DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Friday, June 08, 2018
Breaking News: The Golden State Warriors have won their third N.B.A. title in four years, sweeping LeBron James and the Cavaliers
Just One in Ten London Knife Robberies Solved, Mayor Khan Says People Must Help Catch Attackers
Just one in ten London knife robberies was solved by police last year, data has shown, as leftist Mayor Sadiq Khan finally speaks up on the problem, begging the public to help police the city.
The new statistics, from London’s Metropolitan Police force, shows there was a fall in all cases of knife crime successfully investigated in the capital last year, as the number of recorded attacks shot up.
The so-called “sanction-detection rate” for knife robbery crimes, those that end in some form of sanction or conviction, has been falling since 2015, with Mr. Khan taking over in early 2016.
In 2015, 32 per cent of cases of violence against the person involving a knife was acted on, dropping to 27 per cent in 2016, and 23 per cent in 2017, a Freedom of Information request by Conservative London Assembly Members (AM) revealed.
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The new statistics, from London’s Metropolitan Police force, shows there was a fall in all cases of knife crime successfully investigated in the capital last year, as the number of recorded attacks shot up.
The so-called “sanction-detection rate” for knife robbery crimes, those that end in some form of sanction or conviction, has been falling since 2015, with Mr. Khan taking over in early 2016.
In 2015, 32 per cent of cases of violence against the person involving a knife was acted on, dropping to 27 per cent in 2016, and 23 per cent in 2017, a Freedom of Information request by Conservative London Assembly Members (AM) revealed.
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Trump demands his own Justice Department not let Democratic congresswoman and her aide who is accused of bank fraud 'off the hook' as he tries to throw potential plea deal off the rails
President Donald Trump went after his Justice Department again, this time publicly intervening in a case involving an aide to a Democratic congresswoman – as the president both were getting 'off the hook.'
Trump tweeted about the case, involving a former aide to Florida Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a day after Fox News reported the aide and his wife were poised to execute a plea deal with the government.
'Our Justice Department must not let Awan & Debbie Wasserman Schultz off the hook. The Democrat I.T. scandal is a key to much of the corruption we see today. They want to make a 'plea deal' to hide what is on their Server. Where is Server? Really bad!' Trump wrote.
According to a court filing on Tuesday, Imran Awan, the former IT staffer for Wasserman Schultz and other Democrats, and his wife Hina Alvi have a July 3 court hearing about the agreement.
'The parties are currently exploring a possible resolution of this matter,' according to the filing by prosecutors, Fox News reported. 'Therefore, the parties are requesting additional time in which to explore that resolution.'
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Trump tweeted about the case, involving a former aide to Florida Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a day after Fox News reported the aide and his wife were poised to execute a plea deal with the government.
'Our Justice Department must not let Awan & Debbie Wasserman Schultz off the hook. The Democrat I.T. scandal is a key to much of the corruption we see today. They want to make a 'plea deal' to hide what is on their Server. Where is Server? Really bad!' Trump wrote.
According to a court filing on Tuesday, Imran Awan, the former IT staffer for Wasserman Schultz and other Democrats, and his wife Hina Alvi have a July 3 court hearing about the agreement.
'The parties are currently exploring a possible resolution of this matter,' according to the filing by prosecutors, Fox News reported. 'Therefore, the parties are requesting additional time in which to explore that resolution.'
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FAA Workforce Was "Too White", Obama Admin "Sacrificed Safety At The Altar Of Political Correctness"
As if it needed saying, "The Airport Control Tower Is No Place For Racial Redress" but as The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board member Jason Riley exclaimed this week, that is exactly what the Obama administration appears to have done the Obama FAA grounded qualified candidates in the name of social justice.
The FAA seems to believe that having diverse air traffic controllers is more important than having good ones and seems unwilling to defend its hiring practices.
As Fox News reports, the FAA has for decades been one of the most trusted institutions in government and for good reason. Commercial air travel has been the safest in the world in part because of the FAA's high standards. But under the Obama administration that began to change radically without anybody paying attention.
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The FAA seems to believe that having diverse air traffic controllers is more important than having good ones and seems unwilling to defend its hiring practices.
As Fox News reports, the FAA has for decades been one of the most trusted institutions in government and for good reason. Commercial air travel has been the safest in the world in part because of the FAA's high standards. But under the Obama administration that began to change radically without anybody paying attention.
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DOJ Caves, Will Show Lawmakers Additional Documents On "Spygate" Informant
The Department of Justice is planning to show senior lawmakers several highly-classified documents in an additional briefing on the FBI's use of a spy as part of a counterintelligence operation on the Trump campaign, Politico reports.
A senior DOJ official said that the so-called "Gang of Eight" will have an opportunity next Monday or Tuesday to review the additional documents which were not furnished during a high-level classified briefing in May.
"The Department and FBI are prepared to brief members on certain questions specifically raised by the Speaker and other members," the DOJ official said. "The Department will also provide the documents that were available for review but not inspected by the members at the previous briefing along with some additional material." -Politico
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A senior DOJ official said that the so-called "Gang of Eight" will have an opportunity next Monday or Tuesday to review the additional documents which were not furnished during a high-level classified briefing in May.
"The Department and FBI are prepared to brief members on certain questions specifically raised by the Speaker and other members," the DOJ official said. "The Department will also provide the documents that were available for review but not inspected by the members at the previous briefing along with some additional material." -Politico
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Inspector General report on Hillary Clinton email investigation to be released June 14, Trump's birthday
The highly-anticipated inspector general report about the Justice Department and FBI’s handling of its investigation into Hillary Clinton’s email server is set to be released on June 14, President Trump's birthday.
Michael Horowitz, the Justice Department’s inspector general, told Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley that the report is currently under review and certain parts are being classified, but “[m]ost of this process is complete.”
“[W]e anticipate releasing the report on June 14, 2018,” Horowitz said in a Thursday letter to Grassley.
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Michael Horowitz, the Justice Department’s inspector general, told Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley that the report is currently under review and certain parts are being classified, but “[m]ost of this process is complete.”
“[W]e anticipate releasing the report on June 14, 2018,” Horowitz said in a Thursday letter to Grassley.
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"It Makes Zero Sense": After Taxing Soda, Philadelphia Passes "Construction Tax"
What better way to encourage the creation of so-called "affordable" housing than to impose an onerous tax on new construction? While that approach might appear counterproductive, it's exactly how the Philadelphia City Council has chosen to try to alleviate the city's affordable housing crisis. Instead of easing restrictive zoning laws, the city council has proposed a 1% tax on new construction that council members say will finance affordable housing elsewhere. It brings to mind an employment tax recently passed by the Seattle City Council with a similar goal of providing more services to the city's homeless (whose numbers will no doubt expand as more jobs are eliminated).
Opponents of the tax have criticized it as "ill conceived", arguing that it could make life more difficult for developers and end the "impressive run" of new construction that is helping transform some of the city's grittier neighborhoods. John Dougherty, a union leader who heads the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98, said the tax "makes zero sense," according to Plan Philly.
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Opponents of the tax have criticized it as "ill conceived", arguing that it could make life more difficult for developers and end the "impressive run" of new construction that is helping transform some of the city's grittier neighborhoods. John Dougherty, a union leader who heads the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98, said the tax "makes zero sense," according to Plan Philly.
