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Friday, December 22, 2017

Children who eat fish just once a week have higher IQs

Children who eat fish just once a week have higher IQs and sleep better, new research reveals.

Consuming seafood at least once every seven days improves youngsters' IQ scores by 4.8 points compared to those who never eat it, a study found today.

Frequently eating fish also makes children less likely to wake in the night, be tired during the day and resist going to bed, the research adds.

Study author Professor Adrian Raine from the University of Pennsylvania, said: 'If fish improves sleep, great. If it also improves cognitive performance - like we've seen here - even better. It's a double hit.'

Previous research reveals certain types of fish contain omega-3 fatty acids, which play a role in the growth and development of nerve tissue and may therefore boost intelligence.

These fatty acids also play a role in the production of the hormone melatonin, which regulates sleep and wakefulness.

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Caddell: Establishment Elites 'Want to Manage the Decline of America,’ But the American People ‘Rage Against the Dying of the Light’

Americans are rejecting an offer of managed American decline from the political class, said veteran pollster Pat Caddell on Wednesday’s edition of Breitbart News Tonight on SiriusXM.

Drawing on Dylan Thomas’s 1947 poem, Caddell waxed poetic during a discussion with SiriusXM host and Breitbart News’ Executive Chairman Stephen K. Bannon.

“They will not go gently into that good night of decline,” said Caddell. “The American people will rage against the dying of the light, and that is the moment that we are continuing toward.”

The narrative of American decline — commensurate with relative ascendancies from global competitors among the world’s emerging economies – is often frame by progressive elites as both an inevitable and desirable trajectory.

The election of Donald Trump to the presidency, said Bannon, was a function of popular rejection of American decline:

“It’s one of the things I told then-candidate Trump … ‘[Caddell’s] underlying research shows that the country’s heading your way, that it’s two-thirds [of Americans view the country on the] wrong track. More importantly, that America, 70 or 75 percent of the people believe America is in decline.’”

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Report: Legalizing 'Dreamers' Would Cost Taxpayers $26 Billion

Newly legalized Dreamers would sponsor 80,000 more immigrants to enter U.S. as part of ‘chain migration,’ says 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.

The findings could be a blow to activists who have demanded the bill be included in any year-end spending deal.

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Congressman: 'Concerted Effort' Within FBI To Help Hillary Win Election

‘You can’t make this stuff up. This story gets worse and worse each and every day,’ says Rep. Jim Jordan

Did the FBI attempt to swing the outcome of the 2016 election in a certain direction? I know that question sounds completely outrageous, but this is exactly what one member of Congress is now claiming.

For a long time we have known that elements within the Deep State have been actively working to undermine the Trump administration, but now solid evidence is emerging that the interference by the Deep State actually began during the presidential election. As more details come out, this could easily become one of the biggest political scandals in U.S. history.

If you think that I am exaggerating, please consider what U.S. Representative Jim Jordan told Lou Dobbs just the other day…

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Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford Presents Executive Order Granting Accohannock Tribe Maryland Indian Status

Third Indian Tribe in Maryland to Receive Designation

ANNAPOLIS, MD –
Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford today presented Executive Order 01.01.2017.31, which officially establishes the Accohannock Native American Tribe of Maryland with Maryland Indian Status, to members of the Accohannock Tribal Council and tribal leaders. The Accohannock Tribe is the third in Maryland to receive the designation.

“As some of the first watermen, hunters, and farmers on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, the Accohannock Tribe helped the first settlers in the state learn to survive off of the land,” said Lt. Governor Rutherford. “Today, the Accohannock community continues to serve an important role in our state, and we hope they will continue to thrive in Maryland for years to come.”

The Accohannock Tribe predominantly resides on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, with their Tribal Office located in Marion Station. Among other community-building initiatives, the tribe currently oversees, manages, and maintains Bending Water Park in Somerset County, Maryland, and hosts an annual “Healing of All Nations” pow-wow at the park, which provides educational programs and cultural demonstrations.

“It was important for the Accohannock Indians not to become a lost and forgotten people," said Mike Hinman, Tribal Chairman of the Accohannock tribe. "Today we can say with more meaning than ever, we are still here, where we have always been, and where we will go into the future until the creator tells us we are no more.”

