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Saturday, December 16, 2017
Peter Richardson Obituary
Clintons 'destroyed' Secret Service's integrity
Bill and Hillary Clinton forced the Secret Service to undermine itself by 'systematically destroying' the rules that were put in place for their protection, a former officer who guarded them claims.
In his new book, New York Times best-selling author Gary Byrne writes that the Secret Service was nearly undone by serving the Clintons with 'blind loyalty' which they took advantage of for their own gain.
Agents were allegedly forced to collude with the Clintons in the 'Chinagate' campaign finance scandal in 1996 by ignoring the contents of brown paper bags brought into the White House by Chinese officials.
The problem was compounded by Secret Service leadership mistakenly thinking that the Clintons were 'invincible,' Byrne writes.
'The view from the front lines, however, was that something, somehow, was bound to ensnare them. It was simply a matter of the right scandal,' he writes.
Byrne served in federal law enforcement for nearly 30 years first in the Air Force Security Police, then in the Uniformed Division of the Secret Service where he guarded the Clintons.
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In his new book, New York Times best-selling author Gary Byrne writes that the Secret Service was nearly undone by serving the Clintons with 'blind loyalty' which they took advantage of for their own gain.
Agents were allegedly forced to collude with the Clintons in the 'Chinagate' campaign finance scandal in 1996 by ignoring the contents of brown paper bags brought into the White House by Chinese officials.
The problem was compounded by Secret Service leadership mistakenly thinking that the Clintons were 'invincible,' Byrne writes.
'The view from the front lines, however, was that something, somehow, was bound to ensnare them. It was simply a matter of the right scandal,' he writes.
Byrne served in federal law enforcement for nearly 30 years first in the Air Force Security Police, then in the Uniformed Division of the Secret Service where he guarded the Clintons.
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Oyster Restoration Plan Announced; Historic Cecil County Land Protected
Maryland Announces Comprehensive Oyster Restoration Plan
Breton Bay and St. Mary’s River Selected for Large-Scale Restoration; State Investment in Manokin, Nanticoke and Severn
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources today announced a comprehensive plan on oyster restoration, including its intention to recommend Breton Bay and the upper St. Mary’s River as the fourth and fifth tributaries to satisfy the state’s commitment to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources today announced a comprehensive plan on oyster restoration, including its intention to recommend Breton Bay and the upper St. Mary’s River as the fourth and fifth tributaries to satisfy the state’s commitment to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.
Report: Pakistani, Afghan Nationals To Be Resettled in U.S. 'Have Acute Mental Health Problems'
Single men from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Myanmar expected to be resettled in the United States next year “have acute mental health problems,” according to a New York Times report, after President Trump failed to end a refugee deal with Australia that he committed to opposing.
Former President Obama signed the Australian-U.S. refugee deal during his last months in office — promising to take 1,250 Middle Eastern refugees off Australia’s hands.
The refugees – who are mostly adult males – were being held in detention centers on Manus Island and Nauru Island in Australia. Despite Trump’s original statement calling the deal “a dumb deal,” the president has now broken two long-promised campaign pledges: Throwing out deals that don’t benefit Americans and stopping the flow of foreign refugees.
Already, about 54 Middle Eastern refugees from the Australian detention centers have been resettled in the U.S., despite allegedly having mental health problems, as Breitbart Newsreported. Now, an additional 60 to 65 single men from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Myanmar are expected to arrive next year, the majority of which have mental health problems as well.
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Former President Obama signed the Australian-U.S. refugee deal during his last months in office — promising to take 1,250 Middle Eastern refugees off Australia’s hands.
The refugees – who are mostly adult males – were being held in detention centers on Manus Island and Nauru Island in Australia. Despite Trump’s original statement calling the deal “a dumb deal,” the president has now broken two long-promised campaign pledges: Throwing out deals that don’t benefit Americans and stopping the flow of foreign refugees.
Already, about 54 Middle Eastern refugees from the Australian detention centers have been resettled in the U.S., despite allegedly having mental health problems, as Breitbart Newsreported. Now, an additional 60 to 65 single men from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Myanmar are expected to arrive next year, the majority of which have mental health problems as well.
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Williams: Stalking Horses
When hunting was the major source of food, hunters often used stalking horses as a means of sneaking up on their prey. They would synchronize their steps on the side of the horse away from their prey until they were close enough for a good shot. A stalking horse had a double benefit if the prey was an armed person. If the stalkers were discovered, it would be the horse that took the first shot. That's what blacks are to liberals and progressives in their efforts to transform America -- stalking horses. Let's look at it.
I'll just list a few pieces of the leftist agenda that would be unachievable without black political support.
Black people are the major victims of the grossly rotten education in our big-city schools. The average black 12th-grader can read, write and compute no better than a white seventh- or eighth-grader.
Many black parents want better and safer schools for their children. According to a 2015 survey of black parents, 72 percent "favor public charter schools, and 70 percent favor a system that would create vouchers parents could use to cover tuition for those who want to enroll their children in a private or parochial school." Black politicians and civil rights organizations fight tooth and nail against charter schools and education vouchers. Why? The National Education Association sees charters and vouchers as a threat to its education monopoly. It is able to use black politicians and civil rights organizations as stalking horses in its fight to protect its education monopoly.
More here
I'll just list a few pieces of the leftist agenda that would be unachievable without black political support.
Black people are the major victims of the grossly rotten education in our big-city schools. The average black 12th-grader can read, write and compute no better than a white seventh- or eighth-grader.
Many black parents want better and safer schools for their children. According to a 2015 survey of black parents, 72 percent "favor public charter schools, and 70 percent favor a system that would create vouchers parents could use to cover tuition for those who want to enroll their children in a private or parochial school." Black politicians and civil rights organizations fight tooth and nail against charter schools and education vouchers. Why? The National Education Association sees charters and vouchers as a threat to its education monopoly. It is able to use black politicians and civil rights organizations as stalking horses in its fight to protect its education monopoly.
More here
Columbia Professor Urges Universities to Rethink Commitment to First Amendment
A Columbia University comparative literature professor's recent urging of universities to rethink their commitment to the First Amendment in light of "new technologies," such as video cameras, has prompted criticism from across the political spectrum.
Judith Butler argued that "in a world of changing technology where incitement and harassment take on new forms," so-called "free speech absolutists" must understand that the First Amendment can "clash with other basic values," according to a blog post based on her remarks delivered at a panel on free expression at the University of California-Berkeley earlier this month.
The gender theorist and passionate supporter of the academic boycott of Israel cited the trolling methods of fringe right-wing speaker Milo Yiannopolous, who has publicly mocked LGBTQ individuals during his campus appearances, as evidence for the need for widespread reform.
"Maybe we shrug our shoulders and say that this is expressive activity, but surely it crosses the line between expressive activity and threat; and that line was crossed in a new way—and is crossed all the time now in new ways—because of the way technology is now used to incite people to engage in cyber-bullying that did not exist before," wrote Butler.
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Judith Butler argued that "in a world of changing technology where incitement and harassment take on new forms," so-called "free speech absolutists" must understand that the First Amendment can "clash with other basic values," according to a blog post based on her remarks delivered at a panel on free expression at the University of California-Berkeley earlier this month.
