We Have the Votes on SCOTUS

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With the Senate Judiciary Committee holding a vote at 9:30 A.M. tomorrow, a Senate insider has told Townhall that Kavanaugh has the votes to make it out of committee and the votes to be confirmed on the floor for a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court. Sens. Flake (R-AZ), Collins (R-ME), Murkowski (R-AK), and Manchin (D-WV) are expected to vote in favor of Kavanaugh. All the Republicans are voting yes. Also, in the rumor mill, several Democrats may break ranks and back Kavanaugh. That’s the ball game, folks.

It was an intense and hellacious day at the Senate Judiciary Committee. Christine Blasey Ford, the woman accusing Judge Brett Kavanaugh of an attempted rape while at a high school party, told her story of her alleged sexual assault. It was intense. It was emotional. And it still lacked evidence, witnesses, and other corroborating details. It’s an unprovable allegation, which is what Democrats want; it allows them to delay and run out the clock on this nomination. The FBI investigation talking point has been beaten to death by Senate Democrats, another delay tactic that has been undercut by past remarks by none other than Joe Biden. When he chaired the committee during the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings, Biden famously said that FBI reports are inconclusive and should not be relied on during sexual misconduct allegations.

Brett Kavanaugh testified later this afternoon, giving an emotional and fiery defense of his character and career after it had been under a sustained assault by the Left for over a week. Kavanaugh said that the allegations—all three of them—were false and have irreparably damaged his reputation and damaged his family life. He said this process had become a national disgrace, with Democrats replacing advise and consent with search and destroy. Kavanaugh needed to come out swinging. He needed to be tough. And he did just that.

(Read more from “We Have the Votes” HERE)

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Chinese Soup Ingredients May Hold Key to Fighting Dementia

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. . .Chinese scientists have borrowed three ingredients from the country’s traditional medicine practice — a 3,000-year-old approach that aims to regulate the flow of energy in the body — and used modern pharmaceutical technology to devise a formula to tackle dementia, which has no cure.

The resulting blend of ginkgo biloba, ginseng and saffron extracts, called Sailuotong or SLT, is due to enter a late-stage study in Melbourne this month, and a larger clinical trial to validate its impact is slated to begin in China later this year.

The herbal mix offers an untrodden avenue into a research field riddled with failures. Success for SLT could bring the first approved medicine to treat the vascular causes of dementia, a form of age-related deterioration that resembles Alzheimer’s disease. But its backers’ hopes extend beyond dementia: they seek to validate a new approach to pharmaceutical innovation combining the ancient wisdom of traditional medicines with the scientific rigor of modern drug development.

“If we’re successful in treating vascular dementia, it will be a good example of how other traditional Chinese medicines could potentially be developed,” said Zhang Huajian, the Beijing-based director of clinical research at China Shineway Pharmaceutical Group Ltd.

Dementia, afflicting about 50 million people worldwide, is a compelling target. Despite hundreds of clinical trials investigating potential treatments in recent decades, no new drug has been approved since 2003. The five medications sold for Alzheimer’s, the most common cause of dementia, provide only modest relief of symptoms. None can slow the disease’s progression. There are no specific drugs for vascular dementia, which SLT targets. (Read more from “Chinese Soup Ingredients May Hold Key to Fighting Dementia” HERE)

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Flag-Burning Priest in Hiding to Avoid Being Committed, ‘Tarred and Feathered’

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The Catholic priest removed from an Avondale church last weekend after burning an LGBTQ-friendly flag said in an interview published Wednesday that he has gone into hiding to avoid being committed to a mental institution by Archdiocese of Chicago leaders.

In his first public comments since Cardinal Blase Cupich removed him as pastor of Resurrection Catholic Church — recorded at an “undisclosed location” — the Rev. Paul Kalchik told the conservative Catholic news website Church Militant that Cupich dispatched two of his top deputies last Friday to take him away from the church at 3043 N. Francisco.

