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GNR Buffalo Blizzard Edition -- Favorite's from my Lighter Side Section: Saturday's GNR [1]
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Date: 2022-12-24
Friends, our journey into the Blizzard of ‘22 is just beginning here in Buffalo and it is already a doozy — as I write this (Friday morning) the winds are nowhere near where they will be later today and tomorrow and the lake effect snow hasn’t hit. Even without that, the wind is howling, trees are swaying, and snow is accumulating. I suspect this will be one for the record books.
It is possible that I won’t have power tomorrow. Indeed, we are ready to lose power at any minute.
There is much good news out there. I don’t have a lot of time to hunt down more, because of our storm prep, but I’ll give you some good news from the week, some of my favorites from this year’s Lighter Side section (as well as some new content).
Good News from This Week
I can’t wait to see Buttigieg destroy them. He is the BEST at taking on the right
Buttigieg welcomes GOP investigations
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has a simple message for Republican investigators lining up to grill him on climate change and electric vehicles: Bring it on. Buttigieg is the rare Democrat who not only agrees to appear on conservative media like Fox News, but actually seems to enjoy it. The hearings will give him another platform he's eager to use.
"I'm absolutely ready to take our case to the Hill," Buttigieg told a small group of reporters, previewing his hearing strategy.
Russia Can Finally See That Putin’s ‘Days Are Numbered’
More than two decades after he came to power, President Putin’s grip on the Russian people is finally starting to falter. The war in Ukraine has opened up a credibility gap, and for the first time many Russians no longer feel they can trust what their leader is saying to them. Combined with tough economic sanctions, funds being re-allocated to the war, and conscription drives across the country, the costs of this vainglorious conquest are becoming more and more difficult to take. Even loyal Russians have plenty of questions for Putin right now. And the Kremlin is running out of ways to cope with the pressure. In the past, a scripted appearance, or a half-naked staged photoshoot would be enough to get the domestic media back on side. Sometimes, they even gave independent reporters a chance to ask Putin one or two sensitive questions—which he would quickly and vigorously dismiss. But every recent attempt to make Putin look like a strong and decisive leader has failed so badly—even inside Russia—that after nine months of devastating war in Ukraine, the Kremlin is running out of ideas. They even canceled Putin’s big annual press conference for the first time in years.
E.P.A. Tightens Rules on Pollution From Vans, Buses and Trucks
The Biden administration on Tuesday strengthened limits on smog-forming pollution from buses, delivery vans, tractor-trailers and other trucks, the first time in more than 20 years that tailpipe standards have been tightened for heavy-duty vehicles. The new rule from the Environmental Protection Agency is designed to cut nitrogen oxide from the vehicles by 48 percent by 2045. Nitrogen dioxide is a poisonous gas that has been linked to cardiovascular problems and respiratory ailments like asthma. The rule will require manufacturers to cut the pollutant from their vehicles starting with the model year 2027.
x Marjorie Taylor Greene & Lauren Boebert are scratching each others’ eyes out
Trump & DeSantis are going at it
Kev McCarthy & Matt Gaetz are at each others’ throats
Ronna McDaniel is fighting for her job
Mitch & Trump hate each other
But it’s the Dems who are in disarray? 🤣 — Lindy Li (@lindyli) December 20, 2022
x New from @PunchbowlNews: The Jan. 6 Committee has begun "extensively cooperating" with Special Counsel Jack Smith.
Much of the production from the panel is in relation to Mark Meadows and John Eastman, the Trump lawyer at the center of the "fake elector" scheme. — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) December 20, 2022
America’s most important EV is also its goofiest
On Tuesday, the US Postal Service announced that it plans to buy 106,000 new vehicles by 2028, of which 66,000 will run on electricity and produce zero greenhouse gas emissions. The $9.6 billion investment for mail trucks and chargers, including $3 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act, could soon give the Postal Service the largest electric fleet in the US. A massive bulk purchase like this stands to move the entire EV market, spurring demand for the entire electric car supply chain, from batteries to semiconductors. The economies of scale could then lower the cost of these vehicles for everyone, making it easier to decarbonize transportation, the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the US.
Donald Trump’s January 6 committee criminal referral to the DOJ isn’t binding. Here’s why it’s still significant.
