House Republicans on Friday passed legislation to make permanent last year's tax cuts for individuals and small businesses, a vote they hope will insulate them from Democratic attacks that their tax reform favored big companies.
The bill passed 220-191, and three Democrats joined most Republicans in support of the bill.
Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., one of the three Democrats who voted for today's bill but opposed last year's tax reform law, explained her vote as correcting a fault in the law.
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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
Saturday, September 29, 2018
1 In 4 Of A Baltimore Hospital Admissions Are Babies Addicted To Opioids
With a bag of heroine now cheaper than a pack of cigarettes, America's opioid epidemic shows no signs of slowing down.
However, even more worrying is this condition is now spreading to the youngest, as Axios reports, every 15 minutes, a baby is born addicted to opioids.
As the following Axios report details, in Baltimore, doctors at Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital say babies born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome - a set of conditions caused by withdrawal from exposure to drugs - now account for 25% of the hospital’s admissions.
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However, even more worrying is this condition is now spreading to the youngest, as Axios reports, every 15 minutes, a baby is born addicted to opioids.
As the following Axios report details, in Baltimore, doctors at Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital say babies born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome - a set of conditions caused by withdrawal from exposure to drugs - now account for 25% of the hospital’s admissions.
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Washington high school principal secretly recorded mocking a girl 'who was sexually assaulted'
A high school principal has been recorded ridiculing a student who reported a sexual assault.
Aqueelha James can be heard on tape mocking the child in front of colleagues at Roosevelt High School in Washington DC.
James was placed on paid leave Thursday.
The pupil had approached James in June 2017 to report that she'd been sexually assaulted in the school bathroom when a male student forced her into a stall, kissed her and put his hand up her dress. She said he left a hickey on her neck.
The child and her mother met with the headteacher in her office in July 2017, where James was initially sympathetic and supportive.
'I'm here to support and be of assistance. I don't like the idea that your daughter has been assaulted sexually. It is a crime,' James told the pair in audio obtained by The Washington Post.
But after the parent and her daughter left the room, James was recorded mocking the girl's clothes and saying she planned to 'embarrass her a**' by casting doubt on her credibility with police.
More/Video
Aqueelha James can be heard on tape mocking the child in front of colleagues at Roosevelt High School in Washington DC.
James was placed on paid leave Thursday.
The pupil had approached James in June 2017 to report that she'd been sexually assaulted in the school bathroom when a male student forced her into a stall, kissed her and put his hand up her dress. She said he left a hickey on her neck.
The child and her mother met with the headteacher in her office in July 2017, where James was initially sympathetic and supportive.
'I'm here to support and be of assistance. I don't like the idea that your daughter has been assaulted sexually. It is a crime,' James told the pair in audio obtained by The Washington Post.
But after the parent and her daughter left the room, James was recorded mocking the girl's clothes and saying she planned to 'embarrass her a**' by casting doubt on her credibility with police.
More/Video
Brett Kavanaugh’s High School Classmate Leaves CNN Host Speechless: ‘I Would Remember That’
Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s high school classmate Tom Kane said he believes Kavanaugh did not assault Christine Blasey Ford and claimed he would’ve found out about the incident, if anything actually occurred.
“I rode the roller coaster like everybody else. Chrissy Blasey was riveting. Clearly something bad happened to her. I don’t believe that Ms. [Rachel] Mitchell’s cross really gave us any clear answers,” Kane said on CNN’s “New Day” Friday.
Kavanaugh and Ford testified Thursday in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“And then enter my friend Brett Kavanaugh and he brought the energy we needed,” Kane said. “To my mind he put down every charge one by one. The who, what, when, where, why was clearly addressed and it reinforced what I already knew — that he’s just not capable of doing this. To the day I die I will believe that he did not do this.”
More/Video
“I rode the roller coaster like everybody else. Chrissy Blasey was riveting. Clearly something bad happened to her. I don’t believe that Ms. [Rachel] Mitchell’s cross really gave us any clear answers,” Kane said on CNN’s “New Day” Friday.
Kavanaugh and Ford testified Thursday in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“And then enter my friend Brett Kavanaugh and he brought the energy we needed,” Kane said. “To my mind he put down every charge one by one. The who, what, when, where, why was clearly addressed and it reinforced what I already knew — that he’s just not capable of doing this. To the day I die I will believe that he did not do this.”
More/Video
Backfire: Democrats #WalkAway In Droves Following Kavanaugh Circus
Dems say they’ll vote red in November after Supreme Court nominee show trial
The Brett Kavanaugh Senate Judiciary show trial chaos Thursday forced voters who align with the Democrat political spectrum to reconsider their allegiance to the party.
Michael Savage Asks: Is Dr. Ford Tied to the CIA?
Syndicated host asks a series of questions on Twitter
IMAGE CREDITS: SAUL LOEB/AFP/GETTY IMAGES.
In a series of tweets, radio host Michael Savage asked if Dr. Blasey Ford is tied to the CIA:
View image on Twitter
Michael Savage
✔@ASavageNation
IS DR. FORD DEEPLY TIED TO THE CIA?
2:59 PM - Sep 27, 2018
5,045
4,881 people are talking about this
Twitter Ads info and privacy
Michael Savage
✔@ASavageNation
IS THERE ANYTHING I TWEETED ABOUT DR FORD'S CIA CONNECTIONS THAT CAN BE PROVEN FALSE?
11:33 PM - Sep 27, 2018
IMAGE CREDITS: SAUL LOEB/AFP/GETTY IMAGES.
In a series of tweets, radio host Michael Savage asked if Dr. Blasey Ford is tied to the CIA:
View image on Twitter
Michael Savage
✔@ASavageNation
IS DR. FORD DEEPLY TIED TO THE CIA?
2:59 PM - Sep 27, 2018
5,045
4,881 people are talking about this
Twitter Ads info and privacy
Michael Savage
✔@ASavageNation
IS THERE ANYTHING I TWEETED ABOUT DR FORD'S CIA CONNECTIONS THAT CAN BE PROVEN FALSE?
11:33 PM - Sep 27, 2018
OPINION: Feinstein Is The True Villain Of The Kavanaugh Hearings
The circus was a name frequently used for the just-completed Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. While Senate Republicans generally tried to be adults and turned over the most sensitive part of the hearing to a professional, one senator made a case for bringing the Senate to its lowest low this century.
Sure, Sen. Mazie Hirono announced a standard that criminal accusations should be believed based on the views of the accused. Sen. Kamala Harris left liberals on the edge of her seat with a breathless insinuation of a connection between one of President Trump’s personal law firms and Kavanaugh that turned out to be a nothing-burger.
And, of course, Sen. Cory Booker will forever be known for labeling himself “Spartacus” for his attempt, and apparent failure, to break Senate confidentiality rules.
But one person was the ringmaster and deserves scorn from all sides of the political spectrum and anyone who thinks the Senate should be a distinguished body: Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
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Sure, Sen. Mazie Hirono announced a standard that criminal accusations should be believed based on the views of the accused. Sen. Kamala Harris left liberals on the edge of her seat with a breathless insinuation of a connection between one of President Trump’s personal law firms and Kavanaugh that turned out to be a nothing-burger.
And, of course, Sen. Cory Booker will forever be known for labeling himself “Spartacus” for his attempt, and apparent failure, to break Senate confidentiality rules.
But one person was the ringmaster and deserves scorn from all sides of the political spectrum and anyone who thinks the Senate should be a distinguished body: Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
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Communists Discussing Armed Insurrection on Twitter
Communist agitators took to Twitter this week to brainstorm strategies for a violent armed insurrection against their perceived enemies.
“Dr. Bones," the co-host of the far-left podcast The Guillotine, started the conversation going with his 5,000-plus Twitter followers. Bones (@Ole_Bonsey on Twitter) asked: “Hey quick little question for military minded lefties: should leftists train/organize in a 'insurgent' focus where they blend into a civilian population for potential attacks or a more 'militia' structure focused on holding/maintaining turf?”
Bones went on to suggest that fellow travelers organize "hidden cells" and focus on ambushes and assassinations to bleed "right-leaning forces" dry. He said the during the day comrades should pretend to be into "helping everybody" and never talk about their "nighttime activities."
More here
“Dr. Bones," the co-host of the far-left podcast The Guillotine, started the conversation going with his 5,000-plus Twitter followers. Bones (@Ole_Bonsey on Twitter) asked: “Hey quick little question for military minded lefties: should leftists train/organize in a 'insurgent' focus where they blend into a civilian population for potential attacks or a more 'militia' structure focused on holding/maintaining turf?”
Bones went on to suggest that fellow travelers organize "hidden cells" and focus on ambushes and assassinations to bleed "right-leaning forces" dry. He said the during the day comrades should pretend to be into "helping everybody" and never talk about their "nighttime activities."
