No Impeachable Offense: Trump Lawyer Alan Dershowitz Says Dems Have Nothing Criminal to Allege

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By Daily Wire. On the “Glenn Beck Radio Program” Monday, Harvard Law professor and lawyer on President Donald Trump’s impeachment defense team Alan Dershowitz explains the history of impeachment and its process, why the framers did not include abuse of power as criteria for a Constitutional impeachment, why the Democrats are framing their case the way they are, and what to look for in the upcoming Senate trial. . .

“There are two articles of impeachment. The second is ‘obstruction of Congress.’ That’s just a false accusation,” said Dershowitz. “But they also charge him, in the Ukraine matter, with abuse of power. But abuse of power was discussed by the framers (of the U.S. Constitution) … the framers refused to include abuse of power because it was too broad, too open-ended. . .

“What’s alleged against President Trump is not criminal,” added Dershowitz. “If they had criminal issues to allege, you can be sure they would have done it. If they could establish bribery or treason, they would have done it already. But they didn’t do it. They instead used this concept of abuse of power, which is so broad and general … any president could be charged with it.” (Read more from “No Impeachable Offense: Trump Lawyer Alan Dershowitz Says Dems Have Nothing Criminal to Allege” HERE)

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Dershowitz: Trump Impeachment Acquittal Would ‘Make Me Unhappy as an Individual’

By The Times of Israel. Famed legal scholar Alan Dershowitz on Saturday said the acquittal of Donald Trump by the Senate would make him personally unhappy, but that he opposed the impeachment of the US president on constitutional grounds.

A day after being announced as a new member of Trump’s legal team, Dershowitz also said he would not vote for the US president in the November election, despite defending him at the impeachment trial. . .

“I am very worried about the precedent that would be caused if this president were removed,” he explained. “I think the constitutional arguments against impeachment have to be made in the Senate and I want to see them made on a non-partisan basis.”

Dershowitz said he would not argue that Trump did not commit the offenses he is accused of, but that those alleged offenses are not unconstitutional and therefore not grounds for impeachment. He also pushed back when asked if the Democratic-led impeachment process was a “farce.”

“I think people seriously and genuinely believe that this president did impeachable things… I just think it’s a mistake for the Democrats. I think it has helped Trump, not hurt his electoral chances,” he said. (Read more from “Dershowitz: Trump Impeachment Acquittal Would ‘Make Me Unhappy as an Individual’” HERE)

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Mitch McConnell Releases Proposed Rules for Senate Impeachment Trial

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By The Blaze. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has released a 4-page resolution laying out proposed ground rules for the upper chamber’s impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, and Democrats immediately lashed out against the measure. . .

The Associated Press reported Monday that the trial rules and schedule set forth by McConnell indicates the Republican leader is proposing a “swift” impeachment trial” in the Senate.

Under McConnell’s resolution, opening arguments would begin Wednesday, and then the prosecution and defense would each be granted 24 hours to present their respective cases.

After that, 16 hours will be allotted for senators to question both sides, and then another 4 hours will be set aside for lawmakers to debate.

Citing unnamed GOP officials, The Washington Post reported that the Senate trial “won’t automatically admit evidence from the House process,” and pointed out that “though the material will be printed and made available to senators, it won’t be automatically admissible unless a majority of senators approve it.”

(Read more from “Mitch McConnell Releases Proposed Rules for Senate Impeachment Trial” HERE)

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McConnell Proposes Compressed Schedule for Impeachment Trial

By The Hill. House impeachment managers will have 24 hours over two days to make their opening arguments when they begin to present their case against President Trump to the Senate Wednesday, according to a resolution circulated by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

President Trump’s team similarly will have two days to present their arguments and then senators will have a chance to ask questions and consider subpoenas of witnesses.

The resolution, as expected, does not require additional witnesses to be subpoenaed and does not allow House prosecutors to admit evidence into the Senate trial record until after the opening arguments are heard. (Read more from “McConnell Proposes Compressed Schedule for Impeachment Trial” HERE)

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Black Lives Matter Says It Was Snubbed by the Women’s March

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Black Lives Matter says the activist group was excluded from speaking onstage at Saturday’s 4thannual Women’s March in downtown Los Angeles, suggesting organizers should consider rebranding the event the “White Women’s March.”

