The newly discovered omicron mutation of the novel coronavirus will likely be a “minor” variant, according to epidemiologist Dr. Peter McCullough.

Source: Dr. Peter McCullough: Omicron is likely a minor variant

A whistleblower charging that a contract research company helping to carry out Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine trial last fall falsified data has responded to her former employer’s accusation that she is lying.

Source: Pfizer whistleblower accused of lying fearlessly fires back

The word “Advent” comes from a Latin word that means “coming.” The Christian Advent tradition celebrates the coming of Jesus to earth through His birth in Bethlehem. In most church calendar traditions, Advent officially begins on the fourth Sunday before December 25. (though many modern Advent calendars begin December 1).

Each of the four Sundays of the Advent is remembered through the use of particular practices. The specific practices, readings, and meaning of the candles in the Advent wreaths, if wreaths are used, may vary among churches.

For many, the first Sunday includes the lighting of a candle and readings on the theme of hope from the Old Testament. The second Sunday includes readings from the manger and prophecies about the birth of Jesus and focuses on the theme of the prophets. The third Sunday is also known as Gaudete Sunday (named after the first Latin word in Philippians 4:4, which is read). It focuses on joy and the theme of the shepherds. The fourth Sunday focuses on readings from the announcement of the Savior’s birth. It is also known as the angels’ candle. Many Advent candle wreaths also include a center fifth candle. This candle is known as the Christ candle that is lit during a special Christmas Eve gathering.

Is Advent biblical? The birth of Christ that is celebrated throughout Advent is based on biblical events and includes much Scripture. The actual development of the Advent season and church calendar developed much later.

As a result, a Christian should not feel required to celebrate or participate in Advent. However, the season highlights many of the notable events surrounding the birth of Jesus. It has served a very positive purpose for many throughout the history of the church. Churches of a wide variety of backgrounds continue to celebrate Advent today as part of the larger celebration of Christmas.

Even families and small groups of Christians often find joy in practicing in the traditions of Advent together. Counting the days on the calendar, reading Scripture, praying, and singing together all allow believers to further enjoy the true reason of Advent and Christmas—the coming of Jesus to our world.

News broke Monday that one of its biggest stars, prime-time anchor Chris Cuomo, had a greater-than-originally-thought role in helping his brother, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, mount a public relations defense against multiple allegations of sexual harassment. Those allegations, in fact, led to Andrew resigning in August.

And on Tuesday evening, the other Cuomo was punished. CNN has suspended Chris indefinitely. (Anderson Cooper hosted Cuomo’s normal 9 p.m. Eastern slot.)

In a statement, the network said, “The New York Attorney General’s office released transcripts and exhibits Monday that shed new light on Chris Cuomo’s involvement in his brother’s defense. The documents, which we were not privy to before their public release, raise serious questions. When Chris admitted to us that he had offered advice to his brother’s staff, he broke our rules and we acknowledged that publicly. But we also appreciated the unique position he was in and understood his need to put family first and job second. However, these documents point to a greater level of involvement in his brother’s efforts than we previously knew. As a result, we have suspended Chris indefinitely, pending further evaluation.”

Up until Monday. Chris had acknowledged publicly that he was a sounding board for his brother and that he lent some advice to Andrew’s advisers. But, turns out, he did much more than that. On Monday, The New York attorney general’s office released thousands of pages of documents, which included details of Chris’ role. It included Chris pushing to be a part of strategy sessions, working “sources” to see the status of what other news outlets were working on and even attempting to find information about one of his brother’s accusers. (I wrote about more details on Monday.)

Despite all this information becoming public, Chris hosted his prime-time show Monday night while CNN said it would give the attorney general’s documents a “thorough review and consideration.”

Throughout Monday evening and into Tuesday, many in the media asked if Chris should be allowed on the air or even if he should keep his job.

Washington Post national political reporter David Weigel tweeted, “If some news channel intern did what Chris Cuomo did they’d have been fired one second after these docs were published.”

Gene Park, who covers video games and gaming culture for The Washington Post, tweeted, “Chris Cuomo still working at CNN is a mockery of journalism. Libs defending him say there are more important things to worry about, and then complain about why media coverage is so poor and lopsided.

