Dan Rather and his team think you should know about these stories from Thursday, December 7, 2017.
FRANKEN RESIGNS: The Minnesota Senator delivers his resignation speech on the Senate floor where he also lashes out at Donald Trump and Roy Moore. It’s now up to the Minnesota governor, a Democrat, to appoint a replacement. Tina Smith, the Lt. Governor, is seen as the likely replacement. Slate has an interesting take on why Franken had to go.
“The dilemma boiled down to this: Democrats could either put themselves at a potential political disadvantage by observing rules of decency Republicans have entirely abandoned, or they could lower themselves into the GOP latrine, keep Franken on the roster, and spend the next several election cycles smelling a little like shit.”
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 07: Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) (C) and his wife Franni Bryson (L) arrive at the U.S. Capitol Building December 7, 2017 in Washington, DC. Franken announced that he will be resigning in the coming weeks after being accused by several women of sexual harrassment. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
L.A. BURNING:One of the wildfires burning in southern California is said to be the size of Denver. CNN has the story and an excellent map that shows the locations of the largest fires around Los Angeles.
TRUMP TALK: What’s up with the President’s speech? He had difficulty pronouncing several words yesterday but the White House says he was just suffering from “dry throat.” Have a look and listen. The Hill has the story.
EX-COP GETS 20 YEARS: In South Carolina, a federal judge has sentenced a former police officer to 20 years in prison for the shooting of Walter Scott, an unarmed African-American man. The incident was captured on video and helped spark Black Lives Matter. Read the story at Yahoo.
TWEET OF THE DAY: “Imagine buying a Rolex & paying for it with money you saved to take care of your kids. That’s what Congress is doing w/ your tax dollars.” –Hillary Clinton
It gets worse. During the campaign I warned that the Rs would come after social security, Medicare, & Medicaid & now they are. Imagine buying a Rolex & paying for it with money you saved to take care of your kids. That’s what Congress is doing w/ your tax dollars.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I of all people am aware that there is some irony in the fact that I am leaving while a man who has bragged on tape about his history of sexual assault sits in the Oval Office and a man who has repeatedly preyed on young girls is running for Senate with the full support of his party.” –Al Franken
MUST WATCH: Must see TV comes from the LA fires as a man is seen rescuing a rabbit from the flames.
TODAY IN HISTORY:Today is the 76th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Six years ago I had the honor of interviewing some of the survivors. One of the men featured in this video has since passed away. Rest in peace Herb Weatherwax.
