Mass shooting in Blacksburg, Virginia near Virginia Tech.
Gun violence is always the No. 1 problem in the United States. But the Republican Party will continue to make the issues about crime and racial angst. They want to support the Second Amendment but want chaos and havoc with firearms. They scapegoat Democrats for the problems plaguing New York City, Baltimore, Chicago, Philadelphia and the U.S.-Mexico border. They exploit police officer killings as a part of their mantra of being the part of "law & order."
They claim they "Back the Blue" but support not arresting the folks responsible for the attack on the U.S. Capitol.
It has never been about police or gun reform. It has been always the culture wars and white nationalist talking points.
Another mass shooting in the United States. It happened in Blacksburg, Virginia.
President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Gov. Karen Youngkin, Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) and the members of the Virginia U.S. House delegation were notified.
A shooting in a downtown nightspot just before midnight Friday left one person dead and four injured as police continued to search a closed-off, multiple block section near the Virginia Tech campus hours later.
A Blacksburg police statement issued at 2:00am gave few details of the gun violence at Melody Hookah Lounge, located at 109 North Main St., but said "multiple individuals were transported from the scene to local hospitals."
A 5:30am update later said five people were injured in the shooting, four were transported to local hospitals and one died. No identities have been released.
A popular hookah lounge became the latest gun violence scene.
A statement issued by Virginia Tech President Tim Sands said one of the injured people is a Virginia Tech student.
"Our condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased, and we extend our support to those who were injured," Sands wrote. "Events like this are difficult and unsettling to all of us."
The website for the business said it had been closed for a private event from 8 to 11:00pm Friday, reopening to the public at 11.
Virginia Tech sent out a message through its alert system immediately after the shooting urging recipients to secure in place and remain inside. That secure in place warning was lifted at 3:18am.
A section of Main Street near Roanoke Street in the heart of downtown Blacksburg, was closed for more than five hours after the shooting as police conducted a search. A person was placing markers around the front entrance of Melody Hookah Lounge and taking photographs of each some four hours after the gunfire.
Blacksburg Police asked anyone with information to contact them at 540-443-1400 or by calling the anonymous tip line at 540-961-1819 or emailing ciu@blacksburg.gov.
If they catch the shooter, he will face first degree murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The suspect is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Will Congress do something about gun violence?
Every community in the United States will eventually have a legacy. A legacy of tragedy. Gun violence and COVID-19 will affect your town, your family and your life. So I don't want to hear that bullshit about how gun reform is taking away your rights to own firearms.
I don't want to hear that protesting against police killing people of color is hate on cops in general. I don't want to hear talk about the coronavirus being a myth. When you hear folks say "gun rights," what they really mean is that its white privilege.
Will they finally end gun violence?
I don't want to hear folks say masks and vaccine mandates impede their freedoms. It prevents a deadly outbreak from spreading. If you want to die from the coronavirus, that's on you.
I don't want to hear the shit about guns saving lives. Cause a bullet does not have eyes and it's always likely gonna hit a target. These folks seem to not get it. These incidents are a tragic part of American history.
The website Officer Down is a memorial to those who were killed in the line of duty. Those who don't get their names mentioned in the junk food media. Also the website the National Gun Violence Memorial also keeps record of the many individuals killed by gun violence.
Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or text the Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741). Both services are free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The deaf and hard of hearing can contact the Lifeline via TTY at 1-800-799-4889. All calls are confidential. Contact social media outlets directly if you are concerned about a friend’s social media updates or dial 911 in an emergency. Learn more on the Lifeline’s website or the Crisis Text Line’s website.
GUN VIOLENCE IS THE NUMBER ONE PROBLEM IN THE UNITED STATES!
Tauheed Epps, known as 2 Chainz/Tity Boi releases his latest album. The 44-year old rapper releases Dope Don't Sell Itself on Def Jam. The album released on Feb. 4 is the seventh studio album from the Atlanta based rapper.
2 Chainz said that this will be his last trap album. He said that cover art of his album cover is referring to his "first bank account."
On the album, he has production from WomaticTracks, Corey Swimmer, BeatKing, Buddah Bless, Tha Bizness, Timbaland, LilJuMadeDaBeat, Mannie Fresh, Mr. Collipark, Danja, Mr. Porter, Cool & Dre and Scott Storch.
On his features listing, 2 Chainz have Moneybagg Yo, BeatKing, Lil Baby, Roddy Ricch, 42 Dugg, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Lil Durk, Sleepy Rose, Swae Lee, Stove God Cooks, Symba, Major Myjah and Jacquees.
Born and raised in College Park, Georgia, 2 Chainz gain recognition as one-half of the rap group Playaz Circle, alongside his friend Dolla Boy. The two signed a deal with Christopher "Ludacris" Bridges and Disturbing Tha Peace Records.
Then known as Tity Boi, the rapper was featured on the Disturbing Tha Peace compilation, Golden Grain alongside Ludacris, Shawnna and members of the rap collective. As a member of Playaz Circle, the group released the album, Supply & Demand. The album went Gold and it had the single Duffle Bag Boy featuring longtime collaboration Lil Wayne.
2 Chainz is the "Mayor of College Park."
The group disbanded and 2 Chainz would sign a solo deal with Def Jam and eventually separate from Disturbing Tha Peace after 10 years with the label.
He released his debut album Based on A T.R.U. Story and it had became a household name soon after.
2 Chainz had appeared on albums with Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Drake, Gucci Mane, Future, Jeezy, Nicki Minaj, Big Sean, Juicy J, The Game, Meek Mill, Schoolboy Q, Young Thug, Chris Brown, DaBaby, Megan Thee Stallion, Trey Songz, Ludacris, Chingy, T.I., Jamie Foxx, Jason Derulo and numerous others.
