DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Friday, December 11, 2015
Delmarva Bridal Showcase at the WY&CC on Jan. 3
Salisbury, MD – Plan your Delmarva dream wedding at the Delmarva Bridal Showcase on Sunday, January 3 from noon until 4 p.m. at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center.
From dresses to diamonds, rehearsals to receptions -- explore Delmarva's elite wedding vendors all from one place. Those registering by Dec. 15 will receive a free ticket. Otherwise tickets are $10 and may be purchased online in advance or at the door the day of the event. For more information or to register, visit www.wicomicociviccenter.org.
From dresses to diamonds, rehearsals to receptions -- explore Delmarva's elite wedding vendors all from one place. Those registering by Dec. 15 will receive a free ticket. Otherwise tickets are $10 and may be purchased online in advance or at the door the day of the event. For more information or to register, visit www.wicomicociviccenter.org.
Police Chief: Driver "smoked some dope and drank" before hitting, killing beloved officer
Montgomery County Police Chief Thomas Manger made the alarming announcement during a press conference Thursday. His remarks followed the death of officer Noah Leotta.
Around 9:45 p.m. last Thursday, Leotta stopped a vehicle along northbound Rockville Pike, near Edmonston Drive in Rockville. While conducting the traffic stop, Luis Gustavo Reluzco, 47, hit Leotta, forcing the 24-year-old officer to the ground, which caused a severe head injury.
Reluzco remained on the scene but refused to submit to a Breathalyzer test. Because of the extent of Leotta's injuries, Maryland state law allowed investigators to take a blood sample from Reluzco. Although the results have not been released, Chief Manger made strong allusions as to their findings.
"This young police officer, who is an example of what every cop should be, was killed by a man who smoked some dope, drank for four hours, and got behind the wheel of a car. This officer was killed serving the public, trying to prevent the exact crime that killed him," Chief Manger said.
Reluzco, who lives along the 18200 block of Rolling Meadow Way in Olney, did not return phone calls seeking comment. His house sat dark Thursday evening, not a single light turned on inside.
According to Chief Manger, Reluzco has been arrested twice before for driving drunk. He also has a 1997 conviction for possession of paraphernalia.
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Dem Rep. Sanchez: 'Between 5 and 20 Percent' of Muslims Willing to Use Terrorism
Rep. Loretta Sanchez says that "anywhere between 5 and 20 percent" of Muslims are "willing to use" terrorism to establish a worldwide caliphate.
"Certainly, we know that there is a small group, and we don’t know how big that is — it can be anywhere between 5 and 20 percent, from the people that I speak to — that Islam is their religion," the California Democrat told Larry King Wednesday.
Sanchez, 55, a seven-term congresswoman who sits on the House Homeland Security Committee, was discussing the threat of the Islamic State and President Barack Obama's national speech Sunday in response to the shooting attacks in San Bernardino.
She said these extremist Muslims have "a desire for a caliphate and to institute that in any way possible, and in particular go after what they consider 'Western norms' — our way of life.
"They are not content enough to have their way of looking at the world," she added. "They want to put their way on everybody in the world."
More here
"Certainly, we know that there is a small group, and we don’t know how big that is — it can be anywhere between 5 and 20 percent, from the people that I speak to — that Islam is their religion," the California Democrat told Larry King Wednesday.
Sanchez, 55, a seven-term congresswoman who sits on the House Homeland Security Committee, was discussing the threat of the Islamic State and President Barack Obama's national speech Sunday in response to the shooting attacks in San Bernardino.
She said these extremist Muslims have "a desire for a caliphate and to institute that in any way possible, and in particular go after what they consider 'Western norms' — our way of life.
"They are not content enough to have their way of looking at the world," she added. "They want to put their way on everybody in the world."
More here
Committee reaches out to Muslims to hear their concerns
It was put on by the Montgomery County Committee on Hate/Violence, which works to stamp out hate through community education, advocacy, collaboration and legislation.
The point of the meeting was to listen to concerns and problems in order to later come up with ways to tackle them.
“I really feel so grateful to you for allowing us to have our meeting here and for opening your community home to us,” said Committee Chair Lorraine Lee-Stepney.
“We can’t allow the irrational, disrespectful and biased opinions of a few who may be running for political office in our country to define or dictate our relations with those of the Muslim faith who we call friend, colleague or neighbor,” she added.
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Cruz: Trump, Carson Campaigns Will Fall, I'll Get Their Supporters
"I think both of them, their campaigns have a natural arc," Cruz said. "And with both of them I think gravity is pulling them down…. Carson is further in that descent."
He continued:
"You look at Paris, you look at San Bernardino, it’s given a seriousness to this race, that people are looking for: Who is prepared to be a commander in chief? Who understands the threats we face? Who am I comfortable having their finger on the button?
"Now that’s a question of strength, but it’s also a question of judgment."
More here
Sessions Exposes Ryan’s, McConnell’s Plans to Fund Syrian Refugees
Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s subcommittee on Immigration and the National Interest, tells Breitbart News Daily about House Speaker Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI)’s and Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY)’s plans to force Americans to pay for President Obama’s Syrian refugee resettlement program.
“It’s going to be jammed through,” Sessions told host and Breitbart News executive chairman Stephen K. Bannon on Thursday morning on the show, which airs on SiriusXM, The Patriot, Channel 125. “Members of the Senate are very frustrated. We have no idea what the contested issues are [in a forthcoming omnibus spending bill] and how they’re going to be decided and who’s deciding.”
Sessions continued by noting that Congress is in this position in the first place because Democrats are blocking the appropriations process—but then Republican leadership going along with them by negotiating everything in the forthcoming omnibus spending bill in “secret.”
“It’s happening because the Democrats refuse to move the appropriations bills—13—we got one through,” Sessions told Bannon.
More here
“It’s going to be jammed through,” Sessions told host and Breitbart News executive chairman Stephen K. Bannon on Thursday morning on the show, which airs on SiriusXM, The Patriot, Channel 125. “Members of the Senate are very frustrated. We have no idea what the contested issues are [in a forthcoming omnibus spending bill] and how they’re going to be decided and who’s deciding.”
Sessions continued by noting that Congress is in this position in the first place because Democrats are blocking the appropriations process—but then Republican leadership going along with them by negotiating everything in the forthcoming omnibus spending bill in “secret.”
“It’s happening because the Democrats refuse to move the appropriations bills—13—we got one through,” Sessions told Bannon.
More here
Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr. Announces State Police Promotions
On Thursday, December 10, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. Delaware State Police Superintendent Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr. announced the division’s most recent promotions. The promotional ceremony was held in the Martin Luther King Jr. Student Center located at Delaware State University.
Notable dignitaries included the Attorney General Matt Denn, and Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security James Mosley.
Surrounded by family, friends and colleagues 17 Delaware State Troopers were promoted to new ranks.
Promotees:
- From Captain to Major
- Galen M. Purcell (Headquarters-Executive Staff)
- From Lieutenant to Captain
- Charles C. Condon (Headquarters- Aviation)
- John J. Laird Jr. (Headquarters - SBI)
- From Sergeant to Lieutenant
- Alexander Peterson III (Headquarters-Dover)
- Kerry B. Reinbold (Headquarters - SBI)
- Kristopher R. Thompson (Troop 7 – Lewes)
- Jeffrey C. Whitmarsh II (Troop 6- Prices Corner)
- From Corporal to Sergeant
- Dermot S. Alexander (Troop 2 - Glasgow)
- Rodney H. Bond Jr. (Troop 1 – Penny Hill)
- Mark S. Justice (Troop 5 – Bridgeville)
- Hudson M. Keller (Troop 5 – Bridgeville)
- Edward J. Larney (Troop 9 – Odessa)
- Brian L. Pixley (Troop 1 – Penny Hill)
- Dannaile D. Rementer (Troop 3 – Camden)
- Steven E. Robertson (Troop 3 – Camden)
- Dewey R. Stout Jr. (Troop 1 Penny Hill)
- Kristin L. Smith (Troop 7 – Lewes)
Md. leaders consider 'universal' voting registration
Maryland's top Democrats are looking at legislation that would automatically put every eligible state resident on the voting rolls, abandoning the traditional registration system.
Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller and House Speaker Michael E. Busch say they are seriously considering putting their weight behind a "universal voter registration" plan. If a change were approved, Maryland would join a small number of state legislatures, all led by Democrats, that passed laws to register people who did not take the initiative to register.
