Eastern refugees detained in Australia who have been approved for resettlement in the United States after President Trump failed to honor a commitment that he would terminate the refugee deal with the Oceania country.
Former President Obama signed the Australian-U.S. refugee deal during his last months in office — promising to take 1,250 Middle Eastern refugees off Australia’s hands.
The refugees – who are mostly adult males – are being held in detention centers on Manus Island and Nauru Island in Australia. Despite Trump’s original statement calling the deal “a dumb deal,” the president has now broken two long-promised campaign pledges: Throwing out deals that don’t benefit Americans and stopping the flow of foreign refugees.
More
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Thursday, November 30, 2017
The Arch-enemies of Liberty — Soros, Steyer, Bezos and Bloomberg
The billionaire socialists pose a far greater threat to the next election than Russian or Chinese hackers.
On Monday, one of our political editors, Thomas Gallatin, wrote about a legal restraining order filed on behalf of a Barack Obama deep-state leftover. Richard Cordray, former director of the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, attempted to name his deputy, Leandra English, as his successor — clearly an end-run around the executive branch.
What’s the CFPB, you ask? It’s a behemoth unconstitutional regulatory bureaucracy created by the ill-conceived Dodd-Frank legislation. As Gallatin noted, it’s “a rogue agency answerable to almost no one and Corday’s selection of English was a deliberate attempt to keep it that way.”
Donald Trump ignored Cordray and English and tapped his current Office of Management and Budget director, Mick Mulvaney, a CFPB critic, to serve as interim director. Mulvaney arrived at CFPB Monday (with donuts!) and advised all employees to “disregard any instructions you receive from Ms. English in her presumed capacity as acting director.”
The Trump administration received a temporary reprieve Tuesday when U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly dismissed the restraining order, noting, “Denying the president’s authority to appoint Mr. Mulvaney raises significant constitutional questions.” But it won’t end there…
While this high-profile legal dispute for control of their out-of-control statist bureaucracy is a high priority for Democrats, as spun by their MSM propaganda machine, there is something revealing about this case that they don’t want you to know.
The attorney leading the suit, Deepak Gupta, was asked during an interview who is funding his lawsuit. “Well, uh, it’s, it’s not, um, Miss English.”
More here
On Monday, one of our political editors, Thomas Gallatin, wrote about a legal restraining order filed on behalf of a Barack Obama deep-state leftover. Richard Cordray, former director of the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, attempted to name his deputy, Leandra English, as his successor — clearly an end-run around the executive branch.
What’s the CFPB, you ask? It’s a behemoth unconstitutional regulatory bureaucracy created by the ill-conceived Dodd-Frank legislation. As Gallatin noted, it’s “a rogue agency answerable to almost no one and Corday’s selection of English was a deliberate attempt to keep it that way.”
Donald Trump ignored Cordray and English and tapped his current Office of Management and Budget director, Mick Mulvaney, a CFPB critic, to serve as interim director. Mulvaney arrived at CFPB Monday (with donuts!) and advised all employees to “disregard any instructions you receive from Ms. English in her presumed capacity as acting director.”
The Trump administration received a temporary reprieve Tuesday when U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly dismissed the restraining order, noting, “Denying the president’s authority to appoint Mr. Mulvaney raises significant constitutional questions.” But it won’t end there…
While this high-profile legal dispute for control of their out-of-control statist bureaucracy is a high priority for Democrats, as spun by their MSM propaganda machine, there is something revealing about this case that they don’t want you to know.
The attorney leading the suit, Deepak Gupta, was asked during an interview who is funding his lawsuit. “Well, uh, it’s, it’s not, um, Miss English.”
More here
Veterans Online Shopping Benefit Is Here!
The Exchange—the Department of Defenseʼs oldest and largest military retailer—is honored to serve all honorably discharged Veterans with a lifelong online military exchange shopping benefit.
Create your account and start saving today!
Go here to find the link
137 Economists Sign Open Letter Endorsing GOP Tax Plan
One hundred thirty-seven economists signed an open letter to Congress, supporting that the Republican tax plan will result in more jobs, higher earnings, and a better standard of living.
Economists at various universities around the country signed the letter and believe America will lose its economic edge if Congress fails to pass a bill, CNBC reports.
“Economic growth will accelerate if the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passes, leading to more jobs, higher wages, and a better standard of living for the American people. If, however, the bill fails, the United States risks continued economic underperformance,” the letter reads.
The letter goes on to push for a lower corporate tax rate, claiming wages will continue to go down if the cuts are not initiated. “The question isn’t whether American workers are hurt by our country’s corporate tax rate – it’s how badly,” the economists wrote. “As such, the question isn’t whether workers will be helped by a corporate tax rate reduction – it’s how much.”
The economists predict a tax overhaul would raise the gross domestic product by three to five percentage points and drive economic growth through investment and business creation.
Economists at various universities around the country signed the letter and believe America will lose its economic edge if Congress fails to pass a bill, CNBC reports.
“Economic growth will accelerate if the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passes, leading to more jobs, higher wages, and a better standard of living for the American people. If, however, the bill fails, the United States risks continued economic underperformance,” the letter reads.
The letter goes on to push for a lower corporate tax rate, claiming wages will continue to go down if the cuts are not initiated. “The question isn’t whether American workers are hurt by our country’s corporate tax rate – it’s how badly,” the economists wrote. “As such, the question isn’t whether workers will be helped by a corporate tax rate reduction – it’s how much.”
The economists predict a tax overhaul would raise the gross domestic product by three to five percentage points and drive economic growth through investment and business creation.
Kate Steinle murder suspect found not guilty
More
Small Plane Crashes In Prince George’s County Field
(BOWIE, Md.) – A man was injured after the small plane he was piloting crashed in a field Thursday evening in Prince George’s County.
At approximately 6:20 p.m, troopers from the College Park Barrack responded to Church Road at Fairview Vista Road in Bowie for a report of an aircraft crash. Upon arrival, troopers made contact with Prince George’s County police who were already on the scene.
Troopers made their way to the scene, where a small fixed-wing, single engine, aircraft, a Cessna 172, was located upside down in the trees. The pilot, Michael Paul Pillsbury, 72, of Washington, D.C. told troopers that he was making his final approach to land at Freeway Airport in Bowie upon his return from Ocean City.
Pillsbury said there was no lighting and he could not see the tree line as he was approaching the airport. Pillsbury told troopers that his aircraft made contact with the tree line and overturned, causing him to crash.
Pillsbury was transported to University of Maryland Prince George’s Hospital Center with non-life-threatening injuries. He was alert, responsive, and able to walk out of the woods. According to investigators, no signs of impairment were observed.
Prince George’s County Fire Department, Prince George’s County Police Department and the National Transportation Safety Board also responded to assist at the scene. According to investigators, no signs of fuel leakage or hazardous materials were detected.
There were no injuries reported on the ground as a result of the crash. The aircraft will remain in the field overnight until arrangements can be made for a salvage company to remove it. The scene was cleared by 9:30 p.m.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
At approximately 6:20 p.m, troopers from the College Park Barrack responded to Church Road at Fairview Vista Road in Bowie for a report of an aircraft crash. Upon arrival, troopers made contact with Prince George’s County police who were already on the scene.
Troopers made their way to the scene, where a small fixed-wing, single engine, aircraft, a Cessna 172, was located upside down in the trees. The pilot, Michael Paul Pillsbury, 72, of Washington, D.C. told troopers that he was making his final approach to land at Freeway Airport in Bowie upon his return from Ocean City.
Pillsbury said there was no lighting and he could not see the tree line as he was approaching the airport. Pillsbury told troopers that his aircraft made contact with the tree line and overturned, causing him to crash.
Pillsbury was transported to University of Maryland Prince George’s Hospital Center with non-life-threatening injuries. He was alert, responsive, and able to walk out of the woods. According to investigators, no signs of impairment were observed.
Prince George’s County Fire Department, Prince George’s County Police Department and the National Transportation Safety Board also responded to assist at the scene. According to investigators, no signs of fuel leakage or hazardous materials were detected.
There were no injuries reported on the ground as a result of the crash. The aircraft will remain in the field overnight until arrangements can be made for a salvage company to remove it. The scene was cleared by 9:30 p.m.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Hedonism's Predictable Horrors
Headlines lately serve as sirens warning of an epidemic of a widespread contagion called sexual misconduct. Presenting in various forms — harassment, groping, fondling, intimidation and rape — these inappropriate behaviors are in the public view because individuals on both sides of the political aisle and within the media/entertainment industry are standing accused as pedophiles, rapists, perverts and power-hungry sex addicts.
The unending disgust is justified. None of these alleged behaviors, if true, is ever right or appropriate, though there is a vast distinction lost to conflation. The #MeToo hashtag activism railing against predators and predatory behavior soars to new heights of moral supremacy, while accomplishing nothing.
But how exactly did the American culture arrive at such a moment? How did our mores slide from viewing pornography in private to living it out in the public square as daily fare?
Those who blame Donald Trump are laughingly ignorant and live blissfully under the banner of victimhood, finding a target of hatred and blame for their own missteps and grievances. Those who blame a prominent institution of our society such as the media or education get a bit closer to touching part of the answer. The aforementioned institutions have been and are tools that have chipped away at our standards and norms to yield such cultural and moral decay.
At the center of today’s outbreak of sexual deviancy lie several factors, among which are two that we’ll approach broadly: hedonism and modern liberalism.
More here
The unending disgust is justified. None of these alleged behaviors, if true, is ever right or appropriate, though there is a vast distinction lost to conflation. The #MeToo hashtag activism railing against predators and predatory behavior soars to new heights of moral supremacy, while accomplishing nothing.
But how exactly did the American culture arrive at such a moment? How did our mores slide from viewing pornography in private to living it out in the public square as daily fare?
Those who blame Donald Trump are laughingly ignorant and live blissfully under the banner of victimhood, finding a target of hatred and blame for their own missteps and grievances. Those who blame a prominent institution of our society such as the media or education get a bit closer to touching part of the answer. The aforementioned institutions have been and are tools that have chipped away at our standards and norms to yield such cultural and moral decay.
At the center of today’s outbreak of sexual deviancy lie several factors, among which are two that we’ll approach broadly: hedonism and modern liberalism.
More here
Winning: Donald Trump Calls Democrats’ Budget Bluff on Amnesty
President Donald Trump has called Democratic leaders’ bluff on their mumbled threats to block the 2018 budget if it did not include the unpopular ‘Dreamer’ amnesty.
