U.S.—Legislators have begun to hold hearings on impeaching Santa Claus after an overheard conversation seemed to imply he was offering a quid pro quo: gifts in exchange for good behavior.
FBI agents spied on Claus at various malls as he repeatedly said things like, "Sure, I'll get you a pony. But first, I need you to do something for me... be a good little boy!" The FBI was able to obtain a FISA warrant to spy on Claus, because it's easier to get a FISA warrant than to get a Costco membership.
"Ho ho noooooo!" Santa Claus cried as investigators leaped out and cuffed him at a Dayton, OH mall. "Not good! Sad!"
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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Saturday, December 21, 2019
ICE reopening long-closed deportation cases against Dreamers
The letter this fall from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement turned Zoila Pelayo’s life on end. Stunned, she read that the agency was filing to reopen a deportation case against her that had been closed nearly eight years ago.
Pelayo, 33, lives with her husband and two young children in Tucson, Arizona. Her parents brought her there from Mexico without documentation when she was 6. As a “Dreamer” who has been shielded from deportation since 2012 under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, and who has stayed out of trouble with the law, Pelayo believed she was safe.
“I never thought they would reopen my case,” she said. “I feel like I’m an American … If they send me back to Mexico what are my kids going to do without me? What am I going to do without them?”
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Pelayo, 33, lives with her husband and two young children in Tucson, Arizona. Her parents brought her there from Mexico without documentation when she was 6. As a “Dreamer” who has been shielded from deportation since 2012 under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, and who has stayed out of trouble with the law, Pelayo believed she was safe.
“I never thought they would reopen my case,” she said. “I feel like I’m an American … If they send me back to Mexico what are my kids going to do without me? What am I going to do without them?”
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Researcher: Data on 267 million Facebook users exposed
A Ukrainian security researcher reported finding a database with the names, phone numbers and unique user IDs of more than 267 million Facebook users — nearly all U.S.-based — on the open internet. That data was likely harvested by criminals, said researcher Bob Diachenko, an independent security consultant in Kyiv.
The database, which Diachenko discovered with a search engine, was freely accessible online for at least 10 days beginning Dec. 4, he said. He notified the internet provider where it was hosted when he found it on Dec. 14; five days later it was no longer available.
Diachenko said someone downloaded the database to a hacker forum two days before he discovered it so it may have been shared among online thieves. Security experts say the affected Facebook users are at higher risk of being targeted by spam, password-stealing phishing attacks and identity theft attempts.
More here
The database, which Diachenko discovered with a search engine, was freely accessible online for at least 10 days beginning Dec. 4, he said. He notified the internet provider where it was hosted when he found it on Dec. 14; five days later it was no longer available.
Diachenko said someone downloaded the database to a hacker forum two days before he discovered it so it may have been shared among online thieves. Security experts say the affected Facebook users are at higher risk of being targeted by spam, password-stealing phishing attacks and identity theft attempts.
More here
NYPD releases photos of fugitive 14-year-old boy accused of murdering Barnard student Tessa Majors
The New York Police Department has released photos of the third teenage suspect in the grisly stabbing murder of Tessa Majors, who slipped out of a car while on his way to turn himself into police just five days ago.
On Friday Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison released three photos of the unnamed 14-year-old asking the public to come forward with information on his whereabouts.
Police typically do not release photos of underage suspects but have in this case as he is on the run from authorities.
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On Friday Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison released three photos of the unnamed 14-year-old asking the public to come forward with information on his whereabouts.
Police typically do not release photos of underage suspects but have in this case as he is on the run from authorities.
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Is College 'Worth It'? One Study Says Maybe Not
The unjustifiably high cost of college tuition in the US has dragged a whole generation into debt slavery. The average cost of a 4-year degree in the US is 3x higher than it was in 1990. Even tuition at in-state schools is climbing more quickly than incomes.
As more people are forced to go into deep levels of debt to afford an education, more would-be students are being forced to take a hard look and reevaluate the ROI on a college degree.
And as college tuition continues to outpace wage growth, for a growing number of people, the answer to 'is college worth it?' is going to be no.
A reporter at Clever.com did some digging, and tabulated the ROI on different types of degrees: the bachelor's, master's and doctorate.
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As more people are forced to go into deep levels of debt to afford an education, more would-be students are being forced to take a hard look and reevaluate the ROI on a college degree.
And as college tuition continues to outpace wage growth, for a growing number of people, the answer to 'is college worth it?' is going to be no.
A reporter at Clever.com did some digging, and tabulated the ROI on different types of degrees: the bachelor's, master's and doctorate.
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'Biden Inc.'
