@18:01, , 10/26/19

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1

Vulnerable Senate Republicans Shrink From Defending Trump

By Catie Edmondson and Emily Cochrane | Oct 24th 2019

Senate Republicans up for re-election in 2020, fearful of straying too far from Mr. Trump yet at pains to defend him, have adopted a strategy of saying as little as possible.

Yes.

2

Business

Rachel Maddow Confronts Her NBC News Bosses Live, on the Air

By John Koblin and Michael M. Grynbaum | Oct 26th 2019

Her remarks came during an episode of her MSNBC show with her former colleague Ronan Farrow as a guest. Mr. Farrow praised her for “speaking truth to power.”

Rachel Maddow probably needs a new position.

3

U.S.

Key Witness in Impeachment Inquiry Asks Federal Court to Rule Over Testifying

By Michael S. Schmidt | Oct 26th 2019

The move raises new doubts about whether President Trump’s closest aides will be able to cooperate with the inquiry.

Congress controls.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_the_United_States

4

U.S.

Elijah Cummings’s Funeral Draws Presidents and Thousands of Mourners

By Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs and Richard Fausset | Oct 25th 2019

Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton spoke Friday at the service for the longtime Maryland congressman.

The work remains.

5

U.S.

Impeachment Inquiry Is Legal, Judge Rules, Giving Democrats a Victory

By Charlie Savage and Emily Cochrane | Oct 25th 2019

The finding came in an order directing the Justice Department to hand over secret grand jury evidence from the Mueller investigation to House impeachment investigators.

Yes.

6

U.S.

Giuliani, Overheard Talking About Need for Cash, Mistakenly Calls NBC Reporter

By Michael M. Grynbaum | Oct 26th 2019

“The problem is we need some money,’’ Mr. Giuliani says on the call. Then he adds: “We need a few hundred thousand.’’

Guiliani has a big mouth.

7

World

Boris Johnson Calls for December Election in Push to Break Brexit Deadlock

By Stephen Castle and Mark Landler | Oct 24th 2019

Britain’s prime minister challenged lawmakers to approve a general election, but the opposition Labour Party reacted coolly to the idea.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/oct/27/brexit-eu-prepares-grant-uk-three-month-extension

A united Ireland would solve the Brexit problem.
Improbable.

8

World

The Cost of Trump’s Aid Freeze in the Trenches of Ukraine’s War

By Andrew E. Kramer | Oct 24th 2019

As President Trump froze military aid to Ukraine and urged it to investigate his rivals, the country was struggling in a bare-bones fight against Russian-backed separatists.

Victory conditions are not apparent.
Diplomacy is required.

9

U.S.

Trumps Put Their Washington Hotel on the Market

By Eric Lipton and Maggie Haberman | Oct 25th 2019

President Trump has drawn frequent criticism for ownership of the hotel because it hosts foreign diplomats and corporate executives with business before his administration.

The emoluments clause exists.

10

New York

Wegmans Has Come to Brooklyn. Why Are New Yorkers Losing Their Minds?

By Ginia Bellafante | Oct 24th 2019

The wholesome and enormous grocery store has achieved a cultlike status in the city.

New York city does not drive.

11

Opinion

The S.E.C.’s Clayton Turns Oversight Partisan

By Arthur Levitt | Oct 24th 2019

What is happening at the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board should alarm everyone. The Trump administration is eroding its independence.

 Investment depends on truthful auditing.
This threatens public ownership.

12

U.S.

Muslim Student Athlete Disqualified From Race for Wearing Hijab

By Liam Stack | Oct 25th 2019

Noor Alexandria Abukaram, 16, was disqualified from a high school cross-country race in Ohio because she did not have permission to run in her hijab. Officials said the rule might change.

The Ohio rule is unlawful.

13

Business

One Family Built Forever 21, and Fueled Its Collapse

By Sapna Maheshwari | Oct 23rd 2019

The retailer’s bankruptcy filing, and interviews with former employees, give a rare glimpse into a family controlled, intensely secretive operation.

A fashon company failed to follow fashon.

14

U.S.