“[They said] ‘Pack your bags now and we’ll make certain that you get to St. Luke’s safely and get locked up for a number of months,’ ” Kalchik said, referring to the Saint Luke Institute, a mental-health facility in Maryland for the clergy.

When Kalchik refused to leave, he says the two deputies — Cupich’s vicars for priests — threatened to call the police to have him “forcibly removed.”

“And I don’t know how that would have played out, because we already had all these volunteer policemen there to make certain I wouldn’t be tarred and feathered by the rabid homosexualists of the North Side of Chicago, you know, who are [sending me] death threats,” Kalchik said. (Read more from “Flag-Burning Priest in Hiding to Avoid Being Committed, ‘Tarred and Feathered’” HERE)

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Man Sues to Obtain Minority-Owned Business Status After DNA Test Claims He’s 4 Percent Black

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Ralph Taylor of Lynwood, Washington, looks white. But after taking a DNA test showing that he is 6 percent indigenous American and 4 percent sub-Saharan African, he began to identify as multiracial and applied for minority-owned business status to win more business from state and federal government contractors.

Taylor’s application was denied, and now he’s suing. . .

The test concluded that Taylor was 90 percent Caucasian, but Taylor considers the results showing his multiracial heritage to be proof that he is a minority. In 2013, he applied for his business, Orion Insurance Group, to be recognized by the state of Washington as being minority-owned.

His application was first rejected by the state’s Office of Minority & Women’s Business Enterprises on the grounds that he was not “visibly identifiable” as a minority. But after he appealed, the Office eventually approved his application before reversing its decision again and ultimately denied him the certification in 2014.

In issuing its decision, the state of Washington dismissed the DNA test, questioning its accuracy. The OMWBE wrote, “The documentation that Mr. Taylor provided was insufficient to prove that he has held himself out to be a member of either [the Black American or Native American] group(s) over a long period of time.” (Read more from “Man Sues to Obtain Minority-Owned Business Status After DNA Test Claims He’s 4 Percent Black” HERE)

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Israel Makes Huge Accusation About Iran

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By AP. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is accusing European nations of “appeasing” Iran by trying to renew trade despite Iran’s nuclear activity.

Netanyahu invoked historical European maneuvering in the Middle East while excoriating European leaders for sticking to the 2015 Iranian nuclear accord. It allows for a lifting of sanctions in exchange for curbing Iran’s nuclear activities.

After announcing what he said is new proof of Iranian secret nuclear activity, Netanyahu asked, “Have these European leaders learned nothing from history? Will they ever wake up?” (Read more from “Israel Makes Huge Accusation About Iran” HERE)

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‘Disturbed’ and ‘Disappointed’ Pompeo Slams EU Plan to Bypass Iran Sanctions

By CNBC. America’s top diplomat had harsh words for Europe and its fellow remaining members of the Iranian nuclear deal after it was announced they would develop a financial mechanism to bypass U.S. sanctions and continue doing business with Iran.

Speaking to the conservative lobbying group United Against a Nuclear Iran during the UN General Assembly meetings, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday he was “disturbed and indeed deeply disappointed” by the European Union’s decision to create a “special purpose vehicle” (SPV) designed to allow trade with Tehran in euros, which would eliminate the need for commercial and central banks who fear U.S. penalties.

Announced jointly with Russia and China, the mechanism as of yet lacks technical details.

“This is one of the of the most counterproductive measures imaginable for regional and global peace and security,” Pompeo said. “By sustaining revenues to the regime, you are solidifying Iran’s ranking as the number one state sponsor of terror.”

The initial announcement of the SPV from EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini this week came ahead of a second round of U.S. sanctions set to come down on Iran’s oil sector on November 4. (Read more from “‘Disturbed’ and ‘Disappointed’ Pompeo Slams EU Plan to Bypass Iran Sanctions” HERE)

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China Supposedly Meddling in 2018 Elections

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By AP. Taking center stage at the United Nations, President Donald Trump on Wednesday accused China of trying to interfere in the upcoming U.S. congressional elections because it opposes his tough trade policies. The White House provided scant evidence of anything akin to the level of Russia’s meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

“They do not want me or us to win because I am the first president ever to challenge China on trade,” Trump said as he chaired the U.N. Security Council for the first time. He made his accusation against the backdrop of the special counsel’s investigation into Russian interference in the last election to help him and amid concerns that this November’s elections also could be vulnerable.

