New research suggests that working with our hands has measurable advantages for body and mind
“Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.”
That biblical proverb may have more scientific truth to it than we previously recognized.
Recent scientific research suggests that working with our hands — through knitting, washing dishes, painting, metal craft, woodworking — can provide marked physical and psychological benefits.
“I made up this term called ‘behaviorceuticals,’ instead of pharmaceuticals, in the sense that when we move and when we engage in activities, we change the neurochemistry of our brain in ways that a drug can change the neurochemistry of our brain,” said Dr. Kelly Lambert, a University of Richmond professor of behavioral neuroscience, on CBS News this week.
In her research with rats, Lambert found that rats that must work with their paws to uncover a treat fare much better than “trust-fund” rats, which are given treats freely. The animals that received rewards without working for them had elevated levels of stress hormones, for example. They were also less emotionally resilient.
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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Thursday, March 22, 2018
Stop Making Children Into Moral Authorities
On March 14, high school students from Parkland, Florida, led a school walkout in favor of gun control. The media have already appointed student witnesses of the horror at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School untouchable moral authorities; their opinions are not to be questioned.
But now, the Left has found even more sympathetic faces for its agenda: kindergartners. According to The Wall Street Journal, “Schools are grappling with how to address the event with children as young as 5 years old and with finding ways for children who are too little to be told about school shootings to take part.” Children in pre-K at Manhattan Country School will sing “If I Had a Hammer” and “Paz y Libertad.” Public schools like PS 321 in Brooklyn allowed children to do activities linked with the protests.
There is something deeply perverse about using children to promote a political agenda. Children simply don’t know anything about politics. Sometimes children ask questions that help us rethink the world because they’ve had little experience with it — when my four-year-old daughter asks questions about the universe, that prompts me to further learning and research. But she doesn’t have answers, because she’s a child.
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But now, the Left has found even more sympathetic faces for its agenda: kindergartners. According to The Wall Street Journal, “Schools are grappling with how to address the event with children as young as 5 years old and with finding ways for children who are too little to be told about school shootings to take part.” Children in pre-K at Manhattan Country School will sing “If I Had a Hammer” and “Paz y Libertad.” Public schools like PS 321 in Brooklyn allowed children to do activities linked with the protests.
There is something deeply perverse about using children to promote a political agenda. Children simply don’t know anything about politics. Sometimes children ask questions that help us rethink the world because they’ve had little experience with it — when my four-year-old daughter asks questions about the universe, that prompts me to further learning and research. But she doesn’t have answers, because she’s a child.
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The Mentally Crippling Effects of the PC Crusade
A college drops its "Knight" mascot and "Crusader" moniker, while standing for science offends elsewhere.
Fear of offense does not good policy make. It is deceitful sentiment masquerading as compassion that capitulates to the dogma of political correctness rather than embracing truth. An example of this compromising mentality was seen at the College of the Holy Cross. The Catholic school has decided to drop its “Crusaders” nickname and “Knight” mascot over concerns that they may be offensive to certain folks, specifically Muslims. The school’s president, Rev. Philip Boroughs, released a statement explaining, “The visual depiction of a knight, in conjunction with the moniker Crusader, inevitably ties us directly to the reality of the religious wars and the violence of the Crusades. This imagery stands in contrast to our stated values. Over the coming months, the College will gradually phase out the use of all knight-related imagery.”
The question now is how long before those “woke” folks at Holy Cross realize that not just the school’s name but its entire reason for existing is “offensive” to Muslims and certainly a few vocal atheists? And the other obvious fact seemingly lost on these academics is the reality that their decision to change the school’s nickname and drop its mascot is itself offensive. By assuming that the term “crusader” is, as Barack Obama once lectured, a pejorative, they have insinuated that anyone who would favor the name is guilty of promoting “Islamophobia.” On the contrary, those offended by the term “crusader” are likely ignorant of history.
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Fear of offense does not good policy make. It is deceitful sentiment masquerading as compassion that capitulates to the dogma of political correctness rather than embracing truth. An example of this compromising mentality was seen at the College of the Holy Cross. The Catholic school has decided to drop its “Crusaders” nickname and “Knight” mascot over concerns that they may be offensive to certain folks, specifically Muslims. The school’s president, Rev. Philip Boroughs, released a statement explaining, “The visual depiction of a knight, in conjunction with the moniker Crusader, inevitably ties us directly to the reality of the religious wars and the violence of the Crusades. This imagery stands in contrast to our stated values. Over the coming months, the College will gradually phase out the use of all knight-related imagery.”
The question now is how long before those “woke” folks at Holy Cross realize that not just the school’s name but its entire reason for existing is “offensive” to Muslims and certainly a few vocal atheists? And the other obvious fact seemingly lost on these academics is the reality that their decision to change the school’s nickname and drop its mascot is itself offensive. By assuming that the term “crusader” is, as Barack Obama once lectured, a pejorative, they have insinuated that anyone who would favor the name is guilty of promoting “Islamophobia.” On the contrary, those offended by the term “crusader” are likely ignorant of history.
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"It Wasn't Russia," It Was Obama-Based Social Media Mining That Beat Hillary
Just over a year ago I wrote, “Did Donald Trump Use Artificial Intelligence To Win The Election?”, which was an article about Cambridge Analytica.
If you haven’t been paying attention lately, Facebook just banned Cambridge Analytica from their platform, including the whistleblower that blew the whistle on how Cambridge Analytica was potentially misusing data. Meanwhile, the mainstream media has gone into a frenzy,crashing Facebook’s stock, forcing executives out of the company, and calling for social media reform.
This story is seriously a year old, and although I was not the first journalist to write about this, I did bring it to the attention of about 6,300+ readers. While it is new that we have a whistleblower, and the number “50 million accounts”, what the media isn’t telling you is how Cambridge Analytica actually pulled this off.
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If you haven’t been paying attention lately, Facebook just banned Cambridge Analytica from their platform, including the whistleblower that blew the whistle on how Cambridge Analytica was potentially misusing data. Meanwhile, the mainstream media has gone into a frenzy,crashing Facebook’s stock, forcing executives out of the company, and calling for social media reform.
This story is seriously a year old, and although I was not the first journalist to write about this, I did bring it to the attention of about 6,300+ readers. While it is new that we have a whistleblower, and the number “50 million accounts”, what the media isn’t telling you is how Cambridge Analytica actually pulled this off.
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Biden says he would have 'beat the hell out' of Trump in high school for disrespecting women
Former Vice President Joe Biden took fresh jabs at President Donald Trump on Tuesday while speaking at an anti-sexual assault rally, telling students at the University of Miami that he probably would have "beat the hell out" of Trump if they'd attended school together.
"A guy who ended up becoming our national leader said, 'I can grab a woman anywhere and she likes it,'" Biden said. "They asked me if I’d like to debate this gentleman, and I said 'no.' I said, 'If we were in high school, I’d take him behind the gym and beat the hell out of him.'"
"I've been in a lot of locker rooms my whole life," Biden continued. "I'm a pretty damn good athlete. Any guy that talked that way was usually the fattest, ugliest S.O.B. in the room."
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"A guy who ended up becoming our national leader said, 'I can grab a woman anywhere and she likes it,'" Biden said. "They asked me if I’d like to debate this gentleman, and I said 'no.' I said, 'If we were in high school, I’d take him behind the gym and beat the hell out of him.'"
"I've been in a lot of locker rooms my whole life," Biden continued. "I'm a pretty damn good athlete. Any guy that talked that way was usually the fattest, ugliest S.O.B. in the room."
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Every Five Days, Murderers Kill a White Farmer in South Africa
Cruel torture, rape rampant in nation
Every five days, a white farmer is murdered in South Africa and authorities are doing nothing about it. Authorities are giving tacit approval and police are turning a blind eye according to activists.
