The GOP has long said it wants to have a bigger tent, but with Donald Trump bringing in new voters to the party, many of those same people are terrified, says former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
"Those are the people, whether they're at The Weekly Standard, whether they're on talk radio, whether they run a blog, whether they're so-called experts, those are the people who are terrified of Donald Trump because he represents a new world," Gingrich said Wednesday on Fox News Channel's "Hannity."
Gingrich compared the situation to asking someone who operates an old-fashioned small retail place if they've ever heard of Walmart.
"What you see coming down the road here is a much bigger party with many more people," he said.
More here
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Friday, May 13, 2016
Germans Find 369 Suspected ISIS Terrorists Among Arriving Migrants
According to the German Federal Crime Office, a number of Islamic terrorists have entered Germany by hiding amongst recent flows of migrants from the Middle East, and since last year 369 people with suspected ties to the Islamic State have come into the country in this way.
“German security authorities have indications that members and supporters of terrorist organizations are infiltrating groups of migrants in a focused and organized way, in order to launch attacks in Germany,” said a police spokesman, adding that there was no specific evidence of a planned attack at this time.
Of the hundreds of suspected Islamic jihadists entering Germany, 40 cases are currently under judicial investigation at the federal and state level, said a spokesman of the Bundeskriminalamt in Berlin.
The data indicate an overall increase in infiltration by prospective terrorists.
More
“German security authorities have indications that members and supporters of terrorist organizations are infiltrating groups of migrants in a focused and organized way, in order to launch attacks in Germany,” said a police spokesman, adding that there was no specific evidence of a planned attack at this time.
Of the hundreds of suspected Islamic jihadists entering Germany, 40 cases are currently under judicial investigation at the federal and state level, said a spokesman of the Bundeskriminalamt in Berlin.
The data indicate an overall increase in infiltration by prospective terrorists.
More
Wall Street Whistleblower Says Money Missing from the Clinton Foundation
Fox News speaks with Stuart Varney, who reports that there are “major discrepancies” between what donors reported they gave to the Clinton Foundation and what the Clinton Foundation reported they received.
House GOP Rank and File: Ryan Must Back Trump
CNN reports that Republican House members want Speaker Paul Ryan to support Donald Trump’s presidential bid:
Rank-and-file House Republicans are urging Speaker Paul Ryan to get behind presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, warning his resistance could lead to the party fracturing rather than uniting if he withholds his endorsement.
“It makes it harder to unite,” said Rep. Raul Labrador, an Idaho Republican and leader within the conservative House Freedom Caucus.
Nevada Rep. Mark Amodei was incredulous about the speaker’s high profile break with Trump last week, saying, “Ryan goes out on CNN and says it’s Donald Trump’s duty to unite the party,” asking, “So Mr. Speaker, what’s your job regarding unity?”
House Republicans met with Ryan Wednesday morning for the first time since the speaker told CNN’s Jake Tapper he was not yet ready to endorse the presumptive nominee.
Rank-and-file House Republicans are urging Speaker Paul Ryan to get behind presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, warning his resistance could lead to the party fracturing rather than uniting if he withholds his endorsement.
“It makes it harder to unite,” said Rep. Raul Labrador, an Idaho Republican and leader within the conservative House Freedom Caucus.
Nevada Rep. Mark Amodei was incredulous about the speaker’s high profile break with Trump last week, saying, “Ryan goes out on CNN and says it’s Donald Trump’s duty to unite the party,” asking, “So Mr. Speaker, what’s your job regarding unity?”
House Republicans met with Ryan Wednesday morning for the first time since the speaker told CNN’s Jake Tapper he was not yet ready to endorse the presumptive nominee.
Read the whole thing.
Just How Divided Is the GOP Over Trump?
A lot of this came after last Tuesday's Indiana primary and Ted Cruz's and John Kasich's subsequent exit from the race -- and the indisputable fact that some GOP leaders have publicly announced they will either not endorse Donald Trump or will not vote for him.
The Washington Post headlined "Trump Takes the Reins of a Divided GOP," while The Wall Street Journal summarized their "Journal Editorial Report" broadcast as "A Divided GOP" and MSNBC asked: "Can a Party Divided Against Itself Still Stand?"
But what of the rank-and-file Republicans -- those across the country who are not famous leaders of the GOP, but either identify with or lean to the Republican Party?
More
Paul Ryan disapproval is growing
When Paul Ryan first became Speaker of the House, close to 70 percent of Republicans supported the move. Now less than half approve of the job he’s doing, according to a poll released Wednesday.
Dean Debnam, president of Public Policy Polling, said, “Paul Ryan’s standing with Republicans nationally has declined precipitously since taking on the job as Speaker of the House.”
When he took the job of Speaker in November 69 percent of Republicans backed the decision and 14 percent were against it. Now, his job approval rating is 40 percent among Republicans, 44 percent are unhappy with Ryan. Among voters in general, 30 percent approve of the work Ryan’s doing, 48 percent disapprove.
“They’re not all that crazy about having him in that role, much less being the party’s candidate for President,” Debnam said.
More
Dean Debnam, president of Public Policy Polling, said, “Paul Ryan’s standing with Republicans nationally has declined precipitously since taking on the job as Speaker of the House.”
When he took the job of Speaker in November 69 percent of Republicans backed the decision and 14 percent were against it. Now, his job approval rating is 40 percent among Republicans, 44 percent are unhappy with Ryan. Among voters in general, 30 percent approve of the work Ryan’s doing, 48 percent disapprove.
“They’re not all that crazy about having him in that role, much less being the party’s candidate for President,” Debnam said.
More
Subject: Air Force Whistleblower Makes BOMBSHELL Announcment About What Happened In Benghazi
A new witness, who had served in the Air Force at Aviano Air Base in northeastern Italy in 2012, has dropped bombshell allegations that his team was ready to go, waiting for the call to go save the Americans who were under attack and subsequently killed in the Benghazi terror attacks.
But they never got the orders to carry out their rescue mission. Perhaps because the administration was working too hard to justify the attacks through their ‘YouTube video’ narrative.
Via Fox News:
His squadron got the alert: a “real world mission was going down.”
The team – at Aviano Air Base in northeastern Italy – raced to the field and was briefed, as planes were armed and prepared to launch. Hundreds of miles away, fellow Americans were under attack in Benghazi.
“There were people everywhere. That flight line was full of people, and we were all ready to go” to Benghazi, he said.
Only they were waiting for the order. It never came.
