Hangar fire: Tustin to get $1 million from Navy to start cleaning up neighborhoods

• November 10, 2023

The Tustin City Council approved an agreement with the U.S. Navy during an emergency meeting Friday, Nov. 10, that will give the city $1 million in federal funds to start cleaning up toxic debris still covering homes, businesses and public spaces after the Navy’s vacant blimp hangar caught fire earlier this week.

The agreement doesn’t cover cleanup of the charred north hangar, which Tustin Mayor Austin Lumbard reiterated is still the Navy’s responsibility. But he said the agreement will allow Tustin to “move as quickly as possible” to start helping residents, who are looking to the city for guidance on what to do with ash, chunks of blackened fiber and other materials scattered around their homes.

“We need to get it off of their property so they can move on with their lives,” Lumbard said during the meeting. He added, “To the extent that we can mobilize resources to remove that debris as quickly as possible, that’s gonna be a big relief for our neighborhoods.”

Residents have so far largely been following advice from county and air quality authorities, who’ve told them not to touch debris from the hangar fire positive tests for asbestos, lead, arsenic and nickle. But even that advice has been confusing.

Instructions the county sent out Thursday first stated that residents should not “disturb” any ash or debris and instead call for help. But in the same advisory, they encouraged residents to wash debris off property.

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Asked about that seeming contradiction, Third District Supervisor Don Wagner, chair of the county Board of Supervisors, said the right approach depends on the type of debris.

“If it’s just ash and the normal soot from a fire, it is my understanding that it is safe to hose off.” Hosing the material off is key, he said, since sweeping it up or using a leaf blower would kick some of the debris back up into the air.

As for larger pieces of debris found on properties, Wagner said the initial advice was to use gloves to pick that material up and place it in trash bags. But with results showing the presence of asbestos and other toxic materials, he said the recommendation now is to call the county’s newly established hotline at 714-628-7085 to request help in cleaning that material up.

The county and city of Tustin are partnering to hire consultants trained to safely handle such materials who will be available to remove debris from people’s private property, Wagner said. That work would begin “certainly over the weekend,” if not sooner, he said. Residents just need to call the county hotline to initiate the process.

The same crews will be working to clean up public spaces such as streets and parks, per Wagner. And he said they’ll be coordinating with homeowners associations and other groups to advise on cleaning those properties.

The area could see some rain early next week, per weather forecasts. Wagner said that should help settle what’s in the air and wash some remaining ash and soot away.

City, county and federal representatives expressed frustration Thursday that no one from the Navy, which owns the hangar and land around it, had been to Tustin since the fire broke out early Tuesday. As of Friday morning, Wagner said he’d been told a Navy team would be arriving “within the next several days.”

“The reality is the fire is still smoldering. That means nobody can get access to the site in any event until (the Orange County Fire Authority) has finished their work and knocked this thing down completely,” he said.  And since Wagner said the expectation is for the Navy to really help only with direct site cleanup, he said he’s not particularly bothered that the Navy hasn’t put boots on the ground yet.

On Friday, Navy officials said they also were anxious to move forward with the cleanup and were happy that the contract with the city was approved.

The $1 million, which city officials will use to head up the cleanup project, will help with debris removal and emergency disposal of residual materials, site security, and mitigation of fugitive dust emissions, Navy officials said.

“Further, we will be engaged with the city to address the remainder demolition and debris removal,” said Navy spokesman Chris Dunne. “We are also coordinating with the U.S. EPA to regarding next steps.”

While local officials and residents have wondered where Navy personnel have been, Dunne said multiple people from the Navy’s Base Realignment and Closure Program have been busy this week talking with the city and attending meetings mostly via Zoom. They’ve also been responding to letters sent by Congress members.

“We are still very much in the reactive mode,” he said. “With the agreements signed, we will look to the city to see how to team up and have a Navy presence at the site.”

Dunne said two Navy experts, one is an environmental expert and the other is the base closure manager who is intimately familiar with the hangars, are going to be the ones onsite first.

Dunne said any perception that the Navy “doesn’t care” is inaccurate. “We do care deeply; that’s why we’re here,” he said.

“It will fall on BRAC and the city to agree on what will be done with it,” he said of the hangar property, adding that most certainly, as part of the cleanup, there will be soil remediation to make sure there is nothing dangerous in the ground that could later be beneath a children’s playground or an apartment building.

Here are answers to some other common questions still lingering around health concerns and safety testing in the wake of the fire.

Q: The Board of Supervisors, along with the city of Tustin, declared a state of emergency due to the fire late Thursday afternoon. Why, and what does that mean about the seriousness of the ongoing incident?

