Thank you to Star Parker @UrbanCURE for co-hosting on @WMALDC #MOTM this morning with @TheDCVince! pic.twitter.com/FLFVlDIskz

— WMAL DC (@WMALDC) February 18, 2019

John Lott, Joe diGenova, Jane Hampton Cook, Saagar Enjeti, John Malcolm and guest co-host Star Parker joined WMAL on Monday!

Mornings on the Mall

Monday, February 18, 2019

Hosts: Vince Coglianese and Star Parker

Executive Producer: Heather Hunter

 

5am – A/B/C Q & A with STAR PARKER: Star Parker is one of the names on the short list of national black conservative leaders. Star Parker is the founder and president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education (CURE), a Washington D.C. based public policy institute that promotes market-based solutions to fight poverty. Star consulted on federal Welfare Reform in the mid-90s and then founded CURE to bring new ideas to policy discussions on how to transition America’s poor from government dependency. CURE leads a network of 800 pastors serving in at-risk communities across the country; and hosts BlackCommunityNews.com, a leading internet news network that has provided conservative information to more than two million viewers since 2015.

5am – D/E MCCABE’S INTERVIEW ON 60 MINUTES:

• McCabe says Rosenstein sought to oust Trump from office. (Washington Times) — Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe said Sunday that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein was so serious about using the 25th Amendment to oust President Trump, he was counting “votes or possible votes” among Cabinet members. In an interview with “60 Minutes” to promote his upcoming book, Mr. McCabe said Mr. Rosenstein offered to wear a wire during his next meeting with Mr. Trump. The reason, Mr. McCabe said, was because Mr. Rosenstein wanted to learn the president’s motivation for firing former FBI Director James B. Comey in the early stages of what would ultimately become special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia collusion probe. “Now he was not joking,” Mr. McCabe said. “He was absolutely serious. And, in fact, he brought it up in the next meeting we had. I never actually considered him taking him up on the offer.”  The recording would have been to collect evidence on whether Mr. Comey’s firing amounted to obstruction of justice, according to Mr. McCabe. When that idea was shot down, Mr. McCabe said, Mr. Rosenstein discussed invoking the 25th Amendment. The amendment is a process for the Cabinet to force the removal of a president they consider unable to perform the duties of the office. “To be fair, it was an unbelievably stressful time,” Mr. McCabe said. “I can’t even describe for you how many things must have been coursing through the deputy attorney general’s mind at that point.” Mr. Rosenstein has called the allegations “inaccurate and factually incorrect.” Last fall, a Justice Department official dismissed a report in The New York Times claiming Mr. Rosenstein offered to wear a wire as a joke.
• McCABE SAYS DEPUTY AG ROSENSTEIN ‘ABSOLUTELY SERIOUS’ ABOUT SECRETLY RECORDING TRUMP: The former FBI deputy director said in an interview broadcast Sunday that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein “was not joking” when he suggested secretly recording President Donald Trump in the Oval Office following the May 2017 dismissal of FBI Director James Comey. McCabe, speaking to CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” recounted a conversation soon after Comey’s firing about the ongoing Russia investigation in which he said Rosenstein told him: “I never get searched when I go into the White House. I could easily wear a recording device. They wouldn’t know it was there.” “Now, he was not joking,” McCabe said of Rosenstein’s comments. “He was absolutely serious. And in fact, he brought it up in the next meeting we had.”

