Since the 2016 election, left-leaning tech platforms have been caught censoring, mocking, or otherwise limiting the reach of conservatives.
More
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Tuesday, March 19, 2019
Trump Vows To Investigate Facebook
Scavino - who manages several of the president's and White House's social media accounts, reported being blocked from responding to someone's question over the social media platform - asked Facebook "WHY ARE YOU STOPPING ME from replying to comments followers have left me - on my own Facebook Page!!??"
President Trump renewed his criticism of Silicon Valley tech giants on Tuesday, calling Facebook, Google and Twitter "on the side of the Radical Left Democrats."
Since the 2016 election, left-leaning tech platforms have been caught censoring, mocking, or otherwise limiting the reach of conservatives.
More
Since the 2016 election, left-leaning tech platforms have been caught censoring, mocking, or otherwise limiting the reach of conservatives.
More
Border Patrol catches two deported sex offenders crossing into Arizona
U.S. Border Patrol agents on Tuesday caught two illegal immigrants with criminal convictions as they crossed into Arizona from Mexico.
One man, 35-year-old Santos Avila Rosales of Honduras, was convicted of child molestation in Louisiana in 2011, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The other, 46-year-old Arturo Benjamin Avila Torres, is a two-time convicted felon who was deported after his crimes in California. He was convicted in 1993 for assault with a firearm and again in 1998 for "lascivious acts with a minor under 14."
More
One man, 35-year-old Santos Avila Rosales of Honduras, was convicted of child molestation in Louisiana in 2011, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The other, 46-year-old Arturo Benjamin Avila Torres, is a two-time convicted felon who was deported after his crimes in California. He was convicted in 1993 for assault with a firearm and again in 1998 for "lascivious acts with a minor under 14."
More
Md. legislators approve overhaul to human trafficking laws
ANNAPOLIS — Human trafficking moved one step closer to officially being recognized as a “crime of violence” in Maryland.
On Friday, the House of Delegates fell quiet as the electric board used to tally votes lit up with a wave of green “yes” votes, then broke into applause as a bill put in by freshman Del. Jesse Pippy (R-Frederick and Carroll) passed unanimously, 136-0.
In an overhaul of the state’s human trafficking laws, Maryland state’s attorneys are expected to more easily and clearly prosecute individuals who force, threaten, coerce or defraud people into prostitution, forced marriage or other sexual acts. The bill also takes away a defense that allows people to assert that they didn’t know a minor’s age when they trafficked them.
More
On Friday, the House of Delegates fell quiet as the electric board used to tally votes lit up with a wave of green “yes” votes, then broke into applause as a bill put in by freshman Del. Jesse Pippy (R-Frederick and Carroll) passed unanimously, 136-0.
In an overhaul of the state’s human trafficking laws, Maryland state’s attorneys are expected to more easily and clearly prosecute individuals who force, threaten, coerce or defraud people into prostitution, forced marriage or other sexual acts. The bill also takes away a defense that allows people to assert that they didn’t know a minor’s age when they trafficked them.
More
VIDEO: We Build The Wall ‘MAGA All-Stars’ Town Hall – Cincinnati
Our advisory board members held a town hall in Cincinnati, Ohio last week. Speaking at the event were Brian Kolfage, Steve Bannon, Kris Kobach, Sheriff David Clarke, Brandon Darby, Tom Tancredo, and Angel Parents Mary Ann Mendoza & Steve Ronnebeck.
In the clip below, Kolfage tells how the wall campaign started & how it affected the decision-making of those on Capitol Hill. Darby & Bannon speak about Mexico being a failed narco-state, Clarke talks about sanctuary cities, and Tancredo explains why both major political parties have allowed illegal immigration to continue unabated.
More/Watch Video
Manchin questions impact of transgender rights bill on local schools
A key Democrat announced Monday he opposes legislation to add sexual orientation and gender identity as protected categories under the Civil Rights Act.
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said that West Virginia officials have warned him away from backing the bill, the Equality Act, which would appear to allow students the right to use bathroom facilities and locker rooms based on their gender identity.
"I am not convinced that the Equality Act as written provides sufficient guidance to the local officials who will be responsible for implementing it, particularly with respect to students transitioning between genders in public schools,” Manchin said in a statement.
More
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said that West Virginia officials have warned him away from backing the bill, the Equality Act, which would appear to allow students the right to use bathroom facilities and locker rooms based on their gender identity.
"I am not convinced that the Equality Act as written provides sufficient guidance to the local officials who will be responsible for implementing it, particularly with respect to students transitioning between genders in public schools,” Manchin said in a statement.
More
Pentagon finds $12.8 billion for Trump's border wall
The Defense Department has identified $12.8 billion in possible funding that it could use to fulfill President Trump's call for a border wall.
Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., released the 20-page spreadsheet on Twitter Monday night.
Trump last month declared a national emergency at the border, and said he wants to use $3.6 billion for border wall projects. The Pentagon's list said it has found possible funding sources that are "in excess of the amount needed."
