DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Tuesday, December 08, 2015
The North Face Co-Founder Douglas Tompkins Dies in Kayaking Accident in Chile
Tompkins, who grew up in Millbrook, New York, had been paddling on General Carrera Lake in the sparsely populated Patagonia region of South America, when the watercraft he was riding in capsized, according to the Chile Health Ministry. He ended up in water that was under about 39 degrees Fahrenheit, local media reported.
Tompkins was with five other people when their kayaks overturned. A patrol boat and military helicopter helped to scoop them from the water.
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First U.S. penis transplants planned to help wounded vets
The first penis transplant in the United States is set to take place within the next year.
Surgeons from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine -- which has an active hand and face transplant program -- say the recipient will be a young soldier injured in a bomb blast in Afghanistan.
"We want to continue to expand the field into areas that are not easy to reconstruct using conventional methods," Dr. Damon Cooney, assistant professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery and co-clinical director of the penile transplant program at Johns Hopkins, told CBS News. "The more and more interactions we've had with the military, the more we came to find out that although people aren't talking about it much, genital injuries are a much bigger problem for a lot of people."
The organ for the procedure will come from a deceased donor. Doctors say they expect it to start functioning in matter of months -- meaning the development of urinary function, sensation, and eventually the ability to have sex. Plans for the surgery were first reported in The New York Times.
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Surgeons from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine -- which has an active hand and face transplant program -- say the recipient will be a young soldier injured in a bomb blast in Afghanistan.
"We want to continue to expand the field into areas that are not easy to reconstruct using conventional methods," Dr. Damon Cooney, assistant professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery and co-clinical director of the penile transplant program at Johns Hopkins, told CBS News. "The more and more interactions we've had with the military, the more we came to find out that although people aren't talking about it much, genital injuries are a much bigger problem for a lot of people."
The organ for the procedure will come from a deceased donor. Doctors say they expect it to start functioning in matter of months -- meaning the development of urinary function, sensation, and eventually the ability to have sex. Plans for the surgery were first reported in The New York Times.
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Read the last line closely
The Arctic Ocean is warming up, icebergs are growing scarcer and in some places the seals are finding the water too hot, according to a report to the Commerce Department yesterday from Consulate, at Bergen, Norway.
Reports from fishermen, seal hunters, and explorers all point to a radical change in climate conditions and hitherto unheard-of temperatures in the Arctic zone. Exploration expeditions report that scarcely any ice has been met as far north as 81 degrees 29 minutes.
Soundings to a depth of 3,100 meters showed the gulf stream still very warm. Great masses of ice have been replaced by moraines of earth and stones, the report continued, while at many points well-known glaciers have entirely disappeared.
Very few seals and no white fish are found in the eastern Arctic, while vast shoals of herring and smelts which have never before ventured so far north, are being encountered in the old seal fishing grounds. Within a few years it is predicted that due to the ice melt the sea will rise and make most coastal cities uninhabitable.
* * * * * * * * *
I apologize, I neglected to mention that this report was from November 2, 1922, as reported by the AP and published in The Washington Post - 93 years ago.
Reports from fishermen, seal hunters, and explorers all point to a radical change in climate conditions and hitherto unheard-of temperatures in the Arctic zone. Exploration expeditions report that scarcely any ice has been met as far north as 81 degrees 29 minutes.
Soundings to a depth of 3,100 meters showed the gulf stream still very warm. Great masses of ice have been replaced by moraines of earth and stones, the report continued, while at many points well-known glaciers have entirely disappeared.
Very few seals and no white fish are found in the eastern Arctic, while vast shoals of herring and smelts which have never before ventured so far north, are being encountered in the old seal fishing grounds. Within a few years it is predicted that due to the ice melt the sea will rise and make most coastal cities uninhabitable.
* * * * * * * * *
I apologize, I neglected to mention that this report was from November 2, 1922, as reported by the AP and published in The Washington Post - 93 years ago.
Holiday laser light displays reach passing planes
Red, green and blue lasers projected onto homes are a cheaper way to decorate this year. Star Shower Laser Light is one of the popular new consumer products sold at Walgreen's, Target, and other department stores for $39.99.
But commercial airline pilots are now reporting them to the FAA.
"I don't think that anybody who buys one of these little devices is putting it up even with the first thought that it might have enough power to hit an aircraft in the sky," said FAA spokesman Lynn Lunsford.
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AG Lynch Tells Muslims To Call Her If Their Children Are 'Bullied'
Attorney General Loretta Lynch urged Muslim parents to contact both the justice department and the education department if they think their children are being “bullied” in school.
“We’ve seen this for a number of years, we saw it a lot in the New York area [after 9/11], unfortunately, where there would be a backlash against the Muslim community in general,” she claimed at a Thursday fundraiser dinner for an Islamic advocacy group, Muslim Advocates.
