It’s been six years since Somali refugee Mohammed Ali Mohammed, then age 14, sexually assaulted two women at knifepoint on consecutive nights in Salt Lake City.
Mohammed, now just one month from his 21st birthday, attacked one woman who was standing outside of her home on Aug. 14, 2011.
The teen came up behind the woman, who was outside her house with a dog, and held a four-inch switchblade to her throat. He threatened to kill her if she made a sound, according to police reports, then he raped her behind the home.
The teen came up behind the woman, who was outside her house with a dog, and held a four-inch switchblade to her throat. He threatened to kill her if she made a sound, according to police reports, then he raped her behind the home.
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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Thursday, December 07, 2017
Senior Volkswagen Executive Sentenced In Diesel-Emissions Scandal
High-ranking U.S.-based Volkswagen executive, Oliver Schmidt, has been sentencedto seven years in prison and ordered to pay a $400,000 fine for his part in a decadelong diesel-emissions cheating scandal.
Schmidt was the chief of Volkswagen's engineering and environmental office in Michigan. In August, he pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to defraud the federal government and violation of the Clean Air Act by participating in a scheme to circumvent federal emissions tests with rigged devices in diesel cars. Federal regulators uncovered the plot in 2015.
Volkswagen already has admitted guilt to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, customs violations, obstruction of justice, as well as violation of the Clean Air Act. The German company has paid more than $20 billion in fines and settlements.
In a letter to U.S. District Judge Sean Cox of Detroit, Schmidt acknowledged his guilt. Reading a written statement in court, Schmidt broke down saying, "I made bad decisions and for that I am sorry."
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Schmidt was the chief of Volkswagen's engineering and environmental office in Michigan. In August, he pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to defraud the federal government and violation of the Clean Air Act by participating in a scheme to circumvent federal emissions tests with rigged devices in diesel cars. Federal regulators uncovered the plot in 2015.
Volkswagen already has admitted guilt to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, customs violations, obstruction of justice, as well as violation of the Clean Air Act. The German company has paid more than $20 billion in fines and settlements.
In a letter to U.S. District Judge Sean Cox of Detroit, Schmidt acknowledged his guilt. Reading a written statement in court, Schmidt broke down saying, "I made bad decisions and for that I am sorry."
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Economics Prof: $21,000,000,000,000 Missing From Federal Budget
On the dark side of the moon stand vast palaces made completely of gold, where federal bureaucrats plan to retire. Or maybe they constructed a city of platinum under a giant dome at the bottom of the sea. Either might explain what they have done with the missing $21 trillion:
An economics professor at Michigan State University made a shocking discovery while reviewing the finances of the federal government.
Dr. Mark Skidmore claims he and a group of graduate students discovered $21 trillion missing in the federal budget going back to 1998.
In one instance, the team found an unauthorized transfer of $800 billion dollars from the Treasury Department to the U.S. Army.
That 12-digit transfer was described as an “adjustment.” The wealth we work so hard to generate is adjusted out into the ether, never to be seen again.
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An economics professor at Michigan State University made a shocking discovery while reviewing the finances of the federal government.
Dr. Mark Skidmore claims he and a group of graduate students discovered $21 trillion missing in the federal budget going back to 1998.
In one instance, the team found an unauthorized transfer of $800 billion dollars from the Treasury Department to the U.S. Army.
That 12-digit transfer was described as an “adjustment.” The wealth we work so hard to generate is adjusted out into the ether, never to be seen again.
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Bill and Hillary’s Nasty Harvey Weinstein Secret Leaks
When even the New York Times is ratting you out, you know you’re in trouble.
The Gray Lady paper has just dished out a new report that gives information about the relationship between Bill and Hillary and their friend Harvey Weinstein, alleging that they were crucial to a scheme that covered up his gross actions and kept him from being found out earlier.
The report states that the Clintons and Weinstein were constantly swapping financial favors and that during the Lewinsky troubles, when Bill was accused of sexually assaulting an intern, Weinstein apparently handed over $10,000 to him while he faced impeachment proceedings. And when Hillary decided she wanted to be a Senator, Harvey gave her $20,000.
Oh, and he was in her hotel suite when Hillary took her Senate victory as part of the celebratory crew.
But, it turns out that Hillary had been warned that Harvey was a pervert. Two women have claimed that they warned Hillary against involving herself with the man.
Lena Dunham, of all people, warned Hillary, and was one of her major supporters (perhaps the only supporter) during the 2016 campaign.
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The Gray Lady paper has just dished out a new report that gives information about the relationship between Bill and Hillary and their friend Harvey Weinstein, alleging that they were crucial to a scheme that covered up his gross actions and kept him from being found out earlier.
The report states that the Clintons and Weinstein were constantly swapping financial favors and that during the Lewinsky troubles, when Bill was accused of sexually assaulting an intern, Weinstein apparently handed over $10,000 to him while he faced impeachment proceedings. And when Hillary decided she wanted to be a Senator, Harvey gave her $20,000.
Oh, and he was in her hotel suite when Hillary took her Senate victory as part of the celebratory crew.
But, it turns out that Hillary had been warned that Harvey was a pervert. Two women have claimed that they warned Hillary against involving herself with the man.
Lena Dunham, of all people, warned Hillary, and was one of her major supporters (perhaps the only supporter) during the 2016 campaign.
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FEDERAL GRAND JURY INDICTES KATE STEINLE’S ILLEGAL ALIEN KILLER
A federal grand jury indicted the killer of Kate Steinle on Wednesday. If you recall, the illegal alien in question Jose Garcia Zarate was acquitted in the murder of Steinle recently.
Jose Garcia Zarate was indicted “for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and for being an illegally present alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition,” according to the Department of Justice.
Although the San Francisco court acquitted Zarate of murder, it did convict Zarate of illegal possession of a firearm. If the charges stick, he could face up to 10 years in federal prison.
I don’t get this case. If you or I had an illegally possessed gun and discharged it and someone ended up dead because of it, do you think we would be acquitted of any kind of murder or manslaughter charges?
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Jose Garcia Zarate was indicted “for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and for being an illegally present alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition,” according to the Department of Justice.
Although the San Francisco court acquitted Zarate of murder, it did convict Zarate of illegal possession of a firearm. If the charges stick, he could face up to 10 years in federal prison.
I don’t get this case. If you or I had an illegally possessed gun and discharged it and someone ended up dead because of it, do you think we would be acquitted of any kind of murder or manslaughter charges?
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CA. Bill in the works to Banish Gasoline Cars by 2040
A California lawmaker wants to put the state alongside China, France and theU.K. and have its legislature consider a ban on vehicles powered by fossil fuels.
California Assemblymember Phil Ting, a Democrat who is chairman of the chamber’s budget committee, said he plans to introduce a bill that, starting in 2040, would allow the state’s motor vehicles department to register only “clean” vehicles that emit no carbon dioxide, such as battery-electric or hydrogen fuel-cell cars.
“Until you set a deadline, nothing gets done,” Ting, who represents much of San Francisco, said in a phone interview Tuesday. “It’s responsible for us to set a deadline 23 years in advance.”
Ting said he’ll introduce the bill when lawmakers return to Sacramento next month for the upcoming legislative session. If adopted, it would eliminate a huge chunk of carbon emissions from the transportation sector -- now the top source of the greenhouse gas in the U.S. -- as part of the state’s quest to slash emissions by 80 percent from 1990 levels by 2050.
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California Assemblymember Phil Ting, a Democrat who is chairman of the chamber’s budget committee, said he plans to introduce a bill that, starting in 2040, would allow the state’s motor vehicles department to register only “clean” vehicles that emit no carbon dioxide, such as battery-electric or hydrogen fuel-cell cars.
“Until you set a deadline, nothing gets done,” Ting, who represents much of San Francisco, said in a phone interview Tuesday. “It’s responsible for us to set a deadline 23 years in advance.”
Ting said he’ll introduce the bill when lawmakers return to Sacramento next month for the upcoming legislative session. If adopted, it would eliminate a huge chunk of carbon emissions from the transportation sector -- now the top source of the greenhouse gas in the U.S. -- as part of the state’s quest to slash emissions by 80 percent from 1990 levels by 2050.
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Arizona high school officials didn't report abuse: police
Administrators at a prominent Arizona high school knew about allegations of abuse in the football team's locker room but failed to alert authorities, according to newly released records.
Police recommended charges against the principal, athletic director and head coach at Hamilton High School in Chandler, Arizona.
At least four players were allegedly abused by older teammates at the public high school, the largest in Arizona.
The three administrators have all been transferred, and prosecutors said they are reviewing the recommendation to charge them.
Previously charged as an adult in the case was football player Nathaniel William Thomas, 17, who has pleaded not guilty to sexual assault and multiple counts of molestation, kidnapping and aggravated assault involving alleged attacks on three people.
Two other players, both 16, were charged as juveniles for kidnapping, aggravated assault and assault.
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Police recommended charges against the principal, athletic director and head coach at Hamilton High School in Chandler, Arizona.
At least four players were allegedly abused by older teammates at the public high school, the largest in Arizona.
The three administrators have all been transferred, and prosecutors said they are reviewing the recommendation to charge them.
Previously charged as an adult in the case was football player Nathaniel William Thomas, 17, who has pleaded not guilty to sexual assault and multiple counts of molestation, kidnapping and aggravated assault involving alleged attacks on three people.
Two other players, both 16, were charged as juveniles for kidnapping, aggravated assault and assault.
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Barack Obama's team worked against Donald Trump
From the moment Donald Trump secured the Republican nomination and then the presidency, national security officials under President Obama have shown themselves to be intense adversaries in public and behind the scenes.
In the latest development, special counsel Robert Mueller’s top-gun prosecutor, Andrew Weissmann, praised acting Attorney General Sally Yates, a Trump nemesis, for refusing a White House order to defend the president’s travel ban on Muslim-majority countries, according to internal emails.
Mr. Weissmann made it clear whose side he was on.
“I am so proud,” Mr. Weissmann wrote to Ms. Yates when he was the head of the Obama Justice Department’s criminal fraud division. “And in awe. Thank you so much. All my deepest respect.”