Asked later what evidence he had, Trump said there was “plenty” but didn’t immediately provide details, suggesting that some of the material was classified. Instead, he zeroed in on China’s propaganda efforts to flood the heartland with ads and statements against Trump’s billions of dollars in punishing tariffs. (Read more from “China Supposedly Meddling in 2018 Elections” HERE)

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Trade Turmoil Between China and the U.S. Spills Into Military Relations

By CNBC. As the world’s two largest economies exchange tit-for-tat tariffs, there are growing suggestions that the trade turmoil has spilled over into military relations.

China has canceled friendly engagements with the U.S. Navy, possibly due to the trade dispute.

In an interview with CNBC’s Morgan Brennan, Navy Secretary Richard Spencer, the branch’s top civilian, explained the intricate relationship between the two naval forces.

“When we look at China, it’s a very complex situation to say the least because they are also a great trading power,” Spencer said. “We have a major trading power as a competitor,” he added, noting Beijing’s ambitious military buildup.

Spencer’s comments come on the heels of reports that China’s top naval commander canceled a planned visit this week to meet with his American counterpart and that the U.S. was denied a port visit in Hong Kong for its USS Wasp amphibious ship. (Read more from “Trade Turmoil Between China and the U.S. Spills Into Military Relations” HERE)

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Oops: Democrat Candidate’s Childhood Poverty Story Revealed to Be Fake

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As the midterm elections inch their way closer this fall, tough rhetoric continues to flow in one of the more hotly contested races in the country. That race is found deep in the heart of Arizona between Republican Martha McSally and Democrat Krysten Sinema, who are running for U.S. Senate.

However, one of the key claims made by Sinema is now being challenged by The New York Times.

Throughout the campaign, Sinema, a member of Congress who represents Arizona’s 9th District, has repeatedly made the claim that she comes from humble beginnings. She recounts in interviews and in speeches that she spent the majority of her childhood living homeless and in a former gas station without utilities.

In February, she tweeted, “I’m a little bit different than most people in politics. For nearly 3 years, my family lived in an abandoned gas station without running water or electricity. Those were tough times, but I knew it could be different.”

Additionally, Sinema touts the idea that she would be the rare senator who has dealt with being homeless.

However, court documents obtained by The Times are now casting a shadow of doubt on her claims.

In 1984, Sinema moved with her mother, stepfather and two siblings to the Panhandle of Florida. It was there, according to The Times, that her father worked as a part-time computer science teacher.

While it was true that the family of five moved to a former gas station, filings in 1985 and 1986 from a divorce between Sinema’s mother and stepfather reveal that payments were made monthly to utility companies, including electric, water and even the phone company.

Andy Howard, Sinema’s stepfather, wrote to the court, “We are unable to provide adequately for the children.” He continued by saying that “bills will exceed $2,000 and I will only bring in $1,500.”

When asked about the bills in an interview with The Times, Sinema appeared to dodge the question and focus on the fact they were homeless. “Being homeless is when an individual or family are living in a situation that’s not really stable, when you’re living in a place that’s not meant for living in,” she said.

In fact, when asked specifically about why her father mentioned payments to the utility companies, Sinema said, “Oh gosh, I don’t have an answer to that. That’s not something a little kid would hear about from her parents.”

This isn’t the first time, however, Sinema has been pressed on conflicting claims. The New York Times notes that in 2013, Sinema spoke to The Washington Post and mentioned that her family had a toilet.

She was pressed by the news organization on how they could flush the toilet with no water. She had no answer.

Additionally, Sinema’s step-aunt, Susie Fleming, disagreed with the claim that the family had no utilities. In fact, she told The Post, “I realize this tugs at people’s heartstrings and that was what she was going for, but, you know, it’s not the truth. When they decided to move out here, my dad said, ‘We’ll remodel the building and y’all can live in it.’

