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What in the World Wednesdays #7: Congress, Controversy, and Cattle

burgundy bug

By: burgundy bug

An aggressive looking cow

Source: Moody Cow | Penelope Peru Photography P³

Congress appears to have reached an agreement on funding for President Donald Trump’s wall along the southern border of the United States. Although the President doesn’t appear too gung-ho about the terms of the agreement, it may be enough to thwart another partial shutdown of our government.

Meanwhile, Childish Gambino made history on Sunday, winning multiple awards for his single This is America. Cardi B deactivated her Instagram in the face of drama and controversy following her win for Best Rap Album at the 61st annual Grammy Awards, El Chapo was sentenced to life in prison, and 500,000 cattle have died in Queensland amidst hazardous flooding.

What in the World of Politics

The United States is posed for another indefinite, partial shutdown of our government if Congress is unable to reach an agreement on the funding for President Donald Trump’s wall along the southern border of the United States by Feb 15.

“We got an agreement on all of it,” Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard Shelby said, according to CNN.

Although the full details of this agreement have yet to be released, a source told CNN this agreement included $1.375 billion towards funding for physical barriers along the southern border and a total of 40,520 ICE detention beds.

“I can’t say I’m happy, I can’t say I’m thrilled,” President Trump said in regards to the agreement, according to NBC Washington.

More details are expected to release today after lawmakers translate the agreement into legislation.

“I hope he signs the bill,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell commented.

What in the World is Going on in Virginia?

As Jan drew to a close, a photograph of Gov. Ralph Northam (D-VA) sporting blackface next to an individual in a Ku Klux Klan (KKK) robe began circulating.

A yearbook photo of Gov. Ralph Northam (D-VA) appearing in blackface next to an individual in a KKK robe.

Source: USA Today

The governor initially admitted to wearing blackface before denying that he is in fact the man in the photograph. However, Northam has acknowledged that he did wear blackface well-over 30 years ago when he had dressed as Michael Jackson for a dance contest, according to USA Today.

Shortly thereafter, Attorney General Mark Herring (D-VA) admitted to wearing blackface to an undergraduate party he had attended in costume as an African American rapper almost 40 years ago.

Additionally, allegations of Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax (D-VA) committing two accounts of sexual assault began to surface. The first act is said to have taken place at a Duke University fraternity house in 2000, followed by misconduct in a hotel room at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, according to The New York Times.

“To be very clear, I did not want to engage in oral sex with Mr. Fairfax and I never gave any form of consent,” Vanessa Tyson, one of the women who has stepped forward and spoken about what occurred between her and Fairfax said in a statement according to CBS News. “Mr. Fairfax has tried to brand me as a liar to a national audience, in service to his political ambitions, and has threatened litigation. Given his false assertions, I’m compelled to make clear what happened.”

These disturbing scandals have left lawmakers and residents of Virginia horrified, mortified, and pressuring the three Democrats to step down from their positions of power.

However, if Northam, Herring, and Fairfax resign, that leaves the Republican speaker of the House of Delegates Kirk Cox to step up to the plate as Gov. of Virginia.

“I have never been in blackface,” Cox recently touted, according to The New York Times.

What in the World of Arts and Entertainment

On Sunday, the singer-songwriter Alicia Keys hosted the 61st annual Grammy Awards ceremony.

Donald “Childish Gambino” Glover made history, winning Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap/Sung Performance, as well as Best Music Video for his single This is America, which was released in May 2018.

This is America by Childish Gambino

Source: Childish Gambino – This Is America (Official Music Video) | Donald Glover

Ariana Grande won Best Pop Vocal Album for Sweetener, Drake won Best Rap Song for God’s Plan, and Cardi B won Best Rap Album for Invasion of Privacy.

God’s Plan by Drake

Source: Drake – God’s Plan | Drake

A full list of the winners is available on the Grammy Awards’ website.

Cardi B made history as the first solo woman to win a Grammy for Best Rap Album, however the artist faced criticism as some believed Invasion of Privacy did not deserve the award.

“I’m seeing a lot of shit today and I saw a lot of shit last night,” Cardi B said in a video that has since then been deleted and reposted by the Music News Facts Twitter account.

“I’m sick of this shit. I worked hard for my mother fucking album,” Cardi B continues. Cardi B also deactivated her Instagram account.

“First of all, it’s not my style for people to put other people down to uplift somebody else,” Cardi B said in the beginning of the video, in reference to a Tweet posted by the official BET Twitter account. “That’s not my style and that’s not what I’m with.”

“Meanwhile, Nicki Minaj is being dragged by her lacefront,” BET Tweeted following Cardi B’s award on Sunday night.

On Monday, Minaj responded in a Tweet stating that she will no longer affiliate herself with BET.

A few hours later, BET released an apology for Minaj as well as her fans.

“The post does not reflect how we feel about Nicki,” BET said in their statement. “And further does not reflect our company values.”

BET concluded their statement by stressing that this never should have happened.

What Else is Going on in the World

The 61 year old household name and Mexican drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán is facing life in prison after a three-month trial in New York drew to a close on Tuesday.

According to Vox, Guzmán was found guilty on 10 charges related to the multi-billion dollar drug cartel he operated for nearly 30 years, Sinaloa.

This isn’t his first time in prison. Guzmán was in the custody of a Mexican prison twice, and escaped both times. Now the United States is stepping forward, determined to keep El Chapo behind bars. He will be sentenced in June of this year.

Meanwhile, 500,000 cattle in Queensland have died due to flooding as a result of heavy rainfall in Australia, surmounting over $300 billion in damages, according to CNN.

“The speed and intensity of the unfolding tragedy makes it hard to believe that it’s just a week since farmers’ elation at receiving the first decent rains in five years turned to horror at the devastating and unprecedented flood that quickly followed,” the CEO of Agforce Queensland Michael Guerin said. “It is certain that the industry will take decades to recover.”

In Conclusion

  • It appears that Congress has reached an agreement on funding for a wall along the southern border of the United States. Although President Donald Trump doesn’t sound too thrilled about the deal, it may be enough to prevent another partial shutdown of the government. More details will be released later today, as lawmakers draft legislation based upon the verbal agreement.
  • Multiple Virginia politicians are being pressured to step down from their positions after photographs of them appearing in blackface began circulating and allegations of sexual assault began to surface.
  • Childish Gambino made history winning multiple Grammys for This is America during the 61st annual Grammy Awards.
  • Cardi B deactivated her Instagram following criticism and controversy over her album Invasion of Privacy winning Best Rap Album at the Grammy Awards.
  • El Chapo was found guilty on 10 charges related to Sinaloa, the multi-billion drug cartel he operated for nearly 30 years. He will be sentenced to life in prison in the United States in June 2019.
  • Massive flooding in Australia has lead to the death of 500,000 cattle in Queensland, surmounting over $300 billion in damages.

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