Mornings on the Mall

Tuesday, December 24, 2019 (Christmas Eve!)

Hosts: Mary Walter and Hans Von Spakovsky

Executive Producer: Heather Hunter

Kathryn Jean Lopez, Gordon Chang, Astronaut Tom Jones, Fr. Paul Scalia, and Sean & Maria Elgut joined WMAL on Tuesday!

5am – A/B/C ‘Almost All In Good Fun’: Rand Paul Takes ‘Festivus’ Potshots At Rudy Giuliani And John Bolton. (Daily Caller) – Republican Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul kicked off Christmas Eve Eve — known to “Seinfeld” fans as “Festivus” — with his annual airing of grievances. “Good morning and Happy Festivus! Today there will be many, many grievances aired, almost all in good fun,” Paul tweeted by way of introduction. Paul began with a slap at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the recent impeachment articles that were passed by House Democrats against President Donald Trump. He quickly pivoted to the president’s personal attorney and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. “You do have to wonder how he was the best the President could think of for a lawyer – ‘hey, get me that guy who spills his guts on CNN and butt dials everyone in Washington. He can keep a secret!’” Paul cracked. Paul then turned his attention to former National Security Adviser John Bolton, adding, “I’m talking about John Bolton. Not all the other hawks the President hired, didn’t listen to, got mad at and fired. Neocon Apprentice really wasn’t very well thought out…” Paul paused his airing of grievances briefly to give the president credit for “pretty good” instincts when it came to foreign policy — but followed with a quick golf-themed jab at his generosity toward his own possible flaws.

5am – D         House Dems Float Possibly Impeaching Trump Once More Over McGahn Testimony. (Daily Caller) – House Democrats are open to impeaching President Donald Trump a second time if White House counsel Donald McGahn’s potential testimony reveals the president committed other offenses. A second impeachment could be necessary if House Democrats see evidence that Trump attempted to obstruct investigations, House counsel Douglas Letter noted in a filing in federal court Monday. Letter was referring Democrats’ pressure for the White House to produce McGahn to testify. “If McGahn’s testimony produces new evidence supporting the conclusion that President Trump committed impeachable offenses that are not covered by the Articles approved by the House, the [House Judiciary] Committee will proceed accordingly — including, if necessary, by considering whether to recommend new articles of impeachment,” Letter wrote. It’s the first such filing since the House voted Wednesday along partisan lines to impeach Trump. More than 228 Democrats voiced support for impeachment or an impeachment inquiry even as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi initially pushed back against such attempts. Pelosi often argued that she believed Trump goaded Democrats into impeachment because he believes it will fire up his base. Justice Department lawyers acknowledged in a brief Monday that the decision to impeach does on two articles of impeachment — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress — does not render moot another fight to have McGahn testify, Politico reported Monday.

5am – E         US on high alert for possible ‘Christmas gift’ missile from North Korea. (Fox News) — U.S. officials are on high alert for signs of a possible missile launch from North Korea in the coming days that officials have referred to as a “Christmas gift.” A significant launch or nuclear test would raise the end of North Korea’s self-imposed moratorium on missile launches and tests. It would also be a major blow to one of President Trump’s major foreign policy goals to get North Korea back to the negotiating table to eliminate its nuclear weapons. Amid the heightened tension, John Bolton, President Trump’s former national security adviser, in an interview with Axios, criticized his old boss over the administration’s misguided “rhetorical policy” toward North Korea along with its failure to exert “maximum pressure” during the high-stakes nuclear talks. Earlier this month, the North conducted what U.S. officials say was an engine test. Experts believe it may have involved an engine for a long-range missile. It warned of a possible “Christmas gift,” saying the Trump administration was running out of time on nuclear negotiations.

6am – A/B/C Pentagon tells military personnel not to use at-home DNA kits

The Pentagon said that potential inaccuracies in at-home DNA kits pose more risk to military members than regular consumers. (NBC News) — Senior Pentagon officials have told members of the Armed Forces to skip what may seem like the perfect holiday gift — an at-home DNA test. In a Dec. 20 memo obtained by NBC News, Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Joseph Kernan and James Stewart, acting Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, said that DNA testing companies were targeting military members with discounts and other undisclosed incentives. “Tests that provide health information have varying levels of validity, and many are not reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration before they are offered,” the memo said. The tests might be sold without independent confirmation of their claims, the officials said — a fact that poses more risk to military members than regular consumers. Inaccuracies could negatively affect the required disclosure of those members’ medical information, the memo said. “Moreover, there is increased concern in the scientific community that outside parties are exploiting the use of genetic materials for questionable purposes, including mass surveillance and the ability to track individuals without their authorization or awareness,” the memo said. The officials told military personnel to refrain from using the kits until otherwise notified. One DNA testing company, 23 and Me, told NBC News in a statement that it takes the “utmost efforts” to protect consumer privacy and ensures highly accurate results that have been authorized by government regulators. The company added that it doesn’t share information with third parties without an explicit consent form.