The gender theorist and passionate supporter of the academic boycott of Israel cited the trolling methods of fringe right-wing speaker Milo Yiannopolous, who has publicly mocked LGBTQ individuals during his campus appearances, as evidence for the need for widespread reform.
"Maybe we shrug our shoulders and say that this is expressive activity, but surely it crosses the line between expressive activity and threat; and that line was crossed in a new way—and is crossed all the time now in new ways—because of the way technology is now used to incite people to engage in cyber-bullying that did not exist before," wrote Butler.
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Preschoolers Break Out into Brawl over ‘Baby Jesus’
Preschoolers broke out into an all-out brawl over Baby Jesus during a Christmas pageant for a Tennessee church—and it may just be the cutest Christmas pageant brawl ever..
Video
Video
Two Student Clubs File Federal Lawsuits Alleging Violations of First Amendment Rights
Two student clubs filed federal lawsuits this week against their respective universities, both alleging violations of First Amendment rights.
Business Leaders in Christ (BLinC) charged the University of Iowa (UI) with illegally deregistering it last month, after the student group refused administrators' direction to revise its religious mission statement, according to the complaint filed Monday.
UI administrators cancelled the official club status of BLinC, founded in 2014 at UI's Tippie College of Business, when a member claimed he had been denied a leadership role in 2016 because he was gay.
BLinC rejected that accusation in Monday's suit, saying the student was rebuffed "because he expressly stated that he rejected BLinC's beliefs and would not follow them."
Elsewhere, the conservative student club Turning Point USA filed a suit Wednesday against Arkansas State University (ASU) to fight the school's "speech zones" policy.
The suit, filed by Alliance Defending Freedom on behalf of student Ashlyn Hoggard, charged that ASU has severely limiting freedom of expression policies by setting up such zones.
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Business Leaders in Christ (BLinC) charged the University of Iowa (UI) with illegally deregistering it last month, after the student group refused administrators' direction to revise its religious mission statement, according to the complaint filed Monday.
UI administrators cancelled the official club status of BLinC, founded in 2014 at UI's Tippie College of Business, when a member claimed he had been denied a leadership role in 2016 because he was gay.
BLinC rejected that accusation in Monday's suit, saying the student was rebuffed "because he expressly stated that he rejected BLinC's beliefs and would not follow them."
Elsewhere, the conservative student club Turning Point USA filed a suit Wednesday against Arkansas State University (ASU) to fight the school's "speech zones" policy.
The suit, filed by Alliance Defending Freedom on behalf of student Ashlyn Hoggard, charged that ASU has severely limiting freedom of expression policies by setting up such zones.
More
Kansas Dem drops out of race after sexual harassment allegation
WASHINGTON - Andrea Ramsey, a Democratic candidate for Congress, will drop out of the race after the Kansas City Star asked her about accusations in a 2005 lawsuit that she sexually harassed and retaliated against a male subordinate who said he had rejected her advances.
Multiple sources with knowledge of the case told The Star that the man reached a settlement with LabOne, the company where Ramsey was executive vice president of human resources. Court documents show that the man, Gary Funkhouser, and LabOne agreed to dismiss the case permanently after mediation in 2006.
Ramsey, a 56-year-old retired business executive from Leawood, was one of the Democratic candidates vying to challenge Republican Rep. Kevin Yoder in 2018 in Kansas’ 3rd District.
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Multiple sources with knowledge of the case told The Star that the man reached a settlement with LabOne, the company where Ramsey was executive vice president of human resources. Court documents show that the man, Gary Funkhouser, and LabOne agreed to dismiss the case permanently after mediation in 2006.
Ramsey, a 56-year-old retired business executive from Leawood, was one of the Democratic candidates vying to challenge Republican Rep. Kevin Yoder in 2018 in Kansas’ 3rd District.
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Kansas Dem Andrea Ramsey, accused of sexual harassment
Andrea Ramsey, a Democratic candidate for Congress, will drop out of the race after the Kansas City Star asked her about accusations in a 2005 lawsuit that she sexually harassed and retaliated against a male subordinate who said he had rejected her advances.
Multiple sources with knowledge of the case told The Star that the man reached a settlement with LabOne, the company where Ramsey was executive vice president of human resources. Court documents show that the man, Gary Funkhouser, and LabOne agreed to dismiss the case permanently after mediation in 2006.
Ramsey, a 56-year-old retired business executive from Leawood, was one of the Democratic candidates vying to challenge Republican Rep. Kevin Yoder in 2018 in Kansas’ 3rd District.
She was running with the endorsement of Emily’s List, a liberal women’s group that has raised more than a half-million dollars to help female candidates who support abortion rights.
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Multiple sources with knowledge of the case told The Star that the man reached a settlement with LabOne, the company where Ramsey was executive vice president of human resources. Court documents show that the man, Gary Funkhouser, and LabOne agreed to dismiss the case permanently after mediation in 2006.
Ramsey, a 56-year-old retired business executive from Leawood, was one of the Democratic candidates vying to challenge Republican Rep. Kevin Yoder in 2018 in Kansas’ 3rd District.
She was running with the endorsement of Emily’s List, a liberal women’s group that has raised more than a half-million dollars to help female candidates who support abortion rights.
More
Attorney General Frosh Joins Coalition Challenging Trump EPA’s Illegal Delay of Clean Water Protections
BALTIMORE, MD – Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh today joined a coalition of 11 Attorneys General challenging the Trump Administration’s proposed two-year suspension of the “Clean Water Rule,” a federal regulation that defines “waters of the United States” under federal law. In comments addressed to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), the coalition charges that the proposed suspension of the Clean Water Rule – which is designed to ensure the nation’s lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands receive proper protection under the federal Clean Water Act – would violate federal law.
As Oklahoma Attorney General, Administrator Pruitt had sued to halt the implementation of the Clean Water Rule. Since becoming EPA Administrator, he has refused to recuse himself from this rulemaking involving the very same issues. Pruitt has appeared in promotional videos for private organizations that have brought suit challenging the Clean Water Rule, and those ads, the coalition alleges, misstated the rule’s provisions. The coalition charges that Pruitt’s involvement in this rulemaking is “illegal.” It states that the process “renders a final rule invalid” due to Pruitt’s refusal to follow ethics review procedures and due to of his lack of impartiality.
As Oklahoma Attorney General, Administrator Pruitt had sued to halt the implementation of the Clean Water Rule. Since becoming EPA Administrator, he has refused to recuse himself from this rulemaking involving the very same issues. Pruitt has appeared in promotional videos for private organizations that have brought suit challenging the Clean Water Rule, and those ads, the coalition alleges, misstated the rule’s provisions. The coalition charges that Pruitt’s involvement in this rulemaking is “illegal.” It states that the process “renders a final rule invalid” due to Pruitt’s refusal to follow ethics review procedures and due to of his lack of impartiality.
State Police Drug Investigation Leads to Multiple Arrests – Frederica
Frederica– The Delaware State Police Kent County Drug Unit assisted by the Kent County Governor's Task Force (GTF) and the Delaware State Police Special Operations Response Team (S.O.R.T) concluded a drug investigation with the arrest of three people.
