Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) on Wednesday proposed expanding a state tax break for manufacturers that create new jobs, calling for lawmakers to extend the credits to more industries and jurisdictions.
Hogan’s plan, which he will introduce during the 2018 legislative session, builds upon a measure he signed this year to boost employment in the state.
The existing program provides manufacturing businesses in eight high-unemployment jurisdictions with relief from state sales taxes, along with property and income taxes, if they add at least five jobs and provide workers with skills training. Manufacturers in four other counties qualify solely for income-tax credits if they create at least 10 jobs.
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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Friday, December 15, 2017
Donald Trump’s Accusers Go on Megyn Kelly’s Show – Then All Hell Breaks Loose
Three women who were part of the Democrat show to discredit Donald Trump on his road to the White House started their day speaking to Megyn Kelly before moving on to a left wing press conference where their real motivations for accusing the President of sexual harassment became very, very obvious.
Megyn Kelly welcomed three women, Samantha Holvey, Jessica Leeds and Rachel Crooks, to the Today Show to discuss their claims about alleged sexual abuse and harassment. The three women had already made rounds in the press, but with the release of a new documentary, they’re back on the road to make sure they attract attention. The interview with Kelly started off fine, with a backdrop of Concerned Female Audience Members clearly visible on stage as the women recounted their poorly verified stories.
Samantha Holvey is a former Miss North Carolina who alleged that Trump had ogled her while she was “indecent” backstage at a 2006 event he was directing, saying that she was “just a piece of meat” to him.
Jessica Leeds says Trump had hands like an octopus when she was seated next to him in first class on a flight when she was 38.
Rachel Crooks alleges that the now-President kissed her without her consent in one of his office buildings.
A few days ago, Megyn Kelly mourned the loss of her “friend” and “supporter” Matt Lauer from the NBC network, praising his kindness after he was let go for long standing, well documented sexual harassment claims.
While the interview was still live and airing, the White House quickly put out a statement:
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Megyn Kelly welcomed three women, Samantha Holvey, Jessica Leeds and Rachel Crooks, to the Today Show to discuss their claims about alleged sexual abuse and harassment. The three women had already made rounds in the press, but with the release of a new documentary, they’re back on the road to make sure they attract attention. The interview with Kelly started off fine, with a backdrop of Concerned Female Audience Members clearly visible on stage as the women recounted their poorly verified stories.
Samantha Holvey is a former Miss North Carolina who alleged that Trump had ogled her while she was “indecent” backstage at a 2006 event he was directing, saying that she was “just a piece of meat” to him.
Jessica Leeds says Trump had hands like an octopus when she was seated next to him in first class on a flight when she was 38.
Rachel Crooks alleges that the now-President kissed her without her consent in one of his office buildings.
A few days ago, Megyn Kelly mourned the loss of her “friend” and “supporter” Matt Lauer from the NBC network, praising his kindness after he was let go for long standing, well documented sexual harassment claims.
While the interview was still live and airing, the White House quickly put out a statement:
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Kentucky Lawmaker Dies In Apparent Suicide Amid Accusations Of Sexual Assault
A Kentucky state lawmaker has apparently taken his own life following accusations that surfaced in reports by the investigative arm of Louisville Public Media – the most serious of which was the alleged sexual assault a 17-year-old girl in the basement of the church where he served as pastor.
Rep. Dan Johnson, 57, was found dead Wednesday evening beside his automobile on a bridge over the Salt River in Mt. Washington. Authorities had been searching for him since a post on his Facebook page – since removed – that appeared to be a suicide note. In the post he wrote that "The accusations from NPR are false," adding that America "will not survive this type of judge and jury fake news [sic]."
NPR neither investigated the story nor aired or published it, but the accusations of sexual assault were part of an unflattering profile of Johnson published Monday by Louisville Public Media's Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting (KyCIR).
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Rep. Dan Johnson, 57, was found dead Wednesday evening beside his automobile on a bridge over the Salt River in Mt. Washington. Authorities had been searching for him since a post on his Facebook page – since removed – that appeared to be a suicide note. In the post he wrote that "The accusations from NPR are false," adding that America "will not survive this type of judge and jury fake news [sic]."
NPR neither investigated the story nor aired or published it, but the accusations of sexual assault were part of an unflattering profile of Johnson published Monday by Louisville Public Media's Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting (KyCIR).
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Tesla gets Biggest Pre-Order for Electric Trucks from Pepsi
The junk-food giant’s reservation is the largest yet for the Tesla, which has at least 285 pre-orders, Reuters reported Dec. 12.
The news came out before markets opened and sent the Palo Alto electric car maker’s stock price spiking nearly 4 percent to close at $341.03 on Nov. 12 from $328.91 the day before.
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A Question For Every Investor
Recently we received the following question from a subscriber:
“If a correction in the stock or bond markets comes, the Central Banks will buy stocks with printed money, like the Japanese Central Bank, etc. Will there ever be a shakeout of the garbage and junk in the system? I am losing all confidence.” –Ron H.
Questions like Ron’s that suggest the decay of capitalism and free markets should raise concerns for anyone’s market thesis, bullish, bearish or agnostic. What stops a central bank from manipulating asset prices? When do they cross a line from marginal manipulation to absolute price control? Unfortunately, there are no concrete answers to these questions, but there are clues.
Global central banks’ post-financial crisis monetary policies have collectively been more aggressive than anything witnessed in modern financial history. Over the last ten years, the six largest central banks have printed unprecedented amounts of money to purchase approximately $14 trillion of financial assets as shown below. Before the financial crisis of 2008, the only central bank printing money of any consequence was the Peoples Bank of China (PBoC).
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“If a correction in the stock or bond markets comes, the Central Banks will buy stocks with printed money, like the Japanese Central Bank, etc. Will there ever be a shakeout of the garbage and junk in the system? I am losing all confidence.” –Ron H.
Questions like Ron’s that suggest the decay of capitalism and free markets should raise concerns for anyone’s market thesis, bullish, bearish or agnostic. What stops a central bank from manipulating asset prices? When do they cross a line from marginal manipulation to absolute price control? Unfortunately, there are no concrete answers to these questions, but there are clues.
Global central banks’ post-financial crisis monetary policies have collectively been more aggressive than anything witnessed in modern financial history. Over the last ten years, the six largest central banks have printed unprecedented amounts of money to purchase approximately $14 trillion of financial assets as shown below. Before the financial crisis of 2008, the only central bank printing money of any consequence was the Peoples Bank of China (PBoC).
More/Video
Tax Cut! Yardeni Research Calculates Effective Corporate Tax Rate Already Fallen To 13%
In March 2017, The Institution on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) released its latest report examining the corporate tax filings for Fortune 500 companies. It looked at 258 of the companies which had been "consistently profitable" from 2008 to 2015. The report concluded that these companies were collectively paying far less than the statutory 35% federal corporate tax rate – in fact the average effective tax rate was 21.2%. According to the ITEP report.
Many profitable corporations are finding ways to zero out their corporate taxes. Of the 258 profitable Fortune 500 companies in our sample:
18 paid ZERO in taxes over the full eight-year period.
100 paid zero—or less—in at least one profitable year during the eight-year period, 58 of those companies had multiple zero-tax years.
24 companies zeroed out their taxes in at least four of the eight years.
48 companies paid a rate between 0 and 10 percent over eight years.
In general, it found that utility, oil, gas and pipeline companies tend to pay low tax rates. Only about a quarter of the companies paid a tax rate of at least 30% and about 60% of those companies were in two sectors, retail and health care.
The report found that the 258 corporations enjoyed tax breaks of $526 billion during the eight years 2008-15. More than half of this total, $286 billion, went to just 25 companies.
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Many profitable corporations are finding ways to zero out their corporate taxes. Of the 258 profitable Fortune 500 companies in our sample:
18 paid ZERO in taxes over the full eight-year period.
100 paid zero—or less—in at least one profitable year during the eight-year period, 58 of those companies had multiple zero-tax years.
24 companies zeroed out their taxes in at least four of the eight years.
48 companies paid a rate between 0 and 10 percent over eight years.
In general, it found that utility, oil, gas and pipeline companies tend to pay low tax rates. Only about a quarter of the companies paid a tax rate of at least 30% and about 60% of those companies were in two sectors, retail and health care.
The report found that the 258 corporations enjoyed tax breaks of $526 billion during the eight years 2008-15. More than half of this total, $286 billion, went to just 25 companies.
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America's malls are rotting away
The worst is yet to come for American shopping malls.
As Macy's, JCPenney, Sears and other major department stores close their doors, the malls that housed those stores are facing a serious crisis.
That's because when so-called anchor tenants leave a mall, it opens the door for other stores to break their leases or negotiate much cheaper rent.
