DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
How Much Power Are Unelected Judges Supposed to Have?
One senator wants to know whose side the nominee would be on in disputes between corporate and consumer interests, between polluters and protecting the environment, or between insurance companies and average Americans. The “real issue,” he had declared earlier, is: “Will he be on the side of workers or is he going to be on the side of the bosses?”
Another senator chimes in, saying that her support would depend on whether the nominee would “stand with us and with our families or be on the side of major special interests.”
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Democratic Desperation on Kavanaugh Is Showing
How can you tell that Democrats are flailing in their efforts to stop Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination and don’t currently have the votes or a good plan to do so? Let’s look at the arguments they are trotting out right now. First up, Cory Booker:
Democratic Sen. Cory Booker (N.J.) is calling on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh to recuse himself from any cases that might involve special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation.
“To avoid the prospect that President Trump could effectively choose a judge in his own case, I request that you pledge to recuse yourself from any cases related to the Special Counsel’s investigation and any that otherwise may immediately impact the President and his associates as it relates to the ongoing criminal investigation should you be confirmed,” Booker said in a letter to Kavanaugh on Friday.
“The American public must have full confidence that the integrity of any decisions handed down by the Supreme Court on these matters will not be tainted by any impropriety or the appearance of impropriety from the President’s selection of you.”
This is ignorant of history. Justices have never recused themselves just because of who appointed them.
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Democratic Sen. Cory Booker (N.J.) is calling on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh to recuse himself from any cases that might involve special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation.
“To avoid the prospect that President Trump could effectively choose a judge in his own case, I request that you pledge to recuse yourself from any cases related to the Special Counsel’s investigation and any that otherwise may immediately impact the President and his associates as it relates to the ongoing criminal investigation should you be confirmed,” Booker said in a letter to Kavanaugh on Friday.
“The American public must have full confidence that the integrity of any decisions handed down by the Supreme Court on these matters will not be tainted by any impropriety or the appearance of impropriety from the President’s selection of you.”
This is ignorant of history. Justices have never recused themselves just because of who appointed them.
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SLIP? Obama in Africa: “I Visited Kenya as First American President to Come from Kenya”
Barack Obama had a slip of the tongue in Kogelo, Kenya this past weekend.
During a speech Obama told the African audience he was from Kenya,
“Now three years ago I visited Kenya as the first sitting American president to come from Kenya.”
During a speech Obama told the African audience he was from Kenya,
“Now three years ago I visited Kenya as the first sitting American president to come from Kenya.”
Over 100,000 Sign Petition Calling For ABC To Fire Whoopi Goldberg
Comedian’s aggressive outburst at Jeanine Pirro sparked the petition
Over 100,000 people have signed a petition calling for Whoopi Goldberg to be fired from her job hosting The View on ABC after she blew up on Jeanine Pirro during a segment last week.
The original petition called for 50,000 signatures in response to Whoopi allegedly screaming and spitting at Pirro, but that goal has been raised to 150,000 after an overwhelming turnout.
Once completed, the petition papers will be sent to the front door of ABC studios in Burbank, Ca.
Read the petition here:
Over 100,000 people have signed a petition calling for Whoopi Goldberg to be fired from her job hosting The View on ABC after she blew up on Jeanine Pirro during a segment last week.
The original petition called for 50,000 signatures in response to Whoopi allegedly screaming and spitting at Pirro, but that goal has been raised to 150,000 after an overwhelming turnout.
Once completed, the petition papers will be sent to the front door of ABC studios in Burbank, Ca.
Read the petition here:
FISA Applications Confirm: The FBI Relied on the Unverified Steele Dossier
A salacious Clinton-campaign product was the driving force behind the Trump–Russia investigation.
On a sleepy summer Saturday, after months of stonewalling, the FBI dumped 412 pages of documents related to the Carter Page FISA surveillance warrants — the applications, the certifications, and the warrants themselves. Now that we can see it all in black and white — mostly black, as they are heavily redacted — it is crystal clear that the Steele dossier, an unverified Clinton-campaign product, was the driving force behind the Trump–Russia investigation.
Based on the dossier, the FBI told the FISA court it believed that Carter Page, who had been identified by the Trump campaign as an adviser, was coordinating with the Russian government in an espionage conspiracy to influence the 2016 election.
This sensational allegation came from Christopher Steele, the former British spy. The FISA court was not told that the Clinton campaign was behind Steele’s work. Nor did the FBI and Justice Department inform the court that Steele’s allegations had never been verified. To the contrary, each FISA application — the original one in October 2016, and the three renewals at 90-day intervals — is labeled “VERIFIED APPLICATION” (bold caps in original). And each one makes this breathtaking representation:
The FBI has reviewed this verified application for accuracy in accordance with its April 5, 2001 procedures, which include sending a copy of the draft to the appropriate field office(s).
In reality, the applications were never verified for accuracy.
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On a sleepy summer Saturday, after months of stonewalling, the FBI dumped 412 pages of documents related to the Carter Page FISA surveillance warrants — the applications, the certifications, and the warrants themselves. Now that we can see it all in black and white — mostly black, as they are heavily redacted — it is crystal clear that the Steele dossier, an unverified Clinton-campaign product, was the driving force behind the Trump–Russia investigation.
Based on the dossier, the FBI told the FISA court it believed that Carter Page, who had been identified by the Trump campaign as an adviser, was coordinating with the Russian government in an espionage conspiracy to influence the 2016 election.
This sensational allegation came from Christopher Steele, the former British spy. The FISA court was not told that the Clinton campaign was behind Steele’s work. Nor did the FBI and Justice Department inform the court that Steele’s allegations had never been verified. To the contrary, each FISA application — the original one in October 2016, and the three renewals at 90-day intervals — is labeled “VERIFIED APPLICATION” (bold caps in original). And each one makes this breathtaking representation:
The FBI has reviewed this verified application for accuracy in accordance with its April 5, 2001 procedures, which include sending a copy of the draft to the appropriate field office(s).
In reality, the applications were never verified for accuracy.
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HYPOCRISY: HILLARY’S LOVE AFFAIR WITH RUSSIA
Who is really in bed with the Russians?
The hypocrisy of Hillary Clinton’s dealings with Russia’s Vladimir Putin from her 2014 Book “Hard Choices” reveal a hubris-driven shell game where Hillary met with Putin secretly and filed, as Secretary of State, the waiver paperwork for Bill Clinton to meet Putin on numerous occasions as a representative of The Clinton Foundation.
Once again everything the hypocritical Clinton crime family touches turns to manure.
Will the Mueller investigation be allowed to continue after this major torpedo?
More/Video
The hypocrisy of Hillary Clinton’s dealings with Russia’s Vladimir Putin from her 2014 Book “Hard Choices” reveal a hubris-driven shell game where Hillary met with Putin secretly and filed, as Secretary of State, the waiver paperwork for Bill Clinton to meet Putin on numerous occasions as a representative of The Clinton Foundation.
Once again everything the hypocritical Clinton crime family touches turns to manure.
Will the Mueller investigation be allowed to continue after this major torpedo?
More/Video
Trial Of FBI Agent Accused in Finicum Murder Begins
Will justice be served?
Mark Herr, CenterForSelfGovernance.com, joins David Knight to look at the trial beginning today of an FBI sniper accused of shooting into the truck driven by Lavoy Finicum and lying about it.
Mark Herr, CenterForSelfGovernance.com, joins David Knight to look at the trial beginning today of an FBI sniper accused of shooting into the truck driven by Lavoy Finicum and lying about it.
Dover Downs announces merger with Rhode Island casino
The completed merger between Dover Downs and Twin River Worldwide Holdings is expected by early 2019.
There’s a merger in the works at Dover Downs.
The gaming and entertainment company, known for its casino and hotel in Delaware’s capital city, has agreed to a merger with Twin River Worldwide Holdings of Lincoln, Rhode Island.
