Last week, Netflix released a drama about Carlton Pearson, a black minister and former bishop who rejected the doctrine of hell. He preached universalism, that all people will be saved and go to heaven. The movie, "Come Sunday," recounts Pearson's rejection of hell and his church's rejection of him, presenting his universalism as a superior doctrine, despite the fact that it contradicts biblical teaching from Jesus Himself.
"The God that we worship, from the parts of this Bible that we focus on, that God is a monster," Chiwetel Ejiofor, who plays Pearson in the movie, declares at a pivotal point. "If we’re really saying that God sends billions of people to burn in hell for eternity for missing the mark, or missing the point, or being born someplace else, well that God is a monster, that God is worse than Hitler, that God is worse than Saddam Hussein." This is blasphemy, but it is also supporting a heresy.
More
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Thursday, April 19, 2018
The Federal Reserve Has Done A Great Job Destroying The Middle Class
The Federal Reserve has been determined to create “Wealth Effects” throughout the economy since 2008, which has left the majority of Main Street on the sidelines.
In fact, former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan has gone on record to warn of a massive bond and stock bubble thanks to historic low-interest rates. I guess, the idea of rising paper wealth to drive a wave of renewed borrowing and spending hasn’t quite worked out as planned.
Sadly, as the below chart points out most households have been squeezed as the majority of the wealth created has only gone to the top 5% of households earning in excess of $200,00 annually, meanwhile the bottom 95% have suffered.
More
In fact, former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan has gone on record to warn of a massive bond and stock bubble thanks to historic low-interest rates. I guess, the idea of rising paper wealth to drive a wave of renewed borrowing and spending hasn’t quite worked out as planned.
Sadly, as the below chart points out most households have been squeezed as the majority of the wealth created has only gone to the top 5% of households earning in excess of $200,00 annually, meanwhile the bottom 95% have suffered.
More
Bitter lessons 25 years after Waco, Texas, siege
Twenty-five years ago today, FBI tanks smashed into the ramshackle home of the Branch Davidians outside Waco, Texas. After the FBI collapsed much of the building atop the residents, a fire erupted and 76 corpses were dug out of the rubble. Unfortunately, the American political system and media have never faced the lessons from that tragic 1993 day.
Fifty-one days before the FBI final assault, scores of federal Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms agents launched an attack on the Davidians’ home spurred by allegations that they had converted semi-automaticrifles to full-automatic capacity. TheATF’s lead investigator had previously rejected an offer to peacefully search the Davidians’ home for firearms violations. Four ATF agents and six Davidians were killed in the fracas on February 28, 1993. At least one ATF agent told superiors that the ATF fired first, spurring an immediate end to the official shooting review. But the media trumpeted the ATF storyline that its agents had been ambushed, entitling the feds to be far more aggressive in the following weeks.
More
Fifty-one days before the FBI final assault, scores of federal Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms agents launched an attack on the Davidians’ home spurred by allegations that they had converted semi-automaticrifles to full-automatic capacity. TheATF’s lead investigator had previously rejected an offer to peacefully search the Davidians’ home for firearms violations. Four ATF agents and six Davidians were killed in the fracas on February 28, 1993. At least one ATF agent told superiors that the ATF fired first, spurring an immediate end to the official shooting review. But the media trumpeted the ATF storyline that its agents had been ambushed, entitling the feds to be far more aggressive in the following weeks.
More
ABC News Cuts Comey Criticism of Obama's Actions During Clinton Investigation
In the broadcast of its interview with former FBI Director James Comey, ABC News did not air Comey’s strong criticism of President Obama for twice publically stating that Hillary Clinton’s private email server did not endanger national security despite an ongoing investigation.
In the unaired remarks, Comey went so far as to describe Obama’s comments as creating the impression that the Justice Department was biased with regard to Clinton. He charged Obama’s remarks “created this drumbeat that the Obama Justice Department, the fix is in because the president has told them what result they should reach.”
Referring to Obama’s public comments, Comey said that Obama “shouldn’t have done it. It was inappropriate.”
Yet none of those statements made the cut for ABC’s broadcast edition of its exclusive interview with Comey conducted by host George Stephanopoulos that aired Sunday night.
More
In the unaired remarks, Comey went so far as to describe Obama’s comments as creating the impression that the Justice Department was biased with regard to Clinton. He charged Obama’s remarks “created this drumbeat that the Obama Justice Department, the fix is in because the president has told them what result they should reach.”
Referring to Obama’s public comments, Comey said that Obama “shouldn’t have done it. It was inappropriate.”
Yet none of those statements made the cut for ABC’s broadcast edition of its exclusive interview with Comey conducted by host George Stephanopoulos that aired Sunday night.
More
The Changes That Made California Become a Liberal Fiasco
Is America destined to become like California?
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey created a stir recently when he tweeted out an article calling for an end to bipartisanship and the beginning of nationwide, one-party rule—similar to the Golden State. He called it a “great read.”
A Twitter spokesperson told The Daily Signal in an email, “Twitter’s tools are apolitical, and we enforce our rules without political bias.”
Nevertheless, the tweet certainly brings up concern over Twitter’s political bias.
The article, titled “The Great Lesson of California in America’s New Civil War,” argued that due to the intractable division of worldviews in America, bipartisanship is unworkable. It’s time to simply obliterate the other side.
More
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey created a stir recently when he tweeted out an article calling for an end to bipartisanship and the beginning of nationwide, one-party rule—similar to the Golden State. He called it a “great read.”
Great read twitter.com/ev/status/9809…
Nevertheless, the tweet certainly brings up concern over Twitter’s political bias.
The article, titled “The Great Lesson of California in America’s New Civil War,” argued that due to the intractable division of worldviews in America, bipartisanship is unworkable. It’s time to simply obliterate the other side.
More
Dem Congressman Defends GOP Tax Cut Bill
At least one Democrat has the brainpower to understand that voters are happy to have the extra money in their paycheck from the GOP's tax overhaul.
"When you downplay somebody's increase, which is significant to them, they're not going to be quite happy," Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver said regarding the attacks by Nancy Pelosi and Corey Booker on the tax cuts and the "crumbs" the bill gives ordinary Americans during an interview with Fox Business' Neal Cavuto.
And he's right.
The fact is that $1,000 is a lot of money. It's not for millionaires like Pelosi, of course, but most hardworking Americans aren't millionaires.
While Cleaver is clearly interested in getting more Democrats elected, he's recognizing the larger point here. If Booker and Pelosi think the tax bill only lets the people keep "crumbs," then the Democrats need to make a proposal that lets them keep a lot more.
You see, for most people, $1,000 is a good sum of money. When Democrats attack people having more money in their pocket, they don't understand that very few people are anything but thrilled to keep more of what they earned. While it won't sway die-hard Democrats one way or another, savaging the GOP tax cut will lose the votes of independents and get more Republicans to show up.
More
"When you downplay somebody's increase, which is significant to them, they're not going to be quite happy," Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver said regarding the attacks by Nancy Pelosi and Corey Booker on the tax cuts and the "crumbs" the bill gives ordinary Americans during an interview with Fox Business' Neal Cavuto.
And he's right.
The fact is that $1,000 is a lot of money. It's not for millionaires like Pelosi, of course, but most hardworking Americans aren't millionaires.
While Cleaver is clearly interested in getting more Democrats elected, he's recognizing the larger point here. If Booker and Pelosi think the tax bill only lets the people keep "crumbs," then the Democrats need to make a proposal that lets them keep a lot more.
You see, for most people, $1,000 is a good sum of money. When Democrats attack people having more money in their pocket, they don't understand that very few people are anything but thrilled to keep more of what they earned. While it won't sway die-hard Democrats one way or another, savaging the GOP tax cut will lose the votes of independents and get more Republicans to show up.
More
James Comey's book falls as flat as its cover
The new memoir by James Comey, former FBI director, is light on new information but heavy on petty insults. It is being marketed by a typical rage-fest on President Trump's Twitter feed. A bestseller is guaranteed.
But Comey's name-calling makes for an unpersuasive condemnation of this presidency. It won't convince Trump supporters, or wavering conservatives, or Democrats (perhaps especially those who previously voted for President Barack Obama) to change their minds
Comey’s observations about Trump's orange-ness, his hand size, and the length of his tie, aren’t even original, let alone amusing except to that corps of haters who giggle at any show of disrespect to the chief executive. Perhaps the only impact they will have is to engender among disaffected conservatives a certain sympathy for a president whose substantive policies have been a pleasant surprise.
More
But Comey's name-calling makes for an unpersuasive condemnation of this presidency. It won't convince Trump supporters, or wavering conservatives, or Democrats (perhaps especially those who previously voted for President Barack Obama) to change their minds
Comey’s observations about Trump's orange-ness, his hand size, and the length of his tie, aren’t even original, let alone amusing except to that corps of haters who giggle at any show of disrespect to the chief executive. Perhaps the only impact they will have is to engender among disaffected conservatives a certain sympathy for a president whose substantive policies have been a pleasant surprise.
