By some accounts, nearly half of America's incarcerated population is mentally ill — and journalist Alisa Roth argues that most aren't getting the treatment they need.
Roth has visited jails in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Atlanta and a rural women's prison in Oklahoma to assess the condition of mentally ill prisoners. She says correctional officers are on the "front lines" of mental health treatment — despite the fact that they lack clinical training.
"Most of [the correctional officers] will talk about how this is not what they signed up," Roth says. "Most of them have not had much training in dealing with mental illness — or they've had none at all."
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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Thursday, July 12, 2018
NFL Players Union Files Grievance Over League's New National Anthem Policy
The NFL had intended for its rule to achieve a resolution.
For more than a year, controversy had eddied endlessly around players' decisions to kneel during the national anthem. And the league thought a policy requiring players to stand for the anthem if they were on the field — but also allowing them to stay off the field and out of sight — would end an uncomfortable conversation that had reached even the White House.
But if it was resolution the league was seeking, the move failed.
The NFL Players Association announced Tuesday that it has filed a grievance against the league "on behalf of all players."
"The union's claim is that this new policy, imposed by the NFL's governing body without consultation with the NFLPA, is inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement and infringes on player rights," the group explained in a statement.
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For more than a year, controversy had eddied endlessly around players' decisions to kneel during the national anthem. And the league thought a policy requiring players to stand for the anthem if they were on the field — but also allowing them to stay off the field and out of sight — would end an uncomfortable conversation that had reached even the White House.
But if it was resolution the league was seeking, the move failed.
The NFL Players Association announced Tuesday that it has filed a grievance against the league "on behalf of all players."
"The union's claim is that this new policy, imposed by the NFL's governing body without consultation with the NFLPA, is inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement and infringes on player rights," the group explained in a statement.
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Tesla plans China Plant w 500k Vehicle Capacity
Tesla Inc. and the Shanghai government have left out a crucial detail in announcing a groundbreaking deal for the biggest name in electric cars to build its vehicles in China: how much it’s all going to cost.
Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk sealed a crucial agreement Tuesday to start building its second car assembly plant in the world. Construction will begin soon after approvals and permits are secured, and the first vehicles will roll off the line within roughly two years, a Tesla spokesman said in an email. It’ll take another two to three years for the factory to reach its capacity to build about 500,000 vehicles annually.
The preliminary agreement is a major development in Tesla’s more than yearlong effort to open China’s first production facility that will be wholly owned by a foreign carmaker. But the absence of detail about the size of the investment is turning heads because the Musk-led company had just $2.7 billion in cash at the end of the first quarter. Tesla has been burning through billions of dollars as it’s struggled to ramp up manufacturing of the Model 3 sedan.
“The biggest question right now for investors -- bulls and bears alike -- is how are they going to pay for it,” Ben Kallo, a Robert W. Baird & Co. analyst with the equivalent of a buy rating on Tesla shares, said in a Bloomberg Television interview. “They will have to get capital.”
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Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk sealed a crucial agreement Tuesday to start building its second car assembly plant in the world. Construction will begin soon after approvals and permits are secured, and the first vehicles will roll off the line within roughly two years, a Tesla spokesman said in an email. It’ll take another two to three years for the factory to reach its capacity to build about 500,000 vehicles annually.
The preliminary agreement is a major development in Tesla’s more than yearlong effort to open China’s first production facility that will be wholly owned by a foreign carmaker. But the absence of detail about the size of the investment is turning heads because the Musk-led company had just $2.7 billion in cash at the end of the first quarter. Tesla has been burning through billions of dollars as it’s struggled to ramp up manufacturing of the Model 3 sedan.
“The biggest question right now for investors -- bulls and bears alike -- is how are they going to pay for it,” Ben Kallo, a Robert W. Baird & Co. analyst with the equivalent of a buy rating on Tesla shares, said in a Bloomberg Television interview. “They will have to get capital.”
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Fox News Host Cancels Live Show From SCOTUS Steps Due to ‘Volatile’ Protests
Fox News anchor Shannon Bream had a sudden change of plans on the night of President Donald Trump‘s historic announcement of his Supreme Court nominee.
Earlier on Monday night, Trump nominated D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Brett Kavanaugh to fill the soon-to-be-vacant seat of Justice Anthony Kennedy, who announced his retirement last month.
After the big prime time reveal by the president, Bream had planned on doing a live show from outside the steps of the Supreme Court. But her plans were scuttled thanks to protests near her broadcast location.
Bream took to Twitter to report on what she described as a “volatile” mood by protesters.
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Earlier on Monday night, Trump nominated D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Brett Kavanaugh to fill the soon-to-be-vacant seat of Justice Anthony Kennedy, who announced his retirement last month.
After the big prime time reveal by the president, Bream had planned on doing a live show from outside the steps of the Supreme Court. But her plans were scuttled thanks to protests near her broadcast location.
Bream took to Twitter to report on what she described as a “volatile” mood by protesters.
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Liberal Meltdown Erupts After Trump Picks Kavanaugh
Following President Trump's Monday evening nomination of judge Brett Kavanaugh to fill Justice Anthony Kennedy's now-vacant seat, hundreds of protesters outside the Supreme Court broke open boxes of pre-printed "Stop Kavanaugh" signs - wasting a substantial amount of paper as the other Supreme Court nominees' pre-printed protest banners went unused.
Sign-printing business is booming. Trump economy! pic.twitter.com/tOeWP6cLDi
— Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) July 10, 2018
In other words, it didn't matter who Trump picked - this was always going to be the response.
Those opposed to the selection flipped to their anti-Kavanaugh talking points and filled in the blanks on their prepared statements - for the most part.
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Sign-printing business is booming. Trump economy! pic.twitter.com/tOeWP6cLDi
— Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) July 10, 2018
In other words, it didn't matter who Trump picked - this was always going to be the response.
Those opposed to the selection flipped to their anti-Kavanaugh talking points and filled in the blanks on their prepared statements - for the most part.
More
Older immigrants ‘crowding out’ US teens for summer jobs
Legal and illegal immigrants are “crowding out” American teens looking for summer jobs, and the impact of higher teen unemployment could be a drag on them for years, according to a new analysis of the seasonal workforce.
The Center for Immigration Studies found that as the number of U.S. teens with summer jobs has dropped significantly, employment of immigrants has doubled.
“Immigrants -- legal and illegal -- are crowding out U.S.-born teenagers in the labor market,” according to the report from Steven A. Camarota, director of research at CIS.
In his analysis, Camarota found that employers are seizing on older immigrants, often over 20 and with some working experience, instead of U.S. teens to fill summer jobs. And another driving factor, he said, may be that immigrants are willing to work for a lower wage.
While good for immigrants, he cited research that it can be devastating for U.S. teens. Shut out of a summer job, they often have difficulty in the workforce for years.
“Teens employed in high school earn more than teens who did not work in the first year after graduation, with wage differences tending to increase over time. Also, teens who were employed in high school are more likely to be employed and work more hours during the year, with a significant relationship between hours worked in high school and subsequent hours worked and wages earned,” said the report.
What's more, he added this:
The Center for Immigration Studies found that as the number of U.S. teens with summer jobs has dropped significantly, employment of immigrants has doubled.
“Immigrants -- legal and illegal -- are crowding out U.S.-born teenagers in the labor market,” according to the report from Steven A. Camarota, director of research at CIS.
In his analysis, Camarota found that employers are seizing on older immigrants, often over 20 and with some working experience, instead of U.S. teens to fill summer jobs. And another driving factor, he said, may be that immigrants are willing to work for a lower wage.
While good for immigrants, he cited research that it can be devastating for U.S. teens. Shut out of a summer job, they often have difficulty in the workforce for years.
“Teens employed in high school earn more than teens who did not work in the first year after graduation, with wage differences tending to increase over time. Also, teens who were employed in high school are more likely to be employed and work more hours during the year, with a significant relationship between hours worked in high school and subsequent hours worked and wages earned,” said the report.
What's more, he added this:
Lisa Page Faces Contempt of Congress After Defying Subpoena
Former FBI lawyer Lisa Page might be held in contempt of Congress because she rejected a subpoena to testify before a House Judiciary Committee hearing scheduled for Wednesday.
Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and Rep. Trey Gowdy, Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, send Page’s lawyer Amy Jeffress an ultimatum after she failed to appear for the hearing — demanding she appear for 10 AM hearings this Thursday or Friday. If she does not comply by Friday the 13th at 10:30 AM, the House will initiate contempt proceedings.
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) backed up Goodlatte’s threat of contempt. “If she wants to come plead the Fifth, that’s her choice,” Ryan said, but she must appear and testify to comply with the congressional subpoena. “I stand behind chairman Goodlatte a hundred percent on this.”
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Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and Rep. Trey Gowdy, Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, send Page’s lawyer Amy Jeffress an ultimatum after she failed to appear for the hearing — demanding she appear for 10 AM hearings this Thursday or Friday. If she does not comply by Friday the 13th at 10:30 AM, the House will initiate contempt proceedings.
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) backed up Goodlatte’s threat of contempt. “If she wants to come plead the Fifth, that’s her choice,” Ryan said, but she must appear and testify to comply with the congressional subpoena. “I stand behind chairman Goodlatte a hundred percent on this.”
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Major Breaking News Articles Tomorrow Morning
Australian experiment wipes out over 80% of disease-carrying mosquitoes
In an experiment with global implications, Australian scientists have successfully wiped out more than 80% of disease-carrying mosquitoes in trial locations across north Queensland.
The experiment, conducted by scientists from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) and James Cook University (JCU), targeted Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which spread deadly diseases such as dengue fever and Zika.
In JCU laboratories, researchers bred almost 20 million mosquitoes, infecting males with bacteria that made them sterile. Then, last summer, they released over three million of them in three towns on the Cassowary Coast.
