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Friday, March 09, 2018

Racist South African Political Leader Julius Malema: "Go After the White Man... We Are Cutting the Throat of Whiteness"

In 2011 South Africa youth leader Julius Malema told his supporters that the white farmer’s land must be shared by all black Africans.

He was arrested for playing “Kill the Boer (white man)” song at his rallies.

Julius Malema later founded the Economic Freedom Fighters, a South African political party.

Malema recently called for new law to confiscate land from white farmers.

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DNC Hack Involved Russian Agents "Within The Democratic Party": Unreleased Steele Memo

Shortly after WikiLeaks released emails from the Democratic National Committee (DNC) on July 26, 2016, former UK spy Christopher Steele filed a memo with his employer, Fusion GPS, claiming that the DNC "hack" during the 2016 election involved Russian agents "within the Democratic Party structure itself," The New Yorker reports.

On July 26, 2016, after WikiLeaks disseminated the D.N.C. e-mails, Steele filed yet another memo, this time claiming that the Kremlin was “behind” the hacking, which was part of a Russian cyber war against Hillary Clinton’s campaign. Many of the details seemed far-fetched: Steele’s sources claimed that the digital attack involved agents “within the Democratic Party structure itself,” as well as Russian émigrés in the U.S. and “associated offensive cyber operators.”

The unverified claim was contained within a multitude of memos compiled by Steele on behalf of Fusion GPS, which was conducting opposition research on then-candidate Donald Trump for Hillary Clinton and the DNC.

Of note, the 35-page "Trump-Russia" dossier used in part by the FBI to obtain a FISA warrant on one-time Trump campaign advisor Carter Page was comprised of seventeen of Steele's memos - including one which alleged that Trump had paid "a number of prostitutes to perform a ‘golden showers’ (urination) show in front of him," which would defile a bed that Barack and Michelle Obama had slept in during a state visit - an allegation attributed to four individuals' second-hand reporting.

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So CBS doesn't actually KNOW who as behind it but blames the Buddists anyway.

While government officials have not directly accused Buddhist extremists of being behind the violence, many comments appeared aimed at them.

MULLEGAMA, Sri Lanka -- Religious violence flared anew in the hills of central Sri Lanka on Wednesday despite a state of emergency, with Buddhist mobs sweeping through towns and villages, burning Muslim homes and businesses and leaving victims barricaded inside mosques. The government ordered popular social media networks blocked in an attempt to stop the violence from spreading, and thousands of police and soldiers spread out across the worst-hit areas.

The police also ordered a curfew across much of the region for a third straight day, trying to calm the situation.

Hundreds of Muslim residents of Mullegama, a village in the hills of central Sri Lanka, barricaded themselves inside a local mosque after Buddhist mobs attacked their homes Wednesday morning accusing them of stealing the donation box of a nearby temple. At least 20 Muslim homes appeared badly damaged and flames engulfed one two-story home.

The Muslims hiding in the mosque, speaking on condition of anonymity because of fear of reprisals, said police prevented them from saving their property and did nothing to stop the attackers.

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Civil asset forfeiture reform is sweeping the nation

‘Forfeiture should only occur after a person is convicted of a crime’

here’s an under-the-radar fight brewing in Washington, D.C., and in states across the nation. The debate concerns when law enforcement can take private property from citizens via a process known as civil forfeiture.

In most states, law enforcement entities can take and keep assets without even charging someone with a crime. The items are usually cars or cash, but they can also be cellphones, legal weapons, houses, and more.

The dispute largely pits advocates of criminal justice reform — both conservative and liberal groups — and harmed citizens against prosecutors and law enforcement. Under Attorney General Jeff Sessions, the federal government has also increasingly been an obstacle to reform.

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Lawmakers fear arming school staff could harm black and Hispanic students

Tallahassee, Florida (CNN)Florida lawmakers celebrated the passage of a school safety bill on Wednesday in response to last month's shooting in Parkland. But the bill left some with a new concern.

Black and Hispanic Democrats joined civil rights groups in warning that part of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act could have deadly unintended consequences for students of color.

The provision establishes a voluntary "guardian" program that allows personnel who meet certain criteria to carry firearms in schools‎.

Democrats in the Republican-controlled House and Senate fought unsuccessfully to remove the controversial provision from the bill, also known as SB 2076. They argued that minority students -- who are often subject to disproportionate levels of punishment compared to their white counterparts and are more likely to be mistaken for perpetrators -- could become targets.

Is the Country Music Industry Turning Left?

Former Arkansas governor, presidential candidate and Fox News contributor Mike Huckabee accepted an appointment to the Country Music Association Foundation of directors last week only to resign the next day after receiving a backlash of politically motivated attacks from a number of country music executives for his social views. One of those most critical of Huckabee was the prominent executive Jason Owen, who represents such country artists as Little Big Town, Kacey Musgraves and Faith Hill.