As Macy's, JCPenney, Sears and other major department stores close their doors, the malls that housed those stores are facing a serious crisis.
That's because when so-called anchor tenants leave a mall, it opens the door for other stores to break their leases or negotiate much cheaper rent.
As one big store closes, it can take several smaller stores along with it like a house of cards. Experts predict that a quarter of American malls will close in five years -- around 300 out of 1,100 that currently exist.
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Ghanian National Who Pleaded Guilty to Nearly $300,000 Worth of Food Stamp Fraud May Face Deportation
A Ghanian national who pleaded guilty Thursday to conducting nearly $300,000 worth of food stamp fraud may face deportation.
Prosecutors say that Esther Acquaye, 49, who owned Esther’s Fashion Paradise in Worcester, Massachusetts, allowed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to trade their benefits for cash, paying them 50 cents for every SNAP dollar redeemed.
She then pocketed the full value of the SNAP benefits from the federal government.
Acquaye pleaded guilty to several charges, including aiding and abetting food stamp fraud, conspiracy, and trafficking counterfeit goods.
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Prosecutors say that Esther Acquaye, 49, who owned Esther’s Fashion Paradise in Worcester, Massachusetts, allowed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to trade their benefits for cash, paying them 50 cents for every SNAP dollar redeemed.
She then pocketed the full value of the SNAP benefits from the federal government.
Acquaye pleaded guilty to several charges, including aiding and abetting food stamp fraud, conspiracy, and trafficking counterfeit goods.
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Patagonia Says Trump ‘Stole’ Land That Remains Public
The outdoor clothing company Patagonia is waging an over-the-top campaign against President Donald Trump, claiming he "stole" land that remains under control of the federal government.
Customers looking to buy a pair of $79 yoga pants are immediately bombarded with political activism against the Trump administration. "The president stole your land," a large black banner reads, directing users to "take action" against the Department of the Interior's decision to reduce the size of two federal monuments and create three new ones.
One of the monuments in question is Bears Ears in Utah, which has been a monument for less than a year. Former president Barack Obama unilaterally seized 1.35 million acres for the monument on Dec. 28, 2016, just weeks before leaving office. Obama designated over two times as many acres as federal land than all other presidents combined.
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Customers looking to buy a pair of $79 yoga pants are immediately bombarded with political activism against the Trump administration. "The president stole your land," a large black banner reads, directing users to "take action" against the Department of the Interior's decision to reduce the size of two federal monuments and create three new ones.
One of the monuments in question is Bears Ears in Utah, which has been a monument for less than a year. Former president Barack Obama unilaterally seized 1.35 million acres for the monument on Dec. 28, 2016, just weeks before leaving office. Obama designated over two times as many acres as federal land than all other presidents combined.
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Alabama's Doug Jones facing early pressure to vote with GOP, after upset victory
Democrat Doug Jones’ victory in the Alabama Senate race dashed Republicans’ hard-fought efforts to keep the open seat and retain their narrow, two-seat majority. But GOP leaders already are angling to convince Jones to back their legislative agenda, hoping he'll be willing to buck his own party in order to retain support from the state's largely conservative voters.
“I hope Senator-elect Doug Jones will do the right thing and truly represent Alabama by choosing to vote with the Senate Republican majority,” said Colorado GOP Sen. Cory Gardner, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
Jones’ narrow victory over Republican Roy Moore marks the first time in 25 years that Alabama voters have elected a Democratic senator. The Fox News Voter Analysis shows he won with support from black, young and female voters.
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“I hope Senator-elect Doug Jones will do the right thing and truly represent Alabama by choosing to vote with the Senate Republican majority,” said Colorado GOP Sen. Cory Gardner, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
Jones’ narrow victory over Republican Roy Moore marks the first time in 25 years that Alabama voters have elected a Democratic senator. The Fox News Voter Analysis shows he won with support from black, young and female voters.
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Ingraham: The 'Sexual Allegation Circus' and the Plot to Take Down Trump
"I hate to say I told you so, but I told you so," Laura Ingraham said in her monologue Tuesday night, explaining that Democrats are proving her right by trying to take down President Trump using the "sexual allegation circus."
In her December 6 "Angle" commentary, Ingraham said Democrats were "sacrificing" Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), predicting they would use previous allegations of sexual misconduct to next go after Trump.
Ingraham said "like clockwork," three of Trump's accusers re-aired their allegations on Monday morning, prompting several Democratic senators to call for Trump to resign.
On Tuesday, Trump lashed out at Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) on Twitter, calling her a "lightweight" and claiming she asked him for campaign donations and "would do anything for them."
"Kirsten Gillibrand is the de-facto leader now of the 'Get Trump Crusade.' Do you remember her voicing such concern for Bill Clinton's accusers when he was appearing at her fundraisers?
"Neither do I," Ingraham said.
More here
In her December 6 "Angle" commentary, Ingraham said Democrats were "sacrificing" Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), predicting they would use previous allegations of sexual misconduct to next go after Trump.
Ingraham said "like clockwork," three of Trump's accusers re-aired their allegations on Monday morning, prompting several Democratic senators to call for Trump to resign.
On Tuesday, Trump lashed out at Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) on Twitter, calling her a "lightweight" and claiming she asked him for campaign donations and "would do anything for them."
"Kirsten Gillibrand is the de-facto leader now of the 'Get Trump Crusade.' Do you remember her voicing such concern for Bill Clinton's accusers when he was appearing at her fundraisers?
"Neither do I," Ingraham said.
More here
Breaking News: After late changes, the Republicans' $1.5 trillion tax plan has the votes to pass. Senators Marco Rubio and Bob Corker just backed it.
Lawmakers plan to vote next week with the aim of getting a bill to Mr. Trump by Christmas.
Half of Americans approve of banning Nazi speech on campus
Nearly half of Americans support banning Nazis and white supremacists from speaking on college campuses, a poll shows, but higher education critics warn that such a move would be imprudent and legally dubious.
The poll was sponsored by the documentary “No Safe Spaces,” featuring comedian Adam Carolla and radio host Dennis Prager on a tour of U.S. universities, and asked respondents to choose from a list of 12 groups that should not be allowed to speak on college campuses.
Forty-eight percent chose Nazis, 40 percent white supremacists, 32 percent Holocaust deniers and 24 percent communists.
Mr. Prager said the results demonstrate America’s increasing antipathy for the right of freedom of speech guaranteed in the First Amendment.
“The whole point of our Constitution, and of America itself, is that all speech — especially hate speech — is protected,” Mr. Prager said. “After all, love speech needs no protection. It’s precisely offensive speech that our founders intended to protect and that we are compelled to defend.
More on this..
The poll was sponsored by the documentary “No Safe Spaces,” featuring comedian Adam Carolla and radio host Dennis Prager on a tour of U.S. universities, and asked respondents to choose from a list of 12 groups that should not be allowed to speak on college campuses.
Forty-eight percent chose Nazis, 40 percent white supremacists, 32 percent Holocaust deniers and 24 percent communists.
Mr. Prager said the results demonstrate America’s increasing antipathy for the right of freedom of speech guaranteed in the First Amendment.
“The whole point of our Constitution, and of America itself, is that all speech — especially hate speech — is protected,” Mr. Prager said. “After all, love speech needs no protection. It’s precisely offensive speech that our founders intended to protect and that we are compelled to defend.
Elderly couple may lose home before Christmas
Mary Flores and her disabled husband say they have two weeks to come up with more than $60,000.
"We were doing good and then all of a sudden, boom, a couple of years, it just went up," explained Flores.
Flores says she took out a $40,000 loan when she purchased the house. At first, they struggled to make payments of $800 a month. The bank then increased the monthly payments to $1,100.
"That's too much," said Flores. "It's only me working. That's what I make in a month."
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A Viewer Writes: Please check your Verizon Cell phone account! DELMAR/SALISBURY
I NEVER received notification of new ordered phones or delivery information. Verizon eventually disconnected the phone lines and readjusted my bill.
This is the person that allegedly picked up the package based on the video surveillance camera at UPS.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Gangs Update
53 arrested in El Salvador, 214 arrested across the US
WASHINGTON — U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) officials today announced the results of stepped up efforts by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the departments to target and dismantle MS-13 – culminating in the arrest of 267 in the U.S. and overseas.
ICE arrests 4 released after detainers ignored
"The release of criminal aliens back on New York City streets continues to pose an dangerous risk to our communities,” said Thomas Decker, field office director for ERO New York. “ICE remains committed to arresting and removing criminal aliens in the interest of public safety and national security, despite the city’s decision to not honor detainers and jeopardize the safety of its citizens.”
WASHINGTON — U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) officials today announced the results of stepped up efforts by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the departments to target and dismantle MS-13 – culminating in the arrest of 267 in the U.S. and overseas.
