DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Monday, April 03, 2017
WARNING: U.S. Ponzi Retirement Market In Big Trouble As Withdrawals Now Exceed Contributions
The U.S. Retirement Market is in BIG TROUBLE as annual benefits paid out are now larger than total contributions. Actually, the amount of net withdrawals were the highest in history. When payouts become larger than contributions... then we have the making of the typical PONZI SCHEME.
Americans who have invested their hard-earned money into a 401K, had no idea that it was the Greatest Ponzi Scheme in history. Unfortunately, when the markets crack, so will the value of the U.S. Retirement market. On the other hand, Americans who were wise enough to purchase physical precious metals will protect their wealth as the U.S. Paper Retirement Market collapses.
According to the most recent data by the ICI - Investment Company Institute, the U.S. Retirement Market ballooned to a new record high of $25.3 trillion at the end of 2016:
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Americans who have invested their hard-earned money into a 401K, had no idea that it was the Greatest Ponzi Scheme in history. Unfortunately, when the markets crack, so will the value of the U.S. Retirement market. On the other hand, Americans who were wise enough to purchase physical precious metals will protect their wealth as the U.S. Paper Retirement Market collapses.
According to the most recent data by the ICI - Investment Company Institute, the U.S. Retirement Market ballooned to a new record high of $25.3 trillion at the end of 2016:
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Putting American Workers First: USCIS Announces Further Measures to Detect H-1B Visa Fraud and Abuse
Agency Creates Avenue for American Workers to Report Abuse
WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced multiple measures to further deter and detect H-1B visa fraud and abuse. The H-1B visa program should help U.S. companies recruit highly-skilled foreign nationals when there is a shortage of qualified workers in the country. Yet, too many American workers who are as qualified, willing, and deserving to work in these fields have been ignored or unfairly disadvantaged. Protecting American workers by combating fraud in our employment-based immigration programs is a priority for USCIS.
Beginning today, USCIS will take a more targeted approach when making site visits across the country to H-1B petitioners and the worksites of H-1B employees. USCIS will focus on:
Cases where USCIS cannot validate the employer’s basic business information through commercially available data;
- H-1B-dependent employers (those who have a high ratio of H-1B workers as compared to U.S. workers, as defined by statute); and
- Employers petitioning for H-1B workers who work off-site at another company or organization’s location.
Auto Industry Resorts To Biggest Incentives Ever To Slow Decline In Sales
The Last time automakers tried this was in 2009!
In a few days, automakers are going to report their new vehicle deliveries for March. TrueCar, Kelley Blue Book, and LMC Automotive are predicting total vehicle sales slightly above the flat-line compared to March a year ago, though sales were down year-over-year in both January and February.
TrueCar forecasts an increase of 0.2% year-over-year to 1.586 million new cars and light trucks, with retail deliveries (excluding fleet sales) growing 1% to 1.276 million units. J.D. Power and LMC Automotive said on Friday that they expect an increase of 1.9%, to 1.62 million units, with retails sales up 1%, boosted by record incentives.
If sales nevertheless fall, everyone will blame the winter storm that arrived in the winter – “unexpectedly” or something. And it is possible that sales might fall. There was no winter storm in February, which was one of the warmest Februaries on record. Yet, sales in February fell 1.1% year-over year. They edged down in January too. And sales in both months combined fell 1.4% from the same period a year ago.
It’s not like automakers haven’t been trying. They paid out record incentives to accomplish this feat of slowing down the sales decline. In February, the industry in the US shelled out on average $3,587 per vehicle in incentive spending, per TrueCar. It was the highest ever for a February.
We’ll get to the March incentives in a moment. Just a quick word on what transpired in February. The table below shows average incentive spending per unit sold:
More
In a few days, automakers are going to report their new vehicle deliveries for March. TrueCar, Kelley Blue Book, and LMC Automotive are predicting total vehicle sales slightly above the flat-line compared to March a year ago, though sales were down year-over-year in both January and February.
TrueCar forecasts an increase of 0.2% year-over-year to 1.586 million new cars and light trucks, with retail deliveries (excluding fleet sales) growing 1% to 1.276 million units. J.D. Power and LMC Automotive said on Friday that they expect an increase of 1.9%, to 1.62 million units, with retails sales up 1%, boosted by record incentives.
If sales nevertheless fall, everyone will blame the winter storm that arrived in the winter – “unexpectedly” or something. And it is possible that sales might fall. There was no winter storm in February, which was one of the warmest Februaries on record. Yet, sales in February fell 1.1% year-over year. They edged down in January too. And sales in both months combined fell 1.4% from the same period a year ago.
It’s not like automakers haven’t been trying. They paid out record incentives to accomplish this feat of slowing down the sales decline. In February, the industry in the US shelled out on average $3,587 per vehicle in incentive spending, per TrueCar. It was the highest ever for a February.
We’ll get to the March incentives in a moment. Just a quick word on what transpired in February. The table below shows average incentive spending per unit sold:
More
Dr. Ben Carson Shocked as AUDIT of Obama’s HUD Dept. Finds BILLIONS of Dollars in Errors!
It has become clear this week that Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has been a black hole for taxpayer money.
Of course, HUD has always been known to be one of those departments where abuse runs rampant. As an example, the city of San Antonio, Texas which was run by an up and coming Democrat named Julian Castro, may have misappropriated over 1 million dollars in federal neighborhood stabilization funds. With that in mind, it was very surprising to most government watchdogs that Obama picked Castro to be the HUD secretary during his term.
So, apparently no one saw any potential problems with Castro. But now….
The Daily Caller reports:
Despite officials from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) correcting $520 billion in bookkeeping errors, the department’s financial records have been so poorly kept that HUD’s inspector general (IG) cannot complete an audit of them.
According to a new report from the IG, HUD officials cleaned up $3.4 billion in errors from its 2015 financial records and $516.4 billion in errors from 2016, after the IG was unable to issue an opinion on either year’s financial statements in December.
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Of course, HUD has always been known to be one of those departments where abuse runs rampant. As an example, the city of San Antonio, Texas which was run by an up and coming Democrat named Julian Castro, may have misappropriated over 1 million dollars in federal neighborhood stabilization funds. With that in mind, it was very surprising to most government watchdogs that Obama picked Castro to be the HUD secretary during his term.
So, apparently no one saw any potential problems with Castro. But now….
The Daily Caller reports:
Despite officials from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) correcting $520 billion in bookkeeping errors, the department’s financial records have been so poorly kept that HUD’s inspector general (IG) cannot complete an audit of them.
According to a new report from the IG, HUD officials cleaned up $3.4 billion in errors from its 2015 financial records and $516.4 billion in errors from 2016, after the IG was unable to issue an opinion on either year’s financial statements in December.
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Worcester County proposes water, sewer bill rate hikes in new budget
At this past Tuesday’s budget review session, it was revealed which customers would be affected, and how much more the service would cost if the commissioners don’t make changes.
The Water and Wastewater Department is classified as an enterprise fund, in that the rates paid by customers are supposed to cover the cost of operations. How much or how little the truth of that is can’t be known until the budget is adopted.
The county operates 11 water and wastewater service areas throughout the area, though not all wastewater treatment plants in Worcester are operated by the county.
“The service areas are subject to the same pricing fluctuations and market conditions as consumers and are generally sensitive to fluctuations in items such as electricity, telecommunications and petroleum,” Jessica Wilson, enterprise fund controller, said.
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Salisbury University's Big Event - Date Correction - Sign Up By April 6th
When: April 8th, 2017
Arrival at Job Site: 10:30AM
Big Event is an annual volunteer effort that allows students to reach out to the community, build connections, and give back to the city of Salisbury. The event, sponsored by the Salisbury University Student Government Association, provides outdoor work and clean up for community members and residents who sign up within a five mile radius of Salisbury University!
If you have questions, please call 410-548-4757, email Lael Kelley, Vice President of University Affairs at sgavpofua@gulls.salisbury.edu or look on our website at http://www.salisburysga.com/
The residential sign ups will be capped at 90 job sites*
Event is Rain or Shine. If weather is at a dangerous level, the SGA will make a call as to whether the event is cancelled or not.
