DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
West Wing Reads
|
Rep. Eric Swalwell appears to fart on live TV
Here’s one act he had no problem passing.
A congressman from California became the butt of everyone’s joke for appearing to fart on live television Monday night.
Rep. Eric Swalwell was mid-sentence on MSNBC’s “Hardball with Chris Matthews” when it sounded like he let ‘er rip.
“Chris, so far the evidence is uncontradicted that the president used taxpayer dollars to help him cheat —” Swalwell says with a pause, as the noise is clearly heard, “— an election.”
But the 39-year-old Democrat, who’s been in Congress since 2013 and sits on the House Judiciary Committee, was quick to deny the apparent tummy troubles.
More/Video
A congressman from California became the butt of everyone’s joke for appearing to fart on live television Monday night.
Rep. Eric Swalwell was mid-sentence on MSNBC’s “Hardball with Chris Matthews” when it sounded like he let ‘er rip.
“Chris, so far the evidence is uncontradicted that the president used taxpayer dollars to help him cheat —” Swalwell says with a pause, as the noise is clearly heard, “— an election.”
But the 39-year-old Democrat, who’s been in Congress since 2013 and sits on the House Judiciary Committee, was quick to deny the apparent tummy troubles.
More/Video
Kim Foxx to run for re-election as state's attorney despite being hammered for Jussie Smollett case
Kim Foxx, the controversial Cook County state's attorney who has come under fire for her handling of the Jussie Smollett case, announced Tuesday she is running for re-election.
Foxx felt the ire of the Chicago police department and the city’s former mayor after her office abruptly dropped a 16-count indictment against Smollett, who authorities claimed faked a hate crime against himself in order to gin up publicity for his acting career. Smollett has denied the allegations.
Foxx tweeted her announcement Tuesday morning.
“I ran for Cook County State’s Attorney four years ago because we needed to change criminal justice in our county. Today, I’m officially running for re-election. We’ve gotten a lot done, and we can’t go back now.”
https://www.foxnews.com/us/kim-foxx-election-state-attorney-jussie-smollett
Foxx felt the ire of the Chicago police department and the city’s former mayor after her office abruptly dropped a 16-count indictment against Smollett, who authorities claimed faked a hate crime against himself in order to gin up publicity for his acting career. Smollett has denied the allegations.
Foxx tweeted her announcement Tuesday morning.
“I ran for Cook County State’s Attorney four years ago because we needed to change criminal justice in our county. Today, I’m officially running for re-election. We’ve gotten a lot done, and we can’t go back now.”
https://www.foxnews.com/us/kim-foxx-election-state-attorney-jussie-smollett
Criminal alien, wanted for killing motorist, flees after local law enforcement ignores immigration detainer
PORTLAND, Ore. – On July 12, Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies announced they had responded to a crash involving Alejandro Maldonado-Hernandez, as well as Patrick Ator and his wife, Janace Ator, who were traveling in another vehicle. Maldonado-Hernandez, who was in the United States illegally and allegedly responsible for the crash, was transported to the local hospital with only minor injuries. Mr. Ator was taken to the hospital where he was treated for severe injuries while his wife, Janace, lost her life as a result of the injuries sustained in the crash.
Maldonado-Hernandez was arrested by local authorities the same day and booked into the Washington County jail on charges of felony manslaughter in the second degree, felony assault in the third degree, and misdemeanor reckless driving.
On July 16, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers encountered Maldonado-Hernandez while he was being held at the Washington County jail and lodged an immigration detainer.
On August 8, the jail failed to honor the detainer and released Maldonado-Hernandez back into the community he had previously victimized.
TikTok Considers Re-branding to Hide Chinese Ownership
The Chinese-based tech firm ByteDance is reportedly considering a U.S. re-brand of its short-form video-sharing app TikTok as it attempts to distance the app from its Chinese roots, according to the Wall Street Journal. TikTok has come under fire recently from U.S. politicians worried that the app may actually pose a threat to national security.
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) asked the acting director of national intelligence, Joseph Maguire, recently to investigate the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok to determine if it poses “national security risks.”
“With over 110 million downloads in the U.S. alone, TikTok is a potential counter-intelligence threat we cannot ignore,” wrote Schumer and Cotton, who currently sits on the Senate Intelligence Committee. “Given these concerns, we ask that the Intelligence Community conduct an assessment of the national security risks posed by TikTok and other China-based content platforms operating in the U.S. and brief Congress on these findings.”
More
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) asked the acting director of national intelligence, Joseph Maguire, recently to investigate the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok to determine if it poses “national security risks.”
“With over 110 million downloads in the U.S. alone, TikTok is a potential counter-intelligence threat we cannot ignore,” wrote Schumer and Cotton, who currently sits on the Senate Intelligence Committee. “Given these concerns, we ask that the Intelligence Community conduct an assessment of the national security risks posed by TikTok and other China-based content platforms operating in the U.S. and brief Congress on these findings.”
More
Salvation Army Leaders ‘Saddened’ by Chick-fil-A Decision to Drop Charity
Salvation Army leaders said Monday that they are “saddened” by Chick-fil-A’s decision to stop donating to the charitable organization, arguing that the 154-year-old group has been the target of misinformation regarding its stance on LGBT individuals.
Chick-fil-A, which has also faced years of criticism from LGBT activists, announced this week that its foundation would give money to a smaller number of charities, focusing exclusively on education, homelessness, and hunger.