“The whole night we were told that we are waiting on a call,” he told Fox News.
This account is from a squadron member at Aviano the night of the Sept. 11, 2012, terror attack in Benghazi. The source, the first in his squadron to speak out publicly since that attack, is going public to explain – in his view – that more could have been done to save Americans under attack that night.
More
But they never got the orders to carry out their rescue mission. Perhaps because the administration was working too hard to justify the attacks through their ‘YouTube video’ narrative.
Via Fox News:
His squadron got the alert: a “real world mission was going down.”
The team – at Aviano Air Base in northeastern Italy – raced to the field and was briefed, as planes were armed and prepared to launch. Hundreds of miles away, fellow Americans were under attack in Benghazi.
“There were people everywhere. That flight line was full of people, and we were all ready to go” to Benghazi, he said.
Only they were waiting for the order. It never came.
“The whole night we were told that we are waiting on a call,” he told Fox News.
This account is from a squadron member at Aviano the night of the Sept. 11, 2012, terror attack in Benghazi. The source, the first in his squadron to speak out publicly since that attack, is going public to explain – in his view – that more could have been done to save Americans under attack that night.
More
U.S. plans new wave of immigrant deportation raids
The operation would likely be the largest deportation sweep targeting immigrant families by the administration of President Barack Obama this year after a similar drive over two days in January that focused on Georgia, Texas, and North Carolina.
Those raids, which resulted in the detention of 121 people, mostly women and children, sparked an outcry from immigration advocates and criticism from some Democrats, including the party's presidential election frontrunner Hillary Clinton.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has now told field offices nationwide to launch a 30-day "surge" of arrests focused on mothers and children who have already been told to leave the United States, the document seen by Reuters said. The operation would also cover minors who have entered the country without a guardian and since turned 18 years of age, the document said. Two sources confirmed the details of the plan.
The exact dates of the latest series of raids were not known and the details of the operation could change.
More
U.S. Border Control Chief Warns of the Threat Coming From the North: ‘That Is a Tremendous Concern to Us’
That’s according to U.S. Border Patrol Division Chief Bradley Curtis, who spoke with WLNY-TV in New York City, which is, as the station pointed out, only 300 miles from the Canadian border.
“Up here we’re encountering people from every single country,” Curtis said. “They’re coming across on snowmobiles. They’re coming across on ATVs. … We have 95 miles of water boundaries, so people come across on boat, canoes, anything you can think of.”
More
New Berlin Library Branch Design Unveiled
Ron Cascio, a Worcester County Library board member as well as a Berlin Planning Commission member, presented plans for the new library before the commission this week. The two-story brick building will be located next to the Waystead Inn on Harrison Avenue.
Cascio says the new facility will provide the same services the existing Berlin library offers but with significantly more space. The layout of the ground floor is even similar to what patrons experience now, with a children’s area to the left of the entrance and the bulk of the library’s books to the right.
“It’s like the existing library in the way it’s set up but it’s bigger,” he said.
More
SU Past President Norman Crawford Passes Away Today
In Memoriam: Dr. Norman C. Crawford
“I was saddened today to learn of the death of Salisbury University President Emeritus Norman Crawford. As the fifth president of SU — then known as Salisbury State College — from 1970-1980, he helped lay the foundation for many of the successes the campus enjoys today. Under his guidance, SU established its honors program, winter academic term, campus radio station and The Flyer student newspaper — all traditions that continue. He also oversaw the creation of the Salisbury University Foundation, Inc., which has played a pivotal role in SU’s development as A Maryland University of National Distinction. Many buildings opened during his tenure, including Choptank Hall — the campus’ first co-ed residence hall — Chester and Chesapeake residence halls and Maggs Physical Activities Center. He also established the Great Hall of Holloway Hall as the original home for the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art.
“Perhaps Dr. Crawford’s most lasting contribution was his dedication to increasing diversity at the institution. Within his inaugural year as president, he hired the University’s first African-American faculty member, Dr. A.K. Talbot of the Sociology Department. Several years later, he welcomed SU’s first African-American fraternity, Omega Psi Phi. He was steadfast in his commitment to increasing the school’s African-American student population — which numbered only three when he was named president. By the time of his departure, that number had grown to 430 (more than 14,000 percent). During his presidency, he took a personal interest in the lives of African-American student leaders on campus, hosting weekly meetings to discuss any problems they may have encountered. He once noted that ‘the harmonious desegregation of the state college’ was his proudest accomplishment.
NEWT GINGRICH: Building a Republican Party for the future
Candidates owe Reince Priebus a thank you for study
It’s good practice for teams, businesses, and even political parties to learn as much from failure as they do from success. That was the principle Republicans applied after losing the White House in 2012, when under the leadership of Chairman Reince Priebus, the Republican National Committee launched the Growth and Opportunity Project to study how the party could be more competitive. In the 2014 midterm elections two years later, that study and the changes Chairman Priebus implemented as a result paid off in spectacular fashion. At every level from state legislatures to the Congress, the Republican Party is today objectively the strongest it has been in generations.
After the victories of 2014 and 2015, Chairman Priebus understood that the inverse of the old adage is true as well—the party has a duty to learn as much from success as it does from failure. I was honored when he asked me to lead a project to surface the “lessons learned” from these campaigns. Our report, released this week, is the result of dozens of interviews with candidates, campaign managers, and campaign staff forSenate, House, and governors’ races across the country.
The more we learned, the more we were struck with the scale of the changes Republican candidates are navigating—changes in the political environment, in the technology and tactics of campaigns, and in the strategies required to win.
Perhaps the most historic and underappreciated of these changes is the political realignment that has taken place over the past eight years.
More
It’s good practice for teams, businesses, and even political parties to learn as much from failure as they do from success. That was the principle Republicans applied after losing the White House in 2012, when under the leadership of Chairman Reince Priebus, the Republican National Committee launched the Growth and Opportunity Project to study how the party could be more competitive. In the 2014 midterm elections two years later, that study and the changes Chairman Priebus implemented as a result paid off in spectacular fashion. At every level from state legislatures to the Congress, the Republican Party is today objectively the strongest it has been in generations.
After the victories of 2014 and 2015, Chairman Priebus understood that the inverse of the old adage is true as well—the party has a duty to learn as much from success as it does from failure. I was honored when he asked me to lead a project to surface the “lessons learned” from these campaigns. Our report, released this week, is the result of dozens of interviews with candidates, campaign managers, and campaign staff forSenate, House, and governors’ races across the country.