The issuance of criminal referrals to the Justice Department for criminal conduct committed by Trump, as well as his allies and associates, was the main event of the hearing, which also included a digest of the committee’s findings from its investigation. It represents a symbolic passing of the baton to the Justice Department to do what it will with its information and its recommendations. In particular, it will be up to Jack Smith, the career prosecutor appointed in November to be special counsel for the federal government’s investigations of Trump. Smith recently issued subpoenas to government officials in all seven states that were targeted by Trump allies in an effort to overturn the election, as his far less public investigation has been moving forward. A criminal referral is really just a recommendation from the committee to the Justice Department that it should prosecute individuals who the committee believes have committed crimes. It doesn’t mean they will — it’s not binding and has no legal effect. The committee has no authority to punish anyone otherwise. However, it could have a real effect on public perception. The committee’s hearing was nationally televised, and it’s not every day a congressional committee recommends that someone face criminal prosecution in the full spotlight of the national media. The referrals will add public pressure to the DOJ to act, and increase scrutiny of its decisions. The committee has compiled evidence it will say backs up the referrals, and that evidence will be public, both in the committee’s report and the depositions the committee took during its investigation. Smith was appointed to carry out the Justice Department’s investigation in a way that is supposed to be insulated from politics. The result is that Smith’s team is almost certain to view the committee’s evidence as more useful than its recommendations.
x President Biden just announced his 28th round of nominees for federal judicial positions — bringing the number of announced federal judicial nominees to 150. — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) December 22, 2022
Senate passes $1.7 trillion government funding bill
Why it matters: The legislation will fund the government through next September — preventing the new Congress from being thrust into yet another spending fight when Republicans take control of the House in January. Key provisions: Roughly $45 billion in aid to Ukraine's war effort and NATO allies.
war effort and NATO allies. A bipartisan deal to end a COVID-era Medicaid policy on April 1, 2023, phasing out the requirements that prevented states from dropping individuals from federally funded insurance.
on April 1, 2023, phasing out the requirements that prevented states from dropping individuals from federally funded insurance. Passage of the Electoral Count Act, which clarifies the vice president's role in certifying Electoral College votes in a presidential election. The bipartisan bill was drafted in an effort to help prevent another Jan. 6-style attack on democracy.
which clarifies the vice president's role in certifying Electoral College votes in a presidential election. The bipartisan bill was drafted in an effort to help prevent another Jan. 6-style attack on democracy. More than $38 billion in emergency disaster assistance for Americans in the West and Southeast affected by recent natural disasters — including hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding and wildfires.
for Americans in the West and Southeast affected by recent natural disasters — including hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding and wildfires. $2.6 billion in funding for Jan. 6 legal efforts, including assistance "to further support prosecutions related to the January 6 attack on the Capitol and domestic terrorism cases." It also includes $11.3 billion for the FBI's efforts to curb extremist violence and domestic terrorism.
including assistance "to further support prosecutions related to the January 6 attack on the Capitol and domestic terrorism cases." It also includes $11.3 billion for the FBI's efforts to curb extremist violence and domestic terrorism. Tax provisions aimed at preventing fraudulent tax breaks arising from land conservation deals and legislation to boost retirement savings in tax-advantaged accounts. The additions of both provisions follow uncertainty over whether there would be any tax title in the government funding bill at all.
aimed at preventing fraudulent tax breaks arising from land conservation deals and legislation to boost retirement savings in tax-advantaged accounts. The additions of both provisions follow uncertainty over whether there would be any tax title in the government funding bill at all. A 4.6% pay raise for military troops and a 22.4% increase in support for Veteran Administration medical care. It also includes roughly $55.7 billion to combat inflation and support critical services and housing assistance for veterans and their families, as well as $5 billion for the Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund.
and a 22.4% increase in support for Veteran Administration medical care. It also includes roughly $55.7 billion to combat inflation and support critical services and housing assistance for veterans and their families, as well as $5 billion for the Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund. Banning TikTok on federal devices.
TikTok on federal devices. Directs U.S. Capitol Police to consider extending security for former House speakers for a year after they leave office. It also provides $2.5 million for a “residential security system program” for senators.
for former House speakers for a year after they leave office. It also provides $2.5 million for a “residential security system program” for senators. An additional $25 million for the National Labor Relations Board's budget — a top priority for unions that brings their funding to more than $299 million.
— a top priority for unions that brings their funding to more than $299 million. More funding for children's mental health and for substance abuse, as well as additional funds to target the opioid epidemic.
as well as additional funds to target the opioid epidemic. $576 million for the Environmental Protection Agency, bringing its funding up to $10.1 billion, and it boosts the National Park Service's funding by 6.4% to help the agency with an increase in visitation.
bringing its funding up to $10.1 billion, and it boosts the National Park Service's funding by 6.4% to help the agency with an increase in visitation. $8 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant, a 30% increase in funding. The grant offers financial assistance to low-income families to afford child care.
x Amendment passed in the Senate omnibus:
The Pregnant Fairness Workers Act — prohibiting employment practices that discriminate against making reasonable accommodations for qualified employees affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) December 22, 2022
On the Lighter Side
New Material!
Some Old Favorites
Happy Hanukkah. Merry Christmas. Stay warm everyone.
I am so lucky and so proud to be in this with all of you 💛💚💜🧡✊🏽✊🏻✊🏽✊🏻💛💚💜🧡
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