January 1, GOP leads Democrats in 2022 enthusiasm by double digits: Poll

Hello Americans,

A recent poll shows that enthusiasm among Republicans for the 2022 midterm elections outpaces Democrats by a substantial 11 percent. A Democracy Corps survey found that while engagement dropped within both parties, Democrats decreased at a wider margin. Republicans fell from 84 to 68 percent, whereas Democrats went from 85 to 57 percent. Additionally, the study shows that most Republican voters remain loyal to former President Donald Trump, with only 16 percent of GOP members identifying as “non-Trump conservatives.”

Family members and survivors of the Sep. 11 terrorist attacks are opposing President Joe Biden’s inclusion in the upcoming memorial events unless he declassifies government documents related to the attacks. The group of family members, survivors, and first responders of the attacks issued an open letter with their request. “Twenty years later, there is simply no reason—unmerited claims of ‘national security’ or otherwise—to keep this information secret,” the letter stated. “But if President Biden reneges on his commitment and sides with the Saudi government, we would be compelled to publicly stand in objection to any participation by his administration in any memorial ceremony of 9/11.” Approximately 1,700 people signed the letter.

A judge in Arkansas temporarily blocked the state from enforcing its ban on mask mandates amid a spike in COVID-19 cases. Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox issued a preliminary injunction which read the law “cannot be enforced in any shape, fashion or form.” The day before Fox’s ruling, a House panel rejected two measures that would have allowed some schools to require masks.

An 11-month-old with COVID-19 was airlifted to a hospital 150 miles away due to a shortage of pediatric beds at nearby hospitals. Officials say the baby girl tested positive for COVID-19 and needed intubation. Amanda Callaway, a spokeswoman for Harris Health System, said that the hospital has seen a dramatic increase in COVID cases. “Couple that with normal emergency needs and it’s overwhelming the system,” Callaway said.

House Democrats are calling on Biden to “finally” close Guantánamo Bay. “We share your belief that after nearly two decades and tremendous expense, it is time to close the prison and seek prompt resolutions for the cases of the remaining detainees,” the group of 75 legislators wrote in a letter to the president. “We ask that as you take the steps necessary to finally close the prison, you act immediately to further reduce its population, ensure that the remaining detainees are treated humanely and increase the transparency of military commission proceedings at the Guantánamo detention facility.” Ten of the remaining 39 detainees have clearance for transfer, pending security agreements.

An offensive sign in a store window prompted a heated confrontation between the owner and a transgender woman. According to a report, the sign bore a profane message stating: “If you are born with a d–k you are not a chick.” Tiesa Meskis, an Aberdeen councilwoman, confronted the proprietor of a Star Wars memorabilia shop. “I don’t care what they do, but don’t come in here and complain to me about stuff. I have free speech,” said Don Sucher, owner of Sucher & Sons Star Wars Shop. Meskis later responded by saying: “We are people. We are who we are and we all want to be accepted in our community.”

Stay safe,

Fraser Dixon

Sources

• Declassify Saudi files or stay away from 9/11 memorials, families tell Biden
• GOP leads Democrats in 2022 enthusiasm by double digits: Poll
• Arkansas judge blocks state from enforcing mask mandate ban
• Baby girl with Covid-19 airlifted 150 miles because of Houston hospital bed shortage
• House Democrats call on Biden to close Guantánamo ‘once and for all’
• Store owner gets in heated exchange with transgender woman over offensive sign