Funny pics of Surf dog Ricochet, the SURFice dog! & Rina too... battling Elf on the Shelf's pranks! They're looking for...
Posted by Surf dog Ricochet, the SURFice dog! on Thursday, December 10, 2015
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Dogs vs. Elf on the Shelf 2015
Secret Service employee on leave after burglary arrest shot and killed in Southeast D.C.
WASHINGTON (ABC7) - A Secret Service employee put on leave after a burglary arrest in April was shot and killed in Southeast D.C. Tuesday afternoon.
Police responded to the 4700 block of 1st Street at approximately 2:52 p.m. on Dec. 15 for reports of a shooting.
The victim, Arthur Baldwin, was unconscious at the scene and later died from multiple gunshot wounds.
Police were on the lookout for three black male suspects.
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Police responded to the 4700 block of 1st Street at approximately 2:52 p.m. on Dec. 15 for reports of a shooting.
The victim, Arthur Baldwin, was unconscious at the scene and later died from multiple gunshot wounds.
Police were on the lookout for three black male suspects.
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French Imam: Deport Muslim Hate-preachers Before It's Too Late
French imam says his calls to deport extremist preachers were repeatedly ignored, accuses Europe of abandoning moderate Muslims.
A French imam has accused Europe of "abandoning moderate Muslims" by refusing to clamp down on Islamists inciting violence and indoctrinating young Muslims.
French-Tunisian Imam Sheikh Hassen Chalghoumi made his comments in an interview with Al Arabiya TV just two weeks following the deadly ISIS terrorist attacks in Paris. The interview was translated by MEMRI.
He claimed he had been calling on French authorities to deport foreign, extremist imams and other preachers who regularly preached hate in French mosques, but had been repeatedly ignored.
Noting that ISIS - which brands all other Muslims heretics as well - did not distinguish between Muslims and non-Muslims in its attacks, while at the same time European Muslims would "suffer" in general as a result of the attacks, he said he hoped French authorities would finally make good on their promises to shut down the extremists.
More here
A French imam has accused Europe of "abandoning moderate Muslims" by refusing to clamp down on Islamists inciting violence and indoctrinating young Muslims.
French-Tunisian Imam Sheikh Hassen Chalghoumi made his comments in an interview with Al Arabiya TV just two weeks following the deadly ISIS terrorist attacks in Paris. The interview was translated by MEMRI.
He claimed he had been calling on French authorities to deport foreign, extremist imams and other preachers who regularly preached hate in French mosques, but had been repeatedly ignored.
Noting that ISIS - which brands all other Muslims heretics as well - did not distinguish between Muslims and non-Muslims in its attacks, while at the same time European Muslims would "suffer" in general as a result of the attacks, he said he hoped French authorities would finally make good on their promises to shut down the extremists.
More here
Baltimore PD Press Release 12-16-15 (Police Involved Shooting)
Upon arrival the officers located an adult male who was suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the shoulder. That victim was transported to an area hospital and is expected to survived his injury.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was a delivery man, delivering soda to a local business establishment, when an unknown suspect attempted to rob and then shot the victim.
While police were on the scene of that shooting, the heard discharging coming from several blocks away. The officers then responded to the 500 block of N. Hilton Street when they observed two (2) armed suspects.
Upon noticing police presence, both suspects began to run. One of the suspects escaped apprehension while the other suspect continued to run as the officers chased behind him. Officers observed that suspect with a handgun and then ordered him to drop the gun. That suspect refused to drop the weapon at which time at least one officer fired his departmental firearm, striking the suspect in the leg. Even after being shot, that suspect continued to resist arrest. Ultimately the suspect, a 17 year old male, was taken into custody and transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The suspect’s weapon was recovered along with a second weapon that was found in close proximity to where the first suspect ran.
This investigation is open and ongoing, as detectives are looking to see if these two incidents are linked. Anyone with information regarding both these incidents are urged to contact police.
ICYM:Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Police Commissioner Kevin Davis comment on the conclusion of Officer Porter's trial.
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Police Commissioner Kevin Davis comment on the conclusion of Officer Porter's trial.
Posted by Baltimore Police Department on Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Wheaton College suspends professor over Muslim comments
In her post, Hawkins said that she would wear a hijab to show “human solidarity” with Muslim neighbors because they are “formed of the same primordial clay, descendants of the same cradle of humankind.”
“I stand in religious solidarity with Muslims because they, like me, a Christian, are people of the book. And as Pope Francis stated last week, we worship the same God,” Hawkins wrote.
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Vienna to host 35th luminaria Dec. 19
The public is invited to walk the streets, ride the free Vienna tram, or slowly drive through Vienna to enjoy the spectacle and homes decorated for Christmas. From 5 to 9 p.m., guests can stop along the way to see the Vienna Heritage Museum and get a treat, visit historical buildings, enjoy entertainment at churches and talk to Santa. A number of homes will be open to patrons with house tour tickets.
This is a special memorial year in honor of Marynan Spear and her 35 years of service with the Vienna Heritage Day which lead to the creation of the Vienna Heritage Foundation. Believed to be the longest active member, she served at least four years as president and more recently for many years as the treasurer and the organizer of the open houses.
Headquarters for the Dec. 19 luminaria will be the Vienna Heritage Museum at 303 Race St. This is the must-stop place for house tour tickets for those interested in the tour. The cost is $5 per person with children under 6 free. All other activities are free of charge.
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FAMILY GUY NAILS MEDIA HYPOCRISY ON BLACK-ON-BLACK CRIME…AND IT’S HILARIOUS
Sometimes Family Guy is on point.
Yes, we know Seth MacFarlane is a liberal Bernie Sanders supporter. But much like Bill Maher, he’s one of the few intellectually honest ones (read Liberal ‘Family Guy’ Creator Seth MacFarlane Upsets Liberals with Conservative Tweet). Which means sometimes we get little snippets of politically incorrect fun.
