A recent Pew Research poll found that a majority of Americans believe they are misunderstood by the national news media.
Fifty-eight percent of American adults responded in the poll that new organizations don't understand people like them. Only 40 percent responded that the media does understand them.
Republicans are the most likely to report that the media does not understand them at 73 percent, and Independents are not too far behind at 62 percent. Democrats are the only demographic group with a majority who responded that they do feel understood by the media, at 58 percent.
The same study shows Americans are also more likely to say they do not feel "connected" to the outlet they get most of their news from, 56 percent to 42 percent. Again, Democrats buck the trend, with 54 percent saying they do feel connected.
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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, January 26, 2019
Kamala Harris: Death Penalty Is ‘Extremely Flawed,’ Disproportionately Applied to Men of Color
Wednesday on MSNBC’s “The Rachel Maddow Show,” Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) said she would welcome a debate on the death penalty if she were the 2020 Democratic nominee for president.
When asked if she is opposed to the death penalty, Harris said, “I’ve been my entire life and still am.”
She continued, “I believe that the death penalty is extremely flawed as a system. I have always been opposed to the death penalty.”
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When asked if she is opposed to the death penalty, Harris said, “I’ve been my entire life and still am.”
She continued, “I believe that the death penalty is extremely flawed as a system. I have always been opposed to the death penalty.”
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US to Begin Returning Asylum Seekers to Mexico on Friday Read Newsmax: Newsmax.com - Conservative News in Politics, Health, Finance & More Urgent: Do you approve of Pres. Trump? Vote Here in Poll
The Trump administration on Friday will start forcing some asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases wind through U.S. courts, an official said, launching what could become one of the more significant changes to the immigration system in years.
The changes will be introduced at San Diego's San Ysidro border crossing, according to a U.S. official familiar with the plan who spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday because it was not yet publicly announced. San Ysidro is the nation's busiest crossing and the choice of asylum seekers who arrived to Tijuana, Mexico, in November in a caravan of more than 6,000 mostly Central American migrants.
The policy, which is expected to face a legal challenge, may be expanded to other crossings. It does not apply to children traveling alone or to asylum seekers from Mexico.
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The changes will be introduced at San Diego's San Ysidro border crossing, according to a U.S. official familiar with the plan who spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday because it was not yet publicly announced. San Ysidro is the nation's busiest crossing and the choice of asylum seekers who arrived to Tijuana, Mexico, in November in a caravan of more than 6,000 mostly Central American migrants.
The policy, which is expected to face a legal challenge, may be expanded to other crossings. It does not apply to children traveling alone or to asylum seekers from Mexico.
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The Top 5 Ways For Men to Avoid Being Falsely Accused of Sexual Assault
The Duke Lacrosse Case. Tawana Brawley. Mattress girl. The Rolling Stone UVA rape hoax. The Brett Kavanaugh hearings.
As a man, you can do absolutely nothing wrong and STILL be accused of sexual assault, sexual harassment or God knows what. Rape is a terrible thing and because of that, being falsely accused of it is also a terrible thing. Unfortunately, it doesn’t get treated that way by a lot of people on the Left. There aren’t any females screaming #believeallwomen who care much whether a man is falsely accused of sexual assault or not.
The good news is that you’re PROBABLY NOT going to be falsely accused of sexual assault or sexual harassment. On the other hand, do I personally know someone that has been falsely accused of sexual harassment? Yes. Are there literally tens of thousands of men in the United States that have had it happen to them? Absolutely.
Despite the false claim you hear constantly repeated by feminists that only 2% of rape accusations are false, we don’t really know the number although we do know it is a lot higher than that. This is from David French in National Review,
For example, in one of the key studies that the National Sexual Violence Resource Center relied on, researchers classified as false only 5.9 percent of cases — but noted that 44.9 percent of cases where classified as “Case did not proceed.” The category was defined as follows:
This classification was applied if the report of a sexual assault did not result in a referral for prosecution or disciplinary action because of insufficient evidence or because the victim withdrew from the process or was unable to identify the perpetrator or because the victim mislabeled the incident (e.g., gave a truthful account of the incident, but the incident did not meet the legal elements of the crime of sexual assault). [Emphasis added.]
There is absolutely no way to know how many of the claims in that broad category were actually true or likely false. We simply know that the relevant decision-makers did not deem them to be provably true.
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As a man, you can do absolutely nothing wrong and STILL be accused of sexual assault, sexual harassment or God knows what. Rape is a terrible thing and because of that, being falsely accused of it is also a terrible thing. Unfortunately, it doesn’t get treated that way by a lot of people on the Left. There aren’t any females screaming #believeallwomen who care much whether a man is falsely accused of sexual assault or not.
The good news is that you’re PROBABLY NOT going to be falsely accused of sexual assault or sexual harassment. On the other hand, do I personally know someone that has been falsely accused of sexual harassment? Yes. Are there literally tens of thousands of men in the United States that have had it happen to them? Absolutely.
Despite the false claim you hear constantly repeated by feminists that only 2% of rape accusations are false, we don’t really know the number although we do know it is a lot higher than that. This is from David French in National Review,
For example, in one of the key studies that the National Sexual Violence Resource Center relied on, researchers classified as false only 5.9 percent of cases — but noted that 44.9 percent of cases where classified as “Case did not proceed.” The category was defined as follows:
This classification was applied if the report of a sexual assault did not result in a referral for prosecution or disciplinary action because of insufficient evidence or because the victim withdrew from the process or was unable to identify the perpetrator or because the victim mislabeled the incident (e.g., gave a truthful account of the incident, but the incident did not meet the legal elements of the crime of sexual assault). [Emphasis added.]
There is absolutely no way to know how many of the claims in that broad category were actually true or likely false. We simply know that the relevant decision-makers did not deem them to be provably true.
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The 20 Most Annoying Liberals of 2018
Picking the most obnoxious liberals in a time when liberalism is defined by hypocrisy, pettiness, hatred of middle America, and scolds screaming, “That’s not funny” is like picking the hairiest monkey out of the zoo. With that in mind, here are the 20 most obnoxious liberals of 2018.
Honorable Mentions: Antifa, Joy Behar, John Brennan, Chris Cuomo, Lena Dunham, Whoopi Goldberg, Kathy Griffin, Chelsea Handler, Kamala Harris, LeBron James, Jimmy Kimmel, Shaun King, Ezra Klein, Sally Kohn, Sheila Jackson Lee, Rachel Maddow, Alyssa Milano, Michael Moore, Tariq Nasheed, Rosie O’Donnell, Nancy Pelosi, Kirsten Powers, Jorge Ramos, Chuck Schumer, the Southern Poverty Law Center, Eric Swalwell, George Takei, Shannon Watts, Juan Williams, Montel Williams, Vox
Honorable Mentions: Antifa, Joy Behar, John Brennan, Chris Cuomo, Lena Dunham, Whoopi Goldberg, Kathy Griffin, Chelsea Handler, Kamala Harris, LeBron James, Jimmy Kimmel, Shaun King, Ezra Klein, Sally Kohn, Sheila Jackson Lee, Rachel Maddow, Alyssa Milano, Michael Moore, Tariq Nasheed, Rosie O’Donnell, Nancy Pelosi, Kirsten Powers, Jorge Ramos, Chuck Schumer, the Southern Poverty Law Center, Eric Swalwell, George Takei, Shannon Watts, Juan Williams, Montel Williams, Vox
20. Elizabeth Warren
The squaw from Massachusetts who is most famous for pretending to be an Indian to advance her career created heap big trouble for herself by publicly releasing a laughable DNA test that MAYBE showed she had an Indian ancestor of indeterminate origins six to ten generations ago. Congrats on potentially being 1/1,024th Native American, Lizzie!
Defining quote: “Now that her claims of being of Indian heritage have turned out to be a scam and a lie, Elizabeth Warren should apologize for perpetrating this fraud against the American Public. Harvard called her ‘a person of color’ (amazing con), and would not have taken her otherwise! ….Thank you to the Cherokee Nation for revealing that Elizabeth Warren, sometimes referred to as Pocahontas, is a complete and total Fraud!” – Donald Trump
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The squaw from Massachusetts who is most famous for pretending to be an Indian to advance her career created heap big trouble for herself by publicly releasing a laughable DNA test that MAYBE showed she had an Indian ancestor of indeterminate origins six to ten generations ago. Congrats on potentially being 1/1,024th Native American, Lizzie!