He has hinted in acting. He had made guest appearances on 2 Broke Girls, Celebrity Family Feud and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
2 Chainz also has a share in the NBA G-League's College Park Skyhawks, a minor team of the Atlanta Hawks.
He is the father of three and is married to Kesha Ward-Epps.
Stormy Daniels will get the last laugh. Her former attorney Michael Avenatti will head to federal time out.
Stormy Daniels, the adult film star and activist won a case against her former attorney Michael Avenatti. He was found guilty in federal court for theft. He was convicted of stealing funding from Daniels. He will be sent to federal time out.
He was found guilty on both counts of wire fraud and identity theft for wrongly pocketing about $300,000 of the $800,000 advance that was paid to Daniels for her book, "Full Disclosure," which included details about an affair she says she had with Washed Up 45 before he was president.
The trial and conviction is the latest moment in Avenatti’s descent from his days as one of the former president's best-known critics.
Avenatti was convicted in 2020 of extortion, transmission of interstate communications with intent to extort and wire fraud in connection to threats he made against Nike, the sports equipment and apparel giant.
Last year, a federal judge sentenced him to 2½ years behind bars for those crimes. He is set to report to prison for that conviction later this year.
The jury did not buy Avenatti’s attempts to make Daniels the bad guy.
Daniels had ended her feud with former Washed Up 45 lawyer and now critic Michael Cohen. She appeared on his podcast last year to accept his apology. He also had an opportunity to get avenge himself against Avenatti.
Daniels became the most high profile figure in the former president's orbit. When he was then a reality television star, Washed Up 45 was newly married to his third wife. She was pregnant with their child when the former president had an affair with Daniels.
The National Enquirer and Wall Street Journal had dirt on this story and was going to go public with it. But the former president ordered Cohen to make Daniels sign a non-disclosure agreement and offer her a 6-figure payout to stay silent. He also asked his buddy at the Enquirer to bury the story along with his affair with Karen McDougal.
Daniels went public about the affair and it sparked a longstanding feud between her and the former president.
The Republican National Committee is formally censuring Rep. Karen Cheney (R-WY) and Rep. Karen Kinzinger (R-IL) for participating in the Jan. 6 insurrection hearings. This is the final step before the Republican donors cease funding to a candidate running for a campaign. A formal censure means that they are not welcomed to Republican events and the party will endorse their challengers if they run for office or reelection.
The measure was adopted Friday by voice vote at the RNC’s annual meeting in Salt Lake City, which brought together the party’s 168 members for their general session. The measure, which was combined with a handful of other resolutions such as one condemning the Chinese government, passed overwhelmingly. Only a small handful of objections were voiced.
An RNC panel had advanced the measure on Thursday, which said that the committee will "immediately cease any and all support of them as members of the Republican Party for their behavior, which has been destructive to the institution of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Republican Party and our republic, and is inconsistent with the position of the conference."
The culture wars, the opposition to Build Back Better, the opposition to backing Ukraine in defending it from the Russian military, the refusal to enforce CDC guidelines when it comes to the pandemic, the opposition to his pick for the Supreme Court and their constant hypocrisy when it comes to "law & order."
We are outraising the Democrats.
We are outregistering the Democrats.
And our message of freedom and opportunity is resonating with Americans who are fed up with Democrats’ disastrous policies.
This shameful political party has no shame in how they operate.
These two Karens are a hot mess as well. The token Democrats and media agitators praise them for standing up against Washed Up 45. But in the same time, they won't help President Joe Biden get things back to normal.
The RNC continued by ripping the two members of Congress for their criticism of Washed Up 45.
"The Conference must not be sabotaged by Representatives Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, who have demonstrated, with actions and words, that they support Democrat efforts to destroy President Trump more than they support winning back a Republican majority in 2022," the resolution said.
The measure described the two members as "participating in a Democrat-led persecution of ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse" in their roles on the House committee investigating Jan. 6.
In a statement, RNC chairwoman Karen Romney McDaniel said Cheney and Kinzinger "crossed a line."
"They chose to join Nancy Pelosi in a Democrat-led persecution of ordinary citizens who engaged in legitimate political discourse that had nothing to do with violence at the Capitol," she said.
Karen Farrow, chairman of the Wisconsin GOP, told NBC News that RNC members' frustration with Cheney and Kinzinger is over the Jan. 6 investigation "starting to broaden their scope of what they're looking at."
"It almost seems like a fishing expedition where people are just trying to find something to hang on someone," he said. "That's not what we're supposed to be doing. Our intent, as we look at it, is to hold our elected officials accountable, to make sure that they're doing their best to keep the country moving forward. They're not doing that right now."
Shameless leadership.
Karen Proto, chairman of the Connecticut GOP, was one of a handful of members to object to the resolution. He told NBC News that while he doesn't "necessarily disagree that Cheney and Kinzinger have poked their finger at the Republican Party," he feels any such rejection of the two should come from voters, not the party.
Kinzinger is retiring at the end of his term while Cheney is facing a primary challenge. Cheney has outraised her primary opponent by millions.
"The Wyoming voters will decide if they don't want Liz Cheney," he said, adding, "I'm trying very hard to get my folks in Connecticut to stop standing in a circle and going 'ready, aim, fire.'"
"We need to stop doing that around the country," he added. "Sometimes, I think we kind of get in our own way."
In advance of the vote, Cheney said Thursday that the leaders of the GOP have made themselves "willing hostages to a man who admits he tried to overturn a presidential election and suggests he would pardon Jan. 6 defendants, some of whom have been charged with seditious conspiracy."
