DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Tuesday, May 02, 2017
Delaware State Police Wreath-Laying Ceremony
Dover- Wednesday May 3, 2017, the Delaware State Police will conduct their annual Police Memorial Service at the Delaware State Police Training Academy, located at 1441 North DuPont Highway. The service will begin at 9:30 a.m.
Fellow Troopers, Family members, Relatives, and Friends will gather to remember those Troopers who have made the “Ultimate Sacrifice” in service to the State of Delaware. Twenty Four, (24) Troopers have lost their lives in the line of duty since 1923.
Governor John C. Carney Jr., Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, Attorney General Matthew Denn, Secretary Robert M. Coupe Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr., Superintendent of the Delaware State Police, Lieutenant Thomas Brackin President of the Delaware State Troopers Association and Mrs. Eleanor Allione will be in attendance and provide remarks.
The Modern Newsroom Is Stuck Behind The Gender And Color Line
In many of today's newsrooms, women and journalists of color remain a sliver of those producing and reporting stories. According to studies from the American Society of News Editors, the Women's Media Center and the advocacy group VIDA, gender and ethnic diversity in newsrooms have hardly improved in the last decade despite increasing demand for more inclusive journalism in the current round-the-clock news cycle.
Nationally, Hispanic, black and Asian women make up less than 5 percent of newsroom personnel at traditional print and online news publications, according to2016 data from the American Society of News Editors. The organization stopped requiring that news outlets reveal their identities in an attempt to increase participation in the yearly census. Numbers from 433 news organizations that participated in 2015 and 2016 show a 5.6 percent increase in the minority workforce, now at 17 percent at print and online news sites. But the numbers lag far behind demographic shifts in a country where nearly 40 percent of Americans are part of a minority group. Around the country, local newsrooms remain largely white by most measures. (In the spirit of full disclosure, NPR's latest diversity figures can be foundhere.)
In March, the Women's Media Center released its annual report on gender representation in the media (print bylines, internet, broadcast and other outlets). The latest numbers show a tiny change — 37.7 percent of the news was credited to female journalists, according to an analysis of over 24,000 pieces of news content. Major national outlets continue to be dominated by men, and women actually lost representation in broadcast news television.
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Nationally, Hispanic, black and Asian women make up less than 5 percent of newsroom personnel at traditional print and online news publications, according to2016 data from the American Society of News Editors. The organization stopped requiring that news outlets reveal their identities in an attempt to increase participation in the yearly census. Numbers from 433 news organizations that participated in 2015 and 2016 show a 5.6 percent increase in the minority workforce, now at 17 percent at print and online news sites. But the numbers lag far behind demographic shifts in a country where nearly 40 percent of Americans are part of a minority group. Around the country, local newsrooms remain largely white by most measures. (In the spirit of full disclosure, NPR's latest diversity figures can be foundhere.)
In March, the Women's Media Center released its annual report on gender representation in the media (print bylines, internet, broadcast and other outlets). The latest numbers show a tiny change — 37.7 percent of the news was credited to female journalists, according to an analysis of over 24,000 pieces of news content. Major national outlets continue to be dominated by men, and women actually lost representation in broadcast news television.
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Trump Administration Rolls Back Michelle Obama's Healthy School Lunch Push
Former first lady Michelle Obama might find some of the latest actions by the Trump administration pretty difficult to stomach.
On Monday newly minted Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced a rollback of school lunch standards championed by the former first lady, declaring at a Virginia school that the administration would "Make School Meals Great Again."
The school nutrition standards have long been a source of controversy, making them a more likely target of the current administration.
Earlier Monday, CNN initially reported a more surprising cut — that the Trump White House would not continue the Let Girls Learn program in its current form. The initiative aims to provide educational opportunities for young women in developing countries.
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On Monday newly minted Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced a rollback of school lunch standards championed by the former first lady, declaring at a Virginia school that the administration would "Make School Meals Great Again."
The school nutrition standards have long been a source of controversy, making them a more likely target of the current administration.
Earlier Monday, CNN initially reported a more surprising cut — that the Trump White House would not continue the Let Girls Learn program in its current form. The initiative aims to provide educational opportunities for young women in developing countries.
More
The Ocean Pines Police Department carried out the following investigations:
1.) As the result of a security check at a local playground late at night, a woman was arrested for possession of suspected heroin. Police charged
-Carly Amanda Lucas, W/F, 26 years of age, of Ocean Pines, with: One (1) count of possession of a controlled dangerous substance (heroin) and one (1) count of possession of drug paraphernalia
Ms. Lucas was taken before a District Court Commissioner, and was released on her personal recognizance, pending trial.
2.) As the result of a domestic incident, Ocean Pines Police charged a 25 year old Ocean Pines man with domestic assault and possession of a controlled dangerous substance. Police charged
-Connor Paul Kelly, W/M, 25 years of age, of Ocean Pines, with: One (1) count of second degree assault and one (1) count of possession of a controlled dangerous substance (cocaine)
Saudis take 100% control of America's Largest Oil Refinery
America's largest oil refinery is now fully owned by Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Aramco, the kingdom's state-owned oil behemoth, took 100% control of the sprawling Port Arthur refinery in Texas on Monday, completing a deal that was first announced last year.
Port Arthur is considered the crown jewel of the US refinery system. The Gulf Coast facility can process 600,000 barrels of oil per day, making it the largest refinery in North America.
Aramco previously owned 50% of Port Arthur through a joint venture co-owned with Royal Dutch Shell (RDSA)called Motiva Enterprises.
But the two oil giants had a rocky relationship and reached a deal in March 2016 to separate their assets. Shell put out a statement on Monday confirming the "completion" of that break-up.
In addition to Port Arthur, Aramco is acquiring full ownership of 24 distribution terminals. Aramco also gets the exclusive right to sell Shell-branded gasoline and diesel in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, the eastern half of Texas and the majority of Florida.
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Saudi Aramco, the kingdom's state-owned oil behemoth, took 100% control of the sprawling Port Arthur refinery in Texas on Monday, completing a deal that was first announced last year.
Port Arthur is considered the crown jewel of the US refinery system. The Gulf Coast facility can process 600,000 barrels of oil per day, making it the largest refinery in North America.
