Our latest undercover investigation of wildlife killing contests in Maryland reveals a grisly world: one where contestants use digital technology to lure animals like foxes and coyotes to their death, riddle them with bullets in a mad rush to kill the most and heaviest animals, and then dump the animals like garbage once the contest is over.
Footage captured by the Humane Society of the United States at two such contests, the “Predator Hunters of Maryland” event in Unionville and the “Southern Maryland Predator Hunt” in Waldorf, shows contestants unloading foxes, coyotes and raccoons with gruesome injuries, their bodies bloody and ripped apart by bullets, from trucks. Worse, children seemingly inured to the violence play among the dead animals and even help drag them to the judging area.
Altogether, about 200 dead animals were placed before the judges in Unionville. Contestants were judged on a point system—killing a coyote earned five points, a fox three points and a raccoon one point. Prizes were also awarded for the heaviest coyote, the heaviest fox and the heaviest raccoon killed.
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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
Thursday, February 20, 2020
Governor Hogan Redesignates Violent Crime Bills as Emergency Legislation, Calls on Lawmakers to Take Immediate Action
Marks Halfway Point of Legislative Session By Focusing on Number One Priority of Marylanders
ANNAPOLIS, MD—At a press conference today marking the halfway point of the legislative session, Governor Larry Hogan announced that he is redesignating his bills to combat the violent crime crisis in Baltimore City as emergency legislation so that they can be signed into law and take effect immediately. To date, the General Assembly has taken no action on the governor’s proposals to combat violent crime, which is the number one priority of Marylanders.
“We are redesignating our violent crime reduction package as emergency legislation and allowing the legislature to take this package, and each of these individual bills, and act on them immediately, so that they can be signed into law immediately, and so that they can take effect immediately to address this crisis,” said Governor Hogan. “We don’t want to hear any more excuses. There cannot be any more delays.”
In December, at a press conference at his office in Baltimore City, Governor Hogan announced expanded legislation to get violent offenders off the streets and address the city’s crime crisis. Today, the governor sent a letter to committee leaders requesting that these crime bills be redesignated as emergency legislation. Read the letter here.
“On the day before this legislative session began, I said that the session needed to focus on increasing accountability and that the most important legislation of this entire session were these bills to hold violent criminals more accountable in order to stop the shootings and the murders in Baltimore City,” continued the governor. “Nearly all the people in every part of the state, in both parties and in every demographic group, strongly agree and support these bills—but still, there is no action.”
The Violent Firearm Offenders Act significantly increases tougher sentences for violent offenders who commit crimes with guns. This new and expanded legislation will increase penalties for: (1) those who repeatedly illegally carry firearms and for convicted gang members who illegally possess guns; (2) those who illegally transfer guns to people they know intend to use them in a crime; and (3) those who steal firearms, possess stolen firearms, or engage in straw purchasing.
- 85% of Marylanders, and 85% of Baltimore City residents, support this measure.
The Judicial Transparency Act requires the Maryland State Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy to publish sentencing records of judges in violent crime cases to hold the system more accountable to the public for sentencing decisions.
- 83% of Marylanders, and 93% of Baltimore City residents, support this measure.
The Witness Intimidation Prevention Act toughens penalties for witness intimidation resulting in serious physical injury or death, and expands the courts’ ability to admit statements made by intimidated witnesses under certain circumstances to all crimes.
- 91% of Marylanders, and 97% of Baltimore City residents, support this measure.
“I don’t believe there have ever been bills before the legislature that have ever had more enthusiastic, nearly unanimous support,” said the governor. “The public is literally crying out, pleading with the legislature to take these actions. But halfway through the legislative session, there has been no action. We need to stop playing politics. Pass these bills and get them to my desk so we can begin to stop the killings and get these violent shooters and murderers off the streets and behind bars.”
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Maryland Walmart employee becomes unlikely viral sensation
NORTH EAST, Md. (WKRN) – A Walmart store in Maryland is known for using its store employees to promote products on sale on the store’s Facebook page, but one associate has become a viral sensation without even trying.
The associate, known only to the internet as ‘Charlene,’ has taken the internet by storm with her deadpan demeanor in various promotions for products at the North East, Maryland Walmart store.
In one photo, Charlene is donning a milk moustache while holding up a package of Family Size Oreos and a gallon of milk. Another photo has Charlene wrapped in yellow bubble wrap to promote bubble wrap on sale.
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The associate, known only to the internet as ‘Charlene,’ has taken the internet by storm with her deadpan demeanor in various promotions for products at the North East, Maryland Walmart store.
In one photo, Charlene is donning a milk moustache while holding up a package of Family Size Oreos and a gallon of milk. Another photo has Charlene wrapped in yellow bubble wrap to promote bubble wrap on sale.
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Maryland Bill Would Ban Nontherapeutic Cat Declawing
State lawmakers heard a bill in committee Wednesday afternoon to ban declawing cats in Maryland.