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In the latest development, special counsel Robert Mueller’s top-gun prosecutor, Andrew Weissmann, praised acting Attorney General Sally Yates, a Trump nemesis, for refusing a White House order to defend the president’s travel ban on Muslim-majority countries, according to internal emails.
Mr. Weissmann made it clear whose side he was on.
“I am so proud,” Mr. Weissmann wrote to Ms. Yates when he was the head of the Obama Justice Department’s criminal fraud division. “And in awe. Thank you so much. All my deepest respect.”
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Corrections officer arrested for sex with inmate
A corrections officer in Ohio was tossed on the other side of the bars after she admitted having sex with at least one inmate, authorities said.
Nakisha Newell, 28, was immediately fired after detectives in Butler County got a tip that the corrections officer — who had been on the job just 18 months — was bringing contraband into the county jail, including a cellphone and electronic cigarettes, Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones announced Monday.
“This is unacceptable,” Jones posted on Twitter. “She was terminated immediately.”
Investigators later learned that Newell also engaged in sexual activity with at least one inmate, Jones said.
“Being a corrections officer is a noble but tough job,” Jones said. “These men and women work hard and always have to be on their guard. My employees take pride in their work and strive to ensure this facility maintains a great reputation. She has tarnished that and I do not want people like that working for me.”
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Nakisha Newell, 28, was immediately fired after detectives in Butler County got a tip that the corrections officer — who had been on the job just 18 months — was bringing contraband into the county jail, including a cellphone and electronic cigarettes, Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones announced Monday.
“This is unacceptable,” Jones posted on Twitter. “She was terminated immediately.”
Investigators later learned that Newell also engaged in sexual activity with at least one inmate, Jones said.
“Being a corrections officer is a noble but tough job,” Jones said. “These men and women work hard and always have to be on their guard. My employees take pride in their work and strive to ensure this facility maintains a great reputation. She has tarnished that and I do not want people like that working for me.”
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DACA Is Not What the Democrats Say It Is. Here Are the Facts.
Some members of Congress are threatening to block government funding unless Congress provides amnesty to so-called Dreamers—the illegal aliens included in President Barack Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which President Donald Trump is ending.
Responsible members of Congress should not give in.
Such an effort would be fundamentally flawed and would only encourage even more illegal immigration—just as the 1986 amnesty in the Immigration Reform and Control Act did.
Democrats portray the DACA program as only benefitting those who were a few years old when they came to the U.S. illegally, leaving them unable to speak their native language and ignorant of their countries’ cultural norms. Therefore, the reasoning goes, it would be a hardship to return them to the countries where they were born.
Obama himself gave this rationale when he said DACA beneficiaries were “brought to this country by their parents” as infants and face “deportation to a country that [they] know nothing about, with a language” they don’t even speak.
While this may be true of a small portion of the DACA population, it certainly is not true of all of the aliens who received administrative amnesty. In fact, illegal aliens were eligible as long as they came to the U.S. before their 16th birthday and were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012.
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Responsible members of Congress should not give in.
Such an effort would be fundamentally flawed and would only encourage even more illegal immigration—just as the 1986 amnesty in the Immigration Reform and Control Act did.
Democrats portray the DACA program as only benefitting those who were a few years old when they came to the U.S. illegally, leaving them unable to speak their native language and ignorant of their countries’ cultural norms. Therefore, the reasoning goes, it would be a hardship to return them to the countries where they were born.
Obama himself gave this rationale when he said DACA beneficiaries were “brought to this country by their parents” as infants and face “deportation to a country that [they] know nothing about, with a language” they don’t even speak.
While this may be true of a small portion of the DACA population, it certainly is not true of all of the aliens who received administrative amnesty. In fact, illegal aliens were eligible as long as they came to the U.S. before their 16th birthday and were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012.
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Are You Addicted? Survey Finds 40% Of Smartphone Use Is Compulsive
LONDON — Do you find yourself reaching for your smartphone and turning it on for no apparent reason? A new survey found that British consumers admit to doing this thousands of times per year — accounting for about 40 percent of the times they unlocked their phones.
Researchers at Casumo, an online casino company, surveyed 2,000 smartphone users across the United Kingdom, hoping to see how much of their device checking could be attributed to being creatures of habit.
Finding that the average user unlocked their phone more than 10,000 times a year — or about 28 times a day — the researchers identified about 4,000 phone interactions a year as being “compulsive” (i.e., the owner had no particular act in mind when engaging).
Equally eye-opening was the finding that the highest decile of smartphone enthusiasts — or the top ten percent of users — opened their device 60-plus times every 24 hours.
Still, only a third of respondents earnestly believed they were addicted to checking their device.
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Researchers at Casumo, an online casino company, surveyed 2,000 smartphone users across the United Kingdom, hoping to see how much of their device checking could be attributed to being creatures of habit.
Finding that the average user unlocked their phone more than 10,000 times a year — or about 28 times a day — the researchers identified about 4,000 phone interactions a year as being “compulsive” (i.e., the owner had no particular act in mind when engaging).
Equally eye-opening was the finding that the highest decile of smartphone enthusiasts — or the top ten percent of users — opened their device 60-plus times every 24 hours.
Still, only a third of respondents earnestly believed they were addicted to checking their device.
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Shutdown Averted For Now: House Approves 2-Week Extension Of Government Funding
And so the can has been kicked again, if only for only 2 weeks. Despite a laundry list of demands from Democrats and Republicans who appeared ready to cut off government funds, a majority of the House has voted to approve a two-week extension of government spending, a modest legislative achievement that will allow Republicans to focus on their top priority: Passing comprehensive tax reform.
House Republicans managed to pass the legislation on their own in the 235-193 vote, despite often coming short of securing a majority of the majority on measures to keep the government open in recent years, the Hill reorted.
The spending patch through Dec. 22 gives lawmakers time to negotiate a bipartisan budget deal, although it is unclear just how another 14 days will help when the two parties are unwilling to negotiate and compromise. At that time, Which is why, Congress is expected to pass another short-term patch so that appropriators can craft a spending package to keep federal agencies funded through the rest of the 2018 fiscal year.
“I think it's kind of just basic governing is keeping government going while we negotiate the final details,” said Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.).
Ahead of Thursday’s vote, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) made clear that Democrats wouldn’t support the two-week stopgap. Pelosi emphasized that Democrats don’t want to see a government shutdown, but couldn’t support Thursday’s bill because it doesn’t include their priorities like protections for young undocumented immigrants, funding for the opioid crisis and relief for communities affected by recent natural disasters.
“This is a waste of time,” Pelosi said at a press conference in the Capitol quoted by The Hill.
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House Republicans managed to pass the legislation on their own in the 235-193 vote, despite often coming short of securing a majority of the majority on measures to keep the government open in recent years, the Hill reorted.
The spending patch through Dec. 22 gives lawmakers time to negotiate a bipartisan budget deal, although it is unclear just how another 14 days will help when the two parties are unwilling to negotiate and compromise. At that time, Which is why, Congress is expected to pass another short-term patch so that appropriators can craft a spending package to keep federal agencies funded through the rest of the 2018 fiscal year.
“I think it's kind of just basic governing is keeping government going while we negotiate the final details,” said Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.).
Ahead of Thursday’s vote, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) made clear that Democrats wouldn’t support the two-week stopgap. Pelosi emphasized that Democrats don’t want to see a government shutdown, but couldn’t support Thursday’s bill because it doesn’t include their priorities like protections for young undocumented immigrants, funding for the opioid crisis and relief for communities affected by recent natural disasters.
“This is a waste of time,” Pelosi said at a press conference in the Capitol quoted by The Hill.
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NYT: Bill And Hillary Shielded Weinstein
Former President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton were key players in a Democratic cover-up of former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein’s sexual assault, The New York Times detailed in an exclusive report Tuesday.
Two prominent women in media told TheNYT that they personally warned Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaigns in 2008 and 2016 that Weinstein was a known sexual assaulter and that it was highly unwise to be so closely connected with him.
“I just want you to let you know that Harvey’s a rapist and this is going to come out at some point,” actress and writer Lena Dunham reports telling Kristina Schake, the Clinton campaign’s deputy communications director, in 2016. “I think it’s a really bad idea for him to host fund-raisers and be involved because it’s an open secret in Hollywood that he has a problem with sexual assault.”
Dunham says the Clinton staffer appeared to be shocked at her statement and told her she would immediately report it to Clinton Campaign Manager Robby Mook.
Mook told TheNYT that he was never warned about Weinstein.
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Two prominent women in media told TheNYT that they personally warned Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaigns in 2008 and 2016 that Weinstein was a known sexual assaulter and that it was highly unwise to be so closely connected with him.
“I just want you to let you know that Harvey’s a rapist and this is going to come out at some point,” actress and writer Lena Dunham reports telling Kristina Schake, the Clinton campaign’s deputy communications director, in 2016. “I think it’s a really bad idea for him to host fund-raisers and be involved because it’s an open secret in Hollywood that he has a problem with sexual assault.”
Dunham says the Clinton staffer appeared to be shocked at her statement and told her she would immediately report it to Clinton Campaign Manager Robby Mook.
Mook told TheNYT that he was never warned about Weinstein.
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Head Fake: Franken Might Not Actually Leave Senate
Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) announced on Thursday he will resign from the U.S. Senate in the coming weeks amid multiple allegations of sexual misconduct.
But on "The Daily Briefing," Ben Shapiro questioned whether Franken will follow through on that if Roy Moore becomes a U.S. senator.
"I'm not sure he's even gonna leave. ... Let's say Roy Moore is elected and is seated without an ethics investigation and then Franken turns around and says, 'Well listen, Moore is here. You're gonna throw me out but you're gonna keep Moore?'" Shapiro explained.
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But on "The Daily Briefing," Ben Shapiro questioned whether Franken will follow through on that if Roy Moore becomes a U.S. senator.
"I'm not sure he's even gonna leave. ... Let's say Roy Moore is elected and is seated without an ethics investigation and then Franken turns around and says, 'Well listen, Moore is here. You're gonna throw me out but you're gonna keep Moore?'" Shapiro explained.
