Citizenship Question Would Directly Threaten States’ Fair Representation in Congress and Electoral College and Billions in Critical Federal Funding
BALTIMORE, MD – Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh, part of a coalition of 19 Attorneys General and the State of Colorado, today urged the U.S. Department of Commerce to reject the addition of a citizenship question to the 2020 decennial Census. The action would directly threaten states’ fair representation in Congress and the Electoral College, as well as billions of dollars in critical federal funds for programs like Medicaid.
Under the Constitution, the Census Bureau has an obligation to determine “the whole number of persons in each state.” Yet the addition of a citizenship question to the Census is expected to depress participation among immigrants, causing a population undercount that would disproportionately harm states and cities with large immigrant communities.
“This is an attempt by the Justice Department to intimidate immigrant communities,” said Attorney General Frosh. “Adding a citizenship question will have a chilling effect. US citizens and others may decline to respond, fearing government action against them or their families. The result will jeopardize funding and depress representation for Maryland.”
Read more in the full press release:http://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/press/2018/021218.pdf
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Intelligence Director: National Debt 'Dire Threat to Our Economic and National Security'
Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats warned the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday about the risk posed by the national debt.
“This situation is unsustainable, as I think we all know, and represents a dire threat to our economic and national security,” he said. He echoed an Obama-era warning by then-Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen, who called the debt “most significant threat to our national security” in 2010.
White House Office of Management and Budget Director Nick Mulvaney admitted Monday, under questioning from Breitbart News’ Michelle Moons, that President Donald Trump’s new budget proposal does not balance the budget within ten years.
The best Mulvaney could offer is the prediction that the budget deficit would decline as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) several years from now as a result of faster economic growth.
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“This situation is unsustainable, as I think we all know, and represents a dire threat to our economic and national security,” he said. He echoed an Obama-era warning by then-Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen, who called the debt “most significant threat to our national security” in 2010.
White House Office of Management and Budget Director Nick Mulvaney admitted Monday, under questioning from Breitbart News’ Michelle Moons, that President Donald Trump’s new budget proposal does not balance the budget within ten years.
The best Mulvaney could offer is the prediction that the budget deficit would decline as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) several years from now as a result of faster economic growth.
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Stagflation: Retail Sales Tumble Just As Inflation Spikes
Lost in the chaos surrounding the blistering January inflation print, i.e. the market's worst case scenario which sent yields and the dollar soaring, and futures tumbling, was a just as troubling indication that the US consumer has officially tapped out, after January retail sales dropped by -0.2%, badly missing expectations of a 0.3% increase, and the biggest decline since February 2017.
In dollar terms, retail sales fell to $492.003BN in January vs $493.3BN in December.
Stripping away volatile auto sales did not improve the situation, with retail sales ex autos unchanged, far below the 0.5% expected.
Also unchanged were retail sales ex-auto dealers, building materials and gasoline stations, as well as the retail sales "control group" which excludes food services, automobile dealers, building materials and gasoline stations and which directly feeds into GDP, will send Q1 GDP forecasts lower relative to baseline expectations.
Looking at the breakdown of retail sales categories, 6 out of 13 categories rose vs 12 last January. Notably, non-store retailers, i.e. internet sellers, were unchanged in January: the first time this series has not grown M/M in years.
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In dollar terms, retail sales fell to $492.003BN in January vs $493.3BN in December.
Stripping away volatile auto sales did not improve the situation, with retail sales ex autos unchanged, far below the 0.5% expected.
Also unchanged were retail sales ex-auto dealers, building materials and gasoline stations, as well as the retail sales "control group" which excludes food services, automobile dealers, building materials and gasoline stations and which directly feeds into GDP, will send Q1 GDP forecasts lower relative to baseline expectations.
Looking at the breakdown of retail sales categories, 6 out of 13 categories rose vs 12 last January. Notably, non-store retailers, i.e. internet sellers, were unchanged in January: the first time this series has not grown M/M in years.
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New antibiotic has literally been unearthed
For the first time in 30 years, a new type of antibiotic has been unearthed, buried in dirt.
Experiments suggest the antibiotic family, known as malacidins, can kill several 'superbugs', including the notoriously difficult-to-treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
The antibiotics' unique approach to killing pathogens targets bacteria's cell walls, which did not cause drug resistance in the laboratory, a US study found.
When tested on MRSA skin infections in rats, the rodents experienced no side effects, giving the researchers hope they may have discovered a non-toxic alternative to current antibiotics.
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Experiments suggest the antibiotic family, known as malacidins, can kill several 'superbugs', including the notoriously difficult-to-treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
The antibiotics' unique approach to killing pathogens targets bacteria's cell walls, which did not cause drug resistance in the laboratory, a US study found.
When tested on MRSA skin infections in rats, the rodents experienced no side effects, giving the researchers hope they may have discovered a non-toxic alternative to current antibiotics.
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Exclusive -- Rep. Mark Meadows on Schumer-McConnell Budget Deal: ‘The Stench of the Swamp Is Sucking in Everyone on Capitol Hill’
House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows (R-NC) toldBreitbart News Daily host and Breitbart News Washington Political Editor Matthew Boyle on Thursday that the “stench of the swamp is sucking in everyone on Capitol Hill,” regarding the Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell deal.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) struck a deal to fund the government for two years and raise the debt limit for one year. Conservative lawmakers and free-market activist groups slammed the Schumer-McConnell deal for massively increasing government spending.
The budget deal between Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell will increase defense and domestic spending by roughly $400 billion over the next two years; the Defense Department’s budget will rise by $80 billion and domestic spending will increase by $63 billion in 2018 alone. The budget deal will also raise the debt ceiling for one year.
Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI), a member of the House Freedom Caucus, said, “This spending proposal is disgusting and reckless — the biggest spending increase since 2009. I urge every American to speak out against this fiscal insanity.”
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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) struck a deal to fund the government for two years and raise the debt limit for one year. Conservative lawmakers and free-market activist groups slammed the Schumer-McConnell deal for massively increasing government spending.
The budget deal between Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell will increase defense and domestic spending by roughly $400 billion over the next two years; the Defense Department’s budget will rise by $80 billion and domestic spending will increase by $63 billion in 2018 alone. The budget deal will also raise the debt ceiling for one year.
Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI), a member of the House Freedom Caucus, said, “This spending proposal is disgusting and reckless — the biggest spending increase since 2009. I urge every American to speak out against this fiscal insanity.”
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Mortgage Apps Tumble As Rates Spike To 4-Year Highs
A week ago we warned "this won't end well" as mortgage rates started to spike, and this week's mortgage application data suggests it is...
The average 30Y mortgage rate rose 7bps this week to 4.57% - the highest level since January 2014.
Will higher rates break housing market momentum?
It appears to be impacting the mortgage application pipeline as purchase applications plunged 5.9% MoM - the biggest drop since October and September (impacted by storms).
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The average 30Y mortgage rate rose 7bps this week to 4.57% - the highest level since January 2014.
Will higher rates break housing market momentum?
It appears to be impacting the mortgage application pipeline as purchase applications plunged 5.9% MoM - the biggest drop since October and September (impacted by storms).
More
Paul Craig Roberts Sums Up The Result Of Mueller's Investigation: "Nothing!"
Robert Mueller discredited himself and his orchestrated Russiagate investigation last week (Friday, February 16, 2018) with his charges that 13 Russians and 3 Russian companies plotted to use social media to influence the 2016 election. Their intent, Mueller says, was to “sow discord in the US political system.”
What pathetic results to come from a 9 month investigation!
Note that the hyped Russian hacking of Hillary’s emails that we have heard about every day is nowhere to be found in Mueller’s charges. In its place there is “use of social media to sow discord.” I mean, really! Even if the charge were correct, considering the massive discord present in the last presidential election, with the Democrats calling Trump voters racist, sexist, homophobic white trash deplorables, how much discord could a measly 13 Russians add via social media?
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What pathetic results to come from a 9 month investigation!
Note that the hyped Russian hacking of Hillary’s emails that we have heard about every day is nowhere to be found in Mueller’s charges. In its place there is “use of social media to sow discord.” I mean, really! Even if the charge were correct, considering the massive discord present in the last presidential election, with the Democrats calling Trump voters racist, sexist, homophobic white trash deplorables, how much discord could a measly 13 Russians add via social media?
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Suspect arrested in brutal California grandmother attack, officials say
WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGE
A man was arrested Tuesday for allegedly punching a California grandmother so hard she was knocked to the ground, leaving the woman with serious facial and head injuries, officials said.
Richard Colomo, 41, was arrested after he was seen on surveillance video running around the same time 86-year-old Mi Reum Song was attacked, FOX11 Los Angeles reported. Colomo, who was seen wearing a backpack on Saturday, was booked on battery charges.