I’m a constitutional conservative and I do not recognize those in my party who have abandoned the Constitution to embrace Donald Trump. History will be their judge. I will never stop fighting for our constitutional republic. No matter what. (2/2) https://t.co/HtgFzrCipd
In a Thursday statement, Kinzinger said his "efforts will continue to be focused on standing up for truth and working to fight the political matrix that’s led us to this point."
"Rather than focus their efforts on how to help the American people, my fellow Republicans have chosen to censure two lifelong members of their party for simply upholding their oaths of office," he said. "They’ve allowed conspiracies and toxic tribalism [to] hinder their ability to see clear-eyed."
I have no regrets about my decision to uphold my oath of office and defend the Constitution. I will continue to focus my efforts on standing for truth and working to fight the political matrix that’s led us to where we find ourselves today.
Several lawmakers have denounced the move by the RNC including Sen. Karen "Flipper" Romney (R-UT) the 2012 GOP presidential nominee. Karen Romney McDaniel is Romney's niece.
"Shame falls on a party that would censure persons of conscience, who seek truth in the face of vitriol," he tweeted Friday. "Honor attaches to Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger for seeking truth even when doing so comes at great personal cost."
Shame falls on a party that would censure persons of conscience, who seek truth in the face of vitriol. Honor attaches to Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger for seeking truth even when doing so comes at great personal cost.
Sen. Karen Cassidy (R-LA) also tweeted late Thursday, "The RNC is censuring Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger because they are trying to find out what happened on January 6th — HUH?"
The RNC is censuring Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger because they are trying to find out what happened on January 6th - HUH?
— U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (@SenBillCassidy) February 4, 2022
In his speech just prior to the vote, RNC co-chair Tommy Hicks said Republicans "must remain united."
"Republicans aren't afraid to debate each other," he said. "We have a range of views on the issues, which is a good thing. ... But after we have our debates and the primaries are over, it is incumbent on every single person in this room to bring Republicans of all stripes together so we can win."
For the month of January, the U.S. added 467,000 jobs despite the coronavirus pandemic.
On top of that, the great resignation is in full effect. As many states are slowly increasing their minimum wages, the U.S. still is stuck on a mere $7.85. With inflation being the No. 1 issue besides the coronavirus and gun violence, all the good news is likely going to be overshadowed by the bad. We are showing a slow birth rate. We have over 925,000 Americans dead from the coronavirus. The great culture war is dividing this country.
The former president is still a troll despite losing his social media.
His incompetence is forgotten history. Now a competent president is in charge and the extremes are basically cheering for failure.
Due to the impact of the omicron variant, economists’ expectations for the latest jobs report had varied wildly. Some predicted a gain of 150,000 jobs, while others projected a loss of as many as 400,000 positions.
The report came two days after a report on private-sector payrolls found a loss of 301,000 jobs for the month, and one week after the White House took the highly unusual step of warning the nation to be prepared for a jobs report that “could look a little strange.”
“If you think about omicron in early January, and the impact it was having in terms of the number of people who were out sick, we do expect there to be some real variation in the data,” National Economic Council director Brian Deese told CNBC last Friday.
Weekly initial jobless claims data released Thursday showed a drop of 23,000, to 238,000, the second straight week of declines — but those decreases followed an upward creep that had been brewing for weeks, and threatened to torpedo the jobs rebound, at least temporarily.
With its transmissibility and ability to evade vaccines — plus the millions of Americans who remain unvaccinated — the fast-moving omicron variant swept through chunks of the economy, bringing restaurants, Broadway plays, in-person schooling and other activities to an abrupt halt as people dropped out of the workforce temporarily because they were stuck at home sick, or caring for ill family members or children whose school or day care routines had been disrupted.
“We have several million people out,” said Brad McMillan, chief investment officer for Commonwealth Financial Network. “I don’t think it’s a sign of economic weakness. I think it’s a sign of the omicron spread.”
A large amount of the data the BLS amasses for the monthly jobs report is collected around the 12th of each month — which, in January, happened to be when omicron was hitting its peak, still circulating in early-outbreak centers like New York while on the rise in many other parts of the country.
In advance of the Friday release, economists had warned that predicting the month’s numbers with any degree of precision would be an exercise in futility.
“We have no reliable way to estimate the scale of the damage due both to the temporary drop in demand for discretionary services and employee absence due to illness,” Ian Shepherdson, chief economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, wrote in a recent research note.
“Covid has clearly created an environment where economists have struggled to come in some cases even remotely close to the actual number,” said Mark Heppenstall, president and chief investment officer at Penn Mutual Asset Management.
“It does seem as though people are feeling more comfortable about going out, going to restaurants… I would say that’s all very good news,” Heppenstall said, but he acknowledged that if the world has learned one thing over the past two years, it is that the pandemic could always have another trick up its sleeve.
“There’s always news, it seems, about the next variant that may be around the corner,” he said. “If there were to be another variant where the severity would be worse, that would be something I’d think would potentially set us back with regard to moving towards a full reopening. Hopefully that isn’t going to be the case, but trying to predict Covid and the various twists and turns… has been pretty tricky.”
Of those 467,000 jobs there is 50 states, five territories, the District of Columbia and military bases established across foreign lands. The jobs are scattered across the country and the areas that see the results reek in benefits while others are wallowing Away jobs because of demographic changes.
President Joe Biden's headaches:
The Karens in the Republican House and Senate.
Two Democratic senators and one independent senator who is a democratic socialist.
The members of The Squad and Progressive Caucus.
The junk food media and their never ending dramatizing of world events.
Anti-Vaxxers.
Lawmakers and activists who protests the CDC guidelines during the pandemic.
The endless culture wars that Republicans find outrage in.
Washed Up 45 and his minions on Fox, Newsmax, OANN and the internet.
Facebook and TikTok and the idiots who run it and the idiots who post on it.