The Los Angeles Times’ Matt Pearce tweeted, “This is an embarrassment to journalism.”

Erin B. Logan of the Los Angeles Times tweeted, “amazing that Chris Cuomo still has a cushy job at CNN after flagrantly violating journalistic ethics”

And, of course, Keith Olberman wasn’t going to let this one go by. He tweeted, “And now he has to be fired.”

There were even calls coming from inside CNN’s own house. The Daily Beast’s Lachlan Cartwright, Justin Baragona and Andrew Kirell wrote, “The people with knowledge of the situation said CNN boss Jeff Zucker had felt serious heat from infuriated talent, including Jake Tapper, over the last 24 hours and acted to yank Cuomo off the air while the review is carried out.”

So, will Chris Cuomo be fired? That’s what CNN will determine in the coming days. I believe keeping Cuomo puts a serious dent in CNN’s credibility, particularly because Cuomo didn’t come completely clean when he had the chance earlier this year. It came a day late, but at least CNN realized it couldn’t just let Cuomo keep going on the air while it sorted through the details.

The UN Continues to Enable Palestinian Lies and False Victimhood, International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, The Arab countries have continued to treat the Palestinian people as political pawns

Source: The UN Continues to Enable Palestinian Lies and False Victimhood

A 49-year-old Texas man who was forced to be vaccinated to remain on a lung-transplant list died after receiving a second shot of the Moderna vaccine.

Source: Man forced to get vaccine to receive transplant dies after Moderna shot

The internet is changing.

By Brad Bergan Nov 29, 2021

Jack Dorsey. Matt Warner / Wikimedia

On the net, the line is always moving.

Jack Dorsey is going to step down from his role as the CEO of Twitter, according to an initial CNBC report. Twitter’s stock was rising from the world-historical news before it was halted until the news is further expanded upon.

Dorsey also shared a screencap of an internal email to his staff on Twitter, officially confirming his resignation from the CEO position. “I decided it’s finally time for me to leave,” he wrote in the email.

Twitter’s CTO Parag Agrawal will step up to succeed Dorsey as the new CEO. And while he expressed absolute confidence in Agrawal’s future in the role, we should make no mistake: This could change the shape of the internet forever.

Jack Dorsey announces his official resignation as Twitter CEO

“After almost 16 tears of having a role at our company,” wrote Dorsey in his screencapped email to Twitter staff, “from co-founder to CEO to Chair to Exec Chair to interim-CEO to CEO…I decided it’s finally time for me to leave.” Dorsey suggested that the idea of a “founder-led” company is ultimately a “severely limiting and a single point of failure. I’ve worked hard to ensure this company can break away from its founding and founders.” And the now-ex-CEO of Twitter laid out three reasons for why now is the apt time for his departure.

Dorsey will remain on the Board of the company until his current term expires in 2022, during the next stockholder meeting, according to the CNBC report. The Salesforce President and COO Bret Taylor will become the next Chairman of the Board, taking Patrick Pichette’s place, who is a former Google Executive. “I’ve decided to leave Twitter because I believe the company is ready to move on from its founders,” said Dorsey. His stated reasons in the screencapped email include Parag Agrawal becoming the new CEO of Twitter. “The board ran a rigorous process considering all options and unanimously appointed Parag,” said Dorsey. “He’s been my choice for some time given how deeply he understands the company and its needs.”

not sure anyone has heard but,

I resigned from Twitter pic.twitter.com/G5tUkSSxkl

— jack⚡️ (@jack) November 29, 2021

Social media is restructuring for the 2020s

The second of three reasons was Bret Taylor becoming the board chair, with a third reason offered by Dorsey to explain his departure being the bulk of Twitter employees themselves. Beyond these, Dorsey didn’t give a clear reason for the timing of his decision. “I want you all to know that this was my decision and I own it,” said Dorsey in his email to Twitter staff.

“It was a tough one for me, of course. I love this service and company, and all of you so much,” added Dorsey, in the tweeted email screencap. “I’m really sad, yet really happy. There aren’t many companies that get to this level. And there aren’t many founders that choose their company over their own ego. I know we’ll prove this was the right move.” With Facebook’s recent pivot and rebrand to “Meta”, we should expect Twitter and other social media companies to undergo continued restructuring as we enter the new decade.