Owens, who is a practicing homosexual and is “married” to his partner, blasted the CMA Foundation, writing, “Sandbox and Monument will no longer support the CMA Foundation in any way (this includes everyone we represent collectively) considering the heartbreaking news shared today regarding Mike Huckabee appointee/elected to the CMA Foundation.” He continued, “As you may know I have a child and two on the way. This man has made it clear that my family is not welcome in his America. And the CMA has opened their arms to him, making him feel welcome and relevant.”

In his letter of resignation Huckabee expressed his hurt over being mischaracterized and bemoaned the “intolerance” expressed by those who were critical of his appointment. Writing to the CMA Foundation, Huckabee said, “I have no expectation that it will change the irrational vitriol directed toward you or me for my religious or political views that necessitated my abrupt departure. I want you to know what you would never know by reading intolerant and vicious statements on the internet about who I am or what led me to want to be a part of your efforts to empower kids with the gift of music.” He adds, “Music changed my life. I was never good enough to make a full-time living at music, but the confidence I gained by playing, being in front of people, and competing against myself and the low expectations I grew up with was transformative.”

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Shootings Are a Morality Problem, Not a Gun Problem

Before we discuss violence with guns, I’d like to run a couple of questions by you.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every day nearly 30 Americans die in motor vehicle crashes that involve drunk driving. What kind of restrictions should be placed on automobile ownership? Should there be federal background checks in order for people to obtain a driver’s license or purchase a car?

The FBI’s 2015 Uniform Crime Report shows that nearly three times more people were stabbed or hacked to death than were killed with shotguns and rifles combined. The number of shotgun and rifle deaths totaled 548. People who were stabbed or hacked to death totaled 1,573. Should there be federal background checks and waiting periods for knife purchases?

Any mature and reasonable person would argue that it is utter nonsense to deal with drunk driving deaths and knife deaths by having federal background checks and waiting periods to obtain a driver’s license or to purchase a car or knife.

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Your Tax Money Makes Planned Parenthood a Political Kingmaker

You might never support a pro-abortion candidate, but what if your tax dollars are?

There’s more than a little evidence suggesting that’s exactly what’s happening with government-funded groups like Planned Parenthood.

Of course, some would argue that the money is spent on services, but let’s be honest. Those tax dollars are also used to expand their brand—making it easier for outgoing Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards to raise the cash she needs to elect pro-abortion legislators who, in turn, keep the federal funds flowing.

Now that America’s biggest abortion provider has announced a $20 million midterm election strategy, most taxpayers can’t help but wonder where federal funds end and campaign checks begin.

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Rand Paul to Introduce 'Audit the Fed' as Amendment to Senate Banking Bill

Washington, D.C. – Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) announced on March 5 that he will introduce his “Audit the Fed” legislation, which would permit a full audit of the Federal Reserve System, as an amendment to the Senate Banking Bill. The Senate is expected to vote on the Banking Bill, S. 2155— officially known as the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act— this week.

“While we have made great strides in reviving our economy through curbing overzealous regulation and cutting taxes, lasting prosperity will escape us if we do not hold the enabler of big government and our astronomical national debt accountable. It’s time for the Senate to side with the American people by removing the shackles on congressional oversight and lifting the Fed’s veil of secrecy. It’s time for us to pass Audit the Fed,” Paul said in his press release.

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Activists demand slavery reparations for black University of Chicago students

University denies activist claims that it has ‘ties to slavery’

Claiming that the University of Chicago is founded on free slave labor, student groups there recently held a “teach-in” arguing that the university owes some of its black students slavery reparations.

The event continued to advance pressure on the prestigious private school to offer such restitution, lobbying that included a “Rally for Reparations” late last year, which included calls for “reparations” for African American community members in the South Side of Chicago, where the university is located.

At the late February teach-in, the groups Reparations at UChicago, the UChicago Socialists and UofC Resists, the organizers of the event, were joined by representatives from a graduate student union and a local Black Lives Matter chapter, as reported by The Chicago Maroon.

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Missouri officer killed when sent to wrong house 15 miles away

A Missouri police officer who was shot and killed and two others who were wounded had been sent to the wrong house following a 911 call, authorities said Wednesday.

Missouri Highway Patrol Sgt. Bill Lowe said no one spoke when the 911 call came in Tuesday night but two women could be heard arguing in the background.

For reasons that authorities still are trying to determine, the officers were sent to the address in Clinton where they were shot. The home that officers should have responded to was in Windsor, about 15 miles away.

The three Clinton officers went inside the home to determine if criminal activity was occurring and James Waters was in the residence and shot them, Lowe said. It's not clear if Waters, 37, was living there.

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Americans should applaud Trump for starting to end our nation's wholesale surrender on trade

President Trump is right to call for tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. Tariffs are often used as a last resort, but the domestic steel industry has reached that point. Rather than attacking the president for his proposal, all Americans should applaud him for beginning to end our nation’s wholesale surrender on trade.