There have been 109 murders this year, 15 farm murders. In other words, one farmer is murdered every five days. There have been 90 recorded attacks against white farmers in 2018.
Lawmakers passed a motion last month approving the seizure of white farmers’ land without compensation. Activists say it has been a catalyst for the murders.
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Every five days, a white farmer is murdered in South Africa and authorities are doing nothing about it. Authorities are giving tacit approval and police are turning a blind eye according to activists.
There have been 109 murders this year, 15 farm murders. In other words, one farmer is murdered every five days. There have been 90 recorded attacks against white farmers in 2018.
Lawmakers passed a motion last month approving the seizure of white farmers’ land without compensation. Activists say it has been a catalyst for the murders.
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Swamp Psychopath
What prompted former CIA Director John Brennan on Saturday to accuse President Donald Trump of “moral turpitude” and to predict, with an alliterative flourish, that Trump will end up “as a disgraced demagogue in the dustbin of history”? The answer shines through the next sentence in Brennan’s threatening tweet: “You may scapegoat Andy McCabe [former FBI Deputy Director fired Friday night] but you will not destroy America…America will triumph over you.”
It is easy to see why Brennan lost it. The Attorney General fired McCabe, denying him full retirement benefits, because McCabe “had made an unauthorized disclosure to the news media and lacked candor — including under oath — on multiple occasions.” There but for the grace of God go I, Brennan must have thought, whose stock in trade has been unauthorized disclosures.
In fact, Brennan can take but small, short-lived consolation in the fact that he succeeded in leaving with a full government pension. His own unauthorized disclosures and leaks probably dwarf in number, importance, and sensitivity those of McCabe. And many of those leaks appear to have been based on sensitive intercepted conversations from which the names of American citizens were unmasked for political purposes. Not to mention the leaks of faux intelligence like that contained in the dubious “dossier” cobbled together for the Democrats by British ex-spy Christopher Steele.
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It is easy to see why Brennan lost it. The Attorney General fired McCabe, denying him full retirement benefits, because McCabe “had made an unauthorized disclosure to the news media and lacked candor — including under oath — on multiple occasions.” There but for the grace of God go I, Brennan must have thought, whose stock in trade has been unauthorized disclosures.
In fact, Brennan can take but small, short-lived consolation in the fact that he succeeded in leaving with a full government pension. His own unauthorized disclosures and leaks probably dwarf in number, importance, and sensitivity those of McCabe. And many of those leaks appear to have been based on sensitive intercepted conversations from which the names of American citizens were unmasked for political purposes. Not to mention the leaks of faux intelligence like that contained in the dubious “dossier” cobbled together for the Democrats by British ex-spy Christopher Steele.
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A Viewer Writes: Daily Rag screws up again
Today's front page says Shane Faucette killed is baby. The subject says "18 year old son"... reading the article however, indicates the son was 18 DAYS old. Little Luke was in fact 18 DAYS old.... dumbasses.
Breaking News: President Trump's national security adviser is out. H. R. McMaster will be replaced by John R. Bolton, a hard-line former U.S. ambassador.
Walkout fallout: Districts hit with backlash over political activism
The gun control movement notched a public relations coup with last week’s massive school walkouts, but now school districts that pitched in to ensure the protest’s success are stuck with the rising political and legal fallout.
A week after the March 14 walkout, school officials are grappling with complaints from parents outraged by the specter of their kids engaged in political protesting on school time, as well as reports of criminal mischief committed by teens who treated the event as a get-out-of-class-free card.
What’s more, the students get to do it all again next month. A substantially identical event, also called the National School Walkout, is scheduled for April 20, the 19th anniversary of the Columbine High School massacre.
Chris Cleveland, chairman of the Chicago Republican Party, said he worried that the walkouts, aimed at pushing for tougher gun restrictions in the wake of the deadly Parkland shooting, have provided the template for advocacy groups eager to co-opt the public schools for progressive activism.
“If they get away with this, they’ll be free to engage in any kind of political activity in the schools that they wish,” said Mr. Cleveland, who has a third-grader in the Chicago Public Schools.
The party is moving to avert that scenario by preparing a lawsuit against the school system, arguing that the district violated state and federal law as well as its own policies by organizing a political demonstration — and pressuring students to attend — on the taxpayers’ dime.
The district has yet to comment, but it has other problems. About 60 students from Simeon Career Academy trashed a Walmart “while they were supposed to be protesting guns,” an incident under investigation by police, according to Fox32 in Chicago.
More here
A week after the March 14 walkout, school officials are grappling with complaints from parents outraged by the specter of their kids engaged in political protesting on school time, as well as reports of criminal mischief committed by teens who treated the event as a get-out-of-class-free card.
What’s more, the students get to do it all again next month. A substantially identical event, also called the National School Walkout, is scheduled for April 20, the 19th anniversary of the Columbine High School massacre.
Chris Cleveland, chairman of the Chicago Republican Party, said he worried that the walkouts, aimed at pushing for tougher gun restrictions in the wake of the deadly Parkland shooting, have provided the template for advocacy groups eager to co-opt the public schools for progressive activism.
“If they get away with this, they’ll be free to engage in any kind of political activity in the schools that they wish,” said Mr. Cleveland, who has a third-grader in the Chicago Public Schools.
The party is moving to avert that scenario by preparing a lawsuit against the school system, arguing that the district violated state and federal law as well as its own policies by organizing a political demonstration — and pressuring students to attend — on the taxpayers’ dime.
The district has yet to comment, but it has other problems. About 60 students from Simeon Career Academy trashed a Walmart “while they were supposed to be protesting guns,” an incident under investigation by police, according to Fox32 in Chicago.
More here
Shoplifting Suspects Unintentionally Surrender
Wilmington - Delaware State Police have arrested a pair of suspects on outstanding shoplifting charges after they unintentionally turn themselves in at Troop 1.
The investigation began at approximately 12:22 p.m., Monday, February 22, when Troopers responded to the Kohl's department store, located at 401 Concord Pike, Wilmington, in reference to a shoplifting incident. It was determined that initially, a male suspect attempted to make a fraudulent return, but was refused based on prior suspicious return activity. Immediately after that denied transaction, a female who was accompanying the male, removed merchandise from the display and exited the store without rendering payment, despite an attempt by store security to detain the pair. The suspects were last seen fleeing the in a silver, Hyundai Tucson.
Through various investigative leads, Troopers were able to positively identify the pair as Christopher R. McDowell, 34, and April J. Wright, 48, both of Wilmington. Shoplifting warrants were obtained and kept on file as the suspects remained at large.
On Tuesday, March 20, 2018, a white male, who appeared to be intoxicated, voluntarily walked in to Troop 1 and requested a ride home. Troopers immediately recognized the subject as McDowell and took him in to custody without incident.
After being processed on one count each of Shoplifting and Conspiracy 3rd Degree charges, McDowell was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court #11 and released on $1000.00 unsecured bail. After being released McDowell phoned an acquaintance for a ride home.
When the female subject who was supposed to drive McDowell home arrived at Troop 1, Troopers recognized her as April Wright, at which time she was taken in to custody without incident.
Wright was processed on one count each of Shoplifting and Conspiracy 3rd Degree charges, in reference to the Kohl's incident, as well as a Shoplifting charge from an unrelated incident. Wright was arraigned and released on $1500.00 unsecured bail.
The investigation began at approximately 12:22 p.m., Monday, February 22, when Troopers responded to the Kohl's department store, located at 401 Concord Pike, Wilmington, in reference to a shoplifting incident. It was determined that initially, a male suspect attempted to make a fraudulent return, but was refused based on prior suspicious return activity. Immediately after that denied transaction, a female who was accompanying the male, removed merchandise from the display and exited the store without rendering payment, despite an attempt by store security to detain the pair. The suspects were last seen fleeing the in a silver, Hyundai Tucson.
