Highlights of the News

Donald John Trump is still our president. And Nicholas Sandmann is the richest kid at Covington Catholic High School today.

ITEM 1: Fox News 19 reported, "CNN agreed Tuesday to settle a lawsuit with Covington Catholic student Nick Sandmann. The amount of the settlement was not made public during a hearing at the federal courthouse in Covington, Kentucky.

"Sandmann’s lawsuit sought $800 million from CNN, the Washington Post and NBC Universal. Trial dates are still not set for Sandmann’s lawsuit against NBC Universal and the Washington Post."

Sandmann’s attorney is Lin Wood, who represented Richard Jewell who also was a victim of media smears.

One estimate is a settlement of $10 million-plus.

Today's settlement was an 8 figure blow to CNN's brand. Nick Sandmann will be brought up every time CNN attacks someone. Devastating would understate the impact. It's Richard Jewell 2.0.

Although the settlement is confidential, I can say this as a fact

- Nick Sandmann GOT PAID.

— Mike Cernovich (@Cernovich) January 7, 2020

The media should not get away with ruining anyone's reputation.

I do not overlook the fact that Sandmann kept his cool when a bigger man got in his face. What would Jesus do? Exactly what Sandmann did.

ITEM 2: Fox News reported, "Iran fired 'more than a dozen ballistic missiles' into Iraq, targeting U.S. military and coalition forces early Wednesday, Pentagon officials said, in a major retaliation by the rogue regime after the U.S. airstrike that killed Iranian Quds Force Gen. Qassem Soleimani last week.

"The missiles launched by Iran targeted military bases in Al-Assad and Erbil, the Pentagon added.

"Initial assessments showed 'no U.S. casualties,' a U.S. military official in Baghdad told Fox News, adding that the U.S. was continuing to look into possible damage."

The president knew exactly what he was doing all along.

pic.twitter.com/VQjEhbUyh4

— ⛈ (@dreamyyy___) January 8, 2020

Why retaliate? They hit nothing. Call a meeting and end this 40 years of Death to America jazz. Cut a trade deal and Make Iran Above Average Again.

Meanwhile, the Guardian reported, "A passenger plane bound for the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, has crashed a few minutes after taking off from Tehran’s main international airport, killing 176 people.

"Iran’s Red Crescent has said there was no chance of finding survivors, and Pir Hossein Kulivand, an Iranian emergency official, later told state TV all those on board were killed in the crash.

"Victims of the crash included 82 Iranians, 63 Canadians, 11 Ukrainians, 10 Swedes, four Afghans, three Germans and three Britons, according to Ukraine’s foreign minister, Vadym Prystaiko."

Iran denied shooting the airplane down.

And the Sydney Morning Herald reported, "A 4.7 magnitude earthquake struck two towns in southern Iran near the Bushehr nuclear power plant on Wednesday, the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency reported. Rescue teams were present on the site, the head of the provincial emergency department, Jahangir Dehqani, told IRNA."

Iran has so many problems that it should abandon its Death to America vow, which has gained it absolutely nothing for 40 years.

ITEM 3: Sara Carter reported, "Ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee Devin Nunes told The Sara Carter Show that Republicans have an active investigation into Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson, who alerted lawmakers to the so-called whistleblower complaint that has led to President Donald Trump’s partisan impeachment in the House.

"Nunes, R-CA, spoke to this reporter for Monday’s podcast. He revealed that transcripts of Atkinson’s secret testimony will expose that the Inspector General either lied or he needs to make corrections to his statements to lawmakers. The transcripts have been kept from the public by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-CA, because it is damaging to their 'impeachment scam,' Nunes said."

Chuck Schumer gloated and warned President-elect Donald John Trump that the Intelligence Community has six ways to Sunday to get you. Duly noted.

ITEM 4: BizPacReview reported, "The Trump administration denied a visa to Iran’s foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who wanted to attend a United Nations meeting next week. Zarif was expected to condemn the United States for killing terrorist Qassem Soleimani.

"Zarif had requested a visa a few weeks ago to enter the United States so he could attend a January 9 U.N. Security Council meeting, three diplomatic sources told Foreign Policy.

"Iran was awaiting approval on the visa Monday when a Trump official called U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres to inform him that Zarif would not be allowed into the United States."

Maybe Qasem Soleimani aka General قاسم سلیمانی can help him get one.

Oh, wait.

ITEM 5: People magazine reported, "Saved by the Bell Reboot Casts Transgender Actress Josie Totah in Lead Role."

Are you a boy, or are you a girl?
With your long blond hair you look like a girl
Yeah, you look like a girl
You may be a boy (Hey) you look like a girl

Corporate America is pushing transgendering like it was the hula hoop fad. The difference is no boy lost his jewels to a hula hoop.

