FBI Director James Comey said he’s not going to reopen the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails, telling Congress on Wednesday that none of the recent revelations since he closed the case in July “would come near” to triggering that extraordinary step.
He also refused to say if he’s investigating whether Mrs. Clinton lied in her testimony to Congress about her emails — but said they have received referrals from Congress asking for a new probe.
Appearing before Congress for yet another marathon session, Mr. Comey was badgered by Republicans who said the more they see, the less they understand his decision to clear Mrs. Clinton of criminal wrongdoing in her mishandling of classified information.
The director in July said she did bungle top secret information, but said he couldn’t make charges stick because he couldn’t prove she was sophisticated enough to know the risks she was running, or even to understand the classification system in which she was a key player. And despite new revelations that one of her contractors said he was part of a “coverup operation,” Mr. Comey said nothing he’s seen leads him to question his original conclusions.
“I haven’t seen anything that would come near to that kind of situation,” he said. “I know there’s lots of questions, lots of controversy. I’m very proud of the way this was done.”
More
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Friday, September 30, 2016
Cops And Courts – September 30, 2016
SNOW HILL — A Pocomoke man accused in the death of his 3-year-old nephew, who died in his care back in May 2015, was found guilty last week by a Worcester County Circuit Court jury on all counts including first-degree murder and now awaits his fate pending a pre-sentence investigation.
On Saturday, May 2, 2015, a Virginia couple dropped off their son at the Pocomoke home of Kevin M. Sewell, then 27, and his wife. Sewell was the child’s uncle and the couple had dropped the 3-year-old off at his house for an overnight visit. When the child was returned to the couple the following day at their home in Accomack County, he had suffered severe trauma to his head and abdomen along with other injuries. The child was taken to Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughter in Norfolk where he died of injuries sustained while in his uncle’s care.
Sewell was later indicted on charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree child abuse-death and neglect of a minor. His wife Amanda Sewell, was also charged with first-degree child abuse-death and neglect of a minor. Kevin Sewell’s trial began last Tuesday with jury selection, opening statements and continued with three days of testimony before the jury returned last Thursday with guilty verdicts on all counts including first-degree murder, first-degree child abuse and child neglect. A pre-sentence investigation was ordered and Sewell will be sentenced at a later date.
Continue/More Cases
Geert Wilders For Breitbart: Let's Lock The Door To Islam
Yesterday, I visited Maassluis. It is town near Rotterdam, where the indigenous Dutch inhabitants have become the victims of immigrant youths of Moroccan descent.
Cars have been demolished, houses vandalized, people threatened. The Dutch no longer feel free and safe in their own city. When the local radio station interviewed some of the victims and referred to the perpetrators as Moroccans, it received an anonymous letter: “You are racists! Your time will come! I won’t take care of it because I am too old. But our boys are the new soldiers.”
Maassluis. It is just one of the many Dutch towns and neighborhoods terrorized by Moroccan or Turkish youth gangs. Others are Schilderswijk, Oosterwei, Kanaleneiland, Zaandam, Helmond,… Not surprisingly, a poll shows that 43% of the Dutch people want fewer Moroccan immigrants in our country. These people are not racists; they are decent people, patriots who love their country and do not want to lose it.
The great Ronald Reagan once said that “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.” These wise words are more true today than ever before. We are the free men and women of the West.
More
Cars have been demolished, houses vandalized, people threatened. The Dutch no longer feel free and safe in their own city. When the local radio station interviewed some of the victims and referred to the perpetrators as Moroccans, it received an anonymous letter: “You are racists! Your time will come! I won’t take care of it because I am too old. But our boys are the new soldiers.”
Maassluis. It is just one of the many Dutch towns and neighborhoods terrorized by Moroccan or Turkish youth gangs. Others are Schilderswijk, Oosterwei, Kanaleneiland, Zaandam, Helmond,… Not surprisingly, a poll shows that 43% of the Dutch people want fewer Moroccan immigrants in our country. These people are not racists; they are decent people, patriots who love their country and do not want to lose it.
The great Ronald Reagan once said that “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.” These wise words are more true today than ever before. We are the free men and women of the West.
More
AVOID CONTACT WITH POCOMOKE RIVER NEAR SNOW HILL AT THIS TIME DUE TO COMBINED SANITARY OVERFLOW
With the high volume stream flow, rapid dilution of the sewage is expected. Worcester County Environmental Programs is monitoring the situation and will sample the river when floodwaters recede enough that collection activities can be safely conducted.
Environmental Programs is advising the public that contact with the river should be avoided due to potential contaminants. Fishing, swimming, wading or other contact with the waterways should not be conducted until this rain event has concluded and this advisory lifted. If you come into contact with the river, you should wash the area thoroughly with soap and water. If the contacted area has any open wounds or sores, then you should seek advice from your healthcare provider.
Oyster Season Opens in Maryland
“Although blue crabs are fat and plentiful this time of year, it is oysters on the half shell that traditionally bring Marylanders together in the fall and winter months,” said Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Mark Belton. “The species is as iconic as the Chesapeake Bay with deep ties to our culture and heritage. Oysters continue to play an important role in both our ecology and economy.”Last season, 1,146 licensed Maryland watermen harvested 383,090 bushels of oysters with a dockside value of $14.9 million. This was a slight decline from the prior season of 393,588 bushels, which was the second highest in 15 years primarily due to good oyster reproduction in 2010 and 2012 and strong survival rates.