ICE arrests 4 released after detainers ignored
"The release of criminal aliens back on New York City streets continues to pose an dangerous risk to our communities,” said Thomas Decker, field office director for ERO New York. “ICE remains committed to arresting and removing criminal aliens in the interest of public safety and national security, despite the city’s decision to not honor detainers and jeopardize the safety of its citizens.”
Klein: Doug Jones is a George Soros-Tied Radical Leftist Re-branding Himself as Moderate
Birmingham, ALABAMA — Despite efforts by Democratic senatorial candidate Doug Jones to pass himself off as a moderate, the politician has been deeply tied to radical groups financed by billionaire George Soros and has led efforts on behalf of those groups seeking to enact far-left, transformational policies.
Jones’s personal website has urged supporters to get involved with Soros-financed far-left groups and he took leadership positions in numerous Soros-financed activist projects, including one seeking to fundamentally remake the U.S. criminal justice system into one that pushes progressive policies.
He also took a significant role in an effort by a far-left legal group massively funded by Soros to grant full voting rights nationwide to felons released from prison, including those convicted of murder, rape and other violent crimes.
And he is currently pushing a living wage scheme for the state and country that has a history of hurting small businesses, negatively impacting local economies and decreasing employment opportunities for low income workers. The living wage plot was a pet project of the controversial former group known as ACORN, or the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, which played a central role in enacting the scheme in several cities.
Moderate?
Jones’s personal website has urged supporters to get involved with Soros-financed far-left groups and he took leadership positions in numerous Soros-financed activist projects, including one seeking to fundamentally remake the U.S. criminal justice system into one that pushes progressive policies.
He also took a significant role in an effort by a far-left legal group massively funded by Soros to grant full voting rights nationwide to felons released from prison, including those convicted of murder, rape and other violent crimes.
And he is currently pushing a living wage scheme for the state and country that has a history of hurting small businesses, negatively impacting local economies and decreasing employment opportunities for low income workers. The living wage plot was a pet project of the controversial former group known as ACORN, or the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, which played a central role in enacting the scheme in several cities.
Moderate?
California's War on Guns Broadens to a War on Ammunition Beginning January 1, 2018
California’s war on guns will soon broaden to a war on ammunition as a ban on the possession of bullets purchased out-of-state takes effect January 1, 2018.
This is one of many steps going into effect which will quickly place ammunition under controls similar to those which Democrat lawmakers have placed on firearms.
According to the Sacramento Bee, it will also be illegal “to transfer or buy ammo” from anyone other than a licensed dealer within the state, beginning January 1. California residents can order ammunition from a catalog as long as they have that ammunition shipped to a licensed dealer for pickup. The dealer will then add a “processing fee” to the cost of the ammunition.
In this scenario, a “processing fee” is just another tax that law-abiding citizens will pay for the bullets they buy.
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This is one of many steps going into effect which will quickly place ammunition under controls similar to those which Democrat lawmakers have placed on firearms.
According to the Sacramento Bee, it will also be illegal “to transfer or buy ammo” from anyone other than a licensed dealer within the state, beginning January 1. California residents can order ammunition from a catalog as long as they have that ammunition shipped to a licensed dealer for pickup. The dealer will then add a “processing fee” to the cost of the ammunition.
In this scenario, a “processing fee” is just another tax that law-abiding citizens will pay for the bullets they buy.
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Weekly Fishing Report: Dec. 13, 2017
Now that some large fall migrant striped bass have shown up in Maryland waters, anglers have time to make a big catch before the season ends Dec. 20.
A Viewer Writes: The Salisbury Zoo
They mentioned they got money for the bear enclosure from the state and how the repairs will hardly effect their budget.
What about the owls and wallaby's???
How long are they going to keep the wallaby's in that pitiful enclosure?
How long are the going to keep the owls in 5" high dog enclosures with one limb?
Leftists: Establishing a Religion
In the case of Jack Philips, the baker who doesn’t want to be forced to support a gay “wedding,” leftists have revealed their freedom-hating fascist fanaticism and their desire to establish their faith as a government-mandated religion.
Religion interacts with politics by defining moral and behavioral codes. For example, Catholics believe murder is wrong, a moral code, and that you shouldn’t eat meat on the Fridays of Lent (a penance that was ended in 1984, but is recently making a comeback), a behavioral code. Hence establishing a religion in the context of the 1st Amendment would involve providing preferential treatment to the moral and behavioral code of one particular faith, as the English government did with the Church of England.
The Constitution was specifically designed to provide freedom of religion while preventing the government from picking one religion as the winner. Historically Americans were more divided based on behavioral issues than on morality; the Ten Commandments has always been something most Americans agree on. As a result, the morality of our laws hasn’t been much of an issue, apart from slavery, of course, until very recently. Even better, most Americans have no interest in using the power of the government to impose their behavioral beliefs on the rest of America; Catholics don’t want to force people to eat fish on Fridays, Jews don’t want pork banned from restaurants, and Protestants don’t want to require people to go to services.
More here
Religion interacts with politics by defining moral and behavioral codes. For example, Catholics believe murder is wrong, a moral code, and that you shouldn’t eat meat on the Fridays of Lent (a penance that was ended in 1984, but is recently making a comeback), a behavioral code. Hence establishing a religion in the context of the 1st Amendment would involve providing preferential treatment to the moral and behavioral code of one particular faith, as the English government did with the Church of England.
The Constitution was specifically designed to provide freedom of religion while preventing the government from picking one religion as the winner. Historically Americans were more divided based on behavioral issues than on morality; the Ten Commandments has always been something most Americans agree on. As a result, the morality of our laws hasn’t been much of an issue, apart from slavery, of course, until very recently. Even better, most Americans have no interest in using the power of the government to impose their behavioral beliefs on the rest of America; Catholics don’t want to force people to eat fish on Fridays, Jews don’t want pork banned from restaurants, and Protestants don’t want to require people to go to services.
More here
Deepstate: FBI Agents Texted About Protecting Country Against Trump
Two FBI agents who were assigned to the special counsel on Russia, Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, had texted each other during the 2016 campaign about protecting the country against Trump, according to reports.
One of them, Strzok, had also led the FBI’s Clinton email investigation, and watered down language that might have brought criminal charges for Hillary Clinton.
Strzok cryptically referred to a potential idea to thwart Trump’s election during a meeting in FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe’s office in August 2016.
“I want to believe the path you threw out for consideration in Andy’s office — that there’s no way he gets elected — but I’m afraid we can’t take that risk,” Strzok wrote to Page.
“It’s like an insurance policy in the unlikely sent you die before you’re 40,” Strzok wrote in his August 15, 2016 text.
Earlier that month, on August 6, Page, who left the special counsel earlier this year to return to the FBI, had texted Strzok: “Maybe you’re meant to stay where you are because you’re meant to protect the country from that menace.”
“I can protect our country at many levels,” Strzok replied.
More here
One of them, Strzok, had also led the FBI’s Clinton email investigation, and watered down language that might have brought criminal charges for Hillary Clinton.
Strzok cryptically referred to a potential idea to thwart Trump’s election during a meeting in FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe’s office in August 2016.
“I want to believe the path you threw out for consideration in Andy’s office — that there’s no way he gets elected — but I’m afraid we can’t take that risk,” Strzok wrote to Page.
“It’s like an insurance policy in the unlikely sent you die before you’re 40,” Strzok wrote in his August 15, 2016 text.
Earlier that month, on August 6, Page, who left the special counsel earlier this year to return to the FBI, had texted Strzok: “Maybe you’re meant to stay where you are because you’re meant to protect the country from that menace.”
“I can protect our country at many levels,” Strzok replied.
More here
People Are Unleashing Extremely Vile, Racist Attacks Against The FCC Chairman
People across the Twittersphere and other social media platforms are directing a number of highly vile, and even racist comments toward Federal Communications Commission Chairman (FCC) Ajit Pai.
Many internet users are apparently trying to make their cases that internet regulations imposed under the Obama administration — colloquially referred to as “net neutrality” — are beneficial by starting Twitter trends like “#AjitPaiSucks” and posting other extremely derogatory comments against Pai — all without even attempting to delve into the nuances of telecommunication policy.
And it wasn’t just on Twitter. Commenters submitting feedback on the FCC’s official public filing system left very racist comments, despite the intention to create fruitful discussions about policy.
“F **k you Pai. F** ing brown immigrant comin over here and tryna f** k over our american freedoms. GO BACK TO YOUR COUNTRY YOU DIRTY SNEAKY INDIAN,” reads a comment from a user listed as “Jeff.”
More liberal love here..