Fox, The Daily Mail, Newsmax and OANN's relentless talk about Hunter Biden.
The relentless talk about spending despite the former president's reckless things.
Gun violence in the country and Congress refusal to do something about it.
The coronavirus doesn't care about your age, race, gender, sexuality, nationality, religion, politics, economic or social standings. It doesn't care about your business, your performances, your personal finances and travel. It doesn't care about the funerals, the birthday parties, the weddings, the vacations, the events and your graduations. It doesn't care about anything. It's a living organism that causes mild symptoms that include: fever, sore throats, chills, respiratory issues, loss of taste or smell and other unknown symptoms. If you have a weak immune system or health issues, your risk increases.
Food prices, energy prices, rent, city services and college education have risen. Companies are struggling to find workers. They are now trying to push incentives to get workers in.
Real Reasons To Why Unemployment Rate Stays The Way It Is!
DEAD
BORN
THE PANDEMIC
CLIMATE CHANGE
IN PRISON
IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
IN MIDDLE SCHOOL
IN HIGH SCHOOL
IN COLLEGE NOT LOOKING
VOLUNTEER
DISABLED
STAY AT HOME PARENT
RETIRED
QUIT ON THEIR OWN
NOT HIRING UNQUALIFIED
NOT HIRING TOO QUALIFIED
ACTIVE MILITARY
NATURAL DISASTERS
MASS SHOOTINGS DISRUPT DAILY ROUTINE
BEING LAID OFF DUE TO CLOSING OR STAFF REDUCTION
DESTRUCTION TO FACILITY OR PROPRETY
OUTSOURCING JOBS TO OTHER STATES OR COUNTRIES
BEING UNDOCUMENTED IN FEAR OF I.C.E. OR U.S. AGENCIES
BEING PUBLICLY OUTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA DOING SHAMEFUL ACTS
PARTICIPATING IN UNCIVIL OR VIOLENT PROTESTS
Things are slowly returning back to normal. However we're still not out of the woods yet. Over 78% of Americans have at least gotten one of the coronavirus vaccines. Around 135 million Americans refusing to be vaccinated which will lead to the coronavirus being resistant to vaccines. As it mutates into a deadly strain, folks who refuse to follow the CDC guidelines will eventually turn it into a super-pandemic in which those who come into contact with an infected asymptomatic person could trigger the mass destruction of the human race.
President Joe Biden had hopes that Americans would take this shit seriously. Unfortunately, Republicans so fucking eager to return to power will keep Americans fixated on the culture wars. Now vaccinations are part of this culture war.
But those fighting the culture war by not vaccinating, not wearing face mask in public, not following protocols, and deliberately ignoring federal and international rules when traveling are going to be the first casualties of the war.
With this pandemic mostly affecting states where Republican governors are, we may have to return to wearing facial protection and cutting back services to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
We came so far only to have a bunch of selfish idiots set it back. Just because they hate President Joe Biden.
Companies are still trying to hire employees. With the average wages stagnant, many are not looking forward to returning to a job that pays dirt wages. Many who worked in the retail, restaurant and low end service industry are not willing to take a job for less than $10 an hour.
Republicans don't see the bigger picture itself. They rather continue to believe in conspiracies about people collecting the safety net and not going back to work.
Give them a liveable wage and maybe things might improve in the job market.
We can't always assume that folks are lazy. People are literally dying from being overworked and folks are tired of the status quo of their jobs.
Many single mothers are having trouble trying to find quality daycare or family members to watch children. On top of that, some have lost family members due to the pandemic. A homemaker may have lost their spouse. Some may have no choice but to watch their children or loved ones due to the aftermath of the pandemic.
Folks are still trying to rebound from medical bills, late rent payments, owing taxes and college loans.
Republicans are white nationalists without a conscience.
Washed Up 45's presidency and Republican controlled governments killed millions of Americans. President Joe Biden has a slim majority in Congress and things can't be done with obstruction from both parties.
Holding these lawmakers accountable is not just a pledge, but a promise. You need to learn who represents your community. Your local community member, your school board member, your mayor, your state representative, your state senator, your governor, your U.S. Representative, your U.S. Senator and the president need to be held accountable for their actions.
We need to put pressure on Republicans and Democrats to do something to improve everyone's lives.
The leader of the Islamic State was killed. Born Muhammad Sa’id Abdal-Rahman al-Mawla, Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi was the new leader of the Daesh known also as Islamic State of Iraq/Syria and the Levant.
After the former president Washed Up 45 killed Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, they appoint this guy as the new Emir of the extremist group. The group was isolated to pockets in Syria, Nigeria, Chad, and lone wolf extremists who carry out attack on behalf a militant Sunni fundamentalism. The Islamic State is denounced by Muslims and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S., European Union, Great Britain, Canada, Israel and the United Nations.
President Joe Biden announced that U.S. military forces successfully undertook a counterterrorism operation in Atme in northwest Syria near its border with Turkey, resulting in the death of Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi.
Thirteen people are believed to have died, including six kids and four women, during the daring raid which involved 24 elite Special-Ops backed by fighter jets and helicopter gunships on Thursday.
According to reports from neighbors, a loudspeaker in Arabic called for neighboring civilians to evacuate the area, followed by U.S. soldiers and an Arabic interpreter on the ground making the same announcements. A senior White House official stated to Reuters that al-Qurashi detonated a bomb which killed himself and 12 more people, including members of his family, during the Joint Special Operations Command operation.
Biden's gutsy call.
Biden stated that the civilian causalities were caused by this explosion by al-Qurayshi.
The extremist "chose to blow himself up" in a "final act of desperate cowardness," Biden said on Thursday.
Following the explosion, U.S. Special Forces commandoes entered the building and had a shootout with survivors, including a lieutenant of al-Qurayshi, who was also killed. According to initial reports from the Syria Civil Defense (White Helmets), four women and six children were among the dead.