Song was walking in Los Angeles’ Koreatown neighborhood on Saturday when a man walked up to her and punched her once in the forehead, police said.
“She was struck in the forehead and fell backwards and her head struck the pavement. So [on] the back of her head there was a laceration and you can see some of the injuries to the front of her face,” LAPD Detective Heebae Cho said in a previous news conference.
Song was taken to the hospital and treated for her head injuries. She was later released.
More/Video
A man was arrested Tuesday for allegedly punching a California grandmother so hard she was knocked to the ground, leaving the woman with serious facial and head injuries, officials said.
Richard Colomo, 41, was arrested after he was seen on surveillance video running around the same time 86-year-old Mi Reum Song was attacked, FOX11 Los Angeles reported. Colomo, who was seen wearing a backpack on Saturday, was booked on battery charges.
Song was walking in Los Angeles’ Koreatown neighborhood on Saturday when a man walked up to her and punched her once in the forehead, police said.
“She was struck in the forehead and fell backwards and her head struck the pavement. So [on] the back of her head there was a laceration and you can see some of the injuries to the front of her face,” LAPD Detective Heebae Cho said in a previous news conference.
Song was taken to the hospital and treated for her head injuries. She was later released.
More/Video
CEO: Millennials Need To Let Their Kids Be Bullied
If there’s one thing most bosses agree on … it’s that far too many Millennials entering the workforce are too soft.
I blame their parents, and I blame this movement to remove ALL bullying from life.
Let’s get a couple of things straight … because I’m sure that before many people finished reading the first sentence, they were already triggered.
Bullying sucks. And I’m not talking about:
Extreme bullying
Serious violence
Cyberstalking
Blah blah blah
Now as a parent, I NEVER want to see my kids bullied. It’s heart-wrenching to see your child cry, especially when it’s at the hands of someone else.
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I blame their parents, and I blame this movement to remove ALL bullying from life.
Let’s get a couple of things straight … because I’m sure that before many people finished reading the first sentence, they were already triggered.
Bullying sucks. And I’m not talking about:
Extreme bullying
Serious violence
Cyberstalking
Blah blah blah
Now as a parent, I NEVER want to see my kids bullied. It’s heart-wrenching to see your child cry, especially when it’s at the hands of someone else.
More
Warren Doubles Down On Native American Ancestry Claim During Surprise Appearance
U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren addressed claims of her Native American heritage Wednesday while delivering remarks at the National Congress of American Indians, and insisted that her mother’s Cherokee ancestry is not a fabrication.
“My mother’s family was part Native American,” Warren said. “And my daddy’s parents were bitterly opposed to their relationship.
“So, in 1932, when Mother was 19 and Daddy had just turned 20, they eloped.”
Warren’s remarks focused on the “Pocahontas” taunts frequently lobbed at her by President Donald Trump, with whom she has sparred with numerous times on social media. During her speech, Warren sought to debunk the “Pocahontas myth” — the “fairy tale” story about the purported Jamestown romance between the Indian chief’s daughter and the Englishman John Smith.
“In the fairy tale, Pocahontas and John Smith meet and fall in love,” Warren said. “Except Smith was nearly 30, and Pocahontas was about 10 years old, whatever happened between them, it was no love story.”
The Cambridge Democrat, who is up for re-election in November, criticized the story as “a fable used to bleach away the stain of genocide.”
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“My mother’s family was part Native American,” Warren said. “And my daddy’s parents were bitterly opposed to their relationship.
“So, in 1932, when Mother was 19 and Daddy had just turned 20, they eloped.”
Warren’s remarks focused on the “Pocahontas” taunts frequently lobbed at her by President Donald Trump, with whom she has sparred with numerous times on social media. During her speech, Warren sought to debunk the “Pocahontas myth” — the “fairy tale” story about the purported Jamestown romance between the Indian chief’s daughter and the Englishman John Smith.
“In the fairy tale, Pocahontas and John Smith meet and fall in love,” Warren said. “Except Smith was nearly 30, and Pocahontas was about 10 years old, whatever happened between them, it was no love story.”
The Cambridge Democrat, who is up for re-election in November, criticized the story as “a fable used to bleach away the stain of genocide.”
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Elizabeth Warren Used To Play Indian; Now She Plays Charades
Elizabeth Warren is right about one thing: President Donald Trump should stop calling her Pocahontas.
The correct name is Fauxcahontas. That’s the nickname Boston Herald columnist and radio talk show host Howie Carr hung on her during the 2012 campaign. That’s “Faux” as in “false.” The point is that she’s a faker.
And she went right on faking during a speech to the National Congress of American Indians on Wednesday.
The speech is getting attention for “addressing” questions about her alleged indigenous identity. It indeed addressed them, but it didn’t answer them.
To state an observation a law professor might appreciate: Warren’s speech relies on assertion, and makes no argument. It’s not much of a leap to conclude that she has no argument.
In a 17-minute-plus speech of more than 2,000 words, only twice did she mention the nub of her problem:
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The correct name is Fauxcahontas. That’s the nickname Boston Herald columnist and radio talk show host Howie Carr hung on her during the 2012 campaign. That’s “Faux” as in “false.” The point is that she’s a faker.
And she went right on faking during a speech to the National Congress of American Indians on Wednesday.
The speech is getting attention for “addressing” questions about her alleged indigenous identity. It indeed addressed them, but it didn’t answer them.
To state an observation a law professor might appreciate: Warren’s speech relies on assertion, and makes no argument. It’s not much of a leap to conclude that she has no argument.
In a 17-minute-plus speech of more than 2,000 words, only twice did she mention the nub of her problem:
More
From The National Weather Service: Records Broken
Record highs have been reached at Richmond, Elizabeth City, and Salisbury thus far today.
Richmond has reached 80 degrees so far today, shattering the old record of 75 degrees set back in 1930. The temperature may still rise thus a record report will be issued later this evening. For reference, the all time February high temperature at RIC is 83 degrees. #vawx
Elizabeth City, NC has reached 79 degrees so far today, breaking the old record of 77 set back in 2014. The temperature will likely continue to rise and a record report will be issued later this evening. For reference, the all time high for February is 82 degrees. #ncwx
Salisbury, MD has reached 75 degrees so far today, tying the record of 75 set back in 1943. The temperature will likely continue to rise and a record report will be issued later this evening. For reference, the all time high for February is 80 degrees. #mdwx
Richmond has reached 80 degrees so far today, shattering the old record of 75 degrees set back in 1930. The temperature may still rise thus a record report will be issued later this evening. For reference, the all time February high temperature at RIC is 83 degrees. #vawx
Elizabeth City, NC has reached 79 degrees so far today, breaking the old record of 77 set back in 2014. The temperature will likely continue to rise and a record report will be issued later this evening. For reference, the all time high for February is 82 degrees. #ncwx
Salisbury, MD has reached 75 degrees so far today, tying the record of 75 set back in 1943. The temperature will likely continue to rise and a record report will be issued later this evening. For reference, the all time high for February is 80 degrees. #mdwx
Pro-Trump Black Pastor To Seek Fourth Congressional District
Mark Burns – leader of the Harvest Praise and Worship Center in Easley, S.C. – will announce his candidacy for the seat being vacated by U.S. congressman Trey Gowdy sometime Friday, sources familiar with his thinking tell this news site.
Burns – who was mulling a 2020 challenge against liberal “Republican” U.S. senatorLindsey Graham – already has a nifty new campaign website up and running (one featuring a spiffy introductory video).
Take a look …
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Police: Officer And Suspect Killed After Call For Domestic Incident In Pr. George’s Co.
BRANDYWINE, Md. (WJZ) — An off-duty Prince George’s County Police officer was shot and killed Wednesday morning while trying to protect a neighbor who came to him for help with a domestic situation in Brandywine, investigators say.
The suspect accused of shooting the officer, identified as 37 year old Glenn Tyndell, was also shot and killed. Police say Tyndell had three open warrants for assault.
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The suspect accused of shooting the officer, identified as 37 year old Glenn Tyndell, was also shot and killed. Police say Tyndell had three open warrants for assault.
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Texas Sheriff Who Allows Teachers To Carry Firearms Leaves MSNBC’s Jaw On The Floor
The debate over guns in America has surged again to the forefront of conversation in the wake of the horrific school shooting in Florida last week.
A deranged gunman went on a rampage through the Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, killing 17. Many are calling for stricter gun laws in the wake of the shooting. One of the students of Stoneman Douglas said this weekend that his coach, who died in the shooting, would have then able to confront the gunman had he been able to carry his firearm to school.