Defining quote: “Now that her claims of being of Indian heritage have turned out to be a scam and a lie, Elizabeth Warren should apologize for perpetrating this fraud against the American Public. Harvard called her ‘a person of color’ (amazing con), and would not have taken her otherwise! ….Thank you to the Cherokee Nation for revealing that Elizabeth Warren, sometimes referred to as Pocahontas, is a complete and total Fraud!” – Donald Trump
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Jobless Claims Hit Lowest Level in 49 Years
The U.S. jobs market is sizzling.
The number of people seeking jobless benefits dropped last week to the lowest level since November 1969, a sign the job market remains strong despite the partial government shutdown, now in its fifth week.
The last time claims were this low the labor market was half the size it is now.
Jobless claims, which are a proxy for layoffs, have been closely followed for signs that tariffs could weigh on the U.S. economy. So far this metric signals that those predictions have not come true.
The Labor Department said Thursday that weekly applications for unemployment aid declined 13,000 to a seasonally adjusted 199,000. The four-week average, a less volatile figure, dropped 5,500 to 215,000.
Economists had expected jobless claims to rise from 212,000 to 218,000. A week ago, there were 212,000 applications for unemployment benefits, revised down from 213,000.
The tally of furloughed federal employees requesting unemployment aid jumped to 25,419, more than double the previous week. Those figures are tracked separately from other unemployment claims. A year ago, without a shutdown, just 1,650 federal employees filed.
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The number of people seeking jobless benefits dropped last week to the lowest level since November 1969, a sign the job market remains strong despite the partial government shutdown, now in its fifth week.
The last time claims were this low the labor market was half the size it is now.
Jobless claims, which are a proxy for layoffs, have been closely followed for signs that tariffs could weigh on the U.S. economy. So far this metric signals that those predictions have not come true.
The Labor Department said Thursday that weekly applications for unemployment aid declined 13,000 to a seasonally adjusted 199,000. The four-week average, a less volatile figure, dropped 5,500 to 215,000.
Economists had expected jobless claims to rise from 212,000 to 218,000. A week ago, there were 212,000 applications for unemployment benefits, revised down from 213,000.
The tally of furloughed federal employees requesting unemployment aid jumped to 25,419, more than double the previous week. Those figures are tracked separately from other unemployment claims. A year ago, without a shutdown, just 1,650 federal employees filed.
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Texas Rancher offers land for Border Wall
Ruperto Escobar, a 75 year-old, seventh-generation Texas farmer, is offering to donate property to the federal government where it can build a border wall, because he has suffered a lifetime of harm due to illegal immigration.
“The problem there right now is primarily drug trafficking. The Illegal immigrants traveling through there are not so prominent, anymore, like they used to be,” Escobar told Fox News in an interview on Wednesday.
In his 75 years living on the border, he has “seen everything,” Escobar said. Currently, Escobar explained, illegal aliens in vehicles packed with drugs are routinely driving at “high velocity” across his property – often with police in hot pursuit:
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“The problem there right now is primarily drug trafficking. The Illegal immigrants traveling through there are not so prominent, anymore, like they used to be,” Escobar told Fox News in an interview on Wednesday.
In his 75 years living on the border, he has “seen everything,” Escobar said. Currently, Escobar explained, illegal aliens in vehicles packed with drugs are routinely driving at “high velocity” across his property – often with police in hot pursuit:
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Elizabeth Warren proposes 'Wealth Tax'
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., has proposed a "wealth tax" on some of the richest Americans.
The new tax from Warren, who recently announced her bid to challenge President Donald Trump in 2020, would only apply to Americans with more than $50 million in assets.
Her Twitter announcement on Thursday came hours after an economist who advises her told CNBC he believed the proposal would soon be made official.
Warren Tweet
The Washington Post first reported the development.
"We helped her with the numbers," economist Emmanuel Saez told CNBC. He said his understanding was that the Warren team had already spoken with the Post at the time he told them the details of the report.
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Ocean City, Legislators Eye Stricter Special Event Zone This Session
OCEAN CITY — While no new bills have yet been introduced in the current General Assembly session, resort officials are looking to add more teeth in the special event zone legislation approved by state lawmakers last year.
For several years, Ocean City has been exploring ways to combat some of the illicit and reckless activity on roadways during vehicular special events. Out of those early discussions was born a desire to create a special event zone during specified sanctioned and unsanctioned motorized events, which required the approval of the General Assembly.
Last year, then-Senator Jim Mathias and then-Delegate Mary Beth Carozza cross-filed pair of bills aimed at creating a special event zone on roadways throughout Ocean City during the spring and fall motorized events and the bills breezed through their respective chambers and were ultimately signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan.
As a result, special event zones were implemented during most motorized event weekends. Among other things, speed limits were reduced on most roadways in Ocean City, resulting in significantly higher fines for offenders.
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For several years, Ocean City has been exploring ways to combat some of the illicit and reckless activity on roadways during vehicular special events. Out of those early discussions was born a desire to create a special event zone during specified sanctioned and unsanctioned motorized events, which required the approval of the General Assembly.
Last year, then-Senator Jim Mathias and then-Delegate Mary Beth Carozza cross-filed pair of bills aimed at creating a special event zone on roadways throughout Ocean City during the spring and fall motorized events and the bills breezed through their respective chambers and were ultimately signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan.
As a result, special event zones were implemented during most motorized event weekends. Among other things, speed limits were reduced on most roadways in Ocean City, resulting in significantly higher fines for offenders.
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County Considering Not Adhering To State Sprinkler Mandate
SNOW HILL– The Worcester County Commissioners this week agreed to draft a document that could allow single-family homes to opt out of the state’s fire sprinkler requirement.
On Tuesday, the commissioners voted unanimously to have county staff develop a new building permit that would allow those constructing single-family homes to opt out of the state requirement to install residential fire sprinklers. Since 2015, automatic fire sprinkler systems have been required in new residential dwellings.
“I believe that this is hindering building in the county,” Commissioner Joe Mitrecic said.
After becoming aware that Allegany County was not requiring sprinkler systems in new homes, the commissioners asked staff to review state law in regard to sprinkler systems. In a report provided to the commissioners in advance of Tuesday’s meeting, staff reported that Allegany County had never adopted the latest version of the International Building Code, which mandates sprinklers in new dwellings.
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On Tuesday, the commissioners voted unanimously to have county staff develop a new building permit that would allow those constructing single-family homes to opt out of the state requirement to install residential fire sprinklers. Since 2015, automatic fire sprinkler systems have been required in new residential dwellings.
“I believe that this is hindering building in the county,” Commissioner Joe Mitrecic said.
After becoming aware that Allegany County was not requiring sprinkler systems in new homes, the commissioners asked staff to review state law in regard to sprinkler systems. In a report provided to the commissioners in advance of Tuesday’s meeting, staff reported that Allegany County had never adopted the latest version of the International Building Code, which mandates sprinklers in new dwellings.
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Legislation Aims To Undo Governor’s Post-Labor Day School Order
OCEAN CITY — A pair of bills introduced in the state senate could, if approved, derail Governor Larry Hogan’s mandate for a post-Labor Day start to the school year in Maryland.
After several failed attempts at legislation, Hogan in 2016 surprised many when he issued an Executive Order mandating a post-Labor Day start to the school year for Maryland public schools. Despite some pushback from certain school districts across the state, Hogan’s mandate went into effect before the 2017-2018 school year and remains in effect during the current school year.
However, a pair of bills introduced late last week in the state Senate could overturn the governor’s edict if successful. Senate Bill 128, introduced by Senator Nancy King (D-39-Montgomery) and Senator Paul Pinsky (D-22-Prince George’s), would allow each school district in Maryland to set their own start and end dates including possibly year-round school. Senate Bill 131 would allow local jurisdictions to make school start date decisions without approval from the state school board or any other entity.
Hogan issued the order citing the importance of a post-Labor Day school start for students and their families hoping to eke out the remaining days of late August and perhaps more importantly the economies in areas that would benefit from longer summer vacation times. While the governor’s post-Labor Day mandate applies statewide, for many it has had the appearance of being a uniquely Ocean City issue because the resort perhaps stands the most to gain from the edict.