Maryland Indian Status is granted by Executive Order by the Governor of Maryland following a rigorous petition process overseen by the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs. Tribes granted Maryland Indian Status qualify for certain federal, state, and non-profit assistance to provide resources to tribal members and to be used towards cultural education. Maryland Indian Status has also been granted to the Piscataway-Canoy Tribe and the Piscataway Indian Nation.

The executive order will be effective in 30 days, following review by the Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review Committee of the General Assembly (AELR).

‘Selfitis’ is a genuine mental disorder

Are you obsessed with taking selfies?

Chances are you might have “selfitis” — a genuine mental condition that makes a person feel compelled to constantly take photos and post them on social media, psychologists say.

The term has been around since 2014 to describe obsessive selfie-taking but has not been backed by science until now.

Researchers from Nottingham Trent University and Thiagarajar School of Management investigated the term and discovered six motivating factors. Experts have even developed a “Selfitis Behaviour Scale” to assess how badly a person’s condition is.

Those who suffer from selfitis are generally seeking to boost their confidence, seek attention, improve their mood, make memories, conform with their social group and be socially competitive.

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House GOP Establishment, Democrats Rush to Unveil DACA Amnesty for Illegal Aliens

Republican establishment-types in the House, as well as congressional Democrats, say they are close to finalizing a bipartisan amnesty plan for as many as 3.5 million illegal aliens.

In a comment to the Hill, Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) said a group of House Republicans and Democrats were swiftly crafting an amnesty to push for passage either this week or at the beginning of the new year. “We’ve had very good meetings here with the Problem Solvers Caucus — [Rep.] Will Hurd [R-Texas] has been working on a potential compromise with some Democrats as well, so we could see something as early as tonight,” Curbelo said.

The Republican establishment and Democrats, against the demands of President Trump’s pro-American immigration agenda, have sought to give amnesty to DACA illegal aliens since Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the program would be officially ended in March 2018.

However, House Speaker Ryan has said repeatedly he does not expect an amnesty debate until January.

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Florida legislators urge Puerto Rico governor to seek aid for Maria evacuees

As Puerto Rico continues to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Maria, Florida legislators are calling on Gov. Ricardo Rosselló to seek additional federal aid for the hundreds of thousands of evacuees that have come to the state.

The lawmakers sent a letter Monday urging Rosselló to request that FEMA extend the federal hotel voucher program, known as the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program, so evacuees can continue to receive the assistance for hotel stays across the state. The program is set to end Jan. 15.

“There are tens of thousands of families living in Florida and if just one family becomes homeless due to lack of action by the federal government or those officials making decisions in Puerto Rico, it is one family too many,” Sen. Victor Torres, D-Orlando, said in a statement.
The exodus from Puerto Rico has brought more than 200,000 people to Florida, includingtens of thousands of students in the state’s public schools.

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Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/article190543634.html#storylink=cpy

Judge Declares Mistrial In Bundy Case, Says Government Willfully Withheld Evidence

In a shocking verdict, Judge Gloria Navarro dismissed jurors Wednesday, declaring a mistrial in the Bundy Ranch case saying U.S. prosecutors willfully withheld critical and "potentially exculpatory" evidence from the defense.

Seemingly confirming what Cliven Bundy's son said during his opening statement:

"The indictment and grand jury testimony is full of lies. Truth has been blocked in previous trials.

Listen closely - we will try to get you the truth. The truth will set me free and I’m counting on you to help me see that."

As AZCentral.com reports, Navarro cited five key pieces of information that prosecutors did not disclose: records about surveillance and snipers at the Bundy Ranch; unredacted FBI logs about activity at the ranch in the days around the standoff; threat assessments about the Bundys dating to 2012; and internal affairs reports about the BLM.

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Stop-smoking drug increases users' risk of a heart attack

A stop-smoking drug increases users' risk of a heart attack by up to 34 percent, new research suggests.

Varenicline, which is prescribed under the brand name Chantix in the US and Champix in Europe, significantly raises users' chances of being hospitalized or visiting an emergency room for a cardiovascular-related event even if it is taken for the recommended 12 weeks, a Canadian study found.

The drug is also linked to self-harm and depression in older users, the research adds.

Previous research suggests this is due to varenicline's action on receptors found in tissues throughout the body.

Varenicline increases a smoker's chances of quitting by nearly three times by reducing nicotine cravings and blocking the rewarding effects of smoking.