While the idea of arming teachers is a controversial one nationally, a school district in Texas has been arming their teachers for over 4 years. The Argyle School Independent School District decided in 2014 to allow highly trained members of staff to carry guns on campus to prevent mass shootings.
On MSNBC this weekend, Sheriff Paul Cairney of Argyle, Texas, described the process by which staff members can carry firearms in the school district. The Sheriff said that the staff at the school who choose to carry a firearm go through an intense round of interviews and training before they are allowed to carry on campus. The MSNBC host was flabbergasted at the practice and asked the Sheriff about concerns for the safety of the students in the school when there are firearms around.
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A deranged gunman went on a rampage through the Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, killing 17. Many are calling for stricter gun laws in the wake of the shooting. One of the students of Stoneman Douglas said this weekend that his coach, who died in the shooting, would have then able to confront the gunman had he been able to carry his firearm to school.
While the idea of arming teachers is a controversial one nationally, a school district in Texas has been arming their teachers for over 4 years. The Argyle School Independent School District decided in 2014 to allow highly trained members of staff to carry guns on campus to prevent mass shootings.
On MSNBC this weekend, Sheriff Paul Cairney of Argyle, Texas, described the process by which staff members can carry firearms in the school district. The Sheriff said that the staff at the school who choose to carry a firearm go through an intense round of interviews and training before they are allowed to carry on campus. The MSNBC host was flabbergasted at the practice and asked the Sheriff about concerns for the safety of the students in the school when there are firearms around.
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Flashback: CNN and MSNBC Helped Russia Sow Discord by Promoting Fake Anti-Trump Rally
One of the revelations in Friday’s indictment handed down by Special Counsel Robert Mueller was that alleged Russian attempts to sow disunity in 2016 included the organization of both pro- and anti-Trump rallies in New York City on the Saturday after Election Day.
A check of their November 12 coverage showed both CNN and MSNBC gave enthusiastic coverage to the Russian-organized anti-Trump rally that day, with live reports every hour. Correspondents celebrated the idea that it was “a love rally,” and repeated the marchers’ anti-Trump mantras, such as: “We reject the President-elect.”
While the two liberal anti-Trump networks offered heavy coverage of the anti-Trump rally throughout the day, a check of coverage between noon and 5:00 p.m. Eastern found that the Fox News Channel offered only a short re-cap (66 seconds) at the start of their 4:00 p.m. Eastern hour.
Of course, none of the networks were aware of who was allegedly behind the march, but CNN and MSNBC reveled in the inflammatory messages of the march. At one point, MSNBC anchor Alex Witt credulously responded to the ridiculously alarmist rhetoric: “That woman, when she’s saying she’s concerned that black people will be shot in the street....Is that a legitimate concern for her? Because, that’s scary.”
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A check of their November 12 coverage showed both CNN and MSNBC gave enthusiastic coverage to the Russian-organized anti-Trump rally that day, with live reports every hour. Correspondents celebrated the idea that it was “a love rally,” and repeated the marchers’ anti-Trump mantras, such as: “We reject the President-elect.”
While the two liberal anti-Trump networks offered heavy coverage of the anti-Trump rally throughout the day, a check of coverage between noon and 5:00 p.m. Eastern found that the Fox News Channel offered only a short re-cap (66 seconds) at the start of their 4:00 p.m. Eastern hour.
Of course, none of the networks were aware of who was allegedly behind the march, but CNN and MSNBC reveled in the inflammatory messages of the march. At one point, MSNBC anchor Alex Witt credulously responded to the ridiculously alarmist rhetoric: “That woman, when she’s saying she’s concerned that black people will be shot in the street....Is that a legitimate concern for her? Because, that’s scary.”
More
Debt Cancer: More Than 80% Of American Adults Owe Somebody Else Money
How long can our debt levels keep growing much, much faster than the overall economy?
We haven’t had a year of 3 percent growth for the U.S. economy since the middle of the Bush administration, but we keep borrowing money as if there is no tomorrow. Much of the focus has been on the exploding debt of the federal government, and that is definitely something I plan to address once I get to Washington. But on an individual level, U.S. consumers have been extremely irresponsible as well. In fact, one new survey has found that more than 80 percent of all American adults are currently in debt…
It’s no secret that America is a nation that runs on debt, but it may surprise you to learn that the overwhelming majority of U.S. adults owe money in some way, shape, or form. According to new data from Comet, here’s how many Americans have debt at present:
80.9% of Baby Boomers
79.9% of Gen Xers
81.5% of Millennials
For most of us, it starts very early. We were told that going into debt to get a college education would not be a problem because we would be able to pay those loans off with the good jobs we would get after graduation.
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We haven’t had a year of 3 percent growth for the U.S. economy since the middle of the Bush administration, but we keep borrowing money as if there is no tomorrow. Much of the focus has been on the exploding debt of the federal government, and that is definitely something I plan to address once I get to Washington. But on an individual level, U.S. consumers have been extremely irresponsible as well. In fact, one new survey has found that more than 80 percent of all American adults are currently in debt…
It’s no secret that America is a nation that runs on debt, but it may surprise you to learn that the overwhelming majority of U.S. adults owe money in some way, shape, or form. According to new data from Comet, here’s how many Americans have debt at present:
80.9% of Baby Boomers
79.9% of Gen Xers
81.5% of Millennials
For most of us, it starts very early. We were told that going into debt to get a college education would not be a problem because we would be able to pay those loans off with the good jobs we would get after graduation.
More
Well she totally made a fool out of herself
Pink: "I'm fighting back the flu and hope I can since the National Anthem at Super Bowl to live up to my icon, Whitney Houston."
— Dave Quinn (@NineDaves) February 19, 2018
Fergie: "I feel great — lemme try!" pic.twitter.com/fCtH5sPMKW
Flu shot only 36 percent effective, making bad year worse
NEW YORK — The flu vaccine is doing a poor job protecting older Americans and others against the bug that’s causing most illnesses.
Preliminary figures released Thursday suggest the vaccine is 36 percent effective overall in preventing flu illness severe enough to send a patient to the doctor’s office.
There’s only been one other time in the last decade when the flu vaccine did a worse job.
Most illnesses this winter have been caused by a nasty kind of flu called Type A H3N2. The vaccine was only 25 percent effective against that type.
This kind of virus tends to cause more suffering and has been responsible for the worst recent flu seasons. But experts have wondered whether low vaccine effectiveness is another reason for the surprisingly severe season hitting the United States this winter.
Based on these numbers, the answer is yes.
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Preliminary figures released Thursday suggest the vaccine is 36 percent effective overall in preventing flu illness severe enough to send a patient to the doctor’s office.
There’s only been one other time in the last decade when the flu vaccine did a worse job.
Most illnesses this winter have been caused by a nasty kind of flu called Type A H3N2. The vaccine was only 25 percent effective against that type.
This kind of virus tends to cause more suffering and has been responsible for the worst recent flu seasons. But experts have wondered whether low vaccine effectiveness is another reason for the surprisingly severe season hitting the United States this winter.
Based on these numbers, the answer is yes.
More
Food stamp fraud and the opioid epidemic: More reasons to go to food boxes
A couple years ago, someone who stole $3.5 million from the government food stamps program was sentenced to...one year in jail.
WORCESTER – A federal judge Monday sentenced a local woman to a year in jail and ordered her to forfeit $3.5 million and pay restitution in what lawyers said was the largest food stamp fraud case in Massachusetts history.
Vida Ofori Causey, 46, owner of J&W Aseda Plaza at 753 Main St., pleaded guilty in December to charges of conspiracy to commit Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits fraud, SNAP fraud, and money laundering in a $3.6 million cash-for-benefits scheme.
The scheme involved buying food stamps for 50 cents on the dollar while charging the government the full value of the benefit. In a four-year period, Mrs. Causey rang through more than $3.6 million worth of benefits from a three-aisle convenience store in Main South.
The Worcester Telegram story is pretty emblematic of the widespread level of fraud out there in the federal food stamp program and, as the left howled, probably why the Trump administration moved to change half the benefit from food stamps to food boxes. Food boxes are quite a bit harder to offload to store owners for cash at the local convenience store.
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WORCESTER – A federal judge Monday sentenced a local woman to a year in jail and ordered her to forfeit $3.5 million and pay restitution in what lawyers said was the largest food stamp fraud case in Massachusetts history.
Vida Ofori Causey, 46, owner of J&W Aseda Plaza at 753 Main St., pleaded guilty in December to charges of conspiracy to commit Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits fraud, SNAP fraud, and money laundering in a $3.6 million cash-for-benefits scheme.
The scheme involved buying food stamps for 50 cents on the dollar while charging the government the full value of the benefit. In a four-year period, Mrs. Causey rang through more than $3.6 million worth of benefits from a three-aisle convenience store in Main South.