The sterile male mosquitoes didn't bite or spread disease, but when they mated with wild females, the resulting eggs didn't hatch, and the population crashed.
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The experiment, conducted by scientists from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) and James Cook University (JCU), targeted Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which spread deadly diseases such as dengue fever and Zika.
In JCU laboratories, researchers bred almost 20 million mosquitoes, infecting males with bacteria that made them sterile. Then, last summer, they released over three million of them in three towns on the Cassowary Coast.
The sterile male mosquitoes didn't bite or spread disease, but when they mated with wild females, the resulting eggs didn't hatch, and the population crashed.
More
Dianne Feinstein, Kamala Harris Oppose Brett Kavanaugh for Supreme Court
California’s two U.S. Senators both declared immediately on Monday evening that they will oppose the confirmation of D.C. Circuit Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Their votes are largely irrelevant, since the Republican Party has a slim majority in the Senate and can confirm Supreme Court justices on a simple majority vote — thanks in part to former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), who broke with tradition and ended the filibuster rule for most judicial nominees in 2013.
Both attacked Kavanaugh in strident terms without citing any specific decisions he had made:
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Their votes are largely irrelevant, since the Republican Party has a slim majority in the Senate and can confirm Supreme Court justices on a simple majority vote — thanks in part to former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), who broke with tradition and ended the filibuster rule for most judicial nominees in 2013.
Both attacked Kavanaugh in strident terms without citing any specific decisions he had made:
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The abortion case that could decide the fate of Trump's court pick
Get ready to hear about a court case known as Garza v. Hargan.
The case, which involved an illegal immigrant teen held in government custody who was seeking an abortion, is already a major dividing line for JudgeBrett Kavanaugh, President Trump’s pick to the Supreme Court.
Judge Kavanaugh authored key opinions in the case trying to find a middle ground on the thorny case — and is drawing fire from both pro-life and pro-choice activists for his attempt.
The case involved a girl identified only as Jane Doe, who came to the U.S. last year as part of the surge of Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC). She was sent to one of the cushy dorms that have been in the news as of late, and after being given an entry medical exam was told she was pregnant.
She said she wanted an abortion but the Trump administration slow-walked the request, saying as long as the girl was in government custody it had an interest in protecting the fetus.
More
The case, which involved an illegal immigrant teen held in government custody who was seeking an abortion, is already a major dividing line for JudgeBrett Kavanaugh, President Trump’s pick to the Supreme Court.
Judge Kavanaugh authored key opinions in the case trying to find a middle ground on the thorny case — and is drawing fire from both pro-life and pro-choice activists for his attempt.
The case involved a girl identified only as Jane Doe, who came to the U.S. last year as part of the surge of Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC). She was sent to one of the cushy dorms that have been in the news as of late, and after being given an entry medical exam was told she was pregnant.
She said she wanted an abortion but the Trump administration slow-walked the request, saying as long as the girl was in government custody it had an interest in protecting the fetus.
More
"Shelter In Place": All Hell Breaks Loose In Haiti As Violent Mobs Try To Murder Trapped Tourists
The US embassy in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince warned American tourists to "shelter in place" as violent demonstrations erupted across the island over a fuel price hike.
An estimated 120 Americans are believed to be staying at a Port-au-Prince hotel targeted by protesters, who attempted to bypass security and set the building ablaze. Youth groups and missionaries from an array of U.S churches are also stranded in the Caribbean nation, unable to make it safely to the airport for departure. -Fox News
The State Department notice reads: "Do not travel to the airport unless you confirmed your flight is departing," adding "Flights are cancelled today and the airport has limited food and water available. Telecommunications services, including Internet and phone lines, have been affected throughout Haiti. It may be difficult to reach people through normal communication methods."
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An estimated 120 Americans are believed to be staying at a Port-au-Prince hotel targeted by protesters, who attempted to bypass security and set the building ablaze. Youth groups and missionaries from an array of U.S churches are also stranded in the Caribbean nation, unable to make it safely to the airport for departure. -Fox News
The State Department notice reads: "Do not travel to the airport unless you confirmed your flight is departing," adding "Flights are cancelled today and the airport has limited food and water available. Telecommunications services, including Internet and phone lines, have been affected throughout Haiti. It may be difficult to reach people through normal communication methods."
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America in Moral Freefall
by Joe David
During my youth, female impersonators mimicked glamourous Hollywood stars with flair and skill. Today, during my senior years, at one Washington, DC, “hotspot,” they have chosen to mimic sex workers with expletives and “dry orgies.”
For the record, I am a man of some years with a retired libido who has seen in my lifetime my share of bawdy activity by design and by accident. As a result, I am not easily shocked. Last January, though, when I attended a brunch at a trendy Washington restaurant for the “hip” twentyish crowd, I was shocked.
I wasn’t in any way prepared for what I had experienced. My hostess friend who arranged the outing had misled me. She sold the entertainment as one of taste and glamour. What I got instead was an uninterrupted and tiresome flow of foul-mouthed songs and lewd behavior. I regret that I didn’t do what another man in our party of five had done, and walk out. Unfortunately, making such a dramatic exit at that time would have been difficult for me. I was a houseguest of the woman who had arranged this “fun” outing, and I had nowhere to go.
As I sat there, observing the appalling activity around me, I was amazed at how comfortable the male and female audience was with the vulgar. When viewed from my senior-citizen perspective, I saw the performance for what it was – cheaply packaged entertainment, designed to corrupt vulnerable youth.
While I was eating and watching the painted performers flaunt their female-shaped bodies and their breast implants, a “glamourous bombshell” dancer unexpectedly grabbed my head, pulled it face down against his crotch, and held it there with force for his dramatic finale. To break loose, I had to push hard – and then hold one leg at bay to keep it from wrapping around me again.
On the surface this stunt appeared harmless, only a vulgar gesture to amuse the depraved crowd. After breaking loose, I suspected that it was much more: a performance by “gorgeous siren” who seemed hell-bent on giving an old man a thrill.
During my youth, female impersonators mimicked glamourous Hollywood stars with flair and skill. Today, during my senior years, at one Washington, DC, “hotspot,” they have chosen to mimic sex workers with expletives and “dry orgies.”
For the record, I am a man of some years with a retired libido who has seen in my lifetime my share of bawdy activity by design and by accident. As a result, I am not easily shocked. Last January, though, when I attended a brunch at a trendy Washington restaurant for the “hip” twentyish crowd, I was shocked.
I wasn’t in any way prepared for what I had experienced. My hostess friend who arranged the outing had misled me. She sold the entertainment as one of taste and glamour. What I got instead was an uninterrupted and tiresome flow of foul-mouthed songs and lewd behavior. I regret that I didn’t do what another man in our party of five had done, and walk out. Unfortunately, making such a dramatic exit at that time would have been difficult for me. I was a houseguest of the woman who had arranged this “fun” outing, and I had nowhere to go.
As I sat there, observing the appalling activity around me, I was amazed at how comfortable the male and female audience was with the vulgar. When viewed from my senior-citizen perspective, I saw the performance for what it was – cheaply packaged entertainment, designed to corrupt vulnerable youth.
While I was eating and watching the painted performers flaunt their female-shaped bodies and their breast implants, a “glamourous bombshell” dancer unexpectedly grabbed my head, pulled it face down against his crotch, and held it there with force for his dramatic finale. To break loose, I had to push hard – and then hold one leg at bay to keep it from wrapping around me again.
On the surface this stunt appeared harmless, only a vulgar gesture to amuse the depraved crowd. After breaking loose, I suspected that it was much more: a performance by “gorgeous siren” who seemed hell-bent on giving an old man a thrill.
URGENT Child Missing From Somerset County
http://www.missingkids.com/poster/USMD/1805726
AT&T’s blockbuster merger with Time Warner faces a new challenge after the Justice Dept. filed to appeal a judge's ruling approving it
A federal judge signed off on the deal a month ago, saying the federal agency did not sufficiently prove that the merger would harm competition and consumers.
Rich Lowry: Don't Cry for Angela Merkel
Angela Merkel is, her supporters like to gloat, the leader of the free world.
Just don’t ask her to spend as if she is.
Donald Trump has made the German chancellor one of his favorite rhetorical targets, especially over Germany’s anemic defense expenditures. This has led to worries about the future of the trans-Atlantic alliance and reflexive support for Merkel among the American political elite.
Trump shouldn’t openly mock Merkel or suggest that there have been annual dues to NATO that Germany has failed to pay. Trump tends to view foreign countries like contractors trying to scam him in a development deal. This scants history, geo-strategy and the national pride of other countries — as usual, Trump would benefit from at least a gesture toward statesmanship.
Yet Germany’s defense spending, or lack thereof, is a disgrace. One would think the country would have been embarrassed onto a different trajectory after German troops — Panzergrenadierbataillon 371, to be exact — had to use broomsticks instead of guns in a NATO exercise in 2014. But Germany evidently doesn’t embarrass easily.
NATO countries, after a long vacation from history after the end of the Cold War, agreed at a summit in Wales in 2014 to spend 2% of their gross domestic product on defense annually within 10 years.
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Just don’t ask her to spend as if she is.
Donald Trump has made the German chancellor one of his favorite rhetorical targets, especially over Germany’s anemic defense expenditures. This has led to worries about the future of the trans-Atlantic alliance and reflexive support for Merkel among the American political elite.
Trump shouldn’t openly mock Merkel or suggest that there have been annual dues to NATO that Germany has failed to pay. Trump tends to view foreign countries like contractors trying to scam him in a development deal. This scants history, geo-strategy and the national pride of other countries — as usual, Trump would benefit from at least a gesture toward statesmanship.
Yet Germany’s defense spending, or lack thereof, is a disgrace. One would think the country would have been embarrassed onto a different trajectory after German troops — Panzergrenadierbataillon 371, to be exact — had to use broomsticks instead of guns in a NATO exercise in 2014. But Germany evidently doesn’t embarrass easily.