A 12-week course of varenicline is one of the most effective ways to help people quit smoking, according to the NHS' website.

It says the drug is safe for most people to take and does not mention its cardiovascular or neuropsychiatric side effects aside from insomnia and vivid dreams.

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McCabe Testimony Contained "Numerous Conflicts" With Previous Witnesses; Subpoenas Planned

After Eight Hours Of Testimony And More Scheduled For Thursday, Congressional investigators tell Fox News that Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe dodged questions on the "Trump-Russia" dossier, and his testimony "contained numerous conflicts with the testimony of previous witnesses" so much that the House Intelligence Committee is planning to issue new subpoenas next week to Justice Department and FBI Personnel.

While HPSCI staff would not confirm who will be summoned for testimony, all indications point to demoted DOJ official Bruce G. Ohr and FBI General Counsel James A. Baker, who accompanied McCabe, along with other lawyers, to Tuesday’s HPSCI session. -Fox News

“It’s hard to know who’s telling us the tr

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Report: Andrew McCabe Left Dossier Questions Unanswered In Congressional Interview

Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe was unable to tell congressional investigators during seven hours of House testimony on Tuesday which parts of the infamous Trump dossier have been corroborated, according to a new report from Fox News.

McCabe, who met with House Intelligence Committee, told investigators that the FBI worked diligently to verify allegations made in the dossier, which was compiled by former British spy Christopher Steele.

According to Fox, McCabe stood by the document’s credibility. But as the network reports:

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Fifth Third Bancorp unveils bonuses, minimum wage hike after tax bill passage

Fifth Third Bancorp will pay more than 13,500 employees a bonus and raise the minimum wage for its workforce to $15 after the passage of the Republican tax plan that will cut the bank's corporate tax rate.

It is the second company to announce a bonus for employees because of the tax plan. AT&T said earlier Wednesday that it would pay 200,000 U.S. employees $1,000 each and increase its capital spending budget by $1 billion.

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Weekly Fishing Report: Dec. 20, 2017

This fishing report will close out 2017, but there are plenty of fishing opportunities for all regions of Maryland through the winter.

The preseason stocking of trout has begun and will pick up pace in January and February. Yellow perch are moving into the upper reaches of the tidal rivers while crappie, chain pickerel, catfish and walleye will stay active. The months of January and February often present the best opportunity to catch trophy-sized tautog off Ocean City.

Happy Holidays from all of the staff at Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fishing and Boating Services; enjoy the best of family and friends through this wonderful time of the year, and enjoy the great Maryland outdoors together. 

Attorney General Frosh Joins 13 States Calling on Congress to Reject “Deep and Damaging” EPA Cuts, Anti-Environment Budget Riders

House and Senate Would Eliminate Over $150 Million in Critical Funds, Slash EPA Staff by Over One-Quarter;

Proposed Budgets Cut Vital Programs Including Enforcement, Scientific Research, and Environmental Justice

BALTIMORE, MD –
Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh today joined a coalition of 13 states in calling on the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to reject “deep and damaging” cuts in funding for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and anti-environmental riders in federal budget bills. In a letter to Congressional leadership, the coalition charges that the EPA cuts and riders currently proposed by both houses “will lead to more pollution of our air, water, and communities, and an accompanying increase in damage to public health.” The coalition is urging Congress to pass a final budget that fully funds EPA and omits any anti-environmental riders.



“As forest fires rage on the West Coast, communities struggle to recover from multiple hurricanes, and States work to reduce pollution in our air and water, we should be discussing how to increase and not slash the budget of the agency charged with protecting our environment,” said Attorney General Frosh.

Researchers Win National Challenge; Susquehannock Wildlife Society Recognized

Nonprofit Recognized for Partnership in Natural Resources Mission

The Maryland Wildlife Advisory Commission recently awarded the Harford County-based Susquehannock Wildlife Society the Maryland Conservationist of the Year award.

The nonprofit was recognized for accomplishments in conservation, education, research and restoration, and for the group’s partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. 

Talbot-Bomb Threat-Peach Blossom Lane-Easton, MD

BOMB SQUAD NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION

Date: December 22. 2017

Time: 10:24 a.m.