Joe Biden or Elizabeth Warren? New Polls Differ on Who’s Leading 2020 Race

By Matt Stevens and Giovanni Russonello | Oct 24th 2019

Surveys released this week show varying, and sometimes conflicting, races unfolding nationally and in early primary states.

Elizabeth Warren has my favor

15

Opinion

Elizabeth Warren Wants to Lose Your Vote

By Bret Stephens | Oct 26th 2019

Those with plans for everything prove only that they can’t be trusted to plan for anything.

Few plans survive contact with reality.
Warren believes government is possible and necessary.

16

Opinion

Why Hillary Clinton Shouldn’t Trade in Conspiracy Theories About Tulsi Gabbard

By Tim Wu | Oct 21st 2019

The problem is not just paranoia. It’s also that she questioned a candidate’s motives rather than the soundness of her views.

Tulsi Gabbard has views.

17

Opinion

No, We Won’t Just ‘Get Over It’

By Charles M. Blow | Oct 21st 2019

We dare not fail this test of our constitutional government.

good

18

Opinion

Is God Skipping the Democratic Primary?

By Frank Bruni | Oct 22nd 2019

The candidates’ reticence about religion is excessive and unwise.

Lets leave gods out of it.

19

Health

$260 Million Opioid Settlement Reached at Last Minute With Big Drug Companies

By Jan Hoffman | Oct 21st 2019

The deal involves large pharmaceutical distributors and Teva, resolving cases that sought redress from the devastation caused by two decades of opioid abuse.

A cheap exit if it holds.

20

World

As Putin Era Begins to Wane, Russia Unleashes a Sweeping Crackdown

By Andrew Higgins | Oct 24th 2019

A wave of arrests against journalists, opposition activists, doctors and religious believers raises a question: Is this a police state in the making or just a highly dysfunctional one?

I can't know.

@13:43, , 10/25/19

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1

Trump Is Speaking at a Historically Black College. His Allies Will Outnumber Students.

Astead W. Herndon at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 38 minutes ago

In an invitation-only event at Benedict College in South Carolina, more than half the seats were reserved for guests and allies of the administration, organizers said.

Trump is known to lie.

2 

Bernie Sanders Almost Won Iowa in 2016. He Knows He Can’t Slip Now.

Sydney Ember at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 38 minutes ago

Every top Democrat is making calculations to try to win Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucuses. But for Mr. Sanders, the political pressure and personal stakes are unique.

Bernie Sanders seems to be slipping.

3 

Hillary Clinton Urges Defense of Democracy at Cummings’s Funeral

Liam Stack at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 38 minutes ago

Comparing the congressman to a biblical prophet, the former secretary of state said Elijah Cummings “stood against the corrupt leadership of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jezebel

Someone knows the Bible.

4 

Are the Suburbs Turning Democratic?

Sabrina Tavernise, Robert Gebeloff and Christopher Lee at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 hour ago

The political dividing line in America used to be between Democratic cities and Republican suburbs. Now it runs through the center of the suburbs themselves.

Young homowners tend to be educated.

5 

December Democratic Debate Will Be in Los Angeles, With Higher Thresholds

Shane Goldmacher at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 2 hours ago

The sixth debate, hosted by PBS NewsHour and Politico, will be held at U.C.L.A. on Dec. 19.

I expect there will be a quorum.

6 

Pete Buttigieg Is Running Strong in Iowa. Does He Have Room to Grow?

Giovanni Russonello at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 2 hours ago

The mayor of South Bend, Ind., has opened more offices in Iowa than any other Democratic presidential candidate. Polls suggest his strategy has begun to pay off.

The  center has few voters.

7 

Tulsi Gabbard Won’t Seek Re-Election to Congress in 2020

Gerry Mullany at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 3 hours ago

The decision to focus on her presidential campaign, despite low polling numbers, is likely to fuel speculation that she may be preparing a third-party bid.

Third parties do poorly nationally.

8 

For Impeachment Witnesses, Testifying Can Cost $15,000 or More

Sharon LaFraniere at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 4 hours ago

Caught in a struggle between two branches of government, career government workers on civil-servant salaries are worried about how to pay for lawyers to guide them through.

