The judge who barred the Trump administration from turning back the Obama-era DACA program last week has some legal scholars concerned that the ruling could damage the notion of an impartial bench.
The New York Times reported Sunday that Judge William Alsup, the federal judge from the Northern District of California, used a local case before issuing the nationwide stop.
“How can a single judge decide a question for the whole country?” Samuel Bray, a law professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, asked the paper.
Bray wrote a recent article where he spoke out against federal judges issuing nationwide injunctions, the paper reported.
“Increasingly, legal scholars are concerned about the way national injunctions are transforming the relationship between the courts and the political branches,” he said.
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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Monday, January 15, 2018
FBI Probe Into Russian Uranium Bribes Concealed By Obama DOJ; Mueller, McCabe, Rosenstein Involved
Friday's 11-count indictment of former uranium transportation company executive, Mark Lambert, was the latest in a series of DOJ prosecutions involving individuals linked to the Russian nuclear industry and the Uranium One deal.
According to the indictment, Lambert and others at Transport Logistics International (TLI) engaged in several counts of bribery, kickbacks and money laundering with Russian nuclear official Vadim Mikerin, in order to secure business advantages with TENEX - a subsidiary of Rosatom, the Kremlin's state-owned energy company which bought Uranium One.
TLI would have ostensibly transported all of the uranium from the U1 deal, were it not for an FBI undercover mole buried deep within the Russian nuclear industry who gathered extensive evidence of corruption.
What many don't realize is that Lambert's Friday indictment is not the first linked to the Uranium One deal.
In fact, Robert Mueller's FBI had been investigating the scheme since at least 2008 - with retiring Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe assigned to the ongoing investigation which was hidden from the Committee on Foreign Investments in the Untid States (CFIUS). Had they known, the committee never would have approved the Uranium One deal with TENEX's parent company, Rosatom.
Four individuals were eventually prosecuted and given plea agreements after the Uranium One deal was approved. The prosecuting DOJ attorneys? Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and top Mueller investigator in the Trump-Russia probe, Andrew Weissman - who praised former acting Attorney General Sally Yates for defying Trump.
Unsurprisingly, all four indicted individuals were handed extremely light sentences, none of which made headlines.
The judge? Theodore Chuang - an Obama appointee who went to Harvard Law at the same time as Obama, advised Hillary Clinton as "Counselor on detail to the United States Department of State," and just so happened to strike down Trump's "Travel Ban" Executive Order. Chuang's wife, Jacinta Ma served as a senior policy advisor to Michelle Obama.
Independent researcher Imperator Rex has neatly tied it all together for your edification on Twitter:
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According to the indictment, Lambert and others at Transport Logistics International (TLI) engaged in several counts of bribery, kickbacks and money laundering with Russian nuclear official Vadim Mikerin, in order to secure business advantages with TENEX - a subsidiary of Rosatom, the Kremlin's state-owned energy company which bought Uranium One.
TLI would have ostensibly transported all of the uranium from the U1 deal, were it not for an FBI undercover mole buried deep within the Russian nuclear industry who gathered extensive evidence of corruption.
What many don't realize is that Lambert's Friday indictment is not the first linked to the Uranium One deal.
In fact, Robert Mueller's FBI had been investigating the scheme since at least 2008 - with retiring Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe assigned to the ongoing investigation which was hidden from the Committee on Foreign Investments in the Untid States (CFIUS). Had they known, the committee never would have approved the Uranium One deal with TENEX's parent company, Rosatom.
Four individuals were eventually prosecuted and given plea agreements after the Uranium One deal was approved. The prosecuting DOJ attorneys? Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and top Mueller investigator in the Trump-Russia probe, Andrew Weissman - who praised former acting Attorney General Sally Yates for defying Trump.
Unsurprisingly, all four indicted individuals were handed extremely light sentences, none of which made headlines.
The judge? Theodore Chuang - an Obama appointee who went to Harvard Law at the same time as Obama, advised Hillary Clinton as "Counselor on detail to the United States Department of State," and just so happened to strike down Trump's "Travel Ban" Executive Order. Chuang's wife, Jacinta Ma served as a senior policy advisor to Michelle Obama.
Independent researcher Imperator Rex has neatly tied it all together for your edification on Twitter:
More
Baltimore’s Star-Spangled Banner Centennial Monument Defaced
BALTIMORE (WJZ) — The Star-Spangled Banner Centennial Monument in Patterson Park has been defaced.
A photo posted in the Friends of Patterson Park Facebook page shows that someone used red paint on the sculpture, which depicts two children holding a scroll that reads: “To commemorate the centennial of the writing of the Star-Spangled Banner, the pupils of the public schools of Baltimore have erected this memorial upon Hampstead Hill where in September, 1814, the citizen soldiers of Maryland stood ready to sacrifice their lives in defense of their homes and their country.”
“Racist Anthem” is written on the ground in front of the monument.
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A photo posted in the Friends of Patterson Park Facebook page shows that someone used red paint on the sculpture, which depicts two children holding a scroll that reads: “To commemorate the centennial of the writing of the Star-Spangled Banner, the pupils of the public schools of Baltimore have erected this memorial upon Hampstead Hill where in September, 1814, the citizen soldiers of Maryland stood ready to sacrifice their lives in defense of their homes and their country.”
“Racist Anthem” is written on the ground in front of the monument.
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Trump pick John Ring would ensure GOP majority at labor enforcement agency
President Trump on Friday nominated business lawyer John Ring to serve on the National Labor Relations Board, the nation's top labor law enforcement agency. If confirmed by the Senate, Ring would serve a five-year term, ensuring that the board had a Republican-appointed majority through at least 2020.
Ring would fill the open seat left behind by former Chairman Philip Miscimarra, who stepped down in December. His confirmation would return the board, currently split evenly between Republican and Democrat appointees, to a 3-2 GOP majority.
The announcement was not a surprise. Ring has been widely rumored by Washington business trade associations to be the Trump administration's top pick for several months. He is co-chairman of the labor/management relations practice at the law firm Morgan, Lewis & Brockius, where he works on labor contracts, multiemployer benefit funds, and corporate restructurings.
The board achieved a reputation for pro-union activism during the Obama administration, which the Trump White House and congressional Republicans have been eager to reverse.
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Ring would fill the open seat left behind by former Chairman Philip Miscimarra, who stepped down in December. His confirmation would return the board, currently split evenly between Republican and Democrat appointees, to a 3-2 GOP majority.
The announcement was not a surprise. Ring has been widely rumored by Washington business trade associations to be the Trump administration's top pick for several months. He is co-chairman of the labor/management relations practice at the law firm Morgan, Lewis & Brockius, where he works on labor contracts, multiemployer benefit funds, and corporate restructurings.
The board achieved a reputation for pro-union activism during the Obama administration, which the Trump White House and congressional Republicans have been eager to reverse.
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Donald Trump’s Support Among Blacks Has Doubled Since 2016
Two new polls show President Donald Trump’s rising support among black voters, highlighting his political gains from pushing employers to hire Americans instead of lower-wage migrants.
The growing support from blacks — despite furious Democratic claims of racism — could become a shocking political validation in November when Trump will face millions of upper-income Democratic voters who are angry at his “Buy American, Hire American” policies.
Among black men, Trump’s “2017 average approval rating significantly exceeds his 2016 vote share,” admitted a January 11 article in the Atlantic by author Ronald Brownstein. “23 percent of black men approved of Trump’s performance versus 11 percent of black women,” said the article.