Through various investigative leads, Troopers were able to positively identify the pair as Christopher R. McDowell, 34, and April J. Wright, 48, both of Wilmington. Shoplifting warrants were obtained and kept on file as the suspects remained at large.
On Tuesday, March 20, 2018, a white male, who appeared to be intoxicated, voluntarily walked in to Troop 1 and requested a ride home. Troopers immediately recognized the subject as McDowell and took him in to custody without incident.
After being processed on one count each of Shoplifting and Conspiracy 3rd Degree charges, McDowell was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court #11 and released on $1000.00 unsecured bail. After being released McDowell phoned an acquaintance for a ride home.
When the female subject who was supposed to drive McDowell home arrived at Troop 1, Troopers recognized her as April Wright, at which time she was taken in to custody without incident.
Wright was processed on one count each of Shoplifting and Conspiracy 3rd Degree charges, in reference to the Kohl's incident, as well as a Shoplifting charge from an unrelated incident. Wright was arraigned and released on $1500.00 unsecured bail.
Germany Selling Iran Chemical Weapons Technology as U.S. Dems Block Trump Ambassador
U.S. officials are increasingly alarmed by a congressional block on President Donald Trump's pick to be the next ambassador to Germany, a holdup that comes as Berlin pursues a host of anti-Israel measures and is growing closer to Iran, according to multiple administration insiders who spoke to the Washington Free Beacon.
As Democrats in Congress continue to hold the nomination of Richard Grenell, a veteran Republican diplomat who was tapped by Trump to serve as the next U.S. ambassador to Germany, the post remains vacant, sparking concerns the United States is ceding leverage amid sensitive discussions regarding the future of the landmark Iran nuclear deal.
The vacancy also has left the United States with little voice to combat a series of anti-Israel efforts being pursued by the German government. Trump administration insiders are becoming increasingly fed-up with the block on Grenell, telling the Free Beacon that U.S. diplomats currently helming the post have been bungling critical national security priorities, including the Iran portfolio and recent efforts by Germany to sell Tehran sensitive equipment used by the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria to produce chemical weapons.
"The current leader of the embassy is not an ambassador," said one senior U.S. official with direct knowledge of the situation, referring to Kent Logsdon, a former Obama administration official..
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As Democrats in Congress continue to hold the nomination of Richard Grenell, a veteran Republican diplomat who was tapped by Trump to serve as the next U.S. ambassador to Germany, the post remains vacant, sparking concerns the United States is ceding leverage amid sensitive discussions regarding the future of the landmark Iran nuclear deal.
The vacancy also has left the United States with little voice to combat a series of anti-Israel efforts being pursued by the German government. Trump administration insiders are becoming increasingly fed-up with the block on Grenell, telling the Free Beacon that U.S. diplomats currently helming the post have been bungling critical national security priorities, including the Iran portfolio and recent efforts by Germany to sell Tehran sensitive equipment used by the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria to produce chemical weapons.
"The current leader of the embassy is not an ambassador," said one senior U.S. official with direct knowledge of the situation, referring to Kent Logsdon, a former Obama administration official..
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Student Planning Abortion Protest After School Shooting Walkout
Last week they protested gun violence.
This week, Rocklin High School students are using social media to organize a pro-life walkout using the hashtag #life.
“To honor all the lives of aborted babies pretty much. All the millions of aborted babies every year,” said organizer Brandon Gillespie.
He says his history teacher inspired the idea.
As thousands of students across the country walked out of class demanding strict gun laws, in honor of the Parkland shooting victims, teacher Julianne Benzel was placed on paid administrative leave when she asked students to consider whether there’s a double standard in the national school walkout.
“I would like a conversation about when is too much? And are we going allow this on the other side?” said Benzel.
The principal at Rocklin High declined to meet with us for an on-camera interview, but a district spokeswoman tells us, he does plan to sit down with the student about the possible abortion walkout, and that’s not going over well with some of his peers.
“Abortions aren’t really anything that has to do with school or students here,” said Naeirika Neev, editor of the school newspaper. In her posts, she’s using the hashtag “enough is enough” to promote peace, and take a stance against anything anti-abortion on campus.
“They have their First Amendment, they can go protest about that anytime anywhere,” she said.
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This week, Rocklin High School students are using social media to organize a pro-life walkout using the hashtag #life.
“To honor all the lives of aborted babies pretty much. All the millions of aborted babies every year,” said organizer Brandon Gillespie.
He says his history teacher inspired the idea.
As thousands of students across the country walked out of class demanding strict gun laws, in honor of the Parkland shooting victims, teacher Julianne Benzel was placed on paid administrative leave when she asked students to consider whether there’s a double standard in the national school walkout.
“I would like a conversation about when is too much? And are we going allow this on the other side?” said Benzel.
The principal at Rocklin High declined to meet with us for an on-camera interview, but a district spokeswoman tells us, he does plan to sit down with the student about the possible abortion walkout, and that’s not going over well with some of his peers.
“Abortions aren’t really anything that has to do with school or students here,” said Naeirika Neev, editor of the school newspaper. In her posts, she’s using the hashtag “enough is enough” to promote peace, and take a stance against anything anti-abortion on campus.
“They have their First Amendment, they can go protest about that anytime anywhere,” she said.
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'The double-standard couldn't be more clear'
Gina McCarthy and Lisa Jackson spent roughly eight times more than Scott Pruitt has on international travel.
Internal EPA documents provided to the Washington Free Beacon reveal Obama administration EPA administrators jet setting cost taxpayers roughly $1 million. The EPA has spent $124,000 for Pruitt and his security detail to travel to the G-7 summit in Italy and a trip to Morocco.
McCarthy took 10 international trips in three years, including trips to Paris, Florence, Dubai, and Tokyo.
Pruitt has come under scrutiny from the media for the travel costs, which include $84,000 for the G-7 summit in Italy last summer in airfare for Pruitt and security.
The New York Daily News reported Pruitt is "burning through taxpayer money like an SUV guzzles gas, new documents show."
A search for articles on McCarthy's international travel costs turned up zero results.
"The double-standard couldn't be more clear: Under Barack Obama's EPA the media chose not to report on expenditures to protect the EPA administrator for international travel or the costs of their trips," said Jahan Wilcox, EPA spokesman.
"But under the Trump administration the costs to protect our government officials is somehow scandalous," he said.
Pruitt has received an unprecedented amount of threats since becoming EPA administrator..
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Internal EPA documents provided to the Washington Free Beacon reveal Obama administration EPA administrators jet setting cost taxpayers roughly $1 million. The EPA has spent $124,000 for Pruitt and his security detail to travel to the G-7 summit in Italy and a trip to Morocco.
McCarthy took 10 international trips in three years, including trips to Paris, Florence, Dubai, and Tokyo.
Pruitt has come under scrutiny from the media for the travel costs, which include $84,000 for the G-7 summit in Italy last summer in airfare for Pruitt and security.
The New York Daily News reported Pruitt is "burning through taxpayer money like an SUV guzzles gas, new documents show."
A search for articles on McCarthy's international travel costs turned up zero results.
"The double-standard couldn't be more clear: Under Barack Obama's EPA the media chose not to report on expenditures to protect the EPA administrator for international travel or the costs of their trips," said Jahan Wilcox, EPA spokesman.
"But under the Trump administration the costs to protect our government officials is somehow scandalous," he said.
Pruitt has received an unprecedented amount of threats since becoming EPA administrator..
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Rubio Angry Over White House Leak
Republican Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.) told reporters in a hallway interview on Wednesday that he was outraged someone so close to the president was able to leak sensitive information about President Donald Trump's call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Rubio's response comes amid controversy over the content and the existence of a leak about Trump being briefed not to congratulate Putin on his reelection victory. The leaked information came after the president revealed this week he did in fact offer his congratulations to Putin in a phone call.
"If you don't like working for the president, you should resign your job," Rubio said as he left reporters.