The month long drug investigation concluded on Friday, December 15, 2017, when members of the Kent County Drug Unit assisted by the Kent County GTF and the DSP S.O.R.T executed a narcotics search warrant in the 100 block of Jackson Street. Upon entry to the residence, three suspects identified as 26-year-old Dazzel J. King of Frederica, 22-year-old Kaylia S. Custis of Frederica, and 66-year-old Jerry L. Warren Sr. of Frederica were taken into custody without incident.
A search of the property resulted in the recovery of (679) packages of Heroin totaling (4.75) grams, (9.98) grams of Crack Cocaine, (70.93) grams of Marijuana, a .38 caliber handgun, $645.00 in suspected drug money, and multiple drug paraphernalia items.
Dazzel J. King was charged with four counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Conspiracy 2nd Degree, Receiving a Stolen Firearm, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Possession of a Weapon with an altered serial number, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited. King was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center on $135,500.00 secured bond.
Kaylia S. Custis was charged with four counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Conspiracy 2nd Degree, Receiving a Stolen Firearm, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of a Weapon with an altered serial number. Custis was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on $54,500.00 unsecured bond.
Jerry L. Warren Sr. was charged with Maintaining a Dwelling for Drug Distribution. Warren was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on $3000.00 unsecured bond.
Nine more women say judge subjected them to inappropriate behavior, including four who say he touched or kissed them
Nine more women say that Alex Kozinski — a high-profile judge who sits on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit — subjected them to sexual comments or other conduct, including four who say he touched them inappropriately.
Kozinski, known for his libertarian views and colorful written opinions, already had been accused of subjecting several women to a range of inappropriate sexual conduct or comments, and the circuit’s chief judge on Thursday took the first step in launching an investigation into his behavior. The matter was assigned Friday to the 2nd Circuit judicial council.
The new allegations — which span decades and include not just those who worked for Kozinski but also those who encountered him at events — bring the total number of women accusing the judge of inappropriate behavior to at least 15.
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Kozinski, known for his libertarian views and colorful written opinions, already had been accused of subjecting several women to a range of inappropriate sexual conduct or comments, and the circuit’s chief judge on Thursday took the first step in launching an investigation into his behavior. The matter was assigned Friday to the 2nd Circuit judicial council.
The new allegations — which span decades and include not just those who worked for Kozinski but also those who encountered him at events — bring the total number of women accusing the judge of inappropriate behavior to at least 15.
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Scheme To Pay Off Trump Accusers Emerges, One Woman Was Offered $750,000
California woman's rights Attorney Lisa Bloom operated behind a scheme to compensate Trump accusers and potential accusers using money from donors and tabloid media outlets during the final months of the 2016 presidential race, in an effort which intensified as the election neared, report John Solomon and Alison Spann of The Hill.
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 Hill
The various accounts of Bloom's scheme were detailed in documents, emails and text messages reviewed by The Hill, and come on the heels of Bill O'Reilly's claim that there is a secret tape of a women who was offered $200,000 to file sexual harassment charges against Trump. It is unknown whether or not O'Reilly's claim is related to Bloom's activities.
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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 Hill
The various accounts of Bloom's scheme were detailed in documents, emails and text messages reviewed by The Hill, and come on the heels of Bill O'Reilly's claim that there is a secret tape of a women who was offered $200,000 to file sexual harassment charges against Trump. It is unknown whether or not O'Reilly's claim is related to Bloom's activities.
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Legalizing ‘Dreamers’ would cost $26 billion: CBO
Legalizing 2 million illegal immigrant “Dreamers” would cost the government $25.9 billion over the next decade, as those now-legal people would claim more tax, education and other benefits they haven’t been able to get before, the Congressional Budget Office said Friday.
The CBO also said newly legalized Dreamers would sponsor 80,000 more immigrants to enter the country as part of “chain migration.”
Immigrant-rights activists have argued that legalizing Dreamers would be a financial boon to the country, but the CBO and the Joint Committee on Taxation suggested otherwise, saying that while they would pay somewhat higher taxes in to the government, they would take far more out of it.
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The CBO also said newly legalized Dreamers would sponsor 80,000 more immigrants to enter the country as part of “chain migration.”
Immigrant-rights activists have argued that legalizing Dreamers would be a financial boon to the country, but the CBO and the Joint Committee on Taxation suggested otherwise, saying that while they would pay somewhat higher taxes in to the government, they would take far more out of it.
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Judicial Watch: State Department Made Deal with Hillary Clinton to Keep Call Log, Schedules Secret
Judicial Watch has released new U.S. Department of State documents showing former Secretary Hillary Clinton and her then-Deputy Chief of Staff Huma Abedin were permitted to remove electronic and physical records under a claim they were “personal” materials and “unclassified, non-record materials,” including files of Clinton’s calls and schedules, which were not to be made public. The documents show the Obama State Department records would not be “released to the general public under FOIA.”
The new records also show that Huma Abedin was allowed to take five boxes of “physical files” out of the State Department that include records described as “Muslim Engagement Documents.”
Judicial Watch obtained the reports about the records from a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for:
Any and all DS-1904 (Authorization for the Removal of Personal Papers and Non-Record Materials) forms completed by, or on behalf of, any of the following individuals:
Former Secretary Hillary Clinton
Former Chief of Staff Cheryl Mills
Former Deputy Chief of Staff Huma Abedin
Former Deputy Chief of Staff Jacob Sullivan
The documents include a list of official and personal calls and schedules that Clinton removed, which carry a special notation that the documents were not to be made public records. The notation is on an addendum to a DS-1904 signed by Clarence N. Finney Jr., then-director of the Office of Correspondence and Records, who was the reviewing officer.
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The new records also show that Huma Abedin was allowed to take five boxes of “physical files” out of the State Department that include records described as “Muslim Engagement Documents.”
Judicial Watch obtained the reports about the records from a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for:
Any and all DS-1904 (Authorization for the Removal of Personal Papers and Non-Record Materials) forms completed by, or on behalf of, any of the following individuals:
Former Secretary Hillary Clinton
Former Chief of Staff Cheryl Mills
Former Deputy Chief of Staff Huma Abedin
Former Deputy Chief of Staff Jacob Sullivan
The documents include a list of official and personal calls and schedules that Clinton removed, which carry a special notation that the documents were not to be made public records. The notation is on an addendum to a DS-1904 signed by Clarence N. Finney Jr., then-director of the Office of Correspondence and Records, who was the reviewing officer.
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DHS Announces New Rules to Prevent Terrorism, Curb Visa Overstays
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Friday new rules for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) aimed at preventing terrorism and stopping visa overstays.
The VWP, administered by DHS, allows citizens of 38 countries with close ties to the United States to travel to the United States for business or tourism for up to 90 days without acquiring a visa. In exchange, U.S. citizens receive reciprocal travel rights to each of those countries.
Some 20 million travelers come to the United States using the VWP every year, according to a senior administration official. VWP expected departures made up about 43 percent of total expected immigration departures in 2016.
The tightened security requirements are in part meant to address the threat from potential terrorists with citizenship making them eligible for the VWP. Such concerns were first raised in November of 2015, when it was discovered that several of the perpetrators of the terror attacks in Paris had French and Belgian citizenship, making them VWP-eligible.