More
ACLU lawyer sides with Trump lawyer Michael Cohen
A lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union sided with President Trump's personal lawyer Michael Cohen on Tuesday, saying a judge should allow a neutral party to review the documents the FBI seized from Cohen's office.
ACLU lawyer Brett Max Kaufman agreed with Cohen's lawyers in a blog post that it makes no sense for the government itself to decide which files it can keep and use in an attempt to prosecute Cohen and which files it should ignore.
"Such files should be reviewed in the first instance by a neutral party, or 'special master,' appointed by and answerable to the court, to ensure that the prosecutors and investigators get the evidence they are authorized to look for," Kaufman wrote. "They should not be allowed to roam widely through digital files that may contain terrabytes of private information."
More
ACLU lawyer Brett Max Kaufman agreed with Cohen's lawyers in a blog post that it makes no sense for the government itself to decide which files it can keep and use in an attempt to prosecute Cohen and which files it should ignore.
"Such files should be reviewed in the first instance by a neutral party, or 'special master,' appointed by and answerable to the court, to ensure that the prosecutors and investigators get the evidence they are authorized to look for," Kaufman wrote. "They should not be allowed to roam widely through digital files that may contain terrabytes of private information."
More
350,000 signed up to protest, Salisbury Included
NOBODY IS ABOVE THE LAW—MUELLER FIRING RAPID RESPONSE
Donald Trump could be preparing to put himself above the law. We won’t allow it.
Trump will create a constitutional crisis if he fires special counsel Robert Mueller or Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who oversees Mueller, or attempts to compromise the investigation by other means. (See The Plan for details.)
Our response in the hours following a potential power grab will dictate what happens next—whether Congress will stand up to Trump or allow him to move our democracy toward authoritarianism.
That's why we're preparing to hold emergency "Nobody Is Above the Law" rallies around the country, in the event they are needed—800+ of them and counting, in every state, with 300,000 RSVPs to date!
Join us.
Enter your ZIP code in the search field or scroll through the list to find a event near you, or create one if none exists.
If you choose to attend an event, you agree to engage in nonviolent, peaceful action, to act lawfully, and to strive to de-escalate any potential confrontations with those who may disagree with our values.
More
Donald Trump could be preparing to put himself above the law. We won’t allow it.
Trump will create a constitutional crisis if he fires special counsel Robert Mueller or Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who oversees Mueller, or attempts to compromise the investigation by other means. (See The Plan for details.)
Our response in the hours following a potential power grab will dictate what happens next—whether Congress will stand up to Trump or allow him to move our democracy toward authoritarianism.
That's why we're preparing to hold emergency "Nobody Is Above the Law" rallies around the country, in the event they are needed—800+ of them and counting, in every state, with 300,000 RSVPs to date!
Join us.
Enter your ZIP code in the search field or scroll through the list to find a event near you, or create one if none exists.
If you choose to attend an event, you agree to engage in nonviolent, peaceful action, to act lawfully, and to strive to de-escalate any potential confrontations with those who may disagree with our values.
More
Trump slams TPP: Bilateral deals are better for American workers
President Trump on Tuesday shared his dislike of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a multilateral trade deal with countries along the Pacific Rim, deeming bilateral arrangements to be "far more efficient, profitable and better" for U.S. workers.
“While Japan and South Korea would like us to go back into TPP, I don’t like the deal for the United States,” Trump tweeted. “Too many contingencies and no way to get out if it doesn’t work. Bilateral deals are far more efficient, profitable and better for OUR workers. Look how bad WTO is to U.S.”
More
“While Japan and South Korea would like us to go back into TPP, I don’t like the deal for the United States,” Trump tweeted. “Too many contingencies and no way to get out if it doesn’t work. Bilateral deals are far more efficient, profitable and better for OUR workers. Look how bad WTO is to U.S.”
More
Hero who landed Southwest flight broke barriers as Navy pilot
The hero commercial pilot who safely landed a Boeing 737 full of passengers after shrapnel from an engine explosion breached the cabin was a former Navy pilot and one of the first women to take the stick of an F/A-18 fighter jet, according to reports.
Southwest Airlines pilot Tammie Jo Shults, 56, kept cool Tuesday as she brought Flight 1380 down for an emergency landing in Philadelphia when an engine exploded mid-air, according to passengers’ social media.
“A huge thank you to the Southwest Crew & Pilot Tammie Jo Shults for their knowledge and bravery under these circumstances. God bless each one of them,” passenger Diana McBride Self wrote on Facebook Tuesday.
“The pilot, Tammy Jo was so amazing! She landed us safely in Philly,” wrote Instagram user Amanda Bourman.
More
Southwest Airlines pilot Tammie Jo Shults, 56, kept cool Tuesday as she brought Flight 1380 down for an emergency landing in Philadelphia when an engine exploded mid-air, according to passengers’ social media.
“A huge thank you to the Southwest Crew & Pilot Tammie Jo Shults for their knowledge and bravery under these circumstances. God bless each one of them,” passenger Diana McBride Self wrote on Facebook Tuesday.
“The pilot, Tammy Jo was so amazing! She landed us safely in Philly,” wrote Instagram user Amanda Bourman.
More
Delingpole: Trump Must Stop U.S. Hardwood Forests Being Burned for UK 'Biofuel'
Greenies are up in arms over another environmental scandal of their own making. A TV documentary, shown on Britain’s left-wing Channel 4, has been shocked to discover that old hardwood forests in the U.S. are being chopped down, exported to the UK and burned for what is laughably being billed as “green” energy.
According to the Ecologist:
Huge areas of hardwood forest in the state of Virginia are being chainsawed to create ‘biomass’ energy in Britain as the government attempts to reach targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in efforts to tackle climate change, an investigation by Channel 4 Dispatches has found.
A key part of government efforts to hit its green energy targets is to switch from generating electricity from burning coal to burning wood – or so-called biomass. It’s a policy that is costing taxpayers more than £700 million per year through a levy on their electricity bills.
Well fancy that. Enviroloons caught once again killing the planet in order to save it.
Oscar Wilde would have called this “the rage of Caliban seeing his own face in the glass”.
I call it: “Groundhog Day.” This happens all the time because environmental destruction is not a bug of the Climate Industrial Complex – it’s a feature.
More
According to the Ecologist:
Huge areas of hardwood forest in the state of Virginia are being chainsawed to create ‘biomass’ energy in Britain as the government attempts to reach targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in efforts to tackle climate change, an investigation by Channel 4 Dispatches has found.
A key part of government efforts to hit its green energy targets is to switch from generating electricity from burning coal to burning wood – or so-called biomass. It’s a policy that is costing taxpayers more than £700 million per year through a levy on their electricity bills.
Well fancy that. Enviroloons caught once again killing the planet in order to save it.
Oscar Wilde would have called this “the rage of Caliban seeing his own face in the glass”.
I call it: “Groundhog Day.” This happens all the time because environmental destruction is not a bug of the Climate Industrial Complex – it’s a feature.
More
Illegal immigrant Uber driver raped passenger then fled to native Ghana, police say
An Uber driver charged with raping a passenger earlier this month was able to walk free because officials failed to notify immigration agents about his arrest, authorities said.
Frederick Amfo, 30, an illegal immigrant from Ghana, was arrested after a female passenger said that on April 8 he forced her into the backseat of his car and raped her, police said. Hours after he was released from police custody, he fled to his native Ghana. He was supposed to surrender his passport but did not.
“A loss for words,” Emily Murray, the victim who insisted on being identified by the press, told Boston 25. “I was angry, I’m still angry. I’m confused.”
More/Video
Frederick Amfo, 30, an illegal immigrant from Ghana, was arrested after a female passenger said that on April 8 he forced her into the backseat of his car and raped her, police said. Hours after he was released from police custody, he fled to his native Ghana. He was supposed to surrender his passport but did not.
“A loss for words,” Emily Murray, the victim who insisted on being identified by the press, told Boston 25. “I was angry, I’m still angry. I’m confused.”
More/Video
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/04/18/illegal-immigrant-uber-driver-raped-passenger-then-fled-to-native-ghana-police-say.html
GOP lawmakers want Hillary Clinton and James Comey prosecuted
Eleven House Republicans are calling on Attorney General Jeff Sessions to prosecute a handful of individuals, including former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, ex-FBI Director James Comey, and former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe.
In a Wednesday letter to Sessions, FBI Director Chris Wray, and U.S. Attorney John Huber — who was appointed to investigate GOP claims of FBI misconduct — the lawmakers refer Comey and McCabe for “investigation of potential violation(s) of federal statutes.”
Clinton, former Attorney General Loretta Lynch, former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates, and FBI General Counsel Dana Boente are also named in the letter.
More
In a Wednesday letter to Sessions, FBI Director Chris Wray, and U.S. Attorney John Huber — who was appointed to investigate GOP claims of FBI misconduct — the lawmakers refer Comey and McCabe for “investigation of potential violation(s) of federal statutes.”
Clinton, former Attorney General Loretta Lynch, former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates, and FBI General Counsel Dana Boente are also named in the letter.