The policy would add hundreds of thousands of voters to rolls here — and faces deep objections from the Maryland Republican Party.
"This is all about the Democrats finding new voters. This is a joke," said Joe Cluster, executive director of the state GOP. "God forbid they actually go out there and register people to vote."
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Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller and House Speaker Michael E. Busch say they are seriously considering putting their weight behind a "universal voter registration" plan. If a change were approved, Maryland would join a small number of state legislatures, all led by Democrats, that passed laws to register people who did not take the initiative to register.
The policy would add hundreds of thousands of voters to rolls here — and faces deep objections from the Maryland Republican Party.
"This is all about the Democrats finding new voters. This is a joke," said Joe Cluster, executive director of the state GOP. "God forbid they actually go out there and register people to vote."
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Muslims
Have you ever seen a Muslim hospital?
Have you heard a Muslim orchestra?
Have you seen a Muslim band march in a parade?
Have you witnessed a Muslim charity?
Have you shaken hands with a Muslim Girl Scout?
Have you seen a Muslim Candy Striper?
The answer is no, you have not. Just ask yourself WHY ???
Barack Obama, during his Cairo speech, said: "I know, too, that Islam has always been a part of America 's history."
AN AMERICAN CITIZEN'S RESPONSE
Dear Mr. Obama:
Were those Muslims that were in America when the Pilgrims first
landed? Funny, I thought they were Native American Indians.
Were those Muslims that celebrated the first Thanksgiving day? Sorry again, those were Pilgrims and Native American Indians.
Can you show me one Muslim signature on the United States Constitution?
Declaration of Independence ?
Bill of Rights?
Didn't think so.
Did Muslims fight for this country's freedom from England ? No.
Did Muslims fight during the Civil War to free the slaves in America?
No, they did not.
In fact, Muslims to this day are still the largest traffickers in human
slavery. Your own half-brother, a devout Muslim, still advocates
slavery himself, even though Muslims of Arabic descent refer to black Muslims as "pug nosed slaves." Says a lot of what the Muslim world really thinks of your family's "rich Islamic heritage," doesn't it Mr. Obama?
Where were Muslims during the Civil Rights era of this country?
Not present.
There are no pictures or media accounts of Muslims walking side by
side with Martin Luther King, Jr. or helping to advance the cause of
Civil Rights.
Where were Muslims during this country's Woman's Suffrage era?
Again, not present. In fact, devout Muslims demand that women are
subservient to men in the Islamic culture. So much so, that often
they are beaten for not wearing the 'hajib' or for talking to a man
who is not a direct family member or their husband. Yep, the Muslims are all for women's rights, aren't they?
Where were Muslims during World War II?
They were aligned with Adolf Hitler. The Muslim grand mufti himself met with Adolf Hitler, reviewed the troops and accepted support from the Nazi's in killing Jews.
Finally, Mr. Obama, where were Muslims on Sept. 11th, 2001?
If they weren't flying planes into the World Trade Center, the
Pentagon or a field in Pennsylvania killing nearly 3,000 people on our own soil, they were rejoicing in the Middle East . No one can
dispute the pictures shown from all parts of the Muslim world
celebrating on CNN, Fox News, MSNBC and other cable news network's that day. Strangely, the very "moderate" Muslims who you bent over backwards to kiss in Cairo, Egypt on June 4th were stone cold silent post 9-11. To many Americans, their silence has meant approval for the acts of that day.
And THAT, Mr. Obama, is the "rich heritage" Muslims have here in America....
Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot to mention the Barbary Pirates. They were
Muslims.
And now we can add November 5, 2009 - the slaughter of American
soldiers at Fort Hood by a Muslim major who is a doctor and a
psychiatrist who was supposed to be counseling soldiers returning from battle in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Also, don't forget the Boston Marathon bombing on April 15.2013 was done by 2 Muslim Brothers. That, Mr. Obama is the "Muslim heritage" in America
Have you heard a Muslim orchestra?
Have you seen a Muslim band march in a parade?
Have you witnessed a Muslim charity?
Have you shaken hands with a Muslim Girl Scout?
Have you seen a Muslim Candy Striper?
The answer is no, you have not. Just ask yourself WHY ???
Barack Obama, during his Cairo speech, said: "I know, too, that Islam has always been a part of America 's history."
AN AMERICAN CITIZEN'S RESPONSE
Dear Mr. Obama:
Were those Muslims that were in America when the Pilgrims first
landed? Funny, I thought they were Native American Indians.
Were those Muslims that celebrated the first Thanksgiving day? Sorry again, those were Pilgrims and Native American Indians.
Can you show me one Muslim signature on the United States Constitution?
Declaration of Independence ?
Bill of Rights?
Didn't think so.
Did Muslims fight for this country's freedom from England ? No.
Did Muslims fight during the Civil War to free the slaves in America?
No, they did not.
In fact, Muslims to this day are still the largest traffickers in human
slavery. Your own half-brother, a devout Muslim, still advocates
slavery himself, even though Muslims of Arabic descent refer to black Muslims as "pug nosed slaves." Says a lot of what the Muslim world really thinks of your family's "rich Islamic heritage," doesn't it Mr. Obama?
Where were Muslims during the Civil Rights era of this country?
Not present.
There are no pictures or media accounts of Muslims walking side by
side with Martin Luther King, Jr. or helping to advance the cause of
Civil Rights.
Where were Muslims during this country's Woman's Suffrage era?
Again, not present. In fact, devout Muslims demand that women are
subservient to men in the Islamic culture. So much so, that often
they are beaten for not wearing the 'hajib' or for talking to a man
who is not a direct family member or their husband. Yep, the Muslims are all for women's rights, aren't they?
Where were Muslims during World War II?
They were aligned with Adolf Hitler. The Muslim grand mufti himself met with Adolf Hitler, reviewed the troops and accepted support from the Nazi's in killing Jews.
Finally, Mr. Obama, where were Muslims on Sept. 11th, 2001?
If they weren't flying planes into the World Trade Center, the
Pentagon or a field in Pennsylvania killing nearly 3,000 people on our own soil, they were rejoicing in the Middle East . No one can
dispute the pictures shown from all parts of the Muslim world
celebrating on CNN, Fox News, MSNBC and other cable news network's that day. Strangely, the very "moderate" Muslims who you bent over backwards to kiss in Cairo, Egypt on June 4th were stone cold silent post 9-11. To many Americans, their silence has meant approval for the acts of that day.
And THAT, Mr. Obama, is the "rich heritage" Muslims have here in America....
Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot to mention the Barbary Pirates. They were
Muslims.
And now we can add November 5, 2009 - the slaughter of American
soldiers at Fort Hood by a Muslim major who is a doctor and a
psychiatrist who was supposed to be counseling soldiers returning from battle in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Also, don't forget the Boston Marathon bombing on April 15.2013 was done by 2 Muslim Brothers. That, Mr. Obama is the "Muslim heritage" in America
Press Release: Counterfeit $100 Dollar Bills Being Passed In Pocomoke Made From Actual Washed $5 Dollar Bills
Release Date: December 11, 2015
Incident Type: Counterfeit Money Scam in Pocomoke, MD Using Washed Money to Reprint $100 Bills
Pocomoke City, MD – December 2015 – Chief William Harden would like to make local businesses aware of counterfeit money scams being perpetrated in Pocomoke, MD. Someone is passing off “washed” $5 dollar bills as $100 dollar bills. The bill has the look and feel of real money because it is an actual $5-dollar bill that has been washed of the mint ink and replaced with a color photo copy of a $100-dollar bill to the front and back of the bill, so the counterfeit marker pins will not show the paper as fake. There are, however, several telltale signs that the $100-dollar bill is fake and actually a $5-dollar bill. If you hold the $100 dollar bill up to the light, you will see the ghost image of Lincoln rather than Franklin and the sewn in security thread strip running vertical on one side of the bill says $5-dollar bill rather than $100-dollar bill. The real bills also have color shifting ink used in the numeral on the lower right corner of the face of the note, change color when the note is viewed from different angles. The ink appears green when viewed directly and changes to black when the note is tilted. There may be other denominations being washed and photocopied, but the fake $100 bills printed on real washed $5 dollar bills are what have been recovered so far.