Trump’s high-pressure tactics on Tuesday prompted the Democrats to quit the scheduled 3 pm high-visibility sit-down with GOP leaders at the White House, where they would have been forced to escalate their threats or else to admit their bluff to the waiting media.
The retreat left amnesty advocates in the lurch, despite months — and years — of media-magnified claims that the American public wants a no-strings amnesty for the 3 million ‘dreamers,’ plus their millions of chain-migration relatives.
More here
Trump’s high-pressure tactics on Tuesday prompted the Democrats to quit the scheduled 3 pm high-visibility sit-down with GOP leaders at the White House, where they would have been forced to escalate their threats or else to admit their bluff to the waiting media.
The retreat left amnesty advocates in the lurch, despite months — and years — of media-magnified claims that the American public wants a no-strings amnesty for the 3 million ‘dreamers,’ plus their millions of chain-migration relatives.
More here
Detective caught on tape detaining teen ‘because you’re white’
A police detective in Illinois was facing disciplinary action this week after being caught on camera telling a teenager he was being detained because he was white.
The video shows Detective Esteban Gomez making the comment while questioning five teenagers outside a pawn shop in Lake Villa, Ill., regarding a theft investigation, police said.
Gomez has since been disciplined for acting “inappropriately and unprofessionally,” Lake Villa Police Chief Craig Somerville said Tuesday, the Lake County News-Sun reported.
“Detective Gomez admitted his words were poorly chosen and insensitive, and he immediately regretted what he had said,” Somerville said in a statement, the paper reported.
More
The video shows Detective Esteban Gomez making the comment while questioning five teenagers outside a pawn shop in Lake Villa, Ill., regarding a theft investigation, police said.
Gomez has since been disciplined for acting “inappropriately and unprofessionally,” Lake Villa Police Chief Craig Somerville said Tuesday, the Lake County News-Sun reported.
“Detective Gomez admitted his words were poorly chosen and insensitive, and he immediately regretted what he had said,” Somerville said in a statement, the paper reported.
More
Iraqi Immigrant Pleads Guilty to $1.4 Million Food Stamp Fraud
An Iraqi immigrant who owned a halal market in Portland, Maine, pleaded guilty to using his store to commit millions of dollars in food stamp fraud.
Ali Ratib Daham, 40, of Westbrook, pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges of food stamp trafficking, conspiracy, money laundering, and theft of government funds in U.S. District Court in Portland, the Portland Press-Herald reported.
Daham, who became a naturalized U.S. citizen after emigrating from Iraq, conspired with others to defraud the U.S. government of $1.4 million from 2011 to 2016, prosecutors say.
Court documents show that the shop owner gave customers cash in exchange for their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) program benefits.
More
Ali Ratib Daham, 40, of Westbrook, pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges of food stamp trafficking, conspiracy, money laundering, and theft of government funds in U.S. District Court in Portland, the Portland Press-Herald reported.
Daham, who became a naturalized U.S. citizen after emigrating from Iraq, conspired with others to defraud the U.S. government of $1.4 million from 2011 to 2016, prosecutors say.
Court documents show that the shop owner gave customers cash in exchange for their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) program benefits.
More
GOP chairman demands answers on how Leandra English got job at CFPB
A top Republican demanded answers Wednesday on how Leandra English, the woman Democrats are pushing to be acting director of the government’s top consumer advocacy agency, managed to “burrow” into her job and outlast the Obama administration.
Sen. Ron Johnson, chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said Ms. English held a political job at the Office of Personnel Management but managed to convert herself to a career civil service position early this year at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
The process is called “burrowing,” and it is generally frowned upon, though it does happen somewhat regularly.
In Ms. English’s case, however, it’s taken on a higher profile now that she’s involved in a major lawsuit arguing that she is the rightful acting director of the CFPB, rather than Mick Mulvaney, the man President Trump named to the job last Friday.
More
Sen. Ron Johnson, chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said Ms. English held a political job at the Office of Personnel Management but managed to convert herself to a career civil service position early this year at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
The process is called “burrowing,” and it is generally frowned upon, though it does happen somewhat regularly.
In Ms. English’s case, however, it’s taken on a higher profile now that she’s involved in a major lawsuit arguing that she is the rightful acting director of the CFPB, rather than Mick Mulvaney, the man President Trump named to the job last Friday.
More
Nervous About Traffic Stops? I Am. You Should Be, Too
We’ve all been there before.
You’re driving along and you see a pair of flashing blue lights in your rearview mirror. Whether or not you’ve done anything wrong, you get a sinking feeling in your stomach.
You’ve read enough news stories, seen enough headlines, and lived in the American police state long enough to be anxious about any encounter with a cop that takes place on the side of the road.
For better or worse, from the moment you’re pulled over, you’re at the mercy of law enforcement officers who have almost absolute discretion to decide who is a threat, what constitutes resistance, and how harshly they can deal with the citizens they were appointed to “serve and protect.”
This is what I call “blank check policing,” in which the police get to call all of the shots.
So if you’re nervous about traffic stops, you have every reason to be.
Trying to predict the outcome of any encounter with the police is a bit like playing Russian roulette: most of the time you will emerge relatively unscathed, although decidedly poorer and less secure about your rights, but there’s always the chance that an encounter will turn deadly.
For instance, it was just a year ago, in the early morning hours of Dec. 1, 2016, when Gregory Tucker, a young African-American man, was pulled over by Louisiana police for a broken taillight.
What should have been a routine traffic stop became yet another example of police brutality in America.
More
You’re driving along and you see a pair of flashing blue lights in your rearview mirror. Whether or not you’ve done anything wrong, you get a sinking feeling in your stomach.
You’ve read enough news stories, seen enough headlines, and lived in the American police state long enough to be anxious about any encounter with a cop that takes place on the side of the road.
For better or worse, from the moment you’re pulled over, you’re at the mercy of law enforcement officers who have almost absolute discretion to decide who is a threat, what constitutes resistance, and how harshly they can deal with the citizens they were appointed to “serve and protect.”
This is what I call “blank check policing,” in which the police get to call all of the shots.
So if you’re nervous about traffic stops, you have every reason to be.
Trying to predict the outcome of any encounter with the police is a bit like playing Russian roulette: most of the time you will emerge relatively unscathed, although decidedly poorer and less secure about your rights, but there’s always the chance that an encounter will turn deadly.
For instance, it was just a year ago, in the early morning hours of Dec. 1, 2016, when Gregory Tucker, a young African-American man, was pulled over by Louisiana police for a broken taillight.
What should have been a routine traffic stop became yet another example of police brutality in America.
More
National Reciprocity for Concealed Carry Passes, Next Stop House Floor
National reciprocity for concealed carry passed the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday is expected to receive a floor vote before the end of the year.
The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 was introduced by Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) on January 3, 2017. It changes federal law that so concealed carry permits are treated like driver’s licenses, making a permit from one state valid in the other 49. This would fix the complicated and often confusing patchwork of concealed carry laws currently in effect throughout the country.
To put it simply, Hudson’s bill allows the common man to defend himself and his family as he travels throughout this country.
On November 28 Breitbart News reported that Hudson’s legislation was scheduled for a markup in the House Judiciary Committee and the markup would serve as the last stop before a floor vote.
More
The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 was introduced by Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) on January 3, 2017. It changes federal law that so concealed carry permits are treated like driver’s licenses, making a permit from one state valid in the other 49. This would fix the complicated and often confusing patchwork of concealed carry laws currently in effect throughout the country.
To put it simply, Hudson’s bill allows the common man to defend himself and his family as he travels throughout this country.
On November 28 Breitbart News reported that Hudson’s legislation was scheduled for a markup in the House Judiciary Committee and the markup would serve as the last stop before a floor vote.
More
Weekly Fishing Report: Nov. 29, 2017
Heading into December, fishing has been excellent throughout Maryland.
Bill Clinton: Should there be retroactive punitive action?
As many of the sexual deviants are now being exposed throughout the media and now Congress sees this issue as a dire problem in need of legislature, should Bill Clinton be stripped of all benefits he and his wife receive as a result of his term as President of the United States?
Most should remember the fact that former presidents get all kinds of perks in their post-presidential life, including (but not limited to) Secret Service detail, a yearly salary and premium healthcare - all paid for by us, the taxpayers. Given that Clinton was impeached (only the second in US History) for lying about his tawdry affair with Monica Lewinsky, should he be forced to forfeit all the bennies he's been receiving for almost twenty years on our dime?
Why should we continue to pay for the Clintons' upkeep considering the fact that even Hillary Clinton - the supposed champion for women - ridiculed and threatened many of the women who turned out to be real victims at both hers and her husband's hand. She has claimed victims should be believed; however, since, several stories of how she terrorized these women have become tales of endurance by the women brave enough to come out and expose both Clintons' behaviors.
Clinton did eventually admit to his lies and his sexual predatory behaviors but being these crimes are long past their Statutory Limitations shelf date, nothing can be done legally to bring victims any remedy other than satisfaction that he no longer enjoys the lush life of post-presidential service. Should he have to pay back all the money he's received from this salary allotment including the costs for Secret Service and other presidential perks?
What do you feel should be done regarding the Clintons and the benefits they enjoy at our expense? Should they continue to live on our tax dollars or should those benefits be stripped and they be left to fend for themselves?
Most should remember the fact that former presidents get all kinds of perks in their post-presidential life, including (but not limited to) Secret Service detail, a yearly salary and premium healthcare - all paid for by us, the taxpayers. Given that Clinton was impeached (only the second in US History) for lying about his tawdry affair with Monica Lewinsky, should he be forced to forfeit all the bennies he's been receiving for almost twenty years on our dime?
Why should we continue to pay for the Clintons' upkeep considering the fact that even Hillary Clinton - the supposed champion for women - ridiculed and threatened many of the women who turned out to be real victims at both hers and her husband's hand. She has claimed victims should be believed; however, since, several stories of how she terrorized these women have become tales of endurance by the women brave enough to come out and expose both Clintons' behaviors.
Clinton did eventually admit to his lies and his sexual predatory behaviors but being these crimes are long past their Statutory Limitations shelf date, nothing can be done legally to bring victims any remedy other than satisfaction that he no longer enjoys the lush life of post-presidential service. Should he have to pay back all the money he's received from this salary allotment including the costs for Secret Service and other presidential perks?
What do you feel should be done regarding the Clintons and the benefits they enjoy at our expense? Should they continue to live on our tax dollars or should those benefits be stripped and they be left to fend for themselves?