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Georgia girl, 13, disfigured, bathed in peroxide, forced to eat cat food by stepfather, cops say
A Georgia man beat his 13-year-old stepdaughter, forced her to eat cat food, made her bathe in peroxide and required her to complete cruel tasks as punishment during years of torture during which she was often made to attend school in urine-soaked clothes, authorities said.
Rimmon Lewis, 33, was charged with “15 counts of first-degree cruelty to children, four counts of aggravated battery and one count of aggravated stalking" for allegedly abusing the girl, who has been placed in state custody AJC reported.
Lewis’ wife and the teen's mom, Angela Strothers, 33, was indicted on “four counts of cruelty to children and one count of aggravated stalking. “
Counselors at the victim's school called police in March due to concerns about the teenager’s well-being.
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Rimmon Lewis, 33, was charged with “15 counts of first-degree cruelty to children, four counts of aggravated battery and one count of aggravated stalking" for allegedly abusing the girl, who has been placed in state custody AJC reported.
Lewis’ wife and the teen's mom, Angela Strothers, 33, was indicted on “four counts of cruelty to children and one count of aggravated stalking. “
Counselors at the victim's school called police in March due to concerns about the teenager’s well-being.
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http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/12/06/georgia-girl-13-disfigured-bathed-in-peroxide-forced-to-eat-cat-food-by-step-dad-cops-say.html
BYRON MAURICE SIMPSON CONVICTED OF SEX OFFENSES
On December 6, 2017, a Wicomico County jury found Byron Maurice Simpson, 34, guilty of Sex Abuse of a Minor, Second Degree Rape and Second Degree Assault. Simpson raped a 13-year old girl in a car at an address in Fruitland in the early morning hours of May 13, 2017. Sentencing was deferred pending a pre-sentence investigation and mental health assessment. The State expects sentencing will occur in approximately sixty (60) days. Simpson is being held without bond while awaiting sentencing.
Simpson faces up to fifty-five (55) years in prison. Simpson will also be subject to lifetime registration and lifetime supervision as a sexual offender. Simpson has prior convictions for Fourth Degree Sex Offense and Failing to Register as a sexual offender.
The case was investigated by Detective Rockwell of the Salisbury Police Department and members of the Department of Social Services - Child Protective Services, assigned to the Wicomico Child Advocacy Center, and Detective Beaver of the Fruitland Police Department. Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Karen M. Dean prosecuted the case. Ad Interim State’s Attorney Jamie L. Dykes said, “Another successful, joint effort to hold a child sexual offender accountable. I commend the hard work of the Fruitland Police Department and the members of the Wicomico Child Advocacy Center, including Salisbury Police Department and the Department of Social Services, to make this County a safer place for our children.”
Simpson faces up to fifty-five (55) years in prison. Simpson will also be subject to lifetime registration and lifetime supervision as a sexual offender. Simpson has prior convictions for Fourth Degree Sex Offense and Failing to Register as a sexual offender.
The case was investigated by Detective Rockwell of the Salisbury Police Department and members of the Department of Social Services - Child Protective Services, assigned to the Wicomico Child Advocacy Center, and Detective Beaver of the Fruitland Police Department. Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Karen M. Dean prosecuted the case. Ad Interim State’s Attorney Jamie L. Dykes said, “Another successful, joint effort to hold a child sexual offender accountable. I commend the hard work of the Fruitland Police Department and the members of the Wicomico Child Advocacy Center, including Salisbury Police Department and the Department of Social Services, to make this County a safer place for our children.”
Snow Is Coming
Latest revelations make the entire ‘collusion’ probe look like a partisan hit
So Peter Strzok wasn’t just a top investigator for special counsel Robert Mueller until he was axed for anti-Trump and pro-Clinton bias: He was also a major player in the Hillary email probe and the FBI work that led to the “collusion” investigation.
And Mueller and the FBI both dragged their feet on sharing key info about all this with Congress.
Including the news that Strzok was the one whochanged then-FBI chief Jim Comey’s draft languageon Clinton’s use of that private server from “grossly negligent” to “extremely careless” in the final version.
That’s huge, because the statute specifies that gross negligence in the handling of classified info is itself a crime, whatever the intent — though Comey declared that Clinton shouldn’t face prosecution precisely because she had no “intent” to break the law.
Strzok also conducted the FBI interviews of Clinton and her top aides, Cheryl Mills and Huma Abedin, in the email probe.
More, he was reportedly one of the major FBI figures urging investigations on the basis of the “Steele dossier” of Russian-sourced scurrilous anti-Trump allegations, which we now know was commissioned by the Clinton campaign.
More
And Mueller and the FBI both dragged their feet on sharing key info about all this with Congress.
Including the news that Strzok was the one whochanged then-FBI chief Jim Comey’s draft languageon Clinton’s use of that private server from “grossly negligent” to “extremely careless” in the final version.
That’s huge, because the statute specifies that gross negligence in the handling of classified info is itself a crime, whatever the intent — though Comey declared that Clinton shouldn’t face prosecution precisely because she had no “intent” to break the law.
Strzok also conducted the FBI interviews of Clinton and her top aides, Cheryl Mills and Huma Abedin, in the email probe.
More, he was reportedly one of the major FBI figures urging investigations on the basis of the “Steele dossier” of Russian-sourced scurrilous anti-Trump allegations, which we now know was commissioned by the Clinton campaign.
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Another Member of Mueller Team Exposed for Brazen Partisanship
Yet another member of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s team has been exposed as a political partisan determined to undo the election of President Donald Trump, Fox News Channel host Laura Ingraham said Tuesday.
On her program, Ingraham detailed the partisan past of Jeannie Rhee, one of Mueller’s deputies:
Rhee was the personal attorney for Ben Rhodes, the deputy national security adviser for President Barack Obama,
She was Rhodes’ point of contact with the House Intelligence Committee in its investigation into Russia.
Rhee also represented the Clinton Foundation,
She donated $9,000 to Hillary and other Democrats
She formerly worked in the Obama Justice Department as a deputy assistant attorney general in the office of legal counsel - offering advice to the administration.
Rhee worked in private practice with Andrew Weissmann - another Mueller deputy who was criticized this week for sending a perceptibly partisan email to a former top DOJ official.
“Once again, another member of the Mueller team has been exposed for brazen partisanship,” Ingraham concluded, adding that Mueller is hand-picking partisans who will help him undo the 2016 presidential election:
More here
On her program, Ingraham detailed the partisan past of Jeannie Rhee, one of Mueller’s deputies:
Rhee was the personal attorney for Ben Rhodes, the deputy national security adviser for President Barack Obama,
She was Rhodes’ point of contact with the House Intelligence Committee in its investigation into Russia.
Rhee also represented the Clinton Foundation,
She donated $9,000 to Hillary and other Democrats
She formerly worked in the Obama Justice Department as a deputy assistant attorney general in the office of legal counsel - offering advice to the administration.
Rhee worked in private practice with Andrew Weissmann - another Mueller deputy who was criticized this week for sending a perceptibly partisan email to a former top DOJ official.
“Once again, another member of the Mueller team has been exposed for brazen partisanship,” Ingraham concluded, adding that Mueller is hand-picking partisans who will help him undo the 2016 presidential election:
More here
Latest revelations make the entire ‘collusion’ probe look like a partisan hit
So Peter Strzok wasn’t just a top investigator for special counsel Robert Mueller until he was axed for anti-Trump and pro-Clinton bias: He was also a major player in the Hillary email probe and the FBI work that led to the “collusion” investigation.
And Mueller and the FBI both dragged their feet on sharing key info about all this with Congress.
Including the news that Strzok was the one who changed then-FBI chief Jim Comey’s draft language on Clinton’s use of that private server from “grossly negligent” to “extremely careless” in the final version.
That’s huge, because the statute specifies that gross negligence in the handling of classified info is itself a crime, whatever the intent — though Comey declared that Clinton shouldn’t face prosecution precisely because she had no “intent” to break the law.
Strzok also conducted the FBI interviews of Clinton and her top aides, Cheryl Mills and Huma Abedin, in the email probe.
More, he was reportedly one of the major FBI figures urging investigations on the basis of the “Steele dossier” of Russian-sourced scurrilous anti-Trump allegations, which we now know was commissioned by the Clinton campaign.
More, he signed the documents that opened the ensuing “collusion” probe. And he led the FBI interview of Gen. Mike Flynn, in which Flynn told the lies that eventually forced him out as Trump’s national security adviser, and for which he’s now pleaded guilty in a deal with Mueller..
More here
And Mueller and the FBI both dragged their feet on sharing key info about all this with Congress.
Including the news that Strzok was the one who changed then-FBI chief Jim Comey’s draft language on Clinton’s use of that private server from “grossly negligent” to “extremely careless” in the final version.
That’s huge, because the statute specifies that gross negligence in the handling of classified info is itself a crime, whatever the intent — though Comey declared that Clinton shouldn’t face prosecution precisely because she had no “intent” to break the law.
Strzok also conducted the FBI interviews of Clinton and her top aides, Cheryl Mills and Huma Abedin, in the email probe.
More, he was reportedly one of the major FBI figures urging investigations on the basis of the “Steele dossier” of Russian-sourced scurrilous anti-Trump allegations, which we now know was commissioned by the Clinton campaign.
More, he signed the documents that opened the ensuing “collusion” probe. And he led the FBI interview of Gen. Mike Flynn, in which Flynn told the lies that eventually forced him out as Trump’s national security adviser, and for which he’s now pleaded guilty in a deal with Mueller..
More here
African Embassies May Follow Trump’s Lead and Move to Jerusalem
African embassies in Israel may follow the U.S.’s lead and move their embassies to Jerusalem, an official from Tanzania said in the wake of news that President Donald Trump intends to formally recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
“It is a very commendable decision to move the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. I believe it will be followed suit by several African countries, Tanzania included, to move said quarters from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, because we believe where the parliament is — I am a speaker of parliament — then the government should be there and embassies should be there too,” speaker of the National Assembly of Tanzania, Job Ndugai, told i24 news on Tuesday.