The day the Bidens took over Paradigm Global Advisors was a memorable one.
In the late summer of 2006 Joe Biden’s son Hunter and Joe’s younger brother, James, purchased the firm. On their first day on the job, they showed up with Joe’s other son, Beau, and two large men and ordered the hedge fund’s chief of compliance to fire its president, according to a Paradigm executive who was present.
After the firing, the two large men escorted the fund’s president out of the firm’s midtown Manhattan office, and James Biden laid out his vision for the fund’s future. “Don’t worry about investors,” he said, according to the executive, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, citing fear of retaliation. “We've got people all around the world who want to invest in Joe Biden.”
At the time, the senator was just months away from both assuming the chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and launching his second presidential bid. According to the executive, James Biden made it clear he viewed the fund as a way to take money from rich foreigners who could not legally give money to his older brother or his campaign account. “We've got investors lined up in a line of 747s filled with cash ready to invest in this company,” the executive remembers James Biden saying.
At this, the executive recalled, Beau Biden, who was then running for attorney general of Delaware, turned bright red. He told his uncle, “This can never leave this room, and if you ever say it again, I will have nothing to do with this.”
There's more here
In the late summer of 2006 Joe Biden’s son Hunter and Joe’s younger brother, James, purchased the firm. On their first day on the job, they showed up with Joe’s other son, Beau, and two large men and ordered the hedge fund’s chief of compliance to fire its president, according to a Paradigm executive who was present.
After the firing, the two large men escorted the fund’s president out of the firm’s midtown Manhattan office, and James Biden laid out his vision for the fund’s future. “Don’t worry about investors,” he said, according to the executive, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, citing fear of retaliation. “We've got people all around the world who want to invest in Joe Biden.”
At the time, the senator was just months away from both assuming the chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and launching his second presidential bid. According to the executive, James Biden made it clear he viewed the fund as a way to take money from rich foreigners who could not legally give money to his older brother or his campaign account. “We've got investors lined up in a line of 747s filled with cash ready to invest in this company,” the executive remembers James Biden saying.
At this, the executive recalled, Beau Biden, who was then running for attorney general of Delaware, turned bright red. He told his uncle, “This can never leave this room, and if you ever say it again, I will have nothing to do with this.”
There's more here
Robert De Niro says he'd like to see Donald Trump get hit in the face with a bag of excrement 'because he needs to get humiliated'
Hollywood legend and staunch 'Never Trumper' Robert De Niro has called for the president to be hit in the face with a bag of feculence.
De Niro's remarks, made in a interview with Michael Moore on the liberal film director's podcast, are just the latest explosive insult the actor has hurled at President Donald Trump.
'I'd like to see a bag of s**t right in his face. Hit him right in the face like that and let the picture go all over the world, De Niro said.
'And, that would be the most humiliating thing because he needs to be humiliated,' he added.
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De Niro's remarks, made in a interview with Michael Moore on the liberal film director's podcast, are just the latest explosive insult the actor has hurled at President Donald Trump.
'I'd like to see a bag of s**t right in his face. Hit him right in the face like that and let the picture go all over the world, De Niro said.
'And, that would be the most humiliating thing because he needs to be humiliated,' he added.
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MS-13 Arrests Deal Blow to Gang Leadership on Long Island
Authorities said Friday they have dealt an unprecedented blow to the violent MS-13 street gang, announcing charges against nearly 100 of the group's members and associates on Long Island.
Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy Sini revealed a sweeping indictment that he said “decimated” the gang's leadership and drug suppliers on Long Island. He described the case as the largest of its kind against MS-13 in New York, where the gang has been blamed for dozens of killings since 2016.
The two-year investigation by state and federal authorities thwarted more than a half-dozen murder plots, Sini said, and also provided authorities insights into the gang's structure and recruiting patterns. The operation was bolstered by an expansive wire tap in which the authorities monitored calls from more than 200 phone numbers.
“MS-13 is a ruthless, savage gang,” Sini said at a news conference, pointing to a machete recovered by law enforcement, the gang's signature weapon. "They will attempt to recalibrate and send individuals to take up leadership roles in Suffolk County. That’s why we have to stay vigilant.”
Authorities said they seized more than 10 kilograms of cocaine, hundreds of fentanyl pills, drug ledgers, long guns and other firearms, and more than $200,000 cash. Those taken into custody included the leaders of nine so-called “cliques” — factions of MS-13.
More here
Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy Sini revealed a sweeping indictment that he said “decimated” the gang's leadership and drug suppliers on Long Island. He described the case as the largest of its kind against MS-13 in New York, where the gang has been blamed for dozens of killings since 2016.
