Rational Review News Digest, 01/18/18 -- News (North, South Korea to form joint team for Winter Olympics; Would-be dictators in US Senate press tech firms to increase Internet censorship by proxy)
RATIONAL REVIEW NEWS DIGEST
The Freedom Movement's Daily Newspaper
Volume XVI, Issue #3,891
Steemit Edition -- Thursday, January 18th, 2018
Web Edition: http://rationalreview.com
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TODAY'S NEWS
North, South Korea to form joint team for Winter Olympics
Would-be dictators in US Senate press tech firms to increase Internet censorship by proxy
US Interior Department blasts resigning National Parks board members
Trump regime cuts $65 million in aid for Palestinian Arab refugees
House Intel Committee to vote on release of Fusion GPS’s Glenn Simpson transcript
Trump whines that Russians aren’t helping him hype his North Korea scare
Secret Service costs for Trump at Mar-a-Lago revealed
German linguists call “alternative facts” the “non-word of 2017”
Experts: Transgender military academy grads could join ranks quickly
WI: Democrats flip traditionally conservative district
TN: Peckerwood idiots plan to protest Women’s March in Knoxville
Nigeria: Gunmen kidnap two US and two Canadian citizens
UK regime gets first-ever “minister for loneliness” to tackle isolation
A “potentially hazardous” monster asteroid the size of Hyde Park is headed towards Earth
Counterfeit cash [sic] circulating in 11 states
Report: ICE gang plans major mass abduction caper in San Francisco area to strike against federalism
Report: Pentagon idiots mull nuclear response to cyber attacks
Germany: Former Auschwitz guard Groning’s clemency bid fails
Iceland: Man kicked off flight for wearing all his clothes to avoid baggage fee
Former CIA agent arrested, accused of outing US spies in China
North, South Korea to form joint team for Winter Olympics
Source: NBC News
“North and South Korea agreed during rare talks on Wednesday to form a combined women’s ice hockey team to take part in next month’s PyeongChang Winter Olympics and to march together under a unified flag at the opening ceremony. North Korea won’t be dominating any medal counts at the Games, which will hosted by its neighbor next month. But it’s hoping to grab as much of the spotlight as it can. … The plan for a unified team has prompted some criticism in the South because of concerns that South Korean athletes who made the team might be bumped off to make room for the North’s players. Even so, Seoul appears to be firmly behind the idea.” (01/16/18)
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/north-south-korea-will-form-joint-team-winter-olympics-n838336
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Would-be dictators in US Senate press tech firms to increase Internet censorship by proxy
Source: BBC News [UK state media]
“In a session that appeared to be more about keeping up pressure than making any specific demands, US lawmakers once again pressed major technology companies over efforts to combat terrorism and propaganda. Policy representatives from Facebook, Twitter and YouTube appeared in front of the Senate Commerce Committee in Washington on Wednesday. The social media companies said they were doing more than ever to block and remove harmful content. But senators suggested that more could be done to quickly get this kind of material off the firm’s respective services. Senator John Thune, who chairs the committee, questioned why a video showing bomb-making techniques was repeatedly uploaded to YouTube. The clip was reportedly used by the Manchester Arena attacker to create his bomb.” (01/17/18)
http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-42708881
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US Interior Department blasts resigning National Parks board members
Source: Raw Story
“The U.S. Interior Department on Wednesday said it welcomed the mass resignation of members of the National Parks Service advisory board, saying they had ignored sexual harassment cases and lied about how they were treated by the Trump administration. The sharply worded statement underscores the tensions between the President Donald Trump’s administration and some public employees over Trump’s efforts to roll back environmental protections and boost development of federal lands. Seven of the service’s 10 advisory board members submitted their resignations recently, panel chairman and former Alaska Governor Tony Knowles told Reuters on Tuesday, saying the Trump administration had ignored their requests for a meeting. ‘We welcome their resignations and would expect nothing less than quitting from members who found it convenient to turn a blind eye to women being sexually harassed at National Parks,’ Interior Department spokeswoman Heather Swift said in an emailed statement.” (01/17/18)
http://www.rawstory.com/2018/01/us-interior-department-blasts-resigning-national-parks-board-members
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Trump regime cuts $65 million in aid for Palestinian Arab refugees
Source: Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
“President Donald Trump’s administration on Tuesday cut tens of millions of dollars in money for Palestinian refugees, demanding that the U.N. agency responsible for the programs undertake a ‘fundamental re-examination,’ the State Department said. In a letter, the State Department notified the U.N. Relief and Works Agency that the U.S. is withholding $65 million of a planned $125 million funding installment to the body. The letter also makes clear that additional U.S. donations will be contingent on major changes by the agency, which has been heavily criticized by Israel.” (01/16/18)