"As a final act of desperate cowardness, [al-Qurayshi] with no regard to the lives of his own family or others in the building, he chose to blow himself up," Biden said.
He said the extremist blew up "that third floor rather than face justice for the crimes he has committed, taking several members of his family with him.
"This horrible terrorist leader is no more."
Biden, along with Vice President Kamala Harris and national security advisors, watched the raid on live-feed from the White House Situation Room, according to photos released by the administration.
A fighter of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham was also killed in a brief shootout with U.S forces after he noticed the raid taking place. There were no reported U.S. casualties, although one U.S. helicopter experienced mechanical problems and landed in a separate area, where it was destroyed by another U.S. aircraft.
"This operation is testament to America's reach and capability to take out terrorist threats, no matter where they try to hide anywhere in the world," he said.
"I'm determined to protect the American people from terrorist threats, and I'll take decisive action to protect this country.
"We remain vigilant. We remain prepared. Last night's operation took a major terrorist leader off the battlefield and sent a strong message to terrorists around the world: We will come after you and find you."
"At the beginning of the operation, the terrorist target exploded a bomb that killed him and members of his own family, including women and children," a senior administration official told Reuters.
It comes hours after the President confirmed al-Qurayshi - who had a $10 million bounty on his head - had been "removed from the battlefield" during the overnight operation.
In a statement, the President said: "Last night at my direction, U.S. military forces in the northwest Syria successfully undertook a counterterrorism operation to protect the American people and our Allies, and make the world a safer place
"Thanks to the skill and bravery of our Armed Forces, we have taken off the battlefield Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi—the leader of ISIS. All Americans have returned safely from the operation.
"May God protect our troops."
U.S. troops were reportedly deployed via a helicopter in the middle of the night and surrounded Al-Qurashi's house and ordered the women and children to evacuate.
The helicopters then deployed their ordnance following the ground assault, with several strikes decimating large sections of the house.
Al-Qurashi was a senior terrorist leader in ISIS's predecessor organisation, Al Qaeda in Iraq, and steadily rose through the ranks to become deputy leader, according to Rewards for Justice.
He spearheaded the campaign to abduct, rape, and slaughter thousands of Yazidis in northwest Iraq and was on the US State Department's most wanted list since March 2020.
The operation - which residents say lasted more than two hours - took place in Atmeh, a village near the border with Turkey that is home to thousands of Syrian refugees.
A Houston, Texas doctor was denied service from a bank. A common theme of Black in America.
Black History Month is the month of February. A mere 28 days (29 on the leap) is not enough to cover everything the history book never teach. With Republicans trying to ban critical race theory and "wokeism," Black America faces a crisis. Democracy is under attack and voting rights are under siege. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris got a challenge on them.
A Houston doctor is suing JPMorgan Chase Bank at First Colony Branch in Sugar Land after she says she was discriminated against and denied service because of the color of her skin.
Dr. Malika Mitchell-Stewart said she had just finished her residency. On Dec. 18, 2021, she went to Chase's First Colony Bank to open an account and deposit a $16,000 check from her new job at Valley Oaks Medical Group.
Dr. Malika Mitchell-Stewart and her lawyer sue Chase.
According to the lawsuit, staff members at the bank asked peculiar questions about the validity of her check and her employment as a doctor.
"As soon as Dr. Mitchell-Stewart showed employees at First Colony Branch her Check, they immediately treated her like a criminal," the suit states.
Mitchell-Stewart said bank employees denied her services and said the check was fraudulent.
"It was an unfortunate situation. They took my special moment away. I felt like a criminal. I've never done anything wrong," said Mitchell-Stewart."In order to get Texas medical license or a medical license at all, you have to have a clean record. You have to go to school for so many years, and they just didn't care. They didn't respect that. They didn't respect my credentials."
"Dr. Mitchell-Stewart showed proof of identification. She showed proof that she was a doctor by presenting a business card. She even called employees from her medical group to confirm who she was," added her attorney, Justin Moore.
When ABC13 reached out to Chase Bank officials regarding the incident, they sent the following statement:
"We take this matter very seriously, and are investigating the situation. We have reached out to Dr. Mitchell-Stewart to better understand what happened and apologize for her experience."
The unveiling of the Commanders came on Wednesday.
"As an organization, we are excited to rally and rise together as one under our new identity while paying homage to our local roots and what it means to represent the nation’s capital," co-owner and co-CEO Dan Snyder said in a statement. "As we kick-off our 90th season, it is important for our organization and fans to pay tribute to our past traditions, history, legacy and the greats that came before us. We continue to honor and represent the Burgundy & Gold while forging a pathway to a new era in Washington. Today may mark the first day for the Washington Commanders, but we are and always will be Washington."
The new logo features bold lines and angled cuts, which the team defines as a symbol of "forward movement and progress." The "W" is inspired by military rank insignia to tie in the team’s new identity while still honoring the traditional gold and burgundy colors.
Washington also announced that fans will be invited to FedEx Field on Friday night for an event surrounding the brand launch. Sales for the new team merchandise opened at 9 a.m. ET.
We are the Commanders.
Speculation about the team name grew Tuesday night after a news helicopter flying over FedEx Field revealed the name Commanders on a wall inside the stadium. This followed legendary quarterback Joe Theismann’s comments over the weekend when he appeared to suggest Commanders would be the name.
"I think the Commanders is a name that is gonna be hopefully one people talk about moving forward," he told CBS Sports Radio. "There were so many different options. Once again, it's trademark infringement. It's getting approval from different people. If you choose a name, is there a group out there that isn't gonna like it? There's so many things you have to consider."
