The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder.
I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being.
She said, 'Hi handsome. My name is Rose. I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?'
I laughed and enthusiastically responded, 'Of course you may!' and she gave me a giant squeeze.
'Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?' I asked.
She jokingly replied, 'I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, and have a couple of kids...'
'No seriously,' I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age
'I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!' she told me.
After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake.
We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months we would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this 'time machine' as she shared her wisdom and experience with me.
Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up.
At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet. I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor.
Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, 'I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know.'
As we laughed she cleared her throat and began, ' We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing.
There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success. Youhave to laugh and find humor every day. You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die.
We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it!
There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up.
If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight.
Anybody! Can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunity in change. Have no regrets.
The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets.'
She concluded her speech by courageously singing 'The Rose.'
She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives. At the year's end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those months ago
One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep.
Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Saturday, March 03, 2018
Mueller 'probing Trump's attempt to force Sessions out'
Special Counsel Robert Mueller has been investigating President Donald Trump for allegedly obstructing justice by trying to force Attorney General Jeff Sessions from his job, it was reported on Wednesday.
Mueller, who is investigating alleged collusion between Trump’s campaign and Russiaduring the 2016 presidential campaign, has been interviewing witnesses in recent months over a series of tweets and statements made by Trump last summer about Sessions.
Both Trump and Russia have denied there was any collusion.
The special counsel is said to be trying to determine whether Trump wanted Sessions out so that he could appoint a replacement who would then try to interfere with the ongoing Russia probe.
News of Mueller’s line of inquiry was reported on Wednesday by The Washington Post.
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Mueller, who is investigating alleged collusion between Trump’s campaign and Russiaduring the 2016 presidential campaign, has been interviewing witnesses in recent months over a series of tweets and statements made by Trump last summer about Sessions.
Both Trump and Russia have denied there was any collusion.
The special counsel is said to be trying to determine whether Trump wanted Sessions out so that he could appoint a replacement who would then try to interfere with the ongoing Russia probe.
News of Mueller’s line of inquiry was reported on Wednesday by The Washington Post.
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Photos show lives of early 1900s Alaskan Eskimos in Nome gold rush
These amazing photos document the lives of Alaska's Eskimos during one of North America's biggest ever gold rushes that brought first contact between natives and the outside world.
The natives of Nome, Alaska, were photographed between 1909 and 1932 by Henry and Alfred Lomen as thousands of Americans flocked north to make their fortunes.
The 'Three Lucky Swedes' found fields of easily-accessible gold and word soon got out about their discovery leading to the area's population booming by more than 350 per cent as people flocked in to share in its riches.
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The natives of Nome, Alaska, were photographed between 1909 and 1932 by Henry and Alfred Lomen as thousands of Americans flocked north to make their fortunes.
The 'Three Lucky Swedes' found fields of easily-accessible gold and word soon got out about their discovery leading to the area's population booming by more than 350 per cent as people flocked in to share in its riches.
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Exec returns to Goldman after stint with ‘Government Sachs’
Goldman Sachs just rehired somebody back from “Government Sachs.”
Dina Powell, a Goldman alum who worked less than a year as an adviser to the Trump White House, is returning to the bank to work in government relations.
“Dina will focus on enhancing the firm’s relationships with sovereign clients around the world,” bank CEO Lloyd Blankfein wrote in a Feb. 27 letter to employees, according to Politico.
The moniker “Government Sachs” has referred to the fact that Goldman executives have consistently scored top-level jobs in Washington, such as former Treasury secretaries Robert Rubin and Hank Paulson, and Gary Cohn, who is currently head of Trump’s National Economic Council.
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Dina Powell, a Goldman alum who worked less than a year as an adviser to the Trump White House, is returning to the bank to work in government relations.
“Dina will focus on enhancing the firm’s relationships with sovereign clients around the world,” bank CEO Lloyd Blankfein wrote in a Feb. 27 letter to employees, according to Politico.
The moniker “Government Sachs” has referred to the fact that Goldman executives have consistently scored top-level jobs in Washington, such as former Treasury secretaries Robert Rubin and Hank Paulson, and Gary Cohn, who is currently head of Trump’s National Economic Council.
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A Great Big Warning Sign
Jerome Powell came out pretty hawkish in his public debut this week (albeit with some flip-flopping this morning). The new Federal Reserve chairman said he sees little risk of recession and reaffirmed plans to continue tightening the money supply through interest rate increases and quantitative tightening.
"My personal outlook for the economy has strengthened since December. I don’t see [the recession risks] as at all high at the moment.”
But there are signals that Powell’s optimism is unwarranted and that the monetary blanket knitted together with nearly a decade of easy money may be about to unravel. In fact, the deceleration in the growth of the money supply orchestrated by the Fed matches the trend just prior to the 2008 crash.
Mises Institute academic vice president, and Pace University professor of economics Joseph Salerno explains in an article originally published on the Mises Wire.
Jeffrey Peshut at RealForecasts.com has composed several very illuminating graphs based on the Rothbard-Salerno True Money Supply (TMS). In one graph Peshut shows the collapse of the growth rate of TMS beginning at the end of 2016, which was caused by the Fed beginning to raise the fed funds target rate at the end of the preceding year. What is of great interest is that the recent deceleration of monetary growth (the second red arrow) almost exactly matches in extent and rapidity the monetary deceleration (the first red arrow) that immediately preceded the financial crisis of 2007-2008.
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"My personal outlook for the economy has strengthened since December. I don’t see [the recession risks] as at all high at the moment.”
But there are signals that Powell’s optimism is unwarranted and that the monetary blanket knitted together with nearly a decade of easy money may be about to unravel. In fact, the deceleration in the growth of the money supply orchestrated by the Fed matches the trend just prior to the 2008 crash.
Mises Institute academic vice president, and Pace University professor of economics Joseph Salerno explains in an article originally published on the Mises Wire.
Jeffrey Peshut at RealForecasts.com has composed several very illuminating graphs based on the Rothbard-Salerno True Money Supply (TMS). In one graph Peshut shows the collapse of the growth rate of TMS beginning at the end of 2016, which was caused by the Fed beginning to raise the fed funds target rate at the end of the preceding year. What is of great interest is that the recent deceleration of monetary growth (the second red arrow) almost exactly matches in extent and rapidity the monetary deceleration (the first red arrow) that immediately preceded the financial crisis of 2007-2008.
More
DOJ Inaction Faulted In House Hack Case
In March 2017, FBI agents were tailing House of Representatives IT aides suspected of hacking Congress, and apprehended one at the airport trying to make a hasty exit to Pakistan. She refused to speak with them, and a search revealed that she was carrying an apparently illegal amount of cash.
The FBI allowed Hina Alvi, wife of Imran Awan, to board the plane anyway — then filed paperwork saying agents believed she had no intention of returning to the U.S.
For nearly a year since, the case has lingered despite the House Office of Inspector General (OIG) determining that the family of Pakistanis made “unauthorized access” to Congress’s data shortly before the election.
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The FBI allowed Hina Alvi, wife of Imran Awan, to board the plane anyway — then filed paperwork saying agents believed she had no intention of returning to the U.S.
For nearly a year since, the case has lingered despite the House Office of Inspector General (OIG) determining that the family of Pakistanis made “unauthorized access” to Congress’s data shortly before the election.
More
New Biotech Company, Viela Bio, Launches in Maryland
Spin-Out of MedImmune’s Autoimmunity and Inflammation Biologics Programs Will Continue Development of Potential Medicines
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Viela Bio, a newly-formed spin-out of MedImmune, one of Maryland’s largest life sciences companies and the global biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca, today announced that it will locate in Gaithersburg, Md. and plans to create 100 new jobs within three to five years. The company will focus on advancing a number of potential autoimmune and inflammatory medicines from MedImmune’s biologics portfolio, making Viela Bio one of the leading biotech companies in Maryland.
“Viela Bio shows great potential, launching with a strong pipeline in inflammation and autoimmunity with the goal of providing important medicines to patients. We appreciate the state of Maryland’s commitment to our new company, and look forward to contributing to the state’s strong life sciences industry and helping to achieve their goal of becoming a top three biohealth cluster by 2023,” said Bing Yao, Ph.D., chief executive officer, Viela Bio.
“Promising startups like Viela Bio locating in Maryland reinforces our leadership in the life sciences industry and positions our state as a place where new companies can access the resources they need to ensure long-term success,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “Viela Bio’s decision to open its headquarters in Gaithersburg also demonstrates MedImmune’s and AstraZeneca’s continued commitment to creating jobs in our state.”