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After several failed attempts at legislation, Hogan in 2016 surprised many when he issued an Executive Order mandating a post-Labor Day start to the school year for Maryland public schools. Despite some pushback from certain school districts across the state, Hogan’s mandate went into effect before the 2017-2018 school year and remains in effect during the current school year.
However, a pair of bills introduced late last week in the state Senate could overturn the governor’s edict if successful. Senate Bill 128, introduced by Senator Nancy King (D-39-Montgomery) and Senator Paul Pinsky (D-22-Prince George’s), would allow each school district in Maryland to set their own start and end dates including possibly year-round school. Senate Bill 131 would allow local jurisdictions to make school start date decisions without approval from the state school board or any other entity.
Hogan issued the order citing the importance of a post-Labor Day school start for students and their families hoping to eke out the remaining days of late August and perhaps more importantly the economies in areas that would benefit from longer summer vacation times. While the governor’s post-Labor Day mandate applies statewide, for many it has had the appearance of being a uniquely Ocean City issue because the resort perhaps stands the most to gain from the edict.
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Commissioners Want To Add Rental License Requirement To Boost Revenue
SNOW HILL – Officials agreed to update Worcester County’s zoning code and explore rental licensing requirements this week.
As the popularity of services such as Airbnb grows, the Worcester County Commissioners on Tuesday voted 5-1 to have staff update the county’s zoning code in order to establish rental license requirements.
“This is a revenue generator the county needs to move towards,” Commissioner Joe Mitrecic said.
At the request of the commissioners, Director of Development Review and Permitting Ed Tudor and Finance Officer Phil Thompson reviewed room tax and rental licensing programs in Talbot County and Ocean City. Tudor outlined how Talbot County had purchased a software program to manage and identify short-term rentals. Thompson talked about Ocean City’s letter-writing campaign to inform all property owners who were leasing their homes — particularly those who did so via online sites such as Airbnb — they were required to be licensed.
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As the popularity of services such as Airbnb grows, the Worcester County Commissioners on Tuesday voted 5-1 to have staff update the county’s zoning code in order to establish rental license requirements.
“This is a revenue generator the county needs to move towards,” Commissioner Joe Mitrecic said.
At the request of the commissioners, Director of Development Review and Permitting Ed Tudor and Finance Officer Phil Thompson reviewed room tax and rental licensing programs in Talbot County and Ocean City. Tudor outlined how Talbot County had purchased a software program to manage and identify short-term rentals. Thompson talked about Ocean City’s letter-writing campaign to inform all property owners who were leasing their homes — particularly those who did so via online sites such as Airbnb — they were required to be licensed.
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Government Shutdown Is Proving Americans Are Not Prepared For A Recession
The brutal reality is that most Americans are not prepared for the next economic downturn or recession. The government shutdown is highlighting just how much Americans rely on others as opposed to themselves, and how little they have saved for an emergency.
According to the newest op-ed article by Market Watch, the government shutdown is perfectly proving that Americans are not prepared for a financial disaster of any kind, let alone an economic recession. Many have long assumed that the government (which as we all know is almost $22 trillion in debt) will be using their money (stolen funds aka, taxation) to bail out those who get themselves into trouble. But the shutdown is proving just how little the government actually doesand just how financially illiterate many Americans have allowed themselves to become.
Almost 60% of Americans have less than $1000 in savings for a rainy day fund or an immediate emergency. It’s been ten years since the Great Recession left many Americans jobless with no money, and it appears most have learned nothing. The government shutdown serves as a painful warning and preview for what will happen once unemployment rises from 50-year lows. Americans are far too dependent on others, including the government, for their survival.
Within just a few weeks into the government shutdown, people are struggling to cope. We hear stories about people turning to food banks to feed their families. We hear stories about people who are in dire straits because they can’t get loans. We hear stories about people who can’t pay their mortgages. That’s not even one month into the shutdown. –Market Watch
Most Americans live paycheck to paycheck, including those who work for the government. Many won’t live below their means in order to save and it certainly seems that most citizens have picked up the government’s spending habits. They have also stopped saving for themselves. According to a recent GoBankingRates survey, only 21% of Americans have more than $10,000 in savings,with nearly 60% having less than $1,000 in savings. Almost 32% of Americans have nothing saved up at all.
And something most don’t want to hear is that every economic cycle will end and hit a low again despite the rosy attestations of those who wish to keep confidence high. There is nothing in history that suggests that extremely low unemployment can be maintained for an extended period of time. Indeed, it is precisely at the end of an economic cycle that low unemployment rates tend to reverse rather suddenly.
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According to the newest op-ed article by Market Watch, the government shutdown is perfectly proving that Americans are not prepared for a financial disaster of any kind, let alone an economic recession. Many have long assumed that the government (which as we all know is almost $22 trillion in debt) will be using their money (stolen funds aka, taxation) to bail out those who get themselves into trouble. But the shutdown is proving just how little the government actually doesand just how financially illiterate many Americans have allowed themselves to become.
Almost 60% of Americans have less than $1000 in savings for a rainy day fund or an immediate emergency. It’s been ten years since the Great Recession left many Americans jobless with no money, and it appears most have learned nothing. The government shutdown serves as a painful warning and preview for what will happen once unemployment rises from 50-year lows. Americans are far too dependent on others, including the government, for their survival.
Within just a few weeks into the government shutdown, people are struggling to cope. We hear stories about people turning to food banks to feed their families. We hear stories about people who are in dire straits because they can’t get loans. We hear stories about people who can’t pay their mortgages. That’s not even one month into the shutdown. –Market Watch
Most Americans live paycheck to paycheck, including those who work for the government. Many won’t live below their means in order to save and it certainly seems that most citizens have picked up the government’s spending habits. They have also stopped saving for themselves. According to a recent GoBankingRates survey, only 21% of Americans have more than $10,000 in savings,with nearly 60% having less than $1,000 in savings. Almost 32% of Americans have nothing saved up at all.
And something most don’t want to hear is that every economic cycle will end and hit a low again despite the rosy attestations of those who wish to keep confidence high. There is nothing in history that suggests that extremely low unemployment can be maintained for an extended period of time. Indeed, it is precisely at the end of an economic cycle that low unemployment rates tend to reverse rather suddenly.
More
Liberal 'dark money' groups outspent conservative ones in 2018 elections
Liberal groups outspent conservative ones in so-called “dark money” during the 2018 midtermelection, for the first time since 2010.
A report from Issue One, a bipartisan advocacy group, shows that liberal groups spent over half of the $150 million of dark money in the latest election. Conservative groups spend a third of the figure, while nonpartisan groups spent just 15 percent.
Issue One CEO Nick Penniman said that the data showed that the problem of political groups that can spend unlimited money without disclosing their donors is a bipartisan problem.
“As we head into the 2020 presidential election, both parties must reject the opaque ways some of their wealthiest donors are influencing elections,” he said. “Dark money is the most toxic force in politics.”
“As we head into the 2020 presidential election, both parties must reject the opaque ways some of their wealthiest donors are influencing elections. Dark money is the most toxic force in politics.”— Issue One CEO Nick Penniman
Majority Forward, a super PAC affiliated with Senate Minority Leader Chuch Schumer that backed Democratic candidates and ran ads against Republican candidates was responsible for about $1 for every $3 in dark money spending, or $46 million in total.
The group spent more than $8 million to support Democrat Phil Bredesen and defeat now-Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn. The effort failed and the Republican won the race by nearly 10 points.
It also spent $4.5 million each in Indiana and Florida Senate races against Republican candidates Mike Braun and Rick Scott, though both cases the Democrats Joe Donnelly and Bill Nelson lost the elections. More successfully, Majority Forward spent nearly $7 million against Republican Martha McSally who went on to lose to Democrat Kyrsten Sinema.
Another group linked to Schumer, Patriot Majority PAC, also spent nearly $6 million in the election, the report said.
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A report from Issue One, a bipartisan advocacy group, shows that liberal groups spent over half of the $150 million of dark money in the latest election. Conservative groups spend a third of the figure, while nonpartisan groups spent just 15 percent.