Theismann later clarified his remark, telling The Washington Times, "Like you, I’ll find out on Wednesday."
Washington retired its former name in July 2020 after decades of complaints that it was racist toward Native Americans. The organization opted to use the name Washington Football Team as a temporary placeholder, although the name was considered as a potential option at one point during the process.
Founded in Boston in 1932, the team shared the name Boston Braves with the city’s Major League Baseball team at the time. The following year, owner George Preston Marshall changed the name to the Redskins, and in 1937 the team was moved to D.C.
Aside from the name change, Washington has suffered a number of controversies both on and off the field.
The NFL fined the team $10 million last summer after an investigation into workplace conduct, Snyder squabbled with minority partners before buying out their shares, the front office took criticism this season for botching late safety Sean Taylor's jersey retirement and over the past 15 years, the team has not won a playoff game.
Major shakeup at CNN. Its president, Jeff Zucker fired out the cannon after it was revealed he had an affair with a top manager. It happened as former CNN host Chris Cuomo fought for his severance package.
Cuomo was unceremoniously fired out the cannon in late 2021 after it was revealed he communicated with his brother ex-New York governor Andrew Cuomo.
Cuomo opened the lid on his old boss' relationship with CNN executive vice president.Allison Gollust.
Zucker and Gollust are an item. Both divorced their spouses. That's perfectly fine for them to have a relationship. However, the failure to disclose it to top brass and executives at WarnerMedia was the huge mistake and it was enough for the company to tell the media mogul to exit or take a cannon firing.
"As part of the investigation into Chris Cuomo's tenure at CNN, I was asked about a consensual relationship with my closet colleague, someone I have worked with for more than 20 years. I acknowledge the relationship evolved in recent years. I was required to disclose it when it began but I didn't. I was wrong. As a result, I am resigning today," Zucker wrote in a statement.
"I came to CNN on January 28, 2013. Together, we had nine great years. I certainly wish my tenure here had ended differently. But it was an amazing run. And I loved every minute. I am grateful to the thousands of incredibly talented CNN and Turner Sports employees who helped make this such a joy for me, and such a success for all of us. I wish each of you nothing but the best in the years ahead. With gratitude and much love, Jeff."
The New York Times reported that Gollust served as a communications director for the former New York governor. Gollust and Zucker knew each other for decades. They worked previously at NBCUniversal.
Thus, this was an open secret the two were dating. But Cuomo being the fredo, said he's taking bodies.
Jason Kilar, CEO of WarnerMedia said that an interim president will be appointed shortly.
"I have accepted Jeff Zucker's resignation as chairman of WarnerMedia News and Sports, and president of CNN Worldwide. We thank Jeff for his contributions over the past 9 years."
Brian Stelter, CNN's media correspondent also confirmed the news in the CNN newsletter.
Again, the no standards over at Fox are unbelievable. While Zucker is shown the door. The far-right is dancing on his grave. The most annoying media personality on the planet had to have a say in the matter.
Mind you, "Softball" Hannity has a controversial relationship with Washed Up 45. He shared lawyers with the former president. Michael Cohen was primarily one of those lawyers. He has a sexual harassment allegation in court. He pushed the Seth Rich conspiracy which led to a lawsuit against Fox. He is named in the Dominion and Smartmatic lawsuit. He failed to disclose he own properties.
He has completely failed in his journalistic and ethical standards. Yet, he has the nerve to talk about the issues over at CNN and MSNBC in some "gotcha" monologue.
Look in the mirror, Softball Hannity: You're no better than these guys! And sooner or later, you're time in the cannon will come. You fucking annoying agitator.
The biggest shock so far this year besides Betty White and Bob Saget's tragic deaths.
A Black coach sues the NFL for a breach of contract and racism.
There is one Black NFL coach. The coach is Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Then there was Brian Flores, the former coach of the Miami Dolphins.
He is filing a federal lawsuit against the league.
Brian Francisco Flores (born 1981) is a Honduran-American coach in the National Football League (NFL). He began his NFL career with the New England Patriots, where he served as an assistant coach from 2008 to 2018. Flores was New England's defensive play caller during his final season coaching for the team, which concluded with a Super Bowl title in Super Bowl LIII. Following the Super Bowl victory, he served as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2019 to 2021.
Flores filed a class-action lawsuit against the NFL, Dolphins, Broncos, and Giants organizations, alleging racial discrimination.
The suit claims that text messages he received from New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, as well as media reports, show that the New York Giants decided to hire Brian Daboll as head coach before interviewing any minority candidates.
Despite knowing the Giants would eventually hire Daboll, Flores prepared for and attended his interview with the team partly out of hope the Giants would give him fair consideration, he told ESPN.
The Giants, who scheduled an interview with Flores for January 27, had allegedly decided on Daboll by January 23. Flores also alleges that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross pressured him to tank (deliberately lose games), offering him $100,000 for each game he lost in order for the Dolphins to get better draft picks for the following season, and to tamper with a quarterback before free agency.
When he refused to tank, achieving two consecutive winning seasons, and refused to tamper, Ross fired him and lied about why.
The Palm Beach Post reported that the quarterback was Tom Brady.
Flores also accused John Elway and Broncos management of conducting another sham head coach interview with him in 2019, arriving an hour late and appearing hungover after drinking heavily the night before.
Black History Month starts with ABC putting Whoopi Goldberg on ice because she told a hard truth.
I am pissed. I find it quite hypocritical that ABC would ice The View host and moderator Whoopi Goldberg over comments that were relatively mild. The actress and talk show host was placed in the freezer for two weeks to reflect on the words that were said.
The very same network that allowed a peddler of misinformation like Karen McCain spew bullshit for four years without being being punished whatsoever.
