A top Republican senator has expanded his investigation into an Obama-era deal that gave Russia partial control of the U.S. uranium supply, claiming he was repeatedly misled by the Obama administration about a Russian company’s ability to export that material.
Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, fired off a letter Monday to the heads of the U.S. Energy Department and U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission seeking an extensive list of documents.
He wants to know more about the controversial sale of Canadian mining company Uranium One to a subsidiary of Russia’s Rosatom nuclear company – and specifically, how uranium under its control made its way out of the U.S.
“Beginning in 2012, Uranium One exported U.S. uranium by ‘piggy-backing’ as a supplier on an export license” held by a shipping company, Barrasso wrote.
That’s apparently not how the process was explained to him when he first raised concerns.
Back in 2011, then-NRC Chairman Gregory Jaczko assured the senator that the companies did not hold a specific “NRC export license” and would not be able to export uranium from the U.S. without one.
Yet The Hill reported last month that while the NRC never issued the license, memos show it did approve “the shipment of yellowcake uranium” from the U.S. mines to Canada in 2012 through a “third party.” The same report said the Obama administration later approved some of that material to go to Europe, “and the approval involved a process with multiple agencies.”
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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
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
A Feminist Lists 10 Questions You Should Ask On A First Date & They’re INSANE
There are times in my life where I look out across the massive expanse of wasteland created by feminism and think “Man I really hate being a woman.” Not because I was born the wrong gender, not because I’m “self-hating,” not even because of the weird, painful things by body does to me once a month without my permission.
No, I hate being a woman sometimes because I get lumped in with feminazis like this one. You see, I can’t hold a moderately feminist position without being called all sorts of names and being associated with crazies like what you’re about to see. It’s actually spectacularly annoying.
People like this are why people like me refuse the feminist label.
So according to Lara Witt, here are the three things every “intersectional feminist” should ask their partner on the first date. Because who doesn’t like to be interrogated over pasta and excoriated for answering “incorrectly” while eating chocolate cake?
“Do you believe that black lives matter?” No human being with a fully-functioning heart and brain is going to say no to this. You’re just virtue signalling. If they answer with “well no” then get out of there because you’re literally dating Hitler.
“What are your thoughts on gender and sexual orientation?” Uh, maybe talk about your favorite movie first? I don’t know, seems a little heavy for appetizer conversation.
“How do you work to dismantle sexism and misogyny in your life?” Maybe this question is why the only males in your life are your neutered cats. Ever think of that, Linda?
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No, I hate being a woman sometimes because I get lumped in with feminazis like this one. You see, I can’t hold a moderately feminist position without being called all sorts of names and being associated with crazies like what you’re about to see. It’s actually spectacularly annoying.
People like this are why people like me refuse the feminist label.
So according to Lara Witt, here are the three things every “intersectional feminist” should ask their partner on the first date. Because who doesn’t like to be interrogated over pasta and excoriated for answering “incorrectly” while eating chocolate cake?
“Do you believe that black lives matter?” No human being with a fully-functioning heart and brain is going to say no to this. You’re just virtue signalling. If they answer with “well no” then get out of there because you’re literally dating Hitler.
“What are your thoughts on gender and sexual orientation?” Uh, maybe talk about your favorite movie first? I don’t know, seems a little heavy for appetizer conversation.
“How do you work to dismantle sexism and misogyny in your life?” Maybe this question is why the only males in your life are your neutered cats. Ever think of that, Linda?
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Clinton calls Uranium One story a 'distraction,' warns of dictatorship
Hillary Clinton on Wednesday slammed what she described as the “politicization of the Justice Department” after reports that the Trump administration was considering a special counsel to probe the Uranium One deal and alleged conflicts with the Clinton Foundation.
President Trump has criticized the uranium deal and suggested that Clinton, who served as U.S. secretary of state in the Obama administration, may be implicated in wrongdoing.
But in an interview with Mother Jones, Clinton claimed that the Uranium One story has been “debunked” a number of times and that the Trump administration was merely using the story as a distraction.
“And if they send a signal that we’re going to be like some dictatorship, some authoritarian regime where political opponents are going to be unfairly, fraudulently investigated -- that rips at the fabric of the contract we have that we can trust our justice system,” she said.
Trump and his supporters have accused Clinton of overseeing the sale of 20 percent of America's uranium supply to Russia. They see her alleged role as a scandal, particularly amid charges the Trump campaign colluded with Russia in the 2016 presidential election.
Allegations also have been made that the approval of the sale of Uranium One benefited major donors to the Clinton Foundation, raising conflict-of-interest questions.
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President Trump has criticized the uranium deal and suggested that Clinton, who served as U.S. secretary of state in the Obama administration, may be implicated in wrongdoing.
But in an interview with Mother Jones, Clinton claimed that the Uranium One story has been “debunked” a number of times and that the Trump administration was merely using the story as a distraction.
“And if they send a signal that we’re going to be like some dictatorship, some authoritarian regime where political opponents are going to be unfairly, fraudulently investigated -- that rips at the fabric of the contract we have that we can trust our justice system,” she said.
Trump and his supporters have accused Clinton of overseeing the sale of 20 percent of America's uranium supply to Russia. They see her alleged role as a scandal, particularly amid charges the Trump campaign colluded with Russia in the 2016 presidential election.
Allegations also have been made that the approval of the sale of Uranium One benefited major donors to the Clinton Foundation, raising conflict-of-interest questions.
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Franken pulling the plug? Governor prepares to name successor
Minnesota's governor is planning to announce Wednesday his pick to replace Sen. Al Franken, amid speculation over why the Democratic senator has not yet set his resignation date.
Gov. Mark Dayton's office put out a statement Tuesday saying the governor would make the appointment the following morning at the State Capitol.
The Star Tribune has reported his likeliest choice is Lt. Gov. Tina Smith.
The announcement could well put to rest the simmering speculation that Franken might be keeping the door open to remain in the Senate, if Roy Moore is elected in Tuesday’s Alabama Senate race.
Sen. Franken still has not set a final date for his official resignation, per his office. #mnsen
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Gov. Mark Dayton's office put out a statement Tuesday saying the governor would make the appointment the following morning at the State Capitol.
The Star Tribune has reported his likeliest choice is Lt. Gov. Tina Smith.
The announcement could well put to rest the simmering speculation that Franken might be keeping the door open to remain in the Senate, if Roy Moore is elected in Tuesday’s Alabama Senate race.
Sen. Franken still has not set a final date for his official resignation, per his office. #mnsen
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Fake News Firehose: Science Proves Media Are Not Making ‘Honest Mistakes’ About Trump
The settled science informs us that the more often you flip a coin, the more likely it is that there will be a 50/50 split of heads to tails.
In other words, if you flip a coin 20 times, the probability of achieving a ratio of 8 heads and 12 tails diminishes greatly if you flip it 40 or 60 times. The closer you get to 100 coin flips, the closer you will get to a perfect 50/50 split of heads to tails.
Naturally, in order to achieve this perfect split, in order to conduct the experiment accurately, good faith must be involved. The person flipping the coin must show no bias and no personal investment towards the outcome. The coin-flipper must be interested in only one thing — an outcome that reveals objective truth.
Therefore, through the use of dispassionate science and math, the only conclusion one can come to when observing the national media’s relentless fire-hosing of fake news is that these are not “honest mistakes,” but instead deliberate lies — attempts from a biased and partisan media to destroy President Trump through a propagandistic crusade of calculated dis-information.
What allows us to safely come to this conclusion?
In other words, if you flip a coin 20 times, the probability of achieving a ratio of 8 heads and 12 tails diminishes greatly if you flip it 40 or 60 times. The closer you get to 100 coin flips, the closer you will get to a perfect 50/50 split of heads to tails.
Naturally, in order to achieve this perfect split, in order to conduct the experiment accurately, good faith must be involved. The person flipping the coin must show no bias and no personal investment towards the outcome. The coin-flipper must be interested in only one thing — an outcome that reveals objective truth.
Therefore, through the use of dispassionate science and math, the only conclusion one can come to when observing the national media’s relentless fire-hosing of fake news is that these are not “honest mistakes,” but instead deliberate lies — attempts from a biased and partisan media to destroy President Trump through a propagandistic crusade of calculated dis-information.
What allows us to safely come to this conclusion?
Cotton Urges Trump, Congress for Military Cooperation With Taipei
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said Monday that he takes China’s threat of invading Taiwan "seriously," and he called for Congress and the president to provide the island nation with military assistance.
Last week, Chinese diplomat Li Kexin reportedly said that China will respond with military force if the "U.S. Navy vessel arrives" in Taiwan, according to Reuters.
"I take Beijing's threats to use military force against Taiwan seriously," Cotton, a member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services and the Select Committee on Intelligence, said in a statement Monday. "That's why I urge both the president and Congress to accelerate the sale of defensive weapons to Taiwan, as well as to bring Taiwan into joint military exercises with the United States.
More here
Last week, Chinese diplomat Li Kexin reportedly said that China will respond with military force if the "U.S. Navy vessel arrives" in Taiwan, according to Reuters.
"I take Beijing's threats to use military force against Taiwan seriously," Cotton, a member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services and the Select Committee on Intelligence, said in a statement Monday. "That's why I urge both the president and Congress to accelerate the sale of defensive weapons to Taiwan, as well as to bring Taiwan into joint military exercises with the United States.
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Why You Should Cut Your Sugar Intake
You've known for years that too much sugar is bad for your health, and science keeps confirming that fact with studies which show how many areas of our health are harmed. It seems that not a single organ remains unaffected.
The latest research, published in the Journal of Hepatology, found that fructose, a form of simple sugar that is processed into a refined sugar, is contributing to the increase of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adolescents and children.
