Tag Archives: representative

entertainment, health

Andy Dick ‘Taken Home By Friend’ After Alleged Overdose, Unresponsive on the Streets of Los Angeles: LAPD

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Andy Dick was reportedly taken home by a friend after suffering an apparent overdose on the streets of Hollywood, according to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) confirmed their response to the incident, stating, “I can confirm that we did respond to the intersection of Highland and Yucca at the 7-Eleven at 3:14 p.m. for a 59-year-old male,” though they declined to confirm the patient’s name due to HIPAA privacy laws. The spokesperson added, “We did respond to that location for an overdose. He was not transported to the hospital.”

The LAPD also confirmed their involvement, noting, “The LAPD did respond for an ambulance overdose,” but similarly declined to confirm the individual’s identity. They described the situation as “a medical emergency issue.”

Photos obtained by TMZ on Tuesday, December 9, showed the comedian slumped over a set of stairs outside a building in Hollywood as friends tried to assist him. According to TMZ, Dick later spoke to the outlet and confirmed that he was alive and okay, though he did not provide further details about the incident.

Representatives for Dick did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Andy Dick, who has three adult children — sons Lucas, 37, and Jacob, 31, and daughter Meg, 28 — has a history of struggling with alcohol and drug addiction. He has also faced legal troubles in the past. In June 2021, he was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, according to an LAPD representative, and was later released on $50,000 bail.

Dick’s former fiancée, Elisa Jordana, spoke publicly about the challenges during that period on her Kermit and Friends YouTube show. She described the week as “the worst” and said the situation was “getting worse and worse” daily. Jordana revealed she split from Dick one month after the incident in July 2021 and admitted feeling “relieved” that he was in jail, explaining, “I think a lot of the people that are around Andy are more dangerous than people in jail.”

During the live broadcast, Jordana shared several troubling anecdotes, including an incident where Dick allegedly stole cutlery, wine glasses, and plates during a dinner outing, requesting a “doggy bag” to carry the items. She also claimed that Dick got into a physical altercation involving a metal chair, which reportedly resulted in the other person being hospitalized. Referring to the fight, she stated, “He could have killed him. I knew that night wasn’t gonna end well.”

In 2017, Dick was fired from a movie following sexual harassment allegations. At the time, he addressed the accusations in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, saying, “I didn’t grope anybody. I might have kissed somebody on the cheek to say goodbye and then licked them. That’s my thing.” He denied any intent to commit sexual harassment.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, help is available. Please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
https://people.com/andy-dick-taken-home-by-friend-after-alleged-overdose-unresponsive-on-the-streets-of-los-angeles-11866417

general

Scott Van Pelt: ‘Zero issue’ with Group of 5 inclusion in College Football Playoff

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As leaders at the College Football Playoff and the top conferences continue to tinker with ideas for how the bracket should look in the future, the latest argument coming from fringe contenders is that the Group of 5 slot should be eliminated. Programs that could make it into the 12-team field as the fourth or fifth representative from the SEC or Big Ten believe that their resume is superior to that of an AAC or Sun Belt power. And many of college football’s top voices are echoing this idea, at the expense of the Boise State, Tulane and James Madison types. Count ESPN host Scott Van Pelt on the side of the Group of 5. Sunday night on his podcast, Van Pelt argued that part of the fun of college sports is representation from all levels and regions. Van Pelt also offered a reminder of how thin some CFP teams’ resumes already are and how lopsided the results can be when these supposedly superior teams play the best in the country. “I have zero appetite for the complaining from people. One of the biggest sells of the NCAA basketball tournament is the idea of Cinderella,” Van Pelt explained. “The whole notion of this sport is it has to have some ability for inclusion for that, or why do (Group of 5 schools) exist at all? And of course the odds of Tulane or James Madison beating somebody on the road in the playoffs are monumentally high, and you can complain about the fact that they’re going to be a 20-something-point dog.” Van Pelt and co-host “Stanford” Steve Coughlin offered the example of Tennessee in 2024, which made the CFP as the SEC’s third representative before losing at Ohio State in the first round to the tune of a 42-17 blowout. Until the more vocal lobbyists at the SEC and Big Ten prove that their lesser teams can routinely compete with the top seeds, Van Pelt doesn’t see a reason why a James Madison beatdown, for example, is any different than a Tennessee blowout: “I have zero issue with the inclusion of the small guy, because the big guys are going to get their a** kicked by the best, too.”.
https://awfulannouncing.com/college-football/scott-van-pelt-zero-issue-group-of-5-college-football-playoff.html

