5 Jaw-Dropping Moments From Trump’s WILD Meeting With Pelosi and Schumer

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President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., had a wild meeting at the White House Tuesday, when a debate over government funding for a border wall spontaneously erupted in front of the press and ended with Trump vowing to take the blame for a potential government shutdown.

Kicking things off, Trump welcomed the press to the meeting and discussed the issues they would talk about. The tone was set when Trump joked to Schumer about wall funding being “easy” and Schumer snidely corrected him, “It’s called funding the government, Mr. President.”

Trump predicted that he might not come to an agreement with the Democratic leaders. Calling on Pelosi to say something, she said the government “should not have a Trump shutdown.”

That set the president off.

Trump was eager to defend his position, arguing that he has the votes for a wall in the House but that Schumer’s Senate Democrat obstructionism is blocking wall funding in the Senate. Pelosi did not want to have this debate in front of the press.

Disagreements intensified. An argument over whether strong border security necessitates a physical wall devolved into squabbles over the state of the economy and over the margin of victory for Democrats and Republicans in the 2018 midterms.

At one point, Schumer shot at Trump: “When the president brags that he won North Dakota and Indiana, he’s in real trouble.”

Schumer and Pelosi repeatedly stated that they had come in “good faith” to prevent a government shutdown. But Trump had had it with both of them. The president insisted on funding for a wall and vowed to take the blame for a government shutdown, if that’s what it takes.

So what did we learn?

First, Trump and the Democratic leaders are living in different realities on wall funding. There’s likely not much room for compromise there. The Democrats got what they want when Trump said he’d take the blame for a shutdown. Trump got what he wanted by putting them on the spot in front of television cameras. After this performance, it’s hard to imagine either side backing down from a government shutdown.

Second, Pelosi and Schumer do not want this debate to air in front of the press. It’s harder to cast Trump as a villain when he’s in the same room insisting on protecting Americans from violent criminal illegal aliens and drug-pushing gangs.

Third, though the media hate this president because he insults them, he once again proved he is the most transparent and media-friendly American president in living memory. Can you imagine any other president allowing this debate to play out in front of the press? (For more from the author of “5 Jaw-Dropping Moments From Trump’s Wild Meeting With Pelosi and Schumer” please click HERE)

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Woman Sues Orchestra for Pay Discrimination. There’s Just One Problem.

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The first chair flutist for the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is suing the organization, claiming she receives $70,000 less than her male counterpart because she is a woman.

Elizabeth Rowe, who joined the BSO when she was 29 after a blind audition, which, according to the Washington Post involved playing “behind a brown, 33-foot polyester screen” so no one knew her gender or race. Rowe is now 44, and knows that John Ferrillo, a 63-year-old man, makes nearly $70,000 more than her, because his salary was disclosed in a tax filing, since the BSO is a nonprofit organization.

Ferrillo has been with the BSO since 2001. Rowe has been with the orchestra since 2004. Ferrillo was also lured away from the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, the Post reported, by offering to pay him “twice what the orchestra’s rank-and-file-make.”

But the biggest difference between the two? Rowe plays the flute, while Ferrillo plays the oboe. Two very different instruments. So, this is not a case of unequal pay for equal work. BSO provided the Post with a statement, in which it “defended its pay structure, saying that the flute and oboe are not comparable because, in part, the oboe is more difficult to play and there is a larger pool of flutists.” . . .

To be fair to Rowe, she didn’t want her lawsuit to become public. The Post reports that she only wanted her bosses to know about the lawsuit, but the Boston Herald discovered the suit and spoke to Rowe. Her lawsuit will test the Massachusetts Equal Pay Law, which her lawsuit claims requires the orchestra she needs to be paid the same or more than a male in a comparable position. She contends lead oboist is comparable. The BSO says otherwise. (Read more from “Woman Sues Orchestra for Pay Discrimination. There’s Just One Problem.” HERE)

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Watch: Google CEO Forced to Explain Why Trump’s Photo Appears When You Search for ‘Idiot’

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By Raw Story. Google CEO Sundar Pichai on Tuesday found himself having to explain why his company’s search engine retrieves photos of President Donald Trump when a user enters in a search for the word “idiot.” . . .