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Rubio's response comes amid controversy over the content and the existence of a leak about Trump being briefed not to congratulate Putin on his reelection victory. The leaked information came after the president revealed this week he did in fact offer his congratulations to Putin in a phone call.
"If you don't like working for the president, you should resign your job," Rubio said as he left reporters.
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‘March For Our Lives’ Now Operating Under Dark Money Nonprofit Advocacy Group
March For Our Lives, a demonstration involving survivors of the Parkland school shooting that will take place Saturday in Washington, D.C., and across the country, registered a 501(c)(4) nonprofit advocacy organization that is not required to disclose its donors.
The March for Our Lives Action Fund, a 501(c)(4) "social welfare" nonprofit organization, was registered on March 8 with the D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, records show. The action fund lists its business address in Encino, Calif., and its agent as CT Corporation System, a D.C.-based firm that offers agent, incorporation, and corporate business compliance services.
Jeri Rhodes, an associate executive secretary for finance and administration at the Friends Committee on National Legislation, a group that "lobbies Congress and the administration to advance peace, justice, opportunity, and environmental stewardship," is also listed as the action fund's executing officer and governor on its registration. Rhodes previously served as chief financial officer for Greenpeace.
While the organization said on its website it is "for kids and by kids" and the "March For Our Lives organizers are the kids themselves," it also said the kids "have brought in support to help ensure it is a success." A coalition of liberal advocacy groups are currently involved in organizing and planning the march. In addition to support from leading gun-control groups like Everytown for Gun Safety, the Brady Campaign, and Giffords, organizers from the Women's March, Planned Parenthood, and Move On are involved with the permitting for the event as well as promoting it.
More here
The March for Our Lives Action Fund, a 501(c)(4) "social welfare" nonprofit organization, was registered on March 8 with the D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, records show. The action fund lists its business address in Encino, Calif., and its agent as CT Corporation System, a D.C.-based firm that offers agent, incorporation, and corporate business compliance services.
Jeri Rhodes, an associate executive secretary for finance and administration at the Friends Committee on National Legislation, a group that "lobbies Congress and the administration to advance peace, justice, opportunity, and environmental stewardship," is also listed as the action fund's executing officer and governor on its registration. Rhodes previously served as chief financial officer for Greenpeace.
While the organization said on its website it is "for kids and by kids" and the "March For Our Lives organizers are the kids themselves," it also said the kids "have brought in support to help ensure it is a success." A coalition of liberal advocacy groups are currently involved in organizing and planning the march. In addition to support from leading gun-control groups like Everytown for Gun Safety, the Brady Campaign, and Giffords, organizers from the Women's March, Planned Parenthood, and Move On are involved with the permitting for the event as well as promoting it.
More here
Reporter Points Out Huge Disparity Between Pro-Life Dem Voters and Reps
Pro-life Democrats constitute 22 percent of the party but only 1.6 percent of the House Democratic Caucus, and that number may be set to drop further on Tuesday.
NBC News correspondent Steve Kornacki tweeted statistics from the group Democrats for Life showing the gaps between voters and representatives on abortion, noting pro-life Illinois Rep. Dan Lipinski (D.) is one of only three pro-life Democratic House members. Lipinski is running to retain his seat against pro-choice primary challenger Marie Newman, who has racked up endorsements from such left-wing stars as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.).
"3 of 193 (1.6%) of House Dems are now anti-abortion, while according to Pew 22% of Democratic voters are," Kornacki said.
Kornacki also pointed out how the Democratic Party has shifted toward a unified hard line in favor of abortion. When Democrats last retook the House in 2007, they had 32 representatives who were against abortion, a far cry from the three now in office.
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NBC News correspondent Steve Kornacki tweeted statistics from the group Democrats for Life showing the gaps between voters and representatives on abortion, noting pro-life Illinois Rep. Dan Lipinski (D.) is one of only three pro-life Democratic House members. Lipinski is running to retain his seat against pro-choice primary challenger Marie Newman, who has racked up endorsements from such left-wing stars as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.).
"3 of 193 (1.6%) of House Dems are now anti-abortion, while according to Pew 22% of Democratic voters are," Kornacki said.
Kornacki also pointed out how the Democratic Party has shifted toward a unified hard line in favor of abortion. When Democrats last retook the House in 2007, they had 32 representatives who were against abortion, a far cry from the three now in office.
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CNN: Trump, Kelly furious after leak that Trump was not to congratulate Putin
President Trump and his chief of staff John Kelly are furious that details of the president's national security briefing materials telling him not to congratulate Russian President Vladimir Putin were leaked to the press, according to a CNN report Wednesday.
Trump was reportedly “fuming” on Tuesday night after The Washington Post reported that Trump’s national security advisers specifically instructed him not to congratulate Putin on his electoral victory. The Post reported that the materials read "DO NOT CONGRATULATE."
Only a small group of staffers would have access to those briefing materials and would have known what his advisers would suggest before the phone call to Putin on Tuesday morning, CNN reported.
The network, citing an unnamed source, reported that the president was asking allies and outside advisers who they thought was responsible for the leak.
The source told CNN that the incident has again given air to Trump's long-held belief that members of his administration are actively working against him.
A White House official told the network that Kelly is furious that a confidential presidential briefing was made public just hours after the president’s phone call with Putin.
More here
Trump was reportedly “fuming” on Tuesday night after The Washington Post reported that Trump’s national security advisers specifically instructed him not to congratulate Putin on his electoral victory. The Post reported that the materials read "DO NOT CONGRATULATE."
Only a small group of staffers would have access to those briefing materials and would have known what his advisers would suggest before the phone call to Putin on Tuesday morning, CNN reported.
The network, citing an unnamed source, reported that the president was asking allies and outside advisers who they thought was responsible for the leak.
The source told CNN that the incident has again given air to Trump's long-held belief that members of his administration are actively working against him.
A White House official told the network that Kelly is furious that a confidential presidential briefing was made public just hours after the president’s phone call with Putin.
More here
NY Times Hawks Tickets for Evening with Resistance Leader
The New York Times is selling tickets for a night with resistance leader Sally Yates.
The Times is charging $30—and half-price tickets for subscribers—for a "rare conversation" with the former Obama Justice Department holdover who refused to enforce President Trump's executive order restricting travel from terrorist hot bed countries.
"Join us for a rare conversation with Sally Yates, the former acting attorney general who was dismissed by President Trump last year after refusing to defend his first travel ban," the Times writes.
Topics include prison reform, civil rights, and "the fine points of constitutional law." Yates herself refused to comply with the travel ban, which the Supreme Court ultimately ruled constitutional by a 7-2 vote. Yates said rejecting the president's first order was a matter of principle.
"The Times is committed to helping people understand the world. Live journalism enables an audience the unique opportunity to view an interview in person," a Times spokesperson told the Washington Free Beacon.
More here
The Times is charging $30—and half-price tickets for subscribers—for a "rare conversation" with the former Obama Justice Department holdover who refused to enforce President Trump's executive order restricting travel from terrorist hot bed countries.
"Join us for a rare conversation with Sally Yates, the former acting attorney general who was dismissed by President Trump last year after refusing to defend his first travel ban," the Times writes.
Topics include prison reform, civil rights, and "the fine points of constitutional law." Yates herself refused to comply with the travel ban, which the Supreme Court ultimately ruled constitutional by a 7-2 vote. Yates said rejecting the president's first order was a matter of principle.
"The Times is committed to helping people understand the world. Live journalism enables an audience the unique opportunity to view an interview in person," a Times spokesperson told the Washington Free Beacon.
More here
Hawkins: Maryland School Shooting Shows that Trump and NRA's Solution Saves Lives
President Trump and the NRA have both voiced support for being sure good guys with guns are present in schools to fend off bad guys who enter the building to do harm.