general

4 Signs that WWE SmackDown star will win the Last Time is Now Tournament

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Eight WWE stars remain in the Last Time is Now Tournament to determine the final opponent of John Cena’s illustrious career. 16 performers, including former rivals like Dolph Ziggler and Zack Ryder, made guest appearances. Je’Von Evans was the lone representative from NXT. The purpose of the tournament was for Cena to give an opportunity to someone on the current roster, just as he received a huge moment with Kurt Angle years ago. Thanks for the submission! With a few big names like Jey Uso, Gunther, and LA Knight remaining, a different performer may earn to right to face Cena on December 13th. The next four signs point to Carmelo Hayes winning the Last Time is Now Tournament. #4. He’s from the same area as John Cena John Cena is from West Newbury, Massachusetts. The town sits Northeast of Boston near the border with New Hampshire. Hayes is from Framingham, Massachusetts, which is about a half hour west of Beantown. Both stars hail from the Bay State, and Hayes cut his teeth on the Northeast independent wrestling scene before joining WWE. It could just be a coincidence or a reason why he’ll win, but having a guy from the same area oppose Cena in his final match seems like an omen. #3. Cena has endorsed Hayes in the past One thing WWE always does is have some of the bigger names from the main roster come to NXT to help out or advise current performers. Randy Orton, the Hardyz, and the Undertaker hyped up Evans. John Cena came to NXT in 2023 when Hayes was feuding with Bron Breakker. The two were linked together in developmental and may cross paths many more times on the main roster. Having a guy Cena endorsed when he was in NXT win the Last Time is Now Tournament makes sense with the history to play off. Cena wouldn’t do that for just anyone, but would have done so for a guy he could help out in the future. #2. Trying out the babyface role on the WWE main roster After a brief pairing with the Miz, Carmelo Hayes turned face on the main roster for the first time. He portrayed both a hero and a villain in NXT, but began his run on SmackDown as a brash young competitor. While he does a great job with either role, he could find more success as a face. Aleister Black is a fantastic heel, and Solo Sikoa runs things on SmackDown with the MFTs. Drew McIntyre has had a few title shots, and Randy Orton could turn heel when he returns. Winning the Last Time is Now Tournament would help Hayes’ status as a babyface and potentially lead to gold in 2026. #1. Carmelo Hayes is the youngest participant left The Last Time is Now Tournament was made so John Cena could pass the torch to a younger star who represents the future of WWE. While it was nice to see former rivals like Zigger, Sheamus, and Rusev battle for the right to oppose the 17-time Champion one more time, the whole event is about the future. Hayes is the only remaining star under 30. The rest are over 40 or nearing it. The tournament should be used to propel a different star forward, and one that hasn’t had an illustrious career in WWE. Most stars in the tournament have won gold on the main roster, but Hayes hasn’t. Facing Cena in Cena’s final match would be the first entry on what could be a great career resume for HIM.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/4-signs-wwe-smackdown-star-will-win-last-time-now-tournament

general

Endemic Fraud in Minnesota’s Somali Community Is an Issue; but the Problem Doesn’t Involve Illegals