The two-year investigation by state and federal authorities thwarted more than a half-dozen murder plots, Sini said, and also provided authorities insights into the gang's structure and recruiting patterns. The operation was bolstered by an expansive wire tap in which the authorities monitored calls from more than 200 phone numbers.
“MS-13 is a ruthless, savage gang,” Sini said at a news conference, pointing to a machete recovered by law enforcement, the gang's signature weapon. "They will attempt to recalibrate and send individuals to take up leadership roles in Suffolk County. That’s why we have to stay vigilant.”
Authorities said they seized more than 10 kilograms of cocaine, hundreds of fentanyl pills, drug ledgers, long guns and other firearms, and more than $200,000 cash. Those taken into custody included the leaders of nine so-called “cliques” — factions of MS-13.
More here
Joe Biden Admits What He's Willing to Sacrifice for a Greener Economy
Former Vice President Joe Biden stated he is more than willing to "sacrifice" the ongoing economic growth, resulting in the displacement of thousands of blue collar workers, in order to shift towards a more green economy.
"The answer is yes, because the opportunity, the opportunity for those workers to transition to high paying jobs, as Tom said, is real," Biden said during the sixth Democratic presidential debate on Thursday.
"We’re the only country that’s taken great, great crises and turned them into enormous opportunities. I’ve met with the union leaders. For example, we should in fact be making sure right now that every new building built is energy contained, that it doesn’t leak energy, that in fact we should be providing tax credits for people to be able to make their homes turn to solar power," he continued.
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"The answer is yes, because the opportunity, the opportunity for those workers to transition to high paying jobs, as Tom said, is real," Biden said during the sixth Democratic presidential debate on Thursday.
"We’re the only country that’s taken great, great crises and turned them into enormous opportunities. I’ve met with the union leaders. For example, we should in fact be making sure right now that every new building built is energy contained, that it doesn’t leak energy, that in fact we should be providing tax credits for people to be able to make their homes turn to solar power," he continued.
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Family Research Council’s Tony Perkins: Christianity Today Has ‘PC Worldview’
The president of Family Research Council (FRC) says Christianity Today is applying a “PC” worldview to the political landscape, rather than a biblical one, in its condemnation of President Donald Trump.
Tony Perkins has added his voice to those of other evangelical Christian leaders who have criticized CT for its editorial condemning Trump as “profoundly immoral” and urging his removal from office.
Perkins tweeted Friday that, like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), CT “makes claims w/o evidence.”
“We’ve heard this before,” Perkins said. “Christians should apply a biblical worldview, not a PC worldview, to the current political landscape. @realdonaldtrump‘s robust record on life & religious liberty speaks for itself.”
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Tony Perkins has added his voice to those of other evangelical Christian leaders who have criticized CT for its editorial condemning Trump as “profoundly immoral” and urging his removal from office.
Perkins tweeted Friday that, like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), CT “makes claims w/o evidence.”
“We’ve heard this before,” Perkins said. “Christians should apply a biblical worldview, not a PC worldview, to the current political landscape. @realdonaldtrump‘s robust record on life & religious liberty speaks for itself.”
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FBI had spies inside Trump campaign: IG
The FBI had operational informants inside the Trump campaign and among Trump associates, according to the Justice Department’s inspector general report.
The finding appears to be the first official confirmation that there were FBI-paid spies, called confidential human sources (CHS), close to President Trump.
Inspector General Michael Horowitz’s report tends to downplay his finding. But he does say that one informant reported information directly to Crossfire Hurricane, the code name for the FBI probe into Trump-Russia connections led by agent Peter Strzok.
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The finding appears to be the first official confirmation that there were FBI-paid spies, called confidential human sources (CHS), close to President Trump.
Inspector General Michael Horowitz’s report tends to downplay his finding. But he does say that one informant reported information directly to Crossfire Hurricane, the code name for the FBI probe into Trump-Russia connections led by agent Peter Strzok.
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Ocean City Seeks Summary Judgment In Topless Case
OCEAN CITY – Three years of legal positioning over the issue of female toplessness on the beach in Ocean City could be coming to an end soon, as the town has filed a motion for summary judgment in the high-profile civil suit filed in 2018.
The motion for summary judgment, and the accompanying memorandum in support, if approved, would effectively end the case, which was filed by local resident and female toplessness advocate Chelsea Eline and four other named plaintiffs. The plaintiffs will likely file a similar motion for summary judgment on their behalf, leaving a federal judge to decide what could be an end-game of sorts in the long-standing case. In fact, the memorandum in support of the town’s motion for summary judgment suggests an awareness the opposition in the case will essentially seek the same action.