Last Sunday, they tackled racism and the media…
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Students practice calligraphy by writing "There is no god but Allah"
Female students at Riverheads High School in Staunton, Virginia, were also invited to wear Muslim clothing -- a story first reported by The Schilling Show
The school district convened a meeting on Dec. 11th to discuss the assignment with outraged parents.
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FEDS IGNORED ISLAMIC TERROR THREAT BEFORE SAN BERNARDINO TO FOCUS ON ‘RIGHT-WING RADICALS’
Numerous DHS, FBI reports downplayed or completely omitted Muslim jihadists
The federal government deliberately downplayed the threat posed by Islamic terrorism immediately before the recent spate of Islamist terror attacks, ignoring Muslim extremists in favor of hyping the threat posed by radical right-wingers.
In the years leading up to the Boston bombings, the Garland shooting, the Chattanooga attack and the San Bernardino massacre, the FBI, Homeland Security and the Obama White House emphasized the narrative that white supremacists and anti-government Americans were of more concern than Muslim jihadists.
A policy that prohibited Homeland Security officials from checking the social media accounts of foreign visa applicants, while concurrently keeping tags on the social media profiles of American citizens, directly contributed to San Bernardino terrorists Tashfeen Malik and Syed Farook going undetected.
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The federal government deliberately downplayed the threat posed by Islamic terrorism immediately before the recent spate of Islamist terror attacks, ignoring Muslim extremists in favor of hyping the threat posed by radical right-wingers.
In the years leading up to the Boston bombings, the Garland shooting, the Chattanooga attack and the San Bernardino massacre, the FBI, Homeland Security and the Obama White House emphasized the narrative that white supremacists and anti-government Americans were of more concern than Muslim jihadists.
A policy that prohibited Homeland Security officials from checking the social media accounts of foreign visa applicants, while concurrently keeping tags on the social media profiles of American citizens, directly contributed to San Bernardino terrorists Tashfeen Malik and Syed Farook going undetected.
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Meet the 77-year-old grandma scaring away trouble in Milwaukee
By night, this 77-year-old mother of five looks for trouble -- and stops it. The former corrections officer wields only two weapons: kindness and grit.
"I don't see them as bad people. I see them as needing help."
She says no one has hurt here when she confronts them on the streets, and she can handle herself.
"I think it's the respect, you know? Not the fear," Freeman continued.
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Veteran’s Facebook Post Comparing President George W. Bush to President Obama Is Going Viral
In a viral Facebook post, the former soldier shared a few photos of former President George W. Bush visiting with injured veterans and bringing a turkey meal to active duty soldiers. And although he made mistakes, Douglas said, he owned up to those errors.
“[Fourteen] years ago, I had a President who was proud to be an American and who shared that pride with the people,” the veteran wrote. “Today, I have an eloquent but petulant schoolchild pretending to be a leader. On the worst day in American history since Pearl Harbor, I had a President who told the world that America will not bow down. Today, I have a charlatan snake oil salesman who bows to my enemies.”
“But 14 years ago, I had a President,” he continued.
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Women Suicide Bombers On The Rise Don’t Have Much Use For 72 Virgins. Here’s What They Get Instead
Men apparently receive 72 virgins for engaging in suicide missions. Women, according to Palestinian-Jordanian cleric Sheikh Mashhoor bin Hasan Al-Salman, will each receive one young man with “a penis that never bends.”
“The Prophet Muhammad said: ‘The dwellers of Paradise have clothing that never wears out, youth that never wanes, and a penis that never bends.’ So, she can have sex with this strong man, but she cannot have multiple men taking turns with her,” Al-Salman said in a video earlier this year.
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Burn victim who wished for Christmas cards receives trip to Disney World
On Sunday night, Safyre’s aunt Liz Dodler posted about the trip on a Facebook page she maintains about Safyre’s progress. Since the 2013 fire, Safyre has lost her left foot and right hand, and needed more than 50 surgeries to graft skin over her burns. Dodler said she couldn’t wait to share the news with Safyre and her four other children.
According to WNBC, the trip is being sponsored by Baking Memories 4 Kids, a non-profit group that funds week-long trips for children with life-threatening and terminal illness. The New York State Police, the Schenectady Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), which helped investigate the 2013 fire, will help present the trip to Safyre and her family.
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OC: Holiday Services, Celebrations and Closings
Also beginning December 28, the Town of Ocean City will once again provide a Christmas tree drop-off site at the 100th Street Municipal Parking Lot. Trees can be placed in the northeast corner of the 100th Street lot December 26 through January 15. Please remove all tinsel, ornaments and other non-wooden items from the tree. Trees collected at the site are taken to the county landfill where they are recycled.
Citizens should also be reminded that Town of Ocean City administrative offices will be closed on Friday, January 1, in observance of the New Year’s holiday. There will be no trash collection on New Year’s Day. Instead, all trash will be collected on Thursday, December 31.
Judicial Watch Files FOIA Lawsuit for Refugee Documents
(Washington, DC) – Judicial Watch announced that it filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia seeking records between the U.S. Department of State and voluntary agencies regarding refugees arriving in the United States (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of State (No 1:15-cv-02030)).
The lawsuit was filed after the State Department failed to respond to two Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests submitted on May 22, 2015, and September 14, 2015.
The FOIA request submitted on May 22, 2015, seeks records of:
All Cooperation Agreements for the years 2014 and 2015 between the Department of State and the voluntary agencies involved in providing reception and placement services to refugees arriving in the United States.
All Reception and Placement abstracts for the years 2014 and 2015 furnished to the Department of State by voluntary agencies, entities subcontracting to voluntary agencies, or entities affiliated with voluntary agencies regarding the provision of reception and placement services to refugees arriving in the United States.
All transcripts of hearings held in 2014 and 2015 by the Department of State with representatives from voluntary agencies, entities subcontracting to voluntary agencies, entities affiliated with voluntary agencies, the Department of Health and Human Services, and/or the Office of Refugee Settlement regarding the provision of reception and placement services to refugees arriving in the United States.