Hillary Failed To Take Highest Security Training In 2009
Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton failed to complete the highest level of security training mandated by the Department of State for the proper handling of the government’s most secret documents when she entered the department in 2009, according to documents obtained by The Daily Caller News Foundation under the Freedom of Information Act.
The State Department released 46 pages of previously unseen documents Tuesday under a Sept. 20, 2016, order issued by U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon.
The judge angrily told Department of Justice attorneys to stop dragging their feet, and ordered the State Department to conduct an expedited release of all training documents sought in TheDCNF’s FOIA for Clinton and her aides by Oct. 10, 2016.
More
The State Department released 46 pages of previously unseen documents Tuesday under a Sept. 20, 2016, order issued by U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon.
The judge angrily told Department of Justice attorneys to stop dragging their feet, and ordered the State Department to conduct an expedited release of all training documents sought in TheDCNF’s FOIA for Clinton and her aides by Oct. 10, 2016.
More
Worcester County Board of Education Selects New Superintendent
The Worcester County Board of Education appointed Mr. Louis H. Taylor as Interim Superintendent of Schools at a special meeting on September 30, 2016.
OCPD Issues Reminders, Warnings To Car Show Attendees
The annual H2O International (H2Oi) event is one local law enforcement officials and residents circle on their calendars each fall and this year is no different. In years past, the event has been associated with heavy traffic, numerous incidents and violations and in some cases, wanton disregard for the town’s ordinances. The official event is essentially a car show featuring tricked-out Volkswagens and Audis, but like most vehicle-related special events, an in-kind number of unregistered hangers on cause trouble.
To his credit, event organizer Jay Shoup in recent years has issued strong reminders to participants to behave while in the resort area, but his message often falls on deaf ears for those not formally part of the annual event. The H2Oi event is headquartered at Fort Whaley along Route 50 in Whaleyville, but like most vehicle-related special events, there is an in-kind number or often larger number of participants who do not take part in the car show.
Before OC BikeFest two weeks ago, Ocean City police reported the department had reached an agreement with a handful of allied law enforcement agencies in the area to provide an additional police presence in the resort during the event and the same will hold true this weekend during the H2Oi event.
More
Clinton Cash: Billionaires Donate to Hillary 20-to-1 over Trump
Brendan Coffey reports in Bloomberg that Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton is outraising Donald Trump by 20-to-1 among billionaires, a statistic which plays to her Republican rival’s populist appeal.
From Bloomberg:
Hillary gets the vote from America’s richest citizens. Or at least she’s getting their cash.
Former Secretary of State and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has collected $21.1 million for her campaign and its supporting political action committees from 17 U.S. donors on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Republican Donald Trump has received $1.02 million from 12 members of the group.
While the role the wealthiest play in American politics has come under increased scrutiny with growing attention to income inequality fueling the rise of populist candidates, contributions from U.S. billionaires on the Bloomberg index amount to 3 percent of the $708 million raised by the two candidates, as of the latest Federal Election Commission filings.
More
From Bloomberg:
Hillary gets the vote from America’s richest citizens. Or at least she’s getting their cash.
Former Secretary of State and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has collected $21.1 million for her campaign and its supporting political action committees from 17 U.S. donors on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Republican Donald Trump has received $1.02 million from 12 members of the group.
While the role the wealthiest play in American politics has come under increased scrutiny with growing attention to income inequality fueling the rise of populist candidates, contributions from U.S. billionaires on the Bloomberg index amount to 3 percent of the $708 million raised by the two candidates, as of the latest Federal Election Commission filings.
More
Hillary failed as secretary of state — why would president be any different?
Hillary Clinton boasts that her experience traveling to 112 countries as secretary of state qualifies her to be president. Don’t believe it.
Evidence shows she left the State Department in shambles and our nation weaker. Her record at Foggy Bottom disqualifies her to be president.
Her failures go beyond leaving four Americans to die in Benghazi on Sept. 11, 2012, the ridiculous Russian “reset” and the carnage in Syria that she and President Obama idly watched unfold — and that gets more horrific daily.
Evidence shows she left the State Department in shambles and our nation weaker. Her record at Foggy Bottom disqualifies her to be president.
Her failures go beyond leaving four Americans to die in Benghazi on Sept. 11, 2012, the ridiculous Russian “reset” and the carnage in Syria that she and President Obama idly watched unfold — and that gets more horrific daily.
A string of investigative reports from the Obama administration shows that she botched key management jobs as secretary of state, threatening American lives and our diplomatic secrets.
Clinton’s State Department repeatedly rebuffed requests for additional security for the vulnerable compound at Benghazi, Libya. The result? Heavily armed terrorists were able to storm the compound and kill Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans.
More
Clinton’s State Department repeatedly rebuffed requests for additional security for the vulnerable compound at Benghazi, Libya. The result? Heavily armed terrorists were able to storm the compound and kill Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans.
More
Lady Gaga Will Perform During Super Bowl Halftime Show
NFL and Pepsi announced Thursday that the pop star will take the stage on Feb. 5, 2017, for the Pepsi Zero Sugar Super Bowl LI Halftime Show at the NRG Stadium in Houston, airing on Fox.
