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White Houses Releases

The White House released the names of the two turkeys up for consideration for the title of "National Thanksgiving Turkey" at the official turkey pardoning ceremony: Bread and Butter.

President Donald Trump will issue a presidential pardon to the turkeys Tuesday ahead of Thanksgiving, as part of the annual holiday tradition that was made official in 1989 under former President George H.W. Bush. 

Bush at the time assured animal rights activists "this fine tom turkey" would not end up on a dinner table

The 2019 birds arrived in Washington from North Carolina on Sunday, and are being hosted at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel in D.C. until their debut. The White House is conducting polling on social media and its website to determine the winner of the title. 

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House Democrats have a problem: Support for impeachment continues to fall as their marathon TV hearings produce no actual evidence of wrongdoing by the President. Now, even Democrats own voters are losing interest. According to a new Hill-HarrisX poll released yesterday, the number of Democratic voters who say they are paying close attention to the impeachment inquiry fell 5 percentage points, The Hill reports.
The dog injured during the mission that killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was honored Monday afternoon during a surprise ceremony at the White House, with President Trump, Vice President Pence and First Lady Melania in attendance. The President gave Conan a medal and a plaque, Nick Givas reports for Fox News.
President Donald Trump is donating his third-quarter salary to help tackle the nation's opioid epidemic. A White House official says Trump has given the $100,000 he would be paid in the quarter to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health,” Zeke Miller writes for The Associated Press.

During the holiday season, American shoppers face a significant risk of purchasing counterfeit goods. To confront that rising e-commerce threat, President Trump signed a Memorandum on Combating Trafficking in Counterfeit and Pirated Goods this year, White House Director of Trade and Manufacturing Policy Peter Navarro and Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator for OMB Vishal Amin write for Fox News.

 

 

He said, he said;

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko said on Thursday that the United States Ambassador Gordon Sondland did not link financial military assistance to a request for Ukraine to open up an investigation into former vice president and current Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden.

“Ambassador Sondland did not tell us, and certainly did not tell me, about a connection between the assistance and the investigations,” Prystaiko said, according to Reuters. “You should ask him.”

“I have never seen a direct relationship between investigations and security assistance,” Prystaiko continued. “Yes, the investigations were mentioned, you know, in the conversation of the presidents. But there was no clear connection between these events.”

Prystaiko’s comments came after House Democrats launched their public impeachment inquiry hearings on Wednesday on the House Intelligence Committee.

During the hearing, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) specifically picked apart Ambassador William Taylor, who Jordan called Democrats’ “star witness,” on the issue of whether there was ever any linkage between the military assistance and a request to open up an investigation into the Bidens.

“In those 55 days that aid is delayed, you met with President Zelensky three times,” Jordan said.

“Three meetings with the president of Ukraine and no linkage,” Jordan added. “That’s accurate?”

“Mr. Jordan, it’s certainly accurate on the first two meetings, because to my knowledge the Ukrainians were not aware of the hold on assistance until the 29th of August,” Taylor responded. “The third meeting that you mentioned, with Senator Murphy and Senator Johnston, there was discussion of security assistance but … but, uh, there was not a discussion of linkage.”

Jordan continued to press Taylor: “President Zelensky had to commit to an investigation of the Bidens before the aid got released and the aid got released and he didn’t commit to an investigation.”

“I was not wrong about what I told you because that is what I heard,” Taylor replied. “That’s all I’ve said, I’ve told you what I heard.”

“And that’s the point,” Jordan responded. “What you heard did not happen. It didn’t happen. You had three meetings with the guy, he could have told you, he didn’t announce that he was going to do an investigation before the aid happened.”

“It’s not just could it have been wrong, the fact is, it was wrong, because it didn’t happen.” Jordan continued. “The whole point was, you had a clear understanding that aid will not get released unless there is a commitment, not maybe, not I think the aid might happen, not it’s my hunch it’s going to get released, you used clear language, clear understanding and commitment and those two things didn’t happen, so you had to be wrong.”

