A senior House Democrat said Thursday that it’s time for House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and two top lieutenants to prepare to step down and make way for the next generation of lawmakers in her caucus.
The comments by Rep. Linda T. Sánchez (Calif.), who as vice chairman of the House Democratic Caucus ranks fifth in the 194-member body, are the most explicit by a senior congressional Democrat and a member of the California congressional delegation about Pelosi’s political future.
Pelosi, 77, has served in Congress since 1987 and has led House Democrats for 14 years. She served as House speaker from 2007 to 2011 and has remained as minority leader since Democrats lost control of the chamber. In recent weeks she has emerged as an unlikely partner of President Trump in negotiations over spending bills and the future of immigration policy.
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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Friday, October 06, 2017
Jealous chimp named Romeo BEATS UP zookeeper because he thought he was flirting with a female chimp named Juliet
Romeo flew into a rage after his partner Juliet tried to kiss keeper Sergey through a glass window in their cage in Ukraine
A JEALOUS chimp called Romeo beat up a zookeeper and chewed off his ear because he thought the man was flirting with his partner Juliet.
Romeo flew into a rage when his female mate tried to kiss zookeeper Sergey through a glass window in their cage at the Feldman Eco Park zoo in Lisne, Ukraine.
The chimp started pummelling Juliet and when Sergey stepped in to try and break them up, Romeo turned on him, biting off his fingers and part of his ear.
He also gave the horrified zookeeper a black eye.
A JEALOUS chimp called Romeo beat up a zookeeper and chewed off his ear because he thought the man was flirting with his partner Juliet.
Romeo flew into a rage when his female mate tried to kiss zookeeper Sergey through a glass window in their cage at the Feldman Eco Park zoo in Lisne, Ukraine.
The chimp started pummelling Juliet and when Sergey stepped in to try and break them up, Romeo turned on him, biting off his fingers and part of his ear.
He also gave the horrified zookeeper a black eye.
Fortunately, Sergey escaped and was rushed to hospital where he underwent surgery for his injuries.
Hospital spokesman Andriy Kozachenko told local media: “The man's right ear and fingers on his left hand had been chewed and some parts of his ear and fingers are missing as they were bitten off.
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Hospital spokesman Andriy Kozachenko told local media: “The man's right ear and fingers on his left hand had been chewed and some parts of his ear and fingers are missing as they were bitten off.
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US Cannot Shoot Down DPRK Missiles: Global Defense Experts
The US State Department stated on Friday that the country’s military defense networks will shoot down a North Korean ballistic missile if it flies over the island territory of Guam, but experts in the field have claimed that the Pentagon is flat-out wrong.
In stating that the US will destroy a Pyongyang ballistic missile carrying a nuclear warhead in mid-air, the Pentagon is not only misleading the public and its own government, it is outright lying, according to military experts with deep knowledge of missile-defense technology.
"No, we won't," counter military experts to claims by the Pentagon that the US may launch and intercept any missiles launched by the People's Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK).
The United States will have a hard time trying to shoot down DPRK nuclear missiles, a point of view shared by Joe Cirincione, president of Ploughshares Fund, a global security foundation specializing in nuclear weapons, and Kingston Reif, director of Disarmament and Threat Reduction policy at the nonpartisan Arms Control Association.
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In stating that the US will destroy a Pyongyang ballistic missile carrying a nuclear warhead in mid-air, the Pentagon is not only misleading the public and its own government, it is outright lying, according to military experts with deep knowledge of missile-defense technology.
"No, we won't," counter military experts to claims by the Pentagon that the US may launch and intercept any missiles launched by the People's Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK).
The United States will have a hard time trying to shoot down DPRK nuclear missiles, a point of view shared by Joe Cirincione, president of Ploughshares Fund, a global security foundation specializing in nuclear weapons, and Kingston Reif, director of Disarmament and Threat Reduction policy at the nonpartisan Arms Control Association.
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Political Correctness Is the Enemy of Truth
Honesty is always the best policy, whether it be in the university or workplace. But as everyone who has ever lived can attest to, honesty does not always come easily. Especially when a favored political or social policy is at stake. During the cultural revolution of the 1960s, many traditions and social mores were questioned — some rightly and some wrongly. One of those cultural mores was the West’s understanding of proper sexual boundaries. In America, prior to the upheaval of the 1960s, the vast majority of Americans held to views on sex (both sexuality and gender) that have essentially been turned on their head today.
Much of the nation views premarital sex as the norm. Abortion, while remaining a contentious issue, has been the law of the land since 1973. Homosexuality gradually became an accepted practice by much of the mainstream culture leading eventually to the Supreme Court redefining marriage. There’s also pornography and its continuing impact upon Americans. And now Americans are witnessing the steady march of the transgender crusade. The Left views all of this as progress, a maturing of the nation’s culture as it were. What they conveniently seek to ignore are the devastating consequences these culture changes have created. And if they can’t ignore them, they seek to suppress their significance or deny their root cause.
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Violent Crime Rising — The 'Ferguson Effect'
Police, under criticism for being "racist," are backing off enforcement — and the result is predictable.
According to Pew Research crime data, the rate of violent crime dropped almost 50% in the decade up to 2015. At the same time, the rate of firearm sales and ownership has steadily increased. Thus, as research by former Yale professor John Lott concludes, “More Guns, Less Crime.”
Notably, however, the latest FBI crime stats indicate that violent crime in 2015 and 2016 is trending upward, due in large measure to the “Ferguson Effect,” a correlation noted by crime researcher Heather Mac Donald, who authored “Are Cops Racist?”
After the justified shooting of a Ferguson, Missouri, thug, national and local Demo politicians joined Barack Obama’s war on cops, condemning police for “racial profiling.”
Mac Donald explains, “Cops are backing off of proactive policing in high-crime minority neighborhoods, and criminals are becoming emboldened. Having been told incessantly by politicians, the media, and Black Lives Matter activists that they are bigoted for getting out of their cars and questioning someone loitering on a known drug corner at 2 AM, many officers are instead just driving by.”
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According to Pew Research crime data, the rate of violent crime dropped almost 50% in the decade up to 2015. At the same time, the rate of firearm sales and ownership has steadily increased. Thus, as research by former Yale professor John Lott concludes, “More Guns, Less Crime.”
Notably, however, the latest FBI crime stats indicate that violent crime in 2015 and 2016 is trending upward, due in large measure to the “Ferguson Effect,” a correlation noted by crime researcher Heather Mac Donald, who authored “Are Cops Racist?”
After the justified shooting of a Ferguson, Missouri, thug, national and local Demo politicians joined Barack Obama’s war on cops, condemning police for “racial profiling.”
