Sergio Marchionne, who engineered turnarounds to save both Fiat and Chrysler from near-certain failure, has died.
Marchionne, 66, passed away after suffering complications following recent surgery in a hospital in Zurich, Switzerland.
The holding company of the Agnelli family, which founded Fiat, confirmed the news today.
Italian-Canadian Marchionne joined Fiat in 2004 and led the Turin-based company's merger with bankrupt U.S. carmaker Chrysler. He built the dysfunctional companies into the world's seventh-largest automaker.
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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
Friday, July 27, 2018
Rand Paul And The New GOP
Rand Paul is the real rising star of the GOP.
As I’ve been telling you for months now, I expect a complete collapse of the Democratic Party following the wipe out in this year’s elections.
From massive Culture War losses which have red-pilled minorities to hysterical outbreaks over basic Presidential foreign policy the Democrats are losing the center of the U.S. electorate.
The latest NBC/Wall St. Journal poll confirms the news.
… just 33% of those surveyed feel the Democratic Party is “in the mainstream.” More than half (56%) consider them out of step.
Just two years ago in 2016, those numbers were far different: 48% mainstream, 42% out. That means the “mainstream” number has plunged 15%, a huge drop in just two years.
What does this have to do with Rand Paul?
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As I’ve been telling you for months now, I expect a complete collapse of the Democratic Party following the wipe out in this year’s elections.
From massive Culture War losses which have red-pilled minorities to hysterical outbreaks over basic Presidential foreign policy the Democrats are losing the center of the U.S. electorate.
The latest NBC/Wall St. Journal poll confirms the news.
… just 33% of those surveyed feel the Democratic Party is “in the mainstream.” More than half (56%) consider them out of step.
Just two years ago in 2016, those numbers were far different: 48% mainstream, 42% out. That means the “mainstream” number has plunged 15%, a huge drop in just two years.
What does this have to do with Rand Paul?
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Maryland Meals For Achievement Adds Dozens New of Schools for School Year 2019
$7.55 Million Supplements School Breakfast in 485 Schools
BALTIMORE – The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has awarded $7.55 million in State funds to 485 schools selected to participate in Maryland Meals for Achievement (MMFA), an alternative breakfast delivery program that provides students with free, in-classroom breakfast.
The funds supplement the federal reimbursement that schools receive through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s School Breakfast Program. In School Year 2018-2019, 258,984 Maryland students will benefit from this program. Of the 485 schools participating, 26 schools will be participating for the first time due to an additional $650,000 provided by Governor Hogan in the Fiscal Year 2019 budget.
Schools are selected annually by MSDE based on eligibility criteria, previous participation, preferences of the school districts, and the amount of State funds available. Maryland law also requires the selection of schools to represent geographic and socioeconomic balance.
Alternative breakfast delivery models, such as the MMFA, increase students’ access to a healthful morning meal. Additionally, recent legislation allows participating middle and high schools to serve breakfast in the school building through Grab and Go kiosks while still requiring students to consume the meal in the classroom.
School administrators credit the MMFA with improving student test scores, behavior, attendance, and well-being. Parents praise the program for assisting children to prepare for their academic day.
A list of participating schools, can be found here.
BALTIMORE – The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has awarded $7.55 million in State funds to 485 schools selected to participate in Maryland Meals for Achievement (MMFA), an alternative breakfast delivery program that provides students with free, in-classroom breakfast.
The funds supplement the federal reimbursement that schools receive through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s School Breakfast Program. In School Year 2018-2019, 258,984 Maryland students will benefit from this program. Of the 485 schools participating, 26 schools will be participating for the first time due to an additional $650,000 provided by Governor Hogan in the Fiscal Year 2019 budget.
Schools are selected annually by MSDE based on eligibility criteria, previous participation, preferences of the school districts, and the amount of State funds available. Maryland law also requires the selection of schools to represent geographic and socioeconomic balance.
Alternative breakfast delivery models, such as the MMFA, increase students’ access to a healthful morning meal. Additionally, recent legislation allows participating middle and high schools to serve breakfast in the school building through Grab and Go kiosks while still requiring students to consume the meal in the classroom.
School administrators credit the MMFA with improving student test scores, behavior, attendance, and well-being. Parents praise the program for assisting children to prepare for their academic day.
A list of participating schools, can be found here.
$52,000/Second: Ron Paul Warns Washington's Spending Its Way To A Fiscal Crisis
According to financial writer Simon Black, the federal government is spending approximately 52,000 dollars per second. This, not last year’s tax cuts, is the reason why the national debt has reached a record 21 trillion dollars, which is more than America’s gross domestic product (GDP).
Another ominous sign is that this year both Social Security and Medicare will have to draw down on their reserve funds to be able to pay benefits. The Social Security and Medicare trust funds will both soon be bankrupt, putting additional strains on the federal budget and American taxpayers.
The excessive debt caused by excessive spending will inevitably cause a major economic crisis. Yet, with a few notable exceptions, there is little to no desire in Washington to cut spending. Instead, both parties are committed to increasing spending on warfare and welfare while ignoring the looming entitlements crisis.
Examples of fiscal irresponsibility on Capitol Hill are easy to find. For instance, even though the Untied Stares is currently spending more on its military than the combined budgets of the next seven highest spending countries, Congress recently increased military spending by 82 billion dollars. This brings the total the US spends on a futile effort to police and democratize the world to 716 billion dollars. The US House has also recently passed a farm bill that increases spending by more than 3 billion dollars over the next five years. This bill does not take a step toward ending subsidies to wealthy farmers and even continues providing farm subsidies to non-famers! Pressure on Congress to increase spending on farm subsidies is likely to increase as famers becomes collateral damage in President Trump’s trade war.
Many progressives are attacking the House farm bill because it makes some reforms to the “SNAP” (food stamp) program, even though the House version of bill increases the budget for food stamps by at least 1.7 billion dollars over the next five years!
When the economic crisis hits, there will be no choice but to cut spending and raise taxes. Of course, Congress is unlikely to raise taxes or cut benefits. Instead, it will rely on the Federal Reserve to do the dirty work via the inflation tax. The inflation tax is the worst type of tax because it is both hidden and regressive.
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Another ominous sign is that this year both Social Security and Medicare will have to draw down on their reserve funds to be able to pay benefits. The Social Security and Medicare trust funds will both soon be bankrupt, putting additional strains on the federal budget and American taxpayers.
The excessive debt caused by excessive spending will inevitably cause a major economic crisis. Yet, with a few notable exceptions, there is little to no desire in Washington to cut spending. Instead, both parties are committed to increasing spending on warfare and welfare while ignoring the looming entitlements crisis.
Examples of fiscal irresponsibility on Capitol Hill are easy to find. For instance, even though the Untied Stares is currently spending more on its military than the combined budgets of the next seven highest spending countries, Congress recently increased military spending by 82 billion dollars. This brings the total the US spends on a futile effort to police and democratize the world to 716 billion dollars. The US House has also recently passed a farm bill that increases spending by more than 3 billion dollars over the next five years. This bill does not take a step toward ending subsidies to wealthy farmers and even continues providing farm subsidies to non-famers! Pressure on Congress to increase spending on farm subsidies is likely to increase as famers becomes collateral damage in President Trump’s trade war.
Many progressives are attacking the House farm bill because it makes some reforms to the “SNAP” (food stamp) program, even though the House version of bill increases the budget for food stamps by at least 1.7 billion dollars over the next five years!
When the economic crisis hits, there will be no choice but to cut spending and raise taxes. Of course, Congress is unlikely to raise taxes or cut benefits. Instead, it will rely on the Federal Reserve to do the dirty work via the inflation tax. The inflation tax is the worst type of tax because it is both hidden and regressive.
More
JUST IN: Tractor-trailer crashes off Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel into water
The crash happened near mile marker 12 on the bridge-tunnel's southbound side, closer to the Eastern Shore and Fisherman Island, according to CBBT police. The emergency call came in at 6:46 p.m., according to dispatchers.
A van carrying five passengers was also involved in the crash. All five were being treated and were expected to be released from the scene.
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‘I Did Write It’: Waiter Admits Faking Viral Racist Note On Receipt
“I don’t tip terrorist,” the note read
A Texas waiter who claimed to have been stiffed by a racist customer now admits he made the whole thing up.
Saltgrass Steak House waiter Khalil Cavil went viral after posting a Facebook picture of a racist note that Cavil claimed a customer had left on the receipt, in lieu of a tip.
“I don’t tip terrorist,” the note read, alongside a circle of Cavil’s name.
Cavil’s Facebook post racked up thousands of shares and earned sympathetic coverage in The Washington Post and HuffPost, which were forced to post corrections atop their stories on Monday after Cavil admitted he fabricated the viral note.
Read more
A Texas waiter who claimed to have been stiffed by a racist customer now admits he made the whole thing up.
Saltgrass Steak House waiter Khalil Cavil went viral after posting a Facebook picture of a racist note that Cavil claimed a customer had left on the receipt, in lieu of a tip.
“I don’t tip terrorist,” the note read, alongside a circle of Cavil’s name.
Cavil’s Facebook post racked up thousands of shares and earned sympathetic coverage in The Washington Post and HuffPost, which were forced to post corrections atop their stories on Monday after Cavil admitted he fabricated the viral note.
Read more
Gregg Jarrett: Comey and Strzok -- Two key players in the scheme to clear Clinton and frame Trump
In one of the more stunning revelations contained in the report compiled by the Justice Department’s watchdog, former FBI Director James Comey claimed he doesn’t remember the moment he decided – and put down in writing -- that Hillary Clinton had committed crimes.
We know that on or about May 2, 2016, Comey composed a statement summarizing Clinton’s mishandling of classified documents, concluding that she was “grossly negligent.” Those pivotal words have a distinct legal meaning, and are drawn directly from a federal statute, 18 U.S.C. 793(f), which makes it a felony to handle classified documents in a “grossly negligent” manner.