More
Weekly Fishing Report
This coming Saturday, April 21, is a big day for those who dream of catching a trophy striped bass. More than a few anglers will spend the night before checking alarm clocks just to find themselves waking up a half-hour before the alarm is set to go off anyhow.
Weather is predicted to be a little nippy in the morning but should warm up as the day progresses. It will be a wonderful day to be out on the water with family and friends.
Before we get into this week’s fishing report, I want to remind everyone that they can submit their own fishing reports and photos to the Maryland Angler’s Log. To post a report, please email your name, hometown, photos, location and additional content for your report. All information is optional, but encouraged.
The striped bass spawning in the Choptank, Nanticoke, Patuxent and Potomac rivers is behind schedule due to colder than expected water temperatures, and spawning in the upper Chesapeake Bay is most likely weeks away. This week the spawning area in the Choptank River registered 56 degrees and there is a minor amount of spawning occurring. Usually spawning begins at 60 degrees and is optimal at 64.5 degrees, so many female striped bass are still holding in the spawning reaches. Based on predicted weather forecasts, it may be another week or so for water temperatures to be correct in that area.
More
Weather is predicted to be a little nippy in the morning but should warm up as the day progresses. It will be a wonderful day to be out on the water with family and friends.
Before we get into this week’s fishing report, I want to remind everyone that they can submit their own fishing reports and photos to the Maryland Angler’s Log. To post a report, please email your name, hometown, photos, location and additional content for your report. All information is optional, but encouraged.
The striped bass spawning in the Choptank, Nanticoke, Patuxent and Potomac rivers is behind schedule due to colder than expected water temperatures, and spawning in the upper Chesapeake Bay is most likely weeks away. This week the spawning area in the Choptank River registered 56 degrees and there is a minor amount of spawning occurring. Usually spawning begins at 60 degrees and is optimal at 64.5 degrees, so many female striped bass are still holding in the spawning reaches. Based on predicted weather forecasts, it may be another week or so for water temperatures to be correct in that area.
More
911 operator who hung up on emergency calls is sentenced to jail
A former 911 operator who hung up the phone "thousands" of times on people attempting to call in emergencies in Harris County, Texas has been sentenced to jail time.
Crenshanda Williams, 44, was found guilty of interference with emergency telephone calls Wednesday after "systematically" hanging up the phone on residents of Harris County,KTRK reported.
She was sentenced to 10 days in jail and 18 months probation.
Williams reportedly had an unusual number of "short calls," which were no longer than 20 seconds. Prosecutors, according to the Houston Chronicle, determined she hung up on "thousands" of calls.
In one instance, emergency caller Jim Moten told KTRK he called 911 in 2016 after he spotted two vehicles speeding on a highway where people had been killed from speeding weeks earlier and thought his call had dropped after a few seconds.
Court documents, according to the news station, stated that Williams had taken Moten's call and, before he could finish explaining his emergency, she reportedly said: "Ain't nobody got time for this. For real."
More
Crenshanda Williams, 44, was found guilty of interference with emergency telephone calls Wednesday after "systematically" hanging up the phone on residents of Harris County,KTRK reported.
She was sentenced to 10 days in jail and 18 months probation.
Williams reportedly had an unusual number of "short calls," which were no longer than 20 seconds. Prosecutors, according to the Houston Chronicle, determined she hung up on "thousands" of calls.
In one instance, emergency caller Jim Moten told KTRK he called 911 in 2016 after he spotted two vehicles speeding on a highway where people had been killed from speeding weeks earlier and thought his call had dropped after a few seconds.
Court documents, according to the news station, stated that Williams had taken Moten's call and, before he could finish explaining his emergency, she reportedly said: "Ain't nobody got time for this. For real."
More
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/04/18/911-operator-who-hung-up-on-emergency-calls-is-sentenced-to-jail.html
Here's why that professor dancing on Barbara Bush's grave shouldn't be fired
Former first lady Barbara Bush died on Tuesday night at the age of 92 — only two days after it was announced she would forgo further medical treatment and receive comfort care.
She leaves behind a memorable legacy in which she spearheaded programs to reduce illiteracy in America, in addition to being actively involved in the campaigns of her husband, former President George H.W. Bush. Yet, some liberals seem keen on dancing on the former first Lady's grave instead.
Take Fresno State professor Randa Jarrar. Following the news of Bush's death, Jarrar called her a "racist," who "raised a war criminal," referring to her son, former President George W. Bush.
Barbara Bush was a generous and smart and amazing racist who, along with her husband, raised a war criminal. Fuck outta here with your nice words.— Randa Jarrar (@randajarrar) April 18, 2018
Instead of reprimanding Jarrar, Fresno State University President Joseph Castro released a statement that stopped well short of a condemnation.
More
She leaves behind a memorable legacy in which she spearheaded programs to reduce illiteracy in America, in addition to being actively involved in the campaigns of her husband, former President George H.W. Bush. Yet, some liberals seem keen on dancing on the former first Lady's grave instead.
Take Fresno State professor Randa Jarrar. Following the news of Bush's death, Jarrar called her a "racist," who "raised a war criminal," referring to her son, former President George W. Bush.
Barbara Bush was a generous and smart and amazing racist who, along with her husband, raised a war criminal. Fuck outta here with your nice words.— Randa Jarrar (@randajarrar) April 18, 2018
Instead of reprimanding Jarrar, Fresno State University President Joseph Castro released a statement that stopped well short of a condemnation.
More
No (Wall Street) Bank Left Behind!
Times have been hard for Wall Street banks lately, what with record amounts of cash pouring in and causing all kinds of bookkeeping headaches.
The Four Biggest U.S. Banks Made $2.3 Billion From Tax Law - in One Quarter
Big banks just cashed in the first installment of benefits corporate America will reap from the new federal tax law.
The haul: more than $2.3 billion.
That is how much the combined earnings of the four major national banks— JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo. Citigroup, and Bank of America, — increased in the first quarter because of the lower corporate rates under the tax-overhaul law enacted in December, according to an analysis of the banks’ results by The Wall Street Journal.
That amount is only a modest-size chunk of the banks’ total first-quarter earnings—less than 10% of their combined net income applicable to common shareholders. But it comprises a major chunk of their year-over-year earnings growth.
Without the tax savings resulting from the new lower corporate tax rate, Wells Fargo’s earnings would have declined from a year ago instead of increasing, and much of the year-over-year growth at Citigroup and Bank of America would be gone. At JPMorgan, losing the tax bump would have cut its earnings growth to 28% from 35%.
The $2.3 billion boost isn’t the entire story. For one thing, other provisions of the tax law prompted some of the same banks and many other companies to take big charges against their earnings in the fourth quarter. From that perspective, the first-quarter boosts merely help even things out.
The Journal’s analysis calculated what each bank’s results for the latest first quarter would have been if the effective tax rate from last year’s first quarter was still in effect.
More
The Four Biggest U.S. Banks Made $2.3 Billion From Tax Law - in One Quarter
Big banks just cashed in the first installment of benefits corporate America will reap from the new federal tax law.
The haul: more than $2.3 billion.
That is how much the combined earnings of the four major national banks— JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo. Citigroup, and Bank of America, — increased in the first quarter because of the lower corporate rates under the tax-overhaul law enacted in December, according to an analysis of the banks’ results by The Wall Street Journal.
That amount is only a modest-size chunk of the banks’ total first-quarter earnings—less than 10% of their combined net income applicable to common shareholders. But it comprises a major chunk of their year-over-year earnings growth.
Without the tax savings resulting from the new lower corporate tax rate, Wells Fargo’s earnings would have declined from a year ago instead of increasing, and much of the year-over-year growth at Citigroup and Bank of America would be gone. At JPMorgan, losing the tax bump would have cut its earnings growth to 28% from 35%.
The $2.3 billion boost isn’t the entire story. For one thing, other provisions of the tax law prompted some of the same banks and many other companies to take big charges against their earnings in the fourth quarter. From that perspective, the first-quarter boosts merely help even things out.
The Journal’s analysis calculated what each bank’s results for the latest first quarter would have been if the effective tax rate from last year’s first quarter was still in effect.
More
BROWARD COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTY DEAD AT 42
Second Amendment Proponent, Criticized Marjory Stoneman’s Gun Control Cavalcade
Sometime on or around April 1, 2018 Broward County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Fitzsimon, 42 years old and in excellent state of mind and health, called in sick to his job. Shortly thereafter Fitzsimons was found dead on his sofa. There has been a complete “news blackout” of this curious and untimely death.
Deputy Fitzsimons wasn’t just any law enforcement officer. Unlike many of his peers, he took to social media to question the potential agenda behind the February 14 Marjory Stoneman High School mass shooting, suggesting that the event was being used to promote the Democratic Party’s gun control platform in anticipation of the 2018 midterm elections. And recent personnel decisions involving public officials indicate (e.g. here and here), an unwritten law of taxpayer-funded institutions is that employees disavow and steer clear of “conspiracy theories” that may call their superiors motives into question.
