Quick Quotes

“My heart is heavy because it aches for the times when we actually lived up to our reputation as the world’s greatest deliberative body. It longs for the days in which Democrats and Republicans would meet on middle ground…”

Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), in his farewell address on the Senate floor. After 42 years of service, he warns the institution is in "crisis" largely due, he says, to a loss of humor and common decency among members.
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“Somewhere along the way Mr. Cohen appears to have lost his moral compass.”

U.S. District Judge William H. Pauley III as Pres. Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen was sentenced to 3 years in prison. Cohen, addressing the judge, said his "blind loyalty" made him "cover up his dirty deeds." Cohen pleaded guilty to multiple crimes including lying to Congress & making payments for "influencing the election" in 2016. He reports to prison in March.
Quick Quotes

“We now need to get on with the job.”

UK Prime Minister Theresa May after surviving a confidence vote. She won, but not comfortably - 200 lawmakers backed her while 117 voted against. Before the vote, she promised she would not run again. Her leadership may not be challenged again for another year. On Thursday, May travels to meet with EU leaders in hopes of renegotiating a deal for leaving the European Union by March 29.
Quick Quotes

“I got the job done by being truthful, but also by letting him be unpredictable. And not showing our cards.”

Nikki Haley, U.S. Ambassador to the UN, in her first interview since announcing she will leave the post at the end of the year. She has not announced her future plans. President Trump has nominated State Dept. spokesman Heather Nauert to replace her.
Quick Quotes

“This is unsustainable over time.”

California Public Utilities Commission report proposing a texting surcharge to support a growing budget that includes phone services for the poor. The text tax, which is proposed to be retroactive for 5 years, would amass $220M from California consumers. However, in a meeting Wednesday, the FCC affirmed that a federal regulatory ruling may prevent such a tax. Tax supporters argue the ruling is not a fatal blow.
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Now You Know

To Build or Not To Build?

Whether it’s a $1B or $5B, Democrats, Republicans & the President want to use billions of YOUR money for border security.

How good of an investment is a border wall?

No One Knows

Now You Know

Important Context:

  • 702 miles of fencing exists (inc. vehicle barriers, satellites etc.)
  • Approx. 1,000 miles left to cover (terrain prevents a wall or fence on complete 2,000-mile border).
  • $$ for border barriers came from a 2006 bill w/bipartisan support.
  • Does a fence/wall work? Data difficult to compare because of differences in barriers, terrain, foot/vehicle traffic, etc.
Now You Know

“… DHS faces an increased risk that the Border Wall System Program will cost more than projected, take longer than planned, or not fully perform as expected.”

Gov't Accountability Office, the gov't's nonpartisan watchdog agency, says the Dept. of Homeland Security hasn't collected the data needed to discern which type of barrier (wall/fence) would be most effective to stop illegal crossers.
Now You Know

“Crime has significantly decreased in the Yuma area, and smugglers now look for other less difficult areas of the border to cross — often areas without fencing.”

Elaine Duke, in a 2017 column written when she was the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security. She addressed the challenges in collecting data, but says in the case of Yuma, Arizona, a fence helped deter illegal border crossings.
Now You Know

Something To Consider:

“While physical barriers present the greatest impedance to illegal cross-border traffic, advancements in technology also allow for the possibility of ‘smart’ fencing in the US that provides a high-quality detection ….”

Justin Bristow, Border Security Dir. at the White House's National Security Council, on the potential use of buried fiber optic cables to catch illegal border crossers.
Now You Know

Supporters & critics of a border wall have strong arguments, but no one has universal data to know what type of border barrier works best. Border patrol agents point out a wall may not keep out all illegal border crossers, it slows them down enough to be apprehended. Read more on our source page.

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Quote of the Day

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.”

HARPER LEE

Quote of the Day

60 years after the author published her Pulitzer Prize winning book "To Kill a Mocking Bird", it makes its Broadway debut, starring Jeff Daniels. Lee died in 2016 at 89. Her estate fought show producers arguing the play's plot diverged too much from the original story.