Aramco previously owned 50% of Port Arthur through a joint venture co-owned with Royal Dutch Shell (RDSA)called Motiva Enterprises.
But the two oil giants had a rocky relationship and reached a deal in March 2016 to separate their assets. Shell put out a statement on Monday confirming the "completion" of that break-up.
In addition to Port Arthur, Aramco is acquiring full ownership of 24 distribution terminals. Aramco also gets the exclusive right to sell Shell-branded gasoline and diesel in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, the eastern half of Texas and the majority of Florida.
More
Report: Obama administration purchased thousands of vehicles not utilized
The Government Accountability Office has released a report recommending that federal agencies improve processes to identify underutilized vehicles in the government’s fleet of nearly 450,000.
From fiscal years 2011 through 2015, federal agencies spent in excess of $1.6 billion to purchase approximately 64,500 passenger vehicles and light trucks which cost an average of $25,600 each. Ninety percent of those vehicles were purchased by five departments—Defense, Homeland Security, Agriculture, Justice, and Interior—and those departments spent approximately the same percentage of the associated funds.
In fiscal year 2015, federal agencies spent approximately $3.4 billion to maintain and operate their government-owned vehicles.
The GAO study sought to identify federally owned vehicles and examine the processes for assessing their utilization. Three agencies were reviewed in the study—Navy within DOD, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) within DHS, and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) within USDA—with the goal of determining if vehicles were utilized during fiscal year 2015.
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Stunner: EPA’s CO2 ‘hot spot’ ‘simply does not exist’
Man-made climate change 'should be discarded into the dustbin of other failed theories'
The theory of human-caused global warming is straightforward. The level of the so-called “pollutant” carbon dioxide, or CO2, is rising in the atmosphere, causing a worldwide increase in temperatures that ultimately will have a catastrophic effect on the planet.
To prevent this catastrophe, a vast regulatory infrastructure needs to be created, even if it means sacrificing jobs, economic efficiency, personal freedoms or national sovereignty itself.
But what if CO2 isn’t a pollutant?
That’s precisely the shocking finding of a new report from statistician Jim Wallace, climatologist John Christy and meteorologist Joe D’Aleo, who contend the Environmental Protection Agency erred when it ruled CO2 is a pollutant in 2009.
The researchers claim they could find no evidence that rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations “have had a statistically significant impact on any of the 14 temperature data sets that we analyzed.”
“These analysis results would appear to leave very, very little doubt but that EPA’s claim of a Tropical Hot Spot (THS), caused by rising atmospheric CO2 levels, simply does not exist in the real world,” the report said.
The theory of human-caused global warming is straightforward. The level of the so-called “pollutant” carbon dioxide, or CO2, is rising in the atmosphere, causing a worldwide increase in temperatures that ultimately will have a catastrophic effect on the planet.
To prevent this catastrophe, a vast regulatory infrastructure needs to be created, even if it means sacrificing jobs, economic efficiency, personal freedoms or national sovereignty itself.
But what if CO2 isn’t a pollutant?
That’s precisely the shocking finding of a new report from statistician Jim Wallace, climatologist John Christy and meteorologist Joe D’Aleo, who contend the Environmental Protection Agency erred when it ruled CO2 is a pollutant in 2009.
The researchers claim they could find no evidence that rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations “have had a statistically significant impact on any of the 14 temperature data sets that we analyzed.”
“These analysis results would appear to leave very, very little doubt but that EPA’s claim of a Tropical Hot Spot (THS), caused by rising atmospheric CO2 levels, simply does not exist in the real world,” the report said.
Poultry giant Tyson to boot antibiotics in chicken
In making its move, Tyson Foods joins competitors like Perdue and Pilgrim's Pride. Also, it mirrors some major fast food and quick service restaurant chains. KFC announced last month it will rid of its chicken of antibiotics by the end of 2018. Also going without antibiotics are McDonald's, Burger King, Panera, Chipotle, Taco Bell and Wendy's.
Tyson said its antibiotic-free pledge will apply to poultry it sells in supermarkets under it own Tyson label. For Tyson and the others, the move is being driven by consumer demand for food free of anything deemed unnatural, whether it's antibiotics, preservatives or something else. Consumer Reports magazine found in a 2015 survey that one of four shoppers were buying meat and poultry without antibiotics more often than they had in the prior year.
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Pence to speak at Naval Academy graduation
President Donald Trump instead will deliver his first commencement address as president to graduates of Liberty University, a Christian university in Virginia, May 13, followed by an address at U.S. Coast Guard Academy ceremonies May 17 in New London, Connecticut.
Each year, the president delivers the commencement address at one of the U.S. military service academies. The past three presidents — Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton — all spoke at the academy's graduation in the first year of both of their terms.
Bloomberg reports that Trump plans to attend the Group of Seven meeting of leaders of major industrialized nations in Italy on May 26, the same day as graduation.
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Ron Paul Warns "We Are In The Last Stages Of The Welfare-Warfare State"
Congress ended the week by passing a continuing resolution keeping the government funded for one more week. This stopgap funding bill was designed to give Congress and the White House more time to negotiate a long-term spending bill. Passage of a long-term spending bill had been delayed over objections to Republican efforts to preserve Obamcare's key features but give states a limited ability to opt out of some Obamacare mandates...[ZH: that longer-term bill has been agreed with the Democrats]
This type of brinkmanship has become standard operating procedure on Capitol Hill. The drama inevitably ends with a spending bill being crafted behind closed doors by small groups of members and staffers and then rushed to the floor and voted on before most members have a chance to read it. These “omnibus” spending bills are a dereliction of one of Congress’s two most important duties — allocating spending. Of course, Congress long ago abandoned another primary duty — preventing presidents from launching military attacks without first obtaining a congressional declaration of war.
The uncomfortable question raised by Congress’s abrogation of these two key functions is whether a republican form of government is compatible with a welfare-warfare state. The answer seems to be “no.”
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This type of brinkmanship has become standard operating procedure on Capitol Hill. The drama inevitably ends with a spending bill being crafted behind closed doors by small groups of members and staffers and then rushed to the floor and voted on before most members have a chance to read it. These “omnibus” spending bills are a dereliction of one of Congress’s two most important duties — allocating spending. Of course, Congress long ago abandoned another primary duty — preventing presidents from launching military attacks without first obtaining a congressional declaration of war.