NAFLD is the accumulation of extra fat in liver cells in people who drink little or no alcohol, and it is recognized as the fastest growing cause of liver disease in both Western and developing countries. It is estimated to affect up to 30 percent of the general population in Western countries, and up to 9.6 percent of all children and 38 percent of obese children.
Liver disease can progress to severe fibrosis and cirrhosis, and can also develop into deadly liver cancer.
Sugar, especially high-fructose corn syrup, which is used in many processed foods and drinks, has been linked to an increase in obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer in adults.
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The latest research, published in the Journal of Hepatology, found that fructose, a form of simple sugar that is processed into a refined sugar, is contributing to the increase of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adolescents and children.
NAFLD is the accumulation of extra fat in liver cells in people who drink little or no alcohol, and it is recognized as the fastest growing cause of liver disease in both Western and developing countries. It is estimated to affect up to 30 percent of the general population in Western countries, and up to 9.6 percent of all children and 38 percent of obese children.
Liver disease can progress to severe fibrosis and cirrhosis, and can also develop into deadly liver cancer.
Sugar, especially high-fructose corn syrup, which is used in many processed foods and drinks, has been linked to an increase in obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer in adults.
More here
'Man Flu' Is Real, Researcher Says, So Cut Them Some Slack
The "man flu" is a real thing, said a Canadian researcher, and may be due to males having weaker immune systems than women, leading to them being ill more often.
Dr. Kyle Sue, a clinical assistant professor in family medicine at Memorial University in St. John's, Newfoundland, pointed to his research that showed men have higher rates of flu-associated deaths compared to women, women are more responsive to vaccination, and men take more time off from flu-like symptoms, CBC News reported.
Sue's research, which was published this month in the British Medical Journal for its Christmas edition, also found that from a seasonal study in Hong Kong from 2004 to 2010, men had a higher risk of hospital admission because of the flu, CBC News noted.
"The whole point of doing this article is to prove that men are not wimps," Sue told CBC News. "I've been criticized for exaggerating my symptoms when I had the flu. I thought, 'You know what? This would be an interesting topic to look into.'"
More on this..
Dr. Kyle Sue, a clinical assistant professor in family medicine at Memorial University in St. John's, Newfoundland, pointed to his research that showed men have higher rates of flu-associated deaths compared to women, women are more responsive to vaccination, and men take more time off from flu-like symptoms, CBC News reported.
Sue's research, which was published this month in the British Medical Journal for its Christmas edition, also found that from a seasonal study in Hong Kong from 2004 to 2010, men had a higher risk of hospital admission because of the flu, CBC News noted.
"The whole point of doing this article is to prove that men are not wimps," Sue told CBC News. "I've been criticized for exaggerating my symptoms when I had the flu. I thought, 'You know what? This would be an interesting topic to look into.'"
NY Times: Attack Motivated by ‘Christmas-Themed Posters’; CNN: Motivation Was Anger at Israel
(CNSNews) – CNN on Monday cited an unnamed “law enforcement source” as saying that the terrorist who tried to detonate a suicide bomb in New York City was angered by Israel’s “incursion into Gaza.”
“Israel launched airstrikes this weekend against what it said were Hamas targets in Gaza after several rockets were fired out of Gaza toward Israel,” CNN reported. “This came amid widespread protests over President Trump's move to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.”
While some implied a possible link between the attack and Trump’s Jerusalem decision, other unnamed “law enforcement sources” told other news outlets that the suspect, Akayed Ullah, was driven by other motives, including “decades of violence against Muslims in Gaza, Syria and Iraq,” and “U.S. bombing in ISIS-controlled territory.”
Unnamed “law enforcement officials” cited by NBC News said Ullah decided to detonate his device in a subway passage near the Port Authority bus terminal at Times Square “because he noticed a holiday image there” and was “mindful of ISIS threats timed to Christmas.”
The New York Times said he selected the location for his attack “because of its Christmas-themed posters.”
More spin here
“Israel launched airstrikes this weekend against what it said were Hamas targets in Gaza after several rockets were fired out of Gaza toward Israel,” CNN reported. “This came amid widespread protests over President Trump's move to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.”
While some implied a possible link between the attack and Trump’s Jerusalem decision, other unnamed “law enforcement sources” told other news outlets that the suspect, Akayed Ullah, was driven by other motives, including “decades of violence against Muslims in Gaza, Syria and Iraq,” and “U.S. bombing in ISIS-controlled territory.”
Unnamed “law enforcement officials” cited by NBC News said Ullah decided to detonate his device in a subway passage near the Port Authority bus terminal at Times Square “because he noticed a holiday image there” and was “mindful of ISIS threats timed to Christmas.”
The New York Times said he selected the location for his attack “because of its Christmas-themed posters.”
More spin here
Williams: Moral Values and Customs vs. Laws
I'm approaching my 82nd birthday, and my daughter will occasionally suggest that modernity is perplexing to me because I'm from prehistoric times. As such, it points to one of the unavoidable problems of youth — namely, the temptation to think that today's behavioral standards have always been. Let's look at a few of the differences between yesteryear and today.
One of those differences is the treatment of women. There are awesome physical strength differences between men and women. To create and maintain civil relationships between the sexes is to drum into boys, starting from very young ages, that they are not to use violence against a woman for any reason. Special respect is given women. Yesteryear even the lowest of lowdown men would not curse or use foul language to or in the presence of women. To see a man sitting on a crowded bus or trolley car while a woman is standing used to be unthinkable. It was deemed common decency for a man to give up his seat for a woman or elderly person.
Today young people use foul language in front of — and often to — adults and teachers. It's not just foul language. Many youngsters feel that it's acceptable to assault teachers. Just recently, 45 Pennsylvania teachers resigned because of student violence. Back in what my daughter calls prehistoric times, the use of foul language to an adult or teacher would have meant a smack across the face.
More here
One of those differences is the treatment of women. There are awesome physical strength differences between men and women. To create and maintain civil relationships between the sexes is to drum into boys, starting from very young ages, that they are not to use violence against a woman for any reason. Special respect is given women. Yesteryear even the lowest of lowdown men would not curse or use foul language to or in the presence of women. To see a man sitting on a crowded bus or trolley car while a woman is standing used to be unthinkable. It was deemed common decency for a man to give up his seat for a woman or elderly person.
Today young people use foul language in front of — and often to — adults and teachers. It's not just foul language. Many youngsters feel that it's acceptable to assault teachers. Just recently, 45 Pennsylvania teachers resigned because of student violence. Back in what my daughter calls prehistoric times, the use of foul language to an adult or teacher would have meant a smack across the face.
More here
Trump: End Chain Migration, Visa Lottery Program
President Donald Trump demanded Congress end both "chain migration" and the diversity visa lottery program, saying Tuesday they pose a danger to national security, The Hill reported.
Trump said the legal immigration programs were to blame for two recent terror attacks in New York City, since that is how the terrorists in each incident legally entered the United States.
"We're gonna end both of them," Trump said. "We're going to end 'em. Fast," adding, "Congress must get involved immediately, and they are involved immediately, and I can tell you we have tremendous support."
Trump was commenting following revelations New York City terror suspect Akayed Ullah, who on Monday tried to detonate a bomb in the city’s subway system, came to the U.S. from Bangladesh in 2011 on a visa for children of siblings of American citizens, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
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Trump said the legal immigration programs were to blame for two recent terror attacks in New York City, since that is how the terrorists in each incident legally entered the United States.
"We're gonna end both of them," Trump said. "We're going to end 'em. Fast," adding, "Congress must get involved immediately, and they are involved immediately, and I can tell you we have tremendous support."
Trump was commenting following revelations New York City terror suspect Akayed Ullah, who on Monday tried to detonate a bomb in the city’s subway system, came to the U.S. from Bangladesh in 2011 on a visa for children of siblings of American citizens, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
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Pa. Threatened With Lawsuit For Stonewalling Non-citizen Election Records
An election integrity group is threatening to sue the Pennsylvania Department of State for allegedly stonewalling requests for records of non-citizens contained on the state's voter rolls.
Christian Adams, the president and general counsel of the Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF), an election integrity group, said in testimony submitted before the Pennsylvania Senate State Government Committee on Tuesday that his organization has attempted four times to inspect records detailing the full scope of non-citizens on the voter registry but the state has been unresponsive to their requests.
"Should Pennsylvania fail to disclose the full scale of failures allowing—even inviting—noncitizens of legal presence into the voter registry, it will risk maintaining similar flawed Motor Voter configurations not yet properly exposed in other jurisdictions subject to the National Voter Registration Act," Adams said in the testimony.
"Our voting, immigration, and entitlement programs have become increasingly interwoven in the decades following the enactment of the NVRA to a point that its authors did not adequately anticipate," Adams continued. "Incomplete study and disclosure of Pennsylvania's now partially-admitted failings will harm eligible voters and prospective citizens alike."
More details on this..
Christian Adams, the president and general counsel of the Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF), an election integrity group, said in testimony submitted before the Pennsylvania Senate State Government Committee on Tuesday that his organization has attempted four times to inspect records detailing the full scope of non-citizens on the voter registry but the state has been unresponsive to their requests.
"Should Pennsylvania fail to disclose the full scale of failures allowing—even inviting—noncitizens of legal presence into the voter registry, it will risk maintaining similar flawed Motor Voter configurations not yet properly exposed in other jurisdictions subject to the National Voter Registration Act," Adams said in the testimony.
"Our voting, immigration, and entitlement programs have become increasingly interwoven in the decades following the enactment of the NVRA to a point that its authors did not adequately anticipate," Adams continued. "Incomplete study and disclosure of Pennsylvania's now partially-admitted failings will harm eligible voters and prospective citizens alike."
More details on this..