In response to Lynch’s address, conservative host Rush Limbaugh said on his radio show Friday:
Don’t bother with the principal! You know, education’s a local thing. But now all of a sudden, if your child is bullied and you are a Muslim, you are to call the Department of Justice in Washington and ask for the attorney general…
Now, if you happen to be Jewish and your kids are bullied, don’t bother calling. If you happen to be Christian, if you happen to be Hindu, if you happen to be Tutsi or Hutu or whatever, don’t bother calling. If your kids are bullied, that doesn’t matter. Only Muslims are permitted to call…
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“We’ve seen this for a number of years, we saw it a lot in the New York area [after 9/11], unfortunately, where there would be a backlash against the Muslim community in general,” she claimed at a Thursday fundraiser dinner for an Islamic advocacy group, Muslim Advocates.
In response to Lynch’s address, conservative host Rush Limbaugh said on his radio show Friday:
Don’t bother with the principal! You know, education’s a local thing. But now all of a sudden, if your child is bullied and you are a Muslim, you are to call the Department of Justice in Washington and ask for the attorney general…
Now, if you happen to be Jewish and your kids are bullied, don’t bother calling. If you happen to be Christian, if you happen to be Hindu, if you happen to be Tutsi or Hutu or whatever, don’t bother calling. If your kids are bullied, that doesn’t matter. Only Muslims are permitted to call…
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Nonprofit sues state over use of bank settlement funds
DOVER, Del. (AP) - A nonprofit group is suing Delaware officials over the use of bank settlement money to help balance the state budget.
The Delaware Community Reinvestment Action Council filed the lawsuit Monday, several months after asking federal officials to oversee distribution of Bank of America settlement funds.
Defendants in the lawsuit are Gov. Jack Markell, the state treasurer, and the legislature’s controller general.
Markell’s office did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
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The Delaware Community Reinvestment Action Council filed the lawsuit Monday, several months after asking federal officials to oversee distribution of Bank of America settlement funds.
Defendants in the lawsuit are Gov. Jack Markell, the state treasurer, and the legislature’s controller general.
Markell’s office did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
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Tickets on sale for spaghetti dinner benefit
A spaghetti dinner will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, at Meuse VFW Post 194 in Salisbury. Also planned are raffles, 50/50 drawing and gift baskets (must be present to win).
Tickets are $10 and ticket sales are limited.
For tickets, call 410-742-0505. Proceeds will benefit health and wellness scholarship programs at MAC Inc.
Tickets are $10 and ticket sales are limited.
For tickets, call 410-742-0505. Proceeds will benefit health and wellness scholarship programs at MAC Inc.
Worcester County Tea Party Speaker Series
Speaker: Pastor John Abent, Faith Baptist Church, Berlin, MD
Topic: Memories: "Celebrating Our Successes" Christmas Party
Date: Thursday December 17, 2015
Time: Meeting begins at 7PM, doors open at 6:30PM
Location: Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Rd., Ocean Pines, MD 21811
Admission: Free and Open to the Public.
If possible, bring a dessert to share and canned food for our local food pantry. If not, join us no matter what!
For more information email WCTPPatriots@gmail.com, go to the web site www.worcestercountyteaparty.com, https://www.facebook.com/WorcesterCountyTeaParty or call 443-614-7214
State Fire Marshals Issue Warning About ‘Hoverboards’
There have been reports that these hoverboards have burst into flames. The fires are said to have occurred in a number of other countries, but last month, a Lafitte, Louisiana, residence was badly damaged by a fire believed to have started when the scooter ignited while being recharged.
Last week, an Alabama man’s scooter quickly erupted into flames as he rode down a sidewalk. According to a news release, video footage of the incident shows projectiles blasting from the scooter as it burned. The projectiles seem to be components of the device’s battery pack.
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FROM THE QA COUNTY BOE
FROM QA COUNTY BOE::
KIHS Event 12/8/2015
This message will be sent to KIHS students and parents:
Kent Island High School Parents and Students,
As I mentioned in the email sent earlier to our parents, at approximately 12:26PM this afternoon, the main campus was evacuated due to a potentially threatening message found within the school. I felt it was in our best interest to evacuate the building, and notify the Sheriff’s department of the potential threat.
We followed our emergency procedures and made necessary adjustments to those procedures in order to dismiss at our regular times.
KIHS Event 12/8/2015
This message will be sent to KIHS students and parents:
Kent Island High School Parents and Students,
As I mentioned in the email sent earlier to our parents, at approximately 12:26PM this afternoon, the main campus was evacuated due to a potentially threatening message found within the school. I felt it was in our best interest to evacuate the building, and notify the Sheriff’s department of the potential threat.
We followed our emergency procedures and made necessary adjustments to those procedures in order to dismiss at our regular times.
