“This body and this nation has [sic] a territories and a colonies problem.” Those words from Del. Stacey Plaskett echoed in the House chamber this week as the delegate interrupted the election of the House speaker to demand voting rights for herself and the representatives of other non-states. The problem, however, is not with the House, but with Plaskett and other members in demanding the violation of Article I of the Constitution.
‘COLONIES PROBLEM’: DELEGATE’S MIC CUT AFTER OUTCRY DURING HOUSE SPEAKER VOTE
After her election in 2015, Plaskett has often shown a certain disregard for constitutional principles and protections. Despite being a lawyer, Plaskett has insisted in Congress that hate speech is not constitutionally protected, a demonstrably false assertion. Where there is overwhelming evidence of a censorship system that a court called “Orwellian,” Plaskett has repeatedly denied the evidence presented before her committee. When a journalist testified on the evidence of that censorship system, Plaskett suggested his possible arrest. (Plaskett suggested that respected journalist journalist Matt Taibbi had committed perjury due to an error that he made, not in testimony but in a tweet that he later corrected).
However, ignoring the free speech or free press values pales in comparison to what Plaskett was suggesting this week in nullifying critical language in Article I.
Article I, Section 2, states:
The ability to vote in the House is expressly limited to the elected representatives of “the several states.”
Nevertheless, as the vote was being taken on the eventual election of Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.), Plaskett rose to demand recognition and to know why she was not allowed to vote:
The language of the Constitution is clear and unambiguous. Absent an amendment to the Constitution, only states may vote on the floor of the United States House of Representatives.
The presiding member asked a rather poignant question in response: “Does the gentlelady have a problem?”
The answer was decidedly “yes.”
Plaskett responded, “I asked why they were not called. I asked why they were not called from the parliamentarian, please.”
The response was obvious:
Plaskett then declared, “This body and this nation has a territory and a colonies problem. What was supposed to be temporary has now, effectively, become permanent. We must do something about this.”
As Plaskett’s mic was cut off, she objected, “But I have a voice!” as Democrats gave her a standing ovation. The media joined in the adoration, including The Atlantic magazine, which referred to her as “Congresswoman Plaskett” rather than a delegate.
There is no question that the Virgin Islands have a high percentage of veterans for its population (which stands at only 104,000). It is also a cherished part of our country. But it is not a state.
Plaskett was demanding a floor vote for herself and delegates from American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C.
These delegates are currently allowed to vote only in committees. The House is permitted to grant such authority since these delegates are not actually voting on the final language or adoption of legislation.
What Democrats were supporting was to allow votes on the House floor, which would have collapsed the bright-line rule that has governed the body for decades. It would also have effectively removed the language referencing “states” from Article I, Section 2, without a constitutional amendment.
This is why Plaskett’s “problem” goes further than simply the selection of the Speaker.
The Democrats have long argued that delegates should be allowed to vote as full members, starting with the D.C. delegate. I have written previously on that issue in academic publications. See, e.g., Jonathan Turley, , 76 George Washington University Law Review 305-374 (2008). I also testified at the prior congressional hearings (here and here and here) and written columns (here and here) on why I considered the bill to be flagrantly unconstitutional.
It is neither pleasant nor popular to raise such constitutional objections. I received heat after one Senate hearing in which Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton told the senators that, if they were going to vote against this bill, “do not blame the Framers, blame Jonathan Turley.” However, the problem has always been the curious constitutional status of these districts and territories.
The language of the Constitution is clear and unambiguous. Absent an amendment to the Constitution, only states may vote on the floor of the United States House of Representatives.
The problem is not, as claimed by Del. Plaskett, with “colonies.” The Virgin Islands is not a “colony.” It can, at any time, move to become an independent nation. Otherwise, the American people would have to vote for this tiny island to be a state. Either way, citizens will choose the status of the island.
The Democrats giving Plaskett a standing ovation would have presumably added half a dozen new votes for non-states. The call would likely then be for the addition of some representation in the Senate. That would certainly give the Democrats control of the House, but it would allow a fluid definition of what constitutes a representative — a definition that could be manipulated in the future by the majority to maintain their control of the House.
The vote for speaker illustrates the problem. Short a couple of votes, the Democrats were demanding the recognition of new forms of representatives to elect Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York. Presumably, a future House could then remove the votes to achieve the same advantage. It could also recognize other territories to increase voting margins. (Notably, some liberal professors have also suggested dividing blue states to simply multiply Democratic votes in the Senate. That would be constitutional if it was allowed by Congress).