Pocomoke Police ask that you contact the police department if you receive such a counterfeit bill of any denomination that does not match the above security features for the face value of the money and get a good description or identifiers of the person passing the money, a license plate and what they are driving if possible. You may notify us anonymously as well if anyone knows who may be passing this counterfeit money in our community.
Group calls on Perdue to adopt animal welfare policies
The group held a press conference Thursday morning in Baltimore calling on Perdue to adopt animal welfare policies. Mercy for Animals wants the company to change how it breeds and slaughters chickens, and give them more room and access to natural light.
"There's really no difference between cruelty to a chicken and cruelty to a cat or a dog. Farm animals feel pain in the same way and to the same degree to the dogs and cats with whom most of us share our homes," said Bruce Friedrich, with Mercy for Animals.
The organization gave its video to the Richmond County Sheriff's Office in North Carolina, and said the worker involved was charged.
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BREAKING NEWS: Carson threatens to bolt from the GOP if party leaders manipulate convention
Mr. Carson’s warning followed a report in The Washington Post that said establishment leaders are growing increasingly concerned about Donald Trump’s hard-charging bid for the GOP nomination.
The Post reported that GOP officials and establishment figures shared their concerns with Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus at a dinner and urged him to be prepared to lay groundwork for the possibility of a floor fight at the convention if Mr. Trump performs well in the primaries, but not well enough to wrap up the nomination in a first-ballot vote.
That scenario would open the door to a “brokered” convention, where the establishment could coalesce around an alternative to Mr. Trump, the report said.
Mr. Priebus did not endorse the idea, The Post reported.
“If this was the beginning of a plan to subvert the will of the voters and replace it with the will of the political elite, I assure you Donald Trump will not be the only one leaving the party,” Mr. Carson said in a statement Friday.
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Governor Larry Hogan, First Lady To Host Holiday Open House at Government House
All Marylanders Welcome for Public Celebration
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan and First Lady Yumi Hogan invite Marylanders and their families to join them for a Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 12, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Government House. The event is free of charge, open to the public, and no reservations are required.
PARKING: Guests may park in the Bladen Street garage, which does not charge on weekends, or in other garages located on Main Street and West Street. Please click here for a detailed map showing more parking options in downtown Annapolis.
The First Family asks that guests consider bringing unwrapped toys that will be donated to those in need during this holiday season. On behalf of Toys for Tots, the Marine Corps Reserve will be collecting donations under a tent by the front gate.
The decorations for the open house will include Christmas trees provided by Lowe’s Bayshore Nursery in Stevensville, MD, and refreshments will include assortments of holiday cookies, brownies, and desert bars prepared by Government House chefs. Hot Wassail will also be available for guests waiting in line outside of Government House and live music will be provided by Maryland high school groups, with a different performance each hour.
Holiday ornaments provided by the Foundation for the Preservation of Government House of Maryland will be sold inside, proceeds from which will help support and maintain the historical significance of Government House with repairs, remodeling, and preservation.
Earlier this month, the governor and first lady also welcomed members of garden clubs from all 24 Maryland jurisdictions to the State House to personally deliver and decorate a Christmas tree in the rotunda. The governor and first lady presented a certificate of appreciation and Christmas ornaments to each club. Menorahs have also been placed in the State House and Government House.
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan and First Lady Yumi Hogan invite Marylanders and their families to join them for a Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 12, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Government House. The event is free of charge, open to the public, and no reservations are required.
PARKING: Guests may park in the Bladen Street garage, which does not charge on weekends, or in other garages located on Main Street and West Street. Please click here for a detailed map showing more parking options in downtown Annapolis.
The First Family asks that guests consider bringing unwrapped toys that will be donated to those in need during this holiday season. On behalf of Toys for Tots, the Marine Corps Reserve will be collecting donations under a tent by the front gate.
The decorations for the open house will include Christmas trees provided by Lowe’s Bayshore Nursery in Stevensville, MD, and refreshments will include assortments of holiday cookies, brownies, and desert bars prepared by Government House chefs. Hot Wassail will also be available for guests waiting in line outside of Government House and live music will be provided by Maryland high school groups, with a different performance each hour.
Holiday ornaments provided by the Foundation for the Preservation of Government House of Maryland will be sold inside, proceeds from which will help support and maintain the historical significance of Government House with repairs, remodeling, and preservation.
Earlier this month, the governor and first lady also welcomed members of garden clubs from all 24 Maryland jurisdictions to the State House to personally deliver and decorate a Christmas tree in the rotunda. The governor and first lady presented a certificate of appreciation and Christmas ornaments to each club. Menorahs have also been placed in the State House and Government House.
Trump Endorsed By Police Union After Proposing Muslim Ban
The endorsement from the New England Police Benevolent Association comes as Trump remains under scrutiny for his call to ban Muslims from entering the United States “until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on.” The proposal has been panned as xenophobic and un-American by many of Trump’s rivals, Republican leaders and others around the world.
Executive board members who attended a closed-door meeting to cast their votes said that Trump’s comments had come up briefly in their discussion. But they said that most of the conversation had centered on his past comments in support of police.
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Quote Of The Day 12-11-15
"The supposed quietude of a good man allures the ruffian;while on the other hand, arms like laws, discourageand keep the invader and the plunderer in awe,and preserve order in the world as well as property.The same balance would be preserved were all the worlddestitute of arms, for all would be alike;but since some will not, others dare not lay them aside...Horrid mischief would ensue were one half the worlddeprived of the use of them..."
-- Thomas Paine(1737-1809) US Founding father, pamphleteer, authorSource: I Writings of Thomas Paine at 56, 1984
-- Thomas Paine(1737-1809) US Founding father, pamphleteer, authorSource: I Writings of Thomas Paine at 56, 1984
Gun linked to Paris attack came thru US
Milojko Brzakovic of the Zastava arms factory told The Associated Press that the M92 semi-automatic pistol’s serial number matched one his company delivered to an American online arms dealer in May 2013. It was not clear how the gun got back to Europe.
At least seven of the weapons used or discovered after the Nov. 13 attacks in Paris have been identified as being produced by the Serbian factory located in Kragujevac, in central Serbia. Most were manufactured before Yugoslavia broke up in a civil war in the 1990s and most of those are modified versions of the Soviet AK-47, or Kalashnikov.
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Benghazi Family Hits Back: Hillary Clinton Lied About Us To George Stephanopoulos
Kate Quigley, sister of Glen Doherty, one of the four murder victims of the September 11 terror attack against our Benghazi consulate in Libya in 2012, accused Hillary Clinton oflying to George Stephanopoulos about what the former Secretary of State told her and other grieving Benghazi family members.
During her Sunday appearance on ABC’s This Week, Clinton said outright that she never told the Benghazi families that an anti-Muslim YouTube video caused the terror attack that resulted in the deaths of their loved ones.
In other words, Clinton accused these family members of lying.
Stephanopoulos asked her point blank, “Did you tell them it was about the film?”
Clinton flat-out denied it.
“No,” she said. “You know, look, I understand the continuing grief at the loss that parents experienced with the loss of these four brave Americans.”
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During her Sunday appearance on ABC’s This Week, Clinton said outright that she never told the Benghazi families that an anti-Muslim YouTube video caused the terror attack that resulted in the deaths of their loved ones.
In other words, Clinton accused these family members of lying.
Stephanopoulos asked her point blank, “Did you tell them it was about the film?”
Clinton flat-out denied it.
“No,” she said. “You know, look, I understand the continuing grief at the loss that parents experienced with the loss of these four brave Americans.”
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Texas Police Chief, Others Urge Citizens to Arm Themselves
A Texas police chief who warns President Barack Obama in a social media video that trying to disarm Americans would "cause a revolution in this country" is the latest law enforcement official to urge citizens to arm themselves in the wake of mass shootings.
Randy Kennedy, longtime chief in the small East Texas town of Hughes Springs, about 120 miles east of Dallas, says in the video posted this week on his personal Facebook page that the Second Amendment was established to protect people from criminals and "terrorists and radical ideology."
"It's also there to protect us against a government that has overreached its power," Kennedy says in the video. "You are not our potentate, sir. You are our servant."
He warned people in his town to prepare themselves: "Be ready when the wolf comes to the door, because it's on its way."
Law enforcement officials in Arizona, Florida and New York also have recently prompted citizens to arm themselves - some using similar comments aimed at terrorism.