More
Sometime on or around April 1, 2018 Broward County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Fitzsimon, 42 years old and in excellent state of mind and health, called in sick to his job. Shortly thereafter Fitzsimons was found dead on his sofa. There has been a complete “news blackout” of this curious and untimely death.
Deputy Fitzsimons wasn’t just any law enforcement officer. Unlike many of his peers, he took to social media to question the potential agenda behind the February 14 Marjory Stoneman High School mass shooting, suggesting that the event was being used to promote the Democratic Party’s gun control platform in anticipation of the 2018 midterm elections. And recent personnel decisions involving public officials indicate (e.g. here and here), an unwritten law of taxpayer-funded institutions is that employees disavow and steer clear of “conspiracy theories” that may call their superiors motives into question.
More
Eric 2020? Holder Heads To New Hampshire
Former attorney general Eric Holder will visit the New Hampshire Institute of Politics in June 2018 amidst increasing speculation he will mount a presidential bid.
Eric H. Holder, Jr., 82nd Attorney Attorney General and Chairman of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee will speak in NH @nhiop@NECouncil Politics &Eggs #fitn
— Neil Levesque (@NeilLevesque) April 18, 2018
“The Politics & Eggs series is a forum for presidential candidates, political leaders, and other political analysts and commentators as they visit New Hampshire, home of the nation’s first presidential primaries,” the press release said.
More
Eric H. Holder, Jr., 82nd Attorney Attorney General and Chairman of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee will speak in NH @nhiop@NECouncil Politics &Eggs #fitn
— Neil Levesque (@NeilLevesque) April 18, 2018
“The Politics & Eggs series is a forum for presidential candidates, political leaders, and other political analysts and commentators as they visit New Hampshire, home of the nation’s first presidential primaries,” the press release said.
More
Be Honorable and Tell Your Wife When You Cheat
Columns in the New York Times style section do get your attention. I’ll give them that. Like the one last November, written by a professor who justified her role as a homewrecker seducing a married man – titled “An Optimist Guide to Divorce.” I disagreed with her assessment.
Then there was the style column last week that begins:
“I’m not sure it’s possible to justify my liaisons with married men …”
Well, then. At least, there’s a hint of honesty – dare we say a rise in conscience? – that adultery might be wrong. The problem is that the writer is not sure. The author of “What Sleeping With Married Men Taught Me About Infidelity” is no professor. She is Karin Jones, identified as a columnist for Erotic Review Magazine. With such credentials, I’m not expecting prudence.
Jones’s point, however, is not that she is doing anything wrong. She chastises her partners in adultery for not being truthful with their wives about the cheating.
She has completely removed sex from any sense of love and commitment. In other words, she’s just another traveler on this sexual revolution that is headed to nowhere … nowhere but hurt.
More
Then there was the style column last week that begins:
“I’m not sure it’s possible to justify my liaisons with married men …”
Well, then. At least, there’s a hint of honesty – dare we say a rise in conscience? – that adultery might be wrong. The problem is that the writer is not sure. The author of “What Sleeping With Married Men Taught Me About Infidelity” is no professor. She is Karin Jones, identified as a columnist for Erotic Review Magazine. With such credentials, I’m not expecting prudence.
Jones’s point, however, is not that she is doing anything wrong. She chastises her partners in adultery for not being truthful with their wives about the cheating.
She has completely removed sex from any sense of love and commitment. In other words, she’s just another traveler on this sexual revolution that is headed to nowhere … nowhere but hurt.
More
Outstanding Members of the Chicken Community Recognized at Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc. Banquet
Hundreds of farmers, chicken company employees, representatives of allied businesses, and friends of the Delmarva Peninsula’s chicken community gathered in Salisbury, Maryland for the Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc. (DPI) Booster Banquet, the 1,800-member trade association’s annual membership dinner. During its 62nd banquet, DPI honored two individuals for their work on behalf of the chicken industry and recognized 12 outstanding chicken growers for their excellent performance and stewardship.
The J. Frank Gordy, Sr. Delmarva Distinguished Citizen Award, DPI’s highest honor, was presented to Andrew McLean. An “organic chicken rancher,” as he cheerfully describes himself, McLean is deeply involved in industry and community activities. He is a board member of the Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology, Inc., and is chairman of the Delmarva Land & Litter Challenge, a group of industry, government, university, and environmental persons who are working on a consensus-building approach to develop solutions for poultry-related issues. A Maryland native, McLean worked for banks in agricultural lending for 28 years. He often hosts tours of his farm for groups and individuals seeking to learn how chickens are raised on Delmarva, and he was a trustee of the Maryland Family Farmers Legal Defense Fund when the community rallied to raise money for a Worcester County farm family when a misguided lawsuit threatened them.
He is active in DPI leadership, serving on our Executive Committee, Environmental Committee, Grower Committee and Government Relations Committee, and he is a past president of DPI as well. A graduate of the LEAD Maryland program, he has served on the Maryland Agricultural Commission, is a past president of the Queen Anne’s County 4-H Park Board and is a past president of the Ruthsburg Community Center. He and his wife, Kellee, live in Ruthsburg, Maryland.
The Edward H. Ralph DPI Medal of Achievement was presented to Michelle Chesnik. A tireless watchdog and advocate for the chicken community, Chesnik worked in the banking industry in Baltimore before she and her husband, Paul, decided to move to Wicomico County and bought a chicken farm, seeking a calmer place to raise a family. With a large network of contacts throughout Maryland and being well versed in chicken industry issues, Chesnik has been engaged on our industry’s behalf in recent years by sharing thoughts with, and educating members of, the Maryland General Assembly through e-mails, in-person contacts, or via testimony at legislative hearings. She often attends other types of meetings to educate non-legislators about the chicken industry. She played a large role in discussions of Maryland’s phosphorous management regulations, and she continues to be involved with legislative issues relating to animal antibiotics and air quality.
Chesnik offered her farm as a site for a demonstration alternative use of manure project, and she has taken a particular interest in conservation best management practices. Aided by DPI and the Wicomico Soil Conservation District, she has established extensive grass and forest buffers on her farm made up of 29 different plant species, most of which she selected. Her farm is part of the Farm Stewardship Certification and Assessment Program that recognizes farms for outstanding environmental practices. She has been a member of DPI’s board of directors since 2014 and is very involved as a member of our Grower Committee, Government Relations Committee and Environmental Committee.
Additionally, DPI recognized 12 outstanding chicken growers. Selected by the companies for which they contract to raise chickens from Delmarva’s more than 1,500 poultry growers, this year’s recipients are:
The J. Frank Gordy, Sr. Delmarva Distinguished Citizen Award, DPI’s highest honor, was presented to Andrew McLean. An “organic chicken rancher,” as he cheerfully describes himself, McLean is deeply involved in industry and community activities. He is a board member of the Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology, Inc., and is chairman of the Delmarva Land & Litter Challenge, a group of industry, government, university, and environmental persons who are working on a consensus-building approach to develop solutions for poultry-related issues. A Maryland native, McLean worked for banks in agricultural lending for 28 years. He often hosts tours of his farm for groups and individuals seeking to learn how chickens are raised on Delmarva, and he was a trustee of the Maryland Family Farmers Legal Defense Fund when the community rallied to raise money for a Worcester County farm family when a misguided lawsuit threatened them.
He is active in DPI leadership, serving on our Executive Committee, Environmental Committee, Grower Committee and Government Relations Committee, and he is a past president of DPI as well. A graduate of the LEAD Maryland program, he has served on the Maryland Agricultural Commission, is a past president of the Queen Anne’s County 4-H Park Board and is a past president of the Ruthsburg Community Center. He and his wife, Kellee, live in Ruthsburg, Maryland.
The Edward H. Ralph DPI Medal of Achievement was presented to Michelle Chesnik. A tireless watchdog and advocate for the chicken community, Chesnik worked in the banking industry in Baltimore before she and her husband, Paul, decided to move to Wicomico County and bought a chicken farm, seeking a calmer place to raise a family. With a large network of contacts throughout Maryland and being well versed in chicken industry issues, Chesnik has been engaged on our industry’s behalf in recent years by sharing thoughts with, and educating members of, the Maryland General Assembly through e-mails, in-person contacts, or via testimony at legislative hearings. She often attends other types of meetings to educate non-legislators about the chicken industry. She played a large role in discussions of Maryland’s phosphorous management regulations, and she continues to be involved with legislative issues relating to animal antibiotics and air quality.
Chesnik offered her farm as a site for a demonstration alternative use of manure project, and she has taken a particular interest in conservation best management practices. Aided by DPI and the Wicomico Soil Conservation District, she has established extensive grass and forest buffers on her farm made up of 29 different plant species, most of which she selected. Her farm is part of the Farm Stewardship Certification and Assessment Program that recognizes farms for outstanding environmental practices. She has been a member of DPI’s board of directors since 2014 and is very involved as a member of our Grower Committee, Government Relations Committee and Environmental Committee.
