(CNSNews.com) – The National Institutes of Health has awarded$42,676 in taxpayer funding to Yale University to study injection drug users who have been incarcerated in Russia.
“Injection drug users who have been incarcerated in Russia face a high-risk environment upon release. The proposal seeks to determine the factors associated with relapse to opioids, overdose, and risky injection behaviors that could facilitate HIV transmission and other blood-borne pathogens among Russian IDUs after release from incarceration,” the grant said.
According to the grant, the HIV epidemic in Russia is “a growing public health problem.”
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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Saturday, March 21, 2015
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith Wishes ‘Every Black Person in America’ Votes Republican for One Election
(CNSNews.com) – Speaking at the Impact Symposium at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., on Tuesday, ESPN host Stephen A. Smith said he dreams that for just one election, every black person in America will vote Republican, so that neither party takes the black community for granted.
“I have often said, and I’m not talking about President Obama. I’m just talking about the times we’re living in. I have often said that from a political perspective, what I dream is that for one election, just one, every black person in America vote Republican,” said Smith, according to audio obtained by Mediaite.com.
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“I have often said, and I’m not talking about President Obama. I’m just talking about the times we’re living in. I have often said that from a political perspective, what I dream is that for one election, just one, every black person in America vote Republican,” said Smith, according to audio obtained by Mediaite.com.
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ICE: 167,527 Criminal Aliens Loose in U.S.A.
(CNSNews.com) - According to weekly detention and departure reports from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, there were 167,527 non-detained convicted criminal aliens in the United States as of Jan. 26 of this year, a congressional hearing revealed Thursday.
House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah.) read the statistic aloud Thursday durin a hearing examining ICE's priorities and procedures for removing criminal aliens currently living in the United States.
“In that report, it said that there are 167,527 non-detained, final-order convicted criminals on the loose in the United States,” Chaffetz pointed out while questioning ICE Director Sarah Saldana.
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House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah.) read the statistic aloud Thursday durin a hearing examining ICE's priorities and procedures for removing criminal aliens currently living in the United States.
“In that report, it said that there are 167,527 non-detained, final-order convicted criminals on the loose in the United States,” Chaffetz pointed out while questioning ICE Director Sarah Saldana.
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Robert Durst sought homeless woman for sex
Robert Durst, the cross-dressing scion of a $4.4 billion Manhattan real estate empire and now an accused murderer, allegedly tried to buy sex from a woman he met at a homeless shelter — and even tried to lowball her.
That is what a California investigator reported back in 2003 when he wrote Durst could be the "slim link" in the mysterious disappearances of two teenage girls, Kristen Modafferi and Karen Mitchell.
The revelation came as:
--- New Orleans authorities declared the 71-year-old suspect a suicide risk — and put additional protections in place Wednesday while he awaits extradition to Los Angeles, where he is to stand trial for the murder of former flak Susan Berman.
--- Durst had a latex mask to disguise his appearance and $42,000 in cash in his NOLA hotel room when the FBI busted him Saturday, a warrant out of Harris County, Tex., revealed.
The money was in hundred dollar bills and stashed in several envelopes. They also found a fake Texas ID with the name Everette Ward.
“That’s pretty good,” Durst reportedly replied when confronted with the ID.
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That is what a California investigator reported back in 2003 when he wrote Durst could be the "slim link" in the mysterious disappearances of two teenage girls, Kristen Modafferi and Karen Mitchell.
The revelation came as:
--- New Orleans authorities declared the 71-year-old suspect a suicide risk — and put additional protections in place Wednesday while he awaits extradition to Los Angeles, where he is to stand trial for the murder of former flak Susan Berman.
--- Durst had a latex mask to disguise his appearance and $42,000 in cash in his NOLA hotel room when the FBI busted him Saturday, a warrant out of Harris County, Tex., revealed.
The money was in hundred dollar bills and stashed in several envelopes. They also found a fake Texas ID with the name Everette Ward.
“That’s pretty good,” Durst reportedly replied when confronted with the ID.
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Audio of Durst in bathroom could play 2 ways in murder case
LOS ANGELES — The whispered words of Robert Durst recorded in an unguarded moment in a bathroom could come back to haunt him — or help him — as he faces a murder charge.
A possible move by prosecutors to introduce the incriminating material from a six-part documentary on his strange life and connection to three killings could backfire as interview footage did in the Michael Jackson molestation trial and the Robert Blake murder case.
In both cases, the defense was allowed under the "doctrine of completeness" to provide segments of interviews that presented their clients favorably without subjecting them to tough cross-examination.
"I submit that Blake didn't have to testify and Michael Jackson didn't have to testify because the prosecution foolishly wanted to introduce portions of their interviews," said attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr., who represented both men. "They just got greedy. They were mesmerized by portions they thought could help them."
In the Jackson case, the defense used unaired footage to counter damage done by "Living With Michael Jackson," a damning documentary in which Jackson held hands with his accuser and spoke of letting children into his bed.
"I'd slit my wrists before I'd hurt a child," Jackson said in one outtake shown by the defense, according to Mesereau, who won the performer's acquittal 10 years ago.
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A possible move by prosecutors to introduce the incriminating material from a six-part documentary on his strange life and connection to three killings could backfire as interview footage did in the Michael Jackson molestation trial and the Robert Blake murder case.
In both cases, the defense was allowed under the "doctrine of completeness" to provide segments of interviews that presented their clients favorably without subjecting them to tough cross-examination.
"I submit that Blake didn't have to testify and Michael Jackson didn't have to testify because the prosecution foolishly wanted to introduce portions of their interviews," said attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr., who represented both men. "They just got greedy. They were mesmerized by portions they thought could help them."
In the Jackson case, the defense used unaired footage to counter damage done by "Living With Michael Jackson," a damning documentary in which Jackson held hands with his accuser and spoke of letting children into his bed.
"I'd slit my wrists before I'd hurt a child," Jackson said in one outtake shown by the defense, according to Mesereau, who won the performer's acquittal 10 years ago.
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Troopers Investigate Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash
The initial investigation has determined that the crash happened this morning, Saturday, March 21, 2015 at approximately 4:30 a.m., as Seth L. Edwards, 17, of Laurel, DE, was operating a 1998 Buick Century and was traveling in a westbound direction on Old Sharptown Road, approximately .1 mile west of Williams Road, Laurel. Edwards lost control of his vehicle as he attempted to negotiate a right hand curve in the roadway which caused it to leave the south edge of the roadway and strike a utility pole with its left hand side. The Buick then re-entered the roadway where it came to rest in the westbound lane.
Erica Colbourne, who was a rear seat passenger in the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene. It is unknown if she was properly restrained at the time of the crash.
Seth Edwards, who was properly restrained at the time of the crash, was not injured. Alcohol use on the part of Edwards is being considered as a factor in the crash.
A 16 year old male from Laurel, DE, a 16 year old male from Salisbury, MD, and a 15 year old male from Laurel, who were passengers in the vehicle, were all removed from the scene by Emergency Medical Services and transported to the Nanticoke Memorial Hospital where they were treated for minor injuries. A 16 year old female passenger from Seaford, DE, was also removed from the scene by EMS and transported to the Peninsula Regional Medical Center where she was treated for minor injuries as well.
This crash remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit and charges are expected.
Old Sharptown Road was closed for approximately 4 hours as the crash was investigated and cleared.
Released: 032115 1950
School stirs outrage with Pledge of Allegiance in Arabic
A small town in Upstate New York stands divided after their high school's decision on Wednesday to broadcast the Pledge of Allegiance in Arabic.
It was meant as a way to celebrate National Foreign Languages Week--each day, the announcements and pledge at Pine Bush High School would be recited in a different tongue.
However, the outrage it caused in some students and parents quickly forced administrators to issue an apology and a promise to henceforth only recite the Pledge of Allegiance in English.
Now, lines have been drawn in Pine Bush (pop. 1,600) as some students and teachers are outraged that an apology was issued at all while others applaud the decision and say the pledge should never have been recited in a language other than English.
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It was meant as a way to celebrate National Foreign Languages Week--each day, the announcements and pledge at Pine Bush High School would be recited in a different tongue.
However, the outrage it caused in some students and parents quickly forced administrators to issue an apology and a promise to henceforth only recite the Pledge of Allegiance in English.
Now, lines have been drawn in Pine Bush (pop. 1,600) as some students and teachers are outraged that an apology was issued at all while others applaud the decision and say the pledge should never have been recited in a language other than English.
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ONE KILLED SEVERAL INJURED IN ANNE ARUNDEL CO. CRASH
Maryland State Police Press Release
03/21/2015
03/21/2015
(ANNAPOLIS, MD) – Maryland State Police troopers are continuing their investigation into an Anne Arundel County crash this afternoon involving multiple vehicles that killed one person and injured several others.
The deceased is identified as Raymond W. Badders, 63, of Manchester, Md. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Raymond Badders was a passenger in the rear seat of a 2007 Toyota Corolla driven by his daughter, Susannah Badders, 19, of Manchester, Md. Jason P. Simpkins, 19, of Ellicott City, was seated in the front passenger seat. Both Susannah Badders and Simpkins were flown by Maryland State Police helicopter to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center.
