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Friday, January 19, 2018

State Police Arrest Burglary Suspect-Ellendale

Carl W. Schuyler

Ellendale - The Delaware State Police have arrested a suspect in connection with two burglaries.

On Thursday, January 11, 2018 at approximately 11:04 p.m., a suspect had forced entry into the DSWA (Delaware State Waste Authority) facility located at 13870 S. Old State Road, Ellendale. The suspect remained at the location for a short time prior to fleeing without removing any property.

On Saturday, January 13, 2018 at approximately 12:07 a.m., a suspect had forced entry into the Exxon gas station located at 18005 Beach Highway, Ellendale. Once inside the suspect removed eight packs of cigarettes and a lighter prior to fleeing.

Working on information from an anonymous tip received via Delaware Crimestoppers, State Police were able to identify the suspect as 48-year-old Carl W. Schuyler of Ellendale. On Wednesday, January 17, 2018, Troopers responded to a residence in the 18000 block of Schuyler Drive, Ellendale in an attempt to apprehend Schuyler who initially resisted and was subsequently taken into custody without further incident.

Schuyler was transported back to Troop 4 where he was charged with two counts of Burglary 3rd, two counts of Criminal Mischief, two counts of Theft, and Resisting Arrest. He was arraigned out of Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $9,200.00 cash only bond.

Phoenix man accused of nine murders in three weeks

A suspected serial killer is in custody in Phoenix after a spree of shootings took nine lives in three weeks.

Police on Thursday named Cleophus Emmanuel Cooksey Jr, 35, as the suspect in nine fatal shootings in the Phoenix metro area between November 27 and December 17, saying ballistic evidence linked the murders.

The victims were of multiple races and both genders, ranging in age from 21 to 56.

Cooksey, an aspiring rapper who is the grandson of a civil rights leader, has been in custody since December 17, when police found him at the scene of his mother and stepfather's murders.

Using forensic evidence and witness statements, cops say they quickly linked him to seven other recent murders in Phoenix as well as in nearby Avondale and Glendale, and are now appealing to the public for further information in the shocking case.

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Florida woman, 34, died because a faulty air bag

A Florida woman died because a faulty air bag ruptured and fired shrapnel into her head during a crash she should have survived, a report released Wednesday by the state's Highway Patrol said.

Nichol Barker, 34, of Holiday, Florida, was struck by metal pieces that burst through the Takata airbag, causing a 6-inch by 3-inch gaping wound to her left temple, a fractured skull and bruising and bleeding on her brain, according to the report written by Sgt. Chester T. Everett, the lead investigator.

Barker is at least the 21st person killed worldwide since 2009 by exploding Takata air bags, which were first recalled in the early 2000s. Air bags deploy at up to 200 mph (320 kph), but are not supposed to rupture.

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Brigitte Bardot slams #MeToo 'publicity-seeking' actresses

French film legend Brigitte Bardot attacked the #MeToo movement Wednesday, claiming that actresses who complain of sexual harassment were just looking for publicity.

"The vast majority are being hypocritical and ridiculous," she told the French magazine Paris Match.

"Lots of actresses try to play the tease with producers to get a role. And then, so we will talk about them, they say they were harassed," declared the 83-year-old Bardot.

"I was never the victim of sexual harassment. And I found it charming when men told me that I was beautiful or I had a nice little backside," said the actress, who became a sex symbol overnight for "And God Created Woman" in 1956.

Her comments come a week after fellow French star Catherine Deneuve sparked a worldwide feminist backlash by defending men's right to "hit on" women.

She signed an open letter by 100 prominent women that claimed that #MeToo had become a puritanical "witch-hunt" which threatened sexual freedom.

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Reps. Harris, LaMalfa File Amicus Brief to Protect Pro-Life Free Speech

(WASHINGTON, DC): Congressmen Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) and Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) have filed an Amicus Curiae brief on behalf of 128 members of the House of Representatives and 16 Senators in support of pro-life pregnancy centers in the Supreme Court case National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA) v. Becerra. This case challenges the Reproductive FACT Act (AB 775), a California state law that requires pro-life licensed medical centers to post advertisements for free or low cost abortions subsidized by the state. The Supreme Court will consider whether the disclosures required by the law violate the free speech clause of the First Amendment. Congressmen Harris and LaMalfa released the following statements after filing the brief:

“California’s continued attack on the sanctity of life and complete disregard for the First Amendment can no longer go unchecked. The Reproductive FACT Act clearly violates the Constitutional freedom of speech and freedom of religion guaranteed to all Americans. Forcing an individual or private entity to act in a manner that conflicts with their religious beliefs directly contradicts our nation’s core values. I am proud to stand with my colleagues in defense of unborn children.”

--Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01)

“The very nature of the Reproductive FACT Act is a blatant violation of the First Amendment, and is representative of the moral degradation of California’s state government. The sole mission of many of these pregnancy centers is to help foster life, not to advertise abortions. No person or entity can be required by the government to say or promote ideas they do not believe. That’s exactly what’s happening here, and it’s wrong. We’re sending a message to the Supreme Court that they must set a precedent by not allowing liberal elites to bully anyone into sacrificing their constitutionally protected freedoms.”

-- Congressman Doug LaMalfa (CA-01)

“Our state should honor and respect those who offer hope and assistance to our friends and neighbors. Instead, the State of California is targeting pro-life pregnancy centers and forcing them to promote state-funded abortions. This is cruel, unconstitutional, and contrary to our values as a nation. I am grateful that the U.S. Supreme Court will hear this important case. Nobody should be targeted and punished simply for helping expecting mothers with their pregnancy.”

-- Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23), signatory of the amicus brief

Freedom Watch Founder: Mueller Leaking Info to 'Destroy' Trump

The founder of Freedom Watch on Tuesday decried leaks involving the investigation by special prosecutor Robert Mueller as an "evil" attempt to "destroy" President Donald Trump.

In an interview on Newsmax TV, Larry Klayman, a former federal prosecutor, said Freedom Watch is hoping to have Mueller removed.

"He has been leaking grand jury information," Klayman alleged. "That's illegal, that's criminal . . . to harm the president, his family, and people around the president regardless of whether the president's ever indicted or whether he sends a report to Congress to have the president impeached."

"It's clever, and it's evil, and the intent is to destroy the Trump presidency regardless of whether the president has committed any crimes by leaking grand jury information," he continued.

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Sweden Is Preparing For A "Civil War": PM Wants To Deploy Army In No-Go Zones

For the first time since World War II, Sweden is preparing to distribute a civil defense brochure to some 4.7 million households, warning them about the onset of war.

The booklet will serve as a manual of "total defense" in case of a war, and provide details on how to secure basic needs such as water, food, and heating, the FT reported. The manual also covers other threats such as cyber attacks, terrorism, and climate change.

"All of society needs to be prepared for conflict, not just the military. We haven’t been using words such as total defense or high alert for 25-30 years or more. So the knowledge among citizens is very low," said Christina Andersson, head of the project at the Swedish civil contingencies agency.

The survivalist manual or better known by some as a preppers guide is called “If Crisis or War Comes,” will be published by the government in late spring. Its publication comes at a time when the threat of war from Russia is high, well, possibly, but that is what the mainstream media has conditioned many to believe.

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Sen. Pat Toomey Endorses Lou Barletta for U.S. Senate

Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) endorsed Rep. Lou Barletta (R-PA) in a video on Tuesday to challenge Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) in the 2018 midterm election.

In a video endorsing Barletta, Sen. Toomey called Barletta a “trusted conservative and a relentless fighter for hardworking Pennsylvanians.”

“No one in the House of Representatives has been more committed to fighting to protect our borders or to ending dangerous sanctuary city policies than Lou Barletta,” Toomey declared.

“When we recently needed an ally in the House to pass the most sweeping tax reforms in a generation, Lou was there every step of the way,” Toomey argued. “It’s time we all unite behind Lou and support him with our time, our energy, and most of all, with our vote.”

Congressman Barletta announced in August that he hopes to challenge Sen. Bob Casey in the 2018 midterm election. Barletta, a staunch opponent of illegal immigration since his time as mayor of Hazelton, Pennsylvania, told Breitbart News that he wants to put “America First” and “Pennsylvania workers first.”

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Analysis: NFL Lost 23 Million TV Viewers for Playoffs

The NFL has 23 million fewer viewers for this year’s playoff action, a new report says.

With the first round of this year’s NFL playoffs in the rear-view mirror, Outkick the Coverage’s Clay Travis took a look at the TV ratings and found that every game was down by millions of viewers and ratings fell to a ten-year low.

Each of this year’s playoff games has lost over a million plus viewers, Travis said, with the biggest loser being the Saint-Vikings game which lost an incredible 13 million.

“Adding all these numbers up 120.8 million viewers watched the NFL divisional round playoffs in 2018 vs. 144.1 million who watched in 2017, a decline of 23.3 million total viewers,” Travis wrote.

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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Heeds Rep. Harris’ Call to Expedite Ocean City Dredging

WASHINGTON, DC: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has announced that it will expedite the dredging of the Ocean City Inlet. After discovering that shoaling had built up enough to jeopardize larger ships’ access to the Inlet, the office of Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) contacted USACE to seek immediate assistance. USACE has canceled a scheduled dredge in New Jersey in order to prioritize the Ocean City Inlet project. Congressman Harris released the following statement on the project:

“Ocean City is Maryland’s only Atlantic coast seaport, and small businesses across Maryland’s First District depend on the Ocean City Inlet for the transport of goods. The buildup of sand now restricts access to the Inlet for fishing vessels and larger ships, and has become a threat to the livelihood of many Eastern Shore residents. In fact, a fishing trawler recently attempted to return to their dock with a load of black sea bass before getting temporarily grounded in the Ocean City Inlet. The ship was freed, but was unable to return to their dock and unload. I am grateful to the Army Corps of Engineers for their cooperation and immediate attention to this matter, so that future problems will be avoided.”

Wells Fargo Glitch Leaves Customers With Empty Bank Accounts

CBS Local — Many Wells Fargo customers got a terrifying shock after finding their checking accounts drained due to a series of errors by the embattled bank. The Jan. 17 glitch reportedly emptied several customers’ accounts after processing their online bill payments twice and doubling transaction fees.

According to CBS News, the banking error also triggered overdraft fees on many checking accounts as customers around the country were mistakenly informed they had a zero balance. The bank’s phone lines were reportedly jammed through the night as angry customers demanded answers for the embarrassing mistake. Wells Fargo later put out a brief statement on Twitter explaining the situation.

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Brokaw: Dems Think They All They 'Have to Do Is Show Up' to Get Congressional Majority Back

Thursday on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” former NBC “Nightly News” anchor Tom Brokaw suggested Democrats were overconfident about their chances of taking back the majority of the House of Representatives in the 2018 midterms.