Many internet users are apparently trying to make their cases that internet regulations imposed under the Obama administration — colloquially referred to as “net neutrality” — are beneficial by starting Twitter trends like “#AjitPaiSucks” and posting other extremely derogatory comments against Pai — all without even attempting to delve into the nuances of telecommunication policy.
And it wasn’t just on Twitter. Commenters submitting feedback on the FCC’s official public filing system left very racist comments, despite the intention to create fruitful discussions about policy.
“F **k you Pai. F** ing brown immigrant comin over here and tryna f** k over our american freedoms. GO BACK TO YOUR COUNTRY YOU DIRTY SNEAKY INDIAN,” reads a comment from a user listed as “Jeff.”
More liberal love here..
Exclusive: Prominent lawyer sought donor cash for two Trump accusers
A well-known women’s rights lawyer sought to arrange compensation from donors and tabloid media outlets for women who made or considered making sexual misconduct allegations against Donald Trumpduring the final months of the 2016 presidential race, according to documents and interviews.
California lawyer Lisa Bloom’s efforts included offering to sell alleged victims’ stories to TV outlets in return for a commission for herself, arranging a donor to pay off one Trump accuser’s mortgage and attempting to secure a six-figure payment for another woman who ultimately declined to come forward after being offered as much as $750,000, the clients told The Hill.
The women’s accounts were chronicled in contemporaneous contractual documents, emails and text messages reviewed by The Hill, including an exchange of texts between one woman and Bloom that suggested political action committees supporting Hillary Clinton were contacted during the effort.
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California lawyer Lisa Bloom’s efforts included offering to sell alleged victims’ stories to TV outlets in return for a commission for herself, arranging a donor to pay off one Trump accuser’s mortgage and attempting to secure a six-figure payment for another woman who ultimately declined to come forward after being offered as much as $750,000, the clients told The Hill.
The women’s accounts were chronicled in contemporaneous contractual documents, emails and text messages reviewed by The Hill, including an exchange of texts between one woman and Bloom that suggested political action committees supporting Hillary Clinton were contacted during the effort.
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Motorists Urged To Be Cautious With Winter Weather Expected
(PIKESVILLE, Md.) – Troopers are urging motorists to be cautious and be aware of potentially hazardous road conditions with winter weather expected today for much of Maryland.
According to the National Weather Service, a winter weather advisory has been issued for 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. today for most of the Baltimore-Washington metro area. An inch or two is expected in the advisory area, with less across northern Virginia and southern Maryland.
Troopers, along with the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration’s Coordinated Highway Action Response Team, (CHART), will combine their efforts to assist disabled motorists as quickly as possible. Throughout the day, pavement temperatures are expected to be at or slightly above freezing, but once the sun sets, the pavement temperatures will drop to below freezing, which will make travel difficult for motorists.
The cold weather can take its toll on a vehicle, so check the following before traveling:
Check the tire pressure and tread
Check the battery
Check the car’s fluid levels
Make sure you have a good spare tire
Keep jumper cables handy
Drivers can take advantage of the live traffic cameras made available by the State Highway Administration. The traffic cameras are positioned at various locations throughout Maryland and can give drivers important information about their route of travel before leaving. The cameras and other real-time traffic information can be found by visiting www.roads.maryland.gov and clicking on “commuter” and then clicking on “live traffic.” Additional information concerning road conditions can be obtained on line at www.511md.org or by calling 5-1-1.
According to the National Weather Service, a winter weather advisory has been issued for 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. today for most of the Baltimore-Washington metro area. An inch or two is expected in the advisory area, with less across northern Virginia and southern Maryland.
Troopers, along with the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration’s Coordinated Highway Action Response Team, (CHART), will combine their efforts to assist disabled motorists as quickly as possible. Throughout the day, pavement temperatures are expected to be at or slightly above freezing, but once the sun sets, the pavement temperatures will drop to below freezing, which will make travel difficult for motorists.
The cold weather can take its toll on a vehicle, so check the following before traveling:
Check the tire pressure and tread
Check the battery
Check the car’s fluid levels
Make sure you have a good spare tire
Keep jumper cables handy
Drivers can take advantage of the live traffic cameras made available by the State Highway Administration. The traffic cameras are positioned at various locations throughout Maryland and can give drivers important information about their route of travel before leaving. The cameras and other real-time traffic information can be found by visiting www.roads.maryland.gov and clicking on “commuter” and then clicking on “live traffic.” Additional information concerning road conditions can be obtained on line at www.511md.org or by calling 5-1-1.
Who Really Lost in Alabama
The Alabama Senate election was about everything except Alabama. And in the end, Alabamans stayed home and let the inevitable turnout tide of passion politics take its course. Minority voters rallied to Obama. Republicans stayed home. And the GOP is now holding on to a bare one-seat Senate majority.
The Democrats had abandoned Alabama, along with much of the South. They weren't interested in Doug Jones until they smelled weakness. And they still aren’t interested in representing Alabamans now. They just want another Senate seat to bring them closer to blocking and impeaching President Trump.
Alabama isn’t a place to them. It’s another chess piece in a Washington D.C. game that they can use to block judicial nominations, shut down the government and reverse the results of the previous election. They have Alabama now, but history suggests that unless they learn the lessons that cost them their former strongholds in the South, they won’t hold on to the seat that they paid a very pretty penny for.
The Alabama River follows a long and meandering course. But not nearly as long and meandering as the dark river of money that poured into the Alabama Senate race..
More here
The Democrats had abandoned Alabama, along with much of the South. They weren't interested in Doug Jones until they smelled weakness. And they still aren’t interested in representing Alabamans now. They just want another Senate seat to bring them closer to blocking and impeaching President Trump.
Alabama isn’t a place to them. It’s another chess piece in a Washington D.C. game that they can use to block judicial nominations, shut down the government and reverse the results of the previous election. They have Alabama now, but history suggests that unless they learn the lessons that cost them their former strongholds in the South, they won’t hold on to the seat that they paid a very pretty penny for.
The Alabama River follows a long and meandering course. But not nearly as long and meandering as the dark river of money that poured into the Alabama Senate race..
More here
Tom Carper Admitted to Hitting His Wife in 1998 Interview
Carper represented Delaware first in the House, then was elected governor in 1993, and has been in the Senate since 2001. He fought the accusation that he hit his wife when it first emerged during his 1982 run for Congress, saying it was "without basis in fact" and pledging to sue the New York Post, which first published the accusation in 1982, for libel.
Carper won in 1982 largely by attacking his Republican opponent for his "vicious" efforts to "smear" him and his wife, but 16 years later he admitted to Delaware reporter Celia Cohen that the accusation was true all along.
More here
Deputy AG: "I'm not aware of any impropriety" within Russia special counsel
Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein told the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday that he does not believe members of the special counsel or FBI involved in the Russia investigation give off the appearance of impropriety for having donated to Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
Where things got heated: GOP members on the committee argued that several FBI agents investigating Russian collusion are biased, as seen through the anti-Trump texts sent by Peter Strzok. Rosenstein responded by stating that the DOJ recognizes they have employees with political opinions, and work to ensure they "are not in any way a factor in how they conduct themselves in office."
Backlash from Committee members: Multiple panel members slammed Rosenstein's response, arguing that the text messages show clear bias among investigators against Trump, which they feel will impact the Russia probe. Note that Mueller fired Strzok after learning of the text exchange.
More
Where things got heated: GOP members on the committee argued that several FBI agents investigating Russian collusion are biased, as seen through the anti-Trump texts sent by Peter Strzok. Rosenstein responded by stating that the DOJ recognizes they have employees with political opinions, and work to ensure they "are not in any way a factor in how they conduct themselves in office."
Backlash from Committee members: Multiple panel members slammed Rosenstein's response, arguing that the text messages show clear bias among investigators against Trump, which they feel will impact the Russia probe. Note that Mueller fired Strzok after learning of the text exchange.
More
How a Dorm Room Minecraft Scam Brought Down the Internet
The most dramatic cybersecurity story of 2016 came to a quiet conclusion Friday in an Anchorage courtroom, as three young American computer savants pleaded guilty to masterminding an unprecedented botnet—powered by unsecured internet-of-things devices like security cameras and wireless routers—that unleashed sweeping attacks on key internet services around the globe last fall. What drove them wasn’t anarchist politics or shadowy ties to a nation-state. It was Minecraft.
It was a hard story to miss last year: In France last September, the telecom provider OVH was hit by a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack a hundred times larger than most of its kind. Then, on a Friday afternoon in October 2016, the internet slowed or stopped for nearly the entire eastern United States, as the tech company Dyn, a key part of the internet’s backbone, came under a crippling assault.