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The VWP, administered by DHS, allows citizens of 38 countries with close ties to the United States to travel to the United States for business or tourism for up to 90 days without acquiring a visa. In exchange, U.S. citizens receive reciprocal travel rights to each of those countries.
Some 20 million travelers come to the United States using the VWP every year, according to a senior administration official. VWP expected departures made up about 43 percent of total expected immigration departures in 2016.
The tightened security requirements are in part meant to address the threat from potential terrorists with citizenship making them eligible for the VWP. Such concerns were first raised in November of 2015, when it was discovered that several of the perpetrators of the terror attacks in Paris had French and Belgian citizenship, making them VWP-eligible.
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Judge Temporarily Blocks Roll-Back of Contraceptive Mandate
A federal judge issued an injunction Friday temporarily blocking the implementation of President Donald Trump’s executive order rolling back the controversial contraceptive mandate component of ObamaCare.
The injunction came following a lawsuit spearheaded by Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro (D.), the Hill reports. On Twitter, Shapiro called the injunction "a critical victory for millions of women and families and for the rule of law."
Shapiro’s victory came after arguments in front of Judge Wendy Bettlestone Thursday, where the A.G. contended that the rollback would harm Pennsylvania’s 2.5 million women. Dr. Cynthia Chuang, of Penn State University, testified before Bettlestone that the rollback would cause "serious medical harm," including unintended pregnancies, Courthouse News reports.
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The injunction came following a lawsuit spearheaded by Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro (D.), the Hill reports. On Twitter, Shapiro called the injunction "a critical victory for millions of women and families and for the rule of law."
Shapiro’s victory came after arguments in front of Judge Wendy Bettlestone Thursday, where the A.G. contended that the rollback would harm Pennsylvania’s 2.5 million women. Dr. Cynthia Chuang, of Penn State University, testified before Bettlestone that the rollback would cause "serious medical harm," including unintended pregnancies, Courthouse News reports.
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Gregg Jarrett: Did the FBI and the Justice Department, plot to clear Hillary Clinton, bring down Trump?
There is strong circumstantial evidence that an insidious plot unprecedented in American history was hatched within the FBI and the Obama Justice Department to help elect Hillary Clinton and defeat Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election.
And when this apparent effort to improperly influence the election did not succeed, the suspected conspirators appear to have employed a fraudulent investigation of President Trump in an attempt to undo the election results and remove him as president.
Such a Machiavellian scheme would move well beyond what is known as the “deep state,” a popular reference to government employees who organize in secret to impose their own political views on government policy in defiance of democratically elected leadership.
However, this apparent plot to keep Trump from becoming president and to weaken and potentially pave the way for his impeachment with a prolonged politically motivated investigation – if proven – would constitute something far more nefarious and dangerous.
Such a plot would show that partisans within the FBI and the Justice Department, driven by personal animus and a sense of political righteousness, surreptitiously conspired to subvert electoral democracy itself in our country.
As of now, we have no proof beyond a reasonable doubt of such a plot. But we have very strong circumstantial evidence.
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And when this apparent effort to improperly influence the election did not succeed, the suspected conspirators appear to have employed a fraudulent investigation of President Trump in an attempt to undo the election results and remove him as president.
Such a Machiavellian scheme would move well beyond what is known as the “deep state,” a popular reference to government employees who organize in secret to impose their own political views on government policy in defiance of democratically elected leadership.
However, this apparent plot to keep Trump from becoming president and to weaken and potentially pave the way for his impeachment with a prolonged politically motivated investigation – if proven – would constitute something far more nefarious and dangerous.
Such a plot would show that partisans within the FBI and the Justice Department, driven by personal animus and a sense of political righteousness, surreptitiously conspired to subvert electoral democracy itself in our country.
As of now, we have no proof beyond a reasonable doubt of such a plot. But we have very strong circumstantial evidence.
More
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017/12/15/gregg-jarrett-did-fbi-and-justice-department-plot-to-clear-hillary-clinton-bring-down-trump.html
FBI Edits To Clinton Exoneration Go Far Beyond What Was Previously Known; Comey, McCabe, Strzok Implicated
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has discovered that edits made to former FBI Director James Comey's statement exonerating Hillary Clinton for transmitting classified info over an unsecured, private email server went far beyond what was previously known, as detailed in a Thursday letter from committee chairman Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) to FBI Director Christopher Wray.
The letter reveals specific edits made by senior FBI agents when Deputy Director Andrew McCabe exchanged drafts of Comey's statement with senior FBI officials, including Peter Strzok, Strzok's direct supervisor, E.W. "Bill" Priestap, Jonathan Moffa, and an unnamed employee from the Office of General Counsel (identified by Newsweek as DOJ Deputy General Counsel Trisha Anderson) - in what was a coordinated conspiracy among top FBI brass to decriminalize Clinton's conduct by changing legal terms and phrases, omitting key information, and minimizing the role of the Intelligence Community in the email investigation. Doing so virtually assured that then-candidate Hillary Clinton would not be prosecuted.
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The letter reveals specific edits made by senior FBI agents when Deputy Director Andrew McCabe exchanged drafts of Comey's statement with senior FBI officials, including Peter Strzok, Strzok's direct supervisor, E.W. "Bill" Priestap, Jonathan Moffa, and an unnamed employee from the Office of General Counsel (identified by Newsweek as DOJ Deputy General Counsel Trisha Anderson) - in what was a coordinated conspiracy among top FBI brass to decriminalize Clinton's conduct by changing legal terms and phrases, omitting key information, and minimizing the role of the Intelligence Community in the email investigation. Doing so virtually assured that then-candidate Hillary Clinton would not be prosecuted.
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Illegal immigration on border surges back to Obama levels
Illegal immigration across the Southwest border has surged back to Obama-era levels, according to the latest data released Friday that suggests the gains President Trump made early in his tenure have worn off.
Nearly 40,000 illegal immigrants were nabbed attempting to sneak in at the border in November, which was up about 12 percent compared to October, and more than twice the monthly numbers from March and April, when Mr. Trump touted his early accomplishments.
Perhaps just as worrisome for officials is the rise in families traveling together, which surged 45 percent last month, and unaccompanied minors traveling without parents, which rose 26 percent in November.
More here
Nearly 40,000 illegal immigrants were nabbed attempting to sneak in at the border in November, which was up about 12 percent compared to October, and more than twice the monthly numbers from March and April, when Mr. Trump touted his early accomplishments.
Perhaps just as worrisome for officials is the rise in families traveling together, which surged 45 percent last month, and unaccompanied minors traveling without parents, which rose 26 percent in November.
More here
Mainstream Media Whitewash Admits US Funds ISIS But There Is Much More To The Story
Following on the heels of the pseudo-journalistic whitewash by the BBC regarding the UK government’s funding of terrorism in Syria, USA Today has released a similar piece revealing how the United States has armed ISIS in Syria and Iraq.
Of course, USA Today claims that the arms which made their way from the United States and Saudi Arabia to the hands of ISIS were all unintentional, thus completing another whitewash of what has already been exposed numerous times in the alternative media.
