Home Daily News Clips Wednesday News: House GOP Votes to Strip Internet Privacy; “Trump Risks the...

Wednesday News: House GOP Votes to Strip Internet Privacy; “Trump Risks the Planet”; “Tom Perriello is Not Bernie Sanders”

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by Lowell

Here are a few national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Wednesday, March 29.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

  • Video: Rep. Donald McEachin Facebook Townhall (3/28/17)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jK8R14OEJzw

  • Barbara Comstock insults the intelligence of VA-10 voters with this “explanation” of her vote to strip internet privacy.

    Today I voted for S.J. Res. 34 which passed the House and maintains current privacy protections for internet consumers. The FCC’s midnight rule in question had not yet gone into effect. If Congress had not acted to stop this last minute rule, it had the potential to limit consumer choice, stifle innovation, and jeopardize data security. New FCC Chairman Ajik Pai has committed that the FCC will work with the Federal Trade Commission (which traditionally addresses these privacy issues) to ensure that consumers’ online privacy is protected through a consistent and comprehensive framework saying: “The best way to achieve that result would be to return jurisdiction over broadband providers’ privacy practices to the FTC, with its decades of experience and expertise in this area.”

    • And now, check out the drivel from Rep. Scott Taylor (R-VA02), who also needs to lose next year.

      “I have and will continue to stand steadfast against last minute regulations pushed by the previous President. Clearly, there is a reason why they were put in last minute after eight years in power. This is an issue that needs to be debated and decided by Congress, not unelected bureaucrats in Washington. Internet service providers, as well as other internet companies, should have a uniform policy on data collection and privacy that is regulated by the same agency. Whether the current process of the ability to “opt-out” or a new policy to “opt-in” is the way to go should be a debate the people via their representatives in Congress should have. I will be asking the Energy and Commerce Chairman Greg Walden to hold a hearing on this as soon as possible. While I strongly support privacy protections of American citizens, ultimately, this was a power grab by the FCC.”

  • KAINE STATEMENT ON NOMINATION OF NEIL GORSUCH

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement today on his intent to vote against cloture and final confirmation for the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court:
    “After meeting with Judge Gorsuch and reviewing his testimony and past decisions, I’ve observed that he has repeatedly taken an activist approach to cases involving a woman’s right to make her own decisions about her health. He has made the astounding argument that bosses have an individual right to prevent their company’s female employees from using their own health insurance to buy contraception. He has taken extraordinary steps to force reconsideration of rulings that preserve access to reproductive health. And he has cavalierly referred to contraceptive use as ‘the wrongdoing of others.’ More than sixty percent of American women of childbearing age use contraception and the right to do so has been constitutionally protected for more than fifty years.

    “Judge Gorsuch unquestionably has an impressive professional and educational background, but a nominee to the Supreme Court must also demonstrate sound judicial philosophy. Judge Gorsuch’s selective activism in restricting women’s rights and his framing of women making their own health decisions as ‘the wrongdoing of others’ are jarring and do not demonstrate a philosophy that belongs on the Supreme Court. I will oppose his nomination.”

    Kaine practiced as a civil rights lawyer for 17 years with cases in state and federal trial and appellate courts, including the United States Supreme Court. He also taught constitutional law and legal ethics at the University of Richmond Law School. Kaine also expanded upon his statement by writing a long form piece on Judge Gorsuch’s nomination, here.

  • Justin Fairfax Submits Over 16,000 Signatures to Qualify for the Ballot in Virginia; First Democratic Candidate for Lieutenant Governor to Submit Petitions

    RICHMOND, Virginia — Today, the Justin Fairfax for Lieutenant Governor campaign submitted 16,329 signatures of registered voters to the Virginia State Board of Elections in order to qualify for the ballot for Lieutenant Governor in the Democratic Primary on June 13, 2017; far exceeding the 10,000 minimum signature requirement. Hundreds of supporters, activists, and organizers statewide collected over 800 signatures in each of the 11 Congressional Districts in Virginia — more than double the 400 signature minimum requirement for each District.

    The campaign released this statement:

    “We are excited to announce this major milestone in our campaign. Over the past months and weeks, our organizers and volunteers have talked to voters in every part of the Commonwealth. This is truly a grassroots campaign fueled by our supporters. We have won all four straw polls for Lieutenant Governor by wide margins, and Justin has traveled more than 25,000 miles around the Commonwealth since entering the race last May. We also have been endorsed by Congressman Gerry Connolly, more than half of the Senate Democratic Caucus, including the leadership, and more than one hundred elected officials and party leaders throughout Virginia. Our message of fighting for more economic security and opportunity for all Virginians and protecting everyone’s civil rights and liberties is resonating in this political climate where people are hungry for hope, positivity, and change. Real change requires grassroots energy and new ideas and is powered by the people. We will charge ahead to the June 13th primary where Democrats will decide the vision they want for Virginia. Our campaign has the energy, support, and momentum to win in June and help the entire Democratic ticket win in November.”