"It's not just simply a manicure or something noninvasive that happens to cats. Declawing is actually an amputation of the last bone of the cat's toes on their paws," said Emily Hovermale, Maryland and Delaware director of the Humane Society of the United States.
House Bill 445, sponsored by Del. Lorig Charkoudian, a Montgomery County Democrat, prohibits declawing cats except for therapeutic reasons.
"There can be long-term physical complications that can come from declawing, such as lameness in the paw, arthritis and chronic pain," Hovermale said. "There are also some behavioral issues that can come from that, such as biting and issues using the litter box."
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"It's not just simply a manicure or something noninvasive that happens to cats. Declawing is actually an amputation of the last bone of the cat's toes on their paws," said Emily Hovermale, Maryland and Delaware director of the Humane Society of the United States.
House Bill 445, sponsored by Del. Lorig Charkoudian, a Montgomery County Democrat, prohibits declawing cats except for therapeutic reasons.
"There can be long-term physical complications that can come from declawing, such as lameness in the paw, arthritis and chronic pain," Hovermale said. "There are also some behavioral issues that can come from that, such as biting and issues using the litter box."
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Hunter Biden scandals explained: Ukraine, China, drug history and more
From his eyebrow-raising dealings in Delaware, China and Ukraine to controversies involving drug use and child support, Hunter Biden is no stranger to scandal. The son of former vice president and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has faced accusations of corrupt behavior from both sides of the political aisle, and played a starring role in the recently concluded impeachment proceedings against President Trump.
The younger Biden's distinct scandals are best understood in rough chronological order because Republicans have argued that Biden's apparently irresponsible behavior only made it more likely that his later sweetheart gigs were obtained not through merit, but because of connections that he could monetize.
Delaware
In 2008, both The New York Times and The American Spectator highlighted Hunter Biden's sweetheart gigs while his father rose in political prominence. The articles, written as Barack Obama and John McCain vied for the White House, found that Hunter Biden received consulting fees from the financial services company MBNA from 2001 to 2005 — while his father, then a senator, was pushing successfully for legislation that would make it harder for consumers to file for bankruptcy protection.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/hunter-bidens-controversies-explained
The younger Biden's distinct scandals are best understood in rough chronological order because Republicans have argued that Biden's apparently irresponsible behavior only made it more likely that his later sweetheart gigs were obtained not through merit, but because of connections that he could monetize.
Delaware
In 2008, both The New York Times and The American Spectator highlighted Hunter Biden's sweetheart gigs while his father rose in political prominence. The articles, written as Barack Obama and John McCain vied for the White House, found that Hunter Biden received consulting fees from the financial services company MBNA from 2001 to 2005 — while his father, then a senator, was pushing successfully for legislation that would make it harder for consumers to file for bankruptcy protection.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/hunter-bidens-controversies-explained
Democrat rivals beat down on billionaire Mike Bloomberg in his first debate appearance for calling women 'horse-faced lesbians and fat broads'
The 2020 Democratic hopefuls welcomed Mike Bloomberg to the debate stage Wednesday by pummeling him with punches.
It was Elizabeth Warren - and not Bernie Sanders - who landed the opening jab, quoting Trump-ish comments the billionaire candidate had made about women in the past.
'I'd like to talk about who we're running against, a billionaire who calls women fat broads and horse-faced lesbians. And no I'm not talking about Donald Trump, I'm talking about Mayor Bloomberg,' Warren said.
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It was Elizabeth Warren - and not Bernie Sanders - who landed the opening jab, quoting Trump-ish comments the billionaire candidate had made about women in the past.
'I'd like to talk about who we're running against, a billionaire who calls women fat broads and horse-faced lesbians. And no I'm not talking about Donald Trump, I'm talking about Mayor Bloomberg,' Warren said.
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'Get rid of Pelosi. That’s okay with me!' Donald Trump praises heckler who interrupts speech during president's tour of California - then says Republicans can take back House seats in the state
Donald Trump on Wednesday praised a heckler in California who urged him to 'get rid of' Speaker Nancy Pelosi, saying it was okay with him, and bragged Republicans will pick up seven House seats in the state this fall.
'He said get rid of Pelosi. That’s okay with me,' President Trump said at a water event with California farmers.
Relations between the president and the speaker - the head of their respective branches of government - are at an all time low and not likely to be helped by Trump attacking Pelosi on her home turf.
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'He said get rid of Pelosi. That’s okay with me,' President Trump said at a water event with California farmers.
Relations between the president and the speaker - the head of their respective branches of government - are at an all time low and not likely to be helped by Trump attacking Pelosi on her home turf.
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Flanked by Black Trump Supporters and Ex-Cons, Self-Described “Trumpocrat” Rod Blagojevich Says it is Trump Who is Fixing “Broken and Racist” Criminal Justice System
Democrats and Never-Trumpers are shaking with rage as Trump’s move to commute Governor Rod Blagojevich’s 14-year sentence was met with jubilation from Chicago’s black community.
The former governor, who held a press conference Wednesday morning, unleashed a torrent of gratitude to the president—and truth-bombs aimed at the Democrats’ failure to address an issue of key concern to the black community: criminal justice reform.