Ndugai joins seven other of his African counterparts in what is the largest ever delegation of parliamentary speakers to visit Israel from that continent.
Ndugai dismissed calls from the Palestinian leadership to abandon support for Israel, saying, “We see no harm in having relations with Israel, actually we see very many benefits in having been closer and closer with Israel.”
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“It is a very commendable decision to move the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. I believe it will be followed suit by several African countries, Tanzania included, to move said quarters from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, because we believe where the parliament is — I am a speaker of parliament — then the government should be there and embassies should be there too,” speaker of the National Assembly of Tanzania, Job Ndugai, told i24 news on Tuesday.
Ndugai joins seven other of his African counterparts in what is the largest ever delegation of parliamentary speakers to visit Israel from that continent.
Ndugai dismissed calls from the Palestinian leadership to abandon support for Israel, saying, “We see no harm in having relations with Israel, actually we see very many benefits in having been closer and closer with Israel.”
More here
Senate GOP Unveils Immigration Reform, With 3-Year Work Permits for DACA Illegals
Senate judiciary chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley has introduced a far-reaching GOP plan for reforming the nation’s immigration laws — but two of his Senate GOP allies immediately split off to offer Democrats a bigger amnesty and a smaller cutback in chain-migration.
The GOP plan, dubbed the Security, Enforcement, and Compassion United in Reform Efforts, or SECURE Act, would offer three-year work permits to 690,000 DACA illegal-immigrants in exchange for ending chain migration, requiring mandatory screening to exclude illegals from jobs, closing asylum loopholes used by migrants to get into the United States, and penalizing so-called “sanctuary cities” which refuse to cooperate with federal immigration-enforcement agencies.
The chain-migration element is key because it would reduce immigration by half, so driving up Americans’ salaries, aiding civic assimilation of recent migrants, and spurring new productivity-boosting business practices.
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The GOP plan, dubbed the Security, Enforcement, and Compassion United in Reform Efforts, or SECURE Act, would offer three-year work permits to 690,000 DACA illegal-immigrants in exchange for ending chain migration, requiring mandatory screening to exclude illegals from jobs, closing asylum loopholes used by migrants to get into the United States, and penalizing so-called “sanctuary cities” which refuse to cooperate with federal immigration-enforcement agencies.
The chain-migration element is key because it would reduce immigration by half, so driving up Americans’ salaries, aiding civic assimilation of recent migrants, and spurring new productivity-boosting business practices.
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Google blocks YouTube access from Amazon media devices
Google has decided to block YouTube on multiple Amazon media devices, part of an escalating feud between the two tech companies.
Google announced Tuesday it stopped access to Amazon’s Echo Show, and will start blocking YouTube on Fire TV media-streaming devices Jan. 1.
The dispute stems from YouTube’s recent rollout of the Amazon products, which Google said lacked several features users came to expect.
Google has complained that Amazon’s retail website does not sell competing products, including the Google Home smart speaker or its Chromecast streaming device.
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Google announced Tuesday it stopped access to Amazon’s Echo Show, and will start blocking YouTube on Fire TV media-streaming devices Jan. 1.
The dispute stems from YouTube’s recent rollout of the Amazon products, which Google said lacked several features users came to expect.
Google has complained that Amazon’s retail website does not sell competing products, including the Google Home smart speaker or its Chromecast streaming device.
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"It Should Have Horns": Internet's Hilarious Response To Hillary Christmas Tree 'Angel
A British company is selling the 3D printed Clinton tree topper for a whopping £80, around $140, marketing it as “a Woman To Look Up To.”
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Firefox picks Google over Yahoo as default search engine
Alphabet Inc’s Google reclaimed on Tuesday its spot as the default search engine on Mozilla Corp’s Firefox Internet browser in the United States and other regions as the browser maker stunned Verizon Communication Inc’s Yahoo by canceling their deal.
Google confirmed the move but declined, along with Mozilla, to disclose revenue-sharing terms of the multiyear agreement. Google’s growing spending to be the primary search provider on apps and devices such as Apple Inc’s iPhone has been a major investor concern.
Google will be Firefox’s default search provider on desktop and mobile in the United States, Canada, Hong Kong and Taiwan, said Denelle Dixon, Mozilla’s chief business and legal officer.
The decision was “based on a number of factors including doing what’s best for our brand, our effort to provide quality web search and the broader content experience for our users,” Dixon said. “We believe there are opportunities to work with Oath and Verizon outside of search.”
Yahoo had been the default in the United States, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Firefox did not have an official partner in Canada.
The search provider switch came as Mozilla announced Firefox Quantum, a faster, new version of the browser that company says is “30 percent lighter” than Google Chrome in that it uses less computer memory.
More here
Google confirmed the move but declined, along with Mozilla, to disclose revenue-sharing terms of the multiyear agreement. Google’s growing spending to be the primary search provider on apps and devices such as Apple Inc’s iPhone has been a major investor concern.
Google will be Firefox’s default search provider on desktop and mobile in the United States, Canada, Hong Kong and Taiwan, said Denelle Dixon, Mozilla’s chief business and legal officer.
The decision was “based on a number of factors including doing what’s best for our brand, our effort to provide quality web search and the broader content experience for our users,” Dixon said. “We believe there are opportunities to work with Oath and Verizon outside of search.”
Yahoo had been the default in the United States, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Firefox did not have an official partner in Canada.
The search provider switch came as Mozilla announced Firefox Quantum, a faster, new version of the browser that company says is “30 percent lighter” than Google Chrome in that it uses less computer memory.
More here
Salisbury News Endorses Mike McDermott For Worcester County Sheriff
Ridgely man volunteers to return abandoned dog to Kansas home
Zimba, an 8-year-old pitbull mix, was on track to get home sometime Wednesday, Dec. 6, thanks to a microchip that identified his owner and a Ridgely resident who volunteered to make the 1,300-mile drive.
Caroline County Animal Control Officer Kaitlyn Noffsinger said she got a call Saturday, Nov. 25, about a wandering dog. When she brought him to the Caroline County Humane Society, they found a microchip, which identified his owner as Ikea Mosley of Wichita.
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Jerusalem 101: Why President Trump’s New Policy Is Such a Big Deal
President Donald Trump is announcing Wednesday that the U.S. officially recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and that the State Department will begin the process of moving the embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.
It might be unclear at first why that policy change is so important. Jerusalem is, after all, the de facto capital of Israel. The Israeli parliament (Knesset) is there, as are the prime minister’s office, the president’s residence, the Supreme Court, and all of the executive agencies. Israelis consider Jerusalem their capital whether or not the U.S. recognizes it as such. As a practical matter, the change is symbolic. But as such, it is still extremely important.
To understand why, it is important to understand the history of the city. The Old Testament describes in 2 Samuel 5 how King David conquered the city and made it his capital, over 3000 years ago. It later describes in 1 Kings 8 how David’s son, King Solomon, built the Holy Temple and installed the Ark of the Covenant there. Since then, Jews have always faced Jerusalem in their daily prayers. It is the center of the Jewish faith and the core of Jewish history.
The Bible also tells the story of how the Jews were exiled from Jerusalem by the Babylonians, and later returned to rebuild the Temple. Another exile happened after 70 A.D., when the Romans destroyed the Second Temple and the city itself. Still, many Jews remained, and Jews worldwide prayed for 2,000 years for a return to “Zion.” Jews have been the largest ethnic group in Jerusalem for nearly 200 years, and a majority since the mid-nineteenth century.
Jerusalem is also holy to Christians and to Muslims, though it is less central to either. And under Israeli sovereignty, all religions have enjoyed the freedom to worship at their respective holy sites. The Temple Mount — or Haram ash-Sharif, to Muslims — has only been closed when there are imminent security threats, as radicals have sometimes used that holy site to attack Jews worshipping at the Western Wall — the last remnant of the Temple — below.
More on this..
It might be unclear at first why that policy change is so important. Jerusalem is, after all, the de facto capital of Israel. The Israeli parliament (Knesset) is there, as are the prime minister’s office, the president’s residence, the Supreme Court, and all of the executive agencies. Israelis consider Jerusalem their capital whether or not the U.S. recognizes it as such. As a practical matter, the change is symbolic. But as such, it is still extremely important.
To understand why, it is important to understand the history of the city. The Old Testament describes in 2 Samuel 5 how King David conquered the city and made it his capital, over 3000 years ago. It later describes in 1 Kings 8 how David’s son, King Solomon, built the Holy Temple and installed the Ark of the Covenant there. Since then, Jews have always faced Jerusalem in their daily prayers. It is the center of the Jewish faith and the core of Jewish history.
The Bible also tells the story of how the Jews were exiled from Jerusalem by the Babylonians, and later returned to rebuild the Temple. Another exile happened after 70 A.D., when the Romans destroyed the Second Temple and the city itself. Still, many Jews remained, and Jews worldwide prayed for 2,000 years for a return to “Zion.” Jews have been the largest ethnic group in Jerusalem for nearly 200 years, and a majority since the mid-nineteenth century.
Jerusalem is also holy to Christians and to Muslims, though it is less central to either. And under Israeli sovereignty, all religions have enjoyed the freedom to worship at their respective holy sites. The Temple Mount — or Haram ash-Sharif, to Muslims — has only been closed when there are imminent security threats, as radicals have sometimes used that holy site to attack Jews worshipping at the Western Wall — the last remnant of the Temple — below.
Frederick, Booker and Martin on the Race Hustlers
“The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations.” —George Washington (1796)
Obama may be gone, but his Democrat Party and deep-state race hustlers are working overtime.
Taking account of the Democrats’ most successful efforts this year to rally young constituents by fomenting division, one event above all others proved highly successful. It will most assuredly be replicated in some form next summer, ahead of November’s 2018 midterm elections.
I’m referring to the Charlottesville, Virginia, riots, ostensibly over historic monuments. This conflict gave rise to the Left’s so-called “antifa movement” of self-proclaimed anti-fascist fascists, which metastasized to urban centers across the nation propelled by Leftmedia propagandists.
