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U.S. House candidate Brianna Wu, a Massachusetts Democrat, is worried that people will drop rocks from the moon that will hit the earth and kill people.

Wu, who gained notoriety after getting involved in the GamerGate controversy of 2014 and is now challenging sitting Rep. Stephen Lynch, tweeted that she isnt happy about SpaceXs plan to ferry private citizens to the moon by 2018, for reasons that will make your head explode.

She also made it abundantly clear that she has no idea how gravity works.

Wu has since doubled down on her earlier assertions that the moon is dangerous because you can fire a large rock from it and hit the earth.

For the sake of fairness, lets play along with Wus theory for a hot second. Lets say that the moon, which is an estimated 238,900 miles away from earth, could potentially become a tactical base from which asteroids or missiles could be launched towards our planet.

Oooh, scary.

But if someone did intend to destroy our home planet from space, they wouldnt need to send people to the moon to mine large rocks and build a really big slingshot aimed towards earth. It would be significantly cheaper and easier for someone to launch an orbital weapon into space that could rain missiles down on our planet at a closer range. Lucky for us earthlings, this kind of space weaponry has been banned for decades, thanks to a series of treaties dating back to the Cold War. Long story short, Wus concerns are very far-fetched and practically improbable, if not entirely impossible.

Wu isnt the only Democrat whos made an eyebrow-raising statement about physical reality. Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) once said he was afraid the island of Guam would tip over and fall into the ocean if too many people were on it at once.

My fear is that the whole island will become so overly populated that it will tip over and capsize, Johnson said.

That clip will never get old.

Hey Democrats, yall should probably rethink the whole we love science more than you schtick until you can figure out what gravity is and how islands are formed.

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Party Of Science: Democrat Congressional Candidate Brianna Wu Doesn't Know How Gravity Works - The Federalist

Los Angeles Times

Trump Suggests Anti-Semitic Acts Are Designed to 'Make People Look Bad' New York Times First, he said the acts were reprehensible, Mr. Shapiro, a Democrat who was elected to the post in November, said while recounting Mr. Trump's response. Second he said: 'And you've got to be careful, it could be the reverse. This could be the ... Why are Democratic women wearing white tonight?Los Angeles Times all 638 news articles »

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Trump Suggests Anti-Semitic Acts Are Designed to 'Make People Look Bad' - New York Times

MIDDLETOWN, Del. This is what democracy looks like.

Its been a chant that has animated marches and protests around the country since the day after Donald Trump was inaugurated president, but its been more aspirational than descriptive. On Saturday, in a state Senate district in Delaware that stretches from Middletown to Newark, the voices in the streets turned into votes in the ballot box.

In the most expensive special election in Delaware history a contest to decide which party controls the state Senate Democrat Stephanie Hansen was on track to annihilate her Republican rival on the back of extraordinary turnout.

The last time her opponent, John Marino, ran in this district, in 2014, he lost by just 2 points. Hansens 58-42 percent victory over Marino on Saturday ensured that Democrats will maintain control of the state Senate. It also notched a bigDonald Trump-era win for a new generation of Democratic activists shocked into action by the November election.

We turned back that win from Washington and made sure it wont hit Delaware, Hansen said in her victory speech Saturday night.

While Hansens campaign was focused on local issues, she saw a huge swell of support after nationwide Womens March protests on Jan. 21. Protesters, many of them out in the streets for the first time, have been turning their energy toward local and state politics. The first major election since the uprising was Delawares.

Hansens campaign received huge support. More than 1,000 volunteers worked during the course of the campaign, and about 500 many from nearby states showed up Saturday for Election Day. Hansen received more than 14,000 contributions of less than $100 from small donors spread all over the country.

Thats more volunteers than Ive had in nine elections, exclaimed state Sen. Dave Sokola (D), of Hansens Election Day workers.

Its overwhelming to see all these people, said Kelly Wright, a resident of Hansens district. Its making me emotional to see that people come take a bus two-plus hours away.

The turnout of volunteers made a huge difference as Hansen crushed her Republican opponent with unusually high turnout for a special election.

Lets take this movement national, former Vice President Joe Biden. a Delaware resident, exhorted to Hansen victory partiers Saturday night via phone.

Chuck Jackson, a Democratic district chair, said: Its really great the amount of people were seeing out. There is so much at stake.

Paul Blumenthal

The state Senate had been split 10-10 since the 10th District seat was vacated in November by Bethany Hall-Long, who won election as lieutenant governor. Hansens win maintains Democrats 44-year hold on the chamber.

Hansens election was no sure thing. The district leans Democratic, but Republican Marino had performed well in previous elections. Hall-Long defeated Marino by 1 percentage point in 2014. In 2016, Hillary Clinton won the district 54-41 over Trump. Democrats notoriously struggle in special elections.