NATO countries, after a long vacation from history after the end of the Cold War, agreed at a summit in Wales in 2014 to spend 2% of their gross domestic product on defense annually within 10 years.
More
Business Review Board: Trump's Colorblind Economy
Trump's policies are proving to be a cure for victimitis. No wonder the Left is full-bore scared.
Our own Mark Alexander has written about how Liberty is colorblind. Unfortunately, leftist policies and constant demagoguery have resulted in too many American minorities succumbing to cultural degradation and falling short in economic progress. But things have changed under President Donald Trump. As described by Investor’s Business Daily (IBD), Trump is overseeing a “colorblind jobs boom.”
“Trump, it turns out, has been the most consequential president in history when it comes to minority employment,” IBD says. “In June, for instance, the unemployment rate for Hispanics and Latinos 16 years and older fell to 4.6%, its lowest level ever, from 4.9% in May. The previous all-time low was 4.8%. African-American unemployment bounced up from its all-time low of 5.9% in May to 6.5% in June. But that 6.5% still represents the second-lowest unemployment reading ever for Black Americans. As for Asian-Americans, unemployment similarly bounced off its all-time low of 2.1% in May, rising to 3.2%. And that’s still 0.6 percentage point lower than when Trump entered office.”
IBD observers that Trump “is winning over those who have benefited most from his policies: Minorities. On average, minority unemployment has dropped 18% since Trump entered office in January of 2017. More than 2 million people have dropped off food stamps and returned to work.” In other words, minorities are seeing firsthand the enormous progress that genuine conservative policies produce. That, in turn, is resulting in broader support for Trump among minorities. “Despite a relentless media barrage aimed at Trump and his immigration policies,” IBD reports, “a new Harvard/Harris Poll found a 10% rise in approval for Trump among Hispanics.”
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Our own Mark Alexander has written about how Liberty is colorblind. Unfortunately, leftist policies and constant demagoguery have resulted in too many American minorities succumbing to cultural degradation and falling short in economic progress. But things have changed under President Donald Trump. As described by Investor’s Business Daily (IBD), Trump is overseeing a “colorblind jobs boom.”
“Trump, it turns out, has been the most consequential president in history when it comes to minority employment,” IBD says. “In June, for instance, the unemployment rate for Hispanics and Latinos 16 years and older fell to 4.6%, its lowest level ever, from 4.9% in May. The previous all-time low was 4.8%. African-American unemployment bounced up from its all-time low of 5.9% in May to 6.5% in June. But that 6.5% still represents the second-lowest unemployment reading ever for Black Americans. As for Asian-Americans, unemployment similarly bounced off its all-time low of 2.1% in May, rising to 3.2%. And that’s still 0.6 percentage point lower than when Trump entered office.”
IBD observers that Trump “is winning over those who have benefited most from his policies: Minorities. On average, minority unemployment has dropped 18% since Trump entered office in January of 2017. More than 2 million people have dropped off food stamps and returned to work.” In other words, minorities are seeing firsthand the enormous progress that genuine conservative policies produce. That, in turn, is resulting in broader support for Trump among minorities. “Despite a relentless media barrage aimed at Trump and his immigration policies,” IBD reports, “a new Harvard/Harris Poll found a 10% rise in approval for Trump among Hispanics.”
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Rickards: Here's Where The Next Crisis Starts
So many credit crises are brewing, it’s hard to keep track without a scorecard.
The mother of all credit crises is coming to China with over a quarter-trillion dollars owed by insolvent banks and state-owned enterprises, not to mention off-the-books liabilities of provincial governments, wealth management products and developers of white elephant infrastructure projects.
Then there’s the emerging-markets credit crisis, with Turkey and Argentina leading a parade of potentially bankrupt borrowers vulnerable to hot money capital outflows and a slowdown of growth in developing economies.
Close on their heels is the U.S. student loan debacle, with over $1.5 trillion in outstanding debts and default rates approaching 20%.
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The mother of all credit crises is coming to China with over a quarter-trillion dollars owed by insolvent banks and state-owned enterprises, not to mention off-the-books liabilities of provincial governments, wealth management products and developers of white elephant infrastructure projects.
Then there’s the emerging-markets credit crisis, with Turkey and Argentina leading a parade of potentially bankrupt borrowers vulnerable to hot money capital outflows and a slowdown of growth in developing economies.
Close on their heels is the U.S. student loan debacle, with over $1.5 trillion in outstanding debts and default rates approaching 20%.
More
It's A "Matter Of Life And Death" - White South African Farmers Seek Refuge In Russia
As the violent attacks and death threats against white farmers in South Africa ramps up, many of those affected are seeking refuge. A delegation of 30 South African farming families has arrived in Russia’s Stavropol region as the South African government continues to steal their land.
According to RT, up to 15,000 Boers, descendants of Dutch settlers in South Africa, are planning to move to Russia amid rising violence stemming from government plans to expropriate their land, according to the delegation.
White farmers, despite being a minority in South Africa, own 72 percent of the country’s farms. The new South African government recently announced a plan to redistribute land to the black population in the highly racist move. Critics have warned South Africa may repeat the disastrous experiment by the Zimbabwean government in 1999-2000. The measure plunged the country into an intense famine, reported RT. –SHTFPlan
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According to RT, up to 15,000 Boers, descendants of Dutch settlers in South Africa, are planning to move to Russia amid rising violence stemming from government plans to expropriate their land, according to the delegation.
White farmers, despite being a minority in South Africa, own 72 percent of the country’s farms. The new South African government recently announced a plan to redistribute land to the black population in the highly racist move. Critics have warned South Africa may repeat the disastrous experiment by the Zimbabwean government in 1999-2000. The measure plunged the country into an intense famine, reported RT. –SHTFPlan
More
More Power! This Honda lawn mower will go 150 mph
The Japanese manufacturer, also known for its cars, jets, motorcycles and marine engines, wants to reclaim its title for making the fastest lawn mower in the world. The original Mean Mower could hit 130 mph and set a Guinness Book record at 116.575 mph in 2014. The current record-holder, a modified Viking mower made by a Norwegian group, hit a top speed of 134 mph a year later.
Honda’s U.K. division and Team Dynamics are working on Mean Mower V2 and targeting a top speed of 150 mph. The new riding mower, a modified Honda HF 2622 lawn tractor, will have almost double the power of the original Mean Mower, using a 999cc four-cylinder motorcycle engine that generates more than 190 horsepower at 13,000 rpm.
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https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/this-honda-lawn-mower-will-go-150-mph
Huawei infiltrated summit at Facebook, sent trade secrets to China: lawsuit
A Bay Area subsidiary of a Chinese firm seen as a national security threat by U.S. officials infiltrated a meeting during a telecommunications summit at Facebook’s Menlo Park headquarters and sent information to its offices in China, a new lawsuit claims.
Jesse Hong says in the lawsuit that he was a software architect for Chinese smartphone giant Huawei’s subsidiary Futurewei Technologies in Santa Clara from 2014 until he was fired in March of this year. He alleges that in 2016, Huawei directed two Futurewei employees to deceive their way into an annual “TIP Summit” for telecommunications companies — most of them startups competing against Huawei — that was held at Facebook’s headquarters in Menlo Park.
The alleged infiltration occurred after Facebook had denied Huawei’s request to attend the social networking firm’s closed-door meeting with U.S. companies, according to the suit. Huawei told Hong and two other Futurewei employees to register for the meeting using fake U.S.-company names, Hong claims in the suit, which was filed late last month in Santa Clara County Superior Court.
More here
Jesse Hong says in the lawsuit that he was a software architect for Chinese smartphone giant Huawei’s subsidiary Futurewei Technologies in Santa Clara from 2014 until he was fired in March of this year. He alleges that in 2016, Huawei directed two Futurewei employees to deceive their way into an annual “TIP Summit” for telecommunications companies — most of them startups competing against Huawei — that was held at Facebook’s headquarters in Menlo Park.
The alleged infiltration occurred after Facebook had denied Huawei’s request to attend the social networking firm’s closed-door meeting with U.S. companies, according to the suit. Huawei told Hong and two other Futurewei employees to register for the meeting using fake U.S.-company names, Hong claims in the suit, which was filed late last month in Santa Clara County Superior Court.
More here
Chuck Schumer: Trump ‘Knows’ Brett Kavanaugh Will Obstruct Mueller Probe
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer asserted Tuesday Judge Brett Kavanaugh was selected to replace Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy because President Donald Trump knows he will obstruct the Russia investigation.
Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill Tuesday morning, Schumer asserted President Trump ignored Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s warning about the possible difficulties of confirming Kavanaugh because he is “worried,” about the Russia investigation.
“Senator McConnell told the president that there are other nominees who he could confirm more easily,” Schumer began. “Why did the president stick with Kavanaugh? Because he’s worried that Mr. Mueller will go to the court and asked that the president will be subpoenaed and ask to do other things necessary to move the investigation forward.”
More speculation and innuendo here
Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill Tuesday morning, Schumer asserted President Trump ignored Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s warning about the possible difficulties of confirming Kavanaugh because he is “worried,” about the Russia investigation.
“Senator McConnell told the president that there are other nominees who he could confirm more easily,” Schumer began. “Why did the president stick with Kavanaugh? Because he’s worried that Mr. Mueller will go to the court and asked that the president will be subpoenaed and ask to do other things necessary to move the investigation forward.”
More speculation and innuendo here
Ellison Won’t Rule Out Democrats Impeaching Supreme Court Justices
Democrat National Committee Deputy chair Keith Ellison told attendees at a Supreme Court Community Forum in Minneapolis Monday that Democrats could theoretically impeach Supreme Court justices if the party regains a majority following the 2018 midterm elections.
Transcript
Transcript
Mueller Seeks to Bar Manafort 'Selective Prosecution' Argument
U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller asked a federal judge to block Paul Manafort, President Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman, from arguing at his trial in September that prosecutors are selectively targeting him for vindictive reasons.