Gaga sang the National Anthem at the Super Bowl earlier this year in Santa Clara, California. Beyonce, Bruno Mars and Coldplay headlined the halftime show.
Gaga will release a new album, “Joanne,” on Oct. 21. The Grammy winner’s hits include “Poker Face,” “Bad Romance,” “Born This Way” and “Applause.”
Source
Flooding At The Salisbury Zoo
Hi everyone, just wanted to let you know that the Zoo is closed and probably will be for the weekend. We have experienced a lot of flooding in the Zoo these past few days and we have relocated our animals for their safety. We will update you all soon. Be safe!
WCSO Press Release 9-30-16
Date of Incident: 29 September 2016
Location: Salisbury Parkway at Ward Street, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Brad H. Lewis, 37, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 29 Sep 2016 at 5:47 PM a deputy was on patrol when his attention was drawn to the rear registration plate displayed on a vehicle that would be found to be operated by Brad Lewis. The deputy observed that the letters displayed indicated that it was a Maryland “Historic” plate, but the deputy observed that the “Historic” label had been painted over. Upon conducting a query on the plate, the deputy determined that plate was not displayed on the vehicle that the plate was assigned to.
Upon stopping the vehicle and making contact with Lewis, the deputy discovered that Lewis’ privilege to drive had been both suspended and revoked by the State of Maryland. In additional to the vehicle being unregistered, the deputy also discovered that Lewis had no insurance.
The deputy placed Lewis under arrest and transported him to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. Following an initial appearance, the Commissioner released Lewis on Personal Recognizance.
Charges: Driving Revoked, Driving Suspended, Unregistered Motor Vehicle and Driving Uninsured
Date of Incident: 29 September 2016
Location: 8000 block of Burnt Branch Drive, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Jesse Sterling Price, 51, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 29 Sep 2016 at 9:41 PM a deputy responded to a residence in the 8000 block of Burnt Branch Drive for a reported altercation. Upon arrival the deputy met with Jesse Sterling and learned that Sterling and his wife became embroiled in an argument that turned physical. According to the wife, Price assaulted her and put her into what she described as a choke hold. During the investigation, the deputy saw signs of injury that corroborated that account.
The deputy placed Price under arrest and transported him to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. Following an initial appearance the Commissioner detained Sterling in the Detention Center in lieu of $5,000.00 bond.
Charges: Assault 2nd Degree
Date of Incident: 29 September 2016
Location: 5000 block of Argyle Drive, Parsonsburg, MD
Suspect: Daniel R. Gsell, 33, Parsonsburg, MD
Narrative: On 29 Sep 2016 at 10:42 PM a deputy responded to a reported hit and run collision in the 5000 block of Argyle Drive in Parsonsburg. Upon arrival, the deputy observed that an unknown vehicle had left the roadway and drove into a yard striking a fence before fleeing the scene.
During the investigation, the deputy began checking the neighborhood in an attempt to locate a vehicle that was missing the car parts left at the scene of the collision. The deputy managed to find a vehicle nearby missing not only the parts left at the scene, but also had a paint transfer on the front bumper that matched the color of the fence that was struck.
Upon attempted to interview the owner and supposed driver Daniel Gsell, he fled from the residence out the back door. The deputy gave chase and located Gsell lying in the woods in two inches of water in what appeared to be an attempt to evade the deputy. During a subsequent interview, Gsell admitted to leaving the scene of the accident. The deputy also discovered that Gsell’s privilege to drive had been suspended already by the State of Maryland.
Gsell was arrested and transported to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. Following an initial appearance, the Commissioner released Gsell on Personal Recognizance.
Charges: Leaving the Scene of an Accident and Driving Suspended
UPDATED: Route 12 In Snow Hill Closed
UPDATE: The State Highway Administration is currently working to close Route 12 in Wicomico County @ Airport Road and at the drawbridge in Snow Hill. District engineers are on site looking at partial road collapse at two locations. Traffic Detours are being put in place. There are several roadways with standing water. Be careful in your travels home this evening.
Trump Attacks Clinton in Iowa: 'She Would Put the Oval Office Up for Sale'
Donald Trump spent the majority of his campaign rally in Council Bluffs, Iowa on Wednesday attacking his opponent Hillary Clinton for being part of the political establishment and controlled by donors.
The Republican nominee also scrutinized her involvement with the controversial Clinton Foundation while she was secretary of state.
“Everything you need to know about Hillary Clinton can be understood with this simple phrase, ‘Follow the money,’” Trump told the supporters gathered to see him at the Mid America Center Convention Center on Wednesday afternoon.
“In her campaign for president, Hillary Clinton has received $100 million in contributions from Wall Street and the hedge funds,” Trump stated.
More
The Republican nominee also scrutinized her involvement with the controversial Clinton Foundation while she was secretary of state.
“Everything you need to know about Hillary Clinton can be understood with this simple phrase, ‘Follow the money,’” Trump told the supporters gathered to see him at the Mid America Center Convention Center on Wednesday afternoon.
“In her campaign for president, Hillary Clinton has received $100 million in contributions from Wall Street and the hedge funds,” Trump stated.