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President Trump took to Truth Social on Friday to lash out at the reports about Somali remittances from the United States funding the ongoing civil war in Somalia; see Minnesota Fraud Feeding Terror: Autism, Meals Scams Bankroll Al-Shabaab RedState. Minnesota, under Governor Waltz, is a hub of fraudulent money laundering activity. I am, as President of the United States, hereby terminating, effective immediately, the Temporary Protected Status (TPS Program) for Somalis in Minnesota. Somali gangs are terrorizing the people of that great State, and BILLIONS of Dollars are missing. Send them back to where they came from. It’s OVER! President DJT My colleague, Rusty Weiss, has more on the depth and breadth of fraud coming from one immigrant community. Unfortunately, the President’s announcement is not going to come close to solving the problem. The Somali population in Minnesota is about 86, 000. It is concentrated in the Twin Cities area, and dates from the early 1990s, and the refugee stream from the civil war that resulted in our military involvement and the Black Hawk Down incident; see Operation GOTHIC SERPENT. October 3-4, 1993 RedState. That Somalia civil war is not to be confused with the current one. More importantly, the majority, 58 percent, were born in the United States. The remaining 42 percent were born in Somalia, and most of them are naturalized U. S. citizens. The Temporary Protected Status for Somalis ends on March 17, 2026, unless otherwise extended. Work authorization expired on September 17, 2025. Of the non-resident Somalis in the United States, only 705 are here under TPS. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for ending TPS for most nationalities, but let’s not pretend that canceling it for Somalis will have any measurable impact on fraud and support for terrorism. In short, revoking TPS for Somalis will reduce the number of Somali immigrants by a fraction of a percent, assuming the case is adjudicated before TPS naturally expires, and there is no evidence that the fraud originating in Minnesota’s Somali community is by non-U. S. citizens. The most recent arrest for “material support of terrorism” was a 23-year-old Somali who was a naturalized citizen. I suspect that U. S. citizens, not Somali nationals, led the massive $250 million ripoff of the Feeding Our Future program. Likewise, the $14+ million “autism” scam seems to have been led by a U. S. citizen. The problem, as I see it, is multidimensional. The core problem was the decision to settle a large number of Third (if that) World refugees in a fairly homogenous community. That resettlement achieved a critical mass that allowed the Somalis to avoid assimilation, see any speech by Democrat Representative Ilhan Omar (MN-05) if you need evidence. It also allowed the implantation of Somali culture into the United States. For instance, the recent election for mayor of Minneapolis hinged on the Somali clan identity of one of the candidates; see We’re Doomed. Omar Fateh Lost the Minneapolis Mayor’s Race Because He Lost the Loyalty of Somali Clans RedState. Part of that culture sees outsiders as fat sheep to be fleeced. The idea of “outsiders” leaves no one safe. Me and my clan against the world; Me and my family against my clan; Me and my brother against my family; Me against my brother. -The hierarchy of priorities, as ordered by a Somali proverb From Me Against My Brother; At War in Somalia, Sudan and Rwanda; by Scott Peterson. A free online PDF of the book is at this link; the quote can be found on page 27. Small wonder that grants that are part of a high-trust society are pillaged for the benefit of family and self. And if part of that family is in a terrorist group back home, who cares? The second part of the problem is that theft and corruption on this scale can’t exist without the authorities’ knowledge. Christopher Rufo acknowledges that in his epic expose of Somali corruption. David Gaither, a former Minnesota state senator and a nonprofit leader] believes the mainstream media, alongside Minnesota’s Democratic establishment, have long turned a blind eye to fraud within the Somali community. This, in turn, allowed the problem to metastasize. “The media does not want to put a light on this,” Gaither said. “And if you’re a politician, it’s a significant disadvantage for you to alienate the Somali community. If you don’t win the Somali community, you can’t win Minneapolis. And if you don’t win Minneapolis, you can’t win the state. End of story.” As if to prove the point, here is a thoroughly stump-broke Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara apologizing to the Somali community for doing his job. Not to put too fine a point on it, there is a massive dose of Whtle liberal guilt at work. If you see the Somalis as downtrodden “POC,” victimized by “systemic racism,” you’re not very likely to make yourself part of a government you hate by reporting blatant fraud to the police. It is estimated that 30, 000 women and girls in Minnesota have undergone female genital mutilation, despite it being a felony. Undoubtedly, some of those were sent back to Somalia for the festivities, but common sense tells you that if a majority of Somali women have had the procedure, there is a thriving underground community of “reproductive health” providers. Part of the solution is to shut down the refugee flow so the Somali community distances itself from the “old country.” Another vital part of the solution is a comprehensive audit followed by the firing and selected imprisonment of government and non-profit officials who knew, or should have known, what was going on and did nothing. Some consideration should be given, where possible, to denaturalizing people involved in this fraud. I’d think that most naturalized citizens supporting the al-Shabaab terror group could lose citizenship just as easily as Nazi death camp guards did. Perhaps the problem will go away, but I wouldn’t bet on it. The only way it ends is with fearless enforcement of the law and the same type of federal scrutiny that crushed the Sicilian Mafia.
https://redstate.com/streiff/2025/11/22/endemic-fraud-in-minnesotas-somali-community-is-an-issue-but-the-problem-doesnt-involve-illegals-n2196469

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Congress Has Forgotten How to Legislate Congress once built the future through lawmaking; today, it mostly performs instead of legislates. By Michael S. Kochin

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Who in Congress in 2025 Is Truly a Legislator?