“Both sides believe the case is now in a posture to be decided on cross-motions for summary judgment,” the memorandum in support reads.
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The motion for summary judgment, and the accompanying memorandum in support, if approved, would effectively end the case, which was filed by local resident and female toplessness advocate Chelsea Eline and four other named plaintiffs. The plaintiffs will likely file a similar motion for summary judgment on their behalf, leaving a federal judge to decide what could be an end-game of sorts in the long-standing case. In fact, the memorandum in support of the town’s motion for summary judgment suggests an awareness the opposition in the case will essentially seek the same action.
“Both sides believe the case is now in a posture to be decided on cross-motions for summary judgment,” the memorandum in support reads.
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Frederick man sentenced to 9 years for knowingly transmitting HIV to 3 women
FREDERICK, Md. — A Frederick man has been sentenced to nine years in prison for knowingly transmitting HIV to three women, according to the Frederick County State's Attorney's Office.
Rudolph Jericho Smith, 37, entered an Alford plea to three counts of second-degree assault and three counts of knowingly attempting to transfer HIV in September and was sentenced Friday.
An Alford plea is when a defendant does not formally admit guilt but acknowledges that the state has sufficient evidence to convict them of the crimes they are accused of.
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Rudolph Jericho Smith, 37, entered an Alford plea to three counts of second-degree assault and three counts of knowingly attempting to transfer HIV in September and was sentenced Friday.
An Alford plea is when a defendant does not formally admit guilt but acknowledges that the state has sufficient evidence to convict them of the crimes they are accused of.
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Monica Crowley Vindicated by Columbia University After Fake Plagiarism Accusations
Treasury Department Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs Monica Crowley has been vindicated by Columbia University after a years-long investigation ultimately concluded she did not plagiarize her thesis, despite allegations by CNN and other establishment media outlets that she did.
Crowley, now the Treasury Department’s top spokeswoman but previously a Fox News contributor, had been under consideration to join the National Security Council (NSC) in the White House at the very beginning of President Donald Trump’s administration under his first national security adviser, retired Gen. Mike Flynn. Then, allegations from CNN and Politico, among other publications, claimed that she plagiarized her 2012 book and her thesis at Columbia, sparking Columbia to launch a review of her thesis that has now concluded.
The review found Crowley did not commit research misconduct, and sources familiar with the investigation added that the university is “not disciplining her in any way.” The university also, the source familiar with the details of the investigation told Breitbart News, found no research misconduct by Crowley.
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Crowley, now the Treasury Department’s top spokeswoman but previously a Fox News contributor, had been under consideration to join the National Security Council (NSC) in the White House at the very beginning of President Donald Trump’s administration under his first national security adviser, retired Gen. Mike Flynn. Then, allegations from CNN and Politico, among other publications, claimed that she plagiarized her 2012 book and her thesis at Columbia, sparking Columbia to launch a review of her thesis that has now concluded.
The review found Crowley did not commit research misconduct, and sources familiar with the investigation added that the university is “not disciplining her in any way.” The university also, the source familiar with the details of the investigation told Breitbart News, found no research misconduct by Crowley.
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Bolton: North Korea’s Christmas threat is a bluff
According to former National Security adviser John Bolton, North Korea is unlikely to follow through on its so-called “Christmas gift” threat. During an interview with NPR Thursday, he downplayed that North Korea would conduct a major weapons test before the end of the year if the U.S. fails to make concessions on a nuclear deal.
Bolton said Pyongyang believes the U.S. is desperate for an agreement and is using the “Christmas gift” threat to further pressure Washington into making a deal favoring North Korea. He warned President Trump not to give in, arguing the country will never give up its nuclear weapons.
“The North Koreans are very happy to declare they will give up their nuclear weapons program, particularly when it’s for tangible economic benefit, but they never get around to doing it,” he stated. “And I think the inescapable conclusion is they’re happy to sell that same bridge over and over again, but there’s no serious chance they will voluntarily give it up.”
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Bolton said Pyongyang believes the U.S. is desperate for an agreement and is using the “Christmas gift” threat to further pressure Washington into making a deal favoring North Korea. He warned President Trump not to give in, arguing the country will never give up its nuclear weapons.
“The North Koreans are very happy to declare they will give up their nuclear weapons program, particularly when it’s for tangible economic benefit, but they never get around to doing it,” he stated. “And I think the inescapable conclusion is they’re happy to sell that same bridge over and over again, but there’s no serious chance they will voluntarily give it up.”