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$28,166: What It Costs To Provide Health Care For An American Family Of Four For One Year
Families all over the country are being absolutely crushed by extremely high health insurance premiums
One of the primary reasons why the middle class in America is disappearing so rapidly is because of skyrocketing health care costs.
Families all over the country are being absolutely crushed by extremely high health insurance premiums, ridiculously high deductibles and very large out-of-pocket expenses that were not anticipated. In fact, medical bills are the number one reason why individuals go bankrupt in the United States today. Once upon a time, the medical profession was all about helping people, but today it has become a heartless money-making operation that is dominated by health insurance corporations and pharmaceutical companies. If we do not make major changes quickly, our out of control health care system will destroy the middle class in our country all by itself.
I knew that health care costs were astronomical, but I had no idea that health care costs for an average family of four for one year had hit $28,166…
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One of the primary reasons why the middle class in America is disappearing so rapidly is because of skyrocketing health care costs.
Families all over the country are being absolutely crushed by extremely high health insurance premiums, ridiculously high deductibles and very large out-of-pocket expenses that were not anticipated. In fact, medical bills are the number one reason why individuals go bankrupt in the United States today. Once upon a time, the medical profession was all about helping people, but today it has become a heartless money-making operation that is dominated by health insurance corporations and pharmaceutical companies. If we do not make major changes quickly, our out of control health care system will destroy the middle class in our country all by itself.
I knew that health care costs were astronomical, but I had no idea that health care costs for an average family of four for one year had hit $28,166…
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George Soros, Liberal Donors Lose California DA Races
New York billionaire George Soros and other wealthy donors appeared to come up short in California's primary races Tuesday, as voters appeared to reject liberal candidates they backed in three local races for district attorney.
Incumbents in Sacramento, San Diego, and Alameda counties led by large margins, according to unofficial results posted Wednesday by county elections officials, The Los Angeles Times reports.
A fourth race, in Contra Costa County, could see a runoff in November if results do not change.
Soros and the donors pumped millions of dollars into the three races, the Times reports, and he spent more than $2.7 million in the Golden State so far this cycle.
More here
Incumbents in Sacramento, San Diego, and Alameda counties led by large margins, according to unofficial results posted Wednesday by county elections officials, The Los Angeles Times reports.
A fourth race, in Contra Costa County, could see a runoff in November if results do not change.
Soros and the donors pumped millions of dollars into the three races, the Times reports, and he spent more than $2.7 million in the Golden State so far this cycle.
More here
Your Phone Is Listening and it's Not Paranoia
A couple years ago, something strange happened. A friend and I were sitting at a bar, iPhones in pockets, discussing our recent trips in Japan and how we’d like to go back. The very next day, we both received pop-up ads on Facebook about cheap return flights to Tokyo. It seemed like just a spooky coincidence, but then everyone seems to have a story about their smartphone listening to them. So is this just paranoia, or are our smartphones actually listening?
According to Dr. Peter Hannay—The senior security consultant for cybersecurity firm Asterisk, and former lecturer and researcher at Edith Cowan University—the short answer is yes, but perhaps in a way that's not as diabolical as it sounds.
For your smartphone to actually pay attention and record your conversation, there needs to be a trigger, such as when you say “hey Siri” or “okay Google.” In the absence of these triggers, any data you provide is only processed within your own phone. This might not seem a cause for alarm, but any third party applications you have on your phone—like Facebook for example—still have access to this “non-triggered” data. And whether or not they use this data is really up to them...
More here
According to Dr. Peter Hannay—The senior security consultant for cybersecurity firm Asterisk, and former lecturer and researcher at Edith Cowan University—the short answer is yes, but perhaps in a way that's not as diabolical as it sounds.
For your smartphone to actually pay attention and record your conversation, there needs to be a trigger, such as when you say “hey Siri” or “okay Google.” In the absence of these triggers, any data you provide is only processed within your own phone. This might not seem a cause for alarm, but any third party applications you have on your phone—like Facebook for example—still have access to this “non-triggered” data. And whether or not they use this data is really up to them...
More here
Several Iranian Christians to Serve Time in Prison
Four Iranian Christians will soon begin serving ten-year prison sentences after a court ruled the Church of Iran members were "promoting Zionist Christianity" and running house churches.
A court recently upheld the convictions sending the four men to prison for longer than was expected, and they could receive a call within the next day to report at the prison gate in their home city of Rasht, according to World Watch Monitor.
Among the group is Youcef Nadarkhani, a pastor who has been arrested several times by the Iranian government. In 2010 he was sentenced to death on charges of apostasy. He was acquitted two years later but arrested again and detained briefly in 2013.
More here
A court recently upheld the convictions sending the four men to prison for longer than was expected, and they could receive a call within the next day to report at the prison gate in their home city of Rasht, according to World Watch Monitor.
Among the group is Youcef Nadarkhani, a pastor who has been arrested several times by the Iranian government. In 2010 he was sentenced to death on charges of apostasy. He was acquitted two years later but arrested again and detained briefly in 2013.
More here
New shutdown threat looms as Democrats oppose spending bill
House Democrats are threatening to vote against the first wave of fiscal 2019 spending bills, forcing Republicans into a familiar fight with themselves over government funding that could leave them headed for another government shutdown threat in September.
Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is urging Democrats to vote against an upcoming “mini-bus” package that pulls together a few spending bills into one bill.
Without Democratic support, the measure could falter thanks to the usual opposition from staunch fiscal conservatives.
The House plans to vote Friday on the first bill — the Energy and Water, Legislative Branch and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2019. It’s the first in what House and Senate Republicans plan as a series of minibus measures that would allow Congress to avoid a yearslong habit of passing nearly all federal spending in one massive omnibus package.
Pelosi, however, told fellow Democrats to vote against the bill, even though the top-line funding for all 2019 nonmandatory spending will adhere to a bipartisan deal secured in March.
More here
Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is urging Democrats to vote against an upcoming “mini-bus” package that pulls together a few spending bills into one bill.
Without Democratic support, the measure could falter thanks to the usual opposition from staunch fiscal conservatives.
The House plans to vote Friday on the first bill — the Energy and Water, Legislative Branch and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2019. It’s the first in what House and Senate Republicans plan as a series of minibus measures that would allow Congress to avoid a yearslong habit of passing nearly all federal spending in one massive omnibus package.
Pelosi, however, told fellow Democrats to vote against the bill, even though the top-line funding for all 2019 nonmandatory spending will adhere to a bipartisan deal secured in March.
More here
30 percent of federal prisoners are immigrants
Immigrants accounted for more than 30 percent of the federal prison population and nearly all of them are confirmed or suspected illegal immigrants, the government said in a new report Tuesday.
The government said it had 57,820 migrants in its prisons as of Dec. 31, Homeland Security and the Justice Department said in the joint report.
Nearly 20,000 other immigrants were held in pretrial detention by the U.S. Marshals Service, most of them in contracted facilities, costing the government $134 million for just three months. That works out to nearly $90 a day for each person in those contract facilities.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions said there shouldn’t be any illegal immigrants in prisons, because they shouldn’t have been in the country in the first place.
$134 million for just three months...