http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2018/jan/17/u-s-cutting-65m-in-palestinian-aid-2018/?news
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House Intel Committee to vote on release of Fusion GPS’s Glenn Simpson transcript
Source: Fox News
“The House Intelligence Committee is expected to make a decision Thursday on whether to release hours of private testimony from an interview with the co-founder of the firm that compiled the infamous anti-Trump dossier. A source familiar with the matter told Fox News the committee will vote Thursday on whether to release the transcript of its interview with Fusion GPS’ Glenn Simpson, who testified behind closed doors in November 2017. A transcript from a Senate committee’s interview of Simpson was released last week. The committee posted a notice on its website titled, ‘Business Meeting: Consideration of the Public Release of a Committee Transcript.’ The transcript referenced is from Simpson’s interview, a source told Fox News. ‘Democrats and Fusion GPS supporters will get some unwelcome surprises if this is published,’ the source said.” [editor’s note: The testimony was not “private.” It was given to government employees at taxpayer expense. “Private” and “secret” are not the same thing – TLK] (01/17/18)
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Trump whines that Russians aren’t helping him hype his North Korea scare
Source: Reuters
“U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday Russia is helping North Korea get supplies in violation of international sanctions and that Pyongyang is getting ‘closer every day’ to being able to deliver a long-range missile to the United States. ‘Russia is not helping us at all with North Korea,’ Trump said during an Oval Office interview with Reuters. ‘What China is helping us with, Russia is denting. In other words, Russia is making up for some of what China is doing.’ China and Russia both signed onto the latest rounds of United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea imposed last year. There was no immediate comment from the Russian embassy in Washington on Trump’s remarks.” (01/17/18)
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Secret Service costs for Trump at Mar-a-Lago revealed
Source: Raw Story
“And you thought your New Year’s Eve was pricey. The Secret Service spent $26,457.28 to rent lights, generators, tables and tents from companies near President Donald Trump’s Florida estate, signing contracts that all ended early in the new year. Five lease contracts between three Palm Beach companies (C3 Consulting Group LLC, Grimes Events & Party Tents, Inc. and United Rentals) and the government agency charged with protecting the president ended January 2, according to records from the Federal Procurement Data System. A sixth contract ended January 1. ‘Trump’s New Year’s Eve party was the largest event of his Mar-a-Lago vacation and the only one to require this kind of spending by Secret Service,’ said Harrell Kirstein, a spokesman for the progressive American Bridge political action committee, which shared the spending records with Newsweek. In a December 31 dispatch, the Palm Beach Post warned that Mar-a-Lago ‘party-goers can expect security checks by the Secret Service, which caused lengthy traffic jams during last year’s social season.’” (01/17/18)
http://www.rawstory.com/2018/01/secret-service-costs-for-trump-at-mar-a-lago-revealed
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German linguists call “alternative facts” the “non-word of 2017”
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
“German linguists have declared the phrase ‘alternative facts,’ popularized by White House aide Kellyanne Conway, the non-word of 2017. Conway used the phrase last year when asked why President Donald Trump’s then-Press Secretary Sean Spicer mischaracterized the size of the inauguration crowd. A team of six language experts at Darmstadt University chose ‘alternative facts’ from among 684 suggestions. German news agency dpa quoted the head of the panel as saying Tuesday the phrase represents the growing practice of ‘replacing factual arguments with claims that cannot be proven.’” (01/17/18)
http://www.sfgate.com/news/politics/article/German-linguists-Alternative-facts-the-12500745.php
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Experts: Transgender military academy grads could join ranks quickly
Source: USA Today
“Transgender graduates of the military’s service academies have a clear, quick path to military careers under the new policy the Pentagon established Jan. 1, according to a former senior Defense official and experts. In 2017, there were at least two academy graduates who did not receive commissions to become officers because the Pentagon lacked a policy for accepting transgender troops. That policy changed Jan. 1 when the military, compelled by court rulings, opened its ranks to transgender applicants. Brad Carson, the former top Pentagon personnel official who oversaw the repeal of the ban on transgender military service, said academy graduates who are transgender have the fastest, clearest route to joining the military. At least eight transgender volunteers have signed paperwork with Air Force recruiters to become airmen since Jan. 1. However, medical and aptitude testing can take several months for them to complete.” (01/17/18)
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WI: Democrats flip traditionally conservative district
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