“No one has done more to fix this broken and racist criminal justice system than President Trump and Jared Kushner,” said Blagojevich as the crowd shouted support for both President Trump and the former governor, now calling himself a Trumpocrat:
The former governor, who held a press conference Wednesday morning, unleashed a torrent of gratitude to the president—and truth-bombs aimed at the Democrats’ failure to address an issue of key concern to the black community: criminal justice reform.
“No one has done more to fix this broken and racist criminal justice system than President Trump and Jared Kushner,” said Blagojevich as the crowd shouted support for both President Trump and the former governor, now calling himself a Trumpocrat:
Everyday people who find themselves caught up in this system…recognize the futility in fighting for their rights, they just give in, and under duress…unfair and cruel over-sentencing is the rule. It is a broken criminal justice system and it has been for a long time.More
And it’s a racist criminal justice system. No one is doing more to fix this broken criminal justice system than president trump and Jared Kushner.
National Poll: Bernie Sanders Stomps Joe Biden with 15-Point Lead
A national poll released Wednesday shows Sen. Bernie Sanders is currently leading the Democrat presidential primary field by 15 points.
Sanders is now at 32 percent support while former Vice President Joe Biden is only at 17 percent, down 11 points from a month ago, according to the ABC News/Washington Post poll.
In January, Biden was leading Sanders by four points, 28 percent to 24 percent.
Sanders is easily leading Biden among whites, and non-whites but falls short among black support, where the former vice president is clinging to a five-point lead.
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Sanders is now at 32 percent support while former Vice President Joe Biden is only at 17 percent, down 11 points from a month ago, according to the ABC News/Washington Post poll.
In January, Biden was leading Sanders by four points, 28 percent to 24 percent.
Sanders is easily leading Biden among whites, and non-whites but falls short among black support, where the former vice president is clinging to a five-point lead.
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Donald Trump: ‘Mini’ Mike Bloomberg ‘Hates the Farmer’
President Donald Trump on Wednesday met with farmers in California to discuss ongoing issues regarding water use rights, referring to disparaging comments about them made by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
“Devin and Kevin set it up long before we heard that mini Mike hates the farmer,” Trump said as the crowd booed. “Long before we learned about his hatred of the farmer and disrespect of the farmer.”
In a 2016 speech, Bloomberg mocked farmers as unskilled workers who were not suited for the modern world.
“I could teach anybody, even people in this room, no offense intended, to be a farmer,” Bloomberg said. “It’s a process. You dig a hole, you put a seed in, you put dirt on top, add water, up comes the corn. You could learn that.”
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“Devin and Kevin set it up long before we heard that mini Mike hates the farmer,” Trump said as the crowd booed. “Long before we learned about his hatred of the farmer and disrespect of the farmer.”
In a 2016 speech, Bloomberg mocked farmers as unskilled workers who were not suited for the modern world.
“I could teach anybody, even people in this room, no offense intended, to be a farmer,” Bloomberg said. “It’s a process. You dig a hole, you put a seed in, you put dirt on top, add water, up comes the corn. You could learn that.”
More/Video
Accused accomplice in Tessa Majors murder kept her from escaping: prosecutor
A 14-year-old boy kept Barnard College freshman Tessa Majors from escaping a fatal mugging in an Upper Manhattan park last year, a prosecutor said in court Wednesday.
Luchiano Lewis grabbed Majors, 18, and put her “in some kind of a bear hug or headlock” when she tried to flee up a set of stairs in Morningside Park, Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Matthew Bogdanos said.
“Ms. Majors is ultimately able to extricate herself from that top landing,” Bogdanos said in Manhattan Supreme Court.
“Unfortunately, she was already stabbed four times.”
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Luchiano Lewis grabbed Majors, 18, and put her “in some kind of a bear hug or headlock” when she tried to flee up a set of stairs in Morningside Park, Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Matthew Bogdanos said.
“Ms. Majors is ultimately able to extricate herself from that top landing,” Bogdanos said in Manhattan Supreme Court.
“Unfortunately, she was already stabbed four times.”
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Scientists spot ELEVEN asteroids that could hit Earth triggering 'unprecedented devastation' - but were 'MISSED by NASA software'
A computer algorithm from Leiden University in the Netherlands has spotted eleven asteroids that could eventually hit Earth and cause 'unprecedented devastation'.
All were missed by NASA software thanks to their chaotic orbits, which are difficult for current techniques to predict and identify as being potentially dangerous.
Each are more than 328 feet (100 metres) in diameter and will pass closer to our planet than ten times the distance between the Earth and the moon.
For comparison, the Tunguska object which flattened 772 square miles of forest in Siberia had a diameter of around 164–262 feet (50–80 metres).
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All were missed by NASA software thanks to their chaotic orbits, which are difficult for current techniques to predict and identify as being potentially dangerous.
Each are more than 328 feet (100 metres) in diameter and will pass closer to our planet than ten times the distance between the Earth and the moon.