More here
The government said it had 57,820 migrants in its prisons as of Dec. 31, Homeland Security and the Justice Department said in the joint report.
Nearly 20,000 other immigrants were held in pretrial detention by the U.S. Marshals Service, most of them in contracted facilities, costing the government $134 million for just three months. That works out to nearly $90 a day for each person in those contract facilities.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions said there shouldn’t be any illegal immigrants in prisons, because they shouldn’t have been in the country in the first place.
$134 million for just three months...
More here
Trump DOJ asks court to invalidate Obamacare regulations
Lawyers for the U.S. Department of Justice have asked a court to strike down key Obamacare regulations requiring insurers to offer coverage to those with pre-existing conditions at equal price, arguing that they are now invalid due to the passage of last year's tax law.
While the legal move still faces an uphill climb, it creates another cloud of uncertainty for insurers in the coming months as they finalize rates for the new year. It is also sure to embolden Democrats who plan to make healthcare a central part of their strategy to retake Congress in this fall's elections by arguing that Republicans led by President Trump are sabotaging Obamacare.
The latest legal twist for Obamacare arises out of a suit filed by 20 states led by Texas and Wisconsin which argues that because the tax law eliminated penalties for going uninsured, the individual mandate is no longer constitutional. The reasoning is that in 2012 the Supreme Court found the mandate constitutional by defining it as a tax, but absent the penalties, it is no longer a tax and thus cannot be constitutional. Given its centrality to the law, the plaintiffs argue, striking it down means that the rest of Obamacare must also fall.
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While the legal move still faces an uphill climb, it creates another cloud of uncertainty for insurers in the coming months as they finalize rates for the new year. It is also sure to embolden Democrats who plan to make healthcare a central part of their strategy to retake Congress in this fall's elections by arguing that Republicans led by President Trump are sabotaging Obamacare.
The latest legal twist for Obamacare arises out of a suit filed by 20 states led by Texas and Wisconsin which argues that because the tax law eliminated penalties for going uninsured, the individual mandate is no longer constitutional. The reasoning is that in 2012 the Supreme Court found the mandate constitutional by defining it as a tax, but absent the penalties, it is no longer a tax and thus cannot be constitutional. Given its centrality to the law, the plaintiffs argue, striking it down means that the rest of Obamacare must also fall.
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Free Pool & DJ Tonight At OC Billiards @ Trader Le's
Tensions Run High Over Berlin Fire Company Report
BERLIN – A presentation of the recently completed fire company funding study resulted in a tense debate between town officials and Berlin Fire Company supporters this week.
On Tuesday, Robert Finn of Matrix Consulting Group presented the findings of the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Funding Study conducted by the firm. While Berlin Fire Company (BFC) members in attendance questioned the need for changes when the town and agency had worked together well for decades, Mayor Gee Williams said there was a need for accountability in today’s world.
“It’s not about the people it’s about the system,” he said. “We’ve got to have a system that is accountable and transparent.”
Finn reviewed the recommendations from the report, which include using the fire company as a staging area for ambulances during special events, minimizing use of Main Street, decreasing use of the outdoor siren and establishing a contract for services with the town, among other things. He said the company’s expenses were rising at a faster rate than its revenues but said the agency was managing its money well.
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On Tuesday, Robert Finn of Matrix Consulting Group presented the findings of the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Funding Study conducted by the firm. While Berlin Fire Company (BFC) members in attendance questioned the need for changes when the town and agency had worked together well for decades, Mayor Gee Williams said there was a need for accountability in today’s world.
“It’s not about the people it’s about the system,” he said. “We’ve got to have a system that is accountable and transparent.”
Finn reviewed the recommendations from the report, which include using the fire company as a staging area for ambulances during special events, minimizing use of Main Street, decreasing use of the outdoor siren and establishing a contract for services with the town, among other things. He said the company’s expenses were rising at a faster rate than its revenues but said the agency was managing its money well.
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Vehicle overturned in river under Route 108 overpass with two people deceased
Howard County police and fire personnel are on the scene of a vehicle overturned in the Little Patuxent River off of Route 108 in Ellicott City. There are two unidentified people inside deceased.
Preliminarily, it appears to investigators that the vehicle went off an overpass on Route 108 westbound near Columbia Road and landed in the water. It is unknown when the incident happened or why the vehicle left the roadway.
A pedestrian walking in the area around 12:50 p.m. noticed the vehicle, which was mostly submerged, and contacted police. Emergency crews are working to remove the vehicle from the water.
Route 108 westbound will be closed between Columbia Road and Woodland Road for an undetermined amount of time.
OC Chief Fires Back On Union’s Service Reduction Claims
OCEAN CITY — After Ocean City’s firefighter paramedic union president made an impassioned plea for help from the town’s elected officials on Monday, Ocean City Fire Chief Chris Larmore fired back with a detailed explanation why an ambulance crew is no longer being sent to every automatic fire alarm.
On Monday, Career Firefighter Paramedics Association of Ocean City, or Local IAFF 4269, President Ryan Whittington told the Mayor and Council a new schedule change that resulted in the traditional three 24-hour shifts followed by 72 hours off rotation had already caused a reduction in service. Whittington explained the response to an automatic fire alarm at a high-rise building of over seven stories in recent years has included a fire engine and an ambulance crew.
However, Whittington said a recent memo from the Ocean City Fire Department (OCFD) leadership had eliminated the inclusion of an ambulance crew on every level 2, or high-rise, automatic fire alarm. The union chief said the elimination of the ambulance crew on a high-rise automatic fire alarm was a direct result of the elimination of the old 24-72 rotation.
Larmore quickly disputed the notion the removal of an ambulance crew on automatic fire alarms had anything to do with the schedule change implemented last October. In a memo to City Manager Doug Miller on Tuesday, the very next day after Whittington’s impassioned plea to the Mayor and Council, Larmore said the ambulance to automatic fire alarms issue had more to do with the reallocation of resources than any perceived difficulties with the new schedule change.
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On Monday, Career Firefighter Paramedics Association of Ocean City, or Local IAFF 4269, President Ryan Whittington told the Mayor and Council a new schedule change that resulted in the traditional three 24-hour shifts followed by 72 hours off rotation had already caused a reduction in service. Whittington explained the response to an automatic fire alarm at a high-rise building of over seven stories in recent years has included a fire engine and an ambulance crew.
However, Whittington said a recent memo from the Ocean City Fire Department (OCFD) leadership had eliminated the inclusion of an ambulance crew on every level 2, or high-rise, automatic fire alarm. The union chief said the elimination of the ambulance crew on a high-rise automatic fire alarm was a direct result of the elimination of the old 24-72 rotation.
Larmore quickly disputed the notion the removal of an ambulance crew on automatic fire alarms had anything to do with the schedule change implemented last October. In a memo to City Manager Doug Miller on Tuesday, the very next day after Whittington’s impassioned plea to the Mayor and Council, Larmore said the ambulance to automatic fire alarms issue had more to do with the reallocation of resources than any perceived difficulties with the new schedule change.
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Will the New Foster Care Law Give Grandparents a Hand?
The aim of a new federal law is to reduce the number of children who end up in the troubled foster care system — the biggest reboot of the child welfare system since 1980.