Brokaw said, “I was in touch with some people in the west this past week who were big Trump supporters and still are, except for the tweeting. They say shut up! Just let’s get the job done. We still like your agenda, but when you do that kind of thing, you run contrary to everything that we believe that we need to get done here. You know, General Kelly doesn’t go into combat as a Marine with everybody going in nine different directions, and everybody gets a vote on it. He wants to put the group together. So Donald Trump can’t be controlled. I mean, it’s just — I just don’t understand why as a guy who read the country pretty well in terms of what it wanted in the campaign and how was going to get it, that he keeps doing this, because the base is getting smaller and smaller and smaller frankly.”

He added, “On the other hand, Democrats going into this year, if you’re looking at what they’re talking about right now, they think all they have to do is show up, and they are going to get the congressional majority back again. They better have a plan. And the plan is not to go hard left, by the way, the way they’re going to be led by Elizabeth Warren or Bernie Sanders. They’ve got to have a scheme that addresses the old Democratic middle, people who are the working class Democrats. And unless they get to the that they can get beat.”

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Central Banks Are Going to Have to "Pull the Plug" on Stocks

It’s no secret that Central Banks have been funneling liquidity both directly and indirectly into stocks. However, what most investors don’t realize is that this liquidity pump is about to end.

Why?

Because the endless streams of liquidity (Central Banks continue to run QE programs of $100+ billion per month despite the global economy stabilizing) have unleashed inflation.

Forget the “official” date. That stuff is all propaganda. Take a look at what is happening in the bond markets which trade based on inflation in the real world.

When inflation rises, bond yields rise. And right now, sovereign bond yields are rising around the world.

The yield on the US 10-Year Treasury has broken its 20-year downtrend.

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Firm Behind DNC-Funded Trump Hoax Dossier: We Generate a ‘Solution’ to Client’s ‘Problem’

TEL AVIV — Glenn R. Simpson, the co-founder of the controversial opposition research firm Fusion GPS, which is behind the largely discredited 35-page anti-Trump dossier, explained in testimony released publicly last week that his firm works to “customize a research solution” based on the “problem” of each client.

The statements may raise more questions about the veracity of the dossier accusing Donald Trump and his 2016 presidential campaign of ties with Russia. The questionable document reportedly served as part of the basis for the FBI’s investigation into Trump’s presidential campaign.

Simpson’s statements are significant in light of the disclosure last April that Fusion GPS’s anti-Trump work was financed by Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign and the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

In August 22 testimony released last week and reviewed in full by Breitbart News, Steele stated, “Another thing we say about our work is it’s custom information, it’s a customized product. You tell us what your problem is and we customize a research solution.”

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York Co. deputy dies from injuries after shooting

(WSPA) – The York County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday night that Detective Michael Doty died one day after he was shot during a search for a suspect.

Doty had been with the department for more than 11 years. He began his employment there on May 22, 2006.

Doty was one of four officers wounded early Tuesday morning. Two other York County deputies and a York police officers were also wounded when they responded to a call.

Sheriff Kevin Tolson says York County Sergeant Randy Clinton is awaiting surgery, while York County Sergeant Buddy Brown and York Police Sergeant Kyle Cummings are recovering.

Tolson says the officers were ambushed by 47-year-old Christian McCall on Tuesday.

Funeral arrangements for Doty will be made in the coming days.

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Why the U.S. Considers Parts of Mexico as Dangerous as Syria, Somalia

The U.S. Department of State (DoS) rolled out a level-based warning system and issued “do not travel” advisories to five Mexican states–all for cartel violence.

A level down, DoS advised travelers “reconsider” (level 3) Central America’s Northern Triangle states, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador.

The State Department point system quantified freedom to travel safely across the board.

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Alexander: The Demos' DACA Duplicity and Deceit

In 2016, Donald Trump campaigned and won his presidential bid in part on his promise to reform our immigration system. That reform included, finally, a wall on our southern border, and repeal of Barack Obama’s illegal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which ostensibly provided “temporary” deferral from deportation for those who entered the country illegally as minors but which was in fact a de facto amnesty.

On the heels of Trump’s remarkable first-year achievements — despite the Leftmedia’s all-out war on him — the president is now taking on immigration. His stated aim is to tackle border security, fix DACA, and end the ruinous “chain migration” and “diversity lottery” programs.

Democrats and Republicans have kicked this can down the road for decades, though the Trump administration has curbed illegal border crossings and illegal immigration in general. Not since President Dwight Eisenhower’s “Operation Wetback” (yes, that was the name of Ike’s program to deport millions of illegal aliens) has any administration seriously dealt with illegal immigrants.

At present, it’s estimated that there are more than nine million illegal immigrants in the U.S., including more than eight million in the labor force. The bulk of these migrants came across our border illegally, but 40% entered legally and overstayed their visa expirations. Almost 60% reside in just six states, California and Texas being the largest “hosts.”

There are many reasons why immigrants would want to flock to our great nation — but they are net consumers of taxpayer services, costing federal, state and local governments more than $8,000 per person annually. That totals more than $135 billion a year, primarily for “free” education ($46B), medical services ($29B), law enforcement ($23B) and welfare ($9B).

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Trump Administration Bars Haitians from U.S. Visas for Low-Skilled Work

Haitians will no longer be eligible for U.S. visas given to low-skilled workers, the Trump administration said on Wednesday, bringing an end to a small-scale effort to employ Haitians in the United States after a catastrophic 2010 earthquake.