Reality Check: The Facts vs. the Left's Top Two Lies About Tax Reform
In the interest of intellectual honesty and transparency, let's begin with a few important concessions to skeptics of the GOP tax reform bill: First, not every single American would be a winner under the plan. A small percentage of US taxpayers would see a tax increase (disproportionately, these would be higher-income itemizers from high-tax states), and a number of deductions that help certain people with heavy medical expenses and student loan debt would be eliminated (proponents say much or all of the resulting blow would be mitigated by lower rates and a doubled standard deduction). Second, among the "losers" would be a small percentage of middle class families and filers. Third, even using a "dynamic" score of the legislation -- which takes into account the growth-stimulating effects of tax cuts and simplification -- it is likely that the plan would add hundreds of billions to cumulative federal deficits over the next decade. The debt matters. Fourth, some Republicans believe the plan is too tilted toward corporate tax reductions (the current US statuary and effective rates are internationally uncompetitive), arguing that a small portion of those planned cuts should be redirected to families with children.
There is partisan retort to each of those first three criticisms, of course: The Democratic Party lied to the American people by promising a no-lose panacea under Obamacare, which ended up harming more people than it helped, while gut-punching millions of middle class families with skyrocketing Obamacare costs and taxes. And Obama's party, now feigning suddenly concern about deficits, cheered loudly as he nearly doubled the national debt in the span of just eight years. These points highlight Democrats' hypocrisy and opportunism; they do not, however, invalidate the concerns listed above, on the merits. The fundamental question as Senators contemplate their chamber's legislation is whether the drawbacks of the bill outweigh its benefits. I believe they do not, but in order to at least reach a point of forming rational opinions, it's imperative that we expose and correct dishonest myths about the effects of tax reform. These are the two biggest falsehoods being propagated by the Left:
(1) The GOP tax reform proposals do not help the middle class. This is flat-out wrong, period. As we've explored in great detail, with links to actual data, the vast majority of all taxpayers would receive a tax cut under the Republican plan, including roughly 75 percent of middle income households (others would see no change, and a small fraction would see an increase). This is especially true for the massive majority of middle class filers who take the standard deduction, which is set to roughly increase twofold under the legislation. As we wrote earlier, even the New York Times' analysis of the bill -- evidently unread by the paper's editorial board -- cannot escape the empirical fact that a lopsided supermajority of middle class earners stand to benefit from tax relief. I've also cited two nonpartisan analyses of the House-passed bill that determined it would lower taxes and increase incomes, on average, across every income group in America (see the above links). In doing so, I've highlighted the work of the nonpartisan Tax Foundation to illustrate these benefits, which some liberals have dismissed because of that organization's reputation for leaning to the right. For the purposes of this argument, therefore, let's look at findings from the ideologically liberal Tax Policy Center (TPC). It found that the House-passed legislation would reduce average tax bills across all five income groups from 2019 to 2027 (the end of the budget window). How about the Senate bill?
MORE
There is partisan retort to each of those first three criticisms, of course: The Democratic Party lied to the American people by promising a no-lose panacea under Obamacare, which ended up harming more people than it helped, while gut-punching millions of middle class families with skyrocketing Obamacare costs and taxes. And Obama's party, now feigning suddenly concern about deficits, cheered loudly as he nearly doubled the national debt in the span of just eight years. These points highlight Democrats' hypocrisy and opportunism; they do not, however, invalidate the concerns listed above, on the merits. The fundamental question as Senators contemplate their chamber's legislation is whether the drawbacks of the bill outweigh its benefits. I believe they do not, but in order to at least reach a point of forming rational opinions, it's imperative that we expose and correct dishonest myths about the effects of tax reform. These are the two biggest falsehoods being propagated by the Left:
(1) The GOP tax reform proposals do not help the middle class. This is flat-out wrong, period. As we've explored in great detail, with links to actual data, the vast majority of all taxpayers would receive a tax cut under the Republican plan, including roughly 75 percent of middle income households (others would see no change, and a small fraction would see an increase). This is especially true for the massive majority of middle class filers who take the standard deduction, which is set to roughly increase twofold under the legislation. As we wrote earlier, even the New York Times' analysis of the bill -- evidently unread by the paper's editorial board -- cannot escape the empirical fact that a lopsided supermajority of middle class earners stand to benefit from tax relief. I've also cited two nonpartisan analyses of the House-passed bill that determined it would lower taxes and increase incomes, on average, across every income group in America (see the above links). In doing so, I've highlighted the work of the nonpartisan Tax Foundation to illustrate these benefits, which some liberals have dismissed because of that organization's reputation for leaning to the right. For the purposes of this argument, therefore, let's look at findings from the ideologically liberal Tax Policy Center (TPC). It found that the House-passed legislation would reduce average tax bills across all five income groups from 2019 to 2027 (the end of the budget window). How about the Senate bill?
MORE
McAuliffe ‘seriously’ considering 2020 run
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) is “seriously” considering the 2020 presidential race, according to confidants.
“He’s given me every indication that he’s taking it seriously,” said one McAuliffe friend who has spoken to him about his 2020 prospects. “I don’t think he’s 100 percent decided that this is something he’s planning to do but it is something he’s seriously considering.”
“Whether he pulls the trigger or not, that remains to be seen,” the friend added.
McAuliffe could successfully talk about his track record as governor of Virginia, a purple state, former aides and associates say. But should he decide to run, the governor would face some obstacles.
For starters — his close ties to Bill and Hillary Clinton.
More
“He’s given me every indication that he’s taking it seriously,” said one McAuliffe friend who has spoken to him about his 2020 prospects. “I don’t think he’s 100 percent decided that this is something he’s planning to do but it is something he’s seriously considering.”
“Whether he pulls the trigger or not, that remains to be seen,” the friend added.
McAuliffe could successfully talk about his track record as governor of Virginia, a purple state, former aides and associates say. But should he decide to run, the governor would face some obstacles.
For starters — his close ties to Bill and Hillary Clinton.
More
BREAKING NEWS: 5.1 magnitude earthquake hits near Dover, Delaware
The quake was initially measured as a 5.1, but officials have since revised that number.
The USGS said the epicenter was about six miles east-northeast of Dover.
Action News is getting reports of viewers who felt the quake across the area.
More/Video
‘Therapy’ phones being prescribed to smartphone addicts
Smartphone addiction affects about half of the U.S. population according to Psychology Today. It’s complicated.
Some people can’t put their phones down, others suffer from “nomophobia” — a fear of being separated from or losing one’s phone. Phone anxiety is now a documented condition, complete with such symptoms as “phantom cell phone vibration” among those who imagine their device is signaling them.
But never fear. Now there is the “Substitute Phone” from Austrian designer Klemen Schillinger, which provides therapeutic motions for those who can’t stop scrolling, zooming and swiping. The phone-like object — which comes in sleek black plastic casing with calming arrays of white beads — is appropriately palm sized, with substitute features that mimic the smartphone experience.
“The shape of the Substitute Phone replicates an average smartphone, however, its functions are reduced to the movements we make hundreds of times on a daily basis. The stone beads which are incorporated in the body let you scroll, zoom and swipe. there are no digital functions. The object, which some of us describe as a prosthesis, is reduced to nothing but the motions. This calming limitation offers help for smartphone addicts to cope with withdrawal symptoms,” Mr. Schillinger explained in his rationale for the design, which has five variants.
More
Some people can’t put their phones down, others suffer from “nomophobia” — a fear of being separated from or losing one’s phone. Phone anxiety is now a documented condition, complete with such symptoms as “phantom cell phone vibration” among those who imagine their device is signaling them.
But never fear. Now there is the “Substitute Phone” from Austrian designer Klemen Schillinger, which provides therapeutic motions for those who can’t stop scrolling, zooming and swiping. The phone-like object — which comes in sleek black plastic casing with calming arrays of white beads — is appropriately palm sized, with substitute features that mimic the smartphone experience.
“The shape of the Substitute Phone replicates an average smartphone, however, its functions are reduced to the movements we make hundreds of times on a daily basis. The stone beads which are incorporated in the body let you scroll, zoom and swipe. there are no digital functions. The object, which some of us describe as a prosthesis, is reduced to nothing but the motions. This calming limitation offers help for smartphone addicts to cope with withdrawal symptoms,” Mr. Schillinger explained in his rationale for the design, which has five variants.
More
House votes to overturn Obama mining ban in Minnesota
The House voted Thursday to overturn the Obama administration’s decision to temporarily ban mining in an area of northern Minnesota’s Superior National Forest.
The Minnesota's Economic Rights in the Superior National Forest, or MINER, Act, passed 216-204, with nearly all Republicans in support and nearly all Democrats opposed.
The Obama administration’s decision, made the day before former President Obama left office, blocked mining for two years in an area of the forest near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, in an effort to protect those waters form potential mine waste output.
The bill would also require the Forest Service to renew two-decades-old mining leases for sulfide-ore in the forest that had gone unused before Obama declined to renew them in 2016.
“This is about more than 10,000 jobs which are now at risk because of the lame-duck actions by the Obama administration,” said Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), the bill’s sponsor. His district includes parts of northern Minnesota, but not the area that could be mined.
The Minnesota's Economic Rights in the Superior National Forest, or MINER, Act, passed 216-204, with nearly all Republicans in support and nearly all Democrats opposed.
The Obama administration’s decision, made the day before former President Obama left office, blocked mining for two years in an area of the forest near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, in an effort to protect those waters form potential mine waste output.
The bill would also require the Forest Service to renew two-decades-old mining leases for sulfide-ore in the forest that had gone unused before Obama declined to renew them in 2016.
“This is about more than 10,000 jobs which are now at risk because of the lame-duck actions by the Obama administration,” said Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), the bill’s sponsor. His district includes parts of northern Minnesota, but not the area that could be mined.
Supreme Court Justices Hint at New Digital-Privacy Protections
U.S. Supreme Court justices aired concerns about privacy in the digital age, hinting they may curb the power of law enforcement officials to track people using mobile-phone data.
In a spirited argument that went 20 minutes beyond its scheduled hour on Wednesday, the justices considered requiring prosecutors to get a warrant before obtaining mobile-phone tower records that show a person’s location over the course of weeks or months.
More
In a spirited argument that went 20 minutes beyond its scheduled hour on Wednesday, the justices considered requiring prosecutors to get a warrant before obtaining mobile-phone tower records that show a person’s location over the course of weeks or months.
More
Mayor Morrison hospitalized with brain aneurysm: update
UPDATE: Pocomoke officials said Mayor Bruce Morrison came through surgery “better than expected.” Morrison reportedly suffered a brain aneurysm Wednesday morning and was taken to Peninsula Regional Medical Center, then transferred to Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware.