“I am very excited that Viela Bio will take its place alongside the many successful biotech firms that call Montgomery County home,” said Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett. “By pioneering critical advances in life sciences, these firms are easing suffering and saving lives – right here in America and around the world. They are doing well – and doing good.”
“We're thrilled that Viela Bio is establishing its headquarters in Maryland to take advantage of our thriving life sciences sector, our highly-educated workforce, and our proximity to many federal research labs and world-class universities,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Mike Gill. “We are confident we will be able to work with more high-tech companies to help them start and grow in Maryland and become a leading bio-hub destination.”
“Viela Bio has made the right decision to launch in Montgomery County, in partnership with highly successful MedImmune and aligned with their mission,” said Montgomery County Economic Development Corp. CEO & President David Petr. “Our life sciences industry continues to demonstrate that we have the talent, physical assets, and legacy to contribute to important global health outcomes.”
To assist with project costs, the Maryland Department of Commerce has approved a $2 million conditional loan through the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority and Fund (MEDAAF). Additionally, Montgomery County is providing a $750,000 conditional grant for project costs, including lab equipment. The company is also eligible for various tax credits, including the state’s Job Creation Tax Credit.
Viela Bio is among the first spin-outs to form in Maryland since the Maryland Life Sciences Advisory Board issued recommendations in April 2017 to help position the state as a globally-recognized Top 3 U.S. BioHealth Innovation Hub by 2023. The recommendations were framed around four key themes - assets, connectivity, capital, and talent, or ACCT Now.
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Viela Bio, a newly-formed spin-out of MedImmune, one of Maryland’s largest life sciences companies and the global biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca, today announced that it will locate in Gaithersburg, Md. and plans to create 100 new jobs within three to five years. The company will focus on advancing a number of potential autoimmune and inflammatory medicines from MedImmune’s biologics portfolio, making Viela Bio one of the leading biotech companies in Maryland.
“Viela Bio shows great potential, launching with a strong pipeline in inflammation and autoimmunity with the goal of providing important medicines to patients. We appreciate the state of Maryland’s commitment to our new company, and look forward to contributing to the state’s strong life sciences industry and helping to achieve their goal of becoming a top three biohealth cluster by 2023,” said Bing Yao, Ph.D., chief executive officer, Viela Bio.
“Promising startups like Viela Bio locating in Maryland reinforces our leadership in the life sciences industry and positions our state as a place where new companies can access the resources they need to ensure long-term success,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “Viela Bio’s decision to open its headquarters in Gaithersburg also demonstrates MedImmune’s and AstraZeneca’s continued commitment to creating jobs in our state.”
“I am very excited that Viela Bio will take its place alongside the many successful biotech firms that call Montgomery County home,” said Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett. “By pioneering critical advances in life sciences, these firms are easing suffering and saving lives – right here in America and around the world. They are doing well – and doing good.”
“We're thrilled that Viela Bio is establishing its headquarters in Maryland to take advantage of our thriving life sciences sector, our highly-educated workforce, and our proximity to many federal research labs and world-class universities,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Mike Gill. “We are confident we will be able to work with more high-tech companies to help them start and grow in Maryland and become a leading bio-hub destination.”
“Viela Bio has made the right decision to launch in Montgomery County, in partnership with highly successful MedImmune and aligned with their mission,” said Montgomery County Economic Development Corp. CEO & President David Petr. “Our life sciences industry continues to demonstrate that we have the talent, physical assets, and legacy to contribute to important global health outcomes.”
To assist with project costs, the Maryland Department of Commerce has approved a $2 million conditional loan through the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority and Fund (MEDAAF). Additionally, Montgomery County is providing a $750,000 conditional grant for project costs, including lab equipment. The company is also eligible for various tax credits, including the state’s Job Creation Tax Credit.
Viela Bio is among the first spin-outs to form in Maryland since the Maryland Life Sciences Advisory Board issued recommendations in April 2017 to help position the state as a globally-recognized Top 3 U.S. BioHealth Innovation Hub by 2023. The recommendations were framed around four key themes - assets, connectivity, capital, and talent, or ACCT Now.
Inflation Is In The Rear-View Mirror
43 percent of credit card holders carry a balance. Delinquencies are rising. It's a deflationary debt trap.
Revolving Credit Hits New Record High
In December, revolving debt has topped the previous high-water mark of $1.021 trillion set in April of 2008. Debt as of December 2017 (the latest available) is $1.028 trillion.
Relationship Killer
In addition to student loans, credit card debt is another factor holding down home ownership and family formation. Studies show Credit Card Debt is a Relationship Killer.
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Revolving Credit Hits New Record High
In December, revolving debt has topped the previous high-water mark of $1.021 trillion set in April of 2008. Debt as of December 2017 (the latest available) is $1.028 trillion.
Relationship Killer
In addition to student loans, credit card debt is another factor holding down home ownership and family formation. Studies show Credit Card Debt is a Relationship Killer.
More
"There Aren't Votes For That" - GOP Senators Reject Trump's Gun-Control Proposal
President Donald Trump shocked his Republican allies in Congress on Wednesday when he said during a televised meeting with a bipartisan group of lawmakers in the White House Cabinet Room that lawmakers must support raising the age limit and confiscating guns from people deemed mentally ill, along with a host of other gun-control measures that would be anathema to most Republicans.
During the meeting, Trump said he supports a Democratic proposal to use the Toomey-Manchin gun control proposal as a base bill and build on top of it. Meanwhile, lawmakers should consider a sweeping expansion of concealed-carry protections as part of a separate package. He also said an assault-weapons ban should be considered, to the visible delight of California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, according to the Hill.
During the meeting, Trump said "it doesn't make sense" that an 18-year-old can buy an assault rifle capable of killing dozens, but must wait until they're 21 to purchase a hand gun.
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During the meeting, Trump said he supports a Democratic proposal to use the Toomey-Manchin gun control proposal as a base bill and build on top of it. Meanwhile, lawmakers should consider a sweeping expansion of concealed-carry protections as part of a separate package. He also said an assault-weapons ban should be considered, to the visible delight of California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, according to the Hill.
During the meeting, Trump said "it doesn't make sense" that an 18-year-old can buy an assault rifle capable of killing dozens, but must wait until they're 21 to purchase a hand gun.
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Pelosi Attacks Trump Over Arrest of 'Law-Abiding' Illegal Aliens
A “shocking abuse of law enforcement power”
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi issued a statement Wednesday attacking the Trump administration over raids on over 150 illegal aliens in Northern California, calling it a “shocking abuse of law enforcement power.”
“Yet again, the White House has reached into our communities to indiscriminately detain scores of hard-working, law-abiding immigrants.” Pelosi wrote, despite the fact that she admitted that half of those swept up have criminal records, and all of them are in the US illegally.
28 Feb
Nancy Pelosi
✔@NancyPelosi
Trump Admin raids in the San Francisco Bay Area were a shocking abuse of law enforcement power which solely served to terrorize innocent immigrant families.
Nancy Pelosi
✔@NancyPelosi
Fully half of those swept up in the ICE raids have no criminal record. Tearing parents away from children & spouses away from loved ones – it’s clear the intent of this sweep was not to keep Americans safe. Read my full statement: https://goo.gl/3saiqr
12:50 PM - Feb 28, 2018
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House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi issued a statement Wednesday attacking the Trump administration over raids on over 150 illegal aliens in Northern California, calling it a “shocking abuse of law enforcement power.”
“Yet again, the White House has reached into our communities to indiscriminately detain scores of hard-working, law-abiding immigrants.” Pelosi wrote, despite the fact that she admitted that half of those swept up have criminal records, and all of them are in the US illegally.
28 Feb
Nancy Pelosi✔@NancyPelosi
Trump Admin raids in the San Francisco Bay Area were a shocking abuse of law enforcement power which solely served to terrorize innocent immigrant families.
Nancy Pelosi✔@NancyPelosi
Fully half of those swept up in the ICE raids have no criminal record. Tearing parents away from children & spouses away from loved ones – it’s clear the intent of this sweep was not to keep Americans safe. Read my full statement: https://goo.gl/3saiqr
12:50 PM - Feb 28, 2018
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Trump blasts Sessions for independent watchdog probe
Attorney General stood up to President Trump in an extraordinary response to his boss after the president ripped him online for having an independent internal watchdog review alleged warrant abuse.