FORM DEADLINE MOVED TO THURSDAY APRIL 6TH, 2017
TO SIGN UP, GO TO:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqhv4aXMB5hU38zU3pRbBTf8yv5oG8yLck83x6h2YuNBnakw/viewform
Arrival at Job Site: 10:30AM
Big Event is an annual volunteer effort that allows students to reach out to the community, build connections, and give back to the city of Salisbury. The event, sponsored by the Salisbury University Student Government Association, provides outdoor work and clean up for community members and residents who sign up within a five mile radius of Salisbury University!
If you have questions, please call 410-548-4757, email Lael Kelley, Vice President of University Affairs at sgavpofua@gulls.salisbury.edu or look on our website at http://www.salisburysga.com/
The residential sign ups will be capped at 90 job sites*
Event is Rain or Shine. If weather is at a dangerous level, the SGA will make a call as to whether the event is cancelled or not.
FORM DEADLINE MOVED TO THURSDAY APRIL 6TH, 2017
TO SIGN UP, GO TO:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqhv4aXMB5hU38zU3pRbBTf8yv5oG8yLck83x6h2YuNBnakw/viewform
Hangups over tele-scammers
Eleven tele-scammers called my house recently. I get an average of four or five calls per day. Some days, I get one or two; other days I can get 12-13. The police and government agencies will put out scam warnings, but let me tell you this: if your phone rings and you don’t recognize the number, you have a 98-percent chance of it being a scam. Ask yourself this: Does, or why would, anyone call me with a deal that’s good for me? Some are legal, but most are just plain ripoffs and scams.
I get the usual calls such as the I.R.S. has warrants for my arrest; Microsoft calling to tell me that my computer has been sending them messages. Cardmember Services, Google listings, etc. I get them all, over and over. You can push “2” to get off the list, you can ask nicely, you can ask rudely, I’ve begged, but you’re never removed from any list. If anything, you’re added to more lists.
There’s even a fellow that calls and says he’s calling on behalf of Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). He’s collecting for them; I believe he’s legit, but a hired gun to collect because he’ll answer questions. However, one answer to a question is that the F.O.P. gets 15 percent of money raised, meaning they keep 85 percent. I contacted Dover PD and Delaware State Police, and no one knows anything about this. So, beware of that one. I fully support the police, but I’ll just donate directly when I do. I just learned of a new scam where you answer and can’t understand what is said. Then you hear “can you hear me now?” which is a recording. Then you say “yes,” which gives your permission for them to do whatever it is that they are trying to do.
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I get the usual calls such as the I.R.S. has warrants for my arrest; Microsoft calling to tell me that my computer has been sending them messages. Cardmember Services, Google listings, etc. I get them all, over and over. You can push “2” to get off the list, you can ask nicely, you can ask rudely, I’ve begged, but you’re never removed from any list. If anything, you’re added to more lists.
There’s even a fellow that calls and says he’s calling on behalf of Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). He’s collecting for them; I believe he’s legit, but a hired gun to collect because he’ll answer questions. However, one answer to a question is that the F.O.P. gets 15 percent of money raised, meaning they keep 85 percent. I contacted Dover PD and Delaware State Police, and no one knows anything about this. So, beware of that one. I fully support the police, but I’ll just donate directly when I do. I just learned of a new scam where you answer and can’t understand what is said. Then you hear “can you hear me now?” which is a recording. Then you say “yes,” which gives your permission for them to do whatever it is that they are trying to do.
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UNDERGROUND BLAST: At least 10 dead, 50 hurt in bombing on subway train in St. Petersburg, Russia
DEVELOPING – At least one bomb blast on a subway train in St. Petersburg, Russia, Monday killed an estimated 10 people and wounded as many as 50 more, Russian officials said, in what President Vladimir Putin called a possible act of terror.
One of the blasts came from a device that appeared to be filled with shrapnel, Sky News reported. Putin said investigators were looking into all possible causes. Russia's Fontanka newspaper reported that an unexploded device turned up at a different subway station as crews worked to deactivate it.
The train was going in between two stations in the center of the city, investigators said. Photos and video from the Sennaya Ploshchad station appeared to show wounded victims on the smoke-filled platform, and a train car with a door blown out. Frantic commuters reached out through the doors and windows, shouting, "Call an ambulance!"
More/Video
One of the blasts came from a device that appeared to be filled with shrapnel, Sky News reported. Putin said investigators were looking into all possible causes. Russia's Fontanka newspaper reported that an unexploded device turned up at a different subway station as crews worked to deactivate it.
The train was going in between two stations in the center of the city, investigators said. Photos and video from the Sennaya Ploshchad station appeared to show wounded victims on the smoke-filled platform, and a train car with a door blown out. Frantic commuters reached out through the doors and windows, shouting, "Call an ambulance!"
More/Video
Russia's April 1 Voicemail: "Press 2 For Services Of Russian Hackers, Press 3 For Election Interference"
With the Russian election hacking scandal having gone from the merely strange, to the bizarre, to the ironic, to the McCarthyist, and most recently, jumping the patently absurd shark - as of last night, anyone who is against Hillary is "influenced by Russia" according to a former Clinton advisor - Russia decided to have some fun at the expense of US paranoia.
On Saturday, the ministry posted the following audio file of the "new" automated telephone switchboard message for Russian embassies.
"You have reached the Russian embassy, your call is very important to us. To arrange a call from a Russian diplomat to your political opponent, press 1. To use the services of Russian hackers press 2. To request election interference, press 3 and wait until the next election campaign. Please note that all calls are recorded for quality improvement and training purposes."
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On Saturday, the ministry posted the following audio file of the "new" automated telephone switchboard message for Russian embassies.
"You have reached the Russian embassy, your call is very important to us. To arrange a call from a Russian diplomat to your political opponent, press 1. To use the services of Russian hackers press 2. To request election interference, press 3 and wait until the next election campaign. Please note that all calls are recorded for quality improvement and training purposes."
Russian MFA developed automated voicemail system - please listen (Russian, then English) and tell us your opinion. Feedback appreciated! twitter.com/MID_RF/status/…
AAA: Gas prices projected to rise this summer
Crude oil prices inched above $50 a barrel last month and gasoline refineries are beginning the annual switchover to more expensive summer gas blends.
“We may be looking at $2.60, $2.65, $2.70 by Memorial Day,” said AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman John Townsend.
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CONNECTICUT CONSIDERING WEAPONIZING DRONES
The bill would ban the use of weaponized drones, but exempt police
Connecticut lawmakers are considering whether the state should become the first in the country to allow police to use drones outfitted with deadly weapons, a proposal immediately met with concern by civil rights and liberties advocates.
The bill would ban the use of weaponized drones, but exempt police. Details on how law enforcement could use drones with weapons would be spelled out in new rules to be developed by the state Police Officer Standards and Training Council. Officers also would have to receive training before being allowed to use drones with weapons.
“Obviously this is for very limited circumstances,” said Republican state Sen. John Kissel, of Enfield, co-chairman of the Judiciary Committee that approved the measure Wednesday and sent it to the House of Representatives. “We can certainly envision some incident on some campus or someplace where someone is a rogue shooter or someone was kidnapped and you try to blow out a tire.”
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Connecticut lawmakers are considering whether the state should become the first in the country to allow police to use drones outfitted with deadly weapons, a proposal immediately met with concern by civil rights and liberties advocates.
The bill would ban the use of weaponized drones, but exempt police. Details on how law enforcement could use drones with weapons would be spelled out in new rules to be developed by the state Police Officer Standards and Training Council. Officers also would have to receive training before being allowed to use drones with weapons.
“Obviously this is for very limited circumstances,” said Republican state Sen. John Kissel, of Enfield, co-chairman of the Judiciary Committee that approved the measure Wednesday and sent it to the House of Representatives. “We can certainly envision some incident on some campus or someplace where someone is a rogue shooter or someone was kidnapped and you try to blow out a tire.”