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The Army’s Next Attack Helicopter Could Look Like This
The Textron company on Tuesday unveiled the Bell 360 Invictus, with a sporty-looking, new design that executives say is based on existing commercial technology, keeping it cheap to fly and maintain.
“If you need … and can afford a Corvette, do you go buy a Ferrari,” Jeffrey Schloesser, executive Bell’s vice president of strategic pursuits, said during a briefing in Arlington, Virginia. “This is not a truck. This is a high-speed, agile aircraft at an affordable price that meets all the requirements from the U.S. Army.”
Bell is one of five teams building prototypes for the Army, which wants to replace the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter it retired in 2014. The Army is calling its next-gen helicopter the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft, or FARA.
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Flashback: $1.5B contract in Iraq for Biden’s little brother
[Originally published October 22, 2012]
Mitt Romney has criticized President Obama for giving green energy subsidies to campaign donors, but a new report out ahead of the debate tonight shows that this White House’s crony capitalism has a foreign policy angle.
HillStone International won a coveted government contract in part because the company has “the little brother of the Vice President as a partner,” as David Richter, president of HillStone’s parent company explained to investors in a recent meeting reported on by Fox Business today.
“Since November 2010, James Biden has been the executive vice president of Hill International’s housing subsidiary despite little if any documented work history in residential construction,” Fox explains. “And if the company’s projections are accurate, both Hill and Biden are on the verge of a huge payday, beneficiaries, some analysts believe, of James Biden’s connections to the Obama Administration through his older brother.”
More here
Mitt Romney has criticized President Obama for giving green energy subsidies to campaign donors, but a new report out ahead of the debate tonight shows that this White House’s crony capitalism has a foreign policy angle.
HillStone International won a coveted government contract in part because the company has “the little brother of the Vice President as a partner,” as David Richter, president of HillStone’s parent company explained to investors in a recent meeting reported on by Fox Business today.
“Since November 2010, James Biden has been the executive vice president of Hill International’s housing subsidiary despite little if any documented work history in residential construction,” Fox explains. “And if the company’s projections are accurate, both Hill and Biden are on the verge of a huge payday, beneficiaries, some analysts believe, of James Biden’s connections to the Obama Administration through his older brother.”
More here
Franklin Graham Slams Christianity Today: My Father ‘Voted for Donald Trump’
Celebrated evangelist Franklin Graham revealed Friday his father, Billy Graham, voted for Donald J. Trump in 2016 because he believed he was the best man for the job.
“My father knew Donald Trump, he believed in Donald Trump, and he voted for Donald Trump,” Graham wrote on Facebook early Friday. “He believed that Donald J. Trump was the man for this hour in history for our nation.”
Rev. Franklin Graham was responding to an article that appeared Thursday in Christianity Today — a magazine founded by “America’s pastor” Billy Graham — declaring that President Trump should be removed from office.
“Yes, my father Billy Graham founded Christianity Today; but no, he would not agree with their opinion piece. In fact, he would be very disappointed,” Graham said, noting that the misappropriation of his father’s name is what moved him to reveal whom his father voted for in 2016.
Rev. Graham then proceeded to offer his own searing indictment of the behavior of House Democrats in their “politically motivated, 100% partisan” impeachment of the president.
“My father knew Donald Trump, he believed in Donald Trump, and he voted for Donald Trump,” Graham wrote on Facebook early Friday. “He believed that Donald J. Trump was the man for this hour in history for our nation.”
Rev. Franklin Graham was responding to an article that appeared Thursday in Christianity Today — a magazine founded by “America’s pastor” Billy Graham — declaring that President Trump should be removed from office.
“Yes, my father Billy Graham founded Christianity Today; but no, he would not agree with their opinion piece. In fact, he would be very disappointed,” Graham said, noting that the misappropriation of his father’s name is what moved him to reveal whom his father voted for in 2016.
Rev. Graham then proceeded to offer his own searing indictment of the behavior of House Democrats in their “politically motivated, 100% partisan” impeachment of the president.
Biden Probe: GOP Senators Request Ukraine Interview with Dossier Hoaxer Victoria Nuland
Victoria Nuland, a former senior official the Obama-era State Department who played a key role in disseminating the anti-Trump dossier, has been asked by three Senate GOP chairmen to provide an interview as part of the lawmakers’ investigation into possible corruption related to Ukraine and Joe and Hunter Biden.
The interview request, also sent to four other ex-Obama administration officials, may be particularly instructive since email chains reportedly show Nuland worked closely on Ukraine issues with Eric Ciaramella, whom Real Clear Investigations suggests is the likely so-called whistleblower.
