Charlotte Observer | U.S. Soccer Federation's new rule sides against Black Lives Matter ... Charlotte Observer The U.S. Soccer Federation's decision to ban knealing during the national anthem positions them against the Black Lives Matter movement. |
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U.S. Soccer Federation's new rule sides against Black Lives Matter ... - Charlotte Observer
WASHINGTON - The premise of the upcoming Fox series "Shots Fired" is certainly ripped from the headlines: It's about two racially charged murders in a Southern town, including the killing of a white student by a black police officer.
But we learned at the D.C. screening of the show at the Newseum on Tuesday night that there is even more real-life inspiration at work: the character played by actor Stephan James - an idealistic young prosecutor at the Justice Department - is based in part on former attorney general Eric H. Holder Jr., who offered guidance to the show's creators and to James.
Much of the TV show has been shot in Kannapolis and other areas around Cabarrus and Rowan counties.
The show's co-creators, husband-and-wife team Gina Prince-Bythewood and Reggie Bythewood, consulted with the top lawyer in the Obama administration, as well as conducting interviews with Wanda Johnson, the mother of Oscar Grant - whose shooting was dramatized in the film "Fruitvale Station" - as well as former New York City Police Department commissioner Raymond Kelly. "Some of the things (Holder) gave us ended up being a template for Stephan's character," Reggie Bythewood said.
"Probably a lot of Eric Holder," James said when asked about the inspiration for his character. "He was so helpful to me in the beginning stages of creating this character. He's had so much success in his career, and Preston Terry (James' character) is on that same trajectory."
James described his on-screen persona in a way that might sound familiar to those who know the former AG: "He's this young, confident lawyer who comes in and thinks he's going to change this community, and maybe even change the world." It seems James is developing a pattern of playing Washington types - he portrayed Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., in the 2014 film "Selma."
Stars Mack Wilds and Sanaa Lathan also strutted the crimson gantlet at the Newseum, chatting about the show and posing for the cameras - but it was veteran actor Richard Dreyfuss who broke the red-carpet routine.
The "American Graffiti" actor appeared disheveled compared with his polished and well-coiffed co-stars (his necktie was completely outside his V-neck sweater, and he wore a heavy overcoat). Dreyfuss appeared buoyant, first attempting to lead the reporters lining the red carpet in an inexplicable chant of "Nazi b---es!"
"If this show does what it should, it will be the most current show you've imagined in your life," he boasted. In "Shots Fired," Dreyfuss plays the owner of a private prison, and Dreyfuss reminded us that he's quite comfortable playing newsworthy men.
"I've played Dick Cheney; I've played Alexander Haig," he said. "This is like rolling off a log."
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Eric Holder inspired a character in Fox's police-shooting drama 'Shots Fired' - Independent Tribune
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) CQ Roll Call/AP Images
Mike Levin preempted his bid to take on the wealthiest man in Congress by trolling him. "Over the holiday season, I sent Darrell Issa a book called Climate Change for Beginners," Levin says. "It's a 150-page book, illustrated. It's got pictures," he notes, adding that he hoped it would prod Issa, a nine-term Republican congressman who represents parts of California's Orange and San Diego Counties, to correct his claim to being "unsure of the science" behind climate change.
This week, Levin,a Democratic activist and environmental lawyer, announced that he hopes to challenge Issa in 2018 because, as he tweeted on Wednesday, "I care deeply about the type of country my young kids grow up in." His decision comes at a challenging time for Issa. Since he was narrowly reelected in November, Issa has been facing mounting pressure inside his district. Protesters have gathered outside his Vista office on a weekly basis. In February, a GoFundMe campaign raised six grand to buy a full-page ad in the San Diego Union-Tribune urging Issa to attend a town hall meeting. He didn't show, citing a "longstanding obligation" to tour a homeless shelter. Francine Busby, chair of the San Diego County Democratic Party, told me last week, "He's definitely feeling the heat down here."
Levin is an environmental lawyer who started an Orange County trade organization for the clean energy industry and is on the board of the California Hydrogen Business Council. (He drives a hydrogen-powered car.) He's spent more than a decade volunteering for Democratic campaigns at the local, state, and national level, and he previously served as the executive director of the Democratic Party of Orange County. Though he considered running for Issa's seat in both 2012 and 2014, he says Donald Trump's victory and Issa's embrace of the president created the urgency for him to take the plunge. He says any Democratic effort to take the House in the midterms will have to include California's 49th District.