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The call to create new forms of voting members on the House floor is consistent with the ad hoc measures in other areas. For example, despite opposition from the public, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and others have pushed to simply pack the Court with a majority of liberal justices to support their agenda.
The public’s opposition to court packing has not deterred the Democrats. In the same way, unable to secure a majority of citizens to support D.C. statehood, the Democrats previously sought to create a voting member without a constitutional amendment or change in status.
This week, they would have accomplished that result not just for Washington, but other non-states, including the Northern Mariana Islands, a commonwealth covering only 180 miles with a population of less than 50,000.
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We have the oldest and most stable constitutional system in the world precisely because we have resisted improvisational or ad hoc measures to achieve political ends. The Constitution is a common article of faith that transcends our passing or petty divisions. These demands for constructive constitutional amendments are the voices of the faithless.
To paraphrase Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, “the fault dear [delegate] lies not in our [states] but in ourselves.”
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Brett Favre’s question to Americans after Biden’s latest controversial move
Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre was among those who reacted to President Biden giving out Presidential Medals of Freedom on Saturday.
Biden was scrutinized on social media for handing out the awards to Hillary Clinton and George Soros.
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Critics pointed out Clinton’s handling of the war in Libya and the attack on United States government facilities in Benghazi, Libya, as well as her controversial private email server for government business, which prompted former FBI Director James Comey to say publicly that Clinton had mishandled classified information.
The award to Soros, a Democratic megadonor, was slammed based on the billionaire’s campaign funding of progressive district attorneys who have been soft on crime, which they say has led to crime waves in blue cities.
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Favre noticed as well.
“What words would you use to describe the White House medals that were given out because I’m honestly speechless,” he wrote on X.
Favre has been a staunch supporter of Donald Trump. He spoke at a rally for the president-elect in Wisconsin, ripping Biden after he appeared to call Trump supporters “garbage” in the final days before the election.
He vowed that anything Democrats “broke” over the last four years Trump will “fix.”
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Soccer star legend Lionel Messi was one of 19 recipients for the award as well. But he skipped the ceremony due to a scheduling conflict, according to USA Today.
Medal of Freedom honoree absent from ceremony as outrage erupts over selections
Soccer legend Lionel Messi was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Saturday, but he did not show up to the White House in person to receive the medal from President Biden. Messi was one of 19 recipients of the award, alongside NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson.
According to USA Today, Messi’s management team and his pro team, Inter Miami, informed the White House ahead of time that he would not be able to attend the ceremony due to scheduling conflicts.
Messi came to the U.S. in 2023 to join Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami, in one of the biggest superstar recruitments in the league’s 31-year history. Messi had only played in European leagues and for Argentina’s for most of his career to that point.
“Leo Messi is the most decorated player in the history of professional football. He supports health and education programs for children worldwide through his Messi Foundation and serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador,” a White House spokesperson announced as Biden held the medal.
Major League Soccer released a brief social media statement congratulating Messi on the award. Messi himself has not acknowledged the award with a social media post at the time of publication. According to USA Today, the star said that “he is deeply honored and it is a profound privilege to receive the recognition.”
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The medal is the nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to people who have made “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values or security of the United States, world peace or other significant societal, public or private endeavors,” according to the White House.
Biden’s re-election campaign mentioned Messi’s arrival to Major League Soccer as a catalyst for soccer’s growing significance among U.S. audiences, during the 2024 Copa America soccer tournament in Atlanta in June.
After Messi led Argentina to the World Cup title in December 2022, Biden jokingly wrote, “You know, I think that Messi guy might have a future,” in a congratulatory X post.
However, as Messi was absent, Saturday’s ceremony also incited controversy. News that Biden would award the medal to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and left-wing billionaire George Soros sparked mass outrage on social media and backlash, especially from prominent conservative figures.
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Critics pointed out Clinton’s handling of the war in Libya and the attack on United States government facilities in Benghazi, Libya, as well as her controversial private email server for government business, which prompted former FBI Director James Comey to say publicly that Clinton had mishandled classified information.
The award to Soros, a Democrat megadonor, was slammed based on the billionaire’s past campaign funding of progressive district attorneys who have been light on crime, which they say has led to crime waves in Blue cities.