Additionally, DPI recognized 12 outstanding chicken growers. Selected by the companies for which they contract to raise chickens from Delmarva’s more than 1,500 poultry growers, this year’s recipients are:
Joe Calhoun Jr., Denise Calhoun and Bessie Calhoun, Dagsboro, Delaware – Allen Harim
Eui Jin Choi, Mardela Springs, Maryland – Mountaire Farms
Brian W. Derrickson and Brian B. Derrickson, Pocomoke City, Maryland – Mountaire Farms
Harry El-Baf, Pittsville, Maryland – Perdue Farms
Blaine Hitchens, Laurel, Delaware – Amick Farms
Donnie Howard, Crisfield, Maryland – Tyson Foods
Jack & Cathy Kohland, Frederica, Delaware – Mountaire Farms
Walter & Arlene Littleton and Andrew Mitchell, Laurel, Delaware – Perdue Farms
Ben Lim, East New Market, Maryland – Amick Farms
Billy & Pat Thompson, Laurel, Delaware – Mountaire Farms
Mark & Sue Whaley, Laurel, Delaware – Perdue Farms
Joel & Tina Wharton, Millsboro, Delaware – Perdue Farms
Planned Parenthood Instructor Has Mother Arrested for Trying to Audit Pornographic Sex Ed Class
Planned Parenthood is willing to go to extreme lengths to keep parents from knowing what kind of sex education they offer kids. St. Mary's County Library in Maryland contracted a Planned Parenthood certified instructor to put on a pornographic sex workshop for teens—no parents allowed. When mother Kathleen Crank tried to enter the class, she was arrested for trespassing. It all began when local parents heard about the class and began researching the instructor. What they found was the exact opposite of the type of person they wanted teaching their kids about sex. Parent-led protest site Creepy Library reported:
The instructor, Bianca Palmisano, was keynote speaker of SlutWalk in 2013 where she promoted the sex toy shop she worked at the time, saying it was a place, "where polyamorous leather dykes could hang out with kinky bisexuals and couples and compare notes with lifelong swingers, and still welcome those just beginning to explore their sexuality. We host workshops twice a month, bringing in speakers from across the country to share their expertise on everything from blowjobs to threesomes to rough sex.”
More
The instructor, Bianca Palmisano, was keynote speaker of SlutWalk in 2013 where she promoted the sex toy shop she worked at the time, saying it was a place, "where polyamorous leather dykes could hang out with kinky bisexuals and couples and compare notes with lifelong swingers, and still welcome those just beginning to explore their sexuality. We host workshops twice a month, bringing in speakers from across the country to share their expertise on everything from blowjobs to threesomes to rough sex.”
More
Comey Calls McCabe A Liar, McCabe's Attorneys Fire Back
A massive battle is brewing between former FBI Director James Comey, and his deputy Andy McCabe - as first noted a few weeks ago by the Daily Caller's Chuck Ross - over exactly who is lying about Comey knowing that McCabe had been leaking self-serving information to the Wall Street Journal.
Comey stopped by ABC's The View to peddle his new book, A Higher Royalty Loyalty, where he called his former Deputy Andrew McCabe a liar, and admitted that he "ordered the report" which found McCabe guilty of leaking to the press and then lying under oath about it, several times.
Comey was asked by host Megan McCain how he thought the public was supposed to have "confidence" in the FBI amid revelations that McCabe lied about the leak.
“It’s not okay. The McCabe case illustrates what an organization committed to the truth looks like,” Comey said. “I ordered that investigation.”
More
Comey stopped by ABC's The View to peddle his new book, A Higher Royalty Loyalty, where he called his former Deputy Andrew McCabe a liar, and admitted that he "ordered the report" which found McCabe guilty of leaking to the press and then lying under oath about it, several times.
Comey was asked by host Megan McCain how he thought the public was supposed to have "confidence" in the FBI amid revelations that McCabe lied about the leak.
“It’s not okay. The McCabe case illustrates what an organization committed to the truth looks like,” Comey said. “I ordered that investigation.”
More
Should Hollywood Kick Its 'Gun Habit'?
When it comes to movies, I’m one of those guys you don’t take to some melodramatic film with poignant messaging and Oscar-bait performances. Well, you don’t take me to one of those unless I’m suffering from insomnia. The only reason you’ll see me at a chick flick or RomCom is that I’m a married man who understands that the wife has preferences too.
No, if it’s up to me, it’s going to be an action movie of some sort. I want good guys taking out the bad guys, preferably with some explosions here and there.
While I get that not everyone shares my taste in films, a lot of people do. Action movies are the ones that tend to do really well at the box office, after all.
So imagine the stupidity it takes to tell Hollywood to “fix its gun problem.”
More
No, if it’s up to me, it’s going to be an action movie of some sort. I want good guys taking out the bad guys, preferably with some explosions here and there.
While I get that not everyone shares my taste in films, a lot of people do. Action movies are the ones that tend to do really well at the box office, after all.
So imagine the stupidity it takes to tell Hollywood to “fix its gun problem.”
More
Cuomo to Pardon, Restore Voting Rights to 35,000-Plus Felons on Parole
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (D.) will be granting all convicted felons in the state who are on parole a pardon, a move that will restore voting rights to more than 35,000 people.
The pardons would allow Cuomo to work around the state legislature, which has not approved any such measure on criminal justice reform, the New York Times reports.
Under current New York law, convicted felons may only vote again after they have completed their parole or are on probation.
The executive order excludes parolees with certain firearms offenses.
"The pardons following this executive order and all future restorations of voting rights, shall not include rights with respect to the receipt, transportation or possession of firearms as provided by New York Penal Law Section 400," the order states.
Cuomo made the announcement on Wednesday to Al Sharpton's National Action Network's annual convention in New York City.
"I’m unwilling to take no for an answer," Cuomo said. "I’m going to make it law by executive order."
"With active intervention, we can bend the arc toward justice," Cuomo said.
More
The pardons would allow Cuomo to work around the state legislature, which has not approved any such measure on criminal justice reform, the New York Times reports.
Under current New York law, convicted felons may only vote again after they have completed their parole or are on probation.
The executive order excludes parolees with certain firearms offenses.
"The pardons following this executive order and all future restorations of voting rights, shall not include rights with respect to the receipt, transportation or possession of firearms as provided by New York Penal Law Section 400," the order states.
Cuomo made the announcement on Wednesday to Al Sharpton's National Action Network's annual convention in New York City.
"I’m unwilling to take no for an answer," Cuomo said. "I’m going to make it law by executive order."
"With active intervention, we can bend the arc toward justice," Cuomo said.
More
Comey memos could land Rod Rosenstein in contempt of Congress: Top Democrat
The top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee says Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., is poised to subpoena the Justice Department for former FBI Director James Comey’s memos, which the agency so far has failed to produce.
Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., warned such a move puts Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein in jeopardy of being placed in contempt of Congress and the special counsel investigation of being shut down prematurely.
Nadler announced in a statement that Goodlatte informed him Wednesday that "he intends to issue a subpoena to the Department of Justice — in this case to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein."
A spokesperson for Goodlatte did not immediately return theWashington Examiner's request for confirmation.
The Justice Department also did not immediately return a request for comment.
More
Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., warned such a move puts Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein in jeopardy of being placed in contempt of Congress and the special counsel investigation of being shut down prematurely.
Nadler announced in a statement that Goodlatte informed him Wednesday that "he intends to issue a subpoena to the Department of Justice — in this case to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein."
A spokesperson for Goodlatte did not immediately return theWashington Examiner's request for confirmation.
The Justice Department also did not immediately return a request for comment.
More
Old-school AM/FM radio the most popular medium of all
With 243 million monthly listeners, radio bests the competition across the board.
“Each week, more Americans tune to AM/FM radio than any other platform. What’s more, according to Nielsen’s second-quarter 2017 Comparable Metrics Report, 93 percent of U.S. adults 18 and older listen to radio every week — more than those watching television or using a smartphone, TV connected device, tablet or PC,” Nielsen noted in its report, which was released Wednesday.
In comparison, TV reaches 88 percent of Americans and garners 229 million viewers.
“Technology trends are a bit like fashion trends,” said Brad Kelly, managing director of Nielsen Audio. “They come and go, oftentimes long forgotten after the craze ends. But there’s one notable exception to the technology/fashion trend rule in the media world — broadcast radio. AM/FM radio is the blue blazer of the media universe. Who would have believed 100 years after its debut, AM/FM radio would continue to top the charts as the medium that reaches more consumers each week than any other?”
The analysis cited “compelling audio content and expanding delivery options” as a strong factor in the consistent appeal of radio.
It also found that the most popular format was country music, closely followed by news/talk combinations, adult contemporary music, pop contemporary hits, classic rock, classic hits, “hot” adult contemporary, urban adult contemporary and non-commercial news and talk. These are the top draws in a lengthy list of genres.
More here
GOP lawmakers demand criminal probe of Comey, McCabe, Clinton, Lynch
A group of conservative Republicans sent a criminal referral to the Justice Department Wednesday asking prosecutors to consider bringing charges against former FBI Director James Comey, former Attorney General Loretta Lynch, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and others involved in the probe into Mrs. Clinton’s emails.
