What Just Happened + Florida's red flags, ADL report, Senate wants limits, NSW fires contained
NewsHero - Feb 14, 2020 - Issue 34
Welcome to today’s edition of NewsHero for Friday, February 14, 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.
Thanks for everything!
Team NewsHero
NewsHero Notes
China disclosed figures today showing for the first time the risks faced by those on the front lines battling the coronavirus: 1,716 medical workers have contracted the virus and six of them have died. China also reported 5,090 new coronavirus cases and 121 new deaths in just the past 24 hours. The New York Times has live updates here.
Fire officials in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) said all of the bushfires are now considered contained, thanks in part to recent heavy rains. The NSW Rural Fire Service said it was “great news” after “a very traumatic, exhausting and anxious” time.
Protestors rallied for gun violence prevention measures in Tampa, Florida, during the March 2018 March for Our Lives events following the school shooting in Parkland. (Photo by Joseph Brent via Flickr.)
Afternoon Brief
‘Red Flags’ in Florida
The “red flag” law, supported by legislators of both parties, has been applied more than 3,500 times in Florida since the deadly shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland two years ago today. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri says the shooter would have easily qualified for a red flag order. “We have needed this law for decades,” said Gualtieri, who started a unit in his department that handles only red flag cases. Red flag laws essentially allow authorities to temporarily take guns away from anyone deemed to be dangerous to themselves or others.
Domestic Disturbance
According to a new report prepared by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the distribution of white supremacist propaganda in the U.S. more than doubled in 2019 compared with the prior year. “White supremacists see propaganda distribution—including fliering, leafleting and stickering—as a convenient and practically anonymous way to promote their messages of hate and intolerance,” the group's CEO, Jonathan Greenblatt, said in a press release. “While we know extremists and hate groups are emboldened by the current environment, this surge in fliering and propaganda distribution powerfully demonstrates how bigots are able to spread their message without compromising their anonymity,” he added.
Senate Wants Limits
The Senate approved a bipartisan measure Thursday with the intent of limiting Donald Trump’s authority to launch military operations against Iran, with eight Republicans joining Democrats in a post-impeachment attempt to constrain the White House. The move was the Senate’s first major vote since acquitting Trump on impeachment charges last week. Trump is expected to veto the war powers resolution if it reaches his desk, claiming that if his “hands were tied, Iran would have a field day.”
What Just Happened
A look back at this week’s stories
Monday
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.
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.”
Tuesday
Bill and Melinda Gates released their 2020 annual letter Monday, calling it “Why We Swing for the Fences: Reflecting on the First Two Decades of Our Foundation.” In their twelfth annual letter the couple looks back on how the world—and their work—has changed in the past twenty years.
The letter addresses work the Gates Foundation has done in health and education, as well as the climate crisis and gender equality, two issues identified as priorities, and how they will factor into the next two decades.
“There is no question that this new decade is beginning at a time of tremendous unrest and uncertainty around the world,” write Bill and Melinda Gates. “But even in a moment as challenging as this one—in fact, especially in a moment like this one—we remain committed to supporting advocates, researchers, government officials, and frontline workers who are making a healthy and productive life possible for more people in more places.”
Wednesday
All four federal prosecutors who took the case against longtime Donald Trump confidant Roger Stone to trial withdrew Tuesday after top Justice Department officials reversed the government's recommended sentence against Stone. The mass withdrawal was a bold response to the controversial decision by Attorney General William Barr and other Justice Department officials to reduce prosecutors' recommended sentence of up to nine years. President Trump denied any involvement in the sentencing revision, but congressional Democrats want an investigation.
“It is outrageous that DOJ has deeply damaged the rule of law by withdrawing its recommendation,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, tweeted Tuesday. “Stepping down of prosecutors should be commended & actions of DOJ should be investigated.”
Thursday
U.S District Judge Amy Berman Jackson announced her ruling Wednesday to deny Trump confidant Roger Stone a new trial after he requested one. The announcement is Jackson’s first public response after the withdrawals of all four prosecutors on the case Tuesday. The denial was reportedly decided last week, before the backlash from the Justice Department's revised sentencing recommendation.