Ahead of the next round of urban race rallies and riots, I surveyed some writings from the most esteemed black civil rights activists in our nation’s history: Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington and Martin Luther King Jr. What follows is a small but informative survey of what they had to say about racial division.
Frederick Douglass escaped slavery and became the 19th century’s most noted and articulate abolitionist movement leader.
While he strenuously objected to slavery and inequality, in 1855 he asserted, “I would unite with anybody to do right; and with nobody to do wrong.”
Commemorating the legacy of Abraham Lincoln on the occasion of our nation’s first centennial, Douglass noted, “That we are here in peace today is a compliment and a credit to American civilization, and a prophecy of still greater national enlightenment and progress in the future. I refer to the past not in malice … but simply to place more distinctly in front the gratifying and glorious change which has come both to our white fellow citizens and ourselves, and to congratulate all upon the contrast between now and then, the new dispensation of freedom with its thousand blessings to both races, and the old dispensation of slavery with its ten thousand evils to both races, white and black.”
Read more here
Obama may be gone, but his Democrat Party and deep-state race hustlers are working overtime.
Taking account of the Democrats’ most successful efforts this year to rally young constituents by fomenting division, one event above all others proved highly successful. It will most assuredly be replicated in some form next summer, ahead of November’s 2018 midterm elections.
I’m referring to the Charlottesville, Virginia, riots, ostensibly over historic monuments. This conflict gave rise to the Left’s so-called “antifa movement” of self-proclaimed anti-fascist fascists, which metastasized to urban centers across the nation propelled by Leftmedia propagandists.
Ahead of the next round of urban race rallies and riots, I surveyed some writings from the most esteemed black civil rights activists in our nation’s history: Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington and Martin Luther King Jr. What follows is a small but informative survey of what they had to say about racial division.
Frederick Douglass escaped slavery and became the 19th century’s most noted and articulate abolitionist movement leader.
While he strenuously objected to slavery and inequality, in 1855 he asserted, “I would unite with anybody to do right; and with nobody to do wrong.”
Commemorating the legacy of Abraham Lincoln on the occasion of our nation’s first centennial, Douglass noted, “That we are here in peace today is a compliment and a credit to American civilization, and a prophecy of still greater national enlightenment and progress in the future. I refer to the past not in malice … but simply to place more distinctly in front the gratifying and glorious change which has come both to our white fellow citizens and ourselves, and to congratulate all upon the contrast between now and then, the new dispensation of freedom with its thousand blessings to both races, and the old dispensation of slavery with its ten thousand evils to both races, white and black.”
Read more here
BREAKING NEWS: Democrat Al Franken announces resignation from Senate amid groping allegations
Minnesota Public Radio reported late Wednesday he would resign, though Franken’s office pushed back saying it wasn’t a done deal yet.
His office issued a tweet Thursday morning saying only that he would give a floor speech at 11:45 a.m. ET.
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'Over 10,000 texts' between ex-Mueller officials found, after discovery of anti-Trump messages
Justice Department officials are reading through “over 10,000 texts” between FBI officials Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, Fox News has learned, after it emerged Strzok was removed from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe following the discovery of anti-Trump messages between them.
Department of Justice officials told Fox News they are in the process of going through the texts so they can hand them over to the House Intelligence Committee.
Strzok, who was an FBI counterintelligence agent, had worked on the Mueller probe, but was reassigned to the FBI’s human resources division after the discovery of anti-Trump text messages with Page, with whom he was having an affair. Page was briefly on Mueller’s team, but since has returned to the FBI.
The disclosure of those messages revived Republican concerns about the objectivity of Mueller’s probe.
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Department of Justice officials told Fox News they are in the process of going through the texts so they can hand them over to the House Intelligence Committee.
Strzok, who was an FBI counterintelligence agent, had worked on the Mueller probe, but was reassigned to the FBI’s human resources division after the discovery of anti-Trump text messages with Page, with whom he was having an affair. Page was briefly on Mueller’s team, but since has returned to the FBI.
The disclosure of those messages revived Republican concerns about the objectivity of Mueller’s probe.
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Lena Dunham Claims She Warned Clinton Campaign of Harvey Weinstein’s Predatory Behavior
Actress Lena Dunham and media mogul and veteran journalist Tina Brown have claimed they warned Hillary Clinton’s senior campaign staffers about Harvey Weinstein’s sexual misconduct, yet they proceeded to work with the now-disgraced movie producer anyway.
Weinstein was a major Democratic party support and donor to Clinton’s unsuccessful 2016 presidential campaign, and held two star-studded fundraisers in 2015 and 2016 to support both her primary and presidential campaign.
“I just want you to let you know that Harvey’s a rapist and this is going to come out at some point,” Dunham claims to have told Kristina Schake, the campaign’s deputy communications director, The New York Times reports. “I think it’s a really bad idea for him to host fund-raisers and be involved because it’s an open secret in Hollywood that he has a problem with sexual assault.”
Meanwhile, former Vogue and Newsweek editor Tina Brown claims she warned a member of Clinton’s inner circle that Weinstein’s sleaziness had “escalated.”
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Weinstein was a major Democratic party support and donor to Clinton’s unsuccessful 2016 presidential campaign, and held two star-studded fundraisers in 2015 and 2016 to support both her primary and presidential campaign.
“I just want you to let you know that Harvey’s a rapist and this is going to come out at some point,” Dunham claims to have told Kristina Schake, the campaign’s deputy communications director, The New York Times reports. “I think it’s a really bad idea for him to host fund-raisers and be involved because it’s an open secret in Hollywood that he has a problem with sexual assault.”
Meanwhile, former Vogue and Newsweek editor Tina Brown claims she warned a member of Clinton’s inner circle that Weinstein’s sleaziness had “escalated.”
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Freedom Caucus, GOP Leadership Spar over DACA, Year-End Government Spending
The House Freedom Caucus and House Speaker Paul Ryan continue to spar over year-end spending; Freedom Caucus chairman Mark Meadows (R-NC) wants to ensure that the government funding does not include Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) amnesty.
Freedom Caucus chairman Mark Meadows and other conservatives want to push the deadline for government funding from December 22 to December 30 because Meadows argues that congressmen would remain more likely to vote for DACA amnesty and an Obamacare stabilization bill before the Christmas break.
Meadows explained, “Does anything good happen a couple days before Christmas? Nothing good happens just a few days before Christmas. We are advocating, if there has to be a CR [continuing resolution], it should come due after Christmas.”
The Freedom Caucus nearly blocked a motion to have the House and the Senate go into recess on Monday to negotiate the differences between the House and the Senate tax bills.
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Freedom Caucus chairman Mark Meadows and other conservatives want to push the deadline for government funding from December 22 to December 30 because Meadows argues that congressmen would remain more likely to vote for DACA amnesty and an Obamacare stabilization bill before the Christmas break.
Meadows explained, “Does anything good happen a couple days before Christmas? Nothing good happens just a few days before Christmas. We are advocating, if there has to be a CR [continuing resolution], it should come due after Christmas.”
The Freedom Caucus nearly blocked a motion to have the House and the Senate go into recess on Monday to negotiate the differences between the House and the Senate tax bills.
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Weekly Fishing Report: Dec. 6, 2017
The fall migration was late this year, but the first confirmed report came in over the weekend -- so there is hope for anglers wishing to catch a trophy-sized striped bass before our season closes on Dec. 20.
FBI Increasingly Politicized Under Comey and Mueller
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, once America's storied crime fighting agency, is under fire for an increasing leftward politicization blamed on recent liberal directors and a bureaucracy operating with nearly unchecked power.
Once a bastion of conservative anti-communism under long-time director J. Edgar Hoover, the FBI has become one of the more liberal political agencies of government, and some critics say appears increasingly to operate outside normal constitutional controls.
The shift is the result of a bureaucratic culture that emerged in the 1990s and was fueled by its two most recent former directors, James Comey and Robert Mueller, who ran the agency for the past 16 years. Mueller headed the FBI from 2001 to 2013, when Comey took over and served until he was fired by Trump in May.
Both former directors currently are at the center of a fierce political debate over the FBI's competency and integrity.
"People are finally tumbling to the realization that this [FBI] has become a proto-KGB," said a former senior intelligence official with extensive experience in counterintelligence. "We're in a constitutional crisis. These guys are playing out a silent coup against an elected official."
More here
Once a bastion of conservative anti-communism under long-time director J. Edgar Hoover, the FBI has become one of the more liberal political agencies of government, and some critics say appears increasingly to operate outside normal constitutional controls.
The shift is the result of a bureaucratic culture that emerged in the 1990s and was fueled by its two most recent former directors, James Comey and Robert Mueller, who ran the agency for the past 16 years. Mueller headed the FBI from 2001 to 2013, when Comey took over and served until he was fired by Trump in May.
Both former directors currently are at the center of a fierce political debate over the FBI's competency and integrity.
"People are finally tumbling to the realization that this [FBI] has become a proto-KGB," said a former senior intelligence official with extensive experience in counterintelligence. "We're in a constitutional crisis. These guys are playing out a silent coup against an elected official."
More here
EBT Blogger Just Can't Handle The Truth
It never ceases to amaze me his obsession over me. He sent in this anonymous comment ten times on different posts and of course there's only one person on earth who would actually give a crap. Nevertheless, I have no problem exposing my numbers and proving this Idiot as a liar. The above numbers clearly show this morning that we're not hurting in any way, shape or form.
How Finnish farmer became deadliest sniper in history
Standing at just over five-foot tall and with a ready grin, Simo Häyhä might not look like a killing machine.
But the former farmer from Rautjärvi, southern Finland, was just that - racking up 505 confirmed sniper kills for his country in its battle against the Soviet Union during the now largely forgotten Winter War of 1939-40.
Häyhä, who died 15 years ago aged 96, played an instrumental role in the conflict, during which 25,900 Finns died to protect their new-found independence against the Soviets, who lost 126,900 soldiers.
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But the former farmer from Rautjärvi, southern Finland, was just that - racking up 505 confirmed sniper kills for his country in its battle against the Soviet Union during the now largely forgotten Winter War of 1939-40.
Häyhä, who died 15 years ago aged 96, played an instrumental role in the conflict, during which 25,900 Finns died to protect their new-found independence against the Soviets, who lost 126,900 soldiers.