As the 2016 US presidential election drew near, fears began to mount that the so-called Mirai botnet might be the work of a nation-state practicing for an attack that would cripple the country as voters went to the polls. The truth, as made clear in that Alaskan courtroom Friday—and unsealed by the Justice Department on Wednesday—was even stranger: The brains behind Mirai were a 21-year-old Rutgers college student from suburban New Jersey and his two college-age friends from outside Pittsburgh and New Orleans. All three—Paras Jha, Josiah White, and Dalton Norman, respectively—admitted their role in creating and launching Mirai into the world.
Originally, prosecutors say, the defendants hadn’t intended to bring down the internet—they had been trying to gain an advantage in the computer game Minecraft..
More details here
It was a hard story to miss last year: In France last September, the telecom provider OVH was hit by a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack a hundred times larger than most of its kind. Then, on a Friday afternoon in October 2016, the internet slowed or stopped for nearly the entire eastern United States, as the tech company Dyn, a key part of the internet’s backbone, came under a crippling assault.
As the 2016 US presidential election drew near, fears began to mount that the so-called Mirai botnet might be the work of a nation-state practicing for an attack that would cripple the country as voters went to the polls. The truth, as made clear in that Alaskan courtroom Friday—and unsealed by the Justice Department on Wednesday—was even stranger: The brains behind Mirai were a 21-year-old Rutgers college student from suburban New Jersey and his two college-age friends from outside Pittsburgh and New Orleans. All three—Paras Jha, Josiah White, and Dalton Norman, respectively—admitted their role in creating and launching Mirai into the world.
Originally, prosecutors say, the defendants hadn’t intended to bring down the internet—they had been trying to gain an advantage in the computer game Minecraft..
More details here
GOP tax cuts will strengthen our economy and drive Democrats crazy
The agreement in principle announced Wednesday by House and Senate Republican leaders on a tax cut bill – heralded by President Trump at the White House – is good news for the American people. But it’s certain to upset Democrats, who just can’t ever be happy by anything the president or congressional Republicans do.
Democrats react to tax cuts like Chicken Little in the children’s story – with screams that The Sky is Falling!
What kind of horrible consequences will the American people – and Democrats in particular – suffer if President Trump signs tax cuts into law?
First, the tax cuts will be good for the stock market. The market is up a record 30 percent since Election Day, benefiting not just the wealthy but small investors and most people with retirement accounts. Yet, wherever you go, you still see Democrats grieving … they can barely read their bulging brokerage account statements through their tears and their anguish at too much winning.
Second, the Trump-GOP tax cut plan that looks like it will become law soon will enable millions of Democrats (as well as everyone else) to keep more of their hard-earned cash and make it possible for more families to leave their kids more of their wealth.
The Trump tax cuts reduce corporate taxes as well as taxes on individuals – an evil plot, right? Unfortunately for the Democrats, the corporate tax cuts will strengthen our economy and prompt businesses to start hiring more employees – regardless of political affiliation – and enable employers to pay higher wages and salaries.
More here
Democrats react to tax cuts like Chicken Little in the children’s story – with screams that The Sky is Falling!
What kind of horrible consequences will the American people – and Democrats in particular – suffer if President Trump signs tax cuts into law?
First, the tax cuts will be good for the stock market. The market is up a record 30 percent since Election Day, benefiting not just the wealthy but small investors and most people with retirement accounts. Yet, wherever you go, you still see Democrats grieving … they can barely read their bulging brokerage account statements through their tears and their anguish at too much winning.
Second, the Trump-GOP tax cut plan that looks like it will become law soon will enable millions of Democrats (as well as everyone else) to keep more of their hard-earned cash and make it possible for more families to leave their kids more of their wealth.
The Trump tax cuts reduce corporate taxes as well as taxes on individuals – an evil plot, right? Unfortunately for the Democrats, the corporate tax cuts will strengthen our economy and prompt businesses to start hiring more employees – regardless of political affiliation – and enable employers to pay higher wages and salaries.
More here
Top General Says U.S. Demolished $80 Million in Taliban Heroin Labs
WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S.-NATO coalition in Afghanistan has pulverized 25 Taliban labs used to process opium and its deadly heroin derivative, depriving the narco-jihadists of $80 million in illegal drug proceeds in the first three weeks of an unprecedented counternarcotics air campaign.
Since November 20, U.S. troops and their Afghan allies have been targeting the Taliban jihadists’ opium business in their Helmand stronghold, the top-poppy producing province in Afghanistan.
While briefing Pentagon reporters via teleconference from Kabul, Brig. Gen. Lance Bunch, a top official with U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), described the ongoing air interdiction efforts as an unprecedented “counter-threat revenue campaign” targeting the Taliban’s opium.
The top American general declared:
Since November 20, U.S. troops and their Afghan allies have been targeting the Taliban jihadists’ opium business in their Helmand stronghold, the top-poppy producing province in Afghanistan.
While briefing Pentagon reporters via teleconference from Kabul, Brig. Gen. Lance Bunch, a top official with U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), described the ongoing air interdiction efforts as an unprecedented “counter-threat revenue campaign” targeting the Taliban’s opium.
The top American general declared:
Governor Larry Hogan Announces 2018 Jobs and Economic Development Initiatives
Includes More Jobs for Marylanders Act 2.0, New Investments in STEM Industries, Partnership to Create Maryland Center for Cell Therapy Manufacturing in Baltimore City
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan today announced a series of new initiatives to spur job creation and economic growth in Maryland and further establish the state’s leadership in key STEM-related (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) industries. The governor was joined by Commerce Secretary Mike Gill, Labor Secretary Kelly Schulz, University System of Maryland Chancellor Robert Caret, Wicomico County Executive Bob Culver, and numerous officials from the counties benefiting from the governor’s expanded jobs initiative.
“For nearly three years, the focus of our administration has been on growing our private sector, putting more people to work, and turning our economy around – and that is exactly what we have done,” said Governor Hogan. “The initiatives we are announcing today will help us to create an environment of economic opportunity for every Marylander, and to accelerate growth in some of the sectors where Maryland already leads.”
The governor pledged to introduce new legislation in the upcoming session to expand on the already-successful More Jobs for Marylanders Act, which was passed in the 2017 session and went into effect on June 1st. The program incentivizes manufacturing companies to create jobs in areas with higher unemployment by providing a tax credit for each new job created. In less than six months, nearly 70 manufacturers have filed letters of intent with the Maryland Department of Commerce, with the potential to create thousands of jobs. Seventeen of those companies have filed official applications, which will create approximately 450 new jobs, including Marlin Steel and Tulkoff Foods in Baltimore City, Alertus Technologies in Prince George’s County, Lanco Dairy Farms in Washington County, and Sherwin-Williams in Somerset County.
“Governor Hogan’s program to create manufacturing jobs is paying off,” said Drew Greenblatt, CEO of Marlin Steel. “Marlin Steel is hiring engineers, welders, and robot technicians who all live locally in Baltimore City.”
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan today announced a series of new initiatives to spur job creation and economic growth in Maryland and further establish the state’s leadership in key STEM-related (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) industries. The governor was joined by Commerce Secretary Mike Gill, Labor Secretary Kelly Schulz, University System of Maryland Chancellor Robert Caret, Wicomico County Executive Bob Culver, and numerous officials from the counties benefiting from the governor’s expanded jobs initiative.
“For nearly three years, the focus of our administration has been on growing our private sector, putting more people to work, and turning our economy around – and that is exactly what we have done,” said Governor Hogan. “The initiatives we are announcing today will help us to create an environment of economic opportunity for every Marylander, and to accelerate growth in some of the sectors where Maryland already leads.”
The governor pledged to introduce new legislation in the upcoming session to expand on the already-successful More Jobs for Marylanders Act, which was passed in the 2017 session and went into effect on June 1st. The program incentivizes manufacturing companies to create jobs in areas with higher unemployment by providing a tax credit for each new job created. In less than six months, nearly 70 manufacturers have filed letters of intent with the Maryland Department of Commerce, with the potential to create thousands of jobs. Seventeen of those companies have filed official applications, which will create approximately 450 new jobs, including Marlin Steel and Tulkoff Foods in Baltimore City, Alertus Technologies in Prince George’s County, Lanco Dairy Farms in Washington County, and Sherwin-Williams in Somerset County.
“Governor Hogan’s program to create manufacturing jobs is paying off,” said Drew Greenblatt, CEO of Marlin Steel. “Marlin Steel is hiring engineers, welders, and robot technicians who all live locally in Baltimore City.”
Taxpayers Shouldn’t Be on the Hook for a Massive Pension Bailout
Reports are that America’s pension plans may be on the agenda as President Trump and the Congressional leadership work out an end-of-year deal to keep the government running beyond the two-week stopgap measure passed last week. It is yet unclear what such pension discussions might involve, but the financial stakes in this policy area are enormous. Massive underfunding currently threatens the solvency of workplace pension plans, in turn threatening pensioners with severe benefit cuts, employer sponsors with crushing obligations, and insolvency of the entire pension insurance system operated by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC).