The Worcester Telegram story is pretty emblematic of the widespread level of fraud out there in the federal food stamp program and, as the left howled, probably why the Trump administration moved to change half the benefit from food stamps to food boxes. Food boxes are quite a bit harder to offload to store owners for cash at the local convenience store.
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Soros Calls on EU to Regulate Social Media to Fight Populism
Billionaire open-borders activist George Soros has demanded the European Union (EU) regulate social media because voters’ minds are being controlled and “manipulated”.
He claimed the size of social media firms made them a “public menace” and argued they had led people to vote against globalist causes, including electing President Donald J. Trump, in an article for The Guardian published Thursday.
The speculator, who runs one of the largest campaigning groups in the world and is noted for his interference in foreign politics and elections, said ultimately unregulated social media threatened democracy and the “integrity of elections”.
New media websites and populist groups have been prolific on social media, using the platforms to surpass mainstream media and promote causes Mr. Soros and his allies oppose.
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He claimed the size of social media firms made them a “public menace” and argued they had led people to vote against globalist causes, including electing President Donald J. Trump, in an article for The Guardian published Thursday.
The speculator, who runs one of the largest campaigning groups in the world and is noted for his interference in foreign politics and elections, said ultimately unregulated social media threatened democracy and the “integrity of elections”.
New media websites and populist groups have been prolific on social media, using the platforms to surpass mainstream media and promote causes Mr. Soros and his allies oppose.
More
Kobach: Democrats’ ‘Dirty Little Secret’ Is Excluding Citizenship Question on U.S. Census
During an interview with Fox News Channel’s Tucker Carlson that aired on Monday, Kansas Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Kris Kobach says the Democrats’ “dirty little secret” was the exclusion of the citizenship question on the United States Census.
Kobach explained how excluding the question asking U.S. residents if they are citizens has impacted on nationwide elections, congressional districts, and remains a provision Democrats are committed to fighting.
Partial transcript as follows:
KOBACH: Think of it this way. There are 710,000 people per representative in Congress. But if you live in a district like Maxine Waters’ district out in California, probably half or more of your district is illegal aliens. And so you may only have 350,000 citizens voting in your district. Those citizens’ votes count twice as much as my vote or your vote if you live in a district that doesn’t have tons of illegal aliens.
So you have vote dilution where some peoples’ vote matters more than others because they have tons of illegal aliens in their district.
KOBACH: Well, I think it’s a dirty little secret that they don’t really want to talk about. And you’re absolutely right, the 1964 decision of the Supreme Court, Westbury vs. Sanders says voting dilution is unconstitutional.
More here
Kobach explained how excluding the question asking U.S. residents if they are citizens has impacted on nationwide elections, congressional districts, and remains a provision Democrats are committed to fighting.
Partial transcript as follows:
KOBACH: Think of it this way. There are 710,000 people per representative in Congress. But if you live in a district like Maxine Waters’ district out in California, probably half or more of your district is illegal aliens. And so you may only have 350,000 citizens voting in your district. Those citizens’ votes count twice as much as my vote or your vote if you live in a district that doesn’t have tons of illegal aliens.
So you have vote dilution where some peoples’ vote matters more than others because they have tons of illegal aliens in their district.
KOBACH: Well, I think it’s a dirty little secret that they don’t really want to talk about. And you’re absolutely right, the 1964 decision of the Supreme Court, Westbury vs. Sanders says voting dilution is unconstitutional.
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Trump Supports Background Check System
President Donald Trump is open to supporting bipartisan efforts to improve the federal background check system to buy weapons, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a Monday statement.
“While discussions are ongoing and revisions are being considered, the President is supportive of efforts to improve the Federal background check system,” Sanders said, adding that Trump spoke with Texas Senator John Cornyn Friday about prospective legislation.
Sander’s statement follows a declaration from vice president Mike Pence that school safety will be a “top priority” of the White House in the coming months. “We are going to remain focused on bringing renewed energy to making our schools safe and taking a renewed look at giving law enforcement and local authorities the tools they need to deal with individuals struggling with dangerous mental illness,” he declared.
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“While discussions are ongoing and revisions are being considered, the President is supportive of efforts to improve the Federal background check system,” Sanders said, adding that Trump spoke with Texas Senator John Cornyn Friday about prospective legislation.
Sander’s statement follows a declaration from vice president Mike Pence that school safety will be a “top priority” of the White House in the coming months. “We are going to remain focused on bringing renewed energy to making our schools safe and taking a renewed look at giving law enforcement and local authorities the tools they need to deal with individuals struggling with dangerous mental illness,” he declared.
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Enough: Trump Fires Back at Female Accuser, 'A Woman I Don't Know'
President Trump, in one of his Tuesday morning tweets, expressed irritation with the continuing media coverage of Rachel Crooks, a woman who's made repeated media appearances to complain that Trump made improper advances when she approached him years ago in the lobby of Trump Tower.
The Washington Post ran a front-page story on Crooks on Tuesday with the title: "Trump accuser keeps telling her story, hoping someone will finally listen." (Apparently no one has taken Crooks seriously because she's made so much out of so little so long ago.)
Crooks previously has told her story in TV appearances: She says while working as a receptionist at Trump Tower in 2006, she -- a naive 22-year-old from rural Ohio -- approached tycoon Donald Trump in the lobby and introduced herself. She says he pulled her in for a kiss on each cheek, asked her where she was from, asked her if she wanted to be model, and then kissed her on the lips.
"It felt like a long kiss," the Post quoted Crooks as saying at a recent gathering with her aunt's friends. "The whole thing probably lasted two minutes, maybe less."
"A woman I don’t know and, to the best of my knowledge, never met, is on the FRONT PAGE of the Fake News Washington Post saying I kissed her (for two minutes yet) in the lobby of Trump Tower 12 years ago. Never happened! Who would do this in a public space with live security cameras running. Another False Accusation. Why doesn’t @washingtonpost report the story of the women taking money to make up stories about me? One had her home mortgage paid off. Only @FoxNews so reported...doesn’t fit the Mainstream Media narrative," Trump tweeted.
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The Washington Post ran a front-page story on Crooks on Tuesday with the title: "Trump accuser keeps telling her story, hoping someone will finally listen." (Apparently no one has taken Crooks seriously because she's made so much out of so little so long ago.)
Crooks previously has told her story in TV appearances: She says while working as a receptionist at Trump Tower in 2006, she -- a naive 22-year-old from rural Ohio -- approached tycoon Donald Trump in the lobby and introduced herself. She says he pulled her in for a kiss on each cheek, asked her where she was from, asked her if she wanted to be model, and then kissed her on the lips.
"It felt like a long kiss," the Post quoted Crooks as saying at a recent gathering with her aunt's friends. "The whole thing probably lasted two minutes, maybe less."
"A woman I don’t know and, to the best of my knowledge, never met, is on the FRONT PAGE of the Fake News Washington Post saying I kissed her (for two minutes yet) in the lobby of Trump Tower 12 years ago. Never happened! Who would do this in a public space with live security cameras running. Another False Accusation. Why doesn’t @washingtonpost report the story of the women taking money to make up stories about me? One had her home mortgage paid off. Only @FoxNews so reported...doesn’t fit the Mainstream Media narrative," Trump tweeted.
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Secret surveillance court puts pressure on DOJ over Carter Page warrant records
The head of a top secret surveillance court, in an unusual letter to GOP lawmakers, seemed to put pressure on the Justice Department to consider releasing documents related to the 2016 surveillance warrant granted against a Trump campaign aide.
The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) was responding to requests from the House Intelligence and House Judiciary committees for transcripts of hearings and other documents related to the applications to spy on Trump aide Carter Page.
Republicans claim the Obama FBI relied heavily on the unverified anti-Trump dossier in their application and failed to adequately disclose the document's Democratic funding.
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The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) was responding to requests from the House Intelligence and House Judiciary committees for transcripts of hearings and other documents related to the applications to spy on Trump aide Carter Page.
Republicans claim the Obama FBI relied heavily on the unverified anti-Trump dossier in their application and failed to adequately disclose the document's Democratic funding.
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http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/02/16/secret-surveillance-court-puts-pressure-on-doj-over-carter-page-warrant-records.html
‘DACA Kids Definitely Have this Sense of Entitlement’: Older Illegal Aliens Turn on Younger
Older illegal aliens who entered the United States decades ago are growing increasingly annoyed by younger illegal aliens who were given temporary amnesty by the President Obama-created Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
A report by the Los Angeles Times reveals how older illegal aliens are sick of DACA illegal aliens receiving the vast majority of public attention in the last year, as Congress has attempted, but failed to grant them amnesty to permanently remain in the U.S.