Mac Donald explains, “Cops are backing off of proactive policing in high-crime minority neighborhoods, and criminals are becoming emboldened. Having been told incessantly by politicians, the media, and Black Lives Matter activists that they are bigoted for getting out of their cars and questioning someone loitering on a known drug corner at 2 AM, many officers are instead just driving by.”
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The President Is Right
Some may confess to the need for smelling salts subsequent to discovering thatDonald Trump has spoken the plain, unvarnished truth about the Las Vegasmassacre.
The truth he spoke is one the world needs to receive with gratitude, in spite of the engrained disposition to treat Trumpian declarations as stink bombs.
"It was an act of pure evil," Trump said of the massacre. Bull's-eye, Mr. President!
The E-word, then -- "evil." We are not unacquainted with it in our rancorous age. We rarely, nonetheless, hear it applied in the context to which it properly belongs: wherein man is a great deal less than the measure of all things; and worthy aspirations crash, while bad ones flourish; and hatred tries to stamp out love; and the talking snake of Eden blinks a satisfied eye.
Not to see the world as a place of contention between evil on the one hand and good on the other hand is not to see the world. Our ancestors saw it so, but that was a while back -- three centuries or more, before theology lost its hold on the intellect and humanity began claiming for itself the right, as well as the ability, to redefine the terms of human life. Evil, once a lively presence in human affairs, became a handicap certain to vanish as soon as everyone could vote and enjoy three square meals a day.
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The truth he spoke is one the world needs to receive with gratitude, in spite of the engrained disposition to treat Trumpian declarations as stink bombs.
"It was an act of pure evil," Trump said of the massacre. Bull's-eye, Mr. President!
The E-word, then -- "evil." We are not unacquainted with it in our rancorous age. We rarely, nonetheless, hear it applied in the context to which it properly belongs: wherein man is a great deal less than the measure of all things; and worthy aspirations crash, while bad ones flourish; and hatred tries to stamp out love; and the talking snake of Eden blinks a satisfied eye.
Not to see the world as a place of contention between evil on the one hand and good on the other hand is not to see the world. Our ancestors saw it so, but that was a while back -- three centuries or more, before theology lost its hold on the intellect and humanity began claiming for itself the right, as well as the ability, to redefine the terms of human life. Evil, once a lively presence in human affairs, became a handicap certain to vanish as soon as everyone could vote and enjoy three square meals a day.
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NFL Veterans Day Weekend
Veteran's Day Week-end
“People are now calling for a complete National Boycott of the NFL for Sunday November 12th, which is Veteran’s Day Weekend. They are calling for a boycott of all football telecast, all fans, all ticket holders, stay away from attending any games, let them play to empty stadiums. Pass this post along to all your friends and family. Honor our military, some of whom come home with the American Flag draped over their coffin..There are plenty of ways, times and places to protest concerning one’s chosen cause, but to do so during a brief special time set aside to honor our nation’s flag and the bravery and lives of our nation’s military heroes, is inappropriate and disrespectful. Of course black lives matter, but so do the precious lives of millions of US soldiers (of all races) who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend and protect our nation’s rights and freedoms….and who most certainly deserve all of our respect. It’s not about Trump, its about all those who bravely and unselfishly serve and who have served our nation. The Star Spangled Banner is presented to honor all of them.”
I sure as heck agree and will be boycotting. How about you? Share if you do.. Spread the word..
Funny way to protest black lives matter by disrespecting all the Black Lives lost in the service of our country!
Seems more like total ignorance!
Was the Las Vegas Gunman's Homicidal Rage Politically Motivated?
The motive of Las Vegas gunman Stephen Paddock remains a mystery four days after he committed the deadliest mass shooting in American history. However, the FBI is following up on a number of theories, FBI special agent Aaron Rouse said during a press briefing in Las Vegas Wednesday night.
Rouse didn't specify exactly what theories were being investigated, but one under consideration by some pundits is that the shooting was politically motivated. Others are convinced that he became radicalized after converting to Islam.
Or perhaps Paddock, the son of a criminal psychopath, was always a ticking time bomb.
Paddock is a tough nut to crack because he kept a very low profile and apparently had no social media accounts. According to Clark County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo, he lived a "secret life" and amassed a large arsenal of weapons and ammunition over several decades.
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Rouse didn't specify exactly what theories were being investigated, but one under consideration by some pundits is that the shooting was politically motivated. Others are convinced that he became radicalized after converting to Islam.
Or perhaps Paddock, the son of a criminal psychopath, was always a ticking time bomb.
Paddock is a tough nut to crack because he kept a very low profile and apparently had no social media accounts. According to Clark County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo, he lived a "secret life" and amassed a large arsenal of weapons and ammunition over several decades.
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Two Inmates On Work Release Escaped Work Details Today
Lawyer For IT Aide Says Dem Congressmen To Blame For Falsified Spending Records
House Democrats ordered the systematic falsification of records showing how they spend their taxpayer-provided office budgets, according to lawyers for two former House information technology (IT) aides.
It’s a remarkable accusation that pits sitting lawmakers against the former aides, Imran Awan, his brothers Abid and Jamal, and his wife Hina Alvi. Imran was arrested in July while trying to board a flight to Pakistan, and then indicted on four counts of bank fraud involving moving money to that country. Imran and Hina, who was also indicted, face a court date Friday.
One of Imran’s lawyers, Aaron Page, acknowledged the invoicing discrepancy Aug. 21, telling The Daily Caller News Foundation, “This is just how things have been done for forever. This is what experienced members of Congress expect: to expedite things, they adjust the pricing.”
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It’s a remarkable accusation that pits sitting lawmakers against the former aides, Imran Awan, his brothers Abid and Jamal, and his wife Hina Alvi. Imran was arrested in July while trying to board a flight to Pakistan, and then indicted on four counts of bank fraud involving moving money to that country. Imran and Hina, who was also indicted, face a court date Friday.
One of Imran’s lawyers, Aaron Page, acknowledged the invoicing discrepancy Aug. 21, telling The Daily Caller News Foundation, “This is just how things have been done for forever. This is what experienced members of Congress expect: to expedite things, they adjust the pricing.”
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Famous Author: ‘There Is No Such Thing as Atheism’
You Are Here
In today’s secular America, it feels like atheism (the lack of belief in a divine being) is extremely prevalent.But you may be surprised to learn that, according to the most recent surveyconducted by the Pew Research Center, only about 3% of Americans actually identify as atheist.
That said, there are many more Americans who could perhaps be termed “practical atheists”: though they may profess an intellectual belief in the existence of a divine being, that belief does not really have much of an impact on their lives. In this category might be put the “nones”—those individuals not affiliated with any church or religion—who now make up 20% of the U.S. population, and represent a third of U.S. adults under the age of 30.