More here
Republican senators doxxed on Wikipedia by someone from House of Representatives
Personal information of Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham, Mike Lee and Orrin Hatch were posted by an unknown person located in the House of Representatives on Thursday during the hearing of Supreme Court Nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh.
The information, which supposedly included home addresses and phone numbers, was posted - or doxxed - on the senators’ respective Wikipedia pages, where users are allowed to update the information at any time. The information has since been removed.
All three targeted senators were members of the Senate Judiciary Committee who questioned both Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Kavanaugh regarding Ford’s allegations that he sexually assaulted her over 36 years ago. The leaking of information occurred sometime after the three lawmakers questioned Kavanaugh.
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http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/09/28/republican-senators-doxxed-on-wikipedia-by-someone-from-house-representatives-after-kavanaugh-hearing.html
The information, which supposedly included home addresses and phone numbers, was posted - or doxxed - on the senators’ respective Wikipedia pages, where users are allowed to update the information at any time. The information has since been removed.
All three targeted senators were members of the Senate Judiciary Committee who questioned both Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Kavanaugh regarding Ford’s allegations that he sexually assaulted her over 36 years ago. The leaking of information occurred sometime after the three lawmakers questioned Kavanaugh.
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http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/09/28/republican-senators-doxxed-on-wikipedia-by-someone-from-house-representatives-after-kavanaugh-hearing.html
Jealous pledges to ensure Maryland has no Republicans in Congress
Ben Jealous, the Democratic candidate for Maryland governor, has pledged to deliver an all-Democratic congressional delegation if he’s elected.
At the Baltimore County Democratic Party Unity Dinner in Timonium on Thursday, Jealous warned his fellow Democrats that Republican Gov. Larry Hogan would work to place more Republicans in Congress.
Jealous, who is trailing Hogan among county voters according to recent polls, said he would make sure there are none.
“Our congressional delegation is on the ballot this November — not just their re-election, but their districts,” Jealous told the audience. “I would send eight Democrats to Congress and he would send four — and four Republicans.”
Whoever is elected governor in November will oversee the state’s redistricting process after the 2020 census, although the governor’s plan would need the approval of the Democrat-controlled General Assembly.
Maryland’s congressional delegation is currently made up of seven Democrats and one Republican: Rep. Andy Harris. Democrats outnumber Republicans by about 2-to-1 in Maryland, in terms of registered voters.
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At the Baltimore County Democratic Party Unity Dinner in Timonium on Thursday, Jealous warned his fellow Democrats that Republican Gov. Larry Hogan would work to place more Republicans in Congress.
Jealous, who is trailing Hogan among county voters according to recent polls, said he would make sure there are none.
“Our congressional delegation is on the ballot this November — not just their re-election, but their districts,” Jealous told the audience. “I would send eight Democrats to Congress and he would send four — and four Republicans.”
Whoever is elected governor in November will oversee the state’s redistricting process after the 2020 census, although the governor’s plan would need the approval of the Democrat-controlled General Assembly.
Maryland’s congressional delegation is currently made up of seven Democrats and one Republican: Rep. Andy Harris. Democrats outnumber Republicans by about 2-to-1 in Maryland, in terms of registered voters.
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Data: No improvement in suspension rates for non-white Frederick County students
Data from Frederick County Public Schools shows a continuing disparity in suspension rates and a lack of reduction in suspensions, except for white students.
Source: Frederick County Public Schools
White students were the only student group in Frederick County Public Schools to see improvements in the percentage of suspensions from school despite the district’s efforts at reducing suspension rates and addressing racial disparities, according to 2018 data released Wednesday.
FCPS has not yet reached its strategic goal that the percentage of students suspended from school not exceed 5 percent for any student group by 2020. Three student groups — black students, students qualifying for free and reduced-price meals, and special education students — had suspension rates above 5 percent this year. Black students and special education students have failed to meet the district’s goal since the first report on the strategic goal in 2016.
Minority populations continue to be suspended at a higher rate than their white counterparts in Frederick County, as seen in The Frederick News-Post’s reporting from 2006, 2009, 2015 and 2017, and often seen in school districts nationwide.
“Those continue to be student groups where we have to focus our work in FCPS when we are looking at suspension,” said Jamie Aliveto, system accountability and school improvement director for the district. “These numbers where we are not meeting are similar to last year. They are the same student groups where we are not meeting that goal,” she said. “The suspension rates are very similar.”
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Minority populations continue to be suspended at a higher rate than their white counterparts in Frederick County, as seen in The Frederick News-Post’s reporting from 2006, 2009, 2015 and 2017, and often seen in school districts nationwide.
“Those continue to be student groups where we have to focus our work in FCPS when we are looking at suspension,” said Jamie Aliveto, system accountability and school improvement director for the district. “These numbers where we are not meeting are similar to last year. They are the same student groups where we are not meeting that goal,” she said. “The suspension rates are very similar.”
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Friday Night Football Scores
FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:
Parkside 21
Kent Island 16
Final
Wi-Hi 46
Washington 0
4th Qtr
Sham Law Enforcement Fundraiser Ordered to Stop Soliciting Donations
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Secretary of State John C. Wobensmith and Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh announce a Cease and Desist Order has been issued today against Stephen D. Everhart, Lion Fundraising, Police Journal and Fire Yearbook, and Lion Fraternal Order of Police Assistance Fund LLC. The order follows an investigation that revealed over $1 million in donations were solicited and received by Mr. Everhart since 2012 in violation of the Maryland Solicitations Act. Mr. Everhart posed as fake law enforcement charities to collect donations, and failed to register with the Secretary of State as either a charity or fundraiser before soliciting and collecting donations using a cash on delivery service.
"There is no place in Maryland for someone that scams the public in the name of charity," said Secretary of State Wobensmith. "We will continue to work to stop those that con our citizens into donating their hard-earned money to a scam charity."
"Mr. Everhart posed as a fundraiser for fake charities supposedly representing police, firefighters, and veterans. These sham charities steal from consumers and violate the trust of those who donate," said Attorney General Frosh. "Fake charities also hurt legitimate charitable organizations by siphoning off support from their good work. We are committed to putting these fraudsters out of business."
"There is no place in Maryland for someone that scams the public in the name of charity," said Secretary of State Wobensmith. "We will continue to work to stop those that con our citizens into donating their hard-earned money to a scam charity."
"Mr. Everhart posed as a fundraiser for fake charities supposedly representing police, firefighters, and veterans. These sham charities steal from consumers and violate the trust of those who donate," said Attorney General Frosh. "Fake charities also hurt legitimate charitable organizations by siphoning off support from their good work. We are committed to putting these fraudsters out of business."
Shelby GT500 Mustang Crash At Unoffical H2Oi In Ocean City, MD
Keep watching and the video zooms in on the crash.
Feinstein: The Greater of Two Evils
In recent days, the nation has witnessed an unseemly display of political gamesmanship, one that has served as a testimonial to just how low the Democrats have sunk. In a ploy to regain the power she believes to rightfully belong to the Democrats, Senator Dianne Feinstein trotted out a 36-year-old "he said, she said" story regarding drunken teenagers.
In recent years, the party, once on the ascendency, has declined in power, prestige, and popularity. Now, with the Ford-Kavanaugh accusations, it has lost all semblance of integrity.
Observers of Supreme Court hearings ranging from those of Robert Bork to Clarence Thomas were expecting something like this. What should be surprising is that the accusation against Brett Kavanaugh came from the longtime senator from California, Dianne Feinstein. Her career has endured based, to a large extent, on an undeserved reputation for integrity and principles. Her fabulously wealthy husband's millions have also helped.
Her release of the Christine Ford allegations against Judge Kavanaugh should forever put to rest any idea that this woman has any level of ethics or respect for our constitutional system. The senator's actions are worthy of being censured for withholding information from the committee. Unfortunately, the Republicans lack the requisite spherical objects to do so.
The incident was known to DiFi back in July, but she kept quiet, holding it like an ace up her sleeve. We can only guess her reasons for this. Two possibilities spring to mind.
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In recent years, the party, once on the ascendency, has declined in power, prestige, and popularity. Now, with the Ford-Kavanaugh accusations, it has lost all semblance of integrity.
Observers of Supreme Court hearings ranging from those of Robert Bork to Clarence Thomas were expecting something like this. What should be surprising is that the accusation against Brett Kavanaugh came from the longtime senator from California, Dianne Feinstein. Her career has endured based, to a large extent, on an undeserved reputation for integrity and principles. Her fabulously wealthy husband's millions have also helped.
Her release of the Christine Ford allegations against Judge Kavanaugh should forever put to rest any idea that this woman has any level of ethics or respect for our constitutional system. The senator's actions are worthy of being censured for withholding information from the committee. Unfortunately, the Republicans lack the requisite spherical objects to do so.