Issue One CEO Nick Penniman said that the data showed that the problem of political groups that can spend unlimited money without disclosing their donors is a bipartisan problem.
“As we head into the 2020 presidential election, both parties must reject the opaque ways some of their wealthiest donors are influencing elections,” he said. “Dark money is the most toxic force in politics.”
“As we head into the 2020 presidential election, both parties must reject the opaque ways some of their wealthiest donors are influencing elections. Dark money is the most toxic force in politics.”— Issue One CEO Nick Penniman
Majority Forward, a super PAC affiliated with Senate Minority Leader Chuch Schumer that backed Democratic candidates and ran ads against Republican candidates was responsible for about $1 for every $3 in dark money spending, or $46 million in total.
The group spent more than $8 million to support Democrat Phil Bredesen and defeat now-Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn. The effort failed and the Republican won the race by nearly 10 points.
It also spent $4.5 million each in Indiana and Florida Senate races against Republican candidates Mike Braun and Rick Scott, though both cases the Democrats Joe Donnelly and Bill Nelson lost the elections. More successfully, Majority Forward spent nearly $7 million against Republican Martha McSally who went on to lose to Democrat Kyrsten Sinema.
Another group linked to Schumer, Patriot Majority PAC, also spent nearly $6 million in the election, the report said.
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/liberal-dark-money-groups-outspent-conservative-ones-in-2018-elections
Grassroots Republicans sticking with Trump as government shutdown drags on
SANTA ANA PUEBLO, N.M. — Grassroots Republicans are sticking with President Trump as a historic partial shutdown of the federal government continues with no end in sight amid a partisan spat over immigration.
That was the consensus report from Republican National Committee members Wednesday as they gathered from around the country for an annual winter business meeting. In interviews, they said committed Republicans in their communities back Trump and his demand for billions in border wall funding in exchange for re-opening the government. Democrats are refusing, insisting Trump end the shutdown before they agree to negotiate on immigration policy.
“Among the grassroots Republicans that I know, they’re right behind the president. They don’t want him to give in at all. The money he’s asking for, for the wall, is pocket change. It’s lunch money,” Peter Goldberg, the RNC committeeman from Alaska, told the Washington Examiner.
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That was the consensus report from Republican National Committee members Wednesday as they gathered from around the country for an annual winter business meeting. In interviews, they said committed Republicans in their communities back Trump and his demand for billions in border wall funding in exchange for re-opening the government. Democrats are refusing, insisting Trump end the shutdown before they agree to negotiate on immigration policy.
“Among the grassroots Republicans that I know, they’re right behind the president. They don’t want him to give in at all. The money he’s asking for, for the wall, is pocket change. It’s lunch money,” Peter Goldberg, the RNC committeeman from Alaska, told the Washington Examiner.
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Migrant Narrowly Avoids Lynching After Alleged Public Rape Attempt
A Nigerian migrant narrowly avoided being lynched by an angry mob of Italians after attempting to drag a local woman into an alley in an attempt to rape her.
The incident took place on a street behind the Piazza Garibaldi in the vicinity of the Napoli Centrale railway station in Naples at around 8:30 pm at night. The Nigerian, later identified as 41-year-old Stephen Pope, attempted to drag a local woman into an alley while groping her with police being alerted by her screaming, Il Giornale reports.
After sighting the police officers, the 41-year-old let the victim loose and attempted to escape but was met with a mob of Italians who had also gathered at the scene following the screams of the woman.
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The incident took place on a street behind the Piazza Garibaldi in the vicinity of the Napoli Centrale railway station in Naples at around 8:30 pm at night. The Nigerian, later identified as 41-year-old Stephen Pope, attempted to drag a local woman into an alley while groping her with police being alerted by her screaming, Il Giornale reports.
After sighting the police officers, the 41-year-old let the victim loose and attempted to escape but was met with a mob of Italians who had also gathered at the scene following the screams of the woman.
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Ohio Man Allegedly Ran $2.7 Million Food Stamp Fraud Scheme, Illegal Slaughterhouse
An Ohio man is in hot water with authorities for allegedly running a $2.7 million food stamp fraud scheme alongside an illegal slaughterhouse – all out of his own home.
Authorities charged Amin M. Salem, 59, of Westlake, with food stamp fraud, laundering money, operating an unregulated slaughterhouse, and improper possession of firearms for running a $2.7 million food stamp fraud scheme at several gas stations he owned in the Cleveland area between 2010 and 2016, according to a statement from the Department of Justice.
Investigators say Salem used the illegal terminals inside his gas stations to process fraudulent Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in his son’s name since he could not operate stores that administer SNAP benefits due to previous convictions of food stamp fraud.
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Authorities charged Amin M. Salem, 59, of Westlake, with food stamp fraud, laundering money, operating an unregulated slaughterhouse, and improper possession of firearms for running a $2.7 million food stamp fraud scheme at several gas stations he owned in the Cleveland area between 2010 and 2016, according to a statement from the Department of Justice.
Investigators say Salem used the illegal terminals inside his gas stations to process fraudulent Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in his son’s name since he could not operate stores that administer SNAP benefits due to previous convictions of food stamp fraud.
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Nolte: Lying Media Shell-Shocked by Robert Mueller's Fact Check
Everyone in the establishment media knew BuzzFeed’s report about President Trump suborning perjury from his then-personal attorney, Michael Cohen, was a lie. What they did not expect was special counsel Robert Mueller dropping a fact check on them.
They all knew it was a lie.
How could they not?
To begin with, BuzzFeed admitted it could not verify its own story. Secondly, the story made absolutely no sense.
There were two huge tells proving the BuzzFeed story a lie. 1) It made no sense that the president’s son, Donald Trump Jr., testified accurately about the very thing Trump reportedly told his lawyer to lie about. 2) BuzzFeed made even less sense with the claim that the special counsel had emails and texts proving the president’s wrongdoing when we all know the president is famous for refusing to use email and texts. And only emails and texts from Trump himself would rise to the level of a smoking gun.
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They all knew it was a lie.
How could they not?
To begin with, BuzzFeed admitted it could not verify its own story. Secondly, the story made absolutely no sense.
There were two huge tells proving the BuzzFeed story a lie. 1) It made no sense that the president’s son, Donald Trump Jr., testified accurately about the very thing Trump reportedly told his lawyer to lie about. 2) BuzzFeed made even less sense with the claim that the special counsel had emails and texts proving the president’s wrongdoing when we all know the president is famous for refusing to use email and texts. And only emails and texts from Trump himself would rise to the level of a smoking gun.
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Andrew posted an update to Help Wrongfully Suspended Teacher
Sarah Sanders: So Hillary Will Be Arrested Now Right?
Longtime Trump associate Roger Stone was arrested Thursday night for one count of obstruction, five counts of false statements and one count of witness tampering as part of the larger special counsel Russia investigation. The FBI raided his home and "terrorized" his family, Stone said outside a Florida courthouse Friday. He told a crowd of hecklers he plans to plead not guilty to the alleged crimes.
Of course, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders expected the press pool to ask her for her reaction to Stone's arrest. But she wasn't a fan of how some reporters framed their inquires, particularly the individual who suggested that President Trump encouraged Stone to lie to Congress.
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Of course, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders expected the press pool to ask her for her reaction to Stone's arrest. But she wasn't a fan of how some reporters framed their inquires, particularly the individual who suggested that President Trump encouraged Stone to lie to Congress.
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SCOTUS Upholds Trump's Transgender Military Ban
"I felt a great disturbance in the farce, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened."
In a decision that is bound to 'trigger' millions across America (while the majority go about their days giving exactly zero f*cks), the U.S. Supreme Court cleared President Donald Trump’s administration to start barring most transgender people from serving in the armed forces.
As Bloomberg reports, transgender troops have been serving openly since June 2016, when President Barack Obama’s administration began lifting a longstanding prohibition. Opponents of the ban say reinstating it would violate the Constitution’s equal protection clause.
“This case is about whether men and women who want to serve in the United States Armed Forces to protect their country and who are able and otherwise qualified to do so should be barred from military service because they are transgender,” according to court filings on behalf of current and prospective military members.
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In a decision that is bound to 'trigger' millions across America (while the majority go about their days giving exactly zero f*cks), the U.S. Supreme Court cleared President Donald Trump’s administration to start barring most transgender people from serving in the armed forces.