I mean the extremists over at Fox have crossed ethical and journalistic standards for years it never been punished. "Softball" Hannity has the most controversial ties to Washed Up 45. He was revealed as a client of Michael Cohen. He has sexual harassment allegations. He deliberately pushed a fake story about Seth Rich and got the network sued. He pushed the "Big Lie" and claimed that Dominion and Smartmatic were literally changing their voting machines. He has communicated with the White House directly when it came to the insurrection and then pulled a 180 on the fact the Washed Up 45 was responsible for that day. Yet, he has never been punished.
Whoopi is just telling a hard truth about the Holocaust. Many Jews were victims of that horrible dictator and his fascist rule over Germany and nearly Europe. He and the Axis coalition nearly destroyed the world. The Allied coalition often peddled propaganda to make any criticism of actions treasonous or anti-semitic.
Even with the debate over the Israel-Palestinian conflict, we driven with this narrative that any criticism of the government of Israel is equal to anti-semitic regardless of what that country of America does.
When Black Americans say hey, we have to understand that it was conflict of religion not race, they get riled up over it. Because that fascist dictator didn't like Blacks, but he knew they stayed in their lane.
Yeah, Black Germans were killed by the Axis and Nazi regime. Goldberg didn't know that. But you can't equate the pain of slavery to the pain of the Holocaust.
Every life was valued and no one should undermine the deaths of those poor humans at the hands of that fascist.
Here's a closer look at what Whoopi says in the second video about the Holocaust: "Well, this is white people doing it to white people. So, this is y'all go fight amongst yourselves." pic.twitter.com/YfSgieEN5s
Goldberg was forced to apologize for the comments that were made on Monday. The far-right and the Zionists who support Israel's controversial policies reacted with the phony outrage. Mind you that slavery is a subject the far right wants Black America to get over. However, they still believe that we are trapped on a Democrat plantation.
Many were calling for a cannon firing. Others were saying that she was misguided.
Even some Black enablers of white supremacy believe that she went too far.
I am so fired up about this.
The far-right hates Black Americans bringing up issues involving race. They hate Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Jesse Jackson and Black Lives Matter.
The far right often are calling the Democratic Party, the real racists.
The Democratic Party elected a Black man to be president twice. The very same party that elected a Black woman to be vice president. The very same party that has civil rights leaders like Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC), John Lewis, Elijah Cummings, Shirley Chisolm,
It is more about political philosophy than party. This is why conservatives are always regarded as racist.
The phony outrage led to the ABC News president to make a public statement.
In a statement, ABC News president Kim Godwin bluntly described Goldberg's comments about the Holocaust, which were made on "The View" Monday, as "wrong and hurtful."
"While Whoopi has apologized, I've asked her to take time to reflect and learn about the impact of her comments," Godwin said. "The entire ABC News organization stands in solidarity with our Jewish colleagues, friends, family and communities."
Godwin told staff in an internal email, which was obtained by CNN, that decisions over disciplinary matters are "never easy." And Godwin said that she appreciated Goldberg's apology.
"But words matter and we must be cognizant of the impact our words have," Godwin told staffers in her memo explaining the network's decision to suspend the actor and comedian.
Goldberg first drew backlash on Monday morning when she insisted that the Holocaust was "not about race," but rather "man's inhumanity to man." Goldberg later went on "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" where she attempted to explain the rationale for her comments. But what she said on that show only exacerbated the situation.
But later Monday night, as the controversy continued to grow, Goldberg issued a written apology. In it, she said she erred in her remarks and understood why they were wrong.
Whoopi Goldberg says she’s “very upset” that Holocaust remark about race was “misunderstood.”
“People were very angry and they said ‘no, no, we are a race,’ and I understand … I felt differently, I respect everything everyone is saying to me and I don’t want to fake apologize.” pic.twitter.com/5K0MQntk5w
"I'm sorry for the hurt I have caused," Goldberg said in her written statement.
Hours later, Goldberg opened up Tuesday's episode of "The View" offering yet another apology.
"I said something that I feel a responsibility for not leaving unexamined, because my words upset so many people, which was never my intention," Goldberg said. "I understand why now, and for that I am deeply, deeply grateful because the information I got was really helpful, and it helped me understand some different things."
After her on-air apology, Goldberg hosted a discussion with Anti-Defamation League president Jonathan Greenblatt. Greenblatt later said on Twitter that he accepted Goldberg's apology.
But Goldberg's initial comments had still roiled staffers across ABC News. Some staffers believed disciplinary action was warranted, according to people familiar with the matter who asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to publicly comment on the matter.
Others, however, came to Goldberg's defense and noted that her comments were made out of ignorance, not malice. One ABC News staffer told CNN that Goldberg had apologized and appeared to learn from her mistake, which they believed was key in evaluating whether to accept her apology.
Ana Navarro, a CNN political commentator who regularly guest hosts on "The View," separately told CNN that Goldberg's colleagues "know what's in her heart" and that she's "not an anti-Semite."
"When you have five women, discussing complex topics, in five-minute segments on unscripted, live TV, sometimes things come out the wrong way," Navarro said. "We are human and make mistakes. The difference between us and others is, we acknowledge it and try to correct it. Whoopi clarified and apologized without caveats."
Ultimately, however, after staying silent for most of the day, Godwin notified employees that she had made the decision to take disciplinary action.
Texas turd whines about Biden's Supreme Court nominee.
Heidi Cruz is ugly. Gonna do something about it, Karen?
You ain't a Texan! You're a Canadian. Want that smoke?
You left your state during a massive winter storm where power went out to 4.2 million Texans. Over 50 lives lost. You traveled to Cancun, Mexico and was shamed to come back after folks saw your goofy ass on an upper class flight. You are a liar, a charlatan, a cock sucking, weasel. You liked a porn clip on social media. You had alleged affairs. You were mentioned in the Ashley Madison hack and you are a do nothing senator with the only accomplishments in being a fucking troll on television, radio and social media.