ITEM 6: The Christian Post reported, "China announced it will soon implement harsh new measures requiring all religious personnel to support and implement total submission to the Chinese Communist Party, sparking concern among Chinese Christians.

"Asia News reports that the new administrative measures will be put in place for Chinese religious groups starting Feb. 1. The measures complete the Regulations on religious affairs revised two years ago and implemented on Feb. 1, 2018.

"The new measures include six chapters and 41 articles dealing with the organization, functions, offices, supervision, projects and economic administration of communities and groups at both a national and local level.

"Under the new rules, every aspect of the life of religious communities — from formation, gatherings to annual and daily projects — is subject to approval by the government’s religious affairs department."

Christ is the biggest threat to the Communist Party in Red China because He gives the people hope.

ITEM 7: ICE announced, "Every day, Homeland Security Investigations agents around the globe work to uncover, dismantle and disrupt human trafficking. They come face to face with the worst of humanity – traffickers profiting off the forced labor and commercial sex of their victims using physical and sexual abuse, threats of harm and deportation, false promises, economic and psychological manipulation, and cruelty.

"Human trafficking victims have been found in communities nationwide in the agriculture, hospitality, restaurant, domestic work and other industries, as well as in prostitution that is facilitated online, on the street, or in businesses fronting for prostitution such as massage parlors. Overseas forced labor can be used to produce the consumer goods that are in our homes and workplaces. The victims are men, women and children of all ages and may include U.S. citizens and foreign nationals. Many of them may have thought they had found a good paying job or a better life, only to have their hopes and dreams dashed and placed into modern day slavery.

"In fiscal year 2019, HSI initiated 1,024 investigations with a nexus to human trafficking and recorded 2,197 arrests,1,113 indictments, and 691 convictions; 428 victims were identified and assisted. HSI continues to make human trafficking cases a top investigative priority by connecting victims to resources to help restore their lives and bringing traffickers to justice."

This is social justice by actual warriors.

ITEM 8: Salena Zito reported, "According to numbers posted by the West Virginia secretary of state’s office, the Democratic Party has lost 83,119 voters since the 2016 presidential election, while Republican registrations increased by 13,325. This has considerably narrowed the gap in registration in a once heavily Democratic state. Democrats now have 488,148 voters and the Republicans 411,872.

"No one would argue seriously that West Virginia, where Trump got more than two-thirds of the vote, would ever be in play for the Democrats in 2020. But the story of its sentiments and the evolution of these voters aren't just limited to within the state’s boundaries. In many ways, especially in their connection to place and their distrust of large government, political, and entertainment institutions, these voters are very similar to voters in rural, suburban, and exurban voters in the swing states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Wisconsin."

I am a fan of Zito because she does her homework, talks to people, and keeps herself grounded. She called this "the reddening of West Virginia," which is accurate because mine is still a purple state. Democrats have won the last 6 gubernatorial elections, including 2016 when President Trump carried the state by 42 points. Governor Jim Justice later flipped parties.

She wrote, "What reporters and pollsters and outsiders tend to miss in slow-growth regions is that the suburban vote requires changing the hearts and minds of voters who have been in place their entire lives. That is not easily accomplished. Their votes can also shift the results in a state."

Democrats controlled the West Virginia Legislature for 82 years. In 2015, Tim Armstead became the first Republican House Speaker to serve in the "new" state Capitol.

It opened in 1933.

Once flipped, West Virginia will stay flipped for a long time as will the rust belt.

ITEM 9: The New York Post reported, "Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says Republicans have enough votes to approve rules for President Trump’s impeachment trial — without agreeing to Democratic demands on witnesses.

"The announcement Tuesday is a bid to force House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to transmit two articles of impeachment, allowing Trump’s trial to begin."

"'We have the votes once the impeachment trial has begun to pass a resolution,' McConnell said at a press conference."

Just sit and acquit. Democrats screwed up. No criminal element, no impeachment.

ITEM 10: Barak Ravid of Israel's Channel 13 news reported, "The Trump administration is considering publishing its long-awaited Israeli-Palestinian peace plan before Israel's March 2nd elections, Israeli officials tell me. Why it matters: The plan's release would be a potential bombshell that could influence the results of the elections."

February Surprise.

A trade deal with Iran would make a nice October Surprise.

ITEM 11: White House Correspondents' Association President Jonathan Karl wrote a letter.

He said, "President Trump met with Saudi Arabia’s Vice Minister of Defense at the White House yesterday, but the public did not learn about the meeting until the Saudi government released a statement about it today. The Saudi government also released photographs of the President and his senior advisers meeting with the Vice Minister of Defense in the Oval Office. A meeting with a foreign leader in the Oval Office should, at the very least, be on the public schedule with a read-out of the meeting released after it is over. This has been the long-standing precedent for presidents of both political parties. It is disturbing to see the government of Saudi Arabia have more transparency than the White House about a meeting with the President in the Oval Office."

