Russiagate trumps 'look over here'
Did you notice that even after Donald Trump announced he was withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accord, that the news headlines and political pundits wasted no time getting right back to breaking stories and posing questions about the Trump/Russia scandal?
And Trump didn't get much of a break from the Russia talk on his nine-day-embarrass-America tour either.
Not only does Russiagate have staying power, it apparently also has fangs.
So much so, that the White House finally appears to be heeding lawyers' advice to clam up.
Politico reported Friday that from the press secretary podium to the cable TV talk shows, Trump's inner circle has mostly begun avoiding responding to questions about the congressional and special counsel probes into allegations the Republican's campaign colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election.
Instead, White House press aides have been directing questions about any of the probes to Trump's outside counsel, Marc Kasowitz. And Kasowitz isn't responding.
Not to worry, Trump's Twitter feed will keep us entertained - and as Politico points out, likely offer "a treasure trove of evidence" for Special Counsel Robert Mueller and his growing team of investigators.
Lawyers and veterans of past White House scandals told Politico that the @realdonaldtrump account, like emails, handwritten notes or transcribed Oval Office conversations, gives investigators a detailed timeline of Trump's thoughts and opinions - including where they might differ from official accounts - and can also be used to establish intent, which can be critical in a criminal investigation.
"They're a gold mine," said Peter Zeidenberg, who served on the Justice Department's special prosecution team during the George W. Bush-era Valerie Plame Wilson investigation and now works as a partner at Arent Fox. "They help paint a picture."
Chattanooga is climate-strong
Chattanooga and Andy Berke on Friday joined the scores of cities and states that know we need to protect our environment and our earth.
"As a city once deemed the dirtiest in the country, the thriving Chattanooga of today was only possible because of strong leaders who understood the importance of cleaning up the environment and implementing long-term sustainability efforts," Berke said in a statement Friday supporting the Paris Climate Accord.
"Reverting back to the Chattanooga of decades ago is simply unacceptable. Chattanooga has a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental protections, and we will continue to push forward regardless of the stance of the current President."
The U.S. Conference of Mayors on Friday also restated its strong support for the climate accord reached in 2015. The organization has worked against climate change since 2005 "by passing numerous policies, holding several summits, as well as spearheading a bipartisan effort where more than 1,000 mayors committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their individual communities." Former Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield signed on to the mayors' climate pledge that year, in the early days of his administration.
Don't think this is all just words.
Berke said Chattanooga government's commitment to sustainability includes a pledge to reduce energy use in city buildings by at least 20 percent over 10 years. And he praised the "incredible sustainability work of local partners like EPB, TVA, and Green|Spaces."
We can do our part, too. Flip off the lights.
Groups fight Tennessee refugee suit
Groups serving Tennessee refugees are taking legal action against the state legislature's efforts to block refugee resettlement.
We're glad to see this, but sorry it has become necessary.
The American Civil Liberties Union and ACLU of Tennessee represent the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, Bridge Refugee Services Inc., and the Nashville International Center for Empowerment, all of which are seeking to defend refugee resettlement in Tennessee.
In March, Tennessee lawmakers who oppose refugee resettlement sued the federal government, contending that the federal refugee resettlement program improperly impinges on state sovereignty. The Tennessee attorney general had previously declined to file the suit, concluding it would likely lose in court.
Now the ACLU and the Tennessee refugee help groups have filed legal arguments explaining why the General Assembly's lawsuit should be thrown out, according to spokesmen from the ACLU.
In a statement, ACLU of Tennessee Executive Director Hedy Weinberg said Tennessee politicians were taking cues from Donald Trump's White House.
"By insisting on filing a fear-driven and dangerous lawsuit that targets vulnerable families and selecting a legal group known for its radical anti-Muslim ideology to represent the General Assembly, Tennessee legislators have laid their cards on the table," she said. "We are intervening in this lawsuit to resist this cruel attempt to stop the resettlement of refugees in Tennessee - which is fueled by discrimination and animus toward Muslims that extends to the White House. The majority of Tennesseans believe in helping those fleeing violence and terror to protect their families."