Well, howdy there, internet people, it's Bell again. And welcome to the Roads with Val.

Today is December 15th, 2024, and this is episode 69 of the Roads Not Taken, which is a weekly series where we go over the news that was unreported,

underreported, didn't get the coverage we felt that it should or we just

found it interesting. And then we go over a few questions from y'all. Today is December 15th, and

today is Bill of Rights Day and National Cupcake Day. And on this date in 1791, the Bill of Rights was ratified. There were 12 amendments proposed, but only 10

were ratified back then. The original Second Amendment was about varying the pay of Congress. It was

eventually ratified in 1992. Beginning with foreign policy, Trump invited China's leader to his

inauguration. Most experts say it's unlikely that he'll show. Russia is trying to negotiate a deal

to keep their bases in Syria with the new government there. At the same time,

satellite imagery shows them packing up the bases. Travis Timmerman, an American who was being

held in a Syrian prison, was returned to American custody by the new government in Syria. Travis, as he asked the media to call him,

indicated he was on a pilgrimage in the region. NATO is suggesting a return to Cold War levels of

defense posture and spending to counter Russia. Japan's Supreme Court has ruled the country's ban on same-sex

marriages is invalid. Yay Japan! In U.S. news, U.S. manufacturers are stocking up on products

ahead of Trump's expected tariffs. Texas has filed

suit against a New York doctor who was providing medical care unavailable in Texas via the mail.

Republicans passed a bill to expand the number of judgeships, setting up Biden for a promised veto.

A judge declined to toss former Senator Menendez's conviction. That's the Gold Bar Senator.

Nancy Pelosi is reportedly trying to block AOC from getting a top oversight spot.

Pelosi also took a fall down the stairs and was hospitalized.

Those events are unrelated, I assume.

Polling says that half of Americans have no confidence in Trump's nominee choices.

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