Jackson and Handback are joined by State Senator Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville) to discuss the U.S. Capitol riots and their fallout, the next legislative session and whether it will be shortened or not.

Jackson closes the show with a “Parting Shot” at those who believe threats of violence actually help their cause in spite of all the evidence that shows otherwise.

Dale Jackson is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 7-11 AM weekdays on WVNN.

Sedition on commission. https://t.co/MyHtStfoIJ

— John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) January 13, 2021

The Space Command HQ was a payoff, for sedition, Archibald claims. Alleging a crime without reason or merit. Journalism.

His colleague and intellectual equal J.D. Crowe drew a picture depicting Brooks and every other Alabama Republican who voted for election oversight as members of the Klan and accused them of treason.

Alabama Coup Klutz Klan: Traitors Mo Brooks, Tuberville and the other lemmings should resign https://t.co/0ZviKyVdDZ #alpolitics #trumpsterfire #treason pic.twitter.com/95gZGcV0Zi

— JD Crowe (@CroweJam) January 11, 2021

Alleging a crime without reason or merit. Journalism.

All of this is based on three accused wrongdoings:

1. Brooks was an outspoken proponent of having votes on election irregularities, even though he knew those votes would fail.

This is a completely legal and justified action provided for in the U.S. Constitution.

2. He spoke at a rally six hours before the shameful and seditious actions that took place that day and used the phrase: “Today is the day American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass.”

Not great stuff here by Mo Brooks, but it is not a crime, and it is pretty amazing that a prosecutor is suggesting it be prosecuted.

3. He planned the rally itself.

This allegation is weird, and, until Thursday, Brooks had not been asked about the allegation directly.

It is based on the now-deleted Periscope video by Ali Alexander in which he claims, “We four schemed up of putting maximum pressure on Congress while they were voting.”

Organizer @ali claims he organized the insurrection "with congressman @RepGosar @RepMoBrooks and @RepAndyBiggsAZ. We four schemed up putting maximum pressure on congress while they were voting…"

These 3 congressmen need to be held accountable. https://t.co/ht2R8cqaLw

— Jason Paladino (@jason_paladino) January 8, 2021

What does this mean?

That Brooks himself worked to book the space, the sound equipment and sent the mass emails for the riot.

That seems unlikely. A pressure campaign on members of Congress to vote with him? That’s not normal.

The obvious implication that whoever planned the rally also planned the siege is not backed up by facts.

Brooks was asked about the allegation, if you can even call it that, during a Thursday appearance on WVNN’s “The Dale Jackson Show.”

He said, “I don’t recall ever having met the guy, ever having communicated with the guy, ever having seen the guy. I don’t know where he’s coming from.”

But don’t let that stop the mob from alleging a massive conspiracy, which they are doing by tying in guided tours of the U.S. Capitol in the days preceding the riots.

Brooks thinks Alexander may have been “inspired” by his appearances on radio and TV, suggesting that may have led to him wanting to plan the rally.

But Brooks also pointed out that the rally was not the issue (which it wasn’t).

“[F]rankly, a rally is a great idea …  that was a great rally,” Brooks advised. “The rally wasn’t the problem. The problems were these militant groups, along with rally attendees at the U.S. Capitol. That was the problem.”

He continued, “I did not invite anyone, I did not set the time, I did not set the speakers.”

“I have had no communications with anybody involved in the operational planning,” Brooks added.

But this is not going to stop anytime soon. Censuring is all but a certainty; expulsion seems unlikely because of the hurdles required. But an attempted prosecution could be in the congressman’s future because Democrats are emboldened and want to hold as many Republicans as they can accountable.

The District of Columbia Attorney General Karl Racine is looking for charges.

“I know I’m looking at a charge under the D.C. Code of inciting violence, and that would apply where there’s a clear recognition that one’s incitement could lead to foreseeable violence,” Racine stated.

If all of this seems like a far-fetched nightmare where political speech is criminalized, you are right.

Brooks compared this reaction by his Democratic colleagues and D.C.’s attorney general as dictatorial forces like you would see in communist China or the Soviet Union.

Based on their fervor to make their political foes pay right now, you would be hard-pressed to describe it any other way.

Listen:

Dale Jackson is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 7-11 AM weekdays on WVNN.

• Utah-based agitator and BLM protester John Sullivan has been arrested for his direct roll in breaching the U.S. Capitol. Sullivan, who had his video licensed by the Washington Post and MSNBC, is on video encouraging people to enter the U.S. Capitol, cause damage, and even tried to get cops to leave their posts.
• Another Alabama man who was arrested at the U.S. Capitol, Joshua Black of Leeds, has been charged with violent entry and entering restricted grounds for his role during the attack. Black, who recorded videos of himself on the floor of the U.S. House, told investigators, “I wanted to get inside the building so I could plead the blood of Jesus over it. That was my goal.” He added that while he had a knife, he “wasn’t planning on pulling it.”

5. Outbreaks aren’t started by kids in classrooms

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published a new study that shows K-12 classrooms meeting in-person don’t create coronavirus outbreaks, as they saw no major differences in coronavirus cases between areas that had in-person class and those that were only online.
• The report says that the “CDC recommends that K-12 schools be the last settings to close after all other mitigation measures have been employed and the first to reopen when they can do so safely.” The CDC also noted that the structure of schools “can support adherence to critical mitigation measures to help prevent and slow the spread of COVID019.”

4. Trump was right about the virus going away after the election

• New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) is allowing some bars and restaurants to open up for indoor dining after the state lost a court case on the matter. Cuomo’s administration is still considering challenging the ruling.
• Chicago is also ready to open up, as Mayor Lori Lightfoot says the reopening of bars and restaurants “as quickly as possible” will actually lower the spread of the coronavirus because these establishments will follow rules that private parties are not.

3. Shelby hasn’t decided on impeachment yet

• U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) hasn’t voiced how he plans to vote on President Donald Trump’s impeachment. He’s maintained that “we need to wait and hear the evidence.”
• Previously, Shelby voted against impeaching Trump on charges of obstruction of Congress and abuse of power. The Senate isn’t expected to take up impeachment until Trump is already out of office.

2. Montgomery preparing for protests

• While there is talk of “armed” protests nationwide during the inauguration, Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed has announced that the city is preparing for possible protests at the capitol, due to reports that there are armed protests being planned at all 50 state capitols and the U.S. Capitol on January 17-20.
• Reed said, “Our residents and businesses can take comfort in knowing we are taking every step to ensure their safety and security this weekend.” He added that he’s instructed, “Chief Finley and the Montgomery Police Department to use every resource at their disposal and authorized extra manpower.”

1. Alabama National Guard going to D.C.

• Governor Kay Ivey announced that there will be 250 National Guard members from Alabama sent to Washington, D.C. to help prepare for President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. This will be part of the about 20,000 National Guard members in the area.
• Gina Maiola, Ivey’s press secretary, said that this was done “At the request of the Chief of The National Guard Bureau, General Daniel R. Hokanson.” Ivey has previously said that law enforcement is monitoring the situation as there have been threats of armed protests across the country.

• U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) believes the latest attempt to impeach President Donald Trump is a “waste of time” but also said that the president knows he made a mistake.
• Tuberville told reporters, “I was up there last week during this thing and President Trump made a mistake,” adding, “He knows it, he admitted it.” This last point is in dispute as House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) asserted that Trump told him he accepts “some responsibility.” Trump himself told reporters later that he bore no responsibility.

