promoearn: A serial 'liar' in the Trump campaign? :-o

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

A serial 'liar' in the Trump campaign? :-o

A serial 'liar' in Trump's campaign?

This courtroom sketch depicts Paul Manafort, seated right row second from right, together with his lawyers, the jury, seated left, and the U.S. District Court Judge T.S. Ellis III, back center, listening to Assistant U.S. Attorney Uzo Asonye, standing, during opening arguments in the trial of President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman Manafort's on tax evasion and bank fraud charges. (Dana Verkouteren via AP) ORG XMIT: VADV302

'Littered with lies' or 'selective' prosecution?

The prosecution's closing arguments against Paul Manafort portray the former Trump campaign chairman as a serial "liar." "Mr. Manafort lied to keep more money when he had it. And he lied to get more money when he didn't," said prosecutor Greg Andres, who called the paper trail "littered with lies." Manafort faces 18 criminal counts of bank fraud and tax evasion, activity that allegedly paid for homes, cars and custom clothes (including a $15,000 ostrich jacket ). Manafort's attorneys strongly claimed that the government had engaged in "selective" prosecution. If found guilty on all counts, he could spend the rest of his life behind bars. The Manafort case is the first to go to trial out of special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.

Must read: A black hole in Brett Kavanaugh's resume

For three eventful years of George W. Bush's presidency – involving wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Hurricane Katrina, battles over abortion and immigration, and two Supreme Court vacancies – Brett Kavanaugh held one of the most important jobs in the White House. But documentation on those years, '03-'06, is being withheld as Senate confirmation hearings for President Trump's Supreme Court nominee are set to start Sept. 4. At the root of the partisan argument that's arisen is the sheer volume of information – several million pages, according to the National Archives and Records Administration. A thorough examination would extend well past the November election, risking Republicans' Senate majority and Kavanaugh's confirmation. Kavanaugh knows a thing or two about judges getting blocked.

Could elephants hold a key to cancer research?

Elephants are a lucky breed: While 17% of humans worldwide die of cancer, only 5% of elephants suffer the same fate. The reason? "Zombie genes." A study from the University of Chicago found this zombie gene is brought back to life and triggered by another gene known as a "master tumor suppressor." Humans carry one copy of this suppressor, while elephants have 20. The zombie gene then kills cells tied to damaged DNA. Picture "The Walking Dead," but with cancer cells.

Florida's toxic red tide is officially an emergency

Florida Gov. Rick Scott acknowledged his state's water quality woes, declaring a state of emergency this week to address the toxic algae bloom called red tide. Red tide is a naturally occurring algae that affects the central nervous system of sea life, but this one's been especially rough. It can cause respiratory irritation in people, and has killed manatees, sea turtles and millions of pounds of fish this year. Last month, Scott declared an emergency on both coasts of South Florida because of freshwater blue-green algae outbreaks. Here's what you need to know about red tide and how it may affect your travel plans.

Eyes on November

Midterm elections are less than three months away, and primary results rolled in last night from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Connecticut and Vermont. Here's the quick version:

•	Vermont: Democrat Christine Hallquist became the nation's first transgender candidate for governor from a major political party.
•	Wisconsin: Voter turnout made records; Randy Bryce, aka "Iron Stache," will take on retiring House Speaker Paul Ryan's former staffer Bryan Steil for Ryan's seat. GOP Gov. Scott Walker will face Tony Evers.
•	Minnesota: Minnesota State Rep. Ilhan Omar is poised to become one of the first Muslim women in U.S. Congress; Rep. Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, won the state attorney general nomination in a race clouded by an ex-girlfriend's domestic abuse allegation; Former GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty lost his bid to reclaim his old job after Jeff Johnson positioned himself as more conservative.
•	Connecticut: Former teacher of the year Jahana Hayes won the Democratic primary for a House seat. If she wins in November, Hayes will be the state's first black woman elected to Congress.