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Thursday, December 10, 2015
If You Build Affordable Housing For Teachers, Will They Come?
North Carolina has some of the lowest teacher salaries in the country. Combine that with a housing shortage in this rural county, and that creates a big problem. So local leaders took on both problems at once, by building affordable housing just for school district staff.
"When we started doing a study in Hertford County, we found out that there were only about 15 apartments for teachers — with the salaries that the teachers made — [that they] could live in," says James Eure, who led the school system's foundation through the financing and construction of the complex.
Eure says he hopes the project will eventually pay for itself. The rent collected from employees goes to pay back a zero-interest loan the foundation took out to build it.
Units like these can draw new teachers to the district who often can't afford to buy a house in the area, or who don't want to rent one miles away.
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Muslim arrested after neighbor flees sword attack
Mohamed Ahmed Elrawi, 57, of Victorville, California, allegedly screamed, “I die and kill for Allahu!” during an altercation. Authorities said Elrawi was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after chasing a man in his apartment complex.
“A Quran and other items were located inside the suspect’s residence, leading investigators to believe Elrawi may have been a radicalized Muslim,” Sgt. Dave Burgess told the Daily Press on Tuesday.
Witness Mark Tashamneh, 50, told the newspaper Elrawi was threatening neighbors earlier in the evening prior to his arrest. The suspect accused Tashamneh of calling the cops and allegedly said he would kill him after getting out of jail.
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Senate Questions 'Egregious' Price Hikes For Specialty Medicines
The Senate Special Committee on Aging is holding the first of a series of hearings Wednesday into why the prices of medicines that have been on the market for decades are suddenly climbing.
The investigation by the Senate committee, led by Maine Republican Susan Collinsand Missouri Democrat Claire McCaskill, is focusing on four pharmaceutical companies that bought the rights to certain drugs, and then dramatically increased the prices.
Collins called the price hikes – as much as nearly 5,000 percent in one case — "egregious."
"We've had nontraditional companies come in, buy the rights to these drugs and then hike it up very high – and, as one executive put it, just because they can," Collins tells NPR.
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The investigation by the Senate committee, led by Maine Republican Susan Collinsand Missouri Democrat Claire McCaskill, is focusing on four pharmaceutical companies that bought the rights to certain drugs, and then dramatically increased the prices.
Collins called the price hikes – as much as nearly 5,000 percent in one case — "egregious."
"We've had nontraditional companies come in, buy the rights to these drugs and then hike it up very high – and, as one executive put it, just because they can," Collins tells NPR.
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Train Left Station Without Operator
The 6:08 a.m. inbound train did not make any stops, but traveled past four stops. The train was brought to a halt just past North Quincy Station, when crews powered down the third rail.
At that point, T employees boarded the train, driving it to the JFK/UMass stop to allow passengers to exit. The train was taken out of service and examined.
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Yard House, home to 100-plus beers, heading to Harborplace
Harborplace is going after the beer lovers.
The Yard House, a restaurant chain known for its long list of beers and rock and roll music, has filed with the city liquor board for a liquor license transfer to open in the Light Street Pavilion at 301 Light St. It will take over the indoor and outside cafe space of the defunct J. Paul's Restaurant, a long-time tenant of Harborplace.
Yard House's arrival helps answer some questions about the future of Harborplace, which is undergoing much-needed change and redevelopment by owner Ashkenazy Acquisition Corp. Hooter's, also in the Light Street Pavilion, is moving from its second floor location to a more visible first-floor location. New York-based Ashkenazy is expected to roll out future plans for the major tourist attraction.
It would be the first Maryland location for the fast-growing Yard House, which has more than 50 locations in the U.S. Its three newest locations are in New Jersey, Texas and Ohio. The closest Yard House is in Springfield Town Center in Northern Virginia.
The restaurant is known for having 100-plus beers on tap and menu items that include the black truffle cheeseburger, ahi poke stack and spicy jambalaya.
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The Yard House, a restaurant chain known for its long list of beers and rock and roll music, has filed with the city liquor board for a liquor license transfer to open in the Light Street Pavilion at 301 Light St. It will take over the indoor and outside cafe space of the defunct J. Paul's Restaurant, a long-time tenant of Harborplace.
Yard House's arrival helps answer some questions about the future of Harborplace, which is undergoing much-needed change and redevelopment by owner Ashkenazy Acquisition Corp. Hooter's, also in the Light Street Pavilion, is moving from its second floor location to a more visible first-floor location. New York-based Ashkenazy is expected to roll out future plans for the major tourist attraction.
It would be the first Maryland location for the fast-growing Yard House, which has more than 50 locations in the U.S. Its three newest locations are in New Jersey, Texas and Ohio. The closest Yard House is in Springfield Town Center in Northern Virginia.
The restaurant is known for having 100-plus beers on tap and menu items that include the black truffle cheeseburger, ahi poke stack and spicy jambalaya.
More
Kurt Russell: ‘Absolutely Insane’ to Think Gun Control Will Change Terrorists
This was preceded by Russell explaining that he doesn’t “understand concepts of conversation about gun culture” because “we’ve lived with guns since, what, the 7th Century or something?”
But according to Hollywood Elsewhere, Wells continued to paw at Russell, combining the emphasis on terrorism with the suggestion that guns are something “disenfranchised white guys need” so they can “feel good about themselves.”
Russell said:
If you think gun control is going to change the terrorists’ point of view, I think you’re, like, out of your mind. I think anybody [who says that] is. I think it’s absolutely insane. The problem, the problem that we’re having right now to turn it around…you may think you’ve got me worried about you’re gonna do? Dude, you’re about to find out what I’m gonna do, and that’s gonna worry you a lot more. And that’s what we need. That will change the concept of gun culture, as you call it, to something [like] reality. Which is, if I’m a hockey team and I’ve got some guy bearing down on me as a goal tender, I’m not concerned about what he’s gonna do — I’m gonna make him concerned about what I’m gonna do…More
These pictures show you how massive Under Armour's new distribution facility is
On Monday, the media and public were given a tour of Under Armour's new distribution hub outside of Nashville, Tenn. From a square footage standpoint, it is the largest industrial building in Middle Tennessee.
The Baltimore sportswear company's investment in Mt. Juliet totals more than $100 million. During the next five years, Under Armour (NYSE: UA) expects to employ around 1,500 people within these walls. At a ribbon-cutting for the facility Monday, Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank said he anticipates the company to overshoot that employment total.
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The Baltimore sportswear company's investment in Mt. Juliet totals more than $100 million. During the next five years, Under Armour (NYSE: UA) expects to employ around 1,500 people within these walls. At a ribbon-cutting for the facility Monday, Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank said he anticipates the company to overshoot that employment total.
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Pew Study: Middle Class Declining, No Longer Majority
Pew found that the “share of American adults living in middle-income households has fallen from 61% in 1971 to 50% in 2015. The share living in the upper-income tier rose from 14% to 21% over the same period. Meanwhile, the share in the lower-income tier increased from 25% to 29%.”
According to the study that was released on Wednesday, “married adults (both with and without children at home) are more likely than unmarried adults to live in upper-income households and less likely to be in lower-income households” and white and Asians “are more likely than black and Hispanic adults to be in the upper-income tier, and they are less likely to be in the lower-income tier.” But “over the longer term, black adults sustained the largest increase in income status from 1971 to 2015 and were the only major racial or ethnic group to experience a decline in their lower-income share.”
