Vindman, Budget, VA targets assault weapons, Mission: The Sun + Limbaugh?
NewsHero - Feb 10, 2020 - Issue 30
Welcome to today’s edition of NewsHero for Monday, February 10, 2020.
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Going forward we’ll be keeping to this current layout each day: two quick mentions called NewsHero Notes, followed by three items for our Afternoon Brief. Next, there’s one story that we go a wee bit deeper with, then the Extra! Extra! we end with, which serves as an editorial space where sometimes we have a bit of fun.
And as always, we’re on the lookout for the hero of every story. These are the ones who make our headlines and make our world a better place to read about.
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Team NewsHero
NewsHero Notes
Is it just us or is it (not usually) hot in here? The World Meteorological Organization reported that the temperature reached a record 64.9 degrees Fahrenheit in Antarctica Thursday. The previous record was back in 2015 with a temperature of 63.5 degrees.
Switzerland can now move forward with an amendment to an anti-discrimination law that had previously excluded protection for lesbians, gay men and bisexual people, thanks to Swiss voters on Sunday opting to penalize public homophobia.
Afternoon Brief
National Budget
Certain to meet resistance from House Democrats, the $4.8 trillion election-year budget plan released by Donald Trump today features some big domestic cuts. The Education Department's budget would be cut by $5.6 billion, or 7.8%. The Environmental Protection Agency's budget would shrink by $2.4 billion, a 26% cut. Other highlights include an Energy Department cut of 8.1%, while Health and Human Services' budget would be cut by 10%, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development's budget would decrease by 15.2%. “The budget is a statement of values, and once again, the president is showing just how little he values the good health, financial security and well-being of hardworking American families,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.
Space Exploration
The Solar Orbiter spacecraft, a new probe built by NASA and the European Space Agency, set off on Sunday for a journey to the sun to take the first close-up look at its polar regions. The mission is expected to offer a glimpse into how solar radiant energy affects our planet. “This was picture perfect. And suddenly you really felt you are connected to the rest of the solar system,” Daniel Mueller, a scientist for ESA who worked on the mission, said after lift-off.
Gun Safety
Virginia continues to push forward with gun safety legislation. A bill that would ban military-style weapons in the state will now be considered by the full Democratic-led House of Delegates. The law seeks to ban assault weapons (semi-automatic rifles and pistols), high-capacity magazines, triggers designed to make weapons fire more rapidly, and silencers. The measure also looks to block the possession, sale and purchase of assault weapons.
National Security Council Top Official Fired After Impeachment Testimony
Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman both dismissed by president
In this Nov. 19, 2019, file photo then-National Security Council aide Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, left, walks with his twin brother, Army Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman, after testifying before the House Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, during a public impeachment hearing of President Donald Trump’s efforts to tie U.S. aid for Ukraine to investigations of his political opponents. The Army confirms that both Lt. Cols. Vindman have been reassigned to the Department of the Army. (Julio Cortez, File/Associated Press)
When top Ukraine expert at the National Security Council and decorated veteran Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman opened his testimony as a witness in the impeachment trial of Donald Trump, he reminded those listening that his actions could lead to serious consequences in his native Ukraine, including personal injury. But in the United States, where he was free to do his duty as an American and servant of the government and the people, he assured his family that he would be just fine for speaking the truth. Vindman’s testimony did little to help support Trump’s insistence of his doing no wrong.
Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman arrives to testify before the House Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019, during a public impeachment hearing of President Donald Trump’s efforts to tie U.S. aid for Ukraine to investigations of his political opponents. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
But while Vindman may not have worried for his safety, his job was another issue. President Trump fired Vindman Friday. He was escorted out of the White House by security and told his services were no longer needed, according to his lawyer, David Pressman. “There is no question in the mind of any American why this man's job is over, why this country now has one less soldier serving it at the White House,” Pressman said. “LTC Vindman was asked to leave for telling the truth. His honor, his commitment to right, frightened the powerful.” He added, “Truth is not partisan. If we allow truthful voices to be silenced, if we ignore their warnings, eventually there will be no one left to warn us.”
His twin brother, Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman, a National Security Council attorney, was also fired, "suddenly and with no explanation, despite over two decades of loyal service to this country,” Pressman said.
The President fired another key witness in his impeachment trial, U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland. A presidential adviser said the witnesses being let go was meant to send a message that siding against Trump will not be tolerated.
According to an op-ed from the Washington Examiner: “President Trump is making good on his promises to ‘drain the swamp’ and cut Obama-era holdovers from his staff, especially the critical and recently controversial National Security Council. Officials confirmed that Trump and national security adviser Robert O’Brien have cut 70 positions inherited from former President Barack Obama, who had fattened the staff to 200.”
Extra! Extra!
Many viewers were stunned Tuesday when during his State of the Union address Donald Trump made an announcement that political commentator Rush Limbaugh was receiving the United States’ highest honor bestowed upon a civilian, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The New York Times noted that past recipients of the award include Elie Wiesel, Rosa Parks, and Mother Teresa. Limbaugh, who recently disclosed that he’s been diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer, has been known to speak freely, as it were. After the big news from that State of the Union TV show, The Times assembled a nice tribute to the radio personality and oft-considered windbag with a piece called “Rush Limbaugh in His Own Words—A collection of comments from the latest recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.” It’s an educational read. Here’s one nugget: “Feminism was established so that unattractive ugly broads could have easy access to the mainstream.” Comedian George Wallace provided valuable commentary when he reacted on Twitter to Limbaugh’s being honored: “The good news is any one of us could win a Presidential Medal of Freedom at any moment. That sh*t is wide open.”
Sources:
Antarctica just set a record high temperature of 64.9 degrees - Vox
Swiss Vote to Penalize Public Homophobia - NY Times
Trump's $4.8 trillion budget proposal revisits rejected cuts - AP News
Trump's budget reflects campaign priorities but abandons pledge to wipe out deficit in 10 years - USA Today
Trump proposes $4.8 trillion election-year budget with big domestic cuts - Washington Post
Our sun will never look the same again thanks to two solar probes and one giant telescope - Space
Solar probe embarks on unprecedented mission to map sun's polar regions - Reuters
Solar Orbiter blasts off to capture 1st look at sun’s poles - AP News
Virginia Democrats advance assault weapon ban - Fox Business
Assault weapons ban advances in Virginia legislature amid fierce opposition - The Hill
Virginia legislature advances bill banning assault weapons - CNN
Trump fires two major impeachment figures -- Alexander Vindman and Gordon Sondland - CNN
The Crime of Doing the Right Thing - The Atlantic
What Trump's firing of two key impeachment witnesses teaches us - CNN
Bigger than Vindman: Trump scrubs 70 Obama holdovers from NSC - Washington Examiner
Rush Limbaugh in His Own Words - NY Times
George Wallace on Twitter - Twitter