6am – D         INTERVIEW – Kathryn Jean Lopez is an editor-at-large of National Review and author of the new book “A Year With the Mystics: Visionary Wisdom for Daily Living” – reflected on the meaning of Christmas and faith in today’s world

• ABOUT HER BOOK: “A Year With the Mystics: Visionary Wisdom for Daily Living”: There’s so much noise. Everything can seem like a distraction. Distraction, in fact, seems our oxygen. When was the last time you saw people talking on an elevator? We seem to plug in everywhere. We have earphones and screens and don’t evenlook up, never mind find time for silence. Our hearts need quiet. How are we ever going to pray otherwise? How could we ever possibly know God’s love and will, and the truth about ourselves and the world without resting in Him? Resting in Him. What does that even mean? In A Year with the Mystics, popular National Review journalist and commentator Kathryn Jean Lopez, who writes and speaks frequently about faith and public life, and prayer and the Church, offers readers a tour of the magnificent variety of mystical writing in the heart of the Church. Featuring reflections from both household and contemporary names like Saint John Paul II, Mother Teresa and Edith Stein, as well as titanic historic figures such as St. Catherine of Siena and John of the Cross. The words of these holy men and women of prayer are presented in accessible doses ideal for daily prayer amidst the seemingly all-consuming busy-ness of life. Each page is an invitation to enter more deeply into the life of faith. What does the road to union with God look like?

6am – E         Fifty one years ago on Christmas Eve, three Apollo 8 astronauts read from the Book of Genesis on live TV as they orbited the moon.

6am – F         Obama talks up Warren behind closed doors to wealthy donors. (The Hill) – Sen. Elizabeth Warren has spent her presidential campaign railing against the donor class, making it known she doesn’t want their help.  She has publicly bashed millionaires, has sworn off high-dollar fundraisers and has refused large checks from Democratic bundlers.  But behind the scenes in recent months, former President Obama has gone to bat for Warren (D-Mass.) when speaking to donors reluctant to support her given her knocks on Wall Street and the wealthy. And if Warren becomes the nominee, Obama has said they must throw the entirety of their support behind her.  The former president has stopped short of an endorsement of Warren in these conversations and has emphasized that he is not endorsing in the Democratic primary race.  But he also has vouched for her credentials, making it clear in these private sessions that he deems her a capable candidate and potential president, sources say. “He’s asked all of the candidates who have sought his advice three questions: Is your family behind you? Why you? And why now? She checked the box for all,” said one longtime Obama ally. “I think he feels licensed to give an opinion on her because he’s ‘hired’ her,” the longtime Obama ally said.

7am – A         INTERVIEW – GORDON CHANG – author of “Nuclear Showdown: North Korea Takes On the World” and the new book “Losing South Korea” @GordonGChang

• US on high alert for possible ‘Christmas gift’ missile from North Korea. U.S. officials are on high alert for signs of a possible missile launch from North Korea in the coming days that officials have referred to as a “Christmas gift.” A significant launch or nuclear test would raise the end of North Korea’s self-imposed moratorium on missile launches and tests. It would also be a major blow to one of President Trump’s major foreign policy goals to get North Korea back to the negotiating table to eliminate its nuclear weapons. Amid the heightened tension, John Bolton, President Trump’s former national security adviser, in an interview with Axios, criticized his old boss over the administration’s misguided “rhetorical policy” toward North Korea along with its failure to exert “maximum pressure” during the high-stakes nuclear talks.

7am – B/C     Brian Stelter: Trump impeachment polling steady because of ‘Fox News, talk radio firewall’ (Washington Examiner) — CNN chief media analyst Brian Stelter claimed Fox News is behind why more Americans do not support removing President Trump from office. “There’s been barely any movement throughout the hearings and the debates on the floor of the House and then to the vote. People are exactly where they were: basically a 50/50 country,” Stelter said Sunday on CNN. “So, when you hear hype about movement and individual polls or when you hear Trump claim that he’s suddenly gaining tons of support, just remember that it’s a flat line,” he continued. “One of the many reasons why is because the Fox News, talk radio firewall is holding incredibly strong.” Stelter, 34, went on to show headlines from Fox News and claim the president could not write more positive headlines himself. “There’s no way to tweet yourself out of impeachment,” he added.

7am – D         INTERVIEW – DR. TOM JONES – veteran NASA astronaut and author of book, “Ask the Astronaut” @TomJones_astro