Comey used the exact phrase not once, but twice.
Based on Comey’s finding, Clinton should have faced a multiple-count criminal indictment, since the FBI discovered that she had stored 110 classified emails on her unauthorized, private computer server. Other people had been prosecuted for similar conduct that jeopardized national security in violation of the law. Yet, Comey – despite characterizing Clinton’s actions with the clear language denoting violation of the law - saw to it that no charges were ever brought against Clinton.
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We know that on or about May 2, 2016, Comey composed a statement summarizing Clinton’s mishandling of classified documents, concluding that she was “grossly negligent.” Those pivotal words have a distinct legal meaning, and are drawn directly from a federal statute, 18 U.S.C. 793(f), which makes it a felony to handle classified documents in a “grossly negligent” manner.
Comey used the exact phrase not once, but twice.
Based on Comey’s finding, Clinton should have faced a multiple-count criminal indictment, since the FBI discovered that she had stored 110 classified emails on her unauthorized, private computer server. Other people had been prosecuted for similar conduct that jeopardized national security in violation of the law. Yet, Comey – despite characterizing Clinton’s actions with the clear language denoting violation of the law - saw to it that no charges were ever brought against Clinton.
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Cities Have a New Target for Ending Homelessness: Landlords
Rental vouchers are only helpful if landlords are willing to take them. All too often, they're not. But what if the government made it less risky?
Families wait years to get off the government's waiting list for a rental voucher, sometimes while living in a homeless shelter. When they finally get that housing aid, they often struggle to find landlords willing to rent to them.
Most landlords screen out people who have a criminal background, poor credit or a history of evictions, making it difficult for voucher holders to find somewhere to live, even when they can afford rent. In fact, it's common for people to lose their vouchers -- which have expiration dates -- after months of unsuccessful searching for a home.
To ease landlords' worries and house more of the homeless, a growing number of cities are offering to reimburse landlords for certain losses -- unpaid back rent or repairs for tenant-caused damages -- that result from accepting applicants who have rental vouchers.
“Many, many communities are doing this, and it’s out of necessity,” says Elisha Harig-Blaine, who works on affordable housing issues at the National League of Cities. “They simply can’t get people placed into housing with these subsidies.”
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Families wait years to get off the government's waiting list for a rental voucher, sometimes while living in a homeless shelter. When they finally get that housing aid, they often struggle to find landlords willing to rent to them.
Most landlords screen out people who have a criminal background, poor credit or a history of evictions, making it difficult for voucher holders to find somewhere to live, even when they can afford rent. In fact, it's common for people to lose their vouchers -- which have expiration dates -- after months of unsuccessful searching for a home.
To ease landlords' worries and house more of the homeless, a growing number of cities are offering to reimburse landlords for certain losses -- unpaid back rent or repairs for tenant-caused damages -- that result from accepting applicants who have rental vouchers.
“Many, many communities are doing this, and it’s out of necessity,” says Elisha Harig-Blaine, who works on affordable housing issues at the National League of Cities. “They simply can’t get people placed into housing with these subsidies.”
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Top political prognosticator says Democrats are favored to wipe out Republican majority
Democrats are now 'soft favorites' to take the House, according to an analysis by University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato and his team.
The latest periodic installment of Sabato's 'Crystal Ball' newsletter handicapping congressional the elections shifts 17 House races in the direction of Democrats.
The minority party needs to pick up 23 seats to capture the House – which would give them the ability to conduct oversight over the government, subpoena witnesses, or even pursue impeachment – although Democratic party leaders have repeatedly tried to tamp down that sentiment.
According to the latest updates outlined by managing editor Kyle Kondik, Democrats now have a little better than 50 per cent chance of taking the House.
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The latest periodic installment of Sabato's 'Crystal Ball' newsletter handicapping congressional the elections shifts 17 House races in the direction of Democrats.
The minority party needs to pick up 23 seats to capture the House – which would give them the ability to conduct oversight over the government, subpoena witnesses, or even pursue impeachment – although Democratic party leaders have repeatedly tried to tamp down that sentiment.
According to the latest updates outlined by managing editor Kyle Kondik, Democrats now have a little better than 50 per cent chance of taking the House.
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Alan Dershowitz Defends Trump After CNN Drops Cohen Tape: No Crime
Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz defended President Donald Trump from allegations of criminal wrongdoing on “Fox & Friends” Wednesday, after CNN released a tape of him conferring with his former attorney Michael Cohen.
The tape centered on possible payments being made to playboy model Karen McDougal, but Dershowitz said there’s no proof of anything illegal.
“Not even a close question. There’s no crime,” Dershowitz said. “This was a conversation between a lawyer and a client that should never have been heard. Even if — even if and the tape is unclear, Trump raised the word cash, there was then a discussion. The lawyer said no, no, no. And President Trump said no, we’ll do it by check. Lawyers and clients have those conversations all the time. I’ve had conversations like that with clients. The end result was, cash was not used. No payments were made.”
“The context of the tape all suggests that the president wanted it to be papered. That he wanted it to be corporation, not just a payment. He wanted to make sure it was done right,” he added. “He wanted to make sure it was done with records. So I think the big picture is no crime.”
More/Video
The tape centered on possible payments being made to playboy model Karen McDougal, but Dershowitz said there’s no proof of anything illegal.
“Not even a close question. There’s no crime,” Dershowitz said. “This was a conversation between a lawyer and a client that should never have been heard. Even if — even if and the tape is unclear, Trump raised the word cash, there was then a discussion. The lawyer said no, no, no. And President Trump said no, we’ll do it by check. Lawyers and clients have those conversations all the time. I’ve had conversations like that with clients. The end result was, cash was not used. No payments were made.”
“The context of the tape all suggests that the president wanted it to be papered. That he wanted it to be corporation, not just a payment. He wanted to make sure it was done right,” he added. “He wanted to make sure it was done with records. So I think the big picture is no crime.”
More/Video
Handcuffed man is STILL at large after he managed to drive off in a North Carolina patrol car
Police in North Carolina say a man handcuffed in the back of a patrol cruiser managed to escape by getting into the front seat and driving away.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said in a news release that officers were searching Dontray Antonio Pharr's vehicle when he escaped on Tuesday shortly after 4pm.
The 20-year-old managed to move the handcuffs from behind his back to his front before squeezing through the vehicle's window and driving off.
Police said a 'very small' interior window was left open to allow air conditioning to reach Pharr in the car.
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Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said in a news release that officers were searching Dontray Antonio Pharr's vehicle when he escaped on Tuesday shortly after 4pm.
The 20-year-old managed to move the handcuffs from behind his back to his front before squeezing through the vehicle's window and driving off.
Police said a 'very small' interior window was left open to allow air conditioning to reach Pharr in the car.
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Court Declares Seattle Homeless Man's Truck a Home in Case With Broad Implications
Steven Long returned from his job cleaning up CenturyLink Field after a Seattle Sounders' game when he discovered that home was gone.
He had been living in his 2000 GMC pickup, parked on a side street, but the city of Seattle towed it because Long had violated a city rule that requires vehicles be moved every 72 hours.
That impound set up an unusual court ruling Friday that advocates for homeless people and the city both say could have broad implications on the crisis of homelessness.
King County Superior Court Judge Catherine Shaffer ruled that the city's impoundment of Long's truck violated the state's homestead act -- a frontier-era law that protects properties from forced sale -- because he was using it as a home. Long's vehicle was slated to be sold had he not entered into a monthly payment plan with the city.
Shaffer also ruled the fees the city required Long, 58, to pay to retrieve the truck were too high, violating constitutional protections against excessive fines.
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He had been living in his 2000 GMC pickup, parked on a side street, but the city of Seattle towed it because Long had violated a city rule that requires vehicles be moved every 72 hours.
That impound set up an unusual court ruling Friday that advocates for homeless people and the city both say could have broad implications on the crisis of homelessness.
King County Superior Court Judge Catherine Shaffer ruled that the city's impoundment of Long's truck violated the state's homestead act -- a frontier-era law that protects properties from forced sale -- because he was using it as a home. Long's vehicle was slated to be sold had he not entered into a monthly payment plan with the city.
Shaffer also ruled the fees the city required Long, 58, to pay to retrieve the truck were too high, violating constitutional protections against excessive fines.
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Tech leaders lament the mess they've created
In the wake of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s congressional grilling in April over the platform’s role in disseminating political propaganda during the 2016 presidential election, the company rolled out a series of changes to its privacy and information-sharing policies, backed up with ads that essentially apologized to its users.
As the spread of misinformation has proliferated with the rise of social media, Facebook isn’t the only Silicon Valley powerhouse whose business model has landed it in hot water with government and the general public.
Adam Fisher, the author of “Valley of Genius: The Uncensored History of Silicon Valley (As Told by the Hackers, Founders, and Freaks Who Made It Boom)”, says this is a moment of reckoning at many tech companies. But he is skeptical that much will change because “there’s too much money involved.”
“I talked to over 200 people in the valley — I’m talking about CEOs, billionaires — for this book,” Fisher told Grant Burningham, host of the Yahoo News podcast “Bots & Ballots,” adding, “Almost to a person, they all expressed a kind of disappointment or fear or trepidation about what it was that they had created with the best of intentions — almost in every case.”
Fisher said Twitter co-founder and former CEO Evan Williams liked the chapter in his book in which he concluded that the site has morphed from a “platform where everyone was free to say anything to this platform where really scary kinds of mob rule-type politics could foment and gain power.”
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As the spread of misinformation has proliferated with the rise of social media, Facebook isn’t the only Silicon Valley powerhouse whose business model has landed it in hot water with government and the general public.
Adam Fisher, the author of “Valley of Genius: The Uncensored History of Silicon Valley (As Told by the Hackers, Founders, and Freaks Who Made It Boom)”, says this is a moment of reckoning at many tech companies. But he is skeptical that much will change because “there’s too much money involved.”