The report by USA Today, entitled “The U.S. Bought Weapons For Syrian Rebels – And Some Wound Up In The Hands Of ISIS Terrorists,” Jim Michaels wrote,
Sophisticated weapons the U.S. military secretly provided to Syrian rebels quickly fell into the hands of the Islamic State, a study released Thursday disclosed.
The report said the Islamic State’s possession of these weapons remains a threat to the U.S.-led coalition still operating against the terror group in Iraq and Syria.
The arms included anti-tank weapons purchased by the United States that ended up in possession of the Islamic State within two months of leaving the factory, according to the study by Conflict Armament Research, an organization that tracks arms shipments. The study was funded by the European Union and German government.
Efforts by the United States and other countries to supply weapons to rebel groups “have significantly augmented the quantity and quality of weapons available to (Islamic State) forces,” the report concluded.
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Of course, USA Today claims that the arms which made their way from the United States and Saudi Arabia to the hands of ISIS were all unintentional, thus completing another whitewash of what has already been exposed numerous times in the alternative media.
The report by USA Today, entitled “The U.S. Bought Weapons For Syrian Rebels – And Some Wound Up In The Hands Of ISIS Terrorists,” Jim Michaels wrote,
Sophisticated weapons the U.S. military secretly provided to Syrian rebels quickly fell into the hands of the Islamic State, a study released Thursday disclosed.
The report said the Islamic State’s possession of these weapons remains a threat to the U.S.-led coalition still operating against the terror group in Iraq and Syria.
The arms included anti-tank weapons purchased by the United States that ended up in possession of the Islamic State within two months of leaving the factory, according to the study by Conflict Armament Research, an organization that tracks arms shipments. The study was funded by the European Union and German government.
Efforts by the United States and other countries to supply weapons to rebel groups “have significantly augmented the quantity and quality of weapons available to (Islamic State) forces,” the report concluded.
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Alabama’s top court blocks order to preserve digital voting records in Tuesday’s election
Alabama’s top court has blocked a lower court’s order directing state election officials to preserve all digital ballot images in Alabama’s hotly contested special Senate election between Roy Moore and Doug Jones.
Controversies surrounding Moore may give Democrat Jones an edge in the Republican-dominated state. Multiple women have accused Moore of sexual misconduct with teen girls when he was in his 30s. Moore is now 70 and denies the charges.
On Monday, a Montgomery County Circuit judge had ordered that all ballot scanners in the state save all digital copies of Tuesday’s ballots.
All counties employing digital ballot scanners in the Dec. 12, 2017, election are hereby ordered to set their voting machines to save all processed images in order to preserve all digital ballot images,” reads a court document obtained by AL.com.
Late Monday, attorneys for Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill and the state administrator of elections, Ed Packard, filed an emergency stay on the lower court injunction.
More here
Controversies surrounding Moore may give Democrat Jones an edge in the Republican-dominated state. Multiple women have accused Moore of sexual misconduct with teen girls when he was in his 30s. Moore is now 70 and denies the charges.
On Monday, a Montgomery County Circuit judge had ordered that all ballot scanners in the state save all digital copies of Tuesday’s ballots.
All counties employing digital ballot scanners in the Dec. 12, 2017, election are hereby ordered to set their voting machines to save all processed images in order to preserve all digital ballot images,” reads a court document obtained by AL.com.
Late Monday, attorneys for Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill and the state administrator of elections, Ed Packard, filed an emergency stay on the lower court injunction.
More here
Hypocrat of the Day
Pelosi made the remark as part of her criticism of the Republican tax-reform plan.
“This is who they are,” Pelosi said. “This is what they came here to do: tax cuts for the rich at the expense of the middle class, at the expense of the health and well-being of the American people. Robbing from the future by increasing the debt.”
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Tucker: Sexual Harassment Charges Being Used Against Innocent People ‘To Settle Scores, Gain Power’
The noble effort to eliminate sexual harassment has turned into “something dark and menacing,” Tucker Carlson warned Thursday, commenting on PBS host Tavis Smiley’s firing.
On his Fox News Channel program, Carlson said that Smiley’s politics are irrelevant to the charges being leveled against him.
Carlson warned that allegations are now being made against innocent people to gain revenge and political power:
“Innocent people fear persecution and that's always the hallmark of a witch hunt. Others use allegation to settle scores or gain power and that’s the opposite of justice.”
But, it’s not just public figures who should be worried, Carlson said:
On his Fox News Channel program, Carlson said that Smiley’s politics are irrelevant to the charges being leveled against him.
Carlson warned that allegations are now being made against innocent people to gain revenge and political power:
“Innocent people fear persecution and that's always the hallmark of a witch hunt. Others use allegation to settle scores or gain power and that’s the opposite of justice.”
But, it’s not just public figures who should be worried, Carlson said:
'No Women Were Interviewed' for 'Top Spot' at NYT
Commenting on the appointment of 37-year-old Arthur Gregg Sulzberger to be the new publisher of the New York Times, Catholic League President Bill Donohue said the hiring process at the "old-boys club par excellence" was a "classic case of nepotism," and added that "no women were interviewed for the top spot," nor were any blacks, Latinos, Asians, Native Americans, Muslims, Protestants, Catholics or transgenders.
There is no glass ceiling at the New York Times, said Donohue, there is a cement ceiling, "one that will never be penetrated by women or minorities."
The appointment of Arthur Gregg Sulzberger, or A.G., to the top spot was announced Thursday.
"The appointment was made by Arthur Gregg's father, Arthur Sulzberger Jr.," said Donohue in a statement released today. "He got his job because his predecessor, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, was his father. Thus does the white male dynasty continue."
A.G. "represents the fifth generation of his family since the Grand Patriarch, Adolph S. Ochs, bought the newspaper in 1896," said Donohue.
More here
There is no glass ceiling at the New York Times, said Donohue, there is a cement ceiling, "one that will never be penetrated by women or minorities."
The appointment of Arthur Gregg Sulzberger, or A.G., to the top spot was announced Thursday.
"The appointment was made by Arthur Gregg's father, Arthur Sulzberger Jr.," said Donohue in a statement released today. "He got his job because his predecessor, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, was his father. Thus does the white male dynasty continue."
A.G. "represents the fifth generation of his family since the Grand Patriarch, Adolph S. Ochs, bought the newspaper in 1896," said Donohue.
More here
Ben Shapiro: How to Deal with Bullies
This week, America found a new cause to rally around: Keaton Jones. Keaton is a middle school student who was apparently viciously bullied at school for the crime of having a scar on his head from the removal of a tumor. His mother filmed a video of him crying as he explained that other kids had poured milk over his head and mocked him; through his tears, Jones questioned why kids treat one another this way.
The video was absolutely heartbreaking.
It was particularly painful for me. I skipped two grades. By the time I hit sophomore year of high school, I was half a foot shorter and 40 pounds lighter than the other kids. The other kids had been in classes together for years; I was a newcomer. That meant being physically shoved into trash cans and lockers. On one overnight trip, some of my classmates handcuffed me to a metal-framed bed and then hit me repeatedly on the rear with a belt. I pretended to sleep through it, and rather unconvincingly.
So I know what Keaton went through. Being bullied makes you feel like a bottle about to burst — the frustration eats away at your stomach lining and makes you dread going to school. It makes you miserable; even when you're happy, you're constantly waiting for the next shoe to drop.
