December 07, 2015 01:25 PM UTC

Get More Smarter on Monday (Dec. 7)

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• by: Colorado Pols

Today is the 74th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Now that you’re driving your tenth Japanese car, it’s hopefully a little less infamous. It’s time to Get More Smarter with Colorado Pols! If you think we missed something important, please include the link in the comments below (here’s a good example).

TOP OF MIND TODAY…

► President Barack Obama addressed the nation last night in the aftermath of the apparent ISIS-inspired terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California. CNN:

President Barack Obama on Sunday issued his most passionate denunciation yet of ISIS, vowing to “destroy” the group in a relentless, strong and smart campaign that is consistent with the nation’s values.

But the speech — intended to reassure a nervous nation — didn’t announce an overhaul of a policy that critics have branded insufficient to take on the evolving threat.

Obama, speaking in the symbolic surroundings of the Oval Office, unequivocally told millions of television viewers in prime-time that last week’s mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, was a terrorist attack by a couple who had gone down the “dark path of radicalization” and embraced a “perverted” form of Islam.

“This was an act of terrorism designed to kill innocent people,” Obama said. “Here’s what I want you to know. The threat from terrorism is real, but we will overcome it. We will destroy ISIL and any other organization that tries to harm us.”

As you can imagine, Republican presidential candidates don’t want Americans to feel very reassured.

“People are really scared and worried,” Rubio told Fox News’ Bret Baier on Sunday night following Obama’s 13-minute prime-time address from the Oval Office. “You know, last night I ran into a couple who often travels abroad or to other parts of the country for New Year’s Eve. For the first time in over a decade, they’re not traveling anywhere this year because they’re so scared. Ran into someone else today who said they’re avoiding stadiums and malls during the holiday season because they’re scared. And people are scared not just because of these attacks but because of a growing sense that we have a president that’s completely overwhelmed by them…”

“Obama said in his speech that Muslims are our sports heroes,” Donald Trump tweeted early Monday morning, part of an extended Twitter commentary that began before the president’s speech. “What sport is he talking about, and who? Is Obama profiling?”

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz vowed to “direct the Department of Defense to destroy ISIS” and pledged to “shut down the broken immigration system that is letting jihadists into our country.”

Meanwhile, Sen. Ted “Mockingjay” Cruz has jumped ahead of Donald Trump in Iowa, while a new NBC poll shows Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton beating the entire pack of GOP primary candidates in head-to-head matchups.

Get even more smarter after the jump…

IN CASE YOU ARE STANDING NEAR A WATER COOLER…

► At the global climate summit in Paris, Colorado stakeholders beg for help saving our precious snow:

Aspen Mayor Steve Skadron told of efforts to adapt to shorter, slushier winters, joined by others on a panel, including Olympic snowboarder Seth Wescott.

“I urge world leaders to finish strong in Paris to keep the world below the tipping point and save the winter lifestyle for the world,” Wescott said in an e-mail.

► Cecile Richards put in a cameo at Planned Parenthood’s “Day of Unity” celebration following last month’s attack in Colorado Springs, where Planned Parenthood supporters and staff vowed that “the doors stay open.”

► Colorado in line for a hefty chunk of change for transportation after passage last week of the FAST Act.

► Speaking at the annual convention of the Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB), Gov. John Hickenlooper warns educators that the TABOR-throttled funding picture isn’t going to improve anytime soon.

► The Colorado Supreme Court has declined to get involved in the fight between Hickenlooper and Attorney General Cynthia Coffman:

Hickenlooper, who doesn’t agree with the AG’s lawsuit, indicated he believed the attorney general of Colorado needs the governor’s permission to file lawsuits if the State of Colorado is the client. Coffman had called the governor’s petition a challenge to her independent authority.

In a statement today about the Supreme Court’s decision, Coffman said the roles of the governor and attorney general are separate and distinct. “The two executive officers must work independently to best serve all the citizens of Colorado,” she said. “I look forward to a successful working relationship with Governor Hickenlooper while always remembering my duty to Coloradans as their lawyer.”

► Colorado health department officials are once again requesting public funds to pay for a highly successful long-acting reversible contraception program. Will Republicans relent, or will we have another spring of the “perpetual abortion machine?”

OTHER LINKS YOU SHOULD CLICK

► Longmont’s 2012 voter-approved fracking ban goes before the Colorado Supreme Court this week.

► National Democrats work to make Rep. Crisanta Duran a star.

ICYMI

► Another quiet end to a long battle: Thompson school district signs a contract with its teachers after the right-wing board majority gets tossed out.

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