A: “That is not a sign to people that, oh my gosh, life and limb are at risk and Armageddon is upon us,” Wagner said. Instead, he said the declaration is largely about making sure the county can make quick moves and get access to the resources and funds it needs to respond to the situation.

When a local government declares an emergency, it lets them cut through some red tape in terms of the usual process to hire contractors such as hazardous materials experts to help deal with the aftermath of such a disaster. It can also give local governments access to additional funding to help pay for those efforts. And it can potentially make it easier for residents and businesses who suffer financial impacts from the disaster to seek compensation.

The county did request federal firefighting services to help the OCFA  battle the blaze, Wagner said. But he said they were shot down, with no explanation for why those resources weren’t made available.

In terms of the urgency of the situation for residents now, Wagner said, “I think the operative word is caution.” He said to follow the county’s Emergency Operations Center tips and reach out for advice if needed. “But we’re not at this point any longer where we’re looking at any kind of imminent threat.”

Q: Should people seek medical attention if they had direct contact with ash or debris, particularly immediately after the fire ignited? Are there symptoms they should watch for related to impacts from exposure?

A: Residents should avoid touching any materials from the fire and wash their hands as soon as possible if they do have contact with any ash or debris, said registered nurse Sean Marchese, who’s an environmental toxin and oncology expert at The Mesothelioma Center with Asbestos.com. But Marchese said, “It is not necessary to seek immediate medical attention unless you have trouble breathing.” Documenting exposure to asbestos is important though, he said, and a medical professional can help in that regard.

“Exposure to asbestos does not cause immediate symptoms or health issues. It takes decades, often 20 to 60 years, for asbestos-related diseases to develop,” Marchese noted. “While a one-time, heavy exposure to asbestos can cause disease decades later, ongoing exposure over time has greater risk. Most people who develop asbestos-related diseases worked with asbestos for years.”

While Wagner hesitated to offer any medical advice, he said, “If there is someone who’s worried, I would absolutely say check with your own medical professional or call our hotline.”

Q: Is it OK to let pets outside now if you’re near the hangar? Are there symptoms to watch for in animals?

A: The Tustin Legacy Animal Hospital, which is close to the hangar site, forwarded an email they’d sent to their pet owners with this advice:

“We highly recommend staying indoors and keeping your pets indoors as much as possible. Run your air conditioners and air filters to help keep your home air circulated and clean. Please monitor your pets for any signs of respiratory difficulty, collapse, pale/blue gums/tongue, or other concerning signs, and notify us as soon as possible if you have concerns; or call VCA Orange County Veterinary Specialists at 949-654-8950 if it’s after-hours.”

Q: Are there any plans to help residents in the vicinity get air purifiers, masks or other protective gear?

A: That’s not something that’s been discussed, Wagner said. But he said as they bring the consultant on board, they’ll run through different scenarios that might help the public.

Q: Air quality testing showed asbestos at concentrations of up to 27%. What do those levels mean? Can you put that in context in terms of the risk?

A: The local air quality district has deferred all questions to the county.

Wagner said he didn’t have details on what the exact numbers mean. But he said air district officials did say the levels that came in Wednesday were “concerning,” which is why schools were canceled in Tustin on Thursday, residents were encouraged to wear masks and other protective steps were taken.

“Test results that show concentrations of asbestos up to 27% in ash and debris are serious,” Marchese said. “This percentage of asbestos means the ash and debris are dangerous to touch or disturb in any way. And it means the air quality in the area may have been affected.”

Q: What levels of lead, arsenic and nickel were detected?

A: Wagner said he hadn’t seen hard numbers on those levels. Those reports weren’t included in materials published by the county, and the air district didn’t respond to requests for more information.

Q: What are the results of testing on samples taken Nov. 9?

A: Those results weren’t in yet as of late Friday morning, Wagner said. He was told it could take 24 hours, so he hopes they’ll have more information soon. But Wagner said air district officials did relay that levels for metals and other hazards were “coming back to virtually normal” in latest samples.

Q: How far from the site has sampling been done? What’s the furthest distance contaminated material has been found to travel?

A: Wagner said he didn’t have any hard numbers in terms of telling people within, say, one mile that air quality was safe. He said he asked the air quality district to take samples from beyond the immediate vicinity of the hanger, but was told that wouldn’t be happening. He said that tells him they’re not concerned about more widespread pollution and that the hazards are “pretty well restricted to the environs around the hangar.”

Q: What is the planned schedule for continued testing? And when and how will results from those tests be made public?

A: The county is partnering with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to monitor any long-term air and ground contaminants. There’s no firm timeline yet for when and how often that testing will take place or how results will be disseminated, Wagner said. But he said the tests will happen as often as experts recommend and that results will be made public.

This is a developing story, please check back for updates.