Still, I don't think Jones' mom should have taken that video.
I think that for two reasons..
More here
The video was absolutely heartbreaking.
It was particularly painful for me. I skipped two grades. By the time I hit sophomore year of high school, I was half a foot shorter and 40 pounds lighter than the other kids. The other kids had been in classes together for years; I was a newcomer. That meant being physically shoved into trash cans and lockers. On one overnight trip, some of my classmates handcuffed me to a metal-framed bed and then hit me repeatedly on the rear with a belt. I pretended to sleep through it, and rather unconvincingly.
So I know what Keaton went through. Being bullied makes you feel like a bottle about to burst — the frustration eats away at your stomach lining and makes you dread going to school. It makes you miserable; even when you're happy, you're constantly waiting for the next shoe to drop.
Still, I don't think Jones' mom should have taken that video.
I think that for two reasons..
More here
Spike in Illegal Immigration Coincides with Talk of DACA Amnesty From GOP
The number of border-crossings in November 2017, Breitbart Texas reported, has risen to a staggering 39,006 illegal aliens. This puts last month’s border-crossings under Trump in-line with former President Obama’s administration when it comes to illegal immigration at the southern border.
Since April 2017, border-crossings have risen under Trump a whopping 147 percent.
Meanwhile, the increase in illegal aliens attempting to enter the U.S. through the southern border has coincided with constant discussion from the Republican establishment, Democrats, the open borders lobby, and corporate interests about giving amnesty to nearly 800,000 illegal aliens under the Obama-created Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
More here
Moore's Defeat in Alabama is NOT a Bellwether
We’ve been through this before, but the setup is key. One month before the Alabama Senate election, The Washington Post published apolitically timed hit piece detailing 40-year-old allegations of sexual misconduct against Roy Moore. The allegations were well reported and corroborated, and Moore did an ineffective job of refuting them, which, among other problematic aspects of his candidacy, cost him the election. (Note: We consider these allegations entirely separate from feminist charlatan Gloria Allred’s follow-up publicity stunt, which is far less believable.) In other words, contrary to Moore’s refrain of “fake news,” which absolutely is a problem, that wasn’t really the issue with these Post-reported allegations.
The core issue is that it was a political bushwhack. Clearly, the Post sat on the allegations until after Moore won the primary so as to do maximum damage to Moore, the GOP and President Donald Trump. It was clever, professionally done, and it worked.
Which brings us to the latest Post headlines: “Alabama results remake 2018 election playbook for both parties” and “Democrats see road map for 2018 in huge turnout among black voters in Alabama.” The stories are all about the bellwether Alabama supposedly represents.
What the Post is trying to do is spin Tuesday’s results as evidence of some overwhelming surge in favor of Democrats and, especially, a rejection of Trump.
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The core issue is that it was a political bushwhack. Clearly, the Post sat on the allegations until after Moore won the primary so as to do maximum damage to Moore, the GOP and President Donald Trump. It was clever, professionally done, and it worked.
Which brings us to the latest Post headlines: “Alabama results remake 2018 election playbook for both parties” and “Democrats see road map for 2018 in huge turnout among black voters in Alabama.” The stories are all about the bellwether Alabama supposedly represents.
What the Post is trying to do is spin Tuesday’s results as evidence of some overwhelming surge in favor of Democrats and, especially, a rejection of Trump.
More
How House members quietly sidestep harassment claims
Critics lambaste taxpayer-funded probe of Farenthold’s office that failed to release results.
Members of Congress and government watchdogs are questioning why a little-known House agency used taxpayer funds to investigate a sexual harassment complaint involving Rep. Blake Farenthold’s office last year, and then failed to make the results public.
The Office of House Employment Counsel operates under the auspices of the House clerk’s office and advises members on employment practices. It also facilitates investigations into employee complaints, a spokesperson confirmed to POLITICO. But what happens afterward is murky: The office appears to serve House members and their offices — not necessarily the employees — and makes no public accounting of its determinations or its expenditures.
A spokesperson for the office declined to say how many sexual harassment complaints or other investigations it’s handled in recent years, citing attorney-client privilege. It also declined to reveal the firms that it hired or the amount paid to them. In addition, both Democratic and Republican House leadership offices declined to answer questions about the internal investigations.
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Members of Congress and government watchdogs are questioning why a little-known House agency used taxpayer funds to investigate a sexual harassment complaint involving Rep. Blake Farenthold’s office last year, and then failed to make the results public.
The Office of House Employment Counsel operates under the auspices of the House clerk’s office and advises members on employment practices. It also facilitates investigations into employee complaints, a spokesperson confirmed to POLITICO. But what happens afterward is murky: The office appears to serve House members and their offices — not necessarily the employees — and makes no public accounting of its determinations or its expenditures.
A spokesperson for the office declined to say how many sexual harassment complaints or other investigations it’s handled in recent years, citing attorney-client privilege. It also declined to reveal the firms that it hired or the amount paid to them. In addition, both Democratic and Republican House leadership offices declined to answer questions about the internal investigations.
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University says Santa, Christmas trees 'not appropriate' for holidays
Santa Claus, Christmas trees and the colors red and green are examples of inappropriate “religious iconography” during the holiday season, according to a paper distributed during a “Respecting Religious Diversity” event at the University of Minnesota.
"Jewish Hanukkah" is targeted, too, with menorahs and the colors blue and white also described as being "not appropriate."
“Consider neutral-themed parties such as a ‘winter celebration,’” the handout read. “Decorations, music, and food should be general and not specific to any one religion.”
“Our religious/spiritual beliefs and practices can play a key role in our identity but can be ‘off limits’ for discussion especially in public spaces,” part of the event’s description read.
More here
"Jewish Hanukkah" is targeted, too, with menorahs and the colors blue and white also described as being "not appropriate."
“Consider neutral-themed parties such as a ‘winter celebration,’” the handout read. “Decorations, music, and food should be general and not specific to any one religion.”
“Our religious/spiritual beliefs and practices can play a key role in our identity but can be ‘off limits’ for discussion especially in public spaces,” part of the event’s description read.
More here
Democratic Virginia Rep. Bobby Scott accused of sexual harassment
A former congressional aide Friday accused Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., of sexually harassing her and claimed she was fired and blackballed from further work on Capitol Hill when she refused his advances.
Reese Everson, a former Congressional Black Caucus Fellow, alleged that Scott touched her leg and body without permission and promised to advance her career if she let him flirt with her.
Everson discussed her allegations on an episode of Fox News' "The Ingraham Angle" last month, but did not identify Scott as the lawmaker who allegedly harassed her.
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Reese Everson, a former Congressional Black Caucus Fellow, alleged that Scott touched her leg and body without permission and promised to advance her career if she let him flirt with her.
Everson discussed her allegations on an episode of Fox News' "The Ingraham Angle" last month, but did not identify Scott as the lawmaker who allegedly harassed her.
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http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/15/democratic-virginia-rep-bobby-scott-accused-sexual-harassment.html
TV Ratings: ‘Thursday Night Football’ Fall To Season Low With Broncos’ Win
Perhaps adding fuel to the criticism against the near-end-of-week game, the stakes were pretty low for last night’s Thursday Night Football, with neither the Denver Broncos nor the Indianapolis Colts in the playoff running this season.