The more we learned, the more we were struck with the scale of the changes Republican candidates are navigating—changes in the political environment, in the technology and tactics of campaigns, and in the strategies required to win.
Perhaps the most historic and underappreciated of these changes is the political realignment that has taken place over the past eight years.
More
Hoyer on Selective Service Registration: ‘Women Ought to Be Treated Equally’
At his weekly briefing with reporters on Tuesday at the Capitol, House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said that women should be “treated equally” when it comes to being required to register with the Selective Service.
“Women ought to be treated equally,” Hoyer said.
Current law requires men between the ages of 18 and 25 to register with the Selective Service to serve as a pool for the U.S. military should a draft become necessary. Since Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced in December that all combat roles would be open to females beginning in January, discussion has been sparked about whether women should be required to register with the Selective Service.
In discussing the House’s upcoming consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, Hoyer was asked about women and the Selective Service.
“Women ought to be treated equally,” Hoyer said.
Current law requires men between the ages of 18 and 25 to register with the Selective Service to serve as a pool for the U.S. military should a draft become necessary. Since Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced in December that all combat roles would be open to females beginning in January, discussion has been sparked about whether women should be required to register with the Selective Service.
In discussing the House’s upcoming consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, Hoyer was asked about women and the Selective Service.
MALKIN: ZAYN>PALIN: WHAT IT TOOK FOR NUTBALL AZEALIA BANKS TO BE KICKED OFF TWITTER
As usual in Progressive World, some people are more equal than others.
When crazy rapper Azealia Banks fell for a fake story in April about former GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin supporting slavery, she unleashed a vulgar and violent “tweetstorm” that culminated in a menacing threat calling for Palin to be gang-raped by black men.
Twitter allowed Banks to keep her account unscathed.
This week, Banks was at it again. But since her target was young pop star Zayn Malik and her sin was tweeting racist and homophobic slurs – including the b-word, the fa**ot-word, the n-word, and the b- and n-words strung together - she was finally suspended:
More
NR 5/13/16 Dorchester Arson Arrest Race Street
2012 RACE STREET APARTMENT FIRE
CLOSED BY ARREST
DORCHESTER COUNTY, MD (May 13, 2016) – The Office of the State’s Attorney for Dorchester County and the Office of the State Fire Marshal announce that a Grand Jury has Indicted Pernell Clanton (26) on multiple felony charges stemming from a 2012 Cambridge apartment fire. The indictment is the latest development in a three year investigation by The Office of the State Fire Marshal, the Office of the State’s Attorney for Dorchester County and the Cambridge Police Department. Clanton was charged on May 11, 2016 with 22 counts of 1st Degree Assault, 7 counts of 1st Degree Arson and 2 counts of 2nd Degree Arson.
The 10:46 p.m. four-alarm blaze at 507 Race Street in Cambridge occurred on December 16, 2012 and took nearly 100 firefighters from approximately thirteen fire companies two hours to bring under control. Two firefighters were treated for stress related injuries at Dorchester General Hospital and released. The structure contained a thrift store on the first floor with four apartments on the 2nd floor and four apartments on the 3rd floor. Residents of the building were alerted of the fire by working smoke alarms located inside the structure. Twenty-two occupants were transported to area hospitals and treated for non-life threatening injuries received when jumping from 2nd and 3rd floor windows. The structure was considered to be a total loss with damages estimated at $850,000.
The Office of the State’s Attorney for Dorchester County presented the case to the Grand Jury and the indictment was subsequently served by Deputy State Fire Marshals. Clanton was presented before a Dorchester County Circuit Court Judge where he was committed to the Dorchester County Detention Center with no bond awaiting trial. The defendant is presumed innocent until such time as he is convicted on any and all charges.
All Media inquiries are being addressed by the Dorchester County State’s Attorneys Office at: 410-228-3611
New ‘Curing Our Coast’ Series To Examine Heroin Abuse Across Lower Shore
All of it is shocking and heartbreaking, and the community is rife with concern and fear. The statistical data is alarming, like the fact that in 2014, more people died of heroin overdoses in the state of Maryland than people who died in car crashes or homicides. Equally alarming and closer to home, is the fact that almost all of the people who walk in the doors at the Worcester County Health Department are there seeking help for heroin addiction. The heartbreaking headlines of young people with bright futures being found dead with needles sticking out of their arms are being written more often and families who live in local neighborhoods are quietly struggling to save their loved ones from a drug that doesn’t discriminate between race, class, age or gender.
The epidemic is here and in this community and The Dispatch is dedicated to bringing readers an in-depth and ongoing series that will analyze all facets of the region’s problem and the battle to combat that it.
More
22 Charged in $13M Food Stamp Fraud
U.S. Attorney Wifredo Ferrer said Wednesday the scheme used electronic benefit cards at locations authorized to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. The cards would be swiped in exchange for cash payments far less than the amount the store owners would bill to the program.
Most of the fraudulent retailers were located at the Opa-locka Hialeah Flea Market, but they also include a fish delivery business and a convenience store. Ferrer says many locations actually sell no food.
Those arrested face maximum prison terms of 20 years for each count of wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy, as well as five years for food stamp fraud.
More
Glen Burnie Man Sentenced To Time Served In Money Laundering Scheme
A federal judge on Thursday sentenced a Glen Burnie man to time served in a money laundering conspiracy.
U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz also ordered Kaushik Kanti Modi, 43, an Indian national living illegally in the U.S. to forfeit and/or pay restitution of $857,597.02, the amount seized or restrained by federal authorities.
U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz sentenced Kaushik Kanti Modi, age 43, of Glen Burnie, Maryland, a native of India living illegally in the United States, today to time served, which has been approximately 13 and half months, for a money laundering conspiracy arising from a scheme to launder millions of dollars of fraud proceeds obtained from individual victims through a variety of scams. Judge Motz also ordered Modi to forfeit and/or pay restitution of $857,597.02, the amount involved in the money laundering offense that the government has seized or restrained.
“Modi’s involvement in this scheme is just another unfortunate example of criminals willing to enrich themselves at the expense of their victims,” Thomas Jankowski, special agent in charge for the Washington field office of the Internal Revenue Service's criminal investigation unit, said in a statement from prosecutors. “Today’s sentence should serve as a reminder that these criminals will bear the consequences of their actions and be sent to prison for their crimes.”