The president’s action is already producing results, as U.S. Steel announced Wednesdaythat it will restart one of its idled blast furnaces in Granite City, Illinois and create approximately 500 jobs.

I have visited communities deeply affected by steel imports.

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http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2018/03/07/americans-should-applaud-trump-for-starting-to-end-our-nations-wholesale-surrender-on-trade.html

Police: We're The Experts - Don't You Dare Criticize Us

One of the most surprising developments in the wake of February's Florida school shooting is the willingness by many generally police-friendly commentators to denounce the lack of action by local police against the shooter.

From National Review, to The Federalist, to Donald Trump, many of the law enforcement officers involved in the shooting are being accused of outright "cowardice."

Part of this is agenda-driven. The inaction on the part of law-enforcement organizations demonstrates that it is not enough to "call 911" and hope the police show up to protect the victims. As Michael Graham notes, the Florida situation is part of a "pattern of police cowardice" which was also apparent at the 2016 Orlando shooting and at the Newtown, Connecticut shooting. In both cases, police stood outside while gunmen worked freely inside the building in question.

Thus, if police are going to protect themselves while victims are at the mercy of gunmen, this illustrates that private gun ownership is perhaps the only reliable defense — whether in the hands of professional private security or even amateurs. Opponents of a police monopoly on gun ownership have seized upon this police failure as a helpful illustration of their position.

In the past, however, the right-wing's knee-jerk tendency to always defend the police would likely have prevented much direct criticism of police agencies themselves. That reticence, however, appears to be falling away, and the cowardice of government law enforcement officials has now become become an open question.

Naturally, this does not bode well for the position of police agencies in the political hierarchy. Law enforcement agencies have long depended on their "hero" status as an important factor in ensuring that police organizations get whatever they want from local governments and state legislatures.

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FBI paid Best Buy ‘informants’ to search customers’ computers for kiddie porn

The FBI has been bribing employees of Best Buy’s Geek Squad to hack into computers for the past 10 years, according to a stunning new report that raises concerns over Fourth Amendment violations.

Technicians were paid between $500 and $1,000 as “informants” and encouraged to search customers’ computers for any illegal material, a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit found.

The FOIA request was filed by the nonprofit Electronic Frontier Foundation after the FBI’s link to the Geek Squad was uncovered in the child pornography case against California doctor Mark Rettenmaier.

Documents recently released to EFF detail the FBI’s close relationship with Best Buy.

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George Soros Notches Another District Attorney Primary Victory

Yet another candidate for district attorney primarily financed by liberal billionaire George Soros has won a primary election—this time in Texas.

The Daily Caller notes that Joe Gonzales defeated incumbent Nico Lahood in Tuesday's Democratic primary for district attorney in Bexar County, Texas. Bexar County, which includes the city of San Antonio, is one of the most populous counties in the United States.

Soros infused nearly $1 million into the race through the Texas Justice & Public Safety PAC, a super PAC established for the sole purpose of backing Gonzales. Gonzales will now face Republican Tylden Shaeffer, a criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor in the county, on Nov. 6.

Soros operates in the same manner in almost every city that he enters:

Rep. Lou Barletta Collects 1,500 More Signatures Than Bob Casey

Rep. Lou Barletta (R-PA) collected 1,500 more nomination signatures than Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), the man he seeks to unseat in November’s U.S. Senate election.

Congressman Barletta’s campaign announced on Wednesday that they collected 15,500 nomination signatures, which amounts to 1,500 more signatures than what Sen. Casey gathered, and far exceeded the 2,000 signature threshold required to participate in the Pennsylvania primary in May. The disparity highlights the grassroots support for Barletta and an enthusiasm gap for Sen. Casey.

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Mitch McConnell Has Ignored National Concealed Carry Reciprocity for Over a Year

National reciprocity for concealed carry was put forward in the Senate on March 1, 2017, and as of today, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has remained mum on it.

In other words, he has effectively ignored it for over a year.

National reciprocity was introduced in the House on January 3, 2017. It passed 48 weeks later, on December 6, after conservatives rallied to overcome Speaker Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) stonewalling of the measure.

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66% Of Millennials Have Nothing Saved For Retirement

(CNN Money) — Most Millennials are not on track when it comes to saving for retirement.

That’s no surprise. After paying bills, rent and making student loan payments, there’s often not much leftover each month for young people, many of whom entered the workforce at a time of stagnant wages and high unemployment.

But a new report shows just how far off track they might be. About 66% of people between the ages of 21 and 32 have absolutely nothing saved for retirement, according to the National Institute on Retirement Security. The report is based on Census data collected in 2014.

“I see in practice that a lot of us are putting retirement down the goal priority list, in favor of paying off student debt or buying homes,” said Douglas Boneparth, a certified financial planner and author of The Millennial Money Fix.

Waiting to save could significantly delay retirement. You’ll be missing out on valuable years of compounding returns.

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Baltimore to Approve $200,000 for Lawyers to Defend Illegal Immigrants Against Deportation

Following the example of so-called “sanctuary state” California, the city of Baltimore plans to allocate taxpayer dollars to create a legal defense fund for illegal immigrants.