Prosecutors also want to bar Manafort from introducing evidence that he was previously investigated but not charged before Mueller was appointed in May 2017. The requests came in a court filing Monday in Washington, where Manafort is accused of money laundering, obstruction of justice and failing to register as a foreign agent of Ukraine.
In the filing, prosecutors asked U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson to preclude Manafort from arguing to jurors about Mueller’s motive or the scope of his appointment.
“The government’s reasons for initiating a prosecution have nothing to do with whether the evidence at trial proves the elements of the charged offenses, which is the sole question that the jury must answer,” prosecutors Andrew Weissmann and Greg Andres argued in the seven-page filing.
They also argued that Manafort, 69, shouldn’t suggest that “prosecutors in this case have resurrected charges that the Department of Justice previously investigated but declined to prosecute or determined not to be meritorious.”
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Prosecutors also want to bar Manafort from introducing evidence that he was previously investigated but not charged before Mueller was appointed in May 2017. The requests came in a court filing Monday in Washington, where Manafort is accused of money laundering, obstruction of justice and failing to register as a foreign agent of Ukraine.
In the filing, prosecutors asked U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson to preclude Manafort from arguing to jurors about Mueller’s motive or the scope of his appointment.
“The government’s reasons for initiating a prosecution have nothing to do with whether the evidence at trial proves the elements of the charged offenses, which is the sole question that the jury must answer,” prosecutors Andrew Weissmann and Greg Andres argued in the seven-page filing.
They also argued that Manafort, 69, shouldn’t suggest that “prosecutors in this case have resurrected charges that the Department of Justice previously investigated but declined to prosecute or determined not to be meritorious.”
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John McCain and the IRS: Never Forget
In the summer of 2014, the Congressional Tea Party caucus held a meeting on Capitol Hill and invited the leaders of about 20 Tea Party groups. The meeting was to discuss strategy. As the meeting wound down, the door to the meeting room opened and in came Sen. John McCain.
The senator from Arizona received a polite but cool reception. He rambled for a couple of minutes, thanking the group for their work and asking them to work with him and the Republicans.
The reception would have been considerably less friendly had the Tea Party leaders known about the actions of Mr. McCain’s former staff director and chief counsel only a year earlier.
In April 2013, Henry Kerner, who was Mr. McCain’s staff director and chief counsel, met with Lois Lerner and others from the IRS. This was only weeks before the IRS targeting scandal broke. Mr. Kerner was meeting with the IRS to discuss 501(c)4 organizations. These were the activist organizations that the IRS tried to shut down. At least it was the conservative organizations that the IRS tried to destroy.
In this meeting, while discussing the issue of the 501(c)4 groups, Mr. Kerner suggested the IRS go after these groups by auditing them and audit “so many, it becomes financially ruinous.”
More here
[Related: Weaponization comes to the West Wing?]
The senator from Arizona received a polite but cool reception. He rambled for a couple of minutes, thanking the group for their work and asking them to work with him and the Republicans.
The reception would have been considerably less friendly had the Tea Party leaders known about the actions of Mr. McCain’s former staff director and chief counsel only a year earlier.
In April 2013, Henry Kerner, who was Mr. McCain’s staff director and chief counsel, met with Lois Lerner and others from the IRS. This was only weeks before the IRS targeting scandal broke. Mr. Kerner was meeting with the IRS to discuss 501(c)4 organizations. These were the activist organizations that the IRS tried to shut down. At least it was the conservative organizations that the IRS tried to destroy.
In this meeting, while discussing the issue of the 501(c)4 groups, Mr. Kerner suggested the IRS go after these groups by auditing them and audit “so many, it becomes financially ruinous.”
More here
[Related: Weaponization comes to the West Wing?]
Military Vets of another War: on Gender
While the two parties get ready to rumble over Justice Anthony Kennedy's replacement, there'll be no argument over one thing: just how important the courts have become. Republicans and Democrats may be animated over President Trump's SCOTUS pick, Brett Kavanaugh, but it's because they all agree -- the courts' decisions are affecting every facet of American life. And the latest debate at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is living proof.
With the exception of Barack Obama and his administration, there aren't a whole lot of Americans clamoring to spend their taxpayer dollars gender reassignment surgeries. The 44th president did his best to force the issue, insisting the VA, HHS, and Defense Department make these procedures the newest (and most controversial) obligation of unwilling Americans. Then, to our great relief, voters elected Donald Trump -- many, based on his pledge that he would do away with the radical social experimentation of his predecessor.
Fortunately, they didn't have to wait long. The new commander-in-chief rolled back the transgender policy in the military and did his best to put the brakes on the fierce debate over taxpayer-funded sex changes. Everything was going according to plan -- until the courts got involved. At least two military veterans decided to sue the Trump administration into an all-expenses-paid gender transition (which, if you ask medical professionals, hasn't proven effective in treating serious mental health conditions like this one). Now, thanks to the courts, the VA is under significant pressure to reconsider its position on covering gender reassignment surgeries for vets.
Last Friday, the VA put out its first official "feelers" on the issue with a request for public comment. And while liberals insist that the department is just "going through the motions," there's no telling what the activist courts (which have become quite fond of stripping this president of his constitutional authority) will demand next. The VA did point out that the Defense Department memo on the president's transgender policy "noted considerable scientific uncertainty and overall lack of high quality scientific evidence demonstrating the extent to which transition-related treatments, such as sex reassignment surgery remedy the multifaceted mental health problems associated with gender dysphoria."
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With the exception of Barack Obama and his administration, there aren't a whole lot of Americans clamoring to spend their taxpayer dollars gender reassignment surgeries. The 44th president did his best to force the issue, insisting the VA, HHS, and Defense Department make these procedures the newest (and most controversial) obligation of unwilling Americans. Then, to our great relief, voters elected Donald Trump -- many, based on his pledge that he would do away with the radical social experimentation of his predecessor.
Fortunately, they didn't have to wait long. The new commander-in-chief rolled back the transgender policy in the military and did his best to put the brakes on the fierce debate over taxpayer-funded sex changes. Everything was going according to plan -- until the courts got involved. At least two military veterans decided to sue the Trump administration into an all-expenses-paid gender transition (which, if you ask medical professionals, hasn't proven effective in treating serious mental health conditions like this one). Now, thanks to the courts, the VA is under significant pressure to reconsider its position on covering gender reassignment surgeries for vets.
Last Friday, the VA put out its first official "feelers" on the issue with a request for public comment. And while liberals insist that the department is just "going through the motions," there's no telling what the activist courts (which have become quite fond of stripping this president of his constitutional authority) will demand next. The VA did point out that the Defense Department memo on the president's transgender policy "noted considerable scientific uncertainty and overall lack of high quality scientific evidence demonstrating the extent to which transition-related treatments, such as sex reassignment surgery remedy the multifaceted mental health problems associated with gender dysphoria."
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University works to reduce number of white people on campus
In keeping with the diversity and inclusion movement sweeping campuses across the country, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo recently released a 30-page report outlining plans to “improve diversity” via a series of initiatives.
One goal is to increase the number of people of color on campus beyond the increases that have already occurred over the past few years, as “applications from underrepresented minority students doubled between 2008 and 2018.”
“In 2011, the campus was 63 percent Caucasian,” the May 2 report informs readers, “in fall of 2017, it was less than 55 percent … but there is still much work to do.”
The public research institution states it wishes to get those numbers more in line with the state’s percentage of white people, which recent polls hold at 39.7 percent of the population.
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One goal is to increase the number of people of color on campus beyond the increases that have already occurred over the past few years, as “applications from underrepresented minority students doubled between 2008 and 2018.”
“In 2011, the campus was 63 percent Caucasian,” the May 2 report informs readers, “in fall of 2017, it was less than 55 percent … but there is still much work to do.”
The public research institution states it wishes to get those numbers more in line with the state’s percentage of white people, which recent polls hold at 39.7 percent of the population.
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Liberals Are Furious Over the Nomination of [Insert Name Here] to Supreme Court
Behold the rallying cry of a new generation of manufactured outrage: "Stop [blank]!"
A crowd of protesters waited at the Supreme Court building Monday night, Resistance Markers in hand, ready to scrawl on their posters the name of Donald Trump's nominee who would bring about the End Times.
"They had all these Mad Lib signs," Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse said afterward on Fox News, smiling.
He was right to be amused. It's difficult to take someone's outrage seriously when a judge with 12 years on the Circuit Court is tried and convicted of destroying women's rights and health care in the time it takes to write BRETT KAVANAUGH in Magic Marker.
The far-left Women's March was so excited to announce its opposition to [Conservative Justice Who Is Bad], it didn't bother to fill in the name of the terrible man Trump had nominated in its email blast. Instead, the dreaded Justice "XX" was the one who would bring about The Handmaid's Tale long foretold.
"In response to Donald Trump's nomination of XX to the Supreme Court of the United States, the Women's March released the following statement," the email started.
More here
A crowd of protesters waited at the Supreme Court building Monday night, Resistance Markers in hand, ready to scrawl on their posters the name of Donald Trump's nominee who would bring about the End Times.
"They had all these Mad Lib signs," Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse said afterward on Fox News, smiling.
He was right to be amused. It's difficult to take someone's outrage seriously when a judge with 12 years on the Circuit Court is tried and convicted of destroying women's rights and health care in the time it takes to write BRETT KAVANAUGH in Magic Marker.
The far-left Women's March was so excited to announce its opposition to [Conservative Justice Who Is Bad], it didn't bother to fill in the name of the terrible man Trump had nominated in its email blast. Instead, the dreaded Justice "XX" was the one who would bring about The Handmaid's Tale long foretold.
"In response to Donald Trump's nomination of XX to the Supreme Court of the United States, the Women's March released the following statement," the email started.