READ MY LIPS
HYPOCRITE: Kirsten Gillibrand Held Hands With Alleged Rapist Bill Clinton, Praised Him
Democratic New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and other Democratic lawmakers responded to a tweet from President Donald Trump that attacked Gillibrand’s pandering as being a “sexist smear” and a “slut shame.”
CNN hosted Gillibrand for a “CNN exclusive” on Monday where Gillibrand called for President Donald Trump to resign over unproven allegations of sexual misconduct — a move by the network that many called pathetic.
Trump shot back at Gillibrand on Tuesday with a fiery tweet that called her out for being a typical politician that will say and do anything for campaign contributions.
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CNN hosted Gillibrand for a “CNN exclusive” on Monday where Gillibrand called for President Donald Trump to resign over unproven allegations of sexual misconduct — a move by the network that many called pathetic.
Trump shot back at Gillibrand on Tuesday with a fiery tweet that called her out for being a typical politician that will say and do anything for campaign contributions.
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Delaware Troopers Seek Public’s Assistance in Identifying Theft Suspect
The incident occurred on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at approximately 6:58 p.m. in the parking lot of Weis Supermarket, located at 24832 John J. Williams Highway. The female depicted in the surveillance photo is suspected of finding a victim's wallet that was left behind in a shopping cart. Before discarding the wallet, the suspect removed an undisclosed amount of cash and a prepaid gift card.
If anyone has any information in reference to the identity of this individual, they are asked to please contact TFC. T. Botchie at 302-644-5020. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet athttp://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.
PRESS RELEASE: MAN SENTENCED TO 13 YEARS IN PRISON FOR ASSAULTING DEPUTY
SNOW HILL – On December 12th, 2017, Glenn Allen Carmean, 47, of Salisbury, MD. was sentenced to thirteen years in the Maryland Department of Corrections by the Honorable Donald Davis after having been found guilty on September 14th, 2017 of First and Second Degree Assault on Deputy Sheriff, Kyle Hayes of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, as well as Reckless Driving, Fleeing and Eluding Police, Speeding and Driving while Impaired by Alcohol.
In January of 2017, Mr. Carmean led members of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland State Police on a high speed pursuit that at times reached speeds of greater than 100 mph between Berlin and Salisbury on U.S. Route 50.
It was during that pursuit that Mr. Carmean attempted to strike Deputy Hayes’ patrol vehicle to avoid capture. Deputy Hayes was able to slam on his brakes and avoid the collision by only six inches.
Ultimately, Mr. Carmean crashed his Jeep Liberty into a tree near Shorebird’s Stadium on Hobbs Road in Wicomico County. When he was removed from his vehicle he was unconscious and smelling of alcohol. Subsequently, an open liquor bottle was recovered from the vehicle.
Deputy State’s Attorney, Bill McDermott commented at sentencing that, “The pursuit of Mr. Carmean by the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland State Police was nothing short of heroic. They put their lives on the line and Deputy Hayes almost lost his because of inexcusable and reprehensible criminal conduct. These heroes deserve our gratitude and Mr. Carmean deserves prison.”
State’s Attorney for Worcester County, Beau Oglesby added, “High speed pursuits are always dangerous and rarely end well – but thanks to remarkable training, experience and bravery, the deputies and troopers who brought Mr. Carmean to justice did so safely and likely saved lives.”
Lt. Edward Schreier of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office applauded the efforts of law enforcement, “These are the types of situations that law enforcement officers across the country fear the most. It reminds us that sometimes in the protection of our communities we don’t make it home. Thankfully, the efforts of the law enforcement officers ensured that not only did they get to go home to their families, but so too did the people on the road that day. The hard work endured in the successful prosecution of this case by Bill McDermott and the Office of the State’s Attorney is deeply appreciated. It demonstrates an unshakable bond between our agencies that projects a unified and unmistakable message of strength to criminals.
Schreier added, “Judge Davis deserves recognition as well for his understanding of the severity of the Defendant’s actions and the need to protect our community from him in the future. His sentence should be commended.”
In January of 2017, Mr. Carmean led members of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland State Police on a high speed pursuit that at times reached speeds of greater than 100 mph between Berlin and Salisbury on U.S. Route 50.
It was during that pursuit that Mr. Carmean attempted to strike Deputy Hayes’ patrol vehicle to avoid capture. Deputy Hayes was able to slam on his brakes and avoid the collision by only six inches.
Ultimately, Mr. Carmean crashed his Jeep Liberty into a tree near Shorebird’s Stadium on Hobbs Road in Wicomico County. When he was removed from his vehicle he was unconscious and smelling of alcohol. Subsequently, an open liquor bottle was recovered from the vehicle.
Deputy State’s Attorney, Bill McDermott commented at sentencing that, “The pursuit of Mr. Carmean by the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland State Police was nothing short of heroic. They put their lives on the line and Deputy Hayes almost lost his because of inexcusable and reprehensible criminal conduct. These heroes deserve our gratitude and Mr. Carmean deserves prison.”
State’s Attorney for Worcester County, Beau Oglesby added, “High speed pursuits are always dangerous and rarely end well – but thanks to remarkable training, experience and bravery, the deputies and troopers who brought Mr. Carmean to justice did so safely and likely saved lives.”
Lt. Edward Schreier of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office applauded the efforts of law enforcement, “These are the types of situations that law enforcement officers across the country fear the most. It reminds us that sometimes in the protection of our communities we don’t make it home. Thankfully, the efforts of the law enforcement officers ensured that not only did they get to go home to their families, but so too did the people on the road that day. The hard work endured in the successful prosecution of this case by Bill McDermott and the Office of the State’s Attorney is deeply appreciated. It demonstrates an unshakable bond between our agencies that projects a unified and unmistakable message of strength to criminals.
Schreier added, “Judge Davis deserves recognition as well for his understanding of the severity of the Defendant’s actions and the need to protect our community from him in the future. His sentence should be commended.”
Bombshell: Evidence of CIA Role in Forging Obama’s Birth Certificate
Government computers illegally hacked Hawaii Dept. of Health
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Infowars.com has learned former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s investigators had discovered bombshell evidence that the CIA and or other government entities illegally hacked into Hawaii Department of Health records searching for birth records on Barack Obama.
According to information received by the investigators, the government breaches began on Nov. 14, 2008, just after Obama won his first presidential election, and continued until Jan. 12, 2011, three months before the White House released a computer version of what President Obama claimed was his authentic “Long-Form Birth Certificate” from 1961.
Michael Zullo, formerly the commander and chief investigator of the Cold Case Posse (CCP), a special investigative group created in 2006 in the office of Joseph M. Arpaio, formerly the sheriff in Maricopa County, an Arizona State Certified Law Enforcement Agency, headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, provided Infowars.com sections of an electronic surveillance database created by whistleblower, Dennis Montgomery, in 2013.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Infowars.com has learned former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s investigators had discovered bombshell evidence that the CIA and or other government entities illegally hacked into Hawaii Department of Health records searching for birth records on Barack Obama.
According to information received by the investigators, the government breaches began on Nov. 14, 2008, just after Obama won his first presidential election, and continued until Jan. 12, 2011, three months before the White House released a computer version of what President Obama claimed was his authentic “Long-Form Birth Certificate” from 1961.
Michael Zullo, formerly the commander and chief investigator of the Cold Case Posse (CCP), a special investigative group created in 2006 in the office of Joseph M. Arpaio, formerly the sheriff in Maricopa County, an Arizona State Certified Law Enforcement Agency, headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, provided Infowars.com sections of an electronic surveillance database created by whistleblower, Dennis Montgomery, in 2013.
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Trump Admin Policy Has Allowed for Increased Offensive Air Strikes in Afghanistan
The administration now allows American commanders to carry out airstrikes that are not strictly defensive, freeing them up to drop three times as many bombs and missiles as last year, the New York Times reports. The Obama administration restricted U.S. forces to defensive strikes with the purpose of protecting Afghan forces, and with their hands untied this year, commanders have taken advantage of the policy change.
"These new authorities give me the ability to go after the enemy in ways that I couldn’t before," top American commander in Afghanistan Gen. John W. Nicholson Jr. said after ordering operation Jagged Knife last month.
The offensive operations have targeted Taliban drug production, which is critical to the terrorist organization's economic stability. U.S. forces have also targeted ISIS's oil tankers and other assets.
"We’re hitting the Taliban where it hurts, which is their finances," Nicholson said.
More here
Chicago Judge gives woman charged in Facebook Live hate crime a shocking sentence - Hot Air
Brittany Covington narrated a Facebook Live video showing the special needs teen being tortured and humiliated in the Chicago apartment she shared with her sister Tanishia, who is still behind bars in this matter along with co-defendants Tesfaye Cooper and Jordan Hill.
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Whistleblower Says CFPB Falsified Documents to Fine Payday Lender
A former employee of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is calling for an investigation after accusing managers of falsifying documents to impose fines on a payday lender.
Cassandra Jackson, a former CFPB examiner in the southeast division, sent a letter last week to Attorney General Jeff Sessions also accusing managers of "widespread racism and gender discrimination."
Jackson said her superiors at the CFPB asked her to falsify documents during her investigation into a Texas-based payday lending company, Ace Cash Express.
"During the course of this examination, I was asked to change, remove, and otherwise falsify documents connected with this examination," Jackson said.
Jackson said she was asked to remove document evidence proving Ace Cash Express was complying with CFPB rules and to write a report including findings she knew to be "false and fabricated."
"I was specifically told to cite Ace Cash Express for a violation for which I had verified the company was in compliance and to state that Ace Cash Express did not provide, and that the CFPB did not receive, documents that would have satisfied the CFPB's guidelines, despite having received that information from Ace Cash Express," Jackson said.
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Cassandra Jackson, a former CFPB examiner in the southeast division, sent a letter last week to Attorney General Jeff Sessions also accusing managers of "widespread racism and gender discrimination."