Karl left out, "Donald Trump, this is going on your permanent record."

Silly me, I thought all these hot shot Washington reporters had all these anonymous sources who told them everything that was going on in the White House.

ITEM 12: Politico reported, "Trump unfurls a new attack for 2020: Dems as Iran sympathizers."

Considering every Democrat presidential candidate condemned killing General قاسم سلیمانی  , I would say they are Iranian sympathizers -- especially after Obama gave the terrorist regime $150 billion.

ITEM 13: When he is not cleaning up Democrat crap (literally) Scott Presler follows the news.

UPDATE:

In a 6-4 vote, Virginia Beach is now a Second Amendment Constitutional City.

VB is the largest city by population in Virginia.

— #ThePersistence (@ScottPresler) January 7, 2020

The Molon Labe Rebellion is real.

ITEM 14: I missed this one.

Rush just name-checked @donsurber. We all win.

— A$AP Finger (@ByrdsFinger) January 7, 2020

MAGA dittos. Limbaugh liked my post, "The State of The Donald."

ITEM 15: DW.com reported, "The US on Wednesday accused Iran of violating fundamental human rights after Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif endorsed the execution of gay people.

"Zarif defended his country's draconian policies at a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas in Tehran on Monday.

"A reporter from German tabloid Bild asked: 'Why are homosexuals executed in Iran because of their sexual orientation?'

"He responded: 'Our society has moral principles. And we live according to these principles. These are moral principles concerning the behavior of people in general. And that means that the law is respected and the law is obeyed,' after railing against human rights violations by the US and Israel."

Maybe President Trump should have said General قاسم سلیمانی  was gay and let the mullahs take care of the problem.

ITEM 16: Red State reported, "Democrats Begin to Fold Like a Cheap Suit After McConnell Wins the Battle Over Trump’s Senate Trial."

Democrats saw what happened in 1998. Instead of heeding that lesson, they told themselves this time it is different. I hope they lose the House.

The car.

And the family dog.

ITEM 17: Fox News reported, "A CNN reporter sounded the alarm on Sunday over the popularity of a piece published by a conservative satirical site.

"Last week, The Babylon Bee drew some laughs with an article poking fun at the Democrats' reaction to the U.S. airstrike that led to the death of Irani Gen. Qassem Soleimani, using the headline 'Democrats Call For Flags To Be Flown At Half-Mast to Grieve Death of Soleimani.'

"Responding to a Twitter user who expressed concern that 'Republican friends' on Facebook 'are circulating it like it's legit,' CNN reporter Donie O'Sullivan pointed out that The Babylon Bee was getting more traffic on that one article than his network and The New York Times get weekly.

"'To put this in perspective, this is the same number of engagements the top NY Times and CNN stories on Facebook had over the past week,' O'Sullivan wrote. 'A lot of people sharing this 'satirical' story on Facebook don't know it is satire.'"

In October, I explained, "Why Babylon Bee is the most important conservative site."

It makes us laugh.

And the Burgermeister Meisterburgers on the left hate laughter because all humor ultimately is subversive.

Who would have thought 10 years ago that a Christian satire site would be more popular than CNN and the New York Times combined?

Who would have thought 10 years ago that there would be a Christian satire site?

ITEM 18: Scott McKay wrote a tribute to Rick Gervais's monologue at the Golden Globes show. Buried in the column were two very sad paragraphs.

McKay wrote, "This brings us to Michelle Williams, who used her award for best actress in a limited series or TV movie for her role in Fosse/Verdon as an opportunity to bring a fresh take to the obnoxious Shout Your Abortion craze. This was more like Award Your Abortion. 'I wouldn’t have been able to do this without employing a woman’s right to choose,' she said. 'To choose when to have my children, and with whom.'

"She might as well have just taken the stage and proclaimed herself to be a manifestly awful human being. 'I value this metal trinket more than the life of my own flesh and blood,' was essentially what she said."

I wonder which movie or TV show had the role she would kill for because that is exactly what she did.

Please pray for her. She is a lost soul. At 40, she still does not realize babies are a gift from The Lord.

ITEM 19: Neither impeachment nor Iran will slow President Trump down.

We’re headed to the Garden State! @realDonaldTrump to host #KeepAmericaGreat rally on Tuesday, January 28 in Wildwood, NJ 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/c4JRsq7o0j

— Sarah Matthews (@SarahAMatthews1) January 6, 2020

Wildwood is in the district of Congressman Jeff Van Drew who just switched parties over impeachment.