More here
Michael Avenatti calls Stormy Daniels arrest 'politically motivated'
Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, was arrested for “allegedly allowing a customer to touch her while on stage in a non-sexual manner,” Avenatti tweeted, with the hashtags “setup” and “basta,” which is Italian for enough.
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http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/07/12/michael-avenatti-calls-stormy-daniels-arrest-politically-motivated.html
Caught in the Web - Comptroller Releases Names of Top Tax Evaders
List identifies businesses, individuals who owe combined total of $12.7 million in unpaid taxes
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Comptroller Peter Franchot today announced the names of the top 25 businesses and 20 individuals collectively owing $12.7 million in unpaid taxes, penalties and interest to the State of Maryland. The Comptroller's Office publishes the top scofflaws on the agency's website in a public attempt to get those on the list to pay what they owe as part of the Caught in the Web program. View the full list here.
"My Caught in the Web program highlights a small number of individuals and businesses that make a conscious effort to not pay their taxes," said Comptroller Franchot. "The vast majority of Marylanders pay their fair share of taxes, and my office is committed to ensuring that everyone does. These people have chosen to take advantage of the benefits of this great state while thumbing their noses at the taxpayers who fulfill their legal obligations."
The Comptroller's Office has collected more than $45 million from delinquent taxpayers whose names appeared on one of the agency's lists since the program's inception in 2000. The list of scofflaws unveiled today shows liabilities of $6.4 million in back taxes, penalties and interest from 20 individuals and $6.3 million from 25 businesses.
When an individual or business fails to pay their Maryland taxes, the Comptroller's Office initially sends a certified letter listing any unpaid charges incurred for taxes, interest and penalties. Taxpayers who fail to contact the agency to satisfy their tax liability or enter into an agreement to do so are eligible to be included in the Caught in the Web program. These individuals and businesses, which have already had liens filed against them, are notified prior to the list's posting that they will be included.
Visit the Comptroller's website for more information on Caught in the Web and tax compliance.
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Comptroller Peter Franchot today announced the names of the top 25 businesses and 20 individuals collectively owing $12.7 million in unpaid taxes, penalties and interest to the State of Maryland. The Comptroller's Office publishes the top scofflaws on the agency's website in a public attempt to get those on the list to pay what they owe as part of the Caught in the Web program. View the full list here.
"My Caught in the Web program highlights a small number of individuals and businesses that make a conscious effort to not pay their taxes," said Comptroller Franchot. "The vast majority of Marylanders pay their fair share of taxes, and my office is committed to ensuring that everyone does. These people have chosen to take advantage of the benefits of this great state while thumbing their noses at the taxpayers who fulfill their legal obligations."
The Comptroller's Office has collected more than $45 million from delinquent taxpayers whose names appeared on one of the agency's lists since the program's inception in 2000. The list of scofflaws unveiled today shows liabilities of $6.4 million in back taxes, penalties and interest from 20 individuals and $6.3 million from 25 businesses.
When an individual or business fails to pay their Maryland taxes, the Comptroller's Office initially sends a certified letter listing any unpaid charges incurred for taxes, interest and penalties. Taxpayers who fail to contact the agency to satisfy their tax liability or enter into an agreement to do so are eligible to be included in the Caught in the Web program. These individuals and businesses, which have already had liens filed against them, are notified prior to the list's posting that they will be included.
Visit the Comptroller's website for more information on Caught in the Web and tax compliance.
Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders to Headline Teacher Convention
Former Democrat presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., will speak at the annual convention of the American Federation of Teachers, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.
Senator Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., will speak on Saturday.
The American Federation of Teachers represents more than 1.8 million educators and other school-related personnel in more than 3,000 affiliates around the U.S., the report said.
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Senator Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., will speak on Saturday.
The American Federation of Teachers represents more than 1.8 million educators and other school-related personnel in more than 3,000 affiliates around the U.S., the report said.
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Look at the Salary and benefits. They wonder why schools are in bad shape.
Balt. Co. interim superintendent is approved for next school year
TOWSON, Md. (WBFF) - Despite weeks of fiery debate, there was little fanfare Tuesday night when the Baltimore County School Board named Verletta White as its interim superintendent.
By a vote of 9-2, the board approved a $273,000 contract for White along with an all expenses paid automobile and a $450 monthly technology allowance.
The new contract will run until June 30, 2019. Board members have yet to indicate its future plans.
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TOWSON, Md. (WBFF) - Despite weeks of fiery debate, there was little fanfare Tuesday night when the Baltimore County School Board named Verletta White as its interim superintendent.
By a vote of 9-2, the board approved a $273,000 contract for White along with an all expenses paid automobile and a $450 monthly technology allowance.
The new contract will run until June 30, 2019. Board members have yet to indicate its future plans.
More
Oberlin College Faces ‘Negative’ Rating by Credit Agencies Due to ‘Declining Enrollment’
New reports suggest that social justice haven Oberlin College is facing a myriad of financial issues.
Oberlin College in Ohio is notorious for its over-emphasis on social justice politics. It’s the alma mater of social justice icon Lena Dunham, who once published an art video that celebrated the “extinction of white men.” In 2015, Oberlin students accused their school of “cultural appropriation” over accuracy issues with certain cultural dishes that were offered in the dining hall. In December 2017, a local business claimed that Oberlin administrators slandered them by calling them racist for prosecuting alleged shoplifters.
Now, Oberlin College is facing “negative” ratings from credit agencies. At the end of June, the Bond Buyer reported that Oberlin was facing financial issues as a result of decreased enrollment.
More here
Oberlin College in Ohio is notorious for its over-emphasis on social justice politics. It’s the alma mater of social justice icon Lena Dunham, who once published an art video that celebrated the “extinction of white men.” In 2015, Oberlin students accused their school of “cultural appropriation” over accuracy issues with certain cultural dishes that were offered in the dining hall. In December 2017, a local business claimed that Oberlin administrators slandered them by calling them racist for prosecuting alleged shoplifters.
Now, Oberlin College is facing “negative” ratings from credit agencies. At the end of June, the Bond Buyer reported that Oberlin was facing financial issues as a result of decreased enrollment.
More here
Dennis Prager: Explaining American Leftists: Part I
As I watch a great number of my fellow Americans and virtually all of the mainstream media descend further and further into irrational and immoral hysteria — regularly calling the president of the United States and all of his supporters Nazis, white supremacists and the like; harassing Republicans where they eat, shop and live; ending family ties and lifelong friendships with people who support the president; declaring their opposition to Trump and the Republican Party the “Resistance,” as if they were American reincarnations of the French who fought real Nazis in World War II; and so on — I ask myself: What is going on? How does one explain them?
Here are some answers:
1.) Naïveté
Many Americans are naïve, about life, about good and evil, and about America. They don’t realize how rare America is and how good they have it. This mass naïveté was vividly expressed by the reaction of tens of thousands of mostly white middle-class Americans to then-candidate Barack Obama in 2008, when he was campaigning in Columbia, Missouri. Obama announced, “We are five days away from fundamentally transforming the United States of America.”
I frequently play the recording of Obama’s statement on my radio show not only to explain a basic difference between Right and Left — the Left believes America needs to be fundamentally transformed, while the Right thinks America needs to be incrementally improved — but also for people to hear the crowd’s reaction.
Very few contemporary American recordings are as depressing as the ecstatic and prolonged cheering the crowd gave that terrible promise from Obama. I believe it is not an exaggeration to say that had he announced a cure for cancer, the cheering could not have been louder and probably would not have been longer.
Why would middle-class Americans — people who have more affluence, more opportunity, better health, better health care and more liberty than almost anyone alive in the world today, and certainly than anyone who ever lived — thunderously applaud a call tofundamentally transform their decent country?
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Here are some answers:
1.) Naïveté
Many Americans are naïve, about life, about good and evil, and about America. They don’t realize how rare America is and how good they have it. This mass naïveté was vividly expressed by the reaction of tens of thousands of mostly white middle-class Americans to then-candidate Barack Obama in 2008, when he was campaigning in Columbia, Missouri. Obama announced, “We are five days away from fundamentally transforming the United States of America.”
I frequently play the recording of Obama’s statement on my radio show not only to explain a basic difference between Right and Left — the Left believes America needs to be fundamentally transformed, while the Right thinks America needs to be incrementally improved — but also for people to hear the crowd’s reaction.
Very few contemporary American recordings are as depressing as the ecstatic and prolonged cheering the crowd gave that terrible promise from Obama. I believe it is not an exaggeration to say that had he announced a cure for cancer, the cheering could not have been louder and probably would not have been longer.
Why would middle-class Americans — people who have more affluence, more opportunity, better health, better health care and more liberty than almost anyone alive in the world today, and certainly than anyone who ever lived — thunderously applaud a call tofundamentally transform their decent country?
More
New HHS Documents Reveal that ‘Unaccompanied Alien Children’ Processed During Obama Years Included Violent Criminals, Drug Smugglers, and Human Traffickers
Reports Include 1,000 ‘Significant Incident Reports,’ Revealing UAC ‘Refugees’ Admitting to Murder for Drug Cartels, Prostitution, and Sexual Predation
Reports Also Cite Incidents of U.S. Government Contractors/Employees Allegedly Assaulting Unaccompanied Alien Children
(Washington, DC) – Judicial Watch today released 224 pages of documents containing nearly 1,000 summaries of Significant Incident Reports (SIRs) from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) revealing that “Unaccompanied Alien Children” (UAC) processed during the Obama administration included admitted murderers, rapists, drug smugglers, prostitutes, and human traffickers.
The documents, from the HHS Administration for Children and Families reported to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), are for the approximate six-month period May to November 2014. They were produced to Judicial Watch after a three-year delay in response to a November 12, 2014, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request seeking:
Reports Also Cite Incidents of U.S. Government Contractors/Employees Allegedly Assaulting Unaccompanied Alien Children
(Washington, DC) – Judicial Watch today released 224 pages of documents containing nearly 1,000 summaries of Significant Incident Reports (SIRs) from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) revealing that “Unaccompanied Alien Children” (UAC) processed during the Obama administration included admitted murderers, rapists, drug smugglers, prostitutes, and human traffickers.