The Democratic campaign was both aided and hindered by weather. At an unseasonable 70 degrees it was a perfect day for volunteers to knock on doors and for voters to head out to the polls. An afternoon thunderstorm, however, cut an hour out of a prime time.

While the race brought in huge numbers of outside volunteers, it was mostly fought over local issues like transit, the environment, education and the state budget.Erik Schramm, Hansens campaign manager, said the campaign had to juggle messaging to highlight local issues while harnessing the national mood to excite volunteers.

Groups like Sister District, Flippable and Indivisible helped organize volunteers. For many, this was the first time they had been involved in a political campaign.

Mitchaell Kawash, a volunteer from Brooklyn, New York, said he was canvassing for the first time because of the importance of state-level politics.

Nicholas Sewitz, who previously canvassed for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), joined Kawash and other friends from Brooklyn. Trump is politicizing the populace, Sewitz said.

Marsha Murray and Sarah Kimball came from Lower Manhattan to volunteer. For Kimball, it was her first time canvassing.

This is the election that matters, said Murray. It matters to everyone, not just in Delaware.

Ken Kidd, a volunteer who came from Manhattan, said the Womens March and rising activism has led to a resurgence in citizenship.

Volunteers were greeted at the Middletown campaign office in the afternoon by a steady parade of elected officials. Sens. Tom Carper (D) and Chris Coons (D) came by to shake hands and thank volunteers. Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, the previous occupant of the state Senate seat, stopped at the office after canvassing neighborhoods.

Coons said he was encouraged by volunteers organization.

Volunteer Jim Yung, wearing a U.S. Senate baseball hat signed by Joe Biden,said: Make no bones about it, its made a difference.

Theres something fitting about so many New Yorkers making the trip down to make sure Marino didnt become a senator: He is, after all, a retired NYPD cop.

This article has been updated to include a comment from Hansens victory speech.

See the rest here:
Buoyed By Anti-Trump Activism, Democrat Wins Delaware Special Election - Huffington Post

Police have charged the leader of Albania's center-right opposition Democratic Party with inciting violence. If found guilty, Lulzim Basha would face up to three years in prison.

Authorities made the announcement late Saturday, saying Basha had "called on citizens to react violently against state institutions." According to police, he told supporters to "puncture car tires, break the glass" in protests that hit a new peak on Friday. "You want a fight?" officers quoted Basha as saying. "A fight it will be."

Hundreds have protested in Tirana, the capital, for the past week, calling for the resignation of the Socialist prime minister, Edi Rama, ahead of elections set for June 18. The protesters have occupied a tent in front of the main government offices in the capital.

On Saturday, Basha deemed his party's protests "grandiose, popular, democratic, total and peaceful," certainly not the "call for war" that police have accused him of. He warned, however, that his Democrats would "not stay like sheep, but hit back strongly."

'Free and fair'

Last week, Basha said he would boycott parliament to delay the adoption of judicial overhauls required by the European Union in order for Albania to begin accession talks. Albania obtained EU candidate status in 2014 and officials hope to open talks for joining the bloc by the end of this year. Last year, the Balkan country adopted a key judicial reform sought by the European Union to fight widespread corruption and organized crime.

Basha said the opposition would continue to protest until a caretaker government was formed"that would organize free and fair elections."

Prime Minister Rama had suggested that the opposition send lawmakers to assure the adoption of the judicial measures while continuing their protests out of session, but Basha dismissed the request and accused the government of deepening poverty and corruption in Albania. The Democrats have also so far rejected international calls to stop their boycott.

On Saturday, the Romanian government bowed to protesters' demands, saying it would repeal legislation decriminalizing certain forms of corruption, but demonstrators said the move is not enough. "Now were asking for the government to resign," Mihai Oprica, 31, an IT manager pictured above. "[These protests] can stop if they cooperate. If not, we will continue coming out every day."

Since the controversial decree was passed on Tuesday, more than 300,000 people have demonstrated nightly in cities across the country, with 150,000 gathering in Bucharests Victoria Plaza, shown above. Protesters chanted "We woke up" through the evening and many expected the largest demonstration yet to take place here on Sunday night, when citizens from rural areas will come to Bucharest.

"No way, no escape," reads a sign in Victoria Plaza. "Even if they cancel the decree, how do we know they wont try to pass another one next month?" asked Dan, 36, a state employee. "We have no trust in the government and they should understand that there [are] enough honest citizens that will make sure the law is followed."

On Saturday, tens of thousands marched to Romania's parliament building to create a human chain around the complex, which has a perimeter of about three kilometers. One of the protesters on site, Christian Nadu, 32, a corporate project manager, said, "By surrounding the Parliament, we are making a statement that this is our house, not theirs, and were taking over."

