DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Friday, December 04, 2015
FBI: Background Checks for Gun Sales Peak on Black Friday
Black Friday broke an FBI record for the number of firearms background checks.The agency said Tuesday that it processed 185,345 background checks - roughly two per second - on the same day that three people were killed and nine others wounded in an attack at a Planned......
Nearly 90 layoffs coming at Giant distribution center
Giant Food said Wednesday it is planning to close a warehouse in Baltimore County, eliminating nearly 90 positions as it turns over its pharmacy distribution to an outside company.
The 89 layoffs at the 7100 Ambassador Road warehouse in the Milford Mill area are expected to start at the end of January, said the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, which the company informed of the plans as required by law for mass layoffs.
The cuts were prompted by Giant's decision to expand its existing relationship with pharmaceutical distributor McKesson Corp., which supplies stores directly, said Giant Food spokesman Jamie Miller.
"It increases store deliveries, improves the supply chain processes and it will improve the fulfillment process for our customers," he said.
More
The 89 layoffs at the 7100 Ambassador Road warehouse in the Milford Mill area are expected to start at the end of January, said the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, which the company informed of the plans as required by law for mass layoffs.
The cuts were prompted by Giant's decision to expand its existing relationship with pharmaceutical distributor McKesson Corp., which supplies stores directly, said Giant Food spokesman Jamie Miller.
"It increases store deliveries, improves the supply chain processes and it will improve the fulfillment process for our customers," he said.
More
Barbara Boxer Stuns With These Nine Words Following California Shooting: ‘She Really Said This’
“Sensible gun laws work,” Boxer told reporters. “We’ve proven it in California.”
The two San Bernardino attackers, who killed 14 and wounded more than a dozen Wednesday, purchased all four of their guns legally, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said Thursday.
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Pelosi: No right to moments of silence without action on gun violence
"Gun violence is a crisis of epidemic proportion in our nation," she said during a press briefing in the Capitol. "We've had far too many moments of silence on the floor of the House. And while it is right to respectfully acknowledge the losses, we can no longer remain silent.
"What gives us the right to hold moments of silence when we do nothing to act upon the cause of the grief?"
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The Escalating Cost of Obama's Foreign Policy Failures
Just Invoice the Next President
Many reading these words are serving or have served our country in uniform, or have military or veteran family members. For many of us, the ever-inflating price of Barack Obama’s costly foreign policy malfeasance will be paid with the blood and sweat of us or of those we love. Thus, his failures come with a much more visceral price than just rancorous armchair political debates.
While Obama intends to invoice the next administration with the political, economic and human cost of his failures, there are additional revelations this week affirming the political motivations for his failures*.
As anyone capable of evaluating the most rudimentary cause-and-effect outcome can deduce, the rise of the Islamic State is the direct result of Obama’s politically motivated retreat from Iraq, the centerpiece of his 2012 re-election campaign. But his suspension of the Long War strategy to defeat radical Islamic terrorists is only temporary. Taking the fight back to our enemy’s turf in order to keep it off of our own will be far more difficult now than it was when President George Bush launched Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
The consequences of Obama’s policies will be devastating for years to come.
The legacy of Obama’s failed policies, as implemented by his chief water-carrier Hillary Clinton, is the brutal humanitarian crisis now underway in Syria and across the Middle East. While he was fiddling a tune about al-Qa'ida’s decimation and Islamist JV teams, even his CIA director, John Brennan, was issuing dire warnings about the metastasizing threat to the West.
Read More..
*[ We often refer to Obama’s foreign policy as “failed,” but the reality is that Obama is achieving his ulterior objective both foreign and domestic. That objective is socialist parity, and in terms of foreign policy, that means disabling our status as the world’s lone superpower in order to allow other nations to fill that void. Foreign and domestic policy “failures”? Sadly, no. This president’s policies are achieving precisely his intended objectives.]
Many reading these words are serving or have served our country in uniform, or have military or veteran family members. For many of us, the ever-inflating price of Barack Obama’s costly foreign policy malfeasance will be paid with the blood and sweat of us or of those we love. Thus, his failures come with a much more visceral price than just rancorous armchair political debates.
While Obama intends to invoice the next administration with the political, economic and human cost of his failures, there are additional revelations this week affirming the political motivations for his failures*.
As anyone capable of evaluating the most rudimentary cause-and-effect outcome can deduce, the rise of the Islamic State is the direct result of Obama’s politically motivated retreat from Iraq, the centerpiece of his 2012 re-election campaign. But his suspension of the Long War strategy to defeat radical Islamic terrorists is only temporary. Taking the fight back to our enemy’s turf in order to keep it off of our own will be far more difficult now than it was when President George Bush launched Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
The consequences of Obama’s policies will be devastating for years to come.
The legacy of Obama’s failed policies, as implemented by his chief water-carrier Hillary Clinton, is the brutal humanitarian crisis now underway in Syria and across the Middle East. While he was fiddling a tune about al-Qa'ida’s decimation and Islamist JV teams, even his CIA director, John Brennan, was issuing dire warnings about the metastasizing threat to the West.
Read More..
*[ We often refer to Obama’s foreign policy as “failed,” but the reality is that Obama is achieving his ulterior objective both foreign and domestic. That objective is socialist parity, and in terms of foreign policy, that means disabling our status as the world’s lone superpower in order to allow other nations to fill that void. Foreign and domestic policy “failures”? Sadly, no. This president’s policies are achieving precisely his intended objectives.]
Facebook expands sharing options to include live video
The world’s largest social network is testing a new feature that will enable its 1.5 billion users to use their smartphones to shoot video so other people can see what they are doing as it happens.
Facebook began testing the live video option Thursday among a sliver of its U.S. audience with iPhones. The Menlo Park, California, company didn’t specify when everyone with a Facebook account and a smartphone will have an opportunity to broadcast live.
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Benghazi Committee Gets Thousands of Documents Months Late
State Department officials gave the House Select Committee on Benghazi roughly 3,900 pages of new documents last week, some of which lawmakers had asked for last year through requests that the agency then ignored for months.
The new emails came from Ambassador Chris Stevens, who was killed in the 2012 terror attack, and Patrick Kennedy, the State Department's undersecretary for management and its highest records official.
Although the select committee began asking for copies of Kennedy's emails in Nov. 2014, lawmakers did not start receiving them until this month. Kennedy remains in his position at the State Department.
Investigators had reviewed a small number of Kennedy's emails that were included among unrelated batches of records, but last month marked the first time the State Department began delivering the emails of its top records official.
More here
The new emails came from Ambassador Chris Stevens, who was killed in the 2012 terror attack, and Patrick Kennedy, the State Department's undersecretary for management and its highest records official.