Sessions, who has been on the receiving end of multiple presidential online shots throughout his turbulent tenure, defended his own 'integrity and honor' in the face of Trump's attack.
'We have initiated the appropriate process that will ensure complaints against this Department will be fully and fairly acted upon if necessary,' Sessions said in a statement.
Then the former Alabama senator added: ‘As long as I am the attorney general, I will continue to discharge my duties with integrity and honor, and this Department will continue to do its work in a fair and impartial manner according to the law and the Constitution.'
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Sessions, who has been on the receiving end of multiple presidential online shots throughout his turbulent tenure, defended his own 'integrity and honor' in the face of Trump's attack.
'We have initiated the appropriate process that will ensure complaints against this Department will be fully and fairly acted upon if necessary,' Sessions said in a statement.
Then the former Alabama senator added: ‘As long as I am the attorney general, I will continue to discharge my duties with integrity and honor, and this Department will continue to do its work in a fair and impartial manner according to the law and the Constitution.'
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U.S. monthly inflation picks up; jobless claims at 48-year low
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. consumer prices increased in January, with a gauge of underlying inflation posting its largest gain in 12 months, bolstering views that price pressures will accelerate this year.
Those expectations were underscored by other data on Thursday showing the number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell last week to a 48-year low as the labor market tightens. Another a survey showed prices paid by manufacturers for raw materials hit a more than six-year high in February.
The combination of rising inflation and a robust labor market could force the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates a bit more aggressively this year than currently anticipated as it worries about the economy overheating. The U.S. central bank has forecast three rate hikes in 2018. The first rate increase is expected later this month.
“The Fed wanted to see more inflation and it looks like it is getting it,” said Joel Naroff, chief economist at Naroff Economic Advisors in Holland, Pennsylvania.“I am down for four (rate hikes) because the acceleration in inflation is not likely to fade anytime soon.”
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Those expectations were underscored by other data on Thursday showing the number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell last week to a 48-year low as the labor market tightens. Another a survey showed prices paid by manufacturers for raw materials hit a more than six-year high in February.
The combination of rising inflation and a robust labor market could force the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates a bit more aggressively this year than currently anticipated as it worries about the economy overheating. The U.S. central bank has forecast three rate hikes in 2018. The first rate increase is expected later this month.
“The Fed wanted to see more inflation and it looks like it is getting it,” said Joel Naroff, chief economist at Naroff Economic Advisors in Holland, Pennsylvania.“I am down for four (rate hikes) because the acceleration in inflation is not likely to fade anytime soon.”
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In Defense of the Right
The Ash Wednesday massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, seems to have broken more hearts than similar tragedies that preceded it. It was no more senseless than other American school shootings, but there is something about the innocence and bravery and eloquence of the youthful survivors that has touched the souls of Americans deeply.
After burying their dead, the survivors have mobilized into a mighty political force that loosely seeks more laws to regulate the right to keep and bear arms. The young people, traumatized and terrified with memories of unspeakable horror that will not fade, somehow think that a person bent on murder will obey gun laws.
Every time I watch these beautiful young people, I wince, because in their understandable sadness is the potential for madness — “madness” being defined as the passionate and stubborn refusal to accept reason. This often happens after tragedy. After watching the government railroad Abraham Lincoln’s killer’s conspirators — and even some folks who had nothing to do with the assassination — the poet Herman Melville wrote: “Beware the People weeping. When they bare the iron hand.”
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After burying their dead, the survivors have mobilized into a mighty political force that loosely seeks more laws to regulate the right to keep and bear arms. The young people, traumatized and terrified with memories of unspeakable horror that will not fade, somehow think that a person bent on murder will obey gun laws.
Every time I watch these beautiful young people, I wince, because in their understandable sadness is the potential for madness — “madness” being defined as the passionate and stubborn refusal to accept reason. This often happens after tragedy. After watching the government railroad Abraham Lincoln’s killer’s conspirators — and even some folks who had nothing to do with the assassination — the poet Herman Melville wrote: “Beware the People weeping. When they bare the iron hand.”
More
Nolte: I Bought a Gun on a Lark... Then I Needed It
The first firearm I purchased was just because. The year was 1993. I was young, had money burning in my pocket, and my buddy needed cash. And so, for a couple hundred bucks I owned a 9MM handgun, which immediately went under the bed, mostly forgotten, a totem to my spendthrift ways.
Another 15 years would pass before that investment paid off.
When we moved to Los Angeles in 2003, the gun came with me, and I again slipped it under the bed because that is where it had always been. Five more years passed.
I don’t want to say that our Los Angeles neighborhood changed, because I don’t know that for a fact. Maybe our luck changed. All I know is that things went to hell pretty quickly.
I worked out of the house. My wife commuted. It was February, so it was dark when she got home. One night, before she had even taken off her coat, we heard gunshots followed by a car crash. Trust me, only in movies do people confuse a car backfiring with gunshots.
I’ll never forget the conversation with 9-1-1.
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Another 15 years would pass before that investment paid off.
When we moved to Los Angeles in 2003, the gun came with me, and I again slipped it under the bed because that is where it had always been. Five more years passed.
I don’t want to say that our Los Angeles neighborhood changed, because I don’t know that for a fact. Maybe our luck changed. All I know is that things went to hell pretty quickly.
I worked out of the house. My wife commuted. It was February, so it was dark when she got home. One night, before she had even taken off her coat, we heard gunshots followed by a car crash. Trust me, only in movies do people confuse a car backfiring with gunshots.
I’ll never forget the conversation with 9-1-1.
More
Another Texas School District Arms Employees to 'Protect Our Children'
A rural school district joined nearly 200 other Texas school districts in arming their employees to protect students under a “Guardian” program.
On Monday, the Fayetteville Independent School District announced its new safety plan. Signs went up that read: “Please be aware that the staff at Fayetteville ISD may be armed and will use whatever force is necessary to protect our children.”
The school district, which claims less than 250 enrolled students, houses all grades K-12 on one campus. Fayetteville is situated almost halfway between Austin and Houston and is so tiny it does not have a local police force, only a county sheriff. It also does not employ school resource officers.
More
On Monday, the Fayetteville Independent School District announced its new safety plan. Signs went up that read: “Please be aware that the staff at Fayetteville ISD may be armed and will use whatever force is necessary to protect our children.”
The school district, which claims less than 250 enrolled students, houses all grades K-12 on one campus. Fayetteville is situated almost halfway between Austin and Houston and is so tiny it does not have a local police force, only a county sheriff. It also does not employ school resource officers.
More
'BEAUTIFUL BROTHER': Farrakhan praises DNC leader Keith Ellison
Nation of Islam leader Rev. Louis Farrakhan praised — called out — Democratic National Committee Deputy Chairman Keith Ellison at his Saviors’ Day 2018 Address on Sunday during a racist screed in which he also proclaimed “the powerful Jews are my enemy,” and “white folks are going down.”
Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, admitted to working for the Nation of Islam for over a year to help with the 1995 Million Man March, but has repeatedly promised the public he cut ties with the hate group since he was elected to represent Minnesota’s 5th district in 2006.
More/Video
Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, admitted to working for the Nation of Islam for over a year to help with the 1995 Million Man March, but has repeatedly promised the public he cut ties with the hate group since he was elected to represent Minnesota’s 5th district in 2006.
More/Video
Thought for the Day
"Interesting fact: Planned Parenthood has killed 330,000 more children than the NRA in the past year." —Matt Walsh
The disturbing acceptance of Google's new 'smart' camera
In the reviews that rolled out recently for Google's new Clips smart camera, there were the rote things that you'd expect in all tech reviews: what was good, what was bad, and, inevitably, whether or not you should buy it. There was, however, a key idea conspicuously absent: whether or not the product should exist at all.
The pitch for the Google Clips is it's a camera that sits off to the side in a room and automatically captures the kinds of candid shots that one never really plans for — the most common examples cited being some random happening involving one's kids or pets. Instead of mere serendipity, however, the camera uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to try and guess when to best take a shot.
Reviews, perhaps unsurprisingly, haven't been great. The technology to take pictures in a smart way with satisfying results simply doesn't exist yet, largely because determining what makes a good shot is still a profoundly human, subjective thing. But perhaps a product with such obvious flaws is cause for concern for reasons more significant than the release of yet another disappointing gadget. Instead, it appears that in rarely questioning whether a piece of tech should have been released at all, we are unwittingly become guinea pigs for tech, and inadvertent cheerleaders for things that, in the aggregate, end up making things worse.