The one-month old cabinet of Romanias Social Democrat party (PSD) sparked the revolt Tuesday, by passing legislation that made official misconduct punishable by prison time only when financial damages exceed 200,000 lei (44,000 euros.) The measure would have ended the ongoing trial of PSD party leader Liviu Dragnea, who is convicted of electoral fraud, and was largely seen as a self-pardon.

Sorin Taban, 53, a technical manager from Bucharest, holds a sign reading, '1: Cancel Ordinance. 2: Go home.' He said he would not be satisfied until the PSD cabinet resigns. "The people have so little while politicians have big mansions with swimming pools and billions of euros in foreign banks. This kind of old communist leadership must go home forever!"

The ongoing anti-corruption protests are the largest demonstrations in Romania since 1989. "Before this, people didnt go out to protest because they thought they couldn't change anything," Nadu said. "This is the media's fault. The state channels have always suppressed big movements. Now the Romanian people know they have power and they will not forget this."

Florin Luca, 31, a telecom project manager (not pictured above) said the end goal for protesters should be installing an independent judiciary. "The government was trying to shut the mouth and break the arms of justice and we would lose everything we built over the last ten years. We need a judicial system that stands independent of political parties."

Author: Diego Cupolo

mkg/tj (AFP, AP)

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Albania police charge Democrat boss after Rama protests - Deutsche Welle

Sen. Mark Warner issued a warning to his GOP counterparts, saying that if he determines the Intelligence panel cannot properly conduct an independent investigation, I will support empowering whoever can do it right. | AP Photo

Sen. Mark Warner, the ranking member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, says he won't tolerate 'White House interference.'

By Austin Wright

02/25/17 10:08 AM EST

Updated 02/25/17 10:41 AM EST

The top Democrat on the Senate committee investigating President Donald Trumps ties to Russia says he has grave concerns about the independence of the probe following a report that the panels Republican chairman helped the White House knock down negative news stories.

Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the ranking member on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Saturday he called Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and CIA Director Mike Pompeo to express his concerns.

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But Warner did not go so far as to say he was giving up on the Intelligence Committees probe, which many Democrats consider the best hope for getting to the bottom of the ties between the Trump campaign and Moscow given that GOP leaders have made clear they won't agree to a select committee or independent commission.

I will not accept any process that is undermined by political interference, Warner said in a statement. "I am consulting with members of the Intelligence Committee to determine an appropriate course of action so we can ensure that the American people get the thorough, impartial investigation that they deserve, free from White House interference.

Warner also issued a warning to his GOP counterparts, saying that if he determines the Intelligence panel cannot properly conduct an independent investigation, I will support empowering whoever can do it right.

His warning is a nod to the many Democratic lawmakers and a few Republicans who have called for an independent commission or select committee to investigate the issue.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, both issued statements Saturday saying the new developments heightened the need for an independent commission.

We must have a truly independent commission to investigate the actions of the President, his campaign, his associates, and Russian officials and agents, Cummings said. The American people will not stand for an investigation that is tainted, that inappropriately shares information with the President's team, or that serves as nothing more than the President's political mouthpiece."

On Friday night, The Washington Post reported that the White House had enlisted intelligence officials and key members of Congress including Burr and House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) to call media outlets to challenge allegations about repeated communications between Trump associates and Russia.

The House Intelligence Committee is also investigating communications between Trump aides and Russia.

A spokesman for Nunes, Jack Langer, said the congressman had already been reaching out to media outlets about the issue and contacted an additional reporter after the request came from the White House.

"Chairman Nunes made inquiries into the allegations published by the New York Times and couldn't find evidence to support them," Langer said. "So he told that to multiple reporters, and then a White House aide asked if he would speak to one more. So he spoke to that reporter as well, telling that person the same thing he told the other reporters."

Burr also told the Post he reached out to news outlets and said he felt he was doing nothing wrong, adding: I felt I had something to share that didnt breach my responsibilities to the committee in an ongoing investigation.

Rep. Adam Schiff of California, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, blasted the White Houses behavior, saying intelligence professionals are not there to serve as the President's PR firm.

For its part, the intelligence community must resist improper efforts like these by the Administration to politicize its role, and in Congress we will have to redouble our vigilance to ensure that the community is never compelled to do otherwise, Schiff said.

Also on Friday night, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) called for a special prosecutor to oversee an investigation into Trump associates' ties to Russia, saying Attorney General Jeff Sessions should not be involved.

Its unclear if Issa, who was a major supporter of Trump during the presidential campaign, was aware of the Posts report when he made the remarks on HBO's "Real Time" with Bill Maher.

"You cannot have somebody, a friend of mine Jeff Sessions, who was on the campaign and who is an appointee," Issa, the former chairman of the House oversight committee, said. "You're going to need to use the special prosecutor's statute and office to take not just to recuse. You can't just give it to your deputy. That's another political appointee."

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Top Democrat has 'grave concerns' about Trump-Russia investigation - Politico