There are no easy answers to the pension crisis, especially now that it has grown so vast. There is, however, one very bad answer to be avoided now and in the future: anything that would put taxpayers on the hook for an expensive bailout.
Background..
There are no easy answers to the pension crisis, especially now that it has grown so vast. There is, however, one very bad answer to be avoided now and in the future: anything that would put taxpayers on the hook for an expensive bailout.
Background..
After Prosecution "Missteps" Bundy Trial, Is It All Over? - Jury Sent Home, Will Be Called Back "If They Are Needed"
On Monday, reports of prosecutor misconduct emerged in the Bundy Ranch trials, but you probably didn’t hear that in the mainstream media nor much of the alternative media.
I had been on vacation and was very limited in what I was able to write on during that time, but having come back, I’ve seen some of the reports, mainly from Shari Dovale at Redoubt News, who has been keeping the public informed, along with a few others of what is taking place in Nevada at what has been deemed “The Trial of the Century.
First, let me allow Terry Noonkester to update you on the misconduct aspect in the case by the prosecution and we’ll move on to whether this may result in the end of the trial.
More
I had been on vacation and was very limited in what I was able to write on during that time, but having come back, I’ve seen some of the reports, mainly from Shari Dovale at Redoubt News, who has been keeping the public informed, along with a few others of what is taking place in Nevada at what has been deemed “The Trial of the Century.
First, let me allow Terry Noonkester to update you on the misconduct aspect in the case by the prosecution and we’ll move on to whether this may result in the end of the trial.
More
High Level FBI Agents Discussed "Insurance Policy" In Case Trump Won the Election
“We can’t take that risk”
Amidst the 10,000 text messages sent between anti-Trump FBI agent Peter Strzok and lawyer Lisa Page is a bizarre exchange revealing how the two, almost certainly with Deputy FBI Director Andy McCabe, discussed an “insurance policy” in case Donald Trump won the presidential election.
“I want to believe the path you threw out for consideration in Andy’s office — that there’s no way [Trump] gets elected — but I’m afraid we can’t take that risk,” Strzok wrote to his mistress, adding, “It’s like an insurance policy in the unlikely event you die before you’re 40.”
The message was dated August 15, 2016 and the “Andy” referred to in the message could only have been Deputy FBI Director Andy McCabe, who was almost certainly party to the conversation given that it took place in his office.
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This Bill In Congress Could Means 10s Of 1000s More Americans Banned From Buying Guns
When news that a “concealed-carry reciprocity law” had been passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, gun owners all over the nation rejoiced. But what most people didn’t realize is that there had been a last minute change to the bill that could substantially increase the number of Americans that are banned from buying guns. This poison pill completely ruins the bill, and it must be voted down. What we need is a clean “concealed-carry reciprocity bill” that does not include “Fix-NICS” in it.
Let’s start at the beginning. Last week, gun owners were elated when the House passed a bill that would enable them “to legally carry concealed weapons across state lines”…
Republicans rammed a bill through the House on Wednesday that would make it easier for gun owners to legally carry concealed weapons across state lines, the first significant action on guns in Congress since mass shootings in Nevada and Texas killed more than 80 people.
The House approved the bill, 231-198, largely along party lines. Six Democrats voted yes, while 14 Republicans voted no.
The measure would allow gun owners with a state-issued concealed-carry permit to carry a handgun in any state that allows concealed weapons. It now goes to the Senate.
More
Let’s start at the beginning. Last week, gun owners were elated when the House passed a bill that would enable them “to legally carry concealed weapons across state lines”…
Republicans rammed a bill through the House on Wednesday that would make it easier for gun owners to legally carry concealed weapons across state lines, the first significant action on guns in Congress since mass shootings in Nevada and Texas killed more than 80 people.
The House approved the bill, 231-198, largely along party lines. Six Democrats voted yes, while 14 Republicans voted no.
The measure would allow gun owners with a state-issued concealed-carry permit to carry a handgun in any state that allows concealed weapons. It now goes to the Senate.
More
Hillary, Huma carted off ‘Muslim’ files, other docs
State allowed them to classify work-related items as 'personal'
Faced with allegations of mishandling classified information, the State Department allowed Hillary Clinton and top aide Huma Abedin to take files of telephone calls, schedules and other work-related information under the claim they were “personal” and “unclassified, non-record” materials, according to newly released documents.
The records newly obtained by the Washington watchdog Judicial Watch show that Abedin was allowed to take five boxes of “physical files” out of the State Department that include records described as “Muslim Engagement Documents.”
And Clinton was allowed to take personal correspondence and gift binders, which could be relevant to allegations that donations were made to the family’s Clinton Foundation and Clinton Global Initiative in exchange for favorable policy decisions.
More
Faced with allegations of mishandling classified information, the State Department allowed Hillary Clinton and top aide Huma Abedin to take files of telephone calls, schedules and other work-related information under the claim they were “personal” and “unclassified, non-record” materials, according to newly released documents.
The records newly obtained by the Washington watchdog Judicial Watch show that Abedin was allowed to take five boxes of “physical files” out of the State Department that include records described as “Muslim Engagement Documents.”
And Clinton was allowed to take personal correspondence and gift binders, which could be relevant to allegations that donations were made to the family’s Clinton Foundation and Clinton Global Initiative in exchange for favorable policy decisions.
More
Al Franken lost big in the Alabama Senate race
There were two big losers last night as the election returns came in from Alabama. You already know about Judge Roy Moore and the GOP Senate majority, but consider Al Franken. He now is going to be forced to live up to his promise to resign the seat when he spoke on the Senate floor and refused to admit having done anything wrong.
It was obvious then to all who have observed Franken over the years that this was a P.R. ploy and that once Roy Moore was seated in the Senate after his presumed election, Franken was going to stay in the Senate and pose as a righteous fighter for the female of the species. Franken loves being a big-shot senator and is known for throwing his weight around.
But now that Judge Moore will not be traveling to the U.S. Capitol as anything other than a tourist, poor Al is left holding the bag, with no plausible reason to renege on his promise to resign in the coming weeks..
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It was obvious then to all who have observed Franken over the years that this was a P.R. ploy and that once Roy Moore was seated in the Senate after his presumed election, Franken was going to stay in the Senate and pose as a righteous fighter for the female of the species. Franken loves being a big-shot senator and is known for throwing his weight around.
But now that Judge Moore will not be traveling to the U.S. Capitol as anything other than a tourist, poor Al is left holding the bag, with no plausible reason to renege on his promise to resign in the coming weeks..
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Delaware Troopers Seek Public’s Assistance in Identifying Shoplifting Suspects
The incident occurred on Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at approximately 4:33 p.m. at The Children's Place outlet store located at 36461 Seaside Outlet Boulevard. The two females depicted in the surveillance photo are suspected of removing and concealing several articles of clothing before fleeing the store without paying for the merchandise.
If anyone has any information in reference to the identity of this individual, they are asked to please contact TFC. N. McLaughlin 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.
Alexander: The Democrats' 2018/2020 Assault Allegation Strategy
Incite female voter outrage to overturn Republican majorities in the House and Senate in 2018, and defeat Trump in 2020.
In October, The Washington Post reluctantly revealed that it was Hillary Clinton and her corrupt Democrat Party cronies who funded the fake Trump/Putin collusion dossier.
Now, there is substantial evidence that the resulting investigation into this political charade was orchestrated by some of Clinton's deep state operatives within the Justice Department.
That evidence includes discovery that the key DoJ investigator, Bruce Ohr, who was instrumental in launching the anti-Trump investigation, secretly met with the fake dossier producers, who also employed his wife. Another key FBI investigator, Peter Strzok, was the same agent who watered down the investigation into Clinton's email subterfuge while he was sending anti-Trump messages to his mistress.
This on top of the fact that we now know six of Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller's lawyers currently investigating Donald Trump were donors to Clinton's campaign.
Strzok has been fired from Mueller's team of Trump investigators, and Ohr has been "demoted," but this deep state corruption should cause concern across the political spectrum.
Given that the "Russian collusion" was, apparently, between Clinton and Putin operatives, Mueller has pivoted his fishing expedition from collusion to obstruction, proof of which is a necessary long shot in order to obtain the prize the Democrat Party seeks — presidential impeachment.
More here
In October, The Washington Post reluctantly revealed that it was Hillary Clinton and her corrupt Democrat Party cronies who funded the fake Trump/Putin collusion dossier.
Now, there is substantial evidence that the resulting investigation into this political charade was orchestrated by some of Clinton's deep state operatives within the Justice Department.