The uncomfortable question raised by Congress’s abrogation of these two key functions is whether a republican form of government is compatible with a welfare-warfare state. The answer seems to be “no.”
More
THE ISLAND CREAMERY IN BERLIN, MD MAKES ITS BIG DEBUT!
Opened by Bob & Nancy Conklin 43 years ago, the Island Creamery is now owned and operated by their son, Kelly, along with his wife Robin. The Creamery is very much a family business as their children Drew, Cole, and Courtney are the third generation of family members to be involved with the business. Even while visiting the Creamery in Berlin we asked the employees how long they have been with the company. Several were hired as new Creamery team members specifically for the Berlin location, while others had been with the company for up to 10 years. It’s easy to see why some would choose to work with the Conklins for an extended period of time. The atmosphere is very positive and upbeat. The colors are vibrant and the smell of homemade waffle cones is out of this world.
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Two pints of beer can cut pain by a quarter
Two pints of beer are better than paracetamol for pain relief and can cut discomfort by a quarter, a study has shown.
Medical researchers said blood alcohol content of approximately .08 per cent produced 'a small elevation of pain threshold' and a 'moderate to large reduction in pain intensity ratings'.
They added: 'Findings suggest that alcohol is an effective analgesic that delivers clinically-relevant reductions in ratings of pain intensity, which could explain alcohol misuse in those with persistent pain despite its potential consequences for long-term health.'
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Medical researchers said blood alcohol content of approximately .08 per cent produced 'a small elevation of pain threshold' and a 'moderate to large reduction in pain intensity ratings'.
They added: 'Findings suggest that alcohol is an effective analgesic that delivers clinically-relevant reductions in ratings of pain intensity, which could explain alcohol misuse in those with persistent pain despite its potential consequences for long-term health.'
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Neighbors don’t see eye-to-eye on viewshed, oyster leases
Former bank executive Talmadge Petty, who owns Hollywood Oysters, moved to his family’s 300-acre farm in 2013 and began cultivating oysters on a lease on Hogg’s Neck Creek. At the time, he says, his three neighbors did not object. One of the neighbors is Sotterley, a restored early 18th-century plantation. The second is a Sotterley descendant, Gita Van Heerden. The third neighbor is the Liu family, which owns a forested parcel abutting Sotterley Creek, just upstream from Hogg’s Neck Creek.
The problems began when Petty applied for a few more acres, this time in Sotterley Creek, not only adjacent to the Liu property but also closer to the plantation house. The plantation’s staff and supporters say the “viewshed” is important for telling Sotterley’s story, particularly how slave ships came up from the Patuxent to support the landed gentry’s opulent lifestyle. A slave cabin remains on site, as does an African-American graveyard.
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Deadly Weekend In Baltimore: Four Killed In 18-Hour Span
The first two occurred on Saturday night as police responded to Baltimore and Carey Streets around 10:15 p.m. Upon arrival, officers found Steven Jackson, 18, of the Unit Block of N. Poppleton Street suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Just around the corner on Stockton Street, police located a second victim -- 29-year old Larry Lawson of the 4100 block of E. Lombard Street. Lawson was shot in the abdomen. Police say both victims, who were transported to Shock Trauma, died a short time later.
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The REAL DEAL on the Highly Controversial Bipartisan Spending Bill
Now that we've had 24-48 hours of MSM BS, now here is the real deal with the bipartisan spending bill from the horse's mouth. OMB Director Mulvaney explains what's really in the bill!
Suggest you all watch this! Your blood will boil even more than it did when you saw Pelosi and Schumer yapping their geriatric dentures on television like fools.
Suggest you all watch this! Your blood will boil even more than it did when you saw Pelosi and Schumer yapping their geriatric dentures on television like fools.
OMB Dir Mulvaney on Democrats: They wanted a shutdown...They were desperate to make this administration look like we couldn't function. pic.twitter.com/A4wpaj6LeT
— FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) May 2, 2017
Yale College Republicans Host Barbecue Right Next To Hunger Strike
Members of the Yale College Republicans hosted a barbecue Friday right next to where members of the Local 33 graduate student union participated in a hunger strike, the New Haven Register reports.
The College Republicans served a meal of barbecued beef, baked beans and corn to those on the plaza, just a few feet from the tent Local 33 had erected to house hunger strikers protesting the school’s decision not to negotiate a contract.
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The College Republicans served a meal of barbecued beef, baked beans and corn to those on the plaza, just a few feet from the tent Local 33 had erected to house hunger strikers protesting the school’s decision not to negotiate a contract.
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BPD: Repeat Juvenile Offenders Arrested for Armed Robbery
Once officers arrived, they located two robbery victims. The victims told police that they were just robbed of their cell phones and money by two suspects
armed with a silver revolver.
With the assistance of (Foxtrot) the Baltimore Police Department helicopter, the suspects were located in the 1100 block of East Pratt Street following a brief foot pursuit.
Detectives arrested a 14 year-old male armed with a loaded handgun and a 12 year-old male that was in possession of the victim’s property.
Both juveniles are repeat offenders. Due to their age, both were charged as juveniles in this case.
Police: Teens vandalized 36 cars in Montgomery Village
WASHINGTON — Monday morning was a little tougher to take for some residents of Montgomery Village when they were forced to start the day by assessing damage to their parked cars.
Police said three teenage boys — two 15-year-olds and a 14-year-old — smashed windshields, rear and side windows and dented doors and hoods.
The vandalism occurred in the area of Christopher Avenue and Leatherfern Terrace, not far from the Gaithersburg Library.
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Economic Reality: Bottom 50% Of Americans No Longer Matter
The Fed likes to brag about the “We saved the world” recovery.
However, the unfortunate truth of the matter is a record Half of American Families Live Paycheck to Paycheck.
Does it Matter? Let’s investigate.
Unprepared for Nearly Anything
50% are woefully unprepared for a financial emergency.
Nearly 1 in 5 (19%) Americans have nothing set aside to cover an unexpected emergency.
Nearly 1 in 3 (31%) Americans don’t have at least $500 set aside to cover an unexpected emergency expense, according to a survey released Tuesday by HomeServe USA, a home repair service.