The incident was known to DiFi back in July, but she kept quiet, holding it like an ace up her sleeve. We can only guess her reasons for this. Two possibilities spring to mind.
More
The Dangerous Consequences of Calling Sovereignty and Patriotism 'Dog Whistles'
“Patriotism” and “sovereignty” are now dirty words.
That’s what one Washington Post editor said in response to President Donald Trump’s United Nations speech on Tuesday.
“America is governed by Americans. We reject the ideology of globalism, and we embrace the doctrine of patriotism,” Trump said during the speech.
Trump also said: “We will never surrender America’s sovereignty to an unelected, unaccountable, global bureaucracy.”
Karen Attiah, The Washington Post’s global opinions editor, responded angrily.
It’s incredible to see these once unchallenged concepts, embraced by Americans across the political spectrum, now turned into something ugly and worthy of condemnation.
In many ways, the protection of our liberty stems from national sovereignty, a fact boldly stated in the Declaration of Independence. The just powers of government derive from the “consent of the governed,” not a vague global system.
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That’s what one Washington Post editor said in response to President Donald Trump’s United Nations speech on Tuesday.
“America is governed by Americans. We reject the ideology of globalism, and we embrace the doctrine of patriotism,” Trump said during the speech.
Trump also said: “We will never surrender America’s sovereignty to an unelected, unaccountable, global bureaucracy.”
Karen Attiah, The Washington Post’s global opinions editor, responded angrily.
Chilling to hear Trump use “sovereignty” and “patriotism” as dogwhistles in his #UNGA speech.
Gives rhetorical ammunition for the nationalistic parties around the world who want to keep immigrants and refugees out.
In many ways, the protection of our liberty stems from national sovereignty, a fact boldly stated in the Declaration of Independence. The just powers of government derive from the “consent of the governed,” not a vague global system.
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CNN And The Hill Spread Retracted Sexual Assault Claim — Without Mentioning It Was Retracted
CNN and The Hill both spread a bombastic accusation of sexual assault against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh on Wednesday, without mentioning that the man who made the accusation has since retracted the claim and apologized for making it.
A Rhode Island man called Democratic Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse’s office and claimed that Kavanaugh and one of the judge’s high school friends, Mark Judge, had drunkenly sexually assaulted a friend of his while in Rhode Island in 1998, according to the transcript of a Senate Judiciary Committee interview with Kavanaugh.
The man’s name was redacted in the transcripts released to the public but the investigator quoted verbatim several outlandish anti-Trump tweets from the man’s Twitter account, allowing reporters to definitively identify him on Twitter as “Jeffrey Catalan.”
Catalan retracted the claim shortly afterward and said he made a “mistake” in leveling the false charge against Kavanaugh. “I have recanted because I have made a mistake and apologize for such mistake,” the man wrote on Twitter.
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A Rhode Island man called Democratic Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse’s office and claimed that Kavanaugh and one of the judge’s high school friends, Mark Judge, had drunkenly sexually assaulted a friend of his while in Rhode Island in 1998, according to the transcript of a Senate Judiciary Committee interview with Kavanaugh.
The man’s name was redacted in the transcripts released to the public but the investigator quoted verbatim several outlandish anti-Trump tweets from the man’s Twitter account, allowing reporters to definitively identify him on Twitter as “Jeffrey Catalan.”
Catalan retracted the claim shortly afterward and said he made a “mistake” in leveling the false charge against Kavanaugh. “I have recanted because I have made a mistake and apologize for such mistake,” the man wrote on Twitter.
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Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro proposes to meet 'imperialist' Trump
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro proposed a meeting with President Trump at the United Nations on Wednesday, despite deriding the U.S. leader as an “imperialist” oppressor.
“I am willing to reach out my hand to the president of the United States and discuss these matters bilaterally, these matters involving our region,” Maduro told the General Assembly during an evening address. “Venezuela is a very friendly country and we have not forgotten the United States. Rather, we appreciate the culture, the art of the United States, and the social life of the United States. We are against the imperialists in charge of power in Washington.”
Trump denounced Maduro during his own address, telling the assembled world leaders Wednesday that “Maduro has inflicted terrible pain and suffering” on Venezuela in recent years, where a food shortage contributed to a political crisis. Trump has imposed an array of sanctions on Venezuela in response and offered an extended attack on the ideology of the Maduro regime.
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“I am willing to reach out my hand to the president of the United States and discuss these matters bilaterally, these matters involving our region,” Maduro told the General Assembly during an evening address. “Venezuela is a very friendly country and we have not forgotten the United States. Rather, we appreciate the culture, the art of the United States, and the social life of the United States. We are against the imperialists in charge of power in Washington.”
Trump denounced Maduro during his own address, telling the assembled world leaders Wednesday that “Maduro has inflicted terrible pain and suffering” on Venezuela in recent years, where a food shortage contributed to a political crisis. Trump has imposed an array of sanctions on Venezuela in response and offered an extended attack on the ideology of the Maduro regime.
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Why the Kavanaugh Process Became a Mad Political Circus
To say that the Senate confirmation process for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh has turned into a circus is to give circuses a bad name.
Let’s review some of the weird stuff that has happened.
Democratic senators demanded that the Judiciary Committee hearing be postponed so they could study more material about a nominee they had already vowed to oppose.
One senator’s “I am Spartacus” moment about releasing confidential documents fizzled because the committee had already agreed to release them.
Yelling and screaming protesters were hauled away during the confirmation hearing, but many had no idea what they were actually protesting.
Senators said that the previous judicial record of Democratic nominees was more important than the hearing itself, but ignored Kavanaugh’s even larger previous judicial record.
More
Let’s review some of the weird stuff that has happened.
Democratic senators demanded that the Judiciary Committee hearing be postponed so they could study more material about a nominee they had already vowed to oppose.
One senator’s “I am Spartacus” moment about releasing confidential documents fizzled because the committee had already agreed to release them.
Yelling and screaming protesters were hauled away during the confirmation hearing, but many had no idea what they were actually protesting.
Senators said that the previous judicial record of Democratic nominees was more important than the hearing itself, but ignored Kavanaugh’s even larger previous judicial record.
More
Prosecutor Rachel Mitchell ‘Would Not Charge Kavanaugh or Even Pursue a Search Warrant’
Arizona sex crimes prosecutor Rachel Mitchell told Republican senators in a conference meeting Thursday evening that she would not charge Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh after hearing testimonies of the Judge or his accuser Christine Blasey Ford.
Mitchell, who took a leave of absence from Maricopa County’s Deputy County Attorney and division chief the County Attorney’s Office’s Special Victims Division to join the Senate Judiciary Committee’s team of attorneys for the hearing, “broke down her analysis” of both testimonies to GOP lawmakers. In a nearly 30-minute presentation, Mitchell went over the “facts that were established and not established” and concluded that not only would she not charge Kavanaugh based on the record of evidence from both parties, but would not even pursue a search warrant for the judge, which in virtually all cases would require the standard of probable cause to be met, Politico reported.
Brooke Singman of Fox News quoted one source as saying “Mitchell was very clear with senators that based on evidence presented, she couldn’t bring the case ‘anywhere near a court room.'”
More here
Mitchell, who took a leave of absence from Maricopa County’s Deputy County Attorney and division chief the County Attorney’s Office’s Special Victims Division to join the Senate Judiciary Committee’s team of attorneys for the hearing, “broke down her analysis” of both testimonies to GOP lawmakers. In a nearly 30-minute presentation, Mitchell went over the “facts that were established and not established” and concluded that not only would she not charge Kavanaugh based on the record of evidence from both parties, but would not even pursue a search warrant for the judge, which in virtually all cases would require the standard of probable cause to be met, Politico reported.
Brooke Singman of Fox News quoted one source as saying “Mitchell was very clear with senators that based on evidence presented, she couldn’t bring the case ‘anywhere near a court room.'”
More here
If they can't prove the charges, senators must confirm Kavanaugh
Thursday’s hearing on the sexual assault charges against Brett Kavanaugh promises to be a circus. If the past few weeks are prologue, Democratic senators will demagogue in bad faith, Republican senators will embarrass themselves, and most of the press won’t even try to assess the veracity of what is said, opting instead for score-keeping and judging the “optics.”
We know how Judiciary Committee Democrats will vote. They are all completely faithful to the abortion lobby and have never considered voting for Kavanaugh.
Some Republicans on and off the committee have tipped their hands, suggesting they’ll be voting for Kavanaugh no matter what they hear. That’s a moral error. Christine Blasey Ford’s allegations against Kavanaugh are serious and at least deserve to be weighed.
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We know how Judiciary Committee Democrats will vote. They are all completely faithful to the abortion lobby and have never considered voting for Kavanaugh.