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Conyers' son was arrested for suspected domestic violence
John Conyers III, who his father endorsed for his Congressional seat as he departed, 'body slammed [his girlfriend] on the bed and then on the floor where he pinned her down and spit on her,' the police report said.
The junior Conyers rebutted her statement saying the girlfriend, who wasn't named in the complaint, was using alcohol and marijuana, and tried to throw him out of the residence.
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SCOTUS to Decide if Religious Liberty Is Sacrificed on LGBT Altar
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, a case with serious implications for religious liberty in the United States.
At issue is balancing the Constitution’s guarantees of freedom of religion, speech and association with public accommodation laws that prohibit denial of service based on “disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, or ancestry.”
The facts of the case are straightforward, though often misrepresented. Jack Phillips is the owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop in Colorado. A few years ago, Charlie Craig and David Mullins, two homosexual men, were traveling to Massachusetts to get married (this was prior to the Obergefell ruling in 2015), with a reception to be held in Denver. The two approached Phillips about providing a wedding cake, but Phillips politely declined, explaining that his religious convictions prevent him from providing services for same-sex weddings. The couple filed a complaint with the Colorado Commission on Human Rights, which sued Phillips, eventually winning a ruling that required him not only to provide services for same-sex weddings, but mandating he and his employees undergo “compliance training” (in North Korea this is referred to as “re-education camp”).
Lest one think Phillips is anti-homosexual, it should be noted he offered to provide a wedding cake to the couple — just not with any customization. In fact, he has served many homosexual clients in the past, and continues to do so. It should also be noted that his religious convictions prohibit him from providing cakes for Halloween (a pagan holiday) or second marriages, or anything with anti-Christian, anti-American or vulgar messages.
In a pluralistic society like America, this should not be an issue. The plaintiffs admit there were plenty of other bakers who would provide the cake, but this was never about getting a cake. No, it’s about forcing endorsement of the homosexual agenda and punishing a Christian for living by his faith.
More here
At issue is balancing the Constitution’s guarantees of freedom of religion, speech and association with public accommodation laws that prohibit denial of service based on “disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, or ancestry.”
The facts of the case are straightforward, though often misrepresented. Jack Phillips is the owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop in Colorado. A few years ago, Charlie Craig and David Mullins, two homosexual men, were traveling to Massachusetts to get married (this was prior to the Obergefell ruling in 2015), with a reception to be held in Denver. The two approached Phillips about providing a wedding cake, but Phillips politely declined, explaining that his religious convictions prevent him from providing services for same-sex weddings. The couple filed a complaint with the Colorado Commission on Human Rights, which sued Phillips, eventually winning a ruling that required him not only to provide services for same-sex weddings, but mandating he and his employees undergo “compliance training” (in North Korea this is referred to as “re-education camp”).
Lest one think Phillips is anti-homosexual, it should be noted he offered to provide a wedding cake to the couple — just not with any customization. In fact, he has served many homosexual clients in the past, and continues to do so. It should also be noted that his religious convictions prohibit him from providing cakes for Halloween (a pagan holiday) or second marriages, or anything with anti-Christian, anti-American or vulgar messages.
In a pluralistic society like America, this should not be an issue. The plaintiffs admit there were plenty of other bakers who would provide the cake, but this was never about getting a cake. No, it’s about forcing endorsement of the homosexual agenda and punishing a Christian for living by his faith.
More here
Pearl Harbor brought to life in colored photos
The full horror of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour has been laid bare in newly colorized pictures released on the 76th anniversary of the assault.
In just 90 minutes, more than 2,400 US servicemen and civilians lost their lives while 17 ships were damaged or lost - dragging America into the Second World War and forever changing the course of the conflict.
The pictures here show the wrecks of the USS California, which sank after being hit by two torpedoes and two bombs, and the USS Oklahoma, which was holed by four torpedoes and capsized.
Others reveal the damage done on shore as Navy fighter planes were blown up without the chance to take off and hangars set ablaze during the surprise assault.
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In just 90 minutes, more than 2,400 US servicemen and civilians lost their lives while 17 ships were damaged or lost - dragging America into the Second World War and forever changing the course of the conflict.
The pictures here show the wrecks of the USS California, which sank after being hit by two torpedoes and two bombs, and the USS Oklahoma, which was holed by four torpedoes and capsized.
Others reveal the damage done on shore as Navy fighter planes were blown up without the chance to take off and hangars set ablaze during the surprise assault.
More
Trump says a shutdown 'could happen' and blames it on Dems
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that a government shutdown 'could happen' and it will be Democrats' fault if it does.
Trump claimed the minority party wants illegal immigrants 'pouring into our country' and they'll close the government's doors during the holiday season to keep the nation's porous borders open.
'We don't want to have that. We want to have a great, beautiful crime-free country,' Trump said during a cabinet meeting. 'We want people to come into our country, but we want them to come on our basis.'
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Trump claimed the minority party wants illegal immigrants 'pouring into our country' and they'll close the government's doors during the holiday season to keep the nation's porous borders open.
'We don't want to have that. We want to have a great, beautiful crime-free country,' Trump said during a cabinet meeting. 'We want people to come into our country, but we want them to come on our basis.'
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Trump: ‘It Is Time to Officially Recognize Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel’
President Donald Trump announced Wednesday in a televised address from the White House that the United States officially recognizes the city of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and will begin moving its embassy there.
“I have determined that it is time to official recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel,” President Trump said. “While previous presidents have made this a major campaign promise, they failed to deliver. Today, I am delivering.”
He later added: “Today, we finally acknowledge the obvious: that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital. This is nothing more or less than a recognition of reality. It is also the right thing to do. It’s something that has to be done.”
He also said that the U.S. would finally move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem in accordance with the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995, and would make it a monument to peace.
“I’ve judged this course of action to be in the best interests of the United States of America, and the pursuit of peace between Israel and the Palestinians.”
Speaking in front of several Christmas trees, and a fireplace festooned with holiday bunting, Trump said: “When I came into office, I promise to look at the world’s challenges with open eyes and very fresh thinking. We cannot solve our problems by making the same failed assumptions, and repeating the same failed strategies of the past. Old challenges demand new approaches.”
More here
“I have determined that it is time to official recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel,” President Trump said. “While previous presidents have made this a major campaign promise, they failed to deliver. Today, I am delivering.”
He later added: “Today, we finally acknowledge the obvious: that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital. This is nothing more or less than a recognition of reality. It is also the right thing to do. It’s something that has to be done.”
He also said that the U.S. would finally move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem in accordance with the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995, and would make it a monument to peace.
“I’ve judged this course of action to be in the best interests of the United States of America, and the pursuit of peace between Israel and the Palestinians.”
Speaking in front of several Christmas trees, and a fireplace festooned with holiday bunting, Trump said: “When I came into office, I promise to look at the world’s challenges with open eyes and very fresh thinking. We cannot solve our problems by making the same failed assumptions, and repeating the same failed strategies of the past. Old challenges demand new approaches.”
More here
State Police Narcotics Investigation Leads to Multiple Arrests-Magnolia
Magnolia- Members of the Kent County Drug Unit (KDU), Kent County Governor's Task Force (GTF), Troop 3 Criminal Investigative Unit (CIU), and Delaware State Police Special Operations Response Team (S.O.R.T) executed narcotics search warrants and made multiple arrests.
The three month long drug investigation led to two narcotic search warrants being executed on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 on the unit block of Terry Drive and the 100 block of Woodville Drive in Meadowbrook Acres.
The Terry Drive residence yielded the arrest of nine individuals and the recovery of $1115.00 in suspected drug proceeds, 26.34 grams of crack cocaine, 436 packages of heroin totaling approximately 3.052 grams, and 5.89 grams of marijuana.
Troy McNally, 20 of Magnolia was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Tampering with Physical Evidence, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Resisting Arrest. McNally was committed to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center on $62000.00 secured bond.
Antonio Bynum, 22 of Magnolia was charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bynum was released on $3000.00 unsecured bond.
Richard Keesser, 35 of Magnolia was charged with Maintaining a Drug Property and Conspiracy 2nd Degree. Keesser was released on $1500.00 unsecured bond.
Cheryl Jones, 33 of Magnolia was charged Maintaining a Drug Property and Conspiracy 2nd Degree. Jones was released on $1500.00 unsecured bond.
Clarence McDonald, 51 of Magnolia was charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. McDonald was released on $5500.00 unsecured bond.
The three month long drug investigation led to two narcotic search warrants being executed on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 on the unit block of Terry Drive and the 100 block of Woodville Drive in Meadowbrook Acres.
The Terry Drive residence yielded the arrest of nine individuals and the recovery of $1115.00 in suspected drug proceeds, 26.34 grams of crack cocaine, 436 packages of heroin totaling approximately 3.052 grams, and 5.89 grams of marijuana.
Troy McNally, 20 of Magnolia was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Tampering with Physical Evidence, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Resisting Arrest. McNally was committed to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center on $62000.00 secured bond.
Antonio Bynum, 22 of Magnolia was charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bynum was released on $3000.00 unsecured bond.
Richard Keesser, 35 of Magnolia was charged with Maintaining a Drug Property and Conspiracy 2nd Degree. Keesser was released on $1500.00 unsecured bond.
Cheryl Jones, 33 of Magnolia was charged Maintaining a Drug Property and Conspiracy 2nd Degree. Jones was released on $1500.00 unsecured bond.
Clarence McDonald, 51 of Magnolia was charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. McDonald was released on $5500.00 unsecured bond.
Hypocrat-of-the-Day
Exactly six months ago Tuesday, the senior senator from California voted in favor of a resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of Israel’s reunification of Jerusalem, and calling on the president to “abide by” the provisions of the 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Act.
That 1995 legislation said Jerusalem should be recognized as Israel’s capital, and required the president to move the embassy from Tel Aviv by May 31, 1999.
Feinstein, the eighth-longest serving senator, voted in favor of it on Oct. 24, 1995.