This isn’t a trick question. I am not asking who holds the title, who can raise the most money, or who can win a primary. I am asking who is engaged in the actual foundational work of legislating.

Legislation is a specific, wearying art. This art is a process: a member identifies a problem, works with think tanks, academics, and interest groups to create a plan and build a coalition, and directs professional staff to meticulously draft that plan into formal legislation.

What signature legislation does Senator Tom Cotton truly want to pass? What complex national problem does Senator Ted Cruz seek to solve with a new, workable law? We see a Congress full of prominent names, but few seem attached to any signature legislative ambition.

This is not Ted Kennedy’s Congress, which passed the Americans with Disabilities Act. It is not Newt Gingrich’s Congress, which—love it or hate it—was defined by a specific legislative agenda in the “Contract with America.” And it is certainly not the Congress of Representative Carl Vinson.

When Vinson looked at the world in the 1930s, he saw a rising tide of fascism and militarism. As chairman of the House Naval Affairs Committee, his response was not just to give speeches; it was to legislate. He was the principal author of the “Two-Ocean Navy Act,” a monumental bill that authorized a 70% increase in the fleet and funded the creation of the industrial capacity to build it.

It was the law that gave America the naval power to fight and win World War II.

A decade later, Vinson faced a new challenge: the dawn of the nuclear age. When the brilliant but abrasive Admiral Hyman Rickover—the “Father of the Nuclear Navy”—was twice passed over for promotion and faced mandatory retirement, the Navy’s own bureaucracy nearly killed its own future.

Vinson, the legislator, intervened. He and his colleagues in the Senate used their congressional power to pass special legislation, bypassing the retirement rules to keep Rickover on duty. Vinson then personally rammed the authorization bills through Congress to fund the first nuclear submarines and carriers.

That is what a legislator does.

They see a 30-year problem and write a 30-year solution. They protect visionaries from the bureaucracy. They build the future.

When was the last time we saw this kind of ambitious, structural legislating?

Supposedly, the last major, thought-out piece of legislation to be passed was the Dodd-Frank Act in 2010—and as many would note, “thought-out” does not necessarily mean “well thought-out.”

Today, we have a Congress focused on oversight of the executive branch rather than on legislating. Oversight is, without question, a crucial and necessary constitutional duty. But oversight has become an end in itself, rather than a means to an end.

When a congressional hearing is designed not to gather information for a new law, but to create a two-minute viral video clip for social media, it is performance, not governance.

This legislative atrophy comes at a perilous cost, because our most pressing national problems are metastasizing, and they cannot be fixed without new laws.

The regulation of artificial intelligence, for example, is not a partisan issue; it is a national security and economic one. We need a new framework to establish liability, protect data privacy, and prevent misuse by foreign adversaries. But instead of a legislator for the AI age, we have a void.

Look at our critical infrastructure. The FAA is not failing because of one administrator; it is failing because its regulatory approach needs rethinking, its technology is dangerously antiquated, and its air traffic controller workforce is stretched to the breaking point.

These are not problems an executive order can fix. They require complex, multi-year authorization and appropriations bills—the boring, essential work that only Congress can do.

Look at our national defense. The United States needs a 21st-century navy, but it also needs a 21st-century industrial capacity to build that navy. This means new laws to revitalize shipyards, secure critical supply chains, and lay out and fund a stable procurement plan. We are trying to manage a new era of global challenges with a force structured by Vinson’s generation.

Higher education reform requires new laws. The modernization of the FDA, NIH, and NSF requires new laws. The President’s tariff authority needs to be clearly redefined by new laws.