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Busted: Obama’s Own White House Just Managed To Catch Him In A Big ISIS Lie He Can’t Escape From
The "Islamic State will spread worldwide and grow in numbers, unless..."
A newly released intelligence report commissioned by the White House directly contradicts President Obama’s assessment made last month that ISIS is “contained.”
U.S. officials told the Daily Beast that the approximately eight-page report “predicts that the self-proclaimed Islamic State will spread worldwide and grow in numbers, unless it suffers a significant loss of territory on the battlefield in Iraq and Syria.”
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A newly released intelligence report commissioned by the White House directly contradicts President Obama’s assessment made last month that ISIS is “contained.”
U.S. officials told the Daily Beast that the approximately eight-page report “predicts that the self-proclaimed Islamic State will spread worldwide and grow in numbers, unless it suffers a significant loss of territory on the battlefield in Iraq and Syria.”
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Scalia: Maybe black students belong at 'less-advanced' schools
“There are those who contend that it does not benefit African Americans to get them into the University of Texas where they do not do well, as opposed to having them go to a less-advanced school, a slower-track school where they do well,” he said. “One of the briefs pointed out that most of the black scientists in this country don't come from schools like the University of Texas.”
The comments came during arguments in Fisher v. the University of Texas at Austin, which stems from the lawsuit Abigail Fisher brought against the school after she was denied admission in 2008. Fisher, a white woman, argues that UT’s consideration of race in its admissions process violated the Equal Protection Clause under the 14th Amendment, particularly because a state law guaranteeing admission to students who graduate in the top 10 percent of their high school class was created specifically to address diversity.
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San Bernardino shooting planned a year in advance:
Last week's mass shooting in San Bernardino, Calif., that killed 14 was reportedly planned up to a year in advance.
The suspected killers began practicing with guns and making financial preparations in 2014, according to NBC News.
Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik began honing their firearms skills last year at a shooting range in Riverside, Calif., NBC said, citing two sources.
Couterterrorism officials said the pair began making monetary savings for their child and Farook’s mother during the same period.
“[They wanted to] take care of both Grandma and the baby,” one official told NBC News, referencing the couple’s six-month old daughter and Rafia Farook, 62.
“They had purposely thought through that problem,” they continued. "[Some transactions] would be consistent with them making preparations for grandma and the kid.”
“There were other indications of preparation,” the official added, not specifying further details.
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The suspected killers began practicing with guns and making financial preparations in 2014, according to NBC News.
Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik began honing their firearms skills last year at a shooting range in Riverside, Calif., NBC said, citing two sources.
Couterterrorism officials said the pair began making monetary savings for their child and Farook’s mother during the same period.
“[They wanted to] take care of both Grandma and the baby,” one official told NBC News, referencing the couple’s six-month old daughter and Rafia Farook, 62.
“They had purposely thought through that problem,” they continued. "[Some transactions] would be consistent with them making preparations for grandma and the kid.”
“There were other indications of preparation,” the official added, not specifying further details.
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Muhammad Ali Fires a Few Jabs at Donald Trump’s Proposal to Ban Muslims From Entering U.S.
Ali, one of the most famous Muslims in the world, issued a statement saying, “True Muslims know that the ruthless violence of so called Islamic Jihadists goes against the very tenets of our religion.”
He added, “I believe that our political leaders should use their position to bring understanding about the religion of Islam and clarify that these misguided murderers have perverted people’s views on what Islam really is.”
Ali’s statement Wednesday, first reported by NBC News, did not identify Trump by name but was directed at “presidential candidates proposing to ban Muslim immigration to the United States.”
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WAR IS ON THE HORIZON: IS IT TOO LATE TO STOP IT?
This might be what is occuring unrecognized before our eyes
One lesson from military history is that once mobilization for war begins, it takes on a momentum of its own and is uncontrollable.
In his September 28 speech at the 70th Anniversity of the United Nations, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia can no longer tolerate the state of affairs in the world. Two days later at the invitation of the Syrian government Russia began war against ISIS.
Russia was quickly successful in destroying ISIS arms depots and helping the Syrian army to roll back ISIS gains. Russia also destroyed thousands of oil tankers, the contents of which were financing ISIS by transporting stolen Syrian oil to Turkey where it is sold to the family of the current gangster who rules Turkey.
Washington was caught off guard by Russia’s decisiveness. Fearful that the quick success of such decisive action by Russia would discourage Washington’s NATO vassals from continuing to support Washington’s war against Assad and Washington’s use of its puppet government in Kiev to pressure Russia, Washington arranged for Turkey to shoot down a Russian fighter-bomber despite the agreement between Russia and NATO that there would be no air-to-air encounters in Russia’s area of air operation in Syria.
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One lesson from military history is that once mobilization for war begins, it takes on a momentum of its own and is uncontrollable.
In his September 28 speech at the 70th Anniversity of the United Nations, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia can no longer tolerate the state of affairs in the world. Two days later at the invitation of the Syrian government Russia began war against ISIS.
Russia was quickly successful in destroying ISIS arms depots and helping the Syrian army to roll back ISIS gains. Russia also destroyed thousands of oil tankers, the contents of which were financing ISIS by transporting stolen Syrian oil to Turkey where it is sold to the family of the current gangster who rules Turkey.
Washington was caught off guard by Russia’s decisiveness. Fearful that the quick success of such decisive action by Russia would discourage Washington’s NATO vassals from continuing to support Washington’s war against Assad and Washington’s use of its puppet government in Kiev to pressure Russia, Washington arranged for Turkey to shoot down a Russian fighter-bomber despite the agreement between Russia and NATO that there would be no air-to-air encounters in Russia’s area of air operation in Syria.
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Maryland leads the U.S. in foreclosure filings for second consecutive month
The Baltimore-area had the fourth-highest metro area for foreclosure filings in the U.S. in November, behind Atlantic City, N.J.; Trenton, N.J.; and tiny Ocala, Fla.
The statistics were compiled by RealtyTrac, an online housing data company that reports foreclosure, bank repossessions, default notices and scheduled housing auctions each month based on public information statistics gleaned from each state.
In Maryland, November foreclosure filings totaled 4,631 in November — a 13 percent increase over last November's data. It was the second consecutive month that Maryland led the nation in foreclosure filings, RealtyTrac said. One in every 516 housing units in the state had a foreclosure filing last month, which was more than two times the national average.
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Senate approves short-term spending bill
The Senate approved a short-term spending bill Thursday that lasts until next Wednesday, the Associated Press reported.
The House was expected to pass the bill on Friday. The current temporary spending bill runs out on Dec. 11.
Read the full story
The House was expected to pass the bill on Friday. The current temporary spending bill runs out on Dec. 11.
Read the full story
Cost grows for federal investigation into Baltimore police
BALTIMORE —Baltimore City officials voted Wednesday to give the Police Department millions in extra money to cover the civil settlement in the Freddie Gray case and to pay for outside lawyers to handle the federal civil rights investigation underway.
The Baltimore Police Department is already one of the top five cities in the country in terms of per-capita spending on police. The WBAL-TV 11 News I-Team has learned that overtime spending by the department this fiscal year is steep, and the cost of the federal investigation could be just beginning.
U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced in May the federal civil rights investigation of the Baltimore Police Department to examine its long-time practices. Since then, the department has turned over thousands of documents. More than of a dozen of its commanders and officers have been interviewed. Commissioner Kevin Davis was the latest to be interviewed Tuesday.
On Wednesday, the city's Board of Estimates approved spending $2 million to a Washington, D.C., law firm to help the department handle the federal investigation. The City Council must next approve spending the $2 million.