Although the select committee began asking for copies of Kennedy's emails in Nov. 2014, lawmakers did not start receiving them until this month. Kennedy remains in his position at the State Department.
Investigators had reviewed a small number of Kennedy's emails that were included among unrelated batches of records, but last month marked the first time the State Department began delivering the emails of its top records official.
More here
After San Bernardino, controversy over 'thoughts and prayers'
As police carried out a manhunt for the alleged shooters and the details surrounding their attack began to trickle out, friction over messages of commiseration arose.
As the Atlantic's Emma Green wrote: in the time after a mass shooting, some demand political action and others call for prayer.
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BREAKING NEWS: Wicomico Child Death Investigation
On December 1, 2015, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to Little Water Street, Sharptown, MD in reference to an unresponsive sixteen-month old. The child was transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center. The Sheriff’s Office referred the case to the Wicomico County Child Advocacy Center for further investigation. Darren Lee Adkins, 25, was subsequently placed under arrest for First and Second Degree Child Abuse and related charges. Adkins was a household member of the child but not a biological relative.
The child was transported to Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. She was pronounced dead on December 4, 2015. Detectives from the Child Advocacy Center are continuing to investigate the matter. Adkins is currently being held without bond.
For more information please call State’s Attorney Matthew A. Maciarello or Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Karen M. Dean at the Office of the State’s Attorney at (410) 548-4880 or go towww.wicomicosao.com.
The child was transported to Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. She was pronounced dead on December 4, 2015. Detectives from the Child Advocacy Center are continuing to investigate the matter. Adkins is currently being held without bond.
For more information please call State’s Attorney Matthew A. Maciarello or Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Karen M. Dean at the Office of the State’s Attorney at (410) 548-4880 or go towww.wicomicosao.com.
GOP Reps Blast House Leadership for Caving on Syrian Refugees
Republican House members blasted their GOP leadership Wednesday for caving to Democratic leaders’ demand that they abandon the House’s bipartisan bill to tighten screening of refugee applicants from Syria and Iraq.
“The bill to bolster the Syrian and Iraqi [refugee] vetting process passed with a veto-proof majority and is supported by a vast majority of Americans,” said Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), who is one of the two co-authors of the original House bill that GOP leaders are now abandoning.
“It would be a shame to bow to the wishes of Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) and the White House, leaving our country vulnerable to foreign terrorism,” he told Breitbart News exclusively.
After the Paris attacks that killed over 120 people, the House passed a bill — with a huge bipartisan majority — that would implement tough screening requirements for refugees. The bill was criticized by Democrats and President Obama, who vowed to veto the legislation and suggested that Republicans work with them to tighten oversight of visas given to legal visitors.
Now, House Republican leaders are reportedly planning to abandon their original idea to tighten screening of refugees and are instead caving to Democrats who want to only fix security gaps in the legal-visitor visa program.
Republican House leadership is backing away from the refugee problem because they fear their fix will be rejected by Democrats and lead to a partial government shut-down.
More
[Time to melt the phone lines-- Editor]
“The bill to bolster the Syrian and Iraqi [refugee] vetting process passed with a veto-proof majority and is supported by a vast majority of Americans,” said Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), who is one of the two co-authors of the original House bill that GOP leaders are now abandoning.
“It would be a shame to bow to the wishes of Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) and the White House, leaving our country vulnerable to foreign terrorism,” he told Breitbart News exclusively.
After the Paris attacks that killed over 120 people, the House passed a bill — with a huge bipartisan majority — that would implement tough screening requirements for refugees. The bill was criticized by Democrats and President Obama, who vowed to veto the legislation and suggested that Republicans work with them to tighten oversight of visas given to legal visitors.
Now, House Republican leaders are reportedly planning to abandon their original idea to tighten screening of refugees and are instead caving to Democrats who want to only fix security gaps in the legal-visitor visa program.
Republican House leadership is backing away from the refugee problem because they fear their fix will be rejected by Democrats and lead to a partial government shut-down.
More
[Time to melt the phone lines-- Editor]
A Message From Sheriff Mason & The Worcester County Sheriff's Office
A common phrase being repeated in the event of an Active Shooter incident is Run, Hide, or Fight. This terminology is often used during our training and is described as proactive measure that can taken should you be faced with a critical incident situation. We ask you to think about these phrases. We are now faced with different threats in this country that we have never faced in years past . It is our hope that being vigilant and reporting anything suspicious to Law Enforcement will prevent a situation which could result in loss of life. Our agency continues to follow intelligence reports from the FBI, State and Local Law Enforcement, and tragic events like San Bernardino and Colorado for lessons learned. We are taking every step we can to protect those who live, travel and do business in our county. We will continue to train and remain vigilant to prevent these kind of events from happening. We pray it never does.
Larry Hogan: wife will settle bald vs. hair debate
This week, the hair Gov. Larry Hogan lost during chemotherapy treatment began returning in a coat of gray fuzz.
"Three days in a row!" Hogan told reporters.
Although the social media-savvy governor went to Facebook to solicit opinions on whether to retain his shiny dome or welcome whatever reclaims that landscape, he said Wednesday, "I think the first lady will have the final say."
In the meantime, though, he said the bald vs. gray locks debate continues unabated.
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Russia Flight Tests Anti-Satellite Missile
The flight test of Russia’s direct ascent anti-satellite missile, known as Nudol, took place Nov. 18, according to defense officials familiar with reports of the test.
It was the first successful test in three attempts, said officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.
With the successful anti-satellite missile test, Russia has joined China in arming its forces with strategic space warfare weapons.
Twenty days earlier China conducted a flight test of its anti-satellite missile. The Dong Neng-3 direct ascent missile was tested on Oct. 30 in western China.
A Pentagon spokesman had no immediate comment on the Russian missile test.
Air Force Space Command commander Gen. John Hyten warned this month that both Russia and China are developing space warfare capabilities that threaten critical U.S. satellites.
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Chicago Man Helps Toddler Smoke Marijuana
In the video, a grown man — off-camera — tells the young child to “inhale it.”
Additionally, the man can be heard saying “let me hit that,” before the video abruptly ends.
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IGs: At Least 20 Investigations Slowed or Closed Due To Obama Admin
Numerous inspectors general say that at least 20 investigations have been slowed or closed due to government watchdogs not having access to needed documents or records under the Obama administration.
Dozens of interviews of people with firsthand knowledge of the years-long problem spoke of the tensions between the watchdogs and the administration.
According to reports from The New York Times:
The Drug Enforcement Administration balked at turning over emails from senior officials tied to the raids, according to the department’s inspector general. It took nearly a year of wrangling before the D.E.A. was willing to turn over all its records in a case that the inspector general said raised “serious questions” about agents’ use of deadly force.