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​ Orange County Register 

Strike among Medieval Times performers hits 9 months

• November 10, 2023

When Medieval Times performers launched an unfair labor practices strike against the company in February they probably never imagined it would last this long.

But come Saturday, Nov. 11, the strike will hit the nine-month mark and the two sides appear to be no closer to reaching a labor agreement than when the walkout began.

“We haven’t had a bargaining session since Sept. 13, and there was no real progress then,” said Erin Zapcic, who portrays a queen in the Buena Park dinner theater’s shows and is a co-strike captain. “The company hasn’t been motivated to work with us.”

The performers launched their unfair labor practices strike on Feb. 11, claiming management has given substantial pay hikes to workers at other Medieval Times castles while their wages remain low amid unsafe work conditions.

The 30 striking queens, trumpet players, chancellors, knights and squires plan to mark the somber nine-month milestone on Saturday with a rally featuring a performance by Tom Morello, a well-known activist and former guitarist for Rage Against the Machine.

Saturday’s protest will be held from 1 to 2:15 p.m. in front of the the Buena Park castle, at 7662 Beach Blvd.

The performers voted in November 2022 to join the American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA). But management, they say, has consistently blocked their efforts to secure a “living wage” and provide improved safety measures.

Officials with Medieval Times and attorney Daniel J. Sobol, who represents the company, could not be reached for comment Friday.

The unionization in Buena Park came on the heels of an earlier victory at Medieval Times’ Lyndhurst, N.J. castle where workers also secured AGVA membership.

Both locations have suffered retaliation as a result, according to Susanne K. Doris, AGVA’s executive secretary-treasurer. Doris elaborated on the situation the shortly after employees joined the union.

“After the New Jersey location voted to become part of the union, Medieval Times gave a $1-an-hour raise to employees at every castle except New Jersey,” she said. “And after Buena Park unionized, management started giving knights a 25% raise, while others in the show cast got a 15% to 20% raise. That happened at every castle except Buena Park and New Jersey.”

The local performers currently average $18 to $19 an hour but would like to see that boosted to $25 an hour to keep pace with the high cost of living in Southern California.

“We have knights who make $18.50  an hour, and they’re falling off of horses,” Zapcic said. “A similar performer at Disneyland makes $33 an hour for 15-minute shows with breaks in between.”

Dallas-based Medieval Times operates a total of 10 castle dinner theaters, with additional locations in Dallas, Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Myrtle Beach, Orlando, Scottsdale and Toronto.

Saturday’s rally is intended to draw attention to their ongoing struggle and show solidarity with their cause.

“Did I envision this lasting so long? I certainly wouldn’t have if you had asked me in February,” Zapcic said. “But after seeing what we’ve endured over the past months … this doesn’t surprise me.”

Zapcic works as an administrator for a music company but hopes to return to her role as a Medieval Times performer.

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“A lot of the striking performers are doing odd jobs here and there because lots of places are hiring seasonally right now,” she said. “We encourage folks to find jobs because we can’t support everyone out of the strike fund anymore.”

Supporters who can’t attend Saturday’s rally but still wish to contribute to the cause can purchase a “2024 Knights on Strike Wall Calendar” at fundly.com/knightsonstrike.

The minimum donation for a calendar is $20, with all proceeds going directly to help the striking performers.

​ Orange County Register 

Chargers tackle bigger challenge in Lions QB Jared Goff

• November 10, 2023

COSTA MESA — Tyson Bagent was an NFL quarterback for all of two games when the Chargers faced him and the Chicago Bears on Oct. 29 at SoFi Stadium. Zach Wilson had played a modest total of 29 games when he and the New York Jets played host to the Chargers last Monday night.

Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions will play his 109th regular-season game when he takes his first snap against the Chargers on Sunday. He’s played in six playoff games, including the Super Bowl following the 2018 season, while with the Rams. He’s been picked for the Pro Bowl three times.

Bottom line: Now it gets significantly more difficult for the Chargers.

“He’s really tough,” Chargers coach Brandon Staley said of the Rams’ former No. 1 overall draft pick. “He’s smart. He’s really accurate with the football. He has played in a lot of really good offensive systems. You can see it. Now, he’s just older. He has a lot of years under his belt. You can see that experience helping the offense in Detroit.”

Staley had a daily up-close look at Goff when both were with the Rams. Staley was the Rams’ defensive coordinator during the 2020 season before the Chargers hired him to be their head coach before the 2021 season. Goff played 69 games with the Rams between 2016 and ‘20.

The Rams then traded Goff to the Lions for Matthew Stafford on March 18, 2021, in what has turned out to be a win-win situation for each team. The Rams got their Super Bowl championship with Stafford as their quarterback after the 2021 season, and the Lions became competitive again with Goff at the helm.