DHS said in a regulatory filing that it was removing Haiti from lists of more than 80 countries whose citizens can be granted H-2A and H-2B visas, given to seasonal workers in agriculture and other industries.

It cited what it said were "high levels of fraud and abuse" by Haitians with the visas, and a "high rate of overstaying the terms" of their visas.

A DHS report published last year stated that Haitians on a variety of non-immigrant visas, including H-2As and H-2Bs, had a roughly 40 percent visa overstay rate in the 2016 fiscal year.

Belize and Samoa were also removed from the lists, for risks stemming from human trafficking and not taking back nationals ordered removed from the United States, respectively.

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Huffington Post Shuts Down Unpaid Contributor Blogger Program

Huffington Post announced that it will immediately cease its unpaid contributors program -- which led to its rise as a media brand -- to improve the editorial quality of the news site and cut down on unvetted reporting.

HuffPost's blogger network has ballooned to some 100,000 contributors. The decision to end the program by the Verizon-owned site comes under editor-in-chief Lydia Polgreen, who joined in December 2016 after more than a decade at the New York Times.

"Open platforms that once seemed radically democratizing now threaten, with the tsunami of false information we all face daily, to undermine democracy," Polgreen wrote in a blog post Thursday. "When everyone has a megaphone, no one can be heard."

AOL acquired HuffPost in 2011 for $315 million, and then Verizon bought AOL in a $4.4 billion deal in 2015. HuffPost is now part of Verizon's Oath division, which has combined AOL and Yahoo businesses under one roof.

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Trump Administration Establishes New Conscience and Religious Freedom Division at Department of Health and Human Services

WASHINGTON, DC: The Department of Health and Human Services announced the establishment of a new Conscience and Religious Freedom Division. Congressman Harris issued the following statement in support of the announcement:

“After years of the Obama administration running roughshod over conscience protection, the Trump Administration’s establishment of the Conscience and Religious Freedom Division within the Department of Health and Human Services is a welcome change. Religious freedom is a principle upon which our nation was built, and the First Amendment guarantees our right to the free exercise of religion. No healthcare provider should ever be forced to perform a procedure that conflicts with his or her values or religious beliefs.”

Officials Seek Safe Way To Clean Defaced Star-Spangled Monument

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Baltimore historians are working to figure out the best way to remove paint from a delicate statue in Patterson Park after the statue, which honors the national anthem, was damaged by vandals earlier this week.

The Star-Spangled Banner Centennial Monument is still cloaked in red paint, and the clean up project is so delicate, it is now in the hands of historians, who are hoping to clean it without doing any further damage.

From bronze, to blood red.

A century-old statue commemorating the battle of Baltimore is wrapped up in a battle of its own after someone discovered it doused in red paint early Monday morning.

The words ‘Racist Anthem’ were spray painted on the sidewalk in front of the statue, and that has already been scrubbed from the sidewalk.

“Certainly we were disappointed that it had been targeted, but we understand freedom of expression,” Jennifer Robinson, with Friends of Patterson Park. “We just think that this conversation could be had in a more productive way.”

Those who live nearby say they are absolutely disappointed.

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Armed Agents Storm PR Warehouse, Find Politicians Have Been Hoarding Relief Items

Some Puerto Ricans breathed a sigh of relief this week when, after 112 days of being without electricity since Hurricane Maria devastated the island, power finally returned to their homes, schools and businesses — but no thanks to the corruption and incompetence of their own government.

According to The Intercept, federal government officials learned that “a massive store of rebuilding materials” needed to restore Puerto Rico’s electrical grid was being hoarded by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, a state-owned corporation operated by the territory’s government.

Armed with this information, federal agents then raided PREPA’s warehouses on Jan. 6 with a security detail and thereafter “began distributing (supplies) to contractors,” confirmed USACE spokesman Luciano Vera.

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Green rush, grey market: How free weed is firing up D.C.'s pot 'gifting economy'

Don't be surprised to get 'a little something-something extra' from cannabis-friendly vendors

For an asking price of $50 for a grape lollipop, at least the vendor tossed in some locally grown goodies. The free samples, given away with a handshake in the hazy basement of an after-hours Ethiopian restaurant, came sealed in a plastic baggie — 3.5 grams of downright skunky marijuana buds.

The customer quickly disregarded the candy for his "free gift."

"Just a regular lollipop," he said over a steady thrum of grimy hip hop.

"And this," he said, dangling his complimentary baggie, "is ganja!"

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Study: Muslim Migrants Have Medieval Attitudes Towards Jews, Gays, Women, and 'Infidels'

An academic survey of asylum seekers in Graz, Austria, has found increasing religiosity and deeply worrying attitudes towards Jews, gay people, women, and ‘infidels’.

The study was carried out by Ednan Aslan, Professor of Islamic Religious Education at the University of Vienna, on behalf of local authorities responsible for integration, the Kurier reports.

“We wanted to know, who lives with us?” explained Kurt Hohensinner, a city councillor for the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP), which currently governs alongside the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ).

Professor Aslan interviewed a sample of 288 of the approximately 4,000 predominantly Afghan asylum seekers in state care in Graz, and discovered that some 54.5 per cent believe Jewish people do not care about anyone but themselves, with 44.2 per cent saying that Judaism is actively harmful to the world.