All comments submitted to the State Department by members of the public at the hearings identified in Bullet 3 above.
All records reflecting the number of refugees, their countries of origin, and destinations in the United States in which they were settled by the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) through R&P programs for the years 2013, 2014, and 2015.
The second FOIA request, submitted September 14, 2015, seeks records of:
The lawsuit was filed after the State Department failed to respond to two Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests submitted on May 22, 2015, and September 14, 2015.
The FOIA request submitted on May 22, 2015, seeks records of:
All Cooperation Agreements for the years 2014 and 2015 between the Department of State and the voluntary agencies involved in providing reception and placement services to refugees arriving in the United States.
All Reception and Placement abstracts for the years 2014 and 2015 furnished to the Department of State by voluntary agencies, entities subcontracting to voluntary agencies, or entities affiliated with voluntary agencies regarding the provision of reception and placement services to refugees arriving in the United States.
All transcripts of hearings held in 2014 and 2015 by the Department of State with representatives from voluntary agencies, entities subcontracting to voluntary agencies, entities affiliated with voluntary agencies, the Department of Health and Human Services, and/or the Office of Refugee Settlement regarding the provision of reception and placement services to refugees arriving in the United States.
All comments submitted to the State Department by members of the public at the hearings identified in Bullet 3 above.
All records reflecting the number of refugees, their countries of origin, and destinations in the United States in which they were settled by the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) through R&P programs for the years 2013, 2014, and 2015.
The second FOIA request, submitted September 14, 2015, seeks records of:
Main St Gym Battles in Dover
Three Main St. Gym boxers traveled to Dover, Delaware Saturday evening (12/12/2015) to compete at the Dover YMCA. The event billed as “Holiday Brawl For All,” brought in fighters from PA, MD, NJ. D.C. and DE.
Jordan Brown of Delmar, MD led Main Street’s team against a very game Philadelphia fighter. Jordan maintained his poise for the three round bouts to grab the victory. “ Jordan is really starting to put it all together now. In only his third fight he remains unbeaten but more importantly he is staying cool and using his head in the ring. He works behind his jab and has a good awareness of where he is in the ring which helps with both his defense and offense” said Main St Gym head coach, Hal Chernoff.
In the third bout of the evening, eight (8) year old Gavin Brown (younger brother to Jordan) entered the ring for his second time as a fighter. Gavin fought a young fighter from the Philadelphia area. While Gavin kept the fight close through each round, his opponent backed Gavin up at the end of the third round with a large volley of punches just as the bell sounded giving the decision to his opponent. “Gavin didn’t get the win tonight, but he is doing so well that I don’t want him even thinking in terms of winning or losing. I just want him to know he is getting better and focus on learning”, Chernoff said. Keep your ears open because you will be hearing much more about both Gavin and Jordan Brown.
Main St. Gym’s last fighter to enter the ring was heavyweight TJ Mottinger. Although Mottinger was the taller of the two fighters, his Philadelphia opponent was configured like a tank weighing in well over the 200lb limit. Mottinger started slow and cautious of the shorter man’s power; but, after getting warmed up he had no problem landing punches and taking the fight. “This was Mottinger’s third win and his boxing skills are just getting better together with his overall strength, he will be a force to be reckoned with,” said Chernoff.
Jordan Brown of Delmar, MD led Main Street’s team against a very game Philadelphia fighter. Jordan maintained his poise for the three round bouts to grab the victory. “ Jordan is really starting to put it all together now. In only his third fight he remains unbeaten but more importantly he is staying cool and using his head in the ring. He works behind his jab and has a good awareness of where he is in the ring which helps with both his defense and offense” said Main St Gym head coach, Hal Chernoff.
In the third bout of the evening, eight (8) year old Gavin Brown (younger brother to Jordan) entered the ring for his second time as a fighter. Gavin fought a young fighter from the Philadelphia area. While Gavin kept the fight close through each round, his opponent backed Gavin up at the end of the third round with a large volley of punches just as the bell sounded giving the decision to his opponent. “Gavin didn’t get the win tonight, but he is doing so well that I don’t want him even thinking in terms of winning or losing. I just want him to know he is getting better and focus on learning”, Chernoff said. Keep your ears open because you will be hearing much more about both Gavin and Jordan Brown.
Main St. Gym’s last fighter to enter the ring was heavyweight TJ Mottinger. Although Mottinger was the taller of the two fighters, his Philadelphia opponent was configured like a tank weighing in well over the 200lb limit. Mottinger started slow and cautious of the shorter man’s power; but, after getting warmed up he had no problem landing punches and taking the fight. “This was Mottinger’s third win and his boxing skills are just getting better together with his overall strength, he will be a force to be reckoned with,” said Chernoff.
Nation's Top Drug Official Calls War on Drugs a Failure
The nation's top drug official went on CBS' "60 Minutes" Sunday night and proclaimed the old War on Drugs a failure. Michael Botticelli, who serves as the director of the White House's Office of National Drug Control Policy, also said he wants to reform and refocus U.S. drug policy.
When asked by "60 Minutes" host Scott Pelley if the costly drug war that has been in place for more than 40 years had been wrong, Botticelli had blunt words for what he called the "failed policies and failed practices" of the past, noting that those policies were largely responsible for the nation's mass incarceration epidemic.
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When asked by "60 Minutes" host Scott Pelley if the costly drug war that has been in place for more than 40 years had been wrong, Botticelli had blunt words for what he called the "failed policies and failed practices" of the past, noting that those policies were largely responsible for the nation's mass incarceration epidemic.
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Obama Administration put a stop to probe of San Bernardino jihadists prior to attack
The Hill has published an absolutely explosive op-ed this morning by Philip Haney, who recently retired from the Department of Homeland Security after basically being forced out of his job. Why? Because he was trying to protect homeland security, specifically by probing and tracking the activities of certain suspected terrorists - including the San Bernardino attackers.