6am – A/B/C CBS CHICAGO: Jussie Smollett Case: Brothers Questioned By Police Were Paid $3,500 To Stage Attack, Which Was Rehearsed Days Before, Sources Say. CHICAGO (CBS) — Jussie Smollett paid two brothers to stage an attack against him, directed them to buy items used in the alleged assault and actually rehearsed it with them, sources say. Sources say at least one of the brothers bought the rope used in the incident at Smollett’s request. The sources also say the “Empire” actor paid for the rope, which was purchased at the Crafty Beaver Hardware Store in the Ravenswood neighborhood the weekend of Jan. 25. The brothers, who were questioned by police this week before being released, were paid $3,500 before leaving for Nigeria and were promised an additional $500 upon their return. They left for Nigeria later in the day on Jan. 29, after the attack. Sources said one of the brothers held the rope and poured bleach while the other wore a plain red hat and yelled slurs at Smollett. The sources say the red hat was bought at an Uptown beauty supply store and that the attack was supposed to happen before Jan. 29. The brothers told detectives the three men rehearsed the attack days prior to it happening.

6am – D         INTERVIEW – JOHN LOTT – President, Crime Prevention Research Center and author of “The War on Guns” — discussed the Illinois shooting.

• Aurora shooter brought gun to termination meeting, opened fire as soon as he was fired, police say. A disgruntled worker who went on a shooting rampage at a manufacturing warehouse in a Chicago suburb brought the weapon to his termination meeting and opened fire as soon as he was fired, police say. Gary Martin, 45, was killed by police after he shot five people dead at the Henry Pratt Company on Friday in Aurora and injured 11, including five police officers. Officers believe that at least several of Martin’s victims were those present during his termination meeting, according to a statement obtained by CNN. Martin worked for the plant for 15 years, and his firing was the result of multiple workplace rule violations, according to Scott Hall, the CEO of Mueller Water Products, which owns Henry Pratt Company.
• HE SHOULDN’T HAVE HAD A GUN: To own a gun, Illinois residents are required to have a Firearms Owners’ Identification, or FOID, card issued by the state. Martin had legally obtained a FOID card in January 2014 and bought a Smith & Wesson .40-caliber handgun in March of that year, police said. Days after buying the gun, he applied for a conceal-carry permit. Police discovered a 1995 conviction for felony aggravated assault in Mississippi — an offense they said might not have turned up on the background check necessary for a FOID card. Police revoked his FOID card and sent him a letter telling him to relinquish any firearms. Ziman said police records show that the letter was sent, but she doesn’t know whether police attempted to follow up.
• The 45-year-old gunman who killed five people and wounded five police officers in Aurora, Ill., began shooting after learning he was being fired. He was not legally allowed to own a gun, police say.
• NRA @NRA: Gun control advocates are using the Illinois shooting to call for “universal” background checks on @CNN. The shooter, a convicted felon prohibited from owning a gun, passed a background check. He was also vetted and issued a firearm license.

6am – E         KAEPERNICK

• Colin Kaepernick and the N.F.L. Settle Collusion Case:  In a terse joint statement issued on Friday afternoon, the league and the players’ lawyers said that “the parties have decided to resolve the pending grievances” and that “there will be no further comment.”  A confidentiality agreement means that, for all the debate and discussion the case generated, it ended with a silence that left hanging whether the league admitted there was any collusion and whether Mr. Kaepernick would ever play another down.
• The NFL foolishly settles lawsuit with Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid (by Tom Joyce) — Friday was payday for former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid, a defensive back for the Carolina Panthers. The two filed separate collusion grievances against the NFL, and the league opted to settle with both of them, according to ESPN. The players alleged that because Kaepernick started the NFL’s national anthem kneeling epidemic in 2016 and Reid, who was also a 49er at the time, was among the first to join him, that they were targeted unjustly by owners who wanted to keep them out of the league. “For the past several months, counsel for Mr. Kaepernick and Mr. Reid have engaged in an ongoing dialogue with representatives of the NFL,” the players’ attorney Mark Geragos and the NFL said a joint statement issued Friday, according to ESPN. “As a result of those discussions, the parties have decided to resolve the pending grievances. The resolution of this matter is subject to a confidentiality agreement so there will be no further comment by any party.” The exact figures are still unclear on how much each player received. However, Bleacher Report’s Mike Freeman reported Kaepernick’s settlement is somewhere in the $60 million to $80 million range.  Ultimately, the whole thing is ridiculous. Neither player deserves lawsuit money from the NFL when they hurt the league’s bottom line.