“I talked to over 200 people in the valley — I’m talking about CEOs, billionaires — for this book,” Fisher told Grant Burningham, host of the Yahoo News podcast “Bots & Ballots,” adding, “Almost to a person, they all expressed a kind of disappointment or fear or trepidation about what it was that they had created with the best of intentions — almost in every case.”
Fisher said Twitter co-founder and former CEO Evan Williams liked the chapter in his book in which he concluded that the site has morphed from a “platform where everyone was free to say anything to this platform where really scary kinds of mob rule-type politics could foment and gain power.”
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Oregon ‘Abolish ICE’ Agitators Hurled Racial Slurs at Black, Hispanic Officers
“Abolish ICE” agitators in Portland, Oregon, reportedly hurled racial slurs at black and Hispanic federal officers who were policing them for the past month.
According to Tuesday evening report in The Oregonian, agitators who have been occupying and camping outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office in Southwest Portland since June 17 reportedly called a black officer the N-word and also referred to him as a “blood traitor” and an “Uncle Tom.”
“These racial slurs have been directed at me throughout the entire length of the deployment,” the African-American officer reportedly wrote, according to email records The Oregonian obtained.
The outlet reported that an officer “who is a woman of Hispanic and Native American descent” was “called derogatory terms for Hispanic people” in addition to being called a “weak female” and “traitor.”
“I was berated for so long I can’t even remember everything that was told to me,” the female officer of Hispanic and Native American descent reportedly wrote.
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According to Tuesday evening report in The Oregonian, agitators who have been occupying and camping outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office in Southwest Portland since June 17 reportedly called a black officer the N-word and also referred to him as a “blood traitor” and an “Uncle Tom.”
“These racial slurs have been directed at me throughout the entire length of the deployment,” the African-American officer reportedly wrote, according to email records The Oregonian obtained.
The outlet reported that an officer “who is a woman of Hispanic and Native American descent” was “called derogatory terms for Hispanic people” in addition to being called a “weak female” and “traitor.”
“I was berated for so long I can’t even remember everything that was told to me,” the female officer of Hispanic and Native American descent reportedly wrote.
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WCBI Press Release
On July 20 th , 2018, members of the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team executed a search and seizure warrant at a residence in Whalleyville, Maryland as a result of a heroin
distribution investigation. The Criminal Enforcement Team was assisted by the Worcester County STAR Team, Worcester County States Attorney’s Office and the Ocean City Police Department during the execution of this search and seizure warrant. Investigators subsequently located, 2,472 individually wrapped bags of heroin, 19.5 grams of cocaine, and a loaded handgun. Cody Lee Hudson, Age 33, was taken into custody and transported to the Worcester
County Sheriff’s Office where he was charged with the following offenses:
Possession of Heroin
Possession of Cocaine
Possession with the intent to distribute Heroin
Possession with the intent to distribute Cocaine
Possession of Heroin – Large Amount
Possession of a Firearms in relation to a drug trafficking crime
Possession of a regulated Firearm by a prohibited person
Possession of ammunition by a prohibited person
Hudson was subsequently held without bond at the Worcester County Jail.
distribution investigation. The Criminal Enforcement Team was assisted by the Worcester County STAR Team, Worcester County States Attorney’s Office and the Ocean City Police Department during the execution of this search and seizure warrant. Investigators subsequently located, 2,472 individually wrapped bags of heroin, 19.5 grams of cocaine, and a loaded handgun. Cody Lee Hudson, Age 33, was taken into custody and transported to the Worcester
County Sheriff’s Office where he was charged with the following offenses:
Possession of Heroin
Possession of Cocaine
Possession with the intent to distribute Heroin
Possession with the intent to distribute Cocaine
Possession of Heroin – Large Amount
Possession of a Firearms in relation to a drug trafficking crime
Possession of a regulated Firearm by a prohibited person
Possession of ammunition by a prohibited person
Hudson was subsequently held without bond at the Worcester County Jail.
Fort Worth man sentenced to life in prison for sex trafficking children
FORT WORTH, Texas — A Fort Worth man was sentenced Monday to life in federal prison for sex trafficking underage girls.
This sentence was announced by Erin Nealy Cox U.S. Attorney of the Northern District of Texas. This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); the FBI; and the Texas police departments of Fort Worth, Tyler and Arlington.
Following a four-day trial in April 2018, Pierre Lagrone, aka “P” or “Pedro,” 34, and co-conspirators, Herman Sanders, aka “Pooh,” 29, and Demarcus Davis, aka “Zigg,” 26, were found guilty for their roles in a conspiracy to sex traffic underage girls. Lagrone was sentenced July 23 to life in federal prison. Sanders was previously sentenced before U.S. District Judge Reed C. O’Connor to 420 months; Davis is scheduled for sentencing July 30.
According to evidence presented at trial, Lagrone and Davis were violent pimps who recruited, controlled and profited off underage female victims through commercial sex acts. Lagrone and Davis recruited and advertised underage female victims for commercial sex acts. The defendants communicated with potential clients, collected proceeds, and paid for motels rooms and supplies. Lagrone and Davis kept almost all, if not all, the proceeds of the commercial sex acts, providing only food, shelter and occasional clothing to the underage female victims. Sanders conspired with and assisted Lagrone in this sex trafficking.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys P.J. Meitl and Nicole Dana, Northern District of Texas, were in charge of the prosecution.
Source
This sentence was announced by Erin Nealy Cox U.S. Attorney of the Northern District of Texas. This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); the FBI; and the Texas police departments of Fort Worth, Tyler and Arlington.
Following a four-day trial in April 2018, Pierre Lagrone, aka “P” or “Pedro,” 34, and co-conspirators, Herman Sanders, aka “Pooh,” 29, and Demarcus Davis, aka “Zigg,” 26, were found guilty for their roles in a conspiracy to sex traffic underage girls. Lagrone was sentenced July 23 to life in federal prison. Sanders was previously sentenced before U.S. District Judge Reed C. O’Connor to 420 months; Davis is scheduled for sentencing July 30.
According to evidence presented at trial, Lagrone and Davis were violent pimps who recruited, controlled and profited off underage female victims through commercial sex acts. Lagrone and Davis recruited and advertised underage female victims for commercial sex acts. The defendants communicated with potential clients, collected proceeds, and paid for motels rooms and supplies. Lagrone and Davis kept almost all, if not all, the proceeds of the commercial sex acts, providing only food, shelter and occasional clothing to the underage female victims. Sanders conspired with and assisted Lagrone in this sex trafficking.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys P.J. Meitl and Nicole Dana, Northern District of Texas, were in charge of the prosecution.
Source
Trump beat Hillary more than a year ago but the left can't let it go – and it's harming our country
After the U.S. Supreme Court confirmed his razor-thin defeat in the 2000 presidential election, former Vice President Al Gore could have gone to the mat trying to delegitimize the presidency of George W. Bush. Much to his credit, he didn’t.
Democrat Gore had won the popular vote, after all, and the turmoil created by the historic 36-day recount in Florida was all he needed to divide the country for selfish and ideological reasons. But instead of orchestrating a radical leftist resistance, Gore chose country over power.
As difficult as it must have been, Gore was big enough to let it go, accept his loss, and recognize that Republican Bush was the legitimate president of the United States.
In a constitutional republic like ours, every two years there are winners and losers at the ballot box. After a rigorous debate and exchange of ideas, “We the People” make the ultimate decision about who will do the governing until the next election.
Historically, the party that loses the previous election licks its wounds, reboots its message and works with the majority party on issues where common ground can be found. This recipe that is the American miracle has worked remarkably well for 230 years – until now.
Now there’s a permanent Democratic obstruction campaign in Washington and a radical socialist resistance across the country. What’s driving this?
Never before in American history have disgruntled leaders of the minority party sought to deligimitmize and bring down a duly elected president of the United States.
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Democrat Gore had won the popular vote, after all, and the turmoil created by the historic 36-day recount in Florida was all he needed to divide the country for selfish and ideological reasons. But instead of orchestrating a radical leftist resistance, Gore chose country over power.
As difficult as it must have been, Gore was big enough to let it go, accept his loss, and recognize that Republican Bush was the legitimate president of the United States.
In a constitutional republic like ours, every two years there are winners and losers at the ballot box. After a rigorous debate and exchange of ideas, “We the People” make the ultimate decision about who will do the governing until the next election.
Historically, the party that loses the previous election licks its wounds, reboots its message and works with the majority party on issues where common ground can be found. This recipe that is the American miracle has worked remarkably well for 230 years – until now.
Now there’s a permanent Democratic obstruction campaign in Washington and a radical socialist resistance across the country. What’s driving this?
Never before in American history have disgruntled leaders of the minority party sought to deligimitmize and bring down a duly elected president of the United States.
More
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2018/07/25/trump-beat-hillary-more-than-year-ago-but-left-cant-let-it-go-and-its-harming-our-country.html
Worcester County Sheriffs Office Press Release
On July 24th, 2018, members of the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team conducted a traffic stop for speed in the Berlin, Maryland. Upon contact with the operator, who was identified as Jalil E. Pierce, Age 31, of Portsmouth, Virginia, Deputies could smell a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. A search was conducted of this vehicle which revealed 1,250 individually wrapped bags of heroin along with small amount of marijuana. Pierce was placed under arrest and transported to the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office for processing where he was charged with the following offenses:
· Possession of Heroin
· Possession with the intent to distribute Heroin
· Importation of Heroin
Pierce was subsequently committed to the Worcester County Jail on a $65,000.00 bond.
· Possession of Heroin
· Possession with the intent to distribute Heroin
· Importation of Heroin
Pierce was subsequently committed to the Worcester County Jail on a $65,000.00 bond.