Travis M. Ala, 28, of Anne Arundel County, is identified as the driver of a 2011 Nissan X-Terra. Ala was transported by ambulance to Anne Arundel County Medical Center where he was treated and released. The vehicle he was driving is registered to the Takoma Park Police Department, where Ala is employed as a police officer. He was off-duty at the time of the crash.
A third vehicle involved in the crash was a 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. The two occupants of that vehicle were uninjured.
At about 2:45 p.m. today, troopers from the Glen Burnie Barrack were dispatched to a reported crash on eastbound Rt. 50 at the Rt. 665 overpass. Arriving troopers called for assistance from the Maryland State Police Crash Team and State Highway Administration personnel. The extensive crash scene and rescue operation required the closure of eastbound Rt. 50. Detours were set up by SHA personnel.
The preliminary investigation by the Maryland State Police Crash Team indicates the Toyota driven by Susannah Badders was in lane four, the merge lane from southbound I-97 to eastbound Rt. 50. The Toyota was stopped in a line of heavy traffic that was caused by a prior accident up ahead at exit 23.
According to the preliminary investigation, Ala was eastbound on Rt. 50 in lane three and apparently did not observe the stopped traffic in time to stop. Evidence indicates Ala swerved to the right and struck the rear of the Toyota. The force of the crash caused the Nissan to overturn and pushed the Toyota into the Jeep Cherokee that was ahead of it.
A detailed crash investigation and reconstruction will be conducted by the State Police Crash Team. Upon completion, the investigation will be forwarded to the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office for review regarding charges.
Eastbound Rt. 50 is expected to be reopened by about 8:30 p.m.
Missing South Carolina cat found 2 years later in California
RIVERSIDE, Calif. — A cat that vanished in South Carolina two years ago is going home after ending up nearly 2,000 miles away in Southern California.
Kevin the orange tabby is leaving Palm Springs on Wednesday after disappearing from Anderson, South Carolina, in 2013.
John Welsh of Riverside County Animal Services says the cat turned up in early March inside a U-Haul trailer a woman had driven across the country.
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Kevin the orange tabby is leaving Palm Springs on Wednesday after disappearing from Anderson, South Carolina, in 2013.
John Welsh of Riverside County Animal Services says the cat turned up in early March inside a U-Haul trailer a woman had driven across the country.
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Seven Tourists Killed By Giant Falling Boulder
A huge boulder falling from a mountain in has killed seven people and sent others plungeing into a river.
The freak accident happened in south China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region when the group of tourists were disembarking from a sightseeing boat.
The boulder tumbled onto the pier hitting the tourists.
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The freak accident happened in south China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region when the group of tourists were disembarking from a sightseeing boat.
The boulder tumbled onto the pier hitting the tourists.
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6-year-old heart patient's shooting death rattles St. Louis
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Marcus Johnson Jr.'s parents figured a sunny day at the park was just what their son needed while recovering from heart surgery.
Instead, the outing turned deadly when the 6-year-old was shot in the chest in an attack the parents said stemmed from a traffic dispute. They were to bury their boy Thursday, just over a week after the family visited O'Fallon Park on the north side of St. Louis following a doctor's appointment.
The occupants of a car fired on the family's minivan as it left the park. The boy's 15-year-old brother and a 69-year-old family friend were also wounded.
The boy's father, Marcus Johnson Sr., said he returned fire in self-defense as the rolling shootout continued for several blocks. Three other children — ages 8, 10 and 11 — were also in the vehicle.
Police say the March 11 shooting remains under investigation but declined to discuss specifics.
Officer Don Re was less reticent in his personal blog, describing in detail his response to a "senseless death" when he was called to the hospital where another officer had driven the child in his patrol car rather than wait for an ambulance.
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Instead, the outing turned deadly when the 6-year-old was shot in the chest in an attack the parents said stemmed from a traffic dispute. They were to bury their boy Thursday, just over a week after the family visited O'Fallon Park on the north side of St. Louis following a doctor's appointment.
The occupants of a car fired on the family's minivan as it left the park. The boy's 15-year-old brother and a 69-year-old family friend were also wounded.
The boy's father, Marcus Johnson Sr., said he returned fire in self-defense as the rolling shootout continued for several blocks. Three other children — ages 8, 10 and 11 — were also in the vehicle.
Police say the March 11 shooting remains under investigation but declined to discuss specifics.
Officer Don Re was less reticent in his personal blog, describing in detail his response to a "senseless death" when he was called to the hospital where another officer had driven the child in his patrol car rather than wait for an ambulance.
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Why Californians Are Starved of Water
California is not suffering one drought but four. Each is a metaphor of what California has become.
Nature
The first California drought, of course, is natural. We are now in the midst of a fourth year of record low levels of snow and rain.
Californians have no idea that their state is a relatively recent construct—only 165 years old, with even less of a pedigree of accurate weather keeping. When Europeans arrived in California in the 15th and 16th centuries, they were struck by how few indigenous peoples lived in what seemed paradise—only to learn that the region was quite dry on the coast and in the interior.
Today, modern Californians have no idea of whether a four-year drought is normal, in, say, a 5,000-year natural history of the region, or is aberrant, as wet years are long overdue and will return with a vengeance.
That we claim to know what to expect from about 150 years of recordkeeping does not mean that we know anything about what is normal in nature’s brief millennia. Our generation may be oblivious to that fact, but our far more astute and pragmatic forefathers certainly were not.
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Nature
The first California drought, of course, is natural. We are now in the midst of a fourth year of record low levels of snow and rain.
Californians have no idea that their state is a relatively recent construct—only 165 years old, with even less of a pedigree of accurate weather keeping. When Europeans arrived in California in the 15th and 16th centuries, they were struck by how few indigenous peoples lived in what seemed paradise—only to learn that the region was quite dry on the coast and in the interior.
Today, modern Californians have no idea of whether a four-year drought is normal, in, say, a 5,000-year natural history of the region, or is aberrant, as wet years are long overdue and will return with a vengeance.
That we claim to know what to expect from about 150 years of recordkeeping does not mean that we know anything about what is normal in nature’s brief millennia. Our generation may be oblivious to that fact, but our far more astute and pragmatic forefathers certainly were not.
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Ferguson Facebook case part of debate about online threats
SEATTLE — A Washington state man faces sentencing for posting threats on Facebook against a former Ferguson, Missouri, police officer who fatally shot a young black man — a case that is part of a broader legal debate over when social media rants go beyond hyperbole and become criminal acts.
Jaleel Abdul-Jabbaar pleaded guilty on Feb. 2 for posting a threat against Darren Wilson on Facebook that included a call to "give back those bullets that Police Officer Darren Wilson fired into the body of Mike Brown."
Federal prosecutors said Abdul-Jabbaar posted inflammatory messages for months after the Aug. 9 killing of Brown sparked protests nationwide.
The federal charge of making an interstate threat carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, but prosecutors have recommended that Abdul-Jabbaar be sentenced to time served — two months — and three years of supervised release because he cooperated with state prosecutors in an unrelated shooting case. The plea deal included dismissal of charges for his other threatening messages. Sentencing is set for Monday morning.
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Jaleel Abdul-Jabbaar pleaded guilty on Feb. 2 for posting a threat against Darren Wilson on Facebook that included a call to "give back those bullets that Police Officer Darren Wilson fired into the body of Mike Brown."
Federal prosecutors said Abdul-Jabbaar posted inflammatory messages for months after the Aug. 9 killing of Brown sparked protests nationwide.
The federal charge of making an interstate threat carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, but prosecutors have recommended that Abdul-Jabbaar be sentenced to time served — two months — and three years of supervised release because he cooperated with state prosecutors in an unrelated shooting case. The plea deal included dismissal of charges for his other threatening messages. Sentencing is set for Monday morning.
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Cheating husband 'nearly has penis bitten off by wife's friend'
A cheating husband nearly had his penis bitten off by his wife’s younger friend when he allegedly tried to persuade her to have sex with him.
Florin Ionita, 53, had been at a picnic at a park in Chisinau, Moldova, with his spouse and a group of friends - before she took some of them home, leaving him alone with the 24-year-old woman.
But when wife Maria Ionita, 49, returned to collect him 30 minutes later, she claimed to have found him clutching his genitals and moaning in pain, telling her: ‘Call an ambulance, it is going to fall off.’
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Florin Ionita, 53, had been at a picnic at a park in Chisinau, Moldova, with his spouse and a group of friends - before she took some of them home, leaving him alone with the 24-year-old woman.
But when wife Maria Ionita, 49, returned to collect him 30 minutes later, she claimed to have found him clutching his genitals and moaning in pain, telling her: ‘Call an ambulance, it is going to fall off.’
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Students, governor want U.Va. student arrest investigated
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Students at the University of Virginia are demanding justice for a student who was injured during an arrest and appears in a photo with a bloody face as he is being held down by an officer.
About 1,000 students showed up — more than expected, so the rally for Martese Johnson was moved several times, finally ending up at an outdoor amphitheater.
Many chanted: "If we don't get it, shut it down!"