US Ally Saudi Arabia Set To Execute 52 Prisoners (Including Juveniles)
2015 has been a record year for many things - mass shootings in America, Warriors' winning streak, global terrorist attacks, warmest temperatures, and last but not least beheadings in Saudi Arabia. As we previously noted, with 151 executions year-to-date, new King Salman has already overtaken his predecessor's 2014 total of 90, and, asReprieve.org details, is about enter the all-time record books with the mass execution of 52 prisoners (including juveniles). Of course, given Saudi Arabia's propaganda machine and US media charm offensive, it is highly unlikely any mainstream media outlet will cover such potential abuses (just don't mention 9/11, ISIS funding, or Saeed Farook).
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JUST IN: House tightens controls on visa-free travel to US
The bill was approved 407-19. It takes aim at the "visa waiver" program, which allows citizens of 38 countries to travel to the U.S. without first obtaining a visa. Belgium and France, home to most of the perpetrators of the Paris attacks, are among the participating countries.
The legislation would institute changes, including the new visa requirement, for citizens of Iraq and Syria or anyone who's traveled to those countries in the previous five years.
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Reid rankles Dems with push for casino rider in funding bill
Reid is pushing to add a provision to the year-end omnibus that would help Caesars avoid bankruptcy by allowing it to restructure debt incurred by a subsidiary out of court, according to Senate and K Street sources.
Critics of the provision say it would narrow a Depression-era law intended to protect minority shareholders and apply retroactively to a handful of lawsuits against Caesars. One lawyer involved estimated that at least six cases would be affected.
The proposal is causing uproar because there has not been a hearing on it this Congress. Critics say it’s an example of another provision being slipped into a massive bill at the last minute to help a special interest.
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Wilson Street, West Railroad Avenue, Pennsylvania Avenue & South Boulevard Street Improvements Underway
The work will be performed beginning Tuesday December 8, 2015 and will be completed by Friday, December 11 at 5:00 p.m., weather permitting. Expect minor periodic traffic delays due to traffic pattern modifications between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
We regret any inconvenience this may cause. Your patience and cooperation are greatly appreciated.
Should you have any questions or need clarification regarding this project, please contact William White with Salisbury Public Works, Technical Services at 410-548-3170.
Will Your City or State be the Next San Bernardino? At Least 22 Verified Islamic Terror Training Camps in US – All Under the Watchful Eye of the FBI
The groups are operated by Jamaat al-Fuqra, a Pakistan-based group, who main front group is Muslims of the Americas.
Sheikh Mubarak Ali Gilani, a Pakistani cleric, heads up the group in Islamberg, New York. The communes operated by the organization are in mostly remote areas of California, Georgia, South Carolina, New York, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Michigan, Tennessee and other states.
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Feds shelling out billions to public relations firms
A review conducted by Open the Books found that there are now 3,092 public affairs professionals working in the government, an increase of 15 percent — or about 400 people — over the past seven years.
During that time, 139 federal agencies inked $2.02 billion in outside contracts with firms that perform public relations, polling, research and marketing consulting.
“We always applaud agencies who make information available,” Open the Books said in its report. “But ... agencies are not charged with making that information interesting or newsworthy. Agencies certainly aren’t charged with using taxpayer funds to engage in thinly-veiled propaganda campaigns that are primarily designed to protect their budgets and hype outcomes.”
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Woman Hits Officer With Serious Allegation Following Traffic Stop — After She Signs Written Statement, Detective Delivers the Bad News
Her allegations against the officer immediately fell apart when the dash cam video was reviewed
Officer Daniel Caffrey of the Pequannock Police Department pulled over Hyacinth Peccoo, 50, for failing to stop at a stop sign. The interaction was routine from there. Caffrey actually gave the woman a break by giving her a $26 ticket for failing to change her address on her license instead of the $86 ticket for the traffic violation.
But Peccoo alleged she had to ask the officer if he was going to fatally shoot her in broad daylight after he started yelling and pulled out his service weapon. She then issued a written statement maintaining she was telling the truth.
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A Jan 2nd indictment exudes class, symbolism
United States Attorney Preet Bharara is expected to indict Governor Andrew Cuomo on Saturday, January 2nd of next year. Sources familiar with the US Attorney say that he is waiting until after the holidays to make the indictment, “to encourage the idea of bringing back civility to the public sphere.”
“He is a class act, with the values of a solid upbringing and good family,” the source says of Bharara. “He is an immigrant with a real passionate idealism about America and our government and how our politics is supposed to work.”
Bharara was born in Punjab, India in 1968 and grew up in suburban New Jersey before attending Harvard University and Columbia Law School. His handling of public corruption has earned him bipartisan praise and admiration. It has also riled the contributor class and outraged Albany area operatives, who see Bharara as a threat to their grip on power.
