Here are a few national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Thursday, December 24. Also, check out the year in Republican science denial.
- Donald Trump Isn’t the Biggest Narcissist in the GOP Field. Ted Cruz Is. ("I know a televangelist candidate when I see one.")
- The Republican Fear of Facts on Guns
- The right’s war against the spirit of Christmas ("Anger, not love, is the core of far-right candidates’ appeal this year." The other part of the real "war on Christmas" is hypermaterialism, consumerism, etc.)
- Despite what Donald Trump says, Americans are better than this (Clealry, Trump's supporters - and the supporters of other extremist candidates - Cruz, Carson, etc. - are NOT "better than this.")
- Marco Rubio Dips in the Polls Heading into Christmas ("He hasn't fallen far, but the Republican presidential hopeful is going in the wrong direction at the wrong time.")
- Sorry, Conservatives, Obamacare Is Still Working (As much as Republicans have tried to sabotage it!)
- 10 of the Worst Cable News Moments of 2015 (Is there anything good about cable "news?")
- How Trump Beats Cruz ("The populist real estate magnate can define Cruz as just another politician controlled by special interests.")
- Newly Elected Governor Strips 140,000 Of Voting Rights, Lowers The Minimum Wage (Yep, that's what teabaggers do...in our neighboring state of Kentucky this time.)
- Rand Paul: I won't do an undercard debate (Whatever.)
- 13 times Trump looked finished, and wasn't("Political pundits, GOP rivals and the media have all prematurely predicted the real estate mogul's demise over and over again.")
- Jeb Bush: ‘The problem with the Confederate flag isn’t the Confederacy’ (Again, I ask, "JEB" was supposed to be the SMART Bush?!?)
- Democrats, Virginia reach accord to cut wait times at polls
- McAuliffe calls for more acceptance following school calligraphy lesson
- Virginia’s struggle with guns
- Update: State Sen. Tom Garrett to pursue Hurt's 5th District congressional seat ("Republicans mention a number of potential candidates for the seat, including state Sens. William M. Stanley Jr., R-Franklin and Thomas A. Garrett Jr., R-Buckingham; former Del. Clarke Hogan, R-Halifax; NASCAR driver Jeff Burton and Hurt's brother, Charlie, a journalist.")
- Va. GOP capitalizes on political backlash to handgun permit changes
- Clean energy — not drilling — for Virginia (On top of the obvious risks that go with offshore oil drilling, the LAST thing we should be doing now is locking in additional, long-term fossil fuel infrastructure, given the urgent need to slash carbon emissions.)
- Businesses want state Supreme Court to settle issue on electric rates
- Chief of enforcement for Northern Virginia Cigarette Tax Board arrested ("... on charges of taking indecent liberties with a minor and use of a communications device to solicit a minor.")
- Natural Bridge among 11 entries added to Virginia Landmarks Registry
- Canadian Pacific's pursuit of Norfolk Southern could get nasty
- Mandated coverage burden eases on group policies
- Richmond signs $2.36 million contract for body cameras, tasers
- D.C. area forecast: Record-crushing warmth today and humid; Wacky weather lasts through weekend (Meanwhile, Republicans are desperately trying to deny the overwhelming evidence of massive, manmade climate change.)