That score averages out to 17 percent, or twice the 8 percent score he was given in the 2016 exit polls.
More here
The growing support from blacks — despite furious Democratic claims of racism — could become a shocking political validation in November when Trump will face millions of upper-income Democratic voters who are angry at his “Buy American, Hire American” policies.
Among black men, Trump’s “2017 average approval rating significantly exceeds his 2016 vote share,” admitted a January 11 article in the Atlantic by author Ronald Brownstein. “23 percent of black men approved of Trump’s performance versus 11 percent of black women,” said the article.
That score averages out to 17 percent, or twice the 8 percent score he was given in the 2016 exit polls.
More here
Core Consumer Prices Rise Faster Than Expected As Rents Accelerate
Following deflationary prints in import prices and producer prices, core consumer prices came in modestly hotter than expected. Core CPI printed +1.8% YoY - highest since April 2017 - as shelter costs re-acclerate.
Headline SPI rose just 0.1% MoM (as expected) but notable slower than the 0.4% MoM rise in November.
The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.3 percent in December, its largest increase since January 2017.
The recent (silver lining) trend in lower shelter cost growth ended with a modest rise MoM and YoY in both Shelter and Rent inflation...
Along with the shelter index, the indexes for medical care, used cars and trucks, new vehicles, and motor vehicle insurance were among those that increased in December.
The indexes for apparel, airline fares, and tobacco all declined over the month.
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Headline SPI rose just 0.1% MoM (as expected) but notable slower than the 0.4% MoM rise in November.
The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.3 percent in December, its largest increase since January 2017.
The recent (silver lining) trend in lower shelter cost growth ended with a modest rise MoM and YoY in both Shelter and Rent inflation...
Along with the shelter index, the indexes for medical care, used cars and trucks, new vehicles, and motor vehicle insurance were among those that increased in December.
The indexes for apparel, airline fares, and tobacco all declined over the month.
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Democrats Expand 'Dreamer' Amnesty Plan to Include Millions of Parents
Senate Democrats claim they have developed a new bipartisan amnesty plan for young ‘dreamer’ illegals – but their plan also offers a quasi-amnesty to the illegal-immigrant parents who brought the 3.25 million ‘dreamer’ illegals into the United States.
The amnesty-plus plan was developed by Sen. Dick Durbin, with the cooperation of several pro-amnesty GOP Senators, including Colorado’s Sen. Cory Gardner, Arizona’s Sen. Jeff Flake and Sen. Lindsey Graham from South Carolina. The claims and details emerged Thursday when the Senators were questioned by reporters after the Senators’ usual Thursday lunchtime meetings.
In an afternoon statement, the senators claimed:
President Trump called on Congress to solve the DACA challenge. We have been working for four months and have reached an agreement in principle that addresses border security, the diversity visa lottery, chain migration/family reunification, and the Dream Act-the areas outlined by the President. We are now working to build support for that deal in Congress.
The announcement comes one day after President Donald Trump formally backed a new immigration and amnesty bill drafted by four GOP leaders.
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The amnesty-plus plan was developed by Sen. Dick Durbin, with the cooperation of several pro-amnesty GOP Senators, including Colorado’s Sen. Cory Gardner, Arizona’s Sen. Jeff Flake and Sen. Lindsey Graham from South Carolina. The claims and details emerged Thursday when the Senators were questioned by reporters after the Senators’ usual Thursday lunchtime meetings.
In an afternoon statement, the senators claimed:
President Trump called on Congress to solve the DACA challenge. We have been working for four months and have reached an agreement in principle that addresses border security, the diversity visa lottery, chain migration/family reunification, and the Dream Act-the areas outlined by the President. We are now working to build support for that deal in Congress.
The announcement comes one day after President Donald Trump formally backed a new immigration and amnesty bill drafted by four GOP leaders.
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Breaking News: A California couple is accused of holding 13 of their children captive, some shackled to beds. A 17-year-old escaped and called the police.
Trump mocks Durbin’s lecture on ‘painful’ term ‘chain migration’: ‘Good line’
Sen. Dick Durbin told reporters Friday that he was unhappy with President Trump’s usage of the term “chain migration” during policy negotiations because it’s possibly “painful” for minorities.
A Chicago press conference on immigration negotiations exploded on social media and cable news because of Mr. Trump’s alleged reference to “s—hole” nations, but Mr. Durbin also lamented references to “chain migration” because the word ‘chain’ may conjure up images of slavery to minorities.
“I said to the president [during negotiations], ‘do you realize how painful that term is to so many people? African-Americans believe they migrated to America in chains, and when you speak to chain migration it hurts them personally,” Mr. Durbin said, the Daily Caller reported.
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A Chicago press conference on immigration negotiations exploded on social media and cable news because of Mr. Trump’s alleged reference to “s—hole” nations, but Mr. Durbin also lamented references to “chain migration” because the word ‘chain’ may conjure up images of slavery to minorities.
“I said to the president [during negotiations], ‘do you realize how painful that term is to so many people? African-Americans believe they migrated to America in chains, and when you speak to chain migration it hurts them personally,” Mr. Durbin said, the Daily Caller reported.
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It’s Time to Resist the Excesses of #MeToo
A month or so ago, a friend and I mulled over when exactly the backlash to the then-peaking #MeToo moral panic would set in. Mid-January, we guessed, and sure enough here we are.
No, we were not being clairvoyant, just noting certain dynamics. The early exposure of Roger Ailes, Bill O’Reilly, and Harvey Weinstein — achieved by meticulous, scrupulous journalists and smart, determined women — quickly extended to more ambiguous and trivial cases. Distinctions among many different types of offenses — from bad behavior at private parties to brutal assault and rape of employees and co-workers — were being instantly lost in the fervor. Punishment was almost always the same — social ostracism and career destruction — whether you were Mark Halperin, who allegedly sexually assaulted women in his workplace, or Al Franken, damned because of mild handsiness and pretending to grope a woman’s breasts as a joke. Any presumption of innocence was regarded as a misogynist dodge, and an anonymous online list of accusations against named men in the media was created and circulated with nary an attempt by its instigators to substantiate a single one. Within a few weeks, the righteous exposure of hideous abuse of power had morphed into a more generalized revolution against the patriarchy.
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No, we were not being clairvoyant, just noting certain dynamics. The early exposure of Roger Ailes, Bill O’Reilly, and Harvey Weinstein — achieved by meticulous, scrupulous journalists and smart, determined women — quickly extended to more ambiguous and trivial cases. Distinctions among many different types of offenses — from bad behavior at private parties to brutal assault and rape of employees and co-workers — were being instantly lost in the fervor. Punishment was almost always the same — social ostracism and career destruction — whether you were Mark Halperin, who allegedly sexually assaulted women in his workplace, or Al Franken, damned because of mild handsiness and pretending to grope a woman’s breasts as a joke. Any presumption of innocence was regarded as a misogynist dodge, and an anonymous online list of accusations against named men in the media was created and circulated with nary an attempt by its instigators to substantiate a single one. Within a few weeks, the righteous exposure of hideous abuse of power had morphed into a more generalized revolution against the patriarchy.