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Coast Guard to offload more than 12 tons of cocaine in Port Everglades
MIAMI — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba is scheduled to offload approximately 12.4 tons of cocaine Thursday in Port Everglades.
The drugs, worth an estimated $378-million, were interdicted in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean between mid-October and late November.
The contraband is from suspected smuggling vessels interdicted in drug transit zones off the coast of Central and South America by three U.S. Coast Guard cutters and a Royal Canadian Navy ship patrolling with an embarked Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) team.
The bulk offload represents:
Five interdictions by the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba, approximately 6,048 kilograms.
Five interdictions by the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Thetis, approximately 4,239 kilograms.
One interdiction by the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Spencer, approximately 515 kilograms.
One interdiction by HMCS Nanaimo and an embarked U.S. Coast Guard LEDET, approximately 468 kilograms.
Numerous U.S. agencies from the Departments of Defense, Justice and Homeland Security are involved in the effort to combat transnational organized crime. The Coast Guard, Navy, Customs and Border Protection, FBI, Drug Enforcement Agency, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement along with allied and international partner agencies play a role in counter-drug operations. The fight against transnational organized crime networks in the Eastern Pacific requires unity of effort in all phases from detection, monitoring and interdictions, to prosecutions.
"I am extremely proud of the professionalism and tireless dedication of the crew of Escanaba," said Cmdr. Michael Turdo, commanding officer of the cutter Escanaba. "Escanaba seized over 6 tons of cocaine worth an estimated $202 million during the interdiction of five suspected drug smuggling vessels. The crew's contributions over the past two months directly support our government's efforts to dismantle smuggling routes used by transnational criminal organizations and interdict drugs at sea bound for the United States."
The Coast Guard, along with U.S. and allied partner agencies, has increased its presence in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Basin as part of its Western Hemisphere Strategy. During at-sea interdictions of these known drug transit zones a suspect vessel is initially located and tracked by allied military or law enforcement personnel. The interdictions, including the actual boarding, are led and conducted by U.S. Coast Guard personnel. The law enforcement phase of counter-smuggling operations in the Eastern Pacific are conducted under the authority of the 11th Coast Guard District, headquartered in Alameda, California.
Escanaba and Spencer are 270-foot medium endurance cutters homeported in Boston. Thetis is a 270-foot medium endurance cutter based in Key West, Florida, and HMCS Nanaimo is a Royal Canadian Navy Kingston-class coastal defense vessel based in Esquimalt, British Columbia.
The drugs, worth an estimated $378-million, were interdicted in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean between mid-October and late November.
The contraband is from suspected smuggling vessels interdicted in drug transit zones off the coast of Central and South America by three U.S. Coast Guard cutters and a Royal Canadian Navy ship patrolling with an embarked Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) team.
The bulk offload represents:
Five interdictions by the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba, approximately 6,048 kilograms.
Five interdictions by the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Thetis, approximately 4,239 kilograms.
One interdiction by the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Spencer, approximately 515 kilograms.
One interdiction by HMCS Nanaimo and an embarked U.S. Coast Guard LEDET, approximately 468 kilograms.
Numerous U.S. agencies from the Departments of Defense, Justice and Homeland Security are involved in the effort to combat transnational organized crime. The Coast Guard, Navy, Customs and Border Protection, FBI, Drug Enforcement Agency, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement along with allied and international partner agencies play a role in counter-drug operations. The fight against transnational organized crime networks in the Eastern Pacific requires unity of effort in all phases from detection, monitoring and interdictions, to prosecutions.
"I am extremely proud of the professionalism and tireless dedication of the crew of Escanaba," said Cmdr. Michael Turdo, commanding officer of the cutter Escanaba. "Escanaba seized over 6 tons of cocaine worth an estimated $202 million during the interdiction of five suspected drug smuggling vessels. The crew's contributions over the past two months directly support our government's efforts to dismantle smuggling routes used by transnational criminal organizations and interdict drugs at sea bound for the United States."
The Coast Guard, along with U.S. and allied partner agencies, has increased its presence in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Basin as part of its Western Hemisphere Strategy. During at-sea interdictions of these known drug transit zones a suspect vessel is initially located and tracked by allied military or law enforcement personnel. The interdictions, including the actual boarding, are led and conducted by U.S. Coast Guard personnel. The law enforcement phase of counter-smuggling operations in the Eastern Pacific are conducted under the authority of the 11th Coast Guard District, headquartered in Alameda, California.
Escanaba and Spencer are 270-foot medium endurance cutters homeported in Boston. Thetis is a 270-foot medium endurance cutter based in Key West, Florida, and HMCS Nanaimo is a Royal Canadian Navy Kingston-class coastal defense vessel based in Esquimalt, British Columbia.
State May Ban Waiver Used To Take Property
Wyoming Lawmakers Line Up Against Police Waiver Used To Take $92,000 At Traffic Stop
When Wyoming police took Phil Parhamovich’s life savings at a single traffic stop, he had to wait months for the state to return it. Now, Wyoming lawmakers are looking to ban the waiver used to take it in the first place.
Known as a “release of interest in property or currency” form, the waivers allow citizens to transfer ownership of property to the state. Once signed, a citizen forfeits his right to contest the transfer later. When Parhamovich signed one of these forms at an unfortunate traffic stop in March, he gave $91,800 cash to police, but only after an officer supposedly implied that carrying such a large amount of cash was illegal. While a judge ordered the state to return the money Friday, the waivers have already drawn the gaze of state lawmakers.
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When Wyoming police took Phil Parhamovich’s life savings at a single traffic stop, he had to wait months for the state to return it. Now, Wyoming lawmakers are looking to ban the waiver used to take it in the first place.
Known as a “release of interest in property or currency” form, the waivers allow citizens to transfer ownership of property to the state. Once signed, a citizen forfeits his right to contest the transfer later. When Parhamovich signed one of these forms at an unfortunate traffic stop in March, he gave $91,800 cash to police, but only after an officer supposedly implied that carrying such a large amount of cash was illegal. While a judge ordered the state to return the money Friday, the waivers have already drawn the gaze of state lawmakers.
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Overnight, half of American adults were reclassified as hypertensive
Previously, blood pressure 120-139/80-89 had been designated “pre-hypertension.”
The changed threshold means that, whereas only 31.9% of Americans were previously said to have elevated blood pressure, now 45.6% are in that category. That’s an additional 31 million people!
The switch is controversial because it flies in the face of several recent studies that have suggested that tighter control of blood pressure in healthy older adults may produce more harm than good, resulting in events such as too-low blood pressure or fainting. This can contribute to falls which cause head injuries and hip fractures.
In fact, just a few months ago, two of the nation’s major primary care organizations, the American College of Physicians, and the American College of Family Physicians, issued recommendations diametrically opposed to the those from the AHA and ACA: Their guidelines state that blood pressure goals should be relaxed—to 150 systolic for older adults!
Advocates of lower blood pressure goals cite the results of the recent SPRINT study which showed that blood pressure lowering to 120/80, even in patients with borderline blood pressure, helped to reduce heart problems and overall risk of dying.
But what gets missed in the discussion is that the SPRINT study participants weren’t just average folks with high blood pressure—they were deemed at high risk of heart problems, with an estimated 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease of 15% or more.
More here
Somerset County Sheriff's Office reports most recent arrests
Rahim Harum Abdul of Crisfield, arrested 11-15-17 on a fugitive warrant through Georgia. Abdul was later held without bond pending extradition.
Tyler Kenneth Lee Swift Sr.of Crisfield, arrested 11-16-17 for driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while impaired by alcohol, driving without a license, negligent driving, and throwing objects at a vehicle. Deputies were called to the area of Crisfield Highway for a complaint from the Lower Somerset Ambulance Squad. The ambulance personnel reported that a driver of a green jeep had thrown an unknown object at their ambulance as it past, traveling south on Crisfield Highway. With the assistance of the Crisfield Police Department, the jeep was located in the area of Old State Rd. After coming into contact with the driver, Tyler Swift Sr. Deputies smelled a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Swifts breath and person. Swift later failed sobriety tests and was arrested. Swift was later released on citations pending court actions.
Travis Antwan Jackson of Americus Georgia, arrested 11-17-17 for driving while under the influence of alcohol, driving while impaired by alcohol, and driving without a license. Jackson was later released on citations pending District Court actions. Deputies investigated a disabled Chevy Tahoe in the area of Ocean Highway and Revells Neck Rd. where they came into contact with Jackson. After smelling the strong odor of alcohol coming from Jackson’s breath and person field sobriety tests were conducted. After failing sobriety tests, Jackson was arrested and later released on citations pending District Court actions.
Christine Lynn Pakulski of Eden, charged 11-17-17 for selling alcohol to someone under twenty one years of age. Pakulski was later released on signature pending District Court actions. The arrest was the result of a underage alcohol detail conducted by the Sheriff’s office throughout the county.
Linda Sue Reames of Crisfield, arrested 11-22-17 on a warrants for CDs possession not marijuana, possession of CDS with the intent to distribute, CDS distribution in a school zone, and common nuisance/ distribute CDs. Reames was later held without bond.
Elijah Lee Wilson of Crisfield, arrested 11-22-17 on warrants for possession of CDS, not marijuana, and possession of CDs with the intent to distribute. Wilson was later held without bond.
Tyrone Randy Sterling Jr. of Crisfield, arrested 11-23-17 on warrants for possession of CDS, not marijuana, and possession with the intent to distribute CDS. Sterling was later held without bond.
Michael Tyrone White of Crisfield, arrested 11-23-17 on warrants for possession of CDS, not marijuana, and possession with the intent to distribute CDS. White was later held without bond.
Charles Andrew Coulbourne of Salisbury, arrested 11-26-17 on warrants for failing to appear in court. Coulbourne was later held without bond.
Shawn Alan Mooney of Crisfield, arrested 11-26-17 on warrants for possession of CDS, not marijuana, and possession with the intent to distribute CDS. Mooney was later held without bond.
Donald Edward Lietz of Princess Anne, arrested 12-2-17 on warrants regarding 1st and 2nd degree assault, and reckless endangerment. Lietz was later held without bond.