The LA Times interviewed one older illegal alien in particular, who complained that a DACA amnesty would not be enough for the roughly 12 to 30 million illegal alien population because he would not get amnesty under such a plan.
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A report by the Los Angeles Times reveals how older illegal aliens are sick of DACA illegal aliens receiving the vast majority of public attention in the last year, as Congress has attempted, but failed to grant them amnesty to permanently remain in the U.S.
The LA Times interviewed one older illegal alien in particular, who complained that a DACA amnesty would not be enough for the roughly 12 to 30 million illegal alien population because he would not get amnesty under such a plan.
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More BS From Your Mainstream Media
Apparently he doesn't even go to the school, his father is an FBI agent and the sheriff has several pictures with Bernie, Hillary, Biden and Obama.
It Looks Like "The Greatest Act Of Bureaucratic Ass-Covering In US History..."
Remember this one from 1996?
WASHINGTON — A team of American political strategists who helped [California] Gov. Pete Wilson with his abortive presidential bid earlier this year said this week that they served as Russian President Boris N. Yeltsin’s secret campaign weapon in his comeback win over a Communist challenge.
—The Los Angeles Times, July 9, 1996
The beauty in Robert Mueller’s indictment of thirteen Russian Facebook trolls is that they’ll never face trial, so Mr. Mueller will never have to prove his case. In the new misrule of law made popular by the #Me Too movement, accusations suffice to convict the target of an investigation.
Kind of sounds like going medieval to me, but that’s how we roll now in the Land of the Free.
Readers know, of course, that I’m not a Trump supporter, that I regard him as a national embarrassment, but I’m much more disturbed by the mindless hysteria ginned up Washington’s permanent bureaucracy in collusion with half a dozen major newspapers and cable news networks, who have run a psy-ops campaign to shove the country into a war mentality.
The New York Times published a doozy of a lead story on Saturday, the day after the indictments were announced. The headline said:Trump’s Conspicuous Silence Leaves a Struggle Against Russia Without a Leader. Dean Baquet and his editorial board are apparently seeking an Ame
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Gingrich: Arming Teachers 'Only Long-Term Solution' to School Shootings
Tuesday on Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends,” former Speaker Newt Gingrich said the “only long-term solution” to school shootings was to have teachers and administrators trained in the use of firearms and ”prepared” to defend the kids.
Gingrich said, “What I think is the only long-term solution, which is to have — depending on the size of the school, a minimum of 6 to 8 teachers and administrators who are trained in the use of firearms and have concealed carry permits and are prepared to defend the kids. We’ve had this experiment. I thought the sheriff from Florida said it perfectly when he said we have experimented with the gun free zone. It’s called a school. Every school in the country is supposed to be a gun-free zone. If gun control worked, how come it didn’t work? We have to be realistic. We are not going to confiscate guns on the scale to make us a disarmed country.”
He added, “The truth is sooner or later somebody is going to slip through the net— the civil liberties problem— if you go out and pick weird, you are really infringing on the right of people to be free.”
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Gingrich said, “What I think is the only long-term solution, which is to have — depending on the size of the school, a minimum of 6 to 8 teachers and administrators who are trained in the use of firearms and have concealed carry permits and are prepared to defend the kids. We’ve had this experiment. I thought the sheriff from Florida said it perfectly when he said we have experimented with the gun free zone. It’s called a school. Every school in the country is supposed to be a gun-free zone. If gun control worked, how come it didn’t work? We have to be realistic. We are not going to confiscate guns on the scale to make us a disarmed country.”
He added, “The truth is sooner or later somebody is going to slip through the net— the civil liberties problem— if you go out and pick weird, you are really infringing on the right of people to be free.”
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Michael Savage: FBI Released ‘Nothing Indictment’ to ‘Cover Up Their Own Failure’ in Florida
The FBI is seeking to distract from its failure to prevent last week’s mass murder at a Florida high school by making an announcement on Friday of the indictment of 13 Russian nationals, Michael Savage said on Friday’s edition of his eponymous radio show.
“Timing is everything,” said Savage of the indictments’ announcement on Friday, pointing to the three-day Presidents’ Day weekend, which is officially on Monday.
“Everything is done with great forethought,” said Savage. “These are some of the cleverest people on the planet right now, working on trying to indict Donald Trump and his family. Believe me, they chose to drop it today because they’re covering their own tracks.”
Savage explained what he viewed as the FBI’s motivations for a Friday announcement of indictments related to Mueller’s ostensible investigation into allegations of the Russian state’s “attempts in interfere in the 2016 presidential election”:
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“Timing is everything,” said Savage of the indictments’ announcement on Friday, pointing to the three-day Presidents’ Day weekend, which is officially on Monday.
“Everything is done with great forethought,” said Savage. “These are some of the cleverest people on the planet right now, working on trying to indict Donald Trump and his family. Believe me, they chose to drop it today because they’re covering their own tracks.”
Savage explained what he viewed as the FBI’s motivations for a Friday announcement of indictments related to Mueller’s ostensible investigation into allegations of the Russian state’s “attempts in interfere in the 2016 presidential election”:
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Trump directs attorney general to propose bump stock ban
President Trump on Tuesday said that he wants to ban so-called bump stocks — devices that can turn ordinary rifles into weapons that fire like machine guns, such as those used in the mass killing in Las Vegas.
“After the deadly shooting in Las Vegas, I directed the attorney general to clarify whether certain bump stock devices like the one used in Las Vegas are illegal under current law,” Trump said, referring to Jeff Sessions.
“Just a few moments ago, I signed a memorandum directing the attorney general to propose regulations to ban all devices that turn legal weapons into machine guns,” Trump continued at the White House.
“I expect that these critical regulations will be finalized very soon.”
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“After the deadly shooting in Las Vegas, I directed the attorney general to clarify whether certain bump stock devices like the one used in Las Vegas are illegal under current law,” Trump said, referring to Jeff Sessions.
“Just a few moments ago, I signed a memorandum directing the attorney general to propose regulations to ban all devices that turn legal weapons into machine guns,” Trump continued at the White House.
“I expect that these critical regulations will be finalized very soon.”
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Iraqi Archbishop: Muslim ‘Slow-Motion Genocide’ of Christians Began 1400 Years Ago
The violent Muslim persecution of Christians in the Middle East did not begin with the Islamic State’s rise to power in 2014, said Iraqi Archishop Bashar Warda, but rather many centuries ago.
“Having faced for 1,400 years the slow-motion genocide that began long before the ongoing ISIS genocide today, the time for excusing this inhuman behavior and its causes is long since past,” said the Chaldean Archbishop of Erbil in a forceful speech last week at Georgetown University.
According to the archbishop, Islamic persecution of Christians in the Middle East began with the founding of Islam itself in the 7th century, and thus is a permanent fixture of Islam that was present from the very beginning.
“The harsh truth to this question is that without an end to this persecution and violence there is no future for religious pluralism in Iraq or anywhere else in the Middle East for that matter,” he said.
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“Having faced for 1,400 years the slow-motion genocide that began long before the ongoing ISIS genocide today, the time for excusing this inhuman behavior and its causes is long since past,” said the Chaldean Archbishop of Erbil in a forceful speech last week at Georgetown University.
According to the archbishop, Islamic persecution of Christians in the Middle East began with the founding of Islam itself in the 7th century, and thus is a permanent fixture of Islam that was present from the very beginning.
“The harsh truth to this question is that without an end to this persecution and violence there is no future for religious pluralism in Iraq or anywhere else in the Middle East for that matter,” he said.
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How Stupid Is The FBI? Couldn't Find HS Shooter — Even Though He Used REAL NAME In YouTube Threat!
Is the FBI completely incompetent? Or is the Bureau just stupid?
Unfortunately, those are the only two choices available at this point.
In the aftermath of the tragic shooting at a Florida high school which left 17 dead and 14 wounded, it was revealed that the FBI had been warned five months ago about the shooter, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz.
A video blogger on YouTube notified the FBI in September about an alarming comment on a video he'd posted. "Im going to be a professional school shooter," read the comment left by a user with the name Nikolas Cruz — the same name of the now-confessed shooter.
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Unfortunately, those are the only two choices available at this point.
In the aftermath of the tragic shooting at a Florida high school which left 17 dead and 14 wounded, it was revealed that the FBI had been warned five months ago about the shooter, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz.
A video blogger on YouTube notified the FBI in September about an alarming comment on a video he'd posted. "Im going to be a professional school shooter," read the comment left by a user with the name Nikolas Cruz — the same name of the now-confessed shooter.
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Columbine survivor introduces bill to expand concealed-carry in schools
DENVER — Some students are calling for tougher gun-control laws after escaping last week’s horrific massacre inParkland, Florida, but another school-shooting survivor is going in a different direction.