The decision comes as Chick-fil-A is seeking to open more restaurants and expand its geographical reach, encountering mounting resistance from activists in the process. As a result, it has cut ties with several Christian organizations, including the Salvation Army, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, as well as a number of Christian schools.
“We’re saddened to learn that a corporate partner has felt it necessary to divert funding to other hunger, education and homelessness organizations — areas in which The Salvation Army, as the largest social services provider in the world, is already fully committed,” the organization said in a statement Monday afternoon.
“When misinformation is perpetuated without fact, our ability to serve those in need, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or any other factor, is at risk. We urge the public to seek the truth before rushing to ill-informed judgment.”
Known for its Christmas-season bell ringers soliciting donations on city street corners, the Salvation Army has faced criticism from LGBT activists for years. But the attacks have increased in recent days after singer Ellie Goulding threatened to withdraw from a planned Thanksgiving halftime performance that was to serve as the start of the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign fundraising drive, unless the group pledged to support the LGBT community.
More
Chick-fil-A, which has also faced years of criticism from LGBT activists, announced this week that its foundation would give money to a smaller number of charities, focusing exclusively on education, homelessness, and hunger.
The decision comes as Chick-fil-A is seeking to open more restaurants and expand its geographical reach, encountering mounting resistance from activists in the process. As a result, it has cut ties with several Christian organizations, including the Salvation Army, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, as well as a number of Christian schools.
“We’re saddened to learn that a corporate partner has felt it necessary to divert funding to other hunger, education and homelessness organizations — areas in which The Salvation Army, as the largest social services provider in the world, is already fully committed,” the organization said in a statement Monday afternoon.
“When misinformation is perpetuated without fact, our ability to serve those in need, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or any other factor, is at risk. We urge the public to seek the truth before rushing to ill-informed judgment.”
Known for its Christmas-season bell ringers soliciting donations on city street corners, the Salvation Army has faced criticism from LGBT activists for years. But the attacks have increased in recent days after singer Ellie Goulding threatened to withdraw from a planned Thanksgiving halftime performance that was to serve as the start of the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign fundraising drive, unless the group pledged to support the LGBT community.
More
Teens charged in fatal assault at Great Frederick Fair to remain in detention
Both teens charged in the fatal assault of a man at the Great Frederick Fair in September will remain in juvenile detention as the investigation into whether they will be tried as adults continues, a judge ruled Tuesday.
The teens, brothers aged 15 and 16, both appeared for a petition for waiver hearing before Frederick County Circuit Court Judge Julie Stevenson Solt. Frederick County Assistant State's Attorney Laura Wilt testified that the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services needs more time to complete its investigation, indicating the investigation may not be complete even before the teens' next scheduled hearing on Dec. 18.
Wilt also argued that the teens should remain in custody for the duration of the investigation, citing the serious and violent nature of the crime.
Both teens have remained in juvenile detention since Sept. 20, when Frederick County sheriff's deputies responded to an assault in the midway area of the fairgrounds at 5:36 p.m. and found 59-year-old Mount Airy resident John Weed suffering from serious injuries. Weed was flown to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, but died from his injuries the following day, according to previous stories published in The Frederick News-Post.
More
The teens, brothers aged 15 and 16, both appeared for a petition for waiver hearing before Frederick County Circuit Court Judge Julie Stevenson Solt. Frederick County Assistant State's Attorney Laura Wilt testified that the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services needs more time to complete its investigation, indicating the investigation may not be complete even before the teens' next scheduled hearing on Dec. 18.
Wilt also argued that the teens should remain in custody for the duration of the investigation, citing the serious and violent nature of the crime.
Both teens have remained in juvenile detention since Sept. 20, when Frederick County sheriff's deputies responded to an assault in the midway area of the fairgrounds at 5:36 p.m. and found 59-year-old Mount Airy resident John Weed suffering from serious injuries. Weed was flown to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, but died from his injuries the following day, according to previous stories published in The Frederick News-Post.
More
Franklin Graham Thrilled Kanye West Is Letting God Use Him to Spread the Gospel
Appearing Monday on Fox & Friends, Christian evangelist Franklin Graham said he was “proud” of hip-hop superstar and fashion designer Kanye West for embracing Christianity, with the rapper’s latest Sunday Service concert taking place in Joel Osteen’s mega-church to an audience of millions.
A partial transcript is as follows:
STEVE DOOCY: "What do you make of what’s going on not only in Houston, but with Kanye West’s movement?"
REV. FRANKLIN GRAHAM: "First of all, I always like to see when God works on a person’s life and changes them and Kanye’s is a life that’s been changed by the power of almighty God through his faith in Jesus Christ. I’m just thrilled about what’s happened in his life. This is what Christmas is all about. Christmas is about God’s love sending his Son, Jesus Christ, to this earth to change our lives and to save us from our sins.
"Here at Christmas, Kanye is out in churches. Who would have thought he would have been in a church? And who would have thought a year ago that God would be using him to touch another generation of young people with the gospel of Jesus Christ? I’m proud of him, I pray for him, and I hope he’ll be very successful. And as he’s going around to churches doing this, I say more power to him."
More
A partial transcript is as follows:
STEVE DOOCY: "What do you make of what’s going on not only in Houston, but with Kanye West’s movement?"
REV. FRANKLIN GRAHAM: "First of all, I always like to see when God works on a person’s life and changes them and Kanye’s is a life that’s been changed by the power of almighty God through his faith in Jesus Christ. I’m just thrilled about what’s happened in his life. This is what Christmas is all about. Christmas is about God’s love sending his Son, Jesus Christ, to this earth to change our lives and to save us from our sins.