Interestingly, however, in a celebrated 2005 commencement address at Kenyon College (see the video below), famed author David Foster Wallace (who himself had a complicated relationship with religion) told those gathered that atheism itself doesn’t really exist:
“In the day-to-day trenches of adult life, there is actually no such thing as atheism. There is no such thing as not worshipping. Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship. And an outstanding reason for choosing some sort of God or spiritual-type thing to worship—be it J.C. or Allah, be it Yahweh or the Wiccan mother-goddess or the Four Noble Truths or some infrangible set of ethical principles—is that pretty much anything else you worship will eat you alive. If you worship money and things—if they are where you tap real meaning in life—then you will never have enough. Never feel you have enough. It’s the truth. Worship your own body and beauty and sexual allure and you will always feel ugly, and when time and age start showing, you will die a million deaths before they finally plant you. On one level, we all know this stuff already—it’s been codified as myths, proverbs, clichés, bromides, epigrams, parables: the skeleton of every great story. The trick is keeping the truth up-front in daily consciousness. Worship power—you will feel weak and afraid, and you will need ever more power over others to keep the fear at bay. Worship your intellect, being seen as smart—you will end up feeling stupid, a fraud, always on the verge of being found out. And so on.”
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BLM Shuts Down ACLU Free Speech Rally Because 'Liberalism Is White Supremacy'
Preparing to speak on "Students and the First Amendment" at William and Mary College, ClaireGastañaga, executive director of the ACLU's Virginia chapter, found herself silenced by Black Lives Matter protestors.
An SJW activist herself, Gastañaga had just started her speech when the protestors marched to the stage. Holding placards, they silently lined up across the front of the auditorium.
One of the initial ironies happened as the protestors marched down the aisle. At that point, Gastañaga said, "Good, I like this. I'm going to talk to you about knowing your rights, and protests and demonstrations, which this illustrates very well. Then I'm going to respond to questions from the moderators, and then questions from the audience."
Black Lives Matter W&M ignored her and broke into a chant of "ACLU, you protect Hitler, too."
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An SJW activist herself, Gastañaga had just started her speech when the protestors marched to the stage. Holding placards, they silently lined up across the front of the auditorium.
One of the initial ironies happened as the protestors marched down the aisle. At that point, Gastañaga said, "Good, I like this. I'm going to talk to you about knowing your rights, and protests and demonstrations, which this illustrates very well. Then I'm going to respond to questions from the moderators, and then questions from the audience."
Black Lives Matter W&M ignored her and broke into a chant of "ACLU, you protect Hitler, too."
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MDOT Fuels Road to Opportunity for Families in Need During Food Drive
MDOT OPERATION ORANGE FOOD DRIVE COLLECTS MORE THAN 35,000 POUNDS OF FOOD DURING HUNGER ACTION MONTH
The Maryland Food Bank in Baltimore welcomed a caravan of vehicles yesterday from the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), packed with 35,818 pounds of food and donations equating to 29,848 meals. The caravan included MDOT vehicles from all transportation business units, including the secretary’s office, State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA), Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA), and Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA), Maryland Aviation Administration (MDOT MAA), Maryland Port Administration (MDOT MPA) and Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA).
Combined with food donations on the Eastern Shore, Southern Maryland and Western Maryland, the caravan carried donations of canned goods, cereals and other needed food items gathered as part of Operation Orange, an annual partnership between MDOT and the Maryland Food Bank each September, Hunger Action Month.
“For six consecutive years, MDOT has helped to donate over 170,000 pounds of food to help to put food on the plates of Maryland families; and we appreciate our customers and all our MDOT team members for their generous donations,” said MDOT Secretary Pete Rahn.
The Maryland Food Bank in Baltimore welcomed a caravan of vehicles yesterday from the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), packed with 35,818 pounds of food and donations equating to 29,848 meals. The caravan included MDOT vehicles from all transportation business units, including the secretary’s office, State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA), Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA), and Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA), Maryland Aviation Administration (MDOT MAA), Maryland Port Administration (MDOT MPA) and Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA).
Combined with food donations on the Eastern Shore, Southern Maryland and Western Maryland, the caravan carried donations of canned goods, cereals and other needed food items gathered as part of Operation Orange, an annual partnership between MDOT and the Maryland Food Bank each September, Hunger Action Month.
“For six consecutive years, MDOT has helped to donate over 170,000 pounds of food to help to put food on the plates of Maryland families; and we appreciate our customers and all our MDOT team members for their generous donations,” said MDOT Secretary Pete Rahn.
Islamic State Newsletter Claims Vegas Shooter Was ‘Solider of the Caliphate’
The latest issue of the Islamic State’s weekly newsletter Nabareportedly includes another claim of responsibility for the Las Vegas shooting, this time with more details of how shooter Stephen Paddock supposedly converted to Islam and became a “soldier of the caliphate.”
The Islamic State made its first claim of responsibility through its news agency, Amaq, on Monday. “The Las Vegas attacker is a soldier of the Islamic State in response to calls to target coalition countries. The Las Vegas attacker converted to Islam a few months ago,” the dispatch from Amaq stated. A similar message with slightly different wording was broadcast soon afterward by Amaq.
A longer official statement from the Islamic State was then posted by another ISIS-linked news service, Nashir News, using a channel on the encrypted Telegram messaging service:
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The Islamic State made its first claim of responsibility through its news agency, Amaq, on Monday. “The Las Vegas attacker is a soldier of the Islamic State in response to calls to target coalition countries. The Las Vegas attacker converted to Islam a few months ago,” the dispatch from Amaq stated. A similar message with slightly different wording was broadcast soon afterward by Amaq.
A longer official statement from the Islamic State was then posted by another ISIS-linked news service, Nashir News, using a channel on the encrypted Telegram messaging service:
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Trump Is Expected to 'Decertify' the Iran Deal and Let Congress Deal With the Fallout
WASHINGTON — President Trump is expected to overrule his top national security advisers and decline to certify the Iran nuclear agreement, according to people who have been briefed on the matter, a decision that would reopen a volatile political debate on Iran but is likely to leave in place the landmark deal negotiated by the Obama administration.
By declining to certify Iran’s compliance, Mr. Trump would essentially kick it to Congress to decide whether to reimpose punitive economic sanctions. Even among Republicans, there appears to be little appetite to do that, at least for now.
Still, Mr. Trump’s expected move would allow him to tell supporters that he had disavowed the accord, while bowing to the reality that the United States would isolate itself from its allies if it sabotaged a deal with which Iran is viewed as complying. Mr. Trump repeatedly ridiculed the accord during the 2016 presidential campaign, vowing to rip it up.
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By declining to certify Iran’s compliance, Mr. Trump would essentially kick it to Congress to decide whether to reimpose punitive economic sanctions. Even among Republicans, there appears to be little appetite to do that, at least for now.