Everyone Falls for Homeless Man’s Trap and Hit Their Brakes
Drivers have to be fully aware of their surroundings when they are on the road. It is important that they stay focused and undistracted. Being distracted even for a split-second can result in an accident.
Nevertheless, portable technology has made it difficult for drivers to keep their eyes on the road. People have become more brazen about using their phones while driving. Because of safety concerns, the police force of Bethesda, Maryland decided to take matters into their own hands.
During their daily commute, drivers in Bethesda saw a peculiar sight on the side of the road – a homeless man holding up a sign.
However, as soon as the drivers were close enough to read the placard, it was revealed that the man was not actually begging. He was, in fact, a police officer from the Montgomery County police station in civilian clothing. He was looking to reprimand drivers who were texting behind the wheel.
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Nevertheless, portable technology has made it difficult for drivers to keep their eyes on the road. People have become more brazen about using their phones while driving. Because of safety concerns, the police force of Bethesda, Maryland decided to take matters into their own hands.
During their daily commute, drivers in Bethesda saw a peculiar sight on the side of the road – a homeless man holding up a sign.
However, as soon as the drivers were close enough to read the placard, it was revealed that the man was not actually begging. He was, in fact, a police officer from the Montgomery County police station in civilian clothing. He was looking to reprimand drivers who were texting behind the wheel.
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Why Hillary Won't Run...Again
Third time's the charm, right? Certainly not in Hillary's case. While the media pundits and bookies speculate whether or not she'll run a third time for the White House, I'm fairly certain that Ms. Clinton is finished in politics. She forfeited her best chance at occupying the Oval Office when she acquiesced to the upstart black man from Chicago – consigned to the sidelines, waiting her turn. As a consolation prize, she served as Obama's secretary of state, which did nothing to enhance her résumé. Far from it. To her detriment, she also grossly misjudged a formidable opponent in 2016. Should she decide to go all in, Hillary Clinton will have even larger obstacles to overcome in 2020: her failing health, a non-compliant DNC, and the knowledge that Donald Trump has gained access to intelligence agency reports and records.
For starters, Hillary Clinton doesn't look good. More importantly, the media optics since the election in 2016 haven't been kind. She continues to stumble and fall. As happened during the campaign, intrepid photographers caught her falling down a steep set of stairs in India. At the beginning of summer, she appeared in public on several occasions smothered in heavy coats and voluminous scarves in an unconvincing attempt to conceal the back brace she was wearing. It's anyone's guess why she was trussed up in metal. Maybe she fell down...again.
Hillary's most recent decision to wear the dining room tablecloth wasn't a smart fashion choice. Not only was the polka-dot tablecloth hideous, but her ruffled coif, the noticeably droopy bags under her eyes, and gray skin tones weren't flattering, either. Whether it's her failing health, large quantities of alcohol consumption, or inability to walk without falling down, Hillary is in no physical shape for yet another grueling two-year campaign.
If her poor health isn't enough to finally squash the still elusive quest for the White House keys, Hillary Clinton has no friends left at the Democrat National Committee. Committee chairman Tom Perez fired a warning shot across the Clinton bow when he stated that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is the fresh young face of the Democratic Party. In plain speak, Perez telegraphed a hard to misinterpret message for Ms. Clinton: you're old, washed up, and unelectable – so just go away. Despite the fact that Ocasio-Cortez is a Democrat in name only, the rising tide of Marxist-socialists of the liberal party (to which Ms. Ocasio-Cortez has self-identified), won't go along to get along in 2020. And absent are the Clinton-enablers, such as Debbie Wasserman Schultz; who jerry-rigged the Democrat primaries in Hillary's favor. It's highly doubtful that Mr. Perez would be quite as accommodating, but then again – buckets of ill gotten Clinton cash are tempting.
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For starters, Hillary Clinton doesn't look good. More importantly, the media optics since the election in 2016 haven't been kind. She continues to stumble and fall. As happened during the campaign, intrepid photographers caught her falling down a steep set of stairs in India. At the beginning of summer, she appeared in public on several occasions smothered in heavy coats and voluminous scarves in an unconvincing attempt to conceal the back brace she was wearing. It's anyone's guess why she was trussed up in metal. Maybe she fell down...again.
Hillary's most recent decision to wear the dining room tablecloth wasn't a smart fashion choice. Not only was the polka-dot tablecloth hideous, but her ruffled coif, the noticeably droopy bags under her eyes, and gray skin tones weren't flattering, either. Whether it's her failing health, large quantities of alcohol consumption, or inability to walk without falling down, Hillary is in no physical shape for yet another grueling two-year campaign.
If her poor health isn't enough to finally squash the still elusive quest for the White House keys, Hillary Clinton has no friends left at the Democrat National Committee. Committee chairman Tom Perez fired a warning shot across the Clinton bow when he stated that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is the fresh young face of the Democratic Party. In plain speak, Perez telegraphed a hard to misinterpret message for Ms. Clinton: you're old, washed up, and unelectable – so just go away. Despite the fact that Ocasio-Cortez is a Democrat in name only, the rising tide of Marxist-socialists of the liberal party (to which Ms. Ocasio-Cortez has self-identified), won't go along to get along in 2020. And absent are the Clinton-enablers, such as Debbie Wasserman Schultz; who jerry-rigged the Democrat primaries in Hillary's favor. It's highly doubtful that Mr. Perez would be quite as accommodating, but then again – buckets of ill gotten Clinton cash are tempting.
More
Opioid Operational Command Center Continues Coordinating Maryland’s Fight Against Opioid Epidemic with State & Local Partners
Aligns Efforts in Expanding Access to Treatment and Recovery Services, Disrupting Drug Trafficking Organizations, and Educating Maryland Communities
ANNAPOLIS, MD — Today, the Maryland Department of Health released its Unintentional Drug And Alcohol-Related Intoxication Death Report for the entirety of 2017 and the first quarter of 2018. Following Governor Larry Hogan declaring a State of Emergency to combat the heroin and opioid crisis in March 2017, Maryland’s Opioid Operational Command Center has been working with state agencies and local jurisdictions to address the epidemic.
“Maryland, like other surrounding states, saw overdose fatalities increase in 2017,” said Clay Stamp, executive director of the Opioid Operational Command Center. “Every day, the state and its federal and local partners are working hard to save the lives of the Marylanders caught in the grips of addiction. We’ve made progress in expanding access to treatment and recovery services, disrupting and dismantling drug trafficking organizations, and beginning to re-educate our youth on the dangers of drug use – but there is still work to be done in fighting this destructive crisis that is evolving daily.”
In June 2018, the Hogan-Rutherford administration announced $40 million in new funding to fight the heroin and opioid epidemic. The funding for Fiscal Year 2019 includes $29.4 million from the Hogan-Rutherford administration, $10 million from the federal 21st Century Cures Act, and $1.2 million from the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention.
This week, Maryland was awarded a $1,975,085 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to provide reemployment services for individuals impacted by the health and economic effects of widespread opioid use, addiction, and overdose. Five other states received this National Health Emergency Dislocated Worker Demonstration Grant funding.
"Maryland is one of six states that received funding to develop programs within the state to directly address the opioid epidemic. Skills training for peer recovery specialists is critical to the ongoing care necessary for a full recovery, as well as reemployment efforts for those looking to reenter the workforce," said Secretary Kelly M. Schulz, Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. “This is an example of how Maryland is engaging the business community to offer opportunities for those in recovery to re-renter the workplace, which is key to their continued recovery.”
"During 2017 and the first quarter of 2018, fentanyl-related deaths in Maryland have continued to rise at an alarming rate,” said Maryland Department of Health Secretary Robert R. Neall. “In the first three months of 2018 alone, 500 Marylanders lost their lives due to fentanyl. In addition to often being mixed with heroin, this incredibly dangerous drug is now finding its way into other substances, especially cocaine, resulting in even more overdose deaths."
Maryland’s opioid crisis is evolving as fentanyl, typically combined with cocaine or heroin, is driving the increase in overall overdoses in 2017 and in the first quarter of 2018 – and so is the state’s response to it, which includes addressing the epidemic from every possible angle. Education and prevention go hand-in-hand with treatment and recovery, and enforcement – all are essential components of the state’s efforts to turn the tide of this epidemic.
EXPANSION OF TREATMENT AND RECOVERY SERVICES
Breaking: US GDP Accelerates to a Whopping 4.1% In Second Quarter
This is another BIG Trump win.
This doubles the first quarter growth of 2.2%.
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Breaking News: CBS signaled it would investigate its C.E.O., Les Moonves, for misconduct allegations to be published by The New Yorker. CBS shares fell 6%.
The statement, which did not specifically identify Mr. Moonves, was released after The Hollywood Reporter posted an article online saying that The New Yorker was poised to publish an article that detailed allegations of sexual misconduct against him.
It's Free Pool Friday At OC Billiards @ Trader Lee's
Jordanian immigrant accused of honor killing takes the stand
A Jordanian man accused of the honor killings of two people has taken to the stand to defend himself in a desperate attempt to avoid the death penalty.
Ali Irsan, 60, a Jordanian immigrant, is charged with killing his daughter's husband - Coty Beavers - and her friend Gelareh Bagherzadeh after his daughter converted to Christianity and married a Christian man.
Against the advice of his own attorneys, Irsan took the stand Wednesday declaring he had nothing to do with the deaths of Beavers and Bagherzadeh in Houston in 2012.
Irsan was grilled by prosecutors on his relationship with his wife and his devout faith as they tried to paint him as a radical Muslim who believed his daughter's marriage had brought shame on the family.
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Ali Irsan, 60, a Jordanian immigrant, is charged with killing his daughter's husband - Coty Beavers - and her friend Gelareh Bagherzadeh after his daughter converted to Christianity and married a Christian man.
Against the advice of his own attorneys, Irsan took the stand Wednesday declaring he had nothing to do with the deaths of Beavers and Bagherzadeh in Houston in 2012.