Breitbart News further reported that Ciaramella was part of an Obama administration email chain celebrating the eventual signing of a $1 billion U.S. loan guarantee to Ukraine in addition to numerous other emails.
Ciaramella also received emails about Ukraine policy from a top director at George Soros’s Open Society Foundations, Breitbart News recently reported.
More here
The interview request, also sent to four other ex-Obama administration officials, may be particularly instructive since email chains reportedly show Nuland worked closely on Ukraine issues with Eric Ciaramella, whom Real Clear Investigations suggests is the likely so-called whistleblower.
Breitbart News further reported that Ciaramella was part of an Obama administration email chain celebrating the eventual signing of a $1 billion U.S. loan guarantee to Ukraine in addition to numerous other emails.
Ciaramella also received emails about Ukraine policy from a top director at George Soros’s Open Society Foundations, Breitbart News recently reported.
More here
Judicial Watch Sues Schiff and the House Intelligence Committee for Phone Subpoenas Targeting Trump
Judicial Watch announced it has filed a lawsuit against Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and the House Intelligence Committee for the controversial subpoenas issued for phone records, including those of Rudy Giuliani, President Trump’s lawyer. The phone records led to the publication of the private phone records of Giuliani, Congressman Devon Nunes, journalist John Solomon, Trump attorney Jay Sekulow, attorney Victoria Toensing, and other American citizens.
Judicial Watch filed the lawsuit under the public’s common-law right of public access to examine government records after it received no response to a December 6, 2019, records request.
Schiff is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, currently serving as Chairman of the United States House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Schiff is being sued in his capacity as Chairman of that committee. The new lawsuit states:
The records are of critical public importance as the subpoenas were issued without any lawful basis and violated the rights of numerous private citizens.
Disclosure of the requested records would serve the public interest by providing information about the unlawful issuance of the subpoenas.
The requested records fall within the scope of the public’s right of access to governmental records as a matter of federal common law.
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Judicial Watch filed the lawsuit under the public’s common-law right of public access to examine government records after it received no response to a December 6, 2019, records request.
Schiff is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, currently serving as Chairman of the United States House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Schiff is being sued in his capacity as Chairman of that committee. The new lawsuit states:
The records are of critical public importance as the subpoenas were issued without any lawful basis and violated the rights of numerous private citizens.
Disclosure of the requested records would serve the public interest by providing information about the unlawful issuance of the subpoenas.
The requested records fall within the scope of the public’s right of access to governmental records as a matter of federal common law.
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Governor Hogan Declares State Holiday and Maryland State Government Closure for Christmas Eve
State Offices Will Be Closed Tuesday, December 24
ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today declared that Maryland state government agencies and offices will be closed on Tuesday, December 24, 2019 in observance of Christmas Eve.
“I am declaring Christmas Eve a state holiday this year to give our dedicated employees more time to spend with their families and loved ones,” said Governor Hogan. “We hope that our hardworking state workers, and all Marylanders, have a merry Christmas and a safe and happy holiday season.”
Under this declaration, December 24, 2019 will be treated like any other state-employee holiday.
MS-13 tip line targeting notorious street gang launched by FBI, Maryland's US Attorney
A new tip line unveiled Tuesday is the latest weapon against the notorious MS-13 gang, as federal officials hope to gather as much information as they can to use against the street gang violence battering both coasts.
The new tip line, along with a public service announcement in Spanish, encourages people who may have information about the gang to come forward. Both were unveiled in Greenbelt, Maryland, a state with an alarming presence of MS-13 and MS-13-related murders.
U.S. Attorney for Maryland Robert K. Hur said that MS-13 is "terrorizing and preying upon entire communities" and that the community's help is needed to bring justice to gang members who commit "heinous crimes."
https://www.foxnews.com/us/ms-13-tip-line-nationwide-fbi-maryland-street-gang
The new tip line, along with a public service announcement in Spanish, encourages people who may have information about the gang to come forward. Both were unveiled in Greenbelt, Maryland, a state with an alarming presence of MS-13 and MS-13-related murders.
U.S. Attorney for Maryland Robert K. Hur said that MS-13 is "terrorizing and preying upon entire communities" and that the community's help is needed to bring justice to gang members who commit "heinous crimes."
https://www.foxnews.com/us/ms-13-tip-line-nationwide-fbi-maryland-street-gang
Come To Caribbean Joe's For A Full Day Of NFL Games
American Taxpayers Continue Funding Border Walls — in the Middle East
American taxpayers are once again being forced to subsidize border security measures in the Middle East as part of the latest government spending bill.
While construction for barriers at the United States-Mexico border receives explicitly less than $1.4 billion in federal funds for Fiscal Year 2020, foreign countries are again sweeping up billions more in U.S. taxpayer money to strengthen their borders.