A separate survey released Monday by insurance company MetLife found that 49% of employees are “concerned, anxious or fearful about their current financial well-being.”
Deleveraging? Where?
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However, the unfortunate truth of the matter is a record Half of American Families Live Paycheck to Paycheck.
Does it Matter? Let’s investigate.
Unprepared for Nearly Anything
50% are woefully unprepared for a financial emergency.
Nearly 1 in 5 (19%) Americans have nothing set aside to cover an unexpected emergency.
Nearly 1 in 3 (31%) Americans don’t have at least $500 set aside to cover an unexpected emergency expense, according to a survey released Tuesday by HomeServe USA, a home repair service.
A separate survey released Monday by insurance company MetLife found that 49% of employees are “concerned, anxious or fearful about their current financial well-being.”
Deleveraging? Where?
More
First Responders Prepare for Possible Surge in Deadly Carfentanil Use
At a press conference Tuesday, Governor Chris Sununu delivered some grim news: carfentanil, a powerful new opioid, has been linked to two deaths in Manchester.
Hours later fire officials in the city were preparing.
"Just be hyper, hyper vigilant of what is out there, hyper vigilant of where you put your hands, what you come in contact with," Manchester Fire's EMS Director Chris Hickey told the city's firefighters during one of his two training sessions Wednesday.
This kind of drug is unlike anything they’ve dealt with before. It’s designed to be used as a tranquilizer...for elephants. And its lethal dosage is 20 micrograms, which is as tiny as a snowflake. Even getting it on your skin could be deadly.
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Video: Batty Democrat Says Trump Is 'Racist' For Wanting Immigration Laws Enforced
Waters says Trump is ‘dog whistling’ to bigots
Democrat moon-bat Maxine Waters was paraded out on MSNBC programming yet again Sunday, where she outright called the President a ‘racist’ and again suggested that there is evidence of collusion with Russia, which could lead to impeachment.
Appearing on MSNBC’s “AM Joy,” Waters was presented with a clip of Trump from his 100 day rally, during which the president lamented a “surge” in illegal immigration, and noted that the government had failed to properly enforce immigration laws.
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Democrat moon-bat Maxine Waters was paraded out on MSNBC programming yet again Sunday, where she outright called the President a ‘racist’ and again suggested that there is evidence of collusion with Russia, which could lead to impeachment.
Appearing on MSNBC’s “AM Joy,” Waters was presented with a clip of Trump from his 100 day rally, during which the president lamented a “surge” in illegal immigration, and noted that the government had failed to properly enforce immigration laws.
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Welcome To The Corporatocracy
The interests of Washington and large corporations have merged so completely they are now inseparable.
America’s large corporations and its government have merged. Or was it an acquisition? If the latter, who acquired whom? Unfortunately, the labels affixed to purely corporate combinations lose their analytical usefulness here. While the two retain their own distinct legal structures and managements, so to speak, such a close community of interest has evolved that it’s no longer possible to separate them or delineate their individual contours. Political labels are no help; the ones most often used have become hopelessly imprecise. The Wikipedia definition of “fascism” is over 8,000 words, with 43 notes and 16 references.
However, the conjoined blob is so big, rapacious, and intrusive that akin to Justice Potter Stewart’s famous non-definition of obscenity, everybody knows it when they see or otherwise come into contact with it. This article will use the term “corporatocracy.” It’s less letters, dashes, and words to type than “the corporate-government-combination.” No serviceable understanding of either US history or current events is possible without close study of the corporatocracy. Unfortunately, such study, like entomology or cleaning septic tanks, requires a stout constitution. But take heart, entomologists grow to love their creepy crawly things, and septic tank cleaners say that after a few minutes you don’t even notice the smell.
More
America’s large corporations and its government have merged. Or was it an acquisition? If the latter, who acquired whom? Unfortunately, the labels affixed to purely corporate combinations lose their analytical usefulness here. While the two retain their own distinct legal structures and managements, so to speak, such a close community of interest has evolved that it’s no longer possible to separate them or delineate their individual contours. Political labels are no help; the ones most often used have become hopelessly imprecise. The Wikipedia definition of “fascism” is over 8,000 words, with 43 notes and 16 references.
However, the conjoined blob is so big, rapacious, and intrusive that akin to Justice Potter Stewart’s famous non-definition of obscenity, everybody knows it when they see or otherwise come into contact with it. This article will use the term “corporatocracy.” It’s less letters, dashes, and words to type than “the corporate-government-combination.” No serviceable understanding of either US history or current events is possible without close study of the corporatocracy. Unfortunately, such study, like entomology or cleaning septic tanks, requires a stout constitution. But take heart, entomologists grow to love their creepy crawly things, and septic tank cleaners say that after a few minutes you don’t even notice the smell.
More
Ag Secretary Perdue Moves to Make School Meals Great Again
LEESBURG, VA, May 1, 2017 - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide greater flexibility in nutrition requirements for school meal programs in order to make food choices both healthful and appealing to students. Perdue made the announcement during a visit to Catoctin Elementary School in Leesburg, Virginia to mark School Nutrition Employee Week. Perdue signed a proclamation which begins the process of restoring local control of guidelines on whole grains, sodium, and milk. Perdue was joined by Sen. Pat Roberts (KS), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and Patricia Montague, CEO of the School Nutrition Association.
“This announcement is the result of years of feedback from students, schools, and food service experts about the challenges they are facing in meeting the final regulations for school meals,” Perdue said. “If kids aren't eating the food, and it’s ending up in the trash, they aren't getting any nutrition – thus undermining the intent of the program.”
"I commend Secretary Perdue for taking this important step,” said Montague. “We have been wanting flexibility so that schools can serve meals that are both nutritious and palatable. We don't want kids wasting their meals by throwing them away. Some of our schools are actually using that food waste as compost. That shouldn't be happening."
Why Democrats Are Delighted With The Republican Spending Bill
Why were Democrats unable to hide their enthusiasm for the latest Omnibus spending bill proposed by House Republicans? Simple: because, as the Washington Examiner's Philip Klein writes, "Dems basically got everything. It's like they control House, Senate, & WH rather than the other way around."