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The Baltimore Police Department is already one of the top five cities in the country in terms of per-capita spending on police. The WBAL-TV 11 News I-Team has learned that overtime spending by the department this fiscal year is steep, and the cost of the federal investigation could be just beginning.
U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced in May the federal civil rights investigation of the Baltimore Police Department to examine its long-time practices. Since then, the department has turned over thousands of documents. More than of a dozen of its commanders and officers have been interviewed. Commissioner Kevin Davis was the latest to be interviewed Tuesday.
On Wednesday, the city's Board of Estimates approved spending $2 million to a Washington, D.C., law firm to help the department handle the federal investigation. The City Council must next approve spending the $2 million.
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Secret Santa brings gifts of cash, hope to Ferguson
"I thought I was going to jail," she said.
Instead, Lewis, 24, and Kimoni Griffin, 23, received several $100 bills from a secret Santa who chose Ferguson for the Wednesday afternoon holiday cash giveaway to help the community recover after the August 2014 fatal shooting of Brown, who was black, by former Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson, who is white.
The anonymous benefactor, a Kansas City businessman, asked to not be publicly identified to focus attention on the importance of charity rather than his own background.
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The Babies Hooked on Opiates
These babies were born addicted to drugs.
Posted by AJ+ on Wednesday, December 9, 2015
ISLAMIC TERRORISM: WHY THERE IS NONE IN JAPAN
With all this Muslim terrorism plaguing the world, perhaps it is time to take a look at a country not suffering the same fate and analyze exactly why that is…
In 2011, Sunni Muslims accounted for the greatest number of terrorist attacks and fatalities for the third year in a row.
Over 5,700 incidents were committed by Sunni Muslims, responsible for nearly 56 percent of all attacks and about 70 percent of 12,533 fatalities.*
Another 24 percent of the fatalities are on Shi´a Muslims. So in 2011, Muslims were responsible for 94 percent of the fatalities in terrorist attacks. Since 2011, with ISIS on the scene, the number of the fatalities –victims of the Muslim terrorist attacks- sharply grew, together with Muslims´ share in the world terrorism that is steadily closing in on 100%.
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In 2011, Sunni Muslims accounted for the greatest number of terrorist attacks and fatalities for the third year in a row.
Over 5,700 incidents were committed by Sunni Muslims, responsible for nearly 56 percent of all attacks and about 70 percent of 12,533 fatalities.*
Another 24 percent of the fatalities are on Shi´a Muslims. So in 2011, Muslims were responsible for 94 percent of the fatalities in terrorist attacks. Since 2011, with ISIS on the scene, the number of the fatalities –victims of the Muslim terrorist attacks- sharply grew, together with Muslims´ share in the world terrorism that is steadily closing in on 100%.
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Obama Is Changing The U.S. Citizenship Oath Specifically To Accommodate Sharia And Islamic Law
Obama has pledged to fundamentally change the United States, and has found success over the years by ramming through laws that nobody has read, creating laws through regulation, and ignoring the Constitution through executive orders.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has announced another change, courtesy of the Obama Administration.
Those that are requesting to become US citizens, through naturalization, are required to take an Oath of Allegiance. Part of that oath reads,
“…That I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant services in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law…”
The Obama Administration is changing that wording to exempt people from combat, and non-combat services in support of the United States if, a person can demonstrate opposition to the clause,
“…based on religious training and belief or deeply held moral or ethical code.”
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The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has announced another change, courtesy of the Obama Administration.
Those that are requesting to become US citizens, through naturalization, are required to take an Oath of Allegiance. Part of that oath reads,
“…That I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant services in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law…”
The Obama Administration is changing that wording to exempt people from combat, and non-combat services in support of the United States if, a person can demonstrate opposition to the clause,
“…based on religious training and belief or deeply held moral or ethical code.”
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Trump: No Regrets, 'Somebody Has to Say What's Right'
Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump isn't backing down in the face of criticism within his own party over his suggestion that all Muslims should be banned from entering the United States until the country can get a grip on Islamic terrorism.
"It's short-term," Trump said of the ban when asked by Barbara Walters in a interview shown Tuesday on ABC's "World News Tonight."
"Let our country get its act together. ... It could be very quickly if our country could get its act together," Trump said. "We need toughness and smartness, and we have to do it quickly."
Walters asked Trump if he regrets having made the suggestion.
"Not at all," he said. "We have to do the right thing. Somebody in this country has to say what's right."
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"It's short-term," Trump said of the ban when asked by Barbara Walters in a interview shown Tuesday on ABC's "World News Tonight."
"Let our country get its act together. ... It could be very quickly if our country could get its act together," Trump said. "We need toughness and smartness, and we have to do it quickly."
Walters asked Trump if he regrets having made the suggestion.
"Not at all," he said. "We have to do the right thing. Somebody in this country has to say what's right."
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Interim Deputy State Superintendent Comments On Fewer Than Half Of Students Passing Tough New Tests
Dr. Henry Johnson Interim Deputy State Superintendent for teaching & learning spoke to WBAL's Bryan Nehman on yesterday's release of the individual PARCC results for elementary schools in the state.
The Baltimore Sun reports that the results announced Tuesday show that teachers and students haven't adjusted to the higher expectations of the new Partnership for Assessments of Career and College Readiness.
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Jimmy Carter Barred Iranians From Entering the US
Despite vast criticism over GOP front-runner Donald Trump's latest comments regarding Muslims entering the U.S., this is not the first time limitations are issued on allowing foreigners from entering the country, Front Page Mag reports.
In 1980, when dealing with the Iranian hostage crisis, President Jimmy Carter issued a number of orders putting pressure on Iran — one order included banning Iranians from entering the U.S. "unless they oppose the Shiite Islamist regime or had a medical emergency."
In a 1980 speech, Carter stated:
"The Secretary of Treasury [State] and the Attorney General will invalidate all visas issued to Iranian citizens for future entry into the United States, effective today. We will not reissue visas, nor will we issue new visas, except for compelling and proven humanitarian reasons or where the national interest of our own country requires. This directive will be interpreted very strictly."
More here
In 1980, when dealing with the Iranian hostage crisis, President Jimmy Carter issued a number of orders putting pressure on Iran — one order included banning Iranians from entering the U.S. "unless they oppose the Shiite Islamist regime or had a medical emergency."
In a 1980 speech, Carter stated:
"The Secretary of Treasury [State] and the Attorney General will invalidate all visas issued to Iranian citizens for future entry into the United States, effective today. We will not reissue visas, nor will we issue new visas, except for compelling and proven humanitarian reasons or where the national interest of our own country requires. This directive will be interpreted very strictly."
More here
NC Poll: Majority of Trump Supporters, Plurality of Republicans Want Mosques Shut Down
Donald Trump is the frontrunner in North Carolina and a majority of his supporters believe that there should be a national database of Muslims and mosques should be shut down, according to a Public Policy Polling survey.
The poll also found that a plurality of North Carolina’s Republicans also agree with Trump’s supporters on shutting down mosques and instituting a national database of Muslims.
According to the survey, which was conducted December 5-7 (taken before Trump proposed banning Muslims from entering the United States), 67% of Trump’s supporters want a national Muslim database compared to 14% that opposed. In addition, 62% of Trump’s supporters “believe his claims that thousands of Arabs cheered in New Jersey when the World Trade Center collapsed, to only 15% who don’t” and 51% of his supporters “want to see the Mosques in the country shut down, to only 16%” that were opposed.