“(Women’s March L.A.) did not invite Black Lives Matter to participate, failed to respond to an email request for inclusion, and further refused speaking time during a subsequent telephone conversation,” said Dr. Melina Abdullah, a college professor who co-founded BLM’s L.A. chapter.

In a written response to the perceived rejection, Abdullah noted, “this marks the first time that BLMLA will not participate,” stating the rebuff was “the culmination of ongoing disagreement and tension,” accusing Women’s March L.A. (WMLA) of “blatantly engaging in anti-Blackness.”

“In past years, BLMLA has utilized the WMLA space to inspire on-the-ground action,” Abdullah wrote. “It has always been our desire for the masses of women, girls, femmes, and allies assembled under the banner of the Women’s March to engage in actual work that transforms the world, rather than gather for a feel-good parade.”

Abdullah claims that her teenage daughter, Thandiwe, who addressed the crowd at the 2018 march, was “accused by WMLA leadership of making specific, violent, anti-Semitic threats during her speech.”

(Read more from “Black Lives Matter Says It Was Snubbed by the Women’s March” HERE)

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Over 20,000 Pro-Gun Activists Flood Virginia’s Capital To Push Back On Democrat Extremism; Gun Rights Activists Vow Their Fight Is Just Getting Started

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By Daily Wire. The ground swell of intense resistance to Virginia Democrats’ extremist anti-Second Amendment agenda exploded to new highs on Monday during a pro-freedom rally in Richmond as tens of thousands of armed pro-freedom activists attended the rally.

The event, held on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, came in response to Democrats in the state pushing an extreme agenda that has included the idea of confiscating legally owned firearms from law-abiding citizens.

Initial estimates suggested at least 22,000 pro-gun activists attended the event, “6,000 on Capitol Square and 16,000 outside the security gates,” NBC News reported.

(Read more from “Over 20,000 Pro-Gun Activists Flood Virginia’s Capital To Push Back On Democrat Extremism” HERE)

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At Tense Virginia Rally, Gun Rights Activists Vow Their Fight Is Just Getting Started

By NBC News. Thousands of gun rights activists, banned from carrying their weapons out of fear of violence, crammed into the Virginia Capitol on Monday to urge state lawmakers to reject sweeping measures to limit the spread of firearms.

The rally, planned for weeks as part of a citizen-lobbying tradition held on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, has focused national attention on Virginia’s attempts to enact new gun regulations, pushed by Democrats who took control of the Statehouse for the first time in 26 years. Gun control supporters say they are acting on voters’ wishes, propelled by a mass shooting in May in Virginia Beach.

Gun rights proponents warn that the measures ─ including bills that would impose universal background checks, ban military-style rifles and allow authorities to temporarily take guns from people deemed dangerous to themselves or to others ─ will snowball into attempts to disarm the public.

“We will not comply,” activists chanted from both sides of a security fence ringing the Capitol grounds. The crowd was largely white and diverse in age, with most wearing orange stickers saying “Guns save lives.” Many rode chartered buses from all over the state and waited hours in line to get into the Capitol grounds before passing through airport-style security. On the other side of the fence, large crowds formed, and many activists openly carried firearms, including long guns. Many also wore camouflage and military gear. (Read more from “At Tense Virginia Rally, Gun Rights Activists Vow Their Fight Is Just Getting Started” HERE)

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WATCH: Epic National Anthem Before AFC Championship Game Where Chiefs Beat Titans, Advance to Super Bowl, While CFO Says His Identity Remains in Christ

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By Sports Illustrated. Sunday marked the second consecutive year that the Lamar Hunt Trophy, named after the late Chiefs founder and given to the winner of the AFC, was in Arrowhead Stadium for the conference championship. Last year against the Patriots, it was supposed to come home with head coach Andy Reid, league MVP Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the Kansas City Chiefs. Up to that point in time, last year’s title game was the biggest home game in team history. But the Chiefs came up just short as Mahomes could only watch as Patriots QB Tom Brady orchestrated an overtime drive to send New England to Super Bowl LIII. . .

For the first time since 1970, the Kansas City Chiefs are headed to the Super Bowl, ending the fourth-longest drought in league history. For two generations, Chiefs fans have watched in agony as one of the league’s marquee franchises failed to play in the sport’s biggest game. But in their 35-24 win over the Tennessee Titans, Mahomes made sure that Sunday’s outcome would be the opposite of what occurred one year earlier.