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Md. Mosque Hosts Active Shooter Training After Spike In Hate Incidents
“We encourage local community members and leaders of all faiths to attend and learn how they can prepare themselves in the event of a potentially-deadly crisis situation,” said CAIR Maryland Outreach Manager Dr. Zainab Chaudry.
“In this political climate, it’s more important than ever to adequately increase security for minority communities that face growing threats.”
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WCSO Press Releases Apr. 3, 2017
Incident: Possession of CocaineDate of Incident: 2 April 2017
Location: N. Salisbury Blvd. at Dagsboro Rd., Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Bruce Ernest Johnson, 20, Delmar, DE
Narrative: On 2 April 2017 just after midnight, a deputy stopped a vehicle operated by Bruce Johnson for an equipment violation. Upon making contact with Johnson, the deputy observed what was identified as Psilocybin Mushrooms in plain view inside the vehicle. Further search revealed what the deputy identified as cocaine hidden inside a cigarette back on the vehicle’s dashboard.
The deputy placed Johnson 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 Johnson in the Detention Center on a bond of $3,000.00.
Charges: Possession of CDS and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Date of Incident: 2 April 2017
Location: 600 block of Rose Street, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Briece Antwoine Joynes, 35, No Fixed Address
Narrative: On 2 April 2017 at 8:29 PM a deputy responded to a reported burglary in the 600 block of Rose Street in Salisbury. Upon arrival, the deputy discovered a subject identified as Briece Joynes inside the residence. Investigation revealed that Joynes kicked the front door repeatedly until the door frame broke. The deputy was informed by the residents of the house, that Joynes was not only not welcome inside their residence, but that they had previously told Joynes not to come back or he would be charged with trespassing.
The deputy also detected that Joynes was intoxicated.
The deputy placed Joynes 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 Joynes in the Detention Center in lieu of $5,000.00 bond.
Charges: Burglary 4th Degree, Trespassing and Malicious Destruction of Property
Cardin talks infrastructure with Shore lawmakers
Infrastructure, including roads and broadband communications, was one of the main issues legislators voiced at this last delegation meeting of the session at 9 a.m. Friday, March 31, in the Lowe House Office Building.
But underlying that concern was the lawmakers’ collective need for assurances the tax reform they desire won’t mean federal funding cuts to programs affecting their constituents.
Attracting and retaining industries and jobs, tax relief for businesses, backfilling possible federal cuts in funding state programs and Pennsylvania sharing the burden for the health of the Chesapeake Bay were the other concerns presented to Cardin.
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American Students Moving To Europe For Free College
With the average recent college graduate leaving campus with a diploma and$30,000 in debt, it’s no surprise that would-be-students are looking for ways to get an education without taking on such a financial burden. While they could opt to live in certain cities or states, or go to work for any of a number of the companies offering free schooling, many are moving… to Europe.
CNN Money reports that the lure of free or deeply discounted tuition is enough for thousands of students to cross the pond each year to make their dreams of a higher education a reality.
While tuition in the U.S. can range from $9,000 to $32,000 each, the price tag in Europe is much less, with many programs charging under $2,500 or no more than $9,000 each year, according to college advising service Beyond the States.
But that cost might even be on the high side, CNN reports, as there are at least 44 schools in Europe that don’t charge anything for students to obtain a bachelor’s degree.
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CNN Money reports that the lure of free or deeply discounted tuition is enough for thousands of students to cross the pond each year to make their dreams of a higher education a reality.
While tuition in the U.S. can range from $9,000 to $32,000 each, the price tag in Europe is much less, with many programs charging under $2,500 or no more than $9,000 each year, according to college advising service Beyond the States.
But that cost might even be on the high side, CNN reports, as there are at least 44 schools in Europe that don’t charge anything for students to obtain a bachelor’s degree.
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OCEAN PINES KNIFE-WIELDING MAN ARRESTED AFTER BARRICADE SITUATION
The Ocean Pines Police Department received a complaint just after noon on April 2, regarding a domestic incident. A female complainant told police dispatch that she and her father, Alberto Dacanay, were involved in a verbal argument and that he had a knife.
Ocean Pines Police Chief David Massey and members of the Maryland State Police and the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office responded to the address. Upon arrival, police said the complainant ran towards responding officers crying, and stating that Dacanay had chased her, her mother, her husband and her three-year-old son out of the house with a knife.
While instructing the family with the three-year-old son, police observed the exterior garage door to open. The female complainant frantically announced that her father was walking out of the garage and was still holding a knife, police said. Chief Massey observed the suspect standing within the garage with a large fixed-bladed knife in his right hand. After seeing police, officers said Dacanay placed the knife behind his lower back, and then went back into the home and barricaded himself inside. Dacanay had secured the exterior doors within the residence with several items of furniture, preventing anyone to enter. Police said Dacanay then opened a window on the second story to the residence and began speaking with officers involved. He refused to exit the residence and insisted for his family to leave the premises. Officers feared that Dacanay would present an imminent threat to himself and made numerous attempts to have Dacanay to exit the residence.
Officers executed a safe entry into the residence where, Dacanay was taken into custody without incident. Dacanay was arrested for first and second degree assault.
Amazon Vs. Walmart Battle Means Lower Prices For You; Headaches For Manufacturers
Amazon can now deliver many things in one or two days, so Walmart has to have lower prices for the many customers who can wait. Similarly, Amazon has to undercut Walmart’s grocery prices if it’s going to stake out any significant portion of that $800 billion market. For shoppers at either of these two retail giants, this can mean lower prices, but it’s also forcing manufacturers and suppliers to rethink how they do business.
Consumer brands have been increasingly dedicated to figuring out ways to deal with this pricing war, one executive told Re/code, noting that “it’s dominating the conversation every week.”
Though Amazon made headlines this week for gathering some of the biggest packaged food brands together to pitch them on the idea of frustration-free packaging, as part of a push to attract more customers to online shopping instead of buying in physical stores, Walmart has also been meeting with its suppliers in an effort to ramp up the battle for shoppers.
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Consumer brands have been increasingly dedicated to figuring out ways to deal with this pricing war, one executive told Re/code, noting that “it’s dominating the conversation every week.”
Though Amazon made headlines this week for gathering some of the biggest packaged food brands together to pitch them on the idea of frustration-free packaging, as part of a push to attract more customers to online shopping instead of buying in physical stores, Walmart has also been meeting with its suppliers in an effort to ramp up the battle for shoppers.
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UMD students find body while volunteering near Indian Creek Trail
“We just expected trash, recyclables and that was it,” said Peters.
She later found something unexpected in the water around 9:30 a.m.
“I think all of us were kind of in shock; we really didn’t know exactly what it was until the police got there and did identify it as a body,” said Peters. “It still hasn’t sunk in yet.”
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You Can Apparently Fool Samsung Galaxy S8 Facial Recognition With A Photo
A number of companies have turned to facial recognition as a way to offer customers another level of security: from MasterCard’s “selfie” verification toBritish Airways’ face-scanning boarding process. Now, Samsung is using the technology as a way to unlock its new Galaxy S8 smartphone, but it turns out the process may not be as secure as one would hope.
Just days after Samsung debuted the new smartphone, and its facial recognition software, a researcher says he was able to trick the face-scanning program with a photo.
The flaw was uncovered in a live Periscope video by bloggers at Marcianophoneand posted by iDeviceHelp on YouTube.
In the demo, the researcher registered his face to the phone to lock it. He then took a photo of himself on another device, placed it above the Galaxy S8 and unlocked the device.
More/Video
Just days after Samsung debuted the new smartphone, and its facial recognition software, a researcher says he was able to trick the face-scanning program with a photo.
The flaw was uncovered in a live Periscope video by bloggers at Marcianophoneand posted by iDeviceHelp on YouTube.
In the demo, the researcher registered his face to the phone to lock it. He then took a photo of himself on another device, placed it above the Galaxy S8 and unlocked the device.