6am – F         Ja Rule planning another Fyre Festival-type music event (PageSix) — It appears nothing, not even prison time for Billy McFarland, can stop Ja Rule from making Fyre Festival a reality. The rapper talked to TMZ at LAX and shared that he’s planning a Fyre Festival-type music event, presumably without the fraud. Ja Rule didn’t give too many details about what’s in store for his future music festival, but it appears to be in the works. “[Fyre] is the most iconic festival that never was,” he told the outlet. “I have plans to create the iconic music festival, but you didn’t hear it from me.” The 42-year-old rapper also said he’s recently launched a new app, Icon, that’s similar to McFarland’s Fyre app, but he assured it won’t turn out to be anything sketchy. “[Fyre Festival] is heartbreaking to me. It was something that I really, really wanted to be special and amazing, and it just didn’t turn out that way, but you know in the midst of chaos there’s opportunity, so I’m working on a lot of new things,” he shared. “I’ve got my new platform, Icon, rebranded and rebuilt and it’s an amazing platform. It’s for artists.” “It is kind of similar to what the [Fyre] app was, but you have to understand the app was separate from the festival,” he clarified. “Different teams working on the app than the festival and the whole nine.” Although Ja Rule was working with McFarland, the “Livin’ It Up” rapper blasted the Hulu and Netflix documentaries that cast him in a bad light.

7am – A/B/C INTERVIEW – JOE DIGENOVA – legal analyst and former US Attorney to The District of Columbia – discussed McCabe’s 60 Minutes interview and the legality of the national emergency.

• McCabe says Rosenstein sought to oust Trump from office.
• McCABE SAYS DEPUTY AG ROSENSTEIN ‘ABSOLUTELY SERIOUS’ ABOUT SECRETLY RECORDING TRUMP
• Trump declares national emergency to unlock billions for wall
• DIGENOVA: If Trump declares a national emergency over the border, he’ll be on solid legal ground
• Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle spoke out on Sunday talk shows about President Trump’s emergency declaration to fund construction of a wall along the southern border. The Democratic-controlled House is expected to pass a resolution rebuking the declaration within weeks. The measure would then head to the Senate, where several of the chamber’s 53 Republicans have expressed unease with the precedent Trump’s decision sets.

7am – D         INTERVIEW – JANE HAMPTON COOK – presidential historian, author of The Burning of the White House and former White House staffer for President George W. Bush – reflected on Presidents Day.

• PRESIDENTS DAY aka GEORGE WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY: Washington’s Birthday is a United States federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday of February in honor of George Washington, the first President of the United States, who was born on February 22, 1732. Since the Uniform Federal Holidays Act of 1971, its observance can occur between February 15 and 21 inclusive. Colloquially, the day is also now widely known as Presidents’ Day and is often an occasion to honor the incumbent president and all persons who have served as president, not just George Washington.
• HAMPTON COOK: Presidents Day: How Did George Washington and His Supporters First Define American Greatness?
• Students Demand George Washington University Change ‘Colonials’ Mascot. Students at George Washington University are demanding the school change its mascot, the “Colonials,” arguing the nickname may “discourage” students, due to not being “inclusive.” Students suggest changing the mascot to a “hippo” or “riverhorse” instead. Now, student senator Hayley Margolis, is seeking to restart the push to remove the Colonial, according to The GW Hatchet.Margolis hosted a panel last week — sponsored by the GW Student Association — to discuss whether or not the GW mascot is “inclusive,” by engaging in “critical conversation about GW school spirit and what the GW Colonial connotes.” “Together, let’s decide if the colonial is the best identity for community school spirit,” reads the event description, insisting that students, staff, and community members should discuss “what it means to be a colonial in an academic, historical, and contemporary context.” Margolis told The GW Hatchet, that GW’s team name, the Colonials, may discourage students from having “inclusive” school spirit, as the mascot might make them think about oppression and the hatred of a different race. “The historically, negatively-charged figure of Colonials has too deep a connection to colonization and glorifies the act of systemic oppression,” continues the petition, “Alternative nickname recommendations are ‘Hippos,’ ‘Revolutionaries,’ or ‘Riverhorses.’”