“He is humble and doesn’t flaunt or grandstand like Spitzer did,” the source notes. “Given Spitzer’s more wealthy upbringing, you would expect the opposite.”
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“He is a class act, with the values of a solid upbringing and good family,” the source says of Bharara. “He is an immigrant with a real passionate idealism about America and our government and how our politics is supposed to work.”
Bharara was born in Punjab, India in 1968 and grew up in suburban New Jersey before attending Harvard University and Columbia Law School. His handling of public corruption has earned him bipartisan praise and admiration. It has also riled the contributor class and outraged Albany area operatives, who see Bharara as a threat to their grip on power.
“He is humble and doesn’t flaunt or grandstand like Spitzer did,” the source notes. “Given Spitzer’s more wealthy upbringing, you would expect the opposite.”
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Drug Task Force Arrest Three after Cocaine Investigation
Seaford, DE – The Delaware State Police Sussex County Drug Task Force has arrested three people after the culmination of a six month long investigation into illegal drug sales from a residence on East Middlecord Circle.
On Monday December 7, 2015 around 5:15 p.m., the Sussex County Drug Task Force with the assistance of the Sussex County Governor's Task Force and Delaware State Police Special Operations Response Team (SORT) conducted a search warrant in the 23000 block of East Middlecord Circle. Upon the detectives’ arrival at the residence, Deshan L. Ross, 33, and Shamona Sample, 29, were taken into custody without incident. The search revealed 168.4 grams of cocaine, 26.11 grams of heroin, 343 grams of methamphetamine, and 3 grams of marijuana.
Just prior to the search warrant on East Middlecord Circle, a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle that had just departed the residence. Mark J. Taylor, 39 of Laurel was operating Volkswagen Passat and was a suspect in the on-going investigation. Upon making the traffic stop, Taylor fled on foot from the vehicle and, in the process, began swallowing individually wrapped bags of cocaine. Upon his capture, he began choking on the bags and spit one out onto the ground. A trooper medic that is assigned to SORT was able to render first aid to Taylor and removed two more baggies from his throat. Taylor then began spitting in the trooper's face before subsequently being transported to a local hospital where he was admitted due to another bag that was lodged in his bronchial tube. A search of the Passat yielded more than $27,500.00 in suspected drug proceeds. Taylor was charged with three counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 5 Quantity, three counts of Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance in a Tier 4 Quantity, Assault 2nd on a Law Enforcement Officer, Resisting Arrest, Tampering with Physical Evidence, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was arraigned by a Justice of the Peace Court Judge at the hospital and was placed in the custody of Delaware Department of Corrections in lieu of $374,200.00 cash bond.
Both Ross and Sample were transported back to Troop 4 were they were charged with the following offenses. Deshan Ross was charged with three counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 5 Quantity, three counts of Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance in a Tier 4 Quantity, Conspiracy 2nd, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Shamona Sample was charged with three counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 5 Quantity, three counts of Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance in a Tier 4 Quantity, Maintaining a Drug Property, Conspiracy 2nd, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. They were arraigned at JP2 and remanded to the custody of the Delaware Department of Corrections in lieu of $120,800.00 cash (Ross) and $121,200.00 secured (Sample).
On Monday December 7, 2015 around 5:15 p.m., the Sussex County Drug Task Force with the assistance of the Sussex County Governor's Task Force and Delaware State Police Special Operations Response Team (SORT) conducted a search warrant in the 23000 block of East Middlecord Circle. Upon the detectives’ arrival at the residence, Deshan L. Ross, 33, and Shamona Sample, 29, were taken into custody without incident. The search revealed 168.4 grams of cocaine, 26.11 grams of heroin, 343 grams of methamphetamine, and 3 grams of marijuana.
Just prior to the search warrant on East Middlecord Circle, a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle that had just departed the residence. Mark J. Taylor, 39 of Laurel was operating Volkswagen Passat and was a suspect in the on-going investigation. Upon making the traffic stop, Taylor fled on foot from the vehicle and, in the process, began swallowing individually wrapped bags of cocaine. Upon his capture, he began choking on the bags and spit one out onto the ground. A trooper medic that is assigned to SORT was able to render first aid to Taylor and removed two more baggies from his throat. Taylor then began spitting in the trooper's face before subsequently being transported to a local hospital where he was admitted due to another bag that was lodged in his bronchial tube. A search of the Passat yielded more than $27,500.00 in suspected drug proceeds. Taylor was charged with three counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 5 Quantity, three counts of Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance in a Tier 4 Quantity, Assault 2nd on a Law Enforcement Officer, Resisting Arrest, Tampering with Physical Evidence, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was arraigned by a Justice of the Peace Court Judge at the hospital and was placed in the custody of Delaware Department of Corrections in lieu of $374,200.00 cash bond.