Irsan was grilled by prosecutors on his relationship with his wife and his devout faith as they tried to paint him as a radical Muslim who believed his daughter's marriage had brought shame on the family.
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Toronto Discovers the Joys of 'Diversity'
Rattled by string of violent attacks, Toronto wonders if city is unraveling
As residents grapple with the latest attack to hit the city in recent months, some are asking whether it was becoming less safe
Detectives in Canada are still seeking a motive for a mass shooting which left three dead – including the gunman – and injured more than a dozen others, as residents of Toronto grapple with the latest in a string of violent incidents to hit Canada’s biggest city in recent months.
Federal officials said on Tuesday that there was no terror link to Sunday’s attack in which the lone gunman opened fire along a bustling avenue in the city, seemingly shooting at random at pedestrians and into shops and restaurants. “At this time, there is no national security nexus to the investigation,” said a spokesperson for the ministry of public safety. The attack killed two people, a recent high school graduate Reese Fallon and 10-year-old Julianna Kozis. The 13 injured include six women and girls, as well as seven men.
Authorities have not yet publicly speculated on the motive of the gunman, Faisal Hussain, or explained how he obtained the handgun used in the attack. In a statement, his family cited his lifelong struggle with depression and psychosis, noting that professional help, medication and therapy had failed to help him.
I would say his name alone is a pretty good clue as to the gunman's motivation. Note the usual "no connection to terrorism" bromide about an incident that is obviously terrorism, committed by a "known wolf" Pakistani Muslim exercising his religious freedom to kill the infidel wherever he may find us. But as long as the authorities and the media continue to pretend that only provable-in-courts-of-law conspiracy cases are "terror links," the public will continue to be ill-served about the scope of the problem.
But wait -- it gets worse!
More
As residents grapple with the latest attack to hit the city in recent months, some are asking whether it was becoming less safe
Detectives in Canada are still seeking a motive for a mass shooting which left three dead – including the gunman – and injured more than a dozen others, as residents of Toronto grapple with the latest in a string of violent incidents to hit Canada’s biggest city in recent months.
Federal officials said on Tuesday that there was no terror link to Sunday’s attack in which the lone gunman opened fire along a bustling avenue in the city, seemingly shooting at random at pedestrians and into shops and restaurants. “At this time, there is no national security nexus to the investigation,” said a spokesperson for the ministry of public safety. The attack killed two people, a recent high school graduate Reese Fallon and 10-year-old Julianna Kozis. The 13 injured include six women and girls, as well as seven men.
Authorities have not yet publicly speculated on the motive of the gunman, Faisal Hussain, or explained how he obtained the handgun used in the attack. In a statement, his family cited his lifelong struggle with depression and psychosis, noting that professional help, medication and therapy had failed to help him.
I would say his name alone is a pretty good clue as to the gunman's motivation. Note the usual "no connection to terrorism" bromide about an incident that is obviously terrorism, committed by a "known wolf" Pakistani Muslim exercising his religious freedom to kill the infidel wherever he may find us. But as long as the authorities and the media continue to pretend that only provable-in-courts-of-law conspiracy cases are "terror links," the public will continue to be ill-served about the scope of the problem.
But wait -- it gets worse!
More
Liberal enclaves embrace non-citizen voting
Forget the Russian government — foreign nationals are increasingly gaining the ability to influence American elections more directly. They’re being granted the right to vote.
From Boston, where the city council is debating the move, to San Francisco, where non-citizens gained the right earlier this month in school-board elections, jurisdictions are looking to expand the boundaries of the electorate beyond its citizens.
Several Republicans fired back this week.
Rep. Jeff Duncan of South Carolina announced a bill that would strip federal funding from states or localities that allow non-citizens to vote in their elections.
“Allowing non-citizens to water down the voice of American citizens at the voting booth disrespects their sacrifice and the value of American citizenship,” Mr. Duncan said in announcing the legislation. “Now more than ever, it is critical that we ensure only American citizens are casting ballots in this country.”
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From Boston, where the city council is debating the move, to San Francisco, where non-citizens gained the right earlier this month in school-board elections, jurisdictions are looking to expand the boundaries of the electorate beyond its citizens.
Several Republicans fired back this week.
Rep. Jeff Duncan of South Carolina announced a bill that would strip federal funding from states or localities that allow non-citizens to vote in their elections.
“Allowing non-citizens to water down the voice of American citizens at the voting booth disrespects their sacrifice and the value of American citizenship,” Mr. Duncan said in announcing the legislation. “Now more than ever, it is critical that we ensure only American citizens are casting ballots in this country.”
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Amazon's face ID tool mismatched 28 members of Congress to mugshots: ACLU
A facial recognition tool that Amazon.com Inc sells to web developers wrongly identified 28 members of Congress as police suspects, in a test conducted by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the organization said on Thursday.
Amazon, in a response, said it took issue with the settings of its face ID tool during the test. The findings nonetheless highlight the risks that individuals could face if police use the technology in certain ways to catch criminals.
Since May, the ACLU and other civil rights groups have pressured Amazon to stop selling governments access to Rekognition, a powerful image ID software unveiled in 2016 by the company's cloud-computing division.
The groups cited use of Rekognition by law enforcement in Oregon and Florida and warned that the tool could be used to target immigrants and people of color unfairly.
Their activism has kicked off a public debate. The president of Microsoft Corp, Amazon's rival which also uses facial recognition technology, called on Congress earlier this month to study possible regulations.
The ACLU said it wants Congress to enact a moratorium on use of the technology by law enforcement.
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Amazon, in a response, said it took issue with the settings of its face ID tool during the test. The findings nonetheless highlight the risks that individuals could face if police use the technology in certain ways to catch criminals.
Since May, the ACLU and other civil rights groups have pressured Amazon to stop selling governments access to Rekognition, a powerful image ID software unveiled in 2016 by the company's cloud-computing division.
The groups cited use of Rekognition by law enforcement in Oregon and Florida and warned that the tool could be used to target immigrants and people of color unfairly.
Their activism has kicked off a public debate. The president of Microsoft Corp, Amazon's rival which also uses facial recognition technology, called on Congress earlier this month to study possible regulations.
The ACLU said it wants Congress to enact a moratorium on use of the technology by law enforcement.
More
Al-Qaeda Group Funded by Obama Admin Supported Bin Laden, Hamas, Afghan Terrorists
The bombshell revelation on Wednesday that the Obama administration funded an al-Qaeda group in Sudan ten years after it was designated a foreign terrorist organization merely scratched the surface of what the Islamic Relief Agency (ISRA) stands accused of.
For a full account of the group that received $325,000 in U.S. taxpayer money in 2014 and 2015, we must turn to the U.S. Treasury Department documents Team Obama apparently did not bother to read.
The ISRA was designated a financial supporter of terrorism by the Treasury Department in October 2004, under the authority of an executive order issued by President George W. Bush shortly after the 9/11 attacks in 2001.
President Bush declared a national emergency to deal with the “unusual and extraordinary threat” of terrorism, with special attention paid to the networks that funneled money to operations such as Osama bin Laden’s murderous al-Qaeda crew. Attacking terrorist financial networks was a key element of U.S. strategy after the atrocity of September 11.
The ISRA was part of bin Laden’s financial network, as the Treasury Department made clear ten years before the Obama administration decided to provide the group with U.S. taxpayer money:
More here
For a full account of the group that received $325,000 in U.S. taxpayer money in 2014 and 2015, we must turn to the U.S. Treasury Department documents Team Obama apparently did not bother to read.
The ISRA was designated a financial supporter of terrorism by the Treasury Department in October 2004, under the authority of an executive order issued by President George W. Bush shortly after the 9/11 attacks in 2001.
President Bush declared a national emergency to deal with the “unusual and extraordinary threat” of terrorism, with special attention paid to the networks that funneled money to operations such as Osama bin Laden’s murderous al-Qaeda crew. Attacking terrorist financial networks was a key element of U.S. strategy after the atrocity of September 11.
The ISRA was part of bin Laden’s financial network, as the Treasury Department made clear ten years before the Obama administration decided to provide the group with U.S. taxpayer money:
More here
Heiress Charged With Supporting Sex-Trafficking Operation
A New York liquor heiress was arrested on Tuesday as part of an ongoing investigation into a group accused of coercing women into sex.
Clare Bronfman, 39, is an heiress to the Seagram's liquor fortune. She is also an executive board member of NXIVM (pronounced Nex-ee-um).
Despite billing itself as a community "guided by humanitarian principles," the organization had a secret group that recruited and enslaved female followers under the pretense of mentorship, prosecutors contended.
Those women were allegedly ordered to sleep with the organization's founder, Keith Raniere, branded with a cauterizing pen and punished with paddles and in cages.
Bronfman used her riches to bankroll the organization, spending millions on private air travel for Raniere and lawyers who sued critics, authorities say.
"The details of these alleged crimes become more and more grim as we continue to dig deeper into the conduct of this organization and its intended mission," FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William Sweeney said in a statement on Tuesday.
In the face of mounting accusations from ex-followers and critics, Bronfman remained loyal to Raniere. "I know him to be a man dedicated to the betterment of the lives of others, and most importantly for me, he is a dear friend," she wrote on her website last year.
Raniere was arrested in Mexico in March.
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Clare Bronfman, 39, is an heiress to the Seagram's liquor fortune. She is also an executive board member of NXIVM (pronounced Nex-ee-um).
Despite billing itself as a community "guided by humanitarian principles," the organization had a secret group that recruited and enslaved female followers under the pretense of mentorship, prosecutors contended.
Those women were allegedly ordered to sleep with the organization's founder, Keith Raniere, branded with a cauterizing pen and punished with paddles and in cages.
Bronfman used her riches to bankroll the organization, spending millions on private air travel for Raniere and lawyers who sued critics, authorities say.
