Networks Loud on Moore Allegations, Quiet on Menendez Trial

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TV networks have been giving wall-to-wall coverage to allegations of sexual impropriety by Alabama Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore, eclipsing the coverage they have given to allegations of corruption leveled at Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ).

According to Newsbusters, ABC’s World News Tonight, CBS Evening News, and NBC Nightly News have not mentioned Menendez’s trial for allegedly taking bribes in exchange for political favors once during the whole of the Democrat’s 65-day trial.

But the coverage of Republican Roy Moore has been markedly different.

The Washington Post reported Thursday on allegations that Moore pursued teenagers when he was in his mid-30s in the 1970s and 1980s — including a claim that he initiated a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old. Moore has denied allegations of sexual impropriety. (Read more from “Networks Loud on Moore Allegations, Quiet on Menendez Trial” HERE)

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Slap Exercise Lands Navy SEAL Candidate in Coma

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Twin investigations are probing an incident at the Naval Special Warfare training complex in Coronado that left one Navy SEAL candidate in a coma.

Authorities this week said that Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents and members of the Naval Special Warfare Center in Coronado are reviewing an Oct. 12 mishap that occurred during a study session for the land navigation course of the Basic Under Water Demolition/SEAL training program, or BUD/S.

As an incentive to correctly answer questions, two sailors allegedly agreed to slap whichever one got a response wrong. BUD/S candidates typically challenge each other to perform acts of physical exertion, such as push ups, because striking another student is forbidden.

One of the candidates reportedly reeled from a slap and fell to the floor, striking his head. He was rushed to Naval Medical Center San Diego where surgeons placed him in a medically-induced coma to help heal what SEAL spokesman Lt. Trevor Davids said was an unintentional injury. (Read more from “Slap Exercise Lands Navy SEAL Candidate in Coma” HERE)

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NYC Subways Cut ‘Ladies and Gentlemen’ From Announcements

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Riders of New York City’s subways will no longer hear the phrase “ladies and gentlemen” ringing across the PA system before the doors close, reported PIX11.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is opting for a more gender-neutral approach. Bus drivers and subway conductors are reportedly told to use words such as “passengers,” “riders” and “everyone.”

The change is effective immediately, reported the news outlet.

Transit staff was notified of the new policy in a bulletin earlier this week, which is part of the NYC Subway Action Plan to improve communication with its customers. (Read more from “NYC Subways Cut ‘Ladies and Gentlemen’ From Announcements” HERE)

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Watchdog Group May Have Exaggerated Key Claims in Anti-Trump Lawsuit

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A Washington-based watchdog group that frequently litigates against President Donald Trump may have exaggerated key claims in a high-profile lawsuit alleging that the president is unconstitutionally leveraging the power of his office for profiteering.

National Review Online reports that Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) may have misled a federal court in New York with respect to the professional background of three plaintiffs in their lawsuit, CREW vs. Trump.

The plaintiffs’ professions are an essential aspect to the disposition of the case. Before the court rules on the merits of their suit — which alleges that Trump’s commercial entities profit from business with foreign governments, in violation of the Constitution’s emoluments clause — it must first establish that the plaintiffs have standing. In order to bring a lawsuit, a plaintiff must first establish that the defendant has inflicted a concrete, tangible, and particularized injury against them.

Here the plaintiffs claim that their economic livelihood has been adversely affected by their inability to compete with Trump’s businesses following his election to the presidency. The plaintiffs claim that they are event planners, hoteliers, and restaurant owners who have lost business in recent months, as prospective costumers flock to Trump properties to curry favor with the administration or secure greater exposure. (Read more from “Watchdog Group May Have Exaggerated Key Claims in Anti-Trump Lawsuit” HERE)

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NFL Abandons National Anthem Protests — Stands to Honor the Troops

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As tensions over the national anthem continue to mount, Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett decided to abandon his protests and take a stand before last night’s game.

Bennett has been one of the faces of social justice advocacy in the NFL.

But when the Seahawks played the Arizona cardinals during the Salute For Service game Thursday night, Bennett stood for the Star Spangled Banner. Viewers definitely took notice that the longtime protester actually linked arms with his teammates rather than kneeling during the anthem.

On Wednesday, Bennett had hinted that he might stand for the anthem with Veterans Day coming up this weekend. His father, Bennett Sr, is a Navy veteran and has expressed solidarity with his son’s protest for criminal justice reform. (Read more from “NFL Abandons National Anthem Protests — Stands to Honor the Troops” HERE)

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Trump Praised for Improving Vet Services

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As America pauses for Veterans Day this weekend, a leading advocate for improving the VA system that cares for those who have served this nation in uniform says the VA system has made made some important improvements in the first year of the Trump administration but she says some badly needed reforms are happening far too slowly.