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The poll also found that a plurality of North Carolina’s Republicans also agree with Trump’s supporters on shutting down mosques and instituting a national database of Muslims.
According to the survey, which was conducted December 5-7 (taken before Trump proposed banning Muslims from entering the United States), 67% of Trump’s supporters want a national Muslim database compared to 14% that opposed. In addition, 62% of Trump’s supporters “believe his claims that thousands of Arabs cheered in New Jersey when the World Trade Center collapsed, to only 15% who don’t” and 51% of his supporters “want to see the Mosques in the country shut down, to only 16%” that were opposed.
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Calif. Mass Killer Was Asked if She Was Terrorist on Entry Visa
The Pakistani woman who shot dead 14 people in a killing spree with her husband in San Bernardino, Calif. last week had to fill out a detailed visa form asking whether she had any links to terrorism when she entered the United States in 2014.
CNSNews reports that Tashfeen Malik was required to answer such questions as:
"Do you seek to engage in terrorist activities while in the United States or have you ever engaged in terrorist activities?"
"Are you a member or representative of a terrorist organization?
"Have you ever or do you intend to provide financial assistance or other support to terrorists or terrorist organizations?"
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CNSNews reports that Tashfeen Malik was required to answer such questions as:
"Do you seek to engage in terrorist activities while in the United States or have you ever engaged in terrorist activities?"
"Are you a member or representative of a terrorist organization?
"Have you ever or do you intend to provide financial assistance or other support to terrorists or terrorist organizations?"
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Solar Firm Lobbies for More Subsidies as Parent Company Admits Insolvency
A green energy company backed by billions in taxpayer funds is pouring money into its lobbying operation even as its parent company teeters on the edge of bankruptcy, government documents show.
Abengoa Solar LLC has spent $70,000 since October lobbying Congress for renewable energy subsidies, disclosure filings reveal. On each of the issues on which it lobbied, the company reported that its foreign parent, Spanish firm Abengoa, would benefit financially.
That company recently filed for insolvency protection in Spain, a process that gives it four months to secure financing that would allow it to stave off bankruptcy.
According to figures released by the company in those proceedings, its largest creditor, at about $2.35 billion (2.2 billion euros), is the U.S. Treasury. It also owes more than $280 million (260 million euros) to a controversial U.S. export finance agency recently reauthorized by Congress.
Abengoa is the company behind two U.S. solar facilities that together received $2.85 billion in stimulus-funded loan guarantees from the Department of Energy. Its extensive U.S. government backing led the group Good Jobs First to label Abengoa one of “Uncle Sam’s favorite corporations.”
Its federal financing came by way of the same loan guarantee program that backed the now-defunct solar company Solyndra, which could revive criticism of Obama administration subsidies for green energy companies that surfaced in the wake of its 2011 bankruptcy.
More here
Abengoa Solar LLC has spent $70,000 since October lobbying Congress for renewable energy subsidies, disclosure filings reveal. On each of the issues on which it lobbied, the company reported that its foreign parent, Spanish firm Abengoa, would benefit financially.
That company recently filed for insolvency protection in Spain, a process that gives it four months to secure financing that would allow it to stave off bankruptcy.
According to figures released by the company in those proceedings, its largest creditor, at about $2.35 billion (2.2 billion euros), is the U.S. Treasury. It also owes more than $280 million (260 million euros) to a controversial U.S. export finance agency recently reauthorized by Congress.
Abengoa is the company behind two U.S. solar facilities that together received $2.85 billion in stimulus-funded loan guarantees from the Department of Energy. Its extensive U.S. government backing led the group Good Jobs First to label Abengoa one of “Uncle Sam’s favorite corporations.”
Its federal financing came by way of the same loan guarantee program that backed the now-defunct solar company Solyndra, which could revive criticism of Obama administration subsidies for green energy companies that surfaced in the wake of its 2011 bankruptcy.
More here
Jeh Johnson Holds Press Event With Reported Radical Islamic Leader in Virginia
In his formal remarks, Johnson explained:
"My message today is this: In responding to this new environment, we must not vilify American Muslims. We must not throw a net of suspicion over American Muslims and an entire religion. We must not force American Muslims to run and hide, and retreat to the shadows. This would be counter to our homeland security efforts, and it is un-American."
However, according to reports, the ADAMS center is linked to the anti-Western radical Muslim Brotherhood. The Washington Free Beacon’s Adam Kredo writes, the ADAMS Center is, “a controversial Muslim center that was reportedly raided by federal agents as part of an investigation into a terror organization.”
Johnson was joined by Imam Mohamed Magid, who, according to Kredo, “serves as a leading member of an Islamic organization long suspected of having ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas.”
More here
Montgomery County Police Officer Noah Leotta – End of Watch: December 10, 2015
Officer Noah Leotta, age 24, grew up in Montgomery County, was a Sherwood High School graduate, and attended Montgomery College. Officer Leotta interned with the Police Department from December 2011 to January 2013. He shadowed 1st District Officer John Romack, whose primary focus was enforcement of impaired-driving laws, and then was mentored by officers of the Alcohol Initiatives Section.
In January 2013, Officer Noah Leotta was hired as a Montgomery County Police Officer Candidate and attended the Montgomery County Police Academy as a member of Session 58. The class graduated in July 2013 and Noah was assigned to the 4th District for field training. When he completed his training, he remained in the 4th District as a 4thDistrict patrol officer.
City, Community Leaders Hold Press Conference Aimed At Cooling Reaction To Eventual Porter Verdict
Porter is the first of six officers to stand trial in the death of Freddie Gray, who died as a result of injuries sustained while in police custody. The defense started presenting their case Wednesday. Porter faces charges of involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office. The press conference is clearly aimed at stemming a repeat of late April's unrest that followed Gray's death.
"We need everyone to respect the jury's decision," Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said. "Whatever the jury decides we must respect the process."
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BREAKING: Congress to Consider Easing Passage into U.S. for Immigrants
Congress is set to vote on Thursday on what some have called an “unprecedented” right that would allow immigrants easier access to relocate to the United States, according to new legislation offered by a Democratic senator.
The legislation, which is being offered by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D., Vt.) as an amendment to a larger bill governing nuclear safety, would prohibit the U.S. government from barring any individual from entering the country based on their religion.
The bill comes amid a fierce national debate about immigration to America, particularly for individuals coming from Muslim-majority nations. Critics of the Obama administration’s refugee plan, which would permit up to 10,000 Syrians into the country, maintain that there are not enough oversight measures in place to ensure that immigrants are not linked to terrorists or various terror organizations, such as the Islamic State.
The bill, a copy of which was obtained by the Washington Free Beacon, would express Congress’ sense that “the United States must not bar individuals from entering into the United States based on their religion, as such action would be contrary to the fundamental principles on which this Nation was founded.”
The legislation is a direct amendment to current U.S. laws already on the books.
Congressional critics of the legislation warn that the amendment would facilitate an unprecedented right to immigration that has never existed under U.S. law.
More here
The legislation, which is being offered by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D., Vt.) as an amendment to a larger bill governing nuclear safety, would prohibit the U.S. government from barring any individual from entering the country based on their religion.
The bill comes amid a fierce national debate about immigration to America, particularly for individuals coming from Muslim-majority nations. Critics of the Obama administration’s refugee plan, which would permit up to 10,000 Syrians into the country, maintain that there are not enough oversight measures in place to ensure that immigrants are not linked to terrorists or various terror organizations, such as the Islamic State.