“I have a ton of respect for Jared,” Staley said. “I’m close with him. He’s been an outstanding quarterback since he came into the league. Certainly, that run he went on with the Rams, (taking them to the) Super Bowl, playoffs every year, one of the top passers in the NFL over the course of four years. Now, what he’s been able to do in Detroit for that team, where they started in Detroit to now, he’s been a winner.”

The Lions were 3-13-1 in 2021, Goff’s first season after the trade.

They were 9-8 last season.

They are 6-2 so far this season.

“They’re really balanced,” Staley said of the impact Goff has had on the Lions’ offense since his arrival. “There is the threat of the run game on every snap. They have different types of running backs. They have really upgraded that position. David (Montgomery) and (Jahmyr) Gibbs are playing at a really high level. They play with a lot of different tight end groupings.

“They have receivers that really fit their style of play. They really force you to defend everybody on the field. They have a lot of different guys who touch the football. Jared has a lot of experience playing that way. That’s how he played with (Coach) Sean (McVay) with the Rams, and that is how he is playing now. He is playing really smart football and he is getting the ball to his playmakers.”

The Chargers haven’t had success defending veteran quarterbacks so far this season. Three of their four victories have come against novice quarterbacks, including Bagent and Wilson. Their fourth victory was against Kirk Cousins of the Minnesota Vikings, needing a game-saving interception in the end zone to win.

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It would be easy to say that Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs picked the Chargers apart in their 31-17 loss on Oct. 22, but the Super Bowl champions scored only seven points after halftime. It was the start of a run in which the Chargers have given up only 26 points in the past 10 quarters.

So, how do the Chargers neutralize Goff and the Lions on Sunday?

Can they continue their defensive success for a third consecutive week?

“What I’ve seen the last two weeks, specifically, is just us playing with the right energy from the first whistle to the last one,” Staley said. “I just think that in all three levels of the defense, we’ve played consistent football. We’ve done the things that winning defenses do, starting with the run game, and how you rush the quarterback, how you defend the passing game, keeping the ball in front of you.

“We’re just at the beginning. This group continues to improve. Just one week at a time for this group, but we’ve made improvement.”

​ Orange County Register 

Coding for Veterans will spread its jobs-boosting message at the Rose Parade

• November 10, 2023

American veterans need retraining for jobs after military service. Employers have good jobs they can’t fill.

Jeff Musson knows more than 500 Canadian veterans who are proof of one solution: Training veterans to code.

Musson, executive director for Canadian company, is taking his message to a worldwide stage when the group sponsors a float in the 135th Rose Parade. It will be the only Canadian entry to the New Year’s Day celebration.

“We’re really excited about this great opportunity to showcase our program, which provides a pathway for veterans to retrain and take all the soft skills they’ve learned in the military and civilianize that into careers in software development and cybersecurity,” he said. “We’re taking that tried and tested method and exporting it to the U.S.”

Founded four years ago, Coding for Veterans works with the University of Ottawa to offer completely online training for former service members, who earn an industry certification after as little as six months of study.

Coding for Veterans will spread its message with a float in the Jan. 1 Rose Parade. oding for Veterans offers online training for former service members, who earn an industry certification after as little as six months of study. Photo courtesy of Coding for Veterans

The company’s American partner is the University of Southern California, which speaks to the caliber of the curriculum offered by Coding for Veterans, Musson said.

“There is no better way to honor the men and women who have served in the U.S. military than by aiding their career transition through a retraining program that will qualify them for the best positions in cybersecurity and network development across all industries,” said Terry Wolfe, executive director of the USC Marshall School of Business, Office of Executive Education. “This program offers a pathway for individuals to obtain good-paying, high-quality leadership roles in cybersecurity and software development.”

The first American cohort is set to start in the New Year and should include about 12 students. Musson said. Veterans can pay for the course through the GI Bill, and depending on their circumstances, can even retrain while still in the service.

“If the GI Bill allows, since our course is delivered online with instructors, you can be anywhere in the world and be taking the classes through USC and hit the ground running the day after your (military) service ends,” Musson said.

Driving a Rose float down Colorado Boulevard will go far in getting the word out about the prospect of starting a new career, from deployment to employment.

Alex Aghajanian, president of the Tournament of Roses, said he’s looking forward to cheering on the inspiring float, which will feature oversized representations of a laptop, a fighter jet and a helicopter as well as the American and Canadian flags. U.S. veterans will be on board. U.S. veterans and USC alumni are invited to help decorate the Phoenix Decorating Company float from Dec. 26-31.

Coding for Veterans will spread its message with a float in the Jan. 1 Rose Parade. oding for Veterans offers online training for former service members, who earn an industry certification after as little as six months of study. Photo courtesy of Coding for Veterans

“Their participation symbolizes the growth of a remarkable initiative and the difference they are making in the lives of veterans,” Aghajanian said.