More
Chipotle to pay 16-year-old nearly $8 million for 'outrageous' sexual assault
The victim was 16 when she started working at Chipotle (CMG) in late 2013 to earn extra money. Within weeks, she says her 26-year-old assistant manager started touching her breasts. He pretended it was an accident at first.
Soon assistant manager Gerardo Solis was regularly touching her and "grooming" her for sex at a Chipotle in Houston, Texas. By the summer of 2014, it got to the point where he would have unprotected sex with her "at the restaurant dumpster, in the restroom, in the office and other places," the lawsuit states.
"Chipotle's conduct in this case was outrageous," said attorney Ben Hall, who represented the teenager in the case. "Chipotle wanted to couch it as a relationship, but the jury was clear you cannot have a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old child. That's why they call it a sexual assault."
More
Trump campaign: Hillary Clinton an 'enabler' of Bill Clinton's extramarital affairs
Donald Trump might have held back on bringing up former President Clinton’s extramarital affairs during Monday’s debate, but Mr. Trump’s deputy campaign manager on Wednesday labeled Hillary Clinton an “enabler” who attacked women.
“Clearly, Mr. Trump held his tongue,” Trump deputy campaign manager David Bossie said on “Fox and Friends.”
“I think that if you look at Hillary Clinton’s background and if you look at her being an enabler, really, in the ‘90s and really attacking these women, it goes against everything that she now tries to spout as a candidate for president,” Mr. Bossie said.
“She’ll say and do anything — those are Barack Obama’s words, not mine, that she’ll say and do anything to become president of the United States, and I think we’re seeing that now,” he said.
Mr. Trump has previously called Mrs. Clinton an “enabler” of her husband’s behavior and said on CNN in January that Mr. Clinton was “one of the great women abusers of all time.”
More
“Clearly, Mr. Trump held his tongue,” Trump deputy campaign manager David Bossie said on “Fox and Friends.”
“I think that if you look at Hillary Clinton’s background and if you look at her being an enabler, really, in the ‘90s and really attacking these women, it goes against everything that she now tries to spout as a candidate for president,” Mr. Bossie said.
“She’ll say and do anything — those are Barack Obama’s words, not mine, that she’ll say and do anything to become president of the United States, and I think we’re seeing that now,” he said.
Mr. Trump has previously called Mrs. Clinton an “enabler” of her husband’s behavior and said on CNN in January that Mr. Clinton was “one of the great women abusers of all time.”
More
Berlin Butcher Shop Aims To Offer Throwback Service
That’s the motto at the Berlin Butcher Shop. The shop, set to open on William Street next week, will be focused on providing customers with old-fashioned service and high quality meat.
“I want folks to feel comfortable calling and talking to their butcher,” owner Lisa Hall said.
Hall, a longtime Berlin resident and town council member since 2008, has been thinking about opening a butcher shop since the idea came to her on a 2010 cross country trip. She says as Americans become more health conscious and interested in what they’re eating, they’ll need alternatives to the major grocery stores.
“I wanted to go into business and looked for something that wasn’t available,” Hall said. “I realized there was a need.”
More
Across US, Police Officers Abuse Confidential Databases
Criminal-history and driver databases give officers critical information about people they encounter on the job. But the AP’s review shows how those systems also can be exploited by officers who, motivated by romantic quarrels, personal conflicts or voyeuristic curiosity, sidestep policies and sometimes the law by snooping. In the most egregious cases, officers have used information to stalk or harass, or have tampered with or sold records they obtained.
No single agency tracks how often the abuse happens nationwide, and record-keeping inconsistencies make it impossible to know how many violations occur.
More
Flood Conditions In Wicomico County Update
Priscilla Street at N. Salisbury Blvd
Priscilla Street
Mitchell Road closed. Mitchell Pond overflow caves in portion of street.
Mitchell Pond break
Rt. 54
Rum Ridge Rd.
Chelsea Clinton Says Trump's Rhetoric 'Far More Troubling' Than Her Dad's Sexual Misdeeds. Bill's Alleged Rape Victim Responds.
According to Chelsea Clinton, 36, the daughter of the Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's rhetoric is "far more troubling" than her father's sexual misdeeds, which include accusations of infidelity, sexual assault and rape.
"After the debate, Donald Trump said he was 'proud' that he didn’t mention your father’s infidelity out of respect for you. What was your reaction to that?" asked feminist Cosmopolitan Magazine.
Chelsea said Trump was using her father's philandering escapades, which includes at least 14 different women accusing the former president of sexual assault, as "a distraction from his inability to talk about what’s actually at stake in this election and to offer concrete, comprehensive proposals."
She continued: "And candidly, I don’t remember a time in my life when my parents and my family weren’t being attacked, and so it just sort of seems to be in that tradition, unfortunately. And what I find most troubling by far are Trump’s — and we talked about this when you interviewed me the night before the Iowa caucus — are Trump’s continued, relentless attacks on whole swaths of our country and even our global community: women, Muslims, Americans with disabilities, a Gold Star family," said Chelsea. "I mean, that, to me, is far more troubling than whatever his most recent screed against my mom or my family [is]."
More/Video
"After the debate, Donald Trump said he was 'proud' that he didn’t mention your father’s infidelity out of respect for you. What was your reaction to that?" asked feminist Cosmopolitan Magazine.