• Christmas Eve is the 51st anniversary of Apollo 8 reading of Genesis: About seven months before man first walked on the moon, man first orbited the moon. “Apollo 8 astronauts Frank Borman, James Lovell and William Anders took mankind for the first time outside the bonds of Earth yesterday and sped away, on one of history’s greatest days, toward the moon,” read the front-page story in The Patriot. NASA’s first flight to the moon, Apollo 8, launched from Cape Kennedy, Fla. On board were Commander Frank Borman, Lunar Module Pilot William A. Anders and Command Module Pilot James A. Lovell Jr. During a telecast on Christmas Eve, the crew read verses from the first chapter of Genesis and wished viewers, ‘Good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas and God bless all of you – all of you on the good Earth.’ All telecasts were of excellent quality. Voice communications also were exceptionally good throughout the mission,” according to NASA.gov. Apollo 8 returned on Dec. 27 with splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. The recovery ship was the USS Yorktown. The crew of Apollo 8 were named Time Magazine’s “Men of the Year” in 1968.
• This year was an important anniversary of Apollo 11: Apollo 11 was the spaceflight that first landed humans on the Moon. Commander Neil Armstrong and lunar module pilot Buzz Aldrin formed the American crew that landed the Apollo Lunar Module Eagle on July 20, 1969, at 20:17 UTC. Armstrong became the first person to step onto the lunar surface six hours and 39 minutes later on July 21 at 02:56 UTC; Aldrin joined him 19 minutes later. They spent about two and a quarter hours together outside the spacecraft, and they collected 47.5 pounds (21.5 kg) of lunar material to bring back to Earth. Command module pilot Michael Collins flew the Command Module Columbia alone in lunar orbit while they were on the Moon’s surface. Armstrong and Aldrin spent 21 hours, 36 minutes on the lunar surface at a site they named Tranquility Base before lifting off to rejoin Columbia in lunar orbit. Armstrong’s first step onto the lunar surface was broadcast on live TV to a worldwide audience. He described the event as “one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.”  Apollo 11 effectively ended the Space Race and fulfilled a national goal proposed in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy: “before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth.”
• Air Force officials on Friday announced that Space Force is officially the 6th military branch. President Trump signed the Space Force into law Friday. Over the next 18 months, officials said, the finer details of Manning and training the new branch will be hammered out and set in motion. Air Force officials on Friday told reporters that people are clamoring for information on how to join the military’s latest branch. The short answer is, they’re going to have to wait a while. President Trump officially signed the Space Force into law Friday, but for now, all that means is everyone at Air Force Space Command will now be assigned to Space Force. Over the next 18 months, officials said, the finer details of manning and training the new branch will be hammered out and set in motion.

7am – E         WORST CHRISTMAS SONGS?

• SATIRE PIECE: “Songwriting Was My Only Grief Outlet After We Lost Grandma in That Reindeer Accident” BY SHEA STRAUSS | DECEMBER 23, 2019 / (TheHardTimes) You may say there’s no such thing as Santa, but me and my Grandpa, we believe. We know all to well that jolly old son of a b*tch is out there and if you get in his way for just one second, God help you. As an artist, I use my music as an outlet to process and express my emotions during the darkest times in my life. When my grandmother was tragically taken from us, I turned to song to express my grief when she was brutally stampeded by that God damn reindeer… Now every year on Christmas, my family gathers around the piano and we all sing along to Grandma’s song. Nowadays I’m singing it with grandchildren of my own. Although they’ll never have the pleasure of knowing her, their great grandmother’s memory lives on through the tune. I can only hope that when I pass away, one of my grandchildren will write a novelty holiday song about my horrific, untimely death as well.”

8am – A         INTERVIEW – Father Paul Scalia – with the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, Pastor of Saint James Catholic Church in Falls Church, VA, and author of “Sermons in Times of Crisis: Twelve Homilies to Stir Your Soul” – reflected on faith in modern society and the meaning of Christmas.

8am – B/C     Saturday Shopping Sets U.S. One-Day Sales Record. (Bloomberg) – Holiday shopping set records over the weekend, with Super Saturday sales reaching $34.4 billion, the biggest single day in U.S. retail history, according to Customer Growth Partners. “Paced by the ‘Big Four’ mega-retailers — Walmart, Amazon, Costco and Target — Super Saturday was boosted by the best traffic our team has seen in years,” said Craig Johnson, president of the retail research firm. Job growth and fatter wallets, along with stronger household finances, have put consumers in a buying mood this season, Johnson said. And more of them are shopping online. As retailers offer improved web platforms, online spending so far this season has accounted for 58% of sales growth from a year earlier, he said. Super Saturday’s results topped Black Friday’s $31.2 billion in sales by 10%. The next biggest shopping days were Dec. 14, with $28.1 billion, and Cyber Monday, with $19.1 billion.

8am – D         INTERVIEW – Sean and Maria Elgut – co-founders of Veritas Collegiate Academy – discussed why it’s important to raise your child in a faith-based environment, and particularly why it’s more important than ever for children to have the foundation of a classical Christian education in today’s world.

• ABOUT VERITAS: Veritas Collegiate Academy (VCA), formerly Veritas Christian Academy, is a classical Christian school, whose philosophy of education is adapted from Dorothy Sayer’s The Lost Tools of Learning and Douglas Wilson’s The Case for Classical Christian Education. Veritas has a rigorous academic program that is based upon the wisdom of Scripture and is founded in the Trivium, consisting of grammar, logic, and rhetoric stages. Veritas seeks to provide a well-rounded education through a biblical worldview. We maintain high academic standards while holding biblical faith at the center of the educational process. The rigorous academics are easily overcome by nurturing and encouraging children to reach higher.  We are continually amazed at how our students meet lofty goals and thrive. http://www.veritasca.com/

8am – E         Discussed Christmas traditions