At least with their 25-13 win, the Broncos snapped an eight-game losing streak on the road in Week 15 of the season. Not that many were interested, it seems – and we don’t just mean all those empty seats at Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium in a season sideswiped by protests, controversy and ratings declines.
Snagging a 7.4/13 in metered market results, last night’s TNF was a season low for the broadcast, on both CBS and NBC and simulcast on NFL Network. Taking a double-digit hit, the game was down from last week and also the comparable gridiron matchup of last year where the Seattle Seahawks beat the L.A. Rams 24-3.
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At least with their 25-13 win, the Broncos snapped an eight-game losing streak on the road in Week 15 of the season. Not that many were interested, it seems – and we don’t just mean all those empty seats at Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium in a season sideswiped by protests, controversy and ratings declines.
Snagging a 7.4/13 in metered market results, last night’s TNF was a season low for the broadcast, on both CBS and NBC and simulcast on NFL Network. Taking a double-digit hit, the game was down from last week and also the comparable gridiron matchup of last year where the Seattle Seahawks beat the L.A. Rams 24-3.
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Strassel: FBI Still Stonewalling Congress on Clinton Email Inquiry
Kimberley Strassel said the FBI is stonewalling Congress' questions about how the bureau handled the Hillary Clinton email investigation.
On "The Daily Briefing" on Friday, Strassel, a member of The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board, pointed to the revelation that then-FBI Director James Comey’s draft statement on the Clinton email investigation was heavily edited before his July 2016 public announcement.
Line-by-line edits show "grossly negligent" being downgraded to "extremely careless." Similarly, the phrasing that it is “reasonably likely” hostile actors had gained access to then-Secretary of State Clinton’s private email account was downgraded to merely "possible."
Strassel said the FBI needs to answer questions about how and why these edits were made, and the agency has thus far appeared unwilling to do so.
More/Video
On "The Daily Briefing" on Friday, Strassel, a member of The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board, pointed to the revelation that then-FBI Director James Comey’s draft statement on the Clinton email investigation was heavily edited before his July 2016 public announcement.
Line-by-line edits show "grossly negligent" being downgraded to "extremely careless." Similarly, the phrasing that it is “reasonably likely” hostile actors had gained access to then-Secretary of State Clinton’s private email account was downgraded to merely "possible."
Strassel said the FBI needs to answer questions about how and why these edits were made, and the agency has thus far appeared unwilling to do so.
More/Video
Boston University professor: 'Jingle Bells' rooted in racism
“Jingle Bells,” one of the most well-known Christmas carols in the world, is now being called racist.
A Boston University theater professor claims the Christmas carol has a “problematic history” because it was originally performed to make fun of African Americans.
“The legacy of ‘Jingle Bells’ is one where its blackface and racist origins have been subtly and systematically removed from its history,” Kyna Hamill, a BU theater historian, wrote in her “Theatre Survey” research paper on the story of “Jingle Bells.”
“Although ‘One Horse Open Sleigh,’ for most of its singers and listeners, may have eluded its racialized past and taken its place in the seemingly unproblematic romanticization of a normal ‘white’ Christmas, attention to the circumstances of its performance history enables reflection on its problematic role in the construction of blackness and whiteness in the United States,” she wrote.
More high-level thinking here..
[People pay good money to learn stuff like this.. --Editor]
A Boston University theater professor claims the Christmas carol has a “problematic history” because it was originally performed to make fun of African Americans.
“The legacy of ‘Jingle Bells’ is one where its blackface and racist origins have been subtly and systematically removed from its history,” Kyna Hamill, a BU theater historian, wrote in her “Theatre Survey” research paper on the story of “Jingle Bells.”
“Although ‘One Horse Open Sleigh,’ for most of its singers and listeners, may have eluded its racialized past and taken its place in the seemingly unproblematic romanticization of a normal ‘white’ Christmas, attention to the circumstances of its performance history enables reflection on its problematic role in the construction of blackness and whiteness in the United States,” she wrote.
More high-level thinking here..
[People pay good money to learn stuff like this.. --Editor]
FLOODGATES OPEN: Congress ‘To Be Rocked’ In Next 72 Hours; Over A Dozen Resignations Coming, Says Reporter
An investigative reporter with The Daily Caller News Foundation (DCNF) announced on Friday that Congress’ human resources scandal is about to break wide-open and predicted that over a dozen members of the House of Representatives will resign.
DCNF reporter Luke Rosiak tweeted on Friday: “Congress' human resources scandal is just getting started. I anticipate we will see the resignation of more than a dozen House members over harassment and secret settlements, and soon.”
DCNF reporter Luke Rosiak tweeted on Friday: “Congress' human resources scandal is just getting started. I anticipate we will see the resignation of more than a dozen House members over harassment and secret settlements, and soon.”
Mom charged with child abuse after son had 323 doctor visits, 13 surgeries
Dallas, Texas — A community in Dallas, Texas, is reeling over a 34-year-old mother charged with child abuse after spending the past eight years taking her son to 323 doctor visits and putting him through 13 major surgeries.
Kaylene Bowen-Wright, of Lake Highlands, was arraigned in Dallas County on Dec. 6 on a warrant accusing her of injury to a child with serious bodily injury, with bail set at $150,000, according to court documents. Bowen-Wright was also ordered not to communicate with her son Christopher, 8, and have no contact with other minors.
"Throughout his young life, Christopher has been placed full time on oxygen and, at times, used a wheelchair. He's endured invasive procedures and surgeries, including being fitted with a feeding tube that fed directly into his small intestine and led to multiple life-threatening blood infections," the Star-Telegram reported.
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Kaylene Bowen-Wright, of Lake Highlands, was arraigned in Dallas County on Dec. 6 on a warrant accusing her of injury to a child with serious bodily injury, with bail set at $150,000, according to court documents. Bowen-Wright was also ordered not to communicate with her son Christopher, 8, and have no contact with other minors.
"Throughout his young life, Christopher has been placed full time on oxygen and, at times, used a wheelchair. He's endured invasive procedures and surgeries, including being fitted with a feeding tube that fed directly into his small intestine and led to multiple life-threatening blood infections," the Star-Telegram reported.
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LEGENDARY COMMENTS BY GEORGE CHEVALLIER 12-16-17
The Christmas Tree
A long-held practice has been to put up a Christmas tree at this time of the year. Over the years, there have been many different ways to accomplish this. People used to go out and cut down their tree. This was fine if you knew who owned the land where you were getting the tree. Or, you could just go out and hunt the public lands for that most perfect of trees. Either way, it was always a good adventure for the father and the kids to spend a Saturday at this time of the year. It sort of added to the excitement that children always had. Sometimes, the children would pick one out that was somewhat less than perfect. It didn’t matter to them, it was their tree, and the decorations would more than make up for any defects nature had bestowed upon it.
Following this practice was the advent of the Christmas tree lot. These were usually trees that had been cut as early as September, and it was only a knowledgeable father that could tell if the tree would fall apart as soon as it was brought inside. Making sure the needles were firm was of the utmost importance. If they weren’t, you might have a very scraggly-looking tree within a few days of putting it up. Cutting the bottom few inches from the base was very important as that is where the tree would absorb water. Watering the tree was a daily ritual and one that was usually assigned to a child because of their small stature making it easier to get under the lower branches.