The continuing Honduran inquiry is one of at least 20 investigations across the government that have been slowed, stymied or sometimes closed because of a long-simmering dispute between the Obama administration and its own watchdogs over the shrinking access of inspectors general to confidential records, according to records and interviews.
The impasse has hampered investigations into an array of programs and abuse reports — from allegations of sexual assaults in the Peace Corps to the FBI’s terrorism powers, officials said. And it has threatened to roll back more than three decades of policy giving the watchdogs unfettered access to “all records” in their investigations.
More here
Dozens of interviews of people with firsthand knowledge of the years-long problem spoke of the tensions between the watchdogs and the administration.
According to reports from The New York Times:
The Drug Enforcement Administration balked at turning over emails from senior officials tied to the raids, according to the department’s inspector general. It took nearly a year of wrangling before the D.E.A. was willing to turn over all its records in a case that the inspector general said raised “serious questions” about agents’ use of deadly force.
The continuing Honduran inquiry is one of at least 20 investigations across the government that have been slowed, stymied or sometimes closed because of a long-simmering dispute between the Obama administration and its own watchdogs over the shrinking access of inspectors general to confidential records, according to records and interviews.
The impasse has hampered investigations into an array of programs and abuse reports — from allegations of sexual assaults in the Peace Corps to the FBI’s terrorism powers, officials said. And it has threatened to roll back more than three decades of policy giving the watchdogs unfettered access to “all records” in their investigations.
More here
4,000 errors found in Maryland gun database
More than 4,000 handguns were not properly recorded in the state's gun database, and auditors warned the mistake could hinder investigations of handgun crimes.
In a new audit of the Maryland State Police released Tuesday, legislative auditors found discrepancies in the two databases for handgun applications and purchases, noting that serial numbers did not match up on 4,000 handguns sold in a 10-month period that ended in March.
The mistakes occurred in about 14.5 percent of the 27,500 gun handgun transactions that took place during that time frame.
The state police don't contest the problem, blaming it on a paper-based system for handgun license and purchase applications that is prone to data entry errors. Often, handwritten information provided by buyers and dealers is hard to read.
More
In a new audit of the Maryland State Police released Tuesday, legislative auditors found discrepancies in the two databases for handgun applications and purchases, noting that serial numbers did not match up on 4,000 handguns sold in a 10-month period that ended in March.
The mistakes occurred in about 14.5 percent of the 27,500 gun handgun transactions that took place during that time frame.
The state police don't contest the problem, blaming it on a paper-based system for handgun license and purchase applications that is prone to data entry errors. Often, handwritten information provided by buyers and dealers is hard to read.
More
Iran Serving As Russia’s,‘Ground Force’ In Syria
Iranian militants have begun acting as Russia’s de facto “ground force” in Syria, where they have begun waging “an ethnic cleansing campaign” in order to eradicate opposition to the embattled President Bashar al-Assad, according to leading members of Congress, defense officials, and outside experts.
A Pentagon official who was not authorized to speak on the record confirmed to the Washington Free Beacon that the United States “continue[s] to see Iranian-sponsored forces providing support to the Syrian regime in their fight against Syrian opposition forces.”
It is now believed that Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps forces are acting as Russia’s “ground force” in Syria, helping Moscow to clear out primarily secular opposition forces battling to depose Assad, according to lawmakers and regional experts.
Both Russia and Iran have tried to avoid battling Islamic State militants in the country despite repeated claims otherwise, these sources said.
Iran has significantly boosted its presence in Syria, sending highly trained fighters and top military officials to take the lead in the fight to defend Assad, according to these sources, who also noted that the Obama administration is doing very little to counter this aggression.
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A Pentagon official who was not authorized to speak on the record confirmed to the Washington Free Beacon that the United States “continue[s] to see Iranian-sponsored forces providing support to the Syrian regime in their fight against Syrian opposition forces.”
It is now believed that Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps forces are acting as Russia’s “ground force” in Syria, helping Moscow to clear out primarily secular opposition forces battling to depose Assad, according to lawmakers and regional experts.
Both Russia and Iran have tried to avoid battling Islamic State militants in the country despite repeated claims otherwise, these sources said.
Iran has significantly boosted its presence in Syria, sending highly trained fighters and top military officials to take the lead in the fight to defend Assad, according to these sources, who also noted that the Obama administration is doing very little to counter this aggression.
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The Wicomico County Sheriff's Office is hiring a Part Time Judicial Protection Deputy Sheriff
Requirements: High School graduate or GED, Maryland Certified Police Officer, physical agility test, polygraph, background investigation, medical and mental health examinations.
Please drop off the completed county application, the Sheriff's Office application and your resume at our office located at 401 Naylor Mill Rd., Salisbury, MD.
County Application:http://www.wicomicocounty.org/DocumentCenter/View/54
Sheriff's Office Application:
http://www.wicomicosheriff.com/Recruitment/WCSO%20New%20deputy%20application%20pk%2009-07.pdf
Chief William Harden would like to remind citizens, Criminals celebrate the holidays, too.
Cars and homes are full of Christmas presents, and shoppers’ pockets and purses are bulging with holiday cash and credit cards.
But by following basic crime prevention guidelines, most citizens can likely avoid becoming another holiday crime statistic.
Locking your car doors, hiding your packages and holding tight to purses and wallets may sound like mundane advice – but the tactics work.
Shoppers can provide the best protection for themselves this time of year – even though security at many shopping centers and malls is beefed up during the holiday shopping period.
Criminals also use this time of year to prey on people’s holiday spirits.
Pocomoke City Police have these holiday season warnings to avoid crime:
• Try to shop in the daytime, and go with a shopping buddy if possible.
• Park in a highly visible place close to store entrances.
• Carry your wallet in your front pocket to counter pickpockets.
• Lock valuables out of sight, preferably in your car’s trunk.
• Make one big shopping foray instead of lots of small trips. That way, you can avoid leaving packages unattended in your car.
• Have your car keys ready when you leave the store.
• If you feel unsafe, ask a store worker or security person to walk you to your car.
• Look inside your car, including the backseat area, before getting inside.
Happy Holidays
Media Minimize Mexico’s Role in Spread of Debilitating Virus Hitting U.S.
Lost in much of the media coverage of new domestic cases of chikungunya, a painful and sometimes debilitating mosquito-borne virus, is that Mexico has been experiencing an alarming rise in infections that could potentially spread across the porous border. And there is already evidence of at least one case arriving from Mexico.
In May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention added Mexico to the “Watch Level 1” category for the disease. Last week, the CDC updated their “Level 1” warning, advising travelers to Mexico to “protect themselves from chikungunya by preventing mosquito bites.”
Local transmission began in Mexico in October 2014, with 155 cases confirmed before the end of the year. The numbers skyrocketed this year, with 9,952 cases reported in Mexico as of November 8.
