Senate Passes Bill Approving Keystone XL Pipeline … Obama Has Vowed to Veto the Bill that Would Provide Jobs to Thousands of Americans

SENATE PASSES BILL APPROVING THE KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE.

On Thursday, the US Senate voted 62-36 passing a bill approving the construction of the XL Keystone pipeline. The House of Representatives passed a similar bill on January  9, for the 10th time. However, since the Senate bill has been amended, the two chambers will have to agree on one version before the bill goes to the president. Barack Obama has already threatened to veto the bill. The bill passed the Senate it a bi-partisan vote; as Democrats like Bennet (D-CO), Carper (D-DE), Casey (D-PA), Donnelly (D-IN), Heitkamp (D-ND), Manchin (D-WV), Tester (D-MT), McCaskill (D-MO) and Warner (D-VA) all voted for the bill that would provide jobs for Americans.

The Senate voted Thursday to build the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, despite a long-standing veto threat from the White House.

After three weeks of debate on 41 amendments, the Senate voted 62-36 to pass a bill approving the north-south pipeline for Canadian oil that Republicans say will create thousands of U.S. jobs. The tally was short of the 67 votes the Senate would need to override a presidential veto.

Nine Democrats joined a unanimous Republican caucus to support the bill: Sens. Michael Bennet of Colorado, Tom Carper of Delaware, Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, Joe Donnelly of Indiana, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Jon Tester of Montana and Mark Warner of Virginia.

Thursday morning, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., urged his colleagues to pass the measure. “Constructing Keystone would pump billions into our economy. It would support thousands of good American jobs,” he said. “And as the president’s own State Department has indicated, it would do this with minimal environmental impact.”

McConnell said the conclusion of myriad studies is: “We need to build it.”

20 Year Old, University of Illinois Student Vicente Mundo Missing Since 1/25/15 in Champaign, IL (Update: Found Deceased)

20 year old Vicente Mundo has been missing since Sunday, January 25, 2015 in Champaign , Illinois. Vicente Mundo, a junior at the University of Illinois, was last seen on campus, near the corner of Third and Chalmers at about 7:15 pm. on January 25. His roommate told Mundo’s family that Vicente left their off-campus apartment to meet someone near his car around 6:45 pm Cell phone records show he made his last call around 7:12 pm Sunday.

Mundo lives in the 300 block of East Chalmers Street, Champaign. He is described as a Hispanic man with black hair and brown eyes, 6-feet-tall and weighing about 165 pounds. He drives a silver Acura TL with Illinois license plate number 2557BD.

Missing: Vicente Mundo

Vicente Mundo is 6 feet tall and 140 pounds with black hair, brown eyes and of Hispanic descent. He was last seen wearing a navy down coat with a Blackhawks baseball hat.

Mundo was last seen 7:15 p.m. Sunday when he left an apartment on the U of I campus and went to his car — a 2006 silver Acura TL with a special edition Bears license plate 2557. Then, he never returned.

His sister tells WGN he went to meet someone there — another student maybe — but they don’t know why. Also missing is the college junior’s wallet, iPad, phone, and Acura. His sister says his grades are good and she isn’t aware of any problems in his life.

UPDATE I: University of Illinois police on Friday announced that his family is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to his return.

“We figure that money is a good incentive for anything, so we thought maybe that would make people want to tell us anything,” his sister said.

Mundo’s wallet and phone also are missing, along with his car, a 2006 Acura TL with a special edition Bears license plate No., 2557, according to campus police. Mundo’s sister said the car has tinted windows, black tires and black rims.

At 1 p.m. Tuesday, Mundo’s phone pinged a cellphone tower near Mahomet, Ill., a town of 7,700 people about 11 miles from Champaign. After that, his cellphone appears to have gone dead, his sister said. The family does not yet have information about which towers the phone may have pinged before Tuesday.

There has been no activity on Mundo’s bank account, according to his sister, which makes her suspect he did not disappear voluntarily.

“There’s no money withdrawn, there’s no stopping for coffee, there’s nothing; like he disappeared from the face of the earth,” she said. “If someone wants to go missing, that’s fine, but they’re going to withdraw money.”

Anyone with information should contact the University of Illinois Police Department at 217-333-1216 or the Champaign Police Department at 217-351-4545.

UPDATE I: Body of missing U. of I. student from Chicago found in central Illinois.

On Monday, authorities said the death of the U. of I. junior — one of two Hispanic men to go missing in Champaign in the last month — was ruled a homicide by the Champaign County coroner’s office.

His body was found about 9 a.m. Saturday along a rural road about 10 miles south of Champaign. The coroner’s office declined to comment on the autopsy or cause of death.