“We provide search today for any time you type in a keyword… we have gone out and stored copies of billions of pages in our index, and we take the keyword and match it against the pages and rank them based on over 200 signals,” Pichai replied. “Things like relevance, freshness, popularity, how other people are using it. And based on that, you know, at any given time, we try to find the best results for that query.”

(Read more from “Watch: Google Ceo Forced to Explain Why Trump’s Photo Appears When You Search for ‘Idiot'” HERE)

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Google Must Sway Congress on Regulations or Tech Will Face ‘Direct Threat,’ Says Cybersecurity Expert

By CNBC. Google could run into problems with privacy policies if Congress is more receptive to consumer advocates than to the company’s views on regulations, former Facebook privacy and public policy advisor Dipayan Ghosh told CNBC on Tuesday.

“If things do go in that direction, then I think the business model underlying Google, and companies like Google, will be under a more direct threat,” he said on “Closing Bell.”

The comments came after Google CEO Sundar Pichai appeared before a congressional committee, the first time Google parent Alphabet has sent an official to Capitol Hill for a hearing since skipping a Senate hearing on foreign interference in elections earlier this year.

Pichai testified before the House Judiciary Committee, whose members pressed him on a variety of concerns including data privacy, transparency and Google’s development of a censored search engine in China.

Shares of Alphabet had a relatively uneventful day, falling 1.5 percent before climbing to close up nearly 1 percent at $1,061.65. (Read more from “Google Must Sway Congress on Regulations or Tech Will Face ‘Direct Threat,’ Says Cybersecurity Expert” HERE)

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Facebook Censors Photo That Depicts Santa Claus Kneeling to Honor Baby Jesus

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Facebook has covered over a posting of a picture of Santa Claus kneeling before the Baby Jesus, warning viewers that the photo “may show violent or graphic content.”

A second warning beneath the obscured image of Santa on bended knee, reverentially adoring the Christ Child states, “This photo was automatically covered so you can decide if you want to see it.” . . .

Facebook explains on its site what it means by “Violence and graphic content:” . . .

The image in question — of the Savior of the World as an infant and a popularized version of a saint — was originally posted on December 1, 2015, with this accompanying poem explaining the touching illustration:

My dear precious Jesus, I did not mean to take your place,
I only bring toys and things and you bring love and grace.
People give me lists of wishes and hope that they came true;
But you hear prayers of the heart and promise your will to do.
Children try to be good and not to cry when I am coming to town;
But you love them unconditionally and that love will abound.
I leave only a bag of toys and temporary joy for a season;
But you leave a heart of love, full of purpose and reasons.
I have a lot of believers and what one might call fame;
But I never healed the blind or tried to help the lame.
I have rosy cheeks and a voice full of laughter;
But no nail—scarred hands or a promise of the hereafter.
You may find several of me in town or at a mall;
But there is only one omnipotent you, to answer a sinner’s call.
And so, my dear precious Jesus, I kneel here to pray;
To worship and adore you on this, your holy birthday.

(Read more from “Facebook Censors Photo That Depicts Santa Claus Kneeling to Honor Baby Jesus in Manger” HERE)

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Watch: CNN Reporter Appears to Use Sexual Slur, Immediately Claims He Doesn’t Know What It Means

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By Don Lemon. CNN’s Don Lemon immediately walked back an apparent sexual slur that he used on Wednesday night while appearing on a segment on CNN’s “Cuomo Prime Time.”

The segment originally started out with Cuomo talking about PETA’s list of “anti-animal language” and then transitioned into talking about “more serious things.”

At the end of the segment, Lemon told Cuomo: “Don’t be a chickenhead.”

The term “chickenhead” is a slang derogatory term that is used to describe someone who likes performing oral sex on a man and is considered to be especially degrading toward women.

(Read more from “Watch: CNN Reporter Appears to Use Sexual Slur, Immediately Claims He Doesn’t Know What It Means” HERE)

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THROWBACK: Don Lemon Didn’t Just Victim-Blame–He Perpetuated Multiple Rape Myths

By TIME. On Tuesday, CNN’s Don Lemon interviewed Joan Tarshis, one of more than a dozen women who have come forward over several years to accuse Bill Cosby of sexual assault. These allegations resurfaced after a comedian pointedly commented on them during a routine. This, in turn, prompted Barbara Bowman to ask publicly in an op-ed in The Washington Post, “Bill Cosby raped me. Why did it take 30 years for people to believe my story?” Former supermodel Janice Dickinson is now the 15th woman to come forward with allegations.