Jackson said her superiors at the CFPB asked her to falsify documents during her investigation into a Texas-based payday lending company, Ace Cash Express.
"During the course of this examination, I was asked to change, remove, and otherwise falsify documents connected with this examination," Jackson said.
Jackson said she was asked to remove document evidence proving Ace Cash Express was complying with CFPB rules and to write a report including findings she knew to be "false and fabricated."
"I was specifically told to cite Ace Cash Express for a violation for which I had verified the company was in compliance and to state that Ace Cash Express did not provide, and that the CFPB did not receive, documents that would have satisfied the CFPB's guidelines, despite having received that information from Ace Cash Express," Jackson said.
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Black Lives Matter Leader DeRay McKesson Sues Jeanine Pirro, FOX News
6:15 PM PT -- A FOX News spokesperson tells TMZ ... “We informed Mr. McKesson's counsel that our commentary was fully protected under the First Amendment and the privilege for reports of judicial proceedings. We will defend this case vigorously.”
DeRay McKesson -- one of the leaders of the Black Lives Matter movement -- is suing FOX News personality Jeanine Pirro for saying he directed protesters to attack a police officer.
McKesson says Pirro was on "FOX & Friends" on September 28, discussing a lawsuit filed by the cop against BLM. According to the suit, Pirro made a series of outrageous and false statements about him.
In the docs, obtained by TMZ, DeRay says Pirro blamed him for directing the violence, and added, "You've got a police officer who was injured, he was injured at the direction of DeRay McKesson."
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DeRay McKesson -- one of the leaders of the Black Lives Matter movement -- is suing FOX News personality Jeanine Pirro for saying he directed protesters to attack a police officer.McKesson says Pirro was on "FOX & Friends" on September 28, discussing a lawsuit filed by the cop against BLM. According to the suit, Pirro made a series of outrageous and false statements about him.
In the docs, obtained by TMZ, DeRay says Pirro blamed him for directing the violence, and added, "You've got a police officer who was injured, he was injured at the direction of DeRay McKesson."
More
Accident On South Bound Rt. 13 In Salisbury
Cat Found 12-12-17: UPDATE
Will shelter it for a couple days, then I'll be turning it over to the Wicomico Humane Society as a lost pet. Thanks for your time, hope to reunite you with your pet.
Breaking News: House and Senate Republicans have a tax deal
House and Senate Republicans have reached an agreement, in principle, on a consensus tax bill on Wednesday, keeping the party on track for final votes next week with the aim of delivering a bill to President Trump’s desk by Christmas, according to people briefed on the deal.
Attention Crisfield property owners:
I feel obligated to make everyone aware of the Somerset County Sanitary District’s Rate Hearing this Thursday at 2:00 in the County Office Complex.
Property owners in the 1988 Bond Year (Account numbers beginning with 88) should ask why their rates are not being lowered as in prior years. These accounts accumulated a surplus which has been used to reduce user rates each year. When asked at a recent meeting about the surplus, a representative first stated there was no surplus and when pressed further stated it was used to pay down the debt in the 1988 bond.
If the rates are approved as advertised; the surplus created by these property owners (as referenced in the FY 2016 audit report) will be spread among all county users the following calendar year-2019 (if the proposed method of billing debt is changed to a countywide rate as recommended by the Sanitary Commission). I don’t believe this is fair to these property owners and urge anyone affected to go to the meeting Thursday afternoon. Copies of the audit reports are available on the county’s website: http://www.somersetmd.us/downloads.html
Property owners in the 1988 Bond Year (Account numbers beginning with 88) should ask why their rates are not being lowered as in prior years. These accounts accumulated a surplus which has been used to reduce user rates each year. When asked at a recent meeting about the surplus, a representative first stated there was no surplus and when pressed further stated it was used to pay down the debt in the 1988 bond.
If the rates are approved as advertised; the surplus created by these property owners (as referenced in the FY 2016 audit report) will be spread among all county users the following calendar year-2019 (if the proposed method of billing debt is changed to a countywide rate as recommended by the Sanitary Commission). I don’t believe this is fair to these property owners and urge anyone affected to go to the meeting Thursday afternoon. Copies of the audit reports are available on the county’s website: http://www.somersetmd.us/downloads.html
Avery Street Recycling Center Closure
At the request of Salisbury University, the Avery Street recycling center will be permanently closed on or about December 30, 2017.
Please use the recycling centers at the Civic Center and Sam's Club or our Brick Kiln Road location. Wicomico County appreciates SU's cooperation over the past 15 years. Please contact Wicomico County Public Works - Solid Waste Division at 410-548-4935 with any questions.
AP Tweet Falsely Implies Pentagon Defied Trump’s Orders on Transgender Ban
A Monday tweet from the Associated Press falsely implied the Pentagon was defying President Donald Trump by allowing transgender people to serve in the military.
The AP got nearly 17,000 retweets for a "BREAKING" news tweet claiming the Pentagon will allow transgender people to enlist in the military "despite Trump's opposition."
The AP's framing led both Trump supporters and opponents to believe the Pentagon was willfully defying the president's order.
But the AP's tweet failed to disclose that the Pentagon didn't decide to allow transgender individuals in the military. The announcement was instead a result of a court order blocking Trump's ban until it can be properly litigated.
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The AP got nearly 17,000 retweets for a "BREAKING" news tweet claiming the Pentagon will allow transgender people to enlist in the military "despite Trump's opposition."
The AP's framing led both Trump supporters and opponents to believe the Pentagon was willfully defying the president's order.
But the AP's tweet failed to disclose that the Pentagon didn't decide to allow transgender individuals in the military. The announcement was instead a result of a court order blocking Trump's ban until it can be properly litigated.
More
#MeToo: From Salem to Now
Recognizing the problems inherent in the hysteria surrounding the #MeToo campaign, which the media and politicians are heralding as a pivotal moment in our culture, should not require a difficult intellectual exercise. It was once conventional wisdom gleaned from history. But given that modern media narratives serve more to reshape history than to appropriately understand and learn from it, perhaps a brief history discussion is in order. All you have to do is remember the first famous #MeToo campaign to take place in the Americas.
Salem Village, 1692. Young girls, caught up in the frenzied hysteria of rampant devilry and witchcraft as explanations for the problems plaguing Salem Village, led to the accusation of more than 200 men and women of witchery, leading to the execution of 20 innocent people. Today, it is generally believed that these young women and the later accusers voiced their accusations for attention, personal gain, or to capture a moment of relevance in a popular wave of accusations that were then-thought “brave” by local religious leaders, who were both the media criers and political leaders of their day.
More
Salem Village, 1692. Young girls, caught up in the frenzied hysteria of rampant devilry and witchcraft as explanations for the problems plaguing Salem Village, led to the accusation of more than 200 men and women of witchery, leading to the execution of 20 innocent people. Today, it is generally believed that these young women and the later accusers voiced their accusations for attention, personal gain, or to capture a moment of relevance in a popular wave of accusations that were then-thought “brave” by local religious leaders, who were both the media criers and political leaders of their day.
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Pruden: Big media’s sad and extremely horrible week
Newspapermen were rarely whiners. Whining became fashionable only after “journalists” overran newsrooms. The best newspapermen, so the folk wisdom went, were Southerners, Jews and the Irish.
Southerners loved the words and the occasions to tell stories, the Jews for the opportunity to do public good, and the Irish for the bottle frequently slipped into the bottom desk drawer by boosters, lobbyists, public-relations flacks and others up to no particular good.
Such an irreverent formulation was enough to offend everybody, but in the old days no one took offense because everybody knew that nobody would particularly care if anybody did. What a hard, cruel, cold life we all led, with welcome irreverence an only consolation. It was pounded into the heads of every reporter, by an editor highly trained in head-pounding, to be skeptical of everything anyone (especially a lawyer) told them — in the famous instructions to reporters in Chicago newsrooms: “If your mother tells you she loves you, check it out.”
But times change, and only occasionally for the better. The Columbia Journalism Review, published in that citadel of journalists educated to be house-broken, correct in politics and steeped in the grand mission of “improving” readers, relieved itself this week of the sad story of “journalism’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week.” The recital was enough to break the hardest heart.
The Review set out a refresher of everything that went wrong, and it was quite a list:
Southerners loved the words and the occasions to tell stories, the Jews for the opportunity to do public good, and the Irish for the bottle frequently slipped into the bottom desk drawer by boosters, lobbyists, public-relations flacks and others up to no particular good.
Such an irreverent formulation was enough to offend everybody, but in the old days no one took offense because everybody knew that nobody would particularly care if anybody did. What a hard, cruel, cold life we all led, with welcome irreverence an only consolation. It was pounded into the heads of every reporter, by an editor highly trained in head-pounding, to be skeptical of everything anyone (especially a lawyer) told them — in the famous instructions to reporters in Chicago newsrooms: “If your mother tells you she loves you, check it out.”
But times change, and only occasionally for the better. The Columbia Journalism Review, published in that citadel of journalists educated to be house-broken, correct in politics and steeped in the grand mission of “improving” readers, relieved itself this week of the sad story of “journalism’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week.” The recital was enough to break the hardest heart.
The Review set out a refresher of everything that went wrong, and it was quite a list:
Former Facebook exec: Social media is ripping society apart
Facebook’s former vice president for user growth Chamath Palihapitiya recently gave a talk at the Stanford Graduate School of Business that’ll probably make you think twice about your social media use (via the Verge). The entire talk is well worth a watch, but some of his most prominent remarks included:
That he feels “tremendous guilt” about Facebook. “I think we have created tools that are ripping apart the social fabric of how society works.”
“The short-term, dopamine-driven feedback loops we’ve created [including the hearts, likes, and thumbs up of various social media channels] are destroying how society works.” He added,
“[There’s] no civil discourse, no cooperation; [only] misinformation, mis-truth. And it’s not an American problem–this is not about Russians ads. This is a global problem.”