News of a definitive merger arrangement was announced in a joint July 22 press release.
The union of the publicly traded Delaware company and the private Rhode Island firm probably won’t be completed until early 2019, Dover Downs CEO Dennis McGlyn said Monday morning.
“This is the beginning of a process that probably will take six to nine months to conclude,” he said. The company must file with various licensing agencies and the Securities and Exchange Commission, McGlynn added.
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There’s a merger in the works at Dover Downs.
The gaming and entertainment company, known for its casino and hotel in Delaware’s capital city, has agreed to a merger with Twin River Worldwide Holdings of Lincoln, Rhode Island.
News of a definitive merger arrangement was announced in a joint July 22 press release.
The union of the publicly traded Delaware company and the private Rhode Island firm probably won’t be completed until early 2019, Dover Downs CEO Dennis McGlyn said Monday morning.
“This is the beginning of a process that probably will take six to nine months to conclude,” he said. The company must file with various licensing agencies and the Securities and Exchange Commission, McGlynn added.
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Heavy rains unearth huge shark teeth in Calvert County creek
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources wrote Monday on Facebook that the shark teeth were found in a creek in Huntingtown, in Calvert County.
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Gallup: Record Percentage Say Immigration Top Problem for USA
(CNSNews.com) - A record 22 percent of Americans said this month that they believe “immigration/illegal aliens” is the most important problem facing the United States, according to Gallup polling numbers released on Wednesday.
“The 22 percent of Americans in July who say immigration is the top problem is up from 14 percent in June and is the highest percentage naming that issue in Gallup's history of asking the ‘most important problem’ question,” Gallup Editor in Chief Frank Newport said in an analysis of the survey.
“The previous high had been 19%,” Newport said.
From July 1 to July 11, Gallup asked a random sample of 1,033 adults living in the United States this open-ended question: “What do you think is the most important problem facing this country today?”
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“The 22 percent of Americans in July who say immigration is the top problem is up from 14 percent in June and is the highest percentage naming that issue in Gallup's history of asking the ‘most important problem’ question,” Gallup Editor in Chief Frank Newport said in an analysis of the survey.
“The previous high had been 19%,” Newport said.
From July 1 to July 11, Gallup asked a random sample of 1,033 adults living in the United States this open-ended question: “What do you think is the most important problem facing this country today?”
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Reward Offered For Information About Wicomico Co. Murder
(SALISBURY, MD) – A reward is being offered for information related to the murder of a man shot and killed in Wicomico County last month.
Crime Solvers of the Lower Eastern Shore is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for information related to the murder of Shawn G. Johnson, 29, of Fruitland, Md. Johnson was shot multiple times at about 7:30 p.m. on June 6, 2018, in the 600-block of Priscilla Street, Salisbury, Md. He later died at the hospital.
Anyone with information about this murder is urged to contact Crime Solvers of the Lower Eastern Shore at 410-548-1776, or Maryland State Police Homicide Unit investigators at 410-749-3101. Callers may remain anonymous.
Investigators from the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit and the Salisbury Police Department are continuing the investigation into this murder. No arrests have been made at this time.
Crime Solvers of the Lower Eastern Shore is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for information related to the murder of Shawn G. Johnson, 29, of Fruitland, Md. Johnson was shot multiple times at about 7:30 p.m. on June 6, 2018, in the 600-block of Priscilla Street, Salisbury, Md. He later died at the hospital.
Anyone with information about this murder is urged to contact Crime Solvers of the Lower Eastern Shore at 410-548-1776, or Maryland State Police Homicide Unit investigators at 410-749-3101. Callers may remain anonymous.
Investigators from the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit and the Salisbury Police Department are continuing the investigation into this murder. No arrests have been made at this time.
‘WITCH HUNT RIGGED’: TRUMP SEES ‘ILLEGAL SPYING’ AFTER CARTER PAGE FISA WARRANT RELEASED
President Donald Trump accused the FBI of illegally spying on associates of his campaign after the Department of Justice released the FISA warrant application submitted for Carter Page.
The president animatedly tweeted about the FISA warrant after its release citing analysis from pundits and analysts on the Fox News Channel.
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Congratulations to @JudicialWatch and @TomFitton on being successful in getting the Carter Page FISA documents. As usual they are ridiculously heavily redacted but confirm with little doubt that the Department of “Justice” and FBI misled the courts. Witch Hunt Rigged, a Scam!
The president animatedly tweeted about the FISA warrant after its release citing analysis from pundits and analysts on the Fox News Channel.
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POLL: TRUMP’S CURRENT APPROVAL RATING HIGHEST EVER, STUNS MSNBC
President Trump’s approval rating jumped up to 45 percent, the highest it has been throughout his presidency, according to a new poll released by the Wall Street Journal and NBC. The poll left an MSNBC panel shocked Sunday night by the improvement.
“President Trump has shown throughout his campaign and polling what I took away from the 2016 election is the American people authenticity,” said Kevin McLaughlin of Cogent Strategies Principle. “May not like what authenticity is, what he’s saying or how he’s doing it, but he doesn’t back down from it. When he goes out and does these events, I will call them, it actually helps him in fly over country.”
“He defies political gravity,” he continued.
“So is he right when he basically says he ‘can walk down Fifth Avenue and shoot people’ and people would still stand with him?” asked host Kasie Hunt.
According to the poll, President Trump’s approval rating was up one point from the month of June, at 45 percent.
88 percent of the Republicans surveyed approved of the job the president is doing.
More/Video
“President Trump has shown throughout his campaign and polling what I took away from the 2016 election is the American people authenticity,” said Kevin McLaughlin of Cogent Strategies Principle. “May not like what authenticity is, what he’s saying or how he’s doing it, but he doesn’t back down from it. When he goes out and does these events, I will call them, it actually helps him in fly over country.”
“He defies political gravity,” he continued.
“So is he right when he basically says he ‘can walk down Fifth Avenue and shoot people’ and people would still stand with him?” asked host Kasie Hunt.
According to the poll, President Trump’s approval rating was up one point from the month of June, at 45 percent.
88 percent of the Republicans surveyed approved of the job the president is doing.
More/Video
Nancy Pelosi, DCCC Push Blatant Lies In Fundraising Emails
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) — the official campaign arm of House Democrats — are pushing blatant misinformation in fundraising emails to supporters.
“I will NOT allow Putin to set foot in the United States. I need 100,000 signatures to BLOCK his visit and keep our elections safe. I need you to sign before midnight,” Pelosi told Democratic voters in a DCCC fundraising email sent out on Sunday.
That email followed a similar one on Saturday that falsely claimed 50,000 signatures on a DCCC “petition” would “block” Russian President Vladimir Putin’s expected visit — at Trump’s invitation — to the United States in the fall.“I will NOT allow Putin to set foot in the United States. I need 100,000 signatures to BLOCK his visit and keep our elections safe. I need you to sign before midnight,” Pelosi told Democratic voters in a DCCC fundraising email sent out on Sunday.
Nancy Pelosi misleads supporters in a DCCC fundraising email
Gillibrand: Democrats Should Immediately Abolish ICE Once They Take Back Congress
Democrats should immediately move to abolish the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if they regain majorities in Congress, Democratic New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said on Sunday.
“So when we flip the House and flip the Senate, I think the first thing we should do is deal with the children who have been separated from their families at the border. I think we should get rid of ICE,” Gillibrand said at the New York City festival OZY Fest, where she shared a stage with left-wing actress Chelsea Handler.
“We should separate out two missions, the anti-terrorism mission, the national security mission, and then on the other side make sure you’re do, making sure you’re looking at immigration as a humanitarian issue,” Gillibrand added.