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PICTURES: Historic German Church Demolished as Mosques Multiply Across the Country
The huge building, which was “notable for its double towers and neo-Romanesque design”, according to the Catholic Herald, was demolished by the RWE mining company to make way for an opencast lignite mine.
St Lambertus and the farming village surrounding it was bought out by RWE some years ago, with the church being formally deconsecrated in 2013.
Villagers have been relocated to a new site, and provided with a new church built “according to a modern design”.
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Alveda King: ‘President Trump is not a racist. He cares about America, period’
Dr. Alveda King, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., joined Breitbart News Sunday on the eve of her uncle’s namesake holiday, hitting back at racism accusations against President Donald Trump and levying her own complaints against ultra-liberal Facebook.
“I agree that President Trump is not a racist. He has done so much,” King told host and Breitbart News Washington Political Editor Matthew Boyle.
“Just now … [Trump signed] the bill that was sponsored by Congressman John Lewis making the Martin Luther King Jr. historic site in Atlanta a national park — the first park to be named after an African-American man,” King continued. She defended the president against a rash of new “racism” accusations supposedly stemming from vulgar remarks Democratic staffers are claiming Trump made about third-world countries that send the United States massive numbers of immigrants.
She went on:
“I agree that President Trump is not a racist. He has done so much,” King told host and Breitbart News Washington Political Editor Matthew Boyle.
“Just now … [Trump signed] the bill that was sponsored by Congressman John Lewis making the Martin Luther King Jr. historic site in Atlanta a national park — the first park to be named after an African-American man,” King continued. She defended the president against a rash of new “racism” accusations supposedly stemming from vulgar remarks Democratic staffers are claiming Trump made about third-world countries that send the United States massive numbers of immigrants.
She went on:
I made a great discovery when I stopped staring at a woman on the beach
It was the crack of dawn and I couldn't stop looking over at the woman a few feet away from me on the beach. I had come to watch the sunrise and she was getting on my nerves.
The woman, who was probably in her 60s, was hunched over, incessantly tapping and swiping on the screen of her cellphone instead beholding the breathtaking sunrise before us. It seemed pathetic, really – awesome beauty was right in front of her and she didn't even notice. I wasn't surprised though.
I noticed her on the beach the day before when she and her husband were sitting next to my family. She just sat there baking in the sun with her cellphone in hand and her neck craned forward, never looking up. And even when she got up to walk around in the water, she still kept the cell phone in her hand, swiping and tapping away.
Now she was in front of the finest that creation could offer and she was still looking down.
That's a sad way to live, I thought.
Then the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart: "It sure is, and you should know. You're just as distracted from looking at the sunrise as she is, except you're worse off. She's only distracted by her phone – you're distracted by your self-righteous desire to look over and judge her."
Ouch.
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The woman, who was probably in her 60s, was hunched over, incessantly tapping and swiping on the screen of her cellphone instead beholding the breathtaking sunrise before us. It seemed pathetic, really – awesome beauty was right in front of her and she didn't even notice. I wasn't surprised though.
I noticed her on the beach the day before when she and her husband were sitting next to my family. She just sat there baking in the sun with her cellphone in hand and her neck craned forward, never looking up. And even when she got up to walk around in the water, she still kept the cell phone in her hand, swiping and tapping away.
Now she was in front of the finest that creation could offer and she was still looking down.
That's a sad way to live, I thought.
Then the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart: "It sure is, and you should know. You're just as distracted from looking at the sunrise as she is, except you're worse off. She's only distracted by her phone – you're distracted by your self-righteous desire to look over and judge her."
Ouch.
More
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2018/01/13/made-great-discovery-when-stopped-staring-at-woman-on-beach.html
Illegal immigrant threatens Greyhound bus passengers
A man aboard a Greyhound bus who allegedly threatened to shoot and kill fellow passengers on Friday, leading police on a chase that began in Wisconsin and ended in Illinois, is an illegal immigrant, and is now facing terror charges.
Police responded to a call around 9:40 p.m. Friday from a bus passenger who claimed there was a person threatening to kill people, Fox 6 reported, citing the Racine County Sheriff’s Department.
Margarito Vargas-Rosas, 33, of Chicago, was reportedly pacing the aisle toward the back of the bus, and appeared to draw what passengers thought was a weapon from his waistband.
Deputies with the Milwaukee and Kenosha County Sheriff’s Offices both attempted to pull the bus over, but the driver didn’t stop the vehicle.
Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling said the bus driver “thought it was a training exercise by law enforcement, or thought he was going to stop someone.”
“I think he ultimately recognized that this was a serious event when we spiked his tires,” Schmaling said of the driver.
Vargas-Rosas was ordered off the bus at gunpoint, according to Fox 6, and was taken into custody without incident. Schmaling said the man made threats to law enforcement as he was being transported to jail.
Vargas-Rosas is in the U.S. illegally, and was previously deported to Mexico in 2012..
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Police responded to a call around 9:40 p.m. Friday from a bus passenger who claimed there was a person threatening to kill people, Fox 6 reported, citing the Racine County Sheriff’s Department.
Margarito Vargas-Rosas, 33, of Chicago, was reportedly pacing the aisle toward the back of the bus, and appeared to draw what passengers thought was a weapon from his waistband.
Deputies with the Milwaukee and Kenosha County Sheriff’s Offices both attempted to pull the bus over, but the driver didn’t stop the vehicle.
Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling said the bus driver “thought it was a training exercise by law enforcement, or thought he was going to stop someone.”
“I think he ultimately recognized that this was a serious event when we spiked his tires,” Schmaling said of the driver.
Vargas-Rosas was ordered off the bus at gunpoint, according to Fox 6, and was taken into custody without incident. Schmaling said the man made threats to law enforcement as he was being transported to jail.
Vargas-Rosas is in the U.S. illegally, and was previously deported to Mexico in 2012..
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Nine states ready to require jobs for Medicaid enrollees
Nine states are planning to implement work requirements for their Medicaid enrollees, following Kentucky, which on Friday became the first place in the country to be approved to create such a program.
Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Utah, and Wisconsin have submitted their own proposals, though some will have to work with federal officials to make sure their requests fit the guidelines laid out Thursday by the Trump administration. States have varying requests, according to a Washington Examiner review of Medicaid waiver requests filed to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
For instance, Indiana, which said it expects its waiver will be approved in the coming days, allows an English as a Second Language class to meet the education requirement. In Arkansas, taking a class for 20 hours a year on healthy living or health insurance would go toward the requirement.
Maine requires 20 hours of work or community involvement, while Kentucky and Indiana don't have any requirements for the first three months of coverage and gradually require more work the longer someone is on Medicaid. Nearly all state proposals appeared to make exemptions for caregivers.
More here
Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Utah, and Wisconsin have submitted their own proposals, though some will have to work with federal officials to make sure their requests fit the guidelines laid out Thursday by the Trump administration. States have varying requests, according to a Washington Examiner review of Medicaid waiver requests filed to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
For instance, Indiana, which said it expects its waiver will be approved in the coming days, allows an English as a Second Language class to meet the education requirement. In Arkansas, taking a class for 20 hours a year on healthy living or health insurance would go toward the requirement.
Maine requires 20 hours of work or community involvement, while Kentucky and Indiana don't have any requirements for the first three months of coverage and gradually require more work the longer someone is on Medicaid. Nearly all state proposals appeared to make exemptions for caregivers.