The first one was on July 26, the day after the famous call now between President Trump and President Zelensky.

President Zelensky meets with you, Ambassador Volker, and Ambassador Sondland, and again, according to your deposition and your testimony, there was no linkage of security assistance dollars to investigating Burisma or the Bidens.

Second meeting was August 27, President Zelensky meets with you, Ambassador Bolton and others, and again there’s no linkage of security assistance dollars to an investigation of the Bidens,” Jordan continued. “And then of course, the third meeting was September 5, President Zelensky meets with you and Senators Johnston and Murphy, and once again there was no linkage of security assistance dollars to investigating Burisma or the Bidens.

 

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

Setting Policy

-The Hill
There must be some confusion. Under the U.S. Constitution, it is the president of the United States who determines foreign policy. How can President Trump be at odds with foreign policy when he's the one who determines it? Sharyl Attkisson writes. Trump's enemies may cheer on the idea of diplomats and other officials choosing to oppose or undermine his wishes. But based on our Constitution, the dissenting diplomats are the ones who are at odds with official foreign policy not the other way around.

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-New York Post
For those who find the hearings far from riveting but watch out of obligation or amusement, here's a modest suggestion to pass the hours productively: Count the important things your representatives could and should be doing otherwise, Michael Goodwin writes. Fix immigration, pass USMCA, rebuild infrastructure take your pick.

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-New York Post
Clever: By having witnesses go through closed-door hearings first, Dems can get a sense of what witnesses have to say privately and then tailor their questions for maximum impact during the public spectacle, the New York Post editorial board writes. Trouble is, even rehearsals don't seem to help . . . No matter how many auditions they hold, it's no substitute for hard evidence.


 

U.S. Department of State

The U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service's Foreign Affairs Security Training Center (FASTC) opened its doors today during an at the state-of-the-art facility in Blackstone, Virginia.

Managed by the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), the law enforcement and security arm of the Department of State, is a comprehensive complex that provides fully integrated security training in a way that has never been done before for the foreign affairs community.

FASTC is the nation's largest provider of foreign affairs security training.  Located on 1,350 acres of the 55,000-acre training complex at Ft. Pickett, a Virginia Army National Guard installation, FASTC meets the Department's growing and unique security training needs and the threats the foreign affairs community faces overseas.

The training compound aims to satisfy the unique challenges of securing diplomacy in an ever changing global environment by providing hard-skills security training to approximately 10,000 students annually, including Diplomatic Security Service special agents, other Department personnel, and the larger foreign affairs community.

The campus includes three high-speed driving tracks, off-road and improved tracks, explosives ranges, tactical structures to simulate various risk situations and two smokehouses for situations when fire is used as a weapon. Training also includes land navigation, capstone exercises, and various scenarios that utilize a mock embassy compound. Some of the training courses offered include surveillance detection, emergency medical care, recognizing improvised explosive devices, firearms familiarization, and defensive and counterterrorism driving maneuvers.

In addition to its law enforcement duties of investigating passport and visa fraud and related crimes, DSS enables a safe environment for the conduct of U.S. diplomacy protecting people, property and information at U.S. missions throughout the world.  What distinguishes DSS from other law enforcement organizations is its complete global presence exceeding that of any other federal law enforcement agency.  More than 2,500 DSS special agents, security engineers, technicians, and diplomatic couriers serve in 29 domestic offices across the United States and 275 U.S. embassies and consulates in 170 foreign countries.

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Office of the Spokesperson

Five winners will receive the Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW) Secretary of State Award for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad (SOSA) at a ceremony on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in the Benjamin Franklin Room at the Department of State.