What's the point then? In part, to position Google as an innovative, even family-friend company. But it's also to test out the concept, gather data, and help perfect the idea of a "smart camera" for broader applications. It's thus worth questioning what gets carried along in the cutesy design and marketing of a product like Clips. Cameras powered by artificial intelligence will inevitably be used to superpower surveillance.
More here
The pitch for the Google Clips is it's a camera that sits off to the side in a room and automatically captures the kinds of candid shots that one never really plans for — the most common examples cited being some random happening involving one's kids or pets. Instead of mere serendipity, however, the camera uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to try and guess when to best take a shot.
Reviews, perhaps unsurprisingly, haven't been great. The technology to take pictures in a smart way with satisfying results simply doesn't exist yet, largely because determining what makes a good shot is still a profoundly human, subjective thing. But perhaps a product with such obvious flaws is cause for concern for reasons more significant than the release of yet another disappointing gadget. Instead, it appears that in rarely questioning whether a piece of tech should have been released at all, we are unwittingly become guinea pigs for tech, and inadvertent cheerleaders for things that, in the aggregate, end up making things worse.
What's the point then? In part, to position Google as an innovative, even family-friend company. But it's also to test out the concept, gather data, and help perfect the idea of a "smart camera" for broader applications. It's thus worth questioning what gets carried along in the cutesy design and marketing of a product like Clips. Cameras powered by artificial intelligence will inevitably be used to superpower surveillance.
More here
Gingrich: Trump has just delivered two brilliant political surprises
Both these moves are a reminder of how intuitive and strategic Donald J. Trump is. These qualities are a big part of why he was elected to be our 45th president.
Why are this week’s announcements so important?
Bernie Sanders Fined For Illegally Coordinating With Australian Labor Party
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) fined Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign $14,500 for accepting illegal in-kind foreign contributions from the Australian Labor Party (ALP) during the 2016 elections.
The ruling stems from a February 2016, conservative activist group Project Veritas video showing Australian nationals working for the Sanders campaign on the dime of the Australian taxpayer funded ALP.
Republican and former New Hampshire House speaker William O’Brien filed a complaint with the FEC shortly after Project Veritas made the footage public, alleging the ALP had made “prohibited foreign contributions” to the Sanders campaign, according to WMUR.
The FEC levied the fine against the Sanders campaign in a Feb. 2016-issued conciliation agreement.
The ALP contacted the Sanders campaign according to the FEC and asked permission to allow Australian nationals to be inserted into the campaign as volunteers. The Sanders campaign accepted the ALP’s request, despite knowing the ALP would be paying Australians a daily stipend in addition to covering the cost of their flights to the United States.
While volunteering with the Sanders campaign, the Australians engaged in political activities “including encouraging voter attendance at campaign events, recruiting volunteers, canvassing with volunteers, and planning events,” according to the FEC.
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The ruling stems from a February 2016, conservative activist group Project Veritas video showing Australian nationals working for the Sanders campaign on the dime of the Australian taxpayer funded ALP.
Republican and former New Hampshire House speaker William O’Brien filed a complaint with the FEC shortly after Project Veritas made the footage public, alleging the ALP had made “prohibited foreign contributions” to the Sanders campaign, according to WMUR.
The FEC levied the fine against the Sanders campaign in a Feb. 2016-issued conciliation agreement.
The ALP contacted the Sanders campaign according to the FEC and asked permission to allow Australian nationals to be inserted into the campaign as volunteers. The Sanders campaign accepted the ALP’s request, despite knowing the ALP would be paying Australians a daily stipend in addition to covering the cost of their flights to the United States.
While volunteering with the Sanders campaign, the Australians engaged in political activities “including encouraging voter attendance at campaign events, recruiting volunteers, canvassing with volunteers, and planning events,” according to the FEC.
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REPORT: Democrats To Propose Weapons Ban, Gun Confiscation Powers In Trump-Inspired Bill
On Thursday, the Washington Examiner reported that Democratic leaders will introduce a radical gun control bill that would ban specific types of firearms and would give courts the power to confiscate guns from individuals who are deemed to be a threat to themselves or others.
The news comes one day after President Donald Trump seemed to support Sen. Dianne Feinstein's (D-CA) proposal for an assault weapons ban during a meeting on gun control hosted at the White House in response to the recent shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The Washington Examiner notes:
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The news comes one day after President Donald Trump seemed to support Sen. Dianne Feinstein's (D-CA) proposal for an assault weapons ban during a meeting on gun control hosted at the White House in response to the recent shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The Washington Examiner notes:
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Newspaper Calls Pelosi "Most Right-Wing Candidate" in Bay Area District
Democratic Party continues rapid tilt toward Marxism
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, long criticized by Republicans and moderate Democrats as a symbol of the far-left, was called “the most right-wing candidate” in her district race by a California newspaper.
“Nancy Pelosi is the most right-wing candidate in her reelection race this year,” declared Emily Cadei in the San Francisco Bee. “The House Democratic leader faces not one, but three, Democratic challengers in 2018, as well as a Green Party candidate. And while national Republicans love to target Pelosi as the face of the far left in their campaigns, her opponents complain she’s actually not liberal enough for her San Francisco district…”
Animosity towards Pelosi from the extreme left-wing of the party is so deep it led one of her three primary opponents, Attorney Stephen Jaffe, to file a lawsuit against the California Democratic Party, claiming it “actively worked” to prevent him from challenging the party’s automatic endorsement of Pelosi.
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House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, long criticized by Republicans and moderate Democrats as a symbol of the far-left, was called “the most right-wing candidate” in her district race by a California newspaper.
“Nancy Pelosi is the most right-wing candidate in her reelection race this year,” declared Emily Cadei in the San Francisco Bee. “The House Democratic leader faces not one, but three, Democratic challengers in 2018, as well as a Green Party candidate. And while national Republicans love to target Pelosi as the face of the far left in their campaigns, her opponents complain she’s actually not liberal enough for her San Francisco district…”
Animosity towards Pelosi from the extreme left-wing of the party is so deep it led one of her three primary opponents, Attorney Stephen Jaffe, to file a lawsuit against the California Democratic Party, claiming it “actively worked” to prevent him from challenging the party’s automatic endorsement of Pelosi.
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ADHD Is a Fake Disease Invented by Big Pharma to Drug Children for Profit
ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is ubiquitous in the American classroom, there’s little debate about that. According to CDC statistics from 2012, 11 percent of children between the ages of four and 17 had been diagnosed with ADHD at some point. With over six million kids diagnosed, it’s hard not to wonder: Is this condition even a real problem?
Sure, some kids struggle to pay attention during school — but does that signify an actual problem with the child? Perhaps it’s more indicative of a society that simply doesn’t allow children to be children anymore. If you’ve ever found that the notion that children who’d rather play outside than sit at a desk are “broken” and need medication was a bit hard to digest, you may be right.
Writing for The Daily Bell, Joe Jarvis explains that there is proof that ADHD is nothing more than a fake disease. As Jarvis notes, two states with some of the highest incidences of ADHD are Arkansas and Kentucky.
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Sure, some kids struggle to pay attention during school — but does that signify an actual problem with the child? Perhaps it’s more indicative of a society that simply doesn’t allow children to be children anymore. If you’ve ever found that the notion that children who’d rather play outside than sit at a desk are “broken” and need medication was a bit hard to digest, you may be right.
Writing for The Daily Bell, Joe Jarvis explains that there is proof that ADHD is nothing more than a fake disease. As Jarvis notes, two states with some of the highest incidences of ADHD are Arkansas and Kentucky.
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Half a Century of Blaming White Racism for Black America's Problems
For half a century, the federal government has pursued a disastrous strategy in addressing the problems of black Americans. They were designated a victim class, and enormous sums of money were expended on incentives to perpetuate that status.
The welfare state has perpetuated multi-generational pathologies, while the encouragement of victimology and the blame placed on white racism have poisoned race relations instead of healing them.
It's fair to say the United States government began its long and catastrophic commitment to this approach fifty years ago today (or yesterday): February 29, 1968. On that day, the Kerner Commission (officially the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders) delivered its report (official summary; full 400-plus pages), and white racism was officially blamed for the problems of black America.
White racism is essentially responsible for the explosive mixture which has been accumulating in our cities since the end of World War II.