Some big picture details:
Deal totals just over $1 trillion
Deal allows for an increase of $12.5bn in defense spending, which is 18bn less than Trump requested. However, if Trump makes strides with Isis, an addition 2.5bn will be made available.
Includes permanent fix to fund coal miners' health care instead of a temporary extension.
Democrats win: There will be no wall funding; instead Trump will get $1.5bn in border security funds, which is half the original request; it will be used to support existing infrastructure.
Democrats win again: Puerto Rico will receive an emergency injection for Medicaid health insurance supports
Democrats win again2: Planned Parenthood, a key issue for Democrats, will be saved from cuts, while the National Institute of Health will see a $2bn hike in funding.
Democrats win again3: Cuts in the Environmental Protection Agency appear avoided for the remainder of the year.
Democrats win again4: The omnibus funds California high speed rail
Additionally as Bloomberg adds, "Republicans failed to get a number of conservative provisions in the bill, including one that would have blocked the Labor Department’s fiduciary rule limiting financial advice to retirees."
Also snuck inbetween the cracks there’s also a new $100 million fund to counter Russian influence in Europe.
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Dems basically got everything. It's like they control House, Senate, & WH rather than the other way around.twitter.com/RMConservative…
Deal totals just over $1 trillion
Deal allows for an increase of $12.5bn in defense spending, which is 18bn less than Trump requested. However, if Trump makes strides with Isis, an addition 2.5bn will be made available.
Includes permanent fix to fund coal miners' health care instead of a temporary extension.
Democrats win: There will be no wall funding; instead Trump will get $1.5bn in border security funds, which is half the original request; it will be used to support existing infrastructure.
Democrats win again: Puerto Rico will receive an emergency injection for Medicaid health insurance supports
Democrats win again2: Planned Parenthood, a key issue for Democrats, will be saved from cuts, while the National Institute of Health will see a $2bn hike in funding.
Democrats win again3: Cuts in the Environmental Protection Agency appear avoided for the remainder of the year.
Democrats win again4: The omnibus funds California high speed rail
Additionally as Bloomberg adds, "Republicans failed to get a number of conservative provisions in the bill, including one that would have blocked the Labor Department’s fiduciary rule limiting financial advice to retirees."
Also snuck inbetween the cracks there’s also a new $100 million fund to counter Russian influence in Europe.
More
How Hungary Managed To Erase Illegal Immigration
When other countries welcomed refugees with open arms, Hungary decided it was time to eradicate illegal immigration at any cost.
The country succeeded, but that success damaged relations with the European Union in the process.
Hungary’s second border fence has just been completed in the southern town of Asotthalom. The 96-mile long, 14 ft. tall double-line of defense doesn’t look too intimidating from a distance. Go a little closer and you’ll notice several layers of razor-wire capable of delivering electric shocks, cameras, heat sensors and loud speakers ready to tell migrants they’re about to break Hungarian law if they as much as touch the fence.
Add a few hundred military officers and “border hunters” and it’s virtually impossible to break.
Almost every police officer in the country is part of a rotation to make sure the grounds are covered at all times. Temporary military bases have been set up by the border to house them while they do their rotation.
More here
The country succeeded, but that success damaged relations with the European Union in the process.
Hungary’s second border fence has just been completed in the southern town of Asotthalom. The 96-mile long, 14 ft. tall double-line of defense doesn’t look too intimidating from a distance. Go a little closer and you’ll notice several layers of razor-wire capable of delivering electric shocks, cameras, heat sensors and loud speakers ready to tell migrants they’re about to break Hungarian law if they as much as touch the fence.
Add a few hundred military officers and “border hunters” and it’s virtually impossible to break.
Almost every police officer in the country is part of a rotation to make sure the grounds are covered at all times. Temporary military bases have been set up by the border to house them while they do their rotation.
More here
Berlin Advances To Next Round In National Contest Worth $25,000
Berlin has been named one of 25 quarterfinalists in the Independent We Stand America’s Main Streets contest. The 10 quarterfinalists that receive the most online votes between now and May 28 will be considered by a panel of judges in the final phase of the contest.
“There were 242 nominees so the fact that we made it to the top 25 is pretty outstanding,” said Ivy Wells, the town’s economic development director.
Wells is encouraging Berlin’s supporters to continue to vote for the town daily in the online contest. To vote, visit www.iloveberlinmd.com. Wells is thrilled with the support the town has received so far and hopes it will continue. She says residents can expect a celebration if the town wins the grand prize.
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Drinking coffee basically keeps you alive
Three strong cups of coffee a day slashes the risk of prostate cancer by half, a study revealed this week.
And that’s only one of its benefits.
Reduces risk of heart disease
Three to four cups daily cuts the risk of heart disease, a Portuguese study found.
In the US, Harvard researchers found that low consumption of coffee and deaths from heart-related illnesses are linked.
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And that’s only one of its benefits.
Prevents high cholesterol
Coffee helps prevent clogging of the arteries, according to a study in the British Medical Journal.
And a US team found women drinking a cup a day can slash the risk of stroke by up to 25 percent.
Coffee helps prevent clogging of the arteries, according to a study in the British Medical Journal.
And a US team found women drinking a cup a day can slash the risk of stroke by up to 25 percent.
Reduces risk of heart disease
Three to four cups daily cuts the risk of heart disease, a Portuguese study found.
In the US, Harvard researchers found that low consumption of coffee and deaths from heart-related illnesses are linked.
More
Applications now being Accepted for Fisheries Advisory Commissions
The Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission (recreational fisheries) and Tidal Fisheries Advisory Commission (commercial fisheries) have membership seats expiring June 30, 2017, and they need to be filled.
The commissions advise the Director of Fishing and Boating Services on all matters brought to the commissions.
Membership is comprised of individuals from across the state that represent the interests of various fisheries-related constituencies and stakeholders. All commission meetings are held at the Tawes State Office Building in Annapolis, Maryland.
If you or someone you know is interested in applying for a vacant seat, please apply online. Here is a link to the application: govapps.md.gov/appointments/apply/.
Please apply by May 15 for consideration.
If you have any additional questions, please contact Paul Genovese at your earliest convenience.
The commissions advise the Director of Fishing and Boating Services on all matters brought to the commissions.