The spending bill, which is set to pass the Senate, provides Jordan with more than $7.3 billion to be used to help the country “enhance the ability of the armed forces … to increase or sustain security along its borders.” An additional $500 million is allocated to help “security along [Jordan’s] borders.”
Another nearly $1.2 billion is available until September 2021 to “enhance the border security of nations” such as Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, and Tunisia.
This is at least the third conservative year that American taxpayers have been forced to pay for border security enhancement in foreign countries in the Middle East, as Breitbart News has chronicled.
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While construction for barriers at the United States-Mexico border receives explicitly less than $1.4 billion in federal funds for Fiscal Year 2020, foreign countries are again sweeping up billions more in U.S. taxpayer money to strengthen their borders.
The spending bill, which is set to pass the Senate, provides Jordan with more than $7.3 billion to be used to help the country “enhance the ability of the armed forces … to increase or sustain security along its borders.” An additional $500 million is allocated to help “security along [Jordan’s] borders.”
Another nearly $1.2 billion is available until September 2021 to “enhance the border security of nations” such as Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, and Tunisia.
This is at least the third conservative year that American taxpayers have been forced to pay for border security enhancement in foreign countries in the Middle East, as Breitbart News has chronicled.
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Naughty or Nice? The North Pole has issued its 'official' list for 2019
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX/WTTE) — Ready or not, it's time to find out who made Santa's naughty or nice list this holiday season.
The Department of Christmas Affairs, which operates under the North Pole Government, has released its official "Naughty & Nice List" for 2019.
When you're ready, click here to see if your first name is on the naughty or nice list.
If you don't see your name, you can submit a new name for judgment.
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The Department of Christmas Affairs, which operates under the North Pole Government, has released its official "Naughty & Nice List" for 2019.
When you're ready, click here to see if your first name is on the naughty or nice list.
If you don't see your name, you can submit a new name for judgment.
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Donald Trump signs $738 BILLION spending deal that officially creates his Space Force at military base as Melania Trump wishes the troops Merry Christmas
President Donald Trump signed a massive $738 billion Defense bill Friday – which will officially establish the Space Force.
'With my signature today you will witness the birth of the Space Force,' he said. 'And that will be now officially the sixth branch of the United States armed forces.'
He signed the legislation at Joint Base Andrews - which he dubbed 'America's Airfield' as it houses Air Force One - before he departed to Mar-a-Lago for the Christmas holiday.
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'With my signature today you will witness the birth of the Space Force,' he said. 'And that will be now officially the sixth branch of the United States armed forces.'
He signed the legislation at Joint Base Andrews - which he dubbed 'America's Airfield' as it houses Air Force One - before he departed to Mar-a-Lago for the Christmas holiday.
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Impeachment stalls until 2020
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., announced Thursday afternoon that there will be no more House votes until Jan. 7, prompting cheers from his Democratic colleagues in the chamber.
The announcement is confirmation that the House will not approve impeachment managers or send the two articles of impeachment to the Senate until the beginning of the new year.
The decision has drawn the ire of Republicans, who control the Senate where the trial against Trump -- which includes charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress -- will occur.
"It’s beyond me how the Speaker and Democratic Leader in the Senate think withholding the articles of impeachment and not sending them over gives them leverage," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told reporters on Thursday. "Frankly, I’m not anxious to have the trial… If she [House Speaker Nancy Pelosi] thinks her case is so weak she doesn’t want to send it over, throw me into that briar patch."
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/impeachment-stalls-hoyer-announces-no-more-house-votes-this-year
The announcement is confirmation that the House will not approve impeachment managers or send the two articles of impeachment to the Senate until the beginning of the new year.
The decision has drawn the ire of Republicans, who control the Senate where the trial against Trump -- which includes charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress -- will occur.
"It’s beyond me how the Speaker and Democratic Leader in the Senate think withholding the articles of impeachment and not sending them over gives them leverage," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told reporters on Thursday. "Frankly, I’m not anxious to have the trial… If she [House Speaker Nancy Pelosi] thinks her case is so weak she doesn’t want to send it over, throw me into that briar patch."
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/impeachment-stalls-hoyer-announces-no-more-house-votes-this-year
Navy, Army probes find no racism intent in hand gestures
Two Naval Academy midshipmen who made a hand gesture associated with white nationalists while standing in the background of a TV segment during the annual Army-Navy football game were playing a “sophomoric game” and were not flashing racist gestures, according to a Navy probe into the incident released Friday.