The documents, from the HHS Administration for Children and Families reported to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), are for the approximate six-month period May to November 2014. They were produced to Judicial Watch after a three-year delay in response to a November 12, 2014, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request seeking:
1. Any and all Significant Incident Reports (“SIRs”) and SIR Addenda, including but not limited to, Medical SIRs (both Emergency and Non-Emergency) and Medical SIR Addenda, submitted to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (“ORR”) for Unaccompanied Alien Children (“UACs”) from May 1, 2014 to the present.
To the extent any information may be contained in the SIRs or SIR Addenda that is considered exempt from disclosure under 5 (U.S.C. § 552(b)(6), all non-exempt, segregable portions of the reports should be provided.
2. Any and all summary reports, which are derived from or based upon data contained in the SIRs, including daily, weekly, monthly or year-to-date reports, that were prepared by, provided to or are in the possession of the ORR.
The resulting documents show that, in fiscal year 2014, there were 24,680 Significant Incident Reports filed with Office of Refugee Resettlement.
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To the extent any information may be contained in the SIRs or SIR Addenda that is considered exempt from disclosure under 5 (U.S.C. § 552(b)(6), all non-exempt, segregable portions of the reports should be provided.
2. Any and all summary reports, which are derived from or based upon data contained in the SIRs, including daily, weekly, monthly or year-to-date reports, that were prepared by, provided to or are in the possession of the ORR.
The resulting documents show that, in fiscal year 2014, there were 24,680 Significant Incident Reports filed with Office of Refugee Resettlement.
More
Fatal Motor Vehicle Collision
Date and Time: July 110, 2018 1245 PM
Location: Gray’s Corner RD, W/O Riddle LN, Worcester County, Maryland
On 7/11/18 the Maryland State Police, Berlin Fire Department, Ocean City Fire Department, Worcester Sheriff’s Department and Delaware State Police Trooper 2 responded to Grays Corner Road, West of Riddle Lane, for a single vehicle motor vehicle collision. Investigation revealed a Ford Ranger pickup truck struck a telephone pole. The driver was identified as Tony Leonard Childs, 31 years old of Ocean City, Maryland. He was flown to a nearby medical facility. Despite efforts to save him, Childs succumbed to his injuries. His next of kin have been notified. Investigation into the cause of this collision is continuing.
Location: Gray’s Corner RD, W/O Riddle LN, Worcester County, Maryland
On 7/11/18 the Maryland State Police, Berlin Fire Department, Ocean City Fire Department, Worcester Sheriff’s Department and Delaware State Police Trooper 2 responded to Grays Corner Road, West of Riddle Lane, for a single vehicle motor vehicle collision. Investigation revealed a Ford Ranger pickup truck struck a telephone pole. The driver was identified as Tony Leonard Childs, 31 years old of Ocean City, Maryland. He was flown to a nearby medical facility. Despite efforts to save him, Childs succumbed to his injuries. His next of kin have been notified. Investigation into the cause of this collision is continuing.
Thomas Gallatin: Trump's SCOTUS Nomination Provides Little Resistance Ammo
Democrats find themselves in a bind in opposing the least controversial of the four candidates Trump was considering.
President Donald Trump’s choice of Brett Kavanaugh to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy quickly earned high praise from Republicans who laud his conservative judicial record on the DC Circuit Court while at the same time presented Democrats with little substantive material to raise against his confirmation. In introducing Kavanaugh, Trumpnoted the importance of choosing a justice who was committed to upholding the Constitution, stating, “In keeping with President Reagan’s legacy, I do not ask about a nominee’s personal opinions. What matters is not a judge’s political views, but whether they can set aside those views to do what the law and the Constitution require. I am pleased to say that I have found, without doubt, such a person.”
While Kavanaugh was not the flashiest pick as some of the others potential nominees may have been, he was by far the safest choice in light of the Democrats’ determined resistance. Former President George W. Bush, who originally tabbed Kavanaugh for the DC Circuit Court back in 2003, offered his full-throated support, stating that Trump had made an “outstanding decision” and that Kavanaugh was a “brilliant jurist” who “will make a superb Justice of the Supreme Court of the United State.” And maybe more importantly, Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), who is one of two moderate Republicans that Democrats have targeted to swing their way, struck a positive note, stating, “Judge Kavanaugh has impressive credentials and extensive experience.”
However, the reality is that no matter who Trump chose, Democrats and their cohorts in the mainstream media were committed to engaging the #Resistance, doing everything in their power to prevent Trump from replacing Kennedy — famously or infamously known for being the Court’s swing vote — with a constitutionally committed conservative justice. For Democrats, it is a hill worth dying on. In fact, Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) called the issue a “life-and-death” scenario and even suggested that Democrat senators up for reelection in red states need to be willing to lose in an effort to prevent confirmation.
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President Donald Trump’s choice of Brett Kavanaugh to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy quickly earned high praise from Republicans who laud his conservative judicial record on the DC Circuit Court while at the same time presented Democrats with little substantive material to raise against his confirmation. In introducing Kavanaugh, Trumpnoted the importance of choosing a justice who was committed to upholding the Constitution, stating, “In keeping with President Reagan’s legacy, I do not ask about a nominee’s personal opinions. What matters is not a judge’s political views, but whether they can set aside those views to do what the law and the Constitution require. I am pleased to say that I have found, without doubt, such a person.”
While Kavanaugh was not the flashiest pick as some of the others potential nominees may have been, he was by far the safest choice in light of the Democrats’ determined resistance. Former President George W. Bush, who originally tabbed Kavanaugh for the DC Circuit Court back in 2003, offered his full-throated support, stating that Trump had made an “outstanding decision” and that Kavanaugh was a “brilliant jurist” who “will make a superb Justice of the Supreme Court of the United State.” And maybe more importantly, Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), who is one of two moderate Republicans that Democrats have targeted to swing their way, struck a positive note, stating, “Judge Kavanaugh has impressive credentials and extensive experience.”
However, the reality is that no matter who Trump chose, Democrats and their cohorts in the mainstream media were committed to engaging the #Resistance, doing everything in their power to prevent Trump from replacing Kennedy — famously or infamously known for being the Court’s swing vote — with a constitutionally committed conservative justice. For Democrats, it is a hill worth dying on. In fact, Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) called the issue a “life-and-death” scenario and even suggested that Democrat senators up for reelection in red states need to be willing to lose in an effort to prevent confirmation.
More
June Boardwalk Undercover Narcotics Operations Results in 31 Arrests
The Ocean City Police Criminal Investigation Division’s Narcotics & Vice Unit recently completed multiple drug enforcement buy-bust operations during the month of June in downtown Ocean City. These undercover operations ultimately led to 31 total arrests, including 18 felonies.
During the course of these operations, 17 individuals were arrested for the distribution of controlled dangerous substance or conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance. Undercover officers seized marijuana, cocaine, and prescription pills from these individuals. An additional 11 individuals were arrested for possession of a fake controlled dangerous substance.
The Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) would like to thank the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Enforcement Team (CET) for their assistance in the drug enforcement operations. The CET consists of members of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and Maryland State Police. Narcotics Unit detectives were also assisted by the OCPD Special Enforcement Unit, Major Crimes Unit and Patrol Division.
Citizens are reminded that undercover officers continue to conduct drug enforcement operations throughout the year to ensure the safety of our residents and visitors. Drug activity often leads to more serious criminal incidents and the OCPD Narcotics Unit is dedicated to the safety of Ocean City residents and visitors.
During the course of these operations, 17 individuals were arrested for the distribution of controlled dangerous substance or conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance. Undercover officers seized marijuana, cocaine, and prescription pills from these individuals. An additional 11 individuals were arrested for possession of a fake controlled dangerous substance.
The Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) would like to thank the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Enforcement Team (CET) for their assistance in the drug enforcement operations. The CET consists of members of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and Maryland State Police. Narcotics Unit detectives were also assisted by the OCPD Special Enforcement Unit, Major Crimes Unit and Patrol Division.
Citizens are reminded that undercover officers continue to conduct drug enforcement operations throughout the year to ensure the safety of our residents and visitors. Drug activity often leads to more serious criminal incidents and the OCPD Narcotics Unit is dedicated to the safety of Ocean City residents and visitors.
Teen attacked for wearing 'Make America Great Again' hat gets signed cap from President
SAN ANTONIO — The teen who made national news after having his "Make America Great Again" hat stolen at a San Antonio Whataburger restaurant has now received a 'replacement' cap signed by President Donald Trump.
Video of the incident showed a man throw a drink in 16-year-old Hunter Richard's face before leaving the restaurant with his hat. Hunter said some of his hair was pulled during the assault.
Police later arrested a suspect in the case, 30-year-old Kino Jimenez, and charged him with theft.
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Video of the incident showed a man throw a drink in 16-year-old Hunter Richard's face before leaving the restaurant with his hat. Hunter said some of his hair was pulled during the assault.
Police later arrested a suspect in the case, 30-year-old Kino Jimenez, and charged him with theft.
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Trump's Colorblind Economy
Trump's policies are proving to be a cure for 'victimitis.' No wonder the Left is full-bore scared.
Mark Alexander has written about how Liberty is colorblind. Unfortunately, leftist policies and constant demagoguery have resulted in too many American minorities succumbing to cultural degradation and falling short in economic progress. But things have changed under President Donald Trump. As described by Investor’s Business Daily (IBD), Trump is overseeing a “colorblind jobs boom.”