More here
Randy Kennedy, longtime chief in the small East Texas town of Hughes Springs, about 120 miles east of Dallas, says in the video posted this week on his personal Facebook page that the Second Amendment was established to protect people from criminals and "terrorists and radical ideology."
"It's also there to protect us against a government that has overreached its power," Kennedy says in the video. "You are not our potentate, sir. You are our servant."
He warned people in his town to prepare themselves: "Be ready when the wolf comes to the door, because it's on its way."
Law enforcement officials in Arizona, Florida and New York also have recently prompted citizens to arm themselves - some using similar comments aimed at terrorism.
More here
Breaking: Congress OKs short-term spending bill hours before deadline
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has passed a short-term spending bill to keep the government open through next Wednesday.
The measure was approved by voice vote hours on Friday ahead of a midnight deadline. It now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature. The White House has said he will sign it.
The measure will give lawmakers and the White House more time to complete negotiations on a $1.1 trillion government-wide spending bill for 2016.
Source
The measure was approved by voice vote hours on Friday ahead of a midnight deadline. It now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature. The White House has said he will sign it.
The measure will give lawmakers and the White House more time to complete negotiations on a $1.1 trillion government-wide spending bill for 2016.
Source
Why Is CAIR Helping San Bernardino Terrorists After the Fact?
In the hours after the Dec. 2 attack, in which Syed Farook and his wife Tashfeen Malik killed 14 people and wounded 21 others, CAIR held a press conference featuring the family of the killers.
It was an odd public relations strategy, given that the FBI had not yet been willing to call the attack an act of terrorism. Yet CAIR, in rushing to condemn it, confirmed that it was Islamic terror.
In the days that followed, instead of distancing Muslims from the attack, CAIR almost seemed to insist on the association.
Last Friday, for example, Hussam Ayloush, director of CAIR’s Los Angeles chapter, told CNN that the United States was to blame for provoking the attack through foreign policies Muslims found objectionable: “Let’s not forget that some of our own foreign policy, as Americans, as the West, have fueled that extremism,” he told CNN, listing several policy grievances.
Not content with acting as a mouthpiece for the terrorists’ perceived demands, CAIR offered legal assistance to the family of the terrorists, appearing in court earlier this week to help Farook’s sister, Saira Khan, who is “eagerly awaiting to obtain custody” of the six-month-old baby that he and his wife abandoned before their attack.
CAIR issued a press release drawing attention to its role, almost as if legal assistance were a kind of death benefit offered to would-be terrorists, ensuring their children’s welfare.
Read more here
Report: Wal-Mart's China Imports Cost 400,000 American Jobs
Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s import of goods from China led to the loss of over 400,000 jobs in the United States between 2001 and 2013, according to a report from a U.S.-based non-profit think tank.
The world's largest retailer likely accounted for 15.3 percent of the growth in the U.S. goods trade deficit with China in the same period, the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) said in a report on Wednesday.
United States goods trade deficit with China increased almost fourfold to $324.2 billion in the 12 years till 2013, with Wal-Mart accounting for $48.1 billion of the total, the EPI said.
"Wal-Mart has aided China's abuse of labor rights and its violations of fair trade (norms) by providing a conduit for the distribution of artificially cheap and subsidized Chinese exports to the United States," the EPI said.
The EPI also said Wal-Mart's plan to source more U.S.-made goods had resulted in very few actual manufacturing jobs being created.
Wal-Mart said EPI's analysis was "flawed" and that the company adds jobs through areas of its business such as supply chain, logistics and distribution.
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The world's largest retailer likely accounted for 15.3 percent of the growth in the U.S. goods trade deficit with China in the same period, the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) said in a report on Wednesday.
United States goods trade deficit with China increased almost fourfold to $324.2 billion in the 12 years till 2013, with Wal-Mart accounting for $48.1 billion of the total, the EPI said.
"Wal-Mart has aided China's abuse of labor rights and its violations of fair trade (norms) by providing a conduit for the distribution of artificially cheap and subsidized Chinese exports to the United States," the EPI said.
The EPI also said Wal-Mart's plan to source more U.S.-made goods had resulted in very few actual manufacturing jobs being created.
Wal-Mart said EPI's analysis was "flawed" and that the company adds jobs through areas of its business such as supply chain, logistics and distribution.
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Senate Judiciary Committee Votes Foreign Muslims May Not Be Banned Based on Religion
In response to Donald Trump’s call for a temporary pause on Muslim migration, the Senate Judiciary Committee declared on Thursday that Muslims living in foreign nations have a global right to immigrate to the United States.
Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), who fought against the amendment’s passage, says the measure represents an “unprecedented effort to extend American’s constitutional rights and protections to foreign citizens living in foreign countries.” Sessions said it would “constitute a transformation of our immigration system. In effect, it is a move toward the ratification of the idea that global migration is a ‘human right’, and a civil right… and that these so-called ‘immigrants’ rights’ must be supreme to the rights of sovereign nations to determine who can and cannot enter their borders.”
The amendment offered by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) stated, “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 amendment, which passed 16-4 as a “Sense Of The Senate” resolution, was added to a larger bill entitled The Nuclear Terrorism Conventions Implementation and Safety of Maritime Navigation Act of 2015 (S. 138).
Sen. Jeff Sessions, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) opposed the amendment; while Sen. Chuck Grassley, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Sen. David Perdue (R-GA), Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sen. Christopher Coons (D-DE), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sen. Al Franken (D-MN), Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Dick Durbin, Chuck Schumer, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Pat Leahy, and Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) supported it.
Sessions explained how Leahy’s proposal would fundamentally redefine the nation’s conception of immigration law— a change, which recent polling data suggest is at odds with the majority of Americans.
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Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), who fought against the amendment’s passage, says the measure represents an “unprecedented effort to extend American’s constitutional rights and protections to foreign citizens living in foreign countries.” Sessions said it would “constitute a transformation of our immigration system. In effect, it is a move toward the ratification of the idea that global migration is a ‘human right’, and a civil right… and that these so-called ‘immigrants’ rights’ must be supreme to the rights of sovereign nations to determine who can and cannot enter their borders.”
The amendment offered by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) stated, “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 amendment, which passed 16-4 as a “Sense Of The Senate” resolution, was added to a larger bill entitled The Nuclear Terrorism Conventions Implementation and Safety of Maritime Navigation Act of 2015 (S. 138).
Sen. Jeff Sessions, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) opposed the amendment; while Sen. Chuck Grassley, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Sen. David Perdue (R-GA), Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sen. Christopher Coons (D-DE), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sen. Al Franken (D-MN), Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Dick Durbin, Chuck Schumer, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Pat Leahy, and Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) supported it.
Sessions explained how Leahy’s proposal would fundamentally redefine the nation’s conception of immigration law— a change, which recent polling data suggest is at odds with the majority of Americans.
More here
One day only: Maryland sports history to go on sale
BALTIMORE —Sports fans could soon own a piece of Maryland sports history.
The Baltimore Museum of Industry's outdoor pavilion will be stocked Saturday with plenty of items to choose.
"(It's) really cool stuff that you can't buy at the Walmart," said Mike Gibbons, executive director of the Babe Ruth Birthplace Foundation.
As part of a museum yard sale, the Babe Ruth Birthplace Foundation is set to a host a one-day sale Saturday featuring many items previously on display at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Sports Legends museums.
"They come representing all of our teams, so you've got basketball, lacrosse, football and baseball," Gibbons said. "(There are) photographs of teams going all the way back maybe with the Orioles to the 1890s, when they were champions of the National League."
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The Baltimore Museum of Industry's outdoor pavilion will be stocked Saturday with plenty of items to choose.
"(It's) really cool stuff that you can't buy at the Walmart," said Mike Gibbons, executive director of the Babe Ruth Birthplace Foundation.
As part of a museum yard sale, the Babe Ruth Birthplace Foundation is set to a host a one-day sale Saturday featuring many items previously on display at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Sports Legends museums.
"They come representing all of our teams, so you've got basketball, lacrosse, football and baseball," Gibbons said. "(There are) photographs of teams going all the way back maybe with the Orioles to the 1890s, when they were champions of the National League."
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Liberal Feminist Joy Brighton: Deport Entire Families of Terrorists from U.S.
On Breitbart News Daily, Brighton made the case that Sharia is already here in America thanks to Muslim immigration and the political correctness that’s allowing it to take hold and spread.