Some Republicans on and off the committee have tipped their hands, suggesting they’ll be voting for Kavanaugh no matter what they hear. That’s a moral error. Christine Blasey Ford’s allegations against Kavanaugh are serious and at least deserve to be weighed.
More
Lindsey Graham’s Kavanaugh moment earns conservative praise
Sen. Lindsey Graham’s, R-S.C., fiery broadside against Senate Democrats for their handling of sex-assault claims against Brett Kavanaugh has earned widespread praise from conservatives, some of whom once dismissed him as a “RINO” for his views on immigration.
Graham exploded at Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday hours into the hearing that included Kavanaugh and accuser Christine Blasey Ford, who testified the Supreme Court nominee had assaulted her at a high school party. Kavanaugh denied the claims.
A furious Graham lambasted Democrats for what he cast as their attempts to destroy Kavanaugh for political purposes.
Red-faced, teeth-grinding, and his whole body shaking, Graham accused Democrats of running “the most unethical sham since I’ve been in politics.”
“Boy y’all want power, God I hope you never get it, I hope the American people can see through this sham,” he yelled.
“To my Republican colleagues,” Graham said. “If you vote no, you are legitimizing the most despicable thing I’ve ever seen in my time in politics.”
More
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/09/28/lindsey-graham-s-kavanaugh-moment-earns-conservative-praise.html
Graham exploded at Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday hours into the hearing that included Kavanaugh and accuser Christine Blasey Ford, who testified the Supreme Court nominee had assaulted her at a high school party. Kavanaugh denied the claims.
A furious Graham lambasted Democrats for what he cast as their attempts to destroy Kavanaugh for political purposes.
Red-faced, teeth-grinding, and his whole body shaking, Graham accused Democrats of running “the most unethical sham since I’ve been in politics.”
“Boy y’all want power, God I hope you never get it, I hope the American people can see through this sham,” he yelled.
“To my Republican colleagues,” Graham said. “If you vote no, you are legitimizing the most despicable thing I’ve ever seen in my time in politics.”
More
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/09/28/lindsey-graham-s-kavanaugh-moment-earns-conservative-praise.html
Former Google Scientist: Oversight of ‘Unethical’ Company Is ‘Urgently Needed’
Jack Poulson, a former senior research scientist at Google, sent a letter to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation calling the company “unethical” and stating that oversight of the company is “urgently needed” after resigning from the Silicon Valley titan over its censored China search project.
In his letter, Poulson described Google’s censored China search project as “unethical” and claimed “greater oversight and accountability” of the company was “urgently needed.”
He also claimed Google would now be clamping down on internal investigations to stop future revelations of a similar nature from reaching the public, and called on the Senate to have a hearing over the matter.
“Senator Thune set the tone for the upcoming hearing by stating that ‘Consumers deserve clear answers and standards on data privacy protection.’ Given the scale and social impact of the technical systems being deployed by Google and other corporations, I would add that greater oversight and accountability of not only data, but also the systems that are designed and deployed based on such data, is urgently needed,” declared Poulson. “Until the beginning of this month, I worked in Google’s Research and Machine Intelligence division as a Senior Research Scientist, where one of my primary responsibilities was improving Google’s search accuracy across a wide variety of languages.”
Poulson continued:
In his letter, Poulson described Google’s censored China search project as “unethical” and claimed “greater oversight and accountability” of the company was “urgently needed.”
He also claimed Google would now be clamping down on internal investigations to stop future revelations of a similar nature from reaching the public, and called on the Senate to have a hearing over the matter.
“Senator Thune set the tone for the upcoming hearing by stating that ‘Consumers deserve clear answers and standards on data privacy protection.’ Given the scale and social impact of the technical systems being deployed by Google and other corporations, I would add that greater oversight and accountability of not only data, but also the systems that are designed and deployed based on such data, is urgently needed,” declared Poulson. “Until the beginning of this month, I worked in Google’s Research and Machine Intelligence division as a Senior Research Scientist, where one of my primary responsibilities was improving Google’s search accuracy across a wide variety of languages.”
Poulson continued:
Why Another FBI Investigation of Kavanaugh Would Be Pointless
Campaigns of whatever sort often adopt a mantra, a phrase, or even a single word that’s repeated over and over to advance the campaign’s goals. The campaign against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh is no different, and its latest mantra is “FBI investigation.” Let’s look at this mantra’s objectives and its validity.
The call for another FBI investigation, which dominated the Sept. 27 hearing about Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s sexual assault allegation against Kavanaugh, appears to have multiple partisan objectives, based on statements made by those opposed to his confirmation.
First, Kavanaugh’s opponents have expressed hope that the continued controversy will help defeat the nomination. Barring that, they have indicated that they want to drag the process out at least past Election Day. Third, according to Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, Democrats would keep this seat open until President Donald Trump leaves office if they win control of the Senate in the upcoming election.
This demand for another FBI investigation is not valid and based on a complete misunderstanding of the bureau’s role. First, Kavanaugh’s opponents want people to think that the FBI is on standby, ready to run down all the leads and figure out what really happened.
That may be what a law enforcement agency does in the criminal justice system—as seen on TV—but not in the confirmation process.
That distinction between the criminal justice system and the confirmation process is critical. The FBI is in the executive branch, which has authority over the criminal justice system. The confirmation process, however, occurs in the legislative branch. The Constitution gives the Senate sole responsibility for evaluating presidential nominees.
More here
The call for another FBI investigation, which dominated the Sept. 27 hearing about Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s sexual assault allegation against Kavanaugh, appears to have multiple partisan objectives, based on statements made by those opposed to his confirmation.
First, Kavanaugh’s opponents have expressed hope that the continued controversy will help defeat the nomination. Barring that, they have indicated that they want to drag the process out at least past Election Day. Third, according to Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, Democrats would keep this seat open until President Donald Trump leaves office if they win control of the Senate in the upcoming election.
This demand for another FBI investigation is not valid and based on a complete misunderstanding of the bureau’s role. First, Kavanaugh’s opponents want people to think that the FBI is on standby, ready to run down all the leads and figure out what really happened.
That may be what a law enforcement agency does in the criminal justice system—as seen on TV—but not in the confirmation process.
That distinction between the criminal justice system and the confirmation process is critical. The FBI is in the executive branch, which has authority over the criminal justice system. The confirmation process, however, occurs in the legislative branch. The Constitution gives the Senate sole responsibility for evaluating presidential nominees.
More here
Schumer: Kavanaugh ‘Should Withdraw From Consideration’
Schumer said, “I strongly believe Judge Kavanaugh should withdraw from consideration and the president should withdraw this nomination if Kavanaugh won’t do it voluntarily. If he will not, at the very least, the hearing and vote should be postponed while the FBI investigates all of these very serious and very troubling allegations.”
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All 10 Judiciary Committee Democrats DEMAND Trump Withdraw Kavanaugh’s Nomination
All ten Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee signed a letter Wednesday demanding that President Donald Trump withdraw the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Citing “multiple allegations of sexual assault” — those of Christine Blasey Ford (Kavanaugh groping at high school party), Deborah Ramirez (Kavanaugh exposing himself at college party), and Julie Swetnick (Kavanaugh present at gang rapes in high school) — all of which Kavanaugh denies, and none of which has been corroborated — Democrats asked Trump to “immediately direct an FBI investigation or withdraw this nomination.”
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Citing “multiple allegations of sexual assault” — those of Christine Blasey Ford (Kavanaugh groping at high school party), Deborah Ramirez (Kavanaugh exposing himself at college party), and Julie Swetnick (Kavanaugh present at gang rapes in high school) — all of which Kavanaugh denies, and none of which has been corroborated — Democrats asked Trump to “immediately direct an FBI investigation or withdraw this nomination.”
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GoFundMe campaigns to support Christine Blasey Ford raise more than $700K
More than $700,000 has been donated to Dr. Christine Blasey Ford through a number of GoFundMe campaigns set up on her behalf.
At least two GoFundMe sites associated with Ford's name were set up earlier this month to help support Ford as she traveled to Washington, D.C. to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee about her accusations of sexual assault by Supreme Court nomineeBrett Kavanaugh. Kavanaugh has denied all of the allegations.
The two campaigns -- "Help Christine Blasey Ford" and "Cover Dr. Blasey's security costs" -- had reached more than $700,000 at the time of publication. A number of other campaigns related to her also appear on GoFundMe based on a search of Ford's name.
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At least two GoFundMe sites associated with Ford's name were set up earlier this month to help support Ford as she traveled to Washington, D.C. to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee about her accusations of sexual assault by Supreme Court nomineeBrett Kavanaugh. Kavanaugh has denied all of the allegations.
The two campaigns -- "Help Christine Blasey Ford" and "Cover Dr. Blasey's security costs" -- had reached more than $700,000 at the time of publication. A number of other campaigns related to her also appear on GoFundMe based on a search of Ford's name.