More
U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz also ordered Kaushik Kanti Modi, 43, an Indian national living illegally in the U.S. to forfeit and/or pay restitution of $857,597.02, the amount seized or restrained by federal authorities.
U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz sentenced Kaushik Kanti Modi, age 43, of Glen Burnie, Maryland, a native of India living illegally in the United States, today to time served, which has been approximately 13 and half months, for a money laundering conspiracy arising from a scheme to launder millions of dollars of fraud proceeds obtained from individual victims through a variety of scams. Judge Motz also ordered Modi to forfeit and/or pay restitution of $857,597.02, the amount involved in the money laundering offense that the government has seized or restrained.
“Modi’s involvement in this scheme is just another unfortunate example of criminals willing to enrich themselves at the expense of their victims,” Thomas Jankowski, special agent in charge for the Washington field office of the Internal Revenue Service's criminal investigation unit, said in a statement from prosecutors. “Today’s sentence should serve as a reminder that these criminals will bear the consequences of their actions and be sent to prison for their crimes.”
More
Facebook Is Only a Symptom of Leftist Intolerance
Despite creating all those new “reaction” buttons, Facebook hasn’t found the perfect emoji to describe the latest news surrounding the social media giant’s political suppression tactics. As we wrote earlier this week, former Facebook employees have claimed the company rigs its “trending” section to downplay news from conservative sources. In short, while Facebook users think they’re seeing trending news, they’re really seeing the news Facebook wants them to see. Leftists would always rather suppress conservative thought than debate it.
Making this web of intrigue even stickier is the recent revelation that the person responsible for managing Facebook’s Trending Topics section, Tom Stocky, has given the maximum $2,700 to Hillary Clinton’s primary campaign. His wife also maxed out at $2,700. Of course, both are free to support their candidate of choice. But it certainly does add credence to questions over whether Facebook’s trending topics are really trending or simply “Stocky-approved.”
That’s not to say Facebook doesn’t have the freedom to govern its technology or ideology. As a private (publicly traded) company, it most certainly does — which makes the recently launched Senate investigation not only an outrage but a serious embarrassment to the GOP-led chamber. This week, the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee sent a letter to Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg asking the company to explain its process for picking trending stories and to hand over its internal guidelines to the government.
As David Harsanyi notes, “[D]oes Facebook even have to link to any conservative news stories? And do we really want the Senate defining what constitutes ‘conservative’ news, anyway?” We echo Harsanyi in saying when it comes to the Senate’s demands, the proper answer is “none of your business.” (Just like any number of issues Congress has investigated — steroids in baseball, concussions in football, etc.) And for those who may not like Facebook’s ideology, they can simply hit “deactivate.”
More
Making this web of intrigue even stickier is the recent revelation that the person responsible for managing Facebook’s Trending Topics section, Tom Stocky, has given the maximum $2,700 to Hillary Clinton’s primary campaign. His wife also maxed out at $2,700. Of course, both are free to support their candidate of choice. But it certainly does add credence to questions over whether Facebook’s trending topics are really trending or simply “Stocky-approved.”
That’s not to say Facebook doesn’t have the freedom to govern its technology or ideology. As a private (publicly traded) company, it most certainly does — which makes the recently launched Senate investigation not only an outrage but a serious embarrassment to the GOP-led chamber. This week, the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee sent a letter to Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg asking the company to explain its process for picking trending stories and to hand over its internal guidelines to the government.
As David Harsanyi notes, “[D]oes Facebook even have to link to any conservative news stories? And do we really want the Senate defining what constitutes ‘conservative’ news, anyway?” We echo Harsanyi in saying when it comes to the Senate’s demands, the proper answer is “none of your business.” (Just like any number of issues Congress has investigated — steroids in baseball, concussions in football, etc.) And for those who may not like Facebook’s ideology, they can simply hit “deactivate.”
More
Subject: How Congress Mysteriously Became a ‘Small Business’ to Qualify for Obamacare Subsides
It seems that federal officials have worked overtime to undermine public trust. Benghazi, the IRS abuses, the “fast and furious” gun-running fiasco, the solar power boondoggles, and the seemingly endless implementation problems of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)—all these scandals have common themes: Arrogant and abusive bureaucracy, double dealing, lame excuses and legal hairsplitting.
The outrages listed above can be placed squarely at the doorstep of the White House. But one scandal is truly bipartisan: How key administration and Congressional officials connived to create, under cover of Obamacare, special health insurance subsidies for members of Congress.
Here’s how it went down..
The outrages listed above can be placed squarely at the doorstep of the White House. But one scandal is truly bipartisan: How key administration and Congressional officials connived to create, under cover of Obamacare, special health insurance subsidies for members of Congress.
Here’s how it went down..
Administration Violated Constitution in Funding Obamacare Subsidies
Judge Rosemary Collyer of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued an opinion today declaring that the Obama administration violated the Constitution by funding Obamacare subsidies for which Congress did not appropriate funds.
“Congress passes all federal laws in this country,” the judge wrote in her opinion in the case of U.S. House of Representatives v. Burwell.
“The Court will enter judgment in favor of the House of Representatives and enjoin the use of unappropriated monies to fund reimbursements due to insurers under Section 1402,” the judge said.
The opinion discussed the distinction between Section 1401 of the Affordable Care Act and Section 1402. Section 1401 provided for refundable tax credits to help cover the premiums of people who purchase health insurance on the Obamacare exchanges and who have adjusted gross incomes between 100 percent and 400 percent of the poverty level. Section 1402 provides reimbursements to insurers for lowering the “cost sharing”—i.e. deductibles, co-pays—for people who qualify under the law for such subsidies.
However, as written the Obamacare law incorporated the Section 1401 tax credits into the Internal Revenue Code, which includes language permanently funding such credits.
More here
“Congress passes all federal laws in this country,” the judge wrote in her opinion in the case of U.S. House of Representatives v. Burwell.
“The Court will enter judgment in favor of the House of Representatives and enjoin the use of unappropriated monies to fund reimbursements due to insurers under Section 1402,” the judge said.
The opinion discussed the distinction between Section 1401 of the Affordable Care Act and Section 1402. Section 1401 provided for refundable tax credits to help cover the premiums of people who purchase health insurance on the Obamacare exchanges and who have adjusted gross incomes between 100 percent and 400 percent of the poverty level. Section 1402 provides reimbursements to insurers for lowering the “cost sharing”—i.e. deductibles, co-pays—for people who qualify under the law for such subsidies.