The allegations are hardly new, and the interview could have been an occasion for a serious and nuanced conversation about rape, about how survivors respond to and survive assault and about well-documented techniques used by serial abusers. Instead, what proceeded was appalling. Lemon, in a few brief lines, blamed the victim for not stopping her assault, while also managing to subtly convey a whole series of rape myths.

Lemon’s most repugnant suggestion was this: “You know, there are ways not to perform oral sex.” He went on to clarify that he meant the “using of the teeth” as a “weapon” to stop the alleged assault. Put crassly, “Why didn’t you bite his dick if you didn’t want to perform oral sex?” Lemon continued, “If you didn’t want to do it…” In other words, “you really wanted it.” (Read more from “THROWBACK: Don Lemon Didn’t Just Victim-Blame–He Perpetuated Multiple Rape Myths” HERE)

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Ocasio-Cortez Says She Plans to Pay Her Interns. Here’s How Much per Hour.

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By Townhall. A few days ago Congresswoman-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D) said she believes it’s time for her colleagues to pay interns. She came to the realization when she visited a diner in Washington, D.C. for a late night dinner and most of the staff were Capitol Hill workers at their second job.

Now, she says she’s going to “walk the walk” by paying her interns at least $15 an hour. . .

(Read more from “Ocasio-Cortez Says She Plans to Pay Her Interns. Here’s How Much per Hour.” HERE)

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‘Democratic Socialist’ Ocasio-Cortez to Pay Interns $15 per Hour

By Fox Business. Newly-elected New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez announced she will pay her interns $15 per hour, in what she calls an effort to “walk the walk” and have her policies match her political viewpoints. . .

A 2017 study by an advocacy group called Pay Our Interns found that 51 percent of Senate Republicans offered paid internships, compared with 31 percent of Democrats.

Meanwhile, young staffers in the House of Representatives had dismal pay prospects: Only 8 percent of Republicans – or 19 of 238 – paid interns, while 3.6 percent of Democrats, or 7 of 193, did so.

The study also concluded that internships in D.C. cost $6,000, on average.

A list of who was not paying young staffers included lawmakers like California Sen. Kamala Harris, Virginia Democrat Mark Warner and New York Democrat Chuck Schumer – all of whom have voiced support for raising the federal minimum wage. (Read more from “‘Democratic Socialist’ Ocasio-Cortez to Pay Interns $15 per Hour” HERE)

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Teacher Fired for Using Wrong Pronoun for Transgender; 100 Students Protest Firing

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By Newsweek. A high school teacher in Virginia has been fired after refusing to refer to one of his students using [her] preferred pronoun.

Peter Vlaming, a French teacher at West Point High School, was fired after the School Board voted 5-0 in favor of terminating his role.

The decision was made after Vlaming disobeyed orders to refer to a ninth-grade student as a male following [her] gender transition. The case is believed to be the first of its kind in the state, reports the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Vlaming, who has worked at the school for seven years, told the school his Christian faith prevented him from using the preferred pronoun of the student he still saw as female. (Read more from “Teacher Fired for Using Wrong Pronoun for Transgender; 100 Students Protest Firing” HERE)

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West Point Students Walk out of Class to Support Fired Teacher

By The Virginia Gazette. About 100 middle and high school students in West Point held a walkout in support of a teacher who was fired for refusing to use a transgender student’s preferred pronoun.

The West Point Public School Board voted unanimously 5-0 Thursday night to support division Superintendent Laura Abel’s recommendation to terminate French teacher Peter Vlaming’s employment, saying his actions harassed and discriminated against the student and were insubordinate.

The walkout began at 12:15 p.m. outside of the high school, and students trickled out of the school to protest the firing.

Students held signs reading “Justice for Vlaming” and “Save Vlaming,” as well as made shirts with French flags and signatures from classmates on them.

The students joined hands, formed a resistance chain around the high school’s front lawn and chanted “Justice for Vlaming” and other supportive chants during the walkout. (Read more from “West Point Students Walk out of Class to Support Fired Teacher” HERE)

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Ocasio-Cortez Threatens to Retaliate Against Trump Jr. over Meme, Twitter Explodes with Accusations of Ethics Violations

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Socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez threatened to use the powers of her elected office to retaliate against Donald Trump Jr. on Friday after the president’s son posted a meme trolling her on his personal Instagram account.