But it's not clear which projects the Defense Department will draw from. Some states that have been allocated big chunks of money that haven't been spent could see a hit.
More
Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., released the 20-page spreadsheet on Twitter Monday night.
Trump last month declared a national emergency at the border, and said he wants to use $3.6 billion for border wall projects. The Pentagon's list said it has found possible funding sources that are "in excess of the amount needed."
But it's not clear which projects the Defense Department will draw from. Some states that have been allocated big chunks of money that haven't been spent could see a hit.
More
Maryland Lawmakers Choose Planned Parenthood over Federal Family Planning Dollars
Maryland may become the first state to retaliate against a new Trump administration rule governing family planning by ending the state’s participation in the federal grant program known as Title X.
Maryland lawmakers in the state House passed a bill Saturday that would allow the state to refuse federal family planning funds and, instead, fund its own family planning program that props up Planned Parenthood and other abortion vendors that provide and refer for abortions.
According to the Baltimore Sun, if the state’s health department does not accept federal family planning dollars, the state would have to fund its own program at the same level as the previous fiscal year.
More
Maryland lawmakers in the state House passed a bill Saturday that would allow the state to refuse federal family planning funds and, instead, fund its own family planning program that props up Planned Parenthood and other abortion vendors that provide and refer for abortions.
According to the Baltimore Sun, if the state’s health department does not accept federal family planning dollars, the state would have to fund its own program at the same level as the previous fiscal year.
More
Ice Cream Or Italian Ice? DQ, Rita’s Give Away Freebies On First Day Of Spring
(CBS Local ) — Need another reason to be excited for spring’s arrival?
Both Dairy Queen and Rita’s Italian Ice are celebrating the first day of spring on Wednesday, March 20 with some freebies.
Dairy Queen will be giving away a free small vanilla cone all day long at participating locations.
Find your closest Dairy Queen location here: dairyqueen.com/us-en/locator/
More
Both Dairy Queen and Rita’s Italian Ice are celebrating the first day of spring on Wednesday, March 20 with some freebies.
Dairy Queen will be giving away a free small vanilla cone all day long at participating locations.
Find your closest Dairy Queen location here: dairyqueen.com/us-en/locator/
More
Church Sues Washington State for Forcing It to Pay for Abortion Coverage
A church is suing the state of Washington over a law forcing the church to pay for abortion coverage as part of the employee health plan it offers.
Cedar Park Church, a family of churches across the Evergreen State that also operates Christian schools, purchased group health insurance for its employees in keeping with its moral and legal obligations. Under SB 6219, a state law passed last year, any group health plan that includes maternity coverage, as Cedar Park’s does, must also include abortion coverage. The penalties for noncompliance include fines and imprisonment.
On Friday, the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), an Arizona-based nonprofit legal organization, filed suit on behalf of Cedar Park in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. The lawsuit challenges both the constitutionality and the legality of SB 6219.
More
Cedar Park Church, a family of churches across the Evergreen State that also operates Christian schools, purchased group health insurance for its employees in keeping with its moral and legal obligations. Under SB 6219, a state law passed last year, any group health plan that includes maternity coverage, as Cedar Park’s does, must also include abortion coverage. The penalties for noncompliance include fines and imprisonment.
On Friday, the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), an Arizona-based nonprofit legal organization, filed suit on behalf of Cedar Park in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. The lawsuit challenges both the constitutionality and the legality of SB 6219.
More
NEWS IN NUMBERS
22
MARCH 15, 2019
States in the U.S. Climate Alliance, a group committed to upholding the 2015 Paris Agreement to combat climate change. President Trump pulled America out of the agreement, making it one of the world's only countries not participating. Nevada is the latest to join.
24 hours
MARCH 14, 2019
Cooling-off period that a Georgia lawmaker proposes before men can buy pornography. Rep. Dar'shun Kendrick's "Testicular Bill of Rights" -- which is a response to a "heartbeat" bill moving through the legislature that would ban abortions often before women first realize they're pregnant -- would ban vasectomies, classify sex without a condom as aggravated assault, require men to pay child support during pregnancy and require men to get their partner's consent to buy Viagra.
14 years old
MARCH 13, 2019
Age that teens in New York would be able to get vaccines without their parents' consent under a proposed bill. Seven states, plus the District of Columbia, don't require minors to have parents' permission. The state of New York is currently facing a measles outbreak.
Supreme Court sides with Trump on detention of immigrants
The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled in favor of the Trump administration by deciding federal officials can detain immigrants at any time for possible deportation after they have served their time in the U.S. for other crimes.
The 5-4 decision reversed the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which said officials have to detain these immigrants immediately or they are exempt from ever being detained.
Justice Samuel Alito delivered the majority opinion for the court, and he was joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh. Justices Steven Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan dissented.
More
The 5-4 decision reversed the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which said officials have to detain these immigrants immediately or they are exempt from ever being detained.