The bill, a copy of which was obtained by the Washington Free Beacon, would express Congress’ sense that “the United States must not bar individuals from entering into the United States based on their religion, as such action would be contrary to the fundamental principles on which this Nation was founded.”
The legislation is a direct amendment to current U.S. laws already on the books.
Congressional critics of the legislation warn that the amendment would facilitate an unprecedented right to immigration that has never existed under U.S. law.
More here
Ted Cruz: ‘I Do Not Agree’ With Trump’s Muslim Moratorium
GOP presidential contender Ted Cruz said Tuesday he does not support rival Donald J. Trump’s plan to ban most Muslims coming into the country until the federal government strengthens its ability to weed out threats.
The political relationship between Mr. Cruz and Mr. Trump has been an intriguing subplot of the 2016 Republican race, with Mr. Cruz cementing himself time and again as the closest thing that Mr. Trump has to an ally in the GOP presidential field.
“I disagree with that proposal,” Mr. Cruz told reporters on Capitol Hill Tuesday. “I like Donald Trump. A lot of our friends here have encouraged me to criticize and attack Donald Trump. I am not interested in doing that.
“But I believe we need a plan that is focused on the direct threat, and the threat we are facing is radical Islamic terrorism,” he said.
Mr. Cruz weighed in on Mr. Trump’s plan during a joint press conference with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Capitol Hill, where they touted three Cruz-sponsored bills that aim to beef up national security.
The proposals, among other things, would give governors the ability to stop refugees from being resettled in their states and put a three-year moratorium on refugees to the United States from Syria, Iraq and any other country where the land is “substantially controlled” by a terrorist group.
They also would strip citizenship from any Americans that join the Islamic State or other terrorist organization.
More here
The political relationship between Mr. Cruz and Mr. Trump has been an intriguing subplot of the 2016 Republican race, with Mr. Cruz cementing himself time and again as the closest thing that Mr. Trump has to an ally in the GOP presidential field.
“I disagree with that proposal,” Mr. Cruz told reporters on Capitol Hill Tuesday. “I like Donald Trump. A lot of our friends here have encouraged me to criticize and attack Donald Trump. I am not interested in doing that.
“But I believe we need a plan that is focused on the direct threat, and the threat we are facing is radical Islamic terrorism,” he said.
Mr. Cruz weighed in on Mr. Trump’s plan during a joint press conference with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Capitol Hill, where they touted three Cruz-sponsored bills that aim to beef up national security.
The proposals, among other things, would give governors the ability to stop refugees from being resettled in their states and put a three-year moratorium on refugees to the United States from Syria, Iraq and any other country where the land is “substantially controlled” by a terrorist group.
They also would strip citizenship from any Americans that join the Islamic State or other terrorist organization.
More here
Paul: To Prevent Terrorism, US Should Halt Immigration From 'High Risk' Nations
(CNSNews) -- In the wake of last week’s terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) says the United States should shift its focus away from bulk data collection and simply stop all immigration from "high risk" countries to prevent future attacks.
“I think what we've had in the past is the government has said, ‘Well, we need to collect the whole haystack.’ And the haystack is Americans' privacy,” Paul explained Sunday on Meet the Press.“Every Americans' privacy. We have to give up all of our privacy.
"But what I'd like to do is make the haystack smaller. So I think that we have to be very careful about who comes here from the Middle East. And I've introduced legislation to say, ‘For right now, let's stop it,’ from about 34 countries.”
Paul submitted an amendment last week calling for moratoriums on visas and refugee admissions from many African and Asian “high-risk” countries. These included Iraq, Indonesia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the Palestinian territories.
Read more here
“I think what we've had in the past is the government has said, ‘Well, we need to collect the whole haystack.’ And the haystack is Americans' privacy,” Paul explained Sunday on Meet the Press.“Every Americans' privacy. We have to give up all of our privacy.
"But what I'd like to do is make the haystack smaller. So I think that we have to be very careful about who comes here from the Middle East. And I've introduced legislation to say, ‘For right now, let's stop it,’ from about 34 countries.”
Paul submitted an amendment last week calling for moratoriums on visas and refugee admissions from many African and Asian “high-risk” countries. These included Iraq, Indonesia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the Palestinian territories.
Read more here
Trump Was RIGHT Again! Police Come Forward and Drop Bombshell About Muslims
Police officers in London are now coming to the defense of Donald Trump and saying that they are frightened to go into certain Muslim areas of London and that they are virtual Muslim no-go zones. While the rank and file police are defending Trump, the authorities and elite are trying to tear him apart. I think I’ll go with the working blokes on this one, thank you very much. Of course Islamification is real and spreading. Trump is absolutely right about that. The powers that be can deny it all they want… we are living it. All these countries, including America, are at war with Islam and political correctness is getting them invaded and getting people killed. Trump is being vilified for telling the blatant truth.
From the Daily Mail:
Serving officers today claimed Donald Trump is right to say London’s police are frightened in Muslim areas of London despite Scotland Yard saying the tycoon ‘couldn’t be more wrong’.
Officers from the Met have said ‘Islamification’ of the capital is ‘real’ and revealed they do need to be ‘extra vigilant’ and even abandon using uniforms on some estates.
The US presidential contender Donald Trump caused worldwide consternation after a string of incendiary remarks, including in Britain when he said: ‘We have places in London and other places that are so radicalised that police are afraid for their own lives.’
But one serving officer said today: ‘Trump’s not wrong. He pointed out something that is plainly obvious, something which I think we aren’t as a nation willing to own up to’.
More
From the Daily Mail:
Serving officers today claimed Donald Trump is right to say London’s police are frightened in Muslim areas of London despite Scotland Yard saying the tycoon ‘couldn’t be more wrong’.
Officers from the Met have said ‘Islamification’ of the capital is ‘real’ and revealed they do need to be ‘extra vigilant’ and even abandon using uniforms on some estates.
The US presidential contender Donald Trump caused worldwide consternation after a string of incendiary remarks, including in Britain when he said: ‘We have places in London and other places that are so radicalised that police are afraid for their own lives.’
But one serving officer said today: ‘Trump’s not wrong. He pointed out something that is plainly obvious, something which I think we aren’t as a nation willing to own up to’.
More
Williams: Squandered Resources on College Education
Most college students do not belong in college. I am not by myself in this assessment. Washington Post columnist Robert Samuelson said, "It's time to drop the college-for-all crusade," adding that "the college-for-all crusade has outlived its usefulness."
Richard Vedder, professor emeritus of economics at Ohio University, reports that "the U.S. Labor Department says the majority of new American jobs over the next decade do not need a college degree. We have a six-digit number of college-educated janitors in the U.S." Vedder adds that there are "one-third of a million waiters and waitresses with college degrees." More than one-third of currently working college graduates are in jobs that do not require a degree, such as flight attendants, taxi drivers and salesmen. College was not a wise use of these students', their parents' and taxpayer resources.
What goes on at many colleges adds to the argument that college for many is a waste of resources.
More from Dr. Williams here..
Richard Vedder, professor emeritus of economics at Ohio University, reports that "the U.S. Labor Department says the majority of new American jobs over the next decade do not need a college degree. We have a six-digit number of college-educated janitors in the U.S." Vedder adds that there are "one-third of a million waiters and waitresses with college degrees." More than one-third of currently working college graduates are in jobs that do not require a degree, such as flight attendants, taxi drivers and salesmen. College was not a wise use of these students', their parents' and taxpayer resources.