5. Trump: Please don’t commit acts of violence in my name 

• President Donald Trump has put out a video statement after the decision was made to impeach him for a second time, and while he didn’t address impeachment, he focused on condemning violence and any future violence that might be committed in support of him.
• Trump said, “Mob violence goes against everything I believe in and everything our movement stands for. No true supporter of mine could ever endorse political violence.” He also stated that no one who supports him would “disrespect law enforcement or our great American flag” or “threaten or harass their fellow Americans.”

4. Space Command coming to Huntsville

• Governor Kay Ivey has announced that the U.S. Space Command Headquarters will be located at the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. This will directly create 1,500 jobs and will continue to attract business from suppliers and subcontractors.
• Ivey released a statement on the decision, advising, “Our state has long provided exceptional support for our military and their families as well as a rich and storied history when it comes to space exploration.” The Air Force added, “Huntsville compared favorably…than any other community, providing a large, qualified workforce, quality schools, superior infrastructure capacity, and low initial and recurring costs.”

3. Brooks thinks Space Command could move

• U.S. Representative Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) suggested that the Biden administration could change where the U.S. Space Command Headquarters is located, as Democrats also control the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.
• In a statement released by Brooks, he outlined, “The Space Command HQ’s final location decision will likely be in 2023…it is unknown” if the “decision will hold up and be respected by the Biden/Harris Administration and Congress.”

2. Trump was impeached … again

• The U.S. House of Representatives has officially impeached a sitting president twice for the first time in history, as they voted to impeach President Donald Trump for “incitement of insurrection.”
• There were 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Trump, making the vote 232-197. In Alabama, the only representative that voted to impeach was U.S. Representative Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham).

1. Senate won’t take up impeachment until just before inauguration

• Last night, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said that he was still undecided on impeachment, adding that he intends “to listen to the legal arguments when they are presented to the Senate.”
• The Senate isn’t set to meet again until January 19, and it’s being reported that date won’t change, so if President Donald Trump is convicted by the Senate, it won’t be until after he’s left office.

• After Alabama won yet another national championship, students took to the streets in a wild crowd scene that made many uncomfortable — so uncomfortable that the University of Alabama is now allowing professors to offer classes online. The University statement told students and educators, “As a result of recent events, we are allowing faculty to be flexible for the next two weeks with the option to temporarily hold classes remotely. Students have the option to attend in-person activities remotely as well. Staff will continue with adjusted flexible scheduling.”
• On Auburn’s campus, close to 40 professors are in opposition to a no-confidence vote against Provost Bill Hardgrave after one faculty member in the University Senate expressed his displeasure with Auburn’s call to keep offering in-person classes this year.

5. Second round of PPP

• More funding from the Paycheck Protection Program will be available to businesses starting this week, as the Small Business Administration has announced. Governor Kay Ivey said this is “welcome news.”
• In her statement, Ivey wanted to “encourage small business owners across our state to take advantage of these available funds. Any support that we can provide our small businesses in this challenging season is critical to our overall recovery.”

4. States need to expand vaccine availability

• As vaccine rollout has slowed across some states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has suggested that states start offering the coronavirus vaccine to those 65-years-old and older, as there are also steps being taken to increase supply.
• It’s also recommended that some younger people with certain health conditions that make them more likely to have complications from the coronavirus be offered the vaccine, too. There is no word yet on Alabama’s decision to expand the supply immediately.

3. Ivey got her second dose

• Governor Kay Ivey has been vaccinated for the second time against the coronavirus, receiving the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. She’s said that she hasn’t “had any side effects of any kind.” Ivey also wanted “to encourage you to take the COVID vaccination. We need shots in the arm, not on the shelf.” On January 18, the vaccine will become available to those 75-years-old and older.
• That wasn’t Ivey’s only big news of the day. the governor also announced a new batch of road projects paid for by Alabama’s 2018 gas tax increase. Ivey declared, “In Alabama, across our country and around the globe, we are all still working to get COVID-19 behind us, but here at home, we have not forgotten other priorities. Even as we are overcoming new challenges with the virus, we remain ever committed to making needed improvements to our infrastructure.”

2. Brooks releases rebuttal to censure threat

• U.S. Representative Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) has officially released his rebuttal to the attempt to censure him after his speech at the pro-Trump rally on January 6. The censure says that Brooks “encouraged and incited violence against his fellow Members of Congress, as part of an assault on the United States Capitol.”
• Brooks’ almost 3,000-word response can be summed up when he says, “Socialist Democrats and their Fake News Media Allies won’t get an apology from me because my remarks were not wrong. Conversely, the Socialist Democrats and their Fake News Media Allies should be apologizing to the public for the egregiously and manipulative way they have deceived the public on this issue.”

1. McConnell could be ready to support impeachment

• As the Alabama delegation split on a House-approved resolution asking Vice President Mike Pence to move to invoke the 25th Amendment was passed, the New York Times is reporting Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has voiced approval for the articles of impeachment brought against President Donald Trump. The Times is reporting that he’s even “pleased” with the push to impeach Trump.
• McConnell’s comments to colleagues included that he believes that impeaching Trump “will make it easier to purge him from the party.” Today, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on the proposed articles of impeachment.

The 25th Amendment is not going to be invoked and impeachment, whether it happens or not, will have no real-world impact. The impeachment farce is payback to the fervent base in the media who have worked so hard to remove Trump and support Democrats at every turn.

This a thank you to the Democratic base; it solidifies their corruption of American norms like free speech and fairness while creating one-party rule.

And if you need to know how dishonest it is, look no further than the calls to censure and expel over 100 Republicans for casting votes the media and their Democrats don’t like.

The votes they cast were completely within their power, and no different than votes attempted and cast by various Democrats multiple times over the last 20 years. Of course, that was different because they were objecting to George W. Bush twice and Donald Trump once, so that’s fine.

To highlight how vapid this argument is, look at the latest piece from Alabama’s most prominent and least effective political cartoonist, J.D. Crowe.

Alabama Coup Klutz Klan: Traitors Mo Brooks, Tuberville and the other lemmings should resign https://t.co/0ZviKyVdDZ #alpolitics #trumpsterfire #treason pic.twitter.com/95gZGcV0Zi

— JD Crowe (@CroweJam) January 11, 2021

You get it? They are all Klansmen. So clever.

Why? Because J.D. Crowe’s drawing skills are on-par with his political acumen.

Not a word about race was uttered by these men in the last two weeks. The objections they raised were about the problems in voting systems across the country. Valid concerns.

But because Crowe doesn’t understand that or can’t draw that in a picture, he chooses to not only call them racists but to depict them that way without even explaining why.

Here is his entire blurb posted with the cartoon: “For inciting and supporting an attempted coup, by failing to stand up against lies and misinformation from their Trump Lord, and for being spineless sycophants instead of leaders, these goober traitors should all resign. Or be dissolved by a stain remover.“

Shouldn’t the race stuff be covered?

Also, “dissolved by a stain remover?” Is that a death threat against seven members of Congress?

Even if you argued that U.S. Representative Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) and his unfortunate speech six hours before the issues at the U.S. Capitol were incitement (I believe it clearly was not), what did the others do?

Shouldn’t an allegation like this carry some explanation of weight?

Apparently not. Just scribble it down and the leftwing editorial team will put it on al(dot)com. Once again, they will run down Alabama again, for no reason, and hope it goes viral.

Crowe isn’t the only one, obviously, because he doesn’t have an original bone in his body.

Expel the Republican members of Congress who incited the white supremacist attempted coup.

— Cori Bush (@CoriBush) January 8, 2021

But why?

These are allegations without merit.

Simply put, they have no real argument here. The congressmen did their jobs, and the people that have hated them forever are just using this as a reason to hate them further.