More/Video
Breaking News: Senate Democrats now have the votes to filibuster Neil Gorsuch, but the G.O.P. can change the rules to confirm him to the Supreme Court
Senate Democrats on Monday appeared to secure the votes necessary to filibuster the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Neil M. Gorsuch, sending the body hurtling toward a bitter partisan confrontation later this week.
With an announcement from Senator Christopher Coons, Democrat of Delaware, during the Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearing to vote on Judge Gorsuch’s nomination, Democrats had found their 41st vote in support of a filibuster.
With an announcement from Senator Christopher Coons, Democrat of Delaware, during the Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearing to vote on Judge Gorsuch’s nomination, Democrats had found their 41st vote in support of a filibuster.
Police: MS-13 gang members arrested for attacking juvenile with a gun and machete in Md.
Frederick Police arrested Edwin Adona Bernardino-Boj on charges of attempted first degree murder, conspiracy to commit first degree murder, two counts of first degree assault, conspiracy to commit first degree assault, second degree assault, firearm used in the commission of a felony or violent crime, wear, carry, or transport a handgun on person, possession of a
regulated firearm by a minor and participation in a criminal gang.
Police arrested Brandon Bernardino-Boj at the same time and charged him with conspiracy to commit first degree murder, first degree assault, conspiracy to commit first degree assault, second degree assault, reckless endangerment, wear, carry, or transport a dangerous weapon and participation in a criminal gang.
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Number Of Big Retail Bankruptcies In 2017 Already Equal To All Of Last Year
We’re only three months into the year and already the retail battlefield is littered with the corpses of nine brands that have filed for bankruptcy — the same number that filed in all of 2016.
Gordmans, hhgregg, RadioShack, Gander Mountain, BCBG Max Azria, MC Sports, Eastern Outfitters, Wet Seal, and The Limited have all filed for bankruptcy in just the first few months of 2017. At this rate, the industry is on pace to far surpass the high-water mark of 18 major retail bankruptcies set in 2009, notes CNBC.
Two more retailers may be joining their friends on the garbage heap soon as well: Recent reports have indicated that Payless and Bebe are both struggling and could head in the bankruptcy direction in the near future.
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Gordmans, hhgregg, RadioShack, Gander Mountain, BCBG Max Azria, MC Sports, Eastern Outfitters, Wet Seal, and The Limited have all filed for bankruptcy in just the first few months of 2017. At this rate, the industry is on pace to far surpass the high-water mark of 18 major retail bankruptcies set in 2009, notes CNBC.
Two more retailers may be joining their friends on the garbage heap soon as well: Recent reports have indicated that Payless and Bebe are both struggling and could head in the bankruptcy direction in the near future.
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Trump Plays Democrat’s BLUFF – Provides EVIDENCE Obama Spied On Him!
Very smart. The Trump administration is going to share with congressional investigators information that proves that the Obama administration incidentally intercepted communications from the members of Trump’s team. They are going to be transparent and lay them out for all of them to review. Nunes evidently received his information from two White House aides. The information is not related to the Russia investigations which makes it even more damning for Obama.
Nunes met with his sources on the White House grounds because it was a secure location. Since they were viewing classified information, that makes total sense regardless of how the media spins it. On Thursday, Sean Spicer announced: “We have and will invite the Senate and House ranking members and chairmen up to the White House to view that material in accordance with their schedule.” That certainly throws a wrench into the meme from the left.
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Nunes met with his sources on the White House grounds because it was a secure location. Since they were viewing classified information, that makes total sense regardless of how the media spins it. On Thursday, Sean Spicer announced: “We have and will invite the Senate and House ranking members and chairmen up to the White House to view that material in accordance with their schedule.” That certainly throws a wrench into the meme from the left.
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BOOM! Trump’s Education Secretary Just Stuck It To Obama!
At least Betsy DeVos is sane, which is more than you can say for her predecessor or Barack Obama. She’s bluntly saying that throwing money at the problem isn’t solving it and boy, isn’t that the truth? Obama and others have thrown billions at our school system and all it has done is made corrupt officials wealthy. It sure as hell hasn’t helped our kids or the schools themselves. It’s like all that money goes into a giant black hole and just disappears. The graft and corruption connected to it is massive. I’m glad that DeVos did this. It’s way past time.
All that money and math and reading scores just keep going down. And the problem isn’t the kids… it’s the teachers, the teachers’ union and the superintendents, politicians and school board officials and others who are gaming the system and lining their pockets. They’ll scream bloody murder over this, but it has to be done. DeVos went further: “Waiting and hoping for a miracle, while blocking efforts that can help millions of children immediately, is simply not something this administration will abide,” she said.
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All that money and math and reading scores just keep going down. And the problem isn’t the kids… it’s the teachers, the teachers’ union and the superintendents, politicians and school board officials and others who are gaming the system and lining their pockets. They’ll scream bloody murder over this, but it has to be done. DeVos went further: “Waiting and hoping for a miracle, while blocking efforts that can help millions of children immediately, is simply not something this administration will abide,” she said.
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Rush Limbaugh Drops TRUMP BOMBSHELL – the Mainstream Media Won’t Report This…
The Washington Post is simply out of control these days with their Trump hatred. The first place that I heard about an online laptop and tablet ban was from the Brits. But the Washington Post spun it as just the US and it was all Trump’s fault. They insinuated that it was in retaliation against Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways because of subsidies or some other nonsense. Other media outlets spun it as flipping off business travelers. Nope… it’s about security and both the US and Britain are implementing the rules. You know why? Because I hear that al Qaeda has come up with new nifty ways of placing explosives in the battery compartments.
Talk about fake and disingenuous news. Another bogus conspiracy from the Marxist media. Who would have seen that coming? Rush Limbaugh did and he roasted the Washington Post, the Financial Times, Slate and others for lying yet again. Limbaugh joked that we are colluding with the British… I certainly hope so. The AP acknowledged that the British were also doing it, but alluded to the fact that there is no new threat. That is simply not true. From Limbaugh: “Laptop ban on flights ‘is based on intelligence about an ISIS plot to target the West gathered during the raid on Yemen which killed Navy SEAL’. The intelligence centered around al-Qaeda’s ‘successful development’ of compact battery bombs that fit inside laptops or other devices, sources claimed.” My point made.
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Talk about fake and disingenuous news. Another bogus conspiracy from the Marxist media. Who would have seen that coming? Rush Limbaugh did and he roasted the Washington Post, the Financial Times, Slate and others for lying yet again. Limbaugh joked that we are colluding with the British… I certainly hope so. The AP acknowledged that the British were also doing it, but alluded to the fact that there is no new threat. That is simply not true. From Limbaugh: “Laptop ban on flights ‘is based on intelligence about an ISIS plot to target the West gathered during the raid on Yemen which killed Navy SEAL’. The intelligence centered around al-Qaeda’s ‘successful development’ of compact battery bombs that fit inside laptops or other devices, sources claimed.” My point made.
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State’s Approved Capital Budget Includes Funding For OC Convention Center, Hospital
OCEAN CITY — State lawmakers this week passed Governor Larry Hogan’s fiscal year 2018 capital budget, which includes a significant financial shot in the arm for several major Lower Shore projects including the next major phase of the Roland E. Powell Convention Center expansion.
On Wednesday, the House of Delegates passed Hogan’s capital budget with a 123-13 vote. A short time later, the Senate passed the governor’s capital spending plan with a unanimous 47-0 vote. The budget includes funding for several vital capital improvement projects on the Lower Shore including $500,000 for the Phase 3 expansion of the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City.
Also included in the governor’s capital budget approved on Wednesday is $100,000 for the Believe in Tomorrow Children’s House by the Sea in Ocean City, $681,000 for the new Atlantic General Hospital Cancer Care Center, $50,000 for the new Worcester County Public Library in Berlin, $500,000 for upgrades to the Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury that hosts the Delmarva Shorebirds, $630,000 for the Salisbury Animal Health Laboratory replacement and another $1 million for a Salisbury revitalization project.