What goes on at many colleges adds to the argument that college for many is a waste of resources.
More from Dr. Williams here..
Trump’s Muslim Immigration Ban Should Touch Off a Badly Needed Discussion
Donald Trump’s rhetorical excesses aside, he has a way of pushing us into important debates, particularly on immigration. He has done it again with his bracing proposal to force “a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on.”
I have no idea what Mr. Trump knows about either immigration law or Islam. But it should be obvious to any objective person that Muslim immigration to the West is a vexing challenge.
Some Muslims come to the United States to practice their religion peacefully, and assimilate into the Western tradition of tolerance of other people’s liberties, including religious liberty — a tradition alien to the theocratic societies in which they grew up. Others come here to champion sharia, Islam’s authoritarian societal framework and legal code, resisting assimilation into our pluralistic society.
Some Muslims come to the United States to practice their religion peacefully, and assimilate into the Western tradition of tolerance of other people’s liberties, including religious liberty — a tradition alien to the theocratic societies in which they grew up. Others come here to champion sharia, Islam’s authoritarian societal framework and legal code, resisting assimilation into our pluralistic society.
Since we want to both honor religious liberty and preserve the Constitution that enshrines and protects it, we have a dilemma.
More
More
DOD Offered State Department “Forces that Could Move to Benghazi” Immediately
(Washington, DC) – Judicial Watch has released a new Benghazi email from then-Department of Defense Chief of Staff Jeremy Bash to State Department leadership immediately offering “forces that could move to Benghazi” during the terrorist attack on the U.S. Special Mission Compound in Benghazi, Libya on September 11, 2012.
In an email sent to top Department of State officials, at 7:19 p.m. ET, only hours after the attack had begun, Bash says, “we have identified the forces that could move to Benghazi. They are spinning up as we speak.” The Obama administration redacted the details of the military forces available, oddly citing a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) exemption that allows the withholding of “deliberative process” information.
Bash’s email seems to directly contradict testimony given by then-Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta before the Senate Armed Services Committee in February 2013. Defending the Obama administration’s lack of military response to the nearly six-hour-long attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Panetta claimed that “time, distance, the lack of an adequate warning, events that moved very quickly on the ground prevented a more immediate response.”
The first assault occurred at the main compound at about 9:40 pm local time – 3:40 p.m. ET in Washington, DC. The second attack on a CIA annex 1.2 miles away began three hours later, at about 12 am local time the following morning – 6 p.m. ET.
More
In an email sent to top Department of State officials, at 7:19 p.m. ET, only hours after the attack had begun, Bash says, “we have identified the forces that could move to Benghazi. They are spinning up as we speak.” The Obama administration redacted the details of the military forces available, oddly citing a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) exemption that allows the withholding of “deliberative process” information.
Bash’s email seems to directly contradict testimony given by then-Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta before the Senate Armed Services Committee in February 2013. Defending the Obama administration’s lack of military response to the nearly six-hour-long attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Panetta claimed that “time, distance, the lack of an adequate warning, events that moved very quickly on the ground prevented a more immediate response.”
The first assault occurred at the main compound at about 9:40 pm local time – 3:40 p.m. ET in Washington, DC. The second attack on a CIA annex 1.2 miles away began three hours later, at about 12 am local time the following morning – 6 p.m. ET.
More
A Letter To The Editor: "Interesting"
I heard last night on the news that the majority of Donald Trump’s supporters were uneducated white men. That sounds about right, let’s see who that would include and please forgive me if I missed someone;
Farmers, Watermen, Police officers, Correctional Officers, Military, Carpenters, Electricians, Plumbers, HVAC Mechanics, Painters, Masons, Roofers, Landscapers, Entrepreneurs, Truck Drivers, Mechanics, Factory Workers, and Coal Miners.
What I see all these people have in common are they are hard workers who want what is best for their tax dollars, their Country and last but not least their families.
So I guess on the other side of the coin are the people who support Democrats.
I would assume the majority of them would include but not be limited to: Uneducated, Unemployed, Unmotivated, and of illegal status and receive government assistance.
Farmers, Watermen, Police officers, Correctional Officers, Military, Carpenters, Electricians, Plumbers, HVAC Mechanics, Painters, Masons, Roofers, Landscapers, Entrepreneurs, Truck Drivers, Mechanics, Factory Workers, and Coal Miners.
What I see all these people have in common are they are hard workers who want what is best for their tax dollars, their Country and last but not least their families.
So I guess on the other side of the coin are the people who support Democrats.
I would assume the majority of them would include but not be limited to: Uneducated, Unemployed, Unmotivated, and of illegal status and receive government assistance.
Lawsuit claims Marilyn Mosby had political motive for firings
Keri Borzilleri, now a Prince George's County prosecutor, claims State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby unlawfully terminated her in retaliation for openly supporting her opponent, Gregg Bernstein, during the 2014 election.
Borzilleri had worked in the office since 2005, tried hundreds of cases and had an "exemplary record," her lawsuit says. Though she was given no reason for her Jan. 9 termination, she said that one day earlier a top Mosby official had asked her about her support for Bernstein.
Her lawsuit, filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court, seeks unspecified damages.
More
Men's basketball honors veterans in team ceremony
VIDEO: Men's basketball honors veterans in team ceremonyFull story: http://www.hokiesports.com/mbasketball/recaps/20151111aaa.html
Posted by Virginia Tech Athletics on Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Scott Wilcox wrote this and sent it to prime minister Trudeau
To the Honorable Justin Trudeau, Members of Parliament, and Provincial Premiers:
Will We Learn Nothing From Paris?
I am a proud Canadian, and proud of our heritage of being a true global leader in Humanitarian efforts. Given the events of recent years and more importantly the recent week, however, I believe prudence requires a pause in our assistance package for Syrian refugees, and indeed all refugees and asylum seekers. I say this not in a tone of political partisanship, but one of Citizenship. Any Parliament, be it Liberal, Conservative, or NDP has as its first mandate the protection of our country and its citizens. This must take precedence over all other considerations and activities.
As a Retired Firefighter/Fire Officer of the City of Calgary, I have an experience I believe is timely and valuable. In my final assignment at the end of my career, I asked for and received a transfer to work on the Airport Crash Rescue Unit at the Calgary International Airport. A requirement for all staff working at the Airport is to undergo a police background check. In between the time the background check is initiated, and the time it is competed, an employee must be accompanied by another employee who has the appropriate screening and credentials. I can’t remember precisely how long it took for the RCMP to conduct my check, but it was several months. Bear in mind that this is for a person who was born in Calgary; completed primary, secondary and post-secondary education in Calgary/Lethbridge; had passed a security clearance to gain employment as a Calgary Firefighter, and had worked in this civic institution for 18 years at the time. I had also been vetted by the Provincial Government’s Lieutenant Governor Norman (Normie) Kwong to sit as a long-term member of the Alberta Labour Relations Board. In short, it would not be difficult to find information on me. I was also required to be finger printed as part of the process.
When the day arrived and I was notified that I had passed the security clearance, I was escorted to the terminal building by a colleague to pick up my coveted airport pass. While in the waiting room, I met and visited with what seemed to be a very nice man of Arab descent, who if memory served was from Jordan. During our discussion, he indicated that his pass had only taken two weeks to get, as opposed to the months mine had taken. He left after receiving his pass, and so when my turn came I asked the RCMP Sargent why on earth it would take so long for me to acquire a clearance when this person who indicated he was a recent arrival to Canada received his in two weeks or less. The answer I received haunts me to this day.