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The welfare state has perpetuated multi-generational pathologies, while the encouragement of victimology and the blame placed on white racism have poisoned race relations instead of healing them.
It's fair to say the United States government began its long and catastrophic commitment to this approach fifty years ago today (or yesterday): February 29, 1968. On that day, the Kerner Commission (officially the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders) delivered its report (official summary; full 400-plus pages), and white racism was officially blamed for the problems of black America.
White racism is essentially responsible for the explosive mixture which has been accumulating in our cities since the end of World War II.
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A Viewer Writes: Unbelievable waste of tax dollars
Entitled: | Creation of a State Debt - Wicomico County - Rotary Labyrinth | ||
Sponsored by: | Delegate Sample-Hughes | ||
Status: | In the House - Rereferred to Appropriations |
| Synopsis: | Authorizing the creation of a State Debt not to exceed $100,000, the proceeds to be used as a grant to the Board of Trustees of the Rotary Club of Salisbury Foundation, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Rotary Labyrinth project, located in Wicomico County; providing for disbursement of the loan proceeds, subject to a requirement that the grantee provide and expend a matching fund; etc. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Analysis: | Not available at this time | ||
| All Sponsors: | Delegates Sample-Hughes and Carozza | ||
| Additional Facts: | Cross-filed with: SB1215 Bill File Type: Regular Effective Date(s): June 1, 2018 | ||
| Committee(s): |
| ||
| Broad Subject(s): | State Debt (Bond Bills) | ||
| Narrow Subject(s): | Nonprofit Organizations State Bonds Wicomico County |
Democratic activist charged with sending hoax white powder to Donald Trump, Jr.
A Democratic activist has been charged after police say he sent hoax white powder to the son of President Trump.
Heavy.com reports:
A 24-year-old Massachusetts man is accused of sending a threatening letter containing white powder to Donald Trump Jr.’s New York City apartment, along with mailing threats to several other people around the country, federal prosecutors say.
Daniel Frisiello, of Beverly, was taken into custody Thursday and faces multiple federal charges. The letter containing white powder, which turned out to be harmless, was opened by Trump Jr.’s wife, Vanessa Haydon Trump. She was taken to the hospital as a precaution,according to NBC News.
“You are an awful, awful person. I am surprised that your father lets you speak on TV,” the letter allegedly written by Frisiello said.
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Heavy.com reports:
A 24-year-old Massachusetts man is accused of sending a threatening letter containing white powder to Donald Trump Jr.’s New York City apartment, along with mailing threats to several other people around the country, federal prosecutors say.
Daniel Frisiello, of Beverly, was taken into custody Thursday and faces multiple federal charges. The letter containing white powder, which turned out to be harmless, was opened by Trump Jr.’s wife, Vanessa Haydon Trump. She was taken to the hospital as a precaution,according to NBC News.
“You are an awful, awful person. I am surprised that your father lets you speak on TV,” the letter allegedly written by Frisiello said.
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Federally Funded Non-Profits Whine About Decline in Refugee Admissions and Revenues
The federally funded non-profits known as voluntary agencies (VOLAGs), who collectively have received more than $1 billion annually to resettle refugees, are whining now that refugee admissions, and their own associated revenues, are down dramatically during the first five months of FY 2018 under the Trump administration.
Despite a slight uptick in refugee admissions in February to 1,927, the total number of refugee admissions during the first five months of FY 2018, which began on October 1, is only 8,635, according to the State Department’s interactive website – the lowest number of refugee admissions for the first five months of a fiscal year in more than 15 years.
If the average monthly arrival rate of 1,727 during the first five months of FY 2018 continues at the same pace for the final seven months of the fiscal year, total refugee admissions for the 12 months of the full fiscal year will be under 21,000, less than half the ceiling number of 45,000 President Trump announced in September.
The nine VOLAGs, all of whom are almost entirely dependent on federal funding tied to the number of new refugee arrivals they resettle around the country through local affiliated agencies, are now in the midst of a cash crunch unheard of in the agency.
More here
Despite a slight uptick in refugee admissions in February to 1,927, the total number of refugee admissions during the first five months of FY 2018, which began on October 1, is only 8,635, according to the State Department’s interactive website – the lowest number of refugee admissions for the first five months of a fiscal year in more than 15 years.
If the average monthly arrival rate of 1,727 during the first five months of FY 2018 continues at the same pace for the final seven months of the fiscal year, total refugee admissions for the 12 months of the full fiscal year will be under 21,000, less than half the ceiling number of 45,000 President Trump announced in September.
The nine VOLAGs, all of whom are almost entirely dependent on federal funding tied to the number of new refugee arrivals they resettle around the country through local affiliated agencies, are now in the midst of a cash crunch unheard of in the agency.
More here
The Next Prescription Drug Epidemic Is Already Here — and Nobody's Talking About It
For years, the opioid addiction and overdose crisis has been headline news across the United States, and rightly so. In 2012, 241,000 privately insured patients had an “opioid dependency diagnosis.” By 2016, that number had ballooned to 1.4 million, not including individuals on state-sponsored healthcare. Also in 2016, over 14,000 people died as a result of overdosing on traditional opioids like Percocet and Oxycontin.
The ongoing health epidemic continues to dominate the news cycle and politicians’ agendas, but there is another pharmaceutical crisis that receives far less attention. While opioids are highly addictive and dangerous, a separate class of legal drugs is also creating widespread dependency and fostering an increasing number of deaths: benzodiazepines.
Benzodiazepines, often referred to as “minor tranquilizers,” were first developed in the 1950s and became in-demand drugs by the 1960s, continuing to surge in popularity through the 1980s. They include widely-known and used drugs like Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, and Ativan and are used largely to treat anxiety disorders and insomnia.
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The ongoing health epidemic continues to dominate the news cycle and politicians’ agendas, but there is another pharmaceutical crisis that receives far less attention. While opioids are highly addictive and dangerous, a separate class of legal drugs is also creating widespread dependency and fostering an increasing number of deaths: benzodiazepines.
Benzodiazepines, often referred to as “minor tranquilizers,” were first developed in the 1950s and became in-demand drugs by the 1960s, continuing to surge in popularity through the 1980s. They include widely-known and used drugs like Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, and Ativan and are used largely to treat anxiety disorders and insomnia.
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A Viewer Writes: Damage from Windstorm
Just another Deplorable
DC High School Graduation Rate To Plummet From 73% To 42% After Massive Fraud Revealed
Far fewer seniors attending D.C. Public Schools are on track to earn their diplomas this June after a graduation fraud investigation revealed that one in three students passed high school in violation of city policy.
Data released Thursday by D.C. Public Schools show that just 42 percent of seniors are on track to graduate, vs. 73 percent in 2017. Meanwhile, 19 percent of students are considered "moderately off track," meaning they are failing one or two courses but could potentially earn a diploma through summer school or credit recovery programs.
Even if all 19% of "moderately off track" students receive diplomas, the graduate is still tracking 12 percentage points lower than last year.
The investigation into the fraud showed that students who were unqualified due to missing too many classes or improperly taking makeup classes were allowed to graduate.
Adding to the mess, over a quarter of freshmen have "withdrawn or transferred" out of the D.C. Public Schools system.
D.C. graduation rates reflect the percentage of students who receive their diplomas in four years. Twenty-six percent of students who started freshman year with the class of 2018 have either withdrawn or transferred out of the D.C. Public Schools system. The city still needs to determine how many of these students transferred to another school, and how many dropped out. -WaPo
Due to the investigation, this is the first year that the city has released graduation projections months before diplomas are handed out, so it's difficult to compare to previous years. According to the D.C. Public School system website, 77 percent of the student population is economically disadvantaged.
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Data released Thursday by D.C. Public Schools show that just 42 percent of seniors are on track to graduate, vs. 73 percent in 2017. Meanwhile, 19 percent of students are considered "moderately off track," meaning they are failing one or two courses but could potentially earn a diploma through summer school or credit recovery programs.
Even if all 19% of "moderately off track" students receive diplomas, the graduate is still tracking 12 percentage points lower than last year.
The investigation into the fraud showed that students who were unqualified due to missing too many classes or improperly taking makeup classes were allowed to graduate.
Adding to the mess, over a quarter of freshmen have "withdrawn or transferred" out of the D.C. Public Schools system.