For comparison, the Tunguska object which flattened 772 square miles of forest in Siberia had a diameter of around 164–262 feet (50–80 metres).
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Bloomberg Gets Called Out at Presser for Being in Epstein’s Little Black Book
Jeffrey Epstein was arrested in June and indicted on one count of conspiring to commit sex trafficking.
Epstein was later found dead in his prison cell. Authorities ruled it a suicide.
Epstein’s former house manager tried to sell his black book of contacts years ago. Gawker got a copy of the book and published the 93 pages of contacts in 2015.
The book contains entries for Alec Baldwin, Ralph Fiennes, Griffin Dunne, New York Post gossip Richard Johnson, Ted Kennedy, David Koch, filmmaker Andrew Jarecki, and all manner of other people you might expect a billionaire to know.
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Epstein was later found dead in his prison cell. Authorities ruled it a suicide.
Epstein’s former house manager tried to sell his black book of contacts years ago. Gawker got a copy of the book and published the 93 pages of contacts in 2015.
The book contains entries for Alec Baldwin, Ralph Fiennes, Griffin Dunne, New York Post gossip Richard Johnson, Ted Kennedy, David Koch, filmmaker Andrew Jarecki, and all manner of other people you might expect a billionaire to know.
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Woman charged after 11-year-old daughter gives birth to baby in a bathtub
ST CHARLES, Mo. — A mother was charged after her 11-year-old daughter who gave birth in a bathtub last week.
Lesbia Cante pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a charge of endangering the welfare of a child. In court Wednesday, her cash-only bond was increased from $10,000 to $100,000.
According to court documents, Cante and her husband, Francisco Javier Gonzalez-Lopez, took a newborn to St. Joseph Hospital in St. Charles last week. The baby still had the umbilical cord and placenta attached and had a body temperature of 90 degrees.
Gonzalez-Lopez initially told police someone left the infant on his front porch. In an interview with detectives two days later, he told police the father of the child was his son, 17-year-old Norvin Leonidas Lopez-Cante, and the mother was the teen’s 11-year-old relative.
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Lesbia Cante pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a charge of endangering the welfare of a child. In court Wednesday, her cash-only bond was increased from $10,000 to $100,000.
According to court documents, Cante and her husband, Francisco Javier Gonzalez-Lopez, took a newborn to St. Joseph Hospital in St. Charles last week. The baby still had the umbilical cord and placenta attached and had a body temperature of 90 degrees.
Gonzalez-Lopez initially told police someone left the infant on his front porch. In an interview with detectives two days later, he told police the father of the child was his son, 17-year-old Norvin Leonidas Lopez-Cante, and the mother was the teen’s 11-year-old relative.
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Elizabeth Warren Torches Michael Bloomberg for Calling Women, ‘Fat Broads,’ ‘Horsed-Faced Lesbians’
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) attacked former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg for calling women “fat broads” and “horsed-faced lesbians” during the Democrat Debate in Nevada.
Thursday night’s Democrat debate started by focusing on Bloomberg’s late entry to the Democrat presidential campaign.
Warren attacked Bloomberg for allegedly making sexist remarks about women.
“I’d like to talk about who we’re running against — a billionaire who calls women fat broads and horse-faced lesbians. No, I’m not talking about Donald Trump. I’m talking about Michael Bloomberg,” the Massachusetts senator said.
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Thursday night’s Democrat debate started by focusing on Bloomberg’s late entry to the Democrat presidential campaign.
Warren attacked Bloomberg for allegedly making sexist remarks about women.
“I’d like to talk about who we’re running against — a billionaire who calls women fat broads and horse-faced lesbians. No, I’m not talking about Donald Trump. I’m talking about Michael Bloomberg,” the Massachusetts senator said.
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Roger Stone sentenced to 3 years for lying, witness tampering as case roils DOJ
GOP operative Roger Stone was sentenced to more than three years in prison on Thursday after days of drama ensnaring career prosecutors, the attorney general and the president over how severe Stone's punishment should be for making false statements to investigators during the Trump-Russia probe.
U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson, while taking a firm stance toward Stone in the courtroom, also said the up to nine years originally sought by federal prosecutors was excessive. Her sentence of 40 months in prison was considerably less than that -- yet far more than the probation sought by his defense and certainly tough enough to keep speculation alive about a possible pardon from President Trump.
In court, Jackson repeatedly made clear she holds Stone responsible for his circumstances, as his lawyers sought leniency.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/roger-stone-sentencing
U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson, while taking a firm stance toward Stone in the courtroom, also said the up to nine years originally sought by federal prosecutors was excessive. Her sentence of 40 months in prison was considerably less than that -- yet far more than the probation sought by his defense and certainly tough enough to keep speculation alive about a possible pardon from President Trump.
In court, Jackson repeatedly made clear she holds Stone responsible for his circumstances, as his lawyers sought leniency.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/roger-stone-sentencing
Former Illinois Governor Blagojevich Was Imprisoned by Mueller, Comey and Deep State Gang – President Trump’s Release of Blago Sends Deep State a Message
President Trump’s commutation of former Illinois Governor Blagojevich may have more to do with dirty cops Comey, Mueller and Fitzgerald than anything else.