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe has called for an investigation into the early morning arrest of Johnson, whose lawyer said he needed 10 stitches in his head.
Johnson was charged on two counts: obstruction of justice without force, and public swearing or intoxication, Charlottesville General District Court records show.
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About 1,000 students showed up — more than expected, so the rally for Martese Johnson was moved several times, finally ending up at an outdoor amphitheater.
Many chanted: "If we don't get it, shut it down!"
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe has called for an investigation into the early morning arrest of Johnson, whose lawyer said he needed 10 stitches in his head.
Johnson was charged on two counts: obstruction of justice without force, and public swearing or intoxication, Charlottesville General District Court records show.
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Union Activist Wants Pension For Teaching One Day
After working one day as a substitute teacher in Illinois, David Piccioli could be entitled to an annual pension of more than $30,000.
And he's suing the state to make sure he gets paid.
Piccioli is a retired union political activist who's already pulling down two state pensions from Illinois' beleaguered public retirement system. But he's taking the Teachers Retirement System to court to squeeze more money out of the state.
The Chicago Tribune reported Thursday that Piccioli is already collecting $31,000 annually from the Teacher Retirement System, but he could get an additional $36,000 annually if he wins his case. He's also collecting a $30,000-pension from a different state retirement system for his time as a legislative aide in Springfield, according to the Tribune.
Piccioli is a retired lobbyist for the Illinois Federation of Teachers and never worked in a classroom, but he took advantage of a loophole in Illinois pension law to score his teaching pension.
Here's more
And he's suing the state to make sure he gets paid.
Piccioli is a retired union political activist who's already pulling down two state pensions from Illinois' beleaguered public retirement system. But he's taking the Teachers Retirement System to court to squeeze more money out of the state.
The Chicago Tribune reported Thursday that Piccioli is already collecting $31,000 annually from the Teacher Retirement System, but he could get an additional $36,000 annually if he wins his case. He's also collecting a $30,000-pension from a different state retirement system for his time as a legislative aide in Springfield, according to the Tribune.
Piccioli is a retired lobbyist for the Illinois Federation of Teachers and never worked in a classroom, but he took advantage of a loophole in Illinois pension law to score his teaching pension.
Here's more
Palestinians Must Hold 'Genuine' Peace Talks: Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that the Palestinian Authority should cut its ties to Hamas militants running the Gaza Strip and engage in "genuine" peace talks with Israel.
Speaking with NBC television, Netanyahu also insisted he was "proud to be the prime minister of all Israeli citizens, Arabs and Jews alike" after triggering outrage for urging supporters to vote for him, warning Israeli Arabs were "turning out in droves."
The veteran Israeli leader had raised global alarm when he vowed in the final days of the election campaign that he would never agree to a Palestinian state on his watch -- flying in the face of decades of US policy to achieve a two-state solution.
In his first interview with a US television network since winning an unprecedented fourth term on Tuesday, Netanyahu did not completely walk back those comments.
But he suggested he remained open to the possibility of new peace talks, saying Israel would "need the recognition of (a) Jewish state and real security in order to have a realistic two-state solution."
"I was talking about what is achievable and what is not achievable," Netanyahu said.
"To make it achievable, then you have to have real negotiations with people committed to peace ... it's time we saw the pressure on the Palestinians to show that they are committed too."
Here is more
Speaking with NBC television, Netanyahu also insisted he was "proud to be the prime minister of all Israeli citizens, Arabs and Jews alike" after triggering outrage for urging supporters to vote for him, warning Israeli Arabs were "turning out in droves."
The veteran Israeli leader had raised global alarm when he vowed in the final days of the election campaign that he would never agree to a Palestinian state on his watch -- flying in the face of decades of US policy to achieve a two-state solution.
In his first interview with a US television network since winning an unprecedented fourth term on Tuesday, Netanyahu did not completely walk back those comments.
But he suggested he remained open to the possibility of new peace talks, saying Israel would "need the recognition of (a) Jewish state and real security in order to have a realistic two-state solution."
"I was talking about what is achievable and what is not achievable," Netanyahu said.
"To make it achievable, then you have to have real negotiations with people committed to peace ... it's time we saw the pressure on the Palestinians to show that they are committed too."
Here is more
McCain Calls on Durbin to Apologize for Lynch Comments
Arizona Sen. John McCain has called out Democratic Senate colleague Dick Durbin for racially tinged and "totally inappropriate" remarks he made about Attorney General nominee Loretta Lynch, The Hill reported.
"I was so surprised and disappointed in the comments that he made yesterday," McCain said, calling on Durbin, an Illinois lawmaker and Senate Minority Whip, to apologize.
Durbin accused Republican lawmakers of holding up approval of her nomination, forcing Lynch to sit "in the back of the bus" — a reference to civil rights era offenses perpetrated against blacks, The Hill reported.
Said Durbin on Wednesday in remarks made from the Senate floor: "Lynch, the first African-American woman nominated to be attorney general, is asked to sit in the back of the bus when it comes to the Senate calendar."
McCain said that Durbin's comments made it seem "that racist tactics are being employed to delay Ms. Lynch's confirmation vote," The Hill added.
He called Durbin's remark "offensive" as other Republican Senate leaders decried the tactic.
"The remarks made this morning by the Democratic leadership were misguided, shameful, and as their own record shows, hypocritical," said Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley in a statement.
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"I was so surprised and disappointed in the comments that he made yesterday," McCain said, calling on Durbin, an Illinois lawmaker and Senate Minority Whip, to apologize.
Durbin accused Republican lawmakers of holding up approval of her nomination, forcing Lynch to sit "in the back of the bus" — a reference to civil rights era offenses perpetrated against blacks, The Hill reported.
Said Durbin on Wednesday in remarks made from the Senate floor: "Lynch, the first African-American woman nominated to be attorney general, is asked to sit in the back of the bus when it comes to the Senate calendar."
McCain said that Durbin's comments made it seem "that racist tactics are being employed to delay Ms. Lynch's confirmation vote," The Hill added.
He called Durbin's remark "offensive" as other Republican Senate leaders decried the tactic.
"The remarks made this morning by the Democratic leadership were misguided, shameful, and as their own record shows, hypocritical," said Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley in a statement.
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Despite Promise, Clinton Charity Didn't Disclose Donors
In 2008, Hillary Clinton promised Barack Obama, the president-elect, there would be no mystery about who was giving money to her family's globe-circling charities. She made a pledge to publish all the donors on an annual basis to ease concerns that as secretary of state she could be vulnerable to accusations of foreign influence.
At the outset, the Clinton Foundation did indeed publish what they said was a complete list of the names of more than 200,000 donors and has continued to update it. But in a breach of the pledge, the charity's flagship health program, which spends more than all of the other foundation initiatives put together, stopped making the annual disclosure in 2010, Reuters has found.
In response to questions from Reuters, officials at the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and the foundation confirmed no complete list of donors to the Clintons' charities has been published since 2010. CHAI was spun off as a separate legal entity that year, but the officials acknowledged it still remains subject to the same disclosure agreement as the foundation.
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At the outset, the Clinton Foundation did indeed publish what they said was a complete list of the names of more than 200,000 donors and has continued to update it. But in a breach of the pledge, the charity's flagship health program, which spends more than all of the other foundation initiatives put together, stopped making the annual disclosure in 2010, Reuters has found.
In response to questions from Reuters, officials at the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and the foundation confirmed no complete list of donors to the Clintons' charities has been published since 2010. CHAI was spun off as a separate legal entity that year, but the officials acknowledged it still remains subject to the same disclosure agreement as the foundation.
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Superbug Threatens As CDC Dithers
Just when you thought it couldn’t get worse at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), after their deadly fumbling on Ebola and measles, new data show the agency vastly underestimated the threat of a superbug raging through our hospitals and nursing homes. Data from a leading medical journal show that 29,000 people in the United States are killed each year by Clostridium difficile, more than double what the CDC claimed just three years ago. Worse still, the CDC is dithering while deaths mount.
C. diff causes severe diarrhea, sometimes permanently destroying the lining of the colon and causing other deadly complications. The new data reveal that nearly a half-million people get C. diff each year. It kills almost twice as many people as AIDS.
How do patients get it? Oral-fecal contamination, meaning traces of a patient’s diarrhea get in another patient’s mouth. Sorry, but that only happens because hospitals and other health care facilities are inadequately cleaned. The germ lurks on bed rails, curtains, faucet handles, door knobs and call buttons where it can survive for two years. Patients touch these invisibly contaminated surfaces, then touch their mouth or food and swallow the germ when they eat.
Just being assigned to a hospital room after a C. diff patient is risky. At one hospital, three patients treated consecutively in the same room all contracted C. diff. One died.
C. diff is also spread room to room on doctors’ and nurses’ hands. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers don’t kill it. Hands have to be cleaned with soap and water, but few health care workers do it.
More here
C. diff causes severe diarrhea, sometimes permanently destroying the lining of the colon and causing other deadly complications. The new data reveal that nearly a half-million people get C. diff each year. It kills almost twice as many people as AIDS.