Pocomoke Mayor Bruce Morrison underwent emergency surgery for a brain aneurysm on Wednesday after reportedly losing consciousness earlier that day.
Town officials said Morrison was rushed from his home by ambulance to Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury at about 2:30 a.m.
Doctors at the hospital diagnosed Morrison with a brain aneurysm and attempted to have him helicoptered over to Baltimore for treatment, but heavy fog stymied the effort, town officials said.
At about 6:30 a.m., town officials said the decision was made to move the mayor by ambulance to Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware.
No further updates on the mayor’s condition were available Wednesday morning.
Pocomoke Mayor Bruce Morrison underwent emergency surgery for a brain aneurysm on Wednesday after reportedly losing consciousness earlier that day.
Town officials said Morrison was rushed from his home by ambulance to Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury at about 2:30 a.m.
Doctors at the hospital diagnosed Morrison with a brain aneurysm and attempted to have him helicoptered over to Baltimore for treatment, but heavy fog stymied the effort, town officials said.
At about 6:30 a.m., town officials said the decision was made to move the mayor by ambulance to Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware.
No further updates on the mayor’s condition were available Wednesday morning.
Legislators Go Unscathed as Hollywood, Media Punish Sexual Harassment
Of all the high-profile men that have gone down recently for sexual harassment, none of the accused politicians have suffered any consequences indicating that elected officials are immune from punishment. In the last few weeks powerful entertainment figures, prominent television news personalities and a top political journalist have been fired for sexual harassment while members of congress embroiled in similar scandals remain in power.
Minnesota Senator Al Franken simply issued a public apology for groping and demeaning women, telling a local newspaper “I’ve let a lot of people down and I’m hoping I can make it up to them and gradually regain their trust.” In a social media post, the Democratic lawmaker dedicated a heartfelt “I am sorry” to all who have considered him an ally, supporter and champion of women. Veteran Michigan Congressman John Conyers took the amnesia route, claiming that he knew nothing about secretly paying a staffer—with taxpayer funds from his office budget—to make a sexual harassment scandal vanish. Multiple former staff members also accuse the 88-year-old lawmaker, the longest serving House member and until a few days ago the ranking Democrat on the powerful Judiciary Committee, of sexual harassment. A few years ago, Conyers got busted for illegally forcing congressional staffers to be personal servants and work on state and local campaigns, but he wasn’t even disciplined. This seems to be par for the course in Washington.
A few years ago, Judicial Watch sued a Florida congressman with a long history of deceit and corruption, for sexually harassing a female employee. The Democratic legislator, Alcee Hastings, was impeached by Congress as a federal judge after getting caught in a scandal involving the solicitation of a $150,000 bribe in return for “favorable treatment for defendants in a racketeering case before him.” The disgraced judge was an unindicted co-conspirator, but there was enough evidence against him for Congress to boot him from the bench. Hastings is one of only six federal judges to be impeached by Congress and removed from the bench. Appropriately, he joined one of the nation’s most corrupt enterprises and has flourished by committing a multitude of misdeeds that include mixing work as a public servant with romance. Earlier this year Hastings was in hot water after a watchdog revealed he gave his girlfriend the maximum taxpayer salary for five consecutive years to work in a field office. Top congressional salaries are supposed to go to the Washington D.C.-based chief of staff.
Judicial Watch’s lawsuit against Hastings was on behalf of a female employee that he regularly harassed..
More here
Minnesota Senator Al Franken simply issued a public apology for groping and demeaning women, telling a local newspaper “I’ve let a lot of people down and I’m hoping I can make it up to them and gradually regain their trust.” In a social media post, the Democratic lawmaker dedicated a heartfelt “I am sorry” to all who have considered him an ally, supporter and champion of women. Veteran Michigan Congressman John Conyers took the amnesia route, claiming that he knew nothing about secretly paying a staffer—with taxpayer funds from his office budget—to make a sexual harassment scandal vanish. Multiple former staff members also accuse the 88-year-old lawmaker, the longest serving House member and until a few days ago the ranking Democrat on the powerful Judiciary Committee, of sexual harassment. A few years ago, Conyers got busted for illegally forcing congressional staffers to be personal servants and work on state and local campaigns, but he wasn’t even disciplined. This seems to be par for the course in Washington.
A few years ago, Judicial Watch sued a Florida congressman with a long history of deceit and corruption, for sexually harassing a female employee. The Democratic legislator, Alcee Hastings, was impeached by Congress as a federal judge after getting caught in a scandal involving the solicitation of a $150,000 bribe in return for “favorable treatment for defendants in a racketeering case before him.” The disgraced judge was an unindicted co-conspirator, but there was enough evidence against him for Congress to boot him from the bench. Hastings is one of only six federal judges to be impeached by Congress and removed from the bench. Appropriately, he joined one of the nation’s most corrupt enterprises and has flourished by committing a multitude of misdeeds that include mixing work as a public servant with romance. Earlier this year Hastings was in hot water after a watchdog revealed he gave his girlfriend the maximum taxpayer salary for five consecutive years to work in a field office. Top congressional salaries are supposed to go to the Washington D.C.-based chief of staff.
Judicial Watch’s lawsuit against Hastings was on behalf of a female employee that he regularly harassed..
More here
'If there's a war, the North Korean regime will be destroyed'
Haley told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Wednesday that if war comes as a result of further acts of "aggression" like the latest launch, "make no mistake - the North Korean regime will be utterly destroyed."
She noted that the Trump administration warned North Korea that its future is in the hands of its leaders and the choice was theirs.
With Tuesday's launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), she said, Kim Jong Un's regime made a choice — "and with this choice comes a critical choice for the rest of the world."
Haley urged all countries to cut all ties to North Korea.
More here
Jim Nabors, the Cheerful Gomer Pyle on Two TV Series, Dies at 87
Jim Nabors, who starred as Gomer Pyle on The Andy Griffith Show and on his own sitcom before retiring the wide-eyed, countrified character at the height of his popularity, has died. He was 87.
Nabors died at his home in Hawaii on Thursday morning, his longtime partner told the Associated Press.
More
Russell Simmons and Brett Ratner Accused of Teaming Up to Engage in Sexual Misconduct
The L.A. Times reveals new allegations of sexual harassment and assault against the producer-director and music mogul, who are longtime friends.
Russell Simmons and Brett Ratner have been accused of teaming up to allegedly sexually harass and assault women, according to a new report in the Los Angeles Times.
The Times — which, on Nov. 1, first reported that six women, including Olivia Munn and Natasha Henstridge, claim that Ratner sexually harassed and assaulted them — reported Sunday on new allegations against Ratner and revealed that longtime friend Russell Simmons allegedly engaged in inappropriate behavior with the director and producer.
One woman, Keri Claussen Khalighi, claims that when she was a 17-year-old fashion model she met Ratner, then an up-and-coming music video director and protege of Simmons, the music mogul who co-founded Def Jam Recordings, and Simmons at a casting call. After dinner one night in 1991, they took her back to Simmons' apartment, ostensibly to show her a music video they had been working on, she told the Times.
But Simmons quickly began making aggressive sexual advances and tore off her clothes, Khalighi told the Times.
Russell Simmons and Brett Ratner have been accused of teaming up to allegedly sexually harass and assault women, according to a new report in the Los Angeles Times.
The Times — which, on Nov. 1, first reported that six women, including Olivia Munn and Natasha Henstridge, claim that Ratner sexually harassed and assaulted them — reported Sunday on new allegations against Ratner and revealed that longtime friend Russell Simmons allegedly engaged in inappropriate behavior with the director and producer.
One woman, Keri Claussen Khalighi, claims that when she was a 17-year-old fashion model she met Ratner, then an up-and-coming music video director and protege of Simmons, the music mogul who co-founded Def Jam Recordings, and Simmons at a casting call. After dinner one night in 1991, they took her back to Simmons' apartment, ostensibly to show her a music video they had been working on, she told the Times.
But Simmons quickly began making aggressive sexual advances and tore off her clothes, Khalighi told the Times.
NOTE: They're dropping like flies...
Democratic congresswoman walked out of meeting on sexual harassment
Rep. Kathleen Rice, the New York Democrat, walked out of the House Democratic Caucus meeting on Wednesday morning before it concluded, citing frustration with her colleagues' inability to take a harder stance on sexual-harassment allegations against Rep. John Conyers, the Michigan Democrat.
According to The Washington Post's Dave Weigel, Rice abruptly left the meeting, telling reporters outside, "I don't have time for meetings that aren't real."
Rice had previously called on Conyers to resign, becoming the first of just two Democrats to demand such action.
On Tuesday, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, of Washington, said in a statement that Conyers should step down from his five-decade career in the House.
More
According to The Washington Post's Dave Weigel, Rice abruptly left the meeting, telling reporters outside, "I don't have time for meetings that aren't real."
Rice had previously called on Conyers to resign, becoming the first of just two Democrats to demand such action.
On Tuesday, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, of Washington, said in a statement that Conyers should step down from his five-decade career in the House.
More
Sexual harassment standard different for Congress, SC’s Clyburn suggests
U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn could find himself in hot water.
A flippant response the Columbia Democrat made to reporters while walking in the Capitol is drawing the ire of many.
When asked about sexual harassment allegations against colleague Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), Clyburn seemed to suggest elected officials should be held to a different standard than other public figures.
In a video posted on Twitter, the 77-year-old Clyburn is walking to an elevator with Congressional Black Caucus chairman Cedric Richmond (D-La.), when asked “Other men in other industries have faced similar accusations … and gotten out of the way, resign, stepped down, far faster than he has, right … Harvey Weinstein, Charlie Rose, Matt Lauer?”
Clyburn’s response, “Who elected them?”
A writer for The New York Times Magazine and National Geographic tweeted that Clyburn invoked the name of Susan Smith, South Carolina’s infamous child murderer, in his defense of Conyers.
“James Clyburn compared Conyers’ accusers to the child murderer Susan Smith, who initially claimed a black man had abducted her kids.
Clyburn said, these are all white women who’ve made these charges against Conyers,” Robert Draper tweeted.
More here
A flippant response the Columbia Democrat made to reporters while walking in the Capitol is drawing the ire of many.
When asked about sexual harassment allegations against colleague Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), Clyburn seemed to suggest elected officials should be held to a different standard than other public figures.