As Bloomberg reports, transgender troops have been serving openly since June 2016, when President Barack Obama’s administration began lifting a longstanding prohibition. Opponents of the ban say reinstating it would violate the Constitution’s equal protection clause.
“This case is about whether men and women who want to serve in the United States Armed Forces to protect their country and who are able and otherwise qualified to do so should be barred from military service because they are transgender,” according to court filings on behalf of current and prospective military members.
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State Board of Education Asks for $19 Billion, Over Half State's Budget
The Illinois State Board of Education is asking for $19.3 billion next year to adequately fund public schools, an amount of money equal to more than half the entire existing state budget.
If lawmakers granted the board full funding, it would represent an 86 percent increase in state money for Illinois’ public schools. In a release, the board said $11 billion would close the entire state funding gap and the rest would go to universal preschool, teacher retention programs, career-oriented learning, and other projects.
"The deep structural inequity in Illinois’ schools today did not happen by accident," State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith said in a statement. "Institutional decisions, both historical and ongoing, produce disparate and statistically predictable educational outcomes for Illinois students."
Homewood Democratic Rep. Will Davis said the state can’t afford that price tag, but he's optimistic that lawmakers can allocate more funding than last year.
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If lawmakers granted the board full funding, it would represent an 86 percent increase in state money for Illinois’ public schools. In a release, the board said $11 billion would close the entire state funding gap and the rest would go to universal preschool, teacher retention programs, career-oriented learning, and other projects.
"The deep structural inequity in Illinois’ schools today did not happen by accident," State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith said in a statement. "Institutional decisions, both historical and ongoing, produce disparate and statistically predictable educational outcomes for Illinois students."
Homewood Democratic Rep. Will Davis said the state can’t afford that price tag, but he's optimistic that lawmakers can allocate more funding than last year.
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NY Times Runs Defense For Black Anti-Semitic Hate Group
Allows members to justify their vile, racist abuse as “tough love”
The New York Times is running defense for the Black Israelites, the anti-Semitic hate group that abused the Covington High School students.
In an article entitled Hebrew Israelites See Divine Intervention in Lincoln Memorial Confrontation, the paper completely ignores the fact that the group called the Covington kids “white crackers,” “faggots,” incest kids” while also labeling them future school shooters and telling an African-American student that they would harvest his organs.
Instead, the piece, written by John Eligon, presents a sympathetic picture of the group, allowing one of its members to characterize what they do as “tough love”.
In reality, in addition to the racist and homophobic slurs the group was caught on camera hurling at children, members are known to hold overtly disgusting views.
Even the far-left Southern Poverty Law Center lists the organization as a hate group, warning that members “believe that Jews are devilish impostors and … openly condemn whites as evil personified, deserving only death or slavery.”
Despite the odious nature of the group, the NY Times piece gives them a cultural cache by noting that they were “name-checked by Kendrick Lamar in a rap called “Yah”.
The article also serves as a platform for the group to justify their actions, with several members quoted at length without being challenged.
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The New York Times is running defense for the Black Israelites, the anti-Semitic hate group that abused the Covington High School students.
In an article entitled Hebrew Israelites See Divine Intervention in Lincoln Memorial Confrontation, the paper completely ignores the fact that the group called the Covington kids “white crackers,” “faggots,” incest kids” while also labeling them future school shooters and telling an African-American student that they would harvest his organs.
Instead, the piece, written by John Eligon, presents a sympathetic picture of the group, allowing one of its members to characterize what they do as “tough love”.
In reality, in addition to the racist and homophobic slurs the group was caught on camera hurling at children, members are known to hold overtly disgusting views.
Even the far-left Southern Poverty Law Center lists the organization as a hate group, warning that members “believe that Jews are devilish impostors and … openly condemn whites as evil personified, deserving only death or slavery.”
Despite the odious nature of the group, the NY Times piece gives them a cultural cache by noting that they were “name-checked by Kendrick Lamar in a rap called “Yah”.
The article also serves as a platform for the group to justify their actions, with several members quoted at length without being challenged.
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Maybe AOC Keeps Getting Fact-Checked Because She Keeps Saying Wrong S**t
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) made a factual error Thursday when explaining a factual error she made while defending herself from a Washington Post fact-check that found she made several factual errors.
Ocasio-Cortez's war on fact-checking began weeks ago when she was given Four Pinocchios for her claim that the Pentagon lost $21 trillion in funds, and those trillions could pay for her Medicare For All proposal. This was laughably wrong—the combined budget of the Pentagon for its entire existence doesn't break $21 trillion. The Four Pinocchios, WaPo‘s worst rating, was awarded after she doubled down and kept the false tweet up.
Round two began Wednesday when she preemptively tweeted out a rather absurd strawman attack on the idea of fact-checking along with a now-deleted tweet complaining about "overzealous fact-checking sarcasm and hyperbole."
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Ocasio-Cortez's war on fact-checking began weeks ago when she was given Four Pinocchios for her claim that the Pentagon lost $21 trillion in funds, and those trillions could pay for her Medicare For All proposal. This was laughably wrong—the combined budget of the Pentagon for its entire existence doesn't break $21 trillion. The Four Pinocchios, WaPo‘s worst rating, was awarded after she doubled down and kept the false tweet up.
Round two began Wednesday when she preemptively tweeted out a rather absurd strawman attack on the idea of fact-checking along with a now-deleted tweet complaining about "overzealous fact-checking sarcasm and hyperbole."
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Planned Parenthood’s Annual Report Is Out. Here’s What You Need to Know.
Planned Parenthood quietly released its long-expected annual report covering 2017-2018 over the holiday weekend.
The document affirms the assertion of new President Leana Wen that providing and expanding access to abortion is the “core mission” of Planned Parenthood.
Planned Parenthood performed 332,757 abortions during the reported year, the most the abortion giant has reported since 2011-2012.
The liberal Left continue to push their radical agenda against American values. The good news is there is a solution. Find out more >>
In contrast, non-abortion services have declined significantly. Planned Parenthood reported a decrease in the provision of various services in 2017-2018, including:
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The document affirms the assertion of new President Leana Wen that providing and expanding access to abortion is the “core mission” of Planned Parenthood.
Planned Parenthood performed 332,757 abortions during the reported year, the most the abortion giant has reported since 2011-2012.
The liberal Left continue to push their radical agenda against American values. The good news is there is a solution. Find out more >>
In contrast, non-abortion services have declined significantly. Planned Parenthood reported a decrease in the provision of various services in 2017-2018, including:
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The "Green New Deal" Debunked - Part 2 Of 2
One of the hottest topics in policy wonk circles is the “Green New Deal,” spearheaded by the rising star of the progressive Left, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
In my previous post, I explained that the entire premise of a current New Deal—whether green, red, or blue—was flawed. Even on standard Keynesian terms, it makes no sense to embark on a $1 trillion government spending program with official unemployment below 4 percent and the Fed raising rates to rein in price inflation. Worse, historically the actual New Deal under Franklin Roosevelt prolonged the nation’s suffering, making the Great Depression linger for a decade. Finally, I pointed out that the supporters of a Green New Deal weren’t merely interested in mitigating climate change: they quite openly announce that they will use the plan as a vehicle for transforming society according to the standard progressive wish list.
In the present post, I’ll critically analyze some of the specific policy goals listed in the draft text calling for a creation of a select committee to craft a Green New Deal. The various proposals would waste enormous sums of money in pursuit of impossible goals that would raise energy prices and hurt consumers. Even if one believes that carbon dioxide emissions constitute a “negative externality,” the measures in the proposed Green New Deal would achieve emission reductions at a much higher cost than necessary. And we see once again that the progressive Left does not think a simple “price on carbon” is enough to achieve their agenda. Conservatives and libertarians should therefore be under no illusions when the idea of a “carbon tax deal” is floated.
A Carbon Tax Won’t Satisfy the Green New Dealers
Regarding this last point, consider the following excerpt from the Green New Deal draft text’s Frequently Asked Questions:
[Question:] Why do we need a sweeping Green New Deal investment program? Why can’t we just rely on regulations and taxes alone, such as a carbon tax or an eventual ban on fossil fuels?