Membership is comprised of individuals from across the state that represent the interests of various fisheries-related constituencies and stakeholders. All commission meetings are held at the Tawes State Office Building in Annapolis, Maryland.
If you or someone you know is interested in applying for a vacant seat, please apply online. Here is a link to the application: govapps.md.gov/appointments/apply/.
Please apply by May 15 for consideration.
If you have any additional questions, please contact Paul Genovese at your earliest convenience.
How Cool Is This...
45% Of Americans Spend Up To Half Their Income Repaying Credit Card Debts
On several occasions we've pointed out that the baby boomer generation is, to put it mildly, ill-prepared for retirement. In fact, over 50% of baby boomers have basically no savings set aside for retirement at all. Now, a new survey from Northwestern Mutual helps to shed some light on why Americans are completely incapable of saving money.
First, roughly 50% of Americans have debt balances, excluding mortgages mind you, of over $25,000, with the average person owing over $37,000, versus a median personal income of just over $30,000.
Therefore, it's not difficult to believe, as Northwestern Mutual points out, that 45% of Americans spend up to half of their monthly take home pay on debt service alone....which, again, excludes mortgage debt.
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First, roughly 50% of Americans have debt balances, excluding mortgages mind you, of over $25,000, with the average person owing over $37,000, versus a median personal income of just over $30,000.
Therefore, it's not difficult to believe, as Northwestern Mutual points out, that 45% of Americans spend up to half of their monthly take home pay on debt service alone....which, again, excludes mortgage debt.
More/Video
University of Maryland grad student restores movement to mice crippled with multiple sclerosis
With a tiny needle, the doctoral student at the University of Maryland, College Park injected the mice with a dose of time-released medicine. Two weeks later the mice were scampering around their cages.
"They were able to stand up on their hind legs," Tostanoski said. "We reversed the paralysis."
The treatment, a complex combination of immunology and engineering, earned Tostanoski, 26, a prestigious Lemelson-MIT Student Prize, awarded to her and eight other students and teams earlier this month. The prize for the most promising young inventors in America awards her $15,000 for her medical invention to reverse symptoms of debilitating autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Her novel approach has shown promise for developing treatments in an area that has long eluded researchers.
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Jim Jordan: Conservatives Won't Back Spending Bill
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, a founding member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, ripped into the new government spending bill and said he expects a lot of conservatives to be against it.
"Look, money goes to Planned Parenthood," Jordan told CNN's "New Day" program on Monday. "Money continues to go to sanctuary cities. But no money for the border wall. I think you're going to see conservatives be against this plan this week.
"Why did we last fall do a short-term spending bill if we weren't going to actually fight for the things we told the voters we were going to fight for?" he said.
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"Look, money goes to Planned Parenthood," Jordan told CNN's "New Day" program on Monday. "Money continues to go to sanctuary cities. But no money for the border wall. I think you're going to see conservatives be against this plan this week.
"Why did we last fall do a short-term spending bill if we weren't going to actually fight for the things we told the voters we were going to fight for?" he said.
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Mayor Asking FBI For Help With Investigating City Crime, Rising Murder Rate
The mayor pulled no punches earlier this week when she said the murder rate is out of control. She wants to bring in the FBI to the city, but will it make a difference? Some people are skeptical of that.
Violence in Baltimore has reached a crisis level, with the number of killings shattering a 20-year high this early in the year, Baltimore’s mayor was blunt.
“I’m calling on all the assistance we can possibly get because I can’t imagine going into our summer months with our crime rate where it is today, what that’s going to look like by the end of the summer,” says Mayor Catherine Pugh.
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Violence in Baltimore has reached a crisis level, with the number of killings shattering a 20-year high this early in the year, Baltimore’s mayor was blunt.
“I’m calling on all the assistance we can possibly get because I can’t imagine going into our summer months with our crime rate where it is today, what that’s going to look like by the end of the summer,” says Mayor Catherine Pugh.
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Austria Seeks to Tax Google Searches
Austria is seeking ways to make digital services like Alphabet Inc.’s Google or Facebook Inc. pay taxes for transactions with the nation’s internet users including internet searches, reports Bloomberg.
The Social Democrats’ plan has two other elements targeted at internet companies: It would extend the Austrian tax on advertising revenue to digital formats, and it would tax purely digital services that are acquired by Austrian customers from companies with no physical presence in the country.
“We need a new approach to make sure that taxes are paid where revenue and profit is made,” Andreas Schieder, the parliamentary head of Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern’s Social Democrats said.
The Social Democrats’ plan has two other elements targeted at internet companies: It would extend the Austrian tax on advertising revenue to digital formats, and it would tax purely digital services that are acquired by Austrian customers from companies with no physical presence in the country.
“We need a new approach to make sure that taxes are paid where revenue and profit is made,” Andreas Schieder, the parliamentary head of Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern’s Social Democrats said.
Former Gov. McDonnell: 'I Wouldn't Take Any Gifts' If I Could Do It Over
The former Virginia governor who accepted $177,000 from a local businessman in personal loans and expensive gifts in exchange for political favors said in a "60 Minutes" interview that aired Sunday that he would take it all back if he could.
Bob McDonnell appeared on the CBS show three years after he and his wife, Maureen, were indicted on corruption charges. He was found guilty but fought the case all the way to the Supreme Court, where his conviction was overturned because "setting up a meeting" or "hosting an event" for Jonnie Williams, the businessman, did not constitute a crime.
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Bob McDonnell appeared on the CBS show three years after he and his wife, Maureen, were indicted on corruption charges. He was found guilty but fought the case all the way to the Supreme Court, where his conviction was overturned because "setting up a meeting" or "hosting an event" for Jonnie Williams, the businessman, did not constitute a crime.
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Biden: I'm Not Running in 2020
Former Vice President Joe Biden will not run for president in 2020, he said Sunday during a speech in New Hampshire.
Biden made his comments the same day a Politico report said he and his staff had been strategizing on how to best get his campaign off the ground if he does decide to give it another shot. Biden sought the Democratic nomination in 1988 and 2008.
He supported Hillary Clinton in 2016, and Sunday at the state Democratic Party dinner backed her again, thanking crowdgoers for voting for her.
"She would have made a great president," he said.