However, as written the Obamacare law incorporated the Section 1401 tax credits into the Internal Revenue Code, which includes language permanently funding such credits.
More here
Michael Reagan to Romney: 'Time to Shut Up'
Political commentator Michael Reagan told Newsmax TV on Thursday that "the only person who needs to shut up is Mitt Romney" on whether Donald Trump should release his tax returns.
"I can understand other people saying that," Reagan told "The Steve Malzberg Show" in an interview. "But Mitt Romney, who brought you out of your building?"
Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, called on Trump to release his tax returns — saying Wednesday that refusing to do so disqualified him from running for the White House.
Michael Reagan is the author of the new book, "Lessons My Father Taught Me: The Strength, Integrity, and Faith of Ronald Reagan." He is the former president's eldest son.
"He really should have nothing to say," Reagan said of Romney. "He got his shot. He got his chance — and he lost.
"And, essentially, he spent half his time at Trump Tower trying to raise money for his campaign back in 2012," he added. "Now all of a sudden it's a different situation.
"So, if I were Mitt Romney — let me just say this — it's time to shut up."
More
"I can understand other people saying that," Reagan told "The Steve Malzberg Show" in an interview. "But Mitt Romney, who brought you out of your building?"
Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, called on Trump to release his tax returns — saying Wednesday that refusing to do so disqualified him from running for the White House.
Michael Reagan is the author of the new book, "Lessons My Father Taught Me: The Strength, Integrity, and Faith of Ronald Reagan." He is the former president's eldest son.
"He really should have nothing to say," Reagan said of Romney. "He got his shot. He got his chance — and he lost.
"And, essentially, he spent half his time at Trump Tower trying to raise money for his campaign back in 2012," he added. "Now all of a sudden it's a different situation.
"So, if I were Mitt Romney — let me just say this — it's time to shut up."
More
Subject: Rep. Randy Forbes: ‘In the Hands of Terrorists, Visas Can Become Weapons’
(CNSNews.com) – Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Va.) said on Thursday that visas issued to terrorists turn the documents into “weapons” by allowing them entry into the United States without proper vetting.
“We also know that in the hands of terrorists, visas can become weapons,” Forbes said at a press conference at the Capitol.
Forbes – along with co-sponsors Reps. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) and Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) – introduced the Visa Integrity and Security Act of 2016 on Wednesday.
The Visa Integrity and Security Act of 2016, which “strengthens the Visa screening process to combat immigration fraud, utilize social media to detect threat indicators, and better detect terrorists who may be plotting attacks like the one that occurred in San Bernardino, California this past December.”
More here
“We also know that in the hands of terrorists, visas can become weapons,” Forbes said at a press conference at the Capitol.
Forbes – along with co-sponsors Reps. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) and Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) – introduced the Visa Integrity and Security Act of 2016 on Wednesday.
The Visa Integrity and Security Act of 2016, which “strengthens the Visa screening process to combat immigration fraud, utilize social media to detect threat indicators, and better detect terrorists who may be plotting attacks like the one that occurred in San Bernardino, California this past December.”
More here
5 Years Later, Deaths Caused by Radiation Leak at Fukushima: 0
(CNSNews.com) – Since the horrific earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear reactor meltdown in Japan on March 11, 2011, there have been no deaths directly caused by the radiation leak from the nuclear plant in Fukushima, which is located on the northeast side of Japan.
The latest update (in April) by the World Nuclear Association on the Fukushima disaster states, “there have been no deaths or cases of radiation sickness from the nuclear accident.”
Also, in a May 11 e-mail to CNSNews.com, Jaya Mohan, information officer for the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), said “no deaths directly caused by radiation exposure after the accident at the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power plant have been reported.”
More here
The latest update (in April) by the World Nuclear Association on the Fukushima disaster states, “there have been no deaths or cases of radiation sickness from the nuclear accident.”
Also, in a May 11 e-mail to CNSNews.com, Jaya Mohan, information officer for the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), said “no deaths directly caused by radiation exposure after the accident at the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power plant have been reported.”
More here
Harvard Law Professor Says Treat Conservative Christians Like Nazis
Liberals, stop being so defensive. That’s the message of Harvard law professor Mark Tushnet in a new post at Balkinization, titled “Abandoning Defensive Crouch Liberal Constitutionalism.” The problem, according to Tushnet, is that liberals have been too defensive when it comes to advancing their agenda in the courts.
Now that President Barack Obama has reshaped the federal judiciary, liberal causes can win easily in court. And now that Justice Antonin Scalia has died, “judges no longer have to be worried about reversal by the Supreme Court if they take aggressively liberal positions.”
Tushnet blames what he calls the “culture wars” on conservatives, and he says liberals should now make conservatives pay. “The culture wars are over; they lost, we won,” he writes in italics. Tushnet claims that conservatives “had opportunities to reach a cease fire, but rejected them in favor of a scorched earth policy.”
Since when have liberals been defensive? The scorched earth policy has been theirs. They’ve been the aggressors—they’ve been offensive. Conservatives have been defensive.
It seems hard to envision how conservatives could have declared a unilateral cease fire when they weren’t the ones firing in the first place.
More
Now that President Barack Obama has reshaped the federal judiciary, liberal causes can win easily in court. And now that Justice Antonin Scalia has died, “judges no longer have to be worried about reversal by the Supreme Court if they take aggressively liberal positions.”
Tushnet blames what he calls the “culture wars” on conservatives, and he says liberals should now make conservatives pay. “The culture wars are over; they lost, we won,” he writes in italics. Tushnet claims that conservatives “had opportunities to reach a cease fire, but rejected them in favor of a scorched earth policy.”
Since when have liberals been defensive? The scorched earth policy has been theirs. They’ve been the aggressors—they’ve been offensive. Conservatives have been defensive.
It seems hard to envision how conservatives could have declared a unilateral cease fire when they weren’t the ones firing in the first place.
More
NOI 5/12/16 Wicomico Apartment Fire Collins Street
NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION
Date: 5/12/16
Time: 11:30 p.m.
Location / Address: 507 Collins Street, Apt. A, Salisbury, Wicomico Co.
Type of Incident: Fire
Description of Structure / Property: Three-unit wood frame apartment building
Owner / Occupants: Dieufaite Tanis (Occupant)
Injuries or Deaths: None
Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $5,000.00 Contents: $3,000.00
Smoke Alarm Status: Present, unknown if activated
Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: n/a
Arrests(s): None
Primary Responding Fire Department: Salisbury
# of Alarms: 1 # Of Firefighters: 15
Time to Control: 15 minutes
Discovered By: Occupant
Area of Origin: Interior of front door
Preliminary Cause: Under Investigation
Additional Information: Red Cross is assisting the family. Anyone with information is asked to call the Salisbury Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal at (410) 713-3780.
