Month: June 2018

OPINION: It was Wrong to Kick Sarah Sanders Out

By Nick Baum

MONDAY – 6/25/18

One of the biggest stories over the weekend was the controversial decision for the Red Hen Restaurant in Lexington, Virginia, to kick White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders out, simply because she was politically different and that they didn’t like her boss. While others claim that the restaurant was serving some LGBT members that asked for her to leave, even that excuse doesn’t play out. Sanders is the spokesperson for Donald Trump, who isn’t anti-LGBT, he just doesn’t think it’s a current issue anymore because it has been nationally legalized.

Others also claim that the restaurant has the right to kick her out, and in fact, yes, the restaurant has the freedom to do so. The baker case in the Supreme Court proved that you can be kicked out or refused service based on any aspect of yourself. However, kicking Sanders out is different than the baker refusing to serve the gay couple. Serving the gay couple went against the baker’s moral and religious values, and that serving them would be a violation or what he held so dear. However, the entire reason they didn’t serve Sanders was because she was part of an administration that she didn’t like.

Rep. Maxine Waters, a crazy idiotic congresswoman that even I think I can do better than, encouraged more people to harass and threaten Trump administration officials. Encouraging violence based on your political beliefs? That sounds like opposition Venezuelans being placed under house arrest, or people speaking out in North Korea, Nazi Germany, or the Soviet Union would’ve been treated. Is rep. Waters the true dictator? Besides her, it is all around wrong but legal to refuse service to someone just because they disagree with you, politically different than you, and/or because they work for someone you don’t like. Can she just enjoy a meal?

Sources: CNN, Fox News, Wikimedia Commons

ABC Creates New Roseanne Spinoff “The Conners” Without Roseanne

By Nick Baum

FRIDAY – 6/22/18

ABC has announced that they will be created a brand new spin off TV series based off of the original Roseanne series, which was unexpectedly cancelled after main actress Roseanne Barr tweeted racist comments on Twitter.

The show was reported to feature all of the feature stars from the original Roseanne show, just without Roseanne herself. Other than the plans on the show, there is not much known about what will be occurring in the new show, or what the premise is, but many speculate it will not involve the original Roseanne.

In the original show, Roseanne was a Trump supporter, and every episode featured a different premise and different stance that she would argue about with other people. The show brought mixed reactions, with some applauding explaining how Trump supporters aren’t included in talks of diversity, while others called it out saying “it isn’t right” and should be about something else. However, the new spinoff series will be temporary, with only ten episodes being included, one per week and with the possibility of a second season.

Sources: CNN, ABC

EXCLUSIVE: The World Cup so Far

By Nick Baum

WEDNESDAY – 6/20/18

The 2018 World Cup has only been around for six days so far, but we have already seen plenty of action, many of which unexpected, across the tournament. The first game of the tournament was in Thursday, with Russia taking the biggest win of the tournament so far, 5-0 against Saudi Arabia.

Soon after, Saudi Arabia flew to its next game, only for the plane’s engine to take fire, (An accurate representation of them playing Russia), but fortunately, the plane safely landed, and everyone was safe. Meanwhile, 2014 World Cup champions Germany lost 1-0 to the underdogs Mexico, and fans there cheered so loudly that it created a registered earthquake.

Switzerland managed to tie with Brazil, a World Cup favorite, by locking down on defense. Before then, Portugal and Spain tied 3-3, with Portugal’s Ronaldo scoring a hat trick (three goals) that game. Russia recently played its second match against Egypt, winning yet again with a score of 3-1, with Egypt’s Mo Salah scoring a penalty.

What has been seen by many as weird and embarrassing are the amount of own goals in the tournament so far. In 17 matches, 5 own goals have been scored, making Own Goal the leading goal scorer of the tournament so far. Now, it is time for the second match day for the teams. Every country has already played once with an exception of Russia and Egypt whom kicked off the next series in the World Cup.