That evidence includes discovery that the key DoJ investigator, Bruce Ohr, who was instrumental in launching the anti-Trump investigation, secretly met with the fake dossier producers, who also employed his wife. Another key FBI investigator, Peter Strzok, was the same agent who watered down the investigation into Clinton's email subterfuge while he was sending anti-Trump messages to his mistress.
This on top of the fact that we now know six of Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller's lawyers currently investigating Donald Trump were donors to Clinton's campaign.
Strzok has been fired from Mueller's team of Trump investigators, and Ohr has been "demoted," but this deep state corruption should cause concern across the political spectrum.
Given that the "Russian collusion" was, apparently, between Clinton and Putin operatives, Mueller has pivoted his fishing expedition from collusion to obstruction, proof of which is a necessary long shot in order to obtain the prize the Democrat Party seeks — presidential impeachment.
More here
Maryland Hunters Harvest 34,000 Deer during Firearm Season Sunday Hunting Contributed to Total
Maryland hunters reported taking 34,412 deer during the state’s most popular hunt, the two-week firearm season. The total was similar to last year’s official harvest of 35,002.
More than 4,000 deer were taken on the two Sundays during the season.
More than 4,000 deer were taken on the two Sundays during the season.
How rampant anti-Trump bias in the Russia probe threatens our democracy
The text messages between FBI officials Peter Strzok and Lisa Page that resulted in Strzok’s dismissal from Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of Russia’s role in the 2016 presidential election reveal the extreme hostility Strzok and Page felt toward Donald Trump.
Strzok called Trump a “douche” during the campaign, while he was leading the probe of Hillary Clinton’s misuse of classified information. Strzok also called Trump “a f------ idiot” and worried what would become of the United States if Trump became president.
I worry about the state of the American judicial system if the rampant bias, possible collusion and stacking of the deck that infected the Justice Department and FBI in its Russia probe is ignored.
We had a warning flare about what happens when the bureaucracy is allowed to run amok back in 2013. At that time, we learned that the Internal Revenue Service had targeted tea party groups for discriminatory treatment, denying them their nonprofit status long enough so that they were sidelined during President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign.
That scandal was largely ignored or minimized by the mainstream media, which questioned whether the discrimination had been real and if it had was merely the work of a couple of rogue officials. Lois Lerner and Holly Paz, the two IRS officials at the center of the scandal, were allowed to retire from the IRS with full pension benefits.
No one has been prosecuted and the Obama administration refused to enforce a contempt of Congress resolution that was passed after Lerner refused to testify. Indeed, the Obama Justice Department cleared Lerner and other officials of any wrongdoing and even praised her.
Much more here
Strzok called Trump a “douche” during the campaign, while he was leading the probe of Hillary Clinton’s misuse of classified information. Strzok also called Trump “a f------ idiot” and worried what would become of the United States if Trump became president.
I worry about the state of the American judicial system if the rampant bias, possible collusion and stacking of the deck that infected the Justice Department and FBI in its Russia probe is ignored.
We had a warning flare about what happens when the bureaucracy is allowed to run amok back in 2013. At that time, we learned that the Internal Revenue Service had targeted tea party groups for discriminatory treatment, denying them their nonprofit status long enough so that they were sidelined during President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign.
That scandal was largely ignored or minimized by the mainstream media, which questioned whether the discrimination had been real and if it had was merely the work of a couple of rogue officials. Lois Lerner and Holly Paz, the two IRS officials at the center of the scandal, were allowed to retire from the IRS with full pension benefits.
No one has been prosecuted and the Obama administration refused to enforce a contempt of Congress resolution that was passed after Lerner refused to testify. Indeed, the Obama Justice Department cleared Lerner and other officials of any wrongdoing and even praised her.
Much more here
Republican In Firestorm For Ringing Salvation Army Bell
This is why we just can’t take you seriously.
You are an embarrassment to your country and, quite frankly, to your families.
You’ve attacked a man for doing what may be one of the most noble things in America – donating his time.
I’m talking about what’s happening to state Senator George Logan.
He’s a Republican from Ansonia, Connecticut, and he’s long been known for his charitable work.
So what is it that triggered the Godless left this time?
He rang a bell outside a Walmart in nearby Naugatuck for the Salvation Army, which is a Christian denomination that asks for donations to help poor people.
The gentle ringing of faith was enough to trigger the Freedom From Religion Foundation. If you’ve never heard of this organization, I’ll help you.
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Maryland Attorney General News Releases Update
Suit Seeks Damages to Help Fund Clean-up Efforts
BALTIMORE, MD – Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh announced today the filing of a lawsuit against Exxon Mobil and more than 50 other petroleum related companies to recover damages and address the widespread contamination of Maryland’s waters with methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE).
MTBE is a chemical compound that was used as a fuel additive in gasoline since the late 1970s. MTBE was discharged into the environment from leaking underground storage tanks at service stations and other locations, causing serious groundwater contamination in the State. Although gasoline refiners have since phased MTBE out of Maryland’s gasoline supplies and replaced it with ethanol, contaminated groundwater remains.
“Our water is a vital public resource and a source of drinking water for a large number of Maryland residents,” said Attorney General Frosh. “These companies knew that the use and sale of MTBE gasoline in Maryland would contaminate the State’s drinking water and render a lot of it virtually undrinkable. Together with the Maryland Departments of Health and the Environment, we are bringing this suit to ensure that the State’s water resources are restored.”
Read more in the full press release: http://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/press/2017/121317.pdf
BALTIMORE, MD – Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh announced today the filing of a lawsuit against Exxon Mobil and more than 50 other petroleum related companies to recover damages and address the widespread contamination of Maryland’s waters with methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE).
MTBE is a chemical compound that was used as a fuel additive in gasoline since the late 1970s. MTBE was discharged into the environment from leaking underground storage tanks at service stations and other locations, causing serious groundwater contamination in the State. Although gasoline refiners have since phased MTBE out of Maryland’s gasoline supplies and replaced it with ethanol, contaminated groundwater remains.
“Our water is a vital public resource and a source of drinking water for a large number of Maryland residents,” said Attorney General Frosh. “These companies knew that the use and sale of MTBE gasoline in Maryland would contaminate the State’s drinking water and render a lot of it virtually undrinkable. Together with the Maryland Departments of Health and the Environment, we are bringing this suit to ensure that the State’s water resources are restored.”
Read more in the full press release: http://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/press/2017/121317.pdf
Attorney General Frosh Joins Coalition of Attorneys General Asking FCC to Delay Net Neutrality Rulemaking
BALTIMORE, MD (December 13, 2017) – Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh and 17 other Attorneys General today wrote to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) expressing their concern about falsified comments made to the FCC, asking the Commission to delay its rulemaking deadline.
“A careful review of the publicly available information revealed a pattern of fake submissions using the names of real people. In fact, there may be over one million fake submissions from across the country. This is akin to identity theft on a massive scale – and theft of someone’s voice in a democracy is particularly concerning,” wrote the Attorneys General.
The Attorneys General ended the letter by writing, “It is essential that the Commission gets a full and accurate picture of how changes to net neutrality will affect the everyday lives of Americans before they can act on such sweeping policy changes.”
The multi-state letter was signed by the Attorneys General of California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, and Washington.
Liz Peek: Sexual misconduct is quickly becoming politicized. And that's bad news for all of us
Roy Moore’s defeat in the Alabama Senate race tells us that charges of sexual improprieties can be a potent political weapon.
This is not good news for President Trump, whom several women accuse of past misbehavior. It is also not good news for women who become victims of serious attacks or of rape.
Moore joins a growing list of celebrities, business titans and politicians toppled by claims that they behaved inappropriately towards women; his loss will inflame a red-hot movement. Because the issue has rapidly become politicized, with Democrats hoping that sex harassment charges will damage or even oust President Trump, there is a real danger that it will go too far, and hurt the very women its leaders want to protect.
Already, charges of assault and rape have become conflated with accusations of gross behavior. Failing to distinguish between serious threats faced by women and unpleasantness in the workplace will lead the public to tune out and belittle the issue; that is the worst possible fall-out for victims of abuse.
It is important, in other words, to distinguish between louts and criminals. The former is offensive, and should be met with hostility and shaming. The latter should bring on penalties, like job losses or legal charges.
Consider the case of Samantha Holvey. The former Miss America contestant has accused President Trump of ogling her and other women in the beauty pageant dressing rooms. Ms. Holvey is one of several women saying that Mr. Trump behaved “inappropriately” towards them and who, according to the New York Times, want to be taken more seriously.
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This is not good news for President Trump, whom several women accuse of past misbehavior. It is also not good news for women who become victims of serious attacks or of rape.