Location / Address: 202 Peach Blossom Lane, Easton, Talbot County

Type of Incident: Bomb Threat

Description of Structure / Property: 22,000 square foot brick structure

Owner / Occupants: YMCA of Talbot County

Injuries or Deaths: None

Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $0.00 Contents: $0.00

Arrests(s): None

Primary Responding Fire Department: No Response

# of EMS Staff: n/a # Of Firefighters: n/a

Discovered By: YMCA Staff

Nature of Service Requested: Assist Easton Police Department

Action Taken/ Resolution: Canine Scan

Assisting Agencies: Maryland State Police, Wicomico Co Sheriff, Anne Arundel Co Sheriff, Delmar Police Dept, Annapolis Fire Marshal (All Explosive Canines/Handlers only)

Additional Information: The Easton Police Department requested the assistance of the Office of the State Fire Marshal Bomb Squad with a bomb threat at the YMCA. The building was scanned by the above canines and there were no positive canine alerts. The building was turned back over to YMCA staff. The Easton Police Department will follow up on the threat.

Breaking News: China and Russia joined the U.S. in imposing tough new sanctions on North Korea at the U.N., the latest effort to force the North into talks

The sanctions, adopted by a vote of 15 to 0, were the third imposed this year in an escalating effort to force the North into negotiations. China and Russia joined in the resolution, though American officials have charged that in recent months the Russians have secretly been opening new links to the North, including new internet connections that give the country an alternative to communicating primarily through China.

President Trump visits wounded troops at Walter Reed military hospital. Dec 21, 2017.

Border wall contractors face growing boycotts from Dem-led cities

As President Trump pushes forward with his promised U.S.-Mexico border wall, companies competing for the chance to work on the multi-billion-dollar project are facing mounting boycotts from local Democratic lawmakers moving to blacklist the border builders.

Coordinated efforts have been launched in California, Arizona, Illinois, New York and Rhode Island that would prohibit cities and towns from doing any official business with the companies as part of a larger resistance strategy to delay construction of the controversial wall.

Most recently, Berkeley’s City Council in California approved an ordinance that would ban it from contracting with companies involved in the construction.

More here

Trump puts his UN money where his mouth is

Ever encounter a panhandler, and, motivated by kindness, hand over a dollar? Only to have the beggar berate you for not giving more? That’s the situation the United States finds itself in with the United Nations.

President Trump’s not-so-subtle threat to remember which nations voted to condemn his recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital was the ultimate case of speaking truth to power.

The largest – by far – donor to the United Nations, and a provider of foreign aid to dozens of other U.N. member states, America holds a unique, though decidedly not privileged position in the so-called world body.

Yet for decades, it has been stymied by its rivals (China and Russia), by rogue regimes (Iran), and by a U.N. leadership that views America as a source of demonic, not democratic values.

Well and good. But why, then, should the U.S. continue to ante up 22 percent of the U.N.’s budget, and fully 28 percent of its peacekeeping effort?

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Chinese State Media: ‘China Is Not Ready’ for Head-On Competition with U.S.

The Chinese state Global Times newspaper published an opinion piece Wednesday sharply deviating from its typical belligerence against the United States, warning that “China is not ready” for competition with the U.S. and that Beijing “must learn from the U.S.” how to grow its economy.

Author Ai Jun’s article, “Is China ready to face direct competition with US?” responds to the title question with a resounding, “No.”

The piece argues that the Chinese government was preparing for a direct challenge from the United States further in the future, when it had properly prepared for confrontation. Now, however, thanks to President Donald Trump, China will have to confront the threat without having the upper hand economically or politically.

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Sessions DOJ Wins First Round for Trump over DACA at Supreme Court

Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Wednesday won the first legal battle at the Supreme Court over DACA.

The unanimous decision threw out orders by a federal trial judge and the Ninth Circuit appeals court requiring disclosure of sensitive government documents – papers which may include communications with President Donald Trump about the decision to end the amnesty program.

Two amnesty programs for illegal aliens were operating when President Trump was inaugurated. The first was DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), concerning illegal aliens brought to the United States at a young age, which covered 800,000 people. The second was DAPA, which broadened DACA’s terms to cover at least 4.3 million illegal aliens.

More details here

Final Tax Bill Keeps Senate's Loophole for Illegals Against House Hawks' Wishes

The final version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, passed Wednesday by the House and headed to President Donald Trump’s desk, will still allow illegal aliens to claim a lucrative child tax credit.