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On Wednesday, the House of Delegates passed Hogan’s capital budget with a 123-13 vote. A short time later, the Senate passed the governor’s capital spending plan with a unanimous 47-0 vote. The budget includes funding for several vital capital improvement projects on the Lower Shore including $500,000 for the Phase 3 expansion of the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City.
Also included in the governor’s capital budget approved on Wednesday is $100,000 for the Believe in Tomorrow Children’s House by the Sea in Ocean City, $681,000 for the new Atlantic General Hospital Cancer Care Center, $50,000 for the new Worcester County Public Library in Berlin, $500,000 for upgrades to the Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury that hosts the Delmarva Shorebirds, $630,000 for the Salisbury Animal Health Laboratory replacement and another $1 million for a Salisbury revitalization project.
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Cleta Mitchell: 'Feminist Club' Excludes Conservative Women
The women's movement, which she helped found, has gone full circle and now excludes conservative women such as herself, lawyer and activist Cleta Mitchell writes in a New York Times opinion piece.
Mitchell notes that she helped found the Oklahoma Women’s Political Caucus as a college student in the early 1970s, and that the equal opportunities sought by women at the time have largely been achieved. Young women today need simply to walk through the doors she and others opened, she writes.
"The women's movement has ebbed because it succeeded," Mitchell says, but has now "has been so hijacked by post-millennium feminism that declaring victory is unforgivable."
The original fight was for "respecting women’s choices, whatever they may be," she said, but added that the modern women's movement doesn't respect those who choose not to go into business, politics or the media.
If they choose to be "moms and wives and attend Bible study or bake cookies, they are 'bitter clingers' and 'deplorable,'" she writes. "And if they happen to be conservative professional women, they are invisible."
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Mitchell notes that she helped found the Oklahoma Women’s Political Caucus as a college student in the early 1970s, and that the equal opportunities sought by women at the time have largely been achieved. Young women today need simply to walk through the doors she and others opened, she writes.
"The women's movement has ebbed because it succeeded," Mitchell says, but has now "has been so hijacked by post-millennium feminism that declaring victory is unforgivable."
The original fight was for "respecting women’s choices, whatever they may be," she said, but added that the modern women's movement doesn't respect those who choose not to go into business, politics or the media.
If they choose to be "moms and wives and attend Bible study or bake cookies, they are 'bitter clingers' and 'deplorable,'" she writes. "And if they happen to be conservative professional women, they are invisible."
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ISIS Second-in-Command Killed in Airstrike, Iraqi Intelligence Says
Ayad al-Jumaili, believed to be a deputy of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, was killed in an air strike on Friday, an Iraqi intelligence spokesman said on Saturday.
The U.S.-led anti-Islamic State coalition said it was unable at the moment to confirm the information that was reported earlier in the day by Iraqi state-run TV.
Jumaili was killed with other Islamic State commanders in a strike carried out by the Iraqi air force in the region of al-Qaim, near the border with Syria, a military intelligence spokesman told Reuters.
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The U.S.-led anti-Islamic State coalition said it was unable at the moment to confirm the information that was reported earlier in the day by Iraqi state-run TV.
Jumaili was killed with other Islamic State commanders in a strike carried out by the Iraqi air force in the region of al-Qaim, near the border with Syria, a military intelligence spokesman told Reuters.
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O.Care choices could go from One to Zero in Some Areas
Parts of the country are in jeopardy of not having an insurer offering Obamacare plans next year.
Many counties already have just one insurer offering health plans in the Obamacare marketplaces, and some of those solo insurers are showing signs that they are eyeing the exits.
Humana announced this year that they’d be leaving the markets altogether next year. That means there are parts of Tennessee that will have no insurance options unless another insurer decides to enter.
And Anthem, which operates in 14 states, is getting nervous, an industry analyst told Bloomberg News this week. Its departure would be a much bigger problem. According to an analysis of government data by Katherine Hempstead at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Anthem is currently the only insurance carrier in nearly 300 counties, serving about a quarter of a million people.
As you can see on our map of those counties, an Anthem departure could leave coverage gaps in substantial parts of Georgia, Missouri, Kentucky, Ohio and Colorado, as well as smaller holes in other states. In places where no insurance company offers plans, there will be no way for Obamacare customers to use subsidies to buy health plans.
Without an option for affordable coverage, they would become exempt from the health law’s mandate to obtain coverage. A result could be large increases in the number of Americans without health insurance.
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Many counties already have just one insurer offering health plans in the Obamacare marketplaces, and some of those solo insurers are showing signs that they are eyeing the exits.
Humana announced this year that they’d be leaving the markets altogether next year. That means there are parts of Tennessee that will have no insurance options unless another insurer decides to enter.
And Anthem, which operates in 14 states, is getting nervous, an industry analyst told Bloomberg News this week. Its departure would be a much bigger problem. According to an analysis of government data by Katherine Hempstead at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Anthem is currently the only insurance carrier in nearly 300 counties, serving about a quarter of a million people.
As you can see on our map of those counties, an Anthem departure could leave coverage gaps in substantial parts of Georgia, Missouri, Kentucky, Ohio and Colorado, as well as smaller holes in other states. In places where no insurance company offers plans, there will be no way for Obamacare customers to use subsidies to buy health plans.
Without an option for affordable coverage, they would become exempt from the health law’s mandate to obtain coverage. A result could be large increases in the number of Americans without health insurance.
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Trump-Pence: Week 10: Restoring Economic Freedom
President Trump spent another week making strides and putting America First!
Announcing more jobs for Americans, honoring the brave people protecting Americans, and addressing the problems of every day Americans were just some of the things accomplished on the President's to-do-list this week.
President Trump is out there working for all of us. Your support keeps him energized and we wouldn’t be here without you.
Read about the President’s week below.
Announcing more jobs for Americans, honoring the brave people protecting Americans, and addressing the problems of every day Americans were just some of the things accomplished on the President's to-do-list this week.
President Trump is out there working for all of us. Your support keeps him energized and we wouldn’t be here without you.
Read about the President’s week below.
Honoring The People Who Serve Our Country
President Trump welcomed 25 Medal of Honor recipients to the White House. Each of them has risen above and beyond the call of duty in defense of our country, our people, and our flag. They have selflessly gave their all for the United States of America. They are the soul of our Nation, and our grateful republic salutes you.
20,000 More Jobs For The American People
President Trump was thrilled to announce that Charter Communications has committed to investing $25 billion dollars in the United States, and has committed to hiring 20,000 American workers over the next four years. Charter will also end its offshore call centers, now basing 100% of them here in the United States. This is great for their workers and customers, but especially great for the United States.
Ending Drug Abuse In America
Drug abuse has become a crippling problem throughout the United States. Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of accidental death in our country and opioid overdose deaths have nearly quadrupled since 1999. This is a total epidemic. President Trump is committed to working directly with representatives from state and local governments, law enforcement, medical professionals, and victims to find solutions to combat this issue. He held a round table this week, dedicated to solving the drug crisis through cooperation across government and across society, including early intervention to keep America's youth off this destructive path.
Harnessing The American Spirit
Consumer confidence in March soared to the highest level in more than 16 years, according to data released Tuesday. Consumer confidence has taken off since the election of President Donald Trump, on the prospect of lower taxes and more infrastructure spending. We’re 10 weeks into President Trump’s presidency and it’s clear the American people are harnessing this new American Spirit!
Ending The War On Coal
President Trump took action that will eliminate federal overreach, restore economic freedom, and allow our companies and our workers to thrive, compete, and succeed on a level playing field for the first time in a long time. President Trump is doing that by putting an end to the war on coal. With his executive action this week, President Trump took historic steps to lift the restrictions on American energy, reverse government intrusion, and to cancel job-killing regulations.
Empowering And Promoting Women In Business
Empowering and promoting women in business is critical to President Trump because he knows how crucial women are as job creators, role models, and leaders throughout all of our communities. As we conclude Women’s History Month, President Trump met with women small business owners to discuss how we can continue this important mission. President Trump made it clear that we must ensure that our economic environment is a place where women can work and thrive. President Trump will continue to address the barriers faced by women professionals and entrepreneurs.