More here
Todd Baker, Jennifer Timmons to lead Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc. in 2018
Baker, a native of the Eastern Shore, grew up on a family farm that raised chickens. With a background in business management, he joined Perdue Farms as a flock supervisor in 1997 and went on to assume operations and production management positions. Baker now manages broiler breeder research on Delmarva for Cobb-Vantress in its Pocomoke City, Maryland facility. Baker joined DPI’s Board of Directors in 2016, and he served as vice president in 2017.
“I’m excited to help DPI work for the betterment of the chicken community,” Baker said. “Every day, we go to work for our chicken growers, chicken companies, and allied businesses all around Delmarva. Putting our 1,800-member organization on an even stronger financial footing helps us do that, so I plan to grow our membership and keep the chicken industry strong.”
Timmons is an assistant professor at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, where she teaches poultry production and animal nutrition to future leaders of the chicken industry. She also conducts research connected to poultry litter management and animal nutrition, focusing on controlling ammonia in chicken litter, which is one of the industry’s key environmental stewardship measures. With her husband, Tim, she owns and operates a broiler chicken farm at her home near Delmar, Delaware.
“Chicken growers are constantly refining and improving how they farm, how they conserve resources, and how they make their chickens healthier,” Timmons said. “DPI plays a key role in linking growers to research and helping them connect with each other to share best practices. I’m eager to make DPI an even better resource for growers and to help strengthen an already-robust part of Delmarva’s economy.”
Police searching for suspects after airbags stolen out of at least 13 cars
Police say the cars targeted were inside a garage on Atlantis Street in Herndon.
“It’s a lot of cars that were towed from this property this morning,” said Jamal Yusuf, who is one of the victims. “And they had left everything else, they left the GPS. They left the money, they left the cards. The only thing that they wanted was the airbag.”
Yusuf worries that the thieves will strike again.
Fairfax County Police have not identified any suspects as of Friday night.
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Energy demand makes history during two-week deep freeze
The recent deep freeze in the East and Midwest made energy history, the Trump administration said Friday.
More natural gas was taken out of storage to feed demand during the two-week polar freeze than ever before, as drilling fields froze from Pennsylvania to Texas, the Energy Department said Friday.
“During the recent cold weather event that affected much of the eastern United States, more natural gas was withdrawn from storage fields around the country than at any other point in history,” reported the Energy Information Administration, the Energy Department's data and analysis arm.
Withdrawals from underground natural gas storage facilities to feed demand totaled 359 billion cubic feet on Jan. 5. That exceeded the previous record of 288 billion cubic feet set four years ago during the 2014 polar vortex.
The sustained cold that swept the East and Midwest from the end of December through last weekend took an unexpected turn for natural gas producers in many of the shale fields, where well heads froze, according to the agency.
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More natural gas was taken out of storage to feed demand during the two-week polar freeze than ever before, as drilling fields froze from Pennsylvania to Texas, the Energy Department said Friday.
“During the recent cold weather event that affected much of the eastern United States, more natural gas was withdrawn from storage fields around the country than at any other point in history,” reported the Energy Information Administration, the Energy Department's data and analysis arm.
Withdrawals from underground natural gas storage facilities to feed demand totaled 359 billion cubic feet on Jan. 5. That exceeded the previous record of 288 billion cubic feet set four years ago during the 2014 polar vortex.
The sustained cold that swept the East and Midwest from the end of December through last weekend took an unexpected turn for natural gas producers in many of the shale fields, where well heads froze, according to the agency.
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Hypocrat of the Day
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) used the term “chain” migration in a White House immigration meeting, despite now denouncing President Trump’s use of the term, which is used to describe the process where newly naturalized citizens can bring an unlimited number of foreign relatives to the U.S. with them.
Durbin told the media on Friday that he reprimanded Trump for using the term “chain migration” in immigration negotiations, claiming it was associated with racism, despite the Illinois senator just this week also using the term.
"When it came to the issue of, quote, “chain migration,” I said to the president, do you realize how painful that term is to so many people? African-Americans believe they migrated to America in chains and when you talk about chain migration, it hurts them personally. "
Chain migration accurately describes the process by which one newly arrived immigrant to the U.S. has been able to create a never-ending chain of immigration, as foreign relatives sponsor one another to come to the country in a number of relative visa categories.
More here
Durbin told the media on Friday that he reprimanded Trump for using the term “chain migration” in immigration negotiations, claiming it was associated with racism, despite the Illinois senator just this week also using the term.
"When it came to the issue of, quote, “chain migration,” I said to the president, do you realize how painful that term is to so many people? African-Americans believe they migrated to America in chains and when you talk about chain migration, it hurts them personally. "
Chain migration accurately describes the process by which one newly arrived immigrant to the U.S. has been able to create a never-ending chain of immigration, as foreign relatives sponsor one another to come to the country in a number of relative visa categories.
More here
China building military base in Pakistan
China is constructing its second overseas military base in Pakistan as part of a push for greater power projection capabilities along strategic sea routes.
The facility will be built at Jiwani, a port close to the Iranian border on the Gulf of Oman, according to two people familiar with deal.
Plans call for the Jiwani base to be a joint naval and air facility for Chinese forces, located a short distance up the coast from the Chinese-built commercial port facility at Gwadar, Pakistan. Both Gwadar and Jiwani are part of Pakistan’s western Baluchistan province.
Plans for the base were advanced during a visit to Jiwani on Dec. 18 by a group of 16 Chinese People’s Liberation Army officers who met with about 10 Pakistani military officers. Jiwani is located on a peninsula about 15 miles long on a stretch of land with one small airfield.
According to sources, the large naval and air base will require the Pakistani government to relocate scores of residents living in the area. Plans call for their relocation to other areas of Jiwani or further inland in Baluchistan province.
The Chinese also asked the Pakistanis to undertake a major upgrade of Jiwani airport so the facility will be able to handle large Chinese military aircraft. Work on the airport improvements is expected to begin in July.
More here
The facility will be built at Jiwani, a port close to the Iranian border on the Gulf of Oman, according to two people familiar with deal.
Plans call for the Jiwani base to be a joint naval and air facility for Chinese forces, located a short distance up the coast from the Chinese-built commercial port facility at Gwadar, Pakistan. Both Gwadar and Jiwani are part of Pakistan’s western Baluchistan province.
Plans for the base were advanced during a visit to Jiwani on Dec. 18 by a group of 16 Chinese People’s Liberation Army officers who met with about 10 Pakistani military officers. Jiwani is located on a peninsula about 15 miles long on a stretch of land with one small airfield.
According to sources, the large naval and air base will require the Pakistani government to relocate scores of residents living in the area. Plans call for their relocation to other areas of Jiwani or further inland in Baluchistan province.
The Chinese also asked the Pakistanis to undertake a major upgrade of Jiwani airport so the facility will be able to handle large Chinese military aircraft. Work on the airport improvements is expected to begin in July.
More here
Fiat Chrysler Moving Ram Truck Production from Mexico to Michigan
President Donald Trump’s promise to exit the North American Free Trade Agreement if attempts to renegotiate the deal fail is already paying off for American workers.
Fiat Chrysler said this week that it would move production of its Ram heavy pickup trucks from Mexico to Michigan. Moving production of the Ram, which is mostly sold in the United States and Canada, will mean that Fiat Chrysler will not risk paying steep import duties likely to apply if NAFTA is rolled-back.