Haney tells a stunning tale of how the Obama Administration not only shut down his efforts, but when he resisted, they investigated him and put him in a position where the best outcome he could get was an early retirement. But apparently they didn't secure his agreement to keep quiet about the incident, because Haney tells the tale this morning in detail that should be front-page news in every media outlet in America:
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FBI Chart and Documents Portray CAIR as Hamas-Related Organization
An FBI chart has surfaced depicting connections between the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas. Obtained by the Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT) via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, the chart shows CAIR falling under the umbrella of the jihadi outfit.
This FBI chart details the Hamas-related groups, which included CAIR, that were created to ultimately support the Palestinian terrorist organization. It also established Nabil Sadoun’s (former CAIR national board of directors member and vice chairman) connections to Hamas.
The IPT also obtained groundbreaking new Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) documents that trail CAIR back to its roots as a subversive Hamas-related group.
In 2007, CAIR was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation (HLF) trial, a Hamas financing case that would result in the FBI ceasing its working relationship with CAIR. The HLF trial was the largest terror-financing case in American history. In 2008, during a retrial of the HLF case, an FBI Special Agent labeled CAIR as “a front group for Hamas” during her trial testimony.
More here
This FBI chart details the Hamas-related groups, which included CAIR, that were created to ultimately support the Palestinian terrorist organization. It also established Nabil Sadoun’s (former CAIR national board of directors member and vice chairman) connections to Hamas.
The IPT also obtained groundbreaking new Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) documents that trail CAIR back to its roots as a subversive Hamas-related group.
In 2007, CAIR was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation (HLF) trial, a Hamas financing case that would result in the FBI ceasing its working relationship with CAIR. The HLF trial was the largest terror-financing case in American history. In 2008, during a retrial of the HLF case, an FBI Special Agent labeled CAIR as “a front group for Hamas” during her trial testimony.
More here
US Slave Free 1789-1861 - Slave and free states
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A Viewer Writes: Northwestern Elementary school keeps the tradition of Christmas
Joe,
Just left my kids Christmas concert at Northwestern Elementary School. And I have to say that it was delightful. In no way shape or form was Christmas turned into a politically correct mess. The kids sang about Jesus Christ " the true meaning of Christmas " Santa and Hanukkah. Not once was happy holidays or any other derivative mentioned. Even with a Muslim presence in the school. I've had a lot to say about this school in the past, mostly negative. However I do give credit when due. Good job to Mr. Evans and all the 1st and 2nd graders. Thank you all for a wonderful evening.
Just left my kids Christmas concert at Northwestern Elementary School. And I have to say that it was delightful. In no way shape or form was Christmas turned into a politically correct mess. The kids sang about Jesus Christ " the true meaning of Christmas " Santa and Hanukkah. Not once was happy holidays or any other derivative mentioned. Even with a Muslim presence in the school. I've had a lot to say about this school in the past, mostly negative. However I do give credit when due. Good job to Mr. Evans and all the 1st and 2nd graders. Thank you all for a wonderful evening.
Review Confirms Clinton Emails Were 'Top Secret,'
An intelligence community review has re-affirmed that two classified emails were indeed “top secret” when they hit Hillary Clinton’s unsecured personal server despite a challenge to that designation by the State Department, according to two sources familiar with the review.
The sources described the dispute over whether the two emails were classified at the highest level as a “settled matter.”
The agencies that owned and originated that intelligence – the CIA and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency or NGA – reviewed the emails to determine how they should be properly stored, as the State Department took issue with their highly classified nature. The subject matter of the messages is widely reported to be the movement of North Korean missiles and a drone strike. A top secret designation requires the highest level of security, and can include the use of an approved safe.
The sources, who were not authorized to speak on the record, told Fox News that while the emails were indeed “top secret” when they hit Clinton’s server, one of them remains “top secret” to this day -- and must be handled at the highest security level. The second email is still considered classified but at the lower “secret” level because more information is publicly available about the event.
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The sources described the dispute over whether the two emails were classified at the highest level as a “settled matter.”
The agencies that owned and originated that intelligence – the CIA and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency or NGA – reviewed the emails to determine how they should be properly stored, as the State Department took issue with their highly classified nature. The subject matter of the messages is widely reported to be the movement of North Korean missiles and a drone strike. A top secret designation requires the highest level of security, and can include the use of an approved safe.
The sources, who were not authorized to speak on the record, told Fox News that while the emails were indeed “top secret” when they hit Clinton’s server, one of them remains “top secret” to this day -- and must be handled at the highest security level. The second email is still considered classified but at the lower “secret” level because more information is publicly available about the event.
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State panel revises revenue estimates upwards
ANNAPOLIS, Md. —The state of Maryland has recalculated the math on revenue estimates, and the updated numbers have leaders cautiously optimistic.
Comptroller Peter Franchot may have summed it up best when he went off-script Tuesday afternoon, saying "Christmas is coming and this is a very small gift."
The state Board of Revenue Estimates revised revenue projections upwards for the current and next fiscal years, estimating an additional $31.4 million for fiscal year 2016 and $60.1 million more for fiscal year 2017.
However, Franchot also cautioned to keep this bit of good news in perspective, saying that while growth came from income tax receipts, weakening retail sales also cut into the projected bottom line.
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Comptroller Peter Franchot may have summed it up best when he went off-script Tuesday afternoon, saying "Christmas is coming and this is a very small gift."
The state Board of Revenue Estimates revised revenue projections upwards for the current and next fiscal years, estimating an additional $31.4 million for fiscal year 2016 and $60.1 million more for fiscal year 2017.
However, Franchot also cautioned to keep this bit of good news in perspective, saying that while growth came from income tax receipts, weakening retail sales also cut into the projected bottom line.
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Carson: Investigate Muslim Advocacy Group for Terrorism Ties
Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson is calling for a federal investigation into whether the nation’s largest Muslim advocacy group, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), has ties to terrorism.
In a policy proposal released on Tuesday outlining his call for a declaration of war against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Carson said the State Department must investigate the Washington-based nonprofit group as an alleged “supporter of terrorism.”