“Seriously, two of the worst people on earth, Online commentator Blake Habyan wrote on X of Clinton and Soros.
Messi has not expressed any prominent political beliefs during his career.
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In February 2024, Messi didn’t play in an exhibition match in Hong Kong, staying on the bench during a match between Inter Miami and a local team. After his refusal to play, one of Argentina’s friendly matches that was set to be played in China in March was cancelled.
China’s state-run newspaper, the Global Times, published an editorial highlighting a “theory” without evidence that suggested Messi’s actions had “political motives” and that “external forces” wished to embarrass Hong Kong. But Messi insisted that his decision not to play in the match wasn’t politically driven at the time.
“I’ve heard people say that I didn’t want to play (in Hong Kong) for political reasons and many other reasons that are totally untrue,” Messi said in Spanish in a video with Chinese and English subtitles. “Had that been the case, I wouldn’t have even traveled to Japan or visited China as many times as I have.”
Widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time, Messi, 37, has set numerous individual records with eight Ballon d’Or awards and eight times being named FIFA’s world’s best player. He is the most decorated player in the history of professional soccer, having won 45 team trophies, including four UEFA Champions Leagues, two Copa Americas and one FIFA World Cup.
Massive recall hits over-the-counter medicine sold at Costco
A Costco-brand cold and flu medicine has been pulled from shelves “due to potential foreign material contamination.”
A notice shared on the retail giant’s website says the recall of Kirkland Signature Severe Cold & Flu Plus Congestion involves item number #1729556 with specific lot code P140082, which was sold at select locations in the Midwest and southeast.
“Out of an abundance of caution, LNK has initiated a recall for the accidental release and shipment of a specific lot code that was rejected due to potential foreign material contamination,” the statement reads.
The impacted over-the-counter medicine was purchased by customers between Oct. 30 and Nov. 30, 2024.
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Consumers are told to not use any remaining product with the lot code and to return it to Costco for a full refund.
Anyone with issues or concerns is told to contact manufacturer LNK International Inc. at 1-800-426-9391 or email complaints-inquiries@lnkintl.com.
Fox Business reached out to Costco for more information.
COSTCO RECALLS SEVERAL ITEMS AMID LISTERIA CONCERNS
| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COST | COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP. | 916.58 | +6.77 | +0.74% |
Last month, 8,640 boxes of Kirkland Severe Cold & Flu Plus Congestion Day and Night packs were recalled by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) due to the ingredient oral phenylephrine being deemed “not effective” as a nasal decongestant following an “extensive review.”
“This chemical is shown to be ineffective against cold and flu in its oral form, except at a dose that has some heart toxicity and can lead to palpitations, arrhythmia and high blood pressure,” Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, said.
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The December recalled boxes of the Kirkland Cold & Flu product had lot numbers P139953 or P139815 with an August 2026 expiration date.
Truck driver hailed a hero after bullets start flying at state trooper on interstate
Commercial truck drivers can be crucial to the country’s supply chain, but some serve as champions of safety on the road, acting as first responders in tough situations.
Timothy VanNostrand, 64, an owner/operator of his own logging transport company in Northville, New York, found himself springing into action while driving along Interstate 88 in June 2023.
“It happened so fast,” VanNostrand told Fox News Digital.
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“It’s instinct more than anything else.”
VanNostrand was passing a New York State trooper who had made a traffic stop that escalated into a shootout.
“I wasn’t 100% sure what I saw at first, but I saw the trooper kind of skip sideways a little bit,” VanNostrand said.
“And then I saw the shooter actually pull the gun in his car and start shooting right out through his own back window at the state trooper. A really intense shootout started, and bullets were flying.”
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He used his logging truck to block the suspect from escaping during the 12-minute ordeal.
“It’s a long time when you’re standing there listening to it,” VanNostrand said.
“You’re second-guessing yourself, but it turned out it was the right decision.”
When backup arrived, the trooper, who had been wounded, was taken to the hospital and survived.
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VanNostrand was later honored by the New York State Police and by The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company as a “Highway Hero.”
“The purpose of the Highway Hero program is to bring more awareness and appreciation to the powerful impact that commercial drivers can have on the roads, individuals’ lives and communities.”