D.C. graduation rates reflect the percentage of students who receive their diplomas in four years. Twenty-six percent of students who started freshman year with the class of 2018 have either withdrawn or transferred out of the D.C. Public Schools system. The city still needs to determine how many of these students transferred to another school, and how many dropped out. -WaPo
Due to the investigation, this is the first year that the city has released graduation projections months before diplomas are handed out, so it's difficult to compare to previous years. According to the D.C. Public School system website, 77 percent of the student population is economically disadvantaged.
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They Don’t Hate The NRA. They Hate You.
The progressives are cranking things up to 11 on the Stupid/Psycho Scale, which is good for us in the short term – some of us Normals were growing complacent and the midterms are coming. But we also need to open our eyes and accept the bitter reality we face. We can’t just pretend the truth is not the truth because we wish it were otherwise. The left’s dropping of its mask has demonstrated once again the undeniable fact. The left hates you.
Just give them a listen. Those carefully selected moppet puppets are out there on TV telling Normals “We are going to outlive you.” When leftists tell you that you are going to die first, you should believe they mean it. They have a track record of making that happen.
And then there is the new meme, that the NRA is a “terrorist” organization. This means you are a “terrorist” simply by advocating for your political views. Think about that. Labeling your political opponents as “terrorists” – gee, that can’t end badly. Violence against and suppression of terrorists is okay, isn’t it? And when this ploy works with guns, it will happen with the next right the left wants to take from us.
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Just give them a listen. Those carefully selected moppet puppets are out there on TV telling Normals “We are going to outlive you.” When leftists tell you that you are going to die first, you should believe they mean it. They have a track record of making that happen.
And then there is the new meme, that the NRA is a “terrorist” organization. This means you are a “terrorist” simply by advocating for your political views. Think about that. Labeling your political opponents as “terrorists” – gee, that can’t end badly. Violence against and suppression of terrorists is okay, isn’t it? And when this ploy works with guns, it will happen with the next right the left wants to take from us.
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Trump’s Facebook Engagement Declined By 45 Percent Following Algorithm Change
Engagement on Donald Trump’s Facebook posts has dropped by approximately 45 percent since the platform introduced a new algorithm change, following a year of pressure from left-wing employees and the mainstream media for “allowing” the President to win the 2016 general election.
In January, Facebook introduced a major change to its newsfeed algorithm. In a post, CEO Mark Zuckerberg claimed that the change aimed to give greater emphasis to posts from “friends, family and groups” and less to “businesses, brands and media.” The change was followed by a promise to promote what Facebook calls “broadly trusted” news sources on the platform.
In the month following the algorithm change, engagement on Donald Trump’s Facebook posts dropped sharply. Total engagement dropped by approximately 45 percent, according to data from leading social media analytics firm NewsWhip. In an email to Breitbart News, a representative of Newswhip confirmed that Breitbart’s reading of the data was accurate.
When compared to high-profile Democratic political figures, Trump’s engagement appears to have been hit particularly badly.
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In January, Facebook introduced a major change to its newsfeed algorithm. In a post, CEO Mark Zuckerberg claimed that the change aimed to give greater emphasis to posts from “friends, family and groups” and less to “businesses, brands and media.” The change was followed by a promise to promote what Facebook calls “broadly trusted” news sources on the platform.
In the month following the algorithm change, engagement on Donald Trump’s Facebook posts dropped sharply. Total engagement dropped by approximately 45 percent, according to data from leading social media analytics firm NewsWhip. In an email to Breitbart News, a representative of Newswhip confirmed that Breitbart’s reading of the data was accurate.
When compared to high-profile Democratic political figures, Trump’s engagement appears to have been hit particularly badly.
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8 Million Mothers Sign Declaration: ‘The Era of Radical Feminism Is Over’
Since then, thousands of women in more than 4,000 U.S. cities and all 50 states have signed the declaration, several governors are proclaiming March 8 International Mothers Influence Day, and last month Rep. Diane Black (R-TN) entered the declaration into the Congressional Record.
In January 2018 HomeMakers for America partnered with women around the world to issue the Worldwide Declaration of Mothers, which has since been signed by organizational leaders representing eight million people in more than 150 countries around the world.
“It is clear that despite what the media and radical feminists would have us believe, the pink-hatted protestors do not speak for the majority of women in America—or the world,” the organization said in its press release about the national briefing that will take place at the Phyllis Schlafly Center in Washington, D.C.
HomeMakers for America noted that the left degrades motherhood and its crucial role for children, families, the community, and civil society.
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Nor'easter to become bomb cyclone: Fierce winds, flooding, snow and coastal havoc
Part of the same storm already caused significant flooding and produced severe thunderstorms over the South Central states and will bring a change to heavy wet snow and strong winds to the lower Great Lakes region on Thursday night.
The full power of the storm will be felt in the Northeast. The storm will strengthen and the pressure in the center of the storm will plummet so fast that it will likely become another bomb cyclone of the winter of 2018.
For this winter, this storm may be second only in intensity to the storm from early January in the same region. As the barometric pressure plummets, winds will increase dramatically.
Major trouble anticipated from high winds..
Schumer votes against Trump judicial nominee because he's white
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Wednesday voted against a nomination by the Trump administration to fill a federal judgeship -- and signaled that it's because the nominee is white.
Schumer, D-N.Y., said on the Senate floor that the nomination of Marvin Quattlebaum, a white judge who is a partner at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough in Greenville, South Carolina, “speaks to the overall lack of diversity in President Trump’s selections for the federal judiciary.”
Quattlebaum’s nomination, Schumer said, replaces two black judges from South Carolina whom the Obama administration nominated to fill the position — which The Post and Courier notes has long been vacant.
“It is long past time that the judiciary starts looking a lot more like the America it represents,” Schumer said. “Having a diversity of views and experience on the federal bench is necessary for the equal administration of justice.”
However, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Thursday, “Voting against a highly qualified nominee because of the color of his skin does nothing to bring our country and nation together.”
Morehttp://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/03/01/schumer-votes-against-trump-judicial-nominee-because-hes-white.html
Schumer, D-N.Y., said on the Senate floor that the nomination of Marvin Quattlebaum, a white judge who is a partner at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough in Greenville, South Carolina, “speaks to the overall lack of diversity in President Trump’s selections for the federal judiciary.”
Quattlebaum’s nomination, Schumer said, replaces two black judges from South Carolina whom the Obama administration nominated to fill the position — which The Post and Courier notes has long been vacant.
“It is long past time that the judiciary starts looking a lot more like the America it represents,” Schumer said. “Having a diversity of views and experience on the federal bench is necessary for the equal administration of justice.”
However, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Thursday, “Voting against a highly qualified nominee because of the color of his skin does nothing to bring our country and nation together.”
Morehttp://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/03/01/schumer-votes-against-trump-judicial-nominee-because-hes-white.html
Deja Vu all over again!
The March Storm of 1962 was the most costly natural disaster in Ocean City’s history. Property damage was enormous – particularly in the unincorporated northern section where cottages built on slabs were destroyed and in some instances washed out to sea. The Boardwalk was demolished.
Water from the bay and ocean met and flooded downtown for two days. Hundreds of people were rescued from their homes by the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company using boats and fire trucks. North of 71st Street, dozens more were taken to safety by the Coast Guard’s “Duck,” a World War II-era amphibious vehicle.
Martial law was declared with the National Guard sent to Ocean City and house at the Ocean City Elementary School (today’s City Hall). It would be several days before anyone would be allowed into town without proof of legal residency.
Photo by Floyd “Doc” Turner
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Water from the bay and ocean met and flooded downtown for two days. Hundreds of people were rescued from their homes by the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company using boats and fire trucks. North of 71st Street, dozens more were taken to safety by the Coast Guard’s “Duck,” a World War II-era amphibious vehicle.
Martial law was declared with the National Guard sent to Ocean City and house at the Ocean City Elementary School (today’s City Hall). It would be several days before anyone would be allowed into town without proof of legal residency.
Photo by Floyd “Doc” Turner
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The Purge: YouTube Mass-Censors Conservatives, New Right, Classical Liberals
YouTube is purging right-wing and independent commentators in the wake of the Parkland High shooting while admitting that it is mistakenly banning conservatives.
Independent journalist Mike Cernovich reported earlier today that a video he uploaded of left-wing Antifa activists chanting death threats had been taken down by YouTube. The video shows Antifa shouting violent threats at attendees of Cernovich’s Night for Freedom event in Washington DC, which took place on Saturday. Cernovich commented to Breitbart News on YouTube’s removal, saying, “YouTube is censoring honest, unedited reporting about ANTIFA’s actions. This can mean only one thing — they endorse far left wing violence.”