“Trump, it turns out, has been the most consequential president in history when it comes to minority employment,” IBD says. “In June, for instance, the unemployment rate for Hispanics and Latinos 16 years and older fell to 4.6%, its lowest level ever, from 4.9% in May. The previous all-time low was 4.8%. African-American unemployment bounced up from its all-time low of 5.9% in May to 6.5% in June. But that 6.5% still represents the second-lowest unemployment reading ever for Black Americans. As for Asian-Americans, unemployment similarly bounced off its all-time low of 2.1% in May, rising to 3.2%. And that’s still 0.6 percentage point lower than when Trump entered office.”
IBD observers that Trump “is winning over those who have benefited most from his policies: Minorities.
More here
Mark Alexander has written about how Liberty is colorblind. Unfortunately, leftist policies and constant demagoguery have resulted in too many American minorities succumbing to cultural degradation and falling short in economic progress. But things have changed under President Donald Trump. As described by Investor’s Business Daily (IBD), Trump is overseeing a “colorblind jobs boom.”
“Trump, it turns out, has been the most consequential president in history when it comes to minority employment,” IBD says. “In June, for instance, the unemployment rate for Hispanics and Latinos 16 years and older fell to 4.6%, its lowest level ever, from 4.9% in May. The previous all-time low was 4.8%. African-American unemployment bounced up from its all-time low of 5.9% in May to 6.5% in June. But that 6.5% still represents the second-lowest unemployment reading ever for Black Americans. As for Asian-Americans, unemployment similarly bounced off its all-time low of 2.1% in May, rising to 3.2%. And that’s still 0.6 percentage point lower than when Trump entered office.”
IBD observers that Trump “is winning over those who have benefited most from his policies: Minorities.
More here
June Smoking Citations Up 1,000% In Ocean City
OCEAN CITY – Law enforcement officials in Ocean City are reporting a substantial increase in citations for smoking on the beach and Boardwalk, highlighting the police department’s efforts to enforce the town’s smoking ordinance.
In 2015, Ocean City passed an ordinance that banned smoking on the beach and Boardwalk, except within 15 feet of a designated smoking area. Last month, however, the Mayor and Council voted to amend the ordinance to include marijuana and vaping and subsequently requested the Ocean City Police Commission review enforcement efforts for the smoking ban.
To that end, Ocean City Police Chief Ross Buzzuro on Monday presented the commission with a report on the number of citations issued for smoking, skateboarding and animal violations along the Boardwalk during the month of June.
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In 2015, Ocean City passed an ordinance that banned smoking on the beach and Boardwalk, except within 15 feet of a designated smoking area. Last month, however, the Mayor and Council voted to amend the ordinance to include marijuana and vaping and subsequently requested the Ocean City Police Commission review enforcement efforts for the smoking ban.
To that end, Ocean City Police Chief Ross Buzzuro on Monday presented the commission with a report on the number of citations issued for smoking, skateboarding and animal violations along the Boardwalk during the month of June.
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Clinton Campaign’s Brian Fallon Previews #MeToo Strategy to Take Down Brett Kavanaugh
Brian Fallon, the head of Demand Justice, a new progressive activist group established to play a vital role in opposing President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, spelled out the group’s battle plan against the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh.
Fallon, who served as press secretary for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign, took to CNN last night, where he gave Chris Cuomo a preview of his organization’s likely attacks on Kavanaugh.
Fallon spelled out two tactics that he claimed were potential “wild card” issues in the nomination.
One is to attempt to stall Kavanaugh’s confirmation pending the release and full review of the thousands of pages of the Starr Report, which documented the case to impeach President Clinton and which was drafted in part by Kavanaugh.
The second tactic is to raise questions, despite any current evidence, about whether Kavanaugh knew about sexual harassment allegations related to former Ninth Circuit Judge Alex Kozinski for which Kavanaugh clerked in 1991.
More here
Fallon, who served as press secretary for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign, took to CNN last night, where he gave Chris Cuomo a preview of his organization’s likely attacks on Kavanaugh.
Fallon spelled out two tactics that he claimed were potential “wild card” issues in the nomination.
One is to attempt to stall Kavanaugh’s confirmation pending the release and full review of the thousands of pages of the Starr Report, which documented the case to impeach President Clinton and which was drafted in part by Kavanaugh.
The second tactic is to raise questions, despite any current evidence, about whether Kavanaugh knew about sexual harassment allegations related to former Ninth Circuit Judge Alex Kozinski for which Kavanaugh clerked in 1991.
More here
DHS Refuses to ‘Reunite’ Children with Adults Who Aren’t Their Parents
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) held a joint call Tuesday to announce their efforts to comply with a June 26 federal court ruling mandating children under five years old in HHS custody be “reunited” with parents if they were separated at the border.
U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw, in response to an American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) lawsuit, set a July 10 deadline to reunite the families and refused to provide additional time for the government to use DNA testing to determine if the people in question are even the 102 identified children’s parents.
Nevertheless, the government, in its Tuesday “Joint Status Report” notes that in at least 14 of the 102 children’s cases, they will not be “reuniting” them with parents because the adults in question are either not actually their parents, have been convicted of serious crimes, including rape and murder, or have been credibly accused of child abuse. The government will not place children with adults without completing these checks.
“Let me be clear: HHS could have transferred every child out of our care to a parent who is currently in DHS custody today if we did not take into account child safety or whether the adult is actually the parent,” HHS Chief of Staff Chris Meekins, told reporters.
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U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw, in response to an American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) lawsuit, set a July 10 deadline to reunite the families and refused to provide additional time for the government to use DNA testing to determine if the people in question are even the 102 identified children’s parents.
Nevertheless, the government, in its Tuesday “Joint Status Report” notes that in at least 14 of the 102 children’s cases, they will not be “reuniting” them with parents because the adults in question are either not actually their parents, have been convicted of serious crimes, including rape and murder, or have been credibly accused of child abuse. The government will not place children with adults without completing these checks.
“Let me be clear: HHS could have transferred every child out of our care to a parent who is currently in DHS custody today if we did not take into account child safety or whether the adult is actually the parent,” HHS Chief of Staff Chris Meekins, told reporters.
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Homegrown Terror Threats Increasing
Foreign born, citizen jihadists still planning attacks across U.S.
Jihadist threats from homegrown terrorists in America continue to increase each month, with at least nine foreign born individuals living in the United States arrested or convicted in June of attempting to launch attacks on behalf of ISIS and other global terrorist organizations, according to newly released information by Congress.
"Cases of homegrown Islamist extremism in the U.S. continue to be an issue of concern," according to the House Homeland Security Committee's monthly report of terrorism in America, which has been tracking an increase in homegrown jihadists for some time. "Since 2013, there have been 154 homegrown jihadist cases in the United States" from at least 30 different states.
The information highlights the ongoing threat posed by rogue jihadists influenced by international terror groups, but not necessarily directly tied to them, which makes these would-be attackers more difficult to track for federal authorities.
The committee's monthly report has tracked an uptick in this activity for some time, highlighting the federal government's difficulty in thwarting terror plots across America.
More here
Jihadist threats from homegrown terrorists in America continue to increase each month, with at least nine foreign born individuals living in the United States arrested or convicted in June of attempting to launch attacks on behalf of ISIS and other global terrorist organizations, according to newly released information by Congress.
"Cases of homegrown Islamist extremism in the U.S. continue to be an issue of concern," according to the House Homeland Security Committee's monthly report of terrorism in America, which has been tracking an increase in homegrown jihadists for some time. "Since 2013, there have been 154 homegrown jihadist cases in the United States" from at least 30 different states.
The information highlights the ongoing threat posed by rogue jihadists influenced by international terror groups, but not necessarily directly tied to them, which makes these would-be attackers more difficult to track for federal authorities.
The committee's monthly report has tracked an uptick in this activity for some time, highlighting the federal government's difficulty in thwarting terror plots across America.
More here
Republican lawmakers may hold Lisa Page in contempt
Former FBI lawyer Lisa Page may find herself in contempt after not appearing Wednesday on Capitol Hill, despite a concerted effort by her attorney to explain her no-show.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., and House Oversight Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy, R-S.C. said in a Wednesday afternoon letter to Page’s attorney Amy Jeffress that her client could be held in contempt as early as Friday morning.
Page can either appear Thursday at a scheduled public hearing along FBI agent Peter Strzok, or "present herself for a deposition on Friday, July 13, 2018, at 10:00 a.m."
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House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., and House Oversight Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy, R-S.C. said in a Wednesday afternoon letter to Page’s attorney Amy Jeffress that her client could be held in contempt as early as Friday morning.
Page can either appear Thursday at a scheduled public hearing along FBI agent Peter Strzok, or "present herself for a deposition on Friday, July 13, 2018, at 10:00 a.m."
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Trump administration moves to end union dues skimming of homecare workers
The Trump administration announced Tuesday that it would change Medicaid's rules to prevent unions from automatically getting a cut of the checks sent to state-subsidized home healthcare workers.
Under the proposed new rules announced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, states would be prohibited from diverting any funds away from the workers to a third party, such as unions.
Critics of the current arrangement argue that homecare workers often aren't aware that they are members of unions or that the deductions are being made, since they usually start automatically once they enter the subsidy programs. Under Tuesday's proposed rules change, providers would likely still be eligible to join unions but would have to act on their own to make the payments.
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Under the proposed new rules announced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, states would be prohibited from diverting any funds away from the workers to a third party, such as unions.
Critics of the current arrangement argue that homecare workers often aren't aware that they are members of unions or that the deductions are being made, since they usually start automatically once they enter the subsidy programs. Under Tuesday's proposed rules change, providers would likely still be eligible to join unions but would have to act on their own to make the payments.
More/Video
USSSA Eastern National Championship arrives on Maryland’s Eastern Shore
Salisbury, MD – Approximately 5,500 softball players will make their way to the lower Eastern Shore over the next three weeks for the United States Specialty Sports Association’s (USSSA) Eastern National Championship.