Yes.   Money will be found.

9 

7 Combat Deployments in 6 Years, Then a Bullet Nearly Killed Him

John Ismay at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 4 hours ago

Jeffery Dawson wasn’t supposed to be on the mission that nearly killed him, but the Army’s failure to recruit enough bomb-disposal technicians for his unit meant there was no one else to go.

Unit cohesion is a power.
The military follows orders.
Personal ambition must not issue those orders.

10 

Yes, You CAN Tax The Rich

Ian Welsh at Ian Welsh - 4 hours ago

Ok, once more. It is possible to tax the rich. It is even easy, IF the major powers (or just the US) decide to do it. This is for three reasons: 1) none of the tax havens are powerful countries. All of them can easily be coerced. 2) Money is actually earned in specific countries. […]

The rich will not tax themselves.

"We can tax the rich any time a powerful enough government, or governments, choose to do so.
Not doing so is a policy choice, driven by elites’ ownership of the political class, and by politicians’ own membership in the elite class (or their desire to join the wealthy class).
It isn’t more complicated than that."

11 

China’s Response to Pence Speech: ‘Sheer Arrogance’

Chris Buckley at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 5 hours ago

In a lengthy denunciation of the vice president, an official said he was trying to distract from American failings by criticizing Beijing.

China is listening.
Pence is not listening.

12 

George Soros Has Enemies. He’s Fine With That.

Andrew Ross Sorkin at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 7 hours ago

In an interview, Mr. Soros explained why he thinks the tide is turning back to “globalists” like him and what might happen in the 2020 election.

Nature does every thing it can all the time.
George Soros is welcome to do what he can.
He is not wrong.

13 

Pentagon, With an Eye on China, Pushes for Help From American Tech

Don Clark at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 7 hours ago

Talks over how American companies can ensure future supplies of advanced computer chips have taken on more urgency.

Pay the costs.
Do not allow legislated monopolies.
Every company buys what it can.

14 

Alyssa Milano, Celebrity Activist for the Celebrity Presidential Age

Jessica Bennett at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 7 hours ago

The actress is trying to stay just famous enough to still get invited to Washington.

Activists and celebrities burn out rapidly.
They do good work while they last.

15 

Who Is Don McGahn, the Lawyer Behind Trump’s Court Makeover?

NYT > U.S. > Politics - 7 hours ago

As White House counsel, Don McGahn helped reshape the federal judiciary for a generation.

Biasing the judiciary is a durable disaster.
Judges can be impeached.

16 

Betsy DeVos Is Held in Contempt Over Judge’s Order on Loan Collection

Erica L. Green and Stacy Cowley at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 12 hours ago

A federal judge said the education secretary had violated an order to stop collecting on loans owed by students from a now-defunct for-profit chain of colleges.

Betsy DeVos does not do her job.

17  

Cash for Carbon: Schumer Climate Plan Would Help Consumers Buy Electric Cars

Coral Davenport at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 16 hours ago

A $450 billion climate change proposal from Senator Chuck Schumer would give consumers vouchers to buy American-made electric and hybrid cars and trucks.

A good idea that will not pass the Republican senate.
A Republican president is another problem.

18 

Conservatives Voice Support for Mulvaney

Maggie Haberman at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 16 hours ago

The acting chief of staff’s missteps have raised questions about his job security.

If Mick Mulvaney were fired the Republicans would lose control of him.

19  

Justice Dept. Is Said to Open Criminal Inquiry Into Its Own Russia Investigation

Katie Benner and Adam Goldman at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 17 hours ago

The move is likely to open the attorney general to accusations that he is trying to deliver a political victory for President Trump.

Trump is chasing his tail.

20 

V.A. Office to Protect Whistle-Blowers Targeted Them Instead, Report Finds

Jennifer Steinhauer at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 17 hours ago

A spokeswoman for the Department of Veterans Affairs said it had already taken action on many of the recommendations in the report by the inspector general.