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Fiat Chrysler said this week that it would move production of its Ram heavy pickup trucks from Mexico to Michigan. Moving production of the Ram, which is mostly sold in the United States and Canada, will mean that Fiat Chrysler will not risk paying steep import duties likely to apply if NAFTA is rolled-back.
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Singer Dolores O'Riordan of The Cranberries has died at age 46
O'Riordan died in London, where she was recording, publicist Lindsey Holmes said. The cause of death wasn't immediately available.
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Appeals Court Upholds TN Ballot Measure Stripping 'Right' to Abortion from State Constitution
A federal appeals court upheld the state of Tennessee’s 2014 vote in favor of a ballot measure that removed the right to an abortion from the state’s constitution.
The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the ballot amendment known as Amendment 1 — which won by a 53 percent margin — by a 3-0 opinion.
According to the Tennessean, the measure added language to the state constitution that reads, in part: “Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion.”
Eight voters who opposed the measure — including the former chairman of the board of Planned Parenthood — challenged the vote’s results, demanding a recount, and won at the trial court level.
More here
The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the ballot amendment known as Amendment 1 — which won by a 53 percent margin — by a 3-0 opinion.
According to the Tennessean, the measure added language to the state constitution that reads, in part: “Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion.”
Eight voters who opposed the measure — including the former chairman of the board of Planned Parenthood — challenged the vote’s results, demanding a recount, and won at the trial court level.
More here
Flashback: DREAM Act Dies in the Senate
[Originally published December 18, 2010]
The Dream Act, a bill to provide a path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants who entered the United States before age 16, died on the Senate floor on Saturday morning.
The failure of the bill - amid widespread opposition from Senate Republicans - is a major disappointment for Hispanic activists, who have grown increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress on immigration reform under President Obama.
The vote to end debate on the Dream Act and move to a final vote received only 55 votes, short of the 60 votes needed to overcome a Republican-led filibuster. Forty-one senators voted no.
Three Republicans - Indiana's Dick Lugar, Utah's Bob Bennett and Alaska's Lisa Murkowski - were among the yes votes. Five Democrats voted no: Max Baucus and John Tester of Montana, Kay Hagan of North Carolina, Ben Nelson of Nebraska, and Mark Pryor of Arkansas. The bill had already passed the House and is supported by President Obama.
The Dream Act would have allowed illegal immigrants to apply for citizenship if they entered the United States as children, graduated from high school or got an equivalent degree, and have been in the United States for at least five years. They must also have no serious criminal record and agree to complete two years of college or military service. Applicants would have had to wait ten years for citizenship, pay any back taxes and undergo background checks before gaining legal status.
While Democrats cast the bill as providing opportunity for upstanding young people who are not at fault for their illegal status, Republicans hammered it as offering "mass amnesty" that will encourage more illegal immigration.
Republicans say they are unwilling to take action on comprehensive immigration reform or any other immigration bill until America's borders are secure. They accused Democrats of moving forward on a Dream Act vote now for political purposes.
More here
[Wikipedia: Dream Act details]
[Reviewing: the 'Dream Act' has never been passed by Congress. It was essentially put in place through a 'temporary' DACA policy imposed by the Obama Administration. --Editor]
The Dream Act, a bill to provide a path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants who entered the United States before age 16, died on the Senate floor on Saturday morning.
The failure of the bill - amid widespread opposition from Senate Republicans - is a major disappointment for Hispanic activists, who have grown increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress on immigration reform under President Obama.
The vote to end debate on the Dream Act and move to a final vote received only 55 votes, short of the 60 votes needed to overcome a Republican-led filibuster. Forty-one senators voted no.
Three Republicans - Indiana's Dick Lugar, Utah's Bob Bennett and Alaska's Lisa Murkowski - were among the yes votes. Five Democrats voted no: Max Baucus and John Tester of Montana, Kay Hagan of North Carolina, Ben Nelson of Nebraska, and Mark Pryor of Arkansas. The bill had already passed the House and is supported by President Obama.
The Dream Act would have allowed illegal immigrants to apply for citizenship if they entered the United States as children, graduated from high school or got an equivalent degree, and have been in the United States for at least five years. They must also have no serious criminal record and agree to complete two years of college or military service. Applicants would have had to wait ten years for citizenship, pay any back taxes and undergo background checks before gaining legal status.
While Democrats cast the bill as providing opportunity for upstanding young people who are not at fault for their illegal status, Republicans hammered it as offering "mass amnesty" that will encourage more illegal immigration.
Republicans say they are unwilling to take action on comprehensive immigration reform or any other immigration bill until America's borders are secure. They accused Democrats of moving forward on a Dream Act vote now for political purposes.
More here
[Wikipedia: Dream Act details]
[Reviewing: the 'Dream Act' has never been passed by Congress. It was essentially put in place through a 'temporary' DACA policy imposed by the Obama Administration. --Editor]
Subject: Amazon CEO and his wife donate $33M scholarship grant for DACA students
Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos and his wife, MacKenzie, have donated a $33 million scholarship grant to TheDream.US, which is the nation's largest scholarship program for "dreamers" -- young immigrants whose protections against deportation for being threatened. According to the organization, the donation will allow 1,000 undocumented immigrant graduates of U.S. high schools with DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status the opportunity to attend college.
The grant is considered the largest donation in the organization's history.
"MacKenzie and I are honored to be able to help today's Dreamers by funding these scholarships," Bezos said in a statement.
According to TheDream.US, Dreamers are typically ineligible for federal grants and loans. They are unable to receive state aid in 44 states.
More
The grant is considered the largest donation in the organization's history.
"MacKenzie and I are honored to be able to help today's Dreamers by funding these scholarships," Bezos said in a statement.
According to TheDream.US, Dreamers are typically ineligible for federal grants and loans. They are unable to receive state aid in 44 states.
More
DACA Amnesty Restarts Under Judge’s Order, But Appeal Expected
The Department of Homeland Security says it will follow a judge’s order to restart the President Barack Obama’s ‘DACA’ amnesty and will renew work-permits given to 15,000 illegal immigrants.
The statement was released late Saturday night, but the statement did not say if the 15,000 ‘DACA’ illegals whose work permits have expired since September will actually get renewed permits before the administration’s lawyers can get through the legal process needed before the Supreme Court can countermand the judge’s order.
To block the judge’s order, the administration first must file an appeal with the California-based Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The appeals court is expected to support the judge and reject the administration’s appeal. Once the appeal is denied, White House lawyers can ask the nine-member Supreme Court to countermand the orders from the appeals court and the subordinate judge.
According to the agency:
Jan. 13, 2018, Update: Due to a federal court order, USCIS has resumed accepting requests to renew a grant of deferred action under DACA. Until further notice, and unless otherwise provided in this guidance, the DACA policy will be operated on the terms in place before it was rescinded on Sept. 5, 2017.
The declaration may give Democrats the political opportunity to back away from their unpopular threat to shut down the federal government’s 2018 budget unless the GOP Congress and President Donald Trump provide citizenship to at least 3.25 million illegals — and also to millions of chain-migration relatives.
More
The statement was released late Saturday night, but the statement did not say if the 15,000 ‘DACA’ illegals whose work permits have expired since September will actually get renewed permits before the administration’s lawyers can get through the legal process needed before the Supreme Court can countermand the judge’s order.