Supporting veterans as they transition from active military status back to their communities was the main point of a new study conducted by the Military and Veterans Programs at USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger played host to a discussion of the study’s findings Nov. 9 at Glendora Community College.

The regional study surveyed 3,188 Southern California veterans about their needs and difficulties transitioning to civilian life. One key finding was that too many veterans are unprepared for that transition. Coding for Veterans hopes to offer them a high-tech prospect.

“The military, from infantry and artillery people on, are trained in attention to detail, leadership, teamwork,” Musson said. “Aren’t those the best attributes of employees in companies? And after their military service, what better way to honor veterans than by helping retrain them for the tech sector.”

Anissa V. Rivera, columnist, “Mom’s the Word,” Pasadena Star-News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Whittier Daily News, Azusa Herald, Glendora Press and West Covina Highlander, San Dimas/La Verne Highlander. Southern California News Group, 181 W. Huntington Drive, Suite 209 Monrovia, CA 91016. 626-497-4869.

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​ Orange County Register 

Judge declines for now to push back Trump’s classified documents trial but postpones other deadlines

• November 10, 2023

By ERIC TUCKER

WASHINGTON — A federal judge in Florida on Friday declined to delay Donald Trump’s classified documents trial, calling a request by the former president’s defense lawyers to postpone the date “premature.” But she pushed back other deadlines in the case and signaled that she would revisit the trial date later.

The ruling from U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon means that the trial, for now at least, remains scheduled to begin on May 20, 2024 despite efforts by the Trump team to postpone it until after next November’s presidential election.

Trump’s lawyers had argued that they needed more time to review the large trove of evidence with which they’d been presented and also cited scheduling challenges resulting from the other legal cases against Trump, including three additional criminal prosecutions for which he is awaiting trial. Special counsel Jack Smith’s team had vigorously opposed that position in urging the judge to leave the trial date intact.

Cannon signaled during a hearing this month, and again in her written order on Friday, that she was sympathetic to the defense arguments. She noted the “unusually high volume of classified and unclassified evidence” involved in the case, as well as the fact that Trump is currently scheduled next March to face both a federal trial in Washington and a trial on state charges in New York.

“Although the Special Counsel is correct that the trajectory of these matters potentially remains in flux, the schedules as they currently stand overlap substantially with the deadlines in this case, presenting additional challenges to ensuring Defendant Trump has adequate time to prepare for trial and to assist in his defense,” Cannon wrote.

FILE – A police officer stands beside an entrance to the Alto Lee Adams Sr. U.S. Courthouse, Aug. 15, 2023, in Fort Pierce, Fla. A federal judge in Florida has indicated she may delay the start of former President Donald Trump’s trial on charges that he hid classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon questioned prosecutors Wednesday about whether starting the trial in May as scheduled is feasible. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

She pushed back several deadlines for filing and responding to pretrial motions but kept the trial date in place, though she said she would consider the defense request again at a scheduling conference next March.

The case in Florida includes dozens of felony charges accusing the Republican former president of illegally retaining classified documents at his Palm Beach estate, Mar-a-Lago, and hiding them from government investigators. Trump has pleaded not guilty.

Former President Donald Trump waits for the continuation of his civil business fraud trial at New York Supreme Court, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, in New York. (Dave Sanders/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

Trump is currently set for trial on March 4, 2024, in Washington on federal charges that he plotted to overturn the 2020 presidential election, which he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. He also faces charges in Georgia accusing him of trying to subvert that state’s vote, as well as another state case in New York accusing him of falsifying business records in connection with hush money payments to porn actor Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election.

In addition, Trump has been sued in a business fraud case in New York, where a trial is taking place. Trump has denied wrongdoing in all of the cases, claiming without evidence that they are part of a politically motivated effort to prevent him from returning to the White House.

​ Orange County Register 

Mitch McConnell, standing apart in a changing GOP, digs in on his decades-long push against Russia

• November 10, 2023

By MARY CLARE JALONICK and LISA MASCARO

WASHINGTON — Mitch McConnell often tells the story of a letter that his father, a foot soldier in World War II, wrote to his mother while he was stationed in Eastern Europe in 1945, as the United States was liberating the region from Nazi rule.

“I think the Russians are going to be a big problem,” A.M. McConnell wrote, foreshadowing the communist takeover to come.

Almost 80 years later, his son is still warning of Russia. From his perch as the long-time Republican leader in the U.S. Senate, McConnell has emerged as perhaps the strongest advocate in Congress for sending billions of dollars in American assistance to Ukraine as the country fights Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion, aligning himself with President Joe Biden and majority Democrats in the process.