"Here at Christmas, Kanye is out in churches. Who would have thought he would have been in a church? And who would have thought a year ago that God would be using him to touch another generation of young people with the gospel of Jesus Christ? I’m proud of him, I pray for him, and I hope he’ll be very successful. And as he’s going around to churches doing this, I say more power to him."
More
KANYE: ‘PROTECT YOUR KIDS FROM BEING INDOCTRINATED BY HOLLYWOOD & THE MEDIA’
Kanye West says that parents need to protect their children from being ‘indoctrinated’ into embracing lives of vapid meaninglessness by the media and the entertainment industry.
The music icon was speaking to an audience at Joel Osteen’s church in Houston during one of his Sunday Service events.
He began by pointing out that many famous people are in service to Satan and not God because they value money and power above all else.
“You start to feel like Satan is the most powerful and you start to feel that if you service God in life it means you will not prosper and the only way to prosper is in service to fame,” said Kanye.
More
The music icon was speaking to an audience at Joel Osteen’s church in Houston during one of his Sunday Service events.
He began by pointing out that many famous people are in service to Satan and not God because they value money and power above all else.
“You start to feel like Satan is the most powerful and you start to feel that if you service God in life it means you will not prosper and the only way to prosper is in service to fame,” said Kanye.
More
DOJ Details Peter Strzok's Security Violations, Releases More Texts
Fired FBI agent Peter Strzok committed a multitude of security violations during his time at the bureau related to communications with his mistress and the mishandling of classified information, according to records released by the Department of Justice.
The documents made public Monday include several text messages between Strzok and Page, who worked on the FBI's Hillary Clinton and Russia investigations before being fired in August 2018, and other pieces of evidence that are part of an internal investigation of his conduct.
According to the documents, which are part of a case labeled "Strzok vs. Barr/DOJ," Strzok's wife got hold of his personal cell phone and discovered evidence of the affair he was having with FBI lawyer Lisa Page.
More
The documents made public Monday include several text messages between Strzok and Page, who worked on the FBI's Hillary Clinton and Russia investigations before being fired in August 2018, and other pieces of evidence that are part of an internal investigation of his conduct.
According to the documents, which are part of a case labeled "Strzok vs. Barr/DOJ," Strzok's wife got hold of his personal cell phone and discovered evidence of the affair he was having with FBI lawyer Lisa Page.
More
Warren targets white nationalist crime in rollout of new plan
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) has targeted white nationalist crime in the rollout of a plan released Tuesday.
The presidential candidate vowed to make the prosecution and investigation of white nationalist crime a top priority for the departments of Justice and Homeland Security.
In the plan, she said she would make those crimes federal cases instead of local or state cases so that more resources could be devoted to combatting white nationalist groups both domestically and internationally.
“The Trump administration has ignored the threat posed by white nationalists and violent extremists—and Trump himself has stoked the flames,” she tweeted. “In a Warren administration, we will use every tool we have to defeat domestic terrorism.”
More
The presidential candidate vowed to make the prosecution and investigation of white nationalist crime a top priority for the departments of Justice and Homeland Security.
In the plan, she said she would make those crimes federal cases instead of local or state cases so that more resources could be devoted to combatting white nationalist groups both domestically and internationally.
“The Trump administration has ignored the threat posed by white nationalists and violent extremists—and Trump himself has stoked the flames,” she tweeted. “In a Warren administration, we will use every tool we have to defeat domestic terrorism.”
More
BREAKING NEWS: Salisbury Bypass Closed Down: UPDATE
Missing Pet In Salisbury
We still have not found "Boots" it was a week today. We have checked shelters, pet stores, Humane Society. Every cat neighbors see or hear we search. We will let everyone know as soon as we find him
Joe our cat Boots has not been seen since late Monday night. He is missing from the Presidents Neighborhood area (College Ave, Eastern Shore Dr., Snow Hill Rd.) We took him in in May he is approx 8 mos old. He is a striped male gray & white with a little tan around his face. Very friendly will come to anyone. Please help us locate him call 410-251-5788.
Ocean City, Companies Submit Comments On Wind Turbines After PSC Begins Review
OCEAN CITY — Potential changes to the original approval of two offshore wind energy projects off the coast of Ocean City are now under further scrutiny after state officials re-opened the public comment period earlier this month.
In 2017, the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) approved two offshore wind energy projects off the coast of Ocean City. Technically, the PSC awarded Offshore Renewable Energy Credits (ORECs) to the two companies seeking to develop wind farms off the coast of the resort including the US Wind project and the Skipjack project. The awarding of ORECs was a necessary first step in what has become a lengthy approval process.
However, with advancements in technology, the height of the proposed turbines has increased exponentially since the original PSC approval in 2017, prompting Ocean City officials and the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) to request a re-opening of the original approval proceedings. For example, Orsted’s Skipjack project has now committed to using 12-megawatt wind turbines described as the “world’s largest offshore wind turbine.”
More
In 2017, the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) approved two offshore wind energy projects off the coast of Ocean City. Technically, the PSC awarded Offshore Renewable Energy Credits (ORECs) to the two companies seeking to develop wind farms off the coast of the resort including the US Wind project and the Skipjack project. The awarding of ORECs was a necessary first step in what has become a lengthy approval process.
However, with advancements in technology, the height of the proposed turbines has increased exponentially since the original PSC approval in 2017, prompting Ocean City officials and the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) to request a re-opening of the original approval proceedings. For example, Orsted’s Skipjack project has now committed to using 12-megawatt wind turbines described as the “world’s largest offshore wind turbine.”