Goodyear announced it is accepting nominations for its 41st annual Highway Hero Award, recognizing commercial truck drivers for going the extra mile while on the job.
“The Goodyear Highway Hero Award is one way Goodyear recognizes the importance of the commercial trucking industry, which helps move 72.5% of the U.S. economy’s goods, according to American Trucking Associations,” Joe Burke, vice president of Goodyear North America Commercial Business, told Fox News Digital.
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“Behind the wheels of those trucks are 3.3 million professional truck drivers who are not only a vital part of the supply chain industry, but they also act beyond their job duties to safeguard others on the roads.
“The purpose of the Highway Hero program is to bring more awareness and appreciation to the powerful impact that commercial drivers can have on the roads, individuals’ lives and communities.”
Each year around the holiday season, Goodyear seeks nominations for drivers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) who went above and beyond the call of duty to help others on the road.
Everyone from long-haul truckers to dump truck drivers, regional delivery and vocational vehicle operators and others are eligible for nomination.
Last year, VanNostrand and Elijah Ramos of Victorville, California, were named Highway Heroes for their acts of courage while on the road.
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Ramos, a driver for Ryder System, Inc., was on his morning route in a remote desert area when an SUV lost control, crossed multiple lanes of traffic and crashed into a field.
Ramos pulled over, assessed the situation and called his dispatcher.
He stayed with an injured woman until help arrived.
“Since it was such a remote area, it could have been a long time until help arrived,” Ramos said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.
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“I was glad to be there when it happened and to call for help quickly.”
After the incident, Ramos continued on his route, business as usual.
Runners-up were Joshua Day, an ABF Freight driver from Potsdam, Ohio, and Russel Peasley, a Brakebush Transportation driver from Necedah, Wisconsin.
Each year, a panel of judges selects one winner and up to two finalists, and Goodyear announces the award winner, honoring a driver with cash prizes and a ride on the Goodyear limp.
Up to two runners-up will also receive a cash prize.
Eligible nominees for this year’s Highway Hero Award must be full-time commercial drivers with valid CDLs, live in the U.S. or Canada and be actively operating a commercial, infrastructure, vocational vehicle or non-lifesaving emergency vehicle with rim size greater than 19 inches.
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“Their contributions and heroic actions have inspired us to continue enhancing our commercial tires and services, such as our Fleet HQ service network, to help support truck drivers when they need assistance,” Burke said.
VanNostrand said his actions were all in a day’s work for someone in his industry.
“Most of the people I know and work with would do the same thing,” he said.
“We all look out for each other, and 99% of us are looking out for everybody else too.”
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To learn more about the Highway Hero Award and find out how to nominate a driver, visit Goodyear’s website.
Botox now used for bodily function that’s often considered an embarrassing ‘faux pas’
Burping is often considered a “faux pas,” as it can be embarrassing and off-putting, especially in social situations.
But for some, the inability to belch can be an issue that can cause discomfort. There is even a medical name for the condition: retrograde cricopharyngeal dysfunction (R-CPD), also known as “no burp syndrome.”
The cricopharyngeus is the main muscle of the upper esophageal sphincter, the top gate of the food pipe. With no burp syndrome, this muscle does not relax, which interferes with the burping process, according to Neil Chheda, MD, associate professor and vice chair in the department of otolaryngology and chief of the division of laryngology at UF Health in Gainesville, Florida.
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“Both men and women can be affected, and risk factors for developing this condition are not known,” Chheda told Fox News Digital.
It may not seem like an inability to burp is a big deal, but it can bring severe challenges, the doctor said.
“Those who can’t burp may report quality of life issues, such as bloating, a gurgling noise, and discomfort with certain foods and drinks, such as carbonated beverages,” Chheda said.
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Priya Krishna, MD, an otolaryngologist in the department of head and neck surgery at Loma Linda University in California, agreed that no burp syndrome can cause “significant psychological distress” in the affected person.
“It actually severely impacts the life of an individual, making social situations embarrassing because the gurgling can be loud and the flatulence excessive,” she told Fox News Digital.
“Those who can’t burp may report quality of life issues, such as bloating, a gurgling noise, and discomfort with certain foods and drinks.”
If over-the-counter options, prescription medications and lifestyle tweaks don’t solve the burping issues, patients can turn to Botox for a potential remedy, medical experts say.