In a video posted on Twitter, the 77-year-old Clyburn is walking to an elevator with Congressional Black Caucus chairman Cedric Richmond (D-La.), when asked “Other men in other industries have faced similar accusations … and gotten out of the way, resign, stepped down, far faster than he has, right … Harvey Weinstein, Charlie Rose, Matt Lauer?”
Clyburn’s response, “Who elected them?”
A writer for The New York Times Magazine and National Geographic tweeted that Clyburn invoked the name of Susan Smith, South Carolina’s infamous child murderer, in his defense of Conyers.
“James Clyburn compared Conyers’ accusers to the child murderer Susan Smith, who initially claimed a black man had abducted her kids.
Clyburn said, these are all white women who’ve made these charges against Conyers,” Robert Draper tweeted.
More here
As corporate America fires alleged sexual harassers, Washington stumbles over how to punish its transgressors
American corporations in recent weeks have scythed through the ranks of alleged sexual harassers, dispatching personalities as powerful as movie producer Harvey Weinstein and television anchor Matt Lauer, who was swiftly fired on Wednesday after a credible accusation of sexual misbehavior.
But in Washington, the growing public intolerance for harassment has tied politicians in partisan pretzels, and left them grappling for a way to assess guilt and mete out consequences.
Several factors have slowed the political response.
In the sharply divided Capitol, partisanship inevitably affects how cases are viewed. So does a reluctance to sit in judgment of peers who are longtime friends and allies. Congressalso has more than a whiff of entitlement, accustomed to operating by its own rules while other organizations rush to protect themselves from liability.
More
But in Washington, the growing public intolerance for harassment has tied politicians in partisan pretzels, and left them grappling for a way to assess guilt and mete out consequences.
Several factors have slowed the political response.
In the sharply divided Capitol, partisanship inevitably affects how cases are viewed. So does a reluctance to sit in judgment of peers who are longtime friends and allies. Congressalso has more than a whiff of entitlement, accustomed to operating by its own rules while other organizations rush to protect themselves from liability.
More
Guns and Government — The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Gun owners in America may have good reason to rejoice in the coming weeks with Congress poised to move on legislation allowing national concealed carry reciprocity. However, all is not well in the court system as the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a critical case involving a renewed ban on so called “assault weapons.” But it could be worse, as over in the UK, the government is pushing another mandatory gun turn-in program for those who have guns but supposedly don’t want them or need them anymore.
On Tuesday, the House Judiciary is scheduled to consider the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017. Most concealed carry permit holders have long awaited Congress to make a move on this legislation because each state currently has its own standards for issuing conceal carry permits. Some states have much stricter standards than others, and the result has been confusion and misinterpretation of each state’s existing law. Not to mention there have been numerous cases of people traveling through a state while carrying concealed only to be pulled over for routine traffic stops resulting in trouble over the gun.
The current House Bill would allow travelers to cross state lines with valid conceal carry permits, even if it meant traveling from a state with lax standards to one with strict standards. It would also allow individuals who reside in “permitless carry” states to carry a firearm throughout the country with no permit at all and it would require states to allow their own residents to carry guns with “non-resident permits” that they obtained from another state.
More here
On Tuesday, the House Judiciary is scheduled to consider the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017. Most concealed carry permit holders have long awaited Congress to make a move on this legislation because each state currently has its own standards for issuing conceal carry permits. Some states have much stricter standards than others, and the result has been confusion and misinterpretation of each state’s existing law. Not to mention there have been numerous cases of people traveling through a state while carrying concealed only to be pulled over for routine traffic stops resulting in trouble over the gun.
The current House Bill would allow travelers to cross state lines with valid conceal carry permits, even if it meant traveling from a state with lax standards to one with strict standards. It would also allow individuals who reside in “permitless carry” states to carry a firearm throughout the country with no permit at all and it would require states to allow their own residents to carry guns with “non-resident permits” that they obtained from another state.
More here
Sex Toys, Penis Shots, & Sexting: Details Emerge About Matt Lauer's Sexual Harassment
The details of the sexual harassment complaints against former Today Show host Matt Lauer have finally emerged, and even by 2017 standards, they are pretty remarkable.
But perhaps more disturbing than the details of the actual harassment is the fact that - like the executives at Weinstein Co. and ABC News - the brass at NBC’s news division were repeatedly approached by female employees and warned about Lauer’s behavior. Yet they did nothing, because they didn’t want to jeopardize any of the lucrative advertising deals tied to Today and Lauer.
Fearing being followed by tabloid reporters, Lauer reportedly pursued relationships with female colleagues because he is married and feared being caught cheating. He kept an office in a secluded space at 30 Rock, and even had a button under his desk that allowed him to lock his door from the inside, which is incredibly creepy.
More
But perhaps more disturbing than the details of the actual harassment is the fact that - like the executives at Weinstein Co. and ABC News - the brass at NBC’s news division were repeatedly approached by female employees and warned about Lauer’s behavior. Yet they did nothing, because they didn’t want to jeopardize any of the lucrative advertising deals tied to Today and Lauer.
Fearing being followed by tabloid reporters, Lauer reportedly pursued relationships with female colleagues because he is married and feared being caught cheating. He kept an office in a secluded space at 30 Rock, and even had a button under his desk that allowed him to lock his door from the inside, which is incredibly creepy.
More
CrimeReports Alerts for Salisbury Crime
| SBY, | |||||||||||||||
| Your CrimeReports alert for the day: Nov 28, 2017.This update includes all incidents added to the map since the last update you received. | |||||||||||||||
| Note: Alert areas are calculated using a standard-sized monitor. Depending on the size of your browser window, you may see a different number of incidents when you click the "map incidents" link. | |||||||||||||||
Location: Salisbury Crime
| |||||||||||||||
Dem lawmaker: Pelosi harassment response set women back 'decades'
Her defense of John Conyers as 'an icon' squandered the party's moral authority, Rep. Kathleen Rice says.
A Democratic congresswoman laced into Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday, suggesting the top House Democrat “set women back and — quite frankly, our party back — decades” by failing to more forcefully confront allegations of sexual harassment by veteran Democratic Rep. John Conyers.
Speaking to reporters at the Capitol, Rep. Kathleen Rice of New York said Pelosi’s appearance on “Meet the Press” on Sunday — when she raised questions about the accounts of Conyers’ accusers and described the Michigan Democrat as an “icon” — ceded the party’s moral high ground on sexual harassment issues, especially because one of Conyers’ accusers is bound by a nondisclosure agreement.
“I think that her comments on Sunday set women back and — quite frankly, our party back — decades,” said Rice, who is advocating for legislation that would expose a slew of hidden, taxpayer-funded settlements for sexual harassment by lawmakers and aides.
Rice said Pelosi’s comments were particularly egregious in light of President Donald Trump’s tacit embrace of Roy Moore, the Alabama GOP Senate candidate accused of molesting a minor.
More
A Democratic congresswoman laced into Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday, suggesting the top House Democrat “set women back and — quite frankly, our party back — decades” by failing to more forcefully confront allegations of sexual harassment by veteran Democratic Rep. John Conyers.
Speaking to reporters at the Capitol, Rep. Kathleen Rice of New York said Pelosi’s appearance on “Meet the Press” on Sunday — when she raised questions about the accounts of Conyers’ accusers and described the Michigan Democrat as an “icon” — ceded the party’s moral high ground on sexual harassment issues, especially because one of Conyers’ accusers is bound by a nondisclosure agreement.
“I think that her comments on Sunday set women back and — quite frankly, our party back — decades,” said Rice, who is advocating for legislation that would expose a slew of hidden, taxpayer-funded settlements for sexual harassment by lawmakers and aides.
Rice said Pelosi’s comments were particularly egregious in light of President Donald Trump’s tacit embrace of Roy Moore, the Alabama GOP Senate candidate accused of molesting a minor.
More
Virginia mom wanted to protect her 9-year-old from bullying. Now she’s facing wiretapping charges.
Sarah Sims was concerned that her 9-year-old child was being bullied at school. She reported the issue to school authorities, but did not feel that they were taking enough action to correct the issue. So she sent a cellphone to school to record the alleged bullying and show administrators how bad it was.
Little did she know that she would soon be facing potential criminal charges.
According to Reason, Sims’ child attended Ocean View Elementary in Norfolk, Virginia. After Sims sent the phone to school, school officials found the phone on her child and confiscated it.
Weeks later, unexpectedly, Sims found herself facing criminal charges for wiretapping and contributing to the delinquency of a minor due to the event.
More
Little did she know that she would soon be facing potential criminal charges.
According to Reason, Sims’ child attended Ocean View Elementary in Norfolk, Virginia. After Sims sent the phone to school, school officials found the phone on her child and confiscated it.
Weeks later, unexpectedly, Sims found herself facing criminal charges for wiretapping and contributing to the delinquency of a minor due to the event.
More
Smartphone Addiction Creates Imbalance in Brain
Researchers have found an imbalance in the brain chemistry of young people addicted to smartphones and the internet, according to a study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
According to a recent Pew Research Center study, 46 percent of Americans say they could not live without their smartphones. While this sentiment is clearly hyperbole, more and more people are becoming increasingly dependent on smartphones and other portable electronic devices for news, information, games, and even the occasional phone call.
Along with a growing concern that young people, in particular, may be spending too much time staring into their phones instead of interacting with others, come questions as to the immediate effects on the brain and the possible long-term consequences of such habits.
Hyung Suk Seo, M.D., professor of neuroradiology at Korea University in Seoul, South Korea, and colleagues used magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to gain unique insight into the brains of smartphone- and internet-addicted teenagers. MRS is a type of MRI that measures the brain's chemical composition.
Dr. Seo reported that the addicted teenagers had significantly higher scores in depression, anxiety, insomnia severity and impulsivity.
The researchers performed MRS exams on the addicted youth prior to and following behavioral therapy and a single MRS study on the control patients to measure levels of gamma aminobutyric acid, or GABA, a neurotransmitter in the brain that inhibits or slows down brain signals, and glutamate-glutamine (Glx), a neurotransmitter that causes neurons to become more electrically excited. Previous studies have found GABA to be involved in vision and motor control and the regulation of various brain functions, including anxiety.
More here
According to a recent Pew Research Center study, 46 percent of Americans say they could not live without their smartphones. While this sentiment is clearly hyperbole, more and more people are becoming increasingly dependent on smartphones and other portable electronic devices for news, information, games, and even the occasional phone call.
Along with a growing concern that young people, in particular, may be spending too much time staring into their phones instead of interacting with others, come questions as to the immediate effects on the brain and the possible long-term consequences of such habits.