On February 16, 2018—two days after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting—Breitbart News reported Trump spoke repeatedly in support of arming teachers during the presidential campaign. He first raised the topic after the October 1, 2015, attack on Umpqua Community College (UCC), an attack in which an armed man entered a gun-free campus and killed nine people. Trump responded to the attack by saying, “I’ll tell you, if you had a couple of the teachers or someone with guns in that room, you would have been a hell of a lot better off.”
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On February 16, 2018—two days after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting—Breitbart News reported Trump spoke repeatedly in support of arming teachers during the presidential campaign. He first raised the topic after the October 1, 2015, attack on Umpqua Community College (UCC), an attack in which an armed man entered a gun-free campus and killed nine people. Trump responded to the attack by saying, “I’ll tell you, if you had a couple of the teachers or someone with guns in that room, you would have been a hell of a lot better off.”
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Weekly Fishing Report
 Most everyone in the fishing community has heard the news by now: an iconic figure has passed to what he referred to his “spirit spring.” The world will not be the same without Lefty Kreh, the Maryland hometown boy who shook up the fly-fishing world like nobody else ever has or possibly ever will. Lefty was one of kindest guys you could ever meet, with a heart of gold and a country-boy sense of humor that never left him throughout his life. Last Sunday as I sat at Tampa airport waiting for a flight back to Maryland, I could not help but reflect on my last private time with Lefty several years ago. Read more. |
Gohmert on Omnibus: 'This Is Really Tragic,' 'A Rather Dark Day'
On Wednesday’s broadcast of the Fox News Channel’s “Fox News @ Night,” House Freedom Caucus Member Louie Gohmert (R-TX) reacted to the omnibus bill by stating “This is really tragic,” and “This is a rather dark day.”
Gohmert said, “This is really tragic, a massive spending bill. And the truth is, the House did our job. We passed 12 appropriations bills. We had a budget. And the Senate didn’t do their job. It doesn’t appear they’re ever going to until number one, we get rid of the cloture, the 60 vote requirement and go with 51. … President Trump’s been great on that. And then — and by the way, the Constitution only requires a majority. That was a super-imposition by the Senate.”
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Gohmert said, “This is really tragic, a massive spending bill. And the truth is, the House did our job. We passed 12 appropriations bills. We had a budget. And the Senate didn’t do their job. It doesn’t appear they’re ever going to until number one, we get rid of the cloture, the 60 vote requirement and go with 51. … President Trump’s been great on that. And then — and by the way, the Constitution only requires a majority. That was a super-imposition by the Senate.”
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Population Decline in Russia
Russia's Population Set to Decline From 143 Million Today to 111 Million in 2050
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently directed his nation's parliament to develop a plan to reduce the country's falling birthrate. In a speech to parliament on May 10, 2006, Putin called the problem of Russia's dramatically declining population, "The most acute problem of contemporary Russia."
The president called on parliament to provide incentives for couples to have a second child to increase the birth rate in order to stop the country's plummeting population.
Russia's population peaked in the early 1990s (at the time of the end of the Soviet Union) with about 148 million people in the country. Today, Russia's population is approximately 143 million. The United States Census Bureau estimates that Russia's population will decline from the current 143 million to a mere 111 million by 2050, a loss of more than 30 million people and a decrease of more than 20%.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin recently directed his nation's parliament to develop a plan to reduce the country's falling birthrate. In a speech to parliament on May 10, 2006, Putin called the problem of Russia's dramatically declining population, "The most acute problem of contemporary Russia."
The president called on parliament to provide incentives for couples to have a second child to increase the birth rate in order to stop the country's plummeting population.
Russia's population peaked in the early 1990s (at the time of the end of the Soviet Union) with about 148 million people in the country. Today, Russia's population is approximately 143 million. The United States Census Bureau estimates that Russia's population will decline from the current 143 million to a mere 111 million by 2050, a loss of more than 30 million people and a decrease of more than 20%.
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'Mork & Mindy' co-star Pam Dawber says he 'flashed,' 'grabbed' her on set but she 'never took offense'
Pam Dawber, who co-starred with Robin Williams on the hit sitcom “Mork & Mindy,” says in an upcoming book that the late comedian loved to joke around on set and there were no shortage of sexual antics while filming.
Dawber said Williams was “such a nice person who had a gigantic heart."
“I really loved Robin and Robin really loved me. We just clicked,” Dawber told Itzkoff per the Daily Mail.
Dawber also revealed Williams’ alleged sexual antics while they filmed the popular late-1970s sitcom.
“I had the grossest things done to me by him. And I never took offense,” she allegedly said. “I mean I was flashed, humped, bumped, grabbed. I think he probably did it to a lot of people … but it was so much fun.”
“Somehow he had that magic. If you put it on paper you would be appalled,” she said. “But somehow he had this guileless little thing that he would do – those sparkly eyes. He’d look at you, really playful, like a puppy, all of a sudden. And then he’d grab your t--s and then run away. And somehow he could get away with it. It was the '70s, after all.”
More here
http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/03/21/robin-williams-mork-mindy-co-star-pam-dawber-says-flashed-grabbed-her-on-set-but-never-took-offense.html
Dawber said Williams was “such a nice person who had a gigantic heart."
“I really loved Robin and Robin really loved me. We just clicked,” Dawber told Itzkoff per the Daily Mail.
Dawber also revealed Williams’ alleged sexual antics while they filmed the popular late-1970s sitcom.
“I had the grossest things done to me by him. And I never took offense,” she allegedly said. “I mean I was flashed, humped, bumped, grabbed. I think he probably did it to a lot of people … but it was so much fun.”
“Somehow he had that magic. If you put it on paper you would be appalled,” she said. “But somehow he had this guileless little thing that he would do – those sparkly eyes. He’d look at you, really playful, like a puppy, all of a sudden. And then he’d grab your t--s and then run away. And somehow he could get away with it. It was the '70s, after all.”
More here
http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/03/21/robin-williams-mork-mindy-co-star-pam-dawber-says-flashed-grabbed-her-on-set-but-never-took-offense.html
Ivanka Trump's visit to Iowa salon sparks social media backlash
An Iowa salon received major social media backlash this week after posting a photo of Ivanka Trump when she visited the store to get her hair styled before an event.
Salon Spa W, in Des Moines’ East Village, posted a picture Monday on its Facebook page of the first daughter, who was in town to tour Waukee school district's Aspiring Professional Experience program (APEX), with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, the Des Moines Register reported. Reynolds was standing next to Trump in the photograph.
“Our Monday kicked off with styling Ivanka Trump for her visit to Iowa! We [love] supporting women in politics,” the salon wrote in a caption on Facebook, which has since been edited.
Despite the salon’s excitement, hundreds of followers lambasted the business for styling the White House adviser and threatened to never return. Some people said the photo was “f---ing gross” and vowed to unfollow the page.
More here
http://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/2018/03/21/ivanka-trumps-visit-to-iowa-salon-sparks-social-media-backlash.html
Salon Spa W, in Des Moines’ East Village, posted a picture Monday on its Facebook page of the first daughter, who was in town to tour Waukee school district's Aspiring Professional Experience program (APEX), with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, the Des Moines Register reported. Reynolds was standing next to Trump in the photograph.
“Our Monday kicked off with styling Ivanka Trump for her visit to Iowa! We [love] supporting women in politics,” the salon wrote in a caption on Facebook, which has since been edited.
Despite the salon’s excitement, hundreds of followers lambasted the business for styling the White House adviser and threatened to never return. Some people said the photo was “f---ing gross” and vowed to unfollow the page.
More here
http://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/2018/03/21/ivanka-trumps-visit-to-iowa-salon-sparks-social-media-backlash.html
Jim Jordan on Omnibus Spending Bill: ‘I Hope the White House’ Vetoes It
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) said at a press conference on Wednesday that the Freedom Caucus will vote against the omnibus spending bill and he hopes the White House will veto the bill.