  • Yet ANOTHER new low for Trump (35%-59%) in Gallup!

    http://bluevirginia.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/trump3559.jpg

  • From the Susan Platt for Lt. Governor campaign:

    Rosie O’Donnell Urges Virginians to Stand Up to Donald Trump by Electing Susan Platt as Lieutenant Governor

    Great Falls, Virginia — Today, actress and activist Rosie O’Donnell wrote a letter to Virginians urging them to support Susan Platt for Lieutenant Governor.

    In the letter, she talked about her interactions with Donald Trump, saying, “I have had my share of spats with Donald Trump over the years, and he’s had a lot of lame tweets and bad jokes about me. Trump would prefer if women like Susan and I didn’t speak our minds and stand up to men like him. But that’s just not our style.”

    The letter reads:

    While I could never imagine running for political office myself, I admire and I support strong women who do. I’m proud to be supporting Susan Platt to be the next Lieutenant Governor of Virginia.

    After the election on November 8, more than 10,000 women have stepped forward and committed to running for office. We need strong candidates like Susan who will stand up to Donald Trump and his cronies as they try to take away health insurance from millions of Americans and cut off funding for Planned Parenthood.

    I have had my share of spats with Donald Trump over the years, and he’s had a lot of lame tweets and bad jokes about me. Trump would prefer if women like Susan and I didn’t speak our minds and stand up to men like him. But that’s just not our style.

    Susan has dedicated much of her life to empowering and electing more women. She served as Chief of Staff to former Vice President Joe Biden, and she started The Farm Team and Emerge Virginia, organizations that trained women on how to be successful candidates. Now, she’s taking her own advice by running for Lieutenant Governor, and she could make history this year. Virginia has never had a woman as Governor or Lieutenant Governor — and I think 2017 is the time to change that.

    When I heard about Susan’s campaign, I didn’t hesitate. I jumped right in and made a financial contribution to her campaign. I know that her election this year would go a long way to fighting back against Donald Trump’s agenda.

    Thanks for your support,

    Rosie O’Donnell

  • KAINE CALLS ON PRESIDENT TRUMP TO VETO RESOLUTION GUTTING INTERNET PRIVACY RULES

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement today calling on President Trump to veto a resolution that guts landmark privacy protections for customers of internet and telecommunications companies:

    “President Trump should veto this bill, which jeopardizes the privacy of Virginians. This is an effort to weaken a regulation that prohibits broadband and other telecommunications companies from selling information about their customers without consent. Customers are entitled to privacy and should not have to worry about telecommunications providers going through their data or selling it without their knowledge.”

    Senator Kaine voted against this resolution – S.J.Res.34 – when the Senate passed it last week. The resolution will soon head to the President, who can either sign or veto it.

  • Video: Hillary Clinton Speaks at Professional Business Women of California Conference

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scYP-joVpsg

  • Video: Rep. Donald McEachin says “there is a fire threatening our Republic…Russia attacked our country” yet Trump does nothing

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgDDf800pVU

  • Virginia Dem LG candidate Gene Rossi turns in 15,000 signatures to make ballot

    http://bluevirginia.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/generossisignatures.jpg

  • NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia Thanks Senator Tim Kaine for his Opposition to Judge Neil Gorsuch for the Supreme Court

    Group urges Senator Mark Warner to follow suit and oppose extreme Trump nominee

    Alexandria, VA – Today, NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia applauds Virginia Senator Tim Kaine for announcing his intention to vote against cloture and final confirmation of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court.

    “Judge Gorsuch is an ideological nightmare,” said Tarina Keene, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia. “Again and again, Neil Gorsuch has ruled against everyday Americans in favor of big business. He showed a complete disregard for women’s reproductive health in his Hobby Lobby ruling, which gave employers free reign to control their employees personal birth control decisions. We find Neil Gorsuch’s track record beyond chilling, and I’m so glad we can count on Senator Kaine to be a champion for women and strongly oppose the nomination.”

    “Donald Trump’s extreme pick must be stopped,” Keene continued. “I urge Senator Mark Warner to follow Senator Kaine’s lead and stand up for Virginia women and families. It’s time to come out in opposition to Neil Gorsuch for the Supreme Court. We simply have too much on the line.”

  • Quizzical

    Climate change: China calls US ‘selfish’ after Trump seeks to bring back coal – the guardian
    https://apple.news/AWf2bUrGRT86cC1-yxVWNZQ

  • Quizzical

    Farmers’ use of groundwater called unsustainable. Not just in California.

    http://www.voanews.com/a/farmers-use-groundwater-irrigation-called-unsustainable/3788339.html