Do al(dot)com’s editors think that calling people racists with no reasoning is OK?

And, don’t forget, there is a potential death threat here as well, along with the dangerous and unfounded charge of these Republican congressmen being “traitors.”

It is becoming very clear to anyone watching what is unfolding before us is a coordinated effort by members of the media, big tech and politicians to silence the people they view as unworthy so they can control the discourse and the direction of the country.

The rioters at the U.S. Capitol gave them an opportunity, and they are going to use it.

Dale Jackson is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 7-11 AM weekdays on WVNN.

• Due to coronavirus cases, the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board has decided to close 41 ABC Stores for a period of time, with ABC Board administrator Mac Gipson saying that keeping all of the stores in the state staffed has been “challenging at best.”
• The Board is closing the stores to “provide the greatest amount of employee/customer protection, while ensuring maximum productivity and efficiency.” The stores will remain closed until late February or early March.

5. Sorry, Pence isn’t taking out Trump

• After acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf resigned, the media and their Democrats’ hopes for an invoking of the 25th Amendment took another hit, but the biggest blow to that gambit came when Vice President Mike Pence announced that he will be working closely with President Donald Trump until the end of their terms.
• Trump and Pence met in the Oval Office, showing that it seems unlikely that Pence is ready to take the drastic step of kicking Trump out of office with so few days left, even as the House will vote to urge him to invoke the 25th Amendment.

4. Read the room, guys

• The FBI has said that there have been plans made to hold armed protests in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. in the few days before President-elect Joe Biden is inaugurated. It’s expected that some of the protests could start at the end of this week.
• The bulletin from the FBI says, “Armed protests are being planned at all 50 state capitols from 16 January through at least 20 January, and the U.S. Capitol from 17 January through 20 January.”

3. Brooks facing censure

• U.S. Representatives Tom Malinowski (R-NJ) and Debbie Wasserman (D-FL) have brought a censure resolution against U.S. Representative Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) for his comments made at the rally for President Donald Trump on January 6.
• Malinowski said that Brooks “incited the crowd that attacked the Capitol, endangering the lives of his fellow members of Congress.” The comment in particular that has been criticized by many that Brooks made was: “Today is the day American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass.”

2. Terri Sewell co-sponsoring impeachment article

• As the House of Representatives brings articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump for a second time, U.S. Representative Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham) has announced that she’ll be co-sponsoring one of the articles.
• The article says that Trump “willfully made statements that encouraged – and foreseeably resulted in – imminent lawless action at the Capitol.” The article directly blamed Trump for inciting the riot at the U.S. Capitol.

1. House Minority Leader McCarthy says Trump acknowledges his role

• During a conference call with House Republicans, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) said that President Donald Trump has accepted “some responsibility” for the U.S. Capitol riots that left five dead, led to calls for the president’s impeachment and has Democrats attempting to censure and expel Republicans like Representative Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville).
• McCarthy also told members that he urged Trump to call up President-elect Joe Biden and finally congratulate him for his victory, a move that Trump seems unlikely to make and Biden seems unlikely to accept.

• Pro-Trump lawyer Lin Wood has made some death threats against Vice President Mike Pence, and now the U.S. Secret Service is investigating these threats. Wood has been posting on Parler, “Get the firing squads ready. Pence goes FIRST.”
• People who were seen at the U.S. Capitol yelling “Hang Pence” are also being investigated by Secret Service. The phrase “Hang Mike Pence” had to be banned from trending on Twitter after it started trending late last week.

5. SPLC calls to investigate Steve Marshall

• Attorney General Steve Marshall is being accused by the Southern Poverty Law Center for playing a role in organizing the rally that turned into a riot at the U.S. Capitol last week, and now the SPLC is calling for an investigation into him.
• This comes after Marshall said he’s “directed an internal review” as it’s been reported that part of the Republican Attorney Generals Association helped organize the protest at the U.S. Capitol. According to Marshall, these decisions would’ve been made without his say. The SPLC said that “Marshall’s account of his involvement in Wednesday’s insurrection is not credible.”

4. Hospitalizations continue to rise

• Since Christmas Eve, there has been a 20% increase in hospitalizations throughout Alabama related to the coronavirus, reaching 3,046 by last week. There’s a concerning strain on hospitals across the state as cases continue to come in.
• Alabama Hospital Association President Don Williams advised that some patients are being transferred out of state for care. UAB Hospital previously announced that they have started using nearby hotels for some patients so there’s more room for coronavirus patients.

3. Vaccine will be more available in Alabama soon

• Governor Kay Ivey has announced that the coronavirus vaccine is going to become more available to some in the state on January 18, with those 75-year-old and over and first responders being eligible.
• Ivey said that she appreciates “the swift work of ADPH to establish a system to efficiently provide our limited resources of vaccine to as many Alabamians as possible.” She added, “It is critical for everyone to remain patient; demand is high, and supply is low. ADPH and their partners are working around-the-clock to assist as many people as they can.”

2. Alabama saw record revenue for 2020

• In 2020, Alabama saw $12.2 billion in revenue, which is $2.3 billion higher than 2015. This is a record high in revenue for the state. Department of Revenue Commissioner Vernon Barnett said that the year “has offered its share of challenges, but the department uncovered many opportunities as well.”
• Of the revenue, 48% was income tax, 38% was sales tax, 9% for business and license taxes, 4% in property tax, and 1% in motor vehicle fees.

1. Impeachment 2: Insurrection Boogaloo

• The media and their Democrats are not content to see President Donald Trump completely marginalized and defeated, so they are prepared to impeach him again if Vice President Mike Pence and Trump’s cabinet refuse to use the 25th Amendment to remove him, which he reportedly has not ruled out.
• In a letter to Pence, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) called for the vice president to respond in 24 hours or an impeachment proceeding will begin shortly. Meanwhile, Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) is pressing to have members expelled from Congress altogether for attempting “to overturn the election and incited a white supremacist coup attempt that has left people,” which is absurd because the challenging of the electors is laid out in the Constitution.

Jackson closes the show with a “parting shot” at those who haven’t been speaking out about political violence over the last few years and welcomes them to the party.

Dale Jackson is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 7-11 AM weekdays on WVNN.

Whoever did it needs to be fried…Antifa didn’t make people commit crimes today just like the ALT-right never forced BLM to burn down buildings. https://t.co/MDxOCpPTlM

— DaleJacksonBooks.com (@TheDaleJackson) January 7, 2021

Don’t believe me? Go to Yellowhammer News’ Facebook page and read the comments on this article, most posted without reading past the headline.

The media and their Democrats, oddly, spent the same period pretending the violence was the first political violence they have ever seen while denouncing it.

This, of course, is not true.

There are too many hypocrites in the world right now, and I am not going to be one of them.

Two weeks ago, I wrote a column in which I accurately described the self-identified comedian Jermaine “Funnymaine” Johnson as someone who allegedly incited violence ahead of a destructive riot in Birmingham last year.

I believe he did, and many people who will disagree with my next statement agreed with me.

Today, I will be consistent when I say that I believe President Donald Trump also incited violence with his words on January 6, 2021.

He told a fired-up crowd, “And after this, we’re going to walk down — and I’ll be there with you — we’re going to walk down … to the Capitol and we’re going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women.”

President Trump says that following his speech, he will lead his supporters in a march to the Capitol building to "cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women." pic.twitter.com/g5seac97wC

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) January 6, 2021

But he went to his mansion and watched instead.

First, he egged them on.

Then he told them he loved them.