7am – E         Has Trump wrecked our sex life? “Post-Trump Sex Disorder” is real, says sex therapist. “Big Mean Sexy Daddy”? Salon turns to Dr. Susan Block for answers to questions you didn’t want to ask. (Salon.com) — Donald Trump has made America’s mental health crisis much worse. Beginning with his presidential campaign and through to his third year as president, the United States has experienced an increase in anxiety, suicide, depression, and other mental health problems. The president of the United States is also a role model. His or her behavior influences the public. And as documented by Dr. James Gilligan in his book “Why Some Politicians are More Dangerous Than Others,” Trump’s assault on the country’s mental health is part of a much larger pattern: the Republican Party and the conservative movement have, for decades, advanced an agenda which has hurt the overall health and well-being of most Americans. Donald Trump’s negative impact on mental health extends to the intimate sexual lives of many people as well.  What is “Post-Traumatic Trump Disorder”? How does Donald Trump’s misogyny and other unhealthy behavior towards women reflect deeper systemic cultural problems in America around gender, sex, and intimacy? In an effort to answer these questions I recently spoke with Dr. Susan Block. “Dr. Suzy” is the founder and director of the Dr. Susan Block Institute for the Erotic Arts & Sciences. Block is perhaps most well-known for her HBO TV special “Radio Sex TV with Dr. Susan Block,” and appearances on HBO series such as “Real Sex” and “Cathouse.” She’s also a New York Times bestselling author and has been a frequent guest on such TV shows and networks as Oprah, Nightline, and MTV. Her most recent book is “The Bonobo Way: The Evolution of Peace through Pleasure.” How has the Age of Trump impacted the American people’s collective mental health and also their intimate lives? It has had a big impact. For some people Trump’s campaign and presidency has created a type of PTSD — what I call “Post-Trump Sex Disorder.” Trump has created feelings of fear, loathing, and nausea. People just don’t want to have sex. This would mainly be seen with women who are just appalled at how creepy Trump is. He takes what is often a positive male attribute of confidence and pushes it way over the line into a rape-like and rape-entitled kind of arrogance.

8am – A         INTERVIEW – SAAGAR ENJETI – White House Correspondent, The Daily Caller – discussed the latest White House news / tweets:  Trump’s national emergency, McCabe, weekend tweets, and Trump vs SNL.

• NATIONAL EMERGENCY: Trump declares national emergency to unlock billions for wall. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle spoke out on Sunday talk shows about President Trump’s emergency declaration to fund construction of a wall along the southern border. The Democratic-controlled House is expected to pass a resolution rebuking the declaration within weeks. The measure would then head to the Senate, where several of the chamber’s 53 Republicans have expressed unease with the precedent Trump’s decision sets.
• MCCABE: McCabe says Rosenstein sought to oust Trump from office. (Washington Times) — Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe said Sunday that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein was so serious about using the 25th Amendment to oust President Trump, he was counting “votes or possible votes” among Cabinet members.
• SNL: “You can see why I have to fake this national emergency. I have to because I want to, it’s really simple.” — #SNL’s @realDonaldTrump
• Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump 12h12 hours ago Nothing funny about tired Saturday Night Live on Fake News NBC! Question is, how do the Networks get away with these total Republican hit jobs without retribution? Likewise for many other shows? Very unfair and should be looked into. This is the real Collusion!
• TRUMP SCHEDULE: Monday, February 18, 2019: THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks to the Venezuelan American community in Miami, FL