SOSA awards recognize U.S. government employees; family members, including domestic partners; and other members of household at embassies and consulates who performed exceptional volunteer service to their communities, mission or host country, or rendered outstanding assistance in emergencies.  This year's award winners are:

Marcus W. Lamb -Dares; Salaam, Tanzania

Marcus worked closely with a local organization, Apps and Girls, which promotes IT skill building for Tanzanian girls ages 14-24 who cannot continue their traditional education. After teaching two courses, Marcus recognized the need for a dedicated curriculum, and he developed an overarching program in cooperation with the organization's instructors. He also found free resources to supplement teaching materials to enhance the new curriculum. Marcus went a step further and provided workshops on sum building and interviewing skills, as well as an e-mentoring program, for which he sought out advice from female IT professionals within the Department of State and the private sector. With his example and encouragement, Marcus also inspired other embassy staff to volunteer.

Jennifer Yan; Phnom Penh, Cambodia

During her three years at post, Jennifer actively pursued numerous activities to help the local community. She donated her time, goods and meals to local charities and non-profit organizations, including Feed the Hunger and New Hope for Cambodian Children, an orphanage for children with HIV/AIDS. Jennifer provided continuity and sustainability by ensuring that the embassy continued to work with these organizations after her departure. A dynamic member of the embassy community, Jennifer volunteered at many embassy events, including Breakfast with Santa, Eggstravaganza and welcome BBQs. She also oversaw the CLO library and administered the Facebook page for embassy families. Jennifer was an active parent volunteer at her children's school, where she organized the American booth at the school fair.

Carlos D. Perez; Frankfurt, Germany

Carlos brought to Frankfurt a wealth of knowledge and understanding of post morale issues, following 23 years of Army service. He immediately found ways to support the consulate community based on family priorities he had learned in the Army. Carlos worked with T-Mobile to get a representative at post during staff turnover periods to assist with cell phone setup. He took on an active role in the Community Support Association (CSA), reducing massive existing debt, reorganizing the budget, and trimming costs. Through the CSA, Carlos created a small business hub in an unused CSA building, providing a platform for Eligible Family Members (EFMs) and Locally Employed Staff to set up business opportunities, which included a nail salon, massage therapy, and barbershop. Carlos also established a partnership with Military Outsourcing to allow Foreign Service members to buy cars with that service. In his spare time, Carlos organized 5k runs, car washes, and youth sports events, volunteering 400 hours and raising $12,000 for his community. Carlos also helped create an international music publishing and management group, and he continues to inspire other EFMs through his success in the music industry.

Zhou Cecilia Zhuang-Haas; Rabat, Morocco

During her time in Rabat, Cecilia actively engaged with the local community. She volunteered with Enactus, a global organization that encourages students to take entrepreneurial actions to bring about socioeconomic change in the host country. Cecilia mentored eight student teams, helping them identify areas for improvement and network with Moroccan government officials. One team received a grant for $5,500 from a U.S Foundation, which will help 180 families in rural Morocco gain access to renewable electricity. Cecilia also organized a 2019 Women's Day event featuring 5 speakers and over 60 attendees. The speakers described ways to eliminate cultural and social obstacles to help women achieve their career goals and attain equal pay for equal work. Cecilia also promoted US-Morocco cultural ties through volunteer work with the American International Women's Association of Rabat. In addition to this, she volunteered on a weekly basis at a migrant center serving displaced persons from elsewhere in Africa.

Claudia Felice-Kuebler; Quito, Ecuador 

Claudia's desire to effect positive change and provide assistance in helping disenfranchised segments of the local community resulted in her joining forces with Pan de Vida, a local NGO.  She helped pioneer a program from inception to grant writing to execution that provides relief and hope to hundreds of distraught migrants. She also led a women's mentoring program with a microbusiness focus providing revolving micro-loans; on a weekly basis, 50-60 families receive training.  Among many other contributions, Claudia also served as Communications Manager at Pan de Vida and has streamlined the organization's communications strategy, updated new materials, raised funds, developed promotional videos, updated the website, and worked with artisans to create new jewelry for sale benefiting Pan de Vida.