“The Department of State should designate the Muslim Brotherhood and other organizations that propagate or support Islamic terrorism as terrorist organizations, and fully investigate the Council on American-Islamic Relations as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood and a supporter of terrorism,” Carson wrote.
Carson and CAIR have been openly warring since the presidential candidate said in late September that he does not believe a Muslim should be president unless they fully reject the tenants of Sharia Law.
Critics of CAIR have long claimed that the nonprofit has ties to terror groups. CAIR was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in a 2007 trial of a different group that was convicted of funneling money to Hamas, a group that has been on the United States's Foreign Terorrist Organization list since 1997.
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In a policy proposal released on Tuesday outlining his call for a declaration of war against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Carson said the State Department must investigate the Washington-based nonprofit group as an alleged “supporter of terrorism.”
“The Department of State should designate the Muslim Brotherhood and other organizations that propagate or support Islamic terrorism as terrorist organizations, and fully investigate the Council on American-Islamic Relations as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood and a supporter of terrorism,” Carson wrote.
Carson and CAIR have been openly warring since the presidential candidate said in late September that he does not believe a Muslim should be president unless they fully reject the tenants of Sharia Law.
Critics of CAIR have long claimed that the nonprofit has ties to terror groups. CAIR was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in a 2007 trial of a different group that was convicted of funneling money to Hamas, a group that has been on the United States's Foreign Terorrist Organization list since 1997.
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Governor Larry Hogan Announces Review of Barriers to Re-Entry
Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention to Lead Study on Impact of “Collateral Consequences” and Provide Recommendations for Possible Reform
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan today announced a multi-agency initiative, led by the Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention, to conduct an extensive review of the legal and regulatory barriers that individuals with a criminal record face when re-entering the community after time in prison.
In addition to criminal penalties that may be imposed at sentencing, there are many legal and regulatory penalties, sanctions, and restrictions—commonly known as collateral consequences—that are distinct from the direct consequences imposed as part of the court’s judgment at sentencing. For example, those with a criminal record may lose their professional or occupational licenses. They may have difficulty getting a job, starting a business, accessing public services and programs such as student loans and housing, or volunteering in the community. While these consequences are often discussed within the context of re-entry from incarceration, they can also affect those who serve no prison time.
“These consequences have a lasting impact, making it more difficult for ex-offenders to re-enter society, find a job, and fully engage in the community,” said Governor Hogan. “We took an important step to expand employment opportunities with the Second Chance Act, but there are continued obstacles to re-entry that demand a thorough review.”
“I look forward to collaborating with stakeholders across Maryland to determine whether certain restrictions on ex-offenders can be more narrowly tailored or eliminated altogether without jeopardizing public safety,” said Christopher B. Shank, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention.
According to the American Bar Association’s National Inventory of Collateral Consequences of Conviction, there are over 1,000 collateral consequences associated with various criminal convictions in Maryland.
Many ex-offenders are unable to get a job or start a business, preventing them from leveraging entrepreneurial talents or vocational skills. The Second Chance Act, signed by Governor Hogan and effective October 1, 2015, works to address this issue by allowing individuals convicted of certain nonviolent crimes to petition the court to shield their record three years after satisfying any mandatory supervisory obligations. Continuing to tackle the negative effects a criminal record has on employment will expand economic opportunity across the State.
This effort, being announced today, will build upon the work of the Justice Reinvestment Coordinating Council, a group organized to develop recommendations to further decrease the State’s prison population, reduce recidivism, and control corrections spending. The Council’s final meeting is tomorrow afternoon, at which time it will release its final report and recommendations to Governor Hogan and the General Assembly.
In its review, the Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention will appoint a working group of state agencies, including the Departments of Public Safety and Correctional Services and Labor, Licensing and Regulation among others, nonprofits, advocacy groups, ex-offenders, and the business community. The workgroup will gather input on the impact of collateral consequences, research potential reforms, and formulate recommendations on how to address the issue. The study will identify those restrictions that appear to serve as an unnecessary barrier to the successful reintegration of ex-offenders. The study will culminate in recommendations to Governor Hogan by December 1, 2016.
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan today announced a multi-agency initiative, led by the Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention, to conduct an extensive review of the legal and regulatory barriers that individuals with a criminal record face when re-entering the community after time in prison.
In addition to criminal penalties that may be imposed at sentencing, there are many legal and regulatory penalties, sanctions, and restrictions—commonly known as collateral consequences—that are distinct from the direct consequences imposed as part of the court’s judgment at sentencing. For example, those with a criminal record may lose their professional or occupational licenses. They may have difficulty getting a job, starting a business, accessing public services and programs such as student loans and housing, or volunteering in the community. While these consequences are often discussed within the context of re-entry from incarceration, they can also affect those who serve no prison time.
“These consequences have a lasting impact, making it more difficult for ex-offenders to re-enter society, find a job, and fully engage in the community,” said Governor Hogan. “We took an important step to expand employment opportunities with the Second Chance Act, but there are continued obstacles to re-entry that demand a thorough review.”
“I look forward to collaborating with stakeholders across Maryland to determine whether certain restrictions on ex-offenders can be more narrowly tailored or eliminated altogether without jeopardizing public safety,” said Christopher B. Shank, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention.
According to the American Bar Association’s National Inventory of Collateral Consequences of Conviction, there are over 1,000 collateral consequences associated with various criminal convictions in Maryland.
Many ex-offenders are unable to get a job or start a business, preventing them from leveraging entrepreneurial talents or vocational skills. The Second Chance Act, signed by Governor Hogan and effective October 1, 2015, works to address this issue by allowing individuals convicted of certain nonviolent crimes to petition the court to shield their record three years after satisfying any mandatory supervisory obligations. Continuing to tackle the negative effects a criminal record has on employment will expand economic opportunity across the State.