To block the judge’s order, the administration first must file an appeal with the California-based Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The appeals court is expected to support the judge and reject the administration’s appeal. Once the appeal is denied, White House lawyers can ask the nine-member Supreme Court to countermand the orders from the appeals court and the subordinate judge.
According to the agency:
Jan. 13, 2018, Update: Due to a federal court order, USCIS has resumed accepting requests to renew a grant of deferred action under DACA. Until further notice, and unless otherwise provided in this guidance, the DACA policy will be operated on the terms in place before it was rescinded on Sept. 5, 2017.
The declaration may give Democrats the political opportunity to back away from their unpopular threat to shut down the federal government’s 2018 budget unless the GOP Congress and President Donald Trump provide citizenship to at least 3.25 million illegals — and also to millions of chain-migration relatives.
More
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: 'I Have Decided to Stick With Love'
"I’m concerned about a better World. I’m concerned about justice; I’m concerned about brotherhood and sisterhood; I’m concerned about truth.
"And when one is concerned about that, he can never advocate violence. For through violence you may murder a murderer, but you can’t murder murder. Through violence you may murder a liar, but you can’t establish truth. Through violence you may murder a hater, but you can’t murder hate through violence.
"Darkness cannot put out darkness; only light can do that.
"And I say to you, I have also decided to stick with love, for I know that love is ultimately the only answer to humankind’s problems. And I’m going to talk about it everywhere I go. I know it isn’t popular to talk about it in some circles today. And I’m not talking about emotional bosh when I talk about love; I’m talking about a strong, demanding love. For I have seen too much hate. [...] and I say to myself that hate is too great a burden to bear. I have decided to love.
"If you are seeking the highest good, I think you can find it through love. And the beautiful thing is that we aren’t moving wrong when we do it, because John was right, God is love. He who hates does not know God, but he who loves has the key that unlocks the door to the meaning of ultimate reality.
"And so I say to you today, my friends, that you may be able to speak with the tongues of men and angels; you may have the eloquence of articulate speech; but if you have not love, it means nothing.. "
More here
[Excerpted from Martin Luther King Jr's speech, "Where do we go from here?"]
"And when one is concerned about that, he can never advocate violence. For through violence you may murder a murderer, but you can’t murder murder. Through violence you may murder a liar, but you can’t establish truth. Through violence you may murder a hater, but you can’t murder hate through violence.
"Darkness cannot put out darkness; only light can do that.
"And I say to you, I have also decided to stick with love, for I know that love is ultimately the only answer to humankind’s problems. And I’m going to talk about it everywhere I go. I know it isn’t popular to talk about it in some circles today. And I’m not talking about emotional bosh when I talk about love; I’m talking about a strong, demanding love. For I have seen too much hate. [...] and I say to myself that hate is too great a burden to bear. I have decided to love.
"If you are seeking the highest good, I think you can find it through love. And the beautiful thing is that we aren’t moving wrong when we do it, because John was right, God is love. He who hates does not know God, but he who loves has the key that unlocks the door to the meaning of ultimate reality.
"And so I say to you today, my friends, that you may be able to speak with the tongues of men and angels; you may have the eloquence of articulate speech; but if you have not love, it means nothing.. "
More here
[Excerpted from Martin Luther King Jr's speech, "Where do we go from here?"]
Criminal charges against street preachers dismissed
A group of five Washington state Christian street preachers who received prior approval of their public evangelism efforts but were nevertheless charged criminally under the guise of violating a noise ordinance won dismissals with the assistance of a nonprofit First Amendment legal defense group.
Police in Washougal, Washington, cited the five for disturbing the peace outside a high school in November. The group obtained approval for their activities from a code enforcement officer prior to the incident.
The street preachers stood on a public sidewalk at the edge of the high-school parking lot, holding signs and speaking to students as they left school after classes had ended. A school resource officer of the Washougal Police Department confronted the street preachers, stating they were breaking the city noise ordinance and telling them the school did not welcome their “protesting.”
More
Police in Washougal, Washington, cited the five for disturbing the peace outside a high school in November. The group obtained approval for their activities from a code enforcement officer prior to the incident.
The street preachers stood on a public sidewalk at the edge of the high-school parking lot, holding signs and speaking to students as they left school after classes had ended. A school resource officer of the Washougal Police Department confronted the street preachers, stating they were breaking the city noise ordinance and telling them the school did not welcome their “protesting.”
More
Labor’s Last Stand
One of the nation's largest public sector unions defended mandatory unionism in a brief filed to the Supreme Court Friday.
American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31 is fighting to maintain a government agency's right to mandate union dues or fee payments as a condition of employment. Several AFSCME members in Illinois have petitioned the Supreme Court to reverse court precedent set in Abood v. Detroit Board of Education (1977) on the grounds that they are being forced to subsidize political advocacy. Twenty-two states mandate those fee payments, while 26 prohibit such fees.
AFSCME said such payments are needed to prevent a free rider problem in which workers benefit from union organizing efforts and advantageous contracts, while refusing to pay for those services. Since union contract terms, including salaries and grievance procedures, extend to all workers in a bargaining unit, rather than just union members, it is only fair for workers to pay for union services. The union argues that disrupting the practice could threaten labor peace in the workforce.
More
American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31 is fighting to maintain a government agency's right to mandate union dues or fee payments as a condition of employment. Several AFSCME members in Illinois have petitioned the Supreme Court to reverse court precedent set in Abood v. Detroit Board of Education (1977) on the grounds that they are being forced to subsidize political advocacy. Twenty-two states mandate those fee payments, while 26 prohibit such fees.
AFSCME said such payments are needed to prevent a free rider problem in which workers benefit from union organizing efforts and advantageous contracts, while refusing to pay for those services. Since union contract terms, including salaries and grievance procedures, extend to all workers in a bargaining unit, rather than just union members, it is only fair for workers to pay for union services. The union argues that disrupting the practice could threaten labor peace in the workforce.
More
Cotton: Durbin ‘Has a History’ of Misrepresenting What Happens in WH Meetings
Sunday on CBS’s “Face The Nation,” Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) said Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) misrepresented President Donald Trump reported comments referring to Haiti, and El Salvador and African nations.
Cotton said, “I didn’t hear that word either. I certainly didn’t hear what Sen. Durbin has said repeatedly. Sen. Durbin has a history of misrepresenting what happens in White House meetings, though, so perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised by that.”
After being pressed, Cotton said, “I didn’t hear it.."
More here
Cotton said, “I didn’t hear that word either. I certainly didn’t hear what Sen. Durbin has said repeatedly. Sen. Durbin has a history of misrepresenting what happens in White House meetings, though, so perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised by that.”
After being pressed, Cotton said, “I didn’t hear it.."
More here
Bill Clinton Triggered, Denies Clinton Foundation's Haiti Funds Were Used For Chelsea Wedding
Former President Bill Clinton lashed out on Twitter Saturday in response to accusations that daughter Chelsea Clinton used Clinton Foundation funds to pay for her wedding, calling it a "personal insult to me, to Hillary, and to Chelsea and Marc," referring to son-in-law Marc Mezvinsky.
No Clinton Foundation funds—dedicated to Haiti or otherwise—were used to pay for Chelsea’s wedding. It’s not only untrue, it’s a personal insult to me, to Hillary, and to Chelsea and Marc.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-chec…Bill was triggered after controversy surrounding the Clinton Foundation's involvement in Haiti was rehashed following a tweet by Chelsea Clinton - criticizing President Trump's alleged use of the word "shithole" in reference to several impoverished countries, including Haiti - which the Clintons have a long and sordid history of screwing over.