Later in the interview, Brighton warned about several things that the United States should be doing—but isn’t—to protect this country from radical Islamic terrorism. One thing she noted is that America should deport all family members of anyone who engages in terrorism.
“There’s a few things we should be doing to protect our country,” Brighton said. “When a terrorist kills someone in this country or terrorizes someone in this country, the entire extended family must be deported. That way it is very humane—you just get everybody and you put them on a plane. It’s only the family members, and extended family members, who want to stay in this country who can police their own family members.”
Brighton specifically noted, too, that the United States has yet to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization.
“The Muslim Brotherhood—you talk about a ban—the Muslim Brotherhood needs to be shut down in this country. We look at our coalition leaders—Saudi Arabia, the [United Arab] Emirates, Egypt, et cetera—what did they do when ISIS first popped its head up? They banned the Muslim Brotherhood. And yet we are not willing to do that.”
Keep reading..
Donald Trump, Ted Cruz Dominate Citizens United Poll
Donald Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) dominate a new poll of conservative activists, commissioned by Citizens United.
Trump leads the Republican field with 38.6 percent support, followed closely by Cruz, who had the support of 32.9 percent of poll respondents. Together, the two outsider candidates command more than 70 percent support from grass roots activists.
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) was a very distant third, with just 10.2 percent support.
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Trump leads the Republican field with 38.6 percent support, followed closely by Cruz, who had the support of 32.9 percent of poll respondents. Together, the two outsider candidates command more than 70 percent support from grass roots activists.
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) was a very distant third, with just 10.2 percent support.
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Two Afghan Trainees Missing From Georgia Air Force Base
Two men from Afghanistan being trained by the U.S. military have disappeared from an Air Force base in Georgia and were being sought by federal authorities, officials said on Tuesday.
The two Afghan air force students failed to show up for duty on Monday at their regular maintenance training at Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Georgia, an Air Force spokesman said in a statement.
The two men have been at the base since February, and were screened prior to their arrival in the United States more than a year ago, he said.
The students do not pose any apparent threat, the spokesman added.
The reason the men might have left the base was not known.
Federal agencies were trying to locate the individuals and return them to the proper authorities, the spokesman said.
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The two Afghan air force students failed to show up for duty on Monday at their regular maintenance training at Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Georgia, an Air Force spokesman said in a statement.
The two men have been at the base since February, and were screened prior to their arrival in the United States more than a year ago, he said.
The students do not pose any apparent threat, the spokesman added.
The reason the men might have left the base was not known.
Federal agencies were trying to locate the individuals and return them to the proper authorities, the spokesman said.
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Lawsuit alleging sex between coach, student draws attention to quirk in Md. law
ROCKVILLE — If a high-school coach has sex with a 16-year-old student, did that coach commit a crime? In Maryland, that depends.
“Right now, it’s illegal for a teacher or coach to have sex with someone under the age of 18 if that person is ‘under their care or custody,’’’ at the time, explains Lisae Jordan with the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
But she says a quirk in Maryland law carves out an exception.
“The law only prohibits teachers and coaches from having sex with children at other times if they are working for the school.”
Jordan has lobbied to close that loophole in Annapolis. A bill that would have narrowed the exemption failed in the Maryland state legislature in the last legislative session.
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“Right now, it’s illegal for a teacher or coach to have sex with someone under the age of 18 if that person is ‘under their care or custody,’’’ at the time, explains Lisae Jordan with the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
But she says a quirk in Maryland law carves out an exception.
“The law only prohibits teachers and coaches from having sex with children at other times if they are working for the school.”
Jordan has lobbied to close that loophole in Annapolis. A bill that would have narrowed the exemption failed in the Maryland state legislature in the last legislative session.
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Donald Trump On Muslims: #Winning
THE “REPUBLICAN” ESTABLISHMENT? NOT SO MUCH …
Brash, bombastic Donald Trump became the GOP presidential frontrunner by speaking bluntly about the dangers of illegal immigration from Mexico … and he appears poised to remain the GOP presidential frontrunner by speaking similarly about the dangers associated with immigrants from Muslim countries.
Meanwhile the “Republican” establishment – which attacked Trump relentlessly in the aftermath of his Mexican standoff – is making the same mistake it did months ago.
Two days ago, a national reporter contacted Will Folks – the founding editor of this website – and asked for his perspective on Trump’s recent call to temporarily halt all Muslim immigration to the United States.
“I think he is seizing upon something the rest of the field cannot – and frankly I think his ‘Muslim Wall’ will be every bit as popular with the GOP electorate as his Mexican Wall,” Folks told the scribe.
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Brash, bombastic Donald Trump became the GOP presidential frontrunner by speaking bluntly about the dangers of illegal immigration from Mexico … and he appears poised to remain the GOP presidential frontrunner by speaking similarly about the dangers associated with immigrants from Muslim countries.
Meanwhile the “Republican” establishment – which attacked Trump relentlessly in the aftermath of his Mexican standoff – is making the same mistake it did months ago.
Two days ago, a national reporter contacted Will Folks – the founding editor of this website – and asked for his perspective on Trump’s recent call to temporarily halt all Muslim immigration to the United States.
“I think he is seizing upon something the rest of the field cannot – and frankly I think his ‘Muslim Wall’ will be every bit as popular with the GOP electorate as his Mexican Wall,” Folks told the scribe.
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Geller: The Third Man
Conspiracy theories bore me. They are an enormous waste of people’s time and energy, particularly now, at a time when conspiracy fact (i.e. the global jihad) is so overwhelming. You don’t need fairy tales when reality is so much more compelling. But something smells rotten in San Bernardino.
Like many shocked and horrified Americans, I watched events unfolding in real time. There were, from the very first, three shooters. Eyewitnesses, police scanner broadcasts, news reports all said the same thing.
One eyewitness, Sara Abdelmageed, gave extensive detail to Scott Pelley on the CBS Evening News.
Here’s the exchange: “I heard shots fired and it was from — you know — an automatic weapon,” Abdelmageed said, “we looked out the window a second set of shots goes off…and we saw a man fall to the floor. Then we just looked and we saw three men dressed in all black, military attire, with vests on. They were holding assault rifles. As soon as they opened up the doors to building three one of them started to shoot into the room.”
Abdelmageed said that she “couldn’t see a face, he had a black hat on — black cargo pants, the kind with the big puffy pockets on the side, long sleeve shirt, gloves, huge assault rifle six magazines I just saw three dressed exactly the same.”
Pelley asked her: “You are certain you saw three men?” Abdelmageed answered: “Yes. It looked like their skin color was white. They look like they were athletic build and they appeared to be tall.”
Another eyewitness, Juan Hernandez, saw the same thing: three men. He said the shooters were “three white men in military fatigues” who “took off” in a “black Impala or SUV.”
CBS Evening News titled one of its early reports: “Officials: 2 of 3 suspects dead in San Bernardino shooting.”
And then suddenly, the third man disappeared. No media reports mention him anymore. No law enforcement officials appear to be searching for him. He is gone without a trace, and no one has even noticed that he is missing, or was ever there in the first place.
More here
Like many shocked and horrified Americans, I watched events unfolding in real time. There were, from the very first, three shooters. Eyewitnesses, police scanner broadcasts, news reports all said the same thing.
One eyewitness, Sara Abdelmageed, gave extensive detail to Scott Pelley on the CBS Evening News.
Here’s the exchange: “I heard shots fired and it was from — you know — an automatic weapon,” Abdelmageed said, “we looked out the window a second set of shots goes off…and we saw a man fall to the floor. Then we just looked and we saw three men dressed in all black, military attire, with vests on. They were holding assault rifles. As soon as they opened up the doors to building three one of them started to shoot into the room.”
Abdelmageed said that she “couldn’t see a face, he had a black hat on — black cargo pants, the kind with the big puffy pockets on the side, long sleeve shirt, gloves, huge assault rifle six magazines I just saw three dressed exactly the same.”
Pelley asked her: “You are certain you saw three men?” Abdelmageed answered: “Yes. It looked like their skin color was white. They look like they were athletic build and they appeared to be tall.”
Another eyewitness, Juan Hernandez, saw the same thing: three men. He said the shooters were “three white men in military fatigues” who “took off” in a “black Impala or SUV.”
CBS Evening News titled one of its early reports: “Officials: 2 of 3 suspects dead in San Bernardino shooting.”
