The Falafel "Witchhunt?"
Just as House Democrats salivate over impeaching President Donald Trump on obstructions, and now threaten to go after him for bribery (Oy Vey!), Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has just been indicted on fraud and bribery charges, charges the long-serving leader calls bogus that stem from a "witch hunt" of an investigation.
Yep, he used Trump's very lingo to describe the legal mess that country's attorney general has brought upon him.
Could Netanayahu's indicted expose Trump? Who knows, maybe?
“Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu charged with bribery” by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – For the first time in its history, Israel has indicted or charged a sitting prime minister with a crime.Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has been charged by Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit with breach of trust, fraud, and accepting bribes.
The Allegations:
– suspicions that he accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in champagne and cigars from billionaire friends,
-offered to trade favors with a newspaper published
– used his influence to help a wealthy telecom magnate in exchange for favorable coverage on a popular news site.
What Kind of Bull **** Is This?
Trump didn't comment on Bibi's legal problems (if you can believe that" but did continue his daily ritual of excoriating his Democratic enemies.
What does President Trump really think of Rep. Adam Schiff?
Well, this image says it all. New from The Donald...
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Visit The Floridian
I'm All In! Maybe...
When U.S. Rep. Francis Rooney (R) decided to step down from the House of Representatives (we were the first to report that he was considering it), everyone knew that the Republican-leaning congressional district would draw a lot of attention and interest.
House Majority Leader Dane Eagle (R) is the frontrunner in the race thus far, but several other players are expected to get into the game in the coming weeks.
Rep. Byron Donalds (R) has told The Floridian many moons ago that if Rooney were to step down, he would make another run for the seat. Donalds ran and lost to Trey Radel in a crowded Republican primary race in 2014. Radel went on to win the general election.
Is Donalds going to run?
Again, maybe.
Donalds is still considering it but appears to be waiting to see where the other moving pieces will fall.
Enter Rep. Bob Rommell (R). (pictured above)
Rommell, who is Donalds' bestie in the house, told The Floridian that if he gets in FL CD 19 race (he's all in now), he will go all in, and would be willing to use a large amount of his own wealth to do so. Rommell was in Washington, D.C, this week, not to watch the impeachment inquiry, but to presumably lay the groundwork for his probable congressional campaign.
Air DeSantis vs. Air Scott
I know what you are thinking, and "NO" the tw0 men are not fighting one another. DeSantis is actually challenging the amount of traveling then-Gov. Scott made when he first took office back in 2011.
Scott has his own plane, and DeSantis is still moving around in that old RPOF clunker, so advantage Scott on the travel.
Air DeSantis touched down this week in South Florida where DeSantis attended he annual Republican Governor's Association meetings in Boca Raton. DeSantis then made a stop in Miami to attend the 7th annual Florida Automated Vehicles Summit.
Side note: - A lot of credit needs to be given to DeSantis for traversing the state on a daily basis. But more credit needs to be given to his security detail and his staffers who have to board the clunker of a plane. By the way, when is the new plane going to land in Tallahassee?
Speaking of Flying...Oiga Mira Vea! (song from Colombian Salsa band Orchestra Guayacan)
Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez (R) concluded here week-long trade mission trip to my parents' native Colombia, not to lose herself in the coffee and hot chocolate, or to bring back Senator Marco Rubio some cheese arepas, but to talk shop.
' The mission delegation included over 50 representatives from small and medium-sized businesses across Florida. The export sales mission, organized by Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI), featured 19 Florida manufacturers and exporters that were matched with Colombian importers through the U.S. Embassy’s Gold Key Program. The Lieutenant Governor also met with several government officials to discuss various economic issues and promote future opportunities for collaboration and trade between Florida and Colombia.'
The Floridian can report that Nunez did not fly on some Air Chicken-style, puddle-skipping plane when she flew to Bogota.
Voters Beware!!!