Congressional leadership reportedly will reveal the omnibus spending bill on Wednesday. Conservatives, including the majority of the House Freedom Caucus, will oppose the Omnibus.
Congress must pass the omnibus spending bill or a short-term continuing resolution (CR) by Friday to avoid a government shutdown.
Jordan suggested that a number of liberal policies will be included in the omnibus, without any substantial border wall funding.
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Congressional leadership reportedly will reveal the omnibus spending bill on Wednesday. Conservatives, including the majority of the House Freedom Caucus, will oppose the Omnibus.
Congress must pass the omnibus spending bill or a short-term continuing resolution (CR) by Friday to avoid a government shutdown.
Jordan suggested that a number of liberal policies will be included in the omnibus, without any substantial border wall funding.
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Is Your County Elections Clerk Ready for Russian Hackers?
The head of every U.S. intelligence agency says Russia attempted to penetrate elections systems nationwide during the 2016 presidential election, and will try again during this year’s midterm elections.
In a decentralized election system with more than 10,000 separate jurisdictions, the onus for security is on local officials.
“That keeps me awake at night,” said Nancy Blankenship, the clerk for Deschutes County, Oregon.
Blankenship, like thousands of other county clerks, is the chief elections official for her area. It’s not so much the threat of foreign hackers changing votes that concerns Blankenship — Oregon is not only a vote-by-mail state, but also does its ballot counting without an internet connection — it’s the possibility that hacking could undermine public confidence in the system.
There are three major local cybersecurity threats during elections, said Maurice Turner, a senior technologist at the nonprofit Center for Democracy and Technology in Washington, D.C.:
Hackers could break into statewide, online voter registration databases to either steal personal information or change names, addresses or party affiliation to create confusion and discourage participation on Election Day.
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In a decentralized election system with more than 10,000 separate jurisdictions, the onus for security is on local officials.
“That keeps me awake at night,” said Nancy Blankenship, the clerk for Deschutes County, Oregon.
Blankenship, like thousands of other county clerks, is the chief elections official for her area. It’s not so much the threat of foreign hackers changing votes that concerns Blankenship — Oregon is not only a vote-by-mail state, but also does its ballot counting without an internet connection — it’s the possibility that hacking could undermine public confidence in the system.
There are three major local cybersecurity threats during elections, said Maurice Turner, a senior technologist at the nonprofit Center for Democracy and Technology in Washington, D.C.:
Hackers could break into statewide, online voter registration databases to either steal personal information or change names, addresses or party affiliation to create confusion and discourage participation on Election Day.
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Both Illinois Candidates for Governor Avoid the State’s Most Pressing Issue
Neither Gov. Bruce Rauner nor his Democratic opponent, J.B. Pritzker, are keen on talking about a topic both wealthy men purportedly know a lot about: money. At least not as it relates to the state's perennial budget problems.
If there’s something you'd think two super-rich candidates for Illinois governor would know about, it’s money. But neither Bruce Rauner, the Republican incumbent, nor J.B. Pritzker, his newly nominated Democratic opponent, spend much time talking about how to fix Illinois’ notorious budget mess.
Admittedly, the budget isn’t likely to rile up partisans for a primary election like attacks on President Donald Trump or the Chicago political machine. But without some fiscal plan, almost all of the candidates’ other promises could evaporate.
Setting a budget will be one of the first tasks for the governor who gets sworn in next January, and given the size of Illinois’ fiscal problems, it's a task that will likely consume a huge amount of his time. After all, the three major credit agencies all rate Illinois’ bonds just one notch above junk status. At this point even a small economic downturn or some other hiccup could trigger a downgrade, which would cause a big sell-off of Illinois debt and undoubtedly require the state to pay higher interest rates on it.
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If there’s something you'd think two super-rich candidates for Illinois governor would know about, it’s money. But neither Bruce Rauner, the Republican incumbent, nor J.B. Pritzker, his newly nominated Democratic opponent, spend much time talking about how to fix Illinois’ notorious budget mess.
Admittedly, the budget isn’t likely to rile up partisans for a primary election like attacks on President Donald Trump or the Chicago political machine. But without some fiscal plan, almost all of the candidates’ other promises could evaporate.
Setting a budget will be one of the first tasks for the governor who gets sworn in next January, and given the size of Illinois’ fiscal problems, it's a task that will likely consume a huge amount of his time. After all, the three major credit agencies all rate Illinois’ bonds just one notch above junk status. At this point even a small economic downturn or some other hiccup could trigger a downgrade, which would cause a big sell-off of Illinois debt and undoubtedly require the state to pay higher interest rates on it.
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Eating well-done grilled meat and fish raises blood pressure
We know red meat isn't the best thing for your blood pressure, and fish or chicken would be a 'leaner' option at a barbecue.
But a new Harvard study warns that they are all as bad as each other when grilled.
The alarming new research, released just months before cook-out season begins, found grilling meat triggers the release of dangerous chemicals that inflame the arteries and increase hypertension risk by 17 percent.
While the study could not prove a direct cause-and-effect, they said the link is strong enough to warn people to think twice about getting their meat well-done and grilled, and to consider rare, raw or boiled dishes more often.
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But a new Harvard study warns that they are all as bad as each other when grilled.
The alarming new research, released just months before cook-out season begins, found grilling meat triggers the release of dangerous chemicals that inflame the arteries and increase hypertension risk by 17 percent.
While the study could not prove a direct cause-and-effect, they said the link is strong enough to warn people to think twice about getting their meat well-done and grilled, and to consider rare, raw or boiled dishes more often.
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Grant Redmond beaten unconscious by man who 'dined and dashed'
An Indiana restaurateur was left with life-threatening injuries after he was beaten by a man who attempted to pay with a stolen credit card that had been declined.
Latin American restaurant Acapulco Joe owner Grant Redmond, 57, was brutally attacked at his downtown Indianapolis eatery when suspect Maurice Marcel Dunlap, 40, allegedly attempted to dine and dash before he was stopped on March 13.
Police say Dunlap was on a date at the time of the violent incident. Redmond was left unconscious and barely able to remember what happened last Tuesday.
The restaurant owner spoke out for the first time in Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital, where he was seen with severe bruising and large staples in his head.
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Latin American restaurant Acapulco Joe owner Grant Redmond, 57, was brutally attacked at his downtown Indianapolis eatery when suspect Maurice Marcel Dunlap, 40, allegedly attempted to dine and dash before he was stopped on March 13.
Police say Dunlap was on a date at the time of the violent incident. Redmond was left unconscious and barely able to remember what happened last Tuesday.
The restaurant owner spoke out for the first time in Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital, where he was seen with severe bruising and large staples in his head.
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Today's Biggest Winner: Banks To Get An Extra $5 Billion In Interest From The Fed
Today's 25bps hike in rates to 1.75% will have little impact on how much interest is paid to the trillions of dollars held in checking and savings accounts across the US (simply because banks continue to drown in over $2 trillion in excess reserves and thus do not really need all those deposits). It will, however, have a notable impact on how much cash the Fed pays out to banks in the form of interest on excess reserves (just don't call it a subsidy).
As the chart below shows, after today's rate hike, the Fed will be paying $37 billion in annualized interest to banks, an increase of $5 billion from the last rate hike.
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As the chart below shows, after today's rate hike, the Fed will be paying $37 billion in annualized interest to banks, an increase of $5 billion from the last rate hike.
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Parade Performers
Two sodas a day double the risk of heart disease, study finds
People who drink at least two cans of soda a day are twice as likely to die from heart disease, new research warns.
However, researchers did not find this link with the consumption of sugary foods.
They believe this has something to do with the way sugary drinks flood the body with sugar, while in foods the sugar-release is slowed down by fat and protein.
The new study from Emory University is the latest in a slew of research laying bare the damning health dangers of sugar-sweetened drinks as soda sales continue to decline.