Both Ross and Sample were transported back to Troop 4 were they were charged with the following offenses. Deshan Ross was charged with three counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 5 Quantity, three counts of Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance in a Tier 4 Quantity, Conspiracy 2nd, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Shamona Sample was charged with three counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 5 Quantity, three counts of Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance in a Tier 4 Quantity, Maintaining a Drug Property, Conspiracy 2nd, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. They were arraigned at JP2 and remanded to the custody of the Delaware Department of Corrections in lieu of $120,800.00 cash (Ross) and $121,200.00 secured (Sample).
This Gun-Toting Santa Billboard in North Carolina Is Stirring Up Some Controversy
The billboard, positioned on a busy highway in Charlotte, has drawn mixed reactions from local residents.
“I have to say, in general, to each their own. It doesn’t appeal to me but what are you going to do about it?” one woman told WCNC-TV when asked about her opinion of the billboard.
Another man said it is “promoting something we don’t want to promote.”
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Baltimore-area unemployment rate edges up
The U.S. Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics says the region's unemployment rate was 5.4 percent in October, up from 5.2 percent in September, but below its 5.7 percent unemployment rate in October 2014.
The Baltimore-area labor force grew in October to 1,488,200, up from 1,469,600 a month before. Those without jobs increased to 80,700, up from 77,100 in September.
Unemployment rates were down in 337 of the nation’s 387 metropolitan areas, up in 38 and unchanged in 12.
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Romance is not dead (or is it?)
A couple were in a busy shopping center just before Christmas. The wife suddenly noticed that her husband was missing and, as they had a lot to do, she called him on the mobile.
Wife: "Where are you? You know we have lots to do."
Husband: "You remember the jewelry shop we went to about 10 years ago where you fell in love with a diamond necklace, -- I couldn't afford it at the time and I said that one day I would get it for you?"
Little tears started to flow down her cheek and she got all choked up. "Yes, I remember that shop," she replied.
"Well, I am in the bar next to that."
Wife: "Where are you? You know we have lots to do."
Husband: "You remember the jewelry shop we went to about 10 years ago where you fell in love with a diamond necklace, -- I couldn't afford it at the time and I said that one day I would get it for you?"
Little tears started to flow down her cheek and she got all choked up. "Yes, I remember that shop," she replied.
"Well, I am in the bar next to that."
Navy's Stealth Destroyer Begins Sea Trials
The destroyer Zumwalt, built by Bath Iron Works, is the first of the Navy's newest class of DDG 1000 destroyers. The ship sailed through the Kennebec River to the open ocean, where it will undergo sea trials.
Construction began on the futuristic-looking ship in 2009. The shape of the ship's tumblehome hull as well as the arrangement of its antennas make the ship less visible on radar, the Navy said.
"We are absolutely fired up to see Zumwalt get underway," said Capt. James Kirk, the ship's commanding officer, according to the Associated Press. "For the crew and all those involved in designing, building and readying this fantastic ship, this is a huge milestone."
More here
McConnell's Party-money Power Play
This week, Congress will consider whether to eliminate limits on coordinated campaign spending for both major political parties. This might sound like an expansion of freedom. It is actually a crass power-grab by the establishments of both political parties.
The measure has been attached as a rider to the must-pass omnibus spending bill. It would allow the Democratic and Republican parties to legally coordinate and spend unlimited dollars on their hand-picked nominees or preferred candidates in primaries at any time.
On its face, this may sound like a reasonable extension of the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United, which allows "independent political expenditures by non-profit corporations." That decision, based on our First Amendment, made sense. But that's not what's happening here, because no other entities are being given this privilege.
This is a ham-fisted attempt by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to make himself and other party leaders the most powerful people in Washington. If this rider is enacted, the party establishment will be able to dictate to candidates and sitting senators with unlimited financial authority. They would be able to hammer anyone who ever opposed them. Worst of all, if this rider goes through, it will give the GOP establishment a massive strategic advantage to support their handpicked candidates.
More here
The measure has been attached as a rider to the must-pass omnibus spending bill. It would allow the Democratic and Republican parties to legally coordinate and spend unlimited dollars on their hand-picked nominees or preferred candidates in primaries at any time.
On its face, this may sound like a reasonable extension of the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United, which allows "independent political expenditures by non-profit corporations." That decision, based on our First Amendment, made sense. But that's not what's happening here, because no other entities are being given this privilege.
This is a ham-fisted attempt by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to make himself and other party leaders the most powerful people in Washington. If this rider is enacted, the party establishment will be able to dictate to candidates and sitting senators with unlimited financial authority. They would be able to hammer anyone who ever opposed them. Worst of all, if this rider goes through, it will give the GOP establishment a massive strategic advantage to support their handpicked candidates.
More here
AG Lynch: 'We Have Concerns' About People 'Who Have Large Stockpiles of Weapons'
(CNSNews) - "[D]ealing with guns is one way to handle the violent crime issues that we have in this country," Attorney General Loretta Lynch told NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday.