Google, which owns YouTube, has also banned political YouTube star and classical liberal Carl Benjamin, better known by his online pseudonym “Sargon of Akkad.”
More here
Independent journalist Mike Cernovich reported earlier today that a video he uploaded of left-wing Antifa activists chanting death threats had been taken down by YouTube. The video shows Antifa shouting violent threats at attendees of Cernovich’s Night for Freedom event in Washington DC, which took place on Saturday. Cernovich commented to Breitbart News on YouTube’s removal, saying, “YouTube is censoring honest, unedited reporting about ANTIFA’s actions. This can mean only one thing — they endorse far left wing violence.”
Google, which owns YouTube, has also banned political YouTube star and classical liberal Carl Benjamin, better known by his online pseudonym “Sargon of Akkad.”
More here
Kentucky School District Votes Unanimously to Arm Teachers for School Safety
Kentucky’s Pike County School Board voted to work with the Pike County Sheriff’s Office to train and arm teachers for school safety.
The vote followed the January 23, 2018, shooting at Kentucky’s Marshall County High School and the more recent February 14 attack on Florida’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
Kentucky.com reports that vote at the school board meeting was “unanimous” in favor of armed teachers. The vote was held after hearing input from “teachers, parents and administrators.”
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The vote followed the January 23, 2018, shooting at Kentucky’s Marshall County High School and the more recent February 14 attack on Florida’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
Kentucky.com reports that vote at the school board meeting was “unanimous” in favor of armed teachers. The vote was held after hearing input from “teachers, parents and administrators.”
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NY City Officials Hide Huge Workforce of Illegal Immigrants from ICE Enforcement
New York’s police department, politicians, and judges are helping the city’s illegal immigrant workforce evade repatriation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, according to an article in the New York Times.
The campaign, which protects the business groups’ supply of cheap, illegal-immigrant labor, was described by the newspaper on February 27:
ICE issued 1,526 detainer requests to the New York Police Department in the 2017 fiscal year, up from 80 in 2016. The Police Department complied with none of them.
Amid the massive resistance, ICE officials have developed new tactics to get around the city’s suppression of law enforcement, such as picking up illegals when they are required to go to courts, says the New York Times:
More here
The campaign, which protects the business groups’ supply of cheap, illegal-immigrant labor, was described by the newspaper on February 27:
ICE issued 1,526 detainer requests to the New York Police Department in the 2017 fiscal year, up from 80 in 2016. The Police Department complied with none of them.
Amid the massive resistance, ICE officials have developed new tactics to get around the city’s suppression of law enforcement, such as picking up illegals when they are required to go to courts, says the New York Times:
More here
LEGENDARY COMMENTS BY GEORGE CHEVALLIER 3-3-18
Salisbury In The Civil WarSalisbury’s participation in the Civil War was minimal at best. The devastating fire of 1860 had leveled the entire downtown, so much of the 1861- 65 era was spent rebuilding the town. The Union established Camp Upton on the land where the old Daily Times building was on Carroll Street. The population at the camp outnumbered the citizens who lived in Salisbury at the time.
The sentiments of the entire Eastern Shore were divided in their loyalties to both the North and the South. The Union put Camp Upton in Salisbury to guard the telegraph line from north to south that provided information for the Union forces. They would occasionally roust a few Southern sympathizers to check for weapons that could be used against them.
There is a grave in Salisbury that has a stone that gives the soldier’s name and the designation “U S C I”. This stood for United States Colored Infantry. Researching his service showed him to have been owned by a George Johnson. He was mustered in on March 29, 1864 and discharged on December 4, 1865. He was 34 years old at the time.
Another local figure that was prominent during the Civil War was Clara Gunby. She was the sister of L. W. Gunby of hardware store fame. She lived in Fruitland and came to Salisbury one time to buy some things for her upcoming wedding to Will Huffington of Allen. While in Salisbury, she refused to walk under a Union flag stretched across Bridge (Main) St. When someone got wind of this, they hung one over her front door. She still refused to walk under it and entered and exited her house by crawling in and out of a window rather than acknowledge the colors. Her acts were eventually deemed serious enough for her to be sent to Baltimore to be tried by a military commission and she was finally exiled to the South for the duration of the War.
There are only two other incidents that are noteworthy. One is when a Mr. Byrd, who owned a local tavern where the Court House now stands, shot and killed a rowdy Union soldier at his establishment. Nothing ever came of this, however.
The other deaths were as a result of disease. It seems a regiment of Union soldiers from Massachusetts was marching back home from having fought in the South. They had an extraordinary number of cases of either typhoid fever or black measles and had to stop at Camp Upton. Camp Upton had a hospital that was where the main entrance to PRMC is now. A total of 51 or 52 soldiers died and are buried locally. Most of them were buried in the old Potter’s Field behind what is now Arby’s by Wi Jr Hi. Some of the graves were moved to Parson’s cemetery when they cut Route 50 through there. No one knew any names but the uniform buttons and belt buckles identified them as the Union soldiers.
As for any local folk making a name for themselves, there appears to be none. After all, they had a town to rebuild and crops to tend.
Governor Larry Hogan Declares State of Emergency for Winter Storm Riley
Order Issued Following Widespread Power Outages and Hazardous Conditions Due to Dangerous Winds
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan today signed Executive Order 01.01.2018.09 declaring a state of emergency beginning Friday, March 2nd in the wake of damaging winds resulting in power outages, downed trees, and dangerous travel conditions across the state due to Winter Storm Riley. The executive order will allow the state to efficiently coordinate support and provide additional assistance to local jurisdictions. Dangerous conditions may continue throughout Saturday, March 3rd.
“I want to caution all Marylanders that these dangerously strong winds will continue this evening and into tomorrow. We are continuing to see a number of serious accidents on bridges and roadways, and power outages throughout the state,” said Governor Hogan. “Please use common sense, heed all warnings, and stay inside and off the roads if possible.”
The Hogan administration has directed state agencies to stand ready to respond to the effects of this storm, including the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).
For more information, residents can also go to MEMA’s website at mema.maryland.gov, follow MEMA’s Twitter feed at @MDMEMA, or follow MEMA’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MDMEMA.
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan today signed Executive Order 01.01.2018.09 declaring a state of emergency beginning Friday, March 2nd in the wake of damaging winds resulting in power outages, downed trees, and dangerous travel conditions across the state due to Winter Storm Riley. The executive order will allow the state to efficiently coordinate support and provide additional assistance to local jurisdictions. Dangerous conditions may continue throughout Saturday, March 3rd.
“I want to caution all Marylanders that these dangerously strong winds will continue this evening and into tomorrow. We are continuing to see a number of serious accidents on bridges and roadways, and power outages throughout the state,” said Governor Hogan. “Please use common sense, heed all warnings, and stay inside and off the roads if possible.”
The Hogan administration has directed state agencies to stand ready to respond to the effects of this storm, including the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).
For more information, residents can also go to MEMA’s website at mema.maryland.gov, follow MEMA’s Twitter feed at @MDMEMA, or follow MEMA’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MDMEMA.
BANK ROBBER, RICHARD MOISE CONVICTED OF FIFTY-SIX COUNTS FOR ROBBING BANK OF DELMARVA
On February 28, 2018, Richard Davidson Moise, age 26, of Salisbury, was convicted by a Wicomico County jury of 56 counts, including five counts of Armed Robbery and five counts of Use of a Handgun in the Commission of Felony.
On December 9, 2016, just before 6 pm, five masked individuals, two of whom were armed with handguns, entered the Bank of Delmarva on Eastern Shore Drive in Salisbury, Maryland. Mr. Moise collected the money while two other suspects brandished firearms at bank employees. The suspects ordered bank employees to the ground at gun point and bound three bank tellers with zip ties. The suspects took over $11,000 in cash from the bank, as well as some personal property from the bank employees. The majority of personal items and all the stolen money were recovered through the investigative efforts of the police. Sentencing in the case has been delayed pending a Pre-Sentence Investigation.
Wicomico County State’s Attorney Jamie Dykes commended the members of the Salisbury City Police Department Road Patrol and Criminal Investigations Division, for their work in the investigation. She specifically thanked Detective Caputo, the lead investigator. State’s Attorney Dykes also thanked Assistant State’s Attorney Jared Monteiro, who prosecuted this case.