Hyung Suk Seo, M.D., professor of neuroradiology at Korea University in Seoul, South Korea, and colleagues used magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to gain unique insight into the brains of smartphone- and internet-addicted teenagers. MRS is a type of MRI that measures the brain's chemical composition.
Dr. Seo reported that the addicted teenagers had significantly higher scores in depression, anxiety, insomnia severity and impulsivity.
The researchers performed MRS exams on the addicted youth prior to and following behavioral therapy and a single MRS study on the control patients to measure levels of gamma aminobutyric acid, or GABA, a neurotransmitter in the brain that inhibits or slows down brain signals, and glutamate-glutamine (Glx), a neurotransmitter that causes neurons to become more electrically excited. Previous studies have found GABA to be involved in vision and motor control and the regulation of various brain functions, including anxiety.
More here
NFL players feud after league offers money for an end to anthem protests
The social justice protests by NFL players didn’t start as a coordinated effort. They began with one player kneeling during the national anthem, then two, then dozens. It was an individual protest that went viral around the league.
Now, as the NFL Players Coalition tries to figure out it wants the league to do in response to their protests, it has become even more clear that everyone was never on the same page.
After the NFL offered to contribute nearly $100 million to “causes considered important to African-American communities” in exchange for the players to end protests, Miami Dolphins safety Michael Thomas and San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid withdrew from the Players Coalition, saying they felt “misled” by the decisions leadership has made on behalf of the players.
Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins and former wide receiver Anquan Boldin are considered the leaders of the Players Coalition.
More
Now, as the NFL Players Coalition tries to figure out it wants the league to do in response to their protests, it has become even more clear that everyone was never on the same page.
After the NFL offered to contribute nearly $100 million to “causes considered important to African-American communities” in exchange for the players to end protests, Miami Dolphins safety Michael Thomas and San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid withdrew from the Players Coalition, saying they felt “misled” by the decisions leadership has made on behalf of the players.
Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins and former wide receiver Anquan Boldin are considered the leaders of the Players Coalition.
More
The Big Changes the Trumps Are Making at the White House to Celebrate Christmas
There’ve been a lot of wise men in the White House. But this Christmas, there are three more in the East Room, where the Trumps are highlighting a Nativity scene.
That’s just one of the ways the first family is separating itself from the Obamas, who came dangerously close to ditching the 50-year-old display in 2009. There wasn’t room for Jesus at the inn—and for eight years, there wasn’t much room for him at 1600 Pennsylvania either.
The Obamas famously wanted a “nonreligious Christmas” (which makes about as much sense as a vegetarian barbecue). But they were outed by their social secretary, Desiree Rogers, in an eye-opening profile piece for The New York Times.
The lunch conversation inevitably turned to whether the White House would display its crèche, customarily placed in a prominent spot in the East Room. Ms. Rogers, this participant said, replied that the Obamas did not intend to put the manger scene on display—a remark that drew an audible gasp from the tight-knit social secretary sisterhood. (A White House official confirmed that there had been internal discussions about making Christmas more inclusive and whether to display the crèche.)
More
That’s just one of the ways the first family is separating itself from the Obamas, who came dangerously close to ditching the 50-year-old display in 2009. There wasn’t room for Jesus at the inn—and for eight years, there wasn’t much room for him at 1600 Pennsylvania either.
The Obamas famously wanted a “nonreligious Christmas” (which makes about as much sense as a vegetarian barbecue). But they were outed by their social secretary, Desiree Rogers, in an eye-opening profile piece for The New York Times.
The lunch conversation inevitably turned to whether the White House would display its crèche, customarily placed in a prominent spot in the East Room. Ms. Rogers, this participant said, replied that the Obamas did not intend to put the manger scene on display—a remark that drew an audible gasp from the tight-knit social secretary sisterhood. (A White House official confirmed that there had been internal discussions about making Christmas more inclusive and whether to display the crèche.)
More
Fox News 'Troubled' by Geraldo Sex Harassment Tweets, He Apologizes
"Geraldo's tweets do not reflect the views of Fox News or its management,"the network said in a statement to The Hill. "We were troubled by his comments and are addressing them with him."
In a series of tweets Wednesday afternoon, Rivera seemed to downplay sexual harassment allegations against "Today" show co-host Matt Lauer, who was fired by NBC News earlier Wednesday.
Rivera called news a "flirty business" and noted the recent spate of sexual harassment complaints risks "criminalizing courtship & conflating it [with] predation."
More
UPDATE:
The following Video is Bette Midler telling Barbara Walters in 1991 about Rivera groping her.
Amazon's Cyber Monday Was Its Biggest Sales Day Ever
Cyber Monday was Amazon’s largest shopping day ever, topping July’s record-breaking Prime Day, the retail giant announced Wednesday.
No specific sales numbers were given in the announcement, but Amazon said its Echo Dot virtual assistant was its biggest seller. Amazon Fire Stick for TV with Alexa Voice Remote and Amazon Fire Tablets were also top sellers, according to TechCrunch.
Amazon reported its third-party sellers also had their biggest collective day ever with more than 140 million items sold between Thankgiving and Cyber Monday.
Worldwide sales on the Amazon app jumped 50 percent over last year as more mobile users shopped on their devices this year than ever before, the company said.
More
No specific sales numbers were given in the announcement, but Amazon said its Echo Dot virtual assistant was its biggest seller. Amazon Fire Stick for TV with Alexa Voice Remote and Amazon Fire Tablets were also top sellers, according to TechCrunch.
Amazon reported its third-party sellers also had their biggest collective day ever with more than 140 million items sold between Thankgiving and Cyber Monday.
Worldwide sales on the Amazon app jumped 50 percent over last year as more mobile users shopped on their devices this year than ever before, the company said.
More
Florida college offers class that teaches students that ‘the U.S. remains a white supremacist society’
If you or any of your children or grandchildren are considering going to Florida Gulf Coast University, you might want to put a pin in that. Unless, of course, you’re comfortable going to a college that openly and actively demonizes white people for no reason other than being white.
I personally have enough irrational hatred in my life, and don’t need to add some salty sociology professor’s racist opinions to the list. That’s a hard pass from me.
The Florida Professor, Ted Thornhill, is now heading a class that aims to teach students that they are living in a country that is still a “white supremacist society.” If this doesn’t anger you beyond measure, you’re not paying attention.
“Too many Americans, especially whites, are cocooned in a ‘bubble of unreality’ as it concerns racial matters,” he said in a statement to the media. “I’m not teaching this course because white people get upset at me teaching this course, and I’m not teaching it because it makes them comfortable. I’m teaching it because it’s an important topic that needs to be addressed.”
More
I personally have enough irrational hatred in my life, and don’t need to add some salty sociology professor’s racist opinions to the list. That’s a hard pass from me.
The Florida Professor, Ted Thornhill, is now heading a class that aims to teach students that they are living in a country that is still a “white supremacist society.” If this doesn’t anger you beyond measure, you’re not paying attention.
“Too many Americans, especially whites, are cocooned in a ‘bubble of unreality’ as it concerns racial matters,” he said in a statement to the media. “I’m not teaching this course because white people get upset at me teaching this course, and I’m not teaching it because it makes them comfortable. I’m teaching it because it’s an important topic that needs to be addressed.”
More
Black Lives Matter DELETES Trump Twitter Poll After They Get Result They Never Saw Coming
And on today’s episode of “WHOOPS! You Won’t Do That Again,” we have a Black Lives Matter-affiliated Twitter page posting a poll that they were later forced to remove after being embarrassed by the results. That’s just hilarious. It certainly didn’t turn out the way they expected.
Apparently, Black Lives Matter got salty that Trump was quoting a recent poll about his support numbers (oh, the HORROR!) and they decided to do one of their own, no doubt for their followers to use as a (hee, hee) “Trump” card during some argument or another. But that’s not exactly how it turned out. It backfired YUGELY!! I love it when a plan comes together.
More
Apparently, Black Lives Matter got salty that Trump was quoting a recent poll about his support numbers (oh, the HORROR!) and they decided to do one of their own, no doubt for their followers to use as a (hee, hee) “Trump” card during some argument or another. But that’s not exactly how it turned out. It backfired YUGELY!! I love it when a plan comes together.
More
Conservative Speaker ARRESTED During Speech at UConn
A reporter for the Gateway Pundit and previous White House press pass holder Lucian B. Wintrich has been “accosted” at a community college while delivering a speech entitled “It’s Okay To Be White.”
The speech, which took place last night at the University of Connecticut ended with Wintrich being escorted out by the police after one of the professors (often misreported as a student) approached Wintrich at the podium and stole the papers on which he had printed his speech. Wintrich, 29, has since been released by authorities and is now biting back on social media against the left wing news outlets that are mis-characterizing what happened.
One paper, the Chicago Tribune, says that windows were broken nearby and a smoke bomb was set off just outside of where Wintrich was giving his presentation. The reporter made his appearance while wearing a tux. Around 100 students were gathered outside of the lecture hall when he was brought out by police who nabbed him after he appears to have physically engaged with the professor who took his notes.
As posted by Lucian on Twitter, the woman who took his papers is a professor at the community college and he was charged with “breach of peace,” not assault. The speech, he pointed out, was about the disingenuity of the main stream media who choose to lie instead of report the plain truth.
More/Video
The speech, which took place last night at the University of Connecticut ended with Wintrich being escorted out by the police after one of the professors (often misreported as a student) approached Wintrich at the podium and stole the papers on which he had printed his speech. Wintrich, 29, has since been released by authorities and is now biting back on social media against the left wing news outlets that are mis-characterizing what happened.
One paper, the Chicago Tribune, says that windows were broken nearby and a smoke bomb was set off just outside of where Wintrich was giving his presentation. The reporter made his appearance while wearing a tux. Around 100 students were gathered outside of the lecture hall when he was brought out by police who nabbed him after he appears to have physically engaged with the professor who took his notes.
As posted by Lucian on Twitter, the woman who took his papers is a professor at the community college and he was charged with “breach of peace,” not assault. The speech, he pointed out, was about the disingenuity of the main stream media who choose to lie instead of report the plain truth.
More/Video
BREAKING: Trump Calls for INVESTIGATION into Joe Scarborough’s Dead Congressional Intern
This morning we woke up to the firing of NBC’s Matt Lauer and Donald Trump only spent a moment celebrating the take down of another sex pervert making millions of dollars selling Fake News before he went after more targets, including Andy Lack and then Joe Scarborough.
Trump said of Matt Lauer at 7:16 EST this morning:
Wow, Matt Lauer was just fired from NBC for “inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.” But when will the top executives at NBC & Comcast be fired for putting out so much Fake News. Check out Andy Lack’s past!