“I have noticed that Junior here has a habit of posting nonsense about me whenever the Mueller investigation heats up,” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted. “Please, keep it coming Jr – it’s definitely a “very, very large brain” idea to troll a member of a body that will have subpoena power in a month.” . . .

(Read more from “Ocasio-Cortez Threatens to Retaliate Against Trump Jr. over Meme, Twitter Explodes with Accusations of Ethics Violations” HERE)

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George H.W. Bush’s Beloved Service Dog ‘Sully’ Has A Heartwarming New Mission

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The relationships between dogs and Presidents of the United States have always captivated and warmed the hearts of Americans. Now President George H.W. Bush’s service dog is melting the hearts of people everywhere as he prepares for a new mission of service to wounded soldiers.

On Sunday, Bush’s spokesman, Jim McGrath shared a powerful and iconic photograph clearly showing the loyalty Sully had to the 41st president. The image showed Sully laying beside the coffin covered in the American flag with the fitting caption:

Sully was later seen by the former president’s side at the U.S. Capitol.

President Bush passed away surrounded by his loving family Friday evening at 94 years old. Sully flew with Bush’s coffin to Washington, D.C. The Labrador Retriever was named after an airline pilot, Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger III, known for the “miracle on the Hudson” emergency landing of a US Airways Airbus in 2009.

Sullenberger commented about his namesake on Twitter on December 3.

Later this week, Sully returns to America’s VetDogs in Smithtown, New York where he will stay for the holiday season. At 15 months old, Sully was taken to the VetDogs prison puppy program, where inmates taught him the foundations of service dog training. Sully later honed his skills at the VetDogs facility in Smithtown.

Following his holiday visit in familiar surroundings, the presidential service dog will take on his new duties at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center’s Facilities Dog Program in Maryland. The center recommended Sully as a perfect match for Bush when the Labrador was 2-years-old.

In his new duties at Walter Reed, Sully will work with SGT Dillon and SGT Truman, two fellow service dogs. The dogs will work with wounded soldiers and active duty personnel while they undergo physical and occupational therapy at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

According to PEOPLE, Sully will work with soldiers who have suffered amputated limbs.

“THROUGH RETRIEVAL, BRACING, AND INNOVATIVE TUG-OF-WAR EXERCISES, THESE DOGS WORK WITH SERVICE MEMBERS AS THEY ADAPT AND WORK WITH THEIR NEW PROSTHETIC LIMBS.”

Sully provided invaluable service to President Bush, helping him cope with life after the loss of his beloved wife, Barbara, in April. Now he serves other veterans who have risked their lives for our country in combat. We don’t yet know who will have the honor to be Sully’s next handler at Walter Reed.

Follow Sully Bush’s Instagram account to keep up with the latest updates on this famous and loyal service dog. One of his last posts showed Sully laying beside President Bush as he voted in the midterm elections. Another post showed him helping with some Christmas decorations.

(Click HERE to view the original post.)

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All Class: Laura Bush’s Sweet Message to Melania Trump

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A day before former President George H.W. Bush was laid to rest, former First Lady Laura Bush and Bush family members were hosted by First Lady Melania Trump at the White House, touring the much-discussed Christmas decor. Mrs. Bush was quick to thank Mrs. Trump for the “sweet visit during this somber week.”

“Thanks to Mrs. Trump for inviting our family to the White House to see the Christmas decorations and our old friends, the residence staff,” wrote the former First Lady, posting two photos from the visit.

Following the visit, the Trumps and the Bushes greeted one another in a warm exchange outside the presidential guest house, Blair House (video below).

Mrs. Bush and Mrs. Trump have a much warmer relationship than what is perceived to be an essentially nonexistent relationship between the current FLOTUS and her predecessor, Michelle Obama.

In April, Mrs. Bush and Mrs. Trump shared tea together at the White House. Additionally, Mrs. Bush had nothing but warm wishes and kind words to say about the current First Lady during an interview with CNN in November of 2017.

(Read more from “All Class: Laura Bush’s Sweet Message to Melania Trump” HERE)

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