More
[How odd.. this also seems like a perfect description of the liberal mindset. --Editor]
That he feels “tremendous guilt” about Facebook. “I think we have created tools that are ripping apart the social fabric of how society works.”
“The short-term, dopamine-driven feedback loops we’ve created [including the hearts, likes, and thumbs up of various social media channels] are destroying how society works.” He added,
“[There’s] no civil discourse, no cooperation; [only] misinformation, mis-truth. And it’s not an American problem–this is not about Russians ads. This is a global problem.”
More
[How odd.. this also seems like a perfect description of the liberal mindset. --Editor]
Collision with tow cable
Type of Incident: Motor Vehicle Collision
Date and Time: 12/12/17 at 1841hours
Location: S/B 113 at Newark Road, Newark, Worcester County, MD
Vehicles: Veh#1 2013 Cadillac ATS
Accused: Suspect (At Fault)/ Driver Vehicle #1: Pasquale Ingemi 57 yoa New Jersey
Narrative: On 12/12/2017 at approximately 1750 hours, Troopers from the Maryland State Police Berlin Barracks where investigating a single vehicle collision involving an oil tanker.
During the investigation Troopers closed both S/B and N/B lanes of 113 at Newark Rd.
Troopers and tow vehicles where on scene removing the oil tanker from a ditch when the above motorists (travelling S/B on 113) drove around the road barricade with emergency equipment and Troopers, subsequently striking the tow cable that was attached to the oil tanker. The Cadillac’s front windshield and windshield frame was damaged by the impact with the cable.
There were no injuries and the vehicle was un-drivable.
Disposition: - Traffic citations issued, negligent driving, fail to obey traffic device
Investigating Trooper: Cpl Matt Shockley
Date and Time: 12/12/17 at 1841hours
Location: S/B 113 at Newark Road, Newark, Worcester County, MD
Vehicles: Veh#1 2013 Cadillac ATS
Accused: Suspect (At Fault)/ Driver Vehicle #1: Pasquale Ingemi 57 yoa New Jersey
Narrative: On 12/12/2017 at approximately 1750 hours, Troopers from the Maryland State Police Berlin Barracks where investigating a single vehicle collision involving an oil tanker.
During the investigation Troopers closed both S/B and N/B lanes of 113 at Newark Rd.
Troopers and tow vehicles where on scene removing the oil tanker from a ditch when the above motorists (travelling S/B on 113) drove around the road barricade with emergency equipment and Troopers, subsequently striking the tow cable that was attached to the oil tanker. The Cadillac’s front windshield and windshield frame was damaged by the impact with the cable.
There were no injuries and the vehicle was un-drivable.
Disposition: - Traffic citations issued, negligent driving, fail to obey traffic device
Investigating Trooper: Cpl Matt Shockley
North Korea readying for another nuclear test?
North Korea appears to be pressing ahead with its nuclear programme. Satellite images recently detected hectic activity at the North Korean nuclear test site, Punggye-ri.
Experts say that after North Korea's last nuclear test, minor tremors were detected near Mt Mantap, located close to the nuclear site. However, Pyongyang is now engaged in additional tunnel work at the site.
According to experts at 38North, a US-based think tank, the fresh activities were detected at the West Portal of the site – indicating that the site may be undergoing an expansion. Meanwhile, the North Portal, where the previous five tests were conducted, appears to have been temporarily abandoned.
"At the West Portal, there has been a consistently high level of activity since North Korea's last nuclear test. This includes a routine presence of vehicles and personnel around the portal, movement of mining carts from the portal to the adjacent spoil pile and signs of fresh spoil being dumped onto the pile," 38North experts said in a blog. "These activities suggest that tunnel excavation is underway at the West Portal, as the North Koreans expand the site's potential for future nuclear testing."
"The tunneling is occurring at the West Portal and activity near that area has been relatively high for the last month.
More
Experts say that after North Korea's last nuclear test, minor tremors were detected near Mt Mantap, located close to the nuclear site. However, Pyongyang is now engaged in additional tunnel work at the site.
According to experts at 38North, a US-based think tank, the fresh activities were detected at the West Portal of the site – indicating that the site may be undergoing an expansion. Meanwhile, the North Portal, where the previous five tests were conducted, appears to have been temporarily abandoned.
"At the West Portal, there has been a consistently high level of activity since North Korea's last nuclear test. This includes a routine presence of vehicles and personnel around the portal, movement of mining carts from the portal to the adjacent spoil pile and signs of fresh spoil being dumped onto the pile," 38North experts said in a blog. "These activities suggest that tunnel excavation is underway at the West Portal, as the North Koreans expand the site's potential for future nuclear testing."
"The tunneling is occurring at the West Portal and activity near that area has been relatively high for the last month.
More
DUI COMMERCIAL VEHICLE CRASH
Type of Incident: Motor Vehicle Collision/Impaired Driver
Date and Time: 12/12/17 at 1750hrs
Location: S/B 113 at Newark Road, Newark, Worcester County, MD
Vehicles: Veh#1 2000 International 8 wheel Oil Tanker (empty-no load)
Accused: Suspect (At Fault)/ Driver Vehicle #1: Joseph Sweeney 55 yoa New Jersey
Narrative: On 12/12/2017 at approximately 1750 hours, Troopers from the Maryland State Police Berlin Barracks responded to a report of an oil tanker partially in the roadway and stuck in a ditch in the area of S/B 113 at Newark Rd.
Upon Troopers arrival, the above operator was contacted & through investigation the Troopers discovered that the driver was impaired by an alcoholic beverage. It was also learned that the driver was travelling N/B on 113 when he crossed the center median and struck the ditch on the S/B side of 113 and Newark Rd. Further filed tests were conducted and the driver was subsequently arrested for DWI and submitted to a breath test resulting in a BAC of .18.
There were no injuries and the vehicle was drivable.
Disposition: DWI, DUI and related traffic citations issued- released on personal recognizance
Investigating Trooper: Trooper Tyler Lewis
Date and Time: 12/12/17 at 1750hrs
Location: S/B 113 at Newark Road, Newark, Worcester County, MD
Vehicles: Veh#1 2000 International 8 wheel Oil Tanker (empty-no load)
Accused: Suspect (At Fault)/ Driver Vehicle #1: Joseph Sweeney 55 yoa New Jersey
Narrative: On 12/12/2017 at approximately 1750 hours, Troopers from the Maryland State Police Berlin Barracks responded to a report of an oil tanker partially in the roadway and stuck in a ditch in the area of S/B 113 at Newark Rd.
Upon Troopers arrival, the above operator was contacted & through investigation the Troopers discovered that the driver was impaired by an alcoholic beverage. It was also learned that the driver was travelling N/B on 113 when he crossed the center median and struck the ditch on the S/B side of 113 and Newark Rd. Further filed tests were conducted and the driver was subsequently arrested for DWI and submitted to a breath test resulting in a BAC of .18.
There were no injuries and the vehicle was drivable.
Disposition: DWI, DUI and related traffic citations issued- released on personal recognizance
Investigating Trooper: Trooper Tyler Lewis
The U.S. Media Suffered Its Most Humiliating Debacle in Ages: Now Refuses All Transparency Over What
Over What Happened
Friday was one of the most embarrassing days for the U.S. media in quite a long time. The humiliation orgy was kicked off by CNN, with MSNBC and CBS close behind, with countless pundits, commentators and operatives joining the party throughout the day. By the end of the day, it was clear that several of the nation’s largest and most influential news outlets had spread an explosive but completely false news story to millions of people, while refusing to provide any explanation of how it happened.
The spectacle began on Friday morning at 11 a.m. EST, when the Most Trusted Name in News™ spent 12 straight minutes on air flamboyantly hyping an exclusive bombshell report that seemed to prove that WikiLeaks, last September, had secretly offered the Trump campaign, even Donald Trump himself, special access to the DNC emails beforethey were published on the internet. As CNN sees the world, this would prove collusion between the Trump family and WikiLeaks and, more importantly, between Trump and Russia, since the U.S. intelligence community regards WikiLeaks as an “arm of Russian intelligence,” and therefore, so does the U.S. media.
This entire revelation was based on an email which CNN strongly implied it had exclusively obtained and had in its possession. The email was sent by someone named “Michael J. Erickson” — someone nobody had heard of previously and whom CNN could not identify — to Donald Trump, Jr., offering a decryption key and access to DNC emails that WikiLeaks had “uploaded.” The email was a smoking gun, in CNN’s extremely excited mind, because it was dated September 4 — 10 days before WikiLeaks began promoting access to those emails online — and thus proved that the Trump family was being offered special, unique access to the DNC archive: likely by WikiLeaks and the Kremlin.
It’s impossible to convey with words what a spectacularly devastating scoop CNN believed it had, so it’s necessary to watch it for yourself to see the tone of excitement, breathlessness and gravity the network conveyed as they clearly believed they were delivering a near-fatal blow on the Trump/Russia collusion story:
There was just one small problem with this story: it was fundamentally false, in the most embarrassing way possible. Hours after CNN broadcast its story — and then hyped it over and over and over — the Washington Post reported that CNN got the key fact of the story wrong.
The email was not dated September 4, as CNN claimed, but rather September 14 — which means it was sent after WikiLeaks had already published access to the DNC emails online. Thus, rather than offering some sort of special access to Trump, “Michael J. Erickson” was simply some random person from the public encouraging the Trump family to look at the publicly available DNC emails that WikiLeaks — as everyone by then already knew — had publicly promoted. In other words, the email was the exact opposite of what CNN presented it as being.