Sources: Bleacher Report, Fox Sports, ESPN, Wikimedia Commons

EXCLUSIVE: Pressure Against Separating Illegal Immigrant Families Grows

By Nick Baum

TUESDAY – 6/19/18

Recent reports and news has shown that pressure and opposition to separating families at the US – Mexico border continues, as the separating of families also continues. Recent outcry has come after the policy that was around since the Bush Administration had finally taken effect under Trump, and many have since urged Trump to stop the activity.

A photo taken for the New York Daily News shows a small immigrant infant crying, supposedly because of her family being separated, but it is yet to be confirmed. The photo also had a caption targeting Trump, and it landed the front page of the paper. Politicians like Tim Kaine, Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, and Former First Lady Laura Bush have all taken to social media to share their dislikes in the acts. Pelosi also held an announcement relating to it.

The White House also hosted a press conference with Sarah Sanders relating to Trump’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy. While many have tried to urge Trump to back down, many predict he won’t due to his support amongst bordering states and citizens along the border. As of now however, CNN reported that the the families are receiving donations of more than $4,000 per minute.

Sources: Flickr, CNN, White House, New York Daily News

Audi CEO Rupert Sadler Arrested

By Nick Baum

MONDAY – 6/18/18

Just hours ago, Audi CEO and Chairman Rupert Sadler was arrested in Germany in an investigation into diesel and emissions of the cars made by Audi. In a press release, a spokesman for Volkswagen (Audi’s parent company) Nicolai Laude confirmed that Sadler was arrested, but declined to comment on the current investigation.

Sadler had been CEO of Audi since the start of 2010, and had been promoted to CEO in the midst of Volkswagen’s alleged cheating in different emissions tests. From 2008 to 2015, Volkswagen allegedly installed software in their cars to cheat during emissions testing, when in reality the cars were said to pollute up “10 to 40 times more” than other cars, said the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), whom made the allegations Sept. 18, 2015.

The arrest had also come just a week after prosecutors searched Sadler’s home for any evidence, and also just days after Germany placed a $1.2 Billion dollar penalty on Volkswagen for their alleged cheating and software used during emissions testing. All ready, Volkswagen’s stock in the Frankfurt Stock Exchange had fallen by more than 2%.

Sources: Environmental Protection Agency, Flickr, CNBC, CNBC Explains, CNN Money, Wikipedia

EXCLUSIVE: World Cup Starts Today

By Nick Baum

6/14/18 – THURSDAY

The 2018 FIFA World Cup will kick off today when the host country Russia (who automatically makes it) plays Saudi Arabia. This year’s world cup in Russia will feature dozens of stadiums, 32 teams, and like every year, will revolve around the host’s culture.

Some of the favorites of this year’s World Cup include Spain, Brazil, France, and Argentina, which includes Messi. Just yesterday, despite the 2018 World Cup not starting, the 2026 World Cup had been decided, when a FIFA council voted unanimously to bring the games to the US – Canada – Mexico joint bid, rather than Morocco.

In the 2026 World Cup, plans have already been announced that there will be 48 teams in the games, and that Canada will host 10, Mexico will host 10, and the United States will 40. Back to the 2018 World Cup however, it is a close race and a fierce competition, even if the United States, Italy, and Netherlands will be missing it.

Sources: Fox, ESPN, SB Nation

Trump and Kim Meet in Summit

By Nick Baum

TUESDAY – 6/12/18

Last night, US President Donald Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un met in Singapore for peace talks toward denuclearization and relations. The summit, which was held in the popular resort Capella Singapore, featured an extended handshake, signing a document in terms of denuclearization, and both leaders exchanging words for a better future.

The document that was signed by both leaders, held four main points, according to journalists, but the point of it was for the North Koreans to “work towards denuclearization”, and for the United States to halt all military exercises, according to the Wall Street Journal.

While some argued that the document itself proved to be thin and underwhelming, others argue that the document only establishes the countries’ intentions, and that lots of the summit was spent working between the two administrations at a working lunch. In the working lunch, featured a mix of western and asian foods, and for dessert was the top favorite Häagen-Dazs vanilla ice cream.

Sources: Time, Wall Street Journal, CNN, Fox News