After immigration hawks in the House included a provision to require Social Security numbers (SSNs) for tax filers claiming the Additional Child Tax Credit, the language was significantly watered down in the Senate. The final version appears to allow even more illegal aliens to claim credits. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, however, still represents a major improvement over the current tax code, which allowed full utilization of child tax credits by illegals, even for children who were themselves illegal aliens.

The credit is now more valuable than ever because, at Sen. Marco Rubio’s (R-FL) insistence, the maximum refundable credit will increase from $1,000 per child to $1,100 per child in 2018 and then rise to $1,400.

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TRADER LEES Annual Christmas Party TONIGHT

December 22 (Lauren Glick ) 6 pm TRADER LEES annual Christmas Party Featuring ( RAMBLE ON ) 9 :30 pm

NASCAR's Richard Childress opens fire on home invaders

NASCAR racing team owner Richard Childress fired his gun at intruders at his home in Reedy Creek, North Carolina.

Three men wearing masks allegedly broke into Childress' home on Sunday at around 10.30pm, when a broken window set off the alarm.

Childress, 72, then fired at the intruders, but police say none of them seemed to be hurt as they fled the property.

Surveillance footage captured the suspected offenders.

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Baltimore Murder Rate Surges Again In 2017 (Now Tied With Venezuela); Here's How Your City Fared...

Once again this year, the Brennan Center for Justice has analyzed violent crime stats from the 30 largest cities in America to provide some insight on national trends. Not surprisingly, this year's report has is full of more bad news for the residents of cities like Baltimore and Chicago that have experienced devastating spikes in homicides over the past two years.

Looking at homicides per capita in 2017, Baltimore is clearly the most dangerous large city in the U.S. with a murder rate that is more than 4x the average of other large cities and some 40% higher than the second most dangerous city of Detroit. To put things in perspective, the murder rate in Baltimore is now exactly tied with Venezuela at 57.2 murders per 100,000 residents.

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David Stockman Warns "Gold Is The Only Safe Asset Left"

Record high stock and bond prices are flashing danger signs to former Reagan White House Budget Director David Stockman.

“I don’t think we are going to have a liquidity crisis. I think it’s going to be a value reset. I think there is going to be a jarring downward price adjustment both in the stock market and in the bond market.

This phantom or phony wealth that has been created since the last crisis is going to basically evaporate.”

So, what asset is safe? Stockman says gold and goes onto explain,

“I think the time to buy (gold and silver) is ideal. Gold is the ultimate and only real money. Gold is the only safe asset when push comes to shove. They tell you to buy the government bond, that’s a safe asset. It’s not a safe asset at its current price. I am not saying the federal government is going to default in the next two or three years. I am saying the yield on a 10-year bond of 2.4% is way below of where it’s going to end up. So, the only safe asset left is gold.

This crazy Bitcoin mania has drained off what would otherwise be a demand for gold....When Bitcoin collapses, spectacularly, which it will because it’s sheer mania in the markets right now. When it collapses, I think a lot of that demand will come back into gold, as well as people fleeing the standard stock and bond markets for the first time in 9 or 10 years.”

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Jennifer is battling MS and her... - Mojo In The Morning

Jennifer is battling MS and her 17-year-old son Christian is taking care of the family. He decided to finish high school from home to take care of his mom along with working 2 jobs and taking care of his little brother Logan. He helps her in the shower. He does her hair when she asks! Family means everything!

Global Free Movement: UN Chief Calls Migration a ‘Right’

Global free movement and “safe”, orderly mass migration should be a right for all poor and unskilled migrants from the third world, according to the director general of the United Nations’ Migration Agency.

Penning an article for International Migrants Day entitled, “Our Right of Passage Should Be Safe Migration”, International Organization for Migration (IOM) chief William Lacy Swing opined that the right of “safe migration” should not be limited to the “global elite” – of which the “privileged” caste he believes to include tourists, students, and legal migrant workers – but should be extended to those who would “have no chance of getting a visa or work permit”.

“While we live in a time when a privileged elite considers global mobility virtually a birth-right, it is denied to countless others, trapped in hopelessly bad economic or conflict circumstances,” Swing writes, lamenting that “hundreds of millions who are not part of the growing, truly global labour talent market find themselves outside looking in, and looking onto a world they can only dream of.”