It’s hardly a change in outlook for the Kentucky senator, who was first elected to the Senate in 1984 and was shaped by the era when President Ronald Reagan was fighting the Cold War and U.S. foreign policy was centered on the Soviet threat.

But while McConnell still thinks of himself as a Reagan Republican, many in his party no longer do.

IN THE HOUSE: New Speaker Mike Johnson grasps for a funding plan with a government shutdown rapidly approaching

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., speaks during an interview with the Associated Press at his office in the Capitol, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023 in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

As he faces the end of his fourth decade in the Senate, McConnell’s unwavering advocacy for Ukraine has set him apart from many of his GOP colleagues, many of whom are deeply skeptical or outright opposed to U.S. involvement abroad — particularly in Ukraine. It’s an increasingly prevalent view in the Republican Party, shaped under the influence of former President Donald Trump, who has railed against “forever wars” and praised Putin.

“Honestly, I think Ronald Reagan would turn over in his grave if he saw we were not going to help Ukraine,” McConnell said in an interview with The Associated Press this week. He called the Ukraine aid, which Biden has asked Congress to pass as part of a $105 billion request for Israel and other countries, a “no brainer.”

The Republican dissension has created a pivotal political moment, one that could forever shape the fate of Ukraine and the strength of American influence abroad. Stressing urgency, the White House has pushed Congress to approve the massive foreign aid package, which would also aid Israel in its war with Hamas and replenish American military stockpiles at home, by the end of the year.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., speaks during an interview with the Associated Press at his office in the Capitol, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023 in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

But while earlier rounds of assistance passed Congress easily, the path for aiding Ukraine has grown perilous as the war enters its second brutal winter.

Almost more than any other issue, the debate over Ukraine divides the GOP along generational and ideological lines — especially as Trump is the leading candidate for the GOP nomination next year.

Cutting off assistance from Ukraine would be “a huge setback for the United States,” and the country’s reputation as the leader of the free world, McConnell said.

He sees the potential consequences as even bigger than the Biden administration’s chaotic and deadly 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The current moment is “a time of unique American vulnerability,” he said.

It is also a uniquely vulnerable moment for McConnell, who rarely ventures far from the views of his GOP conference. While his position is unequivocal on sending Ukraine more assistance, and several colleagues are behind him, many are hesitant to speak in strong terms about the need to keep Putin at bay.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., speaks during an interview with the Associated Press at his office in the Capitol, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023 in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Others are outright opposed to the aid, and they have begun to directly challenge the Republican leader’s support for it in ways that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago.

“One of the things I worry about is we have leadership negotiating with the president,” said Ohio GOP Sen. J.D. Vance, who is in the first year of his term, of McConnell’s recent talks with the White House and the leader’s support for tying Ukraine and Israel aid together. “I want to make sure that leadership is actually being representative of the views of the conference.”

Vance, who has pushed to separate the aid for the two countries, says his views are closer to new House Speaker Mike Johnson and Republicans in the House, which passed legislation last week that would aid Israel but not Ukraine. Vance argues the United States does not have enough of a plan for winning the Ukraine war.

“I think the fact that Speaker Johnson has a little bit more agency is in part because he is the Speaker of the House,” Vance says. “But it’s also important because he has a membership that is much, much more in tune with where Republican voters actually are.”

Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, who has also criticized the Ukraine aid, said that “nationally, the Republican leader right now is the speaker of the House of Representatives.”

“We need to support his efforts, we need to understand the challenges he faces, and certainly not undermine him,” Johnson said.

The Republican schism in the Senate was most pronounced on Sept, 30, as the House and Senate scrambled in a rare Saturday session to keep the government open before funding expired at midnight on Oct. 1. McConnell was insistent that short-term aid to Ukraine would have to be in the deal, but relented when several of his colleagues, even some of those who were like-minded, endorsed a House plan that would not include it.

McConnell walked out of a private conference meeting and declared that the Republicans would vote against advancing a bipartisan Senate bill that included the aid — a rare public reversal for the leader. His move made the House bill the only funding option left, and it easily passed the Senate. The government stayed open but the Ukraine aid was left unresolved.

McConnell downplays the decision, arguing that “the most important thing at that particular moment was to avoid a government shutdown. The rest of it was sort of incidental.”

The development also wasn’t unexpected. A week before the government funding deadline, McConnell told Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, on a call that it “would be impossible” for Congress to pass the full package with Ukraine money included, according to a person familiar with the situation who granted anonymity to discuss it.

Republicans supportive of the aid have laid blame for the delay generally on Biden and congressional Democrats, saying that they need to articulate the importance of helping Ukraine and provide a detailed plan.