But already, the Family First Prevention Services Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump in February, is generating some controversy. A key point of contention: how it will treat extended family members caring for children outside the foster care system — and whether they will be eligible for financial assistance.
“Sometimes a strict interpretation of the law might have unintended consequences,” said Dr. David Rubin, director of PolicyLab, a research arm of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Critics of the law, mostly state and local officials in California, say it could end up diverting more children into the care of grandparents and other relatives who won’t be eligible for the same services and financial help as licensed foster parents. Others insist the law helps more “kinship caregivers.”
“The law is hammering home the importance of family connections,” said Ana Beltran, special adviser for Generations United, a Washington, D.C.-based family research and advocacy group. “It’s a huge step forward.”
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But already, the Family First Prevention Services Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump in February, is generating some controversy. A key point of contention: how it will treat extended family members caring for children outside the foster care system — and whether they will be eligible for financial assistance.
“Sometimes a strict interpretation of the law might have unintended consequences,” said Dr. David Rubin, director of PolicyLab, a research arm of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Critics of the law, mostly state and local officials in California, say it could end up diverting more children into the care of grandparents and other relatives who won’t be eligible for the same services and financial help as licensed foster parents. Others insist the law helps more “kinship caregivers.”
“The law is hammering home the importance of family connections,” said Ana Beltran, special adviser for Generations United, a Washington, D.C.-based family research and advocacy group. “It’s a huge step forward.”
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Delaware Leads Pack in Sports Betting After High Court Ruling
Delaware Gov. John Carney, a Democrat, made the first legal wager on a baseball game in Delaware since the U.S. Supreme Court legalized sports betting less than a month ago, and it was a good one.
He laid down 10 bucks on the Philadelphia Phillies Tuesday night, and he won. They beat the Chicago Cubs 6 to 1.
Delaware became the first state outside of Nevada to legalize sports betting, taking advantage of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling last month that states could decide whether to allow it within their borders.
States are hoping for a financial windfall from the wagering, even though experts caution they may be overly optimistic. Even before the high court’s decision, about 20 states were readying legislation to get into the sports betting market, including New Jersey, which brought the case. Delaware has had a sports betting law on the books since 2009, but was prevented from implementing it until the court ruled. The New Jersey Legislature is expected to have a bill ready for Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy to sign within days.
All three casinos in Delaware — Delaware Park, Dover Downs Hotel and Casino, and Harrington Raceway and Casino — now offer betting on single games and championships in professional baseball, football, hockey, basketball, soccer, golf and auto racing.
“Delaware has all necessary legal and regulatory authority to move forward with a full-scale sports gaming operation,” Carney said in a statement prior to the opening of betting. “We’re hopeful that this will bring even more visitors into Delaware to see firsthand what our state has to offer.”
He laid down 10 bucks on the Philadelphia Phillies Tuesday night, and he won. They beat the Chicago Cubs 6 to 1.
Delaware became the first state outside of Nevada to legalize sports betting, taking advantage of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling last month that states could decide whether to allow it within their borders.
States are hoping for a financial windfall from the wagering, even though experts caution they may be overly optimistic. Even before the high court’s decision, about 20 states were readying legislation to get into the sports betting market, including New Jersey, which brought the case. Delaware has had a sports betting law on the books since 2009, but was prevented from implementing it until the court ruled. The New Jersey Legislature is expected to have a bill ready for Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy to sign within days.
All three casinos in Delaware — Delaware Park, Dover Downs Hotel and Casino, and Harrington Raceway and Casino — now offer betting on single games and championships in professional baseball, football, hockey, basketball, soccer, golf and auto racing.
“Delaware has all necessary legal and regulatory authority to move forward with a full-scale sports gaming operation,” Carney said in a statement prior to the opening of betting. “We’re hopeful that this will bring even more visitors into Delaware to see firsthand what our state has to offer.”
Report: DOJ Watchdog Comes Down Hard on James Comey
Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz has reportedly concluded fired FBI Director James Comey engaged in improper behavior during the bureau’s Clinton email investigation.
“One source told ABC News that the draft report explicitly used the word ‘insubordinate’ to describe Comey’s behavior,” a new report reveals. “Another source agreed with that characterization but could not confirm the use of the term. In the draft report, Inspector General Michael Horowitz also rebuked former Attorney General Loretta Lynch for her handling of the federal investigation into Hillary Clinton‘s personal email server, the sources said.”
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump lamented the “numerous delays” plaguing the report’s release.
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“One source told ABC News that the draft report explicitly used the word ‘insubordinate’ to describe Comey’s behavior,” a new report reveals. “Another source agreed with that characterization but could not confirm the use of the term. In the draft report, Inspector General Michael Horowitz also rebuked former Attorney General Loretta Lynch for her handling of the federal investigation into Hillary Clinton‘s personal email server, the sources said.”
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump lamented the “numerous delays” plaguing the report’s release.
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Texas Governor: ‘The Problem is Not Guns, It’s Hearts Without God’
Ten dead and ten injured in a high school shooting, but Texas Governor Greg Abbott believes “the problem is not guns, it’s hearts without God.”
Calling Friday’s shooting “one of the most heinous attacks that we’ve ever seen in the history of Texas schools,” Texas Governor Greg Abbott told reporters Friday that ten people died after the shooting at Santa Fe High School, a Houston-area high school.
More on Abbott’s statement via CNBC
The governor said the suspect had a shotgun and .38 revolver, which appeared to be legally owned by the suspect’s father. He says explosive devices including a molotov cocktail that had been found in the suspected shooter’s home and a vehicle as well as around the school and nearby.
The governor says the suspect said he originally intended to commit suicide but gave himself up and told authorities that he didn’t have the courage to take his own life.
While Abbott did mention the importance of mental health care in his statement, he said little about the dangerous epidemic of gun violence plaguing the nation’s schools.
However, previously Abbott has made it clear where he stands when it comes to gun violence. At the NRA convention in Dallas earlier this month, the Texas governor said religion and the Second Amendment are the best ways to curb gun violence and mass shootings.
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Calling Friday’s shooting “one of the most heinous attacks that we’ve ever seen in the history of Texas schools,” Texas Governor Greg Abbott told reporters Friday that ten people died after the shooting at Santa Fe High School, a Houston-area high school.
More on Abbott’s statement via CNBC
The governor said the suspect had a shotgun and .38 revolver, which appeared to be legally owned by the suspect’s father. He says explosive devices including a molotov cocktail that had been found in the suspected shooter’s home and a vehicle as well as around the school and nearby.
The governor says the suspect said he originally intended to commit suicide but gave himself up and told authorities that he didn’t have the courage to take his own life.
While Abbott did mention the importance of mental health care in his statement, he said little about the dangerous epidemic of gun violence plaguing the nation’s schools.
However, previously Abbott has made it clear where he stands when it comes to gun violence. At the NRA convention in Dallas earlier this month, the Texas governor said religion and the Second Amendment are the best ways to curb gun violence and mass shootings.
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Trump Blasts Awan Plea Deal: "Server Scandal Key To Democrat Corruption"
After months of delays, former IT aides to Congressional Democrats, Imran Awan and his wife Hina Alvi, look like they're about to slide right out of a D.C. courtroom with a plea deal in their bank fraud case - while a litany of far more serious allegations documented by the Daily Caller's Luke Rosiak remain unprosecuted.