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“So when we flip the House and flip the Senate, I think the first thing we should do is deal with the children who have been separated from their families at the border. I think we should get rid of ICE,” Gillibrand said at the New York City festival OZY Fest, where she shared a stage with left-wing actress Chelsea Handler.
“We should separate out two missions, the anti-terrorism mission, the national security mission, and then on the other side make sure you’re do, making sure you’re looking at immigration as a humanitarian issue,” Gillibrand added.
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HILLARY TRASHES TRUMP OVER PUTIN MEETING, SUGGESTS HE’S COMPROMISED
But didn’t Clinton campaign pay for dossier which was product of Russian intelligence?
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Saturday slammed President Trump for his actions over the past week in regards to the summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“The great mystery is why this president has not spoken up for our country, and we saw this most clearly in this recent meeting with Putin,” Clinton stated during her talk at OZY Fest in New York on Saturday.
She continued, saying that “we still do not know” what happened during their meeting.
Read more
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Saturday slammed President Trump for his actions over the past week in regards to the summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“The great mystery is why this president has not spoken up for our country, and we saw this most clearly in this recent meeting with Putin,” Clinton stated during her talk at OZY Fest in New York on Saturday.
She continued, saying that “we still do not know” what happened during their meeting.
Read more
Fitton Calls FBI’s FISA Application a ‘Self-Licking Ice Cream Cone’
Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI officials were pushing a “self-licking ice-cream cone” when they applied to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) court for approval to spy on a former campaign aide to President Donald Trump, according to Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton.
“Self-licking ice cream cone. FISA docs cite Clinton-DNC Dossier, leak of Dossier to media, and leak of Dossier info through Dem Senator Harry Reid. Corrupt dishonesty to get court approval to spy on @RealDonaldTrump team,” Fitton tweeted Sunday concerning the 421 pages of FISA application-related documents DOJ made public late Saturday.
The phrase a “self-licking ice cream cone” refers to “a self-perpetuating system that has no purpose other than to sustain itself. The phrase appeared to have been first used in 1992, in On Self-Licking Ice Cream Cones, a paper by Pete Worden about NASA’s bureaucracy,” according to Wikipedia.
Fitton told LifeZette Sunday that the excessive redactions by DOJ throughout the 421 pages should be sufficient reason “for President Trump to just declassify all of it and get it all out in the public.” Trump as president has the final decision on whether to make public any classified federal document.
Judicial Watch has filed dozens of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuits, including one in February that resulted in Saturday’s document release.
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“Self-licking ice cream cone. FISA docs cite Clinton-DNC Dossier, leak of Dossier to media, and leak of Dossier info through Dem Senator Harry Reid. Corrupt dishonesty to get court approval to spy on @RealDonaldTrump team,” Fitton tweeted Sunday concerning the 421 pages of FISA application-related documents DOJ made public late Saturday.
The phrase a “self-licking ice cream cone” refers to “a self-perpetuating system that has no purpose other than to sustain itself. The phrase appeared to have been first used in 1992, in On Self-Licking Ice Cream Cones, a paper by Pete Worden about NASA’s bureaucracy,” according to Wikipedia.
Fitton told LifeZette Sunday that the excessive redactions by DOJ throughout the 421 pages should be sufficient reason “for President Trump to just declassify all of it and get it all out in the public.” Trump as president has the final decision on whether to make public any classified federal document.
Judicial Watch has filed dozens of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuits, including one in February that resulted in Saturday’s document release.
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Why is Mueller handing off key cases?
Something has been going on with Robert Mueller's investigation of people thought to have played significant roles in the Trump-Russia affair. The special counsel, assigned to investigate "any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Trump," has been farming out seemingly important parts of the investigation to offices outside his own.
In April, Mueller referred an investigation of close Trump associate Michael Cohen to federal prosecutors in New York. This month, the U.S. attorney in Washington — not Mueller — indicted Maria Butina on charges of being an unregistered Russian agent. And also this month, when Mueller charged 12 Russian intelligence officers with hacking Democratic Party and Clinton campaign offices, he immediately turned the case over to the Justice Department's National Security Division for prosecution.
What is going on? I asked a few former federal prosecutors if they saw any messages in Mueller's move. The takeaway: These aren't encouraging developments for those longing for a big collusion/conspiracy/coordination indictment from Mueller.
"I think it proves that little if any of what Mueller's team has generated so far is linked to the special counsel's mandate," said Former Prosecutor 1.
"I think Mueller doesn't have anything on collusion," said Former Prosecutor 2. "I think we would have seen it. I don't see anything that looks like there's a crime lurking — maybe he's got eight indictments under seal, but to me, it makes no sense. All of this says to me there is no there there."
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In April, Mueller referred an investigation of close Trump associate Michael Cohen to federal prosecutors in New York. This month, the U.S. attorney in Washington — not Mueller — indicted Maria Butina on charges of being an unregistered Russian agent. And also this month, when Mueller charged 12 Russian intelligence officers with hacking Democratic Party and Clinton campaign offices, he immediately turned the case over to the Justice Department's National Security Division for prosecution.
What is going on? I asked a few former federal prosecutors if they saw any messages in Mueller's move. The takeaway: These aren't encouraging developments for those longing for a big collusion/conspiracy/coordination indictment from Mueller.
"I think it proves that little if any of what Mueller's team has generated so far is linked to the special counsel's mandate," said Former Prosecutor 1.
"I think Mueller doesn't have anything on collusion," said Former Prosecutor 2. "I think we would have seen it. I don't see anything that looks like there's a crime lurking — maybe he's got eight indictments under seal, but to me, it makes no sense. All of this says to me there is no there there."
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Gowdy: No Evidence President Trump Committed Any Crime
Rep. Trey Gowdy told FNC's Bret Baier on FOX News Sunday that while there are documents he has not seen, he knows that if there were any evidence that President Trump committed any crime with regard to Russia "Adam Schiff would have leaked it."
Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said this week that President Trump is compromised by the Russians, offering possible recordings of his meeting with Putin as evidence. Later on Sunday morning, Schiff suggested Trump's businesses were Russian money laundering operations.
"I have not seen one scintilla of evidence that this president colluded, conspired, collaborated, with Russia. "
Full interview here
Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said this week that President Trump is compromised by the Russians, offering possible recordings of his meeting with Putin as evidence. Later on Sunday morning, Schiff suggested Trump's businesses were Russian money laundering operations.
"I have not seen one scintilla of evidence that this president colluded, conspired, collaborated, with Russia. "
Full interview here
Senate Hypocrats Hit Kavanaugh For Proposal They Themselves Supported
Prominent Democrats have slammed Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh for supporting an end to the independent counsel statute, even though they themselves backed precisely the same proposal decades ago.
Kavanaugh has drawn criticism for a 2016 video in which he said he would "put the final nail" in a 1988 Supreme Court ruling that upheld the creation of an independent counsel, responsible for investigating wrongdoing by the executive branch and therefore independent of it (unlike, for example, the Attorney General). It was under the auspices of this office that Ken Starr investigated then-President Bill Clinton's wrongdoing in the Whitewater affair—a project on which Kavanaugh, then a young lawyer, worked.
The constitutionality of the independent counsel was upheld in 1988's Morrison v. Olson, but Kavanaugh and other critics have long-pointed to Justice Antonin Scalia's lone dissent as an argument against the office. Scalia argued in the dissent that the independent counsel violated the fundamental constitutional principle of separation of powers by appropriating the power to prosecute—an executive prerogative stretching back to English common law—from the president, in whom all executive power is vested.
More here
Kavanaugh has drawn criticism for a 2016 video in which he said he would "put the final nail" in a 1988 Supreme Court ruling that upheld the creation of an independent counsel, responsible for investigating wrongdoing by the executive branch and therefore independent of it (unlike, for example, the Attorney General). It was under the auspices of this office that Ken Starr investigated then-President Bill Clinton's wrongdoing in the Whitewater affair—a project on which Kavanaugh, then a young lawyer, worked.