How do patients get it? Oral-fecal contamination, meaning traces of a patient’s diarrhea get in another patient’s mouth. Sorry, but that only happens because hospitals and other health care facilities are inadequately cleaned. The germ lurks on bed rails, curtains, faucet handles, door knobs and call buttons where it can survive for two years. Patients touch these invisibly contaminated surfaces, then touch their mouth or food and swallow the germ when they eat.
Just being assigned to a hospital room after a C. diff patient is risky. At one hospital, three patients treated consecutively in the same room all contracted C. diff. One died.
C. diff is also spread room to room on doctors’ and nurses’ hands. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers don’t kill it. Hands have to be cleaned with soap and water, but few health care workers do it.
More here
Senator Presses for Info on Huma's Special Gov't Status, Emails
Senator Chuck Grassley has sent two letters to the State Department to ask about Huma Abedin's special government status when she was a government employee--and for information on Abedin's email use while working for the government. Abedin is a close aide to Hillary Clinton, and worked for the consulting firm Teneo (under a special government employee status) while working for Clinton.
"I am writing to follow up on inquiries I have been making since June 13, 2013 and August 15, 2013 regarding the State Department’s use of Special Government Employee (SGE) designations, and in particular, what steps the Department took to ensure that Ms. Huma Abedin’s outside employment with a political intelligence and corporate advisory firm did not conflict with her simultaneous employment at the State Department. I thank the Department for its responses to my inquiries made June 13, 2013 and August 15, 2013. However, to date, the Department’s answers have been largely unresponsive," writes Grassley to Secretary of State John Kerry.
"By way of example, I have still not received the records relating to communications between the State Department and Ms. Abedin’s other employer, Teneo. Nor has the Department provided records of communications between the State Department and any clients or entities represented by Teneo. The Department has also failed to provide any email communications between Ms. Abedin and Teneo or Teneo’s clients. The State Department’s November 14, 2014 response to my inquiries, stated, “Based on an internal review, the Department has never had any contracts with Teneo.” But that is not responsive to my request, and it does not mean that communications between full-time Department employees, or SGEs, and Teneo, or clients of Teneo, do not exist."
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"I am writing to follow up on inquiries I have been making since June 13, 2013 and August 15, 2013 regarding the State Department’s use of Special Government Employee (SGE) designations, and in particular, what steps the Department took to ensure that Ms. Huma Abedin’s outside employment with a political intelligence and corporate advisory firm did not conflict with her simultaneous employment at the State Department. I thank the Department for its responses to my inquiries made June 13, 2013 and August 15, 2013. However, to date, the Department’s answers have been largely unresponsive," writes Grassley to Secretary of State John Kerry.
"By way of example, I have still not received the records relating to communications between the State Department and Ms. Abedin’s other employer, Teneo. Nor has the Department provided records of communications between the State Department and any clients or entities represented by Teneo. The Department has also failed to provide any email communications between Ms. Abedin and Teneo or Teneo’s clients. The State Department’s November 14, 2014 response to my inquiries, stated, “Based on an internal review, the Department has never had any contracts with Teneo.” But that is not responsive to my request, and it does not mean that communications between full-time Department employees, or SGEs, and Teneo, or clients of Teneo, do not exist."
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Buchanan: US Has 'Deadbeats,' 'Freeloaders' for Allies
Most of the United States’ allies are "deadbeats and freeloaders" who have punted their role in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) in the Middle East, political commentator and former presidential adviser Pat Buchanan said Thursday on "America’s Forum" on Newsmax TV.
"Intending no disrespect, many of our allies are deadbeats and freeloaders," Buchanan said. "Only three or four of the NATO countries spend 2 percent of its GDP on defense. We're carrying the hog to them there, and the same with the Baltic. The Iranians, Hezbollah and Assad are fighting ISIS to the death. Where are the Sunni allies of the United States? Where are the Turks?
"They could take out ISIS in a month in Syria. They're not doing it. Where are the Saudis and the Gulf Arabs?"
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"Intending no disrespect, many of our allies are deadbeats and freeloaders," Buchanan said. "Only three or four of the NATO countries spend 2 percent of its GDP on defense. We're carrying the hog to them there, and the same with the Baltic. The Iranians, Hezbollah and Assad are fighting ISIS to the death. Where are the Sunni allies of the United States? Where are the Turks?
"They could take out ISIS in a month in Syria. They're not doing it. Where are the Saudis and the Gulf Arabs?"
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BREAKING NEWS: US pulling remaining special operations forces out of Yemen
An operation is underway to pull out the remaining 100 special operations forces remaining in Yemen due to the deteriorating security situation, a military official confirms to Fox News.
Crabcake Factory Patriarch Dies
"We certainly thought he was gonna be with us a while longer," said his son Johnny Brooks. "He was over here with me for lunch on Monday with (his grandchildren) playing and laughing. I had never seen him so happy... I just thought he was unsinkable."
He shared that his father passed away Wednesday afternoon while standing in the waiting room of his dermatologist's office in Selbyville. He also said his father suffered from heart disease, among other medical issues.
"A huge hole is left in my heart and in the collective hearts of friends, employees and customers. I will do my best to fill his shoes," he said.
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North Korea 'Prepared' To Fire Nuclear Missile
North Korea is ready to launch a nuclear war if it feels threatened, the country's ambassador to the UK has told Sky News.
In a rare interview, the senior official told us North Korea has nuclear weapons and is ready to use them.
"We are prepared," he said. "That is why I say if a sparkle of a fire is made on the Korean peninsula, it will lead to a nuclear war.
"We don't say empty words. We mean what we mean. It is not the United States that has a monopoly on nuclear weapons strikes."
"So can I just be clear: you are telling me that the North Korea has the ability now to fire a nuclear missile?" I clarified.
"Any time, any time, yes."
Here is more
In a rare interview, the senior official told us North Korea has nuclear weapons and is ready to use them.
"We are prepared," he said. "That is why I say if a sparkle of a fire is made on the Korean peninsula, it will lead to a nuclear war.
"We don't say empty words. We mean what we mean. It is not the United States that has a monopoly on nuclear weapons strikes."
"So can I just be clear: you are telling me that the North Korea has the ability now to fire a nuclear missile?" I clarified.
"Any time, any time, yes."
Here is more
Cops bust sixth suspect in Brooklyn McDonald’s beatdown
The sixth suspect in a vicious beatdown in a Brooklyn McDonald’s was arrested Wednesday, a day after a 14-year-old boy became the latest victim of a teen-pack attack in the borough, police sources said.
The 15-year-old suspect, whose name was being withheld pending charges, was nabbed at her home in Brooklyn on Wednesday night, police sources said.
She allegedly was one of six girls involved in the March 9 melee in a Flatbush Ave. McDonald’s, in which the mean teens battered a 15-year-old girl. The brawl was caught on video and went viral.
On Feb. 8, two off-duty NYPD cops were jumped in Bensonhurst by a gang of teens they told to quiet down. Four teenagers were charged with beating and stomping the detective and his cop girlfriend.
“We don’t want this swept under the rug,” Brooklyn community activist Tony Herbert said of the disturbing trend.
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The 15-year-old suspect, whose name was being withheld pending charges, was nabbed at her home in Brooklyn on Wednesday night, police sources said.
She allegedly was one of six girls involved in the March 9 melee in a Flatbush Ave. McDonald’s, in which the mean teens battered a 15-year-old girl. The brawl was caught on video and went viral.
On Feb. 8, two off-duty NYPD cops were jumped in Bensonhurst by a gang of teens they told to quiet down. Four teenagers were charged with beating and stomping the detective and his cop girlfriend.
“We don’t want this swept under the rug,” Brooklyn community activist Tony Herbert said of the disturbing trend.
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Iran Must Be Denied Nuclear Weapons Capability
Merely announcing that Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon is not enough. Iran must not develop even the technical capability to manufacture such a weapon. A nuclear weapons capable Iran is as dangerous as a nuclear armed Iran, because it throws up a cloud of ambiguity about Iran’s actual intentions.
There are many who find a mistaken sense of comfort in the view that Iran has not yet made a formal decision to develop a nuclear weapon. This is a delusion.
Iran's industrial-strength uranium enrichment enterprise has gone from 800 centrifuges nine years ago, when the international community first expressed alarm, to 19,000 now. We know the Ayatollah is on a quest for 190,000 as soon as international constraints are removed.
The Iranian pursuit of uranium enrichment is not for the manufacturing of medical isotopes and reactor fuel. Its purpose is to produce nuclear bombs.
I have long called for using the full range of tools to prevent Iran from reaching its nuclear goal. These include negotiations, coupled with ever-increasing sanctions pressure, and a credible threat of the use of military force if the negotiations and sanctions fail to lead to Iran’s commitment to cease its pursuit of nuclear weapons capability.
Penn State frat member defends photos of nude, unconscious women as “satire”
Members of the Kappa Delta Rho fraternity at Pennsylvania State University could face criminal charges over a Facebook page that included photos of naked, unconscious women. The page came to light when the police investigation was announced Tuesday.
The Facebook page had 144 members, including current students and alumni. That's a relatively large number of college students and recent graduates who knew the fraternity was posting nude photos of nonconsenting women for at least eight months and went along with it.