Colorado House Minority Leader Patrick Neville, who attended Columbine High School at the time of the 1999 mass shooting, has again introduced legislation to remove limitations on concealed carry in K-12 schools.
Under state law, concealed-carry permit holders may bring firearms onto school property, but must keep them locked inside their vehicles.
Mr. Neville, who has introduced the bill annually since he was elected in 2014, said the current law “creates a so-called gun free zone in every K-12 public school.”
“This act would allow every law-abiding citizens who holds a concealed carry permit, issued from their chief law-enforcement officer, the right to carry concealed in order to defend themselves and most importantly our children from the worst-case scenarios,” Mr. Neville said in a statement.
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Colorado House Minority Leader Patrick Neville, who attended Columbine High School at the time of the 1999 mass shooting, has again introduced legislation to remove limitations on concealed carry in K-12 schools.
Under state law, concealed-carry permit holders may bring firearms onto school property, but must keep them locked inside their vehicles.
Mr. Neville, who has introduced the bill annually since he was elected in 2014, said the current law “creates a so-called gun free zone in every K-12 public school.”
“This act would allow every law-abiding citizens who holds a concealed carry permit, issued from their chief law-enforcement officer, the right to carry concealed in order to defend themselves and most importantly our children from the worst-case scenarios,” Mr. Neville said in a statement.
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Attorney General Frosh to Education Secretary DeVos: Reject Accrediting Agency that Approved Failing For-Profit Schools
BALTIMORE, MD – Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh today joined a coalition of states in opposing an application by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) to regain its status as a nationally-recognized accreditor, noting the accreditor’s “extreme and far-reaching oversight failures” and the serious harm it caused students and taxpayers across the country by enabling fraud and abuse by predatory for-profit schools.
Read more in the full press release:http://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/press/2018/022018.pdf
Read more in the full press release:http://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/press/2018/022018.pdf
Watch A Flustered John Podesta Respond To "How 13 Russians Operatives" Outsmarted Hillary
Former Clinton campaign manager and ardent foodie, John Podesta, was caught flat-footed during a heated exchange on CBS's "Face the Nation" Sunday after being asked about the campaign's failure to campaign in so-called "purple states" in 2016.
In a discussion of 13 Russian nationals indicted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, host Nancy Cordes noted that Russian operatives who meddled in the election somehow realized the importance of focusing on those highly contested swing states.
“How is it that these Russian operatives knew to focus on purple states like Michigan and Wisconsin and your campaign didn’t?”Nancy Cordes, the host of “Face the Nation,” asked Podesta.
A defensive Podesta responded “Of course we spent a lot of time and energy and effort in all those states."
Cordes pushed back, something Podesta wasn't prepared for. “Hillary Clinton did not spend much time" in said "purple" states. A flustered Podesta then stammered his way through a series of talking points, noting “We had Tim Kaine was there, Barack Obama and she spent enormous time in Pennsylvania and Michigan.”
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In a discussion of 13 Russian nationals indicted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, host Nancy Cordes noted that Russian operatives who meddled in the election somehow realized the importance of focusing on those highly contested swing states.
“How is it that these Russian operatives knew to focus on purple states like Michigan and Wisconsin and your campaign didn’t?”Nancy Cordes, the host of “Face the Nation,” asked Podesta.
A defensive Podesta responded “Of course we spent a lot of time and energy and effort in all those states."
Cordes pushed back, something Podesta wasn't prepared for. “Hillary Clinton did not spend much time" in said "purple" states. A flustered Podesta then stammered his way through a series of talking points, noting “We had Tim Kaine was there, Barack Obama and she spent enormous time in Pennsylvania and Michigan.”
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Delaware may let students ‘choose’ their race, gender without parental consent
A proposal that would let students in Delaware as young as 5 choose their own race and gender-identity – without approval from their parents – has sparked a bitter battle in the First State.
On one side are parents who say they want a more welcoming climate for their transgender or non-binary children. On the other side are parents who say the proposal infringes on their basic parental rights.
Under Regulation 225, schools would be required to provide access to facilities and activities that are consistent with a student's gender identity—regardless of the child's sex at birth. That includes bathrooms, locker rooms, team sports and adhering to the child's preferred name. Under the proposal, students could also choose their own race.
What has rankled some parents is that the new regulation does not require schools to inform parents of the child’s decision. Instead, the policy advises administrators to assess the child’s well-being before disclosing the information to the child’s parents.
While a growing number of states are imposing rules to protect transgender students, Delaware’s proposed rules go further – letting a child decide, even if the parent disagrees with the decision.
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On one side are parents who say they want a more welcoming climate for their transgender or non-binary children. On the other side are parents who say the proposal infringes on their basic parental rights.
Under Regulation 225, schools would be required to provide access to facilities and activities that are consistent with a student's gender identity—regardless of the child's sex at birth. That includes bathrooms, locker rooms, team sports and adhering to the child's preferred name. Under the proposal, students could also choose their own race.
What has rankled some parents is that the new regulation does not require schools to inform parents of the child’s decision. Instead, the policy advises administrators to assess the child’s well-being before disclosing the information to the child’s parents.
While a growing number of states are imposing rules to protect transgender students, Delaware’s proposed rules go further – letting a child decide, even if the parent disagrees with the decision.
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Florida Governor Rick Scott Demands FBI Detail Failure to Act Over School Shooter Tips
Florida’s Republican Governor, Rick Scott, is demanding that the FBI reveal in detail how it failed to heed warnings that the Parkland school shooter was a potential threat.
“Today I am calling on the FBI to immediately release all details surrounding the bureau’s failure to act on a tip it received, including all details and protocols,” Scott said in a Mondaystatement.
“Last week, our state and nation was shocked to learn of the FBI’s inexcusable inaction after receiving a tip informing them of Cruz’s desire to carry out a school shooting. The FBI’s failure to initiate an investigation raises many questions, and the victims’ families deserve answers now,” Scott said.
The FBI admitted that it may have broken its own protocols by allowing the tips about accused shooter Nickolas Cruz to slip unaddressed through the cracks.
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“Today I am calling on the FBI to immediately release all details surrounding the bureau’s failure to act on a tip it received, including all details and protocols,” Scott said in a Mondaystatement.
“Last week, our state and nation was shocked to learn of the FBI’s inexcusable inaction after receiving a tip informing them of Cruz’s desire to carry out a school shooting. The FBI’s failure to initiate an investigation raises many questions, and the victims’ families deserve answers now,” Scott said.
The FBI admitted that it may have broken its own protocols by allowing the tips about accused shooter Nickolas Cruz to slip unaddressed through the cracks.
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250 Teachers Sign Up for 50 Seats at Concealed Carry Training Session
Butler County, Ohio, Sheriff Richard K. Jones offered free concealed carry training for 50 teachers and 250 teachers responded within 24 hours.
Breitbart News reported that Jones began advertising the free training on Sunday and the immediate response was 50 emails within 20 minutes.
On February 20 Fox 91 reported the response had jumped to 250 teachers who wanted training. Jones reveled in the opportunity to instruct them, saying, “We have 250 and growing fast. We will start training fast, next week.”
Sheriff Jones stressed that he wants teachers to understand what they can do with a gun if an armed attacker enters the classroom.
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Breitbart News reported that Jones began advertising the free training on Sunday and the immediate response was 50 emails within 20 minutes.
On February 20 Fox 91 reported the response had jumped to 250 teachers who wanted training. Jones reveled in the opportunity to instruct them, saying, “We have 250 and growing fast. We will start training fast, next week.”
Sheriff Jones stressed that he wants teachers to understand what they can do with a gun if an armed attacker enters the classroom.
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REPORT: Mike Flynn Moving To Withdraw Guilty Plea. Here's Why.
"A motion by Michael Flynn to withdraw his guilty plea based on government misconduct is likely in the works," declared The Federalist's Margot Cleveland on Friday.
Judge Emmet G. Sullivan issued a so-called "Brady" order on Friday in United States v. Flynn that Cleveland, a lawyer, says "likely" stands as an indication that the former Trump national security advisor is looking to withdraw his guilty plea based on government misconduct.
Flynn was charged with lying to the FBI during the Mueller probe on November 30. The former Trump advisor pleaded guilty on December 1 before federal judge Rudolph Contreras, but less than one week later, the case was reassigned under Judge Sullivan.
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Judge Emmet G. Sullivan issued a so-called "Brady" order on Friday in United States v. Flynn that Cleveland, a lawyer, says "likely" stands as an indication that the former Trump national security advisor is looking to withdraw his guilty plea based on government misconduct.