She also said "people come on the FBI's radar screen for a variety of reasons," and the accumulation of guns and bullets may be one of those reasons:
"You know, obviously we have concerns whenever we see people who have large stockpiles of weapons or appear to be in the process of accumulating weapons and ammunition. At this point, we do not have any evidence that they (Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik) were part of either a larger group or cell or that they were planning anything else. That's at this time.
"Meet the Press" host Chuck Todd asked Lynch on Sunday, "Is this a time for a gun control conversation?"
"We're in the middle of that conversation. We always are," Lynch responded.
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She also said "people come on the FBI's radar screen for a variety of reasons," and the accumulation of guns and bullets may be one of those reasons:
"You know, obviously we have concerns whenever we see people who have large stockpiles of weapons or appear to be in the process of accumulating weapons and ammunition. At this point, we do not have any evidence that they (Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik) were part of either a larger group or cell or that they were planning anything else. That's at this time.
"Meet the Press" host Chuck Todd asked Lynch on Sunday, "Is this a time for a gun control conversation?"
"We're in the middle of that conversation. We always are," Lynch responded.
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State Dept. Finally Delivers Emails to Benghazi Committee
The House Select Committee on Benghazi has finally received thousands of emails on the deadly attack — documents it requested from the State Department in 2014, The Washington Examiner reports.
The State Department had "ignored" the requests for the nearly 3,900 emails for months, the newspaper added.
The new emails focus on correspondence from Ambassador Chris Stevens, who died along with three other Americans in the 2012 terror attack, and Patrick Kennedy, the State Department's undersecretary for management.
The Examiner said that under Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Kennedy was accused of covering up internal security probes that could make the agency look bad.
In addition, Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee believe Kennedy may have skirted blame for decisions he made in Libya because "he had a hand" in selecting members of the Accountability Review Board, The Examiner reports.
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The State Department had "ignored" the requests for the nearly 3,900 emails for months, the newspaper added.
The new emails focus on correspondence from Ambassador Chris Stevens, who died along with three other Americans in the 2012 terror attack, and Patrick Kennedy, the State Department's undersecretary for management.
The Examiner said that under Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Kennedy was accused of covering up internal security probes that could make the agency look bad.
In addition, Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee believe Kennedy may have skirted blame for decisions he made in Libya because "he had a hand" in selecting members of the Accountability Review Board, The Examiner reports.
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Sheriff To License Holders: Carry Your Guns
Sheriff says licensed gun owners, off-duty deputies, have responsibility to carry weapons.
The Boone County, Ohio sheriff has a message for licensed, trained gun owners: You should carry your guns, to protect yourself and others.
In a "call to action," Sheriff' Michael Helmig released his thoughts on the Boone County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.
"I have reminded my current and retired Deputy Sheriffs of their responsibility to carry their firearms while off-duty," Helmig's open letter states.
"I would also like to remind the people who have applied, been trained, and issued a license to carry a Concealed Deadly Weapon (CCDW) that they also have a responsibility to carry their firearm, which they are proficient with, for the safety of themselves and others. It is also the responsibility of everyone to refresh themselves with the laws that govern the privilege and great responsibility that accompany being a CCDW license holder.
"What else can you do?"
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The Boone County, Ohio sheriff has a message for licensed, trained gun owners: You should carry your guns, to protect yourself and others.
In a "call to action," Sheriff' Michael Helmig released his thoughts on the Boone County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.
"I have reminded my current and retired Deputy Sheriffs of their responsibility to carry their firearms while off-duty," Helmig's open letter states.
"I would also like to remind the people who have applied, been trained, and issued a license to carry a Concealed Deadly Weapon (CCDW) that they also have a responsibility to carry their firearm, which they are proficient with, for the safety of themselves and others. It is also the responsibility of everyone to refresh themselves with the laws that govern the privilege and great responsibility that accompany being a CCDW license holder.
"What else can you do?"
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First Drudge, Now FEC Boss Targets Local Elections For Federal Regs
The Democratic chairwoman of the Federal Election Commission is pushing to federalize state and local elections with new rules that would impose Washington fundraising restrictions on ballot initiatives where money comes from other states or countries.
Speaking to California's Capital Public Radio, Ann Ravel was asked about "dark money" in nonfederal elections. As a prior California election chief, she said a 2012 state case involving anonymous donors has influenced her view of federal involvement.
"That case influenced my views about the FEC and what the FEC should be doing," says Ravel.
Some states have and are tightening donor rules, but others haven't and Ravel seems to see a federal role there.
"It is really important for there to be a federal solution to the problem and really robust disclosure on the federal level," she said in comments that have raised eyebrows in GOP circles.