More
Armed Citizen Stopped Oklahoma Walmart Shooter
A report by the Daily Mail indicates that Monday’s shooting outside a Duncan, Oklahoma, Walmart was cut short by an armed citizen who confronted the gunman.
Breitbart News reported that three deaths resulted from a shooting outside the Walmart around 10 a.m. Two individuals were fatally shot while sitting in a car, and a third person died outside the vehicle when police arrived.
The Daily Mail reported that the deceased individual outside the car was the gunman, and that he allegedly took his own life after being confronted by an armed citizen.
More
Breitbart News reported that three deaths resulted from a shooting outside the Walmart around 10 a.m. Two individuals were fatally shot while sitting in a car, and a third person died outside the vehicle when police arrived.
The Daily Mail reported that the deceased individual outside the car was the gunman, and that he allegedly took his own life after being confronted by an armed citizen.
More
China used academic recruitment programs to steal U.S. research: Senate report
China-backed researchers deployed to American universities have been siphoning off taxpayer funding for their own research, giving their Chinese overseers first look at their work and stealing intellectual property from their U.S. employers, a bipartisan Senate report revealed Monday.
Beijing’s interest in stealing U.S. military and economic secrets has long been known, but the Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations says American officials were slow to act — and in fact likely paid for the research operatives were conducting here, then taking back home with them.
Along the way researchers lied about their ties to China, the eight-month investigation concluded, but took advantage of the openness and transparency that characterizes American research.
“American taxpayers have been unwittingly funding the rise of China’s economy and military over the last two decades,” said Senator Rob Portman, Ohio Republican and chairman of the investigative subcommittee, adding that “our own federal agencies have done little to stop their actions despite being aware of China’s talent plans.”
In one case a professor at an American university working in a dual-use science field found a way to circumvent U.S. export rules.
Investigators said he was paid by federal agencies to do research while also running a China-based lab, and he sponsored visiting Chinese students to come to the U.S. He then used them to transfer his research back to China without himself ever having to travel.
The federal agency that investigated the case said many of the visiting students were “directly affiliated with research and development organizations involved in China’s military modernization efforts.”
More
Beijing’s interest in stealing U.S. military and economic secrets has long been known, but the Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations says American officials were slow to act — and in fact likely paid for the research operatives were conducting here, then taking back home with them.
Along the way researchers lied about their ties to China, the eight-month investigation concluded, but took advantage of the openness and transparency that characterizes American research.
“American taxpayers have been unwittingly funding the rise of China’s economy and military over the last two decades,” said Senator Rob Portman, Ohio Republican and chairman of the investigative subcommittee, adding that “our own federal agencies have done little to stop their actions despite being aware of China’s talent plans.”
In one case a professor at an American university working in a dual-use science field found a way to circumvent U.S. export rules.
Investigators said he was paid by federal agencies to do research while also running a China-based lab, and he sponsored visiting Chinese students to come to the U.S. He then used them to transfer his research back to China without himself ever having to travel.
The federal agency that investigated the case said many of the visiting students were “directly affiliated with research and development organizations involved in China’s military modernization efforts.”
More
Column: With ludicrous workout, NFL, Colin Kaepernick both lose
Fall Saturdays typically belong to college football. When it comes to the NFL and its dysfunctional relationship with Colin Kaepernick, however, nothing is typical.
Saturday was the day Kaepernick had, in theory, been waiting for — the first day of the rest of his NFL career. Earlier in the week, the league set up a workout for multiple teams to come see what the 32-year-old former San Francisco 49ers star quarterback had in the tank after nearly three seasons out of the league.
To Kaepernick (and anyone who’s paid attention to the NFL’s clumsy handling of any and all complicated, high-profile issues) the whole thing stunk from the beginning. Why was this rushed workout happening now, out of the blue, in the middle of the season?
Why on a Saturday, not on a Tuesday — the off-day for NFL teams — when all 32 teams could attend? We were finally past the point of uttering “Colin Kaepernick is still available” every time a starting quarterback either went down with injury or played ineffectively.
More
Saturday was the day Kaepernick had, in theory, been waiting for — the first day of the rest of his NFL career. Earlier in the week, the league set up a workout for multiple teams to come see what the 32-year-old former San Francisco 49ers star quarterback had in the tank after nearly three seasons out of the league.
To Kaepernick (and anyone who’s paid attention to the NFL’s clumsy handling of any and all complicated, high-profile issues) the whole thing stunk from the beginning. Why was this rushed workout happening now, out of the blue, in the middle of the season?
Why on a Saturday, not on a Tuesday — the off-day for NFL teams — when all 32 teams could attend? We were finally past the point of uttering “Colin Kaepernick is still available” every time a starting quarterback either went down with injury or played ineffectively.
More
American Psychological Association now requires authors to use singular ‘they’
The American Psychological Association is helping make grammar fluid to accommodate current gender fluidity trends, and a statement from a Modern Language Association of America spokesperson indicated the group may soon follow suit.
The APA recently announced scholars in some cases must use “they” as a singular pronoun to refer to individuals who identify as non-binary.
In a recent post, Chelsea Lee, content development manager for APA style, explained the change.
“When readers see a gendered pronoun, they make assumptions about the gender of the person being described,” Lee wrote. “APA advocates for the singular ‘they’ because it is inclusive of all people and helps writers avoid making assumptions about gender.”