Flynn was charged with lying to the FBI during the Mueller probe on November 30. The former Trump advisor pleaded guilty on December 1 before federal judge Rudolph Contreras, but less than one week later, the case was reassigned under Judge Sullivan.
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Baltimore is the nation's most dangerous city
The collective homicide toll for America’s 50 biggest cities dipped slightly in 2017, a USA TODAY analysis of crime data found.
The FBI won’t publish its annual comprehensive crime report until later this year, but an early review of police department crime data shows that killings decreased by at least 1% in large jurisdictions compared with 2016.
The modest decrease in killings comes after FBI data showed back-to-back years in which homicides rose sharply in large cities. (Homicides in cities with 250,000 or more residents rose by about 15.2% from 2014 to 2015, and 8.2% from 2015 to 2016.)
There were 5,738 homicides in the nation’s 50 biggest cities in 2017 compared with 5,863 homicides in 2016, a roughly 2.3% reduction.
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The FBI won’t publish its annual comprehensive crime report until later this year, but an early review of police department crime data shows that killings decreased by at least 1% in large jurisdictions compared with 2016.
The modest decrease in killings comes after FBI data showed back-to-back years in which homicides rose sharply in large cities. (Homicides in cities with 250,000 or more residents rose by about 15.2% from 2014 to 2015, and 8.2% from 2015 to 2016.)
There were 5,738 homicides in the nation’s 50 biggest cities in 2017 compared with 5,863 homicides in 2016, a roughly 2.3% reduction.
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2020 Dem contenders travel to key primary states
Democrats with an eye on challenging President Trump in 2020 are already making travel plans that could position themselves for a potential bid.
Progressive favorite Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) sparked the latest round of intrigue last week when he announced he’d be heading back to Iowa, which hosts the first vote of the presidential primary race, to campaign for a former staffer’s congressional bid.
Here’s a rundown of which potential 2020 contenders have already made the pilgrimage to key early primary states Iowa or New Hampshire, sorted by those who have traveled to these states the most.
Former Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander: 10 trips to Iowa, 7 trips to New Hampshire
Kander, a former Missouri secretary of State who ran a surprisingly strong Senate race in 2016, appears to have an affinity for the Hawkeye and Granite states. He’s averaged more than one trip a month since 2016 to one of the early primary states.
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Progressive favorite Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) sparked the latest round of intrigue last week when he announced he’d be heading back to Iowa, which hosts the first vote of the presidential primary race, to campaign for a former staffer’s congressional bid.
Here’s a rundown of which potential 2020 contenders have already made the pilgrimage to key early primary states Iowa or New Hampshire, sorted by those who have traveled to these states the most.
Former Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander: 10 trips to Iowa, 7 trips to New Hampshire
Kander, a former Missouri secretary of State who ran a surprisingly strong Senate race in 2016, appears to have an affinity for the Hawkeye and Granite states. He’s averaged more than one trip a month since 2016 to one of the early primary states.
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FBI Informant Testifies: Moscow Routed Millions To Clinton Foundation In "Russian Uranium Dominance Strategy"
Undercover FBI informant William Campbell has given written testimony to Congressional investigators after an "iron clad" gag order was lifted in October
Campbell was a highly valued CIA and FBI asset deeply embedded in the Russian nuclear industry while Robert Mueller was the Director of the FBI
Campbell was required by the Russians, under threat, to launder large sums of money - which allowed the FBI to uncover a massive Russian "nuclear money laundering apparatus"
He collected over 5,000 documents and briefs over a six year period, some of which detail efforts by Moscow to route money to the Clinton Foundation
Campbell claims to have video evidence of bribe money related to the Uranium One deal being stuffed into suitcases.
The Obama FBI knew about the bribery scheme, yet the administration still approved the Uranium One deal.
To thank him for his service, Campbell was paid $51,000 by FBI officials at a 2016 celebration dinner in Chrystal City
When it emerged that Campbell had evidence against the Clinton Foundation, a Yahoo News article by Michael Isikoff (of FISA warrant application fame) slammed Campbell as a "disaster" potential witness
An undercover FBI informant embedded in the Russian nuclear industry who was made to sign an "illegal NDA" by former Attorney General Loretta Lynch has finally given his testimony to three Congressional committees.
William D. Campbell became an FBI counterintelligence asset after spending several years as a CIA operative who developed working relationships in the nuclear industry in Kazakhstan and Russia.
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Campbell was a highly valued CIA and FBI asset deeply embedded in the Russian nuclear industry while Robert Mueller was the Director of the FBI
Campbell was required by the Russians, under threat, to launder large sums of money - which allowed the FBI to uncover a massive Russian "nuclear money laundering apparatus"
He collected over 5,000 documents and briefs over a six year period, some of which detail efforts by Moscow to route money to the Clinton Foundation
Campbell claims to have video evidence of bribe money related to the Uranium One deal being stuffed into suitcases.
The Obama FBI knew about the bribery scheme, yet the administration still approved the Uranium One deal.
To thank him for his service, Campbell was paid $51,000 by FBI officials at a 2016 celebration dinner in Chrystal City
When it emerged that Campbell had evidence against the Clinton Foundation, a Yahoo News article by Michael Isikoff (of FISA warrant application fame) slammed Campbell as a "disaster" potential witness
An undercover FBI informant embedded in the Russian nuclear industry who was made to sign an "illegal NDA" by former Attorney General Loretta Lynch has finally given his testimony to three Congressional committees.
William D. Campbell became an FBI counterintelligence asset after spending several years as a CIA operative who developed working relationships in the nuclear industry in Kazakhstan and Russia.
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Texas Police Chief Advocates Arming Teachers To Prevent Mass Shootings
In the wake of the deadly shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, 17-year-old survivor Colton Haab told Fox News that he believes that if his football coach Aaron Feis, who died in the attack shielding students from gunfire, had been able to carry his firearm at school, he would have been able to effectively obstruct the gunman.
“If Coach Feis had had his firearm in school that day, I believe that he most likely could’ve stopped the threat,” Haab told Fox News.
Haab went on to explain that Feis, who was a trained security guard in addition to being an assistant football coach, upon hearing the sound of gunfire, sped off in his golf cart toward the sound of the gunshots.
While arming teachers is not common practice, The Daily Caller reports that one Texas school district has been doing exactly that for the past four years.
In 2014, motivated in part by the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, the Argyle Independent School District began allowing staff members to carry guns on school grounds after “intense interviews and training” in an effort to mitigate the threat from a potential mass shooting.
Argyle Independent School District Police Chief Paul Cairney appeared on MSNBC over the weekend and discussed the steps staff must take in order to carry a firearm on the campus, and he was asked if he was concerned for the safety of students due to the presence of firearms.
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“If Coach Feis had had his firearm in school that day, I believe that he most likely could’ve stopped the threat,” Haab told Fox News.
Haab went on to explain that Feis, who was a trained security guard in addition to being an assistant football coach, upon hearing the sound of gunfire, sped off in his golf cart toward the sound of the gunshots.
While arming teachers is not common practice, The Daily Caller reports that one Texas school district has been doing exactly that for the past four years.
In 2014, motivated in part by the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, the Argyle Independent School District began allowing staff members to carry guns on school grounds after “intense interviews and training” in an effort to mitigate the threat from a potential mass shooting.
Argyle Independent School District Police Chief Paul Cairney appeared on MSNBC over the weekend and discussed the steps staff must take in order to carry a firearm on the campus, and he was asked if he was concerned for the safety of students due to the presence of firearms.
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Billy Graham, America's pastor, has died
From the gangly 16-year-old baseball-loving teen who found Christ at a tent revival, Graham went on to become an international media darling, a preacher to a dozen presidents and the voice of solace in times of national heartbreak. He was America's pastor.
Graham retired to his mountain home at Montreat, N.C., in 2005 after nearly six decades on the road calling people to Christ at 417 all-out preaching and musical events from Miami to Moscow. His final New York City crusade in 2005 was sponsored by 1,400 regional churches from 82 denominations.
Presidents called on Graham in their dark hours, and uncounted millions say he showed them the light. He took his Bible to the ends of the Earth in preaching tours he called "crusades." Even now, anywhere a satellite, radio, TV, video or podcast can reach, his sonorous voice is probably still calling someone to Christ.
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Border Patrol Agents Rescue Mother and Son after Illegal Entry Resulted in Injury
TUCSON, Ariz. – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents responded to a report of a person in distress in a wash west of Douglas, and located an injured woman with her son February 1.
Agents assigned to the Brian A. Terry Station received a call from their partners at the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office reporting a female caller was injured and lost.
Agents searched the area and found a 33-year-old female Mexican national, with her teenaged son, injured and in the wash. Agents provided first aid and contacted the Bisbee Fire Department for emergency medical assistance. The woman was stabilized before being airlifted to a medical facility for advanced medical care.