The constitutionality of the independent counsel was upheld in 1988's Morrison v. Olson, but Kavanaugh and other critics have long-pointed to Justice Antonin Scalia's lone dissent as an argument against the office. Scalia argued in the dissent that the independent counsel violated the fundamental constitutional principle of separation of powers by appropriating the power to prosecute—an executive prerogative stretching back to English common law—from the president, in whom all executive power is vested.
More here
Russian Hackers Reach U.S. Utility Control Rooms
Hackers working for Russia claimed “hundreds of victims” last year in a giant and long-running campaign that put them inside the control rooms of U.S. electric utilities where they could have caused blackouts, federal officials said. They said the campaign likely is continuing.
The Russian hackers, who worked for a shadowy state-sponsored group previously identified as Dragonfly or Energetic Bear, broke into supposedly secure, “air-gapped” or isolated networks owned by utilities with relative ease by first penetrating the networks of key vendors who had trusted relationships with the power companies, said officials at the Department of Homeland Security.
“They got to the point where they could have thrown switches” and disrupted power flows, said Jonathan Homer, chief of industrial-control-system analysis for DHS.
Mr. Homer said the cyber-attack, which surfaced in the U.S. in the spring of 2016 and continued throughout 2017, exploited relationships that utilities have with vendors who have special access to update software, run diagnostics on equipment and perform other services that are needed to keep millions of pieces of gear in working order.
The attackers began by using conventional tools—spear-phishing emails and watering-hole attacks, which trick victims into entering their passwords on spoofed websites—to compromise the corporate networks of suppliers, many of whom were smaller companies without big budgets for cybersecurity.
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The Russian hackers, who worked for a shadowy state-sponsored group previously identified as Dragonfly or Energetic Bear, broke into supposedly secure, “air-gapped” or isolated networks owned by utilities with relative ease by first penetrating the networks of key vendors who had trusted relationships with the power companies, said officials at the Department of Homeland Security.
“They got to the point where they could have thrown switches” and disrupted power flows, said Jonathan Homer, chief of industrial-control-system analysis for DHS.
Mr. Homer said the cyber-attack, which surfaced in the U.S. in the spring of 2016 and continued throughout 2017, exploited relationships that utilities have with vendors who have special access to update software, run diagnostics on equipment and perform other services that are needed to keep millions of pieces of gear in working order.
The attackers began by using conventional tools—spear-phishing emails and watering-hole attacks, which trick victims into entering their passwords on spoofed websites—to compromise the corporate networks of suppliers, many of whom were smaller companies without big budgets for cybersecurity.
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John Brennan: Melting Down & Covering Up
It isn’t a pretty face, but one scarred from a dark past, repackaged now by the frenzy of “resistance.” Accusing Donald Trump recklessly, implying he knows more than he lets on, promising redemption: John Brennan is the face of American politics in 2018.
But before all that, Brennan lived in a hole about as far down into the deep state as one can dwell while still having eyes that work in the sunlight. He was director of the Central Intelligence Agency. He was Obama’s counterterrorism advisor, helping the president decide who to kill every week, including American citizens. He spent 25 years at the CIA, and helped shape the violent policies of the post-9/11 Bush era. He was a fan of torture and extrajudicial killing to the point that a 2012 profile of him was entitled, “The Seven Deadly Sins of John Brennan.” Another writer called Brennan “the most lethal bureaucrat of all time, or at least since Henry Kissinger.” Today, however, a New York Times puff piece sweeps all that away as a “troubling inheritance.”
On Twitter this week, Brennan cartoonishly declaimed, “Donald Trump’s press conference performance in Helsinki rises to and exceeds the threshold of high crimes and misdemeanors. It was nothing short of treasonous. Not only were Trump’s comments imbecilic, he is wholly in the pocket of Putin.”
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But before all that, Brennan lived in a hole about as far down into the deep state as one can dwell while still having eyes that work in the sunlight. He was director of the Central Intelligence Agency. He was Obama’s counterterrorism advisor, helping the president decide who to kill every week, including American citizens. He spent 25 years at the CIA, and helped shape the violent policies of the post-9/11 Bush era. He was a fan of torture and extrajudicial killing to the point that a 2012 profile of him was entitled, “The Seven Deadly Sins of John Brennan.” Another writer called Brennan “the most lethal bureaucrat of all time, or at least since Henry Kissinger.” Today, however, a New York Times puff piece sweeps all that away as a “troubling inheritance.”
On Twitter this week, Brennan cartoonishly declaimed, “Donald Trump’s press conference performance in Helsinki rises to and exceeds the threshold of high crimes and misdemeanors. It was nothing short of treasonous. Not only were Trump’s comments imbecilic, he is wholly in the pocket of Putin.”
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POLL: Should the U.S. government kill the 14th Amendment?
Sunday, DML News shared an opinion editorialwritten by immigration analyst Joe Guzzardi, who noted that the “do-nothing Congress” is allowing the “anchor baby ruse” to continue, which is adding MILLIONS to the U.S. population.
Guzzardi wrote: “Between December 2017 and April 2018, U.S. Border Patrol and other immigration officials detained nearly 600 pregnant illegal aliens. All hope to give birth to children who will automatically be granted the world’s most coveted and cherished prize, United States citizenship.”
Guzzardi further stated:
The dire consequences of Congress’ winking at anchor baby citizenship grow graver daily. According to the Congressional Budget Office, and based on data compiled from the Department of Homeland Security and other immigration offices, it estimates that about 4.5 million U.S. citizens, anchor babies, under the age of 18 have at least one inadmissible or deportable parent.
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Guzzardi wrote: “Between December 2017 and April 2018, U.S. Border Patrol and other immigration officials detained nearly 600 pregnant illegal aliens. All hope to give birth to children who will automatically be granted the world’s most coveted and cherished prize, United States citizenship.”
Guzzardi further stated:
The dire consequences of Congress’ winking at anchor baby citizenship grow graver daily. According to the Congressional Budget Office, and based on data compiled from the Department of Homeland Security and other immigration offices, it estimates that about 4.5 million U.S. citizens, anchor babies, under the age of 18 have at least one inadmissible or deportable parent.
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Teen Attacked, Spat Upon for Wearing ‘MAGA’ Hat in Seattle
A Seattle teenager was physically assaulted by liberals upset at the “Make America Great Again” hat he wore, according to a Youtube video.
In the video, teenager Ashton Hess is heard confronting a man who pushed him, grabbed his Donald Trump campaign hat, and spat on it. “That’s my property dude. Come on,” Hess said, Fox News reported.
The video then shows a man and woman with neon color-dyed hair screaming at the teen “get the f**k out of this city” as they walk away.
For her part, the woman yells, “You’re not welcome here” as she strolls away.
Hess says that he and his family were standing outside a Starbucks waiting for a ride when the attack occurred.
“The man continued to curse at and flip off my family. I did absolutely nothing to provoke anyone around, and was completely blindsided when I was hit,” Hess said.
The attack in Seattle is hardly the first time a violent liberal has attacked someone for wearing one of the Trump campaign’s signature MAGA hats.
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In the video, teenager Ashton Hess is heard confronting a man who pushed him, grabbed his Donald Trump campaign hat, and spat on it. “That’s my property dude. Come on,” Hess said, Fox News reported.
The video then shows a man and woman with neon color-dyed hair screaming at the teen “get the f**k out of this city” as they walk away.
For her part, the woman yells, “You’re not welcome here” as she strolls away.
Hess says that he and his family were standing outside a Starbucks waiting for a ride when the attack occurred.
“The man continued to curse at and flip off my family. I did absolutely nothing to provoke anyone around, and was completely blindsided when I was hit,” Hess said.
The attack in Seattle is hardly the first time a violent liberal has attacked someone for wearing one of the Trump campaign’s signature MAGA hats.