“A surprising Democratic upset in a conservative Wisconsin Senate district where voters overwhelmingly supported President Donald Trump just 14 months ago has raised liberal hopes of more election success this fall. Patty Schachtner’s victory over an incumbent Republican state representative in Wisconsin’s 10th Senate District follows Democratic wins across the country. Republican Gov. Scott Walker, who is up for re-election to a third term in November, took note, posting on Twitter minutes after Schachtner’s win that it was a ‘wake up call for Republicans in Wisconsin.’ The governor told reporters in Milwaukee on Wednesday that dissatisfaction with national politics influenced Schachtner’s win, but he stopped short of blaming Trump or the GOP agenda.” (01/17/18)
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Democrat-wins-seat-in-traditionally-red-Wisconsin-12503708.php
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WI: Democrats flip traditionally conservative district
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
“A surprising Democratic upset in a conservative Wisconsin Senate district where voters overwhelmingly supported President Donald Trump just 14 months ago has raised liberal hopes of more election success this fall. Patty Schachtner’s victory over an incumbent Republican state representative in Wisconsin’s 10th Senate District follows Democratic wins across the country. Republican Gov. Scott Walker, who is up for re-election to a third term in November, took note, posting on Twitter minutes after Schachtner’s win that it was a ‘wake up call for Republicans in Wisconsin.’ The governor told reporters in Milwaukee on Wednesday that dissatisfaction with national politics influenced Schachtner’s win, but he stopped short of blaming Trump or the GOP agenda.” (01/17/18)
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Democrat-wins-seat-in-traditionally-red-Wisconsin-12503708.php
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TN: Peckerwood idiots plan to protest Women’s March in Knoxville
Source: USA Today
“Organizers of a Women’s March here have changed its original route and stepped up security after reports that white nationalists plan to protest the event. The march, which will take place Sunday, is scheduled to coincide with similar events across the USA this weekend, the first anniversary of the Women’s March on Washington. The original march last year followed the inauguration of President Trump as a way of raising awareness about issues he was perceived as having overlooked, such as the rights of women and marginalized groups. ‘Our purpose is mainly a celebration,’ said Kimberly Peterson, spokeswoman for the Women’s March Coalition of East Tennessee. ‘It’s a positive, upbeat event. Our participants have certain values, and even in a tough presidential year, there were a lot of successes. That’s been the theme of our event: to celebrate successes.’” [editor’s note: Well, now we know where all the network news cameras will be – SAT] (01/17/18)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/01/17/protest-womens-march/1041106001
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Nigeria: Gunmen kidnap two US and two Canadian citizens
Source: BBC News [UK state media]
“Two American and two Canadian citizens have been kidnapped near the northern city of Kaduna, Nigeria, police say. Two police escorts were also killed in a shootout with the kidnappers, who emerged from hiding to attack the convoy. The group, travelling in two vehicles, was reportedly attacked on their way from Kaduna to the capital Abuja, about two hours away. Parts of the Abuja-Kaduna road have been target locations for kidnappers. John Babcock, a spokesman for Global Affairs Canada, told the BBC on Wednesday they were aware of the reports of the kidnapping.” (01/17/18)
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42722951
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UK regime gets first-ever “minister for loneliness” to tackle isolation
Source: USA Today
“Britain appointed its first-ever minister to combat loneliness, a problem the government says affects more than 9 million people in the country who always or often feel lonely. ‘For far too many, loneliness is a sad reality of modern life,’ Prime Minister Theresa May said Wednesday in a statement. ‘I want us all to confront this and take action to address loneliness endured by the elderly, by carers, those who have lost loved ones — those with no one to talk to or share their thoughts and experiences with.’ May said the new minister, Tracey Crouch, will build on the legacy of the late Jo Cox, a member of Parliament from the opposition Labour Party who was murdered in 2016 by a white supremacist in a street attack in northern England.” (01/17/18)
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A “potentially hazardous” monster asteroid the size of Hyde Park is headed towards Earth
Source: Metro [UK]
“A gigantic kilometre-wide asteroid will travel terrifyingly close to our planet in about two weeks’ time. The object is called 2002 AJ129 and is due to zoom past Earth on February 4. It’s about 1.1km wide, making it almost as large as London’s Hyde Park — which covers about 1.4 square kilometres. The asteroid will be the largest to come close to our planet so far in 2018. It is classified as ‘potentially hazardous,’ according to the International Astronomical Union. If AJ129 hit Earth, it could throw the entire planet into a mini Ice Age.” (01/17/18)
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Counterfeit cash [sic] circulating in 11 states
Source: Fox News