More
Friday was one of the most embarrassing days for the U.S. media in quite a long time. The humiliation orgy was kicked off by CNN, with MSNBC and CBS close behind, with countless pundits, commentators and operatives joining the party throughout the day. By the end of the day, it was clear that several of the nation’s largest and most influential news outlets had spread an explosive but completely false news story to millions of people, while refusing to provide any explanation of how it happened.
The spectacle began on Friday morning at 11 a.m. EST, when the Most Trusted Name in News™ spent 12 straight minutes on air flamboyantly hyping an exclusive bombshell report that seemed to prove that WikiLeaks, last September, had secretly offered the Trump campaign, even Donald Trump himself, special access to the DNC emails beforethey were published on the internet. As CNN sees the world, this would prove collusion between the Trump family and WikiLeaks and, more importantly, between Trump and Russia, since the U.S. intelligence community regards WikiLeaks as an “arm of Russian intelligence,” and therefore, so does the U.S. media.
This entire revelation was based on an email which CNN strongly implied it had exclusively obtained and had in its possession. The email was sent by someone named “Michael J. Erickson” — someone nobody had heard of previously and whom CNN could not identify — to Donald Trump, Jr., offering a decryption key and access to DNC emails that WikiLeaks had “uploaded.” The email was a smoking gun, in CNN’s extremely excited mind, because it was dated September 4 — 10 days before WikiLeaks began promoting access to those emails online — and thus proved that the Trump family was being offered special, unique access to the DNC archive: likely by WikiLeaks and the Kremlin.
It’s impossible to convey with words what a spectacularly devastating scoop CNN believed it had, so it’s necessary to watch it for yourself to see the tone of excitement, breathlessness and gravity the network conveyed as they clearly believed they were delivering a near-fatal blow on the Trump/Russia collusion story:
There was just one small problem with this story: it was fundamentally false, in the most embarrassing way possible. Hours after CNN broadcast its story — and then hyped it over and over and over — the Washington Post reported that CNN got the key fact of the story wrong.
The email was not dated September 4, as CNN claimed, but rather September 14 — which means it was sent after WikiLeaks had already published access to the DNC emails online. Thus, rather than offering some sort of special access to Trump, “Michael J. Erickson” was simply some random person from the public encouraging the Trump family to look at the publicly available DNC emails that WikiLeaks — as everyone by then already knew — had publicly promoted. In other words, the email was the exact opposite of what CNN presented it as being.
More
The Death of Detective Sean Suiter: How Deep Does the Corruption Go?
Journalists Jayne Miller and Luke Broadwater discuss the burgeoning scandal inside the Baltimore police department over the mysterious death of homicide detective Sean Suiter, who was found dead in an alley shot, with his own gun
STEPHEN JANIS: Almost seven years ago, I wrote a book with a former Baltimore homicide detective called 'Why Do We Kill?' In it, we recounted a Baltimore police department that was seemingly infused by corruption, but it turns out we were wrong.
In light of recent scandals, the agency is, in fact, defined by it. A damning report for the Department of Justice, a consent decree, ballooning overtime costs, and seemingly the most disturbing development: a burgeoning scandal involving at least eight officers of the Gun Trace Task Force who are accused of stealing money from residents, dealing drugs, and racketeering. Now, with the killing of Detective Sean Suiter, who recently was set to testify in the case, things have gone from bad to worse, as Baltimore Police Commissioner Kevin Davis just asked the FBI to take the case.
But, amid all the obvious dysfunction, not a single police officer has been fired, and the city and charitable organizations keep giving the department money, more, not less. So, what's going on, and is there a path forward to fix this? And, is this department beyond repair?
To help me answer this question are three of the best journalists in town with too many awards to mention. Jayne Miller is an investigative journalist for WBAL-TV, Luke Broadwater works for the Baltimore Sun and covers City Hall, and Taya Graham is a Real News reporter and member of the infamous Mod Squad. Thank you all for joining me. I really appreciate it.
Before we get started, we have a package from Taya to give us an update on where we are in the death of Detective Sean Suiter.
More
STEPHEN JANIS: Almost seven years ago, I wrote a book with a former Baltimore homicide detective called 'Why Do We Kill?' In it, we recounted a Baltimore police department that was seemingly infused by corruption, but it turns out we were wrong.
In light of recent scandals, the agency is, in fact, defined by it. A damning report for the Department of Justice, a consent decree, ballooning overtime costs, and seemingly the most disturbing development: a burgeoning scandal involving at least eight officers of the Gun Trace Task Force who are accused of stealing money from residents, dealing drugs, and racketeering. Now, with the killing of Detective Sean Suiter, who recently was set to testify in the case, things have gone from bad to worse, as Baltimore Police Commissioner Kevin Davis just asked the FBI to take the case.
But, amid all the obvious dysfunction, not a single police officer has been fired, and the city and charitable organizations keep giving the department money, more, not less. So, what's going on, and is there a path forward to fix this? And, is this department beyond repair?
To help me answer this question are three of the best journalists in town with too many awards to mention. Jayne Miller is an investigative journalist for WBAL-TV, Luke Broadwater works for the Baltimore Sun and covers City Hall, and Taya Graham is a Real News reporter and member of the infamous Mod Squad. Thank you all for joining me. I really appreciate it.
Before we get started, we have a package from Taya to give us an update on where we are in the death of Detective Sean Suiter.
More
'Endless Summer' surfing filmmaker Bruce Brown dies at 80
Bruce Brown, whose 1966 surfing documentary 'The Endless Summer' transformed the image of the sport, has died.
Brown, who was 80, died of natural causes in Santa Barbara on Sunday, said Alex Mecl, general manager of Bruce Brown Films.
Surfers had largely been portrayed as beach buffoons in the mindless party movies of the early 1960s but his film was the first to document their lives as adventurers, inspiring a generation of surfers to travel the world.
Along with the music of the Beach Boys, Brown took surfing from a quirky hobby to a fundamental part of American culture.
More/Video
Brown, who was 80, died of natural causes in Santa Barbara on Sunday, said Alex Mecl, general manager of Bruce Brown Films.
Surfers had largely been portrayed as beach buffoons in the mindless party movies of the early 1960s but his film was the first to document their lives as adventurers, inspiring a generation of surfers to travel the world.
Along with the music of the Beach Boys, Brown took surfing from a quirky hobby to a fundamental part of American culture.
More/Video
Why Downtown Parking Garages May Be Headed for Extinction
For decades, providing downtown parking was a top priority for urban planners. Huge parking garages for commuters’ cars occupied prime real estate that otherwise might have been used for housing, stores or offices.
But ride-hailing services and autonomous cars are going to revolutionize parking in cities across the country — in garages, in lots and along curbs. By 2030, 15 percent of new cars sold will be totally autonomous, according to one estimate. One in 10 will be shared. And as it becomes easier for people to summon shared or autonomous cars when they need them, fewer people will want to own their own vehicle, meaning fewer cars overall.
The bottom line: We’re going to need much less space to store cars. Some cities are gearing up to take advantage of the shift.
“Urban parking lots are dead or dying, and how we use the curb is changing,” said Rich Barone, vice president of transportation for the Regional Plan Association of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The RPA released a report in October urging cities to “get ready” for autonomous vehicles. It predicts that by 2045, 70 to 90 percent of all cars in major urban areas could be autonomous.
Parking in downtowns is going to “morph from being big massive surface lots and garages to much smaller areas configured for pickup and drop-off of autonomous vehicles,” Barone said. “Cities will be more walkable, more people-friendly, and there will be more space for parks and other amenities.”
More
But ride-hailing services and autonomous cars are going to revolutionize parking in cities across the country — in garages, in lots and along curbs. By 2030, 15 percent of new cars sold will be totally autonomous, according to one estimate. One in 10 will be shared. And as it becomes easier for people to summon shared or autonomous cars when they need them, fewer people will want to own their own vehicle, meaning fewer cars overall.
The bottom line: We’re going to need much less space to store cars. Some cities are gearing up to take advantage of the shift.
“Urban parking lots are dead or dying, and how we use the curb is changing,” said Rich Barone, vice president of transportation for the Regional Plan Association of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The RPA released a report in October urging cities to “get ready” for autonomous vehicles. It predicts that by 2045, 70 to 90 percent of all cars in major urban areas could be autonomous.
Parking in downtowns is going to “morph from being big massive surface lots and garages to much smaller areas configured for pickup and drop-off of autonomous vehicles,” Barone said. “Cities will be more walkable, more people-friendly, and there will be more space for parks and other amenities.”
More
REALLY? Obama Takes Credit For Economic Growth Under Trump In Speech
Well, this just figures. Obama had the stones to literally thank himself in a speech last week as he took credit for the economic growth that President Trump has ignited. At a Chicago climate summit, he spoke to a rapturous crowd and told them that despite “resistance at every step of the way,” his administration’s efforts to fight climate change resulted in a better economy. Uh, excuse me? Climate change has had NOTHING to do with this economy. If anything, it has cost us millions that we could ill afford. Obama is a delusional Marxist.
“As we took these actions, we saw the U.S. economy grow consistently,” Obama said. “We saw the longest streak of job creation in American history by far — a streak that still continues, by the way.” He then had the nerve to add: “Thanks Obama.” Excuse me while I vomit… A LOT. What a freaking liar. I know a lot of people who were unemployed the whole time Obama was in office. He had us in a quasi-depression. There were no jobs for eight long years. Under President Trump that has finally started turning around. He’s brought manufacturing back and has reinstated energy production. The US is benefiting hugely from being more self-sufficient.
At the Chicago speech, Obama stated that forward-thinking environmental policies lead to economic growth. He said the U.S. is in an “unusual” position as the only country that hasn’t signed on to the Paris Agreement after Syria signed last month. “The good news is that the Paris Agreement was never going to solve the climate crisis on its own. It was going to be up to all of us,” Obama informed the gathering of mayors from around the world who were there to sign the Chicago Climate Charter. The agreement, modeled on the Paris Agreement, commits individual cities to bringing down their carbon emissions.