The answer: “We can’t really do that much of a search on these people. They often arrive without even a passport or Birth Certificate, and unless they appear on an INTERPOL watch list, we generally let them pass. Often the police departments from these fractured countries are unable or unwilling to provide information or detailed data, and we simply have to go with what we can learn. We also make sure they have no criminal record while in Canada, which for many of these folks is a very short period of time”…….or words to that effect.
In the couple of years I spent at the airport, I never stopped thinking about that. These people were everywhere: loading aircraft luggage, cleaning the airport with access to virtually all areas right up to the jet ways, acting as security guards and everything in between. It was then and there that I realized that the issue of security was truly an illusion in our country. I do not say these things lightly. I represented Calgary and its 1500 members as the President of the Calgary Firefighter’s Association in New York in 2002 at the 911 Memorial which was attended by 77,000 firefighters from all over the world. The hole at ground zero was still a testament a year later as to the impact of what can happen when a country lets its guard down.
So my questions to the Current Government and to the two opposition parties, and to our provincial leaders, in light of the recent events in France are:
1. “Who are the refugees”? How can you possibly screen 25,000 people adequately in such a short period of time to ensure that none of these people pose a threat to me and my country?
Will We Learn Nothing From Paris?
I am a proud Canadian, and proud of our heritage of being a true global leader in Humanitarian efforts. Given the events of recent years and more importantly the recent week, however, I believe prudence requires a pause in our assistance package for Syrian refugees, and indeed all refugees and asylum seekers. I say this not in a tone of political partisanship, but one of Citizenship. Any Parliament, be it Liberal, Conservative, or NDP has as its first mandate the protection of our country and its citizens. This must take precedence over all other considerations and activities.
As a Retired Firefighter/Fire Officer of the City of Calgary, I have an experience I believe is timely and valuable. In my final assignment at the end of my career, I asked for and received a transfer to work on the Airport Crash Rescue Unit at the Calgary International Airport. A requirement for all staff working at the Airport is to undergo a police background check. In between the time the background check is initiated, and the time it is competed, an employee must be accompanied by another employee who has the appropriate screening and credentials. I can’t remember precisely how long it took for the RCMP to conduct my check, but it was several months. Bear in mind that this is for a person who was born in Calgary; completed primary, secondary and post-secondary education in Calgary/Lethbridge; had passed a security clearance to gain employment as a Calgary Firefighter, and had worked in this civic institution for 18 years at the time. I had also been vetted by the Provincial Government’s Lieutenant Governor Norman (Normie) Kwong to sit as a long-term member of the Alberta Labour Relations Board. In short, it would not be difficult to find information on me. I was also required to be finger printed as part of the process.
When the day arrived and I was notified that I had passed the security clearance, I was escorted to the terminal building by a colleague to pick up my coveted airport pass. While in the waiting room, I met and visited with what seemed to be a very nice man of Arab descent, who if memory served was from Jordan. During our discussion, he indicated that his pass had only taken two weeks to get, as opposed to the months mine had taken. He left after receiving his pass, and so when my turn came I asked the RCMP Sargent why on earth it would take so long for me to acquire a clearance when this person who indicated he was a recent arrival to Canada received his in two weeks or less. The answer I received haunts me to this day.
The answer: “We can’t really do that much of a search on these people. They often arrive without even a passport or Birth Certificate, and unless they appear on an INTERPOL watch list, we generally let them pass. Often the police departments from these fractured countries are unable or unwilling to provide information or detailed data, and we simply have to go with what we can learn. We also make sure they have no criminal record while in Canada, which for many of these folks is a very short period of time”…….or words to that effect.
In the couple of years I spent at the airport, I never stopped thinking about that. These people were everywhere: loading aircraft luggage, cleaning the airport with access to virtually all areas right up to the jet ways, acting as security guards and everything in between. It was then and there that I realized that the issue of security was truly an illusion in our country. I do not say these things lightly. I represented Calgary and its 1500 members as the President of the Calgary Firefighter’s Association in New York in 2002 at the 911 Memorial which was attended by 77,000 firefighters from all over the world. The hole at ground zero was still a testament a year later as to the impact of what can happen when a country lets its guard down.
So my questions to the Current Government and to the two opposition parties, and to our provincial leaders, in light of the recent events in France are:
1. “Who are the refugees”? How can you possibly screen 25,000 people adequately in such a short period of time to ensure that none of these people pose a threat to me and my country?
El Chapo sends threatening message to terrorist group ISIS.
It turns out a Mexican blogger leaked the message after it was sent email encrypted directly to the Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, a prominent ISIS leader. The blogger has intimate ties with actual Sinaloa cartel members, so it looks as if the warning is indeed legit.
The three central cartels which move drugs across Mexico, as well as the rest of the world, are The Sinaloa Cartel, The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and Los Zetas.
With the Middle East having become a burgeoning scene for cocaine, ecstasy and other party-based drugs, the cartels have been expanding their operational reach to these regions, hoping to heavily profit from the oil industries rich princes and wealthy businessmen who have been fueling the growing nightlife scene.
ISIS. As drugs are not a part of the organizations ideology for a Muslim State, ISIS fighters have been destroying shipments of drugs from the cartels.
More
The three central cartels which move drugs across Mexico, as well as the rest of the world, are The Sinaloa Cartel, The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and Los Zetas.
With the Middle East having become a burgeoning scene for cocaine, ecstasy and other party-based drugs, the cartels have been expanding their operational reach to these regions, hoping to heavily profit from the oil industries rich princes and wealthy businessmen who have been fueling the growing nightlife scene.
ISIS. As drugs are not a part of the organizations ideology for a Muslim State, ISIS fighters have been destroying shipments of drugs from the cartels.
More
Governor Larry Hogan Participates in Ribbon-Cutting for Rocky Gap Water Treatment Plant
New Plant Addresses Present, Future Needs of Resort and Campground
ANNAPOLIS, MD – As part of a four-day visit to Western Maryland, Governor Larry Hogan today visited Rocky Gap State Park to celebrate the completion of their new water treatment plant. The state invested $5.64 million to replace obsolete, unreliable technology with a fully automated, membrane ultra-filtration water system to accommodate the Rocky Gap Resort and campground.
“Rocky Gap Resort and campground continues to be an important economic driver for Western Maryland,” said Governor Hogan. “By investing in the water treatment plant, we are ensuring that the current and future needs of visitors and businesses will be met.”
The old treatment plant struggled to keep up with the demand at Rocky Gap, particularly in the summer. The new plant was moved closer to the resort, minimizing the chance of a line break interrupting the water supply. Drawing its water from Lake Habeeb, the new plant provides reliable, high-quality drinking water to Resort and park guests, and its larger capacity allows for future growth at the popular destination.
The state’s investment in this basic infrastructure supports the success of both the State Park and Rocky Gap Resort and Casino. The casino is vital to the region, employing 500 year-round employees. Redevelopment at Rocky Gap has led to many new construction jobs. As the Resort continues to draw people to Allegany County, new hotels, restaurants, and stores are emerging in the area.
The Rocky Gap Water Treatment Plant is part of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Rocky Gap State Park and is operated by Maryland Environmental Service, an independent state agency. The new plant was engineered by Watek Engineering Corporation of Gaithersburg, Maryland and constructed by Carl Belt, Inc. of Cumberland.