As was reported yesterday, President Donald Trump commuted former Illinois Governor Rod “Blago” Blagojevich’s sentence after previously floating the idea. Trump claimed the charges against Blago were “unfair.” President Trump commuted the former Democrat governor’s sentence on Tuesday.
As we reported last night, in his first interview at the Denver Airport Blagojevich thanked President Trump and noted how Democrats “don’t treat him [President Trump] very good.”
As was reported yesterday, President Donald Trump commuted former Illinois Governor Rod “Blago” Blagojevich’s sentence after previously floating the idea. Trump claimed the charges against Blago were “unfair.” President Trump commuted the former Democrat governor’s sentence on Tuesday.
As we reported last night, in his first interview at the Denver Airport Blagojevich thanked President Trump and noted how Democrats “don’t treat him [President Trump] very good.”
Former Governor Rod Blagojevich: The appropriate thing to say is I speak for Patty, for my daughters Amy and Annie and me when I express our most profound and everlasting gratitude to President Trump for doing what he did. He didn’t have to do it. This is a Republican president. I was a Democratic governor. And my fellow Democrats don’t treat him very good. So all I can say is I think this is the ending of the first act of a two act play. And tomorrow begins the second act and I think there’s a lot that has to be done in the second act.More
'You lost me': Whoopi Goldberg chides AOC on The View for 'dismissing' old people
Whoopi Goldberg ripped into Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for what she perceived as attempts from the New York Democrat to dismiss the points of view of America's senior citizens.
"You know, I was very happy when you were elected because I thought it was a great step in a good direction," Goldberg told Ocasio-Cortez, who appeared on The View Wednesday. "And then, you lost me because it felt like you were saying to people like me that I was too old and didn’t do enough."
"And so, that has bothered me because I feel like I love young people. I was once one. But you're on my shoulders," the co-host added. "And to sort of hear it sound like you were dismissing us bothered the hell out of me."
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"You know, I was very happy when you were elected because I thought it was a great step in a good direction," Goldberg told Ocasio-Cortez, who appeared on The View Wednesday. "And then, you lost me because it felt like you were saying to people like me that I was too old and didn’t do enough."
"And so, that has bothered me because I feel like I love young people. I was once one. But you're on my shoulders," the co-host added. "And to sort of hear it sound like you were dismissing us bothered the hell out of me."
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Tucker: Our Leaders Made It Possible to Become Dependent on China
Tuesday during his show’s opening monologue, Fox News Channel’s Tucker Carlson explained how the United States has become more and more dependent on China, a nation grappling with the potential spread of the Coronavirus.
Transcript as follows:
The Democrat primary race is shaping up. It’s a pretty clear choice really for Democrat voters.
On the one hand, they can get a self-described Democrat socialist who wants to make your health insurance illegal or they can go with the plutocrat rich enough to buy your hometown.
That’s the choice. We have more to tell you with the Democrat Civil War now in progress in just a moment, but first tonight, there are serious long-term problems facing America as we’ve told you about for years on the show.
Thanks to outsourcing, this country no longer has the same reserve of stable middle class manufacturing jobs we did even 30 years ago. In coastal cities, housing has become astronomically expensive, prices are rising far quicker than wage growth.
And most tragically, an opioid epidemic kills tens of thousands of Americans every year. One of the chief reasons for that is a synthetic opiate called fentanyl that is smuggled in from abroad.
Now these might seem like unrelated problems, but they’re not. A single theme unites them, a systematic decision by many of our country’s most powerful leaders to sell out America to China.
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Transcript as follows:
The Democrat primary race is shaping up. It’s a pretty clear choice really for Democrat voters.
On the one hand, they can get a self-described Democrat socialist who wants to make your health insurance illegal or they can go with the plutocrat rich enough to buy your hometown.
That’s the choice. We have more to tell you with the Democrat Civil War now in progress in just a moment, but first tonight, there are serious long-term problems facing America as we’ve told you about for years on the show.
Thanks to outsourcing, this country no longer has the same reserve of stable middle class manufacturing jobs we did even 30 years ago. In coastal cities, housing has become astronomically expensive, prices are rising far quicker than wage growth.
And most tragically, an opioid epidemic kills tens of thousands of Americans every year. One of the chief reasons for that is a synthetic opiate called fentanyl that is smuggled in from abroad.
Now these might seem like unrelated problems, but they’re not. A single theme unites them, a systematic decision by many of our country’s most powerful leaders to sell out America to China.
More
Trump claims Sen. Murphy's meeting with Iran's Zarif violated federal law
President Trump slammed a recent meeting between Sen. Chris Murphy and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, and claimed the Connecticut Democrat violated federal law.
Mr. Trump on Wednesday alleged the meeting violated the Logan Act, which prohibits American citizens from conducting negotiations with a foreign government.
“This is why Iran is not making a deal. Must be dealt with strongly!” the president tweeted.