Mark Levin: ‘The Minimum Wage Is a Job Killer’
On his show Wednesday, nationally syndicated radio talk show host Mark Levin addressed the issue of raising the minimum wage saying that the minimum wage “is a job killer,” and it is “destroying the American culture.”
“The minimum wage is a job killer,” Levin said on his show. “The minimum wage kills jobs, particularly for younger people.”
Levin went on, “And I’m telling you, these federal regulations and state regulations – and this is just the tip of the iceberg – are destroying American jobs. They’re destroying the American culture. That’s what they’re doing.”
(He explains it here..)
“The minimum wage is a job killer,” Levin said on his show. “The minimum wage kills jobs, particularly for younger people.”
Levin went on, “And I’m telling you, these federal regulations and state regulations – and this is just the tip of the iceberg – are destroying American jobs. They’re destroying the American culture. That’s what they’re doing.”
(He explains it here..)
Legislators Seek New Strategy On Post-Labor Day Start Goal
OCEAN CITY– The 436th legislative session may be over in Annapolis, but if Wednesday’s Ocean City Economic Development Committee Meeting is any indication, planning for next year’s session is well underway on the local level.
Ocean City business owners and community leaders listened intently on Wednesday morning at the Carousel Oceanfront Hotel as Senator Jim Mathias (D-District 38), Delegate Mary Beth Carozza (R-District 38-C, Delegate Charles Otto (R-District 38A) and Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce lobbyist Dennis Rasmussen synopsized the 90-day session in the state capital.
“This session is a snapshot in time at our state,” said Delegate Carozza to a few dozen attendees. “With Larry Hogan as our governor, we’ve been able to turn the ship around and this is now our time.”
Carozza pointed to the state’s $42.3 billion fiscal year budget that included a $400 million surplus and almost a billion dollars in the state’s “Rainy Day Fund,” no tax increases and record education funding as evidence of the state’s proverbial ship being “turned around.”
More
Ocean City business owners and community leaders listened intently on Wednesday morning at the Carousel Oceanfront Hotel as Senator Jim Mathias (D-District 38), Delegate Mary Beth Carozza (R-District 38-C, Delegate Charles Otto (R-District 38A) and Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce lobbyist Dennis Rasmussen synopsized the 90-day session in the state capital.
“This session is a snapshot in time at our state,” said Delegate Carozza to a few dozen attendees. “With Larry Hogan as our governor, we’ve been able to turn the ship around and this is now our time.”
Carozza pointed to the state’s $42.3 billion fiscal year budget that included a $400 million surplus and almost a billion dollars in the state’s “Rainy Day Fund,” no tax increases and record education funding as evidence of the state’s proverbial ship being “turned around.”
More
MedianFence Design Tweaked; Project To Cost $5.2M
OCEAN CITY — The dune-style median fence project continues to advance with some tweaks in the final design revealed this week along with the $5.2 million price tag for the first phase.
During Tuesday’s Transportation Committee meeting, Public Works Director Hal Adkins briefed members on the progress of the dune-style fence down the center of the median on Coastal Highway from Route 90 to Convention Center Drive. In January, the Mayor and Council approved the preliminary design for the aesthetically appealing dune-style fence in the median, which is expected to improve safety in a known trouble area by forcing pedestrians to cross the highway in the crosswalks at street ends and not dash in between blocks.
In the months since the design was approved, the dune-style median fence has elicited a wide range of responses from the public largely through social media. The responses have ranged from approval of the design unique to Ocean City to disdain for the concept in general and the final design specifically. Some have said those hell bent on crossing Coastal Highway mid-block will do so anyway and won’t be deterred by the fence, creating even more pedestrian safety issues.
More
During Tuesday’s Transportation Committee meeting, Public Works Director Hal Adkins briefed members on the progress of the dune-style fence down the center of the median on Coastal Highway from Route 90 to Convention Center Drive. In January, the Mayor and Council approved the preliminary design for the aesthetically appealing dune-style fence in the median, which is expected to improve safety in a known trouble area by forcing pedestrians to cross the highway in the crosswalks at street ends and not dash in between blocks.
In the months since the design was approved, the dune-style median fence has elicited a wide range of responses from the public largely through social media. The responses have ranged from approval of the design unique to Ocean City to disdain for the concept in general and the final design specifically. Some have said those hell bent on crossing Coastal Highway mid-block will do so anyway and won’t be deterred by the fence, creating even more pedestrian safety issues.
More
Question For Today Friday The 13th
Are you superstitious?
What are other superstitions you have heard growing up?
Trump’s Former Butler Posts Obama Death Threats
Anthony Senecal, who served the presumptive Republican nominee at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, has a Facebook page filled with incendiary comments. Many of the posts are directed at the president and his family.
“To all my friends on FB, just a short note to you on our pus headed ‘president’ !!!! This character who I refer to as zero (0) should have been taken out by our military and shot as an enemy agent in his first term !!!!” the post, which was first reported by Mother Jones, reads. “…Instead he still remains in office doing every thing he can to get the America we all know and love !!!!! Now comes Donald J Trump to put an end to the corruption in government !!!!”
More
Hogan Unveils 155 Fee Rollbacks
Gov. Larry Hogan on Thursday announced a package of 155 fee cuts and discontinuations.
By the governor's office's estimation, the cuts will save businesses and taxpayers $60 million over the next five years, and follows similar cuts of fees and tolls last year. This year's cuts include E-ZPass fees, park admissions, certification and licensing.
“In January, we announced a measure to reduce fees across state government, saving Maryland taxpayers an estimated $71 million. Some parts of that package passed the legislature, but the General Assembly refused to go far enough, leaving it up to our administration to find additional savings that can quickly go into effect without the need for new legislation,” Hogan, a Republican, said in a release.
More
By the governor's office's estimation, the cuts will save businesses and taxpayers $60 million over the next five years, and follows similar cuts of fees and tolls last year. This year's cuts include E-ZPass fees, park admissions, certification and licensing.
“In January, we announced a measure to reduce fees across state government, saving Maryland taxpayers an estimated $71 million. Some parts of that package passed the legislature, but the General Assembly refused to go far enough, leaving it up to our administration to find additional savings that can quickly go into effect without the need for new legislation,” Hogan, a Republican, said in a release.