“I just get angry when she says it was an abandoned gas station.” (For more from the author of “Oops: Democrat Candidate’s Childhood Poverty Story Revealed to Be Fake” please click HERE)

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Nearly 200 Dead, Including 9-Year-Old Girl, From Flooding

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Water levels continue to rise in Nigeria along with the death toll, after weeks of flooding have devastated the country and killed nearly 200 people, including a 9-year-old who was swept away while fetching water. . .

According to The Guardian, Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency reported Thursday that 199 people have died since the Niger and Benue rivers burst their banks in late August due to torrential rains. Another 1,000 people have been injured.

Nigerian media outlet Vanguard reported on Wednesday that one of those killed was a 9-year-old girl, Benedict Uzo, who became caught up in the rushing floodwaters while trying to fill a bucket.

NEMA estimates that more than 800,000 people have been impacted, with over 280,000 left homeless. Four of Nigeria’s 36 states have been declared national disaster areas, and authorities expect things to get worse before they get better. Another eight states have been placed on red alert. . .

Secretary-general of the Nigerian Red Cross, Abubakar Kende told The Guardian that in addition to economic impact from crop and livestock losses, “One of our biggest concerns following extensive floods like this is the threat of cholera and other diseases.” (Read more from “Nearly 200 Dead, Including 9-Year-Old Girl, From Flooding” HERE)

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Professor Calls for Christian University President to Resign for Allowing LGBT Relationships

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Azusa Pacific University, a Christian institution, has lifted its ban on LGBT relationships in its code of conduct. But the decision comes after years of previous resistance, and the school is now facing pushback over the change — particularly from one professor who says it’s now time for APU’s president to go. . .

Last week, APU’s student-run ZU Media announced that effective this fall semester, the school was dropping language from its code of conduct in order to allow “romanticized” same-sex relationships on campus.

ZU Media reported that the dialogue over the changes were prompted when student members of an underground LGBT group called Haven approached administrators about being recognized as a campus organization.

Haven was assisted in its efforts by the outside organization Brave Commons, which describes itself as “a bold and subversive Christian movement of intersectional queer glory: healing and working towards robust justice for all.”

According to Christianity Today, part of the code that was scrapped included “an eight-point statement on human sexuality that had declared: ‘homosexual acts’ (among others) are ‘expressly forbidden’ by Scripture; ‘heterosexuality is God’s design for sexually intimate relationships’; and ‘humans were created as gendered beings’ in order to be fruitful and multiply.” (Read more from “Professor Calls for Christian University President to Resign for Allowing LGBT Relationships” HERE)

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Bill Clinton Rape Accuser Juanita Broaddrick Crashes Kavanaugh Hearing

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Juanita Broaddrick, who accused former President Bill Clinton of raping her before he was president, crashed the Senate hearing of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh on Thursday, ripping Democrats for what she called “the biggest double standard I’ve ever seen.”

Broaddrick addressed the media outside the Senate building where Kavanaugh’s Judiciary Committee hearing was set to take place. She said the accusations from Christine Blasey Ford, who claims Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her in 1982 at a boozy high school party, is “no comparison” to what happened to her.

“Because Dr. Ford has no evidence — I had the who, what, when, where and how and had five people that I told, not even counting the woman who found me 30 minutes after the rape with a swollen busted lip, torn clothes and in a state of shock,” Broaddrick said.

“How they can take these accusations and run with them, and laugh at mine for so many years is the biggest double standard I’ve ever seen,” she said. “It makes me angry that they left [Clinton] in office,” she said about Senate Democrats who rejected hearing her allegations.

“I have twenty times more evidence for my rape by Bill Clinton than Dr. Ford has against Kavanaugh,” Broaddrick said. “Democrats turned their backs on me. They refused to read or acknowledge me in 1999 when I went public with my story. Democrats turned their backs on me.” (Read more from “Bill Clinton Rape Accuser Juanita Broaddrick Crashes Kavanaugh Hearing” HERE)

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