Whether it’s injected into the face for a cosmetic procedure or elsewhere in the body for a functional reason, Botox works by preventing a motor nerve from releasing the chemical transmitter that signals a muscle to contract, explained Dr. Chheda with UF Health.
“When Botox is injected into the cricopharyngeus, the muscle can’t contract, and thereby relaxes and permits the venting of the esophagus.”
As a result, this can help a patient burp.
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Dr. Krishna of Loma Linda University told Fox News Digital that a Botox injection can be a very safe procedure as long as it is injected into the correct and intended muscle.
“That means having a surgeon familiar with the anatomy — as all otolaryngologists are — injecting the cricopharyngeus muscle,” she said.
The remedy was discovered by Robert Bastian, MD, an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat doctor) and director of Bastian Voice Institute in Downers Grove, Illinois.
“I have subspecialized in laryngology (the ‘T’ of ENT), which means voice, swallowing, upper airway, sensory neuropathic cough and inability to burp, or R-CPD,” he told Fox News Digital. “So I describe myself as a ‘laryngologist.’”
Bastian said he pioneered the procedure that involves injecting Botox into the cricopharyngeal muscle, which enables it to loosen and permits burping.
What to expect from the procedure
There are two methods of using Botox to induce burping, according to Bastian.
The first is a brief procedure under general anesthesia in an outpatient operating room.
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“A simple ‘scope’ procedure allows one to see the sphincter, at the junction between the low throat and opening of esophagus,” the doctor told Fox News Digital. “A tiny needle is then inserted into the muscle to inject Botox.”
Because of the anesthesia, someone must drive the patient home after the procedure.
The second method is to inject the muscle while the patient is sitting in a chair in a doctor’s office.
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“A needle is passed into the muscle from the side of the neck. Surface landmarks and three-dimensional visualization are used by the surgeon, and an EMG device monitors and verifies muscle placement,” Bastian described.
The patient can drive to and from the procedure since only local anesthesia is used.
Bastian said it has been rewarding to pioneer the Botox method.
“It has been a great privilege to be the one to ‘discover’ and codify the diagnosis and help spread the information to other doctors … and above all, it has been an honor to work with lovely patients who have suffered so much and for so long with this terrible disorder,” he told Fox News Digital.
A patient of Bastian spoke about the effectiveness of the procedure, saying it has allowed them to burp, that “any gurgling is gone,” and that “bloating has diminished almost entirely,” the doctor shared.
The patient also noted that getting the procedure has “drastically” improved their day-to-day life.
Fox News Digital reached out to the manufacturer of Botox and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requesting comment.
NFL team buys $2 million in tickets at rival stadium, sells to their fans at big discount
The Minnesota Vikings are playing moneyball.
One of the biggest regular-season games in the history of the Vikings and rival Detroit Lions will determine the NFC North champion and the top seed in the conference Sunday.
With the game at Detroit’s Ford Field, the Vikings are throwing their money around, trying to offset the Lions’ home-field advantage.
The Vikings spent $2 million on about 1,900 tickets for seats located behind the visitor sideline at Ford Field Sunday and are now reselling those tickets to fans at a heavy discount, according to Sports Illustrated.
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The Vikings even sent an email to season ticket holders, notifying them of the special offer.
The Lions reportedly contacted the league office to complain, but they were told the Vikings weren’t breaking any league rules.
The game between the longtime division rivals, both 14-2, is big considering neither team has won a Super Bowl.
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The Vikings have been to four Super Bowls and lost all four. Detroit has never played in a Super Bowl.
The winner of this game will have the clearest path in the NFC to the Super Bowl.
The Lions won the earlier matchup this season in Minnesota, a tight 31-29 thriller, to stay in first place in the NFC North. By virtue of that win, the Lions would claim the NFC’s top seed with a tie against the Vikings Sunday night.
The Vikings haven’t won a game against the Lions at Ford Field since January 2021 in the final week of the 2020 season, a 37-35 victory that ended their season at 7-9. Minnesota finished 5-11.
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The Lions have won the last four meetings against the Vikings and reached the NFC championship game last year. The Vikings were thought to be in a rebuilding phase, but the emergence of quarterback Sam Darnold fueled one of the most shocking stories of the NFL season.
Whichever team loses Sunday will be relegated to the top wild-card spot and will have to play in the first round of the playoffs on the road.
The winner will get a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the divisional round and potentially the NFC championship game.