“Voters beware: You have no idea who’s behind that petition they want you to sign” by the Sun-Sentinel’s Skyler Swisher and Aric Chokey – Florida’ s avenue for giving the power to the people is now a multimillion dollar business, one that is being exploited by special interests and flooded with mystery cash from secret donors. As a result, everyday Floridians are being blocked from the system that was supposed to give them a way to bypass big money interests. The constitutional amendment process, which allows citizen petitions to change state law, conjures up images of passionate volunteers pounding the pavement to get their neighbors behind their cause. More likely, the person angling to get your signature is a hired gun indifferent to the issue they are peddling. The signature-gathering industry has grown so competitive one firm rewards top performers with trips to Europe and the Caribbean. While special interests can buy a spot on Florida’s ballot, grassroots campaigns without a wealthy benefactor barely have a chance.
“How will this new immigration change impact South Florida real estate?” By Miami Herald’s Monique O. Madan and Rebecca San Juan – Major changes to a federal immigration program that has fueled South Florida real estate development for almost three decades will come into effect Thursday. The EB-5 investor visa program, which gives wealthy immigrants a chance to invest in U.S. real estate projects in exchange for a permanent U.S. residency, also known as a green card, will now be more expensive for foreign investors. The price tag changes? $900,000 from the previous $500,000 for “targeted employment areas” — projects located in government-approved rural areas or locations that have high unemployment, according to a statement from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The investment requirements for projects located outside those areas will rise from $1 million to $1.8 million “to account for inflation.”
More Air DeSantis landings...
DeSantis will take part in a groundbreaking ceremony of the Saint Augustine Veterans Affairs Community Outpatient Clinic today.
“Florida’s Marco Rubio gains support for permanent Daylight Saving Time” By Tampa Bay Times’s Graham Brink – Marco Rubio delivered the best news out of the nation’s capital this week. Florida’s senior senator hadn’t untangled the byzantine tax code or figured out how to pay off the enormous national debt…
“Huizenga joins Florida and Georgia lawmakers to protect domestic produce” By Fox 17’s Artha Elnashar – U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, is among 32 cosponsors of a bill designed to protect American farmers from illegal trade practices used by foreign countries. The Defending Domestic Produce Production Act would increase the ability of farmers to petition the Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission to investigate illegal subsidies and dumping of products in the United States. The act specifically recognizes American farmers who are hurt by subsidies used by Mexico, Central American and South American counties. In a release, Huizenga details his concern for how current law leaves Michigan farmers vulnerable, especially asparagus, cherry, and blueberry farmers.
Florida Democrats - It's their job. Democrats in the Sunshine State are trying their best to make the impeachment hearings in DC about any Florida Republicans. Sen. Scott and Rep. Rooney are this week's targets.
“Rick Scott is doing nothing more than attempting to brush aside damning evidence against the president. Scott has proven he will not be an impartial juror, but an active participant in covering up Trump’s crimes.”- Alex Penalosa
“2 Florida Supreme Court justices quickly move to new jobs” By Associated Press – Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will have to make his fourth and fifth state Supreme Court appointments since taking office in January. The U.S. Senate this week confirmed the appointments of Florida Supreme Court Justices Robert Luck and Barbara Lagoa to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Luck was confirmed on Tuesday and Lagoa on Wednesday. Both were among three justices DeSantis appointed in January. He replaced three liberal justices who retired because of age limits with conservatives, reshaping a court that often had 4-3 rulings that overturned Republican-passed laws on issues like abortion, the death penalty and private school vouchers.
Mental Health Awareness
The Florida Behavioral Health Association (FBHA) stood alongside the "Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) Secretary Mary Mayhew as she announced the new Medicaid Housing Assistance Pilot Program. This new program received federal approval earlier this year and will begin operations in December. The pilot program will launch in Medicaid Regions 5 and 7 in the counties of Pinellas, Pasco, Seminole, Orange, Osceola, and Brevard".