On December 9, 2016, just before 6 pm, five masked individuals, two of whom were armed with handguns, entered the Bank of Delmarva on Eastern Shore Drive in Salisbury, Maryland. Mr. Moise collected the money while two other suspects brandished firearms at bank employees. The suspects ordered bank employees to the ground at gun point and bound three bank tellers with zip ties. The suspects took over $11,000 in cash from the bank, as well as some personal property from the bank employees. The majority of personal items and all the stolen money were recovered through the investigative efforts of the police. Sentencing in the case has been delayed pending a Pre-Sentence Investigation.
Wicomico County State’s Attorney Jamie Dykes commended the members of the Salisbury City Police Department Road Patrol and Criminal Investigations Division, for their work in the investigation. She specifically thanked Detective Caputo, the lead investigator. State’s Attorney Dykes also thanked Assistant State’s Attorney Jared Monteiro, who prosecuted this case.
Is Elsa from ‘Frozen’ going to have a girlfriend? The sequel’s director comments on rumors
Fans called for the main character Elsa to have a significant other after the first movie left her single at the end. But this time people are imploring that Disney take a step forward and give Elsa a girlfriend instead of a boyfriend, which would be the first time for a Disney princess movie to have a same-sex couple.
According to E!, the director of the sequel, Jennifer Lee, might be on board with the ice queen becoming an LGBT icon.
"Where we're going with it, we have tons of conversations about it, and we're really conscientious about these things," Lee said.
While Lee didn’t outright say if Elsa would be in a same-sex relationship, she said she was shying away from giving out details to not spoil the movie’s plot.
"I love everything people are saying [and] people are thinking about with our film—that it's creating dialogue, that Elsa is this wonderful character that speaks to so many people," Lee said. "It means the world to us that we're part of these conversations."
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STEVEN DARNELL NICHOLS, SENTENCED TO THIRTY YEARS FOR ROBBERY OF EXXON AND FAMILY DOLLAR
On March 2, 2018, Steven Darnell Nichols, Jr., 43, of Salisbury, Maryland, was convicted of two robberies, in the Circuit Court for Wicomico County. Judge Leah J. Seaton sentenced Nichols to 30 years of active incarceration in the Division of Corrections.
On the evening of September 1, 2017, Nichols robbed a cashier at the Family Dollar store on South Salisbury Boulevard in Salisbury, Maryland, while armed with a knife. Hours later, he robbed a cashier at the Exxon Tiger Mart on Spring Hill Road, also in Salisbury, Maryland, while threatening to have a gun. Nichols stole approximately $750 from the two establishments and was apprehended two days later.
Wicomico County State’s Attorney Jamie Dykes commended Detective Patrick Glynn and other members of the Salisbury Police Department for their work in the investigation and prosecution. Mrs. Dykes also thanked Assistant State’s Attorney James “Bo” McAllister who prosecuted this case.
On the evening of September 1, 2017, Nichols robbed a cashier at the Family Dollar store on South Salisbury Boulevard in Salisbury, Maryland, while armed with a knife. Hours later, he robbed a cashier at the Exxon Tiger Mart on Spring Hill Road, also in Salisbury, Maryland, while threatening to have a gun. Nichols stole approximately $750 from the two establishments and was apprehended two days later.
Wicomico County State’s Attorney Jamie Dykes commended Detective Patrick Glynn and other members of the Salisbury Police Department for their work in the investigation and prosecution. Mrs. Dykes also thanked Assistant State’s Attorney James “Bo” McAllister who prosecuted this case.
NOI 2/27/18 Wicomico Dwelling Fire Walnut Tree Rd.
Date: February 27, 2018
Time: 2:40 pm
Location / Address: 26206 Walnut Tree Rd., Eden, Wicomico Co.
Type of Incident: Fire
Description of Structure / Property: Vacant two and one-half story wood framed dwelling
Owner / Occupants: Magelene Moore (Owner)
Injuries or Deaths: None
Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $50,000 Contents: $0
Smoke Alarm Status: Present, unknown if activated
Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: n/a
Arrests(s): None
Primary Responding Fire Department: Allen
# of Alarms: 1 # Of Firefighters: 15
Time to Control: 25 minutes
Discovered By: Passerby
Area of Origin: Attic
Preliminary Cause: Under Investigation
Additional Information: Anyone with information is asked to call the Salisbury Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal at (410) 713-3780.
Salisbury Film Society's 15th Season! 2nd film this Sunday!
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Maryland Ranks 13th In U.S. News 'Best States' List
BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Maryland has been ranked 13th on U.S. News’s list of “best states.”
The score is 16 percent health care, 16 percent education, 14 percent economy, 13 percent opportunity, 12 percent infrastructure, 11 percent crime and corrections, 10 percent fiscal stability and 8 percent quality of life.
Maryland’s best ranking is opportunity, where it comes in second, after New Hampshire. It’s next best rankings are education, 11th, and health care, 16th. The Free State has middle-of-the-road rankings in everything else, coming in 23rd in fiscal stability, 24th in economy, 25th in infrastructure, 26th in crime and corrections and 31st in quality of life.
The first ranked states in every other category are: Hawaii in healthcare, Massachusetts in education, Colorado in economy, Iowa in infrastructure (Iowa also came first overall), Maine in crime and corrections, Utah if fiscal stability and North Dakota in quality of life.
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Publishers Notes: We looked up the first 15 Governors. #2, #6 and #10 are Democrats. The rest of the top 15 are Republicans.
The score is 16 percent health care, 16 percent education, 14 percent economy, 13 percent opportunity, 12 percent infrastructure, 11 percent crime and corrections, 10 percent fiscal stability and 8 percent quality of life.
Maryland’s best ranking is opportunity, where it comes in second, after New Hampshire. It’s next best rankings are education, 11th, and health care, 16th. The Free State has middle-of-the-road rankings in everything else, coming in 23rd in fiscal stability, 24th in economy, 25th in infrastructure, 26th in crime and corrections and 31st in quality of life.
The first ranked states in every other category are: Hawaii in healthcare, Massachusetts in education, Colorado in economy, Iowa in infrastructure (Iowa also came first overall), Maine in crime and corrections, Utah if fiscal stability and North Dakota in quality of life.
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Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Press Release
The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Worcester County School Board, the Worcester County States Attorney’s Office, and the Maryland State Police have joined together to create an advisory council to best serve our community in regards to School safety.
The Advisory Council for Worcester County Schools and Law Enforcement as it shall be known from today forward will meet regularly to ensure lines of communication are intact.
In light of past events in Florida and other areas around the Country we felt a need to strengthen the current strong relationships between the organizations in an effort to thwart any effort to cause harm to our valuable student community that will be our future leaders.
The council will work with the all the Chiefs of Police in Worcester County to share information and best practices to help keep our community safe.
The Advisory Council for Worcester County Schools and Law Enforcement as it shall be known from today forward will meet regularly to ensure lines of communication are intact.
In light of past events in Florida and other areas around the Country we felt a need to strengthen the current strong relationships between the organizations in an effort to thwart any effort to cause harm to our valuable student community that will be our future leaders.
The council will work with the all the Chiefs of Police in Worcester County to share information and best practices to help keep our community safe.
Nurse kept crash pad in college dorm for decades: suit
A 67-year-old man has been crashing in a Hunter College dorm room — among comely coeds — for nearly four decades, according to a new lawsuit by the university.
Derek DeFreitas has a permanent residence in Orange County. Yet he’s “maintained a dormitory room ‘crash pad’ at the Brookdale Residence Hall on East 25th Street and First Avenue” since 1980, a lawyer for Hunter says in the suit for his ouster.
The 14-story brick building was once a part of the Bellevue School of Nursing, but Hunter — which is associated with The City University of New York — now controls the property.
“DeFreitas refuses to leave his dormitory originally provided to him and other under a long-discontinued program dating to the 1960s that reserved a certain number of rooms for active Bellevue nurses,” the suit says.
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Derek DeFreitas has a permanent residence in Orange County. Yet he’s “maintained a dormitory room ‘crash pad’ at the Brookdale Residence Hall on East 25th Street and First Avenue” since 1980, a lawyer for Hunter says in the suit for his ouster.
The 14-story brick building was once a part of the Bellevue School of Nursing, but Hunter — which is associated with The City University of New York — now controls the property.
“DeFreitas refuses to leave his dormitory originally provided to him and other under a long-discontinued program dating to the 1960s that reserved a certain number of rooms for active Bellevue nurses,” the suit says.
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