If you're wondering how something like that happens — and how 143 people, members and alumni, seemed to think it was a totally OK thing to do — an interview on Philadelphia magazine's website with someone who says he's a member of Kappa Delta Rho gives a pretty disturbing view into the fraternity's thought process.
In the interview, reporter Holly Otterbein presses the anonymous member on whether the group was inappropriate. (In an email to Vox, she said she "verified through a multi-step process that he is a student at Penn State, a member of KDR, and ... the person he said he was.")
His answer is revealing:
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The Facebook page had 144 members, including current students and alumni. That's a relatively large number of college students and recent graduates who knew the fraternity was posting nude photos of nonconsenting women for at least eight months and went along with it.
If you're wondering how something like that happens — and how 143 people, members and alumni, seemed to think it was a totally OK thing to do — an interview on Philadelphia magazine's website with someone who says he's a member of Kappa Delta Rho gives a pretty disturbing view into the fraternity's thought process.
In the interview, reporter Holly Otterbein presses the anonymous member on whether the group was inappropriate. (In an email to Vox, she said she "verified through a multi-step process that he is a student at Penn State, a member of KDR, and ... the person he said he was.")
His answer is revealing:
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Krauthammer: Mideast Instability Rules Out Palestinian State
Of all the idiocies uttered in reaction to Benjamin Netanyahu's stunning election victory, none is more ubiquitous than the idea that peace prospects are now dead because Netanyahu has declared that there will be no Palestinian state while he is Israel's prime minister.
I have news for the lowing herds: There would be no peace and no Palestinian state if Isaac Herzog were prime minister either. Or Ehud Barak or Ehud Olmert for that matter. The latter two were (non-Likud) prime ministers who offered the Palestinians their own state — with its capital in Jerusalem and every Israeli settlement in the new Palestine uprooted — only to be rudely rejected.
This is not ancient history. This is 2000, 2001, and 2008 — three astonishingly concessionary peace offers within the last 15 years. Every one rejected.
The fundamental reality remains: This generation of Palestinian leadership — from Yasser Arafat to Mahmoud Abbas — has never and will never sign its name to a final peace settlement dividing the land with a Jewish state. And without that, no Israeli government of any kind will agree to a Palestinian state.
More here
I have news for the lowing herds: There would be no peace and no Palestinian state if Isaac Herzog were prime minister either. Or Ehud Barak or Ehud Olmert for that matter. The latter two were (non-Likud) prime ministers who offered the Palestinians their own state — with its capital in Jerusalem and every Israeli settlement in the new Palestine uprooted — only to be rudely rejected.
This is not ancient history. This is 2000, 2001, and 2008 — three astonishingly concessionary peace offers within the last 15 years. Every one rejected.
The fundamental reality remains: This generation of Palestinian leadership — from Yasser Arafat to Mahmoud Abbas — has never and will never sign its name to a final peace settlement dividing the land with a Jewish state. And without that, no Israeli government of any kind will agree to a Palestinian state.
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The Big, Fat H-1B Lie
You've heard it from Big Government lobbyists. You've heard it from Big Business lackeys in both political parties. And you've heard it from journalists, pundits and think-tankers ad nauseam:
The H-1B foreign guest worker program, they claim, requires American employers to first show that they searched for and tried to recruit American workers before tapping an ever-growing government-rigged pipeline of cheap foreign workers.
The foot soldiers of the open-borders brigade are lying, deluded, ignorant or bought-off.
On Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee brought top independent academics and informed whistleblowers to Washington to expose the truth. Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, hosted Howard University associate professor of public policy Ron Hira, Rutgers University professor Hal Salzman, Infosys whistleblower Jay Palmer and former computer programmer-turned-lawyer John Miano, who brought much-needed reality checks on the systemic betrayal of American workers to the Beltway table.
Miano's testimony was particularly important because he explained how the little known "OPT" (Optical Training Program) for foreign students is being used to circumvent H-1B and supply large corporations with cheap foreign labor. President Obama has expanded this regulatory program by unfettered administrative fiat. As Miano noted: "OPT has no labor protections of any kind. Aliens on OPT do not even have to be paid at all. While DHS requires aliens to work in an area related to their major area of study, DHS has no ability to ensure that this happens. Under OPT, over 125,000 foreign workers a year are simply turned loose in America with no supervision or restrictions."
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The H-1B foreign guest worker program, they claim, requires American employers to first show that they searched for and tried to recruit American workers before tapping an ever-growing government-rigged pipeline of cheap foreign workers.
The foot soldiers of the open-borders brigade are lying, deluded, ignorant or bought-off.
On Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee brought top independent academics and informed whistleblowers to Washington to expose the truth. Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, hosted Howard University associate professor of public policy Ron Hira, Rutgers University professor Hal Salzman, Infosys whistleblower Jay Palmer and former computer programmer-turned-lawyer John Miano, who brought much-needed reality checks on the systemic betrayal of American workers to the Beltway table.
Miano's testimony was particularly important because he explained how the little known "OPT" (Optical Training Program) for foreign students is being used to circumvent H-1B and supply large corporations with cheap foreign labor. President Obama has expanded this regulatory program by unfettered administrative fiat. As Miano noted: "OPT has no labor protections of any kind. Aliens on OPT do not even have to be paid at all. While DHS requires aliens to work in an area related to their major area of study, DHS has no ability to ensure that this happens. Under OPT, over 125,000 foreign workers a year are simply turned loose in America with no supervision or restrictions."
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Dog's fatal shooting by San Diego police under investigation
San Diego police are investigating an incident in which an officer fatally shot a dog during what began as a domestic disturbance call.
The dog, a 6-year-old pit bull named Burberry, was killed when two officers went to an apartment in Pacific Beach early Sunday morning after receiving a report about a woman screaming "as though she was being strangled."
Ian Anderson, 24, answered the door at his apartment at approximately 5:15 a.m. He made "several attempts to block the dog from exiting the residence," according to police.
The dog got outside and ran toward one of the officers who "put his hand out in an attempt to calm the dog," police said. The dog then ran toward the second officer who can be seen, in a neighborhood surveillance video, to be retreating.
"As a last resort, the officer used lethal force to protect himself from being bitten," police said.
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The dog, a 6-year-old pit bull named Burberry, was killed when two officers went to an apartment in Pacific Beach early Sunday morning after receiving a report about a woman screaming "as though she was being strangled."
Ian Anderson, 24, answered the door at his apartment at approximately 5:15 a.m. He made "several attempts to block the dog from exiting the residence," according to police.
The dog got outside and ran toward one of the officers who "put his hand out in an attempt to calm the dog," police said. The dog then ran toward the second officer who can be seen, in a neighborhood surveillance video, to be retreating.
"As a last resort, the officer used lethal force to protect himself from being bitten," police said.
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Special Operations Commandos Target Social Media
U.S. special operations forces, elite commandos engaged in high-risk operations around the world, are adding a new focus to their portfolio of activities: social media and other unconventional information warfare threats.
“Social media is another component of unconventional strategies, and the security environment in general, that is playing a central role in recruiting individuals to causes,” Army Gen. Joseph L. Votel, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, said Wednesday in prepared testimony to the House Armed Services Committee.
“We must therefore develop our ability to interact with key influencers through this medium, or else risk blinding ourselves to this important conduit of information and influence in unfolding crises,” Gen. Votel said.
More here
“Social media is another component of unconventional strategies, and the security environment in general, that is playing a central role in recruiting individuals to causes,” Army Gen. Joseph L. Votel, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, said Wednesday in prepared testimony to the House Armed Services Committee.
“We must therefore develop our ability to interact with key influencers through this medium, or else risk blinding ourselves to this important conduit of information and influence in unfolding crises,” Gen. Votel said.
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Was Hillary Running Her Own Rogue Intel Operation?
We all know that the only reason you would deliberately and pre-meditatedly set up a private email address and server is to have total control over your communications — to keep people away from those communications and to retain the ability to edit and delete your content.
In Hillary Clinton’s case, given her long history of concealment and duplicity, total control was the system’s purpose, not to keep track of Chelsea’s bridal gift registry.
A story originally reported in 2013 (and little-noticed at the time) may offer a deeper dimension to the reasons she wanted this control — and it leaves us with many new, unanswered questions.
First, a step back: In order to understand this Hillary scandal, you must understand her pattern in past scandals. And you must understand the man at the center of so many of them: Sidney Blumenthal.
Mr. Blumenthal is the Clintons’ longtime and fiercely loyal political hit man. He orchestrated many of the sleaziest attacks on Clinton opponents, including smearing Monica Lewinsky as a “stalker” at Mrs. Clinton’s request. His mastery of the dark arts was so notorious that it may have been the reason Mr. Obama pointedly denied Mrs. Clinton’s request to appoint him to a special, official role in her State Department.
But Mrs. Clinton has never been one to take “no” for an answer. It now appears that despite Mr. Obama’s order, Mr. Blumenthal may have still served Mrs. Clinton’s political and policy needs, but in a shadowy, non-official capacity.
Read on..