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Is that a catheter bag under Hillary Clinton's loose clothing?
Hot summer day, and Hillary Clinton was spotted again at a public speaking event, wearing voluminous clothes - with curious lumps under them. Jim Hoft's GatewayPundit had the picture sequence, along with a collection of reactions from assorted characters on Twitter, few of them being nice about it. But some were more thoughtful than others, with speculation on what really might be happening. Here is one:
The thread that followed from that tweet (on twitter beyond the GatewayPundit post) was even more interesting as health professionals with knowledge of medical equipment weighed in; here are the two most credible speculations:
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The thread that followed from that tweet (on twitter beyond the GatewayPundit post) was even more interesting as health professionals with knowledge of medical equipment weighed in; here are the two most credible speculations:
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Comey Freaks Out, Begs Fellow Democrats To Dump "Socialist Left"
Establishment Democrats are absolutely melting down over the rise of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the 28-year-old Democratic Socialist who defeated the 4th most powerful Democrat in Congress in an upset primary victory - becoming the "new face" of the DNC
Except she's a total train-wreck; having been caught lying about her not-so humble upbringings, parroting anti-Israel sentiment before admitting she knows nothing about the subject, and most recently promising to flip a seat red in November while stumping with Bernie Sanders. As a result, establishment Democrats are in full panic mode as Ocasio-Cortez wins liberal hearts and minds.
Enter budding Democratic strategist James Comey - who just 48 hours after Ocasio-Cortez's viral "flip the seat red" gaffe, begged Democrats not to vote for the "socialist left" - which currently endorses 42 candidates running for various offices at the federal, state and local levels.
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Except she's a total train-wreck; having been caught lying about her not-so humble upbringings, parroting anti-Israel sentiment before admitting she knows nothing about the subject, and most recently promising to flip a seat red in November while stumping with Bernie Sanders. As a result, establishment Democrats are in full panic mode as Ocasio-Cortez wins liberal hearts and minds.
Enter budding Democratic strategist James Comey - who just 48 hours after Ocasio-Cortez's viral "flip the seat red" gaffe, begged Democrats not to vote for the "socialist left" - which currently endorses 42 candidates running for various offices at the federal, state and local levels.
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Maryland Insurance Administration Continues Its Focus on Stopping Insurance Fraud
Criminal and civil orders result in more than $214,000 in fines and penalties through first half of 2018
BALTIMORE – The Maryland Insurance Administration (“MIA”) continues to investigate and prosecute individuals and businesses for committing insurance fraud. Insurance fraud, one of the most costly crimes in the country, costs Maryland consumers money in the form of higher premiums.
During the first half of 2018, MIA investigations led to the criminal prosecution of 12 people for committing insurance fraud. The agency issued another 25 civil fraud orders. Enforcement efforts resulted in a combined total of $68,092 in fines and penalties as well as $146,400 in restitution to insurance carriers impacted by the fraudulent activity.
“Our talented Insurance Fraud staff follows up and investigates every confidential tip received and we want the public to report all suspected insurance fraud to us,” said Insurance Commissioner Al Redmer, Jr. “The MIA’s efforts to root out fraud have resulted in fines, penalties and restitution in excess of $2 million over the past several years. Our investigations have led to criminal convictions and jail time as well.”
Specifics on Civil Fraud in Maryland
In October 2012, the MIA was granted authority to issue insurance fraud civil orders. Since 2013, the MIA has sanctioned 198 individuals with committing insurance fraud in Maryland. Penalties totaling more than $821,648 have been issued and those individuals were also ordered to pay $269,552 in restitution.
Specifics on Criminal Fraud in Maryland
Since 2011, the Insurance Administration has investigated 371 fraud cases which were prosecuted through the offices of local State’s Attorneys and the Attorney General. Twelve cases resulted in criminal convictions, jail time, and fines totaling $26,272. The Courts also ordered the defendants to pay more than $1,077,373 in restitution to the insurance carriers and individuals impacted by the fraudulent activity. In the first six months of 2018, 12 cases resulted in total fines and restitution of $105,581.
The Insurance Administration is an independent State agency charged with enforcing insurance laws and regulations. Its Fraud Division, staffed by former law enforcement officers and prosecutors, investigates reports of fraudulent activity related to insurance matters. If you suspect that someone has committed insurance fraud, call the MIA’s Fraud Division hotline at 1-800-846-4069, or email a referral form to fraud-referrals.mia@maryland.gov. To learn more, please visit www.insurance.maryland.gov. The MIA publishes details of the fraud orders on its website; to view civil fraud and criminal fraud information look under ourConsumer Fraud page on our website. (http://insurance.maryland.gov/Consumer/Pages/InsuranceFraudConsumer.aspx)
BALTIMORE – The Maryland Insurance Administration (“MIA”) continues to investigate and prosecute individuals and businesses for committing insurance fraud. Insurance fraud, one of the most costly crimes in the country, costs Maryland consumers money in the form of higher premiums.
During the first half of 2018, MIA investigations led to the criminal prosecution of 12 people for committing insurance fraud. The agency issued another 25 civil fraud orders. Enforcement efforts resulted in a combined total of $68,092 in fines and penalties as well as $146,400 in restitution to insurance carriers impacted by the fraudulent activity.
“Our talented Insurance Fraud staff follows up and investigates every confidential tip received and we want the public to report all suspected insurance fraud to us,” said Insurance Commissioner Al Redmer, Jr. “The MIA’s efforts to root out fraud have resulted in fines, penalties and restitution in excess of $2 million over the past several years. Our investigations have led to criminal convictions and jail time as well.”
Specifics on Civil Fraud in Maryland
In October 2012, the MIA was granted authority to issue insurance fraud civil orders. Since 2013, the MIA has sanctioned 198 individuals with committing insurance fraud in Maryland. Penalties totaling more than $821,648 have been issued and those individuals were also ordered to pay $269,552 in restitution.
Specifics on Criminal Fraud in Maryland
Since 2011, the Insurance Administration has investigated 371 fraud cases which were prosecuted through the offices of local State’s Attorneys and the Attorney General. Twelve cases resulted in criminal convictions, jail time, and fines totaling $26,272. The Courts also ordered the defendants to pay more than $1,077,373 in restitution to the insurance carriers and individuals impacted by the fraudulent activity. In the first six months of 2018, 12 cases resulted in total fines and restitution of $105,581.
The Insurance Administration is an independent State agency charged with enforcing insurance laws and regulations. Its Fraud Division, staffed by former law enforcement officers and prosecutors, investigates reports of fraudulent activity related to insurance matters. If you suspect that someone has committed insurance fraud, call the MIA’s Fraud Division hotline at 1-800-846-4069, or email a referral form to fraud-referrals.mia@maryland.gov. To learn more, please visit www.insurance.maryland.gov. The MIA publishes details of the fraud orders on its website; to view civil fraud and criminal fraud information look under ourConsumer Fraud page on our website. (http://insurance.maryland.gov/Consumer/Pages/InsuranceFraudConsumer.aspx)
Clapper: Obama Was Behind The Whole Thing
Former Director of National Intelligence (DNI) James Clapper admitted in a CNN interview Saturday that former President Obama instigated the ongoing investigations into Donald Trump and those in his orbit.
Speaking with CNN's Anderson Cooper, Clapper let slip:
If it weren’t for President Obama we might not have done the intelligence community assessment that we did that set up a whole sequence of events which are still unfolding today including Special Counsel Mueller’s investigation. President Obama is responsible for that. It was he who tasked us to do that intelligence community assessment in the first place.
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Speaking with CNN's Anderson Cooper, Clapper let slip:
If it weren’t for President Obama we might not have done the intelligence community assessment that we did that set up a whole sequence of events which are still unfolding today including Special Counsel Mueller’s investigation. President Obama is responsible for that. It was he who tasked us to do that intelligence community assessment in the first place.