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University rejects Chinese Communist Party-linked influence efforts on campus
As part of a broad effort to interfere in U.S. institutions, China tries to shape the discussion at American universities, stifle criticism and influence academic activity by offering funding, often through front organizations closely linked to Beijing.
Now that aspect of Beijing’s foreign influence campaign is beginning to face resistance from academics and lawmakers. A major battle in this nascent campus war played out over the past six months at the University of Texas in Austin.
After a long internal dispute, a high-level investigation and an intervention by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.), the university last week rejected a proposal by the leader of its new China center to accept money from the China United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF). The Hong Kong-based foundation and its leader, Tung Chee-hwa, are closely linked to the branch of the Chinese Communist Party that manages influence operations abroad.
The University of Texas debate erupted after the China Public Policy Center at the university’s LBJ School of Public Affairs opened in August. Executive Director David Firestein proposed making CUSEF a principal funder of the initiative. Firestein, a former Foreign Service officer, had worked with the foundation before.
After several professors and university officials raised concerns about ties among CUSEF, Tung and the Communist Party, university President Gregory Fenves launched an investigation.
More here
[Related: Saudi Prince Donates $40 Million to Harvard, Georgetown Universities]
Now that aspect of Beijing’s foreign influence campaign is beginning to face resistance from academics and lawmakers. A major battle in this nascent campus war played out over the past six months at the University of Texas in Austin.
After a long internal dispute, a high-level investigation and an intervention by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.), the university last week rejected a proposal by the leader of its new China center to accept money from the China United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF). The Hong Kong-based foundation and its leader, Tung Chee-hwa, are closely linked to the branch of the Chinese Communist Party that manages influence operations abroad.
The University of Texas debate erupted after the China Public Policy Center at the university’s LBJ School of Public Affairs opened in August. Executive Director David Firestein proposed making CUSEF a principal funder of the initiative. Firestein, a former Foreign Service officer, had worked with the foundation before.
After several professors and university officials raised concerns about ties among CUSEF, Tung and the Communist Party, university President Gregory Fenves launched an investigation.
More here
[Related: Saudi Prince Donates $40 Million to Harvard, Georgetown Universities]
Weather Alert
Racism Is Real, But So Were Martin Luther King Jr. and My Grandma
Racism is a very real topic right now, and not just because of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. Looking up his quotes is definitely important too, but not just because they’re something to share on #mlkday. Let me tell you a story to explain.
I wrote a civil rights report while I was in high school. Because of my black heritage, it was more than just another assignment. I decided to write about a talk I once had with my grandmother, Curlee Johnson, who was born in 1900 and lived until 1993. She had literally lived through every major event in our recent history. When I asked about her memories of Martin Luther King Jr., anyone could’ve seen that sparkle in her eye.
As she began talking about Dr. King, I was transported to a time I’d only read about. I respected anyone who’d fought for equal rights, and I knew the history. Yet, as I listened to my grandmother, I started to feel the pain of the hate and persecution which marked that time. As a young black man, I honestly didn’t know how to cope with what she had walked through. I was offended, hurt, and confused. She was one of the most loving people I’ve ever known. Why would she have to fight to be loved back? This same lady who would just give random people walking down the street a good home-cooked meal couldn’t eat in the same restaurant as people who looked a little different. As she was talking, she suddenly stopped and I felt something change about the room.
She looked at me right in the face..
More here
I wrote a civil rights report while I was in high school. Because of my black heritage, it was more than just another assignment. I decided to write about a talk I once had with my grandmother, Curlee Johnson, who was born in 1900 and lived until 1993. She had literally lived through every major event in our recent history. When I asked about her memories of Martin Luther King Jr., anyone could’ve seen that sparkle in her eye.
As she began talking about Dr. King, I was transported to a time I’d only read about. I respected anyone who’d fought for equal rights, and I knew the history. Yet, as I listened to my grandmother, I started to feel the pain of the hate and persecution which marked that time. As a young black man, I honestly didn’t know how to cope with what she had walked through. I was offended, hurt, and confused. She was one of the most loving people I’ve ever known. Why would she have to fight to be loved back? This same lady who would just give random people walking down the street a good home-cooked meal couldn’t eat in the same restaurant as people who looked a little different. As she was talking, she suddenly stopped and I felt something change about the room.
She looked at me right in the face..
More here
Delingpole: Trump – Making the World Great Again, One Sh!thole at a Time
Isn’t it just the best thing that we’ve finally got a President of the USA who calls a sh#thole a sh#thole?
In fact of all Donald Trump’s many qualities, I think this may be his greatest and his most underrated strength.
But you’re not supposed to say this. At least not in respectable company. Even now – after all his incredible achievements – you’re still only allowed to praise Donald Trump if first you’ve preceded it with lots of disclaimers about how much you deplore his sexism, his brashness, his incoherence and general uncouthness…
I’m not buying that virtue-signalling crap, though.
Check out this short film I made on Trump for the BBC this week:
In fact of all Donald Trump’s many qualities, I think this may be his greatest and his most underrated strength.
But you’re not supposed to say this. At least not in respectable company. Even now – after all his incredible achievements – you’re still only allowed to praise Donald Trump if first you’ve preceded it with lots of disclaimers about how much you deplore his sexism, his brashness, his incoherence and general uncouthness…
I’m not buying that virtue-signalling crap, though.
Check out this short film I made on Trump for the BBC this week:
Delingpole: Trump – Making the World Great Again, One Sh!thole at a Time
Isn’t it just the best thing that we’ve finally got a President of the USA who calls a sh#thole a sh#thole?
In fact of all Donald Trump’s many qualities, I think this may be his greatest and his most underrated strength.
But you’re not supposed to say this. At least not in respectable company. Even now – after all his incredible achievements – you’re still only allowed to praise Donald Trump if first you’ve preceded it with lots of disclaimers about how much you deplore his sexism, his brashness, his incoherence and general uncouthness…
I’m not buying that virtue-signalling crap, though.
Check out this short film I made on Trump for the BBC this week:
In fact of all Donald Trump’s many qualities, I think this may be his greatest and his most underrated strength.
But you’re not supposed to say this. At least not in respectable company. Even now – after all his incredible achievements – you’re still only allowed to praise Donald Trump if first you’ve preceded it with lots of disclaimers about how much you deplore his sexism, his brashness, his incoherence and general uncouthness…
I’m not buying that virtue-signalling crap, though.
Check out this short film I made on Trump for the BBC this week:
Did Obama Tip off Iran to Israeli Plan to Take Out World's Premier Terrorist?
We thought the Obama administration could stoop no lower when it was revealed that the administration transferred $1.7 billion in untraceable cash to the Islamic Republic as ransom for the release of four Americans hostages they were holding. We were wrong. In its twilight weeks, the administration gave its consent to allow the Iranians to receive 116 metric tons of natural uranium from Russia as compensation for its export of tons of reactor coolant. According to experts familiar with the transaction, the uranium could be enriched to weapons-grade sufficient for the production of at least 10 nuclear bombs.