This effort, being announced today, will build upon the work of the Justice Reinvestment Coordinating Council, a group organized to develop recommendations to further decrease the State’s prison population, reduce recidivism, and control corrections spending. The Council’s final meeting is tomorrow afternoon, at which time it will release its final report and recommendations to Governor Hogan and the General Assembly.
In its review, the Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention will appoint a working group of state agencies, including the Departments of Public Safety and Correctional Services and Labor, Licensing and Regulation among others, nonprofits, advocacy groups, ex-offenders, and the business community. The workgroup will gather input on the impact of collateral consequences, research potential reforms, and formulate recommendations on how to address the issue. The study will identify those restrictions that appear to serve as an unnecessary barrier to the successful reintegration of ex-offenders. The study will culminate in recommendations to Governor Hogan by December 1, 2016.
Baltimore Man Indicted in Double-Fatal Boating Accident
The operator of a recreational boat that slammed into a protective pillar at the Key Bridge and then Fort Carroll last summer, killing two women, has been indicted by a Baltimore County grand jury.
The 16-count indictment unsealed on Friday, charges Timothy Jay Wilson, 56, of Baltimore, with “grossly negligent” actions that led to the deaths of passengers Windy Lawson and Kimberly Ervin during the early-morning hours of July 26. The accident injured six others.
The four-month investigation was conducted by the Maryland Natural Resources Police, the state’s lead maritime law enforcement agency.
NASBO: State Spending to Increase for 6th Straight Year
In 2016, states are expected to continue the growth they've experienced since the Great Recession. But the new era of growth is a modest one.
State spending will rise this year for the sixth straight year, but the increases continue to be moderate as states settle in to the slow-growth era, according to a new report.
States are expected to spend just over $790 billion from their general funds in fiscal 2016. That's up 4.1 percent over fiscal 2015, although it's a slightly smaller rate of increase than last year. The numbers are detailed in a report released Tuesday by the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO). After several years of turmoil during and after the 2008 recession, states have now seen more than half a decade of steady spending increases, representing an era of stability.
But the new era is a modest one. Spending growth these days is unlikely to hit the historic 5.5 percent average annual growth states saw before 2008. And according to NASBO, total spending in 2015 was still about 4 percent below inflation-adjusted spending in 2008.
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State spending will rise this year for the sixth straight year, but the increases continue to be moderate as states settle in to the slow-growth era, according to a new report.
States are expected to spend just over $790 billion from their general funds in fiscal 2016. That's up 4.1 percent over fiscal 2015, although it's a slightly smaller rate of increase than last year. The numbers are detailed in a report released Tuesday by the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO). After several years of turmoil during and after the 2008 recession, states have now seen more than half a decade of steady spending increases, representing an era of stability.
But the new era is a modest one. Spending growth these days is unlikely to hit the historic 5.5 percent average annual growth states saw before 2008. And according to NASBO, total spending in 2015 was still about 4 percent below inflation-adjusted spending in 2008.
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Sarah Palin Drops BOMBSHELL… Wow
Former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin took to Facebook and Twitter Monday to assert her message to the Islamic State, which issued a fatwa – or religious decree – that authorizes its members to kill newborn babies with Down Syndrome, congenital deformities, and disabled children.
Ryan: "..A Partial Victory"
Speaker Paul Ryan told House Republicans on Monday night that the yearlong $1.1 trillion government-funding bill contains policy victories for the GOP, but not as many as lawmakers will want, according to multiple sources on a party conference call.
Ryan (R-Wis.) has been negotiating with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) for several days on the policy specifics of the massive spending bill, and an accompanying package to extend business-focused tax breaks. Ryan has promised to give lawmakers three days to review the package, which sets up a Thursday vote. The government shuts down Wednesday evening, so the House and Senate will have to clear a short-term stopgap spending bill to allow Congress to pass the longer-term legislation.
Ryan declined to get into specifics about the bill on the call, but promised he would go through the details of the legislation in a closed party meeting Tuesday, and would talk to the press about what he considers "wins" in the legislation. For example, Republicans have secured the lifting of a decades-old ban on exporting U.S. oil.
But, GOP attempts to insert language into the bill to impose tougher controls on Syrian and Iraqi refugees were unsuccessful.
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Ryan (R-Wis.) has been negotiating with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) for several days on the policy specifics of the massive spending bill, and an accompanying package to extend business-focused tax breaks. Ryan has promised to give lawmakers three days to review the package, which sets up a Thursday vote. The government shuts down Wednesday evening, so the House and Senate will have to clear a short-term stopgap spending bill to allow Congress to pass the longer-term legislation.
Ryan declined to get into specifics about the bill on the call, but promised he would go through the details of the legislation in a closed party meeting Tuesday, and would talk to the press about what he considers "wins" in the legislation. For example, Republicans have secured the lifting of a decades-old ban on exporting U.S. oil.
But, GOP attempts to insert language into the bill to impose tougher controls on Syrian and Iraqi refugees were unsuccessful.
More
Homeowner Tricks Holiday Package Thief Into Stealing Box Of Dog Poop
Scumbags love Christmastime. While so many eagerly await the special day and buy gifts for loved ones, there are plenty of morally-bankrupt thieves out there who are willing to sully this holy holiday with their illegalities. One man had had enough of a local package thief and decided to teach him a lesson and it’s quite hilarious.
A homeowner in Las Vegas came up with a creative way to deal with thieves stealing his packages.
Eric Bardo left a package filled with dog poop on his doorstep after he was “fed up” with reports of local package thefts. He felt this was the perfect way to keep the thieves away.
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A homeowner in Las Vegas came up with a creative way to deal with thieves stealing his packages.
Eric Bardo left a package filled with dog poop on his doorstep after he was “fed up” with reports of local package thefts. He felt this was the perfect way to keep the thieves away.
More
Maryland Man Gets 2 Life Sentences In Delaware Man’s Death
A Dorchester County judge sentenced Deshaune Darling of Salisbury on Monday in the death of 40-year-old Radames Guzman of Magnolia, Delaware.