“To be here, to be in Chiefs kingdom, to be able to do it in Arrowhead, these people deserve it,” Mahomes told CBS’ Tracy Wolfson after the win.

An early 10-point deficit proved to be no barrier. And instead, with 7:33 to go in the fourth quarter, Mahomes raised both of his arms to the sky and faced the home crowd. Seconds earlier, he had completed a 60-yard TD pass to WR Sammy Watkins giving his team a 34–17 lead. A Super Bowl berth was in reach. (Read more from “Chiefs Beat Titans, Advance to Super Bowl vs 49ers” HERE)

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Video: Epic National Anthem Before AFC Championship Game

By The Spun. The national anthem is an often overlooked element element of any sports game, but there are times when it is performed so incredibly well that it’s on everyone’s mind. That’s exactly what we got today prior to the start of the AFC Championship Game.

Performing the national anthem in the pregame was former Navy officer Generald Wilson. While he may not have starpower of such legendary anthem performers as Whitney Houston or Gladys Knight, Wilson’s rendition was about as moving as powerful as any of his predecessors.

He hit the high note on “was still there” with such power that all of Arrowhead Stadium started cheering.

(Read more from “Video: Epic National Anthem Before AFC Championship Game” HERE)
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Christ is Central to Chief’s Owner and Quarterback

By Joshua Pease. Hunt, who became a Christian at 10 years old, has built a culture around his Christian faith, saying he makes it a top priority for his staff.

“We want our employees to develop spiritually,” Hunt said in October at the CityFest East Texas Men’s Luncheon, according to the Tyler Morning Telegraph. “In the National Football League, Christ is really glorified. My identity is my faith in Christ.”

In the same speech, Hunt also praised star QB Patrick Mahomes, the reigning NFL MVP who has led the Chiefs to the AFC championship game in each of his first two seasons as a starter. Hunt said the Chiefs were in search of a young quarterback to take the team to the next level, and Mahomes has turned out to be that guy.

“Watching Patrick last year was an unbelievable revelation,” Hunt said. “You would have thought he was a 10-year veteran.” (Read more from this story HERE)

Mahomes has also talked publicly about the role his faith plays in his life.


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Humans’ Body Temperatures Are Mysteriously Getting Colder, Study Finds

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The average human body temperature has dropped over the past 150 years, according to a new study, though it remains unclear what is behind this decrease.

Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have established that people’s bodies are now typically cooler than the textbook figure of 37C, first established by German physician Carl Reinhold August Wunderlich in 1868.

The study shows that modern-day men have a body temperature 0.58C lower than their 19th century counterparts, while women’s are 0.32C lower.

This decrease has been attributed to “changes in our environment over the past 200 years, which have in turn driven physiological changes”. However, the study acknowledges that establishing cause and effect remains “inherently unprovable”.

Senior author Julie Parsonnet, a professor of medicine and of health research and policy at Stanford University, says: “Our temperature is not what people think it is. (Read more from “Humans’ Body Temperatures Are Mysteriously Getting Colder, Study Finds” HERE)

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Just 162 Billionaires Have the Same Wealth as Half of Humanity

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In a stark reminder of gaping global inequality, a report published Sunday reveals that 162 billionaires, including Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, have the same wealth as the poorest half of the world.

There are 2,153 billionaires globally, and, in 2019, they held more wealth combined than 4.6 billion people, according to the report, which uses data from the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report and Forbes’ billionaire rankings.

The report uses a striking analogy to put these amounts of wealth in context. If everyone sat on their wealth piled up in $100 bills, most people would be sitting on the floor, a middle-class person from a rich country would be the height of a chair, and the world’s two richest men would be sitting in space.

Oxfam’s report is published annually to coincide with the start of the World Economic Forum gathering in Davos, where high-profile policymakers, business leaders and the wealthy take their private jets to a Swiss ski town to discuss how to “improve the state of the world.”