Justice Samuel Alito delivered the majority opinion for the court, and he was joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh. Justices Steven Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan dissented.
More
ALUMINUM CANS ARE PILING UP IN LANDFILLS BECAUSE NOBODY WANTS TO PAY TO RECYCLE THEM
Used aluminum cans are piling up in scrap yards as the market for aluminum recyclables shrinks in size and profitability, The Wall Street Journal reports.
The price for used aluminum cans tanked 30 percent since the summer of 2018. Aluminum rollers are cutting recycled aluminum from cans out of their business models to prioritize more profitable areas of business.
Old aluminum cans are limited in what aluminum products they can be used in. Car and airplane manufacturers tend to stay away from using aluminum made from recycled cans. Aluminum producers are turning away from the used can market despite facing social pressure to embrace recycling, WSJ reports.
The slowdown in recycling aluminum cans comes amid a downturn the recycling market more broadly. Chinese tariffs and increased standards in recyclables’ purity have tanked the price of scrap paper and used plastic in the U.S.
More
The price for used aluminum cans tanked 30 percent since the summer of 2018. Aluminum rollers are cutting recycled aluminum from cans out of their business models to prioritize more profitable areas of business.
Old aluminum cans are limited in what aluminum products they can be used in. Car and airplane manufacturers tend to stay away from using aluminum made from recycled cans. Aluminum producers are turning away from the used can market despite facing social pressure to embrace recycling, WSJ reports.
The slowdown in recycling aluminum cans comes amid a downturn the recycling market more broadly. Chinese tariffs and increased standards in recyclables’ purity have tanked the price of scrap paper and used plastic in the U.S.
More
120 people killed, 140 homes destroyed by Nigeria Fulani since February
At least 120 people have been killed by alleged Fulani militant attacks since February in the Kaduna state of Nigeria with the latest attacks on Monday resulting in the deaths of over 50 and the destruction of more than 140 homes.
The governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai, imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew this week in the troubled Kajuru Local Government Area as thousands have been displaced from their homes by violence caused by militant Fulani herdsmen.
The curfew comes as there have been a string of recent attacks against communities within the predominantly Christian Adara chiefdom of southern Kaduna.
On Monday, 52 people were killed, dozens injured and around 143 homes were destroyed in attacks on the villages of Inkirimi, Dogonnoma and Ungwan Gora in the Maro district of the Kajuru Local Government Area, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
More
The governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai, imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew this week in the troubled Kajuru Local Government Area as thousands have been displaced from their homes by violence caused by militant Fulani herdsmen.
The curfew comes as there have been a string of recent attacks against communities within the predominantly Christian Adara chiefdom of southern Kaduna.
On Monday, 52 people were killed, dozens injured and around 143 homes were destroyed in attacks on the villages of Inkirimi, Dogonnoma and Ungwan Gora in the Maro district of the Kajuru Local Government Area, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
More
OCASIO-CORTEZ QUIETLY REMOVED FROM BOARD OF PAC SHE AND TOP AIDE CONTROLLED
Democratic Rep. Alexandria-Ocasio Cortez and her top aide are no longer board members of the outside PAC credited with orchestrating her political rise, according to a corporate document filed Friday to a Washington, D.C., agency.
The New York Democrat and her chief of staff, Saikat Chakrabarti, who served as her campaign chair, joined the board of Justice Democrats in December 2017, according to the political action committee’s website. It also said the two held “legal control over the entity” at the same time it was playing a key role in supporting Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign prior to her shock victory over incumbent Democratic Rep. Joe Crowley in June 2018.
Attorneys for Ocasio-Cortez said she was removed from Justice Democrats’ board in June 2018, but she was listed an “entity governor” of the PAC as recently as March 14, according to corporate filings, The Daily Caller News Foundation previously reported.
More
The New York Democrat and her chief of staff, Saikat Chakrabarti, who served as her campaign chair, joined the board of Justice Democrats in December 2017, according to the political action committee’s website. It also said the two held “legal control over the entity” at the same time it was playing a key role in supporting Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign prior to her shock victory over incumbent Democratic Rep. Joe Crowley in June 2018.
Attorneys for Ocasio-Cortez said she was removed from Justice Democrats’ board in June 2018, but she was listed an “entity governor” of the PAC as recently as March 14, according to corporate filings, The Daily Caller News Foundation previously reported.
More
Nunes sues Twitter, some users, seeks over $250M alleging anti-conservative 'shadow bans,' smears
California GOP Rep. Devin Nunes filed a major lawsuit seeking $250 million in compensatory damages and $350,000 in punitive damages against Twitter and a handful of its users on Monday, accusing the social media site of "shadow-banning conservatives" including himself to influence the 2018 elections, systematically censoring opposing viewpoints and totally "ignoring" lawful complaints of repeated abusive behavior.