According to Lee, “Writers should use the singular ‘they’ in two main cases: (a) when referring to a generic person whose gender is unknown or irrelevant to the context and (b) when referring to a specific, known person who uses ‘they’ as their pronoun.”
More here
The APA recently announced scholars in some cases must use “they” as a singular pronoun to refer to individuals who identify as non-binary.
In a recent post, Chelsea Lee, content development manager for APA style, explained the change.
“When readers see a gendered pronoun, they make assumptions about the gender of the person being described,” Lee wrote. “APA advocates for the singular ‘they’ because it is inclusive of all people and helps writers avoid making assumptions about gender.”
According to Lee, “Writers should use the singular ‘they’ in two main cases: (a) when referring to a generic person whose gender is unknown or irrelevant to the context and (b) when referring to a specific, known person who uses ‘they’ as their pronoun.”
More here
WCSO Press Release - Nov. 18, 2019
 |
| Bratten and Jones |
Date of Incident: 13 November 2019
Location: 100 block of Truitt Street, Salisbury, MD
Suspects:
- Calvin G. Bratten, 32, Pittsville, MD
- Daronte L. Jones, 29, Salisbury, MD
Following a subsequent search of the vehicle, the deputy recovered what was identified as heroin along with four used syringes.
The deputy placed both Bratten and Jones under arrest and transported them to the Central Booking Unit where they were processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. Following an initial appearance, the Commissioner released both on Personal Recognizance.
Charges: Possession of Heroin
Date of Incident: 11 November 2019
Location: 800 block of Snow Hill Road, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Philip Morris Johnson, 43, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 11 November 2019 a deputy arrested Phillip Morris in connection with a burglary that occurred in the 800 block of Snow Hill Road in Salisbury. During the investigation the deputy learned that a subject had thrown a cinder block through the window of a church before making entry and stealing a Yamaha Keyboard. The purloined keyboard appeared in a local store in Salisbury for sale and the deputy was able to identify Philip Johnson as the individual who pawned the purloined keyboard.
The deputy obtained a warrant for Johnson’s arrest and upon being taken into custody he was transported to the Central Booking Unit. Following an initial appearance in front of the District Court Commissioner, Johnson was detained without bond.
Charges: Burglary 2nd Degree, Theft $1,500.00 to $25,000.00 and Malicious Destruction of Property
Mark Kelly Receives Thousands of Dollars Through Corporate PAC Loophole
Arizona Senate candidate Mark Kelly (D.) has pledged not to accept donations from corporate PACs but received tens of thousands of dollars from Democrat leadership PACs heavily funded by corporate entities.
Kelly, who faced scrutiny earlier this year for financially benefiting from corporate speaking gigs, received more than $55,000 from Democrat leadership PACs financially backed by corporate entities during the third quarter, according to his campaign's most recent filing.
"I think Washington, D.C., is failing the state of Arizona on these things, and there's structural problems with the way our system is set up," Kelly said during a Fox 10 interview in early November. "As an example, corporate PAC money in our political system makes it so hard for people to get elected to Congress to do what they think is right instead of doing what some company wants. That's why I'm not taking corporate PAC money."
Kelly sent out several tweets from his official Twitter account over the last few months criticizing corporate PACs, calling them "one of the biggest problems in our politics today."
More
Kelly, who faced scrutiny earlier this year for financially benefiting from corporate speaking gigs, received more than $55,000 from Democrat leadership PACs financially backed by corporate entities during the third quarter, according to his campaign's most recent filing.
"I think Washington, D.C., is failing the state of Arizona on these things, and there's structural problems with the way our system is set up," Kelly said during a Fox 10 interview in early November. "As an example, corporate PAC money in our political system makes it so hard for people to get elected to Congress to do what they think is right instead of doing what some company wants. That's why I'm not taking corporate PAC money."
Kelly sent out several tweets from his official Twitter account over the last few months criticizing corporate PACs, calling them "one of the biggest problems in our politics today."
More
Ilhan Omar paid another $147,000 to married lover's consultant group in addition to hundreds of thousands for other services previously reported amid calls for a federal election probe
US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar paid her political consultant and lover almost $147,000 more for services than had previously been known, according to reports.
The payments were in addition to hundreds of thousands of dollars she gave to the company which had already been reported.
Omar's campaign funneled $146,713 into finance chief Tim Mynett's consulting firm, 'The E Street Group' for digital advertising, fundraising consulting and video production, records show, reports the New York Post.
That's how much more the 38-year-old Minnesota lawmaker's campaign pumped into Mynett's firm since Peter Flaherty, chairman of the conservative National Legal and Policy Center in October filed an an amended complaint into Omar's campaign spending with the Federal Election Commission.
More
The payments were in addition to hundreds of thousands of dollars she gave to the company which had already been reported.
Omar's campaign funneled $146,713 into finance chief Tim Mynett's consulting firm, 'The E Street Group' for digital advertising, fundraising consulting and video production, records show, reports the New York Post.
That's how much more the 38-year-old Minnesota lawmaker's campaign pumped into Mynett's firm since Peter Flaherty, chairman of the conservative National Legal and Policy Center in October filed an an amended complaint into Omar's campaign spending with the Federal Election Commission.
More
A record 5.7 billion robocalls in October alone
Americans were flooded with a record 5.7 billion robocalls last month — more than 17 per person in October — even as federal regulators try to crack down on the onslaught of prerecorded messages.