According to CDC data, the U.S. this year has seen 571 chikungunya cases in 42 states as of November 17, with all reported cases coming from “travelers returning from affected areas.”
The news media has spotlighted chikungunya in recent days after a study released last week found the disease can cause severe and potentially fatal brain infection, especially in infants and seniors.
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In May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention added Mexico to the “Watch Level 1” category for the disease. Last week, the CDC updated their “Level 1” warning, advising travelers to Mexico to “protect themselves from chikungunya by preventing mosquito bites.”
Local transmission began in Mexico in October 2014, with 155 cases confirmed before the end of the year. The numbers skyrocketed this year, with 9,952 cases reported in Mexico as of November 8.
According to CDC data, the U.S. this year has seen 571 chikungunya cases in 42 states as of November 17, with all reported cases coming from “travelers returning from affected areas.”
The news media has spotlighted chikungunya in recent days after a study released last week found the disease can cause severe and potentially fatal brain infection, especially in infants and seniors.
More
Black Pastors Endorse Trump At Virginia Rally
Several black pastors joined Donald Trump on-stage at a Virginia rally last night to publicly endorse his candidacy for president.
Dr. Steve Parson, a minister in Richmond, Virginia, joined eight others at a Manassas rally to show their support for the Republican front runner.
“People ask me ‘why are you endorsing Donald Trump?’ Well, in my opinion, he’s the best and the only one that can beat Hillary Clinton,” Parson said.
“We’ve got to win and one thing about Donald Trump is that he’s a winner. He knows how to create wealth. As a black minister, we’re right in the inner city and I’ll tell you, we need jobs, we need employment, we need businesses, and who better can help us help ourselves than Donald Trump?” Parson asked.
“I personally believe that this is a movement. I personally believe that we’re in a situation now where this country called America is going to come back and be made great again,” Parson said.
More here
Dr. Steve Parson, a minister in Richmond, Virginia, joined eight others at a Manassas rally to show their support for the Republican front runner.
“People ask me ‘why are you endorsing Donald Trump?’ Well, in my opinion, he’s the best and the only one that can beat Hillary Clinton,” Parson said.
“We’ve got to win and one thing about Donald Trump is that he’s a winner. He knows how to create wealth. As a black minister, we’re right in the inner city and I’ll tell you, we need jobs, we need employment, we need businesses, and who better can help us help ourselves than Donald Trump?” Parson asked.
“I personally believe that this is a movement. I personally believe that we’re in a situation now where this country called America is going to come back and be made great again,” Parson said.
More here
Cruz: I’ll Appoint Trump to Build the Wall When I’m Elected
Senator and Presidential hopeful Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) insists that if elected, he’ll secure America’s southern border by building a wall. But not him personally.
Cruz tells the Kuhner Report that, after he’s elected President, he’d appoint mogul and current primary competitor Donald Trump to build the wall.
“Would a President Cruz build a wall along the entire Southern border and if you were President, would you appoint Donald Trump to build that wall?” asked Kuhner. “Absolutely yes on both fronts,” responded Cruz.
Cruz was also asked about the flurry of recent attacks from Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and others now that he is rising swiftly in the polls. A spirited Cruz said, “The fact that they’re shooting at you is a real strong sign. If they’re not shooting at you, you’re not doing much of anything…. The Republican establishment is in a panic and they’re in a panic because Conservatives are uniting behind our campaign.”
Here's more
Cruz tells the Kuhner Report that, after he’s elected President, he’d appoint mogul and current primary competitor Donald Trump to build the wall.
“Would a President Cruz build a wall along the entire Southern border and if you were President, would you appoint Donald Trump to build that wall?” asked Kuhner. “Absolutely yes on both fronts,” responded Cruz.
Cruz was also asked about the flurry of recent attacks from Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and others now that he is rising swiftly in the polls. A spirited Cruz said, “The fact that they’re shooting at you is a real strong sign. If they’re not shooting at you, you’re not doing much of anything…. The Republican establishment is in a panic and they’re in a panic because Conservatives are uniting behind our campaign.”
Here's more
Judge Bans High School From Performing Live Nativity Scene
An Indiana public high school will not be allowed to portray a Nativity scene with live performers as part of the 2015 Christmas Spectacular, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.
U.S. District Judge Jon E. Deguilio granted a preliminary injunction in a federal lawsuit against Concord Community Schools, writing in the order that the show "conveys a message of endorsement of religion, or that a particular religious belief is favored or preferred."
"Accordingly, the court finds that the plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits on their claim that the inclusion of the living Nativity scene in the show, as currently proposed, violates the Establishment Clause," the judge wrote.
The suit was originally filed with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Indiana and Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), a not-for-profit that advocates for the separation of church and state, on behalf of a student who participates in the performing arts program and his father.
John Trout, the superintendent for Concord Community Schools, said in a statement that the decision is disappointing.
"The Concord High School music department is working overtime to insure that this year's Christmas Spectacular performance complies with the Court's order," Trout said.
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U.S. District Judge Jon E. Deguilio granted a preliminary injunction in a federal lawsuit against Concord Community Schools, writing in the order that the show "conveys a message of endorsement of religion, or that a particular religious belief is favored or preferred."
"Accordingly, the court finds that the plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits on their claim that the inclusion of the living Nativity scene in the show, as currently proposed, violates the Establishment Clause," the judge wrote.
The suit was originally filed with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Indiana and Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), a not-for-profit that advocates for the separation of church and state, on behalf of a student who participates in the performing arts program and his father.
John Trout, the superintendent for Concord Community Schools, said in a statement that the decision is disappointing.
"The Concord High School music department is working overtime to insure that this year's Christmas Spectacular performance complies with the Court's order," Trout said.
More
Cummings Warns Congress After Report Into Secret Service Released
Pat Warren has more on where those problems lie.
A series of high-profile breaches put the Secret Service in the congressional hotseat.
Misconduct, including a 2012 prostitution scandal involving several agents, and the indictment Wednesday of a Maryland agent allegedly sending explicit messages to an officer posing as a 14-year-old girl, security breaches, including a man with a knife who makes it into the White House, allegations of drunk driving involving two senior officials and two agents found sleeping on the job.
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US Doctors Burning Out
Burnout among U.S. doctors is becoming more common and now affects more than half of practicing physicians, according to a new study.
About 54 percent of U.S. doctors experienced at least one symptom of burnout in 2014, compared to about 46 percent of doctors in 2011, researchers report in Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
Overall, the researchers found that doctors are about twice as likely to experience burnout as the average U.S. worker.
"Things are unfortunately getting worse for physicians," said lead author Dr. Tait Shanafelt, of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Through a partnership with the American Medical Association, the researchers invited nearly 36,000 U.S. doctors to take a survey in 2014 and compared the responses to a similar survey from 2011.