More
Investigation: Local cops caught by speed cameras evade tickets
A 7 ON YOUR SIDE I-Team investigation discovered on-duty cops are getting their speed camera fines dismissed or reduced.
Louis Wilen, like most drivers, hates getting speed camera tickets.
"I don't entirely trust the speed camera system," stated Wilen, whose skepticism was only furthered at a recent traffic court hearing he attended in Montgomery County.
As Wilen waited in court to fight his ticket, he watched a man get the violations of four police officers quickly dismissed. The officers were not in court. At the time of the ticket, the man admitted they were not on a call. 7 ON YOUR SIDE obtained that day's court audio. Here's what happened.
More
Q&A With Assateague Coastkeeper Kathy Phillips, Large-Scale Poultry Operations ‘Raising A Lot Of Concerns’ On Shore
Phillips says finding the balance between preserving and protecting the region’s natural resources and not over-regulating one of the shore’s biggest and longest standing industries is often frustrating and difficult. But in recent months, new voices speaking out against large-industrial scale farms popping up on the shore have joined the debate and she believes those voices could be a factor in making the type of strides and progress that environmentalists have been longing for.
More
SBYNews Does publish Articles We Disagree With: Tell Republicans in Congress: Don’t Cut Free Lunches for Poor Children
Conservative lawmakers are well known for wanting to cut funding to public education. But just remember, every time they take a swing at public school budgets, they hit poor kids.
The newest blow aimed at public schools will hit low-income students in the stomach—literally.
A bill introduced by a Republican in Congress called The Improving Child Nutrition And Education Act does the exact opposite of what it claims to do.
In this case, “improving” children’s nutrition means cutting the availability of federally subsidized lunches to hungry children in public schools.
Specifically, the bill would tighten eligibility restrictions that govern how many schools can take full advantage of the free and reduced price lunch program, potentially cutting off food to thousands of schools and millions of students.
More
Publishers Notes: If each Family is on some kind of public assistance they should not qualify for this program. FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY!
The Astonishing Total of 400,000 Unexamined Rape Kits and One Determined Woman's Plan to Do Something About It
Swabs for wiping the lips, face, thighs, vagina and anus. A comb to collect fibers and hair. A pick for scraping debris from under fingernails. A blood sampling device and microscope slides. Baggies for underwear. Documentation forms and labels.
These are just some of the items in the standard sexual assault evidence collection kit, or rape kit, used by American hospitals and police departments. Sexual assault turns the victim’s body into a crime scene and the process of evidence gathering—prodding, swabbing and questioning—can take hours. Victims who subject themselves to this ordeal do so in the hope of justice and the hope that the perpetrator will be stopped from hurting anyone else. But over the last 30 years as many as 400,000 rape kits have piled up, untested, in back rooms and storage lockers across the country. Stacked together they would fill a warehouse the size of a football field and three stories tall.
More
Franchot Accuses City, County Officials Of 'Mass Dereliction Of Duty,' Kamenetz Responds
Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot says "foot-dragging" on the part of Baltimore city and county officials are keeping them from doing the right thing when it comes to air conditioning in public schools.
"It is a public health issue, it is an education issue," Franchot told C4 Thursday.
On Wednesday, Franchot and Gov. Larry Hogan were the decisive votes in a 2-1 Board of Public Works decision to withhold construction funds from schools in both localities until they address the outstanding air conditioning needs.
"At some pooint you get tired of begging your fellow politicians, and begging bureaucrats, to do the right thing," he said, accusing local politicians of a "mass dereliction of duty."
More
"It is a public health issue, it is an education issue," Franchot told C4 Thursday.
On Wednesday, Franchot and Gov. Larry Hogan were the decisive votes in a 2-1 Board of Public Works decision to withhold construction funds from schools in both localities until they address the outstanding air conditioning needs.
"At some pooint you get tired of begging your fellow politicians, and begging bureaucrats, to do the right thing," he said, accusing local politicians of a "mass dereliction of duty."
More
Ted Cruz: The Media Stole The GOP Nomination
“ANOINTED” CANDIDATE REBUKES THE FOURTH ESTATE
The possible revival of his 2016 presidential candidacy wasn’t the only thing Ted Cruz discussed during an interview with radio host Glenn Beck this week.
Cruz also blamed the failure of his candidacy on … the media.
Specifically, he assailed “a handful of network executives” whom he accused of “manipulating and trying to deceive the voters” – all in an effort to get presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump elected.
“This election will be studied for the role of the media, and in particular network executives, that they made in terms of promoting the candidate that they had chosen, they wanted to win,” Cruz said.
Hold up … what?
Cruz even whipped out some numbers in defense of his contention.
More
The possible revival of his 2016 presidential candidacy wasn’t the only thing Ted Cruz discussed during an interview with radio host Glenn Beck this week.
Cruz also blamed the failure of his candidacy on … the media.
Specifically, he assailed “a handful of network executives” whom he accused of “manipulating and trying to deceive the voters” – all in an effort to get presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump elected.
“This election will be studied for the role of the media, and in particular network executives, that they made in terms of promoting the candidate that they had chosen, they wanted to win,” Cruz said.
Hold up … what?
Cruz even whipped out some numbers in defense of his contention.
More
More Good Polling News For Donald Trump
AND MORE BAD NEWS FOR INSIDERS …
Uh-oh, establishment …
Yet another national poll shows a tighter-than-expected race for the U.S. presidency in November – a stunning development in light of the “Republican” establishment’s ongoing rebuke of its presumptive nominee.
According to the latest Reuters survey, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton leads Donald Trump by the slimmest of margins – 41-40 percent.
As recently as last week, Clinton enjoyed a double-digit (13 percentage point) lead over Trump in Reuters’ polling.
“The (latest) results reflect a big increase in support for Trump since he knocked out U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and Ohio Governor John Kasich last week to become the last Republican in the White House race,” the wire service noted.
More
Uh-oh, establishment …
Yet another national poll shows a tighter-than-expected race for the U.S. presidency in November – a stunning development in light of the “Republican” establishment’s ongoing rebuke of its presumptive nominee.
According to the latest Reuters survey, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton leads Donald Trump by the slimmest of margins – 41-40 percent.
As recently as last week, Clinton enjoyed a double-digit (13 percentage point) lead over Trump in Reuters’ polling.