Mitt Romney Tells Supporters Says He Will Not Run for President in 2016

Mitt Romney decides against running for president again in 2016 …

Mitt Romney, the GOP presidential candidate who lost the 2012 presidential election, told supporters today that he will not run again for president in 2016. Romney stated, “I am convinced that we could win the nomination, but fully realize it would have been difficult test and a hard fight.” Not sure if I am buying that, because if one is convinced they would win, they would pursue the effort. In the end, as much as Romney wanted to be president, I think he feels that his presence will only prevent a better candidate from getting the nomination who has a better shot of winning the general election in 2016.

Mitt Romney told supporters Friday that he would not run for president in 2016, ending three weeks of public speculation and sparing the Republican Party a potentially bruising nominating battle between its past nominee and its rising stars.

“After putting considerable thought into making another run for president, I’ve decided it is best to give other leaders in the party the opportunity to become our next nominee,” Romney said in a statement he read to supporters on a conference call Friday morning.

In his remarks, first reported by radio host Hugh Hewitt, Romney said that he had enough support from potential donors to be “more than competitive” and that the positive reaction he heard from Republican activists was “surprising and heartening.” He noted that he had been leading in recent public polls.

Part of me says, of course an individual who already ran for president and lost in the general election against a weak opponent like Barack Obama should never run again. Then there is the other side of me that wishes Romney would run to split the fundraising, support and vote with GOP presidential wannbe  RINO Jeb Bush.

Hugh Hewitt – Not Running. “I’ve decided it is best to give other leaders in the Party the opportunity to become our next nominee.”

Let me begin by letting you know who else is on this call, besides Ann and me. There are a large number of people who signed on to be leaders of our 2016 finance effort. In addition, state political leadership from several of the early primary states are on the line. And here in New York City, and on the phone, are people who have been helping me think through how to build a new team, as well as supporters from the past who have all been kind enough to volunteer their time during this deliberation stage. Welcome, and thank you. Your loyalty and friendship, and your desire to see the country with new, competent and conservative leadership warms my heart.

After putting considerable thought into making another run for president, I’ve decided it is best to give other leaders in the Party the opportunity to become our next nominee. (read the rest HERE)

In a copy of Mitt Romney’s expected remarks to supporters, and confirmed by an aide to the former Bay State governor:

“After putting considerable thought into making another run for president, I’ve decided it is best to give other leaders in the Party the opportunity to become our next nominee,” Romney’s statement reads. “… You can’t imagine how hard it is for (my wife) Ann and me to step aside, especially knowing of your support and the support of so many people across the country. But we believe it is for the best of the Party and the nation.”

Rap Mogul Marion ‘Suge’ Knight Arrested on Suspicion of Murder, Hit & Run … Held on $2 Million Bail (Update: Deceased Victim is Terry Carter)

Rap mogul Marion ‘Suge’ Knight was arrested last night on suspicion of murder after he allegedly ran over two men with his truck following an argument on a film set in Compton, California. Knight turned himself in to the police with his attorney present. According to the e Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, a confrontation began about 3 p.m. Thursday when ‘Suge’ Knight and two unidentified men began arguing on the set of “Straight Outta Compton.” As per accounts, Knight is believed to have followed the men in his truck and run them over in the parking lot, One witness appears to infer that it was an intentional act as he claimed that Knight’s red truck hit the men, then backed over them before leaving the scene. One of the victims died at the scene while the other suffered undisclosed injuries and was taken to the hospital. The incident is being investigated as a homicide.

Knight’s attorney confirmed that his client was behind the wheel, but is saying it was an accident as Knight was attacked by two people and trying to escape.

Notorious former rap music mogul Marion “Suge” Knight has been arrested on suspicion of murder after he allegedly ran over two men with his truck following an argument on a film set in Compton, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed. He is being held in lieu of $2-million bail.

Knight, 49, arrived at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood station with his attorney around 12:30 a.m. to be interviewed by homicide detectives as a person of interest in the case, according to authorities and his lawyer.

The interview concluded around 3:30 a.m., Knight’s attorney, James E. Blatt, told The Times.

The confrontation began about 3 p.m. Thursday when Knight and two unidentified men began arguing on the set of “Straight Outta Compton,” a biopic about the group N.W.A., said Capt. John Corina of the Sheriff’s Department’s detectives unit.

About 20 minutes after the alleged argument, the victims were at Tam’s Burgers near Central and East Rosecrans avenues, authorities said. Knight is believed to have followed the men in his truck and run them over in the parking lot, Corina said.

Witnesses said the truck hit the men, then backed over them before leaving the scene.

One of the victims, 55, died, and the other, 51, suffered undisclosed injuries, Corina said. At least one of the victims was a member of the film crew, he said.

UPDATE I: TMZ – The victim is Terry Carter, who we’re told is a friend of Suge’s who arrived with him at the scene.

Multiple witnesses tell us a movie shoot — involving Ice Cube and Dr. Dre — was going down when Suge pulled up in his car. We’re told security told Suge to leave and that’s when trouble began.

A fight broke out between Suge and 2 men. Suge got back into his car, took the wheel and threw the vehicle in reverse … and ran over a man who suffered fatal injuries.