Baltimore’s spending board is expected to approve $200,000 in funds to pay lawyers who will defend illegal immigrants facing deportation, reports The Baltimore Sun.

“The head of the mayor Catherine Pugh’s immigrant affairs office said the approval would allow the first lawyers to get work within weeks,” writes the local newspaper. “The money is scheduled to go before a vote of the Board of Estimates. Half of it is in the form of a grant from the Vera Institute of Justice, a New York nonprofit, and the other half is from the city’s coffers.”

According to The Baltimore Sun, “The funding is part of a broader effort to help immigrants that city officials, charity leaders and advocates launched after the inauguration of Donald Trump as president.”

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Oscars 2018 Prove That Liberals Are Ruining Everything – Even The Movies

The 2018 Oscars. Big ratings flop. One out of five viewers dropped out since last year.

Blame it on streaming … or blame it on liberal screaming.

The 2018 Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel thinks he’s running for office, and seems to be confused that in both his late-night show and his role hosting the Oscars he is supposed to discuss entertainment and BE entertaining.

If you witnessed the Oscars debacle – Kimmel failed on both points.

Why doesn’t Jimmy Kimmel just go work for CNN?

It’s a serious question. Why doesn’t he? He has certainly positioned himself as a political activist.

The problem with leaving the comedy world is that Kimmel would actually have to research and debate in order to make the move from funny-man to pundit – and he knows he can’t cut it in the pundit world.

So Hollywood is stuck with Kimmel because he would fail on a real political show.

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Women’s March Flies Into Damage Control Over Farrakhan Ties

  • Two Women's March leaders have close ties to Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, a notorious anti-Semite
  • Women's March issued a statement in an attempt to play damage control, following a backlash
  • The statement included neither an apology nor a disavowal of Farrakhan, which sparked further backlash
Women's March is officially in damage control mode.
The left-wing group issued a statement Tuesday after facing an extended backlash over its leaders' support for Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, a notorious anti-Semite who has called Jews "satanic" and said white people "deserve to die."

Ending the Obsession With Race

“The time may have come when the issue of race could benefit from a period of benign neglect.”
— Daniel Patrick Moynihan

By the time Daniel Patrick Moynihan penned a famous memo to President Richard Nixon in 1970 he had been in the forefront of authoring or sponsoring nearly every federal government program to help alleviate racism in America. Foremost of which was the 1965 Moynihan Report that warned of the dire need for the government to use its power to codify laws and economic programs to help achieve that goal.

That report, coupled with the landmark Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act, propelled the Johnson Administration and later Nixon Administration to take the lead in battling entrenched racial discrimination across the country.

So in less than a decade the federal government had done its part by essentially making discrimination illegal everywhere in America, thus laying the foundation for the black community to gradually move up the economic ladder by eliminating the discriminatory barriers that had held them back for over a century.

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The NRA Boycott is Already Backfiring

That Delta Airlines protest against the NRA certainly went well! There are some great lessons for conservative business owners in the debacle that just took place: When a Twitter rage mob makes your Board of Directors dance like a monkey and insult millions of law-abiding, gun-owning Americans, perhaps you should not listen to the Twitter rage mob. The backlash against Delta was a beautiful thing to watch and showed all of us that if you push back against these gun-grabbing wusses, they will back down.

To recap, one insane person shot up a school in Florida, even though it was illegal for that insane person to purchase a firearm under 18 USC 922 (d)(4). As a result, Delta Airlines, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and other companies decided to listen to the usual gang of gun-grabbers and insult the millions of law-abiding people who did not shoot up a school in Florida. Delta and Enterprise both canceled their NRA discount programs while demanding that Congress ban the most popular sport rifle in America, the AR-15.

Hundreds of Americans contacted Delta to inform them that they would never fly on that airline again — and they would never again use Delta for their business travel purposes, either. Then, Republicans in Georgia killed a bill that would have given Delta Airlines roughly $40 million in tax breaks in that state. That move broke Delta’s back and their CEO suddenly began tweeting that Delta supports the Second Amendment. Their big NRA boycott lasted the better part of a day.

Here’s the really funny part of the debacle: Delta Airlines has only granted the NRA discount to 13 people in Georgia in recent weeks, according to Business Insider. Delta’s stand against the civil rights of millions of Americans would have cost them $3 million per passenger if they continued to posture for the Twitter rage mobs. Beautiful! Enterprise and United Airlines are facing similar backlash, so expect them to cave soon as well. Once again, all it takes is standing up to these people.

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No Blue Texas Wave So Far

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) received more votes in the 2018 Republican Primary election than the entire turnout of voters in the Democratic Primary. The results shed a new perspective on the media-hyped “blue wave” stories from the weeks leading up to election day..

On Tuesday, CNN asked in a headline, “Can a Blue Wave Take Down Ted Cruz in Texas?”