And then suddenly, the third man disappeared. No media reports mention him anymore. No law enforcement officials appear to be searching for him. He is gone without a trace, and no one has even noticed that he is missing, or was ever there in the first place.
More here
Opposition To Barack Obama’s “Neighborhood Engineering” Intensifies
A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE “SURRENDER CONGRESS” TO TAKE A STAND …
As crunch time nears on efforts to shut down one of U.S. president Barack Obama‘s most radical, overreaching social experiments, a key member of the U.S. Senate is signaling his opposition to the Washington, D.C. power grab.
U.S. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina – who is no stranger to bucking the politically correct status quo in the nation’s capital – is reportedly joining the ranks of those opposing the so-called “Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing” regulation.
This onerous regulation – promulgated by Obama’s Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – would effectively put the federal government in charge of local zoning laws all over the country. This would allow Washington, D.C. to infringe upon one of the most fundamental liberties we have left – the right to live where we want.
Sources familiar with Senator Scott’s thinking tell us he disagrees with the HUD rule and has asked his office to investigate it – likely as a prelude to public hearings before the Banking, Housing and Urban Development committee (of which Scott is a member).
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As crunch time nears on efforts to shut down one of U.S. president Barack Obama‘s most radical, overreaching social experiments, a key member of the U.S. Senate is signaling his opposition to the Washington, D.C. power grab.
U.S. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina – who is no stranger to bucking the politically correct status quo in the nation’s capital – is reportedly joining the ranks of those opposing the so-called “Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing” regulation.
This onerous regulation – promulgated by Obama’s Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – would effectively put the federal government in charge of local zoning laws all over the country. This would allow Washington, D.C. to infringe upon one of the most fundamental liberties we have left – the right to live where we want.
Sources familiar with Senator Scott’s thinking tell us he disagrees with the HUD rule and has asked his office to investigate it – likely as a prelude to public hearings before the Banking, Housing and Urban Development committee (of which Scott is a member).
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Harbeson Couple Arrested in Death of Infant
Harbeson – Delaware State Police Homicide detectives have arrested the mother and father of an infant that died as a result of injuries it sustained while in their care.
The investigation into the incident began on May 23, 2015 after a 9-1-1 call was made from the residence in the 18000 block of Harbeson Road reporting that his 3 month old son was suffering from a seizure and was barely responsive. Paramedics and Emergency Medical Services responded to the house and transported the infant to Beebe Healthcare in Lewes before he was flown to A.I. DuPont Children’s Hospital where he was admitted in critical condition due to multiple broken bones and a serious head injury. After remaining on life support measures for five months, Aiden R. Hundley, now 8 months old, died on September 22, 2015. An autopsy conducted by the Delaware Division of Forensic Science ruled the death a homicide due to blunt force trauma to the head.
Further investigation revealed Aiden suffered numerous injuries that occurred over the two months he was in the care of his parents. The parents could offer no plausible explanation for these injuries and they were the sole caregivers for Aiden. The injuries were so severe that they would have been obvious to any caretaker.
On Thursday December 10, 2015, after reviewing the case with the Delaware Attorney General’s Office, detectives obtained warrants for the arrest of Doyle J. Hundley Jr.,37, and Casey R. Layton, 28. They were taken into custody at their Harbeson home and transported back to Troop 4 in Georgetown where they were both charged with Murder by Abuse 1st, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child Knowingly Act in a Manner Likely to Injure thus Causing Death (Felony). They were both arraigned at JP2 and placed in the custody of the Delaware Department of Corrections on $106,000.00 cash only for both.
Another two and a half year old son of the couple has been placed in the care of the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families and does not appear to have been harmed.
The investigation into the incident began on May 23, 2015 after a 9-1-1 call was made from the residence in the 18000 block of Harbeson Road reporting that his 3 month old son was suffering from a seizure and was barely responsive. Paramedics and Emergency Medical Services responded to the house and transported the infant to Beebe Healthcare in Lewes before he was flown to A.I. DuPont Children’s Hospital where he was admitted in critical condition due to multiple broken bones and a serious head injury. After remaining on life support measures for five months, Aiden R. Hundley, now 8 months old, died on September 22, 2015. An autopsy conducted by the Delaware Division of Forensic Science ruled the death a homicide due to blunt force trauma to the head.
Further investigation revealed Aiden suffered numerous injuries that occurred over the two months he was in the care of his parents. The parents could offer no plausible explanation for these injuries and they were the sole caregivers for Aiden. The injuries were so severe that they would have been obvious to any caretaker.
On Thursday December 10, 2015, after reviewing the case with the Delaware Attorney General’s Office, detectives obtained warrants for the arrest of Doyle J. Hundley Jr.,37, and Casey R. Layton, 28. They were taken into custody at their Harbeson home and transported back to Troop 4 in Georgetown where they were both charged with Murder by Abuse 1st, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child Knowingly Act in a Manner Likely to Injure thus Causing Death (Felony). They were both arraigned at JP2 and placed in the custody of the Delaware Department of Corrections on $106,000.00 cash only for both.
Another two and a half year old son of the couple has been placed in the care of the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families and does not appear to have been harmed.
No One Punished for EPA Toxic Mine Spill
Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said Wednesday she is unaware of anyone being fired, fined or even demoted for the Gold King Mine spill, prompting Republicans to accuse her of taking the EPA off the hook for the toxic blowout.
“So you’re letting the EPA get off scot-free it sounds like. They are not being held accountable,” said Rep. Doug Lamborn, Colorado Republican, at the House Natural Resources Committee hearing.
Republicans took Ms. Jewell to task for the Interior Department’s investigation into the Aug. 5 spill, saying the October report failed to hold anyone responsible for unleashing 3 million gallons of orange, toxic wastewater into the Animas River near Silverton, Colorado.
“You’re directly responsible for this report. The EPA had promised this committee a thorough investigation,” said Rep. Tom McClintock, California Republican. “We have not gotten one. What we have gotten is a complete, deliberate whitewash.”
Mr. Lamborn asked if anyone had been fired or fined after the spill, to which she replied, “Not that I’m aware of.” Asked if she was aware of anyone being demoted, she referred the question to the EPA.
Asked if she had even yelled at anyone, Ms. Jewell responded, “No, I have not yelled at anybody over this.”
Ms. Jewell defended the Interior investigation, saying it was confined to a technical review of the incident to determine its cause, not to assign blame. The report concluded that the EPA team touched off the spill by removing debris without first testing the water level within the mine.
More here
“So you’re letting the EPA get off scot-free it sounds like. They are not being held accountable,” said Rep. Doug Lamborn, Colorado Republican, at the House Natural Resources Committee hearing.
Republicans took Ms. Jewell to task for the Interior Department’s investigation into the Aug. 5 spill, saying the October report failed to hold anyone responsible for unleashing 3 million gallons of orange, toxic wastewater into the Animas River near Silverton, Colorado.
“You’re directly responsible for this report. The EPA had promised this committee a thorough investigation,” said Rep. Tom McClintock, California Republican. “We have not gotten one. What we have gotten is a complete, deliberate whitewash.”
Mr. Lamborn asked if anyone had been fired or fined after the spill, to which she replied, “Not that I’m aware of.” Asked if she was aware of anyone being demoted, she referred the question to the EPA.
Asked if she had even yelled at anyone, Ms. Jewell responded, “No, I have not yelled at anybody over this.”
Ms. Jewell defended the Interior investigation, saying it was confined to a technical review of the incident to determine its cause, not to assign blame. The report concluded that the EPA team touched off the spill by removing debris without first testing the water level within the mine.
More here
Nearly Half of Renters Put Too Much Toward Rent
The largest boom in new apartment construction in three decades is doing little to slow rent increases or ease affordability concerns for renters across the country, a new report finds.
A record number of renters are spending more than 30% of their incomes on rent—a ratio that economists consider financially burdensome, according to a report released Wednesday by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. The report, “America’s Rental Housing: Expanding Options for Diverse and Growing Demand,” says more than 21 million households are burdened by how much they pay in rent, up from fewer than 15 million in 2001.
Nearly half of renters are paying more than 30% of their incomes in rent, the report says. While that is a slight improvement from 2011, it remains above where it has been for most of the last 13 years.