As he continues to push for the aid, McConnell’s style is not to strong-arm his colleagues, or the Republican-led House. He has spoken with new Speaker Johnson, but he said he just repeated to him what he has said publicly about Ukraine for months. “That’s not my job” to convince others, he said.

Republican Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas, a McConnell ally who has spoken out in favor of the Ukraine aid, says he thinks McConnell has managed to stem his losses so far.

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“There’s a number of us who feel strong and certain about the rightness of this cause, others are more persuadable,” Moran said. “And I think the leader has done a really good job of keeping the two sets of senators together.”

One way McConnell is managing the challenge is by endorsing a push from GOP senators to include border policy in the aid package for Israel and Ukraine — a gambit that introduces difficult immigration issues and could threaten its ultimate passage, but appears essential to winning Republican support. Bipartisan talks are underway to try and find consensus around changes on that issue.

McConnell has also drawn from the lessons of history, emphasizing the connections between the two wars as he urges an unflinching defense of democracy and the West.

After the Cold War ended, McConnell often says, the U.S. focused more on terrorism, partially through two wars in Iraq. As China has emerged as an adversary and Russia has re-emerged, and Israel is now at war with Hamas, “what we have now is both — both the terrorism issue and the big power competition issue all at the same time, which is why I think singling out one of these problems to the exclusion of the others is a mistake.”

Failing to pass the aid would be “a disaster for Ukraine and disaster for us,” McConnell said. He questions what has happened to the belief in America’s global leadership.

“For myself, I’m still a Reagan Republican,” McConnell said. “And I think that’s the best path for us in the future. But look, in our democracy, the voters make that decision.”

​ Orange County Register 

USC needs Lincoln Riley’s play-calling brilliance against Oregon

• November 10, 2023

PORTLAND, Oregon — The play hadn’t worked all last week in practice, so Austin Jones’ reaction to the call was fairly understandable.

“I was like, ‘Oh, here we go’” the USC running back said.

Knotted at 21 in the second quarter of a breakneck game with Washington, Jones lined up to the direct left of quarterback Caleb Williams, sweeping to the left to block as the jack-of-all-trades Zachariah Branch took a pitch. It was nothing more than a decoy, though; Branch quickly reversed course, tossed the pitch back to Williams, and a delayed flea-flicker call caught the Huskies by such surprise that Jones simply found himself standing with nobody to block as Williams threw to a wide-open Tahj Washington for a touchdown.

“It’s Lincoln Riley, you know what I’m saying,” Jones said after practice Wednesday. “I got full faith in our head coach at any point in time.”

Lost in the jumble of events and discourse from USC’s 54-42 loss to Washington last Saturday – the rip-off-the-Band-Aid firing of defensive coordinator Alex Grinch the next day, the promotion of not one but two interim defensive coordinators, comments from linebacker Mason Cobb about choosing to not watch film back of the game going viral – was that Riley was perhaps at his finest he’d been all season against Washington as a play-caller.

He sent a never-ending onslaught of USC skill players, everyone from Lake McRee to Kyron Hudson, out for quick-hit looks; perfectly juggled Jones and seldom-used backups Darwin Barlow and Raleek Brown with starting RB MarShawn Lloyd out; and drew up one of the greatest flea flickers you’ll ever see.

This USC team, heading into a last-shot conference effort Saturday against No. 6 Oregon in Eugene, has more questions this week than at any point this season. Inside linebackers coach Brian Odom and defensive line coach Shaun Nua have had all of a few days as USC’s co-defensive coordinators. The status of a couple key defensive players, and Lloyd, is unclear. So Riley and the weapons at his disposal are the only constants here, the only dependent variables USC brings into this volatile matchup at Autzen Stadium.

Simply put, Riley needs to reach into his bag like he did against Washington – or even further – to give USC (7-3, 5-2 Pac-12) a shot against a stout defense and Ducks attack that’ll in all likelihood put up 40-plus points.

“They’re going to bring new wrinkles into each game that you have to be prepare for,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said of the Trojans this week, “and they’re one of the harder opponents to prepare for.”

When USC has the ball

Oregon’s secondary has been stout all season – the Ducks (8-1, 5-1) will surrender some short-to-medium looks, but have been largely solid at keeping plays in front of them. USC’s Tahj Washington has been successful all year in sneaking behind defenses; he’s on the verge of a 1,000-yard season, which would be a remarkable accomplishment for a senior wideout who’s improved every season as a Trojan.

USC’s offensive line, meanwhile, will have its hands full with Ducks lineman Brandon Dorlus, who racks up pressures and hurries. Williams, too, will need to make quicker or more conservative decisions at times if the pocket collapses, as he’s struggled all season with strip-sacks and lost key fumbles in back-to-back games.

“That’s gotta be better,” Riley said Thursday.