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The Maryland Insurance Administration Welcomes Ten New Insurance Companies to Maryland Marketplace
Consumers benefit from competitive marketplace with additional carriers and product choices
BALTIMORE – The Maryland Insurance Administration today announced ten new insurance companies have been licensed to do business in the state of Maryland since December 2017. This brings the grand total to 40 new companies coming to Maryland to do insurance related business since 2015. The Insurance Administration also approved an application for five companies (already licensed to do business in Maryland) to sell additional insurance products.
“We continue to welcome new insurance companies to the Maryland marketplace and for those already doing business in Maryland we continue to encourage them to expand their product offerings to Maryland consumers,” said Maryland Insurance Commissioner Al Redmer, Jr. “Our goal is to provide Maryland citizens with choice when it comes to insurance matters. Our strategy is to be proactive in the area of economic development as it relates to this very important sector of our economy.”
The MIA granted Certificates of Authority to the following insurance companies:
Agents National Title Insurance Company, State of Domicile: Missouri, licensed as a Title Insurer
American Inter-Fidelity Exchange, State of Domicile: Indiana, licensed as a Casualty, Marine, Wet Marine and Transportation, Surety Insurer
GuideOne Elite Insurance Company, State of Domicile: Iowa, licensed as a Workers Compensation Insurer
New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Company, State of Domicile: New Jersey, licensed as a Casualty, Property and Marine, Vehicle Liability and Workers Compensation Insurer
Next Insurance US Company, State of Domicile: Delaware, licensed as a Casualty, Marine, Wet marine and Transportation, Property and Marine, Surety, and Vehicle Liability Insurer
Port-O-Call Life Insurance Company, State of Domicile: Texas, licensed as a Health Insurer
Philadelphia Reinsurance Corporation, State of Domicile: Pennsylvania, licensed as a Surety Insurer
Southern Guaranty Insurance Company, State of Domicile: Wisconsin, licensed as a Health Insurer
UPMC Health Coverage, Inc., State of Domicile: Pennsylvania, licensed as a Health Maintenance Organization
Utica National Assurance Company, State of Domicile: New York, licensed as a Casualty, Marine, Wet Marine and Transportation, Property and Marine, Surety, Vehicle Liability and Workers Compensation Insurer
These companies will market their products through brokers and independent agents.
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BALTIMORE – The Maryland Insurance Administration today announced ten new insurance companies have been licensed to do business in the state of Maryland since December 2017. This brings the grand total to 40 new companies coming to Maryland to do insurance related business since 2015. The Insurance Administration also approved an application for five companies (already licensed to do business in Maryland) to sell additional insurance products.
“We continue to welcome new insurance companies to the Maryland marketplace and for those already doing business in Maryland we continue to encourage them to expand their product offerings to Maryland consumers,” said Maryland Insurance Commissioner Al Redmer, Jr. “Our goal is to provide Maryland citizens with choice when it comes to insurance matters. Our strategy is to be proactive in the area of economic development as it relates to this very important sector of our economy.”
The MIA granted Certificates of Authority to the following insurance companies:
Agents National Title Insurance Company, State of Domicile: Missouri, licensed as a Title Insurer
American Inter-Fidelity Exchange, State of Domicile: Indiana, licensed as a Casualty, Marine, Wet Marine and Transportation, Surety Insurer
GuideOne Elite Insurance Company, State of Domicile: Iowa, licensed as a Workers Compensation Insurer
New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Company, State of Domicile: New Jersey, licensed as a Casualty, Property and Marine, Vehicle Liability and Workers Compensation Insurer
Next Insurance US Company, State of Domicile: Delaware, licensed as a Casualty, Marine, Wet marine and Transportation, Property and Marine, Surety, and Vehicle Liability Insurer
Port-O-Call Life Insurance Company, State of Domicile: Texas, licensed as a Health Insurer
Philadelphia Reinsurance Corporation, State of Domicile: Pennsylvania, licensed as a Surety Insurer
Southern Guaranty Insurance Company, State of Domicile: Wisconsin, licensed as a Health Insurer
UPMC Health Coverage, Inc., State of Domicile: Pennsylvania, licensed as a Health Maintenance Organization
Utica National Assurance Company, State of Domicile: New York, licensed as a Casualty, Marine, Wet Marine and Transportation, Property and Marine, Surety, Vehicle Liability and Workers Compensation Insurer
These companies will market their products through brokers and independent agents.
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Police Arrest Antifa Member with Cache of Bomb-Making Materials
Police in South Dakota arrested a self-proclaimed member of the violent leftist group Antifa who had a “concerning” cache of firearms, bomb-making materials, and an Antifa manifesto in his possession.
Police in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, originally arrested Mark Christopher Einerwold, 43, on July 17 on charges of burglary, but upon serving a warrant at his home, officers discovered “concerning” evidence that he may have been planning something bigger, KELO reported.
In his Blaine Avenue home, investigators discovered bomb-making materials along with illegal firearms and accessories. The materials included ammonium nitrate and aluminum powder, a sawed-off shotgun, and a homemade rifle silencer, police said.
Minnehaha County Sheriff Capt. Jason Gearman noted that the chemicals were “identified as ammonium nitrate and aluminum powder mixed together, which that compound, there is no legal purpose for it. It is an explosive.”
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Police in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, originally arrested Mark Christopher Einerwold, 43, on July 17 on charges of burglary, but upon serving a warrant at his home, officers discovered “concerning” evidence that he may have been planning something bigger, KELO reported.
In his Blaine Avenue home, investigators discovered bomb-making materials along with illegal firearms and accessories. The materials included ammonium nitrate and aluminum powder, a sawed-off shotgun, and a homemade rifle silencer, police said.
Minnehaha County Sheriff Capt. Jason Gearman noted that the chemicals were “identified as ammonium nitrate and aluminum powder mixed together, which that compound, there is no legal purpose for it. It is an explosive.”
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Accused Russian agent Butina met with Obama Treasury, Fed officials
Accused Russian agent Maria Butina had wider high-level contacts in Washington than previously known, taking part in 2015 meetings between a visiting Russian official and two senior officials at the U.S. Federal Reserve and Treasury Department.
The meetings, revealed by several people familiar with the sessions and a report from a Washington think tank that arranged them, involved Stanley Fischer, Fed vice chairman at the time, and Nathan Sheets, then Treasury undersecretary for international affairs.
Butina travelled to the United States in April 2015 with Alexander Torshin, then the Russian Central Bank deputy governor, and they took part in separate meetings with Fischer and Sheets to discuss U.S.-Russian economic relations during Democratic former President Barack Obama’s administration.
The two meetings, which have not been previously reported, reveal a wider circle of high-powered connections that Butina sought to cultivate with American political leaders and special interest groups.
Butina worked for Torshin, who has close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and served as his interpreter at various Washington events.
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The meetings, revealed by several people familiar with the sessions and a report from a Washington think tank that arranged them, involved Stanley Fischer, Fed vice chairman at the time, and Nathan Sheets, then Treasury undersecretary for international affairs.
Butina travelled to the United States in April 2015 with Alexander Torshin, then the Russian Central Bank deputy governor, and they took part in separate meetings with Fischer and Sheets to discuss U.S.-Russian economic relations during Democratic former President Barack Obama’s administration.
The two meetings, which have not been previously reported, reveal a wider circle of high-powered connections that Butina sought to cultivate with American political leaders and special interest groups.
Butina worked for Torshin, who has close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and served as his interpreter at various Washington events.
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The Politics of Immigration
On June 9, a Reuters poll recorded the economy and jobs as the most important issues to voters, with health care and immigration following behind. Within two weeks, immigration had surged to become the number one issue. The Leftmedia and Democrats exploited President Donald Trump’s zero-tolerance enforcement as a way to foment voter outrage ahead of the elections.