8am – B/C     2020 NEWS:

• 2020 contender Kirsten Gillibrand backs third gender classification at federal level. Somersworth, N.H. — New York Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a 2020 candidate, endorsed federal implementation of a third gender listing for Americans who identify as non-binary. Speaking at an LGBTQ-focused meet and greet in New Hampshire on Friday, Gillibrand emphatically said “yes” about recognizing “X” as a third gender marker.
• Democrat Senator Kamala Harris says the Green New Deal, which is essentially a massive government takeover, is “sound” in “principle”
• CNN’s MAEVE RESTON: We kind of forced @kamalaharris to try on this awesome oversized rainbow sequin jacket … She snapped it up. @alivitali perfectly named it as “the Mardi Gras Jacket” #2020 #SouthCarolina #CampaignFashionReport
• CAITLIN HUEY BURNS: When the campaign trail takes you to a boutique, and @MaeveReston spots a great sequined jacket for @KamalaHarris to try on. #campaignfashionreport
• BRIT HUME: This is just embarrassing. So now journalists are going shopping with Harris, helping pick out clothes and then putting out glowing tweets about it.
• MAEVE RESTON DOUBLES DOWN ON SUCKING UP TO HARRIS: Dear America  – I will never apologize for encouraging a presidential candidate to try on a vintage rainbow sequin jacket #2020
• PAUL DRAKE: Enjoy the sleep over and hair braiding party.
• Elizabeth Warren heckled at Georgia campaign stop: ‘Why did you lie?’
• VIDEO OF PROTESTER YELLING ‘WHY’D YOU LIE…’
• Bernie Sanders records video announcing 2020 campaign

• Democrat Senator Kirsten Gillibrand on removing existing border barriers: “I could support it”
• Biden tells Europeans in Munich that America is ‘an embarrassment’

8am – D         INTERVIEW – JOHN MALCOLM – Vice President for the Institute for Constitutional Government at The Heritage Foundation and former deputy assistant attorney general in the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division from 2001 to 2004

• JOHN MALCOLM: Trump Has a Strong Legal Argument That He Can Declare National Emergency at Border

8am – E         Virginia lawmakers approve use of speed cameras — in limited circumstances. (Washington Post) — Virginia lawmakers have approved legislation to allow the commonwealth’s first speed-camera program, a significant shift for the state, which has been slow to embrace technology that has long been used by law enforcement in the District, Maryland and elsewhere. The legislation, if signed by Gov. Ralph Northam, would allow Virginia State Police troopers to use the cameras only in highway work zones. A trooper’s vehicle would have to have its blue flashing lights activated — and signs warning of camera use would have to be placed within 1,000 feet of the work zone. Tickets would be issued for vehicles traveling at least 12 mph over the posted speed limit. As in Maryland and the District, the $125 citation would be sent by mail. State Sen. Bill Carrico (R-Grayson), the legislation’s sponsor, said in bill hearings that drivers would be able to contest the fine. A spokeswoman for Northam (D) said he “will review this bill once it reaches his desk,” but she declined to say whether the governor supports the measure. Although the program would be limited in its scope, it would signal an important tryout of automated enforcement in Virginia after years of opposition to plans for widespread deployment of speed cameras. “It’s a good start. It at least gets people used to notion of cameras recording their license plates, but it is only a baby step,” said Paul F. Reynolds, a professor emeritus of computer science at the University of Virginia, who has studied speeding in the Charlottesville area and has advocated for the use of speed cameras in the state. More than 130 communities throughout the United States have speed-camera programs and 422 have red-light cameras, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Maryland and the District are known as national leaders in their use of automated speed enforcement. In Virginia, several proposals for use of the technology on state highways and near school zones have failed in recent years. The work-zone bill, however, was easily approved, with lawmakers citing the dangers of work zones due to lane shifts and uneven pavement, as well as the need to protect workers.