Andrew Lack, 70, is the current Chairman of NBC News and MSNBC who recently hired on the disgraced Megyn Kelly, saying that the station is “lucky to have her,” where she earned between $15 million and $20 million annually. His wife Betsey works for Snapchat, a service preferred by younger millennials an Gen Z to other social networking sites like Facebook. Lack has recently been under fire for having been responsible for putting the kibosh on a report by Ronan Farrow that would have outed Harvey Weinstein as a sex pervert months ago.
But the juicier press here is about MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough, who in July of this year said that he was a Republican but he’s now taking his ball and going home.
Joe started his career in law at the Florida Bar in 1991 and in 1994 he began series of terms in Congress under the GOP banner that would last until 2002 in a district that was overwhelmingly Republican, to the point where his last 2000 election was unopposed and he took 100% of the vote. He has been divorced twice, has four children and is currently engaged to his co-host Mike Brzezinski.
Trump said of Matt Lauer at 7:16 EST this morning:
Wow, Matt Lauer was just fired from NBC for “inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.” But when will the top executives at NBC & Comcast be fired for putting out so much Fake News. Check out Andy Lack’s past!
Andrew Lack, 70, is the current Chairman of NBC News and MSNBC who recently hired on the disgraced Megyn Kelly, saying that the station is “lucky to have her,” where she earned between $15 million and $20 million annually. His wife Betsey works for Snapchat, a service preferred by younger millennials an Gen Z to other social networking sites like Facebook. Lack has recently been under fire for having been responsible for putting the kibosh on a report by Ronan Farrow that would have outed Harvey Weinstein as a sex pervert months ago.
But the juicier press here is about MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough, who in July of this year said that he was a Republican but he’s now taking his ball and going home.
Joe started his career in law at the Florida Bar in 1991 and in 1994 he began series of terms in Congress under the GOP banner that would last until 2002 in a district that was overwhelmingly Republican, to the point where his last 2000 election was unopposed and he took 100% of the vote. He has been divorced twice, has four children and is currently engaged to his co-host Mike Brzezinski.
Stuck with someone you don't know well for Secret Santa?
Secret Santa gift exchanges can be a lot of fun. But they can also be a huge source of holiday stress if you end up picking the name of a coworker or acquaintance that you don't talk to very much. How do you choose a present for someone you barely know? These seven gifts are all really practical, so pretty much anyone can find a use for each one of them. (And they're also really easy to re-gift, in case the person already owns the item.)
Sunglasses are constantly on our mind when it comes to summer fashion, but they totally get overlooked in the winter. In our opinion, they're essential for this season. Snow can be pretty blinding, right? And plus, the right pair of sunglasses can really add to your look and help you stand out in a sea of puffy black coats. So check out this slideshow to find out the five styles that you need for winter!
More
Sunglasses are constantly on our mind when it comes to summer fashion, but they totally get overlooked in the winter. In our opinion, they're essential for this season. Snow can be pretty blinding, right? And plus, the right pair of sunglasses can really add to your look and help you stand out in a sea of puffy black coats. So check out this slideshow to find out the five styles that you need for winter!
More
Chilling Details Leak Of What Matt Lauer Did To His Victims – This Is SICK
A former employee, who was married at time and in her forties, has accused Matt Lauer of making sexual advances towards her. She says he told her “you’re no fun” when she tried to inch away from him during a car journey where he was sitting too close to her.
In 2001, she claims Lauer used a button under his desk which locked the door to his office from the inside. She was asked to his office and he used the button to trap her in the room, and then told her to unbutton her blouse. She then said the newscaster bent her over a chair and had sex with her until she passed out. She told The New York Times that she woke up on the floor with her pants down. She is currently not releasing her name.
This incident is one of many that has led to the firing of Lauer from NBC. They informed the news host he was being fired after discovering lewd photos and text messages that Lauer sent an intern during the Sochi Olympics.
Once news broke that he was being fired, an avalanche of accusations came his way of sexual misconduct. He has been accused of flashing his penis at a woman and purchasing a sex toy for another with a note saying what he would like to use it for… you can imagine.
The intern who he allegedly sent these lewd pictures and texts to told the HR department of NBC news on Monday. Lauer was let go less than 24 hours later. Page Six reports the messages,”showed incontrovertible proof of inappropriate sexual behavior on his part.” Yeah, no kidding.
More
Team Hillary cheers Matt Lauer's firing
The abrupt firing of NBC "Today" co-host Matt Lauer announced Wednesday prompted cheers among Hillary Clinton’s loyalists who feel that he was extraordinarily mean to her — and soft on President Trump — during the 2016 presidential campaign.
“Another person whose interview with Trump was ridiculously soft and interview with Hillary was incredibly tough: Matt Lauer,” tweeted former Clinton aide Neera Tanden, president of the Center for American Progress.
Another former Clinton aide, Verrit co-founder Peter Daou, wrote on Facebook: "Matt Lauer was fired today. One by one, we're finding out the true character of the male journalists who treated Hillary Clinton (and her voters) with seething disdain..
More here from 'The Bitter Bunch'..
“Another person whose interview with Trump was ridiculously soft and interview with Hillary was incredibly tough: Matt Lauer,” tweeted former Clinton aide Neera Tanden, president of the Center for American Progress.
Another former Clinton aide, Verrit co-founder Peter Daou, wrote on Facebook: "Matt Lauer was fired today. One by one, we're finding out the true character of the male journalists who treated Hillary Clinton (and her voters) with seething disdain..
More here from 'The Bitter Bunch'..
Supreme Court May Impose New Limits On Government Access To Cellphone Data
In the political world, conservatives often accuse liberals of being soft on crime. At the U.S. court, that's not how it goes. Case in point, at the high court on Wednesday, a majority of the justices across ideological lines indicated they may be willing to impose new limits on the government's ability to gain access to large amounts of information retained by private companies in the digital age.
The question before the court in Carpenter v. United States is whether police have to get a search warrant to obtain cellphone tracking information that is routinely kept by wireless providers.
The case arose out of a series of armed robberies in 2010 and 2011 — robberies, ironically, aimed at stealing hundreds of new cellphones and selling them for tens of thousands of dollars. When police apprehended some members of the ring, the smaller fish implicated the leader of the ring, Timothy Carpenter, whereupon the police got a court order to get access to 127 days of cellphone tracking records for Carpenter and other members of the gang. Lo and behold, Carpenter's general location information matched the robbery locations, and that information was used to help convict him.
Prosecutors did get a court order before gaining access to the information, but they only had to show that they were seeking evidence relevant to a criminal investigation. Getting a search warrant is harder and requires more specific information.
More
The question before the court in Carpenter v. United States is whether police have to get a search warrant to obtain cellphone tracking information that is routinely kept by wireless providers.
The case arose out of a series of armed robberies in 2010 and 2011 — robberies, ironically, aimed at stealing hundreds of new cellphones and selling them for tens of thousands of dollars. When police apprehended some members of the ring, the smaller fish implicated the leader of the ring, Timothy Carpenter, whereupon the police got a court order to get access to 127 days of cellphone tracking records for Carpenter and other members of the gang. Lo and behold, Carpenter's general location information matched the robbery locations, and that information was used to help convict him.
Prosecutors did get a court order before gaining access to the information, but they only had to show that they were seeking evidence relevant to a criminal investigation. Getting a search warrant is harder and requires more specific information.
More
Breaking News: Matt Lauer apologized after his firing for sexual misconduct: "There is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed"
| Matt Lauer on Thursday expressed “sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused,” a day after NBC News fired the star “Today” show anchor over an allegation of inappropriate sexual behavior. |
| “Some of what is being said about me is untrue or mischaracterized, but there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed,” Mr. Lauer wrote in a statement. “I regret that my shame is now shared by the people I cherish dearly.” |
| “There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions,” Mr. Lauer wrote. “To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry. As I am writing this I realize the depth of the damage and disappointment I have left behind at home and at NBC.” |
| Read More » |
Man Who Deactivated Trump's Twitter Account: 'I Didn't Break Any Rules'
Remember the story about the Twitter employee who (briefly) managed to delete President Trump's account?
At the time, we speculated that it might be "an act of civil disobedience, or maybe just a 'take this job and shove it' moment." But, apparently the 11-minute outage@realDonaldTrump was just a mistake.
TechCrunch, the industry website owned by AOL, has tracked down the ex-Twitter employee it says is responsible for the Nov. 2 incident: His name is Bahtiyar Duysak, and he is described by the tech site as "a twenty-something with Turkish roots who was born and raised in Germany."
Twitter has declined to confirm his identity. However, Duysak says he was a contractor at management services company Pro Unlimited and had been assigned to Twitter's Trust and Safety division, the department that sorts through alerts from users reporting abusive behavior or violations of the company's terms of service.
More
At the time, we speculated that it might be "an act of civil disobedience, or maybe just a 'take this job and shove it' moment." But, apparently the 11-minute outage@realDonaldTrump was just a mistake.
TechCrunch, the industry website owned by AOL, has tracked down the ex-Twitter employee it says is responsible for the Nov. 2 incident: His name is Bahtiyar Duysak, and he is described by the tech site as "a twenty-something with Turkish roots who was born and raised in Germany."
Twitter has declined to confirm his identity. However, Duysak says he was a contractor at management services company Pro Unlimited and had been assigned to Twitter's Trust and Safety division, the department that sorts through alerts from users reporting abusive behavior or violations of the company's terms of service.
More
Thousands of American Airlines holiday flights in danger of cancellation after glitch
American Airlines says they are working to resolve a scheduling conflict after a computer glitch allowed all of its pilots to take vacation during the week of Christmas.
The Allied Pilots Association (APA) that represents pilots at the country's largest airline said in a statement that it was notified Friday by the carrier of "a failure within the pilot schedule bidding system. As a result, thousands of flights currently do not have pilots assigned to fly them during the upcoming critical holiday period," it said
American Airlines said on Twitter that they were "working diligently to address the issue." The company adds that they "fully expect" to avoid cancellations during the upcoming holiday season.
More
The Allied Pilots Association (APA) that represents pilots at the country's largest airline said in a statement that it was notified Friday by the carrier of "a failure within the pilot schedule bidding system. As a result, thousands of flights currently do not have pilots assigned to fly them during the upcoming critical holiday period," it said
American Airlines said on Twitter that they were "working diligently to address the issue." The company adds that they "fully expect" to avoid cancellations during the upcoming holiday season.