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Flashback: Former ambassador of Haiti to the U.S.-- “We don’t know where the money has gone”

President Trump is drawing criticism for [allegedly] referring to Haiti, El Salvador, and certain African nations as “sh*thole countries” when he met with lawmakers this week to discuss immigration protections.

The main thrust of the argument against the president’s remarks, which were reported first by the Washington Post and the New York Times, is not that he used naughty language, but that he suggested immigrants from poorer countries are somehow subpar to immigrants from wealthier, predominantly white countries.

There’s a lot that can be said against Trump’s tone. There's even more that can be said against his reported claim that people from poor, predominantly brown countries make for undesirable immigrants.

But let that criticism come from someone other than former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Considering the Clinton Foundation's shady-as-hell conduct in Haiti following the disastrous 2010 earthquake, she and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, would do well to spare us the righteous indignation.

“The anniversary of the devastating earthquake 8 years ago is a day to remember the tragedy, honor the resilient people of Haiti, & affirm America’s commitment to helping our neighbors,” Hillary Clinton’s Twitter account said Friday.

It added, “Instead, we‘re subjected to Trump’s ignorant, racist views of anyone who doesn’t look like him.”

This is rich coming from someone whose foundation did little to offer Haitian earthquake victims real, tangible aid, but a whole lot to assist donors with business interests in the country. Let's check the board:

From the Washington Examiner in 2015:

Keep reading..

Immigration and the Deep State

Why did received opinion melt down so spectacularly when Donald Trump allegedly said in private that he wanted more immigrants from places like “Norway and Asia” and fewer from places like Haiti and Africa?

Last Thursday, Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) scheduled a meeting with the president to try to trick him into supporting their politically suicidal immigration bill. To their dismay, however, when they arrived they found that Trump had also invited realist immigration experts such as Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), and the president’s speechwriter Stephen Miller.

In the ensuing debate, Durbin and Graham were demolished. So Durbin, his plot foiled, tried the underhanded ploy of asserting to the press, perhaps inaccurately, that Trump had used the now-notorious vulgarity to characterize Haiti.

Of course, Haiti ranks 163rd on the U.N.’s Human Development Index while Norway ranks first, so, as usual, what drives the establishment most crazy about Trump is his tendency to tell the rough truth.

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Trump’s targeting of Iran comes as Islamic leaders torture and kill 8,000 protesters

Iran’s rulers have inflicted death by torture and gunfire on citizen protesters in a crackdown since the Dec. 28 street uprising erupted, the main opposition group said Tuesday.

The Europe-based National Council of Resistance of Iran says the Islamic republic’s ubiquitous security apparatus has arrested more than 8,000 citizens and killed at least 50, all while the West has remained mostly silent. The council attributes at least five deaths to torture.

President Trump has spoken out in support of the protesters. The Treasury Department on Friday slapped further sanctions on the regime’s judiciary chief, Sadeq Amoli Larijani. Mr. Larijani has been singled out by the West for years for endorsing cruel punishments that include torture and amputation.

“As the head of the judiciary for the past nine years, Larijani is a key official in the regime’s suppressive apparatus, who has played a direct role in the execution of thousands of people, in the crackdown and arrest of dissidents, as well as in censorship and repression,” said Shahin Gobadi, a council spokesman based in Paris.

The opposition group said protests have spread to 130 cities. The protesters complain of dismal economic conditions, of military adventures in Iraq and Syria, and of being ruled by clerical Shiite Muslim hard-liners led by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The council on Tuesday released a list of five resisters who it said were tortured to death by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its various security units.

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Alveda King: Facebook Pulled Ads for Pro-Life 'Roe v. Wade' Movie

(CNSNews) -- During a discussion about religious freedom in America, Dr. Alveda King, the niece of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., said that Facebook had "pulled down" ads for a movie about Roe v. Wade because the social media giant does not "want the message of the injustice of abortion broadcast," which, she added, is a "violation of religious freedom" and "very discriminatory."

Dr. King is one of the executive producers of the movie, which includes Hollywood actor Jon Voight.

"Many of you know there’s a new movie coming out, Roe v. Wade. I’m one of the executive producers. Facebook has pulled down our ads, the paid ads and any mention of the non-paid ads."

King was speaking about ads on Facebook about the Indiegogo fundraising the movie's backers are promoting to help cover the costs of the film. There is a Facebook page for the movie but apparently ads for the fundraising were blocked.

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Taxpayer Tips: IRS, Maryland Comptroller Warn Employers to Be Wary of W-2 Scams

Start of new tax season could bring surge in phishing scheme

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -
With the 2018 tax season starting January 29, the Internal Revenue Service, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot and tax industry leaders urge employers to educate their payroll staff about Form W-2 phishing scams. These schemes try to trick payroll personnel into disclosing sensitive information at small and large businesses, public schools and universities, hospitals, tribal governments and charities.

“These cybercriminals will try anything to access taxpayers’ personal and financial information,” said Comptroller Peter Franchot. “Bogus emails, fraudulent identities and persuasive claims are all in their bag of tricks. That’s why my team is laser-focused on stopping and holding accountable scammers who attempt to take advantage of law-abiding Maryland taxpayers.”

In 2017, the Maryland Comptroller’s office blocked suspicious tax returns from 95 tax preparation businesses at 113 locations throughout the state. Since taking office in 2007, Comptroller Franchot’s nationally renowned Questionable Returns Detection Team has identified and blocked more than 88,000 fraudulent returns and intercepted and denied $190.2 million worth of fraudulent refunds.