It didn’t take long, however, for images of caged children to be traced back to the Barack Obama administration’s identical practices of separation of children and alleged parent to address human trafficking. That’s right — adults were bringing other people’s children into America as a mask to circumvent law enforcement efforts. And while the greater enforcement produced about 2,000 separations of children from their actual parents, Obama and his secretary of homeland security, Jeh Johnson, engaged in the same practice.
More here
Roche Hiked Cancer-Drug Prices Before Pledge to Keep Them Flat
Like a growing number of its peers, Roche Holding AG pledged this week not to raise drug prices for the rest of the year. Thing is, the Swiss company had already done the second of its customary two annual increases.
Roche gave the U.S. government its no-price-rises promise on July 11, the company said in a statement Friday. The health system also needs to focus on “long-term, system-wide solutions that lower costs,” Roche said. “We’re committed to being part of the solution.”
However, Roche had raised the prices of nine medicines in early July by an average of about 3 percent, a spokeswoman told Bloomberg News later Friday by email. This included increases for Roche’s three best-selling drugs, the oncology blockbusters Herceptin, Rituxan and Avastin.
Drug-price data compiled by Bloomberg Intelligence and First Databank show that Roche raised the prices of the nine drugs on July 1, after an earlier increase in January. That’s a pattern Roche has followed for several years, the data show.
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Roche gave the U.S. government its no-price-rises promise on July 11, the company said in a statement Friday. The health system also needs to focus on “long-term, system-wide solutions that lower costs,” Roche said. “We’re committed to being part of the solution.”
However, Roche had raised the prices of nine medicines in early July by an average of about 3 percent, a spokeswoman told Bloomberg News later Friday by email. This included increases for Roche’s three best-selling drugs, the oncology blockbusters Herceptin, Rituxan and Avastin.
Drug-price data compiled by Bloomberg Intelligence and First Databank show that Roche raised the prices of the nine drugs on July 1, after an earlier increase in January. That’s a pattern Roche has followed for several years, the data show.
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Trump looking into revoking security clearances for Brennan, other top Obama officials
President Trump is looking into revoking the security clearances of several top Obama-era intelligence and law enforcement officials, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Monday.
During the daily press briefing, Sanders told reporters that the president was considering taking away clearances for former FBI Director James Comey, former Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe, former CIA Director John Brennan, former National Security Adviser Susan Rice and former Director of National Security Michael Hayden (who worked under President George W. Bush).
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http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/07/23/trump-looking-into-revoking-security-clearances-for-brennan-other-top-obama-officials.html
During the daily press briefing, Sanders told reporters that the president was considering taking away clearances for former FBI Director James Comey, former Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe, former CIA Director John Brennan, former National Security Adviser Susan Rice and former Director of National Security Michael Hayden (who worked under President George W. Bush).
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http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/07/23/trump-looking-into-revoking-security-clearances-for-brennan-other-top-obama-officials.html
Welcome To The Berlin Walmart Campground
A Viewer Writes: ECI is a Ticking Time Bomb
For twenty four and a half years I was employed at E.C.I. During that time I made some very good friends along the way. It saddens me as each day passes the conditions worsen. As each week pass more officer’s leave. There are several issues that have caused this exodus. Number one is the unsafe conditions caused by the lack of staffing. As on previous occasions D.O.C. has told the media that there are no significant shortage of staff. I am very certain there is a deficit of between 120 to 130 officers. It has been easy for the state to spew forth the numbers needed in an attempt to quell any concerns by the public. This has usually been done by the elimination of P.I.N.’s (personal identification number)as employees leave.
The direct effect of short staffing is safety. By it’s definition this job is a dangerous profession even when staffing is not a concern. As officers leave, the real possibility of assault grows expeditiously for them as well as inmates. The predatory inmate feels more secure to continue their criminal activities when there is a limited deterrent.
Another major concern is the growing amount of times when officers are drafted for an additional eight hours to total sixteen in a 24 hour period. This phenomena is now occurring for every shift, every day all week long with no end in sight. Some officer’s have been drafted as many as three times in one week.
How could these conditions be considered safe by any standard? D.O.C. says it’s number one goal is safety for the public, officers and the inmate population. After the last two years under Governor Hogan the situation has no positive end in sight. According to The Somerset County Times from earlier this June only 1 graduated the academy as a custody officer. Recently however, I’ve been told eight have been hired for the academy.
Morale, that’s a complete joke! There is none. It is almost unanimous from most employed there that D.O.C. care nothing what so ever for the current situation as well as that of the future. When morale is dead, the situation multiplies several fold. Since there is the need for drafts and overtime, some of the inmate’s activities have been curtailed or modified because of the shortage. The three main concerns as a rule for inmates is, food, recreation and visits. If any one of the before mentioned are perceived as unwarranted punishment for the population there is a greater possibility of a organized reaction. This happened June 21, when parts of two compounds refused to return to their cells. This was not a spontaneous event by the inmates. It was planned! Administration seemed to be caught off guard to the amount of coordination by the inmates. From my understanding it was directly as a result of the modified rec. This was a warning by the inmates! Someone needs to take this seriously.
The atmosphere at E.C.I. for it’s employees is ruled by intimidation by D.O.C. headquarters. These conditions did not occur recently,but over a period of time beginning with the current appointees for D.O.C. leadership. The supervision is told to tow an almost impossible line while at the same time put on a leash of intimidation from headquarters. My opinion is that Warden Foxwell has done the best he can do, but is undercut by headquarters.
Perhaps, it is only the families and loved ones who truly care about the outcome of what might happen if a serious attempt is not made to repair the damage incurred under the Hogan Administration. It confounds me as to why so many of the elected voices have remained silent, even though many officers practically begged for someone to look into the situation as it steadily deteriorated. The only legislator that has made many attempts to find out what was going on at E.C.I., is Senator Mathias . He has been involved for the past two years in an attempt to help ECI employees return to safe conditions. I have had several conversations with Senator Mathias’s secretary. She stated no one in the Hogan administration seemed to give it much importance or gave some song and dance when asked questions.
So in closing I hope the Governor and DOC would take the situation serious enough to fix. It’s as simple as this; it’s not a matter of if, but a matter of when bad things happen.
PS: The Governor became extremely agitated when approached by a few concerned family members of ECI employees while attending the J. Millard Tawes Clam Bake in Crisfield. He indicated the reason why no one from this area could pass the polygraph was because they were either criminals or lairs. When asked why Africans were staffing the State prisons across the Bay, He stated it was because they were truthful.
DC commissioners fight to revoke Trump Hotel liquor license
The anti-Trump resistance has gone from blasting Russia's interference in the White House race to interfering with White Russians.
Fox 5 reports that a D.C. Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC 4C) is backing a petition that looks to pull the Trump International Hotel’s liquor license -- citing D.C. law that only individuals of “good character” qualify for a liquor license.
“Donald Trump, the true and actual owner of the Trump International Hotel, is not a person of good character,” the petition, filed by a group of D.C. residents including two former judges, a pastor and a rabbi, reads.
The complaint, filed in June, cites Trump’s “long history of telling lies,” his alleged lack of integrity in dealings with others and his “failure to abide by the law and to repudiate associations with known criminals.” It goes on to call for a show cause hearing to judge whether the license should be revoked.
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Fox 5 reports that a D.C. Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC 4C) is backing a petition that looks to pull the Trump International Hotel’s liquor license -- citing D.C. law that only individuals of “good character” qualify for a liquor license.
“Donald Trump, the true and actual owner of the Trump International Hotel, is not a person of good character,” the petition, filed by a group of D.C. residents including two former judges, a pastor and a rabbi, reads.
The complaint, filed in June, cites Trump’s “long history of telling lies,” his alleged lack of integrity in dealings with others and his “failure to abide by the law and to repudiate associations with known criminals.” It goes on to call for a show cause hearing to judge whether the license should be revoked.