Only afterward did he directly condemn them.

pic.twitter.com/csX07ZVWGe

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2021

Where was this guy when the riot was happening?

Or this guy?

Cowering in his mansion.

Five people died, including an on-duty Capitol Police officer, an Air Force veteran and an Athens, Alabama resident.

One Alabama man died, another arrested during Wednesday’s turmoil on Capitol Hill

At this point, I am going to treat Trump like he treats everyone else: I am bored with him so he can just go away.

Impeach him, 25^th Amendment him, bring on President Mike Pence! I don’t care anymore.

On judges, a good economy, tax cuts, immigration enforcement, a strong military, Operation Warp Speed, foreign policy and many other issues, Trump did a good job.

Unfortunately, he was never able to present the face of a strong leader and good person.

This was partially the fault of a dishonest newsmedia hellbent on his destruction but also partially the fault of a man who could not get out of his own way.

The people who were loyal to him were tossed aside the minute they displeased him:

Jeff Sessions
John Kelly
John Bolton

That’s just the Js.

When he threw Pence under the bus in front of that angry crowd, that was it for me.

The vice president doesn’t have the authority to overturn election results or pick the next president, and everyone knows it.

Trump lost the election, lost the U.S. Senate and lost my support.

His presidency has no remaining value to me or anyone else; he can no longer help the Americans who voted for him and supported him through all of his issues.

Whether they love him or tolerated him, it is over, and he is done.

It is time to treat him the same way he has treated the most loyal people on his team and his most loyal supporters: as a depreciated asset with no more value that can now be discarded.

Now it is time to stop the damage that Joe Biden and his friends want to do.

Dale Jackson is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 7-11 AM weekdays on WVNN.

• Facebook has announced that President Donald Trump’s account would be suspended indefinitely or at least until President-elect Joe Biden is inaugurated following his posts about the riots at the U.S. Capitol, which were deemed in violation of the platform’s rules.
• Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg posted that the events on January 6 “demonstrate that President Donald Trump intends to use his remaining time in office to undermine the peaceful and lawful transition of power to his elected successor, Joe Biden.” Zuckerberg went on to say that “the risk of allowing the President to continue to use our service during this period are simply too great.”

5. Democrats want to invoke the 25^th Amendment or impeach Trump

• U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) have both called for the 25^th Amendment to be used to remove President Donald Trump from office, holding him responsible for the violence on Capitol Hill.
• Schumer said that Trump is “a very dangerous person,” while Pelosi said that if the 25^th Amendment isn’t used, then they’re considering introducing articles of impeachment to remove him from office. There are only 12 days before President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration.

4. White House promises a peaceful transition and condemns violence

• White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany gave an address to condemn the violence seen at the U.S. Capitol, which she called “appalling” and “reprehensible.” McEnany also said that this was “a group of violent rioters undermining the legitimate First Amendment rights of the many thousands who came to peacefully have their voices heard in our nation’s capital.”
• She went on to say that this is “the opposite of everything this administration stands for.” McEnany added, “Those who are working in this building are working to ensure an orderly transition of power.”

3. Alabamian dead in D.C., a police officer is fifth dead in U.S. Capitol riot

• Five people died at the U.S. Capitol as a result of the riots and protests that took place on Wednesday. Among those who passed away was a man from Athens, Kevin Greeson, who suffered a heart attack. Another Alabamian, Lonnie Coffman, of Falkville, was arrested.
• U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick was also killed in the melee when he was hit in the head with a fire extinguisher during the attack and was taken to a local hospital where he later died.

2. Palmer holds Trump responsible

• U.S. Representative Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) has responded to the violence at the U.S. Capitol by condemning the actions of those involved, but he went a step further by saying he views President Donald Trump as “responsible for sending those people to the Capitol.”
• Palmer stated that what happened at the Capitol was “an explosive situation” with people that were “there, I think, to incite something.” He added, “[W]ords and actions have consequences – unintended or not. We have to take responsibility for what we say and what we do, particularly when we have the magnetism and charisma that President Trump does.”

1. Trump’s circle deteriorates

• After the violence at the U.S. Capitol, former White House chief of staff and U.S. envoy to Northern Ireland Mick Mulvaney has resigned from his position. Mulvaney advised, “We didn’t sign up for what you saw last night.”
• Another in the administration to resign is Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. In a letter to department staff, Chao said, “Yesterday, our country experienced a traumatic and entirely avoidable event as supporters of the President stormed the Capitol building…it has deeply troubled me in a way that I simply cannot set aside.”

• The annually released United Vans Lines National Movers Study shows that in 2020, Alabama became a top destination for people to move. About 60% of the moves from the company involving Alabama were people moving to the state.
• This means that 40% were moving away from the state, but overall, it’s another example of how more people are moving to the state rather than away. Huntsville saw 70% of moves being made by people coming into the area.

5. It’ll be Merrick Garland, not Doug Jones for AG

• President-elect Joe Biden has picked Judge Merrick Garland for U.S. Attorney General. It’s expected that Biden will make the official announcement Thursday.
• This comes after months of talk that former U.S. Senator Doug Jones (D-AL) was the frontrunner to be considered for the AG position.

4. Four dead in riot at U.S. Capitol

• During the protest and riots at the U.S. Capitol, a woman was shot and killed during a standoff between President Donald Trump’s supporters and police officers while the building was on lockdown. The woman who was shot was carried out on a stretcher and rushed to the hospital and eventually died due to her injuries. The woman hasn’t been identified as of this time.
• In addition to the one killed by a U.S. Capitol Police officer, three other individuals died “around the Capitol grounds” after “separate medical emergencies.” Fourteen officers were also injured. Bombs, a Molotov cocktail and a long gun were found at the Capitol.

3. Brooks calling for the prosecution of “thugs”

• U.S. Representative Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) was set to object to some of the electors in the general election on Wednesday, but rioters storming the Capitol in support of President Donald Trump stalled that process. Brooks rightly called those people “thugs.”
• Brooks released a statement on the situation and called the violence at the U.S. Capitol “despicable, un-American, and tears at the fabric of our great republic.” Brooks also added that “the appropriate way to achieve political goals … is via free speech, vigorous public debate, and at the ballot box, while always being respectful of the Rule of Law and Law Enforcement.”

2. Riot will not stop the nation’s business

• Following a rally held by President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., some of those attending the rally marched to the U.S. Capitol. Upon arriving at the Capitol, there were some in the crowd that turned the protest into a riot when they started attacking police officers and broke into the Capitol. Despite these events, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced that they would “proceed tonight at the Capitol once it is cleared for use” to continue certifying the Electoral College votes.
• U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) described this as “a very dark day for our country … Our Founding Fathers warned against mob rule. Law and order must be established and maintained.” The protest and riot took place as senators and fepresentatives were beginning to certify the Electoral College results.

1. Trump finally accepts the results of the election

• After the unacceptable violence at the U.S. Capitol, a joint session of Congress certified President-elect Joe Biden’s victory just before 4 a.m. ET. The final tally has not changed since early November. Biden received 306 Electoral College votes while President Donald Trump received 232.
• While there was no concession or acceptance of defeat, President Trump did admit there will be a peaceful transfer of power. He advised, “Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20th.” Trump also made it clear that he is not done fighting, saying, “I have always said we would continue our fight to ensure that only legal votes were counted. While this represents the end of the greatest first term in presidential history, it’s only the beginning of our fight to Make America Great Again.”

• Like a lot of Americans, Decatur Mayor Tab Bowling spent his holidays with his kids and their families and now feels guilty after multiple family members, including him and his wife, have come down with the coronavirus.
• Speaking to AL.com, Bowling said he regrets the decision. He stated, “It’s Russian roulette. We enjoyed being with our children and our grandchildren and our son-in-law, but it came with a price.”