Mr. Murphy confirmed the meeting, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference last weekend, in a post on Medium Tuesday. He said his goal was to discuss Iranian forces in Iraq in the wake of the fatal U.S. strike on former Quds force leader Qassem Soleimani, American citizens being held prisoner in Iran, and the ongoing war in Yemen.
Mr. Murphy insisted that he does not conduct diplomacy on behalf of the U.S., but stressed that Congress is a co-equal branch of government “responsible along with the Executive for setting foreign policy.”
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[ 18 U.S. Code § 953. Private correspondence with foreign governments -- Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.]
Mr. Trump on Wednesday alleged the meeting violated the Logan Act, which prohibits American citizens from conducting negotiations with a foreign government.
“This is why Iran is not making a deal. Must be dealt with strongly!” the president tweeted.
Mr. Murphy confirmed the meeting, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference last weekend, in a post on Medium Tuesday. He said his goal was to discuss Iranian forces in Iraq in the wake of the fatal U.S. strike on former Quds force leader Qassem Soleimani, American citizens being held prisoner in Iran, and the ongoing war in Yemen.
Mr. Murphy insisted that he does not conduct diplomacy on behalf of the U.S., but stressed that Congress is a co-equal branch of government “responsible along with the Executive for setting foreign policy.”
More
[ 18 U.S. Code § 953. Private correspondence with foreign governments -- Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.]
Change In Marine Parking Regs A Key Piece For Mad Fish Rebuilding Effort
SNOW HILL – County officials have introduced emergency legislation that could help with the redevelopment of Mad Fish Bar & Grill following a fire last summer.
The Worcester County Commissioners this week agreed to introduce a bill that would loosen parking requirements in the commercial marine district — the area around the West Ocean City Commercial Harbor. The bill would allow Mad Fish, which was closed indefinitely after being destroyed in an August fire, to be rebuilt with more of its parking across the street rather than on-site.
“You’ve been requested to introduce and adopt this legislation as quickly as possible for a pending project in the commercial marine district of the West Ocean City Harbor area,” said Kelly Shannahan, the county’s assistant chief administrative officer.
According to Shannahan, the bill would increase the percentage of off-premises parking permitted in the commercial marine district from 50% to 90%.
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The Worcester County Commissioners this week agreed to introduce a bill that would loosen parking requirements in the commercial marine district — the area around the West Ocean City Commercial Harbor. The bill would allow Mad Fish, which was closed indefinitely after being destroyed in an August fire, to be rebuilt with more of its parking across the street rather than on-site.
“You’ve been requested to introduce and adopt this legislation as quickly as possible for a pending project in the commercial marine district of the West Ocean City Harbor area,” said Kelly Shannahan, the county’s assistant chief administrative officer.
According to Shannahan, the bill would increase the percentage of off-premises parking permitted in the commercial marine district from 50% to 90%.
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Wisconsin parents hit school district with lawsuit over transgender identity policy
Parents in Wisconsin are suing a public school district over a policy they claim allows children to “socially transition” their gender identity without parental consent.
The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty filed the suit Tuesday on behalf of 14 parents against the Madison Metropolitan School District. The lawsuit claims that a school policy enacted in 2018 requires teachers to “enable” students to “socially transition to a different gender identity” without parental consent or knowledge.
"Madison schools have adopted policies that violate constitutionally recognized parental rights. A public school district should not and cannot make decisions reserved for parents," WILL President Rick Esenberg said in a statement.
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The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty filed the suit Tuesday on behalf of 14 parents against the Madison Metropolitan School District. The lawsuit claims that a school policy enacted in 2018 requires teachers to “enable” students to “socially transition to a different gender identity” without parental consent or knowledge.
"Madison schools have adopted policies that violate constitutionally recognized parental rights. A public school district should not and cannot make decisions reserved for parents," WILL President Rick Esenberg said in a statement.
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San Francisco sheriff won't help federal tactical units deport illegal immigrants
The newly elected sheriff of San Francisco has vowed to leave immigration law enforcement in the city to federal authorities.
"Our department is not involved in immigration enforcement," said Sheriff Paul Miyamoto. "We feel that is a federal matter, and our realm of interest is public safety, and you can't really have a safe community if the community members are afraid to come to us to report crimes."
Miyamoto became the first Asian American sheriff in the city's history after he was elected last year.
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"Our department is not involved in immigration enforcement," said Sheriff Paul Miyamoto. "We feel that is a federal matter, and our realm of interest is public safety, and you can't really have a safe community if the community members are afraid to come to us to report crimes."
Miyamoto became the first Asian American sheriff in the city's history after he was elected last year.
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Study Shoots Down "Voter Suppression" Myth
A crucial part of the Democrat narrative is that the Republicans have spent decades engaged in a vast conspiracy to suppress the votes of minorities. Democrat judges routinely shut down voter ID requirements, claiming that they represent a voter suppression plot. When Democrats lose, they routinely blame voter suppression. Stacey Abrams has virtually locked in a V.P. slot with that line.