An administration objective is to stay out of trouble while doing less than nothing. 

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@18:51, , 10/24/19, ,recomended

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1

U.S.

The Student Vote Is Surging. So Are Efforts to Suppress It.

By Michael Wines | Oct 24th 2019

The share of college students casting ballots doubled from 2014 to 2018, a potential boon to Democrats. But in Texas and elsewhere, Republicans are erecting roadblocks to the polls.

The students vote for Democrats.

2

Opinion

Want Trump to Go? Take to the Streets

By David Leonhardt | Oct 20th 2019

Another moment for public protest has arrived.

It will be required.

3

U.S.

Trump’s War on the ‘Deep State’ Turns Against Him

By Peter Baker, Lara Jakes, Julian E. Barnes, Sharon LaFraniere and Edward Wong | Oct 23rd 2019

The impeachment inquiry is in some ways the culmination of a battle between the president and the government institutions he distrusted and disparaged.

There is no reason to call the whistle blower.

4

Well

The Silent Heart Attack You Didn’t Know You Had

By Jane E. Brody | Oct 21st 2019

Millions of people are unaware that they have had a silent myocardial infarction and are at risk of having another attack that could cause severe damage or death.

Heart trouble shows in the blood work.

5

U.S.

Mitt Romney Admits to Having a Secret Twitter Account, ‘Pierre Delecto’

By Mihir Zaveri | Oct 21st 2019

The senator acknowledged that he had an account, which he used to monitor political conversations online and defend himself.

It is not a crime.

6

U.S.

More Parents Plead Guilty in College Admissions Scandal

By Kate Taylor | Oct 21st 2019

Douglas Hodge, one of the most prominent business executives charged in the case, said, “I acted out of love for my children, but I know that this explanation for my actions is not an excuse.”

Sad.

7

Opinion

They Are Not the Resistance. They Are Not a Cabal. They Are Public Servants.

By Michelle Cottle | Oct 20th 2019

Let us now praise these not-silent heroes.

These people have earned the nations gratitude and personal honor.
They should be made whole.

8

World

‘It’s Hard’: Prince Harry and Meghan Speak of Strain of Royal Life in New Documentary

By Megan Specia | Oct 21st 2019

During a recent trip to Africa, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex offered a candid look into the struggles of dealing with the tabloid spotlight.

The spotlight is the job.
There are walls and gates and guards to ease the burden.

9

Books

Anonymous Trump Official Behind Times Op-Ed Is Writing a Book

By Alexandra Alter | Oct 22nd 2019

“A Warning,” by the White House official who wrote an essay for The New York Times last year, is expected to be published in November.

Expect his anonymity to break.

10

Opinion

But Her Emails …

By The Editorial Board | Oct 22nd 2019

A three-year investigation finds no criminal wrongdoing in Hillary Clinton’s email practices, which many members of the Trump administration have now embraced.

Smear has a power of its own.

11

Opinion

Turkey’s Victory Over Donald Trump

By The Editorial Board | Oct 17th 2019

The Turkish president got what he wanted — as did Russia and Iran.

Trump should be removed from office and prosecuted for actions previous to his election.

12

Opinion

My Day as an Abortion Care Provider

By Lisa H. Harris | Oct 22nd 2019

A thank-you, a prayer for my soul, a 14-year-old.

The woman must be free to decide.
The only wrong decision is the failure to decide.

13

Opinion

The City Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez Would Have Loved to Live In

By Dan Kaufman | Oct 19th 2019

When “sewer socialism” ruled during the first half of the 20th century, Milwaukee flourished.

Socialism is a process and not a goal.
More of it is needed.

14

World

Clashes and Confusion Mar Attempt at Cease-Fire in Syria

By Patrick Kingsley and Carlotta Gall | Oct 18th 2019

A day after Vice President Mike Pence announced a pause in the battle between Turkish and Kurdish forces, there were conflicting reports of whether Turkish troops were advancing or holding fire.

Peace is a product of effort.