America’s problems are not solving themselves. I have ideas, as do many Americans, but is anybody in Congress interested in ideas—mine or anybody else’s?

Oversight is important. But we, the public, must start demanding more. We must ask our representatives not just what they stopped, but what they built.

Somebody must have the ambition to legislate.

We need a Congress that remembers its primary purpose.

*Comments are closed.*
http://www.ruthfullyyours.com/2025/11/16/217452/

general

Serving Those Who Served: Wolf Valley Homes Launches Veterans Homeownership Program Across Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas

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Dallas, TX, Nov. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Wolf Valley Homes, a leading Texas-based builder of tiny homes and small cabins, has announced the launch of its Veterans Homeownership Program. This new initiative is designed to make owning a tiny home more accessible for veterans, active-duty service members, and their families across Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.

The program focuses on helping veterans achieve affordable and sustainable housing through exclusive discounted pricing, $0 down opportunities, and specialized financing options. Through partnerships with trusted financing providers, qualified applicants can now access VA One-Time-Close loans, unsecured financing, and renovation loan options — available to those with credit scores starting as low as 580.

“Many of our nation’s heroes struggle to find housing options that fit both their needs and budgets,” said Waldon Fenster, a representative of Wolf Valley Homes. “Our Veterans Homeownership Program is our way of giving back, enabling veterans and their families to plant roots in homes they can truly call their own.”

### Expanding Homeownership Opportunities Across the South

The program is part of Wolf Valley Homes’ ongoing mission to empower individuals through attainable, high-quality housing. Each home is built to state-approved standards, providing the functionality of a traditional residence within a smaller, more efficient footprint. Homes can be constructed on private land or placed within approved communities, offering flexibility for those looking to settle near family or employment opportunities.

### Program Highlights:
– Exclusive Veterans Discounts on all Wolf Valley Homes models
– VA One-Time-Close (OTC) Financing for permanent homes
– $0 Down Payment Opportunities for eligible applicants
– Personalized Guidance from a dedicated Tiny Home Buying Guide
– Turnkey Options for primary residences, ADUs, or rental investments

Veterans and active-duty families who qualify can choose from a range of customizable floorplans, with a build period of approximately 11 months. By working closely with mortgage and financing partners, Wolf Valley Homes simplifies the process of qualifying for VA-backed or alternative loan programs, ensuring more veterans can transition from renting to homeownership.

### Looking Ahead

The Veterans Homeownership Program marks a meaningful step toward a future where every veteran can access affordable, high-quality housing. Wolf Valley Homes is committed to advancing that vision — creating pathways to ownership, stability, and independence for those who have served.

To learn more about the program, please visit [Wolf Valley Homes](#).

—

**Media Contact**
**Company Name:** Wolf Valley Homes
**Contact Person:** Waldon Fenster
**Contact Number:** (682) 233-3085
**Email:** connect@wolfvalleybuildings.com
**Country:** United States
**Website:** [www.wolfvalleyhomes.com](#)
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/11/12/3186930/0/en/Serving-Those-Who-Served-Wolf-Valley-Homes-Launches-Veterans-Homeownership-Program-Across-Texas-Oklahoma-and-Arkansas.html

general

WATCH: Speaker Johnson Exposes How Schumer Just Got Some Really, Really Bad News from CNN

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American Tribune ^ | November 01, 2025 | Adam Stanton

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**Speaker Mike Johnson Blasts Democrats Over 29-Day Government Shutdown**

With an epic rhetorical flourish, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) slammed the Democrats for the ongoing 29-day government shutdown, calling out their rejection of 14 clean continuing resolutions (CRs) that would fund essential services including the troops, SNAP, WIC, TSA, air traffic controllers, and nuclear defense workers.

Johnson highlighted a recent poll revealing that over 70% of the public feels Democrats are out of touch. He also pointed out that major unions, such as the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and the Teamsters, are urging Democrats to reopen the government.

The Speaker referred to the SNAP-only lawsuit as a “scam” aimed at prolonging pain for political leverage against the “far left.”

—

Starting his comments, Speaker Johnson said, “Day 29 of the Democrats’ shutdown, and things are getting really tough for the American people.” He underscored the immediate impact, noting that “more air traffic controllers, TSA agents, and park rangers are about to go without a paycheck.”