Regulations and taxes can, indeed, change some behavior. It’s certainly possible to argue that, if we had put in place targeted regulations and progressively increasing carbon and similar taxes several decades ago, the economy could have transformed itself by now. But whether or not that is true, we did not do that, and now time has run out.
Given the magnitude of the current challenge, the tools of regulation and taxation, used in isolation, will not be enough to quickly and smoothly accomplish the transformation that we need to see.
Simply put, we don’t need to just stop doing some things we are doing (like using fossil fuels for energy needs); we also need to start doing new things (like overhauling whole industries or retrofitting all buildings to be energy efficient). Starting to do new things requires some upfront investment…
We’re not saying that there is no place for regulation and taxes (and these will continue to be important tools); we’re saying we need to add some new tools to the toolkit. [Green New Deal “draft text’]
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In my previous post, I explained that the entire premise of a current New Deal—whether green, red, or blue—was flawed. Even on standard Keynesian terms, it makes no sense to embark on a $1 trillion government spending program with official unemployment below 4 percent and the Fed raising rates to rein in price inflation. Worse, historically the actual New Deal under Franklin Roosevelt prolonged the nation’s suffering, making the Great Depression linger for a decade. Finally, I pointed out that the supporters of a Green New Deal weren’t merely interested in mitigating climate change: they quite openly announce that they will use the plan as a vehicle for transforming society according to the standard progressive wish list.
In the present post, I’ll critically analyze some of the specific policy goals listed in the draft text calling for a creation of a select committee to craft a Green New Deal. The various proposals would waste enormous sums of money in pursuit of impossible goals that would raise energy prices and hurt consumers. Even if one believes that carbon dioxide emissions constitute a “negative externality,” the measures in the proposed Green New Deal would achieve emission reductions at a much higher cost than necessary. And we see once again that the progressive Left does not think a simple “price on carbon” is enough to achieve their agenda. Conservatives and libertarians should therefore be under no illusions when the idea of a “carbon tax deal” is floated.
A Carbon Tax Won’t Satisfy the Green New Dealers
Regarding this last point, consider the following excerpt from the Green New Deal draft text’s Frequently Asked Questions:
[Question:] Why do we need a sweeping Green New Deal investment program? Why can’t we just rely on regulations and taxes alone, such as a carbon tax or an eventual ban on fossil fuels?
Regulations and taxes can, indeed, change some behavior. It’s certainly possible to argue that, if we had put in place targeted regulations and progressively increasing carbon and similar taxes several decades ago, the economy could have transformed itself by now. But whether or not that is true, we did not do that, and now time has run out.
Given the magnitude of the current challenge, the tools of regulation and taxation, used in isolation, will not be enough to quickly and smoothly accomplish the transformation that we need to see.
Simply put, we don’t need to just stop doing some things we are doing (like using fossil fuels for energy needs); we also need to start doing new things (like overhauling whole industries or retrofitting all buildings to be energy efficient). Starting to do new things requires some upfront investment…
We’re not saying that there is no place for regulation and taxes (and these will continue to be important tools); we’re saying we need to add some new tools to the toolkit. [Green New Deal “draft text’]
More
Devin Nunes: Mueller team has evidence that would be thrown out in court
Rep. Devin Nunes, the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, said Thursday that certain evidence obtained by special counsel Robert Mueller would be thrown out if ever taken to court.
During an interview on Fox News, Nunes was asked about recent leaks of Justice Department official Bruce Ohr's testimony last year before Congress.
Ohr told investigators that he acted as a back channel between certain FBI officials and Christopher Steele, the author of the Trump dossier. He also said he believes he not only briefed senior Justice Department personnel, including lawyer Zainab Ahmad and fraud unit head Andrew Weissmann who now work for Mueller, but also informed them that the information he took from Steele was likely biased and unproven.
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During an interview on Fox News, Nunes was asked about recent leaks of Justice Department official Bruce Ohr's testimony last year before Congress.
Ohr told investigators that he acted as a back channel between certain FBI officials and Christopher Steele, the author of the Trump dossier. He also said he believes he not only briefed senior Justice Department personnel, including lawyer Zainab Ahmad and fraud unit head Andrew Weissmann who now work for Mueller, but also informed them that the information he took from Steele was likely biased and unproven.
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Terry McAuliffe hints, ‘I’m going to announce,’ says Trump ‘has no moral core’
Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who is inching toward a 2020 Democratic presidential bid, launched a full frontal attack on President Trump’s leadership, blaming him for expanding racial division in America.
“He has unleashed something,” said the Democrat and close ally to both former President Clinton and his wife Hillary Rodham Clinton.
He initially joked about his 2020 plans. “I’m going to announce right here,” he said at a conference on the Trump presidency at the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics in Charlottesville, Va.
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“He has unleashed something,” said the Democrat and close ally to both former President Clinton and his wife Hillary Rodham Clinton.
He initially joked about his 2020 plans. “I’m going to announce right here,” he said at a conference on the Trump presidency at the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics in Charlottesville, Va.
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Democrats Ducking Vote on Rejecting Anti-Semitism
New class of Democrats pushing the party to fringe, anti-Semitic causes
Democratic leaders are remaining quiet about a new congressional measure that rejects anti-Semitism and chides a new class of Democratic congressional members for the open embrace of notorious anti-Semites and anti-Israel causes, according to the leading Republican author of that new measure.
Rep. Lee Zeldin (R., N.Y.), one of just two Jewish Republicans in Congress, has introduced a new congressional resolution in the House that categorically rejects anti-Semitism in all its forms and calls out some newly elected Democratic members who have ridden a popular wave into Congress on the backs of anti-Semitic leaders and causes, Zeldin told theWashington Free Beacon in a wide-ranging interview.
While a similar House resolution condemning white supremacy sailed to a nearly unanimous vote several weeks ago, Zeldin's amendment, focused directly on anti-Semitism, has put Democratic leaders in a precarious position as they are forced to reject the views of popular new freshman colleagues.
"It's up to the Democrats to decide whether or not they are actually going to confront this head on," Zeldin told the Free Beacon. "I'm wiling to work with any Democratic colleague on any idea he or she has to crush anti-Semitism in any form. But I can't do that for them."
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Democratic leaders are remaining quiet about a new congressional measure that rejects anti-Semitism and chides a new class of Democratic congressional members for the open embrace of notorious anti-Semites and anti-Israel causes, according to the leading Republican author of that new measure.
Rep. Lee Zeldin (R., N.Y.), one of just two Jewish Republicans in Congress, has introduced a new congressional resolution in the House that categorically rejects anti-Semitism in all its forms and calls out some newly elected Democratic members who have ridden a popular wave into Congress on the backs of anti-Semitic leaders and causes, Zeldin told theWashington Free Beacon in a wide-ranging interview.
While a similar House resolution condemning white supremacy sailed to a nearly unanimous vote several weeks ago, Zeldin's amendment, focused directly on anti-Semitism, has put Democratic leaders in a precarious position as they are forced to reject the views of popular new freshman colleagues.
"It's up to the Democrats to decide whether or not they are actually going to confront this head on," Zeldin told the Free Beacon. "I'm wiling to work with any Democratic colleague on any idea he or she has to crush anti-Semitism in any form. But I can't do that for them."
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California State Senate Committee Bans Saying 'He' and 'She'
Spiked Online editor Brendan O’Neill reacted to a California state Senate committee banning the words “he” and “she” during hearings and said it’s an example of political correctness run amok.
“It’s crazy. It really shows how far the politically correct lobby are willing to go in terms of policing language,” O’Neill said on “Fox & Friends” Tuesday.
“They now want to control not just hateful language and racist language, which we all agree is a bad thing, but everyday speech. ‘He’ and ‘she.’ The words that people use all the time in everyday conversation to describe men and women. They want to dig down so far into how we speak, and ultimately into how we think, that they are willing to ban the most common words in the English language.”
Democratic state Senate Judiciary Chair Hannah-Beth Jackson spoke about the change on Thursday, which affects her committee, and said it’s a matter of gender.
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“It’s crazy. It really shows how far the politically correct lobby are willing to go in terms of policing language,” O’Neill said on “Fox & Friends” Tuesday.
“They now want to control not just hateful language and racist language, which we all agree is a bad thing, but everyday speech. ‘He’ and ‘she.’ The words that people use all the time in everyday conversation to describe men and women. They want to dig down so far into how we speak, and ultimately into how we think, that they are willing to ban the most common words in the English language.”