Jammar Darrell Roberts of Princess Anne, arrested 12-2-17 on a warrants for possession of CDS, not marijuana, possession of CDS with the intent to distribute, CDS distribution within a school zone, firearm/drug traffic crime, CDS distribution with a firearm, illegal possession of regulated firearm, illegal possession of ammo, CDS possession marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Roberts was later held without bond.
OCPD Investigating Standpipe Valve Thefts; Condominiums Advised To Explore Properties
OCEAN CITY — The Ocean City Police Department (OCPD this week) is urging condominium residents to check their fire suppression systems after recovering 10 stolen brass standpipe valves.
The OCPD on Wednesday announced it had recovered 10 brass fire standpipe valves. Investigators believe the recovered valves were stolen from unknown locations in the north end of Ocean City.
The standpipe valves allow fire department personnel to quickly provide a water source from the ground level to the upper levels of a building in the event of a fire. A missing standpipe valve renders a building’s entire fire suppression system inoperative.
OCPD detectives are currently looking for a suspect or suspects involved in the thefts. Brass standpipe valves and other fixtures are sometimes stolen for the salvage value. Earlier this year, the OCPD investigated the theft of several standpipe valves from the stairwells of five midtown condo buildings.
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The OCPD on Wednesday announced it had recovered 10 brass fire standpipe valves. Investigators believe the recovered valves were stolen from unknown locations in the north end of Ocean City.
The standpipe valves allow fire department personnel to quickly provide a water source from the ground level to the upper levels of a building in the event of a fire. A missing standpipe valve renders a building’s entire fire suppression system inoperative.
OCPD detectives are currently looking for a suspect or suspects involved in the thefts. Brass standpipe valves and other fixtures are sometimes stolen for the salvage value. Earlier this year, the OCPD investigated the theft of several standpipe valves from the stairwells of five midtown condo buildings.
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ICE: Arrests of illegal immigrants up 92 percent; 83 percent for MS-13 gang members
WASHINGTON - The Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration is producing big results as D.C., Maryland and Virginia have together seen thousands of people arrested. While immigration advocates say the hardline enforcement is unfair, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said they are just getting started.
There is no part of the D.C. region that has not seen an increase in immigration enforcement. A new report released on Tuesday shows immigration enforcement under the Trump administration has been in overdrive. In this year alone, there has been a 92 percent jump in arrests of criminal illegal immigrants and an 83 percent surge in MS-13 arrests.
At ICE headquarters on Tuesday, Acting Director Thomas Homan declared his agency in 2017 has been unleashed to carry out its mission.
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There is no part of the D.C. region that has not seen an increase in immigration enforcement. A new report released on Tuesday shows immigration enforcement under the Trump administration has been in overdrive. In this year alone, there has been a 92 percent jump in arrests of criminal illegal immigrants and an 83 percent surge in MS-13 arrests.
At ICE headquarters on Tuesday, Acting Director Thomas Homan declared his agency in 2017 has been unleashed to carry out its mission.
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Maryland’s Inter-Agency Heroin and Opioid Coordinating Council to Meet Tuesday, December 12, 2017
ANNAPOLIS, MD — The Opioid Operational Command Center announced the Inter-Agency Heroin and Opioid Coordinating Council will meet on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, from 1 to 3 p.m. at 100 Community Place, Crownsville, Maryland 21032.
Governor Larry Hogan created the council through executive order in February 2015. It meets on a quarterly basis to share information from across Maryland state agencies to better coordinate the state’s response to fighting the heroin and opioid epidemic.
Before It’s Too Late is the state’s effort to bring awareness to the heroin and opioid epidemic-and to mobilize resources for effective prevention, treatment, and recovery. Marylanders grappling with a substance use disorder can find help at BeforeItsTooLateMD.org and 1-800-422-0009, the state crisis hotline.
Governor Larry Hogan created the council through executive order in February 2015. It meets on a quarterly basis to share information from across Maryland state agencies to better coordinate the state’s response to fighting the heroin and opioid epidemic.
Before It’s Too Late is the state’s effort to bring awareness to the heroin and opioid epidemic-and to mobilize resources for effective prevention, treatment, and recovery. Marylanders grappling with a substance use disorder can find help at BeforeItsTooLateMD.org and 1-800-422-0009, the state crisis hotline.
TROOPERS INCREASE PATROLS FOR HOLIDAY SEASON
State Troopers assigned to the Maryland State Police Barrack in Berlin will be increasing the number of troopers on patrol in local shopping centers. The increased police presence will allow troopers to focus on suspicious activity occurring in and around shopping centers, which historically have experienced a seasonal increase in criminal activity. Troopers also hope to enhance community policing efforts by being out of their patrol vehicles making contact with citizens using a proactive approach designed to reduce crime, increase visibility and educate the community on how to be more careful, prepared and aware during the holiday shopping season.
As a reminder, the Maryland State Police would like to provide the following holiday safety tips:
• Keep packages and other valuables in the car trunk and out of sight.
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
• Carry a purse under your arm with the strap across your body.
• Put wallets in an inside pocket of your jacket or front pants pocket.
• Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings at all times.
• If shopping after dark, shop with a friend if possible.
• Always park your car in a well-lit area.
• Always check the interior of your car before you unlock the door to get in.
• Lock your car doors and windows even if you are only gone for a few minutes.
As a reminder, the Maryland State Police would like to provide the following holiday safety tips:
• Keep packages and other valuables in the car trunk and out of sight.
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
• Carry a purse under your arm with the strap across your body.
• Put wallets in an inside pocket of your jacket or front pants pocket.
• Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings at all times.
• If shopping after dark, shop with a friend if possible.
• Always park your car in a well-lit area.
• Always check the interior of your car before you unlock the door to get in.
• Lock your car doors and windows even if you are only gone for a few minutes.
Governor Larry Hogan, Board of Public Works Announce $7.6 Million for Park and Playground Projects in Baltimore City
Board of Public Works Approves Department of Natural Resources Items
ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Board of Public Works unanimously approved a series of Maryland Department of Natural Resources items providing dedicated funding to Baltimore City, allocating $7.6 million for 11 different city and community projects.
The portfolio includes funding from Program Open Space Local, the Baltimore City Direct Grant, and the Community Parks and Playgrounds Program.
“Creating beautiful, safe outdoor spaces for city residents is critical to improving the quality of life in Baltimore,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “We are proud to provide this funding through the Board of Public Works to make these much-needed improvements at parks and recreation centers throughout the city.”
Governor Hogan has committed $350 million toward Program Open Space and land preservation programs, and restored $60 million to the program that had been improperly drained by previous administrations. The Hogan administration pushed for and enacted legislation that protects against any further raids of Program Open Space.
“While many think that the department only assists our state’s more remote or rural areas, we work tirelessly to engage a wide array of communities throughout our diverse state, improving quality of life in Baltimore and beyond,” Natural Resources Secretary Mark Belton said. “We value our partnership with Baltimore City and look forward to working with them to engage the next generation of environmental stewards.”
The Board of Public Works approved the following projects:
Project
|
Allocation
|
Baltimore Park System (Citywide)
|
$1,500,000
|
Cahill Fitness and Wellness Center
|
$2,400,000
|
Clifton Park Improvements
|
$500,000
|
Druid Hill Park Trail Head
|
$300,000
|
Druid Hill Reptile House Renovation
|
$771,847
|
Frederic B. Leidig Recreation Center Improvements
|
$200,000
|
Gwynns Falls Maintenance Yard Renovation
|
$750,000
|
Gwynns Falls Park Athletic Fields
|
$300,000
|
Herring Run Improvements
|
$400,000
|
Patterson Park Improvements
|
$300,000
|
Violetville Park Playground
|
$190,000
|
Total
|
$7,611,847
|
The projects are with the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks – a system that manages 5,700 acres of park land – and include construction, demolition, and renovation projects throughout the city as well as funding for ongoing maintenance and operations.
Importantly many of the projects include making buildings, parks and playgrounds Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission-compliant. In addition, many of the projects seek to enhance amenities as well as link existing or future recreation sites like baseball and football fields with existing trails and walkways, benefiting citizens, communities, and the natural environment.
Paul Craig Roberts Exposes "Plunder Capitalism"
I deplore the tax cut that has passed Congress. It is not an economic policy tax cut, and it has nothing whatsoever to do with supply-side economics. The entire purpose is to raise equity prices by providing equity owners with more capital gains and dividends.
In other words, it is legislation that makes equity owners richer, thus further polarizing society into a vast arena of poverty and near-poverty and the One Percent, or more precisely a fraction of the One Percent wallowing in billions of dollars. Unless our rulers can continue to control the explanations, the tax cut edges us closer to revolution resulting from complete distrust of government.
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In other words, it is legislation that makes equity owners richer, thus further polarizing society into a vast arena of poverty and near-poverty and the One Percent, or more precisely a fraction of the One Percent wallowing in billions of dollars. Unless our rulers can continue to control the explanations, the tax cut edges us closer to revolution resulting from complete distrust of government.
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Sheetz tests new lighting to deter heroin addicts
ALTOONA, Pa. (WJAC) -- Sheetz is testing out blue lighting in one location's restrooms to deter heroin addicts from shooting up in the convenience stores.
The blue lights are designed to prevent people from finding their veins, according to the convenience store's corporate office.
Police in Altoona said they do see overdoses in public restrooms about once or twice a month, but people overdose more often in cars and parking lots.
Like many people in Altoona, Tiffany Reed said she finds herself at Sheetz just about everyday. She said she'd hate to have people using drugs in the restrooms.
"I have little cousins, and if they would walk into a bathroom and see someone shooting up with a needle, I couldn't imagine," Reed said.
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The blue lights are designed to prevent people from finding their veins, according to the convenience store's corporate office.
Police in Altoona said they do see overdoses in public restrooms about once or twice a month, but people overdose more often in cars and parking lots.
Like many people in Altoona, Tiffany Reed said she finds herself at Sheetz just about everyday. She said she'd hate to have people using drugs in the restrooms.
"I have little cousins, and if they would walk into a bathroom and see someone shooting up with a needle, I couldn't imagine," Reed said.
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