“The (latest) results reflect a big increase in support for Trump since he knocked out U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and Ohio Governor John Kasich last week to become the last Republican in the White House race,” the wire service noted.
More
The 14 year old who turned down $30M now wants $50M for his start-up
Remember that 14-year-old entrepreneur who made headlines for turning down a $30 million buyout opportunity? Well, he has a magic number for selling his vending machine company, RecMed, and it's a cool $50 million.
Taylor Rosenthal, a ninth grader from Opelika, Alabama, launched RecMed last year. While the company has a patent for computerized vending machines that dispense first-aid products, it has not sold any machines yet. He is in talks to sell the machines to "major amusement parks" and is hoping to expand into sporting venues as well.
More
Taylor Rosenthal, a ninth grader from Opelika, Alabama, launched RecMed last year. While the company has a patent for computerized vending machines that dispense first-aid products, it has not sold any machines yet. He is in talks to sell the machines to "major amusement parks" and is hoping to expand into sporting venues as well.
More
4 Pitfalls To Avoid On The Path To Career Independence
Career stability isn’t what it once was.
That’s why many workers frustrated with today’s corporate climate are venturing out on their own, offering their skills and experience to those very same corporations, but on a consulting rather than fulltime basis.
Certainly, there’s a lot to be said for going independent, says Aaron Zwas, a consultant and author of “Transition to Independence” (www.t2iplan.com), a book that serves as a guide to making such a change.
“You have more freedom and a healthier balance between work and family,” Zwas says. “It’s the be-your-own-boss opportunity many people crave.”
But not so fast.
Before you take the plunge, there are drawbacks worth knowing about.
“When I made the transition about 15 years ago, I didn’t have a lot of guidance,” Zwas says. “I didn’t really understand what I was getting into, so there was a bit of trial and error. The good news is that others can learn from my mistakes.”
If you’re considering going it alone, Zwas lists at least four pitfalls you’ll want to avoid:
• Prepare yourself financially. The transition from working for someone else to being independent almost certainly will require you to dip into savings. Take every precaution as you prepare yourself financially. A conversation with an accountant is a good start and so is reviewing your monthly budget to see if you can cut spending. Build up savings – preferably enough to sustain you through one year of expenses – before ending fulltime employment.
• Set your social calendar. When you’re independent, you have no co-workers to chat with, bounce ideas off of or play tennis with on the weekend. If you’re not careful, it can be a lonely existence. To compensate, Zwas recommends setting up regular dates with friends and family. You can also take up new interests or hobbies. “Get out of the house and be with other people,” he says.
• Stay focused on your expertise. Being a one-person team has its advantages, but it can also be a double-edged sword because many independents get pulled in too many directions by spending time on activities unrelated to their expertise. There’s no problem in admitting you don’t want to take on certain activities, Zwas says. For example, bookkeeping could be a chore you despise or aren’t suited for. You might want to contract out and let someone else handle it.
• Spend time on your personal brand. Some independents thrive without any branding efforts, but most need to do at least a little branding. A logo, a website, business cards, a presentation template, social-media accounts and a blog can help you create a professional image.
“A little advance preparation can go a long way in helping you become a successful independent,” Zwas says. “The most important lesson I’ve learned is that consulting is more than a job – it’s a lifestyle. Even on my worst days, I’m grateful for the freedom I have.”
That’s why many workers frustrated with today’s corporate climate are venturing out on their own, offering their skills and experience to those very same corporations, but on a consulting rather than fulltime basis.
Certainly, there’s a lot to be said for going independent, says Aaron Zwas, a consultant and author of “Transition to Independence” (www.t2iplan.com), a book that serves as a guide to making such a change.
“You have more freedom and a healthier balance between work and family,” Zwas says. “It’s the be-your-own-boss opportunity many people crave.”
But not so fast.
Before you take the plunge, there are drawbacks worth knowing about.
“When I made the transition about 15 years ago, I didn’t have a lot of guidance,” Zwas says. “I didn’t really understand what I was getting into, so there was a bit of trial and error. The good news is that others can learn from my mistakes.”
If you’re considering going it alone, Zwas lists at least four pitfalls you’ll want to avoid:
• Prepare yourself financially. The transition from working for someone else to being independent almost certainly will require you to dip into savings. Take every precaution as you prepare yourself financially. A conversation with an accountant is a good start and so is reviewing your monthly budget to see if you can cut spending. Build up savings – preferably enough to sustain you through one year of expenses – before ending fulltime employment.
• Set your social calendar. When you’re independent, you have no co-workers to chat with, bounce ideas off of or play tennis with on the weekend. If you’re not careful, it can be a lonely existence. To compensate, Zwas recommends setting up regular dates with friends and family. You can also take up new interests or hobbies. “Get out of the house and be with other people,” he says.
• Stay focused on your expertise. Being a one-person team has its advantages, but it can also be a double-edged sword because many independents get pulled in too many directions by spending time on activities unrelated to their expertise. There’s no problem in admitting you don’t want to take on certain activities, Zwas says. For example, bookkeeping could be a chore you despise or aren’t suited for. You might want to contract out and let someone else handle it.
• Spend time on your personal brand. Some independents thrive without any branding efforts, but most need to do at least a little branding. A logo, a website, business cards, a presentation template, social-media accounts and a blog can help you create a professional image.
“A little advance preparation can go a long way in helping you become a successful independent,” Zwas says. “The most important lesson I’ve learned is that consulting is more than a job – it’s a lifestyle. Even on my worst days, I’m grateful for the freedom I have.”
Transportation of the future? Public gets first glimpse of Hyperloop One
The seconds-long demonstration by startup Hyperloop One marked the first public glimpse of a propulsion system that its creators hope will rocket people and cargo through tubes at the speed of sound in five years.
It took place as hundreds of journalists and investors watched from grandstands about 50 yards away after being bused to the site from a swanky casino.
"It's going to eliminate the barriers we face every day of time and distance. It's going to change our lives," CEO Rob Lloyd said a day earlier. "It's real. It's happening now."
Executives with the Los Angeles-based company said the system could whisk people the 350 miles from Los Angeles to San Francisco in 30 minutes.
More
Accident On Route 50 In Willards
Trooper 4 has been requested.
Route 50 Eastbound has been shut down completely
Trooper 4 will be landing on Route 50 east of the accident.
MSP is stating that one person did not survive this accident and 2 others have serious injuries.
4:50am Route 50 Eastbound is still shut down.
5:10am Route 50 has now reopened.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)