In a complaint filed in Virginia state court on Monday, obtained by Fox News, Nunes claimed Twitter wanted to derail his work on the House Intelligence Committee, which he chaired until 2019, as he looked into alleged and apparent surveillance abuses by the government. Nunes said Twitter was guilty of "knowingly hosting and monetizing content that is clearly abusive, hateful and defamatory – providing both a voice and financial incentive to the defamers – thereby facilitating defamation on its platform."
The lawsuit alleged defamation, conspiracy and negligence, and sought not only damages, but also an injunction compelling Twitter to turn over the identities behind numerous accounts he said harassed and defamed him. The lawsuit is separate from Nunes' work on the House Intelligence Committee, where he is now the ranking member.
More
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/nunes-files-bombshell-defamation-suit-against-twitter-seeks-250m-for-anti-conservative-shadow-bans-smears
In a complaint filed in Virginia state court on Monday, obtained by Fox News, Nunes claimed Twitter wanted to derail his work on the House Intelligence Committee, which he chaired until 2019, as he looked into alleged and apparent surveillance abuses by the government. Nunes said Twitter was guilty of "knowingly hosting and monetizing content that is clearly abusive, hateful and defamatory – providing both a voice and financial incentive to the defamers – thereby facilitating defamation on its platform."
The lawsuit alleged defamation, conspiracy and negligence, and sought not only damages, but also an injunction compelling Twitter to turn over the identities behind numerous accounts he said harassed and defamed him. The lawsuit is separate from Nunes' work on the House Intelligence Committee, where he is now the ranking member.
More
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/nunes-files-bombshell-defamation-suit-against-twitter-seeks-250m-for-anti-conservative-shadow-bans-smears
Maryland Democratic Party Criticizes Governor Larry Hogan’s Derogatory Comments
In addition to policies that directly undermined Civil Rights, Ronald Reagan infamously used derogatory terms like “welfare queen” to play on racist imagery and stereotypes in order to draw support for his political platforms. There is a troubling parallel between Reagan and Hogan’s political rhetoric, as demonstrated by Hogan’s comments yesterday when he criticized the Democratic-controlled legislature, saying it “seems to be the most pro-criminal group of legislators I’ve ever seen.” Yet this is not new for Larry Hogan. From killing Baltimore’s Red Line to his war on public education, Hogan has channeled Reagan in both rhetoric and deed by his track record of public hostility toward underserved communities.
Hogan’s comments yesterday were insensitive and irresponsible, and like Reagan’s derogatory comments before him, will only exacerbate negative stereotypes, divide Marylanders, and contribute to a more toxic political culture. The Maryland Democratic Party is calling on Larry Hogan to apologize for his comments.
71 percent of Americans think economy is doing well, poll says
A newly released poll shows nearly two-thirds of Americans say the economy is in good shape and and a slim majority say President Trump should get credit for it.
Seventy-one percent of respondents approve of the economy, the strongest showing since 2001, according to CNN.
A majority, 51 percent, of people surveyed also said they approve of Trump's handling of the economy. The results additionally pegged Trump’s overall approval rating at 42 percent, while 51 percent of respondents disapproved.
The survey, which was conducted by SSRS and ran Thursday through Sunday, asked half of participants surveyed whether they approved or disapproved of the way Trump was handling various hot-button issues. The poll has been keeping track of some of these issues since around the time Trump took office.
More
Seventy-one percent of respondents approve of the economy, the strongest showing since 2001, according to CNN.
A majority, 51 percent, of people surveyed also said they approve of Trump's handling of the economy. The results additionally pegged Trump’s overall approval rating at 42 percent, while 51 percent of respondents disapproved.
The survey, which was conducted by SSRS and ran Thursday through Sunday, asked half of participants surveyed whether they approved or disapproved of the way Trump was handling various hot-button issues. The poll has been keeping track of some of these issues since around the time Trump took office.
More
WICOMICO COUNTY PROVIDING FREE NALOXONE TRAININGS
Throughout Maryland the opioid epidemic continues to claim lives, and locally 30 lives have been claimed in Wicomico County since September 2018. In an effort to address the local opioid epidemic, County Executive Bob Culver has encouraged all full-time Wicomico County employees to be trained on administering naloxone (brand name Narcan®), which is a medication that reverses opioid overdoses. “By encouraging county employees to attend a naloxone training, we are ensuring more individuals will be prepared and equipped to save a life should they witness and overdose situation”, says Culver.
Since the start of the Opioid Response Program in 2015, nearly 3,300 Wicomico County residents have been trained to administer naloxone; roughly 1,000 residents were trained during Fiscal Year 2018 (July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018) and 781 more since July 2018. The Wicomico County Opioid Coordinator, Christina Bowie-Simpson, continues to provide free naloxone trainings to the public as well as Wicomico County employees. Individuals who attend naloxone classes are not only taught how to administer the life-saving medication, but they are also provided with a naloxone kit for their personal use should they encounter an opioid overdose in the community. The training also provides additional information about the Good Samaritan Law, which provides protection from arrest for certain crimes if the individual calls 911 in an overdose emergency situation.