Identifying all the issues facing our country is an overwhelming task, but President Trump is listening to all the key stakeholders. He’s learning about the troubles facing our people and seeking solutions.
We’re only 10 weeks into his presidency and already he’s Making America Safe Again, Making America Work Again, and he’s Making America Great Again!
Thanks for joining us for another week,
Team Trump-Pence
Our Dishonest President
“It is impossible to know where his presidency will lead or how much damage he will do to our nation.”
Not really funny, but this is the exact same thing I thought when the man The Economist Magazine identified as having the most liberal voting record in Congress, Obama was elected. I still have that copy of the magazine.
It was no secret during the campaign that Donald Trump was a narcissist and a demagogue who used fear and dishonesty to appeal to the worst in American voters. The Times called him unprepared and unsuited for the job he was seeking, and said his election would be a “catastrophe.”
Still, nothing prepared us for the magnitude of this train wreck. Like millions of other Americans, we clung to a slim hope that the new president would turn out to be all noise and bluster, or that the people around him in the White House would act as a check on his worst instincts, or that he would be sobered and transformed by the awesome responsibilities of office.
Instead, seventy-some days in — and with about 1,400 to go before his term is completed — it is increasingly clear that those hopes were misplaced.
In a matter of weeks, President Trump has taken dozens of real-life steps that, if they are not reversed, will rip families apart, foul rivers and pollute the air, intensify the calamitous effects of climate change and profoundly weaken the system of American public education for all.
His attempt to de-insure millions of people who had finally received healthcare coverage and, along the way, enact a massive transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich has been put on hold for the moment. But he is proceeding with his efforts to defang the government’s regulatory agencies and bloat the Pentagon’s budget even as he supposedly retreats from the global stage.“It is impossible to know where his presidency will lead or how much damage he will do to our nation.”
Not really funny, but this is the exact same thing I thought when the man The Economist Magazine identified as having the most liberal voting record in Congress, Obama was elected. I still have that copy of the magazine.
It was no secret during the campaign that Donald Trump was a narcissist and a demagogue who used fear and dishonesty to appeal to the worst in American voters. The Times called him unprepared and unsuited for the job he was seeking, and said his election would be a “catastrophe.”
Still, nothing prepared us for the magnitude of this train wreck. Like millions of other Americans, we clung to a slim hope that the new president would turn out to be all noise and bluster, or that the people around him in the White House would act as a check on his worst instincts, or that he would be sobered and transformed by the awesome responsibilities of office.
Instead, seventy-some days in — and with about 1,400 to go before his term is completed — it is increasingly clear that those hopes were misplaced.
In a matter of weeks, President Trump has taken dozens of real-life steps that, if they are not reversed, will rip families apart, foul rivers and pollute the air, intensify the calamitous effects of climate change and profoundly weaken the system of American public education for all.
His attempt to de-insure millions of people who had finally received healthcare coverage and, along the way, enact a massive transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich has been put on hold for the moment. But he is proceeding with his efforts to defang the government’s regulatory agencies and bloat the Pentagon’s budget even as he supposedly retreats from the global stage.“It is impossible to know where his presidency will lead or how much damage he will do to our nation.”
Council bumps tow fees, keeps current regs
What it will do next year, after the development of the new Public Works complex forces the city to close its 65th Street impound lot, remains to be seen.
Until then, however, the new rates for the tow and impound lot storage will be in effect.
Of the $250 tow fee, Ocean City would receive $50 as an administrative fee.
A steep increase in impound lot storage at $50 per day was also passed. Under the 2008 ordinance, storage started at $10 a day and increased to $15 an additional day. Drivers would also be charged impound fees per calendar days, so someone who had a car towed at 10 p.m. and picked it up the next morning would be charged for two days.
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Main St Gym Twice Golden in Gloves
Two Main St Gym fighters climbed out of the ring Saturday night with the Washington D.C Golden Glove Championship in hand.. Both battled formidable opponents to victories and secured a trip the regional championship.
James “Matt” McMurdo stepped into the ring in front of a packed house at the Rosecroft Raceway with cheers from a contingent of his gym mates, friends and his students as well as the local crowd that has enjoyed watching Mcmurdo’s in his climb to Saturdays nights Championship bout in the superheavyweight novice division.
In the opposite corner was Justin Maggi, fighting out of Simon Brown Gym in Frederick MD. Coach Brown, a past world champions boxer that held the Welterweight & light middle weight crowns with the WBC and the IBF could not help protect his boxer from the constant pressure and power of McMurdo’s punches. McMurdo will now move on the Regional Golden Gloves Championships to be held on April 22nd. McMurdo is a teacher at the Prince St. Elementary School in Salisbury.
In the open class heavyweight division Main St’s Thomas Mottinger battled to his second Golden Glove Championship in as many years. In 2016 Mottinger won the heavyweight novice division and now he has won the 2017 open class heavyweight division, earning him a trip to the Golden Glove Regional Championship on April 22nd. One more win will send Mottinger to the National Championships in Louisiana.
Mottinger was facing a very game and tough Shaka Williams of Nomis Boxing in D.C.. He got off to a slow start in round one and pushed to catch up in the second round. Going into the third round Mottinger pulled out all the stops to step up the pace and dominate the round decidedly, securing his victory . Mottinger is a Realtor with Maggio Real Estate in Rehoboth Beach Delaware.
Coach Hal Chernoff along with assistant coaches Tyrone Hargrove and Ryan Watson worked both fighters corners. “The guys were both a little tight tonight with this being the championship night. They both worked very hard to get here and the pressure of being in the Golden Gloves can create an added stress that can take you out of your game a little,” said Chernoff. “Both these young men gave all they had to get this win and move to the next level. They beat the best fighters in DC, Baltimore and the entire state. This area has some of the best gyms and trainers that have produced some of the best fighters in the country. At the tournament is a big banner with all the fighters that have won the DC Golden Gloves and it looks like the who’s who of boxing champions. Past world champions like Mark “Too Sharp Johnson who was on hand watching Saturday night and Sugar Ray Leonard, Chop Chop Corley as well as current world Champions like Gary Russell, Geovante “Tank” Davis and Lamont Peterson who was also on hand to support his team mates. So this is a big wing for these two guys as well as our young champions, Gavin Brown, Russell Griffith and Brendan Narrango that won their championships earlier in the tournament..
Someday when they get older all our kids will have their opportunity to move on to the regionals and the nationals. But right now all I can say is our coaching staff is very very proud of all our boxer, they are all are working very hard and continue to step up to the next level,”
FOX: Trump Surveilled Before Nomination, Agencies with Info Blocked Nunes for Weeks
A Friday breaking Fox News report on surveillance of President Trump’s team that began before he became the Republican presidential nominee claimed a very senior intelligence official was responsible—as well as for the unmasking of the names of private U.S. citizens.
The report cited sources which also indicated that House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-CA) knew of the existence of the information in January, but one or more intelligence agencies blocked him, and there were only two locations where he could view the information that he called “very troubling.”
On Thursday, the New York Times began reporting what they claimed were the identities of two White House officials who were the sources of the information disclosed to Nunes.
The Friday Fox News report cited “a number of sources” with claims that not only were the two White House officials not the sources of the information shared with Nunes, but that Nunes knew of the information in January, and that the agencies where the information came from had blocked Nunes from gaining access to it. Further, the report cited officials within the agencies who said they were frustrated with the spreading of names for political purposes.
“We’ve learned that the surveillance that led to the unmasking of what started way before President Trump was even the GOP nominee,” reported Adam Housley. “The person who did the unmasking, I’m told, is very well known, very high up, very senior in the intelligence world and is not in the FBI.”
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The report cited sources which also indicated that House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-CA) knew of the existence of the information in January, but one or more intelligence agencies blocked him, and there were only two locations where he could view the information that he called “very troubling.”
On Thursday, the New York Times began reporting what they claimed were the identities of two White House officials who were the sources of the information disclosed to Nunes.