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Mexican federal forces disarmed local police in Acapulco. Will it work?
Seeking to curb rampant gang violence and police corruption in the seaside city of Acapulco, Mexican authorities are taking a gamble: replacing local cops with state police and the military.
Federal officials say it is a last-ditch effort to bring peace to Acapulco, once a glamorous resort favored by Hollywood celebrities that has become one of the most murderous cities on Earth.
The local police force appears to have been infiltrated by organized crime, authorities said.
The strategy of sending in soldiers and state and federal police to do the work of neighborhood cops has been employed in other parts of the country, with mixed results. Critics say the plan is treating a symptom instead of the underlying disease — ineffective and corrupt policing — and that it is unlikely to reduce crime and could lead to human rights abuses.
Mexico’s local police forces are famously under-trained and badly compensated, with some officers paid as little as $300 a month and required to buy their own uniforms and even bullets. That makes them susceptible to gangs, who offer money in return for loyalty — and threaten violence if they disobey.
Police collusion with criminals has ranged from officers looking the other way when a crime has been committed to detaining people and turning them over to gangs.
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Federal officials say it is a last-ditch effort to bring peace to Acapulco, once a glamorous resort favored by Hollywood celebrities that has become one of the most murderous cities on Earth.
The local police force appears to have been infiltrated by organized crime, authorities said.
The strategy of sending in soldiers and state and federal police to do the work of neighborhood cops has been employed in other parts of the country, with mixed results. Critics say the plan is treating a symptom instead of the underlying disease — ineffective and corrupt policing — and that it is unlikely to reduce crime and could lead to human rights abuses.
Mexico’s local police forces are famously under-trained and badly compensated, with some officers paid as little as $300 a month and required to buy their own uniforms and even bullets. That makes them susceptible to gangs, who offer money in return for loyalty — and threaten violence if they disobey.
Police collusion with criminals has ranged from officers looking the other way when a crime has been committed to detaining people and turning them over to gangs.
More
In Little Saigon, strong support for Trump's war on illegal immigration collides with other realities
Sipping iced coffee with his wife at Tip Top Sandwiches in Little Saigon, Anh Quy reminisced about his early days in the United States.
After American troops pulled out of South Vietnam in 1975, the U.S. government let refugees into the country and helped them establish lives in places such as Orange County.
Quy felt welcome in his new home, but it’s a charity the 81-year-old wouldn’t extend to immigrants who come to the U.S. illegally.
“There’s crisis now because in California, we are so close to the border that when there’s so much travel … without control, it becomes chaos,” the former singer and marketing director said. “Illegal is not acceptable. It affects our safety.”
President Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration has sparked strong criticism and protests across California. But among older residents of Little Saigon, he has found a corner of support for his hard-line tactics and rhetoric.
They too believe that those who want to come the United States should go through legal channels, just as they did.
“There are Vietnamese who perceive that people from Mexico didn’t sacrifice as much coming here. They think Mexico and the U.S. are so connected. You can’t go to Vietnam for the weekend. But from here, you can go to Mexico,” said Fred Smoller, an associate professor of political science at Chapman University.
Those attitudes could help Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa), a hard-liner on illegal immigration, in his bid for reelection in the 48th Congressional District, which includes Little Saigon. His seat is one of several in California traditionally held by the GOP that are tightly contested and could help determine control of the House.
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After American troops pulled out of South Vietnam in 1975, the U.S. government let refugees into the country and helped them establish lives in places such as Orange County.
Quy felt welcome in his new home, but it’s a charity the 81-year-old wouldn’t extend to immigrants who come to the U.S. illegally.
“There’s crisis now because in California, we are so close to the border that when there’s so much travel … without control, it becomes chaos,” the former singer and marketing director said. “Illegal is not acceptable. It affects our safety.”
President Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration has sparked strong criticism and protests across California. But among older residents of Little Saigon, he has found a corner of support for his hard-line tactics and rhetoric.
They too believe that those who want to come the United States should go through legal channels, just as they did.
“There are Vietnamese who perceive that people from Mexico didn’t sacrifice as much coming here. They think Mexico and the U.S. are so connected. You can’t go to Vietnam for the weekend. But from here, you can go to Mexico,” said Fred Smoller, an associate professor of political science at Chapman University.
Those attitudes could help Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa), a hard-liner on illegal immigration, in his bid for reelection in the 48th Congressional District, which includes Little Saigon. His seat is one of several in California traditionally held by the GOP that are tightly contested and could help determine control of the House.
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Swanton Sector Border Patrol Apprehend 10 Romanian Citizens
SWANTON, Vt. – U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Swanton Sector apprehended 10 Romanian citizens as they attempted to illegally enter the United States on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Tuesday afternoon, the Tactical Communications Center of the Swanton Border Patrol Sector notified U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Champlain Station that there were two women and two children illegally crossing the international boundary into the United States near Meridian Road in Champlain, NY. Border Patrol agents responded to the area and encountered two adult women and their two minor children. During questioning, the women stated they were Romanian citizens and admitted that they and their children do not possess any immigration documentation allowing them to enter or remain in the United States. Agents took the group into custody and transported them to the Champlain Border Patrol Station for processing.
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Tuesday afternoon, the Tactical Communications Center of the Swanton Border Patrol Sector notified U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Champlain Station that there were two women and two children illegally crossing the international boundary into the United States near Meridian Road in Champlain, NY. Border Patrol agents responded to the area and encountered two adult women and their two minor children. During questioning, the women stated they were Romanian citizens and admitted that they and their children do not possess any immigration documentation allowing them to enter or remain in the United States. Agents took the group into custody and transported them to the Champlain Border Patrol Station for processing.
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Health care data hacks are on the rise
More than 175 million health care records have been breached since 2010, and they’re getting more vulnerable every year, according to a new analysis published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
By the numbers: The total number of breaches is increasing — from 99 in 2010 to 344 in 2017. Doctors and hospitals are breached most frequently, but insurers’ breaches expose the most individual records.
Data breaches that affect more than 500 people have to be reported to the federal government. There have been more than 2,100 of them since 2010.
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By the numbers: The total number of breaches is increasing — from 99 in 2010 to 344 in 2017. Doctors and hospitals are breached most frequently, but insurers’ breaches expose the most individual records.
Data breaches that affect more than 500 people have to be reported to the federal government. There have been more than 2,100 of them since 2010.
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Welfare for Refugees Cost Americans $123 Billion in 10 Years
Americans spent almost $100 billion to support 606,000 poor refugees in the 10 years up to 2014, according to a State Department report.
The $96.6 billion cost rises to $126 billion when officials count the extra cost of paying for the refugees’ spouses and children, including U.S.-born children.
The $126 billion bill is just for programs managed by the Department of Health and Human Services. It excludes additional taxpayers’ spending via state programs, as well as federal spending on Social Security, education, and housing programs, plus tax credits, says the State Department’s annual report to Congress on the refugee program.
The one-agency, $126-billion firehose of cash, however, was a huge taxpayer subsidy to the refugee groups which delivered the refugee to cities and towns. It is also a huge subsidy to the low-wage employers who hired the refugees in place of higher-wage Americans, and to the grocery stores and apartments who sold food and rented apartments to the new arrivals.
The huge cost adds up to $670 per working American, not counting the hard-to-assess costs of crowded schoolrooms, flooded labor markets, civic diversity, and shifts in political power away from Americans.
The massive spending will continue...
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The $96.6 billion cost rises to $126 billion when officials count the extra cost of paying for the refugees’ spouses and children, including U.S.-born children.
The $126 billion bill is just for programs managed by the Department of Health and Human Services. It excludes additional taxpayers’ spending via state programs, as well as federal spending on Social Security, education, and housing programs, plus tax credits, says the State Department’s annual report to Congress on the refugee program.
The one-agency, $126-billion firehose of cash, however, was a huge taxpayer subsidy to the refugee groups which delivered the refugee to cities and towns. It is also a huge subsidy to the low-wage employers who hired the refugees in place of higher-wage Americans, and to the grocery stores and apartments who sold food and rented apartments to the new arrivals.
The huge cost adds up to $670 per working American, not counting the hard-to-assess costs of crowded schoolrooms, flooded labor markets, civic diversity, and shifts in political power away from Americans.
The massive spending will continue...
More
Records Show Dr. Ford Is Not A Licensed Psychologist, May Have Committed Perjury
According to records, Ford is not licensed in the state of California
Testifying under oath before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Christine Blasey Ford identified herself as a ‘psychologist,’ but records indict this is a false statement under California law. Someone at Stanford University also appears to have caught the blunder and edited Ford’s faculty page.
Just one sentence into her sworn testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding allegations of sexual assault against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford may have told a lie.
After thanking members of the committee on Thursday, and while under oath, Ford opened her testimony saying, “My name is Christine Blasey Ford, I am a professor of psychology at Palo Alto University and a research psychologist at the Stanford University School of Medicine.”