ANNAPOLIS, MD – As part of a four-day visit to Western Maryland, Governor Larry Hogan today visited Rocky Gap State Park to celebrate the completion of their new water treatment plant. The state invested $5.64 million to replace obsolete, unreliable technology with a fully automated, membrane ultra-filtration water system to accommodate the Rocky Gap Resort and campground.
“Rocky Gap Resort and campground continues to be an important economic driver for Western Maryland,” said Governor Hogan. “By investing in the water treatment plant, we are ensuring that the current and future needs of visitors and businesses will be met.”
The old treatment plant struggled to keep up with the demand at Rocky Gap, particularly in the summer. The new plant was moved closer to the resort, minimizing the chance of a line break interrupting the water supply. Drawing its water from Lake Habeeb, the new plant provides reliable, high-quality drinking water to Resort and park guests, and its larger capacity allows for future growth at the popular destination.
The state’s investment in this basic infrastructure supports the success of both the State Park and Rocky Gap Resort and Casino. The casino is vital to the region, employing 500 year-round employees. Redevelopment at Rocky Gap has led to many new construction jobs. As the Resort continues to draw people to Allegany County, new hotels, restaurants, and stores are emerging in the area.
The Rocky Gap Water Treatment Plant is part of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Rocky Gap State Park and is operated by Maryland Environmental Service, an independent state agency. The new plant was engineered by Watek Engineering Corporation of Gaithersburg, Maryland and constructed by Carl Belt, Inc. of Cumberland.
Governor Larry Hogan Makes Heroin Grant Awards Announcement in Western Maryland
Funds Intended to Help Western Maryland Target Drug Traffickers and Prevent Overdoses
ANNAPOLIS, MD – As part of a four-day visit to Western Maryland, Governor Larry Hogan today joined Christopher B. Shank, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention, and law enforcement officials to award $91,760 to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and $125,000 to the Maryland State Police to identify and prosecute drug traffickers and help those struggling with drug addiction get the best possible treatment.
The grant to the Washington County Sheriff's Office will be used for a deputy to investigate overdose cases, with the ultimate goal of identifying dealers and suppliers for prosecution, as well as a drug reentry coordinator who will work with the Washington County Detention Center and the Washington County Narcotics Task Force to help facilitate treatment for addicts, and overtime pay for investigators. Additionally, the funds will provide for Cellebrite technology enhancements to enable law enforcement to access crucial information to identify and prosecute drug traffickers. Maryland State Police will use the funds for technology improvements to aid in narcotics interdiction efforts in the region.
“Addressing the heroin and opioid epidemic in our state has been a top priority of our administration from day one and it will continue to be going forward,” said Governor Hogan. “These grants are just one part of our efforts to identify drug traffickers and dealers who are contributing to overdoses and deaths in this region and throughout the state – and to finally shut down the ‘heroin highway' for good.”
“This funding will have a significant impact on heroin trafficking and abuse in Western Maryland,” said Christopher B. Shank, executive director of the Governor's Office of Crime Control & Prevention. “This grant will strengthen Washington County's ability to track down and arrest drug traffickers, and at the same time provide additional support to ongoing efforts to help offenders break free of their addiction. Our goal is to break the back of the drug trade, and take away their customers for good.”
“These grant funds are vital to Washington County and in assisting us with reducing overdoses, deaths, and the treatment of individuals with addiction issues,” said Washington County Sheriff Douglas W. Mullendore. “In addition, the reentry coordinator would serve as a navigator for getting those who need services enrolled in the right ones as quickly as possible.”
Last February, the governor signed an Executive Order creating the Heroin and Opioid Emergency Task Force. The Task Force—made up of 11 members with expertise in addiction treatment, law enforcement, education, and prevention, including a mother who lost her daughter to a heroin overdose—advises and assists the governor in establishing a coordinated statewide and multi-jurisdictional effort to prevent, treat, and significantly reduce heroin and opioid abuse in the state.
A week ago today, the Task Force submitted its final report to the governor. The report provided 33 recommendations aimed at increasing quality treatment options for those struggling with addiction and strengthening law enforcement’s ability to target and prosecute drug traffickers.
In October, the Hogan administration awarded a 12-month grant of $55,532 to the Allegany County State’s Attorney’s Office for a new prosecution program aimed at offenders, many of them drug dealers, who are responsible for much of the crime in that county. “The Prosecution Partnership Targeting Priority Offenders” program will also enhance the existing Cumberland Safe Streets Program by using evidence-based techniques to successfully prosecute priority offenders, particularly those who are contributing to the substantial heroin problem in Allegany County.
The funding for the Allegany County program is from the federal Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program, which supports a broad range of state and local criminal justice initiatives.
ANNAPOLIS, MD – As part of a four-day visit to Western Maryland, Governor Larry Hogan today joined Christopher B. Shank, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention, and law enforcement officials to award $91,760 to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and $125,000 to the Maryland State Police to identify and prosecute drug traffickers and help those struggling with drug addiction get the best possible treatment.
The grant to the Washington County Sheriff's Office will be used for a deputy to investigate overdose cases, with the ultimate goal of identifying dealers and suppliers for prosecution, as well as a drug reentry coordinator who will work with the Washington County Detention Center and the Washington County Narcotics Task Force to help facilitate treatment for addicts, and overtime pay for investigators. Additionally, the funds will provide for Cellebrite technology enhancements to enable law enforcement to access crucial information to identify and prosecute drug traffickers. Maryland State Police will use the funds for technology improvements to aid in narcotics interdiction efforts in the region.
“Addressing the heroin and opioid epidemic in our state has been a top priority of our administration from day one and it will continue to be going forward,” said Governor Hogan. “These grants are just one part of our efforts to identify drug traffickers and dealers who are contributing to overdoses and deaths in this region and throughout the state – and to finally shut down the ‘heroin highway' for good.”
“This funding will have a significant impact on heroin trafficking and abuse in Western Maryland,” said Christopher B. Shank, executive director of the Governor's Office of Crime Control & Prevention. “This grant will strengthen Washington County's ability to track down and arrest drug traffickers, and at the same time provide additional support to ongoing efforts to help offenders break free of their addiction. Our goal is to break the back of the drug trade, and take away their customers for good.”
“These grant funds are vital to Washington County and in assisting us with reducing overdoses, deaths, and the treatment of individuals with addiction issues,” said Washington County Sheriff Douglas W. Mullendore. “In addition, the reentry coordinator would serve as a navigator for getting those who need services enrolled in the right ones as quickly as possible.”
Last February, the governor signed an Executive Order creating the Heroin and Opioid Emergency Task Force. The Task Force—made up of 11 members with expertise in addiction treatment, law enforcement, education, and prevention, including a mother who lost her daughter to a heroin overdose—advises and assists the governor in establishing a coordinated statewide and multi-jurisdictional effort to prevent, treat, and significantly reduce heroin and opioid abuse in the state.
A week ago today, the Task Force submitted its final report to the governor. The report provided 33 recommendations aimed at increasing quality treatment options for those struggling with addiction and strengthening law enforcement’s ability to target and prosecute drug traffickers.
In October, the Hogan administration awarded a 12-month grant of $55,532 to the Allegany County State’s Attorney’s Office for a new prosecution program aimed at offenders, many of them drug dealers, who are responsible for much of the crime in that county. “The Prosecution Partnership Targeting Priority Offenders” program will also enhance the existing Cumberland Safe Streets Program by using evidence-based techniques to successfully prosecute priority offenders, particularly those who are contributing to the substantial heroin problem in Allegany County.
The funding for the Allegany County program is from the federal Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program, which supports a broad range of state and local criminal justice initiatives.