The all-time monthly high not only represents a 25% jump from the month prior, but puts the U.S. on track for a blockbuster year in robocalls, according to a report from robocall-blocking app YouMail. With 49 billion robocalls tracked thus far this year, Americans have already received more robocalls than all of last year.
"October's record robocall volume reminds us there's a long way to go before the robocall problem is solved," Alex Quilici, YouMail CEO, said in a statement. "It's hard to imagine, but we are still on pace to wind up with nearly 60 billion calls to U.S. consumers this year."
More
The all-time monthly high not only represents a 25% jump from the month prior, but puts the U.S. on track for a blockbuster year in robocalls, according to a report from robocall-blocking app YouMail. With 49 billion robocalls tracked thus far this year, Americans have already received more robocalls than all of last year.
"October's record robocall volume reminds us there's a long way to go before the robocall problem is solved," Alex Quilici, YouMail CEO, said in a statement. "It's hard to imagine, but we are still on pace to wind up with nearly 60 billion calls to U.S. consumers this year."
More
Enough Calm, Where’s the Storm?
For the past several years, most of us who have been following the seditious Deep State activities against President Trump and many of his close associates have been eagerly awaiting a reckoning. A presidential campaign, then administration, was spied upon by the previous administration, using fabricated domestic and foreign intelligence, with the willing assistance of the mainstream media.
President Trump has been accused of being a Russian agent, a Putin stooge, and a traitor by high level executives of ex-President Obama’s justice and intelligence agencies. A two-year $30 million special counsel investigation, that we were told would unearth “mountains of evidence” of Trump-Russia collusion, was a big dud, exonerating the president of his supposed treason.
Meanwhile these accusations and investigations have ruined the reputations and finances of many Trump associates. Now it’s on to so-called “impeachment inquiry” hearings, attempting to remove a duly elected president based on third-hand hearsay and disagreement with foreign policy approaches that are totally under the purview of the president, not the unelected administrative State Department apparatchiks.
More
President Trump has been accused of being a Russian agent, a Putin stooge, and a traitor by high level executives of ex-President Obama’s justice and intelligence agencies. A two-year $30 million special counsel investigation, that we were told would unearth “mountains of evidence” of Trump-Russia collusion, was a big dud, exonerating the president of his supposed treason.
Meanwhile these accusations and investigations have ruined the reputations and finances of many Trump associates. Now it’s on to so-called “impeachment inquiry” hearings, attempting to remove a duly elected president based on third-hand hearsay and disagreement with foreign policy approaches that are totally under the purview of the president, not the unelected administrative State Department apparatchiks.
More
Americans Ignore Democrats’ Demands To Watch Their Impeachment Farce
Does anyone really believe the conclusion of Democrats’ impeachment “inquiry” isn’t predetermined? President Trump was guilty the moment he won the 2016 election — guilty of denying Democrats the massive spoils of federal power. Every moment since has just been searching for a pretext to remove him from office without an actual election. First Spygate, now the “impeachment inquiry.”
So it’s no surprise that just 13 million viewers tuned in for the first day of televised impeachment hearings last Wednesday, many fewer than for the Brett Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford hearings last fall (20 million viewers) and for James Comey’s Russiagate testimony (19.5 million), according to early Nielsen ratings reported by Axios.
Since an estimated 304.5 million Americans have a television set at home, that means about 4.3 percent of them watched. For another comparison, a record 137.5 million Americans voted in 2016 and many millions more Americans are watching NFL games this fall (game viewership ranges between 10 and 23 million, with most at 13 million and up).
CNN legal analyst Jim Baker shook his finger at these naughty Americans on Twitter, insisting it’s our solemn obligation to watch Democrat-rigged impeachment theater as if we live in “1984” with Big Brother’s televisions always drilling into us what to think.
More
So it’s no surprise that just 13 million viewers tuned in for the first day of televised impeachment hearings last Wednesday, many fewer than for the Brett Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford hearings last fall (20 million viewers) and for James Comey’s Russiagate testimony (19.5 million), according to early Nielsen ratings reported by Axios.
Since an estimated 304.5 million Americans have a television set at home, that means about 4.3 percent of them watched. For another comparison, a record 137.5 million Americans voted in 2016 and many millions more Americans are watching NFL games this fall (game viewership ranges between 10 and 23 million, with most at 13 million and up).
CNN legal analyst Jim Baker shook his finger at these naughty Americans on Twitter, insisting it’s our solemn obligation to watch Democrat-rigged impeachment theater as if we live in “1984” with Big Brother’s televisions always drilling into us what to think.
More
Students demand UNCC fire former Gitmo commander campus security chief, claim they ‘do not feel safe’
Chalking and posters declaring “#FireJohnBogdan.” Poems by Guantanamo Bay detainees touted and spread on social media. Demands that all future administrative hires be vetted by students and faculty.
These are just some of the actions underway at the University of North Carolina Charlotte against retired U.S. Army Colonel John Bogdan, a decorated vet with a 34-year career in the Army who once served as brigade commander at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay and is now security chief for UNC Charlotte.
An organization called the Coalition to Remove John Bogdan was former earlier this fall semester and its members are waging a campaign to get the associate vice chancellor for safety and security at UNC Charlotte fired. They call him an alleged war criminal and claim he oversaw multiple human rights violations when commander at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
More
These are just some of the actions underway at the University of North Carolina Charlotte against retired U.S. Army Colonel John Bogdan, a decorated vet with a 34-year career in the Army who once served as brigade commander at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay and is now security chief for UNC Charlotte.