Continuing his criticism, Johnson described the consequences of the Democrats’ actions as selfish. “You’ve got families and children who rely upon SNAP benefits that are going to go hungry here at the end of the week. The Democrats own every one of these consequences,” he declared.

—

Johnson emphasized how ordinary Americans have been turned into political pawns, stating, “Every day, they turn their backs on more and more hard-working American families to prolong their pain. They’ve now voted 14 times between the House and Senate to reject the clean, simple funding bill that would simply reopen the government. Fourteen times they have thumbed their nose at the American people.”

He referenced a CNN poll showing that Republican popularity is rising as Democrats falter, adding, “Democrats are openly admitting that this is their shutdown. The approval of Republicans in Congress is rising. Democrats in Congress have the lowest approval rating they have ever had. You need 218 votes. That’s exactly what we did on September 19.”

Johnson reiterated, “The Democrats are the only reason that the government is closed. They’re using the pain of the American people as their leverage.”

—

The Speaker further noted bipartisan pressure for reopening the government. “The largest union of federal workers, the American Federation of Government Employees, publicly urged Democrats to join Republicans and pass the House’s short-term funding bill.”

He continued, “A strong America requires a functioning government, one that pays its bills. The National Association of Air Traffic Controllers, the Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations, and the leader of the Teamsters—all called on Senate Democrats to end this shameful shutdown.”

—

Wrapping up, Johnson stated, “Senate Democrats knew the pain this would cause. They did not care. They shut the government down anyway to appease the far left. On Saturday, SNAP benefits will stop flowing, and tens of millions of Americans will be at risk of going hungry.”

Concluding his remarks, the Speaker criticized legal efforts to maintain SNAP benefits despite the shutdown. “Democrat attorneys general are suing to try to compel SNAP benefits despite the government being closed. There’s a much easier option. Just go do your job and fully fund all these programs by voting for the CR.”

—

**Watch the clip here:** [VIDEO AT LINK]

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**TOPICS:** Business/Economy; Conspiracy; Government; Military/Veterans

—

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**Comments:**
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https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/4350141/posts

government, media, politics

Rep. Eric Swalwell demands 2028 Democrat presidential candidates to pledge to destroy Trump’s ballroom

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**Rep. Eric Swalwell Demands 2028 Democrat Candidates Pledge to Tear Down Trump’s Planned White House Ballroom**

*By OAN Staff | Katherine Mosack | 5:07 PM, Sunday, October 26, 2025*

United States Representative Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) is calling on potential Democrat presidential candidates for 2028 to pledge to dismantle President Donald Trump’s planned White House ballroom.

On Sunday, the Democrat congressman posted on X:
“Don’t even think of seeking the Democratic nomination for president unless you pledge to take a wrecking ball to the Trump Ballroom on DAY ONE.”

Swalwell added in a comment that he would find it acceptable if the next Democrat president were to “rename it the Barack Obama Ballroom,” though the White House has not suggested any name for the space.
“But a Trump monument to corruption will not stand,” he concluded.

Swalwell is the latest Democrat to oppose the new addition to the White House, despite the project being fully funded by the president and private donors, putting no cost on American taxpayers.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned the “fake outrage” over the project, noting that “nearly every single president who has lived in this beautiful White House behind me has made modernizations and renovations of their own.”

Indeed, former President Barack Obama added a basketball court while in office.

During the Obama administration, many state dinners were held on the South Lawn under a tent, requiring guests to use portable restrooms. The new 90,000-square-foot ballroom will have the capacity for approximately 650 seated guests, allowing dinners and receptions to be held indoors.

President Trump even mentioned possibly holding the inauguration in the ballroom. This may provide some extra security to high-profile individuals, compared to open-air venues like the one in Pennsylvania where Trump was shot in the ear last summer.

Most of the White House remains untouched by the new construction, including the West Wing, the Executive Residence, and both the east and west colonnades. The East Wing, which has held the First Lady’s office and other staff office spaces along with a nuclear bunker, will be expanded to accommodate the grand ballroom.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has also criticized the building project, which has drawn scrutiny on her own treatment of the White House when her husband, former President Bill Clinton, left office. The couple took furniture and other “gifts” from the People’s House and ended up returning $28,000 worth of furnishings. The Clintons also reimbursed the White House an additional $86,000 for items taken.