It’s unclear at this point if the victim was connected to the movie. A source close to Cube tells us production had wrapped when the fight went down … and he and Dre were not on set.

Sources connected with Suge tell TMZ … the 2 men who fought Suge were the instigators. Our sources say Suge was scared because he’s in frail health — in addition to being shot 6 times last summer, he recently almost died from a blood clot.

The victim is Terry Carter, who we’re told is a friend of Suge’s who arrived with him at the scene — he works at a local tow truck company in Compton — and witnesses say he’s “an OG in the neighborhood.”

Our sources say Carter was in the process of walking to the passenger door of Suge’s vehicle, but happened to be in the rear when Suge gunned it.

Two other men were also hit … including Cle “Bone” Sloan — who’s appeared in “Training Day” and “End of Watch” — and suffered non-life threatening injuries. Both men are in the hospital.

UPDATE II: A timeline of ‘Suge’ Knight’s legal and medical troubles.

‘Suge’ Knight is no stranger to trouble. The co-founder of Death Row Records has had perennial legal troubles.

• 1996: Knight was sent to prison for nearly five years for badly beating a rival with rapper Tupac Shakur at a Las Vegas, Nevada, hotel. The beating came shortly before Shakur suffered fatal gunshot wounds.
• 2002: Knight was jailed for violating his probation by associating with gang members in Los Angeles.
• 2003: He went back to jail on a parole violation after punching a parking lot attendant outside a Hollywood nightclub.
• 2005: Knight was shot in the leg during an MTV Video Music Awards pre-party in Miami. No arrests were made.
• 2006: Death Row Records filed for bankruptcy, and a Los Angeles judge ordered a trustee to take it over because of gross mismanagement.
• 2009: Knight was hospitalized for treatment of facial injuries following a fight at a hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona.
• 2013: The rap music figure was arrested on an outstanding warrant and later released after being pulled over for a traffic violation in Los Angeles.
• 2014: Ahead of the MTV Video Music Awards, Knight was shot during an altercation at a Hollywood nightclub at a party not affiliated with the cable network.
• 2014: Knight was charged with robbery involving a camera theft in Beverly Hills. He pleaded not guilty and could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted because of his criminal history.

Code Pink Chants Arrest Kissinger for War Crimes at Senate Armed Services Committee: Sen John McCain (R-AZ) Tells Them “Get Out of Here You Low-life Scum”

Finally, Code Pink called out for what they truly are … ‘Low-Life Scum.”

Yesterday’s Senate Armed Services Committee hearing with former Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger, Madeleine Albright, and George Shultz. was interrupted by protesters from “Code Pink”. The protesters wanted to arrest the 91 year old, former Secretary of State for War crime. Finally, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) had enough and lashed out at the protesters disrupting the hearing and called them “low-life scum.”  McCain apologized to Dr. Henry Kissinger for the protesters actions to a man who served his country with the greatest distinction.

I’ve been a member of this committee for many years, and I have never seen anything as disgraceful and outrageous and despicable as the last demonstration that just took place. You know, you’re going to have to shut up, or I’m going to have you arrested. If we can’t get the Capital Hill Police in here immediately. Get out of here, you low-life scum.

McCain slams Kissinger protesters: ‘Get out of here you low-life scum’:

The niceties of Washington went out the window Thursday when protesters disrupted a hearing with Henry Kissinger — and Sen. John McCain went ballistic.

“Get out of here you low-life scum,” proclaimed the Arizona Republican.

The demonstrators were at the Senate Armed Services Committee to go after Kissinger.

“Arrest Henry Kissinger for war crimes!” they screamed, some carrying signs spelling out their hatred of the former secretary of state.

McCain quickly called over Capitol police officers to “instill order.”

“You’re going to have to shut up or I’m going to have you arrested,” McCain told the demonstrators after they disrupted his press conference.

Full Video below, protest starts at the beginning of the video

CSPAN – Former Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger, Madeleine Albright, and George Shultz testified at a a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing

UPDATE I: Code Pink Tries to Arrest 91-Year-Old Kissinger for ‘War Crimes,’ Get Smacked Down by 94-Year-Old George Shultz.

Later, when Kissinger began his opening statement, more protesters popped up in the room, screaming about Vietnam and rattling off his “war crimes.”

“Vietnam! From 1969 to 1973, Kissinger, working for Richard Nixon, oversaw the slaughter in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, that led to the deaths of millions — millions of people. Many thousands more died from the effects of massive doses of agent orange and from unexploded bombs that covered the countryside!” a protester shouted. “Chile! Henry Kissinger was one of the principle architects of the coup in Chile on September 11th, 1973…”

Shultz then stood up to verbally battle the protesters, saying, “I salute Henry Kissinger for his many contributions to peace and security.” That led to a standing ovation from the committee members and audience that drowned out Code Pink.