Fuck you. You fake Christian. You fake Hispanic. You dirty rotten Canadian-American fake ass Texan.
No disrespect to Canada. I love Canadians.
Ever since, President Joe Biden announced his Supreme Court pick was going to be an African American woman, the far-right and many of these Republicans have blasted it as racist and vow to oppose the nominee regardless of the qualifications.
Sen. Karen Cruz (R-TX) is one example.
Cruz has joined other Republicans in criticizing President Joe Biden for a promise he first made on the campaign trail to name a Black woman to the Supreme Court, calling the vow "offensive" and "an insult to Black women" in a podcast published Monday morning.
"The fact that he is willing to make a promise at the outset that it must be a Black woman I've got to say that's offensive," Cruz said of Biden on his regular podcast and streaming show "Verdict with Ted Cruz." "Black women are what, 6 percent of the U.S. population? He's saying to 94 percent of Americans 'I don't give a damn about you, you are ineligible.'"
No Black woman has ever been nominated or served on the U.S. Supreme Court. Two Black men and five women, in total, have served on the bench. There have been 115 justices. In remarks last week, Biden doubled down on his commitment to select a Black woman nominee.
"The person I will nominate will be someone with extraordinary qualifications, character, experience and integrity and that person will be the first black woman ever nominated to the United States Supreme Court," Biden said during Breyer's formal retirement announcement at the White House Thursday. "It's long overdue in my opinion, I made that commitment during the campaign for president, and I will keep that commitment."
Cruz, on his Monday podcast, said such a commitment suggests the candidate who is ultimately named may not be the most qualified.
The Biden Administration has a pattern of nominating left-wing activists to the bench.
Sen. Ted Cruz: "Racial discrimination is wrong. Period, full stop. One of the most depressing things about Democrats today, they're very comfortable discriminating based on race. ... When Joe Biden throws out a quota ... [he is] rejecting regardless of merits everybody else." pic.twitter.com/8O70wbrJVy
Sen. Ted Cruz to Biden judicial nominee Kenly Kiya Kato: “You're saying that to be sufficiently woke, an Asian American must support policies that discriminate against Asian Americans.”
"It's actually an insult to Black women, if he [Biden] came and said 'I'm going to put the best jurist on the court', and he looked at a number of people and he ended up nominating a Black woman he could credibly say 'OK, I'm nominating the person who is most qualified.' He's not even pretending to say that," Cruz said. "He's saying if you're a white guy, tough luck. If you're a white woman, tough luck, you don't qualify."
During the podcast, Cruz also added that Attorney General Merrick Garland, whose nomination to the Supreme Court was blocked by Republicans in 2016, would be ineligible for consideration under Biden's current criteria. Biden has never publicly discussed re-nominating Garland to the court.
"He's literally got to sit here and be told at the outset he is ineligible because sorry wrong skin pigment and wrong y chromosome," Cruz said. "It is an example how Democrats, in particular the far left, everything is race, everything is that they will discriminate based on race, they will pigeonholed you, they don't care about the individual."
Biden has not yet named a nominee but said he anticipates making a formal nomination before the end of February. Supreme Court nominees only require a simple majority of senators to vote for confirmation, which means there is little Republicans can do to block a Biden nominee if all Democrats stick together.
Republicans can, however, focus on the issue for political traction.
Cruz is not the first Republican to take issue with Biden's promise to name a Black woman to the court.
During a radio interview on Saturday, Mississippi Republican Karen Wicker said Biden's choice will be the "beneficiary" of affirmative action.
The White House is responding to Wicker's comments in a statement Saturday from deputy press secretary Andrew Bates.
"President Biden's promise that he would nominate and confirm the first Black woman to the Supreme Court is in line with the best traditions of both parties and our nation. When President Reagan honored his campaign pledge to place the first woman on the court, he said it "symbolized" the unique American opportunity "that permits persons of any sex, age, or race, from every section and every walk of life to aspire and achieve in a manner never before even dreamed about in human history," Bates said.
No problem when Washed Up 45 said he would pick a woman.
But as the White House digs in on its commitment, a new ABC News/Ipsos poll found that a 76% majority of Americans want Biden to consider "all possible nominees" for Supreme Court vacancy. Just 23% want him to automatically follow through on his commitment to name the first black woman to the court.
It is unclear if similar polling was done after previous announcements about Supreme Court nominations.
But even Maine Republican Sen. Karen Collins, who voted with Democrats to confirm both of President Barack Obama's SCOTUS nominees, said on "This Week" Sunday that Biden's handling of the nomination has been "clumsy at best".
Collins said she would "welcome" the appointment of a Black woman on the court, but she told ABC "This Week" anchor George Stephanopoulos that Biden's rhetoric as a candidate "helped politicize the entire nomination process."
"It adds to the further perception that the court is a political institution like Congress when it is not supposed to be," Collins said.
Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin (D-IL) who also appeared on "This Week" Sunday, addressed those concerns head-on, saying "take a look back at history."
"Recall that it was Ronald Reagan who announced that he was going to appoint a woman to the Supreme Court and he did, Sandra Day O'Connor. And it was Donald Trump who announced that he was going to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg with a woman nominee as well. So this is not the first time the president has signaled what they're looking for in a nominee," Durbin said.
Did any ABC/Ipsos Polling asked whether Washed Up 45's rush to appoint Karen Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court was rushed or did he find "the best qualified?"
Fuck these assholes. What could be a historical achievement for African Americans is being challenged by the very same folks who supported the insurrection against democracy. The very same people who put an alleged rapist on the Court. The very same folks who refused the first Black president his third pick for the Court.