They also complained that the FBI and Justice Department mishandled the so-called “Steele dossier” with salacious and unverified claims about then-candidate Donald Trump.
The 11 GOP lawmakers, led by Florida Rep. Ron DeSantis, said the taint of the two matters is so widespread that it demands investigations of Mr. Comey, Ms. Lynch, Mrs. Clinton, former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates, former acting Deputy Attorney General Dana Boenta, FBI Agent Peter Strzok and FBI lawyer Lisa Page. Those latter two were the FBI employees whose text messages revealed some of the sordid inner workings of the Clinton email probe.
“Because we believe that those in positions of high authority should be treated the same as every other American, we want to be sure that the potential violations of law outlined below are vetted appropriately,” the lawmakers said in a referral letter.
More here
They also complained that the FBI and Justice Department mishandled the so-called “Steele dossier” with salacious and unverified claims about then-candidate Donald Trump.
The 11 GOP lawmakers, led by Florida Rep. Ron DeSantis, said the taint of the two matters is so widespread that it demands investigations of Mr. Comey, Ms. Lynch, Mrs. Clinton, former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates, former acting Deputy Attorney General Dana Boenta, FBI Agent Peter Strzok and FBI lawyer Lisa Page. Those latter two were the FBI employees whose text messages revealed some of the sordid inner workings of the Clinton email probe.
“Because we believe that those in positions of high authority should be treated the same as every other American, we want to be sure that the potential violations of law outlined below are vetted appropriately,” the lawmakers said in a referral letter.
More here
Iranian-Backed ‘Sleeper Cell’ Militants Hibernating in U.S., Positioned for Attack
Iranian-backed militants are operating across the United States mostly unfettered, raising concerns in Congress and among regional experts that these "sleeper cell" agents are poised to launch a large-scale attack on the American homeland, according to testimony before lawmakers.
Iranian agents tied to the terror group Hezbollah have already been discovered in the United States plotting attacks, giving rise to fears that Tehran could order a strike inside America should tensions between the Trump administration and Islamic Republic reach a boiling point.
Intelligence officials and former White House officials confirmed to Congress on Tuesday that such an attack is not only plausible, but relatively easy for Iran to carry out at a time when the Trump administration is considering abandoning the landmark nuclear deal and reapplying sanctions on Tehran.
There is mounting evidence that Iran poses "a direct threat to the homeland," according to Rep. Peter King (R., N.Y.), a member of the House Homeland Security Committee and chair of its subcommittee on counter-terrorism and intelligence.
A chief concern is "Iranian support for Hezbollah, which is active in the Middle East, Latin America, and here in the U.S., where Hezbollah operatives have been arrested for activities conducted in our own country," King said, referring the recent arrest of two individuals plotting terror attacks in New York City and Michigan.
"Both individuals received significant weapons training from Hezbollah," King said. "It is clear Hezbollah has the will and capability."
More here
Iranian agents tied to the terror group Hezbollah have already been discovered in the United States plotting attacks, giving rise to fears that Tehran could order a strike inside America should tensions between the Trump administration and Islamic Republic reach a boiling point.
Intelligence officials and former White House officials confirmed to Congress on Tuesday that such an attack is not only plausible, but relatively easy for Iran to carry out at a time when the Trump administration is considering abandoning the landmark nuclear deal and reapplying sanctions on Tehran.
There is mounting evidence that Iran poses "a direct threat to the homeland," according to Rep. Peter King (R., N.Y.), a member of the House Homeland Security Committee and chair of its subcommittee on counter-terrorism and intelligence.
A chief concern is "Iranian support for Hezbollah, which is active in the Middle East, Latin America, and here in the U.S., where Hezbollah operatives have been arrested for activities conducted in our own country," King said, referring the recent arrest of two individuals plotting terror attacks in New York City and Michigan.
"Both individuals received significant weapons training from Hezbollah," King said. "It is clear Hezbollah has the will and capability."
More here
Hillary Clinton's popularity has plunged since election, poll finds
Hillary Clinton, well over a year after she lost the 2016 election to President Trump, is less popular than ever, according to a poll released this week.
Only 27 percent of those polled had a very or somewhat positive view of the former secretary of state, according to The Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll. That makes her less popular than President Trump, whose popularity registered at 35 percent. It is a new low for her in the poll, which clocked her popularity at 30 percent in August 2017.
A Journal analysis of the poll notes that the poll is a reminder of “just how unusual” Clinton is in terms of her unpopularity -- even among recent losing presidential nominees who have typically experienced a post-election decline, but not to the extent Clinton has. At the time of the election, 40 percent had a positive view of her.
More
Only 27 percent of those polled had a very or somewhat positive view of the former secretary of state, according to The Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll. That makes her less popular than President Trump, whose popularity registered at 35 percent. It is a new low for her in the poll, which clocked her popularity at 30 percent in August 2017.
A Journal analysis of the poll notes that the poll is a reminder of “just how unusual” Clinton is in terms of her unpopularity -- even among recent losing presidential nominees who have typically experienced a post-election decline, but not to the extent Clinton has. At the time of the election, 40 percent had a positive view of her.
More
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/04/18/hillary-clintons-popularity-has-plunged-since-election-poll-finds.html
Public Employees Resist Pension Reform as Crisis Looms
For years, state and local politicians have ignored a looming fiscal crisis; namely, rapidly exploding deficits to public-sector employee pensions. Unfortunately, ignoring the problem does not make it go away, and now politicians, public employees and unsuspecting taxpayers face a brutal reality.
According to a new report by the Pew Charitable Trusts, states face a collective pension funding shortfall of $1.4 trillion. To put that into perspective, that amounts to roughly three times the annual budgets of California, Texas, New York and Florida … combined.
States must now choose among unpleasant options: cut back on other government services like education, public safety and parks to redirect funds to public employee pensions; raise taxes (angering voters and slowing economic growth); or reducing lavish public employee benefits (angering powerful unions).
The painful process is already underway. States like Arizona, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Kentucky face or have faced teacher strikes if demands for massive pay increases — as much as 20% immediately — are not met. Oklahoma’s teachers have been striking for more than a week, and West Virginia’s returned only after securing a 5% pay raise, even as state leaders warned of budget cuts elsewhere, including Medicaid, to pay for the raises.
Politicians have played a shell game for years, making contractual promises to public labor unions that are impossible to meet, using sleight-of-hand accounting gimmicks to hide the truth, even as they negotiated ever larger pensions with the unions with no way to fund them, hoping to be retired when it blew up..
More here
According to a new report by the Pew Charitable Trusts, states face a collective pension funding shortfall of $1.4 trillion. To put that into perspective, that amounts to roughly three times the annual budgets of California, Texas, New York and Florida … combined.
States must now choose among unpleasant options: cut back on other government services like education, public safety and parks to redirect funds to public employee pensions; raise taxes (angering voters and slowing economic growth); or reducing lavish public employee benefits (angering powerful unions).
The painful process is already underway. States like Arizona, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Kentucky face or have faced teacher strikes if demands for massive pay increases — as much as 20% immediately — are not met. Oklahoma’s teachers have been striking for more than a week, and West Virginia’s returned only after securing a 5% pay raise, even as state leaders warned of budget cuts elsewhere, including Medicaid, to pay for the raises.
Politicians have played a shell game for years, making contractual promises to public labor unions that are impossible to meet, using sleight-of-hand accounting gimmicks to hide the truth, even as they negotiated ever larger pensions with the unions with no way to fund them, hoping to be retired when it blew up..
More here
Joe Biden Is the Front-runner. Uh-oh.
Joe Biden, who leads the Democratic 2020 presidential field in early polls, has all the markings of a front-runner. He possesses a sterling résumé, access to a donor base, name recognition and eight years of loyal service to a president who’s loved by the party base. There’s just one problem: He’s also a deeply flawed candidate who’s out of step with the mood of his party.
Biden hasn’t announced he’s running for president, of course, but he’s made clear he’s seriously thinking about it. On Sunday, he confirmed it again on MSNBC’s PoliticsNation. The decision, he said back in February, will be based on whether it’s “right for me to do.”
But that’s the wrong question. What Biden should be asking is whether the party wants him, and not just whether he should seize his last chance.
His advanced age—Biden would be 78 years old at the time of his swearing-in—isn’t the main obstacle. While Biden’s age would be a nonstarter in most presidential elections, if he continues to appear hale and hearty it would not be an insurmountable problem against Donald Trump, who would be 74 himself in 2020.
More
Biden hasn’t announced he’s running for president, of course, but he’s made clear he’s seriously thinking about it. On Sunday, he confirmed it again on MSNBC’s PoliticsNation. The decision, he said back in February, will be based on whether it’s “right for me to do.”
But that’s the wrong question. What Biden should be asking is whether the party wants him, and not just whether he should seize his last chance.
His advanced age—Biden would be 78 years old at the time of his swearing-in—isn’t the main obstacle. While Biden’s age would be a nonstarter in most presidential elections, if he continues to appear hale and hearty it would not be an insurmountable problem against Donald Trump, who would be 74 himself in 2020.