5. Woodfin still hospitalized as four Alabama mayors are sick

• Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin was hospitalized “to address symptoms connected to COVID pneumonia,” as announced by the City of Birmingham. Recent reports have him doing better.
• At least four Alabama mayors have the coronavirus, with Auburn Mayor Ron Anders and Florence Mayor Andy Betterton joining Woodfin and Decatur’s Tab Bowling in the quartet of Alabama’s elected city leaders currently dealing with the infectious illness.

4. Study shows coronavirus cases and deaths are under-reported

• A new study published by JAMA Network Open, a medical journal, where randomly selected blood samples were tested for coronavirus antibodies in 10 states shows that there may have been four times as many coronavirus cases in the country than what’s been reported.
• This increased case estimate would mean that about one in seven people had the coronavirus by mid-November. The report also estimated that 35% of deaths from the coronavirus haven’t been reported.

3. Brooks isn’t on board with Cruz narrative

• U.S. Representative Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) has been gathering more support to challenge the Electoral College vote on January 6, and now he’s taking issue with some of what U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) has said in support of this effort and advocating for an Electoral Vote Commission.
• Brooks questioned how the Commission would get a vote. He also brought up how difficult it would be to have a panel “do a complete and thorough investigation that would divulge to the American people and members of the House and Senate how bad the voter fraud and the election theft has been in the November 2020 election cycle.”

2. Tuberville objecting to Arizona

• U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has announced that he’ll be objecting to the Electoral College votes from Arizona with U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), but he’s also “carefully considering additional states that may require my objection.” Senators Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) will also challenge Georgia and Pennsylvania, respectively.
• Tuberville detailed that his objection to the votes in Arizona deals with “questions about whether … Arizona’s electors were selected in accordance with the duly enacted laws of the State of Arizona” as the Constitution requires.

1. Democrats poised to seize control of the U.S. Senate

• Democrats appear to have picked up the final two U.S. Senate seats of the 2020 election cycle, giving them control of the body with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris poised to break a lot of ties in the chamber, but it is unlikely the Senate will see radical legislation ending the filibuster, adding states and raising taxes with the current make-up of the Senate.
• According to reports, Raphael Warnock defeated incumbent Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-GA), and it is expected that Jon Ossoff will also beat Georgia’s other incumbent Republican Senator David Perdue if he holds his 16,000 vote lead with 98% reporting.

• At the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, there are about 3,500 doses of the coronavirus vaccine that are going to be administered at the University Medical Center by Friday this week, as announced by the dean of UA’s College of Community Health Sciences Dr. Richard Friend.
• Friend detailed that these doses will go to “Health care providers, first responders, Capstone Village residents and employees and vulnerable populations in the UA community.”

5. Alabama hits 3,000 hospitalizations

• The Alabama Department of Public Health reported 3,064 hospitalizations due to the coronavirus with a seven-day average of 2,834 hospitalizations per day. This is up big from December. It is expected that deaths will continue to climb at a faster rate as well.
• State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris sees this getting worse. He advised, “I believe, unfortunately, we are going to see even worse numbers than we have now, and the ones we have now are pretty bad.” Harris added, “We are being overwhelmed right now.”

4. Alabama state representatives thank congressional members for election challenge 

• Five Alabama state representatives have signed a letter thanking members of Alabama’s congressional delegation for voting to reject electors from certain states on Wednesday.
• Those state representatives include Chip Brown (R-Mobile), Shane Stringer (R-Citronelle), Jeff Sorrells (R-Geneva), Rhett Marques (R-Enterprise) and Wes Allen (R-Troy). The letter states, “As residents of Alabama we want to thank you for taking a stand for the integrity and security of our electoral process,” and asks others to join in the challenge.

3. Rogers will join vote objection

• U.S. Representative Mike Rogers (R-Saks) has announced that he will join U.S. Representative Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) in voting “against the Electoral College results for the 2020 election.”
• Rogers said that there have been “far too many instances of alleged voter fraud that have called the legitimacy of the election results into question. In addition, election officials in certain states appear to have deliberately acted in an unconstitutional manner to manipulate the results.”

2. Sure, why not do another investigation

• A small effort is being led by U.S. Representatives Ted Lieu (D-CA) and Kathleen Rice (D-NY) to open a criminal investigation into President Donald Trump. The representatives have requested that FBI Director Christopher Wray open the investigation due to the president’s phone call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
• In a letter to Wray, the representatives said, “As members of Congress and former prosecutors, we believe Donald Trump engaged in solicitation of, or conspiracy to commit, a number of election crimes. We ask you to open an immediate criminal investigation into the president.”

1. Trump and Biden campaigned in Georgia; Now, the state votes

• President Donald Trump and President-elect Joe Biden both showed up in Georgia just before the U.S. Senate runoff between U.S. Senators David Perdue (R-GA) and Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) and Democratic candidates Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock.
• Before Election Day on January 5, there had already been over 3 million people cast ballots, which is about two-fifths of all registered voters in the state. In the November general election, about 4.9 million voters participated.

Quite a contrast from his protege Kevin McCarthy who has given these potentially seditious efforts the green light. If McCarthy were Speaker right now the US would be in the middle of a much more grave Constitutional crisis. https://t.co/wh4rpjd12C

— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) January 3, 2021

Tapper’s cowardice here is amazing. Calling something “potentially seditious” is not a thing. It is akin to calling him a “potential child molester.” Sure, both things are possible, but the charge is so serious it shouldn’t be leveled recklessly.

Of course, the media and their Democrats would have us just ignore the entire 2015-2020 period of American history where anyone to the right of U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) was suspected of being a Russian asset; the people now screaming for immediate acceptance of all things electoral declared Trump illegitimate from the day he won the election and never stopped.

The idea that our system can’t survive this is laughable.

In fact, the system is built for just this.

We saw it as recently as the aftermath of the 2016 election:

2016:👇 pic.twitter.com/Bjt3OjFAvZ

— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) January 2, 2021

The above examples are all from years when Republicans won.

Were these people, Democrats, called seditious? No.

Did they carry this mark with them forever? No.

Did anyone worry about the fabric of America being torn apart? Of course not.

They had their say, the House and Senate had their say, and the nation moved on.

With President Donald Trump gone, however, these same people will move to remove anyone who supported him.

Weak-minded journalists will now use this moment to attempt to tar them for years.

Did that happen to U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) or U.S. Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA)? Of course not.

Did we ever hear about their challenges? Of course not.

If Democrats lose, America is the worst, and it’s a treasonous conspiracy involving all types of voter fraud, suppression and treachery.

If Democrats win, America is the best and fraud doesn’t exist. To allege otherwise is “sedition.”

Knowing this, what Congressman Mo Brooks (R-AL) is doing right now is pretty brave.

He is using the available tools to raise awareness of issues that many Americans see as problems. He knows the election will not be overturned and has said so repeatedly.

He will not be cowed by a vicious and stupid mainstream media.

But the American media’s lying, hypocrisy and dishonesty will never cease.

When U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) pointed all of this bad behavior by the media and their Democrats out to MSNBC’s Chuck Todd, Todd had a complete breakdown on national television declaring any questioning of his behavior, and that of his colleagues, to be a conspiracy theory.

It’s hard to watch, but it is a serious issue.

They are so fixated on pushing an agenda, they don’t even care about honesty anymore.

This is the real threat to America: an American media so biased they can’t even understand why people don’t trust them.