Awan was arrested one day after reports emerged that the FBI had seized a number of "smashed hard drives" and other computer equipment from the residence Imran Awan, the IT aide of Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, we learn that Awan has been captured at the Dulles airport while attempted to flee the country. While charged with bank fraud, there is ample evidence that the Awans were spying on members of Congress through their access to highly-sensitive information on computers, servers and other electronic devices belonging to members of Congress.
President Trump wasn't too pleased with the rumored plea deal:
Of course, the MSM will be talking about how Trump's was incorrect since the Awan plea deal is for bank fraud, and has nothing to do with the multitude of still-unprosecuted allegations related to potential spying. In their attempts to show how uninformed the President is, the MSM will undoubtedly "red pill" their audience over the other Awan allegations.
Meanwhile, if GOP legislators and investigators get their way, Debbie Wasserman Schultz may soon be in the hot seat...
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Awan was arrested one day after reports emerged that the FBI had seized a number of "smashed hard drives" and other computer equipment from the residence Imran Awan, the IT aide of Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, we learn that Awan has been captured at the Dulles airport while attempted to flee the country. While charged with bank fraud, there is ample evidence that the Awans were spying on members of Congress through their access to highly-sensitive information on computers, servers and other electronic devices belonging to members of Congress.
President Trump wasn't too pleased with the rumored plea deal:
Meanwhile, if GOP legislators and investigators get their way, Debbie Wasserman Schultz may soon be in the hot seat...
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‘No money for F-35,’ government auditors tell Congress
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has recommended that Congress withhold funding for the F-35 program, saying the jet fighter is plagued with almost 1,000 deficiencies that must be resolved before production can begin. The shortcomings include an ejector seat that can cause neck injuries, an unusable...
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Obama Administration allegedly gave Iran access to US Financial System
The Obama administration granted a license letting Iran access the United States financial system despite officials’ pledges that they would prohibit it, according to a draft report from the Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.
“On Feb. 24, 2016, the Treasury Department issued a specific license to Bank Muscat to authorize the conversion of Iran’s rials to euros through ‘any United States depository institution …,’” the draft report said. “Even after the specific license was issued, U.S. government officials maintained in congressional testimony that Iran would not be granted access to the U.S. financial system.”
“The Obama administration during the negotiation of the Iran deal misled the American people,” said Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), subcommittee chairman. “I think they did so because they were desperate to get a deal.”
When the nations involved in the Iran nuclear agreement implemented the deal, Iran had $5.7 billion in assets at Bank Muscat in Muscat, Oman, maintained as Omani rials, according to the subcommittee. Iran wanted to access that money, and using the U.S. financial system to convert it “was the most efficient means, even though U.S. sanctions prohibited it,” according to the report.
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“On Feb. 24, 2016, the Treasury Department issued a specific license to Bank Muscat to authorize the conversion of Iran’s rials to euros through ‘any United States depository institution …,’” the draft report said. “Even after the specific license was issued, U.S. government officials maintained in congressional testimony that Iran would not be granted access to the U.S. financial system.”
“The Obama administration during the negotiation of the Iran deal misled the American people,” said Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), subcommittee chairman. “I think they did so because they were desperate to get a deal.”
When the nations involved in the Iran nuclear agreement implemented the deal, Iran had $5.7 billion in assets at Bank Muscat in Muscat, Oman, maintained as Omani rials, according to the subcommittee. Iran wanted to access that money, and using the U.S. financial system to convert it “was the most efficient means, even though U.S. sanctions prohibited it,” according to the report.
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http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/06/06/obama-administration-allegedly-gave-iran-access-to-us-financial-system.html
Teamsters: 260k UPS Workers ready to strike
United Parcel Service workers have given their union the go-ahead to call a strike in what would be their first walkout in decades. The vote gives union negotiators more sway in contract talks with the shipping giant.
The tally released by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Tuesday night had 93 percent of UPS members endorsing the authorization and 91 percent of UPS freight employees backing the measure. A national pact with the union covers about 260,000 UPS workers, and the current contract expires July 31.
The members' vote "gives the negotiating committees bargaining leverage this week and during subsequent negotiations for the national contract and the supplements," Denis Taylor, a Teamsters director and co-chairman of the bargaining committee said in a statement.
"UPS is confident in our ability to reach an agreement," a company spokesperson responded in an email. "Strike authorization votes do not mean a strike is imminent. The reality is that UPS and the Teamsters have already reached tentative agreements, subject to ratification, on a wide variety of non-economic issues."
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The tally released by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Tuesday night had 93 percent of UPS members endorsing the authorization and 91 percent of UPS freight employees backing the measure. A national pact with the union covers about 260,000 UPS workers, and the current contract expires July 31.
The members' vote "gives the negotiating committees bargaining leverage this week and during subsequent negotiations for the national contract and the supplements," Denis Taylor, a Teamsters director and co-chairman of the bargaining committee said in a statement.
"UPS is confident in our ability to reach an agreement," a company spokesperson responded in an email. "Strike authorization votes do not mean a strike is imminent. The reality is that UPS and the Teamsters have already reached tentative agreements, subject to ratification, on a wide variety of non-economic issues."
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Senate Releases Unredacted Strzok-Page Texts Showing FBI Initiated MULTIPLE SPIES in Trump Campaign in December 2015
The US Senate today released over 500 pages of information related to the Spygate scandal.
Hidden in the information are unredacted Strzok – Page texts that show the FBI initiated actions to insert multiple spies in the Trump campaign in December 2015.
Once again Internet sleuths unearthed damning evidence that the FBI was engaged in Spygate long before they let on.
As we reported previously, according to far left Politico, Comey stated in March of 2017 under oath that the FBI investigation into the Trump – Russia scandal started in July 2016:
FBI Director James Comey told lawmakers Monday that his agency has been investigating possible coordination between the Trump campaign and Russian officials since last July [2016].
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Hidden in the information are unredacted Strzok – Page texts that show the FBI initiated actions to insert multiple spies in the Trump campaign in December 2015.
Once again Internet sleuths unearthed damning evidence that the FBI was engaged in Spygate long before they let on.
As we reported previously, according to far left Politico, Comey stated in March of 2017 under oath that the FBI investigation into the Trump – Russia scandal started in July 2016:
FBI Director James Comey told lawmakers Monday that his agency has been investigating possible coordination between the Trump campaign and Russian officials since last July [2016].
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ISIS Group Claims More Than 10K Twitter Accounts Used for Propaganda
A pro-ISIS group claims that several social media brigades loyal to the terror group have "distributed" nearly 10,000 Twitter accounts over the past 16 months.
In an infographic released last week, Dhakhirat al-Ansar said it had two kataeb, or brigades, working Facebook and four working Twitter.
There was also a much smaller percentage of activity with Gmail accounts, as the group claimed it "distributed" 346 accounts.
But the cyber-caliphate "brigades" claimed 9,635 accounts pushing ISIS content and 4,059 Facebook accounts.
Facebook announced in its first Community Standards Enforcement Preliminary Report released in mid-May that the company took action on 1.9 million pieces of content determined to be terrorism-related in the first quarter of this year, an increase from 1.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.