Fourteen hours later, the network answered it’s own question. “Democrat Turnout Could Signal a Blue Wave in November — But Not in Texas,” the new headline stated.

More here

Massive Iranian Missile Buildup Sparks Fear of ‘Second Holocaust’

Iran is undertaking a massive buildup of its ballistic missile program, sparking fears of a "second Holocaust" amid sensitive international negotiations that could see the Trump administration legitimize Iranian missiles capable of striking Israel, according to multiple sources familiar with ongoing diplomatic talks.

As the Trump administration and European allies continue discussions aimed at fixing a range of flaws in the landmark Iran nuclear deal, sources familiar with the progression of these talks say the United States is caving to European demands limiting restrictions on Iran's ballistic missile program.

While the Trump administration went into the negotiations with a hardline stance on cutting off Iran's ballistic missile program, it appears the United States is moving closer in line with European positions that would only regulate a portion of the missiles.

Multiple sources with knowledge of the ongoing talks told the Washington Free Beacon U.S. officials have been backpedaling on key demands originally proposed by President Trump in order to preserve the agreement and appease European allies who are eager to continue doing business with Tehran.

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Trump 2020 Manager Brad Parscale Warns Big Tech: ‘We Are Watching’

Brad Parscale, who was recently appointed as campaign manager for Donald Trump’s 2020 reelection bid, has warned Google, Facebook, and Twitter to maintain a “level playing field,” following a month of high-profile revelations of bias at big tech.

Brad Parscale’s comment came on the same day as the results of primaries for the Texas senatorial race in November were released. Google and Facebook both have the ability to significantly influence elections. Facebook has previously boosted voter registration and turnout by significant margins, while research on search engine manipulation shows that services like Google Search have the potential to change the preferences of undecided voters by 20 percent or more.

Brad Parscale, current campaign manager for the president’s 2020 re-election bid, previously managed Trump’s digital campaign in 2016. In public interviews, Parscale has argued that social media, not traditional media, was the key to Trump’s victory in 2016, and identified Facebook as particularly critical to the president’s success.

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Red Wave? Poll Shows Five Senate Democrats In Serious Trouble

Polls done in 10 states show very bad news for at least five Senate Democrats up for re-election in 2018, according to Axios.

In November, a total of 33 Senators are up for re-election. The good news for Republicans, is that 23 of those are Democrats. The better news for Republicans is that 10 of those 23 Democrats hail from states won by President Trump in 2016.

Axios and Survey Monkey polled all ten of those states and found that at least five Democrats are in real trouble.

Federal court grants big win for transgender people to change birth certificates

Not recognizing the validity of trans identities is "archaic reasoning."

A federal judge has ruled that Idaho must provide birth certificate changes to transgender people reflecting their gender identity. The decision recognizes that transgender people are entitled to heightened protection under the law because of their history of discrimination.

Two transgender women represented by Lambda Legal, F.V. and Dani Martin, brought suit against Idaho because the state refused to amend their birth certificates to reflect their lived gender identity. This is despite the fact that they had both changed most of their other documentation, including their driver’s licenses and social security records. Their birth certificates, however, have prevented them from changing all of their documentation. Thy also expose them to discrimination and violence by inherently outing them as transgender.

A Viewer Writes: Salisbury Industrial Park

Wondering if many of your readers travel thru this part of Salisbury on a regular basis?

I travel to Salisbury on a weekly basis to attend meetings, my observation is the road conditions are horrible at best.

Realizing that the is a considerable amount of commercial truck traffic, the roads are full of potholes; one has to stop completely upon crossing the railroad tracks on Marvel Road due to the detonating condition of the crossing

I would assume those commercial/industrial occupants pay Salisbury city taxes, what are they getting for their property tax dollars?

Certainly no folk festival or bike trails in the industrial park area.

Alexander: The Truth About Morality v. Violence in America

Before we discuss violence with guns, I’d like to run a couple of questions by you. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every day nearly 30 Americans die in motor vehicle crashes that involve drunk driving. What kind of restrictions should be placed on automobile ownership? Should there be federal background checks in order for people to obtain a driver’s license or purchase a car?

The FBI’s 2015 Uniform Crime Report shows that nearly three times more people were stabbed or hacked to death than were killed with shotguns and rifles combined. The number of shotgun and rifle deaths totaled 548. People who were stabbed or hacked to death totaled 1,573. Should there be federal background checks and waiting periods for knife purchases?

Any mature and reasonable person would argue that it is utter nonsense to deal with drunk driving deaths and knife deaths by having federal background checks and waiting periods to obtain a driver’s license or to purchase a car or knife. One would recognize, just as courts and the general public do, that cars and knives are inanimate objects and cannot act on their own. Therefore, if we want to do something about deaths resulting from drunk driving or being stabbed or hacked to death, we must focus on individuals. It would be folly and gross negligence of victims for us to focus on inanimate objects like cars and knives. Guns are also inanimate objects and like cars and knives cannot act on their own. It’s also plain folly to focus on guns in the cases of shooting deaths.