“Universal Studios delayed guest from entering park whose shirt said 'retired officer'” By Associated Press – A 55-year-old law enforcement veteran was stopped from entering Universal Studios for nearly an hour because the front of his grey long-sleeved t-shirt read “retired police officer.” Former Ormond Beach officer Vincent Champion tells the Orlando Sentinel the experience left him confused and angry. He vows never to return to the theme park. Universal officials said in a statement they have tremendous respect for law enforcement, but guests could have confused him for an actual police officer. Security attendants asked him to remove the shirt before entering the park Nov. 1.
Moody on Opioids
"While the decline in opioid-related deaths is encouraging, we will not take our foot off the gas. My office is fighting the opioid crisis on multiple fronts—on the streets busting drug traffickers to the courtroom holding major opioid distributors, manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies responsible for their roles in this crisis. This Task Force is another key component of this monumental struggle to end opioid abuse and save lives, and we will continue to tirelessly pursue new measures to help bolster our ongoing efforts to end this crisis ravaging our state.”-AG Ashley Moody
CONTACT US
Congratulations to the Bidens!!!
“DNA test confirms Hunter Biden fathered baby in Arkansas” By Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – Does Papa really know best? Forget about all the talk of questionable dealings in China and Ukraine, or that his dad had another, meh, presidential debate performance in Atlanta, the issue for Hunter Biden is him “sticking” his business where it probably shouldn’t be. According to CNN, it has been “established with scientific certainty” that Hunter Biden is the proud papa of a new baby, as DNA test results confirm that the younger Biden is the father of an Arkansas woman’s newborn baby. Biden will not challenge the results of the test, this after first denying he was the dad in a previous court filing, but then agreed to take the test to find out if he really was the child’s father. The news came out just as his father was about to take the stage at the debate in Atlanta, Georgia
MAKE OUR SCHOOLS SAFE AGAIN
U.S. Representatives Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL-25), Ted Deutch (D-FL-22), John Rutherford (R-FL-4), and Stephanie Murphy (D-FL-7) introduced the Luke and Alex School Safety Act, the House companion to a Senate Bill introduced by Ron Johnson (R-WI), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Rick Scott (R-FL). This legislation would create a federal clearinghouse that categorizes, assesses, and shares best practices for school safety measures and identifies the resources necessary to implement them.
“CNN's Chris Cuomo mocked after attempt to disprove Trump's phone theory with call to mom fails” By Fox New’s Brian Flood – CNN host Chris Cuomo was mocked Thursday after his attempt to disprove President Trump’s theory about how phones work backfired on live television. David Holmes, the political counsel at the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine, testified during Thursday’s impeachment hearing that he overheard a would-be damning phone call between Trump and European Union Ambassador Gordon Sondland. Holmes said he “could hear the president’s voice through the earpiece of the phone,” which was not on speakerphone. Trump, in real-time, tweeted his skepticism. “I have been watching people making phone calls my entire life. My hearing is, and has been, great. Never have I been watching a person making a call, which was not on speakerphone, and been able to hear or understand a conversation. I’ve even tried, but to no avail,” Trump tweeted. “Try it live!” CNN’s Cuomo took the president up on the challenge and called his mother during coverage of the impeachment hearing.
“Wasserman Schultz Calls for WH Advisor Stephen Miller to be Fired” By Floridian’s Daniel Molina – Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D) directed a tweet today at the Trump administration, calling for the removal of Stephen Miller, a senior advisor for policy for President Donald Trump. Calling him a white supremacist, Rep. Wasserman Schultz said that Miller, who is Jewish, “must go. Now.” In fact, she called for him to be outright fired.
Bipartisanship in The U.S. House? Que!? What!?
The bipartisan effort was negotiated over eight months with input from agricultural stakeholders and labor organizations and was introduced with the support of 26 Democrats and 23 Republicans.
“We are one step closer to finally solving the labor crisis facing our nation’s agriculture,” said Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart. “This bill has not only received bipartisan support, but over 300 agriculture organizations have advocated for the passing of this legislation, which adheres to the rule of law, modernizes our antiquated H2A visa system, and bolsters the economy. I encourage the Speaker to bring this important legislation to the floor for a vote so that we can achieve a good-faith, bipartisan solution for our nation's farmers.”
“Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu charged with bribery” By Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – For the first time in its history, Israel has indicted or charged a sitting prime minister with a crime. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has been charged by Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit with breach of trust, fraud, and accepting bribes. – suspicions that he accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in champagne and cigars from billionaire friends, -offered to trade favors with a newspaper published – used his influence to help a wealthy telecom magnate in exchange for favorable coverage on a popular news site. (Fox) Netanyahu is fighting back. Hours before the indictment was issued, Netanyahu posted on Twitter, stating that “no court in a modern-enlightened state that has convicted a public servant for a bribe for receiving positive coverage.”
“Is America Ready for the First Gay American President?” By Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg is gay and proud of it, but is mainstream America ready for the daily optics of him canoodling with his husband Chasten? Maybe, maybe not. The latest public opinion polls in Iowa and New Hampshire have Buttigieg up, but not by much over Joe Biden and the rest of the field of candidates. There is no question that Buttigieg is very well-spoken and knowledgeable on the issues, but many Americans, both Republican and Democrat, still take issue over him being married to a man. Now, more and more Americans are evolving and accepting of Buttigieg’s lifestyle, but voting for a lifestyle to represents the entirety of the American people (that’s exactly what they will be doing) is a tough pill to swallow.
Rooney Votes To Support Hong Kong Protestors
“Since 1997, Hong Kong has existed as a semi-autonomous region of China. The Fugitive Offenders bill, which ignited the mass protests in June, would have eroded their autonomy and civil rights by subjecting Hong Kong residents to the criminal jurisdiction of the Communist Party and mainland China. I stand with the people of Hong Kong who are defending their human rights and autonomous status. I was proud to vote in favor of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which passed the House 417-1. The United States Congress is united in its strong support for the people of Hong Kong in their fight for democracy.”- Rep. Francis Rooney (R)
“Two U.S. service members killed in helicopter crash in Afghanistan” By NBC News’s Mosheh Gains and Phil Helsel – Two U.S. service members were killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan on Wednesday, the military said. U.S. Forces Afghanistan said preliminary reports do not indicate the crash was caused by enemy fire but said the cause of the crash is still under investigation. The statement does not say where the crash occurred. The service members were not immediately identified. Department of Defense policy is to withhold the names of those killed for 24 hours after notification of next of kin is complete. There are around 13,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan supporting missions to train, advise and assist Afghan forces under a NATO mission, and to conduct counterterrorism operations.
@realDonaldTrump -Retweeting Elise Stefanik@EliseStefanik- We just raised 250k in 15 MINUTES. THANK YOU! help us get to 500k TONIGHT go to Fight Schiff
@RepAdamSchiff - We heard that Donald Trump only cares about the big stuff that helps him personally.
The question now is — what do we care about? The Constitution? Our oath of office?
Or merely our party.
on the words of Elijah Cummings:
We are better than that.
“FLORIDA MAN ARRESTED AFTER REPEATEDLY PUSHING 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL TO THE GROUND DURING SOCCER PRACTICE, BEFORE HUGGING AND TICKLING HER” by Newsweek’s Jason Murdock – A 40-year-old Florida man was arrested this week after being accused of repeatedly pushing a child to the ground during a soccer game, police say. Donald Edward Mullins, of Tarpon Springs, was detained by deputies from the Pasco County Sheriff's Office Tuesday morning and charged with simple battery. The incident took place in New Port Richey at approximately 7:20 p.m. on November 4, an arrest report said. Florida Man Arrested After Forcing Woman to Strip and Beating Her—PoliceAccording to police, the victim, a 12-year-old girl, said Mullins had pushed her to the ground between three and four times against her will. The suspect is a coach for a separate soccer team but had joined a scheduled practice game being held for the juvenile victim's team at the time of the incident, deputies recorded.