Naloxone trainings are held every second Tuesday of each month at the Wicomico County Public Library in Downtown Salisbury from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the lower level meeting rooms. In addition to these trainings, community members can contact the Wicomico County Health Department to schedule a free training at their agency or business. For more information or to schedule naloxone training, contact Christina Bowie-Simpson at (410) 219-3956.
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 or contacting the Community Outreach Addictions Team (COAT) at 443-783-6875. For more information on the community efforts to fight the opioid epidemic, contact the Wicomico County Health Department at 410-219-3956, visit our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter @WicomicoHealth.
Since the start of the Opioid Response Program in 2015, nearly 3,300 Wicomico County residents have been trained to administer naloxone; roughly 1,000 residents were trained during Fiscal Year 2018 (July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018) and 781 more since July 2018. The Wicomico County Opioid Coordinator, Christina Bowie-Simpson, continues to provide free naloxone trainings to the public as well as Wicomico County employees. Individuals who attend naloxone classes are not only taught how to administer the life-saving medication, but they are also provided with a naloxone kit for their personal use should they encounter an opioid overdose in the community. The training also provides additional information about the Good Samaritan Law, which provides protection from arrest for certain crimes if the individual calls 911 in an overdose emergency situation.
Naloxone trainings are held every second Tuesday of each month at the Wicomico County Public Library in Downtown Salisbury from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the lower level meeting rooms. In addition to these trainings, community members can contact the Wicomico County Health Department to schedule a free training at their agency or business. For more information or to schedule naloxone training, contact Christina Bowie-Simpson at (410) 219-3956.
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 or contacting the Community Outreach Addictions Team (COAT) at 443-783-6875. For more information on the community efforts to fight the opioid epidemic, contact the Wicomico County Health Department at 410-219-3956, visit our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter @WicomicoHealth.
Dozens Charged in Police Academy Admissions Scandal
Washington, D.C. – Federal prosecutors have announced the impending conclusion to an investigation well underway for more than 14 months that has uncovered a scam to gain admissions into the nation’s most prestigious police academies. The operation, headed by the FBI, was code-named “Bakers Dozen” and has now successfully brought evidence forward of the acceptance of less than qualified recruits in exchange for free pastries.
The academies involved read like a star studded Oscar nominations list: NYPD, LAPD, Boston PD, Las Vegas Metro, Texas DPS-Rangers Division and Michigan State Police just to name a few institutions to have been named thus far while others are still being held close to the chest by investigators.
But it’s not just these beloved historic police academies that are involved as it always takes two to tango. At the heart of the scam are some of the owners and higher executives at prominent donut chain locations such as Dunkin’ Donuts, Krispy Kreme and even Canadian based Tim Hortons. BNN attempted to obtain a statement from George Price Cooper IV (CFO and Executive VP at Krispy Kreme) as he was visiting a location near the Capitol building but employees shut the “hot now” sign off and locked the doors.
More Satire HERE
The academies involved read like a star studded Oscar nominations list: NYPD, LAPD, Boston PD, Las Vegas Metro, Texas DPS-Rangers Division and Michigan State Police just to name a few institutions to have been named thus far while others are still being held close to the chest by investigators.
But it’s not just these beloved historic police academies that are involved as it always takes two to tango. At the heart of the scam are some of the owners and higher executives at prominent donut chain locations such as Dunkin’ Donuts, Krispy Kreme and even Canadian based Tim Hortons. BNN attempted to obtain a statement from George Price Cooper IV (CFO and Executive VP at Krispy Kreme) as he was visiting a location near the Capitol building but employees shut the “hot now” sign off and locked the doors.
More Satire HERE
FRESHMAN REPUBLICAN SENATOR WANTS TO GET CONGRESS OUT OF A RUT BY TAKING AWAY A PRIZED CASH COW
- Freshman Sens. Rick Scott of Florida and Mike Braun of Indiana are the cosponsors of the Banning Lobbying and Safeguarding Trust (BLAST) Act.
- Scott and Braun want to put an end to lawmakers stepping into the so-called “revolving door of K Street” — using their connections to become well-heeled lobbyists once they are out of office.
- “I think that here you’d attract better people if you didn’t have them make a career out of it,” Braun told The Daily Caller News Foundation.
Republican Indiana Sen. Mike Braun, co-sponsor of a recently introduced bill banning ex-congressmen from lobbying Congress, said his bill would help get Congress out of a “rut” — but he’s not expecting the legislation to gain traction anytime soon.
“I think that here you’d attract better people if you didn’t have them make a career out of it,” Braun told The Daily Caller News Foundation. “But so many incentives are put in place with pensions, the ability after you’re done to become a lobbyist, so you do nestle in, and then you start maybe not making the right long-term decisions. You basically make a decision: what will be best for me to nestle in further, be around here longer.”