Issa recently made an apparent about-face on climate change, but Levin's not buying it. In 2013, Issa received the League of Conservation Voters' "Climate Change Denier" award. Yet this month, he joined the Climate Solutions Caucus, a bipartisan group of lawmakers dedicated to fighting climate change. "I find the whole thing typical of what Darrell Issa does," says Levin. He points to Issa calling for an independent investigation into Russia's role in the 2016 election and his subsequent walk-back of those comments. "He'll say something that on its face sounds goodwhether it's, 'I joined the Climate Solutions Caucus,' or, 'I have a replacement for Obamacare,' or, 'We need an independent independent investigation'but when you peel back the onion, it's awful."
But before Levin can get to Issa, he'll first have to face Doug Applegate, the political newcomer who came within a percentage point of besting Issa in the November election. Applegate, a former Marine colonel, has bona fide military cred, and used it to gain support in the district, which incudes the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base. Levin lacks military experience, but says he soon will be "announcing military endorsements in the military community."
But the Issa-Applegate race devolved into a series of personal attacks, and Levin believes he'll be able to avoid that. "I have tried to live my life to the highest ethical standards," he says, adding that any mud Issa's team slings at him will have to be about the issues. "I believe this race ultimately will be about who can be the strongest opponent against Darrell Issa, who can run the best campaign and who can stay on offense and keep the focus on Darrell Issa's record and positions that are contrary to the majority of voters in the district."
There's still more than a year before the 2018 campaign season will heat up. But if his narrow win in 2016 is any indicator, the changing climate Issa should be most worried about is in his own backyard.
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This Democrat Just Emerged to Run Against The Richest Man in Congress - Mother Jones
Democrats are criticizing President Donald Trump for firing U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, saying it is a further window into the character of Mr. Trump and an effort to sideline critical voices in the judicial branch.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York), who represents the state in which Bharara is based, said he was caught off guard by the announcement and that Bharara will be sorely missed in New York.
I was extremely surprised and disappointed, Schumer said, according to CBS New York. He added that the presidents decision to change his mind and fire Preet says far more about the president than it does about Preet.
Last Friday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions called for the resignation of 46 U.S. attorneys who were holdovers from the Obama administration. While its customary for the 93 U.S. attorneys to leave their posts when a new administration comes in, particularly if its a change of party, the departures typically are handled gradually rather than abruptly.
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After denying Attorney General Jeff Sessions' request to resign as a U.S. attorney, Preet Bharara says he has been fired.
On Saturday, Bharara tweeted noting that he did not resign his post, but was fired when he refused to offer up his resignation. In November, he met with Mr. Trump and said he had agreed to stay on in the post.
I did not resign, Bharara said on Twitter. Moments ago I was fired. Being the US Attorney in [the Southern District of New York] will forever be the greatest honor of my professional life.
Schumer was not alone among Democrats in expressing his disapproval of the situation, and of the way Bhararas firing was handled. Rep. Elijah Cummings, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said the firing raises questions about Mr. Trumps respect for Bhararas jurisdiction.
Just not very long ago, the president was saying that he was going to keep the U.S. attorney there in New York and then suddenly hes, I guess, changed his mind, Cummings said on ABCs This Week. Theres a lot of questions coming up as to whether President Trump is concerned about the jurisdiction of this U.S. attorney.
And Sen. Elizabeth Warren tweeted Sunday that Mr. Trump cant escape the rule of law:
She followed it up by pointing out that U.S. attorneys require confirmation by the Senate -- and that he has made it certain that Democrats will put up a fight for whoever he nominates.
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Democrats blast Trump for firing US Attorney Preet Bharara - CBS News
A top intelligence overseer in Congress said he doubts the administration will back up Donald Trumps claim that former President Barack Obama ordered a wiretap on him during the 2016 campaign.
I dont expect were going to see any evidence of this, Rep. Adam Schiff (D., Calif.), the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said Sunday on ABCs This Week. Schiff, along with committee chairman Devin Nunes (R., Calif.), had sent a letter to the Justice Department asking for evidence of a wiretap by Monday, according to a congressional aide.
A spokeswoman for the Justice Department didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.
Schiff said he would question Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey about Trumps allegation, which he leveled in a series of tweets, at a March 20 House hearing on Russian interference in the election. Were going to be able to ask the director of the FBI among others is there any truth of this? Schiff said. Have they seen any evidence of this? They would be in a position to have to know. And I think on March 20th, if not before, well be able to put this to rest.
An expanded version of this report appears on WSJ.com.
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Top Democrat doubts White House has evidence of wiretapping - MarketWatch