Ravel, concerned about foreign money being used in a California ballot initiative, recently tried to rewrite FEC rules to give the agency an expanded role. She would have redefined the word "elections" to include ballot initiatives, not just candidate contests.
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Speaking to California's Capital Public Radio, Ann Ravel was asked about "dark money" in nonfederal elections. As a prior California election chief, she said a 2012 state case involving anonymous donors has influenced her view of federal involvement.
"That case influenced my views about the FEC and what the FEC should be doing," says Ravel.
Some states have and are tightening donor rules, but others haven't and Ravel seems to see a federal role there.
"It is really important for there to be a federal solution to the problem and really robust disclosure on the federal level," she said in comments that have raised eyebrows in GOP circles.
Ravel, concerned about foreign money being used in a California ballot initiative, recently tried to rewrite FEC rules to give the agency an expanded role. She would have redefined the word "elections" to include ballot initiatives, not just candidate contests.
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Sen. Ted Cruz Takes First Place in New Iowa Poll
The new numbers, based on a survey of 425 Iowa voters likely to attend the Republican presidential caucuses in February, reveal:
Ted Cruz 24 percent
Donald Trump 19 percent
Marco Rubio 17 percent
Ben Carson 13 percent
More here
Baltimore set to pay $2M in legal fees over federal review of police department
On Wednesday, Baltimore's Board of Estimates is expected to sign off on an appropriation to cover legal fees at an outside law firm hired to steer the city through the federal review. The budgetary move will then have to go before City Council.
The $2 million represents both billed and anticipated legal costs related to the U.S. Department of Justice's ongoing "pattern or practice" investigation into the Baltimore Police Department's use of force and police tactics, said Howard Libit, a spokesman for Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. The money is expected to cover a time period from when the Justice Department opened the investigation in May through the end of Baltimore's current fiscal year, which ends in June 2016.
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What Makes America The Greatest Country On Earth
Below is a link I'd like all of you to watch. Granted, it's from a television show that I happened to really enjoy but I think once you see his answer you'll be blown away.
Considering I have a pretty good feel on what most of our viewers come here to enjoy, (news wise) I think you'll view this and think, well, what in the hell happened to AMERICA.
The statement made is one that ALL parties need to look deep into their souls and say, HOW can we as a united country pull everything we can back together and make America great once again.
We are in extremely difficult and scary times right now and for what it's worth, getting back to our grass root beliefs and history can and will reunite us, or, we will fail. Watch this clip.
Texas shooting: Officer with pistol stops rifle-wielding attackers
It wasn't a fair fight.
On one side, you had two men in body armor, toting assault rifles and showing every willingness to open fire now and count their victims later. On the other, you had a security officer -- a traffic officer by day -- with a pistol.
Somehow, the officer won.
Authorities have not released the name of the overmatched Garland, Texas, police officer who stopped a pair of gunmen Sunday night outside that city's Curtis Culwell Center, where people had gathered at an event featuring controversial cartoons of the Muslim Prophet Mohammed. But they have described what he did, actions that could be characterized as equal parts skillful, heroic and miraculous.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson lauded the police officer for having "acted quickly and decisively, and thereby likely (saving) a number of innocent lives."
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On one side, you had two men in body armor, toting assault rifles and showing every willingness to open fire now and count their victims later. On the other, you had a security officer -- a traffic officer by day -- with a pistol.
Somehow, the officer won.
Authorities have not released the name of the overmatched Garland, Texas, police officer who stopped a pair of gunmen Sunday night outside that city's Curtis Culwell Center, where people had gathered at an event featuring controversial cartoons of the Muslim Prophet Mohammed. But they have described what he did, actions that could be characterized as equal parts skillful, heroic and miraculous.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson lauded the police officer for having "acted quickly and decisively, and thereby likely (saving) a number of innocent lives."
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Robber shot, killed in Towson, police say
Two people entered Towson Wine & Spirits in the unit block of Pennsylvania Avenue around 7 p.m., according to Baltimore County police. One of the robbers had a handgun.
The clerk shot one of the robbers multiple times. The robber was pronounced dead a short distance from the store.
The other robber got away.
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Governor Larry Hogan Announces Reopening of Youghiogheny Overlook Welcome Center
ANNAPOLIS, MD – As part of a four-day visit to Western Maryland, Governor Larry Hogan today joined Western Maryland elected officials and tourism partners to announce that the Youghiogheny Overlook Welcome Center will reopen in spring 2016. The center, a state-run travel center located along Interstate 68 in Friendsville, was closed by the state six years ago.
The governor was joined by Nicole Christian, president of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce; Paul Edwards, president of the Garrett County Commissioners; Delegate Wendell Beitzel, District 1A; Senator George Edwards, District 1; and Secretary Mike Gill of the Maryland Department of Commerce, which houses the state’s Office of Tourism Development.