Meanwhile a new study shoots down this particular political myth.
People who value voting, will vote. Those who don't, won't.
That was the surprising finding of a sweeping new study released Wednesday by the Knight Foundation. The study, which involved polling and interviews with over 14,000 people, showed that a plurality of non-voters cited a dislike of the candidates (17 percent) and a feeling that their votes don’t matter (12 percent) as the main motivators for not voting.
There were similar responses with why eligible citizens chose not to register. According to the study, 29 percent of non-voters said they were not registered to vote because of a lack of interest, followed by 13 percent saying their votes don’t matter. Only 8 percent said they don’t vote because they don’t know how or it’s too complicated.
Only 3 percent of non-voters said a more convenient process to register would motivate them to vote in more elections.
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Meanwhile a new study shoots down this particular political myth.
People who value voting, will vote. Those who don't, won't.
That was the surprising finding of a sweeping new study released Wednesday by the Knight Foundation. The study, which involved polling and interviews with over 14,000 people, showed that a plurality of non-voters cited a dislike of the candidates (17 percent) and a feeling that their votes don’t matter (12 percent) as the main motivators for not voting.
There were similar responses with why eligible citizens chose not to register. According to the study, 29 percent of non-voters said they were not registered to vote because of a lack of interest, followed by 13 percent saying their votes don’t matter. Only 8 percent said they don’t vote because they don’t know how or it’s too complicated.
Only 3 percent of non-voters said a more convenient process to register would motivate them to vote in more elections.
More
'So God Made a Farmer': Pence jabs Bloomberg for saying he could 'teach anyone' to farm
Vice President Mike Pence took a dig at 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg for his comments about farmers.
The vice president, who hails from the agriculture hub of Indiana, tweeted on Monday a commercial made by Dodge for the 2013 Super Bowl, with the caption, "So God Made a Farmer."
The commercial features a 1978 speech from radio broadcaster Paul Harvey.
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The vice president, who hails from the agriculture hub of Indiana, tweeted on Monday a commercial made by Dodge for the 2013 Super Bowl, with the caption, "So God Made a Farmer."
So God Made a Farmer 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/sbXSugMNyO— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) February 17, 2020
The commercial features a 1978 speech from radio broadcaster Paul Harvey.
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After police department disbands, chief protests by walking home in his underwear
CROYDON, N.H. —A one-man police department in New Hampshire was disbanded by a vote this week, leading its former chief to walk home from his office in his underwear in protest.
A motion abolishing the Croydon Police Department passed unanimously Tuesday night, according to a draft of the Croydon board of selectmen meeting minutes.
"The citizens that were up front were all surprised and shocked," former Chief Richard Lee said. "One was very angry. She had a case pending before the court that's now no good 'cause I can't prosecute it."
He was the only one on the force, working part-time, and had worked there since 2000.
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A motion abolishing the Croydon Police Department passed unanimously Tuesday night, according to a draft of the Croydon board of selectmen meeting minutes.
"The citizens that were up front were all surprised and shocked," former Chief Richard Lee said. "One was very angry. She had a case pending before the court that's now no good 'cause I can't prosecute it."
He was the only one on the force, working part-time, and had worked there since 2000.
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Small Town Pushes Back Against Library’s Drag Queen Event. Now It’s A Battle.
A small New York town of roughly 16,000 people has rebuffed their local library, which had planned to host a children's Drag Queen Story Hour event on February 8.
Robin Janovich and Tom McDermott of The Rye Record saw an announcement about the program at the Rye Free Reading Room (RFRR) in late January. Janovich wrote that seeing the announcement “stopped us in our editing tracks: Drag Queen Story Hour. For ages 3-8. ‘Families can celebrate difference, learn empathy, and create crafts…Kids are encouraged to celebrate diversity while building confidence in self-expression.’”
Janovich continued, “My first thought was: ‘We’re not in Kansas anymore, or in traditional library land for that matter.” But I refrained from comment because I’m an AARP member and a grandmother and maybe I’m not that edgy Manhattan sophisticate I was in my youth.’”
Some questions arose: “Are families likely to bring their young children to a program that uses drag queens to focus on inclusivity? Why are we foisting conversations on inclusivity on children that young? Are we replacing bedtime stories, which take children out of themselves and out into other, far more interesting worlds, with discussions of sexual differences when they are innocent sponges?”
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Robin Janovich and Tom McDermott of The Rye Record saw an announcement about the program at the Rye Free Reading Room (RFRR) in late January. Janovich wrote that seeing the announcement “stopped us in our editing tracks: Drag Queen Story Hour. For ages 3-8. ‘Families can celebrate difference, learn empathy, and create crafts…Kids are encouraged to celebrate diversity while building confidence in self-expression.’”
Janovich continued, “My first thought was: ‘We’re not in Kansas anymore, or in traditional library land for that matter.” But I refrained from comment because I’m an AARP member and a grandmother and maybe I’m not that edgy Manhattan sophisticate I was in my youth.’”