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Coffee Talk

 

 

Wednesday
December 12, 2018

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Quick Quotes

“I will take the mantle. I will be the one to shut it down. … And I’m going to shut it down for border security.”

President Trump in a meeting Tuesday at the White House with Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) & Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) on a looming partial gov't shutdown due largely to the disagreement over funding for a U.S.-Mexico border wall. Pres. Trump wants $5B to fund border wall additions, but Democrats have only agreed to $1.3B on border security.
Quick Quotes

“We want to do the same thing we did last year, this year. That’s our proposal. If it was good then, it’s good now and it won’t shut down the government.”

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) as Dems offer to postpone the gov't funding dispute by extending Homeland Security funding at current levels until Sept 30 2019 (includes $1.3B for border security). In 2019, Democrats will have the majority in the House of Rep., which has the responsibility of allocating taxpayer money.
Quick Quotes

“He came out from the porch of a building armed with a pistol in his hand, his arm outstretched. He headed towards a gentleman walking in front of me and he immediately fired a bullet at his head.”

A woman named Audrey describing a suspected terrorist attack near a famous Christmas Market in Strasbourg, France. At least two people died; at least a dozen injured. The suspect, known to authorities, is at large.
Quick Quotes

“…we always think it’s in our duty to explore possibilities to give users access to information.”

Google CEO Sundar Pichai in his first testimony before Congress, refusing to rule out launching a censored search engine in China. During 3.5 hours before the House Judiciary Cmte, Pichai revealed Google has been working on the controversial project for "a while" with as many as 100 employees assigned. Critics say it would serve as a tool for surveillance and censorship for the Chinese gov't.
Quick Quotes

“It’s bittersweet, as these things always are.”

Kathie Lee Gifford, co-host of 10AM hour of the Today Show, announcing her departure next April after 11 years to focus on her music & movie work. Gifford co-hosted "Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee" for 15 years. Jenna Bush Hager is widely seen as her show replacement on "Today" to co-host with Hoda Kotb.
Quick Quotes

“What can you do about it but laugh?”

Maria Peterson, Utah Dept of Corrections deputy director, after mistakenly sending a holiday party potluck invitation originally intended for 80 to all 22,000 state employees. The IT department was able to correct the email goof, dubbed "ReplyAll-pocalypse" after 12 minutes, but not before confused responses flooded in. Peterson says the potluck is still on, but she may order a few extra meat & cheese trays in case others show.
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Quote of the Day

“It takes many years of hard work to become an overnight success.”

BOB BARKER

Quote of the Day

#OTD in 1923 Bob Barker was born. The 95-year-old, game show icon spent 35 of those years hosting "The Price is Right," the longest running game show in American TV history. An avid animal activist, Barker has used his success to support animal rights groups.

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Current Events

Special Counsel Investigation Update

 

As Pres. Trump’s former personal attorney (Michael Cohen) faces sentencing, a look back at what’s happened in the nearly 19 months since Fmr. FBI Dir. Robert Mueller was appointed to lead the Special Counsel investigation.

Current Events

Where Does The Investigation Stand Today?

  • Indictments: 36 (incl. Russians).
  • Cost: $17M through March 2018 (latest data available).
  • Guilty Pleas: 6 people linked to Pres. Trump, most of whom are former associates or advisers.
  • Prison Time: 3 people received sentences adding up to about 7.5 months. Cohen faces many years when he’s sentenced Wednesday.
Current Events

Why Is It Taking So Long?

DOJ order appointing Mueller is very broad & allows investigation into:

  • links / coordination between the Russian gov’t and 2016 Trump campaign associates;
  • matters that arise directly from the investigation; &
  • crimes intended to interfere with the investigation.
Current Events

What Does It Mean For Pres. Trump?

Recent gov’t filings implicate Pres. Trump in his fmr. attorney’s (Michael Cohen) campaign finance law violations, however, to date, there is no indication that he committed a crime OR colluded w/ Russians.

Something To Consider: According to DOJ, a sitting president can’t be indicted, but he can be impeached.

Current Events

Special Counsel investigation could have an impact outside the courtroom. House of Rep. has the power to introduce impeachment charges for federal officials who are suspected of committing a crime or acting improper. Senate decides whether or not to convict.