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Statues of Confederate President Jefferson Davis and KKK leader Nathan Bedford Forrest are removed from Memphis after city sells parks

Authorities in Memphis, a city steeped in civil rights history, removed two statues of Confederate leaders on Wednesday hours after the downtown parkland where they stood was sold to a private group.

Several U.S. cities have in recent months dismantled monuments to Confederate leaders, which have become focal points for a fraught national debate over race and politics.

The removal of the statutes of Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Nathan Bedford Forrest comes three months before Memphis marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination there of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Confederate General Forrest was a slave trader and a Ku Klux Klan leader.

The City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to sell the two parks and crews began working right away to remove a statue of Forrest. At the second park, a statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis was later taken down.

Selling the parks to a third party was a way to get around the Tennessee Historical Commission, which had previously denied the city's petition to take the statues down.

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BREAKING NEWS: Trump signs $1.5 trillion tax overhaul into law

President Trump on Friday signed the sweeping tax cut bill — minutes before he left the White House for his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

About a half-hour earlier, he announced in a tweet that he would sign the “biggest ever Tax Cut and Reform Bill” in the Oval Office.

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MSNBC Host Drastically Overstates Economic Growth Numbers Under Obama

MSNBC host Stephanie Ruhle on Wednesday drastically overstated the number of quarters that saw three-percent economic growth during former President Barack Obama's administration.

During an interview with Republican Rep. Chris Collins (N.Y.) about the Republican tax overhaul bill, Ruhle pressed him about whether there would be entitlement cuts if the legislation does not pay for itself through economic growth.

Collins, who voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, said there will not be any cuts to entitlements, adding that strong economic growth under President Donald Trump will double the nation's economy. He also took a shot at sluggish growth under Obama, leading to a quick response from Ruhle, who often tussles with conservative guests.

"It's been growing at one, 1.5 percent for eight years under Barack Obama, which is the whole reason we ended up with $10 trillion in extra debt," Collins said.

Ruhle cut over him, claiming growth reached three percent at "14 different points during that period."

More here

Black Journalist Suggests Charlie Rose Is Racist For Not Sexually Harassing Her

“We’re still not talking about the ramifications for black women.”

Charlie Rose was racist for not sexually harassing black women at his workplace, at least that’s what Esquire’s Rebecca Carroll suggested in a recent column.

From Esquire, “My Experience at Charlie Rose Went Beyond Sexism”:

As one powerful man after another faces allegations of sexual misconduct, we’re still not talking about the ramifications for black women.

REBECCA CARROLL
DEC 4, 2017

In 1997, I joined the production team of Charlie Rose’s popular interview show. I was the only black journalist on staff. At the time, there was little to no recognition of what it meant to be black and female in a workplace dominated by white men. Twenty years later, in this watershed moment of examination and reckoning as one powerful white man after another is disgraced following allegations of sexual misconduct ranging from harassment to assault, we’re still not talking about the ramifications for black women—or the broader connection to structural racism in America.

… And while many of us on staff were subject to Charlie’s unsolicited shoulder massages and physical intimidation, as he towered above us at a height over six feet tall, the women Charlie preferred and preyed upon—at least that I witnessed—were white. It was an environment that all but erased me, while simultaneously exploiting me as a black woman. …

In America, the most desirable woman in the room—the most sacred, coveted, enshrined woman—has always been the white woman. …

To be clear, I’m not suggesting it would have been preferable for Charlie to have preyed upon me, too—but rather, his sexualization of white women was a manifestation of gendered power dynamics in the same way that his not sexualizing me was an expression of racialized power dynamics.

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Tennessee woman reveals how she didn't shop for a year

A Tennessee woman has revealed how giving up shopping for a year transformed not just her bank balance, but her outlook on life.

Ann Patchett, an author and owner of Parnassus Books in Nashville, has spoken out about her decision to move away from mass consumerism in a piece for The New York Times.

She said that as 2016 unfolded and the political landscape felt more uncertain, she found herself 'mindlessly scrolling through two particular shopping websites, numbing my fears with pictures of shoes, clothes, purses and jewelry' - and had a sudden epiphany.