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A record number of renters are spending more than 30% of their incomes on rent—a ratio that economists consider financially burdensome, according to a report released Wednesday by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. The report, “America’s Rental Housing: Expanding Options for Diverse and Growing Demand,” says more than 21 million households are burdened by how much they pay in rent, up from fewer than 15 million in 2001.
Nearly half of renters are paying more than 30% of their incomes in rent, the report says. While that is a slight improvement from 2011, it remains above where it has been for most of the last 13 years.
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Cruz: Obama ‘More Interested in Promoting Homosexuality in the Military Than Defeating Our Enemy’
Morale in the U.S. military has “plummeted” in recent years because President Barack Obama “doesn’t support our soldiers,” won’t even name the enemy “radical Islamic terrorism,” and is “more interested in promoting homosexuality in the military” than in “defeating our enemy,” said Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas).
During a conference call with Bishop E.W. Jackson of the National Emergency Coalition (NEC), Senator Cruz said, “You look at the military and one of the things we’ve seen is morale in the military under the Obama administration has plummeted, and it has plummeted because you have a commander-in-chief that doesn’t support our soldiers and sailors and airmen and Marines."
“You have a commander-in-chief that doesn’t stand up against our enemies, that won’t even acknowledge or say the words ‘radical Islamic terrorism,’” said Cruz. “And you have a commander-in-chief that treats the military as a cauldron for social experimentation.”
“He’s more interested in promoting homosexuality in the military than he is in defeating our enemy,” said the senator.
“So, for example,” he added, “the military is now focused on trying to promote transgender soldiers. The role of the military is not to be some left-wing social experiment.”
Read more here
During a conference call with Bishop E.W. Jackson of the National Emergency Coalition (NEC), Senator Cruz said, “You look at the military and one of the things we’ve seen is morale in the military under the Obama administration has plummeted, and it has plummeted because you have a commander-in-chief that doesn’t support our soldiers and sailors and airmen and Marines."
“You have a commander-in-chief that doesn’t stand up against our enemies, that won’t even acknowledge or say the words ‘radical Islamic terrorism,’” said Cruz. “And you have a commander-in-chief that treats the military as a cauldron for social experimentation.”
“He’s more interested in promoting homosexuality in the military than he is in defeating our enemy,” said the senator.
“So, for example,” he added, “the military is now focused on trying to promote transgender soldiers. The role of the military is not to be some left-wing social experiment.”
Read more here
Neurosurgeon, Former Commander Talk Spinal Injury, Police Practices In Porter Trial
Dr. Matthew Ammerman, a Washington neurosurgeon, showed the jury enlarged pictures of an MRI taken while Gray was in Shock Trauma. He said Gray suffered a "catastrophic and complete" spinal cord injury and said he concluded Gray suffered paralysis and death "in milliseconds." He said it was also impossible for Gray to have suffered that injury before the van's fourth stop, when Porter helped Gray up.
"Even the best medical treatment," Ammerman said, could not have saved Gray's life. Furthermore, he said, it was impossible for Gray to have suffered a seizure--a suggested cause for the banging Donta Allen claimed to have heard in a recanted statement--as a seizure would have required bleeding on the brain, which was not present.
In cross examination, however, Ammerman conceded that in general, medical treatment helps and could have perhaps helped Gray.
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FBI: 57% of Anti-Religious Hate Crimes Targeted Jews; 16% Targeted Muslims
Despite the liberal narrative to the contrary, Jews, not Muslims, were the greatest victims of what the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program designated as religiously targeted hate crimes in America in 2014.
“In the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, the victim of a hate crime may be an individual, a business, an institution, or society as a whole,” reads the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports: Hate Crime Statistics, 2014. “In 2014, the nation’s law enforcement agencies reported that there were 6,727 victims of hate crimes. Of these victims, 46 were victimized in 17 separate multiple-bias incidents.”
According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports: Hate Crime Statistics, 2014, there were 1,140 victims of anti-religious hate crimes in the U.S. in 2014. “Of the 1,140 victims of anti-religious hate crimes: 56.8 percent [56.8%] were victims of crimes motivated by their offenders’ anti-Jewish bias.” That amounts to approximately 647.52 instances where Jewish individuals, businesses or institutions were targeted.
A mere “16.1 percent [16.1%] were victims of anti-Islamic (Muslim) bias,” amounting to approximately 183.54 instances where Muslim individuals, businesses or institutions were targeted.
In the U.S., Jews were targeted an astonishing 40.7 percent (40.7%) more than Muslims in the year 2014.
Anti-Christian bias (including both anti-Catholic and anti-Protestant bias) came in fourth at 8.6 percent (8.6%), behind anti-other religion bias (11.0%).
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“In the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, the victim of a hate crime may be an individual, a business, an institution, or society as a whole,” reads the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports: Hate Crime Statistics, 2014. “In 2014, the nation’s law enforcement agencies reported that there were 6,727 victims of hate crimes. Of these victims, 46 were victimized in 17 separate multiple-bias incidents.”
According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports: Hate Crime Statistics, 2014, there were 1,140 victims of anti-religious hate crimes in the U.S. in 2014. “Of the 1,140 victims of anti-religious hate crimes: 56.8 percent [56.8%] were victims of crimes motivated by their offenders’ anti-Jewish bias.” That amounts to approximately 647.52 instances where Jewish individuals, businesses or institutions were targeted.
A mere “16.1 percent [16.1%] were victims of anti-Islamic (Muslim) bias,” amounting to approximately 183.54 instances where Muslim individuals, businesses or institutions were targeted.
In the U.S., Jews were targeted an astonishing 40.7 percent (40.7%) more than Muslims in the year 2014.
Anti-Christian bias (including both anti-Catholic and anti-Protestant bias) came in fourth at 8.6 percent (8.6%), behind anti-other religion bias (11.0%).
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The middle class no longer dominates in the U.S.
Middle class Americans now comprise less than half, or 49.9%, of the nation's population, down from 61% in 1971, according to a new Pew Research Center report. For Pew, middle class Americans live in households earning between two-thirds to two times the nation's median income. In 2014, that ranged from $41,900 to $125,600 for a three-person household.
For decades, the middle class had been the core of the country. A healthy middle class kept America strong, experts and politicians said.
But more recently, these residents have struggled under stagnating wages and soaring costs. Presidential candidates on both sides of the political aisle are campaigning on ways to bolster the nation's middle class and increase opportunities to climb the economic ladder.
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For decades, the middle class had been the core of the country. A healthy middle class kept America strong, experts and politicians said.
But more recently, these residents have struggled under stagnating wages and soaring costs. Presidential candidates on both sides of the political aisle are campaigning on ways to bolster the nation's middle class and increase opportunities to climb the economic ladder.
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Pat Buchanan to GOP: Support Trump Now or Lose to Hillary
Veteran conservative voice Patrick Buchanan issued a stern warning to the Republican Party on Thursday: Throw your weight behind GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump now — or prepare to lose next year’s election to Hillary Clinton.
Buchanan, an adviser to Presidents Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford, told Newsmax TV the freak-out over Trump's proposal to temporarily bar all Muslims from entering the U.S. is misguided and will make the billionaire developer turn independent as his supporters flee the GOP.
And it will open the door to Clinton, the former secretary of state and Democratic presidential front-runner, to waltz into the Oval Office in the 2016 general election.
"Somebody's got to tell the Republican Party, look, everybody's advising you how you get rid of Trump, but if you destroy him, you destroy his issues or you deny his issues and arguments, where do you think those people are going to go? They're going to stay home," Buchanan said on "Newsmax Prime" with J.D. Hayworth.
"The establishment is unhinged. It is unhinged and the incredible overreaction – using terms like fascist and Nazi and Hitler and Mussolini to Trump's suggestion about a temporary moratorium on immigration from the Middle East until we find out how we can vet folks a lot better than we're doing right now," Buchanan said.
"Trump is a great threat to that establishment and they can sense it and you see it in the hysterical reaction-- hysterical-- to what Trump said."
"He said, look, if we can't vet these folks coming in from the Islamic world, where all these wars are going on, Sunni versus Shia, al-Qaida, and ISIS, maybe we ought to have a moratorium, a temporary time out on mass immigration into the U.S. until we correct our system, or reduce the numbers coming in."
Buchanan said that without solidarity the GOP is doomed to lose.
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Buchanan, an adviser to Presidents Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford, told Newsmax TV the freak-out over Trump's proposal to temporarily bar all Muslims from entering the U.S. is misguided and will make the billionaire developer turn independent as his supporters flee the GOP.