More
The Outrageous Outing of Sean Hannity, Cont’d
In yesterday’s column, I contended that it was outrageous for federal district judge Kimba Wood to direct that talk-radio and Fox News host Sean Hannity be publicly identified as Michael Cohen’s third client. Cohen, whose law practice is, shall we say, less than thriving, is under criminal investigation by the FBI and federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York (SDNY). He claims only three clients. The other two, President Trump and GOP fundraiser Elliott Broidy, acknowledge retaining Cohen. Hannity denies ever having had a formal attorney-client relationship with him.
The court’s order that Hannity’s name be disclosed in open court violated longstanding, judicially endorsed standards against identifying uncharged persons in legal proceedings attendant to criminal investigations.
Forget about evidence of wrongdoing. There is not even a suggestion that Hannity is involved in any crimes. He is a longtime friend of Cohen’s. He says they’ve had some informal legal discussions about such matters as real estate — and as any lawyer will tell you, informal discussions with non-lawyer friends are common. Hannity insists, however, that he has never retained Cohen to represent him in any legal matter, and has never paid him or received an invoice from him. There is no public evidence to contradict this, and no suggestion that Cohen has previously represented himself as Hannity’s attorney.
There has been no intimation that Hannity has any pertinent information about the activities for which Cohen is under investigation. His only relevance to the probe involves the question of whether there is a factual basis for Cohen to claim that an attorney-client (A-C) relationship with Hannity should prevent investigators from perusing some materials seized by the FBI from Cohen’s office and residences. And since Hannity is not suspected of wrongdoing, even that question appears to be of little importance.
More
The court’s order that Hannity’s name be disclosed in open court violated longstanding, judicially endorsed standards against identifying uncharged persons in legal proceedings attendant to criminal investigations.
Forget about evidence of wrongdoing. There is not even a suggestion that Hannity is involved in any crimes. He is a longtime friend of Cohen’s. He says they’ve had some informal legal discussions about such matters as real estate — and as any lawyer will tell you, informal discussions with non-lawyer friends are common. Hannity insists, however, that he has never retained Cohen to represent him in any legal matter, and has never paid him or received an invoice from him. There is no public evidence to contradict this, and no suggestion that Cohen has previously represented himself as Hannity’s attorney.
There has been no intimation that Hannity has any pertinent information about the activities for which Cohen is under investigation. His only relevance to the probe involves the question of whether there is a factual basis for Cohen to claim that an attorney-client (A-C) relationship with Hannity should prevent investigators from perusing some materials seized by the FBI from Cohen’s office and residences. And since Hannity is not suspected of wrongdoing, even that question appears to be of little importance.
More
REPORT: Attorney for CNN and NYTIMES convinced judge to publicly name Sean Hannity
Here’s a little tidbit from [the] Michael Cohen hearing that’s pretty interesting…
According to reports from inside the courtroom, Judge Kimba Wood was ready to allow Michael Cohen to submit the name of his 3rd client — who we now know is Sean Hannity — under seal, but an attorney for CNN and the New York Times convinced her otherwise.
From Natasha Bertrand, The Atlantic:
"A note about this: Judge Wood was prepared to let Ryan give her the name of Cohen’s third client under seal. At that point, an attorney for the NYT and CNN approached the podium and convinced her that the press (&public) should know. She agreed. He played pivotal role here.."
More here
According to reports from inside the courtroom, Judge Kimba Wood was ready to allow Michael Cohen to submit the name of his 3rd client — who we now know is Sean Hannity — under seal, but an attorney for CNN and the New York Times convinced her otherwise.
From Natasha Bertrand, The Atlantic:
"A note about this: Judge Wood was prepared to let Ryan give her the name of Cohen’s third client under seal. At that point, an attorney for the NYT and CNN approached the podium and convinced her that the press (&public) should know. She agreed. He played pivotal role here.."
More here
Muslim Professor Cheers Death of Former First Lady Barbara Bush “Happy the Witch is Dead
Fresno State Associate Professor, Randa Jarrar cheered the death of former First Lady Barbara Bush on Tuesday from her verified, ‘blue checkmark’ Twitter account.
Earlier Tuesday, a spokesman for the family confirmed former First Lady Barbara Bush passed away at the age of 92.
People from all sides of the political spectrum set politics aside for a moment and offered condolences.
The hateful professor at Fresno State, however, cheered Mrs. Bush’s death then doubled down and wished for the ‘rest of the Bush family to fall to their demise.’
It is these types of vile leftists who are teaching the youth today.
The Gateway Pundit has provided screenshots of Randa Jarrar’s tweets in case of deletion.
More
Earlier Tuesday, a spokesman for the family confirmed former First Lady Barbara Bush passed away at the age of 92.
People from all sides of the political spectrum set politics aside for a moment and offered condolences.
The hateful professor at Fresno State, however, cheered Mrs. Bush’s death then doubled down and wished for the ‘rest of the Bush family to fall to their demise.’
It is these types of vile leftists who are teaching the youth today.
The Gateway Pundit has provided screenshots of Randa Jarrar’s tweets in case of deletion.
More
Facebook has no plans to stop tracking your internet activity
Just because Mark Zuckerberg appeared before Congress last week to answer a plethora of questions about the way Facebook handles user data and privacy doesn’t mean Facebook is done with the Cambridge Analytica scandal. There are more “hard questions” ahead, given that Zuckerberg’s answers weren’t exhaustive.
One of the things the Facebook CEO failed to address appropriately during questioning concerns the way Facebook tracks internet users, regardless of whether they have a Facebook account, or whether they’re signed into one. Zuckerberg acknowledged that Facebook tracks all your activity online, saying it does it for security reasons.
Reports that followed revealed that Facebook isn’t really interested in building tools that would allow non-Facebook users to keep track of the kind of data Facebook collects, and opt out. It turns out that you can’t really prevent Facebook, or other internet companies, from tracking your activities.
More
One of the things the Facebook CEO failed to address appropriately during questioning concerns the way Facebook tracks internet users, regardless of whether they have a Facebook account, or whether they’re signed into one. Zuckerberg acknowledged that Facebook tracks all your activity online, saying it does it for security reasons.
Reports that followed revealed that Facebook isn’t really interested in building tools that would allow non-Facebook users to keep track of the kind of data Facebook collects, and opt out. It turns out that you can’t really prevent Facebook, or other internet companies, from tracking your activities.
More
Iranian-Backed 'Sleeper Cell' Militants Hibernating in U.S., Positioned for Attack
Iranian militants poised to attack U.S. homeland
Iranian-backed militants are operating across the United States mostly unfettered, raising concerns in Congress and among regional experts that these "sleeper cell" agents are poised to launch a large-scale attack on the American homeland, according to testimony before lawmakers.
Iranian agents tied to the terror group Hezbollah have already been discovered in the United States plotting attacks, giving rise to fears that Tehran could order a strike inside America should tensions between the Trump administration and Islamic Republic reach a boiling point.
Intelligence officials and former White House officials confirmed to Congress on Tuesday that such an attack is not only plausible, but relatively easy for Iran to carry out at a time when the Trump administration is considering abandoning the landmark nuclear deal and reapplying sanctions on Tehran.
There is mounting evidence that Iran poses "a direct threat to the homeland," according to Rep. Peter King (R., N.Y.), a member of the House Homelan
More
Iranian-backed militants are operating across the United States mostly unfettered, raising concerns in Congress and among regional experts that these "sleeper cell" agents are poised to launch a large-scale attack on the American homeland, according to testimony before lawmakers.
Iranian agents tied to the terror group Hezbollah have already been discovered in the United States plotting attacks, giving rise to fears that Tehran could order a strike inside America should tensions between the Trump administration and Islamic Republic reach a boiling point.
Intelligence officials and former White House officials confirmed to Congress on Tuesday that such an attack is not only plausible, but relatively easy for Iran to carry out at a time when the Trump administration is considering abandoning the landmark nuclear deal and reapplying sanctions on Tehran.
There is mounting evidence that Iran poses "a direct threat to the homeland," according to Rep. Peter King (R., N.Y.), a member of the House Homelan
More
100 Face Charges for Multi-State Heroin Trafficking Ring
Drug bust involved 200 officers, more arrests might be forthcoming
Nearly 100 individuals face charges for their roles in a multi-state heroin and fentanyl trafficking ring, the Department of Justice announced Tuesday morning.
Over 200 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers took part in Operation Saigon Sunset, a DEA-led operation that led to simultaneous arrests in Michigan and West Virginia. The operation was part of Project Huntington, a project of the U.S. Attorney's office for the Southern District of West Virginia meant to prosecute more drug dealers.
More
Nearly 100 individuals face charges for their roles in a multi-state heroin and fentanyl trafficking ring, the Department of Justice announced Tuesday morning.
Over 200 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers took part in Operation Saigon Sunset, a DEA-led operation that led to simultaneous arrests in Michigan and West Virginia. The operation was part of Project Huntington, a project of the U.S. Attorney's office for the Southern District of West Virginia meant to prosecute more drug dealers.