Democratic state Senate Judiciary Chair Hannah-Beth Jackson spoke about the change on Thursday, which affects her committee, and said it’s a matter of gender.
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Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine Will Sign 'Heartbeat Bill' on Abortion
Ohio's new Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, is pledging to sign into law a bill that would make abortions illegal once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can be as early as six weeks into a pregnancy.
DeWine told radio host Hugh Hewitt he would sign the "heartbeat bill," legislation his predecessor John Kasich, also a Republican, vetoed last month before leaving office.
"Yes, absolutely," DeWine said when asked if he will sign the measure.
"We will do this. I just saw the headline, a court struck down another heartbeat bill for another state. But ultimately, Hugh, you and I both know that this thing once it's passed in Ohio . . . once it becomes law, Planned Parenthood is going to be in the next day, or that day, filing a lawsuit. But ultimately, this will work its way up to the United States Supreme Court. And they'll make that decision."
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DeWine told radio host Hugh Hewitt he would sign the "heartbeat bill," legislation his predecessor John Kasich, also a Republican, vetoed last month before leaving office.
"Yes, absolutely," DeWine said when asked if he will sign the measure.
"We will do this. I just saw the headline, a court struck down another heartbeat bill for another state. But ultimately, Hugh, you and I both know that this thing once it's passed in Ohio . . . once it becomes law, Planned Parenthood is going to be in the next day, or that day, filing a lawsuit. But ultimately, this will work its way up to the United States Supreme Court. And they'll make that decision."
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Texas Secretary of State Says 58,000 Non-Citizens Voted in Elections
The Texas secretary of state issued on Friday afternoon the results of a year-long evaluation that showed 95,000 non-U.S. citizens are registered to vote in the state and approximately 58,000 of them voted in one or more elections.
Texas Secretary of State David Whitley indicated the individuals were found over the past year by his office and the Texas Department of Public Safety in an evaluation of the voter registration rolls.
Whitley issued an advisory to county voter registrars on Friday about voter registration list maintenance activities including identifying non-U.S. citizens who are registered to vote in the state.
If a person votes in an election knowing he or she is not eligible to vote it is a second-degree felony in Texas.
More here
Texas Secretary of State David Whitley indicated the individuals were found over the past year by his office and the Texas Department of Public Safety in an evaluation of the voter registration rolls.
Whitley issued an advisory to county voter registrars on Friday about voter registration list maintenance activities including identifying non-U.S. citizens who are registered to vote in the state.
If a person votes in an election knowing he or she is not eligible to vote it is a second-degree felony in Texas.
More here
Microsoft Teams with Establishment ‘NewsGuard’ to Create News Blacklist
Without consulting with its users, Microsoft has installed an establishment media browser extension, purportedly designed to rate the accuracy of news websites, as a default extension on mobile versions of its Edge browser. In practice, it creates a news blacklist by warning users away from sites including Breitbart News, The Drudge Report, and the Daily Mail.
The browser extension, called “Newsguard,” presents users with a red warning label if they navigate to a website that it judges to be unreliable. A “green” rating is given to websites that NewsGuard considers trustworthy.
A number of pro-Trump websites, including Breitbart News, are given a “red” rating by the extension.
The website of the conservative-leaning British newspaper The Daily Mail, which has the third-highest circulation in the U.K., is also given a “red” rating. Newsguard says the site “fails to maintain basic standards of accuracy and accountability.”
WikiLeaks, which has never had to retract a story due to false or misleading information, is also given a “red” rating.
Among the websites given a “green” rating is BuzzFeed, which was recently humiliated for publishing alleged details about the ongoing Mueller investigation that were contradicted by the special prosecutor himself. BuzzFeed did not retract the story, and even led with it on its front page … after Mueller contradicted it.
But in Newsguard’s view, BuzzFeed “regularly corrects or clarifies errors.”
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The browser extension, called “Newsguard,” presents users with a red warning label if they navigate to a website that it judges to be unreliable. A “green” rating is given to websites that NewsGuard considers trustworthy.
A number of pro-Trump websites, including Breitbart News, are given a “red” rating by the extension.
The website of the conservative-leaning British newspaper The Daily Mail, which has the third-highest circulation in the U.K., is also given a “red” rating. Newsguard says the site “fails to maintain basic standards of accuracy and accountability.”
WikiLeaks, which has never had to retract a story due to false or misleading information, is also given a “red” rating.
Among the websites given a “green” rating is BuzzFeed, which was recently humiliated for publishing alleged details about the ongoing Mueller investigation that were contradicted by the special prosecutor himself. BuzzFeed did not retract the story, and even led with it on its front page … after Mueller contradicted it.
But in Newsguard’s view, BuzzFeed “regularly corrects or clarifies errors.”
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Naked man arrested in Ocean City
A 65-year-old man accused of exposing himself in broad daylight was arrested on Jan. 14 in connection with disorderly conduct, according to an arrest report from the District Court of Maryland for Worcester County.
Willard Louis Sharp, Jr., of Ocean City, was charged with disorderly conduct, indecent exposure, and littering or dumping under 100 pounds, according to the report.
An employee at OC Massage told police there was a man was outside acting erratic who took off his clothes and was sitting in front of the Pho Starr restaurant. Police responded just before noon to the area of 11805 Coastal Highway.
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Willard Louis Sharp, Jr., of Ocean City, was charged with disorderly conduct, indecent exposure, and littering or dumping under 100 pounds, according to the report.
An employee at OC Massage told police there was a man was outside acting erratic who took off his clothes and was sitting in front of the Pho Starr restaurant. Police responded just before noon to the area of 11805 Coastal Highway.
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China, Russia Building Super-EMP Bombs for ‘Blackout Warfare’
Several nations, including China and Russia, are building powerful nuclear bombs designed to produce super-electromagnetic pulse (EMP) waves capable of devastating all electronics—from computers to electric grids—for hundreds of miles, according to a newly-released congressional study.
A report by the now-defunct Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from EMP Attack, for the first time reveals details on how nuclear EMP weapons are integrated into the military doctrines of China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.
The report discloses how those states could use EMP attacks in theaters of battle in the Middle East, Far East, Europe, and North America.
"Nuclear EMP attack is part of the military doctrines, plans, and exercises of Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran for a revolutionary new way of warfare against military forces and civilian critical infrastructures by cyber, sabotage, and EMP," the report states.
"This new way of warfare is called many things by many nations: In Russia, China, and Iran it is called Sixth Generation Warfare, Non-Contact Warfare, Electronic Warfare, Total Information Warfare, and Cyber Warfare."
Nuclear-electronic warfare also is called "Blackout War" because of its effects on all electronic devices.
EMP attacks will be carried out at such high altitudes they will produce no blast or other immediate effects harmful to humans. Instead, three types of EMP waves in seconds damage electronics and the strikes are regarded by adversaries as not an act of nuclear war.
"Potential adversaries understand that millions could die from the long-term collateral effects of EMP and cyber-attacks that cause protracted black-out of national electric grids and other life-sustaining critical infrastructures," the report said.
More here
A report by the now-defunct Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from EMP Attack, for the first time reveals details on how nuclear EMP weapons are integrated into the military doctrines of China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.
The report discloses how those states could use EMP attacks in theaters of battle in the Middle East, Far East, Europe, and North America.
"Nuclear EMP attack is part of the military doctrines, plans, and exercises of Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran for a revolutionary new way of warfare against military forces and civilian critical infrastructures by cyber, sabotage, and EMP," the report states.
"This new way of warfare is called many things by many nations: In Russia, China, and Iran it is called Sixth Generation Warfare, Non-Contact Warfare, Electronic Warfare, Total Information Warfare, and Cyber Warfare."
Nuclear-electronic warfare also is called "Blackout War" because of its effects on all electronic devices.
EMP attacks will be carried out at such high altitudes they will produce no blast or other immediate effects harmful to humans. Instead, three types of EMP waves in seconds damage electronics and the strikes are regarded by adversaries as not an act of nuclear war.
"Potential adversaries understand that millions could die from the long-term collateral effects of EMP and cyber-attacks that cause protracted black-out of national electric grids and other life-sustaining critical infrastructures," the report said.