Listen:

Dale Jackson is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 7-11 AM weekdays on WVNN.

• Due to the $2,000 stimulus checks failing, vandals went to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) houses and wrote messages in spray paint such as “WHERES MY MONEY” and “MITCH KILLS THE POOR.” 
• At Pelosi’s house, someone left a pig head on her driveway with fake blood, and the messages “$2K,” “We want everything,” and “Cancel rent!” across the garage door. McConnell said they aren’t intimidated, adding, “Vandalism and the politics of fear have no place in our society,” and said this incident was a “radical tantrum.”

5. Alabama’s newest senator and congressmen sworn in

• U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), U.S. Representative Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) and U.S. Representative Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) were all sworn in during ceremonies in Washington, D.C.
• Tuberville said, “The people of Alabama sent a football coach to Washington because they wanted a fighter who would uphold and protect the Constitution. They can rest assured that I’m going to wake up every day with one mission – to speak for the people of Alabama.”

4. Gohmert’s lawsuit against Pence fails, and he embarrasses himself

• U.S. Representative Louie Gohmert (R-TX) previously brought up a lawsuit that would force Vice President Mike Pence to change the results of the election, but a federal judge blocked the lawsuit. Now, Gohmert is insisting that he isn’t advocating for violence, but he brought it up.
• In an appearance on Newsmax, Gohmert said, “Basically, in effect, the ruling would be that you’ve got to go to the streets and be as violent as Antifa and BLM” if a case like this isn’t taken up by the courts.

3. Vaccine pace is picking up

• Following the lead of President-elect Joe Biden, the American media and their Democrats spent their holiday breaks complaining about the number of vaccines being doled out across the country by different states. The complaints were all directed at President Donald Trump by people who insisted that a vaccine would not even be available right now. Alabama’s pace is accelerating as well.
• Dr. Anthony Fauci, a member of Trump’s coronavirus task force, says that this navel-gazing is not helpful or accurate. He advised, “It’s just trying to get a massive vaccine program started and getting off on the right foot. The important thing is to see what’s happening in the next week, to week and a half.”

2. Trump put pressure on officials in Georgia

• In a recording of phone conversations between President Donald Trump and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, which was published by The Washington Post, Trump pushed for Georgia “to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have. Because we won the state.”
• During the call, Trump also repeated several times viewpoints about fraud and the election being stolen. He advocated that the officials in Georgia should want a fair and secured election, to which Raffensperger insisted they’ve had.

1. Senators joining plan to object Electoral College votes

• U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) was the first senator to say that he would be joining the objection of the Electoral College votes, which was initially brought forward by U.S. Representative Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville). Now, many other senators have also voiced support for this objection.
• U.S. Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Ron Johnson (R-WI), James Lankford (R-OK), Steve Daines (R-MT) John Kennedy (R-LA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Braun (R-IN), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Boll Hagerty (R-TN) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) have also said they will object to certifying the vote on January 6.

Jackson and Handback are joined by Yellowhammer News editor-in-chief Sean Ross to discuss the U.S. Senate race in Georgia, Alabama’s next legislative session and what will happen in 2021 in Alabama.

Jackson closes the show with a “parting shot” at those who think handing $2,000 stimulus to every American is a good idea when there are much better ways to go about providing relief.

Dale Jackson is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 7-11 AM weekdays on WVNN.

• The motivations for Nashville suicide bomber Anthony Quinn Warner are still unknown, but Nashville police apparently visited his home 16 months ago after being told he was making bombs in his recreation vehicle.
• Warner’s girlfriend alerted the police, but it appears that nothing was done even though the police were told he “frequently talks about the military and bomb making” and “knows what he is doing and is capable of making a bomb.” The Nashville Police Department says it alerted the FBI to the report after going to his house and knocking on the door several times with no answer.

5. Famous anti-vaxxer cuts line to get vaccinated

• Vice President-elect Kamala Harris was vaccinated this morning, as was her husband. Harris received the Moderna vaccine. She said she wants “to encourage everyone to get the vaccine. It is relatively painless, it happens really quickly. It is safe. This is about saving lives. It’s literally about saving lives. I trust the scientists, and it is the scientists who created and approved this vaccine everyone.”
• Previously, Harris had cast doubt on the vaccine. During the vice presidential debate, Harris said, “If the public health professionals, if Dr. Fauci, if the doctors tell us we should take it, I’ll be the first in line to take it, absolutely. But if Donald Trump tells us we should take it, I’m not taking it.”

4. Possible Conservative Policy Caucus coming to Alabama

• Former State Senator and now Alabama Policy Institute director of policy strategy Phil Williams said that there’s an effort underway to form a group similar to the Freedom Caucus, but likely call it something like the “Conservative Policy Caucus.”
• The objective of the group will be to promote conservative policies in the Alabama Senate. Williams stressed the importance of this in the upcoming legislative session and future. He explained, “[L]ike when you see things like big government spending but no tax cuts, when you see things like whether we are going to reopen our society or we are going to restore the balance of power to the legislature, where the executive branch has done everything this year.”

3. McConnell blocked the quick vote

• Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has blocked a quick vote on increasing the $600 stimulus checks to $2,000. He did say that they will address President Donald Trump’s request to increase the checks, but there’s been no legitimate commitment from McConnell.
• McConnell brought up that Trump also wants the bill to include election security and Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act due to Facebook and Twitter’s conduct. McConnell said, “Those are the three important subjects the president has linked together. This week the Senate will begin a process to bring these three priorities into focus.”

2. State Rep Kiel: If businesses can open, so can churches

• After seeing how the initial shutdown across Alabama and other states have done, it’s clear that small businesses were impacted far more than big box stores because they were allowed to remain open in most states. Now, State Representative Jamie Kiel (R-Russellville) wants to make sure that shutdown orders are fair for businesses and churches.
• Kiel has prefiled a bill for the upcoming legislative session that would allow if one business can stay open, others can as well, and churches could stay open if businesses are open. Kiel said that in the early stages of the pandemic, there were a lot of “drastic measures taken to avoid COVID.” But he noted that “not all businesses were closed, just those that were deemed nonessential…any small business owner’s business is essential if it is the person that owns it essential to them and their livelihood.”

1. Alabama is getting to a concerning point with hospitalizations

• Currently, Alabama is nearing the top of the list in the country for coronavirus cases per capita and hospitalizations. Director of UAB’s Division of Infectious Diseases Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo said, “Alabama is now experiencing some unenviable records.”
• She detailed that Alabama ranks in at “No. 6 in the nation per capita for coronavirus cases on average over the last seven days and we’re behind the states like California, Arizona, Rhode Island, Oklahoma, Tennessee.” There’s also ongoing concern that the situation will only get worse as cases from Christmas and New Years are diagnosed.

• President Donald Trump has a rally scheduled in Dalton, Georgia, on January 4, which is just before the runoff election for two U.S. Senate seats in the state. The event at Dalton Regional Airport will be to support U.S. Senators Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) and David Perdue (R-GA).
• Loeffler and Perdue will also be speaking at the rally with Trump, as well as Georgia Public Service Commission candidate Lauren “Bubba” McDowell.

5. Biden accusing Department of Defense of ‘obstruction’ in transition

• As inauguration day gets closer, President-elect Joe Biden has now said that his transition teams have been facing “obstruction” from the Defense Department and Office of Management and Budget, which are led by people appointed by President Donald Trump.
• Biden said, “[R]ight now we just aren’t getting all the information that we need from the outgoing administration in key national security areas. It’s nothing short in my view of irresponsibility.”

