and demanded its removal.

Their claim? The religious display shouldn't be on public property. One self-proclaimed atheist said, "I shouldn't have to see baby Jesus on the courthouse lawn," according to KCCI-TV.

(Read also: The History Behind Christmas: Bethlehem and the Wise Men)

So, the Nativity scene was moved on Dec. 9 to a private lot a few blocks away. But that move has led to consternation, with some residents seeking its return to the original spot on the courthouse lawn.

The conversation has become so heated that more than 1,000 people signed a petition demanding the nativity's return.

And a heated Centerville City Council meeting later ensued, with angry residents speaking out and deeming the Nativity scene removal as an attack on their faith.

The Register reported that the state chapter of American Atheists threatened to "demand equal access to the same property" if the Nativity scene is returned to its original place.

(Read also: 8 Powerful Bible Quotes and Scriptures About Jesus' Birth)

So far, though, no decision has been made to return the Nativity scene and officials have indicated that it will likely stay in its current location off the courthouse lawn.

In the end, the Nativity scene display debate is inevitable each and every year. But these battles have no sway over the powerful hope that the Christmas seasons brings. No matter where you stand, on the debate, keep your focus on the real meaning of the season.

https://www.theblaze.com/news/iowa-county-bans-nativity-angry-citizens-blast-the-attack-on-their-faith

‘Over $50 Billion in Waste’ – Sen. Rand Paul Releases 2019 ‘Festivus’ Waste Report – Including $22 Million Spent on ‘Bringing Serbian Cheese Up to Int’l Standards’

Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) has an annual tradition of revealing how much money the US government wastes in what he calls ‘Festivus airing of grievances.’

Senator Paul unleashed a tweetstorm on Monday linking to his waste report that alleges the US government wasted over $50 billion dollars in 2019 on outrageous programs.

Below is just a handful of programs the government wastes millions of dollars on while our veterans battle homelessness and shoddy healthcare.

“That reminds me of some of my favorite waste report grievances – your government is terrible and you should really have a lot of problems how you spend it,” Rand Paul said revealing the US govt spent $466,991 on studying frog mating calls in Panama.

US govt spent more than $33 million on textbooks for students in Afghanistan while US teachers use their own money for supplies here.

Also, $1,200,000 on studying habits of online dating app users.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2019/12/over-50-billion-in-waste-sen-rand-paul-releases-2019-festivus-waste-report-including-22-million-spent-on-bringing-serbian-cheese-up-to-intl-standards/

>>7602180

CheeseAnon has spoken