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“As we took these actions, we saw the U.S. economy grow consistently,” Obama said. “We saw the longest streak of job creation in American history by far — a streak that still continues, by the way.” He then had the nerve to add: “Thanks Obama.” Excuse me while I vomit… A LOT. What a freaking liar. I know a lot of people who were unemployed the whole time Obama was in office. He had us in a quasi-depression. There were no jobs for eight long years. Under President Trump that has finally started turning around. He’s brought manufacturing back and has reinstated energy production. The US is benefiting hugely from being more self-sufficient.
At the Chicago speech, Obama stated that forward-thinking environmental policies lead to economic growth. He said the U.S. is in an “unusual” position as the only country that hasn’t signed on to the Paris Agreement after Syria signed last month. “The good news is that the Paris Agreement was never going to solve the climate crisis on its own. It was going to be up to all of us,” Obama informed the gathering of mayors from around the world who were there to sign the Chicago Climate Charter. The agreement, modeled on the Paris Agreement, commits individual cities to bringing down their carbon emissions.
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Liberals Outraged Over Black Man Gunned Down by Cops, But Bodycam Footage Silences Them
Liberals love to claim that police have a racist tendency to shoot people of color simply because of the color of their skin, and not because they’re actually doing anything wrong. Any time a cop enters an altercation with a black person, it is immediately assumed that the officer(s) were engaging in racial profiling. If that interaction ends in a fatal shooting, it is also assumed that the officer behaved inappropriately and should have used a non-lethal way of taking down the suspect instead.
There has been a call recently to arm all cops with bodycams so that they can record all incidences as a way to their prove their guilt or innocence. This doesn’t always end well for those who think that officers are horrible people who just pick of black people as a way to oppress the community.
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There has been a call recently to arm all cops with bodycams so that they can record all incidences as a way to their prove their guilt or innocence. This doesn’t always end well for those who think that officers are horrible people who just pick of black people as a way to oppress the community.
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Senate tax bill could be a game changer for parents frustrated with the public school system
Parents would have more power to choose the K-12 education that best meets the specific needs of their children and reflects the values of their families if an amendment to tax legislation recently approved by the Senate becomes law. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, proposed the amendment, which expands 529 college savings plans.
The Senate and House each passed different tax bills and will need to agree on a single piece of legislation in order to send it to President Trump, who could sign it into law.
The Cruz amendment would allow families to use up to $10,000 a year per child from their 529 college savings accounts to pay K-12 education expenses for public, private, religious or homeschooling expenses. The 529 accounts aren’t subject to federal tax, but currently must be used exclusively for higher education expenses.
Many families have found themselves increasingly at odds with a public education system obsessed with political correctness. There is less focus today on the fundamentals of educating our kids in the basics of reading, writing and math and more on indoctrinating children with a calculated political agenda aimed at hijacking young minds and making extreme social policies the societal norm in our schools and communities.
The Cruz amendment would be a game-changer for families that have felt the public school system has grossly overstepped and seized control of the role of parents.
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The Senate and House each passed different tax bills and will need to agree on a single piece of legislation in order to send it to President Trump, who could sign it into law.
The Cruz amendment would allow families to use up to $10,000 a year per child from their 529 college savings accounts to pay K-12 education expenses for public, private, religious or homeschooling expenses. The 529 accounts aren’t subject to federal tax, but currently must be used exclusively for higher education expenses.
Many families have found themselves increasingly at odds with a public education system obsessed with political correctness. There is less focus today on the fundamentals of educating our kids in the basics of reading, writing and math and more on indoctrinating children with a calculated political agenda aimed at hijacking young minds and making extreme social policies the societal norm in our schools and communities.
The Cruz amendment would be a game-changer for families that have felt the public school system has grossly overstepped and seized control of the role of parents.
More here
President Trump Is Sending NASA Back To The Moon
"The directive I'm signing today will refocus America's space program on human exploration and discovery," he said.
Standing at the president's side as he signed "Space Policy Directive 1" on Monday was Apollo 17 astronaut Harrison Schmitt, one of the last two humans to ever walk on the moon, in a mission that took place 45 years ago this week.
Since that time, no human has ventured out beyond low-Earth orbit. NASA doesn't even have its own space vehicle, having retired the space shuttles in 2011. Americans currently ride up to the International Space Station in Russian capsules, though private space taxis are expected to start ferrying them up as soon as next year.
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HOLY COW!!! ICE arrests 101 in New Jersey operation targeting criminal aliens, illegal re-entrants and immigration violators
NEWARK, N.J. — A Mexican national in the country illegally, who has a prior conviction for sexual assault on a minor, is among 101 foreign nationals taken into custody during a five-day operation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last week in New Jersey, targeting at-large criminal aliens, illegal re-entrants and other immigration violators. The operation was supported by ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) New Jersey Field Office.
Of those arrested during the operation, which was spearheaded by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), 88 percent were convicted criminals and 80 percent of them had prior felony convictions.
The New Jersey enforcement effort comes days after the agency announced a 40 percent spike in administrative arrests nationwide over last year – 92 percent of which had a criminal conviction or a pending criminal charge, were an ICE fugitive, or were an illegal re-entrant.
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Of those arrested during the operation, which was spearheaded by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), 88 percent were convicted criminals and 80 percent of them had prior felony convictions.
The New Jersey enforcement effort comes days after the agency announced a 40 percent spike in administrative arrests nationwide over last year – 92 percent of which had a criminal conviction or a pending criminal charge, were an ICE fugitive, or were an illegal re-entrant.
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Russian Olympic Head Says 200 Of Russia's Athletes Might Compete Under Neutral Flag
Russia's Olympic Committee is backing a plan for Russian athletes to compete under a neutral flag in the upcoming winter Olympics, saying it will support their participation. Despite doping sanctions against the national team, the Russian group's head says 200 of the country's athletes could wind up going to PyeongChang.
The decision comes one week after the International Olympic Committee suspended Russia's Olympic Committee and effectively banned the country from having an official presence at the 2018 PyeongChang games, as punishment for Russia's widespread and systemic cheating by athletes using performance-enhancing drugs.
Although the national committee was banned, the IOC also "created a path for clean individual athletes to compete in PyeongChang" — providing the athletes can pass strict scrutiny. Instead of wearing the official Russian uniform, they would compete under the title "Olympic Athlete from Russia (OAR)" and hear the Olympic anthem rather than their national anthem.
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The decision comes one week after the International Olympic Committee suspended Russia's Olympic Committee and effectively banned the country from having an official presence at the 2018 PyeongChang games, as punishment for Russia's widespread and systemic cheating by athletes using performance-enhancing drugs.
Although the national committee was banned, the IOC also "created a path for clean individual athletes to compete in PyeongChang" — providing the athletes can pass strict scrutiny. Instead of wearing the official Russian uniform, they would compete under the title "Olympic Athlete from Russia (OAR)" and hear the Olympic anthem rather than their national anthem.
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Roy Moore refuses to concede despite his opponent being declared a winner in multiple reports
Democrat Doug Jones has pulled off a major upset in Alabama by defeating Republican Roy Moore in Tuesday’s special election, becoming the first Democrat to win election to the Senate from the deeply conservative state in 25 years.
"We have come so far and the people of Alabama have spoken," Jones said during a victory speech in Birmingham late Tuesday.
But in a late-night speech to supporters, Moore refused to concede. Moore told the crowd that when the “vote is this close…it’s not over.”
With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Jones had 49.9 percent to Moore's 48.4 percent.
Moore said the campaign was looking into the state's "recount provision." Under Alabama law, a mandatory recount takes place if a candidate wins by a half percent or less.
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"We have come so far and the people of Alabama have spoken," Jones said during a victory speech in Birmingham late Tuesday.
But in a late-night speech to supporters, Moore refused to concede. Moore told the crowd that when the “vote is this close…it’s not over.”
With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Jones had 49.9 percent to Moore's 48.4 percent.
Moore said the campaign was looking into the state's "recount provision." Under Alabama law, a mandatory recount takes place if a candidate wins by a half percent or less.
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When paying for drugs with insurance costs more than paying cash: Bill would require pharmacists to let their customers know
It seems logical that customers buying prescription drugs with insurance should pay less than if they pay the entire cost themselves. But sometimes, that is not the case, and patients end up unknowingly paying more if they use insurance.
"Pharmacists I talk to are very upset about this, because they see where patients are paying more for this medicine than they should," said Todd Brown, executive director of the Massachusetts Independent Pharmacists Association and vice chairman of the department of pharmacy at Northeastern University.
A bill pending before the Massachusetts Legislature would require pharmacists to tell customers if the cost for paying in cash would be less than their insurance co-pay.
"Most people are under the understanding that the purpose of using insurance to purchase anything that's health care related should result in a lower price for them," said Sen. Jim Welch, D-West Springfield, Senate chairman of the Committee on Health Care Financing. "That's what insurance is all about."
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"Pharmacists I talk to are very upset about this, because they see where patients are paying more for this medicine than they should," said Todd Brown, executive director of the Massachusetts Independent Pharmacists Association and vice chairman of the department of pharmacy at Northeastern University.
A bill pending before the Massachusetts Legislature would require pharmacists to tell customers if the cost for paying in cash would be less than their insurance co-pay.
"Most people are under the understanding that the purpose of using insurance to purchase anything that's health care related should result in a lower price for them," said Sen. Jim Welch, D-West Springfield, Senate chairman of the Committee on Health Care Financing. "That's what insurance is all about."
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Accident In Willards On Rt. 50
Purdue Professor Argues Tough College Courses Reinforce White Privilege
The head of Purdue University’s School of Engineering Education, Donna Riley, argued in a recently published academic journal article tough engineering courses only serves to uphold “white male heterosexual privilege.”