Of the 6,880 doctors who responded to the 2014 survey, about 47 percent reported high emotional exhaustion, about 35 percent felt depersonalized or saw less value in their work and about 16 percent felt a low level of personal accomplishment.
Burnout rates varied between specialties, with rates topping 60 percent among doctors in emergency medicine, family medicine, urology, rehabilitation and radiology.
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About 54 percent of U.S. doctors experienced at least one symptom of burnout in 2014, compared to about 46 percent of doctors in 2011, researchers report in Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
Overall, the researchers found that doctors are about twice as likely to experience burnout as the average U.S. worker.
"Things are unfortunately getting worse for physicians," said lead author Dr. Tait Shanafelt, of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Through a partnership with the American Medical Association, the researchers invited nearly 36,000 U.S. doctors to take a survey in 2014 and compared the responses to a similar survey from 2011.
Of the 6,880 doctors who responded to the 2014 survey, about 47 percent reported high emotional exhaustion, about 35 percent felt depersonalized or saw less value in their work and about 16 percent felt a low level of personal accomplishment.
Burnout rates varied between specialties, with rates topping 60 percent among doctors in emergency medicine, family medicine, urology, rehabilitation and radiology.
More
Congress: More Than 179,000 Criminal Illegal Immigrants Roaming Free in U.S.
More than 179,000 illegal immigrants convicted of committing crimes, including violent ones, continue to roam free across the United States, with reports indicating that these illegal immigrants commit new crimes “every day,” according to lawmakers and the director of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, also known as ICE.
Sarah Saldana, ICE’s director, disclosed to Congress on Wednesday that the agency is apprehending and removing fewer illegal immigrants than in past years.
Somewhere around 179,029 “undocumented criminals with final orders of removal” from the United States currently remain at large across the country and are essentially untraceable, according to Sen. Chuck Grassley (R., Iowa), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, who disclosed these numbers during a Wednesday hearing.
The total number of criminal illegal aliens in the United States is in the millions.
Read more here
Sarah Saldana, ICE’s director, disclosed to Congress on Wednesday that the agency is apprehending and removing fewer illegal immigrants than in past years.
Somewhere around 179,029 “undocumented criminals with final orders of removal” from the United States currently remain at large across the country and are essentially untraceable, according to Sen. Chuck Grassley (R., Iowa), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, who disclosed these numbers during a Wednesday hearing.
The total number of criminal illegal aliens in the United States is in the millions.
Read more here
A Story Worth Reading
Bunny Friend Park shooting suspect arrested on word of single witness, documents show
Joseph "Moe" Allen, the first suspect named in connection with the mass shooting that wounded 17 people at Bunny Friend Park, was arrested on the word of a single eyewitness, according to court documents obtained Monday (Nov. 30).
Allen, 32, was arrested Saturday and booked with 17 counts of attempted first-degree murder. New Orleans police said Allen was the first of several suspected gunmen identified from two rival gangs who opened fire on each other despite hundreds of people gathered in the park around 6:15 p.m. on Nov. 22. Authorities said the large crowd had gathered for an unauthorized music video shoot in the park in the 1900 block of Gallier Street.
An arrest warrant affidavit sworn by NOPD Detective Chad Cockerham offered few new details about New Orleans' biggest mass shooting since the Mother's Day parade attack in 2013. But it illustrates the slim level of cooperation police investigators initially were receiving from eyewitnesses in the Upper 9th Ward park. Though a crowd of at least 300 people was believed to be present, Allen's arrest was pinned in the documents to a lone witness who came forward.
"Detective Cockerham located a witness to this incident who supplied the detective with a name and a nickname of one of the many shooters that were involved in this mass shooting," the warrant request said. "During the photographic lineup process, the witness positively identified Mr. Joseph "Moe" Allen as the subject that was observed walking into Bunny Friend Playground and firing a semi-automatic handgun into the crowd, which resulted in 17 people being injured."
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Joseph "Moe" Allen, the first suspect named in connection with the mass shooting that wounded 17 people at Bunny Friend Park, was arrested on the word of a single eyewitness, according to court documents obtained Monday (Nov. 30).
Allen, 32, was arrested Saturday and booked with 17 counts of attempted first-degree murder. New Orleans police said Allen was the first of several suspected gunmen identified from two rival gangs who opened fire on each other despite hundreds of people gathered in the park around 6:15 p.m. on Nov. 22. Authorities said the large crowd had gathered for an unauthorized music video shoot in the park in the 1900 block of Gallier Street.
An arrest warrant affidavit sworn by NOPD Detective Chad Cockerham offered few new details about New Orleans' biggest mass shooting since the Mother's Day parade attack in 2013. But it illustrates the slim level of cooperation police investigators initially were receiving from eyewitnesses in the Upper 9th Ward park. Though a crowd of at least 300 people was believed to be present, Allen's arrest was pinned in the documents to a lone witness who came forward.
"Detective Cockerham located a witness to this incident who supplied the detective with a name and a nickname of one of the many shooters that were involved in this mass shooting," the warrant request said. "During the photographic lineup process, the witness positively identified Mr. Joseph "Moe" Allen as the subject that was observed walking into Bunny Friend Playground and firing a semi-automatic handgun into the crowd, which resulted in 17 people being injured."
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EPA Gave Employee $9,000 in Bonuses After Less Than 90 Days on the Job
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gave a new employee $9,000 in bonuses after less than three months on the job.
The agency’s inspector general called the payments “unprecedented” in a new audit, and raised questions about how the EPA’s chief financial officer uses its power to award bonuses.
The EPA intended to give the employee, a director at the Research Triangle Park Finance Center in North Carolina, a third bonus but decided against it after the inspector general began their investigation.
The investigation began after a complaint that the newly hired director was going to be paid $250,000 because they moved for the job. The relocation bonus was not paid, though one manager was “disappointed” the EPA did not spend a quarter of a million dollars to hire the employee.
“However, the Director did receive two individual cash awards of $4,500 each within [three] months of her start date,” the inspector general said.
“[The EPA’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer] OCFO’s unprecedented award of $9,000 in bonuses to a director less than [three] months after being hired raises questions about the reasonableness of the awards and how the OCFO uses the awards process,” they said.
The investigation found that the director was given the first bonus worth $4,500 in May, within six weeks of being hired.
More here
The agency’s inspector general called the payments “unprecedented” in a new audit, and raised questions about how the EPA’s chief financial officer uses its power to award bonuses.
The EPA intended to give the employee, a director at the Research Triangle Park Finance Center in North Carolina, a third bonus but decided against it after the inspector general began their investigation.