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However, researchers did not find this link with the consumption of sugary foods.
They believe this has something to do with the way sugary drinks flood the body with sugar, while in foods the sugar-release is slowed down by fat and protein.
The new study from Emory University is the latest in a slew of research laying bare the damning health dangers of sugar-sweetened drinks as soda sales continue to decline.
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Zoo monkey that 'has a human face' sends social media into overdrive
A monkey with 'a man's face' has wowed social media users in China these days.
Footage of the human-looking primate went viral as astonished web users said the eyes and mouth resembled a lot like humans.
The monkey, staying in a zoo in north-east China, shows a frantic expression as it looked into the camera.
The primates has gained its popularity on Weibo, a Chinese euqivalent of Twitter, as web users shares clips and photos on a trending hashtag 'monkey with a man's face'.
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Footage of the human-looking primate went viral as astonished web users said the eyes and mouth resembled a lot like humans.
The monkey, staying in a zoo in north-east China, shows a frantic expression as it looked into the camera.
The primates has gained its popularity on Weibo, a Chinese euqivalent of Twitter, as web users shares clips and photos on a trending hashtag 'monkey with a man's face'.
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Kathie Lee Gifford: ‘I hate the male-bashing that’s going on in the world today’
Kathie Lee Gifford lamented in a recent interview that modern feminism and the #MeToo movement are leading to the sweeping demonization of all men.
“I hate the male-bashing that’s going on in the world today,” the “Today” show host said Thursday on SiriusXM’s “The Michelle Collins Show.”
“There are a lot of wonderful men,” she said. “I hate this whole thing of, ‘I’m not going to be happy until there’s not a good man left standing.’ I hate that.”
Radio host Michelle Collins pushed back, saying she didn’t believe anybody actually felt that way, to which Ms. Gifford responded, “I do.”
“Oh gosh, I sense it,” Ms. Gifford said. “And I hate it, because there are a lot of great men, great men. And let’s celebrate them, let’s be grateful for them.
“My daddy was one, my husband was one, my son is one. And I hope to maybe someday meet another one,” she joked.
Ms. Gifford made similar comments a day earlier, telling host Andy Cohen on SiriusXM’s “Radio Andy” show that she reached out to her friends Bill Cosby and Harvey Weinstein after they were accused of sexual assault, The Daily Caller reported.
“I personally, since I got into this business as a teenage girl, I have been sexually harassed, I have been sexually abused and I have been date raped. And don’t tell me they’re all the same ‘cause they are not,” Ms. Gifford explained.
“I don’t want to throw everybody on the same manure pile. Being a jerk is not the same as being a rapist — it just isn’t.
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“I hate the male-bashing that’s going on in the world today,” the “Today” show host said Thursday on SiriusXM’s “The Michelle Collins Show.”
“There are a lot of wonderful men,” she said. “I hate this whole thing of, ‘I’m not going to be happy until there’s not a good man left standing.’ I hate that.”
Radio host Michelle Collins pushed back, saying she didn’t believe anybody actually felt that way, to which Ms. Gifford responded, “I do.”
“Oh gosh, I sense it,” Ms. Gifford said. “And I hate it, because there are a lot of great men, great men. And let’s celebrate them, let’s be grateful for them.
“My daddy was one, my husband was one, my son is one. And I hope to maybe someday meet another one,” she joked.
Ms. Gifford made similar comments a day earlier, telling host Andy Cohen on SiriusXM’s “Radio Andy” show that she reached out to her friends Bill Cosby and Harvey Weinstein after they were accused of sexual assault, The Daily Caller reported.
“I personally, since I got into this business as a teenage girl, I have been sexually harassed, I have been sexually abused and I have been date raped. And don’t tell me they’re all the same ‘cause they are not,” Ms. Gifford explained.
“I don’t want to throw everybody on the same manure pile. Being a jerk is not the same as being a rapist — it just isn’t.
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Congress Just Quietly Formed A Committee To Bail-Out 200 Pension Funds
The US pension system has gotten so bad, Congress is actually planning for its failure.
As the government was working on the recent, new budget deal and subsequent boost in government spending, Congress quietly snuck in a provision that forms a committee which would use federal funds to bail out as many as 200 “multi-employer” pension plans – where employers and labor unions jointly provide retirement benefits to employees.
As is often the case, this rescue “plan” is too little too late. The US pension system is beyond repair. And if you’re depending on pension income to carry you through retirement, it’s time to consider a Plan B.
Before explaining how dire the situation actually is, let’s take a step back...
Pensions are simply giant pools of capital used to pay out retirement benefits to workers. Typically, employers and employees contribute a percentage of the employees’ salary to a pension throughout his or her career. Then, upon retirement, the pension is supposed to pay a fixed, monthly amount to the retiree.
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As the government was working on the recent, new budget deal and subsequent boost in government spending, Congress quietly snuck in a provision that forms a committee which would use federal funds to bail out as many as 200 “multi-employer” pension plans – where employers and labor unions jointly provide retirement benefits to employees.
As is often the case, this rescue “plan” is too little too late. The US pension system is beyond repair. And if you’re depending on pension income to carry you through retirement, it’s time to consider a Plan B.
Before explaining how dire the situation actually is, let’s take a step back...
Pensions are simply giant pools of capital used to pay out retirement benefits to workers. Typically, employers and employees contribute a percentage of the employees’ salary to a pension throughout his or her career. Then, upon retirement, the pension is supposed to pay a fixed, monthly amount to the retiree.
More
YouTube Bans Videos That Promote, Link to Websites Selling Guns, Accessories
Google's Youtube this week clamped down on videos that involve weapons, banning those that promote or link to websites selling firearms and accessories.
The world's largest video site will also prohibit videos with instructions on how to assemble firearms, Bloomberg reported Wednesday.
"We routinely make updates and adjustments to our enforcement guidelines across all of our policies," a YouTube spokesperson said in a statement. "While we've long prohibited the sale of firearms, we recently notified creators of updates we will be making around content promoting the sale or manufacture of firearms and their accessories."
Some gun enthusiasts have already seen their pages suspended, although Youtube does not plan on fully enforcing the changes until April.
More here
The world's largest video site will also prohibit videos with instructions on how to assemble firearms, Bloomberg reported Wednesday.
"We routinely make updates and adjustments to our enforcement guidelines across all of our policies," a YouTube spokesperson said in a statement. "While we've long prohibited the sale of firearms, we recently notified creators of updates we will be making around content promoting the sale or manufacture of firearms and their accessories."
Some gun enthusiasts have already seen their pages suspended, although Youtube does not plan on fully enforcing the changes until April.
More here
Insurance Industry Asks: Who Is Liable When Uber Self-Driving Cars Cause Fatal Accidents?
Legal analysts are grappling with a new liability issue after Uber’s autonomous car accident this week led to the death of a pedestrian.
A self-driving Uber vehicle hit and killed a pedestrian in Arizona this week, raising new questions about liability in accidents involving autonomous vehicles.
On Sunday, 49-year-old Elaine Herzberg was struck by a self-driving Uber car traveling at approximately 40 miles per house. Herzberg was walking her bicycle outside the crosswalk on a four-lane road in a suburb of Phoenix.
Some legal experts say that lawsuits will be aimed at the software responsible for the autonomous driving. Attorneys will likely look to see if a flaw in the self-driving software was responsible for the accident.
Smith argued that Uber is likely to settle litigation over injuries or deaths caused by self-driving vehicles quickly in order to avoid negative publicity.
It was revealed this week that the transgender woman behind the wheel of the self-driving car was Rafaela Vasquez, who was hired by Uber to monitor the self-driving car trials. Vasquez has two felony convictions and served a five-year sentence for an attempted armed robbery in the past.
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A self-driving Uber vehicle hit and killed a pedestrian in Arizona this week, raising new questions about liability in accidents involving autonomous vehicles.