According to a report from Campus Reform, Riley, in an astonishing feat of vague postmodern writing, published an article in the most recent issue of the academic journal Engineering Education in which she argued that the concept of academic “rigor” is used as a means to exclude students from marginalized groups from academic communities.
“One of rigor’s purposes is, to put it bluntly, a thinly veiled assertion of white male (hetero)sexuality,” she explains. According to Riley, rigor “has a historical lineage of being about hardness, stiffness, and erectness; its sexual connotations—and links to masculinity in particular—are undeniable.”
“My visceral reaction in many conversations where I have seen rigor asserted has been to tell parties involved (regardless of gender) to whip them out and measure them already,” Riley added.
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According to a report from Campus Reform, Riley, in an astonishing feat of vague postmodern writing, published an article in the most recent issue of the academic journal Engineering Education in which she argued that the concept of academic “rigor” is used as a means to exclude students from marginalized groups from academic communities.
“One of rigor’s purposes is, to put it bluntly, a thinly veiled assertion of white male (hetero)sexuality,” she explains. According to Riley, rigor “has a historical lineage of being about hardness, stiffness, and erectness; its sexual connotations—and links to masculinity in particular—are undeniable.”
“My visceral reaction in many conversations where I have seen rigor asserted has been to tell parties involved (regardless of gender) to whip them out and measure them already,” Riley added.
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HuffPo Laments That One Year in, ‘Trump Is Winning’
In the midst of much hand-wringing and anguished sighs, theHuffington Post has announced to its readers that after his first year in office “Trump Is Winning.”
“This is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to write and admit,” begins Earl Ofari Hutchinson, “Trump is winning.”
Hutchinson, an author and co-host of the Al Sharpton Show, observes that according to numerous indicators the Trump presidency is a success, beginning with his delivery of a long list of campaign promises.
Among Mr. Trump’s many victories, Hutchinson enumerates Mick Mulvaney’s appointment to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Neil Gorsuch’s contribution to the Supreme Court, Scott Pruitt’s work at the EPA, Trump’s support of fossil fuels to make America energy independent, the RNC backing of judge Roy Moore in Alabama, the fizzling out of Russiagate, the passage of the tax reform bill, and the record-level stock market.
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“This is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to write and admit,” begins Earl Ofari Hutchinson, “Trump is winning.”
Hutchinson, an author and co-host of the Al Sharpton Show, observes that according to numerous indicators the Trump presidency is a success, beginning with his delivery of a long list of campaign promises.
Among Mr. Trump’s many victories, Hutchinson enumerates Mick Mulvaney’s appointment to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Neil Gorsuch’s contribution to the Supreme Court, Scott Pruitt’s work at the EPA, Trump’s support of fossil fuels to make America energy independent, the RNC backing of judge Roy Moore in Alabama, the fizzling out of Russiagate, the passage of the tax reform bill, and the record-level stock market.
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Deer Hunting Question…..
I’m looking forward to hunting season... but I do have a question. If I shoot a buck, but I only have a doe tag, can I claim that the buck wasn't really a buck? I mean … maybe he'd always wanted to be a doe, but with no choice of his own he was born with the physical attributes of a male. And yet… on the inside he'd always known he was truly a female. I'm just wondering if I can get the game warden to buy that bullshit, because our society and the Supreme Court does.
Once a Long Shot, Democrat Doug Jones Wins Alabama Senate Race
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Doug Jones, a Democratic former prosecutor who mounted a seemingly quixotic Senate campaign in the face of Republican dominance here, defeated his scandal-scarred opponent, Roy S. Moore, after a brutal campaign marked by accusations of sexual abuse and child molestation against the Republican.
The upset delivered an unimagined victory for Democrats and shaved Republicans’ unstable Senate majority to a single seat.
Mr. Jones’s victory could have significant consequences on the national level, snarling Republicans’ legislative agenda in Washington and opening, for the first time, a realistic but still difficult path for Democrats to capture the Senate next year. It amounted to a stinging snub of President Trump, who broke with much of his party and fully embraced Mr. Moore’s candidacy, seeking to rally support for him in the closing days of the campaign.
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The upset delivered an unimagined victory for Democrats and shaved Republicans’ unstable Senate majority to a single seat.
Mr. Jones’s victory could have significant consequences on the national level, snarling Republicans’ legislative agenda in Washington and opening, for the first time, a realistic but still difficult path for Democrats to capture the Senate next year. It amounted to a stinging snub of President Trump, who broke with much of his party and fully embraced Mr. Moore’s candidacy, seeking to rally support for him in the closing days of the campaign.
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Brian Boyd: Trump is going to make Christmas great again
It’s beginning to look a lot like the war on Christmas - that traditional time of year when seasonal decorations and holiday greetings are magically transformed into divisive political statements.
It’s Donald Trump’s first Christmas as president. The season is a very special time of year for him so much so that all of 18 months ago - even before he had secured the Republican nomination - one of his first campaign promises was the promise that if elected president, “we are all going to be able to say ‘Merry Christmas’ again”.
Quite who was preventing anyone saying “Merry Christmas” was never elaborated on.
Last December, before he took office, he told us how he always advised his wife, Melania, not to buy anything in department stores where they use the non-denominational trigger words of “Happy Holidays” in place of “Merry Christmas” and he also called for a boycott of Starbucks coffee shops because of the secular design of their cups at Christmas.
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Why the Feds Should De-Fang the Ticketmaster Monster, and How An Insider Can Help
Ken Lowson chuckles.
In January 2005, he spent $200,000 using credit cards to obtain 5,000 memberships to U2’s fan club. That allowed him to participate in the Internet presale via Ticketmaster to purchase tickets for the Vertigo Tour. Using computer programming (popularly known as “bots”) he legally bought nearly every one of the 500 available general admission tickets for shows in Los Angeles, New York, and Boston, respectively, sparking outrage and disbelief among longtime members of the band’s fan club. A month later, at the Grammy Awards, the band’s drummer apologized to fans, “due to circumstances beyond our control.”
Lowson says U2 and Ticketmaster effectively let him do it.
As proof, he did the same thing months later when tickets were sold for a third leg of that tour. (Here’s a dirty industry secret: many bands actually use scalpers to sell their tickets; scalpers make everyone money.)
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In January 2005, he spent $200,000 using credit cards to obtain 5,000 memberships to U2’s fan club. That allowed him to participate in the Internet presale via Ticketmaster to purchase tickets for the Vertigo Tour. Using computer programming (popularly known as “bots”) he legally bought nearly every one of the 500 available general admission tickets for shows in Los Angeles, New York, and Boston, respectively, sparking outrage and disbelief among longtime members of the band’s fan club. A month later, at the Grammy Awards, the band’s drummer apologized to fans, “due to circumstances beyond our control.”
Lowson says U2 and Ticketmaster effectively let him do it.
As proof, he did the same thing months later when tickets were sold for a third leg of that tour. (Here’s a dirty industry secret: many bands actually use scalpers to sell their tickets; scalpers make everyone money.)
More
Dem Rep. Bobby Rush Sued for $1 Million to Collect Unpaid Loan for Church He Founded
Democratic representative Bobby Rush is being sued for $1 million after failing to make payments on a loan he received for a church he founded in his home district in Illinois.
A wellness center linked to the church has also collected more than $2.6 million in taxpayer-funded government grants in 2017 and more than $17 million in grants since 2008, according to records.
Rush founded the Beloved Community Christian Church, a nondenominational Christian church, in Chicago in 2002 with the intent of helping disadvantaged people in his community.
"I founded a church in Englewood, one of Chicago's poorest and most fragile neighborhoods, and named it Beloved Community Christian Church," Rush wrote in a 2011 op-ed. "The church, once the site of a Black Panther breakfast program for children, now stands in tribute to Dr. King's vision of the power of community. A social service center, a health center and an after school robotics program are also part of the church's mission to care for people."
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A wellness center linked to the church has also collected more than $2.6 million in taxpayer-funded government grants in 2017 and more than $17 million in grants since 2008, according to records.
Rush founded the Beloved Community Christian Church, a nondenominational Christian church, in Chicago in 2002 with the intent of helping disadvantaged people in his community.
"I founded a church in Englewood, one of Chicago's poorest and most fragile neighborhoods, and named it Beloved Community Christian Church," Rush wrote in a 2011 op-ed. "The church, once the site of a Black Panther breakfast program for children, now stands in tribute to Dr. King's vision of the power of community. A social service center, a health center and an after school robotics program are also part of the church's mission to care for people."
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Losing Faith In Humanity? This Might Save It.
The smoke was thick – so thick, in fact, that I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face.
Someone was yelling at me … but I could barely hear him. All I could hear was the pounding of my heart and my labored breathing. And the sounds of the flames.
The fire was just one room away … I could hear it crackling and popping.
They told me after that the temperatures were in excess of one thousand degrees. But I couldn’t process the heat. All I could think about was staying alive.
I was desperately feeling around for an exit. I was blind. I wanted OUT.
Then I felt a hand on my shoulder and I heard him.
“You can’t leave yet. There’s a person on the floor. We need to get them out of here.”
Still blind, I felt the floor to my right. That was definitely a foot.
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Someone was yelling at me … but I could barely hear him. All I could hear was the pounding of my heart and my labored breathing. And the sounds of the flames.
The fire was just one room away … I could hear it crackling and popping.
They told me after that the temperatures were in excess of one thousand degrees. But I couldn’t process the heat. All I could think about was staying alive.
I was desperately feeling around for an exit. I was blind. I wanted OUT.
Then I felt a hand on my shoulder and I heard him.
“You can’t leave yet. There’s a person on the floor. We need to get them out of here.”
Still blind, I felt the floor to my right. That was definitely a foot.
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