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Missile Proliferation

On November 14-15, 2019, Romania hosted a meeting of the Warsaw Process Working Group on Missile Proliferation, which was co-chaired by Poland, Romania, and the United States.  In furtherance of the discussions initiated at the Ministerial to Promote a Future of Peace and Security in the Middle East in February 2019, the working group on Missile Proliferation considered the issue of missile proliferation in the Middle East and explored practical steps that states in the region and around the world can take to address this important issue.

The Missile Proliferation Working Group discussed dangerous trends associated with the proliferation of missile-related goods and technologies in the Middle East and resulting contribution to regional instability.

Working group members collectively recognized that halting the proliferation of missiles and related technology associated with such trends in the region is essential and requires broad international cooperation.  In particular, participants noted that states must work together to support such efforts.  This is particularly relevant for states that are potential sources of or transit hubs for missile proliferation sensitive technologies and raw materials, including to non-state actors.

Working group participants recognized the urgent need, as per United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (UNSCR 1540), for all States to take effective measures to prevent illicit trafficking in nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons, their means of delivery, and related materials from threatening international peace and security. In this context, there was discussion on the establishment of an effectively verifiable Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction, nuclear, chemical and biological, and their delivery systems. Participants also discussed transparency and confidence-building measures intended to curb missile proliferation worldwide, and discussed in this regard the Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC).

Working group representatives noted the need to consider these issues further and, where possible in their national capacities, undertake actions to meet the security challenges presented by missile proliferation in the Middle East.

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Off Note;

When does "the" mean "die"? A German-speaking Twitter user's response of "the boomers" reaped a 12-hour account lockout after it was interpreted as an English-language threat.--

Over the past weeks, the phrase "OK, boomer" has surged through social media platforms — a millennial and Z-generation's digital stab at the older baby boomer generation's alleged close-mindedness and condescension.

But on November 12, the catchphrase's collision with German grammar led to an unexpected consequence: A user reportedly being blocked from Twitter for 12 hours for hate speech over the word "die," German for "the."

On November 9, the user @digiom, located in Vienna, Austria, responded to a tweet by user @guenterhack with the words "die boomer," which in German means "the boomers." She then tweeted on Tuesday that her account had been locked for 12 hours and provided a screenshot of the Twitter message saying she had violated its hate speech guidelines:

"Because the German article "die" is read as [the verb] "die" by an English-trained algorithm, it can happen that twitter will block someone if they write 'die Boomer,'" @digiom explained in her tweet. In other words, Twitter had interpreted the phrase as a verbal threat to user @guenterhack's life.

Identified incorrectly as English

Social Media analyst Luca Hammer pointed out in response that the original tweet was written in dialect, which would not have been understandable without German knowledge. He said in a thread that Twitter would have identified @digiom's response "die boomer" tweet as English, in which case it would have been presented to an English-speaking moderator for review.

@digiom said via Twitter that she had not been contacted by the company after having her account locked, nor had she expected to be.

Twitter declines for reasons of security and data protection to discuss individual accounts. However, Holger Kerstin, a communication director at Twitter, said that the company's goal is "improving the culture of debate."

"On our way to achieving this, we sometimes make mistakes in how we apply our rules. We are sorry for these occurrences. We of course analyze the mistakes in order to improve and further develop our approach in promoting a contrastive, public debate culture," Kerstin said.

Generational warfare or clever criticism?

The word "boomer" refers to the baby Boomer generation, born from 1946 through the mid-60s. The phrase "Ok, boomer" developed in response to older generations criticizing younger ones for being idealistic, narcissistic and irresponsible.

Some have argued it is ageist and has sparked generational warfare, while others have described it as clever critical retort.

Though it has been in use for months, it burst into the global headlines in early November after New Zealand politician Chloe Swarbrick, born in 1994, used it during a speech in parliament after an older parliamentarian expressed skepticism over the body's average age.

It will only get worst as those on the Net learn how to by past the computer that is looking for foul terms.

 

 

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