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Testifying under oath before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Christine Blasey Ford identified herself as a ‘psychologist,’ but records indict this is a false statement under California law. Someone at Stanford University also appears to have caught the blunder and edited Ford’s faculty page.
Just one sentence into her sworn testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding allegations of sexual assault against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford may have told a lie.
After thanking members of the committee on Thursday, and while under oath, Ford opened her testimony saying, “My name is Christine Blasey Ford, I am a professor of psychology at Palo Alto University and a research psychologist at the Stanford University School of Medicine.”
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The Democrat Assault on Kavanaugh ... and Our Constitution's Rule of Law
My wife, Ann, is traveling with friends in the Northeast this week. One stop was to walk in the footprints of Patriots at Lexington and Concord. She sent me a text message photo of a plaque engraved with the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “The Shot Heard Round the World.” Her accompanying message was simple: “God Bless America.”
In a follow-up conversation, she described the contrast of being at that place where Patriots were willing to fight and die for Liberty — their own and generations to follow — while she simultaneously felt besieged by the current progressive assault on our Constitution and its principles.
“What struck me most was the very sad and stark contrast between those Patriots who took to the field in Concord, charging against an enemy and an empire to defend Liberty, versus the current crop of politicians who are engaging in an appalling game to destroy a good man, and by extension, our Constitution. I am very discouraged by their disgraceful antics. [Our son] is serving our nation as a Marine, abiding by his oath to our Constitution, and I expect our nation’s leaders to honor his service and that of all those like him – risking their lives to defend Liberty. These politicians can do so by honoring their own constitutional oaths.”
I asked that she not be discouraged, noting that while the battle for Liberty began at that old bridge in Concord, it did not end in 1783 with cessation of hostilities. Defending Liberty requires constant vigilance every day, and always will.
It’s no small irony that the hallowed ground at Lexington and Concord is now surrounded by a Democrat corridor where the majority of residents (though certainly not all) support the same statist tyranny that, in principle, those early Patriots were fighting. This is a shameful betrayal of the Liberty that first generation of American Patriots, and generations since, have defended with their lives.
More from Mark Alexander here
In a follow-up conversation, she described the contrast of being at that place where Patriots were willing to fight and die for Liberty — their own and generations to follow — while she simultaneously felt besieged by the current progressive assault on our Constitution and its principles.
“What struck me most was the very sad and stark contrast between those Patriots who took to the field in Concord, charging against an enemy and an empire to defend Liberty, versus the current crop of politicians who are engaging in an appalling game to destroy a good man, and by extension, our Constitution. I am very discouraged by their disgraceful antics. [Our son] is serving our nation as a Marine, abiding by his oath to our Constitution, and I expect our nation’s leaders to honor his service and that of all those like him – risking their lives to defend Liberty. These politicians can do so by honoring their own constitutional oaths.”
I asked that she not be discouraged, noting that while the battle for Liberty began at that old bridge in Concord, it did not end in 1783 with cessation of hostilities. Defending Liberty requires constant vigilance every day, and always will.
It’s no small irony that the hallowed ground at Lexington and Concord is now surrounded by a Democrat corridor where the majority of residents (though certainly not all) support the same statist tyranny that, in principle, those early Patriots were fighting. This is a shameful betrayal of the Liberty that first generation of American Patriots, and generations since, have defended with their lives.
More from Mark Alexander here
Maryland Gun Laws Get Stricter With ‘Red Flag’ Law and More
THREE NEW MARYLAND GUN LAWS GO INTO EFFECT IN OCTOBER, INCLUDING A 'RED FLAG' LAW THAT ALLOWS COURTS TO REMOVE FIREARMS FROM POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PEOPLE.
While some folks call Maryland the Free State, Maryland gun laws are some of the strictest in the nation. Most long guns are fairly easy to buy, but purchasers must obtain a permit before buying a handgun.
Maryland also bans certain rifles that the state deems “assault weapons” and limits magazine capacity to 10 rounds. The state even requires private handgun sales to be process through a licensed FFL dealer.
However, Maryland gun laws are going to become even stricter when three new laws go into effect on Oct. 1, 2018.
New Maryland Gun Laws
The first law bans “bump stocks.” These devices, which speed up the rate of fire in semi-auto rifles, have been been a major target for the anti-gun crowd since the shooting at the Route 91 Music Festival in Las Vegas.
Another law taking affect in October requires those convicted of domestic abuse to surrender guns to law enforcement or a firearms dealer. It is already illegal for anyone convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor to purchase a firearm. Now; however, those same people will have to give up previously purchased firearms.
Finally, Maryland has become one of the states instituting a “Red Flag” law. While Red Flag laws have been around a while, they are fairly new to most people. Only a few states have passed one of these laws designed to prevent violence by allowing courts to take firearms from individuals deemed “dangerous” to themselves and others.
While some folks call Maryland the Free State, Maryland gun laws are some of the strictest in the nation. Most long guns are fairly easy to buy, but purchasers must obtain a permit before buying a handgun.
Maryland also bans certain rifles that the state deems “assault weapons” and limits magazine capacity to 10 rounds. The state even requires private handgun sales to be process through a licensed FFL dealer.
However, Maryland gun laws are going to become even stricter when three new laws go into effect on Oct. 1, 2018.
New Maryland Gun Laws
The first law bans “bump stocks.” These devices, which speed up the rate of fire in semi-auto rifles, have been been a major target for the anti-gun crowd since the shooting at the Route 91 Music Festival in Las Vegas.
Another law taking affect in October requires those convicted of domestic abuse to surrender guns to law enforcement or a firearms dealer. It is already illegal for anyone convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor to purchase a firearm. Now; however, those same people will have to give up previously purchased firearms.
Finally, Maryland has become one of the states instituting a “Red Flag” law. While Red Flag laws have been around a while, they are fairly new to most people. Only a few states have passed one of these laws designed to prevent violence by allowing courts to take firearms from individuals deemed “dangerous” to themselves and others.
Red Flag Laws
Proponents of Red Flag laws claim they are a tool to prevent violence. Through the law, depending on the state, courts can temporarily restrict firearm access to potentially dangerous people if asked. In Maryland, those asking for the court order must be police, medical personnel, close relatives or those in a relationship with the person. Those in favor of the laws say they can prevent violence, such as the shooting at a Rite Aid distribution center.
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Proponents of Red Flag laws claim they are a tool to prevent violence. Through the law, depending on the state, courts can temporarily restrict firearm access to potentially dangerous people if asked. In Maryland, those asking for the court order must be police, medical personnel, close relatives or those in a relationship with the person. Those in favor of the laws say they can prevent violence, such as the shooting at a Rite Aid distribution center.
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WATCH: CNN's Tapper Argues There's 'No Contemporaneous Corroborating Evidence For Any Of The Charges' Against Kavanaugh
On Thursday morning, CNN’s Jake Tapper, speaking with colleague Wolf Blitzer, frankly stated that despite all the furious allegations hurled at Judge Brett Kavanaugh, there are “no contemporaneous corroborating evidence for any of the charges” against Kavanaugh.
Tapper began by reminiscing about the confirmation of Justice Clarence Thomas in 1991. He stated:
We all remember where we were during Clarence Thomas. I mean I have vivid memories, I think I was 22 years old, of "high tech lynching of an uppity black man," of Professor Hill’s charges, of Arlen Specter, the late senator from Pennsylvania, attacking Ted Kennedy, the late senator from Massachusetts, saying, "The women from America don’t need to hear Ted Kennedy when it comes to women.”
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Tapper began by reminiscing about the confirmation of Justice Clarence Thomas in 1991. He stated:
We all remember where we were during Clarence Thomas. I mean I have vivid memories, I think I was 22 years old, of "high tech lynching of an uppity black man," of Professor Hill’s charges, of Arlen Specter, the late senator from Pennsylvania, attacking Ted Kennedy, the late senator from Massachusetts, saying, "The women from America don’t need to hear Ted Kennedy when it comes to women.”
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A Viewer Writes: Last nights meeting at Wic Civic Ctr ref OPOID CRISIS
This country is falling apart we have allowed every criminal and young thug to make the police officers and courts the problem. We have riots and have ruined Chicago for turning the other cheek so much we have whiplash. We are a society of enablers and now we hate the President of the United States because he is trying to make change and he is a republican. We no longer respect the president if he is not a black democrat. You can Blame Obama and Hillary for this nation now and until you put on your thinking caps and pull together all of us we are doomed. Salisbury will be like Chicago shortly if things don't change. So if you want real change start making arrests stick, clean up the city physically and materially. Quit letting a boy wonder Mayor make our decisions and ruin our city, and his butt kissing snow flake followers. And it goes without saying Julie Brewington should not have a voice anywhere. Take this city back and we will support a different mayor and different city council.