"The details of these alleged crimes become more and more grim as we continue to dig deeper into the conduct of this organization and its intended mission," FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William Sweeney said in a statement on Tuesday.
In the face of mounting accusations from ex-followers and critics, Bronfman remained loyal to Raniere. "I know him to be a man dedicated to the betterment of the lives of others, and most importantly for me, he is a dear friend," she wrote on her website last year.
Raniere was arrested in Mexico in March.
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Biden’s Niece Gets Probation for $100,000 Credit Card Scam
Former Vice President Joe Biden’s niece avoided jail on Thursday after a Manhattan Criminal Court judge sentenced her to two years’ probation for stealing more than $100,000 in a credit card scam.
Caroline Biden, 31, accepted the two-year probation sentence after she pleaded guilty in June 2017 to racking up $110,810 worth of charges on a borrowed credit card as she went on a shopping spree.
“I not only acknowledge my conduct and take responsibility but deeply regret the harm caused,” Caroline told Justice Curtis Farber at her Thursday sentencing, according to the New York Post. “I can assure you that I have made amends, full restitution, compl
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Caroline Biden, 31, accepted the two-year probation sentence after she pleaded guilty in June 2017 to racking up $110,810 worth of charges on a borrowed credit card as she went on a shopping spree.
“I not only acknowledge my conduct and take responsibility but deeply regret the harm caused,” Caroline told Justice Curtis Farber at her Thursday sentencing, according to the New York Post. “I can assure you that I have made amends, full restitution, compl
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Sharp Increase In Gun Suicides Signals Growing Public Health Crisis
When Dorothy Paugh was 9, her father bought a pistol and started talking openly about ending his life. Her mother was terrified, but didn't know what to do.
"She called our priest and called his best friend," Paugh recalled. "They came and talked to him and they didn't ask to take his gun away."
Her father was 51 when he shot himself to death.
"One morning — it was a hot August day — he said take the kids to the pool. There were five of us and she piled us in the station wagon. We had a great time until they announced over the loudspeaker that the police were there to take us to the hospital," Paugh continued.
Six years ago, in 2012, it happened again. Paugh's son Peter bought a pistol, walked to a nearby park and shot himself. He was 25.
"It was so shattering, so catastrophic," Paugh said about his suicide. "He made a 911 call to the police because he said he didn't want any children playing in the woods to come upon the gun and his body."
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"She called our priest and called his best friend," Paugh recalled. "They came and talked to him and they didn't ask to take his gun away."
Her father was 51 when he shot himself to death.
"One morning — it was a hot August day — he said take the kids to the pool. There were five of us and she piled us in the station wagon. We had a great time until they announced over the loudspeaker that the police were there to take us to the hospital," Paugh continued.
Six years ago, in 2012, it happened again. Paugh's son Peter bought a pistol, walked to a nearby park and shot himself. He was 25.
"It was so shattering, so catastrophic," Paugh said about his suicide. "He made a 911 call to the police because he said he didn't want any children playing in the woods to come upon the gun and his body."
More
Bike Share Services to Change Providers in Salisbury as SPIN shifts to Motorized Scooters
SALISBURY - Last week, the CEO of SPIN sent an email to all of the company's partner cities indicating that SPIN is changing its business model, opting to cultivate and support electric scooter-based sharing programs, exclusively.
Bike share has proven to be wildly popular in Salisbury with over 15,000 rides, 6,000 unique riders and 16,000 miles ridden in the less than 5 months of operations. SPIN shared that "Salisbury is a very successful market by our metrics" and they recommended new companies who will continue to operate bike share. We cannot estimate how popular motorized scooter share will be in Salisbury so, at this time, our focus is on selecting a new bike share company.
The announcement was made suddenly, with no prior indication from SPIN that they were considering moving their company in this new direction. SPIN bikes in Salisbury continue to work, and they will remain in service until SPIN decides to stop supporting the mobile app. There has been no indication on their part that they intend to shut down the app, but it is a possibility which will be out of our control if it does happen. Given the unexpected nature of this shift in service from this company, we ask for patience with the company and with the City and University as we work to bring in a new company.
The City remains committed to safe, sustainable transportation alternatives, including dockless bike share. We have already begun the process of identifying a company to supply bikes which will replace SPIN in Salisbury. The City of Salisbury and Salisbury University are jointly reviewing proposals from other bike share operators. Bike share is a private business that operates without government funding. Salisbury bike share signage is designed to be quickly modified based on a new provider and we can easily and quickly accommodate a new company in our community.
While we understand that SPIN is transitioning to motorized scooter share and exiting the bike share market as the business model that supports their growth plans for their company, the City of Salisbury and Salisbury University are most interested in addressing the mobility challenges of citizens and students in our City and University. We expect to have a new partner online soon and are looking forward to a new bike share company arriving in town.
Bike share has proven to be wildly popular in Salisbury with over 15,000 rides, 6,000 unique riders and 16,000 miles ridden in the less than 5 months of operations. SPIN shared that "Salisbury is a very successful market by our metrics" and they recommended new companies who will continue to operate bike share. We cannot estimate how popular motorized scooter share will be in Salisbury so, at this time, our focus is on selecting a new bike share company.
The announcement was made suddenly, with no prior indication from SPIN that they were considering moving their company in this new direction. SPIN bikes in Salisbury continue to work, and they will remain in service until SPIN decides to stop supporting the mobile app. There has been no indication on their part that they intend to shut down the app, but it is a possibility which will be out of our control if it does happen. Given the unexpected nature of this shift in service from this company, we ask for patience with the company and with the City and University as we work to bring in a new company.
The City remains committed to safe, sustainable transportation alternatives, including dockless bike share. We have already begun the process of identifying a company to supply bikes which will replace SPIN in Salisbury. The City of Salisbury and Salisbury University are jointly reviewing proposals from other bike share operators. Bike share is a private business that operates without government funding. Salisbury bike share signage is designed to be quickly modified based on a new provider and we can easily and quickly accommodate a new company in our community.
While we understand that SPIN is transitioning to motorized scooter share and exiting the bike share market as the business model that supports their growth plans for their company, the City of Salisbury and Salisbury University are most interested in addressing the mobility challenges of citizens and students in our City and University. We expect to have a new partner online soon and are looking forward to a new bike share company arriving in town.
Spin Retires Bike Share Program
SU is waiting for details regarding bike collection and information on the refunding of extended memberships. (The University reaped no financial benefit from the program, but supported bike sharing as part of its sustainability efforts and as a service to campus users.) The Sustainability Office and City of Salisbury are exploring other options which might provide alternatives to bike ownership, as Spin had.
Gallup: Record % says Immigration top problem for US
(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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California City threatens Waiters w Jail for Serving Straws
Santa Barbara, Calif., is threatening waiters with jail if they offer straws to customers.
The city recently banned plastic straws from restaurants, bars and other food establishments in what officials claim is an environmental crackdown through the use of social engineering.
“Prohibiting the provision of plastic beverage straws, and restricting the provision of plastic stirrers and cutlery in connection to cases where the customer requests the items will initiate a change in consumer behavior and will further serve the City’s goal of reducing plastic litter,” the city states.
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The city recently banned plastic straws from restaurants, bars and other food establishments in what officials claim is an environmental crackdown through the use of social engineering.
“Prohibiting the provision of plastic beverage straws, and restricting the provision of plastic stirrers and cutlery in connection to cases where the customer requests the items will initiate a change in consumer behavior and will further serve the City’s goal of reducing plastic litter,” the city states.
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The Left Learned the Wrong Lessons From History
Last week we observed the memorial of the Holocaust and the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising.
Even without the incomprehension of Trayon White, the D.C. councilmember who seems determined to misinterpret the real history of the Jewish people and substitute for it, instead, vicious lore, there is a lot to think about in the conjunction of the two remembrances.
What is most obvious to me is that we took the wrong lesson from both of the World Wars. Partly, I think, this was influenced by our intelligentsia, in the form of our artists and the press, who, perhaps unintentionally, preferred to re-orient the blame for those two disasters to something less harmful to themselves.
So, from World War I, we took the lesson that patriotism is bad, military might is wrong, and that the nation-state needs to be destroyed, instead of the lesson that blind following of any self-proclaimed elite, particularly one that hasn’t adapted to modern times, is wrong.
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Even without the incomprehension of Trayon White, the D.C. councilmember who seems determined to misinterpret the real history of the Jewish people and substitute for it, instead, vicious lore, there is a lot to think about in the conjunction of the two remembrances.
What is most obvious to me is that we took the wrong lesson from both of the World Wars. Partly, I think, this was influenced by our intelligentsia, in the form of our artists and the press, who, perhaps unintentionally, preferred to re-orient the blame for those two disasters to something less harmful to themselves.
So, from World War I, we took the lesson that patriotism is bad, military might is wrong, and that the nation-state needs to be destroyed, instead of the lesson that blind following of any self-proclaimed elite, particularly one that hasn’t adapted to modern times, is wrong.
More
Peter Thiel: Political Correctness Is an Indicator of Greater Social Illness
Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel addressed a group of young conservatives on Wednesday evening.
Speaking at the Turning Point USA High School Leadership Summit on Wednesday evening, Silicon Valley giant Peter Thiel spoke to students about America’s current political climate, his views on President Trump, and the dangers of political correctness.
Thiel spoke about the importance of ideological diversity. When hiring new employees for his various businesses, Thiel said that he often asks them to share with him a controversial opinion that they hold. “Tell me something thats true that few people agree with you on,” he said. “It’s a way to get people thinking outside of the lemming-like herd that we find ourselves in.”
Thiel then spoke about his support for President Trump. He explained that his support for the president has made him feel like a contrarian at times, especially in Silicon Valley
“When we come to politics in this country, I supported Trump for president in 2016, it was in some ways it was least contrarian and the most contrarian thing I’ve done in my life,” he said. “How far off can something be if half the country agrees with you? But in some contexts, in silicon valley and in some high schools, it felt incredibly contrarian. How can someone who is in such a small minority ever be right?”