In the wake of the prosecutors’ withdrawal, Jessie Liu, the U.S. attorney whose nomination for a top Treasury Department job was revoked because she partially oversaw Stone's prosecution, has resigned. Liu submitted her resignation to the Treasury Department, effective Wednesday evening.
Extra! Extra!
Hey remember that guy during the State of the Union reality show last week that was awarded the highest honor the U.S. bestows on a civilian? It was political commentator Rush Limbaugh and it was the Presidential Medal of Freedom that he received. From Donald Trump. The key word here in that accolade is “freedom.”
News flash: Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg is gay. In America that’s not a crime. You know, the land of the “free”? Well, not known to keep his opinions to himself, Limbaugh drew bipartisan criticism Thursday for saying the country wouldn’t elect Buttigieg as the next president because he’s been “kissing his husband” on stage after debates.
We’d hope the recipient of that prestigious American award would be a bit more open-minded? Understanding? Less awful? Clearly not. The freedom to love who you love and marry the person you love apparently isn’t the same freedom that’s defined within the merits of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Maybe we should change its name to better reflect those considered worthy of wearing it. Congratulations! You’ve just won the Presidential Medal of ___________! We’re open to suggestions. Unlike some, we’ll keep the insult to ourselves.
Sources:
Coronavirus Live Updates: China Says 1,700 Health Workers Infected - NY Times
Australia fires: New South Wales blazes all ‘contained’ - BBC News
Florida ‘red flag’ gun law used 3,500 times since Parkland - AP News
Florida 'red flag' law has removed hundreds of guns: report - The Hill
White supremacist propaganda is spreading, anti-bias group ADL says - Los Angeles Times
White Nationalist Propaganda Has Doubled Nationwide Over The Last Year: Report - Newsweek
An invasion of propaganda: Experts warn that white supremacist messages are seeping into mainstream - USA Today
Senate moves to limit Trump on military force against Iran - AP News
The Senate's war powers vote is one step toward Congress' living up to its constitutional responsibilities - NBC News
Senate votes to limit Trump’s military authority against Iran - Politico
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
Why we swing for the fences - Gates Foundation
Bill Gates says the best way to help poorer countries fight climate change is to make sure they're healthy enough to survive it - Business Insider
Bill and Melinda Gates Have Released Their Annual Letter for 2020. Here Are 3 Major Takeaways - Inc.com
Bill and Melinda Gates Release 2020 Annual Letter: “Why We Swing for the Fences: Reflecting on the First Two Decades of Our Foundation” - PR Newswire
Bill and Melinda Gates talk health and education in annual letter - CNET
50,000 Sign Petition Demanding Probe Into DOJ's Roger Stone Reversal - Newsweek
Trump says military may consider disciplinary action against Vindman - Politico
All 4 federal prosecutors quit Roger Stone case - CNN
DOJ steps in on Roger Stone sentencing decision - ABC News
Trump withdraws Treasury nomination of former U.S. attorney for D.C. Jessie K. Liu after criticism of her oversight of Mueller prosecutions - Washington Post
National security adviser says Vindman brothers weren't fired—Trump says military should decide their fate - CNN
'When Character Matters Most': What Lawyers Are Saying About the Stone Prosecutors Who Quit - Law
Trump’s War Against ‘the Deep State’ Enters a New Stage - NY Times
The Billion-Dollar Disinformation Campaign to Reelect the President - The Atlantic
Judge denies Roger Stone's request for a new trial - CNN
Barr offers skepticism on Giuliani's offer of info on Bidens - Politico
The Atlantic: John Kelly says Vindman was right to report Trump's call with Zelensky - CNN
Nadler demands answers from Barr on 'new channel' for receiving Ukraine info from Giuliani - The Hill
Attorney General William Barr to testify before House Judiciary Committee - Politico
The President's decision to expand his power post-trial has stunned Washington - CNN
Yovanovitch swipes at Trump administration as she's honored for her diplomatic work - CNN
Former Chief of Staff John Kelly Says Trump’s Ukraine Quid Pro Quo Call Amounted to an “Illegal Order” - Slate
Jessie Liu resigns from Treasury after pulled nomination - CNN
Limbaugh draws bipartisan criticism for Buttigieg remarks - AP News