Last year, the IRS said reports to phishing@irs.gov from victims and non-victims about this scam jumped to approximately 900, compared to slightly more than 100 in 2016. More than 200 employers were victimized in 2017, which translated into hundreds of thousands of employees who had their identities compromised.

By alerting employers now, the IRS and its partners in the Security Summit effort hope to reduce the number of victims this year. Last year, the IRS also created a new process to report these scams.

Here’s how the scams work: Cybercriminals identify chief operating officers, school executives or others in authority. Using a technique known as business email compromise or business email spoofing, fraudsters posing as executives send emails to payroll personnel requesting copies of Forms W-2 for all employees. The Form W-2 contains the employee’s name, address, Social Security number, income and withholdings. Criminals use that information to file fraudulent tax returns, or they post it for sale on the Dark Net.

The IRS has established a special email notification address specifically for employers to report Form W-2 data thefts. Email dataloss@irs.gov to notify the IRS of a Form W-2 data loss and use the subject line “W2 Data Loss” so that the email can be routed properly. Do not attach any employee personally identifiable information data. Include your business name, business employer identification number (EIN) associated with the data loss, name, phone number, summary of how the data loss occurred and volume of employees impacted.

Employers can learn more at Form W-2/SSN Data Theft: Information for Businesses and Payroll Service Providers. Employers also should be aware that cybercriminals’ scams constantly evolve. Finance and payroll personnel should be alert to any unusual requests for employee data.

2018 TRIENNIAL DISASTER Exercise

SALISBURY, MARYLAND – On January 20, 2018, the Salisbury-Ocean City: Wicomico Regional Airport will be conducting a “Triennial Disaster Exercise” as mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), from 9:00 am until approximately 12:00 pm local time.

The exercise is designed to test the effectiveness of emergency response plans for the Airport and participating responding agencies in the event of an aircraft mishap at the airport. This critical training session allows for the Airport and first responders to collaborate and comply with the highest FAA standards in safety and security. 

We invite and encourage the press to attend our tri-annual exercise.

Mr. Weston Young, Deputy Director of Administration will be available at the main airport terminal hanger at 8:45 am. He will escort press into the exercise area just prior to the exercise start at 9:00 am. The start of the exercise at 9:00 am would be the best time to attend to get “action” taping. A simulated press conference will be held by the airport manager at 9:45 am. At the conclusion of the simulated press conference, there will be additional time allowed for a question and answer period.

For additional information, contact SBY at 410-548-4827.

USA Today: 3.6M Illegals Brought to the US as Kids

An estimated 3.6 million illegal immigrants in America were brought here as children — a stunning figure more than three times higher than one commonly used in the contentious political debate over the fate of so-called 'Dreamers,' USA Today reported.

The larger number isn't widely known because so much attention is currently focused on the 800,000 immigrants protected by the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program — and terminated by President Donald Trump last September, the outlet noted.

Yet even though politicians toss around the terms "Dreamers" and "DACA" interchangeably, "that's not a distinction without a difference," House Minority Whip Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., told USA Today.

According to USA Today, the 3.6 million estimate of illegal immigrants brought to the United States as minors comes from the non-profit Migration Policy Institute — and represents about a third of all illegals in America.

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Trump Throws CNN's Jim Acosta Out of Oval Office

President Trump kicked CNN star Jim Acosta out of the Oval Office Tuesday after the network’s senior White House correspondent badgered him with racially charged questions.

Acosta has made a habit of grandstanding and interrupting when Trump and his surrogates are available to the media. Tuesday was no exception, as Acosta yelled, “Mr. President,” three times before finally getting Trump’s attention.

“Did you say that you want more people to come in from Norway? Did you say that you wanted more people from Norway? Is that true Mr. President?” Acosta frantically shouted.

“I want them to come in from everywhere… everywhere. Thank you very much everybody,” Trump responded as Acosta continued to bark questions.

“Just Caucasian or white countries, sir? Or do you want people to come in from other parts of the world… people of color,” Acosta shouted.

Trump then pointed directly at Acosta and simply said, “Out!”

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"Explosive", "Shocking" And "Alarming" FISA Memo Set To Rock DC, "End Mueller Investigation"

All hell is breaking loose in Washington D.C. tonight after a four-page memo detailing extensive FISA court abuse was made available to the entire House of Representatives Thursday. The contents of the memo are so explosive, says Journalist Sara Carter, that it could lead to the removal of senior officials in the FBI and the Department of Justice and the end of Robert Mueller's special counsel investigation.

These sources say the report is “explosive,” stating they would not be surprised if it leads to the end of Robert Mueller’s Special Counsel investigation into President Trump and his associates. -Sara Carter

A source close to the matter tells Fox News that "the memo details the Intelligence Committee's oversight work for the FBI and Justice, including the controversy over unmasking and FISA surveillance." An educated guess by anyone who's been paying attention for the last year leads to the obvious conclusion that the report reveals extensive abuse of power and highly illegal collusion between the Obama administration, the FBI, the DOJ and the Clinton Campaign against Donald Trump and his team during and after the 2016 presidential election.

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Science panel: States should lower drunken driving thresholds

A prestigious scientific panel is recommending that states significantly lower their drunken driving thresholds as part of a blueprint to eliminate the "entirely preventable" 10,000 alcohol-impaired driving deaths in the United States each year.