"We have made a desert and called it peace."
                            Scipio Africanus

15

World

Boris Johnson to Hold Tuesday Showdown After New Brexit Setback

By Stephen Castle | Oct 21st 2019

The speaker of the House of Commons effectively delayed by a day a possibly decisive vote on the prime minister’s withdrawal agreement with the European Union.

I can't guess.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk

16

U.S.

In Maine, a Celebrity Domestic Violence Case Continues to Send Out Ripples

By Ellen Barry | Oct 20th 2019

Patrisha McLean, who accused her singer-songwriter husband, Don McLean, of domestic abuse, is organizing Maine women to tell their own stories. And he is protesting.

People do not own people.

17

U.S.

In Bracing Terms, Trump Invokes War’s Human Toll to Defend His Policies 

By Michael Crowley | Oct 19th 2019

Describing his opposition to foreign interventions, the president has spoken with unusual candor about a sensitive subject.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABXtWqmArUU

None of these fit Trump.

18

U.S.

Read the Trump Administration’s Warning Letter to Laura Cooper

By Charlie Savage | Oct 24th 2019

The No. 2 Pentagon official told Ms. Cooper, the military’s Russia-Ukraine expert, not to talk to Congress. She did anyway.

Trump will be impeached.

19

Fashion

Stories From the Neighborhood, Then Goose Bumps

By Vincent M. Mallozzi | Oct 18th 2019

Kelly Hayes and John Nordstrom grew up in the same town and went to the same high school, but, until recently, had somehow never managed to meet.

Any ceremony you can get.

Sooner is better.  As soon as you can is best.

20

Sports

Those Superfast Nike Shoes Are Creating a Problem

By Amby Burfoot | Oct 18th 2019

The people who oversee track and field have to give serious thought to how much running-shoe technology is too much.,

Amatuerism should govern.

Equipment is not limited except by price.


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@23:47, , 10/23/19 , recommended

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1

U.S.

6 Key Revelations of Taylor’s Opening Statement to Impeachment Investigators

By Sharon LaFraniere | Oct 22nd 2019

William B. Taylor Jr., the top American diplomat in Ukraine, delivered detailed testimony on Tuesday about the actions at the heart of the inquiry.

Ok.

2

Opinion

The Crisis of the Republican Party

By The Editorial Board | Oct 19th 2019

The G.O.P. will not be able to postpone a reckoning on Donald Trump’s presidency for much longer.

The Times editorial board may be disapointed.

3

Opinion

If It’s Trump vs. Warren, Then What?

By David Brooks | Oct 17th 2019

A hard but necessary choice to save the country.

David Brooks is not thinking far enough.
This Supreme Court will rule against Elizabeth Warren if it can.
I would not reject his vote in the general election.

4

New York

If Trump Shoots Someone on 5th Ave., Does He Have Immunity? His Lawyer Says Yes

By Benjamin Weiser and Azi Paybarah | Oct 23rd 2019

During an appeals court hearing, the judges expressed skepticism about the president’s bid to block a subpoena for his tax returns.

The president would be temporarily protected from prosecution.
There is no statute of limitation on murder.
The indictment should be prepared. arrest and trial can wait until the term ends.
Impeachment and removal are possible.
The twenty fith amendment could be exercised.

5

U.S.

Tulsi Gabbard Lashes Back at Hillary Clinton After Claim of Russian Influence

By Maggie Astor | Oct 18th 2019

In a podcast interview this week, the former secretary of state suggested that Ms. Gabbard was being “groomed” to run a third-party presidential campaign.

Noise.

Tulsi Gabbard must stand in the primary process.


6

Science

A Nazi Version of DDT Was Forgotten. Could It Help Fight Malaria?

By Kenneth Chang | Oct 17th 2019

Scientists have rediscovered a compound developed by German researchers during World War II. It appears to be more effective and perhaps safer than DDT.

Get the data.

7

Business

Boeing Ousts Top Executive as 737 Max Crisis Swells

By David Gelles and Natalie Kitroeff | Oct 22nd 2019

Kevin McAllister, the head of Boeing commercial airplanes, is departing as the company struggles to cope with the grounding of the Max.

Boeing is broken

More heads will roll.