On Sunday, 49-year-old Elaine Herzberg was struck by a self-driving Uber car traveling at approximately 40 miles per house. Herzberg was walking her bicycle outside the crosswalk on a four-lane road in a suburb of Phoenix.
Some legal experts say that lawsuits will be aimed at the software responsible for the autonomous driving. Attorneys will likely look to see if a flaw in the self-driving software was responsible for the accident.
Smith argued that Uber is likely to settle litigation over injuries or deaths caused by self-driving vehicles quickly in order to avoid negative publicity.
It was revealed this week that the transgender woman behind the wheel of the self-driving car was Rafaela Vasquez, who was hired by Uber to monitor the self-driving car trials. Vasquez has two felony convictions and served a five-year sentence for an attempted armed robbery in the past.
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Bill seeks test program to provide dental coverage for Maryland Medicaid recipients
The Maryland House of Delegates is set to consider a bill to establish a pilot program to provide dental insurance for Medicaid recipients, the first step toward what some lawmakers hope will be a plan to deliver extensive coverage to those with the most serious dental conditions.
The dental insurance bill, which passed the Senate unanimously Monday night, has been scaled back from legislation originally submitted by Sen. Thomas M. “Mac” Middleton.
The initial legislation sought to provide full-scale adult dental coverage for Maryland residents eligible for Medicaid. The Charles County Democrat said the bill has been amended to launch a test program under which some of the most critical dental procedures would be covered.
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The dental insurance bill, which passed the Senate unanimously Monday night, has been scaled back from legislation originally submitted by Sen. Thomas M. “Mac” Middleton.
The initial legislation sought to provide full-scale adult dental coverage for Maryland residents eligible for Medicaid. The Charles County Democrat said the bill has been amended to launch a test program under which some of the most critical dental procedures would be covered.
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President Trump will hit China with at least $50 billion in tariffs and penalties for the theft of trade secrets that costs the U.S. billions
President Trump on Thursday plans to announce at least $50 billion worth of annual tariffs and other penalties on China for its theft of technology and trade secrets, which administration officials say has robbed American companies of billions of dollars in revenue and killed thousands of jobs.
The measures would mark Mr. Trump’s most aggressive move yet against a fast-rising economic rival that he has accused of preying on the United States.
The measures would mark Mr. Trump’s most aggressive move yet against a fast-rising economic rival that he has accused of preying on the United States.
Linda Norman fills remainder of late husband's term in Maryland Senate
Linda Norman, the wife of the late state Sen. H. Wayne Norman Jr., was sworn in Friday to fill out the rest of his term representing Cecil and Harford counties in theMaryland Senate.
Wayne Norman died at his Bel Air home March 4 at age 62. The Bel Air attorney and former state delegate, a Republican, had served nearly one full term in the Senate and had filed to run for a second term representing District 35.
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Wayne Norman died at his Bel Air home March 4 at age 62. The Bel Air attorney and former state delegate, a Republican, had served nearly one full term in the Senate and had filed to run for a second term representing District 35.
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Dept With Only 8 Cops Secretly Acquired an Arsenal of 19 Military Vehicles Using 1033 Program
Last August, the Trump administration lifted a ban on military surplus hardware being transferred to police departments across the United States. The controversial 1033 program became a source of citizen outrage after images of police armed with military-grade weaponry, including grenade launchers and armored MRAPs, were beamed into people homes across the country during the battlefield-style police response to the rioting in Ferguson, Missouri in 2014.
As many Americans noted, Ferguson, Missouri looked like a war zone, with police kitted out in Marine-issue camouflage and military-grade body armor, toting short-barreled assault rifles, and rolling around in armored vehicles — virtually indistinguishable from US soldiers.
Shortly after the American public became widely aware, and largely outraged, over the extreme militarization of their local police forces, President Obama signed an Executive Order (EO) that blocked large-caliber weapons, armored vehicles, grenade launchers and other heavy military hardware from being repurposed from battlefields across the globe to small town USA.
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As many Americans noted, Ferguson, Missouri looked like a war zone, with police kitted out in Marine-issue camouflage and military-grade body armor, toting short-barreled assault rifles, and rolling around in armored vehicles — virtually indistinguishable from US soldiers.
Shortly after the American public became widely aware, and largely outraged, over the extreme militarization of their local police forces, President Obama signed an Executive Order (EO) that blocked large-caliber weapons, armored vehicles, grenade launchers and other heavy military hardware from being repurposed from battlefields across the globe to small town USA.
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A Viewer Writes: UMES
SNOW EMERGENCY LIFTED
Effective 3/22/18 at 0400 hours, the Maryland State Police Berlin Barrack in Worcester County in conjunction with local agencies and the State Highway Administration will be lifting the Snow Emergency Plan.
Please use caution on roadways in and around the Worcester County area. Be mindful of black ice.
Questions should be addressed to the Maryland State Police Barrack in Berlin at 410-641-3101.
Please use caution on roadways in and around the Worcester County area. Be mindful of black ice.
Questions should be addressed to the Maryland State Police Barrack in Berlin at 410-641-3101.
School Closings & Delays
Worcester County Schools 2 hour delay.
Delmar School District 2 hour delay.
Two oily fish dishes a week cut your risk of premature death by 33%
Eating plenty of oily fish like salmon or mackerel can slash the risk of a premature death by up to a third, according to new research.
A study of 2,500 older people found those who had the highest amounts of omega-3 were 34 percent less likely to die within the next seven years.
They were also 39 percent less likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke.
The fatty acids - found in oily seafood such as salmon, mackerel and sardines - were a better predictor of good health than cholesterol levels.
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A study of 2,500 older people found those who had the highest amounts of omega-3 were 34 percent less likely to die within the next seven years.
They were also 39 percent less likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke.
The fatty acids - found in oily seafood such as salmon, mackerel and sardines - were a better predictor of good health than cholesterol levels.
More
Junior Achievement Get Hired! Career Fair set for March 28 at the WY&CC
SALISBURY, Md. – Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore will bring employers and applicants together during a career fair this month at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center.
The organization’s job fair is for teens and young adults ages 16-24 and is set for Wednesday, March 28. The job fair will run from 2-5 p.m., and focuses include summer jobs and post-graduation employment.
The organization’s job fair is for teens and young adults ages 16-24 and is set for Wednesday, March 28. The job fair will run from 2-5 p.m., and focuses include summer jobs and post-graduation employment.
Robots Are Trying To Pick Strawberries. So Far, They're Not Very Good At It
Robots have taken over many of America's factories. They can explore the depths of the ocean, and other planets. They can play ping-pong.
But can they pick a strawberry?
"You kind of learn, when you get into this — it's really hard to match what humans can do," says Bob Pitzer, an expert on robots and co-founder of a company called Harvest CROO Robotics. (CROO is an acronym. It stands for Computerized Robotic Optimized Obtainer.)
Any 4-year old can pick a strawberry, but machines, for all their artificial intelligence, can't seem to figure it out. Pitzer says the hardest thing for them is just finding the fruit. The berries hide behind leaves in unpredictable places.
"You know, I used to work in the semiconductor industry. I was a development engineer for Intel, and it was a lot easier to make semiconductor chips," he says with a laugh.
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But can they pick a strawberry?
"You kind of learn, when you get into this — it's really hard to match what humans can do," says Bob Pitzer, an expert on robots and co-founder of a company called Harvest CROO Robotics. (CROO is an acronym. It stands for Computerized Robotic Optimized Obtainer.)
Any 4-year old can pick a strawberry, but machines, for all their artificial intelligence, can't seem to figure it out. Pitzer says the hardest thing for them is just finding the fruit. The berries hide behind leaves in unpredictable places.
"You know, I used to work in the semiconductor industry. I was a development engineer for Intel, and it was a lot easier to make semiconductor chips," he says with a laugh.
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