Jessie Jane Duff served as a gunnery sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps. She is now a senior fellow at the London Center for Policy Research. She gives the Trump administration a ‘B’ grade thus far in improving the health care system for veterans.

Duff says Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin has made progress on some bureaucratic issues, including closing down 430 vacant buildings around the nation and another 284 that were underutilized.

“That can save $23 million a year. That money can now be going to health care or receiving mental health care for these veterans,” said Duff . . .

“They have improved same-day services for primary and mental health care at all of their medical centers. They’re making it easier for veterans to file online health care applications. They’re receiving eight times as many online applications this year. That’s good,” said Duff. (Read more from “Trump Praised for Improving Vet Services” HERE)

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Law Lets Congress Settle Sexual-Harassment Cases in Secret

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Equal treatment for lawmakers? Don’t count on it.

A little-known law has been on the books for more than a decade that gives anyone accusing a federal lawmaker of sexual harassment the right to sue – but only if they consent to a lengthy drawn-out process that includes a written statement within 180 days of the incident, 30 days of counseling and another month or so of mediation.

During that time, the claimant’s employer will be notified. The lawmaker’s identity, however, will remain confidential even if he or she is found guilty.

Should there be a settlement – and there have been many – it’s the American taxpayer that’s on the hook, with “no public disclosure and no consequences for the harasser,” said California Democratic Rep. Jackie Speier. (Read more from “Law Lets Congress Settle Sexual-Harassment Cases in Secret” HERE)

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Bergdahl Rescue Mission ‘Haunts’ Navy SEAL Team Member Eight Years Later

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Retired Senior Chief Petty Officer Mike Toussaint, a burly Navy dog handler, grudgingly wiped away tears as he described the barrage of insurgent gunfire that killed his military service dog, Remco, during the search for Army Pvt. Bowe Bergdahl.

Though he was never called to testify, Toussaint served as a prospective witness in the case against Bergdahl, who last week received a dishonorable discharge from the U.S. Army, but avoided prison time for desertion, misbehavior before the enemy, and endangering troops.

The military judge ordered that Bergdahl’s rank be reduced from sergeant to private and required him to surrender $1,000 a month from his pay for 10 months. The sentencing arrived eight years after Bergdahl abandoned his outpost in Afghanistan in 2009 before the Taliban held him captive for five years.

Toussaint called the sentencing “disgusting” and said Bergdahl should have received life in prison for his “reckless” actions.

Nine days after Bergdahl’s desertion, SEAL team members Toussaint and Remco were sent on a hostage rescue operation in southeastern Afghanistan to search for the missing private. He said the team, led by Senior Chief Petty Officer Jimmy Hatch, knew prior to the July 8 mission that Bergdahl voluntarily left his post, despite earlier reports stating he was captured on patrol. (Read more from “Bergdahl Rescue Mission ‘Haunts’ Navy SEAL Team Member Eight Years Later” HERE)

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Corey Feldman Living in Fear After Talking to Police

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As Hollywood grapples with accusations of sexual harassment and abuse, actor Corey Feldman says he’s living in fear as he tries to expose pedophilia in the industry.

The actor sat down with HLN’s Carol Costello to discuss coming forward to the Los Angeles Police Department with accusations of abuse. The LAPD confirmed it has opened an investigation into Feldman’s allegations.

Feldman alleges that both he and his best friend, the late actor Corey Haim, were abused as child stars . . .

“I’d love to give you something juicy, but my nerves are shot,” Feldman told Costello. “I’m living in fear, not a good place to be.” (Read more from “Corey Feldman Living in Fear After Talking to Police” HERE)

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Wikileaks Begins Publishing Source Code for CIA Hacking Tools

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WikiLeaks began publishing the source code of alleged CIA hacking tools Thursday in a new series dubbed “Vault 8.”

The source code, according to a press release from the anti-secrecy organization, is intended to “enable investigative journalists, forensic experts and the general public to better identify and understand covert CIA infrastructure components.”

“Source code published in this series contains software designed to run on servers controlled by the CIA,” WikiLeaks writes, stressing that the material does not contain 0-day or undisclosed vulnerabilities that could be utilized by others.

Hive, the first tool featured in Vault 8, aids the agency in controlling malware installed on target devices.

“Even the most sophisticated malware implant on a target computer is useless if there is no way for it to communicate with its operators in a secure manner that does not draw attention,” WikiLeaks writes. “Using Hive even if an implant is discovered on a target computer, attributing it to the CIA is difficult by just looking at the communication of the malware with other servers on the internet.” (Read more from “Wikileaks Begins Publishing Source Code for CIA Hacking Tools” HERE)

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