The investigation began after a complaint that the newly hired director was going to be paid $250,000 because they moved for the job. The relocation bonus was not paid, though one manager was “disappointed” the EPA did not spend a quarter of a million dollars to hire the employee.
“However, the Director did receive two individual cash awards of $4,500 each within [three] months of her start date,” the inspector general said.
“[The EPA’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer] OCFO’s unprecedented award of $9,000 in bonuses to a director less than [three] months after being hired raises questions about the reasonableness of the awards and how the OCFO uses the awards process,” they said.
The investigation found that the director was given the first bonus worth $4,500 in May, within six weeks of being hired.
More here
Senate OKs Republican bill unraveling health care law
With a House rubber stamp expected in days, the bill would be the first to reach Obama’s desk demolishing his 2010 health care overhaul, one of his proudest domestic achievements, and halting federal payments to Planned Parenthood. Congress has voted dozens of times to repeal or weaken the health law and repeatedly against Planned Parenthood’s funding, but until now Democrats thwarted Republicans from shipping the legislation to the White House.
Thursday’s vote was a near party-line 52-47.
Republicans said an Obama veto — which the White House has promised — will underscore that a GOP triumph in next year’s presidential and congressional elections would mean repeal of a statute they blame for surging medical costs and insurers abandoning some markets. They lack the two-thirds House and Senate majorities needed to override vetoes, assuring that the bill’s chief purpose will be for campaign talking points.
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Oklahoma Wesleyan University 'This is not a daycare"
A college president in Oklahoma is defiantly standing by his controversial view that today's students are too sensitive and too quick to play the victim card.
Dr. Everett Piper, the president of Oklahoma Wesleyan University, posted a blog post on the school's website last week, saying college students expect too much coddling and declaring: "This is Not a Day Care. It's a University!"
The blog post gained attention in the wake of a growing number of students protesting racial discrimination and other issues on campuses across the country.
Piper wrote that he chose to share his frustrations publicly after a student, who has not been identified, complained about being "offended" by a sermon given at the Christian liberal arts college.
Piper said on a local radio program, "The Pat Campbell Show," that when he heard about the incident, he asked to see a copy of the sermon, thinking he might find something sarcastic or abrasive. In his opinion, the message was innocuous, Campbell said on the radio show.
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Dr. Everett Piper, the president of Oklahoma Wesleyan University, posted a blog post on the school's website last week, saying college students expect too much coddling and declaring: "This is Not a Day Care. It's a University!"
The blog post gained attention in the wake of a growing number of students protesting racial discrimination and other issues on campuses across the country.
Piper wrote that he chose to share his frustrations publicly after a student, who has not been identified, complained about being "offended" by a sermon given at the Christian liberal arts college.
Piper said on a local radio program, "The Pat Campbell Show," that when he heard about the incident, he asked to see a copy of the sermon, thinking he might find something sarcastic or abrasive. In his opinion, the message was innocuous, Campbell said on the radio show.
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Video of an entire pack of heavily armed robbers as they rush a California jewelry store
Check out this video of an entire pack of heavily armed robbers as they rush a California jewelry store - only to be...
Posted by Iowa Gun Owners on Tuesday, December 1, 2015
God's plan for aging
Most seniors never get enough exercise. In His wisdom God decreed that seniors become forgetful so they would have to search for their glasses, keys and other things thus doing more walking. And God looked down and saw that it was good.
Then God saw there was another need. In His wisdom He made seniors lose coordination so they would drop things requiring them to bend, reach & stretch. And God looked down and saw that it was good.
Then God considered the function of bladders and decided seniors would have additional calls of nature requiring more trips to the bathroom, thus providing more exercise. God looked down and saw that it was good.
So if you find as you age, you are getting up and down more, remember it’s God’s will. It is all in your best interest even though you mutter under your breath.
Nine Important Facts To Remember As We Grow Older:
Then God saw there was another need. In His wisdom He made seniors lose coordination so they would drop things requiring them to bend, reach & stretch. And God looked down and saw that it was good.
Then God considered the function of bladders and decided seniors would have additional calls of nature requiring more trips to the bathroom, thus providing more exercise. God looked down and saw that it was good.
So if you find as you age, you are getting up and down more, remember it’s God’s will. It is all in your best interest even though you mutter under your breath.
Nine Important Facts To Remember As We Grow Older:
#9 Death is the number 1 killer in the world.
#8 Life is sexually transmitted.
#7 Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.
#6 Men have 2 motivations: hunger and hanky panky, and they can't tell them apart. If you see a gleam in his eyes, make him a sandwich.
#5 Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day. Teach a person to use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks, months, maybe years.
#4 Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in the hospital, dying of nothing.
#3 All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.
#2 In the 60's, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird, and people take Prozac to make it normal.
#1 Life is like a jar of jalapeno peppers. What you do today may be a burning issue tomorrow.
Don't ignore this message. This is your only warning.
Don't ignore this message. This is your only warning.
Black Bridgeport Officer Who Reported Racist Letter Wrote It
A former Bridgeport police officer who claimed someone left a racist memo on police letterhead in his mailbox at headquarters in February admitted to writing the letter himself and has been charged with filing a false report, according to police.
Former Officer Clive Higgins reported that he found a racist hate letter in his police mailbox the morning of Monday, Feb. 9 and feared for his life because of it.
The letter, printed on paper marked with the department's official letterhead, started off with "WHITE POWER" and went on to say "Officer Clive Higgins doesn't belong here in this Police Department" and "These Black Officers belong in the toilet."
A month earlier, Higgins was acquitted in connection with a 2011 police brutality case in which officers were caught on camera beating a suspect at Beardsley Park and shooting him with a stun gun. Two other officers were convicted, but a federal jury found Higgins not guilty.
A month earlier, Higgins was acquitted in connection with a 2011 police brutality case in which officers were caught on camera beating a suspect at Beardsley Park and shooting him with a stun gun. Two other officers were convicted, but a federal jury found Higgins not guilty.
More here
Former Officer Clive Higgins reported that he found a racist hate letter in his police mailbox the morning of Monday, Feb. 9 and feared for his life because of it.
The letter, printed on paper marked with the department's official letterhead, started off with "WHITE POWER" and went on to say "Officer Clive Higgins doesn't belong here in this Police Department" and "These Black Officers belong in the toilet."
A month earlier, Higgins was acquitted in connection with a 2011 police brutality case in which officers were caught on camera beating a suspect at Beardsley Park and shooting him with a stun gun. Two other officers were convicted, but a federal jury found Higgins not guilty.
A month earlier, Higgins was acquitted in connection with a 2011 police brutality case in which officers were caught on camera beating a suspect at Beardsley Park and shooting him with a stun gun. Two other officers were convicted, but a federal jury found Higgins not guilty.