“I’m one of the few people who supports President Trump in Silicon Valley,” he added. “I am constantly told that I can’t possibly be right because so few people agree with me.”
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Speaking at the Turning Point USA High School Leadership Summit on Wednesday evening, Silicon Valley giant Peter Thiel spoke to students about America’s current political climate, his views on President Trump, and the dangers of political correctness.
Thiel spoke about the importance of ideological diversity. When hiring new employees for his various businesses, Thiel said that he often asks them to share with him a controversial opinion that they hold. “Tell me something thats true that few people agree with you on,” he said. “It’s a way to get people thinking outside of the lemming-like herd that we find ourselves in.”
Thiel then spoke about his support for President Trump. He explained that his support for the president has made him feel like a contrarian at times, especially in Silicon Valley
“When we come to politics in this country, I supported Trump for president in 2016, it was in some ways it was least contrarian and the most contrarian thing I’ve done in my life,” he said. “How far off can something be if half the country agrees with you? But in some contexts, in silicon valley and in some high schools, it felt incredibly contrarian. How can someone who is in such a small minority ever be right?”
“I’m one of the few people who supports President Trump in Silicon Valley,” he added. “I am constantly told that I can’t possibly be right because so few people agree with me.”
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WCBI Press Release
In April of 2018 A Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was made aware of inappropriate pictures on a 15 year old female’s computer. The investigation was turned over to the Worcester
County Bureau of investigation.
The Detective assigned the case verified that the computer contained pictures that were sexual in nature. The investigation revealed that a Mr. Jeffrey L. Purnell, 22 years of age, of Berlin Md. was a community member attending a sports practice of the 15 year old female. Mr. Purnell allegedly initiated a relationship with the female that led to Mr. Purnell and the juvenile engaging in sex acts.
Mr. Purnell was arrested and charged with a third degree sexual offense and perverted practice.
Mr. Purnell was held at the Worcester County Jail pending trial.
County Bureau of investigation.
The Detective assigned the case verified that the computer contained pictures that were sexual in nature. The investigation revealed that a Mr. Jeffrey L. Purnell, 22 years of age, of Berlin Md. was a community member attending a sports practice of the 15 year old female. Mr. Purnell allegedly initiated a relationship with the female that led to Mr. Purnell and the juvenile engaging in sex acts.
Mr. Purnell was arrested and charged with a third degree sexual offense and perverted practice.
Mr. Purnell was held at the Worcester County Jail pending trial.
Mulvaney: Past Administration ‘Used Taxpayer Dollars’ to ‘Discourage Christian Values’
Director of the Office of Management and Budget Mick Mulvaney accused previous White House administrations of withholding foreign aid from countries in sub-Saharan Africa to secure compliance with left-wing policy initiatives on “abortion [and] gay marriage.”
He offered his remarks on Tuesday at the State Department’s Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom in Washington, DC.
Mulvaney noted that American taxpayers’ dollars were offered and denied depending on whether the countries in question rejected what he referred to as “Christian values” but specified as opposition to abortion and gay marriage.
Mulvaney stated:
"Our U.S. taxpayer dollars are used to discourage Christian values in other democratic countries. It was stunning to me that my government under a previous administration would go to folks in sub-Saharan Africa and say, “We know that you have a law against abortion, but if you enforce that law, you’re not going to get any of our money. We know you have a law against gay marriage, but if you enforce that law, we’re not going to give you any money.”
"That’s a different type of religious persecution. … That is a different type of religious persecution that I never expected to see. I never expected to see that as an American Christian."
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He offered his remarks on Tuesday at the State Department’s Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom in Washington, DC.
Mulvaney noted that American taxpayers’ dollars were offered and denied depending on whether the countries in question rejected what he referred to as “Christian values” but specified as opposition to abortion and gay marriage.
Mulvaney stated:
"Our U.S. taxpayer dollars are used to discourage Christian values in other democratic countries. It was stunning to me that my government under a previous administration would go to folks in sub-Saharan Africa and say, “We know that you have a law against abortion, but if you enforce that law, you’re not going to get any of our money. We know you have a law against gay marriage, but if you enforce that law, we’re not going to give you any money.”
"That’s a different type of religious persecution. … That is a different type of religious persecution that I never expected to see. I never expected to see that as an American Christian."
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17,645 people have signed a petition to drink liquid from the black sarcophagus
Well, folks, they opened the sarcophagus, and so far, so good on the curse front. What the archaeologists found instead were the decomposed bodies of three non-royal people and a whole lot of red liquid that looked somewhat cursed in its own right.
Now, 17,645 people (as of this writing) have signed a Change.org petition to drink the red coffin juice. Specifically, to drink it "in the form of some sort of carbonated energy drink so we can assume its powers and finally die."
According to the Egyptian Antiquities Minister, the Pharaoh Punch is not "juice for mummies that contains an elixir of life" or red mercury; it's just sewage water that leaked into the sarcophagus.
In response, the petition's creator posted, "Please stop trying to tell me the skeleton juice is mostly sewage thats impossible everyone knows skeletons cannot poop."
And the signatures keep piling up.
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Trump blasts Twitter's Republican 'shadow banning,' vows to probe 'illegal practice'
President Trump took to Twitter Thursday morning to blast the social media platform over the reported practice of “shadow banning” certain prominent Republicans, restricting their visibility in search results.
In a direct swipe at the platform he’s used to energize and connect with his base since the 2016 campaign, the president vowed to look into what he called the "illegal" practice -- though Twitter officials described it as a glitch they are working to fix.
“Twitter ‘SHADOW BANNING’ prominent Republicans. Not good. We will look into this discriminatory and illegal practice at once! Many complaints,” Trump tweeted.
The social media giant came under fire from Republicans after the issue was first reported by Vice News.
Republican Party Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel; several conservative Republican congressmen, including Rep. Devin Nunes; and Andrew Surabian, the spokesman for Donald Trump Jr., all were not appearing in Twitter’s auto-populated drop-down search results.
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In a direct swipe at the platform he’s used to energize and connect with his base since the 2016 campaign, the president vowed to look into what he called the "illegal" practice -- though Twitter officials described it as a glitch they are working to fix.
“Twitter ‘SHADOW BANNING’ prominent Republicans. Not good. We will look into this discriminatory and illegal practice at once! Many complaints,” Trump tweeted.
The social media giant came under fire from Republicans after the issue was first reported by Vice News.
Republican Party Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel; several conservative Republican congressmen, including Rep. Devin Nunes; and Andrew Surabian, the spokesman for Donald Trump Jr., all were not appearing in Twitter’s auto-populated drop-down search results.
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Trump To Announce Multibillion Stimulus For Farmers
Update: the WSJ confirms the earlier report, noting that the Trump administration on Tuesday will announce a plan to extend some $12 billion in emergency aid to farmers amid growing concerns that the U.S. agricultural sector could suffer from President Donald Trump’s escalating trade dispute with allies, a person familiar with the matter said.
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Earlier this month we reported that not everyone was happy with Trump's trade war with China which has retaliated by levying duties on $34 billion of U.S. products, covering 545 categories, ranging from soybeans, pork, chicken and seafood to sport-utility vehicles and electric vehicles, and as a result of plunging commodity prices, one group emerged as especially hard hit by the administration's tariffs:farmers.
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Earlier this month we reported that not everyone was happy with Trump's trade war with China which has retaliated by levying duties on $34 billion of U.S. products, covering 545 categories, ranging from soybeans, pork, chicken and seafood to sport-utility vehicles and electric vehicles, and as a result of plunging commodity prices, one group emerged as especially hard hit by the administration's tariffs:farmers.
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Trade Deal a ‘Major Win for President Trump’
President Donald Trump scored a “major win” on Wednesday by reaching a limited trade deal with the European Union, which made a “major concession” to the United States to avoid a trade war.
That’s according to business news anchor Neil Cavuto of Fox News — who just last week blasted President Trump over his press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland.
Amidst recent tariffs and tensions, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker arrived at the White House with two options for a deal to avoid a wider trade war, according to ABC News: “eliminate tariffs on cars for all trading partners or create a limited free trade agreement between the U.S. and EU on industrial goods.”
Trump opted for the latter — and secured Europe’s agreement to buy more American soybeans and liquified natural gas (LNG). The two also announced that they would begin “to work together toward zero tariffs, zero non-tariff barriers, and zero subsidies on non-auto industrial goods,” in Trump’s words.
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That’s according to business news anchor Neil Cavuto of Fox News — who just last week blasted President Trump over his press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland.
Amidst recent tariffs and tensions, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker arrived at the White House with two options for a deal to avoid a wider trade war, according to ABC News: “eliminate tariffs on cars for all trading partners or create a limited free trade agreement between the U.S. and EU on industrial goods.”
Trump opted for the latter — and secured Europe’s agreement to buy more American soybeans and liquified natural gas (LNG). The two also announced that they would begin “to work together toward zero tariffs, zero non-tariff barriers, and zero subsidies on non-auto industrial goods,” in Trump’s words.
More here
A Viewer Writes: This seems to be a trend with the Democrats
Don't Miss This Incredible Event Tomorrow Night Including NINE Bands
Fake Populism
President Trump is known as a “populist” president who was elected by appealing to “the forgotten man” (and woman) – the hard-working, taxed-to-death middle class people whose interests are usually diametrically opposed to the political elites of both parties. The label of populism seems especially appropriate with regard to his foreign policy of pursuing peace with Russia and North Korea, judging by the vicious and apoplectic reaction to it by the deep state elite, some of whom have called for the president’s execution for treason. You know an American president is doing the right thing when he is so viciously attacked by the James Gang – Clapper and Comey.
