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During a weeklong trip to Ukraine in late August, a staff member for Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) met with the top U.S. envoy in Kyiv, who is now a key witness in the House Democrat-run impeachment inquiry. Thomas Eager traveled to Ukraine from Aug. 24 to 31 and met with Chargé d’Affaires William Taylor on Aug. 25, according to a travel disclosure form (pdf) filed with the House of Representatives. Taylor briefed Eager and other staffers about the “political environment in Ukraine, as well as its relations with various partners, especially the United States,” according to an itinerary composed by...

Amid a Democrat-led impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump, the attorney of Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, has contradicted multiple key allegations in the testimony of William B. Taylor Jr., the top U.S. diplomat in Ukraine. Sondland’s attorney Robert Luskin, responding to The Washington Post by email on Wednesday, said that Sondland does not recall, or disputes several key allegations in Taylor’s lengthy testimony. In particular, Taylor’s testimony claimed that U.S. security aid to Ukraine was conditioned on Zelensky carrying out “investigations.” Taylor further claimed that Sondland had knowledge of the alleged quid pro quo and...

Today’s Cryptogram Courtesy The Arkansas Gazette KUY KW SGY HINHUSHVYQ KW EYFUV IFQKMIYMXT FQ SGHS KUY FQ PKUQSHUSXT LHZFUV YBPFSFUV IFQPKNYMFYQ. ---H. H. LFXUY You can find this little fun word game, to combat early dementia and senility in us baby boomers, in several daily publications. The way it works is a letter stands for another letter. For example: AXYDLBAAXR is LONGFELLOW (does not apply to today's cryptogram). Beware, the game is very addictive. If this is your first time, don't be intimidated. PLEASE DO NOT post the answer in general comments, but DO post your time and any tips...

Joe Biden has been inundated with questions about his youngest son’s business connections in Ukraine and China. He has retaliated by making comments against Trump’s family working in the White House during a recent interview. The former vice president believes that Trump’s children are not qualified to be in their current White House positions. In a “60 Minutes” interview with Norah O’Donnell, Biden a leading 2020 presidential candidate said its “improper” to have the president’s children sitting in on cabinet meetings. O’Donnell asked if Trump’s children have adequately acted to avoid a conflict of interest. “Look, I wasn’t raised to...

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — State agencies are preparing to trim $100 million from current spending while also planning to carry those cuts into the coming fiscal year. State officials have been considering those cuts for weeks and confirmed today that a current revenue slowdown means they must go ahead. West Virginia has faced slower tax collections over the past few months, particularly as energy markets have slowed. “We like pro-active. The governor said do not wait until this becomes a big problem,” state Revenue Secretary Dave Hardy said today on MetroNews’ “Talkline.” “If we do this and the revenues end up...

Pierre Delecto? Pierre Delecto!?!? As the kids would say, AYFKM? That’s the pseudonym Mittens chose for himself? Takes me back to the first GOP presidential debate in 1988, when a big field was gunning for Vice President George H.W. Bush. One of them was Delaware Gov. Pete du Pont. When he challenged Bush on something (I forget what), Bush turned on him with splendid timing, and shivved du Pont so hard he never recovered. Bush said, “Let me help you out with that, Pierre.” Very good way to remind people that du Pont was from a famous wealthy family. I’ll...

Fifty U.S. senators have signed onto a resolution condemning the House impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump, said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Friday. On Thursday, Graham said he was introducing a resolution into the Senate that is critical of the way House Democrats are conducting the investigation while calling for the lower body of Congress to hold a formal vote. During a press conference, Graham said there were 41 senators who were signing onto the measure. Now, there are 50 co-sponsors, he confirmed on Twitter. In order to pass, the resolution would need at least 60 votes in the...

General Michael Flynn still awaits sentencing. Meanwhile his new lawyer, Sidney Powell, is tormenting the prosecutors and the FBI, uncovering corruption in the FBI and the Department of Justice that, she credibly alleges, included the framing of General Flynn. Is that too strong? I don’t think so. Yesterday Powell filed a reply brief in support of her motion to compel the production of more exculpating material by the prosecution, and to hold the prosecutors in contempt of court. Her recitation, which relies in part on text messages that I take it have come to light recently, makes a compelling case...

“Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife” (Proverbs 26:20-21).

New details and photographs have emerged of conservative commentator Candace Owens' wedding to British Oxford graduate George Farmer, revealing the bride wore three gowns and their guests donned red 'Make Weddings Great Again' hats at the reception. The 30-year-old political activist, a well-known supporter of President Trump who was once praised for her views by Kanye West, met Farmer, 28, the son of a baron and conservative peer, in December 2018.

“‘There is another who testifies of Me, and I know that the testimony which He gives about Me is true. . . . And the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form. You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent’” (John 5:32, 37–38). Of infinitely greater importance than any human testimony is that the Father who sent Jesus has testified about Him. The gospels record two specific instances in which the Father gave verbal testimony...

The makers of the new 'James Bond' movie have filmed three different endings. Only director Cary Joji Fukunaga is allowed to know which ending to the new 'No Time To Die' movie will be used to avoid leaks coming out before the film's release. A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper of the movie - which stars Daniel Craig in the titular role: "Everyone's in the dark, the secrecy is off the chart." Meanwhile, Naomie Harris - who reprises her role as Eve Moneypenny - previously revealed that the new Bond film will shock audiences. The 43-year-old actress said: "It's...

Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem (Music in The Bible) Psalm 7 Psalm 7[a] A shiggaion[b] of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning Cush, a Benjamite. 1 Lord my God, I take refuge in you;     save and deliver me from all who pursue me, 2 or they will tear me apart like a lion     and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me. 3 Lord my God, if I have done this     and there is guilt on my hands— 4 if I have repaid my ally with evil     or without cause have robbed my foe— 5 then let my enemy...

The Weekly Gardening Thread is a weekly gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you. If you have specific question about a plant/problem you are having, please remember to state the Growing Zone where you are located. This thread is non-political respite, although you will find that most here are conservative folks. No matter what, you won’t be flamed and the only dumb question is the...

Rep. Elise Stefanik was informed this week by Republican House Intelligence Committee staffers of a new diktat from Chairman Adam Schiff. It made the New York Republican’s jaw drop. Democrats had informed Republicans that, from here on out, the committee would produce a single, printed transcript of every interview it conducted as part of its impeachment inquiry.

University students have been given 'trigger warnings' about potentially upsetting scenes in classic fairytales. The tales include Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Hansel and Gretel and Little Red Riding Hood.

With the announcement of the investigation becoming criminal and to put a positive spin on things in the midst of the FrEores and Lucy football memers, I offer a lighthearted alternative. ...a happy song about hanging. Best to listen with a hot cup of coffee. Gallows Pole

Hispanic Americans did not come to this great land to replicate the conditions of Latin America—particularly the violence and corruption that plague our former homelands. Recent intense violence in Mexico serves as an ominous reminder of the dangers that lurk nearby and the necessity of gaining operational control of our border. This upheaval also presents an opportunity for President Trump to remind the electorate why his election was so vital: for decades, American elites have willingly surrendered our national sovereignty and jeopardized the national and economic security of our country. Two events last week encapsulated the systemic violence that has...

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) canceled an appearance at a South Carolina college scheduled for this weekend after the school honored President Donald Trump with an award on Friday. Harris, whose presidential campaign has floundered in recent weeks, was supposed to attend a criminal justice forum on Saturday at Benedict College, a historically black institute of higher learning located in Columbia, South Carolina. The California Democrat, however, opted to cancel the appearance after the college honored Trump on Friday for his work in advancing criminal justice reform.

The new “Batwoman” TV series featuring an openly lesbian Batwoman is failing big-time. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that young adults are turned off by the show's extreme woke and SJW (social justice warrior) politically correct messaging. “Woke” means you are aware of social and racial injustice. “Woke” also means straight white men are the source of all evil and must be punished. Women and minorities are perfect in every way. Woke culture says anyone who dares criticize a woman or a minority hates women and minorities. Batman fans are outraged over the “Batwoman” TV series trashing Batman and...