Chelsea said Trump was using her father's philandering escapades, which includes at least 14 different women accusing the former president of sexual assault, as "a distraction from his inability to talk about what’s actually at stake in this election and to offer concrete, comprehensive proposals."
She continued: "And candidly, I don’t remember a time in my life when my parents and my family weren’t being attacked, and so it just sort of seems to be in that tradition, unfortunately. And what I find most troubling by far are Trump’s — and we talked about this when you interviewed me the night before the Iowa caucus — are Trump’s continued, relentless attacks on whole swaths of our country and even our global community: women, Muslims, Americans with disabilities, a Gold Star family," said Chelsea. "I mean, that, to me, is far more troubling than whatever his most recent screed against my mom or my family [is]."
More/Video
Chelsea Clinton Takes Private Jet to ‘Clean Energy Roundtable’
Chelsea was caught boarding a gas-guzzling private jet after the Clinton event in Greenville, North Carolina. Her next event, in Asheville, was called the “Clean Energy Roundtable.”
More
A MESSAGE FROM WICOMICO COUNTY EXECUTIVE BOB CULVER
We've had reports of widespread flooding and stranded vehicles. Flooding is still a major concern in many areas. The next high tide is around 4 PM. If you see standing water, please do not drive through it.
All available County road crews have been out responding to calls and fixing roads as they go. If anyone knows of a road that has water flowing over it, please call the County Roads Department at (410) 548-4872.
Over the past 24 hours the County has opened all the gates at County-owned dams. Coulbourn Mill and Morris Mill dams are being closely monitored because of their proximity to residential concentrations.
I just want all County residents to be safe and to be cautious. We've just experienced a major storm and threats to safety still continue.
SBY MSP Press Release Motor Vehicle Collision with Tractor Trailer 9-30-16
Barrack Investigator/C.R.S. – TFC. Kevin Moore #5454
Barrack Commander: Lt. R. Bricker
Obama telling refugees: Just vet yourself
Officials make astonishing admission about lack of screening
President Obama’s top official responsible for vetting refugees testified before the Senate Wednesday that it’s possible for people from Syria and other terrorist-infested countries to have their refugee applications approved based simply on personal interviews with a “highly trained” immigration officer.
Leon Rodriguez, director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, could not deny that in many cases there is no data from the refugee’s home country that would corroborate or refute his story. He tried to reassure the committee by saying the screening process is lengthy and continuously being improved, noting that the United Nations pre-screens the refugees before his office even sees them.
Under questioning from Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Rodriguez at first avoided giving a direct answer on whether it was possible to gain admission as a refugee based solely on an interview. That infuriated Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., who chairs the subcommittee on immigration and the national interest. His subcommittee conducted the hearing Wednesday on Obama’s refugee plans for fiscal year 2017, which begins Saturday, Oct. 1.
Obama plans to bring 110,000 refugees to the United States in 2017, up from 85,000 in 2016 and 70,000 in 2015.
More
President Obama’s top official responsible for vetting refugees testified before the Senate Wednesday that it’s possible for people from Syria and other terrorist-infested countries to have their refugee applications approved based simply on personal interviews with a “highly trained” immigration officer.
Leon Rodriguez, director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, could not deny that in many cases there is no data from the refugee’s home country that would corroborate or refute his story. He tried to reassure the committee by saying the screening process is lengthy and continuously being improved, noting that the United Nations pre-screens the refugees before his office even sees them.
Under questioning from Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Rodriguez at first avoided giving a direct answer on whether it was possible to gain admission as a refugee based solely on an interview. That infuriated Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., who chairs the subcommittee on immigration and the national interest. His subcommittee conducted the hearing Wednesday on Obama’s refugee plans for fiscal year 2017, which begins Saturday, Oct. 1.
Obama plans to bring 110,000 refugees to the United States in 2017, up from 85,000 in 2016 and 70,000 in 2015.
More
FBI: 'There was a lot of immunity' granted in Clinton email case
FBI Director James Comey said Wednesday that "there was a lot of immunity" granted during the year-long investigation into Hillary Clinton's private emails.
Cheryl Mills, Hillary Clinton's former chief of staff, was a "subject" of the probe at the time she received an immunity deal in exchange for turning over her laptop, Comey said during a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee.
Read the full story here >
Cheryl Mills, Hillary Clinton's former chief of staff, was a "subject" of the probe at the time she received an immunity deal in exchange for turning over her laptop, Comey said during a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee.
Read the full story here >
Sucker Punch On Main Street - Disturbing Facts About The Fed's Phony Housing "Recovery"
Whether you think there has been a housing “recovery” or not is a matter of perspective. Sales are indeed up 117% since the 2010 low, but that low was literally the worst level in the history of this data (since 1963) as a percentage of population growth. It was the Great Depression of Housing, the only possible result of the greatest housing bubble since the 1920s, if not in history. While sales have rebounded since that low, the current sales rate has barely recovered to the levels seen at the recession lows of 1991 and 1982. This rebound is little more than a dead cat bounce after 6 years of recovery, and now it may be faltering.