The Friday Fox News report cited “a number of sources” with claims that not only were the two White House officials not the sources of the information shared with Nunes, but that Nunes knew of the information in January, and that the agencies where the information came from had blocked Nunes from gaining access to it. Further, the report cited officials within the agencies who said they were frustrated with the spreading of names for political purposes.
“We’ve learned that the surveillance that led to the unmasking of what started way before President Trump was even the GOP nominee,” reported Adam Housley. “The person who did the unmasking, I’m told, is very well known, very high up, very senior in the intelligence world and is not in the FBI.”
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Sanctuary County Home To High School Rape Incident Hired An Expensive Immigration Attorney
Montgomery County, where the alleged rape of a teenage girl by two illegal immigrants occurred, hired an immigration attorney for an exorbitant amount of money, The Daily Caller has learned.
Leon Rodriguez signed a retainer agreement on March 8 to provide legal services “in connection with immigration matters.” The agreement was for $575 an hour, the highest hourly rate Montgomery County spent for an attorney at the time. This came in the weeks before the alleged rape at Rockville High School that put Montgomery County in the national spotlight.
Rodriguez is the former director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and after leaving his post he became a partner at Seyfarth Shaw, a law firm with a large immigration practice. Prior to joining USCIS, Rodriguez was county attorney for Montgomery County and served on the board of Casa de Maryland, which works to protect illegal immigrants from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
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Bill Maher: "Hillary, Stay In The Woods. You Had Your Shot. You F**ked It Up"
Bill Maher, host of HBO's "Real Time," finally said something on his late night talk show that seems to make some level of sense. Just as Hillary has started to take a more active role in organizing the Donald Trump "Resistance" movement, a move that has sparked rumors of yet another presidential run in 2020, Maher took to the airwaves to implore Clinton to go back to the woods where she 'found' herself just a few weeks ago.
“Hillary, stay in the woods. Okay. You had your shot. You f*cked it up. You’re Bill Buckner. We had the World Series, and you let the grounder go through your legs. Let someone else have the chance."
"This to me — the fact that she’s come back, it just verifies every bad thing anyone’s ever thought about the Clintons, that it’s all about them. Let some of the other shorter trees get a little sunlight.”
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“Hillary, stay in the woods. Okay. You had your shot. You f*cked it up. You’re Bill Buckner. We had the World Series, and you let the grounder go through your legs. Let someone else have the chance."
"This to me — the fact that she’s come back, it just verifies every bad thing anyone’s ever thought about the Clintons, that it’s all about them. Let some of the other shorter trees get a little sunlight.”
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Sen. Bernie Sanders: Trump Voters Are Not Racists, Sexists, or Homophobes
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) defended people who voted for President Trump in a speech Friday, saying that the Democratic Party needs to better represent the working-class voters who supported his presidency.
“Some people think that the people who voted for Trump are racists and sexists and homophobes and deplorable folks. I don’t agree, because I’ve been there. Let me tell you something else some of you might not agree with, it wasn’t that Donald Trump won the election, it was that the Democratic Party lost the election,” Sanders said while speaking at an Our Revolution rally in Boston alongside Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), according to theHill.
Sanders added that the Democratic Party needs to undergo a “fundamental restructuring” to win future elections and that the party’s current state pushed voters to support Trump and the GOP this past election season.
“We need a Democratic Party that is not a party of the liberal elite but of the working class of this country, we need a party that is a grassroots party, where candidates are talking to working people not spending their time raising money for the wealthy and the powerful,” Sanders said. “And when we do that, when we transform the Democratic Party, we transform America.”
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“Some people think that the people who voted for Trump are racists and sexists and homophobes and deplorable folks. I don’t agree, because I’ve been there. Let me tell you something else some of you might not agree with, it wasn’t that Donald Trump won the election, it was that the Democratic Party lost the election,” Sanders said while speaking at an Our Revolution rally in Boston alongside Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), according to theHill.
Sanders added that the Democratic Party needs to undergo a “fundamental restructuring” to win future elections and that the party’s current state pushed voters to support Trump and the GOP this past election season.
“We need a Democratic Party that is not a party of the liberal elite but of the working class of this country, we need a party that is a grassroots party, where candidates are talking to working people not spending their time raising money for the wealthy and the powerful,” Sanders said. “And when we do that, when we transform the Democratic Party, we transform America.”
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FOX: Trump Surveilled Before Nomination, Agencies with Info Blocked Nunes for Weeks
A Friday breaking Fox News report on surveillance of President Trump’s team that began before he became the Republican presidential nominee claimed a very senior intelligence official was responsible—as well as for the unmasking of the names of private U.S. citizens.
The report cited sources which also indicated that House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-CA) knew of the existence of the information in January, but one or more intelligence agencies blocked him, and there were only two locations where he could view the information that he called “very troubling.”
On Thursday, the New York Times began reporting what they claimed were the identities of two White House officials who were the sources of the information disclosed to Nunes.
Nunes met with sources on White House grounds on the day before he announced to reporters striking news that he had seen new and disturbing information indicating intelligence officials under the Obama administration “unmasked” the names of Trump team members who were incidentally surveilled.
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The report cited sources which also indicated that House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-CA) knew of the existence of the information in January, but one or more intelligence agencies blocked him, and there were only two locations where he could view the information that he called “very troubling.”
On Thursday, the New York Times began reporting what they claimed were the identities of two White House officials who were the sources of the information disclosed to Nunes.
Nunes met with sources on White House grounds on the day before he announced to reporters striking news that he had seen new and disturbing information indicating intelligence officials under the Obama administration “unmasked” the names of Trump team members who were incidentally surveilled.
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Jackie Mason to Paul Ryan: If You Want to Save the Country, ‘Get Another Job’
In these trying times, Jackie Mason is the Voice of Reason.
In this week’s exclusive clip for Breitbart News, Jackie weighs in on the GOP’s failed healthcare bill, explaining that Republicans in Washington were focused on “repealing and replacing” the wrong thing.
“When they were talking about ‘repeal and replace,’ they were stupid,” Jackie says. “They were talking about healthcare, they should have been talking about [House Speaker Paul] Ryan. If Ryan was repealed and replaced we would have had no problem today.”
More with video here
In this week’s exclusive clip for Breitbart News, Jackie weighs in on the GOP’s failed healthcare bill, explaining that Republicans in Washington were focused on “repealing and replacing” the wrong thing.
“When they were talking about ‘repeal and replace,’ they were stupid,” Jackie says. “They were talking about healthcare, they should have been talking about [House Speaker Paul] Ryan. If Ryan was repealed and replaced we would have had no problem today.”
More with video here
Christian group threatens Department of Ed over publicly funded ‘Islamic indoctrination’
The U.S. Department of Education is funding an “Access Islam” program on PBS LearningMedia that “is nothing more than indoctrinating students into Islamic religious beliefs, duties and action,” according to Christian Action Network president Martin Mawyer.
CAN sent a “Letter of Demand” to end the Islamic education program to both PBS and the Education Department, and is threatening a federal lawsuit if they fail to take action.
“If you go to the PBS LearningMedia website and pull up the Islamic education programs, they have the Department of Education seal on it, and it says, ‘funded by the Department of Education,’” Mawyer told Fox News’ Tucker Carlson Tonight.
“So we took a look at these various programs that available for the public schools, and we were quite frankly shocked at some of the lesson plans students have to achieve in the classroom,” he said. “For instance, teachers are expected to ask their students, ‘What does a Muslim prayer sound like?’ ‘What do Muslim prayer movements look like?’ ‘What are some of the things Muslims say when they are praying?’
“And you have to ask yourself a question: Why does the federal government find it necessary that our kids – grades 5 through 12 – know what a Muslim prayer sounds like? … How can a teacher grade a student on these types of questions?”
In a press release, CAN highlighted lessons on the LearningMedia site that encourage students to “focus on learning about the core duties of Muslims,” and “read about what it means to proclaim faith or belief in a Muslim.”
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CAN sent a “Letter of Demand” to end the Islamic education program to both PBS and the Education Department, and is threatening a federal lawsuit if they fail to take action.