Someone signed off on the avionics.
These crashes should not have happened.

8

U.S.

White House Aides Feared That Trump Had Another Ukraine Back Channel

By Julian E. Barnes, Adam Goldman and Nicholas Fandos | Oct 23rd 2019

Senior national security officials grew concerned about Kash Patel, a colleague who had been involved in Republicans’ efforts to undermine the Russia investigation.

Noise at the moment.

9

U.S.

School Security Assistant Fired for Repeating Racial Slur Aimed at Him

By Neil Vigdor | Oct 18th 2019

Marlon Anderson told the student to stop referring to him by a racial epithet, which officials at a Wisconsin high school said violated a zero-tolerance policy on offensive language.

Thinkpng is necessary even by school administrations.

10

World

The Stunning Escape of El Chapo’s Son: It’s Like ‘a Bad Netflix Show’

By Azam Ahmed | Oct 18th 2019

Henchmen forced a patrol of armed forces to release Ovidio Guzmán López after he had been captured.

Mexico is broken.

11

New York

Indicted Giuliani Associate Ties Case to Trump

By Nicole Hong and William K. Rashbaum | Oct 23rd 2019

The connection was made as two associates of Rudolph W. Giuliani pleaded not guilty in federal court in Manhattan.

Another strand in the web.

12

World

ISIS Reaps Gains of U.S. Pullout From Syria

By David D. Kirkpatrick and Eric Schmitt | Oct 21st 2019

The troop withdrawal ends American operations against the terrorist group conducted jointly with a Kurdish-led militia.

It reads as an American defeat.

13

U.S.

William Taylor, ‘Model’ Diplomat, Is at Center of Impeachment Inquiry

By Michael Crowley | Oct 22nd 2019

William B. Taylor Jr., a former Army officer and State Department official who testified Tuesday, has served under both Democratic and Republican presidents.

Trump should be removed.

14

Opinion

I Had a Late-Term Abortion. I Am Not a Monster.

By Lyndsay Werking-Yip | Oct 19th 2019

I am a grieving mother who protected her child from a life of pain and suffering.

It is always the mother's choice and should be.
A monster would have taken this foetus to term.

15

Healthis a

What Causes a Mysterious Paralysis in Children? Researchers Find Viral Clues

By Pam Belluck | Oct 21st 2019

In one study, nearly 70 percent of children with the disease had antibodies to common enteroviruses that usually produce mild effects but can sometimes cause neurological problems.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enterovirus

There should be a vaccine, probably a better polio vaccine.

It is a sad tale of no hope yet.

16

U.S.

Hikers Find Mystery Skeleton on Remote Mountain in California

By Heather Murphy | Oct 19th 2019

The remnants of shoes and a belt found with the bones may offer investigators useful clues.

The shoes are a good place to look for a rough date.
Fashon and materials have changed.

17

U.S.

Ukraine Knew of Aid Freeze by Early August, Undermining Trump Defense

By Andrew E. Kramer and Kenneth P. Vogel | Oct 23rd 2019

Top officials were told in early August about the delay of $391 million in security assistance, undercutting a chief argument President Trump has used to deny any quid pro quo.

There is no place for a defence as yet.
Investigation is not a debate or a trial.

18

New York

2 Proud Boys Sentenced to 4 Years in Brawl With Anti-Fascists at Republican Club

By Colin Moynihan | Oct 22nd 2019

The men had been convicted of taking part in an attack on protesters outside the Metropolitan Republican Club in Manhattan.

Street fights do not make policy.

19

U.S.

Katie Hill, Rising Democratic Star in House, Denies Relationship With Staff Member

By Sheryl Gay Stolberg | Oct 22nd 2019

The California freshman denied a report of a relationship with a congressional staff member, which House rules forbid, but refused to comment on whether she was intimately involved with a campaign aide.

She was silly if true.

20

Opinion

The America I Knew as Russia’s Foreign Minister Is Gone

By Andrei V. Kozyrev | Oct 22nd 2019

But by impeaching Donald Trump, it can become a beacon of moral truth again.


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