Some questions arose: “Are families likely to bring their young children to a program that uses drag queens to focus on inclusivity? Why are we foisting conversations on inclusivity on children that young? Are we replacing bedtime stories, which take children out of themselves and out into other, far more interesting worlds, with discussions of sexual differences when they are innocent sponges?”
More
Ted Cruz calls climate movement 'an emotional primal scream'
Sen. Ted Cruz warned Democrats could destroy the country if they are allowed to implement aggressive reforms to combat climate change.
"What is dangerous about the climate movement is it has become an emotional primal scream, rather than being driven by science," the Texas Republican said in a campaign ad released Tuesday.
The minute-and-a-half ad features prominent Democrats who issue dire warnings about a warming planet and implore the public to take climate change more seriously.
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"What is dangerous about the climate movement is it has become an emotional primal scream, rather than being driven by science," the Texas Republican said in a campaign ad released Tuesday.
The minute-and-a-half ad features prominent Democrats who issue dire warnings about a warming planet and implore the public to take climate change more seriously.
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Donald Trump to make ambassador to Germany Rick Grenell acting director of national intelligence, making him first openly gay cabinet secretary in history
Donald Trump named one of his closest loyalists, ambassador to Germany Rick Grenell, as acting director of national intelligence Wednesday.
'I am pleased to announce that our highly respected Ambassador to Germany, @RichardGrenell, will become the Acting Director of National Intelligence. Rick has represented our Country exceedingly well and I look forward to working with him,' Trump tweeted just before he started a rally in Phoenix, Arizona.
The appointment will make history with Grenell, 53, becoming the first openly gay cabinet secretary.
It puts a hawkish pro-Trump figure in charge of the intelligence community but may not be a permanent move - Grenell replaces an acting director, Joseph Maguire, and there was no clarity on whether the ambassador would be formally nominated for the role.
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'I am pleased to announce that our highly respected Ambassador to Germany, @RichardGrenell, will become the Acting Director of National Intelligence. Rick has represented our Country exceedingly well and I look forward to working with him,' Trump tweeted just before he started a rally in Phoenix, Arizona.
The appointment will make history with Grenell, 53, becoming the first openly gay cabinet secretary.
It puts a hawkish pro-Trump figure in charge of the intelligence community but may not be a permanent move - Grenell replaces an acting director, Joseph Maguire, and there was no clarity on whether the ambassador would be formally nominated for the role.
More
Sign The Petition
We the People can not sit still, we must act for our Wicomico County residents before it is to late.
We feel that Wicomico County should APPROVE a resolution in favor of affirming the 2nd Amendment which protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms, “Shall not be infringed.” OPPOSE any legislation that orders local, state, or federal law enforcement officials to confiscate firearms. This includes semi-automatic sporting rifles commonly referred to as assault rifles. The term “assault” rifle generally refers to military style weapons that have the capability for fully automatic fire when the trigger is depressed. Civilian “AR” style rifles are by nature semi-automatic weapons that DO NOT have the ability to fire fully automatic.
Wicomico County should know that the men and women of the Wicomico County Sheriff Office took an oath to honor and uphold the United States Constitution and we SHOULD NOT waiver on this duty.
Here is a list of people that completely support this Wicomico County 2nd Amendment Sanctuary movement. We just want you to see how important this is to Wicomico County, and the state as a whole. After seeing the injustices in Virginia, we can't let that happen here. Stripping the citizens of their rights is something we simply can't ignore. We hope you consider this petition with the same regard you should. We are the people, after all. And this is what we all want.
We encourage you to send an email to each Wicomico County Council and let them know we NEED the Council to APPROVE a resolution in favor of affirming the 2nd Amendment!
https://www.change.org/p/wicomico-county-council-wicomico-county-maryland-for-second-amendment-sanctuary
We feel that Wicomico County should APPROVE a resolution in favor of affirming the 2nd Amendment which protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms, “Shall not be infringed.” OPPOSE any legislation that orders local, state, or federal law enforcement officials to confiscate firearms. This includes semi-automatic sporting rifles commonly referred to as assault rifles. The term “assault” rifle generally refers to military style weapons that have the capability for fully automatic fire when the trigger is depressed. Civilian “AR” style rifles are by nature semi-automatic weapons that DO NOT have the ability to fire fully automatic.
Wicomico County should know that the men and women of the Wicomico County Sheriff Office took an oath to honor and uphold the United States Constitution and we SHOULD NOT waiver on this duty.
Here is a list of people that completely support this Wicomico County 2nd Amendment Sanctuary movement. We just want you to see how important this is to Wicomico County, and the state as a whole. After seeing the injustices in Virginia, we can't let that happen here. Stripping the citizens of their rights is something we simply can't ignore. We hope you consider this petition with the same regard you should. We are the people, after all. And this is what we all want.
We encourage you to send an email to each Wicomico County Council and let them know we NEED the Council to APPROVE a resolution in favor of affirming the 2nd Amendment!
https://www.change.org/p/wicomico-county-council-wicomico-county-maryland-for-second-amendment-sanctuary
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