DONALD TRUMP and Vladimir Putin (Shutterstock).
A series of economic sanctions against Russia signed into law last month will be put on hold. According to the Associated Press, President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order pausing the moves aimed at Moscow, stating the action was in the national interest.
However, the president a week later announced that the United States would purchase diesel oil from Russia. High fuel costs – especially for diesel, which is used heavily in trucking and agriculture – have driven the price for diesel to record highs and contributed to public concern about “affordability” just a few weeks before the Nov. 3 mid-term elections.
Supporters of the war argued that the move by the president could shorten the war between Russia and Ukraine. Critics say it was strictly political act to boost the chances of Republicans in the election.
Shooter at Oregon school had shotgun
The shooter who killed four people – including three children and a teacher – in Bend, Oregon on Thursday, has been identified as John J. Griffin, III, 16 years old.
United Press International is reporting that Griffin’s weapon was a pump-action shotgun which had been bought by his mother.
When the suspect entered a classroom, a teacher threw her cellphone at him to distract him, then tackled him. The parent of two preschool children at the school spotted the man as he drove by, and then fatally wounded the gunman,
Arriving police evacuated the students and staff from the school.
Another student and a teacher were hospitalized with critical injuries.
Katie’s five-day tenure in White House
Katie Zacharia has been dismissed from her post as White House press secretary after just five days on the job.
USA Today was told by White House officials that she was “transitioning out” of the job. That came after controversy over her claim to be an attorney. It appears that she did graduate with a law degree but has not passed a bar exam.
She said she had taken a bar exam but “the results were inconsequential” because she moved to China where passing a bar exam was not a requirement to practice law there.
Her first and only press conference lasted just 15 minutes and was widely criticized for only calling on “friendly” news outlets and her “halting” answers.
“Look,” said President Trump. “She has suffered over the last few days. Maybe it’s not for her.”
Weather: Less windy, warm, then cooler
The Santa Ana winds which blew leaves and tree branches all across our West Orange County cities should abate this weekend and the warm weather will cool. The forecast for Saturday is for partly cloudy skies with a daytime high of 91 and an overnight low of 65. Sunday will see temps drop to 86 (63) with sunny skies. Monday will continue the trend with temps of 83 (64) and mostly sunny skies. Tuesday will also be mostly sunny with temps of 77 (62).
Great Thoughts (from movies)
“Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you are gonna get.”
– Forrest Gump
“Well, nobody’s perfect.”
– Some Like it Hot
“Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.”
– Godfather, Part II