Mainstream economists give the Fed credit for stimulating this “recovery.” But, in fact the Fed has created a Catch 22 with no way out. The only thing the Fed has stimulated is house price inflation while destroying interest income on savings for millions of ordinary Americans, especially former middle class retirees. With mortgage rates pushed down to all time lows, house prices have consequently inflated at a rate that offsets the buyer’s savings in the interest component of the mortgage. Meanwhile American savers have lost not only massive purchasing power, but also have been forced to consume principal. The Fed has not stimulated sales but it has succeeded in transferring wealth away from those who can least afford it to those who least deserve it.
Had mortgage rates stopped falling at higher levels, house price inflation would have been stunted. More of a buyer’s mortgage payment would have been apportioned toward the higher interest component of the payment and less toward inflating the purchase price.
But the Fed got the result it intended. It wanted to inflate prices to save the banks from their stupidity and criminality. Decisions were made at the highest levels of the Fed and the Federal Government to not only let the banks off the hook, but to rescue them. The only way to do that was to forego prosecution of massive criminal wrongdoing, and to engineer price inflation, so that the criminal perpetrators of the fraud that drove the Great Bubble would be free to re-offend.
More
Mainstream economists give the Fed credit for stimulating this “recovery.” But, in fact the Fed has created a Catch 22 with no way out. The only thing the Fed has stimulated is house price inflation while destroying interest income on savings for millions of ordinary Americans, especially former middle class retirees. With mortgage rates pushed down to all time lows, house prices have consequently inflated at a rate that offsets the buyer’s savings in the interest component of the mortgage. Meanwhile American savers have lost not only massive purchasing power, but also have been forced to consume principal. The Fed has not stimulated sales but it has succeeded in transferring wealth away from those who can least afford it to those who least deserve it.
Had mortgage rates stopped falling at higher levels, house price inflation would have been stunted. More of a buyer’s mortgage payment would have been apportioned toward the higher interest component of the payment and less toward inflating the purchase price.
But the Fed got the result it intended. It wanted to inflate prices to save the banks from their stupidity and criminality. Decisions were made at the highest levels of the Fed and the Federal Government to not only let the banks off the hook, but to rescue them. The only way to do that was to forego prosecution of massive criminal wrongdoing, and to engineer price inflation, so that the criminal perpetrators of the fraud that drove the Great Bubble would be free to re-offend.
More
Madness Swirls At House Judiciary Committee As Comey Attempts To Justify Hillary Innocence
Comey on Clinton email probe: ‘Don’t call us weasels’ … The normally-stoic FBI chief grew emotional as he rejected claims that the FBI was in the tank for Clinton.
-Politico
James Comey appeared today before the House Judiciary Committee to answer questions about the FBI’s decision not to recommend prosecution of Hillary Clinton regarding misuse of classified emails – and in the process told members that once the politics stopped circulating, the FBI would again be seen as the institution “you know and love.”
This hyperbolic statement certainly set the tone for the larger hearing which saw Comey testifying with unusual emotionalism, adding at one point that people ought not to see those involved in the decision as “weasels.”
“You can call us wrong, but don’t call us weasels. We are not weasels,” he said. “We are honest people and….whether or not you agree with the result, this was done the way you want it to be done.”
More
-Politico
James Comey appeared today before the House Judiciary Committee to answer questions about the FBI’s decision not to recommend prosecution of Hillary Clinton regarding misuse of classified emails – and in the process told members that once the politics stopped circulating, the FBI would again be seen as the institution “you know and love.”
This hyperbolic statement certainly set the tone for the larger hearing which saw Comey testifying with unusual emotionalism, adding at one point that people ought not to see those involved in the decision as “weasels.”
“You can call us wrong, but don’t call us weasels. We are not weasels,” he said. “We are honest people and….whether or not you agree with the result, this was done the way you want it to be done.”
More
English's 'famous fried chicken' property sells in Ocean City for $1.8M
Harrison 1500 Philadelphia Avenue, LLC, an affiliate of the Harrison Hotel Group, acquired the property at the northeast corner of Philadelphia Avenue and 15th Street for $1.8 million in an auction on Wednesday. Harrison Hotel Group is a big player in the Eastern Shore resort. The company owns 11 hotels and 12 restaurants in Ocean City.
A.J. Billig & Co. Auctioneers, a Baltimore company, represented the seller, the English Co. The property consists of two contiguous parcels, comprising 0.53 acre just west of the boardwalk. The sale included a one-story, 5,730-square-foot restaurant building, restaurant equipment and paved parking lot. The trade name “English’s” was not included in the auction.
More
U.S. Corporations Side With Saudi Arabia Against The American People Over 9/11 Victims Bill
Shortly after the release of the infamous 28-pages earlier today, the White House issued a statement dismissing allegations of Saudi involvement in the attacks of 9/11. I believe such assurances are intended to prevent people from reading it in the first place, because if you actually read them, your mouth will be wide open the entire time in disbelief.
There are only two conclusions any thinking person can come to after reading the 28-pages.
1. Elements within the Saudi government ran the operations behind the 9/11 attack.
2. The U.S. government covered it up.
– From July’s post: The 28-Pages Are Way Worse Than I Thought
If you want to know just how insignificant the interests of the American people are when they happen to conflict with the profit margins of multinational corporations, the following article should leave little doubt.
Politico reports:
More
There are only two conclusions any thinking person can come to after reading the 28-pages.