The mids made the hand sign while standing in the background during an ESPN broadcast segment during the Dec. 14 game.
The involved students — whose names are redacted in the copy of the report released by the Academy — told investigators they were playing “the circle game,” where one person makes the “OK” hand symbol.
“The premise of the game is that a person makes a circle with their pointer finger and thumb below their waist,” the investigator wrote. “If someone looks at the circle, they lose and the person who made the circle gets to punch the person who looked in the arm.”
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The mids made the hand sign while standing in the background during an ESPN broadcast segment during the Dec. 14 game.
The involved students — whose names are redacted in the copy of the report released by the Academy — told investigators they were playing “the circle game,” where one person makes the “OK” hand symbol.
“The premise of the game is that a person makes a circle with their pointer finger and thumb below their waist,” the investigator wrote. “If someone looks at the circle, they lose and the person who made the circle gets to punch the person who looked in the arm.”
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Maryland Elections Board Sued for Hiding Voter Registration Records
A watchdog group is suing the Maryland state board of elections for hiding voter registration records.
The Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF), an Indiana-based election integrity group, filed a complaint Dec. 16 against several individuals with Maryland's state board of elections for alleged violations of the National Voter Registration Act's public disclosure provision. The group sought a copy of the statewide voter registration list on Nov. 13 and offered to pay the required fees for the records. Two days later, an individual with the board of elections denied PILF's request, stating that only Maryland residents can obtain voter data.
"Maryland stood to make at least $250 from selling their voter data like usual, but decided to flaunt a recent court decision against them and refused PILF's application," Logan Churchwell, communications director at PILF, told the Washington Free Beacon. "Now, they have to defend a second federal lawsuit and risk paying attorneys' fees. It doesn't pay to hide public records—and here, it's actually profitable to disclose them."
The lawsuit comes as PILF has found instances across the country of duplicate registrations, deceased individuals still registered to vote, and voter rolls that contain more individuals than there are eligible voters.
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The Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF), an Indiana-based election integrity group, filed a complaint Dec. 16 against several individuals with Maryland's state board of elections for alleged violations of the National Voter Registration Act's public disclosure provision. The group sought a copy of the statewide voter registration list on Nov. 13 and offered to pay the required fees for the records. Two days later, an individual with the board of elections denied PILF's request, stating that only Maryland residents can obtain voter data.
"Maryland stood to make at least $250 from selling their voter data like usual, but decided to flaunt a recent court decision against them and refused PILF's application," Logan Churchwell, communications director at PILF, told the Washington Free Beacon. "Now, they have to defend a second federal lawsuit and risk paying attorneys' fees. It doesn't pay to hide public records—and here, it's actually profitable to disclose them."
The lawsuit comes as PILF has found instances across the country of duplicate registrations, deceased individuals still registered to vote, and voter rolls that contain more individuals than there are eligible voters.
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Better than a Flu Shot!
Miss Beatrice, The church organist, Was in her eighties
And had never been married. She was admired for her
sweetness and kindness to all.
One afternoon the pastor came to call on her and she showed him into her quaint sitting room.
She invited him to have a seat while she prepared tea...
As he sat facing her old Hammond organ, the young minister noticed a cut glass bowl sitting on top of it.
The bowl was filled with water, and in the water floated of all things, a condom!
When she returned with tea and scones, they began to chat. The pastor tried to stifle his curiosity about the bowl of water and its
strange floater, but soon it got the better of him and he could no longer resist.
'Miss Beatrice', he said,
'I wonder if you would tell me about this?
pointing to the bowl.
'Oh, yes,' she replied, 'Isn't it wonderful?
I was walking through the park a few months ago and I found this little package on the ground.
The directions said to place it on the organ, keep it wet and that it would prevent the spread of disease.
Do you know I haven't had the flu all winter.
And had never been married. She was admired for her
sweetness and kindness to all.
One afternoon the pastor came to call on her and she showed him into her quaint sitting room.
She invited him to have a seat while she prepared tea...
As he sat facing her old Hammond organ, the young minister noticed a cut glass bowl sitting on top of it.
The bowl was filled with water, and in the water floated of all things, a condom!
When she returned with tea and scones, they began to chat. The pastor tried to stifle his curiosity about the bowl of water and its
strange floater, but soon it got the better of him and he could no longer resist.
'Miss Beatrice', he said,
'I wonder if you would tell me about this?
pointing to the bowl.
'Oh, yes,' she replied, 'Isn't it wonderful?
I was walking through the park a few months ago and I found this little package on the ground.
The directions said to place it on the organ, keep it wet and that it would prevent the spread of disease.
Do you know I haven't had the flu all winter.
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