Kavanaugh comes out swinging: Charges against me a 'national disgrace'
Brett Kavanaugh on Thursday vigorously denied allegations from Christine Blasey Fordthat he sexually attacked her when they were both in high school — calling the charge “a national disgrace.”
“Less than two weeks ago, Dr. Ford publicly accused me of committing wrongdoing at an event more than 36 years ago, when we were both in high school,” Kavanaugh angrily told the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“I denied the allegation immediately, categorically and unequivocally.”
President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee noted that others who were supposedly at the party have either denied it or said they don’t recall the gathering.
“The day after the allegation appeared, I told this committee that I wanted a hearing as soon as possible to clear my name,” he said, charging that the allegation was politically motivated and an attempt to torpedo his nomination.
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“Less than two weeks ago, Dr. Ford publicly accused me of committing wrongdoing at an event more than 36 years ago, when we were both in high school,” Kavanaugh angrily told the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“I denied the allegation immediately, categorically and unequivocally.”
President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee noted that others who were supposedly at the party have either denied it or said they don’t recall the gathering.
“The day after the allegation appeared, I told this committee that I wanted a hearing as soon as possible to clear my name,” he said, charging that the allegation was politically motivated and an attempt to torpedo his nomination.
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Officer Mike McDermott Announces His Retirement
Meeting Materials - 10-1-18 - Work Session
Attached is the Agenda Packet for Monday’s Work Session, which is posted on the website at the link below.
https://salisbury.md/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/10-1-18-WS-Agnd-Pckt.pdf
https://salisbury.md/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/10-1-18-WS-Agnd-Pckt.pdf
Kavanaugh Vote Delayed One Week As Trump Orders New FBI Investigation
Brett Kavanaugh's nomination has been stalled on the Senate floor after GOP leadership agreed Friday afternoon to a one-week delay for an FBI investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against the Supreme Court nominee. Earlier in the day, the Judiciary Committee approved Kavanaugh's advancement by a vote of 11-10 along party lines.
"There's going to be a supplemental FBI background investigation" said Majority Whip Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) in a Friday statement, which he said would last no longer than a week.
Cornyn, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and a number of other Republicans had huddled in McConnell's office Friday afternoon to discuss how to proceed on the confirmation following a call from three key senators to delay the vote. -CNBC
Immediately prior to the Judiciary Committee voted, GOP Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona - who is not running for reelection - attempted to push for a delay pending an FBI investigation, however he was unsuccessful after Chairman Grassley rushed the vote.
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"There's going to be a supplemental FBI background investigation" said Majority Whip Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) in a Friday statement, which he said would last no longer than a week.
Cornyn, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and a number of other Republicans had huddled in McConnell's office Friday afternoon to discuss how to proceed on the confirmation following a call from three key senators to delay the vote. -CNBC
Immediately prior to the Judiciary Committee voted, GOP Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona - who is not running for reelection - attempted to push for a delay pending an FBI investigation, however he was unsuccessful after Chairman Grassley rushed the vote.
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Pending Home Sales Plunge In August Led By Collapse In West
Pending home sales plunged in August, dropping 1.8% MoM (almost four times worse than expected) to its lowest since Oct 2014 (and fell 2.5% YoY) - the fourth month of annual declines in a row...
As Bloomberg notes, the decline, which was broad-based across all four regions, shows that higher mortgage rates, rising prices and a shortage of affordable homes continue to squeeze buyers. Existing-home sales in August matched the lowest in more than two years, while revisions to new-home sales showed a slower market than thought, according to previously released figures.
NAR continues to blame low inventory and affordability
“Pending home sales continued a slow drip downward,” Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist, said in a statement.
“The greatest decline occurred in the West region where prices have shot up significantly, which clearly indicates that affordability is hindering buyers and those affordability issues come from lack of inventory, particularly in moderate price points.”
On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, sales In The West collapse 9.9% YoY...
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As Bloomberg notes, the decline, which was broad-based across all four regions, shows that higher mortgage rates, rising prices and a shortage of affordable homes continue to squeeze buyers. Existing-home sales in August matched the lowest in more than two years, while revisions to new-home sales showed a slower market than thought, according to previously released figures.
NAR continues to blame low inventory and affordability
“Pending home sales continued a slow drip downward,” Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist, said in a statement.
“The greatest decline occurred in the West region where prices have shot up significantly, which clearly indicates that affordability is hindering buyers and those affordability issues come from lack of inventory, particularly in moderate price points.”
On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, sales In The West collapse 9.9% YoY...
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CHANGES TO MARYLAND'S MOVE OVER LAW
Beginning on October 1, 2018, Maryland's Move Over law will be expanded to include service vehicles with flashing lights.
The Move Over law will include transportation, service and utility vehicles including waste and recycling trucks with yellow or amber flashing lights or signal devices. This addition to the law will join the other already protected emergency response and enforcement vehicles including tow trucks.
This new law requires drivers to move over to another lane if available when approaching vehicles with red, yellow or amber flashing lights that are stopped or parked along the highway. If the driver is unable to make a lane change, then it is required to slow to a prudent speed that is safe.
The county is hopeful that this change in the law will help protect all public and private crews working along the roads.
The Maryland law takes effect October 1, 2018. A violation of the Move Over law is a misdemeanor with a fine of $110 and a point against the driver's license.
The Move Over law will include transportation, service and utility vehicles including waste and recycling trucks with yellow or amber flashing lights or signal devices. This addition to the law will join the other already protected emergency response and enforcement vehicles including tow trucks.
This new law requires drivers to move over to another lane if available when approaching vehicles with red, yellow or amber flashing lights that are stopped or parked along the highway. If the driver is unable to make a lane change, then it is required to slow to a prudent speed that is safe.
The county is hopeful that this change in the law will help protect all public and private crews working along the roads.
The Maryland law takes effect October 1, 2018. A violation of the Move Over law is a misdemeanor with a fine of $110 and a point against the driver's license.
Muslim Mob Stones Three Christians to Death in Kenya
An Islamist mob stoned three Christians to death in western Kenya this week in apparent retaliation for the recent killing of three suspected al Shabaab militants.
An eyewitness said that the killing happened at a construction site where one of the Christian victims, Fredrick Mukanda Bahati, was building a house along with two assistants. The men were mixing mortar in Elwak, Mandera, a town close to the Kenya-Somalia border, when they saw the mob arriving.
“From a distance, I saw the men hurling construction stones towards Fredrick and his coworkers,” the unnamed witness said.
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An eyewitness said that the killing happened at a construction site where one of the Christian victims, Fredrick Mukanda Bahati, was building a house along with two assistants. The men were mixing mortar in Elwak, Mandera, a town close to the Kenya-Somalia border, when they saw the mob arriving.
“From a distance, I saw the men hurling construction stones towards Fredrick and his coworkers,” the unnamed witness said.
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CBS Receives Subpoena Over Moonves Sexual Misconduct Allegations, "Culture Concerns"
The long arm of the #MeToo movement is knocking on CBS' door.
In an 8-K filing released late on Friday, CBS announced that it has received subpoenas tied to its probe into reports of alleged sexual misconduct of former Chairman and CEO, Les Moonves, and concerns about the working environment at the company.
The company said that that as it had announced previously on August 1, it hired two law firms to investigate allegations about Moonves as well as into CBS News and "cultural issues at all levels of CBS. This investigation is ongoing."
It also revealed that it had received subpoenas from the New York County District Attorney’s Office and the New York City Commission on Human Rights "regarding the subject matter of this investigation and related matters," and that the New York Attorney General's office has requested information as well.
In early September, CBS announced that former CEO Les Moonves was departing as part of a settlement with National Amusements, members of the Board of Directors of CBS and related parties, but the catalyst were allegations of sexual misconduct from six women, as reported by Ronan Farrow in the New Yorker.
Moonves and CBS would donate $20 million to one or more organizations that support the #MeToo movement and equality for women in the workplace. In retrospect, he may have wanted to throw in a million or two for the NY DA's office.
The full 8-K filing is below:
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In an 8-K filing released late on Friday, CBS announced that it has received subpoenas tied to its probe into reports of alleged sexual misconduct of former Chairman and CEO, Les Moonves, and concerns about the working environment at the company.
The company said that that as it had announced previously on August 1, it hired two law firms to investigate allegations about Moonves as well as into CBS News and "cultural issues at all levels of CBS. This investigation is ongoing."
It also revealed that it had received subpoenas from the New York County District Attorney’s Office and the New York City Commission on Human Rights "regarding the subject matter of this investigation and related matters," and that the New York Attorney General's office has requested information as well.
In early September, CBS announced that former CEO Les Moonves was departing as part of a settlement with National Amusements, members of the Board of Directors of CBS and related parties, but the catalyst were allegations of sexual misconduct from six women, as reported by Ronan Farrow in the New Yorker.