More
More Blogger Issues
NOI 11/28/17 Dorchester Garage Fire Railroad Avenue
Date: November 28, 2017
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Location / Address: 50 Railroad Ave., Hurlock, Dorchester Co.
Type of Incident: Fire
Description of Structure / Property: One story masonry/steel framed auto repair garage
Owner / Occupants: Jeffery Fletcher
Injuries or Deaths: None
Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $40,000 Contents: $80,000
Smoke Alarm Status: None present
Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: None present
Arrests(s): None
Primary Responding Fire Department: Hurlock
# of Alarms: 1 # Of Firefighters: 13
Time to Control: 5 minutes
Discovered By: Owner
Area of Origin: Interior wall
Preliminary Cause: Under Investigation
Attorney General Sessions and Acting DEA Administrator Patterson announce new tools to address opioid crisis
WASHINGTON – Continuing to follow President Trump’s strong leadership on combatting the deadly opioid crisis, Attorney General Sessions today announced new resources and stepped up efforts to address the drug and opioid crisis.
Joined by Acting DEA Administrator Robert Patterson, Attorney General Sessions announced the following efforts during a press conference at the Department of Justice: over $12 million in grant funding to assist law enforcement in combating illegal manufacturing and distribution of methamphetamine, heroin, and prescription opioids; the establishment of a new DEA Field Division in Louisville, Kentucky, which will include Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia, a move meant to better align DEA enforcement efforts within the Appalachian mountain region; and a directive to all U.S. Attorneys to designate an Opioid Coordinator to work closely with prosecutors, and with other federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement to coordinate and optimize federal opioid prosecutions in every district.
“Today we are facing the worst drug crisis in American history, with one American dying of a drug overdose every nine minutes,” said Attorney General Jeff Sessions. “That’s why, under President Trump’s strong leadership, the Department of Justice has been taking action to make our drug law enforcement efforts more effective. Today we announce three new initiatives to do just that. First, we will invest $12 million in funding for our state and local law enforcement partners to take heroin and methamphetamine off of our streets. Second, we will restructure DEA's Field Divisions for the first time in nearly 20 years. Third, we will require all of our federal prosecutors' offices to designate an Opioid Coordinator who will customize our anti-opioid strategy in every district in America. These steps will make our law enforcement efforts smarter and more effective—and ultimately they will save American lives."
“DEA continually looks for ways to improve operations and interagency cooperation and more efficiently leverage resources,” said Acting DEA Administrator Robert W. Patterson. “By creating a new division in the region, this restructuring places DEA in lockstep with our partners in the area to do just that. This change will produce more effective investigations on heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid trafficking, all of which have a significant impact on the region.”
COPS Anti-Heroin Task Force Grants and Anti-Meth Program
The Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office is awarding a total of $7.19 million in FY 2017 funding through the Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF). AHTF provides two years of funding directly to law enforcement agencies in states with high per capita levels of primary treatment admissions for heroin and other opioids. This funding will support the location or investigation of illicit activities related to the distribution of heroin or the unlawful distribution of prescription opioids.
The COPS Office will also award a total of $5.03 million in FY 2017 funding through the COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program (CAMP). The state agencies receiving funding today have demonstrated numerous seizures of precursor chemicals, finished methamphetamine, laboratories, and laboratory dump seizures. State agencies will be awarded two years of funding through CAMP to support the investigation of illicit activities related to the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine.
The complete list of Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) award recipients, including funding amounts, can be found here.
The complete list of COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program (CAMP) award recipients, including funding amounts, can be found here
Joined by Acting DEA Administrator Robert Patterson, Attorney General Sessions announced the following efforts during a press conference at the Department of Justice: over $12 million in grant funding to assist law enforcement in combating illegal manufacturing and distribution of methamphetamine, heroin, and prescription opioids; the establishment of a new DEA Field Division in Louisville, Kentucky, which will include Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia, a move meant to better align DEA enforcement efforts within the Appalachian mountain region; and a directive to all U.S. Attorneys to designate an Opioid Coordinator to work closely with prosecutors, and with other federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement to coordinate and optimize federal opioid prosecutions in every district.
“Today we are facing the worst drug crisis in American history, with one American dying of a drug overdose every nine minutes,” said Attorney General Jeff Sessions. “That’s why, under President Trump’s strong leadership, the Department of Justice has been taking action to make our drug law enforcement efforts more effective. Today we announce three new initiatives to do just that. First, we will invest $12 million in funding for our state and local law enforcement partners to take heroin and methamphetamine off of our streets. Second, we will restructure DEA's Field Divisions for the first time in nearly 20 years. Third, we will require all of our federal prosecutors' offices to designate an Opioid Coordinator who will customize our anti-opioid strategy in every district in America. These steps will make our law enforcement efforts smarter and more effective—and ultimately they will save American lives."
“DEA continually looks for ways to improve operations and interagency cooperation and more efficiently leverage resources,” said Acting DEA Administrator Robert W. Patterson. “By creating a new division in the region, this restructuring places DEA in lockstep with our partners in the area to do just that. This change will produce more effective investigations on heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid trafficking, all of which have a significant impact on the region.”
COPS Anti-Heroin Task Force Grants and Anti-Meth Program
The Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office is awarding a total of $7.19 million in FY 2017 funding through the Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF). AHTF provides two years of funding directly to law enforcement agencies in states with high per capita levels of primary treatment admissions for heroin and other opioids. This funding will support the location or investigation of illicit activities related to the distribution of heroin or the unlawful distribution of prescription opioids.
The COPS Office will also award a total of $5.03 million in FY 2017 funding through the COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program (CAMP). The state agencies receiving funding today have demonstrated numerous seizures of precursor chemicals, finished methamphetamine, laboratories, and laboratory dump seizures. State agencies will be awarded two years of funding through CAMP to support the investigation of illicit activities related to the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine.
The complete list of Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) award recipients, including funding amounts, can be found here.
The complete list of COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program (CAMP) award recipients, including funding amounts, can be found here
Wicomico Recreation Indoor Community Yard Sale scheduled for Jan. 13
Table and booth rentals available now
SALISBURY, Md. – Why not make money off those items sitting in the basement or in the closet?
Table and booth rentals are available now for Wicomico Recreation’s Indoor Community Yard Sale, which is coming up on Saturday, Jan. 13, at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center.
The yard sale will run from 7 a.m.-noon, and admission for members of the public who want to shop is $2 per person. Children younger than 12 are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.
Reservations for table and booth rentals can be made at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Box Office (500 Glen Ave., Salisbury, MD, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.), online at www.WicomicoCivicCenter.org (an online fee may apply) or by phone at 410-548-4911. Table rentals are $15 and booths are $40 for a 10-foot space including three tables. Setup for sellers will begin at 4 a.m. the morning of the sale.
For more information, contact Allen Swiger at 410-548-4900 x108 or aswiger@wicomicocounty.org.
NBC received at least two more complaints about Matt Lauer, hours after his firing. One woman said she was summoned to his office for sex.
A complaint from a former employee said Mr. Lauer had summoned her to his office in 2001 and then had sex with her. She provided her account to The New York Times but declined to let her name be used. She told the Times that she felt helpless because she didn’t wanted to lose her job, and that she didn’t report the encounter at the time because she felt ashamed.
WCSO Press Releases - Nov. 29, 2017
Incident: Conspiracy / Malicious Destruction of Property
Date of Incident: 24 November 2017
Location: Wicomico County, MD
Suspects:
1. Monica Wendy Snee, 51, Salisbury, MD
2. Polly Anne Moore, 50, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 24 November 2017, both Monica Snee and her sister Polly Anne Moore were charged regarding their involvement in the destruction of a cellular phone. According to the complainant in this case, her phone’s content was questioned during an interview subsequent to the arrest of Monica Snee in a drug distribution case.
Moore gave these instructions to her sister during a phone call from the Detention Center.
Both Snee and Moore were both charged on a Criminal Summons with this incident.
Charges: Malicious Destruction of Property (Moore only) and Conspiracy (Both Moore and Snee)
Date of Incident: 24 November 2017
Location: Wicomico County, MD
Suspects:
1. Monica Wendy Snee, 51, Salisbury, MD
2. Polly Anne Moore, 50, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 24 November 2017, both Monica Snee and her sister Polly Anne Moore were charged regarding their involvement in the destruction of a cellular phone. According to the complainant in this case, her phone’s content was questioned during an interview subsequent to the arrest of Monica Snee in a drug distribution case.
An investigation revealed that Snee instructed Moore take that phone from the third party and destroy it which she did by slamming it onto pavement.
Moore gave these instructions to her sister during a phone call from the Detention Center.
Both Snee and Moore were both charged on a Criminal Summons with this incident.
Charges: Malicious Destruction of Property (Moore only) and Conspiracy (Both Moore and Snee)
The Flu Vaccine Is The Most Dangerous Vaccine In The U.S. Based On Settled Cases For Injuries
The last report issued in 2013 by the Department of Justice (Vaccine Court), for compensation made by the Health and Human Services for people injured or killed by vaccines, was released in December 2013, covering the period of 8/16/2013 through 11/15/2013. The report is available as a Power Point presentation here.
There were 139 claims settled during this time period, with 70 of them being compensated. So, just over 50% of the claims filed for vaccine damages were compensated during this period.
Once again, the greatest percentage of damages compensated were for the influenza vaccine, and most of those were for Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). Yet these facts, tucked away in a file on the Department of Health and Human Services website, are never reported in the mainstream media. So we will report them here. You can also read the report yourself in the Power Point file here.
Of the 70 cases compensated, 42 of them were for the flu vaccine, or 60% of the cases settled where compensation was awarded for injury or death due to the vaccine. The combined total of the other 40% of cases settled included the following vaccines: Hep B, Tetanus, HPV, DTaP, MMR, IPV, PCV, Hib, Meningococcal, Varicella, TD.
More
There were 139 claims settled during this time period, with 70 of them being compensated. So, just over 50% of the claims filed for vaccine damages were compensated during this period.
Once again, the greatest percentage of damages compensated were for the influenza vaccine, and most of those were for Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). Yet these facts, tucked away in a file on the Department of Health and Human Services website, are never reported in the mainstream media. So we will report them here. You can also read the report yourself in the Power Point file here.
Of the 70 cases compensated, 42 of them were for the flu vaccine, or 60% of the cases settled where compensation was awarded for injury or death due to the vaccine. The combined total of the other 40% of cases settled included the following vaccines: Hep B, Tetanus, HPV, DTaP, MMR, IPV, PCV, Hib, Meningococcal, Varicella, TD.
More