More here
Texas Sues to Block Syrian Refugees
Texas has gone to federal court in its efforts to keep Syrian refugees out of the state, filing suit against the federal government and a refugee resettlement nonprofit.
In a lawsuit filed Wednesday afternoon in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Attorney General Ken Paxtonclaims the federal government and the International Rescue Committee — one of about 20 private nonprofits that have a state contract to resettle refugees in Texas — are violating federal law by moving forward with the planned resettlement of two Syrian families. One such family is expected to arrive in Texas as soon as Friday.
The lawsuit argues that the federal government and resettlement group have not fulfilled their contractual obligations to consult with, and provide information to, state officials.
It argues that federal officials violated the Refugee Act of 1980, which requires that the federal government “shall consult regularly” with the state regarding the placement of refugees. Texas also alleges that the International Rescue Committee violated a separate provision of the act requiring the nonprofit work “in close cooperation and advance consultation” with the state.
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In a lawsuit filed Wednesday afternoon in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Attorney General Ken Paxtonclaims the federal government and the International Rescue Committee — one of about 20 private nonprofits that have a state contract to resettle refugees in Texas — are violating federal law by moving forward with the planned resettlement of two Syrian families. One such family is expected to arrive in Texas as soon as Friday.
The lawsuit argues that the federal government and resettlement group have not fulfilled their contractual obligations to consult with, and provide information to, state officials.
It argues that federal officials violated the Refugee Act of 1980, which requires that the federal government “shall consult regularly” with the state regarding the placement of refugees. Texas also alleges that the International Rescue Committee violated a separate provision of the act requiring the nonprofit work “in close cooperation and advance consultation” with the state.
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Answering The Tough Question Of Who Polices The Police
When Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel fired his police superintendent Tuesday, he acknowledged the problem that's been dogging law enforcement since the days of the first beat cops: How do we ensure that we are effectively policing the police?
Of course, departments have internal affairs investigators, and some police also answer to civilian oversight boards.
But since Ferguson, there's been a growing sense that the real conflict of interest is higher up — at the level of the local prosecutors.
For prosecutors and grand juries, the decision to charge a cop is different from deciding whether to charge a civilian. There are good legal reasons for this — after all, cops are allowed to shoot people, if circumstances warrant. But there are also subtler differences, says Jonathan Witmer-Rich, an associate professor at Cleveland State University's law school.
"Prosecutors do not seem to approach police shooting cases the way that they approach ordinary shooting cases," he says.
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Of course, departments have internal affairs investigators, and some police also answer to civilian oversight boards.
But since Ferguson, there's been a growing sense that the real conflict of interest is higher up — at the level of the local prosecutors.
For prosecutors and grand juries, the decision to charge a cop is different from deciding whether to charge a civilian. There are good legal reasons for this — after all, cops are allowed to shoot people, if circumstances warrant. But there are also subtler differences, says Jonathan Witmer-Rich, an associate professor at Cleveland State University's law school.
"Prosecutors do not seem to approach police shooting cases the way that they approach ordinary shooting cases," he says.
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Porter Jury Hears More On Policies, Sees Police Van & Gray Mother Leaving Courtroom In Tears
The 26-year-old officer is the first of six police officers to stand Gray's April death, one week after his arrest in West Baltimore.
His death sparked a week of riots, looting and unrest in the city.
Porter is charged with second degree assault, involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and misconduct.
The van itself was not entered into evidence, so it was not available for the media or general public to look inside after it was towed into a garage at the Mitchell Courthouse.
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THE TRUTH BEHIND WHY AMERICANS AREN’T READY FOR SYRIAN REFUGEES
Joe Biggs begins a nationwide investigation of Islamic compounds throughout the United States
Infowars reporter Joe Biggs is at an undisclosed location in the Northeastern United States beginning a nationwide investigation of Islamic compounds that are controlled by known terrorists.
The refugee crisis is being shrouded in politically correct rhetoric, to mask the underlying threat of radicals crossing our borders and hide the truth behind how extreme violent ideologies will be used to change us all. Stay tuned for more breaking information as Infowars investigates the American Caliphate.
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Infowars reporter Joe Biggs is at an undisclosed location in the Northeastern United States beginning a nationwide investigation of Islamic compounds that are controlled by known terrorists.
The refugee crisis is being shrouded in politically correct rhetoric, to mask the underlying threat of radicals crossing our borders and hide the truth behind how extreme violent ideologies will be used to change us all. Stay tuned for more breaking information as Infowars investigates the American Caliphate.
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More Atlantic City casinos may close, says Moody's
In gambling the house usually wins, but in Atlantic City it's the casinos that are facing long odds.
A new report by Moody's warns that the city could lose additional casinos in the face of increased competition, according to Moody's.
Atlantic City, known for its casino-lined boardwalk on the Jersey Shore, lost four of those gambling houses last year along with 8,000 jobs.
The New Jersey city still has eight casinos, but not for much longer, says Moody's.
"We expect more casino closures to occur in Atlantic City as some struggle to grow their business and face additional competition," said Moody's Investors Service, in a report on the gaming industry.
Moody's said that gaming revenue dropped 8% last year and three of the remaining casinos are "already on the brink," with the Trump Taj Mahal, Caesar's and Bally's having filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
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A new report by Moody's warns that the city could lose additional casinos in the face of increased competition, according to Moody's.
Atlantic City, known for its casino-lined boardwalk on the Jersey Shore, lost four of those gambling houses last year along with 8,000 jobs.
The New Jersey city still has eight casinos, but not for much longer, says Moody's.
"We expect more casino closures to occur in Atlantic City as some struggle to grow their business and face additional competition," said Moody's Investors Service, in a report on the gaming industry.
Moody's said that gaming revenue dropped 8% last year and three of the remaining casinos are "already on the brink," with the Trump Taj Mahal, Caesar's and Bally's having filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
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TRUMP IS RIGHT: VIDEO DESCRIBES HOW JERSEY CITY MUSLIMS HELD PRE-PLANNED 9/11 ROOFTOP CELEBRATION
Suspects had a detailed model of WTC and binoculars; FBI said 'they knew' towers would be hit.
Donald Trump was right all along.
Muslims were seen celebrating the 9/11 attacks in Jersey City and beyond. And even more disturbing than that, some of them knew AHEAD OF TIME that the twin towers were going to be attacked, according to statements made to reporters by the FBI in the days after the planes hit.
A news report has emerged that corroborates the claims alluded to by Trump over the past few days.
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Donald Trump was right all along.
Muslims were seen celebrating the 9/11 attacks in Jersey City and beyond. And even more disturbing than that, some of them knew AHEAD OF TIME that the twin towers were going to be attacked, according to statements made to reporters by the FBI in the days after the planes hit.
A news report has emerged that corroborates the claims alluded to by Trump over the past few days.