An organization called the Coalition to Remove John Bogdan was former earlier this fall semester and its members are waging a campaign to get the associate vice chancellor for safety and security at UNC Charlotte fired. They call him an alleged war criminal and claim he oversaw multiple human rights violations when commander at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
We do not feel safe with an accused human rights violator on our campus! We do not feel safe with the warden of Guantanamo on our campus! We are concerned, we are scared, we do not feel safe! #FireJohnBogdan pic.twitter.com/pH2KOZXUeG
— Coalition to Remove John Bogdan (@RemoveBogdan) November 8, 2019
More
'Schiff Show' Roundup: Yovanovitch, Intimidation, Guilty Until...
Before we kick things off today, a reminder: Upon taking office in 2009, Barack Obama fired all of George W. Bush’s politically appointed ambassadors. At the time, The Washington Post observed, “Political ambassadors sometimes are permitted to stay on briefly during a new administration, but the sweeping nature of the directive suggests that Obama has little interest in retaining any of Bush’s ambassadorial appointees.” Funny how times change.
On Friday, former Ukraine Ambassador Maria Yovanovitch testified before the House Intelligence Committee in the Democrats’ ongoing impeachment charade. She claimed that she was “kneecapped” by President Donald Trump’s personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, leading to her being recalled from Ukraine. Democrats sought to paint Yovanovitch as a nonpartisan civil servant and a casualty of Trump’s alleged attempt to dig up dirt on Joe Biden, irrespective of the fact that she was removed from her posting months prior to Trump’s now-infamous phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
More here
On Friday, former Ukraine Ambassador Maria Yovanovitch testified before the House Intelligence Committee in the Democrats’ ongoing impeachment charade. She claimed that she was “kneecapped” by President Donald Trump’s personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, leading to her being recalled from Ukraine. Democrats sought to paint Yovanovitch as a nonpartisan civil servant and a casualty of Trump’s alleged attempt to dig up dirt on Joe Biden, irrespective of the fact that she was removed from her posting months prior to Trump’s now-infamous phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
More here
Sullivan: Transgenders Target Gays, Lesbians
Transgender activists are increasingly smearing gays and lesbians as ‘transphobic,’ says Andrew Sullivan, the partway conservative gay author at New York Magazine.
“Slowly but surely, the term ‘sex’ has slowly drifted in meaning and become muddled with gender … that has major consequences for what homosexuality actually is, consequences that are only beginning to be properly understood,” Sullivan wrote November 15, adding:
If a gay man doesn’t want to have sex with someone who has a vagina and a lesbian doesn’t want to have sex with someone who has a d!ck, they are not being transphobic. They’re being — how shall I put this? — gay.
Transgender advocates argue that men who say they are women really are women, each complete with a “woman’s pen!s.” They also argue that heterosexual men who refuse to have sex with a man who says he is a woman with a pen!s are either “bigots” or are mentally ill “transphobes.” Similarly, these activists claim that lesbians are “transphobes” if they refuse to have sex with men who say they are lesbian women.
More
[But we are assured by the American Psychiatric Association that none of these people are mentally ill. --Editor]
“Slowly but surely, the term ‘sex’ has slowly drifted in meaning and become muddled with gender … that has major consequences for what homosexuality actually is, consequences that are only beginning to be properly understood,” Sullivan wrote November 15, adding:
If a gay man doesn’t want to have sex with someone who has a vagina and a lesbian doesn’t want to have sex with someone who has a d!ck, they are not being transphobic. They’re being — how shall I put this? — gay.
Transgender advocates argue that men who say they are women really are women, each complete with a “woman’s pen!s.” They also argue that heterosexual men who refuse to have sex with a man who says he is a woman with a pen!s are either “bigots” or are mentally ill “transphobes.” Similarly, these activists claim that lesbians are “transphobes” if they refuse to have sex with men who say they are lesbian women.
More
[But we are assured by the American Psychiatric Association that none of these people are mentally ill. --Editor]
Professor: Academia Increasing Efforts to ‘Eliminate Conservatives’
Professor Richard Vatz of Towson University in Towson, Maryland, says that despite academic world priding itself on “supporting the marketplace of ideas and academic freedom,” there has been “an increasing and unremitting effort to eliminate conservatives” in areas of higher education.
The professor added that when he brought up his concerns with the National Communication Association, “they couldn’t care less.”
“There has been an increasing and unremitting effort to eliminate conservatives and conservative thought in the humanities and social sciences in the American academy,” wrote professor Vatz in his recent Baltimore Sun op-ed, entitled, “Towson professor: Higher ed discriminates against conservatives.”
“Higher education prides itself on two overarching values: supporting the marketplace of ideas and academic freedom,” said Vatz. “Channeling the late civil rights advocate President John F. Kennedy, who said ‘Are we to say to the world — and much more importantly, to each other — that this is the land of the free, except for the Negro?'”
“Today, he would have said of colleges and universities, ‘Are we to say to the world — and much more importantly, to each other — higher education today is for diversity and equity except for conservatives?'” he added.
Professor Vatz, who has taught at Towson University for the past 45 years, said that he is also familiar with universities around the country, as he has been invited to speak at many of them, and has been on the Legislative Assembly at the National Communication Association (NCA), as well as involved with the Eastern Communication Association.
“The anti-conservatism is increasing at most national education venues,” said Vatz.
More
[And the taxpayers of this and other states are forced to fund and support this? --Editor]
The professor added that when he brought up his concerns with the National Communication Association, “they couldn’t care less.”