Still, Mr. Trump’s expected move would allow him to tell supporters that he had disavowed the accord, while bowing to the reality that the United States would isolate itself from its allies if it sabotaged a deal with which Iran is viewed as complying. Mr. Trump repeatedly ridiculed the accord during the 2016 presidential campaign, vowing to rip it up.
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NFL players' union teamed up with George Soros to fund leftist advocacy groups
Tax documents show NFLPA activism goes beyond take-a-knee protests
Even before its feud over the national anthem with President Trump, the NFL Players Association wasn’t on the same political team as many of its fans, judging from its contributions to leftist advocacy groups.
Tax documents released by 2ndVote show the NFLPA donated $5,000 in 2015 to the Center for Community Change Action, a group active in the anti-Trump resistance and bankrolled by a host of liberal foundations, including top Democratic donor George Soros’s Foundation for Open Society.
A member of the AFL-CIO, the NFLPA also contributed in 2013 and 2015 to Working America, the AFL-CIO’s community affiliate, which Open Secrets said spent $1 million in 2016 to defeat Trump.
Working America has since mobilized against the Republican tax-cut framework, denouncing it as the “Trump tax scam.”
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Even before its feud over the national anthem with President Trump, the NFL Players Association wasn’t on the same political team as many of its fans, judging from its contributions to leftist advocacy groups.
Tax documents released by 2ndVote show the NFLPA donated $5,000 in 2015 to the Center for Community Change Action, a group active in the anti-Trump resistance and bankrolled by a host of liberal foundations, including top Democratic donor George Soros’s Foundation for Open Society.
A member of the AFL-CIO, the NFLPA also contributed in 2013 and 2015 to Working America, the AFL-CIO’s community affiliate, which Open Secrets said spent $1 million in 2016 to defeat Trump.
Working America has since mobilized against the Republican tax-cut framework, denouncing it as the “Trump tax scam.”
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Heroin Distribution Investigation Leads Ocean City Detectives to Significant Marijuana Operation
The Ocean City Police Department Narcotics Unit and the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team recently executed a search warrant in Bishopville, MD that led detectives to discover a significant marijuana distribution operation.
Earlier this year, detectives began an investigation into a Socrates G. Pikounis, 52, of Bishopville, for suspected heroin distribution in the resort after receiving a tip from a citizen. The investigation led detectives to discover that the suspect’s wife, Brenda L. Pikounis, 54, of Bishopville, was also distributing large amounts of marijuana out of their home.
In August, detectives conducted multiple search warrants at various locations and located over 200 baggies of heroin, over $56,000 in U.S. Currency, over 90 jars of marijuana, thousands of manufactured marijuana products (edibles, cannabis oil, wax, etc.), a handgun, gold coins and silver bars worth thousands of dollars, and several other items used in the sale of illegal substances. Four vehicles were also seized.
On September 25, a Worcester County Grand Jury indicted Socrates and Brenda Pikounis on numerous drug-related charges and issued warrants for their arrest. Socrates Pikounis has been charged with fourteen drug-related charges and two counts of child endangerment. Brenda Pikounis has been charged with ten drug-related charges and two counts of child endangerment.
Earlier this year, detectives began an investigation into a Socrates G. Pikounis, 52, of Bishopville, for suspected heroin distribution in the resort after receiving a tip from a citizen. The investigation led detectives to discover that the suspect’s wife, Brenda L. Pikounis, 54, of Bishopville, was also distributing large amounts of marijuana out of their home.
In August, detectives conducted multiple search warrants at various locations and located over 200 baggies of heroin, over $56,000 in U.S. Currency, over 90 jars of marijuana, thousands of manufactured marijuana products (edibles, cannabis oil, wax, etc.), a handgun, gold coins and silver bars worth thousands of dollars, and several other items used in the sale of illegal substances. Four vehicles were also seized.
On September 25, a Worcester County Grand Jury indicted Socrates and Brenda Pikounis on numerous drug-related charges and issued warrants for their arrest. Socrates Pikounis has been charged with fourteen drug-related charges and two counts of child endangerment. Brenda Pikounis has been charged with ten drug-related charges and two counts of child endangerment.
House Passes Budget Plan to Strengthen U.S. Economy
“After years of out-of-control federal spending, Congress is finally on track to balance our nation’s budget and begin to pay back the debt with which we have saddled our children and grandchildren. The plan passed today will balance the federal budget and achieve $6.5 trillion in total deficit reduction over ten years.
This budget paves the way for Congress to pass its first major tax reform since 1986, which will provide a much-needed stimulus to job growth following the stagnation of our economy under Obama for the last eight years, and allow hard-working Americans to keep more of the money they earn. I commend President Trump, Speaker Ryan, and Chairwoman Black for their leadership throughout this process and for their commitment to strengthening our nation’s economy.”
Who Gives A Crap!
Verizon FiOS dropped WBOC-TV, FOX21 and WBOC Classics from its channel lineup in Sussex and Kent Counties in Delaware. This impacts roughly 18,500 subscribers who pay Verizon to receive the same programming we offer free over the air to those who watch our stations with an antenna.
Goodbye, Subway Seats
Like, maybe a seat?
On Tuesday, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority rolled out redesigned subway cars on the E line, with some of the seats removed.
The agency hopes that up to 10 more people will be able to squeeze into each new car — meaning 80 to 100 extra commuters per train — to helpreduce overcrowding.
In all, 100 cars will lose their seats in the pilot program. The L train and the 42nd Street Shuttle are next in line for the redesign, according to the authority.
Yesterday, we waited at the 34th Street station for a few trains to pass before one of the refurbished models, with its navy blue wrapping, pulled into the station.
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Only In Chicago
Jesse Jackson's Newest Staffer.
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You can't make up stuff better than this!
Mel Reynolds
Jesse Jackson has added former Chicago Congressman
Mel Reynolds to Rainbow/PUSH Coalition's payroll.
Reynolds was among the 176 criminals excused in President Clinton's
last-minute clemency forgiveness spree.
Reynolds received a commutation of his six-and-a-half-year federal sentence for
15 convictions of wire fraud, bank fraud, and lies to the Federal Election Commission.
He is more notorious, however, for concurrently serving five years for sleeping
with an underage campaign volunteer.
This is a first in American politics:
An ex-congressman who had sex with a subordinate...
Then won clemency from a president who had sex with a subordinate...
Then was hired by a clergyman who had sex with a subordinate!
His new job? Ready for this?
YOUTH COUNSELOR
IS THIS A GREAT COUNTRY OR WHAT?