And it will open the door to Clinton, the former secretary of state and Democratic presidential front-runner, to waltz into the Oval Office in the 2016 general election.
"Somebody's got to tell the Republican Party, look, everybody's advising you how you get rid of Trump, but if you destroy him, you destroy his issues or you deny his issues and arguments, where do you think those people are going to go? They're going to stay home," Buchanan said on "Newsmax Prime" with J.D. Hayworth.
"The establishment is unhinged. It is unhinged and the incredible overreaction – using terms like fascist and Nazi and Hitler and Mussolini to Trump's suggestion about a temporary moratorium on immigration from the Middle East until we find out how we can vet folks a lot better than we're doing right now," Buchanan said.
"Trump is a great threat to that establishment and they can sense it and you see it in the hysterical reaction-- hysterical-- to what Trump said."
"He said, look, if we can't vet these folks coming in from the Islamic world, where all these wars are going on, Sunni versus Shia, al-Qaida, and ISIS, maybe we ought to have a moratorium, a temporary time out on mass immigration into the U.S. until we correct our system, or reduce the numbers coming in."
Buchanan said that without solidarity the GOP is doomed to lose.
Read more
More Than Half of US Renters 40 and Older, Study Says
The majority of U.S. renters are now 40 and older, a fundamental shift over the past decade that reflects the lasting damage of the housing crash and an aging population.
This finding in a report released Wednesday by Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies overturns the assumption that the rental boom is only the result of twenty-somethings flocking to hip urban centers. Single-family houses are a growing share of rentals. And affordability problems are mounting as rents rise faster than wages, while apartment construction increasingly targets tenants with six-figure incomes.
Nearly 51 percent of renters have celebrated their 40th birthday, according to the report's analysis of Census Bureau data. That amounts to 22.4 million households.
A decade ago when the housing bubble peaked in 2005, 47 percent of renters — or 16.4 million households — were older than 40. Their share was 43 percent in 1995.
The increase in older renters corresponds with a surge in foreclosures after the housing bubble popped. Since the 2008 financial triggered by the housing bust, there have been roughly 6 million completed foreclosures, according to CoreLogic, a property data firm.
Many of these are former owners who have transitioned to renting.
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This finding in a report released Wednesday by Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies overturns the assumption that the rental boom is only the result of twenty-somethings flocking to hip urban centers. Single-family houses are a growing share of rentals. And affordability problems are mounting as rents rise faster than wages, while apartment construction increasingly targets tenants with six-figure incomes.
Nearly 51 percent of renters have celebrated their 40th birthday, according to the report's analysis of Census Bureau data. That amounts to 22.4 million households.
A decade ago when the housing bubble peaked in 2005, 47 percent of renters — or 16.4 million households — were older than 40. Their share was 43 percent in 1995.
The increase in older renters corresponds with a surge in foreclosures after the housing bubble popped. Since the 2008 financial triggered by the housing bust, there have been roughly 6 million completed foreclosures, according to CoreLogic, a property data firm.
Many of these are former owners who have transitioned to renting.
More
The ‘Taliban Five’ Freed for Bergdahl Have Resumed ‘Threatening Activities’
“Some of the Taliban Five have engaged in threatening activities since being transferred to Qatar,” the report said.
The Taliban Five – Mohammad Fazl, Mohammed Nabi, Abdul Haq Wasiq, Mullah Norullah Nori, and Khairullah Khairkhwa – were freed from Guantánamo in exchange for Bergdahl.
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Governor’s Challenge Tip-Off Slated for Dec. 22
(Salisbury, MD) The Governor’s Challenge Tip-Off is ushering in the holiday basketball season at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center on Tuesday, Dec. 22. Gates open at 1 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for students (cash only). Children six and under are admitted free, as are Wicomico County Board of Education employees with staff identification.
Boys
Time Away v Home
1:45 p.m. St. Michaels v Parkside
3:30 p.m. Snow Hill v JM Bennett
5:15 p.m. Delmar v Wicomico
7:00 p.m. Washington v Mardela
Girls
Time Away v Home
2:00 p.m. Snow Hill v JM Bennett
3:45 p.m. St. Michaels v Parkside
5:30 p.m. Washington v Mardela
7:15 p.m. Delmar v Wicomico
The event is sanctioned by the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA).
Keep American Oil in America
Dear Joe,
All Americans can agree that they want low gas prices, less dependence on foreign oil, and more jobs.
But these benefits are exactly what are at stake if Congress decides to end the export ban on American crude oil, which may happen THIS FRIDAY following a Congressional vote if we don't do something about it.
Some Congressional members want to ship American crude oil overseas to countries like China. This is a political move that would put an unnecessary strain on our wallets, while compromising our national security and hurting our job market.
Why should China benefit from low oil prices and not America?
Time is running out. Tell Congress NOW to oppose legislation that ships American oil overseas. Sign the petition today to keep gas prices low, preserve good American jobs, and protect our national security!
All Americans can agree that they want low gas prices, less dependence on foreign oil, and more jobs.
But these benefits are exactly what are at stake if Congress decides to end the export ban on American crude oil, which may happen THIS FRIDAY following a Congressional vote if we don't do something about it.
Some Congressional members want to ship American crude oil overseas to countries like China. This is a political move that would put an unnecessary strain on our wallets, while compromising our national security and hurting our job market.
Why should China benefit from low oil prices and not America?
Time is running out. Tell Congress NOW to oppose legislation that ships American oil overseas. Sign the petition today to keep gas prices low, preserve good American jobs, and protect our national security!
National Security Profiling Is a No-Brainer
Calm down and think, America.
While everyone’s undies are in a bunch over Donald Trump’s proposal for a Muslim immigration moratorium, it is undeniable in a time of “heightened alert” — when violent jihadists have no problem targeting their enemies here and around the world — that national security profiling is imperative to our survival.
Yes, that means taking politically incorrect criteria such as ethnicity, nationality and religion into account when battling radical Islamist throat-slitters, suicide bombers and hijackers who incinerate children on airplanes traveling to Disneyland, plant bombs in their shoes, underwear, soda bottles and belts, and shoot up concert halls, restaurants, malls, Army bases and social services centers.
Yes, that means unapologetic government tracking of Arab and Muslim foreign students, high-risk Muslim refugees, Muslim chaplains serving in the military and in prisons, and Arab and Muslim pilots and flight students.
Yes, that means taking immigration status into account to apply increased, common-sense scrutiny of temporary visa holders from jihadist breeding grounds.
All temporary visa-holders — foreign students, tourists, businesspeople and guest workers — are here by privilege, not by right. Their visas can and should be revoked whenever necessary to protect national security.
It is not “un-American” to bar any new religious visas for dangerous Muslim clerics or to freeze visas issued to travelers from official state sponsors of terrorism.
It is not contrary to our “values” to prioritize the immediate removal of all illegal visa overstayers and deportation fugitives from terror-sponsoring and terror-supporting nations.
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While everyone’s undies are in a bunch over Donald Trump’s proposal for a Muslim immigration moratorium, it is undeniable in a time of “heightened alert” — when violent jihadists have no problem targeting their enemies here and around the world — that national security profiling is imperative to our survival.
Yes, that means taking politically incorrect criteria such as ethnicity, nationality and religion into account when battling radical Islamist throat-slitters, suicide bombers and hijackers who incinerate children on airplanes traveling to Disneyland, plant bombs in their shoes, underwear, soda bottles and belts, and shoot up concert halls, restaurants, malls, Army bases and social services centers.
Yes, that means unapologetic government tracking of Arab and Muslim foreign students, high-risk Muslim refugees, Muslim chaplains serving in the military and in prisons, and Arab and Muslim pilots and flight students.
Yes, that means taking immigration status into account to apply increased, common-sense scrutiny of temporary visa holders from jihadist breeding grounds.
All temporary visa-holders — foreign students, tourists, businesspeople and guest workers — are here by privilege, not by right. Their visas can and should be revoked whenever necessary to protect national security.
It is not “un-American” to bar any new religious visas for dangerous Muslim clerics or to freeze visas issued to travelers from official state sponsors of terrorism.
It is not contrary to our “values” to prioritize the immediate removal of all illegal visa overstayers and deportation fugitives from terror-sponsoring and terror-supporting nations.
More