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Quick Quotes

“Some units have completed their mission…”

Col. Rob Manning, Dept of Defense, on the 2,200 troops set to leave the U.S.-Mexico border - a portion of the approx. 5,200 sent in response to the flux of asylum seekers. Several thousand active duty troops will remain through Jan. 31st. On Tuesday, top democrats will meet with Pres. Trump, who wants $5B for a border wall to avoid a gov’t shutdown before Christmas; Democrats reportedly want to keep funding for border security at current levels: $1.3B
Quick Quotes

“There will be no enduring and successful Brexit without some compromise on both sides of the debate.”

UK Prime Minister Theresa May as she postponed a Tuesday Parliamentary vote on Britain's exit from the EU due to lack of support. She pledged to reach a new deal with the EU, but the EU warns after two years of debate it will not renegotiate. European & U.S. (albiet briefly) stock markets fell dramatically due to the uncertainty.
Quick Quotes

“I assume my share of the situation … I know some of you have been hurt by my words.”

French President Emmanuel Macron issuing an apology for not responding to the initial outrage of its citizens who have protested in the streets throughout the country for four straight weeks. The 13-minute, pre-recorded speech, his first public comments since protests began, announced tax cuts & a wage increase for the middle class in a mea culpa from a president many protesters say is to blame for favoring the rich.
Quick Quotes

“This is a key question that has confounded us.”

CDC’s Dr. Nancy Messonnier on why a virus is suddenly causing paralysis, primarily in children. A record 158 children in 36 states are suffering from acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) this year, according to the CDC. That's the highest recorded level. While still investigating AFM's cause, the CDC is also trying to learn why globally it is primarily affecting America.
Quick Quotes

“Welcome to the neighborhood.”

Betty Liu, New York Stock Exchange Exec Vice Chair, as the "Fearless Girl" statue will now be a permanent fixture outside of the Wall Street institution. The 4-foot tall, bronze statue was only supposed to be on display for a wk, but ended up spending two years staring down the "Charging Bull" just a few blocks away. It was moved to the NYSE due traffic & complaints from the "Charging Bull" creator who argued the girl's placement changed the context of his work.
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Health

Universal Cancer Test?

A medical breakthrough may screen you for cancer in only
10 minutes.

It wouldn’t be able to detect where the cancer is or its severity, but it may offer cheap & fast info.

 

Why speed Matters

Health

How It Works

  • Blood test detects the presence of cancer cells in the body with 90% accuracy.
  • Australian researchers discovered cancerous DNA changes color when mixed with a liquid containing metal (gold nanoparticles, in this case.)
  • 10 minutes for results.
  • Not tested on humans yet. Clinical trials still needed.
Health

Why It Matters

  • Inexpensive, quick diagnosis: currently cancer tests require a doctor to do a biopsy of a tumor, typically requires a patient noticing a lump or symptom. Results take about a week.
  • “Instant results” health trend: development is the latest in a series of testing for HIV, strep throat, or even heart attack with results in 30 minutes or less.

 

 

Health

“There’s been an enormous push to advance this kind of testing, since the ability to both obtain the sample and get the results quickly shortens time to diagnosis and time to treatment, allowing for  treatment updates and changes in real time, while the patient is still in front of the physician.”

Dr. Darria Long Gillespie to SmartHER News
Health

Both the study's researchers & its critics warn its too early to call this a "holy grail" cancer test. One UCLA researcher warns he's more concerned with possible false positives, while others are troubled by those whose cancer the test didn't detect.

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Quote of the Day

“There’s a whole lot to be said for loving your work and having confidence in yourself. God gave me a gift, and he meant for me to use it.“

Dolly Parton

Quote of the Day

Parton recently spoke to PEOPLE about her work in the new Netflix film "Dumplin" starring Jennifer Aniston, which features six new recordings by Parton, including collaborations with Miranda Lambert, Elle King, and Sia.

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Coffee Talk

 

 

Monday, Dec. 10, 2018

All the news you need to know in less than ten minutes.

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