Scott Adams' Blog  —  By now you know that President Elect Trump took a call from the President of Taiwan and simultaneously lit on fire the underpants of the mainstream media and maybe the leadership of China too.  —  Apparently taking a phone call from the president of Taiwan …

Oakland: At least nine dead after massive fire at live-work space party … OAKLAND — In what may be the deadliest structure fire in Oakland's history, at least nine people died in a blaze that broke out late Friday at an electronic music party at a Fruitvale district live-work space, officials said.

Can You Figure Out the Mystery Inside This Remarkable Ad About High School Love?  —  A message deeper than idle sketches  —  Here's a pretty amazing ad from BBDO New York, with a mystery at its core.  —  At the outset, we meet Evan, a high school kid who can't wait for summer break.

He got life without parole for pot.  And he was just denied clemency.  —  This post has been updated to include quotes from The Watch's interview with Ferrell Scott.  —  Ferrell Scott was sentenced to life in prison for possession and conspiracy to distribute marijuana …

Rep. McCaul: Yes, we will build a wall, put Mexico on a “payment plan” and enforce the law  —  FILE: Undated: Unidentified people in Mexico crossing the Rio Grande to enter the United States illegally, in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.  (AP)  —  Donald Trump campaigned on a big promise …

Iowa Governor Branstad Is Frontrunner for U.S.-China Ambassador  —  People say meetings likely with Trump's transition team  —  Branstad, China's Xi have friendship dating back to 1985  —  Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, a longtime friend of Chinese President Xi Jinping …

Will Ivanka Trump Be the Most Powerful First Daughter in History?  —  Ivanka Trump is about to become the most influential first daughter since Alice Roosevelt Longworth.  But can she do so without damaging her own brand?  —  When Nancy Pelosi, the minority leader of the House of Representatives …

Bergdahl requests pardon from President Obama, US officials  —  Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl—held captive for five years after being captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan—has requested a pardon from President Obama, Fox News has learned from two senior US officials.

Trump's Carrier deal could permanently damage American capitalism  —  There are many aspects of the economic policy of the new administration that I find misguided.  But I am most troubled by what President-elect Donald Trump did with Carrier to hold on to an extra 700 jobs in Indiana.

So Far Appalachia: The Myth of the Rural, White Working Class + Voting Against Their Self Interest  —  I'm writing a book about Appalachia.  More specially, I'm writing a memoir of my family, which helped settled what is now the poorest county in the country: Clay County, which The New York Times dubbed …

A political temper tantrum at the FCC  —  The United States just went through a brutal election season.  Politics is a nasty game.  But now that the election is over, we must — in the immortal words of Abraham Lincoln — come together and embrace the better angels of our nature.

Secret Service faces massive bill for protecting Trump  —  Protecting Donald Trump and his family will involve unprecedented costs for taxpayers.  But federal and New York City officials are dismissing speculation about sky-scraping expenses.  —  The Secret Service renting a floor …

Hawaii's forecast: Icy and dangerous conditions.  No, really.  —  The forecast in Hawaii is calling for an entire foot of snow.  Patrick Jones (@Patrick_E_Jones) has some details on snow in The Aloha State.  Buzz60  —  Forget the swimsuits for Hawaii and pack raincoats and winter parkas.

Trump education pick once touted school reform to 'advance God's Kingdom'  —  's pick for secretary of Education in 2001 described her work in promoting school choice as trying to “advance God's Kingdom,” according to audio discovered by Politico.  —  During a 2001 meeting of “The Gathering …

J. Cole Comes for Kanye West: Is the Hip-Hop World Turning on Pro-Trump Yeezy?  —  The diss track is having a renaissance.  Earlier this week, reformed actor Shia LaBeouf debuted the ultimate lo-fi diss track: a modest recording emailed to radio presenter Charlemagne Tha God.

Hollywood, Havana and Me  —  Deep breath.  Exhale.  Out with the bad...  I was an American abroad, working overseas on this recent election night 2016.  By midnight Dublin-time, having watched tidbits of news coverage, I was able to put myself to sleep, confidently, arrogantly …