But the lynchpin of President Trump’s economic policy – protectionist tariffs on steel, aluminum, solar panels (Huh?), and washing machines, among other things, is quintessentially non-populist. It is the exact opposite of populism, as protectionism always is and always has been, because it benefits a few politically well connected corporations and their employees and shareholders by plundering the masses with government-mandated price increases. The lack of competition caused by protection also usually leads to lower-quality products.
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But the lynchpin of President Trump’s economic policy – protectionist tariffs on steel, aluminum, solar panels (Huh?), and washing machines, among other things, is quintessentially non-populist. It is the exact opposite of populism, as protectionism always is and always has been, because it benefits a few politically well connected corporations and their employees and shareholders by plundering the masses with government-mandated price increases. The lack of competition caused by protection also usually leads to lower-quality products.
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A Comment Worthy Of A Post 7-27-18
United Way
Staff
Kathleen Momme, President & Chief Executive Officer(She prances around Salisbury and the SACC like she is something important.)
Cathie Thomas, Leadership and Planned Giving Officer(REJECT of the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce) Found this online - "For more information on Chamber membership, email Membership Manager, Cathie Thomas at cthomas@salisburyarea.com."
Of course the United Way is going to help Jake Day with this Folk Festival. Did you know that Jake Day encourages/almost forces every city employee to contribute to the United Way every year? They make you donate through your paycheck bi-weekly. It's a big scam and the many employees of the City of Salisbury donate a lot of money to the United Way.
So now we know the connection to the United Way. Shame on Kathleen Momme, Jake Day and Cathie Thomas.
ICE arrests 132 across DC metro area, including top MS-13 member and sex offenders
The mayor’s office said it would pick up a portion of the tab for the clean-up, FOX 12 reported. Meanwhile, the Portland Police Bureau has cordoned off the site, calling it a biohazard.
Activists set up the camp near the local office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after an outcry over the agency's crackdown on illegal immigrants.
Debris being cleared Wednesday included wooden pallets, makeshift toilets, books, toys, plastic containers, liquor bottles, tents and furniture.
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http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/07/26/portland-to-clean-up-disgusting-occupy-ice-camp-calling-it-biohazard.html
A Viewer Writes: Welcome To Home Depot In Salisbury Maryland
Mom blames hot snacks for daughter's stomach ailments, surgery
A mother is blaming her daughter's stomach problems on hot chips, saying hot Cheetos and hot Takis led to the removal of her gallbladder.
Rene Craighead told Memphis media outlet WREG that hot chips were the cause of her 17-year-old daughter's stomach issues. Eventually, the teen's gallbladder was removed and doctors told her hot chips were to blame.
"She loves them. Every time I go out she says, 'Bring me back some Hot Takis, bring me back some Hot Chips.' I want to make her happy, so I brought them back. She was eating big bags and would take them to school with her," Craighead told the TV station, adding that her daughter was eating about four bags of hot chips every week.
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Rene Craighead told Memphis media outlet WREG that hot chips were the cause of her 17-year-old daughter's stomach issues. Eventually, the teen's gallbladder was removed and doctors told her hot chips were to blame.
"She loves them. Every time I go out she says, 'Bring me back some Hot Takis, bring me back some Hot Chips.' I want to make her happy, so I brought them back. She was eating big bags and would take them to school with her," Craighead told the TV station, adding that her daughter was eating about four bags of hot chips every week.
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Governor Larry Hogan Announces School Systems Safety Grants Available to Maryland Schools
First $6 Million of Over $37 Million to be Awarded
ANNAPOLIS, MD - Governor Larry Hogan today announced that $6 million in funding is available for local school systems to enhance school safety through training, safety assessments, information sharing, and more. This round of grants will be the first $6 million out of a total of $37.6 that will be made available on a rolling basis.
“Keeping our kids safe is one of our most important jobs, and no parent should have to worry about whether their child is going to be safe in their school,” said Governor Hogan. “This year, we enacted major, bipartisan school safety legislation to create aggressive, statewide standards for school safety, and this funding will help our local schools meet these standards and keep our students safe.”
This initial round of applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through October 31, 2018, and the first of the grant recipients will be determined at the August 20, 2018 School Safety Subcabinet meeting. The remaining funds, which include an additional $7.1 million in operational funds and $23.5 million to help schools improve the physical safety of school facilities, will be distributed in later rounds.
The grants will flow through the Safe Schools Fund, which was created as part of the Maryland Safe to Learn Act of 2018, which Governor Hogan signed into law on April 10. This legislation includes key Hogan administration proposals, such as increased funding for the Maryland Center for School Safety, the creation of aggressive statewide standards for school safety, requirements for the standardized training and certification for all school resource officers, and requirements for each school system to develop behavioral assessment teams to identify and provide interventions for students who may pose a threat to safety.
This funding will be used to conduct the assessments required by the Maryland Safe to Learn Act and to help meet immediate needs of the local school systems. This first round of grants includes $2.5 million for completion of the school safety assessments, and $3.5 million for operational funding to satisfy other provisions of the Safe to Learn Act, such as conducting training for students and local school personnel on de-escalation of situations and identifying and reporting behaviors of concern, conducting training of assessment teams, establishing formal and anonymous mechanisms for reporting safety concerns, and providing information to students and parents on traveling safely to and from schools.
The grant application and instructions can be found here. For any additional information about the application process, please email the Maryland Center for School Safety at mcss.mcss@maryland.gov.
ANNAPOLIS, MD - Governor Larry Hogan today announced that $6 million in funding is available for local school systems to enhance school safety through training, safety assessments, information sharing, and more. This round of grants will be the first $6 million out of a total of $37.6 that will be made available on a rolling basis.
“Keeping our kids safe is one of our most important jobs, and no parent should have to worry about whether their child is going to be safe in their school,” said Governor Hogan. “This year, we enacted major, bipartisan school safety legislation to create aggressive, statewide standards for school safety, and this funding will help our local schools meet these standards and keep our students safe.”
This initial round of applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through October 31, 2018, and the first of the grant recipients will be determined at the August 20, 2018 School Safety Subcabinet meeting. The remaining funds, which include an additional $7.1 million in operational funds and $23.5 million to help schools improve the physical safety of school facilities, will be distributed in later rounds.
The grants will flow through the Safe Schools Fund, which was created as part of the Maryland Safe to Learn Act of 2018, which Governor Hogan signed into law on April 10. This legislation includes key Hogan administration proposals, such as increased funding for the Maryland Center for School Safety, the creation of aggressive statewide standards for school safety, requirements for the standardized training and certification for all school resource officers, and requirements for each school system to develop behavioral assessment teams to identify and provide interventions for students who may pose a threat to safety.
This funding will be used to conduct the assessments required by the Maryland Safe to Learn Act and to help meet immediate needs of the local school systems. This first round of grants includes $2.5 million for completion of the school safety assessments, and $3.5 million for operational funding to satisfy other provisions of the Safe to Learn Act, such as conducting training for students and local school personnel on de-escalation of situations and identifying and reporting behaviors of concern, conducting training of assessment teams, establishing formal and anonymous mechanisms for reporting safety concerns, and providing information to students and parents on traveling safely to and from schools.
The grant application and instructions can be found here. For any additional information about the application process, please email the Maryland Center for School Safety at mcss.mcss@maryland.gov.
15 Summer Hits We Can't Forget
There are several things that help define summer: kids in camp, cookouts, beach days, road trips, pool parties, fireworks, ice cream, midday naps after too much sun, and running through sprinklers, to name a few. But the one through-line when it comes to summer fun is undeniably the music that accompanies it. What's a road trip without a great playlist? What's a party without some tunes?
If you think back to epic summers in your past, you will most likely have a song attached to those memories. Here's a look back at some of the best summer songs throughout the years. Which songs have defined your summers? Let us know in the comments!
Yakety Yak — The Coasters
If you think back to epic summers in your past, you will most likely have a song attached to those memories. Here's a look back at some of the best summer songs throughout the years. Which songs have defined your summers? Let us know in the comments!
Yakety Yak — The Coasters
Black Crime Gets Crazier
Whatever you thought crazy was, put it aside. Because no matter what you think is the craziest story of black violence – and the denial, deceit, and delusion surrounding it – this recent story out of Oakland is way past that.
It began simply and sadly enough on a BART system in the Oakland area. Two younger black people killed two older white guys. The reaction from BART was as predictable as it was lame: BART is safe; murder and violence are isolated; and no, you cannot see the videos from any of the hundreds of cameras in the stations.
Then, over the weekend, John Lee Cowell, a white guy, met two black women, Nia Wilson and her sister, on BART. He cut their throats, killing Nia.
Soon the streets of Oakland were full of black protesters, wondering why white people are able to get away with so much murder against black people. Many took to Twitter as well. "White supremacy slashes throats, it stabs, it lynches, and continues to kill our people in horrific ways," said one Twitter poster. It isevil. "Don't tell us to play patty-cake with it." And on and on this went by the thousands: black people bitterly complaining about white-on-black crime and how cops in places like Oakland never do anything about it.
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It began simply and sadly enough on a BART system in the Oakland area. Two younger black people killed two older white guys. The reaction from BART was as predictable as it was lame: BART is safe; murder and violence are isolated; and no, you cannot see the videos from any of the hundreds of cameras in the stations.
Then, over the weekend, John Lee Cowell, a white guy, met two black women, Nia Wilson and her sister, on BART. He cut their throats, killing Nia.
Soon the streets of Oakland were full of black protesters, wondering why white people are able to get away with so much murder against black people. Many took to Twitter as well. "White supremacy slashes throats, it stabs, it lynches, and continues to kill our people in horrific ways," said one Twitter poster. It isevil. "Don't tell us to play patty-cake with it." And on and on this went by the thousands: black people bitterly complaining about white-on-black crime and how cops in places like Oakland never do anything about it.
More