4. Vaccinations in veterans homes start today

• Tuesday, those living at state veterans homes will start to receive the coronavirus vaccine over the next couple of weeks. The first of four veterans homes to receive the vaccine will be Bill Nichols State Veterans Home in Alexander City.
• The Floyd E. “Tut” Fann State Veterans Home in Huntsville is scheduled to receive vaccinations on December 31, William F. Green State Veterans Home in Bay Minette on January 7 and Colonel Robert L. Howard State Veterans Home in Pell City on January 11.

3. Majority in favor of gambling

• Governor Kay Ivey’s Study Group on Gambling Policy conducted a poll on where the state lands on legalizing the lottery and gambling. The poll, conducted through McLaughlin & Associates, showed a majority of the state is in favor of the lottery and gambling.
• For the lottery, 70.8% support legalizing, 25% oppose, while 67% support legalizing gambling in the state and 28.8% oppose it. It’s anticipated that legislation to bring the lottery to Alabama will be brought up in the 2021 legislative session.

2. Alabama delegation divided on $2,000 in COVID-19 stimulus

• U.S. Representative Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) has previously voiced opposition to stimulus checks throughout the pandemic, and now that President Donald Trump has pushed for $2,000 checks for every adult, Brooks has come out against that, too. He said about the debt, “Someone’s got to show me how we’re going to pay for it…how far before we ultimately go into a debilitating, insolvent bankruptcy that’s going to do great damage to our country and do more damage, in fact, than COVID-19 ever could have done?”
• U.S. Representative Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) was the lone Alabama Republican to vote for the $2,000 payment. He stated that while he is concerned about the debt, “there are many people in the 4th Congressional District, and in other parts of the nation, who are hurting right now. I had much rather give money directly to the people who need it most, than give it to states like New York in the form of a bailout.” U.S. Representative Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham) also voted in favor of the $2,000 payout.

1. House approves $2,000 checks

• The U.S. House of Representatives voted to approve $2,000 stimulus checks for adults across the country. This was done at the request of President Donald Trump as he’s continued to put pressure on Congress to increase stimulus payments.
• The decision passed in a 275-134 vote, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said, “Vote for this legislation or vote to deny the American people” assistance. The U.S. Senate will likely consider the measure within the next couple of days, but it is expected to fail.

Johnson’s accolades from AL.com are based on his Birmingham speech shortly before rioting broke out over a Confederate monument in Linn Park not being taken down soon enough — and Johnson getting away with it.

It all started when George Floyd died during an arrest in Minneapolis; all historic monuments came under scrutiny and most immediately needed to come down.

This doesn’t just mean Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, but the man who vanquished Lee, President Ulysses S. Grant, and our first president George Washington also have to go, apparently.

Why? Because racism, that’s why.

Alabama was never going to escape this trend.

In our state, these Confederate monuments have started to come down, but earlier this year, Birmingham’s monument in Linn Park did not come down soon enough for the local YouTuber.

The city wanted it down, the citizens wanted it down, and the media definitely wanted it down, but a pesky law required that a process be followed before the monument was removed or obstructed.

Because there was legal debate over the status of the monument and it was not torn down quickly or violently enough, multiple protests took place at the park.

At one of these protests, a local hero would emerge when Johnson apparently attempted to incite a riot.

He believes he did not, reasoning, “FBI, BPD and JCSO disagree and therefore the charges were dropped.“

While that’s one of his best comedic bits (not how things work), unfortunately for him, public opinion and the obvious facts are clear.

Johnson clearly enjoys this controversy — a trial and conviction would have been great for his “brand,” and he could move past his one-trick-pony status.

Unfortunately (for everyone), he was never going to be convicted of anything, but his words are pretty clear.

Johnson wanted Birmingham to join the national movement of destruction by saying, “We’ve got a lot of cities around the country. They’re tearing down Target. They’re tearing down city hall. We can’t do that. We gotta protect our city. But while the whole world is on national TV tearing stuff down, we need to tear something tonight. They need to see Birmingham, the home of the Civil Rights Movement, tear some shit down tonight.”

Hilarious, right?

Johnson told protesters, “We can’t tear down 16th Street Baptist Church. We can’t tear down the civil rights museum. We can’t tear down Carver. We can’t tear down A.G. Gaston Plaza. But what I’m not telling you to do is walk to Linn Park. I’m not telling to walk to Linn Park after this rally. I’m not telling you to tear something down in Linn Park. I’m not telling you that I’m going to be over there after this rally.”

He’s a comedic genius.

He continued, “That’s what I’m not telling you to do because the law says I can’t tell you to do that. I cannot tell the police to look away. We don’t see you,’’ he said. “I cannot tell the police to march us over there. I can’t tell you that, so I’m not telling you to meet me at Linn Park at 7:30 p.m. Central tonight. I’m not telling you that.”

This is clearly a call to action — a totally unfunny one.

Oddly enough, AL.com’s recognition of this really truly funny guy leaves most of this out.

He clearly is calling for things to be torn down. People did just that; they tore shit down.

They tried to tear down the monument but couldn’t.

They decided to find something else to tear down and settled on a few local businesses, and 10 people were charged with looting while we all know many more participated. Unfortunately, reporters — including one from AL.com — were also violently assaulted during the rioting in Birmingham.

Did FunnyMaine incite a riot? Yes, as underlined by the initial charge against him.

He then passed the buck and blamed others.

Ha. Ha. Ha.

Alabama law states the following: “A person commits the crime of inciting to riot if he commands, solicits, incites or urges another person to engage in tumultuous and violent conduct of a kind likely to cause or create a grave risk of public terror or alarm.“

Did he get away with it? Obviously. We all see this.

It is not a surprise that AL.com chose to honor this joker after he incited a riot; they are probably jealous that he made something happen their employees couldn’t after many years of trying. They are chasing the clout of a YouTuber.

That’s what is funny here.

Alabama had a rough year. The coronavirus pandemic obviously took a toll on the state and its citizens economically, mentally and emotionally, but there was another seeming never-ending controversy that the state could not shake. The protests that took place in Alabama had nothing to do with Alabama, yet opportunists like AL.com and Jermaine Johnson used them to hurt the state and its people.

So, they both made a difference, but no one should view their impact as positive.

Dale Jackson is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 7-11 AM weekdays on WVNN.

• President-elect Joe Biden has said that the worst of the coronavirus pandemic hasn’t even happened yet, and now Dr. Anthony Fauci has echoed these claims by adding that “the numbers really are quite troubling” right now.
• Fauci went on to say that he’s hoping it’ll “be by the middle to the end of the summer” that we can reach herd immunity through the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine. He added, “[B]y the time we get to the fall, we will reach that critical percentage of people.”

5. No new Alabama statehouse ‘any time soon’

• With the upcoming legislative session approaching in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, there are questions about where they’ll be able to meet due to the conditions of the statehouse, but State Senator Jabo Waggoner (R-Vestavia Hills) said the location likely won’t change “any time soon.”
• Waggoner also said that they “do have some inadequate facilities based on the space involved…but it would be a very expensive ordeal.”

4. Prison issues won’t be fixed overnight

• State House Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) recently talked about the issue of the Department of Justice filing a lawsuit against the state of Alabama for the unconstitutional prison conditions. He said the lawsuit is “a little bit aggravating.” 
• Ledbetter also pointed out that the issues within Alabama prisons aren’t going to be fixed overnight, but he said that they’re already “working on it.” He added that there’s more legislation that’s going to be introduced in the next legislative session.