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104A Poplar Hill Ave. (2nd Floor above Seasons Best Antique Shop)

New Technology Grants will Help School Systems Service Vulnerable Student Population

‘Peyton’s Law’ Paves Way for Remote Classroom Technology Statewide

BALTIMORE —
A new program will bring important educational technology to all 24 Maryland school systems.

The Hogan Administration has authorized the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) to process $15,000 technology grants for each local school system. The program, a product of Peyton’s Law, which was signed by Governor Larry Hogan in 2017, will provide funds to systems for the purchase of remote classroom technology. The devices will allow students unable to attend class for extended periods to remain connected to their educational programs.

“Education is our top priority, and we believe all students should have access to high-quality instruction and the resources they need to achieve success,” said Governor Hogan. “Through this innovative program, state-of the-art technology will give students facing extended medical challenges the opportunity to remain connected to their school, teachers, and classmates.”

Remote classroom technology gives students with temporary or permanent medical conditions the opportunity to participate in the classroom experience remotely when they may be unable to physically attend school.

“We need our students on track for graduation, and this cutting-edge program provides a pathway for those learners unable to make it to class, said Dr. Karen Salmon, State Superintendent of Schools. “I’ve seen this technology in action, and I’m excited by its potential.”

Breaking News: The U.S. economy added 313,000 jobs in February, far exceeding analysts' expectations. The jobless rate stayed at 4.1 percent.

The Labor Department released its latest hiring and unemployment figures on Friday morning, providing one of the better snapshots of the state of the American economy.

■ 313,000 jobs were added last month. Economists had anticipated a gain of about 200,000.

■ The unemployment rate was 4.1 percent, the same as in January.

Comptroller Franchot's Statement on Revised Revenue Estimates

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The Board of Revenue Estimates voted today to decrease the revenue projection for the State of Maryland for Fiscal Year 2018 by $39.4 million and to increase the projection for Fiscal Year 2019 by $433.6 million.

The FY 2019 revision is largely the result of federal tax reform that is expected to produce a large uptick in state revenues. However, the projected increase also masks estimated reductions to withholding and sales taxes, which reflects a continued sluggish economic recovery and an uncertain fiscal future.

Following the vote, Comptroller Franchot released the following statement:

"Today, the Board voted on a recommendation to decrease the revenue projections for the State of Maryland for Fiscal Year 2018 by $39.4 million, and increase our projection for Fiscal Year 2019 by $433.6 million.

These new estimates are heavily influenced by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump. While I am optimistic about this considerable increase in the General Fund, I want to offer a note of caution, as there are two stories to tell.

First and foremost, our revenue estimating team reports a 34 percent growth in our fourth quarter estimated payments, which was highly unusual. This is three times what we would normally witness. Attempting to determine if this was an intentional taxpayer strategy to pay tax bills in full in an effort to receive a vast federal refund before that option is gone — or something else entirely — remains to be seen.

Democrats want to know if voting machine vendors shared info with Russians

Two Democratic senators are seeking information from election equipment vendors about whether they have shared details about their voting machines with Russian entities.

Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., sent a letter to Election Systems & Software, Dominion Voting Systems, and Hart InterCivic on Wednesday regarding the security of their voting infrastructure.

“Foreign access to critical source code information and sensitive data continues to be an overlooked vulnerability,” the senators said. “The U.S. government and Congress have recently taken steps to address some cyber vulnerabilities, including by banning the use [of] Kaspersky Lab, a Moscow-based cybersecurity firm that has maintained a relationship with Russia’s military and intelligence sectors, from all U.S. government computers. Now, we must also ensure the security of our voting machines and associated software.”

According to a January Reuters report, multiple U.S. tech companies allowed Russian authorities access to their software, which is used by the U.S. government, to search for vulnerabilities. The firms let Russian authorities look over their source code in order to sell in Russia.

The revelations have drawn concern from U.S. officials.

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Wicomico County Executive Bob Culver Announces the Appointment of Ruth Colbourne as Director for the Department of Corrections

Salisbury, MD... Wicomico County Executive Bob Culver is pleased to announce the appointment of Ruth Colbourne as the Director for the Department of Corrections. The Wicomico County Council confirmed Colbourne's appointment during its March 6, 2018 legislative session.

Ms. Coulbourne returns to Wicomico County after most recently serving as Warden of the Caroline County Detention Center. She previously worked at the Wicomico Detention Center during the years of 1988-2008.

Ms. Coulbourne received her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from Salisbury University. She has served as President of Caroline County Local Drug and Alcohol Abuse Council and was instrumental in establishing the detention center as a Level 1 Substance Use Disorder Outpatient Treatment Center.

CNN Admits: U.S. Town Where Guns Are Required Has Had Only 1 Murder in 6 Years

CNN admitted in a report on March 6, 2018, that a Georgia town requiring gun ownership has only seen one murder in six years and maintains a violent crime rate of less than two percent.