Maryland State Police say Guzman was an informant for a Delaware State Police narcotics unit and helped with several cases related to Darling. Guzman’s body was found three weeks after he was reported missing last year. Darling was convicted in September of first-degree murder, kidnapping and other charges.
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U.S. High School Graduation Rate Hits Record High
For the fourth straight year, the U.S. high school graduation rate has improved — reaching an all-time high of 82 percent in the 2013-2014 school year, the Department of Education announced Tuesday. Achievement gaps have narrowed, too, with graduation rates ranging from 89 percent for students classified as Asian/Pacific Islanders to 62.6 percent for English-language learners.
"It is encouraging to see our graduation rate on the rise and I applaud the hard work we know it takes to see this increase," said Education Secretary Arne Duncan in a statement.
The growth in graduation rates has been steady since states adopted a uniform way of tracking the rate five years ago. This good news comes at the same time that performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (often called the "Nation's Report Card"), has dipped. Scores on the SAT are down too.
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"It is encouraging to see our graduation rate on the rise and I applaud the hard work we know it takes to see this increase," said Education Secretary Arne Duncan in a statement.
The growth in graduation rates has been steady since states adopted a uniform way of tracking the rate five years ago. This good news comes at the same time that performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (often called the "Nation's Report Card"), has dipped. Scores on the SAT are down too.
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Liberals Turn on Caitlyn Jenner Because of This…
If you’re a member of any kind of minority or special interest group, then you’re not allowed to think for yourself… according to liberals, anyway. Caitlyn Jenner learned that the hard way by daring to vote Republican while also being transgender.
Republicans can’t win when it comes to the LGBT crowd. It’s no secret that Republicans are labeled insensitive by LGBT’ers when they criticize them, but now it’s apparently problematic for Republicans to support the LGBT crowd too.
Don’t believe me?
Just ask Caitlyn “Don’t You Dare Call Her Bruce” Jenner, who recorded a video message with U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power on Human Rights Day. In the video, Jenner was commended by Powers for his/her work in the fight for LGBT rights:
“Today is International Human Rights Day. At the United Nations, we’re working to integrate LGBT rights into every discussion on human rights, but there is still so much more we can do so that everyone has the freedom to live as they are without fear. It was good to talk to Caitlyn Jenner recently about the important work we can do at home, at the UN, and internationally. Around the world – and here in the US – transgender people face bullying, abuse, and even fatal violence simply for who they are. The threat is all too real for too many: from 2008-2014, over 1,600 transgender people were killed worldwide.”
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Republicans can’t win when it comes to the LGBT crowd. It’s no secret that Republicans are labeled insensitive by LGBT’ers when they criticize them, but now it’s apparently problematic for Republicans to support the LGBT crowd too.
Don’t believe me?
Just ask Caitlyn “Don’t You Dare Call Her Bruce” Jenner, who recorded a video message with U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power on Human Rights Day. In the video, Jenner was commended by Powers for his/her work in the fight for LGBT rights:
“Today is International Human Rights Day. At the United Nations, we’re working to integrate LGBT rights into every discussion on human rights, but there is still so much more we can do so that everyone has the freedom to live as they are without fear. It was good to talk to Caitlyn Jenner recently about the important work we can do at home, at the UN, and internationally. Around the world – and here in the US – transgender people face bullying, abuse, and even fatal violence simply for who they are. The threat is all too real for too many: from 2008-2014, over 1,600 transgender people were killed worldwide.”
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Politico: Gun Control Becomes Litmus Test for Democrats
Democrats who at one time enjoyed the National Rifle Association's "A" ratings are now starting to shift their positions, reflecting voters who almost all support more strict gun laws and while fighting against their more pro-gun control challengers.
"It's now a wedge issue, not just between Democrats and Republicans, but between Democrats, over who can be the strongest on this issue," Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, told Politico.
Her organization is part of an advocacy group, Everytown for Gun Safety, which is backed by former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Democrats at one time allowed more moderate members to lean more toward the pro-gun side of the debate, especially in swing districts where their stances kept them close to the NRA and allowed them to win elections.
For example, in Ohio, former Gov. Ted Strickland, who once enjoyed NRA support, is being fought for the Ohio Senate primary by Cincinnati City Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld campaign, who is pushing hard on Strickland's former embrace of guns.
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"It's now a wedge issue, not just between Democrats and Republicans, but between Democrats, over who can be the strongest on this issue," Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, told Politico.
Her organization is part of an advocacy group, Everytown for Gun Safety, which is backed by former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Democrats at one time allowed more moderate members to lean more toward the pro-gun side of the debate, especially in swing districts where their stances kept them close to the NRA and allowed them to win elections.
For example, in Ohio, former Gov. Ted Strickland, who once enjoyed NRA support, is being fought for the Ohio Senate primary by Cincinnati City Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld campaign, who is pushing hard on Strickland's former embrace of guns.
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OBAMA’S AMERICA: Hardworking Man Offers 2 Panhandlers A Job, They REFUSE…Then He Does THIS
“My Uncle Mike offered these guys a job said he was busy right now could use the help they said no so he did this !! Wow don’t give these guys any money,” Wooldridge wrote.
But Uncle Mike didn’t stop there.
Instead, the man apparently made up his own sign and stood directly behind the panhandlers. His sign read: “Offered these guys a job. They said no. Don’t give money.”
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Biggest Toll Violators Face Registration Suspension
The state offered a waiver program from October to November as a way to allow toll violators to pay off their fines and avoid having the registration suspended.
The 116-thousand vehicle owners have 15 days to pay up before the Maryland Transportation Authority sends them over to the MVA at the end of the month.
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Administration, Please Continue to Spew Misinformation on Guns
The Obama administration is not only at odds with America, as founded, but also woefully out of touch with ordinary Americans, and it is deceitful or delusional (or both) on guns.
President Obama twisted himself into a pretzel to deny that the San Bernardino, California, massacre was committed by Islamic terrorists. Even as facts accumulated — making the obvious undeniable — he continued to cling to the preposterous narrative that it was workplace violence. It’s those high-stress jobs, you see, that cause otherwise peaceful people to fire up their time machines and go back to buy weapons to kill dozens of people who have nothing to do with their workplace grievances.