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Sen Paul: Obama Officials May Have Colluded

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul called for an investigation on Thursday into what he says was collusion within the Obama administration “to prevent the election” of Donald Trump.

“This could be WORSE than Watergate!” Sen. Paul, a Republican, wrote on Twitter.

“Time to investigate high ranking Obama government officials who might have colluded to prevent the election of @realDonaldTrump!”

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Chicago Residents Turn On Obama – He Never Saw This Coming

Looks like Barack Obama is going to have to learn to live with disappointment. He has prepared for his presidential library for years. It’s part of his legacy. When Obama was elected, Chicago treated him literally as if he was the second coming of Christ. He was their favorite son. Nine years later, not so much. They are beginning to see the real Barack Obama at long last and I don’t think they like him much. It’s his way or the proverbial highway.

The citizens of Chicago are balking at the plans for Obama’s library and I don’t blame them. In its initial bid for the right to host the library, put forth on behalf of the city, the University of Chicago offered large tracts of idyllic land in Washington Park and Jackson Park as two potential sites. Chicagoans were perplexed… their dear leader of the people could build his temple in a more appropriate location. “Why not build it in one of the many blighted areas?” they asked. “Why are you taking a huge chunk of our parks?” That’s when Barack Obama told the city of Chicago that either it would be built in a Chicago park, or he would have his monument built in New York or Honolulu. Such loyalty. It’s touching, really.

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Cops: Missing Cookie Led To Domestic Attack

Angered that someone ate the last of his favorite chocolate chip cookies, a Florida man allegedly punched his live-in girlfriend in the face when she “did not want to argue over something so petty,” according to a police report.

Richard Hessic, 31, was arrested Thursday evening on a domestic battery charge following a confrontation in the Port St. Lucie home he shares with the victim, a 34-year-old nurse.

The 6’ 4” Hessic, who works as a butcher, will be arraigned December 28 on the misdemeanor count.

In an interview with cops responding to a 911 call, Hessic said that he had gotten into an argument with his girlfriend “over cookies.” An investigator noted that Hessic “was upset someone ate the last chocolate chip cookie,” and was also angry “at his girlfriend for not taking him seriously.” Believing that she was “blowing him off,” Hessic said that he ripped down the curtain as the woman was showering.

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BOOM! Donald Jr. EVISCERATES Eminem After He Mouths Off To President Trump

After months of listening to a guy who got rich off of misogyny, sexism, homophobia, racism, and all of the rest of the things that liberals don’t like, liberals have decided to hold him up as a shining example of the resistance against President Trump, simply because Eminem penned a poorly-worded diss track and threatened to put Ivanka Trump in his trunk. Oh, and lamented being white. Because you know, the worst thing he ever did was be born white. Not the drugs, not the violent, hateful lyrics toward women and minorities and the disabled, no. It was his skin color.

But this tool is most offended by the fact that Trump simply isn’t replying to his desperate pleas for attention. And while the President himself didn’t bother responding to the played out rapper, Donald Jr. decided to get a few quick jabs in before Eminem (whose government name is Marshal Mathers) totally fades into irrelevance.

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Boy Taken To Hospital 323 Times, Given 13 Unneeded Surgeries By Mom Reunited With Dad

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — An eight-year-old boy who was subjected to 13 unnecessary surgeries by his mother will be reunited with his father just in time for the holidays.

Ryan Crawford has reportedly been granted temporary custody of his son, Christopher Bowen, after the boy’s mother was charged with injuring a minor this month. Kaylene Bowen-Wright was arrested after taking her son to hospitals a staggering 323 times, with claims that the eight-year-old had a variety of different illnesses including cancer and a breathing disorder.

“God answers prayers. We’ve been praying for eight years,” Christopher’s grandmother, Nelly Crawford told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “This is a day we’ll never forget and celebrate… he’s going to be well taken care of because he is loved.” Ryan Crawford has reportedly been fighting the court system for several years after a judge banned him from seeing his son in 2012. Bowen-Wright had requested the ban after Crawford refused to believe her unfounded claims about their son’s health.

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Papa John's CEO Steps Down Following Controversial Remarks On NFL

John Schnatter, the founder of the Papa John's pizza chain, will step down as CEO in the wake of controversial comments he made last month about the NFL's handling of the anthem protests.