1. Elements within the Saudi government ran the operations behind the 9/11 attack.
2. The U.S. government covered it up.
– From July’s post: The 28-Pages Are Way Worse Than I Thought
If you want to know just how insignificant the interests of the American people are when they happen to conflict with the profit margins of multinational corporations, the following article should leave little doubt.
Politico reports:
More
Charlotte Police Chief: 'We Did Not Find a Book' After Scott Shooting
In the aftermath of a night of violent riots and protests in Charlotte, N.C. over the shooting of a black man by a black police officer, Charlotte Police Chief Kerr Putney confirmed during a press conference Wednesday morning that the subject in question was armed with a handgun when he was fatally shot by police Tuesday.
Putney added that a handgun was recovered at the scene, which Scott allegedly had in his hand when he emerged from his car and was ultimately shot by a black police officer.
Putney, who is also black, claimed police did not find a book at the scene, responding to a spreading theory that a book is all Scott was holding when he was shot dead by police.
"I can tell you a weapon was seized, a handgun. I can also tell you we did not find a book that has been made reference to," Putney stated during the press conference.
More
Putney added that a handgun was recovered at the scene, which Scott allegedly had in his hand when he emerged from his car and was ultimately shot by a black police officer.
Putney, who is also black, claimed police did not find a book at the scene, responding to a spreading theory that a book is all Scott was holding when he was shot dead by police.
"I can tell you a weapon was seized, a handgun. I can also tell you we did not find a book that has been made reference to," Putney stated during the press conference.
More
Could This Order Restore the Voting Rights of 465,000 Dead Ohio Voters?
Last decade, George Soros worked on electing leftists to secretary of state positions in order to weaken election integrity in individual states. Now the court system, if left unchecked by Congress, will fulfill his dream even in Republican-controlled states by delivering every close election to Democrats.
Earlier this month, the courts blocked states from verifying the citizenship status of individuals registering to vote. Courts around the country have mandated that states provide for specific days of early voting, out-of-precinct voting, same-day registration, pre-registration of minors, and straight ticket ballots — all the while barring states from requiring a photo ID to vote.
Much like in North Carolina, the legal profession, which is full of radical legal defense funds and leftist lower court judges, has attackedalmost every common sense election law in Ohio. Adding to the growing list of Soros victories, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday prevented Ohio from enforcing its policy of cleaning voter rolls of deceased, ineligible, or out-of-state voters through a process that has been in place for two decades.
Before discussing this most recent decision, it is important to understand the relevant federal statutes..
(Keep reading..)
Earlier this month, the courts blocked states from verifying the citizenship status of individuals registering to vote. Courts around the country have mandated that states provide for specific days of early voting, out-of-precinct voting, same-day registration, pre-registration of minors, and straight ticket ballots — all the while barring states from requiring a photo ID to vote.
Much like in North Carolina, the legal profession, which is full of radical legal defense funds and leftist lower court judges, has attackedalmost every common sense election law in Ohio. Adding to the growing list of Soros victories, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday prevented Ohio from enforcing its policy of cleaning voter rolls of deceased, ineligible, or out-of-state voters through a process that has been in place for two decades.
Before discussing this most recent decision, it is important to understand the relevant federal statutes..
(Keep reading..)
Tim Tebow Homers on First Pitch in Pro Ball
Tim Tebow made his professional baseball debut Wednesday with the New York Mets instructional league team, and started off with quite a bang..
Tim Tebow hits Home Run in debut at bat #MLB pic.twitter.com/tt1zv2AG72— Zombie Prophet (@ZPGIFs) September 28, 2016
. BOOM! @TimTebow hits a homer during instructional league game! pic.twitter.com/8h9JCzr7Br— Katie Johnson (@Katie_Johnson_) September 28, 2016
More
Tim Tebow hits Home Run in debut at bat #MLB pic.twitter.com/tt1zv2AG72— Zombie Prophet (@ZPGIFs) September 28, 2016
. BOOM! @TimTebow hits a homer during instructional league game! pic.twitter.com/8h9JCzr7Br— Katie Johnson (@Katie_Johnson_) September 28, 2016
More
Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind, Albi's Diner
On Wednesday night we went to Albi's Diner located on Rt. 589, not far from Ocean Downs. We had been told this was a great restaurant and I have to tell you, it was fantastic in many ways.
The service, (for starters) was incredible. The meals you see above were both under $10.00. My Father enjoyed a Turkey Platter and while he eats like a bird, he ate the entire plate. I am a burger freak, always have been. I like to try fresh ground beef burgers and this one, (get this) was one pound, two half pound patties. The fries were great, (not Thrashers but great).
For those of you who live in Ocean Pines or West Ocean City, seriously, you should give this restaurant a try. We will be back.
Plumbing Ordinance Changes Tabled Again By OC Council After Lengthy Debate
OCEAN CITY — Resort officials this week again tabled a proposed ordinance change that would have somewhat relaxed the permitting and inspection process for the simplest of plumbing jobs after an hour-long-plus debate that left the issue as clear as mud.
The Mayor and Council on Tuesday resumed their debate on a proposed ordinance that would amend an outdated section of the building code that requires even the simplest of household plumbing jobs, such as replacing a toilet or a dripping faucet, to be completed by a master plumber after pulling the requisite permit from the city. Naturally, all projects requiring moving lines or replacing pipes that connect into the city water and sewer system should be completed by a professional, but a simple household job still falls under the same permit and inspection process.