“There has been an increasing and unremitting effort to eliminate conservatives and conservative thought in the humanities and social sciences in the American academy,” wrote professor Vatz in his recent Baltimore Sun op-ed, entitled, “Towson professor: Higher ed discriminates against conservatives.”
“Higher education prides itself on two overarching values: supporting the marketplace of ideas and academic freedom,” said Vatz. “Channeling the late civil rights advocate President John F. Kennedy, who said ‘Are we to say to the world — and much more importantly, to each other — that this is the land of the free, except for the Negro?'”
“Today, he would have said of colleges and universities, ‘Are we to say to the world — and much more importantly, to each other — higher education today is for diversity and equity except for conservatives?'” he added.
Professor Vatz, who has taught at Towson University for the past 45 years, said that he is also familiar with universities around the country, as he has been invited to speak at many of them, and has been on the Legislative Assembly at the National Communication Association (NCA), as well as involved with the Eastern Communication Association.
“The anti-conservatism is increasing at most national education venues,” said Vatz.
More
[And the taxpayers of this and other states are forced to fund and support this? --Editor]
‘It Was Clearly Criminal’: How A Massachusetts Judge Allegedly Helped An Illegal Alien Escape ICE
A Massachusetts judge, indicted for allegedly helping sneak an illegal alien out of a courtroom in order to avoid an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, is opting to fight the charges instead of accepting a plea deal.
Federal prosecutors charged Shelley Joseph, a Newton District Court judge, with obstruction of justice in April for allegedly helping an illegal alien sneak through the backdoor of a courthouse, allowing him to evade an ICE officer who was waiting to apprehend him. Instead of taking a plea deal that would allow her to avoid prosecution, Joseph is preparing to go to trial.
The case has divided many in the Massachusetts legal community and has become a symbol of the growing tension between federal immigration authorities and local officials in liberal enclaves. Massachusetts has aggressively fought to restrict ICE’s ability to enforce immigration law in recent, a backlash against the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration.
The prosecution, nonetheless, is arguing that Joseph’s actions clearly broke the law.
More
Federal prosecutors charged Shelley Joseph, a Newton District Court judge, with obstruction of justice in April for allegedly helping an illegal alien sneak through the backdoor of a courthouse, allowing him to evade an ICE officer who was waiting to apprehend him. Instead of taking a plea deal that would allow her to avoid prosecution, Joseph is preparing to go to trial.
The case has divided many in the Massachusetts legal community and has become a symbol of the growing tension between federal immigration authorities and local officials in liberal enclaves. Massachusetts has aggressively fought to restrict ICE’s ability to enforce immigration law in recent, a backlash against the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration.
The prosecution, nonetheless, is arguing that Joseph’s actions clearly broke the law.
More
It Snowed Last Night
8:00 am: I made a snowman.
8:10 - A feminist passed by and asked me why I didn't make a snow woman.
8:15 - So, I made a snow woman.
8:17 - My feminist neighbor complained about the snow woman's voluptuous chest saying it objectified snow women everywhere.
8:20 - The gay couple living nearby threw a hissy fit and moaned it could have been two snow men instead.
8:22 - The transgender man..woman...person asked why I didn't just make one snow person with detachable parts.
8:25 - The vegans at the end of the lane complained about the carrot nose, as veggies are food and not to decorate snow figures with.
8:28 - I was being called a racist because the snow couple is white.
8:31 - The Muslim gent across the road demanded the snow woman wear a burqa.
8:40 - The police arrived saying someone had been offended
8:42 - The feminist neighbor complained again that the broomstick of the snow woman needed to be removed because it depicted women in a domestic role.
8:43 - The council equality officer arrived and threatened me with eviction.
8:45 - TV news crew from ABC showed up. I was asked if I know the difference between snowmen and snow-women. I replied "Snowballs" and am now called a sexist.
9:00 - I was on the news as a suspected terrorist, racist, homophobe sensibility offender, bent on stirring up trouble during difficult weather.
9:10 - I was asked if I have any accomplices. My children were taken by social services.
9:29 - Far left protesters offended by everything marched down the street demanding for me to be beheaded.
Moral: There is no moral to this story. It is what we have become.
8:10 - A feminist passed by and asked me why I didn't make a snow woman.
8:15 - So, I made a snow woman.
8:17 - My feminist neighbor complained about the snow woman's voluptuous chest saying it objectified snow women everywhere.
8:20 - The gay couple living nearby threw a hissy fit and moaned it could have been two snow men instead.
8:22 - The transgender man..woman...person asked why I didn't just make one snow person with detachable parts.
8:25 - The vegans at the end of the lane complained about the carrot nose, as veggies are food and not to decorate snow figures with.
8:28 - I was being called a racist because the snow couple is white.
8:31 - The Muslim gent across the road demanded the snow woman wear a burqa.
8:40 - The police arrived saying someone had been offended
8:42 - The feminist neighbor complained again that the broomstick of the snow woman needed to be removed because it depicted women in a domestic role.
8:43 - The council equality officer arrived and threatened me with eviction.
8:45 - TV news crew from ABC showed up. I was asked if I know the difference between snowmen and snow-women. I replied "Snowballs" and am now called a sexist.
9:00 - I was on the news as a suspected terrorist, racist, homophobe sensibility offender, bent on stirring up trouble during difficult weather.
9:10 - I was asked if I have any accomplices. My children were taken by social services.
9:29 - Far left protesters offended by everything marched down the street demanding for me to be beheaded.
Moral: There is no moral to this story. It is what we have become.