The social-media giant said the increase was “due to improvements in our ability to find violating content using photo detection technology, which detects both old content and newly posted content.”
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In an infographic released last week, Dhakhirat al-Ansar said it had two kataeb, or brigades, working Facebook and four working Twitter.
There was also a much smaller percentage of activity with Gmail accounts, as the group claimed it "distributed" 346 accounts.
But the cyber-caliphate "brigades" claimed 9,635 accounts pushing ISIS content and 4,059 Facebook accounts.
Facebook announced in its first Community Standards Enforcement Preliminary Report released in mid-May that the company took action on 1.9 million pieces of content determined to be terrorism-related in the first quarter of this year, an increase from 1.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.
The social-media giant said the increase was “due to improvements in our ability to find violating content using photo detection technology, which detects both old content and newly posted content.”
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Medicare Will Be Insolvent In 2026, Sooner Than Expected; Social Security To Follow In 2034
Medicare's trust fund has just eight more years of solvency until 2026, and Social Security will be exhausted in 2034, according toThursday projections by the trustees for the government programs.
While Social Security's expected depletion is unchanged from last year's projection, the date for Medicare's demise was moved up three years.
Social Security is made up of several funds; the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) and Disability Insurance (DI) are combined for the designation OASDI, while Medicare's Hospital Insurance trust fund is designated HI.
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While Social Security's expected depletion is unchanged from last year's projection, the date for Medicare's demise was moved up three years.
Social Security is made up of several funds; the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) and Disability Insurance (DI) are combined for the designation OASDI, while Medicare's Hospital Insurance trust fund is designated HI.
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Establishment Dragging GOP Towards Amnesty Cliff
The House GOP leadership will push a new amnesty bill today that does not set upper limits on an amnesty or even cut migration levels but which does exclude reforms found in Rep. Bob Goodlatte’s immigration reform bill, sources tell Breitbart News.
In November, if House Speaker Paul Ryan gets his way, most GOP legislators “will be on record in support of amnesty,” Iowa Rep. Steve King told Breitbart News. “It is not going to help us in November” if there is a vote in the House on amnesty, King said.
The retiring Speaker is forcing a floor debate where Republicans will split their party by voting for a business-demanded amnesty, and where Democrats will unify their party by voting against reforms or a wall, said one source with knowledge of the draft details, adding:
"Leading up to the midterms, in exactly the moment that the Republicans look like they have a good chance, the Republican leaders are going to do this? For what? To show Republican voters that Republicans legislators suck?"
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In November, if House Speaker Paul Ryan gets his way, most GOP legislators “will be on record in support of amnesty,” Iowa Rep. Steve King told Breitbart News. “It is not going to help us in November” if there is a vote in the House on amnesty, King said.
The retiring Speaker is forcing a floor debate where Republicans will split their party by voting for a business-demanded amnesty, and where Democrats will unify their party by voting against reforms or a wall, said one source with knowledge of the draft details, adding:
"Leading up to the midterms, in exactly the moment that the Republicans look like they have a good chance, the Republican leaders are going to do this? For what? To show Republican voters that Republicans legislators suck?"
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Dem Party IT Aide Imran Awan and Wife Hina Alvi Strike Deal with Prosecutors – Hearing Set for July 3rd
Imran Awan worked for Debbie Wasserman Schultz for thirteen years since she came into office in 2004 as a Florida representative.
Three Pakistani brothers who managed the IT affairs for several Democratic government officials were relieved of their duties in February 2017 on suspicion that they accessed specific computer networks without permission, also known as hacking.
Imran Awan, who started working for Wasserman Schultz in 2005, received $164,600 in 2016, with close to $20,000 of that coming from Wasserman Schultz.
His brother Jamal, who started working as a staffer in 2014, was paid $157,350.12 in 2016. Abid, who started working in 2005, was paid $160,943 in 2016.
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Three Pakistani brothers who managed the IT affairs for several Democratic government officials were relieved of their duties in February 2017 on suspicion that they accessed specific computer networks without permission, also known as hacking.
Imran Awan, who started working for Wasserman Schultz in 2005, received $164,600 in 2016, with close to $20,000 of that coming from Wasserman Schultz.
His brother Jamal, who started working as a staffer in 2014, was paid $157,350.12 in 2016. Abid, who started working in 2005, was paid $160,943 in 2016.
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Visitor’s Quick Response Saves Troubled Man’s Life
OCEAN CITY – A trip to the beach turned into a memorable experience for one teen, who is being haled as a hero for saving a man’s life.
Around 8 p.m. last Friday, Kyle Mooney, 18, of Milford, N.J., was walking up the beach near the Inlet when he took action to save the life of an unidentified man who appeared to be bobbing in the water.
Mooney, who had just finished fishing off the Ocean City Inlet jetty, said he recalled seeing the same man walk down the beach 15 to 20 minutes earlier.
“He was in dress clothes when he walked down the beach,” he said. “I thought that was weird, but nothing suspicious.”
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Around 8 p.m. last Friday, Kyle Mooney, 18, of Milford, N.J., was walking up the beach near the Inlet when he took action to save the life of an unidentified man who appeared to be bobbing in the water.
Mooney, who had just finished fishing off the Ocean City Inlet jetty, said he recalled seeing the same man walk down the beach 15 to 20 minutes earlier.
“He was in dress clothes when he walked down the beach,” he said. “I thought that was weird, but nothing suspicious.”
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HATE HOAX: TEEN’S STORY ABOUT BEING ‘KIDNAPPED BY WHITE SUPREMACISTS’ WAS A LIE
For police not to press charges in this case is an absolute disgrace
No one could have predicted this.
From ABC 13:
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Houston police say there is no evidence to support the claims made by a teenager that white supremacists abducted him, injured him and threatened him.
We first brought you this story last month when 13-year-old Zavion Parker claimed he was grabbed by an adult and four young men after stepping off his school bus.
Zavion alleges he was robbed and beaten, all because of his race. He also said he was held at a property at gunpoint until he was able to escape.
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No one could have predicted this.
From ABC 13:
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Houston police say there is no evidence to support the claims made by a teenager that white supremacists abducted him, injured him and threatened him.
We first brought you this story last month when 13-year-old Zavion Parker claimed he was grabbed by an adult and four young men after stepping off his school bus.
Zavion alleges he was robbed and beaten, all because of his race. He also said he was held at a property at gunpoint until he was able to escape.
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Media Spread Fake Hurricane Maria Death Toll, Blame Trump, Ignore Facts
Eight months after Hurricane Maria made landfall on the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, the effort to restore the island continues. The federal government has obligated $2.2 billion in federal aid, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and countless other contracted boots are still on the ground.
These efforts to aid Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria have happened on President Donald Trump’s watch.
But if you read the headlines, watch the videos, and listen to the soundbites from the anti-Trump, left-wing media, you might not know what is really going on in the U.S. territory.
In fact, the media is spreading fake news about a Harvard study that even the liberal Washington Post warns to be “very, very careful” about accepting its claim that 4,645 people died in Puerto Rico:
More here
These efforts to aid Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria have happened on President Donald Trump’s watch.
But if you read the headlines, watch the videos, and listen to the soundbites from the anti-Trump, left-wing media, you might not know what is really going on in the U.S. territory.