Biden also took a shot at President Donald Trump while addressing the effect he's had on the United States since taking office, stating "This bile sucked up all the oxygen."
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Biden made his comments the same day a Politico report said he and his staff had been strategizing on how to best get his campaign off the ground if he does decide to give it another shot. Biden sought the Democratic nomination in 1988 and 2008.
He supported Hillary Clinton in 2016, and Sunday at the state Democratic Party dinner backed her again, thanking crowdgoers for voting for her.
"She would have made a great president," he said.
Biden also took a shot at President Donald Trump while addressing the effect he's had on the United States since taking office, stating "This bile sucked up all the oxygen."
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BRIDGE PROJECT ON SCHEDULE; SALISBURY BYPASS RETURNS TO FULL CAPACITY NORTH OF US 50 BY LATE MAY
Brief, Full Closure Required May 11 to Initiate Traffic Shift
(May 2, 2017) – With the busy summer travel season just around the corner, the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will be shifting the US 13/US 50 (Salisbury Bypass) traffic back to the regular two-lane, two-way configuration beginning May 10. The shift will occur in two stages:
A) During the overnight hours of May 10-11 SHA will remove the bidirectional traffic pattern north of US 50 (Ocean Gateway). The resulting pattern will be one lane in each direction on the inner and outer Bypass loops. This work will require a full closure of the Salisbury Bypass Thursday morning, May 11, from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. All northbound traffic must exit the Bypass at MD 12 (Snow Hill Road) and southbound traffic must exit at US 50. Motorists should plan alternate routes for travel during these hours.
B) Crews will then complete median work and shift traffic back to the regular pattern, two lanes in each direction, no later than Wednesday, May 24, weather permitting.
The bidirectional pattern south of US 50 will remain in place through early summer for completion of bridge repairs at MD 350 (Mount Hermon Road) and Parker Pond. Motorists are encouraged to plan extra travel time during construction.
Click here for information about the overall $28 million project to rehabilitate 11 bridges on the Salisbury Bypass. The entire project will be completed by summer 2018.
Stay alert and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers. Slow down and don’t follow too closely. Work Zone Safety is in Your Hands. Maryland drivers can also know before they go by calling 511 or visiting www.md511.org for live traffic updates, including construction delays and lane closures.
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Pope Urges US, North Korea to Avert Devastating War
Pope Francis said on Saturday a third country, such as Norway, should try to mediate the dispute between North Korea and Washington, to cool a situation that had become "too hot" and posed the risk of nuclear devastation.
Francis said he believed "a good part of humanity" would be destroyed in any widespread war.
Speaking to reporters aboard the plane taking him back from Cairo, Francis also said he was ready to meet U.S. President Donald Trump when he is in Europe next month but that he was not aware that Washington had made a request for a meeting.
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Francis said he believed "a good part of humanity" would be destroyed in any widespread war.
Speaking to reporters aboard the plane taking him back from Cairo, Francis also said he was ready to meet U.S. President Donald Trump when he is in Europe next month but that he was not aware that Washington had made a request for a meeting.
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Breaking News: The Writers Guild of America and Hollywood studios have agreed on a new contract in last-second talks, averting a strike
Hollywood writers reached a tentative deal for a new three-year contract with television and movie studios early Tuesday, averting a strike in dramatic overtime negotiations.
More States Adopt ‘Click It or Ticket’ Laws; Do They Work?
In his 28 years with the Utah Highway Patrol, Lt. Lee Perry has seen a lot of carnage from crashes in which motorists weren’t wearing seat belts. One crash in 2013 really struck home: He arrived at a scene where two teen passengers in a truck had been ejected in a rollover and discovered one was the son of a family friend. Both teens died.
Perry, who is also a state representative, later met with the mothers of the two teens, who urged him to take action. He did. He sponsored a bill that would let police stop a car and ticket people solely for not wearing a seat belt — a move designed to act as a deterrent to scofflaws by increasing the chances they could get pulled over and possibly pay a $45 fine.
When his bill became law in 2015, Utah became the 34th state, along with the District of Columbia, to have a “primary seat belt,” or “click it or ticket,” enforcement law.
“I’m hoping this will not only save lives, but it will save tax dollars,” Perry, a Republican, said. “We spend a lot of money on hospital costs, and commerce gets shut down on our highways for long periods of time if we have to block them when there’s a serious accident and someone is ejected. When you start to look at the dollars and cents, it made sense.”
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Perry, who is also a state representative, later met with the mothers of the two teens, who urged him to take action. He did. He sponsored a bill that would let police stop a car and ticket people solely for not wearing a seat belt — a move designed to act as a deterrent to scofflaws by increasing the chances they could get pulled over and possibly pay a $45 fine.
When his bill became law in 2015, Utah became the 34th state, along with the District of Columbia, to have a “primary seat belt,” or “click it or ticket,” enforcement law.
“I’m hoping this will not only save lives, but it will save tax dollars,” Perry, a Republican, said. “We spend a lot of money on hospital costs, and commerce gets shut down on our highways for long periods of time if we have to block them when there’s a serious accident and someone is ejected. When you start to look at the dollars and cents, it made sense.”
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Climate Change Alarmists Have To Postpone HUGE Rally…Because Of Snow Storm!
A mid-spring snowstorm in Colorado over the weekend was exactly what the Climate Change Protesters were fearing, as they were hoping to push their political agenda further down the path of crazed insanity with a rally to bring awareness to “global warming”, as well as “climate change” and the Trump administration’s policies that seem to be causing chaos all over the world!…But the event had to be postponed until Sunday.
The rally march on Saturday had to be cancelled after weather forecasters expected heavy snowfall and blizzard-like conditions. There was actually only a few inches of snow that fell in the Colorado Springs area, but more than a foot of it fell in other parts all around the state.
“Sometimes Mother Nature throws you a curveball! We know we aren’t in the business of risking anyone’s safety. Dangerous conditions and wet heavy snow in the forecast for tomorrow,” one local climate change organization had to release.
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Utah Brings Back the Firing Squad for Executions
Three convicted murderers will face execution in Utah. All three have chosen firing squad as the method. Utah Governor Gary Herbert brought this method back as a legal means of execution in 2015 after a hiatus of 11 years. The dates for these executions have not yet been set.