Moore joins a growing list of celebrities, business titans and politicians toppled by claims that they behaved inappropriately towards women; his loss will inflame a red-hot movement. Because the issue has rapidly become politicized, with Democrats hoping that sex harassment charges will damage or even oust President Trump, there is a real danger that it will go too far, and hurt the very women its leaders want to protect.
Already, charges of assault and rape have become conflated with accusations of gross behavior. Failing to distinguish between serious threats faced by women and unpleasantness in the workplace will lead the public to tune out and belittle the issue; that is the worst possible fall-out for victims of abuse.
It is important, in other words, to distinguish between louts and criminals. The former is offensive, and should be met with hostility and shaming. The latter should bring on penalties, like job losses or legal charges.
Consider the case of Samantha Holvey. The former Miss America contestant has accused President Trump of ogling her and other women in the beauty pageant dressing rooms. Ms. Holvey is one of several women saying that Mr. Trump behaved “inappropriately” towards them and who, according to the New York Times, want to be taken more seriously.
More here
Minnesota Lt. Gov. Tina Smith to Fill Franken Seat
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton appointed Lt. Gov. Tina Smith on Wednesday to replace Sen. Al Franken until a special election in November, setting up his long-time and trusted adviser for a potentially bruising 2018 election.
Smith was widely seen as Dayton's top choice from the moment Franken announced his resignation last week, and she is expected to run in the November special election to complete Franken's term through 2020.
Smith had previously declined to run for governor, raising questions about whether she would launch a Senate campaign that would be in the national spotlight. But Dayton was under pressure from fellow Democrats in Washington to ensure his pick would use the appointment as a springboard for the November election.
It's not clear when Smith will head to Washington. Franken, who resigned under pressure from his own party after he was accused of improper behavior by at least eight women, announced last Thursday that he would resign "in the coming weeks." His office said Tuesday that he had not yet set a final departure date.
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Smith was widely seen as Dayton's top choice from the moment Franken announced his resignation last week, and she is expected to run in the November special election to complete Franken's term through 2020.
Smith had previously declined to run for governor, raising questions about whether she would launch a Senate campaign that would be in the national spotlight. But Dayton was under pressure from fellow Democrats in Washington to ensure his pick would use the appointment as a springboard for the November election.
It's not clear when Smith will head to Washington. Franken, who resigned under pressure from his own party after he was accused of improper behavior by at least eight women, announced last Thursday that he would resign "in the coming weeks." His office said Tuesday that he had not yet set a final departure date.
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County Sells Bonds To Finance Several Major Projects
Credit Rating Agencies Deem County Finances and Management Strong
Wicomico County has sold $8.985 million in general obligation bonds to finance several major projects in the county. The bonds carry a true interest cost of 2.56% County Executive Bob Culver reported this week. The County’s issue drew a strong market response of 8 bidders, which is indicative of the attractiveness of its bonds.
“We met with all three credit rating agencies in New York in October and updated them on the positive financial outlook for our county,” Culver said. “All three ratings agencies spoke highly of the county’s strong management team and their continued confidence in our conservative fiscal practices.”
The County earned an AA+ rating from S&P Global Ratings; an AA rating from Fitch Ratings, and an Aa2 rating from Moody’s Investors Service.
Wicomico County has sold $8.985 million in general obligation bonds to finance several major projects in the county. The bonds carry a true interest cost of 2.56% County Executive Bob Culver reported this week. The County’s issue drew a strong market response of 8 bidders, which is indicative of the attractiveness of its bonds.
“We met with all three credit rating agencies in New York in October and updated them on the positive financial outlook for our county,” Culver said. “All three ratings agencies spoke highly of the county’s strong management team and their continued confidence in our conservative fiscal practices.”
The County earned an AA+ rating from S&P Global Ratings; an AA rating from Fitch Ratings, and an Aa2 rating from Moody’s Investors Service.
A significant portion of the bond money will be spent on projects for the Wicomico County Board of Education. That includes $4,228,000 million for West Salisbury Elementary School; $1,005,000 for projects at East Salisbury School; $400,000 for Mardela Middle / High School Track; $825,000 for
Beaver Run Renovation or Replacement; and $1,650,000 for Delmar Middle School Systemic Renovation.
Other projects include $1 million for a Public Works – Roads Division projects, $600,000 for Public Safety building and $92,000 for a new phone system for the Government Office Building.
In addition $10,900,000 of 2009 Build America Beautiful bonds were refinanced. The refinancing will reduce County debt costs by $1,012,000.
Executive Culver concluded “All of these projects are important for Wicomico County, and I am pleased to report they are moving forward. Such favorable reports from the credit rating agencies reinforces that our fiscal management in Wicomico County continues to be strong.”
Beaver Run Renovation or Replacement; and $1,650,000 for Delmar Middle School Systemic Renovation.
Other projects include $1 million for a Public Works – Roads Division projects, $600,000 for Public Safety building and $92,000 for a new phone system for the Government Office Building.
In addition $10,900,000 of 2009 Build America Beautiful bonds were refinanced. The refinancing will reduce County debt costs by $1,012,000.
Executive Culver concluded “All of these projects are important for Wicomico County, and I am pleased to report they are moving forward. Such favorable reports from the credit rating agencies reinforces that our fiscal management in Wicomico County continues to be strong.”
2017 Maryland State Police Berlin Barrack Shop With A Cop
On 12/16/17 at 8:00 AM, the Maryland State Police Berlin Barrack in partnership with the Worcester County CRICKET Center will be hosting its 5th Annual Shop With a Cop. The Worcester County Board of Education has identified 20 elementary school students from throughout the county to participate in this year’s holiday Shop With a Cop. Each of the students will be paired with a Maryland State Trooper who will be giving the children tours of the Barrack, show and tell with police vehicles, and providing each with an honorary Junior Maryland Trooper Badge.
The Trooper/Student pairs will then by transported, via MSP Bus, to the Wal-Mart in Berlin where each of the students will be provided $100 each to spend as they wish as they “Shop with a Cop.”
After shopping, participants will be provided lunch as volunteers wrap gifts that the children have bought for family and friends.
This program has continued over the past five years with the generous support of Wal-Mart and the National Wal-Mart Foundation, Harbor Marine in West Ocean City, Denovo’s Trattoria Restaurant in Ocean Pines, Chic-Fil-A in West Ocean City, Atlantic Physical Therapy in Ocean Pines, the Makemie Memorial Presbyterian Women, private citizen donations, The Worcester County Board of Education, The Worcester County Health Department, The Worcester County CRICKET Center, and the men and woman, both sworn and civilian, of the Maryland State Police Salisbury, Princess Anne, and Berlin Barracks.
The Trooper/Student pairs will then by transported, via MSP Bus, to the Wal-Mart in Berlin where each of the students will be provided $100 each to spend as they wish as they “Shop with a Cop.”
After shopping, participants will be provided lunch as volunteers wrap gifts that the children have bought for family and friends.
This program has continued over the past five years with the generous support of Wal-Mart and the National Wal-Mart Foundation, Harbor Marine in West Ocean City, Denovo’s Trattoria Restaurant in Ocean Pines, Chic-Fil-A in West Ocean City, Atlantic Physical Therapy in Ocean Pines, the Makemie Memorial Presbyterian Women, private citizen donations, The Worcester County Board of Education, The Worcester County Health Department, The Worcester County CRICKET Center, and the men and woman, both sworn and civilian, of the Maryland State Police Salisbury, Princess Anne, and Berlin Barracks.
Jeffrey Lord: Franken Should Have Fought Calls for Resignation
Columnist Jeffrey Lord on Tuesday said Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., should "stand up on his hind legs on fight," during an interview with Newsmax TV host Bill Tucker on "Newsmax Now."
Lord, who writes for the American Spectator, brought up Franken while discussing Roy Moore's election with Tucker.
"I think the very first thing that's going to happen within 24 hours if Roy Moore wins is that the Democrats will have a fundraising letter out there making Roy Moore the face of the Republican Party," Lord told Tucker.
Moore's campaign has been battling allegations of sexual misconduct since mid-November. The Republican candidate is running against Democrat Doug Jones and the election is taking place Tuesday.
Franken last week announced his resignation following a wave of sexual misconduct allegations and a collapse of support from Democratic colleagues.
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Lord, who writes for the American Spectator, brought up Franken while discussing Roy Moore's election with Tucker.
"I think the very first thing that's going to happen within 24 hours if Roy Moore wins is that the Democrats will have a fundraising letter out there making Roy Moore the face of the Republican Party," Lord told Tucker.
Moore's campaign has been battling allegations of sexual misconduct since mid-November. The Republican candidate is running against Democrat Doug Jones and the election is taking place Tuesday.
Franken last week announced his resignation following a wave of sexual misconduct allegations and a collapse of support from Democratic colleagues.
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