Their daughter, Chelsea Clinton, who lived in the White House from ages 12 to 20, wrote on X:
“The erasure of the East Wing isn’t just about marble or plaster; it’s about President Trump again taking a wrecking ball to our heritage, while targeting our democracy, and the rule-of-law.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom has also repeatedly criticized the project. This has drawn attention to his own state’s ongoing renovations of the Capitol building in Sacramento. The project began shortly before he entered office with an estimated cost of less than $550 million but has grown to more than $1 billion under his governance, and it is fully funded by taxpayers.

Conservatives have jokingly diagnosed those who take offense to the independently funded, $300 million ballroom with “BDS,” also known as “ballroom derangement syndrome.”

—

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https://www.oann.com/newsroom/rep-eric-swalwell-demands-2028-democrat-presidential-candidates-to-pledge-to-destroy-trumps-ballroom/

boxing, entertainment, sports

“He’s fought the best in the world” – Denis Puric believes “it’s possible” for Nong-O to pull off upset against Rodtang

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Denis Puric isn’t writing off Nong-O Hama’s chances against Rodtang Jitmuangnon, and he has good reason to believe the veteran can pull off the upset.

The 40-year-old Bosnian-Canadian striker squares off against former three-division K-1 champion Takeru Segawa in a flyweight kickboxing bout at **ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri**, taking place inside Tokyo’s Ariake Arena on Sunday, Nov. 16.

On the same card, 38-year-old Nong-O battles Rodtang for the vacant ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title in an all-Thai classic.

During a pre-fight interview with the South China Morning Post (SCMP), “The Bosnian Menace” offered his assessment on the superfight based on Nong-O’s recent performances.

> “Considering his last fight against Kongthoranee, I think it’s possible. The boy’s a beast. Nong-O is a legend, man. He’s been in the game for so long. He’s fought the best in the world,” Denis Puric said.

Puric’s perspective carries weight considering his connections to both fighters. He has trained alongside Nong-O at Superbon Training Camp in Bangkok, Thailand, giving him firsthand knowledge of the 38-year-old veteran’s technical prowess and devastating kicking game.

Meanwhile, he has also shared the Circle with Rodtang, having faced “The Iron Man” in a thrilling three-round battle at ONE 167 in June last year. This experience has helped Puric understand what makes the former flyweight Muay Thai champion so dangerous.

While many view Rodtang as the heavy favorite, Puric’s belief in Nong-O’s chances suggests the underdog shouldn’t be counted out when these two icons collide for the vacant world title gold.

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### Denis Puric Stoked to Be Part of Blockbuster ONE 173 in Tokyo

In the same online interview, Denis Puric labeled ONE’s return to Tokyo with ONE 173 in November as the stuff of dreams.

“The Bosnian Menace” has fought on some of the biggest cards and shows throughout his two-decade career. Still, he recognizes this opportunity to be part of this card as something extremely special.

> “I’m super excited [to fight here]. Honestly, this whole card looks crazy. I feel like this is the best card ONE Championship has ever put together. You got basically the best fighters in ONE on this card,” he shared.

—

### Event Details

**ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri**
**Date:** Sunday, Nov. 16
**Venue:** Ariake Arena, Tokyo, Japan

Tickets for ONE 173 are available [here](#). Fans around the globe can visit [watch.onefc.com](https://watch.onefc.com) for viewing options in their region.

—

Stay tuned for what promises to be an electrifying night of Muay Thai and kickboxing action!
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To hit back at the United States in their trade war, China borrows from the US playbook

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**China’s New Trade Tactics Mirror Long-Standing U.S. Policies**

WASHINGTON — China has often criticized the United States for extending its influence beyond its borders to impose demands on non-American companies. However, when Beijing sought to respond to U.S. actions this month, it adopted a remarkably similar approach.

In expanding export rules on rare earth elements, China announced for the first time that foreign firms must obtain approval from the Chinese government to export magnets containing even trace amounts of rare earth materials originating from China or produced using Chinese technology. This means, for example, a South Korean smartphone maker needs Beijing’s permission to sell devices to Australia if those devices contain rare earth materials sourced from China.