In Hillary Clinton’s case, given her long history of concealment and duplicity, total control was the system’s purpose, not to keep track of Chelsea’s bridal gift registry.
A story originally reported in 2013 (and little-noticed at the time) may offer a deeper dimension to the reasons she wanted this control — and it leaves us with many new, unanswered questions.
First, a step back: In order to understand this Hillary scandal, you must understand her pattern in past scandals. And you must understand the man at the center of so many of them: Sidney Blumenthal.
Mr. Blumenthal is the Clintons’ longtime and fiercely loyal political hit man. He orchestrated many of the sleaziest attacks on Clinton opponents, including smearing Monica Lewinsky as a “stalker” at Mrs. Clinton’s request. His mastery of the dark arts was so notorious that it may have been the reason Mr. Obama pointedly denied Mrs. Clinton’s request to appoint him to a special, official role in her State Department.
But Mrs. Clinton has never been one to take “no” for an answer. It now appears that despite Mr. Obama’s order, Mr. Blumenthal may have still served Mrs. Clinton’s political and policy needs, but in a shadowy, non-official capacity.
Read on..
Genetically Engineered Mosquitoes Could Have Unintended Consequences
Researchers have devised a method of bypassing a fundamental barrier to the rapid spread of genes within a population. They believe that it could be used to spread malaria-resistant genes in mosquitoes to prevent transmission of disease to people.
However, it could also be used to spread harmful genes rapidly in the wild, which has led other researchers to call for the imposition of strict safety controls over such research in case of an accidental escape from a laboratory.
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Man eating at Waffle House confronts diner who hit woman on next table
The sight of a woman being struck was simply too much for a diner at a Waffle House who decided to take matters into his own hands.
After seeing a man put his hands around the neck of a fellow customer, the war veteran marched over to the table to lay down the law and put the alleged abuser in his place.
'You touch her again and you will be my motherf***ing breakfast,' he bellowed, grabbing the man by his shirt. 'What you going to do to me?'
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After seeing a man put his hands around the neck of a fellow customer, the war veteran marched over to the table to lay down the law and put the alleged abuser in his place.
'You touch her again and you will be my motherf***ing breakfast,' he bellowed, grabbing the man by his shirt. 'What you going to do to me?'
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Yellow cabs now outnumbered by Uber cars on NYC streets
NEW YORK — New York City's storied yellow cabs are taking a back seat to black cars.
Uber cars, often black sedans that can be summoned with smartphone apps, now outnumber the yellow taxis that city riders have hailed with a whistle and a wave for generations.
It was a changing-of-the-guard moment that passed with little fanfare this week in figures released by the city's Taxi and Limousine Commission: 14,088 registered Uber cars compared with 13,587 yellow cabs.
But it hardly means yellow cabs are out of favor. In fact, there are about 440,000 yellow cab rides a day, compared to just 20,000 to 30,000 Uber rides. That's because Uber drivers often own their own cars and work less than 40 hours a week, while most yellow taxis are owned by cab companies, have more than one driver and are on the road close to 24 hours a day.
"Yellow cab rides significantly outstrip the number of black car rides," said Meera Joshi, chairwoman of the taxi commission. "So the number of their affiliated vehicles in and of itself doesn't paint a complete picture."
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Uber cars, often black sedans that can be summoned with smartphone apps, now outnumber the yellow taxis that city riders have hailed with a whistle and a wave for generations.
It was a changing-of-the-guard moment that passed with little fanfare this week in figures released by the city's Taxi and Limousine Commission: 14,088 registered Uber cars compared with 13,587 yellow cabs.
But it hardly means yellow cabs are out of favor. In fact, there are about 440,000 yellow cab rides a day, compared to just 20,000 to 30,000 Uber rides. That's because Uber drivers often own their own cars and work less than 40 hours a week, while most yellow taxis are owned by cab companies, have more than one driver and are on the road close to 24 hours a day.
"Yellow cab rides significantly outstrip the number of black car rides," said Meera Joshi, chairwoman of the taxi commission. "So the number of their affiliated vehicles in and of itself doesn't paint a complete picture."
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Did Foreign Governments Buy Influence With Hillary?
Hillary Clinton may be too mired in international connections to be an unbiased president – or hold any other public office for that matter.
While the Clintons couldn’t accept donations from foreign governments to the Clinton Foundation while Hillary was secretary of state, it didn’t stop politicians in high positions in the Ukrainian, Chinese and Saudi Arabian governments from giving millions.
The Wall Street Journal reports, “All told, more than a dozen foreign individuals and their foundations and companies were large donors to the Clinton Foundation in the years after Mrs. Clinton became secretary of state in 2009, collectively giving between $34 million and $68 million, foundation records show. Some donors also provided funding directly to charitable projects sponsored by the foundation, valued by the organization at $60 million.”
More here
While the Clintons couldn’t accept donations from foreign governments to the Clinton Foundation while Hillary was secretary of state, it didn’t stop politicians in high positions in the Ukrainian, Chinese and Saudi Arabian governments from giving millions.
The Wall Street Journal reports, “All told, more than a dozen foreign individuals and their foundations and companies were large donors to the Clinton Foundation in the years after Mrs. Clinton became secretary of state in 2009, collectively giving between $34 million and $68 million, foundation records show. Some donors also provided funding directly to charitable projects sponsored by the foundation, valued by the organization at $60 million.”
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Pickens: Oil Will Rebound to $70 by Year-End
Oil has plummeted 60 percent since late June, falling to a six-year low of $42.75 a barrel Thursday amid sluggish demand and bountiful supply.
But legendary energy entrepreneur T. Boone Pickens doesn't think the bad times will last for black gold. In an interview with CNBC, he predicted a price of $70 by year-end and $80 to $90 within 18 months.
Given that U.S. oil output and inventories are at more than 30-year highs, what's behind Pickens' forecast?
A plunging rig count in the United States will help spark the rebound, putting supply and demand in better balance, Pickens explained. The rig count totaled 866 last Friday, down 41 percent from a year earlier and 6 percent from a week earlier, according to Baker Hughes.
"We produced too much oil, and now supply is greater than demand," Pickens said. But with the rig count dropping, "we are getting ready to balance the market."
Meanwhile, we can thank Saudi Arabia for much of the oil price plunge, according to Richard Fisher, president of the Dallas Federal Reserve. "The Saudis have engineered" the move, he said in a speech last month, CNNMoney reported.
Saudi Arabia led OPEC to reject production cuts, and the nation has offered price reductions to its customers. Presumably the Saudis are trying to drive high-cost suppliers, such as U.S. shale oil producers out of business.
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But legendary energy entrepreneur T. Boone Pickens doesn't think the bad times will last for black gold. In an interview with CNBC, he predicted a price of $70 by year-end and $80 to $90 within 18 months.
Given that U.S. oil output and inventories are at more than 30-year highs, what's behind Pickens' forecast?
A plunging rig count in the United States will help spark the rebound, putting supply and demand in better balance, Pickens explained. The rig count totaled 866 last Friday, down 41 percent from a year earlier and 6 percent from a week earlier, according to Baker Hughes.
"We produced too much oil, and now supply is greater than demand," Pickens said. But with the rig count dropping, "we are getting ready to balance the market."
Meanwhile, we can thank Saudi Arabia for much of the oil price plunge, according to Richard Fisher, president of the Dallas Federal Reserve. "The Saudis have engineered" the move, he said in a speech last month, CNNMoney reported.
Saudi Arabia led OPEC to reject production cuts, and the nation has offered price reductions to its customers. Presumably the Saudis are trying to drive high-cost suppliers, such as U.S. shale oil producers out of business.
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How Good Parents Miss Child Sexual Abuse and 5 Questions to Change That
How do good parents miss child sexual abuse? It is simple.
By not asking the right questions.
One day my son went to a classmate’s home for a Halloween costume party. When I picked him up a few hours later I could tell by the ear to ear grin on his face that he had a great time. As we were about to leave, I was standing at the door with the child’s father and grandmother.
Both adults were giving me a great report about his behavior. Parent relieved. Thank goodness. No issues. No worries.
But as I drove us home I felt uneasy. Something was off.
Then it hit me. I swerved into the next parking lot.
I had been here before. Except I was the child.
When parents ask children whether or not they were good in front of children and adults most children feel pressured to say yes.
I could recall that when I was being abused by a teen relative my mother would innocently ask me a few questions as we left a relative’s home.
“Did you behave?” “Did you listen?” “Were you a good girl?”
1. What mom didn’t know is that the teen who was living there had threatened me before she had even arrived. Sometimes he’d even be standing behind her balling up his fists or giving me mean looks.
2. Asking me those questions, especially in front of a person who was using me for sexual experimentation reinforced in my young mind that I was supposed to do whatever I was told by the person who was watching me while she was gone.
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By not asking the right questions.
One day my son went to a classmate’s home for a Halloween costume party. When I picked him up a few hours later I could tell by the ear to ear grin on his face that he had a great time. As we were about to leave, I was standing at the door with the child’s father and grandmother.
Both adults were giving me a great report about his behavior. Parent relieved. Thank goodness. No issues. No worries.
But as I drove us home I felt uneasy. Something was off.