More
The U.S. has 1 million more job openings than unemployed workers
U.S. employers posted nearly 7.6 million open jobs in January, near a record high set in November, a sign that businesses are still hungry for workers despite evidence the economy has slowed. There are now about 1 million more open jobs than unemployed workers.
The Labor Department said Friday that hiring also rose and the number of people quitting their jobs picked up. Quits are a sign of a healthy economy, because people typically leave a job for another, usually higher-paying, one. Openings began to outpace the unemployed last spring, for the first time in the 18 years the data has been tracked.
"The question now is, will workers be increasingly tempted to switch to new jobs or will their current employers raise wages to keep them?" said Nick Bunker, an economist at job listings website Indeed.
More
The Labor Department said Friday that hiring also rose and the number of people quitting their jobs picked up. Quits are a sign of a healthy economy, because people typically leave a job for another, usually higher-paying, one. Openings began to outpace the unemployed last spring, for the first time in the 18 years the data has been tracked.
"The question now is, will workers be increasingly tempted to switch to new jobs or will their current employers raise wages to keep them?" said Nick Bunker, an economist at job listings website Indeed.
More
Family says Obama's top economic adviser killed himself
The family of a Princeton University economist and former top economic adviser to former President Barack Obama, has said he committed suicide.
Alan Krueger, 58, died on Saturday, according to a university announcement. His family said in a statement: "It is with tremendous sadness we share that Professor Alan B. Krueger, beloved husband, father, son, brother, and Princeton professor of economics, took his own life over the weekend.
"The family requests the time and space to grieve and remember him. In lieu of flowers, we encourage those wishing to honor Alan to make a contribution to the charity of their choice."
More
Alan Krueger, 58, died on Saturday, according to a university announcement. His family said in a statement: "It is with tremendous sadness we share that Professor Alan B. Krueger, beloved husband, father, son, brother, and Princeton professor of economics, took his own life over the weekend.
"The family requests the time and space to grieve and remember him. In lieu of flowers, we encourage those wishing to honor Alan to make a contribution to the charity of their choice."
More
MINNESOTA DEMOCRATS REPORTEDLY WANT ILHAN OMAR OUT — SHE BLAMES TRUMP
Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar blamed President Donald Trump on Sunday after reports that members of the Minnesota Democratic Party are considering removing her from congressional office for her repeated anti-Semitic statements.
“I’m sorry Mr. [Trump],” Omar tweeted in response to the reports. “I am for real, you can’t #MuslimBan us from Congress!”
Minnesota Democrats are reportedly dismayed that Omar has made a string of bigoted comments about Jews, which have received massive condemnation from both sides of the aisle. Consequently, members of the state party are looking for someone to contest her nomination in 2020 and run a different candidate in her place.
More
“I’m sorry Mr. [Trump],” Omar tweeted in response to the reports. “I am for real, you can’t #MuslimBan us from Congress!”
I am sorry Mr. @realDonaldTrump
I am for real, you can’t #MuslimBan us from Congress! pic.twitter.com/EX1KNeUPiA
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) March 17, 2019
Minnesota Democrats are reportedly dismayed that Omar has made a string of bigoted comments about Jews, which have received massive condemnation from both sides of the aisle. Consequently, members of the state party are looking for someone to contest her nomination in 2020 and run a different candidate in her place.
More
Boomtown: DC Swamp Issues More than 2.7 Million Traffic Tickets, Collecting $324 Million for Government
The Washington, DC, government prides itself on its transparency, but digging up the facts about it’s red light camera and other ticketing policies is difficult, with officials referring reporters to outdated information and some data only coming through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
It is also necessary to slice and dice the facts because the revenue the District receives is not the same as the money violators owe but have not paid.
For example, Breitbart News asked the D.C. Office of Tax Revenue about the money generated through tickets, and the office responded that in Fiscal Year 2017, “photo ticket revenue” was slightly over $100 million and about $98 million in Fiscal Year 2018.
More
It is also necessary to slice and dice the facts because the revenue the District receives is not the same as the money violators owe but have not paid.
For example, Breitbart News asked the D.C. Office of Tax Revenue about the money generated through tickets, and the office responded that in Fiscal Year 2017, “photo ticket revenue” was slightly over $100 million and about $98 million in Fiscal Year 2018.
More
Food Stamp Usage Falls to 37 Million for First Time Since October 2009
Overall participation in America’s food stamp program fell to 37 million for the first time since October 2009, according to the latest statistics released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The most recent USDA data revealed that 37,911,631 people received food stamps through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in December 2018, marking the lowest level of overall participation in the nation’s food stamp program in nearly ten years.
The last time overall participation in food stamps reached this level was in October 2009, when 37,672,818 people were on the government dole, according to USDA data.