“Multiple arrests involving phony cash have been making the media rounds in over 11 states, including New York, Iowa, Illinois and Michigan, in the last six months. Earlier this week, both New York City and Iowa reported cases of fraudulent cash popping up into the hands of local business owners. A Manhattan bar manager Ryan O’Neill told CBS2 that more counterfeit bills, particularly $20 bills, have been surfacing in the area over the last two weeks. Another bar owner just a few blocks away reported the same thing with some fraudsters even using fake $5 and $1 dollar bills. On Tuesday, two people were arrested in Cedar Falls, Iowa, for allegedly trying to use phony $1 bills at a local Walmart back in early October, police said.” (01/17/18)
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Report: ICE gang plans major mass abduction caper in San Francisco area to strike against federalism
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
“U.S. immigration officials have begun preparing for a major sweep in San Francisco and other Northern California cities in which federal officers would look to [abduct] more than 1,500 undocumented people while sending a message that [unconstitutional federal] immigration policy will be enforced in the sanctuary state, according to a source familiar with the operation. Officials at Immigration and Customs Enforcement, known as ICE, declined to comment Tuesday on plans for the operation. … The source who spoke to The Chronicle said the plan calls for [gang members] to be flown in from other parts of the country to help carry out the operation. The sweep could span more than one day and will include [beatdowns, abductions and extortion activities at] work sites suspected of illegally [sic] employing undocumented immigrants, the source said.” [editor’s note: Put a few of the ICE gang-bangers down like rabid dogs and haul the rest off to jail (general population). That would give the survivors and their co-conspirators elsewhere a strong incentive to give up the thug life and get real jobs – TLK] (01/16/18)
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Feds-planning-massive-Northern-California-12502689.php
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Report: Pentagon idiots mull nuclear response to cyber attacks
Source: The Hill
“A Pentagon report outlining an updated U.S. nuclear strategy suggests using nuclear weapons to respond to non-nuclear attacks on the U.S., according to The New York Times. The newspaper reported Wednesday that the draft document, the Nuclear Posture Review, provides for possible nuclear responses to devastating cyberattacks on U.S critical infrastructure. The suggestion marks a dramatic expansion of what the U.S. believes warrants a first use of nuclear weapons, the Times noted. Only in narrow cases, such as in the event of a biological attack on the U.S., has Washington suggested that it could respond with nuclear force.” (01/17/18)
http://thehill.com/policy/defense/369283-pentagon-mulls-nuclear-response-to-cyber-attacks-report
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Germany: Former Auschwitz guard Groning’s clemency bid fails
Source: Deutsche Welle [Germany]
“Oskar Groning’s bid to avoid a four-year prison sentence for his role as a guard at the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz was rejected by German authorities on Wednesday. ‘The clemency request has been denied,’ Wiebke Bethke, a spokeswoman for the prosecutors’ office in Luneburg told news agency epd. She did not provide further details. Although his legal options are running thin, Groning could still appeal his clemency request to the Justice Ministry of Lower Saxony, the northern state where Luneburg is located. The 96-year-old was convicted of being an accessory to the murder of 300,000 people during his time as a guard and bookkeeper at Auschwitz and was sentenced to four years in prison.” (01/17/18)
http://www.dw.com/en/germany-former-auschwitz-guard-gr%C3%B6nings-clemency-bid-fails/a-42175966
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Iceland: Man kicked off flight for wearing all his clothes to avoid baggage fee
Source: United Press International
“A British man was prevented from boarding a British Airways flight from Iceland to London after he attempted to wear 10 layers of clothes to avoid paying a baggage fee. Ryan Carney Williams, who goes by the name Ryan Hawaii on social media, put on every article of clothing in his luggage while at the airport in Reykjavik last week after he was told he’d have to pay $125 to check a bag. But Williams said on Twitter that he didn’t have the funds. … In a video he posted online, Williams said that airline employees told him he’d be able to get on the flight if he put on all his clothes, which he did. … But it turned out, bundling up didn’t get him on the flight, either.” [editor’s note: He was apparently also pepper-sprayed and abducted by airport security when he protested the airline’s refusal to honor its ticket – TLK] (01/17/18)
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Former CIA agent arrested, accused of outing US spies in China
Source: Newsweek
“A former CIA officer was arrested at a New York airport after authorities found two highly classified notebooks that contained information on undercover U.S. spies, the Department of Justice said yesterday. Jerry Chun Shing Lee, 53, a naturalized U.S. citizen who now lives in Hong Kong, was detained at JFK airport and charged with unlawful retention of national defense information on Monday. … Sources close to the case have said that Lee leaked the information to China and as a result, around 20 undercover U.S. agents have been killed or captured, NBC news reported.” (01/17/18)
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RATIONAL REVIEW NEWS DIGEST
Editors:
Thomas L. Knapp
Steve Trinward
Editors Emeritus:
Mary Lou Seymour
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