Once someone is very wealthy, the report points out, it’s easy to just watch the money accumulate because the rich can afford the best investment advice. Billionaire wealth has increased by an average of 7.4% a year since 2009, according to the report published by Oxfam, an international development nongovernmental organization. And 2019 was a good year for the ultrarich. Despite their wealth levels dipping at the start of the year, they quickly rebounded, and the world’s 500 richest people managed to add $1.2 trillion to their wealth over the course of the year, according to a Bloomberg analysis. (Read more from “Just 162 Billionaires Have the Same Wealth as Half of Humanity” HERE)

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Family Sues TSA After Man’s $82,000 Life Savings Were Seized at an Airport

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A Pennsylvania man who kept his entire life savings in a Tupperware container is suing the federal government after the money – $82,373 in cash – was seized at an airport after DEA agents deemed it ‘suspicious’.

Terrence Rolin, 79, and his daughter Rebecca Brown are the lead plaintiffs in a federal class action lawsuit filed Wednesday by the Institute for Justice which accuses the Drug Enforcement Administration and Transportation Security Administration of ‘treating American citizens like criminals’ by seizing large amounts of cash from airline passengers without evidence of an underlying crime. . .

She was flying back home to Boston to do that when TSA and DEA agents at Pittsburgh International Airport noticed the large sum of cash and began questioning her.

Brown said she had checked the TSA website beforehand to confirm that she could fly with that amount of money, and the site didn’t say that anything would prohibit her from doing so.

A DEA agent asked Brown to put her father on the phone so he could verify her story about where the cash came from, but Rolin, who is suffering mental decline, was unable to verify some of the details, she said. (Read more from “Family Sues TSA After Man’s $82,000 Life Savings Were Seized at an Airport” HERE)

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Top Trump Russia-Europe Official Yanked Pending Mysterious Security Concerns

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By NBC News. The top White House official responsible for Russia and Europe has been put on indefinite administrative leave amid a security-related investigation, two U.S. officials and a former U.S. official said.

The official, Andrew Peek, who took over the Russia portfolio at the National Security Council in November, had been scheduled to join President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, this week before he was abruptly put on leave, one of the officials said. The officials declined to specify the nature of the investigation. . .

Peek’s absence, at least temporarily, creates a void in a key position responsible for pushing back on Russian aggression and coordinating U.S. policy toward Moscow. It adds another jolt of uncertainty to an office that has experienced significant turnover during the past year.

Peek, whose background is in Middle East affairs, took over the Russia and Europe portfolio from Tim Morrison, who was a key witness in House hearings on Trump’s impeachment. The Russia and Europe role is the same one that was previously occupied by Fiona Hill, another key impeachment witness during last year’s hearings. (Read more from “Top Trump Russia-Europe Official Yanked Pending Mysterious Security Concerns” HERE)

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Trump Loses Another Russia Adviser, Adding to NSC Turnover

By Bloomberg. The top Russia expert on President Donald Trump’s National Security Council has left his post after about three months, according to three people familiar with the matter.

Andrew Peek, the NSC’s senior director for European and Russian affairs, was escorted from the White House grounds on Friday, two of the people said, asking not to be identified because they weren’t authorized to discuss personnel matters. A spokesman for the NSC declined to comment, citing the same reason. Peek also declined to comment.

Axios reported earlier Saturday that Peek was placed on administrative leave pending a security-related investigation.

Peek is the third departure from the position in less than a year. The NSC has been marked by turbulence and turnover over Trump’s three years in office, as the president has repeatedly sought national security advisers more in-line with his own ideology. (Read more from “Trump Loses Another Russia Adviser, Adding to NSC Turnover” HERE)

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Goodbye, Privacy, Forever: New Government-Licensed Software Identifies You Anywhere

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New facial recognition technology could be used to identify anyone who steps foot in a public place, and it’s already in use by police in the U.S., according to a report by the New York Times.

A tiny company called Clearview developed an app that can use an existing photo of a person to search for other photos of them online, along with links to where those photos are hosted. The company says the app accesses a database of more than three billion images, collected from social media sites like Facebook and YouTube.

The app has been provided to “hundreds of law enforcement agencies, ranging from local cops in Florida to the F.B.I. and the Department of Homeland Security,” according to the NYT, and could be in use across the U.S. and beyond. Law enforcement officers have confirmed they have used the app to investigate a range of crimes, from the serious to the petty. (Read more from “Goodbye, Privacy, Forever: New Government-Licensed Software Identifies You Anywhere” HERE)

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