This year’s Eastern National Championship runs from July 11-28. The event draws nearly 370 girls’ softball teams from 16 states to the region. States represented include Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia and West Virginia.
The Eastern National Championship is divided into three tournament weeks:
Week 1: July 11-15 - 10U Open, 12U Open
Week 2: July 17-22 - 14U Open, 14U B
Week 3: July 23-28 - 16U Open, 18U Open, 18U B
*’U’ abbreviation for under.
Week 1 of the event brings 95 teams to Delmarva. The tournament schedule, brackets and results can be found online at http://www.usssa.com/fastpitch/event_gameCenter/?divisionID=1653913.
This year’s Eastern National Championship runs from July 11-28. The event draws nearly 370 girls’ softball teams from 16 states to the region. States represented include Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia and West Virginia.
The Eastern National Championship is divided into three tournament weeks:
Week 1: July 11-15 - 10U Open, 12U Open
Week 2: July 17-22 - 14U Open, 14U B
Week 3: July 23-28 - 16U Open, 18U Open, 18U B
*’U’ abbreviation for under.
Week 1 of the event brings 95 teams to Delmarva. The tournament schedule, brackets and results can be found online at http://www.usssa.com/fastpitch/event_gameCenter/?divisionID=1653913.
Secret 2006 US Gov't Document Reveals Plan To Destabilize Syria Using Extremists, Muslim Brotherhood, Elections
As the Syrian government makes massive gains across the country, many are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel for the Western destabilization and attempt to destroy the secular government of Syria by the United States and the West.However, it must be remembered that the goal to impose hegemony across the world by the Anglo-financier system is not some fly-by-night venture that cropped up in 2011 to be easily abandoned in 2018. Indeed, the plan to destroy Syria has spanned nearly four decades, only moving into high gear in 2011 under the Obama administration.
While the destabilization initiative did begin in earnest under Obama’s watch, the truth is that previous administration were also heavily involved in the planning of Syria’s destruction.
For instance, in 2006, TIME revealed a leaked two-page document circulating amongst key figures in the Bush administration that openly stated that the U.S. was “supporting regular meetings of internal and diaspora Syrian activists” in Europe. The document made no bones about expressing hope that “these meetings will facilitate a more coherent strategy and plan of actions for all anti-Assad activists.”
The document also stated, according to TIME, that Syria’s legislative elections which were going to take place in March of 2007, “provide a potentially galvanizing issue for... critics of the Assad regime.” The document expressed an open desire to take advantage of that opportunity by suggesting an “election monitoring” plan where “internet accessible materials will be available for printing and dissemination by activists inside the country [Syria] and neighboring countries.”
The document also advocates for providing money to at least one Syrian politician who was allegedly intending to run in the election against Bashar al-Assad. The document also called for the funding of and implementation of “voter education campaigns” and “public opinion polling,” the first being “tentatively scheduled in early 2007.”
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While the destabilization initiative did begin in earnest under Obama’s watch, the truth is that previous administration were also heavily involved in the planning of Syria’s destruction.
For instance, in 2006, TIME revealed a leaked two-page document circulating amongst key figures in the Bush administration that openly stated that the U.S. was “supporting regular meetings of internal and diaspora Syrian activists” in Europe. The document made no bones about expressing hope that “these meetings will facilitate a more coherent strategy and plan of actions for all anti-Assad activists.”
The document also stated, according to TIME, that Syria’s legislative elections which were going to take place in March of 2007, “provide a potentially galvanizing issue for... critics of the Assad regime.” The document expressed an open desire to take advantage of that opportunity by suggesting an “election monitoring” plan where “internet accessible materials will be available for printing and dissemination by activists inside the country [Syria] and neighboring countries.”
The document also advocates for providing money to at least one Syrian politician who was allegedly intending to run in the election against Bashar al-Assad. The document also called for the funding of and implementation of “voter education campaigns” and “public opinion polling,” the first being “tentatively scheduled in early 2007.”
More
A Viewer Writes: United Way Resignations
Someome might want to ask why 50% of the United Way of the lower eastern shore has resigned in the last month and what the board is doing about it.
Breaking News: "I believe in NATO": After several contentious meetings, President Trump strongly reaffirmed his support for the alliance
He said that the allies had agreed to his demand that they significantly increase military spending. The alliance, he said, is “very unified, very strong, no problem.” The comments came after he signed on to a joint statement that largely reaffirmed existing NATO commitments, and was at odds with some of his own statements.
CBP Addresses False Claims of Separation for those Seeking Asylum at U.S. Ports of Entry
WASHINGTON – U.S. Customs and Border Protection Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations, Todd Owen addressed false claims today on a call with media that CBP is separating families seeking asylum at U.S. ports of entry as part of the zero tolerance policy. The zero tolerance policy did not change or affect operations at U.S. ports of entry.
It is rare for CBP to separate family units at ports of entry. If there is a separation, it is a result of exigent circumstances to ensure the wellbeing of the child.
CBP is not denying or discouraging travelers from seeking asylum or any other form of protection, or from claiming fear of return to their home country. When our ports of entry reach capacity, CBP officers’ ability to manage all of their missions — counter-narcotics, national security, facilitation of lawful trade — is challenged by the time and the space to process people that are arriving without documents, from time to time we have to manage the queues and address that processing based on that capacity.
To put the mission into perspective along the Southwest Border, CBP officers process approximately 532,000 people and 208,000 vehicles at the land ports of entry each day. San Ysidro is CBP’s largest border crossing with more than 100,000 people crossing every single day. Another 30,000 cross through the neighboring Otay Mesa Port of Entry.
CBP officers have direct responsibility for enhancing U.S. economic competitiveness by facilitating legitimate travel and trade, both of which have continued to grow year after year. Over the last five years, international travel has grown approximately 9.7 percent.
The lawful way to request asylum is to present yourself at the ports of entry. At the port of entry, a CBP officer will document your claim, take a sworn statement and then you will be turned over to ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). ERO will hold you in detention until you can be presented before an asylum officer with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for the initial review of the asylum claim. CBP officers make no assessment to the merits of the asylum claim.
Individuals who attempt to illegally circumvent the inspection process at the ports of entry are subject to prosecution, which requires separation of the adult. This long-standing practice maintains the integrity of the legal process to enter the United States.
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It is rare for CBP to separate family units at ports of entry. If there is a separation, it is a result of exigent circumstances to ensure the wellbeing of the child.
CBP is not denying or discouraging travelers from seeking asylum or any other form of protection, or from claiming fear of return to their home country. When our ports of entry reach capacity, CBP officers’ ability to manage all of their missions — counter-narcotics, national security, facilitation of lawful trade — is challenged by the time and the space to process people that are arriving without documents, from time to time we have to manage the queues and address that processing based on that capacity.
To put the mission into perspective along the Southwest Border, CBP officers process approximately 532,000 people and 208,000 vehicles at the land ports of entry each day. San Ysidro is CBP’s largest border crossing with more than 100,000 people crossing every single day. Another 30,000 cross through the neighboring Otay Mesa Port of Entry.
CBP officers have direct responsibility for enhancing U.S. economic competitiveness by facilitating legitimate travel and trade, both of which have continued to grow year after year. Over the last five years, international travel has grown approximately 9.7 percent.
The lawful way to request asylum is to present yourself at the ports of entry. At the port of entry, a CBP officer will document your claim, take a sworn statement and then you will be turned over to ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). ERO will hold you in detention until you can be presented before an asylum officer with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for the initial review of the asylum claim. CBP officers make no assessment to the merits of the asylum claim.
Individuals who attempt to illegally circumvent the inspection process at the ports of entry are subject to prosecution, which requires separation of the adult. This long-standing practice maintains the integrity of the legal process to enter the United States.
More
A Letter to the Editor 7-12-18
The Allen Volunteer Fire Company ambulance is being dispatched to 30472 Pink Knoll Drive in Princess Anne for Chest Pain at approximately 4:40 AM on 7-12-2018.
99.9% of all ambulance calls Allen ambulance is dispatched on is in Somerset County and the Wicomico County taxpayers are footing the bill and not even getting reimbursed by Princess Anne or the Somerset County Council.
The Allen Volunteer Fire Company started their ambulance program so that they could make money from the county and not even work for it. They get money Wicomico County just for having an ambulance. They also get the equivalent of 3 full-time paramedics which they have hired and give part-time pay too. Not to forget, but the Allen Volunteer Fire Company gets the revenue from the ambulance billing and doesn't even reimburse the County taxpayers for this. This money is being used to buy brand new fire trucks for the volunteer fire company. Just look at the pictures of their new trucks on their web pages.
It's now 4:51 AM and Central are now dispatching Fruitland EMS to respond to Princess Anne to take that call.
Allen Fire Department EMS must have scratched on that call
Paramedic B3 is responding with 2 at 4:53 AM so Allen did scratch on that call. What happened to that county funding that they are collecting to have a paid paramedic on duty with? Why don't they have a paramedic working today?
So Fruitland covers the call for Allen and not one person for the Allen Volunteer Fire Company answered up on this call. Where is the Paramedic that the county funds for Allen? Them having no paramedic on duty happens quite often and someone needs to look into this! Is Wayne Nauman the full-time paramedic for Allen that gets paid to do the scheduling? Shame on him, shame on them. PATHETIC SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY!!
The Allen Volunteer Fire Department is ripping taxpayers off in Wicomico County for having an ambulance and collecting county funding when they don't even have volunteers willing to cover these calls they are dispatched for? They don't even have anyone that will take the calls in Allen tonight. All it takes is a driver and a volunteer EMT and they couldn't get any of the above to respond.
Scratching on calls is a major problem with both Fruitland and Allen, but worse for the Allen Fire Company when they can't even get an ambulance out.
This is definitely something our elected people in Wicomico County need to investigate. Please post this as a Comment Worthy of a Post and let's see if the county even looks into this problem.