More
An Armed Citizenry Is A Free Citizenry, Which Is Why Liberals Want You Disarmed
Kentucky recently became the 16th state to amend its laws to get rid of onerous restrictions on healthy, law-abiding adults bearing arms, conforming its concealed weapons statutes to the Constitution and irritating liberals who prefer that we citizens remain helpless sheep. Some of us channel the Founders and believe it is every eligible citizen’s duty to own the kind of guns liberals label “assault weapons” in order to be able to personally protect themselves, their families, their communities and their Constitution; others just want the option of carrying a .38 at a house of worship or elsewhere in public where evil might manifest. But liberals oppose this natural right. Why? Well, there are only two kinds of people who object to Normal Americans being able to protect their lives and freedom, felons and aspiring tyrants, and it just so happens both of them are key constituencies of the Democrat Party.
The trend in most states is to “shall issue” concealed weapons permits, with a third of the states tossing out even those useless obstacles to free citizens exercising their personal choice when it comes to packing heat. In 2019, Second Amendment is evolving right, with society increasingly recognizing that this essential freedom should not be arbitrarily restricted. Liberals should be all aboard. Remember how liberals keep telling us that our conception of rights is supposed to take changes in society into account? We always hear how the Constitution must evolve when it’s a fake right that Democrats like, as opposed to one that’s actually written in the Bill of Rights. Well, the overwhelming trend lately is for legislatures and governors across the country to democratically enact gun freedom measures, so we need to ask our liberal friends, “Where’s your ‘living Constitution’ now?”
For some reason, gun-grabbing liberals seem to think that the existence of people who want to shoot random civilians should make us want to be less able to defend ourselves. Uh, no. The horrifying New Zealand terrorist attack would usually have drawn universal attacks by liberals on law-abiding Americans and their rights. On the upside, the dishonest and disgraceful slander of fellow Americans that usually accompanies these events was comparatively muted, perhaps because this loser (who should die anonymously, his videos unviewed, his manifesto unread, and his name unspoken) was so transparently attempting to provide everyone with fodder to hate their political opponents. To rile liberals, he mixed in references to Trump and Candace Owens; to outrage us Normals, he embraced leftism and environmental wackoism. It was a scam to set us at each other’s throats. The proper response to this creep’s crude manipulation is to not pretend that he was motivated by anything other than resentment over his own manifest inadequacies and failures. To hang this idiot’s acts on one’s political opponents for cheesy short-term rhetorical advantage is to play his game; instead, we should come together in the hope that the Kiwis hang that idiot.
More
The trend in most states is to “shall issue” concealed weapons permits, with a third of the states tossing out even those useless obstacles to free citizens exercising their personal choice when it comes to packing heat. In 2019, Second Amendment is evolving right, with society increasingly recognizing that this essential freedom should not be arbitrarily restricted. Liberals should be all aboard. Remember how liberals keep telling us that our conception of rights is supposed to take changes in society into account? We always hear how the Constitution must evolve when it’s a fake right that Democrats like, as opposed to one that’s actually written in the Bill of Rights. Well, the overwhelming trend lately is for legislatures and governors across the country to democratically enact gun freedom measures, so we need to ask our liberal friends, “Where’s your ‘living Constitution’ now?”
For some reason, gun-grabbing liberals seem to think that the existence of people who want to shoot random civilians should make us want to be less able to defend ourselves. Uh, no. The horrifying New Zealand terrorist attack would usually have drawn universal attacks by liberals on law-abiding Americans and their rights. On the upside, the dishonest and disgraceful slander of fellow Americans that usually accompanies these events was comparatively muted, perhaps because this loser (who should die anonymously, his videos unviewed, his manifesto unread, and his name unspoken) was so transparently attempting to provide everyone with fodder to hate their political opponents. To rile liberals, he mixed in references to Trump and Candace Owens; to outrage us Normals, he embraced leftism and environmental wackoism. It was a scam to set us at each other’s throats. The proper response to this creep’s crude manipulation is to not pretend that he was motivated by anything other than resentment over his own manifest inadequacies and failures. To hang this idiot’s acts on one’s political opponents for cheesy short-term rhetorical advantage is to play his game; instead, we should come together in the hope that the Kiwis hang that idiot.
More
POLL: NEW YORK STATE VOTERS OVERWHELMINGLY OPPOSE ILLEGALS GETTING DRIVERS LICENSES
A majority of New York State voters, according to a newly released Siena College poll, overwhelmingly oppose illegal immigrants receiving driver’s licenses.
Sixty-one percent of New York voters say they do not believe non-citizens should receive driver’s licenses. While 49 percent of Democrats support issuing driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, 84 percent of Republicans and 71 percent of Independents oppose such a policy.
“Overwhelmingly, Republicans and Independents, upstaters and downstate suburbanites, oppose allowing undocumented immigrants to get driver’s licenses. Democrats and New York City voters are closely divided on the issue,” Siena Research’s Steven Greenberg said. “White voters strongly oppose; black and Latino voters support it by small margins.”
More
Sixty-one percent of New York voters say they do not believe non-citizens should receive driver’s licenses. While 49 percent of Democrats support issuing driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, 84 percent of Republicans and 71 percent of Independents oppose such a policy.