The ever-clueless White House press secretary, Josh Earnest, referring to recent shootings and the San Bernardino terror attack, said: “The more that we see this kind of violence on our streets the more people go out and buy guns. And that is both ironic and tragic.”
In the first place, these liberals have never been able to refute the axiomatic truth that making our gun laws more restrictive would not have prevented the various mass shootings they invariably use to launch new salvos against gun ownership. So the fact that they even raise the issue after these incidents is obscenely dishonest, opportunistic and hyper-partisan.
In the second place, guns are not the cause of these shootings. Indeed, in many cases, guns could help prevent them or reduce injury and death. It is no accident that these evildoers often unleash their hellfire in gun-free zones.
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President Obama twisted himself into a pretzel to deny that the San Bernardino, California, massacre was committed by Islamic terrorists. Even as facts accumulated — making the obvious undeniable — he continued to cling to the preposterous narrative that it was workplace violence. It’s those high-stress jobs, you see, that cause otherwise peaceful people to fire up their time machines and go back to buy weapons to kill dozens of people who have nothing to do with their workplace grievances.
The ever-clueless White House press secretary, Josh Earnest, referring to recent shootings and the San Bernardino terror attack, said: “The more that we see this kind of violence on our streets the more people go out and buy guns. And that is both ironic and tragic.”
In the first place, these liberals have never been able to refute the axiomatic truth that making our gun laws more restrictive would not have prevented the various mass shootings they invariably use to launch new salvos against gun ownership. So the fact that they even raise the issue after these incidents is obscenely dishonest, opportunistic and hyper-partisan.
In the second place, guns are not the cause of these shootings. Indeed, in many cases, guns could help prevent them or reduce injury and death. It is no accident that these evildoers often unleash their hellfire in gun-free zones.
More
Washington Post Melts Down Over Muslim Ban: Republicans Are Not Americans
The leftwing Washington Post took its Republican hatred to an entirely new level Monday with a headline that pits Republicans against Americans. “Americans reject Trump’s Muslim ban, but Republicans embrace it,” the headline reads.
This isn’t an editorial, it’s a news story. This isn’t Dana Milbank’s latest hissy fit, it’s a straight news headline.
Apparently, the Washington Post no longer sees Republicans as Americans because 59% of them support Donald Trump’s proposal to temporarily ban Muslim immigration until our government gets its act together. One wonders, though, if the Washington Post believes that the 38% of Republicans who oppose Trump’s proposal qualify as Americans?
Nah, the Washington Post doesn’t even see Republicans as humans.
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This isn’t an editorial, it’s a news story. This isn’t Dana Milbank’s latest hissy fit, it’s a straight news headline.
Apparently, the Washington Post no longer sees Republicans as Americans because 59% of them support Donald Trump’s proposal to temporarily ban Muslim immigration until our government gets its act together. One wonders, though, if the Washington Post believes that the 38% of Republicans who oppose Trump’s proposal qualify as Americans?
Nah, the Washington Post doesn’t even see Republicans as humans.
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Drone Owners Must Register Their Unmanned Aircraft Starting Dec. 21
Nearly a month after a task force recommended the Federal Aviation Administration require drone hobbyists to register their unmanned aircraft, the agency has finally solidified a process to keep tabs on the flying devices.
Supreme Court Once Again Shows Its Disdain For Consumer Rights
For the third time in five years, the U.S. Supreme Court had a chance to reverse a terrifying trend in consumer rights by doing something, anything, to rein in “forced arbitration” clauses that strip consumers of their legal rights and effectively give companies a license to steal. And for the third time in five years, the SCOTUS majority showed its interests lie in protecting the coffers of big business rather than Americans’ access to the legal system.
As we’ve explained a number of times in recent years, arbitration clauses — found in everything from cellphone contracts to cable bills to checking out disclosures — generally work in two ways.
First, they compel customers to give up their right to settle a legal dispute in court by forcing them into a binding arbitration process, often with an arbitrator selected by — and familiar with — the company that would have been sued.
Second — and this is where companies can really get away with illegal behavior — arbitration clauses often prohibit wronged customers from joining together to have their disputes heard a single class action.
This means that every single customer would have to file an arbitration claim against the company. Compare that to a class action lawsuit, where only a small number of wronged customers need to prove that there is a larger, definable group of similar victims.
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As we’ve explained a number of times in recent years, arbitration clauses — found in everything from cellphone contracts to cable bills to checking out disclosures — generally work in two ways.
First, they compel customers to give up their right to settle a legal dispute in court by forcing them into a binding arbitration process, often with an arbitrator selected by — and familiar with — the company that would have been sued.
Second — and this is where companies can really get away with illegal behavior — arbitration clauses often prohibit wronged customers from joining together to have their disputes heard a single class action.
This means that every single customer would have to file an arbitration claim against the company. Compare that to a class action lawsuit, where only a small number of wronged customers need to prove that there is a larger, definable group of similar victims.
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Want Your Package To Make It Under The Tree? You Better Get Shipping Soon
The busiest shipping and mailing day of the year is upon us, with the U.S. Postal Service expecting to process more than 600 million cards, letters, postcards, periodicals, catalogs, and packages today alone. Gift givers who have already sent off their goodies shouldn’t encounter too many issues with their packages making it on time, but for the rest of us procrastinators, we might want to head to the post office, UPS or FedEx store sooner rather than later.
Plumber Sues Ford Dealership Over Truck That Was Sold To Terrorist Group
About a year ago, a plumbing company in Texas made the news for trading in their pickup truck for a new one. The real problem where the truck ultimately ended up: it went from hauling tools and pipes around Texas to hauling an anti-aircraft weapon around Syria for the terrorist group known as ISIS, ISIL, or Daesh. Now the plumbing company is suing the Ford dealership where they traded the truck in over the incident.