The U.S. government-commissioned, 489-page report by a panel of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine released Wednesday throws the weight of the scientific body behind lowering the blood-alcohol concentration threshold from 0.08 to 0.05. All states have 0.08 thresholds. A Utah law passed last year that lowers the state's threshold to 0.05 doesn't go into effect until Dec. 30.

The amount of alcohol required to reach 0.05 would depend on several factors, including the person's size and whether the person has recently eaten. A 150-pound man might be over the 0.05 limit after two beers, while a 120-pound woman could exceed it after a single drink, according to the American Beverage Institute, a national restaurant group.

The panel also recommended that states significantly increase alcohol taxes and make alcohol less conveniently available, including reducing the hours and days alcohol is sold in stores, bars and restaurants. Research suggests a doubling of alcohol taxes could lead to an 11 percent reduction in traffic crash deaths, the report said.

It also calls for cracking down on sales to people under 21 or who are already intoxicated to discourage binge drinking, and putting limits on alcohol marketing while funding anti-alcohol campaigns similar to those against smoking.

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A Message from SU Provost on Diversity Course

Universities have a long-standing and important role as centers for inquiry, investigation and dialogue about the complex issues facing society. Part of the process of educating students involves prompting them, sometimes in uncomfortable ways, to think critically about a wide range of subjects. At Salisbury University, we discuss difficult questions, delve into controversial topics, and serve as an important hub of ideas and diversity of thought.

SU’s Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement, for example, provides training for students, faculty and community members so they can hone skills for constructive dialogue about challenging topics. The campus also has active College Republican and College Democrat groups. Our faculty engage students in content from across the ideological spectrum. We strive to ensure that students become informed consumers of information and rational decision-makers. This has meant hosting speakers with widely different perspectives and exploring complex issues such as racism.

One of our classes has garnered attention for a graphic used to examine structures of power related to race. It was one of several methods used by the faculty member to stimulate discussion. This one-credit course on diversity for elementary education majors was created in response to requests by school districts to help future teachers become better prepared to support learning in their diverse classrooms.

SU faculty and staff work diligently to help students develop the knowledge, skills and abilities that will prepare them for their first jobs and rewarding careers in our global society. The values of diversity, inclusion, respect and civility are fundamental to Salisbury University. We also are profoundly committed to the principles of free inquiry and free expression. These ideals are not in tension with one another; on the contrary, they ground one another.

Karen L. Olmstead, Ph.D.

Interim Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs

FBI Investigating Millions Of "Mishandled" Dollars Funneled From Australian Govt To Clinton Foundation

The FBI has asked retired Australian policeman-turned investigative journalist, Michael Smith, to provide information he has gathered detailing multiple allegations of the Clinton Foundation receiving tens of millions of mishandled taxpayer funds, according to LifeZette.

“I have been asked to provide the FBI with further and better particulars about allegations regarding improper donations to the CF funded by Australian taxpayers,” Smith told LifeZette.

Of note, the Clinton Foundation received some $88 million from Australian taxpayers between 2006 and 2014, reaching its peak in 2012-2013 - which was coincidentally (we're sure) Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard's last year in office.

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Rich Bruekner Abruptly Resigns From States Attorneys Office

Has anybody heard any information as to why Rich Bruekner, from the Wicomico States Attorneys' Office, abruptly resigned?

Another Wind Power Scam (like Somerset County's)

By Delegate Christopher T. Adams

Forces are quickly aligning in Maryland to build large industrial power generation projects within eyesight off the coast of Ocean City. Much of the conversation over the location and size of these projects has happened without Ocean City’s direct participation.

However, this pending decision weighs heavily on me, as a fifth-generation Eastern Shoreman. It will permanently change what we see, and what we expect to see, when sitting on Maryland’s world-class beach.

The project was born from then-Gov. Martin O’Malley’s failed launch of a presidential campaign with offshore wind central to his campaign platform. This impractical political stunt is being resurrected by forcing Maryland rate-payers and taxpayers to subsidize the construction and maintenance of more than 100 wind turbines.

Only after the full investment by the citizens of this state will the energy generated from this project then be sent north through Delaware and into New York and New Jersey for distribution.

This is not responsible tax-and-spend policy for Maryland.

The size of these proposed wind turbine projects also ignore the rapid advancement of future technologies. A new generation of smaller and safer turbines are now being tested. These turbines will also be designed for better performance in hurricane-impacted areas.

Also, current best practices in clean energy are increasingly focused on energy storage, not large-scale production. This will be accomplished through innovative battery and micro grid technologies. These advancements will quickly render the current turbine designs obsolete.

Unlike large solar projects that can be removed when their useful lifespan expires, these 600-foot metal structures will remain forever.

Ocean City and its waters are a destination and migratory route for mammals, birds and fish. The physical toll on birds flying through a turbine field is well known.

The extreme adverse consequences of a droning turbine to all wildlife needs to be better understood by science. All future negative environmental impact must be clearly determined. This is as important for the benefit of our environment and wildlife as it is for Maryland’s economy.

One of the major benefits of having such a large project located near the Eastern Shore is the promise of jobs and economic opportunity for a region that sorely needs a jumpstart. Provided we can keep these jobs truly local to Eastern Shore counties, I agree and have supported the advantage this opportunity provides.

But advocates for offshore wind should also understand the importance Ocean City plays in economic development for the state. With more than $8 billion in taxable base, Maryland simply cannot have permanent projects desecrating the viewscape for property owners and visitors who come to Ocean City for the sand, saltwater and vista.

