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Did a Queens Podiatrist Help Donald Trump Avoid Vietnam? — In the fall of 1968, Donald J. Trump received a timely diagnosis of bone spurs in his heels that led to his medical exemption from the military during Vietnam. — For 50 years, the details of how the exemption came about …
Discussion:
POLITICUSUSA, Joe.My.God., Raw Story, The Week and Mediaite


Brown seeks Obama meeting as he considers presidential run — Sen. Sherrod Brown hasn't decided whether he's running for president — but he's checking off a lot of the boxes that come along the way. — The Ohio Democrat is reaching out to fellow senators and party officials in early primary and caucus states.
Discussion:
Joe.My.God.
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Black Voters, a Force in Democratic Politics, Are Ready to Make Themselves Heard — BALTIMORE — The first “Amen!” rang out after a couple of minutes, as Senator Elizabeth Warren, speaking to an almost all-black audience at Morgan State University's winter commencement, described how America has …


The Path to the Presidency Could Be Harder for White Democrats in 2020 — Before Barack Obama's election in 2008, the relationship between white racial views and partisanship wasn't as clear-cut as one might think. Yes, Republicans won the large majority of white voters who believed black disadvantage …


POLITICO Playbook: Shutdown standoff continues — DRIVING THE DAY — GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN ... DAY 5. WE ANTICIPATE that talks to end the government shutdown will pick up a smidge. The White House may chat with the congressional leadership and some offers may be swapped beginning today.
Discussion:
Political Wire


Trump's frustration with Mnuchin rising after failed attempt to calm markets, source says — (CNN)President Donald Trump's frustration with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is ratcheting up further after markets suffered their worst Christmas Eve drop ever following Mnuchin's attempts …
Discussion:
New York Magazine, Washington Post and The Week
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Post-holiday, partial government shutdown to gain impact
Discussion:
Axios

As Market Rout Continues, Trump Stands Firm on Fed, Border Wall
Discussion:
Reuters


CBP Shares Additional Information about Recent Passing of Guatemalan Child — An eight year-old Guatemalan national, previously apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, died shortly before midnight on December 24 at Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center in Alamogordo, New Mexico.
Discussion:
Bloomberg
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CBP orders medical checks after second child's death
Discussion:
Daily Kos, The Week, KTLA, No More Mister Nice Blog, The Gateway Pundit, Axios and Law & Crime

8-Year-Old Migrant Child From Guatemala Dies in U.S. Custody
Discussion:
CNBC, Balloon Juice and Department of Homeland …

8-year-old Guatemalan boy dies in US custody on Christmas
Discussion:
ImmigrationProf Blog


I thought fraud in reporting was done for. I was wrong. — Nearly 30 years ago, the Cold War's end opened Germany's border to the formerly Soviet-dominated east. Asylum seekers from poor and war-torn nations poured across it. A violent backlash from ultra-right-wing Germans ensued.


Trump becomes first president since 2002 not to visit troops at Christmastime — Though he called military personnel on Tuesday, Trump did not visit a hospital or a military base. — On Christmas Day, President Donald Trump took part in a long-running practice of presidents …
Discussion:
Raw Story and Political Wire


A Gutted I.R.S. Makes the Rich Richer — With enforcement enfeebled, as much as 20 percent of potential tax revenues go uncollected. — The editorial board represents the opinions of the board, its editor and the publisher. It is separate from the newsroom and the Op-Ed section.


Do a ‘marginal’ number of 7-year-olds believe in Santa? That's what Trump told a SC girl. — Collman Lloyd, 7, talks to President Donald Trump on Christmas Eve inside her Lexington kitchen. Trump asked Lloyd if she still believed in Santa. “Yes, sir,” she replied. Erica Lloyd/Provided
Discussion:
Breitbart, twitchy.com, BuzzFeed News, Politico, Associated Press, Balloon Juice, The Week, Raw Story, Washington Times, MyNorthwest.com, Mediaite and Bloomberg


Selling Real Estate in Russia? Are You Crazy? — MOSCOW — Elena Y. Kotova's one-room apartment on the outskirts of Moscow had started to feel cramped. Her son was almost 4 years old. She and her husband had solid jobs, she as an economist and he as a manager of a construction company.


Queen's speech in front of lavish gold piano blasted for being ‘out of touch’ — Queen Elizabeth referred to Brexit in her Christmas day message as she sat beside a golden piano — The Queen's Christmas Day speech has been slammed on social media for being “out of touch” and disrespectful to families “struggling to make ends meet”.


Mattis works from Pentagon on Christmas, tells troops: ‘You hold the line’ — Defense Secretary James Mattis wished U.S. troops a merry Christmas and worked Christmas Day after President Trump pushed the secretary out two months earlier than he planned to resign.
Discussion:
Breitbart, Joe.My.God., The Daily Caller, Mediaite, IJR and twitchy.com
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Russia Considers Constitution Changes as Putin Faces Term Limits — Speaker of parliament suggests discussing amendments — Analysts see Kremlin effort to allow Putin to extend rule — The speaker of Russia's parliament raised the possibility of changing the constitution …