Moonves and CBS would donate $20 million to one or more organizations that support the #MeToo movement and equality for women in the workplace. In retrospect, he may have wanted to throw in a million or two for the NY DA's office.
The full 8-K filing is below:
More
Puppies linked to 'multidrug-resistant' infection, CDC says
Could man’s best friend be linked to a multidrug-resistant bacterial infection? According to a recent Center for Disease Control and Prevention report, the answer is yes.
Following a multi-state investigation by the CDC and state and local health and agriculture departments, the CDC announced 118 people — including 29 pet store workers — across 18 states were infected with the Campylobacter jejuni bacteria between January 2016 and February 2018. At least 26 people were hospitalized, though no deaths occurred.
Could man’s best friend be linked to a multidrug-resistant bacterial infection? According to a recent Center for Disease Control and Prevention report, the answer is yes.
Following a multi-state investigation by the CDC and state and local health and agriculture departments, the CDC announced 118 people — including 29 pet store workers — across 18 states were infected with the Campylobacter jejuni bacteria between January 2016 and February 2018. At least 26 people were hospitalized, though no deaths occurred.
More
Following a multi-state investigation by the CDC and state and local health and agriculture departments, the CDC announced 118 people — including 29 pet store workers — across 18 states were infected with the Campylobacter jejuni bacteria between January 2016 and February 2018. At least 26 people were hospitalized, though no deaths occurred.
Could man’s best friend be linked to a multidrug-resistant bacterial infection? According to a recent Center for Disease Control and Prevention report, the answer is yes.
Following a multi-state investigation by the CDC and state and local health and agriculture departments, the CDC announced 118 people — including 29 pet store workers — across 18 states were infected with the Campylobacter jejuni bacteria between January 2016 and February 2018. At least 26 people were hospitalized, though no deaths occurred.
More
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2018/09/27/puppies-linked-to-multidrug-resistant-infection-cdc-says.html
Breaking News: Nearly 400 people were killed when an earthquake and a tsunami struck the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, officials said. The toll could rise.
The Enlightenment’s Evil Twins
Proponents of liberty cannot escape confronting the issue that came to full fruition in the Enlightenment: liberty and tyranny both found freedom as a result. Classical liberals cannot just point to Locke and Jefferson as the offspring. In this post I will examine the Enlightenment’s evil twin – as represented in Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
Thomas Hobbes
His ideas…are especially challenging to any libertarian who would wish to see the state minimised or eliminated. That said, there are elements of his thought that any liberal would welcome.
Casey offers that more than half of Leviathan is about religion, and some take this as the most important part of his work. One can glean Hobbes’ view on religion by the following:
Hobbes’s overall thought was fundamentally materialist…. For Hobbes, all that ultimately exists is matter in motion. …even the extremely complex social and political world too was explicable in materialistic terms.
Hobbes treated all of nature – human nature as well as non-human nature – as a vast system of mechanical causes from which purpose was to be excluded.
More
Thomas Hobbes
His ideas…are especially challenging to any libertarian who would wish to see the state minimised or eliminated. That said, there are elements of his thought that any liberal would welcome.
Casey offers that more than half of Leviathan is about religion, and some take this as the most important part of his work. One can glean Hobbes’ view on religion by the following:
Hobbes’s overall thought was fundamentally materialist…. For Hobbes, all that ultimately exists is matter in motion. …even the extremely complex social and political world too was explicable in materialistic terms.
Hobbes treated all of nature – human nature as well as non-human nature – as a vast system of mechanical causes from which purpose was to be excluded.
More
"The Notorious Pill Mill:" Just One Doctor Wrote 335,000 Painkiller Prescriptions
For ten years, two pharmacies just four blocks apart in Williamson, West Virginia, dispensed some 20.8 million prescription painkillers in a town of only 3,191 residents. Those shocking figures were released earlier this year by the congressional committee investigating the opioid crisis that has devastated the Rust Belt.
From December 2002 to January 2010, more than 335,000 prescriptions for painkillers were issued by Dr. Katherine Hoover at a small clinic in the struggling West Virginia town, a rate of about 130 per day.
In a recent interview via NBC News, Hoover argued that she did nothing wrong. "I prescribed narcotics to people in pain. I did everything I could to help people have a better life, which I told the FBI," Hoover said. "Every prescription I wrote was justified for the person who had gotten it."
Hoover, 68, wrote more opioid prescriptions than any other doctor in the state from 2002 to 2010, government investigators said in court documents.
As of 2016, West Virginia became one of the deadliest states for fatal opioid overdoses.
Court records show Hoover arrived in Williamson in 2002 and started working at the Mountain Medical Care Center, a private clinic which took anyone who could pay in cash.
Williamson is a small blue-collar city of some 3,000 residents just across the Tug Fork River from Kentucky. When the coal industry collapsed, it left behind many miners - many of whom were already reliant on painkillers.
More
From December 2002 to January 2010, more than 335,000 prescriptions for painkillers were issued by Dr. Katherine Hoover at a small clinic in the struggling West Virginia town, a rate of about 130 per day.
In a recent interview via NBC News, Hoover argued that she did nothing wrong. "I prescribed narcotics to people in pain. I did everything I could to help people have a better life, which I told the FBI," Hoover said. "Every prescription I wrote was justified for the person who had gotten it."
Hoover, 68, wrote more opioid prescriptions than any other doctor in the state from 2002 to 2010, government investigators said in court documents.
As of 2016, West Virginia became one of the deadliest states for fatal opioid overdoses.
Court records show Hoover arrived in Williamson in 2002 and started working at the Mountain Medical Care Center, a private clinic which took anyone who could pay in cash.
Williamson is a small blue-collar city of some 3,000 residents just across the Tug Fork River from Kentucky. When the coal industry collapsed, it left behind many miners - many of whom were already reliant on painkillers.
More
The Kavanaugh Circus Could Destroy The "Me Too" Movement
These are salacious claims launched without verification and wielded by those with no interest in the truth...
It’s been nearly a year since Ronan Farrow torpedoed the career of Harvey Weinstein, printing in The New Yorker a series of credible accusations that the Hollywood producer had sexually abused several women. His piece touched off a firestorm that led to purges of incredibly powerful men in a variety of industries, finally forcing them to face consequences for their sexual misconduct.
Sunday night, though, Farrow and his colleague Jane Mayer did a huge disservice to the Me Too movement by publishing an incredibly thin sexual-abuse allegation against Brett Kavanaugh. That story, a prime example of how some media outlets and left-wing voices have mishandled the accusations against the judge, will likely create a climate in which fewer victims are believed, more innocent men suffer for crimes they didn’t commit, and neutral observers are more inclined to doubt claims of sexual assault.
The political circus overwhelming the Kavanaugh confirmation will almost certainly weaken the Me Too movement in the long run by undermining its promise that the truth matters and that it will enable us to obtain justice.
The slapdash nature of Sunday’s reporting by Farrow and Mayer encourages readers to cast doubt on this newest accusation. They write of Kavanaugh’s accuser, Deborah Ramirez: “In her initial conversations with The New Yorker, she was reluctant to characterize Kavanaugh’s role in the alleged incident with certainty,” saying she was only willing to go on the record “after six days of carefully assessing her memories and consulting with her attorney,” at which point “she felt confident enough of her recollections.” Their effort to publish this story should’ve stopped right there.
More
It’s been nearly a year since Ronan Farrow torpedoed the career of Harvey Weinstein, printing in The New Yorker a series of credible accusations that the Hollywood producer had sexually abused several women. His piece touched off a firestorm that led to purges of incredibly powerful men in a variety of industries, finally forcing them to face consequences for their sexual misconduct.
Sunday night, though, Farrow and his colleague Jane Mayer did a huge disservice to the Me Too movement by publishing an incredibly thin sexual-abuse allegation against Brett Kavanaugh. That story, a prime example of how some media outlets and left-wing voices have mishandled the accusations against the judge, will likely create a climate in which fewer victims are believed, more innocent men suffer for crimes they didn’t commit, and neutral observers are more inclined to doubt claims of sexual assault.
The political circus overwhelming the Kavanaugh confirmation will almost certainly weaken the Me Too movement in the long run by undermining its promise that the truth matters and that it will enable us to obtain justice.
The slapdash nature of Sunday’s reporting by Farrow and Mayer encourages readers to cast doubt on this newest accusation. They write of Kavanaugh’s accuser, Deborah Ramirez: “In her initial conversations with The New Yorker, she was reluctant to characterize Kavanaugh’s role in the alleged incident with certainty,” saying she was only willing to go on the record “after six days of carefully assessing her memories and consulting with her attorney,” at which point “she felt confident enough of her recollections.” Their effort to publish this story should’ve stopped right there.
More
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