AND THEY ARE RAISING HELL BECAUSE TRUMP PARDONED A MISDEMEANOR FOR ARPAIO
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Michelle Obama: Americans Don’t Trust Politics, Because GOP Is ‘All Men, All White’
Michelle Obama is out screaming about racism yet again. She never gets tired of the lie. Yesterday, she was at the Pennsylvania Conference for Women, where she put forth that when she attended the State of the Union address she noticed the Republican side was “all men, all white,” and that was why she argued many people of color “don’t trust politics.” Now, that is actual racism right there. Of course, she was bloviating on this under the guise of diversity. She said, “We should be working actively to mix it up, so we’re getting a real broad range of perspectives on every issue. Shoot, I would see that in Congress.” What she means is, as a militant black woman, she wants to see all of Congress be black with a severe shortage of white men.
She was far from done, “At the State of the Union address … when you are in the room what you can see is this real dichotomy. It’s a feeling of color almost. On one side of the room is literally gray and white. Literally, that is the color palette on one side of the room. On the other side of the room, there are yellows and blues and whites and greens. Physically, there’s a difference in color, in the tone, because on one side all men, all white, on the other side some woman, some people of color.”
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She was far from done, “At the State of the Union address … when you are in the room what you can see is this real dichotomy. It’s a feeling of color almost. On one side of the room is literally gray and white. Literally, that is the color palette on one side of the room. On the other side of the room, there are yellows and blues and whites and greens. Physically, there’s a difference in color, in the tone, because on one side all men, all white, on the other side some woman, some people of color.”
More/Video
County Council Back $100K Gap Financing Grant
SALISBURY – Officials in Wicomico County have endorsed grant funding in the amount of $100,000 to provide gap financing for various economic development projects.
On Tuesday, the Wicomico County Council approved a request from Salisbury-Wicomico Economic Development (SWED) to accept $100,000 in grant funding from the Maryland Department of Commerce’s Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority and Fund (MEDAAF).
Dave Ryan, executive director of SWED, said the money will be injected into the organization’s revolving economic development loan fund, which provides gap financing for new and expanding businesses in Wicomico County.
While grant funding from MEDAAF is often directed to companies for job creation and retention, Ryan said the money can also assist jurisdictions in setting up or capitalizing revolving loan funds.
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On Tuesday, the Wicomico County Council approved a request from Salisbury-Wicomico Economic Development (SWED) to accept $100,000 in grant funding from the Maryland Department of Commerce’s Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority and Fund (MEDAAF).
Dave Ryan, executive director of SWED, said the money will be injected into the organization’s revolving economic development loan fund, which provides gap financing for new and expanding businesses in Wicomico County.
While grant funding from MEDAAF is often directed to companies for job creation and retention, Ryan said the money can also assist jurisdictions in setting up or capitalizing revolving loan funds.
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Scalise On A Mission! Vegas And My Experience Have ‘Fortified’ My Position On 2nd Amendment
House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) is back from recuperating from being shot by a leftist who tried to take out Republican Freedom Caucus members at a GOP baseball practice over the summer. It’s taken months for him to return… he nearly lost his life. Now, he’s saying his brush with death and the mass shooting in Las Vegas has strengthened his views against gun control. That-a-boy. The cold hard truth is two armed officers protected those GOP members from being slaughtered that day. As for Vegas, the Second Amendment really had nothing to do with it. The shooter had 23 guns in the room with him and explosives in his car and at his homes. One way or another, he would have given the Grim Reaper a run for his money.
Fox News’ Martha MacCallum interviewed Scalise and he stated his views on gun control very succinctly. When asked if his experience and the deadly mass shooting in Las Vegas on Sunday night have changed his views about the Constitution’s Second Amendment, he said, “I think it’s fortified it.” He’s not alone. Scalise’s comments echo those of other congressional Republicans and the White House. He also stated that lawmakers should focus on supporting victims and law enforcement before advocating for a legislative response.
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Fox News’ Martha MacCallum interviewed Scalise and he stated his views on gun control very succinctly. When asked if his experience and the deadly mass shooting in Las Vegas on Sunday night have changed his views about the Constitution’s Second Amendment, he said, “I think it’s fortified it.” He’s not alone. Scalise’s comments echo those of other congressional Republicans and the White House. He also stated that lawmakers should focus on supporting victims and law enforcement before advocating for a legislative response.
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With Motion To Stay Denied This Week, Boardwalk Building’s Fate Hinges On Appeal; Dumser’s Must Vacate By End Of Month
The historic building on the east side of South Division Street has been home to a Dumser’s Dairyland ice cream parlor for decades.
Ownership of the property was called into question last year after a 50-year agreement expired between the town of Ocean City and the heirs of the original owner, Nathan Rapoport, who first built the structure on the east side of the Boardwalk as far back as 1905. After a trial last April, a Worcester County Circuit Court judge this summer issued an opinion ruling in favor of Ocean City. As a result, the Rapoport heirs were enjoined from any use of the property after Oct. 31 and are required to remove or demolish the historic building before the end of the year.
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Tip of an Iceberg Glimpsed in South Florida
Where you have massive government spending, you have massive fraud. Welfare is the last place to look for an exception to this rule. Like the one in a thousand cockroach that ventures out from inside the wall in the daytime and gets stepped on, some welfare grifters actually get caught. A recent crackdown in South Florida involved over $13 million in fraudulent food-stamp transactions:
The 12 charged over four cases are Hasan Saleh, 59, Mohammed Alobaisi, 37, Reynold Francois, 38, Ihab Hassouna, 44, Mohammad Alteen, 33, Maria Jerdana, 36, Joe Ann Baker, 56, Yousef “Joe” Homedan Zahran, 60, Omar Hajje, 43, Jalal Hajyousef, 42, Andy Javier Herrera, 24, and father Javier Herrera, 49.
At least no one can accuse them of not being diverse. One even has an Anglo-American name.
“In this instance, eight small convenience stores in South Florida committed a staggering amount of fraud in a relatively short amount of time,” said Karen Citizen-Wilcox, special agent in charge, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of the Inspector General, in a release.
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Endless Summer Cruisin’ in resort
Ocean City to host four-day event featuring car shows, parades, vendors, auctions
Check out car shows, celebrities, auctions, vendors and parades during Ocean City’s 20th annual Endless Summer Cruisin’ event.
More than 2,300 hot rods, classics, muscle cars, trick trucks and customs will be driven down Coastal Highway this weekend. Vehicles newer than 1976 must have custom modifications or be of special interest.
Festivities began yesterday, Thursday, and will continue through Sunday at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center on 40th Street and downtown at the inlet parking lot.
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Check out car shows, celebrities, auctions, vendors and parades during Ocean City’s 20th annual Endless Summer Cruisin’ event.
More than 2,300 hot rods, classics, muscle cars, trick trucks and customs will be driven down Coastal Highway this weekend. Vehicles newer than 1976 must have custom modifications or be of special interest.
Festivities began yesterday, Thursday, and will continue through Sunday at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center on 40th Street and downtown at the inlet parking lot.
