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Monarch Butterflies To Be Listed as a Threatened Species in US (Maria)
The author writes, “U.S. wildlife officials announced a decision Tuesday to extend federal protections to monarch butterflies after years of warnings from environmentalists that populations are shrinking and the beloved pollinator may not survive climate change. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to add the butterfly to the threatened species list by the end of next year following an extensive public comment period. ‘The iconic monarch butterfly is cherished across North America, captivating children and adults throughout its fascinating life cycle,’ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams said in a news release. ‘Despite its fragility, it is remarkably resilient, like many things in nature when we just give them a chance.’”
Trump Promises to End Birthright Citizenship, Suggests Deporting ‘Kids Who Are Here Legally’ (Dana)
From Mother Jones: “In an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press aired on Sunday, Donald Trump doubled down on two of his main campaign promises: mass deportation and ending birthright citizenship. ‘You promised to end birthright citizenship on day one,’ Kristen Welker asked. ‘Is that still your plan?’ ‘Yes,’ Trump responded, ‘absolutely.’ Welker pushed back, reminding Trump that the 14th Amendment’s Citizenship Clause dictates that ‘all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.’ When asked if he would work around the amendment, Trump said, ‘Well, we’re going to have to get it changed or maybe have to go back to the people. But we have to end it.’”
In the 6-Hour Mayhem of South Korea’s Martial Law, a Woman’s Act of Resistance Was a Defining Moment (Gerry)
The authors write, “In the groundswell of fury and defiance that erupted among South Koreans after their president declared martial law, curtailing the country’s hard-won freedoms, it was perhaps the iconic moment. As parliamentarians scrambled to get inside the National Assembly building to reverse the emergency measure, a woman in a leather coat confronted one of the soldiers who was trying to stop the lawmakers, grabbed his automatic rifle, and tried to tug it away while yelling ‘Aren’t you ashamed?’ As the soldier backed away, he raised the rifle’s barrel toward the woman. She pressed on, grabbing it as it was pointed at her chest, still yelling, before he gave up, turned and walked away.”
The Case Against Joe Biden Pardoning Everyone on Trump’s Enemies List (Russ)
From Slate: “It is reported that President Joe Biden is considering issuing a significant number of what might be called preemptive pardons to current government officials and others who may be targets of the incoming administration’s promised campaign of ‘retribution’ against Donald Trump’s perceived enemies. A number of commentators have urged Biden to grant such pardons. I understand the impetus for this push. And I will understand if Biden yields to calls for such pardons. On balance, however, I think it’s a bad idea. A blanket-pardon initiative would set a dangerous precedent that could be weaponized later on and would be unlikely to accomplish its ostensible ends.”
Huge Election Year Worldwide Sees Weakening Commitment To Act on Climate Crisis (Laura)
The author writes, “An unprecedented year of elections around the world has underscored a sobering trend — in many countries the commitment to act on the climate crisis has either stalled or is eroding, even as disasters and record temperatures continue to mount. So far 2024, called the ‘biggest election year in human history’ by the United Nations with around half the world’s population heading to the polls, there have been major wins for Donald Trump, the US president-elect who calls the climate crisis ‘a big hoax’; the climate-skeptic right in European Union elections; and Vladimir Putin, who won another term and has endured sanctions to maintain Russia’s robust oil and gas exports.”
A Hospital Helped a Beloved Doctor’s Practice Flourish Even as It Suspected He Was Hurting Patients (Bethany)
From ProPublica and Montana Free Press: “Hailed as a savior upon his arrival in Helena, Dr. Thomas C. Weiner became a favorite of patients and his hospital’s highest earner. As the myth surrounding the high-profile oncologist grew, so did the trail of patient harm and suspicious deaths.”
Why I Just Resigned From the Los Angeles Times (DonkeyHotey)
The author writes, “I have been a contributor to the Los Angeles Times op-ed page in some fashion for more than 15 years. For the last three years, I have been the Senior Legal Columnist, writing regular weekly columns about Trump’s legal troubles, the Supreme Court, and a wide range of other topics. The Times also permitted me to cover Trump’s trial in New York and the 2024 Democratic convention. … I’ve been proud of my work and proud to be part of the Times, the most prominent and storied newspaper west of the Mississippi. It’s got gravitas — and 45 Pulitzers to show for it — combined with a California flair that complements the constant variety and zaniness of my adopted state. But I have written my last op-ed for the Times. Yesterday, I resigned my position. I don’t want to continue to work for a paper that is appeasing Trump and facilitating his assault on democratic rule.”
Man Leaps Onto Polar Bear About To Maul His Wife in Driveway, Police Say (Reader Steve)
From The Seattle Times: “A man is recovering after he leaped onto a polar bear to prevent it from mauling his wife in their driveway in Canada, police said. It worked — and the bear attacked the man instead, the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service said on Facebook on Tuesday, Dec. 3. The couple had left their home before 5 a.m. to find their missing dogs when they encountered the polar bear, which lunged at the woman in their driveway, police said. She slipped to the ground and her husband leaped onto the animal to protect her, officials said. The bear then attacked him, causing ‘serious but non-life-threatening injuries to his arms and legs.’”