Jamieson Greer, the U.S. Trade Representative, explained, “This rule gives China control over basically the entire global economy in the technology supply chain.”

### Borrowing from U.S. Trade Practices

For those familiar with U.S. trade policy, China’s move is essentially an adoption of a decades-old U.S. approach known as the Foreign Direct Product Rule. This rule extends the reach of U.S. laws to products made outside its borders and has been used regularly to limit China’s access to certain U.S. technologies even when held by foreign companies.

This is the latest indication of Beijing turning to U.S. precedents in its efforts to confront Washington amid what seems to be an extended trade war between the world’s two largest economies.

“China is learning from the best,” said Neil Thomas, a fellow on Chinese politics at the Asia Society Policy Institute’s Center for China Analysis. “Beijing is copying Washington’s playbook because it saw firsthand how effectively U.S. export controls could constrain its own economic development and political choices.” He added, “Game recognizes game.”

### Origins Trace Back to 2018

China’s urgency to develop retaliatory trade tools grew in 2018, when President Donald Trump launched a trade war against the country. At that time, Beijing began adopting laws and policies it could quickly implement during future trade conflicts — often inspired by Washington’s methods.

For example, China’s Unreliable Entity List, established in 2020 by the Ministry of Commerce, closely resembles the U.S. Commerce Department’s Entity List, which restricts certain foreign companies from engaging in business with the U.S.

In 2021, Beijing introduced its Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, allowing agencies such as the Foreign Ministry to deny visas and freeze assets of unwelcome individuals and businesses, similar to powers held by the U.S. State Department and Treasury.

Describing it as a toolkit against foreign sanctions, the state-run China News agency quoted an ancient Chinese teaching, saying Beijing would be, “hitting back with the enemy’s methods.” Chinese scholar Li Qingming noted that the law “has combed through relevant foreign legislation and taken into consideration international law and the basic principles of international relations,” adding that it could deter further escalation.

### Expanding Controls and Reviews

Beyond sanctions and entity lists, Beijing has implemented expanded export controls and foreign investment review mechanisms over the past several years.

Jeremy Daum, a senior research scholar in law and senior fellow at Yale Law School’s Paul Tsai China Center, explained that China often models its laws after foreign examples in non-trade areas. As Beijing seeks the capacity to retaliate in trade and sanctions disputes, its tools frequently mirror those used by the U.S.

Both governments have adopted a broad definition of national security, which they use to justify restrictions on one another, Daum noted.

### Escalation Accelerates in 2024

Following Trump’s return to the White House earlier this year and the revival of his trade war posture, Beijing activated its new toolkit alongside retaliatory tariffs.

In February, reacting to Trump’s initial 10% tariff on China related to allegations that Beijing failed to curb fentanyl precursor chemicals, China’s Commerce Ministry placed PVH Group (owner of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger) and biotech firm Illumina on its Unreliable Entity List. This barred them from participating in import-export activities in China and restricted new investments.

Beijing also announced export controls on tungsten, tellurium, bismuth, molybdenum, and indium — critical elements in high-tech manufacturing.

In March, after the U.S. imposed an additional 10% fentanyl-related tariff, China blacklisted 10 more U.S. firms and added 15 companies to its export control list, including defense firms like General Dynamics Land Systems and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, citing threats to China’s national security.

April’s so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs saw Beijing match Trump’s steep tariff increase to 125%, adding more U.S. companies to its blacklist and imposing export controls on additional rare earth minerals. This resulted in halts to shipments of magnets essential for manufacturing smartphones, electric vehicles, jet planes, and missiles.

### Risks of the Escalating Trade Conflict

While China’s new measures give it more leverage against the United States, Daum cautions that these tactics carry risks.

“There are two dangers in such a facially balanced and fair approach,” he said. “One, what one side sees as reciprocity, the other might interpret as escalation. And second, in a race to the bottom, nobody wins.”

As the trade war continues, both nations appear set to keep adapting and countering each other’s strategies — each learning from the other’s playbook in this high-stakes economic rivalry.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/19/united-states-trade-war-china/