More here
Facebook Slides After Report Claims 50% Of Its Users Are Fake
As bad as things have been for Facebook since the Cambridge Analytica scandal broke one year ago, one team of researchers, led by a former peer of Mark Zuckerberg at Harvard who created one of the original Facebook prototypes, thinks the reality of the company's circumstances is even more dire than investors realize.
In a report published Thursday by PlainSite, an independent research shop led by Aaron Greenspan, analysts calculated that Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been regularly lying to investors and the public about the company's user metrics, and that the company could be overestimating the number of users by as much as 50%.
The team detailed their findings in a 70-page report published on their website.
Facebook has been lying to the public about the scale of its problem with fake accounts, which likely exceed 50% of its network. Its official metrics—many of which it has stopped reporting quarterly—are self-contradictory and even farcical. The company has lost control of its own product.
Ultimately, this is just the latest sign that Facebook - formerly one of the world's most successful companies - is doomed to go the way of CompuServe and AOL.
PlainSite is a project launched by the Think Computer Corporation and Think Computer Foundation which aims to make "data accessible to the public free of charge” and "lets ordinary citizens impact the law- making process," according to Bloomberg. Aaron Greenspan recently told his story about how he fit into the history of Facebook's founding at Harvard on a podcast.
Facebook's fraudulent numbers hurt its customers (advertisers) by overstating the effectiveness of Facebook's product, the company said.
Fake accounts affect Facebook at its core in numerous ways:
Its customers purchase advertising on Facebook based on the fact that it can supposedly target advertisements at more than 2 billion real human beings. To the extent that users aren’t real, companies are throwing their money down the drain.
Fake accounts click on advertising at random, or “like” pages, to throw off antifraud algorithms. Fake accounts look real if they do not follow a clear pattern. This kind of activity defrauds advertisers, but rewards Facebook with revenue.
Fake accounts often defraud other users on Facebook, through scams, fake news, extortion, and other forms of deception. Often, they can involve governments.
In a report published Thursday by PlainSite, an independent research shop led by Aaron Greenspan, analysts calculated that Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been regularly lying to investors and the public about the company's user metrics, and that the company could be overestimating the number of users by as much as 50%.
The team detailed their findings in a 70-page report published on their website.
Facebook has been lying to the public about the scale of its problem with fake accounts, which likely exceed 50% of its network. Its official metrics—many of which it has stopped reporting quarterly—are self-contradictory and even farcical. The company has lost control of its own product.
Ultimately, this is just the latest sign that Facebook - formerly one of the world's most successful companies - is doomed to go the way of CompuServe and AOL.
PlainSite is a project launched by the Think Computer Corporation and Think Computer Foundation which aims to make "data accessible to the public free of charge” and "lets ordinary citizens impact the law- making process," according to Bloomberg. Aaron Greenspan recently told his story about how he fit into the history of Facebook's founding at Harvard on a podcast.
Facebook's fraudulent numbers hurt its customers (advertisers) by overstating the effectiveness of Facebook's product, the company said.
Fake accounts affect Facebook at its core in numerous ways:
Its customers purchase advertising on Facebook based on the fact that it can supposedly target advertisements at more than 2 billion real human beings. To the extent that users aren’t real, companies are throwing their money down the drain.
Fake accounts click on advertising at random, or “like” pages, to throw off antifraud algorithms. Fake accounts look real if they do not follow a clear pattern. This kind of activity defrauds advertisers, but rewards Facebook with revenue.
Fake accounts often defraud other users on Facebook, through scams, fake news, extortion, and other forms of deception. Often, they can involve governments.
Hogan-Rutherford Administration Awards Wicomico County $972,684 to Repurpose the Poplar Hill Facility to Help Those Battling Addiction
(Salisbury, MD) On January 15, 2019, the Hogan-Rutherford Administration awarded Wicomico County with $972,684 to repurpose the Poplar Hill Facility for substance use disorder treatment and recovery on the Eastern Shore. The Poplar Hill Project will serve the eight lower counties of Maryland by providing 24/7 addiction services, including medication withdrawal management, residential treatment and recovery, and vocational support. Utilizing a regional approach, Poplar Hill will provide services to those seeking treatment on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, whose overdose fatalities totaled 105 lives lost in 2017. Poplar Hill will serve as a beacon of hope in our community to those who are looking to start their journey of recovery.
The additional treatment beds are projected to reduce or eliminate long waiting lists, and the 24-hour services would allow individuals with a substance use disorder to seek treatment when they are ready, versus being put on a waiting list and returning to an environment that may not nurture the desire for treatment. Additionally, the recovery housing and vocational services offered will empower individuals to live successful lives upon discharge, with the goal of decreasing recidivism. The availability of treatment is of utmost importance in the fight against this public health emergency and this center would serve as the only 24/7 accessible treatment facility, outside of a local Emergency Room, for the estimated 352,000 people in this service area.
Drug and Alcohol Related Intoxication Deaths occurring in Maryland have continued to rise over the last decade, with 2,282 Marylanders losing their lives in 2017. Although there is not a single solution to combating this crisis, additional treatment options for those battling addiction, such as this project, could greatly improve outcomes, and ideally, reduce overdose deaths on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
If you would like more information regarding the Poplar Hill Project please contact, Jennifer Johnson at 410-251-5379.Additionally, if you or someone you love is struggling with a substance use disorder, you can find help at BeforeItsTooLateMD.org or by calling 211 and pressing 1. You can also contact the Community Outreach Addiction Team (COAT) at 443-783-6875.
The additional treatment beds are projected to reduce or eliminate long waiting lists, and the 24-hour services would allow individuals with a substance use disorder to seek treatment when they are ready, versus being put on a waiting list and returning to an environment that may not nurture the desire for treatment. Additionally, the recovery housing and vocational services offered will empower individuals to live successful lives upon discharge, with the goal of decreasing recidivism. The availability of treatment is of utmost importance in the fight against this public health emergency and this center would serve as the only 24/7 accessible treatment facility, outside of a local Emergency Room, for the estimated 352,000 people in this service area.
Drug and Alcohol Related Intoxication Deaths occurring in Maryland have continued to rise over the last decade, with 2,282 Marylanders losing their lives in 2017. Although there is not a single solution to combating this crisis, additional treatment options for those battling addiction, such as this project, could greatly improve outcomes, and ideally, reduce overdose deaths on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
If you would like more information regarding the Poplar Hill Project please contact, Jennifer Johnson at 410-251-5379.Additionally, if you or someone you love is struggling with a substance use disorder, you can find help at BeforeItsTooLateMD.org or by calling 211 and pressing 1. You can also contact the Community Outreach Addiction Team (COAT) at 443-783-6875.
Paradise Lost In America's 'Post-National' World
The Citizen In A Democratic Empire
When most people think of citizenship, they think of their nation’s constitution or the rights guaranteed to them in the law.They will think of their obligations to their country, like paying taxes, obeying the law and defending the nation. In the West, a citizen is pretty much as the dictionary defines it, “a native or naturalized person who owes allegiance to a government and is entitled to protection from it.” It is a reciprocal set of obligations in the law, animated by a sense of duty by both the rulers and the ruled.
Additionally, at least in America, citizenship comes with a belief in equality between the people and the office holders. Every American grows up hearing that anyone can be President. The House of Representatives is known as the people’s house, because it was designed to not only represent the people, but be populated by representatives from the people. In other words, the citizens are ruled by their fellow citizens, not strangers or hired men paid by strangers. You can only be a citizen in your nation.
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When most people think of citizenship, they think of their nation’s constitution or the rights guaranteed to them in the law.They will think of their obligations to their country, like paying taxes, obeying the law and defending the nation. In the West, a citizen is pretty much as the dictionary defines it, “a native or naturalized person who owes allegiance to a government and is entitled to protection from it.” It is a reciprocal set of obligations in the law, animated by a sense of duty by both the rulers and the ruled.
Additionally, at least in America, citizenship comes with a belief in equality between the people and the office holders. Every American grows up hearing that anyone can be President. The House of Representatives is known as the people’s house, because it was designed to not only represent the people, but be populated by representatives from the people. In other words, the citizens are ruled by their fellow citizens, not strangers or hired men paid by strangers. You can only be a citizen in your nation.
More