by Lowell
Here are a few national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Friday, December 30. Also, check out President Obama’s tour of the First Family’s residence – very cool.
- U.S. takes action against Russia for election hacking (“The measures include the sanctioning of agencies and individuals tied to the hacks and the removal of 35 Russian government officials from the United States. The Obama administration’s announcement capped months of internal debate over whether and how to respond to Russia’s election-year provocations, ranging from the hacks of the Democratic National Committee to the targeting of state electoral systems.”)
- President Obama Punishes Russia, at Last (“No, Mr. Trump, Americans are not going to forget about Russian hacking.”)
- Russia Retaliates for U.S. Sanctions (“Moscow Set to Expel 35 Diplomats”)
- Kerry vs. Netanyahu: For a liberal Zionist, the death of the “two-state solution” is deeply painful (Also disastrous for Israel, sad to say.)
- America’s democracy has become illiberal (“We are now getting to see what American democracy looks like without any real buffers in the way of sheer populism and demagoguery.” It’s also not a democracy when the candidate who wins almost 3 MILLION more votes than the other candidate does not win the election!)
- If there’s no two-state solution, what will Israel become? (“For Israel, status quo in the West Bank is a poor option — especially in the long run.” Netanyahu has shown pathetically weak “leadership” for his country on this, and while it might work for him politically, it could spell disaster for Israel in the long run.)
- Krugman: Snatching Health Care Away From Millions
- Trump New York co-chair won’t resign despite racist remarks about Obamas (Paladino has a loooong history of racist, sexist, etc. remarks. The question is how he could be a Trump co-chair — and what it says about Trump!)
- Post-Mortem: How 2016 Broke Political Journalism
- NPR just offered a shocking and disgusting example of ‘balanced reporting’ (“In the Thursday evening radiocast of WNYC, local affiliate of NPR, a segment on protest demanding Paladino’s was introduced using this phrase: ‘… protesters demanding Paladino step down for what they say are racist comments.'” The phrase “for what they say” in media reports is normally a sign that the media outlet is cowardly — afraid to piss off the right wingnuts by simply reporting the FACTs, in this case that Paladino said viciously racist, misogynistic crap.)
- The Death of Clintonism (“With Hillary Clinton’s loss, Democrats are burying a once-winning way of politics.”)
- Trump deportation plan could be ‘impossible’ (Let’s hope so.)
- Donald Trump Is Unpopular, and So Is the GOP’s Agenda (“How can Democrats capitalize?”)
- What Fresh Hell Is This? (“Digesting another day of news out of Trumpland.” It’s a continuing nightmare.)
- If We Tolerate This, What Won’t We Tolerate? (“Lessons on emoluments from the founders.” The problem is that Congressional Republicans have no spines or principles or, apparently, patriotism.)
- Editorial: Virginia Democrats beat North Carollina Republicans to the sucker punch (First, the Republican Times-Disgrace really did spell “North Carolina” with two “l”s. Second, this editorial is idiotic.)
- Specialty drug prices continue to pressure Medicaid
- Va. lawmaker wants porn declared a public health hazard (“Sideshow Bob” strikes again!)
- Workers at National and Dulles airports may get a raise
- Before Trump’s election, their organization was dead. Now female activists in Hampton Roads are renewing their fight (“I’m here because I’m plain, old pissed off,” says one. “It’s time to get involved.” Bingo!)
- Jobs, economy on minds of 22nd Senate District candidates (“‘Importantly, we need to make sure we’re prioritizing transparency and accountability when it comes to the taxpayer dollars and how they’re spent,’ said Washington, a former Fluvanna County sheriff.”)
- Bourne tops list of possible contenders for possibly open Richmond-area House seat (“Richmond School Board member Jeff Bourne has been the most vocal about his interest in running to succeed Del. Jennifer L. McClellan, D-Richmond, in the 71st House District if, as expected, McClellan wins her bid for an opening in the Virginia Senate.”)
- Virginia Tech overcomes 24-point deficit to win Belk Bowl, 35-24
- A blustery day before thawing on a dry weekend
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