CNN reports that Kennesaw, Georgia, adopted an ordinance in 1982 requiring the head of every household to “maintain a firearm.”

CNN suggested the law requiring gun ownership is not actually enforced, but it simultaneously reported that the town of Kennesaw has only witnessed one murder in the past six years. In other words, just the common knowledge that guns are in the hands of law-abiding citizens appears to restrain the actions of criminals.

Kennesaw Police Department Lt. Craig Graydon said, “It was meant to be kind of a crime deterrent.”

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Pentagon Steps Up North Korea Military Planning

The Pentagon is intensifying military planning for war on the Korean Peninsula despite the apparent thaw between North Korea and the United States over Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons and long-range missile program.

Pentagon officials say the military planning has increased in recent weeks and involves reworking and refining Op Plan 5027, as the war plan for a conflict against North Korea is called.

The activity is being done by planners in the Pentagon in coordination with officials from U.S. Forces Korea, the military command in South Korea. The objective is to determine how best to execute President Trump’s order to eliminate the North Korean nuclear program.

The stepped-up planning comes as Pyongyang signaled this week that it is ready to hold talks with the United States and South Korea on its nuclear program.

Current administration policy toward North Korea is to impose maximum diplomatic and financial pressure, resulting in dozens of new economic and financial sanctions on the regime of Kim Jong-un in a bid to force him to back down. Intelligence officials assess that the sanctions are beginning to have an impact on North Korea’s already weak economy.

Mr. Trump took credit for the latest overture and tweeted on Tuesday that the response indicated “possible progress.” But he also said the United States remains ready to use force.

“For the first time in many years, a serious effort is being made by all parties concerned,” the president tweeted. “The World is watching and waiting! May be false hope, but the U.S. is ready to go hard in either direction!”

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Stockman Celebrates The End Of The Goldman Sachs Regency At The White House

The financial commentariat and the robo-machines are all in a tizzy this morning because Gary Cohn up and quit. But we say good riddance: The man gave Trump bad advice on nearly every single issue---trade, taxes, fiscal policy and the Fed.

We didn't make any bones about that viewpoint during our appearance on Fox Business this AM. When Maria Bartiromo asked us about Cohn's departure, our reply was: Hallelujah, the Goldman Sachs Regency in the White House is finally over!

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Baltimore School District Can't Heat Schools But Are Sending 60 Busloads of Kids to Anti-Gun March with Free T-Shirts and Meals

The Baltimore city school system could not heat the schools this past winter.

Parents stormed the school system headquarters in January to demand the schools raise the temperature in the classrooms.

But that didn’t stop Baltimore Mayor from offering to send 60 busloads of kids to an anti-gun rally in Washington DC later this month.

Mayor Catherine Pugh announced at the Tuesday rally that the city will send 60 buses to the march against guns in Washington DC. later this month. The broke city will also provide food and free T-shirts.

They are indoctrinating the kids early in public schools these days.

Kay Coles James: We Need to ‘Win the Opposition’ to Grow Conservative Movement

Heritage Foundation President Kay Coles James told host Alex Marlow on Sirius XM’s Breitbart News Daily on Tuesday that we need to “win the opposition” to “grow the [conservative] movement.”

Marlow and James lamented the current toxic political environment, arguing that it makes it that much more difficult to debate America’s pressing issues.

James argued, “It’s become a debate of personalities, a debate about who we like and who we don’t like. At the end of the day, it should be a debate about ideas.”

James continued, “If we can’t as a nation demonstrate to the rest of the world to have profoundly different points of view, debate those ideas in a civil way, it’s not just a problem for the country; it’s a problem for the entire world.”

Marlow contended, “I think we’re building up a huge advantage on the right, learning how to communicate with the people on the left.”

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It's Friday, $1.00 Drafts & $2.00 Rail Drinks At OC Billiards @ Trader Lee's

Starting at NOON Today we will swing our doors and bring back an old tradition not seen in over a decade.

Our intent is to encourage you to come in and see the major changes we've made to this establishment. Yes, Trader Lee's now has radiant heat and this summer we'll have a new A/C System. 

I will personally see you there tonight, so come join us and relax with a very cold draft beer or drink.

Two SWAT officers responded to the Parkland rampage uninvited. They’ve been punished.

As word spread that an armed attacker was shooting up a Parkland high school, two members of the Miramar Police Department’s SWAT team responded to the scene.

They had been training in nearby Coral Springs earlier that day and wanted to help end a deadly mass shooting that claimed 17 lives.

But their own commander said he didn’t know they were going. And the Broward Sheriff’s Office — worried about over-crowding a chaotic scene with law enforcement officers — didn’t ask for them to show up. BSO already had its own SWAT team in motion.

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Thank God Its Friday 3-9-18

What will you be doing this weekend?