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http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/07/20/dc-commissioners-fight-to-revoke-trump-hotel-liquor-license.html
'Supergirl' Casts First Transgender Superhero On Television
The transgender activist behind a landmark case that set a precedent for allowing trans people to use the restroom of their choice, is marking another historic first. This time on television.
Nicole Maines, has been cast as the first transgender superhero to be featured on a television show. The announcement was made at San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday.
She will join the upcoming fourth season of the CW's Supergirl as Nia Nal, a young reporter who eventually fulfills her destiny, transitioning into a superhero called Dreamer.
"It feels fitting to say with great power, comes great responsibility," she told Variety, in a nod to the well-known Spider-Man line.
"I'm nervous because I want to do it right," she added.
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Nicole Maines, has been cast as the first transgender superhero to be featured on a television show. The announcement was made at San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday.
She will join the upcoming fourth season of the CW's Supergirl as Nia Nal, a young reporter who eventually fulfills her destiny, transitioning into a superhero called Dreamer.
"It feels fitting to say with great power, comes great responsibility," she told Variety, in a nod to the well-known Spider-Man line.
"I'm nervous because I want to do it right," she added.
More
New York Daily News Fires Half Of Its Staff
The New York Daily News announced plans on Monday to cut half of its newsroom as part of a broader restructuring plan at the newspaper, reports NBC News.
Among those departing will be editor-in-chief Jim Rich and managing editor Kristen Lee.
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Among those departing will be editor-in-chief Jim Rich and managing editor Kristen Lee.
If you hate democracy and think local governments should operate unchecked and in the dark, then today is a good day for you.
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A Cop Who Responded to a Deadly School Shooting Explains Why He Now Trains Teachers to Carry Guns
‘Cops are not the first responders. It is the people there, the civilians’
Quinn Cunningham has 23 years of law enforcement experience including 17 years with a Colorado SWAT team, in which he is currently a team leader. He was one of the first responders to a deadly 2013 shooting at a high school near Denver. Since 2015, he has been actively training teachers to carry inside their schools.
During the most recent three-day FASTER Colorado training course for teachers, where Cunningham was one of four active-duty law enforcement officer instructors, he shared his experience and worldview with the Washington Free Beacon. Although Cunningham is prohibited from disclosing the identity of the school or students involved in the attack by his agency's policy, the timing and details point to the events at a high school in suburban Denver.
The story began just before 12:33 p.m. on Dec. 13, 2013, when an 18-year-old student entered Arapahoe High School with a pump-action shotgun and a bag full of Molotov cocktails. As he opened fire, the call for help went out to local law enforcement. Cunningham was among the massive number of police who responded to the attack.
Read the rest of this story..
Quinn Cunningham has 23 years of law enforcement experience including 17 years with a Colorado SWAT team, in which he is currently a team leader. He was one of the first responders to a deadly 2013 shooting at a high school near Denver. Since 2015, he has been actively training teachers to carry inside their schools.
During the most recent three-day FASTER Colorado training course for teachers, where Cunningham was one of four active-duty law enforcement officer instructors, he shared his experience and worldview with the Washington Free Beacon. Although Cunningham is prohibited from disclosing the identity of the school or students involved in the attack by his agency's policy, the timing and details point to the events at a high school in suburban Denver.
The story began just before 12:33 p.m. on Dec. 13, 2013, when an 18-year-old student entered Arapahoe High School with a pump-action shotgun and a bag full of Molotov cocktails. As he opened fire, the call for help went out to local law enforcement. Cunningham was among the massive number of police who responded to the attack.
Read the rest of this story..
Troopers Investigating Impersonation of DFS Workers
Dover - The Delaware State Police are currently investigating an incident that took place on Friday morning at a Dover area residence in which three suspects claimed to be caseworkers from child protective services.
The incident occurred at approximately 11:22 a.m., Friday, July 20, 2018 on South Old Mill Road in Dover, when a female accompanied by two males, made contact with a female resident and advised her that they were from child protective services and needed to check on the welfare of her children.
Neither of the three suspects displayed nor could provide credentials or proof of identification. The female suspect was in possession of paperwork that contained the child’s name, however she refused to show it in it's entirety to the resident. As the female suspect spoke with the resident, the male suspects, who both wore holstered handguns on their waistbands, proceeded to take photographs of a vehicle parked in the driveway.
The female resident became suspicious and stated that she was going to call the police at which time all three suspects fled. The resident then immediately contacted the Division of Family Services who confirmed that they had not dispatched any caseworkers to her residence.
The suspects were described as follows:
Suspect #1: White female, 30 years of age, wearing a blue suit and operating a white, Nissan sedan.
Suspect #2: Middle aged white male, wearing an all-black button down shirt.
Suspect #3: Black male, 20 years of age, light complexion, wearing a black short sleeved shirt, black pants and a black baseball cap. Both male suspects fled in a black, Chevrolet Tahoe.
All Delaware Division of Family Services employees will produce an official State of Delaware issued photo ID card when on official business. If necessary you can ask for a supervisors name and then call the DFS hotline at 800-292-9582 to verify the employee’s identity and authenticity of the visit.
Keep in mind that in Delaware this agency is known as DFS or Division of Family Services not CPS (Child Protective Services) as it is known in other states. An actual State of Delaware employee will not identify themselves as being from Child Protective Services.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Troop 3 at 302-698-8453. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet athttp://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com
Whether it be an incident similar to this, or any other suspicious or criminal activity, the Delaware State Police would like to stress the importance of suspicious activity reporting. Be a good witness for your neighbors and fellow citizens, as you would want them to do the same for you. Pay attention and be aware to what is going on in your neighborhood, and other places that you frequent throughout the course of your day.
If you See Something-Say Something, by reporting all suspicious activity to your local law enforcement agency.
The incident occurred at approximately 11:22 a.m., Friday, July 20, 2018 on South Old Mill Road in Dover, when a female accompanied by two males, made contact with a female resident and advised her that they were from child protective services and needed to check on the welfare of her children.
Neither of the three suspects displayed nor could provide credentials or proof of identification. The female suspect was in possession of paperwork that contained the child’s name, however she refused to show it in it's entirety to the resident. As the female suspect spoke with the resident, the male suspects, who both wore holstered handguns on their waistbands, proceeded to take photographs of a vehicle parked in the driveway.
The female resident became suspicious and stated that she was going to call the police at which time all three suspects fled. The resident then immediately contacted the Division of Family Services who confirmed that they had not dispatched any caseworkers to her residence.
The suspects were described as follows:
Suspect #1: White female, 30 years of age, wearing a blue suit and operating a white, Nissan sedan.
Suspect #2: Middle aged white male, wearing an all-black button down shirt.
Suspect #3: Black male, 20 years of age, light complexion, wearing a black short sleeved shirt, black pants and a black baseball cap. Both male suspects fled in a black, Chevrolet Tahoe.
All Delaware Division of Family Services employees will produce an official State of Delaware issued photo ID card when on official business. If necessary you can ask for a supervisors name and then call the DFS hotline at 800-292-9582 to verify the employee’s identity and authenticity of the visit.
Keep in mind that in Delaware this agency is known as DFS or Division of Family Services not CPS (Child Protective Services) as it is known in other states. An actual State of Delaware employee will not identify themselves as being from Child Protective Services.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Troop 3 at 302-698-8453. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet athttp://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com
Whether it be an incident similar to this, or any other suspicious or criminal activity, the Delaware State Police would like to stress the importance of suspicious activity reporting. Be a good witness for your neighbors and fellow citizens, as you would want them to do the same for you. Pay attention and be aware to what is going on in your neighborhood, and other places that you frequent throughout the course of your day.
If you See Something-Say Something, by reporting all suspicious activity to your local law enforcement agency.
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