3. Trump says Republicans didn’t fight for him enough

• President Donald Trump has continued to claim that the election was “Rigged & Stolen,” and now he’s going after prominent Republicans, such as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnel (R-KY), for not fighting for him enough.
• Trump made the argument if a Democrat were in the same position that he is, “the Democrat Senators would consider it an act of war, and fight to the death. Mitch & the Republicans do NOTHING, just want to let it pass. NO FIGHT!” He also said that the “‘Justice’ Department and the FBI have done nothing about the 2020 Presidential Election Voter Fraud, the biggest SCAM in our nation’s history, despite overwhelming evidence.”

2. Republican Senators pushing Tuberville to not join Brooks’ election challenge

• While U.S. Representative-elect Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) has signed on to U.S. Representative Mo Brooks’ (R-Huntsville) attempt to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election, U.S. Senator-elect Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) hasn’t officially announced that he will join him on January 6, but it’s expected that he will.
• Mitch McConnell has already made it clear he wants to avoid this, and Senate Majority Whip John Thune (R-SD) has already said that senators will advise Tuberville against challenging the vote. U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) has also said that challenging the vote is “a futile exercise.”

1. Coronavirus relief signed

• President Donald Trump had refused to sign the coronavirus relief bill due to the fact that there are only $600 stimulus checks included. He had requested that those checks total at least $2,000 per person and threatened to veto, but he signed the bill on Sunday.
• Before this announcement, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said they’ll hold a vote today to increase the stimulus check amount, but U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) said that what Trump “is doing right now is unbelievably cruel.” He added, “There’s money in that bill and this president is diddling around and he may actually veto it.”

Jackson and Handback are joined by U.S. Representative Bradley Byrne (R-Fairhope) to discuss his time in Congress, the latest stimulus deal and election challenges.

Jackson closes the show with a “parting shot” at President Donald Trump, who is correct to be upset about the stimulus deal but wrong about why it is terrible.

https://business.facebook.com/watch/?v=886645125486985

Dale Jackson is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 7-11 AM weekdays on WVNN.

• U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) is receiving praise from Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson and the Alabama State Port Authority for his work in supporting Coastal Alabama, as reflected in the Fiscal Year 2021 budget.
• Stimpson said that Shelby’s “continued support benefits not just Mobile but our whole region and the entire State of Alabama.” Through this spending bill, Stimpson wanted to highlight how Shelby has been supporting improving the Port of Mobile and the Downtown Mobile Airport.

5. Holiday warning from UAB

• Infectious disease expert at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Dr. Michael Saag is warning people about holiday gatherings, saying that many cases they’re finding right now originated around Thanksgiving gatherings, even though there has been no Thanksgiving surge.
• Saag is advocating for people to cancel any holiday plans or travel plans that they have for Christmas to limit possible exposure to the coronavirus, unlike coronavirus taskforce member Deborah Birx did on Thanksgiving. Saag said, “If we all collectively have the same type of exposures that we did over Thanksgiving, we can expect a doubling of the cases that we have now.”

4. So Trump’s border policy isn’t all that bad

• President-elect Joe Biden is already looking at how he can do away with the immigration policies that were put in place by President Donald Trump. Biden has said that it’s not going to be done “on day one,” though.
• Instead, Biden is looking at a period of six months to repeal immigration policies. Otherwise, a faster repeal could result in ending “up with 2 million people on our border.” Biden said he’s going to work on a “much more humane policy on family unification. …It requires getting the funding in place, including just asylum judges, for example.”

3. Alabama may not lose a congressional seat after all

• There were fears that Alabama would lose a congressional seat as the 2020 Census results would come in, but it is possible that Alabama will keep all seven of its congressional seats barring a shift in the count. Also at play is a decision to exclude illegal aliens from the count, which the Supreme Court has not finished weighing in on.
• According to a recent estimate, Alabama will be able to hang on to its seventh congressional seat with about 6,000 people to spare. A previous estimate had Alabama losing the seat. This is not the end of this process, but Alabama’s holding firm would be part of positive results for Republican states who will gain congressional seats and Electoral College votes.

2. Ivey talks with Pentagon about Space Command headquarters

• Governor Kay Ivey announced that she’s spoken with Pentagon officials “to pitch why AL should be home to Space Command HQ,” as Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville is one of six finalists being considered.
• Ivey spokesperson Gina Maiola said that Ivey “reminded them that our state is leading in the defense industry and provides all of the essential elements to meet the needs for the permanent home to Space Command.” Ivey also highlighted the work that our state has already done to be military family-friendly.

1. Trump ready to veto the coronavirus stimulus bill

• Congress passed a large spending deal that included coronavirus stimulus this week. President Donald Trump is not very happy with them, and is threatening to veto the stimulus. Trump, who wants more money for Americans, said, “I am asking Congress to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low $600 to $2,000 or $4,000 for a couple.”
• House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is ready to up the dollar amount given to most Americans, but Senator Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is ready to call Congress back on December 29 to override the veto, which should be pretty easy given the large margin it passed by in both chambers of Congress.

• The Huntsville City School system has announced that some personal information, including Social Security numbers could have been exposed during the ransomware attack on the system, but Superintendent Christie Finley said they haven’t “uncovered any information that the district’s information was stolen or leaked.”
• The school system also announced that no payment has been requested during the attack, nor have they paid anything. They are “treating all information that was locked down as having been taken by the attacker,” and they’re working with an abundance of caution.

5. Cullman ICU is at 150%

• The Cullman Regional Medical Center has said that their Intensive Care Unit is at 150% of their usual capacity, and there are 18 people on ventilators. Extra patients have been put in a medical surgery unit that’s been changed into an ICU.
• At the hospital, there are 145 beds, and currently, 139 of them are occupied. Of those occupied, 79 are coronavirus patients. Medical director Dr. William Smith said, “[W]e’re getting close to overflowing.”

4. No need for a special counsel?

• Attorney General William Barr has said that there’s currently no plan or intention to appoint a special counsel to investigate President-elect Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden and his financial dealings. Hunter Biden is currently being investigated by the FBI and IRS.
• Barr also clarified that there are currently no plans to bring in a special counsel to investigate the 2020 general election. Barr said, “If I thought a special counsel at this stage was a right tool and was appropriate, I would name one, but I haven’t and I’m not going to.”

3. Mo Brooks meets with Trump about election challenge

• On Monday, U.S. Representative Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) and other conservative congressmen met with President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence at the White House to discuss an election challenge that could see six battleground states challenged. There is almost no chance of success that would lead to a Trump reelection.
• Brooks is now saying, “I believe we have multiple senators and the question is not if but how many,” which is a definite change in public tone that has gone from hopeful that a U.S. Senator would join him to seemingly confident.

2. Ivey receives the vaccine

• Governor Kay Ivey, State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris and State Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mary McIntyre have all received the first dose of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine. Ivey said she “wanted to send a clear message to all Alabamians that you can have confidence in this vaccine.”
• Harris has said that so far, there’s enough vaccine for about 10% of the health care workers in the state. In the first round of vaccinations, about 330,000 Alabamians will be eligible to receive the vaccine as health care providers and nursing home residents. Former Governor Robert Bentley, a practicing dermatologist, got the vaccine as well.

1. Stimulus bill passes, and it is loaded with pork

• After a long delay, both chambers of Congress have finally passed legislation that includes $900 billion in coronavirus relief and $1.4 trillion to fund the government through Sept. 30.
• The bill passed includes $600 for most Americans, jobless benefits, money for small business loans and funds to streamline the critical distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, but Congress also provided $135 million to Burma, $85.5 million to Cambodia, $1.4 billion for “Asia Reassurance Initiative Act,” $130 million to Nepal and $453 million for Ukraine.