Then it hit me. I swerved into the next parking lot.
I had been here before. Except I was the child.
When parents ask children whether or not they were good in front of children and adults most children feel pressured to say yes.
I could recall that when I was being abused by a teen relative my mother would innocently ask me a few questions as we left a relative’s home.
“Did you behave?” “Did you listen?” “Were you a good girl?”
1. What mom didn’t know is that the teen who was living there had threatened me before she had even arrived. Sometimes he’d even be standing behind her balling up his fists or giving me mean looks.
2. Asking me those questions, especially in front of a person who was using me for sexual experimentation reinforced in my young mind that I was supposed to do whatever I was told by the person who was watching me while she was gone.
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U.S. Threatens Sanctions Against Israel, Makes Excuses for Iran
The U.S. government might impose sanctions on Israel or allow its greatest ally in the Middle East to be tried in the International Criminal Court, according to Politico. Michael Crowley reports:
Obama officials must now decide whether more international pressure on Israel can help bring a conservative Netanyahu-led government back to the negotiating table with the Palestinians — or whether such pressure would simply provoke a defiant reaction, as some fear.
Obama has other diplomatic options. He could expend less political capital to oppose growing momentum within the European Union to impose sanctions on Israel for its settlement activity.
More provocative to Israel would be any softening of Obama’s opposition to Palestinian efforts to join the International Criminal Court, which the Palestinian Authority will formally join on April 1. Under a law passed by Congress, any Palestinian bid to bring war crimes charges against Israel at the court will automatically sever America’s $400 million in annual aid to the Palestinian Authority, although some experts suggested Obama could find indirect ways to continue some funding — even if only to prevent a dangerous collapse of the Palestinian governing body.
Meanwhile, in other news, the U.S. government is making excuses for Iran's testing of its nuclear program.
Bloomberg reports:
Obama officials must now decide whether more international pressure on Israel can help bring a conservative Netanyahu-led government back to the negotiating table with the Palestinians — or whether such pressure would simply provoke a defiant reaction, as some fear.
Obama has other diplomatic options. He could expend less political capital to oppose growing momentum within the European Union to impose sanctions on Israel for its settlement activity.
More provocative to Israel would be any softening of Obama’s opposition to Palestinian efforts to join the International Criminal Court, which the Palestinian Authority will formally join on April 1. Under a law passed by Congress, any Palestinian bid to bring war crimes charges against Israel at the court will automatically sever America’s $400 million in annual aid to the Palestinian Authority, although some experts suggested Obama could find indirect ways to continue some funding — even if only to prevent a dangerous collapse of the Palestinian governing body.
Meanwhile, in other news, the U.S. government is making excuses for Iran's testing of its nuclear program.
Bloomberg reports:
Iran Endorses Nuclear EMP Attack On United States
Suspected for years of plotting to dismantle the U.S. electric grid, American officials have confirmed that Iranian military brass have endorsed a nuclear electromagnetic pulse explosion that would attack the country's power system.
American defense experts made the discovery while translating a secret Iranian military handbook, raising new concerns about Tehran's recent nuclear talks with the administration.
The issue of a nuclear EMP attack was raised in the final hours of this week's elections in Israel when U.S. authority Peter Vincent Pry penned a column for Arutz Sheva warning of Iran's threat to free nations.
"Iranian military documents describe such a scenario — including a recently translated Iranian military textbook that endorses nuclear EMP attack against the United States," he wrote.
A knowledgable source said that the textbook discusses an EMP attack on America in 20 different places.
Arizona Republican Rep. Trent Franks, who is leading an effort to protect the U.S. electric grid from an EMP attack, has recently made similar claims based on the document translated by military authorities.
Once sneered at by critics, recent moves by Iran and North Korea have given credibility to the potential EMP threat from an atmospheric nuclear explosion over the U.S.
Pry has suggested ways for Iran to deliver a nuclear attack: by ship launched off the East Coast, a missile or via satellite.
Either way the result could be destruction of all or part of the U.S. electric grid, robbing the public of power, computers, water and communications for potentially a year (or more).
Read more here
American defense experts made the discovery while translating a secret Iranian military handbook, raising new concerns about Tehran's recent nuclear talks with the administration.
The issue of a nuclear EMP attack was raised in the final hours of this week's elections in Israel when U.S. authority Peter Vincent Pry penned a column for Arutz Sheva warning of Iran's threat to free nations.
"Iranian military documents describe such a scenario — including a recently translated Iranian military textbook that endorses nuclear EMP attack against the United States," he wrote.
A knowledgable source said that the textbook discusses an EMP attack on America in 20 different places.
Arizona Republican Rep. Trent Franks, who is leading an effort to protect the U.S. electric grid from an EMP attack, has recently made similar claims based on the document translated by military authorities.
Once sneered at by critics, recent moves by Iran and North Korea have given credibility to the potential EMP threat from an atmospheric nuclear explosion over the U.S.
Pry has suggested ways for Iran to deliver a nuclear attack: by ship launched off the East Coast, a missile or via satellite.
Either way the result could be destruction of all or part of the U.S. electric grid, robbing the public of power, computers, water and communications for potentially a year (or more).
Read more here
Feminist Reporter: Take Away White Men’s Guns
Still think liberal feminist journalists aren’t racist man-haters?
Andrea Grimes, senior political reporter at the lefty women’s site RH Reality Check, sank to a disgusting new low Thursday by saying that guns should be confiscated only from white men.
“Suggestion: we don’t have to vaporize all the guns. Let’s just vaporize white men’s guns,” Grimes tweeted, linking to an article about Arizona shooter Ryan Giroux.
“White guys cannot be trusted to use guns responsibly. It is time to stop giving guns to white guys,” Grimes added. ”I mean, it’s time to stop giving guns to everybody, but we can start with the white guys.”
Full article here
Andrea Grimes, senior political reporter at the lefty women’s site RH Reality Check, sank to a disgusting new low Thursday by saying that guns should be confiscated only from white men.
“Suggestion: we don’t have to vaporize all the guns. Let’s just vaporize white men’s guns,” Grimes tweeted, linking to an article about Arizona shooter Ryan Giroux.
“White guys cannot be trusted to use guns responsibly. It is time to stop giving guns to white guys,” Grimes added. ”I mean, it’s time to stop giving guns to everybody, but we can start with the white guys.”
Full article here
HISTORICAL COMMENTS BY GEORGE CHEVALLIER 3-21-15
The Fire of 1860
(The picture above is Bridge St., around 1850
– earliest known picture of Salisbury)
Although Salisbury is 283 years old, only the last 150 years can be historically chronicled. A tragic fire in 1860 destroyed all the town records and most of the buildings that would have made Salisbury a very historic town.
Before 1860, Salisbury was not much more than a village, similar to the ones that dotted the English countryside in which most of the ancestors of Salisbury had resided.
The population was around 500 people. The roads were dirt, and livestock was more likely than not to wander and graze on the main street of town. The main street was called Bridge Street. It is now called Main Street. It was a small, three block street with few stores on it that ended on the west end at the river. A general merchandise store of William Birckhead, the jewelry store of A. W. W. Woodcock, the bakery of John Kayler, the hat shop of Henry Brewington, the apothecary shop of Dr. Levin D. Collier, a small post office and a bank were some of the establishments of Bridge Street. There was also the occasional tavern that invited a visit from the passer-by. Overlooking all this was the high tower of St. Peter’s Protestant Episcopal Church, referred to as Goddard’s Chapel. Being the highest structure in town, it was used as a landmark for travelers to tell them from a distance where they were.
This tranquility was broken in August, 1860, by a devastating fire that broke out in the Daniel Davis building on the northwest corner of Bridge and St. Peter’s streets.
Shortly before, the town had purchased a new piece of fire fighting apparatus. It consisted of a large wooden reservoir, mounted to a chassis with large iron wheels. Two hand pumps forced water into the tank from one of the town pumps, ordinarily used to quench the thirst of the townsmen and their horses.
Down St. Peter’s Street, a dozen men dragged this apparatus, while St. Peter’s church bell continued to ring wildly. The Davis building was being rapidly consumed. From there the flames leaped to other frame structures on Bridge Street. The whole street became a raging inferno. Firemen fought valiantly. Bucket brigades augmented the single piece of fire-fighting equipment. All to no avail.
When burning embers remained a mute testimony to the town that was, it was discovered that the fire “engine”, too, had met destruction. The people of Salisbury had fought bravely to save their town, but all was lost – the history, the buildings, everything.
There were two other events that occurred at this time. The first was the railroad. It had been extended down as far as Delmar in 1860 and was to have been built all the way to Somer’s Cove, which is now Crisfield. The second event precluded the railroad from coming any further south. It was the Civil War. The Civil War put a four-year hiatus on any measurable growth to what was a town left in ruins after that devastating fire.
Before 1860, Salisbury was not much more than a village, similar to the ones that dotted the English countryside in which most of the ancestors of Salisbury had resided.