“Overwhelmingly, Republicans and Independents, upstaters and downstate suburbanites, oppose allowing undocumented immigrants to get driver’s licenses. Democrats and New York City voters are closely divided on the issue,” Siena Research’s Steven Greenberg said. “White voters strongly oppose; black and Latino voters support it by small margins.”
More
Polls: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Less Popular Than Trump, Hillary
A March 15 Gallup poll, for example, found that just 31 percent of Americans view Ocasio-Cortez favorably, compared to 41 percent who view her unfavorably. It appears that as more people have gotten to know the congresswoman, the less they like her. The last time Gallup surveyed AOC's favorable rating was back in September 2018, prior to her election to Congress, when 50 percent of respondents had no opinion or had never heard of her. That number has shrunk to just 29 percent over the past several months as the congresswoman has aggressively made a name for herself on Capitol Hill.
Gallup's finding are in line with those of a Fox News poll of registered voters conducted in February, which found that Ocasio-Cortez had a favorable rating of just 26 percent, and an unfavorable rating of 39 percent (-13). In that poll, 34 percent of respondents didn't offer an opinion or said they'd never heard of AOC. Respondents had a slightly better view of President Donald Trump, who had a favorable rating of 43 percent, and an unfavorable rating of 54 percent (-11). Ocasio-Cortez did, however, perform better than Socialism, which had a favorable rating of just 25 percent, and an unfavorable rating of 59 percent (-34).
More
Bills would fund HIV prevention, tracking, testing rape kits
ANNAPOLIS, Maryland — Multiple bills that would provide protection and treatment for victims of sexual assault, as well as assist local law enforcement agencies with the testing and tracking of rape kits, made their way through the House and Senate, ahead of the Monday deadline for bills to crossover into the other chamber.
These bills are the byproduct of a January report on sexual assault evidence kits in the state, produced by the Maryland Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Policy and Funding Committee.
The committee was created in 2017 and is chaired by the Office of the Attorney General. Multiple stakeholders, including law enforcement, medical professionals, victim advocates and legislators make up the board.
More
These bills are the byproduct of a January report on sexual assault evidence kits in the state, produced by the Maryland Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Policy and Funding Committee.
The committee was created in 2017 and is chaired by the Office of the Attorney General. Multiple stakeholders, including law enforcement, medical professionals, victim advocates and legislators make up the board.
More
Catherine Pugh Should Resign
“The development-political complex is a metastasizing cancer on the city’s body politic and economic health. Dixon is merely an excised limb. Unfortunately city politicians do not want to be cured, because ending the current system means giving up the power it provides them.”
– January 6, 2010
“Until Baltimore voters decide to dismantle the machine, nothing is going to change. Nobody really thinks that Catherine Pugh and Sheila Dixon are all that different. Do they?”– April 16, 2016
The prescience of those above quotes have really come to light in the last few days.
By this point, everybody knows that Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh entered into an agreement with the University of Maryland Medical System to buy 100,000 copies of her self-published book for $500,000. We know that Pugh entered into this agreement while citing on the UMMS Board of Directors. We know that Pugh failed to report this agreement on seven years worth of state ethics forms dating back to her time as a State Senator. We now know that thousands of the books wound up in a Baltimore City School warehouse, that the school system never wanted them, and they have no accounting of where the books actually went. And we know that her fellow members of the Board of Directors, as well as the Hospital System CEO who ostensibly reported to her as a Director, donated vast sums of cash to her Mayoral campaign.
More
White House proposes caps on student loan borrowing
The Trump administration is proposing new limits on student borrowing as part of a broader plan to curb the cost of college.
White House officials announced the plan Monday amid a list of education priorities as Congress sets out to overhaul the Higher Education Act.
The plan says Congress should put a cap on federal student loans to prevent borrowers from taking on unmanageable debt. Officials didn't propose specific limits but said it could vary by academic program.
More
White House officials announced the plan Monday amid a list of education priorities as Congress sets out to overhaul the Higher Education Act.
The plan says Congress should put a cap on federal student loans to prevent borrowers from taking on unmanageable debt. Officials didn't propose specific limits but said it could vary by academic program.
More
Limbaugh: Real reason Trump soaring in battleground states
A new polls shows President Trump’s popularity is soaring in the key battleground states of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin.
He leads a generic Democratic nominee in those states 46 percent to 40 percent, according to a Wall Street Journal survey.
Talk-radio host Rush Limbaugh told his listeners Monday it’s not hard to understand why.
Voters in those states like the “ongoing economic renaissance” they are experiencing.
“This wasn’t supposed happen. Trump was supposed to barely be above 30 now,” he said.
Read more
He leads a generic Democratic nominee in those states 46 percent to 40 percent, according to a Wall Street Journal survey.
Talk-radio host Rush Limbaugh told his listeners Monday it’s not hard to understand why.
Voters in those states like the “ongoing economic renaissance” they are experiencing.
“This wasn’t supposed happen. Trump was supposed to barely be above 30 now,” he said.
Read more