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NEW LOW! Teacher Gets On Social Media – Prays Only “Trumptards” Died In Vegas Shooting
Another sterling example of what a teacher should not be… a dirt bag, radical, political activist full of hate. 59 innocent people got mowed down in Las Vegas and 527 were injured, and the leftists just line up with their hate. So much for love and diversity, which was a pretense anyway. A teacher named Ann took to Twitter to spread the hate and possibly infect her students with it. She didn’t pray for the fallen or for the families of those who were taken too soon or injured in the tragedy… oh no, not Ann. Her only prayer was that only ‘Trumptards’ died in the mass shooting. “Lots of white (President) Trump supporters in Las Vegas at Route 21 watching Jason Aldean. Pray only trumptards died. #PrayForVegas,” she wrote on her Twitter page @TheResistAnnce. How thoughtful… not.
She was unfortunately far from alone. There’s an awful lot of hate out there these days. When I say the overwhelming majority of hate comes from the left, this is a perfect example of just that. Her Twitter account was suddenly pulled, but before it was, her Twitter biography proclaimed this: “Teacher, mother, sister, woman. Orange cheeto needs to go.” And she looked almost human. Go figure. You could almost believe it was a hoax as the account pictured two sweet-looking grandmotherly types and a baby. But evil comes in many packages of all types.
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She was unfortunately far from alone. There’s an awful lot of hate out there these days. When I say the overwhelming majority of hate comes from the left, this is a perfect example of just that. Her Twitter account was suddenly pulled, but before it was, her Twitter biography proclaimed this: “Teacher, mother, sister, woman. Orange cheeto needs to go.” And she looked almost human. Go figure. You could almost believe it was a hoax as the account pictured two sweet-looking grandmotherly types and a baby. But evil comes in many packages of all types.
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Reporter Trying to Get Tucson Police Officer in Trouble for Viral Video on NFL Kneeling
Tucson Police Officer Brandon Tatum has a First Amendment right to free speech. But you wouldn’t know that from the way a reporter has targeted him. On September 24, Tatum made a video monologue expressing his dissatisfaction with the NFL players kneeling during the National Anthem. He did not identify himself as a police officer; he made it purely in his private capacity. The seven minute speech went viral, receiving over 70 million views on Facebook. His message resonated with Americans all across the country who are fed up with the disrespectful athletes.
Arizona Daily Star reporter Tim Steller published an article on Friday questioning whether the video violated TPD’s departmental rules. Titled “Tucson Police Officer Pushes Boundaries With Viral Rants,” he cites TPD’s policy which prohibits officers from posting anything discriminatory on social media.
Tatum’s video doesn’t discriminate against anyone, it merely discusses why kneeling during the anthem is disrespectful and an inappropriate way to protest. He says the National Anthem has nothing to do with what the athletes are protesting. He points out how the flag and the anthem have given people freedom and opportunities, but the protesters won’t talk about that. He observes that Martin Luther King, Jr., had bipartisan support for his protests, because he conducted them with integrity.
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Arizona Daily Star reporter Tim Steller published an article on Friday questioning whether the video violated TPD’s departmental rules. Titled “Tucson Police Officer Pushes Boundaries With Viral Rants,” he cites TPD’s policy which prohibits officers from posting anything discriminatory on social media.
Tatum’s video doesn’t discriminate against anyone, it merely discusses why kneeling during the anthem is disrespectful and an inappropriate way to protest. He says the National Anthem has nothing to do with what the athletes are protesting. He points out how the flag and the anthem have given people freedom and opportunities, but the protesters won’t talk about that. He observes that Martin Luther King, Jr., had bipartisan support for his protests, because he conducted them with integrity.
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BRUTAL: NFL Fans Disgusted As Video Of Players Yelling “F***k YOU!” At Them Surface
It seems that most NFL fans are not loving the continued national anthem protests. When former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick launched the protests last year, he undoubtedly had no clue that it would mean the end of his career, and plummeting ratings for the NFL. Yet players have continued to protest, and some players in particular have not responded well to the lack of fan support.
New videos have surfaced of players spewing profanity towards their fans, after fans yelled at them from the fans.
Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters was caught on camera yelling at a fan after he allowed a touchdown in the third quarter of the game. Peters could be seen yelling, “F*** you, b****!” at a fan, and then slamming his helmet onto the ground. The incident was aired live on ESPN.
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New videos have surfaced of players spewing profanity towards their fans, after fans yelled at them from the fans.
Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters was caught on camera yelling at a fan after he allowed a touchdown in the third quarter of the game. Peters could be seen yelling, “F*** you, b****!” at a fan, and then slamming his helmet onto the ground. The incident was aired live on ESPN.
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Mother Faces Tough Decision: Vaccinate Your Child Or Go To Jail- This Is Bad For Everyone
DO you think that a government has the right to force your child to get vaccinated or go to jail — well that’s what one Oakland County mother now has to deal with, and the consequences of not doing it will be rough.
The mother, Rebecca Breedow, explained in an interview:
“I’m a mother of two and the last thing I want to do is to go to jail, of course, but I’ve been kind of backed into a corner. I’d rather go to jail than to give into my belief of what I am as a mother and what I believe in.”
Breedow and her now ex-husband had made the choice to put off their sons vaccinations shots when he was first born, and then only gave him shots when they could space them out as far as possible. It rolled around to be 2010, and they made the choice to just kick the immunizations all together over the fear of what they called “grouped vaccinations.”
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The mother, Rebecca Breedow, explained in an interview:
“I’m a mother of two and the last thing I want to do is to go to jail, of course, but I’ve been kind of backed into a corner. I’d rather go to jail than to give into my belief of what I am as a mother and what I believe in.”
Breedow and her now ex-husband had made the choice to put off their sons vaccinations shots when he was first born, and then only gave him shots when they could space them out as far as possible. It rolled around to be 2010, and they made the choice to just kick the immunizations all together over the fear of what they called “grouped vaccinations.”
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New Muhammad Ali Biography Reveals A Flawed Rebel Who Loved Attention
Decades before NFL player Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem to protest police treatment of African-Americans, boxer Muhammad Ali roiled white America with his 1967 resistance to the Vietnam War draft.
The boxer had converted to the Nation of Islam a few years earlier, and he explained his resistance to the war by saying, "I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong."
Ali's resistance to the draft resulted in his being stripped of his heavyweight title, banned from boxing and charged with evasion. (Though he avoided jail time, it would be more than three years before he returned to the ring.) Biographer Jonathan Eig says Ali's protest was unprecedented in those days.
"It was unimaginable for most black athletes to stand up that way and say, ... 'I'm going to play by my rules and to criticize presidents and to criticize the war and to call all of white America a fraud,'" Eig says. "That was radical."