Schnatter will be replaced on Jan. 1 by the company's chief operating officer, Steve Ritchie. Schnatter will remain chairman of the board.

The 56-year-old founder of the chain came under fire after remarks he made during the company's third-quarter earnings call. He said Papa John's — a National Football League sponsor and advertiser — had been "hurt" by the "take a knee" protest led by African-American players to draw attention to police brutality.

"And more importantly, by not resolving the current debacle to the player and owners' satisfaction, NFL leadership has hurt Papa John's shareholders," Schnatter had said during the Nov. 1 call.

"Leadership starts at the top, and this is an example of poor leadership," he said.

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Hegseth: UN Has Become 'Anti-Israeli, Anti-Semitic, Anti-American Cesspool'

Pete Hegseth blasted the United Nations on Thursday as the world body voted to condemn the United States' plan to move its embassy to Jerusalem.

"We will remember this day," said U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley before the member nations overwhelmingly passed the resolution by a 128-9 vote in a rare emergency session.

"We will remember it when we are called upon once again to make the world's largest contribution to the United Nations. And we will remember when so many countries come calling on us, as they so often do, to pay even more and to use our influence for their benefit."

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Thank God Its Friday 12-22-17

What will you be doing this weekend?

Women brawl in front of kids party at Chuck E. Cheese’s

A family night at Chuck E. Cheese’s turned violent when two women started fighting, pulling each other’s hair and throwing fists as children celebrated a birthday nearby, video shows.

The 2-minute video, posted Saturday on Facebook, shows two unidentified women trading blows as stunned children and parents look on. The fight took place at a Chuck E. Cheese’s in Indianapolis, where several people, including employees, unsuccessfully tried to separate the female brawlers.

“Are you serious?” one woman asked after reminding the women where they were at the time.

One employee appears to tell another worker to call police, according to the video. The women later separated but continued shouting at each other in front of dozens of customers, including Cujo Bailey, who recorded the fight and posted it to Facebook. As of Tuesday, the video had been viewed more than 342,000 times.

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The Great Eastern Shore Deep Freeze in the Winter of 1976-77

Perhaps the deepest of all Eastern Shore deep freezes set in before Christmas, 1976, and it didn’t let up until well into February, 1977, two full bone-chilling months. Back then, only older folks on the Shore could remember anything like it—and those memories went clear back to 1918.

In order to top the Eastern Shore deep freeze of 1976/77, you pretty much have have to go back to the winter George Washington and his men spent at Valley Forge. On its website nowadays, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency’s history of Maryland weather rates 1976/77 the “coldest winter on the East Coast since maybe the founding of the Republic.”

By Christmas Day, 1976, the ice had already started inching out from creeks and rivers and into the Bay. As you can see from the photo up top here, the expanse that ice soon covered reached proportions that seem unfathomable to many of us living on the Eastern Shore today. Some of the scenes in old photos have an almost magical quality of winter wonderland, don’t they?

In St. Michaels, the hardy Miles River yacht-racing crowd got busy with hastily planned ice races. In Chestertown, Ken Noble recalled for the Beautiful Swimmers blog of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum a day when he and a friend “skated from High Street to Quaker Neck Landing and back—about 13 miles down the river. We could very well have skated to Baltimore!”

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Kapish?


Are You A Snowflake?


Great Idea


Kay James Elected President of Heritage Foundation

The board of trustees of the powerful Heritage Foundation on Tuesday announced that it has unanimously elected long-time conservative stalwart Kay Coles James as the new president of the flagship conservative think tank.

The past year has seen high political theater on almost a daily basis in the nation’s capital, from presidential politics to congressional scandals and blockbuster Supreme Court developments. Only a couple steps down from that prime-time-newsworthy material has been Heritage’s search for a new president for the conservative juggernaut.

Former president Ed Feulner retook the helm on an interim basis following the resignation of Sen. Jim DeMint in March 2017, and there has been nonstop speculation in D.C. since then as to who would permanently lead Heritage in what many people see as a window of extraordinary opportunity.

An early sign of James’s clout within the organization, and the conservative movement as a whole, was when she was tapped to lead Heritage’s search committee for a new president. When another trustee nominated her for consideration in her own right, she stepped aside from the committee and former Attorney General Edwin Meese chaired the selection process that ultimately led to unanimous support for James.

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