The population was around 500 people. The roads were dirt, and livestock was more likely than not to wander and graze on the main street of town. The main street was called Bridge Street. It is now called Main Street. It was a small, three block street with few stores on it that ended on the west end at the river. A general merchandise store of William Birckhead, the jewelry store of A. W. W. Woodcock, the bakery of John Kayler, the hat shop of Henry Brewington, the apothecary shop of Dr. Levin D. Collier, a small post office and a bank were some of the establishments of Bridge Street. There was also the occasional tavern that invited a visit from the passer-by. Overlooking all this was the high tower of St. Peter’s Protestant Episcopal Church, referred to as Goddard’s Chapel. Being the highest structure in town, it was used as a landmark for travelers to tell them from a distance where they were.
This tranquility was broken in August, 1860, by a devastating fire that broke out in the Daniel Davis building on the northwest corner of Bridge and St. Peter’s streets.
Shortly before, the town had purchased a new piece of fire fighting apparatus. It consisted of a large wooden reservoir, mounted to a chassis with large iron wheels. Two hand pumps forced water into the tank from one of the town pumps, ordinarily used to quench the thirst of the townsmen and their horses.
Down St. Peter’s Street, a dozen men dragged this apparatus, while St. Peter’s church bell continued to ring wildly. The Davis building was being rapidly consumed. From there the flames leaped to other frame structures on Bridge Street. The whole street became a raging inferno. Firemen fought valiantly. Bucket brigades augmented the single piece of fire-fighting equipment. All to no avail.
When burning embers remained a mute testimony to the town that was, it was discovered that the fire “engine”, too, had met destruction. The people of Salisbury had fought bravely to save their town, but all was lost – the history, the buildings, everything.
There were two other events that occurred at this time. The first was the railroad. It had been extended down as far as Delmar in 1860 and was to have been built all the way to Somer’s Cove, which is now Crisfield. The second event precluded the railroad from coming any further south. It was the Civil War. The Civil War put a four-year hiatus on any measurable growth to what was a town left in ruins after that devastating fire.
‘Islamic State Hacking Division’ Posts Kill List With Purported Addresses of U.S. Military Members
Identifying themselves as the “Islamic State Hacking Division,” the group claimed to have obtained the personal information of military personnel from compromised military servers, databases and emails.
“[W]e have decided to leak 100 addresses so that our brothers residing in America can deal with you,” the group warned.
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Why We’re Drifting Towards World War 3
Financial Experts: World War Looms … Unless We Stop It
The Economist argues that there are ominous parallels between the conditions which led to the first world war and today:
The United States is Britain, the superpower on the wane, unable to guarantee global security. Its main trading partner, China, plays the part of Germany, a new economic power bristling with nationalist indignation and building up its armed forces rapidly. Modern Japan is France, an ally of the retreating hegemon and a declining regional power. The parallels are not exact—China lacks the Kaiser’s territorial ambitions and America’s defence budget is far more impressive than imperial Britain’s—but they are close enough for the world to be on its guard.
Which, by and large, it is not. The most troubling similarity between 1914 and now is complacency. Businesspeople today are like businesspeople then: too busy making money to notice the serpents flickering at the bottom of their trading screens. Politicians are playing with nationalism just as they did 100 years ago. China’s leaders whip up Japanophobia, using it as cover for economic reforms, while Shinzo Abe stirs Japanese nationalism for similar reasons.
More
The Economist argues that there are ominous parallels between the conditions which led to the first world war and today:
The United States is Britain, the superpower on the wane, unable to guarantee global security. Its main trading partner, China, plays the part of Germany, a new economic power bristling with nationalist indignation and building up its armed forces rapidly. Modern Japan is France, an ally of the retreating hegemon and a declining regional power. The parallels are not exact—China lacks the Kaiser’s territorial ambitions and America’s defence budget is far more impressive than imperial Britain’s—but they are close enough for the world to be on its guard.
Which, by and large, it is not. The most troubling similarity between 1914 and now is complacency. Businesspeople today are like businesspeople then: too busy making money to notice the serpents flickering at the bottom of their trading screens. Politicians are playing with nationalism just as they did 100 years ago. China’s leaders whip up Japanophobia, using it as cover for economic reforms, while Shinzo Abe stirs Japanese nationalism for similar reasons.
More
What parents in India will do for good grades
Images of parents and family members clambering up school buildings and clinging on window ledges to pass cheat sheets to their children have left authorities in despair.
The incident took place on Wednesday in the state of Bihar, where students were writing their year-end grade 10 examinations.
Examples of cheating incidents are not hard to find in India. But, even compared to previous events, this seems to be unprecedented in its blatancy.
Bihar Education Minister PK Shahi told reporters that children won't learn if they're constantly helped by family members. "Government can only hold fair examinations with the help of the parents, society and the children," he said. "This is a collective responsibility."
In a developing economy like India, education is a precious commodity.
With more than 1.2 billion people, proper schooling could hold the key for much of the population to get out of a vicious cycle of poverty.
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Jobless claims rise modestly; continuing claims fall
The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose only modestly last week, indicating the labor market remained on solid footing despite slowing economic growth.
Initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased 1,000 to a seasonally adjusted 292,000 for the week ended March 14, the Labor Department said on Thursday.
Claims for the prior week were revised to show 1,000 more applications received than previously reported.
Economists polled by Reuters had forecast claims rising to 292,000 last week. A Labor Department analyst said there was nothing unusual in the state-level data.
More
Initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased 1,000 to a seasonally adjusted 292,000 for the week ended March 14, the Labor Department said on Thursday.
Claims for the prior week were revised to show 1,000 more applications received than previously reported.
Economists polled by Reuters had forecast claims rising to 292,000 last week. A Labor Department analyst said there was nothing unusual in the state-level data.
More
Pittenger: UN Should Compel Palestinians to Denounce Hamas
As the White House threatens not to block a vote on Palestinian statehood, one Republican congressman thinks the United Nations should be focusing on the Palestinians' relationship with the terror group Hamas.
"I think what we need to have is a resolution in the U.N. compelling the Palestinians to denounce Hamas," Robert Pittenger of North Carolina said Thursday on Fox News Channel's "On the Record with Greta Van Susteren."
"That is a real concern that America should be addressing in the U.N.," he said, "not seeking to put Israel in the position where it can't defend its own country."
The Obama administration has signaled it might consider ending the United States' longstanding policy of blocking United Nations votes on recognizing Palestinian statehood.
That move came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a tight re-election bid, said there would be no Palestinian state if he won.
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"I think what we need to have is a resolution in the U.N. compelling the Palestinians to denounce Hamas," Robert Pittenger of North Carolina said Thursday on Fox News Channel's "On the Record with Greta Van Susteren."
"That is a real concern that America should be addressing in the U.N.," he said, "not seeking to put Israel in the position where it can't defend its own country."
The Obama administration has signaled it might consider ending the United States' longstanding policy of blocking United Nations votes on recognizing Palestinian statehood.
That move came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a tight re-election bid, said there would be no Palestinian state if he won.
More
Honda adding 105K vehicles to recall list
The added vehicles include nearly 89,000 Pilot SUVs from the 2008 model year, as well as about 11,000 Civics from 2004 and another 5,000 Accords from the 2001 model year.
Honda said that it's the first recall of 2008 Pilots for potential problems with driver's air bags made by Takata Corp. of Japan. The inflators can blow apart a metal canister and spew shrapnel into drivers and passengers. At least six people have died worldwide due to the problem.
Dealers will replace the driver air bag inflators for free. With the added vehicles, Honda has now recalled 5.5 million Honda and Acura cars and SUVs nationwide from the 2001 to 2011 model years because of the air bag problems.
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Judge OKs $10 million settlement in Target data breach
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (AP) -- A Minnesota judge has endorsed a settlement in which Target Corp. will pay $10 million to settle a class-action lawsuit over a massive data breach in 2013.
U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson said at a hearing Thursday in St. Paul, Minnesota, that he would grant preliminary approval of the settlement in a written order, probably later in the day. The move will allow people to begin filing claims ahead of another hearing for final approval, which he'll hold in late October or early November.
People affected by the breach can file for up to $10,000 with proof of their losses, including unauthorized charges, higher fees or interest rates, and lost time dealing with the problem.
"Target really needs to be commended for being willing to step up," Magnuson said.
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U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson said at a hearing Thursday in St. Paul, Minnesota, that he would grant preliminary approval of the settlement in a written order, probably later in the day. The move will allow people to begin filing claims ahead of another hearing for final approval, which he'll hold in late October or early November.
People affected by the breach can file for up to $10,000 with proof of their losses, including unauthorized charges, higher fees or interest rates, and lost time dealing with the problem.
"Target really needs to be commended for being willing to step up," Magnuson said.
More
Hours After Hinting At Mandatory Voting, Obama Talks Down “Suggestion” Following Backlash
"It would be transformative if everybody voted."
A few days ago, we showed just which “democracy” in the free world provides the best bang for one corporation’s individual’s buck. The answer: the United State of America, where “for every dollar spent influencing politics, corporations get $760 back.”
A few days ago, we showed just which “democracy” in the free world provides the best bang for one corporation’s individual’s buck. The answer: the United State of America, where “for every dollar spent influencing politics, corporations get $760 back.”