In fact, the media is spreading fake news about a Harvard study that even the liberal Washington Post warns to be “very, very careful” about accepting its claim that 4,645 people died in Puerto Rico:
More here
Striking Down Gerrymandering
There's a good line in the campy sci-fi horror flick The Return of Swamp Thing from 1989. Appalled to discover that her diabolical scientist father is – surprise! – hatching an evil plot to live forever, the heroine asks: "Immortality? Yuk! What did you do, sell your soul to the devil?" "More like a lease with an option to buy," her father replies.
Few loaded euphemisms better sum up the goings-on in the sprawling, drain-proof swamp that is Washington, D.C. But now, the worst thing the swamp has produced is on trial for its life, and it will take far more than devilish doublespeak to save it.
In a matter of weeks or days, the U.S. Supreme Court will render a decision on gerrymandering, the dark art where politicians draw political district boundaries to choose their voters instead of the other way around.
Should the high court decide to outlaw gerrymandering, Americans of all stripes should cheer, but conservatives in particular should be leading the cheers – that is, if they believe protecting the Constitution from political perversion is still a cause worth fighting for. At a time when political allegiances are variable and volatile, the founding idea of the Constitution, and public allegiance to it, should always be a North Star.
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Few loaded euphemisms better sum up the goings-on in the sprawling, drain-proof swamp that is Washington, D.C. But now, the worst thing the swamp has produced is on trial for its life, and it will take far more than devilish doublespeak to save it.
In a matter of weeks or days, the U.S. Supreme Court will render a decision on gerrymandering, the dark art where politicians draw political district boundaries to choose their voters instead of the other way around.
Should the high court decide to outlaw gerrymandering, Americans of all stripes should cheer, but conservatives in particular should be leading the cheers – that is, if they believe protecting the Constitution from political perversion is still a cause worth fighting for. At a time when political allegiances are variable and volatile, the founding idea of the Constitution, and public allegiance to it, should always be a North Star.
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Dinosaur Stolen From Golf Course In Ocean City
The thieves went on a dinosaur hunt at Nick’s Mini Golf location on Coastal Highway around 3:30 a.m. Thursday. The golf course says the group broke in and took off with one of its dinosaurs. Other props on the golf course were damaged.
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McCabe & Comey Cleared Sally Yates to Use Strzok’s Dubious 302 Flynn Report to Get Him Fired
Dirty cops McCabe and Comey cleared Sally Yates to use Peter Strzok’s 302 summary report of the interrogation with General Flynn to brief White House Counsel and pressure Flynn’s firing.
Because Flynn was no longer under active investigation Trump could not have “obstructed” an investigation that was no longer open, reports Paul Sperry.
On Friday May 11, 2018, Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) sent a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray and Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein stating Comey testified the FBI didn’t think General Flynn lied. Grassley also revealed Joe Pientka was the second FBI agent who joined Peter Strzok on January 24th, 2017 in an ambush style interview to take down General Flynn.
On February 13th, 2017, General Flynn was fired (forced out) as NatSec Advisor.
Grassley demanded the FBI and DOJ produce the transcript of Flynn’s intercepted calls with Russian Ambassador Kislyak and the related 302’s by May 25th. (302’s are reports FBI agents take to summarize an interview with a subject.)
The recently unredacted portion of the House Intel report revealed Comey testified to House Intel members the FBI agents who ambushed Flynn did not detect any deception. The report also revealed the illegal leak of Flynn’s phone call with Kislyak is what allowed the FBI/DOJ to keep a counterintel operation open on General Flynn.
Because Flynn was no longer under active investigation Trump could not have “obstructed” an investigation that was no longer open, reports Paul Sperry.
On Friday May 11, 2018, Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) sent a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray and Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein stating Comey testified the FBI didn’t think General Flynn lied. Grassley also revealed Joe Pientka was the second FBI agent who joined Peter Strzok on January 24th, 2017 in an ambush style interview to take down General Flynn.
On February 13th, 2017, General Flynn was fired (forced out) as NatSec Advisor.
Grassley demanded the FBI and DOJ produce the transcript of Flynn’s intercepted calls with Russian Ambassador Kislyak and the related 302’s by May 25th. (302’s are reports FBI agents take to summarize an interview with a subject.)
The recently unredacted portion of the House Intel report revealed Comey testified to House Intel members the FBI agents who ambushed Flynn did not detect any deception. The report also revealed the illegal leak of Flynn’s phone call with Kislyak is what allowed the FBI/DOJ to keep a counterintel operation open on General Flynn.
Breaking News: Anthony Bourdain, whose memoir about the dark corners of New York's restaurants started a TV career, died at 61. CNN said the cause was suicide.
For the past several years, Mr. Bourdain hosted the show “Parts Unknown” on CNN and was working on an episode in Strasbourg, France, when he died, the network said Friday morning. He killed himself in a hotel room, the network said.
Nate Jackson: McConnell: Obstructing Dems to Blame for No Recess
Vacation was set to begin Aug. 3 and run through Labor Day, leaving just three weeks to complete appropriations work before the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30. That kind of last-minute scrambling is part of how we end up with lousy budgets like the omnibus passed in March. So McConnell did the right thing here by eliminating all but the first week of the break, and he’s in sync with President Donald Trump while doing it. “The Senate should get funding done before the August break, or NOT GO HOME,” Trump declared in May.
As McConnell noted, appropriations bills aren’t the only problem. Democrats have vigorously obstructed Trump’s nominees. Sen. David Perdue (R-GA) observed, “We still have 271 nominations to confirm.”
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Wrapping It Up
How long will the "Russian collusion" circus continue imploding before it reaches critical mass and leaves nothing but wreckage across the liberal D.C. landscape?
At this point, no other outcome is conceivable. Any hope that the investigation would land a glove on Donald Trump has been long abandoned by any rational onlooker. This conclusion became inescapable when Robert Mueller humiliated himself in a court of law by attempting to indict individuals and companies that didn't exist (when life begins to look like metaphors, it's time to quit). We can throw in the pitiful May 18 Washington Post op-ed by former agent Asha Rangappa claiming that the spies were emplaced in the Trump campaign to "protect" him. (As an editor, I would have gone with a different title – something like "Please Don't Hit Us.") The attempt to valorize Comey as a national hero through his book "Hustler's Honor," or whatever it was titled, fizzled out in the midst of a failed book tour.
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At this point, no other outcome is conceivable. Any hope that the investigation would land a glove on Donald Trump has been long abandoned by any rational onlooker. This conclusion became inescapable when Robert Mueller humiliated himself in a court of law by attempting to indict individuals and companies that didn't exist (when life begins to look like metaphors, it's time to quit). We can throw in the pitiful May 18 Washington Post op-ed by former agent Asha Rangappa claiming that the spies were emplaced in the Trump campaign to "protect" him. (As an editor, I would have gone with a different title – something like "Please Don't Hit Us.") The attempt to valorize Comey as a national hero through his book "Hustler's Honor," or whatever it was titled, fizzled out in the midst of a failed book tour.
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Washington Capitals Hoist First Stanley Cup After Dramatic Win Over Vegas
The Capitals' first championship is the city's first in one of the country's big four professional sports leagues since the NFL's Redskins won the Super Bowl in 1992. Thursday also marked the 40th anniversary of the Washington Wizards' only NBA title.