Truth is, we only get one chance to get this right. I think it is debatable that offshore wind is a cost-effective means for delivering safe and clean energy.

However, we can all agree as currently proposed, these offshore wind projects will forever change the view and skyline of the magnificent beaches of Ocean City for generations to come.

The topic of offshore wind will be a major chance for collaboration among stakeholders during the 2018 legislative session in Annapolis.

All Marylanders are stakeholders in the beauty and recreation that Ocean City provides. We can take the time to do our due diligence.

This is a decision that will leave a lasting and permanent legacy for our home. I believe we have the political will to get this right and look forward to participating in this process as it unfolds.

Christopher T. Adams represents District 37B in the Maryland House of Delegates.

Thank God Its Friday 1-19-18

What will you be doing this weekend?

Governor Larry Hogan Honors Century Farm Families

Award Celebrates 100 Years of Farm Ownership, Operation by the Same Families

ANNAPOLIS, MD –
Governor Larry Hogan today honored Maryland’s farm families for their commitment to farming and leadership in preserving agricultural land by presenting Century Farm designations to nine families from six counties who have farmed the same land for more than 100 years. Since the program began in 1994, 182 farms – about one percent of the state’s 12,200 farms – have received the Century Farm designation. Four of those have received the Tricentennial Farm designation and 26 have received the Bicentennial Farm designation.

“We are proud to celebrate our state’s strong agricultural history by honoring our century farms, as well as some of our great Maryland farm families,” said Governor Hogan. “Together, we have made incredible progress over the past 3 years, and our farmers and our agriculture community have been an important partner and a key part of that success.”

The Maryland Century Farm Program was established in 1994 by Governor William Donald Schaefer to recognize farms that have been in the same family for at least 100 consecutive years, contain a minimum of 10 acres of the original parcel, and gross annual income of $2,500 or more from the sale of farm products. The Century Farm Program honors families who have passed their farming operations down from generation to generation, making it possible for future stewards of the land to continue in their family tradition. The Hogan administration re-established this annual tradition last year for Maryland farm families after it had been halted for the past 10 years. The last ceremony was held in 2007.

“The best agricultural preservation program is an economically healthy agriculture industry,” said Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Joe Bartenfelder. “Farming has formed the foundation of our nation’s economy for hundreds of years. The farm families we honor today are stewards of the land who have maintained family traditions and a continuity of agriculture important to our communities and our economy.”

Century Farms 2018 Honorees:

Attorney General Frosh Files Suit to Stop Illegal Rollback of Net Neutrality

Coalition of 22 Attorneys General Files Petition for Review, Formally Commencing Lawsuit

BALTIMORE, MD –
Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general in filing a multistate lawsuit to block the Federal Communications Commission’s illegal rollback of net neutrality. The coalition filed a petition for review in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, formally commencing the lawsuit against the FCC and the federal government.

Read more in the full press release:http://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/press/2018/011618a.pdf

Budget Funds Bay Restoration and Land Conservation; 337 Acres Protected in Baltimore County

Governor Larry Hogan’s budget request for Fiscal Year 2019 continues to demonstrate his administration’s strong support for Chesapeake Bay restoration and the preservation and protection of Maryland’s environment and natural resources.

“Actions speak louder than words and the governor’s budget can be heard loud and clear,” Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Mark Belton said. “Governor Hogan’s historic and targeted investments in bay restoration, land conservation and recreation programs are essential to our state’s progress meeting our Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement goals.”

In the budget outlined Tuesday, the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund receives $52.9 million, marking the third year in a row that the Hogan administration has fully funded this cost-effective and targeted bay restoration and water quality program. Funding for the Trust Fund under the Hogan administration exceeds the amount provided in the previous four years by 80 percent.

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With a shutdown looming, the House passed a stopgap bill to keep the government open. But Senate Democrats appear ready to block it.

The House has approved a stopgap spending bill to keep the government open past Friday, but Senate Democrats — angered by President Trump’s vulgar aspersions and a lack of progress on a broader budget and immigration deal — appeared ready to block the measure.

The successful 230-197 vote in the House, where the bill’s chances had appeared in question until shortly beforehand, provided only a faint glimmer of hope that a crisis could be averted before much of the government exhausts its funds at midnight on Friday. The bill would fund the government through Feb. 16.

Meeting Materials - 1-22-18 - Council Meeting

The Agenda Packet for Monday’s Council Meeting is attached and posted on the website at the link below under Most Recent Meeting Materials.

https://salisbury.md/city-council

NOI 1/14/18 Wicomico Outbuilding Fire Division Street

NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION

Date:    January 14, 2018
Time:   5:41 p.m.
Location / Address:  7290 Division Street, Willards, Wicomico Co.
Type of Incident:  Fire
Description of Structure / Property:   8’ x 10’ wood framed residential outbuilding
Owner / Occupants:   Nicolaus Grant (Owner)
Injuries or Deaths:  None
Estimated $ Loss: Structure:  $500                      Contents: $500
Smoke Alarm Status:  n/a
Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status:  n/a
Arrests(s):   None
Primary Responding Fire Department:  Willards
# of Alarms: 1      # Of Firefighters:  15
Time to Control:   20 minutes
Discovered By:  Passerby
Area of Origin:   Under Investigation
Preliminary Cause:  Under Investigation

Additional Information:   Anyone with information is asked to contact the Salisbury Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal at (410) 713-3780.