As a method of execution, firing squad is one of the older ones in our nation, with hanging being the other. As is the case with other means of carrying out the death penalty, such as lethal injection or electric chair, there is a protocol to be followed. In the case of the firing squad, each person who participates in firing a weapon at the execution must complete three rehearsals, be a licensed law enforcement official and pass a firearms proficiency test.
The three condemned individuals who have selected firing squad in Utah are cold blooded killers. They are Taberon Dave Honie, Troy Michael Kell, and Ralph Leroy Menzies. They are all guilty of murder, with Honie also guilty of raping the mother of his ex-girlfriend in front of her grandchildren. Justice can’t come soon enough for evil human beings like these.
Capital punishment is exactly what it says; punishment. It is punishment for crimes so heinous that only death is an appropriate sentence. If an individual wants to avoid the death penalty then he should refrain from killing people. There is no sympathy for a person who chooses to take the life of another. And for justice to be served, his life will be required of him.
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As a method of execution, firing squad is one of the older ones in our nation, with hanging being the other. As is the case with other means of carrying out the death penalty, such as lethal injection or electric chair, there is a protocol to be followed. In the case of the firing squad, each person who participates in firing a weapon at the execution must complete three rehearsals, be a licensed law enforcement official and pass a firearms proficiency test.
The three condemned individuals who have selected firing squad in Utah are cold blooded killers. They are Taberon Dave Honie, Troy Michael Kell, and Ralph Leroy Menzies. They are all guilty of murder, with Honie also guilty of raping the mother of his ex-girlfriend in front of her grandchildren. Justice can’t come soon enough for evil human beings like these.
Capital punishment is exactly what it says; punishment. It is punishment for crimes so heinous that only death is an appropriate sentence. If an individual wants to avoid the death penalty then he should refrain from killing people. There is no sympathy for a person who chooses to take the life of another. And for justice to be served, his life will be required of him.
More
Boston Globe made huge mistake Tweeting this, then bigger mistake right after
Then the Boston Globe deleted the Tweet, which made them look even worse because then the entire Internet mocked them for it. Either leave your story posted and let the world have their way with it, or don’t post it at all. Some people are wondering if they were hacked, the editor was intoxicated, or they simply made a really stupid decision. Either way, the Internet ROASTED them really bad for it. The Tweets below make a bad tweet turn into a hilarious goldmine of laughs.
White supremacy and doing things in the picture below are not something that should ever be normalized. That would be the equivalent of saying it’s OK for Black Lives Matter to gather in neighborhoods and loot stores. None of that behavior is acceptable and should not ever be normalized as if it’s an everyday part of people’s lives that is acceptable. You don’t have to tolerate or enjoy the company of everyone, but burning crosses like the KKK or burning down stores like BLM should be things you try to avoid.
And maybe someone should relay that information to whomever posted this for the Boston Globe.
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College students petition to have “clapping” and “cheering” BANNED because…
When the liberals go off on the rails with their nonsense, especially the college aged wombats, this is the type of hilarious things they come up with. Delegates from the The National Union of Students seriously tried to suggest that anyone who whoops, cheers, or claps should get in trouble because it excludes deaf people.
Let that sink in for a few moments.
When I grew up, there wasn’t any deaf students at any of my schools. Therefore, under this hilarious law, my entire school life growing up would’ve had no cheers for anything, even though no one would’ve been affected.
Delegates are suggesting that people use “jazz hands” instead of making noise. Can you imagine a college football stadium with xx,xxx people all going like this:
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Let that sink in for a few moments.
When I grew up, there wasn’t any deaf students at any of my schools. Therefore, under this hilarious law, my entire school life growing up would’ve had no cheers for anything, even though no one would’ve been affected.
Delegates are suggesting that people use “jazz hands” instead of making noise. Can you imagine a college football stadium with xx,xxx people all going like this:
More
“FREE & FAIR ELECTIONS” INITIATIVE WOULD BAN CORPORATE DOLLARS IN LOCAL ELECTIONS
Youngstown residents propose law to prohibit outside campaign spending
“It’s time to take back our democracy”
YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO: Frustrated by the influence of outside money on local elections, community members in Youngstown are kicking off their petition campaign for a “free and fair elections” law. The measure – known as the Peoples’ Bill of Rights for Fair Elections and Access to Local Government – prohibits campaign contributions from outside individuals and corporations. Specifically:
“Corporations, labor unions, political action committees, political parties, and all other campaign funding entities shall be prohibited from donating to local candidate and issue campaigns or spending money to influence the outcome of any ballot measure or candidate, as those contributions unfairly influence electoral outcomes and undermine the peoples’ right to fair elections.”
In addition, the proposed law – which applies to both candidate and ballot measure campaigns – would establish contribution limits.
The measure was drafted by community members with assistance from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund(CELDF).
The proposed law follows a national election in which corporate and deep-pocketed donors spent millions of dollars to influence voters in the swing-state of Ohio. As well, it comes after years in which Youngstown residents have been outspent 50-to-1 by the oil and gas industry and their allies. Those corporate interests successfully sought to influence voters to vote against local fracking bans.
“It’s time to take back our democracy”
YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO: Frustrated by the influence of outside money on local elections, community members in Youngstown are kicking off their petition campaign for a “free and fair elections” law. The measure – known as the Peoples’ Bill of Rights for Fair Elections and Access to Local Government – prohibits campaign contributions from outside individuals and corporations. Specifically:
“Corporations, labor unions, political action committees, political parties, and all other campaign funding entities shall be prohibited from donating to local candidate and issue campaigns or spending money to influence the outcome of any ballot measure or candidate, as those contributions unfairly influence electoral outcomes and undermine the peoples’ right to fair elections.”
In addition, the proposed law – which applies to both candidate and ballot measure campaigns – would establish contribution limits.
The measure was drafted by community members with assistance from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund(CELDF).
The proposed law follows a national election in which corporate and deep-pocketed donors spent millions of dollars to influence voters in the swing-state of Ohio. As well, it comes after years in which Youngstown residents have been outspent 50-to-1 by the oil and gas industry and their allies. Those corporate interests successfully sought to influence voters to vote against local fracking bans.
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