The old-fashioned decorations are not seen much anymore, and that is a shame. Strings of popcorn took a lot of time but provided activity for the children. There were also the strings made out of construction paper. Strips about one inch wide were cut from different-colored sheets of construction paper and then glued together to make a long string that would then be hung on the tree.
Electric lights replaced candles many years ago and they were always the job of the father. Along with the standard bulb-shaped bulbs, there was the occasional bubbling candle light. I can remember we had only one of them and, when it heated up and started to bubble, we were properly amazed. In the old days, when a light burned out, you just replaced it. The new strings all go out when any other light burns out.
The next-to-last accoutrement of the tree was the tinsel. The tinsel of the 1950’s was made of aluminum, and my mother always saved it from year to year. It was quite a job to take off all that tinsel and store it properly, but it was aluminum and that was something like gold is now. I, myself, am particularly fond of tinsel. One year, I put on 11,000 strands of tinsel when my boys were small. When the lights were off, it looked like a large silver tree in our living room. But when evening came and the lights were on, it was the most magnificent tree ever. Pictures and memories of that tree are all I have left now.
The absolute last ornament to go on the tree was the Christmas angel on the top of the tree. When that was proudly resting on the topmost branch, the tree was ready for the season.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Google Using Its Immense Power To Censor Content That Doesn’t Fit Its Political Goals
It took seven crucial hours and the full force of our news site to push Google and YouTube to reverse this political censorship. We were able to prevail because of the sizable contacts and resources of The Daily Caller. An average citizen showcasing a political viewpoint Google and the left disagreed with would almost certainly have had a far more difficult — and fruitless — time fighting back.
At TheDC, we knew that releasing a video of Pai fidget-spinning in a Santa suit, swinging light sabers and playing with a puppy a day before the FCC’s net neutrality vote would ruffle some feathers. We were prepared for the hyperventilating over the video to reach a fever pitch as the Obama-era internet regulations were rolled back Thursday afternoon. Indeed, the video was viewed millions of times over a 24-hour period, was featured in a broad spectrum of news media, and spawned an avalanche of memes on Reddit.
More here
“The vet said it was a miracle. The miracle came from the people that assisted.”
Each and every morning she finds the two mares, Sadie and Chrissy, waiting for her as she heads out to feed them just before 7 a.m.
When she didn’t see them Monday morning, she knew right away something was wrong. Nevertheless, her heart sank when she found the pair deep in the woods on her 42-acre property. Sadie was submerged in a tax ditch, stuck in mud nearly up to her neck, as Chrissy stood nearby.
“That silt settles and it’s like quicksand,” she said, describing the array of ditches and culverts surrounding the Timmonstown Branch. “I knew we were going to have to put her down.”
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Liberal Love: FCC Bomb Threat
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai was in the middle of his speech during a hearing on net neutrality Thursday when he was interrupted by security responding to a bomb threat.
“I am being advised by security that we are going to have to take a break,” Pai calmly told the audience. Soon after, a security guard could be heard loudly advising everyone in the room — both the Commissioners and the public visitors — to exit and leave their belongings in the federal agency chambers.
An advisor to one of the Commissioners told The Daily Caller News Foundation that there was a specific bomb threat. Another senior official in the room said someone called into the office and said a briefcase was set to explode.
More here
“I am being advised by security that we are going to have to take a break,” Pai calmly told the audience. Soon after, a security guard could be heard loudly advising everyone in the room — both the Commissioners and the public visitors — to exit and leave their belongings in the federal agency chambers.
An advisor to one of the Commissioners told The Daily Caller News Foundation that there was a specific bomb threat. Another senior official in the room said someone called into the office and said a briefcase was set to explode.
More here
Trooper Involved Shooting with Suspect Fatally Wounded-Wilmington
Wilmington – The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit is continuing to investigate a trooper involved shooting that occurred today. The suspect, 30 of Wilmington, has succumbed to his injuries.
The trooper who sustained bodily injuries, was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and was treated and released.
The 37 year old Trooper involved in this incident has been employed by the Delaware State Police for 11 years, and is assigned to Troop 6 patrol, in Prices Corner, DE. He has been placed on administrative leave as per Divisional Policy, pending the outcome of the investigation.
Troopers continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident, with further details to be released as the investigation progresses.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective M. Csapo of the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit by calling 302-741-2729. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com
The trooper who sustained bodily injuries, was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and was treated and released.
The 37 year old Trooper involved in this incident has been employed by the Delaware State Police for 11 years, and is assigned to Troop 6 patrol, in Prices Corner, DE. He has been placed on administrative leave as per Divisional Policy, pending the outcome of the investigation.
Troopers continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident, with further details to be released as the investigation progresses.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective M. Csapo of the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit by calling 302-741-2729. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com
NOI 12/15/17 Wicomico Garage Fire Morris Leonard Rd.
NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION
Date: December 15, 2017
Time: 8:23 a.m.
Location / Address: 32032 Morris Leonard Rd., Parsonsburg, Wicomico Co.
Type of Incident: Fire
Description of Structure / Property: One story wood framed detached garage
Owner / Occupants: Brent and Sharon Zockoll
Injuries or Deaths: None
Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $ 15,000 Contents: $10,000
Smoke Alarm Status: n/a
Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: n/a
Arrests(s): None
Primary Responding Fire Department: Parsonsburg
# of Alarms: 1 # Of Firefighters: 15
Time to Control: 20 minutes
Discovered By: Passerby
Area of Origin: Interior
Preliminary Cause: Accidental, combustibles too close to a fireplace insert
2017 Maryland State Police Berlin Barrack Shop With A Cop TODAY
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.
Businesses from Baltimore to D.C. region will need 135K more workers in next 5 years — many in digital roles
Employers participating in a business alliance that stretches from Baltimore to Richmond, Va., will need to hire more than 135,000 workers — including thousands of “digital tech” workers — over the next five years to fill open jobs, the group said in a report released Wednesday.
About 20,000 of those open jobs will be for positions in 20 occupations with high levels of digital activity, such as software developers and programmers, computer support, database and systems, technology and engineering, and information systems, according to the Greater Washington Partnership, a civic alliance of CEOs of companies that employ more than 175,000 workers in the region.
The partnership, which is working to develop, attract and retain digital technology workers, said it believes the region can emerge as a global leader in the cybersecurity field, which could boost the region’s growth rate by as much as 20 percent. Employers have identified gaps in necessary skills. The business group said some 35,000 digital tech jobs are currently unfilled in the region.
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About 20,000 of those open jobs will be for positions in 20 occupations with high levels of digital activity, such as software developers and programmers, computer support, database and systems, technology and engineering, and information systems, according to the Greater Washington Partnership, a civic alliance of CEOs of companies that employ more than 175,000 workers in the region.
The partnership, which is working to develop, attract and retain digital technology workers, said it believes the region can emerge as a global leader in the cybersecurity field, which could boost the region’s growth rate by as much as 20 percent. Employers have identified gaps in necessary skills. The business group said some 35,000 digital tech jobs are currently unfilled in the region.
More