For several months, the council has been debating an attempt to streamline the process and remove some of the more stringent requirements. It began last March when the council directed staff to come up with an ordinance change that would remove the requirements for permits and master plumbers from the easiest of household plumbing projects.
More
The Mayor and Council on Tuesday resumed their debate on a proposed ordinance that would amend an outdated section of the building code that requires even the simplest of household plumbing jobs, such as replacing a toilet or a dripping faucet, to be completed by a master plumber after pulling the requisite permit from the city. Naturally, all projects requiring moving lines or replacing pipes that connect into the city water and sewer system should be completed by a professional, but a simple household job still falls under the same permit and inspection process.
For several months, the council has been debating an attempt to streamline the process and remove some of the more stringent requirements. It began last March when the council directed staff to come up with an ordinance change that would remove the requirements for permits and master plumbers from the easiest of household plumbing projects.
More
GAO: Obama Admin Lacks Authority to Bail Out Insurers
The Department of Health and Human Services lacks the authority to bail out insurers through the transitional reinsurance program with taxpayer funds that were meant to go to the U.S. Treasury, according to a report from the Government Accountability Office.
The Affordable Care Act established the transitional reinsurance program for three years from 2014 to 2016, which was designed to pay insurers for a portion of the cost of high-cost enrollees.
The program designated a target amount for reinsurance payments as well as a specified amount that must go in the general fund of the United States Treasury under section 1341 of the law. In 2014, the law targeted collections of $10 billion for reinsurance payments and $2 billion for the Treasury.
“When total collections for benefit year 2014—$9.7 billion—fell short of the target amount for reinsurance payments, HHS did not allocate any collections to the Treasury or to administrative expenses,” the Government Accountability Office said. “Because the agency collected less than the $10 billion target for reinsurance payments, it allocated all of its collections for those payments.”
Members of Congress asked the Government Accountability Office to review the agency’s actions to see whether it has the authority to prioritize payments to failing issuers over payments to the Treasury if the collections do not hit the specified amount.
“In light of the foregoing analysis, we conclude that HHS lacks authority to ignore the statute’s directive to deposit amounts from collections under the transitional reinsurance program to the Treasury and instead make deposits in the Treasury only if its collections reach the amounts for reinsurance payments specified in section 1341,” the Government Accountability Office said. “The agency is not authorized to prioritize collections in this manner.”
More
The Affordable Care Act established the transitional reinsurance program for three years from 2014 to 2016, which was designed to pay insurers for a portion of the cost of high-cost enrollees.
The program designated a target amount for reinsurance payments as well as a specified amount that must go in the general fund of the United States Treasury under section 1341 of the law. In 2014, the law targeted collections of $10 billion for reinsurance payments and $2 billion for the Treasury.
“When total collections for benefit year 2014—$9.7 billion—fell short of the target amount for reinsurance payments, HHS did not allocate any collections to the Treasury or to administrative expenses,” the Government Accountability Office said. “Because the agency collected less than the $10 billion target for reinsurance payments, it allocated all of its collections for those payments.”
Members of Congress asked the Government Accountability Office to review the agency’s actions to see whether it has the authority to prioritize payments to failing issuers over payments to the Treasury if the collections do not hit the specified amount.
“In light of the foregoing analysis, we conclude that HHS lacks authority to ignore the statute’s directive to deposit amounts from collections under the transitional reinsurance program to the Treasury and instead make deposits in the Treasury only if its collections reach the amounts for reinsurance payments specified in section 1341,” the Government Accountability Office said. “The agency is not authorized to prioritize collections in this manner.”
More
DHS Secretary 'Concerned' About Illegal Aliens From Middle East
(CNSNews.com) - Poverty and violence in Central America continue to push hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens toward the United States, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson told Congress on Tuesday. He said he's particularly concerned about infiltrators from the Middle East.
"I am concerned about what we refer to as the special interest alien that comes from the other hemisphere that turns up on our southern border," Johnson told the Senate Homeland Security Committee.
"We don't see this very often. It's a very small percentage of those who are apprehended on our southern border who are coming from the Middle East region.
"I have put in place a working group within my department over the last several months to work with the law enforcement components of other governments in Central and South America to interdict these people before they get to our border and to share intelligence about what we are seeing.."
More
"I am concerned about what we refer to as the special interest alien that comes from the other hemisphere that turns up on our southern border," Johnson told the Senate Homeland Security Committee.
"We don't see this very often. It's a very small percentage of those who are apprehended on our southern border who are coming from the Middle East region.
"I have put in place a working group within my department over the last several months to work with the law enforcement components of other governments in Central and South America to interdict these people before they get to our border and to share intelligence about what we are seeing.."
More
Child Prostitution Just Became Legal In California – Do You Agree With Why?
I guess I should not be surprised from a state that wants to ban gender identity and allows polygamy, bestiality, etc. They say this law will protect minors from the stigma of sex-trafficking – what it really does is it makes it much easier to grow and conduct the business of sex-trafficking children. It promotes it for God’s sake. Along with this ruling, Jerry Brown is taking away state benefits for those who ARE victims of the sex industry. It’s as if he’s promoting white slavery for children.
More
Finallyall this crap about Global warming makes sense
Chicago Houston