When Oregon has the ball

The decision to elevate Nua and Odom, Riley said Thursday, came down to a couple factors: recognizing there was little time left to prepare, sharing the coordinator’s burden would help alleviate overwhelming responsibilities, and looking at the combination of their experience and ability to work together.

“Just felt like, for what we needed in terms of unifying the group, bringing the guys together, really let this being a point where we can really rally and close the season strong, just felt like they were the best fit,” Riley said.

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Odom will likely take the play-calling duties with Nua on the field, and the inside linebackers coach has the defense’s trust, Cobb said Tuesday. The question: whether they’ll add changes to a scheme that has simply collapsed against the run too often this season.

“We’re trying to keep as much same as as we can, trying to be more efficient with it, play with a lot of energy and have a lot of fun while we’re out here,” Odom said Tuesday.

USC (7-3, 5-2 Pac-12) at No. 6 Oregon (8-1, 5-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon

TV/Radio: FOX/790 AM

​ Orange County Register 

UCLA hosts Arizona State with room for improvement

• November 10, 2023

Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham’s visit to the Rose Bowl will serve as a reunion with UCLA true freshman quarterback Dante Moore this week.

Dillingham had been in pursuit of Moore back when he was coaching at Florida State and continued to recruit the quarterback when he became the offensive coordinator at Oregon in 2022.

Committed to Oregon, Moore began to explore his options after Heisman Trophy-contending quarterback Bo Nix decided to stay for another season with the Ducks and Dillingham left to become head coach at his alma mater.

Now with the Bruins (6-3, 3-3 Pac-12), Moore may potentially start or share time Saturday evening at the Rose Bowl with Collin Schlee after Ethan Garbers suffered a foot injury last week against Arizona.

Moore also suffered an undisclosed injury and was seen walking back to the locker room during the second half. He and Garbers were seen participating during the media viewing period at practice this week, but Garbers was moving around gingerly.

When UCLA has the ball

While it remains to be seen what Coach Chip Kelly will do at quarterback this week, the Bruins must protect and keep possession of the football.

Running backs Carson Steele and TJ Harden will have to be involved early before the Bruins attempt to pass against the Sun Devils (2-7, 1-5).

The Bruins weren’t effective in the run game in last week’s 27-10 loss at Arizona. Schlee was the Bruins’ leading rusher with 46 yards. Steele had 38 yards on eight carries and Harden had 30 yards on nine carries. Arizona State’s rush defense ranks 44th in the nation, allowing 131.9 yards per game.

It will also be important for the Bruins to capitalize on scoring opportunities deep in Sun Devils territory.

“We have to convert in the red zone. We had four trips down there (against the Wildcats) and only came away with 10 points,” Kelly said. “We have to do a better job with our red-zone efficiency.”

Kelly expressed the need to get seven points instead of settling for three, but even field goals have been hard to come by.

Kicker Blake Glessner saw his first action as the primary kicker, replacing R.J. Lopez against Arizona. Glessner went 1 for 3, making a 29-yard field goal in the third quarter but missing a pair of 42-yard attempts in the first half. Lopez had struggled through the first eight games, missing five of his 11 attempts.

When Arizona State has the ball

The Bruins’ defense is coming off its worst statistical performance of the season, allowing a season-high 300 passing yards and matching a season-high three touchdowns that caused some dissension.

“We will have to play disciplined and structured football,” UCLA linebacker Oluwafemi Oladejo said about the balanced scheme that ASU presents. “We need to have great vision.”

Running back Cam Skattebo, a transfer from Sacramento State, has proven to be a nice addition for Arizona State. Skattebo has rushed for 570 yards and seven touchdowns rushing and collected 273 receiving yards and a touchdown on 20 receptions out of the backfield.

Receiver Elijah Badger and tight end Jalin Conyers are the Sun Devils’ two leading pass catchers with a combined 843 yards and two touchdowns.

It’s varied week to week on which Sun Devils quarterback is leading the offense this season.

“We’re really just looking at the scheme overall,” UCLA safety Will Nimmo Jr. said. “We know all of them are good mobile quarterbacks, so we have to cover down and have people in the right passing lanes.”

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Kelly would also like to see the Bruins step up on third downs after Arizona was successful 11 out of 16 times last week.

“We’ve been very good on third down and we weren’t what we normally are,” Kelly said about the defense’s most recent performance.

Linebacker Darius Muasau leads UCLA with 51 tackles this season. Edge rusher Laiatu Latu has produced 16 tackles for a loss and 11 sacks.

Arizona State (2-7 overall, 1-5 Pac-12) at UCLA (6-3, 3-3)

When: 6 p.m. Saturday

Where: Rose Bowl

TV/radio: Pac-12 Networks/570 AM

​ Orange County Register