“If you go to the PBS LearningMedia website and pull up the Islamic education programs, they have the Department of Education seal on it, and it says, ‘funded by the Department of Education,’” Mawyer told Fox News’ Tucker Carlson Tonight.
“So we took a look at these various programs that available for the public schools, and we were quite frankly shocked at some of the lesson plans students have to achieve in the classroom,” he said. “For instance, teachers are expected to ask their students, ‘What does a Muslim prayer sound like?’ ‘What do Muslim prayer movements look like?’ ‘What are some of the things Muslims say when they are praying?’
“And you have to ask yourself a question: Why does the federal government find it necessary that our kids – grades 5 through 12 – know what a Muslim prayer sounds like? … How can a teacher grade a student on these types of questions?”
In a press release, CAN highlighted lessons on the LearningMedia site that encourage students to “focus on learning about the core duties of Muslims,” and “read about what it means to proclaim faith or belief in a Muslim.”
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Free Market Care
President Trump and Paul Ryan tried to improve Obamacare. They failed.
Trump then tweeted, “ObamaCare will explode and we will all get together and piece together a great healthcare plan for THE PEOPLE. Do not worry!”
But I do worry.
Trump is right when he says that Obamacare will explode.
The law mandates benefits and offers subsidies to more people. Insurers must cover things like:
—Birth control.
—Alcohol counseling.
—Depression screening.
—Diet counseling.
—Tobacco use screening.
—Breastfeeding counseling.
Some people want those things, but mandating them for everyone drives up costs. It was folly to pretend it wouldn’t.
Insisting that lots of things be paid for by someone else is a recipe for financial explosion.
Medicare works that way, too.
When I first qualified for it, I was amazed to find that no one even mentioned cost. It was just, “Have this test!” “See this doctor!”
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Trump then tweeted, “ObamaCare will explode and we will all get together and piece together a great healthcare plan for THE PEOPLE. Do not worry!”
But I do worry.
Trump is right when he says that Obamacare will explode.
The law mandates benefits and offers subsidies to more people. Insurers must cover things like:
—Birth control.
—Alcohol counseling.
—Depression screening.
—Diet counseling.
—Tobacco use screening.
—Breastfeeding counseling.
Some people want those things, but mandating them for everyone drives up costs. It was folly to pretend it wouldn’t.
Insisting that lots of things be paid for by someone else is a recipe for financial explosion.
Medicare works that way, too.
When I first qualified for it, I was amazed to find that no one even mentioned cost. It was just, “Have this test!” “See this doctor!”
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Fox News: Senior Obama Intelligence Official Unmasked Trump Associates
Fox News correspondent Adam Housley reported Friday that a well-known and “very senior” former official in the intelligence community, not associated with the FBI, directed the unmasking of private Americans working for or with President Donald Trump’s presidential transition team.
“Unmasking is not unprecedented, but unmasking for political purposes … specifically of Trump transition team members … is highly suspect and questionable,” an intelligence source told Fox News. “Opposition by some in the intelligence agencies who were very connected to the Obama and Clinton teams was strong. After Trump was elected, they decided they were going to ruin his presidency by picking them off one by one.”
Housley said his sources inside the intelligence community reached out to him after mainstream media reports Thursday flagged two White House aides as the sources bringing information to Rep. Devin Nunes (R.-CA), the chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
Thursday’s mainstream media narrative was that Ezra Cohen-Watnick and Michael Ellis called Nunes to the White House grounds March 21, where they passed classified information to Nunes that confirmed Obama administration surveillance of the Trump camp. Then, March 22, Nunes went to the White House to present classified information to the president.
This narrative and the Nunes back-and-forth with the White House was ridiculed as an elaborate ruse or proof that Nunes was acting in a bizarre way.
The Housley report is that Thursday’s narrative was not true–and that Cohen-Watnick and Ellis were not sources at all..
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“Unmasking is not unprecedented, but unmasking for political purposes … specifically of Trump transition team members … is highly suspect and questionable,” an intelligence source told Fox News. “Opposition by some in the intelligence agencies who were very connected to the Obama and Clinton teams was strong. After Trump was elected, they decided they were going to ruin his presidency by picking them off one by one.”
Housley said his sources inside the intelligence community reached out to him after mainstream media reports Thursday flagged two White House aides as the sources bringing information to Rep. Devin Nunes (R.-CA), the chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
Thursday’s mainstream media narrative was that Ezra Cohen-Watnick and Michael Ellis called Nunes to the White House grounds March 21, where they passed classified information to Nunes that confirmed Obama administration surveillance of the Trump camp. Then, March 22, Nunes went to the White House to present classified information to the president.
This narrative and the Nunes back-and-forth with the White House was ridiculed as an elaborate ruse or proof that Nunes was acting in a bizarre way.
The Housley report is that Thursday’s narrative was not true–and that Cohen-Watnick and Ellis were not sources at all..
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'Sanctuary' Crackdown Begins: Homeland Identifies 3 Maryland Counties Harboring Illegal Immigrants
A month ago, Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh wrote to federal authorities asking that they declare the state's courts, schools and hospitals off limits to immigration agents. Frosh, a Democrat, wrote that he was sending the letter in response to new immigration guidelines issued by the Trump administration that greatly expand the number of people considered a priority for removal from the country.
"I am concerned that the Administration's aggressive new policies will discourage the most vulnerable immigrants from seeking judicial protection and medical care, which will cause avoidable injuries and potentially even deaths," Frosh wrote.
"I ask that you take action to remove this immediate threat to the health and safety of immigrants in Maryland by declaring our courts and hospitals to be safe locations, where U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs & Border Protection authorities will not be allowed to identify and seize potential deportees."
Frosh's request mirrored efforts by jurisdictions led by Democrats in Maryland and around the country to declare themselves sanctuaries, meaning they won't use local resources to aid efforts to seize immigrants.
However, all that was before AG Sessions surprise press conference last week in which he detailed the administration was stepping up its push back against cities that break the law by not enforcing actions against illegal immigrants.
"Today, I'm urging states and local jurisdictions to comply with these federal laws. Moreover, the Department of Justice will require that jurisdictions seeking or applying for DOJ grants to certify compliance with 1373 as a condition for receiving those awards."
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"I am concerned that the Administration's aggressive new policies will discourage the most vulnerable immigrants from seeking judicial protection and medical care, which will cause avoidable injuries and potentially even deaths," Frosh wrote.
"I ask that you take action to remove this immediate threat to the health and safety of immigrants in Maryland by declaring our courts and hospitals to be safe locations, where U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs & Border Protection authorities will not be allowed to identify and seize potential deportees."
Frosh's request mirrored efforts by jurisdictions led by Democrats in Maryland and around the country to declare themselves sanctuaries, meaning they won't use local resources to aid efforts to seize immigrants.
However, all that was before AG Sessions surprise press conference last week in which he detailed the administration was stepping up its push back against cities that break the law by not enforcing actions against illegal immigrants.
"Today, I'm urging states and local jurisdictions to comply with these federal laws. Moreover, the Department of Justice will require that jurisdictions seeking or applying for DOJ grants to certify compliance with 1373 as a condition for receiving those awards."
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UMES pharmacists expand the brand to India
Two faculty members from UMES' School of Pharmacywere among headliners who shared their expertise at an international conference of pharmacists and educators held last month in India.
Dean Rondell E. Allen was a keynote speaker at the event held at the Chalapathi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (CIPS). The institute and UMES agreed in September 2016 to participate in mutual academic exchange opportunities starting this year.
“The agreement,” Allen said, “will allow for student and faculty exchanges and research collaboration with our pharmaceutical sciences and pharmacy practice and administration faculty.”
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Dean Rondell E. Allen was a keynote speaker at the event held at the Chalapathi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (CIPS). The institute and UMES agreed in September 2016 to participate in mutual academic exchange opportunities starting this year.
“The agreement,” Allen said, “will allow for student and faculty exchanges and research collaboration with our pharmaceutical sciences and pharmacy practice and administration faculty.”
More