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Baltimore City Police Commissioner Comments On Recent City Homicides
According to the Baltimore City Police Department Facebook page, early this morning city officers were called to a vacant house in the 900 block of Dantrey Court for report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located, inside the house, an unidentified adult male who was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the head and body. The victim was pronounced dead on the scene.
Commissioner Davis told WBAL's sister station 98 Rock that retaliatory murders are causing the spike in killings. He also joined WBAL NewsRadio 1090's C4 and said "we saw some level of stabilization (in murder rate) at the end of November and have not started out December in a good way." He later added "Retaliatory violence is real, it is not just in movies and television shows, you know. It's something that we have to really have to continue to pay attention to."
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Delmarva Power Warns of Meter Reader Scams
If customers or members of the public have questions or concerns about a meter reader or suspect a person is posing as a meter reader, Delmarva Power invites anyone to contact customer care at: 1-800-375-7117. When speaking with a Delmarva Power customer care representative, notify the representative of the location in question and ask if official Delmarva Power work conducted in that vicinity. If the Delmarva Power call center cannot verify any official work or personnel that are scheduled area, please contact local authorities or dial 911.
Official Delmarva Power field personal including contractors representing the company are required to have the following:
1.) A Delmarva Power identification badge which is to be worn and visible at all times. If a Delmarva Power employee is asked to display his/her badge for safety purposes by anyone including customers and authorities, he or she must always comply.
2.) Delmarva Power clothing.
3.) An official Delmarva Power vehicle or Delmarva Power contract company vehicle with clearly marked Delmarva Power logos on the driver and passenger side doors.
This holiday season and throughout the year Delmarva’s Powers focus is safety and customer service excellence. The company will continue to work with local law enforcement to alert our customers regarding any scams or fraudulent activity that jeopardizes their safety or misrepresents our company. Find additional information about Delmarva Power by visiting www.delmarva.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/delmarvapower and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/delmarvaconnect. Our mobile app is available at www.delmarva.com/mobileapp.
Officials: California Gunman was in touch with extremists
The details emerged as investigators tried to determine whether the rampage that left 14 people dead was terrorism, a workplace grudge or some combination.
The husband-and-wife killers were not under FBI scrutiny before the massacre, said a second U.S. official, who likewise was not authorized to discuss the investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Wearing black tactical gear and wielding assault rifles, Farook, a 28-year-old county restaurant inspector, and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, 27, sprayed as many as 75 rounds into a room at a social service center for the disabled, where about 75 of Farook’s co-workers had gathered Wednesday morning. Farook had attended the event but slipped out and returned in battle dress.
Four hours later and two miles away, the couple died in a furious gunbattle in which they fired 76 rounds, while 23 law officers unleashed about 380, police said.
On Thursday, Police Chief Jarrod Burguan offered a grim inventory that suggested Wednesday’s bloodbath could have been far worse.
At the social service center, the couple left three rigged-together pipe bombs with a remote-control detonating device that apparently malfunctioned, and they had more than 1,600 rounds of ammunition remaining when police killed them in their rented SUV, Burguan said.
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Maryland Business Regulatory Commission Submits First Report to Governor Larry Hogan
ANNAPOLIS, MD - Governor Larry Hogan has received the first of three reports from the Maryland Regulatory Reform Commission. In July, the governor established the commission through Executive Order 01.01.2015.20 for the purpose of conducting a comprehensive review of Maryland’s regulatory climate.
The commission, consisting of two co-chairs and 10 members, was tasked with identifying and making recommendations to resolve the regulations and issues negatively impacting Maryland’s business environment, while continuing to protect the health, safety, and welfare of Marylanders.
The first report, which is divided into three sections, recommends 12 ways to improve the state’s regulatory and business climate including:
The initial report is based on input from more than 500 citizens obtained through six public outreach meetings, as well as departmental meetings and commission research. As outlined by the executive order, the commission will submit additional recommendations to improve Maryland’s regulatory climate in a written report due no later than December 1st of each year with the final report due to the governor no later than December 1, 2017.
View the complete Regulatory Reform Commission report here.
The commission, consisting of two co-chairs and 10 members, was tasked with identifying and making recommendations to resolve the regulations and issues negatively impacting Maryland’s business environment, while continuing to protect the health, safety, and welfare of Marylanders.
The first report, which is divided into three sections, recommends 12 ways to improve the state’s regulatory and business climate including:
- Restructure and Reform State Government
- Create a One-Stop Shop for Licensing
- Adopt Electronic Documentation and Online Filings
- Streamline the Review Process for Development
- Consolidate Professional Licenses
- Reduce Fees and Payment Frequency
- Fully Embrace Nutrient Pollution Trading
- Revise Brownfields Guidelines
- Eliminate Obstacles to Mortgage Lender Licensing
- Expand Minority and Disadvantaged Business Opportunities
- Review Vineyard and Food Truck Requirements
- Review State Procurement Process
The initial report is based on input from more than 500 citizens obtained through six public outreach meetings, as well as departmental meetings and commission research. As outlined by the executive order, the commission will submit additional recommendations to improve Maryland’s regulatory climate in a written report due no later than December 1st of each year with the final report due to the governor no later than December 1, 2017.
View the complete Regulatory Reform Commission report here.
Silent Auction is now OPEN!
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Holiday Ball greetings to you and yours! |
| United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore's 13th annual Holiday Ball will take place this Saturday, December 5th at the Hyatt Regency Resort in Cambridge, Maryland. If you aren't attending, but still want to join in the fun, check out our Silent Auction! You can register to bid from the comfort of your own home and win BIG! The auction ends promptly at 10pm on Saturday and you do not need to be present to win. This is an opportunity to find the perfect present for someone extra special this holiday season while making a difference in our community. For more information or help with bidding, please contact us at 410-742-5143 or email us! Happy Bidding! Sincerely, The United Way Holiday Ball Committee |
High-Sodium Warnings Hit New York City Menus
A new sodium warning requirement goes into effect in New York City restaurants Tuesday: Diners who eat at chain restaurants will now see warnings on menus next to items that contain high levels of salt.
From now on, the New York City Health Department says chain restaurants with 15 or more locations must display a salt shaker icon next to menu items or combo meals that contain 2,300 milligrams of sodium or more.
That's the recommended daily limit for sodium, but most Americans consume far more. And top contributors are foods we tend to eat when we're dining out, including pizza and deli sandwiches.
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From now on, the New York City Health Department says chain restaurants with 15 or more locations must display a salt shaker icon next to menu items or combo meals that contain 2,300 milligrams of sodium or more.
That's the recommended daily limit for sodium, but most Americans consume far more. And top contributors are foods we tend to eat when we're dining out, including pizza and deli sandwiches.
More
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