Thursday News: “Gun Nuts”; “Trump, Israel and the Art of the Giveaway”; “Inside the demise of Al Franken”; “Who are Republicans really? Look to Alabama.”

by Lowell

Here are a few national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Thursday, December 7.

• 100,000 evacuated, hundreds of schools closed amid fears of new fires, powerful winds (Climate chaos, anyone?)
• Doug Jones Is Just A Normal Polling Error Away From A Win In Alabama
• “Unfit to be President”: 58 House Democrats want to start debating the impeachment of Donald Trump (“The Democratic split over impeaching President Trump just burst into the open.”)
• Who are Republicans really? Look to Alabama.
• UN security council to discuss US recognition of Jerusalem
• Trump, Israel and the Art of the Giveaway (“I’ve never seen a president give up so much to so many for so little.” Trump is so stupid.)
• Doesn’t Trump ever get tired of losing so much?
• Making Sense of Trump’s Jerusalem Decision
• Trump’s Jerusalem announcement is really about the Religious Right
• Congress votes to substantially weaken gun laws in the wake of deadly mass shootings (“The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act is a win for the NRA, which has labeled it a high priority.” Crazy.)
• Why Democrats Are Finally Pushing Franken To Resign (“The moral high ground could also be the political high ground for Democrats” Sure hope so.)
• Al Franken, Roy Moore and the audacity of Mitch McConnell (“The party recently returned to funding alleged child predator Roy Moore’s campaign in Alabama.”)
• Robert Mueller Jumps Onto the Trump Money Trail
• What Precedents Will Democrats Set by Forcing Franken’s Resignation?
• Republican roulette: Is another government shutdown just ahead? (“No tax bill, no spending bill and no coherent policy: Republicans stare at disaster, and hope to blame Democrats” 100% the GOP’s fault.)
• Facebook partners with conservative misinformer The Weekly Standard on fact-checking (“The Weekly Standard becomes the only partisan organization tasked with fact-checking for Facebook” I’m disliking Facebook more and more.)
• The Cake Is Just the Beginning (“Justice Gorsuch’s radical First Amendment theory could sabotage civil rights law.” The stolen Supreme Court seat.)
• Corey Lewandowski dumbfounds “The View” with unhinged rant about “killer” Trump (“This guy has some anger issues”)
• Sen. Al Franken will resign, Democratic official says
• Inside the demise of Al Franken (“Female Democratic senators had been talking privately for weeks about how they were losing their patience as harassment claims piled up.”)
• The Environmental Scandal in Scott Pruitt’s Backyard (“It’s one of the dirtiest places in America. Former residents of Tar Creek, Oklahoma, want to know why Trump’s EPA chief didn’t prosecute allegations of wrongdoing during a federal buyout program.” Pruitt is scum.)
• Poll: Majority says Congress should investigate sexual harassment allegations against Trump
• Kaine seeks data on harassment claims on Capitol Hill
• Trump Jr. cites attorney-client privilege in not answering panel’s questions about discussions with his father
• POLITICO survey: Insurers on pace to record Obamacare profits for first time (“But the upturn comes as the markets face increased political assault.”)
• Lobbyists push GOP in last-minute scramble to save tax breaks
• With new clout, Virginia Democrats to push for gun control
• State report on Aug. 12 recommends permitting changes
• Virginia moving vehicle inspection sticker to driver’s side of the windshield
• Bottom line for justice (“In Virginia, if you are foolish enough to think a $220 pair of sneakers is worth stealing, you could be looking at 1 to 20 in a state prison, and the label felon for the rest of your life… Only New Jersey’s trigger for a felony charge is that low. In law-and-order Texas, it’s $2,500.”)
• Virginia Democrats seek court-ordered special election for Fredericksburg-area House race
• Chesterfield’s Fenty announces GOP run against Rep. Donald McEachin (Ha, good luck with that! LOL)
• Dates set for Virginia House of Delegate recounts that will determine majority (“The first recount will start Dec. 13-14 in Prince William and Fairfax counties.”)
• Race where Republican leads by 10 votes instrumental to deciding Va. politics’ fate
• Dominion power lines project in Prince William delayed, new hearings announced
• Richmond officials say $13 million in savings from bond refunding will free up resources for city priorities
• Pro-Confederate group whose small rally cost Richmond $570,000 says it will return Saturday
• D.C.-area forecast: Cold air locks in through the weekend, but our chances of snow are faint (“Highs today are mainly in the mid-40s but, with breezes picking up from the west, it should feel even colder. Moisture is likely insufficient for much if any snow Friday night into Saturday.”)