“The Youghiogheny Overlook Welcome Center is a gateway into our beautiful state and reopening it will be very beneficial to the tourism industry and the businesses in Western Maryland,” said Governor Hogan. “Making sure that all parts of Maryland have the tools and resources they need to be successful will always be a major priority of our administration.”
“The state’s welcome centers put a friendly face on Maryland’s hospitality industry,” said Nicole Christian, president of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce. “The professionalism of the staff at the Office of Tourism and their knowledge of the state makes a great first impression on our visitors, which encourages them to spend time and money at the attractions and businesses in the region.”
The Youghiogheny Overlook Welcome Center is located approximately 20 miles east of the West Virginia/Maryland border on I-68, just outside of Friendsville. This stretch of highway is a major east/west thoroughfare and a vital transportation route in Western Maryland and northern West Virginia.
When the center reopens in spring 2016, it will operate Thursday through Monday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and will be closed on major holidays. Currently, the rest area is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration and the Office of Tourism Development are currently working to prepare the center for visitors. The State Highway Administration owns and maintains the rest stop and building that houses the center, and the Office of Tourism Development runs the center and provides staffing.
GOP Legislators Push Plan That Could Replace Americans, Import 264,000 Foreign Workers
GOP House leaders are preparing a huge appropriations bill for a vote next week — and top GOP legislators want to include a rider that could allow employers to replace at least 100,000 blue-collar Americans with up to 264,000 foreign temporary H-2B workers.
The plan would actually cost taxpayers billions of dollars each year, because the unemployed Americans workers won’t pay taxes, but would get unemployment checks and welfare aid from the taxpayers.
The GOP’s pink-slip plan would also cut the wages of many other American workers before the 2016 election. That’s because the foreign temps hold down the normal wages that Americans could otherwise negotiate in a free market for their labor.
The GOP legislators, the House appropriations committee and the GOP’s leadership would not respond to repeated requests for information about the measure. A Hill aide, however, provided Breitbart with documents indicating legislators are pushing to include it in the omnibus bill. GOP leaders plan to rush that huge spending bill through the House by the end of next week.
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The plan would actually cost taxpayers billions of dollars each year, because the unemployed Americans workers won’t pay taxes, but would get unemployment checks and welfare aid from the taxpayers.
The GOP’s pink-slip plan would also cut the wages of many other American workers before the 2016 election. That’s because the foreign temps hold down the normal wages that Americans could otherwise negotiate in a free market for their labor.
The GOP legislators, the House appropriations committee and the GOP’s leadership would not respond to repeated requests for information about the measure. A Hill aide, however, provided Breitbart with documents indicating legislators are pushing to include it in the omnibus bill. GOP leaders plan to rush that huge spending bill through the House by the end of next week.
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Late Drama Nearly Derails Officer William Porter's Trial
The defense will be able to use statements apparently made by a detective who said Freddie Gray complained of a back injury while being questioned in an unrelated incident in March. The detective noticed Gray was leaning one way and not sitting up straight, and Gray said that was why. The statement does not say whether or not the detective believed Gray's explanation.
The injury had been brought up in news reports since Gray's death but nothing concrete about the injury had appeared in evidence. The defense became aware over the weekend of the statements, which they see as exculpatory evidence, but the prosecution didn't know of the statements until Monday, when they were informed by two prosecutors not involved in the case. A bench conference was held after the jury left for the night. Judge Barry Williams believed prosecutor Michael Schatzow, and did not sanction him. Williams could have dismissed the case entirely. The judge has ordered the matter sealed.
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Armed teenager running toward school shot by police officer
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Wichita police say a black 17-year-old who was shot by a white police officer as he ran with a gun toward a high school gymnasium was a documented gang member who was registered as a student at the school.
At a news conference Saturday afternoon, Police Chief Nelson Mosley said a 20-year veteran of the police department fired several shots at the unnamed teen, whose name was not released, after the youth ignored repeated warnings to stop.
The incident happened after officers stopped a pickup truck as it was pulling into the parking lot of West High School around 6:30 p.m. Friday. Mosley said officers had been watching the truck after it left a Wichita home where police were told suspects in a double homicide earlier in the week might be located.
Four males were in the pickup truck when it was stopped in the parking lot, and one of them got out and started running, the chief said.
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At a news conference Saturday afternoon, Police Chief Nelson Mosley said a 20-year veteran of the police department fired several shots at the unnamed teen, whose name was not released, after the youth ignored repeated warnings to stop.
The incident happened after officers stopped a pickup truck as it was pulling into the parking lot of West High School around 6:30 p.m. Friday. Mosley said officers had been watching the truck after it left a Wichita home where police were told suspects in a double homicide earlier in the week might be located.
Four males were in the pickup truck when it was stopped in the parking lot, and one of them got out and started running, the chief said.
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Johnson-McKee Animal Hospital Makes Donation