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DNC Leadership Split Between Personal Pursuits, Party Duties
When Tom Perez campaigned for the Democratic National Committee chair in December 2016, he distinguished himself from Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison by arguing that he would devote all his time to helping the party recover from its disastrous performance in the 2016 elections.
Perez at the time described the DNC position as a “full-time job” and emphasized the need “to have someone committed here for the long haul” leading the party.
Fast-forward 18 months and Perez is the DNC chair, Ellison is his number two, and they both have divided their time between personal pursuits and working for the cash-strapped DNC.
Ellison on Tuesday filed to run for attorney general of Minnesota in November and expressed enthusiasm at the opportunity to take on President Donald Trump.
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Perez at the time described the DNC position as a “full-time job” and emphasized the need “to have someone committed here for the long haul” leading the party.
Fast-forward 18 months and Perez is the DNC chair, Ellison is his number two, and they both have divided their time between personal pursuits and working for the cash-strapped DNC.
Ellison on Tuesday filed to run for attorney general of Minnesota in November and expressed enthusiasm at the opportunity to take on President Donald Trump.
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Troopers Arrest Suspect for Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer-Seaford
Brandon T. Showell
Seaford - Delaware State Police have arrested a Seaford man after a traffic stop led to an Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at approximately 5:24 p.m. when a Trooper initiated a traffic stop on a 2002 Dodge Durango, on German Road for failure to stop at a stop sign. The Trooper made contact with the driver, who initially provided a false name. The driver attempted to place the vehicle in drive at which time the Trooper's arm became entangled in the steering wheel and the driver accelerated forward. As the Trooper was being drug on the side of the vehicle, he attempted to deploy his TASER. The vehicle then came to a sudden stop and a struggle ensued over the TASER. The Trooper at this point was able to free himself from the side of the vehicle.
The driver, later identified as 29-year-old Brandon T. Showell, then exited the vehicle and a foot pursuit ensued. Showell was subsequently apprehended and taken into custody. A computer check revealed that Showell was wanted for a Sussex County Superior Court Rule 9 Robbery 1st warrant along with several Violation of Probation and court capiases. He was transported back to Troop 5 where he was charged with Assault 2nd on a Law Enforcement Officer, Removing a Deadly Weapon from Law Enforcement, Resisting Arrest with Force, Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony, Criminal Mischief, Criminal Impersonation, Driving While Revoked, and 2 counts of Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign. He was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court 3 and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $10,000 cash only bond.
The Trooper was transported to the Nanticoke Memorial Hospital where he was treated and released.
House Committee Agrees to Harris Language Concerning MD Offshore Wind
“When granting initial approval of offshore wind turbines along Maryland’s coast, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) irresponsibly and consistently ignored the concerns of the National Park Service, the U.S. Coast Guard, and most importantly, the people of Ocean City. The language I authored in the Interior Appropriations bill urges BOEM to work with other federal agencies, the State of Maryland, and the people of Ocean City to come to a consensus on the wind turbines’ height and distance from the shore prior to their approval of any construction and operations plan (COP).
These wind turbines, standing at 643 feet with red lights atop each tower in the latest proposal, would be visible from the beaches of Ocean City and Assateague Island National Seashore. The wind turbines, as currently proposed, will reduce property values, jeopardize the safety of maritime travel, and pose a threat to Ocean City’s commercial fishing and tourism industries. BOEM is obligated to work with the State of Maryland, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Coast Guard on this project, and these issues must be resolved before any wind turbines are built off Maryland’s coast. If these proposed 86 wind turbines will negatively impact the local communities, maritime safety, marine life, or economy of the region, the proposal must be changed to protect all affected stakeholders.”
House Committee Approves $73 Million for Chesapeake Bay Program
“The Chesapeake Bay is one of our nation’s greatest natural treasures. Maryland’s First Congressional District depends on a healthy Chesapeake Bay for both commercial fishing and recreational activities. The Chesapeake Bay’s health is improving, and continued funding for this program will keep current cleanup efforts on track for the next year. I applaud my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee for joining me in continuing to support the Chesapeake Bay Program at levels above the President’s proposed budget. When the Bay is healthy and flourishing, all Marylanders reap the benefits.”
Comptroller Franchot Alerts Marylanders to Social Media Scam
Cyber thieves using official logos on fake certificate
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Reinforcing his commitment to protect Marylanders, Comptroller Peter Franchot today warned Maryland residents about a scam in which cyber thieves contact citizens via social media using an official-looking certificate about a large sum of money for a fee.
The scammers send messages using the Comptroller of Maryland and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) logos on an official looking "Certificate of Completion." Recipients then are told they can access the money for a fee. Neither the Comptroller's Office nor the IRS use social media to contact taxpayers in regard to tax matters or financial issues.
"Cyber thieves will go to any length to get taxpayers' money, identity or financial information," Comptroller Peter Franchot said. "This new scam is just the latest in a long line. As we investigate these cases, I want to warn everyone not to fall victim to unknown contacts who make promises that seem too good to be true. My office would never use social media to contact a taxpayer about a tax matter or financial issue. If you are contacted in this way, don't reply, be cautious and notify my agency's FED officers immediately."
The Comptroller's Office warns taxpayers to not reply to messages or emails requesting money, confidential information – especially your Social Security number – birth date, salary information or home address. If you receive a suspicious message or email, please call 1-800-MD-TAXES or email mdcomptroller@comp.state.md.us.
"Unfortunately, the availability and ease of use of technology allows criminals to convincingly deceive the public," said Jeff Kelly, director of the Comptroller's Field Enforcement Division."Our agents investigate these incidents and do everything possible to bring these scammers to justice. We ask the public to contact the Comptroller’s Office before sending money or sharing personal information."
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Reinforcing his commitment to protect Marylanders, Comptroller Peter Franchot today warned Maryland residents about a scam in which cyber thieves contact citizens via social media using an official-looking certificate about a large sum of money for a fee.
The scammers send messages using the Comptroller of Maryland and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) logos on an official looking "Certificate of Completion." Recipients then are told they can access the money for a fee. Neither the Comptroller's Office nor the IRS use social media to contact taxpayers in regard to tax matters or financial issues.
"Cyber thieves will go to any length to get taxpayers' money, identity or financial information," Comptroller Peter Franchot said. "This new scam is just the latest in a long line. As we investigate these cases, I want to warn everyone not to fall victim to unknown contacts who make promises that seem too good to be true. My office would never use social media to contact a taxpayer about a tax matter or financial issue. If you are contacted in this way, don't reply, be cautious and notify my agency's FED officers immediately."
The Comptroller's Office warns taxpayers to not reply to messages or emails requesting money, confidential information – especially your Social Security number – birth date, salary information or home address. If you receive a suspicious message or email, please call 1-800-MD-TAXES or email mdcomptroller@comp.state.md.us.
"Unfortunately, the availability and ease of use of technology allows criminals to convincingly deceive the public," said Jeff Kelly, director of the Comptroller's Field Enforcement Division."Our agents investigate these incidents and do everything possible to bring these scammers to justice. We ask the public to contact the Comptroller’s Office before sending money or sharing personal information."
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