More
Trump Ends Brief Truce With California Over Sending Troops to Border
Trump says California governor not watching out for 'safety and security' of California residents
President Trump on Tuesday ended his brief détente with Gov. Jerry Brown over sending National Guard troops to the border, slamming Brown's attempt to limit what the troops would do as a sign that he and other California Democrats aren't interested in the "safety and security" of its residents.
Brown late last week said he would agree to send 400 National Guard troops to the border but conditioned his commitment on his state's troops having nothing to do with immigration enforcement, even in a supporting role.
The Trump administration and Brown have since been negotiating exactly what role the troops would serve. Those negotiations hit a snag Monday with administration officials arguing that California officials were insisting on severe limitations to the tasks that the troops would be allowed to perform.
"Looks like Jerry Brown and California are not looking for safety and security along their very porous Border," Trump tweeted Tuesday. "He cannot come to terms for the National Guard to patrol and protect the Border. The high crime rate will only get higher. Much wanted Wall in San Diego already started!"
More
President Trump on Tuesday ended his brief détente with Gov. Jerry Brown over sending National Guard troops to the border, slamming Brown's attempt to limit what the troops would do as a sign that he and other California Democrats aren't interested in the "safety and security" of its residents.
Brown late last week said he would agree to send 400 National Guard troops to the border but conditioned his commitment on his state's troops having nothing to do with immigration enforcement, even in a supporting role.
The Trump administration and Brown have since been negotiating exactly what role the troops would serve. Those negotiations hit a snag Monday with administration officials arguing that California officials were insisting on severe limitations to the tasks that the troops would be allowed to perform.
"Looks like Jerry Brown and California are not looking for safety and security along their very porous Border," Trump tweeted Tuesday. "He cannot come to terms for the National Guard to patrol and protect the Border. The high crime rate will only get higher. Much wanted Wall in San Diego already started!"
More
Deportation Law Too Vague, Rules Supreme Court
Ruling in a Bay Area case, the Supreme Court, with a crucial vote from Justice Neil Gorsuch, struck down a federal immigration law Tuesday that required deportation for any noncitizen convicted of a felony that posed a "substantial risk" of violence.
The 1996 law is unconstitutional because its wording is so vague that it sets no clear standard for either judges or immigrants on which crimes it covers, Justice Elena Kagan said in the 5-4 ruling. She said it was similar to another law the court had overturned in 2015 requiring a 15-year prison sentence for some felons whose past convictions were for crimes posing a "serious potential risk" of violence -- language the court also found unconstitutionally murky.
The 2015 ruling was written by the late Justice Antonin Scalia, a leading member of the court's conservative wing. Gorsuch, appointed by President Trump last year to succeed Scalia, had been unswervingly conservative in his decisions until Tuesday, when he invoked his predecessor in a strongly worded opinion that provided the court's more liberal justices with a decisive fifth vote.
"Vague laws invite arbitrary power," Gorsuch said, citing legal history from the time of the nation's founding and earlier, as Scalia often did. "The law's silence (in defining the crimes that require deportation) leaves judges to their intuitions and the people to their fate."
More
The 1996 law is unconstitutional because its wording is so vague that it sets no clear standard for either judges or immigrants on which crimes it covers, Justice Elena Kagan said in the 5-4 ruling. She said it was similar to another law the court had overturned in 2015 requiring a 15-year prison sentence for some felons whose past convictions were for crimes posing a "serious potential risk" of violence -- language the court also found unconstitutionally murky.
The 2015 ruling was written by the late Justice Antonin Scalia, a leading member of the court's conservative wing. Gorsuch, appointed by President Trump last year to succeed Scalia, had been unswervingly conservative in his decisions until Tuesday, when he invoked his predecessor in a strongly worded opinion that provided the court's more liberal justices with a decisive fifth vote.
"Vague laws invite arbitrary power," Gorsuch said, citing legal history from the time of the nation's founding and earlier, as Scalia often did. "The law's silence (in defining the crimes that require deportation) leaves judges to their intuitions and the people to their fate."
More
Arnold Ahlert: Entitlements: Moral Bankruptcy Fuels Fiscal Bankruptcy
And if enough Americans continue countenancing the former, the latter is inevitable.
Few things reveal the fraudulent nature of our ostensible two-party system better than the nation’s steady march toward fiscal armageddon. Neither Democrats nor Republicans evince anything resembling fiscal responsibility. Instead both parties are about prioritizing programs, entitlements and pork-barrel spending projects each one needs to ensure its respective political constituencies are sufficiently bought off. In short, political self-interest has eviscerated statesmanship.
“Deficits will top $800 billion this year and will reach $1 trillion by 2020, just as President Trump prepares to face voters in his bid for re-election,” The Washington Times reports. “They will remain above $1 trillion for the foreseeable future … painting a better economic picture but a significantly worse fiscal picture than last year.”
The future revealed by the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) “2017 Long-Term Budget Outlook” is surreal. And despite assertions by a group of liberal economists that the latest tax cuts, rather than entitlement programs, are leading the way, is absurd.
More
Few things reveal the fraudulent nature of our ostensible two-party system better than the nation’s steady march toward fiscal armageddon. Neither Democrats nor Republicans evince anything resembling fiscal responsibility. Instead both parties are about prioritizing programs, entitlements and pork-barrel spending projects each one needs to ensure its respective political constituencies are sufficiently bought off. In short, political self-interest has eviscerated statesmanship.
“Deficits will top $800 billion this year and will reach $1 trillion by 2020, just as President Trump prepares to face voters in his bid for re-election,” The Washington Times reports. “They will remain above $1 trillion for the foreseeable future … painting a better economic picture but a significantly worse fiscal picture than last year.”
The future revealed by the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) “2017 Long-Term Budget Outlook” is surreal. And despite assertions by a group of liberal economists that the latest tax cuts, rather than entitlement programs, are leading the way, is absurd.
More
3 Student Journalists Sue University for Covering Up Teacher's Role in Anti-Trump Rally
Three student journalists have filed a lawsuit against their Illinois university and an instructor, alleging that the teacher grabbed and broke a smartphone as they tried to report on an anti-Trump rally.
The three students’ federal suit against the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and instructor Tariq Khan says that the university got a restraining order preventing them from reporting on Khan’s involvement in the November protest against President Donald Trump.
Khan, 39, was charged with destruction of property after taking and smashing a student’s smartphone on the pavement, an action caught on video.
The suit contends that the instructor and university officials violated the students’ constitutional rights to free press, free speech, and due process, according to the law firm representing the students, Mauck & Baker, LLC.
“The First Amendment should not be a partisan issue or something only conservatives are willing to defend,” the law firm said in a formal statement.
More
The three students’ federal suit against the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and instructor Tariq Khan says that the university got a restraining order preventing them from reporting on Khan’s involvement in the November protest against President Donald Trump.
Khan, 39, was charged with destruction of property after taking and smashing a student’s smartphone on the pavement, an action caught on video.
The suit contends that the instructor and university officials violated the students’ constitutional rights to free press, free speech, and due process, according to the law firm representing the students, Mauck & Baker, LLC.
“The First Amendment should not be a partisan issue or something only conservatives are willing to defend,” the law firm said in a formal statement.
More
New Jersey Blames Other States For Their Gun Woes
Did you know that the problems the state of New Jersey is having with gun-related crime are none of New Jersey’s fault? Not a one.
No, it seems that New Jersey’s tough anti-gun laws that take away rights from law-abiding people while doing nothing to stop actual criminals are just fine. It’s all the states that don’t buy into that line of bovine excrement that are to blame.
At least, that’s what some in New Jersey seem to think.
Three of every four traceable guns recovered by authorities in New Jersey are purchased in states with weaker gun laws.
That’s according to an analysis by The Record and NorthJersey.com of federal firearms trace data and a gun-law score card published by the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
The firearms trace data were compiled by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF, between 2012 and 2016. The figures include guns used in crimes or found by authorities but not tied to specific crimes.
Some 40 percent of the firearms successfully traced during that period came to New Jersey via the so-called Iron Pipeline, made up of Southern states along the I-95 corridor with comparatively lax gun regulations.
An additional 16 percent were traced to Pennsylvania, which requires background checks for private sales of handguns but not rifles and other long guns.
More
No, it seems that New Jersey’s tough anti-gun laws that take away rights from law-abiding people while doing nothing to stop actual criminals are just fine. It’s all the states that don’t buy into that line of bovine excrement that are to blame.
At least, that’s what some in New Jersey seem to think.
Three of every four traceable guns recovered by authorities in New Jersey are purchased in states with weaker gun laws.
That’s according to an analysis by The Record and NorthJersey.com of federal firearms trace data and a gun-law score card published by the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
The firearms trace data were compiled by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF, between 2012 and 2016. The figures include guns used in crimes or found by authorities but not tied to specific crimes.
Some 40 percent of the firearms successfully traced during that period came to New Jersey via the so-called Iron Pipeline, made up of Southern states along the I-95 corridor with comparatively lax gun regulations.
An additional 16 percent were traced to Pennsylvania, which requires background checks for private sales of handguns but not rifles and other long guns.
More