Mills Rental Cars Is Hiring

Mills Rental Cars is growing and has a need for a full time position in the Salisbury Area. Requires reliable, dependable, computer-savvy person for busy office. Must be able to multi-task. Flexible work schedule includes some Saturdays. Customer service skills needed. Excellent phone skills required. Rental car experience a plus, but will train the right individual. 

Please email resume to carsplus8810@aol.com

Delmar VFW Auxiliary Dinners, March 9 and 11

The public is invited to a Grilled Pork Chop Dinner on Friday, March 9, from 6 - 8 pm at the Delmar VFW Post, 200 West State St., Delmar, MD.

The menu includes a large savory grilled pork chop, tossed salad with choice of dressing, baked potato with butter and/or sour cream, choice of broccoli or succotash, dinner roll, and tea or coffee for $12. Desserts will also be available. Call 410-896-3722 for carry outs.All proceeds benefit the many local charities and organizations supported by the Delmar VFW Auxiliary.

A Chicken and Dumpling Dinner will be held on Sunday, March 11, from 12 - 4 pm, at the Post and the public is also invited.

The menu includes the chicken and dumplings, seasoned string beans, mashed potatoes and gravy, dressing, dinner
roll, coffee or tea, and dessert is included for $12. Call after 12 noon for carry outs 410-896-3722

Proceeds benefit the state wide Diabetes Special Project for Delaware Veterans. Enjoy a good meal for a good price and a good project!

Former Russian Spy Poisoned by Nerve Agent, British Police Say

LONDON — A former Russian spy and his daughter were poisoned by a nerve agent in Britain this week, the British police said on Wednesday, heightening suspicions that the episode was an assassination attempt by a national government, amid rampant speculation that Russia was responsible.

The development forces the British government to confront the possibility that once again, an attack on British soil was carried out by the government of President Vladimir V. Putin, which Western intelligence officials say has, with alarming frequency, ordered the killing of people who have crossed it. Prime Minister Theresa May and her cabinet ministers held a meeting on Wednesday of the government’s emergency security committee to discuss the matter.

“This is being treated as a major incident involving attempted murder by administration of a nerve agent,” said Mark Rowley, Britain’s chief police official for counterterrorism and international security.

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Commerce Dept Loan Forgiveness

On July 25, 2013, the Maryland Department of Commerce made a $500,000 Conditional Loan to Wicomico County to help finance a portion of the renovation and upgrade to the airplane hangar space currently occupied by Piedmont at the Wicomico Regional Airport.

The conditions were for forgiveness of 1/5 of the balance of the loan if Piedmont Airlines, Inc. employed at least 150 Permanent Full-time Employees at the facility from December 31, 2013 thru December 31, 2017.

Wicomico County met the Department's goal and the Department forgave $85,289.56 and all allocable accrued interest is null and void.

"Congratulations on the retention of 150+ jobs. We appreciate the contributions and efforts of the County as it continues to strengthen the economy of the State of Maryland", wrote Secretary R. Michael Gill, Maryland Department of Commerce.

Henry S. Parker Athletic Complex Opening Day

Wicomico County Executive Bob Culver invites you to a special opening day event to celebrate the completion of the expansion project at the Henry S. Parker Athletic Complex.

Wednesday, March 21
Opening Ceremony at 2 p.m.
Wicomico County High School Baseball & Softball Games at 4 p.m.
Henry S. Parker Athletic Complex
711 W. Naylor Mill Rd.
Salisbury, MD 21801

Following the opening ceremony, baseball and softball teams from Mardela, Parkside, WiHi, JM Bennett, St. Michaels, Kent Island, Easton and Queen Anne will be available for interviews. This is a great opportunity to get a season preview of our local teams.

We hope to see you there!

Sitting is linked to 8 more cancers

Sitting for hours on end is linked to nine more cancers than we thought, according to the cancer expert who is helping to re-write the exercise guidelines.

Charles E Matthews, an epidemiologist at the National Cancer Institute, warns we need more physical activity than we thought - but more importantly, we need to sit less.

Just one hour of TV a day puts even the most active of us at a higher risk of not just breast and colon cancer - which we already knew - but also nine other cancers including lung and head or neck.

Sharing the new research at a conference on Saturday, Dr Matthews said swapping your Netflix show for a brisk walk or some housework could be a game changer.

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Oldest-Known Message In A Bottle Found In Australia

In 1866, sailors on a German barque called Paula tossed a gin bottle with a message into waters hundreds of miles off the Western coast of Australia.

One hundred and thirty-one years later, a Perth resident stumbled upon the bottle on Australia's Wedge Island.

It's believed to be the oldest-known message in a bottle, in terms of the amount of time that has passed between when it was written and when it was found. Before this discovery, Guinness World Records said that the oldest was 108 years old, found in Germany in 2015.

Australian, German and Dutch researchers worked together to verify the note's authenticity, according to a report from the Western Australia Museum.

Tonya Illman was walking on a sand dune in January when she spotted the old bottle. "I picked it up thinking it might look nice on display in my home," Illman says,according to an account on her husband's website.

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