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The boxer had converted to the Nation of Islam a few years earlier, and he explained his resistance to the war by saying, "I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong."
Ali's resistance to the draft resulted in his being stripped of his heavyweight title, banned from boxing and charged with evasion. (Though he avoided jail time, it would be more than three years before he returned to the ring.) Biographer Jonathan Eig says Ali's protest was unprecedented in those days.
"It was unimaginable for most black athletes to stand up that way and say, ... 'I'm going to play by my rules and to criticize presidents and to criticize the war and to call all of white America a fraud,'" Eig says. "That was radical."
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Fat Daddy’s, workers reach $260K settlement
About $50K will go toward lawyer fees, remainder split between 25 employees
U.S. District Court Judge Richard Bennett approved a joint motion for settlement in the class action of 25 former Fat Daddy’s employees and the employer late last month, bringing the case to a close by awarding more than $214,000 to the plaintiffs.
The average settlement amount was about $8,600 per employee, with the lowest award at $100 and the greatest in excess of $34,000. Lawyer’s fees were set at $50,000, according to the agreement.
Two former employee’s claims were dismissed after analysis showed they had not incurred any damages.
Part of the settlement stipulates there is no finding of fault within the agreement.
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U.S. District Court Judge Richard Bennett approved a joint motion for settlement in the class action of 25 former Fat Daddy’s employees and the employer late last month, bringing the case to a close by awarding more than $214,000 to the plaintiffs.
The average settlement amount was about $8,600 per employee, with the lowest award at $100 and the greatest in excess of $34,000. Lawyer’s fees were set at $50,000, according to the agreement.
Two former employee’s claims were dismissed after analysis showed they had not incurred any damages.
Part of the settlement stipulates there is no finding of fault within the agreement.
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Many Americans Side With President Trump On NFL Anthem Protests
Before the Monday Night Football game between the NFL franchises in Kansas City and Washington D.C., two Kansas City players sat on the bench during the playing of the anthem, while all of the Washington players stood with their arms locked.
The controversy started last season when former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick chose to kneel during the anthem to protest what he described as injustices faced by people of color, particularly at the hands of police officers. Last month, the issue resurfaced with greater urgency when President Trump condemned players who refused to stand for the anthem. He later called for fans to boycott NFL games unless team owners stopped the protests.
Some players, coaches and team owners criticized the president, characterizing his rhetoric as divisive. Former NFL player and NASA astronaut Leland Melvin called Trump's comments "boorish and disgusting" in a letter posted on Facebook. Last week, he told Here & Now's Robin Young that Trump's remarks about NFL players "incensed" him.
"I really think that, when the announcer in the stadium says, 'Rise to honor our veterans,' by no means is [Colin] Kaepernick, or anyone taking a knee, in any way wanting to dishonor the service of police officers, or people who are fighting in our wars," Melvin says, "but it's an injustice that's happening in our streets, it's an inequality, it's things that have been stemmed from slavery and the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, all of these foundational documents that define our democracy. That's what matters."
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Feminist Gloria Steinem: ‘Gender Was Invented in Order to Control Reproduction’
In a speech Sunday at the March for Racial Justice rally on the National Mall, feminist Gloria Steinem said “gender was invented” to control women and reproduction and that “race was invented … to justify colonialism and slavery.”
“So all the women in the world are in some degree of trouble, because it’s all about controlling reproduction. It’s the why of it. Did you ever wonder why? Yeah I mean, the first step in every hierarchy is patriarchy in order to control reproduction,” Steinem said.
“So, and racism, caste in India, class. It all makes it much worse, because to maintain those divisions, you have to control women even more. So these things have always been intertwined. It is just not possible to disentangle these deep caste systems. It is absolutely impossible. They can only be uprooted together,” she said.
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“So all the women in the world are in some degree of trouble, because it’s all about controlling reproduction. It’s the why of it. Did you ever wonder why? Yeah I mean, the first step in every hierarchy is patriarchy in order to control reproduction,” Steinem said.
“So, and racism, caste in India, class. It all makes it much worse, because to maintain those divisions, you have to control women even more. So these things have always been intertwined. It is just not possible to disentangle these deep caste systems. It is absolutely impossible. They can only be uprooted together,” she said.
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Black Americans Should Welcome, Not Fear, Trump's America
The Washington Post recently published yet another propaganda screed masquerading as journalism, this time lamenting the fear supposedly plaguing the black community in the era of Donald Trump. Showing impressive intellectual contortionism, the Post manages to drive this narrative while remaining largely free of fact and substance.
After pointing out that Trump received only 8% of the black vote in the 2016 election, the Post notes that the majority of blacks are worried about losing their civil rights under Trump. They reportedly fear his campaign to “Make America Great Again” will “negatively impact the black community’s access to quality public schools, job opportunities that pay a livable wage and affordable health care, child care and housing,” and will “have a negative impact on the ability to keep black children from mass incarceration and over-policing.”
These are the same asinine claims Democrats have made (unfortunately, successfully) for decades about Republicans, which is both infuriating and baffling. The party most responsible for black suffering — the Democrats — is embraced as savior by their victims. The Democrat Party fought a war in part to protect slavery, opposed civil rights, enacted Jim Crow laws, and oppressed blacks at every turn, then successfully peddled the lie that white racists fled to the Republican Party in the 1960s.
Today, despite claiming to be the protector of blacks, the Democrat Party funds the slaughter of black children, giving more than $500 million in taxpayer funds each year to Planned Parenthood, an organization founded with the goal of exterminating blacks through abortion and sterilization, while trapping those who live in crime-ridden neighborhoods and failing schools — urban poverty plantations, if you will.
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After pointing out that Trump received only 8% of the black vote in the 2016 election, the Post notes that the majority of blacks are worried about losing their civil rights under Trump. They reportedly fear his campaign to “Make America Great Again” will “negatively impact the black community’s access to quality public schools, job opportunities that pay a livable wage and affordable health care, child care and housing,” and will “have a negative impact on the ability to keep black children from mass incarceration and over-policing.”
These are the same asinine claims Democrats have made (unfortunately, successfully) for decades about Republicans, which is both infuriating and baffling. The party most responsible for black suffering — the Democrats — is embraced as savior by their victims. The Democrat Party fought a war in part to protect slavery, opposed civil rights, enacted Jim Crow laws, and oppressed blacks at every turn, then successfully peddled the lie that white racists fled to the Republican Party in the 1960s.
Today, despite claiming to be the protector of blacks, the Democrat Party funds the slaughter of black children, giving more than $500 million in taxpayer funds each year to Planned Parenthood, an organization founded with the goal of exterminating blacks through abortion and sterilization, while trapping those who live in crime-ridden neighborhoods and failing schools — urban poverty plantations, if you will.