The juvenile was not injured and was taken into custody by Border Patrol agents pending arrangements with Mexican authorities for the teen’s care and placement while waiting to be reunited with his mother.
After initial treatment in a Tucson hospital, the woman was transferred to a medical facility in Sonora, Mexico on Tuesday. The mother and son were processed for immigration violations after their safety was ensured, then released to the Mexican Consulate.
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Agents assigned to the Brian A. Terry Station received a call from their partners at the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office reporting a female caller was injured and lost.
Agents searched the area and found a 33-year-old female Mexican national, with her teenaged son, injured and in the wash. Agents provided first aid and contacted the Bisbee Fire Department for emergency medical assistance. The woman was stabilized before being airlifted to a medical facility for advanced medical care.
The juvenile was not injured and was taken into custody by Border Patrol agents pending arrangements with Mexican authorities for the teen’s care and placement while waiting to be reunited with his mother.
After initial treatment in a Tucson hospital, the woman was transferred to a medical facility in Sonora, Mexico on Tuesday. The mother and son were processed for immigration violations after their safety was ensured, then released to the Mexican Consulate.
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Florida school shooting survivor: Media is using tragedy to push gun control
A survivor of the deadly shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, who was previously interviewed by CNN and MSNBC following the mass shooting, told Fox News he believes certain media outlets are politicizing the tragedy to push gun control.
Brandon Minoff, an 18-year-old senior, said the media chose to target gun control advocates instead of focusing on the 17 lives lost in Wednesday's slaughter.
“I wholeheartedly believe that the media is politicizing this tragedy,” Minoff said. “It seems that gun control laws is the major topic of conversation rather than focusing on the bigger issue of 17 innocent lives being taken at the hands of another human.”
Minoff said students at the school are well-meaning and passionate on both sides of the contentious gun issue. At least 100 students from the school were expected to march in front of the State Capital in Tallahassee on Wednesday to demand stricter gun laws. Dozens of his classmates have willingly approached reporters and anchors to advocate for what they see as solutions to stop the school shooting epidemic. But Minoff said not all of the students at the school share the same stance -- yet most of the coverage has ignored those who favor gun rights.
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Brandon Minoff, an 18-year-old senior, said the media chose to target gun control advocates instead of focusing on the 17 lives lost in Wednesday's slaughter.
“I wholeheartedly believe that the media is politicizing this tragedy,” Minoff said. “It seems that gun control laws is the major topic of conversation rather than focusing on the bigger issue of 17 innocent lives being taken at the hands of another human.”
Minoff said students at the school are well-meaning and passionate on both sides of the contentious gun issue. At least 100 students from the school were expected to march in front of the State Capital in Tallahassee on Wednesday to demand stricter gun laws. Dozens of his classmates have willingly approached reporters and anchors to advocate for what they see as solutions to stop the school shooting epidemic. But Minoff said not all of the students at the school share the same stance -- yet most of the coverage has ignored those who favor gun rights.
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http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/02/20/florida-school-shooting-survivor-media-is-using-tragedy-to-push-gun-control.html
DNC Colluded With Yahoo News, Sparked Russiagate
Clinton operative teamed up with MSM to launch Trump-Russia narrative
Wikileaks Tweeted a link Wednesday exposing the DNC’s connection to the Yahoo writer who kicked off the Trump-Russia narrative.
Yahoo News writer Michael Isikoff and the DNC’s Alexandra Chalupa colluded to birth the article used to obtain a FISA warrant against the Trump campaign’s Carter Page.
Chalupa’s sister Andrea said on Twitter that Alexandra was the DNC’s top researcher on Trump/Russia and largely responsible for the entire witch-hunt.
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Wikileaks Tweeted a link Wednesday exposing the DNC’s connection to the Yahoo writer who kicked off the Trump-Russia narrative.
Yahoo News writer Michael Isikoff and the DNC’s Alexandra Chalupa colluded to birth the article used to obtain a FISA warrant against the Trump campaign’s Carter Page.
Email reveals that Michael Isikoff, whose Yahoo News article based on the "Steele dossier" was used to obtain the FISA interception warrant against the Trump campaign's Carter Page, was secretly "working with" the DNC's Alexandra Chalupa. wikileaks.org/dnc-emails/ema…
Hey @Isikoff care to stutter out an answer to the latest #Wikileak that you were working with DNC during the election.
Are you going to burn your Journo Card?
Its ok you don't anymore credibility left to lose.#Collusion#RussianBot#MAGAtwitter.com/wikileaks/stat…
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****ACTION ALERT!!!**** Maryland’s Sanctuary Bill Is Back By Another Name – Now Called, Maryland’s SAFE ACT – March 13th, House Judiciary Committee
Commentary: Do we honestly believe that the Maryland Progressive Radical Left can pull the wool over our eyes? By renaming the same atrocity proposed last session, which we soundly defeated from getting out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. This time, the House of Delegates progressive Sanctuary Bill is being led by, the one and only, CASA DE Maryland Delegate, and radical legislator, Ana Sol Gutierrez (D). The House bill is also cross-filed in the State Senate. Information below, along with the date to show up in Annapolis, on March 13th, for open hearing of the House Judiciary Committee. Yes, you can go, and yes, you can voice your opposition to this unlawful act. Also, there is a Bill designed to combat legislation that would thwart Maryland LEO’s from cooperating with Federal Authorities. Both bills are listed. Both debates are open hearings. It’s a long read, so take your time. We will be working with other activist groups in Maryland to send a strong signal and will be headed to Annapolis to demand this unlawful act be defeated once again.
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Its Jam Night At Trader Lee's In West Ocean City Tonight
Try to be there around 8 PM and bring some friends. We're serving 12 ounce EVO Draft Beer for $2.00 each.
Theft Suspect Arrested-Seaford
Billy Williams 3rd
Seaford- The Delaware State Police have arrested a suspect in connection with multiple thefts from vehicles.
Between December 10, 2017 and December 11, 2017, State Police responded to the area of Bethel Road and Woodland Ferry Road, Seaford in reference to six reported thefts from motor vehicles. Through investigative measures, Troopers were able to identify 35-year-old Billy Williams 3rd of Laurel as a suspect.
Williams was taken into custody by the Laurel Police Department on Monday, February 19, 2018 after which he was turned over to the Delaware State Police. He was charged with one count of Felony Theft, four counts of Theft, six counts of Criminal Trespass 3rd, six counts of Conspiracy 3rd, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Attempt to Sell Stolen Property. Williams was arraigned out of the Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $4,330.00 secured bond.
Exclusive Tucker Report On Carter Page
Fox News’ Tucker Carlson revealed Friday that Carter Page sent emails to the Trump campaign after a FISA warrant was granted to spy on him.
“The question at this point is how many people in Trump’s orbit weren’t spied on by the FBI? Trump advisor Carter Page was placed under government surveillance in the fall of 2016 after the feds used uncorroborated claims from the Trump dossier to justify a FISA warrant,” Carlson said. “We know from congressional testimony that page spoke with Trump advisor, Trump campaign manager Steve Bannon while he was being spied on–meaning that Bannon was likely spied on, too.”
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“The question at this point is how many people in Trump’s orbit weren’t spied on by the FBI? Trump advisor Carter Page was placed under government surveillance in the fall of 2016 after the feds used uncorroborated claims from the Trump dossier to justify a FISA warrant,” Carlson said. “We know from congressional testimony that page spoke with Trump advisor, Trump campaign manager Steve Bannon while he was being spied on–meaning that Bannon was likely spied on, too.”
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Top DOJ Official Involved In Clinton And Russia Probes Steps Down
An senior Justice Department official who was involved in oversight of the Hillary Clinton email investigation as well as the Russian interference probe has stepped down, citing personal reasons.
David Laufman, 59, was the DOJ's chief of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section - working his way up the FBI ranks after beginning his career in 1980 as a CIA analyst. Laufman obtained a law degree from Georgetown University.
“It’s tough to leave a mission this compelling and an institution as exceptional as the Department of Justice,” said Laufman, 59. “But I know that prosecutors and agents will continue to bring to their work precisely what the American people should expect: a fierce and relentless commitment to protect the national security of the United States.”
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David Laufman, 59, was the DOJ's chief of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section - working his way up the FBI ranks after beginning his career in 1980 as a CIA analyst. Laufman obtained a law degree from Georgetown University.
“It’s tough to leave a mission this compelling and an institution as exceptional as the Department of Justice,” said Laufman, 59. “But I know that prosecutors and agents will continue to bring to their work precisely what the American people should expect: a fierce and relentless commitment to protect the national security of the United States.”
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