If you thought that the administration’s betrayal of America’s security could go no further, you were wrong. Last month Politico, not known as a bastion of conservatism, published a bombshell 50-page exposé detailing the Obama administration’s efforts to delay, hinder and ultimately shut down a highly successful DEA operation – codenamed Project Cassandra – aimed at tracking and thwarting Hezbollah drug trafficking, arms trafficking and money laundering schemes. As a result, Hezbollah continued to import drugs into the United States, continued to provide anti-U.S. insurgents with deadly EFPs and continued to launder drug money to the tune of billions.
If you thought that was the end of the story, you were wrong. It seems that with each passing day, another layer of deceit and betrayal committed by the Obama administration is uncovered. The latest Obama scandal involves a reported effort by the administration to thwart an Israeli operation to liquidate Iranian general, Qassem Soleimani.
More here
If you thought that the administration’s betrayal of America’s security could go no further, you were wrong. Last month Politico, not known as a bastion of conservatism, published a bombshell 50-page exposé detailing the Obama administration’s efforts to delay, hinder and ultimately shut down a highly successful DEA operation – codenamed Project Cassandra – aimed at tracking and thwarting Hezbollah drug trafficking, arms trafficking and money laundering schemes. As a result, Hezbollah continued to import drugs into the United States, continued to provide anti-U.S. insurgents with deadly EFPs and continued to launder drug money to the tune of billions.
If you thought that was the end of the story, you were wrong. It seems that with each passing day, another layer of deceit and betrayal committed by the Obama administration is uncovered. The latest Obama scandal involves a reported effort by the administration to thwart an Israeli operation to liquidate Iranian general, Qassem Soleimani.
More here
Klein: For 38 Terrifying Minutes, Hawaii Experienced Israeli Life under Rocket Threat
Gov. David Ige said the false alarm was a human error caused when the wrong button was pushed during a shift change at the state emergency management agency. The warning was issued amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and North Korea, and some in Hawaii may have feared an incoming nuclear attack. The mistake was reportedly corrected 38 minutes later by a second message confirming the false alarm.
While Israelis have not contended with nuclear missile attacks, the entire country lives under rocket threat and has experienced sustained rocket attacks punctuated by alerts that leave only seconds to find shelter.
The scenes that unfolded in Hawaii, with people reportedly left “crying and screaming,” could have taken place in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa or Sderot. At this point, however, most Israelis, especially those living along the Gaza wire, have become so accustomed to rocket alerts that there seems to be a lot less panic.
More here
Associate in Hillary Clinton Uranium One Russian Bribery Case Indicted
An 11-count indictment has been handed down from a grand jury investigating possible Russian bribery involving former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s Uranium One deal negotiated when she was part of the Obama administration, a report says.
The indictment was levied against Maryland resident Mark Lambert, a former co-president of a nuclear transportation company involved in Hillary Clinton’s deal to sell U.S. uranium interests to a Russian company. A Department of Justice statement says that the 54-year-old Lambert was charged with “one count of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and to commit wire fraud, seven counts of violating the FCPA, two counts of wire fraud and one count of international promotion money laundering.”
More details here
The indictment was levied against Maryland resident Mark Lambert, a former co-president of a nuclear transportation company involved in Hillary Clinton’s deal to sell U.S. uranium interests to a Russian company. A Department of Justice statement says that the 54-year-old Lambert was charged with “one count of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and to commit wire fraud, seven counts of violating the FCPA, two counts of wire fraud and one count of international promotion money laundering.”
More details here
Chain Migration Expected to Add 8M Potential Foreign-Born Voters to U.S. Electorate
The United States’ current “chain migration” process, where newly naturalized citizens can bring an unlimited number of foreign relatives to the U.S. with them, is likely to add a potential 8 million new foreign-born voters to the country’s electorate over the next two decades.
Every year, the U.S. admits more than 1.5 million foreign nationals to the country, with the vast majority deriving from family-based chain migration, where naturalized citizens are allowed to bring their extended family members to the country. In 2016, the legal and illegal immigrant population reached a record high of 44 million. By 2023, the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) estimates that the legal and illegal immigrant population of the U.S. will make up nearly 15 percent of the entire U.S. population.
CIS Director of Research Steven Camarota revealed to Breitbart News that overall, the current U.S. legal immigration system is on track to import roughly 15 million new foreign-born voters in the next 20 years.
More
Every year, the U.S. admits more than 1.5 million foreign nationals to the country, with the vast majority deriving from family-based chain migration, where naturalized citizens are allowed to bring their extended family members to the country. In 2016, the legal and illegal immigrant population reached a record high of 44 million. By 2023, the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) estimates that the legal and illegal immigrant population of the U.S. will make up nearly 15 percent of the entire U.S. population.
CIS Director of Research Steven Camarota revealed to Breitbart News that overall, the current U.S. legal immigration system is on track to import roughly 15 million new foreign-born voters in the next 20 years.
More
"I'm not a racist." President Trump insisted again on Sunday that he did not make a vulgar comment last week about immigrants.
“Did you see what various senators in the room said about my comments? They weren’t made,” Mr. Trump said, referring to two Republican senators who said on Sunday morning talk shows that the president never made, or that they did not hear, racist comments about Africa and Haiti.
What is Chain Migration?
The video is self-explanatory.
👇 THIS is why Chain Migration must stop! WATCH 👇— MAGAinSoCal (@MAGAinSoCal) January 14, 2018
Chain Migration Explained in 30 Seconds pic.twitter.com/TbCifEd4Xh
Nancy's Home
Teacher missing 2 weeks found dead in car in Baltimore
Baltimore police are investigating after a teacher who unexpectedly vanished two weeks ago was found dead in a parked car.
Gregory Ferrell, 56, disappeared Dec. 29. His body was found Saturday afternoon. The car was parked on a West Baltimore street and belonged to the teacher.
Baltimore police announced Ferrell’s death in a statement on Facebook. They had said the disappearance was out of character for Ferrell.
“Detectives did not observe any obvious signs of trauma or foul play,” the statement said. “The deceased’s body was transported to the medical examiner’s office for further examination.”
The cause of death is pending an autopsy.
More
Gregory Ferrell, 56, disappeared Dec. 29. His body was found Saturday afternoon. The car was parked on a West Baltimore street and belonged to the teacher.
Baltimore police announced Ferrell’s death in a statement on Facebook. They had said the disappearance was out of character for Ferrell.
“Detectives did not observe any obvious signs of trauma or foul play,” the statement said. “The deceased’s body was transported to the medical examiner’s office for further examination.”
The cause of death is pending an autopsy.
More
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/01/14/teacher-missing-2-weeks-found-dead-in-car-in-baltimore.html
Major Fire In Ocean City
The real reason men find high heels attractive
It might make women think twice before putting on high heels for a date.
Men find the shoes attractive not because they are glamorous or give the illusion of longer legs but because they make a woman arch her back – which is a signal that she is ready for sex, a study suggests.
It seems to be not the stilettos or kitten heels which are important, but the angle of a woman’s back to her bottom.
The theory was tested by showing men photographs of women wearing heels or flats, but with the picture cropped at their ankles.
More
Men find the shoes attractive not because they are glamorous or give the illusion of longer legs but because they make a woman arch her back – which is a signal that she is ready for sex, a study suggests.
It seems to be not the stilettos or kitten heels which are important, but the angle of a woman’s back to her bottom.
The theory was tested by showing men photographs of women wearing heels or flats, but with the picture cropped at their ankles.
More