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The Racist Teacher Dialog Continues...
This is email is coming a little late, because I did not see my daughters English assignment until last Thursday night. I went to the school on Friday, to talk with someone about my concerns, but, no one was available, so I was told to email you. She was given an assignment last week which has a set of questions on it that in “my opinion”, are completely inappropriate, and irrelevant to her education. When several of the students objected to answering them they were told they had to answer, or the questions would be marked wrong.
This is a dual enrollment class; these are some of your highest honor students, which means, they are smart enough to know these questions are inflammatory, but they also don’t want their grades affected. They are High School students, not adults, and while I realize they are taking a “college” class, I know that you as the teacher could have used your discretion as to whether or not to include these “opinion” questions! I don’t feel at 15 and 16 they have the maturity to form such opinions, much less the ability to express them without the risk of angering their fellow students, or you. Which I know was a concern. Perhaps, you could explain to me what the questions have to do with English? I would also like to see the actually text book with the original assignment, if you don’t mind please give me the name of the book.
My husband and I gave Megan permission not to answer the questions, and I trust it will not affect her grade.
I look forward to hearing from you about this. I am more than willing to meet with either or both of you in person. Thank you.
The Reply
The assignment to which you are referring was an analysis of Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech. I'm sure you are aware of the context of the speech and its value as a piece of literature. I copied this assignment from Readings for Writers, 9th edition, pages 18-23. I adjusted one question because it asked the students if they thought that the United States would ever have a black president and to defend their answer, and that question is obsolete.
The students were instructed to read and annotate the speech and answer 15 questions, which are divided into 3 types of questions. The first section is called "The Facts." These 5 questions ask the students to look at the literature for what is actually stated in the work and are probably the easiest to answer. The second section is called "The Strategies." These 5 questions ask the students to take a more in-depth look at the writing to analyze not just what is said, but how it is said and what effect is produced. The third section is called "The Issues." In this section, the students are asked 5 questions that address the context of the literature. These questions are designed to spark discussion and maybe even debate in class. You are right in that the students in my advanced level English classes are very bright, and with that, I believe that they are capable of expressing themselves and their opinions.
Because the context of this speech is 1960s America and the Civil Rights Movement, "The Issues" questions revolve around race relations. That was the reality of the time. I am aware that the issue of race relations in our country is once again a topic of discussion, and it is one that, unfortunately, makes many people uncomfortable. However, being uncomfortable with questions doesn't exempt a student from the required activity. I push my students out of their comfort zones on purpose. Many of my students are uncomfortable with public speaking, but they are not exempt from presentations. I teach or refer to the "I Have A Dream" speech in some way every year, not just because of its context, but because of its literary contributions; it is full of rhetorical devices. Understanding this, however, to study a work without studying its context is to not really study the work. Contrary to the optics, the teaching of this speech and the current climate of society are coincidental, but I don't think it's bad.
To assert that the students in my classes are incapable of articulating their opinions is not accurate; they have no problem doing so. To assert that this assignment was in some way designed to anger my students or to evoke some feelings in myself about my students is also inaccurate. I did not write these questions, but I don't see anything wrong with them. We all hold stereotypes of not just black people but all groups of people. I hold them myself and will engage in the discussion. Just because we subconsciously have them, that doesn't mean that we let them guide our behavior or treatment of other people, but to pretend that they don't exist is a disservice. How can one refute what he won't acknowledge? Considering the current climate of our society, I think that conversations about race should be encouraged. A civil, respectful, monitored discourse about race among people of different races, which is vital to the improvement of race relations on any level, is the goal; it's not a set up for finger pointing and shaming as you imply. We've never met, but I assure you that order, discipline, and respect in my classroom are non-negotiable. I enjoy teaching all of my students, and I appreciate the diversity of experiences and opinions that they bring to my classroom.
English writing and literature are much more than words on paper. Words have power, and authors/speakers choose each one intentionally. I am teaching my students English concepts, but I'm also teaching my students to be critical readers and thinkers, to read the words and analyze it for the intent behind the words. I also want them to understand that their words also have power and that they are responsible for discovering why they may feel the way they feel about different issues, instead of blindly following the masses. Teachers who only teach their subject without application, I believe, fail to fulfill the real purpose of teaching.
I apologize for offending you and your student. That was never my intent. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me. Thank you.
Now let's get this straight, reply...
Why are they relevant? As you pointed out in your email, “We all hold stereotypes”, but I don’t believe it is acceptable for you to require these students to list them, or demand that they talk about them. They obviously, know that their words “have power”, which may be why some of them chose to be silent. “Most country music fans are Republicans”, that’s stereotyping is not? If expressing your stereotypes was tolerated in society then Hayley Geftman-Gold, after making that remark, would still have her job with CBS. And, do you think her expressing her “stereotype” led to peace and unity in our nation? No, all it did was lead to anger, and more hatred!
I realize this assignment is behind them now, but I want you to know that I strongly object to what you did. I am not offended, and neither was my daughter. I am however; angry and quite disturbed that you see nothing wrong with this, and feel it is productive to my students learning!
Surgeon Receives Dozens of Requests for Transgender Reversal Operations
A genital reconstructive surgeon who specializes in transgender reversal operations has received dozens of requests for operations, according to a report.
The Telegraph interviewed Professor Miroslav Djordjevic in an article titled, “Sex change regret: Gender reversal surgery is on the rise, so why aren’t we talking about it?” on Sunday, where the surgeon revealed that an alarming number of patients seek a reversal of previous transgender operations.
According to the Telegraph, “Around five years ago, Professor Miroslav Djordjevic, the world-leading genital reconstructive surgeon, received a visit at his Belgrade clinic: a transgender person who had undergone surgery at a different clinic to remove male genitalia – and since changed their mind.”
“That was the first time Prof Djordjevic had ever been contacted to perform a so-called gender reassignment ‘reversal’ surgery,” the Telegraph explained, adding that, “Over the next six months, another six people also approached him, similarly wanting to reverse their procedures.”
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The Telegraph interviewed Professor Miroslav Djordjevic in an article titled, “Sex change regret: Gender reversal surgery is on the rise, so why aren’t we talking about it?” on Sunday, where the surgeon revealed that an alarming number of patients seek a reversal of previous transgender operations.
According to the Telegraph, “Around five years ago, Professor Miroslav Djordjevic, the world-leading genital reconstructive surgeon, received a visit at his Belgrade clinic: a transgender person who had undergone surgery at a different clinic to remove male genitalia – and since changed their mind.”
“That was the first time Prof Djordjevic had ever been contacted to perform a so-called gender reassignment ‘reversal’ surgery,” the Telegraph explained, adding that, “Over the next six months, another six people also approached him, similarly wanting to reverse their procedures.”
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